bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with poor treatment outcomes among tuberculosis patients in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement, Uganda, 2016–2017
Authors: Nguna Joyce , Okethwangu Denis , Kabwama Steven Ndugwa , Aliddeki Dativa Maria , Kironde Susan Kizito , Birungi Doreen , Eurien Daniel , Ario Alex Riolexus , Lukoye Deus , Kasozi Julius , Cegielski Peter J.
Published: August 2022

Communicable diseases, alone or in combination with malnutrition, account for most deaths in complex emergencies including refugee settings. Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are increasingly becoming an important cause of morbidity and mortality in refugee settings. We described the treatment outcomes of TB patients and explored factors associated with treatment outcomes among TB patients attending two facilities in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Kikuube District, 2016–2017. We abstracted data on laboratory-confirmed patient data from TB registers from 2016 to 2017, in Kikuube Health Centre IV and Rwenyawawa Health Centre II, both located in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement. We abstracted data on socio-demographic variables including age and sex. Other variables were height, weight, final treatment outcomes, demographics, HIV status, TB treatment category, and history of TB. Treatment outcomes were categorized into favorable (including patients who were cured or those who completed treatment) and unfavorable (those in whom treatment failed, those who died, those lost to follow-up, or those not evaluated). We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes. We identified a total of 254 TB patients with a median age of 36 (IQR 26–48) years; 69% (175) were male and 54% (137) were refugees. The median weight was 50.4 kg (range 4–198). Overall, 139 (55%) had favorable outcomes while 115 (45%) had unfavorable outcomes. Refugees formed 53% (71) of those with favorable outcomes and 47% (63) of those with unfavorable outcomes 63(47%). We found that increasing age was statistically associated with unfavorable outcomes, while diagnosis with MDR-TB was associated with decreased odds for unfavorable treatment outcomes. The treatment success rate was lower compared to 85% recommended by WHO. However, the rates are similar to that reported by other studies in Uganda. Innovative approaches to improve treatment success rates with particular focus on persons aged 41–80 years should be devised.
Housing inadequacy in rural Saskatchewan First Nation communities
Authors: Kirychuk Shelley , Russell Eric , Rennie Donna , Karunanayake Chandima , Roberts Clarice , Seeseequasis Jeremy , Thompson Brooke , McMullin Kathleen , Ramsden Vivian R. , Fenton Mark , Abonyi Sylvia , Pahwa Punam , Dosman James A.
Published: August 2022

Housing and house conditions on First Nation communities in Canada are important determinants of health for community members. Little is known about rural First Nation housing in the Canadian Prairies. The aim was to survey houses in two rural First Nation communities in Saskatchewan, Canada to understand housing conditions, prevalence of mold/mildew and dampness, and sources, locations and frequency of mold and dampness. Surveys were conducted with an adult member of each household in 144 houses. Surveys assessed: size, age, and number of rooms in the house; number of individuals residing in the house; presence of mold/mildew and dampness, and sources, locations and frequency of mold and dampness. Houses were mostly two-bedrooms (25.7%) or more (67.4%). Thirty-one percent of houses had six or more people living in the house with crowding present in 68.8% of houses. Almost half of the houses (44.5%) were in need of major repairs. More than half of the houses had water or dampness in the past 12 months in which dripping/puddles and standing water were most commonly identified and were from surface water and plumbing. More than half of the houses indicated that this dampness caused damage. A smell of mold or mildew was present in over half of the houses (52.1%) and 73.3% of these houses indicated that this smell was always present. Housing adequacy including crowding, dampness, and mold are significant issues for houses in these two rural Saskatchewan First Nation communities. Housing inadequacy is more common in these rural communities as compared to Canadian statistics. Housing inadequacy is modifiable and is important to address for multiple reasons, but notably, as a social determinant of health. Federal government strategy to address and redress housing in First Nation communities in Canada is a fiduciary responsibility and critical to reconciliation.
Exploring the relationship between women’s experience of postnatal care and reported staffing measures: An observational study
Authors: Turner Lesley , Ball Jane , Culliford David , Kitson-Reynolds Ellen , Griffiths Peter
Published: August 2022

Background

Women have reported dissatisfaction with care received on postnatal wards and this area has been highlighted for improvement. Studies have shown an association between midwifery staffing levels and postnatal care experiences, but so far, the influence of registered and support staff deployed in postnatal wards has not been studied. This work is timely as the number of support workers has increased in the workforce and there has been little research on skill mix to date.

Methods

Cross sectional secondary analysis including 13,264 women from 123 postnatal wards within 93 hospital Trusts. Staffing was measured in each organisation as Full Time Equivalent staff employed per 100 births, and on postnatal wards, using Hours Per Patient Day. Women’s experiences were assessed using four items from the 2019 national maternity survey. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to examine relationships and adjust for maternal age, parity, ethnicity, type of birth, and medical staff.

Results

Trusts with higher levels of midwifery staffing had higher rates of women reporting positive experiences of postnatal care. However, looking at staffing on postnatal wards, there was no evidence of an association between registered nurses and midwives hours per patient day and patient experience. Wards with higher levels of support worker staffing were associated with higher rates of women reporting they had help when they needed it and were treated with kindness and understanding.

