bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brazilian Adults' Attitudes and Practices toward the Mandatory Vaccination for COVID-19 and the Hesitancy about Childhood Vaccination
Authors: Martinez Edson Zangiacomi , Zucoloto Miriane Lucindo , Ramos Vânia Pinheiro , Dutra Carla Daiane Costa , Jesus Giselle Juliana de , Esteves Arinete Véras Fontes , Abreu Isabella Schroeder , Mombelli Monica Augusta , Reis Roberta Alvarenga , Campoamor Marilia Marcondes , Silva Wanderson Roberto da , Santos Claudia Benedita dos
Published: September 2022

Background: This study describes the attitudes and practices of Brazilian adults regarding the mandatory vaccination for COVID-19 and the hesitancy to children´s vaccination. Methods: The participants answered an online questionnaire disseminated on social networks. An adaptation of the SAGE-WG questionnaire was used to measure the children's vaccination hesitancy. Results: Among 1,007 participants, 677 (67.4%) believed that vaccination for COVID-19 among adults should be mandatory. Just over half of the participants (51.5%) believe that parents and guardians should be free to decide whether their children should be vaccinated against COVID-19, and 9.1% were unsure about this. Younger, non-religious people who have higher self-perceptions of risk for COVID-19, and who evaluate the federal government's performance in combating the disease as bad or very bad, have a higher agreement with mandatory vaccination, a lower agreement that parents and guardians should be free to vaccinate their children, and lower child vaccination hesitancy scores. Conclusion: In Brazil, mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for adults is far from a consensus, and an expressive part of the population believes that parents and guardians should be free to choose whether or not to vaccinate their children. These perceptions and vaccine hesitancy for children are associated with religious and political inclinations.
A Multi-agent Approach to Predict Long-Term Glucose Oscillation in Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Aragão Pereira João Paulo , Franco Brandão Anarosa Alves , Bevilacqua Joyce da Silva , Côrrea-Giannella Maria Lúcia Cardillo
Published: September 2022

The glucose-insulin regulatory system and its glucose oscillations is a recurring theme in the literature because of its impact on human lives, mostly the ones affected by diabetes mellitus. Several approaches were proposed, from mathematical to data-based models, with the aim of modeling the glucose oscillation curve. Having such a curve, it is possible to predict, when injecting insulin in type 1 diabetes (T1D) individuals. However, the literature presents prediction horizons no longer than 6 hours, which could be a problem considering their sleeping time. This work presents Tesseratus, a model that adopts a multi-agent approach to combine machine learning and mathematical modeling to predict the glucose oscillation up to 8 hours. Tesseratus uses the pharmacokinetics of insulins and data collected from T1D individuals. Its outcome can support endocrinologists while prescripting daily treatment for T1D individuals, and provide personalized recommendations for such individuals, to keep their glucose concentration in the ideal range. Tesseratus brings pioneering results for prediction horizons of 8 hours for nighttime, in an experiment with seven real T1D individuals. It is our claim that Tesseratus will be a reference for classification of glucose prediction model, supporting the mitigation of short- and long-term complications in the T1D individuals.
ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTS OF SINGLE AND COMBINED CRUDE EXTRACTS OF SYNADENIUM GLAUCESCENS AND COMMIPHORA SWYNNERTONII
Authors: OCHOLLAH Mary G. , MSENGWA Zaituni S. , MABIKI Faith P. , KUSILUKA Lughano J.M. , MDEGELA Robinson H. , OLSEN John E.
Published: August 2022

Background: Synadenium glaucescens and Commiphora swynnertonii are among the reported plants used traditionally for treatment of bacterial infections. This study reports antibacterial effects of single and combined extracts from leaves, stem and root barks of Commiphora swynnertonii and Synadenium glaucescens. Materials and Methods: Plants were collected from Manyara and Njombe regions in Tanzania. Extraction was done using dichloromethane and methanol. The extracts were assessed for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution, while Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) indices were calculated from MIC values of combined extracts to determine combination effects. Results: Strong antibacterial activities were demonstrated by all extracts of S. glaucescens (MIC 0.011-0.375mg/mL) against Gram-positive bacteria and methanol extracts of C. swynnertonii (MIC 0.047-0.375mg/mL). Synergistic effect was observed when combining methanol extracts of C. swynnertonii stem bark with S. glaucescens leaves against S. aureus (∑FIC 0.5), Other synergistic effects were observed against E. faecalis with dichloromethane extracts of C. swynnertonii stem bark and S. glaucescens stem bark (∑FIC 0.5), and C. swynnertonii root bark and S. glaucescens root bark (FIC index 0.3). For the remaining combinations, mainly additive effects were observed. Conclusion: Synergistic effects on bacteria were observed by combining different plant parts of S. glaucescens and C. swynnertonii suggesting that it could be beneficial to combine such extracts when used for antibacterial purposes.
LEGAL PROCEDURES IN EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION OF UKRAINE
Authors: Liventseva Hanna
Published: August 2022

Preliminary document for potential investors in the geological and mining industries of Ukraine
Management of Patella Fracture Nonunion and Large Bone Defect After Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft
Authors: Lorange Justin-Pierre , Bakhsh Dena , Laverdière Carl , Marwan Yousef , Berry Gregory K.
Published: September 2022

Case:

A 32-year-old patient was diagnosed with a vertical patella fracture nonunion after a bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In addition, a 1 × 2 × 1 cm patellar bone defect was noticed at the graft harvesting site. The patient was treated surgically with open reduction and internal fixation and iliac crest bone autograft which resulted in fracture union.

