bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mismatched expectations of internationalisation: Lived experiences of Chinese returnee academics
Authors: Zhang Bowen , Mittelmeier Jenna , Lomer Sylvie , Lim Miguel Antonio
Published: May 2022

This study examines the lived experiences of Chinese academic returnee staff working in a joint venture university in China. Through in-depth interviews with 11 Chinese returnees, we explore their expectations and experiences working in an internationalised university environment following an international degree overseas. Using Bourdieu’s concepts of field and habitus as an analytic lens, the findings identify the ways that returnees imagine or expect internationalised habitus and field in the unique design of joint venture universities. Yet, through participant reflection on policies towards 100% English Medium Instruction (EMI) and internationalised curricula, we identified experienced tensions between the institution’s aim to internationalise the campus and its perceived effectiveness in implementation. Many returnees spoke of Sino-foreign institutions as a substitute for the field of Western academia, and reported challenges with implementing EMI policies that caused them to rely more on their Chinese than their international experiences which ran counter to their expectations. This analysis adds nuances to the inter-relationship between field and habitus by analysing the reasons for mismatched expectations and the way individuals engage with their own habitus in response. This article concludes by outlining implications for transnational higher education in China and other host countries.
Diverse reactivity model for traffic flow dynamics in Eulerian scope
Authors: Hossain Md Anowar , Jun TANIMOTO
Published: May 2022

In this study, a new continuum traffic model is established in consideration of the diverse reactivity effect that emerges from driving attention and the vehicle’s inertia. To instigate this diverse reactivity effect, two new functions are introduced, namely, a driver’s sensitivity function relying on the flow field’s instantaneous density that follows a reverse tendency of optimal velocity function and an inertial equilibrium velocity function assuming the vehicle’s inertia coefficient. Comparative analysis is performed using the proposed model and the conventional full velocity difference model. To ascertain the flow field neutralization capability of this model, a neutral stability analysis and the attendant neutral stability condition are derived. The complex behavior of the model near the critical point is investigated via nonlinear analysis, and the wavy solution of the Korteweg-de Vries–Burgers equation is obtained. To verify the analytical solution, a numerical simulation is performed, with the results demonstrating excellent agreement with the obtained theoretical results.PACS numbers: 89.40.-a (Transportation); 87.15. Aa (Theory and modeling; Computer simulation)
Trophic connectivity between the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of Malpelo Island, Colombia, evaluated through stable isotope analysis
Authors: Estupiñan-Montaño Colombo , Zetina-Rejón Manuel J. , Galván-Magaña Felipe , Delgado-Huertas Antonio , Elorriaga-Verplancken Fernando R. , Polo-Silva Carlos , Sánchez-González Alberto
Published: May 2022

Living beings inhabit heterogeneous environments, in which communities that are classified as discrete can be continuous and connected in innumerable ways. The components of food webs can cross borders between ecosystems, and as result, the structure and trophic dynamics of ecosystems can change. The goal of this study was to evaluate trophic connectivity between the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of Malpelo Island, Colombia (4º00’05.63” N; 81º36’36.41” W), based on the isotopic (δ13C and δ15N) assessment of 403 samples (107 terrestrial and 296 marine). Samples were collected in 2017–2021. δ13CTerrestrial values ranged from − 30.3‰ to − 15.0‰ and δ13CMarine ranged from − 24.0‰ to − 9.8‰; δ15NTerrestrial ranged from 3.7‰ to 21.3‰ and δ15NMarine ranged from 4.5 to 16.9‰. The mixing model (simmr package) indicated that detritusTerrestrial (δ13C = − 18.9 ± 0.30‰ SE) contributed more to the food web than C3 plants (–29.4 ± 0.22‰), and reflected high δ13CMarine content. There was high isotopic overlap (65–82%) and a high trophic connection between environments of Malpelo Island due to high similarity between isospaces. These results evidence the role of the donor habitat (marine) on the receptor habitat (terrestrial) and the role of the Nazca booby Sula granti regarding nutrient transfers between the two environments. The presence and preservation of this seabird is essential to maintain the balance of this insular ecosystem. The analysis of δ13C and δ15N tracers was useful to establish the trophic relationships between small oceanic island environments with presence of large seabird communities.
Comparison of Double Anatomical Locking Compression Plate Versus nonlocked Plates in Distal Humerus Fractures
Authors: Abdelaziz Ashraf M , Omar Mohamed A , AbdAlfattah Mohammed A , Behairy Hassan Fathy El , Ali Abdelaziz monsef , Saleh Ayman K
Published: May 2022

