bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A (processed) apple a day, keeps the doctor away? Natural occurrence, exposure assessment & risk characterization of Alternaria mycotoxins in apple by-products in Argentina
Authors: Pavicich Maria Agustina , De Boevre Marthe , Vidal Arnau , Mikula Hannes , Warth Benedikt , Marko Doris , De Saeger Sarah , Patriarca Andrea
Published: September 2022

Apple fruits are susceptible to infection with Alternaria species, mainly causing mouldy core disease, hindering the detection of infected fruit by processing industries. Data on the natural occurrence of Alternaria mycotoxins in apple by-products is lacking in Argentina. The risk of exposure to these mycotoxins has not been characterized before. Therefore, the levels of alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altenuene (ALT), tenuazonic acid (TeA), tentoxin (TEN), altertoxin-I (ATX-I), altertoxin-II (ATX-II), alternariol 3-sulfate (AOH-3-S), alternariol 3-glucoside (AOH-3-G), alternariol monomethyl ether 3-sulfate (AME-3-S), and alternariol monomethyl ether 3-glucoside (AME-3-G) were determined in clarified and cloudy apple juices, marmalades, and apple-based infant food from the Argentinean market, and the risk of exposure was characterized. In the clarified juices, detectable levels of AME, TEN, TeA, AME-3-S and AOH-3-G were found, while in the cloudy apple juices the same mycotoxins plus AOH were found in higher concentrations. AME, TEN, TeA and AOH-3G were found in marmalades, and AOH, AME, TEN and TeA were detected in apple infant food. Probabilistic exposure assessment and risk characterization were carried out for children between 6 months and 5 years old in Argentina from the consumption of clarified and cloudy apple juices and apple-based infant food. The highest risk of exposure affected children between 6 and 23 months from the consumption of apple infant food. The alternariols represented the highest risk. Better control strategies to prevent the incorporation of Alternaria mouldy core into the process line, and the establishment of legislation for Alternaria mycotoxins are needed in Argentina.
Use of Green Fluorescent Nano-sensors for the Determination of Furosemide in Biological Samples and Pharmaceutical Preparations
Authors: Zaid Mona H. Abo , El-Enany Nahed , Mostafa Aziza E. , Hadad Ghada M. , Belal Fathalla
Published: September 2022

A facile green microwave-assisted method was developed for the production of highly fluorescent nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) using sucrose and urea as starting materials. The fluorescent N-CQDs were utilized as nano-sensors for the spectrofluorimetric estimation of furosemide after subjecting to extensive spectroscopic characterization. The quantum yield of the obtained N-CQDs was found to be 0.57. After excitation of the produced N-CQDs at 216 nm, a strong emission band appeared at 376 nm. The fluorescence emission of N-CQDs was quantitatively quenched by adding increased concentrations of the drug. A linear relationship was obtained over the concentration range of 0.1–1.0 µg/mL. The developed method was successfully applied for the estimation of furosemide in its pharmaceutical preparations and biological samples. The mechanism of the quenching was studied and explained. Interference likely to be introduced from co-administered drugs was also studied.
Experiences of integrating the body in the self in subjects with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Naess Caroline Ringø , Kolnes Liv-Jorunn
Published: September 2022

Background: People with anorexia nervosa often present with confusions around bodily sensations and difficulties in experiencing their body as a place of their own. Many existing models understand anorexia nervosa as a disorder of behaviour and thoughts about eating and body size, and treatments typically focus on modifying thoughts and psychological processes. They leave aside the subject as she experiences the body from a first-person perspective. Inspired by phenomenology and the embodied mind thesis, this study explores in depth the experiences of individuals with anorexia nervosa as they engage in Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy. Through release of bodily tension and restricted breathing, this method aims to help subjects tune into the body and accept that difficult experiences, relationships and feelings are also bodily.
Method: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with two women who had been attending Norwegian psychomotor physiotherapy for more than two years. Thematic analysis was used to identify, analyse and interpret themes within the data.
Results: Three main overarching themes that structure the subjects’ experiences were identified: the meaning of the therapeutic relationship, changes in bodily connectedness and ways of moving, and improved ability to articulate and reflect on feelings.
Conclusions: The subjects described a greater tendency to experience the body in the self and as a place of their own, a more flexible and vital body, and an increased capacity to identify, express and make sense of feelings. These changes enriched their interactions with the social world. Feeling acknowledged and accepted by the therapist throughout the process was essential. The study illustrates how difficult experiences, thoughts and feelings can, over time, manifest in the body as withheld breathing and diverse bodily constraints affecting both self- and body awareness.
The study endorses the phenomenological concepts that our experiences of the self and the world are essentially bodily, and emphasizes the importance of the first-person perspective when investigating the contribution of the body to the self and to our interactions with the social world. Physio- and body awareness therapies that help patients relate to, understand and integrate bodily experiences may complement other treatment approaches and help patients with anorexia proceed with the recovery process.
Effect of cold pressed chia seed oil intake on hematological and biochemical biomarkers in both normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits
Authors: Alarcon Gabriela , Sierra Liliana , Roco Julieta , Nieuwenhove Carina Van , Medina Analia , Medina Mirta , Jerez Susana
Published: September 2022