Conclusion

The relationship between reported registered staffing levels on postnatal wards and women’s experience is uncertain. Further work should be carried out to examine why relationships observed using whole Trust staffing were not replicated closer to the patient, with reported postnatal ward staffing. It is possible that recorded staffing levels on postnatal wards do not actually reflect staff deployment if midwives are floated to cover delivery units. This study highlights the potential contribution of support workers in providing quality care on postnatal wards.
Prediction of fluid intelligence from T1-w MRI images: A precise two-step deep learning framework
Authors: Li Mingliang , Jiang Mingfeng , Zhang Guangming , Liu Yujun , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: August 2022

The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Neurocognitive Prediction Challenge (ABCD-NP-Challenge) is a community-driven competition that challenges competitors to develop algorithms to predict fluid intelligence scores from T1-w MRI images. In this work, a two-step deep learning pipeline is proposed to improve the prediction accuracy of fluid intelligence scores. In terms of the first step, the main contributions of this study include the following: (1) the concepts of the residual network (ResNet) and the squeeze-and-excitation network (SENet) are utilized to improve the original 3D U-Net; (2) in the segmentation process, the pixels in symmetrical brain regions are assigned the same label; (3) to remove redundant background information from the segmented regions of interest (ROIs), a minimum bounding cube (MBC) is used to enclose the ROIs. This new segmentation structure can greatly improve the segmentation performance of the ROIs in the brain as compared with the classical convolutional neural network (CNN), which yields a Dice coefficient of 0.8920. In the second stage, MBCs are used to train neural network regression models for enhanced nonlinearity. The fluid intelligence score prediction results of the proposed method are found to be superior to those of current state-of-the-art approaches, and the proposed method achieves a mean square error (MSE) of 82.56 on a test data set, which reflects a very competitive performance.
Photonic passbands induced by optical fractal effect in Cantor dielectric multilayers
Authors: Liu Jianxia , Shen Jing , Zhao Dong , Zhang Pu
Published: August 2022

We investigate the splitting and incorporation of optical fractal states in one-dimensional photonic quasi-crystals. The aperiodic crystals which are composed of two different dielectrics submit to Cantor sequence. Defects in Cantor crystals can greatly enhance the localization of electric field, which induces the optical fractal effect. The number of optical fractal states increases exponentially with the generation number of Cantor sequence. Moreover, the optical fractal characteristics depend on the incident angle of light, of which the fractal states may split/incorporate by modulating the value of incident angle. This study could be utilized for band-pass filters and reflectors.
Understanding scientists’ communication challenges at the intersection of climate and agriculture
Authors: Getson Jackie M. , Church Sarah P. , Radulski Brennan G. , Sjöstrand Anders E. , Lu Junyu , Prokopy Linda S.
Published: August 2022

In the United States, a public debate remains about the existence and effects of anthropogenic climate change. This skepticism is present in the agricultural sector, rendering climate science communication challenging. Due to the polarization of climate change issues and the concurrent need for agricultural adaptation, we sought to examine how scientists communicate in this sector. A survey, administered to climate scientists and pertinent U.S. federal agency staff (response rate = 43%), was conducted to examine perspectives on communicating with five agricultural stakeholder groups: agribusinesses, crop advisors, general public, producers, and policymakers. We focused on three aspects of the communication process with these stakeholders to evaluate if scientists, as messengers, were following best practices–communicator training, knowledge of stakeholder, and terminology use. We found scientists valued communication training; however, the majority had not attended formal training. Scientists had different views on climate change than producers and crop advisors but understood their perspective and were deliberate with their communication with different audiences. This suggests stakeholder knowledge and terminology use do not hinder communication between scientist and stakeholder. We also highlight three communication challenges present across stakeholder groups–stakeholder knowledge, timescale, and scientific uncertainty–and others that were specific to each stakeholder group. Future research should support scientists by identifying and resolving barriers to training and effective communication strategies for each stakeholder group that addresses these challenges.
Optimization of carotenoid extraction of a halophilic microalgae
Authors: Gan Shanling , Liang Shengjia , Zou Qiman , Shang Changhua
Published: August 2022

Dunaliella parva can produce abundant carotenoids under certain conditions. This paper optimized the extraction efficiency of carotenoids from D. parva. Different organic solvents were examined to determine the most suitable solvent for the extraction. After the determination of the solvent (dimethylsulfoxide, DMSO), the extraction conditions including time, temperature, and volume were then optimized to maximize the extraction efficiency of carotenoids from D. parva using response surface methodology. DMSO was identified as the most suitable solvent. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: temperature of 57.2°C, time of 11.35 min, the volume of 410 μl, and the optimal extraction efficiency reached 0.517‰. The results showed that the optimal extraction efficiency (0.517‰) improved 31.69% in comparison to the initial extraction efficiency (0.3926‰). In addition, The optimal levels of three influence factors (temperature of 57.2°C, time of 11.35 min, volume of 410 μl) decreased compared with the initial levels (temperature of 60°C, time of 20 min, volume of 1000 μl). In this paper, Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to optimize the extraction efficiency of carotenoids from D. parva, which would lay the groundwork for the extraction and utilization of carotenoids from D. parva in the future.
Preparation of hybrid samples for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled to focused ion beam (FIB) analysis: A new way to study cell adhesion to titanium implant surfaces
Authors: Parisi Ludovica , Toffoli Andrea , Ghezzi Benedetta , Lagonegro Paola , Trevisi Giovanna , Macaluso Guido M.
Published: August 2022

