bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperglycemia and glucose variability are associated with worse survival in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients: the prospective Maastricht Intensive Care Covid Cohort
Authors: Herpt Thijs T.W. van , Rosmalen Frank van , Hulsewé Hendrica P.M.G. , Horst-Schrivers Anouk N.A. van der , Driessen Mariëlle , Jetten Robin , Zelis Noortje , de Galan Bastiaan E. , Kuijk Sander M.J. van , Horst Iwan C.C. van der , Bussel Bas C.T. van
Published: January 2023

Data on hyperglycemia and glucose variability in relation to diabetes mellitus, either known or unknown in ICU-setting in COVID-19, are scarce. We prospectively studied daily glucose variables and mortality in strata of diabetes mellitus and glycosylated hemoglobin among mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. We used linear-mixed effect models in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients to investigate mean and maximum difference in glucose concentration per day over time. We compared ICU survivors and non-survivors and tested for effect-modification by pandemic wave 1 and 2, diabetes mellitus, and admission HbA1c. Among 232 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients, 21.1% had known diabetes mellitus, whereas 16.9% in wave 2 had unknown diabetes mellitus. Non-survivors had higher mean glucose concentrations (ß 0.62 mmol/l; 95%CI 0.20–1.06; P = 0.004) and higher maximum differences in glucose concentrations per day (ß 0.85 mmol/l; 95%CI 0.37–1.33; P = 0.001). Effect modification by wave, history of diabetes mellitus and admission HbA1c in associations between glucose and survival was not present. Effect of higher mean glucose concentrations was modified by pandemic wave (wave 1 (ß 0.74; 95% CI 0.24–1.23) mmol/l vs. wave 2 ß 0.37 (95%CI 0.25–0.98) mmol/l). Hyperglycemia and glucose variability are associated with mortality in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients irrespective of the presence of diabetes mellitus.
Shift in SAR to ISR during the Rice- R. Solani interaction mediated by Streptomyces hyderabadensis confers sheath blight resistance in susceptible genotype
Authors: P Arun Y , U Krishnaraj P , K Prashanthi S , Kambrekar D N , Bagewadi Basavaraj
Published: January 2023

Rice sheath blight disease is caused by the necrotrophic pathogen Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn (teleomorph; Thanatephorus cucumeris). Several studies have reported the disease suppression mechanisms in resistant varieties based on innate and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) mechanisms. The resistant varieties turn susceptible due to the intelligence of pathogen strains to mimic plant defense signaling mechanisms. An alternative and ecofriendly approach to tackle the negative effects of plant-pathogen interaction is the application of bio-control agents. Actinobacteria is known for production of secondary metabolites under stress that initiates pre-signaling to enable induced immunity at early plant stages to tackle the pathogen attack during the later stages of plant development. The current study is focused on understanding of mechanisms that provide resistance to rice plants against R. solani in presence of actinobacteria, Streptomyces hyderabadensis, based on biochemical and mRNA/transcript level analysis. The sheath blight incidence was significantly reduced and the disease score was maintained at 1 (lesion height less than 10%) compared to pathogen control. Biochemical analysis revealed that the actinobacterial inoculation enhanced the levels of phenyl ammonia lyase, phenol, polyphenol oxidases, catalases and peroxidases during the tripartite interaction that provided initial resistance and protection from ROS generated during pathogen infection through detoxification process. During the interaction, higher expression of chitinase gene, improvement in chlorophyll content by the expression of chlorophyll a-b binding protein, maintenance of plant overall development by maintaining the balance of melatonin production, lower expression of SAR supportive genes (PAL, ICS, GST) at the later intervals, expression of signaling proteins (14-3-3 like protein GF14-E) to activate the defense related proteins and the proteins that supports the SAR to ISR shift (NPR1) in presence of S. hyderabadensis under pathogen pressure of R. solani.
The effect of holographic heart models and mixed reality for anatomy learning in congenital heart disease: an exploratory study
Authors: d'Aiello Angelo Fabio , Cabitza Federico , Natali Chiara , Viganò Sophia , Ferrero Paolo , Bognoni Ludovica , Pasqualin Giulia , Giamberti Alessandro , Chessa Massimo
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we present an exploratory study on the potential impact of holographic heart models and mixed reality technology on medical training, and in particular in teaching complex Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) to medical students. Fifty-nine medical students were randomly allocated into three groups. Each participant in each group received a 30-minute lecture on a CHD condition interpretation and transcatheter treatment with different instructional tools. The participants of the first group attended a lecture in which traditional slides were projected onto a flat screen (group “regular slideware”, RS). The second group was shown slides incorporating videos of holographic anatomical models (group “holographic videos”, HV). Finally, those in the third group wore immersive, head-mounted devices (HMD) to interact directly with holographic anatomical models (group “augmented reality”, AR). At the end of the lecture, the members of each group were asked to fill in a multiple-choice questionnaire aimed at evaluating their topic proficiency, as a proxy to evaluate the effectiveness of the training session (in terms of acquired notions); participants from group AR were also asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding the recommendability and usability of the MS Hololens HMDs, as a proxy of satisfaction regarding its use experience (UX). The findings show promising results for usability and user acceptance.
Altered concentrations of systemic inflammatory biomarkers after electroconvulsive therapy in schizophrenia and their relationship with treatment
Authors: Wang Yu , Wang Guangfa , Gong Muxin , Yang Yujing , Ling Yuru , Fang Xinyu , Zhu Tingting , Wang Zixu , Zhang Xiangrong , Zhang Caiyi
Published: January 2023

