bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic liver disease and hepatic calcium-oxalate deposition in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type I
Authors: Recker Pia , Beck Bodo Bernhard , Sikora Przemyslaw , Göbel Heike , Kemper Markus Josef , Nazco Angel , Martin-Higueras Cristina , Hoppe Bernd
Published: April 2022

Patients with primary hyperoxaluria type I (PHI) are prone to develop early kidney failure. Systemic deposition of calcium-oxalate (CaOx) crystals starts, when renal function declines and plasma oxalate (Pox) increases. All tissue, but especially bone, heart and eyes are affected. However, liver involvement, as CaOx deposition or chronic hepatitis/fibrosis has never been reported. We examined liver specimen from 19 PHI patients (aged 1.5 to 52 years at sample collection), obtained by diagnostic biopsy (1), at autopsy (1), or transplantation (17). With polarization microscopy, birefringent CaOx crystals located in small arteries, but not within hepatocytes were found in 3/19 patients. Cirrhosis was seen in one, fibrosis in 10/19 patients, with porto-portal and nodular fibrosis (n=1), with limitation to the portal field in 8 and/or to central areas in 5 patients. Unspecific hepatitis features were observed in 7 patients. Fiber proliferations were detectable in 10 cases and in one sample transformed Ito-cells (myofibroblasts) were found. Iron deposition, but also megakaryocytes as sign of extramedullary erythropoiesis were found in 9, or 3 patients, respectively. Overall, liver involvement in patients with PHI was more pronounced, as previously described. However, CaOx deposition was negligible in liver, although the oxalate concentration there must be highest.
Genetic phenotypes and clinical characteristics description of hereditary transthyretin patients in China
Authors: He XinYue , Tian Zhuang , Guan HongZhi , Zhang ShuYang
Published: April 2022

This study described 126 Chinese patients of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis identified through a review of 29 literatures published between 2007 and 2020. The most common genotype in the Chinese population was Gly83Arg (25, 19.8%), which most likely presented visual and neurological abnormalities without reported death. The second and third common genotype were Val30Met (22,17.4%) and Val30Ala (10,7.9%). Peripheral Neurological manifestations (91,72%) were dominant in 126 patients. The following manifestation was autonomic neurological abnormalities (73,58%). Half of the cases were reported with visual disorders and nearly one-third of the cases presented cardiac abnormalities. Among all 126 reported patients, 48.4% were classified as neurological type, 50.0% as mixed type and only 1.6% as cardiac one. In addition. Chinese patients were mostly early onset (age of onset was 41.8years), the time from onset to death was 9.4 years. Subjects with cardiac involvement had a shorter survival duration.
Relationship Between Mental Health and Health Work Functioning During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Uganda
Authors: Akello Harriet , Kennelly Brendan , Cullinan John
Published: April 2022

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the various health facilities and institutions at national and sub-national levels in Uganda. The participants were health care workers and first responders working in the health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda. The mental health status of the health workforce was measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 instrument. The Nurses Work Functioning Questionnaire was used to measure health work functioning. The data for the study was collected using the Survey Monkey tool and exported and cleaned in Microsoft Excel 2019. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package of STATA® version 16. Descriptive statistics, such as mean values, percentages, frequencies, and charts, were used to summarize the findings. Multinomial logistics regression was used to estimate an ologit model of the relationship between mental health and health work functioning. The results were measured using odds ratio.
Results
A total of 533 responses were obtained between June and July 2021, from 90 districts in Uganda. Three of the respondents did not consent to the study. 29.26% of responses were excluded during the analysis of the results because of missing data. 374(70.17%) responses from 82 districts in Uganda was used for the analysis. The prevalence of depression was 40.37%, stress was 25.7% and, anxiety was 47.06% among health care workers during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda. The factor of mental health associated with work function impairment were avoidance behavior and lack of energy and motivation.
Conclusion
The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was high in Uganda during the peak of the response. Avoidance behavior is a determinant of mental health associated with health work function impairment. The government of Uganda needs to develop interventions that will strengthen the mental health and psychosocial well-being of health workers when providing health care services.
Stromal Cell Adhesion Predicts Severity of Metastatic Disease
Authors: Birmingham Katherine , Yeoman Benjamin , Beri Pranjali , Tuler Jeremy , Williams Isabelle , Kumar Aditya , Klein Sarah , Katira Parag , Engler Adam
Published: April 2022

Despite better outcomes with early-stage detection, local invasion significantly reduces patient survival rates for many carcinomas. Heterogeneity within and between tumors has precluded identification of predictive biological markers, but adhesion strength has emerged as a potential biophysical marker. Here we demonstrate that cells disseminating from mammary tumors are weakly adherent, and when presorted by adhesion, primary tumors created from strongly adherent cells exhibit fewer lung metastases than weakly adherent cells or unsorted populations. Migratory ontologies from tumors correlate with freshly sorted cells, suggesting that cell intrinsic differences are maintained in vivo. We further demonstrate that admixed cancer lines can be separated by label-free adhesive signatures using a next-generation flow chamber. When applied to metastatic tumors, the device retrospectively predicted metastatic disease from stromal samples with 100% specificity, 85% sensitivity, and AUC of 0.94. Data from this device suggest that label-free adhesive signatures may effectively predict clinical outcomes in patients.
Second and third harmonic generation from simultaneous high peak- and high average-power thin disk laser
Authors: Andral Ugo , Walch Pierre , Moreno Victor , Mahieu Benoit , Produit Thomas , Lozano Magali , Bizet Laurent , Herkommer Clemens , Moret Michel , André Yves-Bernard , Krötz P. , Metzger Thomas , Michel Knut , Mysyrowicz André , Kasparian Jérôme , Lupinski Dominique , Houard Aurelien , Wolf Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2022

