bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Oscillatory Deep Neural Network for Coupled Electrical Circuits
Authors: Rahman Jamshaid Ul , Makhdoom Faiza , Rashid Umair , Lu Dianchen , Akgül Ali , hassani murad khan
Published: March 2024

Electronic systems share an indispensable role in almost every modern industry and are therefore continuously evolving into more advanced and complex versions. Consequently, such systems need to be tackled with some cutting-edge techniques. Among a number of analytical and numerical techniques of this era, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have grabbed attention due to their universality and robustness on assigned tasks. In this work, an oscillatory Deep Neural Network (DNN) model has been proposed with an oscillatory activation function and specific layers’ structure to learn the dynamics of coupled LC-series circuits. The DNN model being suggested is flexible, easy to implement, and capable of diligently recovering the vibrating patterns of underlying dynamical systems. Outputs from the network are being compared with the results of LSODA numerical solvers. An error analysis for different time spans has also being performed, validating the successful recovery of solutions to the modeled problem, which is evident to the competency of proposed technique.
Complete genome sequence and construction of an infectious full-length cDNA clone of zucchini tigre mosaic virus isolate infecting snake gourd
Authors: Zhou Cuiji , Zheng Mingwei , Du Xianfeng , Cao Ziqi , Wu Jialin , Zhu Junhao , Nie Chengrong
Published: March 2024

Zucchini tigre mosaic virus (ZTMV) is a single-stranded positive RNA virus that belongs to the genus Potyvirus. In this study, infectious full-length cDNA clone of ZTMV infecting snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina L.) was constructed, which was infectious to the cucurbit plants tested, including snake gourd, Chieh-qua, zucchini, ridge gourd and bitter melon. The complete genome sequence of ZTMV-FS7 (PP291701) was determined. Its entire nucleotide sequence shared the highest identity with ZTMV-TW (86.2%). The P1 amino acid sequence of ZTMV-FS7 exhibited the highest sequence diversity, reaching up to 60.2%, which surpassed the diversity observed in other genomic regions.
Detection of Weak Pulse Signal in Chaotic Noise - Based on Att-CNN-LSTM model
Authors: Shen Xinyu , Zhao Shengli , Liu Feng , Wang Xin , LV Lindai
Published: March 2024

A hybrid neural network based on the attention mechanism was proposed to achieve the detection of weak pulse signals in chaotic noise. Firstly, based on the high sensitivity to small interference and short-term predictability of chaotic signals , the phase space of observed signals was reconstruction. Then, Att-CNN-LSTM, a hybrid neural network based on the attention mechanism was proposed to predict chaotic signals, and the one-step prediction error was obtained, The detection problem of the observed signal can be transformed into a signal detection problem for the one-step prediction error. Finally, the weak impulse signal was detected from the prediction error by using the Z-test method. In the simulation experiments, the results of the proposed model were compared with those of the single convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) model, the least square support vector machine, and the CNN-LSTM model without the attention mechanism. The simulation results show that the proposed model has higher prediction accuracy than other models at different signal-to-noise ratios(SNR), and achieves good performance in the detection of weak pulse signals when the SNR is greater than -140.91dB.
Consumption of milk and other dairy products and incidence of Parkinson’s disease: a prospective cohort study in French women
Authors: Louati-Hajji Mariem , Portugal Berta , Correia Emmanuelle , Laouali Nasser , Lee Pei-Chen , Artaud Fanny , Roze Emmanuel , Mancini Francesca Romana , Elbaz Alexis
Published: March 2024

Previous studies on dairy products and Parkinson’s disease (PD) were inconsistent; a meta-analysis suggested that dairy increased risk in men only. Due to the long prodromal PD phase, reverse causation represents a major threat to investigations of diet in PD. We investigated associations between intake of milk and other dairy products with PD incidence, while considering reverse causation, in the E3N cohort study (1993–2018). PD diagnoses were validated using medical records and drug claim databases. Diet was assessed via a validated dietary questionnaire. Hazard ratios for incident PD were estimated using multivariable Cox regression models. Exposures were lagged by 5y in main analyses and longer lags in sensitivity analyses. We also examined the impact of adjustment for premotor symptoms. During a mean follow-up of 18.8y, 845 of 71,542 women developed PD. PD incidence increased significantly with pure milk consumption (HR/1-SD = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.02–1.14, P-linear = 0.011). A U-shaped relation was observed for milk added to coffee/tea (P-quadratic = 0.036), with lower PD incidence in women with moderate consumption (HR = 0.77 [0.61–0.97], P = 0.029) and no difference between non-drinkers and those with the highest consumption (HR = 0.98 [0.79–1.22], P = 0.878). Findings were similar in analyses using longer lags and adjusted for constipation/depression. Consumption of other dairy products was not associated with PD. Reverse causation is unlikely to explain the association of pure milk intake with increased PD incidence in women. There was a U-shaped relation for added milk, possibly explained by caffeine intake, and no association for other dairy products. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Speckle statistics as a tool to distinguish collective behaviors of Zebrafish shoals
Authors: Lyra Marcelo , Barbosa Anderson , de Souza Adauto , Romaguera Antonio , Vasconcelos Joâo , Negreiros-Neto Luis , de Oliveira Viviane , Cadena Pabyton
Published: March 2024

