bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Status of Intervention Studies on Korean Firefighters and Recommendations for Further Research: A Scoping Review
Authors: Jin Hanbit , Jun Hyungsun , Ha Jisu , Youn Inae , Leem Jungtae
Published: June 2024

Background Firefighters in Korea experience a range of health issues due to the unique demands of their profession and the organizational culture within which they operate. However, to date, there has been a paucity of intervention studies reflecting the specific characteristics of firefighters. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify the current status and characteristics of intervention studies on firefighters in Korea and to make recommendations for further research. Methods The review was conducted in seven stages, in accordance with the methodological guidelines for scoping reviews framed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. For reporting, we adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. The literature search included articles published in Korean and international journals till January 25, 2024. Data were extracted according to a previously developed analysis framework and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist. The protocol for this study was registered with the Open Science Framework and can be accessed via the following link: https://osf.io/s378j/. Results A total of 35 articles were included in the review. The analysis revealed an imbalance in terms of research topics, design, outcome variables, and delivery format of interventions in the design and content of the reviewed studies. In terms of research ethics, researchers must ensure that the rules and guidelines regarding bioethics are followed. The review also highlighted a lack of research that reflected the characteristics and needs of firefighting organizations. Conclusions Future research must include various intervention studies on firefighters’ health problems and implement sensitive research designs that consider research ethics. It is also important to listen to the needs of firefighting organizations and collaborate with experts with firefighting knowledge to create flexible research designs that can accommodate the characteristics of individual firefighters and organizations.
Assessment of the Effectİveness of Mİcronutrİent Therapy İn Patİents Wİth Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneratİon Unable to Receİve Intravİtreal Therapy Due to Covid-19 Pandemİc Constraİnts
Authors: BOZKURT ERDİNÇ , LİMON UTKU , DUMAN GAMZE TANIDI , AKÇAY BETÜL İLKAY SEÇGİN , TOPRAK GÜVENÇ
Published: June 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of micronutrient therapy for individuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who were unable to undergo intravitreal therapy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Material-Method: Patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) from March 2020 to July 2021, who were ineligible for intravitreal therapy, had their medical records reviewed retrospectively. Those meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups. Group 1 received regular micronutrition therapy for at least six months, while Group 2 did not. Variables including age, gender, duration without intravitreal treatment, intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central macular thickness (CMT) were recorded. Data obtained were compared between the two groups.
Result: Of the 183 nAMD patients screened, 125 were excluded due to missing data or irregular use of micronutrition tablets. Of the 58 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 27 were included in Group-1 and 31 in Group-2. The BCVA and CMT values at the beginning of the pandemic were 0.69±0.72 343.6±106.4, respectively for Group-1 and 0.85±0.82, 381.3±93.7 respectively for Group-2 (p value 0.211, 0.153 respectively). The BCVA and CMT values obtained at the first examination were 0.74±0.76 and 330.3±148, respectively for Group-1 and 1.39±1.30 and 396.0±151.7, respectively for Group-2 (p<0.001 and p=0.102, respectively).
Conclusion: The administration of micronutrition therapy did not lead to significant changes in the central macular thickness (CMT) levels between the groups. However, it did slow down the progression towards a poor prognosis in terms of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). We believe that for individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, micronutrition therapy could potentially serve as an adjunctive treatment to intravitreal therapy. These findings highlight the importance of adequate micronutrient intake for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) seeking medical attention.
Real-Time Traffic Density Estimation Using Various Connected Vehicle Penetration Rates: A New Predictive Approach
Authors: Ashqer Mujahid I. , Ashqar Huthaifa I. , Elhenawy Mohammed , Rakha Hesham A. , Bikdash Marwan
Published: June 2024

Traffic density estimation using various Market Penetration Rates (MPRs) of Connected Vehicle (CV) data represents an area in need of continued research and refinement to fully leverage its potential in addressing complex real-world traffic scenarios. This study introduces an innovative approach, the Predictive Approach, employing the Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN) algorithm to estimate traffic density. This method calculates the densities of input approaches at intersections with non-uniform MPRs, using these predictions to estimate the target approach density. Using the Predictive Approach, results showed that improving traffic density predictions can be achieved through factors like accounting for MPR variations between different intersection approaches and considering specific scenarios. Results also highlighted that excluding Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT) data in certain cases can enhance model performance. It offers practical applications in optimizing traffic flow and reducing congestion in smart cities and traffic control centres, particularly when rapid and real-time computations are required. Additionally, it serves as a valuable solution in areas lacking SPaT information and experiencing varying levels of vehicle connectivity, collectively providing versatile tools for efficient traffic management and urban mobility enhancement. These insights have the potential to make real-world traffic management more efficient, responsive, and adaptable, ultimately leading to safer and more effective transportation systems.
Factors influencing the reproductive outcome of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Dawei , Zhang Qing , Kuang Dan , Yin Yiqi , Shi Xuejiao , Wei Zhaolian , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhou Ping , Cao Yunxia , Hao Yan
Published: June 2024

