bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Antioxidative Defense Response of Selected Indoor Plants Against Benzene and Formaldehyde: Indoor Air Pollutants
Authors: Khan Taimoor , Shah Shahid Masood , Khan Sabaz Ali , Hassan Amjad , Khan Abdul Rehman , Akhtar Gulzar , Imtiaz Hifza , Sajjad Yasar
Published: June 2022

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene are among the key contributors to indoor air pollution. The current situation of environmental pollution is alarming, where especially the indoor air pollution is becoming challenge as affecting the plants and humans. VOCs are known to adversely affect indoor plants such as causing necrosis and chlorosis. In order to withstand these organic pollutants, plants are naturally equipped with antioxidative defense system. The current research study was aimed to evaluate the combined effect of formaldehyde and benzene on antioxidative response of selected indoor plants namely Chlorophytum, Dracaena and Ficus. After the combined application of different levels (2, 2; 2, 4; 4, 2 & 4, 4 ppm) of formaldehyde and benzene in an airtight glass chamber, the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were analyzed. Analysis of various non enzymatic assays showed significant increase in the total phenolics to 10.72 mgGAE/g in Ficus; Chlorophytum (9.20 mgGAE/g) & Dracaena (8.74 mgGAE/g) as compared to their respective controls i-e, 3.76, 5.39 & 6.07 mgGAE/g. Total flavonoids in Ficus were also increased to1545.72 µg/g from 724 µg/g (in control) followed by 322.66 µg/g in Dracaena (control having only 167.11 µg/g) while total carotenoids content also increased in Dracaena (0.67 mg/g) followed by Chlorophytum (0.63 mg/g) while increasing the combined dose as compared to their control plants having only 0.62 and 0.24 mg/g content. The maximum increase in enzymatic antioxidants including total antioxidants (87.89%), catalase (59.21 U/mg) and guaiacol peroxidase (52.16 U/mg) was observed in Dracaena plant under combined dose of benzene (2 ppm) and formaldehyde (4 ppm). Although the experimental indoor plants have been reported to metabolize the indoor pollutants, but the current findings indicate that both benzene and formaldehydes are also affecting the physiology of indoor plants.
Feasibility study of using various types of microorganisms for assessing microbial growth in drinking water distribution systems
Authors: Shahamat Yousef Dadban , Niknejad Farhad , Aali Rahim , Morovvati Aysan , Shahini Mahsa , Emadi Fatimah , Vakili Mohammad Ali , Charkazi Abdurrahman , Shahryari Ali
Published: June 2022

Microorganism growth in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) is a global concern. This study was designed to investigate the microbial growth and the effect of physicochemical parameters on the growth of microorganisms in DWDS. A total of 98 water samples were collected from all places of DWDS of Gorgan from August 2020 to March 2021. All microbiological and physicochemical tests were carried with recommendations for analysis of water. The results showed that 15.3%, 12.2% and 2% of samples were positive for total coliforms, Clostridium perfringens and fecal coliforms, respectively. Nonetheless, E.coli and fecal streptococci were not detected in any of the samples. The mean of heterotrophic pale count (HPC) and fungi count were found to be 203.45 CFU/mL and 6.83 CFU/100 ml, respectively. Based on macroscopic and microscopic analysis, 7 genera of fungi were isolated, of which Candida (19.4%) and Aspergillus (11.2%) were the most prevalent, followed by Penicillium (5.1%), Rhodotorula (3.1%), Cladosporium (2%), Acremonium (2%) and Alternaria (1%). The mean and SD of physicochemical parameters involving free residual chlorine (FRC), pH, turbidity, temperature, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Electrical Conductivity (EC), were 0.22 ± 0.27 mg/l, 7.28 ± 0.22, 0.61 ± 0.68 NTU, 19.27 ± 2.83°C, 0.45 ± 0.17 mg/l, and 953.49 ± 207.54 (µs/cm), respectively. The results showed that FRC had the highest influence on microorganism growth in comparison to other tested parameters. The results showed that the using various kinds of microorganism with different features provided a higher safety of drinking water and protection of the public from risks associated opportunistic pathogens in DWDS.
A sub-seasonal oscillation of sea surface temperature in the Southern Indian Ocean during DJF and its excitation mechanism
Authors: Zi Yucheng , XIAO ZINIU , Lu Gaopeng , Xu Jingjing
Published: June 2022

