bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systemic lupus erythematosus associated with multiple myeloma: Two case reports and a literature review
Authors: Lian Li , Wang Kang , Xu Shengqian
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by multiple myeloma (MM) is a relatively rare clinical presentation, and is easily ignored due to their similar or even identical manifestation, which may lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Case report

We report two cases of SLE with MM. Case 1 was a 59‐year‐old male who was diagnosed with SLE 11 years ago. Abnormal kidney function was detected 4 months ago and a bone marrow aspirate revealed MM. He then received three cycles of bortezomib, dexamethasone, and chemotherapy with liposomal doxorubicin, and one cycle of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone. He died of infectious shock. Case 2 was a 58‐year‐old female who was diagnosed with SLE 27 years ago. After the onset of abnormal renal function 4 years ago, the patient was still treated according to SLE disease activity. When renal function rapidly deteriorated, serum and urine immunofixation electrophoresis was positive for IgG γ with free light chains and she was diagnosed with SLE complicated by MM. She did not agree to the treatment for MM as advised and was discharged from the hospital against medical advice. Case 2 died of cardiac failure. Thirteen cases of SLE with MM reported from 2000 to 2022 in PUBMED and Mendeley and our above two cases were reviewed. Among the 15 patients, 13 were females and 2 were males. The median age at the time of SLE with MM diagnosis was 50 years, and the median time to a delayed diagnosis was 7 years. The serum monoclonal immunoglobulin level was elevated and extramedullary manifestations of renal dysfunction were common.

Conclusions

An elevated monoclonal immunoglobulin level or newly unexplained renal dysfunction occurring in a patient with SLE should prompt monitoring and further screening of MM, rather than treatment as a secondary manifestation of SLE.
Analysis of risk factors of fungal superinfections in viral pneumonia patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ni Haiyang , Yu Hongying , Lin Qibin , Zhong Jieying , Sun Wenjin , Nie Hanxiang
Published: December 2022

Background

Infections with fungi, such as Aspergillus species, have been found as common complications of viral pneumonia. This study aims to determine the risk factors of fungal superinfections in viral pneumonia patients using meta‐analysis.

Objective

This study aims to determine the risk factors of fungal infection s in viral pneumonia patients using meta‐analysis.

Methods

We reviewed primary literature about fungal infection in viral pneumonia patients published between January 1, 2010 and September 30, 2020, in the Chinese Biomedical Literature, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang (China), Cochrane Central Library, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. These studies were subjected to an array of statistical analyses, including risk of bias and sensitivity analyses.

Results

In this study, we found a statistically significant difference in the incidence of fungal infections in viral pneumonia patients that received corticosteroid treatment as compared to those without corticosteroid treatment (p < .00001). Additionally, regarding the severity of fungal infections, we observed significant higher incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores (p < .001), tumors (p = .005), or immunocompromised patients (p < .0001).

Conclusions

Our research shows that corticosteroid treatment was an important risk factor for the development of fungal infection in patients with viral pneumonia. High APACHE II scores, tumors, and immunocompromised condition are also important risk factors of developing IPA. The diagnosis of fungal infection in viral pneumonia patients can be facilitated by early serum galactomannan (GM) testing, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid Aspergillus antigen testing, culture, and biopsy.
Implementation of molecular symmetry in valence bond calculation
Authors: Ji Chenru , Ying Fuming , Su Peifeng , Zhou Chen , Wu Wei
Published: December 2022

A novel strategy for the construction of many‐electron symmetry‐adapted wave function is proposed for ab initio valence bond (VB) calculations and is implemented for valence bond self‐consistent filed (VBSCF) and breathing orbital valence bond (BOVB) methods with various orbital optimization algorithms. Symmetry‐adapted VB functions are constructed by the projection operator of symmetry group. The many‐electron symmetry‐adapted wave function is expressed in terms of symmetry‐adapted VB functions, and thus the VB calculations can be performed with the molecular symmetry restriction. Test results show that molecular symmetry reduces the computational cost of both the iteration numbers and CPU time. Furthermore, excited states with specific symmetry can be conveniently obtained in VB calculations by using symmetry‐adapted VB functions.
RBM4 inhibits the growth of clear cell renal cell carcinoma by enhancing the stability of p53 mRNA
Authors: Jian Wengang , Xue Wei , Wang Tengda , Yu Yongchun , Cai Licheng , Meng Yuyang , Xia Zhinan , Zhang Cheng
Published: December 2022

