bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in children and workers from Belgian French-speaking primary schools
Authors: Cremer Kelly , Frère Julie , Chatzis Olga , De Mendonca Ricardo , Minner Frédéric , Kabamba Benoît , Renard Florence , De Keukeleire Mathilde , Linden Dimitri Van der , Robert Annie
Published: July 2022

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, closing schools was discussed as a protective measure to limit the transmission of the virus in Belgium. There was however a lack of evidence on the role of young children in the spread of the virus. We undertook a study among Belgian primary schools in order to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and its relationship with communal incidence, size of schools and socio-economic index.MethodThe prospective non-interventional study was conducted from January 14 to May 18, 2021, into 11 primary schools in Belgium during 6 weeks per school. Schools were purposively selected using extremes on 3 criteria: area with a low/high official COVID-19 incidence after the first wave, small/large size of the school, and low/high socio-economic index of the school. Out of 2488 children and 444 school staff invited to participate, 932 (38%) children and 242 (55%) school staff signed an informed consent. Each participant was tested for COVID-19 antibodies using a rapid finger prick test. Additional analysis was conducted to document the low participation rate.ResultsParticipation of children was positively correlated with participation of school staff (r=+0.33;95%CI [-0.34;0.78]), but the correlation was much stronger with socio-economic index (r=+0.81;95%CI [0.40;0.95]). SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was lower among children (191/922=21%;95%CI [18-23%]) than among school staff (61/240=25%;95%CI [20-31%]), and it was not correlated with communal cumulative incidence (r=+0.06;95%CI [-0.59;0.67] in children and r=+0.26;95%CI [-0.40;0.74] in school staff). In school staff, seroprevalence was increasing with socio-economic index (r=+0.37;95%CI [-0.29;0.79]), but not in children (r=-0.10;95%CI [-0.66;0.53]). Seroprevalence didn’t present classroom clusters (intraclass correlation coefficient R²=0.08 in children and R2=0.12 in children with school staff).ConclusionIn children, participation was low in schools with a low socio-economic index. Children had a lower seroprevalence than school staff and there were no classroom clusters, suggesting that they are not the transmitters.Trial registrationThe protocol, informed consent forms, and questionnaires were approved by the Hospital-Faculty Ethics Committee Saint-Luc (“Commission d’Ethique hospitalo -facultaire des Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc”) – UCLouvain, approval number: 2020/16NOV/552. It was registered on clinicaltrials.gov on 16/09/2021, identifier number: NCT05046470, and on ISRCTN on 20/04/2022, identifier number: ISRCTN16837012.
An improved fixed-time stabilization problem of delayed coupled memristor-based neural networks with pinning control and indefinite derivative approach
Authors: Yang Chao , Liu Yicheng , Huang Lihong , Li Le
Published: July 2022

In this brief, we propose a generalized memristor-based neural networks with nonlinear coupling. Based on the set-valued mapping theory, novel Lyapunov indefinite derivative and Memristor theory, the coulped memristor-based neural networks(CMNNs) can achieve fixed-time stabilization(FTS) by designing a proper pinning controller, which randomly control a few neuron nodes of system. Different from the traditional Lyapunov method, this paper uses the implementation method of indefinite derivative to deal with the non-autonomous neural network system with nonlinear coupling topology between different neurons. The system can obtain synchronization in a fixed time and requires fewer conditions. Moreover, the fixed stable setting time estimation of the system is given through a few conditions, which can eliminate the dependence on the initial value. Finally, we give two numerical examples to verify the correctness of our results.
High, low, and non-optimum temperatures exposure on road injuries in a changing climate, A Secondary Analysis Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: cui yiran , Yang Wenyan , Shuai Jingliang , Ma Yulan , Yan Yan
Published: July 2022

Background The warming of the 21st century has made high temperatures a major threat to the global population. Health problems associated with increased ambient temperatures have become a growing public health problem worldwide.Aim To study the attribute to high, low, and non-optimum temperatures of road injuries in 21 regions and global stratified by sex, age, geographic location and socio-demographic status from 1990 to 2019.Methods We used the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) Results Tool to examine the age-standardized death rates and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to road injuries in 2019 by Join-point. Moreover, we report that high, low, and non-optimum temperatures exposure on road injuries for different groups by sex, age, region, and disease. In addition, we examined temporal trends in the burden of road disease caused by high, low, and non-optimum temperatures from 1990 to 2019. Trend analyzes were conducted for major socio-demographic index (SDI) regions.Results Globally, both the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) and DALY declined from 1990 to 2019, with average annual percent change (AAPC) values of −1.3% and −1.2%, respectively. In 2019, the indicators (death, and DALYs) steadily declined with SDI quintile increased in most regions. And road injuries related death and DALYs rate attributed to high temperatures were 0.17 and 8.50 respectively in 2019. From 1990 to 2019, DALYs for road injuries caused by low temperatures showed the most significant upward trend in most regions, especially in low-latitude countries.Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the road injury burden caused by high, low, and non-optimum temperatures, which remains high in regions with low SDI. Therefore, special attention should be paid to road injuries in poor countries or in areas with extreme temperatures.
Irisin as a Predictor of Bone metabolism in Han Chinese Young Men with Pre-diabetic Individuals
Authors: Liu Junru , Wang Xing , Fan Dongmei , Sun Lina , Zhang Weinan , Yin Fuzai , Liu Bowei
Published: July 2022

