bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Trade, Renewable Energy, and Financial Development on Consumption-Based Carbon Emissions
Authors: Rehan Muhammad , GUNGOR Selim , Qamar Mehjbeen , Naz Aziza
Published: February 2023

Recently, there has been a lot of focus on global trade and consumption-based carbon (CCO2) emissions. More research, however, has examined how financial development (FD) and international trade in renewable energy affect CO2 emissions. Furthermore, there are no distinct trends in the research about how globalization affects environmental quality. Our research analyses and empirically investigates the relationship between CCO2 emissions and renewable energy, FD, and trade. A large panel of data from 41 G20 and European Union (EU) countries is assembled for empirical analysis from 1990–2019. The practical outcomes of panel quantile regression and feasible generalized least square (FGLS) approaches display that renewable energy and FD positively relate to CCO2 emissions; furthermore, trade to GDP hurts CCO2 emissions; market classification has been taken as a control variable which shows that the developed countries released more carbon than non-developed countries. These results suggest that the financial sector focuses more on supporting companies that use ecologically friendly techniques and pushing them to use other energy well-organized technologies in their production processes. As a result, CCO2 emissions will be reduced, preventing environmental damage at the non-renewable energy plant.
Family analysis and literature study of hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria
Authors: Wang Lufeng , Gulimire Kulaixi , Jiazireya Zaiyinati , Guzhalikezi Aibai , Du Danyang , Guo Yanying
Published: February 2023

Background
Hereditary hypophosphatasia rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised by reduced renal phosphate reabsorption leading to hypophosphataemia, rickets and bone pain.
Case presentation
To learn about the clinical presentation and treatment of the disease, we performed Clinical examinations, biochemical, radiological analyses and mutation analysis of SLC34A3 (exons and adjacent introns) of the proband and her members of the family. The proband and her affected sister are mutation of SLC34A3 ( exon 13 c.1402C༞T;p.R468W) disease-causing gene mutation. Her parents were both asymptomatic heterozygous carriers of the mutation. The genetic results also suggest that the patient has an LRP5 variant of Uncertain significance, which is a rare homozygous mutation.
Conclusion
This case is being reported to raise awareness of HHRH presenting characteristics. This paper describes a case of an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern in the context of SLC34A3 and LRP5 gene mutation, which has hitherto not been described in the context of the two genes at the same time. It is inconclusive whether the superposition of the two gene variants exacerbates clinical symptoms. This report provides an accurate diagnosis is critical, With early diagnosis and correct treatment, patients will have a better prognosis.
Clinical outcomes of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty without routine prophylactic peripheral iridotomy
Authors: Mukhija Ritika , Quiney Gabriella , Nanavaty Mayank
Published: February 2023

ObjectivesTo analyze the outcomes and complications of Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) performed without prophylactic peripheral iridotomy (PI).MethodsDesign:Retrospective study.Setting:institutional, tertiary care eye hospitalStudy Population:All patients who underwent DMEK or DMEK combined with phacoemulsification (DMEK triple) for Fuch's Endothelial Dystrophy, using a standardized protocol between Aug 2016 to July 2021, were included. Previous glaucoma surgery, laser PI, aphakia or complicated pseudophakia were excluded.Main Outcome Measures:Primary outcomes: incidence of the pupillary block (PB). Secondary outcomes: graft detachment (GD), rebubbling rates, uncorrected (UCDVA) & best corrected LogMAR distance visual acuity (BCDVA) and endothelial cell loss (ECL) at six months. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and stepwise backward regression analysis.Results104 eyes of 72 patients were included. Four eyes (3.8%) developed PB. In two of these cases of PB, standard protocol was not followed; in the other two, there was an inadequate release of gas and aqueous on day 1. Significant GD occurred in 7 eyes (6.6%), and rebubbling in theatre was needed in 4 eyes (3.8%). PB, GD and rebubbling rates did not vary with the surgeon, surgery, or tamponade (air or SF6 gas). UCDVA, BCDVA and ECL at 6 months were 0.29±0.31, 0.20±0.28 and 40.46±20.36%, respectively.ConclusionsCompared to previously reported outcomes of DMEK with PI, our results of PI less DMEK using a standardized protocol have a similar incidence of pupillary block, graft detachment, and rebubbling, with comparable visual acuity and endothelial cell loss.
Adoptive macrophages reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment in glioblastoma via programmed phenotypic polarization
Authors: Fan Yang , Yin Hang , Yao Bolin , Zhao Jing , Cheng Guangli , Tang Yaqi , Chen Luo , Chen Jian , Zhou Ji , Wang Cong , Li Ren , Zhao Botao , Zhang Xiao-Yong , Gao Xihui , Li Cong
Published: February 2023