RBM4 has been reported as a tumor suppressor gene in cancers, including lung cancer, colon cancer and gastric cancer. However, the role of RBM4 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated the expression and biological function of RBM4 in ccRCC. Analysis of the differential expression of RBM4 and its relationship with clinicopathological features using ccRCC samples data from TCGA database deminstrated that RBM4 expression in tumor samples of ccRCC was lower than that in normal samples, and RBM4 expression was closely related to the survival time of patients. RBM4 overexpression (RBM4‐oe) cell lines were constructed to investigate the effect of RBM4 on biological function using CCK‐8, EdU, flow cytometry and wound‐healing assays. In addition, the regulatory effect of RBM4 on signaling pathways was investigated by GSEA and WB assays. RBM4‐oe significantly reduced the proliferation of ccRCC cells by controlling the p53 signaling pathway, inhibited cell cycle progression and promoted apoptosis. In addition, RBM4‐oe suppressed the migration and invasion of cells by EMT. Mechanistically, RBM4‐oe facilitated the activity of the p53 signaling pathway by enhancing the stability of p53 mRNA. Finally, RBM4‐oe markedly inhibited the growth of tumors formed with 786‐O cells in vivo. In summary, there findings suggeated that RBM4 inhibits the progression of ccRCC by promoting p53 signaling pathway activity by enhancing the stability of p53 mRNA, suggesting that RBM4 may be a potential target for the treatment of patients.
Initial data identification in advection–diffusion processes via a reversed fixed‐point iteration method
Authors: Cosgun Tahir , Sari Murat
Published: December 2022

In the present study, a novel method called the reversed fixed‐point iteration method (RFPIM) is applied to obtain numerical responses of the advection–diffusion mechanisms. Heretofore, the RFPIM has been employed to find out unstable equilibria of nonlinear mappings defined on Banach spaces. The current paper implements the method to recover the initial data from the final data. The method has been tested under measurements including different levels of noise such as 5%,  10%,  30%,  50%, and 100% in the final time data, and the results indicate that the present technique could be regarded as a powerful tool in handling such inverse problems.
Ultra‐processed foods: Processing versus formulation
Authors: Levine Allen S. , Ubbink Job
Published: December 2022

The four‐tiered NOVA food classification defines foods based on their degree of processing and ranges from native unprocessed foods to so‐called “ultra‐processed” foods. Recent publications have suggested that foods classified as ultra‐processed are unhealthy and contribute to the obesity epidemic. It is important to distinguish between formulation and processing of a food. In most cases it is the formulation more than the processing that results in foods that are not recommended as part of a healthy diet. Such “ultra‐formulated” foods are unhealthy because they are high in added sugar and other caloric sweeteners, refined flours saturated fats and salt to increase palatability. The understanding that processing and formulation are distinct will assist health professionals in identifying the types of foods that are unhealthy and contribute to overconsumption and obesity. It furthermore will help to destigmatize food technology and promote discussions amongst health professionals, food scientists, corporate scientists, government officials and the general public. Novel food processing techniques are urgently needed in times of population growth, climate change and war‐induced food shortages.
Fabrication of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Novel Mixed Tungsten–Molybdenum and Tungsten–Titanium Oxides Nanoparticles Prepared by Impulse Underwater Plasma
Authors: Sirotkin Nikolay , Khlyustova Anna , Belikova Julia
Published: December 2022

Herein, a new method for synthesizing advanced nanocomposite materials based on tungsten, molybdenum, and titanium oxides by pulsed underwater plasma is reported. This is an environmentally friendly, energy‐saving, and simple method for obtaining bimetallic oxide nanoparticles with inhomogeneous defect structures. The chemical composition and morphology of the obtained particles are explored by electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy. Four types of mixed‐oxide particles of tungsten–molybdenum and tungsten–titanium are synthesized and used to make the photoanodes for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The best DSSC shows a fill factor of 51% and a short‐circuit current density of 4.8 mA cm−2, resulting in a conversion efficiency of 4.11% and an improvement over the cells prepared from pure titanium or tungsten oxides.
Analysis of Mechanical Strain in AlGaN/GaN HFETs
Authors: Yazdani Hossein , Graff Andreas , Simon-Najasek Michél , Altmann Frank , Brunner Frank , Ostermay Ina , Chevtchenko Serguei , Würfl Joachim
Published: December 2022

Herein, the influence of mechanical strain induced by passivation layers on the electrical performance of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field‐effect transistor is investigated. We studied the physical mechanism of a threshold voltage (Vth) shift for the monolithically fabricated on/off devices reported earlier by our group. For that, theoretical calculations, simulation‐based analysis, and nano‐beam electron diffraction (NBED) measurements based on STEM are used. Strain distribution in the gate vicinity of transistors is compared for a SiNxpassivation layer with intrinsic stress from ≈0.5 to −1 GPa for normally on and normally off devices, respectively. The strain in epitaxial layers transferred by intrinsic stress of SiNxis quantitatively evaluated using NEBD method. Strain dissimilarity Δε = 0.23% is detected between normally on and normally off devices. Using this method, quantitative correlation between 1.13 V ofVthshift and microscopic strain difference in the epitaxial layers caused by 1.5 GPa intrinsic stress variation in passivation layer is provided. It is showed in this correlation that about half of the reported threshold voltage shift is induced by strain, i.e., by the piezoelectric effect. The rest ofVthshift is caused by the fabrication process. Therefore, various components/mechanisms contributing to the measuredVthshift are distinguished.
Semi‐supervised multi‐label learning with missing labels by exploiting feature‐label correlations
Authors: Li Runxin , Zhao Xuefeng , Shang Zhenhong , Jia Lianyin
Published: December 2022

