bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KCa3.1 promotes exosomes secretion by activating on AKT/Rab27a in atrial myocytes during rapid pacing
Authors: Liu Dishiwen , Chen Huiyu , Fu Yuntao , Yang Mei , Yao Yajun , He Shanqing , Wang Youcheng , Cao Zhen , Wang Xuewen , Zhao Qingyan
Published: September 2022

Purpose
the aim of this study was to investigate the role of intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (KCNN4, KCa3.1) in exosomes secretion of atrial myocytes.
Methods
eighteen beagles were randomly divided into Sham group (n = 6), Pacing group (n = 6), and Pacing + TRAM-34 group (n = 6). The in vivo electrophysiological data such as effective refractory period, atrial fibrillation (AF) induction, and AF duration were collected by programmed stimulation. Atrial tissues were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin and Masson’s trichrome. The expression of KCa3.1 and Rab27a were accessed by immunohistochemistry and western blot. The downstream signaling pathways involved in KCa3.1 were explored by rapid pacing and overexpressing KCNN4 in HL-1 cells.
Results
TRAM-34 (KCa3.1 blocker) significantly inhibits electrical remodeling, inflammation, fibrosis, and exosomes secretion in rapid atrial pacing canines. More importantly, the vitro experiments demonstrated that KCa3.1 regulates the exosomes secretion through AKT/Rab27a signaling pathways. The use of calcium chelator, AKT inhibitor and si-Rab27a also significantly inhibit the exosomes secretion. Moreover, exosomes derived from rapid pacing HL-1 cells promote M1 polarization.
Conclusions
This study found that KCa3.1 promotes pro-inflammatory exosome secretion through the AKT/Rab27a signaling pathway. Inhibition KCa3.1/AKT/Rab27a signal pathway reduces myocardial tissue structure remodeling in AF.
Sol-Gel Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of PVC/NiAl2O3/AlF3 nanocomposite
Authors: Ahmadian Ilnaz , Razi Maryam Kargar , Sadeghi Babak , Nakhaei Mahbobeh
Published: September 2022

Aluminum fluoride (nAF) nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol gel synthesis into a glass reactor. The effect of alteration in precursor gel preparation on the nano area was studied. The morphology of crystals has been changed by modified on precursor gel. Then the PVC/NiAl2O3/AlF3 nanocomposite has been successfully prepared and characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TG-DTG and SEM techniques. The size of crystals decreased from 15 to 20 nanometers when the aging time of precursor gel was changed from 5 to 12 h. Catalytic activity results show that the as-prepared nanocomposite is as an efficient catalyst. This study development and could be explored that PVC/NiAl2O3/AlF3 nanocomposite as a new and effective catalyst for synthesis of some organic derivatives.
Synthesis and characterization of surface modified magnetic mesoporous silicate materials for phosphate adsorption
Authors: Gençer Ayşegül , Karatas Burcu Uysal , Topel Önder , Kiraz Nadir
Published: September 2022

Magnetic mesoporous silica (Mag-MCM-41) material was synthesized by coating magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with mesoporous material (MCM-41). Mag-MCM-41 and modified nanomaterials Mag-MCM-41-NN and Mag-MCM-41-NN-Fe+ 3 which were modified with aminopropyl functional groups were prepared for application to phosphate adsorption. Magnetic mesoporous silica (Mag-MCM-41) material shows hexagonal properties and takes part in "mesoporous" material class with a surface area of 923 m2/g that was characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, FTIR, TEM, BET and SAXS analyzes. Surface modifications of material were verified through FTIR analysis, elemental analysis, BET and EDTA titration with Fe3+ analysis. Kinetic and adsorption isotherm studies of the phosphate anion were performed using Mag-MCM-41, Mag-MCM-41-NN and Mag-MCM-41-NN-Fe+ 3 adsorbents. After adsorption, the materials could be easily removed from the solution medium with the aid of a magnet. As a result of the kinetic and adsorption isotherm studies of the phosphate anion; it has been determined that the phosphate adsorption method on Mag-MCM-41, Mag-MCM-41-NN and Mag-MCM-41-NN-Fe+ 3 adsorbents was the chemical adsorption method, phosphate adsorption on all adsorbents occured in a single layer and the maximum adsorption capacity of MCM-41-NN-Fe+ 3 adsorbent value (qm) (112.87 mg.g− 1) was higher than other adsorbents.
Association of dietary with metabolic associated fatty liver disease risk: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Xianhua , Peng Hewei , Huang Jingru , Yu Rong , Hu Zhijian , Peng Xiane
Published: September 2022

Background
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common liver disease, and poor diet will increases the risk of MAFLD. The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between dietary and MAFLD.
Methods
the physical examination data were collected from April 2015 through August 2017 at Nanping First Hospital (N = 3563). Dietary intakes were assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The association between different diets and the risk of MAFLD was assessed by inverse probability weighted propensity score.
Results
Beverages and instant noodles were positively associated with MAFLD risk, adjusting for smoking, drinking, tea intake and weekly hours of physical activity (ORadjusted = 1.568; P = 0.044; ORadjusted = 4.363; P = 0.001). While milk, tubers and vegetables were negatively associated with MAFLD risk (ORadjusted = 0.912; P = 0.002; ORadjusted = 0.633; P = 0.007; ORadjusted = 0.962; P = 0.028). In subgroup analysis, women who consumed more tubers (OR: 0.341, 95% CI: 0.172–0.676) associated with greater reduction in the risk of MAFLD than men (OR: 0.732, 95% CI: 0.564–0.951).
Conclusions
These findings suggest that increasing the intake of milk, tubers and vegetables, and controlling the intake of beverages and instant noodles may reduce the risk of MAFLD.
Nomogram for predicting pathological discordance between colposcopy and cold knife conization findings in patients with colposcopically confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions
Authors: Shu-Ling WANG , Li Jiarong , Bai Ying , Wang XiuTing , Wei Yimiao , Wen SongQuan , Li Qi , Zhao Weihong
Published: September 2022

