bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quorum-sensing synthase mutations re-calibrate autoinducer concentrations in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to enhance pathogenesis
Authors: Paczkowski Jon , Simanek Kayla , Schumacher Megan , Mallery Caleb , Shen Stella , Li Lingyun
Published: June 2023

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that controls virulence gene expression. Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulates virulence via two synthase/transcription factor receptor pairs: LasI/R and RhlI/R. LasR is considered the master transcriptional regulator of quorum sensing, as it upregulates rhlI/R. However, clinical isolates often have frequent inactivating mutations in lasR, while maintaining Rhl-dependent signaling. We sought to understand how quorum sensing progresses in isolates with lasR mutations, specifically via activation of RhlR. We found that clinical isolates with lasR inactivating mutations often harbored concurrent mutations in rhlI. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, we discovered that strains lacking lasR overproduced the RhlI-synthesized autoinducer and that RhlI variants re-calibrated autoinducer concentrations to wild-type levels, restoring virulent phenotypes. These findings provide the molecular basis for the plasticity of quorum sensing in an infection niche.
A Countertraction Closed Reduction Technique in Minimally Invasive Fixation of Recent Type C Pelvic Ring Injuries
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhao Jinmin , Cheng Jianwen , Huang Linke , Shi Xiaorong , Ning Chao , Jiang Jie , Hu Feng
Published: June 2023

Purpose: This study demonstrated a novel traction technique for closed reduction called countertraction closed reduction technique (CCRT) and evaluated its effectiveness.
Methods: The data of Patients with unstable pelvic fractures treated with CCRT and minimally invasive fixation for unstable pelvic fracture, admitted to the second affiliated hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2017 to February 2022, were analyzed retrospectively. The CCRT was performed in patients with a fresh Tile C pelvic fracture. A sacroiliac screw was then placed to fix the posterior pelvic ring, and internal or external fixation was used to fix the anterior pelvic ring. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and duration of hospital stay were recorded, and fracture union and postoperative complications were evaluated. Fracture reduction quality was evaluated using the Matta score. Functional recovery and general quality of life were evaluated using the Majeed score.
Results: Thirteen patients (nine males and four females), with an average age of 49.6 years were followed up for a mean of 18.5 months. The average operation time was 137.2 minutes (range 92–195 minutes), the average intraoperative blood loss was 31.2 ml (range 10–120 ml) and the average duration of hospital stay was 14.3 days (range 4-32 days). All patients achieved bony union with an average union time of 11.9 weeks (range 10-16 weeks). According to the Matta radiographic criteria, the quality of fracture reduction was excellent in eight patients, good in four, and fair in one. The average Majeed functional score was 89.7 (range 78-100). The functional evaluation revealed that the outcomes were excellent in nine patients, and good in four patients. Complications included incision fat liquefaction in one patient, and heterotopic ossification in another patient. There were no surgical complications as a result of CCRT.
Conclusion: CCRT is an alternative closed reduction method for minimally invasive fixation of fresh Tile C1 and C2 pelvic fractures. Its advantages include a small surgical incision, decreased intraoperative bleeding, satisfactory fracture reduction, bone healing and functional recovery.
DRD4 Gene polymorphism and impulse control disorder induced by dopamine agonists in Parkinson's disease.
Authors: Valldeoriola Francesc , Ballesteros Viviana Torres , Peréz-Montesino Jesica , Fernández-Santiago Ruben , Fernandez Manel , Cámara Ana , Compta Yaroslau , Marti M. Josep , Beltran Àlex Guerra , Rios José , Ezquerra Mario
Published: June 2023

Impulse control disorders and their consequences display variability among individuals, indicating potential involvement of environmental and genetic factors. We analyzed a cohort of Parkinson's disease patients treated with dopamine agonists and investigated the influence of the dopamine D4 receptor gene polymorphism, DRD4 7R+, which is linked to psychiatric disorders, impulsive traits, and addictive behaviors. We found that DRD4 7R + is a significant genetic risk factor associated with the severity of ICD.
Postmolar choriocarcinoma with solitary renal metastasis in the absence of primary uterine tumor: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Geravandi Mahsa , Hajihashemi Ali , Adibi Atoosa , Tirtashi Reza Habibi
Published: June 2023

