bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Olualê Kossola e Zora N. Hurston
Authors: Batista Nicole Faria
Published: April 2024

El texto pretende presentar un análisis de las imágenes y el texto etnográfico producidos a finales de la década de 1920 por la antropóloga Zora Neale Hurston con Olualê Kossola, considerado uno de los últimos hombres africanos supervivientes de la trata ilegal de esclavos en Estados Unidos. El análisis abarca Barracoon. The story of the last «Black Cargo» (2021), texto narrado en primera persona a partir de transcripciones orales, y las imágenes filmadas por esta antropóloga en el mismo contexto. Las notas presentadas en este artículo pretenden abordar aspectos de la «antropología griot» de Hurston (Basques, 2021), su método etnográfico, arrojando luz sobre las formas en que la alianza entre imagen, escritura y oralidad conforman rasgos de la innovadora metodología de la autora. Concluyendo sobre la pertinencia de la aportación de su método a la antropología contemporánea.
Assembly of Genetically Engineered Ionizable Protein Nanocage-based Nanozymes for Intracellular Superoxide Scavenging
Authors: Huang Xinglu , Liu Qiqi , Gao Zhanxia , Zhang Xiangyun , Duan Qiannan , Zhang Yue , Midgley Adam , Jiao Li , Liu Ruming , Zhu Mingsheng , Kong Deling , Zhuang Jie
Published: April 2024

Nanozymes play a pivotal role in mitigating excessive oxidative stress, however, determining their specific enzyme-mimicking activities for intracellular free radical scavenging is challenging due to endo-lysosomal entrapment. In this study, we employed a genetic engineering strategy to generate ionizable ferritin nanocages (iFTn), enabling their escape from endo-lysosomes and entry into the cytoplasm. Specifically, ionizable repeated Histidine-Histidine-Glutamic acid (9H2E) sequences were genetically incorporated into the outer surface of human heavy chain FTn, followed by the assembly of various chain-like nanostructures via a two-armed polyethylene glycol (PEG). Utilizing endosome-escaping ability, we designed iFTn-based tetrameric cascade nanozymes with high superoxide dismutase- and catalase-mimicking activities. The in vivo protective effects of these ionizable cascade nanozymes against cardiac oxidative injury were demonstrated in mouse models of cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR). RNA-sequencing analysis highlighted the crucial role of these nanozymes in modulating superoxide anions-, hydrogen peroxide- and mitochondrial functions-relevant genes in IR injured cardiac tissue. These genetically engineered ionizable protein nanocarriers provide opportunities for developing ionizable drug delivery systems.
Simulated Microgravity Impairs Human NK Cell Cytotoxic Activity Against Space Radiation-Relevant Leukemic Cells
Authors: Kuhlman Bradford , Diaz Jonathan , Simon Trang , Reaves Kimberly , Walker Stephen , Atala Anthony , Almeida-Porada Graça , Porada Christopher
Published: April 2024

Natural killer (NK) cells are important effectors of the innate immune system. Unlike T cells, NK cells do not require antigen-priming, making them an important first-line of defense against malignant cells. Because of the potential for increased cancer risk as a result of astronaut exposure to space radiation, we performed studies to determine whether conditions of microgravity present during spaceflight affects the body’s natural defenses against leukemogenesis. Human NK cells were cultured for 48 hours under normal gravity and simulated microgravity (sµG), and cytotoxicity against K-562 (CML) and MOLT-4 (T-ALL) cell lines was measured using standard methodology or under continuous conditions of sµG. Even this brief exposure to sµG markedly reduced NK cytotoxicity against both leukemic cells using standard assay procedures, and these deleterious effects were even more pronounced in continuous sµG. RNA-seq performed on NK cells from two healthy donors provided insight into the mechanism(s) by which sµG reduced cytotoxicity. Given our prior report that human HSC exposed to simulated space radiation gave rise to T-ALL in vivo, the reduced cytotoxicity against MOLT-4 is striking and raises the possibility that µG may add to astronaut risk of leukemogenesis during prolonged missions beyond LEO.
Reduced Contrast Sensitivity Function and Outer Retina thickness in Convalescent Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease
Authors: Wang Yuqin , Li Yisha , Hu Xia , Zhou Fang-Yue , Guo Xingneng , Yang Xiaoling , Liu Ruru , Lin Dan , Dai Mali , Wu Ke , Wu Jiaqing , Hou Fang , Lesmes Luis Andres , Lu Zhong-Lin
Published: April 2024