Background: The current literature contains no guidelines for choosing the method of fixation for fractures of the distal humerus. This study aims to compare the functional and radiological outcomes between anatomical locking compression plates and nonlocked reconstruction plates in fractures of the distal humerus (AO type A 3).Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that was conducted between 2015 and 2021 on 60 patients with distal humeral fractures (AO type A 3). There were 30 patients (23 males and 7 females) with a mean age of 40 years and two months who were followed up for 62 months in group 1. The patients in group 1 underwent Open reduction and internal fixation with double anatomical LCP. There were 30 patients (21 males and nine females) with a mean age of 41 years and seven months in group 2. The mean follow-up period was 58 months. Fifteen of the patients in group 2 underwent open reduction and internal fixation with nonlocked plates.Results: There was no significant difference in the degree of extension, flexion, arch of motion, and MEPS between the two groups at the six-month follow-up appointment. There was a highly significant difference between the study groups in the mean union time (3.27 ± 0.46 months vs. 4.27 ± 0.70 months) and time taken to mobilize the elbow joint after surgery (10–14 days [mean 11.33 ± 1.40] vs. 21–30 days [mean 24.87 ± 4.45] days) in groups A and B, respectively.Conclusions: There was no difference in the functional outcomes of distal humeral fractures (AO type A 3), including range of motion and MEPS, between the precontoured anatomical LCP and 3.5-mm nonlocked reconstruction plates. There was improvement in the union time and short postoperative time of mobilization in group 1.
Improved Unascertained Measure Model for Risk Evaluation of Collapse in Highway Tunnels
Authors: Ou Xiaoduo , Wu Yufang , Wu Bo , Jiang Jie , Chen Jingyi , Zhang Lu
Published: May 2022

In order to make early decisions on the risks of highway tunnel construction, the combined weight method and unascertained measure model were applied to evaluate the tunnel collapse risk. Firstly, a risk evaluation index system was established using major indexes, including geological conditions, design factors and construction factors. Secondly, a combination of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and anti-entropy weight (AEW) method based on the concept of maximum deviation (MD) was proposed. The subjective and objective weights were linearly optimized to assign the weight values to each evaluation index. Finally, the conventional linear unascertained measure function was improved by normalizing, and the values of the evaluation indexes were regarded as intervals for calculating the measure values. The confidence criterion was used for identification analysis to determine the risk evaluation level of tunnel collapse. The results show that the evaluation results agree well with the actual construction conditions. The proposed unascertained model is scientific and reasonable for systematically evaluating the tunnel collapse risk level. The improved unascertained measure model effectively references the tunnel collapse risk evaluation.
Medical Occupation Preference under the Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of social and risk preference
Authors: Cartwright Edward , Guo Yiting , Wei Lijia , Xue Lian
Published: May 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented demands on health care workers. This will likely have fundamental and lasting impacts on preferences to work in the medical profession. We examine the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical occupation preferences, focusing on Wuhan. The outbreak of COVID-19 began in Wuhan and served as an exogenous shock on many people’s lives, especially those with a career in the medical industry.Methods: We conducted a survey of 5 686 respondents in China regarding the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical occupation preference. The survey was conducted during March 2020 at a time when the pandemic in Wuhan has just passed its peak. This allows us to capture the most immediate effect from the pandemic. To test the robustness of our results we conducted a complimentary survey in the UK in May 2020 with 1 198 respondents. We also, in December 2020, conducted a field experiment with 428 first and second-year medical students in Wuhan. This allows us to compare students who enrolled before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan. Results: We find that a significant negative impact of the pandemic has on the willingness to let a loved one choose a medical occupation. Individuals who were heavily influenced by the pandemic, i.e. Wuhan residents especially medical workers, express significantly lower medical occupation preferences. Further analysis from Sobel-Goodman mediation tests reveal that around half of the total negative effect can be mediated by enhanced risk aversion and reduced pro-sociality. The UK survey and the field experiment among university medical school students in Wuhan reinforce these findings. Conclusions: Our results suggest a fundamental change in medical occupation preferences. Medical workers' shift in risk- and social-preferences has caused a reduced medical occupation preference. Non-medical workers and students who are more pro-social and risk-seeking are more likely to choose a medical occupation. This change is already influencing the intake of students into medical school and so will have long term consequences.
Enhanced Data Privacy in Cyber-physical System Using Improved Chacha20 Algorithm
Authors: Jain Deepak Kumar , Mohan Prakash , Lakshmanna Kuruva , Nanda Ashok Kumar
Published: May 2022

