bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating spatial and temporal patterns of tick encounters using community science data submitted through a smartphone application
Authors: Kache Pallavi A , Bron Gebbiena M. , Zapata-Ramirez Sandra , Tsao Jean I. , Bartholomay Lyric C. , Paskewitz Susan M. , Diuk-Wasser Maria A. , Fernandez Maria del Pilar
Published: November 2022

Research initiatives that engage the public (i.e., community science) increasingly provide insights into tick exposures in the United States. However, these data have limitations, particularly with respect to reported travel history and tick identification. Here, we assessed whether The Tick App provides reliable and novel insights into tick exposures across three domains—travel history and habitat exposure, broad spatial and temporal patterns of species-specific encounters, and tick identification. During 2019–2021, we received 11,424 tick encounter submissions from across the United States, with nearly all generated in the Midwest and Northeast regions. Encounters were predominantly with human hosts (71%); although one-fourth of ticks were found on animals. Half (51%) of the reported encounters resulted from peri-domestic exposures, while 37% were recreational exposures. Using phone-based location services, we detected differences in travel history outside of the users’ county of residence along an urbanicity gradient. Approximately 75% of users from large metropolitan and rural counties had travel out-of-county in the four days preceding tick detection, whereas an estimated 50–60% of users from suburban or smaller metropolitan areas did. Furthermore, we generated tick encounter maps for Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis that accounted for travel history to the extent possible—overall mirroring previously published species distributions, while revealing 45 counties with new reports of D. variabilis exposures. Finally, using photo submissions, prompts of tick coloration and size engaged and guided users towards species and life stage classification moderately well, with 60% of users correctly identifying D. variabilis adults and 46% correctly identifying I. scapularis adults. Together, these results indicate the importance of bolstering the use of mobile applications to engage community scientists and complement other methods of active and passive tick surveillance.
Endometriosis, infertility and occupational life: women's plea for recognition
Authors: Gremillet Letizia , Netter Antoine , Sari-Minodier Irène , Miquel Laura , Lacan Arnaud , Courbiere Blandine
Published: November 2022

The objective of this study is to explore and describe the professional impact of deep infiltrating endometriosis on infertile women. We conducted a qualitative monocentric study between December 2020 and June 2021. Twelve semi-structured in-depth interviews using a theme-based interview guide with open questions were undertaken with infertile women with deep infiltrating endometriosis. Data analysis was conducted using an inductive approach according to the grounded theory method. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: (i) barriers to reconciling illness and work life, (ii) facilitating factors for well-being at work, and (iii) consequences and outlooks. It appeared that the time of infertility treatment represents a particular period of change in the working lives of women with endometriosis. For most women, these changes are experienced negatively, often with a renunciation of goals. For others, this is the time to communicate the difficulties linked to their illness to their professional entourage. There is a long path ahead to finally achieving recognition of endometriosis in the context of professional life.
Waist-to-Height Ratio Associated Cardiometabolic Risk Phenotype in Children with Overweight/Obesity
Authors: Ukegbu Tochi E. , Wylie-Rosett Judith , Groisman-Perelstein Adriana E , Diamantis Pamela M , Rieder Jessica , Ginsberg Mindy , Lichtenstein Alice H , Matthan Nirupa R , Shankar Viswanathan
Published: November 2022

Background
Higher childhood overweight/obesity has been associated with an elevated risk of insulin resistance and cardiometabolic disorders. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) may be a simple screening tool to identify children at risk for cardiometabolic associated obesity. This study investigated whether being in the upper tertile for WHtR predicted the odds of insulin resistance, elevated liver enzyme concentrations, and cardiometabolic risk factor measures using cross-sectional data from the Family Weight Management Study randomized controlled trial.
Methods
Included was baseline data (n = 360, 7–12 years, mean Body Mass Index ≥ 85th percentile for age and sex). WHtR were grouped into tertiles by sex, male: ≤0.55(T1), > 0.55-≤0.59(T2), > 0.59(T3); female: ≤0.56(T1),>0.56-≤0.6(T2), > 0.6(T3). The Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to categorize participants as insulin-resistant (HOMA-IR ≥ 2.6) and insulin-sensitive (HOMA-IR < 2.6). Liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were categorized as normal vs. elevated (AST of < 36.0 µkat/L or ≥ 36.0 µkat/L; ALT of < 30.0 µkat/L or ≥ 30.0 µkat/L). We examined differences in baseline cardiometabolic risk factors by WHtR tertiles and sex-specific multivariable logistic regression models to predict IR and elevation of liver enzymes.
Results
Study participants had a mean WHtR of 0.59 ([SD: 0.06)]). Irrespective of sex, children in WHtR T3 had higher BMIz scores, blood pressure, triglycerides, 2-hr glucose, fasting, 2-hr insulin and lower HDL-C concentrations compared to those in T2 and T1. After adjusting for covariates, the odds of elevated IR (using HOMA-IR > 2.6) were over 5fold higher among children in T3 versus T1 (males) and T2 and T3 versus T1 (females). The odds of elevated ALT values (≥ 30) were 2.9 fold higher among female children in T3 compared to T1.
Conclusion
WHtR may be a practical screening tool in pediatric populations with overweight/obesity to identify children at risk of IR and cardiometabolically unhealthy phenotypes in public health settings.
Virtual screening and cheminformatics descriptors uncover insecticidal molecular mechanisms besides plant essential oils' action.
Authors: Corrêa Eduardo José Azevedo , Carvalho Frederico Chaves , Oliveira Júlia Assunção de Castro , Bertolucci Suzan Kelly Vilela , Scotti Marcus Tullius , Silveira Carlos Henrique da , Guedes Fabiana Costa , Melo Júlio Onésio Ferreira , De Melo-Minardi Raquel Cardoso , de Lima Leonardo Henrique Franca
Published: November 2022

