bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxicity assessment of wastewater from the industrial parks along Yangtze River, China, using a battery of bioassays
Authors: Cui Haiyan , Yang Bin , Gao Jie , Yang Weishu , Klobučar Göran , Li Mei
Published: April 2023

Bioassays, as an addition to physico-chemical water quality evaluation, can provide information on toxic effects of pollutants present in the water. In this study, a broad evaluation of environmental health risks from industrial wastewater along the Yangtze River, China, was conducted using a battery of bioassays. A total of 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which were identified as potential major toxic chemicals of concern were measured in the samples of W, J, and T wastewater treatment plants. Toxicity tests showed that the wastewater treatment processes were effective at lowering acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, HepG2 cells cytotoxicity, estrogenic effect in T47D-Kbluc cells, DNA damage of Euglena gracilis and mutagenicity of Salmonella typhimurium in analyzed wastewater samples. However, the potential harm to the aquatic organisms has remained. Based on the health risk assessment model, the PAHs risk index of wastewater from the industrial parks along the Yangtze River was below 1, indicating that the PAHs in wastewater were less harmful to human health through skin contact or respiratory exposure. Overall, biological toxicity tests used in this study provide good basis for the health risk assessment of industrial wastewater and a scientific reference for the optimization and operation of the treatment process.
Pan-Cancer Analysis of the Role of the Ferroptosis-Related Biomarker GPX4: A Potential Target for Prognosis and Immunotherapy
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhu Min , Dong Ruihua , Li Peng
Published: April 2023

Background Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a key player in ferroptosis. The aim of the study is to explore the underlying mechanisms and biological functions of GPX4 to provide therapeutic guidance for the treatment of cancer.Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression database (GTEx), GEPIA2, cBioPortal databases, and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) were explored to analyze the expression, mutation, and prognosis of GPX4 in human tumors. TIMER2.0 and TIDE were used for immune evaluations. GPX4 expression profile at single-cell level was evaluated through CancerSEA.Results GPX4 was aberrantly expressed in most cancer types. Higher GPX4 was correlated with worse overall survival (OS) in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), acute myeloid leukemia (LAML) and uveal melanoma (UVM), but with better OS in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA), thyroid carcinoma (THCA), and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). Moreover, GPX4's genetic alteration and methylation levels were varied and correlated with prognosis in some cancer types. According to the results of single-cell sequencing, GPX4 expression significantly correlated to DNA damage/repair, angiogenesis, metastasis, and inflammation. Additionally, GPX4 was also strongly linked to immune infiltration (such as macrophage, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and neutrophil) and immune checkpoint expression in the tumor microenvironment (TME).Conclusions GPX4 plays an important role in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of human malignant tumors. Our comprehensive pan-cancer analyses have conveyed that GPX4 could potentially serve as a cancer treatment target and biomarker.
Development of a biochemical recurrence prediction model based on pyroptosis related genes in prostate cancer
Authors: Cheng Wen , Xiao Xian , Wang Chaoran , Sun Binxu , Kong Fanming , Jia Yingjie
Published: April 2023

Background: Pyroptosis plays important roles in the development and progression of cancer. However, the role of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) remain unclear.Methods: Expression data and clinical information of PCa patients used in the current study were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed PRGs (DEPRGs) were identified between PCa and control samples and between BCR and BCR-free samples. Univariate and LASSO Cox regressions were performed to identify BCR-related DEPRGs in PCa, followed by the construction of the risk score model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to assess the performance of the risk score model. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were carried out to determine independent BCR factors and to establish the nomogram in predicting BCR of PCa patients. The microenvironment of low- and high-risk groups were evaluated by GSVA and ssGSEA.Results: By overlapping 29 DEPRGs between PCa and control samples and 10 DEPRGs between BCR and BCR-free samples, TP63, CHMP4C, CHMP7, GSDMB, CASP8, PLCG1 and TP53 were obtained. By univariate and LASSO Cox regressions, CHMP4C, GSDMB, PLCG1 and TP53 were identified as BCR biomarkers in PCa. ROC curves revealed the good performance of the risk score model based on BCR biomarkers in both TCGA and GEO cohorts. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions showed that the risk score was an independent BCR factor in PCa. A nomogram with good performance to predict the BCR of PCa patients were established based on risk score and other independent prognostic factors. After GSVA and ssGSEA, we observed that the immune and metabolic microenvironment of two groups were much different.Conclusion: Our study revealed the role of PRGs in the BCR of PCa, and constructed reliable models in predicting the BCR of PCa patients.
Prevalence of acquired and transmitted HIV drug resistance in Iran: A systematic review and Metaanalysis
Authors: Mirzaei Hossein , Eybpoosh Sana , Mehrabi Fatemeh , Shojaei Mohammad Reza , Mirzazadeh Ali , Khezri Mehrdad , Nasiri Naser , Sharifi Hamid
Published: April 2023

