bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ionogel-Electrode for the Study of Protein Tunnel Junctions under Physiologically Relevant Conditions
Authors: Bai Xiyue , Li Pengfei , Peng Wuxian , Chen Ningyue , Lin Jin-Liang , Li Yuan
Published: October 2022

The study of tunneling through proteins is essential for the understanding of complicated electrochemical processes in biological activities. Both electron transport and transfer phenomena are found in protein junctions, but the reason remains unknown. In this work, we polymerized an ionic liquid into a conductive and flexible electrode, and used it as a top-contact to form highly reproducible molecular junctions of protein molecules on a silver bottom-electrode. The junctions of proteins, choice of which including human serum albumin, cytochrome C or hemoglobin, show temperature independent electron transport characteristics, when junctions are in solid states; but all junctions can be switched to temperature dependent electron transfer, when junctions are hydrated in water. We experimentally for the first time show that it requires about 100 − 120 meV for electrons passing through one heme group inside a hydrated protein molecule.
Pregnancy-related anxiety and its relationship with perceived social support, family function and resilience among Chinese pregnant women—A structural equation model analysis
Authors: Huang Jingui , Xu Lingli , Xu Zhen , Luo Yexin , Liao Bizhen , Li Yan , Shi Yumei
Published: October 2022

Background
Accumulating evidence suggests that pregnancy-related anxiety (PRA) has adverse impacts on maternity health and infant development. A substantial body of literature has documented the important influence of family function, perceived social support and resilience on PRA. However, research identifying the mediating mechanisms underlying this relationship in China are still lacking. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PRA under the three-child policy in China, and also explore whether resilience mediated the effect of family function and perceived social support on PRA.
Methods
A total of 579 pregnant women were recruited in this cross-section study from a teaching hospital in Chongqing, China. Participants were required to complete the following questionnaires: the demographic form, the Chinese Pregnancy-related Anxiety scale, the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the APGAR Family Care Index Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to examine the rudimentary relationship among the study variables. Bootstrapping analyses in the structural equation modeling were applied to identify the significance of indirect effects.
Results
There were 41.4% of pregnant Chinese women indicating PRA. Correlational analyses indicated that perceived social support, family function and resilience were negatively associated with PRA (r = -0.47, P < 0.01; r = -0.43, P < 0.01; r = -0.37, P < 0.01, respectively). The results of bootstrapping analyses demonstrated significant indirect effects of perceived social support (β = -0.098, 95% CI [-0.184, -0.021]) and family function (β = -0.049, 95% CI [-0.103, -0.011]) on PRA via resilience.
Conclusions
Chinese pregnant women are suffering from high levels of PRA. Better family function and perceived social support might reduce the occurrence of PRA, as well as by the mediating effects of resilience.
The Effect of Vestibular Stimulations on Virtual Reality Based Bodily Self Consciousness
Authors: Yaman Handan , Hajebrahimi Farzin , Hanoğlu Lütfü
Published: October 2022

Background
Consciousness is classically described as alertness and awareness. Damasio claims that this change is not enough for consciousness to emerge, that a basic element is missing, which is the "self". The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of electrical vestibular stimulation (VS) in the formation of bodily self-consciousness in healthy individuals by utilizing brain hemodynamic activations with the functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) system.
Methods
The study protocol included three sessions: a session without VS, a VS session with application on the right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ) and a VS session with application on the mastoid level with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).
Results
In VS provided at the rTPJ level, unlike the other sessions, increased hemodynamic activation was observed at primary somatosensory cortex-supramarginal gyrus in the left lobe and in the supramarginal gyrus in the right lobe. In VS provided on the mastoid level, increased hemodynamic activation was observed in secondary somatosensory cortex-ventral posterior cingulate cortex connection on left lobe, which we did not observe in other sessions.
Conclusion
After artificial VS, the perception of bodily ownership in individuals requires coding of personal space information as well as vestibular information processing and extrapersonal space integration information.
Does Body Mass Index affect the outcomes of patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Xuequan Zhao , Li Dezhi , Bin Zhao , Shuzhang Yao , Qinglei Liu
Published: October 2022

