bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parabens and Paraben Transformation Products in The Brazos River (Texas, USA) Before and After Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Penrose Michael , Cobb George
Published: May 2023

Parabens are ubiquitous, being found in surface waters around the world. Although little is known about the release of paraben transformation products and fate of transformation products in surface water. This study evaluates both parabens and paraben transformation products in the Brazos River upstream and downstream of a wastewater facility located in Waco, Texas. Concentrations of thirteen compounds were reported in this study, five parent parabens and eight paraben disinfection byproducts. Analyte concentrations were spatially evaluated to determine if release of wastewater effluent effects their concentrations in the river. Two Brazos River tributaries were also sampled to determine if they released parabens and related compounds to the Brazos. Sampling occurred weekly for one year with at least 40 samples collected at each site. Analyses were completed for both yearly and seasonal data. Sites downstream of wastewater treatment outfalls had lower concentrations of methyl paraben during the yearly analysis and across multiple seasons in the seasonal analysis. Para-hydroxybenzoic acid was the compound present in greatest concentration at most sites across most seasons, and spatial changes in para-hydroxybenzoic acid varied by season, with no identifiable trends. Dichlorinated paraben concentrations increased in the river at sites downstream of wastewater treatment. Concentration increases indicate that wastewater effluent contains sufficiently high dichlorinated paraben concentrations to effect concentrations downstream of effluent discharges. Dichlorinated species also persisted in the environment, with no significant decreases at sites further downstream during any season. Methyl paraben concentrations decreased at the site furthest downstream while dichlorinated methyl paraben concentrations remained stable showing that the dichlorinated species degrade slower than their respective parent paraben. Due to the dichlorinated species being released in higher concentrations in effluent than parents and being more resistant to degradation, the dichlorinated parabens are more likely to environmentally relevant than are parent parabens.
mCherry Fusion Proteins Facilitate Production of Recombinant,Cysteine-Rich Leptospira interrogans Proteins in Escherichia coli
Authors: Chaurasia Reetika , Liang Cathleen , How Kenneth , Vieira Dielson S. , Vinetz Joseph M.
Published: May 2023

Background Recombinant fluorescent fusion proteins are fundamental to advancing many aspects of protein science. Such proteins are typically used to enable the visualization of functional proteins in experimental systems, particularly cell biology. An important problem in biotechnology is the production of functional, soluble proteins. Here we report the use of mCherry-fusions of soluble, cysteine-rich, Leptospira-secreted exotoxins in the PF07598 gene family, the so-called virulence modifying (VM) proteins.
Results The mCherry fusion proteins facilitated the production of the VM proteins (LA3490 and LA1402) by enabling the visual detection of pink colonies and following them through lysis and sequential chromatography steps. CD-spectroscopy analysis confirmed the stability and robustness of the mCherry-fusion protein, with a structure comparable to AlphaFold structural predictions. LA0591, a unique member of the PF07598 gene family that lacks N-terminal ricin B-like domains, was produced as a tagless protein that strengthens the recombinant protein production protocol. The current study provides the approaches for the synthesis of 50-125 kDa soluble, cysteine-rich, high-quality mCherry tagged or tagless fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC)-purified protein.
Conclusions The use of mCherry-fusion proteins enables a streamlined, efficient process of protein production and qualitative and quantitative downstream analytical and functional studies. Approaches for troubleshooting and optimization were systemically evaluated to overcome difficulties in recombinant protein expression and purification, demonstrating biotechnology utility in accelerating recombinant protein production.
Discrepancy in the reports on life events between parents and their depressed/anxious children leads to severer psychopathology and lower responsiveness to SSRI treatment
Authors: Amitai Maya , etedgi elhai , mevorach tomer , kalimi roni , horesh netta , oschry noga , apter alan , benaroya noa , fennig silvana , weizman abraham , chen alon
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Exposure to a range of stressful life events (SLE) is implicated in youth psychopathology. Discrepancy between parents’/children’s’ reports (especially regarding SLE) is a major concern in child psychiatry. This study was designed to assess parent–youth discrepancies regarding SLE and its association with severity of psychopathology at baseline and response to treatment. Additionally, we assessed the association between three plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and SLE.
Methods: SLE were assessed in children/adolescents suffering from depressive/anxiety disorders using the life events checklist (LEC), a self-report questionnaire measuring the impact of negative life events (NLE) and positive life events (PLE), as reported by the children and their parents. Severity of depression/anxiety disorders and response to antidepressant treatment were evaluated and correlated with both measures of LEC. We also corelated SLE with levels of three pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β).
Results: Participants were 96 parent-child dyads (39 boys, 57 girls) aged 6-18 (mean=13.90, SD=2.41y). Parents reported higher severity of NLE than their children. Discrepancy in PLE was associated with more severe psychopathology and reduced response to treatment. No association with cytokine levels was found.
Discussion: Discrepancy in informant reports regarding life events in depressed/anxious youth, especially regarding PLE, is associated with more severe psychopathology and reduced response to pharmacotherapy. It is important to increase congruency regarding SLE between parents and children to improve response to treatment.
Development of a Sensitive Monoclonal Antibody-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassay for the Detection of Benzoic Acid in Liquid Food
Authors: Zhao Qiuyan , Ding Mingyue , Pei Dangshuai , Qi Xiuhua , Mao Yexuan , Huang Xianqing , Song Lianjun , Zuo Jingnan , Zhang Xiya , Yang Huijuan
Published: May 2023