Objective
The objective of this study was to explore the factors influencing the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) for couples undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M).
Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study involving couples who underwent PGT-M at our center from January 2017 to December 2023. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the following factors that may influence CLBR per patient of PGT-M: female age, oocytes pick up (OPU) times, genetic category, COH protocol, number of oocytes retrieved/number of transferable embryos, sperm diagnosis, pathogenic gene source, and dosage of gonadotrophins (Gn).
Results
A total of 160 couples, 208 oocyte retrieval (OR) cycles, 193 PGT cycles met inclusionary criteria. Among them, 162 single embryo of 119 couples were transferred, resulting in a CLBR of 72.27% per patient and 67.44% per OR cycle. The logistic regression showed that female age (OR: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.02–0.73, P = 0.021), OPU times (OR: 0.27, 95%CI:0.08–0.90, P = 0.032), number of oocytes retrieved (OR: 14.28, 95%CI: 1.01-202.47, P = 0.049) and number of transferable embryos (OR: 10.52, 95%CI: 2.73–40.59, P < 0.001) were associated with CLBR per patient. Furthermore, our research innovatively suggested that the aneuploidy of embryos is not related to the genetic category of monogenic diseases (37% in AD vs 11% in XLD vs 33% in AR vs 41% in XLR, P > 0.05) and whether the embryo is affected or not (34% in unaffected embryos vs 44% in affected embryos, P > 0.05).
Conclusion
The CLBR per patient of PGT-M is significantly associated with female age, OPU times, number of oocytes retrieved / number of transferable embryos.
Psychometrics of the Persian version of Cyber Ethics Instrument among virtual students of medical sciences universities, Iran
Authors: Oveisi Sonia , Kohan Noushin , Tabatabaeichehr Mahbubeh , Ahmady Soleiman
Published: June 2024

Introduction
This study extended previous psychometric evaluations of the Persian version of Cyber Ethics Instrument (PCEI) by determining the factor structure, and internal consistency and providing convergent and discriminant evidence for its validity.
Method
In this descriptive study, we evaluated the psychometrics of the PCEI among virtual students of medical sciences universities in Iran from 2021 to 2023. Participants were 163 undergraduate students from two consecutive semesters in the same academic year. They ranged in age from 17 to 24 (M = 18.7, S.D. = 1.0) and 50.3% were women. The CEI tool which was developed by Winfred Yaokumah was used.
Results
A seven-factor solution emerged (32 items), invariant across gender and semester. These items were combined to create a PCEI with an overall reliability equal to 0.944. Results showed comparative fit index (CFI = .711), normed fit index (NFI = .635), TLI = .681, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA = .118). The 25 items that loaded on the model were Composite Reliability (CR) from 0.7315 to 0.8998 and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) from 0.4375 to 0.7142.
Conclusion
The results established the viability of PCEI for measuring cyber ethics in Iranian students. It deals with ethical issues and considerations concerning technology and online interactions, encompassing a wide range of topics such as Academic Integrity, Netiquette, Cyber Safety, Computer Ethics, Cyber Privacy, Cyber Security, and Cyber Protection to create a safe, inclusive, and ethical online environment.
Probabilistic Planning of Renewable Energy Source with Different Load Models
Authors: saleh ayat ali
Published: June 2024

this paper presents an optimization algorithm, named Non dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III (NSGA-III) method to identify the optimal allocation of hybrid distributed energy resources (DERs) including photovoltaic system (PV), micro-turbine (MT), and fuel cell (FC) in distribution system considering four different load models such as industrial, residential, commercial and constant load model. With increasing the integration of renewable energy resources, the uncertainties resulting from these sources posed a serious challenge to the operation of the network. To be closer to the reality, the network performance is analyzed considering the influence of the uncertainties produced from RES. Point Estimate Method (PEM) is used to model the uncertainties generated from renewable energy resources. The main aim of this paper is to maximize technical and economic benefits of DERs by minimizing various objective functions such as the total power loss, cost, and voltage deviation subject to different power system constraints. Multi-objective planning framework is appraised using two standards IEEE networks with various scenarios. Comparative analyses are conducted on standard distribution systems under different load model and mix of different types of DERs. Level diagram is implemented to analysis and compares the influence of different combinations of load models on the system performance. The obtained results show that, the system performance is greatly influenced by uncertainties accompanied with DER and power system itself. The suggested multi-objective planning frameworks shows high accuracy compared to other techniques applied in previous researches.
Study on the vibration prediction induced by tunnel blasting
Authors: Yao Yingkang , Shan Peng
Published: June 2024