Plant essential oils (EOs) are important for discovering new bioactive substances, such as environmentally safe insecticides. However, the high structural diversity of EOs compounds and their elusive biochemical mechanisms make a gap in knowledge of their major targets and action mechanisms. Here we present a predictive cheminformatics methodology and experimental validation of the ability of EO's typical natural compounds to act as potential insecticides against canonical insect molecular targets. A cheminformatics analysis protocol was created to identify chemical signatures of compounds present in EOs capable of interfering with typical targets of insecticides. Three of our clusters presented strong respective signatures for JH-like, Steroids-like and biogenic-amines-like structures, all of them with reported anti-insecticidal effects. Case studies highlight the participation of juvenile hormone-specific proteins (JHBP and MET) and the octopamine receptor at agonist conformation (OctpR ago) as major targets for EOs of typical Brazilian plants. In vivo application of leave’s EOs from Baccharis dracunculifolia on blowflies led to dose-response symptoms in adults, larvae and hatching consonants with such signatures. Taking it all together, the present study points out the success of a promising methodology to identify insecticidal pharmacophore signatures on plants' EOs, which can be of high value for the bioprospection of new natural products and molecules with agro and health interests.
Deletion of Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase Accelerates Concanavalin A-Induced Acute Hepatic Injury by Facilitating Leukocyte Chemotaxis
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Ji Shuang , Liu Zhaiyi , Guo Meina , Chen Lihong
Published: November 2022

Growing evidence demonstrates that cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), as a cytosolic DNA sensor, is essential for activating innate immunity and regulating inflammatory response against cellular damage. However, its role in immune-mediated hepatitis remains unclear. Here by challenging the cGAS knockout (KO) and their littermate wide-type (WT) mice with intravenous ConA injection to induce acute immune-mediated liver injury, we found that lack of cGAS drastically aggravated the ConA-induced liver damage, reflected by increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and amplified hepatic necrosis. The number of apoptotic hepatocytes was also significantly increased in the KO mice. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that leukocyte chemotaxis and migration related genes were remarkably upregulated in the KO livers. Consistently, immunofluorescence assays illustrated that the infiltrating F4/80-positive macrophages, Ly6G-positive neutrophils, and CD3-positive T cells were all significantly increased in the KO liver sections. The hepatic expression of the pro-inflammatory genes was elevated as well. Supporting the in vivo findings, knockdown of cGAS in cultured macrophages showed promoted migration potential and enhanced pro-inflammatory gene expression. These results collectively demonstrated that deletion of cGAS could accelerate ConA-induced acute liver injury, and its mechanism might be related to facilitating leukocyte chemotaxis and promoting liver inflammatory response.
WITHDRAWN: Combination of empirical models and observational-based techniques in the quantification of soil loss: a case of Rherhaya watershed, High Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Jadoud Mourad , Achheb Abderrahim El , Laftouhi Noureddine , KHOUZ Abdellah , Trindade Jorge , Bchari Fatima El , Oliveira Sérgio C. , Santos Pedro Pinto , Garcia Ricardo A.C. , Bougadir Blaid , Rachidi Said , Eloudi Hasna , Namous Mustapha , Saouab Tarik
Published: November 2022

The soils are naturally subjected to erosion, this natural and periodic phenomenon shapes the reliefs, under the combined effect of several drivers, and by the intermediary of certain agents such as the water, wind, etc. The eventual result of the rocks' deterioration and wear is a displacement and deposit where the sediments build up. The Rherhaya basin, Western High Atlas, Morocco, is among the areas most affected by erosion, the structure of its reliefs combined with the hierarchy of its rivers, as well as the lithology of the formations that constitute it play in the presence of other aggravating factors, a preponderant role in determining the rate of erosion in the region. Using GIS, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, and the Erosion Potential Method (EPM) model, are applied in this study in order to quantify the annual soil losses in the Rherhaya basin. The results obtained by the RUSLE model are very consistent with the results measured, both in terms of volume, between 2.5 and 6.9 t/ha/yr as soil loss average volume observed versus 4.07 t/ha/yr calculated and 340 t/ha/year as the maximum volume observed versus 317.86 t/ha/year calculated. The maximum soil loss of 542 t/ha/yr and the average soil loss of 103 t/ha/yr are both overestimated by the EPM model, compared to the observed data.
Vaccination of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals expands a broad range of clonally diverse affinity-matured B cell lineages
Authors: Chernyshev Mark , Sakharkar Mrunal , Connor Ruth , Dugan Haley , Sheward Daniel , Rappazzo C. Garrett , Stålmarck Aron , Forsell Mattias , Wright Peter , Corcoran Martin , Murrell Ben , Walker Laura , Hedestam Gunilla Karlsson
Published: November 2022