To monitor benzoic acid (BA) residues in liquid food samples, a monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) was developed in this study. First, 2-aminobenzoic acid (2-AA), 3-aminobenzoic acid (3-AA), and 4-aminobenzoic acid (4-AA) were conjugated to BSA and used as immunogens. After cell fusion, mAb 6D8 from 4-AA-BSA performed best with an IC50 value of 0.21 mg/L using 3-AA-OVA as heterogeneous antigen, which represented a 3.4-fold improvement compared with the homogeneous antigen 4-AA-BSA. Subsequently, eight kinds of CGNPs with sizes varying from 20.94 nm to 90.00 nm were synthesized for screening the suitable size to develop a sensitive LFA. Finally, a sensitive LFA based on colloidal gold (23.27nm) nanoparticles was developed for screening BA with a cut-off value of 4 mg/L, which could meet the requirement of BA detection in milk, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola, and Stmart samples.
Featured immune characteristics of COVID-19 and systemic lupus erythematosus revealed by multidimensional integrated analyses
Authors: Zhao Xingwang , Zhang Mengjie , Jia Yuying , Liu Wenying , Li Shifei , Gao Cuie , Zhang Lian , Ni Bing , Ruan Zhihua , Dong Rui
Published: May 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shares similar immune characteristics with autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, such associations have not yet been investigated at the single-cell level. Thus, in this study, we integrated and analyzed RNA sequencing results from different patients and normal controls from the GEO database and identified subsets of immune cells that might involve in the pathogenesis of SLE and COVID-19. We also disentangled the characteristic alterations in cell and molecular subset proportions as well as gene expression patterns in SLE patients compared with COVID-19 patients. Key immune characteristic genes (such as CXCL10 and RACK1) and multiple immune-related pathways (such as the coronavirus disease-COVID-19, T-cell receptor signaling, and MIF-related signaling pathways) were identified. We also highlighted the differences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between SLE and COVID-19 patients. Moreover, we provided an opportunity to comprehensively probe underlying B-cell‒cell communication with multiple ligand‒receptor pairs (MIF-CD74 + CXCR4, MIF-CD74 + CD44) and the differentiation trajectory of B-cell clusters that is deemed to promote cell state transitions in COVID-19 and SLE. Our results demonstrate the immune response differences and immune characteristic similarities, such as the cytokine storm, between COVID-19 and SLE, which might pivotally function in the pathogenesis of the two diseases and provide potential intervention targets for both diseases.
Application of impulse oscillometry to detect interstitial lung disease and airway disease in adults with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Cheng Wen-Chien , Chang Shih-Hsin , Chen Wei-Chun , Wu Bing-Ru , Chen Chia-Hung , Lin Chi-Chien , Hsu Wu-Huei , Lan Joung-Liang , Chen Der-Yuan
Published: May 2023

Background We conducted a retrospective observational study to explore the potential application of impulse oscillometry (IOS) as an alternative to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for detecting pulmonary involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because clinically evident interstitial lung disease (ILD) and airway involvement are common in this population. Methods We enrolled 72 patients with RA who underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and IOS between September 2021 and September 2022. We aimed to identify the PFT and IOS variables associated with lung diseases shown on HRCT images. Results In our cohort of 72 patients, 48 underwent HRCT; of these, 35 had airway disease or ILD and 13 showed no obvious abnormalities on HRCT. Abnormal IOS and PFT parameters were observed in 34 and 23 patients, respectively, with abnormal HRCT images. The predicted percentages for forced vital capacity, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first one second to forced vital capacity, and forced mid-expiratory flow value were significantly lower in patients with abnormal HRCT. Lung resistance at 5 Hz, difference in resistance between 5 and 20 Hz, resonant frequency (Fres), and reactance area were higher in these patients and reactance at 5 Hz was lower. Compared to other parameters, Fres > 14.14 was significantly associated with alterations in HRCT and may be used as an indicator for monitoring disease. Conclusion Fres > 14.14 is significantly associated with lung involvement in RA patients. Performance of spirometry with IOS is more beneficial than spirometry alone for evaluating lung involvement in RA patients.
Effect of partial delignification on defibrillation of Brassica Campestris straw and its performance in transparent film
Authors: Xiao Peng , Huang Dayong , Rahman Md Mostafizur , Wu Min , Kuga Shigenori , Huang Yong
Published: May 2023

