bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study protocol on effectiveness of yoga practice on Composite Biomarker Age Predictors (yBioAge) in an Elderly Indian Cohort- Two-Armed Open Label Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Majumdar Vijaya , NK Manjunath , Snigdha Atmakur , Chakraborty Prosenjeet , Majumdar Robin
Published: April 2023

Introduction: The recent development of robust indices to quantify biological aging, along with the dynamic epidemiological transitions of population aging generate the unmet need to examine the extent up to which potential interventions can delay, halt or temporarily modulate aging trajectories.
Methods and analysis: The study is a two-armed, open label randomised controlled trial. We aim to recruit 166 subjects, aged 60–75 years from the residential communities and old age clubs in Bangalore city, India, who will undergo randomisation into intervention or control arms (1:1). Intervention will include yoga sessions tailored for the older adults, 1 hour per day for 5 days a week, spread for 12 months. Data would be collected at the baseline, 26th week and 52nd week. The primary outcome of the study is estimation in biological age with yoga practice. The secondary outcomes will include cardinal mechanistic indicators of aging- telomere length, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNF-RII), high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP)], insulin signaling [insulin and IGF1], renal function [cystatin], senescence [growth differentiating factor 15 (GDF-15)] and cardiovascular function [N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP)]. Analyses will be by intention-to-treat model.
Ethics & Dissemination: The study is approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana University, Bangalore (ID:RES/IEC-SVYASA/242/2022). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant prior to inclusion.
Trial registration number: CTRI/2022/07/044442
Pattern Completion and Rate Remapping in Retrosplenial Cortex
Authors: Navratilova Zaneta , Banerjee Dhruba , Muqolli Fjolla , Zhang Jordan , Gandhi Sunil , McNaughton Bruce
Published: April 2023

Principles governing the encoding, storage, and updating of memories in cortical networks are poorly understood. In retrosplenial cortex (RSC), cells respond to the animal’s position as it navigates a real or virtual (VR) linear track. Position correlated cells (PCCs) in RSC require an intact hippocampus to form. To examine whether PCCs undergo pattern completion and remapping like hippocampal cells, neuronal activity in RSC or CA1 was recorded using two-photon calcium imaging in mice running on VR tracks. RSC and CA1 PCC activity underwent global and rate remapping depending on the degree of change to familiar environments. The formation of position correlated fields in both regions required stability across laps; however, once formed, PCCs became robust to object destabilization, indicating pattern completion of the previously formed memory. Thus, memory and remapping properties were conserved between RSC and CA1, suggesting that these functional properties are transmitted to cortex to support memory functions.
Realization of Non-Hermitian Hopf Bundle Matter
Authors: Kim Yung , Park Hee Chul , Kyung Minwook , Lee Kyungmin , Ryu Jung-Wan , You Oubo , Zhang Shuang , Min Bumki , Park Moon Jip
Published: April 2023

Line excitations in topological phases are a subject of particular interest because their mutual linking structures encode robust topological information of matter. It has been recently shown that the linking and winding of complex eigenenergy strings can classify one-dimensional non-Hermitian topological matter. However, in higher dimensions, bundles of linked strings can emerge such that every string is mutually linked with all the other strings. Interestingly, despite being an unconventional topological structure, a non-Hermitian Hopf bundle has not been experimentally clarified. Here, we make the first attempt to explore the non-Hermitian Hopf bundle by visualizing the global linking structure of spinor strings in the momentum space of a two-dimensional electric circuit. By exploiting the flexibility of reconfigurable couplings between circuit nodes, we can study the non-Hermitian topological phase transition and gain insight into the intricate structure of the Hopf bundle. Furthermore, we find that the emergence of a higher-order skin effect in real space is accompanied by the linking of spinor strings in momentum space, revealing a bulk-boundary correspondence between the two domains. The proposed non-Hermitian Hopf bundle platform and visualization methodology pave the way to design new topologically robust non-Hermitian phases of matter.
Eliminating Leakage in Volatile Memory with Anti-Ferroelectric Transistors
Authors: Zhong Hongtao , Zheng Zijie , Jiao Leming , Zhou Zuopu , Sun Chen , Ma Xiaoyang , Narayanan Vijaykrishnan , Yang Huazhong , Ni Kai , Gong Xiao , Li Xueqing
Published: April 2023