Background: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty（UKA） has become one of the main methods for the treatment of unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis. There is still lack of medium term data on the outcomes of UKA and survival rate of prosthesis in different body mass index (BMI) groups.
Objective: we focus on the effectof BMI on the medium clinical outcomes of UKA.
Methods: The retrospective study included patients who received UKA at our hospital, between January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017.All patients All patients underwent surgery of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. They were divided into three groups according to BMI. normal body mass group [group A, BMI 14.50～24.99 kg/m2, 14 cases (16 knees)], overweight group [group B, BMI 25.00-27.99 kg/m2, 15 cases (17 knees)], obesity group[group C, BMI 28.00-39.99 kg/m2, 16 cases (18 knees)]. There was no significant difference in gender, age, sides, diseaseduration, and preoperative American Special Surgery Hospital (HSS) score, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and knee range of motion (ROM) among 3 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative dominant blood loss, and the postoperative decreased amount of hemoglobin at 2 week were recorded and compared among 3 groups. The the Knee Society Score (KSS), the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale，Knee society score ，VAS score, and ROM were evaluated in three groups.
Results: Forty-five of 58 eligible patients were included. All the 45 patients were followed up 36-70 months, with an average of 57.55 months. The function of knee joint in all patients was improved and the pain was obviously relieved. Significant differences were found in the knee score, function score and the knee society score between three groups at 70-month follow-up (p<0.05).
Conclusions: For normal and overweight patients with anterior medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the use of minimally invasive UKA can achieve satisfactory short- and medium-term effectiveness. However, this procedure should be chosen carefully with overweight patients.
Natural compound So-2 suppresses triple-negative breast cancer through inducing ferroptosis via downregulating transcription factor E2F7.
Authors: Liu Na , Zhang Jing , Duan Wenqi , Luo Tingting , Wu Cong , Han Lina , Yang Fengying , Yue Hongwei , Ge Di
Published: October 2022

Background
Siegesbeckia orientalis L. have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine “Xi-Xian-Cao” for centuries with multiple medicinal benefits including cancerous treatment. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. And the Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), accounting for about 15 ~ 18% of all breast cancers, is notorious for its poor prognosis, high rate of relapse and short overall survival. Because of lacking effective therapeutic targets or drugs, treatment of TNBC in clinical encounters great obstacle. Recently, we have reported the isolation of twenty-seven germacranolides including So-2 from the aerial parts of S. orientalis with potent cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells. However, the specific mechanism needs to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to verified the anti-tumor function of the natural compound So-2 and uncover the underlying mechanism.
Methods
We investigated the anti-tumor role of So-2 both in vitro and in vivo. An orthotopic transplantation tumor model was established to assess the in vivo antitumor effects of So-2. Two TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells were employed to study the cytotoxicity effect and specific mechanism of So-2 in vitro. We studied the influence of So-2 on TNBC cell proliferation, migration and ferroptosis in detail.
Results
So-2 was shown to cause cell cycle arrest and suppress TNBC cell proliferation and migration. Also, So-2 was identified to be a bona fide ferroptosis inducer in TNBC cells. We also characterized the oncogenic role of the transcription factor E2F7 in TNBC. And E2F7 was downregulated by So-2 while inducing ferroptosis. E2F7 was demonstrated to be involved in the ferroptosis-inducing and tumor suppression effect of So-2.
Conclusion
So-2 exhibits inhibitory effect on TNBC growth and migration both in vitro and vivo by inducing TNBC ferroptosis via downregulating the expression of E2F7. These findings provide valuable insight into the pathogenesis of TNBC. The natural compound So-2, isolated from Chinese traditional medicine, might be a prospective drug candidate in TNBC therapy.
Advanced quantum image representation and compression using a DCTEFRQI approach
Authors: HAQUE MD ERSHADUL , Paul Manoranjan , Ulhoq Anwar , Debnath Tanmoy
Published: October 2022

In recent years, quantum image processing got a lot of attention in the field of image processing due to the opportunity to place huge image data in quantum Hilbert space. Hilbert space or Euclidean space has infinite dimensions to locate and process the image data faster. Moreover, several types of research show that the computational time of the quantum process is faster than classical computers. Encoding and compressing the image in the quantum domain is still a challenging issue. From the literature survey, we have proposed a DCT-EFRQI (Direct Cosine Transform Efficient Flexible Representation of Quantum Image) algorithm to represent and compress gray image efficiently which save computational time and minimize the complexity of preparation. This work aims to represent and compress various gray image sizes in quantum computers using the DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) and EFRQI (Efficient Flexible Representation of Quantum Image) approaches together. The Quirk simulation tool is used to design the corresponding quantum image circuit. Due to the limitation of qubits, a total of 16 numbers of qubits is used to represent the coefficient and its position of the grayscale image. Among those, 8 number of qubits are used to map the coefficient values and the rest are used to generate the corresponding coefficient XY-coordinate position. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the proposed DCT-EFRQI scheme provides better representation and compression compared to DCT-GQIR, DWT-GQIR, and DWT-EFRQI in terms of PSNR(Peak Signal to Noise Ratio), and bit rate.
A comparative study of the antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of different varieties of imported ripe cavendish banana
Authors: Al-Abri Faisal Said Hamed , Hossain Mohammad Amzad
Published: October 2022