Based on nonlinear theory and measurements in situ, a method for predicting the blasting vibrations using the NARMAX model is proposed. This model can be identified by the input and output signals measured in situ. Then, the predicted signal can be calculated at the specific measurement location using the identified NARMAX model. In addition, the blasting scheme can be optimized based on the predicted results to control the blasting vibration. The proposed method has been verified by a hammer impact test, and applied in a newly tunnel construction project. The results show that the method features convenient application, high precision and can provide scientific support and optimization for blasting operations.
The application of intraoperative vascular and biliary tract imaging in laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection
Authors: Shen Zhengchao , Jiang Bin , Xi Shihang , Qian Daohai , Chen Suhang , Jiang Yaqi , Wang Xiaoming
Published: June 2024

Objective To investigate the value of applying intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection.
Methods The clinical data of 12 patients with benign pancreatic head tumors who underwent fluorescence laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (FLDPPHR) at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, from June 2021 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received an intravenous injection of indocyanine green (2.5 mg/ml, 1.5 ml) for biliary tract imaging half an hour before surgery. Indocyanine green (2.5 mg/ml, 1 ml) was intravenously injected into the peripheral vein when blood vessels needed to be exposed during the operation.
Results FLDPPHR was successfully performed in all 12 patients without conversion to open surgery. The tumor diameter was 3.6±0.1 cm, the operation time was 366.7±24.2 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss volume was 270.8±25.7 ml. The median number of intraoperative vascular visualizations was 3 (2-4). Postoperative pathological diagnosis revealed intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) in 6 patients, serous cystadenoma (SCN) in 4 patients, and mucinous cystadenoma (MCN) in 2 patients. The median postoperative hospital stay was 10 (7-40) days. No long-term complications occurred during the follow-up of more than 7 months.
Conclusion Real-time exposure of the common bile duct during indocyanine green fluorescence imaging is helpful for reducing damage to the common bile duct, visualizing vessels in the
Occurrence and Advancement of Diabetic Retinopathy in a Tertiary Care Setting: A Preliminary Report with Initial Overview and Recommended Protocols for Subsequent Screening
Authors: Mahar P. Salim , Monis Mohammad Daniyal , Khan M. Fahadullah , Ahsan Shahid , Memon M. Saleh
Published: June 2024

Background/Aims The objective of this study is to evaluate diabetic patients with either a normal fundus or non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) changes, examining retinal alterations during follow-up, and proposing follow-up guidelines within a tertiary eye care setting.Methods A 5-year prospective longitudinal study is being conducted at the Diabetic Clinic of Al Ibrahim Eye Hospital/Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Karachi. Induction for the research took place from October 2021 to March 2022, and a 2-year preliminary report is presented here. Newly diagnosed type II diabetic patients with normal fundus or NPDR of any stage, irrespective of age, gender, or glycemic status, who were willing to participate and agreed to follow-ups, were included. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), diabetic macular edema (DME), fundus non-visibility, or systemic complications of diabetes were excluded.Results A total of 251 patients were enrolled, consisting of 80 individuals with a normal fundus and 171 with different stages of NPDR, including mild (n = 59), moderate (n = 91), and severe (n = 21) retinopathy. The incidence of progression from mild to moderate NPDR was noted to be 52.5%, with a median time of 3.5 months. Progression from moderate to severe NPDR occurred in 37.1% of cases, with a median time of 4.5 months. Similarly, DME developed in 5% of patients with mild NPDR over 8 months, in 22.2% with moderate NPDR over 7 months, and in 37.5% with severe NPDR over 4.4 months.Conclusion This study suggests that the incidence and progression of NPDR stages, along with the development of DME, may occur in a shorter duration in diabetic patients compared to what is suggested in existing literature.
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of different dose anlotinib in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Tan Tingfei , Yuan Siyu , Chu Weiwei , Jiang Jiemei , Chen Meiling , Xia Quan , Wang Junping
Published: June 2024

Purpose: The combination of anlotinib with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has become a common treatment modality in clinical practice. However, the optimal dose of anlotinib to use remains unclear.
Methods: We collected patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) or programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade combined with different dose anlotinib as second-line or later line therapy. Subsequently, the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy as well as subgroup analyses of different doses of anlotinib were analyzed. Cox regression was performed to analyze significant factors correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
Results: A total of 50 eligible patients with NSCLC who received anlotinib combined with ICIs therapy were included, of which 27 received low-dose anlotinib (8 mg), and 23 were administered high-dose anlotinib (12 mg). The median PFS (mPFS) and the median OS (mOS) for all patients were 8.3 months (95% CI 6.3–10.3) and 17.6 months (95% CI 16.5–18.7), respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that patients treated with 8 mg of anlotinib plus ICIs had significantly longer mPFS than those treated with 12 mg of amlotinib plus ICIs (8.7 months vs 6.7 months; p=0.016). The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 68.0%, and the most common AEs of all grades were hypertension. Meanwhile, the incidence of adverse events was higher for 12 mg of anlotinib plus ICIs than that of 8 mg of anlotinib plus ICIs(82.6% vs 55.6%, P = 0.041).
Conclusion: Low-dose anlotinib in combination with ICIs for advanced NSCLC may be an effective and well-tolerated option.
FAM83A: A Prospective Diagnostic Biomarker with Immunological Relevance in Lung Adenocarcinoma- Associated Malignant Pleural Effusion
Authors: Liu Hangfeng , Yao Jia , Liu Yulan , Wu Liping , Tan Zhiwei , Hu Jie , Chen Shigao , Zhang Xiaolin , Cheng Shuanghua
Published: June 2024

