bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual expression of factor decomposition in regression analysis: An example of Japanese housing rents
Authors: Fukuda Kosei
Published: March 2023

This paper presents the importance of the visual expression of factor decomposition in regression analysis, which is particularly worthwhile for undergraduate students whose majors are not mathematics but social science. The conventional purpose of regression analysis is to examine specific hypotheses empirically. In particular, the statistical significance of the explanatory variable was tested, which may have been difficult for many students to understand mathematically. To remedy this, factor decomposition is introduced in the same way that human body composition is broken down into water, fat, and muscle. As an illustrative example, multiple regression was applied to the determinants of housing rents in Japan. The explanatory variables were the living area, building age, and walking time from the nearest station. The findings suggest that, with the help of visual expression, a student can easily appreciate which variable significantly affects housing rents.
Post‐pandemic cities: An urban lexicon of accelerations/decelerations
Authors: Marvin Simon , McFarlane Colin , Guma Prince , Hodson Michael , Lockhart Andrew , McGuirk Pauline , McMeekin Andrew , Ortiz Catalina , Simone AbdouMaliq , Wiig Alan
Published: March 2023

COVID‐19 has stimulated renewed societal and academic debate about the future of cities and urban life. Future visons have veered from the ‘death of the city’ to visual renderings and limited experiments with novel 15 minute neighbourhoods. Within this context, we as a diverse group of urban scholars sought to examine the emergent ‘post’‐COVID city through the production of an urban lexicon that investigates its socio‐material contours. The urban lexicon makes three contributions. First, to explore how the pandemic has accelerated certain processes and agendas, while at the same time, other processes, priorities and sites have been decelerated and put on hold. Second, to utilise this framing to examine the impacts of the pandemic on how cities are governed, how urban geographies are managed and lived, and how care emerged as a vital urban resource. Third, to tease out what might be temporary intensifications and what may become configurational in urban governance, platforming, density, technosolutionism, dwelling, crowds, respatialisation, reconcentration, care, improvisation and atmosphere. The urban lexicon proposes a vocabulary for describing and understanding some of the key contours of the emergent post‐pandemic city.
Influence of conventional versus unidirectional barbed suture on leakage pressures in canine vesicourethral anastomosis: An ex‐vivo study
Authors: Monnet Eric , Hafez Ahmed
Published: March 2023

Objective

To compare leakage pressures of vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) performed with conventional and unidirectional barbed sutures in canine cadaveric tissue.

Study design

Experimental, ex‐vivo, randomized study.

Animals

A total of 24 male canine bladders with the urethra.

Methods

Specimens after prostatectomy were randomly divided into a unidirectional barbed suture (UBS) or a conventional suture (C) group. For the UBS group, the VUA was performed with 4‐0 unidirectional barbed sutures. For the C group, the VUA was performed with 4‐0 monofilament absorbable suture. The VUA was completed with two simple continuous sutures. Surgical time, leakage pressure, site of leakage, and the number of suture bites were recorded.

Results

The median suturing time was 12.70 minutes (range: 7.50–16.10 min) for the UBS group and 17.30 minutes (range: 14.00–21.30 min) for the C group (p < .0002). The median leakage pressure was 8.60 mmHg (range: 5.00–17.20 mmHg) for the UBS group and 11.70 mmHg (range: 6.00–18.50 mmHg) for the C group (p = .236). The median number of suture bites was 14 (range:11–27) for the UBS group and 19 (range:17–28) for the C group (p = .012).

Conclusion

Unidirectional barbed suture does not statistically affect the acute leakage pressure of VUA in normal cadaveric specimen. It resulted in a shorter surgical time and fewer suture bite placements.

Clinical significance

A urinary catheter will still be required when a unidirectional barbed suture is used to complete a VUA in dogs to prevent extravasation of urine in the postoperative period.
Treated municipal wastewater as option to the use of fresh water for the cultivation of valuable pastoral species Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.)
Authors: Ben Said Ines , Muscolo Adele , Mezghani Imed , Chaieb Mohamed
Published: March 2023

The increasing aridity exacerbated by climatic changes is leading to loss of perennial herbaceous plants Cenchrus ciliaris, an apomictic, polyploid grass used as forage in hot and dry areas, and is currently under threat for the increased scarcity of water. In this study, treated municipal wastewater (TWW) was used to irrigate two ploidy levels of C. ciliaris for two consecutive years. The objectives were (1) to assess the possibility of using unconventional water for watering C. ciliaris and (2) to identify at what extent TWW irrigation affected growth and nutritive properties of C. ciliaris that differed for polyploidy level. TWW irrigation positively affected growth and physiological plant parameters. In leaves of TWW watered C. ciliaris, the concentration of Nt, P and K significantly increased. The tetraploid C. ciliaris showed a better growth and quality than the hexaploid ones, appearing the most suitable cultivar to be irrigated with TWW for feed uses. In short, TWW can be strategically used for irrigating forage species with the double output of ameliorating soil properties, recovering degraded area and improving the nutritive values of fodder species contributing to the promotion of a green and sustainable circular economy, more in climatically under pressure developing countries.
Genetic variability highlights the invasion route of the Lutzomyia longipalpis complex, the main vector of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Uruguay
Authors: Cabrera Andrés , Pita Sebastián , González Telma , Viera Ana , Verger Lorenzo , Piegas Sofia , Willat Gabriela , Fresia Pablo , Basmadjián Yester
Published: March 2023