The study on preparation of lignin-containing cellulose nanofiber (LCNF) with high-yield, high-efficient, low-cost is a great challenge in large-scale production. Regulating hydrogen-bonding network by changing the content of lignin is of great significance to improve the efficiency of defibrillation of cellulose. In this paper, the LCNF with high yield (91.55%) was fabricated by oxidizing Brassica Campestris (BC) straw to partially remove the lignin, followed by ball-milling and high-density ultrasonic treatment. The atomic force microscope results reveal that LCNF exhibit fiber network structure with a typical diameter of 2-5 nm similar to those of elementary crystallites. Variations in the structure and hydrogen bonding characteristics of the products are further determined based on the FT-IR results followed deconvolution fitting, showing that intra and intermolecular hydrogen-bonding energies and distances decrease with the increase of degree of oxidization. Furthermore, the LCNF films with high tensile strength (225.78 MPa), good UV-blocking (80%) and water-resistant were constructed by vacuum assisted filtration. This research will provide an effective and convenient approach to obtain the LCNF materials with high-yield and widen its application fields.
Profiling diagnostic Approach of Thoracic Malignancies in Indonesia’s National Cancer Centre
Authors: Hanafi Arif Riswahyudi , Hanif Muhammad Alfin , Pangaribuan Mariska T.G. , Ariawan Wily Pandu , Pradipta Jaka , Cahyanti Dian , Rayhani Farilaila , Sutandyo Noorwati , Kurniawati Sri Agustini , Setiawan Lyana , Diandra Alyssa , Hidayat Kusmantoro , Imelda Priscillia
Published: May 2023

Introduction
Diagnostic modalities for thoracic malignancies, especially for lung cancer, have a pivotal impact on further planning. Providing tools should be utilized efficiently to gain a highly positive diagnosis. Thus, we aim to describe the diagnostic approach applied in our population and how each tools frequently used and provide adequate results, so it can be used as the fundamental picture for other centers.
Methods
A cross-sectional study, involving data from 3661 diagnostic procedures at the Dharmais Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center in Indonesia, from January 2018-December 2022. Data were from the medical record and analyzed with p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result
Brushing with bronchoscopy was the most performed with a positive diagnostic yield of 58.59% cytologically, and VAST were carried out less but obtained the highest positive diagnosis 100% histologically (p = 0.000). Both cytology and histology examination obtained adenocarcinoma as the most common diagnosis (63.80%). Biomolecular EGFR test was the most frequently applied on lung cancer patients (81.43%), besides ALK and PDL-1 (p = 0.000). EGFR and TP53 mutation were highly expressed with next-generation sequencing.
Conclusion
Multimodality diagnostic procedures should be considered for patients since tissue is an issue, both cytologically and histologically. Biomolecular reflex tests, such as ALK, EGFR, and PD-L1, are essential to apply in lung cancer, and co-mutations can be detected by NGS, such as EGFR-TP53.
A pyroptosis score-based model for prognosis prediction of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Jianlin , Meng Jing , Sun Fei , Xu Tian , Luo Judong , Ni Xinye
Published: May 2023

Background: Emerging evidences have demonstrated the dual effect of pyroptosis in cancer progression, pro- or anti-tumorigenic roles in differential cancer types. This study aimed to identify prognostic molecules in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) based on the bioinformatic analysis of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) expression profiles.
Method:Firstly, the pyroptosis gene sets were collected from the MSigDB database, and the mRNA levels were detected in ESCC and normal tissue samples from TCGA. Consensus cluster analysis was conducted to classify patients into different clusters that varied significantly in overall survival times. A pyroptosis score (PYS)- mediate model was generated and the property was assessed in the validation set.
Results: Here, we found sixteen PRGs were dysregulated in ESCC samples. The subtyping of ESCC based on differential expressed PRGs could classify patients into three clusters. A prognostic gene signature comprising two genes (HLA-E and TNFSF10) in the three clusters was established, and samples could be classified to two PYS groups. The PYS model displayed excellent performance in prognostic prediction both in the training and validation set. Patients in high PYS group implied universal inflammatory cell infiltration and the better response of paclitaxel and methotrexate (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: A PYS-based risk model comprising two genes that could predict the prognosis of ESCC patients. Our finding demonstrated the correlation between pyroptosis, survival outcome, immunity, and chemotherapy response in ESCC.
Access to Essential and Innovative Anti-cancer Medicines: A Longitudinal Study in Nanjing, China
Authors: Cao ZhaoLiu , Wang Lili , Hu Yun , Bao Baiyi , Liu Xiaohua , Li Mengyuan , Wang Xiao , Liu Pingyu , Li Xin
Published: May 2023