Most of the studies into the beneficial effects of chia were conducted with seeds. However, less evidence about the effects of cold pressed chia seeds oil on hypercholesterolemia-induced alterations has been found. Thus, this study investigated the effects of cold pressed chia seed oil supplementation on some clinical, hematological and biochemical biomarkers in both normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits. All experimental protocols were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (Approval number: 021/2019; Date: March 23th, 2021). 32 male rabbits were assigned to four different groups fed on: regular diet (CD), CD supplemented with 10% chia oil, CD supplemented with 1% cholesterol, CD supplemented with 1% cholesterol and 10% chia oil. After 6 weeks of dietary interventions, mean arterial blood pressure and visceral fat were measured and blood samples were analyzed for lipid profiles and hematological parameters while erythrocyte membranes and retroperitoneal fat were analyzed for fatty acids composition and biochemical biomarkers. Dietary intervention with chia oil reached to control hypercholesterolemia-induced increase of mean arterial blood pressure, neutrophil to lymphocytes ratio, erythrocyte membrane fluidity, and improved erythrocyte morphological alterations. With regard to inflammatory biomarkers, chia oil supplementation reduced omega-6/omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio and arachidonic/linolenic fatty acids ratio both in erythrocytes and fat from normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The increase of linolenic fatty acid into the retroperitoneal fat was about 9 times higher than its respective controls. These results provide support for the potential health benefits of the chia oil intake against hypercholesterolemia-associated clinical, hematological and biochemical alterations.
Key environmental effects on the developing functional connectome: a 3T resting-state fMRI study on young twins
Authors: Tassi Emma , Maggioni Eleonora , Mauri Maddalena , Fagnani Corrado , Agarwal Nivedita , Bianchi Anna Maria , Stazi Maria Antonietta , Nobile Maria , Brambilla Paolo
Published: September 2022

The brain intrinsic organization into large-scale functional networks, the resting state networks (RSN), shows a complex inter-individual variability, consolidated during development. Nevertheless, the role of genetic and environmental factors on developmental brain functional connectivity (FC) remains largely unknown. Twin design represents an optimal platform to shed light on these effects acting on RSN characteristics.
In this study, we applied statistical twin methods to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans from 50 young twin pairs (age range 10-30 years) to explore developmental determinants of brain FC. FC features at multiple spatial scales were extracted and tested for applicability of classical ACE and ADE twin design. Epistatic genetic effects were also assessed.
In our sample, genetic and environmental effects on the brain functional connections largely varied between brain regions and FC features, showing good consistency at multiple spatial scales. Although we found selective contributions of common environment on temporo-occipital connections and of genetics on frontotemporal connections, the predominant effect on FC link- and node-level features was related to unique environment.
Our results showed that developmental age is characterized by complex relationships between genetic and environmental factors and functional brain connections, suggesting a predominant role of unique environment on multi-scale RSN characteristics.
Transverse and longitudinal right ventricular fractional parameters derived from four-chamber cine MRI are associated with right ventricular dysfunction etiology
Authors: Sato Makito , Kato Tomoko , Ito Miyuki , Watanabe Yoko , Ito Junko , Takamura Chisato , Terashima Masahiro
Published: September 2022

Studies of the usefulness of transverse right ventricular (RV) contraction are limited. We retrospectively analyzed the CMR images of 67 patients (age: 50.8 ± 19.0 years; men: 53.7%; Control: n = 20, Overloaded RV (atrial septal defect): n = 15, Constricted RV (pericarditis): n = 17, Degenerated RV (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy): n = 15) (all enrolled consecutively for each disease) in a single center. We defined RV longitudinal (fractional longitudinal change: FLC) and transverse (fractional transverse change: FTC) contraction parameters. We assessed the FTC/FLC (T/L) ratio on four-chamber cine CMR views and compared the four groups regarding the fractional parameters. FTC had a stronger correlation (R2 = 0.650; p < 0.001) with RV ejection fraction than that with FLC (R2 = 0.211; p < 0.001) in the linear regression analysis. Both FLC and FTC were significantly lower in the Degenerated RV and Constricted RV groups compared with those in the Control and Overloaded RV groups. The T/L ratio was significantly lower in the Degenerated RV group (p = 0.008), while the Overloaded RV (p = 0.986) and Constricted RV (p = 0.582) groups had preserved T/L ratios, compared with the Control group. Transverse contraction contributes to RV function more significantly compared with longitudinal contraction. Impaired T/L ratios may reflect RV myocardial degeneration. RV fractional parameters may help precisely understand RV dysfunction.
Daily dose evaluation based on synthetic CTs for breast cancer patients: accuracy of dose and complication risk assessment
Authors: Hamming Vincent C. , Andersson Sebastian , Maduro John H. , Langendijk Johannes A. , Both Stefan , Sijtsema Nanna M.
Published: September 2022

