bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Process information transferring for cutting paths in laser manufacturing
Authors: Hu Qirui , Lin Zhiwei , Liu Jihui , Fu Jianzhong
Published: May 2022

In laser manufacturing, the cutting parameters, such as laser power, cutting speed, assist gas pressure and stand off distance, have a great influence on the quality of the machined parts. To ensure the quality of the machined part, the process information (cutting parameters) need to be manually assigned and adjusted according to the different geometry characters of the part edges, like are and line segment. The part contours are then used for generating the laser cutting paths, leaving the process information behand. Quickly and accurately transferring the process information to the corresponding cutting paths is not an easy task. In this paper, an algorithm is proposed for this task. The proposed algorithm passes information by the points in the cutting paths. First, all part edges containing process information are offset to generate closed contours. Then, whether the points in the cutting paths are included in the closed contours are judged and marked. Finally, the information as NC codes through the adjacent points in the cutting paths is outputted. To simplify the computation work, a fast approach is also proposed to determine whether the point cloud is contained in a closed contour. The feasibility and computational efficiency of the proposed algorithms are verified by examples, and the actual cutting comparison verifies the superiority of the proposed algorithm by cutting details of machined parts.
BET inhibitor blocks the oncogenic function of nucleophosmin 1 in castration-resistant prostate cancer by interfering with the c-Myc signaling pathway
Authors: Hong zhe , Xu Chengdang , Wang Xinan , Jiang Huiyang , Ma Junjie , Wang Lichen , Chen Xi , Ye Liefu , Wu Denglong
Published: May 2022

Background: Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) is a multifunctional protein that promotes tumor progression in some solid tumors and has also been reported to be capable of predicting poor prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa). However, whether and how NPM1 exerts such malignant potentials in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remain elusive. Methods: The effects of NPM1 on PCa and CRPC and the intervention of BET inhibitors were investigated by detecting the proliferation and invasion of PCa and CRPC cells in vitro using MTS, transwell and colony formation assays, and the tumor growth in castrated NOD/SCID mice. Expression levels of related genes involved in signaling pathways were examined by western blot and qRT-PCR assays in vitro, and immunohistochemical staining analysis in patient PCa specimens. The interaction between NPM1 and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) was determined by coimmunoprecipitation assays.Results: we showed that NPM1 was overexpressed in PCa and CRPC cells and tissues and that the dysregulation of NPM1 promoted PCa and CRPC cell proliferation and invasion. We also demonstrated that NPM1 transcriptionally upregulated c-Myc expression in CRPC cells. Furthermore, we detected a positive correlation between NPM1 and c-Myc expressions in patient PCa specimens. Importantly, the NPM1-upregulated c-My expression was diminished by blockade of BRD4 in CRPC cells, and treatment with bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitor JQ1 combined with NPM1 inhibition suppressed the malignant progression of CRPC in vitro and in vivo.Conclusion: These results indicate a novel mechanism by which NPM1 promotes CRPC progression through the c-Myc-mediated signaling pathway via BRD4 and that NPM1 may be a previously unrecognized PCa driver gene that could be a potential target for PCa and CRPC treatment, and that BET inhibitors combined with NPM1 inhibition may also be an alternative strategy for CRPC treatment.
Clinical prognosis of lung cancer in patients with moderate chronic kidney disease Running title: lung cancer in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kim Taehee , Kim Sang Hyuk , Choi Hayoung , Shin Tae Rim , Kim Hwan Il , Jang Seung Hun , Hong Ji Young , Lee Myung Goo , Chung Soojie , Hyun In Gyu , Sim Yun Su
Published: May 2022

Backgrounds: The clinical outcomes of patients with lung cancer coexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD) reported have been conflicting. In addition, there is insufficient evidence for treatment and prognosis of lung cancer according to renal function in patients with CKD. We evaluate clinical course and prognostic factors of lung cancer according to the renal function of moderate CKD patients. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study of lung cancer patients with moderate CKD was performed. Moderate CKD was defined as and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. CKD was classified as stage 3 (eGFR of 30–60 mL/min/1.73 m2), stage 4 (eGFR of 15–30 mL/min/1.73 m2), and stage 5 (eGFR of <15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or need of dialysis). The cumulative mortality was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the risk factors were explored by the Cox proportional hazards model.Results: Among the lung cancer patients with moderate CKD (n = 181), the incidence of mortality was 83%. Median overall survival (OS) was 10.2 (3.3–28.3) months for all CKD patients, 11.1 (4.2–31.3) months for stage 3 CKD patients, 6.0 (1.8–16.3) months for stage 4 CKD patients, and 4.7 (2.1–40.1) months for stage 5 CKD patients (p = 0.060). Cox regression analysis revealed that age ≥75 years (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.658; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.148–2.394) and stage IV NSCLC (adjusted HR 3.198; 95% CI 2.136–4.788) were associated with increased mortality risk, whereas adenocarcinoma (adjusted HR 0.513; 95% CI 0.325–0.810) and stage 3 CKD (adjusted HR 0.566; 95% CI 0.383–0.837) were associated with decreased mortality risk.Conclusions: Mortality risk of patients with lung cancer was lower in stage 3 CKD compared stage 4 or 5 CKD.
Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy: Can Retroperitoneal Approach Suit for Renal Tumors of All Locations？—A Large Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Lv Xiangjun , Jia Zhuo , Ao Liyan , Ren Changhao , Wu Yangyang , Xu Yunlai , Chen Ke , Gao Yu , Wang Baojun , Ma Xin , Zhang Xu
Published: May 2022