Based on the ERA-Interim reanalysis data, a sub-seasonal oscillation of the sea surface temperature (SST) and its characteristics are revealed in the Southern Indian Ocean from December to February (DJF). The results of Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis show that the first two dominant modes of SST in the Southern Indian Ocean are the spatial distribution of Southwest-Northeast direction dipole (SIOD) and triple (SIOT) respectively. The research shows that the intensity and zonal oscillation of the Mascarene High are conducive to the formation of SIOD (SIOT). The air-sea interaction during the formation process is composed of three stages. In the first stage the atmospheric forces the ocean to result in the Mascarene High westward (eastward) and enhances the abnormal anticyclone in the Southern Indian Ocean. There are abnormal northerly (Southerly) flows on the west (east) sides of the abnormal anticyclone respectively, which weakens (enhances) the Southeast trade wind in the climatology. The release of surface latent heat flux decreases (increases) and SST is warmed (cooled). During the following stage, the ocean feedback the atmosphere. The warm SST continues to increase, resulting in low-level convective is enhanced, which weakens the abnormal anticyclone. The third stage is again the atmosphere forcing the ocean. The abnormal anticyclone gradually turns into an abnormal cyclone and the meridional wind direction is reversed. The release of the latent heat flux increases (decreases) significantly which leads to the cooling (warming) of SST on the west (east) sides of an abnormal cyclone. In addition, the formation and extinction of SIOT easier are affected by the Southern Hemisphere annular mode (SAM) than SIOD. The abnormal zonal wave train with wavenumber 4 (3) propagates the Southern Indian Ocean by the westerly jet waveguide and results in an SST anomaly of SIOD (SIOT), accompanied by an obvious sub-seasonal meridional variation of the precipitation in Southern Africa.
The Potential of mecciRNA in Hepatic Stellate Cell to Regulate Progression of Nonalcoholic Hepatitis
Authors: Liu Boqiang , Tian Yuanshi , He Jing , Gu Qiuxia , Jin Binghan , Hao Shen , Li Weiqi , Shi Liang , Yu Hong , Shan Ge , Cai Xiujun
Published: June 2022

Background
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) occupies a substantial proportion of chronic liver disease worldwide, of which pathogenesis needs further research. Recent studies have demonstrated the significant roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in NASH, while the function of a novel type of circRNAs, namely mitochondria-encoded circRNAs (mecciRNAs), still remain elusive. Therefore, we aimed to investigate their potential to regulate progression of NASH in this study.
Methods
GSE134146 was used to screen for differentially expressed mecciRNAs in NASH, while GSE46300 was used to identified NASH-related genes. To establish the mecciRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks, circMINE and miRNet database were used for predicting downstream targets. Then, consensus clustering analysis was used to determine immune subtypes of NASH. Finally, we successfully validated our findings in vitro (LPS-treated hepatic stellate cells [HSCs]) and in vivo (MCD-diet mice) NASH models.
Results
We confirmed that circRNomics balance is disrupted in HSCs of NASH, while two mecciRNAs (hsa_circ_0089761 and hsa_circ_0089763) could function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to regulate fibrosis-related signals. Furthermore, we constructed two ceRNA networks based on mecciRNAs for the first time. Cell and animal NASH models validated our findings that c-MYC and SMAD2/3 were upregulated in HSCs, while THBS1 and p-STAT3 were upregulated in hepatic cells. Additionally, overlapping the differentially expressed genes (NASH vs. Normal) with mecciRNA-targeted genes, we identified 21 core genes and established a novel immunotyping model for NASH patients to reflect hepatic immune microenvironment state, in which proinflammatory signals are significantly activated in Cluster 1.
Conclusion
We successfully established two novel mecciRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks in HSCs and hepatic cells, which were further confirmed by in vitro and in vivo models. Meanwhile, the novel immunotyping model revealed the heterogeneity of NASH, thereby might guiding treatment options. Altogether, our study brought a distinct perspective on the relationship between mecciRNAs and NASH.
Faculty Experience With Telecommuting in Colleges in Tamilnadu During the Covid 19 Pandemic
Authors: B SUTHA
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this article is to explore the perceptions of online training among the workforce at a Tamil Nadu State Colleges. A graphic online study was used in this investigation. Measurement techniques included statistical measures, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the chi-square test. The majority of the employees had basic PC skills and no training in web-based teaching, with only a few having a completely stable web connection, according to research findings. When compared to face-to-face classes, personnel believed that online instruction would result in more intellectual dishonesty, unoriginality, and a lack of feeling, as well as being difficult to control in terms of innovation. Furthermore, workers were unsure whether or not they were in favor of online learning. The workforce differed in their support for online education based on age, sex, school, and instructional achievement, as well as years of experience teaching, academic position, level of instruction, and firm standing. Higher Education Institutions' staff should be provided with continued support and preparation as they adjust to the new normal in higher education and face the educational challenges posed by the Corona virus disease 19 pandemic.
Association between maternal gut microbiome and macrosomia
Authors: An Rongjing , Ma Shujuan , Zhang Na , Zhang Xian , Chen Lizhang , Lin Huijun , Xiang Tianyu , Chen Mengshi , Tan Hongzhuan
Published: June 2022

Background: Fetal macrosomia is defined as birthweight≧4000g and causes harm to pregnant women and infants. Studies reported that maternal intestinal microbiome plays a key role in the establishment, growth and development of fetal intestinal flora; however, the relationship between maternal gut microbiota and macrosomia remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate whether maternal gut microbiome is associated with macrosomia and explored the potential microbiome biomarkers at early pregnancy to prevent macrosomia .Methods: We conducted a nested case control study based on an early pregnancy cohort (ChiCTR1900020652) in Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province, fecal samples of 93 women(31 delivered macrosomia as case group and 62 delivered normal birth weight newborns as the control group) collected and included in this study. And we performed metagenomic analysis to compare the composition and function of gut microbiome between cases and controls. Correlation analysis was used to explore the association of differential species with differential functional pathways and clinical parameters.Results: There are more phylum Bacteroidetes, order Bacteroidales and Burkholderiales, class Betaproteobacteria and Bacteroidia and Bacteroides ovatus in the intestinal flora of macrosomias’mothers compared with fetuses with normal birth weight. Functional pathways of gut microbiome including gondoate biosynthesis (anaerobic), L-histidine degradation III, cis-vaccenate biosynthesis and mannitol cycle were more abundant in macrosomia group. Significant correlations were discovered between taxa associated in macrosomia and triglycerides. Furthermore, Bacteroidetes (phylum), Bacteroidia (class), Bacteroidales (order) and Bacteroides ovatus were significantly associated with the pathway of gondoate biosynthesis, L−histidine degradation III, cis−vaccenate biosynthesis and Bacteroides ovatus was correlated with mannitol cycle pathway.Conclusions: Maternal gut microbiota may play an important role in the development of macrosomia and can be used as predictors to prevent macrosomia.
Comparative effects of retinoic acid, granulosa cells conditioned medium or forskolin in combination with granulosa cell co-culturing on mouse germ cell differentiation
Authors: Bahmanpour Soghra , Moasses Zia , Zareifard Nehleh
Published: June 2022

