bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study on the relationship between the strength of altered rocks and the short wave-length infrared spectral curve
Authors: Pan Xuwei , Jiang Tong , Pan Pingping , Jia Yanchang , Zhang Shuo
Published: November 2022

Altered rocks widely exist in rock mass engineering. Alteration has an obvious deterioration effect on the physical and mechanical properties of rocks, which may cause engineering geological prob-lems or geological hazards. The main method to obtain the uniaxial compressive strength of altered rocks is indoor uniaxial compression test, which has the reality of long period, high cost, difficult sampling, and limited transportation. In this paper, the uniaxial compression test and short wavelength infrared spectral test analysis are performed on the altered rocks of a hydropower station in Southeast China to study the relationship between the strength and the short wavelength infrared spectral curve of altered rocks. The results show that, there is a correlation between the number of absorption peaks of short wavelength infrared spectral curve and the uniaxial compressive strength of altered rocks. In the wavelength ranges of 1880–1950 nm and 2170–2230 nm, the uniaxial compressive strength of altered rocks with two absorption peaks in the short wavelength infrared spectral curves are generally higher than 150 MPa. In the wavelength ranges of 1380–1430 nm, 1880–1950 nm, and 2170–2230 nm, the uniaxial compressive strength of altered rocks with three absorption peaks in the short wavelength infrared spectral curves are generally lower than 100 MPa. In the wavelength ranges of 1380–1430 nm, 1630–1660 nm, 1880–1950 nm, 2170–2230 nm, 2230–2380 nm, the uniaxial compressive strength of altered rocks with four absorption peaks in the short wavelength infrared spectral curves are generally between 100–150 MPa. This research will provide a new method for rapid evaluation of strength of altered rocks in the field.
Nanoparticle display of prefusion coronavirus spike elicits S1-focused cross-reactive protection across divergent subgroups
Authors: Hutchinson Geoffrey , Abiona Olubukola , Ziwawo Cynthia , Werner Anne , Ellis Daniel , Tsybovsky Yaroslav , Leist Sarah , Palandjian Charis , West Ande , Fritch Ethan , Wang Niangshuang , Wrapp Daniel , Boyoglu-Barnum Seyhan , Ueda George , Baker David , Kanekiyo Masaru , McLellan Jason , Baric Ralph , King Neil , Graham Barney , Corbett Kizzmekia
Published: November 2022

Multivalent antigen display is a fast-growing area of interest towards broadly protective vaccines. Current nanoparticle-based vaccine candidates demonstrate the ability to confer antibody-mediated immunity against divergent strains of notably mutable viruses. In coronaviruses, this work is predominantly aimed at targeting conserved epitopes of the receptor-binding domain. However, targeting other conserved non-RBD epitopes could further limit the potential for antigenic escape. To further explore new potential targets, we engineered protein nanoparticles displaying CoV_S-2P trimers derived from MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, hCoV-HKU1, and hCoV-OC43 and assessed their immunogenicity in mice. Monotypic SARS-1_S-2P nanoparticles elicited cross-neutralizing antibodies against MERS_S and protected against MERS-CoV challenge. MERS and SARS-I53_dn5 nanoparticles elicited S1-focused antibodies, revealing a conserved site on the NTD. Moreover, mosaic nanoparticles co-displaying distinct CoV_S-2P trimers elicited antibody responses to distant cross-group antigens while protecting against MERS challenge despite diminished valency of MERS_S-2P. Our findings will inform further efforts towards the development of pan-coronavirus vaccines.
FNAOSiPPEA: an effective magnetite almond shell-based nano catalyst for the synthesis of dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran
Authors: Mallah Dina , Mirjalili Bi Bi Fatemeh , Bamoniri Abdolhamid
Published: November 2022

This paper deals with the preparation of magnetite biopolymer-based Brønsted base nano-catalyst from nano-almond (Prunus dulcis) shell. This magnetite biopolymer-based nano-catalyst was obtained through a simple process based on the core-shelling of nano-almond shell and Fe3O4 NPs and then the immobilization of 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane as linker and 2-aminoethylpiperazine as a basic section. Structural and morphological analyzes of this magnetite biopolymer-based nano-catalyst were done. The performance of the synthesized Fe3O4@nano-almondshell@OSi(CH2)3/2-(1-piperazinyl)ethylamine as a novel magnetite biopolymer-based nano-catalyst for the synthesis of dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran was investigated and showed excellent efficiency.
Study on the failure law of surrounding rock in inclined coal seam with gob side entry
Authors: Wu Hao , Li Qingfeng , Zhu Chuanqu , He Liao
Published: November 2022