Background: Irisin is a novel myokine both in mice and humans, and it can also be secreted by adipose tissue and the liver in a small amounts. There are few studies on Irisin and bone metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum irisin levels and bone metabolism and analyze its related factors in Han young male with pre-diabetic individuals.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 41 pre-diabetes and 45 normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and bone mineral content (BMC), were performed. All patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) after 8 h of fasting, and the levels of glucose, insulin, lipids, serum irisin and bone turnover markers were measured.Results: The levels of serum irisin (4.4 ± 1.4 vs. 6.3 ± 1.5 µg/mL), P1NP and OC were significantly lower and CTX was significantly higher in the pre-diabetes group (P < 0.05). BMC did not differ in the two groups (P > 0.05). Serum Irisin levels negatively correlated with BMI(r =-0.325), FPG(r =-0.329), TG(r =-0.339) (P < 0.05) in NGT individuals. Serum irisin levels positively correlated with P1NP (r =0.398), OC (r =0.351), HDL-C (r = 0.432) and negatively correlated with FPG (r = -0.725), 2h-PG (r = -0.360) (P < 0.05) in pre-diabetic individuals. Multiple regression analysis revealed that Serum irisin (β = 9.768, P = 0.025) and WC (β = -2.355, P = 0.002) were significant independent predictors for P1NP.Conclusions: Bone turnover markers were changed rather than bone mineral content in young men with pre-diabetes. In pre-diabetes individuals, serum irisin levels were reduced and close relationship with P1NP. Falling irisin levels may be a predictor of decreased bone formation in Han young men with pre-diabetes individuals.
Radiomics based on RESOLVE ADC in differentiating benign and malignant lymph nodes in rectal cancer
Authors: Wang Ke-xin , Dai Jie , Bai Xiao-han , Wang Chen , Zhang Jiu-lou , Li Yang , Yu Jing , Xu Qing
Published: July 2022

Background
The preoperative prediction of lymph node (LN) metastasis (LNM) in rectal cancer assumes a pivotal role in risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making. This study aimed to construct and validate a clinical-radiomics nomogram in non-invasively predicting LNM based on readout segmentation of long variable echo-trains (RESOLVE) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).
Methods
This retrospective study included preoperative images of 206 rectal cancer patients, containing 261 pathologically confirmed LNs, at our hospital between August 2018 and February 2022. There were 144 patients (55 in the LNM group and 89 in the non-LNM group) with 182 LNs (76 metastatic LNs and 106 benign LNs) in the training cohort and 62 patients (25 in the LNM group and 37 in the non-LNM group) with 79 LNs (31 metastatic LNs and 48 benign LNs) in the validation cohort. Image segmentation was performed by manually delineating the whole tumor and the maximum cross-section of each LN. The maximum-relevance and minimum-redundancy (mRMR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) methods were used to construct radiomics signature. Logistic regression modeling was employed to construct models based on clinical factors and LN morphologic criteria (model 1), tumor radiomics features combined with LN radiomics features (model 2), and model 2 combined with model 1 (model 3). Then model 3 was converted as a form of clinical-radiomics nomogram. Diagnostic performance was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC). The DeLong test was conducted to compare AUCs between models. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to assess the clinical usefulness of three models.
Results
Both model 2 and model 3 showed higher AUCs in the training (model 2 0.930, model 3 0.948) and validation cohorts (model 2 0.864, model 3 0.887) than model 1(training 0.742; validation 0.745). Model 3 showed improved diagnostic performance over model 2 (P = 0.049) and model 1(P < 0.001) in the training cohort. The DCA indicated that model 3 was regarded as the candidate model to identify LN status.
Conclusions
The clinical-radiomics nomogram, incorporating RESOLVE ADC based-radiomic features from tumors and LNs with clinical factors and LN morphologic criteria was promising for predicting LNM in rectal cancer.
Fire Simulation and Emergency Evacuation in University Office Buildings
Authors: XIAO Mufeng , ZHOU Xihua , HAN Yanchun , PAN Xinxin , FU Qiang , GAO Jialu , HAN Baoxin , LIN Tao , WANG Yongjian , WANG Jue
Published: July 2022

University office buildings are crowded places with significant fire safety risks due to various electrical and experimental equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to study the emergency evacuation of office staff in a university office building under fire conditions. This paper employs the BIM technology to establish 1:1 modeling based on the actual size and volume of a university office building. It utilizes the Pyrosim software to simulate the smoke in the fire situation to analyze the change rules of smoke temperature, concentration, and visibility in the evacuation staircase position of university office buildings. Pathfinder software is utilized to simulate the emergency evacuation of personnel in office buildings, and analyze the influences of the number of loads, the number of exits, and the position of stairs on evacuation efficiency. The results indicate that the change in smoke temperature and visibility significantly influence the emergency evacuation of office staff in office buildings. Since the original opening number of exits and entrances of university office buildings cannot meet the safe evacuation requirements, the layout of exits should be re-planned. Appropriately increasing the number of exits can effectively improve evacuation efficiency. Measures should be considered to confine the number of personnel in university office buildings. The research results provide theoretical and data support for emergency evacuation management of the university office building in the fire.
Comparison of Long-Term Anatomical and Visual Outcomes of Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment Surgery with or without ILM Peeling
Authors: Pehlivanoğlu Seren , Bektasoglu Damla , Özçalışkan Şehnaz , Alagoz Cengiz , Erdogan Gurkan , Artunay Ozgur
Published: July 2022