Background
To evaluate contrast sensitivity function (CSF) in convalescent Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease and investigate the relationship between CSF and chorioretinal thickness in VKH patients with and without sunset glow fundus (SGF).
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study. Seventy-six eyes of VKH patients and 56 eyes of normal controls were evaluated. Patients were divided into SGF and non-SGF groups. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of all the participants was ≤ 0.0 logMAR. Their CSF and macular chorioretinal thickness were measured with quick CSF (qCSF) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and compared using repeated measures analysis of variance at the group level. Relationships between CSF and macular chorioretinal thickness were evaluated using generalized estimating equations.
Results
Compared with controls, CSF was significantly impaired in eyes with SGF, especially at medium and high spatial frequencies. The CSF of the eyes without SGF was not significantly different from those of the controls and the SGF group. Compared to the controls, outer retinal thickness (ORT) in both VKH subgroups was significantly reduced (P < 0.001 or 0.005, respectively), although their outer nuclear layer thickness (ONLT) and choroidal thickness (CT) were not significantly different (both P = 1.000, P = 0.829 or 0.112, respectively). We found no significant correlation between CSF metrics and chorioretinal thickness.
Conclusions
Despite good recovery of visual acuity, reduced CSF and outer retina thickness were found in convalescent VKH patients. CSF may be an important and sensitive metric to evaluate functional vision in VKH disease.
Preliminary Assessment of Waste Accumulation along Riverbanks in Italy
Authors: Fortibuoni Tomaso , Scocchera Elisa , Vito Stefania Di
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a preliminary assessment of waste accumulation along riverbanks in Italy, aiming to provide baseline data for future monitoring and management efforts. The study surveyed 18 stations along 16 rivers across different regions of Italy, from north to south, to quantify and characterise the types and abundance of litter present along their banks. Field surveys were conducted by Legambiente citizen scientists applying a standardised protocol to record and categorise litter items systematically. Results indicate widespread litter accumulation, with a median density of 457 items/100 m. A diverse range of items was observed, including artificial polymer materials (56%), glass/ceramics (20%), metal (11%) and paper/cardboard (6%). Half of the items belonged to just four categories: glass bottles (17%), cigarette butts (14%), plastic pieces (11%), and wet wipes (8%). Differences in litter density and composition were observed according to the land use (urban, agricultural, natural, urban park) of the area surrounding the monitoring stations. Riverbanks included in urban parks presented the highest litter densities. They were characterised by the high presence of litter from recreational activities (glass bottles, cigarettes, caps, and pull tabs), suggesting uncivil behaviour by visitors. The findings of this study allow for the identification of litter sources and underscore the importance of citizen science in filling information gaps since no previous data on litter on riverbanks in Italy were available.
PPP3CB inhibits pancreatic cancer progression via promoting translocation of ATOH8 and further transcriptionally regulating Sp1
Authors: Hang Junjie , Dong Xiao , Wu Lixia , Gong Libao , Huang Junjie , Guo Jinfeng , Ma Meng , Xiao Li , Chen Xiao , Xu Shuangwei , Wang Liwei , Liu Tao
Published: April 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy which lacks effective therapeutic targets. We previously demonstrated that low expression level of PPP3CB was correlated with poor prognosis in PDAC but its function and mechanism remain to be elucidated. Here, we found that the expression of PPP3CB was higher in PDAC patients with early stage than that in late stage. PPP3CB overexpression impaired proliferation and metastatic ability of PDAC both in vitro and in vivo, whereas its depletion or the treatment of CsA, a PPP3CB inhibitor, had the opposite effect. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analysis predicted the protein interaction between PPP3CBand ATOH8. PPP3CB interacts with ATOH8 and increases its translocation into the nuclei of PDAC cells. ChIP-seq and luciferase analysis showed that ATOH8 can bind to the promoter of Sp1, a well-known oncogenic transcription factor in PDAC. Furthermore, PPP3CB transcriptionally inhibits Sp1 expression and pancreatic cancer metastases by enhancing ATOH8 nuclear content. These findings suggest a novel role for PPP3CB in preventing progression of PDAC by promoting the nuclear translocation of ATOH8 and transcriptionally inhibiting Sp1 expression. Consequently, PPP3CB emerges as a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.
Appraising the corrosion inhibitory efficacy and adsorption mechanism of crude leaf extract of Datura discolor on low-carbon steel in low pH media via gravimetric experiments and AFM analysis
Authors: Ahanotu Cornelius C. , Ezigbo Veronica O. , Okonkwo Sylvia I. , Madu Kenneth C.
Published: April 2024

Background
The study investigated the inhibitory action of Datura discolor leaf extract against the corrosion of low-carbon steel in 0.5 M solutions of three acids. The purpose was to ascertain the effect of extract concentration, immersion time and temperature variation on corrosion inhibitory efficiency, and to relate to existing reports which show that organic molecules in most plant extracts inhibit corrosion. Extraction of the leaves was done by maceration using methanol and solvent was removed by evaporation to dryness. Classical gravimetric (mass loss) experiments were used and experimental data was fitted to adsorption isotherm models to ascertain the best approximation. Surface examination of the low-carbon steel substrates was carried out using the atomic force microscope.
Results
Inhibitory protective efficiency of extract was found to appreciate with increasing Datura discolor leaf extract concentration at a fixed temperature, with values ranging 77.6–88.8%, 91.35–98.08% and 19.64–44.64% in H2SO4, HCl and HNO3 solutions respectively at 270C. Elevation of temperature was found to depreciate the inhibitor efficiency at constant inhibitor concentration. Best isotherm model fitting was obtained with Langmuir model both at 270C and 600C and in all the hostile media, while Temkin model gave good approximation only at 600C and in H2SO4 and HCl solutions only. The negative values of free energy of adsorption \({(\varDelta G}_{ads}^{0})\) suggested that the adsorptive interaction of the inhibitor with the substrate surface was very spontaneous. Values of \({\varDelta G}_{ads}^{0}\) were all consistent, fluctuating between − 16.35 kJ mol− 1 and − 17.63 kJ mol− 1 in both H2SO4 and HCl solutions, and between − 9.76 kJ mol− 1 and − 10.25 kJ mol− 1 in HNO3 solution, and this suggests that adsorption of the inhibitor molecules occurred via physisorption. Values of the activation energy of the corrosion reaction \({(E}_{act})\) are all < 40 kJ mol− 1, suggesting that the inhibition occurred by a physical adsorption mechanism.
Conclusions
The study concludes that Datura discolor crude leaf extract suppressed the corrosion reactions and the inhibition was found to arise from the physisorptive interaction of the organic molecules with the substrate/solution interface, forming a stabilize inhibitor film on the substrate surface as revealed by the atomic force micrographs.
Game Analysis of End-of-Life Vehicle Reverse Logistics Evolution with Extended Producer Responsibility System
Authors: Zhang Lu , Yan Yan , Xu Wei , Di Xinyue
Published: April 2024