Zebrafish have become an important model animal for studying the emergence of collective behav
ior in nature. Here, we show how to properly analyze the polarization statistics to distinguish shoal
regimes. In analogy with the statistical properties of optical speckles, we show that exponential
and Rayleigh distributions emerge in shoals with many fish with uncorrelated velocity directions.
In the opposite limit of just two fish, the polarization distribution peaks at high polarity, with the
average value being a decreasing function of the shoal’s size, even in the absence of correlations.
We also perform a set of experiments unveiling two shoaling regimes. Large shoals behave as small
domains with strong intra-domain and weak inter-domain correlations. A strongly correlated regime
develops for small shoals. The reported polarization statistical features shall guide future automated
neuroscience, pharmacological, toxicological, and embryogenesis-motivated experiments aiming to
explore the collective behavior of fish shoals.
Changes in blood lipid levels during various stages of pregnancy in women with type 2 diabetes and their effects on the incidence of large-for-gestational-age newborns
Authors: Bo Di , Yin Chunnan , Cheng Dongmei , Wei Jianxia , Shen Nan
Published: March 2024

Aims: To study the effect of blood lipid changes on the incidence of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) fetuses in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes
Methods: We selected pregnant women with type 2 diabetes who delivered at our hospital between 2019 and 2022; compared blood lipids, blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin in each trimester; the alterations in blood lipids at different levels.
Results: In the hyperglycemic group, the incidence of LGA gradually increased commensurate with the increase in triglycerides (TG) in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy (14.3%, 20.0%, 37.5%, and 61%),(p<0.05). In the ideal blood-glucose control group, there was no such tendency. Pregnant women with poor blood-glucose control in the first trimester and those with good blood-glucose control in the later trimesters exhibited gradually increasing total cholesterol and TG in late pregnancy, causing a rise in the LGA ratio (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The increase in the absolute value of blood lipid concentrations in the first trimester exerted a greater impact on pregnant women with poor blood-glucose control, and this effect persisted after improved blood-glucose control. We posit that a reasonable reduction in the blood lipid levels of pregnant women with type 2 diabetes will reduce the incidence of LGA.
Assessment of Performance of the Profilers Provided in the OECD QSAR Toolbox for Category Formation of Chemicals
Authors: Aljallal Mohammed Abdulaziz , Chaudhry Qasim , Price Nicholas R.
Published: March 2024

Growing restrictions and bans on animal testing for chemical safety assessment under different regulations have led to an increasing use of alternative methods. Read-across is one of the major approaches used for this purpose, which relies on the identification of toxicological hazards of a data-poor or untested (target) chemical from data on other already-tested (source) similar chemicals. This requires the target substance to be first assigned to a group or category of ‘similar’ chemicals. The ‘similarity’ may be in terms of structural features alone, or in combination with certain rules that are based on mechanistic and/or toxicological aspects. In this regard, the OECD QSAR Toolbox - a major free-access in silico platform - is widely used to derive toxicity predictions for a range of (eco) toxicological endpoints. The Toolbox allows the user to identify a set of similar chemicals (analogues) by computational ‘profilers’ that incorporate different structural alerts, or a combination of structural alerts and physicochemical and/or toxicokinetic rules relevant to a specific toxicological endpoint. The overall aim of this study was to assess the performance of the in silico profilers provided in the OECD QSAR Toolbox for reliability for identifying chemical analogues for category formation in a number of high-quality databases on mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and skin sensitisation. The study also aimed to identify the reasons for any limitations in the performance of the profilers, and propose ways to improve their overall accuracy. The results showed that whilst some structural alerts are fit-for-purpose as such within the acceptable limits, others need refinement or a consideration for their possible exclusion from the profiler. Such refinements are imperative for a reliable use of the profilers in read-across and grouping/categorisation for classification, labelling and risk assessment of chemicals.
Critical swimming speed at different temperatures for small-bodied freshwater native riverine fish species
Authors: SOBENES CATTERINA , Díaz-Peralta Christian , Sandoval Francisca
Published: March 2024

This study evaluated the effect of fish total length (LT) and three water temperatures (10, 15 and 20 ºC) on the critical swimming speed (Ucrit) of the species Percilia irwini (2.9 – 6.3 cm LT), Cheirodon galusdae (3.4 – 5.5 cm LT), and Trichomycterus areolatus (4.0 – 6.3 cm LT). An Ucrit estimation model was constructed for each species as a function of temperature and size. The results showed mean Ucrit for P. irwini of 44.56, 53.83 and 63.2 cm s-1 at 10, 15 and 20 ºC, respectively: 55.34, 61.74 and 70.05 cm s-1 for C. galusdae and 56.18, 63.01 and 71.09 cm s-1 for T. areolatus. Critical velocity depended on the interaction between species, body length and water. The swimming performance increased significantly with rising temperature in all three species. The velocity also increased with greater LT. After controlling for LT, velocity also increased with higher temperature in the three species. This research is relevant to small fish species that require conservation measures.
Non-destructive measurement of rice grain size based on panicle structure using deep learning method
Authors: Deng Ruoling , Qi Long , Zhang Jing , Yin Ningxia , Hou Mingxin , Xu Xiaoming
Published: March 2024

