bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association study identifies elite germplasm for improving lodging-related morphologic traits in maize
Authors: Cheng Zimeng , Yang Liu , Li Shifan , Yang Yihan , Zhang Weiguo , Nan Zhangjie , Shi Liyu
Published: August 2022

Maize lodging is an important cause of grain yield loss and difficulties with mechanized harvesting. Here, we have evaluated maize lodging-related morphologic traits, including stem height (SH), ear height (EH), stem node number (SN), ear node (EN), and two derived traits (ear height coefficient (EHc) and ear node coefficient (ENc) in 213 maize inbred lines among which 13 elite lines were repeatedly identified across different environments. Using 4000 SNPs evenly scattered across the 10 maize chromosomes, the 213 lines clustered into five subgroups, including Reid, PB, Lan, SPT (Si-ping-tou), and LRC (Lvda Reb Cob), across which significant phenotypic variance was observed. For example, germplasm in the LAN subgroup has fewer stem nodes and lower ear nodes than do those in the SPT and LRC subgroups. Using FarmCPU and MLM in TASSEL, 44 significant SNPs were significantly associated with lodging-related morphological traits. Three of these significant SNPs were repeatedly associated with the same trait in different environments. In addition, based on the superior genotypic combination of the significant SNPs on chromosome 5.02 and 5.03 associated with SN and EN across all environments, we identified four lines from the LAN subgroup, including Ji419, Si419, 416, and SiF1 as elite germplasm that could be used for breeding and improvement of lodging resistance in domestic local germplasm in maize.
Occupational Therapy in Pediatric Primary Care: Fostering Interprofessional Collaboration in Pediatric Medical Residency Education Using Contemporary Game-Based Simulation
Authors: Trio Jessica , Johnson Maureen , McConkey Stacy , Earland Tracey
Published: August 2022

Background: Pediatric primary care well-child visits commonly result in referrals for occupational therapy. However, only a small percentage of children under age three, at risk for developmental delays, receive an intervention. Healthcare providers’ limited knowledge and perception of occupational therapy and interprofessional collaboration may cause referral barriers. Pediatric medical residency education offers opportunities to impart information about available resources and benefits of early occupational therapy intervention and interprofessional collaboration through game-based simulations (virtual escape room). This pilot study explored the effects of participating in a virtual escape room simulation on pediatric medical residents’ knowledge and perception of occupational therapy's importance and treatment value, interprofessional collaboration, and likeliness to refer clients to occupational therapy. Methods: A three-hour educational activity, including a one-hour lecture, one-hour virtual escape room simulation, and one-hour debriefing, were measured using a pre-post survey study design completed by first-year postgraduate pediatric medical residents (n=6) as part of their pediatric residency orientation. Post-surveys also included a participant satisfaction questionnaire. Results: No significant difference was found in the pre-post-survey of knowledge and perception toward occupational therapy and interprofessional collaboration using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank testing. However, using descriptive data, pre-post-survey responses to three statements regarding attitude toward occupational therapy revealed improved positive responses. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the mean score for six statements regarding participant satisfaction was 4.83 using a five-point Likert scale, with 0 indicating low levels and 5 indicating high levels of satisfaction. Conclusion: Although the small sample size may account for no significant difference in knowledge and perception, descriptive analysis of this educational activity’s components revealed an improvement in pediatric medical residents’ perception of occupational therapy as an important healthcare profession, the profession’s overall value, and potential future referrals for services. These findings suggest that medical education simulations may improve residents’ knowledge and perception of interprofessional collaboration and inclusion of occupational therapists in primary care well-child visits, especially with early intervention. In addition, participant satisfaction with the escape room simulation was high overall.
Simple preparation of environmentally friendly superhydrophobic paper with durability and anti-bacterial property
Authors: Ye Mengting , Tian Zhongjian , Wang Shengdan , Ji Xingxiang , Wang Dongxing , Ci Xiaolei
Published: August 2022

As non-biodegradable single-use plastic packaging products have been restricted in recent years, paper-based materials have attracted appreciable attention for their environmental benefits. However, the hydrophilic nature of paper-based materials limits its application for replacing non-biodegradable plastic. In this study, an environmentally friendly and multifunctional superhydrophobic paper was developed using a simple spraying method, for reducing white pollution concerns caused by non-degradable single-use plastic packaging products. The results shown that when base paper (BP) with a low spray amount of 1.5 g/m 2 , the coated paper (CP) exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity (water contact angle of 160°), water repellency (Cobb value of 7.5 g/m 2 ), and strong durability to sandpaper abrasion, finger-wipe, bending, folding, and sustained exposure to corrosion media (HCl with a pH of 1, NaOH with a pH of 10, high temperature treatment at 180°C, and UV irradiation). Additionally, not only does the CP surface directly prevented adhesion of S. aureus and E. coli, but also indirectly repelled solid contaminants upon washing with water, thereby demonstrating highly efficient anti-bacterial and anti-fouling property. The durable and multifunctional superhydrophobic paper developed in this study not only provides a novel direction to solve the problem of white pollution but also presents a better research pathway for the potential applications of paper-based materials.
Effect of Hf-rTMS on rehabilitation of chronic pelvic pain syndrome under different intensities : study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Wang Mengyang , rui xia , Jiao Shi , Yang Chunhua , Zhang Yongqing , Xu Zhengxian , Yu Cancan , Wu Ziyi , Wang Min , Chen Shangjie , qu hongdang
Published: August 2022