Conclusion:

Many intraoperative and postoperative risk factors for iatrogenic patella fracture when harvesting BTB autograft were identified. Surgeons should be aware of technical skills needed to prevent this complication and should treat the fracture appropriately to avoid nonunion and optimize the outcome.
Coastal Hazards System–Louisiana (CHS-LA)
Authors: Nadal-Caraballo Norberto C. , Yawn Madison C. , Aucoin Luke A. , Carr Meredith L. , Melby Jeffrey A. , Ramos-Santiago Efrain , Gonzalez Victor M. , Massey Thomas C. , Taflanidis Alexandros A. , Kyprioti Aikaterini A. , Cobell Zach , Cox Andrew T.
Published: August 2022

The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) expanded the Coastal Hazards System (CHS) to quantify storm surge and wave hazards for coastal Louisiana. The CHS Louisiana (CHS-LA) coastal study was sponsored by the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and the New Orleans District (MVN), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to support Louisiana’s critical coastal infrastructure and to ensure the effectiveness of coastal storm risk management projects. The CHS-LA applied the CHS Probabilistic Coastal Hazard Analysis (PCHA) framework to quantify tropical cyclone (TC) responses, leveraging new atmospheric and hydrodynamic numerical model simulations of synthetic TCs developed explicitly for the Louisiana region. This report focuses on documenting the PCHA conducted for the CHS-LA, including details related to the characterization of storm climate, storm sampling, storm recurrence rate estimation, marginal distributions, correlation and dependence structure of TC atmospheric-forcing parameters, development of augmented storm suites, and assignment of discrete storm weights to the synthetic TCs. As part of CHS-LA, coastal hazards were estimated within the study area for annual exceedance frequencies (AEFs) over the range of 10 yr-1 to 1×10-4 yr-1.
Guest Editorial: Timing and Substance Are Key for Net-Zero Supply Chain
Authors: Richardson James
Published: August 2022

The reduction of carbon through the energy value chain is essential to meeting net-zero ambitions but requires long-term visibility—and early commitment—from across traditional and emerging industries as well as from governments.

This is particularly true of the experience and expertise found in the oil and gas supply chain, where engineering, design, manufacturing, and service must work in tandem with the ongoing energy transition.

Supply-chain investments are, after all, significantly influenced by the speed at which new projects are constructed; how these developments compare with rival opportunities will determine the size and location of critical support elements.

And timing is as important as substance for the supply chain, where continued promises of progress tomorrow must finally make way for accelerated, definitive time frames for the development, construction, and operation of a fully decarbonized energy sector.

Energy technology company Baker Hughes is among those which have committed to reaching net zero by 2050. But for others to follow suit, and for meaningful transformation across the industry, there remain hurdles to overcome and risks to be removed.

Full Speed ... Ahead?

Development of the energy transition market has been slow for many manufacturing and service-based oil and gas supply-chain companies.

Customers have, for example, and with a few notable exceptions, been only minor participants in offshore renewables, so while parts of the workforce have transitioned into these projects, there remains a highly skilled core focused solely on the traditional energy sector.

The same is largely true for hydrogen and carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS)—two critical enablers of wider decarbonization. Concept and feasibility work has generated an early market for the engineering sector but left the actual business of realization and operation in limbo.

This means there is yet no market for those manufacturing and service companies interested in pursuing the transition to decarbonization, and little evidence when seeking the blessing of boards, shareholders, and banks.

While customers are—at least in outlook—shifting toward low-carbon power, CCUS, and hydrogen, there is a need to create opportunities for an existing supply-chain business to develop new capabilities or to redirect existing resources.
The Marriage of the Octopus and the Hammerhead Shark and How That Relates To Making Money on Old Offshore Fields
Authors: Rassenfoss Stephen
Published: August 2022

PetroRio is a young, Brazilian independent oil producer whose acquisitions tend to raise the same question: “How do you make money from old brownfields? That is the question we have always heard,” said Iuri Rossi, subsea coordinator at PetroRio.

The answer has existed since small companies began buying the discards from big oil companies looking for the next giant field—cut costs and invest some of the earnings to extend the productive life of the existing platform.

At this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Rossi provided an example by describing how PetroRio acquired two nearby fields in the Campos Basin to create a single, profitable unit (OTC 31900).

