bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phrase-level Attention Network for Few-shot Inverse Relation Classification in Knowledge Graph
Authors: Wu Shaojuan , Dou Chunliu , Wang Dazhuang , Li Jitong , Zhang Xiaowang , Feng Zhiyong , Wang Kewen , Yitagesu Sofonias
Published: October 2022

Relation classification is to recognize semantic relation between two given entities mentioned in the given text in Knowledge Graph. Existing models have performed well on the inverse relation classification with large-scale datasets, but their performance drops significantly for few-shot learning. In this paper, we propose a novel method, function words adaptively enhanced attention framework (FAEA+), to capture class-related function words by the designed hybrid attention for few-shot inverse relation classification. Then, an instance-aware prototype network is present to adaptively capture relation information associated with query instances and eliminate intra-class redundancy due to function words introduced. We theoretically prove that the introduction of function words will increase intra-class differences, and the designed instance-aware prototype network is competent for reducing redundancy. Experimental results show that FAEA+ significantly improved over strong baselines on two datasets. Moreover, our model has a distinct advantage in solving inverse relations, which outperforms state-of-the-art results by 16.82\% under the 1-shot setting in FewRel1.0.
Endothelial cell-derived exosomes boost and maintain repair-related phenotypes of Schwann cells via miR199-5p to promote nerve regeneration
Authors: Huang Jinsheng , Zhang Geyi , Li Senrui , Li Jiangnan , Wang Wengang , Xue Jiajia , Wang Yuanyi , Fang Mengyuan , Zhou Nan
Published: October 2022

Background: Schwann cells (SCs) respond to nerve injury by transforming into the repair-related cell phenotype, which can provide the essential signals and spatial cues to promote axonal regeneration and induce target reinnervation. Endothelial cells (ECs) contribute to intraneural angiogenesis contributing to creating a permissive microenvironment. The coordination between ECs and SCs within injury sites is crucial in the regeneration process, however, it still remains unclear. As the intercellular vital information mediators in the nervous system, exosomes have been proposed to take a significant role in regulating regeneration. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to determine the facilitative effect of ECs-derived exosomes on SCs and to seek the underlying mechanism. Results: In the present study, we collected exosomes from media of ECs. We demonstrated that exosomes derived from ECs possessed the favorable neuronal affinity both in vitro and in vivo. Further research indicated that EC-exosomes (EC-EXO) could boost and maintain repair-related phenotypes of SCs, thereby enhancing axonal regeneration, myelination of regenerated axons and neurologically functional recovery of the injured nerve. MiRNA sequencing in EXO-treated SCs and control SCs indicated that EC-EXO significantly up-regulated expression of miR199-5p. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that EC-EXO drove the conversion of SC phenotypes in a PI3K/AKT/PTEN-dependent manner. Conclusion: In conclusion, our research indicates that the internalization of EC-EXO in SCs can promote nerve regeneration by boosting and maintaining the repair-related phenotypes of SCs. And the mechanism may be relevant to the up-regulated expression of miR199-5p and activation of PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling pathway.
Enhancement Growth, Water use efficiency and Economic benefit forMaize by Drip Irrigation in Northwest China
Authors: Liu Mengjie , Liang Fei , Wang Guodong , Li Quansheng , Tian Yuxin , Jia Hongtao
Published: October 2022

The application of drip irrigation has been paid more and more attention, but there was lack of systematic comparative analysis between drip irrigation and traditional irrigation for maize, currently. The goal of this study was to compare growth and water use efficiency as well as economic benefits while using drip irrigation or traditional irrigation for maize production in northwest China. An experiment was conducted during 2015–2021 in Shihezi in Xinjiang, China, that included drip irrigation (DI, 5400m3·hm− 2) treatment and traditional irrigation (TI, 7200 m3·hm− 2) treatment. The results showed the plant height, leaf area index, yield, water use efficiency and economic benefit of maize with drip irrigation had significantly higher than traditional irrigation. The dry matter translocation, the dry matter transfer efficiency and contribution of dry matter translocation to grain with drip irrigation showed significant increase of 27.44%, 13.97% and 7.85% compared to traditional irrigation, respectively. In comparison to traditional irrigation, the yield of drip irrigation increased by 18.42%, as well as water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) increased by 53.77% and 57.89%. The net return and economic benefit of drip irrigation was 1998.87 and 756.58 USD$·hm− 1 higher than that of traditional irrigation. Drip irrigation increased net return and benefit/cost ratio by 60.90% and 22.88% compared with traditional irrigation. These results demonstrate that the drip irrigation can effectively improve the growth, yield, water use efficiency and economic benefit of maize in northwest China. In the meanwhile, drip irrigation technology shows the potential to increase maize yield, but the decision to use drip irrigation should take into account economic benefits and environmental impacts. Therefore, drip irrigation can be used for maize cultivation to increase crop yield and water use efficiency in northwest China, which has cut down on irrigation water about 1800m3·hm− 2.
​In vitro treatment of Murine splenocyte with mesenchymal stem cell derived extracellular vesicles altered the mRNA levels of master regulators gene of T cell subsets
Authors: Yeganeh Alireza , Fathollahi Anwar , Hashemi Seyed Mahmoud , Yeganeh Farshid
Published: October 2022