Background There are no national-level surveys about HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) in Iran. Therefore, this investigation aimed to estimate the prevalence of HIVDR among antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve people (those without a history of ART) and people receiving ART.Method We systematically searched Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Iranian database, the references of studies, and google scholar till March, 2023. A random-effect model was implemented to calculate point estimate and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the prevalence of HIVDR in people living with HIV (PLHIV).Results Among 461 potential publications, 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of acquired HIVDR in people receiving ART was 34.0% (95% CI: 19.0%-50.0%) for nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), 27.0% (95% CI: 15.0% -41.0%) for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and 9.0% (95% CI: 3.0% -18.0%) for protease inhibitors (PIs). The pooled prevalence of Acquired HIVDR in treatment failure PLHIV was 50.0% (95% CI: 31.0% − 69.0%) for NRTI, 49.0% (95% CI: 29.0%-69.0%) for NNRTI, 11.0% (95% CI: 2.0% − 24.0%) for PI, and 1.0% (95% CI: 0–4.0%) for integrase inhibitors (INIs). The pooled prevalence of transmitted HIVDR in treatment naïve people was 3.0% (95% CI; 1.0%-6.0%) for NRTI, 5.0% (95% CI: 2.0%-9.0%) for NNRTI, and 0 for PIs and INIs.Conclusion The prevalence of HIVDR in Iranian treatment naïve and people receiving ART was relatively high. Without universal pretreatment HIVDR testing and more frequent routine viral load testing among PLHIV who are on ART, these numbers may go up.
Remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil and urban environmental monitoring based on remote sensing images
Authors: Ma Wanzheng
Published: April 2023

In order to improve people's quality of life, it is necessary to establish a complete environmental monitoring system outdoors. In the organizational structure of the environmental monitoring system, monitoring nodes are placed according to actual monitoring requirements to meet the needs of environmental monitoring and data information collection in the area. It mainly analyzes ZigBee technology and 4G technology in detail. In order to overcome the short-distance transmission shortcomings of ZigBee technology, the system combines short-distance ZigBee technology and long-distance 4G technology to achieve short-distance data collection and long-distance transmission. This paper selects the tin mining area as a representative research field, and processes the images through professional remote sensing image processing software to extract land and plant pollution caused by tailings and mining areas. Then, enter the sample point to be tested to select typical main vegetation mining areas, complete the reflectance spectrum detection on the spot, and then conduct a comprehensive analysis of the spectral characteristics of some test data, and then check the plant reflectance and pollution status based on image processing Through studying the polluted materials extracted by spectroscopy, the tailings ecological restoration plan was finally developed.
Reg family proteins contribute to inflammation and pancreatic stellate cells activation in chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Chen Wenting , Imasaka Mai , Lee Miyu , Fukui Hirokazu , Nishiura Hiroshi , Ohmuraya Masaki
Published: April 2023

Backgrounds: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a disease characterized by the inflammation and destruction of pancreatic tissue, leading to the replacement of functional tissue with fibrotic tissue. The regenerating gene (Reg) family proteins have recently been implicated in the repair and regeneration of inflamed pancreatic tissue, though the exact mechanisms of their involvement in the pathogenesis of CP are not yet fully understood. Methods: To investigate the role of Reg family proteins in CP, we generated global knockout mice (Reg−/−) for Reg1-3 (Reg1,2,3a,3b,3d,3g) genes using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We then investigated the effect of Reg family protein deficiency in a genetic model of CP (X-SPINK1) mice by knocking out Reg1-3 genes. We examined pancreatic morphology, inflammatory cytokines expression, and activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) at different ages. Results: Reg−/− mice showed no abnormalities in general growth and pancreas development. Deficiency of Reg1-3 in CP mice led to a reduction in pancreatic parenchymal loss, decreased deposition of collagen, and reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, Reg proteins were found to stimulate PSCs activation. Conclusions: Reg1-3 deficiency can lead to the remission of CP and that Reg family proteins could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CP.
Innovation path of Secretarial Education in Higher Vocational Schools Based on Internet environment and Machine Learning
Authors: Wu Yajuan
Published: April 2023