Background and hypothesis: Platelet count (PLT), neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and three important ratios calculated from them: NLR, PLR and MLR are inexpensive and accessible biomarkers of systemic inflammation. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a rapid and effective physical therapy for schizophrenia, but the exploration of its therapeutic mechanisms is still in the early stages. Here we hypothesized the concentrations of systemic inflammatory biomarkers are higher in schizophrenia and decreased after electroconvulsive therapy. Elevated systemic inflammatory biomarkers were associated with less improvement in psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function after ECT.
Study design: This study included 70 patients with schizophrenia (all patients have been treated with antipsychotic medication for a fortnight before ECT) as well as age- and sex-matched 70 healthy controls. We compared the differences of systemic inflammatory biomarkers between schizophrenia and healthy controls, and then determined the changes of systemic inflammatory biomarkers in schizophrenia before and after 6 times of electroconvulsive therapy. Positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) were used to measure psychiatric symptom of patients with schizophrenia, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to measure the cognitive function. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and clinical symptoms.
Results: At baseline, peripheral blood PLT, neutrophils, monocytes and three important ratios: NLR, PLR and MLR were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in healthy controls (all P<0.05), while lymphocytes did not differ between the two groups. After 6 ECT, neutrophils and NLR significantly decreased, and there was a downward trend in monocytes and MLR. Although PLR and lymphocytes were unchanged after ECT, lymphocytes were significantly higher in remitters than in the non-remitters, and PLR was significantly lower than in the non-remitters. Moreover, the higher the baseline NLR, PLR and MLR, the less improvement in positive symptoms after ECT; and the higher the baseline monocytes, the worse the cognitive function after ECT. Lymphocytes as a protective factor, although unchanged before and after ECT, were negatively associated with total PANSS score, positive symptom score and positively associated with reduction rate of PANSS after ECT.
Conclusions: Our results further emphasize the presence of systemic inflammation in schizophrenia and that electroconvulsive therapy may exert a therapeutic effect in part by attenuating systemic inflammation in schizophrenia. Thus, further studies may lead to new treatment strategies for schizophrenia targeting immune system.
Effects of cycling rehabilitation training on patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis
Authors: Bing Fangbo , Wang Yan , Chen Shane Fei , Zhang Guoxin , Zhang Ming
Published: January 2023

