bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive techniques for lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation: small lateral window and one-stage surgery—A 2- to 5-year retrospective study
Authors: Cai Xiaoxiao , Gao Shaojingya , Jiang Yao , Yao Yangxue , Li Songhang
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to introduce a minimally invasive technique for maxillary sinus floor elevation using the lateral approach (lSFE) and to determine the factors that influence the stability of the grafted area in the sinus cavity. Thirty patients (30 implants) treated with lSFE using minimally invasive techniques from 2015 to 2019 were included in the study. Five aspects of the implant (central, mesial, distal, buccal, and palatal bone heights [BHs]) were measured using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) before implant surgery, immediately after surgery (T0), 6 months after surgery (T1), and at the last follow-up visit (T2). Patient characteristics were collected. A small bone window (height, 4.40 ± 0.74 mm; length, 6.26 ± 1.03 mm) was prepared. No implant failed during the follow-up period (3.67 ± 1.75 years). Three of the 30 implants exhibited perforations. Changes in BH, defined as the distance between the implant platform level and the uppermost level of bone graft, of the five aspects of implants showed strong correlations with each other and decreased dramatically before second-stage surgery. RBH did not significantly influence BH changes, whereas smoking status and type of bone graft material were potentially influential factors. During the 3-year observation period, lSFE with a minimally invasive technique demonstrated high implant survival and limited bone reduction in grafted area. In conclusion, patients who were nonsmoker and whose sinus cavity was filled with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) had significantly limited bone resorption in grafted area.
Multi-omics data integration analysis of prostate cancer based on sparse least partial squares regression algorithm based on hypergraph regularization
Authors: Huang Ruo-Hui , Ge Zi-Lu , Xu Gang , Zeng Qing-Ming , Jiang Bo , Xiao Guan-Cheng , Xia Wei , Wu Yu-ting , Liao Yun-feng
Published: April 2023

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a malignant tumor of the male reproductive system, and its incidence has increased significantly in recent years. This study aimed to further identify candidate biomarkers with prognostic and diagnostic significance by integrating gene expression and DNA methylation data from PCa patients through association analysis. To this end, this paper proposes a sparse partial least squares regression algorithm based on hypergraph regularization (HR-SPLS) by integrating and clustering two kinds of data. Next, module 2, with the most significant weight, was selected for further analysis according to the weight of each module related to DNA methylation and mRNAs. Based on the DNA methylation sites in module 2, this paper uses multiple machine learning methods to construct a PCa diagnosis-related model of 10-DNA methylation sites. The results of ROC analysis showed that the DNA methylation-related diagnostic model we constructed could diagnose PCa patients with high accuracy. Subsequently, based on the mRNAs in module 2, we constructed a prognostic model for 7-mRNAs (MYH11, ACTG2, DDR2, CDC42EP3, MARCKSL1, LMOD1, and MYLK) using multivariate Cox regression analysis. The prognostic model could predict the disease free survival of PCa patients with moderate to high accuracy (AUC=0.761). In addition, GSEA and immune analysis indicated that the prognosis of patients in the risk group might be related to immune cell infiltration. Our findings may provide new methods and insights for identifying disease-related biomarkers by integrating DNA methylation and gene expression data.
Response of the corneal surface changes after stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty combined with cross-linking for keratoconus
Authors: Sun Xiyu , Shen Di , Wang Yani , Wang Rui , Wei Wei
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND Corneal crosslinking (CXL) is used to stabilize corneas with a central thickness greater than 400 µm. In patients with more advanced keratoconus, traditional corneal transplantation may be required. In this study, we described the response of the anterior and posterior corneal surface in femtosecond laser-assisted convex stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty (SLAK) combined with CXL for treating keratoconus.METHODS Twenty eyes of 20 keratoconus patients who underwent SLAK combined with CXL were included. The morphological indices in terms of keratometry and elevation data were recorded from the Sirius at baseline and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The mean values of maximum keratometry (Kmax), flat keratometry (K1), and steep keratometry (K2) at central, 3-mm, 5-mm, and 7-mm area was measured from the curvature map. The change in anterior and posterior corneal elevation under the best-fit sphere (BFS) radius at seven points horizontally of the center, 3-mm, 5-mm, and 7-mm area from the center at both Nasal(N) and Temporal(T) side were measured from elevation map.RESULTS For the front corneal curvature, Kmax, K1, and K2 at 3-mm, 5-mm, and 7-mm of the anterior corneal surface increased significantly 1 month postoperatively (all P < 0.05) and remained unchanged until 3 months(P > 0.05). For the back corneal curvature, K1 and K2 along the 3-mm back meridian significantly decreased after month 1 (P = 0.002, 0.077, respectively). Posterior K-readings along the 5-mm and 7-mm did not change after surgery(P > 0.05). Anterior BFS decreased 1 month(P < 0.001) postoperatively but remained unchanged until 3 months after SLAK(P > 0.05). No change was found in posterior BFS before and after the surgery(P > 0.05). Anterior elevation at N5, N3, central, and T5 points and posterior elevation at central and T7 points shifted backward 1 month postoperatively (all P < 0.05) and remained stable until 3 months(P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS The myopic SLAK combined with CXL is an economical alternative for stabilizing the corneal surface in severe keratoconus. "Pseudoprogression" occurs in the early phase postoperatively, but it was not an indicator of keratoconus progression. Anterior and posterior elevation underwent slight backward displacement after the surgery.
Emergence of periodic circumferential actin cables from the anisotropic fusion of actin nanoclusters during tubulogenesis
Authors: Sekine Sayaka , Tarama Mitsusuke , Wada Housei , Sami Mustafa , Shibata Tatsuo , Hayashi Shigeo
Published: April 2023