Aiming at the problem of stability control of surrounding rock in the process of upward mining of inclined coal seam gob-side entry retaining, the gob-side entry retaining of 5449 working face in Beipingdong coal mine is taken as the research background. Based on the study of theoretical model of gob-side entry retaining, the law of overburden movement and surrounding rock deformation in the process of gob-side entry retaining is obtained through similar simulation experiment and numerical simulation analysis, and the optimal optimization scheme of supporting structure is put forward. The main research results are as follows : in the process of coal seam mining, the center of gravity of the overlying strata on the whole working face will shift to the side of the goaf, and the supporting structure composed of roadside filling body and bolt effectively inhibits the deformation of the roadway, in which the roadside filling body plays a key role ; the top bolt bears greater stress than the side bolt in the process of mining, so the top bolt mainly maintains the stability of the roadway, and the side bolt plays the role of strengthening the side and preventing the extrusion. The width of the roadside filling body should be about 2.5m, and the plastic failure range can be well controlled under this width.
S100B does not predict delirium in emergency department patients: a prospective cohort study
Authors: de Alencar Júlio César Garcia , Garcez Flávia Barreto , Pinto Agnes Araujo Sardinha , Silva Lucas Oliveira Junqueira e , Soler Lucas de Moraes , Fernandez Shirley Steffany Muñoz , Vaisberg Victor Van , Gomez Luz Marina Gomez , Ribeiro Sandra Maria Lima , Avelino-Silva Thiago Junqueira , Souza Heraldo Possolo
Published: November 2022

Background

Delirium is a common, life-threatening, and often preventable neuropsychiatric emergency mostly characterized by a disturbance in attention and awareness. Systemic insult and inflammation causing blood-brain-barrier (BBB) damage and glial and neuronal activation leading to more inflammation and cell death is the most accepted theory behind delirium's pathophysiology. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between neuronal damage biomarkers and delirium in acutely ill elderly patients admitted in the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study which analyzed plasma S100B levels at admission in elderly patients. Our primary outcome was delirium diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were association between S100B, NSE and Tau protein and delirium diagnosis and patients’ outcomes (admissions to intensive care, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality).

Results

We analyzed 194 patients, and 46 (24%) developed delirium, 25 on admission and 21 during hospital stay. Median of S100B at admission in patients who developed delirium was 0.16 and median was 0.16 in patients who didn’t develop delirium (p: 0.69)

Conclusions

Levels S100B at the time of ED admission did not predict delirium in elderly patients admitted in the ED.
Trial registration: The study was approved by the local institutional review board (CAPPESq, no. 77169716.2.0000.0068, October 11, 2017) and registered in Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC, no. RBR-233bct).
Two Azores shipwrecks and insect biological invasions during the Age of Discovery
Authors: Panagiotakopulu Eva , Garcia Ana Catarina
Published: November 2022

Insect faunas from a Spanish and a Dutch shipwreck, Angra D and Angra C, recovered from a bay on Terceira island, Angra do Heroísmo, in the Azores, and dated to c. 1650 CE, provide information about the onboard ecology of seventeenth century shipping vessels and the role of these ships and of contemporary maritime routes in biological invasions. In addition to evidence for foul conditions, there is evidence for similar insect faunas on both these ships. The assemblages include the earliest records of the now cosmopolitan synanthropic scuttle fly Dohrniphora cornuta (Bigot) which was probably introduced through trade from southeast Asia to Europe. The presence of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.) from Angra D, in the context of other sixteenth and seventeenth century records from shipwrecks, gives information about its spread to North America and Europe through transatlantic and transpacific trade, hitching a ride with traded commodities. The insect data point to the importance of introduced taxa on traded commodities and ballast, transported from port to port, and the role of ports of call like Angra in the Azores, as hot spots for biological invasions.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single Center Study
Authors: Shen-sui Li , weili Wang , Xu-dong Tian , Longjiang Li , Ma Hong
Published: November 2022

Objective:Aimed to evaluate the effect and response from the adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Methods: Retrospectively collected 46 patients with local late oral squamous cell carcinoma admitted from 2017 to 2021. The patients were treated with TPF induction chemotherapy. All patients completed at least 2 cycle of TPF (PF) regimen (75 mg / m2 of docetaxel on day 1 + 75 mg / M2 of cisplatin on day 1 + 750 mg / m2 of 5-fluorouracil on days 1 ~ 5, one cycle every 21 days), The primary end-points were overall response rate, safety of therapy and overall survival were evaluated.
Results: After two cycles of TPF treatment, patients continued receiving surgery followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy, include 5 patients were received PF. The complete remission rate was 6.25% (2/32), and the objective remission rate was 71.88% (23/32). Most of the adverse factors of chemotherapy response are alleviated. The median follow-up time was 26 months, and the median OS was 25.51 ± 3.81 months.
Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, such as TPF or PF, plays an important role in the comprehensive treatment of advanced OSCC and postoperative assessments of white blood cell can provide high-quality prognostic information.
Encrypted Malware Detection Methodology without Decryption using Deep Learning based Approaches
Authors: Singh Abhay Pratap
Published: November 2022