Background: Devising of an appropriate in vitro culture method for germ cells differentiation in the presence of soluble factors has attracted considerable attention, which results will provide new insight into reproductive biology. In this study, we compared the effects of forskolin, retinoic acid (RA) or granulosa cell-conditioned medium in the presence or absence of granulosa cell co-culturing on germ cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Methods and Results: Embryonic stem cells were differentiated using embryoid bodies (EBs) for 5 days, and then EB-derived cells were co-cultured with or without adult mouse granulosa cells using monolayer protocol and treated with 50 µM forskolin, 1 µM RA and 50% granulosa cell-conditioned medium for 4 days.Granulosa cell-conditioned medium significantly increased the levels of Scp3, Rec8, Mvh and Gdf9 expression in the granulosa cell co-culture method compared to untreated cells. A significant elevation of Stra8, Rec8 and Mvh was observed after treatment with RA in the absence of granulosa cells and there was no significant increase in the levels of expression of germ cell-specific genes after treatment with forskolin compared to control. Furthermore, forskolin and RA significantly increased viability and proliferation of germ-like cells, compared with granulosa cell-conditioned medium. Conclusions: Our study revealed that granulosa cell-conditioned medium and RA effectively can induce germ cell differentiation from ESCs, however combined application of granulosa cell-conditioned medium and co-culturing with granulosa cells had synergic effect on germ cell development in vitro as optimized protocol.
Reach-to-Grasp Kinematics and Kinetics in Early- Stage Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Zhang Jianhong , Xiao Yunling , Li Zong-Ming , Wei Na , Lin Leitong , Li Ke
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on the reach-to-grasp kinematics and kinetics with different visual feedbacks. Seventeen patients who had been diagnosed with the early-stage AD and the same number of age- and gender-matched cognitive normal (CN) adults participated in the experiment. Each subject was instructed to perform the reach-to-grasp task, and the kinematic and kinetic parameters were collected and calculated to quantify the characteristics for both the AD and CN groups. Results showed that the early-stage AD remarkably decrease the reaching speed, reduce the grasping accuracy and increase the transportation variability. In addition, the early-stage AD extended the preload duration, disturbed the grip and lift forces (GF-LF) coordination, and increased the feedforward proportion in the grasping force control. The AD-related changes in the reach-to-grasp kinematic and kinetic parameters depended on visual feedback conditions and were associated with nervous system function according to correlation analyses with the neuropsychological testing. These results imply that quantifying the reach-to-grasp performance may help us better understand the changes in sensorimotor control in the early-stage AD and may provide novel approach to the early screening and evaluation of AD.
Ultrasound assessment of gastric contents and volume in patients before and after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Jia Haitao , He Ertao , Hao Wei , Li Yanli , Liu Wei , Chen Xiaoxia , Jia Yanfei , Wang Yingbin
Published: June 2022

Surgical procedures may affect the changes in gastric contents and volume, resulting in a potential risk of pulmonary aspiration. We aimed to assess the differences in preoperative and postoperative gastric contents and volume in patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery using ultrasound and determine the potential factors associated with intraoperative volume changes. This prospective study enrolled 71 adult patients diagnosed with pituitary adenoma. Semi-quantitative (Perlas score: grade 0, 1, or 2) and quantitative (cross-sectional area, CSA) ultrasound scans of the gastric antrum were performed before anaesthetic induction and postoperatively in semirecumbent and semirecumbent-right lateral positions. The postoperative median (interquartile [range]) antral CSA in both positions were 3.5 cm2 (3.3–3.7 [2.9–12.1]) and 3.7 cm2 (3.4–4.6 [2.9–26.6]), significantly higher than the preoperative values of 3.3 cm2 (3.1–3.4 [2.7–3.9]) and 3.4 cm2 (3.2–3.7 [2.8–5.7]), respectively (P=0.001). The postoperative estimated gastric volume was 20.2 ml (2.2–42.7 [0–316.7]), significantly larger than the preoperative value of 14.5 ml (0–32.6 [0–66.4]) (P=0.001). Seven (9.9%) patients showed significant volume changes, from preoperative grade 0 to postoperative grade 2 (estimated volume >1.5 ml.kg-1) (P=0.02). Logistic regression analysis revealed that gastroesophageal reflux, intraoperative irrigation volume, and anaesthesia duration were independent risk factors for significant intraoperative volume changes (P<0.05). Our results show that significant change in gastric volume was presented in some patients during transsphenoidal surgery because of the special surgical procedures and comorbidities. Perioperative ultrasound could facilitate assessing aspiration risk in patients undergoing transsphenoidal neurosurgical procedures.Trial registration: This prospective observational study was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2100045110) on 7 April 2021.
Acceptability of Integration of Cervical Cancer Screening Into Routine HIV Care, Associated Factors and Perceptions Among HIV- Infected Women: a Mixed Methods Study at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital
Authors: Ninsiima Mackline , Nyabigambo Agnes , Kagaayi Joseph
Published: June 2022