Background
The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) on the production of cytokines and expression of genes, which are corresponded to the subsets of T helper cells.
Materials and methods
The supernatant of the second passage of MSCs that had been isolated from C57BL/6 mice abdominal adipose tissue was used to collect the MSC-EV. Splenocytes of healthy mice were activated using anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies and simultaneously were treated using the MSC-EVs. The proliferation rate of lymphocytes and the frequency of regulatory T cells were measured using flow cytometry. In addition, the expressions of T helper cell subset-specific transcription factors were evaluated using a real-time PCR assay. To appraise the effects of MSC-EV on splenocytes, the levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-10, and TGF-β were measured using ELISA.
Results
The results showed that the treatment of the CD3/CD28-activated splenocytes with MSC-EV did not statistically change the proliferation of CD3 + splenocytes. However, after the treatment, the mRNA levels of FoxP3 and Elf4 as well as the frequency of regulatory T cells was significantly higher when compared to the control group. The expression levels of Gata3, Rorc, and Tbx21 were down-regulated while, the corresponding cytokines levels did not altered.
Conclusion
The results revealed that the in vitro treatment of MSC-EV was associated with the increase in the frequency of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + T cells and upregulation of Foxp3 mRNA level.
Joint Resource Allocation of UAV Aided Communication System Based on Multi-Coding Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm
Authors: Hao Weibo , Ye Fang , Sun Qian
Published: October 2022

With the advantages of flexible deployment and configuration, fast response, and strong environmental adaptability, UAV aided communication has important applications in temporary hotspot areas, edge areas, and emergency communication scenarios. Compared with traditional wired backhaul links from ground base stations, considering the high mobility of UAV base stations, this paper considers a UAV aided communication system using in-band backhaul technology to maximize the minimum reachable rate of ground users by jointly optimizing the hovering position, bandwidth allocation, transmit power and user association of UAVs. To address this problem, an multi-coding artificial bee colony algorithm is proposed in this paper to solve the proposed joint optimization problem, extending the dimensionality of the search performed on the solution space. Simulation results show that the proposed multivariate coded artificial bee colony algorithm can achieve significant rate gain and improve the minimum reachable rate of ground users in UAV aided communication systems within a limited number of iterations compared to the block coordinate descent method.
The network structure of psychopathological and resilient responses to the coronavirus pandemic: A multi-country study of general population depression and anxiety symptoms
Authors: Contreras Alba , Butter Sarah , Graziol Umberto , Panzeri Anna , Peinado Vanesa , Trucharte Almudena , Zavlis Orestis , Valiente Carmen , Vázquez Carmelo , Murphy Jamie , Bertamini Marco , Shevlin Mark , Hartman Todd K. , Giovanni Bruno , Mignemi Giuseppe , Spoto Andrea , Vidotto Giulio , Bentall Richard P.
Published: October 2022

Commonly identified trajectories of psychological distress in response to adverse events, like the COVID-19 pandemic, include Resilience, Delayed distress, Recovery and Sustained distress. The current study aimed to analyse these four distinct response patterns during the pandemic using network analysis. Anxiety and depression symptom data collected across four European countries over the first year of the pandemic were analysed (N = 3594). Participants were firstly categorised into one of the four aforementioned response patterns. Networks of symptoms were then estimated in each of these groups, and they were compared in relation to network connectivity and symptom clustering. Informed by network theory, it was hypothesised that greater levels of resiliency would be characterised by lower symptom connectivity and fewer symptom clusters. Two-thirds (64%) of the sample were categorised as displaying a pattern of Resilience. The connectivity hypothesis was partially supported: the Sustained distress group show higher connectivity than the Recovered group; however, the Resilient group showed higher connectivity than the Delayed distress group. Regarding symptom clustering, non-random clusters were identified in the Recovered and Sustained groups only, and, in contrast to the initial hypotheses, more clusters emerged in the Recovered group (three) than in the Sustained distress group (two). Our results replicated findings that resilience was the most common mental health pattern over the first year of the pandemic. Moreover, they suggested that high network connectivity may be indicative of a stable mental health response over time, whereas fewer symptom clusters may be indicative of a pattern of sustained distress. Although exploratory, the network perspective provided a useful tool to examine the complexity of patterns of psychological responses to adverse events, and if replicated, could be used to help identify indicators of protection against, or vulnerability to, psychological distress in future.
Epidemiological Characteristics and Prognosis of 103 Cases of CRKP in a General Hospital in Guangzhou
Authors: Zu Shuai , Zhao Hengrui , Wen Minghui , Zheng Lei , Hu Xiumei
Published: October 2022

