bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the removal of nutrients coupling of the cultivation of Spirulina platensis with piggery wastewater
Authors: liang changli , Zhang Nali , Pang Yu , Li Siyuan , Shang Jiafan , Zhang Yipeng , Kuang Zhenzhong , Liu Junhe , Fei Hua
Published: January 2023

The discharge of livestock wastewater without treatment in depth severely harm to the environment and human health, cultivation microalgae as feedstock for biodiesel and animal feed additive using livestock wastewater coupling of the treatment of wastewater has become a research topic. In this study, the cultivation conditions of Spirulina platensis using piggery wastewater were optimized by response surface method, and the removal of nutrients from the piggery wastewater coupling of Spirulina platensis as the feedstock for animal feed additive was evaluation. The results of single factor experiments confirmed cupric ion seriously inhibited the growth of Spirulina platensis, while nitrogen, phosphorous and zinc all low promotes high inhabitation. Spirulina platensis grew well in the dilution piggery wastewater supplemented with moderate sodium bicarbonate, which indicated it is the limited nutrients. The OD560 of S. platensi reached 1.83 at the optimal conditions proposed by response surface method as follows: piggery wastewater was diluted to 4 times, 7 g/L sodium bicarbonate, pH 10.5, initial OD560 0.63, light intensity 3030 lux, light/dark 16/8 and cultured time 8 days. Spirulina platensis cultured in the diluted piggery wastewater contained 43.75% protein, 9.4% crude lipid, 8.826 mg/g chlorophyll, 4.18% total sugar, 27.7 mg/kg Cu and 246.2 mg/kg Zn. The analysis of the chemical compositions of Spirulina platensis indicated it can as the feedstock for animal feed additive. The removal efficiency of TN, TP, COD, Zn and Cu from the wastewater was 76%, 72%, 93.1%, 93.5% and 82.5%, respectively. These results demonstrated the removal of nutrients from piggery wastewater coupling culturing S. platensi as the feedstock for animal feed additive is feasible.
Prevalence of, Association with, Severity of, and Prognostic Role of Serum Hemoglobin Level in Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Omoomi Sepehr , Heidarpour Maryam , Rabanipour Najmeh , Saadati Mona , Vakilbashi Omid , Shafie Davood
Published: January 2023

Background
The role of serum hemoglobin level (SHL) in the short prognosis of heart failure (HF) remains unclear. We aimed to declare the prevalence of, association with, severity of, and prognostic role of SHL with HF.
Methods
Using the data from the PROVE-HF study, we assessed the association between anemia and polycythemia (Hb < 13g/Lit, > 16.5g/Lit in males and < 12g/Lit, and > 16g/Lit in females, respectively) and short-term mortality using Cox proportional hazard modeling, with adjustment of clinically relevant variables.
Results
Of 3652 HF patients, 48.40% including 1546 (42.33%), 118 (3.23%), 9 (0.24%), and 422 (11.55%) mild, moderate, severely anemic, and polycythemic found, respectively. Compared to non-anemic patients, anemic patients were mainly male, older, and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), kidney, and thyroid disease. Important predictors of short-term mortality were lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower SHL, and higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Anemic patients had higher all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.213, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.054–1.396]. Moderate anemia increased the risk of mortality by approximately 80% in males (aHR 1.793, 95% CI 1.308–2.458) and females (aHR 1.790, 95% CI 1.312–2.442), respectively. Polycythemia had no association with short-term mortality in both genders (P-value > 0.05).
Conclusions
This study revealed that anemia is an adverse prognostic factor for short-term mortality in HF patients, with a greater risk of mortality in moderately anemic patients.
Prevalence and associated health and lifestyle factors of myopic maculopathy in northern china: the Kailuan Eye Study
Authors: Wang Haiwei , Zhou Jinqiong , Wang Ya Xing , Wang Qian , Yan Yanni , Yang Xuan , Yang Jingyan , Zhou Wenjia , Nie Zihan , Shi Xuhan , Ji Haixia , Zhang Yongpeng , Wei Wenbin , Shi Xuehui
Published: January 2023

Background
To evaluate the prevalence and associated health and lifestyle factors of myopic maculopathy (MM) in a northern Chinese industrial city.
Methods
The cross-sectional Kailuan Eye Study included subjects who participated in the longitudinal Kailuan Study in 2016. Ophthalmologic and general examinations were performed on all the participants. MM was graded based on fundus photographs using the International Photographic Classification and Grading System. The prevalence of MM was evaluated. Univariate and multiple logistic regression were adopted to evaluated risk factors of MM.
Results
The study included 8330 participants with gradable fundus photographs for MM and ocular biometry data. The prevalence of MM was 1.11% (93/8330; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89–1.33%). Diffuse chorioretinal atrophy, patchy chorioretinal atrophy, macular atrophy, and plus lesions were observed in 72 (0.9%), 15 (0.2%), 6 (0.007%), and 32 eyes (0.4%), respectively. MM was more common in eyes with longer axial length (OR 4.517; 95%CI 3.273 to 6.235) and in participants with hypertension (OR 3.460; 95%CI 1.152 to 10.391), and older age (OR 1.084; 95%CI 1.036 to 1.134).
Conclusions
The MM was present in 1.11% of the northern Chinese individuals 21 years or older and the associate factors include longer axial length, older age, and hypertension.
AI-based Solution for Improving Neuroradiology Workflow for Cerebrovascular Structure Monitoring
Authors: Banerjee Subhashis , Nysjö Fredrik , Toumpanakis Dimitrios , Dhara Ashis Kumar , Wikström Johan , Strand Robin
Published: January 2023

