bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a quantitative PCR-based method for chimerism analysis of Japanese donor/recipient pairs
Authors: Ikeda Kazuhiko , Minakawa Keiji , Ono Satoshi , Watanabe Mao , Sato Yuka , Takahashi Saki , Odawara Sho , Kawabata Kinuyo , Ueda Koki , Nollet Kenneth , Sano Hideki , Ikezoe Takayuki , Kikuta Atsushi
Published: July 2022

Chimerism analysis is a surrogate indicator of graft rejection or relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although short tandem repeat PCR (STR-PCR) is the usual method, limited sensitivity and technical variability are matters of concern. Quantitative PCR-based methods to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP-qPCR) are more sensitive, but their informativity and quantitative accuracy are highly variable. For accurate and sensitive chimerism analysis, a set of KMR kits (GenDx, Utrecht, Netherlands), based on detection of insertions/deletions (indels) by qPCR, have been developed. Here, we investigated informativity and validated the accuracy of KMR kits in Japanese donor/recipient pairs and virtual samples of DNA mixtures representative of Japanese genetic diversity. We found that at least one recipient-specific marker among 39 KMR-kit markers was informative in all of 65 Japanese donor/recipient pairs. Moreover, the percentage of recipient chimerism estimated by KMRtrack correlated well with ratios of mixed DNA in virtual samples and with the percentage of chimerism in HSCT recipients estimated by STR-PCR/in-house SNP-qPCR. Moreover, KMRtrack showed better sensitivity with high specificity when compared to STR-PCR to detect recipient chimerism. Chimerism analysis with KMR kits can be a standardized, sensitive, and highly informative method to evaluate the graft status of HSCT recipients.
Understanding the Correlation of Parkinson’s dataset with Multivariate Analysis Packages
Authors: Bagchi Preenon , A Rajha Priya
Published: July 2022

Parkinson’s dataset available in open source was used in this work.Inferential statistical analysis is used here to inspect each unit from this dataset and to test a hypothesis depending on the sample data. From the analysis inferences could be extracted by applying probability and make generalizations about the whole data. This method can also be used in experimental and quasi-experimental research design or in program outcome evaluation. During the analysis, the whole population of the sample data was considered while making deductions. Specifically, multivariate analysis was used which involves more than two dependent variables, this method helps in reduction and simplification of data without losing its details. Packages like ggplot2, psych, corrgram, performance analysis, ggcorrplot, ggpubr and RColorBrewer Packages were used for interpreting the data.
Analysis of the wall thickness distortion in tube hydro-forging
Authors: Chen Gang , Chu Guan-Nan , Liu Peixing , Gao Jun
Published: July 2022

The tensile deformation is the most common forming principle in the sheet forming process, but there is a new tube forming process - tube hydro-forging has been developed based on the principle of compression deformation. In addition to the instabilities problem, a new surface defect - thickness distortion was found in the compression deformation. In this paper, the wall thickness distortion is analyzed from the point of view of mechanics and deformation. It is revealed that in the Low Pressure Tube Hydroforming process, a bending moment is exist and leads to some small wrinkles in the straight wall. In the Tube Hydro-forging, the small wrinkles would develop to the thickness distortion with the increase of compressive deformation. The wall thickness and compressive strain are two major effect factors. It is verified by experiments and simulation. This study helps to recognize the new surface phenomenon in compressive deformation.
Seasonal variations of water quality and phytoplankton diversity affect the feeding ecology of hilsa fish in the Meghna River estuary zones in Bangladesh
Authors: Shaha Dinesh Chandra , Hasan Jahid , Kundu Sampa Rani , Yus Fatimah Md , Salam Mohammad Abdus , Khan Murshida , Haque Farhana , Ahmed Minhaz , Rahman Mohammad Jalilur , Wahab Md. Abdul
Published: July 2022

The tropical estuarine ecosystem is fascinating for studying the dynamics of water quality and phytoplankton diversity due to its frequently changing hydrological conditions. Most importantly, phytoplankton is the main supplier of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the coastal food web for fish as they could not synthesize PUFA. This study evaluated seasonal variations of water quality parameters in the Meghna River estuary (MRE), explored how phytoplankton diversity changes according to hydro-chemical parameters, and identified the major phytoplankton groups as the main source of PUFA for hilsa fish. Ten water quality indicators including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN=nitrate, nitrite, ammonia) and phosphorus, dissolved silica and chlorophyll-a were evaluated. In addition, phytoplankton diversity was assessed in the water and hilsa fish gut. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the spatio-temporal changes in the water quality conditions, and the driving factors in the MRE. Four main components were extracted and explained 75.4% variability of water quality parameters. The most relevant driving factors were dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and DIN (nitrate, nitrite and ammonia). These variabilities in physicochemical parameters and dissolved inorganic nutrients caused seasonal variations in two major groups of phytoplankton. Peak abundance of chlorophyta (green algae) occurred in water in nutrient-rich environments (nitrogen and phosphorus) during the wet (36 %) season, while bacillariophyta (diatoms) were dominant during the dry (32%) season that depleted dissolved silica. Thus, the decrease of green algae and increase of diatoms in the dry season indicated the potential link to seasonal changes of hydro-chemical parameters. The green algae (53.7 %) were the dominant phytoplankton group in the hilsa gut content followed by diatoms (22.6 %) and both are contributing as the major source of PUFAs for hilsa fish according to electivity index as they contain the highest amounts of PUFAs (60 and 28% respectively).
Experimental, Computational, and Data-Driven Study of the Effects of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Process Parameters on Single-Layer Raster Scanning Surface Characteristics
Authors: Fotovvati Behzad , Rauniyar Santosh , Arnold Jobe A. , Chou Kevin
Published: July 2022