Background: Inaccurate colposcopic diagnosis results in inappropriate management of cervical lesions. This study aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting the probability of discordance between colposcopic and cold knife conization (CKC) pathological findings.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients colposcopically diagnosed with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) who underwent CKC at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from September 2018 to September 2021. To evaluate the accuracy of colposcopy for identifying HSIL, the pathological results of colposcopy and CKC were compared, with CKC results considered as the comparative gold standard. To determine the factors influencing colposcopic accuracy, the correlations between pathological discordance and clinical parameters were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Based on the multivariate analysis results, a nomogram was developed and validated internally.
Results: Data from 607 patient records were analyzed. The colposcopic accuracy rate for identifying HSIL was 72.8%. Multivariate analysis showed that cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 (OR=9.455, P<0.001), positive endocervical curettage (ECC) (OR=5.407, P<0.001), findings of HSIL/atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H)/atypical glandular cells (AGC) (OR=1.791, P=0.044), and peripheral blood lymphocyte count (OR=0.523, P=0.018) were associated with colposcopic underestimation, while CIN 3 (OR=0.422, P<0.001), positive ECC (OR=0.306, P<0.001), findings of HSIL/ASC-H/AGC (OR=0.423, P=0.004), and peripheral blood monocyte count (OR=7.989, P=0.016) were associated with colposcopic overestimation. The above factors were used to construct nomograms for predicting colposcopic under- and overestimation, which had area under the curve values of 0.815 (95% CI: 0.767-0.863) and 0.742 (95% CI: 0.690-0.793) for under- and overestimation, respectively.
Conclusions: Our results suggested a significant discordance between colposcopic and conization pathological results, which can lead to unnecessary biopsies or delayed treatment. Our nomogram models may help estimate the probability of colposcopic under- and overestimation, thus aiding clinicians to create individualized treatment plans.
Polarization-sensitive intensity diffraction tomography
Authors: Joo Chulmin , Song Seungri , Kim Jeongsoo , Moon Taegyun , Seong Baekcheon , Kim Woovin , Yoo Chang-Hyuk , Choi Jun-Kyu
Published: September 2022

Optical anisotropy, which is an intrinsic property of many materials, originates from the structural arrangement of molecular structures, and to date, various polarization-sensitive imaging (PSI) methods have been developed to investigate the nature of anisotropic materials. In particular, the recently developed tomographic PSI technologies enable the investigation of anisotropic materials through volumetric mappings of the anisotropy distribution of these materials. However, these reported methods mostly operate on a single scattering model, and are thus not suitable for three-dimensional (3D) PSI imaging of multiple scattering samples. Here, we present a novel reference-free 3D polarization-sensitive computational imaging technique—polarization-sensitive intensity diffraction tomography (PS-IDT)—that enables the reconstruction of 3D anisotropy distribution of both weakly and multiple scattering specimens from multiple intensity-only measurements. A 3D anisotropic object is illuminated by circularly polarized plane waves at various illumination angles to encode the isotropic and anisotropic structural information into 2D intensity information. These information are then recorded separately through two orthogonal analyzer states, and a 3D Jones matrix is iteratively reconstructed based on the vectorial multi-slice beam propagation model and gradient descent method. We demonstrate the 3D anisotropy imaging capabilities of PS-IDT by presenting 3D anisotropy maps of various samples, including potato starch granules and tardigrade.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of Saposhnikovia divaricata to reveal drought and rehydration adaption strategies
Authors: Su Youla , Jiao Miaomiao , Guan Huan , Zhao Yuhuan , Deji Cuomu , Chen Guilin
Published: September 2022

Background
Water scarcity has become one of the most prevalent environmental factors adversely affecting plant growth and development. Different species have developed multiple ways of drought resistance. Saposhnikovia divaricata is a commonly used traditional herb in East Asia. However, limited information is available on the drought response of this herb and further clarification of underlying molecular mechanism remains a challenge.
Methods and Results
In this study, a comparative transcriptome analysis was firstly conducted to identify the major pathways and candidate genes involved in the drought adaptive response of S. divaricata. The seedlings of S. divaricata were subjected to progressive drought by withholding water for 16 days followed by 8 days of rehydration. Transcriptome analysis identified a total of 89,784 annotated unigenes. The number of DEGs gradually increased with the deepening of drought and decreased after rehydration. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis suggested genes related to oxidoreductase activity, carbohydrate metabolism, plant hormone signaling pathway and secondary metabolism were important in drought response of S. divaricata. Specific genes involved in ROS removal system (POD, Cu/Zn-SOD, APX), abscisic acid and jasmonic acid signaling pathway (PYL4, PP2Cs, JAR1, JAZ) and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (4CL, CCR, CAD) underwent dynamic alterations under drought and rehydration. Finally, the expression pattern of 12 selected DEGs from the transcriptomic profiling were validated by RT-qPCR.
Conclusions
Our study laid a foundation for understanding the stress response of S. divaricata and other Apiaceae family plant at molecular level.
Nurses’ Knowledge, Practice, And Associated Factors Towards Postoperative Pediatric Pain Management in Selected Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2022. Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tadesse Nuru , Wordofa Berhanu , Workineh Sosina
Published: September 2022