We report Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) and Third Harmonic Generation (THG) energy conversion efficiencies up to 59% and 27%, respectively for laser pulses simultaneously delivering high peak power in the sub-TW range and average powers in the sub-kW range. No damage or efficiency decrease is observed after more than 100 hours operation time. The resulting high-energy visible and near-UV pulses are suitable for applications like lightning control, material analysis and machining, or OPCPA pumping.
The effect of robotized knee-ankle-foot orthosis-assisted gait training on genu recurvatum during gait: a safety and feasibility study in healthy participants and patients with chronic stroke
Authors: Kawakami Michiyuki , Takahashi Yoko , Okada Kohsuke , Noda Tomoyuki , Teramae Tatsuya , Nakamura Takuya , Haruyama Koshiro , Okuyama Kohei , Tsujimoto Kengo , Mizuno Katsuhiro , Morimoto Jun
Published: April 2022

Background: Genu recurvatum is a common problem after a stroke. To facilitate improvement, it is important to promote the coordination between knee and ankle movements during gait. However, no device is yet available to achieve multi-joint assistance. Our group is developing a new rehabilitation system using an exoskeleton robot that simultaneously assists the knee and ankle joints. Therefore, in this study we aimed 1) to investigate the feasibility of robot-assisted gait training in healthy participants and patients with stroke and 2) to investigate the effect of our robot on genu recurvatum in a patient with stroke.Methods: Six healthy participants (mean age: 31.8 years) and two patients with chronic stroke (age: 50 and 21 years) participated in the feasibility study (Experiment 1). One patient with chronic stroke (age: 47 years) participated in Experiment 2, a single case study, to investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training on genu recurvatum. Patients with stroke had moderate paralysis in lower extremity, and genu recurvatum during gait. The robot consisted of a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) and an attached actuator of pneumatic artificial muscles (PAM). The assistance parameters were adjusted to prevent genu recurvatum during the stance phase. In Experiment 1, all participants received robot-assisted gait training for 20 min, and the safety of training was assessed. In Experiment 2, another patient received robot-assisted gait training for 30 min/day for 10 days. We evaluated the angle of the knee joint during overground gait, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of lower extremity (FMA-LE), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool (G.A.I.T.), 10 m gait speed test, and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) before and after the intervention without the robot.Results: All participants completed the training in Experiments 1 and 2 safely. In Experiment 2, genu recurvatum during the stance phase, FMA-LE, MAS, G.A.I.T., and 6MWT were improved after robotized KAFO-assisted gait training for 10 days.Conclusions: An exoskeleton robot that can assist the knee and ankle joints simultaneously may be an effective device for genu recurvatum in patients with stroke.
First report of Cucumber mosaic virus subgroup IB isolates infecting cucumber and cowpea in Iraq
Authors: Ali Ahmed K. , Ahmed Ibrahim A. , Al-Kuawiti Nawres
Published: April 2022

Two Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) plants in Iraq. Analysis of nucleotide sequences of the capsid protein gene place these isolates in the subgroup IB, sharing the highest nucleotide identity (99%) with isolates reported from Iran. This is the first report of CMV subgroup IB in Iraq.
Effect of Non-aspirated Gastric Residual Content on Preterm Infants' Health Status
Authors: Ramadan Osama , Rashad Hanan , Darwish Merite , Dabash Sohier
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of non-gastric residual aspiration on preterm infant health statusMethods: The study utilized a quasi-experimental (control and intervention) design. Sixty premature infants were cared for at El Manial University Hospital and Elmonira Pediatric Hospital NICUS. Four tools were utilized: (I) Neonatal personal data; (II) gastric residual observational checklist; (III) the Fenton Growth Weight Chart; and (IV) Modified Bell's Staging Criteria for Necrotizing EnterocolitisResults: The mean gastric amount in the intervention group was 1.45 ± 0.35, while the control group was 2.53 ± 0.49, with a p-value <0.05. The mean days to full enteral intake of 120 ml kg per day of the intervention group was 7.21±0.66, while the control group was 9.72±0.85, with a slightly significant difference at p-value <0.05. The minority of the intervention group suffered from sepsis, while about one-quarter at the control group. According to NEC, the minority of the intervention group suffered definite.Conclusion: Eliminating routine prefeed gastric aspirate monitoring decreases late-onset sepsis, permits preterm infants to receive complete enteral feeds sooner, and allows them to leave the hospital sooner. It also did not affect the likelihood of mortality or NEC.
Microbiome analysis of landfill leachate samples sourced from Powerstown landfill Co. Carlow
Authors: HE HUILI , Morris Sinead , Garcia-Cabellos Guiomar , Enright Anne-Marie
Published: April 2022

