bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vault changes in eyes with a vertically implanted implantable collamer lens
Authors: Ouchi Masayuki
Published: August 2023

This prospective consecutive case series examined the postoperative and preoperative predicted vaults during vertical fixation of an implantable collamer lens (ICL). This study assessed 180 right eyes of 180 patients with ICL implants for myopic astigmatism. For the 90 eyes of 90 patients who underwent horizontal fixation (horizontal group) and 90 eyes of 90 patients who underwent vertical fixation (vertical group), biometrics by three-dimensional tomography of the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (A-OCT) was performed before surgery, and 2 h (2h), 1 day (1d), 1 week (1w), and 1 month after surgery (1m). Anterior chamber depth and postoperative vault were compared between the two groups. The difference between the preoperative predicted vault calculated using the KS formula installed in the A-OCT and the postoperative actual measured value was examined. The anterior chamber depth did not change at 2h, 1d, 1w, and 1m in both groups, and there was no significant difference from the preoperative values. Postoperative vault values were significantly lower in the vertical group than in the horizontal group over time. The difference between the vault measured 1m after surgery and the preoperative predicted value was significantly larger in the vertical group than in the horizontal group. Vertical fixation of the ICL reduced the vault by > 100 µm compared with horizontal fixation, which was different from the A-OCT preoperative predicted value
Timely surgical treatment of fallopian tubal pregnancy and interstitial pregnancy have no differential effect on intrauterine pregnancies after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer
Authors: Zheng Mingxiang , Peng Yangqin , Cai Pei , He qingwen , Fei Gong , Hui Chen , Mao yuyao , Li Xihong , ouyang Yan
Published: August 2023

Background
Due to the specific nature of interstitial pregnancy (IP), there are significant risks to both the mother and the foetus in women with a heterotopic interstitial pregnancy. IP alone has been analysed as a site-specific ectopic preganncy in previous studies, however, according to the latest European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology criteria, IP is classified as tubal pregnancy. If IP can be classified as tubal pregnancy, it means that there is no difference in the effects of these two on IUPs. Under the premise of timely surgery, disposing of IPs and tubal pregnancy (excluding IPs) should also have no differential effect on IUPs.
Methods
HP-tube and HIP patients seen at our hospital from January 2005 to December 2020 were included. All included patients were diagnosed by transvaginal sonography (TVS), and EPs were confirmed by surgery and pathological analysis. The IUP outcomes after surgical treatment of the EPs were compared between the HP-tube group (n = 464) and the HIP group (n = 206).
Results
Regarding IUPs, there was no significant difference between the HP-tube group and the HIP group in postoperative miscarriage (6.9% vs. 6.8%, odds ratio (OR) = 1.859, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.807–4.279)), early spontaneous miscarriage (19.61% vs. 18. 93%, OR = 0.788, 95% CI (0.495–1.255), p = 0.316), and late miscarriage rates (0.43% vs. 0.49%, OR = 0.823, 95% CI (0.070–9.661), p = 0.877). There was no significant difference between the two groups in preterm birth (7.33% vs. 6.80%, OR = 1.044, 95% CI (0.509–2.139), p = 0.907), live birth (73.92% vs. 74.27%, OR = 1.010, 95% CI (0.665–1.534), p = 0.964), or perinatal mortality rates (1.51% vs. 0.49%, OR = 1.949, 95% CI (0.225–16.904), p = 0.545).
Conclusions
After early diagnosis and treatment of EPs, heterotopic fallopian tubal pregnancy and heterotopic interstitial pregnancy could achieve comparatively similar outcomes.
Enhanced elimination of chromium (VI) ions from wastewater with silica-mixed magnetic nanomaterial: Isotherm and kinetic studies
Authors: Ramesh B. , Deivayanai V.C. , Yaashikaa P.R. , Saravanan A , Jayasree R. , Amrutha R.
Published: August 2023

Disposing industrial wastewater and by-products from numerous segments has recently increased its demands in the ecological, methodological, economic, technological, and community spheres where the dispersed water isn’t treated before release. Rice husk is a waste agro field product from rice milling, an abundant source of silica and many other minerals. Rice husk ash is generated by combustion and deep burning out techniques at 600℃. To make 100% pure silica xerogels from RHA, a process involving alkaline separation accompanied by precipitation with acid was performed. Silica-coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were produced via microwave practice and used for the complete elimination of Cr(IV) ions from water samples that is lab prepared solutions. The synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showing the structure of formed particles, X-ray diffraction (XRD) owns amorphous nature, Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy showing peaks of silica 45.36%, Ferrous 49.07%, and oxides in traces. Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Zeta Potential. Uniquely the pH value, heat, exposure duration, and dosage all have an impact on the target metal ion has been studied using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to obtain optimum conditions. Langmuir isotherm seems to be the very greatest fit with the R2 value of 0.9791 and the qm is 102.8 mg/g this study also has great curve fitting in the pseudo-first-order model that supports the top physical adsorption.
Students’ Approaches to Learning (SAL) and their Relations to Burnout among University Freshmen in Singapore
Authors: Kok Xiao-Feng Kenan , Puah Shermain , Pua Ching Yee , Devilly Oran Zane , Lim Sok Mui
Published: August 2023

