bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primer registro de Limnothrix vacuolifera y Limnothrix planktonica (Cyanobacteria) en la Amazonia colombiana y su actividad antimicrobiana
Authors: Andrade Silva Alejandra , Montenegro Ruiz Luis Carlos , Duque Escobar Santiago Roberto , Cano Arango John Edward
Published: November 2023

El presente trabajo colectó, aisló, identificó y caracterizó el potencial antimicrobiano de dos especies filamentosas de cianobacterias de la Amazonia colombiana. Se utilizaron técnicas microbianas de rayado en medio sólido y dilución para obtener las cepas con una sola especie. La identificación se realizó por caracteres morfológicos y secuenciado de la sección conservada Cya de gen 16s. Se identificaron por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) la presencia de genes que secuencian policétidos sintasas (PKS) y péptidos no ribosomales sintetasas (NRPS) asociados a rutas productoras de metabolitos secundarios. Se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana de extractos polares y no polares con una batería Gram positiva, dos Gram negativas y una cepa fúngica. Se identificó la cepa 5 como Limnothrix vacuolifera (Skuja) Komárek y la cepa 9 como Lymnothix planktonica (Wołoszyńska) Meffert. En las dos cepas se encontraron PKS y NRPS. Finalmente, los extractos polares inhibieron el crecimiento de Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli y Klebsiella pneumoniae y una cepa Penicillium sp. Los extractos no polares no mostraron actividad antimicrobiana. Es el primer registro de estas para la Amazonia colombiana y el primer registro de actividad antibiótica de cianobacterias continentales colombianas.
Toxicity Study of Textile Materials from Natural and Synthetic Polymers Using Bioassay Techniques: Sperm Motility Inhibition Test and Daphnia magna Acute Immobility Test
Authors: Pekhtasheva Elena , Mastalygina Elena , Leonova Irina , Palanisamy Sivasubramanian , Palaniappan Murugesan , Karumuri Srikanth , Ayirilmis Nadir
Published: November 2023

Toxic characterization of textiles in relation to human health hazards is a challenging issue. 11 textile materials were tested by two methods for assessing toxicity of textile materials: sperm motility inhibition test (with bull spermatozoa) and Daphnia magna acute immobility test (with Daphnia magna Straus). The paper provides a comparative analysis of the advantages of each method for determining toxicity. It was proved that the toxicity assessment of textiles’ extracts based on the immobilisation of daphnids was characterized by comparable sensitivity and more simplicity of execution than the toxicity test by means of bull semen. It was shown that the presence of dyes and synthetic fibres had a major impact on the textiles’ toxicity. The aqueous extracts from uniformly dyed textiles were characterized by higher level of toxicity compared to the non-dyed ones (a toxicity index by motility inhibition test was 37-62%, an acute immobility parameter by D.magna test – 100% with reference to the control uncontaminated media).
Essential amino acid residues and catalytic mechanism of trans-epoxysuccinate hydrolase for production of meso-tartaric acid
Authors: Liao Hongxiu , Pan Haifeng , Yao Jinfeng , Zhu Ronglin , Bao Wenna
Published: November 2023

Objectives
This study aimed to discuss the essential amino acid residues and catalytic mechanism of trans-epoxycussinate hydrolase from Pseudomonas koreensis for production of meso-tartaric acid.
Results
The optimum conditions of the enzyme were 45°C and pH 9.0, respectively. It was strongly inhibited by Zn2+, Mn2+ and SDS. Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics analysis gave a Km value of 3.50 mM and a kcat of 99.75 s− 1, the EE value was higher than 99.9%. Multiple sequence alignment and homology modeling showed that the enzyme belonged to MhpC superfamily and had a typical α/β hydrolase folding structure. Site-directed mutagenesis indicated H34, D104, R105, R108, D128, Y147, H149, W150, Y211 and H272 were important catalytic residues. 18O-labeling study suggested the enzyme acted via two-step catalytic mechanism.
Conclusions
The structure and catalytic mechanism of trans-epoxycussinate hydrolase were firstly reported. Ten residues were critical for its catalysis and a two-step mechanism by an Asp-His-Asp catalytic triad were proposed.
Current Status and Future Projection of Soil Erosion Based on RUSLE, Landscape Ecology and Deep Learning Technologies: Observations from a Tropical River Basin in Eastern India
Authors: Roy Subha , Das Souvik , Chatterjee Jaya , Jaman Md. Hasanur , Sengupta Somasis
Published: November 2023