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is most frequently observed in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Pleural fluid cytology is a less invasive
procedure than pleural biopsy. Therefore, it is urgently required to discover new effective biomarkers for LUAD-associated pleural fluid cytology.
Methods: mRNA sequencing and clinical data of LUAD were downloaded from TCGA and OncoSG databases. Differential gene expression analysis, survival analysis and immune cell infiltration analysis were carried out on the LUAD datasets. The expression levels of FAM83A, TFF-1, and NapsinA were assessed in 94 pairs of LUAD tumor and adjacent normal tissues, as well as in pleural effusion cell blocks obtained from 40 LUAD and 21 non-neoplastic patients, using immunohistochemistry.
Results:Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that FAM83A was screened out as a candidate biomarker for pleural fluid cytology due to its obvious difference in LUAD tissues and its influence on overall or disease-free survival, and histological grade. Immunohistochemistry showed that FAM83A expression was amplified in LUAD tissues compared with paired normal tissues in 89 out of 94 pairs. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that FAM83A expression was significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration, such as a positive association with macrophage infiltration. Meanwhile, FAM83A staining was positive in 37 cases of LUAD pleural effusions, and was negative in 20 cases of non-neoplastic pleural effusions. Additionally, the expression pattern of FAM83A in LUAD pleural effusions was relatively consistent with that of TFF-1 and NapsinA, and was even a little stronger in some LUAD pleural effusions that were weakly positive or negative for TTF1 or NapsinA.
Conclusions: Our work reveals FAM83A as a promising immune-related biomarker not only in LUAD biopsy specimens but also in LUAD pleural effusion. Our finding is of importance for providing a new and effective option for pleural fluid cytology.
Succinylome profiling the function and distribution of lysine succinylation in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
Authors: Ke Xiang , Jiang Xing , Hussain Muhammad Hammad , tian Xiwei , Chu Ju
Published: June 2024

As a novel protein post-translational modification, lysine succinylation is widely involved in metabolism regulation. To describe succinylated lysine's physiological functions and distribution patterns in Saccharopolyspora erythraea, a large and global protein succinylome was identified in a hypersuccinylated strain E3ΔsucC, using high-resolution 4D label-free mass spectrometry. Bioinformatic analysis was conducted to examine the succinylated proteins further in this study. The results showed that succinylated proteins were identified to be predominantly involved in protein synthesis, central carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and secondary metabolism. The process of lysine succinylation was found intricately regulated by a delicate interplay of factors, such as the relative abundance of lysine within the protein, the strategic positioning of polar amino acids flanking the succinylated sites, and the degree to which lysine residues are exposed to the solvent, thereby shaping the landscape of post-translational modifications. This systematic analysis represents the global analysis of lysine succinylation in S. erythraea and provides an important resource for exploring the the function of Ksucc and regulation in S. erythraea and likely in all actinomycetes.
Frequent intake of cakes attenuates the effect of energy drinks on activity of medial prefrontal cortex during calculation task
Authors: Kitamura Syuzo , Hasegawa Reana , Sakuma Yuka , Yoshihama Sara , Takatsuru Yusuke
Published: June 2024

Several caffeine-containing beverages, that is, energy drinks, are sold worldwide and many young adults frequently drink them, who believe that energy drinks give them increased energy and improve their performance in tasks. However, their effect on brain activity is controversial. In this study, we aim to clarify the effect of energy drinks on brain function, especially the activity of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during calculation tasks. We found that the number of errors was not decreased and the concentration of cortisol in saliva was not improved by energy drink intake during calculation tasks. However, the calculation time was shortened by energy drink intake. We also found that activities of MPFC and DLPFC varied among the participants; they increased in one and decreased in others. We found that the participants with an increased MPFC activity following energy drink intake frequently drank milk and less frequently ate cakes. We concluded that the effect of energy drinks on MPFC activity during calculation tasks is limited and it varies depending on the frequency of food (milk and cakes) intake.
Anlotinib plus oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 in treating patients with refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SALTER TRIAL): an open-label, multicenter, single-arm, phase II trial
Authors: Wang Wei , Wu Guixian , Luo Wujun , Chen Ziran , Lin Ling , Zhou Chao , Yao Guifei , Chen Meifang , Wu Xiaomai , Ye Junhui , Yang Haihua , Lv Dongqing
Published: June 2024