Little is known about the microbial ecology of closed landfill, or how the diversity of these communities changes over time. This study focuses on the bacterial community diversity analysis of landfill leachate (LFL) sourced from Powerstown landfill Co. Carlow, Ireland. The LFL samples used in this study came from both closed and active landfill, and represent different phases of the landfill. HiSeq sequencing systems based 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was used to investigate the bacterial communities of a total of six LFL samples; four samples from landfill cells (two from closed landfill cells and two from active landfill cells), and two samples sourced from a leachate tank (LT) collected over an interval of 2.5 years. Members of the phylum Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota) were dominant in all landfill samples investigated (56 to 71%), followed by Bacteroidetes (Bacteroidota) (7 to 21%). The operating status of landfills (i.e. active / closed) and the age of landfill were found to affect the bacterial composition of LFL. Members of the class Epsilonproteobacteria and genus Sulfurimonas were dominant in LFL from active landfill, while the class Betaproteobacteria and genus Pusillimonas were dominant in closed landfill. Furthermore, it was observed that the composition of the microbial community in active landfill showed fluctuation by the progressing landfill age, while the bacterial composition of closed landfill tends to be stable as the year the landfill is closed.
Waterbody loss due to urban expansion of large Chinese cities in last three decades
Authors: xiao wu , Chen Wenqi , Yue Wenze , Mu Jingxuan , Xu Suchen
Published: April 2022

Urban waterbodies are one of the most pertinent issues involved in multiple aspects of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, waterbodies in large Chinese cities are highly vulnerable to urban-land expansion, which is mostly due to economic development, population growth, and rural-urban migration. In this work, we select 159 Chinese cities of over one million in population to investigate the encroachment on waterbodies due to rapid urbanization from 1990 to 2018. Overall, 20.6% of natural waterbody area was lost during this period to urban expansion, and this fraction varies from city to city and is related to waterbody abundance. With the acceleration of urbanization, waterbody occupation is becoming more serious (p < 0.01). However, in all cities, this encroachment has eased since 2010, which justifies the effective implementation of national-scale policies to conserve urban waterbodies. In the future, ecological resources, including waterbody, should be considered in urban planning to provide reasonable protection to waterbodies in the quest for urban sustainability.
Image Co-saliency detection using CLAHE and modified Resnet-50 Convolution Neural Network
Authors: Mangal Anuj , Garg Hitendra , Bhatnagar Charul
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Thin foil body-shield resuscitation barrier device to protect from blood – an experimental study
Authors: Hermann Martin , Isser Markus , Bilgeri Valentin , Klinger Andreas , Lederer Wolfgang
Published: April 2022

In times of collective concern about pandemics, body-shield resuscitation barrier devices are more and more considered to protect against transmission of different pathogens between rescuers and patients. The objective of this experimental study was to investigate the characteristics of blood drops dispersed on the surface of four different foils suitable for blanketing patients during resuscitation. We analyzed runoff characteristics of blood stains depending on surface properties of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and aluminum-coated polyethylene terephthalate. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed less cellular density and lack of fibrin networks in blood stains on the four foil surfaces than on paper towel. Delayed clotting went along with larger areas of contamination indicating a greater likelihood of coming into contact with potential germs but a smaller chance of contracting an infection. Space blankets as obligatory components of first aid kits are readily available for rescuers and serve as a mechanical barrier between rescuers and patients during resuscitation.
Cellular Respiration in Thymic Fragments from Mice
Authors: Shamsi Mariam Al , Hassane Maya , Almarzooqi Farida , Souid Abdul-Kader
Published: April 2022

Background. This report aims to detail the use of phosphorescence oxygen analyzer for in vitro investigation of thymic response to pharmaceutical agents, in particular immunosuppressants and immunomodulators. Sirolimus (a highly specific inhibitor of the ‘molecular target of rapamycin’, mTOR) and ozanimod (an agonist of the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor, a recently approved drug for treatment of multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis) are used for this purpose. Methods. Thymic fragments from mice were placed in vials containing phosphate-buffered saline, bovine albumin, and Pd(II) meso-tetra (sulfophenyl) tetrabenzoporphyrin. The vials were sealed from air, and the cellular oxygen consumption was monitored as function of time. Results. The decline of dissolved oxygen concentration with time (d[O2]/dt) was linear; thus, its rate (thymocyte respiration) was expressed as µM O2 min-1. Cyanide inhibited respiration, confirming the oxygen consumption was in cytochrome oxidase. In age-matched mice, the rate of thymocyte respiration (mean ± SD, in µM O2 min-1 mg-1) was 0.046 ± 0.011 (median = 0.043, range = 0.028 to 0.062, n = 10). In thymic fragments from littermates, this rate was inhibited in the presence of sirolimus (16% lower) or ozanimod (29% lower). Conclusions. Thymocyte respiration can serve as a surrogate biomarker for studying the mode-of-action and the cytotoxicity of immunotoxins and immunosuppressants.
Acute pulmonary embolism right after caesarean section despite left ventricle dilatation: A case report and literature review
Authors: Song Bin , Sun Yue , Liu Dan-dan , Li Guang-gang
Published: April 2022

