bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysgerminoma germ cell tumors exhibit high expression of PD-L1 and are associated with high levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and a good patient prognosis
Authors: Alwosaibai Kholoud , Alruwaii Zainab Ibrahim , Mashhour Miral , Almsned Fahad M. , Asraf Reem , Alrsheedy Wadha , Alessa Ahmed , Almohanna Hani , Selwi Waleed , Azam Faisal
Published: June 2024

Background
Ovarian germ cell tumors (OVGCTs) account for 28% of all diagnosed ovarian cancers, and malignant germ cell tumors specifically account for approximately 13% of diagnosed ovarian cancers in Saudi Arabia. Although most germ cell tumor patients have a high survival rate, patients who experience tumor recurrence have a poor prognosis and present with more aggressive and chemoresistant tumors. The use of immunotherapeutic agents such as PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors for OVGCTs remains very limited because few studies have described the immunological characteristics of these tumors. This study is the first to investigate PD-L1 expression in ovarian germ cell tumors and explore the role of PD-L1 expression in tumor microenvironment cells and genetic alterations.
Methods
A total of 34 ovarian germ cell tumors were collected from pathology archives. The collected tumor tissues included ten dysgerminomas, five yolk sac tumors, five immature teratomas, and one mature teratoma, and the remaining samples were mixed germ cell tumors. The tumors were analyzed using immunohistochemical analysis to determine PD-L1 expression, immune cell infiltration and cancer stem cell populations and their correlation with clinical outcome. Furthermore, the genetic alterations in different subtypes of germ cell tumors were correlated with PD-L1 expression and clinical outcome. Datasets for testicular germ cells (TGCTs) were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and analyzed using cBioPortal (cbioportal.org) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA).
Results
Compared with yolk sac tumors, dysgerminomas highly express PD-L1 and are associated with high levels of infiltrating lymphocytes and stem cell markers. In addition, compared with PD-L1-negative yolk sac tissue, dysgerminomas/seminomas with high PD-L1 expression are associated with more genetic alterations and a better prognosis.
Conclusion
Our findings will contribute to the knowledge about the potential benefits of ovarian cancer immunotherapy in specific subsets of germ cell tumor patients and the risk factors for resistance mediated by tumor microenvironment cells.
A fine-grained image classification algorithm based on self-supervised learning and multi- feature fusion of blood cells
Authors: Jia Nan , Guo Jingxia , Li Yan , Tang Siyuan , Xu Li , Liu Liang , Xing Junfeng
Published: June 2024

Leukemia is a prevalent and widespread blood disease, and its early diagnosis is crucial for effective patient treatment. Diagnosing leukemia types heavily relies on pathologists' morphological examination of blood cell images. However, this process is tedious and time-consuming, and the diagnostic results are subjective, leading to potential misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. This paper proposes a blood cell image classification method that combines MAE with an enhanced Vision Transformer to tackle these challenges. Initially, pre-training occurs on two datasets, TMAMD and Red4, using the MAE self-supervised learning algorithm. Subsequently, the pre-training weights are transferred to our improved model.This paper introduces feature fusion of the outputs from each layer of the Transformer encoder to maximize the utilization of features extracted from lower layers, such as color, contour, and texture of blood cells, along with deeper semantic features. Furthermore, the dynamic margins for the subcenter Arcface Loss function are employed to enhance the model's fine-grained feature representation by achieving inter-class dispersion and intra-class aggregation. Models trained using our method achieved state-of-the-art results on both the TMAMD dataset and Red4 dataset, with classification accuracies of 93.51% and 81.41%, respectively. This achievement is expected to be a valuable reference for physicians in their clinical diagnoses.
Relation Between Outpatient Medical Expenses and Self-Rated Health in Patients With Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, and Diabetes Mellitus Covered by National Health Insurance
Authors: Kawasaki Sanai , Ohnishi Mayumi , Nakao Rieko , Kosaka Satoko , Kawasaki Ryoko
Published: June 2024

