bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiation of Cement & Creeping Formation Behind Casing Key to Successful Plug and Abandonment
Authors: Gupta Shilpi , Vindheim Helge , Govil Amit , Obando Guillermo , Kumar Apoorva , Agrawal Gaurav , Dutta Shaktim
Published: June 2022

The Gyda field in the North Sea operated by Repsol was proven in 1980 and the platform started producing in 1990. In June 2017, the Norwegian authorities approved the decommissioning plan for the Gyda field. The decommissioning scope included the permanent plugging of 32 wells in the field. Decommissioning is estimated to cost several hundred million dollars and is expected to finish in 2022. As per the NORSOK standards, each well needs to have confirmed barriers to isolate inflow zones, both for preventing from flowing to the surface and hindering crossflow between them. Cement and creeping formation are both considered to be potentially effective barrier elements. However, the criteria and verification methods used to confirm formation creep and cement as barrier elements are different and hence require an innovative interpretation technique which is presented in this paper.

As per the regulations and standards, it is critical not only to evaluate the quality of the circumferential bond for cement and formation creep but also to determine their respective bond length. The most important measurement to accurately determine those criteria in each well is through the ultrasonic and flexural attenuation tool. However, interpretation to differentiate formation creep from cement presents challenges, especially when they have similar ultrasonic properties. Quite often, they coexist at the same depths on different sides behind the casing. Barrier evaluation becomes even more challenging with added complexities such as borehole mud settling due to high deviation, high eccentricity, casing damage, or presence of a microannulus. This paper discusses the techniques and interpretation methods used to accurately evaluate barrier elements, differentiate between cement and formation creep, estimate the tops of cemented areas, and eliminate complex challenges posed by mud, deviation, eccentricity, and wet microannulus sections.

Successful and accurate determination of the potential presence and location of annulus barrier elements has been fundamentally important for Repsol to meet the regulatory requirements. A special interpretation technique was established using integrated data evaluation to differentiate creeping formation from cement. This technique successfully determined accurate barrier intervals, helping to meet all the regulatory requirements. The processes and methods have been audited and evaluated by the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway.
Development of dissolved oxygen forecast model using hybrid machine learning algorithm with hydro-meteorological variables
Authors: Ahmed Abul Abrar Masrur , Jui S Janifer Jabin , Chowdhury Mohammad Aktarul Islam , Ahmed Oli , Sutradhar Ambica
Published: June 2022

Dissolved oxygen (DO) forecasting is essential for aquatic managers responsible for maintaining ecosystem health and the management of water bodies affected by water quality parameters. This paper aims to forecast dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration using a multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) hybrid model coupled with maximum overlap discrete wavelet transformation (MODWT) as a feature decomposition approach for Surma River water using a set of water quality hydro-meteorological variables. The proposed hybrid model is compared with numerous machine learning methods, namely, Bayesian ridge regression (BNR), k-nearest neighbourhood (KNN), multilayer perceptron (MLP), kernel ridge regression (KRR), extreme learning machine (ELM), random forest (RF), and support vector regression (SVR). The investigational results show that the proposed model of MODWT-MARS has a better prediction than the comparing benchmark models and individual standalone courter parts. The result shows that the hybrid algorithms (i.e., MODWT-MARS) outperformed the other models (r = 0.981, WI = 0.990, RMAE = 2.47%, and MAE = 0.089). This hybrid method may serve to forecast water quality variables with fewer predictor variables.
Prognostic impact of an integrative analysis of [18F] FDG PET parameters and infiltrating immune cell scores in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Choi Jinyeong , Sarker Azmal , Choi Hongyoon , Lee Dong Soo , Im Hyung-Jun
Published: June 2022

Background
High levels of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) tumor uptake are associated with worse prognosis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Meanwhile, high levels of immune cell infiltration in primary tumor have been linked to better prognosis in NSCLC. We conducted this study for precisely stratified prognosis of the lung adenocarcinoma patients using the integration of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) parameters and infiltrating immune cell scores as assessed by a genomic analysis.
Results
Using an RNA sequencing dataset, the patients were divided into three subtype groups. Additionally, 24 different immune cell scores and cytolytic scores (CYT) were obtained. In 18F-FDG PET scans, PET parameters of the primary tumors were obtained. An ANOVA test, a Chi-square test and a correlation analysis were also conducted. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with the log-rank test and multivariable Cox regression test were performed to evaluate prognostic values of the parameters. The terminal respiratory unit (TRU) group demonstrated lower 18F-FDG PET parameters, more females, and lower stages than the other groups. Meanwhile, the proximal inflammatory (PI) group showed a significantly higher CYT score compared to the other groups (P = .001). Also, CYT showed a positive correlation with tumor-to-liver maximum standardized uptake value ratio (TLR) in the PI group (P = .027). A high TLR (P = .01) score of 18F-FDG PET parameters and a high T follicular helper cell (TFH) score (P = .005) of immune cell scores were associated with prognosis with opposite tendencies. Furthermore, TLR and TFH were predictive of overall survival even after adjusting for clinicopathologic features and others (P = .024 and .047).
Conclusions
A high TLR score was found to be associated with worse prognosis while high CD8 T cell and TFH scores predicted better prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, TLR and TFH can be used to predict prognosis independently in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.
Potential of bioretention plants in treating urban runoff polluted with greywater under tropical climate.
Authors: Jhonson Poovarasu , Goh Hui Weng , Chan Derek Juinn Chieh , Juiani Siti Fairuz , Zakaria Nor Azazi
Published: June 2022

