bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Icts: What Effect on Youth Access to Employment in Cameroon?
Authors: NOUFFEUSSIE Astride Claudel NJIEPUE , MEKA'A Cosmas Bernard , NOUFELIE Romus , BALGUESSAM Bruno NDOUYANG
Published: November 2022

Based on ECAM4 (2014) database, this paper aims at analysing the effect of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) based on youth’s access employment aged between 15-35 years old in Cameroun. The cases of employees of more than 15 and thos of more than 35 years old are considered for comparisons. In order to solve the endogeneity bias of the simple probit model, a robust instrumental variable probit model was used, and this gave consistent results with regard to the diagnostics based on the specificity/sensitivity tests. The estimates suggest that: (i) using the internet increases the chances of getting a job, and this for all age group considered; (ii) this increase it between 17-38% for youth, 0.39-1.118% for seniors and 18-40% for all workes; (iii) compared to senior employees, the young internet users are 25 times luckier to find a job. Finally, this result is in accordance with the literature which considers ICTs as the most important component of labor market.
Enantioselective copper-catalysed cascade hydroboration and hydroallylation of alkynes to access chiral homoallylic boronates
Authors: Wang Simin , Niu Junbo , Guo Xiaobing , Li Yanfei , Yuan Xiuping , Yin Jianjun , Xiong Tao , Zhang Qian
Published: November 2022

Chiral homoallylic boronates are not only deemed to be the precursors of some valuable skeletons that are prevalent in natural products and pharmaceuticals, but also the versatile building blocks by the two versatile boronate and olefin fragment reaction handles. However, the development of a general and economic synthetic approach for their preparation remains an ongoing challenge. Herein, we describe a general copper-catalysed 1,1-difunctionalization of alkynes, consisting of a cascade hydroboration and asymmetric hydroallylation reaction, furnishing a general, economic and concise approach to chiral homoallylic secondary boronates. This catalytic system displays excellent chemo-, regio- and enantioselectivity, and also showcases good functional group tolerance and a broad scope of substrates (> 120 examples). Equally importantly, industrially relevant acetylene and propyne can also be successfully incorporated, laying the foundation for scalable and economic synthetic applications. In addition, the potential of this method is further highlighted through an array of late-stage functionalization of complicated, biologically active molecules and further applications of chiral homoallylic secondary boronates.
Efficient Design of Static Segment Inaccurate Multiplier using Leading One-Bit Approach for Image Processing Applications
Authors: Daram Tilak Raju , Srinivasa Y.
Published: November 2022

Traditionally, Image processing applications perform momentous data refinement. One of the most efficacious methods for data manipulation in multiple image processing applications is approximate computing. This mitigates the circuit complexity and thereby reinforces the power, latency, and area metrics. Furthermore, multiplication is also an essential operation in most image-processing applications. In the current scenario, numerous existing state-of-the-art multipliers employed approximation computation techniques to raise the design metrics with limited accuracy. As a consequence, this paper instigates two novel multipliers, namely, one-bit Based Static Segment Inaccurate Multipliers - LBSSIM0 and LBSSIM1, with and without a Hybrid Estimator Logic Circuit (HELC), so as to revamp the accuracy and design metrics. The HELC function is to efface the lower-order significant input bit width data and conceal the inaccurate multiplication of the proposed LBSSIM designs using the barrel shifter and the leading unit. The preferred inaccurate multipliers are simulated and synthesized using Xilinx Vivado, MATLAB, and Cadence RTL compilers for the input widths of 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit. The results reveal that the recommended LBSSIMs dwindle the delay, area, energy, and power on an average of 32.13%, 65.23%, 57.12%, and 64.3%, respectively, with the state-of-the-art Inaccurate Multipliers (IMs). It is also unveiled through the simulation results that the proposed LBSSIMs reinforce the performance of accuracy metrics, namely, MRED, NED, MED, and WCE, on an average of 42.12%, 17.23%, 46.54%, and 28.24%, respectively, as opposed to the state-of-the-art IMs. Eventually, after incorporating the proposed LBSSIMs in the image processing applications, they purveyed higher Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) when collated with the state-of-the-art IMs.
Comparison and validation of different risk models for papillary renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Lin Haiyue , Sun Qi , Quan Xiaolin , Zheng Jingmei , Zhang Xue , Xiong Ying , Hou Yingyong , Xi Wei , lin Jinglai
Published: November 2022

