bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel postoperative nomograms for predicting individual prognosis of hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis
Authors: Xu Liangliang , Dai Fuzhen , Wang Peng , Li Lian , Zhang Ming , Xu Mingqing
Published: June 2022

Background
Liver cirrhosis is a well-known risk factor for carcinogenesis of hepetocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of present study is to construct individual prognostic models for HCC with cirrhosis.
Methods
The clinical differences between HCC patients with and without cirrhosis were compared using a large cohort containing 1003 cases. Then cirrhotic patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts according to a ratio of 2:1. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to reveal the independent risk factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). These factors were subsequently used to construct nomograms.
Results
Multivariate analyses revealed that five clinical variables (hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), tumor diameter, microvascular invasion (MVI) and satellite lesion) and seven variables (HBeAg, AFP, tumor diameter, MVI, satellite lesion, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and differentiation) were significantly associated with RFS and OS, respectively. The nomograms based on these parameters were established. In training cohort, the C-indices of the nomograms for RFS and OS were 0.739 (P < 0.001) and 0.789 (P < 0.001), respectively; in validation cohort, the C-indices of the nomograms for RFS and OS were 0.752 (P < 0.001) and 0.813 (P < 0.001), respectively, which were significantly higher than the C-indices derived from conventional staging systems (P < 0.001). The calibration plots showed optimal consistence in prognoses between the prediction by nomograms and actual observation.
Conclusions
Presents nomograms showed good performance in predicting prognoses of HCC patients with hepatitis B virus associated cirrhosis.
Optimization of Single-Point Incremental Forming Process of ASTM A653 CS-A Steel Sheets Through Taguchi Methods
Authors: Filho Paulo Sérgio Olivio , Valle Pablo Deivid , Gomes Islan Castro , Gipiela Manolo Lutero , Marcondes Paulo Victor Prestes
Published: June 2022

Incremental sheet forming (ISF) is a free forming process of parts in a specific equipment like CNC machining centers or special hexapod robots. It stands out for its high formability and low production cost, being ideal for prototypes and small batches. The main design parameters are the wall angle, material and sheet thickness and, most of the cases, they cannot be modified or even adjusted to improve the manufacturing performance. On the other hand, the main process parameters that impact the product total quality are tool rotation, vertical step size, lubrication and all of them can be continuously optimized. Thus, these last three process parameters are widely investigated in several kinds of research. This paper investigates the effects of applying different tool rotation when shaping a truncated cone of ASTM A653 CS-A steel sheets − 0.43mm thick - with different types of lubrication and vertical step size. It was chosen three level for each factor: 600, 1200 and 1800rpm for tool rotation n; 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0mm for vertical step size Δz and dry, mineral oil and molybdenum disulfide grease for lubrication condition. The statistic Taguchi method was applied to evaluate and optimize the maximum depth of forming and better surface quality (roughness Ra and Rz). The results confirmed the use of mineral oil as the most predominant factor in the process for minimum roughness, maximum forming height, and minimum deformation levels. Hence, the best set of parameters was 600rpm, 0.6mm vertical step size and mineral oil as a lubricant. The parts tested did not show any defects. Additionally, it was verified that the increase of the tool rotation negatively impacts the ISF formability in the case of a thin specimen due to the increment of temperature.
Cell-nucleus Targeted Peptide Tethered Quadruple Carbon Dots for Treatment of High-grade Gliomas
Authors: Cilingir Emel Kirbas , Hettiarachchi Sajini D. , Zhou Yiqun , Ferreira Braulio CLB , Vanni Steven , Leblanc Roger M. , Graham Regina M.
Published: June 2022

Ultimate goal of the nanomedicine is built on the idea of robust targeted delivery of complex assemblies that contain sufficient amount of multiple therapeutics and diagnostic agents for highly localized payload release with no adverse side effects. Besides the numerous efforts on the field of cancer specific nanomedicine, still there is a great need for improvements in terms of target specificity. Previously, we have reported a target-specific carbon dots- based dual nano-drug delivery system. In study, for the first time in literature, surface functional group of the carbon dots were conjugated with four different ligands namely, two peptides (shPep-1 and lnPep-1) and two chemotherapeutic drugs (epirubicin and temozolomide). Here, we advanced our drug delivery system as a dual drug nano-carrier (quadruple nano-model) that explicitly targets the IL-13Rα2 receptors and the nucleus of high-grade glioma brain tumors. The successful conjugation of each molecule onto carbon dots (CDs) was meticulously characterized with numerous analytical techniques. Additionally, the in vitro cell viability assay revealed that quadrupole nano-model significantly reduced the cancer cell viability compared to the single peptide dual drug linked conjugates. Further, in vitro bioimaging studies using FITC conjugated single and dual peptides models, showed that dual peptide model exhibited greater FITC fluorescence throughout the cell including the nucleus compared to the single peptide models. This observation is evidence for improved cancer cell uptake and nucleus colocalization of quadrupole nano-model. Our quadrupole nano-model fully serves the ultimate goal of nanomedicine as a nanocarrier which contains two targeting peptides and two therapeutics simultaneously.
Seismic performance of steel braced frames equipped with dissipative replaceable components
Authors: Mattei Francesca , Caprili Silvia , Salvatore Walter
Published: June 2022