The increasing number of scrapped cars and the low recycling rate have caused global environmental pollution, resource waste, and safety hazards. This article is based on the extended producer responsibility system and constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model of government, automobile production enterprises, and recycling enterprises from the perspectives of product lifecycle and reverse logistics. It explores the impact of government subsidies, social reputation, and coordination costs on the cooperation process between automobile production enterprises and recycling enterprises, and conducts numerical simulation analysis to verify the effectiveness of the model. Research conclusion: (1) Increasing the cost savings and new car sales revenue of automobile production enterprises purchasing remanufacturing materials from recycling enterprises will increase their willingness to cooperate, but it will reduce the willingness of recycling enterprises to cooperate. (2) Increasing coordination costs will suppress the cooperation enthusiasm between automobile production enterprises and recycling enterprises, especially recycling enterprises. (3) The increase in government management costs and subsidies is not conducive to government subsidy preferences. (4) The increase in social reputation benefits will be conducive to increasing the enthusiasm of government subsidies and promoting the willingness of automobile production enterprises and recycling enterprises to cooperate.
The interlayer twist effectively regulates interlayer excitons in InSe/Sb van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: Niu Xianghong , Shi Anqi , Guan Ruilin , Niu Zifan , Zhang Wenxia , Zhang Xiuyun , Wang Shiyan , Wang Bing , Lv Jin
Published: April 2024

The interlayer twist angle endows a new degree of freedom to manipulate the spatially separated interlayer excitons in van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures. Herein, we find that the band-edge Γ-Γ interlayer excitation directly forms interlayer exciton in InSe/Sb heterostructure, different from that of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) heterostructures in two-step processes by intralayer excitation and transfer. By tuning the interlayer coupling and breathing vibrational modes associated with the Γ-Γ photoexcitation, the interlayer twist can significantly adjust the excitation peak position and lifetime of recombination. The interlayer excitation peak in InSe/Sb heterostructure can shift ~ 400 meV, and the interlayer exciton lifetime varies in hundreds of nanoseconds as a periodic function of the twist angle (0°-60°). This work enriches the understanding of interlayer exciton formation and facilitates the artificial excitonic engineering of vdWs heterostructures.
A Human Centred Innovative Approach Based on Persona in Hereditary Angioedema
Authors: Perego Francesca , Zingale Lorenza Chiara , Marcelli Azzurra Cesoni , Ranucci Luca , Rimoldi Lorenzo , Nsanbayeva Nurgul , Natale Maria Rosaria , Vecchia Laura Adelaide Dalla , Gorini Alessandra
Published: April 2024