Background: Several prognostic algorithms were specifically or non-specifically used for papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC). No consensus was reached upon their efficacy of discrimination. We aim to compare the stratifying ability of current models or systems in predicting the risk of recurrence of PRCC.
Methods: A PRCC cohort consisting of 308 patients from our institution and 279 patients from TCGA was generated. With ISUP grade, TNM classification, UISS, SSIGN, Leibovich model and VENUSS system, recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) were studied using Kaplan-Meier method and concordance index (c-index) was compared. Differences between risk groups in gene mutation and infiltration of inhibitory immune cells were studied with TCGA database.
Results:All the algorithms were able to stratify patients in RFS as well as DSS and OS (all p<0.001). VENUSS score and risk group generally had the highest and balanced c-index (0.815 and 0.797 for RFS). ISUP grade, TNM stage and Leibovich model had the lowest c-indexes in all analysis. Among the 25 most frequently mutated genes in PRCC, eight had different mutation frequency between VENUSS low- and intermediate-/high- risk patients and mutated KMT2D and PBRM1 resulted in worsened RFS (p=0.053 and p=0.007). Increased Treg cells in tumors of intermediate-/high- risk patients were also identified.
Conclusions: VENUSS system showed better predictive accuracy in RFS, DSS and OS compared with SSIGN, UISS and Leibovich risk models. VENUSS intermediate-/high- risk patients had increased frequency of mutation in KMT2D and PBRM1 and increased infiltration of Treg cells.
Health-related Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients Referred for Radiotherapy During the Covid 19 Pandemic Using a Validated, Culture-specific Questionnaire
Authors: Crisostomo Benedict Mihangel , Sugui Ricci Pilar
Published: November 2022

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of breast cancer patients referred for radiotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology: This cross-sectional analysis included histopathologically-proven breast cancer patients referred for radiotherapy at the Philippine General Hospital from June to October 2020. The University of the Philippines-Department of Health Quality of Life Scale for Cancer Patients was used to assess the HR-QoL of the respondents across five domains.
Results: A total of 60 respondents (median age of 52, range 33-71) were surveyed and eligible for analysis. College degree holders and good performers were associated with higher HR-QoL scores (p=0.008). The median interval from diagnosis to survey was 10.7 (SD±6.18) months and a longer illness duration was detrimental to HR-QoL. Overall, the global HR-QoL score was high (80.0% of respondents, HR-QoL score of 5.38±0.46). This was observed in all, except for the cognitive domain where HR-QoL was moderate among respondents (4.24±0.76).
Conclusion: This assessment was conducted within seven months into the pandemic, when an overall high HR-QoL score was observed among breast cancer patients. With further restrictions in treatment census encountered during the pandemic, strategies are recommended to address these indicators of health related QoL in this patient population through equitable and prompt access to needed care, such as radiotherapy.
Education for Being A Spine Endoscopic Surgeon: What Matters?
Authors: Xie Yizhou , Zhou Qun , Wang Yongtao , Feng Chengzhi , Yu Yang , Fan Xiaohong
Published: November 2022

Objectives
Spine endoscopic surgery has been promoted rapidly in the past decade attracting more and more spine surgeons of young generations to be dedicated in. However, it has long been denounced of its long learning curve as a factor to impede the state-of-the-art technique to continually develop. Current study is aimed to dig out what vitally matters in the educational process for being a spine endoscopic surgeon.
Methods
The online survey consisted of fourteen compulsory questions and was distributed in April and May 2022 through the First Chinese Spinal Endoscopic Surgeons Skills Competition. Reminders were sent to improve the response rate.
Results
We received 637 responses out of 2893 emails which had been sent out. 375 surgeons (76.7%) most frequently used endoscopic technique in their practices. Regardless of their different background, 284 of them (75.7%) thought it would be necessary for a young spine endoscopic surgeon to perform 300 cases independently in order to become proficient, followed by 500 cases (43, 11.5%), 100 cases (40, 10.7%) and 1000 cases (8, 2.1%). According to the surgeons, the most difficult aspect to master endoscopic technique is disparate surgical view (255, 68%), followed by novel instrument adaption (86, 22.9%) and hand-eye coordination (34, 9.1%). The most helpful training method to facilitate spine endoscopic surgeon of younger generation to improve is operating on simulation models or cadaver courses(216, 57.6%), followed by online or offline theoretical courses (67, 17.9%), acquiring the opportunities during surgeries (51, 13.6%) and frequently participating in surgeries as an assistant (41, 10.9%).
Conclusion
From the perspective of surgeons, to be skilled in spine endoscopic surgery has to overcome a steep learning curve. However, training system should be attached more importance to make it more accessible for surgeons of younger generations to operate on simulation models or take cadaver courses.
Enzymatic modification of plant proteins for improved functional and bioactive properties
Authors: Olatunde Oladipupo Odunayo , Owolabi Iyiola Olayinka , Fadairo Olamide Sulaimon , Ghosal Anujit , Coker Oluwafemi Jeremiah , Soladoye Olugbenga Philip , Aluko Rotimi E. , Bandara Nandika
Published: November 2022

Plant-based proteins have shown great potential as an alternative substitute for animal proteins to meet the increasing global demand. Nevertheless, several limitations mitigate plant-based protein application and utilization. As a panacea to meeting the market demand, it is imperative to modify plant-based proteins to produce improved quality and techno-functionalities compared to conventional animal protein ingredients. Enzymatic, chemical, and physical modifications have been used for plant-based proteins, which has shown exciting results in improving their techno-functional properties, digestibility, and inherent allergenicity. Among these modification methods, the low cost, limited time, high sensitivity, and high reproducibility give enzymatic modification leverage over chemical and physical methods. This review gave a concise summary of the advantages and disadvantages of enzymatic modifications. The efficacy of enzymatic modification in producing protein ingredients from plant sources with improved techno-functional properties, digestibility, and alleviated allergenicity was discussed. Furthermore, the application of enzymatic modification in the production of bioactive compounds with health-beneficial properties adds in no small measure to the novelty of this review.
A simple and effective method to purify and activate T cells for successful generation of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells from patients with high monocyte count.
Authors: Wang Haiying , Tsao Shih-Ting , Gu Mingyuan , Fu Chengbing , He Feng , Li Xiu , Zhang Mian , Li Na , Hu Hong-Ming
Published: November 2022