Assessing students’ approaches to learning (SAL) is crucial for evaluating their critical thinking abilities and subject domain comprehension. A deep approach and organised studying have been linked to lower study-related burnout, while an unreflective approach is associated with elevated levels of burnout. Despite evidence of the SAL–burnout connection, limited research exists on the bidirectional relationship between the two constructs. This study aims to fill this research gap by analysing changes in SAL and burnout during the freshmen year and determining whether the reciprocal relationship between these constructs. Freshmen data was collected from two cohorts (Cohort 1, n = 261; Cohort, n = 216) at the beginning and end of their first year. Findings revealed increased overall burnout, exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy from T1 to T2 in both cohorts. Deep approach decreased across T1 and T2 in both cohorts, while organised studying decreased on Cohort 1 but remained unchanged in Cohort 2. Conversely, unreflective approach decreased in Cohort 1 but increased in Cohort 2. Bidirectionality between SAL and burnout was observed in both cohorts, indicating that higher unreflective approach could lead to increased cynicism, and vice versa. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the interplay between unreflective approach and cynicism for interventions targeting reduction in unreflective approaches and emphasizes the need to consider the potential unintended consequences of heightening freshmen’s cynical attitudes towards studying when attempting to reduce unreflective approach.
Improved Early Violence Detection through Dynamic Graph Classification
Authors: Johnson Joseph , Giraud-Carrier Christophe
Published: August 2023

Early detection of intracountry outbreaks of violence or intercountry conflicts plays animportant role in geopolitics. Generally, it is based on the use of handcrafted countryfeatures (e.g., demographics, economics) that may serve as proxy to the event ofinterest. While such features matter, it is often their evolution over time both at thecountry level and among countries. As such, we propose to use a graph-basedapproach that allows us to capture static, structural and sequential measures. Usingwell-known data sets, we show how this approach outperforms both baseline andstate-of-the-art approaches.
Deubiquitinating enzyme USP44 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression through inhibiting Hedgehog signaling and PDL1 expression
Authors: Xie Peiyi , Chen Sisi , Zhou Binghai , Wei Huang , Li Qing , Ye Yu , Kuang Xiuqing , Huang Huabin , Wang Wei
Published: August 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. Research into the key genes that maintain the malignant behavior of cancer cells is crucial for the treatment of HCC. Here, we identify ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 44 (USP44), a member of deubiquitinase family, as a novel regulator of HCC progression. The tumor suppressive function of USP44 was evaluated in a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments including using USP44 flox/flox mice and orthotopic xenograft models.Through Quantitative Proteomics examination, we demonstrated that USP44 inhibits HCC PDL1 expression through downregulating Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Mechanistically, we found USP44 directly interacts with Itch, an E3 ligase involved in Hh signaling, and promotes the deubiquitination and stabilization of Itch.These events result in the proteasomal degradationof Gli1 and subsequent inactivation of Hh signaling, which ultimately suppresses the PDL1 expression and progression of HCC. Furthermore, HCC tissue microarray was analyzed by immunohistochemistry to evaluate the pathological relevance of the USP44/Itch/Gli1/PDL1 axis. At last, Gli1 inhibitor GANT61 was found to act in synergy with anti-PDL1 therapy. Overall, USP44 can act as a suppressive gene in HCC by modulating Hh signaling and co-inhibition of Gli1 and PDL1 might be an effective novel combination strategy for treating HCC patients.
5-chloro-3-(2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) hydrazono)indolin-2-one: synthesis, characterization, and biochemical and computational screening against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Majoumo-Mbe Felicite , Sangbong Neba Abongwa , Tcho Alain Tadjong , Namba-Nzanguim Cyril T , Simoben Conrad V , Eni Donatus B , Isa Mustafa A , Cassel Joel , Salvino Joseph M , Montaner Luis J , Tietjen Ian , Ntie-Kang Fidele
Published: August 2023

2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone of 5-chloroisatin (H2L) was synthesized and characterized by elemental and spectral (IR, electronic, Mass) analyses. The NMR spectrum of H2L indicated keto-enol tautomerism, with the keto form being more abundantin solution. H2L was found to selectively interfere with binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.26 μM, compared to an unrelated PD-1-PD-L1 ligand-receptor binding pair with an IC50 of 2.06 μM in vitro (Selectivity index = 7.9). Molecular docking studies revealed that the synthesized ligand preferentially binds within the ACE2 receptor binding site in a region distinct from where spike mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants occur. Consistent with these models, H2L was able to disrupt ACE2 interactions with the RBDs from beta, delta, lambda, and omicron with similar activities. These studies indicate that H2L-derived compounds are potential inhibitor(s) of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern including those capable of circumventing vaccine and immune responses.
A Correlation of Functional Outcome Measures of Pelvis Fracture Following Operative Management, A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Delizo Shiela Marie B. , Garin Isagani E.
Published: August 2023