BackgroundTo analyze the anatomical and functional outcomes of ILM peeling and to compare those with patients who did not perform ILM peeling in tractional retinal detachment with diabetic retinopathy.MethodsThe study was designed retrospectively. It was planned to include all consecutive eyes with TRD that had macular involvement and successful repair using 23-gauge(G) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) between 2019 and 2021 and were followed in the retina for at least 12 months. A total of 163 eyes were evaluated. Forty-seven eyes with TRD (24 without ILM peeling and the rest with ILM peeling applied) were eligible to be part of the study.ResultsIn the first month of the postoperative period, the mean BCVA(LogMAR) of eyes with ILM peeling (1.08±0.63) were significantly better than eyes with ILM non-peeling (1.69±0.75, p=0.003). Similarly, there was a statistically significant result at 9- and 12-months p=0.012 p=0.047, respectively. The mean preoperative CMT was 494.96±90.67 while 362± 85.77 in postoperative 1 month and 300.74± 86.23 in 12 months in study group.(for each, p=0.000) Although the mean CMT was thinner in the ILM peeling group than in the ILM non-peeling group during the follow-up, this difference was not statistically significant(p>0.05).ConclusionsEpiretinal membrane formation and macular edema were observed less frequently in the ILM peeling group during the 30-month follow-up. In addition, rapid improvement was achieved in terms of visual acuity in the eyes with ILM peeling.
Stressors related to the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and the Ukraine crisis, and their impact on stress symptoms in Germany: analysis of cross-sectional survey data
Authors: Weierstall-Pust Roland , Schnell Thomas , Heßmann Philipp , Feld Michael , Höfer Max , Plate Anna , Müller Matthias J.
Published: July 2022

Background: Climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Ukraine crisis are considered unprecedented global stressors, potentially associated with serious health consequences. However, simultaneous effects of these stressors are not yet understood, making it difficult to evaluate their relative contribution to the population burden and potential future manifestations in clinically significant psychiatric disorders. This study aimed at disentangling the relative contribution of the three stressor groups on current sub-clinical stress symptoms.Methods: A cross-sectional, representative survey study was conducted two months after the outbreak of the Ukraine war in Germany. Proportional quota sampling was applied for age, gender, income, and regional characteristics. Data were recruited by means of an online survey. 3094 data sets (1560 females) were included. Age ranged from 18-89 (M: 50.4 years; SD: 17.2). The Subclinical Stress Questionnaire (SSQ-25) served as main outcome measure. In collaboration with a professional media agency, 20 items were generated to capture salient population stressors. A three-factor exploratory structural equation model confirmed the appropriateness of this scale.Results: (1) Older and male individuals report less and/or less severe stress symptoms, although effect sizes were small (range: η2 .11 - .21). (2) Differences in subjective rankings revealed that stressors related to the Ukraine crisis were rated as most worrying, followed by climate change, and the Covid-19 pandemic (Generalized-Linear-Model: Epsilon=.97; F(1.94, 6001.14)=1026.12, p < .001; ηp2=.25). (3) In a linear regression model (R2=.39), Covid-19 pandemic stressors were the only meaningful predictors for current ill-health (standardized β = .48). Ukraine crisis did not predict stress symptom profiles in the present sample. (4) Older and male individuals report less and/or less severe stress symptoms. An older age also reduced the impact of Covid-19 stressors.Conclusions: Researchers from the health sciences must consider overlapping effects from population stressors. Although the Ukraine crisis and climate change mark salient stressors, including economic threats, the Covid-19 pandemic still has a profound effect on ill-health and must be considered as a relevant factor in future manifestations of psychiatric and associated health consequences.Trial Registration: n.a.
Correlation of 6-minute-walking test with echocardiographic pulmonary arterial stiffness in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Bigdelu Leila , Alimi Hedie , Fazlinezhad Afsoon , Ghaderi Fereshteh , Poorzand Hoorak , Vakilian Farveh , Keihanian Faeze , Shaye Zahra Abbasi , Afshar Sara
Published: July 2022