Purpose To evaluate the availability, cost, affordability, and drug utilization of anti-cancer medicines in Nanjing, Jiangsu.Methods Based on the standard survey methods of World Health Organization/Health Action International(WHO/HAI), a longitudinal tracking investigation study was performed to collect information about 24 essential anti-cancer medicines (EAMs) and 17 innovative anti-cancer medicines (IAMs) in 26 healthcare institutions in Nanjing from 2016 to 2020. The availability, defined daily dose cost (DDDc), defined daily doses (DDDs) and affordability of EAMs and IAMs were investigated. Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test was used to analyze the available data of adjacent years to check whether there was a statistical difference.Results The availability of EAMs during the study period showed no significant changes in Nanjing, but the availability of IAMs showed a significant increase in 2018 and 2019 and tended to stabilize in 2020. For EAMs, the DDDc of lowest-priced generics (LPGs) showed no significant changes during the study period, and the DDDc of originator brands (OBs) and IAMs significantly decreased. The DDDs of EAMs (LPGs) showed a decreasing trend since 2016 and rose again in 2019. Overall, the DDDs of EAMs(LPGs) decreased by 25.18% between 2016 and 2020, but the proportion selected for clinical treatment remained at 67.35% in 2020. The DDDs of EAMs (OBs) and IAMs both showed an increasing trend year by year, with a proportional increase of 207.72% and 652.68%, respectively; but the proportion selected for clinical treatment was only 16.09% and 16.56% respectively in 2020. Under the standard set in this study, EAMs (LPGs) had good affordability for urban residents but poor affordability for rural residents; all IAMs were affordable to urban residents, but most IAMs(11/17) were not affordable to rural residents by 2020. However, the affordability of these drugs was constantly improving.Conclusions There were no significant changes in the availability and cost of EAMs (LPGs), whose lower prices showed better affordability, especially for urban residents. Although their relative change in drug utilization showed a decreasing trend, they still dominated clinical treatment. Driven by the national drug price negotiation (NDPN) policy, the availability of IAMs was on the rise. The prices of IAMs and EAMs (OBs) decreased year by year with significantly improving affordability, but the high prices of these drugs remained unaffordable for rural residents. It is necessary to further develop and strengthen policies for essential medicines procurement assessment to improve the accessibility of EAMs. Meanwhile, a comprehensive strategy is needed in the future to improve the affordability of IAMs.
Psychometric and Structural Properties of the Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale: A 1,072-Patient Study
Authors: Lindsäter Elin , de Leur Jakob Clason van , Rück Christian , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Bianchi Renzo
Published: May 2023

Objective. Exhaustion disorder is a stress-related diagnosis that was introduced in 2005 to the Swedish version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th edition (ICD-10). The Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS) was developed to assess exhaustion disorder symptomatology. While the KEDS is intended to reflect a single construct and be used based on its total score, the instrument's characteristics have received limited attention. This study investigated the KEDS’s psychometric and structural properties in a large clinical sample.Methods. The study relied on data from 1,072 patients diagnosed with exhaustion disorder that were included in two clinical trials in Sweden. We investigated the dimensionality, homogeneity, and reliability of the KEDS using advanced statistical techniques, including exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) bifactor analysis.Results. A one-factor confirmatory analytic model exhibited a poor fit, suggesting at least a degree of multidimensionality. The ESEM bifactor analysis found the general factor to account for about 72% of the common variance extracted, with an omega hierarchical coefficient of 0.680. Thus, the ESEM bifactor analysis did not clearly support the scale’s essential unidimensionality. A homogeneity analysis revealed a scale-level H of only 0.296, suggesting that KEDS’s total scores do not accurately rank individuals on the latent continuum assumed to underlie the measure. The KEDS’s reliability was modest, signaling considerable measurement error.Conclusion. Findings reveal important limitations to the KEDS with possible implications for the status of exhaustion disorder as a nosological category.Trial registration: This study was pre-registered on Open Science Framework (osf.io) on April 24, 2022 (https://osf.io/p34sq/).
Improved performance of larval Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 production fed with Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle and Heimdal, 1970 cultured with irradiation of light-emitting diode-LED compared to fluorescent light
Authors: Montesdeoca María Guadalupe Bravo , Lodeiros César , Vívenes Edgar Zapata , Alió José , Alió José
Published: May 2023

The nutritional quality of microalgae used as feed in larviculture is essential to improve shrimp production. The shrimp Penaeus vannamei (zoea) larvae were fed with the microalga Thalassiosira pseudonana produced with light-emitting diode-LED or fluorescent lights irradiated and evaluated for survival, weight, and molting time from Nauplius V to Zoea III. The microalgae density and biomass were estimated at the harvest production level, and total lipid content and fatty acids profile as nutritional quality were evaluated. The density of the microalgae did not differ significantly, but its biomass and the content of lipids with LED were significantly higher (0.27 ± 0.05 mg L− 1, 17.11 ± 7.30% lipids) than with fluorescent lights (0.17 ± 0.05 mg L− 1, 4.7 ± 1.2%). Docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid concentrations were higher in the microalgae produced with LED, however eicosapentaenoic acid and other 15 fatty acids did not differ between treatments. The average weight of Zoea III differed between treatments (LED lights = 7.9 ± 0.6 µg and fluorescent lights = 6.3 ± 0.5 µg), and the molting time to Zoea III was 9 h shorter when fed with algae from LED, while survival was higher at 83.9 ± 0.9% LED and 78.4 ± 1.5% fluorescent lights. The nutritional quality of lipids from T. pseudonana under exposure to LED lights provides a better production and performance of P. vannamei zoeal larvae than when fed with T. pseudonnana irradiated with fluorescent lights.
A Qualitative Exploration of University Undergraduates’ Perspectives about the Effects of Social-Media on their Academic Performance
Authors: Ahmad Iqbal , Deeba Farah , Alam Jan
Published: May 2023