Bioretention systems are among the most popular stormwater best management practices (BMPs) for urban runoff treatment. Studies on the plant performance using bioretention systems have been conducted, especially in developed countries with a temperate climate, such as the United States and Australia. However, these results might not be applicable in developing countries with tropical climates due to the different rainfall regimes and the strength of runoff pollutants. Thus, this study focuses on the performance of tropical plants in treating urban runoff polluted with greywater using bioretention system. Ten different tropical plant species were triplicated and planted in 30 mesocosms with two control mesocosms without vegetation. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse the performance of plants, which were then ranked based on their performance in removing pollutants using the total score obtained for each water quality tests. Results showed that vetiver topped the table with 86.4% of Total Nitrogen (TN) removal, 93.5% of Total Phosphorus (TP) removal, 89.8% of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) removal, 90% of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal and 92.5% of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal followed by blue porterweed, hibiscus, golden trumpet and tall sedge which can be recommended to be employed in future bioretention studies.
Thermal investigations on CNC lathe fitted with dynamically enhanced steel reinforced epoxy granite bed
Authors: Mula Venkata Ramana , Ramaswamy Thyla Pudukarai , Subramanian Elango , Chinnuraj Shanmugam
Published: June 2022

Polymer concrete or epoxy granite is now becoming more popular for beds, bases, and other structures of precision machine tools, owing to its excellent damping characteristics. In order to realize the same static rigidity as that of the cast-iron structures, steel-reinforced epoxy granite (SREG) structures are being used. The vast differences in the thermal properties of steel and epoxy granite (EG) are likely to cause higher magnitudes of thermal error. The objective of this work is to investigate the thermal behavior of a CNC lathe built with an SREG bed and compare its performance with the lathe with cast iron bed. Experimental and numerical investigations have been carried out under cross feed drive (CF) idle running conditions to determine the TCP deformation. The results reveal that the thermal error in the CNC lathe with SREG bed is 1.68 times that of the lathe with CI bed at 20ºC and 1.8 times at 40ºC environmental temperature variation chamber (ETVC) conditions. It could be identified that the heat generated in the CF is conducted to the steel guideways embedded in the SREG bed, but further heat transfer to the EG portion of the bed is impeded and hence the heat accumulation that occurs in the guideways leads to higher magnitude of thermal error. The experimentally validated numerical model is used to extend the investigations to study the effect of the idle running of the longitudinal feed drive (LF), and combined cross and longitudinal feed drives, on the thermal behavior of the lathe.
Assessment of heavy metal pollution using geochemical data and statistical analysis (Abteymour oilfield soils, southern Iran)
Authors: Amanipoor Hakimeh , Battaleb-Looie Sedigheh
Published: June 2022

The importance of studying quaternary deposits and the soils formed on them has grown to the point where it now takes up a significant portion of research in various parts of the globe. Pollution from oil industry activities like drilling and exploitation has posed a serious threat to the soils surrounding these areas in oil-rich countries like Iran. The study area is the Abteymour oilfield in southwestern Iran, which is one of the most important oil fields in the country. As a result, it's crucial to assess its environmental impact. The soil of the Abteymour oilfield area was investigated to estimate heavy metal concentrations and determine the source of contamination in this study. The geoaccumulation index for the elements studied reveals that only a small percentage of chromium, nickel, manganese, magnesium, and sodium samples are non-contaminated to moderately contaminated. Sulfur is present in every category, unlike other samples. The vast majority of the samples examined fall into the moderate to severe pollution categories. They fall into the category of no enrichment to low enrichment when compared to other elements, based on the enrichment factor of the studied samples. There is moderate enrichment of copper, strontium, and sodium. Most elements have a low contamination factor, according to the contamination degree or contamination factor in the studied samples. Only drilling fluid, drilled formations, and extracted oil and gas are the dominant processes in the region, according to the Abteymour oilfield factor analysis. The degree of contamination, or contamination factor, in the studied samples, reveals that most elements have a low contamination factor.
Comparative analysis of the efficacy of double-barrel versus single-branch STA-MCA bypass in the treatment of moyamoya disease: Does double-barrel bypass offer any advantages?
Authors: Huang Chaojue , ShiXing Qin , Zhan Xinli
Published: June 2022

