bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Surgical Scheme for Determining Hepatectomy to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension
Authors: Lu Hua-ze , Mai Rong-yun , Wang Xiao-bo , Liang Rong , Lin Yan , Chen Jie , Wu Fei-xiang , Xiang Bang-de , Cheng Shu-qun , Li Le-qun , Guo Wei-xing , Ye Jia-zhou
Published: September 2022

Objective
To establish a new surgical scheme defining risk classes of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) to facilitate the surgical decision-making and identify suitable candidates for individual hepatectomy among hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients combined with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH).
Backgrounds:
Hepatectomy is the preferred treatment for HCC. Surgeons must maintain a balance between the expected oncological outcomes of HCC removal and short-term risks of severe PHLF and morbidity. CSPH aggravates liver decompensation and increases the risk of severe PHLF thus complicating hepatectomy for HCC.
Methods
Multivariate logistic regression and stochastic forest algorithm were performed, then the independent risk factors of severe PHLF were included in a nomogram to determine the risk of severe PHLF. Further, a conditional inference tree (CTREE) through recursive partitioning analysis validated supplement the misdiagnostic threshold of the nomogram.
Results
The analysis included 924 patients, of whom 721(78.0%) were without CSPH, 137(14.8%) with mild-CSPH, and 66(7.1%) with severe-CSPH. The nomogram incorporated preoperative prolonged prothrombin time (PT), total bilirubin (T-Bil), indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICG-R15), CSPH grade, and standard future liver remnant (sFLR) volume, and achieved good prediction performance in the training (C index = 0.891, 95%CI: 0.855–0.920), internal validation (C index = 0.850, 95%CI: 0.786–0.901), and external validation (C index = 0.872, 95%CI: 0.835–0.904) cohorts, with well-fitted calibration curves. Calculations of total points of diagnostic errors with 95%CI were concentrated in 110.5(range 76.9-178.5). It showed a low risk of severe PHLF (2.3%), indicating hepatectomy is feasible when the points fall below 76.9, while the risk of severe PHLF is extremely high (93.8%) and hepatectomy should be rigorously restricted at scores over 178.5. Patients with points within the misdiagnosis threshold were further examined using CTREE according to a hierarchic order of factors represented by the presence of CSPH grade, ICG-R15, and sFLR.
Conclusion
This new surgical scheme is practical to stratify risk classes in severe PHLF, thereby facilitating surgical decision-making and identifying suitable candidates for individual hepatectomy.
SELF: A Stacked-based Ensemble Learning Framework for Breast Cancer Classification
Authors: Jakhar Amit Kumar , Singh Mrityunjay , Gupta Aman
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, breast cancer is the most prevalent and jeopardous disease in women after lung cancer. During the past few decades, a substantial amount of cancer cases have been reported throughout the world. Among them, breast cancer has been a widely acknowledged category of cancer disease in women due to the lack of awareness. According to the world cancer survey report 2020, about 2.3 million cases and 685000 deaths have been reported worldwide. As, the patient-doctor ratio (PDR) is very high; consequently, there is an utmost need for a machine-based smart breast cancer diagnosis system that can detect cancer at its early stage and be cured more efficiently. The plan is to assemble scientists in both the restorative and the machine learning fields to progress toward this clinical application. This paper presents SELF, a stacked-based ensemble learning framework, to classify breast cancer at an early stage from the histopathological images of tumor cells with computer-aided diagnosis tools. In this work, we use the BreakHis dataset with 7909 histopathological images obtained on 82 patients and Wisconsin Breast Cancer Database (WBCD) with 569 instances for the performance evaluation. We have trained several distinct classifiers on both datasets and SELF selected the best five common classifiers on the basis of their accuracy measure to create our ensemble model. We use the stacking ensemble technique and consider the Extra tree, Random Forest, Adaboost, Gradient Boosting, and KNN9 classifiers as the base learners, and the logistic regression model as a final estimator. We have evaluated the performance of SELF on the BreakHis dataset and WBCD datasets and achieved the testing accuracy of approximately 95% and 99% respectively. The result of the other performance parameters on the BreakHis dataset also showed that our proposed framework outperforms with F1-Score, ROC, and MCC scores with values of 94.17%, 89.41%, and 80.81% respectively.
Dietary threonine above the requirement for protein synthesis examined at the molecular level stimulates gill mucus cell production in juvenile Nile tilapia
Authors: Dalagnol Jakceline Marcante , Furuya Valéria Rossetto Barriviera , Cruz Thais Pereira , Almeida Fernanda Losi Alves , Dal-Pai Maeli , Paula Tassiana Gutierrez , Boscolo Wilson Rogério , Furuya Wilson Massamitu
Published: September 2022