The majority of multi‐learning techniques now in use presuppose that there will be enough labeled instances. But in real‐world applications, it is frequently the case that only partial labels are included for each training instance. This is either because getting a fully labeled training set takes a lot of time and effort or because doing so is expensive. Multi‐label learning with missing labels, on the other hand, has greater practical value. In this paper, we propose a brand‐new semi‐supervised multi‐label learning method (SMLMFC) that specifically addresses missing‐label scenarios. After successfully filling in the missing labels for instances using two‐stage label correlations, SMLMFC trains a semi‐supervised multi‐label classifier by imposing feature‐label correlation restrictions directly on the output of labels. The complex relationships between features and labels can be learned and implicitly captured through feature‐label correlations, in particular. The experimental results on a number of real‐world multi‐label datasets confirm that SMLMFC has strong competitiveness in comparison to other state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Preparation and properties of water‐based photochromic polyurethane coatings containing Er(III)‐doped WO3
Authors: Huo Yanan , Zhou Jingxiang , Xu Zushun , Chen Tianyou , Ji Haonan , Zeng Fanbao , Wang Yun , Hu Xiaoxi
Published: December 2022

Photochromic coatings have been widely used in many fields such as architecture, transportation, and military because of the combination of reversible color‐changing properties with the insulation and protection of substrates. Conventionally, organic photochromic components are used for the preparation of photochromic coatings with fast photo‐response and excellent fatigue resistance, but the preparation of these coatings is costly and time‐consuming. Here, we have developed a relatively simple and cost‐effective strategy for the preparation of water‐based photochromic polyurethane coatings. Er(III)‐doped WO3 was synthesized and used as the photochromic component for the preparation of polyurethane/Er(III)‐doped WO3 composites, which were further used for the preparation of photochromic coatings. The properties of the coatings were tested and characterized. Due to their excellent thermal stability, water resistance, fatigue resistance, and photochromism, these coatings might have practical applications in various areas.
Cascade Delivery to Golgi Apparatus and On‐Site Formation of Subcellular Drug Reservoir for Cancer Metastasis Suppression
Authors: Chen Liqiang , Jiang Peihang , Shen Xinran , Lyu Jiayan , Liu Chendong , Li Lian , Huang Yuan
Published: December 2022

As the foremost cause of cancer‐related death, metastasis consists of three steps: invasion, circulation, and colonization. Only targeting one single phase of the metastasis cascade may be insufficient since there are many alternative routes for tumor cells to disseminate. Here, to target the whole cascade of metastasis, hybrid erythrocyte and tumor cell membrane‐coated nanoparticle (Hyb‐NP) is designed with dual functions of increasing circulation time and recognizing primary, circulating, and colonized tumors. After loading with monensin, a recently reported metastasis inhibitor, the delivery system profoundly reduces spontaneous metastasis in an orthotopic breast cancer model. Underlying mechanism studies reveal that Hyb‐NP can deliver monensin to its action site in the Golgi apparatus, and in return, monensin can block the exocytosis of Hyb‐NP from the Golgi apparatus, forming a reservoir‐like subcellular structure. Notably, the Golgi apparatus reservoir displays three vital functions for suppressing metastasis initialization, including enhanced subcellular drug retention, metastasis‐related cytokine release inhibition, and directional migration inhibition. Collectively, based on metastasis cascade targeting at the tissue level, further formation of the Golgi apparatus drug reservoir at the subcellular level provides a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer metastasis suppression.
Nanoarray Architecture of Ultra‐Lithiophilic Metal Nitrides for Stable Lithium Metal Anodes
Authors: Xu Rui , Zhou Yuanyuan , Tang Xiaoxia , Wang Fangzheng , Dong Qing , Wang Tao , Tong Cheng , Li Cunpu , Wei Zidong
Published: December 2022

Lithium metal anode (LMA) is puzzled by the serious issues corresponding to infinite volume change and notorious lithium dendrite during long‐term stripping/plating process. Herein, the transition metal nitrides array with outstanding lithiophilicity, including CoN, VN, and Ni3N, are decorated onto carbon framework as “nests” to uniform Li nucleation and guide Li metal deposition. These transition metal nitrides with excellent conductivity can guarantee the fast electron transport, therefore maintain a stable interface for Li reduction. In addition, the designed multi‐dimensional structure of metal nitride array decorated carbon framework can effectively regulate the growth of Li metal during the stripping/plating process. Of note, attributing to the lattice‐matching between CoN and Li metal, the composite Li/CoN@CF anode exhibits ultra‐stable cycling performance in symmetrical cells (over 4000 h@1 mA cm−2 with 1 mAh cm−2 and 1000h@20 mA cm−2 with 20 mAh cm−2). The assembled full cells based on Li/CoN@CF composite anode, LiFePO4 or S as cathodes, deliver excellent cycling stability and rate capability. This strategy provides an effective approach to develop a stable lithium metal anode for lithium metal batteries.
Study of the performance of a coolant mixed with an Al2O3/SiC nanomaterial in an engine radiator
Authors: Venkatesan Sorakka Ponnappan , Kalyan B. Keshava , Gopinath G. , Purusothaman M. , Hemanandh J.
Published: December 2022