Introduction:
Pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS) has been shown to be related to pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between functional capacity and echocardiographic indices of PAS in patients with PAH.
Materials and methods
This cross sectional study was performed on patients with PAH were confirmed by right heart catheterization who referred to Imam Reza PAH clinic for routine follow up between November 2019 and January 2020. All patients underwent echocardiography and the maximum Doppler frequency shift, pulmonary acceleration time, peak velocity of the pulmonary flow and velocity time integral, as well as PAS were measured. All patients performed 6-minute walk test.
Results
Fifty patients with the mean age of 41.90 ± 14.73 years old participated in this study. Majority of the patients were female (74%). The most common cause of PAH was idiopathic (74%). There was a significant correlation between PAS and PASP (r = 0.302, P = 0.041), V2 (r=-0.461, P = 0.003), T2/V1 (r=-0.311, P = 0.037) and Z3 ratio (r=-0.346, P = 0.023). There was no significant correlation between PAS and 6MWT, PVR and TAPSE (P > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between V2 and PVR (r = 0.359, P = 0.049).
Conclusions
PAS and V1 are simple, non-invasive, available tools for evaluation of pulmonary vascular bed and early diagnosis of pre-symptomatic clinical status in patients with PAH.
Intracranial Stenting as a Bail-out Option for Posthemorrhagic Cerebral Vasospasm: A Single-Center Experience with Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Khanafer Ali , Cimpoca Alexandru , Bhogal Pervinder , Bäzner Hansjörg , Ganslandt Oliver , Henkes Hans
Published: July 2022

Background: Cerebral vasospasm is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Endovascular treatment, including intraarterial infusion of drugs with vasodilation effects, and balloon- and stentriever angioplasty, are helpful but can achieve only short-term effects in some patients. A need remains for long-lasting treatment of refractory recurrent vasospasm. We report our experience in stent implantation as a treatment for recurrent severe post-SAH vasospasm.Methods: A retrospective analysis of our institutional database of 883 patients with SAH, managed between January 2010 and December 2021, was performed. Six patients were identified as having received intracranial stenting in the context of post-SAH cerebral vasospasm. All patients were initially treated with intra-arterial infusion of nimodipine and/or milrinone. Self-expanding intracranial stents were implanted during endovascular aneurysm treatment to enable access despite impaired perfusion or as a bail-out strategy after failed intraarterial drug infusion or mechanical treatment. All stented patients received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).Results: Nine vessels in six patients with severe post-SAH vasospasm were stented. The stents were deployed in 16 vessel segments. All attempted implantations were technically successful. All patients demonstrated radiographic and clinical improvement of the vessel narrowing. No recurrent vasospasm or thromboembolic occlusion of the stented vessels was encountered. In long-term angiographic follow-up, neither in-stent stenosis nor stent occlusion was found.Conclusions: Endovascular implantation of self-expanding stents is a potential ultima ratio strategy for patients with severe refractory post-SAH cerebral vasospasm. Stents with reduced thrombogenicity (avoiding DAPT) and bioabsorbable self-expanding stents would further advance this concept.
Changes in Soil Organic C Fractions and C Pool Stability are Mediated by C-degrading Enzymes in Litter Decomposition of Robinia pseudoacacia Plantations
Authors: Xu Miaoping , Zhi Ruochen , Jian Junnan , Feng Yongzhong , Han Xinhui , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2022

Litter decomposition is the main source of soil organic carbon (SOC) pool, regarding as an important part of terrestrial ecosystem C dynamics. The turnover of SOC is mainly regulated by extracellular enzymes secreted by microorganisms. However, the response mechanism of soil C-degrading enzymes and SOC in litter decomposition remains unclear. To clarify how SOC fraction dynamics respond to C-degrading enzymes in litter decomposition, we used field experiments to collect leaf litter and SOC fractions from the underlying layer in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations on the Loess Plateau. Our results showed that soil SOC, easily oxidizable organic C, soluble organic C and microbial biomass C increased significantly during the decomposition process. Litter decomposition significantly decreased soil hydrolase activity, but slightly increased oxidase activity. Correlation analysis results showed that SOC fractions were significantly positively correlated with the litter mass, lignin, soil moisture, and oxidase activity, but significantly negatively correlated with cellulose content and soil pH. Partial least squares path models revealed that the most direct factors affecting the SOC fractions of topsoil during litter decomposition were litter lignin and cellulose degradation, soil pH, and C-degrading enzymes. Furthermore, regression analysis showed that the decrease of SOC stability in litter decomposition was closely related to the decrease of soil hydrolase: oxidase ratio. These results highlighted that litter degradation-induced changes in C-degrading enzyme activity significantly affected SOC fractions. Furthermore, the distribution of soil hydrolase and oxidase modulated the stability of SOC during litter decomposition. These findings provided a theoretical framework for a more comprehensive understanding of C turnover and stabilization mechanisms between plant and soil.
Stroop-Task Investigation into Chinese Two-Character Word Processing
Authors: Huang Meina , Zhang Shuhao , Ma Wenlling , Wang Xiaoyun , Li Degao
Published: July 2022