This study investigates the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of threonine above the current recommendation for protein synthesis stimulates gill mucus cell production in juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. During our experiment, six isonitrogenous and isocaloric extruded diets were elaborated with graded threonine levels [8 (control), 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 g kg−1]. Fish (n = 216; 10.78 ± 0.03 g) were randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 12 fish and hand-fed six times a day until apparent satiety. Maximum body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio occurred in fish fed up to 17.71 and 13.73 g kg−1 diet of threonine, respectively. However, gill mucus cell counts were significantly higher in fish fed up to 20 g kg−1 diet of threonine, than that fed diet control (8 g kg−1 diet threonine). The relative expressions of MyoD and MyoG genes were upregulated in fish fed threonine at 16 g kg−1. Second-order polynomial regression analysis of protein retention efficiency gain against dietary threonine levels estimates that the dietary threonine requirement for juvenile Nile tilapia is 16.30 g kg−1 diet (4.89 g 100 g−1 protein). In contrast, a higher threonine level of 20 g kg−1 diet (6.00 g100 g−1 protein) optimizes gill mucus cell counts. This study provides insight into threonine as functional amino acid in tilapia aquaculture.
Multiple regression approach to fracture energy determination of normal strength concrete using experimental evidence
Authors: R SUDHIR M , M BEULAH
Published: September 2022

The tensile stiffness of concrete, an important parameter for crack initiation, can be systematically determined by the principles of fracture mechanics. It is a widely accepted research conclusion that the stress-strain behaviour and the failure mode of concrete subjected to loads are regulated by the microcrack initiation and propagation. A heterogeneous material like concrete will have cracks even before the experimental investigations. Therefore, fundamental awareness of the fracture mechanism is a requisite to comprehend concrete behaviour. A key parameter in understanding the fracture behaviour of concrete is the fracture energy (GF). There is consensus among researchers that the fracture energy GF alone does not suffice to characterize the ductility/brittleness as well as the size dependency of concrete. Therefore, it is felt necessary to evaluate the fracture energy (GF) and the characteristic length Lch for a realistic estimation of the fracture behaviour of concrete. In this effort, this study examines firstly, the fracture energy of concrete by experimentation, and then the fracture energy proposed by various models in the literature. Further, the characteristic length proposed by Hillerborg which depicts both the material influence and that of the size effect is computed. Based on the RILEM – 50 FM recommendations, 18 specimens with varying grades of concrete and notch depths have been tested and the fracture energy parameters have been evaluated. Also, two multiple regression models with key fracture parameters as variables for two notch ratios, have been formulated for the concrete fracture energy. The arguments have been supported by experimental evidence.
Electromagnetohydrodynamic Effects with Single- Walled Carbon Nanotubes Particles in a Corrugated Microchannel
Authors: Ahmed Shaaban I. , Mekheimer Khaled. S. , Sayed Ahmed Y. , Abdel-wahed Mohamed S.
Published: September 2022

One of the advanced products of nanotechnology having notable mechanical and physical properties are the Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs). This motivated us to investigate the effect of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) suspended in a microchannel with corrugated walls under the effect of electromagnetic hydrodynamic flow (EMHD). The corrugation of the wavy walls are described by periodic sinusoidal waves of small amplitudes either in phase or out of phase. The problem simulated with a system of governing equations such as potential, momentum, and heat equations were solved analytically using the perturbation method. The behavior of nanofluid velocity, temperature, volumetric flow rate, and average velocity investigated under the multi-conditions of using three models for the sizes and shapes of carbon nanoparticles tubes. By addition of SWCNTs, the fluid velocity is reduced at the center of the channel by providing resistance to the fluid motion. The size and concentration of SWCNTs influence enhance the rate of heat transfer. Also, the Xue's model has the highest heat transfer rate when compared to the Maxwell and Hamilton-Crosser's (H-C) models. Finally, the obtained results for the flow rate were compared with previously published data and appeared in good agreement.
Assessments of classical dry-blending/moulding and solution casting PVC plasticization effectiveness – a comparative study
Authors: Czogała Joanna , Pankalla Ewa , Turczyn Roman
Published: September 2022

Plasticizers are the most popular and indispensable plastic additives, facilitating their processability and providing suitable flexibility. Plasticizing efficiency is a term that is used to compare between different types of plasticizers. Plasticizing efficiency can be assessed using specimen fabricated through either a three-stage method consisting of mixing, extruding and pelletizing, or a solution casting method. In this paper, we aim to compare the results of plasticization efficiency assessed for specimen fabricated through both methods, to reveal their applicability and possible limitations. As an experimental model, we used poly(vinyl chloride) plasticized with three common plasticizers, namely bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and tris(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate. Plasticization efficiency assessment was based on mechanical, thermal and migrability properties, including elongation at break, tensile strength, exudation and leaching in n-hexane, thermal stability, and glass transition temperature. The results revealed inconsistencies in the assessment of plasticization efficiency depending on plasticization method. For instance, the migration resistance studies showed that plasticizer release was much faster from solution casted specimens than from the moulded ones. On the other hand, higher tensile strength and elongation at break values were obtained for samples prepared by a solution casting method. The dependency of the results on the method of specimens’ plasticization highlights it as a factor that overestimates/underestimates plasticizer efficiency, and could affect the process of selection of plasticizers for industrial practice.
Expert Review of Global Real-World Data on COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Effectiveness & Safety During the Omicron-dominant Phase of the Pandemic
Authors: Solante Rontgene , Alvarez-Moreno Carlos , Burhan Erlina , Chariyalertsak Suwat , Chiu Nan-Chang , Chuenkitmongkol Sunate , Dung Do Van , Hwang Kao-Pin , Ibarra Javier Ortiz , Kiertiburanakul Sasisopin , Kulkarni Prasad S. , Lee Christopher , Lee Ping-Ing , Lobo Rommel Crisenio , Macias Alejandro , Nghia Cao Huu , Ong-Lim Anna , Rodriguez-Morales Alfonso J. , Richtmann Rosana , Safadi Marco Aurélio Palazzi , Satari Hindra Irawan , Thwaites Guy
Published: September 2022