Radiological examination of the intracranial cerebrovascular structure is crucial for pre-operative planning and post-operative follow-up. Volumetric visualization generated by computerized segmentation of the cerebrovascular structure from Time-Of-Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography (TOF-MRA) is an appealing alternative for radiologists. This paper presents a topology-aware learning strategy with a Decorrelation Loss (DcL) for volumetric segmentation of intracranial cerebrovascular structures from multi-center MRAs. A multi-task deep CNN along with a topology-aware loss function is proposed to learn voxel-wise segmentation of the cerebrovascular tree. Domain regularization for the encoder network is achieved through Decorrelation Loss. Auxiliary tasks provide additional regularization and allow the encoder to learn higher-level intermediate representations to boost the performance of the main task. The proposed method is compared with six state-of-the-art deep learning-based 3D vessel segmentation methods. Retrospective TOF-MRA datasets with and without vascular pathologies, collected from multiple private and public data sources scanned at six different hospitals are used to perform the experiments. We have also developed an AI-assisted Graphical User Interface (GUI) based on the proposed research to assist radiologists in their daily work and establish a time-saving work process.
Effects of drought-rewetting process and salinity variations on DOM transformation and bacterial communities in lacustrine sediments
Authors: Zhu Xiang , Xie Lei , Ma Yushen , Wang Longmian , Pang Qingqing , Peng Fuquan , Xu Zhipeng , Xu Bin , He Fei , Ni Lixiao , Wang Ling
Published: January 2023

Climate change and anthropogenic activities cause salinity fluctuations and frequent drought-rewetting process in lacustrine littoral zones. However, joint effects of these processes on quality and quantity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in pore water and bacterial communities in sediments are not well understood. An experiment was conducted to attempt to fill the above gaps, the results showed that the joint effects of higher salinity (6,000 mg/L) and drought-rewetting process were to retain more humified, more aromatic, and less bioavailable DOM, and to maintain lower DOM concentrations in pore water. The drought-rewetting process magnified influence of salinity on bacterial communities. Before the drought-rewetting process, Hydrogenophilaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, and Flavobacteriaceae participated in the DOM transformation, while Hydrogenophilaceae, Desulfobacteraceae, Anaerolineacea, Planococcaceae, and Clostridiaceae were associated with DOM components after this process. The drought-rewetting process greatly increased significant positive correlations (P<0.05) among bacteria, which was consistent with Stress Gradient Hypothesis and destabilized the bacterial communities. Higher (6,000 mg/L) or lower (1,200 mg/L) salinity were all not conducive to stability of bacterial communities in Shahu Lake. The results of this study may provide ideas for further investigating DOM transformation and cycling in brackish-water lakes.
Physiological traits and expression profile of genes associated with nitrogen and phosphorous use efficiency in wheat
Authors: Sagwal Vijeta , Kumar Upendra , Sihag Pooja , Singh Yogita , Balyan Priyanka , Singh Krishna Pal
Published: January 2023

Background Nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) play a very important role in growth and development of wheat as well as major constituents of biological membrane. To meet the plant nutritional demand these nutrients applied in the form of fertilizers. But plant can utilize only half of the applied fertilizer whereas rest is lost thorough surface run off, leaching and volatilization. Thus, to overcome the N/P loss we need to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind the N/P uptake.
Methods In our study, we used DBW16 (low NUE), and WH147 (high NUE) wheat genotypes under different doses of N, whereas HD2967 (low PUE) and WH1100 (high PUE) genotypes were studied under different doses of P. To check the effect of different doses of N/P, the physiological parameters like Total chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, N/P content, and N/PUE of these genotypes were calculated. In addition, gene expression of various genes involved in N/P uptake, utilization, and acquisition were studied by quantitative real time- PCR.
Results Statistical analysis revealed a lower percent reduction in TCC, NPR, N/P content in N/P efficient wheat genotypes (WH147 & WH1100). A significant increase in relative fold expression of genes under low N/P concentration was observed in N/P efficient genotypes as compared to N/P deficient genotypes.
Conclusion Significant differences in physiological data and gene expression among N/ P efficient and deficient wheat genotypes could be useful for future improvement of N/P use efficiency.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Impatiens in the Eastern Yunnan, China
Authors: Li Fan , Zhao Rui , Li Yang , Li Xinyi , Wei Chunmei , Zhang Xiaoli , He Haihao , Qu Suping , Huang Meijuan , Huang Hai Quan
Published: January 2023