The structural performance of steel braced frames equipped with dissipative replaceable components (DRBrC devices) is analyzed and compared to the one of a traditional Concentrically Braced Frame (CBF) with diagonal-tension-only braces, highlighting pros and cons of introducing such dissipative devices. Deeply discussion about how to design in the framework of a capacity design philosophy, how to model in the nonlinear field and how to analyse the DRBrC frame is presented. In few words, the main benefit of introducing DRBrC systems lies in the easy replacement of the damaged components after the earthquake, allowing to speed up retrofit operations without stopping the activities inside the building. Results of assessment are presented in terms of performance or relevant structural parameters versus Intensity Measure (IM) indicators and of fragility curves, considering two case study buildings with same geometry and design loads equipped with and without DRBrC dissipative devices.
Vocal imprecision as a universal constraint on the structure of musical scales
Authors: Phillips Elizabeth , Brown Steven
Published: June 2022

Theories of the origin of musical scales from the ancient Greeks to the present day have assumed that the intervals comprising scales are defined by specific mathematical ratios. Such theories are predicated on pre-tunable instruments, and yet the voice is almost certainly the original musical instrument. Therefore, the analysis of vocal scales offers a more naturalistic approach to understanding the origin of musical scales. In the present study, we conducted a large-scale computational analysis of vocal pitch-class properties and their implications for scale structure. We analyzed 417 field recordings of solo, unaccompanied songs from across 10 principal musical-style regions of the world. The results revealed a mean vocal pitch-class imprecision of approximately 1.5 semitones, and comparable results were obtained across all regions. These results suggest that vocal imprecision is universal and is mainly derived from the physiological limitations of the voice. Such vocal imprecision fundamentally constrains the formation of musical scale structure: it provides a lower limit on the spacing between adjacent scale tones, and thereby an upper limit on the number of scale tones that an octave can contain. We discuss these results in terms of an Interval Spacing model of the evolution of musical scales.
Participation Guarantee System: Promoting Thai Rice using International Geographical Indication and Organic Agriculture Standard Certification
Authors: TONGKAEMKAEW Uraiwan , BAUKHLAUN Benjawan , AZMAN Elisa Azura , ISMAIL Roslan
Published: June 2022

Sangyod rice has a high export potential because it is a high nutrient, Geographical Indication (GI) rice, and its cultivation is encouraged under the Organic Agriculture Thailand Standard. However, it can still not maximize export value due to limitations in developing international organic farming standards. This study extended the participatory guarantee systems (PGS) criteria under GI and the National Organic Program (NOP)–the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic standard by investigating its implementation by the Khao Sang Yod Maung Phatthalung Producers and Traders Association (SPTA). The voluntary participants involved 7 internal auditors, 17 committees, and 1 mill processor. According to the GI and USDA organic criteria, the internal control system based on PGS for the SPTA (PGS-SPTA) improved the rice processer, 12 farmers obtained GI and USDA organic certificates, and 93 farmers received GI certificates. In addition, internal auditors were certified under international organic agriculture standards. However, although Sangyod rice meets both GI and international standards, it cannot be exported because there is an insufficient area under production by the farmers under the criteria mentioned. Therefore, the Phatthalung province should promote the PGS-SPTA system for farmers with development qualifications to expand the area of Sangyod rice organic farming that meets export standards.
Downregulated expression of INPP4B contributes to ovarian cancer growth and immune cell infiltration
Authors: Xu Jing , Wang Furong , Zhang Kaina , Li Yifeng , Ren Baoyin , Wang Jia , Gao Jingchun , Li Weiling
Published: June 2022

Background
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer worldwide. Since the early clinical symptoms are not obvious, most patients with ovarian cancer are already in an advanced clinical stage when they are diagnosed. HGSOC accounts for the greatest number of ovarian cancer deaths and shows an association between an enhanced immune response and prolonged patient survival.
Methods
88 normal ovarian samples from TCGA and 149 ovarian cancer patients from GTEx were used to analyze gene expression, proteins and pathways associated with INPP4B in HGSOC, LGSOC and ovarian cancer. The correlation between INPP4B gene and immune factors was analyzed by TIMER website. The expression of INPP4B was verified by immunohistochemistry and Western Blotting. MTT assay, flow cytometry, and scratch assay were used to verify the effects of INPP4B on proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Tumor formation experiment to verify the effect of INPP4B on tumor formation.
Results
In this study, we performed data mining analysis of HGSOC and LGSOC samples. We first identified 25 tumor suppressor genes associated with poor prognosis and survival in HGSOC. Further immune infiltration analysis of these 25 genes with the TIMER web tool showed that among the 25 genes, INPP4B had the most pronounced effect on CD8 + T-cell infiltration. In addition, detection of INPP4B expression by IHC staining in clinical samples indicated that the INPP4B level was significantly lower in ovarian cancer tissues and negatively related to patient survival. Moreover, knockdown of INPP4B accelerated ovarian cancer cell growth and migration in vitro and vivo. Finally, the genes related to INPP4B in ovarian cancer were mainly enriched in the immune response and inflammatory response.
Conclusions
INPP4B plays an important role in cell proliferation, cell growth, cell migration, apoptosis and immune infiltration in OC. The INPP4B gene, as a potential tumor suppressor gene, may become a biomarker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
A systematic review and meta-analysis on the aetiology and treatment patterns of thyrotoxicosis in Africa
Authors: Azeez Taoreed Adegoke , Lamidi Ayodeji Ogunremi , Osin Isaiah Olanrewaju
Published: June 2022