Objectives: The goal of this study is to propose a method for the generation of synthetic CTs from daily CBCTs that can be used for dose evaluation in breast cancer patients with large anatomical changes treated with photon irradiation.
Materials and method: Seventy-six breast cancer patients treated with a partial VMAT photon technique (70% conformal, 30% VMAT) were included in this study. All patients showed at least a 5 mm variation (swelling or shrinkage) of the breast on the CBCT compared to the planning-CT (pCT) and had a repeat-CT (rCT) for dose evaluation acquired within 3 days of this CBCT. The original CBCT was corrected using four methods: 1) HU-override correction (CBCTHU), 2) analytical correction and conversion (CBCTCC), 3) deep learning (DL) correction (CTDL) and 4) virtual correction (CTV). Image quality evaluation consisted of calculating the mean absolute error (MAE) and mean error (ME) within the whole breast clinical target volume (CTV) and the field of view of the CBCT minus 2 cm (CBCT-ROI) with respect to the rCT. The dose was calculated on all image sets using the clinical treatment plan for dose and gamma passing rate analysis.
Results: The MAE of the CBCT-ROI was below 66 HU for all synthetic CTs, except for the CBCTHU with a MAE of 142 HU. No significant dose differences were observed in the CTV regions in the CBCTCC, CTDL and CTv. Only the CBCTHUdeviated significantly (p<0.01) resulting in 1.7%(±1.1%)average dose deviation. Gamma passing rates were >95% for 2%/2mm for all synthetic CTs.
Conclusion: The analytical correction and conversion, deep learning correction and virtual correction methods can be applied for an accurate synthetic CT generation that can be used for dose evaluation during the course of photon radiotherapy of breast cancer patients.
Mesothelioma-associated fibroblasts enhance proliferation and migration of pleural mesothelioma cells via c-Met/PI3K and WNT signaling but do not protect against cisplatin
Authors: Ries Alexander , Flehberger Daniela , Slany Astrid , Pirker Christine , Mader Johanna C , Mohr Thomas , Schelch Karin , Sinn Katharina , Mosleh Berta , Hoda Mir Alireza , Dome Balazs , Dolznig Helmut , Krupitza Georg , Gerner Christopher , Berger Walter , Grusch Michael
Published: September 2022

Background
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Unlike many other cancers, PM is mostly characterized by inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Its highly malignant nature in absence of tumor driving oncogene mutations indicates an extrinsic supply of stimulating signals by cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an abundant cell type of the TME and have been shown to drive the progression of several malignancies. The aim of the current study was to isolate and characterize patient-derived mesothelioma-associated fibroblasts (Meso-CAFs), and evaluate their impact on PM cells.
Methods
Meso-CAFs were isolated from surgical specimens of PM patients and analyzed by array comparative genomic hybridization, transcriptomics and proteomics. Human PM cell lines were retrovirally transduced with GFP. The impact of Meso-CAFs on tumor cell growth, migration, as well as the response to small molecule inhibitors and cisplatin treatment was investigated in 2D and 3D co-culture models by videomicroscopy and automated image analysis.
Results
Meso-CAFs show a normal diploid genotype without gene copy number aberrations typical for PM cells. They express CAF markers and lack PM marker expression. Their proteome and secretome profiles clearly differ from normal lung fibroblasts with particularly strong differences in actively secreted proteins. The presence of Meso-CAFs in co-culture resulted in significantly increased proliferation and migration of PM cells. A similar effect on PM cell growth was induced by Meso-CAF-conditioned medium. Inhibition of c-Met with crizotinib, PI3K with LY-2940002 or WNT signaling with WNT-C59 significantly impaired the Meso-CAF-mediated growth stimulation of PM cells in co-culture at concentrations not affecting the PM cells alone. Meso-CAFs did not provide protection of PM cells against cisplatin but showed significant protection against the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib.
Conclusions
Our study provides the first characterization of human patient-derived Meso-CAFs and demonstrates a strong impact of Meso-CAFs on PM cell growth and migration, two key characteristics of PM aggressiveness, indicating a major role of Meso-CAFs in driving PM progression. Moreover, we identify signaling pathways required for Meso-CAF-mediated growth stimulation. These data could be relevant for novel therapeutic strategies against PM.
Solar Hydrogen Generation using Abundant Materials via Membrane-less Electrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Joshi Khushali , Mistry Khyati , Tripathi Brijesh , Chandra Prakash , Shinde Satyam , Kumar Manoj , Santola Dhaval , Choksi Himanshu , Gurrala Pavan Kumar
Published: September 2022

Storing and delivering green hydrogen produced using solar energy possess exceptional potential to supplement and dispense the share of promising but sporadic renewable energy. In this scenario, robust materials capable of delivering solar driven electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation provide intriguing protocol that are applicable to all sectors of energy., Electrochemical water splitting is conventional and most prevalent technique for hydrogen generation, which utilizes platinum-based materials for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, these palatinum based noble metal catalysts possess poor cyclic stability limiting its commercial application for economical hydrogen generation. Therefore, development of efficient non-noble metal based electro-catalysts are urgently needed to produce cost-competitive hydrogen energy. Several kinds of non-noble metal based heterogeneous electro-catalysts, including carbides, sulphides, selenides, oxides, and phosphides have been developed and studied. Unique physicochemical properties of carbon materials make them promising candidates to support catalysts. In this paper, molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanomaterial catalysts have been synthesized, deposited on carbon fibre (C-fibre) based material and then used for solar hydrogen generation by membrane-less electrochemical water splitting. Solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency is found to be 2.46% at an irradiation level of 430 W/m2 and working temperature of 35°C.
Epileptic seizure prediction from multivariate sequential signals using multidimensional convolution network
Authors: Wei Xiaoyan , Cao Xiaojun , zhang zhen , Zhou Yi
Published: September 2022

