bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematical Modeling of Transient Electromagnetic Sounding Signals for Monitoring the State of Permafrost
Authors: Nikitenko M.N. , Glinskikh V.N. , Mikhaylov I.V. , Fedoseev A.A.
Published: December 2022

—The study is aimed at theoretical development and scientific substantiation of a high-resolution transient electromagnetic (TEM) geophysical technique for monitoring the state of permafrost. The electromagnetic monitoring configuration includes spatially distributed sounding systems for surface and borehole locations of the field sources and receivers. Changes in the electrophysical properties of the earth can be traced for the cases of both ground thawing and freezing. We developed the theory of TEM signals modeling, upon which created an algorithm for rapid and accurate numerical simulation of the electromagnetic field. The signals are scrutinized from the various sounding systems in the basic earth models as function of registration time. We show how the features associated with a spatial arrangement of frozen rocks appear on the EMF diagrams. It follows that a set of the measured data enables visual detection of the boundary between frozen and thawed rocks.
Do fault systems impede fluvial incision in active orogens?
Authors: Cai Dongxu , Wang Xianyan , Li Guangwei , Jiao Ruohong , Kohn Barry , Zhu Wenbin , De Grave Johan , Lu Huayu
Published: December 2022

It is widely accepted that tectonism generally enhances the incision of river drainage systems. However, the question as to why on a global-scale, rivers have not incised further or more deeply into orogenic plateaus to destroy terranes over long-timescales remains ambiguous. Here we hypothesize the diverse nature of regional tectonics could have impeded river erosion to maintain plateau topography, taking Yarlung River in southern Tibetan Plateau as a case. We constrain the incision history and effect of a N-S trending tectonic rift on the evolution of fluvial incision by the low-temperature thermochronology. Results show a fast cooling since ~ 7 Ma focused near the rift structures, but markedly reduced cooling in upstream and downstream regions. This indicates that the steep flank fault of the rift controlled local rapid exhumation as a knickpoint since that time. This coincides with an episode of rapid exhumation of Eastern Himalaya Syntaxis downstream. We propose that these two co-phased tectonic systems with the accelerated late Miocene extension of southern Tibet prevented upstream migration of river knickpoints, and impeded fluvial incision. Our study highlights that the activity of fault systems may hinder regional erosion, thereby facilitating the preservation of topography and high plateau in active orogenic belts.
Straw mulch improves soil carbon and nitrogen cycle by mediating soil microbial community structure in maize field
Authors: Liu Bangyan , Dai Yisha , Cheng Xin , He Xian , Wang Yifan , Zhu Bo , Zhang Kangping , Tian Xiaoqin , Duan Meichun , Xie Xiaoyu , Bei Qicheng , Wang Longchang
Published: December 2022

Aims This study was conducted to investigate the capability of the microbial community networks and soil variables to promote carbon and nitrogen cycles in maize fields under straw mulch.
Methods We covered the surface soil of the maize field with different amounts of wheat straw (0 kg/ha, 2250 kg/ha, and 4500 kg/ha), then used High-throughput sequencing, Biology ECO-plate, traditional enzymology, TOC analyzer, and HPLC to measure soil microbial community composition and functions, characteristics of microbial carbon source metabolism, carbon and nitrogen fraction, enzyme activity, and organic acid content in maize rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere.
Results Our studies indicated that short-term straw mulch significantly influenced microbial β-diversity. The function predicts results revealed that straw mulch significantly increased the relative abundances of bacteria belonging to chemoheterotrophy, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, ureolysis, and nitrogen fixation while inhibiting fermentation and nitrate reduction in maize rhizosphere soil. The Biology ECO-plate results illustrated that straw mulch weakened the metabolism capacity of microbial labile carbon resources, resulting the soil labile C and N fractions raised. Straw mulch primarily regulated the community structure of Firmicutes, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. Those microbial communities direct effected on readily oxidizable organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, available nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and dissolved organic carbon, and indirect effected on these C and N fractions by directly influencing malic acid content and activity of cellulase, protease, and amylase.
Conclusions Our findings imply that straw mulch accelerate soil C and N cycle in maize field by mediating microbial community structuresto boost labile C and N components.
Ziwuliuzhu Acupuncture Modulates Glu/GABA‑Gln Metabolic Loop Abnormalities in Insomniac Rats
Authors: Huang Ao , Pi Dajin , Chen Yiliu , Lee Pin-Hsuan , Huang Yusen , Hu Zuying , Zhuang Zifeng , Qing Peng , Zhao Canghuan
Published: December 2022

Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture is widely considered an effective treatment for insomnia in clinics, but little is known about its possible mechanisms. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture on insomnia and its regulatory mechanism on the glutamic acid (Glu)/γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-glutamine (Gln) metabolic loop in a rat model of insomnia. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the pathological tissue in the hypothalamus. The levels of the neurotransmitters Glu and GABA in the hypothalamus were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of the GABAA receptor in the hypothalamus. The expression levels of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65/67) and glutamine synthetase (GS) in the hypothalamus were determined by Western blotting. Compared with the model group, the Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture groups showed decreased Glu levels (p < 0.001) and GABAA receptor expression (p < 0.01), increased GABA levels (p < 0.05), and a decreased Glu/GABA ratio. In comparison to the model group, Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture increased the protein expression of GAD65 (p < 0.001) and GAD67 (p < 0.05) in the hypothalamus and reduced the expression of GS (p < 0.01). Glu/GABA-Gln metabolism may be regulated by Ziwuliuzhu acupuncture to produce sedative and hypnotic effects, affecting Glu and GABA synthesis and decomposition, as well as restoring the excitatory/inhibitory balance between Glu and GABA.
Falign: An effective alignment tool for long noisy 3C data
Authors: Xiao Chuan-Le , Chen Ying , Lin Zhuo-Bin , Niu Long-Jian , Zhong Jia-Yong , Liu Yi-Zhi , Hou Chun-Hui , Luo Feng
Published: December 2022

Fragmented long noisy reads (FLNRs), such as Pore-C, contain multiple fragments of varied length separated by restriction enzyme sites. Existing alignment tools have a low mapping rate for short fragments and find incorrect fragment boundaries, which affects the utilization of FLNRs for downstream studies. Here, we develop Falign, a sequence alignment method that is adapted to the nature of FLNRs. Falign adopts a two-phase approach to efficiently align both long and short fragments. Falign uses the restriction enzyme sites on the reference genome as boundaries, which avoids the problem of destroyed fragment boundaries on FLNRs. Falign employs a multiple-stage searching mechanism to effectively recover the alignments of FLNRs with multiple fragments and interchromosomal fragments. Experiments on simulated and experimental fragmented long noisy 3C datasets show that Falign can effectively recover the constructs of reads and the sampled loci of the fragments. Falign allows significantly higher data utilization for FLNRs.
Converting Plastic Nuisance into a Valuable Resource: Reuse of Residual Plastic Bottles for Manufacturing (3D) Home Printers Under Economic and Improved Environmental Considerations
Authors: Yair Itay , Cohen Erez , Oron Gideon
Published: December 2022

Plastic processes and products are constantly growing. About two million tons of plastic were produced in 1950. In 2015, about 380 million tons of plastic were manufactured, of which only around four million tons were sent for recycling during the same year. Plastic pollution has become a global problem. Plastic products and waste cause an environmental hazard that disfigures the natural landscape, damaging aquatic ecology, adversely impacting marine habitat, soils, air, causing groundwater contamination, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
The three dimensions (3D) printing process is utilizing a computer-aided design (CAD) model, usually by successively adding material in layers. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) – frequently called filament freeform fabrication, is a 3D printing process that uses thermoplastic material as a continuous filament. The goal of the work is to build a prototype printer that uses disposed plastic bottles as a source for raw material. The idea for current work stems from the need to save resources and simultaneously protect the environment.
A 3D home printer was created for this purpose however, changes and adjustments were made to implement the idea of the project. A plastic bottle cutter was built in order to insert the raw material into the prototype printer. In addition, the framework of the extruder was substituted and a nozzle diameter was installed. Additional adjustments were made in the printer to maintain a continuous and uniform flow of the hot plastic that was poured onto the printer surface during the printing process.
Mentalization-Based Treatment for a broad range of personality disorders: a naturalistic study
Authors: Rizzi Endang , Weijers Jonas Gijs , Kate Coriene ten , Selten Jean-Paul
Published: December 2022

Background: Several studies have observed that mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), but its effectiveness for other personality disorders (PDs) has hardly been examined. Additionally, the evidence supporting the claim that MBT improves mentalizing capacity is scarce. The present study examined whether (i) patients with a broad range of PDs would profit from MBT (ii) mentalizing capacity would improve over time; (iii) patients with BPD would profit more from MBT than those with non-borderline PDs
Method: Personality disorders, psychiatric symptoms, social functioning, maladaptive personality functioning and mentalizing capacity were measured in a group of individuals with various PDs (n = 46) that received MBT. Assessments were made at baseline and after 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment. The severity of psychiatric symptoms, measured using the Outcome Questionnaire 45, was the primary outcome variable.
Results: Overall, enrollment in the MBT program was associated with a decrease in psychiatric symptoms and an improvement of personality functioning, social functioning for a mixed group of PDs (all p’s ≤ .01). Bigger effect sized were observed for BPD patients (n=25) than for patients with non-BPD (n=21), but the difference failed to reach statistical significance (p=0.06). A primary analysis showed that the decrease in psychiatric symptoms was significant in BPD patients (p=0.01), not in non-BPD (p=0.19) patients. However, a sufficiently powered secondary analysis with imputed data showed that non-BPD patients reported a significant decrease in psychiatric symptoms too (p=0.01). Mentalizing capacity of the whole group improved over time (dvaried between .68 and 1.46).
Discussion: These results suggest that MBT is effective for a broad range of PDs and shows that MBT is associated with improvements in mentalizing capacity. As the study is not experimental in design, we cannot make causal claims.
Trial Registration: The study design was approved by the Leiden University Ethical Committee.
Conclusion: Mentalization-based treatment seems to be an effective treatment for patients with a broad range of PDs.
Sex-specific Risk Factors Associated with Graves’ Orbitopathy in Korean Patients with Newly Diagnosed Graves’ Disease
Authors: Lee Jooyoung , Kang Jinmo , Ahn Hwa Young , Lee Jeong Kyu
Published: December 2022