The periodic circumferential cytoskeleton supports various tubular tissues1-5. Radial expansion of the tube lumen causes anisotropic tensile stress, which can be exploited as a geometric cue6. However, the molecular machinery linking anisotropy to robust circumferential patterning is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to reveal the emergent process of circumferential actin cable formation in a Drosophila tracheal tube7. During luminal expansion, sporadic actin nanoclusters emerge and exhibit circumferentially biased motion and fusion. RNAi screening revealed the formin family protein, DAAM, as an essential component of tensile stress sensing, and non-muscle myosin II as a component required for nanocluster fusion. A coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation demonstrated that crosslinkers play a crucial role in nanocluster formation and cluster-to-cable transition occurs in response to mechanical anisotropy. Altogether, we propose that an actin nanocluster is an organizational unit that senses stress in the cortical membrane and builds a higher-order cable structure.
Clinical Pharmacy in the ICU: A Qualitative View of Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Nascimento Diego Zapelini do , Marques Gabriela Moreno , Vieira Janete Leite , Soares Alessandra de Sá , Schuelter-Trevisol Fabiana
Published: April 2023

Objective: To evaluate the opinion of professionals working in intensive care units (ICU) regarding expectations of the Clinical Pharmacy service.
Methods: Data were obtained by the focus group technique and interpreted by content analysis. The group included one physician, two nurses, one nutritionist, one physiotherapist and ten pharmacists. The discussions were led by a psychologist, in which the participants were asked to consider aspects about their experience and professional life in relation to the Intensive Care Clinical Pharmacy service.
Results: Analysis of the discussion resulted in four different themes: Activities pertinent to the hospital clinical pharmacist in the Brazilian reality; Existing difficulties in the development of pharmaceutical assistance in ICU; The expectations of the work team regarding the performance of the intensive care clinical pharmacist and Improvements in the provision of the Intensive Care Clinical Pharmacy service. The multidisciplinary team and the clinical pharmacists see the Clinical Pharmacy service as vital for critically ill patients and as a guarantee of patient safety, but they question to what extent communication between the pharmacist and other professionals is adequate, as well as whether undergraduate and graduate courses prepare pharmacists to assist in decisions about patients.
Conclusion: Through this research, pertinent questions were raised to be discussed in the literature and analyzed in future studies regarding the perceptions of health professionals, including pharmacists, considering the current moment of modification in the process of providing the Clinical Pharmacy service in Brazil.
Ovotesticular disorder 46, XY: A rare case report with review of the literature
Authors: BBS KOUI , AD ABOUNA , T DJIWA , B TRAORE , M KOUYATE , KE KOUAME , NA AMAN
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Ovotestis is a rare cause of sexual ambiguity characterized by the presence in a patient of both testicular and ovarian tissue, leading to the development of both male and female structures. We report a case of ovotestis diagnosed in an adolescent, with a review of the literature.

Case Report

A 15-year-old patient presented with a right scrotal swelling associated with gynecomastia. Histology showed a juxtaposition of ovarian stroma and seminiferous tubules. Karyotype revealed a male subject (XY).

Conclusion

Ovotestis is a rare finding, heterogeneous in its genetic etiology and clinical presentation. While many patients are diagnosed during infancy or childhood, we presented a case diagnosed in a 15-year-old adolescent.
The novel investigation to Fornberg-Whitham equation via fractional natural transform decomposition method
Authors: Anaç Halil
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study is to use the fractional natural transform decomposition method to numerically solve time-fractional partial differential equations. Fractional derivatives are Caputo sense. FNTDM is also used to examine applications, and the solutions obtained by this method have been compared to those obtained by the variational iteration method, fractional variational iteration method, and homotopy perturbation method. In addition, the MAPLE package draws graphs of the solutions of nonlinear time-fractional partial differential equations, taking into account physics.
Mathematics Subject Classification 35R11 - 35C05 - 65R10
Study on reservoir optimal operation based on coupled adap-tive ε constraint and multi strategy improved Pelican algo-rithm
Authors: He Ji , Guo Xiaoqi , Wang Songlin , Chen Haitao , Chai Fuxin
Published: April 2023