It began with the acquisition of the Polvo field (Portuguese for “octopus”) in 2016, shortly after the launch of the privately owned company. The purchase from BP included a floating production platform and a costly leased floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel capable of handling many times the 8,000 B/D output of the aging field.

The value of the Octopus field became apparent only in 2020 after the company made two more acquisitions: First, it purchased an FPSO on the nearby field Tubarão Martelo (Portuguese for “hammerhead shark”); later that year it also bought the field.

Those deals offered a solution—build a pipeline from the Polvo platform to the Tubarão Martelo FPSO and dump the leased FPSO.

The $45 million spent to marry the field saved $50 million a year, generating cash to support a future that will include more drilling, Rossi said. The cost-cutting moves also included small deals such as buying an obsolete drilling rig for $1.00, then getting it running again and using it to work over wells.

“We bring a new mindset; so, we say, ‘let’s try it,’” Rossi said.

New thinking and more investment in the Campos are what Brazil needs as Petrobras and other big companies sell off smaller holdings in the rich basin that made the country a major oil producer before the ultradeepwater pre-salt play in the Santos Basin eclipsed it.

But there is a lot of oil left in the Campos. Equinor reported that its partnership with Petrobras has a goal of adding 1 billion bbl of production to the Roncador field alone (OTC 31729). Still, at age 40 it is a mature play, along with the North Sea and the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

Petrobras recently announced it would allocate $5 billion to work in the Campos from a $20-billion fund to provide the infrastructure needed to promote offshore development.

“The Campos Basin plays a very strategic role for Petrobras in the future. Two-thirds of the production [there] in 2026 will come from investments made right now,” said Eduardo Bordieri, executive strategy manager for Petrobras, while presenting a paper on the future of the Campos at an OTC session (OTC 31883).
Technology Focus: Reservoir Simulation (July 2022)
Authors: Burgoyne Mark
Published: August 2022

When last I wrote in 2021, I noted what I saw as the peak of inflated expectations for machine learning in reservoir simulation, with the topic flooding the list of submitted papers. In 2022, we appear to be rebalancing somewhat, with both a lower proportion of papers on the topic and a distinct increase in papers advocating incorporation of physics or ways to leverage the best of both worlds, classical reservoir engineering fundamentals augmented with these newer approaches.

I find this encouraging.

I also find it encouraging that, anecdotally, I’m seeing more people advocating the need to understand. I’m not talking about understanding how to operate a shrink-wrapped tool rather understanding the physics, the algorithms, and indeed the actual concepts we are trying to simulate. Autopopulating depofacies between well-control points in a model—however clever the algorithm may be—is not a substitute for understanding the concept you are trying to represent, and never will be.

Whether it be Derrick Turk asking us to “resist the temptation to accrue vocabulary rather than understanding” or Mark Bentley telling us that “if you can sketch it you can model it,” there does seem to be a growing pushback against the notions that the modeling/simulation process can be successfully shrink-wrapped and that fundamental understanding is increasingly a legacy requirement.

Sometimes that feeling of imposter syndrome is your subconscious telling you to read a book.

I hope that you enjoy this selection of papers.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

URTEC 208376 A Model Ranking Approach for Liquid-Loading-Onset Predictions by Hao Jia, China University of Petroleum—Beijing, et al.

SPE 203491 Asphaltene Modeling With Cubic and More-Complex Equations of State by Sukit Leekumjorn, Calsep, et al.

SPE 202303 Openness in Reservoir Simulation: Empowering Flexible Field Management by Wentao Zhou, Schlumberger, et al.
Study Identifies the Seven Wastes of Reservoir Modeling Projects
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: August 2022

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 209566, “Overcoming the Seven Wastes of Reservoir Modeling Projects,” by Jon Sætrom and T.C. Sandø, Resoptima. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

The complete paper evaluates learnings from the past 30 years of reservoir modeling projects in the oil and gas industry. Specifically, it considers methods aimed at quantifying uncertainty in the subsurface using multiple realizations, also known as ensemble-based methods. The authors highlight what they perceive to be the major challenges that companies currently face, which they call the “Seven Wastes of Reservoir Modeling Projects,” and outline potential ways to overcome these challenges based on lessons learned from more than 100 modeling projects worldwide during the past 10 years.

The Challenge of Reservoir Modeling

Reservoir modeling dictates that an effort must be made to solve an inverse problem wherein the unknown reservoir model components are assessed given measured static and dynamic data. The following three approaches to achieving this goal often are mentioned in the literature:

- The base-case approach, in which a single best-guess estimate is built or a digital copy of the unknown reservoir parameters

- The multiple stochastic approach, in which multiple models are built by generating realizations from the probability distribution of the unknown reservoir parameters using an automated framework

- The multiple scenario approach, in which multiple (deterministic) models are built in a manual or semiautomated fashion

The strengths and weaknesses of each method are detailed in the complete paper.
Technology Focus: Wellbore Tubulars (July 2022)
Authors: Samuel Robello
Published: August 2022

I titled this Technology Focus introduction “Wellbore Tubulars—When It Becomes Useless.” This may sound negative, but many advancements have been achieved in extending the life of the tubulars and maintaining tubular integrity. The question that remains in front of us, however, is how to monitor tubular integrity in real time.