Background: Pain is a leading cause for an individual to visit health care. Among pain, post-operative pediatric pain is a highly reported pain with poor outcomes among pediatric populations. For these poor outcomes, the contribution of nurses is significant as they are frontline in its management. So, this study aimed to determine nurses’ knowledge and practice toward postoperative pediatric pain management.
Methods: An Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on february15-March 15 and a purposive sampling technique was applied. A total of 245 nurses were involved from selected public hospitals. Data was collected by using self –administered structured questionnaire and after data collection, it was coded and then entered into the Epi Data Version 4.6 software and exported to the statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) Version 25 software for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done to identify factors that are associated with knowledge, and practice of postoperative pediatric pain management of nurses.
Results: The study showed that 42.5% of all the nurses had an overall good knowledge of postoperative pediatrics pain management while 38.1% had good practice of postoperative pediatrics pain management.It was found that, educational level; Diploma (AOR=0.04 [95% CI, 0.008-0.22]), BSc (AOR=0.107 [95% CI, 0.03-0.38]), year of nursing services; less than five years (AOR=0.009 [95% CI, 0.001-0.11]), pediatric pain management contents included in nursing curriculum (AOR= 5.96 [95% CI, 2.45-14.51]) and training (AOR=7.16 [95% CI, 2.33-22.04]) had significantly associated with nurses’ knowledge and practice towards postoperative pain management at < 0.05 p-value.
Conclusions: This study emphasized the importance of improved educational levels and on-site/ off-site training for nurses as it ensures improved pain management.
The Nice Robber Barons: Elites’ Support in Redistribution as a Seduction Strategy
Authors: Schwarz Mordechai E.
Published: September 2022

This article explores why certain classes achieved social rights peacefully while others had to fight and the counterintuitive elites’ support for redistribution. Using the overlapping-generations model platform, I describe the economy as a political confederation of sub-economies defined by different economic horizons and the political process as a recursivebiform contest. I show that the elites’ support for redistribution is aseduction strategyto calm political tension through temporary transfers to lower classes while maintaining the elites’ steady-state social superiority. I provide necessary conditions for political equilibrium and present an application that provides a theoretical basis for Director’s law.JEL classification: C7, D3, D6, H2, I3.
Maternal risk factors for low birthweight and macrosomia: A cross-sectional study in Northern Region, Ghana
Authors: Adjei-Gyamfi Silas , Musah Bashiru , Asirifi Abigail , Hammond John , Aryee Paul Armah , Miho Sato , Aiga Hirotsugu
Published: September 2022

Background Abnormal birthweights are critical public health challenges accountable for most non-communicable diseases and perinatal mortalities. Regardless of the myriad of mixed evidence on maternal factors responsible for abnormal birthweight globally, most of these findings are attained from urban and rural settings. This study serves as one of key pieces of evidence in view of the increasing prevalence of abnormal birthweight particularly in some parts of semi-rural Ghana. The study therefore aims to estimate prevalence of abnormal birthweight and identify some possible maternal risk factors for abnormal birthweight in Northern Ghana. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Savelugu municipality from February-March 2022. A total of 356 mothers aged 16−46 years and having a child born during the last four weeks, were recruited as study participants. Data were collected from maternal and child health record books and through structured interviews. Bivariate (Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests) and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were employed to identify maternal factors for abnormal birthweight at 95% significance level. Results Prevalence rates of low birthweight and macrosomia were 22.2% and 8.7% respectively. Maternal anaemia in first trimester (aOR:4.041; 95%CI: 1.741−9.381) and third trimester (aOR:25.71; 95%CI: 8.245−80.18) of gestation were strong predictors for low birthweight. Mothers belonging to minority ethnic groups (aOR:0.089; 95%CI: 0.009−0.859); mothers who had ≥ 8 antenatal care visits (aOR:0.264; 95%CI: 0.112−0.622); and mothers having neonates whose birth length > 47.5cm (aOR:0.280; 95%CI: 0.117−0.670) had reduced odds for low birthweight. Alternatively, mothers with gestational weeks ≥ 42 had 9.713 times higher risk of giving birth to macrosomic neonates (95%CI: 2.127−44.34). Mothers were more likely to deliver macrosomic neonates through caesarian section (aOR:4.981; 95%CI: 1.498−16.57). Conclusion The prevalence rates of low birthweight and macrosomia were relatively high. Anaemia in the first and third trimesters, and advanced gestational and caesarian section delivery age were strong determinants of low birthweight and macrosomia respectively. Being minority ethnic group, frequency of antenatal care visits, and childbirth length reduced the risk of low-weight births. Hence, nutrition counseling, community health education, and promotion of lifestyle improvement coupled with strengthening of health service delivery are recommended interventions.
β-glucan alleviates goal-directed behavior in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii strain
Authors: Cui Zeyu , Gong Yuying , Luo Xiaotong , Zheng Niuyi , Tan Shimin , Liu Shuxi , Li Youwei , Wang Qingling , Sun Fenfen , Hu Minmin , Pan Wei , Yang Xiaoying
Published: September 2022

Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) is a neuroinvasive parasite closely associated with a higher risk for several psycho-behavioral disorders. β-glucan is an immunomodulating ingredient extracted from mushrooms. In this study, we evaluated the effect of β-glucan on cognitive decline induced byT. gondiiinfection in mice chronically infected withT. gondiiWh6 strain. We demonstrated that intraperitoneal administration of β-glucan significantly preventedT. gondiiWh6-induced goal-directed behavioral impairment assessed behaviorally by Y-maze test and TOM test. In the prefrontal cortex, β-glucan counteredT. gondiiWh6-induced degeneration of neurites, impairment of synaptic ultrastructure and decrease of pre- and postsynaptic protein levels. Meanwhile, β-glucan significantly prevented microglial and astrocytes hyperactivation and proinflammatory cytokines upregulation caused by chronicT. gondiiWh6 infection. This study revealed that β-glucan prevents goal-directed behavioral impairment induced by chronicT. gondiiinfection in mice, provides an effective drug candidate for the prevention ofT. gondii-related psycho-behavioral disorders.
Analysis of Volatile Compounds by GCMS reveals the Geographical Origin of Cultivated Rice
Authors: Hu Shengying , Ren Hongbo , Song Yong , Liu Feng , Meng Li
Published: September 2022

Due to the similarity in the grain and difference in the market value among many rice varieties, deliberate mislabeling and adulteration has become a serious problem. To check the authenticity, we aimed to discriminate rice varieties based on their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) composition by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The VOC profiles of nine varieties from Wuchang were compared to 11 rice varieties from other regions. Multivariate analysis and unsupervised clustering showed an unambiguous distinction between Wuchang rice and non-Wuchang rice. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) demonstrated a goodness of fit of 0.90 and a goodness of prediction of 0.85. The discriminating ability of volatile compounds is also supported by Random forest analysis. Our data revealed eight biomarkers including 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) that can be used for variation identification. Taken together, the current method can readily distinguish Wuchang rice from other varieties which it holds great potential in checking the authenticity of rice.
Strong HONO Emissions from Fertilized Soil in the North China Plain Driven by Nitrification and Water Evaporation
Authors: Xue Chaoyang , Ye Can , Liu Pengfei , Zhang Chenglong , Su Hang , Bao Fengxia , Cheng Yafang , Catoire Valéry , Ma Zhuobiao , Xiaoxi Zhao , Lu Keding , Liu Yuhan , McGillen Max , Mellouki Abdelwahid , Mu Yujing
Published: September 2022

Soil was proposed as an important nitrous acid (HONO) source but has not so far been demonstrated by field flux measurements. Here we conducted field flux measurements and found large HONO emission fluxes (FHONO) after the fertilization of agricultural fields in the North China Plain. FHONO showed distinct diurnal variations with noontime peaks up to hundreds of ng-N m-2 s-1. With soil samples where field measurements took place, our laboratory experiments subsequently found that the release of soil nitrification-originated nitrite as HONO was largely enhanced by soil surface water evaporation. This process was parameterized by a modified Arrhenius equation that reproduced field flux observations well. We estimated yearly 0.25 Tg-N/year HONO for global agricultural fertilizer-derived emissions, representing a considerable reactive nitrogen source and significantly affecting atmospheric oxidizing capacity and air quality. Furthermore, nitrification inhibitors could reduce HONO emissions by 90%, indicating their great potential to mitigate regional air pollution.
What are Factors Influencing on Life Space Mobility in Cancer Survivors after Hematopoietic Stem CellTransplantation? -Physical and Psychological Function, Physical Symptoms, Environment, or Employment Status?
Authors: Inoue Junichiro , Saito Takashi , Makiura Daisuke , Ono Rei , Doi Hisayo , Yakushijin Kimikazu , Sakai Yoshitada
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The amount of physical activity in daily life is important to maintain the physical and mental health of cancer survivors after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). As the physical activity is considered to be limited by the life space mobility (LSM), it is more important to maintain and expand the LSM in post-HSCT survivors. The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors that affect the LSM in post-HSCT survivors.
Methods: Thirty cancer survivors after HSCT (14 women, mean age 52.0±12.3 years, 196-3,017 days post-HSCT) were included in this cross-sectional study. Patient characteristics, employment status, life space (Life Space Assessment; LSA), physical function (grip strength, isometric knee extension strength, 5 chair stand test, walking speed), depression (Self-rating Depression Scale; SDS), fatigue (Cancer Fatigue Scale), and neighborhood environment (Walk ScoreⓇ). The association between LSA and each factor was compared by correlation analysis. Then, multiple regression analysis was conducted, with LSA as the dependent variable and age, gender, and outcome measures that showed significant correlation with LSA in the correlation analysis as the independent variables.
Results: The variables that showed significant correlation with LSA were SDS (r=－0.65, p<.01), employment status (r=－0.60, p<.01), grip strength (r=0.43, p=0.02), and isometric knee extension strength (r=0.40, p=0.03). Results of multiple regression analysis shows that SDS (β=－0.52, p<.01), employment status (β=0.49, p<.01), and isometric knee extension strength (β=0.29, p=0.02) were significantly associated with LSA (R2=0.75)
Conclusion: Depression, employment status, and isometric knee extension strength were found to be related to the LSM in post-HSCT survivors.
Clinical and Biochemical diagnostic measures of sarcopenia in trauma and emergency laparotomy elderly patients. (PILOT STUDY)
Authors: MBChB Summer Hassan – , Pitesa Renato , MacCormick Andrew
Published: September 2022