Background
Integrating Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS) into routine HIV care has been endorsed as an effective strategy for increasing uptake of CCS, and facilitating early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions among HIV-infected women. In Uganda, this strategy has not been implemented yet in most HIV clinics. Assessing the acceptability of this intervention among HIV-infected women is of great relevance to inform its implementation. This study assessed acceptability of integration of CCS into routine HIV care, associated factors and perceptions among HIV-infected women enrolled in the Immune Suppression Syndrome clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH).
Methodology:
A mixed methods study utilizing the explanatory sequential approach was conducted among 327 eligible HIV-infected women. Acceptability of integration of CCS into routine HIV care was measured using the Theoretical Framework of acceptability (TFA). A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Focus group discussions to explore perceptions regarding the intervention were conducted among purposively selected HIV-infected women. Modified poisson regression with robust variance analysis was utilized to determine factors associated with the acceptability of the intervention. Statistical significance was determined at p-value < 0.05. Thematic analysis utilizing inductive coding was used to analyze qualitative data.
Results
Majority of the HIV-infected women (64.5%) accepted the integration of CCS into routine HIV care. Religion, perceived risk of developing CC and ever screened for CC were statistically significantly associated with the acceptability of integration of CCS into routine HIV care. Perceived benefits of the proposed intervention were: convenience to seek for CCS, motivation to undergo CCS, improved archiving of CCS results, confidentiality of HIV patient information, and preference to interact with ISS clinic health workers. Shame to expose their privacy to the ISS clinic health workers and increased waiting time were the only perceived challenges of the intervention.
Conclusion
Study findings highlight the need to take advantage of this acceptability to prioritize implementation of the integration of CCS into routine HIV care. HIV-infected women should be reassured of confidentiality and reduced waiting time to increase uptake of the integrated CCS and HIV services among HIV-infected women along the continuum of HIV care and treatment services.
Smokeless Tobacco Enhance Allergic Inflammation, Exacerbation of Asthma and Oxidative Stress in Asthmatic Patients from Algeria
Authors: Khaldi Taha , Beya Amira Aicha , Karima Boughemara , Yasmine Khodja Hesnie , Mahfoud Messarah , Amel Boumendjel
Published: June 2022

Background and objective
Despite their effects on human health, the link between smokeless tobacco (ST) consumption and asthma severity in asthmatic patients is still unknown. Thus, the present study aims to complete the lack of information by investigating the aggravation of inflammation, exacerbation of asthma, oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by ST in asthmatic patients.
Methods
The study recruited 80 male volunteers residing in Annaba town, Algeria, divided into four groups by using a questionnaire, each group consists of 20 male volunteers. Herein, biochemical parameters, hematological parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), total IgE, interleukin-5 (IL-5), nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress were measured.
Results
The obtained results showed that ST clearly enhanced lung inflammation and exacerbation of asthma through total IgE, IL-5 and CRP increased production. In addition, ST was found to intensify oxidative stress via increased lipid peroxidation and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Likewise, the biochemical and hematological parameters results showed that ST causes damage and inflammation to tissues.
Conclusion
Therefore, our study reveals that ST obviously enhances allergic inflammation in patients suffering from asthma.
Collagen Ⅰ-DDR1 signaling promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell stemness via Hippo signaling repression
Authors: Xiong Yi-xiao , Zhang Xiao-chao , Zhu Jing-han , Zhang Yu-xin , Pan Yong-long , Wu Yu , Zhao Jian-ping , Liu Jun-jie , Lu Yuan-xiang , Liang Hui-fang , Zhang Zhan-guo , Zhang Wan-guang
Published: June 2022