Soil erosion has contributed to loss of enormous amounts of top soil worldwide. Since the exact quantification of soil erosion is impossible, numerous researchers across the world have used prediction-based models (such as Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, RUSLE) for assessing the temporal context of soil erosion at the catchment-scale. This paper has tried to integrate the RUSLE-based empirical soil erosion model and landscape ecology for the soils of a tropical river basin in Eastern India. It is observed that more than 60% of the areas in the studied basin are presently witnessing erosion greater than 11.2 tons/ha/year, which is above the tolerable limit as proposed by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). The process was applied for 2011 and 2021 and it was observed that soil erosion was augmented by about 6% during this period. Landscape ecological metrices reveal that the patches of high erosion are getting clustered and coalesced and becoming larger in areal extent, especially in the upper and middle domains of the studied basin. This paper, with the help of the soil erosion status of 2011 and 2021, has tried to predict the future scenario of soil erosion in the next five decades (2021 – 2071) with the help of the Artificial Neural Network, a popular deep learning technology. It is found that if erosion continues at the present rate, the patches may increase in extent by about 50% in the next five decades, which is detrimental. Finally, it is recognized that due to the lower clay content (< 30%) in the upper and middle domains of the basin, the study suggests the use of plot-scale mulching technique as an efficient measure to combat soil erosion in the region.
First Parechovirus reported case in Saudi Arabia in Hospitalized immunocompromised adult patient.
Authors: Alshammari abdullah , Alotaibi Jawaher , Almaghrabi reem , bawazeer Reema , Althawadi Sahar , Tayeb Hamsa
Published: November 2023

Human parechovirus, a member of the Picornaviridae family (PeVs), can lead to severe infections, including severe meningitis, meningoencephalitis, and sepsis-like syndrome. We report a case of human parechovirus-related encephalitis in a 52-year-old woman diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme. She underwent surgical resection in June 2022. Unfortunately, her disease recurred, and she underwent a second resection in August 2022, followed by radiation therapy and Temozolomide therapy. She presented to the hospital with a few days of acute confusion followed by seizures, necessitating intubation for airway support. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was obtained and processed using the Biofire FilmArray, which reported the detection of HSV-1. Despite being on Acyclovir, the patient did not show signs of improvement. Consequently, a CSF sample was obtained and sent for next-generation sequencing (NGS), which returned a positive result for Parechovirus. In this presented case, the patient exhibited symptoms of an unknown infectious cause. The utilization of NGS and metagenomic analysis helped identify Parechovirus as the primary pathogen present, in addition to other concurrent pathogens. This comprehensive approach facilitated a thorough assessment of the underlying infection and guided targeted treatment. In conclusion, the application of NGS techniques and metagenomic analysis proved instrumental in identifying the root cause of the infection.
Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of LTCC promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation through inhibition of calcineurin activity.
Authors: Devilée Lynn , Miller Jessica , Reid Janice , Salama Abou Bakr , OU Qinghui , Jamal Madiha , Nong Yibing , Andres Douglas , Satin Jonathan , Mohamed Tamer , Hudson James , Aboulesia Riham
Published: November 2023

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) lost during ischemic cardiac injury cannot be replaced due to their limited proliferative capacity, which leads to progressive heart failure. Calcium (Ca2+) is an important signal transducer that regulates key cellular processes, but its role in regulating CM proliferation is incompletely understood. A drug screen targeting proteins involved in CM calcium cycling in human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiac organoids (hCOs) revealed that only the inhibition of L-Type Calcium Channel (LTCC), but not other Ca2+ regulatory proteins (SERCA or RYR), induced the CM cell cycle. Furthermore, overexpression of Ras-related associated with Diabetes (RRAD), an endogenous inhibitor of LTCC, induced CM cell cycle activity in vitro, in human cardiac slices, and in vivo. Mechanistically, LTCC inhibition by RRAD induces the cell cycle in CMs by modulating calcineurin activity and translocating Hoxb13 to the CM nucleus. Together, this represents a robust pathway for regenerative strategies.
NCMPy: A modelling software for Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (NCMs) based on Python package
Authors: Kandasamy Ilanthenral , Arumugam Divakar , Rathore Aryan , Arun Ateeth , Jain Manan , B Vasantha . W. , Smarandache Florentin
Published: November 2023

Cognitive Maps are a vital tool that can be used for knowledge representation and reasoning. Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) are popular soft computing techniques used to model large and complex systems, and they can aid in explainable AI. FCMs, however, cannot model the indeterminacy that arises in a system due to various uncertainties. Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (NCMs), upgraded FCMs that could model indeterminacy, was introduced to address this issue. NCMs are a generalization of FCMs, a field of cognitive science firmly based on neural networks. NCMs have been used to solve a wide range of problems. NCMs were introduced in 2002, and even after 20 years, NCMs do not have any supportive software or package, toolbox, or visualization software like FCMs. The main reason for the absence of dedicated software is due to the indeterminacy concept ‘ I ’ and how it has to be handled. This paper presents the dedicated Python package created for handling the functioning of NCMs. The modelling software presented 1 in this paper aids in visualizing the NCMs as a signed digraph with indeter-minacy that is directed signed neutrosophic graph. This package implements a sample case study using NCMs.
Fluorescent Reporters Give New Insights Into Antibiotics-induced Mistranslation
Authors: Hinnu Mariliis , Putrinš Marta , Kogermann Karin , Kaldalu Niilo , Tenson Tanel
Published: November 2023