Background Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells are genetically modified T cells with redirected specificity and potent T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity toward malignant cells. Despite several CAR-T products being approved and commercialized in the USA, Europe, and China, CAR-T products still requires additional optimiztion to ensure reproducible and cost-effective manufacture. Here, we investigated the critical parameters in the CD3+ T-cell isolation process that exihibited a significant impact on the success of CAR-T manufacture.
Methods CAR-T cells were prepared from cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The thawed PBMC was rested overnight prior to the CD3+ T cell isolation process using CTS™ Dynabeads™ CD3/CD28. Different isolation media, cell-bead co-incubation time, and cell density were examined in this study. Activated CD3+ T cells were transduced with a gamma retroviral vector carrying the CD19 or BCMA CAR sequence. The CAR-T cells proliferated in a culture medium supplemented with interleukin 2 (IL-2).
Results We found that CD14+ monocytes hindered T-cell isolation when X-VIVO 15 basic medium was used as the selection buffer and the activation of T cells was blocked because monocytes actively engulfed CD3/28 beads. In contrast, when DPBS was as the selection medium, the T-cell isolation and activation were no longer blocked even in patients whose PBMC contains abnormally high CD14+ monocytes and a low level of CD3+ T cells.
Conclusions In this study, we discovered that the selection of CD3+ T-cell isolation media is critical for the success of T-cell activation, transduction, and CAR-T proliferation. Using DPBS as a CD3+ T cell isolation buffer significantly improved the success rate and shortened the duration of CAR-T production. The optimized process has been successfully applied in our ongoing clinical trials.
Trial registration: NCT03798509: Human CD19 Targeted T Cells Injection Therapy for Relapsed and Refractory CD19- positive Leukemia. Date of registration: January 10, 2019.
NCT03720457: Human CD19 Targeted T Cells Injection (CD19 CAR-T) Therapy for Relapsed and Refractory CD19-positive Lymphoma. Date of registration: October 25, 2018.
NCT04003168: Human BCMA Targeted T Cells Injection Therapy for BCMA-positive
Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Date of registration: July 1, 2019.
Identification and Experimental Validation of Autophagy-Related Genes in Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Yuan Xiaoli , Song Yancheng , Xin Hai , Zhang Lu , Liu Bingyu , Ma Jianmin , Sun Ruicong , Guan Xiaomei , Jiang Zhirong
Published: November 2022

Aim
Autophagy plays essential roles in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) happening and movement. The objective of this study was to verify the autophagy-related genes (ARGs) underlying AAA empirically and using bioinformatics analysis.
Methods
Two gene expression profile datasets (GSE98278 and GSE57691) were taken from the GEO database. These datasets were combined and then standardized. The underlying differential expression autophagy-related genes (DEARGs) of AAA were tested using R software. PPIs, associativity, GO enrichment and KEGG pathway functional analyses were used to identify the DEARGs. Finally, qRT-PCR was used to identify the RNA expression levels of the top five hub genes in clinical samples.
Results
In data from 97 AAA patients and 10 healthy controls, a total of 44 DEARGs (6 up-regulated expressed genes and 38 down-regulated expressed genes) were classified. PPI results showed that these ARGs interact. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were directed to elucidate the bio-functional of DEARGs. qRT-PCR results presented that the expressed of IL6, PPARG, SOD1 and MAP1LC3B in AAA cases and negative control were in accordance with the bioinformatic analysis results.
Conclusion
Hub genes such as IL6, PPARG, SOD1 and MAP1LC3B may influence the happening of AAA by controlling autophagy. These findings enhance interpretation of AAA and may be helpful in its diagnosis and treatment.
Premenopausal Breast Cancer: Comparative analysis of clinical, pathological features and survival with postmenopausal breast cancer from an Indian cohort
Authors: Nimbalkar Vidya Prasad , Rajarajan Savitha , VP Snijesh V , Alexander Annie , Kaluve Rohini , Ramesh Rakesh , BS Srinath , Prabhu Jyothi S
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Breast cancer (BC) among premenopausal women is an aggressive disease associated with poor outcome despite intensive treatment. Higher burden is observed in southeast Asian countries attributed to younger population structure.
Methods
We compared the reproductive and clinicopathological characteristics, distribution of subtypes and survival between pre and postmenopausal women from a retrospective cohort of BC patients with median follow up over 6 years to examine the differences.
Results
In our cohort of 446 BC patients,162/446 (36.3%) were premenopausal. Parity and age at last childbirth were significantly different between pre and postmenopausal women. Premenopausal BC had higher proportion of HER2 amplified and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors (p = 0.012). Stratified analysis by molecular subtypes showed TNBC had significantly better disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) among premenopausal group (mean survival, pre vs post, DFS = 79.2 vs 54.0 months, OS = 72.5 vs 49.5 months, p = 0.002 for both). Analysis on external datasets (SCAN-B, METABRIC) confirmed this finding for overall survival.
Conclusion
Our data confirmed the previously observed association of clinical and pathological features between pre and postmenopausal BC. Exploration of better survival among premenopausal TNBC tumors is warranted in larger cohorts with long term follow up.
Functional connectivity between red nucleus and putamen predicts clinlcal response of STN-DBS
Authors: Ni Chen , Yin Jin , Xiong Chi , Jiang Manli , Chen Peng , Chang Bowen , Mei Jiaming , Liu Aiping , Niu Chaoshi
Published: November 2022