Background: The ability to predict coming seizures will improve the quality of life of patients with epilepsy. Analysis of brain electrical activity using multivariate sequential signals can be used to predict seizures.
Method:Seizure prediction can be regarded as a classification problem between interictal and preictal EEG signals. In this work, hospital multivariate sequential EEG signals were transformed into multidimensional input,multidimensional convolutional neural network models were constructed to predict seizures. several channels segments were extracted from the interictal and preictal time duration and fed them to the proposed deep learning models.
Result:The average accuracy of multidimensional deep network model for multi-channel EEG data is about 94%, the average sensitivity is 88.47%, and the average specificity is 89.75%.
Conclusion:This study combines the advantages of multivariate sequential signals and multidimensional convolution network for EEG data analysis to predict epileptic seizures, thereby enabling early warning before epileptic seizures in clinical applications.
Joint 4-D Visualisation and Analysis of Geodynamic Models and Geological Data
Authors: Bodur Ömer Faruk , Flament Nicolas
Published: September 2022

Advancements in computational methods have shaped investigations of Earth’s interior. Geodynamicists model Earth’s convective mantle using super-computers, and such complex models create massive outputs that necessitate solutions for effective visualisation and comparison to geological constraints. Here we present an open-source framework for robust 4-D (3-D space and time) joint visualisation of geodynamic models and geological data. The framework brings together geological data and geodynamic models in the same platform allowing for new ways of analysis and more insights on the relationship between Earth’s interior and surface. It has applications in both basic research and frontier resource exploration, and is dynamic enough to be used in various applications that require overlapping spatial data over time. In this work, we provide methods and examples to visualise geological data with various geometries in 3-D, showcase applications including mapping Earth’s mantle temperature anomalies and chemical composition, tracking materials such as sinking cold mantle structures over time, and using virtual drillholes to probe into Earth’s interior for which properties with depth are analysed.
Inhibition of Cdc37 ameliorates arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis rats by inhibiting synoviocyte proliferation and migration through the ERK pathway
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Mao Xingxing , Wu Weijie , Nan Yunyi , Xu Chunxiang , Wang Youhua , Xu Hua
Published: September 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can lead to synovial inflammation, pannus formation, cartilage damage, bone destruction, and ultimate disability. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are involved in the pathogenetic mechanism of RA. Cdc37 (Cell division cycle protein 37) is regarded as a molecular chaperone involved in various physiological processes such as cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, cell signal transduction, tumorigenesis, and progression. However, the precise role of Cdc37 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains uncertain. In our study, we found that Cdc37 expression was upregulated in human rheumatoid synovia in contrast with the normal group. Interestingly, Cdc37 activated the ERK pathway to promote RA-FLS proliferation and migration in vitro. Ultimately, in vivo experiments revealed that silencing of Cdc37 alleviated ankle swelling and cartilage destruction and validated the ERK signaling pathways in vitro findings. Collectively, we demonstrate that Cdc37 promotes the proliferation and migration of RA-FLS by activation of ERK signaling pathways and finally aggravates the progression of RA. These data indicated that Cdc37 may be a novel target for the treatment of RA.
Facile synthesis of HKUST-1-cellulose filter for water purification from meloxicam
Authors: Mohammadnejad Masoumeh , Roshan Arezoo , Geranmayeh Shokoofeh
Published: September 2022

The main purpose of this study is designing and manufacturing a water treatment filter using metal-organic framework to remove pollutants from aqueous solutions with high efficiency. A uniform layer of the metal-organic framework was placed on cellulose filter paper. Cellulose filter paper is biodegradable, economical and its surface can be easy modifiable due to its high hydroxyl groups. For modification, a monolithic layer of the metal-organic framework was assembled on cellulose filter paper. HKUST-1 is a kind of MOFs with a porous and adjustable structure as well as having many active sites was selected for modification of cellulose filter paper for increasing the removal efficiency. The important point of this research is using very easy method to synthesis of the filter in a short time and at room temperature. HKUST-1@Filter paper was characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XRD analysis. This synthesized filter was used to remove meloxicam from the aqueous solution with a removal percentage more than 87%. To study the stability and reusability of the synthesized filter, an organic solvent was used for desorption, and it was found that the filter still remains stable and has high efficiency to remove contaminants for several times after desorption. Langmuir and Freundlich's isotherms were used to investigate the adsorption mechanism. With the equilibrium adsorption isotherm, it was found that the absorption of meloxicam followed the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity was 2500 mg g− 1.
Machine learning based statistical prediction of cyclonic disturbances frequency during post monsoon over Bay of Bengal
Authors: Akhter Javed , Bhattacharyya Aditi , Midya Subrata Kumar
Published: September 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A Cryptographic Algorithm using Polynomial Interpolations for Mitigating Key-Size Based Attacks
Authors: kaur jagpreet , K.R. Ramkumar
Published: September 2022