Background
By comparing the effectiveness of the double-barrel and single-branch STA-MCA bypass in treating moyamoya disease, investigate whether the double-barrel bypass is more advantageous.
Methods
An analysis of the clinical records of patients with moyamoya disease treated with surgery was conducted retrospectively and divided into two groups: double-barrel bypass and single-branch bypass. Preoperative and postoperative rates of intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, epilepsy, transient neurological deficits (TNEs), and mRS score were compared. Comparing changes in cerebral computed tomography perfusion (CTP) values of surgical side MCA pre-operation, one week and six months postoperatively between the two groups or within the same group was also performed.
Results
A total of 48 patients were enrolled, including 22 in the double-barrel group and 26 in the single-branch group. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences in postoperative hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, epilepsy, TNEs, mRS scores 6 months postoperatively, or CTP values 6 months postoperatively. Compared with preoperative values, the cerebral perfusion value of two groups decreased one week after surgery, but it improved six months later.
Conclusions
Both STA-MCA bypass methods can effectively improve cerebral blood perfusion and achieve therapeutic goals. Double-barrel bypass does not increase the risk of perioperative cerebral hemorrhage, infarctions, epilepsies, or TNEs, but it does show no significant advantages over single-branch bypass. As one surgical option for some patients with moyamoya disease, we believe double-barrel bypass can be used, but its priority is not greater than single-branch bypass.
Impact of acute mental stress on ankle blood pressure in young healthy men: a pilot study
Authors: Kume Daisuke , Nishiwaki Masato , Hotta Norio , Endoh Hiroshi
Published: June 2022

Objective: Acute mental stress (MS) increases arm blood pressure (BP); however, it remains unclear whether the stress-induced pressor response is also seen in other vessels. The present study aimed to examine the impact of acute MS on ankle BP. Fifty-six young, healthy men (age range, 19–24 years) were divided into the MS (n = 29) and control (CON) (n = 27) groups, and each group performed a 5-min MS (mental arithmetic) or CON tasks. Systolic and diastolic BPs (SBP and DBP, respectively) of both the brachial and posterior tibial arteries were simultaneously measured at baseline and 5 and 30 min after the task.Results: In the MS group, brachial BP measures significantly increased (P < 0.05) until at 30 min after the task; ankle BP measures were also significantly (P < 0.05) elevated during this time. In the CON group, no significant change was found in brachial BP measures and ankle SBP, whereas a significant increase (P < 0.05) in ankle DBP was observed at 30 min after the task. Our findings suggest that not only brachial BP but also ankle BP exhibit a sustained elevation after acute MS, suggesting a systemic pressor response by stress exposure.Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000047796 Registered on: 20th May 2022.
Diagnostic value of hysterosalpingography: A retrospective data analysis.
Authors: Schramm Dominik , Kaltwasser Petra , Seliger Gregor , Knörgen Manfred , Wohlgemuth Walter Alexander , Wagner Sabine , Böttcher Sophie-Isabell
Published: June 2022

Purpose Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a contrast-enhanced, radiographic examination method of the internal female reproductive organs, which is used in the context of infertility diagnostics for the clarification of uterine malformations. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of HSG as a diagnostic method in reproductive medicine.Methods The results of HSG examinations conducted in 293 patients from the Clinic of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology between 2006 and 2020 were investigated retrospectively. Results A comparison of HSG findings with those from initial baseline diagnostics (gynecologic manual examination, sonography, etc.) revealed a correlation of findings in 105 cases (35.84%) and divergence of findings in 79 cases (26.96%). With the assistance of the HSG findings, further specification of the previously collected findings was achieved in 27 cases (9.22%). The diagnostic significance of HSG in reproductive medicine was demonstrated by the fact that findings were obtained and could not be detected in the preliminary examinations. In addition, basic diagnostic findings were confirmed by HSG, and, conversely, previously obtained findings could be further specified with the help of HSG. Conclusion HSG is a method of radiologic examination that can be used to diagnose and specify uterine malformations.
Does procalcitonin play a role as a predictor of in-hospital mortality among Covid-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit?
Authors: zakeri Anahita , Faraone Antonio , matin somaieh
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Inflammatory response plays a key role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it has been shown that the resulting cytokine storm increases its severity. Aim: To investigate the role of procalcitonin (PCT) as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with severe to critical COVID-19. Design and methods: Retrospective cohort study. For the purpose of this research, 150 patients with severe to critical COVID-19 consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were investigated. Patients’ demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, and PCT level were collected upon their admission to the hospital and from the disease outcome data. Findings: Of the 150 patients who entered the study, 77 were discharged alive from the hospital. The mean age of the patients was 60.9 ±16.3 years and 51.3% of them were male. The mean PCT level was significantly higher in the deceased patients than in survivors (2.4 ±3.4 vs 0.7±1.3, p<0.005). The logistic regression analysis indicated that PCT, creatinine and urea levels were independently associated with in-hospital mortality.Conclusion: Serum PCT levels are associated with in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU and could be used as a simple tool to predict adverse outcomes and expedite timely and appropriate interventions.
Mesocosm Evaluation of the Safety in the Use of Reclaimed Water Regarding Emerging Pollutants in Murcia, Spain
Authors: Martínez-Alcalá Isabel , Bernal María Pilar , Clemente Rafael , Pellicer-Martínez Francisco , Lahora Agustín
Published: June 2022