The optimal operation of reservoir group is a multi-constrained and high-dimensional optimization problem. For this problem, this paper couples the standard pelican optimization algorithm with the adaptive ε-constraint method, and further improves the algorithm's optimization-seeking perfor-mance through the good point set initialization population, reverse differential evolution and op-timal individual adaptive strategy, and proposes an improved pelican algorithm (ε-IPOA) based on the adaptive ε method. The performance of the algorithm is tested by eight constraint test functions to find the optimal ability and solve the constrained optimization problem, and the results show that the algorithm has a strong ability to find the optimal and stable performance. In this paper, we select Sanmenxia and Xiaolangdi reservoirs as the research objects, establish the maximum peak-cutting model of terrace reservoirs, apply the ε-IPOA algorithm to solve the model, and compare it with the ε-POA and ε-DE algorithms, the results show that the ε-IPOA algorithm is better than other algo-rithms, the peak clipping rate of Huayuankou control point solved by ε-IPOA algorithm reached 44%, and other algorithms do not find effective solutions meeting the constraint conditions. This paper provides a new idea for solving the problem of flood control optimal operation of cascade reservoirs.
Endovascular and microsurgical management of blister aneurysms: a multi-centre review
Authors: Reidy Joseph , Faulder Kenneth , Davidson Keryn , Harrington Timothy , Steinfort Brendan , Assaad Nazih , Dexter Mark , Ma Alice
Published: April 2023

Background Blister aneurysms (BA) are high risk cerebrovascular lesions accounting for 1% of intracranial aneurysms. The defective vessel wall and broad-based neck make this clinical entity difficult to treat, with high rates of re-rupture and mortality in patients presenting with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage. Blister aneurysms pose substantial challenges for both endovascular and microsurgical management.Objective To evaluate endovascular and microsurgical outcomes in intracranial blister aneurysm management across two tertiary hospitals.Methods A review of two tertiary hospitals with a systematic imaging database search for term of “blister” in modalities from January 2010 to October 2022. Operation reports were screened for the 5-year period since cerebral angiogram reports transitioned to surgical database. Identified reports were screened and reviewed for confirmed diagnosis by consultant neuroradiologist.Results 21 cases of blister aneurysms managed at respective facilities were included. 16 cases (76%) were managed endovascularly – all with flow diversion stents. 4 cases (19%) were managed surgically – 2 with primary clipping, and 2 wrap and clipping. 1 case was managed conservatively (5%). Clinical outcomes were discharge disposition, aneurysm exclusion and post-operative complications.Conclusion BAs have challenging considerations with high mortality and morbidity. Endovascular treatment is less invasive option with lower rates of intraoperative rupture and mortality. Patients discharged home were comparable. Commencement of dual anti-platelet therapy was safe in patients with flow diversion stents despite sub-arachnoid blood volume. Management of blister aneurysms is complex. Endovascular treatment shows promise for acute treatment but careful consideration of antithrombotic regime and requirement for further surgery should be considered.
The sequence of the 2017-2018 eruptions at Kirishima volcano group
Authors: Ichihara Mie , Kobayashi Tsukasa , Maeno Fukashi , Ohminato Takao , Watanabe Atsushi , Nakada Setsuya , Kaneko Takayuki
Published: April 2023

Kirishima volcano consists of more than 20 eruptive centers. Among them, Shinmoe-dake had magmatic eruptions in October 2017 and March 2018. Subsequently, another active cone, Iwo-yama, had phreatic eruptions in April 2018. These events were unique in that the 2018 eruption was the first effusion-dominated eruption of Shinmoe-dake and the first simultaneous activity of two cones of the Kirishima volcanic group ever documented. We report the detailed sequence of the events by combining areal photos, satellite images, and seismo-acoustic data analyses with the other published information. The seismo-acoustic data clarify the eruption onset and the transitions of the behaviors in three stages for each of the 2017 and 2018 eruptions. For both eruptions, we present regularly repeated tremors or 'drumbeat' earthquakes in the second stage, which interpret as gas separation from magma, leading to the ash-poor plume in the 2017 eruption or the effusive eruption in the 2018 event. We also propose that the 2017 and 2018 eruptions of Shinmoe-dake and the 2018 eruption of Iwo-yama are sequential events linked by the degassing of magma beneath Shinmoe-dake. An eruption like the 2017--2018 eruptions of Shinmoe-dake would leave little geological record and could be captured only by modern techniques. Although Shinmoe-dake has been believed to be an example of less-frequent eruptions, effusive eruptions like the 2018 case might have occurred more frequently in the past. The timelines summarized in this study will be useful in future studies of Kirishima volcanoes and world equivalences.
Reconstructing Spatial Transcriptomes with Graph-guided Neural Tensor Decomposition Informed by Spatial and Functional Relations
Authors: Kuang Rui , Song Tianci , Broadbent Charles
Published: April 2023