Background
Thyrotoxicosis is one of the most common endocrine disorders seen in clinical practice. This study aimed to determine the aetiologies and the treatment modalities of thyrotoxicosis in Africa.
Methods
The study design is a systematic review with a meta-analysis. Medical databases and the grey literature were systematically searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies done in Africa on the aetiology and treatment of thyrotoxicosis were selected. Meta-analysis was done with Meta XL an add-in software for Microsoft Excel using the DerSimonian Laird random effect. Study quality was determined with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Heterogeneity was determined using I2 statistic and the Cochran’s Q test.
Results
Thirty-four studies met the eligibility criteria. The total sample size was 3995. The studies were carried out between 1982 and 2021. The pooled mean age in the selected studies was 38.6 years. The pooled female: male ratio of the participants was 7:1. Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goitre, toxic adenoma, thyroiditis and other rare causes accounts for about 54% (95%CI: 41–67), 39% (95%CI: 28–50), 10% (95%CI: 6–14), 2% (95%CI: 1–3), and 1% (95%CI: 0.1-2) of thyrotoxicosis cases seen in Africa respectively. Thionamides, thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy were received by 95%, 17% and 11% of individuals with thyrotoxicosis respectively.
Discussion
The most common causes of thyrotoxicosis in Africa are Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goitre, solitary toxic adenoma and thyroiditis. The most common treatment modality adopted in Africa is thionamides, followed by surgery and radioiodine therapy respectively.
Development of High Strength Lightweight Foamed Concrete with Low Cement Content
Authors: Khan M.Y. , Baqi A. , Sadique Md. R. , Khan Rizwan A.
Published: June 2022

Foamed concrete has versatile applications in the construction industry due to its lightweight nature and lower thermal conductivity. Compared to Autoclave Aerated Concrete (AAC), it also consumes low energy during its production. But, its weak structural behaviour restricted its applications in structural members. In the present study, the effect of a wide selection of filler on the compressive strength of foamed concrete has been studied. The present investigation shows that the lightweight concrete made with low cement content could achieve strength up to 15 MPa. Further, the effect of some Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) such as fly ash and silica fume on the tensile strength and shrinkage properties of foamed concrete has also been studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to analyze the effect of different fillers on the properties of foamed concrete.
Threshold Effect of Economic Growth Rate on Persistence Suicide
Authors: Yang Tzu-Yi , Chen Ssu-Han , Lan Yu-Ting , Yang Yu-Tai
Published: June 2022

In this study, a Panel Smooth Transition Autoregression (PSTAR) model was introduced and the empirical results found nonlinear effects and heterogeneity of economic growth rate on the persistence of suicide rate, and can be summarized into three conclusions. First, the suicide rate has a persistent effect, and it varies over time depending on the transition variable within different threshold intervals. Second, the persistent effect will be manifested in different degrees by the change of the economic growth rate. With the increase of the lag period of the suicide rate, the effect of the influence will gradually decrease. Third, the marginal impact in the third year is much lower than the suicide rate in the first year.JEL Code: I12, I15, Q56
Development and psychometric properties of the Maternal Ambivalence Scale in Spanish women
Authors: Martín-Sánchez Magdalena Belén , Martínez-Borba Verónica , Catalá Patricia , Osma Jorge , Peñacoba-Puente Cecilia , Suso-Ribera Carlos
Published: June 2022

Background: maternal ambivalence, which refers to experiencing mixed emotions about motherhood, like happiness and sadness, is frequent during the perinatal period.Aim: Due to the relevance of this topic and the lack of psychometrically-sound instruments to measure it, this study aims to develop and test a measure of maternal ambivalence called Maternal Ambivalence Scale (MAS).Methods: participants were 1424 Spanish women who were either pregnant (33%) or recent mothers of children under 2 years (67%). They responded to the MAS and measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Analyses included exploratory and confirmatory factor solutions for the MAS, as well as bivariate correlations to investigate sources of validity evidence. Comparisons between pregnant and postpartum women were also examined. Results: a three-factor solution (Doubts, Rejection, and Suppression) for the MAS showed a good model fit both in exploratory (Chi-square=274.6, p<.001, RMSEA=0.059, RMSEA 95% CI=[0.052, 0.066], CFI=0.985, TLI=0.974) and confirmatory analyses (Chi-square=428.0, p<.001, RMSEA=0.062, RMSEA 95% CI=[0.056, 0.068], CFI=0.977, TLI=0.971). Doubts, Rejection, and Suppression were associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as lower life satisfaction (all p<.001). Pregnant women presented greater Rejection (t=2.09, p=.037, 95% CI=[-0.58, -0.02]) and less Suppression (t=- 3.08, p=.002, 95% CI=[0.17, 0.77]) than mothers.Conclusions: the MAS might be a useful instrument to explore several components of maternal ambivalence, that is the presence of doubts and rejection about maternity, as well as coping styles used to deal with ambivalence. The scale might be useful for clinicians and researchers interested in maternal mental health.
Microbiome Evidence of Digestive Reflux and Inflammation in the Pancreatic Stump with Pancreatic Fistula After Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Wang Tiegong , Li Fengshan , Tian Liang , Xu Yanfeng , Zhang Lei , Zhao Xiulei , Kong Deshuai
Published: June 2022