The increasing shortage of conventional water for crop irrigation in arid and semiarid regions is encouraging the use of non-conventional resources. Nevertheless, concern about the presence and possible negative effects of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in reclaimed waters can put in danger the possible use of this water source. To clarify the guarantees that reclaimed water offers, a mesocosm study was carried out. Pots with a lettuce were watered with three different types of water (distilled, reclaimed and spiked with CECs). The results showed a low concentration of these compounds in leachates and in plant tissues when reclaimed water was used. However, their concentrations were high when pots were watered with spiked water, mainly for carbamazepine (CBZ), reaching a maximum of 2982 ng L− 1 in leachates and 45.2 ng g− 1 in plant roots. In lettuces watered with spiked water, CBZ was found in edible part at very low concentrations that did not imply any human risk. Finally, an acute toxicity test was performed with the leachates, which resulted only slightly toxic for spiked water. This work confirms that, with the current technical improvements of active sludge water treatment, reclaimed water can be used for irrigation without risk for CECs contamination.
High Performance Voltage Differencing Inverting Buffered Amplifier and its application as Universal filter
Authors: Srivast Richa
Published: June 2022

This paper presents high performance Voltage Differencing Inverting Buffered Amplifier (VDIBA). The input stage of conventional VDIBA has been modified which results in higher transconductance and wider bandwidth along with low voltage low power operation. The operating frequency of the proposed VDIBA is improved by using the resistive compensation method in the input stage of the block. Bandwidth of the input stage increases from 3.16 GHz to 4.13 GHz by using resistive compensation method of bandwidth extension. Further, the Proposed VDIBA is used to realize a mixed mode biquad filter. Proposed biquad realizes all the filter function in voltage mode and two filter functions in current and Transimpedance mode. Its parameters namely pole frequency and bandwidth are orthogonally controlled. Corner analysis has been done to show the robustness of the circuit at different process corners. Moreover, post layout simulation has also been presented for the proposed circuit. Performance of the proposed circuit is verified at ± 0.7 V in TSMC 0.18 µm CMOS, BSIM3 and Level 49 technology by using Cadence Spectre simulator.
LncRNA MALAT1 aggravates high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial injury via activating LIN28A and the Nox4/AMPK/mTOR signaling axis
Authors: Song Panai , Liu Zhiwen , Chen Yinyin , Liu Hong , Xiao Li , Sun Lin , Wei Jiali , He Liyu
Published: June 2022

Background
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication among patients with diabetes. Elucidating its pathogenesis is crucial for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for DN.
Methods
DN tissues were harvested for examining MALAT1, LIN28A and Nox4. Human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells were treated with high glucose (HG) for establishing a cell model of DN. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay. HG-induced cell apoptosis and secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed by TUNEL and ELISA assays, respectively. RIP and RNA pull-down assays were applied to analyze the interaction between MALAT1, LIN28A and Nox4 in HK-2 and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK-293T) cells. A rat model of DN was established to determine the role of MALAT1 in DN in vivo.
Results
MALAT1, LIN28A and Nox4 were upregulated in DN tissues and HG-treated HK-2 cells. Overexpression of MALAT1, LIN28A or Nox4 reduced cell viability and enhanced cell apoptosis, ROS generation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in HG-treated HK-2 cells, whereas knockdown of MALAT1, LIN28A or Nox4 exerted opposite effects. Furthermore, MALAT1 directly interacted with LIN28A. Moreover, MALAT1 facilitated the interaction between LIN28A and Nox4 to increase Nox4 stability. Knockdown of Nox4 relieved HG-induced injury by suppressing the AMPK/mTOR signaling in HK-2 cells. Knockdown of MALAT1 alleviated renal tubular epithelial injury by suppressing LIN28A and the Nox4/AMPK/TOR signaling in DN.
Conclusion
MALAT1 activates the AMPK/mTOR signaling via interacting with LIN28A to stabilize Nox4 mRNA, thereby aggravating high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial injury. Our findings provide potential therapeutic targets for DN.
Obesity affects pulmonary function in Japanese adult patients with asthma, but not those without asthma
Authors: Tashiro Hiroki , Takahashi Koichiro , Kurihara Yuki , Sadamatsu Hironori , Kuwahara Yuki , Tajiri Ryo , Kimura Shinya , Sueoka-Aragane Naoko
Published: June 2022