Physical objects and infrastructure are connected with every single other and to the internet by incorporating sensing, control, computation, along with networking into them by the Cyber-Physical System (CPS). The CPS’s security along with privacy is a significant issue in recent days. To trounce the limits of current centralized solutions, in addition, to address the aforementioned issues, there is a requirement to build up a new mechanism for access control, which retains data integrity; thus, the right to access data is granted or revoked devoid of any failures. Thus, authentication, access control, and encryption mechanisms are the effectual security controls proposed here. Firstly, in the authentication phase, data user and data owner generate their identity. By utilizing the user information, random points are created at the time of registration for secure authentication. The data are collected along with amassed in the cyber system after authentication. Prior to storing, by utilizing the Cosine Similarity-centered Farthest First Clustering (CSFFC) methodology, the data are clustered; then, by employing Improved Chacha20 Algorithm (ICC), the clustered data are encrypted; after that, by deploying the Modified Secure Hashing Algorithm (SHA-256), the data's location from where it has been gathered is hashed. Lastly, to the server, the encrypted data along with the hash value is transferred and are amassed in the CPS. Next, the data user forwards the request to the CPS for accessing the data; this system, by utilizing several security control techniques, offers the requested data to the authenticated user. To exemplify the proposed model's efficacy, experiential outcomes are provided.
A new reliable and sensitive PCR assay as an early diagnosis for Sex-determination in Jojoba plants based on the human SRY gene
Authors: Solliman Mohei EL-Din , Mohasseb HEBA , Abdullah Mohammed Ba , ELBARBRY HANY
Published: May 2022

BackgroundJojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis L.) is a dioecious perennial evergreen shrub native to the south-western desert of North America and has now been introduced to Middles East. Currently, there is low production of jojoba globally, mainly due to the high male to female ratio in the plantations since they are mainly established from seed. Hence, a proper population stand in terms of the male: female ratio is almost impossible to maintain in the field, leading to reduced production. We report a breakthrough in the methodology for determining the sex of jojoba plants. Our research revealed that the jojoba genome contains the sequence of SRY gene, which encodes a protein similar to that found in the human Sex-Determining Region (SRY) gene. This region was amplified and matched with sequences found in papaya and human. ResultsThe jojoba-SRY regions (SRY gene) was amplified, and we closely matched with sequences of SRY in the papaya and human. The complete sequence of the DNA was deposited in GenBank (BankIt MK991776,3 60pb). Our newly-developed method is rapid and straightforward, representing a breakthrough for sex determination strategies of jojoba plants to identify sex at early developmental stages. ConclusionThe uniqueness of this approach is that it targets specific sequences in SRY, a region extensively studied in human genetics but also apparently recognizable in plants. This useful molecular diagnostic tool is vital in agronomical breeding programs for sex determination in long-lived jojoba crops.
Oxytocin modulates steroidogenesis-associated genes and estradiol levels in the placenta
Authors: An Sung-Min , Kim Min Jae , Jeong Jea Sic , Kim So Young , Kim Da Som , An Beum-Soo , Kim Seung Chul
Published: May 2022

Background
Oxytocin (OXT) plays a significant role during pregnancy, especially toward the end of pregnancy. Some studies have reported that OXT is involved in the stimulation of steroidogenesis in several organs. However, the effects of OXT on placental steroidogenesis have not yet been established.
Methods
In this study, we investigated the regulation of steroid hormones and steroidogenic enzymes by OXT-associated signaling in vitro and in vivo by western blotting analysis, ELISA and immunocytochemical analysis.
Results
OXT increased the gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes, which convert pregnenolone to progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in vitro. In OXT-administered pregnant rats, pregnenolone and DHEA levels were significantly enhanced in the plasma by 2.73-fold and 1.53-fold, respectively and the expression of the enzymes synthesizing DHEA, testosterone, and estradiol (E2) was increased in placental tissues. Furthermore, OXT was found to affect placental cell differentiation, which is closely related to steroid hormone synthesis. After treatment of the pregnant rats with atosiban, an antagonist of the OXT receptor, the concentration of E2 in the plasma and the expression of E2-synthesizing enzyme were reduced 1.71-fold and 2.38-3.16-fold, respectively. This regulation may be due to OXT-mediated differentiation, because OXT increases the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone, which is a biomarker of placental cell differentiation.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that OXT regulates the differentiation of placental cells, expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the placenta, and production of critical steroid hormones during pregnancy, and it contributes to the maintenance of pregnancy.
Aqueous column changes in the episcleral veins after the instillation of ripasudil versus latanoprost: A randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial
Authors: Suzuki Marie , Suzuki Yohei , Komori Ryohei , Orii Yusuke , Arimura Shogo , Iwasaki Kentaro , Takamura Yoshihiro , Inatani Masaru
Published: May 2022

Purpose: To investigate whether the topical administration of ripasudil ophthalmic solution enhances aqueous outflow in the episcleral vein of the human eye.Design: Two-sequence, prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial.Participants: Sixteen eyes of 16 healthy participants were recruited in this study.Methods: Participants were randomized into one of the two crossover sequences to the instillation of ripasudil or the control drug, latanoprost, followed by a washout period of more than 2 days, and crossed over to the alternative instillation. The aqueous columns in the episcleral veins were recorded using a video capture system connected to a slit-light microscope (hemoglobin video imaging) before and 2 and 8 h after the instillation.Primary Outcome Measure: Comparisons between ripasudil and latanoprost for the changes of the aqueous column width after the instillation.Results: Two hours after the instillation, the ripasudil group had significantly greater dilation of the aqueous column width than the latanoprost group. Eight hours after the instillation, the ripasudil group had significantly greater dilation of the aqueous column width than the latanoprost group.Conclusions: Hemoglobin video imaging revealed the dilation of the aqueous column width in the episcleral veins of the human eye after the instillation of ripasudil ophthalmic solution.
A study of Convection of a Fluid Contained in an Sparsely packed Anisotropic Porous Medium Using LTNE model
Authors: Kulkarni Sridhar
Published: May 2022