Background: Choriocarcinoma is a rare high malignant type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) that occurs after pregnancies, abortions, or hydatiform moles and seldom metastasizes to the kidneys. Postmolar choriocarcinoma with renal metastasis is also scarce and was not frequently described. Here, we depicted the first case of postmolar choriocarcinoma with solitary kidney metastasis presenting with spontaneous renal hemorrhage (SRH) in the absence of a primary uterine tumor.
Case presentation: A 41-year-old female patient with a history of complete molar pregnancy was evaluated due to severe flank pain, nausea/vomiting, gross hematuria, and vaginal bleeding in the last three weeks. The evaluations demonstrated bilateral pleural effusion without any lesion within the lungs, an empty uterine cavity, and a left kidney lower pole lesion with active bleeding surrounded by hematoma, alongside a serum β-hCG level of 60,000 mIU/mL. According to these findings, laparotomy exploration was planned and ended with a partial nephrectomy, para ovarian cystectomy. In addition, endometrial curettage was performed. The histopathology results revealed choriocarcinoma renal metastasis with high expression of β-hCG, cytokeratin, cytokeratin7, and KI67. In addition, a corpus luteum cyst was found within the left ovarian cyst, and endometrial curettage showed a progestin agent effect without malignant cells. Moreover, the brain, liver, and adrenal glands were not involved with metastases, and the pleural effusion fluid was free of malignant cells. Finally, the patient was referred to the oncology department to receive chemotherapy, and the β-hCG level dropped to 5 mIU/mL after receiving courses of a standard EMA-CO regimen (etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine/oncovin) over three weeks.
Conclusions: Postmolar metastatic choriocarcinoma might present only urologic symptoms, such as hematuria and SRH, due to metastatic renal involvement. Indeed, considering choriocarcinoma and evaluating the serum β-hCG level among childbearing-aged females with unexplained urological symptoms could be advantageous, particularly when a previous molar pregnancy exists.
Use of platelet count on admission for determining illness severity and predicting prognosis in acute cholangitis patients
Authors: Chen Xiaoying , Hou Xueping , Zhang Dan , Liu Jinglun , Tian Shijing
Published: June 2023

Background
Thrombocytopenia often occurs in patients with acute cholangitis and is a risk factor for poor prognosis in acute cholangitis. The study was to investigate the relationship between platelet count and illness severity and their performances in predicting hospital mortality.
Methods
This was a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study. We analyzed 498 patients with acute cholangitis who were admitted to our hospital between July 2013 and July 2021. The correlation between admission platelet count and severity and prognosis of patients was analyzed.
Results
1) In this study, the incidence of acute cholangitis thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100×109/L) and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 50×109/L) were 31.12% and 7.43%, respectively. 2) Platelet count of the Thrombocytopenia group was 64(42, 79) × 109/L. Compared with the NO-Thrombocytopenia group, the Thrombocytopenia group had more Grade III patients, higher complication rates (respiratory failure, circulatory failure, bacteremia), and higher APACHE II score and SOFA score (P < 0.05). 3) The 60-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the Thrombocytopenia group than that in the NO-Thrombocytopenia group (12.90% vs. 2.33%, P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that platelet count at hospital admission was a risk factor for death. 4) ROC curve analysis showed that platelet count cut-off value for predicting the death of patients with acute cholangitis was 84×109/L, with sensitivity of 0.764, specificity of 0.714, and an AUC of 0.760.
Conclusions
Platelet count is a readily available, prognostic marker that can identify acute cholangitis patients with poorer outcome.
Clinical and Immunological Outcomes of HIV-Exposed Uninfected and HIV-Unexposed Uninfected Children in the First 24 Months of Life in Western Kenya
Authors: Ray Jessica E. , Dobbs Katherine R. , Ogolla Sidney O. , Daud Ibrahim I. , Midem David , Omenda Maxwel M. , Nowacki Amy S. , Beeson James G. , Sabourin Katherine R. , Rochford Rosemary , Dent Arlene E.
Published: June 2023

Background
Previous studies show increased morbidity in children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) compared to children who are HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU). We sought to evaluate the effects of prenatal HIV exposure on clinical and immunological outcomes in the first 24 months of life.
Methods
Eighty-five HEU and 168 HUU children from Kenya were followed from birth to 24 months. All mothers with HIV received combination antiretroviral therapy. HEU children received standard-of-care cotrimoxazole prophylaxis through 18 months. Episodes of acute illness were identified through a combination of active and passive follow up. Trajectories of plasma cytokines, vaccine-specific antibodies, and antimalarial antibodies were examined.
Results
HEU and HUU children had similar growth curves. HEU children had lower rates of malaria and respiratory illness. Trajectories of plasma cytokines and vaccine-specific antibodies were similar in HEU and HUU children. There were subtle differences in antimalarial antibody dynamics, in which HEU children had overall lower antibody levels against five of the 14 malaria antigens tested.
Conclusions
HEU children born to optimally treated mothers living with HIV had similar growth characteristics and immune profiles compared to HUU children. HEU children had reduced risk for malaria and respiratory illness, which may be secondary to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis.
Investigation of mechanical and thermal behavior of fiber-reinforced silica aerogel composites
Authors: zubair Muhammad , Ammar Muhammad , Wakeel Aneela , Nasir Muhammad Ali
Published: June 2023

Fiber-reinforced silica xerogels are extensively utilized in various applications due to their versatility. This research focuses on examining the influence of silica gel fiber reinforcement on the physical properties of silica xerogel. The investigation encompasses an analysis of the morphology, mechanics, and thermal behavior. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it has been observed that glass fiber exhibits lower adhesion to the xerogel network compared to carbon fiber. The hydrophobicity of the composite silica xerogel, confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, is attributed to the absence of the OH group. When subjected to a strain rate of 48%, the carbon fiber composite demonstrates superior compressive stress endurance compared to the glass fiber composite. Furthermore, the carbon fiber composite experiences a 1% lower weight loss than the glass fiber composite, which enhances its suitability for reinforcing the characteristics of silica xerogel. Consequently, the composite silica aerogel, combining carbon fiber and silica gel, exhibits exceptional compressive strength, low density, and hydrophobic properties.
Teacher-Student Relationship and Prospect Identity among Students: The Mediating Role of Social-Emotional Competence and Student Satisfaction
Authors: Du Yue , Qi Zhanyong
Published: June 2023