In this study, the influence of selective laser melting (SLM) parameters on the surface characteristics of “single-layer” raster scanning deposits, with Ti6Al4V powder, is thoroughly investigated through experimental, computational, and data-driven approaches. In layer-wise manufacturing processes, such as SLM, the evaluation and understanding of the surface characteristics of individual layers of materials are important; however, there is limited work in the literature on the “single-layer” surface characteristics in SLM. Single-layer samples are designed on a smooth surface on top of semi-cylinders and fabricated using different levels of SLM processing parameters, i.e., laser power, scan speed, and hatch spacing, in different numbers of scan lines, i.e., 5, 10, 20, and 40. The fabricated sample surface data are acquired using non-contact optical interferometry. The computational approach utilizes the discrete element method (DEM) for the powder bed distribution, as well as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for simulating the laser-powder interaction. One of the main contributions of this study is to investigate and provide predictive models for the correlations between the surface roughness of raster scans and SLM process parameters through experiments and computational work. In addition, a method for comparing the surface characteristics of the thermo-fluid simulation and experimental results is presented. A technique is employed to extract the surface roughness from the simulated results. The discussion on the experiment-simulation comparison challenges provides a deep insight into the criteria selection for experiment-simulation comparison in the SLM process. Moreover, an artificial neural network was trained using the back-propagation method and K-fold cross-validation, as well as regularization techniques to avoid overfitting. The laser power proved to be the most significant parameter, having a contribution of 48.3%, in determining the surface roughness with a unique trend affected by the spattering of powder particles. The simulation results showed noticeable deviations from the experiments in cases with extreme parameters, e.g., too high or too low values of power, speed, or hatch spacing. The machine learning algorithm achieves reasonable predictability of the single-layer surface roughness, showing a root mean square error and a coefficient of determination of 0.9589 µm and 98.78%, respectively, for a separate testing dataset.
A novel method for identification of candidate genes for Alzheimer’s disease using network topology measure and intelligent based deep learning models
Authors: Gnanadesigan Naveen Sundar , Dhanasegar Narmadha , Ramasamy Manjula Devi , Loganathan Ashok Kumar , Muthusamy Suresh , Panchal Hitesh , Thangaraj Kokilavani , Ravindaran Ashok Kumar
Published: July 2022

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological illness that causes short-term memory loss. There are currently no viable therapeutic therapies for this condition that can totally cure it. The source of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, although genetic factors are thought to have a role in the illness's development, with about 70% of the disease's risk attributed to the vast number of genes associated. Despite the discovery of a number of potential AD susceptibility genes through genetic association studies, there is greater challenge to identify unidentified AD-associated genes and drug targets in order to gain a good insight of the disease-causing mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and develop effective AD therapeutics.The proposed CG-DC model brings an accuracy of 96% for ANN model, 87.3% for KNN classifier, 86% for SVM classifier, 85.3% than Decision Tree. It is clearly visible; the proposed network topology model performs good for ANN classifier than other existing models. Similarly, the model also brings a sensitivity measure of 97% for ANN model, 84% for KNN classifier, 84.2% for SVM classifier and 84% for Decision tree classifier.Results: In the proposed research work, a novel network topology measure (DC-GC) and intelligent based machine learning models are used for identifying candidate genes from protein-protein interaction and sequence features of genes.Conclusions:The proposed approach DC-GC based network topology measure provides remarkable improvement than existing centrality measures. This helps in the identification of disease associated candidate genes, disease treatment and suitable drug development.
First record of grey rockcod Lepidonotothen squamifrons larvae in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctic: implication for a new spawning ground and early life characteristics
Authors: Guo Huilin , Zhang Chi , Duan Mi , Li Jianchao , Zhang Wenchao , Tian Yongjun
Published: July 2022