The proportion of encrypted web traffic is rapidly increasing. The widespread use of encrypted traffic on the Internet provides safe and secure communication between users and servers. However, cybercriminals are also employing encrypted traffic to conceal their malicious activities. Malware detection in encrypted traffic is an arduous task for security professionals due to the complex nature of encrypted traffic on the web. Traditional approaches need to decrypt the content of network traffic, check it for threats, re-encrypt the network traffic content, and send it to the server. This solution compromises the integrity of encryption and the user’s privacy and safety. DL is currently the most effective AI technology that can reduce the manual determination of feature sets to improve classification accuracy. This paper proposes a methodology by using DL algorithms for malware detection in encrypted traffic without decryption. With this architecture, the user’s privacy is maintained, and the efficiency of detecting threats in encrypted traffic is enhanced. Three deep learning techniques, namely, multilayer perceptron (MLP), 1D convolutional neural network (1-D CNN), and long short-term memory (LSTM), are tested on the CTU-13 malware dataset, which comprises flow based features of network traffic. Experimental results show that MLP based approach outperforms 1-D CNN, LSTM, and other existing approaches.
Ray tracing Particle Image Velocimetry – Challenges in the application to a packed bed
Authors: Velten Christin , Ebert Mirko , Lessig Christian , Zähringer Katharina
Published: November 2022

Ray tracing Particle Image Velocimetry (RT-PIV) is a novel technique for high resolution velocity measurements in challenging optical systems, such as transparent packed beds, that uses ray tracing to correct for distortions introduced by transparent geometries. The ray tracing based correction is a post processing step applied to PIV particle images before classical PIV evaluation. In this study, RT-PIV is performed in the top layer of a body centred cubic (bcc) sphere packing with gaseous flow, where optical access is generated by the use of transparent N-BK7 glass balls with a diameter of d = 40mm. RT-PIV introduces new challenges, for example a limited field of view, illumination difficulties, a very large required depth of field and high sensitivity to geometric parameters used in the ray tracing correction. These challenges are discussed in the present work as well as the validation of the ray tracing reconstruction step and the finally obtained corrected vector fields.
Middle and long-term effects of modified release technique in rheumatic mitral valve repair
Authors: Chong Hoshun , Gao Yaxuan , Xue Yunxing , Zhu Xiyu , Li Jie , Wang Junxia , Zhang He , Wang Dongjin , Cao Hailong
Published: November 2022

Objective: Repair or replacement remains debatable in rheumatic heart disease. To regain optimal mean transvalvular pressure gradients and end-diastolic peak flow velocity, the modified release technique combined peeling in the anterior leaflet and separated the shortened chordal. In the end, the mid and long-term outcomes of the modified release technique were evaluated.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a series of 128 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, from January 2018 to July 2021 in our center. All patients undergoing mitral valve repair were using the modified release technique. The effect of mitral valve repair was evaluated by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography.
Results: All the 128 patients successfully repaired the mitral valve. The intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed trivial or mild regurgitation. The aortic valve was repaired without obvious regurgitation in 12 cases, 5 cases received an aortic valve replacement, 89 cases underwent tricuspid annuloplasty. There were no blood transfusions in most patients, no deaths nor complications during peri-operation, also, no deaths and adverse events were observed during the follow-up period from 3 to 42 months. During the follow-up, 122 cases had no mitral valve regurgitation and 2 cases of moderate regurgitation, 4 cases of mild to moderate regurgitation. The mean peak flow velocity was 1.2 ± 0.3 m / s, no new-onset stenosis occurred.
Conclusion: Modified release technique is safe and feasible. Its durability is acceptable in the long-term, with no new-onset stenosis during the follow-up.
Construction of nursing quality evaluation index system for kidney transplant patients: a Delphi method
Authors: Jiang Xiaoyu , Chang Tiantian , Wang Jing , Xie Jianwei , Miao Qi , Zhang Xu , Liu Sainan , Zhang Ying , Li Xiaofei
Published: November 2022

Objective: To construct a nursing quality evaluation index system for kidney transplant patients after.
Background:At present, there is no scientific, sensitive, practical, and targeted nursing quality evaluation index system for kidney transplant patients in China.
Methods:Based on the "structure-process-outcome" three-dimensional quality model, a first draft of the nursing quality evaluation index system for renal transplant patients was developed through literature review, theoretical references, and semi-structured interviews, followed by a combination of Delphi and analytic hierarchy process to derive an authoritative index system and the weight of each level index.
Results:A total of 30 experts from 11 provinces participated in this study. Two rounds of the Delphi questionnaire resulted in a recovery rate of 100 % and 95.8%. The expert authority coefficient was 0.846 and 0.852. The Kendall coefficient was 0.281, 0.296. Furthermore, a total of 3 first-level indicators, 11 second-level indicators, and 65 third-level indicators were obtained. The results of the weighted calculation showed that the index “Qualification rate of skills and knowledge training related to renal transplantation” (0.0926) was the highest, followed by “Implementation rate of medication guidance” (0.0655), “Development and update of the specific training program for renal transplantation” (0.0589), and “Implementation rate of postoperative dietary guidance” (0.0496).
Conclusion:By constructing a nursing quality evaluation index system for renal transplant patients, specific and targeted evaluation criteria for the quality of care in the renal transplantation department are proposed, which can more efficiently respond to nursing care errors and provide promotion value.
Implications for nursing management: As one of the tools to evaluate the quality of nursing, the nursing quality indicators for renal transplantation play a guiding role in nursing management and can determine the direction of nursing behavior adjustment, directly affecting the nursing quality. Establishing a scientific, sensitive, and practical nursing quality evaluation index can provide a reliable basis for evaluating hospital nursing quality.
Automatic Detection of Pneumonia using Concatenated Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Al-Taani Ahmad T. , Al-Dagamseh Ishraq T.
Published: November 2022