Background: This study was performed to clarify the relations between subjective self-rated health and outpatient medical expenses as an objective measure in patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes mellitus.
Methods: We analyzed self-rated health of individuals aged 40–74 years in Unzen and Shimabara cities based on responses to the anonymous self-administered Nagasaki Prefectural Citizen’s Health Survey in 2021 along with data from the national health insurance database for both cities from fiscal year 2020.
Results: Data for 1395 respondents to the Nagasaki Prefectural Citizen’s Health Survey covered by national health insurance who incurred outpatient medical expenses in relation to hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes mellitus were included in the study. In univariate analysis, outpatient medical expenses were significantly associated with self-rated health in the groups with one or two of the above diseases (χ test, both P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis adjusted for measures of socioeconomic status, including age, sex, cohabitation/family structure, number of years of education, employment status, and subjective economic status, showed that poor self-rated health was significantly associated with high annual outpatient medical expenses of JPY 100,000 (~US $650).
or more in groups with one or two of the above diseases (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60–3.61, AOR, 2.20, 95% CI, 1.41–3.43, respectively). In the one-disease cohort, having diabetes mellitus alone was significantly associated with higher outpatient medical expenses (AOR, 2.63, 95% CI, 1.50–4.63). In contrast, none of the conditions showed a significant association with higher outpatient medical expenses in the two-disease cohort.
Conclusions: Poor self-rated health was significantly associated with high outpatient medical expenses in the population covered by national health insurance with one or two of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes mellitus. These associations may have been influenced by the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the population.
Cost-effectiveness of Homocysteine Testing in Screening High-Risk Stroke Patients in China: A Markov Model Analysis
Authors: Meng Hua , Pan Ting , Pan Dongfeng , Chen Mingbo , Liu Zhuo , Geng Yuhui , Ma Xiaojuan , Liang Peifeng
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND：China has invested substantial resources in screening and intervening with people at high risk of stroke in the past decade. Surprisingly, the weighted prevalence of stroke has still increased, highlighting the necessity to explore more cost-effectiveness screening strategies.
METHODS：A decision tree-Markov model was used to evaluate the quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of different screening strategies, including no screening, Homocysteine(Hcy) testing and “8+2” risk-scorecard with Hcy-testing. Screening frequencies were set at biennial, triennial, and lifetime intervals, with initial screening ages of 40, 50, 60, and 70 years.
RESULTS：The biennial Hcy testing had the highest ICER when the screening age was 40 and 50 years old, which were 3377.7 ￥/QALY and 944.6 ￥/QALY respectively. However, when the screening age was 60 and 70 years old, the biannual Hcy testing shows a reduced cost and increased effectiveness, the ICER were -2933.9￥/QALY and -2349.6￥/QALY respectively.
CONCLUSIONS：In China, the biannual “8+2” risk-scorecard combined with Hcy testing for screening high-risk stroke groups at ages 40 or 50 represents the most cost-effectiveness approach. For individuals aged 60 or 70, the biannual Hcy testing is the recommended strategy.
Association of Biological Ageing with All-Cause Mortality among Individuals with Tumors: a Cohort Study
Authors: Bu Qianqian , Zhou Changshun , Yao Yuan , Duan Dayue Darrel , Lu Sicheng , Cheng Haibo
Published: June 2024

Background
It is widely acknowledged that ageing is a major risk factor for the pathogenesis and development of tumors. But the association of biological ageing with tumors remains elusive. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the association of biological ageing to all-cause mortality of individuals with tumors and the related risk factors.
Methods
A total of 37,465 participants were recruited from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1998 to 2018. DNAm PhenoAge (PhenoAge) and Klemera-Doubal method biological age (KDMAge) were selected as ageing biomarkers. The association was analyzed using multiple logistic regression models, Kaplan–Meier method and smooth curve fitting. Interaction tests were conducted to explore the effects of covariates on the association. ROC curves were plotted to quantify the efficacy of PhenoAge and KDMAge, and the area under the curve was calculated to assess their performance.
Results
A positive correlation between biological ageing and all-cause mortality among individuals with tumors was observed. The mortality risk of tumor was increased 22% and 72% correspondingly by each 1-year increase in PhenoAge and KDMAge acceleration. The HRs and 95% CIs were 1.22 (1.02, 1.46) and 1.72 (1.42, 2.08), respectively. Furthermore, this association was interfered by educational level, poverty-income ratio and cardiovascular disease status.
Conclusion
There exists a significant positive correlation between biological ageing and all-cause mortality of individuals with tumors. Educational level, poverty-income ratio and cardiovascular disease may be important interfering factors. This study provides novel insights into developing ageing-related biomarkers for individuals at high risk of tumors.
The Effects of a Novel Nutraceutical Composition Containing Coenzyme $Q_{10}$, Resveratrol, Extracts of Ginkgo biloba Leaf, Garlic Bulb, Red Yeast Rice, and Bovine Colostrum on heart dysfunction
Authors: Ma Sixi , Xiao Ying , Hu De , Yang Lili
Published: June 2024

Background: With heart disease being the leading cause of death for people in the worldwide, cost-effective therapies supporting healthy heart function are highly needed. Heart dysfunction is the mani-festation of heart diseases. Inflammation, oxidative stress and hypercholesterolemia are risk factors in the pathogenesis of heart dysfunction. Many nutraceutical compositions containing Coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaf, Garlic Bulb, red rice yeast, and bovine colostrum appear to have potential in improving heart dysfunction.
Objective: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate whether a new combination containing abovementioned nutraceuticals (Cardio) is protective against damage of heart function.
Methods: In this study, C57BL/6J mice were divided into control, high fat high cholesterol diet fed group (HFHC), and HFHC diet + Cardio (Cardio group). The mice were fed for 16 weeks. Plasma lipid levels, inflammation, oxidative damage, and pa-rameters of heart function were measured.
Results: Plasma lipid levels, inflammation, oxidative damage, and parameters of heart function were measured. Cardio treatment significantly inhibited hypercholesterolemia, reduced level of heart markers including LDH and CK, improved 1 heart function, and reduced HFHC diet induced increased levels of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-1β. Conclusion: Cardio has a protective effect on heart dysfunction, potentially by ameliorating hypercholesterolemia,
inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Development of a novel prediction model for carriage of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant in Japanese patients with breast cancer based on Japanese Organization of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer registry data
Authors: Komatsu Nana , Chishima Takashi , Watanabe Chie , Taruno Kanae , Inuzuka Mayuko , Oshi Masanori , Arai Masami , Nakamura Seigo
Published: June 2024