Rice grain size, grain length and grain width, are very important traits directly related to rice yield. The accurate measurement of these parameters is quite significant in research such as breeding, yield evaluation and variety improvement for rice. Traditional measurement methods still mainly rely on manual labor, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and error-prone. In this study, a novel method, dubbed “GSM-Method”, based on convolutional neural network and traditional image processing technology was developed for efficient and precise measurement of rice grain size parameters on rice panicle structure. Firstly, primary branch images of rice panicles were collected at the same height to build image database. Then, the grain detection model using convolutional neural network was established for grain recognition and localization. Subsequently, the calibration value was obtained through traditional image processing technology. Finally, the “GSM-Method” integrated with grain detection model and calibration value was developed for automatic measurement of grain size. The performance of the developed GS-Method was evaluated through testing 60 primary branch images. The test results showed that the root mean square error (RMSE) of grain length for two rice varieties (Huahang15 and Qingyang) were respectively 0.26 mm and 0.30 mm, while the corresponding RMSE of grain width was 0.27mm and 0.31mm, respectively. The proposed algorithm can provide an effective, convenient and low-cost tool for yield evaluation and breeding research.
Clustering and Investigation of Human Driving Behavior with Shoe Type in Urban Roads using Autoencoder
Authors: Shin Donghoon , Myoung Jinhee , Jeon Woongsun , Park Kang-moon
Published: March 2024

This paper describes clustering and investigation of human driving behavior with shoe type in urban roads using autoencoder. The analysis of driving patterns for different shoe types is important as it has been known to affect safe driving due to the braking distance change. To this end, we analyzed the effect of the type of shoes on vehicle driving by using an autoencoder to train the data acquired from actual vehicle driving with two types of shoes. With successfully trained data, the driving characteristics have been clustered on various urban driving scenarios when a preceding vehicle exists. The validity and impact of the clustering results on safe driving were verified through collision risk analysis in order to investigate the safety effects of shoe types. It has been shown from vehicle tests that the proposed clustering analysis with probabilistic risk assessment presents a clear correlation between footwear choice and driving safety, with the maximum collision probability was reduced by 23%, and the maximum collision time was improved by 0.4 seconds when driving shoes were worn.
Physical and mental effects of different radical prostatectomy techniques on urologic surgeons
Authors: Ölçücü Mahmut Taha , Bolat Mustafa Suat , Yıldırım Kadir , Özgök Yasar , Tokas Theodoros , Gözen Ali Serdar
Published: March 2024

Oblective
In this web-based international survey study, we aimed to show association between physical exhaustion, and patient, relatives, and employers-related mental stress on surgeons performing open radical prostatectomy (ORP), laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), and robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) .
Methods
A ten-question survey was sent to the urologists performing ORP, LRP, and RALP via e-mail and social media platforms. The techniques preferred by the participants and their possible associations with physical exhaustion, musculoskeletal complaints and stress caused by patients’ or patients’ relatives or employers’ expectations as well as regular exercise or sportive activities were investigated.
Results
A total of 160 urologists completed the survey. RALP group showed lower physical exhaustion rate and increased eye-strain (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Although walking was the most preferred sportive activity, no correlation was found between regular sport or exercise and musculoskeletal complaints (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
Lower physical exhaustion was achieved in RALP technique compared to ORP and LRP. Although the number of participants limited, regular exercise weakly improved physical exhaustion and musculoskeletal complaints. We believe that encouraging the urologists dealing with LRP and RALP to force regular sportive activities would help to improve physical discomfort.
E-waste Challenges of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhang Ling-Yu , Tzachor Asaf , Masanet Eric , Chen Wei-Qiang
Published: March 2024

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI), a subset of artificial intelligence, requires substantial computational hardware resources for data processing and model training. However, the electronic-waste (E-waste) toll of GAI remains underexplored and overlooked. Here, we propose a Computational Power-driven Material Flow Analysis (CP-MFA) model to measure GAI-related E-waste generation, with a specific focus on large language models. By quantifying server requirements and E-waste generation of GAI under different scenarios, we find that this emerging waste stream will grow at a rapid pace (16 million tons cumulative waste by 2030) with deleterious environmental impacts. Accordingly, we call for an early adoption of circular economy measures among server manufacturers and data center operators. This study reveals significant hardware-linked environmental implications in the context of GAI boom.
Relationship Between SII Levels and OAB Incidence- A Cross-Sectional Study Based on NHANES 2005-2020
Authors: Zhao Changfeng , Zhang Xinyu , Yang Yunkai , Wu Mengqi , Zhang Dahong
Published: March 2024