One of the important components of a car to control the temperature of a car's engine is the radiator. To increase the heat absorption capacity of the coolant/fluid used in the radiator with minimum pumping power, innovative fluids called nanofluids have become the main area of research these days. Therefore, with the development of new technologies in the field of “nano‐materials” and “nano‐fluids,” the physical and chemical properties of coolant/fluid can be improved which in turn improves the radiator and engine efficiency, and reduces radiator weight and size. In this article, the heat transfer by forced convection in nanofluids based on Al2O3 and SiC was studied experimentally and compared to that of base fluid in an automotive radiator. The nanofluid is mixed with ethylene glycol and the fluid is prepared by the sonication method. The nanofluids were prepared by varying the nanomaterials and the amounts of nanomaterials in the base fluid and their heat transfer performance in the radiator was analyzed using ANSYS FLUENT software. Approximately 15% and 12% increase in radiator efficiency by using Al2O3 mixed nanofluid and SiC mixed nanofluid, respectively.
Teaching Social Sustainability and About Sweden’s Sami Peoples in Senior Secondary School
Authors: Windsor Sally , Kers Karin
Published: December 2022

This chapter outlines an action research project conducted in a Social Studies classroom in a Senior Secondary School in South Sápmi, Sweden. The teacher researcher had noted that despite some of the students identifying as Sami, there was a lack of awareness about Sami history and culture, and that when Sami peoples were referred to it was often in discriminatory and derogatory terms. The unit of lessons aimed to increase the students’ knowledge of Sami life both historically and presently, and awareness of how prejudice and stereotyping are used to ‘other’ certain groups to justify exploitation and oppression. Using the ‘Educating yourself in Empowerment for Sustainability’ tool and designing leaner centred and collaborative activities this research found that when students’ knowledge of Sami life increases, their prejudicial ideas about Sami peoples decrease.
Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Ethnic Minority Communities
Authors: Hurcombe Rachel , Redmond Theresa , Rodger Holly , King Sophia
Published: December 2022

Child sexual abuse (CSA) happens in all communities—however, victims and survivors from ethnic minority communities face particular barriers to disclosure and support after experiencing CSA. Prior research in this area has indicated the systemic failures of institutions to protect ethnic minority children from CSA (Webb et al. in Child Abuse Review 11:394–410, 2002) and has identified intra-cultural barriers, such as gendered norms and shame to disclosure (Gill and Harrison in British Journal of Criminology, 17:267–284, 2019). This study examines how ethnicity, community and culture have contributed to shaping victims/survivors’ experiences. Completed by researchers from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) in conjunction with members of the Race Equality Foundation, the study adopted a thematic analysis approach, drawing on the voices of 82 participants from ethnic minority communities in 11 focus groups across England and Wales. It found that cultural stereotypes and racisms negatively affected the support services’ ability to identify CSA and to enact appropriate responses.
Epistemic Just and Dynamic AI Ethics in Africa
Authors: Ruttkamp-Bloem Emma
Published: December 2022

This chapter considers the potential for actualising the ideal for responsible AI on the African continent, focusing on the AI ethics policy environment in Africa. I consider the impact of context and culture on successful adoption of AI technologies in general and on trust in AI technology and openness to AI regulation in particular. It concludes that actionable AI ethics in Africa should be driven by dynamic and epistemic just ethical systems.
Database
Authors: Hasanov Fakhri J. , Joutz Frederick L. , Mikayilov Jeyhun I. , Javid Muhammad
Published: December 2022

One of the heaviest resource-consuming tasks of KGEMM, as with all MEMs, is the collection, update, revision, and maintenance of data. In econometric modeling, data are the key elements in determining the statistical properties of relationships. In this regard, data availability plays an important role in establishing linkages between the variables in time series-based MEMs. As discussed in the literature review, MEMs are heavily data-intensive, and obtaining comprehensive results is conditional upon the accuracy and time span of the data. MEMs are also data-dependent, with data updates and revisions resulting in re-estimation of the behavioral equations.
Naturalistic Conceptions of Human and Animal Rights: From Human Exceptionalism to Transspecies Universalism
Authors: Stucki Saskia
Published: December 2022

This chapter investigates whether the extension of human rights to animals can be placed on a sound conceptual footing. Can (nonhuman) animals have human rights? The starting point of this inquiry is the ‘traditional’ or ‘orthodox’ understanding of human rights, which is the naturalistic conception. This much can be said already: considering the contested nature and philosophical foundations of human rights, there cannot be a simple, let alone single, answer to the animal question.
A pure de novo 16p13.3 duplication and amplification in a patient with femoral hypoplasia, psychomotor retardation, heart defect, and facial dysmorphism—a case report and literature review of the partial 16p13.3 trisomy syndrome
Authors: Socha Magdalena , Szoszkiewicz Anna , Simon Dorota , Jamsheer Aleksander
Published: December 2022