We developed a reporter system based on simultaneous expression of two fluorescent proteins: GFP as a reporter of the capacity of protein synthesis and mutated mScarlet-I as a reporter of translational errors. Because of the unique stop codons or frameshift mutations introduced into the mScarlet-I gene, red fluorescence was produced only after a mistranslation event. These reporters allowed us to estimate mistranslation at a single cell level using either flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy. We found that laboratory strains of Escherichia coli are more prone to mistranslation compared to the clinical isolates. As relevant for uropathogenic E. coli, growth in human urine elevated translational frameshifting compared to standard laboratory media, whereas different standard media had a small effect on translational fidelity.
Antibiotic-induced mistranslation was studied by using amikacin (aminoglycoside family) and azithromycin (macrolide family). Bactericidal amikacin induced preferably stop-codon readthrough at a moderate level. Bacteriostatic azithromycin on the other hand induced both frameshifting and stop-codon readthrough at much higher level. Single cell analysis revealed that fluorescent reporter-protein signal can be lost due to leakage from a fraction of bacteria in the presence of antibiotics, demonstrating the complexity of the antimicrobial activity.
When is surgical intervention needed in oral and maxillofacial space infection patients? A retrospective case control study in 46 patients
Authors: Liu Yimin , Zhu Hanyi , Qin Yingyi , He Zhiyuan , Zheng Lingyan , Shi Huan
Published: November 2023

Objective:
Patients with mild oral and maxillofacial space infection (OMSI) usually need only antimicrobial therapy. However, surgical intervention is eventually needed after using antibiotics for a period. The objective of this study was to explore the risk factors for drug therapy failure in OMSI.
Subjects and methods:
A retrospective case‒control study was designed. From August 2020 to September 2022, patients at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Ninth People's Hospital who were diagnosed with OMSI were retrospectively reviewed. The outcome variable was surgical intervention after the use of antibiotics. We collected common biological factors, including demographic characteristics, routine blood test results, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and composite indicators, such as neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The χ2 test and binary logistic regression were used to examine the association between biological factors and the outcome variable.
Results:
Forty-six patients were included in this study. Further surgical intervention was needed in 20 patients (43.5%). The NLR showed a significant association with further surgical drainage (p=0.01). A binary logistic regression equation was found by using stepwise regression based on the Akaike information criterion (R2=0.443), which was associated with sex (odds ratio [OR], 0.216; p=0.092), NLR (OR, 1.258; p=0.045), red blood cell (RBC) count (OR, 4.372; p=0.103) and monocyte (MONO) count (OR, 9.528, p=0.023). Receiver operating characteristic analysis produced an area under the curve for NLR of 0.725 (p=0.01) and for the binary logistic regression model of 0.8365 (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
Surgical interventions are needed in some mild OMSI patients when antimicrobial therapy fails to stop the formation of abscesses. The binary logistic regression model shows that NLR can be used as an ideal prognostic factor to predict the outcome of antimicrobial therapy and the possibility of requiring surgical intervention.
Statement of clinical relevance:
Using simple, inexpensive, and easily achieved biological parameters (such as routine blood test results) and composite indicators calculated by them (such as NLR) to predict whether surgical intervention is needed in the future provides a reference for clinical doctors and enables more cost-effective and efficient diagnosis and treatment.
Primary Thyroid Lymphoma: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Survival and Determinant Factors
Authors: Koseoglu Fatos Dilan , GUNES Ajda , KAYA Sureyya YIGIT , SEVINDIK Omur Gokmen , CETINTEPE Tugba , BULBUL Hale , MENGUC Meral ULUKOYLU , YILMAZ Asu Fergun , KUCUKYURT Selin , GUNES Ahmet Kursad , YILMAZ Seda , KUREKCI Derya Deniz , ILTAR Utku , ULUSOY Yusuf , UYSAL Ayse , TOMBAK Anil , AYKAS Fatma , KARAKUS Volkan , SAYDAM Guray
Published: November 2023

Purpose
This study aims to analyze survival rates and determinant factors in patients diagnosed with primary thyroid lymphoma, a rare subtype of thyroid cancer.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 57 primary thyroid lymphoma cases from fourteen tertiary care hospitals over a span of 22 years. Patient demographics, clinical presentations, treatment regimens, and outcomes were reviewed. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models.
Results
The majority of patients were middle-aged and older women, with a mean age of 60. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was the predominant histological subtype. The median overall survival was 163 months, with a 5-year survival rate of 69.2%. Treatment primarily involved R-CHOP chemotherapy, with 81.1% achieving a complete response. Tracheal compression and age were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival.
Conclusion
Primary thyroid lymphoma predominantly affects older women and is commonly diagnosed as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The data suggest that age and tracheal compression significantly influence patient survival, emphasizing the importance of these factors in the management and prognosis of primary thyroid lymphoma.
Polymicrobial infective endocarditis in the setting of intravenous drug use
Authors: Drago Thomas , Bakhit Mohamed , Long Michael , DO Mrinalini Ramesh , MD/ John K Crane
Published: November 2023