Confidentiality is one of the fundamental aspects to consider while securing wireless communication. Endeavouring current developments will catch up with the conventional cryptographic methods soon than expected; therefore, a new path is indispensable. In this context, this article presents an innovative idea of using polynomials to achieve a higher level of data privacy. Polynomials' strength lies in their irreducible property, which makes them plausibly appropriate for cryptography. Thenceforth, two novel schemes are proposed based on root-finding polynomial interpolations such as Bisection, Newton-Raphson, and Secant. Relying on these techniques, while the first scheme performs substitution, the BI-New scheme performs substitution, rotation, replacement, and substitution. Hence, both schemes provide confusion and diffusion, a fundamental security aspect. Besides, these algorithms utilise initial points to extract the exact root of the polynomial p1(y) =0. On the basis thereof, an algorithm is developed to retrieve the initial data points. Consequently, the decryption is accomplished in reverse order by evaluating a function. The proposed scheme has unique characteristics, including non-linear interpolating polynomials, roots of non-linear algebraic equations, and non-linear functions. Due to the amalgamation of various non-linear methods and randomised variables, the methods are one-way functions that can endure several assaults. Lastly, the algorithm's security is illustrated by multiple state-of-the-art quantitative metrics such as time complexity, accuracy, memory usage, key space analysis, key sensitivity analysis, robustness analysis, and statistical analysis.
Research on Apple Origins Classification Optimization Based on Least Angle Regression in Instance Selection
Authors: Li Bin , Wang Yuqi , Li Lisha , Liu Yande
Published: September 2022

The combined near-infrared spectral analysis technology and machine learning is widely used in fruit quality detection. The train set split from the heavy sample set contains redundant samples, and modeling directly may cause larger errors. Instance selection methods can be used to improve the performance of the raw train set by optimally selecting the effective samples. So, the least angle regression-based instance selection (LARIS) method was proposed to improve the model accuracy of fruits classification in this paper, an experiment was conducted on a total of 952 apples from four origins. Before splitting, the spectral reconstruction methods were used for preprocessing and the 19 outliers were eliminated by statistics. The sample set partitioning based on joint x-y distance (SPXY) was used to split the sample set into the raw train set of 699 samples and the test set of 234 samples. 511 samples with a compression ratio of 26.90% and the random train set with the same compression ratio were built based on training samples. Compared these classifiers trained by three train sets, the model’s accuracy established by the optimal train set is 96.6%, which are 4.7% and 6.4% higher than the raw and random train sets. And the average precision and recall of four origins are higher 6% than the raw and random train set. Therefore, the prediction accuracy of apple origins classification model is improved by LARIS. The LARIS method enriches the application and it provides an experimental support for the least angle regression algorithm in instance selection.
FBXW7 as a potential prognostic biomarker for ESCC inhibits the progression of ESCC by directly inhibiting the stemness of tumor cells
Authors: Yang Yanfang , Bi Yanghui , Cheng Caixia , Tang Peisen , Xiao Heng , Yuan Fajia , Wu Weiwei , Yang Bin
Published: September 2022

Background Esophageal cancer is a gastrointestinal tumor with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. FBXW7, is an aboriginal and high frequency mutant gene associated with ESCC. However, the current understanding of its clinical significance and mechanism in ESCC is not comprehensive.
Methods Our previous data from WGS / WES and TCGA databases were used to analyze the clinical significance of FBXW7 in ESCC. Gene function and PCR-array were performed to explore the potential mechanism of FBXW7 in ESCC.
Results The clinical information analysis revealed that low expression of FBXW7 is associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Especially in those age≤55 years old, without drinking history and T3 stage, low expression of FBXW7was associated with poor prognosis. In addition, we found that overexpression of FBXW7 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis, and promoted cell apoptosis. PCR-array results showed that overexpression of FBXW7 resulted in a variable spectrum of tumor-associated gene expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells. Significant changes in gene expression related to angiogenesis, DNA damage repair, and cell senescence were observed. The changes of these pathway genes may be related to the regulation of FBXW7 on the stemness of ESCC tumor cells.
Conclusions Our study investigated a novel role and mechanism of FBXW7 in esophageal squamous carcinoma and opened up new ideas for the clinical treatment of esophageal squamous carcinoma.
The Impact of Perceived Social Support on Mental Health Stigma and Professional Help-Seeking Behavior among College Teachers in Kerala,India
Authors: R Harikrishna M R Harikrishna M , Thomas Tissy Mariam Thomas Tissy Mariam , George Samuel George Samuel
Published: September 2022