Cache serves as a temporary data memory module in many general-purpose processors and domain-specific accelerators. Its density, power, speed, and reliability play a critical role in enhancing the overall system performance and quality of service. Conventional volatile memories, including static random-access memory (SRAM) and embedded dynamic random-access memory (eDRAM) in the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology, have high performance and good reliability. However, the inherent leakage in both SRAM and eDRAM hinders further improvement towards smaller feature sizes and higher energy efficiency. Although the emerging nonvolatile memories can eliminate the leakage efficiently, the penalties of lower speed and degraded reliability are significant. This article reveals a new opportunity towards leakage-free volatile static memory beyond the known paradigms of existing volatile and nonvolatile memories. By engineering a double-well energy landscape with the assistance of a clamping voltage bias, leakage-free and refresh-free state retention of volatile memory is achieved for the first time. This new memory is highlighted by both the ultra-low leakage of nonvolatile memories and the speed, energy, and reliability advantages of volatile memories. A proof-of-concept memory is demonstrated using in-house anti-ferroelectric field-effect transistors (AFeFETs), delivering an extrapolated endurance of about 1012 cycles, a retention time of over 10 years, and no subthreshold channel leakage current. Such a new concept of AFeFET-based memory enables an improved balance between density, power, and reliability beyond all existing memory solutions.
Behind the scenes: Cleavage patterns of 9600 embryos
Authors: Shavit Maya , Gonen Daniel , Atzmon Yuval , Aslih Nardin , Bilgory Asaf , Shibli Yasmin , Sharqawi Moamina , Garcia Daniela Estrada , Michaeli Mediea , Poltov Diana , Shalom-Paz Einat
Published: April 2023

This study investigates the incidence of irregular cleavage (IRC) among human embryos and their influence on IVF treatment outcomes. This study was designed as a prospective observational study in a single-centre IVF clinic including 1,001 women who underwent 1,976 assisted reproduction treatments during 2016–2021. Morphokinetics of embryos was analysed and evaluated for the association between IRC and women’s characteristics, treatment characteristics, and pregnancy outcome. We found IRC incidence to be 17.5% (1,689/9,632 embryos). Of these, 85% embryos had one IRC, and 15% had multiple IRC. 35% of IRC events occurred during the embryo's first cell cycle. IRC embryos were found to correlate with male factor (p = 0.01) and higher ICSI rate (p = 0.01). Age, BMI, parity, basal FSH level, stimulation protocol and number of retrieved oocytes did not differ between groups. Embryos with early IRC or more than one IRC event had lower blastulation rate (p = 0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively). Fresh cycles with IRC embryos had a lower clinical pregnancy rate (p = 0.01), and early IRC embryos had a lower live birth rate (p = 0.04) compared to embryos without IRC. Frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles of blastocyst embryos, with and without IRC, had comparable results. In conclusion, number of abnormal cleavage events and their timing are of great importance for the prognosis of the developing human embryo.
Gata3 is Required in Late Proneurosensory Development for Proper Sensory Cell Formation and Organization
Authors: Blinkiewicz Paige V. , Long Makayla R. , Stoner Zachary A. , Ketchum Elizabeth M. , Sheltz-Kempf Sydney N. , Duncan Jeremy S.
Published: April 2023

It has been previously shown that zinc-finger transcription factor Gata3 has dynamic expression within the inner ear throughout embryonic development and is essential for cochlear neurosensory development. However, the temporal window to which Gata3 is required for the formation of the cochlear neurosensory epithelia remains unclear. To investigate the role of Gata3 on cochlear neurosensory development in the late prosensory stages, we used the Sox2-creERT2 mouse line to target and conditionally delete Gata3 at E11.5 before the cells have fully committed to a neurosensory fate. While the inner ears of Sox2-creERT2: Gata3 f/f mice appear morphologically normal, the sensory cells in the organ of Corti are partially lost and disorganized in a basal to apical gradient with the apex demonstrating the more severe phenotype. Additionally, spiral ganglion neurons display aberrant peripheral projections, such as increased distances between radial bundles and disorganization upon reaching the organ of Corti. Furthermore, heterozygous Sox2-creERT2: Gata3 f/+ mice show a reduced phenotype in comparison to the homozygous mutant, supporting the concept that Gata3 is not only required for proper formation at the later proneurosensory stage, but also that a specific level of Gata3 is required. Therefore, our studies confirm that Gata3 plays a time-sensitive and dose-dependent role in the development of sensory cells in the late proneurosensory stages.
Association between Parkinson’s Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yang Hong , Wang Beiming , Bai Xiaoyin , Yang Yingmai
Published: April 2023

Background: The association between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported in many observational cohort studies, but the causality between PD and IBD remains unknown. Using the bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method, we aimed to determine the possible causality between PD, IBD, Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
Methods: Ten SNPs were selected as instrumental variables for PD from related GWAS summary data to evaluate their causality in IBD, CD and UC. Conversely, 52, 57 and 40 SNPs were selected as instrument variants for IBD, CD and UC, respectively, from related GWAS summary data to evaluate their causality on PD. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was used as the main method for MR analyses, and an additional CAUSE method was used to estimate causality globally.
Results: PD may have a causal effect on IBD (OR=1.063, 95% CI=1.008-1.120, p=0.023) with a statistically significant causal effect on one of its subtypes, UC (OR=1.073, 95%, CI=1.005-1.146, p = 0.035), but not the other subtype, CD (OR=1.065, 95% CI=1.000-1.138, p = 0.062). However, no evidence of an effect of IBD (OR: 0.987, 95% CI: 0.937-1.039, p = 0.609), CD (OR: 1.000, 95% CI: 0.953-1.049, p = 0.995), or UC (OR: 1.005, 95% CI: 0.957-1.055, p = 0.837) on PD was found in the final IVW analysis. The results of the CAUSE method indicated that PD may have a causal effect on IBD (beta=1.45, 95% CI=1.14-1.79, p=2.9×10^-8).
Conclusions: This MR analysis indicated that PD may have a causal effect on IBD and its UC subtype. In contrast, IBD and its subtypes may not be causally associated with PD.
BMP4 inhibits corneal neovascularization by interfering with tip cells in angiogenesis
Authors: Nan Weijin , He Yuxi , Shen Sitong , Wu Meiliang , Wang Shurong , Zhang Yan
Published: April 2023