Although digital technologies are well integrated in higher education settings, however, despite of growing corpus of research on the outcomes of digital technologies, there is a dearth of evidence from the perspectives of university undergraduates about the impact of social media on their academic performance. This study was an attempt to bridge this gap in the existing body of knowledge by qualitatively measuring the perspectives of students about the effects of social media on their learning outcomes. Using critical theory of technology and case study method, this study explores the perspectives of students about the effects of social media on their learning performance. The findings showed that using of social media has a negative impact on academic performance of students. Social media restricted students to spend time for assignment preparation and its submission in time. Students spent time on social media in non-academic activities such as spending time with friends for entertainment at the cost of their studies. Students secured low academic grades because of spending time on social media. Many students reported about its negative impact on their health like, stress and physical exhaustion due to poor participation in outdoor games or sports. Instructors and administration are suggested to chalk out viable policies for the use of social media among students and its purposeful utilization.
High temperature influences DNA methylation and transcriptional profiles in sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus intermedius)
Authors: Liu Anzheng , Zeng Fanshuang , Wang Luo , Zhen Hao , Xia Xinglong , Pei Honglin , Dong Changkun , Zhang Yanmin , Ding Jun
Published: May 2023

Background DNA methylation plays an important role in life processes by affecting gene expression, but it is still unclear how DNA methylation is controlled and how it regulates gene transcription under high temperature stress conditions in Strongylocentrotus intermedius. The potential link between DNA methylation variation and gene expression changes in response to heat stress in S. intermedius was investigated by MethylRAD-seq and RNA-seq analysis. We screened DNA methylation driver genes in order to comprehensively elucidate the regulatory mechanism of its high temperature adaptation at the DNA/RNA level.Results The results revealed that high temperature stress significantly affected not only the DNA methylation and transcriptome levels of S. intermedius (P < 0.05), but also growth. Our MethylRAD-seq analysis revealed 12,129 CG differential methylation sites and 966 CWG differential methylation sites, and identified a total of 189 differentially CG methylated genes and 148 differentially CWG methylated genes. Based on KEGG enrichment analysis, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are mostly enriched in energy and cell division, immune, and neurological damage pathways. Further RNA-seq analysis identified a total of 1968 DEGs, of which 813 genes were upregulated and 1155 genes were downregulated. Based on the joint MethylRAD-seq and RNA-seq analysis, metabolic processes such as glycosaminoglycan degradation, oxidative phosphorylation, apoptosis, glutathione metabolism, thermogenesis, and lysosomes are regulated by DNA methylation.Conclusions High temperature regulates the expression of genes such as MOAP-1, GGT1, and RDH8 by interfering with DNA methylation, which in turn affects the metabolism of HPSE, Cox, glutathione, and retinol, thereby suppressing the immune, energy metabolism, and antioxidant functions of the organism and finally manifesting as stunted growth. In summary, the observations in the present study improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the response to high temperature stress in sea urchin.
Safety and effectiveness of thoracic day surgery in patient with lung cancer
Authors: shen cheng , Che Guowei
Published: May 2023

Background
The successful implementation of the Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept in thoracic surgery has made it possible to complete the surgery in the day surgery unit. However, it is still unclear whether day surgery for lung cancer patients can achieve the same results.
Methods
A systematic literature search was completed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Web of Science for studies published from 1995 to May 2022. The quality of the articles was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the data analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 software.
Results
We ultimately included 7 retrospective articles that met our criteria for the study. Age, smoking status of patient, comorbidity before the day surgery and pulmonary function tests were better than in inpatient surgery group. Minimally invasive surgical method with segmentectomy was more used in day surgery group than in normal surgery group. The 30-day mortality was also lower in day surgery group and it displayed that early discharged patients had fewer overall complications than the inpatient surgery group.
Conclusions
Thoracic day surgery has more advantages over inpatient surgery for patient with lung cancer and safe POD1 discharge.
Chest packing with negative pressure generating chest tube for intractable mediastinal bleeding after cardiac surgery
Authors: Shim Hunbo , Won Tae Hee , Ryu Sangwan
Published: May 2023