Partial 16p trisomy syndrome is a rare disorder typically characterized by psychomotor retardation, prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, cleft palate, and facial dysmorphism, with some patients also presenting with heart defects and urogenital anomalies. Pure 16p13.3 duplications usually occur de novo, while those duplications that associate with partial monosomy result rather from parental chromosomal translocations. Due to the large size of the aberrations, the majority of patients are identified by standard chromosome analysis. In all published cases, the minimal-causative duplicated region encompasses the CREBBP gene. Here, we report on the patient presenting with psychomotor retardation, femoral hypoplasia, and some features of the partial 16p trisomy syndrome, who carries a complex de novo terminal 16p13.3 microduplication with an overlapping region of amplification without translocation or associated monosomy. In contrast to the previously reported cases, the duplicated region of the patient does not involve CREBBP and other neighboring genes; still, the observed pattern of dysmorphic features of the index is characteristic of the described syndrome. Based on the animal studies and other published cases, we discuss the possible role of the PDK1 and IGFALS genes in the development of limb anomalies, while IFT140 could contribute both to the observed femoral phenotype and heart abnormalities in the patient. To the best of our knowledge, we present a proband harboring the smallest terminal 16p13.3 duplication of the size below 3 Mb. Therefore, our proband with her detailed phenotypic description may be helpful for clinicians who consult patients with this syndrome.
Expansion of human amniotic epithelial cells using condition cell reprogramming technology
Authors: Naeem Aisha , Choudhry Muhammad Umer , Kroemer Alex , Wahnschafft Simone , Cui Wanxing , Albanese Chris
Published: December 2022

Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) are non-immunogenic epithelial cells that can develop into cells of all three germline lineages. However, a refined clinically reliable method is required to optimize the preparation and banking procedures of hAECs for their successful translation into clinical studies. With the goal of establishing standardized clinically applicable hAECs cultured cells, we described the use of a powerful epithelial cell culture technique, termed Conditionally Reprogrammed Cells (CRC) for ex vivo expansion of hAECs. The well-established CRC culture method uses a Rho kinase inhibitor (Y-27632) and J2 mouse fibroblast feeder cells to drive the indefinite proliferation of all known epithelial cell types. In this study, we used an optimized CRC protocol to successfully culture hAECs in a CRC medium supplemented with xenogen-free human serum. We established that hAECs thrive under the CRC conditions for over 5 passages while still expressing pluripotent stem markers (OCT-4, SOX-2 and NANOG) and non-immunogenic markers (CD80, CD86 and HLA-G) suggesting that even late-passage hAECs retain their privileged phenotype. The hAECs-CRC cells were infected with a puromycin-selectable lentivirus expressing luciferase and GFP (green fluorescent protein) and stably selected with puromycin. The hAECs expressing GFP were injected subcutaneously into the flanks of Athymic and C57BL6 mice to check the tolerability and stability of cells against the immune system. Chemiluminescence imaging confirmed the presence and viability of cells at days 2, 5, and 42 without acute inflammation or any tumor formation. Collectively, these data indicate that the CRC approach offers a novel solution to expanding hAECs in humanized conditions for future clinical uses, while retaining their primary phenotype.

Graphical abstract
Visual masking deficits in schizophrenia: a view into the genetics of the disease through an endophenotype
Authors: Shaqiri Albulena , Hodel Flavia , da Cruz Janir Ramos , Roinishvili Maya , Chkonia Eka , Brand Andreas , Fellay Jacques , Herzog Michael H.
Published: December 2022

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder determined by a complex mixture of genetic and environmental factors. To better understand the contributions of human genetic variations to schizophrenia, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of a highly sensitive endophenotype. In this visual masking endophenotype, two vertical bars, slightly shifted in the horizontal direction, are briefly presented (vernier offset). Participants are asked to indicate the offset direction of the bars (either left or right). The bars are followed by a grating mask, which makes the task both spatially and temporally challenging. The inter-stimulus interval (ISI) between the vernier and the mask was determined in 206 patients with schizophrenia, 109 first-order relatives, and 143 controls. Usually, in GWAS studies, patients are compared to controls (i.e., a binary task) without considering the large differences in performance between patients and controls, as it occurs in many paradigms. The masking task allows for a particularly powerful analysis because the differences in ISI within the patient population are large. We genotyped all participants and searched for associations between human polymorphisms and the masking endophenotype using a linear mixed model. We did not identify any genome-wide significant associations (p < 5 × 10−8), indicating that common variants with strong effects are unlikely to contribute to the large inter-group differences in visual masking. However, we found significant differences in polygenetic risk scores (PRS) between patients and controls, and relatives and controls.
Electrochemical nanosensor for ultrasensitive detection of malachite green and monitoring of its photocatalytic degradation
Authors: Imtiaz Tooba , Shah Afzal , Ullah Naimat , Iftikhar Faiza Jan , Shah Iltaf , Shah Syed Mujtaba , Shah Syed Sakhawat
Published: December 2022