Banana is one of the most delicious and energetic crops among the agricultural crops. Traditionally, Omanis used bananas to treat gastrointestinal disorders, constipation and diarrhea. The present study aims to determine different pharmacological and toxicological activities of extracts of two varieties of imported ripe banana which was collected in the local fruits and vegetable market. Extracts from ipe bananas imported from India and the Philippines were prepared separately l by soaking the bananas in methanol for seventy-two hours. The prepared banana extracts were fractionated with various solvents with increasing pattern of polarity to give corresponding banana crude extract, respectively. All prepared crude extracts were used to determine their antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), agar gel diffusion and brine shrimp lethality methods. In case of the Indian ripe banana, the highest antioxidant activity was obtained from the ethyl acetate extract and the water crude extract showed the lowest activity. However, in the ripe banana from the Philippines, the highest activity was obtained from the chloroform crude extract and the lowest activity was obtained from the water extract. Both extracts with different polarity displayed moderate antibacterial activity at different working concentrations. The zone of inhibition range was 0-19 mm against one Gram-positive bacterial strain such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and three Gram-negative bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Haemophilus influenza (H. influenza) and Enterococcus faecalis. Both banana extracts with different polarity showed significant cytotoxic activity at all working concentrations. Both banana crude extracts killed all shrimp nauplii at the highest concentration of 500 μg/ml. In Indian ripe banana, the highest cytotoxic activity was found in water crude extract with an LC50 value of 27.35μg/ml and the lowest was in ethyl acetate and methanol extract with an LC50 value of 57.54 μg/ml. Almost similar results were obtained from the bananas from the Philippines. In conclusion, the polar crude extracts prepared from both varieties of ripe bananas have significant pharmacological and toxicological activities. Therefore, the polar banana extracts might be agents to be used as antibiotics.
Generation of axial multi foci pattern
Authors: Thiruarul D. , Charles J. William , Lavanya M. , Rajesh K. B. , Jaroszewicz Z.
Published: October 2022

Axially splitted multi foci(AMF) are numerically generated by tight focusing of higher order cylindrical vector beam(HCVB) through an annular Walsh filter .Here we report that by properly manipulating the parameters of HCVB such as initial phase(φ0),topological charge (m), polarization rotation angle or azimuthal index (a) and suitably phase modulated with a Walsh function filter of fixed orders (n) and annular obstruction (ε),onecan generate axially polarized multiple spots,transversely polarized multiple holes,transversely polarized multi spots,axially and transversely polarized multi holes with extended central annular region.These distributions may be useful for multiple optical trapping and axial superresolution microscopy.
Past and future of land use change in the Middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin in China
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng , Hong Zenglin , Zhou Luhong , Liu Jiaqi , Guo Xiaodan , Li Shifeng
Published: October 2022

When looking at maps of land use land cover (LULC) change, often derived from satellite imagery, China's increasing urban construction and decreasing cultivated land area can be identified. Using the middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin in China as the case study, the present work focuses on (i) identifying historical LULC change in the period 1995–2020; (ii) estimating LULC in the next ten years, combining Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with Markov model. Landsat 5/8 images were combined with field evidence to map LULC in three reference years (1995, 2005, 2015and2020), while the Markov model was applied to forecast LULC in 2025, and 2030.The LULC of the middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin was classified into six classes: forest, grassland, wetland, cultivated land, construction land and unused land. The results show that over the past 25 years, cultivated land and forest land have decreased by 8,600 km2 and 6,400 km2, respectively, while construction land has increased by 7,500 km2, mainly due to increased urbanization and industrialization. In fact, during the simulated 2020–2030 period, cultivated land and forest land will continue to decrease, while construction land and grassland will increase. It is worth noting that the reduction of forest land will lead to increased soil erosion, while the reduction of cultivated land will lead to food security problems. The study points out that there is an urgent need for response measures in the region to ensure the sustainability of people and nature.
Population norms for the Romanian version of EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D- 5L
Authors: Olariu Elena , Caplescu Raluca , Vale Luke , Niculescu-Aron Ileana Gabriela , Oluboyede Yemi , Paveliu Marian Sorin
Published: October 2022

Background The majority of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) don’t have population norms in Romania. This is the case with the EQ-5D as well. Therefore, we aimed to estimate population norms for the Romanian versions of the EQ-5D-5L, EQ-5D-3L, their indexes, and the EQ-VAS. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in all regions of Romania from November 2018 to November 2019. A three-stage probability sampling procedure stratified by region and settlement size was used to select a representative sample. Interviews were computer-assisted and conducted in respondents’ homes by trained interviewers. Health status was assessed with the EQ-5D-5L, the EQ-5D-3L and the EQ-VAS. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate population norms by age groups and sex for the EQ-5D-5L, the EQ-5D-3L, their indexes and the EQ-VAS. Population norms were weighted using survey weights. Indexes for the EQ-5D questionnaires were estimated using the recently developed Romanian value sets. Results Data from 1,649 interviews was analysed in the present study. Survey weights were used so that sex and place of residence ratios for the weighted sample matched the Romanian general population distribution. Participants’ mean age was 47.5 years (SD = 17.9) and 50.3% of them reported being in good health. The dimension for which people reported the fewest problems for both questionnaires was the self-care dimension. Men aged 35 plus reported fewer problems with pain/discomfort than women for both the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L. Health decreased with age as shown by the decrease from age group 18–24 to age group 75 plus in the indexes of both questionnaires: from 0.978 (SD = 0.048) to 0.774 (SD = 0.168) for EQ-5D-5L and from 0.981 (SD = 0.053) to 0.790 (0.164) for EQ-5D-3L. There was 29.6 points drop in the EQ-VAS score between the youngest and oldest group. Conclusions Population norms for the Romanian versions of the EQ-5D-5L, EQ-5D-3L, their indexes, and the EQ-VAS are now available. These can now be used as reference values by healthcare professionals, researchers and decision-makers leading to a further development of health-related quality of life research in Romania.
Alpelisib and fulvestrant in PIK3CA-mutated hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer included in the French early access program
Authors: ROUFAI Diana BELLO , Goncalves Anthony , Rouge Thibault De La Motte , akla sarra , grenier julien , Gligorov Joseph , Saghatchian Mahasti , bailleux caroline , simon hélène , desmoulins isabelle , tharin zoe , Renaud Emmanuelle , Bertho Marion , Benderra Marc-Antoine , Delaloge Suzette , Robert lucie , Cottu Paul , Pierga Jean-Yves , loirat delphine , Bertucci Anthony , renouf Benjamin , Bidard Francois-Clement , Lerebours Florence
Published: October 2022