Background:
Sarcopenia is the progressive decline in muscle quality and function attributed to aging. It is a prevalent global problem associated with worse morbidity and mortality outcomes. This risk is even higher in patients who have suffered a major trauma or those requiring an emergency laparotomy as a result of an intra-abdominal injury or to address an acute illness. Therefore, prompt diagnosis of sarcopenia is key to identifying high-risk patients for appropriate management planning and risk mitigation. Computed tomography (CT) remains the current gold standard diagnostic modality. This study aims to interrogate the utility of clinical and biochemical tests in identifying sarcopenia in elderly patients admitted to the hospital for trauma or emergency laparotomy. These measures may provide feasible, cost-efficient, and portable diagnostic tools, complementing or substituting the radiological measures established for diagnosing this condition.
Methods:
Forty eligible participants aged 65 years or older, admitted to Middlemore hospital for trauma or emergency laparotomy were included in the study. Clinical assessments performed included: midarm muscle circumference (MAMC), Appendicular skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength (HGS), as well as 2 questionnaires. Thirteen biochemical markers were collected. For all patients who had a CT abdomen in the first week of their admission, the Total Psoas Major Cross-sectional area (TPMCSA) was assessed. The CT scans were conducted pre-operatively where possible as dictated by the patient's hemodynamic stability. Correlations between these measures and morbidity and mortality risks were assessed, in addition to correlations between the clinical and radiological measures.
Results:
Duke Activity Status Index questionnaire, free triiodothyronine, and Albumin levels correlated with the length of inpatient stay. Some clinical measures including HGS, and MAMC showed a positive correlation with TPMCSA. Similarly, biochemical measures including free triiodothyronine and Brain natriuretic peptide demonstrated correlations with TPMCSA.
Conclusion:
Some clinical and biochemical measures may prove to be useful surrogates to radiological scans in diagnosing sarcopenia to predict patients’ outcomes in trauma and emergency laparotomy settings.
Distribution of the health workers in the tuberculosis sector, Mongolia: Assessment results using the Gini index
Authors: Erdenee Oyunchimeg , Paramita Sekar Ayu , Tsolmon Bilegtsaikhan , Tumenbayar Oyuntuya , Demchig Ariunbolor , Jantsansengee Baigalmaa , Jadambaa Bayarsaikhan , Purevdagva Anuzaya , Tumenjargal Amartuvshin , Hamazaki Kei
Published: September 2022

Background
The World Health Organization has declared Mongolia as one of the 30 countries with the highest tuberculosis burden in 2021 and tuberculosis is the first leading cause of mortality among deaths from all communicable diseases in the country. The number and distribution of health workers to provide tuberculosis healthcare services will play an important role in the fight against tuberculosis. However, there has been no quantitative evaluation of the distribution of tuberculosis health workers in Mongolia. Therefore, the study aimed to examine the distribution of health workers in the tuberculosis sector using the Gini index for the first time.
Methods
Data from the National Center for Communicable Diseases and the National Statistical Information Service of Mongolia was obtained and analyzed. The Gini coefficients were calculated to reflect the inequality of distributions.
Results
Total number of health workers in the tuberculosis sector was only 1.2 per 10,000 population. The Gini index values for the distribution of tuberculosis doctors, assistant workers, nurses, and laboratory technicians were at 0.61, 0.67, 0.43, and 0.33 respectively, all showing a range from severe to relative inequality.
Conclusions
Findings showed the number and distribution of tuberculosis health workers were both inadequate and unequal and ring the need for proper health system planning. To plan tuberculosis control and resolve the high burden of the disease in the country, the human resources situation should be updated and handled regularly.
Effect of gamma radiation on optical properties of PVA/PEG/EY blend, and radiochromism.
Authors: Alibwaini Yamen , Ajlouni Abdul-Wali , Sharshar T. , Ashour Ahmed , Elsehly Magda , Arrasheed Enas , Hemeda Osama , ElShater Reda , Henaish Ahmed
Published: September 2022