Background:While deep brain stimulation (DBS) of subthalamic nucleus (STN) is proved effective in managing motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, it has substantial individulized variability of clinlcal responses. Prediction of treatment outcomes is therefore beneficial for surgical planning. This study aims to examine the capability of preoperative resting state brain connectivity as a potential tool to predict the clinlcal response of STN-DBS.
Method: We collected the preoperative resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of 41 participants who received DBS in the STN. The subcortical connectivity networks were estimated and correlated with postoperative exercise results. Linear regression was further used to predict the surgical improvements.
Results: Functional Connectivity (FC) between subcortical nuclei of interest and DBS response showed that FC from bilateral red nuclei to putamen was related to the overall changes of UPDRS-III (left: r = -0.44 p = 0.0056, right r = -0.46 p = 0.0029, p < 0.05 after FDR correction). Additionally, FC can predict the changes of UPDRS III at 1 year after DBS (r = 0.5 p = 0.0011 error rate = 0.175 ).
Cloclusions: The increased connectivity of the red nuclei in patients with Parkinson's disease may be a compensatory response to central nervous system damage. Functional MRI studies support the long-standing view that relatively intact cerebellar circuits can compensate for impaired basal ganglia function. Neuroplasticity is an adaptive mechanism that compensates for loss of function or maximizes residual function, leading to changes in brain function and morphology. This compensatory brain plasticity may be the reason why DBS improves the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Characterization of the fatty acid metabolism gene signature in gastric cancer to assist precision treatment in chemotherapy
Authors: Xiao Jun , Zheng Ling-Yan , Liu Wenju , Zang Wei-Dong
Published: November 2022

Objective
This project evaluated the efficacy of fatty acid metabolism (FAM) in gastric cancer (GC) with pII/III stage to explore potential therapeutic strategies.
Methods
Clinical features, transcriptome expression and follow-up information were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases. "Limma" package serves to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEG). We applied "clusterprofiler" package to carry out GO and KEGG aggregation analysis on DEG. The "maftools" package was used to analyze gene transformation and association. "Coef" refers to the non-zero correlation coefficient estimated according to lasso cox regression analysis. The half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) is calculated according to the "prrophytic" package. We also used the "rms" package to structure nomograms.
Results
A digital model of the risk score was established by using ten FAM genes. Compare to the low-risk group, the high-risk group has a worse prognosis (p < 0.001). ROC, univariate and multivariable cox analysis all verified the above results. We also constructed nomograms based on age, sex, pathological TNM stage and risk scores. The high-risk score sample is not particularly sensitive to 5-Fu chemotherapy, and the Tumor immune dysfunction and rejection (TIDE) index of the high-risk group is higher, which indicates that the high-risk group may be more prone to immune escape.
Conclusion
The FAM gene model believes that the low-risk groups have better 5-Fu drug sensitivity, lower probability of immune escape, and better prognosis.
Early Predictors of Chronic PTSD Symptom Trajectories in US Army Soldiers Deployed to the Iraq War
Authors: Vasterling Jennifer J. , Franz Molly R. , Lee Lewina O. , Kaiser Anica Pless , Proctor Susan P. , Marx Brian P. , Schnurr Paula P. , Ko John , Concato John , Aslan Mihaela
Published: November 2022