Objective: To analyze the nosocomial infection of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and the prognosis of patients in a general hospital in 2021.
Methods:Using unified diagnostic criteria, 103 cases of CRKP infection in a general hospital in 2021 were investigated, including the clinical epidemiological data of age, sex, and department, and the characteristics of department distribution, infection site, population and prognosis of CRKP were analyzed.
Results:As global bacterial resistance rises and widely distributed multiple drug-resistant bacteria, XDR gradually becomes untreatable, which leads to an increase in the number of hospital infections. Through the investigation of hospital infection in clinical departments and related disease areas of our hospital, it was found that the majority of clinical departments have detected multidrug-resistant bacteria, which makes us pay more attention to this phenomenon: A total of 106 strains of CRKP were detected in the whole year (repeated detection of CRKP in different specimens from the same patient was only recorded for the first time). The detection rate of CRKP in hospitals was 13.77%, and male patients were far higher than female patients. The internal medicine unit was the department with a high incidence of CRKP infection. After CRKP infection, 70 patients improved, while 33 patients did not improve (χ2= 9.936, P < 0.01).The main source of specimens and sites of infection is the respiratory tract and lungs.
Conclusion: The high-risk population of hospital CRKP infection is male elderly patients, the high-risk department is internal medicine, and the main infection site is the lung. The majority of CRKP patients improved after treatment. Tigecycline and cephalosporins enzyme inhibitor compound preparations are effective in the treatment and prognosis of clinical patients with CRKP infection.
Non-aromatic 1,3-Disilapyrroles:
a class of stable organosilicon-based triplet diradicals
Authors: Xiong Yun , Dong Shicheng , Yao Shenglai , Lorent Christian , Krause Konstantin , Gonela Vijaykumer , Zhu Jun , Limberg Christian , Driess Matthias
Published: October 2022

Open-shell molecules with unpaired electrons and a high-spin S ≥ 1 configuration are of fundamental importance in chemistry, biology and towards molecular electronics. Among metal-free systems, carbon- and silicon-based triplet diradicals with two unpaired electrons and strong ferromagnetic coupling are proposed as key intermediates in many organic and elementorganic transformations but their isolation remains challenging due to their very high reactivity. Herein, we report the facile synthesis of the first isolable 1,3-disilapyrroles which represent organosilicon-based delocalized triplet diradicals. They result from click chemistry of two divalent silicon atoms in a 1,1-bis(silylenyl)aniline to the carbon-carbon triple bond of diphenylacetylenes. Remarkably, the spin-density distribution of these triplet diradicals exhibits an asymmetric delocalization due to steric congestion. The unpaired electrons in the 1,3-disilapyrroles enable an unprecedented reactivity, including cyclotetramerization and complete cleavage of the carbon-oxygen triple bond of CO at ambient temperature with subsequent C(sp3)-H bond activation to give a new bicyclic product.
Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding of Children Under 6 Months of Age in Cote D'ivoire
Authors: KOFFI Ibrahima , ESSIS Esme Marie Laure , BAMBA Iba , ASSI Kaudjhis RH , KONAN Loukou Léandre , Aka Joseph
Published: October 2022

Introduction:
Despite benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and its strategic place in the national guidelines for infant and young child feeding, its practice remains insufficient in Côte d'Ivoire (34%). It is therefore important to identify its early stopping associated factors.
Objectives
(i) To assess the extent of children’s exposure to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and the associated explanatory factors for discontinuation before 6 months. (ii) To profile non-exclusively breastfed children and interrelationships between these factors.
Materials and methods
A secondary analysis of data from the 2016 Cote d’Ivoire Fifth Multi indicator Cluster Survey (MICS5) of 980 children under 6 months of age was conducted in this study. Data were analyzed using the actuarial method of survival function estimation combined with the Wilcoxon (Gehan) test, discrete-time logistic regression, and Multiple Correspondence Factorial Analysis (MCA) to profile the children.
Results
Maternal exposure to medical discourse, age at delivery, and child sex were significantly associated with the likelihood of discontinuing EBF before the first 6 months of life. Children deprived of AME resided in urban areas, in high and very high economic welfare households. Their mothers had a secondary education or higher and were poor with up to three children. In addition, the explanatory factors for dropping out of the EBF, ranked in descending order of explanatory power, were region of residence, child's health status, household standard of living, child's gender, mother's exposure to medical discourse, and mother's education level.
Conclusion
Improving the practice of EBF in Côte d'Ivoire requires strengthening the capacities of health professionals in terms of advice and assistance to mothers for the practice of AME and its maintenance until 6 months of age, regardless of the health status and sex of the child.
Spontaneous rupture of a small intestinal stromal tumor and causes acute abdomen: a case report
Authors: zongyao chen , shuangya deng , xiaoxin jin , yuhang liu , weidong chen
Published: October 2022

Small intestinal stromal tumors (SIST) reports were not uncommon; however, spontaneous rupture of SIST resulting in the acute abdomen and requiring emergency surgery was uncommon. Here, we reported a case of SIST spontaneous rupture that caused an acute abdomen. The patient went to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University due to abdominal pain for two days. According to his symptoms, signs, and imaging examinations, the preliminary diagnoses were "abdominal pain investigation cause" and "acute peritonitis.” Emergency laparotomy revealed an outgrowing 5-cm tumor in the ileum. The surface of the mass had ruptured, and blood clots and intestinal contents were flowing out. Postoperative pathological outcomes were considered high-risk SIST. In this paper, a literature review of this case was carried out to improve clinicians' understanding of SIST and reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnoses.
The effects of different levels of sodium diformate on growth performance, Immunological respond, digestive enzyme activity and intestinal histomorphology
Authors: kazemi Mohsen , mohammadian Takavar , Mesbah Mehrzad , Basir Zahra , Khosravi Mohammad , Tabandeh Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2022