Spatially-resolved RNA profiling has now been widely used to understand cells' structural organizations and functional roles in tissues, yet it is a challenge to reconstruct the whole spatial transcriptomes due to various inherent technical limitations in tissue section preparation and RNA capture and fixation in the application of the spatial RNA profiling technologies. Here, we introduce a graph-guided neural tensor decomposition (GNTD) model for reconstructing whole spatial transcriptomes in tissues. GNTD employs tensor structures and formulations to explicitly model the high-order spatial gene expression data with a hierarchical non-linear decomposition in a three-layer neural network, enhanced by spatial relations among the capture spots and gene functional relations for accurate reconstruction from highly sparse spatial profiling data. Extensive experiments on 22 Visium spatial transcriptomics datasets and 3 high-resolution Stereo-seq datasets as well as simulation data demonstrate that GNTD consistently improves the imputation accuracy in cross-validations driven by non-linear tensor decomposition and incorporation of spatial and functional information, and confirm that the imputed spatial transcriptomes provide a more complete gene expression landscape for downstream analyses of cell/spot clustering for tissue segmentation, and spatial gene expression clustering and visualizations.
Insulin Inertia Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients In Qatar- The INERT-Q study
Authors: Bashir Mohammed , Thani Noora Al , Abdalrubb Abeer , Salameh Obada , Al-Amer Zaina , Hamad Mohammad Khair , Karuppasamy Gowri , Abufaeid Mohamad , Elbidairi Mutwakil , Al-Mohannadi Dabia , Elhadd Tarik , Zirie Mahmoud
Published: April 2023

Background: - Diabetes-related complications result from cumulative exposure to hyperglycemia. Hence, achieving and maintaining adequate glycaemic control is critical. Insulin is a necessary treatment in DM-2 patients who did not achieve glycaemic targets on oral agents. Inertia in starting insulin has been reported in many populations.
Aim:- To assess the degree of inertia related to insulin initiation and intensification in patients with DM-2.
Methods:- We performed a retrospective longitudinal cohort study and followed DM-2 two years before and two years after the start of insulin. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who achieved glycaemic targets ( HbA1c ≤ 7.5%) at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.
Results:- We included 374 patients who were predominantly males (62%). The mean age was 55.3 ± 11.3 years, the mean duration of DM-2 was 12.0 ± 7.3 years, the mean age of DM-2 onset was 41.2 ± 9.6 years, 64.4 % were obese,47.6% had a microvascular disease, and 24.3% had a macrovascular disease. The mean HbA1c at (-2 years) and (-1 year) were 9.2±2.1% and 9.3±2.0%, respectively. The mean HbA1c at the time of insulin initiation was 10.4 ±2.1%. The mean HbA1c at 6,12 months and 2 years was 8.5±1.8% %, 8.4±1.8% % and 8.5±1.7%, respectively. The proportion of patients who achieved HbA1c targets at 6, 12 months and 2 years were 32.9%, 31.0%, and 32.9%. According to the multivariate regression analysis ; for every unit increase in BMI, HbA1c at (-1 year), and HbA1c at the start of inulin , the HbA1c levels at 6 months increase by 0.05% (p 0.023), 0.17% (p0.017), and 0.19% (p=0.011), respectively; while it is reduced by 0.03% (p=0.013).for every 1-year increase in the age of DM-2 onset. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the achieving HbA1c targets at 6 months and 1 year increases the odds of achieving HbA1c targets at 2 years ; (OR 4.87(2.4-9.6) p<0.001) and ( OR 6.2 (3.2-12.0), p<0.001) respectively.
Conclusion: - In patients with DM-2, there was an alarming delay in starting and titrating insulin. The reduction in HbA1c plateaued at 6 months. Earlier initiation and intensification of insulin therapy are critical to achieving glycaemic targets. More studies are needed to examine the causes of therapeutic inertia from physicians, patients, and systems point of view.
Parkinson’s disease-related lncRNA PINK1-AS advances glioma oncogenesis by regulating the YAP1-Hippo signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Jin-Xing , Li Zhen-Ke , Wang Xu , Zhang Chao , Li Wei-Guo
Published: April 2023

Background Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a higher incidence of gliomas in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear, and insights into why and how patients with PD are susceptible to glioma are essential for advancing novel therapeutic approaches for both diseases. Therefore, we investigate the function of PD-related lncRNA PINK1-AS in glioma progression.Methods The expression of the long non-coding PTEN-induced kinase 1 antisense RNA gene (PINK1-AS) in PD and glioma tissues and cells was characterized by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The efficacy of PINK1-AS knockdown in glioma cell lines was evaluated by assessing cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycles. In addition, experimental xenografts were administered to nude mice to evaluate the effect of PINK1-AS on gliomas. To establish the relationship between the PINK1-AS, miR-200a, and yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) genes, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA probe pull-down, luciferase reporter, and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays were performed.Results PINK1-AS expression was anomalously elevated in PD, glioma tissues, and cell lines compared to normal brain tissue, and the overall survival time was reduced in patients with glioma with high PINK1-AS expression. PINK1-AS knockdown remarkably suppressed glioma metaplasia, including cell promotion, metastasis, and aggression in vitro and xenograft tumor generation in vivo. Furthermore, PINK1-AS targeted miR-200a, and miR-200a inhibition inverted the virulent features of PINK1-AS knockdown on glioma cells. Specifically, PINK1-AS may serve as a competing endogenous RNA that effectively functions as a pool for miR-200a, thereby de-repressing YAP1.Conclusions PINK1-AS is a key inhibitor of the Hippo signaling pathway by inhibiting miR-200a, and targeting PINK1-AS may be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with glioma, especially those with PD.
Identification of patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy at risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias: insights from cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking
Authors: Ma Hai-Yan , Xie Guang-You , Tao Jian , Li Zong-Zhuang , Liu Pan , Zheng Xing-Ju , Wang Rong-Pin
Published: April 2023