Vaccination of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent individuals generates broad and potent antibody responses. Here, we isolated 459 spike-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from two individuals who were infected with an early ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2 and later boosted with mRNA-1273. We characterized mAb genetic features by sequence assignments to the donors’ personal immunoglobulin genotypes and assessed antibody neutralizing activities against ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants. The mAbs used a broad range of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) V genes in the response to all sub-determinants of the spike examined, with similar characteristics observed in both donors. IGH repertoire sequencing and B cell lineage tracing at longitudinal time points revealed extensive evolution of SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding antibodies from acute infection until vaccination five months later. These results demonstrate that highly polyclonal repertoires of affinity-matured memory B cells were efficiently recalled by vaccination, providing a basis for the potent antibody responses observed in convalescent persons following vaccination.
Temozolomide combined with Radiotherapy can benefit patients with glioma: A meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials
Authors: huang Qinhong , Yang Lihui , Ge Fan , Ye Zhenwei , Ke Yiquan
Published: November 2022

Background
Glioma originates from glial cells of the nervous system and is the most common malignant tumor in the brain. Temozolomide is considered as a promising medicine that can improve the overall survival (OS) and progress-free survival (PFS) rate of patients with glioma after operation. However, whether radiotherapy plus temozolomide has substantive role for glioma patients remains controversial.
Methods
We conducted a meta-analysis included 10 Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) encompassing 2703 patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy plus temozolomide for glioma. EMbase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane library were searched. Our study strictly follow the PRISMA guideline.
Results
Overall, compared with receiving radiotherapy alone, patients through radiotherapy combined with temozolomide has substantial benefit on both OS (HR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62–0.98; P = 0.03) and PFS (HR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.49–0.78; P < 0.0001). The best effect shows in patients receiving radiotherapy combined with both concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide on both OS (HR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.58–0.74; P < 0.00001) and PFS (HR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.48–0.62; P < 0.00001), when compared with radiotherapy alone. Whereas, temozolomide monotherapy do not show greater benefits than radiotherapy alone on OS (HR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.74–1.14; P = 0.53). Moreover, radiotherapy plus temozolomide obviously increase the incidence of hematological complications than only radiotherapy (RR = 10.31; 95% CI: 4.49–23.71; P < 0.00001). Also, our meta-analysis suggested that MGMT methylation test can be helpful for evaluating prognosis, determining individualized treatment and forecasting the curative effect.
Conclusion
Radiotherapy combined with temozolomide, especially combined with both concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide has great benefit on both OS and PFS of glioma patients. Conditionally, patients with glioma receiving glioma MGMT methylation test have advantage over evaluating prognosis, determining individualized treatment and forecasting the curative effect. Last but not least, monitoring blood routine and remedying the possible abnormalities in time is especially necessary of patient receiving temozolomide therapy.
PRMT5 methylating Smad4 activates TGF-β signaling and promotes colorectal cancer metastasis
Authors: Wang Guihua , Liu Anyi , Yu Chengxin , Qiu Cheng , Wu Qi , Huang Changsheng , Li Xun , She Xiaowei , Wan Kairui , Liu Lang , Li Mao , Wang Zhihong , Chen Yaqi , Hu Fuqing , Song Da , Li Kangdi , zhao chong , Deng Haiteng , Sun Xuling , Xu Feng , Lai Senyan , Luo Xuelai , Hu Junbo
Published: November 2022

Perturbations in transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) signaling can lead to a plethora of diseases, including cancer. Mutations and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of the partner of Smad complexes contribute to the dysregulation of TGF-β signaling. Here, we reported a PTM of Smad4, R361 methylation, that was critical for Smad complexes formation and TGF-β signaling activation. Through mass spectrometric, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescent (IF) assays, we found that oncogene protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) interacted with Smad4 under TGF-β1 treatment. Mechanically, PRMT5 triggered Smad4 methylation at R361 and induced Smad complexes formation and nuclear import. Furthermore, we emphasized that PRMT5 interacting and methylating Smad4 was required for TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis, and Smad4 R361 mutation diminished PRMT5 and TGF-β1-induced metastasis. In addition, highly expressed PRMT5 or high level of Smad4 R361 methylation indicated worse outcomes in clinical specimens analysis. Collectively, our study highlights the critical interaction of PRMT5 and Smad4 and the roles of Smad4 R361 methylation for controlling TGF-β signaling during metastasis. We provided a new insight for Smad4 activation. And this study indicated that blocking PRMT5-Smad4 signaling might be an effective targeting strategy in Smad4 wide type CRC.
Combined COVID-19 vaccination and hepatitis C virus screening intervention in marginalised populations in Spain
Authors: Lazarus Jeffrey , Villota-Rivas Marcela , Ryan Pablo , Buti Maria , Grau-López Lara , Cuevas Guillermo , Espada José Luis , Morón William , Palma-Álvarez Raul Felipe , Feld Jordan , Valencia Jorge
Published: November 2022