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in glioblastoma (GBM) and play important roles in maintaining the suppressive tumour immune microenvironment (TIME). Strategies have been tried to deplete or transform the TAMs, but they face challenges to fundamentally reshape the TIME. Here, we report adoptively transferred macrophages as a new strategy to repolarize TAMs, modulate TIME and suppress GBM growth. We reveal adoptive macrophages primed to anti-inflammatory phenotype exhibit higher efficacy in traversing tumour vasculature and homing into GBM than those with pro-inflammatory phenotypes. Engineered anti-inflammatory macrophages, eM2-Mφs, are developed and show a unique characteristic of programmed phenotype repolarization. The adoptively transferred eM2-Mφs home to GBM efficiently post intravenous administration and their spontaneous transition into proinflammatory phenotype triggers reprogramming of endogenous TAMs. Moreover, low-dose irradiation (LDI) markedly enhances TAM infiltration and synergizes with adoptive eM2-Mφs to reverse the suppressive TIME. Combined treatment with LDI and eM2-Mφs followed by checkpoint inhibitor remarkably extends the survival of mouse models bearing intracranial GBM allografts. Collectively, this study provides an adoptive non-genetic engineered macrophage therapy to enhance immunotherapeutic response to GBM.
How can water be harvested from the air? The evidence from Bolivia
Authors: Urquidi Ariel , Czarnecki Lukasz
Published: February 2023

The objective of this paper is to analyze how to harvest water from the air in Bolivia. To collect water from the air by condensation two fog collectors were built in Kañuma, located in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. The environmental conditions, such as wind direction and velocity, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure, were calculated using a Davis Vantage Pro2 weather station. Formal quasi-experimental research was implemented to determine the cause-effect relationship of the quantity of water collected and the environmental conditions over 21 days. Daily controls were performed, analyzing the volume of harvested water regarding evapotranspiration and the psychrometric constant. Our results show that it was possible to harvest almost 89 ml/day/m2 in both models in just 21 days of experimentation. In addition, we want to shed light on sustainable development and public policy implementation on water collection alternatives, especially for high and mountainous areas, where we can locate some of the poorest communities in Bolivia.
The Comparison of the Effect of Double Reverse Traction Repositor (DRTR) and Traction Table Assisted Anterograde Intramedullary Nail in the Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fractures
Authors: Song Wei , Wang Yueying , Chen Weihao , Zhang Zhenqian , Liu Xuzhou , Ou Guoji , Cheng Benqiang , Lin Hongsheng
Published: February 2023

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of DRTR (Double Reverse Traction Repositor, DRTR）and Traction Table in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures with the aid of AN-IMN (Antegrade intramedullary nailing).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, patients with femoral shaft fractures admitted to the Department of Orthopedics at Zhaoqing First People's Hospital from May 2018 to October 2022 were recruited. All patients were treated with anterograde intramedullary nailing, with 23 patients in the DRTR-assisted group and 21 patients in the traction table-assisted group. The demographic characteristics, fracture classification, intraoperative data, postoperative data, and prognostic indicators of the two groups were recorded and analyzed retrospectively. All procedures were performed by the same team of experienced physicians.
RESULTS: All the patients in the two groups were followed up for more than 12 months. Both traction methods could provide stable traction for the operator during AN-IMN, and there was no significant difference in demographic characteristics and fracture classification. The intraoperative fluoroscopy times and opening reduction rate of the DRTR group were lower than those of the traction table group (P < 0.05), and the postoperative Harris Hip Score, as well as the Lyshol Lysholm knee function Score of the DRTR group, were significantly lower than the traction table group members (P < 0.05). Postoperative complications such as perineal soft tissue injury and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury occurred in the traction table group, but not in the DRTR group.
Conclusion: DRTR can safely and effectively provide continuous and stable traction in the femoral shaft fractures surgery, and outperforms the traction table in the number of intraoperative fluoroscopy, opening reduction rate, reduction of complications, and postoperative joint function score.
Physical side effects of covid-19 vaccines reported among healthcare workers in Sudan: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Elmadani Mohammed , Altijani Abdelrhman A.G. , Tamomh Abdelhakam G. , Osman Manasik Yahia Abakr , Taher Mastora Yaqoub Ahmed Al , Fadol Mishkat Seddig Ismael , Orsolya Máté
Published: February 2023

Background: COVID-19 is quickly becoming a global health issue. For the first time in the history of extremely contagious illnesses, a vaccine has been created in one year. Vaccination is having a beneficial impact across the globe. Elimination of this sickness is still far from the reality due to virus mutations.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Kosti Teaching Hospital, Sudan (October 2021- June 2022). Google forms were used to collect data. Samples were taken using total coverage. The data were analyzed using SPSS v28 and the association between variables was checked using the Q-square and Fisher's Exact Test.
Result: This study includes (133) participants, the majority are female (77.4%) and the rest were male (22.6%) and the main age group is (37.98 ± 9.5 SD) years. About three-quarters of the study population )76.7%) showed side effects after getting a vaccine. The following adverse effects were experienced by study participants: mild pain at the injection site (77.5%), fever (65%), headache (50%) and fatigue (43%). About 7% were unable to work the next day owing to side effects. Significant differences were observed between the side effects and marital status; p-value = (.005), type of vaccine p-value = (.042) and age p-value = (.021). No significant differences between vaccine side effects and age, previous infection with COVID-19, gender, occupation, number of hours spent at work and infection with other chronic illnesses (p-value< 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on current research, pain at the injection site is the most frequent adverse reaction, demonstrating the vaccine's safety and the absence of any problems or lethal effects. Additionally, these side effects don't significantly affect daily activities.
Visualization of metabolic parameters after colorectal carcinoma patients using [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET
Authors: Sun Rui , Zeng Guangping , Huang Zhanwen , Chen Xiaoliang
Published: February 2023