Background
To evaluate the functional outcome of pelvis fracture after fixation using Majeed functional outcome score.
Methods
Patients from our institution, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, with pelvis fractures from 2019 to 2022 were retrospectively gathered and reviewed. All available data sources were exhausted, such as charts from the hospital records, patient census, and electronic medical records. The functional outcome of the surgical intervention was assessed using Majeed's functional outcome score.
Results
18 patients were included in the study (three females, 15 males; mean age of 41 years) with a range of follow-up of one to three years. We performed a functional assessment using Majeed's functional outcome score; the mean score was 72 points (range 22–100). An excellent clinical outcome was seen in 22%, a good result in 39%, a fair result in 11%, and a poor outcome in 17% treated with internal fixation. In contrast, those treated with external fixation had a fair outcome.
Conclusions
Surgical internal fixation for pelvic fractures may be better than external fixation. There were no noted advantages of doing early surgical procedures versus delayed surgery. Concomitant injuries such as nerve injury and multiply injured patients may contribute to a poor to fair functional outcome.
Anatomical considerations for nerve transfer in axillary nerve injury
Authors: Kim Soo-Jung , Bang Jong-Ho , Yang Hee-Jun , Moon Seong-Hwan , Choi Yun-Rak , Lee Hye-Yeon
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the anatomical details of the axillary and radial nerves in 50 upper limbs from 29 adult formalin-embalmed cadavers, and 10 fresh upper limbs. The focus was on understanding the course, division, and ramifications of these nerves to improve treatment of shoulder dysfunction caused by axillary nerve damage. The axillary nerve divided anteriorly and posteriorly before passing the quadrangular space in all specimens, with specific distances to the first ramifications. It was found that the deltoid muscle's clavicular and acromial parts were always innervated by the anterior division of the axillary nerve, whereas the spinous part was variably innervated. The longest and thickest branches of the radial nerve to the triceps muscles were identified, with no statistically significant differences in fiber numbers among triceps branches. The study concludes that nerve transfer to the anterior division of the axillary nerve can restore the deltoid muscle in about 86% of shoulders, and the teres minor muscle can be restored by nerve transfer to the posterior division. The medial head branch and long head branch were identified as the best donor options.
Protecting the Neural Networks against FGSM Attack Using Machine Unlearning
Authors: Jahanian Ali , Rastgarpour Maryam , Khorasani Amir Hossein
Published: August 2023

Machine learning is a powerful tool for building predictive models. However, it is vulnerable to adversarial attacks. Fast Gradient Sign Method (FGSM) attacks are a common type of adversarial attack that add small perturbations to input data in order to trick a model into misclassifying it. In response to these attacks, researchers have developed methods for "unlearning" these attacks, which involves retraining a model on the original data without the added perturbations. Machine unlearning is a technique that try to "forget" a specific data points from the training dataset, in order to improve the robustness of a machine learning model against adversarial attacks like FGSM. In this paper, we focus on applying unlearning techniques to the LeNet neural network, a popular architecture for image classification. We evaluate the efficacy of unlearning FGSM attacks on the LeNet network and find that it can significantly improve its robustness against these types of attacks.
Intracranial hemorrhage and additional anomalies detected on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging: a large, retrospective study in two tertiary medical institutions
Authors: Liu Xuefen , Lu Yuanyuan , W Tianping , Zhu Hao , Bai Yu , Zhang Guofu , Zhang He
Published: August 2023

Purpose
To clarify the prenatal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of foetal intracranial haemorrhages (ICHs) in a large cohort and correlate them with birth outcomes.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed MR images of foetuses with ICH on screening ultrasound (US) on picture archiving communication system (PACS) servers within a nearly five-year period from two medical tertiary centres. The indications, main abnormal findings and coexistent anomalies were recorded by two experienced radiologists with census readings.
Results
We recruited 81 cases (average gestational week, 28.0 ± 5.0 weeks) with prenatal MR imaging, including 71 singleton pregnancies and 10 monochromic twin pregnancies. Predominant coexistent anomalies were ventriculomegaly (35.8%), holoprosencephaly or porencephaly (13.6%) and enlarged posterior fossa/ or posterior fossa cyst (7%) in the lesion-based evaluation. The number of haemorrhagic lesions and the occurrence of the detected complications did not show a correlation with the size of the haematoma. The mass effect of ICH was more commonly observed in foetuses with a large for gestational age (GA) than in foetuses with a small for GA.
Conclusion
Prenatal MR imaging could better show ICH morphology and associated abnormal findings. As a complementary tool of US, MR imaging could help with prenatal counselling and treatment selection after birth.
Project Happy Apples: A medical student-initiated community project for normalizing conversations about death in Singapore
Authors: Low Chen Ee , Rana Sounak , Yau Chun En , Tan Sheryl Yen Pin , Chan Noreen , Lim Mervyn Jun Rui
Published: August 2023