Background
Patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have few treatment options and dismal overall survival (OS) after failed platinum-based chemotherapy.
Methods
The eligibility criteria of this phase II clinical trial included patients with measurable disease, age of 18 to 75 years, a confirmed diagnosis of disease progression or recurrence after prior platinum-based chemotherapy with a pathologically proven diagnosis of SCLC. Patients were treated with anlotinib at a dosage of 12mg once daily (QD) and S-1 at 60mg twice daily (BID) for 2 weeks, followed by a 1-week treatment-free interval. After six cycles of above treatment, patients were continued the maintenance therapy using S-1 monotherapy at 60mg/ BID for 2 weeks, followed by a 1-week treatment-free interval until disease progression.
Results
From March 2019 to June 2020, a total of 71 patients were initially assessed for eligibility in this study. Out of these, 52 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, and 48 patients received at least two doses of the study drug. The median follow-up time was 25.1 months. The ORR was seen in 21 patients (43.8%). The median PFS was 4.5 months (95% CI, 3.5–5.5 months), and the median OS was 5.9 months (95% CI, 4.6–7.3 months). The most common grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events were thrombocytopenia (16.7%), anemia (14.6%), neutropenia (14.6%), and hypertension (10.4%). No treatment-related death occurred.
Conclusions
Treatment of anlotinib combined with oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 was active for relapsed or refractory SCLC in terms of ORR, having an acceptable and manageable safety profile.
Trial Registration
This trial was registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT03823118) on 3 January 2019.
Estimating the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic indices of lead for the vegetables fertilized with sewage sludge
Authors: Tehraninejad Maryam Tekyegah , Bostani Amir
Published: June 2024

Due to the presence of heavy metals in sewage sludge, their use for the fertilization of vegetables is of environmental and health significance. The objective was to investigate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic indices of lead (Pb), for children and adults, in the greenhouse vegetables fertilized with sewage sludge. The experiment was a factorial with three replicates, in which five levels of sewage sludge (0 (L1), 1.5 (L2), 3.0 (L3), 4.5 (L4) and 6% (L5)) were tested on spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.), radish (Raphanus satvius L.), cress (Lepidium sativum L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum), purslanes (Portulaca sp.), and summer savory (Satureja sp.). The effects of sewage sludge, vegetable type, and their interaction significantly affected the morphological properties of vegetables, average daily doses (ADD), hazard quotient (HQ), and cancer risk (CR) (P ≤ 0.01) in both children and adults. The highest and the least ADD was resulted by cress and savory. The L3 level increased HQ by 32% compared with control, which is five times higher than the safety level. Cress had the highest CR for children (0.0115) and adults (0.0037). According to the results the occurrence of cancer, which was likely for both children and adults, due to the consumption of vegetables, fertilized with sewage sludge, was three times higher for children. If the use of sewage sludge is desirable for the production of agricultural and horticultural crops, finding methods, which may decrease the concentration of heavy metals in sewage sludge is of outmost significance.
Construction of a PANoptosis-Related LncRNA Prognostic Model and Study on the Function of Linc01135 for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Zhao Zidong , Zhao Dandan , Liu Yanwen , Wu Kejian
Published: June 2024

Objective
Our study aimed to construct a predictive model for gastric cancer using PANoptosis-related LncRNAs. Additionally, the function of the model crucial molecule Linc01135 in gastric cancer cells will be explored.
Materials and Methods
We performed multiple Bioinformatics methods from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to develop a prediction signature. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology was utilized to analyze the localization of Linc01135. In addition, the function of Linc01135 on gastric cancer was assessed through various assays including CTG, colony formation, and scratch experiments. Finally, to identify specific proteins that bind with Linc01135, RNA Pulldown and Ribosome Immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiments were conducted.
Result
We developed a prognostic model for gastric cancer comprising of 7 lncRNAs. This model effectively distinguishes between high-risk and low-risk populations, as well as accurately predicts survival status. The subcellular localization of Linc01135 was found located in nucleus of HGC-27 cells. In terms of functionality, the knockdown of Linc01135 resulted in a significant reduction in the proliferation and migration abilities of gastric cancer cells. Mechanistically, Linc01135 exhibited specific binding affinity towards CDC45. Ultimately, rescue experiments demonstrated that overexpression of CDC45 partially counteracted the effects caused by knockdown of linc01135 on the proliferation and migration abilities of gastric cancer cells.
Conclusion
A predictive model based on PANoptosis-Related LncRNA can evaluate prognosis
Utilizing eDNA methods in biodiversity studies of river affected by anthropogenic pollution: A case study on the Batanghari River in Indonesia
Authors: Marnis Huria , Syahputra Khairul , Darmawan Jadmiko , Febrianti Dwi , Tahapari Evi , Larashati Sekar , Iswanto Bambang , Primanita Erma Primanita Hayuningtyas , Syaifudin Mochamad , Subangkit Arsad Tirta
Published: June 2024