Studies have shown that individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) may benefit from cycling exercise. However, the supportive evidence remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of cycling rehabilitation training (CRT) on the recovery of osteoarthritic knee joints. Five databases were searched with publishing date restrictions from 1 January 2000 to 1 March 2022. We included studies that 1) recruited participants with KOA, 2) used CRT in the intervention, 3) compared measurements before and after the intervention or between a KOA group and a healthy group, and 4) included the measurements of interest. The quality of the studies was assessed using the modified Downs and Black checklist. A random-effects meta-analysis of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis index, Lequesne index, and Timed Up and Go test scores was performed. The changes in muscle strength, kinetics, and kinematics as a result of the intervention were summarised. The quality of the 19 included studies was moderate with a median quality score of 19.05. CRT improved muscle strength and physical function (SMD 0.94, 95% CI [0.66, 1.22]), and reduce pain (SMD 0.94, 95% CI [0.66, 1.22]) and joint stiffness (SMD 0.74, 95% CI [0.46, 1.01]) in KOA patients. Compared with healthy subjects, KOA patients showed increased extensor moments and abduction peak adduction angles of their knee joints, and decreased internal rotation moment and peak angles of knee flexion and extension. CRT was effective in relieving knee pain, restoring motor function, and improving lower limb muscle strength. Knee abduction moment may be an indicator of rehabilitation progress.
Nutritional status and support in hospitalized patients with neurological disorders: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: WAN Yali , ZHAN Yuxin , WU Yuanjue , YAO Ping , CHEN Yi , XIONG Zhaoyu , YU Jiaohua , YAN Rong , LI Suyun
Published: January 2023

Background
Proper nutritional management was demonstrated to reduce complications and related to better clinical outcomes. However, inaccurate nutritional screening and assessment, inappropriate nutrition support, and contrary to the suggested guidelines were observed in clinical.
Methods
A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey in a tertiary-level general hospital. Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 was used for nutrition screening. A total of 620 patients with neurological diseases were enrolled in this study.
Results
All patients were conducted with nutritional screening, and among them, 24.4% had nutritional risk on admission and 22.7% in the final assessment. However, there were no statistically significant differences in nutritional status between the first and final assessments, except for the serum albumin concentration. 118 patients (19.0%) received pharmaceutical nutrition therapy and complications occurred in 35(45.5%) patients treated with EN and 29 (30.5%) patients treated with PN. In our study, not all nursing measures for tube feeding apart from confirming catheter position and raising the head of the bed were carried out in every patient receiving tube feeding in our research.
Conclusions
The incidence of nutritional risk of inpatients with neurological diseases enrolled in this research was relatively lower. However, nutritional treatment in this study was not standardized enough and the medical staff was suggested to accept relevant professional training to perform better in nutrition support.
Patient Perspectives on Consequences of Resectable Colorectal Cancer Treatment: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Kooten Robert T. , Schutte Bianca A.M. , Staalduinen Dorine J. , Hoeksema Jetty H.L. , Holman Fabian A. , Dorp Chantal , Peeters Koen C.M.J. , Tollenaar Rob A.E.M. , Wouters Michel W.J.M.
Published: January 2023

Background: Colorectal cancer is diagnosed in approximately 500,000 patients each year in Europe, leading to a high number of patients having to cope with the consequences of resectable colorectal cancer treatment. As treatment options tend to grow, more information on these treatments’ effects is needed to properly engage in shared decision-making. This study aims to explore the impact of resectable colorectal cancer treatment on patients’ daily life.
Methods: Patients (≥18 years) who underwent an oncological colorectal resection between 2018 and 2021 were selected. Purposeful sampling was used to include patients who differ in age, comorbidity, (neo-)adjuvant therapy, postoperative complications and stoma presence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, guided by a topic guide. Interviews were fully transcribed and subsequently thematically analyzed using the framework approach. Analyses were done by using the predefined themes: 1) daily life and activities, 2) psychological functioning, 3) social functioning, 4) sexual functioning and 5) healthcare experiences.
Results: Sixteen patients with a follow-up between 0.6 and 4.4 years after surgery were included in this study. Participants reported several challenges they experience due to poor bowel functioning, stoma presence, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, fear of recurrence and sexual dysfunction, however, they were reported not to interfere much with daily life.
Conclusion: Colorectal cancer treatment leads to several challenges and treatment-related health deficits. This is often not recognized by generic patient-reported outcome measures, but the findings on treatment-related health deficits presented in this study, contain valuable insights which might contribute to improving colorectal cancer care, shared decision making and value based healthcare.
A practical approach to Simulating Heterochronic Sequence Alignments
Authors: Tirado-Ramos Alfredo , Castañón-Puga Manuel , Khatchikian Camilo
Published: January 2023