Background: This study aimed to explore the appropriate location of renal tumors for retroperitoneal approach. Material/Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1040 patients with renal tumor who were treated at our institution and had underwent retroperitoneal robotic assisted-laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Clinical features and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Results: Patients with incomplete data were excluded, and we included 896 patients in total. The median tumor size was 3.0 (range: 0.8–10.0) cm. The median RENAL Nephrometry Score was 7 (range: 4–11), and the median PADUA Nephrometry Score was 8 (range: 6–14). The median surgical time was 120 min, and the median warm ischemia time was 18 min. The median estimated blood loss was 50 ml. The follow-up time was 20.2 (range: 12–69) months. The mean change of eGFR 1 year after operation was 14.6%±19.0% compared with preoperative eGFR. When compared the tumor at different locations, as superior or inferior pole, anterior of posterior face of kidney, there were no significant differences of intra- and post-operative outcomes such as surgical time, warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss, removal time of drainage tube and catheter, postoperative feeding time and hospital stay, and changes of eGFR one year after surgery. We also compared tumors at special locations as endophytic or exophytic, anterior of posterior hilus of kidney, there were no significant differences in surgical time, warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss and changes of eGFR. There was no significant difference in intraoperative features and postoperative outcomes when tumor larger than 4 cm was located at different positions of kidney. Though the surgical time was longer when BMI ≥28 (132.6 min vs. 122.5 min, p=0.004), no significant differences were observed in warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss, changes in eGFR. Twenty-seven patients (3.0%) had tumor progression, including 8 (0.9%) recurrence, 19 (2.1%) metastasis, and 9 (1.0%) death. Conclusions: Retroperitoneal approach for RAPN has confirmed acceptable intra- and postoperative outcomes and suits for renal tumors of all different locations. Large tumor size and obesity are not contraindications for rRAPN.
Increased plasma lipids in triple-negative breast cancer and impairment in HDL functionality in advanced stages of tumors
Authors: Sawada Maria Isabela Bloise Alves Caldas , Santana Monique F. Mello , Reis Mozania , Assis Sayonara , Pereira Lucas Alves , Santos Daniele Ribeiro , Nunes Valéria Sutti , Correa-Giannella Maria Lucia Cardillo , Gebrim Luiz Henrique , Passarelli Marisa
Published: May 2022

Background: the association between plasma lipids and breast cancer (BC) has been extensively explored although results are still conflicting especially regarding the relationship with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) levels. HDL mediates cholesterol and oxysterol removal from cells limiting sterols necessary for tumor growth, inflammation, and metastasis and this may not be reflected by measuring HDLc. Methods: we addressed recently diagnosed, treatment-naïve BC women (n=163), classified according to molecular types of tumors and clinical stages of the disease, in comparison to control women (CTR; n=150) regarding plasma lipids and lipoproteins, HDL functionality and composition in lipids, oxysterols and apo A-I. HDL was isolated by plasma discontinuous density gradient ultracentrifugation. Lipids (total cholesterol, TC; triglycerides, TG; and phospholipids, PL) were determined by enzymatic assays, apo A-I by immunoturbidimetry, and oxysterols (27, 25, and 24-hydroxycholesterol), by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. HDL-mediated cell cholesterol removal was determined in macrophages previously overloaded with cholesterol and 14C-cholesterol. Results: lipid profile was similar between CTR and BC groups after adjustment per age. In the BC group, lower concentrations of TC (84%), TG (93%), PL (89%), and 27-hydroxicholesterol (61%) were observed in HDL, although the lipoprotein ability in removing cell cholesterol was similar to HDL from CRT. Triple-negative (TN) BC cases presented higher levels of TC, TG, apoB, and non-HDLc when compared to other molecular types. Impaired HDL functionality was observed in more advanced BC cases (stages III and IV), as cholesterol efflux was around 28% lower as compared to stages I and II. Conclusios: the altered lipid profile in TN cases may contribute to channeling lipids to tumor development in a hystotype with a more aggressive clinical history. Moreover, findings reinforce the dissociation between plasma levels of HDLc and HDL functionality in determining BC outcomes.
Study on the effect of mechanical shearing on the microstructure and performance of lithium complex grease
Authors: Hu Jintao , Han Yiming , Zhang Enhui , Li Weimin , Wang Jing , Wang Xiaobo
Published: May 2022