Objective: To assess sex-specific risk factors for Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) in newly diagnosed Graves’ disease (GD) patients.
Methods: In total, data for 7,192 diagnosed GD patients were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service’s sample database which consisted of 1,137,861 subjects from 2002 to 2019. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the effect of risk factors on GO development.
Results: Among GD patients, GO occurred in 134 men (6.2%) and 293 women (5.8%). A multivariable Cox regression model revealed that GO development was significantly associated with younger age (HR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.73–0.98, p = 0.022), low income (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.35–0.86, p= 0.009), and heavy drinking (HR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.10–2.90, p = 0.019) in men, and with younger age (HR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.81–0.98, p = 0.018), lower body mass index (BMI) (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.33–0.90, p = 0.019), high total cholesterol (HR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.06, p = 0.003), hyperlipidemia (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.02–1.85, p = 0.039), and lower doses of statin in statin users (HR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.22–0.62, p< 0.001).in women.
Conclusions: GO development was associated with younger age, low income, and heavy drinking in men, and with younger age, low BMI, high total cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, and lower doses of statin in statin users in women. These results indicate that more attention and support are required in GO surveillance.
Compost of spent mushroom substrate and chicken manure as a growth substrate improves rice seedling quality and reduces the spread of potential soil-borne pathogens.
Authors: Zeng Guiyang , Liu Zhihui , Guo Zhangliang , He Jinfeng , Ye Yingying , Xu Huaqin , Hu Teng
Published: December 2022

This study was carried out to determine the impacts co-compost of Pleurotus geesteranus spent mushroom substrate and chicken manure (SMC) on seedling quality, rhizosphere microbial characteristics, as well as fungal pathogens in rice seedling substrates. Results showed that incorporating SMC within the substrate, especially 50% volume (R2), increased rice seedling growth and vitality without external fertilization at the seedling growth stage. Moreover, SMC amendment increased microbial activity, and promoted rice seedling recruitment of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi (PGPF), and significantly reduced the abundance of pathogenic fungi, especially Magnaporthe grisea, and thus reducing soil-borne diseases. It is conducive to the sustainable development of cultivated land and agricultural waste recycling.
Crosslinked Reprocessable Phosphor/Polyurethane Hybrid Networks with Thermal Induced Self-Healing Capacity and Ultraviolet Conducted Fluorescence Effect
Authors: Zeng Xiyang , Wang Li , Chen Xiaohu , Zhang Ting , Chen Tao , Li Junfeng
Published: December 2022

In recent years, self-healing materials have attracted extensive attentions, however, the low elasticity and self-healing efficiency have limited their applications. Herein covalently crosslinked polyurethane (PU) composite networks were developed with ultraviolet (UV) initiated fluorescence effect and thermal induced self-healing capability. These smart PU networks were synthesized by polytetrahydrofuran glycol (PTMG) as soft segment, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as hard segment, incorporating with blue phosphate (BP) of SrAl2O4 doped with Eu2+, Dy3+. The physio chemical properties and self-healing process of polyurethane were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), optical microscope (OM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile test. The results show that the network materials were successfully developed with high elastic tensile properties. After healing at 60°C for one hour, the PU network demonstrated a high healing efficiency of 80.9% and elongation at break of 970%. Moreover, the obtained hybrid networks emitted an intense blue light under UV with high fluorescent intensity. Additionally, the synergistic effect of transesterification of dynamic hydrogen bond provided the composite networks reproducibility for recycling use. This self-healing polyester material shows promising applications in the fields of diagnostic healing, anticounterfeiting, and optoelectronic components.
Treatment rates for glaucoma and intraocular hypertension in the United Kingdom, 2000-2019
Authors: Velez-Nandayapa Luis , Eggenschwiler Laura , Jick Susan , Meier Christoph , Becker Claudia
Published: December 2022