Impatiens L. is a genus of complex taxonomy that belongs to the family Balsaminaceae (Ericales) and contains approximately 1000 species. In this study, ISSR, trnL-trnnF, atpB-rbcL and DEF four molecular markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among 32 species of Impatiens from eastern Yunnan. The results showed that the genetic similarity coefficient (GS) of these Impatiens resources ranged from 0.540 to 0.990, it indicated that the genetic diversity was relatively rich. However the genetic distance was relatively vague, and the evolutionary relationship was not obvious, which the phylogenetic trees were constructed by using the chloroplast genes atpB-rbcL and trnL-trnF. The genetic distance of the phylogenetic tree constructed by the DEF gene was relatively clear, the evolutionary relationship was obvious, and the result was consistent with ISSR. This indicated that DEF gene was greatly affected by plant habitat, and had abundant variation and a fast evolution rate, while atpB-rbcL and trnL-trnF genes had a slower evolution rate. And it was discovered that the flower morphological traits of the genus Impatiens can be employed as significant categorization markers. In particular, the wing shape can be used as an important flower morphological feature for the classification of the genus Impatiens in eastern Yunnan; and the results of using ISSR and DEF gene markers and flower morphological characteristics were consistent with the results of the interspecies division of Impatiens in this region. This study provided new basic data and a scientific basis for the protection, sustainable development, and utilization of Impatiens plant resources and genetic breeding in this region.
Analysis of mud rheological characteristics based on debris flow migration process
Authors: Xianjun Ji , Ying Liang
Published: January 2023

The rheological characteristics of debris flow are the basis of the analysis of debris flow initiation, migration and deposition process. In order to explore the rheological characteristics of debris flow mud, according to the shear characteristics of debris flow fluid in different stages, taking Nanyang expansive soil mud as experimental material and using mcr702 rheometer blade rotor system, rheological experiments (twice increasing shear and once decreasing shear) were carried out on mud with different solid volume concentrations. According to the experimental results, the effects of different experimental processes and solid volume concentration on mud rheological parameters are analyzed, and the following conclusions are obtained: In the process of increasing shear rate, when the shear rate is less than 0.002s-1, the first shear stress is lower than the second shear stress; However, the first shear stress is higher than the second shear stress if the shear rate exceeds 0.002s-1. When the shear rate is greater than 1.83s-1, the mud is in the stable flow stage, the shear stress has a power-law relationship with the shear rate, and its rheological parameters increase exponentially with the volume concentration of mud. In the process of decelerating shear, the shear stress decreases in power law with the decrease of shear rate, which is a group of parallel lines in the double logarithmic coordinate system. Its flow index is less affected by solid volume concentration. The static yield stress of mud (the peak shear stress of the first increasing speed) is much larger than the stable flow yield stress (the shear stress value corresponding to the critical shear rate of 1.83s-1), and the difference decreases with the decrease of the volume concentration of mud solids. The static yield stress and steady flow yield stress of mud increase exponentially with the volume concentration of solid.
Eicosanoid and Eicosanoid-Related Inflammatory Mediators and Exercise Intolerance in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Lau Emily , Roshandelpoor Athar , Zarbafian Shahrooz , Wang Dongyu , Guseh James , Allen Norrina , Varadarajan Vinithra , Lima João A.C. , Shah Sanjiv , Yu Bing , Alotaibi Mona , Cheng Susan , Jain Mohit , Lewis Gregory , Ho Jennifer
Published: January 2023

Background: Systemic inflammation has been implicated in the pathobiology of HFpEF. We examined the association of upstream mediators of inflammation as ascertained by fatty-acid derived eicosanoid and eicosanoid-related metabolites with HFpEF status and exercise manifestations of HFpEF.
Methods: We studied 510 participants with chronic dyspnea and preserved LVEF who underwent invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). We examined the association of 890 eicosanoid and eicosanoid-related metabolites ascertained using mass spectrometry with HFpEF status (defined as abnormal rest or exercise PCWP) using multivariable logistic regression (FDR q-value <0.1 deemed significant). In secondary analyses, we examined eicosanoid profiles of specific exercise traits, including cardiac vs extra-cardiac organ reserve using principal component analysis. To corroborate findings, significant metabolites were tested against incident HF in 5192 MESA participants.
Results: Among 510 participants (mean age 56±16 years, 63% women), 257 had physiologic evidence of HFpEF. We found 70 eicosanoid and eicosanoid-related metabolites were associated with HFpEF status including 17 named and 53 putative eicosanoids and eicosanoid-related metabolites. Specific prostaglandin (15R-PGF2a and 11ß-dhk-PGF2a) and linoleic acid derivatives (12,13 EpOME) were associated with greater odds of HFpEF, whereas epoxide (8(9)-EpETE), docosanoid (13,14-DiHDPA), and oxylipin (12-OPDA) derivatives were associated with lower odds of HFpEF(P<0.008 for all). Eicosanoid profiles showed heterogeneous associations across cardiac vs extra-cardiac contributors to exercise intolerance. In the MESA sample, we found that 18 eicosanoids and eicosanoid-related metabolites were associated with the development of future heart failure (P<0.05 for all).
Conclusions: We found 70 pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoid and eicosanoid-related metabolites that were associated with physiologic HFpEF, including prostaglandin, linoleic acid, and epoxide derivatives. Among these, 18 were associated with future development of heart failure in the community. Further, eicosanoid profiles highlighted contributions to exercise intolerance. Specific eicosanoid and eicosanoid-related metabolites may contribute to the pathogenesis of HFpEF and may serve as potential therapeutic targets for intervention.
Shifts in maize microbial communities and networks are correlated with the soil soil chemical property under different fertilization regimes
Authors: Ji Lidong , Xu Xing , Zhang Fengju , Si Haili , Li Lei , Mao Guilian
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Substituting chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer is an important agricultural practice that improves crop yield but also affects soil biogeochemical cycles.
Methods: In this study, a corn field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of NPK fertilizer (NPK), organic fertilizer (OF) or their combination (NPK+OF) on soil chemical properties, bacterial and fungal community structures and diversity using high-throughput sequencing technology.
Result: Results showed the application of organic fertilizer and NPK combined organic fertilizer increased OM, TN, TP, AN, AP and AK level. Combined with α-diversity analysis, the application of fertilizers led to a decrease in soil bacterial and fungal diversity. Compared with CK, NPK, OF or NPK+OF significantly increased abundance of dominant bacteria (Acidobacteriota, and Gemmatimonadota) and fungi(Basidiomycota). Bacterial and fungal community composition and structure were different among all four treatments. Network analysis showed that fertilization produced fewer connections among bacterial and fungal taxa in the microbial community, especially in the combination of NPK and organic fertilizer. Redundancy analysis combined with Mantel test further found that soil organic matter (OM) and available N and P were main environmental factors driving microbial community variation.
Conclusion: Therefore, using organic fertilizer or biological fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer to improve the status of soil AN, AP and SOC is a promising method to maintain the balance of soil microorganism in continuous cropping single cropping cotton field.
Ferromagnetic (Sb2Te 3)1-x (MnSb2Te4)x Structures with High Curie Temperature Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Levy Ido , Forrester Candice , Ding Xiaxin , Testelin Christophe , Krusin-Elbaum Lia , Tamargo Maria C.
Published: January 2023