Background
Pulmonary embolism is a lethal complication during pregnancy and puerperium. Compared to vaginal delivery, caesarean section has almost twice the pulmonary risk. The diagnosing of pulmonary embolism can be challenging because of the overlapping symptoms and signs in maternity, and also the clinician should balance the benefits and risks of radioactive examinations.
Case presentation:
A 31-year-old nulliparous female underwent caesarean section for a separated symphysis pubis. Right after the operation, the patient developed abrupt dyspnea and dull pain whitin the left back region, and her cardiopulmonary function deteriorated rapidly. Venous ultrasound confirmed left common iliac vein occlusion, and transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a relatively normal right heart and dilated left ventricle with patent foramen ovale. Pulmonary angiography confirmed the diagnosing of acute embolism. Then, catheter-directed thrombus fragmentation and thrombolysis were performed. The patient recovered quickly, and the echocardiogram results were normal a month later.
Conclusions
Dilated left ventricular echocardiography cannot rule out postpartum acute pulmonary embolism. In some extreme emergency scenarios, when acute PE is the most likely diagnosis (a life-threatening condition), catheter-directed angiography can be performed instead of other radioscopies.
Data-driven patient stratification and drug target discovery by using medical information and serum proteome data of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients
Authors: Natsume-Kitatani Yayoi , Itoh Mari N , Takeda Yoshito , Kuroda Masataka , Hirata Haruhiko , Miyake Kohtaro , Shiroyama Takayuki , Shirai Yuya , Noda Yoshimi , Adachi Yuichi , Enomoto Takatoshi , Amiya Saori , Adachi Jun , Narumi Ryohei , Muraoka Satoshi , Tomonaga Takeshi , Kurohashi Sadao , Cheng Fei , Tanaka Ribeka , Yada Shuntaro , Aramaki Eiji , Wakamiya Shoko , Chen Yi-An , Higuchi Chihiro , Nojima Yosui , Fujiwara Takeshi , Nagao Chioko , Takeda Toshihiro , Matsumura Yasushi , Mizuguchi Kenji , Kumanogoh Atsushi , Ueda Naonori
Published: April 2022

Medical information is valuable information obtained from humans regarding the phenotype of diseases. Omics data is informative to understand diseases at biomolecular level. We aimed to detect patient stratification patterns in a data-driven manner and identify candidate drug targets by investigating biomolecules that are linked to phenotype-level characteristics of a targeted disease. Such data integration is challenging because the data types of them are different, and these data contain many items that are not directly related to the disease. Hence, we developed an algorithm, subset binding, to find inter-related attributes in heterogeneous data. To search for potential drug targets for intractable IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), we collected medical information and proteome data of serum extracellular vesicles from patients with interstitial pneumonia including IPF. Our approach detected 20 proteins linked with IPF characteristics, whose expression intensities were confirmed to be high in fibrotic areas of human lung tissues. Furthermore, ponatinib, which inhibits these proteins, suppressed EMT (epithelial mesenchymal transition) in vitro. This workflow paves the way for data-driven drug target discovery even for intractable diseases whose mechanisms of pathogenesis are not fully understood.
Utilization of Radiation Therapy and Predictors of Noncompliance among Syrian Refugees in Turkey
Authors: Sayan Mutlay , Eren Mehmet Fuat , Kilic Sarah Sabrine , Kotek Ayse , Kaplan Sedenay Oskeroglu , Duran Ozge , Cukurcayır Funda , Babalıoglu Ibrahim , Or Ozlem Derinalp , Ozturk Gul Aysen , Eroglu Celalettin , Teke Fatma , Kurtul Neslihan , Kutuk Tugce , Bicakci Beyhan Ceylaner , Senyurek Sukran , Aktan Meryem , Mamidanna Swati , Ohri Nisha , Haffty Bruce , Atalar Banu
Published: April 2022