Background: COVID-19 has hindered HCV and HIV screening, particularly in marginalised groups, who have some of the highest rates of these conditions and lowest rates of COVID-19 vaccination. We assessed the acceptability of combining HCV testing with COVID-19 vaccination in a centre for addiction services (CAS) in Barcelona and a mobile testing unit (MTU) in Madrid, Spain.
Methods: From 28/09/2021-30/06/2022, 187 adults from marginalised populations were offered HCV antibody (Ab) testing along with COVID-19 vaccination. If HCV Ab+, they were tested for HCV-RNA. MTU participants were screened for HIV, per the standard of care. HCV-RNA+ and HIV+ participants not on ART were offered treatment.
Results: Findings show how of the 86 CAS participants: 93% had been previously vaccinated for COVID-19, of whom 90% had the full first round schedule; none had a COVID-19 vaccine booster and all received a COVID-19 vaccine; 62.8% were tested for HCV Ab, of whom 31.5% were positive, of whom all were tested for HCV-RNA and none were positive. Of the 101 MTU participants: none had been vaccinated for COVID-19 and all received a COVID-19 vaccine; all were tested for HCV Ab and HIV and 14.9% and 8.9% were positive, respectively; of those HCV Ab+, nine (60%) were HCV-RNA+, of whom eight (88.9%) have started treatment; five (55.6%) of those HIV+ had abandoned ART, of whom three (60%) have re-started it.
Conclusions: The intervention had an acceptability rate of 62.8% at the CAS and 100% at the MTU and can be used in marginalised communities.
Inflammatory bowel disease and rosacea: causal association analysis using bi-directional Mendelian randomization
Authors: Li Min , He Si Xian , He Yuan Xiong , Hu Xiao Han , Zhou Zhou
Published: November 2022

Background:
The association between rosacea and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been studied in previous observational studies. It is unclear, however, whether the association is causal or not.
Methods:
Independent genetic variants for IBD were chosen as instruments from published GWAS studies involving 38155 cases with an IBD diagnosis and 48485 controls in order to investigate the causal effect of IBD on rosacea. Summarized data for rosacea were gathered from various GWAS studies that included 1195 cases and 211139 controls without rosacea. Reverse-direction MR analysis was done to investigate the relationship between genetically proxied rosacea and IBD. With the use of the inverse variance-weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median approaches, a 2-sample Mendelian randomization study was carried out. Analysis of heterogeneity and sensitivity was performed to examine the pleiotropy and robustness of effect estimates.
Results: The forward-direction of the MR study was to reveal that genetic predisposition to IBD (OR: 1.1291; 95% CI: 1.0444 to 1.2206), UC (OR: 1.2030; 95% CI: 1.0867 to 1.3318) and CD (OR: 1.1291; 95% CI: 1.0444 to 1.2206; p=0.0023) was associated with an increased risk of rosacea. The reverse-direction MR analyses did not demonstrate that a genetic predisposition to rosacea was not associated with total IBD (OR: 0.9683; 95% CI: 0.9112 to 1.0291), UC (OR: 0.9714; 95% CI: 0.8949 to 1.0545) and CD (WM: OR: 0.9751; 95% CI: 0.8971 to 1.0598; p=0.5525).
Conclusion: Our findings provided evidence for a causal impact of IBD, UC, and CD on rosacea, but not vice versa. The elevated incidence of rosacea in patients with IBD should be recognized by doctors to make an early diagnosis and initiate specialized therapy.
Estimating biomass and soil carbon change at the level of forest stands using repeated forest surveys assisted by airborne laser scanner data
Authors: Strîmbu Victor F. , Naesset Erik , Ørka Hans Ole , Liski Jari , Petersson Hans , Gobakken Terje
Published: November 2022

Background

Under the growing pressure to implement mitigation actions, the focus of forest management is shifting from a traditional resource centric view to incorporate more forest ecosystem services objectives such as carbon sequestration. Estimating the above-ground biomass in forests using airborne laser scanning (ALS) is now an operational practice in many parts of the world. In the boreal forests, however, most of the carbon (85%) is stored in the soil organic (SO) matter. While this very important carbon pool is "invisible" to ALS, it is closely connected and feeds from the growing forest stocks. We propose an integrated methodology to estimate the changes in forest carbon pools at the level of forest stands by combining field measurements and ALS data.

Results

ALS-based models of dominant height, mean diameter, and biomass were fitted using the field observations and were used to predict mean tree biophysical properties across the entire study area which was in turn used to estimate the biomass carbon stocks and the litter production that feeds into the soil. For the soil carbon pool estimation, we used the Yasso15 model. The methodology was based on 1) approximating the initial soil carbon stocks using simulations; 2) approximating the annual litter input based on the predicted growing stocks in each cell; 3) estimating the soil carbon dynamics of the annual litter using the Yasso15 soil carbon model. The estimated mean total carbon change at the stand level (for 3324 stands) was 10.6 Mg ha-1. The biomass carbon change was 5.5 Mg ha-1, the litter carbon change (e.g., deadwood and leaves) was 5.2 Mg ha-1, and the change in SO carbon was -0.151 Mg ha-1.