Background
In the past century, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has been the major complication and cause of mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). No one knows what exactly happens in the pancreatic stump after POPF. The hypothesis of this manuscript was to investigate changes that occur in the pancreatic stump.
Methods
Two patients who had previously undergone PD for malignant tumors subsequently underwent complete pancreatectomy for life-threatening abdominal bleeding in the context of POPF. The pancreatic stumps were pathologically analyzed. It’s hard to prove digestive reflux directly. But we found that we can use 16s rRNA gene sequencing to detect the distribution of bacteria in the jejunum, pancreatic head, and pancreatic stump.
Results
Inflammation is widespread in both patients' pancreatic stumps, including hematoma, edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells, scattered necrosis, and acinar-duct metaplasia (ADM). The whole pancreatic stump shows a proliferative state. Apoptosis decreases significantly or even disappears. The inflammation of the pancreatic stump shows a descending trend from the anastomosis to the tail. Simultaneously, we found a universal phenomenon: chemotaxis in the ductal system. Inflammatory cells penetrate the ducts formed by ADM and gather in the ducts. The bacteria from duodena are also discovered in the major part of the pancreatic stump. The bacterial distribution shows the same trend as inflammation.
Conclusions
Inflammation and ADM widely exist in the pancreatic stump with POPF after PD and show a descending trend from the anastomosis to the pancreatic tail. Digestive reflux through the pancreatic ductal system does happen during the pancreatic fistula. We could stop POPF if we eliminate the digestive reflux and reduce the inflammation in the pancreatic stump.
A Transparency Statement Transforms Community-Police Interactions
Authors: Yeager David , Dobson Kyle , Dittmann Andrea
Published: June 2022

Over the last three decades, billions of dollars have been invested in community-oriented policing approaches that are meant to promote positive interactions between officers and civilians. However, trust in law enforcement remains low. Our qualitative analysis of over 500 hours of naturalistic observations suggested this is because police officers can make civilians feel threatened even when they are not actively investigating a crime. Here we use a pre-registered field experiment (N = 232 community members interacting with police officers) to show that civilians are less threatened and report greater trust when officers add a 10-word “transparency statement” (“I'm walking around trying to get to know the community”) to the beginning of interactions communicating their benevolent intent. Corroboration of these conclusions comes from natural language processing analyses of the interaction transcripts and from ambulatory sensors that monitored community members’ sympathetic nervous system activation. Further, five online experiments isolated the conditions under which transparency statements were most impactful (total N = 2,241). This multi-method investigation highlights an under-appreciated reason why authority figures such as police so often fail to promote positive relationships with the community: a lack of transparency about the reasons for their behavior.
Assessment of native cadmium-tolerant bacteria in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) - cultivated soils in Cundinamarca-Colombia
Authors: Cordoba-Novoa Henry A. , Cáceres-Zambrano Jeimmy , Torres-Rojas Esperanza
Published: June 2022

Traces of cadmium (Cd) have been reported in chocolate products due to growing cacao plants in soils with Cd and the ability of cacao plants to accumulate it. A strategy to minimize this uptake of Cd is by using cadmium-tolerant bacteria (CdtB) to sequester the Cd. This study was aimed to isolate and characterize CdtB associated with cacao-cultivated soils in Cundinamarca-Colombia. Thirty CdtB morphotypes were isolated and almost half of them showed the capacity to fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphates and degrade cellulose. Besides, all strains were selected for analysis of 16S rRNA sequence. The soil with the highest natural concentration of Cd (location Y3) showed higher abundance, unique morphotypes, and dominance of isolated CdtB. Pseudomona putida GB78, Pseundomona aeruginosa NB2, and Burkholderia sp. NB10 were the only morphotypes that grew on 18 up to 90 (GB78) and 140 mg Kg− 1 Cd (NB2-NB10). GB78 showed the highest Cd bioaccumulation (5.92 mg g− 1). Our results expand the knowledge about culturable CdtB in cacao-cultivated soils with the potential to develop soil management strategies to mitigate the uptake of Cd by cacao plants, thereby preventing the potential impact on human health, food safety, and the cacao economy.
ACAA2 was a predictor for the prognosis and immunotherapy response of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Dehai , Qi Xueting , Yao Yuanfei , Huang Lining , Liao Guanqun , Dong Bowen , Ma Yong , Yang Guangchao
Published: June 2022