Purpose
The course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms varies among veterans of warzones, but sources of variation in long-term course remain poorly understood. Modeling of symptom growth trajectories facilitates understanding predictors of individual outcomes over time. Although growth mixture modeling (GMM) has been applied to military populations, few studies have incorporated both pre-deployment and follow-up measurements over an extended time.
Methods
In this prospective study, 1087 US Army soldiers with varying military occupational specialties and geographic locations were assessed before and after deployment to the Iraq War, with long-term follow-up assessment occurring at least five years after return from deployment. The primary outcome variable was the PTSD Checklist, civilian version, summary score.
Results
GMM yielded four latent profiles: (1) primarily asymptomatic (n = 194; 17·8%), (2) post-deployment worsening symptoms (n = 84; 7·7%), (3) mild symptoms (n = 320; 29·4%), and (4) pre-existing, with chronic post-deployment elevation of symptoms (n = 489; 45·0%). Regression models comparing the primarily asymptomatic class to symptomatic classes revealed that chronic symptom classes were associated with greater stress exposure, less pre-deployment social support, identifying as a racial/ethnic minority, military reservist or veteran status at most recent assessment, and poorer pre-deployment visual memory.
Conclusions
PTSD symptom course varies considerably over time after military deployment and is associated with potentially modifiable biopsychosocial factors occurring early in its course, in addition to exposures and military status.
Trial Registration
: This study reported in this article was formally preregistered September 9, 2008 with ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00748995).
Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy is non-inferior to excisional hemorrhoidectomy in long-term follow-up: A comparative study
Authors: Gefen Rachel , Handal Adham , Ben-Ezra Carmel , Parnasa Shani Y. , Mizrahi Ido , Abu-Gazala Mahmoud , Pikarsky Alon J. , Shussman Noam
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Symptomatic hemorrhoids are one of the most common perianal problems with various treatment options. Up to 20% of patients suffering from symptomatic hemorrhoids will require surgery. Excisional Hemorrhoidectomy (EH) and stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) are both standard and safe procedures. While SH has a short-term advantage of faster recovery and lower postoperative pain, its long-term efficacy is debatable. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of EH and SH.
Methods: This retrospective study compares outcomes of patients who underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic hemorrhoids in our institution during a time period of over 5 years. Eligible patients were contacted by phone and were asked to answer a questionnaire to evaluate recurrent symptoms, fecal incontinence, satisfaction, and quality of life improvement.
Results: Three hundred sixty-two patients were included, of whom 215 underwent SH, 99 underwent EH, and 48 underwent a combined procedure. Twenty-three patients (6.3%) suffered postoperative complications or were readmitted. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding rate of complications, symptoms' recurrence, or fecal incontinence. A higher proportion of patients who underwent SH stated they would undergo the surgery again if they had to (p=0.011). There was no difference in quality of life improvement between the groups (p=0.904).
Conclusion: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is non-inferior to hemorrhoidectomy in long-term follow-up regarding patient satisfaction, quality of life improvement, and symptoms' recurrence.
Determinants of Arabica Coffee Yield and Farmers’ Preference to Shade Trees Species at Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Garedew Weyessa , Alemayehu Yibekal , Bekeko Zelalem , Nebiyu Amsalu , Misgana Zerihun
Published: November 2022

Coffea arabica L. is one of the major economically important crops grown in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. However, the productivity of coffee is very low in the region. The main aim of the study was to assess the determinants of arabica coffee yield and farmers’ preference to shade tree species in Jimma zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. Two districts (Chora Botor and Limu Kossa) were selected purposively out of nine coffee-growing districts in Jimma zone. Three kebeles from Chora Botor and five kebeles from Limmu Kossa were randomly selected to run the household survey (399 randomly selected coffee growers). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and STATA software. Ordinary Least square (OLS) regression models were implemented to resolve the determinant of coffee yield. The results indicated that socioeconomic and biophysical factors such as gender, education level, family size, coffee-growing experience, coffee farm size, weed management practices, disease, and insect pests were found to be determinants of coffee yield. Although the scale of shade tree preferences varies, farmers prefer coffee shade trees that have long heights, wider crown shapes, and evergreen leaves throughout the growing season. Accordingly, the ranking analysis in both districts indicated that Albizia gummifera, Acacia abyssinica, and Millettia ferruginea were the greatest preferred coffee shade tree species by farmers of the study area. Hence, improving the capacity of farmers about coffee farm management skills and promoting the use of preferred coffee shade trees should be strengthened to improve the coffee yield and quality in the region.
Determination of Performance Characteristics (eLOD50) for Verification of Qualitative Food Microbiological Measurement Methods Based on EN ISO 16140-3:2021
Authors: Khezri Mohammad , Khanzadi Saeid , Hashemi Mohammad
Published: November 2022

Verification of methods for the microbiological examination of foods is vital according to good laboratory practices (GLP) and ISO/IEC 17025. Microbiological reference methods increase the reliability of food quality control laboratory results. This study aimed to verify three qualitative reference methods by calculating the limit of detection at 50% (eLOD50) according to ISO 16140-3 and to address the related challenges for food microbiology laboratories. We determined the eLOD50 for detecting Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. in different food items. For method implementation verification, the selected food items were fresh cheese Salmonella spp. and pasteurized milk for E. coli and S. aureus. For food item verification, the eLOD50 values of seven other food items (hamburger, black pepper, soybean powder, ultra-high temperature milk, minced meat, whole liquid pasteurized egg, and cake) were also assessed. The eLOD50 values were 0.5 and 1.9 CFU/test portion of pasteurized milk for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, and 7.5 CFU/test portion in fresh cheese for Salmonella species. All calculated eLOD50 values were compared with acceptance limits. The calculated eLOD50 values of the qualitative methods complied with the acceptance criteria and were approved for all the selected food items.
The benign nature and rare occurrence of cardiac myxoma as a possible consequence of the limited cardiac proliferative/ regenerative potential: a systematic review
Authors: Shafi Ovais , Siddiqui Ghazia , Jaffry Hassam A
Published: November 2022