Teaching is a profession, and teachers play numerous responsibilities in shaping generations. The traditional teaching environment was altered during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the new learning and evaluation methods and the new way of interacting with others led to a slew of mental health issues. The present study investigates the impact of perceived social support and mental health stigma on the professional help-seeking behavior of college-level teachers in Kerala, India. Participants (N = 130) were chosen through purposive sampling from various colleges throughout Kerala. The Attitude towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale, Stigmatizing Attitude Believability Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were administered to participants to assess professional help-seeking behavior, mental health stigma, and perceived social support. Spearman rank correlation coefficient, linear regression, and moderation analysis were used to analyze the relationship between variables. The findings obtained in the present study depicted a strong positive relationship between perceived social support and professional help-seeking behavior. Furthermore, perceived social support is a positive predictor of professional help-seeking behavior, while mental health stigma is found to be a negative predictor of professional help-seeking activity. The association between mental health stigma and professional help-seeking behavior is also moderated by perceived social support. The present study's findings contribute to understanding the significance of teachers' emotional and mental health well-being in the covid era. The findings shed light on the role of perceived social support as a facilitator that improves teachers' mental health.
Finite Element Modelling of Corneal Biomechanics Assessment Using Ultrasonic Elastography
Authors: Ahmed Hassan M. , Salem Nancy M. , Al-Atabany Walid , Al-Atabany Walid
Published: September 2022

Corneal diseases affect corneal tissue shape and its biomechanics leading to a degradation ofthe overall vision quality. Refractive surgeries restore corneal refractive power. However, its outcomes arehighly dependent on corneal biomechanics pre-surgery while changing corneal biomechanics post-surgery.Cornea behavior is obtained by estimation of corneal biomechanics pre- and post-refractive surgeries eitherex- or in-vivo. Demand for non-invasive in-vivo measurement is highly recommended as it preserves bothcorneal shape and structure on contrary to invasive ex-vivo methods. Until now no clinically reported in-vivodevice offering corneal biomechanics spatial distribution exists. In this research, ultrasonic noninvasive invivomeasurement for estimating corneal biomechanics using FEM simulation is proposed. Eleven differentelastic moduli FEMs are used to cover the range of elasticity of human cornea in normal and pathogenicstatus. Two ultrasonic tissue deformation measurement methods are used in this study. Namely, the radialShear Wave Speed (rSWS) and Focal Peak Axial Deformation (FPAD). rSWS utilizes two B-mode framerates; 10kHz and 100KHz typically. FPAD uses 100KHz for tissue deformation data collection. Twomathematical formulae for prediction of non-involved data points are power formula and logarithmic formulaare used. Simulation results shown that rSWS is efficient for high frame rate transducer. Accuracy of99.8%±2.4% is achieved with 100KHz while for 10KHz the accuracy is 95.5%±29%. Results shown also,that accuracy at 100KHz is nearly stable on contrary to highly fluctuating accuracy at 10KHz. FPAD shownthat logarithmic formula is optimum with Mean Square Error (MSE) of 0.006, compared to MSE of 0.09 forpower formula. FPAD has an advantage over rSWS to be implemented with low frame rate transducers whilerSWS has the advantage of quantitative measurement. Maximum temperature rise of 0.9 C is achieved dueto the ARFI where this value is under the FDA regulation.
Renal effects of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone in cafeteria diet-induced obesity
Authors: Peker Emine Gulceri Gulec , Cirrik Selma , Hacioglu Gulay , Sahin Elif , Alver Ahmet
Published: September 2022