This paper focuses on the effect of mechanical shearing on the structure and properties of complex lithium greases with or without zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP). The base grease and grease with additives were first mechanically sheared by a roller shear tester, and then the tribological properties, rheological properties, micro-structure changes and noise properties of the samples were tested by a four-ball tester, rheometer, field emission scanning electron microscope and Bequiet+ noise tester, respectively. The results indicated that mechanical shear significantly reduced the mechanical stability and colloidal stability of the lithium grease, and the tribological properties of the two greases (with or without ZDDP) showed opposite trends. The rheological performance test showed that the structural strength of the grease was significantly reduced and the micro-structure became loose after shearing. In addition, the grease containing ZDDP showed a slight decrease in noise compared to the base grease due to the favorable reduction of the intermediate frequency of the complex lithium grease. This study provided theoretical guidance for the precise design and performance optimization of low noise greases.
Evaluation of outcome of chemotherapy for breast cancer patients older than 70 years: A SEER-based study
Authors: Pu Shengyu , Xie Peiling , Chen Heyan , Li Yijun , He Jianjun , Zhang Huimin
Published: May 2022

Background: With the aging of the population, the number of elderly breast cancer cases has increased. However, there is a lack of effective randomized clinical trial data to support whether elderly patients should receive chemotherapy. Our goal was to observe the relationship between chemotherapy and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) in elderly breast cancer patients and to identify those who could benefit from chemotherapy.Methods: We collected the data of patients who were diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and older than 70 in the SEER database from 1995 to 2016. The independent predictors of BCSS were identified by Cox univariate and multivariate regression. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to eliminate confounding factors.Results: A total of 142,537 elderly breast cancer patients were collected from the SEER database, including 21,782 patients in the chemotherapy group and 120,755 patients in the non-chemotherapy group. We identified the same potential predictors of BCSS by Cox regression analysis after PSM and IPTW, and a nomogram for predicting 3-year, 5-year and 10-year BCSS was constructed. The nomogram has been verified to have good predictive performance. According to the risk stratification of model predictive scores, patients in the high-risk group achieved the greatest improvement in BCSS after receiving chemotherapy.Conclusions: Our study suggests that women older than 70 years with larger tumors, higher grade, positive nodes, negative hormone receptor and inactive local therapy gain prognostic benefits from chemotherapy, but for those with low- and median-risk, conventional chemotherapy should be administered cautiously.
Growth Characteristics and Phycobiliprotein Production of Indigenous Cyanobacteria from Malaysia
Authors: Tan Hui Teng , Yusoff Fatimah , Khaw Yam Sim , Nazarudin Muhammad Farhan , Mazli Nur Amira Izyan Noor , Ahmad Siti Aqlima , Shaharuddin Noor Azmi , Toda Tatsuki
Published: May 2022

Some cyanobacteria species have a high capacity for accumulating phycobiliprotein contents in their cells. However, there is a lack of information on the screening of tropical freshwater cyanobacteria, particularly phycobiliproteins. In addition, it is unclear which cellular factor of cyanobacteria (morphological and/or growth) could affect phycobiliproteins production. Hence, the objectives of this study were to isolate and screen the Malaysian indigenous cyanobacteria for the desired growth, biomass and pigment contents of the isolated cyanobacteria and determine the main internal factor that contributed to the variation of phycobiliproteins. The surface/volume (S/V) ratio, specific growth rate, biomass productivity and pigment contents were analysed. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to distinguish the factor responsible for phycobiliprotein variations in cyanobacteria. Synechocystis sp. demonstrated significantly higher (P < 0.05) specific growth rates and biomass productivity than the other cyanobacteria. For the phycobiliprotein contents, Arthrospira sp., Pseudanabaena sp., and Synechococcus elongatus showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) amounts of phycocyanin (PC), phycoerythrin (PE) and allophycocyanin (APC), respectively, than the other cyanobacteria. The present study suggested that Arthrospira sp., Pseudanabaena sp. and Synechococcus elongatus are suitable candidates for commercial production of PC, PE and APC sources, respectively. Moreover, the current findings showed that the phycobiliprotein contents of cyanobacteria were strain-dependent. Further analyses are required to examine the toxicity of these cyanobacteria to ensure these pigments are safe to be consumed or utilised.
Development of algorithms to identify individuals with Neurofibromatosis type 1 within administrative data and electronic medical records in Ontario, Canada.
Authors: Barnett Carolina , Candido Elisa , Chen Branson , Pequeno Priscila , Parkin Patricia , Tu Karen
Published: May 2022

Background: There is limited population-based data on Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) in North America. We aimed to develop and validate algorithms using administrative health data and electronic medical records (EMRs) to identify individuals with NF1 in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted an electronic free-text search of 15 commonly-used terms related to NF1 in the Electronic Medical Records Primary Care Database. Records were reviewed by two trained abstractors who classified them as confirmed, possible, and not NF1. An investigator with clinical expertise performed final NF1 classification. Patients were classified as confirmed if there was a documented diagnosis, meeting NIH criteria. Patients were classified as possible if 1) NF1 was recorded in the cumulative patient profile, but no clinical information to support the diagnosis; 2) only one criterion for diagnosis (e.g. child of confirmed case) but no further data to confirm or rule out. We tested different combinations of outpatient and inpatient billing codes, and applied a free-text search algorithm to identify NF1 cases in administrative data and EMRs, respectively.Results: Of 273,440 eligible patients, 2,058 had one or more NF1 terms in their medical records. The terms “NF”, “café-au-lait”, or “sheath tumour” were constrained to appear in combination with another NF1 term. This resulted in 837 patients: 37 with possible and 71 with confirmed NF1. The population prevalence ranged from 1 in 3851 (confirmed NF1) to 1 in 2532 (possible and confirmed NF1). Billing code algorithms had poor performance, with overall low PPV (highest being 71%). The accuracy of the free-text EMR algorithm in identifying patients with NF1 was: sensitivity 85% (95% CI:74-92%), specificity 100% (95% CI:100-100%), positive predictive value 80% (95% CI:69-88%), negative predictive value 100% (95% CI:100-100%), and false positive rate 20% (95% CI:11-33%). Of false positives, 53% were possible NF1. Conclusions: A free-text search algorithm within the EMR had high sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. Algorithms using billing codes had poor performance, likely due to the lack of NF-specific codes for outpatient visits. While NF1 ICD-9 and 10 codes are used for hospital admissions, only ~30% of confirmed NF1 cases had a hospitalization associated with an NF1 code.
Changes in the Characteristics of China's Arid Region across Spatial and Temporal in the Background of Global Warming and ENSO
Authors: Qi Zhanshuo , Jiang Yutong , Ju Juanli , Guo Ning , Cui Chenfeng
Published: May 2022