BackgroundAccess to cancer care is a problem that continues to plague refugees displaced from their home countries. The turbulent political crisis in Syria, which has led to millions of refugees seeking asylum in Turkey, merits further attention. We aimed to study the rate of utilization of radiation therapy among Syrian refugees with cancer living in Turkey in an attempt to identify the contributing factors predictive of non-compliance with prescribed RT.MethodsIn this retrospective review of 14 institutional databases, Syrian refugee patients in Turkey with a cancer diagnosis from January 2015 to December 2019 who were treated with RT were identified. The demographic data, treatment compliance rates, and toxicity outcomes in these patients were surveyed. Variable predictors of noncompliance such as age, gender, diagnosis, , treatment length, and toxicity were studied. The association between these variables and patient noncompliance was determined.ResultsWe identified 10,537 patients who were diagnosed with cancer during the study period, of whom 1010 (9.6%) patients were treated with RT. Breast cancer (30%) and lung cancer (14%) were the most common diagnoses with up to 68% of patients diagnosed at an advanced stage (Stage III, IV). 20% of the patients were deemed noncompliant. Treatment with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.06 – 2.46, p = 0.023) and living in a refugee camp (OR 3.62, 95% CI 2.43 – 5.19, p < 0.001) were associated with noncompliance. Age, gender and treatment length were not significantly associated with noncompliance.ConclusionsNoncompliance with radiotherapy among Syrian refugees in Turkey remains an area of concern with a multitude of factors contributing to these alarming numbers. Further studies to better ascertain the finer nuances of this intricately complex problem and a global combination of efforts can pave the way to providing a solution.
Clinical characteristics of choledochal cysts with intrahepatic bile duct dilatations
Authors: Zhang Shuhao , Cai Duote , Zhang Yuebin , Chen Ken , Jin Yi , Luo Wenjuan , Huang Zongwei , Hu Di , Gao Zhigang
Published: April 2022

Background: Whether the dilated intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) has any effect on prognosis of choledochal cyst (CC) remains controversy. This study aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics and prognosis of CC patients with IHBD dilatation.Methods: A total of 192 children diagnosed with CC were identified, including 127 without IHBD dilatation (group A) and 65 with IHBD dilatation (group B). A retrospective analysis was performed based on clinical indices, symptoms, and complications of CC patients.Results: Compared with group A, incidences of jaundice and fever were higher in group B (p=0.01 and 0.033, respectively). Preoperative total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin were also increased in group B than in group A (p=0.0052, 0.0005, and 0.0136, respectively), as were preoperative alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamyl transpeptidase, and total bile acid (p=0.0057, 0.0250, 0.0002, and 0.0242, respectively). The risk of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and postoperative pancreatitis was significantly increased for group B compared with group A (p=0.012 and 0.003, respectively) and also occurred earlier in group B (p<0.001), among them, dilated IHBDs recovered to normal in 89.23% (7/65) of patients.Conclusion: CC with IHBD dilatation was associated with increased preoperative bilirubin levels, abnormal liver function, and higher incidence of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Proactive treatment is recommended for patients with IHBD dilatation.
An evaluation of the financial soundness of insurance firms in the Amman Stock Exchange
Authors: Mohammad Salameh Hussein
Published: April 2022

Financial soundness of insurance firms within a country tends to heavily affect its financial environment. This study will further assess the relationship between both factors with the support of a special model to test the financial soundness of insurance companies. The model could be utilized as an indicator of the stabilization of a country’s financial environment; this is done by testing the insurance companies’ falls. The methodology used was discriminant regression on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) to test 12 indicators that were derived from six CARMEL model parameters. The six tested parameters were: capital adequacy, asset quality, reinsurance and actuarial issues, management efficiency, earnings and profitability, and liquidity. The results have shown that 10 out of 12 indicators are significant factors. Additionally, the study proved that the CARMEL model is an applicable model to test the financial soundness of ASE insurance companies, the possibility of detecting a deviation between the actual and expected performance was barely minimum. The effect of deviation was present in eight firms out of 19, three of which were affected by the type II error (riskier deviation). The study concluded that the CARMEL model is a significant model, and the insurance firms that follow the Jordan Insurance Federation (JIF) requirements are financially sound.
O MERCADO DE ÓLEOS ESSENCIAIS NO BRASIL E NO MUNDO NA ÚLTIMA DÉCADA
Authors: Bizzo Humberto , Rezende Claudia
Published: April 2022

THE MARKET OF ESSENTIAL OILS IN BRAZIL AND IN THE WORLD IN THE LAST DECADE. The international trade of essential oils accounted for more than US$ 10 billion in 2021, with a growing tendence. USA, China, India, France and Brazil are the main global players. Reliable and comprehensive market data, however, is hard to obtain. Apart from a few government databases dealing with import/export values, information regarding local (national/internal) production and consumption as well as market trends, when available, are for sale, and expensive. Data from the global and Brazilian markets in the last decade were gathered and discussed in this review, with highlights on the balance of trade and the main oils produced in Brazil. As a megadiverse country, opportunities for new essential oils from Brazil do exist, but several obstacles must be overcome, such as legislation compliance, quality, supply and safety assurance, so that the market can be conquered.
Analisis Karakteristik Aplikasi Kamus Arab-Indonesia Karya Tim Ristek Muslim
Authors: Fadhilah Maulida Almas
Published: April 2022