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a minority population of cancer cells with stemness and multiple differentiation potentials, leading to cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. However, the concrete mechanism of CSCs remains obscure. Collagen Ⅰ-DDR1 signaling can response to ECM which can be a physical barrier that protects CSCs from chemotherapy. We explore the clinical significance, biological function and molecular mechanism of collagen Ⅰ-DDR1 signaling in promoting cancer cell stemness. Methods: Picro-Sirius red staining was performed to distinguish collagen types. We established DDR1 knock-down and overexpression in different HCC cell lines. sphere-forming assay, single-cell colony formation, CD133 positive stem-like-cell proportion, and chemoresistance was performed to assess cancer cell stemness in vitro. Cancer cells limiting dilution implantation assay was conducted to assess stemness in vivo. Stemness and Hippo signaling associated genes expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Proteins interaction was investigated by mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, GST pull-down and confocal microscopy imaging. The mechanisms of collagen Ⅰ-DDR1 regulating Hippo signaling were performed by RNA sequencing, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. A radiomic predicting model was constructed based on T2 weighted image, the predictive performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis.Results: In advanced HCC tissues, collagen Ⅰ was upregulated, which was consistent with the expression of its receptor DDR1, high collagen Ⅰ levels accompanied by high DDR1 expression are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Collagen Ⅰ-induced DDR1 activation enhanced HCC cell stemness in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, DDR1 interacts with CD44, which acts as a co-receptor that amplifies collagen Ⅰ-induced DDR1 signaling, and collagen Ⅰ-DDR1 signaling antagonized Hippo signaling by facilitating the recruitment of PP2AA to MST1, leading to exaggerated YAP activation. The combined inhibition of DDR1 and YAP synergistically abrogated HCC cell stemness. A radiomic model based on T2 weighted image can noninvasively predict collagen Ⅰ expression.Conclusions: Our findings reveal the mechanism of collagen Ⅰ-DDR1 signaling inhibiting Hippo signaling, highlight the role of CD44/DDR1/YAP axis in promoting cancer cell stemness, and the radiomic model have potential of non-invasive predicting collagen Ⅰ expression, suggesting that DDR1 and YAP may serve as novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC.
Vision-related quality of life after surgery for vitreoretinal disorders: an observational study
Authors: Márquez-Vergara Ilse Sarahí , Ríos-Nequis Geovanni Jassiel , Pita-Ortíz Ingrid Yazmín , Pérez-Cano Héctor Javier , Somilleda-Ventura Selma Alin
Published: June 2022

Background: Visual-related quality of life is not always included as a variable of surgical success. However, some questionnaires such as the Visual Function Quality-25 in the Spanish version have proven their reliability and validity, but the quality of life in patients undergoing surgery has not been explored in the Mexican population; so, this study aims to identify it in patients with the most prevalent vitreoretinal diseases.Methods: The Visual Function Quality-25 questionnaire was applied to 76 patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and other causes of vitrectomy, pre-and postoperative. It was divided into 10-domains and interpreted according to the National Eye Institute scores, where the highest value was the best visual function. Student's t-test for related samples and Wilcoxon's t-test were used to compare each domain between measurements, and Pearson´s R test to correlate age and quality of life total score; a p-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: Diabetic retinopathy patients showed an improvement after surgery in all domains, one and three months after surgery; the higher scores were in those who used air o gas as tamponade. In patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, there was an improvement in almost all the items from the first month, with a higher difference observed up to three months, while a decrease in ocular pain was observed in other causes of vitrectomy. Differences found in all the quality-of-life scores at one versus three months were not statistical, but clinically significant.Conclusions: The study shows that visual-related quality of life domains improve after vitrectomy, predominately in diabetic retinopathy subjects; inclusion of this analysis might be considered relevant within the parameters of surgical success of the most prevalent vitreoretinal diseases.
Evaluation of olive mill wastewater membrane treatment to obtain a final retentate rich in hydroxytyrosol
Authors: Niknam Seyed Mehdi , Kashaninejad Mansoore , Benito José Manuel , Escudero Isabel
Published: June 2022

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) is an extremely polluting dark liquid generated in large quantities during the extraction of olive oil. OMWW is also an interesting source of high-added value natural compounds such as biophenols, especially hydroxytyrosol (HT), a powerful antioxidant with proven nutritional and pharmaceutical properties. The main objective of this work was to explore the use of membrane technology for the treatment of OMWW in order to obtain a retentate stream rich in hydroxytyrosol and a permeate with low chemical oxygen demand (COD). Pretreatment was firstly performed by a combined centrifugation and acidification process. Then, several membrane operations were tested and phenolics rejection, HT content, COD removal and membrane fouling were examined. Best results were obtained using a single ultrafiltration process with a 10 kDa ST polyethersulfone membrane at 8 bar. Improved results were reached using a two-stage integrated system with 100 kDa US100 ultrafiltration and 200 Da NF90 nanofiltration membranes, at 5 and 10 bar, respectively. Volume reduction factor of 1.9 in ultrafiltration and 1.6 in nanofiltration yielded to 234.49 ± 26.08 mg/L of HT in the retentate (9-fold the HT content in the raw OMWW) and 94.15% COD removal.
Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma: Pulmonic Valve Involvement with Pulmonary Embolism and Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Jilani Danish , Ali Meher Binte , Abuzahra Mohammed
Published: June 2022

Pulmonic valve papillary fibroelastomas are rarely seen tumors of the cardiac valves. In this case, a pulmonic valve mass was seen on echocardiogram, which was diagnosed as papillary fibroelastoma due to characteristic imaging findings. Complications of pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension were present. Due to contraindications, the patient was managed with anticoagulation instead of surgery.
The role of the Poincaré map is indicating a new direction in the analysis of the genetic network
Authors: Shahrear Pabel , Habiba Ummey , Shahrear Rezwan
Published: June 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Record-High Gain and Detectivity in Unipolar Barrier Solar Blind Avalanche Photodetector via Deliberate Lattice and Band Engineering
Authors: Zhang Qingyi , Li Ning , Zhang Tao , Dong Dianmeng , Yang Yongtao , Wang Yuehui , Dong Zhengang , Shen Jiaying , Zhou Tianhong , Liang Yuanlin , Tang Weihua , Zhang Yang , Wu Zhenping , Hao Jianhua
Published: June 2022