In recent years, due to the serious deviation between supply and demand in the training process of secretarial talents, the enrollment of this major has gradually cooled down. Some vocational schools have even stopped offering secretarial specialties, while the demand for secretarial talents has not decreased. Under the influence of the wave of economic globalization, China's economy has developed in depth and achieved considerable transformation, small and medium-sized enterprises are gradually affected by this, thus enabling secretarial professionals to show their strength. In this environment, the demand for secretarial talents is becoming more and more urgent. Therefore, in the context of the Internet, this paper has established a teaching management system of based on machine learning technology, which is composed of interface layer file access interface, message interface, add task acquisition interface, debugging interface, etc. Its core business layer includes state server, routing server, push message server, instant messaging service of middleware layer, etc., and there are interactions between them. Later, design experiments to compare the core algorithms of the system, and find that the solution of Bayesian optimization is very close to the optimal parameter set, which can save a lot of time while ensuring speed and high accuracy. Based on this algorithm, the paper puts forward a new idea to realize the design of secretarial education system in vocational and technical education and improves the low efficiency of secretarial education. In this paper, machine learning technology is introduced into the field of secretarial teaching in vocational and technical education, which effectively promotes the development of secretarial education.
Stability analysis and selection of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) genotypes using AMMI, BLUP, GGE biplot and MTSI
Authors: Taleghani Dariush , Rajabi Abazar , Saremirad Ali , Fasahat Parviz
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of genotype× environment interaction (GEI) and selection of the best sugar beet genotypes. Eighteen sugar beet genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design in five research stations for two years. The additive effects analysis of the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model showed that the effects of genotype, environment and GEI were significant for root yield (RY), white sugar yield (WSY), sugar content (SC), and extraction coefficient of sugar (ECS). The multiplicative effects analysis of AMMI into interaction principal components (IPCs) showed that the number of significant components varies from one to four in the studied traits. According to the biplot of the mean yield against the weighted average of absolute scores (WAAS) of the IPCs, G2 and G16 for RY, G16 and G2 for WSY, G6, G4, and G1 for SC and G8, G10 and G15 for ECS were identified as stable genotypes with optimum performance. The likelihood ratio test showed that the effects of genotype and GEI was significant for all studied traits. In terms of RY and WSY, G3 and G4 had high mean values of the best linear unbiased predictions (BLUP), so they were identified as suitable genotypes. However, in terms of SC and ECS, G15 obtained high mean values of the BLUP. The GGE biplot method classified environments into four (RY and ECS) and three (WSY and SC) mega-environments (MEs). Based on the multi-trait stability index (MTSI), G15, G10, G6, and G1 were the most ideal genotypes.
The prognostic value of tumor-associated macrophages in glioma patients
Authors: Shen Yang , Zheng Dingke , Hu Dong , Ma Baoxin , Cai Chunsheng , Chen Wei , Zeng Jiahao , Luo Junran , Xiao Dan , Zhao Yao , Wu Zhiyan , Jing Guojie , xie yituan
Published: April 2023

Glioma is a complex tumor composed of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells, including tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs), and each cell type contributes to tumor formation and malignant progression. Among TILs, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are of great importance and play a key role in the immune response to cancer. In this study, 22 types of adaptive and innate TILs were evaluated in gliomas. TAMs, which account for 38.7% of all these cells, are the most abundant immune infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, we observed different immune cell patterns in low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioblastoma (GBM). Our research indicated that there was a connection between TILs, and 13 of 22 TILs were significantly associated with patient outcomes. Finally, the prognosis and diagnostic value of TAMs were revealed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. We identified the optimal cut-off point of TAMs at an infiltrating level of 0.47 to predict patient prognosis, with a median overall survival (OS) of 448 days in patients with higher TAM infiltration levels and 2660 days in patients with lower TAM infiltration levels. These findings provide a new idea for glioma to regulate tumor-specific immunity, clarify the potential effects of TAMs on disease pathology, and provide a theoretical basis for immune intervention treatment of gliomas.
Establishment of a basement membrane-related prognosis model and characterization of tumor microenvironment infiltration in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhu Zongsi , Zhao Mingming , Guan Jiaqiang , Zheng Cuiping
Published: April 2023

Background Basement membrane is a special component of extracellular matrix of epithelial and endothelial tissues, which can maintain their normal morphologies and functions. It can also participate in tumor progression and affect tumor treatment. However, the roles of basement membrane-related genes (BMGs) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain unknown.
Methods We downloaded the data of AML and normal samples from TCGA, GTEx, and GEO. Then, we performed bioinformatics analysis to identify differential BMGs. We calculated the risk score of the training cohort and divided it into two risk groups. In addition, we also introduced external cohorts, serving as validation cohorts, to estimate the accuracy of risk score. A nomogram was established based on the risk score and clinicopathological characteristics to predict the prognosis. Based on BMGs, AML patients of TCGA were clustered into 2 subtypes. To investigate the biological features and the association between immune cells and tumor microenvironment (TME), we performed GSVA and ssGSEA analyses. Lastly, we performed the analysis of genetic mutation and drug sensitivity.
Results We obtained 3 differential BMGs between AML and normal samples. The training cohort was divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the risk score. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that the two groups had significant differences. The nomogram could be used to predict the survival outcomes of AML patients. Based on the clustering result, we found significant differences between the two gene clusters. Sankey’s diagram suggested that cluster B was associated with the high-risk group and poor prognosis. GSVA analysis showed that cluster B was also related to the upregulation of intercellular and intracellular signal transduction pathways. In TME, resting mast cells, follicular helper T cells, and plasma cells decreased while monocytes increased in the high-risk group. In addition, the high-risk group was more sensitive to BTK and AKT inhibitors.
Conclusion Our study indicated that the nomogram model of BMGs could predict the prognosis of AML patients. Meanwhile, BMGs were correlated with immune TME in AML. A correct and comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms of BMGs in individuals will help guide more effective treatment.
Adaptive wave-particle decomposition in UGKWP method for high-speed flow simulations
Authors: Wei Yufeng , Cao Junzhe , Ji Xing , Xu Kun
Published: April 2023