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is one of the most common concentrated pain conditions in urology and gynecology. Nearly one in seven women of worldwide suffer from CPPS each year. CPPS often requires a combination of treatments. An increasing number of studies have shown good therapeutic effects of rTMS on CPPS, however there is a lack of a reasonable treatment intensity reference.The main objective of this trial is to observe the effect of high-frequency rTMS at different intensities on CPPS.METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In this prospective, double-blinded randomized controlled trial of outcome assessment, a total of 63 female CPPS participants will be recruited and randomized (1:1:1) to high intensity rTMS, low intensity rTMS, and routinely treatment control group. The control group will be received a ten-day course of conventional pelvic floor rehabilitation, including pelvic floor muscle bioelectro-feedback therapy, pelvic floor magnetic therapy, Hydrosun light therapy. On the basis of conventional treatment, participants in the high intensity group will be received 10Hz with 110%RMT for a total of 15000 pulses; participants in the low intensity group will be received 10Hz with 80%RMT with 15000 pulses. Primary outcome includes visual analogue scale (VAS), The Female Urogenital Pain Index (GUPI), Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS), and secondary indicators of pelvic floor muscle surface EMG will be measured at baseline and after completion of treatment.ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study is approved by the Ethics Committee of Bao 'an People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province (approval number: BYL20211203). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at scientific conferences.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2200055615. Registered on 14 January 2022, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=146720.
The Effect of Propolis Addition Into Laying Hen Diet on Performance, Serum Lipid Profile and Liver Fat Rate
Authors: BÖLÜKBAŞI Canan , Ürüşan Hilal , Yıldırım Betül Apaydın
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of propolis (P) on performance egg quality parameters, serum lipid profile, some liver enzymes and liver fat ratio.. 120 Lohmann (LSL) laying hens were divided into 5 groups and each group consisted of 6 subgroups. The control group was fed basal diet. The other groups were fed high-energy diets to induce fatty liver, and 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg propolis were supplemented to high-energy feeds, respectively. During the eight-week trial, feed and water were given as adlibitum. It was determined that egg production and feed convertion ratio were decreased in the high-energy feed group without the addition of propolis. The highest egg production was found in HE + 100 mg/kg P and HE + 200 mg/kg P groups. It was found that liver fat ratio were higher in the group fed with HE + 0 mg/kg P feed (P < 0.01) than other groups. But the addition of P decreased the liver fat rate significantly. The highest VLDL, TG and LDL values were found for HE + 0 mg/kg P group. The addition of 200 mg/kg propolis to high-energy feed increased GSH, SOD, CAT and GPx values. Conclusion, high-energy feed adversely affected egg production and liver fat ratio, but the addition of 100 or 200 mg/kg propolis improved egg production and decreased liver fat ratio.
Multibiomarker Approach in Fish to Assess a Heavily Polluted Brazilian Estuary, Guanabara Bay
Authors: Freire Marina Moreira , Gomez Cristina , Moreira Josino Costa , Arias Ana Rosa Linde
Published: August 2022

Brazil’s Guanabara Bay (GB), located in Rio De Janeiro, is a deeply contaminated, eutrophic waterbody that has a reduced environment that challenges the understanding of the effects of pollutants on the biota. This paper presents an integrated strategy to evaluate the impact of contamination, utilizing a multibiomarker approach in the following two fish species: corvine (Micropogonias furnieri) and burrfish (Chilomycterus spinosus). The integrated strategy is comprised of a general biomarker of fish’ physical condition, the condition factor (CF), and specific biomarkers of pollutant exposure such as metallothionein (MT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) metabolites. The results showed that both fish species presented significantly lower CF values, higher levels of MT, and lower AChE activities at the bay. Levels of PAHs were also higher in GB for both fish species; however, a different behavior concerning the origin of the PHAs was also identified. Therefore, the importance of using more than one sentinel species in the environmental assessment of complex pollution situations is illustrated by the results. Our findings indicate that pollutants are affecting the biota of the estuary. The present study shows the utility of incorporating a set of biomarkers to outline the consequences of anthropogenic intakes in water bodies under complex contaminated conditions.
Variation of heat flux and ecological impact on fish reproduction in the middle reaches of Yangtze River
Authors: Guo Wenxian , Chen Wenxiong , He Ning , Wang Hongxiang
Published: August 2022