Background
Obesity is a factor associated with the severity of asthma, which is characterized by airway obstruction. Pulmonary function testing is one of the important examinations for evaluating airway obstruction. However, the impact of obesity on pulmonary function in patients with asthma is not fully understood.
Methods
A total of 193 patients with asthma and 2,159 patients without asthma who visited Saga University Hospital were investigated retrospectively. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2. Pulmonary functions including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were compared between patients with asthma and those without asthma, focusing especially on obesity.
Results
%FVC, FEV1, and %FEV1, but not FVC were significantly lower in patients with asthma than in those without asthma (p < 0.01, < 0.01, < 0.01, 0.25, respectively). In patients with asthma, FVC, %FVC, FEV1, and %FEV1 were significantly lower in patients with obesity than in those without obesity (all p < 0.01). In addition, BMI was negatively correlated with FEV1 (r = − 0.21, p = 0.003) and FVC (r = -0.15, p = 0.04). On multivariate analysis in patients with asthma, FVC (β [95% confidence interval] 0.11 [0.01–0.02], p = 0.02) and FEV1 (0.13 [0.05–0.21], p < 0.01) were still significant between patients with obesity versus patients without obesity. However, those obesity-associated differences were not observed in patients without asthma.
Conclusion
Obesity reduces pulmonary function including FVC and FEV1 in patients with asthma but not in those without asthma.
Association between pre-diabetes or diabetes and cognitive impairment in a -community dwelling older population: Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program
Authors: Farkhani Sara , Payab Moloud , Sharifi Farshad , Sharifi Yasaman , Mohammadi Sammy , Shadman Zhaleh , Fahimfar Noushin , Heshmat Ramin , Hadizadeh Alireza , Shafiee Gita , Nabipour Iraj , Larijani Bagher , ebrahimpur mahbube , ostovar Afshin
Published: June 2022

Background
Uncontrolled hyperglycemia is one of the risk factors for cognitive disorders. By this finding, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may predispose to cognitive impairment in poorly controlled cases. The current large-scale study is aimed at cognitive impairments in diabetic and non-diabetic older adults separately.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study from phase 2 of the Bushehr elderly health program (BEHP). Mini-cog and categorical verbal fluency tests (CFTs) were used to assess cognitive function. Patients were classified as non-diabetics, pre-diabetics, or diabetics based on the diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus (DM). To compare the means of the two groups, we used the t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. Multivariable logistic regression models were also used to determine the association between pre-diabetes or DM and cognitive impairment.
Results
Six hundred and ninety-three (45.2%) out of 1533 participants were ascertained to be cognitively impaired. The average hemoglobin A1C was higher in diabetic patients with cognitive impairment compared to those without cognitive impairment. (5.8 ± 1.6% vs. 5.5 ± 1.4%, P = 0.004). Besides, the mean blood glucose levels were found to be more elevated in cognitively impaired cases (108.0 ± 47.4 mg/dL vs. 102.1 ± 0.35 mg/dL, P = 0.002). After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, amount of physical activity, and smoking, the multivariable logistic regression model, declared an association between diabetes and cognitive impairment (OR = 1.48, P = 0.003). Older patients, females, widows, and patients with elevated LDL-Cs and blood pressure are also more vulnerable to cognitive impairment.
Conclusion
In the BEHP, there is a positive association between cognitive impairment and DM, notably in long-term, poorly controlled cases, whereas no association was found among pre-diabetics in our elderly study populations.
Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise on Muscular Endurance and Cardiopulmonary Endurance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiong Feng , Feng Jie , Mu Panyun , Deng Qiulin , Guo Hairui , Zhang Wenbin , Sun Haoran , Hu Yimei
Published: June 2022

Background
In recent years, blood flow restriction (BFR) training, which can improve body function with lower intensity exercise, has attracted more and more attention. However, there are inadequate systematic evaluation and high-quality evidence to search the impact of BFR on muscular endurance and cardiopulmonary endurance, so the target of the study is to evaluate whether BFR training can promote physical endurance.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis had been conducted. Literature was retrieved from original to 2022-01-18 in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library databases, Embase, CNKI (China National Knowledge Internet), CBM (China Biology Medicine disc).
Results
The results showed that aerobic exercise combined with BFR (AE-BFR) and moderate to low intensity exercise with BFR (ML-BFR) significantly improved participants' aerobic endurance, compared with non-BFR exercise. However, low-load resistance training with BFR (LBFR-RT) didn’t have significant difference compared with low-load resistance training (LL-RT) or high-load resistance training (HL-RT) on muscle endurance, and the same with between anaerobic exercise with BFR (ANA-BFR) and anaerobic exercise (ANA-E).
Conclusion
Based on current data, the results need to be interpreted cautiously and conservatively. BFR training is a very promising method to improve endurance for the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, musculoskeletal injury or postoperative rehabilitation, and athletes looking to improve exercise ability. For people who cannot tolerate high-intensity exercise, in order to improve the aerobic endurance, using moderate to low intensity exercise with BFR may be a better choice than only moderate to low intensity exercise. The benefits of BFR for muscular endurance and the value of using high-intensity BFR training still need further study.
The Effects of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Test of Cure Urine Cultures on Pregnancy Outcomes
Authors: Smith Gabrielle , Grogman Grace , Urban Amanda , Chisholm Christian , Whitham Megan
Published: June 2022