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) can lead to impaired corneal transparency, resulting in vision loss or blindness. The primary pathological mechanism underlying CNV is an imbalance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, with inflammation playing a crucial role. Notably, a vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）-A gradient triggers the selection of single endothelial cells（ECs） into primary tip cells that guide sprouting, while a dynamic balance between tip and stalk cells maintains a specific ratio to promote CNV. Despite the central importance of tip-stalk cell selection and shuffling, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of BMP4 on VEGF-A-induced lumen formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and CD34-stained tip cell formation. In vivo, BMP4 inhibited CNV caused by corneal sutures. This process was achieved by BMP4 decreasing the protein expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR2 in corneal tissue after corneal suture injury. By observing the ultrastructure of the cornea, BMP4 inhibited the sprouting of tip cells and brought forward the appearance of intussusception. Meanwhile, BMP4 attenuated the inflammatory response by inhibiting neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs）formation through the NADPH oxidase-2（NOX-2）pathway. Our results indicate that BMP4 inhibits the formation of tip cells by reducing the generation of NETs, disrupting the dynamic balance of tip and stalk cells and thereby inhibiting CNV, suggesting that BMP4 may be a potential therapeutic target for CNV.
Lumbar lordosis and sacral slope have no differences in two types of postoperative lumbar disc re-herniation: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Shen Zhijia , Wang Wenhao , Ni Li , Zhao Hongcheng , Yang Lianda , Zhang Linlin
Published: April 2023

Background: To identify the differences of lumbar lordosis (LL) and sacral slope (SS) angles between two types of postoperative lumbar disc re-herniation, including the recurrence of same level and adjacent segment herniation (ASH).
Methods: We searched the medical records of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients with re-herniation with complete imaging data (n=58) from January 1, 2013 to December 30, 2020 in our hospital. After matching for age and sex, 58 patients with LDH without re-herniation from the same period operated by the same treatment group in our hospital were served as a control group. Re-herniation patients were divided into two groups, same-level recurrent lumbar disc herniation group (rLDHG) and adjacent segment herniation group with or without recurrence (ASHG). The preoperative, postoperative and one month after operation LL and SS were measured on standing radiographs and compared with the control group by using t-test，ANOVA, and rank-sum test．Next, we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) by unconditional logistic regression, progressively adjusted for other confounding factors.
Results: Compared with the control group, the postoperative LL and SS were significantly lower in LDH patients with re-herniation. However, there were no differences in LL and SS between ASHG and rLDHG at any stage. After progressive adjustment for confounding factors, no matter what stage is, LL and SS remained unassociated with the two types of re-herniation.
Conclusions: The postoperative LL and SS are independent risk factors for lumbar disc re-herniation. Low LL and SS angles at any stage do not appear to determine the type of re-herniation, as this is decided by many other factors, such as age, genes and so on.
Comparative in-vitro Microscopic Evaluation of Vertical Marginal Discrepancy, Microhardness, and Surface Roughness of Nickel-chromium in New and Recast Alloy
Authors: Das Gotam
Published: April 2023

In the restoration of the partial dentition the casting alloy plays a major role. The alloys used require the long term stay in oral cavity exposed to a wet environment, so they must have good wear resistance, biocompatibility, and mechanically good strength. The objective of the study is to evaluate the vertical marginal discrepancy, surface roughness and microhardness of the new and recast nickel-chromium (base metal) alloys. 125 wax patterns were fabricated from a customized stainless steel master die with a heavy chamfer cervical margin divided into 5 groups. Each group had 25 samples. Group A: twenty five wax patterns were cast using 100% by weight of new alloy, Group B: casting was done by using 75% new alloy and 25% alloy by weight, Group C: wax patterns were cast using 50% new alloy and 50% alloy, Group D: 25% new alloy and 75% alloy and Group E: 100% recast alloy. Induction castings were finished and seated on the die. The vertical marginal discrepancy was measured by analytical scanning microscope, microhardness were tested on universal testing machine and surface roughness on tester of surface roughness. The maximum vertical marginal discrepancy and surface roughness was found in group E while minimum was in group A. The mean maximum microhardness was found in group C while minimum was in group B (p < 0.001). Castings produced using new alloy were better than those obtained with recast alloy. This indicated that recasting of (Ni–Cr) can be used as a good alternative for the new alloy from an economical point of view.
Soil biotic and abiotic thresholds in sugar maple and American beech seedling establishment in forests of the northeastern United States
Authors: Tourville Jordon , Zarfos Michael , Lawrence Gregory , McDonnell Todd , Sullivan Tim , Dovciak Martin
Published: April 2023