In the Americas, the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of the parasitic protozoa Leishmania infantum, the etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The Lu. longipalpis species complex is currently discontinuously distributed across the Neotropical region, from Mexico to the north of Argentina and Uruguay. During its continental spreading, it must have adapted to several biomes and temperature amplitudes, when founder events should have contributed to the high genetic divergence and geographical structure currently observed, reinforcing the speciation process. The first report of Lu. longipalpis in Uruguay was in 2010, calling the attention of Public Health authorities. Five years later, the parasite Le. infantum was recorded and in 2015 the first case of VL in canids was reported. Hitherto seven human cases by VL have been reported in Uruguay. Here, we publish the first DNA sequences from the mitochondrial genes ND4 and CYTB of Lu. longipalpis collected in Uruguay, and we used these molecular markers to investigate their genetic variability and population structure. We described four new ND4 haplotypes in a total of 98 (4/98) and one CYTB in a total of 77 (1/77). As expected, we were able to establish that the Lu. longipalpis collected in two localities (i.e. Salto and Bella Unión) from the north of Uruguay are closely related to the populations from neighbouring countries. We also propose that the possible route for the vector arrival to the region may have been through vegetation and forest corridors of the Uruguay River system, as well as it may have benefited from landscape modifications generated by commercial forestation. The ecological‐scale processes shaping Lu. longipalpis populations, the identification of genetically homogeneous groups and the gene flow among them must be carefully investigated by using highly sensible molecular markers (i.e. genome wide SNPs) since it will help to the understanding of VL transmission and contribute to the planification of public policies on its control.
Insulin‐resistant female rat skeletal muscles display diacylglycerol‐mediated protein kinase C activation and inflammation without ceramide accumulation
Authors: Jani Shailee , Da Eira Daniel , Ceddia Rolando B.
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the role of diacylglycerol (DAG)‐mediated protein kinase C (PKC) activation, ceramide accumulation and inflammation in insulin‐resistant female oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscles induced by an obesogenic high‐fat sucrose‐enriched (HFS) diet. The HFS diet impaired insulin‐stimulated AKTThr308 phosphorylation and glycogen synthesis, whereas rates of fatty acid oxidation and basal lactate production were significantly elevated in soleus (Sol), extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and epitrochlearis (Epit) muscles. Insulin resistance was accompanied by increases in triacylglycerol (TAG) and DAG contents in Sol and EDL, whereas in Epit muscles only TAG content and markers of inflammation were associated with HFS diet‐induced insulin resistance. Analysis of membrane‐bound/cytoplasmic PKC fractions revealed that the HFS diet promoted activation/translocation of PKCδ and θ isoforms in Sol, EDL and Epit muscles. However, none of these muscles displayed alterations in ceramide content in response to HFS feeding. This could be explained by a significant increase in Dgat2 mRNA expression in Sol, EDL and Epit muscles, which likely diverted most of the intramyocellular acyl‐CoAs toward TAG synthesis instead of ceramides. Overall, this study helps elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance caused by diet‐induced obesity in female skeletal muscles with distinct fibre type compositions.

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Key points

Feeding female Wistar rats a high‐fat sucrose‐enriched diet (HFS) led to diacylglycerol (DAG)‐induced PKC activation and insulin resistance in oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscles.

HFS diet‐induced toll‐like receptor 4 (Tlr4) expression did not lead to increased ceramide content in female skeletal muscles.

In highly glycolytic female muscles, elevated TAG content and markers of inflammation underlay HFS diet‐induced insulin resistance.

The HFS diet suppressed glucose oxidation and increased lactate production in oxidative and glycolytic female muscles.

Increased Dgat2 mRNA expression likely diverted most of the intramyocellular acyl‐CoAs toward TAG synthesis and prevented ceramide formation in skeletal muscles of HFS‐fed female rats.
How Many Trials Are Needed to Estimate Typical Lumbar Movement Patterns During Dynamic X-Ray Imaging?
Authors: Aiyangar Ameet , Gale Tom , Magherhi Sabreen , Anderst William
Published: March 2023