Pneumonia is a life-threatening disease and early detection can save lives, many automated systems have contributed to the detection of this disease and currently deep learning models have become one of the most widely used models for building these systems. In this study, two deep learning models are combined: DenseNet169 and pre-activation ResNet models and used for automatic detection of pneumonia. DenseNet169 model is an extension of the ResNet model, while the second is a modified version the ResNet model, these models achieved good results in the field of medical imaging. Two methods are used to deal with the problem of unbalanced data: class weight, which enables to control the percentage of data to be used from the original data for each class of data, while the other method is resampling, in which modified images are produced with an equal distribution using data augmentation. The performance of the proposed model is evaluated using a balanced dataset consists of 5856 images. Achieved results were promising compared to several previous studies. The model achieved a precision value of 98%, an area under curve (AUC) based on ROC of 97%, and a loss value of 0.23.
Changes in the antioxidant activity and metabolite analysis of black elephant garlic
Authors: Nam Se-Hyun , Han Young-Sil , Sim Ki-Hyeon , Yang Seung-Ok , Kim Myung-Hyun
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the aging period on the black elephant garlic manufacturing process. Black elephant garlic is a processed elephant garlic product prepared by high temperature and high humidity treatment for 40 days. The proximate composition (moisture, crude lipid, crude protein, carbohydrate, and ash), minerals, color values, reducing sugars, pH, and antioxidant activities of elephant garlic and black elephant garlic were evaluated. The browning intensity of elephant garlic increased with the aging period, but the browning reaction terminated after aging for 30 days, showing the same browning level. Reducing sugars increased with increasing the aging period until 20 days, then decreased with the aging period, in contrast to the pH, which decreased from 6.47 to 3.68 with the increasing aging period. Antioxidant components, including the total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents of black elephant garlic, increased significantly until day 30 of aging. Through metabolite profiles from GC/MS analysis, it was confirmed that primary metabolites related to antioxidant components, such as lactic acid and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furoic acid, were generated during the aging process of elephant garlic.
Research on monitoring and protection technology of oil drilling rig ringing lock
Authors: Wang Yanyuan , Zhang Zhenzhong , Wei Guo , Liu Hao , You Lichun
Published: November 2022

A new structure of the elevator latch device based on torque regulation control is proposed for single lifting ring accidents caused by the latches being not inserted in place in oil drilling. The device uses wireless intelligent sensing latches, and uses encoder to detect the running status and height of the traveling block. Once the system detects that the latches are not in place when the drawworks are up lifting, it will immediately take protective measures to limit the torque output of the drawworks motor from the power source of the electrical drive, so that the drawworks cannot drag the drilling tools to lift, achieving the purpose of preventing the occurrence of single lifting ring accidents. The sensors communicate with the controller in real time and are monitored through the Human Machine Interaction (HMI). The friendly interactive interface makes it more convenient for control. The latch is designed as a sliding adjustable structure, which effectively solves the problem of inconvenience of inserting the traditional latch due to the restricted space of the upper part of the socket after the lifting ring is buckled into the latch.
Static Friction Coefficient Depends on the External Pressure and Block Shape due to Precursor Slip: Finite Element Simulation
Authors: Iwashita Wataru , Matsukawa Hiroshi , Otsuki Michio
Published: November 2022

Amontons' law states that the maximum static friction force on a solid object is proportional to the loading force and is independent of the apparent contact area. This law indicates that the static friction coefficient does not depend on the external pressure or object shape. Here, we numerically investigate the sliding motion of a 3D viscoelastic block on a rigid substrate using the finite element method (FEM). The macroscopic static friction coefficient decreases with an increase in the external pressure, length, or width of the object, which contradicts Amontons' law. Precursor slip occurs in the 2D interface between the block and substrate before bulk sliding. The decrease in the macroscopic static friction coefficient is scaled by the critical area of the precursor slip before bulk sliding. A theoretical analysis of the simplified models reveals that bulk sliding results from the instability of the quasi-static precursor slip caused by velocity-weakening local friction. We also show that the critical slip area determines the macroscopic static friction coefficient, which explains the results of the FEM simulation.
Computational Analysis of the Sequence-Structure Relation in SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein using Protein Contact Networks
Authors: Guzzi Pietro Hiram , Paola Luisa Di , Puccio Barbara , Lomoio Ugo , Giuliani Alessandro , Veltri Pierangelo
Published: November 2022

The structure of proteins impacts directly on the function they perform.Mutations in the primary sequence can provoke structural changes with consequent modification of functional properties. SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins have been extensively studied during the pandemic. Thus, a considerable body of data related to sequence and structure is available, enabling joint sequence-structure analysis. In this work, we focus on the SARS-CoV-2 S (Spike) protein and therelations between sequence mutations and structure variations, in order toshed light on the structural changes stemming from the position ofmutated amino acid residues in three different SARS-CoV-2 strains. We propose the use of Protein Contact Network (PCN) formalism able to: (i) get aglobal structural metric space and to compare various molecular entities and (ii) givea mechanistic explanation of the observed phenotype.PCNs have been used to compare sequence and structure of the α, δ and Omicron SARS-COV2 variants, and we found that omicron has a unique non random mutational Pattern that determines remarkable changes in structural properties.
Determining the Precise Extent of Sentinel Basins During Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Oh Sung Eun , An Ji Yeong , Min Jae-Seok , Jeong Sang-Ho , Ryu Keun Won
Published: November 2022