Background: The pathogenesis of infective endocarditis (IE) involves the interaction of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi with the endothelial lining of heart valves. Patients with IE typically have a pre-existing valvular defect that allows highly virulent organisms to attach to valve leaflets. In patients with a history of intravenous drug use (IVDU), a leaflet of the tricuspid valve is typically involved in the setting of bacteremia or fungemia as the right heart is the site of venous return. Recent data shows that 80-90% of IE cases are caused by microorganisms such as staphylococci or streptococci, but the isolation of more than one microorganism is only seen in around 1-6.8% of cases.
Case presentation: This is a 31-year-old Caucasian male with a past medical history of tobacco use, IVDU, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and chronic left lower extremity wound presenting to the emergency department (ED) with shortness of breath. Upon further investigation, patient was found to have polymicrobial IE growing both methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) as well as group A streptococcus (GAS) pyogenes. He was diagnosed on transthoracic echo with pulmonary emboli seen on CT imaging. Patient received IV cefazolin where he was monitored on the medical floors for several weeks.
Conclusions: This case report is meant to highlight the importance of assessing for polymicrobial IE in patients at risk. Given the possible uncommon pathology behind a patient’s symptoms with different microorganisms, it is imperative to identify causative organisms early to administer proper therapeutic treatment. Using clinical judgment to repeat investigations when warranted in order to properly diagnose patients is important when clinical suspicion for disease is high. Understanding the variations of severity/treatment between monomicrobial versus polymicrobial IE can drastically change prognosis. Finally, acknowledging the difficulty of lengthy in-patient hospital therapies in patients unable/unwilling to stay is important in this patient population.
Real World Study of Cumulative Absolute Reduction in Axial Elongation (CARE) afterPhotobiomodulation Therapy
Authors: Zhou Lei , David Coveney , Li Ying , Tong Liyang , Qiu Kaikai
Published: November 2023

Purpose: To assess the age and timeline distribution of ocular axial length shortening among myopic children treated with photobiomodulation therapy.
Methods: Retrospective study of photobiomodulation therapy in Chinese children aged 4 to 13 years old where axial length measurements were recorded and assessed to determine effectiveness at each age level across two age groups. Data was collected from myopic children who received photobiomodulation therapy using the same device for 6~12 months. Effective myopia control was defined as any follow-up axial length < baseline axial length, confirming a reduction in axial length.
Results: 342 myopic children were included with mean age 8.64±2.20 years and baseline mean axial length of 24.41±1.17 mm. There were 85.40%, 46.30%, 71.20% and 58.30% children with axial length shortening recorded on follow-up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, respectively. With respect to the axial length shortened eyes, the mean axial length difference (standard deviation) was -0.039 (0.11) mm, -0.032 (0.11) mm, -0.037 (0.12) mm, -0.028 (0.57) mm at 1, 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up, respectively. Greater AL shortening was observed among older children who had longer baseline axial lengths (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Overall myopia control effectiveness using photobiomodulation therapy was shown to be age and time related, with the maximum absolute reduction in axial elongation being cumulative.
Trial Registration Number (TRN): ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05957458. Date of registration: 2023-07-24
Geriatric Consultation of Frail Patients in Internal Medicine Service and its association with hospital mortality, hospital stay and Intensive Care Unit admission. An observational study.
Authors: Contreras Maria Fernanda , Torres Oscar , Cortes Raul , Reyes Luisa
Published: November 2023

Objective: The main objective is to describe the association between monodisciplinary management led by the attending physician without geriatric intervention and the involvement of geriatrics as consultants for frail patients over 65 years old admitted to the internal medicine service. This assessment is based on patient outcomes, inpatient length of stay, percentage of admissions to intensive care unit, and in-hospital mortality.
Methods and Analysis: A prospective observational study was conducted in which all fragile patients over 65 years old admitted to internal medicine ward from March to November 2022 in two hospitals in northern Mexico were included. The outcomes were compared between the group of patients who received routine monodisciplinary management by their attending physician during hospitalization without the participation of a geriatrician, and those who had collaborative management with geriatrics as consultant. No interventions or suggestions were made to any of the groups assessed. Frailty stratification was performed on patients with the FRAIL scale.
Results: A total of 111 patients were included with a mean age of 80.6 ± 7.9 years. Out of the total patients, 60 (54.1%) received management from their treating physician along with a geriatrician as a consultant, and the remaining 51 only received monodisciplinary management from their treating physician. There was an association between monodisciplinary management and longer in-hospital stay, compared to the patients who received medical management along with Geriatrics (13.4 vs 5.8 days, P=<0.0001). 29% had a prolonged in-hospital stay, defined as longer than 9 days, and 84.8% of them had monodisciplinary management without Geriatrics consultation (84.8% vs 15.2%, P=<0.005). Of the patients under study, 17.1% died during hospitalization. The mortality in patients consulted by geriatrics was lower, however this association was not statistically significant (47.4% vs 52.6%, P=0.521).
Conclusion: The support of the geriatric physician in the in-hospital medical management of the frail elderly patient is significantly associated with a reduction in the length of in-hospital stay and rate of critical care unit admissions. It was not significantly associated with lower mortality; however this could be explained by the inherent nature of frailty as an unfavorable prognostic factor.
Contributions of ADAM12 via HB-EGF/EGFR signaling cascades to EMT and cancer progression in pancreas
Authors: Zhang Qiubo , Xu Feng , Gao Zetian , Dong Xianwen , Ma Yanyan , Li Hong , Huang Kaihong
Published: November 2023