The study of LTNE brinkman anisotropic porous convection in an anisotropic fluid saturated porous layer using a thermal non-equilibrium model is carried out to assess the influence of anisotropy and LTNE on convection. The fluid is confined within a permeable horizontal porous framework. The porous medium is confined between to free-free boundaries. The porous particles are placed in a haphazard manner. It is believed that the temperatures of fluid and solid particles are the same at their exterior surfaces, whereas the temperature of both solid and fluid particles differs in the region other than the outer surfaces. Because the temperatures of fluid and solid particles differ, two energy equations are utilized. The Brinkman term in the momentum equation represents the loosely packed porous particles. The equations are solved by using the perturbation approach and normal mode analysis. The anisotropy and non-equilibrium influence on convection are interpreted. The influence of conductivity ratio, diffusivity ratio, and anisotropy is also calculated and graphically shown.
The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on stress and anxiety in dentistry students
Authors: Zenthöfer Andreas , Graf Andreas , Rammelsberg Peter , Klotz Anna-Luisa
Published: May 2022

Objectives: To investigate the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on stress and anxiety in preclinical and clinical dentistry students.Materials and Methods: Dentistry students in clinical course(CC; n=64) or preclinical course(PCC; n=53) were included. The subjective perceived levels of stress and anxiety were evaluated using the Dental Environment Stress(DES) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales(DASS) questionnaire. Cortisol levels were measured in saliva samples. Knowledge of the pandemic was evaluated. All data were collected twice: during the university holidays and during term time. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to compare data between baseline and follow-up. Multivariate linear regression models were computed to analyze possible influencing factors.Results: Participants showed medium levels of stress and anxiety at baseline and follow-up. The DASS score in the ‘anxiety’ subdomain was significantly higher in the PCC group than in the CC group at baseline(p<0.001) and increased during term time. Mean saliva cortisol levels were higher in the CC group(9.2±5.2) than in the PCC group(4.9±2.2) at baseline(p<0.001) but converged by follow-up. Intra-individual perception of stress at baseline was consistently the most important aspect for changes in stress and anxiety levels during term time. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affected stress and anxiety levels in some participants, but this was not ubiquitous. Conclusion: Intra-individual differences in stress perception seem to be more relevant than course affiliation (preclinical or clinical) or the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to stress and anxiety levels in dentistry students. A follow-up study when the pandemic is over would be useful to control for stress under normal circumstances. Clinical Relevance: These results highlight the importance of individual stress management in dentistry students.
An outside view of clean energy technology adoption inequity
Authors: O'Shaughnessy Eric , Kim James Hyungkwan , Darghouth Naïm
Published: May 2022

Equity has become central in the academic and regulatory discourse shaping the future of residential-scale clean energy technologies in the United States, particularly rooftop solar and electric vehicles. Here, we develop a holistic perspective on these issues by analyzing adoption trends in a broader context, what is known by forecasters as taking an outside view. We show how other emerging consumer technologies have become more equitably adopted over time. Using rooftop solar data as a case study, we show that solar adoption patterns are largely consistent with those of other technologies. An outside view suggests that clean energy technologies should be expected to become more equitably adopted over time. Targeted policies can accelerate this process.
“COVID actually rendered these school-going girls hopeless”: The impact of COVID-19 on girls from low income urban and rural areas in Kenya
Authors: Munala Leso , Yewhalawork Bethlehem , Ibrahim Habiba , Ajema Caroline
Published: May 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified violence and disparities among vulnerable populations, with women and girls, affected the most. Reports of violence against school-aged girls in the country did increase as a result of COVID-19. The increased vulnerability to various forms of gender-based violence (GBV) among school-going girls can be attributed to several factors, not limited to lockdowns, curfews, restricted movements, and school closures. When the pandemic forced students out of school, it risked not only reversing progress made in increasing girls’ equitable access to education, but may have also led to increased incidents of coercion, labour exploitation, sexual abuse, pregnancy, and early/forced marriage. The impact of COVID-19 was further heightened due to the lack of prioritization of GBV response at the onset of the pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study explores gender-specific experiences of GBV, education, social services, and sexual and reproductive health actors, including school-going girls, to the contribution of COVID-19 to the proliferation of GBV against school-aged girls in rural and low-income urban areas of Kenya. Using purposive sampling, 43 qualitative interviews were conducted with various key stakeholders from 10 counties across the country. Results: Researchers identified a number of health, social and economic consequences faced by school-aged girls as a result of COVID-19-related school closures. These negative impacts come with long-term consequences such as higher school dropout rates, an increase in teenage pregnancies, long-term health issues such as a rise in HIV and STDs among this group, and the accompanying mental, emotional and psychological trauma that often goes untreated.Conclusions: The lack of effective responses during the pandemic has led to poor sexual health outcomes and largely ineffective stay-in-school programming that failed to meet the goals of protecting girls from violence and keeping them in school. It is imperative to better understand rural and low-income urban girls’ experiences of COVID-19 in order to develop policies and support services and messaging tailored to the lived experiences of the girls during and after the pandemic that mitigates and does not exacerbate violence against them.
The Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (EASIX) Score Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
Authors: Park Sungwoo , Go Se-Il , Lee Gyeong-Won
Published: May 2022