The study of the intimate connection occurring at the interface between cells and titanium implant surfaces is a major challenge for dental materials scientists. Indeed, several imaging techniques have been developed and optimized in the last decades, but an optimal method has not been described yet. The combination of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with a focused ion beam (FIB), represents a pioneering and interesting tool to allow the investigation of the relationship occurring at the interface between cells and biomaterials, including titanium. However, major caveats concerning the nature of the biological structures, which are not conductive materials, and the physico-chemical properties of titanium (i.e. color, surface topography), require a fine and accurate preparation of the sample before its imaging. Hence, the aim of the present work is to provide a suitable protocol for cell-titanium sample preparation before imaging by SEM-FIB. The concepts presented in this paper are also transferrable to other fields of biomaterials research.
Design and kinematic analysis of a two-DOF moving platform as a base for a car simulator
Authors: Arthaya Bagus Made , Christian Raymond , Tamba Tua Agustinus , Tükel Dilek Bilgin
Published: July 2022

The study starts by modeling a simple 2-DOF (degrees of freedom) moving platform that employs two actuators to provide two kinds of rotational motion on the moving platform and each motion is driven by an electrical motor. A preliminary study to better understand motion generation is conducted by deriving a mathematical model of the platform. Based on this model, the relationship between the rotations of the two driving motors and the pitch and roll movements of the platform is determined. The range of movements must be limited both in the pitch and roll planes to a certain maximum and minimum values of tilting angles. This preliminary design of the platform is introduced to demonstrate motions that might be experienced by the user in roll and pitch directions. The motion generated has fulfilled the constraint with respect to the vestibular system. Results of experimental works show that the first motor angle between -26° and 27° is suitable for the roll plane; meanwhile, the angles range of -52° and 54° for the second motor is suitable for the pitch plane. Furthermore, some simple experiments were conducted to examine the correctness of the model through the comparison between testing results obtained from simulation and experimental work. In the reported results, the moving platform was set to some initial poses and was driven to the home position and the recording showed acceptable results. This moving platform can later be used for more comprehensive experiments, i.e., vehicle dynamic testing, driving training purposes, and human factor analyses.
Influence of Timing of Intravenous Fluid Therapy on Maternal Hemodynamics in Patients Undergoing Caesarean Section under Subarachnoid Block
Authors: Garima Daga  , Mohit Kumar Tyagi  , Usha Saha
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Subarachnoid block (SAB) is the most common technique used for caesarean sections. The main objective is the maintenance of maternal cardiac output and uteroplacental blood flow. Protocols that aim to prevent hypotension during SAB for LSCS result in a better outcome than those designed to treat. The time interval between the start of fluids and SAB determines the volume of fluid needed to combat hypotension. The objective of our research was to study the influence of the timing of IV fluid therapy on maternal hemodynamics.

METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital over 3 years. 254 patients were grouped into 3 groups as follows: patients receiving fluid predominantly before SAB (Gr P), predominantly after SAB (Gr C), and near equal amounts before and after SAB (Gr E). Patients were analyzed according to the timing and average volume of fluid they received and co-related with their intraoperative hemodynamic changes. Quantitative variables in both groups were expressed as mean ± SD and compared using unpaired t-tests between groups and paired t-tests within each group. Qualitative variables were expressed as frequencies/percentages and compared using the chi-square test. A p-value of >=0.005 was considered statistically significant. Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Demographic data were comparable. Systolic blood pressure in all the groups showed a declining trend after SAB. However, the degree of fall was significantly higher in Gr P as compared to Gr C and Gr E. Hypotension occurred in 69 % of patients in Gr P as compared to 4.5 % in Gr C and 25 % in Gr E. Incidence of vasopressor requirement and nausea-vomiting was higher in Gr P (60.3 %). No difference in neonatal APGAR and mean total amount of IV fluid used was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, co-loading using crystalloids results in lesser hemodynamic changes, lesser incidence of nausea and vomiting and lesser requirement of vasopressors. Also, the practice of co-loading can shorten the preparation time and avoid any delays.
Four Teachers’ Perspectives of a Foreign Language High School: Focusing on their Experiences and Perceptions in a Public Foreign Language High School
Authors:   Center For Educational Research, Yoo Hyang-Eun , Park Yong-Han
Published: August 2022