This study is driven by the fact that Arabic is often seen as a complex language to master in many Indonesian schools and madrasas. This educational issue has resulted in various efforts to facilitate learning using meaningful innovations. The researchers created online and offline programs, including an Arabic-Indonesian dictionary built for Android. The current research tries to ascertain the applicability of the Arabic-Indonesian dictionary. This study is a literature review study using a descriptive qualitative approach. The developers (Surabaya Muslim Research and Technology Team) created the application in 2012 and used a variety of secondary sources, including articles, journals, and pertinent documents. The Arabic-Indonesian Dictionary is an Android-based Arabic-Indonesian dictionary application capable of translating Indonesian to Arabic and vice versa. This application database has 154,644 Arabic vocabularies. The dictionaries contained in this application include the Arabic-Indonesian Dictionary, Munawwir Dictionary, Muʿjam al-ʿArab, Muʿjam al-Muʿāṣirāh, Lisān al-ʿArabic, Muʿjam al-Ghanī, and the Al-Qur'an Dictionary. This dictionary can be used as an Arabic learning media.
Pengembangan Aplikasi Edukasi Kuis Bahasa Arab sebagai Alternatif Media Belajar Siswa Kelas I Madrasah Ibtidaiyah
Authors: Azizah Firdhany Nur , Batubara Hamdan Husein
Published: April 2022

Vocabulary is one of the most critical linguistic components that Arabic as a foreign language learners must master. Previous studies discovered that it was accurate that first-grade students struggled to recognize and master Arabic vocabularies since the learning process mainly consisted of lectures and homework. Students need external help or stimulation to increase their comprehension of Arabic. Educational games may encourage first-grade students since they like to play and explore electronic devices such as androids, laptops, and so on. This study aims to develop an educational application that contains acceptable Arabic vocabulary content for first grade (elementary school) students. The research employed the ADDIE (Analysis-Design-Development-Implementation-Evaluation) paradigm of research and development. This study involves developing an educational application called "Arabic Quiz", which utilizes the Articulate Storyline 360 software. According to feasibility tests conducted by a media expert, a material expert, and prospective consumers, this application has an "excellent" category. The program is suited for use as an alternative learning media for first-grade students.
Istirātījīyāt Taʿlīm ʿAnāshir al-Lughah wa-al-Mahārāt al-Lughawīyah al-ʿArabīyah
Authors: Alwani Alwani
Published: April 2022

Arabic is the language of the Qur'an and is one of the languages of international communication. Learning Arabic is a must for everyone, especially Muslims, but over time many have experienced difficulties in learning Arabic because the material in Arabic is so complex and abundant that teachers need strategies in teaching Arabic. Learning requires the use of learning strategies so that students do not find it difficult. The application of Arabic learning strategies is so that students can receive the material more effectively. The choice of strategy should be based on the language skills taught to students. This research aims to analyze strategies of learning Arabic elements and Arabic skills. The research method is library research which is some of the data resources took by books and journals; then researcher analyze the data with content analysis methods. In designing learning strategies, several components must be considered, namely preliminary learning activities, delivery of information, student participation, test activities, and follow-up activities. There are six types of Arabic learning strategies based on language skills, namely vocabulary learning strategies, grammar learning strategies, listening learning strategies, speaking learning strategies, reading learning strategies, and writing learning strategies.
Super-Twisting Control for trajectory tracking of a four-degree of freedom anthropomorphic robot manipulator
Authors: Ibarra Ontiveros Eddy Gabriel , Lozano Hernández Yair , Enríquez Rocha Manuel Alejandro , Galván Guerra Rosalba , Maya Rodríguez Mario César
Published: April 2022

This work solves the regulation and tracking trajectories tasks for four degrees of freedom anthropomorphic robot manipulators. Two controllers are considered: a Super-Twisting controller (ST) and a Proportional Derivative with dynamics compensation (PD+) control. This comparison is carried out through numeric simulation of the dynamic model in the presence of disturbances using Matlab-Simulink software. Also, the tuning procedure of each controller is shown, as well as the stability criteria used for each case. The tunning of the ST controller is done considering the effects produced by an unknown Lipschitz disturbance; this guarantees robustness against this kind of disturbance. The results of the ST controller show the rejection of the disturbance, allowing the correct trajectory tracking. An algorithm based on the inverse kinematics solution is used to generate trajectories and their interpretation in generalized coordinates corresponding to the manipulator’s joint positions obtained through the geometric approach. In addition, we show the workspace, the manipulator parameterization, and the manipulator dynamic model through the Euler-Lagrange motion equations.
Assessing mutual accountability to strengthen national WASH systems and achieve the SDG targets for water and sanitation
Authors: Dickin Sarah , Syed Abu , Qowamuna Nishrin , Njoroge George , Liera Carla , Al'Afghani Mohamad Mova , Chowdhury Sidratun , Sanchez Zoraida , Salad Abdulwahab Moalin , Winterford Keren , Uijtewaal Erma , Roaf Virginia , Butterworth John , Willetts Juliet
Published: April 2022