Dynamic biplane radiographic (DBR) imaging measures continuous vertebral motion during in vivo, functional tasks with submillimeter accuracy, offering the potential to develop novel biomechanical markers for lower back disorders based on true dynamic motion rather than metrics based on static end-range of motion. Nevertheless, the reliability of DBR metrics is unclear due to the inherent variability in movement over multiple repetitions and a need to minimize radiation exposure associated with each movement repetition. The objectives of this study were to determine the margin of uncertainty (MOU) in estimating the typical intervertebral kinematics waveforms based upon only a small number of movement repetitions, and to determine the day-to-day repeatability of intervertebral kinematics waveforms measured using DBR. Lumbar spine kinematics data were collected from two participant groups who performed multiple trials of flexion–extension or lateral bending to assess the uncertainty in the mean estimated waveform. The first group performed ten repetitions on the same day. Data from that group were used to estimate MOU as a function of the number of repetitions. The second group performed five repetitions on each of two separate days. MOU was not only movement-specific, but also motion segment-specific. Using just one or two trials yielded a relatively high MOU (e.g., >4 deg or 4 mm), however, collecting at least three repetitions reduced the MOU by 40% or more. Results demonstrate the reproducibility of DBR-derived measurements is greatly improved by collecting at least three repetitions, while simultaneously minimizing the amount of radiation exposure to participants.
Theoretical Analysis of Free Vibration and Transient Response of Rectangular Plate–Cavity System Under Impact Loading
Authors: Ji Ming , Inaba Kazuaki
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a theoretical method to solve the free vibration and transient responses of a rectangular plate–cavity system. The spectral collocation method was used to solve the resonant frequencies and corresponding mode shapes of rectangular plates based on Kirchhoff thin plate and Mindlin–Reissner thick plate theories. A linear velocity potential function was employed to model the fluid pressure applied to the plate surface. Unlike in previous studies, it was not assumed that the wet-mode shapes were the same as the dry-mode ones. Rather, the wet modes were assumed to be the superposition of the dry modes; then, the resonant frequencies and corresponding mode shapes of the wet modes could be obtained by solving the equations of the coupled system by exploiting the orthogonality of dry modes. Using dry modes’ orthogonality and superposition of the wet modes, the transient responses of the rectangular plate–cavity system under impact loading can be solved. A method for estimating the resonant frequencies of the coupled system is proposed based on parametric studies to determine the influence of the fluid properties and plate materials on resonant frequencies. As a result, the resonant frequencies and transient responses obtained from the proposed theoretical methods are in excellent agreement with those obtained from finite element analysis.
Ab-initio study of electronic, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of β-Ti–15Nb–xSi alloys for biomaterials applications
Authors: Bahloul W. , Arbouche O. , Almaghbash Z. A. A. R. , Driss Kodja F. Z. , Cherifi A.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we used the first-principles method to investigate the structural, electronic, mechanical and thermodynamic parameters of the ternary [Formula: see text]-Ti–15Nb–xSi alloys with [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]wt.%. We have carried out theoretical computations inside the density functional theory (DFT) utilizing the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) with the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) model. The random distribution of Nb atoms in the alloy was described by using both virtual crystal approximation (VCA), special quasirandom structure (SQS) and the coherent potential approximation (CPA) techniques, in combination with first-principles plane-wave pseudopotential (PW-PP) and exact muffin-tin orbital (EMTO) methods. We determined the elastic constants as well as the bulk, shear, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Our structural results are in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical results for the pure structure of the titanium. In addition, we have estimated the band structure and the density of state (DOS) for the electronic computations. Our findings demonstrate that all of the compounds are metallic, stable and meet the requirements for stability. Young’s modulus of Ti–15Nb–0.6Si and Ti–15Nb–1.6Si is 86.5[Formula: see text]GPa and 15.11[Formula: see text]GPa, respectively, which are similar to Young’s moduli of human bone (10–30[Formula: see text]GPa). All calculated parameters of the alloys decreased with increasing of Si concentration except for Poisson’s ratio, anisotropy and B/G ratio. Furthermore, all of the materials investigated showed ductile nature, and Young’s modulus values are needed for further applications. Excitations from the quasi-harmonic Debye approximation’s vibrational part were applied to the 0[Formula: see text]K free energy calculated via ab-initio calculations. The influence of temperatures up to 800 K on phase stability was investigated. These findings can be utilized to help designers create alternative low-modulus alloys for biomedical applications.
Impact of multifarious slips on radiating nanofluid flow containing ZrO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Sharma Ram Prakash , Das Kalidas , Gorai Debasish
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the impact of thermal slip and slip velocity on ZrO2 (Zirconia)–water nanofluid flow through a vertically heated permeable stretching sheet surrounded by a porous medium has been deliberated. The concept of thermal radiation is assimilated into the study. Using similarity transformations, the concerned governing flow model is changed into nonlinear ODEs and gets a solution by the R-K method. The consequence of numerous pertinent parameters in the fluid flow arena is deliberated by employing graphical and tabular approaches. The current investigation will be supportive of understanding the thermal features of heat transfer nanofluids. Outcomes of the present effort are compared with that of previously published works and found a commendable level of settlement. Our analysis sightsees that Zirconia–water achieves high temperatures due to thermal radiation. Also, it is found that Zirconia–water nanofluid lessens the heat transfer rate related to their base fluid.
Investigation on spatial distribution of atomic density in a supersonic planar symmetric gas jet by simulations
Authors: Xiong Zixin , Chen Guanglong , Cao Damin , Ren Li , Xu Hongxia , Cao Yunjiu
Published: March 2023