Sodium diformate (NaDF) is organic acids that modulate growth performance, Immunological respond, digestive enzyme activity and intestinal histomorphology status. So, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of NaDF on growth performance, Immunological respond, digestive enzyme activity and intestinal histomorphology in juvenile Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser baerii. Juvenile Siberian Sturgeon fed control food or diet supplemented with different levels of NaDF (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 g/Kg) for 60 days. The results showed that NaDF 0.1 improved significantly (p < .05) fish growth performance following 30 days of application (p < .05). The results showed that dietary administration of NaDF significantly (p < .05) increased digestive enzymes. Dietary administration of NaDF in all treatments significantly increased the serum lysozyme and complement activity, and respiratory burst activity in A. baerii at days 60th of the experimental period. The highest bactericidal activity (P < 0.05) was observed in the fish which fed diet containing 0.15% NaDF (at days 30th ) and 0.1% NaDF (at days 60th ). The fishes fed diets supplemented with NaDF like other trail factor, presented increase in the thickness of the epithelium of the intestine, villus height, villus width, and number of goblet cells, were greatest in 0.15% NaDF, and followed by 0.1% NaDF after day 30 and 60 of culture. The present results revealed beneficial effects of 0.1 g/Kg dietary NaDF on growth performance and physiological response of A. baerii for 60 days.
Practice Patterns of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants Treating Patients with Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema
Authors: Wampler Meredith , Campione Elizabeth , Bolch Charlotte A.
Published: October 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to describe practice patterns of physical therapists (PT) and physical therapist assistants (PTA) who treat patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and determine if they are adherent to best evidence recommendations for lymphedema diagnosis and intervention.
Methods
An electronic survey to collect practice pattern data of PTs and PTAs who treat patients with BCRL was distributed. A descriptive and quantitative statistical analysis was performed.
Results
26% of respondents read the American Physical Therapy Association sponsored lymphedema diagnosis clinical practice guideline (CPG) and 20% read the lymphedema intervention CPG. Lymphoscintigraphy was the only diagnosis or intervention tool with a significant difference in use between therapists who read versus did not read the CPGs. Adherence to “should do” recommendations was variable: bioimpedance (18.2%), volume calculation (49.3%), ultrasound (0%), patient reported outcome tools (64.9%), compression garments (43.9%), exercise (87.2%), and compression bandaging (56.8%).
Conclusions
There is variability in adherence to recommendations for both the lymphedema diagnosis and intervention CPGs. Interventions to improve implementation and adherence to CPG recommendations are warranted.
Influence of VR-based Brain-Computer Interfaces Training in Brain Activity and Clinical Outcome in Chronic Stroke: A Longitudinal Study of Single Cases
Authors: Vourvopoulos Athanasios , Blanco-Mora Diego , Aldridge Audrey , Jorge Carolina , Fernandes Jean-Claude , Figueiredo Patrícia , Badia Sergi Bermúdez i
Published: October 2022

Background: Restorative Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI's) can provide an alternative non-muscular channel for patients who lack volitional movement by reinforcing the modulation of sensorimotor rhythms through motor-imagery (MI). MI practice can be augmented through embodied feedback delivered by virtual reality (VR). Nonetheless, detailed information concerning the impact of VR-BCI training in clinical outcome is still largely missing. This paper investigates the long-term effect of VR-BCI training in brain activity patterns measured by the electroencephalogram (EEG) and clinical scales of stroke patients.
Methods: Four chronic stroke patients underwent a 3-week VR-BCI intervention. Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was conducted pre-, post- intervention, and a follow-up, one-month later. The VR-BCI training consisted of a bimanual rowing task (NeuRow) involving MI and motor observation. From the EEG, the Event-related Desynchronization (ERD) was extracted from the Mu band (8-12 Hz). Finally, the BCI performance was computed from the BCI training session.
Results: All patients showed significantly increased Mu ERD compared to baseline, however, the affected side showed reduced ERD during the contralateral MI. Significant ERD differences originating from both the lesioned and the healthy hemisphere were found when comparing post- with pre- intervention in all patients, and decreasing ERD was found for patients with no clinical improvement. Patients with decreased lateralization of ERD had no improvement of the FMA score.
Conclusion: Stroke patients in the chronic phase can modulate their brain activity patterns using MI in a VR-BCI task, with observable patient-specific differences between brain activity and clinical outcome. Nonetheless, only patients with increased ERD lateralization showed clinical improvement.
IGSF6 is a novel biomarker to evaluate immune infiltration in mismatch repair-proficient colorectal cancer
Authors: Xu Yu-cheng , Yu Zhao-liang , Chen Xiao-chuan , Zhong Min-er , Liang Yu-fan , Weng Jing-rong , Luo Dan-dong , Bie Yi-ran , Chen Xi , Cai Jia-wei , Rong Yu-ming , Zou Yi-feng
Published: October 2022