Objective: The use of tip dates in phylogenetic analysis is becoming ubiquitous due to the increased availability of sequence data isolated at different points in time, i.e., heterochronous datasets. Such datasets permit to co-estimate the absolute time of evolutionary events, expanding the capabilities of phylogenetic analyses withoutthe previous requirement of knowing mutation rates and/or dates of internal nodes in the phylogeny. Currently, there is no ready-to-use script in the literature that is capable of generating simulated heterochronous sequence datasets. The aim of our work is to facilitate the generation of simulated sequences collected at different time points that can be use in simulate-based bioinformatic studies and testing of new phylogenetic methods, therefore facilitating and motivating extensive teaching and hands-on practice of multiple state of the art phylogenetic analytical approaches.
Results: We have written a script for the generation of heterochronous sequence datasets that integrates functions of previously published R and Phyton packages, including the packages TreeSim (R) and pyvolve (Phyton). Our code allows to generate user-defined number of datasets (replicates) with the desired sequences evolving following a designated evolution model among a defined number of topologies with a defined pattern of temporal sampling. The code also enables both simple and complex simulations, by taking advantage of the full range of options available with each package integrated in the code script.
Computational study of the interaction between azo dye (RR141) and Hematite α-Fe2 O3 (111) Surface: A DFT and MDs Study
Authors: Belghiti M. E. , Mizeb K. , Salah M. , Zeroual A. , Mouldar J. , Moubarik A. , Hochlaf M. , idrissi M. El
Published: January 2023

The adsorptive removal of azo dye molecules from textile effluents by the powdered mineral hematite has been largely studied in the literature, but this mechanism of interaction with the mineral hematite surface is still to date not revealed, hence the need for a theoretical study. The crystal structure model of Hematite adopted is α − Fe2O3 (111). The DFT method and MDs(Molecular Dynamics simulations) have been employed to elucidate the mechanism of interaction. The azo-dye molecule chosen for this study is the reactive red RR141. Geometry minimization of RR141 was performed at the DFT / B3LYP / 6 −31+ +g(d,p) level of theory. The reactivity and performance of RR141-vacuum and RR141-aqueous media in isolated state were evaluated on basis of their planarity, global and local electronic properties as well as deformation ability to adhesion to the mineral surface. The Azo (> N− −N <) and hydroxyl (-O--H) groups are the main active centers for the adsorption of RR141 in a vacuum and aqueous media. Azo and hydroxyl groups of RR141 dye are electron donors, while the sulphonic acid (-SO3--Na+) group is an electron acceptor. The RR141 is found more reactive in the vacuum than in an aqueous medium. The interfacial interaction is the combined effect of the hydrogen bond and the interactions between Fe & −O−, C, −S−,= N− atoms. The whole system is interacting on the first layer through (π-π)-bonds in the nearly parallel adsorption geometries and through the single pair electrons of the heteroatoms.
Establishment of innovative ZebVortrack behavioral analysis system for quantitative epileptic seizure assessment in larval zebrafish
Authors: Chen Shanjun , Cheng Guidong , Xin Jia , Xin Yuanying , Dong Rong , Wang Songsong , Sík Attila , Han Liwen , Wang Xiaojing
Published: January 2023