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and application of TiO2/ZnO and La-doped ZnO nanocomposites for the detection and degradation studies of Malachite Green (MG). TiO2/ZnO and La-doped ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized by reflux and hydrothermal methods, respectively, and characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. A glassy carbon electrode modified with COOH-fMWCNTs and TiO2/ZnO nanocomposite demonstrated high sensitivity characteristics for the sensing of MG up to 0.34 nM limit of detection. The application of a photocatalytic method using 2% La-doped ZnO led to 99% degradation of MG in 40 min. The photocatalytic breakdown of MG followed first-order kinetics as revealed from the spectroscopic and electrochemical monitoring of the degradation process. Color variation offered naked-eye evidence of MG degradation in the specified time. The experimental findings helped in proposing the degradation mechanism. To the best of our knowledge, the current work presents the first example of a novel photocatalyst for almost absolute degradation of MG. Moreover, the electrode modifier as well as the approach adopted is novel and efficient for minute-level detection of MG and monitoring of its photocatalytic degradation.
Voting and (im)moral behavior
Authors: Hansson Kajsa , Persson Emil , Tinghög Gustav
Published: December 2022

Due to diffusion of responsibility, majority voting may induce immoral and selfish behavior because voters are rarely solely responsible for the outcome. Across three behavioral experiments (two preregistered; n = 1983), we test this hypothesis in situations where there is a conflict between morality and material self-interest. Participants were randomly assigned to make decisions about extracting money from a charity either in an experimental referendum or individually. We find no evidence that voting induces immoral behavior. Neither do we find that people self-servingly distort their beliefs about their responsibility for the outcome when they vote. If anything, the results suggest that voting makes people less immoral.
Reverse engineering for reconstructing baseline features of dry age-related macular degeneration in optical coherence tomography
Authors: Wang Shuxian , Wang Ziyuan , Vejalla Srimanasa , Ganegoda Anushika , Nittala Muneeswar Gupta , Sadda SriniVas Reddy , Hu Zhihong Jewel
Published: December 2022

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most widespread cause of blindness and the identification of baseline AMD features or biomarkers is critical for early intervention. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging produces a 3D volume consisting of cross sections of retinal tissue while fundus fluorescence (FAF) imaging produces a 2D mapping of retina. FAF has been a good standard for assessing dry AMD late-stage geographic atrophy (GA) while OCT has been used for assessing early AMD biomarkers beyond as well. However, previous approaches in large extent defined AMD features subjectively based on clinicians’ observation. Deep learning—an objective artificial intelligence approach, may enable to discover ’true’ salient AMD features. We develop a novel reverse engineering approach which bases on the backbone of a fully convolutional neural network to objectively identify and visualize AMD early biomarkers in OCT from baseline exams before significant atrophy occurs. Utilizing manually annotated GA regions on FAF from a follow-up visit as ground truth, we segment GA regions and reconstruct early AMD features in baseline OCT volumes. In this preliminary exploration, compared with ground truth, we achieve baseline GA segmentation accuracy of 0.95 and overlapping ratio of 0.65. The reconstructions consistently highlight that large druse and druse clusters with or without mixed hyper-reflective focus lesion on baseline OCT cause the conversion of GA after 12 months. However, hyper-reflective focus lesions and subretinal drusenoid deposit lesions alone are not seen such conversion after 12 months. Further research with larger dataset would be needed to verify these findings.
A Drosophila model of the neurological symptoms in Mpv17-related diseases
Authors: Kodani Atsushi , Yamaguchi Mizuki , Itoh Ririka , Huynh Man Anh , Yoshida Hideki
Published: December 2022

Mutations in the Mpv17 gene are responsible for MPV17-related hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome and Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease. Although several models including mouse, zebrafish, and cultured human cells, have been developed, the models do not show any neurological defects, which are often observed in patients. Therefore, we knocked down CG11077 (Drosophila Mpv17; dMpv17), an ortholog of human MPV17, in the nervous system in Drosophila melanogaster and investigated the behavioral and cellular phenotypes. The resulting dMpv17 knockdown larvae showed impaired locomotor activity and learning ability consistent with mitochondrial defects suggested by the reductions in mitochondrial DNA and ATP production and the increases in the levels of lactate and reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, an abnormal morphology of the neuromuscular junction, at the presynaptic terminal, was observed in dMpv17 knockdown larvae. These results reproduce well the symptoms of human diseases and partially reproduce the phenotypes of Mpv17-deficient model organisms. Therefore, we suggest that neuron-specific dMpv17 knockdown in Drosophila is a useful model for investigation of MPV17-related hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome and CMT caused by Mpv17 dysfunction.
Decarbonization scenarios and carbon reduction potential for China’s road transportation by 2060
Authors: Lu Quanying , Duan Hongbo , Shi Huiting , Peng Binbin , Liu Yi , Wu Tian , Du Huibin , Wang Shouyang
Published: December 2022