Background：Immunotherapy has dramatically changed the landscape of treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC), but there is lack of effective predictive biomarker, especially for tumors with mismatch repair (MMR) proficiency. Immune response relies to cell surface receptors and their interactions, such as cell-cell recognition, binding and adhesion. However, the function of immunoglobulin superfamily (IGSF) genes in tumor immune microenvironment remains uncharacterized.
Methods: This study quantified the immune using the gene expression matrix obtained from the public database. Also the associations between IGSF6 gene expression and immune cell infiltration were assessed. The expression levels of IGSF6, CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in cancer tissues from CRC patients were evaluated.
Results: IGSF6 was more highly expressed in CRC tumor tissues than corresponding adjacent normal tissues. And IGSF6 was significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration in MMR-proficient patients. Remarkably, MMR-proficient patients with high IGSF6 expression showed more sensitive to immunotherapy and chemotherapy than those with low IGSF6 expression.
Conclusions: In summary, IGSF6 could be a novel biomarker to evaluate immune infiltration and predict therapeutic effect for MMR-proficient CRC.
Diagnostic yield of copy number variation sequencing in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency: A retrospective study
Authors: xiao yang , Bian Xinyi , Shi Xinwei , Ding Jianlin , Tang Hongju , Xu Peng , Deng Dongrui , Zeng Wanjiang , Chen Suhua , Qiao Fuyuan , Feng Ling , Wu Yuanyuan
Published: October 2022

Objective
To assess the clinical application value of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) combined with karyotype analysis in prenatal diagnosis of fetuses with increased nuchal translucency.
Methods
205 fetuses who were diagnosed with increased nuchal translucency (NT ≥ 2.5 mm) by ultrasound between gestational ages of 11 and 13 + 6 weeks from June 2017 to December 2020 in Tongji Hospital were enrolled. Amniotic fluid samples were extracted for performing karyotype analysis and CNV-seq after patient’s written informed consent was obtained.
Results
Chromosome abnormalities were discovered in 40 fetuses (19.51%) with increased NT by karyotype and the trisomy 21 was the most common. 50 fetuses (24.39%) with chromosomal abnormalities were detected by CNV-seq, producing an incremental yield of 6.06% (10/165) in fetuses with increased NT and normal karyotype. The prevalence of chromosome abnormality increased by from 13.64% for those with NTs of 2.5–3.4 mm to 38.64% for NTs of 3.5–4.4 mm and 51.72% for NTs of over 4.5 mm. The difference had statistically significance (P < 0.05). Those with increased NT complicated with ultrasound soft markers or high risk of non-invasive prenatal testing showed higher rate of chromosome abnormality than those with isolated NT or low risk, and difference had statistically significance (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
As the thickness of NT increases, the odds of chromosome abnormalities also increase, which could be detected by karyotype or CNV-seq, and the combination application of two tests can greatly shorten the turnover time of prenatal diagnosis and the occurrence of missed diagnosis. Besides, we recommend that the NTs of 2.5-3.4mm should be considered as a critical risk range of chromosome abnormality and attention should be paid to those fetuses whether complicated with other ultrasound soft markers or not.
Using Toeplitz Matrices to obtain 2D convolution
Authors: Gnacik Michał , Łapa Krystian
Published: October 2022

Optimising the discrete convolution operations is important due to the fast growing interest and successful applications of deep learning to various fields and industries. In response to that, we propose an algorithm that views the 2D convolution operation between matrices as a matrix multiplication that involves a Toeplitz matrix; our algorithm is based on the mathematical result that we prove. We will present the complexity of the resulting algorithm and benchmark it against other 2D convolution algorithms in known Python computational libraries. The current implementations of our algorithm suggest a potential speed-up of convolution operation if the sparsity of the Toeplitz matrix was utilised.
Natural Resource Extraction, Ecosystem Services and Population Health: An Empirical Test of 170 Countries, 1990-2019
Authors: de Soysa Indra , Parau Cristina
Published: October 2022

Many argue that natural resource use and degradation of ecosystems reduce human health. Others prioritize economic development for increasing human health and wellbeing, acknowledging that some environmental assets are necessarily sacrificed for human development. Neo-Marxists and other critical theorists argue that extraction of natural resources are indirect forms of exploitation of the poor, where the rich benefit while the poor sacrifice their natural capital. We test these large propositions using several measures of natural resource extraction and country-level indicators of ecosystem health on health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) for 170 countries over a 30-year period. The results suggest that resource extraction has very little effect on population health, except that mineral resource extraction improves human health. Ecosystem services generally do not matter, but there is evidence to suggest that lower availability of biome associates with better human health, suggesting that human health is generated by factors quite independent of available biodiversity and protected area. Indeed, per capita income levels show the most robust relationship with healthy life expectancy, as does population density, results generally at odds with neo-Malthusian explanations about people, planet, and human wellbeing. Our results, taken together, support the view that development generates better human health, and perhaps as a result, spurs local-level environmental protections.
Window on Bacillus maritimus MSM1 Exopolysaccharide Characterization and Possibility of its Anti-Alzheimer Property in In-Vitro Model
Authors: El-Newary Samah , Mohamed Sahar S , Mahmoud Manal , Ibrahim Abeer , El-Newary Samah , Awady Mohamed S. El
Published: October 2022