Aims
Climate change is expected to shift climatic envelopes of temperate tree species into boreal forests where unsuitable soils may limit range expansion. We studied several edaphic thresholds (mycorrhizae, soil chemistry) that can limit seedling establishment of two major temperate tree species, sugar maple and American beech.
Methods
We integrate two field surveys of tree seedling density, mycorrhizal colonization, and soil chemistry in temperate deciduous and montane conifer forests of the Adirondack and Green Mountains in northeastern United States. We conducted correlation and linear breakpoint analyses to detect soil abiotic and biotic thresholds in species seedling distributions across edaphic gradients.
Results
In the Green Mtns, sugar maple seedling relative importance (IV) declined sharply at low pH (<3.74 in upper mineral soil) and low mycorrhizal colonization (<27.5% of root length colonized). Sugar maple IV was highly correlated with soil chemistry, while beech was generally insensitive to soil variables. Mycorrhizal colonization of sugar maple was strongly positively correlated with soil pH and conspecific overstory basal area. In the Adirondacks, sugar maple IV plateaued above thresholds in soil calcium (~2 meq/100g) and magnesium (~0.3 meq/100g) where these nutrients were no longer limiting. Sugar maple IV declined steeply with increasing aluminum and decreasing pH.
Conclusions
The establishment of sugar maple, but not beech, was impeded by both biotic and abiotic soil components in boreal conifer forests and by soil acidity in temperate deciduous forests. These differences in species sensitivity to edaphic thresholds will likely affect species success and future shifts in forest composition.
Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications and anticholinergic burden according to 2019 Beers Criteria and 2015 STOPP version 2 criteria in older adults at hospital admission in Mexico: an observational retrospective study.
Authors: Gonzalez-Reynoso Rodrigo , Rodriguez-Quintanilla Karina A. , Acuña-Londoño Juliana , Garcia-Cruz Jesus A. , Ogazon-Milan David , Serrano-Pesquera Regina , Villar-Canton Cristina , Hartmann-Nava Julia
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are associated with a higher number of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of PIMs and to identify associated factors.
Methods: This is an observational retrospective study that analyzed the prevalence of at least one PIM by the 2019 updated Beers Criteria and the 2015 updated STOPP version 2 criteria in adults 65 years of age or older at their hospital admission during a period of 6 months; these data were compared to variables such as comorbidities, hospital length of stay, anticholinergic cognitive burden, and mortality. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to identify prevalence and associated factors.
Results: Data of 454 patients was analyzed. Prevalence of PIMs was 48.7% (n=221). The most frequent PIMs were central nervous system drugs (such as benzodiazepines) and proton pump inhibitors. Use of >5 drugs and age >75 years constituted independent risk factors for PIMs presentation. There was a higher anticholinergic burden score in patients presenting with PIMs. Presence of PIMs identified by STOPP criteria was an independent risk factor for mortality.
Conclusions: A high prevalence of PIMs was demonstrated in this population, associated with polypharmacy and older age; besides, PIMs identified by STOPP were associated with higher mortality. The mean anticholinergic cognitive burden was higher in subjects who used at least one PIM.
Graphene based Adaptable Frequency Stack Antenna with Common Ground for Cognitive Radio Application
Authors: R Prasanna
Published: April 2023

A simple graphene stack antenna with frequency switching ability using a dual-in-line package (DIP) switch is presented in this paper. The stack structure consists of three layers viz. The top and middle layers are polyester substrates, and the bottom layer is the FR4 substrate. All three layers have micro strip line-fed rectangular patch structures with/without slots and different sizes to operate at three frequencies. All the patch structures are printed with graphene material and measured for their performance. The feedline of each patch antenna is connected to the DIP switch for frequency switching. The ground position of each switch is connected to the common ground plane that is printed on the bottom surface of the FR4 substrate. The measured results had shown that the switching between the frequencies is achieved well with the help of the DIP switch, and hence it is suitable for cognitive radio application.
Outpatient health service utilization among adults with selected chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany - results of the GEDA studies between 2019 and 2021
Authors: Du Yong , Baumert Jens , Damerow Stefan , Rommel Alexander , Neuhauser Hannelore , Heidemann Christin
Published: April 2023

Background: Fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection and lockdown measures may have an impact on health care utilization particularly for people with chronic diseases. We investigated changes in outpatient utilization behavior in pandemic phases among people with selected chronic diseases in Germany.
Methods: The nationwide telephone surveys GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS (April 2019 to September 2020) and GEDA 2021 (July to December 2021) covered 4 out of 7 pandemic phases from the pre-pandemic to the 4th pandemic wave. Data on hypertension, major cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes in the past 12 months and visiting a general practitioner (GP) or a specialist (excluding dentist) in the past 4 weeks was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Proportions and odds ratios were derived from logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, education and federal state.
Results: Among 27,967 participants aged ≥16 years, 8,449, 1,136 and 2,497 individuals had hypertension, major CVD and diabetes. Participants with these chronic diseases visited a GP or specialist significantly more often than the overall study population, irrespective of pandemic phases. Compared to the pre-pandemic phase, a significant reduction in specialist-visiting was found in the 1st pandemic wave among people with hypertension (34.3% vs. 24.1%), major CVD (41.9% vs. 25.6%) and diabetes (39.5% vs. 25.5%). GP-visiting was lower only among people with hypertension (53.0% vs. 46.0%). No difference in GP or specialist visiting was found in the 4th pandemic wave compared to the pre-pandemic phase.
Conclusions: The observed decrease particularly in specialist utilization among people with the selected chronic diseases at the beginning of the pandemic was not observed for the second half of 2021 despite the ongoing pandemic. Further studies are required to examine whether the temporary changes in the utilization of ambulatory health care have affected the disease management of people with chronic diseases.
On the value of advanced information about delayed rewards
Authors: Macias Alejandro , Machado Armando , Vasconcelos Marco
Published: April 2023