The amalgamation of global climate change, escalating anthropogenic activities, and species invasions has resulted in a decrease in the biodiversity of aquatic organisms. The Batanghari River, one of Indonesia's longest rivers, is impacted by anthropogenic activities including pollution from mercury-containing waste originating from illegal gold mining (PETI), industrial pollutants, and domestic waste. Studies have highlighted a decrease in organismal biodiversity within the river, yet a comprehensive assessment of its current status is lacking. eDNA metabarcoding is a promising tool for understanding biodiversity of river affected by anthropogenic pollution, offering broader insights compared to traditional methods. We used eDNA metabarcoding to analyze biodiversity distribution in the Batanghari River, yielding 22,180,436 reads from 405 eDNA samples across 5 locations and 15 sites. Significant variations in beta diversity were observed among locations. Approximately 80% of reads were classified to the species level, with the remainder identified as unidentified taxa. Our findings underscore disparities in species richness and community composition between upstream and downstream areas, likely influenced by anthropogenic stressors. This method revealed the presence of several extinct and endangered species at multiple sampling locations. Understanding species diversity and distribution is crucial for advancing river ecology and conservation practices.
A pilot study for self-guided, active robotic training of proprioception of the upper limb in chronic stroke
Authors: Tulimieri Duncan , Kim GilHwan , Hoh Joanna E. , Sergi Fabrizio , Semrau Jennifer A.
Published: June 2024

Background
Proprioceptive impairments of the upper limb are common after stroke. These impairments are not typically addressed during assessment or rehabilitation. Currently, most robotic paradigms for rehabilitative training of the upper limb have focused solely on improving motor function or have targeted proprioception in individuals with combined use of visual feedback. Our goal was to design a training paradigm that directly targets proprioception of the upper limb, while minimizing reliance on other sensory information to improve sensorimotor function after stroke.
Methods
In this pilot study, 5 stroke participants and 5 age-matched controls were tested on a single-day proprioceptive training paradigm. Here, participants used a joystick with their less-affected arm to send commands to a KINARM exoskeleton that would passively move their more-affected arm. To complete the passive reaching task, participants relied only on proprioceptive feedback from the more-affected arm and were only given knowledge of results information after each trial. Sensorimotor function of the upper limb was measured pre- and post-training via robotic measures of motor function (Visually Guided Reaching (VGR)) and position sense (Arm Position Matching (APM)). Sensorimotor function was quantified as a Task Score, which incorporated multiple task-relevant parameters for both VGR and APM. Changes in sensorimotor performance due to training were calculated as the pre- to post-training difference for VGR and APM within the control and stroke groups.
Results
We found significant improvements from pre-training to post-training for VGR in stroke participants (p < 0.001, CLES = 100) that were not observed in control participants (p = 0.87, CLES = 80). We observed significant changes from pre- to post-training in both VGR (Posture Speed, Reaction Time, Initial Direction Angle, Min-Max Speed Difference, and Movement Time) and APM (Contraction/Expansion Ratiox and Shifty) parameters.
Conclusions
Our novel proprioceptive training paradigm resulted in improvements in motor function and aspects of proprioceptive performance for individuals with chronic stroke. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of this training paradigm for targeted proprioceptive training to improve motor and sensory function in individuals with chronic stroke. Future studies aim to examine multi-day training to examine longer-term impacts on upper limb sensorimotor function.
Role of Edible Flowers on Reducing Lipid and Protein Oxidation in Ground Beef
Authors: Duggirala Krishna Brunda , Mohan Anand
Published: June 2024

This study examined the antioxidant, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of raw ground beef patties, including those augmented with varying percentages of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) and rose (Rosa canina L.) powders, and stored at 4°C for 7 days. The analysis encompassed parameters such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyls, Schiff bases, free thiols, water holding capacity, pH, color, and texture. The incorporation of roselle and rose powders led to heightened scavenging activity, resulting in reduced oxidative activity, carbonyls, Schiff bases, and free thiols during storage. Enhanced water holding capacity and decreased pH were observed in raw ground beef patties treated with these powders. While minimal impact on texture was noted across all samples, color attributes of patties treated with roses remained acceptable by the 7th day. Overall, the inclusion of rose powder exhibited more favorable effects than untreated raw ground beef patties and those treated with roselle. Consequently, raw ground beef patties treated with rose powders demonstrated greater efficacy in enhancing the quality attributes under investigation.
Does workforce affect technical efficiency? A Stochastic Frontier Approach across industries
Authors: Pinheiro Carlos Manuel , Silva Paulo Pereira
Published: June 2024