Background: The endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX) score has been reported to predict overall survival (OS) in hematological cancers. However, it has not been validated as a prognostic marker for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to date.Methods: The records of 265 patients who presented with DLBCL in the Republic of Korea between January 07, 2004, and March 05, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. For all included patients, EASIX scores were calculated using serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine levels and the platelet count measured at diagnosis as follows: LDH (U/L) × creatinine (mg/dL)/platelet count (109/L).Results: The median age of the patients was 64 years. The optimal EASIX score according to the receiver operating characteristic analysis of OS was 1.33. All the patients were treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone combined with rituximab. The 1-year OS and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were lower in the high-EASIX group than in the low EASIX group (63.8% vs. 84.4%, p < 0.001 and 54.0% vs. 79.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). A high EASIX was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS and PFS (hazard ratio, 1.606; 95% CI, 1.077–2.395; p = 0.020 and hazard ratio, 1.621; 95% CI, 1.066–2.464; p = 0.024, respectively).Conclusion: EASIX is a readily available and cheaply obtainable parameter in clinical studies and shows considerable potential as a new prognostic marker for patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL.
Fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with DMLS Co-Cr post-cores that manufactured in various build orientations
Authors: KALYONCUOGLU ULKU TUGBA , Tezer Emine Odabaşı , Ayyıldız Simel
Published: May 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The predictive value of fibrinogen in the occurrence of mild cognitive impairment events in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Zhuang Yong , Huang Huibin , Fu Zhenfei , Zhang Jinying , Cai Qingyan
Published: May 2022

Background: Research suggests that fibrinogen (Fib) is related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and the risk of MCI in patients with DPN is greatly increased, although no studies have evaluated the predictive value of Fib for the risk of MCI in patients with DPN.Methods: This prospective observational clinical study enrolled 207 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, who were divided into diabetes with no neuropathy (102 cases) and diabetes with neuropathy (105 cases) groups. Meanwhile, 90 healthy unrelated subjects were recruited as controls. The incidence of MCI in the DPN patients was followed up for 2 years. Divide patients in the DPN group into subgroups according to whether MCI occur, use multivariate logistic regression to analyze independent factors of MCIs in DPN patients within 2 years, and use ROC curve to analyze the predictive value of Fib for MCI in DPN patients.Results: Fib levels increased greatly in diabetic subjects with neuropathy compared with those without (P< 0.001). In further subgroup analysis of DPN patients who were divided according to the occurrence of MCI, baseline data of the MCI subgroup showed Fib levels was higher than that in the non-MCI group while education levels declined (P< 0.001). The education level and increased Fib levels were independent factors for the occurrence of MCI within 2 years after the onset of DPN (OR= 0.769, 95% CI: 0.605～0.968, P= 0.037; OR= 2.674, 95% CI: 1.094～3.168, P= 0.002). The ROC curve indicated that the predictive value of Fib was (AUC= 0.764, 95% CI: 0.671～0.842, P< 0.001).Conclusions: Fib may function as a predictor for assessing the risk of MCI in DPN patients.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibition enhances mineral nodule formation by cementoblasts in vitro
Authors: Abdalla Henrique , Monteiro Rafael , Almeida Amanda , Teixeira Lucas , Millás Ana , Lisboa-Filho Paulo , Kantovitz Kamila , Nociti Francisco
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate whether GSK-3 inhibition (CHIR99021) effectively promoted mineralization by cementoblasts (OCCM-30).Materials and MethodsOCCM-30 cells were used and treated with different concentrations of CHIR99021 (2.5, 5 and 10 µM). Experiments included proliferation and viability, cellular metabolic activity, gene expression and mineral nodule formation by Xylene Orange at the experimental time points.ResultsIn general, CHIR99021 did not significantly affect OCCM-30 viability and cell metabolism (MTT assay) (p > 0.05), but increased OCCM-30 proliferation at 2.5 µM on days 2 and 4 (p < 0.05). Data analysis further showed that inhibition of GSK-3 resulted in increased transcript levels of Axin2 in OCCM-30 cells starting as early as 4 h, and regulated the expression of key bone markers including alkaline phosphatase (Alp), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2), osteocalcin (Ocn) and osterix (Osx). In addition, CHIR99021 led to an enhanced mineral nodule formation in vitro both, under osteogenic and non-osteogenic conditions as early as 5 days after treatment.ConclusionAltogether, the results of the current study suggest that activation of the Wnt signaling by inhibiting GSK-3 has the potential to promote cementoblast differentiation leading to increased mineral deposition in vitro.Clinical relevanceAs cementum regeneration is currently unpredictable due to limited understanding of cementum development, the findings of the present study may lead to new insights into developing more predictable approaches to promote new cementum formation.
Current situation and influencing factors of disease uncertainty in parents of children with Sturge-Weber syndrome:a retrospective study
Authors: Du Na , Wu Yue , Xiong Shan-Shan , Ji Hong , Huang Lu-Lu , Guo Wen-Yi , Zeng Chang-Juan
Published: May 2022