Grey rockcod, Lepidonotothen squamifrons is widespread throughout the Antarctic, however, its early life information is little known. Highly abundant larvae of grey rockcod were collected during a zooplankton survey conducted in the Amundsen Sea polynyas in March of 2022. This is the first record of grey rockcod larvae found at high latitudes of the Southern Ocean. The otolith microstructure analysis provided more insight into the early life characteristics of grey rockcod. A total of 41 individuals with a standard length of 9.6–15.3 mm were estimated of 6–11 days. Multiple primordia were first recorded in the otolith. Gompertz model was well fitted to the age–length data, indicating a mean daily growth rate of 0.66 mm day− 1. Larval hatching occurred at a size of 4.08 mm and was concentrated on a short period, at early March. Compared with the population at lower latitude, grey rockcod in the Amundsen Sea polynyas showed later hatch time, smaller hatch size, and faster growth rate. Therefore, we speculate that Amundsen Sea polynyas are potential spawning grounds for grey rockcod. The revealed spatial differences in early life characteristics could contribute to understanding the life history strategy and adaption of grey rockcod.
An evaluation of the Compassion, Inclusion, and Engagement initiative: learning from PWLE and communities across British Columbia
Authors: Maguet Sally , LaLiberte Nancy , Moore Laura , Milkovich Tammy , Burmeister Charlene , Scow Marnie , Sproule Wendy , Dove Naomi , Martens Sheila
Published: July 2022

Background: The Compassion, Inclusion and Engagement initiative (CIE) was a social contact intervention that operated in British Columbia between 2015 and 2021. The primary objective of CIE was to increase the participation of people with lived experience of substance use (PWLE) in the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of harm reduction supports and services. Case presentation: CIE used the developmental evaluation methodology Outcome Mapping to define and measure progress toward it’s goals. Developmental evaluation emphasizes learning in contrast to other forms of evaluation which are often more focused on determining the value or success of a project or program based on predetermined criteria. Outcome Mapping is a relational practice which acknowledges that change is achieved by an initiative’s partners and the role of the initiative is to provide access to resources, ideas and opportunities that can facilitate and support change .Conclusions: Through the implementation and evaluation of CIE, it became clear that directly supporting PWLE facilitated more meaningful and lasting change than solely working to improve the health and social services that supported them. The impacts of the CIE initiative extend far beyond the outcomes of any of the dialogues it facilitated and are largely the result of an increase in social capital. CIE engagements created the opportunity for change by inviting people most affected by the toxic drug supply together with those committed to supporting them, but their ability to bring about systemic change was limited. Both PWLE and service providers noted the lack of support to attend CIE engagements, lack of support for actions that came from those engagements, and lack of PWLE inclusion in decision-making by health authorities as limiting factors for systemic change. The lack of response at a systemic level, often results in PWLE carrying the burden of responding to toxic drug poisonings, often without resources, support, or compensation.
Effect of Heteroatom Doping on the Electrocatalytic properties of Graphene Quantum Dots for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Goswami Mrigaraj , Mandal Sneha , Pillai Vijayamohanan K.
Published: July 2022

Oxygen Reduction is an important reaction involved in a diverse variety of energy storage devices and also in many chemical and biological processes. However, the high cost of suitable catalysts like Platinum, Rhodium, and Iridium proves to be a major obstacle for its commercialization. Consequently, many new materials have emerged in recent years such as various forms of carbon, carbides, nitrides, core-shell particles, and Transition metal complexes as alternatives to Platinum and other noble metals for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR). Among these, Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) as metal-free alternatives have captured universal attention, since electrocatalytic properties can be tuned not only by size and functionalization but by heteroatom doping also. We discuss electrocatalytic properties of GQDs (approximate size 3–5 nm) with specific dopants such as N and S prepared by solvothermal routes. Cyclic Voltammetry shows benefits of doping as lowering of the onset potentials while Galvanostatic Tafel polarization measurements show a clear difference in the apparent Tafel slope, along with enhanced exchange current densities, suggesting higher rate constants.
Clinical and molecular characterisation of Vibrio furnissii isolates from patients with diarrhoea
Authors: ZHOU Yan-yan , Zheng Nan , Li YU , Jian-rong SU
Published: July 2022

Background: Vibrio furnissii is an emerging human pathogen closely related to Vibrio fluvialis that causes acute gastroenteritis. However, the distribution of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance and molecular epidemiological features of V. furnissii isolates in China remain unknown. Results: We collected seven V. furnissii strains from 1,985 stool samples from people over 14 years old with acute diarrhoea at a general hospital in Beijing, China between April and October 2018. Blood agar plates with 20 μg/mL ampicillin helped to isolate more V. furnissii compared with only using TCBS ( thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose agar). Phylogenetic analysis based on SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) was used to assess the relatedness of isolates. Virulence genes T2SS, T3SS, vfh, hupO and vfp were detected in all V. furnissii strains, and T6SS also occurred at a high frequency of 85.7%. High resistance to cefazolin and tetracycline was found in the V. furnissii isolates at respective rates of 100.0% and 57.1%, and intermediate resistance to ampicillin/sulbactam and imipenem was found at respective rates of 85.7% and 85.7%. Of the tested strains, 42.9% showed resistance to at least three antibiotics. Transposon islands with concentrations of resistance genes occurred in two strains. Phylogenetic analysis separated the V. furnissii strains into three major clades. Conclusion: This study provided detailed bioinformatic, antibiotic susceptibility and clinical features of V. furnissii in China. However, continued and enhanced laboratory-based surveillance is needed for prevention and control of V. furnissii infection.
Modeling and identification of affective parameters on cadmium’s durability and evaluating cadmium pollution indicators caused by using chemical fertilizers in long-term
Authors: Rahimi Meisam , Kamyab Taraneh , Rahimi Ghasem , Chatraei Ehsan , Naimi Salman , Ebrahimi Eisa
Published: July 2022