Purpose: With the increasing demand for BRCA genetic testing, most existing prediction models were developed using data from individuals of European descent. This study aimed to identify clinicopathological factors of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome and develop the first Japanese-specific prediction model for BRCA pathogenic variant carriers in Japan.
Methods: We utilized data from 3,072 Japanese patients with breast cancer aggregated by the Japanese Organization of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer registry. Prediction models were developed using 70% of the overall dataset and validated using the remaining 30%. Factors associated with the BRCA pathogenic variant status were identified using logistic univariate analysis, and significant factors were further analyzed using logistic multivariate analysis to develop prediction models for BRCA1/2 (BRCA1 and/or BRCA2), BRCA1, and BRCA2 pathogenic variants.
Results: BRCA1showed associations with aggressive clinicopathologicalfactors such as triple-negative breast cancer and nuclear grade 3. Moreover, the prediction model showed a high area under the curve (AUC) of 0.879. By contrast, BRCA2 exhibited fewer characteristic associated factors, and the AUC of the model was 0.669. Common factors shared by BRCA1/2, BRCA1, and BRCA2 were the age at diagnosis of breast cancer and the youngest age of relatives with breast cancer. Consistent with previous research, early-onset breast cancer appeared to be strongly associated with HBOC.
Conclusion: We successfully developed prediction models for BRCA1/2, BRCA1, and BRCA2pathogenic variants. By accurately stratifying patients’ risk and guiding targeted screening and preventative interventions, these models will contribute to improved management and outcomes of HBOC.
Surgical outcome comparison between partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy for T1 papillary and chromophobe renal cell carcinomas
Authors: Deng Piye , Xu Haozhe , Xing Zhuo , Deng Haitao , Li Zhi , Deng Xu , Li Yuan
Published: June 2024

Background
Papillary renal cell carcinomas (pRCCs) and chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (chRCCs) are the two most prevalent subtypes of non-clear cell renal cell carcinomas (nccRCCs). As most current studies comparing partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN) predominantly concentrate on clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs), it is imperative to conduct an independent analysis of nccRCCs to avoid potential effects from a substantial number of ccRCC samples. This study was designed to compare the oncological outcomes of PN and RN when treating pRCC and chRCC subgroups.
Methods
A total of 320 patients from three urological surgery centers who met the criteria were enrolled in the study. Overlap weighting (OW) was used to balance confounding factors between groups. The Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression model were used to assess the prognosis.
Results
In the overall cohort, after OW adjustment, the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), 5-year metastasis-free survival (MFS), and 5-year overall survival (OS) for patients who underwent RN and PN were 97.1% and 97.8%, 91.6% and 89.6%, 93.7% and 91.6%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated there was no significant difference in RFS, MFS, and OS between RN and PN, same results were also noted in both the pRCC and chRCC cohorts.
Conclusions
Our results indicated that PN resulted in oncological outcomes equivalent to RN in cT1-pRCC and chRCC patients. If PN is challenging, opting for RN does not compromise patient OS, RFS, and MFS.
Advancing Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment: A Case Series on Pemetrexed Intrathecal Chemotherapy Monitored Through Circulating Tumor DNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Hong Weiping , Wen Lei , Yang Yanying , Wang Hui , Hu Qingjun , Liang Chuqiao , Hong Xiaoyu , Zhen Junjie , Lai Mingyao , Li Juan , Cai Linbo , Shan Changguo
Published: June 2024

Intrathecal pemetrexed (IP) treatment represents a promising approach for managing leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) in cancer patients. However, a standardized and measurable method to evaluate the efficacy of IP for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with LM is currently lacking. This report describes three NSCLC-LM cases treated with IP following progression with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) alone. We observed their responses through next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) extracted from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The outcomes were favorable for patient 1 and 2, whereas patient 3 experienced a relapse. Notably, changes in the allele frequency (AF) of ctDNA mutations corresponded with clinical outcomes across these patients, which were also corroborated by multiple traditional clinical markers. This observation is significant, particularly in patient 3, where ctDNA monitoring effectively described the patient's temporary improvement followed by deterioration. Furthermore, in patient 2, the transition from a positive to a negative cytological test, alongside persistent positive NGS results, underscores the higher sensitivity of NGS compared to conventional cytological analysis. This suggests that longitudinal ctDNA monitoring using CSF samples may serve as an effective and independent method for assessing and dynamically tracking the response to IP treatment in NSCLC-LM patients. This approach has the potential to refine therapeutic strategies and improve patient outcomes.
Simulation of interaction between modified polysulfone membrane surface and blood protein interface
Authors: Yan Sheng , Qiu Yun-Ren
Published: June 2024