Background. Prospect identity of the major of secondary vocational students plays a vital role in the student's future growth and work. This study aimed to investigate the link between factors in the teacher-student relationship and prospect identity of students' majors in secondary vocational schools. We studied social-emotional competence and student satisfaction as mediating factors, and created a chain of mediators.
Sample.We collected data from 6,497 secondary vocational school students in a city in western China.
Methods.Bootstrapping analyses were employed to test the direct and the mediating effects between the teacher-student relationship and students’ prospect Identity. The students reported on four variables: teacher-student relationships, social-emotional competence, satisfaction, and prospect identity.
Results.The measurement results showed the teacher-student relationship affects prospect identity directly or indirectly through social-emotional competence and student satisfaction, and there is a chain mediating role of social-emotional competence and student satisfaction.
Conclusions. We conclude that it remains essential to improve the quality of interaction-based teacher-student relationship to enhance student continuity and stability in a major development.
Development of novel prognostic score based on the indicators reflecting the tumor glandular differentiation and microenvironment for patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Kobayashi Toshinori , Ishida Mitsuaki , Miki Hisanori , Yagyu Takuki , Hatta Masahiko , Hamada Madoka , Hirose Yoshinobu , Sekimoto Mitsugu
Published: June 2023

Purpose: Development of prognostic stratification in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is an urgent concern. Desmoplastic reaction (DR) is a tissue reaction, speculated to represent the tumor microenvironment. DR types have been established as independent prognostic indicators in CRC. However, DR has not been included in the prognostic nomograms. We aimed to analyse the prognostic significance of combined histopathological indicators reflecting both tumor glandular differentiation and microenvironment.
Methods: We selected 331 consecutive patients with CRC who underwent surgical resection in the Department of Surgery at Kansai Medical University (KMU). Histological glandular differentiation grading scores (HGDSs) were classified as 2 (0 point), 3-4 (1 point), and 5-6 (2 points). Tumor buddings (TBs) were classified as TB1 (0 point), TB2 (1 point), and TB3 (2 points). Lymph node metastasis was classified as pN0 (0 point), pN1 (1 point), and pN2 (2 points). pT1 or 2 was considered as 0 point; pT3 or 4 + DR non-immature type, 1 point; and pT3 or 4 + DR immature type, 2 points. Preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were classified as <5.0 ng/mL (0 point) and ≧5.0 (1 point). After summing these five factors (0-9 points), scores I (0-2 points), II (3-4 points), III (5-6 points), and IV (7-9 points) were defined.
Results: The Kaplan-Meier curves showed significant differences in disease-specific survivals among scores, which were more useful than those in the current AJCC Eighth Classification, especially in patients with p-stages I, II, and III.
Conclusion: The usefulness of this scoring system was demonstrated. This is the first prognostic nomogram to include DR.
Aspergillus spp. associated with Aspergillus vine canker in Mexico
Authors: Hernandez-Martinez Rufina
Published: June 2023

The genus Aspergillus encompasses species with high economic and social impact. Species belonging to section Nigri known as black aspergilli, have predominantly been isolated from soil and plants. Fungi associated with Aspergillus vine canker infect vigorous new shoots and canes during plant training, entering through wounds. Recently, grapevines exhibiting symptoms resembling Aspergillus vine canker have been observed in Mexico. Thus, this study aimed to investigate these diseased plants. Woody samples from symptomatic plants were surface sterilized with alcohol and fire and then placed onto Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. Seventeen isolates displaying morphology similar to the genus Aspergillus were obtained. Colony and microscopic characteristics were observed on Czapek Yeast Extract Agar (CYA) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA). Phylogenetic analysis using calmodulin (CaM) and β-tubulin (BenA) gene markers, revealed the presence of Aspergillus niger, A. tubingensis, and A. welwitschiae species. In pathogenicity assays, A. niger A10BCMX, A. niger A8SMX, and A. tubingensis A13SMX exhibited the highest virulence, resulting in lesions up to 2 cm in length after 50 days of inoculation. Powdery black conidia were found within the wound, specifically in the cambium. In addition to necrotic lesions, mycelia and black conidia were observed on the leaves. This study represents the first report of Aspergillus species associated with Aspergillus vine canker in Mexican vineyards and the first report worldwide of A. welwitschiae associated with this disease.
Humidity may amplify the temperature-related health risks in the context of climate change
Authors: Huang Cunrui , He Yiling , Dong Wei , Zhao Liang , Wang Huibing , Cai Wenjia , Liu Zhao , Lin Hualiang , Ma Wenjun
Published: June 2023

Humidity and temperature may pose joint effects on human health. However, current temperature-related risk assessments generally focus on univariate temperature statistics, leading to inaccurate risk estimation. By combining temperature and humidity intensities as compound temperature-humidity events (hereinafter as compound events), we examined the effects of humidity in temperature-related health risks in the context of climate change in China using ambulance dispatch data, and further determined the high-risk types and thresholds of compound events. Results reveal that humidity can amplify the temperature-related health risks. Higher risks were found during cold and dry events and warm and wet events. Compound events mainly occurred in Southeast China during 1979–2019, while the frequency and gripped regions are projected to increase by 2100, and climate change will amplify these trends. Since humidity would exacerbate temperature-related health risks, therefore multiple meteorological parameters are needed in defining adverse weather conditions and conducting risk assessment accurately.
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney with hepatic invasion : a case report
Authors: Takanashi Masato , Asaoka Miho , Imano Masashi , Fujioka Azumi , Oishi Yuka , Matsuda Goro , Chiba Sawako , Hirai Kotaro
Published: June 2023