Introduction
COVID-19 vaccines have been highly effective in reducing morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. However, the emergence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant and subvariants as the globally dominant strains have raised doubts about the effectiveness of currently-available vaccines and prompted debate about potential future vaccination strategies.
Areas covered
Using the publicly available IVAC VIEW-hub platform, we reviewed 52 studies on vaccine effectiveness (VE) after booster vaccinations. VE data were reported for SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection, severe disease and death and stratified by vaccine schedule and age. In addition, a non-systematic literature review of safety was performed to identify single or multi-country studies investigating adverse event rates for at least two of the currently-available COVID-19 vaccines.
Expert opinion
Booster shots of the current COVID-19 vaccines provide consistently high protection against Omicron-related severe disease and death. Additionally, this protection appears to be conserved for at least 3 months, with a small but significant waning after that time. The positive risk-benefit ratio of these vaccines is well established, thus increasing confidence in administering additional doses as required. Future vaccination strategies will likely include a combination of schedules based on a person’s risk profile, as overly frequent boosting may be neither beneficial nor sustainable for the general population.
Is stroke the cause of vascular dementia? A two-sample Mendelian Randomization analysis
Authors: Zhang Ke-Jia , Chen Lan-Lan , Zhang Peng , Sun Xin , Qu Yang , Yi Yang , Guo Zhen-Ni
Published: September 2022

Background
Vascular dementia, the second most common cause of dementia, is closely related to stroke. This study aimed to determine whether stroke is causally associated with vascular dementia.
Methods
A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was performed. Genetic instruments were acquired with a genome-wide significant threshold (p < 5x10− 8) from the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) open genome-wide association studies (GWAS) project. Methods including inverse variance-weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted-median methods, and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) were performed to evaluate the effects and to assess heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. Controversies were resolved with a meta-analysis. A leave-one-out analysis was also performed.
Results
A causal association was observed between total stroke and vascular dementia, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.81 (95% CI, 1.81 to 2.34) and a P-value of 0.026 for IVW, and an OR of 1.81 (95% CI, 1.32 to 2.31) and a P-value of 0.047 for MR-PRESSO. Ischemic stroke was also causally associated with vascular dementia, with an OR of 1.87 (95% CI, 1.39 to 2.36), a P-value of 0.011 for IVW. MR-PRESSO had an OR of 1.87 (95% CI, 1.35 to 2.40) and a P-value of 0.048. Body mass index (BMI) was also associated with vascular dementia, with an OR of 1.29 (95% CI, 1.13 to 1.48) and P-value < 0.01 according to the meta-analysis. No significant association was observed between stroke subtypes, other stroke risk factors, or stroke-related medications.
Discussion
An estimation of two-sample MR found that stroke and BMI were the causes of vascular dementia.
Theoretical and experimental analysis of the temperature rise of a ball screw
Authors: Qiu yalan , Zhou Chang-Guang , Ou Yi , Feng Fu-Tian
Published: September 2022

The temperature rise of a ball screw is the main factor affecting machining accuracy. The traditional methods of calculation and analysis carry out coefficient fitting of known experimental data or using the formula for a friction heat source in bearing theory. However, the screw raceway parameters are ignored in the model. The variation in friction torque with temperature is not considered in the model, so it cannot be effectively applied to engineering. In this paper, the friction heat equation of the ball screw is established theoretically with the screw raceway parameter, and the friction torque is considered with the effect of temperature. A mathematical model of steady temperature and stable time is established for the effective heat source stroke section of the screw, and the temperature rise curve of the screw is fitted. The friction is divided into Coulomb friction torque and viscous friction torque. The viscosity affects viscous friction torque at low temperatures, so the variation in friction torque should be taken into account when calculating the temperature rise. When a specific temperature is reached, the viscous friction torque has little effect on the overall friction torque; then the temperature rise among different velocities is exponential with velocity ratio. The screw stability time decreases with increasing rotational speed. Twelve groups of tests are conducted to verify the theoretical analysis using two samples, two lubricating media, and three speeds. The experimental results agree well with the theory. This proves that the approach can be applied to engineering practice.
Hydrochemical characteristics and distribution of uranium in groundwater of the Geum River Basin, South Korea
Authors: Choi Hanna , Koh Dong Chan , Yoon Yoon Yeol
Published: September 2022