Arid region is sensitive to changes in precipitation, while global warming and El Niño-Southern Oscillation strongly influence worldwide hydrometeorological processes. Temporal and spatial changes of characteristics including precipitation, annual mean temperature and area in China's arid region were analyzed, using daily precipitation and temperature data from 117 meteorological stations of 1961-2016. The results show that: (1) During the past 56 years, the precipitation in the arid region have shown an increasing trend. The annual and quarterly precipitation all exist a cycle of about 4 years. (2) The area of ​​the arid region has been on a downward trend since 1968, decreased significantly after 1998. There are two main cycles of 13 years and 5 years in the area of ​​arid region. During the study period, the center of the arid region’s precipitation moved 0.14° to the north and 0.77° to the east. (3) During the past 56 years, increasing of the arid region’s temperature has been more obvious than the average temperature increasing in China. In 1990, the annual average temperature in arid region changed from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend and there is a negative correlation between the area of arid region and the annual mean temperature, which is significant at the 0.01 level. (4) The degree of precipitation response to ENSO in the eastern part of the arid region is more obvious than that in the western part. El Niño events extended the size of China's arid region and increased the average precipitation in the arid region. The precipitation of the east increased more than the west. And La Niña events significantly reduced the area of ​​the arid region, with more precipitation than the average in the eastern part and less precipitation in the western part. The impact of ENSO is one of the reasons for the arid region's center of precipitation shifting eastward.
Infrared and Visible image fusion using LatLRR and ResNet
Authors: Prema G. , Arivazhagan S. , Aishwarya C. , Dharani S.
Published: May 2022

Image fusion is a notable concern in the image processing field which helps to produce a resultant image by amalgamating all the features from one or more source images. We envisioned an infrared (IR) and visible (VIS) image fusion technique combining (Latent Low Rank Representation) LatLRR and ResNet to mitigate the loss of contrast, texture, spectral, and spatial details in the resultant image. The fused image seems to be more appropriate and obvious for human and machine vision perception. Using LatLRR, the source images are initially broken down into saliency and latent low rank parts. Then, using weighted-average method, the Latent Low Rank components are integrated. Fusion approach based on deep features is used to overcome the problem of information lost by using RESNET to extract multilayer features for the saliency part as this network has a skip connection which helps to gather information from every layer. After that, the deep features are normalized by nuclear norm, and preliminary weight maps are generated. Combining the original weight maps with a Soft-Max operation yields the final-weight maps. At last, by summing the fused Latent Low Rank component and the Saliency content, the fused image will be reconstructed. Both visual and quantitative performance evaluation is done for the proposed method with five existing methods and it is inferred from the results that the proposed method can well reconstruct the fused image without haloes and artifacts.
Adsorption of fungal ice-binding proteins to whole ice crystal surface is deficient for high thermal hysteresis activity but strongly inhibits ice recrystallization
Authors: Arai Tatsuya , Yamauchi Akari , Yang Yue , Singh Shiv Mohan , Sasaki Yuji C. , Tsuda Sakae
Published: May 2022

Many psychrophilic microorganisms synthesize ice-binding proteins (IBPs) for their cold-survival. The function of IBP is evaluated by its effect on the nonequilibrium water freezing-point depression called “thermal hysteresis (TH)” and inhibitory effect on the growth of numerous ice crystals called “ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI)”. To obtain mechanical insight of the two activities, here we developed a modified method of ice affinity purification and extracted two new IBP isoforms from Arctic glacier fungus Psychromyces glacialis. It was found that one isoform is approximately 25 kDa protein (PsgIBP_S), while the other is a 28 kDa larger protein (PsgIBP_L) that constructs an intermolecular dimer. Their TH activities were less than 1 °C at millimolar concentrations, implying that both isoforms are designated as the moderately active but not the hyperactive IBP species. It further appeared that both isoforms exhibit high ice-recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity even at sub-micromolar concentrations. Furthermore, they are capable of binding to whole surface of a hemispherical single ice crystal, although such manner of ice-binding was generally observed for hyperactive IBP species. These results suggest that IBP’s binding ability to whole ice crystal surface is deficient for the hyperactivity but is crucial for the significant IRI activity.
Matrine induces V-ATPase-dependent cytoplasmic vacuolation derived from lysosome and inhibits lysosome function in leukemia cells
Authors: Yang Fanfan , Zhong Wangjing , Cao Jialin , Tan Junyu , Li Bohong , Ma Lingdi
Published: May 2022