With wave-particle decomposition, a unified gas-kinetic wave-particle (UGKWP) method has been developed for the multiscale flow simulations. With the variation of cell's Knudsen number, the UGKWP method captures the transport process in all flow regimes without kinetic solver's constraint on the numerical mesh size and time step being less than the particle mean free path and collision time. In the current UGKWP method, the cell's Knudsen number, which is defined as the ratio of particle collision time to numerical time step, is used to distribute the components in the wave-particle decomposition. However, the adaptation of particle in UGKWP is mainly for the capturing of the non-equilibrium transport, and the cell's Knudsen number alone is not enough to identify the non-equilibrium state. For example, in the equilibrium flow regime with a Maxwellian distribution function, even at a large cell's Knudsen number, the flow evolution can be still modelled by the Navier-Stokes solver. More specifically, in the near space environment both the hypersonic flow around a space vehicle and the plume flow from a satellite nozzle will encounter a far field rarefied equilibrium flow in a large computational domain. In the background dilute equilibrium region, the large particle collision time and a uniform small numerical time step can result in a large local cell's Knudsen number and make UGKWP track a huge number of particles for the far field background flow. But, in this region the analytical wave representation can be legitimately used in UGKWP to capture the nearly equilibrium flow evolution. Therefore, to further improve the efficiency of UGKWP for multiscale flow simulations, an adaptive UGKWP (AUGKWP) method will be developed with the introduction of an additional local flow variable gradient-dependent Knudsen number. As a result, the wave-particle decomposition in UGKWP will be determined by both cell's and gradient's Knudsen numbers, and the use of particle in UGKWP is solely to capture the non-equilibrium flow transport. The current AUGKWP becomes much more efficient than the previous one with the cell's Knudsen number only in the determination of wave-particle composition. Many numerical tests, including Sod shock tube, normal shock structure, hypersonic flow around cylinder, flow around reentry capsule, and an unsteady nozzle plume flow, have been conducted to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the AUGKWP method. Compared with the original UGKWP method, the AUGKWP method achieves the same accuracy, but has advantages in memory reduction and computational efficiency in the simulation for the flow with the co-existing of multiple regimes.
In vitro adventitious regeneration and plantlet transplantation of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz., a valuable medicinal plant
Authors: Jia Wenhao , Rong Junbo , Zhang Mengyang , Peng Wenyue , He Xutong , Lei Xiujuan , Wang Yingping
Published: April 2023

Triploid Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. (A. chinensis) is a valuable genetic resource for medicinal plant breeding, and there is a demand to develop an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol to resolve triploid sterility in production. In this study, the effects of sterilization, bud type, 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) combined with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and transplanting materials on shoot regeneration, rooting and growth were explored. The genetic stability of regenerated plants was verified using flow cytometry (FCM) and simple sequence repetition (SSR) molecular markers. When axillary buds were sterilized with sodium hypochlorite for 30 min and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) + 1.5 mg·L-1 6-BA + 0.4 mg·L-1 NAA medium, the regeneration rate was 61.33%. Strong roots occurred on 1/2 MS combined with 3% sucrose and 0.6 mg·L-1 IBA medium. Rooting plantlets transplanted into a mixture of peat soil: perlite (1:1, v/v), the survival rate up to 90.00%. Histological analyses revealed that shoot meristematic cells derived from cambium cells developed into the apical meristem and formed shoots. FCM analysis determined that the ploidy levels of 20 random regenerated plants were coincident with explants, the number and size of bands obtained by 6 pairs of SSR polymorphic primers were consistent. The results of this study show that our in vitro adventitious regeneration and plantlet transplantation protocol of triploid A. chinensis was efficient and produced strong genetic stability.
Ileoileal knotting a rare cause of double loop small bowel obstruction,diagnostic and intraoperative challenge at Ethiopian Leku district hospital,sidama region,April 2023 ,case report
Authors: Kibret Asfaw
Published: April 2023

Baground
Intestinal obstruction is a common cause for abdominal surgeries. Among the causes for intestinal obstruction ileal knotting is the unusual and rare cause with very few case reports in the globe and in Ethiopia.Almost all cases were intraoperative surprises.We report a case of strangulated closed loop obstruction caused by ileoileal knotting at distal ileum near ileocecal junction,its diagnostic and management challenges and the role of the “Integrated Emergency surgical officers’’ for early emergency surgical interventions in district primary hospitals in Ethiopia where there is scarce general specialist surgeon.
Case presentation
Here we discuss a 78yrs old male Ethiopian patient presented to our district hospital with sign symptoms of strangulated small bowel obstruction and exploratory laparatomy was done with intraoperative surprise of ileoileal knot with gangreneous closed loop obstruction at ileocecal junction.The gangreneous segment was resected and ileo ascending colon anastomosis was done.The post operative stay was uneventful and patient discharged on his 7th post operation date.
Conclusion
Here we present this case to highlight difficulty of preoperative diagnosis and the need of high index of suspicion as well as the management challenges of resection anastomosis when the knot is near to ileocecal junction and the undeniable role of emergency surgical officers for early intervension such emergency cases who need early intervensios.
Quantitative measurement of positive and negative ion species ejected from a Li-O-H surface by hydrogen and noble gas ion irradiation
Authors: Abe Shota , Ostrowski Evan , Maan Anurag , Krstic Predrag , Majeski Richard , Koel Bruce
Published: April 2023