Background
Immunotherapy is the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, immunotherapy benefits are limited in certain patients. Therefore, identifying effective biomarkers is important for the efficient use of immunotherapy. In the present study, acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), which was decreased during HCC initiation, was identified as a gene of interest.
Methods
In this study, we aimed to explore the role of ACAA2 in the progression of HCC and the link between ACAA2 and tumor microenvironment. Bulk RNA data and single-cell RNA data were acquired from the Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus. Both in vitro and in vivo studies were used to determine the effect of ACAA2 on the progression of HCC, and RNA sequencing analysis was performed to explore the mechanism.
Results
The patient with low ACAA2 level had an immunosuppressive microenvironment in the HCC and could be poor response to immunotherapy. Decreased ACAA2 facilitated HCC proliferation and metastasis by activating the nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) signaling pathway. And increased CXCL1 induced by NFκB signaling pathway was responsible for low level of ACAA2 related immune suppression microenvironment. Furthermore, the expression of ACAA2 in immune cells, CD4+TCF7+T, CD4+FOXP3+T, CD8+GZMK+T, and CD8+KLRD1+T cells, was inversely correlated with the composition of CD8+PDCD1+T cells in HCC. This effect may be due to the CCL5-CCRs and HLA-E-KLRCs ligand-receptor networks.
Conclusions
ACAA2 was a favorable indicator for the prognosis of HCC and an ideal biomarker for immunotherapy.
Effect of Fingolimod Therapy on Quantitative Macular Changes among Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Four-Year Follow-Up Study from Oman
Authors: Al-Rashdi Aseel A. , Sabt Buthaina I. , Al-Mujaini Abdullah
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Fingolimod (FTY-720) is an immunomodulatory oral agent approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS); however, several clinical trials have shown that some recipients may develop macular oedema (ME) as an adverse reaction. As there are no studies assessing the long-term (>1 year) effect of fingolimod on the macula, this study aimed to evaluate the quantitative effect of fingolimod therapy on central macular thickness (CMT) and total macular volume (TMV) over a four-year period.Methods: This retrospective longitudinal cohort study was performed between January 2014 and December 2018. A total of 21 patients with RRMS receiving fingolimod therapy were recruited and followed-up over four years to assess CMT and TMV changes measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. A paired sample t-test was used to compare mean CMT and TMV values calculated at baseline prior to the initiation of fingolimod therapy with those observed at three, six, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of treatment. Results: None of the patients developed ME over the four-year study period. In addition, there was no significant difference in baseline mean CMT values and those observed at a four-year follow-up. Although mean TMV values remained constant initially, there was a significant decrease towards the end of the study period. Conclusions: Long-term fingolimod therapy did not result in significant CFT changes. While there was a reduction in TMV towards the end of the study, this is likely due to the degenerative effect of the disease itself on the nerve fibres of the retina.
Will right versus left acute colonic diverticulitis location affect the likelihood of emergent operation?
Authors: Lu Tzung-Ju , Po-Cheng Lo , Chen Chuang-Wei , Hsiao Koung-Hung
Published: June 2022

Purpose
Modified Hinchey classification with computed tomography (CT)providesa good predictive factorfor medical failure. By using CT, the location of diverticulitis is proved as an important factor for medical treatment and right-sided diverticulitis is successfully treated medicallymore. However, will more accurate location for diverticulitis affect treatment is not evaluated.
Methods
Patients who were diagnosed withacute colonic diverticulitis by abdominopelvic CT were retrospectively recorded and analyzed.Patient demographics and clinical features were obtained from patients’ records.Abdominopelvic CT findings were categorized using the location in the colon, distribution of free air in the bowel lumen, fluid accumulation, and type of extra-luminal free air.
RESULTS
Patients with right-sided diverticulitis were more likely to be younger and elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with left-sided diverticulitiswithout significantly different.Only 6.3% of patients received surgical treatment and left-sided diverticulitis is more suitablefor operation (P = 0.02).Most patients with local free air underwent successful medical treatment. The distribution of diverticulitis is different between right- and left-sided diverticulitis and lateral distribution included more cases of surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
Although there wasno statistical difference between location and emergent operation, we observed that location in the lateral region was an indicatorfor emergent operation. Right-and left-sided diverticulitis manifest indifferent locations, which maybe one of the causes of medical treatmentfailure. Asfeweremergent operations have been performed in recent years, we suggest conducting additionalstudies with larger cohortsto confirm the relationship between location and surgery.
Double ionisation of disulfur
Authors: Olsson Emelie , Ayari Tarek , Ideböhn Veronica , Wallner Måns , Squibb Richard J. , Andersson Jonas , Roos Andreas Hult , Stranges Stefano , Dyke John M. , Eland John H.D. , Hochlaf Majdi , Feifel Raimund
Published: June 2022