Background
SOLAR-1 and BYLIEVE trials documented the efficacy of the PI3K-inhibitor alpelisib in pre-treated PIK3CA-mutant, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients. We report here real-life data of patients prospectively registered in the French alpelisib early access program (EAP).
Patients and methods:
The French EAP was opened to PIK3CA-mutant HR+/HER2- ABC patients treated with alpelisib and fulvestrant, managed per standard of care. Primary endpoint was PFS by local investigators using RECIST1.1.
Results
Eleven centers provided individual data on 233 consecutive patients. Patients had received a median number of 4 (range: 1–16) prior systemic treatments for ABC, including CDK4/6 inhibitor, chemotherapy, fulvestrant and everolimus in 227 (97.4%), 180 (77.3%), 175 (75.1%) and 131 (56.2%) patients, respectively. After a median follow-up of 7.1 months and 168 events, median PFS was 5.3 months (95%CI, 4.7-6.0). Among 186 evaluable patients, CBR at 6 months was 45.3% (95%CI, 37.8–52.8). In multivariable analysis, characteristics significantly associated with a shorter PFS were age < 60 years (HR = 1.5, 95%CI = 1.1–2.1), > 5 lines of prior treatments (HR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.0–2.0) and the C420R PI3KCA mutation (HR = 4.1, 95%CI = 1.3–13.6). Most frequent grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) were hyperglycemia, rash, fatigue and diarrhea occurring in 11.6, 9.9, 4.3 and 3% of patients, respectively. N = 91 (39.1%) patients discontinued alpelisib due to AEs.
Discussion
To our knowledge, this is the largest real-life assessment of alpelisib efficacy. Despite heavy pre-treatments, patients derived a clinically relevant benefit from alpelisib and fulvestrant. PFS was not overtly impaired by a prior use of either everolimus or fulvestrant. No new safety signal was found.
FTRTA: Fault Tolerance and Reliable Transmissions Algorithm for IoT
Authors: Vanani Mohsen Mozafari , Dehkordi Pouya Khosravian
Published: October 2022

Features such as severe resource limitations, wireless communication media, network variable topology along with other IoT constraints, have led to increased faults and needs for fault tolerance guarantee in order to network correct performance. Accordingly, many studies have tried to improve this basic field by focusing on different techniques. But past methods are inefficient in stability guarantee and data exchange accuracy with the occurrence of error. In this paper, a method called FTRTA based on the development of RPL protocol and data distribution techniques has been introduced. Distribution techniques are effective in improving the balance of the network traffic load and fault tolerance. FTRTA has designed based on this technique and three operational steps. In the first step, the situation of network nodes is evaluated and analyzed in the same way as in the process of sending DIO messages. In the second step, the network communication graph is formed. Finally in the third step, data transmission is based on distribution technique with the aim of ensuring fault tolerance. The results of simulation using the Cooja software indicate high FTRTA performance in improving factors such as data delivery ratio and network throughput compared to similar studies.
Alfvénic electron acceleration at Jupiter revealed by drifting radio bursts
Authors: Zarka Philippe , Mauduit Emilie , Lamy Laurent
Published: October 2022