Background/Aims: To quantify treatment for glaucoma (GLC) and intraocular hypertension (IOH) in the UK.
Materials and Methods: Using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD, we calculated crude and age-standardised treatment incidence rates (AS-TIR) and treatment prevalence for GLC and/or IOH in adult patients between 2000 and 2019. We assessed person-time of patients at risk of treatment for GLC-IOH and the number of incident cases with treatment for GLC-IOH (i.e., at least two documented prescriptions of antiglaucoma medication or glaucoma surgery), stratified by age, sex, year of diagnosis, and region.
Results: We identified 107,215 cases with incident treatment for GLC-IOH in 79.2 million person-years (py) from 2000 to 2019. The AS-TIR for GLC-IOH per 100,000 py (95%CI) remained fairly stable: 123.66 (120.45-126.88) to 142.11 (138.71-145.51) cases per 100,000 py. It sharply increased with age (highest incidence at 80-89 years, average 606.77 (598.78-614.75) per 100,000 py). We observed a preponderance of female cases after the age of 70 years. The incidence treatment rates for GLC-IOH was highest in London, England and Wales, and 20-30% lower in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The treatment prevalence for GLC-IOH increased by 32.7% from 1.19% (1.12-1.27%) to 1.58% (1.50-1.67%). It was highest in the elderly >80 years: 9.4 to 12% had treatment for GLC-IOH.
Conclusion: In our large nationwide study in the UK, the overall treatment incidence rates for GLC-IOH remained almost stable from the year 2000 to 2019. However, the treatment prevalence increased by one third. Results differed across regions of the UK.
Time from symptoms onset to remdesivir is associated with the risk of ICU admission: a multicentric analyses
Authors: ALONSO-NAVARRO Rodrigo , RAMÍREZ Margarita , MASIÁ Mar , PAREDES Roger , MONTEJANO Rocío , POVAR-ECHEVERRIA Marina , CARRATALÀ Jordi , SALAVERT Miguel , BERNAL Enrique , DUEÑAS Carlos , FLORES Juan , FANJUL Francisco , GUTIERREZ Isabel , RICO Verónica , MATEU Lourdes , CADIÑANOS Julen , BERENGUER Juan , SORIANO Alex
Published: December 2022

Background: shorter duration of symptoms before remdesivir has been associated with better outcomes. Our goal was to evaluate variables associated with the need of ICU admission in a cohort of hospitalized patients for COVID-19 under remdesivir including the period from symptoms onset to remdesivir.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicentric study analysing all patients admitted with COVID-19 in 9 Spanish hospitals who received treatment with remdesivir in October 2020. The main outcome was the need of ICU admission after 24 hours of the first dose of remdesivir.
Results: In our cohort of 497 patients, the median of days from symptom onset to remdesivir was 5 days, and 70 of them (14.1%) were later admitted into ICU. The clinical outcomes associated with ICU admission were days from symptoms onset (5 vs. 6; p=0.023), clinical signs of severe disease (respiratory rate, neutrophil count, ferritin levels and very-high mortality rate in SEIMC-Score) and the use of corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs before ICU. The only variable significatively associated with risk reduction in the Cox-regression analyses was ≤5 days from symptoms onset to RDV (HR: 0.54, CI95%: 0.31-0.92; p=0.024).
Conclusion: For patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, the prescription of remdesivir within 5 days from symptoms onset diminishes the need of ICU admission.
Where do they come from, where do they go? Emissions and fate of OPEs in global megacities
Authors: Rodgers Timothy , Giang Amanda , Diamond Miriam , Gillies Emma , Saini Amandeep
Published: December 2022

Cities are drivers of the global economy, containing products and industries that emit many chemicals. We used the Multimedia Urban Model (MUM) to estimate atmospheric emissions and fate of organophosphate esters (OPEs) from 19 global “mega or major cities,” finding that they collectively emitted ~ 81,000 kg yr− 1 of ∑10OPEs in 2018. Typically, polar "mobile" compounds tend to partition to and be advected by water, while non-polar "bioaccumulative" chemicals do not. Depending on the built environment and climate of the city considered, the same compound behaved like either a "mobile" or a "bioaccumulative" chemical. Cities with large impervious surface areas, such as Kolkata, mobilized even “bioaccumulative” contaminants to aquatic ecosystems. By contrast, cities with large areas of vegetation fixed and transformed contaminants, reducing loadings to aquatic ecosystems. Our results therefore suggest that urban design choices could support policies aimed at reducing sources of emissions to reduce chemical releases to the broader environment without increasing exposure for urban residents.
Down-regulation of interleukin-2 predicts poor prognosis and associated with immune escape in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hou Yongwang , Xiang Baoli , Yang Zhicong , Liu Jiangmin , Xu Dandan , Geng Lina , Zhan Minghua , Xu Yuhuan , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2022

Background and Objective: Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common and aggressive subtype of lung cancer, with the poor overall prognosis. IL2 is one of the earliest cytokines discovered that stimulates lymphocyte proliferation. However, the role of IL2 in LUAD has not been clarified.
Methods: UALCAN, The HPA and TIMER database were used to investigate IL2 expression in LUAD. HPA, PrognoScan Database Analysis and Kaplan-Meier plotter database were used to explore the survival curve evaluating the prognostic value of IL2 for LUAD. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of IL2-interacting genes identified by GeneMANIA database. TIMER was used to analyze the correlation of IL2 and immune cell infiltration or immune checkpoint expression level in LUAD.
Results: In present study, the results showed that the expression of IL-2 in lung adenocarcinoma was lower than that in the normal control group by means of bioinformatics analysis of the TIMER, UALCAN and HPA public databases. Moreover, LUAD patients with downregulated IL2 expression exhibited poor overall survival. Besides, IL2 was significantly positively correlated with various immune cells, including B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in LUAD. And IL2 was also markedly positively associated with biomarkers of these infiltrated immune cells. IL2 expression was also positively correlated with PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 expression.
Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that down-regulation of interleukin-2 predicts poor prognosis and associated with immune escape in LUAD and IL2 could serve as a potential novel prognostic biomarker for LUAD.
Family functioning and tobacco dependence：a cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Guo Yi , Liu Di-yue , Wang Yu-jia , Huang Meng-jie , Jiang Nan , Hou Qiang , Feng Bojunhao , Wu Wen-yu , Wu Yi-bo , Qi Fei , Sun Xin-ying
Published: December 2022