PVA/PEG/EY samples were irradiated using of 50 KGy, gamma radiation dose. To investigate the effects of irradiation on the optical properties of the blend, UV-vis spectroscopy is used to study 6 samples of the blend, with different PEG content, 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 percent, before and after irradiation. Radiation effects manifest itself as many changes in the following parameters: The absorption for all sample decreases after irradiation, the direct and indirect energy gap value increases after irradiation, the values of the extinction coefficient decrease after irradiation. The values of the extinction coefficient, k, of the nonirradiated samples are decreased or increased depending on the PEG content, while it increased for all irradiated samples despite of the PEG content. The refractive index, n, increases with increasing PEG concentration for irradiated and nonirradiated samples. The main changes occurred in the optical parameters after irradiation are: an increase in the values of the dispersion energy parameter, Ed, an increase in the single oscillator energy Eo, an immense decrease in the average oscillator strength, So, a large increase in the ratio of the effective number of carrier concentration to the effective mass of the electron (e2 /πc2). The values of the real and imaginary parts of the optical permittivity of irradiated samples are less than nonirradiated samples. The optical conductivity, σopt, increase for all irradiated samples. The values of O.D, are changing in four specific regions. The decrease and increase in O.D values depend on the variation in absorbance values which depend on PEG concentrations, and the role of irradiation in changing the absorbance of the blend.
NOTCH-pathway inactivation reprograms oral-stem-like cancer cells to JAK-STAT dependent state and provides the opportunity of synthetic lethality
Authors: Ghosh Subhashis , Mitra Paromita , Saha Uday , Ghosh Arnab , Biswas Nidhan Kumar , Roy Shantanu Saha , Acharya Moulinath , Singh Sandeep
Published: September 2022

Background:Stem cell-like properties in cancer cells are found to be responsible for its aggressive behaviour. However, this has not been studied with respect to the bimodal NOTCH-pathway-activity status, found in oral cancer.Methods:Oral-SLCCs were enriched in 3D-spheroids. Constitutively-active and inactive status of NOTCH-pathway was achieved by genetic or pharmacological approaches. RNA sequencing and real-time PCR was performed for gene expression studies.in vitrocytotoxicity assessments were performed by AlamarBlue assay andin vivoeffects were studied by xenograft growth in zebrafish embryo. Thettests were performed to estimate statistical significance of the study.Results:Here, we have demonstrated the stochastic plasticity on NOTCH-activity axis; maintaining both NOTCH-active and inactive states of oral stem-like cancer cells (Oral-SLCCs). While Oral-SLCCs with inactive NOTCH-pathway status showed higher proliferation and aggressive tumor growth, the Cisplatin refraction was associated with active-status of NOTCH-pathway; suggesting the crucial role of plasticity on NOTCH-axis. The differentially expressed genes between NOTCH-pathway active and inactive clones clearly suggested the upregulation of JAK-STAT signaling in subset of Oral-SLCCs with lower NOTCH-pathway activity status. Confirming the function; the 3D-spheroids generated by oral-SLCCs with lower NOTCH-activity-status displayed significantly higher sensitivity to JAK-selective drugs, Ruxolitinib or Tofacitinib and siRNA mediated downregulation of tested partners STAT 3 and 4. Therefore, we adopted the strategy of synthetic lethality, where Oral-SLCCs were reprogrammed to maintain the inactive status of NOTCH-pathway by exposure to γ-secretase inhibitors, LY411575 or RO4929097 followed by targeting with JAK-inhibitors, Ruxolitinib or Tofacitinib. This resulted in a very significant inhibition in viability of 3D-spheroids as well as xenograft formation in Zebrafish embryos; whereas inhibition of either of these pathway alone were largely ineffective.Conclusion:We have demonstrated the stochastic cellular plasticity on NOTCH-activity axis. Study revealed for the first time that NOTCH-HES and JAK-STAT pathways may act as synthetic lethal pair, and as novel targets against diverse states of stemness in oral cancer. Therefore, we have provided the rational for sequential combination of NOTCH and JAK inhibitors as possible therapeutic strategy against aggressive oral cancer.
Pathological complete response to nivolumab, S1, oxaliplatin, and radiation in a patient with gastric cancer: A case report
Authors: Toyota Kazuhiro , Hashimoto Yasushi , Sakashita Yoshihiro , Yokoyama Yujiro , Murakami Yoshiaki , Takahashi Shinya , Miyamoto Katsunari
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND
The addition of nivolumab to chemotherapy has proven to be superior as a first-line treatment for unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer, and is currently considered the most effective treatment. The evidence for preoperative therapy is still insufficient. Here, we report the case of a patient with gastric cancer with hepatic invasion who underwent radical surgery after preoperative treatment with nivolumab plus S1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) in combination with radiation, and achieved a pathological complete response.
CASE SUMMARY
A 73-year-old man was diagnosed with clinical stage IVA (T4bN2M0) gastric cancer and generalized edema due to hypoproteinemia, anemia, and pneumonia. The patient was considered intolerant to gastrectomy with hepatectomy. After five courses of nivolumab plus SOX and radiation therapy, the tumor shrank, and his general condition improved. Distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection and combined resection of the site of liver invasion were performed. A pathological examination of the resected stomach, liver, and lymph nodes revealed no residual cancer cells.
CONCLUSION
This is the first report of a pathological complete response to pre-surgical nivolumab plus SOX and radiation in gastric cancer. This therapy is expected to become the first choice for preoperative treatment of gastric cancer in the future.
Optimization of process parameters for scanning human face using hand-held scanner
Authors: Kaushik Ashish , Punia Upender , Garg Ramesh Kumar , Yadav Mohit , Vashistha Rajat , Rathee Mannu , Sahdev Ravinder Kumar , Chhabra Deepak
Published: September 2022