Matrine is a main component extracted from legumes and has extensive anti-cancer effects, but its molecular mechanism is unclear. In our study, we found that matrine can induce vacuolation of leukemia cells, whose occurrence was closely related to inhibition of cell proliferation. Interestingly, the vacuolization was reversed after the removal of matrine. Matrine-induced vacuoles are acidic in nature, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) revealed that these vacuoles mainly derived from the lysosome, the vacuoles acquire some characteristics of lysosome (LAMP1). RNA-seq showed that the expression of vacuolation-related genes and lysosomal-related genes were up-regulated, and the two parts highly overlapped. Western Blot and FACS confirmed that matrine inhibits the expression and activity of intracellular proteolytic enzymes. RT-qPCR and Western Blot showed that matrine significantly up-regulated the expression levels of V-ATPase subunit genes in cells, and V-ATPase inhibitor significantly reversed the occurrence of cell vacuoles. It is suggested that V-ATPase plays an important role in matrine-induced vacuoles. The molecular structure of matrine was further analyzed, and the protonation of matrine in lysosomes to activate V-ATPase may be the direct cause of the vacuoles, and it is also a new molecular mechanism of matrine against the proliferation of leukemia cells.
The influence of partner appearance in the assessment of a person with obesity. An experimental study
Authors: Magallares Alejandro , Peréz-Garín Daniel , Recio Patricia , Molero Fernando
Published: May 2022

Purpose: This study analyses whether knowing that an obese individual has a romantic relationship with a normal weight person improves impressions about him. Methods: An online experiment was conducted with a sample of 3,024 adult participants (1,828 women and 1,196 men) with a mean age of 36.11 (SD = 13.49). Each participant was shown two photographs: one of a male target with obesity and one of his female partner (who had either normal weight or obesity depending on the condition). The respondents’ gender was added as a fixed factor into the analyses. Physical attractiveness was rated using an item with a scale ranging from 0 to 100. Competence, warmth, and morality were measured using a 17-item adjective list.Results: The target was assessed as more attractive when he had a partner with normal weight (F(1, 3009) = 4.85, p = .028, η2 = .002), and was also given higher scores for competence (F(1, 3009) = 4.93, p = .026, η2= .002), warmth (F(1, 3009) = 4.32, p = .038, η2 = .001), and morality (F(1, 3009) = 11.16, p = .001, η2 = .004). There was a significant interaction between partner weight and the respondents’ gender for physical attractiveness, as the difference between the scores in each condition was only significant for women. Conclusion: It is possible that women perceived that the target who had a normal weight partner had a higher status or some hidden quality besides his physical appearance, and thus rated him as more attractive. Level of evidence: Level I, experimental study.
Attending pediatric acutely ill patients at home: families’ socioeconomic characterization, expectations, and experience
Authors: Batlle Astrid , Thió-Henestrosa Santiago , López Sandra , Moya Isabel , Fernández José Carlos , Fernandez-Sevilla Mariona , García-García Juan José
Published: May 2022

Purpose
To have a thorough understanding of an acute pediatric homecare program, it is essential to analyze all factors related to the matter: medical, social, economic, and families’ experience. No studies have been found describing profusely this topic in such a complex program like ours (considering diseases and treatments offered). With this study, we will obtain a fine population characterization and families’ needs understanding. This will contribute to a better knowledge of our program and the detection of its possible deficiencies.
Methods
This is a prospective quantitative and qualitative study. 372/532 families are asked to answer two independent questionnaires (preadmission and postadmission), aimed to: understand their socioeconomic characteristics; assess families’ expectations and experience; and identify factors influencing the homecare preference. Results are presented in frequencies and comparisons (Fisher’s exact test).
Results
Families have an adequate social network; workload is less than expected and most families would repeat the experience despite it; expectations regarding caregiver’s well-being at home were better than the actual situation, as some experienced anxiety or fear; and rating is better in homecare compared with inpatient care.
Conclusions
Despite limitations (participants’ voluntariness to respond the surveys and lack of inpatient hospitalization’s socioeconomic data to compare with homecare), this study offers the possibility of improving our service portfolio, focusing on vulnerable families’ access to the program and caregiver’s risk of burnout.
Early SGLT2 Inhibitor Use is Associated with Improved Left Atrial Reservoir and Contractile Function Following Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sehly Amro , He Albert , Ihdayhid Abdul Rahman , Grey Christine , O’Connor Scott , Green Gillian , Erickson Matthew , Rankin James M. , Fegan P. Gerry , Yeap Bu B. , Dwivedi Girish , S.R Nick
Published: May 2022