Using time-of-flight multiple electron and ion coincidence techniques in combination with a helium gas discharge lamp and synchrotron radiation, the double ionisation spectrum of disulfur (S2) and the subsequent fragmentation dynamics of its dication are investigated. The S2 sample was produced by heating mercury sulfide (HgS), whose vapour at a suitably chosen temperature consists primarily of two constituents: S2 and atomic Hg. A multi-particle-coincidence technique is thus particularly useful for retrieving spectra of S2 from ionisation of the mixed vapour. The results obtained are compared with detailed calculations of the electronic structure and potential energy curves of S2+2 which are also presented. These computations are carried out using configuration interaction methodology. The experimental results are interpreted with and strongly supported by the computational results.
Ecofriendly biosynthesis of Ag-NPs by Streptomyces griseus eradicating Candida albicans associated with different types of dysspermatism
Authors: El-Enain Inas M. Abou , Abed Nermine N. , Helal Eman E. , Abdelkhalek Eman S. , Suleiman Waleed
Published: June 2022

Silver nanoparticles Ag-NPs have potent biological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activities. A simple, eco-friendly, inexpensive method was conducted in order to synthesize silver nanoparticles by actinomycetes. A total of 17 actinomycetes isolates were recovered from serially diluted compost sample and subsequently examined for their capabilities to produce Ag-NPs. Alongside, Candida albicans was isolated from human semen that affect male infertility, and subsequently submitted to susceptibility test using the well diffusion method. It was found that the Ag-NPs biosynthesized by Streptomyces griseus Azhar.S2 have high zone of inhibition against Candida albicans which was recorded by measuring the diameter of inhibition zone that was 20.5 ± .05 mm. The biosynthesized Ag-NPs had been characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, EDX and TEM. Conclusively, Candida albicans isolated from different types of dysspermatism human semen was highly eradicated by microbially synthesized Ag-NPs from Streptomyces griseus Azhar.S2.
Group Contribution-based Graph Convolution Network: Pure Property Estimation Model
Authors: Hwang Sun Yoo , Kang Jeong Won
Published: June 2022

Properties data for chemical compounds are essential information for the design and operation of chemical processes. Experimental values are reported in the literature, but such are too scarce compared with exploding demand for data. When the data are not available, various estimation methods are employed. The group contribution method is one of the standards and simple techniques used today. However, these methods have inherent inaccuracy due to the simplified representation of the molecular structure. More advanced methods are emerging, including improved molecular representations and handling experimental data. However, such processes also suffer from a lack of valid data for adjusting many parameters. We suggest a compromise between a complex machine learning algorithm and a linear group contribution method in this contribution. Instead of representing a molecule using a graph of atoms, we employed bulkier blocks - a graph of functional groups. The new approach dramatically reduced the number of adjustable parameters for machine learning. The result shows higher accuracy than the conventional methods. The whole process was also examined in various aspects - incorporating uncertainties in the data, the robustness of the fitting process, and detecting outlier data.
The high incidence and risk factors of levetiracetam and lacosamide-related skin rashes in glioma patients
Authors: Onodera Mikoto , Saito Taiichi , Fukui Atsushi , Nitta Masayuki , Tsuzuki Shunsuke , Koriyama Shunichi , Masamune Ken , Kawamata Takakazu , Muragaki Yoshihiro
Published: June 2022

Antiseizure drug (ASD)-induced skin rash remains the main side effect of seizure management in patients with glioma. New generations of ASDs, such as levetiracetam (LEV) and lacosamide (LCM) are associated with less frequent skin rashes than conventional ASDs. However, there are few reports regarding the incidence of skin rashes by LEV and LCM in patients with glioma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of LEV- and LCM-associated skin rashes in patients with glioma. We compared the incidence of ASD-associated skin rash between 353 patients with glioma and 125 patients with meningioma, who received LEV or LCM and underwent surgery between 2017 and 2019 at our institution. Furthermore, to evaluate the association between potential risk factors and ASD-associated skin rashes, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The incidence of ASD-associated skin rash in patients with glioma was higher (11%) than in those with meningiomas (1.6%). The multivariate regression analysis showed that adjuvant treatment with radiotherapy (p = 0.023) and a history of drug allergy (p = 0.023) were significant risk factors for ASD-associated skin rash. The rate of ASD-related skin rashes in patients with glioma was also higher than the previously reported rates of 1-3% in patients with epilepsy. Our results indicate that adjuvant treatment with radiotherapy and a history of drug allergy correlated with a high incidence of ASD-related skin rashes in patients with patients who receive LEV and LCM. Patients with these two factors should be carefully checked for skin rashes.
Lysine 101 in the CRAC Motif in Transmembrane Helix 2 Confers Cholesterol-induced Thermal Stability to the Serotonin 1A Receptor
Authors: Sarkar Parijat , Bhat Akrati , Chattopadhyay Amitabha
Published: June 2022

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest class of membrane proteins that transduce signals across the plasma membrane and orchestrate a multitude of physiological processes within cells. The serotonin1A receptor is a crucial neurotransmitter receptor in the GPCR family involved in a multitude of neurological, behavioral and cognitive functions. We have previously shown, using a combination of experimental and simulation approaches, that membrane cholesterol acts as a key regulator of organization, dynamics, signaling and endocytosis of the serotonin1A receptor. In addition, we showed that membrane cholesterol stabilizes the serotonin1A receptor against thermal deactivation. In the present work, we explored the molecular basis of cholesterol-induced thermal stability of the serotonin1A receptor. For this, we explored the possible role of the K101 residue in a cholesterol recognition/interaction amino acid consensus (CRAC) motif in transmembrane helix 2 in conferring the thermal stability of the serotonin1A receptor. Our results show that a mutation in the K101 residue leads to loss in thermal stability of the serotonin1A receptor imparted by cholesterol, independent of membrane cholesterol content. We envision that our results could have potential implications in structural biological advancements of GPCRs and design of thermally-stabilized receptors for drug development.
Understanding the ups and downs, application of hydrologic restoration measures for a large Subtropical Lake.
Authors: Julian Paul , Welch Zach
Published: June 2022