Objective: In this study, the possible protective effect of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mimetic and anti-oxidant flavonoid, in renal damage caused by cafeteria diet-induced obesity was investigated.
Method: In the study, 4-5 week old C57BL/6 male mice were used and the subjects were divided into 4 groups as Control, CD (cafeteria diet), CD+Vehicle and CD+7,8-DHF (n=9-11). Control group subjects were fed with chow diet for 16 weeks and other groups were fed with cafeteria diet. In the last 28 days of the feeding period, 7,8-DHF treatment (5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal) was administered in the CD+7,8-DHF group, and DMSO (17%) as a 7,8-DHF carrier was administered in the CD+Vehicle group. At the end of 16 weeks, the subjects were sacrificed and malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitrite + nitrate (NOx) and collagen levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities were measured in kidney tissues.
Results: At the end of 16 weeks, body weights of all subjects increased compared to baseline. Weight gain was higher in CD (p<0.001) and CD+Vehicle groups (p<0.001) compared to control. The weight gain in the CD+7,8-DHF group was not different from the control. Compared to the CD group, the weight gains in the CD+Vehicle and CD+7,8-DHF groups were lower. Compared to the control group CD group had higher renal MDA level (p<0.0001), lower GSH level (p<0.0001), less SOD (p<0.0001) and CAT (p<0.0001) activity, lower NOx (p<0.0001) and collagen (p<0.0001) levels. Vehicle administration did not affect these parameters as results were similar to CD group. However, significant changes were noted with 7,8-DHF treatment. Compared with the CD+Vehicle group, the CD+7,8-DHF group had lower MDA levels (p<0.001), higher GSH levels (p<0.001), lower NOx levels (p<0.001), higher SOD (p<0.001) and CAT (p<0.001) activities. 7,8-DHF treatment brought these parameters closer to the control values, but did not fully return to control, except for CAT activity. Renal collagen deposition was not affected by 7,8-DHF treatment.
Conclusion: Oxidative stress plays an important role in obesity-induced renal damage. 7,8-DHF may be important in the suppression of renal damage in cafeteria diet-induced obesity, at least by inhibiting oxidative stress and excessive nitric oxide production. The increasing prevalence of eating habits and obesity together with the cafeteria diet in the society, makes these results clinically important. These effects of 7,8-DHF need to be investigated in more details.
Clinically applicable 39 genes targeted mutational analysis predicts recurrence in pediatric medulloblastoma: a monocenter cohort study
Authors: Zhang Zaiyu , Wu Yuxin , Li Lusheng , Zhai Xuan , Liang Ping
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Targeted mutational analysis has been widely used to predict medulloblastoma molecular subgroups. We aimed to identify a gene mutation pattern for individual recurrent risk assessment patients with medulloblastoma.
Methods
In this monocenter cohort analysis, patients who experienced medulloblastoma recurrence were analyzed for clinical outcomes, including anatomic and temporal patterns of relapse and post-recurrence survival. Differentially mutational genes were examined using a panel of 39 genes to build a gene classifier using an elastic net regression model. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the prognostic accuracy of this gene classifier.
Results
A total of 23 of 118 (21%, 95% CI: 12.8–27.8) patients experienced recurrence, with a significant representation of patients in the very high risk group. Most patients exhibited some distal disease 56% (34.9–75.6). Time to relapse and post-recurrence survival did not vary by risk stratification. A recurrent gene signature for medulloblastoma that consisted of 27 genes was generated to classify patients into high and low recurrence risk groups. Patients with high recurrence risk scores had shorter recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 24.304, 6.277–29.723) and overall survival (HR: 7.331, 2.957–18.172) than patients with low-risk scores. These findings of sensitivity analyses suggest that the current results did not change substantially.
Conclusion
The recurrent score is a reliable prognostic tool for recurrence in patients with medulloblastoma. It can potentially guide treatment decisions for patients at different risks of recurrence.
Protective role of Nebivolol via Akt/Hif-1α/eNOS signaling pathway: Nephrotoxicity caused by Methotrexate in a rat model
Authors: KARAKUYU Nasıf Fatih , ERTUNÇ Onur , BEDİR Mehmet , DOĞAN Hatice Kübra , TANER Rümeysa , Sevük Mehmet Abdulkadir , İMECİ Orhan Berk , ERGÖNÜL Esin
Published: September 2022

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory agent which is used in serious diseases. Its use should be limited due to side effects such as nephrotoxicity, myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, especially during high doses in cancer treatment. Hypertension may accompany patients due to nephrotoxicity, which is shown as one of the most important side effects. Nebivolol (NBV), which is a beta blocker and used in the treatment of hypertension, also contributes to vasodilation in tissues by activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enzyme. The purpose of this study is to research the effect of NBV on MTX-induced nephrotoxicity through the AKT1/Hif-1⍺/eNOS signaling pathway. The rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight each. Groups were control, MTX and MTX + NBV. A single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX was given intraperitoneally to the rats on the first day of the study and 10 mg/kg NBV was given orally to the treatment group for seven days. At the end of the study, rats' blood and kidney tissues were taken for histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical examinations. Total antioxidant status levels were increased and total oxidant status levels were decreased significantly in MTX + NBV group compared with MTX group. Although creatinine levels increased in the MTX group compared to the control, while decreased in the MTX + NBV group. MTX administration was significantly decreased the expression levels of AKT1, eNOS and Hif1α compared to control group and NBV treatment increased these values compared to MTX group. In conclusion, NBV treatment ameliorated the MTX induced nephrotoxicity via AKT1/Hif-1⍺/eNOS signaling pathway.
Regulatory Network after Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Jin Sinan , Meng Jincheng , Zhang Chong , Wu He
Published: September 2022

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has a high mortality and disability rate. As it is difficult to obtain brain tissue of patients occurred ICH, the mechanism research carried out primarily through animal experiments, and the translational medicine progresses slowly. More effective therapeutic targets and reliable regulatory networks for ICH are needed. We detected the expression levels of mRNAs, miRNAs and circRNAs before and after ICH, then added lncRNAs to obtain a more complete regulatory network. Subsequently, an original mRNA data in human peripheral blood after ICH from the GEO database was obtained. After analyzing the differential expressed mRNAs of the data, it was intersected with the mouse data. Then seven genes have been found to have made significant changes in both humans and mice after ICH. Finally, these gene regulatory networks in humans were analyzed. By comparing species, we provided signaling pathways for the human and mouse homologous in these regulatory networks. Hoped that some of them might become early warning signals of the ICH. Finally, the tendency of change in RNA levels of the above seven genes was checked after ICH in the mouse brain, in order to provide more valuable data.
Food Hygiene Management among Food Handlers of Chitwan Nepal- Pre –Post Study Design
Authors: Khanal Gayatri , Shrestha Niki , Shrestha Sarbada , Chapagain Shakuntala , Chhetri Mamta
Published: September 2022