Is it possible that a Chinese two-character word (2C word) is processed purely according to the constituent characters? Three experiments were conducted in a modified version of the Stroop task on 2C words ending with the color character “红” (red) or “白” (white). In Experiments 1, 2, and 3, only the first character, only the second character, and both the constituent characters of the target were presented in red or white color in a trial. Each experiment consisted of three sub-experiments. In Experiments 1A, 1B, and 1C, for example, the target which was related or unrelated to red or white color in meaning (MEANING) was shown for 57 ms, 157 ms, and 314 ms, respectively. The participants decided whether one of the constituent characters was presented in red or white color after the target disappearance. The expected Stroop interference effect (SIE) was observed, and the interaction between MEANING and SIE was of different patterns across the experiments. In conclusion, skilled readers do seem to process 2C words purely according to the constituent characters in a duration of 157 ms. There is an interaction between the semantic processing at the word and character levels in a duration of 57 ms, but the semantic processing appears to happen in parallel at these two levels in a duration of 314 ms.
Clinico-demographic profile of orbital exenteration in a tertiary eye care centre – a 20 years’ experience
Authors: meel rachna , Pushker Neelam , Kashyap Seema , Chaurasia Shweta , RATHOD AISHWARYA , Bajaj Mandeep , sen seema , Agrawal Sahil
Published: July 2022

Background
This study aimed to determine the clinical indications for orbital exenteration, demographic profile of these patients and clinicopathological correlations in current times, and to compare these results with previous published data.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted of exenterations performed at a tertiary eye care centre over a period of 20 years(January 2001 to June 2020). Patient records were reviewed to obtain demographic data, presenting symptoms and their duration, laterality, and clinical and histopathological diagnosis.
Results
A total of 352 cases(males: females, 222:130) were identified who underwent exenteration. Patients ranged in age from 11months to 87 years(mean: 43.86 years, median: 50 years). The most common indication for exenteration was found to be eyelid malignancy in 54.36% followed by retinoblastoma in 18.75% and primary orbital tumors in 14.49%. Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)(60.26%) was most common histologic subtype of eyelid malignancy requiring exenteration, followed by sebaceous gland carcinoma(25.64%), and basal cell carcinoma(12.82%). The most common primary orbital tumors requiring exenteration were adenocystic carcinoma of lacrimal gland in adults and rhabdomyosarcoma in paediatric age group. Benign conditions requiring exenteration included fulminant fungal orbital infections and lymphangioma amongst others.
Conclusion
The number of exenterations performed have significantly increased in terms of absolute numbers. However, the ratio of exenteration to other tumor related surgeries, mainly excision biopsy, has reduced as compared to that reported from previous study. The most common indication in our study remains eyelid malignancy followed by intraocular malignancy. However, SCC has emerged as the most common tumor histologic subtype requiring exenterations.
Circular economy for food industry waste: Development and characterization of spray-dried acid whey encapsulated in millet matrix
Authors: Nani Mercy , Krishnaswamy Kiruba
Published: July 2022

Acid whey (AW) has become a significant challenge for the dairy industry because of the large quantity being produced and the difficulty in handling and disposing of it. Upcycling AW and reintroducing it into the food supply chain are innovative and sustainable ways to deal with the problem. This study investigated the feasibility of spray drying AW using millet flour as encapsulating wall material and examined the effect of different millet concentrations on the physio functional properties of the acid whey millet (AWM) powders. Higher yields and whiter-colored powders were obtained for AWM powders prepared with 10% and 25% millet flours. The moisture content and water activity ranged from 3.78% to 5.53 % and 0.29 to 0.25, respectively, indicating microbial stability of the powders. All powder formulations exhibited good flow properties. AWM powders exhibited higher solubility and dispersibility values than AW powders. Larger particles were observed in the powders prepared with an AWM matrix. The addition of millet flour increased the glass transition temperature resulting in reduced stickiness of the powders. The reduced stickiness was attributed to the neutralization and microencapsulating effect the millet flour had on AW, which aided the spray drying of AW and reduced stickiness in the powders. AWM powders had a high concentration of phenolic compounds and exhibited high antioxidant activity. Overall, the results of this study indicate that millet flour can be used as a wall material for spray drying of AWM powders, thereby creating a functional and value-added food ingredient.
Assessment of differential urbanization using spatial entropy model for Tiruchirappalli urban and tier towns, India
Authors: Prakash K , Jegankumar R , Libina RS
Published: July 2022

The urban fringe is the most volatile area in an urban environ affected by the unrestricted developmental activities. Urban sprawl is associated with many urban centres across the world; many times, the impacts are found to be negative on the non-living and living organisms. Quantification of urban has been a valuable field of study to understand its various factors like dispersion, density, diversity, dimension, and many others. Urbanization is, arguably, found to be one of the ancient processes by mankind. The cultural and functional aspects determined the settlement pattern of the cities. To be resilient and sustainable, many of these cities need to be physically restructured, which is quite an impossible task, especially in developing countries like India; Although, instead of restructuring established urban centres, plans can be developed to focus on the growth of the surrounding tier urban centres. The objectives of the present study are, 1) assess the changes in the urban growth and built-up density; 2) assess the urban diversity of the Tiruchirappalli Municipal Corporation and the tier urban centres on a temporal scale for the years 1996, 2008 and 2020. The study has been carried out with the use of Landsat 5 and 8 satellite images. Hierarchical unsupervised image classifier technique is used to classify the image and the study area has been split into eight zones in which, Batty’s spatial entropy method was used to assess the diversity index. The study results are comparable to understand the relative spatial growth and patterns among the select urban centres across the zones. Like many Class–II cities, Tiruchirappalli Municipality Corporation has mostly recorded inward developments during the periods from 1996 to 2008; while from 2008 to 2020 they have recorded outward fringe developments leading to expansion of the city.
Artichoke Phytocomplex Modulates Serum microRNAs in Patients Exposed to Asbestos: A First Step of a Phase II Clinical Trial
Authors: Muti Paola , Sacconi Andrea , Pulito Claudio , Orlandi Giulia , Donzelli Sara , Morrone Aldo , Jiulian James , Cox Gerard P , Kolb Martin , Pond Gregory , Kavsak Peter , Levine Mark Norman , Blandino Giovanni , Strano Sabrina
Published: July 2022