As a special gas target with large aspect ratio, the planar symmetric gas jet has attracted some interests in High Harmonic Generation (HHG). It can be produced by gas adiabatic expansion through a supersonic slit nozzle into vacuum. In this work, the spatial distributions of atomic density are investigated in detail along the short side, the long side and the gas jet flow of the planar symmetric argon gas jet based on ANSYS Fluent. The results indicate that along the long side, the planar symmetric jet provides the advantages of high atomic density and the large dimension of uniform atomic density distribution. The density distribution profile is similar to the Gaussian one along the short side. The atomic density at the center of the jet outside the nozzle is lower and decreases much faster than that expected by idealized straight streamline model due to the lateral expansion of gas jet at slit nozzle width.
Circulation of electromagnetic energy in atoms: Poynting’s vector
Authors: Pyroha Stepan
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a fundamentally new approach to the study of stationary states in atoms, which is based on the analysis of the energy of electric and magnetic fields. The circulation of the electromagnetic field in the stationary states of the atom was discovered and the mechanism of optical transitions due to the continuous change of the circulating energy was clarified. The difference between circulating energy flows in the initial and final states is emitted (or absorbed) in the form of a quantum of light. A universal relation for determining the lifetime of excited states is proposed.
Interfacial nanoarchitectonics with porphyrins and related molecules: Langmuir-Blodgett method and layer-by-layer assembly
Authors: Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: March 2023

Nanoarchitectonics is the methodology for the architecture of nano-units of atoms, molecules, and nanomaterials to create functional material systems. This will integrate nanotechnology with other fields such as organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, material science, microfabrication technology, and bio-related sciences. Through this review, it is shown that nanoarchitectonics is important for the development of various functional materials. Porphyrins and their analogues are exemplified as important players in nanoarchitectonics strategies. The contents of this review can be briefly summarized as follows. First, recent examples of studies on porphyrins and their analogues, ranging from organic synthesis as basic research to biomedical applications as advanced usages, are presented. This demonstrates the broad utility of porphyrins as functional nano-units, from molecular nanoarchitectonics to material nanoarchitectonics. In subsequent sections, the organization and function of porphyrin assemblies by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method and layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly are described as examples of nanoarchitectonics at interfaces. The creation of functional materials through nanoarchitectonics is rich in possibilities. Conversely, the wide range of possibilities may make it difficult to easily design and control. Confine the system from free three-dimensional space to a two-dimensional field such as an interface, and design, creation, and evaluation may become easier. The nanoarchitectonics of functional structures in a two-dimensional plane are also advantageous in terms of functional expression. The use of interfacial environments is an extremely powerful tool for creating functional systems through nanoarchitectonics.
DiaFocus: A Personal Health Technology for Adaptive Assessment in Long-Term Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Bardram Jakob E. , Cramer-Petersen Claus , Maxhuni Alban , Christensen Mads V. S. , Bækgaard Per , Persson Dan R. , Lind Nanna , Christensen Merete B. , Nørgaard Kirsten , Khakurel Jayden , Skinner Timothy C. , Kownatka Dagmar , Jones Allan
Published: March 2023

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a large disease burden worldwide and represents an increasing and complex challenge for all societies. For the individual, T2D is a complex, multi-dimensional, and long-term challenge to manage, and it is challenging to establish and maintain good communication between the patient and healthcare professionals. This article presents DiaFocus, which is a mobile health sensing application for long-term ambulatory management of T2D. DiaFocus supports an
adaptive
collection of physiological, behavioral, and contextual data in combination with ecological assessments of psycho-social factors. This data is used for improving patient-clinician communication during consultations. DiaFocus is built using a generic data collection framework for mobile and wearable sensing and is highly extensible and customizable. We deployed DiaFocus in a 6-week feasibility study involving 12 patients with T2D. The patients found the DiaFocus approach and system useful and usable for diabetes management. Most patients would use such a system, if available as part of their treatment. Analysis of the collected data shows that mobile sensing is feasible for longitudinal ambulatory assessment of T2D, and helped identify the most appropriate target users being early diagnosed and technically literate T2D patients.
Better Localness for Non-Autoregressive Transformer
Authors: Wang Shuheng , Huang Heyan , Shi Shumin
Published: March 2023

The Non-Autoregressive Transformer, due to its low inference latency, has attracted much attention from researchers. Although, the performance of the non-autoregressive transformer has been significantly improved in recent years, there is still a gap between the non-autoregressive transformer and the autoregressive transformer. Considering the success of localness on the autoregressive transformer, in this work, we consider incorporating localness into the non-autoregressive transformer. Specifically, we design a dynamic mask matrix according to the query tokens, key tokens, and relative distance, and unify the localness module for self-attention and cross-attention module. We conduct experiments on several benchmark tasks, and the results show that our model can significantly improve the performance of the non-autoregressive transformer.
Contrastive Learning Based Graph Convolution Network for Social Recommendation
Authors: Zhuang Jiabo , Meng Shunmei , Zhang Jing , Sheng Victor S.
Published: March 2023