River heat flux (HF) regime has been significantly affected by anthropogenic activities and climate variation, and it is of great significance to deeply explore intrinsic driving mechanisms and ecological effects. This study uses the middle reaches of the Yangtze River as its research area and, by constructing the wavelet model and the IHA-RVA model, quantifies the evolution mechanism and internal law of "flow- water temperature (WT) - HF" over the past four decades and investigates the effects of Three Gorges Dam on the ecological reproduction of "Four Major Chinese Carp". The results show that, (1) Flow and WT have three change cycle scales; The overall hydrologic variations of flow and WT were 64% and 62%, respectively, close to high variation. (2) The overall HF shows a decreasing trend from 1983 to 2019, with significant changes in HF in spring and winter regulated by the Three Gorges Reservoir; The basin flow-WT-HF relationships exhibit a hysteretic pattern, with the maximum WT occurring one month after the peak HF and flow. (3) The "Four Major Chinese Carp" natural breeding season is closely related to the time when the WT reaches 18°C; HF is a vital habitat factor that influences fish spawning and reproduction.
Bioactivity and phenolics profile of aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff
Authors: Gopcevic Kristina , Grujić Slavica , Arsenijevic Jelena , Džamić Ana , Veličković Ivona , Izrael-Živković Lidija , Medić Ana , Mudrić Jelena , Soković Marina , Đurić Ana
Published: August 2022

This study aimed at investigating biological activity and chemical composition of Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff. LC-PDA/MS analyses for the aqueous (A1-ste, leaves and flowers, A2-leves and flowers) and ethyl-acetate (E1-stem, leaves and flowers, E2-leaves and flowers) extracts obrtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction allowed the identification of thirty four compounds. Quantitative analysis revealed that the aqueous extract obtained from leaves and flowers was the richest in total phenolic acids (65.36 mg/g) and flavonoids (21.17 mg/g). Total polyphenol content was the highest in the aqueous extract obtained from leaves and flowers (27±2.4 mg Gallic Acid equivalents /g). The best antioxidant activity was observed for the same extract using the DPPH (SC50 20±10 µg/mL), ABTS (2.834±0.02 mg Ascorbic Acid/g), FRAP (1.922±0.03 mmol Fe2+/mg), and total reducing power tests (16.4±1.0 mg Ascorbic Acid/g). Both ethyl acetate extracts were the most active against strains of Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus flavus (MIC 1.70-1.99 mg/mL and 1.99-3.41 mg/mL, respectively). They were more efficient against Aspergillus ochraceus (MFC 0.86 mg/mL) and towards HeLa cell lines. All obtained results implied the good potential of investigated extracts to be used as an effective preservatives and functional ingredients in food products and dietary supplements.
Revamping an aquatic irritant to fortune-Utilizing jellyfish for the extraction of hyaluronic acid and its characterization
Authors: Raj Rehana , K.R Sreelakshmi , V.A Minimol , Ninan George , K.K Asha
Published: August 2022

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a valuable bioactive polysaccharide that is having numerous application in biomedical and pharmaceutical disciplines. It is normally characterized by the viscous slippery glue which is having a diversified range of relevance. Extraction of hyaluronic acid has been standardized from various sources like pig, rabbit, oxes and human, but these methods have certain limitations like low yield and also require the killing of these animals which is against the experimental ethics. Jellyfish production are now increasing widely and sufficient studies on proper utilization of it is still under progress. This species are known to cause devastation to the fishing vessels, boats and gears. Also the isolation of hyaluronic acid from marine sources are to be exploited further, which is considered to be extensively diverse. Even though numerous methodologies are adopted for its extraction, the impediment lies in the yield and molecular weight of this natural molecule. Hence some minor modification in the existing procedure should be followed. In this present study, isolation and structural characterization was carried out for the HA extracted from jellyfish. Yield obtained is one of the major constrains observed in this study. Further confirmation with FT-IR, Viscosity and Spectrophotometer analysis were also carried out. Protein contamination was not observed as the sample was subjected to SDS PAGE. was done to confirm the presence of any protein contamination. In-vitro moisture absorption studies conducted also indicated a better moisture retention capacity for the extracted compound.
“He’s a Little Skinny and He’s a Little Wide.”: A Mixed Design Investigation of American Indian Student Perceptions of Healthy Bodies
Authors: Cothran Donetta , Kulinna Pamela
Published: August 2022

BackgroundChildhood is a critical developmental time of nutrition and physical activity patterns, yet little is known about what children know and believe. Even less is known about non-majority cultures like American Indian youth. The purpose of this study was to explore American Indian students’ understandings of nutrition and physical activity.MethodsNinety American Indian students in grades 3-12 were interviewed. The interview included an 8-point body size chart. Numerical data were analyzed via t-test statistics while a constant comparison process and analysis was used for the interview data.ResultsStudents rated approximately 85% of students in Category 5 or smaller on the scale while placing 60% of adults at or above that size. There was a general trend of a larger body type for boys seen as healthy compared to that for girls. Students generally believed that their classmates were larger than the healthy body size.For students, a healthy body was the result of compliance with “eat right and exercise” rules. They exhibited little understanding of nutrition or physical activity and there were few developmental differences in understanding. Health was a corporeal concept and violators of the eat right and exercise rules were seen as lazy.ConclusionsStudents held limited, narrow, and corporeal focused notions of health that focused on simple rules. People who violated the rules were described as “lazy”, a concept that seemed to underlie multiple constructs and a finding that holds true in other investigations. Students also reported few adult role models, a topic that should be explored more with expanded family groups to better represent the multi-generational (e.g. grandparents, uncles, aunts) family housing common in the community. The findings are limited to a single American Indian community and a mixed design of relatively small numbers. This addition to the literature from a non-majority cultural group expands our knowledge of student perspectives on health. These findings can be used to create more effective curricula and interventions. Schools need more effective, but also alternately framed approaches that promote broader views of health as part of total wellness.
Data Imputation Model for Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) Using Nonlinear Autoregressive Exogenous (NARX) network Model
Authors: S Dhamodharavadhani , Rathipriya R
Published: August 2022