In the Geum River basin in Korea, local groundwater contamination has been occurring due to the complex influence of urbanization and agricultural activities. For proper utilization as a water resource, this study identified major influencing factors of groundwater hydrochemistry in the bedrock aquifer by statistical analysis and regional uranium (U) distribution as a redox-sensitive contaminant. The H-3 concentration of the groundwater was high in the plains and low in the mountain areas; thus, it was deemed to be affected by the residence time of groundwater after precipitation recharge. The hydrochemical properties and factor loading values of the principal components indicated that the major factors were water‒rock interactions and residence time, but a positive correlation of K-NO3 and Mg-Cl showed the influence of agricultural activities. Cl− increased as it moved downstream, while NO2− was found to decrease from upstream to midstream, and NO3− showed no regularity. Thus, the main groundwater pollutants upstream and downstream in the Geum River basin were likely to be contributed by agricultural activities and seawater infiltration, respectively. The U in groundwater existed in the UO2(CO3)22− (namely, uranyl ion), and the highest concentration was observed at neutral pH. It had a positive correlation with HCO3, pH, and Ca and a weak negative correlation with NO3.
Comprehensive Environmental Assessment Index of Ecological Footprint
Authors: Khezri Mohsen , Razzaghi Somayeh , Mamghaderi Mahnaz , Heshmati Almas
Published: September 2022

This paper aims to contribute to the growing body of research literature on assessing environmental efficiency by introducing a new key performance indicator (KPIs) in more complete and dependable aspects of ecological footprint indices. For this purpose, the DEA model considering three inputs (energy consumption, labor force, and capital stock), one desirable output (GDP), and different undesirable outputs (CO2 emissions, ecological footprint indicators) are applied to 27 OECD countries from 2000 to 2017. According to the results, Norway, Luxemburg, and United Kingdom are the most environmentally efficient countries in both terms of environmental efficiency and ecological footprint efficiency. On the other hand, the lowest environmental and ecological footprint efficiencies were in countries like Lithuania, Slovak, Czech, Estonia, and the USA. In addition, these nations fare poorly regarding their carbon footprint and farmland efficiency. In further detail, Lithuania, South Korea, Portugal, and Spain have a critical status in fishing ground efficiency, while Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the forest area efficiency is very acute in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Czech.JEL Classification Codes: F64; O44; O47; Q56; Q57
Composite Multi-dimensional Trust-based Schemes (CMT) for the Threat Information Sharing
Authors: Bennaceur Jihen , Zouaghi Wissem , Hammouda Imed , Mabrouk Ali
Published: September 2022

The trust concept becomes more and more popular by paving its way gradually into the modern field. Thus, it becomes a more alluring and attractive solution to secure and protect information sharing against attackers. Indeed, malicious entities can launch intentionally or unintentionally very harmful attacks against the information sharing process causing network paralysis. In this paper, we propose composite trust-based schemes from the perspective of direct experience and entities’ recommendations to enhance the shared threat information in the public and private communities. Therefore, we introduce a first trust-based model defined by several specific dimensions to improve the security of private/targeted communities. Furthermore, a second trust-based scheme is proposed for the public community where the concept of zero-trust is introduced to enhance the shared critical data inside this open environment. Thus, our proposal reveals a new level of defense against the misbehaving entities by introducing a penalty scheme to punish the malicious and suspicious users and to exempt the attackers with continuous misbehaving from participating in the information sharing process. Extensive simulations demonstrate that the proposed trustbased model provides high stability and resistance in a heavily hostile environment for the public and private communities.
A sensor placement strategy based on an enhanced damage localization method in beam-like structures: Saddle Point Criteria
Authors: TUFAN Tarık
Published: September 2022

The sensor deployment is one of the concerns in structural health monitoring. A novel sensor placement strategy based on a sensitivity-based damage detection method is presented. An existing damage detection method is simplified and adapted for multiple damages and different type of beam-like structures and proved to be appropriate numerically. Depending on the noise in the response and restricted measurement, the results show the validity of the damage identification method using the first three modes. However, the method has limitations due to the saddle points in the parameter. To cope with the limitation in the proposed damage detection method, a sensor deployment scheme is proposed. Contrary to counterpart procedures, the method neither depends on an optimization algorithm nor a physical model of the system. The sensor placement strategy is related to the deployment of accelerometers and strain gauges/Large Area Electronics at the same time.
Self-Assembled Perfect Absorber for Laser-Driven Flyer
Authors: Huang Xin , Ji Xiangbo , Qin Wenzhi , Hou Yidong , Gao Fuhua , Wang Yao , Wang Liang
Published: September 2022

Laser-driven flyer (LDF) ignition has attracted lots of attentions due to its high safety and reliability when using in the areas of detonation, dynamic high-pressure physics and space scrap metal science. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a high-performance LDF through introducing a perfect absorber in the ablation layer to improve the energy utilization efficiency, where the perfect absorber composed by a layer of silver nano-triangular array, a dielectric layer, and a layer of silver film. The perfect absorber was realized by the simple and low-cost colloid lithography technique, and the maximal absorbance can reach to about 95% at 1064 nm under an optimization condition. The in-depth electromagnetic simulation indicates that the perfect absorber can greatly improve the energy absorbance in the ablation layer at the beginning of laser illumination, and thus the temperature and pressure of the subsequently generated plasma. In experiment, this improved plasma was used to launch a 25-um thick Al flyer, and the flyer velocity is measured using a photonic doppler velocimetry. A maximum speed of about 2168 m/s is achieved in experiment, which is about 1.3 times larger than that (1650 m/s of the pure Al foil flyers. The extracted transient accelerated speed indicates that the absorber improved LDF owns higher accelerated speed at the beginning 20 ns, especially for the beginning 5 ns. The striking experiment indicates that the flyers formed in the improved LDF own a larger averaged striking depth, and some flyers give a striking depth in 80 µm that is twice larger than that formed in the normal LDF. The electromagnetic properties of the perfect absorber, the transient speed of flyer, and the striking morphology have been systematically investigated.
Influence of Device Performance of Sub-15 nm high K dielectric-based MOSFETs over Conventional Si-based MOSFETs.
Authors: Singh Abhay Pratap Singh , Baghel Rajendra Kumar Baghel , Tirkey Sukeshni Tirkey
Published: September 2022

