bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FATTY ACID EXPORTER 1 enhances seed oil content in Brassica napus
Authors: Li Yuqing , Ali Usman , Cao Zhouxiao , Zeng Chenghao , Xiao Mengying , Wei Fang , Yao Xuan , Guo Liang , Lu Shaoping
Published: November 2022

FATTY ACID EXPORTER 1 (FAX1) is an initial transporter for fatty acid (FA), in charge of transporting FA from the inside of the plastid to the outside. Brassica napus (B. napus) has nineteen members in the FAX family, of which there are six FAX1 homologous genes. Here, we generated the BnaFAX1 CRISPR mutants (BnaA09.FAX1 and BnaC08.FAX1 were both edited) and overexpression (OE) plants of BnaA09.FAX1 in B. napus. The results showed that the FA content was increased by 0.6–0.9% in OE plant leaves, and the seed oil content was increased by 1.4–1.7% in OE lines, compared to WT. Meanwhile, the content of triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine was significantly increased in OE seeds. Moreover, seedling biomass and plant height of OE plants were increased compared to WT plants. However, the traits above had no significant difference between the mutants and WT. These results suggest that BnaA09.FAX1 plays a role in improving seed oil accumulation and plant growth, while the function of BnaFAX1 may be compensated by other homologous genes of BnaFAX1 and other BnaFAX genes in the mutants.
Positive Impacts of Leisure-Time Physical Activity on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Co- Morbidity Level, Cardiovascular Health and Quality of Life among Midlife Adults: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Maruf Fatai Adesina , Ucheokoye Demelum Marylyn
Published: November 2022

Background
Regular physical activity (PA) improves general health and quality of life (QoL) of the general population. It is however not known if leisure-time PA (LTPA) behaviour will reduce co-morbidity and adiposity, and improve cardiorespiratory fitness and QoL in midlife men. This study explored the impacts of regular LTPA behaviour on co-morbidity, adiposity, cardiorespiratory fitness and QoL among Nigerian sports club members.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved 174 age-matched male midlife adults: 87 engaging in LTPA (LTPA group) and 87 not engaging in LTPA (non-LTPA group). Information on age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), resting heart rate (RHR), QoL and co-morbidity level was collected using standardized procedures. Data were summarized using mean and standard deviation, and explored using frequency and proportion. Independent t-test, Chi Square and Mann-Whitney U test were employed to determine the impacts of LTPA at 0.05 significance level.
Results
The LTPA group had lower co-morbidity score (p = 0.05) and RHR (p = 0.004), and higher QoL (p = 0.01) and VO2max (p = 0.003) than non-LTPA group. While heart disease (χ2 = 10.99; p = 0.01) and hypertension (χ2 = 15.24; p = 0.004) severity levels were associated with LTPA behaviour, hypertension (p = 0.01) was the only co-morbid condition that had a significantly lower score in the LTPA group than in the non-LTPA group.
Conclusions
Regular LTPA improves cardiovascular health, physical work capacity and QoL in mid-life men. Regular LTPA behaviour is recommended for cardiovascular health promotion, and improved physical work capacity and life satisfaction in midlife men.
Bearing variant alleles at uridine glucuronosyltransferase polymorphisms UGT2B7 -161C>T (rs7668258) or UGT1A4*3 c.142T>G (rs2011425) has no relevant consequences for lamotrigine troughs in adults with epilepsy
Authors: Božina Nada , Sporiš Ivana Šušak , Domjanović Iva Klarica , Ganoci Lana , Šimičević Livija , Lovrić Mila , Romić Zrinka Čolak , Gadže Željka Petelin , Trkulja Vladimir
Published: November 2022

Purpose. To estimate whether epilepsy patients with variant UGT2B7 -161C>T(rs7668258) or UGT1A4*3 c.142T>G(rs2011425) alleles differ from their wild-type (wt) peers in exposure to lamotrigine.
Methods. Consecutive adults on lamotrigine monotherapy or lamotrigine+valproate co-treatment undergoing routine therapeutic drug monitoring, otherwise generally healthy and free of interacting drugs, were genotyped for UGT2B7 -161C>T and UGT1A4*3 c.142T>G. Heterozygous, variant homozygous, or combined heterozygous/variant homozygous subjects were compared to their wt controls for dose-adjusted lamotrigine troughs with adjustment for age, sex, body weight, rs7668258/rs2011425, polymorphisms of efflux transporter proteins ABCG2 c.421C>A (rs2231142) and ABCB1 1236C>T (rs1128503), and level of exposure to valproate using covariate entropy balancing.
Results. Of the 471 included patients, 328 (69.6%) were on monotherapy and 143 were co-treated with valproate. Dose-adjusted lamotrigine troughs in UGT2B7 -161C>T heterozygous (CT, n=237) or variant homozygous (TT, n=115) subjects were closely similar to those in their wt controls (CC, n=119): geometric means ratios (GMRs) (frequentist and Bayes) 1.00 (95%CI 0.86-1.16) and 1.00 (95%CrI 0.83-1.22) for CT vs. CC; and 0.97 (0.81-1.17) and 0.97 (0.80-1.20) for TT vs. CC subjects. Lamotrigine troughs were also closely similar in UGT1A4*3 c.142T>G variant carriers [n=106: 102 TG + 4 GG subjects) and wt controls (TT, n=365): GMR= 0.95 (0.81-1.12) frequentist, 0.96 (0.80-1.16) Bayes. GMRs for variant carriers vs. wt controls were around unity also at different levels of exposure to valproate.
Conclusion. Dose-adjusted lamotrigine troughs in epilepsy patients with variant UGT2B7 -161C>T or UGT1A4*3 c.142T>G alleles are equivalent to those in their respective wt peers.
Long-term High Level of Insulin Resistance Increase the Prevalence of Coronary Artery Calcification: the CARDIA study
Authors: Ke Zezhi , Huang Rihua , Xu Xinghao , Liu Wenbin , Wang Suisui , Zhang Xu , Guo Ye , Zhuang Xiaodong , Liao Lizhen
Published: November 2022