In a variety of laboratory preparations, several animal species prefer signaled over unsignaled outcomes. Here we examine whether pigeons prefer options that signal the delay to impending reward over options that do not and how this preference changes with the ratio of the delays. We offered pigeons repeated choices between two alternatives leading to a short or a long delay to reward. For one alternative (informative), the short and long delays were reliably signaled by different stimuli (e.g. SS for short delays, SL for long delays). For the other (non-informative), the delays were not reliably signaled by the stimuli presented (S1 and S2). Across conditions, we varied the durations of the short and long delays while keeping the average delay to reward constant. Pigeons preferred the informative over the non-informative option and this preference became stronger as the ratio of the long to the short delay increased. A modified version of the Δ-Σ hypothesis (González et al., 2020a) incorporating a contrast-like process between the immediacies to reward signaled by each stimulus accounted well for our findings. Functionally, we argue that a preference for signaled delays hinges on the potential instrumental advantage typically conveyed by information.
The sarcopenia index measured using the lumber paraspinal muscle is associated with prognosis in endometrial cancer
Authors: Uno Kaname , Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Kitami Kazuhisa , Mori Sho , Shibata Takahiro , Iyoshi Shohei , Fujimoto Hiroki , Mogi Kazumasa , Yoshihara Masato , Tamauchi Satoshi , Ikeda Yoshiki , Yokoi Akira , Kato Kazuyoshi , Hoshiba Tsutomu , Oguchi Hidenori , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: April 2023

Background: The number of type-II endometrial cancer patients has been increasing and the prognosis is not favorable. We aim to investigate whether sarcopenia index in any of several different muscles could serve as a novel biomarker of prognosis in patients with type-II endometrial cancer.Methods: We retrospectively investigated a total of 194 patients at four hospitals. Ninety patients were treated as derivation set and the other 104 patients as validation set. Using preoperative CT images, we measured the horizontal cross-sectional area at the third lumbar spine level: the (i) psoas major, (ii) iliac, and (iii) paraspinal muscle. The clinical information including recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively collected. These results were validated with external datasets of three hospitals.Results: The median values of the sarcopenia index (cm2/m2) ± SD with the first data of 90 patients using the psoas, iliac, and paraspinal muscle were 3.4 ± 1.0, 1.7 ± 0.6, and 12.6 ± 3.2, respectively. In univariate analyses, the sarcopenia indexes measured using the psoas or paraspinal muscle were associated with RFS and OS. On the other hand, in multivariate analyses, the sarcopenia index using paraspinal muscle was significantly related to RFS (hazard ratio (HR) 3.78, 95% confidence intervals 1.29–5.97, P = 0.009) and OS (HR = 3.13, 95% confidence interval 1.18–8.26, P = 0.022). Within the analysis of the validation set, sarcopenia index using paraspinal muscle was also related to RFS (HR = 2.06, P = 0.045).Conclusion: The sarcopenia index using the paraspinal muscle, not psoas, could be suitable index to predict RFS and OS in patients with type-II endometrial cancer.
Genomic Identification and Expression Analysis of Acid Invertase (AINV) Gene Family in Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo
Authors: Liu Yujia , Liu Boting , Luo Kefa , Yu Baiyin , Li Xiang , Zeng Jian , Chen Jie , Xia Rui , Xu Jing , Liu Yuanlong
Published: April 2023

Background Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, a traditional Chinese orchid herb famous for its great horticultural and medicinal value, grows in an adverse habitat and suffers from abiotic or biotic stresses. Acid invertases (AINVs) are widely considered enzymes involved in regulating sucrose metabolism and here revealed to participate in responses to environmental stress in plants. The AINV gene family members have been identified and characterized in multiple plant genomes. However, detailed information about this gene family and their expression patterns are unknown in D. officinale despite their significance in polysaccharide biosynthesis.
Results This study systematically analyzed the D. officinale genome and identified four DoAINV genes, classified into two subfamilies based on subcellular prediction and phylogenetic analysis. Comparison of gene structures and conserved motifs in DoAINV genes showed high conservation during their evolution. The conserved amino acids and domains of DoAINV proteins were characterized as pivotal for their function. Abiotic and biotic stress responses cis-elements were the most abundant motif in all DoAIVN genes, indicating they were stress-responsive. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis of transcriptome data, validated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), revealed distinct organ-specific expression patterns of DoAINV genes in eight tissues and in response to abiotic stresses. Soluble sugar content and interaction network were examined to provide information on stress release and sucrose metabolism.
Conclusions DoAINV genes are involved in various activities such as growth and development, stress response, and polysaccharide biosynthesis. The results provide valuable insights into the AINV family and will be helpful in further investigating DoAINV functions in D. officinale.
The vocal uncanny valley: Deviation from typical organic voices best explains uncanniness.
Authors: Diel Alexander , Lewis Michael
Published: April 2023