A channel-engineered single insulator gate metal oxide field effect transistor (MOSFET) for low-power digital circuitry has been proposed in this study. This study examines the effects of several dielectric insulators used as gate materials, silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), and zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). The device's performance parameters are enhanced by utilizing different dielectrics in MOSFETs as a gate dielectric since the leakage current is significantly decreased. Following the validation of simulation findings using MOSFET reference data, the structure is evaluated by 15nm and 20nm node technology. In particular 15 nm scale, MOSFET exhibits reduced IOFF, higher ION/IOFF ratio, enhanced Drain Induced Barrier Lowering (DIBL), and Sub-threshold Slope (SS). For proposed MOSFETs, the simulated values of ION, IOFF, ION/IOFF, SS, DIBL, TGF, output conductance (gd), intrinsic gain (Av), and early voltage (VEA) shows improvements which are helpful in digital logic applications.
Extracellular Free Water Elevations are Associated with Maternal Cytokine Response in a Nonhuman Primate Maternal Immune Activation Model
Authors: Carter Cameron , Lesh Tyler , Iosif Ana-Maria , Tanase Costin , Vlasova Roza , Ryan Amy , Bennett Jeffrey , Hogrefe Casey , Maddock Richard , Geschwind Daniel , de Water Judy Van , McAllister A. Kimberley , Styner Martin , Bauman Melissa
Published: September 2022

Maternal infection has emerged as an important environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Animal model systems of maternal immune activation (MIA) suggest that the maternal immune response plays a significant role in the neurodevelopment and behavioral outcomes of offspring. Extracellular free water is a measure of freely diffusing water in the brain that may be associated with neuroinflammation and impacted by MIA. The present study evaluates the brain diffusion characteristics of male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) born to MIA-exposed dams (n = 14) treated with a modified form of the viral mimic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid at the end of the first trimester. Control dams received saline injections at the end of the first trimester (n = 10) or were untreated (n = 4). Offspring underwent diffusion MRI scans at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 45 months of age. Offspring born to MIA-exposed dams showed significantly increased extracellular free water in cingulate cortex gray matter starting as early as 6 months of age and persisting through 45 months. Additionally, offspring gray matter free water in this region was significantly correlated with the magnitude of the maternal IL-6 response in the MIA-exposed dams. These findings provide strong evidence for the construct validity of the NHP MIA model as a system of relevance for investigations of the pathophysiology of human neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders. Elevated free water in individuals exposed to immune activation in utero could represent an early marker of a perturbed or vulnerable neurodevelopmental trajectory.
Identification of MCM4 as an independent prognostic factor and correlate with immune infiltration in Lung Adenocarcinoma through bioinformatics analysis
Authors: wei xueqiang , Lei Yujie , Zhao Guangqiang , Wang Xi , Ye Lianhua , Huang Yunchao
Published: September 2022

Background: Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor with the highest mortality all over the world. Among it, Lung Adenocarcinoma owns the highest proportion of pathological classification.Yet, the fuction of MCM4 in the occurrence of Lung Adenocarcinoma is still unknown.In this research, we attempted to disscuss the potential role of MCM4 in LUAD through bioinformatics analysis and hoped to provide a new idea for clinical treatment.Methods: The data of Lung Adenocarcinoma in TCGA and GEO were downloaded.The correlation between MCM4 and immune infiltration were performed by R software packages .Enrichment analysis were underwent to analyze the functions of MCM4. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were utilized to determine whether MCM4 could be act as an independent prognostic factor for Lung Adenocarcinoma.Lastly,the expression of MCM4 was validated in clinical tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC), real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blotting (WB).Results: The expression of MCM4 was up-regulated in 13 tumors and was significantly correlated with age, gender, stage, T, N and smoke history. Furthermore, the Kaplan-Meier survival curves pointed that LUAD samples with lower MCM4 expression had longer Overall survival (OS) and the Disease-free survival (DFS) in 4 datasets. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the p value of MCM4 expression was less than 0.05(P＜0.05) and it appeared in the results of multivariate Cox regression analysis(HR≥1), which indicated that MCM4 can be used as an independent prognostic factor for LUAD.Enrichment Analysis suggested that MCM4 was correlated with the multiple biological functions and involved in vital pathways in GO and KEGG. Furthermore, the MCM4 expression was correlated with immune cells infiltration.Finally,the experimental results were consistent with the bioinformatic analysis.Conclusion: MCM4 might serve as a prognostic biomarker and correlate with immune infiltration in LUAD.
Patients with Advanced Pancreatic & Biliary Cancer Appear More Vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant: An Observational Study during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Shanghai
Authors: Han Tao , Li Heming , Chen Lujun , Zhao Min , Wu Shen , Yang Jue , Wang Hao , Wu Jun , Zhang Yue , Cong Yun , Zhao Mingfang , Wang Jiening , Li Kai , Chen Tingsong
Published: September 2022