Three-dimensional surface scanning of several anatomical areas or human body has gained popularity in current decades due to pre-surgical planning and improved workflow of patient diagnosis and treatment Living surfaces, such as the human face, have various degrees of surface complexity to account for, as well as a range of process parameters to consider. In the proposed work, the face of a person was scanned in various combinations of input parameters using a handheld laser scanner, SENSE 3D (3D system, Rock Hill, SC/USA). Scanner to surface distance, angular orientation, and illumination intensity are considered significant input parameters while using laser scanners for 3D facial data. A number of twenty experimental runs and input parameter combination were suggested by face centered central composite design. The human face has been scanned on these twenty runs to retrieve 3D CAD model and FID score of each model has been completed to investigate the quality/accuracy of the captured data. A model has been trained among input and output using a neural network and further, it is optimized using a genetic algorithm to maximize accuracy The minimum, FID score achieved 270.24, obtained with a scanning distance of 22 inches, the angular orientation of 67.5 degrees, and ambient lightning condition of 16 watt/meter square in twenty experimental runs. The accuracy is maximized by minimizing the FID score utilizing a heuristic GA-ANN technique having 28 inches as scanning distance, 48.041 degrees as angular orientation, and 18 watt/meter square as the ambient lighting condition.
Chemotherapeutic potential of AgNP orchestrated Semecarpus anacardium nut extracts against Ovarian cancer cell line, PA-1.
Authors: Lavudi Kousalya , Kokkanti Rekha Rani , S Harika G V , Patnaik Srinivas , Penchalaneni Josthna
Published: September 2022

Several plants have been studied to find their efficacy and anti-cancer activity in various cancers by synthesizing organic metal nanoparticles. However, usage of Semecarpus anacardium (SA) and production of green synthesized nanoparticles have not been exposed. In our study, we have focused on synthesizing silver nanoparticles using the nut extracts from SA. Characterization studies including UV-Visible spectrophotometry have confirmed the silver nanoparticle formation at 412 nm using 0.1 mM and 427 nm using 0.2 mM AgNPs. Particle size was recorded at 1.4 nm confirming their effectivity and zeta potential studies confirmed the respective charge of -38.6 mV of the particle. Anti-microbial activity was shown against gram negative bacteria. MTT assay studies confirmed the anti-cancer activity against ovarian cancer cell line, PA-1. These results depict the excellent cytotoxic effect on the PA-1 ovarian cancer cell line, with an IC50 value of 250 µg/ml. Flow cytometry studies confirmed that SA methanolic nut extracts inhibited cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis. Taken together, we are confirming that SA methanolic extracts have anti-cancer properties against ovarian cancer cell line, PA-1.
Reading Scene Text with Aggregated Temporal Convolutional Encoder
Authors: Ma Tianlong , Du Xiangcheng , Wu Xingjiao , Jin Cheng
Published: September 2022

Reading scene text in the natural image is of fundamental importance in many real-world problems. Recent scene text recognition methods employ the encoder-decoder framework, which constructs the encoder by obtaining the visual representations based on the last layer of the backbone network and then feeding them into a sequence model. In this paper, we propose a novel encoder structure that performs the feature extractor and the sequence modeling within a unified framework. The introduced Aggregated Temporal Convolutional Encoder (ATCE) first incorporates the temporal convolutional layers to consider the long-term temporal relationship in the encoder stage. The aggregation of these temporal convolution modules is designed to utilize visual features from different levels, by augmenting the standard architecture with deeper aggregation to better fuse information across modules. We also study the impact of different attention modules in convolutional blocks for learning accurate text representations. We conduct comparisons on several scene text recognition benchmarks; the experiments demonstrate the complementary ability with different decoder variants and the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Ferrocene-based polyesters with azobenzene linker: Synthesis and biological evaluation
Authors: Rahman Rahima , Gul Asghari , Lensen Marga. C. , Akhter Zareen
Published: September 2022

Ferrocene-based terpolyesters having azobenzene linker in the
chains were synthesized in good yields (82-91%) by solution
polycondensation of aromatic (1, 2, 3) and aliphatic diols (2, 4,
6) with 1.1¢ ferrocene dicarboxylic acid chloride (F) with
molecular weight in the range 96000-99000 g/mol. These synthesized
ter-polyesters were found to have good solubility in chlorinated
and polar aprotic solvents. The structural characterization of the
material was carried out by different techniques like elemental
analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton
nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), and UV-visible spectroscopy.
Cell cyto-compatibility of these polymers was tested against L-929
mouse cells using a live dead assay. Anti-cancer and antibacterial
activity of the PABEs was determined against E. coli and Hep-G2 by
cell number measurement (in triplicate by counting of healthy cell
nuclei with array scan after Hoechst 33342 stain). The results
revealed good antibacterial and anticancer activities (up to 41%
bacterial inhibition and up to 70% cancer cell growth inhibition
respectively).
The Hidden Lives of Families Facing Pediatric Cancer Through a Narrative Medicine Perspective
Authors: Holstrom-Mercader Maria S. , Lorenz F. Jeffrey , Darok Matthew C. , Ho Lisa , Freiberg Andrew S. , Dellasega Cheryl
Published: September 2022