Four bacterial isolates were obtained from marine sediments, collected from Sahl Hashish, Hurghada Red Sea, Egypt. The four isolates were screened for exopolysaccharides (EPS) production and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The most promising isolate S16 provided the highest EPS yield (7.51 g/L) and acetylcholinesterase inhibition was identified morphologically and genetically using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Bacillus maritimus. Physico-chemical analysis of BMEPS using UV-Vis was estimated uronic acid and sulfate contents to be 24.7% and 18.3%, respectively. HPLC analysis indicated that it Mannuronic acid, glucouronic acid, glucose, and mannose are present in a molar ratio of 0.8:1.0:2.8:2.3, respectively. Further, FT-IR showed the abundance of β-configurations. The GPC estimated the average molecular weight (Mw) to be 4.31´104 g/mol. BMEPS successfully inhibited AChE (IC50; 691.77± 8.65μg/ ml), BuChE (IC50; 288.27±10.50μg/ ml), and tyrosinase (IC50; 3.34±0.09, 14.00± 0.14, and 22.96 ± 1.23μg/ ml during incubation durations of 10, 20, and 40 minutes); It also demonstrated a selective anti-inflammatory action against COX-2 rather than COX-1. Furthermore, BMEPS showed powerful antioxidant capabilities such as free radical and oxygen reactive species (ROS) scavenging, metal chelation, reduction capacity, and suppression of lipid peroxidation. These activities are due to its distinct chemical composition, which includes sulfated moieties (18.30%) and uronic acids (24.70%). The findings of this study indicate that BMEPs shown promising anti-disease Alzheimer's activity in vitro, qualifying them for inclusion in advanced preclinical studies for the discovery of alternative treatment.
Automorphisms of affine Veronese surfaces
Authors: Aitzhanova Bakhyt , Umirbaev Ualbai
Published: October 2022

We prove that every derivation and every locally nilpotent derivation of the subalgebra K[xn, xn−1y, . . . , xyn−1, yn], where n ≥ 2, of the polynomial algebra K[x, y] in two variables over a field K of characteristic zero is induced by a derivation and a locally nilpotent derivation of K[x, y], respectively. Moreover, we prove that every automorphism of K[xn, xn−1y, . . . , xyn−1, yn] over an algebraically closed field K of characteristic zero is induced by an automorphism of K[x, y]. We also show that the group of automorphisms of K[xn, xn−1y, . . . , xyn−1, yn] admits an amalgamated free product structure.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2020): 14R10, 14J50, 13F20.
Resveratrol improves the progression of osteoarthritis by regulating the SIRT1-FoxO1 pathway-mediated cholesterol metabolism
Authors: Liang ChuanCai , Xing Hengte , Wang ChenYu , Xu XiongFeng , Hao Yarong , Qiu Bo
Published: October 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered a metabolic disorder. This study investigated the effect of resveratrol (RES) on cholesterol accumulation in osteoarthritic articular cartilage via the SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway. Interleukin (IL)-1β-treated chondrocytes that mimic OA chondrocytes were used in in vitro experiments. The optimal RES concentration was selected based on the results of chondrocyte proliferation in the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed. For the animal experiments, rats were randomly divided into the RES group (n = 15), medial meniscus destabilization group (n = 15), and Sham group (n = 15), and each group received the same dose of RES or saline. Articular cartilage tissue was obtained eight weeks after surgery for relevant histological analysis. Clinical tissue test results suggest that downregulation of the SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway is associated with cholesterol buildup in OA chondrocytes. For the in vitro studies, RES increased SIRT1 expression and FoxO1 phosphorylation in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes, promoted the expression of cholesterol efflux factors (LXRα, ABCA1, and ApoA1), and inhibited the expression of cholesterol synthesis-related factors (SREBP-2and HMGCR). This reduced IL-1β-induced chondrocytes cholesterol accumulation. SIRT1 inhibition prevented the RES-mediated reduction in cholesterol buildup. Inhibiting FoxO1 but not SIRT1reduced FoxO1 phosphorylation and increased cholesterol buildup in cultured chondrocytes. Additionally, in vivo experiments have shown that RES can alleviate cholesterol buildup and pathological changes in OA cartilage. Our findings suggest that RES regulates cholesterol buildup in osteoarthritic articular cartilage via the SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway, thereby improving the progression of OA.
ESM1/VEGFα/ERK signaling axis augments cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis in human cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Huang Yugang , Li Dan , Yao Li , Yu Dan , Wang Li , Tang Xian-bin , Su Xiao-min
Published: October 2022