Background: Coronary artery calcification is a key marker of subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Understanding its related risk factors is conducive to prevention in youths. Seldom studies revealed the relationship between long-term insulin resistance (IR) trajectory and CAC. We aimed to study whether the long-term IR time series of young adults are associated with incident CAC in mid-age.
Methods: In a cohort study of 2777 individuals from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA), we calculated the homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) as the index of the IR level of each individual and used group-based trajectory modeling to fit three 25-year HOMA-IR trajectories (low, moderate, and high level). CAC was scored by the Agatston method and CAC score >0 was defined as a CAC event. The relationship between three HOMA-IR trajectories and CAC events at year 25 was evaluated by logistic regression after full adjustment.
Results: Among 2777 participants (mean age: 50.10 ± 3.58, 56.2% were women, and 46.4% were black), there were 780 incident CAC events after a 25-year follow-up. After full adjustment, the prevalence of CAC was higher in the moderate [OR (95% CI): 1.38 (1.08-1.75), P =0.010] and the high level HOMA-IR trajectories [OR (95% CI): 1.79 (1.17-2.73), P =0.007] than in the low level trajectory. And this association is not modified by obesity status.
Conclusions: Young adults with a higher level of IR were associated with an increased prevalence of CAC in middle age. This association was independent of obesity status, but it was more significant in the obese. Indicating that it was valuable to identify subclinical cardiovascular risk factors and primary prevention.
Risk Factors for Endometrial Hyperplasia and Cancer in Patients with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Al-Zahrawi Hospital
Authors: jeha Mohamad , sakka Kanaan AL
Published: November 2022

Aim and background:
The study aims to detrmaine the risk factors for endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in patient with abnormal uterine bleeding and thus early diagnositric investigations to detect the disease and limit its development
Methods:
The study sample includes women attending AL-zhrawi Hospital with acomplaint of abnormal uterine bleeding and who fulfilled the entry criteria. The women in the sample were divided according to the result of the pathological autopsy into :
The first group “control group” : it the the group that showed normal endometrioses by histopathology .
The second group “cases group” : it is divided into two categories: the first category it is the group that showed endometrial hyperplasia through histopathology.
The second category : the category that showed the presence of endometrial cancer through histopathology.
Results:
The mean age in the endometrial cancer group was 58.6 ± 6.5 years, the BMI value was expressed as the arithmetic mean of values for each group, and the highest mean in the cancer group was 28.75 kg/m2. The differences between the endometrial and control groups and the two hyperplastic groups The control is statistically significant with a P value of 0.001, and 60% of endometrial cancer patients were in menopause, and this is associated with hormonal changes accompanying the age of transition to menopause, and 45% of them were not giving birth. 35% of patients with cancer were found in this study. Endometriosis have diabetes, and this value was statistically significant compared to the control group with (P<0.05), and arterial hypertension was recorded in 80% of our patients, and it was statistically significant (P<0.05), a family history was found. of endometrial cancer in 50% of endometrial cancer patients, and half of the cases were in the mother and the other half in the sister.
Conclusion:
In this study, according to the set conditions, 123 women suffering from abnormal uterine bleeding were recruited. The number of diagnosed endometrial cancer cases was 20, and each of the following factors was statistically significant for the development of endometrial cancer: advanced age - high BMI - early puberty - anuria - female childbirth - the presence of a family history of endometrial cancer - diabetes mellitus - High arterial pressure, while the following factors were not statistically significant: Increased number of births - Intensity of vaginal bleeding
Characterization of rutin extracted and purified by different methods from leafy by-products of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
Authors: Chitrakar Bimal , Hou Yakun , Devahastin Sakamon , Zhang Min , Sang Yaxin
Published: November 2022

Valorization of asparagus leafy by-products as a potential source of rutin through selected extraction and purification protocols was investigated. Protocol resulting in the highest extraction yield was first selected. Crude extract was subject to purification via multiple liquid-liquid back extraction using ethanol, methanol or water as a solvent; selection of the most appropriate purification solvent was made, based on rutin solubility. The proposed purification protocol yielded yellow-color crystals, which were characterized by fluorescence microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to confirm them as rutin. Purity of rutin was confirmed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography at 97.6%; yield of the purified rutin was determined to be 78.2%. The remaining rutin (21.8%) was found in the liquids collected at various stages of purification; such liquids could be recycled using the same purification process. The proposed protocols are simple, yet effective for rutin extraction and purification from asparagus leafy by-products.
Tuning the size and concentration of functional molecules coated onto mesoporous silica nanoparticles for efficient therapeutic protein delivery
Authors: Esmaeilnejad-Ahranjani Parvaneh , Maboudi Sayed Ali
Published: November 2022