Background
Postoperative mediastinal bleeding is one of the most frequently reported complications of cardiac surgeries, which can be life-threatening. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of open chest and delayed sternal closure using a simple modified negative pressure packing technique for management of intractable bleeding after sternotomy.
Methods
Twenty patients who had undergone chest packing primarily for intractable bleeding after cardiac/thoracic aorta surgery via sternotomy at our hospital between January 2010 and August 2022 formed our study population. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who required an open chest for hemodynamic compromise were excluded. Gauzes were packed around the bleeding area and additional gauze was used to mask the structures. A 32-Fr. regular chest tube was placed on top of the covered gauze while the side holes were covered using additional gauze. The open wound was sealed with an adhesive drape film. The chest tubes were connected to a regular bottle with a negative pressure of 20 mmHg to collapse gauzes.
Results
Nineteen (95%) patients with the median age of 57.0 years underwent aorta-related surgery during the study period. The chest was closed within 2 days after open sternum in 18 patients (90%). One patient (5%) needed emergent chest wash-out for cardiac tamponade due to an ongoing hematoma during open chest. One patient (5%) newly developed mediastinitis and sepsis but was discharged without any other complications after intravenous antibiotics treatment. Two (10%) hospital mortalities occurred. One patient died of septic shock while the other due to intracranial hemorrhage.
Conclusion
Temporary open sternum and delayed chest closure using negative pressured gauze packing is a simple, safe, and effective lifesaving technique that can be used in patients with intractable mediastinal bleeding after cardiac surgery.
Measuring Regulatory Errors from Environmental Policy Uncertainty
Authors: Espinola-Arredondo Ana , Munoz-Garcia Felix , Garrido Dolores
Published: May 2023

We examine an environmental policy which may be revisited by a new administration. We allow for pollution to be persistent over time and for uncertainty in next period’s environmental policy. When pollution is non-persistent, we show that regulatory uncertainty is inconsequential for output, pollution, or emission fees. However, when pollution is persistent, we find that firms shift more output into the first period when facing a regulator with stronger environmental concerns. We also measure the ineffciencies stemming from ignoring pollution persistence and from policy uncertainty, identifying in which contexts they are severe or negligible.
JEL classification: L13, L51, Q58.
Aerobic Exercise Improves Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity and Learning and Memory via Modulating the Adiponectin Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Tian Qinghua , Liu Xia , Deng Penghui , Ji Wei , Li Jianping
Published: May 2023

Background Changes in synaptic plasticity have been shown to be crucial in the process of cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study examined the effects of aerobic exercise on learning and memory functions, hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and adiponectin (ADPN) signaling pathway in T2D rats.Methods We established a T2D rats model consisting of three groups: normal control (NC), diabetes control (DC), and diabetes exercise (DE), with DE group receiving an eight-week aerobic exercise. Following the exercise intervention, the Morris water maze was utilized to assess learning and memory functions. Serum indicators were determined, and changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity were evaluated using Golgi staining. Western blot was used to determine the expressions of ADPN, phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), glucose transporter type−4 (GLUT4), and synaptic plasticity-related proteins in the hippocampal CA3 region.Results In comparison to NC, DC had a significantly (all P < 0.05) impaired learning and memory functions and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. In T2D rats, eight-week aerobic exercise significantly (all P < 0.05) (1) lowered serum fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance index; (2) shortened escape latency and increased platform crossings; (3) increased insulin, serum ADPN, hippocampal postsynaptic density protein−95, synaptophysin, ADPN, GLUT4; (4) increased the number of dendritic branching and density of dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA3 region.Conclusions In T2D rats, eight-week aerobic exercise improved learning and memory functions. The mechanism could be associated to exercise-induced modulation of the ADPN/AMPK/GLUT4 signaling pathway in the hippocampus, which improved hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
Reference Intervals of Serum Iodine Concentration in Chinese Pregnant Women
Authors: Wu Yi , Long Huan-huan , Zhang Su-juan , Li Min-min , Chen Chao-gang , Wang Cheng , Shen Zhen-yu , Ye Yan-bin , Zuo Shu-yu , Pan Wen-jing , Liu Zhao-min
Published: May 2023

The study aims to establish trimester-specific reference ranges for serum iodine (SI) in Chinese pregnant women and explore its associations with maternal and infantile thyroid function. Apparently healthy pregnant women were enrolled during their first antenatal visit. Fasting venous and spot urine samples were collected for determining serum and urinary iodine (UI) levels by a validated inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH) and neonatal TSH levels were tested by electro-chemiluminescent assay. The reference ranges of SI were established by percentile method and reported as 2.5–97.5%. ROC analysis was applied to compare the discriminative ability of SI, UI and UI to urinary creatine ratio (UI /UCr) in early pregnancy for various thyroid conditions. The trimester-specific reference ranges of SI for Chinese pregnant women were 60.91-114.53 µg/L for the first trimester (T1, n = 1029), 54.57-103.42 µg/L for the second trimester (T2, n = 379) and 52.03–110.40 µg/L for the third trimester (T3, n = 455). Maternal SI at T1 but not UI and UI/UCr, was significantly correlated with FT3 (r = 0.393, P < 0.001), FT4 (r = 0.637, P < 0.001) and TSH (r=-0.299, P < 0.001). Maternal SI change% from T1 to T2 (but not SI change% from T1 to T3) had marginal correlation with neonatal TSH (r=-0.106, P = 0.046). ROC analysis showed that maternal SI at T1 had better predictability for several thyroid conditions than UIC and UI/UCr.
Non-cancer risk evaluation using a multidimensional strategy owing to groundwater fluoride and iron in a semi-arid region near the Indo-Bangladesh international frontier
Authors: Das Sandip Kumar , Ghosh Joydeep , Pramanik Arun Kumar , Majumder Deepanjan , Hossain Mobarok , Chatterjee Abhik
Published: May 2023