Background Aberrant expression of endothelial cell specific molecule 1 (ESM1) is frequent in the carcinogenesis of various neoplasms. However, the expression profile and prognostic value of ESM1 in CSCC remain ill-defined. Methods Human specimens were utilized to investigate the expression of ESM1 in normal cervical tissue, LSIL, HSIL, and CSCC samples by IHC and RT-qPCR assay. And, it was further validated and explored in CSCC based on GEO and TCGA datasets. Then, genomic enrichment analysis (GSEA) andin vitroexperiments of human CSCC cell lines, including SiHa and ME-180, were applied to probe the potential molecular mechanisms of ESM1 in CSCC. Results In human samples, the ESM1 was hyper-expressed in CSCC, compared with the normal ones. Combined with TCGA and GEO, it further revealed that ESM1 was significantly overexpressed and related to dismal prognosis in CSCC patients. And, GSEA analysis showed that the tumor angiogenesis and the VEGFα signaling pathway were mostly enriched in CSCC patients with ESM1 high expression. Then, thein vitroexperiment suggested that interference of ESM1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and enhanced apoptosis, resulting in the reduction of VEGFα expression and the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 (P-VEGFR2) and ERK-1/2 (P-ERK-1/2) in SiHa and ME-180 cells. Conclusions ESM1 is notably overexpressed in CSCC patients. Overexpression of ESM1 predicts an adverse prognosis of CSCC. Overexpressed ESM1 augments tumor angiogenesis and progression of CSCC via the VEGFα/ERK signaling pathway. Thus, ESM1 and related genes may serve as promising prognostic biomarkers or candidate therapeutic targets for CSCC patients.
Virtual reality in medical emergencies training: benefits, perceived stress, and learning success
Authors: Mühling Tobias , Späth Isabelle , Backhaus Joy , Milke Nathalie , Oberdörfer Sebastian , Meining Alexander , Latoschik Marc Erich , König Sarah
Published: October 2022

Medical graduates lack procedural skills experience required to manage emergencies. Recent advances in virtual reality (VR) technology enable the creation of highly immersive learning environments representing easy-to-use and affordable solutions for training with simulation. However, the feasibility in compulsory teaching, possible side effects of immersion, perceived stress, and didactic benefits have to be investigated systematically. VR-based training sessions using head-mounted displays alongside a real-time dynamic physiology system were held by student assistants for small groups followed by debriefing with a tutor. In the pilot study, 36 students rated simulation sickness. In the main study, 97 students completed a virtual scenario as active participants (AP) and 130 students as observers (OBS) from the first-person perspective on a monitor. Participants completed questionnaires for evaluation purposes and exploratory factor analysis was performed on the items. The extent of simulation sickness remained low to acceptable among participants of the pilot study. In the main study, students valued the realistic environment and guided practical exercise. AP perceived the degree of immersion as well as the estimated learning success to be greater than OBS and proved to be more motivated post training. With respect to AP, the factor “sense of control” revealed a typical inverse U-shaped relationship to the scales “didactic value” and “individual learning benefit”. Summing up, curricular implementation of highly immersive VR-based training of emergencies proved feasible and found a high degree of acceptance among medical students. This study also provides insights into how different conceptions of perceived stress distinctively moderate subjective learning success.
Identification of the regulatory network and potential markers for type 2 diabetes mellitus related to internal exposure to metals in Chinese adults
Authors: Wang Yue , Shi Peng , Zhao Chenkai , Shi Jingang , Qi Zhipeng , Xu Senhao , Wang Xue , Su Ni , Gao Zijian , Zhu Jinghai , He Miao
Published: October 2022

People intake metals from their environment. This study investigated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) related to internal exposure to metals and attempted to identify possible biomarkers. A total of 734 Chinese adults were enrolled and urinary levels of 10 metals were measured. Multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the association between metals and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and T2DM. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein–protein interaction (PPI) were used to explore the pathogenesis of T2DM related to metals. After adjustment, lead (Pb) was positively associated with IFG (odds ratio [OR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.61) and T2DM (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.98), but cobalt (Co) was negatively associated with IFG (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.34–0.95). Transcriptome analysis showed 69 target genes involved in the Pb-target network of T2DM. GO enrichment indicated the target genes are enriched mainly in the biological process category. KEGG enrichment indicated Pb exposure leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, lipid and atherosclerosis, and insulin resistance. Moreover, there is alteration of four key pathways, and six algorithms were used to identify 12 possible genes in T2DM related to Pb. SOD2 and ICAM1 show strong similarity in expression, suggesting a functional correlation between these key genes. This study reveals that SOD2 and ICAM1 may be potential targets of Pb exposure-induced T2DM and provides novel insight into the biological effects and underlying mechanism of T2DM related to internal exposure to metals in the Chinese population.
Extremely hot East Asia and flooding western South Asia in the summer of 2022 tied to reversed flow over Tibetan Plateau
Authors: He Chao , Zhou Tianjun , Zhang Lixia , Chen Xiaolong , Zhang Wenxia
Published: October 2022

In the summer (July and August) of 2022, unprecedented heat wave occurred along the Yangtze River Valley (YRV) over East Asia while unprecedented flood occurred over western South Asia (WSA), which are located on the eastern and western sides of Tibetan Plateau (TP). Here, based on observational and reanalysis data, we show evidences that the anomalous zonal flow over subtropical Tibetan Plateau (TP) explains a major fraction of the interannual climate variability over these two regions and the extreme events occurred in 2022. As the upper troposphere over TP is a warm center in summer, anomalous easterly (westerly) flow over TP generates anomalous descent (ascent) on the eastern side of TP and anomalous ascent (descent) on the western side of TP via isentropic gliding. The anomalous easterly flow is extremely strong to reverse the climatological westerly flow over subtropical TP in 1994, 2006, 2013 and 2022. The easterly flow in 2022 is the strongest since 1979, and it generates unprecedented descent (ascent) anomaly on the eastern (western) side of TP, leading to extreme heat wave over YRV and extreme flood over the WSA in 2022. The anomalously strong easterly flow over subtropical TP in 2022 is dominated by internal atmospheric variability related to mid-latitude wave train, while the cold sea surface temperature anomaly over the tropical Indian Ocean increases its strength and the probability of a reversed zonal flow, by reducing the meridional gradient of tropospheric temperature between the tropics and the mid-latitudes.
Cabotegravir – global access to long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Authors: Pepperrell Toby , Cross Samuel , Hill Andrew
Published: October 2022