Exploiting social networks is expected to enhance the performance of recommender systems when interaction information is sparse. Existing social recommendation models focus on modeling multi-graph structures and then aggregating the information from these multiple graphs to learn potential user preferences. However, these methods often employ complex models and redundant parameters to get a slight performance improvement. Contrastive learning has been widely researched as an effective paradigm in the area of recommendation. Most existing contrastive learning-based models usually focus on constructing multi-graph structures to perform graph augmentation for contrastive learning. However, the effect of graph augmentation on contrastive learning is inconclusive. In view of these challenges, in this work, we propose a contrastive learning based graph convolution network for social recommendation (CLSR), which integrates information from both the social graph and the interaction graph. First, we propose a fusion-simplified method to combine the social graph and the interaction graph. Technically, on the basis of exploring users’ interests by interaction graph, we further exploit social connections to alleviate data sparsity. By combining the user embeddings learned through two graphs in a certain proportion, we can obtain user representation at a finer granularity. Meanwhile, we introduce a contrastive learning framework for multi-graph network modeling, where we explore the feasibility of constructing positive and negative samples of contrastive learning by conducting data augmentation on embedding representations. Extensive experiments verify the superiority of CLSR’s contrastive learning framework and fusion-simplified method of integrating social relations.
Book Recommendation Using Collaborative Filtering Algorithm
Authors: Ahmed Esmael , Letta Adane
Published: March 2023

The explosive growth in the amount of available digital information in higher education has created a potential challenge of information overload, which hampers timely access to items of interest. The recommender systems are applied in different domains such as recommendations film, tourist advising, webpages, news, songs, and products. But the recommender systems pay less attention to university library services. The most users of university library are students. These users have a lack of ability to search and select the appropriate materials from the large repository that meet for their needs. A lot of work has been done on recommender system, but there are technical gaps observed in existing works such as the problem of constant item list in using web usage mining, decision tree induction, and association rule mining. Besides, it is observed that there is cold start problem in case-based reasoning approach. Therefore, this research work presents matrix factorization collaborative filtering with some performance enhancement to overcome cold start problem. In addition, it presents a comparative study among memory-based and model-based approaches. In this study, researchers used design science research method. The study dataset, 5189 records and 76,888 ratings, was collected from the University of Gondar student information system and online catalogue system. To develop the proposed model, memory-based and model-based approaches have been tested. In memory-based approach, matrix factorization collaborative filtering with some performance enhancements has been implemented. In model-based approach, K-nearest neighbour (KNN) and singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithms are also assessed experimentally. The SVD model is trained on our dataset optimized with a scored RMSE 0.1623 compared to RMSE 0.1991 before the optimization. The RMSE for a KNN model trained using the same dataset was 1.0535. This indicates that the matrix factorization performs better than KNN models in building collaborative filtering recommenders. The proposed SVD-based model accuracy score is 85%. The accuracy score of KNN model is 53%. So, the comparative study indicates that matrix factorization technique, specifically SVD algorithm, outperforms over neighbourhood-based recommenders. Moreover, using hyperparameter tuning with SVD also has an improvement on model performance compared with the existing SVD algorithm.
A Neonatal Patient Diagnosed with Chromosome 18p 11.1 Microdeletion Syndrome Presented with Trisomy 18Like Phenotype
Authors: Banker Deepa , Mungala Bhavdeep , Parekh Zankhana , Ganatra Shachi , Maheshwari Vimal , Raj Yashica , Patel Utsav , Patel Digant , Chamar Kishan , Solanki Vasu
Published: March 2023

Microdeletion of the short arm of chromosome 18 is one of the most common chromosome deletion syndromes. Its estimated frequency is 1 in 50,000 live-born infants, with female prevalence over males. Around 150 cases have been described till now. The reported abnormalities include growth deficiency, hypotonia, microcephaly, dysmorphic facial features such as ptosis, epicanthal folds, hypertelorism and micrognathia, and relatively small hands and feet. Our patient was a full-term low birth weight (2150 gm) female newborn, showing cleft upper lip and palate (hard and soft palate), bilateral congenital Talipes Equinovarus with rocker bottom foot, microcephaly, atrial septal defect. She was initially conservatively managed with gavage feeding, then shifted into paladai feeding of expressed breast milk. A multidisciplinary approach was adopted due to various malformations and for the potential occurring complications. To our knowledge, this is the first case diagnosed during the neonatal period.
Liver Assessment in Patients with Ataxia-Telangiectasia: Transient Elastography Detects Early Stages of Steatosis and Fibrosis
Authors: Donath H. , Wölke S. , Knop V. , Heß U. , Duecker R. P. , Trischler J. , Poynard T. , Schubert R. , Zielen S.
Published: March 2023