Background: Current management recommendations for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) in pregnancy is based primarily on expert opinion and requires further study. We examined the role of screening urine cultures and “test of cure” urine cultures (TOC) on pregnancy outcomes in women with ABU.Methods: This retrospective case-control study examined pregnancy outcomes of patients who received prenatal care and delivered in 2018-2019 in a tertiary-care academic center. Women with ABU (n=174) were defined as having a positive screening urine culture during their pregnancy (>100,000 CFU/mL of one organism or >10,000 CFU/mL for Group B Streptococcus). These cases were compared with matched controls with negative screening urine cultures (n=348) in a 1:2 ratio. We further investigated the difference in pregnancy outcomes noted in groups of patients with a positive TOC versus those who cleared ABU, with a documented negative TOC. Analysis was performed with Chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and Independent Sample T-Tests for categorical variables, between-group variability, and continuous variables, respectively. Odds ratios are reported for case-control comparison of dichotomous outcomes.Results: Pregnant patients with ABU had significantly higher rates of symptomatic cystitis than controls, and pyelonephritis only occurred in patients diagnosed with ABU. 118 patients (67.8%) with ABU had TOC performed after treatment with antibiotics and 28 (23.7%) had persistently (+)TOCs. This group had significantly higher rates of antepartum admission, delivery at <37 weeks, and preeclampsia with severe features than those with (-) TOC.Conclusions: During pregnancy, ABU is associated with higher rates of maternal complications. Despite treatment, positive TOCs were common, and associated with higher complication rates. This supports continued use of screening UCs at prenatal visits and TOCs to evaluate treatment response and identify patients at increased risk for complications
Successional shifts of phototrophic community composition in biological soil crusts on coastal and inland dunes
Authors: Kammann Sandra , Schiefelbein Ulf , Dolnik Christian , Mikhailyuk Tatiana , Demchenko Eduard , Karsten Ulf , Glaser Karin
Published: June 2022

Aim
Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are autonomous ecosystems consisting of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms growing on the topsoil. They colonize global climatic zones, including temperate dunes. This study examines changes in the community structure of biocrust phototrophic organisms along a dune chronosequence at the Baltic Sea compared to an inland dune in Northern Germany.
Methods
The community composition and their shift between different successional stages of dune development were related to physico-chemical sediment properties. A vegetation survey followed by species determination and sediment analyses were conducted.
Results
The findings highlighted a varying phototrophic community composition regarding the different dune successional stages. In both study sites, a shift from algae-dominated biocrusts in younger to lichen- and moss-dominated biocrusts in later successional dune types was observed. This underlined a zonation from young to mature biocrusts along a dune chronosequence. The algae community of the two study sites shared 50% of the identified species while the moss and lichen community shared less than 15%. This indicates a more generalized occurrence of the algal species along both dune chronosequences. The mosses and lichens showed a habitat-specific species community. Moreover, an increase in the organic matter and moisture content with advanced biocrust development was detected. The enrichment of phosphorus in the different biocrust types showed a similar relationship.
Conclusion
This relation is explainable by biomass growth and potential phosphorus mobilization from the underlying sediment by microorganisms. The observed biocrust development supported nutrient enrichment and biomass accumulation and potentially maintained in turn soil formation.
Efficacy of inhaled tiotropium add-on to budesonide/formoterol in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans developing after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation Running Title: Tiotropium in bronchiolitis obliterans after HSCT
Authors: Lim Jeong Uk , Park Silvia , Yoon Jae-Ho , Lee Sung-Eun , Cho Byung-Sik , Kim Yoo-Jin , Lee Seok , Kim Hee-Je , Rhee Chin Kook
Published: June 2022

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the lung manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease, and a noninfectious pulmonary sequela of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Despite the combination regimen including budesonide/formoterol that was previously shown as effective, a significant proportion of patients are unresponsive. We assessed whether inhaled tiotropium add-on to the combination regimen improve pulmonary function and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) scores in patients with BOS.Methods: Post-HSCT patients with significant respiratory symptoms or poor pulmonary function referred to the pulmonology department of the HSCT Center of Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, were reviewed retrospectively. Patients defined as BOS and treated with budesonide/formoterol/tiotropium combination therapy after budesonide/formoterol therapy from January 2011 to June 2019 were enrolled. Results: Total of 86 patients were evaluated. After tiotropium add-on, the absolute FEV1 increased significantly from 1.47 ± 0.49 to 1.53 ± 0.57 L (p = 0.023) and the % predicted FEV1 from 45.0 ± 12.8 to 46.8 ± 14.5% (p = 0.031). The % predicted DLCO increased significantly after tiotropium add-on (from 61.6 ± 16.7 to 64.3 ± 16.3%, p = 0.028). Among 56 patients with complete CAT scores, no significant change was present in total CAT scores. In all, 30 of the 72 patients (41.7%) evidenced FEV1 increases > 100 mL, and 20 of 56 patients (35.7%) had CAT score decreases of ≥ 2 points. When the FEV1 and CAT scores were combined, the overall response rate to tiotropium add-on was 56.2% (41/73). The response group evidenced a significantly greater FVC increase (both absolute (p < 0.001) and % predicted (p < 0.001)), and a significant decrease in the RV/TLC ratio compared to the no-response group (p = 0.006).Conclusions: Inhaled tiotropium add-on to combination budesonide/formoterol significantly improved lung function, but not respiratory symptoms, in patients with post-HSCT BOS.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from methanolic extract of Plantago amplexicaulis and its biological evaluations
Authors: Ahmed Mushtaq , Ayub Qasim , Mushtaq Nadia , Sher Naila , Khan Rahmat Ali
Published: June 2022