Background: Smoking cessation is not only good for the health of the quitters themselves but also helps reduce the exposure of their families to secondhand smoke. However, nicotine dependence can make smoking cessation very difficult, and studying the relationship between nicotine dependence and family functioning may better help smoking fathers quit. This study examined the association between family functioning and nicotine dependence levels of smoking fathers based on the McMaster model of family functioning (MMFF), providing evidence for future interventions.
Methods: In this study, fathers of second to fifth-grade students whose families smoked in 10 pilot elementary schools in Qingdao were selected. The Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence(FTND) consists of six questions. The70-item Family Assessment Device developed by Epstein and others was used to assess family functioning. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze differences in family functioning among those with different levels of tobacco dependence, and a binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influences associated with tobacco dependence.
Results: A total of 874 study subjects were included. Most respondents had mild to moderate tobacco dependence (90.16%), and a tiny percentage had heavy tobacco dependence (9.84%). The average age of first smoking was 27.77 years, and the average number of years of smoking was 12.06 years. Family Functioning Scale scores showed that respondents with mild to moderate tobacco dependence had lower total FAD scores and scores on five dimensions than those with heavy tobacco dependence（P<0.05）. A one-way ANOVA revealed poorer family functioning (P<0.001), younger age at first smoking (P<0.001), and older age at smoking (P<0.001) for severe tobacco dependence compared to respondents with mild to moderate tobacco dependence. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that poorer family functioning increased the risk of heavy tobacco dependence (P<0.05); longer smoking duration and more frequent quitting were both risk factors for tobacco dependence (P<0.05); and older age at first smoking was less associated with heavy tobacco dependence (P<0.05)
Conclusions: The better the family functioning, the lower the level of tobacco dependence, while poor general functioning, weak behavioral control, long years of smoking, and quitting more than or equal to 2 times are all risk factors for tobacco dependence.
The protective effect of kaempferol on high glucose-stimulated renal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Jiao Xiaocui , Zhang Xueguang , Wu Di
Published: December 2022

The oxidative stress and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial play an important role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Blocking oxidative stress and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial could be a novel therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy. Kaempferol (KMP), a natural phytoestrogen and common dietary flavonoid, has various biological effects including anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammation. KMP has protective effect against oxidative stress-related diseases, such as ischemia-reperfusion induced myocardium injuries, osteoporosis, obesity and so on. In our research, we observed the influence of KMP on high glucose (HG) cultured HK-2 cells and explored its mechanisms from the aspect of oxidative stress and apoptosis. We found that HK-2 cells stimulated by both 10µM KMP and HG had better viability than those stimulated by HG only. Incubation with KMP could reverse the undesirable effects of HG on SOD2, catalase, cleaved caspase-3, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the generation of ROS. Furthermore, Western blot and Real-time PCR results showed that the expression levels of Sirt3, p-Akt/Akt ratio and p-FoxO3a/FoxO3a ratio were markedly increased in KMP plus HG group compared to HG group. In summary, KMP could alleviate HG-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through increasing the expression of Sirt3 and regulating ROS-sensitive Akt/FoxO3a signaling pathway.
Performance evaluation of statistical downscaling models for future climate change scenario projection.
Authors: shukla Rituraj , Khare Deepak , Dwivedi Anuj Kumar , Rudra Ramesh Pal , Palmate Santosh S. , Ojha C.S. P. , Singh Vijay P.
Published: December 2022