We report sputtering yields of Li+, H−, O−, and OHx− ion species from an Li-O-H surface for H, D, He, Ne, and Ar ion irradiation at 45° incidence in the energy range of 30 − 2,000 eV. A Li film was deposited on a stainless steel target using Li evaporators in the LTX-β vessel, using the LTX-β Sample Exposure Probe (SEP), which includes an ultrahigh vacuum suitcase for transferring targets without significant contamination from air exposure. The SEP was used to transfer the Li-coated target from LTX-β to a separate Sample Exposure Station (SES) to perform ion exposure measurements. The SEP was also used for characterization of the Li-coated target utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in a different chamber, showing that the lithium film surface was oxidized. Ion exposures were performed using an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma source in the SES. Sputtered/ejected species were sampled by a quadrupole mass spectrometer with capabilities for detecting positive and negative ions, and an energy filter for determining the mean kinetic energy of the ejected ion species. All ion irradiations caused Li+ ions to be ejected, while causing impurity ions such as H+, H−, O− and OH− to be ejected. Our results for the sputtering yields of ejected ion species and their associated ion energies from a Li-O-H surface indicates that lithium sputtering is suppressed and impurity removal is enhanced due to the sheath potential at the divertor surface for fusion reactor applications.
Alcohol use disorder among patients diagnosed with Tuberculosis in a large urban case-finding project in central Uganda: prevalence, associated factors and lived experiences
Authors: Bayigga Josephine , Kakai Ilona , Odongpiny Eva Laker , Wiltshire Christine Sekaggya , Ddungu Ahmed , Semakula Lynn , Nansereko Martha , Stavia Turyahabwe , Zawedde-Muyanja Stella
Published: April 2023

Background Heavy consumption of alcohol increases the risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB), contributes to delayed diagnosis and affects adherence to treatment. Within a large urban case-finding project, we sought to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with AUD and to understand the lived experiences of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD).Methods We carried out a mixed methods study in two large urban districts in Uganda. We collected quantitative data on the prevalence of alcohol use disorder using the Cut, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye opener (CAGE) tool. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) to understand lived experiences of patients with AUD particularly challenges with adhering to TB treatment. Factors associated with AUD were examined using a multilevel logistic regression model. Focus group discussions were transcribed, data was analysed inductively and coded into themes.Results Out of 325 TB patients interviewed, 62 (18.7% 95% confidence interval [CI] 18–31%) had AUD. Majority 82.3% (51/62) were men. Being male aOR 3.26 (95% CI 1.45, 7.33) and living in an urban area aOR 1.89 (95% CI: 1.01, 3.53) were significantly associated with AUD. Among patients with AUD, there was a trend towards suboptimal TB treatment outcomes, although this did not reach significance aOR 2.15 (95% CI: 0.95, 4.90). Fourteen patients (eight men and six women) with AUD attended two FGDs. Patients with AUD often did not disclose alcohol use and missed clinic refill appointments due to lack of money to pay the transport fare to the clinic. In addition, lack of food coupled with the long treatment duration were challenges to TB treatment completion.Conclusion A large proportion of TB patients have undisclosed AUD and experience several challenges while on TB treatment. TB care programs need to design interventions in order to address AUD.
Learning Food Composition Knowledge from scientific literature
Authors: Jiomekong Azanzi
Published: April 2023

Food Composition Tables (FCT) or Food Composition Databases (FCD) contains the food we eat and what it contains. It is built by using chemical analysis to determine the different composition and structure of foods. However, the chemical analysis of food requires significant financial resources and skilled laboratory investigators. These resources are not always available. Thus, in many cases, to build Food Composition Tables, many people rely on existing resources such as scientific papers. Scientific papers contain key-insights organized in text, tables figures, etc. that are used to understand the scientific contribution of its author. Many FCT are stored in scientific papers related to food, nutrition, food chemistry, etc. in the form of tables. Acquiring these tables manually as it is currently done by domain experts is costly, not scalable and cumbersome work because one has to open the paper, copy the elements one by one and save in a file such as CSV files. This paper proposes to learn Food Composition Knowledge (FCK) stores in tables of scientific papers. It consists of using Deep Learning techniques for the automatic detection of tables, text recognition from these tables, text extraction and table reconstruction. This approach was used to extract over 10,000 tables from around 5000 scientific papers. To validate the knowledge extracted, we presented 100 tables selected manually to a Professor in Food Science and Nutrition. On the other hand, the validation by Ontology Recommender of Bioportal showed that the knowledge extracted are relevant to the biomedical domain in general and can be used to enrich food ontologies.
Intraperitoneal paclitaxel combined with FOLFOX/CAPOX plus bevacizumab for colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis (the iPac-02 trial): study protocol of a single arm, multicenter, phase 2 study
Authors: Murono Koji , Yokoyama Yuichiro , Nozawa Hiroaki , Sasaki Kazuhito , Emoto Shigenobu , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki , Kashiwabara Kosuke , Ishigami Hironori , Gohda Yoshimasa , Yamaguchi Hironori , Kitayama Joji , Ishihara Soichiro
Published: April 2023