Pro-convulsant agents can cause a series of pathologic swimming behaviors in zebrafish, of which rapid “whirlpool-like” swimming is a representative seizure characteristic behavior. However, there is a lack of good and accurate method to quantify this type of swimming feature. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to establish a new larval zebrafish seizure analysis technique for quantitatively exporting the number of swirly swimming in a certain period. The MARGO software package based on MATLAB was employed to track the zebrafish swimming route and to produce the space–time coordinates. An innovative algorithm was developed based on the factors of vector angle, trajectory length, and swimming duration. Through the optimization of the algorithm, ZebVortrack, an analysis system, was established for automatically recognizing seizure-like swimming behaviors in larval zebrafish, treated with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Different pro-convulsant agents, and antiseizure drugs were used to evaluate the accuracy of the ZebVortrack system for larval zebrafish. In a word, we developed a new behavior-analysis system, ZebVortrack, for quantitatively identifying the swirly swimming behavior of larval zebrafish that can automatically and accurately determine the vortex numbers and seizure latency of larval zebrafish in microplate wells so as to provide a new analysis method for study of seizures and drug screening.
MMKNF: Integrating multi-omics data to identify cancer subtypes based on multi-kernel network fusion
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Qian , Wu Wenhao , Zheng Haoyu , Wang Shudong
Published: January 2023

Background
The occurrence and development of cancer involves multi-level information of the system, which is highly heterogeneous. Therefore, how to effectively integrate multi-omics information to achieve accurate identification of cancer subtypes is the key to achieve precision medicine of cancer.
Results
In this paper, we propose a multi-kernel network fusion based on multi-omics data to identify cancer subtypes, named MMKNF. For each kind of omics data, multi-kernel functions are used to calculate the sample similarity, which can better integrate the multi-view similarity between samples. For multi-omics data, similarity network fusion (SNF) can be used to more effectively fuse the similarity of samples under different molecular features, so as to achieve more accurate clustering of samples, and then find more significant cancer subtypes. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate that MMKNF obtains more significant results than the eleven methods on six datasets in ten cancer datasets. In addition, we investigated the clinical significance of the obtained colon cancer subtypes and provided new insights into treating patients with different subtypes.
Conclusion
We provide a new method for the identification of cancer subtypes, named MMKNF, which also confirms the importance of cancer subtype identification in cancer treatment.
The reference-frame independence of quantum probabilities
Authors: Li Benliang
Published: January 2023

We investigate the transformation rule of a single particle wave-function under a change of reference frame. A postulate is raised, and some fundamental aspects regarding the reference-frame independence of quantum probabilities are explored.
Secondary bacterial infections & extensively drug-resistant bacteria among COVID-19 hospitalized patients at the University Hospital in Kraków
Authors: Pałka Anna , Kujawska Anna , Hareza Dariusz , Gajda Mateusz , Wordliczek Jerzy , Jachowicz-Matczak Estera , Owsianka Izabella , Żółtowska Barbara , Chmielarczyk Agnieszka , Romaniszyn Dorota , Gregorczyk-Maga Iwona , Wójkowska-Mach Jadwiga
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and bacterial antimicrobial resistance posed a therapeutic risk during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to analyze the HAIs in COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and non-ICU at the University Hospital in Krakow (UHK) with an emphasis on the susceptibility of the most frequently isolated pathogens and the prevalence of extensively drug resistant (XDR) microorganisms. Methods: This laboratory-based study was carried out at the University Hospital in Krakow in the ICU and non-ICUs dedicated to COVID-19 patients between May 2021 and January 2022. All isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were analyzed using PFGE protocol. Results: 288 independent HAI cases were identified, with the predominance of urinary tract infections (UTI), especially in the non-ICU setting. The most common ICU syndrome was pneumonia (PNA). The prevalence of XDR organisms was 29.1% in the ICU and 26.4% in non-ICUs among all isolates. The incidence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infection was 24.8 cases per 10,000 hospitalizations and the carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii infection incidence was 208.8 cases per 10,000 hospitalizations. The prevalence of XDR strains was highest in Acinetobacter spp, in PNA cases. The PFGE typing demonstrated that almost all XDR strains varied widely from each other. Conclusions: In this study, there was a high incidence of HAI in COVID-19 patients. Similarly, the prevalence of XDR microorganisms, especially XDR-A.baumannii, was also high. PFGE did not confirm the horizontal spread of any organism strains.
The 3-D Time-Dependent Navier-Stokes Equations on Multi-Connected Domains with Inhomogeneous Boundary Conditions and Spectral Hyperviscosity
Authors: Avrin Joel
Published: January 2023