Purpose
Left atrial (LA) strain, a novel marker of LA function, reliably predicts diastolic dysfunction and outperforms conventional parameters. SGLT2 inhibitors improve heart failure outcomes, but limited data exists regarding their use in the immediate aftermath of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We studied the effect of empagliflozin on LA strain in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and ACS.
Methods
Patients with ACS and T2D were identified and empagliflozin was initiated in eligible patients prior to discharge. Patients not initiated on empagliflozin were analysed as a comparator group. A blinded investigator assessed LA strain using baseline and 3–6 month follow-up echocardiograms.
Results
Forty-four participants (n = 22 each group) completed the study. Baseline characteristics were similar (age 60.8 ± 9.5 vs 65.1 ± 10.4 years, LA volume 32.2 ± 9.4ml/m2 vs 35.2 ± 11.6ml/m2, left ventricular ejection fraction 51.1 ± 11.3% vs 54.9 ± 10.8%; p = NS) in the two groups, except HbA1c was higher in empagliflozin group (9.8 ± 1.6% vs 6.6 ± 0.7%, p < 0.001). Baseline LA strain was similar between groups (reservoir 28.0 ± 8.4% vs 29.2 ± 6.7%, conduit 14.5 ± 5.4% vs 12.8 ± 4.2%, contractile 13.5 ± 5.2% vs 16.5 ± 5.3%; p = NS). LA reservoir, conduit and contractile strain increased in empagliflozin group (28.0 ± 8.4% to 34.6 ± 12.2% p < 0.001, 14.5 ± 5.4% to 16.7 ± 7.0% p = 0.034, 13.5 ± 5.2% to 17.9 ± 7.2% p = 0.005 respectively) but remained unchanged in comparison group (29.2 ± 6.7% to 28.8 ± 7.0%, 12.8 ± 4.2% to 13.3 ± 4.7%, 16.7 ± 5.3% to 15.5 ± 4.5% respectively, p = NS). The difference in change between groups was significant for LA reservoir (p = 0.003) and contractile strain (p = 0.005).
Conclusion
In patients with ACS and T2D, addition of empagliflozin to standard ACS therapy prior to discharge is associated with improved LA function. Larger studies are warranted to determine clinical implications.
Imipramine can be effective on depressive-like behaviors, but not on neurotrophic factors levels in an animal model of bipolar disorder induced by ouabain
Authors: Della Taise Possamai , Dal-Pont Gustavo C. , Resende Wilson R. , Aguiar-Geraldo Jorge M. , Peper-Nascimento Jefté , Quevedo João , Valvassori Samira S.
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Despite the risk of mania switch to long-term administration of antidepressants in bipolar disorder (BD) patients, an acute administration of these drugs can help in depressive episodes. Furthermore, alterations in neurotrophic factor levels seem to be part of the BD’s physiopathology. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of acute treatment of imipramine on behavior and neurotrophins levels in rats submitted to the animal model of BD induced by ouabain. Methods: Wistar rats received a single intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid or ouabain. The rats were treated for 14 days with saline, lithium, or valproate. On the 13th and 14th days of treatment, the animals received an additional injection of saline or imipramine. Behavior tests were evaluated seven and 14 days after ICV injection. Adrenal gland weight and levels of ACTH were evaluated. Levels of BDNF, NGF, NT-3, and GDNF were measured in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Results: The administration of ouabain induced mania- and depressive-like behavior in the animals seven and 14 days after ICV, respectively. The treatment with lithium and valproate reversed the mania-like behavior. All treatments were able to reverse most of the depressive-like behaviors induced by ouabain. Moreover, ouabain increased HPA-axis parameters in serum and decreased the neurotrophin levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. All treatments, except imipramine, reversed these alterations. Conclusion: It can be suggested that acute administration of IMI alone can be effective on depressive-like symptoms but not on neurotrophic factors alterations present in BD.
Construction and validation of a nomogram for predicting recurrence of diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Authors: Gong Yuxi , Yan Haitao , Yang Yefan , Zhai Boya , Huang Zhendong , Zhang Zhihong
Published: May 2022

Purposes: To explore recurrence-risk factors of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and construct a risk nomogram for predicting recurrence and risk stratification.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 228 DLBCL patients who achieved complete remission after initial treatment between January 2015 and December 2019. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify recurrence-related risk factors from the pretreatment evaluation factors covering patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, serological indicators, pathological and immunohistochemical results. A nomogram was developed based on the above results and validated by the concordance index (C-index), the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the calibration curve. Results: Fifty of 228(21.9%) cases recurred during follow-up. Three recurrence-risk factors including BCL2 expression (P=0.013), Ann Arbor stage (P=0.011), LDH level (P=0.038) were identified from multivariate analysis and entered the final nomogram “ABL-nomogram”. The C-index of the ABL-nomogram was 0.808, higher than that of IPI system (0.717) and NCCN-IPI system (0.714). And the 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year areas under ROC(AUC) were 0.851, 0.859, 0.843, and 0.791, respectively. The calibration curves also showed a good discrimination capability and accuracy. DLBCL could be divided into four subgroups (G1, G2, G3, G4) with significant differences in recurrence risk based on the total points calculated from ABL-nomogram. Conclusions: ABL-nomogram incorporating the three independent risk factors (BCL2 expression, Ann Arbor stage and LDH level) for DLBCL recurrence, had a better ability to assist risk stratification and identify DLBCL patients with high recurrence risk than IPI system or NCCN-IPI system.
Model of a Sugar Factory with Fully Automated Production of Amino Acids and Amino Acid-Pressed Beet Pulp Pellets
Authors: Bayuome Emad Mohamed
Published: May 2022