Sustainability has become the new normal for value creation in the long haul, and is on the top of every board’s agenda. We assess the relationship between the workforce and a firm’s output gap justified by systematic inefficiency. To do so we apply a stochastic frontier model to a large sample of U.S. listed firms, across industries, spanning 2005 to 2019, focusing on measures of companies’ management commitment and effectiveness in addressing their workforce job conditions and well-being. Our results reveal an economically sizable and statistically significant positive association between technical efficiency and workforce-wellbeing. Firm inefficiency is explained by firm specific factors and is a decreasing (increasing) function of size and external monitoring (leverage, blockholdings and foreign sales). It is mitigated by employee-oriented practices and external governance mechanisms, as well as market surveillance. The association between workforce and technical efficiency is non-linear and varies across industry sectors. Our results have policy implications and should interest managers and stakeholders in general.
JEL Classification: C73; G14, G23, G34
Assessing the relationship between canopy density and understory vegetation in planted forest by using constraint line methodology
Authors: Hao Ruifang , Shi Mingchang , Wang Bin , Sun Yun , Qiao Jianmin
Published: June 2024

Greater shrub and herb abundance and diversity under the forest would potentially benefit biodiversity and improve forest ecosystem stability. Therefore, determining whether a high canopy density results in reduced growth of understory vegetation and associated thresholds may guide the reasonable planting density of planted forest. In this study, we selected an artificial coniferous forest planting area in Hubei Province, China as the research area, and adopted a constraint line to explore the relationship between the canopy density of different species, including Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), cypress (Cupressus funebris), and Masson pine (Pinus massoniana), and the height and coverage of shrubs and herbs in the forests. The upper constraint lines, lower constraint lines, and mean lines were extracted by segmented quantile regression derived from the maximums, means, and minimums in the scatter clounds, which represented the relationships under the best, worst, and general environmental conditions, respectively. The results showed that for different species, the upper constraint lines were almost hump-shaped with thresholds, indicating that regardless of how good the environmental conditions were, the indicators of understory shrubs and herbs first increased and then decreased with an increase in canopy density. The canopy density thresholds for Chinese fir, cypress, and Masson pine were approximately 50%, 30%~40%, and 50%~60%, respectively. Overall, the thresholds of canopy density for herb indicators were greater than those of shrubs. Planning reasonable canopy density may enhance the growth of understory vegetation.
Causal relationship between gut microbiota, circulating inflammatory proteins and IgA nephropathy: two-sample and mediated Mendelian randomisation analysis
Authors: Dong Pengtao , Li Xiaoyu , Feng Xue , Huang Siyu , Cui Bing , Zhang Qing , Zhao Ziran , Wang Zheng
Published: June 2024

Background：IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an immune-inflammatory glomerulonephritis mediated by both genetic and environmental factors. Recent research indicates a close association between gut microbiota dysbiosis and IgAN development. Additionally, circulating inflammatory proteins also play a significant role in the progression of IgAN.However, the causal relationship among gut microbiota, circulating inflammatory proteins, and IgAN remains unclear.
Methods：This study utilized publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal relationship among gut microbiota circulating inflammatory proteins and IgAN, as well as to examine the mediating role of circulating inflammatory proteins in the association between gut microbiota and IgAN. The primary analytical method employed in this study was inverse variance-weighted (IVW) analysis with specific attention given to Bayesian-weighted MR results and supported by MR-Egger regression, weighted median, median model and simple model approaches. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of MR analysis findings.
Results：(1)MR analysis of gut microbiota and IgAN indicates negative associations between g_Roseburia, g_Faecalibacterium, s_Odoribacter_splanchnicus, and s_Roseburia_unclassified with IgAN risk, while positive associations exist between s_Paraprevotella_unclassified and s_Lachnospiraceae_bacterium_7_1_58FAA with IgAN risk.(2) Circulating inflammatory proteins to IgAN in MR analysis showed that IL-10RA was negatively correlated with the risk of IgAN, while TSGP-CD5, FGF23, LIF, and TGF-α levels were positively correlated with the risk of IgAN.(3)Mediation analysis suggests that TGF-αserves as a mediator between s_Odoribacter_splanchnicus and the causality of IgAN. (4) The results of the reverse MR analysis suggest no significant causal effect of IgAN on gut flora and circulating inflammatory proteins.Sensitivity analyses consistently support the reliability of the study results.
Conclusion：Our research findings, obtained through genetic methods, substantiate the causal link between gut microbiota, circulating inflammatory proteins, and IgAN. The identification of biomarkers offers novel insights into the potential mechanisms underlying IgAN, which can be advantageous for early diagnosis and the development of more effective treatment strategies.
Zinc sulphate alleviates olanzapine-induced testicular oxidative stress and alters trace elements in male rats
Authors: Ebaid Hossam , Bashandy Samir , Hassan Iftekhar , Al-Tamimi Jameel , Haredy Shimaa , Imbabi Tharwat , Omara Enayat , Bashandy Yousef , Awad Ezzat
Published: June 2024