Magnetic topological materials are promising for realizing novel quantum physical phenomena. Among these, bulk Mn-rich MnSb2Te4 is ferromagnetic due to MnSb antisites and has relatively high Curie temperatures (TC), which is attractive for technological applications. We have previously reported the growth of materials with the formula (Sb2Te3)1−x(MnSb2Te4)x. Here we report their magnetic and transport properties. We show that the samples are divided into three groups based on the percent septuple layers (SLs) within the crystals and their corresponding TC values. Samples that contain less than 70% or more than 90% SLs have a single TC value of 15-20K and 30-40K, respectively, while samples with between 70–80% SLs exhibit two TC values, one at ~ 30-40K and the second (TC2) reaching values above 80K, almost twice as high as any reported value to date for these type of materials. Structural analysis shows that samples with 70–80% SLs have large regions of only SLs, which should give rise to a TC of ~ 30-40K, while other regions have isolated QLs embedded within the SL lattice. We propose that the latter regions are responsible for the higher TC2 values. Our results have important implications for the design of magnetic topological materials having optimum properties.
High-performance broadband flexible photodetector based on Gd3Fe5O12-assisted double van der Waals heterojunctions
Authors: Yang Shuming , Zhang Ze , Ji Peirui , Li Shaobo , Wang Fei , He Shengmei , Cheng Yiwei , Zhao Shuhao , Li Kaili , Wang Xiaomin , Wang Yu
Published: January 2023

Flexible photodetectors are fundamental elements to develop wearable systems, which can be widely used for in medical detection, environmental monitoring and flexible imaging, etc. However, compared with 3D materials, the degraded performance based on low dimensional materials remains a key challenge for current flexible photodetectors. Here, a broadband photoresponse flexible photodetector with high performance has been proposed and fabricated. By combining the high mobility of graphene (Gr) with the strong light–matter interactions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), the flexible photodetector exhibits a greatly improved photoresponse performance covering visible to near-infrared range. Additionally, the thin layer of gadolinium iron garnet (Gd3Fe5O12, GdlG) films are introduced to improve the interface of the double van der Waals heterojunctions to reduce the dark current. The SWCNT/GdIG/Gr/GdIG/MoS2 flexible photodetector exhibits a high photoresponsivity of 47.375 A/W and a high detectivity of 1.952×1012 Jones at 450nm, 109.311 A/W and a high detectivity of 4.504×1012 Jones at 1080nm, with good mechanical stability at room temperature. This work demonstrates the good capacity of GdIG-assisted double van der Waals heterojunctions on flexible substrates and provides a new solution for preparing high-performance flexible photodetectors.
Drug-induced loss of imprinting revealed using bioluminescent reporters of Cdkn1c
Authors: Dimond Andrew , de Pette Mathew Van , Taylor-Bateman Victoria , Brown Karen , Sardini Alessandro , Whilding Chad , Feytout Amelie , Prinjha Rabinder K. , Merkenschlager Matthias , Fisher Amanda G.
Published: January 2023