Background:There is a great controversy about lethal effect of Omicron Variant on vulnerable populations and the measure of full-open or zero community transmission policy. Thus, we designed an observational study to evaluate the outcomes of Omicron-infected patients with pancreatic & biliary cancer (the so-called “King of Cancer”) in order to provide potential evidence for the most appropriate strategy to counter Omicron transmission in Shanghai.Methods: Omicron infected patients with advanced pancreatic & biliary cancer were enrolled from April 15 to May 31, 2022. Four groups were set in this study: Group 1, Omicron-infected cancer patients (N=4); Group 2, non-infected cancer patients (N=4); Group 3, infected non-cancer-afflicted subjects (N=4); Group 4, non-infected non-cancer-afflicted subjects (N=4). On Day 0, 7 and 14 after infection, the blood samples were dynamically collected from all subjects. The primary endpoints were disease severity and survival. Results:By the endpoints in this observational study, Patients No. 2, 3 and 4 died separately at Day 11, 25 and 13 after viral infection, all of whom were patients with advanced cancer, with the death rate up to 75%. Group 1 presented an overall T cell exhaustion status compared with other groups with obviously lower T cell populations and higher B cell% and CD4+T/CD8+T ratio (P<0.05). Time-course cytokine monitoring results showed that IL-1β was significantly decreased in Group 1 (P<0.05) and generally kept at a low level without obvious fluctuation. IL-6 was markedly increased in infected cancer patients (P<0.01), but remained a low level and had no apparent change during the whole infection process in non-cancer-afflicted subjects. Furthermore, several inflammatory parameter indexes indicated a tight association of Omicron infection with disease course and prognosis of Omicron-infected cancer patients.Conclusions:For patients with advanced pancreatic & biliary cancer, the strict & comprehensive control strategy for COVID-19 epidemic in Shanghai provided a guarantee of low infection and death rate. Conclusively, this policy shall be persisted upon the consideration of the welfare of vulnerable populations.
Administration of Anti-inflammatory M2 Macrophages Suppresses Progression of Angiotensin Ⅱ-Induced Aortic Aneurysm in Mice
Authors: Ashida Shin’ichi , Yamawaki-Ogata Aika , Tokoro Masayoshi , Mutsuga Masato , Usui Akihiko , Narita Yuji
Published: September 2022

Aortic aneurysm (AA) is a vascular disorder characterized pathologically by inflammatory cell invasion and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. It is known that regulation of the balance between pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages (M1Ms) and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages (M2Ms) play a pivotal role in AA stabilization. We investigated the effects of M2M administration in an apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mouse model in which AA was induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (ATⅡ) infusion. Mice received intraperitoneal administration of 1 million M2Ms 4 weeks after ATII infusion. The M2Ms group exhibited reduced AA expansion, decreased expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein−1 (MCP)-1, decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 enzymatic activity, and a lower M1M/M2M ratio. Moreover, the M2M group exhibited upregulation of anti-inflammatory factors, including IL-4 and IL-10. PKH26-labeled M2Ms accounted for 6.5% of cells in the aneurysmal site and co-expressed CD206. Taken together, intraperitoneal administration of M2Ms inhibited AA expansion by reducing the inflammatory reaction via M2M dominance. This study shows that M2M administration might be useful for the treatment of AA.
Evaluating a Sediments Pollution Using Contamination Indices and Risk Assessment in Mineralized Zones, Eastern Iran
Authors: Saadat Saeed
Published: September 2022

In this study, the results of nearly 1400 stream sediment sample analysis were processed to better understand environmental pollution caused by mining activities. Stream sediment samples were analyzed for As, Sb, Fe, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Sr, and Hg. The mean concentration of these elements followed the decreasing order of Fe > Sr > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Co > Pb > As > Sb > Hg. Based on the assessment of pollution, extremely severe enrichment factor Co (EF > 25) and high enrichment of Sb, Hg, Cr, and Sr (EF > 10) were detected. Specifically, Cr and Ni in southern stream sediments showed significantly elevated concentrations compared to the others. The range of the contamination factor varied from CF < 1 to CF > 6 for most elements. Geo-accumulation index showed high contamination levels by Cr and Co and high to severe contamination by Sb. The risk indices were low for all elements except for As and Co in the eastern part of the study area. Principal component analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and cluster analysis were used to demonstrate similarities and differences between the elements. Pollution indices showed that contaminations in some samples are the consequence of gold mineralization. The high correlation of Cu, Zn, and Sb is due to the sulfide mineralization of gold. The high correlation of Cr and Ni corresponds to ultramafic rocks and ophiolitic series. Based on the results presented here, while most contamination in the target area is rooted in geochemical and mineralization processes, mining activity also contributes to soil pollution for certain elements such as Cu and Zn.
Multi-attribute group decision-making problem based on q-Rung Orthopair fuzzy set under confidence environment
Authors: Muhammad Jan , Rahman K. , Hussain Ibrar
Published: September 2022