The objective of this paper is to propose a data transmission reduction approach using Nonlinear Autoregressive Exogenous (NARX) network based prediction model to minimise energy consumption in sensor nodes (SNs) and base stations (BS). The NARX based prediction model is used to impute the missing sensor values by the base station. The imputation of missing transmitted sensor data is compensated by the base station using historical sensor data and sensor values of the interrelated sensor data in Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). The purpose of this paper is to achieve energy conservation by reducing the amount of redundant sensor data transmitted over the IoMT when data is not received at Time stamp‘t’.
Comparison and optimization of transfection methods for human lymphoblast TK6 cell line
Authors: Ewunkem Akamu Jude , Agee Kyle
Published: August 2022

Transfection has recently gained attention in the field of biomedical research due to its ability to manipulate gene expression. Every mammalian cell type has a characteristic set of requirements for optimal transfection. Some cells can be difficult to transfect and requires optimization for successful transfection. Human lymphoblast TK6 cell line, an important cell line for genotoxic studies, are known to be extremely hard to transfect. Transfection methods for human lymphoblast TK6 is increasingly important. To accomplish this, TK6 human lymphoblasts were transfected with plasmid constructs that expressed Green fluorescent Protein (GFP) and NanoLuc® activity. We compared the transfection efficiencies of three commercially available transfection reagents including Amaxa 96-well Nucleofection procedure using various solutions (SF, SE and SG), Lipofectamine LTX, and Metafectene Pro®. The transfection efficiencies, and toxicity of various reagents were tested by fluorescence microscopy, luciferase activity, and cell viability assays. Amaxa 96-well Nucleofection Solution SF was identified as the best transfection reagent due to its relatively high luciferase activity, acceptable cell viability (80%), and GFP transfection efficiency (80%). Efficient conditions for transfection utilized with this reagent included 0.4µg of plasmid DNA, 1.8 x 105cells, and the DS 137 nucleofector program.
Comparison of the analgesic effect of Ketamine and Midazolam with Apotel and Ketorolac in renal colic patients: a clinical trial
Authors: Bahrami Anvar , Zareie Bushra , Jabbari Latife , Zamanimehr Nahid , AzizKhani Leila
Published: August 2022

Background: This study aimed to determine the effect of the Ketamine and Midazolam combination and compare it with the Apotel and Ketorolac combination in pain management of patients with renal colic in the emergency section.In this double-blind clinical trial study, 200 renal colic patients admitted to the ED with more than 8 NRS* (Numerical Rating Scale) of primary pain were divided into two groups by random blocking: one group received intravenous Ketamine (0.4 mg/kg), and intravenous Midazolam (at a dose of 0.016 mg/kg) and the other group received intravenous Ketorolac (30 mg) and intravenous Apotel (15 mg/kg). After that, we measured patients' pain at 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45 min after the procedure.Results: 124 (62.0%) of 200 patients were men. Initial pain scores were 9(10-9) for Ketamine + Midazolam and 10(10-9) for Apotel + Ketorolac.Linear regression was performed to compare the two groups' adjusted pain scores, correcting for initial pain. The ultimate pain score increased by.392 units for each unit of starting pain. Group and time had significant effects (5.553, -.035, P=.001, respectively).Apotel + Ketorolac had a higher mean pain score than Ketamine + Midazolam at all post-intervention time intervals. During the trial, both groups' discomfort decreased dramatically.Conclusions: The combination of Ketamine and Midazolam was more effective than Apotel and Ketorolac in relieving the pain in renal colic. Therefore, if routine medications are contraindicated, a combination of Ketamine and Midazolam is recommended for pain control in patients with renal colic.Trial registration: This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with IRCT registration number of IRCT20200422047163N1 (https://www.irct.ir/trial/47370) and registration date of 2020-05-01.
Efficacy and auditory biomarker analysis of fronto-temporal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in targeting cognitive impairment associated with recent-onset schizophrenia: study protocol for a multicentric randomized double-blind sham-controlled trial
Authors: DONDÉ Clément , Bastin Julien , Pouchon Arnaud , Costes Nicolas , Fakra Eric , Galvão Filipe , Gay Aurelia , Haesebaert Frederic , Lamalle Laurent , Mérida Inès , Rigon Maxence , Schneider Fabien , Troprès Irène , Brunelin Jerome , Polosan Mircea
Published: August 2022