Purpose
To investigate the current situation and influencing factors of disease uncertainty in parents of children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS).
Methods
A total of 105 parents of children with SWS completed a self-designed general information questionnaire, generalized anxiety questionnaire (GAD-7), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-2), stress perception scale (PSS-4), simple coping scale (SCSQ) and disease uncertainty scale (PPUS).
Results
The total uncertainty score of parents of children with SWS was 79.07 ± 13.24, and the average item score was 2.82 ± 0.47. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that anxiety and simple coping were the main influencing factors of parents' disease uncertainty in children with SWS (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
The parents of children with SWS have a high level of disease uncertainty. Medical staff should pay attention to the source of parents' disease uncertainty and carry out targeted interventions, which are of great importance in reducing parents' disease uncertainty.
Investigating the relationship between birthweight and breast cancer from a non-linear and mediation perspective
Authors: Zhang Meng , Qiao Jiahao , Zeng Ping , Liu Zhuanzhuan
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Epidemiological studies have shown a positive relationship between birthweight and breast cancer; however, inconsistent, sometimes even controversial, observations also emerged. We here attempted to re-explore the association between them in the UK Biobank cohort.Methods: Relying on large-scale data available from the UK Biobank cohort (5,760 cancer cases and 162,778 controls), we evaluated the causal linear mediation between birthweight and breast cancer, with age of menarche and age at menopause as two potential mediators under the traditional mediation analysis framework. The non-linear relationship between birthweight and breast cancer was also investigated by including the square of birthweight or discretized birthweight categories (<2.5, 2.5~4.0, or >4.0). Furthermore, we performed a stratification analysis in terms of the menopause status.Results: We revealed that birthweight can indirectly influence breast cancer risk in adulthood via the path of age of menarche or age at menopause, and found statistical evidence supporting the existence of suggestive non-linear association between birthweight and breast cancer (β=0.062 and P=0.004 for the square of birthweight) although failing to discover a linear relationship (P=0.230). We also demonstrated that such non-linear association seemed more pronounced and robust for premenopausal women compared to postmenopausal ones (27.5% vs. 19.5% increase in breast cancer risk).Conclusions: This study provides an in-depth insight into the observed relationship between birthweight and breast cancer and reveals that non-linear impact and causal mediation commonly drive the connection between the two traits.
Burkitt’s lymphoma: incidence among IICC-3 risk-assessed countries emphasizing the Middle East with new data from Iraqi Kurdistan
Authors: Muhealdeen Dana N , Shwan Alan , Yaqo Rafil T , Hassan Hemin A , Muhammed Bryar O , Ali Rawa M , Hughson Michael D
Published: May 2022

Background
Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is rare, with variations in regional incidence related with the age of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This study examined the age-specific incidence rate (ASIR) of BL and the age of community EBV infection in Northern Iraq and other countries tabulated in the WHO IICC-3.
Materials and Methods
The ASIR and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of BL in Sulaimani Governorate were calculated for the years 2010—2020. Tumor EBV latency was determined by in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded mRNA (EBER). Specimens from 515 outpatients were tested for IgG antibodies to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA).
Results
In the Middle East, BL is predominantly a pediatric tumor, with an ASIR in Sulaimani of 6.2 (4.7–7.7) per million children. This ASIR is not significantly different than that of Egypt, Morocco, Israel, Spain, and France. It is slightly higher than the ASIR of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany and markedly higher than for Asia and South Africa. In Africa and much of Asia, EBV is acquired in early childhood. In Sulaimani, EBV seropositivity develops in late childhood and early adolescence. In Europe and North America, seropositivity is acquired in adolescents and young adults (AYD). In countries with AYD infections, adult predominates over childhood BL.
Conclusions
Early childhood EBV infections associate with low rates of childhood BL and few adult BL. In the Middle East, childhood BL is relatively common while adult BL is rare. In our region, half of EBV infections is found in late childhood. This may reflect the Mid East more widely. The high childhood/low adult BL rates may be a regional influence of EBV exposure intermediate between early childhood and AYD infections.
The Supplement of Magnesium Element to Inhibit Colorectal Tumor Cells
Authors: Li Heng , Feng Xiaonan , Li Hai , Ma Shuo , Song Wei , Yang Bao , Jiang Tao , Yang Chun
Published: May 2022