The galilean moon Io is known to interact electrodynamically with Jupiter's magnetic field and ionosphere via Alfvén waves [1], producing electromagnetic signatures detectable remotely such as decameter-wave radio emissions generated along the Io Flux Tube (IFT) and UV aurora at the IFT footprints prolongated by a 'tail' emission. These emissions are thought to be produced by electrons having been energized by Alfvénic acceleration [2-4]. Indirect signatures of this acceleration process are the transverse magnetic fluctuations [5-7] and the broadband electron energy spectra [6, 8] observed in situ in the IFT and more generally in Jupiter's auroral regions [9]. A more direct signature is provided by remote measurements of the discrete, fast-drifting, quasi-periodic decameter radio bursts (so-called S-bursts) identified to date only in relation with the Io-Jupiter interaction [10]. S-bursts generation by Alfvén waves has been thoroughly modelled, from electron acceleration to radio emission growth rate [2, 11]. The S-bursts discreteness and quasi-periodicity were correctly reproduced, whereas their time-frequency drift results from the adiabatic motion of accelerated electrons along the IFT. Here, we present the first detection of decameter S-bursts related to the Ganymede-Jupiter interaction and to the main Jovian aurora, revealing the ubiquitous character of Alfvénic electron acceleration in Jupiter's high-latitude regions. We estimate the Alfvén wave periods and the accelerated electrons energy in each case. Two populations of accelerated electrons are found to co-exist, with different energies (a few keV and a few hundred eV).
Relationship of mechanical and electrical dispersion and coronary artery disease in patients on renal replacement therapy
Authors: Stefanovic Milica , Stankovic Ivan , Jemcov Tamara , Gnjidic Nadezda Zec , Maksimovic Aleksandra , Markovic Marko , Milicevic Jovana Kusic , Vidakovic Radosav , Neskovic Aleksandar N.
Published: October 2022

Introduction:

Since coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT), detection of asymptomatic CAD before the impairment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function is of great clinical importance.

Aim

To investigate the relationship between electrical and mechanical dispersion and CAD in angina free RRT patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Material and methods

A total of 78 patients (mean age 59 ± 13 years, 54% male), with LVEF ≥ 50% were included in this prospective study. Electrical dispersion was defined as the difference between the longest and shortest corrected QT interval. The duration of mechanical contraction was determined by myocardial strain analysis. Mechanical dispersion was defined as the standard deviation of mechanical contraction durations of all LV segments (MD_SD) or the difference between the longest and shortest duration of mechanical contraction (MD_delta). A coronary calcium score using cardiac computed tomography was assessed in a subgroup of 20 patients without known CAD.

Results

Documented CAD was present in 14% of study patients. There was no significant correlation between electrical and mechanical dispersion (p > 0.05). In contrast to electrical dispersion, mechanical dispersion was independently associated with CAD (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.09, p = 0.010). In patients without documented CAD, MD_delta was strongly correlated with total coronary calcium score (r = 0.57; p = 0.01), while QTc dispersion was not.

Conclusion

Electrical and mechanical dispersion are not correlated in dialysis patients. Unlike electrical dispersion, mechanical dispersion is associated with both documented CAD and silent coronary atherosclerosis in patients with end stage renal failure on RRT.
Comparison of systemic morphine, nalbuphine, and epidural analgesia on acute and chronic postoperative pain in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jiang Yan , Liang Xiao-Long , Sun Shu-Fang , Liu Hong-Liang
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Postoperative pain and complications are still common after colorectal surgery, and pain can put patients in a stressful condition and precipitate complications. Thus, sufficient postoperative analgesia is essential for patient recovery. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of various postoperative analgesic strategies in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Patients and methods:
One hundred patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were recruited, and 69 patients were eventually included and randomly divided into three groups: patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with ropivacaine (Group R, n = 23), patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with morphine (Group M, n = 23) or nalbuphine (Group N, n = 23). Pain at rest (PAR), movement-evoked pain (MEP), stress hormone and complications during the 72 hours after surgery, and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) at 3 months and 6 months were recorded.
Results
There was no significant difference in PAR among the 3 groups, whereas patients in Group N had a higher intensity of MEP than those in Group R during the 72 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in CPSP at 6 months among the 3 groups (P > 0.05), but the incidence of CPSP at 3 months was higher in Group N (P = 0.01, vs Group R), and CPSP at 3 months was closely correlated with MEP (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). The incidences of pruritus and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were found to be significantly higher in Group M than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). The time to the first flatus after surgery was shorter in Group R than in Group M or Group N (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
PCEA is the first choice for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Regarding the similar analgesic effect between morphine and nalbuphine, and the higher side effects from morphine, PCIA with nalbuphine might be a better choice in patients who have contraindications for PCEA or with a history of or a high risk for PONV or pruritus.
Trial registration:
This study was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/usercenter.aspx (registration No: ChiCTR-INR-17011092) on April 8, 2017.
Biofeedback Towards Machine Learning Driven Self-guided Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Based on Arousal State Detection from Multimodal Data
Authors: Rahman M Arifur , Brown David J , Mahmud Mufti , Shopland Nicholas , Haym Nadja , Sumich Alexander , Turabee Zakia Batool , Standen Brad , Downes David , Xing Yangang , Thomas Carolyn , Haddick Sean , Premkumar Preethi , Nastase Simona , Lewis James , Harris Matthew
Published: October 2022