Ga2O3-based solar blind avalanche photodetectors (APDs) allow low voltage operation, optical filter-free and monolithic integration of PD arrays, and therefore they are promising to be alternative to the bulky and fragile photomultiplier tube (PMT) in weak deep-ultraviolet signal detection. However, so far the performances of all reported Ga2O3-based APDs are still inferior to PMTs due to restricted breakdown electric field and monolithic integration limitations. Here, by deliberate lattice and band engineering, we construct an n-Barrier-n (nBn) unipolar barrier APD consisting of β-Ga2O3/MgO/Nb:STO heterostructure, in which the enlarged conduction band offsets fortify the reverse breakdown and suppress the dark current while the negligible valance band offsets faciliate minority carrier flow. The lattice and band engineered unipolar barrier configuration provides deterministic control over the charge carriers flow and related avalanche multiplication effects. The developed unipolar barrier APDs exhibit record-high avalanche gain up to 5.86 × 105 and detectivity of 3.28 × 1017 Jones among the wafer-scale grown Ga2O3-based PDs, which are even comparable with commercial PMTs. These findings provide new insights into precise control of band alignment in APDs, which also offer great opportunities for high-performance Ga2O3-based electronics and optoelectronics.
Development and Analysis of Cereal Bar Based on Passion Fruit Shell Flour
Authors: Santos Isaú de Souza , Barros Vinicius Costa , Hunaldo Virlane Kelly Lima , Santos Leonardo Hunaldo dos , de Freitas Adriana Crispim
Published: June 2022

Brazil produces, daily, tons of solid organic waste resulting from the food industry, which compromise the ecosystem, since they are highly polluting materials. A large part of this waste is generated by juice extracting industries, which, when processing fruits, discard husks, albedos, seeds, shavings and vesicles. Passion fruit suffers a lot of loss during processing, as only 30% of the entire weight of the fruit is used, which is the pulp used to extract the juice. In recent years, the search for the use of these residues in the development of products with greater added value, such as flour with a high fiber content, has been the subject of research. The present work had as objective the physical, chemical and microbiological evaluation of the cereal bar formulated with passion fruit peel flour. Then, the cereal bar was subjected to microbiological and physical chemical analysis, showing absence of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Coliforms. The pH, moisture, water activity, titratable acidity, ash and brix degree were analyzed. At the end of the analysis, it was concluded that the use of passion fruit peel in the production of the cereal bar proved to be viable.
Tumor extracellular vesicles mediate anti-PD-L1-therapy resistance by decoying anti-PD-L1
Authors: Cai Zhijian , Chen Jiming , Yang Jie , Wang Wenhui , Guo Danfeng , Zhang Chengyan , Wang Shibo , Lu Xinliang , Huang Xiaofang , Wang Pingli , Zhang Gensheng , Zhang Jing , Wang Jianli
Published: June 2022

PD-L1+ tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TEVs) cause systemic immunosuppression and possibly resist to anti-PD-L1 antibody (αPD-L1) blockade. However, whether and how PD-L1+ TEVs mediate αPD-L1-therapy resistance is unknown. Here, we show that PD-L1+ TEVs massively decoy αPD-L1 and that TEV-bound αPD-L1 is more rapidly cleared by macrophages, causing insufficient blockade of tumor PD-L1 and subsequent αPD-L1-therapy resistance. Either an increased dose of αPD-L1 or macrophage depletion mediated by clinical drug Pexidartinib abolishes αPD-L1-therapy resistance. In the treatment cycle with the same total treatment dose of αPD-L1, high-dose and low-frequency treatment has better antitumor effects than low-dose and high-frequency treatment, induces stronger antitumor immune memory, and eliminates αPD-L1-therapy resistance. Furthermore, increased doses of αPD-L1 and αPD-1 have comparable antitumor effects, but αPD-L1 amplify fewer PD-1+ Treg cells that are responsible for tumor hyperprogression. Altogether, our results reveal a TEV-mediated mechanism of αPD-L1-specific therapy resistance, thus providing promising strategies to improve αPD-L1 efficacy.
A machine learning approach for unbiased diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department
Authors: Zeng Cecilia , Xiang Wang , Allen Angier , Shokouhi Sepideh , Chetty Satish Casie , Barnes Gina , Iqbal Zohora , Tsou Peiling , Singh Navan , Calvert Jacob , Hurtado Myrna , Hoffman Jana , Mao Qingqing
Published: June 2022