Background Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (HAE-C1-INH) is a rare condition, clinically characterised by recurrent swelling. The unpredictability of attacks affects the patients’ quality of life (QoL). HAE patients and their families have vast unmet physical, psychological, and social needs. A human-centred design (HCD) approach to describing the needs of different user types is to utilise personas, a data-driven narrative tool for communicating user archetypes that capture the individuals’ attitudes, goals, and behaviours.
The aim of this study was to create and analyse personas based on HAE patients’ and their caregivers’ interviews.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted through anthropological conversations with patients, patient-caregivers (double role of patient and caregiver), and non-affected caregivers. Qualitative and quantitative insights from analyses formed the basis to create personas.
Results We enrolled 17 subjects: 15 patients (6 of them were patient-caregivers) and 2 non-affected caregivers. The mean age of participants was 50,3±14,4 yrs. Eight patients were on treatment with prophylactic therapy. The mean percentage score of Angioedema Quality of Life (AE-QoL) for HAE patients was 19,8±12,0. Six personas were identified describing the participants’ personal history, disease management, and needs: four personas referred to patients, one to patient-caregivers, and one non-affected caregiver personas were identified. Across patient personas, the most expressed needs were psychological support and better awareness amongst healthcare professionals. Caregivers, on their side, desired better information about the disease, including the latest therapies, and higher awareness within the community.
Conclusion A Human Centred Innovative Approach Based on Persona extends beyond the physical symptoms to encompass the psychological and social aspects of the individual's well-being also including the family in the evaluation.
Enhancing foot ulcer prevention and adherence through personalised footwear and insole design features: insights from N- of-1 trials
Authors: Ahmed Sayed , Barwick Alex , Sharma Anita , Kabir Muhammad , Hasan Md Zobaer , Nancarrow Susan
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the impact of personalised footwear and insole design and modification features on offloading efficacy and patient adherence in people at risk of diabetes-related neuropathic plantar forefoot ulceration.
This study involved a series of non-randomised, unblinded N-of-1 trials with 12 participants who had a history of neuropathic plantar forefoot ulcers recruited from three sites in Sydney, Australia. Barefoot and in-shoe plantar pressures were measured using Mobilemat™ and F-Scan® plantar pressure mapping systems by TekScan® (Boston, USA). Adherence to footwear use was captured using participant self-report. Other outcome measures were participant preference toward footwear, insole design and quality of life.
The study identified foot-specific pressure thresholds crucial for effective offloading and ulcer prevention. It showed that the current plantar pressure threshold (<200 kPa or >30% reduction) recommended by the guidelines may not apply to all participants. Reulceration prevention may require a pressure threshold as low as 103 kPa at one site and as high as 352 kPa at another site in the same participant to keep the individual foot in remission. It underscores the significance of considering individual participant's factors such as the site of amputation, current activity level, and the use of mobility aid. The recommended footwear needs to meet the criteria for the participant's intention of use, whether for outdoor use for walking, shopping, medical appointments, social or religious events, occupational purposes or indoor use. In these populations, considering indoor-specific footwear design and options helps to increase adherence and reduce the risk of ulcer occurrence and recurrence. Moreover, factors such as comorbidities, biomechanics, and adherence significantly impact ulcer prevention outcomes.
Participant-centric footwear designs that fit individual participants' needs are emphasised as a key strategy to enhance adherence, influenced by social support and healthcare involvement. The study advocates for prioritising patient-centric device designs to achieve therapeutic success. However, further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of these parameters in improving offloading and adherence, thereby promoting physical and emotional health and overall well-being.
Experimental Investigation on Seabed Response Under Wave-Induced Motion of Marine Structure
Authors: Wu Yuwei , Ren Xingyue Y. , Xiong Fangjie
Published: April 2024

Periodic wave loads acting on marine structures cause them to vibrate accordingly. The wave-induced vibration of marine structures can induce seabed liquefaction, and result in foundation instability. Therefore, seabed stability induced by wave-induced vibrations of marine structures should be one of the key issues to guide the design of marine structures to ensure their safety. In this study, the effect of wave-induced vibration of marine structure on seabed liquefaction was carefully investigated based on a flume experiment. The effects of grain size of sandy seabed sediments, self-weight of structures, and amplitude and period of external forces acting on the structures on the spatial distribution of super-hydrostatic pore water pressure in the seabed, and influences of them on the liquefaction characteristics of the seabed were also investigated through modeling experiments. The experimental results show the accumulation of super-static pore water pressure caused by wave-induced vibration of the structure is more obvious in the experiments with smaller grain size sediment; the peak value of the transient pore water pressure in the seabed increases with the increase of the self-weight of the structure, while the peak value of the residual pore pressure shows a tendency to increase firstly and then decrease with the increase of the structure's self-weight; the amplitude of the external force acting on the structure increases and the period decreases, which will lead to the accumulation of superstatic pore water pressure and liquefaction of the seabed. An increase in amplitude or decrease in the period of external force on the structure will cause the accumulation of superstatic pore water pressure and the deepening of liquefaction.
Transverse diameter of Brainstem Infarction is a Strong Predictor of Miserable Outcome after Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion
Authors: Tajima Yosuke , Yoichi Yoshida , Kubota Masaaki , Ebihara Koichi , Yamauchi Toshihiro , Nishino Wataru , Niimi Jun , Nakamura Kazuya , Kado Ken , Miyazaki Tadashi , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Mochida Hidetoshi , Oishi Hiromichi , Higuchi Yoshinori
Published: April 2024

Although the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO) has been established in two randomized controlled studies, many patients have miserable clinical outcomes after MT for ABAO. Predicting severe disability prior to the procedure might be useful in determining the appropriateness of treatment interventions. Among the ABAO cases treated at 10 hospitals between July 2014 and December 2021, 144 were included in the study, all of whom underwent MRI before treatment. A miserable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 5–6 at 3 months. The associations between clinical, imaging, and procedural factors and miserable outcomes were evaluated. A miserable outcome was observed in 54 cases (37.5%). Multivariate analysis identified the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), transverse diameter of brainstem infarction, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage as independent factors associated with miserable outcomes, with cutoff values of NIHSS 22 and transverse diameter of brainstem infarction 15 mm. Cases with a higher preoperative severity may result in miserable postoperative outcomes. Particularly, the transverse diameter of a brainstem infarction can be easily measured and serves as a useful criterion for determining treatment indications.
ADHD Knowledge, perception, and misconceptions among Sudanese Elementary school teachers in 2022
Authors: Mahjoub Mohammed Elhadi Badawi , Ali Mohammednour Mukhtar Mohammednour
Published: April 2024