Soil contamination by anthropogenic heavy metals has become a global issue. This study aimed to investigate Cadmium (Cd) concentration, the mobility, and contamination indices of Cd in soils in the Hamadan province, west of Iran. One hundred soil samples from wheat farms and five samples from control lands were collected to investigate the Cd concentration in soil. Pollution indexes, including Cd mobility, enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination index (CI), and Availability ratio (AR), were investigated. The structural equation model was also used to evaluate effective parameters on cadmium’s durability in soil. Results showed that mean values of available phosphorus (P) were 83.65, 129, and 65 (mg kg− 1) in three land-use types rainfed, irrigated, and controlled, respectively. The mean values of available Cd were 0.15, 0.18, and 0.08 (mg kg− 1) in different land-use types of rainfed, irrigated, and controlled, respectively. The results indicated that the amount of Cd in both forms (available and total) in farms that received fertilizer, especially P fertilizers, was higher than in the controlled land. Other pollution indexes revealed that the study area had been slightly contaminated due to anthropogenic activities. Lime, clay, lead, and OM were identified as affective parameters on the durability of cadmium. Finally, the results demonstrated that the mobility rate was high. Cd had a higher mobility potential in soil samples in the rain-fed and irrigated land than in the controlled land, and Cd had a low retention time.
A polynomial model of transmission and reflection of electromagnetic monochromatic plane waves in lossy, non-magnetic multilayer thin films subjected to an external transverse voltage
Authors: Elhabbash Mohammed K. M. , Halim Mohd Mahadi , Yoon Tiem Leong , Taya Sofyan A.
Published: July 2022

Simulation of the electrical and optical response of a multilayer thin film composed of lossless material coupled with adjacent lossy material in an alternating arrangement when applying a transverse voltage across the multilayer thin film is conducted using a polynomial approach. The modelling of the lossy-lossless multilayer thin film is a generalization of our previous work on multilayer thin film made up of alternating lossy-lossy materials. It is the propagation matrix of the electromagnetic wave in the thin film that governs its propagation, while the interface matrix represents the coupling between layers at an interface. The present solution models the multilayer thin film as an effective capacitor constructed from a series of coupled capacitors, with every layer being considered as a capacitor coupled to the next. A transverse voltage can affect the amounts of electric charges that accumulate at the interface between adjacent ‘capacitors’. The present model is constructed to describe nonmagnetic, lossy and lossless materials. With the aid of a home-developed code implementing the model, reflection and transmission of multilayer Ge/MgO thin films are simulated. By tuning the transverse electric potential, geometrical and electrical parameters of an arbitrary lossy-lossless multilayer thin film, the code is capable of predicting nontrivial optical responses in terms of 𝑇(𝜆),𝑅(𝜆),𝜙𝑇(𝜆),𝜙𝑅(𝜆). The code can serve as a useful tool for designing and optimizing lossless-lossy or lossless-lossless multilayer thin films to deliver desired optical functions.
Slow negative feedback enhances robustness of square-wave bursting
Authors: John Sushmita Rose , Krauskopf Bernd , Osinga Hinke M. , Rubin Jonathan E.
Published: July 2022

Square-wave bursting is an activity pattern common to a variety of neuronal and endocrine cell models that has been linked to central pattern generation for respiration and other physiological functions. Many of the reduced mathematical models that exhibit square-wave bursting yield transitions to an alternative pseudo-plateau bursting pattern with small parameter changes. This susceptibility to activity change could represent a problematic feature in settings where the release events triggered by spike production are necessary for function. In this work, we analyze how model burst patterns vary with changes in the conductance of a fast inward current. Using numerical simulations and dynamical systems methods, such as fast-slow decomposition and bifurcation and phase-plane analysis, we demonstrate and explain how the presence of a slow negative feedback associated with a gradual reduction of a fast inward current in these models helps to maintain the presence of spikes within the active phases of bursts. Therefore, although such a negative feedback is not necessary for burst production, we find that its presence generates a robustness that may be important for function.
Influence of well-being and quality of work-life on quality of care among health professionals in Southwest, Nigeria
Authors: Odole Adesola C. , Ogunlana Michael O. , Odunaiya Nse A. , Oyewole Olufemi O. , Mbada Chidozie E. , Onyeso Ogochukwu K. , Ayodeji Ayomikun F. , Adegoke Opeyemi M. , Odole Iyanuoluwa , Sanuade Comfort T. , Odole Moyosooreoluwa E. , Awosoga Oluwagbohunmi A.
Published: July 2022