Background:
Cardiac Myxoma (CM) is a primary tumor of heart. Its origins, why the occurrence of primary cardiac tumors is extremely rare and how it may be related to limited cardiac regenerative potential, these aspects are not yet entirely known. This study investigates the key cardiac genes/TFs and signaling pathways to advance our understanding of these important questions.
Methods:
Databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar were searched for published articles without any date restrictions, involving cardiac myxoma, cardiac genes/TFs/signaling pathways and their roles in cardiogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, key interactions and tumorigenesis, with focus on cardiomyocytes.
Results:
The cardiac genetic landscape is governed by a very tight control between proliferation and differentiation-related genes/TFs/pathways. Cardiac myxoma originates possibly as a consequence of dysregulations in the gene expression of differentiation regulators including Tbx5, GATA4, HAND1/2, MYOCD, HOPX, BMPs. Such dysregulations switch the expression of cardiomyocytes into progenitor-like state in cardiac myxoma development by dysregulating Isl1, Baf60 complex, Wnt, FGF, Notch, Mef2c and others.
The Nkx2-5 and MSX2 contribute to both proliferation and differentiation of Cardiac Progenitor Cells (CPCs) may possibly serve roles based on the microenvironment and the direction of cell circuitry in cardiac tumorigenesis. The Nkx2-5 in cardiac myxoma may serve to limit progression of tumorigenesis as it has massive control over the proliferation of CPCs. The cardiac cell type-specific genetic programming plays governing role in controlling the tumorigenesis and regenerative potential.
Conclusion:
The cardiomyocytes have very limited proliferative and regenerative potential. They survive for long periods of time and tightly maintain the gene expression of differentiation genes such as Tbx5, GATA4 that interact with tumor suppressors (TS) and exert TS like effect. The total effect such gene expression exerts is responsible for the rare occurrence and benign nature of primary cardiac tumors. This prevents the progression of tumorigenesis. But this also limits the regenerative and proliferative potential of cardiomyocytes. Cardiac Myxoma (CM) develops as a consequence of dysregulations in these key genes which revert the cells towards progenitor-like state, hallmark of CM. The CM development in carney complex also signifies the role of TS in cardiac cells.
Big Data Analytics by using Spark of Alrajhi Stock
Authors: DAORI HIND , ALZAHRANI GHAIDA , ALANAZI ALANOUD , ALHARTHI MANAR , Alhakamy A’aeshah
Published: November 2022

Big data sets require accurate prediction and anal- ysis, which is where big data analytics come in. They make it possible to find important information from enormous data sets that might otherwise be obscured. Three different data analytics methods—Spark, Hive, and MapReduce—are employed in this study to investigate a particular Arabian Company stock, Alrajhi. Using the data analytics technique MapReduce, the peak five-month value of the stock in 2022 is examined. Spark programming is used to track the five lowest prices at which the market was initially established in 2022, and the Hive approach is used to track the year with the biggest volume of purchases during the previous five years. Issues with Big that were significant
A viable method to replace the metal trocar drill guide in the inaccessibility of the long sagittal drill for mandibular fixation in BSSO
Authors: Samieirad Sahand , Torkzadeh Masoud , Grillo Ricardo
Published: November 2022

The bilateral sagittal split osteotomy requires many specific instruments. Many of them are not used by any surgical team other than the maxillofacial surgery team. The absence of some of these materials makes it practically impossible to perform or continue the operation, with a negative impact on the outcome. The present report aims to discuss an alternative in cases where long drills for drilling mandibular sagittal osteotomies are not available. An inexpensive method, available in all surgical centers.
An Intuitionistic Fuzzy and Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization based Low-Light Color Image Enhancement Technique
Authors: Jebadass J Reegan , Balasubramaniam P
Published: November 2022

This paper proposes a new intuitionistic fuzzy-based algorithm for color image enhancement. A unique aspect of the proposed method is determining the degree of hesitation using Yager’s intuition-istic fuzzy generator technique. Here a boosting parameter α is used to stimulus the intuitionistic fuzzy image for enhancement technique. In this proposed method, first normal fuzzification transforms the given image into a fuzzy image. Then it is again transferred to an intuition-istic fuzzy image. Finally, one can get the proposed enhanced image after applying contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization. The proposed method is compared with other existing methods like brightness preserving dynamic fuzzy histogram equalization, histogram equalization , contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization, histogram specification approach, dehazing algorithm, intuitionistic fuzzy algorithm, and interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy algorithm. We got better results through performance analyses like entropy, structural similarity index, absolute mean brightness error, and contrast improvement index. The outcomes uncovered that the proposed technique beats other existing strategies on generally speaking execution measurements and visual quality.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2020): 68U10 . 94D05
Implementation of filtered preamble GFDM system using USRP
Authors: Mangi Nageswararao Mangi , PRIYA P. Kavi
Published: November 2022

Data rate performance of the modern multicarrier techniques like generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) has been significantlly limited by vital impairments like symbol time offset (STO) and carrier frequency offset (CFO). Traditional data aided methods of synchronization avoid the effect of egress noise in pilot preamble and hence destroying the spectral advantage of GFDM system. To safeguard this advantage, preamble needs to be pulse shaped. The main contribution of this paper is the derivation of generalized maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of frequency and time offsets for receiver synchronization in GFDM systems, using the modified preamble by the application of matrix inversion lemma. The dependency of the choice of the filter on Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) of frequency offset estimation is also emphasized. The performance of the system is analysed over additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and multipath channel environments. The authors carried out real time implementation of GFDM system using IEEE 802.11 short preamble in indoor environments by employing national instruments (NI) universal software radio peripheral (USRP) 2953R boards as hardware platform which is interfaced with LABVIEW for practical validations of the results.
Androgens regulate CALCA gene expression in the prostate by methylation of CALCA Promoter
Authors: Masud Neshat , Chaudhary Jaideep , Shah Girish V.
Published: November 2022