The uncanny valley describes the negative evaluation of near humanlike artificial entities. Previous research with synthetic and real voices failed to find an uncanny valley of voices. This may have been due to the selection of stimuli. In Experiment 1 (n = 50), synthetic, normal, and deviating voices (distorted and pathological) were rated on uncanniness and human likeness and categorized as human or non-human. Results showed a non-monotonic function when the uncanniness was plotted against human likeness indicative of an uncanny valley. However, the shape could be divided into two monotonic functions based on voice type (synthetic vs deviating). Categorization ambiguity could not predict voice uncanniness but moderated the effect of realism on uncanniness. Experiment 2 (n = 35) found that perceived organicness of voices significantly moderated the effect of realism on uncanniness, while attribution of mind or animacy did not. Results indicate a vocal uncanny valley re-imagined as monotonic functions of two types of deviations from typical human voices. While voices can fall into an uncanny valley, synthetic voices successfully escape it. Finally, the results support the account that uncanniness is caused by deviations from familiar categories, rather than categorical ambiguity or the misattribution of mind or animacy.
Genomic feature and potential therapeutic target for cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Zheng Bohao , Han Jing , Shen Sheng , Jiang Zhengzeng , Peng Rui , Cai Jingru , Liu Houbao , Ji Yuan , Suo Tao
Published: April 2023

Background: The genomic feature of biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) has been characterized, but limited studies focus on the potential therapeutic target for cholangiocarcinoma patients.
Methods:
43 BTC patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Genomic characteristics including genomic alterations and mutational signatures were detected and analyzed. Then, the correlation between the genomic characteristics and clinicopathologic features was investigated. Next, the prognostic significance of these altered genes was evaluated. Besides, personalized targeted therapies for patients harboring potentially actionable targets (PATs) were investigated.
Results:
Among 43 patients, the genomic mutation was detected in 38 patients. Among these mutations, KRAS (44.2%), TP53(37.2%), ARID1A (18.6%), SMAD4(18.6%), BRCA2, CDKN2A (11.6%), and VEGFA (11.6%) are the most frequently altered cancer-related genes. Besides, germline mutations mainly occurred in ERBB, PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and RAS signaling. Among detected mutations, we found that TP53, STK11, MYC, and ERBB3 are gene alternations with significant prognostic values. In terms of potentially actionable target (PAT) analysis, 19 genes were proposed to be PATs in BTCs. and we found out that 79.1% of patients have Tier II somatic mutation in our cohort.
Conclusions:
The molecular feature is closely related to clinical characteristics in cholangiocarcinoma patients. In this study, we identified several commonly altered genes in cholangiocarcinoma patients and determined potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cholangiocarcinoma patients.
Impact of excessive abdominal obesity on brain microstructural abnormality in schizophrenia
Authors: Yamada Shinichi , Takahashi Shun , Keeser Daniel , Keller-Varady Katriona , Schneider-Axmann Thomas , Raabe Florian J. , Dechent Peter , Wobrock Thomas , Hasan Alkomiet , Schmitt Andrea , Falkai Peter , Kimoto Sohei , Malchow Berend
Published: April 2023

Significant evidence links obesity and schizophrenia (SZ), but the brain associations are still largely unclear. 48 people with SZ were divided into two subgroups: patients with lower waist circumference (SZ-LWC: n = 24) and patients with higher waist circumference (SZ-HWC: n = 24). Healthy controls (HC) were included for comparison (HC: n = 27). Using tract-based spatial statistics, we compared fractional anisotropy (FA) of the whole-brain white matter skeleton between these three groups (SZ-LWC, SZ-HWC, HC). Using Free Surfer, we compared whole-brain cortical thickness and the selected subcortical volumes between the three groups. FA of widespread white matter and the mean cortical thickness in the right temporal lobe and insular cortex were significantly lower in the SZ-HWC group than in the HC group. The FA of regional white matter was significantly lower in the SZ-LWC group than in the HC group. There were no significant differences in mean subcortical volumes between the groups. This study provides evidence for microstructural abnormalities of white matter and cortical thickness in patients with SZ, which are more pronounced in those with excessive abdominal obesity.
Numerical investigation of flow over a cube-shaped bluff body: An aerodynamic approach
Authors: Bangalee M. Z.I. , Faruque M. G.M. Al , Lorenzini Giulio , Ferdows M. , Sun Shuyu
Published: April 2023