Background The safety of intraperitoneally administrated paclitaxel (ip PTX) was demonstrated in the phase I trial of ip PTX combined with conventional systemic chemotherapy for colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Moreover, the median survival time was 29.3 months, which was longer than that observed in previous studies. Here, we planned the phase II trial of ip PTX: the iPac-02 trial.Methods This multicenter, open-label, single assignment interventional clinical study includes patients with colorectal cancer with unresectable peritoneal carcinomatosis. FOLFOX-bevacizumab or CAPOX-bevacizumab is administered concomitantly as systemic chemotherapy. PTX 20 mg/m2 is administered weekly through the peritoneal access port in addition to these conventional systemic chemotherapies. The response rate is the primary endpoint. Progression-free survival, overall survival, peritoneal cancer index improvement rate, rate of negative peritoneal lavage cytology, safety, and response rate to peritoneal metastases are the secondary endpoints. A total of 38 patients are included in the study. In the interim analysis, the study will continue to the second stage if at least 4 of the first 14 patients respond to the study treatment. The study has been registered at the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT2031220110).
On Computing the Topological Invariant of Metal-Organic Network
Authors: Yang Jun , Malik Mehar Ali , Aqib Muhammmad
Published: April 2023

This study focuses on the application of Metal-Organic Networks (MON’s) as a structural support for chemical compounds in the energy department. MON’s have diverse properties in various elds and are frequently used to restore chemical compounds, particularly those with elements like hydrogen and carbon as energy sources. The topological indices (TIs) of MON structures provide a relationship between the physical and chemical properties of the ligands, including melting and boiling points, chemical stability, pressure, and chemical reaction factors. In this paper, we calculate various TIs based on degrees for two diierent metal-organic networks with expanding layers of metal vertices and organic ligands. We provide a comparison of various TIs using numerical values and graphical representations.
In this paper, we compute various topological invariant based on degree partitioning for two metal-organic networks with increasing layers of organic ligands and metal vertices. We also analyze their behavior in higher-dimensional graphs and present pairwise comparisons of their values for these invariants, supported by relevant graphs.
A CNN-LSTM-att Hybrid Model for Classification and Evaluation of Growth status under Drought and Heat stress in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata)
Authors: Xing Dong , Wang Yulin , Sun Penghui , Huang Huahong , Lin Erpei
Published: April 2023

Background Cunninghamia lanceolata (Chinese fir), is one of the most important timber trees in China. With the global warming, to develop new resistant varieties to drought or heat stress has become an essential task for breeders of Chinese fir. However, classification and evaluation of growth status of Chinese fir under drought or heat stress are still labor-intensive and time-consuming. Here, we proposed a CNN-LSTM-att hybrid model for classification of growth status of Chinese fir seedlings under drought and heat stress, respectively. Two RGB image datasets of Chinese fir seedling under drought and heat stress were generated for the first time, and utilized in this study. By comparing four base CNN models with LSTM, the Resnet50-LSTM was identified as the best model in classification of growth status, and LSTM would dramatically improve the classification performance. Moreover, attention mechanism further enhanced performance of Resnet50-LSTM, which was verified by Grad-CAM.
Results By applying the established Resnet50-LSTM-att model, the accuracy rate and recall rate of classification was up to 96.91% and 96.79% for dataset of heat stress, and 96.05% and 95.88% for dataset of drought, respectively. Accordingly, the R2 value and RMSE value for evaluation on growth status under heat stress were 0.957 and 0.067, respectively. And, the R2 value and RMSE value for evaluation on growth status under drought were 0.944 and 0.076, respectively.
Conclusion In summary, our proposed model provides an important tool for stress phenotyping in Chinese fir, which will be a great help for selection and breeding new resistant varieties in future.
A case of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant co-infection with Influenza A-H3N2 from India
Authors: Vaman Raman Swathy , Jolly Bani , Bhoyar Rahul C. , Augustine Anu Elizabeth , Mohan Anuja , PM Anitha , Vignesh Harie , Sivadas Saritha , Sivasubbu Sridhar , Scaria Vinod
Published: April 2023

We report a case of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant co-infection with influenza A H3N2 detected from Kerala, India. The patient, a 10-year-old girl, had symptoms of low-grade fever, cough, and cold. As part of the ongoing surveillance, a throat swab was taken and sent for testing, and the influenza A virus isolated from the patient was identified as subtype H3N2. Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of the viral isolates suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 isolate belonged to BA.4.1 sublineage of Omicron while the influenza A isolate belonged to the 2a.3 clade of H3N2 and clustered with other H3N2 genomes from Maldives, India, Bangladesh, and the United Arab Emirates. The report highlights the importance of genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 co-infections with other respiratory illnesses for understanding the prevalence of co-infections and their rapid detection and prevention.
Endothelial sensing of AHR ligands regulates intestinal homeostasis
Authors: Wiggins Benjamin G. , Wang Yi-Fang , Burke Alice , Grunberg Nil , Walker Julia M. Vlachaki , Dore Marian , Chahrour Catherine , Pennycook Betheney , Sanchez-Garrido Julia , Vernia Santiago , Barr Alexis R. , Frankel Gad , Birdsey Graeme M. , Randi Anna M. , Schiering Chris
Published: April 2023