Objective
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII) among US adults from 2005 to 2020 and the incidence of Overactive Bladder (OAB). Additionally, a predictive model for OAB risk was constructed based on SII.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved 11,427 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2005 to 2020. SII was calculated based on peripheral blood results, while data on urinary conditions were assessed using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) to determine the presence of OAB. Participants were stratified into two groups based on the presence or absence of OAB, and baseline characteristics were compared. Then, the correlation between SII and OAB was explored using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses coupled with smoothed curve fitting. A multifactorial Logistic Regression model was established by selecting variables associated with OAB incidence, incorporating clinical significance, and constructing a nomogram. Lastly, the predictive ability of the nomogram for identifying OAB was evaluated using ROC curves, calibration curves, and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA).
Results
Among the examined 11,427 samples, individuals with OAB exhibited higher SII levels (475.59 (326.49–683.89) vs. 435.00 (315.00–615.57), p < 0.01). Both univariate and multivariate Logistic Regression analyses revealed a positive correlation between SII/1000 and the incidence of OAB. Moreover, smooth curve fitting demonstrated a non-linear positive correlation between OAB and SII/1000 (P-nonlinear < 0.05). Finally, our established nomogram could predict the risk of OAB (AUC = 0.754), holding clinical decision-making significance.
Conclusion
A positive correlation was identified between SII and the risk of OAB among American adults, highlighting the predictive value of SII for OAB incidence. However, larger-scale prospective studies are warranted to validate our findings.
Interpretation of melatonin-mediated vacuolar compartmentalization at the cellular level in the hyperaccumulator plant Solanum nigrum L. under cadmium stress
Authors: Yang Yan , Guan Wenjie , Li Zhishuai , Yang Lan , Yu Hongyan , Zou Luyi , Xu Hai , Teng Yue
Published: March 2024

Melatonin can alleviate cadmium (Cd) stress in plants, but the cellular-level mechanism remains unclear, particularly in relation to its impact on detoxification processes within the protoplast and vacuole of plants. The plant Solanum nigrum L. was selected to explore the Cd concentration on vacuolar compartmentalization in the leaf cell under the application of exogenous melatonin. The contents of total Cd, Cd2+, ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined in protoplasts and vacuoles of leaf cells through subcellular separation. It was found that vacuolar compartmentalization is a dynamic strategy accompanied by the reasonable allocation and continuous consumption of related substances outside the vacuole. Melatonin promoted a more reasonable allocation of resources outside the vacuole to maintain homeostasis. These findings might have implications for understanding melatonin-mediated cellular tolerance mechanisms and instructing the genetic ways to devise more ideal hyperaccumulator plants.
Preoperative three-dimensional lung volumetry: a novel method for prediction of respiratory complications in patients undergoing major liver resection for colorectal metastases
Authors: Elmaagacli Suzan , Thiele Christoph , Meister Franziska , Menné Philipp , Truhn Daniel , Damink Steven W. M. Olde , Bickenbach Johannes , Neumann Ulf , Lang Sven Arke , Vondran Florian , Amygdalos Iakovos
Published: March 2024

Patients undergoing major liver resection often suffer from significant perioperative morbidity. This study examines the ability of lung volumetry, based on preoperative computerized tomography (CT), to predict postoperative pulmonary complications after major liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Patients undergoing major liver resection for CRLM between 2010–2021 with suitable chest CT, were included. Preoperative total lung volume (TLV) was measured using 3D-Slicer version 4.11.20210226 (http://www.slicer.org). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analyses were used to define a cut-off, for prediction of postoperative respiratory complications. Differences between groups were examined with Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Risk factors for the development of respiratory complications were identified through logistic regression. Of 123 patients included, 35 (29%) developed respiratory complications. A good predictive ability of TLV was shown (AUC 0.62, p = 0.036), with an ideal cut-off value of 4500cm3. Patients with TLV < 4500cm3 suffered from significantly higher rates of respiratory complications (44% vs. 21%, p = 0.007), and TLV < 4500cm3 was an independent risk factor (odds ratio 3.777, 95% confidence intervals 1.488–9.588, p = 0.005). Preoperative TLV is a viable predictor of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing major liver resection for CRLM. More studies in larger cohorts are necessary to further evaluate this technique.
Harmonizing perspectives: an integrative approach to monitoring metazoan diversity in a Mediterranean coastal area through morphology and organismal eDNA
Authors: Capua Iole Di , Luise Fabiana , Zampicinini Gianpaolo , Roncalli Vittoria , Carotenuto Ylenia , Piredda Roberta
Published: March 2024

The use of metabarcoding has greatly improved the assessment of marine metazoans. However, it is still uncertain whether metabarcoding analyses (eDNA) accurately captures the diversity in the field.
This study aims to use an integrated approach merging α-taxonomy and organismal eDNA analysis of two genetic markers (COI and 18S), to observe for the first time the metazoan community inhabiting in a submarine Canyon and compare it with already well-known at a Long-Term Ecological Research.
Our research has emphasized the importance of harmonizing perspectives involved in assessing the planktonic metazoan community. This includes developing a consistent sampling strategy, obtaining high-quality DNA, ad hoc bioinformatic pipelines, interpreting results accurately, and finally microscopy-based identification to confirm molecular inference. All of these steps are crucial for monitoring metazoan diversity and distribution patterns. We have observed over 200 metazoan taxa and identified 174 species using COI, 107 using V9, and 84 using morphology-based methods. Our coverage is comprehensive and includes both holo- and mero-zooplanktonic organisms, with a wide taxonomic range that even includes fish.
This study has revealed a extraordinary biodiversity of these Mediterranean Sea sites, highlighting both known and previously unidentified species (new entries and non-indigenous) and providing a holistic view of the pelagic realm.
Carbonate Weathering Enhances Nitrogen Assimilatory Uptake in River Networks
Authors: Liu Yi , Qi Hongkai , Wang Haoran , Kuang Xingxing , Jiao Jiu Jimmy , Gan Jianping
Published: March 2024