Statistical downscaling (SD) is preferable to dynamic downscaling to derive local-scale climate change information from large-scale datasets. Many SD models are available these days, but comparison of their performance is still inadequately addressed for choosing a reliable SD model. Thus, it is desirable to compare the performance of SD models to ensure their adaptability in future climate studies. In this study, a statistical downscaling model (SDSM) or (multi-linear regression) and the Least Square-Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) were used to do downscaling and compare the results with those obtained from General Circulation Model (GCM) for identifying the best SD model for the Indira Sagar Canal Command area located in Madhya Pradesh, India. The GCM, Hadley Centre Coupled Model version 3 (HadCM3), was utilized to extract and downscale precipitation, maximum temperature (Tmax), and minimum temperature (Tmin) for the past period 1961–2001 and then for 2001–2099 under future climate change scenario A2. Before future projections, both SD models were initially calibrated (1961–1990) and validated (1991–2001) to evaluate their performance for precipitation and temperature variables at all gauge stations, namely Barwani, East Nimar, and West Nimar. Results showed that the precipitation trend was under-predicted owing to large errors in downscaling, while temperature was over-predicted by SD models. Future projection results indicated that an increase in precipitation, Tmax, and Tmin patterns at all stations would occur between 2001–2099. Although statistical measures (R2, RMSE, SSE, NSE and MAE) showed a close agreement between observed and predicted climate variables, the overall accuracy of the LS-SVM model was better than the SDSM model. Thus, the present study revealed that LS-SVM could be used as a superior statistical downscaling model over the SDSM in future studies.
Monthly Mini-Dose Rituximab for Primary Membranous Nephropathy: A Different Approach
Authors: Wang Song , Deng Zhenling , Wang Yue , Bao Wenhan , Zhou Sijia , Cui Zhuan , Zheng Danxia
Published: December 2022

Background
The dose of rituximab for primary membranous nephropathy is as high as that for lymphoma. This study assessed the efficacy of monthly mini-dose rituximab monotherapy in patients with primary membranous nephropathy.
Methods
This retrospective study included 32 patients with primary membranous nephropathy treated at Peking University Third Hospital between March 2019 and July 2022. All patients were anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody-positive and received rituximab 100 mg intravenously monthly for at least 3 months without other immunosuppressive therapy.
Results
The baseline parameters included: proteinuria, 8.5 ± 3.6 g/day; serum albumin, 24.8 ± 3.4 g/L; and anti-PLA2R antibody, 160 (20-2659) RU/mL. B-cell depletion was achieved in 87.5% patients after the first dose of rituximab 100 mg and in 100% after the second equivalent dose. Twenty-five (78%) patients achieved remission; 8 (25%) patients achieved complete remission at 12 months. Patients were stratified into the low-titer (< 150 RU/mL, n = 17) and high-titer groups (≥ 150 RU/mL, n = 15) based on the anti-PLA2R titer. Sex, age, urinary proteins, serum albumin, and estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline did not differ significantly between the two groups. At 12 months, the rituximab dose (847 ± 217 vs 659 ± 255 mg, p = 0.033), and urinary proteins were higher (2.7 ± 2.5 vs 1.0 ± 1.2 g/day, p = 0.028), while serum albumin (33.4 ± 6.8 vs 39.6 ± 3.9 g/L, p = 0.007) and the clinical remission rate (60% vs 94%, p = 0.020) were lower in the high-titer group compared to the low-titer group.
Conclusions
Monthly rituximab 100 mg is effective for treating anti-PLA2R-associated primary membranous nephropathy. The lower the anti-PLA2R titer, the lower the rituximab dose required to achieve remission.
Trial registration:
A retrospective study, registered at ChiCTR (ChiCTR2200057381) on March 10, 2022.
Oral and anal microbiome from HIV-exposed individuals: role of host-associated factors in taxa composition and metabolic pathways.
Authors: Abba Martin , Lacunza Ezequiel , Fink Valeria , Salas María , Canzoneri Romina , Naipauer Julián , Williams Sion , Coso Omar , Sued Omar , Cahn Pedro , Mesri Enrique
Published: December 2022

Evidence indicates that the microbiome plays a significant role in HIV immunopathogenesis as well as in HIV-associated complications. In Argentina, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) are at the highest risk for infection with HIV and AIDS-related viruses. This study aimed to characterize the oral and anal microbiome of MSM and TGW with and without HIV. One hundred and thirty oral and anal DNA-derived samples were obtained from 78 participants and subjected to shotgun metagenomics sequencing for further microbiome analysis.
Results: A significantly lower alpha diversity and higher beta diversity were found in the anal samples compared with oral samples. Significant differences in the microbiome composition were found among subjects associated with HIV infection, gender, sex behavior, CD4+ T cell counts, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the presence of HPV-associated precancerous anal lesions. For viruses, results confirm the occurrence of oncogenic viromes in this high HIV-risk population. The HIV-associated oral microbiome was characterized by the enrichment of several bacteria related to periodontal disease pathogenesis. Conversely, predominantly anal bacteria showed a significant decrease in HIV-infected subjects (Coprococcus comes, Finegoldia magna, Blautia obeum, Catenibacterium mitsuokai). TGW showed enrichment in species related to sexual transmission, which concurs that most recruited TGW are or have been sex workers. Prevotella bivia and Fusobacterium gonidiaformans were positively associated with the presence of anal precancerous lesions among HIV-infected subjects. The enrichment of Holdemanella biformis and C. comes were associated with detectable viral load and ART untreated patients. Metabolic pathways were distinctively affected according to whether the predominant factors were associated with sexual behavior or HIV pathogenesis. Gene family analysis identified bacterial gene signatures that may potentially be prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers of HIV/AIDS-associated malignancies.
Conclusions: We have identified distinctive microbial features at two easily accessible sites related to HIV immunopathogenesis. These could also be implemented as potential biomarkers to predict the risk of precancerous anal lesions or as therapeutic targets.
Breast Cancer Champions: A peer-to-peer education and mobile mammography program improving breast cancer screening rates for women of African heritage
Authors: Haynes David , Hughes Kelly , Haas McKenna , Richards Gaylynn , Robinson Benita
Published: December 2022