Managing well barriers and maintaining tubular integrity within limits is challenging for complex and aging wells because of many intervening variables. Material and strength degradation of tubulars subjected to constant or varying and concentrated or distributed loads during various operations result in different kinds of tubular failures. Predictive tools are needed for direct and indirect estimation of tubular integrity. Advances have been made to quantify metal loss effectively, thereby estimating strength degradation in a better way.

Digital technology and high computing and processing speeds and novel technologies are providing additional impetus to extend the life of tubulars for long-term sustained production, minimizing negative effects on the environment. Recently, many new technologies borrowed from the horizontal-drilling industry have been applied effectively for downhole conditions to detect abnormalities in the tubulars.

Now technology has advanced to monitor the metal loss of multiple casings at the same time. Some of the novel technologies involve microwave technology, pulsed-eddy-current technology, magnetic flux leakage, advanced sensors, and sensing technology based on fiber optics.

I have selected a few papers that are structured toward this end, and readers can find additional reading on the OnePetro online library.
Technology Focus: Unconventional and Tight Reservoirs (July 2022)
Authors: Kalfayan Leonard
Published: August 2022

Unconventional resource exploitation has three key technology and application focus areas—increasing implementation of fracture diagnostics, enhancing production and recovery from new well completions as well as existing wells through improved stimulation and restimulation design and execution quality, and developing enhanced oil recovery methods.

With respect to diagnostics, the objective is a greater understanding of the reservoir and fracture geometry to determine optimal well spacing and completion design. The application of drawdown/buildup and rate-transient-analysis methods, previously confined to conventional reservoir evaluations, is now finding increased use in unconventional plays.

Regarding improved stimulation design and execution quality, unique laboratory evaluation methods are providing value by helping to determine optimal fluid chemistries to impart favorable fracture and contacted formation wettability and to optimize proppant transport. This becomes especially important with the increasing use or reuse of produced brines. New proppant compositions, size distributions, and delivery methods and design all call for focusing on effective quality control.

Optimization of new and existing well productivity can take unconventional resource exploitation only so far. Beyond that, the development of enhanced oil recovery methods, in conjunction with reducing CO2 emissions, for example, is a primary focus area for an increasing number of operators. CO2 huff ’n’ puff applications are most common, but other creative injection methods are being studied and trialed globally in tight formations, with potentially exciting prospects ahead.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 208948 Deconvolution Overcomes the Limitations of Rate Normalization and Material-Balance Time in Rate-Transient Analysis of Unconventional Reservoirs by Leopoldo M. Ruiz Maraggi, The University of Texas at Austin, et al.

URTEC 208337 Innovative Stimulation Process for Sustainable Unconventional Resource Development by Roman Bilak, Terralog Teknologi Indonesia, et al.

SPE 201707 Laboratory Visualization of Enhanced Gas Recovery in Shale by Youssef Elkady, Stanford University, et al.
Study Describes Challenges, Opportunities of CO2 EOR in China
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: August 2022

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 209468, “CCUS In China: Challenges and Opportunities,” by Hu Guo, China University of Petroleum; Xiuqin Lyu, Sinopac Northwest Oil Field Company; and En Meng, China University of Petroleum, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

One of the most attractive carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) applications in China is that of carbon dioxide (CO2) enhanced oil recovery with captured CO2 (CCS EOR). CO2 EOR with captured CO2 presents an important path for China. The complete paper reviews the progress of CCUS technology in China. The current challenges of CCS EOR include high capture costs, small scale, low incremental oil recovery, and huge capital input. The costs can be significantly reduced when the scale is enlarged to the commercial level and transportation costs are further reduced by pipelines or trains.

Importance of CCUS

At the time of writing, 49 CCUS pilots or field tests had been conducted or were under construction in China. CCUS demonstration projects were small-scale, and no projects involving more than 1.0 million tons of CO2 per year (mtpa) were conducted. 1.3 million tons of CO2 were estimated to be injected in 2020 for EOR use. The authors reference a study that mentions nine CO2 EOR projects. Among these, the Jilin oilfield project was notable for its size of 2.0 million cumulative tons of CO2 injected.