Purpose: This study represents qualitative research, aimed at revealing educational practices through the educational experiences of four teachers in a public foreign language high school.
Methods: Data collected from the four volunteer teachers in the foreign language high school included participants’ observations and in-depth interviews. All collected data including participants’ observation data, local data, and in-depth interviews, regarding educational experiences as a class teacher and home room teacher, were categorized by identifying patterns through emic coding.
Results: During the research, participants experienced ‘leading students’, ‘opening a new world’, ‘education beyond the textbook’, and ‘struggling up’ in the foreign language high school. From their educational experiences, participants expressed the following sentiments: ‘different from what it seems’, ‘the object of attachment’, and ‘worries about abolition of the school.’ for the foreign language high school.
Conclusion: The educational practices in the foreign language high school were categorized into ‘student agency’, ‘breaking the boundary’, ‘social functions’ and ‘protection of personal choices’. By identifying the educational practices in the foreign language high school, this study reveals different stances taken by the foreign language high school’s insiders and outsiders and signifies the needs for educational discourse on foreign language high schools.
La ópera Medio evo latino: hacia una lectura de la trilogía lírica de Héctor Panizza
Authors: De Filippi Sebastiano
Published: August 2022

El presente artículo constituye un primer acercamiento descriptivo-exploratorio a Medio evo latino, ópera del compositor ítalo-argentino Héctor Panizza sobre libreto del italiano Luigi Illica, estrenada en el año 1900. Un bosquejo del perfil biográfico y del derrotero artístico de compositor y libretista es utilizado para ubicar a la obra dentro de los respectivos catálogos de sus creadores. Se busca, asimismo, poner a la pieza en el contexto de la producción operística más medular de su época. Una atención especial es dedicada al peso que importantes protagonistas del sistema productivo teatral italiano de su tiempo otorgaron a Medio evo latino; esta relevancia es analizada con cierto detalle en relación a los intérpretes seleccionados para su ejecución en las dos producciones que se brindaron del título (en el Politeama Genovese y en el Teatro de la Ópera de Buenos Aires, respectivamente). Se resume el argumento de la obra, a la vez que se esbozan los rasgos principales de su estructura y lenguaje musicales. A 120 años de su última audición, y ante la imposibilidad de recuperar la partitura orquestal y las partes instrumentales, se sugiere que los valores intrínsecos y extrínsecos de la ópera tornarían oportunos un rescate performativo, un registro sonoro de la versión para canto y piano sobreviviente, y un análisis musicológico lo más exhaustivo posible.
La masacre de Tlatelolco y los gobiernos de los Estados Unidos de América y de Gran Bretaña
Authors: Perutka Lukáš , González Uresti Luz Araceli
Published: August 2022

The presented article analyzes the international dimension of the so-called Tlatelolco massacre of 1968. It focuses on the diplomatic reaction of two of Mexico’s neighbors, the United States of America and the United Kingdom that still held its colony of British Honduras. This topic has been neglected by historiography so far. It is based on the archival resources from British National Archives in Kew and online declassified American documents available thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The reaction of both governments was minimal and relatively calm because they understood the massacre did not endanger their strong ally Gustavo Díaz Ordaz and the students’ protests were not anti-American nor anti-British. Similarly, there was a vague connection to the international communist movement, and no countries from the communist camp were directly involved. The only difference we could find was in the evaluation of the massacre. The British saw it as an opportunity for further democratization of Mexico, i.e., they took a more normative stance. The Americans approached the situation more pragmatically. They were supportive of the undemocratic regime as long as it took an anti-communist stance.
Intestinal Microbes-based Analysis of Immune Mechanism of Childhood Asthma
Authors: Miaojun Mo  , Junrong Wang  , Hongdan Gu  , Junfen Zhou  , Changhua Zheng  , Qi Zheng  , Hairui Chen
Published: July 2022

This work was developed to explore the relationship between intestinal microflora composition and
immune function changes in children with asthma and to provide theoretical references for clinical
diagnosis and treatment. Forty-eight children with asthma who received standardized treatment in the
outpatient department of pediatric respiratory asthma in Children's Hospital were selected as the
research objects, which were rolled into 24 cases of S0 group (complete control) and 24 cases of S1
group (incomplete control group). In addition, ten healthy children with general data matching the
research objects were selected as a blank control (D0 group). The intestinal microbial composition and
immune function indexes of each group were detected. The results showed that there were differences in
the intestinal microbes of the three groups of children with Bifidobacterium, Megasphaera,
Oscillibacter, Bilophila, and f_Ruminococcaceae. Among them, the proportions of Bifidobacterium,
Megasphaera, and f_Ruminococcaceae in the intestinal microbes of the children in the S1 group were
notably less than those in the S0 and D0 groups. The proportion of these three bacterial genera in the S0
group was also considerably smaller than that in the D0 group (P<0.05). In addition, the CD3+ levels of
children in the S1 group were notably lower than those in the S0 and D0 groups, while the CD4+ and
CD4+/CD3+ were higher than the S0 and D0 groups (P<0.05). The differences between CD3+, CD4+,
and CD4+/CD3+ in the S0 and D0 groups were not considerable (P<0.05). The proportions of
Bifidobacterium, Megasphaera, f_Ruminococcaceae, and Parasutterella in children with intestinal
microbes were significantly positively correlated with CD3+ levels (P<0.05), and significantly
negatively correlated with CD4+ and CD4+/CD3+ levels (P<0.05). In short, children with different
levels of asthma control had a certain degree of flora disorder and decreased immune function in the
intestinal flora. The decrease in the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, f_Ruminococcaceae of
Firmicutes, and Parasutterella of Riken Bacteria, and the increase in the relative abundance of
Oscillatoria meant the decline of the immune function of the children.
Evaluation of sperm chromatin/DNA integrity, morphology, and Catsper expression
on diabetic C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Elnaz Khordad  , Mohammad Reza  Nikravesh  , Mahdi  Jalali  , Alireza  Fazel  , Mojtaba  Sankian  , Fatemeh Alipour
Published: July 2022