Conclusions

Our results show that ALS data can be used indirectly through a chain of models to estimate soil carbon changes in addition to changes in biomass at the primary level of forest management, namely the forest stands. Having control of the errors contributed by each model, reliable inference can be made under a model-based inferential approach.
Comparison and Modification of Various Turbulence Models for Analysis of Fluid Microjet Injection into the Boundary Layer over a Flat Surface
Authors: Razzaghi Mohammad Javad Pour , Masoumi Yasin , Sani Seyed Mojtaba Rezaei , Liu Yue
Published: November 2022

The present work studied various models for predicting turbulence in the problem of injecting a fluid microjet into the boundary layer of a turbulent flow. For this purpose, the one-equation Spalart-Allmaras (SA), two-equation k-ε and k-ω, multi-equation transition k-kL-ω, transition shear stress transport (SST), and Reynolds stress models were used for solving the steady microjet into the turbulent boundary layer, and their results are compared with experimental results. A comparison of the results indicated that the steady solution methods performed sufficiently well for this problem. Furthermore, it was found that the four-equation transition SST model was the most accurate method for predicting turbulence in this problem. This model predicted the velocity along the x-axis in near- and far-jet locations with about 1% and 5% errors, respectively. It also outperformed the other methods in predicting Reynolds stresses, especially at the center (nearly 5% error). Moreover, the modified four-equation transition SST model has improved the system’s performance in predicting the studied parameters by utilizing Sørensen correlations in predicting 𝑅𝑒𝜃𝑡 (the transition momentum thickness Reynolds number), 𝐹𝑙ength (an empirical correlation that controls the length of the transition region), and 𝑅𝑒𝜃𝑐 (the critical Reynolds number where the intermittency first starts to increase in the boundary layer).
Mechanical characteristics and stability analysis of surrounding rock reinforcement in rectangular roadway
Authors: GU Shuan-Cheng , WANG Pan , YANG Chao-Fan
Published: November 2022

The stability of surrounding rock with bolt support depends on the stability within the reinforcement range. To understand the reinforcing mechanism of a rectangular roadway bolt fully and accurately, a quantitative method for evaluating the stability of the surrounding rock of a rectangular roadway must be developed. First, a roof beam model of a rectangular tunnel is established according to the deformation law of surrounding rock. Based on the elastic–plastic theory, the deflection calculation formula can be derived, and the ultimate load of the roof beam can be obtained under the plastic state without support. Second, based on the reinforcement effect of bolts, a model of a surrounding rock reinforcement body is established, the physical and mechanical properties of this body are deduced, and a method for evaluating the stability of surrounding rock is derived. Finally, by considering actual engineering cases, the theoretical calculation results of surrounding rock deformation are compared with the numerical simulation and field monitoring results. Moreover, the influence of different parameters of the bolt support on the mechanical characteristics and stability of reinforcement is investigated. The results show that the theoretical calculations approximate the numerical simulation and field monitoring values, thus verifying the rationality of the theory. The physical and mechanical properties and stability of the surrounding rock reinforcement body are considerably affected by changes in bolt length and spacing. The anchor design must apply the following principle: the bolt must either be long and sparsely spaced or short and densely spaced. The theory presented in this paper provides a relatively simple and fast quantitative calculation method for the study of the surrounding rock stability of bolt-supported rectangular roadways.
Domestication, Growth Performance and Length-weight Relationship of Land Crab (Cardisoma Armatum) Fed With Compounded Feeds of Plant and Animal Proteins
Authors: Jolaosho Toheeb Lekan , Akintola Shehu Latunji
Published: November 2022

Preliminary research on domestication of the mangrove fisheries resources especially those with high aquaculture potentials are mandatory as a requirement for aquaculture activities to ensure sustainability. This study evaluates possible domestication, growth performance and Length-weight relationship of Land crab (Cardisoma armatum) crablets reared for twelve (12) weeks, fed with complete (control), animal based and plant based compounded diets. The study was carried out at the Hatchery unit of Lagos State University Fish Farm. Sixty (60) graded sizes and mixed sex of Cardisoma armatum crablets weighing 22g- 24g were sourced from the wild and stocked at the rate of ten C. armatum crabs in three treatments and 3 replicates units. From the result of this study, the final weights obtained were 46.10 ± 0.10g for crabs fed (complete based diet), 38.92 + 0.15g (animal based diet) and 47.84 ± 0.18g (plant based diet). The result obtained from this study indicated that crablets fed with animal based diet had better growth rate in terms of weight gained and food conversion ratio. The results obtained for length-weight relationship of the crab samples in u study was negative allometric growth pattern (b < 3). However, the results for condition factor of females, male and combined sexes are greater than 1. Formulated diet of plants and animal source is hereby recommended to be used in feeding C. armatum. Further study on rearing of C. armatum in captivity is hereby advised to increase food security and sustainability.
Pericarotid fat stranding at CT angiography:a marker of the short-term prognosis of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhao Yinan , Guo Zhongping , Li Mengshuang , Shan Hangsheng , Zhang Yonggang , Miao Chongchang , Gu Yan
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Perivascular epicardial fat stranding detected in the coronary CT angiography was associated with culprit lesion and provided helpful information of risk for ACS. This study aimed to evaluate the potential clinical significance of pericarotid fat stranding (PCFS) and investigate the association between PCFS and short-term prognosis of acute stroke with head and neck CT angiography (CTA).

Methods

This study included 80 patients (mean age 69.69士11.03; 58 men) who underwent both head and neck CTA and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 2 weeks. Baseline characteristics, PCAT attenuation, plaque characteristics, ischemic penumbra, infarct core volume, infarct core growth rate (CGR) and grade of collateral status between PCFS group and non-PCFS group were recorded, these data were compared by using two-sample t,Mann-Whitney U,Fisher tests and Spearman’s correlation test.