CO2-enhanced coalbed methane was also an attractive option for China, and several field tests were conducted by CNOOC and its partners. Another notable CCUS demonstration project involved the Shaanxi Jinjie power plant. This was the largest coal-fired power postcombustion (PC) CO2-capture project, with a capture capacity of 0.15 mtpa. The project began in November 2019. In January 2021, equipment installation was completed. By June of 2021, 168 trial operations had been passed. The captured CO2 will be used for EOR. This demonstration project will gain knowledge to reduce PC CO2 emissions, a great challenge for China because the majority of electricity is based on coal combustion. Gas processing and power plants rank first for the US in terms of CCUS project numbers. Power plants also rank first in the number of CCUS projects for China, but the number of natural-gas-processing projects was much less.
Design of Passive Variable Stiffness Actuator for Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot
Authors: Guan Yun-Yi , Li Shou-Zhong , Ma Chong , Zhao Jian-Long , Zhao Hong-Zhe
Published: September 2022

Rehabilitation robots joints often require good variable stiffness characteristics to adapt to the compliance of the human body. According to the joint muscle characteristics of the upper limb, the stiffness demands of different positions in the circle trajectory of the upper limb rehabilitation training were analyzed. On this basis, a novel passive variable stiffness actuator was designed. Change of resistance moment by cam-roller-reed mechanism, so as to realize the stiffness change of different positions in the training process of upper limb circumference trajectory. The mathematical model of passive variable stiffness device was established, and the accuracy of the model and the feasibility of the design scheme were verified by software simulation and experiment. Passive variable stiffness actuator realizes the stiffness change in the process of upper limb rehabilitation training. The structure is simple and does not need additional drive and control.
A Novel Grey Model with a Neural Network in Carbon Emission Dynamic System
Authors: Nie Weige , Ao Ou , Duan Huiming
Published: August 2022

Carbon dioxide emissions have received widespread attention and have become one of the most important research topics in the world. The objective and accurate prediction of carbon dioxide emissions holds great significance for improving government energy policies and plans. Therefore, starting from an evolutionary system of carbon emissions, this paper studies the evolution of the system, establishes a grey model of the evolutionary dynamic system of carbon emissions, and expands the modelling structure of the grey model. The modelling mechanism of the neural network model is organically combined with the function of the external influencing factors of carbon emissions, and the carbon emission dynamic system's grey model with a neural network is established, which expands the modelling object of the neural network method. Then, the properties of the model are studied, the parameters of the model are optimized, and the modelling steps of the model are obtained. Finally, the validity of the new model is analysed by using the carbon emissions of Beijing from 2009 to 2018. Four different modelling objects show that the new model has good simulation and prediction accuracy. Furthermore, we choose the best one to predict carbon dioxide emissions over the next five years. The results show that the existing measures taken by Beijing for carbon dioxide emissions are effective and have controlled the increase in carbon emissions to a certain extent. However, it is necessary to continue to strictly control carbon emissions and further improve the measures to achieve the goal of a continuous reduction in carbon emissions.
JAG1 is associated with the prognosis and metastasis in breast cancer
Authors: Qiao Xiaojuan , Ma Buhuan , Sun Weiting , Zhang Ning , Liu Yang , Jia Lizhou , Liu Caixia
Published: August 2022

Jagged canonical Notch ligand 1 (JAG1) regulates the progression of many cancers by the Notch signaling pathway, but its role in breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. In this research, JAG1 protein expression in BC tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The association between JAG1 and clinical significance was analyzed. The effect of JAG1 on malignant behaviors of BC cells was demonstrated by in vitro experiments. JAG1 expression in BC tissues was higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues. High JAG1 expression was significantly linked to advanced lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and the TNM stage. JAG1 was an independent prognostic factors for BC patients. JAG1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, motility, migration, and invasion of BC cells, and weakened adhesion and penetration abilities to the blood–brain barrier, whereas JAG1 overexpression had the opposite effects. JAG1 has the potential to be a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for BC patients.
Optimization of production of poly-hydroxy butyrate biopolymer using Streptomyces native bacteria
Authors: Moayedi Somayeh , Farzi Ali , Dehnad Alireza
Published: September 2022

Synthetic polymers are mostly made of petroleum, remain in the soil for a long time because they are not biocompatible. Production of biodegradable polymers, like poly-beta-hydroxy butyrate (PHB), is a new way to increase degradation rate of polymers in the environment. In this study, five strains of Streptomyces native bacteria were isolated and coded as G2 (Streptomyces ambofaciens Azar411), 6, G8, E17, and N5 and were used for production of PHB. Granules of PHB were observed within all five strains after treatment by prepared nutrient agar culture medium. Nutrient Broth medium was centrifuged at the end of PHB production stage. The amount of produced PHB was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and calculated by spectrophotometry and weighing method. The effects of six important parameters including carbon and nitrogen sources, pH and temperature of culture medium, shaker speed, and incubation time, on the amount of PHB production were assessed and their optimum values were obtained. Maximum PHB production was obtained in G2 bacteria as 77.51%, of cell dry weight, after 2days at culture medium with same values of parameters as extraction phase except that 1g peptone protease as nitrogen source, and 4 mL aqueous glucose solution as carbon source were used.
Filiform polyposis presenting with rapid growth and severe anemia
Authors: Alkhuzaie Abdullah , Jameel Waed , Sultan Noran , Aldosari Mohammed
Published: September 2022