Background
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney is very rare, with only eight cases reported to date. We describe herein what we believe is the first case of hepatic invasion of a primary squamous cell carcinoma that originated in the kidney.
Case Presentation
A 73-year-old asymptomatic man was referred to our hospital for further evaluation after an abdominal ultrasonography revealed a right renal mass. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a hypodense mass with capsular enhancement from the upper pole of the right kidney to the right lobe of the liver.
Ultrasonography-guided renal biopsy was performed to identify the origin of tumor. The pathology indicated a squamous cell carcinoma, but it was unclear whether it was a primary carcinoma of the kidney or a metastatic growth derived from other organs.
Chronic fever appeared and the patient’s general malaise worsened day by day. Contrast-enhanced CT one month after the previous one showed rapid growth of the right renal tumor and progressive hepatic invasion.
Radical nephrectomy and hepatic resection of the posterior segment by laparotomy was performed. Pathological analysis indicated the origin of this tumor was tubular epithelium, and the patient was diagnosed with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney, pT4.
Conclusions
This case showed that squamous cell carcinoma of the kidney can invade the liver, and this cancer can progress very rapidly, on a daily basis.
When hepatic invasion of renal squamous cell carcinoma is suggested, combined renal-hepatic resection should be considered. In addition, once this disease is suspected, surgery must be performed as soon as possible, considering the speed of its progression.
Unveiling metabolic pathways involved in the extreme desiccation tolerance of an Atacama cyanobacterium
Authors: Moore Rachel A. , Azua-Bustos Armando , González-Silva Carlos , Carr Christopher E.
Published: June 2023

Gloeocapsopsis dulcisstrain AAB1 is an extremely xerotolerant cyanobacterium isolated from the Atacama Desert (i.e., the driest and oldest desert on Earth) that holds astrobiological significance due to its surprising ability to biosynthesize compatible solutes at ultra-low water activities. We sequenced and assembled theG. dulcisgenome de novo using a combination of long- and short-read sequencing, which resulted in high-quality consensus sequences of the chromosome and two plasmids. We leveraged theG. dulcisgenome to generate a genome-scale metabolic model (iGd895) to simulate growthin silico. iGd895represents, to our knowledge, the first genome-scale metabolic reconstruction developed for an extremely xerotolerant cyanobacterium. The model's predictive capability was assessed by comparing thein silicogrowth rate within vitrogrowth rates ofG. dulcis, in addition to the synthesis of trehalose.iGd895allowed us to explore key metabolic processes such as essential pathways for water-stress tolerance, and significant alterations to reaction flux distribution and metabolic network reorganization resulting from water limitation. Our study provides insights into the potential metabolic strategies employed byG. dulcis, emphasizing the crucial roles of compatible solutes, metabolic water, energy conservation, and the precise regulation of reaction rates in their adaptation to water stress.
Comparison between intravoxel incoherent motion and splenic volumetry to predict liver fibrosis in preoperative patients
Authors: Arakane Takayuki , Okada Masahiro , Nakazawa Yujiro , Tago Kenichiro , Yoshikawa Hiroki , Mizuno Mariko , Abe Hayato , Higaki Tokio , Okamura Yukiyasu , Takayama Tadatoshi
Published: June 2023

Background
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is an important factor in patients for liver surgery, because HF may lead to surgical restrictions and affect the patient's prognosis. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) is used for HF investigation, and the restricted diffusion observed in patients with cirrhosis may be related to D* variations. Splenic volumetry (SV) has been reported to be effective in the evaluation of severe cirrhosis. Our purpose of this study is to compare the predictive ability of IVIM and SV for HF.
Methods
This study included 67 patients with pathologically staged HF who underwent magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT). SV was semi-automatically measured from the CT images. IVIM indices, such as the slow diffusion coefficient related to molecular diffusion (D), fast diffusion coefficient related to perfusion in microvessels (D*), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and perfusion-related diffusion fraction (f), were calculated with 10 b-values by two observers (R1 and R2). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the predictive ability of HF for IVIM and SV/body surface area (BSA). The inter-rater agreement was discussed for each IVIM parameter.
Results
D (P = 0.718 for R1, P = 0.087 for R2) and D* (P = 0.513, P = 0.708, respectively) showed a poor correlation with HF grade. ADC (P = 0.034 and P = 0.528, respectively) and f (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively) decreased as HF progressed, whereas SV/BSA increased (P = 0.015 for R1). The AUCs of SV/BSA (0.649–0.698 for R1) were higher than those of f (0.575–0.683 for R1 + R2) for severe HF (≥ F3-4 and ≥ F4), although the AUCs of f (0.705–0.790 for R1 + R2) were higher than those of SV/BSA (0.628 for R1) for mild or no HF (≤ F0-1). However, no significant differences in the ability to identify HF were observed between IVIM and SV/BSA.
Conclusions
SV/BSA allows a higher estimation for evaluating severe HF than IVIM. IVIM is more suitable than SV/BSA for the assessment of mild or no HF.
Mapping global zoonotic niche and interregional transmission risk of monkeypox: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Sun Yan-Qun , Chen Jin-Jin , Liu Mei-Chen , Zhang Yuan-Yuan , Wang Tao , Che Tian-Le , Li Ting-Ting , Liu Yan-Ning , Teng Ai-Ying , Wu Bing-Zheng , Hong Xue-Geng , Xu Qiang , Lv Chen-Long , Jiang Bao-Gui , Liu Wei , Fang Liqun
Published: June 2023