Background
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is impaired functioning in at least two settings: home and school due to impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.
Primary school teachers play an essential role in assessing children's behavior and are often the first ones to recognize a child with ADHD as they are exposed daily to children and play a role in evaluating treatment plans at school. This study aims to assess the knowledge, perception, and misconceptions of elementary school teachers in the locality of Khartoum regarding ADHD and to examine the differences in their knowledge in terms of sociodemographic variables.
Method
The study utilizes a descriptive cross-sectional study design conducted at 37 randomly selected elementary schools in the locality of Khartoum in October/November 2022. We applied cluster sampling and used a structured self-administered two-part questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data and the Knowledge of attention deficit disorder scale.
Results
The study included 321 teachers, 270 (84.1%) females and 51(15.9%) males. The mean age of participants was 47.9 (SD = 8.5) years, with an average teaching experience of 21.94 (SD = 10.2) years.
The overall knowledge about ADHD was 48.53% (SD = 9.71). Teachers tend to show higher knowledge about ADHD symptoms and relatively poor awareness regarding ADHD treatment. Teachers with previous experience with a child with ADHD were more knowledgeable.
Conclusion
Knowledge regarding ADHD among elementary school teachers in the locality of Khartoum was suboptimal, particularly regarding ADHD treatment. Teachers with previous experience with ADHD were more knowledgeable. Many of the teachers had several misconceptions about ADHD.
Clinical using of innovative Biodegradable Stent with Extension Sleeve in TaTME for Low Rectal Cancer with high risk of anastomotic leakage
Authors: Hao Rongrong , Wang Wensheng , Ma Yuanhang , Chen Jianghong , Li Yunbo , Yang Yang , Ma Dan , Zhang Zhicao
Published: April 2024

Objective: The objective of this paper is to observe and evaluate the safety and feasibility of using a degradable colorectal endoluminal stent with extension sleeve(DCESES) in patients at high risk of anastomotic leakage following low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer using the transanal total mesorectal excision (Ta_tme) technique.
Methods: Six patients with low rectal cancer undergoing Ta_tme surgery and identified as high risk for anastomotic leakage were selected. During surgery, the tumor was mobilized transanally and excised outside the anus. A suitable biodegradable stent was chosen and connected to a sterile extension sleeve. The stent was fixed with absorbable sutures 5 cm proximal to the intestinal cut end. Anastomosis was then completed at the anus, and the extension sleeve was pulled through the anus to externalize, diverting fecal matter and preventing contact with the anastomotic site. None of the six patients underwent a prophylactic ileostomy.
Results: All six patients successfully underwent Ta_tme surgery with the implantation of the biodegradable colorectal endoluminal stent with an extension sleeve. Within 3-4 weeks postoperatively, the stent disintegrated into fragments and was expelled through the anus along with the plastic sleeve. All patients experienced no significant perianal discomfort, anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, or other complications during the perioperative period.
Conclusion: Fecal diversion using a biodegradable stent with an extension sleeve in high-risk patients for anastomotic leakage following Ta_tme is safe and feasible. This approach effectively prevents complications such as anastomotic leakage and stricture during Ta_tme, avoiding the need for prophylactic ileostomy and its associated complications, thereby reducing patient suffering, saving medical resources, lowering medical costs, and improving patient quality of life.
Levels of serum lipids predict responses to PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line treatment in small cell lung cancer: an observational study
Authors: Chen Qiaoli , Zhang Wei , Shu Ping , Yuan Xia
Published: April 2024

Background There has not been a definite study on the relationship between serum lipid and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients’ response to programed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
Objective The aim of this study was to explore the association between serum lipids levels and SCLC patients’ response to PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line treatment.
Methods This study included patients with SCLC who received at least one cycle of PD-L1inhibitor at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from August 2020 to December 2023. We collected the clinical data of the SCLC patients, including basic information and serum lipids levels, before immunotherapy.
Results Overall, 124 patients were included in this study. The incidence of immune related adverse events (irAEs) was 16.1%. In the multivariate analyzes, TG/HDL-C ratio was a remarkable independent predictor of irAEs (HR: 16.427, 95% CI: 1.046-258.092, p=0.046). Tumor response analysis indicated that an objective response rate (ORR) achieved 43.4% and a disease control rate (DCR) achieved 79.5%. Seventy-seven patients experienced any progression-free survival (PFS) event. The median PFS was longer in HDL-C-high group (10.03 months) than in HDL-C-low group (6.67 months) (p=0.043). In Cox regression analyses, HDL-C was a remarkable independent predictor for PFS (HR: 2.814, 95% CI: 1.413-5.602, p=0.003). Notably, the ORR significantly differed between patients who suffered from any irAEs and those who did not (p=0.0062).
Conclusion This study clarified that serum lipids levels might predict responses to anti-PD-L1 inhibitor as first-line treatment in SCLC.
Modeling a biofluid-derived extracellular vesicle surface signature to differentiate pediatric Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome clinical subgroups
Authors: Cricri Giulia , Gobbini Andrea , Bruno Stefania , Bellucci Linda , Tassinari Sarah , Caicci Federico , Tamburello Chiara , Nittoli Teresa , Paraboschi Irene , Berrettini Alfredo , Grifantini Renata , Bussolati Benedetta , Morello William , Montini Giovanni , Collino Federica
Published: April 2024

Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome (INS) is a common childhood glomerular disease requiring intense immunosuppressive drug treatments. Prediction of treatment response and the occurrence of relapses remains challenging. Biofluid-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may serve as novel liquid biopsies for INS classification and monitoring. Our cohort was composed of 106 INS children at different clinical time points (onset, relapse, and persistent proteinuria, remission, respectively), and 19 healthy controls. The expression of 37 surface EV surface markers was evaluated by flow cytometry in serum (n=83) and urine (n=74) from INS children (mean age=10.1, 58% males) at different time points. Urine EVs (n=7) and serum EVs (n=11) from age-matched healthy children (mean age=7.8, 94% males) were also analyzed. Tetraspanin expression in urine EVs was enhanced during active disease phase in respect to the remission group and positively correlates with proteinuria levels. Unsupervised clustering analysis identified an INS signature of 8 markers related to immunity and angiogenesis/adhesion processes. The CD41b, CD29, and CD105 showed the best diagnostic scores separating the INS active phase from the healthy condition. Interestingly, combining urinary and serum EV markers from the same patient improved the precision of clinical staging separation. Three urinary biomarkers (CD19, CD44, and CD8) were able to classify INS based on steroid sensitivity. Biofluid EVs offer a non-invasive tool for INS clinical subclassification and “personalized” interventions.
Influence of Fan and Duct Layout Parameters on the Effectiveness of Tunnel Ventilation and Dust Removal
Authors: Chen Chen Feng , Wang Wang Tingchuan , YANG YANG Shuai , Ren Ren Rui , XIAO XIAO Fu-wen , Hao Hao Xue
Published: April 2024

In order to optimize the tunnel inclined shaft press-in construction ventilation scheme and improve the efficiency of dust removal in the tunnel, this paper relies on a tunnel of Zhengzhou West Highway, and adopts Fluent software to establish a 1:1 inclined shaft press-in construction ventilation numerical simulation model, to study the influence of press-in duct air velocity, distance of press-in duct from the palisade surface, and the location of the left tunnel deflector fan on the effect of construction ventilation and verify the results of the simulation through the on-site measured data. The simulation results are verified by field measurement data. The results show that increasing the air velocity of the air duct is favorable to the discharge of dust particles in the tunnel, and considering the dust removal efficiency and energy economy, the ventilation effect of the press-in air duct with air velocity of 22m/s is the best. Tunnel duct from the palm face 20m when the construction of the ventilation effect is better, the best effect on the discharge of dust particles. The inflow fan has a better auxiliary ventilation effect for the migration of dust particles in the tunnel locally and as a whole ; the inflow fan of the left tunnel is the most effective for the discharge of dust particles in the left tunnel when it is set up at 170m from the face of the palms, and the efficiency of the dust removal is improved by 6.73% and 21.64% compared with that at 70m and 270m from the face of the palms, respectively. The monitoring results of the environmental conditions of the construction site after the optimization of the construction ventilation scheme show that the optimized ventilation scheme is effective, which is of great significance in guiding and reference for the future ventilation of tunnel construction.
Classification number: U453.5 Literature symbol code: A
Pupil-linked arousal reflects intracranial aperiodic neural activity in the human auditory cortex
Authors: Mocchi Madaline , Bartoli Eleonora , Magnotti John , DeGee Jan Willem , Metzger Brian , Pascuzzi Bailey , Mathura Raissa , Pulapaka Suhrutha , Goodman Wayne , Sheth Sameer , McGinley Matthew , Bijanki Kelly
Published: April 2024

Disrupted cortical and peripheral neural responses to salient stimuli occur in neural disease states, which may be rooted in pathophysiological neuromodulatory system dynamics. Although low-frequency oscillatory activity is the canonical measure of cortical neuromodulatory state, aperiodic 1/f slope encapsulates the balance between low-frequency and high-frequency activity and could thus provide a more sensitive electrophysiological measure. Here, we simultaneously record pupil diameter as a noninvasive measure of brain state, and intracranial local field potentials (LFP) in the auditory cortex and association regions in humans during an auditory oddball task. We demonstrate a trial-by-trial relationship between pupil and auditory cortical responses that is specific to the high gamma frequency band. We find that pupillary and cortical responses show a state-dependent relationship with aperiodic 1/f slope that is similar to canonical low-frequency measures, but that only the 1/f measure shows a trial-by-trial relationship with tonic and phasic pupil activity. Finally, salient stimuli trigger prolonged shifts in aperiodic 1/f activity after stimulus playback, which associates with altered responses on subsequent trials. Taken together, aperiodic slope captures tonic and phasic components of cortical state at the single trial level, providing mechanistic insight into human saliency responses and a path for pupillometry as a non-invasive readout.
Temperature Characteristics Survey for a LDMOS 1000W Shortwave Power Amplifier
Authors: lin qian , wang meiqian , You Fei , Wu Ji-hua , lv yingchun
Published: April 2024