Multi-stakeholder engagement is critical for making progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 ‘Ensure access to water and sanitation for all’, which is currently off track to be achieved by 2030. The aim of this paper was to investigate mutual accountability and multi-stakeholder platforms in the WASH sector in a diverse range of countries. Data were collected by Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Research and Learning Constituency partners and collaborators in five SWA member countries: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru and Somalia. Data collection involved document review, key informant interviews and workshops, and an online questionnaire. Across all the case study countries, there were no clear examples of mutual accountability mechanisms being widely used in the WASH sector. However, the findings indicate that some of the case study countries have active WASH multi-stakeholder platforms involving a range of actors from government, civil society and the private sector; however, these typically function as coordination and communication platforms rather than supporting mutual accountability. Other case study countries did not have multi-stakeholder platforms involving a diverse range of actors, and instead had platforms established for single stakeholder groups such as the private sector or civil society, leaving certain groups out of activities. Overall, the study highlights the importance of establishing strong multi-stakeholder processes and platforms that bring together a range of actors including government, civil society, private sector, research actors, and WASH external support organizations. Such platforms could provide a foundation to enable mutual accountability between these actors by providing a space to set commitments and monitor progress and have potential to strengthen WASH systems both nationally and globally.
E-learning for WASH systems strengthening: lessons from a capacity-building platform
Authors: Leal A. , Saleh A. , Verhoeven J.
Published: April 2022

Research was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Systems Academy, a free e-learning platform. The course, ‘WASH systems strengthening: The basics’, was assessed in three different learning arrangements: Case 1: MOOC (Massive Open Online Course, self-paced and self-guided), Case 2: MOOC with structured support, and Case 3: MOOC with blended learning. In each of these cases, the extent to which e-learning can contribute to improved understanding and application of WASH systems strengthening was investigated. The research was conducted between October 2020 and July 2021 using a modified Kirkpatrick model supplemented by the Outcome Harvesting methodology to assess which MOOC format was successful in performance and application. The study analysed data from the e-learning platform, user surveys, and interviews with water and sanitation e-learning experts and selected users. A comparison of the cases demonstrated that overall, the three learning arrangements were effective based on the reactions of the users, with completion rates of 21, 65, and 100% for MOOC, MOOC with structured support, and MOOC with blended learning, respectively. The MOOC with a blended learning approach was the most effective in terms of performance. This approach allowed participants to have a better understanding of the content with extra face-to-face support while completing the course.
SIX1: A Prognostic Biomarker in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Guohua , Zhao Quangang , Yang Xin , Wang Taiyong , Yuan Shuhong , Meng Qi
Published: April 2022

Background:

Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) is a common malignancy
of the female genital tract. The sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) protein has been documented
to be important for tumor progression. However, little is known about the relationship
between SIX1 and the pathogenesis of UCEC.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of biomarker SIX1 in UCEC by analyzing
clinical traits, immune infiltration, and gene set enrichment analysis.

Method:

The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship
between clinicopathological characteristics and SIX1. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to
assess the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis verified by immunohistochemistry
(IHC). Then gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore
signaling pathways correlated with SIX1 expression in UCEC. Finally, the TIMER2 database was
used to analyze the correlation between SIX1 and immune infiltration, and the effect of SIX1 expression
on immune cells was calculated with the CIBERSORT algorithm.

Results:

We found that the expression of SIX1 in UCEC was up-regulated and correlated with a
poor prognosis. Analysis showed that the expression of SIX1 was related to various clinical features
and was an independent prognostic factor of UCEC. Enrichment analysis showed that SIX1
promoted the occurrence and development of UCEC by regulating multiple signaling pathways.
The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that SIX1 has a complex correlation with
immune infiltration.

Conclusion:

Our findings indicate that SIX1 is a promising biomarker for predicting the prognosis
of UCEC and is a potential therapeutic target.
Developing a Genetic Biomarker-based Diagnostic Model for Major
Depressive Disorder using Random Forests and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Xie Zhongwen , Gu Wei , Ming Tinghong
Published: April 2022

Background:

The clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) mainly relies
on subjective assessment of depression-like behaviors and clinical examination. In the present
study, we aimed to develop a novel diagnostic model for specially predicting MDD.

Methods:

The human brain GSE102556 DataSet and the blood GSE98793 and GSE76826 Data
Sets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We used a novel algorithm,
random forest (RF) plus artificial neural network (ANN), to examine gene biomarkers and
establish a diagnostic model of MDD.

Results:

Through the “limma” package in the R language, 2653 differentially expressed genes
(DEGs) were identified in the GSE102556 DataSet, and 1786 DEGs were identified in the
GSE98793 DataSet, and a total of 100 shared DEGs. We applied GSE98793 TrainData 1 to an RF
algorithm and thereby successfully selected 28 genes as biomarkers. Furthermore, 28 biomarkers
were verified by GSE98793 TestData 1, and the performance of these biomarkers was found to be
perfect. In addition, we further used an ANN algorithm to optimize the weight of each gene and
employed GSE98793 TrainData 2 to build an ANN model through the neural net package by R
language. Based on this algorithm, GSE98793 TestData 2 and independent blood GSE76826 were
verified to correlate with MDD, with AUCs of 0.903 and 0.917, respectively.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the classifier constructed via
DEG biomarkers has been used as an endophenotype for MDD clinical diagnosis. Our results may
provide a new entry point for the diagnosis, treatment, outcome prediction, prognosis and recurrence
of MDD.
Comprehensive Characterization of RNA-Binding Proteins in Colon
Adenocarcinoma Identifies a Novel Prognostic Signature for Predicting
Clinical Outcomes and Immunotherapy Responses Based on Machine
Learning
Authors: Ren Jie , Wang Changmiao , Miao Ye , Yuan Qihang , Wang Chao , Feng Xiaoshi
Published: April 2022

Background:

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are crucial factors that function in the posttranscriptional
modification process and are significant in cancer.