Importance: Despite sex and race disparities in the symptom presentation, diagnosis, and management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), these differences have not been investigated in the development and validation of machine learning (ML) models using individualized patient information from electronic health records (EHRs) to diagnose ACS. Objective: To evaluate ML-based ACS diagnosis performance across different subpopulations in a multi-site emergency department (ED) setting and determine how bias mitigating techniques influence ML performance. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective observational study included data from 2,334,316 ED patients ( >18 years) from January 2007 to June 2020. Exposure: Logistic regression (LR) and neural network (NN) models were assessed in ED encounters grouped by sex, race, presence or absence of chest pain, EHR data quality, and timeliness of several key ED procedures. Prejudice regularization, reweighting, and within-subpopulation training were evaluated for bias mitigation. Main Outcomes/Measures: Metrics including area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) were used to assess performances. Results: We analyzed 4,268,165 ED visits in which patient demographics by race were 67.40% White, 19.20% Black, 2.40% Asian, and 11.00% Other or Unknown. Patient composition was 54.80% female and 45.20% male. Both models’ AUROCs were significantly higher in White vs. Black patients (LR: z-score = 3.23 and NN: 4.26 for NN; P < 0.0006), in males vs. females (z-score = 3.81 for LR and 4.16 for NN; P < 0.0001) and in no chest pain subpopulation vs. chest pain (z-score = 13.32 for LR and 17.70 for NN; P < 0.0001). Prejudice regularization and reweighting techniques did not reduce biases. Training in race-specific and sex-specific training populations also did not yeild statistically signficant improvements in ML algorithm performance. Chest pain-specific training led to significantly improved AUROC.Conclusion: EHR-derived ML models trained and tested within similar demographic subpopulations and symptom groups may perform better than ML models that are trained in random populations, and provide less biased clinical decision support for ACS diagnosis.
Source attribution of campylobacteriosis in Australia circa 2018
Authors: McLure Angus , Smith James J , Firestone Simon Matthew , Kirk Martyn D , French Nigel , Fearnley Emily , Wallace Rhiannon , Valcanis Mary , Bulach Dieter , Moffatt Cameron , Selvey Linda A , Jennison Amy , Glass Kathryn
Published: June 2022

Background: Campylobacter spp. infections are the leading cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in high-income countries, including Australia. Campylobacter colonises a variety of mammalian and avian hosts that are reservoirs for human campylobacteriosis. Though most Australian outbreak investigations implicate chicken meat, the proportions of sporadic cases attributable to different animal reservoirs are unknown. Methods: Campylobacter isolates were obtained from notified human cases, and raw meat and offal from the major livestock in Australia: chickens, pigs, and ruminants (cattle and sheep) between 2017 and 2019. Isolates were speciated, with sequence types determined using multi-locus sequence genotyping. We used Bayesian source attribution models to estimate the proportion of human cases attributable to each livestock source by comparing the frequency of sequence types in cases and each animal source. We employed a model comparison approach with ten base models and explored adjusting these for age, gender, jurisdiction, rurality, and season. Four of the ten base models included an ‘unsampled’ source to estimate the proportion of cases attributable to wild, feral, or domestic animal reservoirs not sampled in our study. Results: We included 612 food and 710 human case isolates. The best fitting models attributed >80% of Campylobacter cases to chickens, with a greater proportion of Campylobacter coli (>84%) than Campylobacter jejuni (>77%). The best fitting model that included an unsampled source attributed 14% (95% CrI: 0.3-32%) to the unsampled source and only 2% to ruminants (95% CrI: 0.3-12%) and 2% to pigs (95% CrI: 0.2-11%.) The best fitting model that did not include an unsampled source attributed 12% to ruminants (95%CrI: 1.3-33%) and 6% to pigs (95%CrI: 1.1-19%.) Model fit was not improved by inclusion of case covariates. Conclusions: Chickens were the leading source of Campylobacter infections in our data and should remain the focus of interventions to reduce the burden in Australia.
Nano cellulose as Sustainable green material for Multi Biological applications via ξ Potential
Authors: Mahmoud Sara Mohamed , Ali Safwat Hassan , Omar Mohamd Abdelhady
Published: June 2022

The present study aims to disclose the novel activity of cellulose in nanoparticles as antioxidants, antimicrobials, antitumors and its effect on lymphocyte proliferation activity as an index of immunity.
Results show that surface charge & particle size distribution of nano cellulose reveal positive zeta potentials with average values +27 mv, and size range 4.4 nm in diameter. While IC50 of antioxidants capacity was 42.1µg/mL, meanwhile antimicrobial activity impact on G-ve strains at different concentration, but not affected on tested G+ve strains and tested fungi. Also, cytotoxicity show minority for nanoparticles of cellulose. Moreover, lymphocyte proliferation assay appears highly significant effect for nano cellulose. On the other hand, antitumor power of nano cellulose on Caco-2 cancer cells was dose dependent. In addition, comet values show significant influence at dose 500 μg/mL. These findings show that cellulose play a critical role in nanoparticles when compared to conventional molecules, and that they have a remarkable physical and biological activity, indicating a promising trend for using these nano molecules in a variety of biological applications.
Dynamics and Stability of Magnetic-air Hybrid Quasi-zero Stiffness Vibration Isolation System
Authors: Jiang Youliang , Song Chunsheng , Ma Xin , Wu Han , Mai Zhihui
Published: June 2022

With the improvement of machining accuracy, external low frequency vibration has become one of the most important factors affecting the performance of equipment. The theory of quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolation shows favorable low frequency vibration isolation effect. Based on our previous research on the structure of magnetic-air hybrid quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolation system, the nonlinear mechanical expression of positive and negative stiffness structure has been analyzed in this paper, to improve application of the system and provide a theoretical basis for sequential studies of active control. To analyze the judgement criterion of the quasi-zero stiffness, an accurate mechanical model was first established. Then, the dynamical model based on external low frequency vibration was developed, to investigate the stability and natural frequency and deduce. At the same time, the influence of different feedback parameters on the amplitude frequency characteristics has been discussed. Finally, we carried out simulation and experimental analysis to verify the stiffness of high static and low dynamic and the low frequency vibration isolation effect of the vibration isolation system.
Yöresel Yiyecek ve İçecek İşletmelerinin Tedarik Zinciri Üzerine Bir Araştırma: Fethiye Örneği (A Research on Supply Chain of Local Food and Beverage Businesses: The Case of Fethiye)
Authors: Artun Cemal
Published: June 2022