Results

We found that patients with PCFS had a significantly higher PCAT density than non-PCFS patients (-55.75 ± 5.53 vs -65.82 ± 9.65;P<0.001 ). Those with PCFS showed a larger infarct core volume (166.43 ± 73.07 vs 91.43 ± 55.03;P = 0.001 ) and faster CGR (39.57 ± 12.01 vs 19.83 ± 32.77;P<0.001), and that the frequency of adverse prognosis was more significant than in control subjects (83.33% vs 19.11%). The difference was statistically significant.

Conclusions

We discovered that individuals with PCFS had greater CGR, which was substantially related with a worse outcome in acute stroke patients with ipsilateral carotid atherosclerosis. Recognition of PCFS may help to predict stroke prognosis and allow doctors to take early action to improve patient prognosis.
Miniaturization and performance studies of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antennae using Minkowski fractal for Ku band communications by inset feed technique
Authors: Dokrom Froumsia , Dikoundou J.-F. Essiben , Inc Mustafa , Houwe Alphonse , Kolyang Kolyang
Published: November 2022

In this paper we have proposed an improved miniaturization design of a rectangular microstrip patch antenna based on Minkowski fractal. The design methodology consists in considering a rectangular patch on which the conventional and modified Minkowski curve are successively applied until the second iteration. In total, three miniaturized antennae are proposed. They are structured by a fractal patch engraved on an FR-4 epoxy substrate. Design and simulation are performed by CADFEKO 7.0.1 software, better suited for small size antennae. The proposed miniaturized fractal models operate at the same frequency F= 15.53 GHz, as the conventional Rectangular Microstrip patch antenna. Moreover, each of them enables a good impedance matching, as can be confirmed by the low return loss obtained (< -15 dB) at the same resonance frequency. The proposed antennae presented a significant size reduction of 89.76 % for Minkowski model, 88.8 % and 86% for both modified Minkowskimodels when compared to the conventional inset-fed rectangular patch antenna. Overall, our study illustrated that, after a modified Minkowski miniaturization technique was introduced a better performance and impedance matching was achieved. According to the IEEE Standard Classification of Satellite Frequency Bands, the results of the miniaturized and optimized fractal patch antenna can effectively contribute to Ku-band communications.
Effective Feature Selection in Speech Emotion Recognition Systems using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Shilandari Arash , Marvi Hossein , Hadjiabdolhamid Negin
Published: November 2022

Thus far, it has been unknown whether feature selection methods succeed in increasing the efficiency of speech-emotion recognition systems. This article discusses and evaluates feature selection for data augmentation purposes in a speech emotion recognition system. This study performed the experiments using Python and on four common databases: EMO-DB, eNTERFACE05, SAVEE, and IEMOCAP. Data analysis was conducted on all four databases for five emotions: sadness, fear, anger, happiness, and neutral. A support vector machine was used to classify emotions. We also used a generative adversarial network to augment data and two feature selection networks including Fisher and Linear Discriminant Analysis algorithms. In two steps and with the feedback from the classification network, we could bring the speech emotion recognition to an optimal point in sample number and feature vector dimensions. The results showed that using Linear Discriminant Analysis and the Fisher method simultaneously in the generative adversarial networks can remove redundant and irrelevant features while preserving features with important emotional information for classification. The results obtained from the proposed method were compared with that of recent studies. The proposed method was able to achieve 86.32\% accuracy in the Berlin Database of Emotional Speech.
Metastatic lung tumor from hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus invasion in the pulmonary vein: a case report
Authors: Ohtaka Kazuto , Ohtake Setsuyuki , Ishii Yu , Kaku Saya , Takeuchi Yuta , Mizota Tomoko , Yamamura Yoshiyuki , Ichinokawa Masaomi , Yoshioka Tatsuya , Tamoto Eiji , Murakawa Katsuhiko , Ono Koichi
Published: November 2022

Background
Metastatic lung tumor with a tumor thrombus in the peripheral pulmonary vein is very rare. We present a case of a metastatic lung tumor from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus invasion in the pulmonary vein that was diagnosed preoperatively and underwent complete resection by segmentectomy.
Case presentation
A 77-year-old man underwent laparoscopic lateral segment hepatectomy for HCC eight years ago. Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) remained elevated from two years ago. Contrast-enhanced chest computed-tomography (CT) showed a 27 mm nodule in the right apical segment (S1). He was pathologically diagnosed with a metastatic lung tumor from HCC via transbronchoscopic biopsy. We planned to perform right S1 segmentectomy. Before surgery, contrast-enhanced CT in the pulmonary vessels phase for three-dimensional reconstruction showed that the tumor extended into the adjusting peripheral pulmonary vein, and we diagnosed tumor thrombus invasion in V1a. The surgery was conducted under 3-port video-assisted thoracic surgery. First, V1 was ligated and cut. A1 and B1 were cut. The intersegmental plane was cut with mechanical staplers. Pathological examination revealed moderately-differentiated metastatic HCC with tumor thrombus invasions in many pulmonary veins, including V1a. No additional postoperative treatments were performed.
Conclusions
As malignant tumors tend to develop a tumor thrombus in the primary tumor, it might be necessary to perform contrast-enhanced CT in the pulmonary vessel phase to check for a tumor thrombus before the operation for metastatic lung tumors.
Effect of strain rates on mechanical response of whole muscle bundle
Authors: Tran Dat Trong , Tsai Liren
Published: November 2022