The key factor in the industrial production process for the manufacture of the amino acid from the sugar industry is the industrial scale-up. To investigate the impact of the different geometry and physical conditions parameters on an industrial process several techniques such as computational fluid dynamics and scale down approaches have been applied. Process modeling can support the design and the optimization of all these processes. Model, considering the process operative parameters and process stoichiometry, using the data from Egypt Sugar Industry, give an estimation of the process efficiency, the product quality, selectivity as well as the condition for an optimal yield. Combining the results obtained by the model with the data obtained by the scale down devices, the optimal process configuration was identified in an early phase of development to achieve that not only the valuable amino acids can be recovered from soft beet juice, but also the fluid sugar simultaneously satisfies all requirements for the subsequent processes of sugar manufacturing. In this case, the choice of an ion exchanger is associated with the development of a method for extracting amino acids based on the study of the dynamic patterns of sorption and desorption, depending on a number of factors. These include: the shape of the ion exchanger, the degree of its granulation and cross-linking; parameters of ion-exchange columns; flow rate and temperature of working solutions; efficiency of the eluent. Furthermore, for maximizing the utilization of the amino acids extract was added to the beet pulp for producing amino acid-pressed beet pulp (APBP) to be used as integrated animal fodder with highly nutritional value and subsequently high marketing value. The obtained results were indicated the overall recovery yields of 17 amino acids extracted from beet juice were 5.85% respect to dry substance and the percent of the elimination were 98.5%.
Physico-chemical proprieties of Almond residues (Shells & hulls) collected from the northern region of Morocco (Fez-Meknes)
Authors: BOULIKA Hamza , HAJAM Maryam EL , NABIH Meryem HAJJI , KANDRI Noureddine IDRISSI , Zerouale Abdelaziz
Published: May 2022

In Morocco, the Almond sector is among the most developed agricultural activities since 2008, which has seen its area increases by 13% in less than 4 years. The industrial transformation of this fruit has not ceased to develop, leaving behind 80% of products, which are generally incinerated or dumped in nature. Their valorization becomes a necessity to protect the environment and even to bring an additional value to them. This work aims at characterizing the industrial residues of Almonds from Fez- Meknes region, namely the Almond Hull (AH) and the Almond Shell (AS), by ICP- AES, SEM-EDX, TG-DTG, DRX and FTIR. The structural morphology of AH shows fibrous appearance, while that of AS is characterized by the existence of cavities in the form of holes and pores. A high content of extractives was noted for AH, however AS are rich of lignocellulosic compounds. The crystallinity index of Cellulose I has been studied and a total mass loss of 90% for AH and 95% for AS has been obtained after Thermogravimetric analysis at 800°C.This study has helped to clarify the different physico-chemical properties of this type of waste in order to open the way to appropriate applications.
Predictive value of serum YKL-40 for major adverse cardiovascular events within 30 days after PCI for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Fang Caoyang , Chen Zhenfei , Zhang Jing , Pan Jianyuan , Jin Xiaoqin , Yang Mengsi
Published: May 2022

Background This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of serum YKL-40 for major adverse cardiovascular events within 30 days after PCI for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods In this study, 120 patients with STEMI admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from October 2020 to February 2022 were included. All patients received cubital venous blood sampling before PCI to detect serum YKL-40 concentration. Patients were followed up for 30 days after PCI and divided into the MACE group (n = 27) and Non-MACE group (n = 93) according to whether MACE occurred. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of serum YKL-40 on MACE within 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients. The predictive value of serum YKL-40 for the occurrence of MACE within 30 days after PCI in patients with STEMI was assessed by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curve of MACE occurring 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients. Results Serum YKL-40 levels were higher in patients in the MACE group than in patients in the Non-MACE group (1431.08±445.31 vs 1028.28±558.47 ng/dL, P < 0.05); Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum YKL-40 was an independent risk factor for MACE events within 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients (OR = 1.002, 95% CI 1.001 – 1.002, P = 0.003); ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of serum YKL-40 was 0.768, the sensitivity was 0.741, the specificity was 0.763, and the optimal cutoff value was 1383.91 ng/dL in predicting the risk of MACE events within 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients; Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the MACE-free survival rate at 30 days after PCI decreased with increasing serum YKL-40 levels in STEMI patients (Log-Rank P = 0.011). Conclusions Serum YKL-40 is associated with short-term prognosis in patients with STEMI. High serum YKL-40 levels can be used as a predictor of MACE within 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients.
Impact of Low Dose Maltodextrin/Citrulline Loading on the Severity and Duration of Stress Induced Hyperglycemia in Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Espinosa Jairo A. , Baxter Jacob , Jose Joslyn , Khalil Sarah I. , Dash Alok , Pratt Jerry
Published: May 2022