Emergency decision-making for communities and countries is an important and critical tool. It improves the effectiveness and reliability to response emergencies which minimizes the rate of casualties, environmental damages and economic losses. In the event of emergency decision-making, the main issue is extreme imprecision, ambiguity, and fuzziness. This paper is devoted to the study of q-rung orthopair fuzzy aggregation operators under the confidence levels and their applications to multiple-attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems. The concept of q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (q-ROFS) is used as tool to describe undetermined information and is superior to the intuitionistic set (IFS) and Pythagorean fuzzy set (PFS). The distinguishing feature of the q-ROFS is that the sum of the q-th power of the membership degree and the q-th power of non-membership degree is bounded by 1. As a result, the range of uncertain information that it may describe is expanded. In this work, we focus on MAGDM problems under the fuzzy environment. First, based on aggregation operators some drawbacks of the already existing MAGDM methods are analyzed. Moreover, we present some modified operational laws and some of their properties to overcome these drawbacks. Next, related to q-ROFS fuzzy-weighted averaging (q-ICROFWA) and fuzzy-weighted power averaging (q-ICROFWPA) aggregation operator under confidence levels along with their properties are presented. By using these operators’ q-ICROFWA and q-ICROFWPA an advanced method is proposed to deal with MAGDM problems in fuzzy environment. At last, the validity and feasibility of this method is illustrated with some numerical examples.
Prediction of Survival Time after Terminal Extubation: the Balance between Critical Care Unit Utilization and Hospice Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era
Authors: Zheng Yun-Cong , Huang Yen-Min , Chen Pin-Yuan , Chiu Hsiao-Yean , Wu Huang-Pin , Chu Chien-Ming , Chen Wei-Siang , Kao Yu-Cheng , Lai Ching-Fang , Shih Ning-Yi , Lai Chien-Hong
Published: September 2022

Background
We established 1-hour and 1-day survival models after terminal extubation to optimize ventilator use and achieve a balance between critical care for COVID-19 and hospice medicine.
Methods
Data were obtained from patients with end-of-life status at terminal extubation from 2015 to 2020. The associations between APACHE II scores and parameters with survival time were analyzed. Parameters with a p-value ≤ 0.2 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate models. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used for the multivariate analysis of survival time at 1 hour and 1 day.
Results
Of the 140 enrolled patients, 76 (54.3%) died within 1 hour and 35 (25%) survived beyond 24 hours. No spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) within the past 24 hours, minute ventilation (MV) ≥ 12 L/min, and APACHE II score ≥ 25 were associated with shorter survival in the 1-hour regression model. Lower MV, SpO2 ≥ 96% and SBT were related to longer survival in the 1-day model. Hospice medications did not influence survival time.
Conclusion
An APACHE II score of ≥ 25 at 1 hour and SpO2 ≥ 96% at 1 day were strong predictors of disposition of patients to intensivists. These factors can help to objectively tailor pathways for post-extubation transition and rapidly allocate intensive care unit resources without sacrificing the quality of palliative care in the era of COVID-19.
Trial registration
They study was retrospectively registered. IRB No.: 202101929B0
Biomechanical analysis of unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion: different heights of cage and osteoporosis
Authors: Li Jia-Rui , Yan Yang , WU Xiao-Gang , He Li-Ming , Feng Hao-Yu
Published: September 2022

Background By establishing a finite element model of unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-LIF), the biomechanical characteristics of UBE-LIF technology were analysed and evaluated. The risk of cage subsidence was also evaluated. Methods The finite element model of the L4-L5 vertebral body was constructed based on CT data from healthy adult male volunteers. According to the UBE-LIF surgical method, the fusio model with different cage heights of 8 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm was successively constructed. The flexion, extension, right lateral bend, left lateral bend, right axial rotation, and left axial rotation motions were simulated in 6 models with different bone conditions on the upper surface of L4 with 500 N followed load and 10 Nm torsional torque. The range of motion(ROM), Pedicle screw-rod system stress and endplate stress of each model under different working conditions were observed and analysed. Results The ROM of the 12mm model was the lowest, simultaneously, the maximum stress of the pedicle screw-rod system of the 12mm model was the lowest. However, the 12mm model has the largest endplate stress. The maximum stress of the L4 inferior endplate was greater than that of the L5 superior endplate in the UBE-LIF surgical models (24.9%). Compared with the normal model, the ROM of the osteoporosis model increased by 4.7%, the maximum stress of the pedicle screw-rod system increased by 14%, and the maximum stress of the endplate increased by 7.5%. Conclusions The results show that the appropriate height of the cage should be selected during the operation to ensure the stability of the segment and avoid the risk of the subsidence caused by the high cage. This is especially important for patients with osteoporosis.
Deep Learning Meets Knowledge Graphs: A Comprehensive Survey
Authors: Yu Shuo , Xu Chengchuan , Bai Xiaomei , Kuncheerathodi Ranjith , Firmin Selena , Xia Feng
Published: September 2022