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetically mediated mechanism that regulates allelic expression of genes based upon parent-of-origin and provides a paradigm for studying epigenetic silencing and release. Here, bioluminescent reporters for the maternally-expressed imprinted gene Cdkn1c are used to examine the capacity of chromatin-modifying drugs to reverse paternal Cdkn1c silencing. Exposure of reporter mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to 5-Azacytidine, HDAC inhibitors, BET inhibitors or GSK-J4 (KDM6A/B inhibitor) relieved repression of paternal Cdkn1c, either selectively or by inducing biallelic effects. Treatment of reporter fibroblasts with HDAC inhibitors or GSK-J4 resulted in similar paternal Cdkn1c activation, whereas BET inhibitor-induced loss of imprinting was specific to mESCs. Changes in allelic expression were generally not sustained in dividing cultures upon drug removal, indicating that the underlying epigenetic memory of silencing was maintained. In contrast, Cdkn1c de-repression by GSK-J4 was retained in both mESCs and fibroblasts following inhibitor removal, although this impact may be linked to cellular stress and DNA damage. Taken together, these data introduce bioluminescent reporter cells as tools for studying epigenetic silencing and disruption, and demonstrate that Cdkn1c imprinting requires distinct and cell-type specific chromatin features and modifying enzymes to enact and propagate a memory of silencing.
Relationship between C-reactive protein and stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; A cross-sectional study
Authors: Prakash Ashwini , Satish Vikyath , R Vedavathi
Published: January 2023

Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease that obstructs airflow. Here, we evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the stages of COPD.
Methods
A cross-sectional study involving 60 patients diagnosed with COPD aged between 35 to 70 years was performed and the relationship between CRP and stages of COPD was noted. Data was tabulated and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results
Fifty percent of the study participants were aged between 51 to 60 years with a mean of 55.85 ± 7.64 years. According to the Global Initiative for Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, 50 percent of the study participants were diagnosed with Stage II COPD and 35% with Stage III COPD. The mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 84 ± 2.39 percent in stage I COPD and 28.20 ± 1.48 percent in stage IV. The mean CRP levels recorded were 3.91 ± 1.26 mg/dL in stage I COPD (p < 0.05), 5.79 ± 1.23 mg/dL in stage II (p < 0.05), 9.01 ± 0.96 mg/dL in stage III (p < 0.05) and 11.98 ± 0.73 stage IV (p < 0.05). Statistically significant incremental mean CRP level was noted with progressive stages of COPD.
Conclusions
COPD is a systemic inflammatory disease in which CRP levels significantly increase with the progression of the disease. This warrants serial measurement of CRP in patients with COPD to monitor the progression of the disease. Measurement of CRP should also be considered in stable COPD patients to document the baseline for follow-up.
A Non-destructive Method to Predict the Compressive Strength of Building Materials
Authors: Kayabali Kamil , Beyaz Turgay , Ozdemir Ilknur Karaaslan , Yilmaz Deniz
Published: January 2023

Laboratory tests used to determine the compressive strength (CS) of building materials are both time-consuming and relatively costly. Numerous alternative methods have been developed for the indirect determination of CS. One of them is the nail gun. The driving energies of commercially available nail guns are generally constant, and nailers of different energies need to be used for materials with varying levels of compressive strengths. The scope of this investigation is to indirectly predict the compressive strength of most common building materials by establishing an empirical relationship between nail penetration resistance and CS by employing a single and simple tool. In the research, rocks, bricks, and concretes prepared in different cement/sand ratios with different strength ranges were used as materials. The compressive strength of the materials used in the experiments was first determined by conventional compression tests. The nail penetration depths were determined by conducting experiments on the same materials using a nailer with two different energy levels. An empirical relationship was developed by using nail penetration depths, driving energies, and nail diameters as the independent variables and the compressive strength determined by the conventional method as the dependent variable. According to the empirical relationship determined by multiple regression analysis, the compressive strength of building materials can be estimated with 89% accuracy by the nail penetration method.
Perception of a group of portuguese nurses on women̕ s the contraceptive decisión-making after abortion
Authors: palma sara , presado helena , ayres-de-campos diogo
Published: January 2023

Background: Half of the pregnancies worldwide are unplanned and are related to failures, non-use, incorrect use and/or discontinued contraceptive methods. Nurses are essential health promotion agents, which includes contraceptive counselling, which promotes decision-making regarding the most appropriate contraceptive method. We want to understand midwives' perceptions of the aspects that promote decision-making for a contraceptive method by women in the process of termination of pregnancy.
Methods: Descriptive study method with a qualitative approach using a focus group interview. Five midwives participated in the termination of pregnancy consultation at a hospital in Lisbon, and Vale do Tejo in Portugal, in August 2020. We carried out a content analysis of the participants' speeches with the help of the methodology advocated by Bardin and the use of the WebQdA® software.
Main Results: Midwives point to sociocultural and economic aspects, age and lack of literacy as conditioning factors in choosing a contraceptive method.
Conclusions: Understanding the factors that drive women's contraceptive choices can promote interventions that promote sexual and reproductive health.
Minimally invasive percutaneous "three point & two step" procedure: a novel operation for type II Galeazzi fracture without severing pronator quadratus
Authors: Dong Liu , Xiao Wang , Yu Zhang , Bo Jiang , Lumin Cao , Jun Hua
Published: January 2023