Groundwater quality in the semi-arid Hili border region at Indo-Bangladesh border was investigated in the post-monsoon season of 2021, succeeded by probabilistic health risk assessment of fluoride (F-) and iron (Fe) intake that breached respective safe limits in several samples. All water samples were found to be potable in terms of Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3- but F- and Fe exceeded prescribed safe limit for drinking in about 48% and 7% samples. Almost all the water samples were found to be good for irrigation in terms of Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Keely’s Index (KI), %Na and Magnesium ratio (MR). The Principal Component (PCA) /Factor Analysis (FA) identified three factors influencing groundwater quality, explaining about 71.8% of total variance and indicated that groundwater quality was primarily influenced by geochemical factors. Carbonate and silicate weathering were mainly responsible for dissolution of minerals in groundwater. Non-carcinogenic risk due to cumulative impact of F- and Fe intake was in the order of THI Children>THI Infant>THI Adult. As per Monte Carlo simulation run with 5000 trials to ascertain the order of probabilistic health risk, the most dominant governing factors behind non-carcinogenic risk caused by F- and Fe intake were their concentration (Ci) followed by ingestion rate (IR), and exposure duration (ED).
Characterization of Fracture Source Mechanism for Rock Salt Under Quasi-Static Unconfined Compression Test Using Acoustic Emission
Authors: Chajed Shubham , Singh Aditya
Published: May 2023

The tensile fractures were identified as the dominant fracture mode under quasi-static unconfined compressive load for the high-halite percentage rock salt found in Germany. The observed fracture mechanism is radically different from the reported dominant fracture mode for other natural and synthetic rocks. Rock salt properties are site-specific and depend on the deposit’s age, mineralogical composition, and tectonic history. It poses a fundamental question: Is the observed behavior typical to the tested specimen of rock salt, or is it a general phenomenon typical to all high-halite percentage rock salts? The present study addresses this question by characterizing the fracture source mechanism in the high-halite percentage Khewra rock salt (> 95% halite mineral) under quasi-static unconfined compressive load. The study employs a unique approach to identifying AE events using a detection function. It has the advantage of isolating individual events from the burst of AE events, giving an advantage over the conventional threshold method. The isolated AE events source mechanism was characterized using the AF-RA method. The results from the analysis conclude that 79% of AE events are due to tensile cracks, and 21% of AE events are due to shear cracks for Khewra rock salt. Regarding AE energy, the cumulative relative tensile cracks AE energy is higher than the shear cracks AE energy. The AF-RA data for Khewra rock salt also align with the established dilatancy boundary, suggesting that triaxial test data along with the AF-RA method could be utilized to identify the dilatancy boundary in rock salts. The major conclusion from the present study is that under the quasi-static unconfined compression test, the tensile split is the dominant fracture mode for the Khewra rock salt. The current observation and previously reported works indicate that rock salts having a high-halite percentage have a tensile fracture as a dominating failure mode irrespective of their geological age and tectonic history.
CANCER DU COL UTERIN ET GROSSESSE DE 22 SA : A PROPOS DUN CAS
Authors:   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique Chu Mohammed Vi Marrakech., Chraibi-Kaadoud H. , Karam H. ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique Chu Mohammed Vi Marrakech., Fakhir B. ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique Chu Mohammed Vi Marrakech., Asmouki H. ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique Chu Mohammed Vi Marrakech., Aboulfalah A. ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique Chu Mohammed Vi Marrakech., Soummani A. ,   Service de Gynecologie Obstetrique Chu Mohammed Vi Marrakech.
Published: May 2023

The occurrence of cancer during pregnancy is a delicate event for the obstetrician and the oncologist, because many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures usually used are inapplicable during pregnancy. We report here the case of cervical cancer at 15 SA of pregnancy discovered by the occurrence of recurrent post-coital metrorrhagia. We are going to try to describe a care in case of cervical cancer discovered during pregnancy. Their clinical diagnosis is delayed by the non-specific character of the symptomatology and the histological aspects the non-detection in time of the precancerous lesions (FCV). The difficulty of the question lies in the balancing of maternal and fetal well-being. The intrinsic prognosis of cancer is not modified by pregnancy, and Adeno-colpo-hysterectomy must be concomitant with cesarean section.
SEVERE ACUTE PANCREATITIS REVEALING THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Authors:   Emergency Department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca., Zerhouni A. , Boulani Y. ,   Emergency Department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca., Moussaoui M. ,   Emergency Department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca., Mouhaoui M. ,   Emergency Department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca.
Published: May 2023