Muscle injury, especially hamstring muscle, frequently happens during sports activities and exercise which could have serious consequences if not diagnosed and treated promptly. This research investigated the quasi-static and dynamic responses of over 30 fresh semitendinosus muscle-tendon-bone structures by utilizing Split Hopkinson Pressure Bars (SHPB) and a material testing system under the strain rates between 0.001 ~ 200 s− 1. Because of the special shape of muscle-tendon-bone structures, PLA-material clampers were produced by 3D printer to properly hold and to prevent slippery during the test process. The mechanical characteristics of the whole muscle bundle, including Young’s modulus and stress-strain curve, are illustrated at various strain rates. The findings showed that the muscle properties were sensitive with strain rate at the passive deformation. Both maximum stress and Young’s modulus increased with the rise of strain rate, and modulus at 200 s− 1 can be as high as 10 times compared with quasi-static conditions.
Pinoresinol diglucoside alleviates pressure overload-induced cardiac injury via the AMPK/SIRT3/RIG-1 pathway
Authors: Xie Yanguang , Sui Wenjing , Qin Sifan , Yao Qian , Fan Daxu , Li Tao , Wang Feng , Fu Xiaoyan , Zhang Lane
Published: November 2022

Aims Heart failure (HF) often results from mechanical or neurohormonal stress and remains the mortality up to 45–50%, which is accompanied by cardiomyocytes loss, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG), a compound obtained from withForsythia suspensa,Epicommia ulmoidesandStyrax sp., has a remarkable effect on anti-hypertension, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress. However, whether PDG protects against pressure overload induced cardiomyocytes fibrosis, apoptosis and oxidative stress has not been illustrated. This study aimed to determine the cardioprotective effects and the underlying mechanism of PDG on cardiomyocytes injury in pressure overload-induced rats. Methods Abdominal aortic constriction (AAC)-surgery was performed to mimic pressure overload-induced cardiac injury (fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation) in rats. The collagen content deposit evaluation of heart in rats were evaluated by PSR staining. Furthermore, phenylephrine (PE) was used to make in vitro cell models of cardiac injury. We used quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to test the expression of targeting mRNAs bothin vivoandvitro. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expressions of the AMPK/SIRT3/RIG-1 signaling pathway. Results AAC induced the significant cardiac injury in hearts of rats, as indicators of myocytes fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation, whereas PDG treatment reversed these pathological changes compared to AAC rats. Moreover, AAC-induced increased left ventricular (LV) fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation compared to the Sham mice, but these increases were significantly reduced by PDG treatment. Interestingly, PDG in AAC-induced rats decreased the expressions of p-AMPK and SIRT3 at the protein levels. These results of this cardio-protection are likely through targeting cardiomyocytes fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation, possibly mediated by AMPK and SIRT3. In addition, PDG also blocked PE-induced the fibrotic changes in cardiomyocytes. Thus, PDG may be a potential therapeutic agent in targeting pathological cardiac injury by inhibiting myocytes fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in pressure overload-induced cardiac injury. Conclusions PDG significantly decreased AAC-induced cardiomyocytes fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in rats through the AMPK/SIRT3/RIG-1 signaling pathway. These novel findings provide the evidence that PDG may be a promising therapeutic strategy for pathological cardiac remodeling and HF.
The severity of psychosocial (appearance anxiety and social phobia) and functional morbidity among patients presented with non-treated Noma-induced facial disfigurements in Ethiopia
Authors: Gebretsadik Heron Gezahegn
Published: November 2022

Objectives
Noma is an Orofacial disfiguring disease that affects the oral cavity and mid-facial structures. If left untreated, the condition is fatal. Noma creates severe cosmetic and functional defects among survivors, which leads to psychiatric and social problems. However, there is limited data on psychosocial and functional sequelae(morbidity) associated with the condition. This study aimed to assess the psychosocial and functional morbidity among patients presented with non-treated Noma-induced facial disfigurement in Ethiopia. The study also investigated patients' postsurgical outcome expectations from the awaiting surgical procedure.
Results
A total of 32 Noma cases (19 females & 13 males) waiting for the upcoming surgical campaigns were involved in this study. The study participants reported severe social (Likert’s score = 2.8) and psychological (Likert’s score = 3.0) morbidity. The functional limitation was moderate (Likert’s score = 2.9). Except for 15% (n=5), the remaining 85% (n=27) of the study participants expected that the surgery wouldhelp them to overcome the disease-induced psychosocial, functional, and aesthetic problems.
Geophysical Prospecting of Parts of Isara-Remo, Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria Using 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography
Authors: Akinyemi Olukayode D. , Badmus Biodun S. , Ajiboye Godwin A. , Adeyemi Adebukonla O. , Adeyemi Moyosoluwa O.
Published: November 2022