Objective:

This research aimed for a multigene signature to predict the prognosis and immunotherapy
response of patients with colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) based on the expression profile of
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs).

Methods:

COAD samples retrieved from the TCGA and GEO datasets were utilized for a training
dataset and a validation dataset. Totally, 14 shared RBP genes with prognostic significance were
identified. Non-negative matrix factorization clusters defined by these RBPs could stratify COAD
patients into two molecular subtypes. Cox regression analysis and identification of 8-gene signature
categorized COAD patients into high- and low-risk populations with significantly different
prognosis and immunotherapy responses.

Results:

Our prediction signature was superior to another five well-established prediction models.
A nomogram was generated to quantificationally predict the overall survival (OS) rate, validated
by calibration curves. Our findings also indicated that high-risk populations possessed an enhanced
immune evasion capacity and low-risk populations might benefit immunotherapy, especially for
the joint combination of PD-1 and CTLA4 immunosuppressants. DHX15 and LARS2 were detected
with significantly different expressions in both datasets, which were further confirmed by qRTPCR
and immunohistochemical staining.

Conclusion:

Our observations supported an eight-RBP-related signature that could be applied for
survival prediction and immunotherapy response of patients with COAD.
Effect of Atorvastatin on Single Oral Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Daclatasvir in
Rats: Emphasis on P-glycoprotein and Cytochrome P450
Authors: Elbadawy Heba A. , Wahdan Sara A. , El-Demerdash Ebtehal
Published: April 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the effect of atorvastatin on daclatasvir oral pharmacokinetics
and safety and assess the possible underlining mechanisms by targeting P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and cytochrome P450
(CYP3A4).

Methods:

The transport of daclatasvir, as well as the standard rhodamine 123 by P-gp across the rat intestine, was
studied in vitro using the non-everted sac method. To assess the pharmacokinetic profile of daclatasvir in vivo, rats
were divided into three groups receiving either saline, standard P-gp inhibitor verapamil (25 mg/kg), or atorvastatin
(10 mg/kg), 2 hrs prior to a single dose of daclatasvir (7 mg/kg). In addition, the markers of liver and kidney functions
and muscle rhabdomyolysis were assessed. Further, histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissue
and assessment of CYP3A4 level was done.

Results:

The inhibitory effect of atorvastatin on Pgp activity and expression was manifested by increased serosal
transport of the standard rhodamine 123, as well as daclatasvir. In vivo, Cmax (peak plasma concentration) and area
under the curve (AUC (0‐t)) of daclatasvir after atorvastatin treatment increased compared to the vehicle group but
not in a significant manner. On the other hand, atorvastatin caused a significant increase in the clearance of daclatasvir.
Concomitant administration of atorvastatin with daclatasvir significantly decreased CYP3A4 content compared
to the control group. The combination also showed increased liver enzymes and some pathological alterations in the
liver.

Conclusion:

Atorvastatin has a significant effect on P-gp mediated intestinal transport of daclatasvir; however, it did
not affect the systemic bioavailability of a single oral dose of daclatasvir.
The Identification and Analysis of MicroRNAs Combined Biomarkers for
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis
Authors: Shi Yi , Men Jingrui , Sun Hongliang , Tan Jianjun
Published: April 2022

Background:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high
morbidity and mortality globally. Compared with traditional diagnostic methods, microRNAs (miRNAs)
are novel biomarkers with higher accuracy.

Objective:

We aimed to identify combinatorial biomarkers of miRNAs to construct a classification
model for the diagnosis of HCC.

Method:

The mature miRNA expression profile data of six cancers (liver, lung, gastric, breast, prostate,
and colon) were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus
(GEO) database with accession number GSE36915, GSE29250, GSE99417, GSE41970,
GSE64333 and GSE35982. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profile data of these six cancers
were obtained from TCGA. Three R software packages, student’s t-test, and a normalized foldchange
method were utilized to identify HCC-specific differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs).
Using all combinations of obtained HCC-specific DEMs as input features, we constructed a classification
model by support vector machine searching for the optimal combination. Furthermore, target
genes prediction was conducted on the miRWalk 2.0 website to obtain differentially expressed
mRNAs (DEmRNAs), and KEGG pathway enrichment was analyzed on the DAVID website.

Results:

The optimal combination consisted of four miRNAs (hsa-miR-130a-3p, hsa-miR-450b-5p,
hsa-miR-136-5p, and hsa-miR-24-1-5p), of which the last one has not been currently reported to be
relevant to HCC. The target genes of hsa-miR-24-1-5p (CDC7, ACACA, CTNNA1, and NF2) were
involved in the cell cycle, AMPK signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, and insulin signaling
pathway, which affect the proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Moreover, the area
under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the four miRNAs were all higher than 0.85.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that the miRNAs combined biomarkers were reliable for the diagnosis
of HCC. Hsa-miR-24-1-5p was a novel biomarker for HCC diagnosis identified in this study.