Geological processes such as carbonate and silicate weathering can alter the riverine dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration and subsequently modify the carbonate chemistry. However, their effects on aquatic nitrogen cycles are usually overlooked. Here we present field measurements of 84 rivers with more than 210 sites across Pearl River Basin (PRB), China in both dry and wet seasons, and the results show that dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) follows the variation of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and solar radiation in the carbonated-dominated region during the wet season, while not the case in the non-carbonate-dominated region. We conduct in-situ incubations and show that organic nitrogen production is strengthened in the high DIC region in the wet season with higher temperatures and solar radiation. DON zonation in the dry season is not obvious due to low temperatures that limit nitrogen assimilation. We identify this fertilization effect of carbonate weathering on organic nitrogen formation and find it is not unique in PRB but a global phenomenon. The abundant DIC induced by carbonate weathering eliminates the DIC limitation that can exist in silicate rock regions and boosts the nutrient uptake potential by 16% to 31% for global river networks under excess nutrient availability.
Proposal for an expeditious seismic vulnerability evaluation of the Italian medieval defensive walls
Authors: Cima Valentina , Grande Ernesto , Lirer Stefania
Published: March 2024

Medieval defensive walls are a distinctive feature of Italian cultural heritage. These structures testify the origins of historical centres and, in some cases, the consequences of the events occurred over time. The typical configuration of medieval defensive walls, generally characterized by high slenderness ratios, out-of-plumb, the absence od deep and adequate foundations, made these elements particularly vulnerable toward seismic actions. This study focused on the assessment of the seismic safety of Italian medieval defensive walls toward out-of-plane failure mechanisms induced by seismic actions. To this end, a simple approach based on the use of generalized dimensionless capacity curves is presented. These curves, derived by the Authors from a calibration process involving a set of selected real cases, allows for a rapid preliminary seismic assessment of masonry walls particularly useful for getting an initial idea of the condition of the walls with respect to seismic actions also considering the presence of pre-existing out-of-plumb configurations. The proposed approach has been applied in the paper to the real case study of medieval walls of Cittadella, a town in northern Italy, considering the pre-existing out-of-plumb configuration. The obtained results have shown the vulnerability of these walls in case of occurrence of masonry disaggregation and, consequently, the importance of performing specific surveys finalized to investigate this phenomenon. The application of the proposed approach has clearly shown its feasibility and usefulness for the seismic evaluation. Moreover, the comparison with the corresponding results obtained by using the actual capacity curves, rather than the generalized ones, has underlined its good level of reliability.
Construction of artificial metalloenzymes by protein refolding
Authors: Ou Guangnan , He Biyan
Published: March 2024

Hemin was packed into the inside of bovine serum albumin by protein refolding. The as-prepared artificial hemeprotein was characterized by UV-vis, CD, and MALDI-TOF-MS, which exhibited peroxidase-like activities with an optical pH at pH 7.0 and an optical temperature at 65°C. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vm) with guaiacol for the as-prepared hemeprotein was calculated to be 0.131 mM and 0.166 mM/s, which was significantly lower compared with the value of 39.7 mM and 44.4 mM/s of native horseradish peroxidase. The artificial hemeprotein had much more affinity to the guaiacol than HRP, and had lower guaiacol oxidation efficiency than HRP.
SARS-CoV-2 infection increases thrombus load in coronary arteries of patients with AMI: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Qun , Yang Jun , Ding Jianping , Du Liping , Liao Zhixiong
Published: March 2024

Background:There is a lack of national and international literature on the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on thrombosis or increased risk of thrombosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the thrombus load within the coronary arteries of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection combined with AMI and to provide data support for the clinical management of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) combined with AMI.
Methods:A total of 174 patients with AMI in the cardiovascular internal medicine department of Zhangjiajie People's Hospital and Sangzhi People's Hospital of Sangzhi County were collected from 01 December 2022 to 01 June 2023, and were divided into two groups according to whether or not they were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Among them, 90 cases were in the COVID-19 group, and 84 cases were in the non-COVID-19 group. And the clinical data such as gender, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, criminal vascularity, and thrombus load grading were retrospectively analyzed for these two groups of patients.
Results:It was found that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and infarcted offender vessel. Of the 90 patients in the COVID-19 group, 64 formed thrombi, of which the culprit vessels were the right coronary (RCA) 37 (57.8%), left anterior descending artery (LAD) 23 (35.9%), and the left main coronary artery/left circumflex artery (LM/LCX) 4 (6.3%). In the non-COVID-19 group, 49 of 84 patients formed thrombi, of which 28 (57.1%) were right coronary, 11 (22.4%) anterior descending, and 10 (20.4%) left main/revolving branches.
Conclusion:In conclusion, COVID-19 infection combined with AMI leads to an increased risk of thrombosis and a tendency to be in a state of high thrombotic load. And interestingly, RCA is more prone to thrombus formation than LAD, LCX and LM.
Capsule coffee-inspired customizable production of nucleic acid medicine using a rapid on-site microfluidic assembly (ROMA) technology
Authors: Xu Jiang , Zheng Zhouyi , Wang Qiuhe , Dai Zhiqi , Yuan Ru-Yue , Yu Zhibin , Gong Yue , Hou Fujun , Zhang Wen , Jiang Yue , Jia William
Published: March 2024