In this work, the importance of the size and concentration of binding sites in mesoporous nanostructures on their performance for protein delivery is reported. Various types of carboxyl-functionalized mesoporous silica (MS) nanoparticles, i.e., SA(x)-MS, PA1(x)-MS and PA2(x)-MS, where x = 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 mg, were synthesized by using succinic anhydride (SA) and polyacrylic acid with two molecular weights (i.e., 1800 (PA1) and 100000 (PA2)), respectively. The particles were thoroughly characterized by TGA, FTIR, STEM and zeta potential measurement techniques and then, their biomedical performance was investigated by using a model therapeutic protein, lysozyme. The carboxyl functional molecules concentration (CCOOH) on the particles was increased as a function of the functional molecules type and quantity in the synthesis reaction environment. The maximum CCOOH values were recorded for SA(10)-MS, PA1(15)-MS and PA2(15)-MS, being 827, 1662 and 2137 µmol.g− 1, respectively. However, SA(10)-MS, PA1(15)-MS and PA2(10)-MS particles led to the highest lysozyme loading yield values of 63.1, 90.0 and 71.5% as well as the loading capacities of 631, 900 and 715 mg.g− 1, respectively. The controlled lysozyme release rate and some protein conformational changes favored the in vitro antibacterial activity of lysozyme molecules carried by the particles, which followed the order of PA1(15)-MS > PA2(10)-MS > SA(10)-MS.
Up-regulation of SAMHD1 gene construction of a prognosis biomarker for survival and prognostic in breast invasive carcinoma
Authors: Hua Hujia , Jiang Xingyu , Jiang Mingfeng , Qian Li , Cai Liangliang
Published: November 2022

Background: SAMHD1 is an important intracellular dNTP triphosphate hydrolase and may play a role in the regulation of innate immune responses. Studies have found that SAMHD1 is mutated in many tumors and has functional significance. However, however, the impact of the SAMHD1 gene on breast invasive carcinoma is unclear.
Methods:The RNA expression, variance analysis, copy number alteration and the clinical features, prognostic value of SAMHD1 gene in BRCA patients was evaluated using TCGA data. Pathway enrichment analysis of SAMHD1 gene was conducted using the R package cluster Profiler. In addition, we deeply explored the interaction between SAMHD1 gene and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (iTME) at the BRCA patients.
Results: SAMHD1 gene expression was substantially lower in BRCA patients than normal. High SAMHD1 gene expression predicted worse long-term survival in BRCA patients. We also proved that SAMHD1 gene expression was positively correlated with the immune checkpoint genes, DNA damage repair (DDR) genes, and CD8+ T cell effector genes.
Conclusions: Our results revealed that overexpression SAMHD1 gene lead to poor survival and construction of prognostic marker in BRCA patients.
Survey and population fluctuation on phytophagous mites infesting tomatoes and Pepper at Qena governorate in Egypt
Authors: Mohamed A.S. M. , Abou-Shosha M. A. A. , Mowafi M. H. , Allah A. A. Abd , Mahmoud N. A. , Abdel-mageed M. A. , Yousef Ahmed Fathy , Jaber Mohammed Y. M.
Published: November 2022

Survey and population fluctuation of phytophagous mites were carried out during two successive years (2013/2014) and (2014/2015) in four localities (Qena, Kaft, El waqf and Nag Hmady) at Qena governorate on mites associated with tomatoes(Lycopersicon esculentum) and Pepper (Capsicum annum); the results revealed that, nine mites species belonging to( Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Eriophyidae and Tarsonemidae) were recorded infesting tomatoes and Pepper also the study indicated that, the population fluctuation of these mites recorded high population in September of the summer season 2014 and 2015 with average 153.25 and 146.75 individuals / 25 leaves respectively on tomatoes plant; while in the winter season were high population in February and December 2014 with average 76 and 137.75 individuals / 25 leaves respectively on the same plants. in pepper plants, the population of mites was a very low number compared with tomato plants in the summer and winter seasons it were 15.5 individuals / 25 leaves in March 2015 and 13.50 individuals / 25 leaves in February 2014. The results were a significant correlation between phytophagous mites, Temperature and relative humidity.
Metaverse-based social skills training program for children with autism spectrum disorder to improve social interaction ability: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lee JooHyun , Lee Tae Seon , Yoo Su Young , Lee Seung Woo , Jang Ji Hye , Choi Ye jin , Park Yu Rang
Published: November 2022