Background
This study evaluated the relationship between metabolic parameters derived from gallium 68-labeled fibroblast-activation protein inhibitor ([68Ga]Ga-FAPI)and Tumor, Node, Metastasis stages in colorectal carcinoma.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with colorectal carcinoma who underwent pre-surgical [68Ga]Ga-FAPI positron emission tomography/computed tomography between October 2021 and June 2022. The metabolic parameters derived from [68Ga]Ga-FAPI positron emission tomography/computed tomography for primary colorectal carcinoma lesions were calculated and recorded at different thresholds, including the maximum and mean standardized uptake values, as were the gross tumor volume- and total lesion-fibroblast-activation protein inhibitor. Tumor, Node, Metastasis classification was defined according to the 7th American Joint Committee on Cancer. The difference in quantitative parameters between Tumor, Node, Metastasis stage groups was assessed, and receiver operating characteristic analyses with the area under the curve were performed to evaluate the predictive performance of metabolic parameters.
Results
Thirty-three patients (median age, 61 years [interquartile range, 54–71 years]; 19 men, 14 women) were evaluated. With respect to [68Ga]Ga-FAPI parameters, 30% of maximum standardized uptake values, 40% of maximum standardized uptake values, 50% of maximum standardized uptake values, 60% of maximum standardized uptake values, 30% of mean standardized uptake values, 40% of mean standardized uptake values, and 50% of mean standardized uptake values were correlated with T3–4 stage primary colorectal carcinoma (all p < 0.05). Among these parameters, 30% of mean standardized uptake values showed the highest predictive performance for T3–4 stages, with an area under the curve of 0.761 (95% confidence interval: 0.591–0.931), sensitivity of 67.4% (95% confidence interval: 0.472–0.681), and specificity of 90.0% (95% confidence interval: 0.557–0.796).
Conclusions
Metabolic parameters derived from [68Ga]Ga-FAPI provide a noninvasive assessment of Tumor status in patients with colorectal carcinoma, and 30% of mean standardized uptake values has the highest predictive value for Tumor stage diagnosis.
Fire needle for the moderate obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea ayndrome(OSAHS): study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Song Yuqiang , Sun Sanfeng , Wang Jingfei , Shen Linbo , Zhang Yuzhuo , Sun Jie , Sun Jingqing , Wen Yali , Du Xin , Fu Yuanbo
Published: February 2023

Background
Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is considered to be greatly harmful due to its high incidence and low awareness rate, and has a considerable adverse impact on quality of life (QoL) for patients and their cohabitants. Our previous pilot trial suggested that fire needle might be a potential treatment option for OSAHS. We will conduct this trial to assess the efficacy and safety of fire needle for the moderate OSAHS.
Methods/design
A total of 102 eligible patients will be randomly allocated to either the fire needle group or the sham acupuncture group. Each patient will receive 16 sessions over eight weeks. The primary outcome is apnea hypopnea index (AHI). Secondary outcomes includes oxygen desaturation index (ODI)and other polysomnography (PSG) monitoring indicators, scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaires, scores of Epworth sleepiness (ESS) scale questionnaires and visual analogue scores (VAS) of the patient's snoring by cohabitants. All patients who receive randomization will be included in the intent-to-treat analysis.
Discussion
The finding of this trial will provide high-quality evidence on the efficacy of fire needle for treating moderate OSAHS. According to the result, we will establish a fire needle treatment scheme for moderate OSAHS. Results of this research will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
Trial registration:
Chinese Clinical Trail Registry, ChiCTR2300067509. Registered on 10 Jan 2023.
Impact of anxiety during hospitalization on the clinical outcome of patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture: a prospective multicentric study
Authors: Schwarz Falko , Klee Emma , Schenk Philipp , Katscher Sebastian , Schnake Klaus J. , Bäumlein Martin , Schmeiser Gregor , Scherer Michael A. , Müller Michael , Sprengel Kai , Spiegl Ulrich , Osterhoff Georg , Schramm Simon , Siekmann Holger , Franck Alexander , Scheyerer Max J. , Ullrich Bernhard W.
Published: February 2023