Background: In parallel to the traditional symptomatology, deficits in cognition (memory, attention, reasoning, social functioning) contribute significantly to disability and suffering in individuals with schizophrenia. Cognitive deficits have been closely linked to alterations in early auditory processes (EAP) that occur in auditory cortical areas. Preliminary evidence indicates that cognitive deficits in schizophrenia can be improved with a reliable and safe non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS (transcranial Direct Current Stimulation). However, a significant proportion of patients derive no cognitive benefits after tDCS treatment. Further, the neurobiological mechanisms of cognitive changes after tDCS have been poorly explored in trials and are thus still unclear.Method: The study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, 2-arm parallel-group, sham controlled, 4-centers trial. Sixty participants with recent-onset schizophrenia and cognitive impairment will be randomly allocated to receive either active (n=30) or sham (n=30) tDCS (20-min, 2-mA, 10 sessions during 5 consecutive weekdays). The anode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathode over the left auditory cortex. Cognition, tolerance, symptoms, general outcome and EAP (measured with EEG and multimodal MRI) will be assessed prior to tDCS (baseline), after the 10 sessions, and at 1- and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome will be the number of responders, defined as participants demonstrating a cognitive improvement ≥Z=0.5 from baseline on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery total score at 1-month follow-up. Additionally, we will measure how differences in EAP modulate individual cognitive benefits from active tDCS and whether there are changes in EAP measures in responders after active tDCS.Discussion: Besides proposing a new fronto-temporal tDCS protocol by targeting the auditory cortical areas, we aim to conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with follow-up assessments up to 3 months and a large sample size. In addition, this study will allow identifying and assessing the value of a wide range of neurobiological EAP measures for predicting and explaining cognitive deficit improvement after tDCS. The results of this trial will constitute a step toward the use of tDCS as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of cognitive impairment in recent-onset schizophrenia.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05440955. Prospectively registered on July 1st, 2022
Lead and Cadmium Contaminations in Soil and Wild Plant Species Along Karakorum Highway Northern Pakistan: Occurrence, Transformation and Human Health Risk
Authors: Ullah Hameed , Bakht Khush , Zeb Aurang , Ullah Sana , Sheng Yanqing , Nawab Javed
Published: August 2022

Lead and cadmium contaminations in soil and plant may indirectly result in human health risk. This study was to assess the lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in soil and wild plants and its associated human health risk along the Karakorum Highway, Northern Pakistan. Results showed that the concentrations of both Pb and Cd in soil were above the permissible limits of Dutch standards, and the mean values in wild plant species were above the permissible limit according to WHO (1996). Metal bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and translocation factor (TF) were applied to assess metal uptake and transport through plant tissues. Among 30 wild plant species, merely 1 plant species (Debregeasia Saeneb) for Pb and 5 plant species (Dodonaea viscosa, Crysopoge gryllus, Debregeasia saeneb, Festuca hartmanii and Plantanus arientalis) for Cd showed BAF > 1. For the TF values, Pb in 11 plant species were > 1, while 19 plant species for Cd were > 1. The hazard index (HI) values for soil were observed < 1 with an order of ingestion > dermal > inhalation, indacting no adverse health effects. This study suggests that some wild plant species in Northern Pakistan present low BAF and TF values, those wild plants can be used for phytoremediation purposes.
hucMSC-derived exosomes ameliorate pressure ulcers by inhibiting HMGB1.
Authors: Yan Fei , Gong Meihua , Li Fu-Rong , Yu Li
Published: August 2022

Background:Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a type of chronic wound in the elderly population. Previous studies have shown that exosomes derived from stem cells contain cytokines and growth factors that affect tissue repair and can represent a therapeutic strategy for wound healing. Thus, fully understanding how to extract exosomes and their mechanism of action can help promote the management of chronic refractory wound healing as a new cell-free treatment model. Methods:In this study, we isolated exosomes from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSC-Exos) and examined their effects on wound healing. A total of 15 mice that were randomly divided into three groups, subjected to three ischemia–reperfusion (I-R) cycles and treated with different doses of hucMSC-Exos for different times. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) was used to analyze collagen mRNA levels in tissue samples. HMGB1 levels were examined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. α-SMA, CD34, and HMGB1 expression levels were compared to investigate the potential mechanisms. Results:We found that hucMSC-Exos could be taken up by fibroblasts and significantly regulated and improved fibroblast fibrosis and in PU wound healing in vivo. Furthermore, we observed that hucMSC-Exo treatment of PU wounds downregulated the expression of HMGB1, which was previously shown to have a deleterious effect on the wound healing process. Conclusions:Our findings indicate that hucMSC-Exos regulate the repair of PU wounds in part by inhibiting HMGB1 expression . Exosome treatment has provided new perspectives in regenerative medicine and trauma management.
The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and localization of traumatic cervical intervertebral disc rupture
Authors: Liu Jia-Ming , Liao Wei-Jie , Sun Bo-Lin , Wu Jia-Bao , Zhang Ning , Zhou Rong-Ping , Huang Shan-Hu , Liu Zhi-Li
Published: August 2022