The Nigerian healthcare industry is bedevilled with infrastructural dilapidations, inadequate funding and staffing, and a dysfunctional healthcare system. This study investigated the influence of health professionals’ well-being and quality of work-life (QoWL) on the quality of care (QoC) of patients in Nigeria. The study was a multicentre cross-sectional survey conducted at four tertiary health institutions in southwest, Nigeria. Participants’ demographic information, well-being, quality of work-life, and quality of care were obtained using four standardized questionnaires. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics of frequency (percentage) and mean (standard deviation). Inferential statistics included Chi-square, Pearson’s correlation, and independent samples t-test analyses. Medical practitioners (n = 609) and nurses (n = 570) constituted 74.6% of all the health professionals with physiotherapists, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists constituting 25.4%. The mean (SD) participants’ well-being = 71.65% (14.65), quality of life = 61.8% (21.31), quality of work-life = 65.73% (10.52) and quality of care = 70.14% (12.77). Participants’ quality of life had a significant negative correlation with quality of care while well-being and quality of work-life had a significant positive correlation with quality of care. We concluded that health professionals’ well-being and quality of work-life are important factors that influence their productivity and ultimately the quality of care rendered to patients. The hospital management and policymakers should ensure improved work-related factors to promote the well-being of health professionals, in order to enhance the quality of care given to patients and ultimately reduce brain drain and medical tourism.
Incidence and risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis: defining the optimal subgroup for surveillance
Authors: Kim Hyo Suk , Gweon Tae‒Geun , Park Sang Hi , Kim Tae Ho , Kim Chang Whan , Chang Jae Hyuck
Published: July 2022

We aimed to present the incidence and risk factors for pancreatic cancer in a multicenter retrospective cohort of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Patients with ICD‒10 codes for CP (K86.0, K86.1) who underwent abdominal CT or MRI between January 2010 and December 2021 in seven academic hospitals were analyzed. After exclusions, we identified 727 patients with definite CP with a median follow‒up of 3.6 years (range 1.0‒12.9). During 3,290 person‒years of observation, pancreatic cancers were diagnosed in 16 patients (2.20%, 0.49% per year) after a median follow‒up of 2.4 years (range 1.4‒6.6), with an age‒ and sex‒standardized incidence ratio of 18.1 (95% CI 10.4‒29.5). The underlying CPs in the 16 pancreatic cancers were classified as chronic obstructive pancreatitis (10, 63%), chronic obstructive and calcifying pancreatitis (4, 25%), chronic calcifying pancreatitis (1, 6%), and autoimmune pancreatitis (1, 6%). Factors associated with pancreatic cancer development included age (HR 4.830, p = 0.006), parenchymal calcification (HR 0.213, p = 0.003), pancreatic duct stricture (HR 2.706, p = 0.048), and serum CA 19‒9 level (HR 22.49, p < 0.001). After adjustment, age greater 60 years (HR 5.580, p = 0.007) and serum CA 19‒9 levels greater 100 U/mL (HR 25.56, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Construction and experimental validation of ferroptosis-related competing endogenous RNA networks in hepatocellular carcinoma based on WGCNA
Authors: Guo Ting , He Kun , Chen Weigang , Xu Mengwei , Sun Jingjing , Chen Yong , Yang Zelong
Published: July 2022

The ferroptosis-related competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully explored. In this study, RNA sequence data of HCC and clinic data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Through the pre-set three gene sets of autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, each sample was scored by single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA), and ferroptosis was associated with overall survival. We used Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) analysis to modularize long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA). The most ferroptosis related modules were identified by correlation analysis. Enrichment analysis showed the genes were significantly enriched in ferroptosis-related functions and pathways. The ceRNA network was constructed by the prediction from online tools. We randomly selected one axis for laboratory verification, the DNAJC27-AS1/miR-23b-3p/PPIF axis. Functionally, DNAJC27-AS1 and PPIF could negatively regulate the level of ferroptosis in HCC cells, while miR-23b-3p played positively. Mechanistically, miR-23b-3p can directly bind to DNAJC27-AS1 and PPIF, respectively. DNAJC27-AS1 and PPIF can regulate mutually through sponging miR-23b-3p and act as potential ferroptosis regulators. Taken together, we provided a reliable ferroptosis-related ceRNA network and preliminarily verified it. This study may offer new insights for future research on ferroptosis in HCC.
PHM6 and PHM7 Genes are Essential for Phosphate Surplus in the Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kulakovskaya Ekaterina , Kulakovskaya Tatiana
Published: July 2022