Purpose: To explore the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive percutaneous internal fixation "three point & two step" procedure for type II Galeazzi fracture without severing pronator quadratus.
Methods: Patients admitted to the orthopedic department between December 2018 and February 2022 owing to type II Galeazzi fracture were eligible for analysis.All participants underwent "three point - two step", minimally invasive percutaneous, plate internal fixation, and were assessed for the surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative fracture healing, and functional recovery of the affected limb.
Results: The follow-up duration was 20.5 ± 10.7 months; the distal incision was 27.5 ± 2.5 mm and the proximal incision was 35 ± 3.78 mm; overall 38.21 ± 30.27 ml of intraoperative blood loss occurred among the analyzed patients; otherwise, all patients showed good alignment of the lower ulnar and radial joints, with no fracture nonunion. The patients received DASH and Mayo scores of 6.37 ± 1.24 and 88.21 ± 8.99, respectively, at 6 months post operation, and exhibited an excellent rate of 85.7%.
Conclusions: The minimally invasive percutaneous internal "three point & two step" fixation for type II Galeazzi fracture has the advantages of minimal trauma, rapid recovery, and maximal regaining of wrist function. Thus, this procedure should be clinically promoted.
A potential role for inflammatory cytokines in a rare late-onset capsular block syndrome: a case report
Authors: Du Ying-Hua , Liang Xiao-Fang , Hirooka Kazuyuki , Xia Hui-Ka , Jia Zhi-Yang
Published: January 2023

Background: late-onset capsule block syndrome (CBS) was a rare complication of cataract surgery and its pathogenesis was unclear.
Case presentation: An analysis of a 64-year-old female with late-onset CBS was performed retrospectively. The depth of the anterior chamber (ACD), the distance between the face of the retro-implanted intraocular lens (IOL) and the posterior capsule (DRP), the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the visual quality (VQ) were all measured both before and after surgery. Using a flow cytometer multiple array assay device, we assessed the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the opaque substances (OS) that were trapped between the posterior capsule and the retro-IOL surface and compared them to those in aqueous humor. The patient who underwent surgery experienced a considerable improvement in BCVA and VQ. DRP was on the verge of disappearing. However, ACD did not differ between pre-and post-operatively. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) concentrations were higher in the OS than in aqueous humor, especially in the former. Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) concentration in the OS, however, was lower than in aqueous humor.
Conclusions: Surgery was a successful treatment for a challenging late-onset CBS. A fresh, isolated microenvironment developed between the posterior capsule and the retro-IOL face. In the human lens, inflammatory cytokines from the OS might contribute to abnormal metabolism in the sealed area as a result of late-onset CBS.
Thermal Behaviour of Agro-waste Based Ceiling Board and Its Filler Material
Authors: Ezenwa Obiora Nnaemeka , Obika Echezona Nnaemeka , Ekengwu Ignatius Echezona , Okafor Obiora
Published: January 2023

The thermal behavior of a ceiling board produced with breadfruit seed coat as the filler material, and recycled Low Density Polyethylene, as the binder, was investigated. The Breadfruit seed coat was treated with sodium hydroxide and acetic acid, to remove the pigments. The ceiling material was produced with 19.722% filer-binder ratio, and pressed for 10 minutes, at temperature and pressure of 197.31 oC and 9.042 MPa respectively. Lee-Charton’s apparatus was used to determine the thermal conductivity of the produced material, which gave a value of 0.362 Wm− 1K− 1 and the corresponding thermal diffusivity and resistivity of 5.24 x 10− 7 m2/s, and 2.76 Wm− 1K− 1, respectively. Thermo-gravimetric analyzer and Digital Scanning Calorimeter was used to study the thermal behavior the filler material and the produced sample, which showed a good thermal stability. Hence, this research showed that the produced material is suitable for ceiling board application.
Pediatric autoimmune diseases with ELANE gene mutation associated with neutropenia
Authors: Zhang Dan , Su Gaixiu , Hao Sheng , Lai Jianming , Feng Shunqiao
Published: January 2023

Objective

To explore the clinical characteristics of autoimmune diseases in children with ELANE gene mutation.
Methods: Three cases of children with ELANE gene mutation manifested as autoimmune disease were retrospectively analyzed from April 2020 to May 2021.
Results: They were 2 males and 1 female, aged 15 years, 1 year and 10 months and 1 year and 10 months, respectively. All of them had recurrent infection. Case 1 presented with cyclic neutropenia and systemic lupus erythematosus. Case 2 presented with severe neutropenia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Case 3 presented with severe neutropenia and ANCA-associated small vasculitis. Genetic tests showed that they all had heterozygous mutations in ELANE gene. Case 1 was treated with methylprednisolone and hydroxychloroquine sulfate for 2 years, and had normal neutrophils. Case 2 received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and has stopped taking all drugs. Case 3 received subcutaneous injection of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, oral prednisone and cyclophosphamide. He has been followed up for one year, and his neutrophils increased to 1.56×109/L.
Conclusion Patients with ELANE gene mutation may have recurrent infection, and combined with autoimmune disease. DMARDs are effective for autoimmune disease. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can cure the disease.
Postharvest starch and sugars adjustment in potato tubers of wide-ranging dormancy genotypes subjected to various sprout forcing techniques
Authors: Haider Muhammad Wasim , Nafees Muhammad , Iqbal Rashid , Asad Habat Ullah , Azeem Farrukh , Shaheen Ghazala , Iqbal Javed , Vyas Shweta , Arslan Muhammad , Rahman Muhammad Habib Ur
Published: January 2023