Diabetes is associated with reproductive impairment in the male reproductive system and causes
complications such as decreased libido, fertility, spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and morphology. High
levels of blood sugar may affect sperm quality and reduce the potential for male fertility. Increased levels
of sperm DNA damage are often associated with reduced count and motility or abnormal morphology.
This experimental study was conducted at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. In this work, 40 mice
(C57BL/6) were divided randomly into 4 groups: 1) Control, 2) Diabetic, 3) Diabetic + Insulin, and 4)
Sham. After 35 days, the right epididymis of all specimens was used for Real-Time PCR and the left
epididymis for evaluation of sperm parameters using Aniline blue, Toluidine blue, Papanicolaou, and
immunohistochemical study. Also, testes were applied for immunohistochemical, TUNEL studies, and
biochemical assay. Results of this study showed that chromatin integrity, morphology, cation channels
of sperm (Catsper) expression, and biochemical factors level were significantly changed in diabetic mice
in comparison to other groups (P<0.05) and treatment with insulin improved these parameters. Our
findings showed that the sperm parameters such as DNA integrity, morphology, and Catsper expression
change in diabetic mice.
Influences of Rapamycin on Retinal Ganglion Cells in Rats with Acute High
Intraocular Pressure Through Regulating COX-2
Authors: Yanlin Gao  , Xiaoe Fan  , Bing Wan  , Haoqing Li  , Xueying Shi  , Yifeng Ke
Published: July 2022

The study aimed to explore the influences of rapamycin on the retinal ganglion cells in rats with acute
high intraocular pressure through regulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were
randomly assigned to the normal group (n=12), model group (n=12) and rapamycin group (n=12). The
rats in the normal group were normally fed, those in the model group were prepared the model of acute
high intraocular pressure and injected with normal saline, and those in the rapamycin group were given
rapamycin. At 7 d after the operation, sampling was performed. The expressions of COX-2 and
Caspase-3 were detected via immunohistochemistry, and their protein expressions were determined
using Western blotting (WB). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to measure
the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels, and cell apoptosis was evaluated using
terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The content of
interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was determined via enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with those in the normal group, the positive expression levels
rose substantially in the other two groups, and those in the rapamycin group were notably lower
(p<0.05). The relative protein expression levels in the model group and rapamycin group were higher,
and the rapamycin group exhibited remarkable decreases (p<0.05). In comparison with the normal
group, the other two groups had considerably raised relative mRNA expression levels and those in the
rapamycin group were lower (p<0.05). The cells in the model and rapamycin groups had a higher
apoptosis rate, and the apoptosis rate of cells in the rapamycin group was lower (p<0.05). Compared
with that in the normal group, the content of IL-6 and TNF-α was elevated in the other two groups and
their content in the rapamycin group was lower. Rapamycin inhibits COX-2 to repress inflammation and
apoptosis, thereby exerting a protective effect on the retinal ganglion cells in rats with acute high
intraocular pressure.
Regulation of Transcription Factor YAP-TEAD by Non-coding RNA LINC00857
and the Inhibitory Effects on Ovarian Cancer Cell Proliferation
Authors: Xueke Lin  , Ping Li  , Dilu Feng  , Jinyang Zheng  , Guilian Chen  , Xiaohui Wu  , Zhenzhu Dong  , Yuchun Lv
Published: July 2022

This study was aimed to explore the expression and mechanism of the transcription factor YAP-TEAD
in the Hippo signaling pathway under the regulation of non-coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
LINC00857 in the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, so as to provide a scientific research basis for
clinical diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. In the study, the ovarian cancer cell lines (BT 549)
were rolled into a control group (normal culture-defined as BT549/NC) and a response group
(transfected with non-coding RNA LINC00857 cultured cells-defined as BT 549YAP cells). The
expression and proliferation ability of the transcription factor YAP-TEAD in the two groups of cancer
cells were analyzed and compared. The results showed that the YAP-TEAD expression rate was the
highest in Bt549 cells; the YAP content grade (0.18) in BT 549-YAP cells was lower than BT 549/NC
(0.2) after transfection (P< 0.05); and the apoptotic rate of the response group (80%) was higher than
that of the control group (25%) after the intervention. With the extension of culture time, the expression
of CCN1 mRNA decreased (P< 0.05), and CCN2 mRNA increased (P< 0.05). After 12, 24, 36, and 48
hours, the apoptosis rate of the reaction group at different time points was higher than that of the control
group (P< 0.01). When YAP-TEAD was down-regulated, the in vitro proliferation ability of BT 549-
YAP cells was weakened compared with BT 549/NC and parental cells. It was concluded that the noncoding
RNA LINC00857 can target the transcription factor YAP-TEAD in the Hippo signaling pathway
to decrease its expression, thus inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells, and
promoting cell apoptosis.
Predictive factors for re-bleeding of esophageal varices in hospitalized patients
Authors: Han Yaru  , ZuJin Mei  , Li Kaixin  , Chen Ruyue  , Liu Mingshu
Published: July 2022