Knowledge Graphs (KGs) which can encode structural relations connecting two objects with one or multiple related attributes have become an increasingly popular research direction. Given the superiority of deep learning in representing complex data in continuous space, it is handy to represent KGs data, thus promoting KGs construction, representation, and application. This survey article provides a comprehensive overview of deep learning technologies and KGs by exploring research topics from diverse phases of the KGs lifecycle, such as construction, representation, and knowledge-aware application. We propose new taxonomies on these research topics for motivating cross-understanding between deep learning and KGs. Based on the above three phases, we classify the different tasks of KGs and task-related methods. Afterwards, we explain the principles of combing deep learning in various KGs steps like KGs embedding. We further discuss the contribution and advantages of deep learning applied to the different application scenarios. Finally, we summarize some critical challenges and open issues deep learning approaches face in KGs.
Electrostimulation of the white matter of the posterior insula and medial operculum: perception of vibrations, heat, and pain
Authors: Mandonnet Valéry , Rheault François , Descoteaux Maxime , Devaux Bertrand , Levé Charlotte , Froelich Sébastien , Mandonnet Emmanuel
Published: September 2022

Objectives
The aim of this study was to characterize the sensory responses observed when stimulating electrically the white matter surrounding the posterior insular point.
Methods
We reviewed patients operated on under awake conditions for a glioma located in the vicinity of the posterior insular point. Patients’ reports of perceived sensations under electrical stimulation were retrospectively collected. Stimulation points were manually located in the postoperative MRI and further registered to the MNI template.
Results
Twelve stimulation points in eight patients were analyzed. Painful sensations in the leg were reported in 6 cases, at the level of the posterior part of the superior insular sulcus. Pain had diverse qualities: burning, tingling, crushing, or electric shock. More laterally, in the white matter of the parietal operculum, heat sensations were described, with a mesio-lateral somatotopy, with from mesial to lateral, lower limb – trunk and/or superior limb – face. Finally, vibration sensations were also reported, intermingled with pain and heat areas. In relation to Glasser atlas, pain sites abutted OP2/3 parcel, while heat sites were located within OP1.
Conclusion
The white matter surrounding the posterior insula and medial operculum constitutes a sensory hub, at the cross-road of triangular connections, linking two at a time the primary somatosensory area, the secondary somatosensory area, and the thalamus. Its surgical preservation is of utmost importance to prevent the postoperative onset of a debilitating insulo-opercular pain syndrome.
Does Family Functioning contribute to the Satisfaction with Life among Iranian University Students during COVID-19 Outbreak?
Authors: Zarei Salman , Fooladvand Khadijeh
Published: September 2022

Background Research has found that family functioning is positively associated with satisfaction with life. However, further investigations are needed for internal mechanisms of this relationship. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to decrease life satisfaction. We examined the protective impacts of family functioning, hope and resilience on life satisfaction of university students in COVID-19 pandemics. Methods This cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, between July and December 2021, in Iran. A total of 480 students were recruited from Lorestan University. The State Hope Scale (SHS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Family APGAR Index, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) collected data. Data were analyzed by pearson’ correlation analysis and structural equation modeling. Results Family functioning showed a statistically significant direct effect on hope (β = .41, P < .001), on resilience (β = .39, P < .001) and on life satisfaction (β = .27, P < 0.01). Also, according to the bootstrapping findings, the mediating effect of hope (indirect effect = .21) and resilience (indirect effect = .18) in the association between family functioning and life satisfaction was reliable. Conclusion Family functioning, hope and resilience are three important factors influencing university students’ life satisfaction. Interventions to increase family functioning and hope and resilience are needed to elevate life satisfaction for university students.
A common variant close to the “trip-wire” linker region of NLRP1 contributes to severe COVID-19
Authors: Leal Vinicius N. C. , Paulino Leandro M. , Cambui Raylane A. G. , Zupelli Thiago G , Yamada Suemy M. , Oliveira Leonardo A.T. , Dutra Valéria F. , Bub Carolina B. , Sakashita Araci M. , Yokoyama Ana Paula H. , Kutner José M. , Vieira Camila A. , Santiago Wellyngton M. S. , Andrade Milena M. S. , Teixeira Franciane M. E. , Alberca Ricardo W. , Gozzi-Silva Sarah C. , Yendo Tatiana M. , Netto Lucas C. , Duarte Alberto J. S. , Sato Maria N. , Venturini James , Pontillo Alessandra
Published: September 2022

Objective and design: The heterogeneity of response to SARS-COV-2 infection is directly linked to the individual genetic background. Genetic variants of inflammasome related genes have been pointed as risk factors for several inflammatory sterile and infectious disease. In the group of inflammasome receptors, NLRP1 stand out as a good novel candidate as severity factor for Covid-19 disease. Methods: To address this question, we performed an association study of NLRP1, DPP9, CARD8, IL1B and IL18 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in a cohort of 945 Covid-19 patients. Results: The NLRP1 p.Leu155His in the linker region, target of viral protease, was significantly associated to Covid-19 severity, which could contribute to the excessive cytokine release reported in severe cases.