In this study, the adsorption mechanism of protein on functionalized modified polysulfone membrane was investigated by molecular dynamics method (MD). The interaction between different functionalized membrane surfaces and protein adsorption was revealed. The modified polysulfone membranes with different end-group chemical functional groups were prepared by chemical synthesis method. The orientation and spatial conformation changes of protein adsorption at molecular level were investigated by theoretical analysis, basic experiment and MD simulation. The results showed that BSA exhibited different variability and adsorption properties on the membrane modified with different functional groups. On the positively charged surface, BSA exhibits the most unstable configurational stability and is prone to non-specific structural changes. In addition, the surface charge effect leads to electrostatic repulsion between BSA, reducing the number of protein adsorption sites, which is consistent with the simulation and experimental characterization results. These MD simulation results are consistent with the experimental results, and provide a new design idea and support for the modification of blood compatible membrane materials.
Medical-elderly care integrated institutions managers' perspectives in China on the operational issues of their facilities: A qualitative study
Authors: Zhang Juxia , Wang Jing , Wang Yunhua , Meng Hongyan , Zhang Rong , Feng Yuping , Wang Jiancheng
Published: June 2024

Background In China, institutions that medical-elderly care integrated have mushroomed due to the aging population of the nation. Nonetheless, the perspectives of managers at medical-elderly care integrated institutions regarding operational matters are still not fully defined. The aim of this study is to investigate the viewpoints of managers working in medical-elderly care integrated facilities in China concerning the problems and difficulties they encounter on a daily basis. Methods In this paper, the interpretive phenomenological analysis method of qualitative study was used to initiate; face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with managers of 29 medical-elderly care integrated institutions in seven cities in Gansu Province applying the semi-structured interview method. Results A total of four main themes were found: (1) Low quality of healthcare services; (2) Scarce workforce of healthcare professionals; (3) Inadequate guarantee of healthcare resources; and (4) Future operation plan and recommendations. Conclusions This study demonstrates the range of difficulties encountered by medical-elderly care integrated institutions in their operations, including poor service delivery, a talent deficit, and inadequate funding. A thorough management and oversight system must be constructed to keep an eye on how institutions are run and guarantee the caliber of services they offer. In addition to increasing financial and policy assistance, the government need to to assume greater accountability for overseeing the administration and operation of medical-elderly care integrated institutions. The problem of population aging and the growth of the elderly care industry demand the contributions and efforts of society as a whole, as does the functioning of medical-elderly care integrated institutions, which require the participation of multiple social forces.
Copper tungstate assisted photocatalytic degradation of Industrial (dye and pharmaceutical) products in water
Authors: Vadivel Dhanalakshmi , García Jessica , Dondi Daniele
Published: June 2024

The contamination of ecosystems, specifically water, has emerged as a substantial concern in recent decades. This is mostly owing to the extensive growth of large industries that have provided societal advantages but are also imposing adverse effects on the environment. Azure A (AA) and Azure B (AB) are the cationic dyes commonly employed in industrial, and biomedical fields as intermediates in the production of several pharmaceuticals, as mediators for electrochemical biosensing, and indigo carmine (IC) is an anionic dye used in the textile industry for dyeing. Micropollutants, including the pharmaceutical, propranolol hydrochloride (β-blocker) (PPH) are the pollutants in the subject of discussion. In this research article, CuWO4 catalyst (green catalyst) is used to alleviate the impact of the environment on its ecosystem as a photocatalyst with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of pollutants (AA, AB, and PPH). For the analysis of pollutants, decomposition, UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy, and High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are employed. This work demonstrates the promise of nanomaterial-based photocatalysis as a viable and effective method for sustainably tackling water pollution.
The Impact of Interactions between the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Its Related Systems on Typhoon Activity in the Northwest Pacific on a Centennial Scale
Authors: Chai Boyu , Xu Feng
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the correlation between the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and related variables (such as sea surface temperature (SST), radiation, etc.) in the tropical Pacific region over a long timescale from 1884 to 2019, and their impact on typhoon activity in the Northwest Pacific. The research employs methods including composite analysis, complex empirical orthogonal function (CEOF) analysis, self-organizing map (SOM) cluster analysis, and correlation analysis. The findings reveal: (1) When El Niño or La Niña events occur, the variations in the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) and sea level pressure anomaly (SLPA) in the tropical Pacific are not always consistent. Their combined changes significantly influence typhoon activity. Regions with higher SST and lower sea level pressure (SLP) are more prone to typhoon activity. Typhoons originating in the open ocean have a larger variance in their impact on land, compared to those originating near the coast. (2) El Niño years are more conducive to the genesis of typhoons in the open ocean, with increased typhoon activity in the Asian interior, Japan, and the Beibu Gulf, and longer average typhoon paths. Conversely, La Niña years favor coastal typhoon genesis, with increased typhoon activity in northeastern China, the East China Sea, and the southern coastal regions, and shorter average typhoon paths. (3) Near the coast, the correlation between specific humidity and typhoon frequency is stronger than in the open ocean. In the open ocean, the correlation between sea surface downward longwave radiation (SDLR) and typhoon frequency is stronger than near the coast. This is because strong SDLR in the open ocean provides more energy at the sea surface in typhoon genesis regions, thereby promoting typhoon activity. The relationship between average vertical wind shear in large-scale circulation and typhoon activity shows a positive-negative alternating distribution from south to north.
Optimizing Production Possibilities: A Time-Based Analysis
Authors: Namin Mahnaz Ahadzadeh , Allahviranloo Tofigh , Lotfi Farhad Hosseinzadeh , Shahriari Mohammadreza
Published: June 2024