Background
Anxiety in combination with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) of the spine remains understudied. The purpose of this study was to analyze whetheranxiety has an impact on the short-term functional outcome of patients with an OVCF. Furthermore, a direct impact of the fracture on the patient’s anxiety during hospitalization should be recognized.
Methods
A prospective multicentric study in a German-speaking area was performed. All inpatients with an OVCF of the thoracolumbar spine from 2017 to 2020 were included. Trauma mechanism, analgetic medication, anti-osteoporotic therapy, timed-up-and-go test (TuG), mobility, Barthel index, Oswestry-Disability Index (ODI) and EQ5D-5L were documented.
For statistical analysis, the U test, chi-square independence test, Spearman correlation, General Linear Model for repeated measures, Bonferroni analysis and Wilcoxon test were used. The item anxiety/depression of the EQ5D-5L was analyzed to describe the patients’ anxiousness.
Results
Data from 518 patients from 17 different hospitals were evaluated. Fracture severity showed a significant correlation (r=0.087, p=0.0496) with anxiety. During the hospital stay, pain medication (p<0.001), anti-osteoporotic medication (p<0.001), and initiation of surgical therapy (p<0.001) were associated with less anxiety. The anxiety of a patient at discharge was negatively related to the functional outcomes at the individual follow-up: TuG (p<0.001), Barthel index (p<0.001), ODI (p<0.001) and EQ5D-5L (p<0.001).
Conclusions
Higher anxiety is associated with lower functional outcome after OVCF. The item anxiety/depression of the EQ5D-5L provides an easily accessible, quick and simple tool that can be used to screen for poor outcomes and may also offer the opportunity for a specific anxiety intervention.
Prevalence and clinical impact of frailty in COPD：A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Lina , Zhang Xiaolin , Liu Xinmin
Published: February 2023

Background: Frailty has been increasingly identified as a risk factor of adverse outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The prevalence and impact of frailty on health outcomes in people with COPD require clarification.
Methods: PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science (January 1, 2002, to July 1, 2022) were comprehensively searched to identify studies related to frailty and COPD. Comparisons were made between people who did and did not have frailty for pulmonary function, dyspnea severity, 6-minute walking distance, activities of daily life, and mortality.
Results: Twenty studies (8 cross-sectional, 6 prospective, 5 retrospective cohort,1 clinical trial) from Europe (9), Asia (6), and North and South America (4), Oceania (1) involving 11, 620 participants were included. The prevalence of frailty ranged from 6.43% to 71.7% based on the frailty tool used. Overall sarcopenia prevalence varied from 32.07% (95% confidence interval (CI) 26.64–37.49). People with frailty had lower predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (mean difference -5.06%; 95%CI -6.70 to -3.42%)，shorter 6-minute walking distance (mean difference -90.23 meter; 95%CI -124.70 to -55.76), poorer activities of daily life (standardized mean difference -0.99; 95%CI -1.35 to -0.62) , higher CAT score(mean difference 6.2; 95%CI 4.43 to 7.96) and mMRC grade (mean difference 0.93; 95%CI 0.85 to 1.02) compared with those who did not (P < 0.001 for all). Meta-analysis showed that frailty was associated with an increased risk of long-term all-cause mortality (HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.37-2.05; I2=0%, p < 0.00, Tau-squared=0).
Conclusion: Frailty is prevalent in people with COPD and associates with negative clinical outcomes including pulmonary function, dyspnea severity, exercise capacity, quality of life and mortality.
Protocol for an observational study of working conditions and musculoskeletal health in Swedish online retail warehousing from the perspective of gender and race/ethnicity
Authors: Jackson Jennie A. , Mathiassen Svend Erik , Rydström Klara , Johansson Kristina
Published: February 2023

Background
Disparate occupational health outcomes are evident both between men and women and between domestic- and foreign-born workers in Sweden, Europe, and internationally. Current European and International sustainable development agendas target the reduction of such inequalities in working conditions and work-related health. Major growth in online retail has increased occupational opportunities in warehousing which are more accessible to foreign-born workers than traditional retail work. The rapid change has left research on working conditions, i.e., employment conditions, facility design (including digital tool use), work organization, physical and psychosocial work environment conditions, and worker health lagging. Further, to date, no known studies have considered patterns of inequality related to these factors. The overall aim of this 3-year study is to describe working conditions and musculoskeletal health in online retail warehousing, determine the extent to which differences exist related to gender and race/ethnicity, and to examine factors at the organisational and individual levels to provide a deeper understanding of why any differences may exist.
Methods
Three online retail warehouses, each employing approximately 50-150 employees performing receiving, order picking, order packing and dispatching tasks, will be recruited in Sweden. Warehouses will, to the extent possible, differ in their extent of digital technology use. Employment conditions, facility design (including digital tool use), work organization, physical and psychosocial work environment conditions and worker health will be assessed by survey, interview and technical measurements, the latter over five consecutive days. Analysis stratified by gender and place of birth will consider the extent to which inequalities exist. Focus group interviews with operations employees and in-depth interviews with managers, union and health and safety representatives will be conducted to assess how employee working conditions and musculoskeletal health are related to inequality regimes of gender and/or race/ethnicity in organizational processes and practices in online retail warehousing.
Discussion
This study will describe working conditions and health in online retail warehouse production workers and consider the extent to which patterns of inequality exist based on gender and race/ethnicity.
Trial registration: The study is pre-registered with the Open Science Framework
A novel RBBP8 (c.841G>T) germline mutation is a predisposition mutation in familial hereditary cancer syndrome
Authors: Yan Jinhua , Wu Jinzheng , Wang Yang , Di Xiaotang , Jiang Hao , Wen Doudou , Li Duo , Zhang Shubing
Published: February 2023