Background: The outbreaks of monkeypox have been ongoing in non-endemic countries since May 2022. A thorough assessment of its global zoonotic niche and potential transmission risk is lacking.
Methods: We established an integrated database on global monkeypox virus (MPXV) occurrence during 1958−2022. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to examine the evolution of MPXV and effective reproductive number (Rt) was estimated over time to examine the dynamic of MPXV transmissibility. Potential ecological drivers of zoonotic transmission and interregional transmission risk of MPXV were examined.
Results: A total of 49 432 human patients and 20 kinds of animals with MPXV infections were reported in 78 countries as of July 24, 2022. Based on 525 whole genome sequences, two main clades of MPXV were formed, of which Congo Basin clade has a higher transmissibility than West African clade before the 2022-monkeypox, estimated by the overall Rt (0.81 vs. 0.56), and the latter significantly increased in the recent decade. Rt of 2022-monkeypox varied from 1.14 to 4.24 among the 15 continuously epidemic countries outside Africa, with the top three as Peru (4.24, 95% CI: 2.89–6.71), Brazil (3.45, 95% CI: 1.62–7.00) and the United States (2.44, 95% CI: 1.62–3.60). The zoonotic niche of MPXV was associated with distributions of Graphiurus lorraineus and Graphiurus crassicaudatus, richness of Rodentia, and four ecoclimatic indicators. Besides endemic areas of Africa, more areas of South America, the Caribbean States, and Southeast and South Asia are ecology-suitable for MPXV occurrence once the virus invades. The majority of Western Europe have high-imported risk of monkeypox from Western Africa, whereas France and the United Kingdom have potential-imported risk of Congo Basin clade MPXV from Central Africa. Among the top 15 countries with high MPXV-imported risk from main countries of 2022-monkeypox outbreaks, eleven of them were located at Europe with the highest risk in Italy, Ireland and Poland.
Conclusions: The suitable ecological niche of MPXV is not limited to Africa, and the transmissibility of MPXV during the 2022-monkeypox outbreaks significantly increases. European have higher imported risk both from endemic areas and current epidemic countries. Future surveillance and targeted intervention programs are needed in its high-risk regions informed by updated prediction.
Physicochemical, Functional and Morphological Properties of Gamma- irradiated Cassava Starch
Authors: Verma Ruchi , Chauhan Neelash , Chandra Suresh
Published: June 2023

The purpose of the study was to investigate the physicochemical, functional and morphological properties of untreated and irradiated treated starches. Starch isolated from cassava which was exposed to gamma-irradiation at different doses 5, 7.5 and 10 kGy. Irradiation decreased the moisture, fat, pH, content and increased the protein, fibre and Ash content. The result revealed that the moisture content of the cassava starch ranges of 9.52 therefore the bulk and tapped density was decreased ranged from 0.421 g/cc and 0.710 g/cc, respectively. Moisture content affects the flow properties of the starch. Swelling, solubility index, oil absorption capacity and water absorption capacity increased significantly with dose, while as syneresis decreased with dose. The Carr’s Index and Hausner ratio was high as the standard values therefore according to the result the flowability of the cassava flour was poor. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed regular, oval, polyhedral shape starch granules and slightly shrinkage of the granules, no fissures were seen after irradiation.
Robinobiosylation of tyrosol by seed meal from Rhamnus cathartica.
Authors: Haluz Peter , Mastihubová Mária , Potocká Elena Karnišová , Pančík Filip , Mastihuba Vladimir
Published: June 2023

Tyrosol robinobioside was prepared under catalysis of robinobiosidase-containing seed meal from common buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica. Robinin, a flavonoid isolated from the flowers of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) served as the donor of robinobiose. The glycosylation proceeded predominantly on the primary hydroxyl of tyrosol, typically yielding mixtures of isomeric glycosides in ratios of 5:1 to 8:1 with overall yields of robinobiosides higher than 20%. This is the first robinobiosylation promoted under enzymatic catalysis.
An analysis to enhance the machining performance of micro-EDM for drilling of blind micro-hole using ANN
Authors: Pratap Suresh , Upadhyay Ananya , Sharma Vinay , Datta Somak , Badar M. Affan
Published: June 2023