Introduction
Nationally, women of African heritage die at higher rates from breast cancer than women of other races or ethnicities. We developed Breast Cancer Champions (BCC) a peer-to-peer education program, which recruited 12 women and deployed them into the community in August 2020 during the height of the COVID-pandemic. BCC aims to improve breast cancer screening rates for women of African heritage through peer-to-peer education, which has proven successful for addressing cancer-related health disparities.
Methods
BCC community experts, or “Champions,” are peer-to-peer educators that conduct awareness and screening events in their communities. Champion's education activities were tracked by bi-weekly check-in calls, which recorded the activity type, location, and the number of participants for each event. We used spatial and statistical analyses to determine the efficacy of the program at increasing screening rates for women within the area of Champion activity versus women outside of their activity area.
Results
Over 15 months, Champions conducted 245 in-person or online events to engage women in their community for screening. More women of African heritage were screened in areas champions were active during the intervention compared to historical data comparing areas outside of the Champion activity in the prior 15 months (X 2 = 3.0845, p = 0.079).
Conclusion
BCC successes could be attributed to pivoting to online community building when in-person events were restricted and enabling Champions to design and conduct their own events, which increased outreach possibilities. We demonstrate improved screening outcomes associated with an updated peer-to-peer education program.
Changes in soil particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon contents under nitrogen addition
Authors: qi peng , Chen Ji , Wang Xiaojiao , Zhang Renzhi , Cai Liqun , Jiao Yapeng , Li Zhiqiang , Han Guojun
Published: December 2022

Aims
As the largest carbon (C) pool in terrestrial ecosystems, soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a critical role in the global C cycle. Particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) are two categories of SOC that are based on particle size. Nitrogen (N) addition considerably affects SOC content. However, research on the characteristics of POC and MAOC and their formation mechanisms under N (inorganic and organic N) addition remains unclear.
Methods
we conducted a meta-analysis based on data from 52 studies on terrestrial ecosystems in China to investigate the responses of SOC, POC, and MAOC contents to N addition and to reveal the formation mechanisms of POC and MAOC.
Results
The results showed that organic N addition significantly increased the contents of SOC, POC, and MAOC (P < 0.05), while inorganic N addition significantly increased those of SOC and POC (P < 0.05), which was associated with the addition of urea. The POC and MAOC contents increased with the extension of fertilization duration (years); however, the physical stability of SOC remained unchanged. No correlation was observed between the SOC sequestration rate (SOCSR) and duration of fertilization under inorganic N addition, while SOCSR showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing under organic N addition, reaching a maximum at approximately 10 years.
Conclusions
The main factors affecting the POC and MAOC contents were microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil pH, and the formation mechanisms of POC and MAOC were different under inorganic and organic N additions.
Factors associated with decision making about family planning use by refugee and host populations in Adjumani district, West Nile, Uganda: A cross-sectional Comparative study
Authors: ACHOLA ROSELLINE , Atuyambe Lynn , Nabiwemba Elizabeth , Makumbi Fredrick Edward , Orach Christopher Garimoi
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Uganda currently hosts an estimated 1.5 million refugees with the majority, (60.5%, n = 964,960) from South Sudan with low Family Planning (FP) use. Therefore, we investigated factors associated with decision-making about FP use by refugee and host populations in Adjumani district, Uganda.

Methods

This study used a comparative cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires to collect data. A total of 1,307 respondents were randomly selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using STATA V.14 C.

Results

The study found that modern FP use was 28.4% among refugees and 28.6% among hosts. Several factors were found associated with FP use including religion, joint decision, and husband approval. Anglicans were more times likely to use FP compared to Catholics, with AOR = 6.21, 95% CI [1.11-34.57] and AOR =5, 95% CI [4.75-13.23] respectively. Respondents who made joint decisions were more likely to use modern FP compared to those who made a personal decision; AOR = 2.69, 95% CI [0.89-138.39] and AOR= 7.05 95% CI [2.8-44.88] among host and refugees respectively. The key barriers to FP use by hosts included harassment of women who did not consult their significant others (AOR = 0.07, 95% CI [0.01-0.79] and separation/divorce (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI [0.00-0.35]. Amongst refugees, key barriers to not using FP included not wanting to use FP” [45.8%] and wanting to become pregnant [6.8%].