Hydrologic regimes in shallow lakes have a strong influence on the ecology and function of the system, and changes in water levels can have nonlinear disproportionate effects in these low gradient systems. When water levels are high, upper elevation littoral areas are impacted by flooding effects, benthic habitats are degraded, and nutrients are redistributed throughout the lake. When water levels are low, wetland littoral areas are dried out, prompting shifts in plant communities. Lake Okeechobee, a large shallow lake, is a diverse and complex ecosystem managed for multiple purposes. Currently, water levels within the lake are managed based on the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule of 2008, which is being replaced due to the completion of key restoration projects. The new regulation schedule, Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), updates water management rules while providing the needed balance of water to downstream systems. The objective of this study is to evaluate LOSOM relative to ecologically significant performance measures. Overall, the proposed regulation schedule is expected to have deeper average lake levels, increasing the occurrence of damaging high stage events and reducing the frequency of low stage events. While decreases in the severity and frequency of low stage events will be beneficial, increases in high stage conditions may impact the long-term ecology of the system. As lake management shifts to optimize restoration efforts around and downstream of Lake Okeechobee, restoration projects upstream of the lake become critical to building and improving resilience in this central South Florida ecosystem.
Arsenic Pollution and Human Health Risk Assessment in the Region of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti of Georgia
Authors: Tebidze Vakhtang , Zurabishvili Elene , Tatanashvili Giorgi , Varazi Tamar , Bunin Evgeni , Bakradze Elina
Published: June 2022

The region of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti is the main source of Arsenic pollution in Georgia where there are several abandoned arsenic production factories that have been discontinued since late 80s. However, the past production waste still enters the river through the water coming out of an abandoned field and causes significant contamination of soils and waters of adjacent areas. This poses a major risk of chronic environmental exposure and intoxication among the population living in these areas.
The expedition was conducted in this region for sampling activities of soils and waters to evaluate level of Arsenic pollution and subsequent risks of contamination of the food chain with Arsenic. Then the population survey was conducted to collect data on incidence of the health problems associated with chronic arsenic intoxication in population living in the polluted areas.
Soil samples analysis showed that there was significantly high level of Arsenic pollution in the studied areas and there could be a risk of contamination of the food chain with Arsenic. Most reported health problems were hypertension, impaired vision, memory impairment, swelling of the limbs, chronic kidney diseases, fatigue / general weakness, insomnia, polyneuropathy and frequent dizziness.
The health problems reported by the population of this region can be related to the chronic arsenic exposure and intoxication. Further laboratory investigations are needed to determine levels of arsenic exposure among inhabitants.
The possibility of predicting eﬀectiveness oftherapy in patients with new inﬁltrative pulmonary tuberculosis by baseline activity of adenosine deaminase and inﬂammatory response parameters
Authors: Dyakova M. E. , Аlekseeva N. P. , Esmedlyaeva D. S. , Yablonskiy P. K.
Published: June 2022

The objective: to evaluate the possibility of using the baseline activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) to predict eﬀectiveness of therapy in patients with new inﬁltrative pulmonary tuberculosis (IPTB).

Subjects and Methods. Data of 121 patients with new inﬁltrative pulmonary tuberculosis were analyzed; patients were divided into groups according to therapy eﬀectiveness.

Results., The discriminant analysis of data of new inﬁltrative pulmonary tuberculosis patients made it possible to obtain adiscriminant function which included the activity of ADA, the concentration of haptoglobin (HP) and ceruloplasmin (CP) – parameters reﬂecting that severity of the disease and protective potential of the host.

Conclusion. Analysis of ADA activity in combination with level of HP and CP allows the following: predicting eﬀectiveness of the intensive phase of therapy before it begins in patients with new inﬁltrative pulmonary tuberculosis (with the accuracy of 77.0%); assuming that the reduction of ADA activity and inhibition of the inﬂammatory response may be useful for treatment of patients with new inﬁltrative pulmonary tuberculosis.
Eﬃcacy of using bedaquiline in treatment of tuberculosis patients with multiple and extensive drug resistance
Authors: Starshinova A. A. , Nazarenko M. M. , Belyaeva E. N. , Kudlay D. A. , Pavlova M. V. , Yablonskiy P. K.
Published: June 2022

The objective: to compare treatment eﬃcacy of pulmonary tuberculosis patients with multiple (MDR) and extensive drug resistance (XDR) using a standard chemotherapy regimen and the regimen containing bedaquiline.