Yöresel yiyecek ve içecek işletmelerinin rekabet avantajı açısından farklılaşabilmeleri yöresel yiyecek içeceğin oluşturulmasındaki mutfak değerlerine bağlıdır. Yöresel lezzetleri farklı bir destinasyona taşıyabilmek için tedarik zincirinin başarısına ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu durum istikrarlı bir tedarik zincirinin önemine işaret etmektedir. Yöresel yiyecek ve içecek işletmelerinin tedarik zincirlerinin farklı destinasyonlarda nasıl sürdürülebildikleri nitel araştırma deseninde tasarlanmış bu çalışmada ele alınmıştır. Fethiye’deki sekiz yöresel yiyecek ve içecek işletmesi sahipleri veya girişimcilerinden yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formuyla veri toplanmıştır. Veriler betimsel analiz yöntemiyle daha önceden belirlenen dört ana temaya göre analiz edilmiştir. Katılımcı işletmelerin yöresel lezzetlere ilişkin ihtiyaç duydukları malzemeleri ve ürünleri Fethiye dışından getirdikleri görülmüştür. Bu işletmeler kargo firmaları, soğuk zincir, otobüs firmaları şeklinde üç farklı taşıyıcıya bağlı bir tedarik zincirini kullanmaktadırlar. Dolayısıyla yöreselliğe yönelik bir tedarik zincirinin oluşturulduğu tespit edilmiştir.
A STUDY TO ASSESS ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND SERUM LIPID VARIATIONS IN HIV PATIENTS RECEIVING HAART
Authors:   Assistant Professor of General Medicine, ACSRGovt. Medical College, Nellore., Kavitha Sadhu , Purushotham Veera ,   Assistant Professor of General Medicine, ACSRGovt. Medical College, Nellore., Ramana Murthy B.V. ,   Assistant Professor of General Medicine, ACSRGovt. Medical College, Nellore.
Published: June 2022

Background:- There is evidence that ART is associated with lipodystrophy syndrome, a disturbance of lipid metabolism characterised by insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and fat maldistribution, usually presenting as visceral abdominal obesity and cervical fat pad accumulation (buffalo hump)1,metabolic bone disease (osteopenia and/or osteoporosis) and lactic acidosis. ART- associated dyslipidaemia is characterized by elevated serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein 2(LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), Apo lipoprotein B (apoB) and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) constituting an atherogenic lipid profile2. Materials And Methods:- In this study 100 young patients who were attending the Antiretroviral Therapy Plus Centre & Medicine Wards, ACSR GMC, NELLORE were included randomly. Anthropometric Measurement :- Body weights were measured (to the nearest 0.5 kilogram) with the subject standing on a weighing scale after it was adjusted to zero kg. Heights were measured (to the nearest 1.0 centimeter) with the subject standing in an erect position against a vertical scale of portable standiometer and a L-square placed on the head and the head positioned to a level with the inferior margin of the bony orbit. The waist measurements were taken from the middle point between the iliac crest and the last rib as recommended by the WHO. Hip circumference was measured as the maximal circumference over the buttocks. BMIs were then calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the height in meter squared. Results:- The results of the study showed that the Anthropometric parameters on analysis showed a normal range BMI in 59% of patients. Waist-to-hip ratio which have been shown to be better reflector of body fat distribution and is significantly elevated in the HIV-infected patients on HAART. Waist-Hip ratio value analysis showed normal in 18.19% and abnormal in 81.81% of cases. The mean value in males is 0.9578 and in females is 0.9204. This showed a significant correlation to Waist/ hip ratio and the gender. Conclusions:- Significant metabolic and morphological alterations occur in HIV infected patients especially in patients on HAART. The patients on HAART had an elevated Castelli Index I, indicating an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in this population. Waist-to-hip ratio which are the key indices for assessing body fat distribution were significantly raised in HAART-experienced patients in this study implying that HAART could result to lipodystrophy.
The Hydrogeological Behavior of Springs in Face of Rainfall Fluctuations in the Plain of Fez and its Middle Atlas Border, Morocco
Authors: Qadem Zohair , Qadem Abdelghani , Lasri Mohamed , Obda Khalid , Lakhili Ferdaouss
Published: June 2022

The scarcity of water resources presents the most threatening risk and its effects are beginning to affect several regions of the planet. It cannot be denied that Morocco, due to its location in the south of the Mediterranean, has been affected by these climatic trends of which the plateau de Sais offers a good example by its location in the center of the country and by its wealth of superficial and groundwater resources. In recent decades, this plateau has experienced water stress, particularly in its groundwater reserves. It has been manifested by the decrease in flows from several springs or even total drying up in particular after successive periods of unusual drought, which marked the whole of the country after the 1980s. It is in this perspective this study aims to understand the behavior of the hydrogeological functioning of the springs located in the plain of Fez and its middle Atlas borders. Its geological complexity, as well as the abundance of carbonate rocks and the presence of volcanic basalt flowing from South to North have favored the resurgence of several springs of different flows and with a hydrological regime influenced according to the years and seasons by rainfall inputs. All these physical factors as well as human intervention on the hydrosystem through hydro-agricultural activities influence the behavior of the hydrological functioning of these springs.