In the contemporary business environment, a comprehensive evaluation of a company's economic activities within a specific time frame is essential for managers and experts. A company's performance is influenced not only by its current economic status but also by its activities during the given period. While numerous studies have examined the progress and regression of units over two consecutive periods, this research focuses on classifying units within a single period. The significance of this study lies in its potential to assist investors in selecting the most suitable products to include in their portfolios. By categorizing products within a defined period, investors can make well-informed decisions. To accomplish this objective, the research introduces the concept of the production possibilities set within a specific time frame. Subsequently, a proposed method is employed to classify the units. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through its application in classifying active industries in the Iranian Petrochemical Exchange, providing a practical illustration of its real-world implementation.
Ganduqing attenuates PM2.5-induced lung injury via regulating the pulmonary microbiota and metabolic profiles
Authors: Wu Yongcan , Zuo Biao , Zhou Xin , Zhao Sijing , Pei Caixia , Wang Xiaomin , Wang Yilan , Huang Demei , Shi shihua , Shen Zherui , Wang Jianwei , Wang fei , Wang Zhenxing
Published: June 2024

Background: Substantial evidence links PM2.5 to the development of inflammatory lung diseases such as chronic airways, but effective treatments are lacking. Gan-Du-Qing Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for chronic airway inflammation. However, whether GDQ can ameliorate PM2.5-induced lung injury and its mechanism are unknown and we will further investigate..
Study Design/Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing 120 grams were utilized to establish a rat model of lung injury through systemic exposure to PM2.5. Gan Du Qing (GDQ) was administered via gavage starting four weeks post-exposure. Morphological changes were observed through Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was detected using immunohistochemical staining, while scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe ultrastructural changes in the lung trachea. Levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were quantified using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The main components of GDQ were identified through Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Additionally, a combination of serum metabolomics and 16S gene sequencing of lung microbiota was employed to pinpoint key targets mediating the therapeutic effects of MGMD in the treatment of PM2.5-induced lung injury.
Results: The findings indicated that GDQ had the capability to reduce the pathological changes of lung tissue and mitigate inflammatory exudation in the lungs. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that GDQ effectively reduced the richness and diversity of the pulmonary microbiome induced by PM2.5 and restored the overall structure of the pulmonary microbiome. Metabolomic analysis identified 65 potential differential metabolites that may contribute to GDQ's attenuation of PM2.5-induced lung injury. These metabolites were mainly enriched in the Phospholipase D signaling pathway, Metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, and Glutathione metabolism.
Conclusion: Our research offers valuable insights into how GDQ operates to mitigate PM2.5-induced lung injury through the modulation of lung microbiota and serum metabolome. These findings may have important implications for the development of effective strategies to protect against lung injury caused by PM2.5.
Advanced lithium-sulfur battery leveraging carbonized MoO3/T-CNF Composite Aerogels
Authors: Liu Yane , Zhang Mingang , Jia Shengli , Jiang Yifan , Zhao Qinghua
Published: June 2024

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is one of the most promising high energy density energy storage systems due to its high theoretical energy density (2600 W h kg− 1) and specific capacity (1675 mA h g− 1). However, the poor conductivity of elemental sulfur and discharge final products Li2S2/Li2S, and the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfide are still important reasons for the capacity degradation of lithium-sulfur batteries. Herein, we propose to prepare MoO3/T-CNF composite aerogel materials by compounding TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (T-CNF) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanosheets through ultrasonic dispersion, directional freeze drying and high-temperature carbonization processes. When used as the cathode material for lithium-sulfur batteries, the aerogel material offers high electrical conductivity, a well-developed pore structure, and a large specific surface area. These properties enable it to effectively adsorb polysulfides, suppress their shuttle effect, and alleviate the volume expansion of electrode materials during charge and discharge cycles. Among them, the highest specific discharge capacity of MoO3/T-CNF-3 at 0.1C was 1721.8 mA h g− 1, and the coulombic efficiency of 99.6% can still be maintained after 200 cycle. This demonstrates the benefits of the three-dimensional composite aerogel structure for Li-S battery cathode material applications, suggesting that the structural design of the material can enhance cycle stability while optimizing the specific capacity and multiplicative performance of Li-S batteries.
Inadequate health insurance cover in Germany: People’s characteristics, causes and possible solutions - a mixed methods approach
Authors: Dumke Christian , Kaifie Andrea
Published: June 2024