Nanotechnology is one of the modern techniques of material science which have received much importance in the last many years. Nanotechnology is concerned with the production of nanoparticles (NPs) with restricted sizes and shapes through a facile, straightforward, and medicinally active phytochemical route. In this work silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the Dried fruits of Plantago amplexicaulis (P. amplexicaulis) plant. The synthesized AgNPs was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy which showed a characteristic Surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 416 nm. Moreover, the AgNPs were further confirmed by FT-IR, SEM, and EDX analysis. FT-IR spectra contained the major groups which act as reducing and stabilizing agents for the formation of AgNPs. SEM results revealed that AgNPs has sphere-shaped, monodispersed with density high particles. The average size of 55 nm was calculated using four major peaks 33˚, 39.4˚, 55˚, and 65.7˚ of XRD analysis. These synthesized AgNPs were then tested for anti-microbial and antioxidant activity. Excellent antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities were shown by AgNPs as compared to plant extract. From the present project, it is concluded that AgNPs showed enhanced properties as compared to the plant crude extract.
Native T1 and T2 Reference Values for Maltese Healthy Cohort
Authors: Yamagata Kentaro , Yamagata Lara Marie , Abela Mark , Mifsud Claude Portanier , Micallef Lee Ann , Reichmuth Luise , Borg Alexander
Published: June 2022

BackgroundCardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is increasingly being used for diagnosing various cardiac conditions. Parametric mapping enables quantitative myocardial characterization by directly measuring myocardial T1 and T2 values. However, reference values of parametric mapping are not standardized across different vendors and scanners, causing drawbacks for clinical implementation of this technique across different sites. We assessed the reference ranges of native T1 and T2 values in a healthy Maltese cohort to establish a local parametric mapping service. Methods and ResultsHealthy subjects (n=51; mean age 36.0 [range 19-59] years) with normal cardiac function on CMR were recruited. Subjects underwent uniform parametric mapping pulse sequences (MOLLI 5(3)3 for native T1 mapping, and gradient echo single shot FLASH readout for T2 mapping) on a 3T Siemens MAGNETOM Vida scanner. Native T1 and T2 values were measured by placing a region of interest within the interventricular septum at midventricular level. Intra- and inter-observer variability were assessed using Bland-Altman plots. Normal distribution of data was assessed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (p-value of 0.773 for native T1, p-value of 0.125 for T2). Mean ±1.96 SD was used as a reference range. Mean native T1 and T2 values were 1200.1 ±30.7 ms and 39.5 ±1.8 ms, respectively. All parameters had excellent day-to-day intra-observer reproducibility and inter-observer reproducibility. ConclusionFor the first time in Malta, we established the native T1 and T2 parametric mapping reference values for healthy Caucasian Maltese individuals. This will assist cardiologists to establish diagnosis, disease progression, and response to treatment of various myocardial diseases locally.
Effects of ACTH Treatment in Infantile Spasm; Insights from Electrocardiography and Echocardiography
Authors: Cevik berna saylan , ünver olcay , Doğancı demet deniz , Sağer Güneş , akalın figen , türkdoğan dilşad
Published: June 2022

Objective
Infantile spasms (ISs) are a group of epileptic disorders, which represents the most frequent type of epilepsy in the first year of life. The most effective treatment for IS is adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We hypothesized that ACTH treatment might have cardiac adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ACTH treatment on the heart muscle and/or arrhythmia risk in patients with IS.
Methods
Twenty-four patients with IS and 24 healthy children (control group) participated in the study. Electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and transthoracic echocardiography were studied during treatment, and evaluations were made at 0-2-4 and 6th months of the treatment.
Results
None of the patients had significant tachycardia or bradycardia when compared with the healthy group, or during treatment. On the other hand, values of the PR, QRS, QT, tp/te, tpte/QT, and tpte/QTc values were significantly increased compared with either pretreatment values or each other, which indicated an increased arrhythmia risk in the patient group. In transthoracic echocardiographic examinations, we observed diminished diastolic dysfunctions, either with pulse wave or TDI Doppler. We found a significant difference between the groups in terms of longitudinal strain parameters.
Conclusion
Although we use low-dose and short-duration ACTH treatment in patients with IS, it may cause subclinical damage to the heart muscle and an increased risk of arrhythmia.
Growth mechanism of nano-plates structured SnS films on different substrates in glancing angle deposition method
Authors: Sazideh Mohammad Reza , Ehsani Mohammad Hosein , Shahidi Mohammad Mahdi , Dizaji H. Rezagholipour
Published: June 2022