Bleeding due to esophageal varices is associated with high mortality and hospital costs. The incidence of
morbidity and mortality can be reduced with appropriate treatment measures by identifying the
predictors of re-bleeding at admission. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the risk factors for rebleeding
in hospitalized esophageal varices patients using factors included in the Child Turcotte Pugh
(CTP) scoring system. In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients were evaluated for bleeding from
esophageal varices. Some characteristics and variables were recorded, including age, gender, cause of
disease, CTP classification score, and clinical, endoscopic, and laboratory findings. Patients were
divided into two groups with and without bleeding from esophageal varices, and predictive factors were
identified in both groups. Besides, a genetic predictor factor, i.e. plasminogen activator inhibitor type I
(PAI-1), was evaluated by the Real-time PCR technique. Sixty-eight patients in the non-re-bleeding
group with a mean age of 49.88 ± 16.42 years and 32 patients with a mean age of 54.22 ± 19.81 years
were in the group with re-bleeding. Varicose vein size, encephalopathy, ascites, and CTP classification
had a predictive effect on re-bleeding. Twelve people were in class A, 59 people in class B and 29
people in class C had CTP classification. The sensitivity of CTP, PAI-1 gene expression, and bilirubin in
prediction through the ROC chart were calculated to be more than 85%, 61.4%, and 62%, respectively.
In general, determining the degree and score of CTP at the time of referral of a patient with varicose
hemorrhage provides valuable information on the risk of bleeding. Patients with class B CTP were
strongly susceptible to re-bleeding in this study. Also, with increased bilirubin or ascites and more
severe encephalopathy, the risk of bleeding is higher, and these people should be followed up.
The inhibitory effect of neurotropin on inflammation in rats with lumbar disc herniation based on the c-JNK/CXCL1 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhenyu Wu  , Shaohua Gong  , Yuxin Zheng  , He Liang
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of neurotropin on inflammation in
rats with lumbar disc herniation. For this purpose, forty-eight rats were randomly divided into sham
group, autologous nucleus pulposus transplantation model group (NP group), neurotropin treatment
group (NP+NT group), and solvent [normal saline (NS)] control group (NP+NS group). After 7 days of
intervention, the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency
(PWL) of the rats were measured, and the expression levels of Iba-1, c-JNK and CXCL1 in spinal cord
tissues were measured by Western blot. The levels of tissue-associated inflammatory and antiinflammatory
factors in the spinal cord were detected by ELISA. Results showed that Neurotropin
significantly alleviated mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia induced by NP transplantation and reduced
levels of Iba-1, c-JNK, and CXCL1 proteins in the spinal cord tissue. In addition, neurotoxins also
lowered concentrations of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. It was concluded that
Neurotropin has an inhibitory effect on lumbar disc herniation-induced spinal cord inflammation
through inhibition of the c-JNK/CXCL signaling pathway.
Effect of miR-223-3p on cell pyroptosis in myelodysplastic syndrome and its
mechanism via regulating the expression of NLRP3
Authors: Wanyi Yin  , Yang Shen  , Lihong Zhang  , Jianying Wang  , Liu Yang  , Qingchi Liu
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of the miR-223-3p/NLRP3 signaling axis in
the progression of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). For this purpose, SKM-1 cells were transfected
and three groups were set up according to different transfection protocols: si-NC group (NLRP3
silencing negative control plasmid), si-NLRP3 group (NLRP3 silencing plasmid), miR-223-3p mimic-
NC group (miR-223-3p overexpressing negative control plasmid), miR-223-3p mimic group (miR-223-
3p overexpressing plasmid), miR-223-3p mimic+oe-NLRP3 group and miR-223-3p mimic+oe-NLRP3
group (NLRP3 silencing combined with miR-223-3p overexpressing plasmid). Normal bone marrow
cells were used as the control. qRT-PCR was used to detect relative expressions of NLRP3 and miR-
223-3p; and Western blot to detect Ki67, Caspase-1, Gasdermin D, IL-1β, IL-18 and MMP-9
expressions. Cell proliferation detection used CCK-8 assay, cell cycle distribution detection adopted
flow cytometry, and cell migration and invasion analyses relied on Transwell assay. Dual-luciferase
reporter assay verified the relationship between NLRP3 and miR-223-3p. An animal experiment was
finally conducted to confirm the results obtained in cells. Results showed that compared with normal
bone marrow cells and K562 cells, there were significantly upregulated NLRP3 expression and
upregulated expression of miR-223-3p in SKM-1 cells (all P<0.05). Compared with the si-NC group
and mimic-NC group respectively, the si-NLRP3 group and miR-223-3p mimic group showed inhibited
proliferation, blocked cells in the G0/M phase, reduced cells in S phase, inhibited cell invasion and
migration, decreased expressions of Ki67, Caspase-1, Gasdermin D, IL-1β and IL-18, and MMP-9 (all
P<0.05). NLRP3 was the direct target of miR-223-3p. Moreover, compared with the miR-223-3p mimic
group, the miR-223-3p mimic+oe-NLRP3 group showed increased expressions of NLRP3, Ki67,
Caspase-1, Gasdermin D, IL-1β, IL-18 and MMP-9, promoted proliferation, invasion and migration, and
increased cells in S phase (all P<0.05). The animal test revealed that compared with the mimic-NC+ oe-
NC group, miR-223-3p mimic+ oe-NC group showed reduced tumor volume and decreased Ki67
expression (both P<0.05); while compared with miR-223-3p mimic+ oe-NC group, miR-223-3p mimic+
oe-NLRP3 group had increased tumor volume and increased Ki67 expression (both P<0.05). It was
concluded that overexpression of miR-223-3p can effectively inhibit the expression of NLRP3 and cell
pyroptosis in MDS.
SIRT1 regulates hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes via
PI3K/MTOR signaling
Authors: Bocong Ma  , Bingyan Guo  , Zhiyan Chen  , Yongjun  Li
Published: July 2022