Background
In the German dual health insurance system, almost 1% of German citizens only have an inadequate insurance cover leading to an impaired medical care. The personals characteristics, the causes of their inadequate cover and the associated health effects are largely unknown, so far. The aim of this study was to obtain a comprehensive overview about those with a limited health insurance cover.
Methods
The study was conducted using a mixed-methods design. Data was used from two private health insurance companies and one statutory health insurance company. In addition, interviews were conducted with experts from clearing centers that supported the return to a full insurance coverage, with the aim of exploring the causes of the current situation, to identify the challenges in trying to regain full insurance coverage and to capture the health effects.
Results
The PHI dataset comprised a total number of n = 14.312 and the SHI data set n = 95.325 persons. In the private health insurance system, the most affected people were male, over 40 years and self-employed, while in the statutory health insurance system, the most affected were young male between 20 and 30 years, employees and overproportionate non-Germans. Socio-economic factors, lack of health literacy, and inadequate knowledge about health insurance resulted in an inadequate insurance cover leading to an exclusion from the healthcare system.
Conclusion
There are particular groups with certain sociodemographic characteristics that are more vulnerable to an inadequate insurance cover. It is therefore important to identify and offer support before an insurance downgrade is carried out. Support from health insurance companies in cooperation with clearing centers and state institutions that provide social benefits is necessary.
The Performance of a Hybrid Asphalt Mixture in Modifying Hot Mix Asphalt Properties
Authors: Sani Wan Noor Hin Mior , Jaya Ramadhansyah Putra , Masri Khairil Azman , Dulaimi Anmar
Published: June 2024

Waste materials in asphalt mixtures have garnered significant interest due to environmental concerns and the necessity for sustainable infrastructure. This study evaluated the performance of a waste material-based hybrid asphalt mixture, including palm oil fuel ash (POFA), garnet waste, and sawdust. Numerous physical tests were conducted to examine the hybrid asphalt mixture characteristics, such as penetration, softening point, and viscosity assessments. A Marshall stability and Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) was also performed to assess the stability and rheological characteristic of the mixture. Consequently, the hybrid asphalt mixture demonstrated favourable outcomes in improving the hot mix asphalt characteristics. These findings suggested that the hybrid contents (0% as control, 3%, 6%, and 9%) produced a significant performance impact on the hybrid asphalt mixture. The 6% hybrid asphalt mixture yielded the highest stability, delivering a Marshall stability value of 22.33 kN and suitable ageing resistance of asphalt samples due to the high sensitivity of the binder to the test temperature. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies reported strong adhesion and interaction between the particles in the 6% hybrid asphalt mixture. This study effectively demonstrated that the waste materials (POFA, garnet waste, and sawdust) in the hybrid asphalt mixtures developed enhanced physical and mechanical characteristics. The results also indicated that the hybrid asphalt mixtures exhibited potential durability and performance in improving the longevity and efficacy of hot mix asphalts. Therefore, this study provided evidence of effective and sustainable construction practices in asphalt pavements. Further research on waste components in asphalt mixtures should also be investigated to enhance their overall efficacy.
RETRACTED: Assessing the Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in River Surface Sediments: A Pollution Index Approach
Authors: Cihan Elif , Sezgin Naim
Published: June 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A graph-based framework of low-energy transfer design
Authors: Oshima Kenta
Published: June 2024