Background
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by abnormalities in social interactions and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Children with high-functioning ASD (HFASD) who lack social communication skills do not interact with others and lack peer relationships.
Objective
This study aimed to develop a metaverse-based social skills training program to improve the social skills of children with HFASD aged 7–12 years and verify the effectiveness of the program developed through a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Method
This single-blind RCT was conducted on children aged 7–12 years with ASD with an IQ ≥ 90. A total of 15 children were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in the metaverse-based social skills training program once a week for 60 min per session for four weeks. The control group received no intervention.
Results
Overall, 15 children (median [IQR] age, intervention group: 9.0 [8.0–10.0)]; control group: 8.5 (8.0–10.0) participated in the program. The intervention group included nine participants (60%), and the control group included six (40%). In the results of the intervention effect to evaluate children’s sociality, and emotional and behavioral problems in the pre- and post-interventions between the intervention and control groups, significant effect size was reported in the total score of SRS-2 (r, 0.49; 95% CI: 0.06–0.84), interpersonal problems in the CDI (r, 0.45; 95% CI: 0.05–0.75), anxiety and depression in the K-CBCL (r, 0.43; 95% CI: 0.06–0.78).
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first randomized clinical trial to demonstrate a metaverse-based social skills training program for children with HFASD. Our findings suggest that children with HFASD can be educated on real-life social situations to improve sociality and reduce emotional and behavioral problems. The results of this study can be extended and applied to target groups who have difficulty interacting with peers offline.
Trial Registration
CRIS Registration Number; KCT0006859
Isolation for the Antioxidant Activity of Metabolites from Lactobacillus sp. A-2
Authors: Ding Lin , Guo Hao , Yang Wen-qin , Luo Xun-bang , Zang Chuan-gang , Liu Yu-chao , Zhang Jie , Guan Hong
Published: November 2022

In the study, the preparation of metabolites by fermentation of Lactobacillus sp. A-2 in the desalted whey protein powder medium, separation of Lactobacillus sp. A-2 metabolites using a Diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel column (2.6 × 50 cm) and a dextran gel (Sephadex-G15) column (1.6 × 100 cm). The antioxidant activity of fractions was evaluated by the 2,2-biazo-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazole-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) method and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method. Lactobacillus sp. A-2 metabolites were isolated and purified to obtain two antioxidant active fractions DF1-1 and DEF1-1, with IC50 values of 1.21 mg/mL and 1.98 mg/mL for ABTS cation free radical scavenging activity and relative ORAC values of 257.8 µmol Trolox/g and 267.3 µmol Trolox/g, respectively. Meanwhile, the SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the molecular mass distribution of peptides in the components of DF1, DF1-1, DEF1 and DEF1-1, as a result, the components DEF1-1 contained more peptides.
Construction of an Immunogenic Cell Death-Related LncRNA Signature to Predict the Prognosis of Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Shuaishuai , Huang Lixia , Li Shaoli , Gu Jincui , Lin Ziying , Qiu Yanli , Deng Jiating , Chen Simin , Su Yan , Xu Xiongye , Liu Baomo , Zhou Yanbin
Published: November 2022

Background LUAD is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. This study aimed to construct an immunogenic cell death (ICD)-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature to effectively predict the prognosis of LUAD patients. Methods The RNA-sequencing and clinical data of LUAD were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to screen the ICD-related lncRNAs associated with prognosis. Then, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were utilized to construct an ICD-related lncRNA signature. The reliability of the signature was evaluated in the training, validation and whole cohorts. In addition, the differences in the immune landscape and drug sensitivity between the low-risk and high-risk groups were analyzed. Finally, reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of the selected ICD-related lncRNAs in cell lines. Results A signature consisting of 5 ICD-related lncRNAs was constructed. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival analysis showed that the overall survival (OS) of patients in the high-risk group was significantly shorter than that of patients in the low-risk group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the signature had good predictive ability. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the signature was an independent prognostic factor in LUAD. Moreover, the high-risk group had a lower level of antitumor immunity and was less sensitive to some chemotherapeutics and targeted drugs. Finally, the expression level of the selected ICD-related lncRNAs was validated in cell lines by qPCR. Conclusions In this study, an ICD-related lncRNA signature was constructed, which could accurately predict the prognosis of LUAD patients and guide clinical treatment.
Exosomes derived from Schistosoma japonicum Cystatin treated macrophages attenuated CLP-induced sepsis in mice
Authors: Huang Feifei , Qian Yayun , Li Huihui , Chu Liang , Wan Chen , Shen Qili , Li Qianqian , Li Xiuxiu , Wu Xinyue , Zhan Bin , Zhou Rui , Dong Huaifu , Yang Xiaodi
Published: November 2022

Background Sepsis is a disease caused by multiple microbial infections resulting in excessive immune activation and multiple organ failure.Schistosoma japonicumcystatin (Sj-Cys) is a cysteine protease inhibitor and strong immunomodulator that stimulates M2 macrophages and alleviates inflammatory damage caused by sepsis. We would like to investigate whether exosomes derived from Sj-Cys treated macrophages convey the anti-inflammatory responses to mice with sepsis. Methods RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with rSj-Cys (2 µg/mL) for 48 h, the exosomes were obtained from the cell culture supernatant by ultracentrifugation and identified by transmission electron microscope, flow cytometry and Western blot assay. Sepsis was induced in BALB/c mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The mice with CLP-induced sepsis were treated with exosomes via intraperitoneal injection (10 µg/mouse). The therapeutic effect of exosomes on sepsis was assessed by observing the survival rate of mice up to 72 hours after CLP surgery and by measuring serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, liver/kidney damage biomarkers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) in sera and observing pathological changes in tissue sections. The tissue levels of M1(iNOS), M2 (Arg-1) macrophage surface markers and TRL2/MyD88 were measured to explore possible mechanisms. Results Exosomes derived fromSj-Cys-treated macrophages exhibited significant therapeutic effect on CLP-induced sepsis in mice with prolonged survival rate and less damage of critical organs by down-regulating the pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 and up-regulating the anti-inflammatory factor TGF-β. The therapeutic effect of exosomes is associated with macrophage polarization from M1 (iNOS+) to M2 (Arg-1+) in infected tissues via down-regulating TRL2/MyD88 inflammatory pathway. Conclusions Exosomes derived fromSj-Cys-treated macrophages attenuated sepsis in mice through promoting macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 and reducing inflammatory responses, possibly via down-regulating TLR2/MyD88 inflammatory signaling pathway.
Accelerated mineral carbonation of coarse residue kimberlite material by inoculation with photosynthetic microbial mats
Authors: Jones Thomas Ray , Poitras Jordan , Gagen Emma , Paterson David , Southam Gordon
Published: November 2022