The blood and lymphatic vasculature is lined by functionally specialised endothelial cells (ECs). Vascular beds act as an essential physical barrier, control nutrient transport, facilitate tissue immunosurveillance, and coordinate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis to ensure appropriate tissue perfusion and drainage1,2. Conversely, vascular maladaptation can lead to pathological angiogenesis and the perpetuation of inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases3,4. In the intestine, dietary and microbial cues are particularly important in regulation of organ homeostasis. However, whether enteric ECs actively sense and integrate such signals is currently unknown. Here, we show that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, acts as critical node for EC-sensing of dietary metabolites in adult mice and human primary ECs. We first established a comprehensive single-cell endothelial atlas of the mouse small intestine, uncovering the cellular complexity and functional heterogeneity of blood and lymphatic ECs. Analyses of AHR mediated responses at single-cell resolution identified tissue-protective transcriptional signatures and regulatory networks promoting cellular quiescence and vascular normalcy at steady state. Endothelial AHR-deficiency in adult mice resulted in dysregulated inflammatory responses, and initiation of proliferative and angiogenic pathways. Furthermore, endothelial sensing of dietary AHR ligands was required for optimal protection against enteric infection. In human ECs, AHR signalling promoted quiescence and restrained activation by inflammatory mediators. Together, our data provide a comprehensive dissection of the impact of environmental sensing across the spectrum of enteric endothelia, demonstrating that endothelial AHR signalling integrates dietary cues to maintain tissue homeostasis by promoting EC quiescence and normalcy.
Plasma sKL and Nrf2 Levels in Patients with Calcium Oxalate Stones
Authors: aihemaitijiang baihetiyaer , qi yang , mahemuti mulati , Liu ruotian
Published: April 2023

Objective To investigate the relationship between the plasma levels of sKL and Nrf2 and calcium oxalate calculi.Methods The clinical data of 135 patients with calcium oxalate calculi treated in the Department of Urology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from February 2019 to December 2022 (the stone group) and 125 healthy persons who underwent physical examination in the same period (the healthy control group) were collected. The levels of sKL and Nrf2 were measured by ELISA. A correlation test was used to analyze the risk factors for calcium oxalate stones. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for calcium oxalate stones, and an ROC curve was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of sKL and Nrf2 in predicting urinary calculi.Results Compared with the healthy control group, the plasma sKL level in the stone group was decreased (111.53 ± 27.89 vs. 130.68 ± 32.51), and the plasma Nrf2 level was increased (300.74 ± 114.31 vs. 246.74 ± 108.22). There was no significant difference in the distribution of age and sex between the healthy control group and the stone group, but there were significant differences in plasma levels of WBC, NEUT, CRP, BUN, BUA, and SCr, BMI and eating habits. The results of the correlation test showed that the level of plasma Nrf2 was positively correlated with SCr (r = 0.181, P < 0.05) and NEUT (r = 0.144 P < 0.05). Plasma sKL was not significantly correlated with Nrf2 (r = 0.047, P > 0.05), WBC (r = 0.108, P > 0.05), CRP (r=-0.022, P > 0.05), BUN (r=-0.115, P > 0.05), BUA (r=-0.139, P > 0.05), SCr (r = 0.049, P > 0.05), or NEUT (r = 0.027, P > 0.05). Plasma Nrf2 was not significantly correlated with WBC (r = 0.097, P > 0.05), CRP (r = 0.045, P > 0.05), BUN (r = 0.122, P > 0.05), or BUA (r = 0.122, P > 0.05).=0.078, P > 0.05). Logistic regression showed that elevated plasma sKL (OR = 0.978, 95% CI: 0.969 ~ 0.988, P < 0.05) was a protective factor for the occurrence of calcium oxalate stones. BMI (OR = 1.122, 95% CI: 1.045 ~ 1.206, P < 0.05), dietary habit score (OR = 1.571, 95% CI: 1.221 ~ 2.020, P < 0.05), WBC (OR = 1.551, 95% CI: 1.423 ~ 1.424, P < 0.05), NEUT (OR = 1.539, 95% CI: 1.391 ~ 1.395, P < 0.05) and CRP (OR = 1.118, 95% CI: 1.066 ~ 1.098, P < 0.05) were risk factors for the occurrence of calcium oxalate stones.Conclusion Plasma sKL levels were decreased and Nrf2 levels were increased in patients with calcium oxalate calculi. Plasma sKL may play an antioxidant role in the pathogenesis of calcium oxalate stones through the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.
Salicylic acid promoted apple metabolic responses against Penicillium expansum infection
Authors: Zhang Jianyi , Ma Ning , Xu Guofeng , Kuang Lixue , Li Zhiyuan , Shen Youming
Published: April 2023

Blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum (P. expansum) infection results in severe postharvest deterioration of apples. Salicylic acid (SA) is an effective elicitor that promotes fruit resistance. However, the metabolic mechanism of P. expansum infection of apples and the SA-mediated metabolic responses are still unknown. In this study, the metabolic changes during apple P. expansum infection and SA-mediated disease resistance were explored by performing ultra-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry. A total of 472 different metabolites were identified between samples, and the correlated metabolic pathways were revealed by bioinformatics analysis. The upregulation of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, galactose metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism reflected energy conversion for P. expansum invasion and fruit disease resistance. Changes in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism and carbapenem biosynthesis reflected the biosynthesis of virulence factors and secondary metabolites for fungal infection. Metabolic pathways related to apple natural disease resistance mainly included the upregulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis and sphingolipid metabolism. SA promoted the TCA cycle, reactive oxygen metabolism and secondary metabolite biosynthesis of apples for disease resistance. This study improved the understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of P. expansum infection of apples and the metabolic processes for SA-mediated disease resistance.
Sociodemographic and clinical determinants of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection among School Children in Low Transmission Season in The Kassena Nankana West District of Ghana
Authors: Ashley Jephthah Boateng , Antwi Maxwell Hubert , Kwakye Aaron Siaw , Darban Isaac , Buckman Tonnies Abeku , Akondoe Angela Yawa , Amissah Tawfeek Ahmed , Kuwornu Thomas Kwame
Published: April 2023

Background: Asymptomatic malaria remains a diagnostic challenge and serves as a reservoir forinfection transmission and leads to malaria in children. This study was therefore conducted to assess the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infection among school children in low transmission season.
Methods:In a cross-sectional study, 328 school children ages 6-14 years were recruited in the study. Asymptomatic malaria status was determined using three laboratory diagnostic method: Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), Microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis. Anaemia as one of the clinical determinants of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection was diagnosed as low haemoglobin concentration using a haemoglobinometer.
Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection was 13.4%. The mean age was (10.6 ± 2.4) years with majority (52.7%) being in the age category ≥11 years. Most of the participants were females (59.8%). Mean haemoglobin concentration was (10.4 ± 1.8) g/dl. Anaemia was recorded in 91 out of the 328 children, accounting for 27.7% of the studied subjects and was significantly associated with P. falciparum infection [OR = 19.9, 95%CI = (2.7 – 147.2), p = 0.003]. Of the 91 asymptomatic subjects who had anemia, 59 (64.8%) were anaemic with falciparum infection with 29 (31.9%) and 13 (14.3%) having moderate (8-10.9g/dl) and severe (<8g/dl) anaemia with P. falciparum infection respectively. Though statistically insignificant, males were associated with increased odds of malaria infection [OR = 1.8, 95%CI = 0.9 – 3.3), p = 0.083], and the use of mosquito nets as one of the interventive measures against the malaria vector were statistically not significant (p = 0.960) despite low 24.7% of the participants’ patronage.
Conclusion: Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria P. falciparum infection was relatively high and was associated with moderate anaemia in the cohort suggesting that they may be a target of control interventions.
The Impact of Protein Corona Formation on PEGylated NT3- BDNF Nanoparticles - Distribution, Protein Release, and Cytotoxicity in Human Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cell Model
Authors: Dąbkowska Maria , Kosiorowska Alicja , Machaliński Bogusław
Published: April 2023

The adsorption of biomolecules on the nanoparticles’ surface ultimately depends on the intermolecular forces, which dictate the mutual interaction transforming their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Therefore, a better understanding of the adsorption of serum proteins and their impact on nanoparticle physicochemical properties is of utmost importance for developing nanoparticle-based therapies.
We investigated the interactions between potentially therapeutic proteins: neurotrophin 3 (NT3), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a cell-free system and a retinal pigmented epithelium cell line (ARPE-19). The variance of the physicochemical properties of PEGylated NT3-BDNF nanoparticles (NPs) in serum-abundant and serum-free systems were studied using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, multi-angle dynamic, and electrophoretic light scattering. Next, we compared the cellular response of ARPE-19 cells after exposure to PEGylated NT3-BDNF NPs in either serum-free or complex serum environment by investigating protein release and cell cytotoxicity using ultracentrifuge, fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy.
After serum exposure, the decrease in the aggregation of PEGylated NT3-BDNF NPs was accompanied by increased cell viability and BDNF/NT3 in vitro release. In contrast, in a serum-free environment, the appearance of positively charged NPs with hydrodynamic diameters up to 900 nm correlated with higher cytotoxicity, and limited BDNF/NT3 release into the cell culture media.
Our study provides new insights into the role of protein corona when considering the PEGylated nano-bio interface with implications for cytotoxicity, NP’s distribution, and BDNF, NT3 release profiles in the in vitro setting.