Background
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most malignant tumors with a 5-year survival rate of less than 7% in China. High amount of stroma and activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PC induce drug resistance and poor prognosis.
Aims
The objective of the present study was to prove impaction of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12 (ADAM12) via Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF)/EGFR signalling pathway on EMT and cancer development in PC.
Methods
62 pancreatic specimens were collected from two hospitals by surgical resection, of which 43 were tumor specimens. All samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry.
Results
Consistent with GEPIA database, the expression of ADAM12, as well as HB-EGF, was significantly upregulated in 43 PC tissues compared with other 19 benign pancreatic mass. We also found that high expressions of ADAM12 and HB-EGF were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, advanced TNM stage and poor survival. Besides, high expression of ADAM12 was correlated with the upregulation of EGFR and EMT markers.
Conclusion
Together our data demonstrate that ADAM12 is associated with PC progression and may contribute to shedding of HB-EGF, inducing EMT through EGFR pathway. These suggest that inhibition of ADAM12/HB-EGF/EGFR signal pathway may be capable to be a therapeutic method, which requires further in vivo and vitro studies to explore the mechanism.
Cutaneous Chromoblastomycosis
Authors: Abza Fantahun , Babeta Fantahun Abza
Published: November 2023

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic fungal infection that is caused by pigmented fungi which are commonly seen in the tropical and subtropical climates. This infection is thought to be secondary to trauma or autoinoculation. An etiological agent is a small group of dematiaceous (pigmented) fungi. At least five species of fungi have been recognized to cause chromoblastomycosis: Cladosporium carrionii, Fonsecaea compacta, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Phialophora verrucosa, and Rhinocladiella aquaspersa. Here, A case of A 38-year-old man, who is a farmer from Ethiopia, presented with slowly spreading lesions which started from the right hand and spread diffusely to involve all the right arm, around 6 yrs duration.. Histopathology of the lesions confirmed cutaneous chromoblastomycosis.
Architecture of biohybrid organosilicon materials using various structure-controlling agents
Authors: Lantsova Elizaveta A. , Rybochkin Pavel V. , Saverina Evgeniya , Kamanina Olga A.
Published: November 2023

The article describes the immobilization of yeast cells Ogataea polymorpha VKM Y-2559 into organosilicon matrices based on tetraethoxysilane and dimethyldiethoxysilane using polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan as structure-controlling agents. The influence of the structure-control agent on the time of formation of the sol-gel capsule around the cells and on the morphology of the hybrid material was determined. The formation of organosilicon material was confirmed using IR spectroscopy. Using the method of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, it was proven for the first time that the structure-controlling agent is not incorporated into the structure of the organosilicon shell.
Long non-coding RNA HCP5 affects ferroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells through miR-17-5p/HOXA7 axis
Authors: Pan Qingyun , Tang Zige , Zheng Jiayu , Yan Lingxin , Liang Yuxian , Chen Quanfan
Published: November 2023

Background
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer. Ferroptosis is considered as a new target for the treatment of LUAD. Therefore, based on the previous bioinformatics mining of the ceRNA (competitive endogenous RNA) network human leukocyte antigen complex P5 (HCP5)/miR-17-5p/ Homeobox A7 (HOXA7) related to ferroptosis in LUAD, in this study, we verified the relationship between HCP5/miR-17-5p/HOXA7 axis and ferroptosis by cell experiments.
Methods
The dual luciferase report evaluated the interaction of HCP5 with miR-17-5p and miR-17-5p with HOXA7. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and transwell assay were used to detect the survival rate and invasion and migration of A549 cells, respectively. The ferroptosis-associated ACSL4 and SLC7A11, migration - and invasion-associated MMP9, vimentin, and E-cadherin proteins and mRNA were evaluated by Western blotting (WB) as well as real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Fe2+ and MDA were analyzed with kits.
Results
Overexpression of HCP5 promotes growth, proliferation, invasion and migration of A549 cells by increasing HOXA7 expression through regulation of miR-17-5P. In addition, knockdown of HCP5 elevated miR-17-5p and thus inhibited HOXA7 expression to suppress ferroptosis as well as epithelial mesenchymal transition in A549 cells.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that HCP5/miR-17-5p/HOXA7 can affect ferroptosis as well as biological behavior of A549 cells. Therefore, they can be considered as prognostic biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets for predicting the prognosis of LUAD.
Health-related Quality of Life and Its Associated Factors among Gynecologic Cancer Patients in Oncology Centers in Northwest Ethiopia 2023: Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Ayalew Mahider , Mamo Fantu , Derseh Lemma
Published: November 2023