Giant inflammatory polyposis (GIP) is a rare manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and it is described as a worm-like projection of 1.5 cm or more in diameter with unclear pathogenesis. GIP may be related to the severity of IBD. GIP presents with a wide range of symptoms, including crampy abdominal pain, anemia and intestinal obstruction. The histopathology of GIP is a polyp lined by normal colonic mucosa with superficial ulceration that may show mild crypt distortion. Our case reports a patient with ulcerative colitis diagnosed via colonoscopy and histopathology 10 months before presenting with severe anemia due to lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopy showed GIP obstructing the descending colon, and total colectomy showed the entire colon full of worm-like polyps up to 16 cm.
Comparative analysis of 31 Streptococcus gallolyticus strains uncovers their potential risks from the perspectives of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes
Authors: Zhang Na , Bai Zipeng , Wang Shanshan , Mao Yujie , Chen Long , Huang Bingbing , Cheng Zhixiang , Wang Xiaoyan , Han Maozhen
Published: September 2022

Streptococcus gallolyticus is an opportunistic pathogen and plays important role in various ecological niches, particularly in the intestinal tract of mammals. Obtaining the composition of S. gallolyticus strains from multiple perspectives is beneficial to broadening the knowledge of S. gallolyticus. Hence, we collected the genomic datasets of 31 S. gallolyticus strains and conducted the pan-genome analysis to systemically illustrate the genetic features and investigate the mechanism of its pathogenicity. Our results showed that the pan-genome of S. gallolyticus is composed of 4,606 homologous clusters and presented an open pan-genome structure. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the complicated relationship among S. gallolyticus strains. Six CAZyme families were identified from 182 orthologous genes that mainly derived from the core genome to clarify the carbohydrate metabolism of S. gallolyticus strains. The results showed that the metabolic ability of carbohydrates of 31 S. gallolyticus strains was different and these strains preferred glycosides and a crucial influence on the formation and modification of glycans and glycoconjugates. Particularly, the results of virulence factors indicated that the pathogenicity of S. gallolyticus strains was related to immunity, bile acid metabolism, and membrane synthesis. Besides, to guide the clinical treatment, we investigated the composition of antibiotic resistance genes of S. gallolyticus strains and claimed that these strains are resistant to antibiotics. Overall, our work systematically explores the genetic background of S. gallolyticus, provides an in-depth understanding of the biological characteristics of S. gallolyticus, and sheds light on the clinical detection and prevention of S. gallolyticus.
Prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity in patients with severe mental disorders in Shenzhen: results from the urban Chinese population
Authors: Peng Xiaodong , Shan Wei , Zhou Zhijian , Wang Guojun , Liu Tiebang
Published: September 2022

Background: Although overweight and obesity are important risk factors for the physical health of severe mental disorders (SMD), few studies have been reported. Morbidity and mortality associated with physical disorders of SMD can be reduced if detected and managed in the early stages of physical disorders. The objective was to analyse the prevalence of overweight and obesity in patients with SMD and factors associated with sociodemographic and disease characteristics in a cross-sectional population-based study.Methods: This analysis examined prevalence of overweight and obesity of 14,868 managed SMD patients in urban area of Shenzhen city, based on data from the information monitoring system in 2020. Sociodemographical and physiological characteristics of overweight and obesity of SMD patients were described. The multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity of SMD.Results: Records of 14, 868 participants were included for analysis. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in patients with SMD in this study was 32.6% and 16.1%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, married, Shenzhen household registration, number of years of management 5-10 years and >10 years, participation in family physician services, taking clozapine or aripiprazole, FPG>6.1 mmol/L, hypertension, TC≥5.2mmol/L, TG≥1.7mmol/L, the more frequent the number of follow-ups in the past year were associated with higher odds of overweight and obesity, while older, having tertiary education, and mental retardation with mental disorders had lower odds of overweight and obesity. Compared to their respective reference categories, living status with parents, spouse and children, taking risperidone, aripiprazole, amisulpride and perphenazine, FPG>6.1 mmol/L, hypertension, TC≥5.2mmol/L, TG≥1.7mmol/L, the more frequent the number of follow-ups in the past year were associated with higher odds of obesity, while having tertiary education and schizophrenia had lower odds of obesity. Conclusions: We observed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity with SMD in this study. The findings highlight the need for integrated management of overweight and obesity risk factors among patients with SMD.
Genetic diversity of indigenous bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) genotypes by morphological and molecular marker
Authors: Adarsh Anupam , Kumar Randhir , Kumar Pankaj , Ray Pankaj Kumar , Bharti Pallavi , Kumar Anjani
Published: August 2022