The emergence of nucleic acid medicine (NAM) has profoundly addressed global infectious disease challenges1 and revolutionized cancer therapy2 and gene-editing3. However, current NAM, such as mRNA vaccine, remains distant from customizable supply and is fraught with hurdles of thermo-instability and infrastructure dependence. Drawing inspiration from the efficiency of capsule coffee machines, we introduce a Rapid On-site Microfluidic Assembly (ROMA) prototype capable of generating ready-to-inject mRNA vaccines at a throughput of 180 doses/hour (∼100 µg mRNA/dose). Analogous to the varied flavors of capsule coffee, our ROMA prototype offers personalized options for mRNA vaccines, including lipid nanoparticle (LNP) sizes, compositions, mRNA types, and dosages tailored to individual needs. Diverging from traditional mechanism of directly assembling mRNA and lipids into mRNA-LNPs, ROMA technology utilizes mRNA and pre-made empty LNPs to form mRNA-LNPs. Nevertheless, ROMA mRNA vaccine exhibits equivalent physiochemical parameters and in-vivo expressions compared to conventional ones, with a benefit of lower toxicity. Crucially, ROMA mRNA vaccine, immediately deployable without the need for storage, fundamentally avoids the thermal instability and degradation risks associated with conventional mRNA vaccines. This transformative ROMA technology offers unparalleled user-end convenience, unlocking the potential for personalized mRNA vaccines and treatments, thereby significantly expanding the scope of NAM therapeutics.
Epidemiology of tinea capitis among school-children in Dschang, Western Cameroon
Authors: Agokeng Dongmo Armel Joseph , Dabou Solange , Kabtani Jihane , Agokeng Kemnang Brice Donald , Diongue Khadim , Njateng Guy Sedar Singor , Ranque Stephane
Published: March 2024

Data on the epidemiology of tinea capitis (TC), an infection of the scalp by dermatophytes, are scarce in Cameroon. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of TC among school-children in the Dschang Subdivision, Western Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was carried out in June 2021 in Dschang including pupils aged 5 to 13. First, a standardized questionnaire was administered to participant for the collection of sociodemographic data. Then, samples were collected and cultured onto Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol-Gentamicin Agar. The etiological agents were identified based on their morphological features and with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. A total of 1070 children were clinically examined and 108 (10.1%) children presented with TC lesions. The mean age of the 1070 participants was 8.3 ± 2.6 years (ranges: 5-13 years); 772 (72.2%) were males. The use of borehole water (OR=0.01, 95%CI[0.001-0.03]), spring water (OR=0.2, 95%CI[0.08-0.50]), rainwater (OR=0.004, 95%CI[0.001-0.016]), and hairdressing salons visits (OR=0.413, 95%CI[ 0.196-0.872]) were associated with a decreased TC risk in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. In contrast, sharing bed with siblings (OR=4.48, 95%CI[2.095-9.60]) was associated with an increased TC risk in children. Among the 32 dermatophytes isolated in culture, Microsporum audouinii was the most frequent (43.8%), followed by Trichophyton rubrum (25.0%) and T. soudanense(25.0%). Microsporum canis and T. violaceum were both rarely isolated. Further studies are warranted to assess the association of TC with domestic water usage that has been highlighted in this study.
The Clinical and Genetic Features of ETV6/RUNX1-like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Pediatric: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: He Yun-yan , pang guanxiu , Li Chi Kong , Li Xin-yu , Yang Li-hua , Huang Lulu , Mai Hui-rong , Wan Wu-qing , Zhang Xiao-li , Liu li-ting , Ye Zhong-lv , Liao Liuhua , Long Xing-jiang , Chen Qi-wen , Huang Ke
Published: March 2024