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative stress induced insulin resistance, and the resulting glycemic variability, is clearly associated with complication rates in cardiac surgery. Despite this, there is a paucity of data regarding the duration of stress induced hyperglycemia in cardiac surgery as well as the impact of specific strategies for carbohydrate loading in cardiac surgery patients. Prior work in colorectal and bariatric surgery has shown a significant reduction in glycemic events with the use of a low dose maltodextrin and citrulline loading strategy, but there is no data that the commonly recommended 50 gram supplements provides any impact on stress induced postoperative hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to compare standard of care (SOC group) versus a three dose, 25 gram dose carbohydrate loading strategy (CL group) on the duration and severity of postoperative glycemic variability in both diabetic and non-diabetic cardiac surgery patients.METHODS: We compared CABG/AVR/MVR retrospective patients who received standard of care (SOC) to a prospective set of patients who were carbohydrate loaded (CL) with 3 preoperative doses of 25g maltodextrin/3g citrulline (G.E.D.TM, SOF Health, LLC).RESULTS: 152 patients total were included (SOC n=80, CL n= 72). 66 patients were diabetic. In both non-diabetic and diabetic patient populations, there was a statistically significant reduction in glycemic variability in G.E.D. groups for non- diabetics (27% reduction) and diabetics (40% reduction). The glycemic variability on POD 2 was not statistically different between treatment groups in non-diabetics (G.E.D. 25.2% vs SOC 24.7%) but approached significance in diabetics (G.E.D. 24.7% vs SOC 32.9%e). CONCLUSION: These are the first data demonstrating the reduction in post operative stress induced glycemic variability in cardiac surgery using a low dose carbohydrate loading regimen which includes the amino acid citrulline. The impact of surgical stress on glycemic variability appears to resolve by POD#2 in non-diabetics but may persist longer in diabetic patients. These data represent the first information regarding the benefits of a specific strategy for carbohydrate loading to reduces the stress induced component of post operative hyperglycemia in cardiac surgery.
Technology-free predictors of preterm birth in singleton women with threatened preterm labor: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Najjarzadeha Maryam , Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi Sakineh , Abbasalizadeh Shamsi , Asghari-Jafarabadi Mohammad , Mirghafourvand Mojgan
Published: May 2022

Background
Prediction of preterm birth is still a challenge due to its multiple pathologies. This prospective cohort study aimed to determine the technology-free predictors of preterm birth in singleton women with threatened preterm labor.
Methods
This prospective cohort study was performed on 371 singleton women with gestational age of 23+ 6 to 36+ 4 weeks hospitalized for threatened preterm labor. The data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, medical and maternal history, as well as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the WHO’s questionnaire of Violence against Women (VAW). The participants were followed-up until childbirth. The predictors were determined using multivariate logistic regression.
Results
Preterm birth occurred in 51% of women. Seven variables were determined as predictors; rupture of membranes [adjusted odds ratio 11.7, 95% confidence interval 5.4 to 25.6], cervical dilation [AOR 4.1, 95% CI 2.0 to 7.0], gravidity ≥ 6 [AOR 27.4, 95%CI 2.8 to 264.3], psychological violence during pregnancy [AOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.2], medical problems in pregnancy onset [AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.8], vaginal bleeding/spotting [AOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.0] and woman age ≤ 19 [AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.5]. The proportion of variance explained by all these factors was 33.6%.
Conclusions
The technology-free factors have moderate power in preterm birth prediction in singleton pregnant women hospitalized for threatened preterm labor. Prevention of psychological violence, teenage pregnancy and treatment of medical problems before pregnancy could reduce rate of preterm birth.
Microbial Community Associated with Groundwaters Discharge in Transylvania (Romania) and Balaton Highland (Hungary)
Authors: Toumi Marwene , Máthé István , Tóth Ádám , Sztráda Nóra , Farkas Rózsa , Jurecska Laura , Tóth Erika
Published: May 2022

In the present study, water samples from 8 sites known as: Taploca, Nagy-borvíz, Piricske (located in Romania) and Szent Jakab, Kiskút, Kossuth Lajos, Polányi kút and Berzsenyi (located in Balaton highland in Hungary) and characterized with low nutrient content, were studied using cultivation independent methods. Diversity indices and cell counts were determined to assess the species richness in relation to the cell counts within the samples. Next generation sequencing was used to reveal the existing microbial community, and taxon specific PCR was used to detect the presence of some species with hygienic. 18 bacterial phyla above a ratio of 2% were identified in addition to 13 archaeal phyla using amplicon sequencing. Nagy-borvíz water sample showed a unique presence of Chloroflexi, Bacteroidota, Desulfobacterota, Acidobacteriota and Actinobacteriota. Piricske water sample showed mostly Caldisericota and Spirochaetota. Taploca water sample contained a unique presence of Planctomycetota and Myxococcota at the same time with Szent Jakab water sample which showed an additional presence of Chloroflexi, Berzsenyi contained Campylobacterota at the same time with Polányi kút which had important fractions of Nitrospirota and Desulfobacterota. Finally, Kossuth Lajos water sample was dominated by Fusobacteriota, mainly members of Hypnocyclicus genus. Piricske and especially Nagy-borvíz water samples contained important fractions of Altiarchaeota, moreover, Piricske contained high fraction of Euryarchaeota phylum -most of them belong to Methanobacteriaceae family. Nitrosopumilaceae dominated Taploca and Kiskút in addition to their important presence in the rest of the samples. Diversity indices and cell count showed in general that cell count values are tending to be lower when the diversity is higher. The results of taxon specific PCR reactions showed that water treatment would be essential in some water samples.