Expression of calcitonin (CT) and its receptor (CTR) is frequently elevated in prostate cancer (PC), and activation of CT–CTR axis in non-invasive PC cells induces an invasive phenotype. However, the regulation of CT gene (CALCA) expression in the prostate has not been investigated. We investigated the regulation of CALCA gene expression in multiple PC cell lines and primary PC specimens. The results show that androgen-activated androgen receptor (AR) represses CALCA gene expression, and this can be abolished either by the knock-out of AR or the treatment with AR antagonists. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay identified that AR induces methylation of CpG64 region of distal CALCA gene promoter, and this was prevented by knock-out of AR. This region was examined in multiple PC cell lines and primary PC specimens. PC cells that lacked CT mRNA abundance displayed methylated CpG64 region, and this methylation was partially reversed either with the knock-out of AR or incubation with AR antagonist. Primary prostate tissue specimens from normal or benign prostatic hyperplasia displayed methylated CALCA gene promoter. In contrast, those from advanced PCs displayed at least partially demethylated CALCA gene promoter. These results explain our earlier results that CALCA gene expression in the prostate is silent in benign prostate epithelium but is active in malignant prostate epithelium, and high level of CALCA gene expression in advanced PC. These results raise a possibility that elevated CALCA gene expression in malignant prostate may indicate progressive loss of AR expression and/or AR signaling.
Image encryption via a 2-D Logistic-Baker map and fractional discrete Meixner moments
Authors: Karawia A. A. , Fouda Y. M.
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we introduce an efficient and robust image encryption anddecryption scheme based on 2-D chaotic map and 2-D fractional discreteorthogonal moments. In the confusion stage, the compound LogisticBaker map is used to enhance the complexity and generate pseudorandom sequences. In order to resist a variety of attacks and increasesecurity, Fractional Discrete Meixner Moments (FrDMMs) are used in thediffusion stage. FrDMMs had been computed using the eigenvalues andthe corresponding multiplicity of the discrete Meixner polynomials. Thesecret key is created by combining the Logistic-Baker map and FrDMMs.The experimental results and the security analysis demonstrate that theproposed algorithm is robust against existing security attacks and hasa large key space, high key sensitivity, and a strong encryption effect.
The Development Trend of Sports Industry under the Vision of Internet of Things and Intelligent Edge Model
Authors: Hao Yangyang , Qiu Zhaoyi , Meng Linggang , Du Yuwei , Wu Minghua , Wang Chuyun
Published: November 2022

The Internet of Things(IoT) is one of the products of rapid development in the 5G era, and the cloud computing processing capabilities of edge computing are also very powerful. How to apply the IoT and edge computing to the forecast of sports industry trends is a problem. Therefore, this article studies the prediction of the development trend of sports industry from the perspective of the IoT and edge models. This paper proposes a multi-user QoE fairness bandwidth allocation modeling and model training service deployment algorithm to build a sports industry development prediction model based on the IoT and edge computing. And this paper designs an algorithm simulation experiment, and the experimental results show that its success rate is as high as 99%. So this article is based on the 2011-2017 Chinese sports industry trends to make predictions and comparisons, and the comparison results show that the similarity rate is as high as 90%.
Exosomes of mesenchymal stem cells reduce cholesterol-induced hepatic fibrogenesis by inhibiting TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway in LX2 cells
Authors: Rashidi Mojtaba , Afarin Reza
Published: November 2022

Dietary cholesterol is involved in the development of liver fibrosis, because free cholesterol accumulates in HSCs, can lead to Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) sensitization to TGFβ. HSCs play a crucial role in the liver fibrosis process. This pathway can be targeted by anti-fibrotic therapies. MSCs-derived exosomes are known as the new mechanism of cell-to-cell communication which shows that exosomes have the potential to be used as a new treatment for diseases. In this study, we investigated the ability of exosomes of Whartons’ jelly of MSCs (WJ-MSCs) to reduce cholesterol-induced liver fibrosis in the LX2 cell line. MSCs were isolated from Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord and the exosome was extracted from the supernatant of culture. LX2 cell line was cultured in DMEM medium with 10% FBS, then cells were treated with 75 and 100 µM concentrations of cholesterol for 24 h, respectively. The expression mRNA of genes of TGF-β, αSMA, collagen1α, and the level of Smad3 protein were measured to assess liver fibrosis. Exosome treatment significantly reduced the expression of TGF-β, α-SMA, collagen1α genes. Treatment with exosomes prevents the activation of HSCs by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Smad3 protein. Cholesterol increases the expression of TGF-β, α-SMA, collagen1α genes by increasing the phosphorylation of Smad3 protein.We observed that the exosomes of WJ-MSCs can inhibit the TGFβ/Smad3 signaling pathway that can prevent further activation of HSCs and progression of liver fibrosis. So, the exosome of WJ-MSCs s will be improving its therapeutic potential for liver failure.
Outcomes in patients with fractures of distal humerus using allografts for bone defect replacement
Authors: Davydov Aleksey P. , Petrov Aleksey B. , Ulyanov Vladimir Yu.
Published: November 2022