Exploring the solution space of low-energy transfer trajectories in the multi-body gravitational environment is a challenging task. The highly nonlinear dynamics and many degrees of freedom of control inputs lead to a vast variety and number of possible solutions. The present paper develops a graph-based framework for computing low-energy transfer trajectories in a multi-objective fashion. Periapsis states obtained from the newly introduced special apsis conditions, with which pivotal dynamical objects in the low-energy regime such as the zero velocity surface and periodic orbits associate, and their connectivity calculated in the fixed-time-of-arrival method represent the graphs. Initial guess solutions are obtained as shortest paths in the graphs that are optimized to minimize the fuel cost. The framework is shown to be effectively applicable to distinct phase-space regions in a unified manner demonstrating its versatility in the complex dynamical environment. The present paper finds new Pareto solutions in the halo-to-halo transfer problem as well as the high-energy excursion technique that enhances the flyby effect in the multi-flyby transfer problem as by-products of the applications.
Antiviral Activity of Probiotics in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Respiratory Infections Associated with Coronavirus (COVID-19): A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Mokadem Slimane Chawki , Naimi Mostefa , Alami Omar
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Probiotics, living microorganisms administered in sufficient quantities, exert beneficial effects on host health. Given the high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, recent studies suggest potential positive impacts of probiotics on COVID-19 patients.
Methods: A predetermined search strategy encompassing seven databases, NCBI, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Link, Embase, CNKI, and Cochrane Library Databases, was implemented. Human RCTs were scrutinized independently for data extraction, quality and risk of bias assessment, and statistical analysis. Pooled data, employing the random-effects model, are expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Assessments of the p value and heterogeneity (I²) were conducted and quantified.
Results: Five studies comprising 282 out of 375 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed effects on various parameters: CRP level (SMD=0.26 MG/L, 95% CI [0.10, 0.43], p= 0.002, (I²=67%, p=0.03); BMI (SMD=0.28 KG/m², 95% CI [0.07, 0.50], p= 0.01, (I²=67%, p=0.40); T-cell count (SMD=0.09 G/L, 95% CI [-0.07, 0.26], p= 0.26, (I²=0%, p=0.73); Albumin level (SMD=0.28 G/DL, 95% CI [0.04, 0.52], p= 0.02, (I²=7%, p=0.34); IL-6 level (SMD=0.67, 95% CI [0.45, 0.90], p= 0.00001, (I²=94%, p=0.0001)); and LDH level (SMD=0.12 mmol/L, 95% CI [-0.05, 0.30], p= 0.17
Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that probiotics had significant positive effects on various measures for treating COVID-19.
Decentralized Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach for Channel Access Optimization
Authors: Cruz Sheila C. da S. J. , de Figueiredo Felipe Augusto Pereira , de Souza Rausley A. A.
Published: June 2024

The IEEE 802.11 standard’s binary exponential back-off (BEB) algorithm is the prevailing method for tackling the collision avoidance problem. Under the BEB paradigm, the back-off period increases each time a collision occurs, aiming to minimize the likelihood of subsequent collisions. However, this provides sub-optimal results degrading network performance and leading to bandwidth wastage, especially in dynamic dense networks. To overcome these drawbacks, this paper proposes using a decentralized approach with deep reinforcement learning algorithms, namely Deep Q Learning (DQN) and Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG), to optimize the contention window value and maximize throughput while minimizing collisions. Simulations with the NS-3 simulator and NS3-gym toolkit reveal that DQN and DDPG outperform BEB in both static and dynamic scenarios, achieving up to a 37.16% network throughput improvement in dense networks, keeping a high and stable throughput as the number of stations increases.
Suspected Molecular Links in Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma of the Eyelid: A scoping review
Authors: Maurya Rajendra Prakash , Maurya Akhilendra Kumar , Singh Samer , Ali Akhtar , Singh Virendra Pratap , Gupta Sneha , Yadav Akansha , Singh Chandra Bhan , Al-Mujaini Abdullah S.
Published: June 2024

Objectives
This review aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of mismatch gene defect, cell cycle dysregulation, and anomalous signaling—including Wnt/β-catenin, hedgehog, and caspase-3/YAP signaling—in relation to the phenotypic presentation of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) patients. This review also includes in-silico analysis to explore selectively expressed proteins (SEPs) through network-based analysis.
Methods
A thoroughly literature search was performed using PubMed, Google scholar, and Web of Science databases to provide updated knowledge on critical genes and related signaling pathways in SGC pathogenesis by using specific and relevant terms. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for selected genes with strong evidence from the literature, using STRING 11.0 database and Cytoscape 3.7.1 software.
Results
This review highlights crucial genes and proteins involved in the progression of eyelid SGC. Mismatch repair (MMR) genes are integral to SGC in patients, essential for maintaining genomic integrity. This review also describes mutational analysis, noting that mutations primarily occur in MLH1 and MSH2, followed by MSH6, PMS2 and p53. In patients with SGC, mutations or dysregulation of factors or genes involved in hedgehog, β-catenin, caspase-3/YAP, and C-MYC-AR-p53 signaling are crucial during tumorigenesis. The network-based approach elucidates the roles of essential genes, including MMR genes, and experimentally determines interactions, co-expression, and combined scores. The lowest combined scores were observed for CTNNB1 and SHH. Additionally, the role of immune checkpoint regulators—including PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA—is investigated, revealing that their dysregulation leads to poor cancer cell presentation to immune cells.
Conclusion
We summarize the literature on crucial genes (e.g., MMR genes) and related signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt/β-catenin, hedgehog, and Capspase-3/YAP signaling) in the pathogenesis of eyelid SGC. Eyelid SGC is an aggressive tumor typically associated with MMR gene defects compared to other critical genes involved in tumorigenesis. In-silico analysis provides a better understanding of critical genes expressed in sebaceous glands and their role in SGC pathogenesis. These differentially expressed genes in tumor cells could improve SGC diagnosis and serve as potential targets for drug therapy.
Dilute Acid Hydrolysis for Optimization of Sugar Concentrations Frompennisetum Purpureum: a Conventional Approach
Authors: Ogunsuyi Helen Olayinka , Olu-Egbor Oseyomon Gabriel
Published: June 2024