The clinical-genetic characteristics of ETV6-RUNX1-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is still unclear in pediatrics. Therefore, we conducted Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing (WTS) on 2171 B-lineage ALL cases and identified 49 (2.3%) ETV6-RUNX1-like and 406 (18.7%) ETV6-RUNX1 cases. We found that: i) ETV6-RUNX1-like patients were characterized by ETV6 abnormalities and enrich for PAX5, KRAS, CDKN2A/2B, CRLF2, IKZF1, PTTN11, NRAS, FLT3. ii) Genes affecting of transcription factor regulation, RAS signal pathway, cell cycle regulation, JAK/STAT signal pathway and epigenetic modification were significantly frequent in ETV6-RUNX1-like ALL. iii) Four hub genes, ETV6, CDKN2A, ABL1 and MYC, were identified among ETV6-RUNX1-like ALL. The clinical characteristics highlighted that: i) ETV6-RUNX1-like patients had higher minimal residual disease (MRD) persistence at day 15 (D15 MRD) than ETV6-RUNX1 patients (P = 0.023). ii) 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of ETV6-RUNX1-like patients were both significantly worse than ETV6-RUNX1 patients (65.8 ± 15.4% vs. 95.7 ± 1.0%, P < 0.001 and 91.3 ± 4.2% vs 98.2 ± 0.7%, P = 0.006). iii) ETV6-RUNX1-like positive was the risk factor for EFS (HR 3.25 (95% CI, 1.23–8.61); P = 0.018). Therefore, it is important to discern ETV6-RUNX1-like patients early and opt for more intensive chemotherapy for these patients.
Maternal and Neonatal Outcome in Pregnant Women Undergoing Induction of Labor at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Jaiswal Shweta , Kyejo Willbroad , Kilewo Charles
Published: March 2024

Introduction:
Labor induction is a common obstetric intervention aimed at initiating or augmenting labor when spontaneous onset is delayed or deemed necessary for maternal or fetal well-being. Despite its widespread use, the practice's impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes remains a subject of ongoing research and debate. This study aims to evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with labor induction in a tertiary hospital setting in Tanzania.
Methodology:
A descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over a seven-month period from January 2021 to July 2021 at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A total of 120 pregnant women who underwent labor induction during this period were included in the analysis. Data on maternal demographics, obstetric characteristics, indications for induction, methods of induction, labor outcomes, and neonatal outcomes were collected from medical records and analyzed descriptively.
Results:
Among 4773 deliveries during the study period, 120 women underwent labor induction, accounting for 2.5% of all deliveries. The most common indications for induction were postdate pregnancy (50%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (31.7%), and premature rupture of membranes (17.5%). The majority of induced women (61.7%) delivered vaginally, with 38.3% undergoing cesarean section. Maternal complications were minimal, with the most common being failed induction of labor (14.2%). Neonatal outcomes were generally positive, with 96.7% of neonates having Apgar scores of 7 or higher at five minutes, although 8.3% required admission to the neonatal ward for further care.
Conclusion:
Labor induction at Muhimbili National Hospital demonstrated favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes, with low rates of maternal complications and positive neonatal Apgar scores. Postdate pregnancy emerged as the most common indication for induction. While the study highlights the benefits of labor induction, its retrospective nature and single-center setting limit the generalizability of findings. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate these findings and inform evidence-based obstetric practices.
CML in the Very Elderly: The Impact of Comorbidities and TKI Selection in a Real-life Multicenter Study
Authors: Rozental Alon , Halperin Erez , Leibovitch Chiya , Barzili Meirav , Koren-Michowitz Maya , Duek Adrian , Rozovski Uri , Extermann Martine , Raanani Pia , Shacham-Abulafia Adi
Published: March 2024

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have greatly improved chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatments, with survival rates close to the general population. Yet, for the very elderly, robust data remains limited. This study focused on assessing comorbidities, treatment approaches, responses, and survival for elderly CML patients. Our study was conducted on 123 elderly (≥ 75 years) CML patients across four centers in Israel and Moffitt Cancer Center, USA. The median age at diagnosis was 79.1 years, with 44.7% being octogenarians. Comorbidities were very common; cardiovascular risk factors (60%), cardiovascular diseases (42%), with a median age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (aaCCI) of 5. Imatinib was the leading first-line therapy (69%), while the use of second-generation TKIs increased post-2010. Most patients achieved a major molecular response (MMR, 75%), and more than half achieved a deep molecular response (DMR, 57%). Over half (53.6%) of patients moved to second-line, and nearly a quarter (23.5%) to third-line treatments, primarily due to intolerance. Overall survival (OS) was notably longer in patients with an aaCCI score below 5, for those receiving second-generation TKIs as initial therapy, and in patients who attained DMR. Contrary to expectations, the Israeli cohort showed a shorter actual life expectancy than projected, suggesting a larger impact of CML on elderly survival. In summary, imatinib remains the main initial treatment, but second-generation TKIs are on the rise among elderly CML patients. Outcomes in elderly CML patients depend on comorbidities, TKI type, response, and age, underscoring the need for personalized therapy and additional research on TKI effectiveness and safety.
Mechanistic insights into C(sp2)-H activation in 1-Phenyl-4-vinyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives: a theoretical study with palladium acetate catalyst
Authors: Fogos Wagner F. , Lessa Milena D. , Silva Fernando Carvalho da , Carneiro José Walkimar M.
Published: March 2024