In this work, Tin (II) sulfide films have been deposited on glass, Indium Tin Oxide, and Fluorinated Tin Oxide substrates at the deposition angles of 0, 65, and 85 degrees using Physical Vapor Deposition method equipped with Glancing Angle Deposition technique. Based on the results obtained from the X-ray diffraction technique, the crystalline structure of substrates and the angle of depositions along with their effects on the structure of SnS nano-plates have been investigated. Using Raman analysis, the phonons lifetime of the samples was found to change with the type of substrate and the employed deposition angle. Based EDAX analysis, the atomic ratio of Sn to S was observed to change with the change of deposition angle, substrate type and variation the diameter of nano-plates. This phenomenon resulted the formation of the second phase of Sn2S3 which was confirmed by Raman and XRD patterns. The nano-sheets-like growth of all the samples has been confirmed using Felid Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis. For further morphological studies, the Atomic Force Microscopy analysis has been applied, by which the direct relation between the substrate roughness and the final structure of the samples has been observed. The relation between the substrate roughness and the deposition angle in the growth process of SnS nano-sheets has been explained.
Relationship between up-regulation of DTYMK expression and immune infiltration for the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Zhao Chenqu , Li Jun , Zhang Danni , Lu Biyun , Chen Zongyu , Lian Siyu , Shen Yi , Zhou Leilei , Zhang Xianming
Published: June 2022

BackgroundDeoxythymidylate kinase (DTYMK) is a rate-limiting enzyme in pyrimidine metabolism. Crucially, it is overexpressed in a variety of tumors and is associated with poor prognosis in liver cancer. The role of DTYMK in lung adenocarcinoma remains poorly understood, particularly with respect to immune infiltration. MethodsThe present study aimed to compare the expression of DTYMK between normal tissues, lung adenocarcinoma, and other cancer types using data obtained via The Cancer Genome Atlas, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource 2.0, Gene Expression Database of Normal and Tumor Tissues 2, and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). The prognostic value of DTYMK in patients with lung adenocarcinoma was evaluated using GEPIA and Kaplan–Meier plotter. STRING and GeneMANIA were employed to assess protein and gene interaction with DTYMK. R software and TISIDB were used to analyze the correlation between DTYMK expression and immune infiltration. Finally, we validated DTYMK protein expression in lung adenocarcinoma using the UALCAN and HPA databases. ResultsDTYMK expression was significantly increased in various cancer and lung adenocarcinoma tissues (p < 0.05), and was associated with poor prognosis (p < 0.05) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, DTYMK was negatively associated with the vast majority of immune cells in lung adenocarcinoma.ConclusionsIncreased expression of DTYMK is associated with poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients. DTYMK may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, DTYMK may influence the progression and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma by influencing the immune microenvironment of tumors.
The “weekday effect” – does it impact esophageal cancer surgery outcomes?
Authors: Jiwnani Sabita , Pramesh CS , Ranganathan Priya
Published: June 2022

Background: Increased 30-day mortality rates have been reported in patients undergoing elective surgery later compared with earlier in the week. However, these reports have been conflicting for esophageal surgery. We conducted a study to assess the differences in outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer earlier in the week (Tuesday) versus later (Friday). Methods: This retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database included patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophageal resection in a tertiary cancer centre between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2017. We compared patients operated on Tuesdays versus Fridays. The primary outcome was a composite of major morbidity (defined as Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or more) and/or mortality. Secondary outcomes included duration of post-operative ventilation, and length of ICU and hospital stay. Results: Among 1300 patients included, 733 were operated on Tuesday and 567 on Friday. Patient and surgery characteristics were similar in the two groups. The primary outcome (composite of major morbidity and mortality) was 23.6% in the Tuesday group versus 26.3% in the Friday group. Mortality was similar in the two groups (6.0%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the day of surgery was not a predictor of major morbidity or mortality.Conclusions: In patients undergoing esophagectomy at tertiary care high volume cancer centre, there was no difference in major morbidity and mortality whether the surgery was performed early in the week(Tuesday) or closer to the weekend(Friday).
Isolation, Screening and Characterisation of Bacillus paramycoides for producing Cellulases, Proteases and Amylases from Fabric Industry
Authors: Sarwan Jyoti , K Jagadeesh Chandra Bose
Published: June 2022

There is availability of numerous of microorganisms with their broad applications in environment and removal of contaminants. World is full of microbes that can produce various enzymes at a time. Bacillus is one of the major species among them. Plant fibres contain complex cellulose and amylopectin and pectin in their structures. For breakdown of these complex molecules like cellulose, amylopectin in simpler molecules like hemicellulose and glucose the enzyme required called cellulases with hydrolytic reactions. Article is based upon isolation, screening, identification and crude enzyme production of isolates from fabric industry.