A novel injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis, cabotegravir, has greater efficacy and acceptability than oral TDF/FTC for prevention of HIV infection. Cabotegravir is currently priced at $22,200 per year, 370-times higher than the $60 estimated cost-effectiveness threshold for MICs. Following civil society pressure, ViiV agreed access to generic versions in 90 countries with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), including all African nations. However, several MICs outside Africa have rapidly growing HIV epidemics. We analysed the ViiV-MPP deal to assess population covered and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. There were 38 countries excluded from the ViiV-MPP deal despite having a GDP per Capita lower than the highest earning African country. These countries include 2.4 billion people (30% global population), with an incidence of 122 thousand (8%). For cabotegravir to have a significant impact on HIV infections, millions will need to be treated at affordable prices in a wide range of countries.
Low Barthel index score is a poor prognostic factor for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Geng Chuanying , Yang Guangzhong , Zhou Huixing , Wang Huijuan , Li Yanchen , Leng Yun , Zhang Zhiyao , Jian Yuan , Chen Wenming
Published: October 2022

Background: The basic activities of daily life may affect the prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients and the Barthel index (BI) is currently the most widely used tool to evaluate basic activities of daily life, but few studies have evaluated its prognostic value in MM.
Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients with newly diagnosed MM and analyzed the association between the BI and the survival of newly diagnosed MM patients.
Results: We totally analyzed 538 patients and found that median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were significantly shorter in the low BI (≤85) group compared with the high BI (>85) group. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the low BI was associated with shorter OS and PFS. It was also confirmed that the low BI was poor prognostic factor for OS and PFS in multivariable analyses. In the propensity score matching analysis, patients with low BI also had shorter OS and PFS.
Conclusion: Our study suggested that the low BI was a poor prognostic factor for patients with newly diagnosed MM.
A Combined Covariance Analysis and Fuzzy Logic Controller Based Protection Methodology for Discrimination of Uncertain and Asymmetrical/Symmetrical Events
Authors: Ülker Fevzeddin , Küçüker Ahmet
Published: October 2022

Distributed energy resources (DERs) such as wind turbines and solar panels have fluctuating power generation profile. Also, uncertainty of DERs & loads can bring about complexity in functioning of protection for Microgrids (MGs). Thus, the operation of classical protection methods used in distribution networks may fail for MGs. In this context, this study presents a new protection methodology for discriminating between uncertain and asymmetrical / symmetrical events in MG. A detection method using covariance analysis of wavelet transform (CAWT) and a classification method based on fuzzy logic controller (FLC) using this analysis are presented. The proposed methods are evaluated under various conditions, including fault resistance, fault inception angle, and fault location. Furthermore, variation of solar irradiance levels and source strength has been taken into consideration to validate the performance of the proposed protection methodology. An advantage of the proposed methodology is that the relationship among phases using a covariance analysis proves the presence of the fault. Another advantage is that the discrimination between uncertain and ASF&SF events was discussed, and the faulted phase(s) was/were accurately identified through FLC. Besides, the efficiency of introduced CAWT&FLC-based methods was confirmed on MG configurations such as radial and mesh. In addition, the presented protection methodology became more efficient when combined with the detection of uncertain events.
Development and validation of non-invasive models in predicting advanced fibrosis of choledochal cyst
Authors: Chen Suyun , Yin Tong , Li Long , Diao Mei , Huang Ting
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Choledochal cyst patients (CDCs) develop liver fibrosis, especially advanced fibrosis without prompt surgery. This study validated the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to- platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and constructed a model for predicting advanced fibrosis in pediatric CDCs.
Methods
330 CDCs (advanced fibrosis: 34, Ludwig staging 3-4; non-advanced fibrosis: 296, Ludwig staging 0-2) between January 2020 and March 2022 were reviewed. The APRI and FIB-4 were validated. Relevant variables were analyzed by backward stepwise logistic regression. Enhanced bootstrap method was used for internal verification with 1000 samples.
Results
Mean age at operation was 29.42 ± 35.15 months. The AUROCs of APRI and FIB-4 were 0.761 (0.673-0.850) and 0.561 (p = 0.246). An index, APAR (AST to prealbumin ratio), was constructed with AUROC of 0.776 (0.693-0.860). The AUROCs of APAR + APRI and APAR + FIB-4 were 0.791 (0.713-0.869) and 0.782 (0.699-0.865). No significant differences were in the AUROCs of the indices or their combinations. APAR and APRI could be used together to reduce the rate of misdiagnosis. The risk of advanced fibrosis varied from the different APAR and APRI scores.
Conclusion
Both APAR and APRI were crucial to identify patients at high risk of advanced fibrosis for CDC.