The high demand for compact and multitasking devices in the market has been a driving force behind the growing interest in microfabrication techniques. These techniques have wide-ranging applications in many industries, including aerospace, automobile, electronics, and defense. Micro electrical discharge machining (µEDM) techniques have the unique ability to produce highly precise and intricate features on small components, which has further fueled the demand for such products. However, with the increasing demand for micro-featured products, there is a pressing need to enhance the process capability of µEDM process. This work aims to address this need by focusing on enhancing the performance of µEDM by varied process parameters and materials such as copper, brass, and tungsten carbide for the drilling of blind micro holes. Surface roughness (SR) and material removal rate (MRR) are the main performance factors taken into account in this investigation. Notably, the minimum SR was achieved on tungsten carbide, while the maximum MRR was achieved using copper electrodes. For SR and MRR, artificial neural network (ANN) models have been constructed that predict with more than 90% accuracy. These findings have significant implications for the future of microfabrication using µEDM.
The FLY-project: Study Protocol for Mixed Methods Research to Explore the Complex Social Dynamics of Sustainable Food-related Lifestyles in Youth in Practical Education
Authors: Etten Soraya van , Jansen Lonneke , Bal Michèlle , Dermody Brian J. , Müller Eggo , de Wit John , Stok Marijn
Published: June 2023

Background
The present-day food system is a key driver of climate change and biodiversity loss, making it imperative for populations to shift towards more sustainable diets. The involvement of youth in this transition is vital because they are in a formative period where their identities, values, and norms, including their food behaviours, are being shaped. Special attention should be paid to youth in practical education because they are often overlooked in existing studies, yet evidence suggests they may lack the necessary resources to support dietary changes, resulting in lower levels of pro-environmental food-related behaviours. The aim of the FLY (Food-related Lifestyles in Youth) project is to study how sustainable food-related lifestyles and underlying factors develop in early adolescence, particularly in Dutch youth in practical education, how these spread in social networks, and to develop community-level intervention strategies to support youths’ transition to sustainable food-related behaviours.
Methods/design
The FLY-project adopts a mixed-method approach. First, two literature reviews are conducted. A systematic review assesses how capabilities, opportunities and motivation are associated with sustainable food behaviours in youth, and how these elements interrelate in determining sustainable food-related lifestyles. A scoping review studies community-level interventions that target sustainable and healthy food-related behaviours. Second, focus groups are conducted to explore the barriers and facilitating factors concerning capabilities, opportunities, and motivations that Dutch youth in practical-level education experience to transition to more sustainable food-related lifestyles. Third, a cohort survey study is conducted to track the dynamic interplay between capabilities, opportunities, motivation, and changes in specific sustainable food behaviours over time, and to assess the diffusion of sustainable food-related lifestyles via social (media) networks. Fourth, an experimental research programme tests promising intervention approaches, some of which are co-created with youth, targeting relevant underlying factors.
Discussion
This paper describes the rationale, conceptual framework, design and methods of the FLY-project. The FLY-project contributes to an understanding of underlying factors of sustainable food-related behaviours in adolescence and results in a multi-component intervention toolkit, with a particular focus on youth in practical education programmes.
GPU-based and Streaming-enabled Implementation of Pre-processing Flow towards Enhancing Optical Character Recognition Accuracy and Efficiency
Authors: Gener Serhan , Dattilo Parker , Gajaria Dhruv , Fusco Alexander , Akoglu Ali
Published: June 2023

Research has demonstrated that digital images can be pre-processed through operations such as scaling, rotation, and blurring to enhance the accuracy of optical character recognition (OCR) by emphasizing important features within the image. Our study employed the open-source Tesseract OCR and found that accuracy can be improved through pre-processing techniques including thresholding, rotation, rescaling, erosion, dilation, and noise removal, based on a dataset of 560 phone screen images. However, our CPU-based implementation of this process resulted in an average latency of 48.32 ms per image, which can hinder the processing of millions of images using OCR. To address this challenge, we parallelized the pre-processing flow on the Nvidia P100 GPU and executed it through a streaming approach, which reduced the latency to 0.825 ms and achieved a speedup factor of 58.6x compared to the serial execution. This implementation enables the use of a GPU-based OCR engine to handle multiple sources of data streams with large-scale workloads.
Retinal and choroidal alterations in migraine patients compared to normal healthy controls
Authors: Conway Miriam L , Ctori Irene
Published: June 2023

Purpose: Migraine is an incapacitating neurovascular disorder which primarily affects the working age population. Researchers have postulated that the transient vascular alterations during each migraine attack, leads to ischemic damage in the eye which can be measured via optical coherence tomography.
Methods: We recruited 29 volunteers: 13 migraineurs (mean age 28±8.8 years; 12 female and 1 male) and 16 age-matched controls (mean age 26.6±6.9; 9 female and 7 male). All individuals underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination by a qualified optometrist and a Migraine Disability Assessment. The investigators were blind to the migraine diagnosis. Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer (RNFL) thickness, Retinal Thickness (RT), Ganglion Cell Complex (GCL), ranging from the inner-limiting membrane to the inner plexiform layer, and Choroidal Thickness (CT) were measured using the 3D OCT-1Maestro, Topcon, a Spectral Domain OCT (SD-OCT) device.
Results: In the migraine population average RNFL was lower for several parameters however, results did not reach statistical significance. A significant decrease in the right eye inferior parafoveal ganglion cell layer in the migraine group of patients (mean = 25.15, SD = 4.08) compared to normal healthy controls (mean = 28.81, SD = 4.85; t = (27) = 2.17, p = 0.039) was documented. No other ganglion cell layer or choroidal thickness reached significance. No significant relationship between ocular thickness parameters and MIDAS score, migraine duration or aura diagnosis was found.
Conclusion: A significant decreasein the right inferior parafoveal ganglion cell layer for migraine patients was reported. All other parameters did not reach significance.
The OCDA-Net: a 3D convolutional neural network-based system for classification and staging of ovarian cancer patients using FDG PET/CT examinations
Authors: Sadeghi Mohammad Hossein , sina sedigheh , Alavi Mehrosadat , Giammarile Francesco
Published: June 2023