Bitter gourd (Balsam pear, Momordica charantia L.) belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae, known for its health promoting benefits. It is widely grown in Asian countries due to its medicinal property, especially in China, India and Southeast Asia. Bitter gourd shown wide diversity for fruit morphology which varies greatly in color, shape, size, and yield attributing traits. The diverse morphological characters of M. charantia provide relatively broad phenotypic variation. Genetic diversity assessments and linkage map construction can increase the effectiveness of breeding programs. This study was conducted to evaluate and characterize the exotic accessions to define their relationship based on Indigenous accessions having some commercial cultivars of economic importance. The mean sum of square was highly significant for all traits indicating the presence of wide range of variability in the genotypes. The results showed that there were significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits under studied. The best genotypes identified from the study were Pusa Aushadhi for earliness, Gangajalee small for number of fruit /plant, BRBTL for average fruit weight and yield/plant and the genotype Konkan tara found best for biochemical traits. Molecular diversity analysis was also carried out using 35 SSR primers, out of which eleven primers showed polymorphism among 21 genotypes. The polymorphism % ranged from -44.11 to 0.97% indicating wide variation for earliness, shape and biochemical traits in genetic diversity. A Dendrogram was constructed by UPGMA analysis revealed four cluster. These markers effectively segregated the genotypes based on genotypic character hence, can be used for both morphological and molecular diversity analyses for further breeding applications.
Microvascular damage, neuroinflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling in Col18a1 knockout mice as a model for early cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Khoshneviszadeh Mahsima , Jandke Solveig , Kaushik Rahul , Ulbrich Philipp , Norman Oula , Jukkola Jari , Heikkinen Anne , Schreiber Stefanie , Dityatev Alexander
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThe pathological alterations of small arteries and capillaries defined as cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) are characterized by age-dependent blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown and vessel wall remodeling manifesting in small vessel occlusions and perivascular bleeds. As collagen XVIII (Col18a1) is an abundant heparan sulfate proteoglycan in vascular basement membranes, we focused on studying the role of collagen XVIII in vascular integrity and neurovascular unit maintenance in the context of CSVD.MethodsIn this study, we examined BBB breakdown, neuroinflammation and (peri)synaptic protein alterations using immunohistochemistry in 5- and 12-month-old Col18a1-/- and Col18a1+/+ mice. To further characterize molecular alterations, we used qPCR and compared the expression levels of major genes encoding tight junction and basement membrane proteins, inflammatory markers, neural extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and proteinases.ResultsOur immunohistochemical analysis revealed progression of small vessel leakage in Col18a1-/- mice between 5 and 12 months. A large fraction (60%) of the small vessel area became mouse IgG-immunopositive in the hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex of 12-month-old Col18a1-/- mice. However, none of the Col18a1-/- mice displayed hallmarks typical of more advanced stages of CSVD, such as perivascular or large bleeds or infarcts. Collagen XVIII deficiency-induced BBB leakage was accompanied by activation of microglia and astrocytes, leading to perivascular ECM remodeling, upregulation of Timp3 and accumulation of perisynaptic ECM proteoglycan brevican and complement protein C1q, which may underlie impaired synaptic plasticity and loss of synapses.ConclusionOur findings highlight that Col18a1-/- mice represent a valuable model of early CSVD and call for more mechanistic analysis of underlying mechanisms and cognitive dysfunction in this model.
Evaluation of clinical outcomes in children with intrahepatic cholestasis post Partial External Biliary Diversion: a single centre Experience
Authors: El-din Hadeer Mohamed Nasr , Adel Noha , EL-koofy Nehal , Obeida Alaa , Kaddah Sherif , EL-Tagy Gamal , Mohamed Wesam
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Severe pruritus caused by progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) and Alagille syndrome (AGS) is refractory to medical treatment. Surgical interruption of the enterohepatic circulation is considered the mainstay of alleviating distressing symptoms and delaying cirrhosis. This study aims to evaluate the short-term effect of partial external biliary diversion (PEBD) on pruritus, liver disease progression, patient’s growth, and quality of life.Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled children with PFIC and AGS from July 2019 to July 2021, whose guardians consented to the PEBD procedure. A standard surgical approach was performed by a single surgeon. Outcomes were measured subjectively and objectively pre- and post-procedure using the pruritus 5-D itching score, Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory scale (PedsQL), growth parameters, bile acids level, and liver function tests. Patients’ follow-up period ranged from 6 to 12 months.Results: Seven patients had PEBD procedure; five with PFIC and two with AGS. A significant improvement was detected in the 5-D itching score (p-value < 0.001), PedsQL (p-value < 0.001), and bile acids level (p-value 0.013). The preexisting growth failure was ameliorated. The downward trend in the bilirubin level was not significant. No influential difference in the other liver function tests occurred. No intra-operative complications encountered. Only one case had a post-operative stoma prolapse which was managed surgically.Conclusion: PEBD procedure could be considered as an effective and safe treatment options for intractable pruritus in patients with PFIC or AGS, providing preserved synthetic liver functions.Research Ethics committee approval: MD110-2019 on 28/12/2019
WITHDRAWN: Clinical significance of serum synaptophysin like 1 protein levels in breast cancer
Authors: Kosem Yagmur Ozge Turac , Uzun Hafize , Velidedeoglu Mehmet , Kocael Pınar , Dumur Seyma , Simsek Osman
Published: August 2022