Magnesium ions are essential elements to the human body, which need to intake about 350 mg per day for an adult. Recently, a meta-analysis reported that magnesium ions intake is related to a reduced risk of colorectal tumors. In addition, implantation of biodegradable magnesium pins after colorectal tumor resection has potential to inhibit the residual tumor cells. These impressive results implied that magnusium ions possess the posibility to against colorectal carcinoma. However, this hypothesis awaits confirmation by experimental results. In this work, we modulated different concentrations of magnesium ions and investigated the inhibitory effect on the cell viability through the cell cycle arresting, which subsequently induces apoptosis by activating the caspase-3 pathway. In animal experiments, the injection of magnesium restricted the size of tumor tissues for three weeks compared to the control group. The remarkable effect is attributed to the promoting apoptotic rate of tumor cells according to the results of immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. The promising evidence provides feasibility for the clinical use of magnesium implants to prevent recurrence after colorectal tumor surgery. The promising evidence provides feasibility for the clinical use of magnesium ions supplement to prevent recurrence after colorectal tumor surgery.
Immediate postoperative fever in a patient with scoliosis: Case report and literature review
Authors: Cui Xiumei , Mo Guixi , Wei Jingsong , Mo Meizhen , Zhong Yiyue
Published: May 2022

Background: Fever is a common clinical symptom in patients with postoperative scoliosis. However, there are rare reports of fevers occurring immediately following operative procedures.Case presentation: A 15-year-old female with a 1-year history of scoliosis was admitted to the hospital after a health examination. The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis and underwent a posterior idiopathic scoliosis procedure and correction for pedicle fixation. Clinical symptoms, including chills, fever, increased heart rate and increased blood pressure, were observed immediately following surgery during anesthesia recovery. However, this study did not monitor for temperature-change data over time during the whole intraoperative period. The patient was discharged 12 days after the operation, and no chills or fever (≥38°C) occurred during the 90-day follow-up, and no delayed infection during the over three years of follow-up. A systematic review of the literature on this subject was performed.Conclusions: Immediate postoperative fever may be a self-limiting or self-regulating process in patients with scoliosis. The treatment intervention should be circumspect when patients experience such symptoms without clinical evidence because they may not have serious outcomes. Our case provides insufficient clinical evidence to determine whether this condition is due to transfusion reaction, or anesthesia inhibition.
3D Printing and Processing of Miniaturized Transducers with Near-pristine Piezoelectric Ceramics for Localized Cavitation
Authors: Lu Haotian , Cui Huachen , Hensleigh Ryan , Jiang Laiming , Lu Gengxi , Wu Felix , Morales Jose , Putterman Seth , Zhou Qifa , Zheng Xiaoyu
Published: May 2022

The performance of ultrasonic transducers is largely determined by the piezoelectric properties and geometries of their active elements. Due to the brittleness of piezoceramics, existing processing tools for piezoelectric elements only achieve simple geometries, including flat disks, cylinders, cubes and rings. While advances in additive manufacturing give rise to free-form fabrication of piezoceramics, the resultant transducers suffer from high porosity, weak piezoelectric responses, and limited geometrical flexibility. We introduce optimized piezoceramic printing and processing strategies to produce highly responsive piezoelectric microtransducers that operate at ultrasonic frequencies. The 3D printed dense piezoelectric elements achieve high piezoelectric coefficients and complex architectures. The resulting piezoelectric charge constant, d33, and coupling factor, kt, of the 3D printed piezoceramic reach 583 pC/N and 0.65, approaching the properties of pristine ceramics. The integrated printing of transducer packaging materials enables miniaturized ultrasonic transducers capable of localized cavitation within millimeter-sized channels, paving the way for intravascular drug delivery.
Clinical Impact of IDH1 Mutations and MGMT Methylation in Adult Glioblastoma
Authors: Mahmoud Magda Sayed , Khalifa Mohamed K. , Nageeb Amira , El-Arab Lobna Ezz , El-Mahdy Manal , Ramadan Amal , Hashim Maha , Bakr Noha , Swellam Menha
Published: May 2022