Purpose
By analyzing sentinel basin dissection (SBD) data from the SEntinel Node ORIented Tailored Approach (SENORITA) trial, we sought to determine the precise extent of the sentinel basin (SB) without a tracer.
Materials and Methods
This study investigated SB length in patients (n = 25) who underwent laparoscopic SBD for early gastric cancer (EGC) in the SENORITA trial. SB length along the greater curvature (GC) and lesser curvature (LC) was measured intraoperatively before performing SBD.
Results
In all 25 cases, along the LC of the stomach the lengths of the SB were 3.4 ± 0.9 cm (mean ± SD) proximally and 3.2 ± 0.8 cm distally; along the GC side, the lengths of SB were 7.0 ± 1.9 cm proximally and 6.5 ± 1.7 distally from the tumors. SB length at the GC or LC side was not significantly different between subgroups categorized by tumor depth, size, and longitudinal location. When tumors were located at the anterior wall of the stomach, the length of proximal SB (10.0 ± 1.4 cm) at the GC side was longest. In cases with several sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), the lengths of SB at the GC side were significantly longer than those with fewer SLNs. However, the lengths of the SB were similar on the LC side regardless of the number of SLNs.
Conclusions
The SB length presented in this study could be a draft for simplifying procedures in laparoscopic sentinel node navigation surgery for stomach preservation in EGC.
Effectiveness of gene-expression connectivity analysis for evaluating treatment effects of frequent medicines on kidney in IgA nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Ji , Zhou Qiongxiu , Zheng Yu , You Xiaohan , Jin LingWei , Chen Chaosheng , Pan Min
Published: November 2022

Introduction IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide. It is still challenging to assess the treatment effects of frequently used IgAN drugs.
Methods We collected gene-expression profiles of renal tissues from eligible IgAN studies in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. The IgAN drugs were identified by InChIKey from Connectivity Map (CMap) L1000 to construct a reference dataset of perturbational signatures. Dr Insight method of gene-expression connectivity analysis was performed to find effective drugs. Then, potential molecular mechanisms and target genes were explored using bioinformatic methods to assess the robustness of these results.
Results Six eligible IgAN studies were collected from GEO, and 92 compounds of drugs were identified from CMap L1000. Four types of calcium channel blockers and two glucocorticoids were identified as the most negatively connected to IgAN. The biological processes of mitosis and response to stimulus were enriched for involvement in the kidney injury of IgAN, and SMC4, TIPARP, TSC22D3, and ZFP36, were the important targets in the process.
Conclusions Our results indicated that gene-expression connectivity analysis was useful for evaluating the treatment effects of IgAN drugs, and more attention should be paid to SMC4, TIPARP, TSC22D3, and ZFP36 genes in IgAN.
“Caudal to Cranial” Versus “Medial to Lateral” Approach in Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy with Complete Mesocolic Excision for the Treatment of Stage II and III Colon Cancer: Perioperative Outcomes and 5-Year Prognosis
Authors: Yi Xiaojiang , Liao Weilin , Zhu Bosen , Feng Xiaochuang , Chen Zhaoyu , Li Hongming , Wang Jiahao , Lin Jiaxin , Lu Xinquan , Chen Chuangqi , Ouyang Manzhao , Diao Dechang
Published: November 2022

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the “caudal to cranial” (CC) versus “medial to lateral” (ML) approach for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.
Methods Pertinent data from all patients with stage II and III between January 2015 and August 2017 were entered into a retrospective database.
Results A total of 175 patients underwent the ML (n = 109) or CC approach (n = 66). Patient characteristics were equivalent between groups. The CC group showed a shorter surgical time 170.00 (145.00, 210.00) vs. (206.50 (178.75, 226.25) min) than the ML group (p＜0.001). The time to oral intake was shorter in the CC group than in the ML group ((3.00 (1.00, 4.00) vs. 3.00 (2.00, 5.00) days; p=0.007). For the total harvested lymph nodes, there was no statistical significance between the CC group 16.50 (14.00, 21.25) and the ML group 18.00 (15.00, 22.00) (p = 0.327), and no difference was found in the positive harvested lymph nodes (0 (0, 2.00) vs. 0 (0, 1.50); p=0.753). Meanwhile, no differences were found in other perioperative or pathological outcomes, including blood loss and complications. For 5-year prognosis, overall survival rates were 75.76% in the CC group and 82.57% in the ML group (HR 0.654, 95% CI 0.336–1.273, p = 0.207); progress-free survival rates were 80.30% in the CC group and 85.32% in the ML group (HR 0.683, 95% CI 0.328–1.422, p = 0.305).
Conclusions Both approaches were safe and feasible and resulted in excellent survival. The CC approach was beneficial in terms of the surgical time and rapid recovery after operation.
Visualization of RNA virus infection in a marine protist with a universal biomarker
Authors: Coy Samantha , Utama Budi , Spurlin James , Kim Julia , Deshmukh Harshavardhan , Lwigale Peter , Nagasaki Keizo , Correa Adrienne
Published: November 2022