Background: Screening tumor susceptibility genes will be found powerful biomarkers for hereditary cancer monitoring, prevention and diagnosis, which providing opportunities for understanding the potential molecular mechanism and biomarker for precise treatment of hereditary cancer syndromes.
Methods: Whole blood exon sequencing and bioinformatics analysis uncovers a novel RBBP8 (c.841G>T) germline mutation in this familial hereditary cancer syndrome, and verified by sanger sequencing. Cell proliferation, clone formation, cell migration, in vivo tumorigenesis were investigated by CCK8, clone formation assays, transwell, in vivo xenograft. The protein localization and interaction were detected by immunofluorescence, nuclear and cytoplasmic protein extraction kit and Co-IP .
Results: A new heterozygous germline mutation of RBBP8 (c.841G>T) gene was associated with familial hereditary cancer syndrome. Unlike RBBP8-WT is mainly detected in the nucleus and could interact with BRCA1. Opposite, RBBP8(c.841G>T) is mainly located in the cytoplasm and lost interact with BRCA1, which may gain some new functions in the cytoplasm to promote breast cancer proliferation, in vivo tumorigenesis and migration. Meanwhile, patients with RBBP8(c.841G>T) germline mutation maybe benefit from PARP inhibitors (Olaparib) and platinum (Cisplatin).
Conclusions: A de novo RBBP8 (c.841G>T) germline mutation was identified from familial hereditary cancer syndrome. RBBP8 (c.841G>T) lost its ability to enter the nucleus and the BRCA1 binding motif, which may gain some new functions to promote tumorigeneses in the cytoplasm. RBBP8 (c.841G>T) is a tumor susceptibility gene and candidate precision medicine biomarker in this familial hereditary cancer syndrome.
Identification of Bromelain Subfamily Proteases Encoded in the Pineapple Genome
Authors: Yow Ashley G. , Bostan Hamed , Young Roberto , Valacchi Giuseppe , Gillitt Nicholas , Perkins-Veazie Penelope , Xiang Qiu-Yun (Jenny) , Iorizzo Massimo
Published: February 2023

Papain (aka C1A) family proteases, including bromelain enzymes, are widespread across the plant kingdom and play critical regulatory functions in protein turnover during development. The proteolytic activity exhibited by papain family proteases has led to their increased usage for a wide range of cosmetic, therapeutic, and medicinal purposes. Bromelain enzymes, or bromelains in short, are members of the papain family that are specific to the bromeliad plant family. The only major commercial extraction source of bromelain is pineapple. The importance of C1A family and bromelain subfamily proteases in pineapple development and their increasing economic importance led several researchers to utilize available genomic resources to identify protease-encoding genes in the pineapple genome. To date, studies are lacking in screening bromelain genes for targeted use in applied science studies. In addition, the bromelain genes coding for the enzymes present in commercially available bromelain products have not been identified and their evolutionary origin has remained unclear. Here, using the newly developed MD2 v2 pineapple genome, we aimed to identify bromelain-encoding genes and elucidate their evolutionary origin. Orthologous and phylogenetic analyses of all papain-family proteases encoded in the pineapple genome revealed a single orthogroup (189) and phylogenetic clade (XIII) containing the bromelain subfamily. Duplication mode and synteny analyses provided insight into the origin and expansion of the bromelain subfamily in pineapple. Proteomic analysis identified four bromelain enzymes present in two commercially available bromelain products derived from pineapple stem, corresponding to products of four putative bromelain genes. Gene expression analysis using publicly available transcriptome data showed that 31 papain-family genes identified in this study were up-regulated in specific tissues, including stem, fruit, and floral tissues. Some of these genes had higher expression in earlier developmental stages of different tissues. Similar expression patterns were identified by RT-qPCR analysis with leaf, stem, and fruit. Our results provide a strong foundation for future applicable studies on bromelain, such as transgenic approaches to increase bromelain content in pineapple, development of bromelain-producing bioreactors, and studies that aim to determine the medicinal and/or therapeutic viability of individual bromelain enzymes.
End-user acceptability of a prototype digital stethoscope to diagnose childhood pneumonia- A qualitative exploration from Sylhet, Bangladesh
Authors: Joarder Taufique , Tune Samiun Nazrin Bente Kamal , Islam Ashraful , Islam Arifa , Roy Arunangshu Dutta , McCollum Eric D. , Nair Harish , Cunningham Steven , McLane Ian , Shahidullah Mohammod , Baqui Abdullah H. , Ahmed Salahuddin
Published: February 2023