Microbiological weathering of coarse residue deposit (CRD) kimberlite produced by the Venetia Diamond Mine, Limpopo, South Africa enhanced mineral carbonation relative to untreated material. Cultures of photosynthetically enriched biofilm produced maximal carbonation conditions when mixed with kimberlite and incubated under near surface conditions. Interestingly, mineral carbonation also occurred in the dark, under water-saturated conditions. The examination of mineralized biofilms in ca. 150 µm-thick-sections using light microscopy, X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) and backscatter electron – scanning election microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy demonstrated that microbiological weathering aided in producing secondary Ca/Mg carbonates on silicate grain boundaries. Calcium/magnesium sulphate(s) precipitated under vadose conditions demonstrating that evaporites formed upon drying. In this system, mineral carbonation was only observed in regions possessing bacteria, preserved within carbonate as cemented microcolonies. 16S rDNA molecular diversity of bacteria in kimberlite and in natural biofilms growing on kimberlite were dominated by Proteobacteria that are active in N, P and S cycling. Photosynthetic enrichment cultures provided with N & P (nutrients) to enhance growth, possessed increased diversity of bacteria, with Proteobacteria re-establishing themselves as the dominant bacterial lineage when incubated under dark, vadose conditions consistent with natural kimberlite. Overall, 16S rDNA analyses revealed that weathered kimberlite hosts a diverse microbiome consistent with soils, metal cycling and hydrocarbon degradation. Enhanced weathering and carbonate-cemented microcolonies demonstrate that microorganisms are key to mineral carbonation of kimberlite.
Identification Of Self-incompatibility Alleles in aromatic, Scab Resisitant Apple Cultivars For Use In Breeding Programmes
Authors: Biaza Biaza , Malik A. Raouf , Zargar Sajad Majeed , Mushtaq Rafiya , Irtiza Irtiza , Wani Sajad Mohd , Banday Saba , Wani Owais Ali , Javaid Kounser
Published: November 2022

The study reported 14 diploid cultivars, 2 triploids and a single S allele in 4 partially genotyped cultivars. Frequency analysis reported the highest diversity of allele S9, followed by S3, S2, S10, S28, S1, S5, S7, and S23 in decreasing order. Consequently, three incompatibility groups were framed, which comprised of 2 completely incompatible groups, 76 partially compatible combinations and 106 completely compatible pollination. Six possible cross combinations can be formulated from 4 partially genotyped cultivars comprising. The compilation shall be helpful for formulating breeding programs without facing the issue of incompatibility, creation of aromatic apple hybrids, and proper orchard planning.
Promoting work ability in breast cancer survivors: the moderated-mediation role of emotion regulation decreasing subjective cognitive impairment
Authors: Gómez-Molinero Rocío , Gómez-Molinero María P. , Utor Alejandro , Gil-Olarte Paloma , Jaén Javier , Baena-Cañada José Manuel , Guil Rocío
Published: November 2022

Purpose:This study aimed to explore the role of emotion regulation and subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) in the work ability of breast cancer (BC) survivors.Methods:A total of 623 women, divided into two groups, BC survivors (N=43) and healthy controls (N=580), completed our online survey that included the Work Ability Index, the Trait-Meta-Mood Scale, and the Cognitive Function Scale of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life. Descriptive statistical and moderated-mediation analyses were performed to explore the mechanisms by which emotion regulation influences the mediation role of SCI in the relationship between BC and WA.Results:Preliminary analysis showed that BC survivors had significantly lower WA levels [F(1,622)=207.64; p<.001] and higher emotion regulation [F(1,622)=4.58; p<.05] and SCI [F(1,622)=4.26; p<.05] that healthy controls. Moderated-mediation analysis indicated that SCI mediated the relationship between BC and WA (B=-11.81, p<.001). Besides, the negative effect that BC exerted on SCI was moderated by emotional regulation [R2=.09, F(1,619)=13.77, p<.05]. This effect was significant for BC patients with low (B=.68; p<.001) and adequate emotion regulation levels (B=.44; p<.001) but not for survivors with excellent emotion regulation skills (B=-.20; p>.05).Conclusions:High emotion regulation levels could reduce the negative impact of BC on WA by decreasing the SCI of BC survivors.Implications for Cancer Survivors:Emotion regulation training could be a valuable part of interventions aimed to enhance the WA of BC survivors due to its ability to reduce the subjective cognitive complaints of these patients.
A Feasibility and Safety Study of Afamelanotide in Acute Stroke Patients – An Open Label, Proof of Concept, Phase Iia Clinical Trial
Authors: Stanislaus Vimal , Kam Anthony , Murphy Lily , Wolgen Philippe , Walker Gill , Bilbao Pilar , Cloud Geoffrey
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND
Neuroprotective agents have the potential to improve the outcomes of revascularisation therapies in acute ischemic stroke patients (AIS) and in those unable to receive revascularisation. Afamelanotide, a synthetic α-melanocyte stimulating hormone analogue, is a potential novel neuroprotective agent. We set out to assess the feasibility and safety of afamelanotide for the first time in AIS patients.
METHODS
AIS patients within 24 hours of onset, with perfusion abnormality on imaging (Tmax) and otherwise ineligible for revascularisation therapies were enrolled. Afamelanotide 16 mg implants were administered subcutaneously on Day 0 (D0, day of recruitment), D1 and repeated on D7 and D8, if not well recovered. Treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and neurological assessments were recorded regularly up to D42. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with FLAIR sequences were also performed on D3 and D9.
RESULTS
Six patients (5 women, median age 81, median NIHSS 6) were recruited. Two patients received 4 doses and four patients received 2. One patient (who received 2 doses), suffered a fatal recurrent stroke on D9 due to a known complete acute internal carotid artery occlusion, assessed as unrelated to the study drug. There were no other local or major systemic TEAEs recorded. In all surviving patients, the median NIHSS improved from 6 to 2 on D7. The median Tmax volume on D0 was 23 mL which was reduced to a FLAIR volume of 10 mL on D3 and 4 mL on D9.
CONCLUSIONS
Afamelanotide was well tolerated and safe in our small sample of AIS patients. It also appears to be associated with good recovery and radiological improvement of salvageable tissue which needs to be tested in randomized studies.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04962503
Comparison between conservative and prophylactically concurrent meniscoplasty on the asymptomatic knee in children with bilateral DLM: a retrospective study
Authors: You Mingke , Li Pengcheng , Zhou Kai , Chen Gang , Li Jian
Published: November 2022