A body which tends to block the flow is a bluff body. Flow investigation over a cube shaped bluff body is a matter of interest in building aerodynamics and vehicle aerodynamics for its general shape. Several CFD methods used earlier to read the complex flow behavior around a cube. In this article, flow behavior over a cube shaped bluff body is computed numerically at Reynold’s number 40000. Four turbulence models have been used to capture the complex flow behavior around the cube and some aerodynamic properties like the drag force co-efficient and effects of angle of attack is also investigated. The three-dimensional viscous air flow is assumed as steady, incompressible and turbulent. A structured hexahedral mesh topology is generated to mesh the three-dimensional cube including the surrounding domain. A grid independent finite volume upwind scheme is used to solve the flow equations. The results are compared with previous experimental data and with a recent work. The drag force coefficient, Cd of the cube is compared with the conventional Cd of a cube. The results give a good agreement with the available experimental result for RNG k-ε and k-ω SST turbulence model. The variation of the velocity profile, pressure coefficient and the change of drag force co-efficient are computed in a basis of the angle of attack at 0° ≤ α ≤ 15° and discussed in details. This research can help to find the flow behavior like separation and reattachment of a cube including aerodynamic characteristics like airflow distribution and drag reduction.
Relationship between weight-adjusted waist index and handgrip strength in adults aged 50 and older in the United States: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Wang Qianwen , Xie Ruijie , Wang Xi , Zhong Liang , Wang Long
Published: April 2023

Background: Body muscle mass and strength have established links with obesity, but the association between weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and combined handgrip strength remains largely unexplored. This study aims to examine the relationship between combined grip strength and WWI in individuals aged 50 and above.
Methods: We utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 and 2014. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models, generalized additive models, and fitted smoothing curves were employed to investigate the association between WWI and combined grip strength.
Results: Our analysis of 4,179 eligible participants demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between grip strength and WWI. Subgroup analysis stratified by gender revealed a significant negative association between combined grip strength and WWI for both men and women. However, a saturation effect was observed in men, with an inflection point at 13.40 (cm/√kg).
Conclusion: The present study highlights a negative association between combined grip strength and WWI in individuals over 50 years of age, with the relationship being particularly influenced by men (inflection point: 13.40 cm/√kg).
Morel-Lavallee Injury of Thigh Combined with Open Tibia-Fibula Fracture Treated by Combination of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine ： A Case Report Study
Authors: Wang Mengwei , Wang Bin , Liu Yamei , Liu Shenghai
Published: April 2023

Background
Morel-lavallee injury is a kind of closed soft tissue detroculation injury. This kind of injury is caused by high energy violence (including traffic accidents and serious mechanical crushing injury). It is one of the most common clinical injuries.In recent years, such injuries caused by various reasons show an increasing trend year by year.
Purpose
In this paper, a case of Morel-Lavallee injury of thigh combined with open fracture of tibia and fibula was reported recently. Combined with the experience in this treatment process, it is expected to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Case report
We report a 56-year-old middle-aged and elderly male patient who was admitted to hospital due to bleeding, malformation, swelling and pain of the right calf and restriction of movement for 7 hours due to accidental injury.The patient showed signs of shock and coma before admission. After resuscitation, the patient was admitted to our department from the emergency department with "open fracture of the lower end of the right tibia".Later, it was found that the right thigh was closed and ungloved, and surgery was recommended.After obtaining the consent of the patient and his family, he was hospitalized for surgical treatment in the orthopaedic Trauma Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.
Results
Through this diagnosis and treatment, the patient's condition was controlled, the affected limb recovered well after the operation, and the function, blood circulation and sensation of the affected limb recovered well.
Conclusion
The combination of traditional and traditional Chinese and western medicine can promote the recovery of the affected limb better and faster, and reduce the occurrence of complications, which is beneficial to the patients.
Integration of bioinformatics analysis and machine learning to identify diagnostic biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis in association with depression
Authors: Xiao Yueying , Wang Yanan , Wu Yuqian , Huo Yanqing
Published: April 2023

Background Both osteoporosis and depression are chronic diseases that cause serious public health problems worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests that depression is associated with osteoporosis; however, the common mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis are not fully understood. In this study, we used bioinformatics techniques to discover significant diagnostic feature genes in patients with osteoporosis and depression and further investigated the molecular pathways underlying osteoporosis and depression.Methods We acquired microarray datasets from the gene expression omnibus database for osteoporosis and depression. To identify diagnostic feature genes in peripheral blood samples, we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning algorithms, such as least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, random forest, and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination. We developed nomogram models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and validated them using an external dataset. Transcription factors and microRNAs were obtained from the JASPER and RegNetwork repositories and used to construct coregulatory networks. The DSigDB database was used to identify potential gene-targeting drugs. In addition, we performed an enrichment analysis and screened common genes from differentially expressed genes, WGCNA, and public databases to identify hub genes.Results From the combined WGCNA results, 450 common genes were identified to build a protein interaction network, and 104 node genes were selected based on the number of proximity nodes. Based on the results of the application of several machine learning algorithms for the analysis of osteoporosis samples, nine diagnostic feature genes were selected for nomogram construction and diagnostic value assessment. Both the training and validation sets showed that the nomogram had a good diagnostic value (ROC, 0.910–0.942). According to the findings of the common gene analysis, oxidative stress, immune system responses, and inflammatory responses may represent shared pathophysiological pathways between depression and osteoporosis.Conclusion Nine diagnostic feature genes were identified and a nomogram for potential osteoporosis screening of populations with depression was constructed. The findings provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of depression and osteoporosis. Our study provides a basis for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in the peripheral blood samples of populations with depression and is expected to provide new clues for further experimental investigations.
Human placental extract incorporated PLGA-PHB nanofibers enhances cardiomyocyte differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Mokhames Zakiye , Seyedjafari Ehsan , Seifati Seyed Morteza , Ashkezari Mahmood Dehghani
Published: April 2023