Background. Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare autosomal-recessive multisystem disorder characterized by pronounced cerebellar ataxia, telangiectasia, cancer predisposition, and altered body composition. Liver diseases with steatosis, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma are frequent findings in older patients but sensitive noninvasive diagnostic tools are lacking. Objectives. To determine the sensitivity of transient elastography (TE) as a screening tool for early hepatic tissue changes and serum biomarkers for liver disease. Methods. Thirty-one A-T patients aged 2 to 25 years were examined prospectively from 2016–2018 by TE. In addition, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of liver biomarkers for steatosis and necroinflammatory activity (SteatoTest and ActiTest, Biopredictive, Paris) compared to TE. For calculation and comparison, patients were divided into two groups (<12, >12 years of age). Results. TE revealed steatosis in 2/21 (10%) younger patients compared to 9/10 (90%) older patients. Fibrosis was present in 3/10 (30%) older patients as assessed by TE. We found a significant correlation of steatosis with SteatoTest, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), HbA1c, and triglycerides. Liver stiffness correlated significantly with SteatoTest, ActiTest, HbA1c, and triglycerides. Conclusion. Liver disease is a common finding in older A-T patients. TE is an objective measure to detect early stages of steatosis and fibrosis. SteatoTest and ActiTest are a good diagnostic assessment for steatosis and necroinflammatory activity in patients with A-T and confirmed the TE results.
Impact of Ovariectomy on the Anterior Pituitary Gland in Female Rats
Authors: Oride Aki , Kanasaki Haruhiko , Tumurbaatar Tuvshintugs , Tumurgan Zolzaya , Okada Hiroe , Cairang Zhuoma , Satoru Kyo
Published: March 2023

Ovariectomy (OVX) causes a depletion of circulating estradiol (E2) and influences hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons, which govern gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release and ultimately gonadotropin secretion. In this study, we examined the changes induced by OVX on the anterior pituitary gland in female rats. OVX significantly increased the mRNA expression of gonadotropin α, luteinizing hormone (LH) β, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β subunits within the pituitary gland compared with control (sham-operated) rats, and this was completely suppressed by E2 supplementation. High-dose dihydrotestosterone supplementation also prevented the OVX-induced increase in the expression of the three gonadotropin subunits. GnRH receptor mRNA expression within the pituitary was significantly increased in OVX rats, and this increase was completely inhibited by E2 supplementation. The mRNA expression of the receptors for adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and kisspeptin was unchanged by OVX. Although the mRNA levels of inhibin α, βA, and βB subunits within the pituitary gland were not modulated by OVX, follistatin gene expression within the pituitary gland was increased by OVX, and this increase was completely inhibited by E2 supplementation after OVX. In experiments using a pituitary gonadotroph cell model (LβT2 cells), follistatin itself did not modulate the mRNA expression of gonadotropin LHβ and FSHβ subunits, and the GnRH-induced increase in the expression of these genes was slightly inhibited in the presence of follistatin. Our current observations suggest that OVX induces several characteristic changes in the pituitary gland of rats.
[Retracted] Optimization Algorithm of Moving Object Detection Using Multiscale Pyramid Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Yang Zhe , Bu Ziyu , Pan Yexin
Published: March 2023

Object detection and recognition is a very important topic with significant research value. This research develops an optimised model of moving target identification based on CNN to address the issues of insufficient positioning information and low target detection accuracy (convolutional neural network). In this article, the target classification information and semantic location information are obtained through the fusion of the target detection model and the depth semantic segmentation model. The classification and position portion of the target detection model is provided by the simultaneous fusion of the image features carrying various information and a pyramid structure of multiscale image features so that the matched image fusion characteristics can be used by the target detection model to detect targets of various sizes and shapes. According to experimental findings, this method’s accuracy rate is 0.941, which is 0.189 higher than that of the LSTM‐NMS algorithm. Through the migration of CNN and the learning of context information, this technique has great robustness and enhances the scene adaptability of feature extraction as well as the accuracy of moving target position detection.
The Protective Role of Nrf2 in Renal Tubular Cells in Oxidised Low‐Density Lipoprotein‐Induced Fibrosis
Authors: Long Xiangju , Liu Zhe , Sun Yanan , Zhang Hong
Published: March 2023

Background: CD36 is the receptor of oxidised low‐density lipoprotein (OxLDL) in renal tubular epithelial cells. Nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is the key factor in the activation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway and the regulation of oxidative stress. Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) is known as an Nrf2 inhibitor. Methods: We used OxLDL and Nrf2 inhibitors at different concentrations and durations to treat renal tubular epithelial cells; the expression of CD36 and cytoplasmic and nucleic Nrf2 and E‐cadherin in those cells were observed by Western blot and reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The protein levels of Nrf2 decreased in expression after 24 hours of OxLDL treatment. At the same time, the Nrf2 protein level in the cytoplasm did not change significantly compared with that of the control group, and the Nrf2 protein level expression in the nucleus increased. Both the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression of CD36 decreased following the treatment of cells with the Nrf2 inhibitor Keap1. Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 was overexpressed, and CD36 mRNA and protein expression were decreased in OxLDL‐treated cells. Following the overexpression of Keap1, E‐cadherin expression was reduced in NRK‐52E cells. Conclusion: Nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 can be activated by OxLDL; however, it can only alleviate OxLDL‐induced oxidative stress by transferring from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Additionally, Nrf2 may play a protective role by upregulating CD36.
In Vitro Assessment of Myorelaxant and Antispasmodic Effects of Stigmas, Tepals, and Leaves Hydroethanolic Extracts of Crocus sativus
Authors: Ouahhoud Sabir , Marghich Mohamed , Makrane Hanane , Karim Ahmed , Khoulati Amine , Mamri Samira , Addi Mohamed , Hano Christophe , Benabbes Redouane , Aziz Mohammed , Asehraou Abdeslam , Saalaoui Ennouamane
Published: March 2023