Background
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a highly aggressive tumor associated with asbestos exposure. There are few effective treatment options for mesothelioma, and patients have a very poor prognosis. Mesothelioma has the potential to represent an appropriate disease to prevent because of its strong association with asbestos exposure and the long latency from exposure to the disease on-set.
Methods
In the present study, we tested biological activity and toxicity of an artichoke freeze-dried extract (AWPC) as potential complementary preventive/early stage treatment agent for mesothelioma. This phase II clinical study then was conducted in 18 male-patients with evidence of radiographic characteristics related to asbestos exposure such as asbestosis or benign pleural disease as surrogate disease for mesothelioma clinical model.
Results
We investigate AWPC biological activity assessing its effect on mesothelin serum level, a glycoprotein with low expression in normal mesothelial cells and high expression in mesothelioma and asbestos related diseases. We also assess the AWPC effect on circulating miRNAs, as novel biomarkers of both cancer risk and response to therapeutic targets. While we found a small and not significant effect of AWPC on mesothelin serum levels, we observed that AWPC intake modulated 11 serum miRNAs related to gene-pathways connected to mesothelioma etiology and development. In terms of toxicity, we also did not observe any severe adverse effects associated to AWPC treatment, only gastro-intestinal symptoms were reported by five study participants.
Conclusions
We observed an interesting AWPC effect on miRNAs which targets modulate mesothelioma development. New and much larger clinical studies based on follow-up of workers exposed to asbestos are needed to corroborate the role of AWPC in prevention and early treatment of mesothelioma.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02076672. Registered 03/03/2014. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02076672
High expressions of PKM2 protein cause decreased apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Lu Dong-Hui , Ma Huan , Gao Shi-Le , Wang Dong-Mei , Zhang Li-Jie , Liu Jia-Tao
Published: July 2022

Background: The expression of PKM2 and radiation sensitivity of three HCC cell lines were tested to observe the effects of PKM2 on apoptosis and radiation sensitivity of HCC cells. Methods: PKM2 proteins in the three cell lines were tested using Western blot, and the apoptosis rate was detected in cells treated with radiation. The interference efficiency of siRNA interfering PKM2 expression level in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells was tested using the protein blotting technique, and the effect of siRNA influenced PKM2 gene on radiosensitivity of HCC cells was tested by flow cytometry. Results: The expression of PKM2 protein was different in the three cell lines, with the lowest expression in HepG2 and the highest expression in SMMC-7721, and the apoptosis rate and radiation sensitivity of the three cell lines showed opposite trends from their PKM2 expression. The apoptosis rate of HCC cells increased after PKM2 siRNA transfection, the apoptosis rate of PKM2 interference increased more significantly after radiotherapy, and the increase in the proportion of apoptosis before and after X-ray irradiation was more significant in the siRNA group than in the other two groups; the difference was statistically significant (t = 7.379, P = 0.001). Conclusion: The high expression of PKM2 protein is related to not only the low apoptosis rate of HCC cells but also the low radiosensitivity of HCC cells, indicating that PKM2 protein could play a key role in the apoptosis and radiosensitivity of HCC cells, and the regulation of PKM2 expression might be a promising new therapeutic strategy for HCC cells in the future.
Study on mechanism of wheat straw lignin degradation by lignin peroxidase from Irpex lacteus
Authors: Chen Huayou , Liang Xiaoyu , Li Shouzhi , Wang Zhen , Li Keyi , Feng Tao , Ni Zhong , Zhu Daochen
Published: July 2022

Lignin peroxidase is the most efficient lignin degradation enzyme. In this study, lignin peroxidase from Irpex Iacteus (I.Iacteus) was heterologously expressed in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S.pombe), the activity of the exocrine recombinant lignin peroxidase was 11.25U/L. Then, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that the composition and content of the wheat straw degradation products were different under different enzymatic hydrolysis conditions, which indicates that some molecular materials and enzymes affect the lignin degradation by lignin peroxidase in different ways. The analysis of the composition of the product provides a reference for understanding the mechanism of lignin degradation by lignin peroxidase.
Developing A Fuzzy Rule Based Trip Generation using High Frequency Data
Authors: Amalan Thivya , Du Bo , Kumarage Amal , Wickramasuriya Rohan , Perez Pascal
Published: July 2022