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition marked by localized tissue damage that may lead to a broader inflammatory reaction. There is growing evidence that patients with a severe form of acute pancreatitis have endothelial dysfunction as one of the key pathophysiologic symptoms. In line with this, there have been new studies linking acute pancreatitis to the hematological condition thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).Here, we are describing a rare conversive event in which severe pancreatitis led to thrombocytopenic purpura.
ORIENTALISM IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SELF-OTHER IDENTITY IN VILLENEUVES DUNE 2021
Authors: Futo Timija , Nasehi Elnaz
Published: May 2023

The discourse about Orientalism, first mentioned by Edward Said has as long history and changed over time by drawing from discoursesin different fields. In this paper, Denis Villeneuves cinematic adaptation of Dune in 2021 was analysed through the lens of Orientalism and through the lens of identity in construction of the self and the other. Firstly, main orientalist themes in Dune that were identified before by other scholars have been discussed. Secondly, the relationship between self-and other was explored by drawing from literature about identity in culture and memory and relating it to scenes in the film. It can be observed that the discourse mentioned in the first half the paperfocuses on binary ideas of the Orient and Occident. The second half of the paper proposes a complex and interwoven view of self and other that stand in relationship as rather dynamic and changing complements than as binaries only, and are made visible through the young heros journey.
ENDOSCOPIC TYMPANOMASTOIDECTOMY IN ATTICO-ANTRAL CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE OTITIS MEDIA - AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors:   Professor, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB., Budhiraja Grace , Guram Danish ,   Resident, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB., Kaur Navjot ,   Asisstant Professor, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB., Singh Harsimrat ,   Asisstant Professor, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB., a Harpreet ,   Resident, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB., b Prabhjot ,   Resident, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB., Singh Khullar Harpreet ,   Resident, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB., b Anu ,   Resident, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB., Goyal Nischai ,   Resident, Department Of ENT, Adesh Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research, BATHINDA, PUNJAB.
Published: May 2023

An Observational Study was undertaken at Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, AIMSR from Jan 2019 - August 2020. The aim of this study was to observe the outcome of endoscopic tympanomastoidectomy for attico-antral type of CSOM. All the patients attending ENT OPD at AIMSR within the age group of 11-60 yrs, irrespective of sex with Attico-Antral CSOM either unilateral or bilateral were included in this study. However, revision mastoidectomies, patients with intracranial complications of CSOM or actively discharging ear, or patients with external and middle ear abnormalities either congenital or acquired, medically and surgically unfit patients and Patients unwilling to take part in study were not included. In our study of 50 patients, 40 patients had graft uptake after disease clearance and 8 had failure of graft uptake without chronic otorrhoea and 2 had failure with chronic otorrhoea. Through this study we concluded that Endoscopic Tympano-mastoidectomy for attico-antral type of CSOM is an excellent technique for complete removal of cholesteatoma especially from inaccessible areas of middle ear cleft.
PSYCHOSE POST-ICTALE, UNE ENTITE CLINIQUE A CONNAITRE : A PROPOS DUN CAS HOSPITALISE AU CENTRE PSYCHIATRIQUE UNIVERSITAIRE DE CASABLANCA
Authors: Falah K. , Attouche N. , Ajaoui N. , Agoub M.
Published: May 2023

Les psychoses post-ictales correspondent a l apparition soudaine d un etat delirant aigu de duree breve apres une salve de crises epileptiques. Le syndrome psychotique est de semiologie proteiforme, associant en proportions variables des symptomes thymiques, des hallucinations et des idees delirantes avec une conscience globalement preservee. Le risque de comportements dangereux auto- ou hetero-agressifs est eleve. L evolution se fait vers la regression spontanee des symptomes en une semaine en moyenne, avec ou sans traitement. Le cas clinique presente concerne un patient epileptique age de 26ans, hospitalise au service de psychiatrie de Casablanca pour trouble du comportement a type d hetero-agressivite , le patient a presente un tableau delirant aigu, sans desorganisation conceptuelle , pas de symptomatologie thymique maniaque ou depressive, le traitement instaure etait a base d haloperidol et diazepam . Un avis neurologique a ete demande, le diagnostic evoque est une psychose post-ictale, le traitement antiepileptique a ete ajuste, l evolution sous traitement fut favorable avec nettoyage totale de la symptomatologie psychotique au bout de 4jours. Le syndrome de PPI, s il est de bon pronostic a court terme, peut potentiellement evoluer vers d autres troubles psychiatriques de moins bon pronostic. Il est donc important a connaitre pour le clinicien, d autant que son traitement apparait relativement aise par rapport a celui d autres troubles psychotiques.