The valorization of Crocus sativus focuses mainly on the plant’s stigma because it is one of the most expensive and valuable spices in the world and has great value in the food, cosmetics, and pharmacological industries. Due to this high stigma value, the other parts of the plant are considered as by-products; our study aimed to evaluate the myorelaxant and antispasmodic activities of the byproducts (tepals and leaves) to compare them with the stigma of the plant. To investigate the myorelaxant and antispasmodic activities of the Crocus sativus on isolated rabbit and rat jejunum, we used an in vitro technic with an organ bath and an isotonic transducer. Our results showed that the STG (hydroethanolic extract of stigmas) and LV (hydroethanolic extract of leaves) had a moderate myorelaxant effect with IC50 = 6.61 ± 1.5 and 5.08 ± 0.45 mg/ml, respectively. TPL (hydroethanolic extract of tepals) had a significant (

p
˂
0.001

) inhibitory effect on the amplitude of the rabbit jejunum basic contractions with an IC50 = 1.36 ± 0.15 mg/ml. TPL also caused a significant (

p
˂
0.001

) antispasmodic activity depending on the dose of the contraction induced by CCh (10−6 M) and KCl (25 mM). The antispasmodic effect of the TPL is slightly altered in the presence of nifedipine by a percentage of 26.8%. This difference is statistically significant (

p
˂
0.01

). Therefore, the extract could induce the inhibitory effect on L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, but not on the guanylate cyclase and nitric oxide pathways. That confirmed that the TPL has a comparable effect to the verapamil. The HPLC-DAD analysis of various parts of C. sativus shows that the three extracts contain the kaempferol flavanol compound, the STG also was revealed to be rich in carotenoids crocin, and these isomers are trans and cis-crocin, safranal, and picrocrocin. In contrast, the TPL revealed the presence of isorhamnetin and quercetin, but the LV was rich in hesperidin and mangiferin. In conclusion, this study supports the traditional use of this plant to treat digestive problems and will allow us to explore future possibilities for treating bowel spasms using natural molecules derived from saffron.
The Risk Factors of Self-Management Behavior among Chinese Stroke Patients
Authors: Shuqi Huang , Siqin Li , Xiaoyan Wu , Rong Yang , Lihong Zhao
Published: March 2023

Background. Stroke is associated with a high number of disability-adjusted life years globally, so long-term care is necessary and important for those survivors, so self-management is becoming a more significant concept in stroke rehabilitation. Methods. Ischemic stroke patients (n = 354) were enrolled from the outpatient department of Neurology in West China Hospital from September 2018 to December 2019. The general demographic and disease-related data of stroke patients were collected. The stroke self-efficacy questionnaire (SSEQ), the brief cognition questionnaire (BIPQ), and the stroke self-management scale (SSMS) were used to collect data on self-efficacy, disease cognition, and self-management behavior separately. The chi-square test, Fisher exact test, independent sample t-test, and Mann–Whitney U test were used for comparison among groups. The logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent risk factors of the different levels of self-management behavior in stroke patients. Results. The score of self-management among Chinese stroke patients was 151.07 ± 18.53. Multivariate analysis showed that the way of paying medical expenses (OR = 3.215, 95% CI (1.130, 7.769)), self-management efficacy (OR = 2.467, 95% CI (1.534, 3.968)), health education before discharge (OR = 2.354, 95% CI (1.457, 3.802)), age (elder) (OR = 2.060, 95% CI (1.265, 3.355)), educational level (OR = 1.869, 95% CI (1.169, 2.988)), and mRS score (OR = 1.850, 95% CI (1.129, 3.031)) were statistically significant (

P
 
<
 
0.05

). Conclusions. The self-management behavior of Chinese stroke patients was at the middle level. Patients with medical insurance, high self-efficiency of management, and better limb function may have better self-management behavior. Besides, patients with a high educational level who accept health education before discharge may also have better self-management behavior. For patients, it is important to know this disease in the right way and set up the faith to take care of themselves independently gradually. For medical staff, it is necessary and important to give all patients health education about self-management before discharge. It is urgent to call for attention to this disease, and the government and all of society should give more support to stroke patients.
Hyperoside Ameliorates Renal Tubular Oxidative Damage and Calcium Oxalate Deposition in Rats through AMPK/Nrf2 Signaling Axis
Authors: Tian Hongyang , Liang Qi , Shi Zhen , Zhao Hang
Published: March 2023