In order to study the temperature characteristics of the LDMOS 1000W shortwave power amplifier under different temperature, a series of tests have been carried out here. The results showed that Pout, Gain, PAE, two-tone power, second harmonic and third harmonic of the PA decrease dramatically with rising temperature. Meanwhile, when the number of cycles increases from 1 to 5, its Pout, Gain, PAE, two-tone power, second harmonic and third harmonic generally show the downward trend. Further analysis shows that this degradation is caused by the increase of temperature, the decrease of electron mobility and the increase of scattering between electrons and the lattice, which lead to the generation of heat and the intensification of the self-heating effect. At the same time, high temperature also lead to the increase of thermal resistance (Rth), which causes decrease in the efficiency of PA. Therefore, to ensure that the whole amplifier can maintain stable at different temperatures, a temperature compensation circuit is proposed to offset the performance degradation which can provide important reference for the reliability design of PA.
FABP4 deficiency ameliorates alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice via inhibition of p53 signaling pathway
Authors: Xing Hao , Wu Zhan , Jiang Keqing , Yuan Guandou , Guo Zhenya , Yu Shuiping , He Songqing , Zhong Fudi
Published: April 2024

Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) plays an essential role in metabolism and inflammatory. However, the role of FABP4 in alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the function of FABP4 and the underlying mechanisms in the progression of ASH. Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) datasets were obtained from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen key genes in FABPs family. Wild-type (WT) and FABP4-deficient (FABP4−/−) mice were subjected to ASH models and the role of FABP4 was investigated. Transcriptional profiling of mouse liver tissue was performed and analyzed by integrative bioinformatics. The Fabp4 associated signaling pathway was further verified. FABP4 was up-regulated in two AH datasets and identified as a critical biomarker. Compared to control, FABP4 is higher expressed in liver tissues of ALD patients and ASH mice. FABP4 deficiency reduced hepatic lipid deposition and inflammation in ASH mice. Mechanistically, FABP4 was involved in regulating the p53 signaling pathway and Sirt1 signaling pathway, subsequently affecting the lipid metabolism and the polarization of macrophages in the liver of ASH mice. FABP4 is involved in the progression of ASH. FABP4 deficiency ameliorates mouse ASH, suggesting that FABP4 may be a potential therapeutic target for ASH.
Thrombocytopenia is Associated with Higher Fontan Pressure and Increased Morbidity in Patients with Fontan Circulation
Authors: Gould Michael , Gunsaulus Megan , Feingold Brian , Goldstein Bryan , Hoskoppal Arvind , Kreutzer Jacqueline , Lanford Lizabeth , Trucco Sara , Alsaied Tarek
Published: April 2024

Background
After the Fontan procedure, patients require lifelong follow-up due to significant late morbidity and mortality. Thrombocytopenia is seen frequently post-Fontan, likely due to secondary hypersplenism from elevated Fontan pressure. We investigated platelet counts in patients with a Fontan circulation and assessed associations with catheterization data and clinical outcomes.
Methods
This retrospective study included 92 patients (33% female) post-Fontan who had a complete blood count performed between January 2011 and July 2023. The age at evaluation was 24.0 ± 8.9 years. Outcomes measured included elevated Fontan pressure (≥ 15 mmHg), Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD), unscheduled admissions, transplant, and death.
Results
Participants with thrombocytopenia (£150,000/µL) had significantly higher rates of elevated Fontan pressure (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.3–52.7, p = 0.03), FALD (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.6–10.6, p = 0.004), and unscheduled admissions (361.8 ± 576.7 versus 115.4 ± 185.4 admissions per 1000 patient-years, p = 0.02).
Conclusion
Thrombocytopenia post-Fontan is associated with elevated Fontan pressure, Fontan-associated liver disease, and increased morbidity. Platelet count could serve as a non-invasive factor in identifying patients at risk of decompensation.
Impact of different Modern Irrigation Systems on Water Productivity of Some Vegetables Considering Climatic Factors
Authors: Embaby Mohamed , Zead Talaat Abo , Elbably Walid , Helmy Mohamed
Published: April 2024

Climate change is emerging as one of the major constraints to global food security and through expected changes in the coming years will become even more influential. Agriculture is the sector most affected by climate change. This experiment is concerned with change in humidity and temperature, and it is effects on the productivity of one unit of water and the productivity of some vegetable crops. Fluctuations in average monthly temperature are one of the most important reasons that negatively affect vegetable production, as many physiological and biochemical activities of the plant depend on temperature. Case studies related to the effect of temperature change on the productivity of some vegetable crops were discussed. A field experiment was conducted in the winter season of 2021–2022 at the Wadi El-Natoun Research Station in the Western Desert of Egypt to study the effect of temperature changes and irrigation systems (surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems) on the water unit productivity of tomato and pepper crops in greenhouses. Irrigation water requirements increased by increased temperature while crop yield increased by decreased temperature. The highest water productivity values 16.1 and 17.3 kg/m3 were obtained in S1 treatment (Covering with plastic only) for tomato and pepper respectively by using subsurface drip irrigation.
The relationship of persistent post-surgery pain after cardiac surgery and anxiety, depression, and attachment style: a single center longitudinal study.
Authors: Javurkova Alena , Ruzickova Katerina , Bilek Jan , Budera Petr , Varrassi Giustino , Raudenska Jaroslava
Published: April 2024