Introduction:
A 2014 survey of the Singaporean population revealed just 50% had awareness of palliative care. In the last decade, Project Happy Apples (PHA), a medical-student-led project, had supported palliative-care patients, empowered future doctors, and prepared society for end-of-life care. We aim to assess the efficacy of PHA’s public exhibition in improving attitudes, knowledge, and perception of palliative care amongst the Singaporean public.
Methods
An anonymous, cross-sectional survey was conducted on participants in PHA’s 2022 exhibition via scanning a QR code.
Results
During the 2022 exhibition, there were 208 respondents. Statistically significant improvements in familiarity (pre-exhibition β = 2.89, post-exhibition β = 3.89, P < 0.001), understanding of issues surrounding palliative care (pre-exhibition β = 3.04, post-exhibition β = 3.91, P < 0.001), and comfort level when talking about death (pre-exhibition β = 3.48, post-exhibition β = 3.91, P < 0.001) were reported following the exhibition.
Conclusion
PHA’s public exhibition was effective in raising familiarity, comfort and understanding of palliative care among the Singaporean public.
Radiographic assessment of soft tissue changes with PEEK onlay versus conventional osteotomy protocol in advancement genioplasty: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Monim Ghada Abdel , Chehata Ingy Mohamed , Shawky Mohamed , Mounir Mohamed , Atef Mohammed
Published: August 2023

Background The breakthroughs in virtual planning and computer guided surgeries improved the accuracy and predictability of guided surgical procedures and enhanced the use of patient specific implants. The aim of this study was to describe a radiographic method for assessment of soft tissue gain with patient specific PEEK chin implants versus computer guided advancement genioplasty in patients with retruded chins.Materials and methods Patients with retruded chins indicated for corrective genioplasty were recruited and randomly allocated into two equal groups; Group A received a patient specific onlay PEEK chin implant, while group B received fully computer guided advancement genioplasty. The preoperative and the one-year postoperative CT scans were superimposed and the 3D generated soft tissue contours were compared.Results Each group included ten patients. The mean amount of chin advancement in the osteotomy group was 8.12 mm ± 0.69 which was significantly higher than 5.22 mm ± 1.18 for the PEEK group. The mean one-year soft tissue gain in the osteotomy group was 7.63 mm ± 0.49 which was also significantly higher than 3.72 mm ± 1.7 for the PEEK group.Conclusion Radiographic soft tissue assessment is a reliable way of evaluation of soft tissue changes. Also, Computer guided advancement genioplasty could provide better net soft tissue gain than PEEK chin implants.Clinical relevance: This study emphasized the reliability of CT based soft tissue assessment and set the base for using facial laser scanning in future studies. It also proved that autogenous genioplasty is still the gold standard.
Analysis of the Dynamic Relationship between Construction Industry Development and Environmental Pollution in Liaoning Province Based on VAR Modeling
Authors: Qi Yuan , Xu Li , Jiang Lei
Published: August 2023

Liaoning Province is a large province of the construction industry in Northeast China. To achieve the high-quality development of the construction industry in Liaoning Province, this paper selects the data of six environmental pollution indicators in Liaoning Province from 2000 to 2020 to measure and analyze, which are the total economic output value of the construction industry, industrial sulfur dioxide emissions, industrial smoke and dust emissions, industrial wastewater emissions, industrial solid waste generation, and carbon emissions from the construction industry. Based on the vector autoregressive (VAR) model, this paper first analyzes the long-term evolution of the relationship between the economic growth of the construction industry and each environmental pollution indicator, then empirically analyzes the dynamic econometric relationship between the economic growth of the construction industry and the environmental pollution in Liaoning Province through impulse response analysis and variance decomposition. The results show that each environmental pollution indicator has different degrees of influence on the construction industry economy. Among them, industrial sulfur dioxide emissions and industrial smoke and dust emissions have an inhibitory effect on the growth of the construction industry economy, while construction carbon emissions have a promotional effect on the growth of the construction industry economy. Combined with the analysis of the results of the VAR model, corresponding countermeasures and suggestions are put forward from the perspective of the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry in Liaoning Province.
High Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Stroke-Associated Pneumonia in Intracerebral Hemorrhage A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Lu Hong-Ji , Wang Rui-Hong , Yuan Fang , Li Hui-Ping , Ma Zhao-Hui , Wu Shi-Biao , Lu Ai-Li , Wen Wan-Xin , Huang Yan , Wang Li-Xin
Published: August 2023