Background
Gynecological cancer is a catch-all term for any cancer of the female reproductive system, which are the most frequently type of cancers diagnosed in the female population. It is becoming a serious health issue that affects patients' health-related quality of life. In Ethiopia, factors affecting the quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients is not well explored. Thus, this study aimed to assess health related quality of life (HRQoL) and its associated factors among gynecologic cancer patients attending in oncology centers in Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional study with a total sample size of 608 gynecologic cancer patients were employed. Data were collected by interview administered questionnaire, coded and entered into Epi Data version 4.6, and then exported to STATA version 17 for further analysis. Texts, Figures, and Tables were used to present descriptive result. Structural equation model analysis was employed to verify the relation among, exogenous and endogenous variables.
Result
The mean score of overall HRQoL was 41.62(± 7.22).The social functioning domain was the most affected domain with mean score of 22.01(±8.6) and cognitive functioning domain were the least affected domain with mean score of 77.85(±22.37). Marital status (single) had a direct (β= -0.5323, 95%CI (-0.990,-0.0740)) and indirect negative effect (β= -0.2317, 95%CI (-0.4438,-0.0195)) giving a negative total effect (β= -0.795, 95%CI (-1.192,-0.3981)) on global health domain of HRQoL Patients with old age had a better physical function(β = 0.028 (0.0216,0.0344)) and cognitive function (β = 0.0210, 95%CI(0.015, 0.026)) but worsening of the symptomatic domain (β=(0.0054, 95%CI(0.0029, 0.0078)).
Conclusion and Recommendation:
Patients with gynecologic cancer had poor quality of life in all domains of EORTC-QLQ30 and overall health-related quality of life except the cognitive domain. Socio-demographic factors, namely age, marital status, educational status, occupation status), disease and treatment related factors (stage of cancer, type of cancer and type of treatment received) were significantly associated factors with HRQoL of gynecologic cancer patients.
CG-rich trinucleotide two-repeats may be the long-sought recombination hotspot loci shared across primates and mouse
Authors: Ohadi Mina , Tajeddin Nahid , Bayat Hadi , Arabfard Masoud , Salesi Mahmood , Moghadam Masoumeh Goleijani , Maddi Ali , Khamse Safoura , Alizadeh Samira , Ohadi Hamid , Delbari Ahmad , Khorshid Hamid R Khorram
Published: November 2023

CG-rich trinucleotide short tandem repeats (STRs) are linked with human cognition and various neurodevelopmental, neurological, and movement disorders. However, the fundamental two-repeat units of these STRs remain unexplored. On a genome-wide scale, here we mapped the two-repeat units of all combinations of CG-rich trinucleotides in human. We found 81,118 colonies (distance between each unit <500 bp). Subsequently, we performed a comparative genomics study of several large and medium-sized colonies of significant occurrence based on Poisson distribution, in other primates and mouse. We discovered that some of those colonies were shared, with extensive dynamicity, as phylogenetically distant as in mouse. We detected pure units and units that were overlaps of those pure units across the colonies, indicative of unequal crossing over and recombination at those units. We provide example models of some of the potential evolutionary implications of the colonies, such as mechanisms for the emergence and propagation of non-coding RNAs, as well as a defense system against transposable elements, through recombination-coupled inactivating mutations and methylation. In conclusion, we report extensively dynamic trans-species colonies of CG-rich trinucleotide two-repeat units, and indication of crossing over and recombination at those units. Whereas the bulk of literature supports the hypothesis that recombination hotspots rarely (if at all) occur at the same locus between human and chimpanzee, here we propose that sharing such loci may extend beyond primates, and include mouse. Based on the ubiquity, abundance, significant occurrence, and envisioned events and mechanisms associated with the identified colonies, we predict the identified colonies of phenomenal biological and evolutionary consequences.
Bibliometric analysis of global research trends and hotspots on imaging of bladder cancer
Authors: Gong Zijian , Liu Zhixuan , Zhu Jianghua , Zhao Zhen , Qiu Jia , Ying Hongxin , Peng Yun , Ye Yinquan , Gong Lianggen
Published: November 2023

Purpose
To conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of relevant literature on the imaging of BCa and elucidate global research hotspots and further trends in this field.
Methods
All relevant literature on the imaging of BCa published between January 1, 2000 and July 25, 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer, Bibliometrix and Citespace were utilized for bibliometric analysis of publications, countries, authors, institutions, journals, references, and keywords. Microsoft Excel was used to draw relevant charts according to the number of publications.
Result
A total of 4033 articles were retrieved. The research in this field has been increasing consistently since 2000. The USA was the most productive country and most productive institutions were from the USA. Shariat SF was the most productive author with 34 articles and the author with the highest co-citations was Herr HW (418). A study by Siegel RL, published in Ca-Cancer J Clin in 2019, had the highest number of co-citations. Further analysis of the keyword analysis and timeline view revealed that “deep learning”, “MRI”, “VI-RADS”, “muscle-invasive bladder cancer”, “immu-notherapy”, and “lymphatic metastasis” were the most recent hotspots.
Conclusion
The USA occupies a critical position in this field. The research on imaging of BCa can be classified into two periods: the tumor detection period before 2011 and comprehensive evaluation before treatment decision from 2011 to date. It is anticipated that MRI and deep learning will be the re-search hotspots in this field in the future.
DNA Barcoding of Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Associated with Selected Vegetable crops of South India
Authors: Haridas Namitha Thalekkara , Salim Abida Puthenpeedikal , Chinnasamy Shankar , Bhaskar Haseena , Balakrishnan Soni Kallamparambi , Alex Swapna , Radha Beena , Perumal Yasodha
Published: November 2023