Background: Patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) are prone to arrhythmias, and the cause of mortality in these patients is either end-organ dysfunction due to pump failure or malignant arrhythmia-related death. However, identification of patients with NIDCM at risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is challenging in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) may help in identification of patients with NIDCM at risk of malignant VAs.
Methods: 263 NIDCM patients who underwent both CMR, 24-hour Holter electrocardiography (ECG) and inpatient ECG were retrospectively evaluated. The patients with NIDCM were divided into two subgroups: NIDCM with VAs and NIDCM without VAs. From CMR-FT, the global peak radial strain (GPRS), global longitudinal strain (GPLS), and global peak circumferential strain (GPCS) were calculated respectively from left ventricle (LV) model. We investigated the possible predictors of NIDCM combined with VAs by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results: The percent LGE (15.51±3.30 vs. 9.62±2.18, P<0.001) was higher in NIDCM patients with VAs than in NIDCM patients without VAs. Furthermore, the NIDCM patients complicated with VAs had significantly lower GPCS compared with the NIDCM patients without VAs (P< 0.05). Subgroup analysis based on LGE negative, the NIDCM patients complicated with VAs had significantly lower GPRS,GPCS,GPLS compared with the NIDCM patients without VAs (P<0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that both GPCS and % LGE were independent predictors of NIDCM combined with VAs.
Conclusions: CMR global strain can early differentiate of NIDCM patients complicated with VAs specifically when LGE was not present. GPCS < −13.19% and % LGE > 10.37% are independent predictors of NIDCM combined with VAs.
Cuproptosis-associated lncRNA signature for colon cancer prognosis and immune microenvironment analysis
Authors: Ma Shanbo , Zhang Rui , Wang Jin , Li Long , Miao Shan , Quan Wei , Chen Fangyao , Yang Zhao , Shi Xiaopeng
Published: April 2023

Background Cuproptosis is a novel method of modulating cell death that regulates tumorigenesis and progression processes. Cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs (CALs) are not clearly understood in colon cancer (CC). Furthermore, it is currently unknown how CALs affect prognosis and how they relate to the immune microenvironment of CC. Our study investigated the potential prognostic value of CALs and their association with immune microenvironments in CC patients.Methods The RNA of CC patients was sequenced, and medical data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) portal. A total of 446 participants were randomly assigned to the training and testing cohorts. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to recognize CALs. To choose significant markers in the training cohort, we used univariate regression with the LASSO method, followed by multivariate Cox regression analysis to develop the final prediction model. Therefore, we developed a predictive model based on the cuproptosis signature. The performance of the proposed model was assessed using the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. We also investigated the relationship between this signature and medication susceptibility, somatic mutations, and immunological infiltration.Results CC patients were divided into two risk cohorts using a 5-CAL signature; the patients in the elevated-risk cohort exhibited a poorer prognosis. The ROC analysis revealed the predictive accuracy of the developed risk model. We also detected variations in immune cell infiltration between the two cohorts, such as CD8 + T cells, regulatory T cells, and M0 and M1 macrophages. The high-risk cohort also exhibited lower IC50 values for several chemotherapy drugs.Conclusion We recognized a novel CAL signature that accurately predicts the prognosis of CC patients. CALs may be therapeutic targets for CC and may have a function in the antitumor immune system.
Assessing the causality of IFN-γ and IFN-γ receptor 1/2 with systemic lupus erythematosus risk using genetic data
Authors: Li Xiao-Dong , Yao Kai-Xin , Hao Jia-Wei , Long Yin-Qi , Qiao Lu-Lin , Zhang Ya-Ru , Ma Ke-Xin , Zhang Sheng-Xiao , Li Xiao-Feng
Published: April 2023

Background The interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) signaling pathway is activated in Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aims to assess the causal association between IFN-γ, IFN-γR1, and IFN-γR2 and SLE within a bidirectional Mendelian-randomization design.Methods Genetic instruments of exposure to IFN-γ, IFN-γR1, and IFN-γR2 were derived from the large genome-wide association study (GWAS), including 3,301 sample size. Instrumental variables for SLE were selected from another independent GWAS analysis comprising 7,219 cases and 15,991 controls with European ancestry. Bi-directional two-sample MR was performed using inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger regression, and weighted median methods. A series of sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results.Results The IVW showed IFN-γ had a positive causal association with the risk of SLE [OR 1.24 (95% CI 0.85, 2.26), P = 0.018]. IFN-γR2 was found to have a negative correlation with the onset of SLE [OR 0.85 (95% CI 0.73, 0.99), P = 0.034]. However, no genetic association was detected between IFN-γR1 and SLE [OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.79, 1.19), P = 0.768]. Evidence from bidirectional MR did not support reverse causality. Weighted median regression also showed directionally similar estimates.Conclusion Higher levels of IFN-γ or lower levels of IFN-γR2 are significantly associated with an increased risk of SLE, providing insights into the pathogenesis of SLE.
A Self-adaptive Algorithm with Multi-step Inertia for Solving Convex Bilevel Optimization Problems
Authors: Duan Peichao , Li Huan
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we propose an adaptive algorithm with multi-step inertia for solving a convex bilevel optimization problem. Under suitable parameter conditions, we prove that our algorithm converges strongly to some solution of the problem, which is the unique solution of some variational inequality problem. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by numerical experiments and compared with other algorithms.
2010 Mathematics Subject Classification 47H09, 47H10, 65K10, 90C25.
Unconventional Wear Characteristics Due to Perfect Plasticity in Laser Powder Bed Fusion Processed 316L Stainless Steel
Authors: Ara Ismat , Tangpong Xiangqing Annie , Azarmi Fardad
Published: April 2023