Development of an efficient, safe and environment-friendly technique to terminate tuber dormancy in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) is of great concern due to an immense scope of multiple cropping all over the globe. The breakage of tuber dormancy has been associated with numerous physiological changes including a decline in the level of starch and increase in the levels of sugars during storage of freshly harvested seed potatoes, although their consistency across the genotypes and various dormancy breaking techniques have not yet been fully elucidated. The purpose of the present research is to assess the efficacy of four different dormancy breaking techniques such as soaking in 90, 60, or 30 mgL−1 solutions of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 30, 20, or 10 mgL−1 gibberellic acid (GA3) alone and in the combination of optimized concentrations; cold pre-treatment at 6, 4, or 2°C; electric shock at 80, 60, 40, or 20 Vs; and irradiation at 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, or 1 kGy on tuber dormancy period and sprout length of six genotypes. Furthermore, the changes occurred in tuber weight and endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents in experimental genotypes following application of these techniques were also examined. Overall, the most effective technique to terminate tuber dormancy and hasten spout growth was the combined application of BAP and GA3, which reduced the length of dormancy by 9.6 days compared to the untreated control, following 6.7 days of electric current, 4.4 days of cold pre-treatment, and finally irradiation (3.3 days). The 60 mgL−1 solution of BAP greatly reduced the dormancy period in all genotypes but did not affect the sprout length at all. The genotypes showed a negative weak correlation (r ≤ − 0.4) of endogenous starch contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss or moderate (r ≤ − 0.5) correlation with sprout length; but a strong positive correlation (r ≥ 0.8) of tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss. During three weeks storage, sprouting commencement and significant weight loss occurred as tuber dormancy advanced towards breakage due to reduction in starch and increase in sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents of tubers. These findings could be advantageous for postponing or accelerating seed potato storage as well as investigating related physiological research in the future.
Differences between persons with and without disability in HIV prevalence, testing, treatment, and care cascade in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study using population-based data
Authors: Chipanta David , Mitra Sophie , Amo-Agyei Silas , Velarde Minerva Rivas , Amekudzi Kofi , Osborne Connie , Estill Janne , Keiser Olivia
Published: January 2023

Background
Persons with disability may have a higher HIV prevalence and be less likely than persons without disability to know their HIV-positive status, access antiretroviral therapy (ART), and suppress their HIV viral load (HIV testing, treatment, and care cascade, also known as the 90—90—90 and the 95—95—95 targets set to be achieved by 2020 and 2025, respectively).
Methods
Using the Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) data collected between October 2016 and August 2017, we assessed differences in HIV prevalence and progress towards achieving the 2020 HIV testing, treatment, and care cascade target between persons with and without disability. We presented the sample characteristics by disability status and analyzed the achievement of the cascade target by disability status, and sex. We used multivariate logistic regressions, and adjusted for age, sex, rural-urban-residence, education, wealth, and region.
Results
The sample comprised 1,831 people living with HIV (PLHIV) with a median age of 32 years (IQR 21—45). Approximately 11.8% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 10.2%—13.6%, n= 212) of PLHIV in Tanzania were disabled. HIV prevalence was higher (6.2%, 95% CI: 5.3%—7.4%) among persons with disability than persons without disability (4.7%, 95% CI: 4.4% — 5.1%); Women with disability were more aware of their HIV-positive status (n = 101, 79.0%, 95% CI: 68.0%—87.0% versus n = 703, 63.0%, 95% CI: 59.1%—66.7%) and accessed ART more frequently (n = 98, 98.7%, 95% CI: 95.3%—99.7% versus n = 661, 94.7%, 95% CI: 92.6%—96.3%) than women without disability. After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, the odds of having HIV and of accessing ART were not statistically different between PLHIV with and without disability. However, PLHIV with disability had higher odds of being aware of their HIV-positive status (aOR 1.69, 95% 1.05—2.71) than PLHIV without disability. Men on ART with disability had lower odds (aOR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06—0.86) to suppress HIV viral loads than their counterparts without disability.
Conclusion
We found no differences in HIV prevalence and access to ART between persons with and without disability in Tanzania. Whereas PLHIV disability, women in particular, were advantaged in knowing their HIV-positive status, men on ART with disability may have been disadvantaged in having suppressed HIV viral loads. These differences are correctable by disability-inclusive HIV programming. HIV surveys in multiple countries sampling more persons with disability are required to measure differences in HIV prevalence better and in attaining the 2025 HIV testing and treatment cascade target for both persons with and without disability.
Establishment and Verification of Prognostic Model and ceRNA Network Analysis for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Wu Tao , Zhou Jinmei , Chen Xiaoqiong , Dong Chao , Guo Zhangyou , Yang Renfang , Liang Rui , Feng Qing , Hu Ruixi , Li Yunfeng , Ding Rong
Published: January 2023