Virtual-reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a novel intervention technique that allows individuals to experience anxiety-evoking stimuli in a safe environment, recognise specific triggers and gradually increase their exposure to perceived threats. Public-speaking anxiety (PSA) is a prevalent form of social anxiety, characterised by stressful arousal and anxiety generated when presenting to an audience. In self-guided VRET, participants can gradually increase their tolerance to exposure and reduce anxiety-induced arousal and PSA over time. However, creating such a VR environment and determining physiological indices of anxiety-induced arousal or distress is an open challenge. Environment modelling, character creation and animation, psychological state determination and the use of machine learning models for anxiety or stress detection are equally important, and multi-disciplinary expertise is required.In this work, we have explored a series of machine learning models with publicly available data sets (using electroencephalogram and heart rate variability) to predict arousal states. If we can detect anxiety-induced arousal, we can trigger calming activities to allow individuals to cope with and overcome distress. Here, we discuss the means of effective selection of machine learning models and parameters in arousal detection. We propose a pipeline to overcome the model selection problem with different parameter settings in the context of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy. This pipeline can be extended to other domains of interest where arousal detection is crucial. Finally, we have implemented a biofeedback framework for VRET where we successfully provided feedback as a form of heart rate and brain laterality index from our acquired multimodal data for psychological intervention to overcome anxiety.
Fibrinogen Is an Independent Preoperative Predictor of Hospital Length of Stay Among Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Huang Chunsheng , Zhang WenYuan , Chen Xiaofei , Xu Xia , Qiu Jun , Pan Zhihao
Published: October 2022

Objective：This study aims to examine the impact of preoperative fibrinogen concentration on the short-term outcomes and length of postoperative hospital stay (LOPS) of patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG).
Methods：Between January 2010 and June 2022, a retrospective analysis comprised 936 patients who sequentially received isolated, primary off-pump or on-pump CABG. The preoperative fibrinogen concentration, baseline index, intraoperative data, ICU stay duration, and LOPS were documented. The prime endpoint was LOPS. Evaluation of the link between preoperative fibrinogen concentration and LOPS was accomplished through the use of univariate as well as multiple linear regression.
Results: Preoperative low fibrinogen concentration (B= -0.072, P= 0.03), male gender (B = 0.066, P =0.04), and elevated K concentration (B = -0.078, P =0.01) were associated with prolonged LOPS. preoperative fibrinogen concentration (B= -0.073, P= 0.03) and plateletcrit (PCT) (B= -0.121, P＜ 0.01) were also related with the volume of postoperative bleeding.
Conclusions: Fibrinogen is an independent preoperative predictor of both the LOPS and the volume of bleeding that occurs after CABG. Patients whose preoperative fibrinogen concentration was low experienced a greater loss of blood and a longer LOPS. A greater preoperative K concentration and male gender were associated with a longer LOPS.
SGK1 affects bovine adipocyte proliferation and differentiation via regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Lei Zhaoxiong , Pan Cuili , Wei Dawei , Cai Bei , Tang Lin , Wang Shuzhe , Ma Yanfen , Ma Yun
Published: October 2022

Objectives: Serum/glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays an essential role in cellular stress response and regulation of multiple metabolic processes. However, its role in bovine adipogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the role of SGK1 on bovine preadipocyte differentiation.
Materials and Methods: Preadipocytes were induced to differentiation to detect the temporal expression pattern of SGK1. Heart, liver, lung, spleen, kidney, muscle and fat tissues were collected to detect its tissue expression profile. Recombinant adenovirus and the lentivirus were packaged for overexpression and knockdown. Oil Red O staining, quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, Yeast two-hybrid assay, and RNA-seq were performed to study the regulatory mechanism of SGK1.
Results: SGK1 showed significantly higher expression in adipose and revealed significantly induced expression in differentiated adipocytes. Furthermore, overexpression of SGK1 greatly promoted adipogenesis and inhibited proliferation, which could be shown by the remarkable increasement of lipid droplet, and the expression levels of adipogenic marker genes and cell cycle-related genes. Inversely, its knockdown inhibited adipogenesis and facilitated proliferation. Mechanistically, SGK1 regulates the phosphorylation and expression of two critical genes located in the downstream of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, FOXO1/FOXO3, thus promoting adipogenesis and inhibiting proliferation in cattle.
Conclusions: SGK1 is required for bovinepreadipocyte proliferation and differentiation, which contributes to a better understanding of fat deposition in cattle.
The risk of irritable bowel syndrome in patients with metabolic syndrome：a population-based, 5-year follow-up cohort study
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Feng Yan , Shi Tian , Gao Feng
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Few studies have reported the associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of IBS in patients with MetS during a 5-year follow-up period and to evaluate potential risk of IBS.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and 5104 subjects who underwent physical examination in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in October 2014 were randomly selected and divided into MetS group, pre-metabolic syndrome (Pre-MetS) group and healthy control (HC) group. The clinical datas and the incidence of IBS were recorded and analyzed.
Results
In total, 663 subjects were diagnosed with IBS. The 5-year cumulative incidence rate of IBS was 20.7% and 16.6% for MetS and Pre-MetS group, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of HC group (7.1%, log-rank < .001). In the univariate analysis, the indicators associated with IBS were larger waist circumference, hypertriglyceridemia, animal food-predominant form, anxiety and depression. After stepwise adjustment for multiple factors, the hazard ratio of IBS were 2.665 (95%CI 1.992–3.565) and 3.372 (95%CI 2.177–5.223) for MetS and Pre-MetS group, respectively. In the MetS components, there may be predictive value for the development of IBS when waist circumference is 86.5 cm and triglyceride (TG) is 307.5 mg/dL.
Conclusions
The risk of IBS was significantly increased in both MetS and Pre-MetS patients during 5-year follow-up, suggesting that MetS status, especially larger waist circumference and higher TG, may be potential risk factors for IBS.
Study of Environmental and Familial Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Syria
Authors: Al-Manasfi Anas , Al-Hariri Nour Al-Din , Latifa yousif
Published: October 2022