Objective
To create the 3D convolutional neural network (CNN)-based system that can use whole-body FDG PET for recurrence/post-therapy surveillance in ovarian cancer (OC).
Methods
This study 1224 image sets from OC patients who underwent whole-body FDG PET/CT at Kowsar hospital between April 2019 and May 2022 were investigated. For recurrence/post-therapy surveillance, diagnostic classification as cancerous, and non-cancerous and staging as stage III, and stage IV were determined by pathological diagnosis and specialists’ interpretation. New deep neural network algorithms, the OCDAc-Net, and the OCDAs-Net were developed for diagnostic classification and staging of OC patients using PET/CT images. Examinations were divided into independent training (75%), validation (10%), and testing (15%) subsets.
Results
This study included 37 women (mean age, 56.3 years; age range, 36–83 years). Data augmentation techniques were applied to the images in two phases. There were 1224 image sets for diagnostic classification and staging. For the test set, 170 image sets were considered for diagnostic classification and staging. The OCDAc-Net areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) and overall accuracy for diagnostic classification were 0.990 and 0.92, respectively. The OCDAs-Net achieved areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of 0.995 and overall accuracy of 0.94 for staging.
Conclusions
The proposed 3D CNN-based models provide potential tools for recurrence/post-therapy surveillance in OC. The OCDAc-Net and the OCDAs-Net model provide a new prognostic analysis method that can utilize PET images without pathological findings for diagnostic classification and staging.
Second-order Rosenbrock-Exponential (ROSEXP) Methods for Partitioned Differential Equations
Authors: Dallerit Valentin , Buvoli Tommaso , Tokman Mayya , Gaudreault Stéphane
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we introduce a new framework for deriving partitioned implicit-exponential integrators for stiff systems of ordinary differential equations and construct several time integrators of this type. The new approach is suited for solving systems of equations where the forcing term is comprised of several additive nonlinear terms. We analyze the accuracy and stability of the new integrators and compare their performance with existing schemes for such systems using several numerical examples. We also propose a novel approach to visualizing the linear stability of the partitioned schemes, which provides a more intuitive way to understand and compare the stability properties of various schemes. Our new integrators are A-stable, 2nd order methods that require only one call to the linear system solver and one exponential-like matrix function evaluation per time step. In addition to comparing the new integrators to previously proposed schemes, our numerical experiments validate the convergence and efficiency of the new methods.
Automated Cervical Cell Segmentation using Deep Ensemble Learning
Authors: Ji Jie , Zhang Weifeng , Dong Yuejiao , Lin Ruilin , Geng Yiqun , Hong Liangli
Published: June 2023

Background
Cervical cell segmentation is a fundamental step in automated cervical cancer cytology screening. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a deep ensemble model for cervical cell segmentation including both cytoplasm and nucleus segmentation.
Methods
The Cx22 dataset was used to develop the automated cervical cell segmentation algorithm.The U-Net, U-Net++, DeepLabV3, DeepLabV3Plus, Transunet, and Segformer were used as candidate model architectures, and each of the first four architectures adopted two different encoders choosing from resnet34, resnet50 and denseNet121. Models were trained under two settings: trained from scratch, encoders initialized from ImageNet pre-trained models and then all layers were fine-tuned. For every segmentation task, four models were chosen as base models, and Unweighted average was adopted as the model ensemble method.
Results
U-Net and U-Net + + with resnet34 and denseNet121 encoders trained using transfer learning consistently performed better than other models, so they were chosen as base models. The ensemble model obtained the Dice similarity coefficient, sensitivity, specificity of 0.9535 (95% CI:0.9534–0.9536) ,0.9621 (0.9619–0.9622) ,0.9835 (0.9834–0.9836) and 0.7863 (0.7851–0.7876) ,0.9581 (0.9573–0.959), 0.9961 (0.9961–0.9962) on cytoplasm segmentation and nucleus segmentation, respectively. Except for the specificity of cytoplasm segmentation, all metrics outperformed the best baseline models(P < 0.05) with a moderate margin.
Conclusions
The proposed algorithm achieved better performances on cervical cell segmentation. It can be potentially used in automated cervical cancer cytology screening system.
Causal Relationship Between Cystatin C and Herpes zoster: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: liu hongtao , Zhou Fengkun
Published: June 2023