Phosphate transport and accumulation of phosphorus reserves are necessary for the adaptation of microorganisms to adverse environment. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is capable of luxury phosphate uptake and polyphosphate (polyP) accumulation when the cells were placed to phosphate sufficient medium after phosphorus starvation (phosphate surplus conditions). We have studied the effect of knockout mutations in the genes encoding phosphate transporters and two PHO pathway membrane proteins of unknown function, Phm6 and Phm7, on phosphate uptake and polyP accumulation. Single knockout mutations in the PHO84, PHO87, PHO89, PHM6, and PHM7 genes suppress the phosphate uptake and polyP accumulation under phosphate surplus conditions in the presence of glucose and phosphate with or without Mg2+. A knockout mutation in the vacuolar membrane phosphate transporter gene PHO91 slightly reduced phosphate uptake and increased polyP accumulation. A knockout mutation in the PHO90 gene suppressed phosphate transport and polyP accumulation in the absence of Mg2+, while phosphate transport and polyP accumulation in the presence of Mg2+were similar to those of the parental strain. The knockout strains in the PHM6 and PHM7 have decreased polyP accumulation when growing under Pi surplus conditions in the full YPD medium. The PHM6 or PHM7 genes are essential for enhanced Pi uptake and polyP accumulation under phosphate surplus conditions. We speculate that plasma membrane Pi transporters Pho84, Pho87 and Pho89 work in concert, and Phm6 and Phm7 proteins participate in the interaction of these phosphate transporters under phosphate surplus, providing luxury phosphate uptake at phosphate surplus conditions.
Numerical investigation on seismic dynamic response characteristics of high-steep layered granite slopes via time-frequency analysis
Authors: Shi Wanpeng , Zhang Jianwei , Song Danqing , Guo Zizheng , Tang Gaojie , Han Dechao
Published: July 2022

The occurrence of geological structure and stratum lithology plays important roles in the seismic stability of complex slopes, which is also the difficult points of engineering construction. Four three-dimensional layered granite slope models with infinite boundary were modeling via finite element method (FEM). Seismic response and deformation characteristics of slopes are systematically studied through time-frequency domain. A frequency-domain analysis method of complex slopes is proposed including modal and spectrum conjoint analysis. Modal analysis can directly display the main vibration modes of slopes. The combination of modal and spectral analysis can clarify the inherent characteristics of slopes, and reveal the interaction mechanism between inherent frequency and dynamic characteristics of slopes. The results illustrate that structural faces have significant effects on the propagation characteristics of wave within rock mass, and complex refraction/reflection phenomena occur near these discontinuities, thus to different dynamic response characteristics in the slope. Layered slopes have apparent magnification effect of slope surface and altitude. Directions of seismic excitation and structural plane types affect the dynamic response of slopes. Horizontal wave mainly affects the middle and upper part of high-steep slope, while vertical wave has obvious influence on the slope crest. Additionally, Fourier spectral analysis shows that structural planes have filtering effects on the high-frequency waves. Combined with modal analysis, it further explains that high-frequency section of waves mainly triggers local deformation of slopes, while low-frequency component controls their overall deformation. Finally, instability regions and evolution process of different layered slopes were predicted based on time-frequency conjoint analysis.
Association Between Hematological Parameters and Generalized Severe Periodontitis Among Young Adults in the United States
Authors: Hu Menglin , Zhang Wenhao , Shi Zhimin , Dai Bichong , Liu Xiaoyun , Cheng Xu , Zhang Hengguo , Wang Yuanyin
Published: July 2022

Background: Generalized severe periodontitis (GSP), a common oral inflammatory disease associated with systemic circulatory disease, can result in tooth loss and chewing dysfunction. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between GSP and systemic circulation-related hematological parameters in young adults aged 30 to 40.Methods: A total of 212 participants were enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) during 2009 to 2014. The generalized severe periodontitis was identified as 30% of teeth with ≥ 5mm attachment loss. Restricted cubic splines were used to investigate the nonlinearity among variables. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to study the hematological parameters correlated with GSP. Stepwise regression and receiver operating characteristic curve were applied to generate and assess the predictive models for GSP occurrence. Results: Based on the indicators of 212 subjects, we found that generalized severe periodontitis tended to occur in males and was accompanied by higher Hemoglobin (HB), Hematocrit (HCT), Red cell distribution width (RDW), Red blood cell count (RBC), as well as less Poverty-income ratio (PIR). Restricted cubic splines confirmed the relationships between GSP and HB or HCT were nonlinear. Logistic regression showed that RDW was a potential indicator of GSP. Compared with HCT (AUC = 0.702), HB (AUC = 0.697), RBC (AUC = 0.684), RDW (AUC = 0.585), and other single variable, multi-variables regression (including gender, PIR, RDW, education levels, and BMI) (AUC = 0.913) demonstrated better predictive effects on generalized severe periodontitis.Conclusion: Hematological parameters can predict generalized severe periodontitis, for which RDW is a potential indicator.
COL1A1 and COL3A1 elevation and regulation by β2-microglobulin in subsynovial connective tissues of patients undergoing hemodialysis with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Muneshige Kyoko , Onuma Kenji , Yokozeki Yuji , Sukegawa Koji , Otake Yuya , Metoki Yukie , Nakawaki Mitsufumi , Itakura Makoto , Inoue Gen , Takaso Masashi , Uchida Kentaro
Published: July 2022

Purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) constitutes a typical complication of patients receiving long-term hemodialysis (HD). However, the mechanisms underlying the manifestation of CTS in patients receiving long-term hemodialysis remain to be studied. We investigated collagen gene expression in the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) of patients undergoing hemodialysis and evaluated the effect of β2-microglobulin (B2M) on collagen gene expression in cells derived from the SSCT.Methods: To study the expression of collagen genes in the SSCT of HD and non-HD patients, SSCT specimens were obtained from 64 patients with CTS (47 non-HD and 17 HD) during carpal tunnel release (CTR). To evaluate the fibrotic condition of SSCTs, COL1A1 and COL3A1 expression were evaluated using qPCR. To evaluate the effect of B2M on collage genes, SSCT cells were stimulated in α-MEM with 0.5% fetal bovine (vehicle) or 1 or 10 µg/ml B2M.Results: Expressions of both COL1A1 and COL3A1 in the HD group were significantly higher than those in the non-HD group (COL1A1, P=0.021; COL3A1, P=.0.031). Incubating SSCT cells together with B2M for 6 h and 24 h led to increased mRNA expression of COL3A1 compared to that observed in vehicle control cells (p<0.001Conclusions: Our findings suggest that increased expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 may be one mechanism by which HD patients develop CTS. Further, B2M may be responsible for elevating COL3A1 expression in HD patients with CTS.
Trends and risk factors of morbidity and disability adjusted life years for osteoarthritis from 1990 to 2019: systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Yang Yang , Ni Weiyu , Tian Hongsen , Dai Zhanqiu , Fan Shunwu
Published: July 2022

Background
To report the level and trends of incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to osteoarthritis (OA) using age, sex, and the sociodemographic index (SDI) worldwide from 1990 to 2019 using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.
Methods
Morbidity and DALYs due to OA its subtypes were estimated using DisMod-MR 2.1. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR)/age-standardized DALYs were estimated using a generalized linear model with a Gaussian distribution. Morbidity and DALYs were stratified on the basis of SDI. The strength and direction of the correlation between the EAPC/SDI and ASIR/age-standardized DALYs were measured using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results
The total incidence of OA increased by 103.88%, from 20.34 million in 1990 to 41.47 million in 2019. Within 30 years, annual stability was observed in the global morbidity of OA of the hand, hip, knee, and other joints. The age-standardized incidence rate of hand OA decreased during the past three decades, whereas the other types of OA were elevated. Regions with a lower SDI had higher morbidity and DALYs. High body mass index (BMI) was a major risk factor for DALYs due to OA of the knee and hip.
Conclusions
Regions with a lower SDI had a greater OA burden. The estimated contribution of high BMI to DALYs due to OA of the knee and hip supports the need for urgent efforts to change the dietary structure and adjust the dietary plan.
Senescence Associated Secretory Proteins Induced in Lung Adenocarcinoma by Extended Treatment with Dexamethasone Enhance Migration and Activation of Lymphocytes
Authors: Parajuli Prahlad , Rosati Rayna , Mamdani Hirva , Wright Robert E , Hussain Zahin , Naeem Aroma , Dzinic Sijana , Polin Lisa , Gavande Navnath , Ratnam Manohar
Published: July 2022

There is a need to improve response rates of immunotherapies in lung adenocarcinoma (AC). Extended (7–14 day) treatment of high glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expressing lung AC cells with dexamethasone (Dex) induces an irreversible senescence phenotype through chronic induction of p27. As the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) may have either tumor supporting or antitumor immunomodulatory effects, it was of interest to examine the effects of Dex-induced senescence of lung AC cells on immune cells. Dex-induced senescence resulted in sustained production of CCL2, CCL4, CXCL1 and CXCL2, both in vitro and in vivo. After Dex withdrawal, secretion of these chemokines by the senescent cells attracted peripheral blood monocytes, T-cells, and NK cells. Following treatment with Dex-induced SASP protein(s), the peripheral blood lymphocytes exhibited higher cell count and tumor cytolytic activity along with enhanced Ki67 and perforin expression in T and NK cells. This cytolytic activity was partially attributed to NKG2D, which was upregulated in NK cells by SASP while its ligand MICA/B was upregulated in the senescent cells. Enhanced infiltrations of T ad NK cells were observed in human lung AC xenografts in humanized NSG mice, following treatment with Dex. The findings substantiate the idea that induction of irreversible senescence in high-GR expressing subpopulations of lung AC tumors using Dex pretreatment enhances tumor immune infiltration and may subsequently improve the clinical outcome of current immunotherapies.
Modeling trade-offs among ecosystem services for agriculture in the “Sisal Belt” of Kilosa, Central Tanzania
Authors: Li Puyang , Hu Guohua , II B. L. Turner , Zhang Yujia
Published: July 2022