Half of the marine virosphere is hypothesized to be RNA viruses (kingdom Orthornavirae) that infect abundant micro-eukaryotic hosts (e.g. protists). To test this, quantitative approaches that broadly track infections in situ are needed. Here, we describe a technique – dsRNA-Immunofluorescence (dsRIF) – that uses monoclonal antibodies to assess host infection status based on the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a replicative intermediate of all Orthornavirae infections. We show that the dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama produces dsRIF signal ~1000 times above background autofluorescence when infected by the +ssRNA virus HcRNAV. dsRNA positive virocells were detected across >50% of the 48-hour infection cycle and represented up to 63% of the population. Photosynthetic and chromosomal integrity remained intact during peak replication, indicating HcRNAV avoids interrupting these processes. This work validates the use of dsRIF on marine RNA viruses and their hosts, setting the stage for quantitative environmental applications that will accelerate understanding of virus-driven ecosystem impacts.
Evolving Morphologies for Locomoting Micro-scale Robotic Agents
Authors: Uppington Matthew , Gobbo Pierangelo , Hauert Sabine , Hauser Helmut
Published: November 2022

Designing locomotive mechanisms for micro-scale robotic systems couldenable new approaches to tackling problems such as transporting cargos,or self-assembling in to pre-programmed architectures. Morphological factors often play a crucial role in determining the behaviour ofmicro-systems, yet understanding how to design these aspects optimally is a challenge. This paper explores how the morphology of a multi-cellular micro-robotic agent can be optimised for reliable locomotion using artificial evolution in a stochastic environment. We begin by establishing the theoretical mechanisms that would allow for collective locomotion to emerge from contractile actuations in multiple connected cells. These principles are used to develop a Cellular Potts model, in order to explore the locomotive performance of morphologies in simulation. Evolved morphologies yield significantly better performance in terms of the reliability of the travel direction and the distance covered, compared to random morphologies. Finally, we demonstrate that patterns in evolved morphologies are robust to small imperfections and generalise well to larger morphologies.
Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Kushen) inhibits NSCLC by targeting miR-183-5p/EGR1 and PTEN/AKt pathway
Authors: LI Jing , Huang Yi-xian , Zuo Hua-Li , Huang Hsi-Yuan , Lin Yang-Chi-Dung , Huang Hsienda
Published: November 2022

Background
Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Kushen) is the principal herb consisting of Compound Kushen Injection (CKI), which has been approved for the clinical treatment of tumors. Although CKI has been widely used, especially on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), its underlying mechanisms of Kushen regarding microRNA-target gene-pathway remain unclear.
Methods
A549 cell line was selected as the NSCLC model and treated with different concentrations of Kushen to obtain the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles. Then differentially expressed (DE) genes and miRNAs were analyzed with miRTarBase, miRDB, and TargetScan 7.0. A DE miRNAs-DEGs network was finally constructed to find the critical miRNA-mRNA interaction influenced by Kushen. Furthermore, clinical significance and prognosis analysis of hub genes based on TCGA and Oncomine datasets were performed further to narrow down the hub genes and corresponding miRNAs. Finally, the effects of Kushen on critical miRNA-mRNA interaction and related pathways were verified by in vitro experiments, including qPCR, Western blot, miRNA mimic transfection assay, and dual-reporter luciferase assay.
Results
A DE miRNAs-DEGs network was constructed based on miRNA-target databases screening, with 16 DE miRs and 68 DEGs identified. With the help of clinical evaluation and qPCR experiment of hub genes, we focused on miR-183-5p/EGR1 and miR221-3p/FOS interactions. The qPCR results indicated that Kushen induced down-regulation of miR-183-5p and miR-221-3p, and up-regulation of EGR1 and FOS. Dual-luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that EGR1 and FOS were direct targets of miR-183-5p and miR-221-3p in A549 cells, respectively. Furthermore, the up-regulation of EGR1 by Kushen was also accompanied by an increase in PTEN expression and a decrease in AKt expression. And the opposite effects of EGR1 on A549 were eliminated by miR-183-5p overexpression. However, the overexpression of miR-221-3p cannot induce FOS down-regulation.
Conclusions
Altogether, the above results supported that miR-183-5p /EGR1 and the PTEN/AKT pathway played a crucial role in the beneficial effects of Kushen on A549, which highlights the therapeutic potential of Kushen in the treatment of NSCLC.
Physiological and transcriptomic analysis of OsLHCB3 knockdown lines in rice
Authors: Wang Quanxiu , Chen Pingli , Wang Honglin , Chao Shuangshuang , Guo Wenru , Zhang Yuxue , Miao Chenglin , Yuan Hongyu , Peng Bo
Published: November 2022