Background: Considering the high frequency of respiratory infections among children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a pragmatic guideline for managing pneumonia in low-resource settings. The guideline’s low specificity leads to many false-positive pneumonia cases receiving antibiotic treatment. Integrating diagnostic technology to incorporate lung sounds into WHO guidelines could improve childhood pneumonia diagnosis and management. This qualitative study aimed to explore the acceptability of a prototype digital stethoscope device among potential end-users in Bangladesh.
Methods: We conducted four focus group discussions (FGDs) with beneficiaries and service providers who used a 2018 digital stethoscope prototype. The data collection was conducted in November 2020. The study was carried out at Zakiganj Upazila (sub-district) of Sylhet district of Bangladesh. A total of 34 respondents, including parents of under-5 children, Community Health Care Providers (CHCPs), and community leaders were enrolled. Two researchers (TJ and another researcher) conducted the FGD. Verbatim transcripts were prepared, and translations were completed. Coding was executed in Microsoft Excel, and relevant quotes were extracted to ascertain the emerging themes. To ensure validity, two researchers coded the dataset independently and inconsistencies were resolved through discussion.
Findings: Mothers were more aware of the digital stethoscope than fathers. Except for the female community leaders, male leaders were unaware of the stethoscopes. Most CHCPs had positive perceptions of the digital stethoscope. They appreciated stethoscope training as they learned about new technology and diagnostic approaches. The users mentioned several technical shortcomings of the prototype device. A few stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with the level of community involvement and information sharing from the study. The use of the device plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic for fear of infection, to counteract which the CHCPs cleaned the device with chlorhexidine after every application as a precaution.
Conclusion:
Overall, device use was supported by stakeholders despite perceptions that the prototype had some technological limitations, community engagement was suboptimal, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions. Stronger community engagement, addressing technological issues, and further research on its health systems application would improve the acceptability and effective use of the digital stethoscope.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation alleviates glial activation through suppressing HMGB1/TLR4 pathway in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Han Chao , Zhang Xue , Dou Kaixin , Yao Weichao , Yao Minyi , Wan Qi , Xie Anmu
Published: February 2023

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been demonstrated to be effective in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but whether rTMS treatment has a relieving effect on neuroinflammation remains to be investigated. In this article, we explored the effects of rTMS on forelimb use asymmetry and neuroinflammation-related mechanisms in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rat model.
Methods and Results: Rats in the 6-OHDA+rTMS group received 10 Hz rTMS daily for 4 weeks. Behavioral tests (the cylinder test) were performed at the 3rd and 7th weeks after the operation. Astrocyte and microglia activation and protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1) and toll-like receptors 4(TLR4) were investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses, respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment，forelimb use asymmetry was ameliorated in the 6-OHDA+rTMS group. Consistent with the behavioral tests, rTMS increased TH in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD rats. High glial activation and HMGB1/TLR4 expression were observed in the 6-OHDA group, while rTMS alleviated these changes.
Conclusions: This study showed that rTMS might be a promising method for alleviating neuroinflammation in PD rat models, and the effects might be mediated through the downregulation of the HMGB1/TLR4 pathway.
Application of Facial Expression Recognition Based on Domain Adapted Convolutional Neural Network in English Smart Teaching System
Authors: Liu Lilin
Published: February 2023

The application of the facial expression recognition system in the human-computer interaction system refers to the recognition of human facial expressions through the human-computer interaction system in the real society, so as to be able to feel the specific situation of recognizing people. This is also one of the main directions of human-computer interaction system research. In this paper, the facial expression recognition system is designed by the algorithm that combines the expressions of the students in the classroom teaching with the system environment, so that the recognition of the facial expressions of the students in the classroom environment is more accurate. This article elaborates on the identification method of the system, and conducts detailed experimental analysis on the specific functions of other modules in the system. The experimental results show that the security and stability of the system are very high. At the same time, the accuracy of the system in the classroom teaching environment is also very high in the recognition of student facial expressions. This is a modern intelligent face recognition system that enters education and teaching. Provide a strong theoretical basis and technical support during the work.
Cooperative function of oncogenic MAPK signaling and the loss of Pten for melanoma migration through the formation of lamellipodia
Authors: Yokoyama Satoru , Yasuta Yutaka , Nagai Shutaro , Mouri Shuto , Kaminaka Ryuya , Ishida Katsuya , Tanaka Akihiro , Zhou Yue , Sakurai Hiroaki
Published: February 2023

The combination of oncogenes and tumor suppressors overcomes selective pressure from host immune systems for cancer development; however, it is still unknown whether their combination plays a critical role in cancer metastasis. We herein investigated whether genetic combinations affected cell migration ability by establishing the immortalized melanocytes, melan-a cells, with an oncogene, either BRAFV600E or GNA11Q209L, and the loss of mouse Pten. The loss of mouse Pten or human PTEN increased the cell migration ability of our established cells and human melanoma cell lines with oncogenic MAPK signaling and the BRAFV600E or NRASQ61R background, but not with the GNA11Q209L background or no oncogenes. Although increased migration was not related to PI3K-AKT activation, those migration is regulated by the induction of some components in the WAVE regulatory complex, resulting in a higher rate of the formation of lamellipodia. On the other hand, BRAFV600E induced EphA2 phosphorylation at Serine 897 through RSK and was also required for cell migration and the formation of lamellipodia. Therefore, the oncogenic MAPK pathway and loss of Pten in melanoma were important for cell migration through the formation of lamellipodia, suggesting the significance of an appropriate combination of genetic alterations not only in cancer development, but also cancer metastasis.
No cause-effect relationships between psychiatric disorders and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Huang Zhilin , Wen Yutong , Tian Yueqin , Zou Haiqiang , Chen Aimin , Chen Jian , Xie Haiting , Chen Jingyi , Xiong Fu , Gao Xiaoya
Published: February 2023