Objective
This study aimed to examine the association between cysteine ​​C and Herpes zoster (HZ).
Method
We acquired data from the MR Base database and used Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate the causal association between cysteine ​​C and HZ.
Results
We selected five single nucleotide polymorphisms from genome-wide association studies that were significantly associated with both cysteine ​​C and HZ. Inverse weighted variance (IVW) and weighted median methods showed that MCI had a protective effect on CP (IVW: β=-1.229, P = 0.010, odds ratio [OR] = 0.293, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.114–0.749; Weighted median: β=-1.328, P = 0.008, OR = 0.265, 95%CI = 0.100-0.705). However, MR-Egger analysis suggested no causal association (β=-1.642, P = 0.103, OR = 0.194, 95%CI = 0.048–0.774). The greater precision of weighted median estimator and IVW suggest our results may support a potential causal association between cysteine ​​C and HZ .
Conclusion
The MR analysis demonstrated that cysteine ​​C has a protective effect on HZ.
Efficiency of chemically activated raw and calcined waste fish bone for Adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) from polluted water
Authors: Rashed Mohamed Nageeb , Gad Aleya Abd ElMoneam , Fathy Nada Magdy
Published: June 2023

Bone biochare is used widely as an adsorbent in water pollution control; because of its high surface area and pore volumes . This study is attempting to prepare a low cost adsorbent from waste fish bone by chemical activation, and uses it for the removal of Pb and Cd from polluted water. Two methods were used for preparation of fish bone adsorbents. The first method includes the chemical activation of waste fish bone using different chemical activators ( 0.001 M HNO3, 0.1 M NaOH, 0.5 % H2O2, and ethanol), while the second one includes calcination of waste fish bone after the chemical activation at 600oC. The synthesized fish bone adsorbents were characterized by electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), BET surface area, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The efficiency of the prepared adsorbents for removal of Pb and Cd were investigated as a function of contact time, solution pH, solution temperature, initial metal concentration, and adsorbent dose. Metal concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy . The results reveal that activation of the waste fish bone by 0.1 M NaOH is the suitable for the higher adsorption of Pb and Cd than with the other activators. The maximum adsorption of Pb and Cd on the chemically prepared adsorbent were 99.74 and 99.35 % , respectively at optimum conditions. The results of kinetic adsorption obeyed a pseudo-second-order model. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were applied , and the adsorption was found to be fitted well with the Langmuir model. This study ended with the success for preparing an ecofriendly and low cost fish bone adsorbent from the waste fish bone, and used it for the removal of Pb and Cd from polluted water
Hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone in aqueous phase on WO3 modified Ni/ZrO2 catalyst
Authors: Han Yujun , Shi Yinteng , Wang Dandan , Zhou Hantao , Chen Jixiang
Published: June 2023

Ni/ZrO2 (Ni/Zr) and Ni/WO3-ZrO2 (Ni/xWZr, x denotes WO3/ZrO2 mass ratios) were prepared by the impregnation-direct reduction method and tested for the aqueous phase hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone in an autoclave reactor. It has been found that the Ni-W alloy forms in Ni/xWZr, and a charge transfer occurs from Ni to W. The presence of W species promotes the Ni dispersion and increases the amounts of acid sites and spilt-over hydrogen species. This leads to higher hydrogenation and direct deoxygenation activity of Ni/xWZr than that of Ni/Zr. In addition, the W6+ and W4+ species, acted as Lewis acidic sites, may stabilize cyclohexanone and the hydrogenation of cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol is inhibited. Under suitable condition, the phenol conversion and the cyclohexanone selectivity reach 93.1% and 90.6% on Ni/0.8WZr, respectively.
Metabolomics links induced responses to the wheat pathogen – tan spot – (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) to the biosynthesis of flavonoids and bioenergetic metabolism
Authors: Ferreira Larissa Carvalho , Santana Flavio Martins , Scagliusi Sandra Maria Mansur , Beckmann Manfred , Mur Luis A. J.
Published: June 2023

Introduction
Tan Spot disease of wheat is caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr), and most of the yield loss is attributed to diseased flag leaves. Few sources of Ptr-resistant germplasm have been established so the responses of wheat to Ptr require further elucidation.
Objectives
The study aimed to characterise the flag-leaf metabolomes of two spring wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L. cv. PF 080719 [PF] and cv. Fundacep Horizonte [FH]) in response to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis infection to gain insights into pathogenicity and defence mechanisms associated with the Tan Spot disease.
Methods
PF and FH plants were inoculated with a Ptr strain that produces the necrotrophic toxin ToxA. The metabolic scenarios in flag leaves prior to (0 h) and during (24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-inoculation [hpi]) challenge with Ptr were investigated using untargeted flow infusion ionisation – high resolution mass spectroscopy (FIE-HRMS).
Results
At the flag-leaf stage, both cultivars displayed susceptibility to Ptr. Comparisons of Ptr- and mock-inoculated plants indicate a major metabolic shift occurred at 24 hpi in FH, and at 48 hpi in PF. In PF, there was a significant accumulation of flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and glucosinolates. Pathway enrichment analysis suggested that Ptr-triggered alterations in chloroplast and photosynthetic machinery in both cultivars, especially in FH at 96 hpi. In PF, alterations in sugar metabolism as well as in glycolysis and glucogenesis pathways were observed. In a wheat-Ptr interactome in integrative network analysis, the pathways “flavone and flavonol biosynthesis” and “starch and sucrose metabolism” were the key metabolic processes underlying PF-FH-Ptr interactions.
Conclusion
These observations suggest the potential importance of flavone and flavonol biosynthesis as well as bioenergetic shifts in susceptibility to Ptr. Further, they highlight the applicability of metabolomics to provide novel insights into wheat pathosystems.