Calculating trips from each traffic zone is one of the essential steps in the four-step model. Multiple linear regression (MLR) is the most popular among the various methods available for calculating trips. The main limitation of this method is its reliance on independent variables related to the zone. Due to the assumptions in this method, future predictions are also subject to the question of accuracy. Conversely, updating these independent variables requires additional time and resources for conducting selected types of surveys, such as home visit surveys (HVS). Using high-frequency data (HFD) that is freely available and is updated frequently, this paper estimates trip generation using fuzzy logic to fill in the gap. The fuzzy model was created using 2013 HVS data and updated the data with 2013 for validation purposes and 2019 as a prediction year. The research area chosen for this purpose is Thimbirigasyaya DSD in Western Province, Sri Lanka. According to the results of this study, a fuzzy rule-based model can be used when there are no exact data available, and the available high-frequency data shows a non-linear relationship with the dependent variable.
Reducing data dimension boosts neural network-based stage-specific malaria detection
Authors: Preißinger Katharina , Kellermayer Miklós , Vértessy Beáta G. , Kézsmárki István , Török János
Published: July 2022

Although malaria has been known for more than 4 thousand years, it still imposes a global burden with approx. 240 million annual cases. Improvement in diagnostic techniques is a prerequisite for its global elimination. Despite its main limitations, being time-consuming and subjective, light microscopy on Giemsa-stained blood smears is still the gold-standard diagnostic method used worldwide. Autonomous computer assisted recognition of malaria infected red blood cells (RBCs) using neural networks (NNs) has the potential to overcome these deficiencies, if a fast, high-accuracy detection can be achieved using low computational power and limited sets of microscopy images for training the NN. Here, we report on a novel NN-based scheme that is capable of the high-speed classification of RBCs into four categories---healthy ones and three classes of infected ones according to the parasite age---with an accuracy as high as 98%. Importantly, we observe that a smart reduction of data dimension, using characteristic one-dimensional cross-sections of the RBC images, not only speeds up the classification but also significantly improves its performance with respect to the usual two-dimensional NN schemes. Via comparative studies on RBC images recorded by two additional techniques, fluorescence and atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that our method is universally applicable for different types of microscopy images. This robustness against imaging platform-specific features is crucial for diagnostic applications. Our approach for the reduction of data dimension can be straightforwardly generalised for the classification of different parasites, cells and other types of objects.
Comparative effects of oral uracil–tegafur versus intravenous chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy for resected early-stage NSCLC patients: Taiwan cancer registry cohort study
Authors: Liang Sheng-Kai , Wu Chang-Wei , Chang Ching-I , Keng Li-Ta , Lee Meng-Rui , Wang Jann-Yuan , Ko Jen-Chung , Liao Wei-Yu , Chen Kuan-Yu , Ho Chao-Chi , Shih Jin-Yuan , Yu Chong-Jen
Published: July 2022

BackgroundStudies comparing effectiveness of either adjuvant oral uracil-tegafur (UFT) or chemotherapy on early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving complete surgical resection remain limited. MethodsFrom January 2011 to December 2017, patients with early-stage NSCLC (defined as tumor size >3 cm and no lymph node involvement) receiving either adjuvant UFT or chemotherapy after complete surgical resection were identified from the Taiwan Cancer Registry. Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome and relapse-free survival (RFS) was the secondary outcome. Propensity matching was used for controlling confounders.ResultsA total of 840 patients receiving adjuvant therapy after surgery (including 595 UFT and 245 chemotherapy) were enrolled. Before matching, patients using oral UFT had significantly longer OS (p=0.0415) and RFS (p=0.0451) than those with chemotherapy. A 1:1 propensity score (PS)-matched cohort of 352 patients (176 for each group) was created. In the Cox regression analysis, the UFT and the matched chemotherapy groups had similar OS (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.86–1.07, p=0.3865) and RFS (HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.72–1.35, p=0.9248). Among subgroup analysis, oral UFT use was associated with longer RFS among the subgroups of non-drinker (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38–0.99, p=0.0458) and patients with stage IB disease (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42–0.95, p=0.0261). ConclusionsOur large-scale, population-based real-world study reveals that the effect of oral UFT on clinical outcomes for patients with early-stage NSCLC after surgery is not different from conventional intravenous chemotherapy. Additionally, for patients with stage IB (AJCC 7th edition, equivalent to stage IB & IIA by AJCC 8th edition) disease and non-drinkers, oral UFT administration was significantly associated with longer RFS than those using chemotherapy as treatment.
Persistent Trigeminal Artery associated to an Occipital Arteriovenous Malformation: Case report and literature review
Authors: Rodriguez Luis Alberto , Martínez Pablo , Baracaldo Ivan , Alonso Monica , Lopez-Mena Diego , Montenegro Hector Alfredo
Published: July 2022

Persistent Trigeminal Artery or Persistent Primitive Trigeminal Artery (PTA) is the most common carotid-basilar anastomosis in both cadaveric and live patient studies. Although several studies have linked PTA to different vascular pathologies such as cerebral aneurisms, association between PTA and Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) remains scarce. We present the case of a 21-year-old male who was diagnosed with a right occipital AVM associated to an ipsilateral PTA. A literature review of the PTA, the results of a PUBMED search regarding the combined presence of these findings and a brief discussion providing insight into the implications for treatment is included in this case report.
Whole genome sequencing across clinical trials identifies rare coding variants in GPR68 associated with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Khan Zia , Jung Min , Crow Megan , Mohindra Rajat , Maiya Vidya , Kaminker Joshua , Hackos David , Chandler G. Scott , McCarthy Mark , Bhangale Tushar
Published: July 2022