The photosystem II (PSII) outer antenna OsLHCB3 protein plays critical roles in binding PSII chlorophyll, absorbing sunlight and transfering the excitation energy for photosynthesis. Here, OsLHCB3 knockdown mutants were produced using the RNAi system. Phenotypic analyses showed that OsLHCB3 knockdown led to pale green leaves and lower chlorophyll contents at both tillering and heading stages. In addition, mutant lines exhibited decreased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) capacity and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by downregulating the expression of PSII-related genes. Moreover, RNA-seq experiments were performed at both tillering and heading stages. The diferentially expressed genes (DEGs) mainly involved in chlorophyll binding, response to abscisic acid, photosystem II, response to chitin, and DNA-binding transcription factor. Besides, our transcriptomic and physiological data indicated that OsLHCB3 was essential for binding chlorophyll, but not for the metabolism of chlorophyll in rice. OsLHCB3 RNAi knockdown plants affected the expression of PS II-related genes, but not PS I-related genes. Overall, these results suggest that OsLHCB3 also plays vital roles in regulating photosynthesis and antenna proteins in rice as well as responses to environment stresses.
MicroRNA-326 Negatively Regulates CD155 Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Nakanishi Takayuki , Yoneshima Yasuto , Okamura Koji , Hashisako Mikiko , Haratake Naoki , Ota Keiichi , Iwama Eiji , Takenaka Tomoyoshi , Tanaka Kentaro , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Oda Yoshinao , Okamoto Isamu
Published: November 2022

Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors induces a durable response in some patients with non–small cell lung cancer, but eventually gives rise to drug resistance. Upregulation of CD155 expression is implicated as one mechanism of resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, and it is therefore important to characterize the mechanisms underlying regulation of CD155 expression in tumor cells. The aim of this study was to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that might regulate CD155 expression at the posttranscriptional level in lung cancer. Comprehensive miRNA screening with target prediction programs and a dual-luciferase reporter assay identified miR-346, miR-328-3p, miR-326, and miR-330-5p as miRNAs that bind to the 3′ untranslated region of CD155 mRNA. Forced expression of these miRNAs suppressed CD155 expression in lung cancer cell lines. Immunohistochemical staining of CD155 in tissue specimens from 57 patients with lung adenocarcinoma revealed the median tumor proportion score for CD155 to be 68%. The abundance of miR-326 in these specimens with a low level of CD155 expression was significantly greater than that in those with a high level (P < 0.005). Our results thus suggest that miR-326 negatively regulates CD155 expression in lung adenocarcinoma and might therefore play a role in the development of resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
High efficiency and stability due to reduced effects of long-lived charge formation and accumulation in organic solar cells
Authors: Kamiya Shinpei , Yamaguchi Seira , Watanabe Takahiro , Saito Masahiko , Osaka Itaru , Marumoto Kazuhiro
Published: November 2022

The performance of organic solar cells has remarkably improved recently, where the cell structures are important for achieving high efficiency and stability. The formation and accumulation of long-lived charges in the cells are critical for the efficiency and stability of the cells; however, their relations with the cell structures have not yet been investigated from a microscopic viewpoint. Here, we show the origin of higher efficiency and stability of inverted organic solar cells compared to those of conventional cells, even though the same photoactive layers with fullerene acceptors are utilized. We directly study the formation and accumulation of long-lived charges in these cells with electron spin resonance (ESR) at a molecular level for as-prepared states and operando states. We find the reduced effects of formation and accumulation of long-lived charges for the efficiency and stability in the inverted cells compared to the case of the conventional cells. These findings are useful for deeply understanding the operation mechanism of organic solar cells as well as further improving their efficiency and stability.
Reference values of diaphragmatic dimensions in healthy children aged 0-8 years
Authors: Duyndam Anita , Smit Joke , Heunks Leo , Molinger Jeroen , IJland Marloes , Rosmalen Joost van , Dijk Monique van , Tibboel Dick , Ista Erwin
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Diaphragmatic thickness (Tdi) and diaphragm thickening fraction (dTF) are widely used parameters in ultrasound studies of the diaphragm in mechanically ventilated children, but normal values for healthy children are scarce. We determined reference values of Tdi and dTF using ultrasound in healthy children aged 0–8 years old, and assessed their reproducibility.

Method

In a prospective, observational cohort, Tdi and dTF were measured on ultrasound images across four age groups compromising at least 30 children per group: group 1 (0–6 months); group 2 (7 months-1 year); group 3 (2–4 years); group 4 (5–8 years).

Results

Ultrasound images of 137 healthy children were included. Mean Tdi at inspiration was 2.07 (SD 0.39), 2.09 (SD 0.38), 1.73 (SD 0.33) and 1.70 (SD 0.30) mm for group 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Mean Tdi at expiration was 1.63 (SD 0.33), 1.67 (SD 0.27), 1.40 (SD 0.23) and 1.40 (SD 0.24) mm for group 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Mean Tdi at inspiration and mean Tdi at expiration for groups 1 and 2 were significantly greater than those for groups 3 and 4 (p < 0.001 respectively). Median dTF was 27.1% (SD 12.5), 24.7% (SD 8.6), 24.1% (SD 10.4) and 21.2% (SD 6.8) for group 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficients for intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were 0.995 (95% CI 0.983–0.999) and 0.989 (95% CI 0.983–0.995), respectively.