Background:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. While autism is considered a lifelong disorder, the degree of impairment in functioning because of these challenges varies between individuals with autism. (1)
Design:
A Cross-Sectional Study conducted in Syria.
Methods:
The study sample included 374 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, collected from centers in Syria, they were divided into two groups, the first group is the patient group (271) children, representing 72.5% of the study sample, while the second group is the control group (103) patients, or 27.5% of the study sample.
Results:
After studying environmental and family risk factors for autism spectrum disorder on a sample of 374 children, 271 with autism, 103 without, the results were the following: There is a statistically significant relationship between the incidence of autism spectrum disorder, and the gender of the child, the season of the child's birth, Consanguinity between the parents, the child's arrangement in the family, the gestational age at birth, the occurrence of problems at birth, and the father's smoking.
CHILAIDITI SYNDROME ABOUT A CASE: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE MEDICAL CLINIC THE STARS OF BAMAKO
Authors:   Radiology Department of the Medical Clinic THE STARS Bamako-Mali., Traore Ousmane ,   Nephrology Department of the Hospital-University Center of Point G Bamako-Mali 3-Radiology Department of the Health Center of the Military Camp of Bamako-Mali 4-Radiology Department of the Gabriel TOURE University Hospital center 5-Radiology Department of the G Point University Hospital Center Bamako-Mali., Tangara Moustapha ,   Radiology Department of the Medical Clinic THE STARS Bamako-Mali.,   Nephrology Department of the Hospital-University Center of Point G Bamako-Mali 3-Radiology Department of the Health Center of the Military Camp of Bamako-Mali 4-Radiology Department of the Gabriel TOURE University Hospital center 5-Radiology Department of the G Point University Hospital Center Bamako-Mali., Kouma Alassane ,   Radiology Department of the Medical Clinic THE STARS Bamako-Mali., Ndiaye Mamadou ,   Nephrology Department of the Hospital-University Center of Point G Bamako-Mali 3-Radiology Department of the Health Center of the Military Camp of Bamako-Mali 4-Radiology Department of the Gabriel TOURE University Hospital center 5-Radiology Department of the G Point University Hospital Center Bamako-Mali., Sanogo Souleymane ,   Radiology Department of the Medical Clinic THE STARS Bamako-Mali., Diallo Mahamadou ,   Nephrology Department of the Hospital-University Center of Point G Bamako-Mali 3-Radiology Department of the Health Center of the Military Camp of Bamako-Mali 4-Radiology Department of the Gabriel TOURE University Hospital center 5-Radiology Department of the G Point University Hospital Center Bamako-Mali., Diaman Keita Adama ,   Nephrology Department of the Hospital-University Center of Point G Bamako-Mali 3-Radiology Department of the Health Center of the Military Camp of Bamako-Mali 4-Radiology Department of the Gabriel TOURE University Hospital center 5-Radiology Department of the G Point University Hospital Center Bamako-Mali.
Published: October 2022

The chilaiditi syndrome is a pathology characterized by the interposition of the small or colonic intestines in the space between the lower surface of the diaphragm and the liver. We report the case of a 39-year-old man, worker, operated 3 months ago for acute appendicitis who presented with abdominal pain, acute urinary retention and occlusive syndrome. The CT scan was performed and revealed small bowel obstruction and ChilaÃƒÂ¯diti syndrome with interposition of distended small bowel loops in the right inter hepato-diaphragmatic area and bilateral basal broncho-pneumopathy. An exploratory laparotomy made it possible to treat this ChilaÃƒÂ¯diti syndrome and intestinal obstruction with the discovery of a colon tumor of the transverse colon. The purpose of this work is to provide the diagnostic and etiological interest of computed tomography and the complications related to chilaiditi syndrome.
A CASE OF ENCAPSULATED TYPE OF FOLLICULAR VARIANT OF PAPILLARY THYROID CARCINOMA
Authors:   Post Graduate Trainee, Department of Pathology, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat., Kumar Baruah Abir , Kumar Baruah Prasanta ,   Professor, Department of Pathology, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat., Sonowal Basanta ,   Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat.
Published: October 2022