Dose-limiting toxicities significantly impact the benefit/risk profile of many drugs. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) in patients receiving drugs with dose-limiting toxicities can identify therapeutic hypotheses to prevent these toxicities. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a common dose-limiting neurological toxicity of chemotherapies with no effective approach for prevention. We conducted a meta-analysis of time-to-PN using WGS data in 4,900 European-ancestry patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents in 14 randomized controlled trials. We identified two low frequency variants associated with PN risk: rs17020773 in intron 13 of GRID2 and rs115575220 downstream of SCG2. Rare coding variant burden analysis identified predicted gain of function variants associated with increased PN risk in the C-terminus of GPR68, a pH-sensitive G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), that alter arrestin binding motifs. Analysis of snRNA-seq from human dorsal root ganglia indicated that expression of GPR68 was highest in mechano-thermo sensitive nociceptors. Inhibition of GPR68 signaling may provide a strategy to prevent PN in cancer patients.
Impact of Macroeconomic Variables on Exchange Rate Volatility in India
Authors: N Suresh , kuuam Keerthi
Published: July 2022

The exchange rate is one of the most important factors for the economic growth of any country, it has a direct effect on international trade. The present study investigates the impact of macroeconomic factors (Current Account Deficit (CAD), Import, Export, and Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)) on Exchange Rate Volatility (USD to INR) in India. To analyze how this variable has a relationship in the long and short run with the exchange rate. Data from 1980 to 2016 has been considered for analysis by applying the ADF test, Stationarity Testing, Stability Test, Johansen Co-integration test, Granger Causality test to know how the variables are affecting the Exchange rate and the ARIMA method of forecasting has been used for forecasting the future movement of exchange rates for 20 years. The result shows us there exists a long relationship and in the short run, it could be said that CAD and Import and PPP have a positive impact on the exchange rate and export has a negative impact on the exchange rate. CAD of the country is controlled automatically Exchange rate will be controlled and it will also reduce the impact on all other variables
Extraction of Weak Geochemical Anomalies Based on Multiple-point Geostatistics and Local Singularity Analysis
Authors: Fan Wenyao , Liu Gang , Chen Qiyu , Lu Laijun , Cui Zhesi , Zuo Boxin
Published: July 2022

The traditional interpolation might cause smoothing effect on the geochemical elements’ concentration due to its moving weighted average properties. Meanwhile, it cannot describe the elements’ spatial variability if the data’s distribution is sparse, which could cause uncertainties when inferring the information at the unsampled locations. Since the Multiple-Point Geostatistics (MPS) is a stochastic simulation based on the pattern’s statistical characteristics which conducted by spatial multiple points, it can reduce the smoothing effect and quantify the spatial variabilities and uncertainties. Meanwhile, the Local Singularity Analysis (LSA) could identify the weak geochemical anomalies more effectively due to its statistical self-similarity. Therefore, we proposed a new method combing the advantages of both MPS and LSA for improving the identification of the weak geochemical anomalies and quantifying the uncertainty distribution. We firstly treated the geochemical raster data as the Training Images (TIs) and then the Direct Sampling (DS) algorithm was used to perform elements spatial distribution. The LSA and information fusion were finally adopted to obtain the probability map of geochemical anomalies. We verified our methods by utilizing the 1:200,000 stream sediments geochemical data, and the results show that these identified anomalous fields could overcame the smoothing effect and quantify the distribution uncertainties on different simulation results. According to the ROC curves’ analysis, this method has a better performance than the Kriging-based ones and its anomalous fields were more consistent with the determined Fe deposits, which can help us have a clearer understanding for the metallogenic backgrounds and the element distribution patterns.
Reducing unnecessary tau-PET scans in a memory clinic setting via blood-based biomarker screening
Authors: Cullen Nicholas , Janelidze Shorena , Stomrud Erik , Palmqvist Sebastian , Braum Wagner , Zetterberg Henrik , Frisoni Giovanni , Ashton Nicholas , Blennow Kaj , Mattsson-Carlgren Niklas , Hansson Oskar
Published: July 2022

Tau-PET provides valuable prognostic information in Alzheimer’s disease but using blood-based biomarkers as a first-line screening tool could reduce costs. In this study, plasma Aβ42/Aβ40, pTau181, pTau217, pTau231, NfL, and GFAP were measured along with tau-PET in 550 memory clinic patients who had subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or any form of dementia from the Swedish BioFINDER-2 study. For each biomarker, cutoffs were established to achieve 90% sensitivity for detecting tau-PET positivity. The percentage of participants who fell below the cutoff was calculated along with the tau-PET positive rate among participants with abnormal biomarker values. Results showed that between 18–51% of tau-PET scans could be saved with plasma screening, with P-tau217 performing best. Performance of GFAP, P-tau181, and P-tau231 was in a second tier. The PET positive rate among those who would receive a tau-PET scan was ~ 75% with plasma screening compared to 37% in the entire study population.