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a metal additive manufacturing technology that is capable of printing metals and alloys with high quality. This study investigates wear characteristics of LPBF processed 316L stainless steel and its correlation to the hardness and microstructure of the materials. The wear properties of LPBF specimen and hot rolled 316L stainless steel were compared. From the analysis of wear characteristics of the samples, it was observed that the results were not consistent with the prediction of Archard’s empirical equation. The LBPF processed samples with higher hardness exhibited lower wear resistance compared to the conventionally processed (hot rolled) samples. This study aimed at addressing such phenomenon by understanding the plasticity in those samples. Unconventional plastic deformation in LPBF 316L samples with negligible work-hardening was observed which was believed to be the main reason for their lower wear resistance compared to conventionally processed samples.
Cbp1-Cren7 chromatinization of CRISPR arrays favours transcription from leader- over cryptic promoters
Authors: Werner Finn , Blombach Fabian , Sýkora Michal , Case Jo , Feng Xu , Baquero Diana , Fouqueau Thomas , Phung Duy Khanh , Barker Declan , Krupovic Mart , She Qunxin
Published: April 2023

CRISPR arrays form the physical memory of CRISPR adaptive immune systems by incorporating foreign DNA as spacers that are often AT-rich and derived from viruses. As promoter elements such as the TATA-box are AT-rich, CRISPR arrays are prone to harbouring cryptic promoters. Sulfolobales harbor extremely long CRISPR arrays spanning several kilobases, a feature that is accompanied by the CRISPR-specific transcription factor Cbp1. Aberrant Cbp1 expression modulates CRISPR array transcription, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation are unknown. Here, we characterise the genome-wide Cbp1 binding at nucleotide resolution and characterise the binding motifs on distinct CRISPR arrays, as well as on unexpected non-canonical binding sites associated with transposasons. Cbp1 recruits Cren7 forming together ‘chimeric’ chromatin-like structures at CRISPR arrays. We dissect Cbp1 function in vitro and in vivo and show that the third HTH domain is responsible for Cren7 recruitment, and that Cbp1-Cren7 chromatinization plays a dual role in the transcription of CRISPR arrays. It suppresses spurious transcription from cryptic promoters within CRISPR arrays but enhances CRISPR RNA transcription directed from their cognate promoters in their leader region. Our results show that Cbp1-Cren7 chromatinization drives the productive expression of long CRISPR arrays.
UBA3 is a potential diagnostic marker and regulates the proliferation and migration in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinama
Authors: Zhang Huhu , Yang Jiahua , Yang Lina
Published: April 2023

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) accounts for about 15% of primary liver cancer, and the incidence rate has been rising in recent years. Surgical resection is the best treatment for ICC, but the 5-year survival rate is less than 30%. ICC signature genes are crucial for the early diagnosis of ICC, so it is especially important to find its signature genes. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between ICC signature genes and its proliferation, invasion and migration.
Methods: We screened the ICC dataset from GEO and analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis was performed on these DEGs. Weighted gene expression network analysis (WCGNA) was used to screen for key modules. Then, LASSO, SVM-RFE and Random forest analysis were applied to identify the signature genes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was then used to explore the signaling pathways associated with the central genes. Finally, cell viability, invasion and migration were assessed using CCK8, wound healing, transwell and western blotting.
Results: A total of 781 DEGs were screened from GSE33327 by WGCNA clustering into 9 modules, with the Magenta module (cor= -0.38, p<0.0001) and Midnightbluem module (cor=0.35, p<0.0001) effects significantly correlated with ICC. LASSO, SVM-RFE and Random forest were used to algorithmically select the trait genes, including TOM1 and UBA3. The receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) for these trait genes was 0.725 and 0.755, respectively, and TOM1 (p>0.05) was therefore discarded in the rank sum test. GSEA analysis showed a positive correlation between UBA3 and MAPK signaling pathway, which was validated by correlation experiments.
Conclusions: UBA3 has been screened by bioinformatics methods for the early diagnosis of ICC. In addition, we also explored the effect of UBA3 knockdown on the proliferation and migration of ICC through MAPK signaling pathways. UBA3 provides a new perspective for the study of ICC.
Identification of a Microbial-Related Gene Signature Indicative of Disease Prognosis in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Qi Yue , Li Xuanyan , Zhang Wenwen , Li Xinyu , Qu Pengpeng
Published: April 2023