Background: The development of persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) is an important issue in cardiosurgery, as it can both predict and result from psychological phenomena such as depression or anxiety. This study aimed to identify differences between cardiac surgery patients with and without PPSP at 3- and 12-months post-surgery in various psychological domains.
Methods: This is a single-center prospective longitudinal study. N = 125 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the years 2018-2020 at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic, were psychologically examined before the operation and by surface mail 3 and 12 months after the operation. Postoperative pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), Pain Map localization, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to measure depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) to measure anxiety, to assess the relationship The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ). Patients were divided into two groups: the first, which met the criteria for persistent postoperative pain (PPSP), and the second, which had no PPSP. N = 94 patients responded 3 months after surgery and N = 72 patients 12 months after surgery.
Results: 3 months after surgery there were N = 67 (71.28%) patients with PPSP and N = 27 (28.72%) without PPSP, 12 months after surgery there were N = 44 (61.11%) patients with PPSP and N = 28 (38.89%) patients without PPSP. The results showed that patients with PPSP in both measurements had a significantly higher level of intensity of pain and discomfort (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) and anxiety (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) as well as a higher probability of insecure attachment (P = 0.011), were more often female (P = 0.020, P = 0.005) and older than those without PPSP (P = 0.031).
Conclusions: This study is the first to prospectively examine the psychological factors associated with PPSP in Czech cardiac surgery patients over a 12-month period. Such studies could help provide valuable information for preventive interventions in individuals in postoperative pain control and in individuals with postsurgical persistent pain targeting anxiety, depression, and adult attachment styles.
Prospector – a novel method for rational dosing of antibiotics during an exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Paprocki Marcin , Żwirowski Szymon , Kuziemski Krzysztof
Published: April 2024

Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations frequently cause patient consultations in both out- and inpatient settings. Recent data suggest that only 40–60% of exacerbations are of bacterial origin and mandate antibiotic treatment. However, a reliable tool to justify prescribing antibiotics for COPD exacerbation is still lacking. This study was designed to explore the hypothesis that utilization of a novel decision-making tool called Prospector would lead to lower consumption of antibiotics and provide a more rational approach to managing COPD exacerbations versus standard therapy in patients with COPD.
Methods
The study included 77 COPD patients who experienced a COPD exacerbation and were treated in outpatient settings. The Prospector group (PG) (n = 40) were treated by the study author using the Prospector calculator (a tool designed by the first author that translates: patient symptoms, exacerbation, and medical history of COPD into a decision on the use of antibiotics in COPD exacerbation treatment). Other primary care specialists treated the control group (CG) (n = 37) in the same outpatient clinic; antibiotic therapies were implemented at the physician's discretion, most often using Anthonisen's criteria. All other medications were administered at the physician's discretion. Safety endpoints were set as: death, hospitalization, and number of exacerbations.
Results
Antibiotics were administered in 32.8% and 81.2% of exacerbations in the PG and CG, respectively (p < 0.0001). A comparable percentage was verified positively in both PG patient subsets: those that did and did not receive antibiotics at visit 1 (94.7% and 94.9%, respectively). Twenty-eight patients in the PG and 37 in the CG were followed for up to 35 months. Failure to recover (defined as deterioration or lack of improvement) in 30 days following exacerbation was 10.7% in the PG and 47.2% in the CG. In the CG, the failure rate was significantly higher (p = 0.0043). Hospitalization rates in the PG and the CG were 42.9% and 94.4%, respectively. In the CG, the hospitalization rate was significantly higher (p < 0.0001). COPD hospitalization rates in the PG and the CG were 17.9% and 33.3%, respectively (p = 0.1643).
Conclusions
This preliminary study suggests that using the Prospector calculator results in markedly reduced antibiotic prescription for COPD exacerbations. No new safety signals have been identified for the method.
Synthesis, Characterization Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential of Phytochemically Embellished Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Borkar S. D. , Roy M. , Dilliwar Vishwajit , Jadhao S. G. , Singh S. K. , Sannat C
Published: April 2024

Currently, drug resistance has been emerged due to the over use of the antibiotics and drugs in treating infectious diseases. The present study focused on the green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica (A. indica) leaf extract. The biogenic AgNPs were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of A. indica leaf extract and synthesized AgNPs were assessed. The findings revealed that the synthesized AgNPs from A. indica leaf extract showed a prominent peak around 400–450 nm, with size ranges from 25nm to 70nm where as X ray diffraction analysis showed lower size nanaoparticles. The phytofabricated silver nanoparticles (AI-AgNP) showed a higher antioxidant activity (0.85mg/ml)as compared with the A. indica leaf extract. They also exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity at levels of 65.8 and 37.5 μg/ml against both Gram-positive, methicillin-resistant (S. aureus), and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria, respectively. Therefore, the resulting phytofabricated AgNPs could be used as an alternative to antibiotic drugs, exhibiting better effect on multidrug resistant bacteria.