Thrips is a very small insect pest that causes severe economic damage to important crops all over the world. Owing to their morphological complexities, they are often difficult to identify. A molecular tool was developed for easy identification of different species of the same organism using DNA barcoding by utilizing the sequence variation in the mitochondrial COI gene region. We studied barcode sequence variation among five thrips species, T.palmi, T.florum, T.hawaiiensis, Ayyariachaetophora, and Scirtothrips dorsalis in Kerala state, India. Neighbor-Joining analysis revealed the highest similarity sequences between Thripsflorum and Thripshawaiiensis. Data regarding specimens was deposited into the BOLD database. Unique IDs and barcodes were generated. The percentage of genetic distance computed within T. florum was upto 0.005%. The distance between T. florum and T. hawaiiensis was 0.003–0.005%. The distance between A. chaetophora and T. palmi was 0.259 to 0.267%. Phylogeny analysis has distinctly laid out the fact that the two species T. hawaiienesis and T. florum are closely related species. These unique barcodes designed for each thrips species could be used as a tool for their identification.
Factors influencing peripheral intravenous catheter practice of nurses in small and medium sized hospitals
Authors: Kim Jung Hee , Hwang Inju , Kim Eun Man
Published: November 2023

Background
Small and medium-sized hospitals, which account for 60% of the nursing workforce across all healthcare institutions, play a crucial role in enhancing peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) practices. This study aimed to identify the extent to which the PIVC practice knowledge of nurses, the nursing working environment, and the patient safety-culture perception affect PIVC practices and thereby provide basic data for improving the PIVC practices in small and medium-sized hospitals.
Methods
This study had a descriptive research design to identify the factors affecting PIVC nursing practices in small and medium-sized hospitals. Questionnaires returned by 149 nurses collected data on general characteristics, practical knowledge of PIVC nursing, nursing working environment, patient safety-culture perception, and PIVC practices. The questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé’s test, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression.
Results
The mean score for PIVC practices was 4.60. The level of PIVC practices was significantly correlated with the practical knowledge of PIVC nursing and the patient safety-culture perception. Length of clinical experience, practical knowledge of PIVC nursing and patient safety-culture perception were significant factors affecting the PIVC practices, with these variables explaining 26.2% of the variance therein.
Conclusions
The PIVC practices of nurses in small and medium-sized hospitals can be improved by providing education and training based on the latest scientific evidence to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills, and to establish and spread a continuous institutional safety-culture perception and thereby strengthen patient safety-culture perception .
Uniqueness evaluation indicators for woody plant communities in urban park green spaces based on importance value: a case study in Qingdao city
Authors: Ning Qu , Shilei Zhang , Wang Zhikang , Li Chunlin , Liangzhen Zhang , Sun Lintng , Zhiquan Cao , Qing Qin , Fan Peixian
Published: November 2023

There is a lack of objective evaluation indicators and methods for comparing the uniqueness of plant communities in different urban parks. In this study, we propose two uniqueness evaluation indicators for woody plant communities in urban parks based on the ecological importance value (IV): the mean non-overlapping IV (MNIV) and the local contribution to beta diversity based on IV (LCBD1). Subsequently, we investigated and evaluated the diversity and uniqueness of woody plant communities in eight hill parks (numbered Parks 1‒8) in Qingdao. A total of 101 woody plant species were found, with an average of 23.88 ± 5.96 species found in each hill park. The Shannon‒Wiener index and Pielou index of woody plants in Qingdao hill parks were in the range of 2.54‒3.40 and 0.94‒0.98, respectively. The results of MNIV, LCBD1, principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis all indicate that Park 4 and Park 8 are the two most unique woody plant communities among the eight Qingdao hilltop parks. There was a very significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation between MNIV and LCBD1. MNIV and LCBD1were significantly (P < 0.05) negatively correlated with the IV of Pinaceae plants and significantly (P < 0.05) positively correlated with the IV of Anacardiaceae, Cannabiaceae, and Ginkgoaceae plants. In conclusion, this study offers indicators and methods for assessing the uniqueness of woody plant communities in urban parks and other green spaces. This is a valuable contribution to the research and evaluation of park green spaces.
Accelerating targeted mosquito control efforts through mobile West Nile virus detection
Authors: Varga Zsaklin , Bueno-Marí Rubén , Iranzo José Risueño , Kurucz Kornélia , Tóth Gábor Endre , Zana Brigitta , Zeghbib Safia , Görföl Tamás , Jakab Ferenc , Kemenesi Gábor
Published: November 2023