Subjects and Methods. A retrospective study was conducted to analyze treatment outcomes in 219 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and MDR/XDR of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) aged 18-75 years old who were treated in in-patient and out-patient facilities of St. Petersburg from 2016 to 2019. Treatment outcomes were analyzed by subgroups formed taking into account resistance patterns and addition of bedaquiline to the treatment regimens: Ia – n = 94 (MDR TB; Bq-) and IIa ‒ n = 80 (XDR TB; Bq-); Ib ‒ n = 22 (MDR TB; Bq+) and IIb ‒ n = 23 (XDR TB; Bq+). Clinical and laboratory parameters of patients, the severity of comorbidity were assessed before the start of treatment, after 3, 6, 12-14 and 18-24 months of therapy, as well as after therapy completion and during the follow-up period. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica 10.0 and methods of parametric and nonparametric statistics and the SPSS 16.0 software, where p ≤ 0.05 was considered signiﬁcant.

Results. XDR TB patients in Subgroup IIb were signiﬁcantly more likely to have a high level of comorbidity according to Charlson index (from 5 to 6 points) – in 34.7% of cases versus 5.0% in Subgroup IIa. At all stages of treatment in MDR TB patients with Bq+ (Ib), sputum conversion was recorded signiﬁcantly more often versus patients of Subgroup Ia with Bq- when examined at all stages, with maximum eﬀectiveness achieved by 18-24 months of treatment (90.9%). Treatment eﬃcacy of XDR TB patients (IIb, Bq+) was also signiﬁcantly higher versus treatment regimen containing no bedaquiline (60.8% (IIb, Bq+) versus 25.0% (IIa, Bq-), χ2 = 4.61, p < 0.05).

Conclusions. Achieved high eﬃcacy of therapy in Subgroups Ib and IIb containing Bq provided a positive impact on treatment default rates, that were recorded in a low percentage of cases in those subgroups. An ineﬀective course of treatment in MDR TB patients treated with regimens containing no Bq was observed in 42.5% in Subgroup Ia, while this rate made only 0.09% in Subgroup Ib. Treatment eﬀectiveness was the highest in XDR TB patients of Subgroup IIb when Bq was added to the treatment regimen.
Relativistic reduced density matrix functional theory
Authors: Rodríguez-Mayorga Mauricio , Giesbertz Klaas , Visscher L.
Published: June 2022

As a new approach to efficiently describe correlation effects in the relativistic quantum world we propose to consider reduced density matrix functional theory, where the key quantity is the first-order reduced density matrix (1-RDM). In this work, we first introduce the theoretical foundations to extend the applicability of this theory to the relativistic domain. Then, using the so-called no-pair (np) approximation, we arrive at an approximate treatment of the relativistic effects by focusing on electronic wavefunctions and neglecting explicit contributions from positrons. Within the np approximation the theory becomes similar to the nonrelativistic case, with as unknown only the functional that describes the electron-electron interactions in terms of the 1-RDM. This requires the construction of functional approximations, and we therefore also present the relativistic versions of some common RDMFT approximations that are used in the nonrelativistic context and discuss their properties.
Elegía psicológica para un país en llamas
Authors: Bonilla Daniel
Published: June 2022

El presente texto tiene como objetivo realizar una reflexión en torno a los acontecimientos que han emergido en Colombia a raíz del paro nacional convocado para el 28 de abril de 2021. El ejercicio está pensado desde el campo de la psicología social y la literatura que sirven como ejes articuladores para adentrarnos al campo de los movimientos sociales. Teniendo en cuenta que, es a partir de la expresión literaria y de las contribuciones conceptuales, que se puede realizar una aproximación a estos fenómenos sociales. Para esto, se mencionan algunas obras literarias que pueden tener relación con el contexto actual colombiano; seguido, la reflexión se adentra al área de la psicología, principalmente la psicología social y política para entablar un diálogo con la coyuntura que en este momento de efervescencia social está viviendo el país. Finalmente, se exponen las conclusiones referentes al trabajo disciplinar frente a las demandas sociales, políticas y culturales en situaciones como las movilizaciones sociales.
Continuidades del imaginario de superioridad
Authors: Castrillón Castrillón Andrés Alfredo
Published: June 2022

El imaginario de superioridad expresado a lo largo de tres siglos de colonia perdura pasados dos siglos de independencia de las naciones americanas en el ideario religioso y cultural. La idea de la superioridad de la religión católica o la protestante, cristiana en definitiva, gestado desde los preludios de una temprana modernidad por los conquistadores occidentales y refrendada por filósofos modernos de tendencia protestante como Hegel (en sus Lecciones sobre filosofía de la religión o en la Enciclopedia de las ciencias filosóficas) dejaron espinosos rasgos poscoloniales que perduran arraigados en los horizontes de comprensión de la actividad filosófica y cultural hispanoamericana, latinoamericana, europea y americana en general; mucho más cuando estos rasgos de superioridad cultural permanecen, inclusive, en algunos críticos de la religión y de occidente como en su momento lo fueron Marx y Engels (en Materiales para la historia de América Latina se recopilan sus pensamientos dispersos a propósito de América). El tema es complejo, quienes con antelación han criticado las concepciones de culturas superiores son numerosos y de antaño, algunos de estos críticos lo son desde la perspectiva decolonial otros desde de estudios subalternos y otros más desde el ámbito filosófico.