Background Inflammatory mechanisms play important roles in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and have been linked to the development of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory index that reflects systemic inflammatory responses after stroke. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the NLR for SAP and ICU admission in patients with ICH.Methods Patients with ICH in four hospitals were prospectively enrolled. Data on the NLR were collected at admission, and the correlation between these factors and the clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) was assessed through Spearman’s analysis. Outcomes at discharge were collected and assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS). Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to compare outcomes between the groups.Results A total of 320 patients were enrolled in this study, among whom 126 (39.4%) developed SAP. A total of 176 patients were enrolled in the PSM cohort, among whom 66 (37.5%) developed SAP. The results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the NLR had predictive value for SAP in both the original cohort (AUC: 0.748, 95% CI: 0.695–0.801) and PSM cohort (AUC: 0.657, 95% CI: 0.575–0.739). The NLR also predicted ICU admission in both the original cohort (AUC: 0.732, 95% CI: 0.671–0.786) and the PSM cohort (AUC: 0.646, 95% CI: 0.563–0.723). The NLR remained significant after adjusting for other confounders in the multivariable analysis in both the original cohort (adjusted OR = 1.090, 95% CI: 1.029–1.155, P = 0.003) and PSM cohort (adjusted OR = 1.057, 95% CI, 1.004–1.113, P = 0.034). Spearman’s analysis showed that the NLR was correlated with the CPIS in both the original cohort (r = 0.537, 95% CI: 0.395–0.654) and PSM cohort (r = 0.504, 95% CI: 0.292–0.669). ROC curve analysis also showed that the NLR predicted poor outcomes at discharge in both the original cohort (AUC: 0.761, 95% CI: 0.707–0.815) and the PSM cohort (AUC: 0.584, 95% CI: 0.500–0.670).Conclusions A high NLR value at admission predicted SAP in patients with ICH, and the best cutoff value was 6.06. The NLR also contributed to predicting severe SAP and ICU admission. Patients with higher NLR levels had higher in-hospital mortality and poorer outcomes at discharge.
A Two-Phase Deep Learning Approach to Glaucoma Estimation Using Retinal Layers Thickness
Authors: Xu Linchuan , Asaoka Ryo , Cao Jiannong , Murata Hiroshi , Fujino Yuri , Yamanishi Kenji
Published: August 2023

Glaucoma, which makes progressive and irreversible sight damage to human eyes, is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The damage is principally estimated by visual field (VF) sensitivity through costly visual field tests. To achieve a less costly estimation, a promising method is to first measure retinal layers thickness (RT) by optical coherence tomography and then map RT into VF. There are some recent studies showing that the mapping can be effectively learned by convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, different stages of glaucoma, e.g., early stage and severe stage, that result in different relations between VF and RT, have not yet been distinguished in the learning. Consequently, the learned mapping may be a poor fit for each of these stages especially when training data are small-scale. In this paper we propose for the first time an approach that distinguishes two different glaucoma stages in learning the mapping. In particular, our approach is two-phase, the first of which is to estimate the probability of an RT being a particular stage and the second is to learn stage-specific mappings. For the probability estimation, we employ a CNN based classification model. We design a set of data augmentation techniques for training as well as a test-time augmentation technique for testing by referring to the domain knowledge of the data. To learn stage-specific mappings, we design a regression model with a novel two-branch architecture. Moreover, we introduce a novel attention mechanism to CNN for both the classification and the regression. Through experiments on a real-world dataset, we demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms existing methods by 6.82% in terms of mean of the root mean square error for early stage of glaucoma.
Emerging potential of spinach PGPR for plant growth promotion
Authors: Bashir Sadia , Marium Hifza , Haroon Adeela
Published: August 2023

The quest for enhancing the production of leafy vegetables due to their high nutritional status has led to inevitable use of hazardous agrochemicals leading to chief agricultural losses. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) being harmless biofertilizers can serve as suitable candidates for attaining the increasing demands of global agriculture. With perspective to explore the bio efficiency of Spinach oleracea rhizobacteria, the study was designed utilizing rhizospheric bacteria of spinach. Initially, seventeen rhizobacteria (ST1, ST2, ST4, ST5, ST7, ST8, ST11, ST12, ST14, ST15, ST16, ST17, ST18, ST19, ST20, ST23, ST25) were isolated which were identified morphologically. Subsequent biochemical testing revealed their identification as Bacillus spp, Clostridium spp, Corynebacterium spp, Lactobacillus spp and Mycobacterium spp. The Screening of these isolates for multiple PGP traits exposed their potentialities. However, employment of most potential PGPR at two varieties (Desi palak and Lahori Palak) of spinach further confirmed their putative role in growth enhancement of spinach. Therefore, current results suggest the significant application of spinach associated rhizoflora as safer and effective biofertilizers for extendable agricultural land.
Identification of key lncRNAs and mRNAs related intramuscular fat in pigs by WGCNA
Authors: Li Wenqiang , Yang Suozhou , Liu Huixin , Cao Zhi , Xu Fei , Ning Chao , Zhang Qin , Wang Dan , Tang Hui
Published: August 2023

Background: Intramuscular fat (IMF) is an important indicator of pork quality, whose content directly affects the tenderness, juiciness and other flavour traits of pork, and it also influences consumers' choice of pork. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role as key regulators in IMF deposition, but its function and characteristics in IMF deposition are not fully understood. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is an accurate and powerful method for studying gene interactions of quantitative traits, but so far, there is no report on weighted gene co-expression network analysis on the regulation of fat deposition in porcine muscle based on both mRNA and lncRNA datasets. Therefore, this study aimed to construct an mRNA-lncRNA co-expression network using WGCNA to mine and identify potential candidate genes affecting IMF deposition in pigs.
Results: We used whole-transcriptome sequencing data generated from 31 longest dorsal muscle tissues of Yimeng Black pigs to construct a gene expression matrix containing 8093 mRNAs and 198 lncRNAs. A total of nine co-expression modules were identified using the WGCNA method, of which the magenta and turquoise modules were significantly associated with IMF deposition. We identified 15 mRNAs and 4 lncRNAs as key genes that might play an important role in the regulation of IMF deposition.
Conclusions: This study used WGCNA to construct a lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network and reveal key genes that regulate intramuscular fat deposition and to construct lncRNA-mRNA-pathway network. We provided new insights into the complex biology of IMF deposition in pigs and may help to improve pork quality.
Utilizing transcriptomics and metabolomics to unravel key genes and metabolites of maize seedlings in response to drought stress
Authors: Li Yipu , Su Zhijun , Lin Yanan , Xu Zhenghan , Bao Haizhu , Wang Fugui , Liu Jian , Hu Shuping , Wang Zhigang , Yu Xiaofang , Gao Julin
Published: August 2023