The present study was conducted for the optimization of process variables used for the acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, Pennisteum purpureum (Elephant grass) which is a renewable resource that can be used for the generation of bio-based chemicals. This research used dilute sulphuric acid as a catalyst for hydrolysis of elephant grass. The study was aimed at investigating the viability of elephant grass to generate hexose and pentose sugars which are major feedstock for the production of bio-based chemicals. The process variables such as acid concentration, temperature and contact time were varied and effect of these parameters on the production of sugars (xylose, glucose and arabinose) as well as on the formation of degradation products (furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural) in the hydrolysate (hemicellulosic fraction) were studied. From the preliminary analysis, each portion of the elephant grass had an average value of 38.56% and 16.14% for carbohydrates and hemicellulose contents respectively. The optimum conditions of 0.4 wt % H2SO4, 140 ºC, 180 minutes for acid concentration, temperature and contact time respectively was found. Under these conditions, the hydrolysate contained 5.453 g/L glucose, 2.719 g/L xylose, 1.106 g/L arabinose, 0.02195 g/L furfural and 0.0153 g/L 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.For effective production of sugar from elephant grass biomass high concentration of acid was found not favourable for the hydrolysis of the biomass. The conditions under which the experiment was conducted confirmed the possibility of generating pentose and hexose sugars from elephant grass with the potential of being used as feedstock for producing bio-based chemicals and products.
Visualization of the interaction between precursor proteins and the outer mitochondrial translocase using cryoEM
Authors:   , Ornelas Pamela
Published: June 2024

This thesis investigates the structure of the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) complex in mitochondria, focusing on the TOM holo complex through single-particle electron cryo-microscopy (cryoEM) complemented by mass spectrometry and computational structure prediction. Mitochondria, crucial for energy production in eukaryotic cells, import most of their proteins from the cytoplasm. These proteins enter through the TOM complex, which in its core form consists of a membrane-embedded homodimer of Tom40 pores, two Tom22 cytoplasmic receptors, and six small TOM stabilizing subunits (Tom7, Tom6, and Tom5). The holo complex includes two additional subunits, Tom70 and Tom20, whose stoichiometry and positioning are less understood due to their easy dissociation during isolation of the complex. CryoEM analysis revealed the high-resolution structure of the Neurospora crassa TOM core complex at 3.3 Å, containing all core subunits, and the presence of a central phospholipid causing the Tom40 dimer to tilt to 20°. Furthermore, a 4 Å resolution map indicated the binding of a precursor protein as it transitions through the translocation barrel. Finally, at 6-7 Å resolution, the structure of the TOM holo complex highlighted Tom20's flexibility as it interacts with the core complex, emphasizing its role in protein translocation. This work provides significant insights into the architecture and functioning of the TOM complex, contributing to the understanding of mitochondrial protein import mechanisms.
INFLAMMATORY MYOFIBROBLASTIC TUMOR OF THE MEDIASTINUM IN A PEDIATRIC PATIENT: A RARE CASE PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Authors:   Pediatrics Surgery Department, Mohammed VI Hospital, Mohamed First University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oujda, Amine Adem , Ayoub Amara ,   Pediatrics Surgery Department, Mohammed VI Hospital, Mohamed First University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oujda, Najlae Zaari ,   Pediatrics Surgery Department, Mohammed VI Hospital, Mohamed First University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oujda, Abdelouhab Ammor ,   Pediatrics Surgery Department, Mohammed VI Hospital, Mohamed First University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oujda, Driss Azzouzi ,   Pediatrics Surgery Department, Mohammed VI Hospital, Mohamed First University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oujda, Houssain Benhaddou ,   Pediatrics Surgery Department, Mohammed VI Hospital, Mohamed First University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oujda
Published: June 2024

Mediastinal tumors in pediatric patients encompass a broad spectrum of pathologies, ranging from benign to malignant entities. We present a case of a 10-year-old boy who initially presented with persistent back pain followed by nocturnal coughing, asthenia, and significant weight loss over a year. Upon admission, physical examination was unremarkable except for a mediastinal opacity noted on radiographic evaluation, leading to further characterization by thoracic CT scan, revealing a sizable right paracardiac mediastinal mass. Surgical excision was performed successfully, with en bloc resection of the mass adherent to the middle and lower lung lobes, and involving regional lymph nodes. Postoperative recovery was uneventful over a two-month follow-up period.Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), a rare entity within the mediastinum Our case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing mediastinal IMTs, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving clinical suspicion, diagnostic imaging, and definitive histopathological evaluation.Continued reporting and study of such cases contribute to our understanding of this rare pathological entity, guiding optimal management strategies and long-term surveillance protocols for affected pediatric patients. This case report highlights the need for heightened awareness and research efforts to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes for mediastinal IMTs in pediatric populations.