Background
Different mosquito control strategies have been implemented to mitigate or prevent mosquito-related public health situations. Modern mosquito control largely relies on multiple approaches, including targeted, specific treatments. Given all this, it is becoming increasingly important to supplement these activities with rapid and mobile diagnostic capacities for mosquito-borne diseases. We aimed to create and test the applicability of a rapid diagnostic system for West Nile virus that can be used under field conditions.
Methods
In this pilot study various types of adult mosquito traps were applied within the regular mosquito monitoring activity framework for mosquito control. Then the captured specimens were used for the detection of West Nile virus RNA under field conditions with a portable qRT-PCR approach within 3–4 hours. Then positive samples were subjected to NGS sequencing in the laboratory to obtain genome information of the virus. We implemented phylogenetic analysis to characterize circulating strains.
Results
54 mosquito pools were processed and tested for the presence of West Nile virus, of which 2 pools were positive, containing specimens of Culex pipiens and Anopheles atroparvus mosquito species. As a result of subsequent sequencing, we present the complete genome of West Nile virus.
Conclusion
The rapid identification of infected mosquitoes is the most important component of quick response adulticide or larvicide treatments to prevent human cases. The conceptual framework of real-time surveillance can be optimized for other pathogens and situations not only in relation to West Nile virus. We present an early warning system for mosquito-borne diseases and demonstrate its application to aid rapid-response mosquito control actions.
Survival analysis of patients with brain metastases at initial breast cancer diagnosis over the last decade
Authors: Avila Jorge , Leone Julieta , Vallejo Carlos T. , Lin Nancy U. , Leone José P.
Published: November 2023

Purpose: There have been significant advances in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (BC) over the past years, and long-term outcomes after a diagnosis of brain metastases (BM) are lacking. We aimed to identify predictors of brain metastases at initial breast cancer diagnosis, describe overall survival (OS) in the past decade, and identify factors associated with OS after BM diagnosis.
Methods: We evaluated patients with de novo stage IV BC using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database from 2010-2019. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess predictors of brain metastases at initial breast cancer diagnosis. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test was used to compare differences between groups. Cox regression was used to assess the associations of several variables with OS.
Results: 1,939 patients with brain metastases at initial breast cancer diagnosis were included. Factors associated with this presentation were grade III/IV tumors, ductal histology, hormone receptor (HR)-negative/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive subtype, and extracranial metastases. Patients with HR-positive/HER2-positive disease had the longest OS (median 18 months) and 12.2% were alive at 8 years. Factors associated with shorter OS included older age, lower income, triple-negative subtype, higher grade, and visceral metastases.
Conclusion: Over the last decade, the median OS of brain metastases at initial breast cancer diagnosis remained poor; however, a substantial minority survive 5 or more years, with rates higher in patients with HER2-positive tumors. In addition to tumor subtype, OS varied according to age, extracranial metastases, and sociodemographic factors.
Efficient Ransomware Detection via Portable Executable File Image Analysis By LLaMA-7b
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhu Tingting , Zhang Wenbo
Published: November 2023

This research focuses on developing a novel ransomware detection methodology leveraging the capabilities of the open source large language model LLaMA-7b and image analysis of Portable Executable (PE) files. By transforming PE files into grayscale bitmap images and analyzing these using the LLaMA-7b model, the study introduces an innovative approach in cybersecurity. The model demonstrates high accuracy in distinguishing ransomware from benignware, with a significant true positive rate and minimal false positives and negatives. This method overcomes the limitations of traditional static and dynamic analysis, proving effective against modern ransomware variants. The findings suggest that integrating advanced technologies like LLMs in cybersecurity offers a promising direction for enhancing ransomware detection and prevention.
The Equity Impact of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) in the UK
Authors: Saksena Rhea , Dahiya Aditya
Published: November 2023

Background
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), announced in the UK in 2016, aimed to reduce SSB consumption. A criticism is its economic regressivity as those with lower incomes pay a greater proportion compared to higher incomes. We use the Extended Cost-Effectiveness Analysis methodology to analyze the equity impact of the SDIL.
Methods
We computed overall change in SSB consumption from the SDIL by income group and levy charges as a proportion of SSB expenditure per group. We considered averted cases of obesity and diabetes prevalence across income groups. We analysed averted direct and indirect costs due to reduction in health costs across income groups.
Results
After introduction of the SDIL, additional SSB costs were £42,334,968 for the lowest income tertile, £26,238,564 for the middle tertile and £35,474,062 for the highest tertile. 87,500 overweight cases and 59,900 obesity cases were averted in the highest income tertile; 82,300 overweight cases and 47,700 obesity cases in middle tertile; and 145,300 overweight cases and 97,300 obesity cases in lowest tertile. Direct diabetes cost savings due to cases averted annually is £18.52 million with greatest savings of £8.18 million in the lowest income tertile, £6.29 million in the middle tertile and £4.1 million in the highest tertile. The indirect savings saved include the savings of reduced absenteeism is £24.16 million overall, with greatest savings in the lowest income tertile of £10.66 million, £8.2 million in the middle tertile and £5.3 million in the highest tertile. Pension savings were calculated to be £23.5 million, £18.1 million, and £11.7 million across income tertiles lowest to highest respectively. Savings due to reduced expenditure on social welfare were £8.4 million saved overall, with £3.75 million saved in the lowest income tertile, £2.88 million in the middle tertile and £1.86 million in the highest income tertile.
Conclusion
We found that the distributional impact of these factors across income tertiles demonstrates that the SDIL is not regressive as is assumed with many SSB taxes. The net savings are greatest in those of the lowest income tertile, and the net costs are greatest in those of highest income tertile.