Conclusion

Ultrasound measurements of Tdi and dTF were highly reproducible in healthy children aged 0–8 years.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04589910
North Carolina Pharmacists’ Willingness to Sell Fentanyl Test Strips: A Survey Study
Authors: Marley Grace T. , Ostrach Bayla , Carpenter Delesha M.
Published: November 2022

Background
Although fentanyl test strips (FTS) can accurately determine the presence of fentanyl in unregulated substances, access to FTS remains limited. This study aimed to examine North Carolina community pharmacists’ attitudes and willingness to engage in various behaviors related to FTS sales and distribution.
Methods
A convenience sample of community pharmacists completed an online survey that assessed: (1) comfort initiating a FTS conversation; (2) willingness to sell FTS, distribute FTS instructions, counsel on FTS, refer patients to harm reduction organizations, and advertise FTS; (3) perceived barriers and benefits of selling FTS; and (4) interest in FTS training. Data were collected from March to May 2022. Descriptive statistics were calculated.
Results
Of the 592 pharmacists who participated, most were somewhat or very willing to refer patients to harm reduction organizations for FTS (514, 86.9%), counsel on FTS (485, 81.9%), distribute FTS instructions (475, 80.2%), sell FTS (470, 79.3%), and advertise FTS for sale (372, 62.9%). The most commonly reported benefits of selling FTS was reducing overdose deaths in the community (n = 482, 81.4%) and participating in community harm reduction efforts (n = 455; 76.9%). Barriers commonly reported to selling FTS were: not knowing where to order FTS (n = 295, 49.8%) and discomfort initiating a conversation about FTS (n = 266, 44.9%). Most respondents (88.3%) were interested in FTS training.
Conclusion
North Carolina community pharmacists are willing to engage in various behaviors related to FTS sales and distribution. Pharmacists may benefit from FTS training that focuses on barriers to FTS sales. Pharmacist distribution of FTS could increase access to FTS at the community level, and has the potential to change drug use behavior and reduce overdose deaths.
Comparison of Prediction Model of Cooperation Risk of Multinational Enterprises Based on Deep Learning for International Policies
Authors: Guo Congying
Published: November 2022

The purpose is to study the effective risk management mode in the process of transnational cooperation of enterprises under the background of international policy and optimize the international cooperation strategy of enterprises. Firstly, the current situation of cross-cultural enterprise management models is compared and explored. Secondly, the advantage of efficient task offloading of edge cloud computing is used to extract the data information of multinational enterprises. Based on the extracted data, the loyalty of enterprise management is predicted through the deep learning (DL) model, and the prediction model of cooperation risk of multinational enterprises is implemented. Finally, the theory of game theory is applied in the calculation of profit distribution among multinational alliance enterprises, and the index evaluation system is established for quantitative and qualitative analysis. The results reveal that after 300 iterations, the accuracy loss of the traditional model is reduced to 0.3, while the accuracy loss of the prediction model established in this work is reduced to 0.15. Through the comparison between different models, it can be found that DL has an excellent effect on the risk prediction of enterprise strategic cooperation. This reveals that the key to transnational cooperation is to enhance the management ability of enterprises, thereby improving the competitiveness of enterprises. It can be concluded that DL and game theory are of practical value for reasonable resource allocation in transnational cooperation, to improve the risk management and prediction ability of enterprises.
Expression of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase increases neutral lipid accumulation in Nannochloropsis oceanica
Authors: Sudfeld Christian , Kiyani Aamna , Wefelmeier Katrin , Wijffels Rene , Barbosa Maria , D’Adamo Sarah
Published: November 2022

Microalgae are considered a suitable production platform for high-value lipids and oleochemicals. Several species including Nannochloropsis oceanica produce large amounts of essential \(\omega\)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) which are integral components of food and feed and have been associated with health-promoting effects. N. oceanica can further accumulate high contents of neutral lipids with chemical properties that render them a potential replacement for plant oils such as palm oil. However, biomass and lipid productivities obtained with microalgae need to be improved to reach commercial feasibility. Genetic engineering can improve biomass and lipid productivities, for instance by increasing carbon flux to lipids. Here, we report the overexpression of two glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPAT) in N. oceanica during favorable growth conditions as a strategy to increase neutral lipid content. Transformants overproducing either an endogenous (NoGPAT) or a heterologous (AoGPAT) GPAT enzyme targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum, had up to 42% and 51% increased neutral lipid contents, respectively, compared to the wild type. Biomass productivities of transformant strains were not substantially impaired, resulting in lipid productivities that were increased by up to 37% and 42% for NoGPAT and AoGPAT transformants, respectively. When exposed to nutrient stress, transformants and wild type had similar lipid contents, suggesting that GPAT enzyme availability is a rate-limiting factor for lipid synthesis in N. oceanica under favorable growth conditions. NoGPAT transformants further accumulated PUFAs in neutral lipids, reaching a total of 6.8% PUFAs per biomass, an increase of 24% relative to the wild type. Overall, our results indicate that GPAT is an interesting target for engineering of lipid metabolism in microalgae, in order to improve neutral lipid and PUFA accumulation in microalgae.