This work was developed to investigate the activation of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) to
regulate hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes through the PI3K/MTOR signaling
pathway. For this purpose, 30 SD healthy rats were selected, and 10 of them were randomly selected as
the control group. The remaining 20 rats were established as acute myocardial infarction model rats, and
randomly divided into model group and activated SIRT1 group. Interventions were performed on rats in
each of the 3 groups. ROS staining, inflammatory factors [IL-6, IL-1β levels], H9c2 cell viability,
Caspase3 and Caspase8 activity, antioxidant enzyme indexes [SOD, CAT, MDA levels], SIRT1, PI3K,
MTOR, HIF-1α, HO-1, GLUT1 mRNA expression were compared between groups. Results showed that
IL-6 and IL-1β levels were abnormally elevated in the model group compared with the control group
(P<0.05). IL-6 and IL-1β levels decreased in the activated SIRT1 group compared with the model group
(P<0. 05). H9c2 cell viability decreased and Caspase3 and Caspase8 activities increased in the model
group compared with the control group(P <0.05). H9c2 cell viability increased and Caspase3 and
Caspase8 activities decreased in the activated SIRT1 group compared with the model group (P<0.05).
SOD and CAT levels were abnormally decreased and MDA levels were abnormally increased in the
model group compared with the control group (P<0.05). SOD and CAT levels were abnormally
increased and MDA levels were decreased in the activated SIRT1 group compared with the model group
(P<0.05). PI3K and SIRT1 expression decreased and MTOR expression increased in the model group
compared with the control group (P < 0. 05). PI3K and SIRT1 expression increased and MTOR
expression decreased in the activated SIRT1 group compared with the model group(P<0.05). The
expression of HIF-1α, HO-1 and GLUT1 mRNA increased in the model group compared with the
control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). The expression of HIF-1α, HO-
1, and GLUT1 mRNA decreased in the activated SIRT1 group compared with the model group, and the
difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). It was concluded that the activation of SIRT1 can
regulate PI3K/MTOR signaling pathway, thus reducing hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in
cardiomyocytes, inflammatory conditions and enhancing cardiomyocyte viability, with better
intervention effects.
Expression and significance of TOLL2, TARC and MDC in placenta tissue of
pregnant patients infected with syphilis
Authors: Juan  Cao  , An'er Chen
Published: July 2022

This study was developed to investigate the expression of TOLL2, TARC and MDC in placenta tissue
of pregnant patients infected with syphilis and their clinical significance. For this aim, placenta samples
were collected from five pregnant patients co-infected with syphilis and five undergoing full-term
delivery before RT-PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of TLR2, TARC and MDC
genes. The protein expression of TLR2, TARC and MDC genes was examined by Western Blotting.
Results showed that TLR2, TARC and MDC were expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblast cells of
patients with pregnancy-associated syphilis infection. TLR2 level was found significantly higher in
placenta tissue of patients with pregnancy-associated syphilis infection compared with normal placenta
tissue (P<0.05), so were TARC (P<0.05) and MDC genes (P<0.05). It is concluded that TOLL2, TARC
and MDC levels significantly increased in the placenta tissue of pregnant patients infected with syphilis,
suggesting that the three genes were involved in the molecular pathology of the patients.
Interpersonal affect in groupwork: A comparative case study of two small groups with contrasting group dynamics outcomes
Authors: Jones Cheryl , Volet Simone , Pino-Pasternak Deborah , Heinimäki Olli-Pekka
Published: August 2022

Teamwork capabilities are essential for 21st century life, with groupwork emerging as a fruitful context to develop these skills. Case studies that explore interpersonal affect dynamics in authentic higher education groupwork settings can highlight collaborative skills development needs. This comparative case-study traced the sociodynamic evolution of two groups of first-year university students to investigate the high collaborative variance outcomes of the two groups, which reported starkly contrasting group dynamics (negative and dysfunctional or positive and collaborative). Mixed-methods (video-recorded observations of five groupwork labs over one semester, and group interviews) provided interpersonal affect data as real-time visible behaviours, and the felt experiences and perceptions of  participants. The study traced interpersonal affect dynamics in the natural fluctuation of not just task-focused (on-task), but also explicitly relational (off-task) interactions, which revealed their function in both task participation and group dynamics. Findings illustrate visible interpersonal affect behaviours that manifested and evolved over time as interactive patterns, and group dynamics outcomes. Fine-grained analysis of interactions unveiled interpersonal affect as a collective, evolving process, and the mechanism through which one group started and stayed highly positive and collaborative over the semester. The other group showed a tendency towards splitting to undertake tasks early, leading to low group-level interpersonal attentiveness, and over time, subgroups emerged through interactions both off-task and on-task. The study made visible the pervasive nature of interpersonal affect as enacted through seemingly inconsequential everyday behaviours that supported the relational and task-based needs of groupwork, and those behaviours which impeded collaboration.
La materia e la creazione del mondo nel De opificio mundi di Filone di Alessandria
Authors: De Luca Ludovica
Published: August 2022