Purpose
This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between concurrent meniscoplasty and conservative management on the asymptomatic side in children with bilateral discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) operated on the unilaterally symptomatic side.
Methods
Patients under 14 with unilaterally symptomatic bilateral DLM underwent arthroscopic meniscoplasty were eligible. Patients were divided into two groups: children underwent meniscoplasty on the symptomatic side, with the asymptomatic side conservatively treated (group1); Children underwent meniscoplasty on both the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides concurrently (group2). Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Lysholm score and Ikeuchi score. Survival analysis of the occurrence of symptoms was applied by Kaplan‒Meier model.
Results
A total of 50 patients were eligible. For the average Lysholm scores, groups 1 and 2 of the previously asymptomatic side were 90.86±8.25 and 92.62±8.68. The mean survival time was 9 years in group 1 and 5 years in group 2. The Kaplan‒Meier survival analysis of the occurrence of symptoms showed no statistically difference between two groups (p=0.162), and the terminal survival rates in the two groups were 86.2% and 81.0%, respectively.
Conclusion
Concurrent meniscoplasty on the asymptomatic DLM provided the same functions with the conservative treatment. Conservative group showed lower occurrence of symptoms and longer survival time.
Trial registration
The trial had been registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, with the number ChiCTR2000034577 on 10th July, 2022.
CLINICAL FEATURES OF FLT3 MUTATIONS IN ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA CASES AND THE ROLE OF FLT3 INHIBITORS IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA: A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE
Authors: Acar İbrahim Halil , Dincyurek Hüseyin Derya , Sönmezler Özge , Yıldız Şule Menziletoğlu , Bisgin Atıl , Güvenç Birol
Published: November 2022

AML is an aggressive and mortal disease. Worldwide, approximately 120.000 new AML cases and over 100.000 AML-related deaths occur each year and FLT3 mutations contribute to poor prognosis in AML. FLT3 mutations of 149 patients aged 20-95 years who were diagnosed with AML in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively. Relapse/refractory disease was found in 87.2% of these cases and FLT3 mutation in 25.5%. Of mutation-positive cases 65.8% had FLT3-ITD mutation and 34.2% had FLT3-TKD mutation. In our study, 38 patients with newly diagnosed FLT3 mutations were treated with FLT3 inhibitors such as midostaurin, sorafenib, and sunitinib in combination with chemotherapy and 76.3% (n:29) of the patients with FLT3 mutation received midostaurin. Mortality rate was higher in those with FLT3-TKD mutation compared to those with FLT3-ITD mutation. The risk of mortality in patients who received midostaurin and chemotherapy was 2.0 times higher than the control group, which consisted mostly of relapsed/refractory patients who received only chemotherapy. The cumulative mortality rate in all patients was 66.4%, with a median OS of 44.8 months. Increasing age (HR: 1.03; p<0.001), presence of FLT3 mutation (HR: 1.82; p=0.007), presence of relapse/refractory disease (HR: 23.66; p=0.002) were associated with higher mortality. Mortality risk was low in patients with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HR: 0.19; p<0.001). When the survival rate was analyzed according to FLT3 mutation, the presence of FLT3 mutation negatively affected survival (HR: 1.82).
In conclusion, our study is important as it has the highest number of patients in the efficacy analysis of FLT3 inhibitors in our region, as far as we know. The prognostic impact of FLT3-TKD mutations remains mysterious due to the low frequency. Further studies recruiting more patients may be useful to better understand the efficacy of FLT3 inhibitors in patients with FLT3-TKD mutations.
Identification of cucurbit fruit flies and their relative attractiveness to different cues and releasers
Authors: Chiluwal Kashinath , Shrestha Eni , Debkota Shilpa , Shrestha Kailash , Sigdel Sharad , Khanal Asmita , Basnet Resham Bahadur , Upadhyay Bijaya , Aryal Lok Nath
Published: November 2022