Background
Drought stress can substantially restrict maize growth and productivity, and global warming and an increasing frequency of extreme weather events are likely to result in more yield losses in the future. Therefore, unraveling the molecular mechanism underlying the response to drought stress is essential for breeding drought-resilient crops.
Results
In this study, we subjected the 3-leaf-period plants of two maize inbred lines, a drought-tolerant line (si287) and a drought-sensitive line (X178), to drought stress for seven days while growing in a chamber. Subsequently, we measured physiological traits and analyzed transcriptomic and metabolic profiles of two inbred lines. Our KEGG analysis of genes and metabolites revealed significant differences in pathways related to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and biosynthesis of amino acids. Our joint analysis identified proline, tryptophan and phenylalanine are crucial amino acids for maize response to drought stress. Especially, tryptophan (Trp) was found to enhance tolerance via IAA and ABA signaling and flavonoid biosynthesis. We identified three hub genes, indole-3-acetaldehyde oxidase (ZmAO1, 542228), catalase 1 (ZmCAT1, 542369), and flavin-containing monooxygenase 6 (ZmYUC6, 103629142), that may regulate tryptophan biosynthesis and drought tolerance. Genes and metabolites related to tryptophan biosynthesis, such as L-tryptophan, indole, and shikimic acid, represent potential targets for genome editing to improve maize tolerance and yield under drought stress.
Conclusions
This study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of maize seedlings in response to drought stress and identifies candidate genes and metabolites for improving drought tolerance in maize. The identification of different resistance mechanisms in maize inbred lines will facilitate the exploration of maize germplasm and the breeding of drought-resilient varieties.
Parent-child couples display shared neural fingerprints while listening to stories: A functional magnetic resonance study
Authors: Habouba Nir , Talmon Ronen , Kraus Dror , Farah Rola , Apter Alan , Steinberg Tamar , Radhakrishnan Rupa , Barazany Daniel , Horowitz-Kraus Tzipi
Published: August 2023

Neural fingerprinting is a method to identify individuals from a group of people. Here we established a new connectome-based identification model and used diffusion maps to show that biological parent-child couples share functional connectivity patterns while listening to stories. These shared fingerprints enabled identifying children and their biological parents from a group of parents and children. Functional patterns were evident in both cognitive and sensory brain networks. Defining “typical” shared biological parent-child brain patterns may enable predicting or even preventing impaired parent-child connections that develop due to genetic or environmental causes. Finally, we argue that the proposed framework opens new opportunities to link similarities in connectivity patterns to behavioral, psychological, and medical phenomena among other populations. To our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the neural fingerprint that represents distinct biological parent-child couples.
Unemployment: Automation, Monopolistic and Bargaining Power
Authors: Yılmaz Ensar , Vardar Nevzat Barış
Published: August 2023

In this study, we mainly focus on the linkages between automation and unemployment under other unemployment generating structural mechanisms, which arise out of monopolistic power of firms in goods market and union power in labor market. For this, we construct a static general equilibrium model with a two-sector framework. Penetration of automation creates a widespread spillover effects on unemployment, wages of workers having different skill levels, resource allocation and income inequality. The existence of monopolistic power and union bargaining affects the way in which automation affects the variables of interest, in particular unemployment. It seems that automation turns out to be very good for growth and very bad for employment and equality.
JEL Classication: O33, J63, J64, D30, J51
Comprehensive analysis of single-cell transcriptome and bulk transcriptome sequencing identifies B cell-related biomarkers in obesity
Authors: Chen Jiankun , Li Zuming , Huang Bin , Feng Jieni , Xie Changcai , Cai Shubin , Li Jiqiang , Lu Yue , Chen Yu
Published: August 2023