Traumatic injuries of the elbow joint that lead to severe consequences are quite common. The complex anatomy of distal humerus and frequent intra-articular localization of the injury turn treatment challenging, and the positive outcome is often impossible without bone plasty. The aim of this study is to present the outcomes in patients with distal humerus fractures (DHF) using various grafts to repair their bone defects. Both retrospective and prospective investigations of the outcomes in 20 DHF patients aged 40.5±9.5 years were carried out. The prevailing injury mechanism was falling on the elbow joint, in 8 cases out of 20 the injury resulted from a sport activity, in 2 cases – from car accidents. The standard 2 projections radiography was used to determine AO fracture type and bone fragments positioning while 3D computed tomography helped in case of multi-fragment fractures. Surgical reconstruction of the affected segment was performed 13±6 days later with various bone fixators by placing parallel, mutually perpendicular plates and screws according to the AO guidelines. Bone defect plasty involved spongy cadaveric bone powder allografts, synthetic granules or allografts of resected femoral heads produced by the Marburg Bone Bank System. Those with powder allografts and synthetic granules were included in Group A, and patients with femoral allografts produced by the Marburg Bone Bank System made up Group B. The operated elbow joints were assessed in 6-8 weeks by the international Broberg and Morrey rating system. In Group A (n=10), 1 patient had an excellent outcome of the surgery, 4 had good outcomes and 5 had satisfactory outcomes. In Group B (n=10), 2 patients had excellent outcomes, 5 had good outcomes, and 3 had satisfactory outcomes. Therefore, the correct choice of treatment tactics along with the early surgical intervention followed by a short immobilization time and early passive exercises in the operated elbow joint benefit the treatment outcome.
Patient Routing in the Delay Tolerant Networks
Authors: Ren Lili , OUYANG Jun , Liu Jing
Published: November 2022

Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) are unstable networks, where contemporaneous end to end paths don’t exist. This leads to the problem of how to route a packet from one node to another in such a network, involving whether to send a packet, when to send it and the energy consume control. The existing literature mainly focuses on the energy consumption of packet routing to a single destination node, seldom considering the influence of optimal choice about transmitting rate on network performance. The paper addresses this problem by modeling the packet delivery process of DTNs with multiple destinations adopting ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Furthermore, the tradeoff between delivery performance and energy consumption during packet delivery are mathematically characterized, proving that the maximization of tradeoff is a submodular function and an NP-hard problem. Then, an optimal control method called ‘patient routing’ is proposed to decide whether to send a packet and when the best time is through transmission probability and transmitting rate judgments. Before that time, the node will wait patiently. Our simulations reveal that the proposed routing can significantly reduce nodes energy consumption and achieve higher tradeoff over the other three routings.
Research Track towards Spectral Efficiency and Energy Efficiency in Massive MIMO Communication System: 5G to 6G Scope
Authors: murthy satyanarayana nimma , Bethala Chaitanya
Published: November 2022

The limitation of global bandwidth has inspired the exploration as well as study of wireless access technology called massive MIMO. It is one of the primary technologies for the future networks that cluster the antennas together at the receiver and transmitter for offering high Energy Efficiency (EE) and Spectral Efficiency (SE) with the help of simple processing. Attaining a clear concept regarding the massive MIMO system for handling the primary conflicts is important for the better deployment of 5G to 6G networks. The main intention of this paper is to make a detailed review on SE and EE maximization for massive MIMO systems to transform from 5G to 6G networks. This review plans for studying a set of research contributions for past 10 years. The comprehensive analysis on the “key enabling technologies required for 5G and 6G networks, highlighting the massive MIMO systems” is also presented here. It also explains the fundamental challenges associated with the “channel estimation, precoding, pilot contamination, user scheduling, signal detection, and EE” in a massive MIMO system. Finally, the critical open research conflicts that show the future research in massive MIMO systems for 5G to 6G networks are also be expedited.
Is there any place for replacement therapy of hemophilia A in children in present and future?
Authors: Zharkov P. A.
Published: November 2022

In recent years, we have seen a revolution in the treatment of patients with hemophilia A. The emergence of new methods of non-factor and the development of gene therapy raise a natural question for doctors: what are the prospects for the classical treatment of hemophilia A using factor concentrates? This is especially true for patients with hemophilia A and inhibitors (HAI), for whom, until now, the only option to reduce the frequency of hemorrhagic manifestations has been the use of bypassing agents that do not allow complete control of bleeding. Improving the results of treatment of patients with HAI was possible only with complete eradication of inhibitors. The most effective and safe method to get rid of inhibitors is immune tolerance induction therapy (ITI). With the advent of emicizumab and the truly fantastic results of its use in patients with HAI, doctors are increasingly faced with the question of the need for ITI. This issue is especially acute in children with HAI.

This review provides basic information about modern advances in the treatment of hemophilia A, and also determines the place of substitution therapy drugs in the present and future.