Study design:
A retrospective study.
Objective
Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (TSCI) is often associated with disc rupture. It was reported that high signal of disc and anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) rupture on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were the typical signs of ruptured disc. However, for TSCI with no fracture or dislocation, there is still difficult to diagnose disc rupture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic efficiency and localization method of different MRI features for cervical disc rupture in patient with TSCI but no any signs of fracture or dislocation.
Setting:
Affiliated hospital of University in Nanchang, China.
Methods
Patients who had TSCI and underwent anterior cervical surgery between June 2016 and December 2021 in our hospital were included. All patients received X-ray, CT scan, and MRI examinations before surgery. MRI findings such as prevertebral hematoma, high-signal SCI, high-signal posterior ligamentous complex (PLC), were recorded. The correlation between preoperative MRI features and intraoperative findings was analyzed. Also, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of these MRI features in diagnosing the disc rupture were calculated.
Results
A total of 140 consecutive patients, 120 males and 20 females with an average age of 53 years were included in this study. Of these patients, 98 (134 cervical discs segments) were intraoperatively confirmed with cervical disc rupture, but 59.1% (58 patients) of them had no definite evidence of an injured disc on preoperative MRI (high-signal disc or ALL rupture signal). For these patients, the high-signal PLC on preoperative MRI had the highest diagnostic rate for disc rupture based on intraoperative findings, with a sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 72%, PPV of 84% and NPV of 93%. Combined high-signal SCI with high-signal PLC had higher specificity (97%) and PPV (98%), and a lower FPR (3%) and FNR (9%) for the diagnosis of disc rupture. And combination of three MRI features (prevertebral hematoma, high-signal SCI and PLC) had the highest accuracy in diagnosing traumatic disc rupture. For the localization of the ruptured disc, the level of the high-signal SCI had the highest consistency with the segment of the ruptured disc.
Conclusion
MRI features, such as prevertebral hematoma, high-signal SCI and PLC, demonstrated high sensitivities for diagnosing cervical disc rupture. High-signal SCI on preoperative MRI could be used to locate the segment of ruptured disc.
Modelling intercrops functioning to advance the design of innovative agroecological systems
Authors: Vezy Rémi , Munz Sebastian , Gaudio Noémie , Launay Marie , Lecharpentier Patrice , Ripoche Dominique , Justes Eric
Published: August 2022

The growing demand for sustainable agriculture is raising interest in intercropping for its multiple potential benefits. Predicting the existence and magnitude of those benefits remains a challenge given the numerous interactions between the plants, their environment and the agricultural practices. Crop models are crucial to understand and predict such interactions, yet few are able to simulate bi-specific intercrops correctly, mainly because they contradict assumptions used to simulate sole crops.In this study, we propose simple and generic formalisms for key interactions in intercropping systems that can be readily included into existing dynamic crop models. We provide an implementation into the STICS soil-crop model with an independent evaluation of the consistency and genericity of the combined formalisms under a wide range of conditions. Simulations were close to observations for all situations (nRMSE = 25% for max. LAI, 22% for shoot biomass at harvest, and 17% for yield), which showed the consistency and accuracy of the proposed formalisms despite their relative simplicity.
Seepage failure prediction of breakwater using an unresolved ISPH-DEM coupling method incoprporated with Terzaghi's critical hydraulic gradient
Authors: Tsuji Kumpei , Asai Mitsuteru , Kasama Kiyonobu
Published: August 2022

This study develops a new numerical simulation model for rubble mound failure prediction caused by piping destruction under seepage flows. The piping has been pointed out as a significant cause of breakwater failure during tsunamis. Once boiling and heaving occur on the mound surface, the piping suddenly propagates in the opposite direction of seepage flow. For the seepage failure prediction, a coupled fluid-soil-structure simulator is developed by combining the ISPH for fluid and the DEM for rubble mounds and caisson blocks. The ISPH, a Lagrangian particle method for incompressible fluids, can simulate seepage and violent flows such as tsunamis. The DEM has been applied for discrete particle and rigid body simulations that include discontinuous deformation as in the rubble mounds failure and large displacement of the caisson block. ISPH-DEM coupling simulations have already been proposed as a technique for multi-phase flows. Still, the technique cannot reproduce the sudden onset of piping from a stable mound. Two simple assumptions are applied to reduce the numerical cost for the fluid-soil-structure simulators of a breakwater structure composed of rubble mound and the caisson block. Firstly, each rubble is modeled as an idealized spherical DEM particle with the mean diameter of rubble. The ISPH particle size is assumed to be the same size as the DEM particle. Under these assumptions, the unresolved coupling model between rubble mound particle and fluid, which obtains the interaction through empirical drag force, should be applied. Whereas the interaction between the fluid and the caisson block is fully resolved with the spatial resolution with the ISPH and DEM particle size. Our new contribution in this paper is how to model the interaction as an unresolved coupling between seepage flow simulated by ISPH and rubble mound particle modeled with DEM. Our original seepage failure experiment is simulated using the proposed ISPH-DEM coupling simulator. We recognized the conventional drag force models as the unresolved coupling model are insufficient to initiate the boiling and piping observed in the experiment. It may be due in one part to excessive averaging of flow velocities caused under unresolved coupling. Therefore, Terzaghi's critical hydraulic gradient is introduced to initiate the boiling and heaving. Unstable DEM particles, judged by Terzaghi's critical hydraulic gradient, gradually lose their mass to represent unresolved suspended fine rubble mound particles. Our models qualitatively reproduce the sand boiling and backward erosion in the opposite direction of the seepage flow, as shown in the experiment.
Galectin-1 upregulates IDO1 and PD-L1 and induces a tolerogenic tumor-associated macrophage phenotype
Authors: Rudjord-Levann Asha , Ye Zilu , Hafkenscheid Lise , Horn Sabrina , Wiegertjes Renske , Nielsen Mathias , Mathiesen Caroline , Stoop Jesse , Stowell Sean , Straten Per , lefler hakon , Vakhrushev Sergey , Dabelsteen Sally , Olsen Jesper , Wandall Hans
Published: August 2022