Background: Obesity represents a significant public health concern，B cells residing in adipose tissue have been found to be closely associated with weight gain, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammation in individuals with obesity. Nevertheless, the precise contribution of B cells to the development of obesity remains uncertain. In this study, RNA-seq and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were combined to explore the molecular mechanisms of B cell involvement in obesity and identify B cell-related biomarkers.
Methods: Obesity scRNA-seq and Bulk sequences were downloaded from the GEO database. The scRNA-seq data processing was performed using the R software package "Seurat" and downscaling and cluster identification were performed using UMAP. The FindAllMarkers function is used to identify the marker genes for each cluster. B cell clusters in the dataset were further clustered by PCA, UMAP, and SNN. GO and KEGG analyzed the differential genes of four B cell subtypes. iTALK is used to analyze communication molecules between B cell subsets. Obesity-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by limma software package. Further, LASSO and CytoHubba were used to identify B cell-related biomarkers in obesity. The expression of B cell-related biomarkers was confirmed by RT-PCR in the animal model induced by high-fat diet.
Results:Analysis of scRNA-seq data identified 28 cell subpopulations and 9 core cell types. B cells were significantly down-regulated in the obese group compared to the control group. At the same time B cells re-clustered into 10 clusters and they eventually clustered into 4 types, namely Exhausted B cells, Naive B cells, Non-switched memory B cells, and Plasmablasts. We identified 790 B-cell differentially expressed genes from the scRNA-seq dataset and 928 obesity-related differentially expressed genes from the Bulk RNA-seq dataset, and after cross-analysis, CytoHubba and LASSO analysis, we obtained 3 B cell-related biomarkers (GAPDH, AHNAK, HEXIM1). Animal experiments confirmed the expression of three B cell-related biomarkers in obesity.
Conclusions: This study revealed the pathogenesis of B cells in obesity and also suggest that 3 B cell-related biomarkers (GAPDH, AHNAK, and HEXIM1) may be promising therapeutic targets in the future obesity therapeutic field.
Woodland birds benefit from suppression of a despotic competitor following creation of artificial ‘sink’ habitat through culling
Authors: Barati Ahmad , McDonald Paul G.
Published: August 2023

Context While habitat fragmentation negatively impacts native biodiversity, this ecological process can be beneficial for edge-specialist species that preferentially occupy remnant patches. In the eastern woodlands of Australia, this process leads to the despotic Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) dominating remnant patches and aggressively excluding other avifauna. Culling has been trialled in attempt to alleviate the impacts of Noisy Miners, however has yielded mixed success in the short-term as recolonising miners from the surrounding areas rapidly occupy newly culled sites. Objectives We tested if ongoing, continuous removal of Noisy Miners from one site could create an artificial ‘sink’ habitat that would allow more efficient management of recolonisation reduction and allow native woodland bird recovery in other areas. Methods Over 18 months, Noisy Miners were removed from two sites on a regular basis and the changes in the miner density and avian diversity were assessed. Results At one site, birds routinely recolonised newly created vacant ‘sink’ areas following a culling round, therfore miner density at this site was not impacted long-term. In contrast, a nearby area was not effectively recolonised and was kept miner-free for more than one year, concurrently experiencing a rebound in avian diversity. Conclusions Together, these results suggest that as well as being more feasible logistically, conducting ongoing longer-term culling at highly favoured sites is likely to be a more effective and logistically simpler management strategy than repeated, separate short-term culling events at a range of habitats, offering an additional model for the management of overabundant, despotic species.
Introducing a method to monitor the impact of introducing value-based payment models; using a Dutch pilot project for coronary artery disease as an example
Authors: Timmermans M.J.C. , Leao D.L.L. , Halfwerk F.R. , Derks L. , Boven W.J. van , Arkenbout E.K. , Groot W. , Veghel H.P.A. van
Published: August 2023

Background:
Worldwide, the usage of value-based payment (VBP) models is increasing. Empirical studies on the intended and unintended effects of the introduction of a VBP model are however scarce. In this study, we present an approach to monitor the effects of the introduction of VBP models. Moreover, we share the results of a first application of the approach using a Dutch outcome-based payment model for coronary artery disease with limited financial impact to participating hospitals as an example.
Methods:
A mixed-method approach was developed and applied. This approach consists of online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews regarding the impact of an outcome-based payment model on treatment decisions, the organization of care, and the importance of clinical outcomes in the planning and control cycle of the hospital. In addition, case-mix analyses with real-world data were performed to monitor whether the risk profile of treated patients changed after the introduction of the payment model. Implicated cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons discussed the results.
Results:
The developed approach was implemented successfully. Data were collected and discussed at several time points and led to relevant insights regarding both intended and unintended effects. Fifty-two percent of the respondents on the survey indicated that the VBP model leads to more attention to clinical outcomes within the medical department. Case-mix analyses did not exhibit any signs of risk selection.
Conclusions:
The developed mixed-method approach is a useful tool, as it creates insights into the desired and undesired effects of the introduction of VBP models. The application of the developed model in other contexts can enrich the frame of reference and provide stakeholders with more insight regarding which results are worrisome and which are not.
Determination of the Mineral Composition of the Pulp and Evaluation of the Acute Toxicity of the Seeds of Carica Papaya L. Consumed in Lubumbashi and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Guelord Inkalaba , Magain Mihatano , Arnauld Janvier , Arthur Duki , Olivier Nzingula , Maguy Luvandu , Nicole Misengabu , Kule-Koto Kodondi
Published: August 2023