With specific tasks to fulfill, physicians often interact superficially with patients and their families to provide health care in the form of diagnosis and treatment. They miss so-called hallway conversations that may contain important information about the patient and family’s mental and social well-being. How, then, are they able to comprehensively address the more cryptic effects of cancer therapy that are not directly related to their patient’s physical health? In this study, a team of pre-clinical medical students analyzed 120 narrative journals written over an 11-year period by 119 3rd and 4th -year medical students who shadowed patients and their families in the pediatric hematology/oncology department of an academic medical center. These students did not fulfill clinical duties but learned about the cancer experience by shadowing pediatric patients and their families. The goal of this narrative study was to analyze these journals for content that revealed experiences of patients and their families that are not necessarily recognized by the healthcare team. These students were often involved in the most intimate moments of the cancer journey: receiving bad news, witnessing a child’s pain, and dealing with the death of a loved one. These experiences allowed the students to describe reactions that are often unobserved using narrative writing. With this information, multi-faceted treatment plans that go beyond the physical health of the child can be developed that incorporate the more obscure psychosocial, mental, and emotional health needs. This narrative style may also serve as a novel strategy for future clinical rotations.
Deep democratisation of technology can support a pluriverse of approaches for sustainability
Authors: Haklay Mordechai (Muki) , Moustard Fabien , Lewis Jerome , Gibbs Hannah M. B. , Moreu Marcos , Vittoria Alice , Attoh Emmanuel M. N. A. N. , Hoyte Simon , Chiaravalloti Rafael Rafael , Laws Megan , Tarrant Megan , Saiefert Thiago , Fryer-Moreira Raffaella
Published: September 2022

The overwhelming global dominance of modern industrialism stifles the visibility of alternative ways of being in the present and of what solutions to large-scale challenges may be appropriate. This paper describes how novel high-tech digital tools can be co-designed with people with different worldviews or ‘ontologies’ to better represent their normally marginalised understandings, and so begin to generate a pluriverse of localised pathways to address the future. To do so, such digital tools are not considered as technological artefacts but as socio-technical processes designed around local worldviews to encode alternative understandings of local issues and local knowledge into data collection and visualisation processes. We describe how the Sapelli digital mapping tool is implemented through participatory co-design approaches with Indigenous people, farmers, and agro-pastoralists. Representing different cultures and local knowledge systems in a digital third space has revealed a plurality of approaches to addressing environmental change that differ substantially from those conventionally envisaged.
HAUS1 is a prognostic biomarker and correlates with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Wenfeng , Lu Qiaoling , Niu Hao
Published: September 2022

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become fatal and aggressive cancer worldwide. It was found that HAUS1 protein was involved in the completeness of the wire, the spindle component and the completion of the cytoplastic split process during the rotor splitting process. However, HAUS1 potential value, including its level in HCC, relationship with clinical outcome and immune infiltration are not wellknown.
Methods:TIMER2.0 database was used for analyzing Pan-cancer, and differences in the expression of HAUS1 were found. The prognostic significance of HAUS1 in HCC was assessed with the Kaplan-Meier Plotter. We also investigated clinical indicators differences between the low and high HAUS1 groups. Signaling pathways associated with HAUS1 were explored by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). And immune cell infiltration was assessed using the CIBERSORT algorithm and the ESTIMATE method. Proliferative changes in HCC cells after knockdown of HAUS1 were assessed with CCK8 array and colony formation assays.
Results: The results showed that HAUS1 was significantly high expressed in most malignant tumors, and there were significant correlations between HAUS1 and overall survival and progression free survival in HCC. The signal pathways related to E2F targets, DNA repair, myc targets, mitotic spindle and G2M checkpoint were enriched in high HAUS1 group. What’s more, HAUS1 was shown to be related with immune cell infiltration level in the HCC. However, the proliferation of HCC cells was significantly decreased after transfection with HAUS1 specific small interfering RNA.
Conclusion: HAUS1 is a positive regulator of HCC progression and contributes to tumor cell proliferation. In addition, HAUS1 expression is related to the level of immune cells infiltration in HCC. Therefore, HAUS1 may be a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC patients.
Quality of life in intermittent exotropia for Korean children and their patrents
Authors: Oh Jin Seon , Jung Jae Ho , Shin Hyun Jin
Published: September 2022

Background
Patients with strabismus are more likely to have mental health problems, including high rates of depressive symptoms and social phobia. Intermittent exotropia (IXT) typically occurs in early childhood and is more common in Asian populations. We aim to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) concerns in children with intermittent exotropia (IXT) using the Intermittent Exotropia Questionaire (IXTQ), and their associations with the clinical severity of IXT and the parents’ HRQOL concerns.
Methods
One hundred twenty-two children with IXT (aged 5–17 years) and one parent for each child completed the child and parent IXTQ, respectively. The final IXTQ score is calculated using the mean score for all items, and ranges from 0 (worst HRQOL) to 100 (best HRQOL). The correlations of child IXTQ scores with their deviation angle and stereoacuity were measured, as were those with their parent’s IXTQ scores.
Results
The greatest HRQOL concern for each child with IXT and their parent was “Worry about eyes.” Lower child IXTQ scores were associated with a larger deviation angle. “Shutting one eye when it is sunny” and “Waiting for their eyes to clear up” were more common in children with a larger deviation angle. The parent IXTQ scores were lower than the child ones and showed a positive correlation with child IXTQ scores. Lower parent IXTQ scores were associated with poor distance stereoacuity.
Conclusion
The HRQOL of IXT children was closely related to that of their parents. A larger deviation angle and worse distance stereoacuity function may predict more-negative impacts on children and their parents, respectively.