Cervical cancer(CC) is the fourth most common female malignancy and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. There is an urgent need to study the underlying mechanisms of the malignant biological behavior of CC, identify new prognostic markers, and develop individualized treatment strategies to improve the survival rate of patients with CC. Much research in recent years suggested that cervical cancer was directly linked to the makeup of the vaginal microbiota and HPV infection. Firstly, we examined the relationship between microbes and the transcriptome in the development of CC. Secondly, we compared and contrasted the microbiota of cancer patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (CESC) to determine their similarities and differences. Thirdly, we used correlation analysis to verify the correlation between key genes and microbes and construct a prognostic model. Finally, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted to reveal potential mechanisms and verified the accuracy by GSE4001.We found that Achromobacter, Natronomonas, and Nafulsella were identified in early and late CC patients. In addition, 16 microbial-related genes were obtained by correlation analysis. The results showed that SALL3 and GABRP had a significant correlation between the three microbes and affect overall survival in CC. The prognostic model constructed by key genes was verified accurately.Achromobacter, Natronomonas, and Nafulsella may play an important role in CC progression. Besides, SALL3 and GABRP may influence oxygen transport and metabolic pathways, which affect tumor outcome and prognosis. We hope our study could provide a theoretical reference for further research on the mechanism of the microbial influence on transcriptome genes in the progression of CC.
A New Water Management Evaluation Model – A Part of Water Stewardship for Oil and Gas Operators
Authors: Li Huishu , Carlson Finlay , Hanif Asma , Zier Josh , Carlson Kenneth
Published: April 2023

The rise of the unconventional oil and gas (UOG) industry over the last two decades has transformed the domestic energy outlook but raised concerns over environmental impacts. With the evolution of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) reporting allowing for a transparent view of oilfield operations, the evaluation of corporate sustainability has become increasingly feasible. Even with increased reporting, there have been very few quantifiable metrics for sustainable water management practices in the UOG industry due to the focus being primarily on methane emissions in recent years. This study aims to provide a practical, quantitative, and concise method (Quadrant Plot) to visualize the different categories of water management strategies and understand how the different operators across diverse basins meet these challenges. Case studies using these metrics with operator-derived data are discussed based on both public and private data for over 20 UOG operators.
Identification and prediction of G-quadruplex RNA-binding proteins with roles in transcription and phase separation
Authors: Tartaglia Gian Gaetano , Armaos Alexandros , Luige Johanna , Ørom Ulf
Published: April 2023

RNA-binding proteins are central for many biological processes and their large-scale identification has demonstrated a broad range of functions. RNA G-quadruplexes are important regulatory elements occurring in both coding and non-coding transcripts, yet our knowledge of their structure-based interactions is at present limited. Here, starting from theoretical predictions, we show experimentally that many chromatin-binding proteins bind to RNA G-quadruplexes, and we classify them based on their RNA G-quadruplex-binding potential. Combining experimental identification of nuclear RNA G-quadruplex-binding proteins with computational approaches, we build a prediction tool that assigns probability score for a protein to bind RNA G-quadruplexes. We show that predicted G-quadruplex RNA-binding proteins exhibit high degree of protein disorder and hydrophilicity and suggest involvement in both transcription and phase-separation into membrane-less organelles, particularly the nucleolus. Finally, we present this tool as a web application for estimating RNA G4-binding propensity for proteins of interest at http://service.tartaglialab.com/new_submission/clever_G4_classifier.
Human granulosa cells of poor ovarian responder patients display telomeres shortening
Authors: Yung Yuval , Maydan Sharon Avhar , Bart Yossi , Orvieto Raoul , Aizer Adva
Published: April 2023

Background Ovarian follicles consist of oocytes and granulosa cells that control oocyte growth and maintain follicular development, which is essential for ovarian functioning. In the present study we aimed to compare the telomere length in granulosa cells of the young normal and poor ovarian responder patients and elderly patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVFMethods The main outcome measures granulosa cells telomere Length in the 3 study groups of patients undergoing IVF treatment in our center. 1) young normal responder patients (20–34 years); 2) young (20–34 years) poor ovarian responder patients; and 3) Elderly patients (40–45 years). Granulosa cells were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval. Granulosa cells telomere length was assessed by absolute human telomere length quantification qPCR AssayResults The telomere length of the young normal responder was significantly longer as compared to young poor ovarian responder (15.5 vs 9.6 KB, p < 0.001) and the elderly patients (15.5 vs 10.66 KB, p < 0.002). No significant difference was observed in the telomere length between the young poor ovarian responder and the elderly patients.Conclusions Granulosa cells telomere length of the young normal responder was found to be significantly longer than young poor ovarian responder or elderly patients, highlighting the role of telomere length as a predictor, or contributor to poor oocyte yield following IVF treatment. Future research should therefore focus on strategies aiming to lengthen telomeres with the possible improvement of IVF outcomes in poor ovarian responder patients.
Secure Agile Software Development with Scrum Strategy
Authors: KASIM Ömer
Published: April 2023