Background: This work aimed on the one hand to determine the mineral and phytochemical composition of Carica papaya in order to guarantee the food safety of consumers, and on the other hand to evaluate the acute toxicity of papaya seeds.
Methods: The papayas were bought on the Mzee market in Lubumbashi and that of Selembao in Kinshasa. Fruit sampling was done according to the ISO 7002 standard on agricultural and food products; the papayas were firm, mature, without stains or physical damage.
Results: The analysis results of the papaya pulp showed both for the samples from the city of Lubumbashi and for the city province of Kinshasa that it contains respectively 85.87% and 84.46% water; 0.59% and 0.53% ash content. The mineral evaluation of our two samples presented a potassium content of 200±8 mg, magnesium 13.12±3mg, calcium 22.15±2mg, sodium 3mg±0.5 for the sample from Lubumbashi and 192, 32±8mg of potassium, 14.458±3mg of magnesium, 20.58±2mg of calcium and sodium 3.58±0.5mg for the sample from Kinshasa in macroelements. Concerning the trace elements, after analysis we found as zinc content (0.29 ± 0.1 mg and 0.12 ± 0.1 mg), copper (0.02 ± 0.01 mg and 0.14 ± 0.01mg), iron (2.22±0.5 mg and 2.04±0.5 mg) respectively for Lubumbashi and Kinshasa.
The chemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids, saponosides, tannins catechics, flavonoids and anthocyanins in the palm wine and ethanolic extract of the seeds of Carica papaya and an absence of cyanogenic glycosides and gallic tannins.
Conclusion: With mild toxicity, the seeds of the fruit of Carica papaya L. can be used with moderate risk by the population.
Associations of Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism with Hepatocellular carcinoma In Egyptian population.
Authors: Abozeid Fatma , zaki Maysaa , nagah wafaa , ragab amany , fathy aya , elhammady dina , ghazy hayam , yaseen ahmed , nomir manal , serria mohamed , Ammar omar , Habeeb Maha
Published: August 2023

Liver serves as a hub for key metabolic pathways such as folate cycle that provides one-carbon units for a network of metabolic reactions. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a rate limiting enzyme in folate metabolism and thus it is vital for DNA methylation, synthesis and repair. The objective of this study was to evaluate an eventual association between MTHFR polymorphisms C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131) and the susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egyptian population. Blood samples from patients and controls from Mansoura university hospital were used after signed consent and approvement from Medical ethical committee. The two genetic loci were designed for amplification and genotyped by using PCR-RFLP. Our results clarify that, the most important predictors for HCC are T/T genotype of variant C677T and C/C genotype of variant (A1298C) with odds ratio 39.756, and 2.012 respectively. Also, MTHFR variant C677T genotype C/C or T/T combined with MTHFR variant A1298C genotype C/C were associated with an increased risk of HCC, with the OR, 2.6 and 7 respectively. CT genotype of MTHFR variant C677T showed significant difference between HCC grades and C allele of variant C677T showed significant difference in BCLC stages of HCC. Our data indicates that, the two variants (C677T and A1298C) constitute a risk factor for the development of HCC and this could be attributed to the low activities of the enzyme MTHFR that disturb one carbon metabolism and subsequently, DNA synthesis, repair and Methylation, cellular redox state, growth, and proliferation.
Theoretical Simulation of TADF Character of 3,9'-Bicarbazole Modified 2,4,6-Triphenyl-1,3,5-triazine
Authors: Zhao Shuyuan , Lin Zhengwen , Wang Fang , Si Zhenjun , Chen Zhe
Published: August 2023

The temperature activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) molecules of 9-(2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)phenyl)-9H-3,9'-bicarbazole (o-TrzDCz), 9-(3-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)phenyl)-9H-3,9'-bicarbazole (m-TrzDCz) and 9-(4-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)phenyl)-9H-3,9’-bicarbazole (p-TrzDCz) were designed with D-A type molecular structure and their photophysical properties were theoretically simulated in this paper. The calculation of the twist angle between the D and A moieties in ground state and the molecular Root-Mean-Deviaiton (RMSD) of the S1and T1 states referenced to the S0 state indicate that o-TrzDCz possess relatively bigger steric hindrance and stabler molecular configuration. The simulation on the ISC/RISC process revealed that o-TrzDCz possess smaller reorganization energies of 0.06/0.04 eV, which are much smaller than those of m-TrzDCz (0.51/0.41 eV) and p-TrzDCz (1.93/1.06 eV). Finally, o-TrzDCz possess the biggest values of KRISC (7.28×106 s-1) and Kr (3.12×106 s-1) and smallest Kp value of 0.10 s-1 amongst the three titled molecules, indicating that o-TrzDCz should have more excellent TADF character than m-TrzDCz and p-TrzDCz. In a word, this research presents that adjusting the molecular linking manner should be a charming way to explore high efficient TADF molecules.
Fast Numerical Simpson and Boole Integration by Using the Derivatives at the Boundaries
Authors: Engler Michael
Published: August 2023

This article shows the extension of the closed Newton-Cotes numerical integration of Simpson's and Boole's rule by using the odd derivatives of the function at the boundaries of the integration interval. The derivatives can be used to efficiently increase the convergence order of numerical integration and a fast decrease of the error. Furthermore, due to its simplicity, it is very easy to write into program code, which is also shown.
The error estimation is given and proven. Also, the method is confirmed with two different examples for numerical integration, of π and of the integral of the Gaussian distribution. Here, the method is compared to some common numerical integration methods, showing comparably faster convergence.
MSC Classification: 65D30 , 65D32