Galectins are a group of carbohydrate-binding proteins with a presumed immunomodulatory role and an elusive function on antigen-presenting cells. Here we used an in-depth and dynamic proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of human macrophages stimulated with galectin-1 and show that galectin-1 induces a tolerogenic macrophage phenotype with increased expression of key immune checkpoint protein programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1/CD274) and immunomodulator indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1). Galectin-1 induced IDO1 and its active metabolite kynurenine in a dose-dependent manner dependent on JAK/STAT signaling. Analyzing the expression of galectin-1 showed that galectin-1 is upregulated across multiple tumors and in a 3D organotypic model system equipped with genetically engineered tumorigenic epithelial cells we find that the tumor-associated galectin-1 is derived from both epithelial and stromal cells. Our results highlight the potential of targeting galectin-1 in immunotherapeutic treatment of human cancers.
Galactic Swarm-based Harris Hawks Optimization for Handling the Upstream/Downstream Configuration in PON-SDN-DSVM Systems: A Deep Learning Concept
Authors: P MALINI , R kavitha K
Published: August 2022

Owing to the strategic benefits, recent broadband ONs have attracted the interest of academics and business (cost-efficiency, flexibility, vast bandwidth, and mobility). Simultaneously, the rise of SDN allows for effective dynamic reconfiguration of fundamental network elements via SDN controllers. As a result, efficient traffic-aware strategies for automatically identifying appropriate specifications to improve network performance are possible. In order to do this, a new deep learning technique for an SDN-defined hybrid PON is suggested. A PON-SDN-DSVM makes up the proposed design. The introduced hybrid deep learning model called DSVM is formed by combining the DNN and SVM and it is optimized by the integration of two well performing algorithms such as GSO and HHO in order to produce the hybrid meta heuristic algorithm called as GS-HHO with the consideration of accuracy maximization. The suggested technique obtains traffic-aware knowledge from SDN controllers and adjusts the communication's upstream-downstream configuration. On the basis of the traffic dynamics of the complete hybrid network, this traffic-aware method can determine the best configuration. Real-world traffic traces are used to test the proposed method in a realistic context. The suggested technique, according to the attained numerical findings, provides considerable increases in network performance with respect to accuracy, precision, f1 score, recall, comparison, and confusion matrix analysis.
Knowledge of new interns regarding urethral catheterization and the effect of a simulation-based boot camp
Authors: Kanbar Anthony , Khoury Joey El , Halabi Rami , Assaf Serge , Mina Anthony , Kassis Antoine , Saad Rodrigue , Abdessater Maher , Dabal Charbel , Hachem Charbel El , Khoury Raghid El
Published: August 2022

Background: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of new interns regarding urethral catheterization (UC), and to assess the effectiveness of our institutional boot camp in improving their knowledge score and confidence level (CL). Methods: The urology boot camp is a one-day curriculum conducted yearly for new interns at our university hospital to teach UC. The workshop has three modules: interactive PowerPoint presentation, skill demonstration by videos, and simulation on male and female dummies. Before the workshop, the trainee’s knowledge and confidence levels regarding UC are analyzed by a pre-training survey. At the end of the session, each trainee undergoes an examination based on a skill assessment sheet with a final knowledge score.Results: For the 2020-2021 academic year, 40 new medical interns participated in the urology boot camp. Only 15% felt prepared correctly. The majority didn’t know the difference between catheter types and sizes (92%), the best patient position (62%), how to correctly expose the urethral meatus, and the importance of the solution used to inflate the balloon (100%). The pre and post-training assessments showed an increase in the knowledge score from a mean of 7.7 ± 1.24 to 12.2 ± 1.11, and in the CL from a mean of 3.32 ± 0.94 to 4.32 ± 0.62. All the improvements showed a statistical significance (p<0.001)Conclusions: Junior doctors have insufficient knowledge regarding UC. The urology boot camp conducted at our institution increases the knowledge score and CL regarding UC.
Enzyme-Catalyzed Synthesis of Selenium-Doped Manganese Phosphate for Synergistic Therapy of Drug-Resisted Colorectal Tumor
Authors: pei Manman , Liu Kaiyuan , Qu Xiao , Wang Kairuo , Chen Qian , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Xinyue , Wang Zheng , Li Xinyao , Chen Feng , Qin Huanlong , Zhang Yang
Published: August 2022