Tephritids are the major challenges for fruit and fleshy vegetable growers of the tropics and sub-tropics. Nepal also incurs huge losses of fruits and vegetables to the tephritids. This study was designed to identify the tephritid flies in Malepatan and Lumle of Gandaki Province. Bucket traps baited with methyl eugenol (ME) in Malepatan, and ME, cue lure (CL) and a mixture of ME and CL (ME + CL) with different releasers; tube, cotton and paper were installed at Lumle in 2020 summer. Three species of the fly (Bactrocera dorsalis,Bactrocera zonataandBactrocera correcta) were recorded from Malepatan, dominated byB. dorsalis. TheB. correctacount was negligible. While in Lumle,B. dorsaliswas the most dominant, followed byB. zonatatill July, after which, till August,B. taufollowed theB. dorsalis. Seven species of the tephritids (B. zonata,B. dorsalis,B. tau,B. diversa,B. scutellaris,B. correctaandB. cucurbitae) were recorded from this region. Among the releasers, paper releaser was found more effective as compared to cotton and tube. However, the lures should be changed in a short interval, by two weeks, to acquire a satisfactory result. This study unveils that the study site already inhabits seven species of fruit flies. So, the monitoring with different cues could be an effective tool for species actuation. Additionally, the paper releasers could be recommended for further use in the traps for monitoring and mass trapping purposes.
ICRICS: Iterative Compensation Recovery for Image Compressive Sensing
Authors: Li Honggui , Trocan Maria , Sawan Mohamad , Galayko Dimitri
Published: November 2022

Closed-loop architecture is widely utilized in automatic control systems and attains distinguished dynamic and static performance. However, classical compressive sensing systems employ an open-loop architecture with separated sampling and reconstruction units. Therefore, a method of iterative compensation recovery for image compressive sensing (ICRICS) is proposed by introducing a closed-loop framework into traditional compressive sensing systems. The proposed method depends on any existing approaches and upgrades their reconstruction performance by adding a negative feedback structure. Theoretical analysis of the negative feedback of compressive sensing systems is performed. An approximate mathematical proof of the effectiveness of the proposed method is also provided. Simulation experiments on more than 3 image datasets show that the proposed method is superior to 10 competing approaches in reconstruction performance. The maximum increment of the average peak signal-to-noise ratio is 4.36 dB, and the maximum increment of the average structural similarity is 0.034 based on one dataset. The proposed method based on a negative feedback mechanism can efficiently correct the recovery error in the existing image compressive sensing systems.
A Biomass Estimation Model for Nondestructive Estimation of Guava Tree Biomass
Authors: Ganeshamurthy Arkalgud , Rupa T. R. , Alivelu Karusala , Rajendiran S. , Reddy Aruna. B
Published: November 2022

The current method available for nondestructive estimation of tree biomass using diameter at breast height(DBH) is not applicable to fruit trees which are manipulated to branch at a very low height in case of grafted plants or air layered or cuttings generated plants. Therefore guava trees of commercial orchards require independent allometric equation for nondestructive estimation of tree biomass. Guava tree specific allometric equation was developed using destructive sampling using parameters other than DBH and compared with that equation developed for grafted mangos and sapota. The selected allometric parameters were significantly related with the age of the trees. The root to shoot ratio also differed from those reported for forest trees. The biomass expansion factor (BEF) by and large attained stability beyond 20 years of tree age. The equations so developed generally fitted the data well, and in most cases more than 50per cent of the observed variation in biomass was explained by primary branch girth (PBG) × number of primary branches (NPB). There was a good agreement between the observed and the predicted biomass using both multiple linear regression(MLR) and power model equations. Further a comparison was also made to see if mango and sapota equations can predict guava tree biomass. The results of this study confirmed that mango and sapota equations grossly underestimates guava tree biomass by about 50 per cent and hence mango or sapota tree allometric equation cannot be used for estimating guava tree biomass.
FAPI-Net: A Lightweight Interpretable Network Based on Feature Augmentation and Prototype Interpretation
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyang , Xu Xinzheng , Chen Hu , Gu Hansang , Li Zhongnian
Published: November 2022

Deep neural network models with higher performance generally have high amount of parameters and calculations and highly nonlinear structure. This also causes obstructs the understanding of the internal working mechanism of the deep neural network model and its deployment to smart terminals or embedded platforms, which hinders further promotion and application of the deep neural network models. Therefore, it is necessary to design a lightweight and interpretable deep neural network model. This paper first combined multi-scale depthwise and pointwise convolution to design a lightweight feature-map augmentation (FA) module and used residual connection to stack FA modules to design feature augmentation convolution blocks. Then, according to the idea of finding prototype samples, by measuring the maximum mean discrepancy distance between prototype data distribution and overall data distribution, the ILSVRC2012 original training set was pre-filtered, a representative prototype training set was selected. Then, the prototype dictionary interpretability (PDI) module was designed. During network training, the prototype dictionary was updated by minimising the Euclidean distance between the training samples and prototype samples in the prototype dictionary to realise the visualisation of model classification and reasoning. Finally, referring to the network architecture of MobileNetV3, using feature map augmentation convolutional blocks and a prototype dictionary interpretability module, a lightweight interpretable deep network model, FAPI-Net, was built. Experimental verification was carried out on two image classification datasets: CIFAR-10 and ILSVRC2012. The experimental results verified the effectiveness of the FA module, the interpretability of the PDI module and the FAPI-Net also performed well in image classification tasks.
Numerical study of coupled heat transfers through hollow structures exposed to a solar flux
Authors: Najjaoui Mourad , Ait-Taleb Thami , jamal Bouchaib , Abdelbaki Abdelhalim , Zrikem Zaki , chaib hassan
Published: November 2022