Objects:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Approximately two-thirds of patients with CRC will develop colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) at some point in time. In this study, we aimed to construct a prognostic model of CRLM and its competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network.
Methods
RNA-seq of CRC, CRLM and normal samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Limma was used to obtain differential expression genes (DEGs) between CRLM and CRC from sequencing data and GSE22834, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analyses were performed, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis and lasso Cox regression models were performed to screen prognostic gene features and construct prognostic models. Functional enrichment, estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumor tissues using expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and ceRNA network construction were applied to explore potential mechanisms.
Results
An 8-gene prognostic model was constructed by screening 112 DEGs from TCGA and GSE22834. CRC patients in the TCGA and GSE29621 cohorts were stratified into either a high-risk group or a low-risk group. Patients with CRC in the high-risk group had a significantly poorer prognosis compared to in the low-risk group. The risk score was identified as an independent predictor of prognosis. Functional analysis revealed that the risk score was closly correlated with various immune cells and immune-related signaling pathways. And a prognostic gene-associated ceRNA network was constructed that obtained 3 prognosis gene, 14 microRNAs (miRNAs) and 7 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs).
Conclusions
In conclusion, a prognostic model of CRLM proposed that independently identify high-risk patients with low survival, suggest a relationship between local immune status and prognosis, and construct a ceRNA network. Our study may provide inspiration for further research on the pathogenesis of CRLM.
Disparities and Determinants of Maternal Health Services Utilization Among Women in Poverty-Stricken Rural Areas of China: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Yang Yuxuan , Yu Min
Published: January 2023

Background:Reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR) has been a worldwide public health challenge for a long time. Utilization of maternal health services including antenatal care (ANC), institutional delivery (ID), and postnatal care (PNC) is vital to prevent maternal mortality. China has made significant improvements in maternal health during the past 30 years, however, disparities in maternal health service utilization still exist among regions and the western rural areas had the lowest utilization rate. This study aims to assess the inequality and determinants of maternal health service utilization in western poverty-stricken rural areas based on Anderson’s Behavioral Model of Health Service Use and provide evidence-based suggestions to improve equity and coverage of maternal service utilization in China.
Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gansu and Yunnan Province, Western China using primary data (n=996) collected by the research team. A multistage, judgment, quota sampling procedure was employed to select the participants of the survey. Trained local health staff formed an interview team to help respondents answer a structured, pre-tested questionnaire designed based on Anderson’s model. Data collected through interviews were used for descriptive analysis, and univariate and multivariate binary logistic analysis to identify influencing factors of 8+ANC, ID, and 2+PNC utilization.
Results: Place of residence, education level, per capita household income, conditional cash transfer (CCT) participation, and distance to health facilities were influencing factors of 8+ANC; place of residence, education level, and availability of financial incentive programs were influencing factors of ID; number of children, health education during ANC, CCT projects participation, and self-rated health status were influencing factors of 2+PNC.
Conclusions:Inequalities in maternal service utilization exist between Yunnan and Gansu provinces. This study shows a strong association between both predisposing and enabling factors and maternal services utilization. Predisposing factors such as place of residence, education level, and number of children, enabling factors such as CCT participation, annual income, health education during ANC, and distance to health facilities along with need factor self-rated health status all contribute to maternal services utilization.
We conclude that many factors influence maternal service utilization and interventions targeted at various levels should be considered. Therefore, we suggest more health resources should be invested in underutilized areas, financial incentive projects targeting pregnant women should be implemented, and health education should be provided to improve women’s health literacy.
Machine learning-based analysis predicts a person's gender based on mechanical, but not thermal, pain thresholds
Authors: Lotsch Jorn , Mayer Benjamin , Kringel Dario
Published: January 2023

Gender differences in pain perception have been extensively studied, while precision medicine applications such as gender-specific pain pharmacology have barely progressed beyond proof-of-concept. A data set comprising pain thresholds to mechanical (blunt and punctate pressure) and thermal (heat and cold) stimuli applied to nonsensitized and sensitized (capsaicin, menthol) forearm skin of 69 male and 56 female healthy volunteers was analyzed for data structures contingent with the prior gender structure, using unsupervised and supervised approaches. A working hypothesis that the relevance of gender differences could be approached via reversibility of the association, i.e., genders should be identifiable from pain thresholds, was verified with trained machine-learning algorithms that could infer a person’s gender in a 20% validation sample not seen to the algorithms during training, with a balanced accuracy of up to 79%. This was only possible with thresholds for mechanical stimuli, but not for thermal stimuli or responses to sensitization, which were not sufficient to train an algorithm that could assign gender better than by guessing or when trained with nonsense (permuted) information. This enabled translation to the molecular level of nociceptive targets that convert mechanical but not thermal information into signals that are interpreted as pain, which could eventually be used for pharmacological precision medicine approaches to pain. By exploiting a key feature of machine learning that enables the recognition of data structures and the reduction of information to the bare minimum relevant, experimental human pain data could be characterized in a way that incorporates "non" logic that could be transferred directly to the molecular pharmacological level, pointing a way toward gender-specific precision medicine for pain.