Background: Improper food handling practices are one of the major single causes of unsafe food, which can cause more than 200 diseases. Maintaining food hygiene largely depends on factors such as unhygienic practices, insufficient sanitation, inadequate cooking, improper storage, and cross-contamination which can be controlled by adequate knowledge and proper practice of food handlers. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an awareness program on safe food handling practices among food handlers.
Methods: A pre-post study was conducted in Chitwan district among 38 food handlers to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational intervention. G Power version 3.1.9.7 software is used to calculate sample size. The data collection tool was a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi-data 3.1 software and analysed using SPSS 16. The statistical analysis carried out was descriptive and bivariate (Wilcoxon Rank Test).
Results: 68.4% of respondents were handling food without any formal education on food handling practices. 15.8% of café/restaurants were running without a license or registration. 52.6% of food handlers had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge in the pre-test, whereas none of them were included under this category in the post-test. The median (IQR) post-test was higher than the median (IQR) pre-test score, which was statistically significant by applying the Wilcoxon sign rank test (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: Food hygiene management education for food handlers is an effective intervention for improving food hygiene knowledge and management. Food handler knowledge can be increased by encouraging food establishments/restaurants in various food safety education or training packages, thereby reducing foodborne outbreaks and food safety threats.
Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence: Scientometric Analysis and Visualization
Authors: Adel Kareem , Elhakeem Ahmed , Marzouk Mohamed
Published: September 2022

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Blockchain Technology (BT) is deemed the fourth generation of BT applications (Blockchain 4.0). This generation has gained considerable attention from the research community. Such attention has led to a vast amount of scientific literature. However, a comprehensive quantitative analysis of this literature is still missing. The present study conducts a scientometric analysis to explore and characterize the development track and trends of BT-AI research. Using the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database, a total of 956 peer-reviewed journal articles were identified between 2016-2021 and extracted for analysis, while employing VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Biblioshiny as software tools. First, the publication trend was analyzed, and the pivotal articles were identified. Second, the scientific collaboration networks were analyzed and mapped to identify the key researchers, countries, and organizations. Third, the sources’ productivity and citation were analyzed and mapped to identify the dependable sources of information and the best-fit sources for publishing the BT-AI studies. Fourth, the conceptual and intellectual structures for the BT-AI literature were analyzed and visualized using keywords co-occurrence, keywords thematic evolution, and reference co-citation analyses to explore and identify the research hotspots and emerging themes. The findings of this study can help in further familiarizing new researchers with BT-AI literature and assist practitioners, policy-makers, and editors to focus on the promising and arising BT-AI trends for further development.
„Zusammengefasst hat jede Hypothese einen wahren Kern“ – Herausforderungen der Synthese beim wissenschaftlichen Schreiben und wie diese von SchülerInnen gemeistert werden
Authors: Akbulut Muhammed , Schmölzer-Eibinger Sabine , Rauter Elisa
Published: September 2022

In diesem Beitrag wird zunächst herausgearbeitet, wie Synthese als Verfahren beim wissenschaftlichen Schreiben aus textlinguistischer und erwerbstheoretischer Sicht bestimmt werden kann und welche Herausforderungen für SchülerInnen damit verbunden sind. Anschließend wird der empirische Forschungsstand zur Ontogenese von Synthese dargestellt, der zeigt, dass bisherige Studien aufgrund heterogener Datenerhebungs- und -auswertungsmethoden keine einheitlichen Befunde liefern. Daran anknüpfend werden Daten aus einer Interventionsstudie (Akbulut/Schmölzer-Eibinger 2021) zur Förderung wissenschaftlicher Textkompetenz in der 10. Schulstufe (N=84) einer Sekundäranalyse mit Fokus auf Synthese unterzogen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Analyse zeigen, dass mit dem Format des Kontroversenreferats (Feilke/Lehnen 2011) die Syntheseleistungen von SchülerInnen zwar signifikant verbessert werden können, dass aber allzu optimistische Einschätzungen, wonach SchülerInnen mit dem Format des Kontroversenreferats bereits zu Leistungen imstande wären, die bisher fortgeschrittenen Studierenden zugeschrieben wurden, mit Vorsicht zu betrachten sind.
Sprachbewusstheit und Sprachaufmerksamkeit
Authors: Müller Hans-Georg , Unterholzner Franz
Published: September 2022

In diesem Beitrag wird eine auf empirische Operationalisierbarkeit ausgerichtete Neukonzeptualisierung des Arbeitsbereiches Sprachbetrachtung vorgeschlagen. Sie orientiert sich an aktuellen neurokognitiven Theorien von Bewusstheit und Aufmerksamkeit und gewährleistet damit interdisziplinäre Anschlussfähigkeit. Ferner bezweckt sie begriffliche Vereinfachung, Präzisierung und Eindeutigkeit innerhalb der Disziplin und eine partielle Umorientierung in der fachdidaktischen Modellbildung. Dazu werden Operationalisierungskriterien für die beiden Dimensionen Sprachbewusstheit und Sprachaufmerksamkeit vorgeschlagen. Aus ihrer Kreuzklassifikation ergeben sich vier sprachdidaktisch relevante Verarbeitungszustände, die eine disjunkte Zuordnung sprachlichen Verhaltens ermöglichen und damit Vergleichbarkeit zwischen unterschiedlichen empirischen Untersuchungen gewährleisten.