The transportation sector is a crucial source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the degree of its low-carbon transformation is closely related to the achievement of China’s carbon neutrality. Based on high-frequency passenger vehicle sales data and motor vehicle real-time monitoring big data, we developed a low-carbon transition planning model of China road transport (CRT-LCTP) to explore the pathways toward carbon neutrality. The study found that although the number of new energy vehicles (NEVs) increased four times from 2016 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of road traffic emissions was still as high as 20.5%. The current transportation electrification may only reduce 0.6% of the total emissions in this sector, and it could be increased to 1.4% if the electricity completely came from clean energy. Under the enhanced policy scenario, the transport sector could peak its carbon emissions at around of 2030, with the peak level being 1330.98 Mt. Transportation electrification along could not meet the climate targets in 2060, and the continued inertia of fuel vehicles will slow the path of the road transport toward carbon neutrality, which depends on the forced elimination of fuel vehicles and more substantive decarbonization measures.
Computational mechanistic analysis of a cationic Suzuki–Miyaura reaction without added base
Authors: Yaman Tolga , Harvey Jeremy N.
Published: December 2022

Base-free Suzuki–Miyaura coupling can proceed when taking appropriate boron chemistry into account.
Characterization of a novel polysaccharide from Arca subcrenata and its immunoregulatory activities in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Shi Hui , Li Jianhuan , Liu Fei , Bi Sixue , Huang Weijuan , Luo Yuanyuan , Zhang Man , Song Liyan , Yu Rongmin , Zhu Jianhua
Published: December 2022

Arca subcrenata is an economical edible shellfish. A novel water-soluble α-d-glucan (ASPG-1) with a molecular weight of 2.56 × 106 Da was purified and characterized from A. subcrenata.
Efficient electrosynthesis of dimethyl carbonate from urea and methanol under mild conditions
Authors: Sun Mingjuan , Li Fengjiao , Cui Yanhui , Zhao Xiaolin , Chen Haiwei , Liang Shuting
Published: December 2022

Mild and efficient synthesis of DMC has been successfully performed by electrolyzing low-cost and abundant urea and methanol.
Surgical Approaches to Cavernous Sinus: A Narrative Review of the Literature with Anatomical Drawings.
Authors: Pahwa Bhavya , Singh Narinder , Singh Gaurav , Chavda Vishal , Montemurro Nicola , Chaurasia Bipin
Published: December 2022

IIntroduction. The cavernous sinus (CS) is a paired venous sinus in the human brain that is classified as a true dural venous sinus rather than a venous plexus. The entire CS is separated by septa into two small cavities called caves. The CS has a very close resemblance to various key structures present in the head. The CS is a blood compartment that contains ligaments, endothelium, and trabeculae. It is clinically significant because of its position and relationship with several cranial nerves.
Clinical implications. For effective management and treatment of CS syndrome, CS thrombosis, carotid-cavernous fistula, and other CS-related problems, CS surgery became necessary. As a result of the lack of sophisticated surgical techniques in the past, CS surgery was exceedingly challenging, complicated, and deadly. The surgery of CSs can benefit from a variety of surgical procedures, including extradural and intradural, endoscopic endonasal, rhomboid, and temporopolar trans cavernous approaches. In this review, numerous surgical procedures for CS are discussed along with their intended uses.
Conclusions. A greater understanding of the CS was made possible by the quick modifications and improvements in surgical methods, which aided in neurosurgery procedures.
The Standard Operating Procedures in COVID-19 Pandemic for Periodontal Aerosol-Generating Procedures: A Process Audit
Authors: Haseeb Muhammad , Khalid Naima , Syed Azeem Ul Yaqin , Khan Zubair Ahmed , Qureshi Farheen , Ahsen Iftikhar
Published: December 2022

Objective This study aims to audit the process of patient management with aerosol-generating procedure (ultrasonic scaling) while adherence to the guidelines for health care workers (HCWs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Materials and Methods Audits records at the Department of Periodontology at University College of Medicine and Dentistry Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan were collected (prospectively) over the period of October 1 to November 30, 2020 (1st cycle) and December 14, 2020 to February 12, 2021 (2nd cycle). The audit was divided into three components based on the guidelines: (1) physical environment, (2) patients/appointments, and (3) COVID standard operating procedures related to HCWs.

Results The recommended physical layout and procedural factors, as suggested by the guidelines for dental clinics, were observed during the first cycle of audit, and discrepancy of ventilation system was fixed after the first cycle. Audit team reported the observance of fallow time three times daily, which revealed 83.3% observance of fallow time.

Later in the second cycle when the extraoral high-volume air evacuator was installed, the fallow time was reduced to 15 minutes and not only five procedural slots per day were created but fallow time was also observed 100% of the time.

Conclusion Following the standard guidelines resulted in more efficient working environment and lesser risk for HCWs while performing aerosol-generating procedures.
Role of Multidetector Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Acquired Gastrointestinal Fistulas
Authors: Arora Gitanjali , Badhe Padma V.
Published: December 2022

Introduction Fistulas are abnormal communication between two epithelialized surfaces. Gastrointestinal fistulas are communication between the gut and another epithelialized surface. Fistulas are classified according to anatomic (internal or external), physiologic (output volume), and etiologic characteristics. In the case of clinical suspicion of a fistula, a multidisciplinary approach helps in diagnosing and management. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has an advantage over other imaging modalities due to its ability to reconstruct high-resolution images in seconds, which limits motion or peristalsis artifacts, and is ideal for patients who are uncooperative or who are seriously ill.