Conclusions

The study identified low FP use among refugees and hosts. The main factors associated with the decision to use FP included religion, joint decision, and the husband’s approval. The main reasons for not using modern FP included fear of side effects by hosts and not wanting to use FP by refugees. These factors can deter women from deciding to use FP. Therefore, sensitizing both communities about the benefits of FP is crucial.
Mortality and risk factors in very elderly patients who start hemodialysis: Korean Renal Data System (KORDS), 2016-2020
Authors: Park Ji Hyeon , Park Hayne Cho , Kim Do Hyoung , Lee Young-Ki , Cho AJin
Published: December 2022

Background The number of elderly patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing worldwide. However, decision-making about elderly patients with ESRD remains complex because of the lack of studies, especially in very elderly patients (³75 years). We examined the characteristics of very elderly patients starting hemodialysis (HD) and the associated mortality and prognostic factors.
Methods Data were analyzed retrospectively using a nationwide cohort registry, the Korean Renal Data System. Patients who started HD between January 2016 and December 2020 were included and divided into three groups according to age at HD initiation (<65, 65–74, and ³75 years). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality during the study period. Risk factors for mortality were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models.
Results In total, 22,024 incident patients were included with 10,006, 5,668, and 6,350 in each group (<65, 65–74, and ³75 years, respectively). Among the very elderly group, women had a higher cumulative survival rate than men (91.2% vs. 90.3% at 1 year and 56.4% vs. 51.9% at 3 years, respectively). The survival rate was lower in patients with vascular access via a catheter than in those with an arteriovenous fistula or graft (72.0% vs. 95.1% at 1 year and 23.8% vs. 60.7% at 3 years, respectively). Very elderly patients with more comorbid diseases had a significantly lower survival rate that those with fewer comorbidities (log-rank: p < 0.001).
Conclusion Preparation of an arteriovenous fistula or graft when starting HD should be considered in very elderly patients with fewer comorbid diseases.
Sex differences in fetal intracranial volumes assessed by in utero MR imaging
Authors: Griffiths Paul David , Jarvis Deborah , Mooney Cara , Campbell Michael
Published: December 2022

Background: The primary aim of the study is to test the null hypothesis that there are no statistically significant differences in intracranial volumes between male and female fetuses. Furthermore, we have studied the symmetry of the cerebral hemispheres in the cohort of low-risk fetuses.
Methods: 200 normal fetuses between 18-37 gestational weeks (gw) were included in the cohort and all had in utero MR, consisting of routine and 3D-volume imaging. The surfaces of the cerebral ventricles, brain and internal table of the skull were outlined manually and volume measurements were obtained of ventricles (VV), brain parenchyma (BPV), extra-axial CSF spaces (EAV) and the total intracranial volume (TICV). The change in those values were studied over the gestational range, along with potential gender differences and asymmetries of the cerebral hemispheres.
Results: BPV and VV increased steadily from 18 to 37 gestational weeks, and as a result TICV also increased steadily over that period. TICV and BPV increased at a statistically significantly greater rate in male relative to female fetuses after 24gw. The greater VV in male fetuses was apparent earlier but the rate of increase was similar for male and female fetuses. There was no difference between the genders in the left and right hemispherical volumes, and they remained symmetrical over the age range measured.
Conclusions: We have described the growth of the major intracranial compartments in fetuses between 18-37gw. We have shown a number of statistically different features between male and female fetuses but we have not detected any asymmetry in volumes of the fetal cerebral hemispheres.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Polymer Pore-Clogging in Micromodels
Authors: Sugar Antonia , Serag Maged , Buttner Ulrich , Fahs Marwan , Habuchi Satoshi , Hoteit Hussein
Published: December 2022

Polymers have been used effectively in the Oil & Gas Industry for a variety of field applications, such as enhanced oil recovery (EOR), well conformance, mobility control, and others. Polymer intermolecular interactions with the porous rock, in particular, formation clogging and the associated alterations to permeability, is a common problem in the industry. In this work, fluorescent polymers and single-molecule imaging are presented for the first time to assess the dynamic interaction and transport behavior of polymer molecules utilizing a microfluidic device. Pore-scale simulations are performed to replicate the experimental observations. The microfluidic chip, also known as a "Reservoir-on-a-Chip" functions as a 2D surrogate to evaluate the flow processes that take place at the pore-scale. The pore-throat sizes of an oil-bearing reservoir rock, which range from 2 to 10 nm, are taken into consideration while designing the microfluidic chip. Using soft lithography, we created the micromodel from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The conventional use of tracers to monitor polymers has a restriction due to the tendency of polymer and tracer molecules to segregate. For the first time, we develop a novel microscopy method to observe the dynamic behavior of polymer pore-clogging and unclogging processes. We provide direct dynamic observations of polymer molecules during their transport within the aqueous phase and their clustering and accumulations. Pore-scale simulations were carried out to simulate the phenomena using a finite-element simulation tool. The simulations revealed a decline in flow conductivity over time within the flow channels that experienced polymer accumulation and retention, which is consistent with the experimental observation of polymer retention. The performed single-phase flow simulations allowed us to assess the flow behavior of the tagged polymer molecules within the aqueous phase. Additionally, both experimental observation and numerical simulations are used to evaluate the retention mechanisms that emerge during flow and how they affect apparent permeability. This work provides new insights to assessing the mechanisms of polymer retention in porous media.