This work examines numerically, the heat transfer coupled by conduction, natural convection and radiation through hollow block subjected to real boundary conditions. A hollow block of this type is usually used for the construction of ceilings in buildings. The top horizontal face of this hollow block is exposed to an solar irradiance and exchange heat with the air ambient with a thermal transfer coefficient. While the lower face exchange heat with the indoor air with another thermal transfer coefficient. And an adiabatic vertical side is assumed. The discretization of partial differential equations governing and boundary conditions was done using the finite differences method and the SIMPLE algorithm. The effects of the solar irradiance and the emissivity of the internal cavity surfaces on the flow structures were examined. The results showed that the emissivity affect the heat transfer through the hollow block considerably. The solar flux alters significantly the flow structure and the thermal fields through the studied structure.
RSFIN: A Rule Search-based Fuzzy Inference Network for Performance Prediction of Configurable Software Systems
Authors: Li Yufei , Bao Liang , Huang Kaipeng , Wu Chase , Li Xinwei
Published: November 2022

Many modern software systems provide numerous configuration options to users and different configurations often lead to different performances. Due to the complex impact of a configuration on the system performance, users have to experimentally evaluate the performance for different configurations. However, it is practically infeasible to exhaust the almost infinite configuration space. To address this issue, various approaches have been proposed for performance prediction based on a limited number of configurations and corresponding performance measurements. Many of such efforts attempt to achieve a reasonable trade-off between experiment effort and prediction accuracy. In this paper, we propose a novel performance prediction model using a Rule Search-based Fuzzy Inference Network (RSFIN) based on ANFIS and NAS. One cognitive pattern is that, in systems, similar configurations produce similar performance. We experimentally validate this pattern based on data and introduce a configuration space under entropy. This view suggests the use of RSFIN to capture hidden distributions in configuration space. We implement and evaluate RSFIN using eleven real-world configurable software systems. Experimental results show that RSFIN achieves a better trade-off between measurement effort and prediction accuracy compared to other algorithms. In addition, the results also confirm that the evaluation of configuration space complexity based on data entropy is beneficial.
Giga Passive Optical Network GPON Based upon Fiber to the Home FTTH: Design, Implementation and Evaluation
Authors: Abdellaoui Zouhaira , Meddeb Houda , Dieudonne Yiyi
Published: November 2022

FTTH access network (Fiber to the Home), based on GPON: Giga Passive Optical Network technology is a technology that meets application performance requirements (high-speed access network, high bandwidth, Voice over Internet Protocol "VOIP, high-speed Internet"). In fact, telecom operators' networks use FTTH over GPON due to its reliability, flexibility and accuracy in handling advanced technologies. GPON is used to provide communication speeds of at least 1.2 Gbit/s. It handles 1.24 Gbps upstream and 2.44 Gbps downstream data transmission.
GPON is the basis for promoting innovative and prestigious services, which are being researched for residential and business customers due to broadband capacity.This paper deals with the design and implementation of FTTH networks based on GPON technology and the evaluation of the proposed architecture for residential and commercial solutions.
Structural Instabilities in Soft Electro-Magneto-Elastic Cylindrical Membranes
Authors: Mishra Awantika , Joshan Yadwinder Singh , Wahi Sajan Kumar , Santapuri Sushma
Published: November 2022

In the present work, a nonlinear coupled electro-magneto-elastic membrane formulation is developed for soft functional materials starting from the variational form of 3D governing equations. The resulting 2D model is applied to an internally pressurized cylindrical membrane placed in an azimuthal magnetic field and radial electric field. The results of our model are verified with existing literature for some special cases. The model is subsequently used to analyze mechanical and electrical limit-point instabilities, and the effect of external fields on the onset of these instabilities. It is observed that the onset of mechanical limit-point instability, defined by a loss of monotonicity in the pressure versus deformation plots, is dependent on the material properties, geometrical parameters and applied electromagnetic fields. Magnetic field induced instability results in an initial dip in the pressure versus stretch plots, subsequently converging to the purely hyperelastic membrane behavior at larger stretches. Application of electric field, on the other hand, results in an early onset of limit-point instability (i.e., at smaller stretches) compared to the hyperelastic case. Additionally, electrical limit-point instability, characterized by a loss of monotonicity in voltage versus stretch plots, is observed and its dependence on magnetic field and force inputs is studied. Finally, we study the effect of Maxwell stress due to electromagnetic fields. It is observed that ignoring the Maxwell stress related traction boundary term results in an error of up to 10\%, depending on the force and magnetic fields inputs. In summary, our membrane model describes the interactions between the electromagnetic fields and deformation in a soft functional material, and can be applied towards design of soft actuator and sensor devices.