Background
Previous reports have been inconsistent about the associations between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and psychiatric disorders. More importantly, it needs to be elucidated whether these associations are causal or confounded.
Objective
We aimed to determine the presence of cause-effect relationships between ALS and four psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia; bipolar disorder; anxiety, nerves, tension or depression disorders (ADD); and neuroticism) using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (BDMR) analysis based on gene associations.
Methods
First, we extracted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summaries for the four psychiatric disorders and ALS from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) GWAS database. We then identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are strongly associated with exposure, are independent of confounders, and are related to exposure-outcome, as instrumental variables (IVs) for Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. In the MR analysis, the cause-effect relationships were analyzed using psychiatric disorders as the exposure variable and ALS as the outcome, with six methods (primary inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median estimator, simple mode, weighted mode, and robust adjusted profile score (RAPS)analyses). Moreover, the results were subjected to sensitivity analyses, namely, IVW and MR-Egger analyses (for potential heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy) and MR leave-one-out analysis (to determine whether one SNP drove the causal signal). Finally, reverse MR analyses were conducted using ALS as the exposure variable and four psychiatric disorders as outcome variables; sensitivity was assessed.
Results
After extracting the GWAS summaries, we established IVs, including 147, 13, 37, and 105 SNPs for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADD, and neuroticism, respectively. Subsequently, the MR analyses conducted using the six methods revealed no cause-effect relationships of the four psychiatric disorders with ALS. Moreover, we set up six SNPs as IVs for ALS in reverse MR analyses. Finally, no statistically significant cause-effect relationship of ALS with the four psychiatric disorders was found. These associations were robust as shown by the sensitivity analyses.
Conclusions
BDMR analyses revealed no significant genetic evidence for a cause-effect relationship between ALS and four psychiatric disorders.
The Role of Plasmids in Carbapenem Resistant E. coli in Alameda County, California
Authors: Walas Nikolina , Slown Samuel , Amato Heather K. , Lloyd Tyler , Bender Monica , Varghese Vici , Pandori Mark , Graham Jay P.
Published: February 2023

Background: Antimicrobial resistant infections continue to be a leading global public health crisis. Mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, have been shown to play a major role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. Despite its ongoing threat to human health, surveillance in the United States is often limited to phenotypic resistance. Genomic analyses are important to better understand the underlying resistance mechanisms, assess risk, and implement appropriate prevention methods. This study aimed to investigate the extent of plasmid mediated antimicrobial resistance that can be inferred from short read sequences of carbapenem resistant E. coli (CR-Ec) in Alameda County, California. E. coli isolates from healthcare locations in Alameda County were sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq and assembled with Unicycler. Genomes were categorized according to predefined multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) schemes. Resistance genes were identified and corresponding contigs were predicted to be plasmid-borne or chromosome-borne using two bioinformatic tools (MOB-suite and mlplasmids).
Results: Among 82 of CR-Ec identified between 2017 and 2019, twenty-five sequence types (STs) were detected. ST131 was the most prominent (n=17) followed closely by ST405 (n=12). blaCTX-M were the most common ESBL genes and just over half (18/30) of these genes were predicted to be plasmid-borne by both MOB-suite and mlplasmids. Three genetically related groups of E. coli isolates were identified with cgMLST. One of the groups contained an isolate with a chromosome-borne blaCTX-M-15 gene and an isolate with a plasmid-borne blaCTX-M-15 gene.
Conclusions: This study provides insights into the dominant clonal groups driving carbapenem resistant E. coli infections in Alameda County, CA, USA clinical sites and highlights the relevance of whole-genome sequencing in routine local genomic surveillance. The finding of multi-drug resistant plasmids harboring high-risk resistance genes is of concern as it indicates a risk of dissemination to previously susceptible clonal groups in the community, potentially complicating clinical and public health intervention.
Artificial Intelligence Facial Recognition and Voice Anomaly Detection in the Application of English MOOC Teaching System
Authors: Li Fengkai , Zhang Xuan
Published: February 2023