Background. Genetic aberrations and epigenetic alterations have been reported in different types of cancer. Impact of Isocitrate dehydrogenase1 (IDH1) and O6-methylguanine-DNAmethyltransferase (MGMT) in glioblastoma (GB) have been of great interest due to their implications in prediction of prognosis of several types of cancer. It was aimed to investigate the clinical role of IDH1 mutation and MGMT methylation pattern among GB patients versus non-neurooncological diseases (NND) patients and their impact on survival criteria. Methods. Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissue sections of 58 GB and 20 non-onconeurological diseases patients were recruited and IDH1 mutation were detected using Cast-PCR technology and MGMT methylation was detected using Methyl II quantitative PCR approach. Their results were assessed with other clinicopathological criteria and correlated with survival patterns (progression free survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS]). Results. IDH1 mutation was detected among 15 GB cases (15/58) and it was not reported among NND (P=0.011). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were plotted to discriminate between MGMT methylation among studied groups. Patients with MGMT methylation ≥ 66% was reported as high methylation, which was recorded significantly in 51.7% and 100% of GB cases and NND, respectively. Both showed significant difference with performance status, while MGMT methylation was significantly related with tumor size and tumor location. IDH1 mutation and MGMT methylation reported significant increase with GB patients revealed complete response to treatment. Survival pattern was better for IDH1 mutation and MGMT high methylation as compared to IDH1 wild type or MGMT low-moderate methylation, respectively and favorable survival was detected when both were combined than using either of them alone. Conclusion. Detection of IDH1 mutation and MGMT methylation among GB patients could aid in prediction of their response to treatment and their survival patterns, and their combination is better than using any of them alone.
Expedited diagnosis of Pediatric Tuberculosis using Truenat MTB-Rif Dx and GeneXpert MTB/RIF
Authors: Singh Urvashi B. , Singh Manjula , Bala Kiran , Srivas Abhinav , Mahajan Neeraj , Sharma Sangeeta , Khangembam Jiten Singh , Rao M. V. V. , Lodha Rakesh , Kabra Sushil K
Published: May 2022

Rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive diagnostic assays are essential for global tuberculosis (TB) control, especially in high TB burden, resource-limited settings. The current study was designed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of Truenat MTB-Rif Dx (MolBio) in children less than 18 years of age, with symptoms suggestive of TB. Gastric Aspirate, Induced Sputum, and Broncho-alveolar Lavage samples were subjected simultaneously to AFB-smear, GeneXpert MTB/RIF (GX), liquid culture (MGIT-960) and Truenat MTB-Rif Dx (TN). The index-test results were evaluated against microbiological reference standards (MRS). TN had a sensitivity of 56.1%, specificity of 92.3% against MRS. Sensitivity and specificity of the two tests against liquid culture was 58.3% and 88.3% for TN and 53.6% and 91.9% for GX, respectively. Both GX and TN performed at par. Current study demonstrates that TN can aid early, efficient diagnosis of TB in children.
High expression of DNMT1 in breast invasive carcinoma associated with tumor immune microenvironment and poor prognosis
Authors: Chu Pei-Yi , Wu Hsing-Ju , Chen Po-Ming , Wang Shin-Mae , Lin Hung-Yu , Tang Feng-Yao , Chiang En-Pei Isabel
Published: May 2022

(1) Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that was found to cause epigenetic changes by regulating DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). IL-6 has al-so been found to promote tumor progression and chemoresistance in numerous types of cancers. However, it remains unknown how IL-6 and DNMT1 may impact prognosis in different breast cancer types. (2) Methods: Patient survival rate in breast cancer patients and DNMT1 expression pattern was examined in TCGA datasets. Protein expression pattern of IL-6 and DNMT1 were investigated in the tissue microarray in our cohort (n=285, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). IL-6 and DNMT1 expressions were examined in breast cancer cell-lines. Cell invasion activity was compared between high and low IL-6/DNMT expressing breast cancer cell lines, and between cells treated with/without IL-6 antibody. (3) Results: DNMT1 mRNA level was significantly higher in the breast tumor tissues (p < 0.001). Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer patients with higher DNMT1 mRNA level showed a poorer overall survival compared to other breast cancer subtypes (P = 0.043). A positive correlation between IL-6 and DNMT1 protein expression levels was found in breast cancer tissue array. Concurrent overexpression of IL-6 and DNMT1 was associated with poor survival rate in our cohort examined by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Cox regression further indicated that high expression of IL-6 and DNMT1 is an independent prognostic factor in HER2-positive patients. In addition, in breast cancer cell lines, HER2-positive MDA-MB-453 that had high IL-6 and DNMT1 expression exhibited higher invasiveness compared to that of the HER2-positive cell line SKBR3 with low IL-6 and DNMT1 expression. Finally, IL-6 recombinant protein (ng/ml) significantly promoted the invasion ability of low IL-6/low DNMT1 SKBR3 whereas IL-6 antibody (10 μg/ml) treatment significantly suppressed the invasion activity of high IL-6/high DNMT MDA-MB-453. Single cell sequencing data showed that DNMT1 was mainly expressed in malignant cells and innate and adaptive immune cells including monocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, CD4(+) T cells, and CD8(+) T cells. Besides, there existed a positive correlation between DNMT1 and the immune cells including CD8(+) T cells, CD4(+) T cells, and macrophages. (4) Conclusions: IL-6-DNMT1 axis could be responsible for HER2-positive breast cancer progression in tumor immune microenvironment. Our study suggests that IL-6 inhibition in combination with anti-HER2 therapy might be an effective approach in particular for HER2-positive patients with a potential to become a standard therapeutic strategy.