Following the traces of some references to pre-existing matter in the Septuagint, the article analyses the interpretation of Gen 1, 2a in Philo of Alexandria’s De opificio mundi with a focus on his omission of the ἀκατασκεύαστος character of the earth. Philo’s interpretation is closely linked to his conception of emptiness and to his pioneering defence of a creation ex nihilo. In his cosmology, which is articulated as a dual interpretation of the Genesis and Plato’s Timaeus, the matter plays an essential role. Philo justifies its existence on Aristotelian-Stoic grounds, highlighting the process of gradual refinement whereby matter passes from being a rough ὕλη to being an elaborate type of οὐσία.
Santa Banta jokes: the intersection between humor, religion and the law
Authors: Gangwar Shivangi
Published: August 2022

Santa and Banta jokes are the mainstay of most Indian childhoods. Santa and Banta were used as stage names by the comedian duo Gurprit and Prabhpreet Singh but somewhere along the line, they turned into fictional characters in their own right and acquired pan-Indian fame. The defining characteristics of Santa and Banta jokes are that both are simple-minded middle-aged men belonging to the Sikh religious community. Most Indians consider these jokes lame but many Sikhs find them to be offensive and demeaning, not because of what is said but because of who says it. In 2015, Harvinder Chowdhury, a Sikh lawyer, petitioned the Supreme Court of India to ban the online dissemination of the Santa and Banta jokes. The Court admitted the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition and constituted a committee to look into this matter, before ultimately dismissing the petition in 2017, without judging it on merits. This paper will examine this specific attempt of the Indian judiciary to regulate humor, within the broader context of freedom to religion and free speech. It will study the arguments raised in the PIL, the recommendations of the committee, and the observations of the Court. No study has been done of the relationship between law and humor in India. This paper will examine whether the Court missed an opportunity to contribute to the virtually non-existent humor jurisprudence in India. Last year a children’s book The Art of Tying a Pug was withdrawn by its publishers because of the backlash it faced from the Sikh community on the wordplay in its title, which referred to the dog breed and the turban (pag or pagdi) worn by Sikhs. This incident is illustrative of the chilling effect on humor publications and the current publishers’ strategy of withdrawing the material deemed offensive instead of submitting it for judicial determination. Could a decision on merits in the Santa and Banta jokes case have laid down guidelines on what was acceptable and what was offensive? What would such guidelines be? Is the laying down of guidelines even possible, or desirable, given the unique set of issues presented by humor for the law? Ethnic jokes, in the form of minority-majority community jokes, are found in cultures all over the world. This paper will also undertake a comparative analysis of ethnic jokes in an attempt to answer these questions.
The effect of dosage nanosilica and the particle size of porcelanite aggregate concrete on mechanical and microstructure properties
Authors: Ahmed Sahar I. , Al-Adili Aqeel Sh. , Hameed Awham M.
Published: August 2022

Several research studies have been conducted on the usage of nanoscale silica particles in concrete, based on the success of employing silica fume as an active pozzolan in concrete. The impact of several doses of nanosilicas (NpSs) in powder having a certain surface area of 160 m2/g and two particle sizes of porcelanite rock on the mechanical characteristics of lightweight porcelanite aggregate concrete was investigated. The addition of NpS particles significantly improved the workability of mixes, according to the results. The compressive strength of samples was influenced by NpS, with higher doses of NpS resulting in greater improvement. Porcelanite aggregate concrete’s compressive strength was unaffected by a modest percentage of different NpSs. NpS had an effect on the samples. Flexural strength also improved at all NpS dosages. The flexural strength of porcelanite aggregate concrete increased by a low percentage of various NpS.
Crystal structure of N
2,N
4-dimesitylpentane-2,4-diamine, C23H34N2
Authors: Wallach Christoph , Klein Wilhelm , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: August 2022

C23H34N2, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 15.2448(11) Å, b = 8.2189(5) Å, c = 16.7350(16) Å, β = 103.133(7)°, V = 2042.0(3) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0438, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1277, T = 150 K.
Crystal structure of 5,5′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-imidazol-3-ium) bis(2-(2-(carboxymethyl)phenyl)acetate), C32H30N4O8
Authors: Lu Zhi-Qiang
Published: August 2022

C32H30N4O8, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 9.4698(10) Å, b = 10.9797(12) Å, c = 14.0366(15) Å, β = 96.807(1)°, V = 1449.2(3) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt
(F) = 0.0392, ωRref
(F
2) = 0.1087, T = 293(2) K.