Context.Exploring novel ways to maintain a healthy landscape while improving human welfare based on different human-environment relationships and competing interests from multiple stakeholders is critical for sustainable development under the context of the surging “global land rush” underway, and of increasing interest to landscape sustainability science. Objectives.This paper aims to: (1) integrate perceptions across various stakeholders to create landscape-based decision-making scenarios based on alternative future development visions, and (2) demonstrate trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem and economic benefits in a landscape under the scenarios and discuss the means to incorporate results from analyses into landscape management and planning. Methods.We combined the use of two spatially explicit modeling tools, Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) and Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST), to project future landscape patterns and predict changes in ecosystem services and commodity production under the three stakeholder-defined scenarios for the Kilsoa sisal belt region, Tanzania.Results.We found that all scenarios had higher commodity production values relative to the baseline conditions but various lower levels of ecosystem services. Carbon and water services may generate synergistic effects provided specific mitigation and payment mechanisms are installed.Conclusions.Our approach provides an effective platform by which landscape management and planning decisions can be determined. An effort as such may enrich the dialogue amongst multi-level stakeholders dealing with the environment and development in the area and inform policymaking to balance the challenging goals among food production, resource use, poverty alleviation, and environmental conservation.
Internet gaming disorder among adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic: A case report of Kerala students India
Authors: Pawar Shivanand
Published: July 2022

Internet gaming can have negative consequences by limiting actual life experiences in the real world. Loss of control over online gaming is called as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) due to it significant negative consequences and its resemblance to other addictive disorders, therefore, understanding the internet gaming disorder in one of important area of research. The study aimed to assess the internet gaming disorders status during COVID-19 pandemic, and to find out the association between intent gaming and psychological disorders among students during COVID-19 pandemic.The study contains of 120 respondents including 60 female &60 maleadolescents aged between 13 to 19 in Kollam district of Kerala. To assess the Internet Gaming Disorder, standardized tool was used short name (IGDT-20) developed by Pontes H in 2014. Result found that cconflict (M = 30.00 and SD = 6.38) and relapse (M = 18.86 and SD = 4.26) symptoms are very high in the age group of 13-15than other age group of male and female respondents. Tolerance(M = 18.06 and SD = 4.30) and withdrawal(M = 18.46 and SD = 14.90) are high among male respondents than female respondents.Study found that there was a positive correlation between all domains of the internet game and psychological disorder including conflict, mood modification, salience, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms and relapse of the internet game disorder (p = .001).
Tracing metal footprints through global renewable power value chains
Authors: Fu Rao , Peng Kun , Wang Peng , Zhong Honglin , Zhang Pengfei , Zhang Yiyi , Chen Dongyang , Liu Xi , Feng Kuishuang , Li Jiashuo
Published: July 2022

The globally booming renewable power industry has stimulated an unprecedented appetite for metals as key infrastructure components. Many economies with different endowments and technology levels participate in global renewable power value chains (RPVCs) at different production stages, making it difficult to tell who supplies metals for whose low-carbon power generation. Here, we employ a value chain decomposition model to trace the metal footprints (MFs) and value-added of major global economies’ renewable power sectors. We find the MFs of global renewable power sector increased by 47% during 2005–2015. Developed economies occupy the high-end segments of the RPVCs, while transfer metal-intensive but low value-added production activities to less developed economies. The fast growing demands for renewable power in developed economies are the major contributors to the embodied metal transfer increment within RPVCs, which is partly offset by the declining metal intensities in less developed economies. Therefore, it is urgent to establish a metal-efficient and greener supply chain for upstream suppliers and downstream renewable power installers for a just transition in power sector across the globe.
Influence of the Shape of the First Metatarsal Cuneiform Joint on the Development of Hallux Valgus Deformity
Authors: Sovilj Mirko , Baljozović Andreja , Pilipović Filip , Banjac Maja Sovilj , Baščarević Zoran
Published: July 2022

Objective:
To examine the presence of certain shapes of the first metatarsal-cuneiform joint (MTC) joint in feet with hallux valgus (HV) deformity. To determine whether the anatomical orientation of this joint affects the size of the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the first intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and whether it contributes to the dynamics of the developmental course of HV deformity.
Methods:
The shape of the first MTC joint was determined on a sample of 315 feet with HV deformity. The influence of the shape of this joint on the values of HVA and IMA was explored. The relation between the position of the tibial sesamoid and the size of HVA and IMA as well as the dynamics of the development of this deformity depending on the shape of the first MTC joint, was examined.
Results:
The oblique shape of the first MTC joint was found in 165 (52.4%) feet, the transverse in 145 (46%), and the convex shape was registered in five feet (1.6%). In the oblique shape of this joint, a moderate and severe degree of HV deformity is predominant, while in the transverse shape a mild degree dominates. A statistically significant dependence of HVA on the shape of the first MTC joint was found (Sig. = 0.010), while the dependence of IMA did not show statistical significance (Sig. = 0.105). HVA values follow the position of the tibial sesamoid in both shapes of the MTC joint while the size of the IMA in the transverse shape does not follow the change of the position of this sesamoid.
Conclusion:
The oblique shape of the first MTC joint is associated with the more severe form of HV deformity and its faster developmental course. In the analyzed sample, it was shown that HVA is higher in the oblique shape of the MTC joint and significantly depends on the anatomical orientation of this joint. Furthermore, IMA has a higher value in the oblique shape compared to transverse but this dependence is not statistically significant. The analysis showed that the oblique shape of the first MTC joint contributes to the development of HV deformity.