Geophysical survey using 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography was conducted at Isara-Remo to delineate the sedimentary/basement contact as well as to prospect for the groundwater resources. Ten profiles were investigated using the Dipole-dipole array configuration and the resistivity data were processed and inverted using AGI Earth Imager software. The models obtained revealed the lithological composition of the area characterized generally by topsoil, sand, laterite, saturated sandy clay, dry sandy clay, dry clay, saturated clay, sandy clay, clayey sand, sandstones, coarse sand, shale, quartzite rock and basement rock. The models of the studied areas revealed resistivity ranges of 20.4 Ωm − 1832 Ωm; 11.6 Ωm − 327 Ωm; 6.4 Ωm − 2954 Ωm; 1.9 Ωm − 2767 Ωm; 25.7 Ωm − 1607 Ωm; 51.6 Ωm − 929 Ωm; 35.7 Ωm − 2659 Ωm; 42.5 Ωm − 1562 Ωm; 49.4 Ωm − 6113 Ωm; and 82 Ωm − 6783 Ωm for profile 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 and 10 respectively with corresponding depths of investigation at 174m, 78m, 197m, 174m, 105m, 174m, 197m, 105m, 99m and 99m. The study revealed the hydrogeological characterization and aquifer configuration of Isara, Profile 02 in ward 1 had the best groundwater potential due to its resistivity value in comparison to Profile 10 in ward 4 with low water-bearing aquifer. The qualitative information and to an extent, quantitative information on the groundwater potential in the study area have been provided and the sedimentary region delineated from the basement zones.
Plasmon-exciton couplings in the MoS2/AuNP plasmonic hybrid structure
Authors: Kim Hyuntae , Im Jaeseung , Yoo Sung Jae , Haddadnezhad MohammadNavid , Nam Kiin , Park Jin Young , Park Woongkyu , Park Sungho , Han Gang Hee , Ahn Jae Sung , Park Doojae , Jeong Mun Seok , Choi Soobong
Published: November 2022

The understanding and engineering of the plasmon-exciton coupling are necessary to control the innovative optoelectronic device platform. In this study, we investigated the intertwined mechanism of each plasmon-exciton couplings in monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and plasmonic hybrid structure. The results of absorption, simulation, electrostatics, and emission spectra show that interaction between photoexcited carrier and exciton modes are successfully coupled by energy transfer and exciton recombination processes. Especially, neutral exciton, trion, and biexciton can be selectively enhanced by designing the plasmonic hybrid platform. All of these results imply that there is another degree of freedom to control the individual enhancement of each exciton mode in the development of nano optoelectronic devices.
Gene network modeling and pathway analysis of maize transcriptomes in response to Maize Iranian mosaic virus
Authors: Ghorbani Abozar , Rostami Mahsa , Izadpanah Keramatollah
Published: November 2022

Maize Iranian mosaic virus (MIMV, family Rhabdoviridae) is one of the factors limiting cereal production in Iran. MIMV can affect maize transcriptome, alternative splicing, circular RNAs and miRNA profiles during infection and active biological pathways in the maize cells. In the present study, we sought to find critical genes and key pathways involved in MIMV infection and analyzed gene networks, pathways and promoters using transcriptome data. We determined the hub genes involved in pathways related to the proteasome and ubiquitin. These hub genes played a key role in the response to MIMV infection. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis showed that metabolic processes are most affected in MIMV infection. In addition, the results showed the important role of the cellular endoplasmic reticulum in MIMV infection. Network cluster analysis confirmed the result of GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Potential miRNAs were identified as target hub genes using the psRNATarget server. The discovered miRNAs belonged to miR166, miR167, miR169, miR395, miR399, miR408 and miR482 families, which are involved in various pathogenicity or resistance processes against MIMV or other viruses. The results of this study provide a list of hub genes, important pathways and new insights for future development of virus-resistant transgenic crops and clarify the basic mechanism of plant response. They may also be a source of information on the role of key genes and the pathway controlling the responses.
Monkeypox outbreak 2022 – an overview of all cases reported to the Cologne Health Department
Authors: Kröger Sophia Toya , Lehmann Max Christian , Treutlein Melanie , Fiethe Achim , Kossow Annelene , Küfer-Weiß Annika , Nießen Johannes , Grüne Barbara
Published: November 2022

Purpose:
The international monkeypox outbreak in May 2022 marks the occurrence of another previously atypical infectious disease in Europe. This study’s objective was to present a comprehensive overview based on data gathered by the Health Department of the city of Cologne.
Methods:
In this retrospective observational study, 368 individuals reported to the Cologne Health Department as PCR-positive for monkeypox were included. Data were collected in structured telephone interviews and digitally processed.
Results:
The first monkeypox case in Cologne was recorded on May 24, 2022. The local outbreak lasted approximately 4 months and reached its peak in July. The last reported case in Cologne occurred on September 17. Transmissions mostly occurred through sexual contacts (67.4 %) or other close physical contacts (4.6 %) between men, but also through fomites, in the context of events or occasionally in the work environment. In 21.5 % of cases, no route of infection could be determined. The mean incubation period was 8.2 days. Clinically, monkeypox infections usually presented with skin and/or mucosal lesions accompanied by general symptoms. In 74.8 % of cases, a prodromal stage was absent. Initially, the rash often had an unspecific appearance, but in the further clinical course, it usually passed through the typical stages. Most infections resolved spontaneously under home care. In 3.5 % of cases, however, inpatient hospitalisation was required.
Conclusions:
Most transmissions occurred through sexual contact. Although the majority of infections in Cologne affected the MSM community, there were also cases outside this context. The observed average incubation period was shorter than initially assumed. Mucosal involvement and associated symptoms occur in a relevant number of cases and can lead to more severe clinical courses. In the case of an unclear rash or symptoms suggesting mucosal involvement, monkeypox should be considered as a differential diagnosis.
The surveillance data collected in the health authorities provided important information for adapting the public health measures taken against the spread of monkeypox in the population.