Aim Evaluation of MDCT as an initial tool in the diagnosis and characterization of gastrointestinal fistulas.

Methods During this prospective observational study, MDCT was used to assess patients with clinical suspicion of gastrointestinal fistulas. When necessary, contrast agents were used to identify the enteric fistulous tract. The etiology and characterization of the fistulas were determined. Further, the gastrointestinal fistulas were confirmed via endoscopy, cystoscopy, or surgery.

Results The most common type of gastrointestinal fistula is enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) (39%) and the most common cause of gastrointestinal fistulas is postoperative (47%). ECFs were classified according to their etiology, anatomy, and favorable characteristics (85% favorable) along with complexity (64% complex) to aid in the management process. In addition to pancreaticopleural fistulas (22%), biliary (11%), esophageal (8%), and pelvic fistulas (19%) were also observed. There were 19% of fistulas (esophageal and biliary) that were asymptomatic. Endoscopy confirmed such asymptomatic fistulas that were not convincingly detected on CT.

Conclusion In this study, we concluded that with the appropriate clinical history, MDCT can accurately depict enteric fistulas. In addition to characterizing fistulas, MDCT is equally useful for detecting secondary complications like inflammation, obstruction, or abscesses.
Discovery of fusion circular RNAs in leukemia with KMT2A::AFF1 rearrangements by the new software CircFusion
Authors: Dal Molin Anna , Tretti Parenzan Caterina , Gaffo Enrico , Borin Cristina , Boldrin Elena , Meyer Lueder H , te Kronnie Geertruij , Bresolin Silvia , Bortoluzzi Stefania
Published: December 2022

Chromosomal translocations in cancer genomes, key players in many types of cancers, generate chimeric proteins that drive oncogenesis. Genomes with chromosomal rearrangements can also produce fusion circular RNAs (f-circRNAs) by backsplicing of chimeric transcripts, as first shown in leukemias with PML::RARα and KMT2A::MLLT3 translocations and later in solid cancers. F-circRNAs contribute to the oncogenic processes and reinforce the oncogenic activity of chimeric proteins. In leukemia with KMT2A::AFF1 (MLL::AF4) fusions, we previously reported specific alterations of circRNA expression, but nothing was known about f-circRNAs. Due to the presence of two chimeric sequences, fusion and backsplice junctions, the identification of f-circRNAs with available tools is challenging, possibly resulting in the underestimation of this RNA species, especially when the breakpoint is not known. We developed CircFusion, a new software tool to detect linear fusion transcripts and f-circRNAs from RNA-seq data, both in samples for which the breakpoints are known and when the information about the joined exons is missing. CircFusion can detect linear and circular chimeric transcripts deriving from the main and reciprocal translocations also in the presence of multiple breakpoints, which are common in malignant cells. Benchmarking tests on simulated and real datasets of cancer samples with previously experimentally determined f-circRNAs showed that CircFusion provides reliable predictions and outperforms available methods for f-circRNA detection. We discovered and validated novel f-circRNAs in acute leukemia harboring KMT2A::AFF1 rearrangements, leading the way to future functional studies aimed to unveil their role in this malignancy.
CoDe: a web-based tool for codon deoptimization
Authors: Sharma Divya , Baas Tracey , Nogales Aitor , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Gromiha M Michael
Published: December 2022

We have developed a web-based tool, CoDe (Codon Deoptimization) that deoptimizes genetic sequences based on different codon usage bias, ultimately reducing expression of the corresponding protein. The tool could also deoptimize the sequence for a specific region and/or selected amino acid(s). Moreover, CoDe can highlight sites targeted by restriction enzymes in the wild-type and codon-deoptimized sequences. Importantly, our web-based tool has a user-friendly interface with flexible options to download results.

Availability and implementation

The web-based tool CoDe is freely available at https://web.iitm.ac.in/bioinfo2/codeop/landing_page.html.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Assessing renewable-energy potential and feasibility in Tehran’s buildings
Authors: Farahani Mehrab Hemmati , Namazzadeh Marjan , Farahani Azin Hemmati
Published: December 2022

This article examines the results of using renewable energy to reduce the energy consumption of buildings significantly. In particular, it looks at the results in a country such as Iran, which has a high potential for using solar energy. A comparison of the energy consumption of selected case samples based on the type of ownership of private, government and municipal buildings in 22 districts of Tehran has been analysed. Using data for energy consumption and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats analysis includes open and usable spaces for installing renewable-energy systems in 10% of public buildings, 4% of private facilities and 10% of municipal buildings. The results of this study show that the average energy consumption of buildings in Tehran is almost four times the global average. Iran has ~300 days of sunlight for installing solar panels in any place where solar energy is in direct contact with the Sun. Thus, it allows the building to use the energy absorbed by the discussions in all seasons. In 2050, this country could play a decisive role in producing renewable energy. In addition, solar energy may reduce fossil-fuel consumption and production costs.