The implementation of software development strategies while developing a software is important for a project's roadmap. In traditional methods, the project is defined before the start of the project, delivery times and costs are determined. After each of the project development stages is completed, another development stage is started. However, communication is important in software projects developed by agile methods and processes are more flexible. It is possible to make innovation or changes at any time of the project. Scrum is an important strategy used for agile software development. Scrum is an important strategy used for agile software development. When the Scrum strategy is examined, it can be seen that agility and safety principles do not overlap at some points. At this point, models that allow security activities to cooperate with agile methods and work within the framework of Scrum come to the fore. In this study, studies to eliminate this incompatibility based on scientific evidence were analyzed. In this analysis, results of the Bibliometric Network Analysis and Co-Occurrence Network Construction for software development of the Scrum model were revealed. These results show that security processes have a place in the Scrum field. The inclusion of security in the process during the software development phase will enable a more robust system design in response to future security vulnerabilities.
Pseudolocality and uniqueness of Ricci flow on almost Euclidean noncompact manifolds
Authors: Cheng Liang , Zhang Yongjia
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we prove a pseudolocality-type theorem for L-complete noncompact Ricci flow which may not have bounded sectional curvature; with the help of it we study the uniqueness of the Ricci flow on noncompact manifolds. In particular, we prove the strong uniqueness theorem for the L-complete Ricci flow on the Euclidean space. This partially answers a question proposed by B-L. Chen [5].
2020 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 53E20; Secondary 35K45.
Grading by fruit density: an effective way to control the drying characteristics and quality of mulberry
Authors: Wang Kunhua , Li Qingyuan , He Peiyun , Jia Xiaoran , Ren Wenxin , Wang Jun , Xu Huaide
Published: April 2023

Reducing waste and controlling fruit quality is a challenge for processors. In order to enhance the quality of the products, dried fruit manufacturers devoted to develop reliable methods for measuring ripeness. In this study, a densimetric flotation technique was adopted to separate mulberries into five distinct ripening stages (D1–D5, 0.905–1.055 g/cm3). The impact of ripening on mulberry water status, distribution, microstructure, drying characteristics, and product quality was investigated. As ripening progressed, water binding capability initially dropped and then increased, and water distribution and cell microstructure shifted, which led to a shortening of the drying time followed by an extension. Ripeness has a substantial impact on the volatile composition, colour, texture, and sensory quality of dried fruits. D1 fruits were not suitable for drying due to their intact cellular structure, long drying time, and poor product sensory quality. D4 and D5 fruits, on the other hand, had short drying times, and their products had a robust fruity aroma, better palatability, and overall acceptance. This made them ideal for the drying process. The findings in the present research have practical implications for identifying as well as drying effectively during mulberry ripening.
Comparative Study of Biochar and Charcoal and Their Application in the Construction Industry
Authors: Yadav Kundan , Sharma R. L.
Published: April 2023

The construction industry heavily relies on cement, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions during production and depletes natural resources. Moreover, the decomposition of organic waste is a significant source of emissions that contribute to environmental damage due to the lack of proper management. However, biochar and charcoal derived from organic waste can be utilized as admixtures in concrete to minimize these emissions. This study investigates the mechanical properties of concrete with partial cement replacement using biochar and charcoal separately. The aim is to determine the optimal percentages of cement replacement and the effectiveness of using these byproducts to manage organic waste and reduce emissions. The report compares the behavior and suitability of biochar and charcoal in concrete based on the mechanical strength of the resulting concrete. It suggests that both materials exert distinct effects on the properties of concrete, with the optimal replacement percentage variations. However, it is noteworthy that biochar outperforms charcoal in all mechanical aspects of concrete and significantly improves flexural strength. However, more research is needed to determine the effect of different biochar on flexural strength in concrete. Recent research has demonstrated that incorporating biochar and charcoal as cement admixtures holds significant promise in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the negative environmental impact of organic waste in the construction industry.
A Systematic Literature Review on Contemporary and Future trends in Virtual Machine Scheduling Techniques in Cloud and Multi-Access Computing
Authors: Rana Nadim , Jeribi Fathe , Amin Sherif Tawfik , Khan Zeba , Uddin Mueen , Dhaou Imed Ben
Published: April 2023

Due to the extensive migration of business and scientific applications as well as the enormous growth in online data produced by IoT devices, numerous problems have arisen in cloud scheduling. Efficient delivery of resources considering user-defined Service Level Agreement (SLA) and Quality of Service (QoS) can only achieve with efficient and state-of-the-art scheduling methods. In this regard, virtual machine (VM) scheduling has been a highly required method for resource scheduling in the ever-changing cloud and multi-access computing environment (MAC). Based on an examination of recent literature, this investigation intends to provide a comprehensive Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of the methods employed for virtual machine scheduling in cloud computing. Besides, the SLR disseminates the challenges and opportunities in VM design and discusses future researchers' baselines. The SLR investigated the VM scheduling techniques and searched the most relevant research databases online. The authors selected sixty-seven (67) preliminary studies for this review out of 722 articles between 2008 and 2022. A total of 67 articles were reviewed for VM scheduling methods and techniques. The taxonomical results were divided into three major classes; conventional approach, heuristics approach, and meta-heuristic approach. With the observation, this review concludes that a lot of development in VM scheduling techniques in the literature are based on metaheuristics and heuristics methods. At last, many open issues, challenges, and development trends of modern VM scheduling techniques are discussed.