Male infertility is a complex and multifactorial clinical condition affecting a large population attributed to various factors, including perturbation in oxidative stress and the level of essential trace elements. Oxidative insults exert multiple issues related to reproductive health, including male infertility, decreased sperm motility, sperm DNA damage, and an increased susceptibility to genetic disorders. Besides chemical toxins and food allergens in junk food items, many drugs can also lead to male fertility. Olanzapine, a general antipsychotic drug, has also been reported to induce male fertility. A great deal of literature entails that zinc can alleviate oxidative stress-related clinical complications including male fertility. This study investigates the potential protective effects of zinc sulphate on olanzapine-induced male infertility. In the present study, there were four treatment groups (n = 6) Group 1 as control (without any treatment); Group 2 treated with olanzapine (10 mg/kg) orally daily for six weeks; Group 3 and 4 treated with 50mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of zinc sulphate respectively in pre-exposed olanzapine (10mg/kg) orally daily for six weeks. After completion of the treatment, the biochemical analysis of serum and tissue samples demonstrated that group 2 had compromised levels of antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT and GSH) as well as elevated levels of stress parameters (GSSG, MDA and NO). However, ZnSO4 corrected all these parameters in a dose-dependent way in groups 3 and 4. Other health indicators, like taurine, enzyme Q10, phosphatidylcholine, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E, were also observed to improve with the supplementation of ZnSO4. Intriguingly, all the fertility parameters (sperm motility, count and level of testosterone) were also found to significantly enhanced with decreased sperm abnormalities in both the combination groups. The histological evaluation of the testis section also agreed with the biochemical analysis. Therefore, the study strongly advocates that supplementation of Zn can ameliorate olanzapine-induced male infertility to a significant extent.
Salinity prediction in Qiantang Estuary based on Improved LSTM model
Authors: Zheng Rong , Sun Zhilin , Jiao Jiange , Ma Qianqian , Zhao Liqin
Published: June 2024

Investigating saltwater intrusion is vital for optimal use of estuarine water resources. Presently, diverse data-driven models, mainly neural network models, have been employed to predict tidal estuarine salinity. However, the high nonlinearity, randomness, and instability of salinity sequences pose challenges for accurate estuarine salinity forecasting. In this paper, a multi-factor salinity prediction model using an enhanced Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network was proposed, based on measured data from Cangqian and Qibao stations in the Qiantang Estuary during 2011-2012. To improve prediction accuracy, input variables of the model were determined through Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) combined with estuarine dynamic analysis, and hyperparameters were optimized using a multi-strategy Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm (ISSA). Additionally, the model was applied to forecast salinity under different runoff conditions, analyzing the sensitivity of salinity to upstream discharge. Experimental result shows that compared to other models (BP, GRU, LSTM, SSA-LSTM), the new proposed ISSA-LSTM model has smaller errors and higher prediction accuracy, with NSE improving over 5% and other metrics (MAP, MAPE, RMSE) improving over 10%. Thus, the model provides a practical solution for the rapid and precise prediction of estuarine salinity.
The impact of blastocyst grade on singleton birthweight in fresh IVF-ET cycles in ART: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Boya , Shi Qiongyao , Shi Senlin
Published: June 2024

Background:
The positive correlation between embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes has been well confirmed in many studies, but few studies have investigated the impact of embryo quality on neonatal weight, especially among neonates from fresh IVF-ET cycles in ART. So the objective of the article was to compare the birth weights of infants from different blastocyst grades in fresh IVF-ET cycles and to explore related factors affecting birth weight.
Methods:
A retrospectively cohort study was performed to compare the birth weight of different blastocyst grades in fresh transplantation cycle and explore the related factors affecting the birth weight. A total of 1301 fresh cycles of single blastocyst transplantation and single live birth profile were retrospectively analyzed and were grouped into four groups depending on the blastocyst quality: excellent group(grade AA) 170 cycles, good group༈grade AB/BA༉312 cycles, average group༈grade BB/CA/AC༉ 559 cycles and poor group༈grade BC/CB༉260 cycles. Comparison among four groups of patients by birth weight and general conditions, fertilization rate, embryo rate, cleavage rate and D5、D6 blastocyst formation rate and other laboratory indicators were made. And then compare the birth weight of different groups which were divided by the degree of blastocyst expansion, and the classification of intracellular mass(ICM) and extracellular trophoblastic(TE).
Results:
The study showed that birth weight of excellent group was significantly higher than that of the other three groups (P < 0.05). And the high quality embryo rate and blastocyst rate of excellent group were significantly higher than those of the other three groups (P < 0.05). What’s more, the clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rate of high grade blastocyst were higher, but there was no significant difference in abortion rate. The birth weight of blastocyst of grade 3 and below was significantly lower than that of those with grade 3 and above (P < 0.05).The birth weight of grade A intracellular mass was significantly higher than that of B intracellular mass of blastocyst(P < 0.05). Babies born with grade B ectotrophoblast cells were significantly heavier than those born with grade C ectotrophoblast cells(P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The authors conclude that high grade blastocyst transplantation can achieve better pregnancy outcome. Different blastocyst grades affect birth weight, and low grade blastocyst transplantation was associated with a single birth weight loss.