As a direct and effective biometric technology that follows human life habits, facial recognition has gradually become a mainstream, stable and reliable recognition method in the process of further development of science and technology. Facial recognition is a kind of biometric authentication based on recognition technology that is an original biological characteristic. After collecting the biometric functions, use a computer for digital image processing and template matching to complete the process of facial recognition. In the face of MOOC, establish a high-quality resource sharing mechanism, use this opportunity to explore innovative education models, and truly feel the strong momentum of traditional Chinese higher education, which has greatly improved the quality of education in Chinese universities. In addition, in order to vigorously promote the internationalization of education in China, education scholars need to conduct a lot of in-depth research on MOOC. In this article, a demand-based testing method is used to establish a skin color distribution model for color image preprocessing, and then develop and construct according to the comprehensive analysis of the university English class in the MOOC platform implementation mechanism (including the establishment of basic principles of operation mechanism), thereby Become a guarantee and support for curriculum and education quality evaluation system. This article combines the characteristics of educational practice and MOOC education, takes college English courses as an example, studies its application mechanism, builds a MOOC platform, and continuously enhances students' interest in learning English, aiming to provide a practical reference for the reform of Chinese college English education.
Benchmarking universal quantum gates via channel spectrum
Authors: Gu Yanwu , Zhuang Wei-Feng , Chai Xudan , Liu Dong
Published: February 2023

Noise remains the major obstacle to scalable quantum computation. Quantum benchmarking
provides key information on noise properties and is an important step for developing more advanced
quantum processors. However, current benchmarking methods are either limited to a specific subset
of quantum gates or cannot directly describe the performance of the individual target gate. To
overcome these limitations, we propose channel spectrum benchmarking (CSB), a novel method to
infer the noise properties of the target gate, including process fidelity, stochastic fidelity, and some
unitary parameters, from the eigenvalues of its noisy channel. Our CSB method is insensitive to
state-preparation and measurement errors, and importantly, can benchmark universal gates and
is scalable to many-qubit systems. Unlike standard randomized schemes, CSB can provide direct
noise information for both target native gates and circuit fragments, allowing benchmarking and
calibration of frequently used modules in quantum algorithms like Trotterized Hamiltonian evolution
operator in quantum simulation.
Effects of lateralized interictal epileptiform discharges on the sleep architecture of people with epilepsy: a case-control study
Authors: Wu Meina , Wu Sangru , Wang Sihang , Lin Fang , Ji Xiaolin , Yan Jinzhu
Published: February 2023

Background: Disruption of sleep architecture occurs in patients with epilepsy, with interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) being one possible cause. IED lateralization may exert different effects on sleep architecture, and different types of IEDs may affect the sleep architecture of patients with epilepsy. Therefore, we investigated the sleep architecture of people with epilepsy to determine the effects of IED lateralization on sleep architecture.Methods: A total of 119 patients with epilepsy who sought medical attention at our hospital between March 2018 and March 2022 and 106 healthy control participants were selected for this study. Patients with epilepsy were grouped based on the IED source determined by nocturnal scalp electroencephalography as left-sided, right-sided, simultaneous bilateral, and alternating bilateral. Polysomnography was performed to compare the effects of IED lateralization on sleep architecture among the different groups. Normally distributed data were tested for differences using thettest; the Mann–Whitney U test was used to analyze data with a non-normal distribution or heterogeneity of variance. Count data were compared using the chi-squared test, and comparisons of multiple groups were performed using analysis of variance.Results: Compared with the control group, the epilepsy group showed a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (R%) and REM sleep time. The left-sided and right-sided IED groups exhibited significant decreases in R%, and the left-sided IED group showed a significant decrease in REM sleep time. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the IED index was correlated positively withcomorbid hypertension, non-REM stage 1 (N1) sleep time, and sleep latency.Conclusions: An increase in the IED index correlates positively with comorbid hypertension, N1 sleep time, and sleep latency. Therefore, a worthwhile consideration for neurologists to reduce the IED index in clinical practice is to adopt methods that include sleep improvement techniques for patients with epilepsy.
Mining wastes as CO oxidation catalysts from the Fe-skarns of Serifos Island, Cyclades, Greece
Authors: Mpiliou Maria , Kappis Konstantinos , Tombros Stylianos , Avgouropoulos George , Kokkalas Sotirios , Lampropoulou Paraskevi , Triantafyllidis Stavros , Li Haibin , Papavasiliou Joan
Published: February 2023

The Fe-skarns from the Greek Island of Serifos in Cyclades is utilized only for the exploitation of magnetite ores while a significantly vast amount of red and yellow hematite ores remained unexploited as mining wastes. The main aim of this study is the effective utilization of such mining wastes, as active catalytic materials for various environmental and energy applications, taking CO oxidation as a model reaction. The results from the characterization techniques have illustrated that the physicochemical characteristics of the hematite materials can positively be influenced by the implementation of a simple calcination step, while the characteristics of magnetite remained unaffected. The catalytic studies for CO oxidation reaction have shown that the increased surface area and concentration of oxygen vacancies of the calcined (yellow and red) mineral hematite from Serifos Fe-skarns mining wastes, act beneficial in the catalytic activity with respect to calcined magnetite catalyst. Moreover, the hematite materials can be utilized as suitable supports for Au/Fe2O3 catalysts, illustrating the dual role of natural hematites in catalytic applications.