Dysfunctional heart muscles are one of the main causes of heart failure or lack of proper heart function. Tissue engineering has tried to find a way to repair damaged cardiac muscle tissues by introducing biologically active scaffolds. In the present study, human placenta extract (PE) was used along with poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) to make a bioactive scaffold using electrospinning method. Constructed PLGA-PHB and PLGA-PHB-PE nanofibers characterized using SEM, degradation, water absorption, protein adsorption, cell attachment, non-toxicity and mechanical assays. After that cardiogenic differentiation potential of the human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was investigated while cultured on the constructed nanofibers and tissue culture polystyrene. Characterization results revealed that biological behavior of the PLGA-PHB nanofibers was improved significantly after blending with PE. Furthermore, the highest expression level of cardiomyocyte-related genes, including GATA4, MyoD, Troponin T and α-MHC, and protein (β-Tubulin) was detected in the MSCs cultured on the PLGA-PHB-PE nanofibers compared to the MSCs cultured on PLGA-PHB and TCPS groups. According to the results, it can be concluded that PE incorporated PLGA-PHB nanofibers has great potential to promote cardiomyogenic differentiation of MSCs and it can be used in cardiac tissue engineering to repair cardiac muscle.
Bioinformatics and Expression Analyses of miR-639, miR-641, miR-1915-3p and miR-3613-3p in Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis
Authors: Avsar Rusen , Gurer Turkan , Aytekin Alper
Published: April 2023

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have important function in cancer development and progression.Aims This study aims to determine the expression levels of miR-639, miR-641, miR-1915-3p, and miR-3613-3p in tissues of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and the role of these miRNAs in the CRC pathogenesis.Methods Tumor and non-tumor tissues were collected from a total of 59 CRC patients. qRT-PCR was used to identify the expressions of miR-639, miR-641, miR-1915-3p and miR-3613-3p. Through bioinformatics analysis, the target genes of miRNAs were identified by using DIANA mirPath v.3. Signaling pathways were generated using KEGG pathway database. Biological pathway, cellular component analysis, and analysis of Protein–Protein Interactions (PPI) Networks were performed using FunRich and STRING database.Results Our findings revealed that miR-639, miR-641 and miR-3613-3p were significantly downregulated, and miR-1915-3p was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared to non-tumor tissues (p˂0.05). Furthermore, MAPK signaling pathway was the most enriched KEGG pathway regulated by miR-639, miR-641, miR-1915-3p and miR-3613-p. According to the FunRich, it was demonstrated that the targeted genes by miRNAs related to the cellular component and biological pathways such as beta-catenin-TCF7L2, axin-APC-beta-catenin-GSK3B complexes, Arf6 signaling, Class I PI3K signaling, EGF receptor signaling, etc. And, by the PPI analysis, it was established that the target genes were clustered on CTNNB1 and KRAS.Conclusions These outcomes imply that miR-639, miR-641 and miR-3613-3p have tumor suppressor roles, while miR-1915-3p has an oncogenic role in the pathogenesis of CRC. According to the results of the current study, dysregulated miR-639, miR-641, miR-1915-3p, and miR-3613-3p might contribute to the development of CRC.
An Empirical Study of the Impact of the Digital Economy on Social Security - Based on Provincial Panel Data
Authors: Shu Yanfei , Zhang Chengdong , Dong Wenqing , Tan Mingyue
Published: April 2023

Digital economy has gradually become the new key driving force of the world economic development and in an era of increasingly severe population ageing, a multi-tiered Social Security system is in urgent need of improvement. This paper aims to analyze the relationship between the digital economy and Social Security. By con-structing a comprehensive index of Social Security level, this paper studies the direct influence of digital economy on Social Security by using panel data of 31 provinces and cities in China from 2010 to 2020 based on the two-way fixed effects and selecting the employment rate as the intermediary variable to discuss the specific intermediary influencing mechanism. Through discussion, it is discovered that the digital economy can significantly improve the level of Social Security, and the employment effect is an important mediating transmission mechanism. In terms of regional heterogeneity, the driving effect of digital economy on Social Security is the most obvious in the central region, followed by the eastern region, and the western region has the worst effect. In order to fully promote the sound development of Social Security, it provides a valuable decision-making reference for promoting the level of Social Security in different regions and promoting the development of the whole Social Security in our country.