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most prevalent histologic type of thyroid carcinoma. There are numerous PTC subtypes that have been identified, with classical PTC being the most prevalent. The follicular variant of PTC (FVPTC) is the second most prevalent subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma. A case of encapsulated type of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma was studied which showed a well encapsulated tumour with follicular thyroid cells arranged predominantly in a follicular architecture and a few areas showing solid architecture. There was no papillary architecture and capsular invasion. The tumour cells showed nuclear enlargement, overcrowding and nuclear clearing. Typical Orphan Annie eye nuclei were seen. The encapsulated type of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma, more so than other FVPTCs, has an indolent tendency and is associated with better prognosis and low risk of tumour invasiveness and metastasis.
“Umzi ka mama Rhodes University PhD research project,” February 19, 2021, produced by Phemelo Hellemann and Thingo Mthombeni, video, 27:55,
Authors: Hellemann Phemelo
Published: October 2022

The omission of Fingo Village women’s names from official deeds records silenced their voices. African women faced gender and racial discrimination that denied them fundamental human rights and limited their participation in urban life. Title deed records constitute one type of public record where African women’s names were omitted for centuries by the colonial and apartheid governments. Under apartheid, African women occupied the social status of minors; as such, the government denied them urban land rights. This African feminist study enlists narratives of a sample of seven African female heads of households residing in Fingo Village who are also property owners. Fingo Village is an atypical environment where African people had a rare legal advantage of owning title deeds dating back to 1855.

This study employed an interdisciplinary approach by mixing oral history methodology and applied theatre methods to record, interpret and present Fingo Village women’s narratives of family property inheritance and the significance of title deed documentation in the suburb. This multiple technique approach created opportunities for authentic dialogue between the researcher and the participants beyond the inherent limitations of public history oral interviews.

The findings showed that the GAA era saw many families revert to communal tenure practices as a strategy to evade forced sales; as such, this gave rise to undocumented family property transfers. Additionally, the findings revealed that though customary practices are often patriarchal, there are circumstances favouring women as the preferred family property custodian. These are embedded in the social status of women who are traditional healers, firstborn daughters, and those from families with just daughters. This study contributes to the growing literature that advocates for positive representation of African women’s stories by using active research methodologies that strengthen partnerships and shared authority between the researcher and the public. This methodology could inspire other researchers to explore theatre techniques to create more profound and meaningful engagements with their participants.
Assessment of annual effective dose from external exposure in forests of the south-western districts of the Bryansk region of Russia: 2015–2021
Authors: Ramzaev V. P. , Barkovsky A. N. , Bratilova A. A. , Gromov A. V. , Titov N. V.
Published: October 2022

During a stay in a radioactively contaminated forest, a person is inevitably exposed to ionizing radiation from the man-made radionuclides. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the external component of the annual effective dose due to exposure in the forests contaminated following the Chernobyl accident. The study was conducted in the south-western districts of the Bryansk region of Russia in the period 2015–2021. Field (in situ) gamma spectrometric measurements were carried out on 46 forest plots located in the areas of 27 settlements. As of 01.01.2017, the officially established values of soil contamination density with 137Cs in the territory of the settlements themselves were in the range from 33 to 2050 kBq/m2 . According to the field gamma spectrometry, the density of soil contamination with 137Cs on the forest plots varied from 21 to 1930 kBq/m2 . The density of soil contamination with 137Cs in forest was in good agreement with the officially established level of soil contamination with 137Cs in the nearby settlement: the ratio of one indicator to another ranged from 0.70 to 1.32 (mean = 0.94; median = 0.95). The scatter in the measured values of the ambient dose equivalent rate from 137Cs was quite significant: more than one order of magnitude, from 31 to 2700 nSv/h. The variability of the ambient dose equivalent rate from natural radionuclides was relatively small: from 13 to 29 nSv/h. Based on the obtained experimental data and on published values of the duration of human stay in forest, the annual effective dose to selected groups of population was estimated. The dose from natural radionuclides, even in the case of a prolonged stay in the forest (1400 hours per year for foresters), did not exceed 0.02 mSv/year. The estimated values of the effective dose from 137Cs varied very widely from 0.001 to 1.9 mSv/year, depending on the selected forest plot and population group. On the whole, the data obtained indicate that the officially established values of the density of soil contamination with 137Cs in a settlement can be directly used in dosimetric models to estimate the component of the effective dose to a person due to his/her staying in the forest which is located in the area of this settlement. The currently recommended conversion coefficient from the density of soil contamination with 137Cs in a settlement to the ambient dose equivalent rate from 137Cs in the nearby forest is 1.28 (nSv/h)/(kBq/m2 ). To estimate the effective dose from natural radionuclides, it is recommended to use the value of the ambient dose equivalent rate equal to 21 nSv/h.