Background. Nephrolithiasis is a common disease that seriously affects the health and life quality of patients. Despite the reported effect of hyperoside (Hyp) against nephrolithiasis, the specific mechanism has not been clarified. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the effect and potential mechanism of Hyp on renal injury and calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal deposition. Methods. Rat and cell models of renal calculi were constructed by ethylene glycol (EG) and CaOx induction, respectively. The renal histopathological damage, CaOx crystal deposition, and renal function damage of rats were assessed by HE staining, Pizzolato staining, and biochemical detection of blood and urine parameters. MTT and crystal-cell adhesion assays were utilized to determine the activity of HK-2 cells and crystal adhesion ability, biochemical detection and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the levels of oxidative stress-related substances and inflammatory factors, and western blot to test the expression levels of proteins related to the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Results. Briefly speaking, Hyp could improve the renal histopathological injury and impaired renal function, reduce the deposition of CaOx crystals in the renal tissue of rats with renal calculi, and decrease the adhesion of crystals to CaOx-treated HK-2 cells. Besides, Hyp also significantly inhibited oxidative stress response. Furthermore, Hyp was associated with the downregulation of malondialdehyde, lactate dehydrogenase, and reactive oxygen species and upregulation of superoxide dismutase activity. Additionally, Hyp treatment also suppressed inflammatory response and had a correlation with declined levels of interleukin (IL)-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor. Further exploration of mechanism manifested that Hyp might play a protective role through promoting AMPK phosphorylation and nuclear translation of Nrf2 to activate the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Conclusion. Hyp can improve renal pathological and functional damage, decrease CaOx crystal deposition, and inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Such effects may be achieved by activating the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
N-Acetylcysteine Decreases Myocardial Content of Inflammatory Mediators Preventing the Development of Inflammation State and Oxidative Stress in Rats Subjected to a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Sztolsztener Klaudia , Bzdęga Wiktor , Hodun Katarzyna , Chabowski Adrian
Published: March 2023

Arachidonic acid (AA) is a key precursor for proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory derivatives that regulate the inflammatory response. The modulation of AA metabolism is a target for searching a therapeutic agent with potent anti-inflammatory action in cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, our study aims to determine the potential preventive impact of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplementation on myocardial inflammation and the occurrence of oxidative stress in obesity induced by high-fat feeding. The experiment was conducted for eight weeks on male Wistar rats fed a standard chow or a high-fat diet (HFD) with intragastric NAC supplementation. The Gas-Liquid Chromatography (GLC) method was used to quantify the plasma and myocardial AA levels in the selected lipid fraction. The expression of proteins included in the inflammation pathway was measured by the Western blot technique. The concentrations of arachidonic acid derivatives, cytokines and chemokines, and oxidative stress parameters were determined by the ELISA, colorimetric, and multiplex immunoassay kits. We established that in the left ventricle tissue NAC reduced AA concentration, especially in the phospholipid fraction. NAC administration ameliorated the COX-2 and 5-LOX expression, leading to a decrease in the PGE2 and LTC4 contents, respectively, and augmented the 12/15-LOX expression, increasing the LXA4 content. In obese rats, NAC ameliorated NF-κB expression, inhibiting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. NAC also affected the antioxidant levels in HFD rats through an increase in GSH and CAT contents with a simultaneous decrease in the levels of 4-HNE and MDA. We concluded that NAC treatment weakens the NF-κB signaling pathway, limiting the development of myocardial low-grade inflammation, and increasing the antioxidant content that may protect against the development of oxidative stress in rats with obesity induced by an HFD.
Chemical Composition and Sensory Profiles of Fermented Cocoa Beans Obtained from Various Regions of Indonesia
Authors: Sari Ariza Budi Tunjung , Fahrurrozi  , Marwati Tri , Djaafar Titiek Farianti , Hatmi Retno Utami , Purwaningsih  , Wanita Yeyen Prestyaning , Lisdiyanti Puspita , Perwitasari Urip , Juanssilfero Ario Betha , Rahayu Endang Sutriswati
Published: March 2023

The chemical composition and sensory profile of cocoa beans are essential factors determining the quality of cocoa-based products. In this study, cocoa bean samples were collected from various regions of Indonesia, including Aceh, Banten, Bali, East Java, West Sumatra, West Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, and Yogyakarta. The cocoa beans were fermented and sun-dried according to the producers’ protocols and local practices. The sensory profile, fat content, total phenolic content, and the composition of sugars, organic acids, and amino acids of the cocoa bean samples were analyzed. The results revealed that the chemical composition and sensory profiles of the samples were diverse. The sensory profiles of cocoa liquor samples were described by low intensities of cocoa notes with the occurrence of fruity, floral, spicy, and sweet notes. The concentration of acetic acid, lactic acid, and some amino acids (glutamic acid, proline, and methionine) was associated with fresh fruit, browned fruit, and roasted note of the cocoa liquor, respectively. The variation in the environmental conditions and postharvest practices contributed to the diversity of cocoa beans’ chemical and sensory characteristics.