Postoperative chemotherapy for colorectal cancer often causes multidrug resistance (MDR), which seriously affects the therapeutic effect and has been an urgent problem to be solved. Herein, selenium-doped manganese phosphate (Se-MnP) nanoparticles with amorphous structure have been prepared by a bioinspired enzyme-catalyzed strategy, using alkaline phosphatase, fructose disodium diphosphate. Se-MnP have an organic-inorganic hybrid composition, which is assembled from smaller-scale nanoclusters. Se-MnP has showed good Fenton reaction activity in chemodynamic therapy (CDT) due to the presence of manganese ions. Moreover, results from in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that Se-MnP as an effective drug carrier of oxaliplatin (OX) can reverse multidrug resistance of colorectal cancer cells and simultaneously induce casparase-mediated apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. The Se-MnP reverse the MDR of colorectal cancer by down-regulating the expression of MDR-related ABC (ATP binding cassette) transporters proteins (ABCB1 and ABCC1). Finally, the in vivo studies demonstrated that OX-loaded Se-MnP can significantly inhibit OX-resistant HCT116 (HCT116/DR) tumor growth in nude mice. Considering the facile method of preparation and biomimetic chemical properties, the Se-MnP with the multiple functions will be a promising candidate for treating colorectal tumors with MDR characteristics.
Genomics of viruses infecting green and purple sulfur bacteria in two euxinic lakes
Authors: Hesketh-Best Poppy , Bosco-Santos Alice , Garcia Sofia , O'Beirne Molly , Werne Josef , Gilhooly William , Silveira Cynthia
Published: August 2022

Viral infections of marine bacteria modulate primary production rates and the cycling of organic and inorganic matter in the world's oceans. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that viral infections influence the ecology of purple and green sulfur bacteria (PSB and GSB) in anoxic and sulfidic (euxinic) lakes, modern analogs of early Earth oceans. Over 200 high and medium quality viral contigs were identified in long-read metagenomes from the sediments and water column of Lime Blue and Poison Lake, respectively. We compared these sequences with 94 predicted prophages identified in the complete genomes of PSB (n = 213) and GSB (n = 33). Viral genomes carrying psbA, encoding the small subunit of photosystem II protein, were present in all datasets. The ubiquity of these genes suggests PSB and GSB viruses interfere with the light reactions of sulfur-oxidizing autotrophs. Viruses predicted to infect PSB and GSB encoded auxiliary metabolic genes for reductive sulfur assimilation as cysteine, a pathway not yet described in these sulfur bacteria, as well as genes involved in pigment production (crtF) and carbon fixation (CP12, zwf, PGD). These observations highlight the potential for viral modulation of metabolic markers used as proxies to interpret biogeochemical processes in early Earth oceans.
ZNF165 as a potential novel immunotherapeutic target for gastric cancer
Authors: Zhang Fan , Shao Kangmei , He Puyi , Xiang Lin , Wu Wenzhang , Zhang Peng , Maswikiti Ewetse Paul , Wei Yucai , Wang Furong , Tang Futian , Zhu Duojie , Li Yumin
Published: August 2022

Background: Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are an extensive gene family with a unique expression pattern restricted to testis tissues, but aberrantly high expressed in a variety of cancer tissues. In view of this, CTAs are typically considered as efficient biomarkers and targets of immunotherapy. However, limited information is available regarding CTAs as immunotherapeutic targets for gastric cancer (GC) patients. Herein, we evaluated the expression levels of CTAs in both Eastern and Western GC patients and elucidate the expression pattern and functions of a novel CTAs. Method: Four independent GC and two human normal tissues retrospective cohorts were applied to detect expression patterns and clinical characteristics of CTAs. We identified the association between ZNF165 expression and tumor-infiltrated immune cells by using ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT algorithm and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Functional enrichment analysis of ZNF165 were identified by using transcriptome sequencing. ZNF165 overexpression and knockdown in vitro and in vivo were used to assess the roles of ZNF165 in the cell cycle pathway. Results: ZNF165 expression significantly increased in GC tissues, especially in the intestinal type, MSI type, epithelial phenotype, and was associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival for GC patients who received fluorouracil-based chemoradiation and radical gastrectomy. Little or no expression of ZNF165 was observed in human normal tissues, except for testis and placenta. Furthermore, ZNF165 was positively associated with pro-inflammatory tumor-infiltrating immune cells and tumor mutational burden (TMB). Enrichment analysis, in vivo and in vitro assays showed that ZNF165 could promote GC cell proliferation by regulating cell cycle. Conclusions: By demonstrating the expression pattern, clinical features, prognostic values and cellular functions of ZNF165 in GC, this study suggests that ZNF165 could serve as a potential novel immunotherapeutic target for GC patients.
Synthesis of Multi-band Reflective Polarizing Metasurfaces Using a Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Naseri Parinaz , Goussetis George , Fonseca Nelson , Hum Sean
Published: August 2022

Electromagnetic linear-to-circular polarization converters with wide- and multi-band capabilities can simplify antenna systems where circular polarization is required. Multi-band solutions are attractive in satellite communication systems, which commonly have the additional requirement that the sense of polarization is reversed between adjacent bands. However, the design of these structures using conventional ad hoc methods relies heavily on empirical methods. Here, we employ a data-driven approach integrated with a generative adversarial network to explore the design space of the polarizer meta-atom thoroughly. Dual-band and triple-band reflective polarizers with stable performance over incident angles up to and including 30◦, corresponding to typical reflector antenna system requirements, are synthesized using the proposed method. The feasibility and performance of the designed polarizer is validated through measurements of a fabricated prototype.