Background: Mammography which is used for screening breast cancer (BC) has limitations such as decreased sensitivity in dense breasts, requiring additional imaging and leading to unnecessary treatment. In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum synaptophysin-like protein 1 (SYPL1) value and BC. Method: The study group consisted of 80 female patients with a histopathological diagnosis of invasive BC and didn’t receive any radiotherapy/chemotherapy. The control group 72 women with noprevious history of breast disease and evaluated as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (BI-RADS 1-2) on imaging. Results: SYPL1 level was found to be statistically significant in diagnosing BC. The point of serum SYPL1 was sensitivity: 48.75%; specificity: 80.56%. There wasn’t statistically significant correlation between serum SYPL1 and tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, distant organ metastasis, and stage. They were correlated with BI-RADS and serum SYPL1 wasn’t correlated with breast density. Conclusion: The serum SYPL1 maintained a higher discriminatory ability for BC. The serum SYPL1 level can be used with high specificity in the diagnosis of BC. Although SYPL1 has low diagnostic value in BC by itself, it may be included in BC screening in combination with other because it isn’t affected by breast density.
“Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under in vitro conditions”
Authors: Raypuriya Neelesh , SB Das , AK Bhowmick , V Pandey
Published: August 2022

BackgroundThe Helicoverpa armigera, Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the most important economic pest. In the larval stage, the pest feeds on tomato fruits and seriously damages the fruits. Therefore, to reduce the overuse of chemical pesticides in tomato crops, microbial control is a key ingredient for sustainable crop production. Most toxic substances produced by microbial pathogens have been identified as peptides, but they are very different in terms of structure, toxicity and specificity. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation was to determine the bioefficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus, 12 Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin, isolates against 2nd instar larvae of the tomato fruit borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under in vitro conditions. ResultsIn vitro studies an bioefficacy of 12 Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) (Sorokin) isolates (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11 and M12) at four different concentrations of 1x1010, 1x109, 1x108, 1x107 against 2nd instar Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) larvae revealed that all the strains were pathogenic to the target pest at all spore concentrations. However, among them isolates M3 and M7, were most effective and recorded 95 and 85% larval mortality with LT50 value of 47.82 and 56.75 hours at the lowest spore concentration (1x1010 spores ml-1) and LC50 values of 5.06x105 and 2.29x107 spore ml−1, respectively. The lowest mortality (62.50%) was recorded in isolate M4 at 5 days after inoculation. ConclusionThese findings suggested that the adverse effect of most virulent M. anisopliae isolates M3 and M7 were compatible and most virulent to the target pest and that the simultaneous use may be helpful for managing H. armigera, 2nd instar larvae.
Maternal transmission bias of inherited genetic variants in severe early-onset obesity
Authors: de Pieri Francesc Bou , Serra-Juhé Clara , Martín-Rivada Álvaro , Martos-Moreno Gabriel , Argente Jesus , Perez-Jurado Luis
Published: September 2022

Background:
Obesity is highly influenced by genetics, with stronger genetic component in severe early-onset obesity (EOO). Heterozygous rare sequence variants (RSVs) affecting genes of the leptin-melanocortin pathway and hypothalamic function cause EOO, with variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance. We aimed to define whether and how parental inheritance could influence expressivity and penetrance.
Methods:
Observational study, systematic review and meta-analysis of reported inherited likely pathogenic heterozygous RSVs associated to non-syndromic EOO in 17 candidate genes was performed. Parental phenotype and proband’s birthweight were obtained when available. Child-feeding practices in transmitting and non-transmitting mothers were compared in a subsample using a validated questionnaire.
Results:
We identified 38 studies reporting 216 children with EEO and inherited heterozygous RSVs in candidate genes. A significant maternal over-transmission was observed (61.6%, 1.66:1, p = 0.0004), higher for RSVs inherited from severely obese parents (84%, 5.2:1, p = 0.0005). Patients with maternally inherited RSVs had an increased birthweight compared with patients with non-maternally inherited RSVs. Transmitting mothers manifest lower perceived responsibility for child feeding behavior when compared to non-transmitting mothers of either obese or non-obese children.
Conclusions:
A maternal over-transmission bias of inherited dominant RSVs disrupting genes of the leptin-melanocortin pathway contributes to severe EOO. Thus, synergistic effects of RSVs present in both, transmitting mothers and their children, can explain the more severe phenotype in the children. Prenatal factors during gestation and postnatal deregulation of eating behavior due to maternal carelessness may contribute to this bias. Identification of this risk factor may be useful for early intervention to prevent long term consequences of severe EOO.