Context
The activation of C-H bonds is a fundamental process in synthetic organic chemistry, which enables their replacement by highly reactive functional groups. Coordination compounds serve as effective catalysts for this purpose, as they facilitate chemical transformations by interacting with C-H bonds. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of activation of this type of bond lays the foundation for the development of efficient protocols for cross-coupling reactions. We explored the activation of C(sp2)-H bonds in 1-Phenyl-4-vinyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives with CH3, OCH3 and NO2 substituents in the para position of the phenyl ring, using palladium acetate as catalyst. The studied reaction is the first step for subsequent conjugation of the triazoles with naphthoquinones in a Heck-type reaction to create a C-C bond. The basic nitrogen atoms of the 1,2,3-triazole coordinate preferentially with the cationic palladium center to form an activated species. A concerted proton transfer from the terminal vinyl carbon to one of the acetate ligands with low activation energy is the main step for the C(sp2)-H activation. This study offers significant mechanistic insights for enhancing the effectiveness of C(sp2)-H activation protocols in organic synthesis.
Methods
All calculations were performed using the Gaussian 09 software package and density functional theory (DFT). The structures of all reaction path components were fully optimized using the CAM-B3LYP functional with the Def2-SVP basis set. The optimized geometries were analyzed by computing the second-order Hessian matrix to confirm whether the corresponding structure is a minimum or a true transition state. To account for solvent effects, the Polarizable Continuum Model of the Integral Equation Formalism (IEFPCM) with water as the solvent was used.
Reexamining the Evidence-Based Practices Attitude Scale-36 (EBPAS-36) in a U.S. Sample of Trauma-Focused Treatment Providers
Authors: Mersky Joshua P. , Lee ChienTi Plummer , Bacalso Edwin , Liu Xiyao
Published: March 2024

Background
Mental health providers’ attitudes toward evidence-based practice are likely to influence what interventions they learn, implement, and sustain over time. Extending research on the 15-item Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS), a 36-item version of the EBPAS was recently developed to assess provider attitudes more comprehensively. Research suggests the EBPAS-36 is a promising tool, though inconsistencies across studies suggest there is a need to reexamine its validity and reliability.
Methods
This study assessed the factorial structure of the EBPAS-36, the intercorrelations and reliabilities of its subscales, and correlates of practice attitudes in a U.S. sample of 445 practitioners who received training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
Results
A confirmatory factor analysis verified that the EBPAS-36 fits a 12-factor model representing each of its subscales. Reinforcing prior results, the subscales of the EBPAS-36 were weakly to moderately correlated, suggesting that the 12 domains are related yet distinct. A hypothesized second-order model with three overarching latent factors was not validated, but an alternative two-factor model fit the data adequately. Most subscales demonstrated good-to-excellent internal consistency, though values for the appeal, divergence, and balance subscales ranged from marginally acceptable to poor. Provider attitudes varied by gender, professional experience, and discipline. Practitioners who more frequently assessed client trauma symptoms reported more positive EBP attitudes, and those who expressed greater concerns that trauma assessments may cause harm reported more negative attitudes.
Conclusions
Taken together with previous findings, the results suggest the EBPAS-36 performs well overall, though some subscales may benefit from refinement. Further validation tests of the EBPAS-36 in diverse samples are warranted.
RETRACTED: Design and synthesis of thiourea-conjugating organic arsenic D-glucose with anticancer activities
Authors: Fu Boqiao , Liu Wenxuan , Wang Yufeng , Li Guorui , Huang Xinyuan , Wang Yingsha , Shi Hongan , Qin Caiqin
Published: March 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Effects of atorvastatin and its photoproducts on three trophic levels of the aquatic food web and identification of the major photoproducts
Authors: Poncarová Martina , Šorf Michal , Poštulková Eva , Klementová Šárka , Hájek Jan , Fojtíková Pavla , Kahoun David , Hrouzek Pavel , Medková Denisa , Petráňová Pavla
Published: March 2024

Atorvastatin (ATV) photochemical degradation with radiation relevant to the shortest solar radiation wavelengths reaching the Earth’s surface was studied. Fourteen products of photodegradation (P-ATV) were identified by HPLC-HRMS/MS analysis and for twelve of them, chemical structures were proposed. The suggested structures include decarboxylated, dehydrated ATV, ether-like structures and phenanthrene-like byproducts. Toxicity assays revealed that exposure to ATV had a greater negative effect on the growth of the green algae Desmodesmus subspicatus than exposure to P-ATV (IC20 values 140 µg/l and 475 µg/l, resp.). The opposite trend was observed in assays with Daphnia magna where P-ATV were 12 times more toxic than the parent compound (LC50 values obtained for atorvastatin and the photoproduct mixture after 48 h of exposure were 38.5 mg/l and 3.25 mg/l, resp.). Long-term exposure to environmental concentrations showed that P-ATV significantly lowered the number of juveniles of D. magna, while ATV had no effect in comparison to the control group. Neither ATV nor P-ATV affected the interclutch period or the number of clutches. The same trend of higher toxicity of P-ATV was observed in the 96-h test with Danio rerio embryos, where the determined LC50 value for ATV was 5.56 mg/l, while the calculated LC50 value for P-ATV was only 2.74 mg/l. Both groups of embryos of D. rerio (exposed to ATV and P-ATV) showed malformations such as heart oedema and yolk sac oedema with the more pronounced effect being in exposure to P-ATV).