We consider the time-dependent 3-D Navier-Stokes equations (NSE) on a multi-connected bounded domain Ω ⊂ R 3 with inhomogeneous boundary values on ∂Ω = Γ , where Γ is a union of Lipschitz continuous surfaces Γ 0 , Γ 1 , ..., Γ l. This assumption includes the particular case when the Γ i are disjoint, the stationary version of which is classically known as Leray's problem ([38]). Existence results for Leray's problem have either assumed ux conditions beyond the general ux condition necessitated by compatibility constraints ([16], [35], [38]), or required size restrictions on the data ([6], [17], [31]). Here we incorporate a spectral hyperviscosity term in the time-dependent case and obtain existence and foundational results, assuming only the general ux condition and without imposing size restrictions on the boundary data β. Assuming that β ∈ H 1/2 (Γ) as in [38], we establish global existence and uniqueness of mild solutions. Then on any interval [0, T ] on which these solutions and the corresponding NSE solution share a common H 1-bound (as is present on local intervals of existence of strong solutions, in certain special cases, or as is commonly assumed in achieving strong convergence results in numerical studies) we show for slightly more regular β that the spectrally-hyperviscous solutions converge strongly and uniformly in H 1 (Ω) to the NSE solution as the spectral hyperviscosity term vanishes in the limit of key parameters. To achieve this robust sense of approximation of the NSE system, an involved setup and specially-adapted semigroup techniques assume essential roles, and the exposition is new for the case β = 0 as well. Our nal results adapt the NSE reformulation in [40] to recast our approximating system in a form potentially more adaptable to computation.
AMS Subject Classifications: 35A35, 35B40, 35Q35, 76F02.
Fetal circular shunt in Ebstein's Anomaly and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment
Authors: Peña Faith , Emanuelson Tiffany , Todman Steven , Jones Ryan , Mahajan Siddharth
Published: January 2023

A circular shunt is a poor prognostic factor associated with Ebstein's anomaly. Targeting the constriction of the ductus arteriosus (DA) in order to limit or resolve the circular shunt, has been shown to improve fetal outcomes. Prenatal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been known to constrict the DA. Recently, prenatal NSAIDs have been used for that purpose in the treatment of circular shunt. Limited research shows that it may be an effective treatment leading to improved fetal outcomes. In this article, we did an extensive review of literature to describe this therapy’s effectiveness and outcomes.
A minimalistic magnetic manipulation system for manouvering nanorobots
Authors: Goswami Sayanta , Ghosh Ambarish , Dasgupta Debayan
Published: January 2023

Magnetic nanorobots require elaborate magnetic field patterns to move. Sophisticated magnetic coils have been designed to cater to such experiments. However, under laboratory conditions space and temperature control presents constraints that often need to be overcome. Here we report a minimalistic coil system that is easily portable and accounts for space constraints near a compound microscope. In a volume of 10 mm×10 mm×10 mm working space a uniform rotating magnetic field with a maximum field strength of 15 mT can be achieved with our design. The three-coil system can be helpful for manipulating helical magnetic nanorobots inside mechanically complex media like, biological fluids where a greater magnetic field is desirable to induce maneuverability. It is possible to achieve our goal of controlling magnetic nanorobots inside living animals wirelessly soon while simultaneously imaging them through an optical microscope with this electromagnetic coil assembly.
The future of Rare Disease Drug development: the Rare Disease Cures Accelerator Data Analytics Platform (RDCA-DAP)
Authors: Barrett Jeffrey S. , Betourne Alexandre , Walls Ramona L. , Lasater Kara , Russell Scott , Borens Amanda , Rohatagi Shlok , Roddy Will
Published: January 2023

Rare disease drug development is wrought with challenges not the least of which is access to the limited data currently available throughout the rare disease ecosystem where sharing of the available data is not guaranteed. Most pharmaceutical sponsors seeking to develop agents to treat rare diseases will initiate data landscaping efforts to identify various data sources that might be informative with respect to disease prevalence, patient selection and identification, disease progression and any data projecting likelihood of patient response to therapy including any genetic data. Such data are often difficult to come by for highly prevalent, mainstream disease populations let alone for the 8000 rare disease that make up the pooled patient population of rare disease patients. The future of rare disease drug development will hopefully rely on increased data sharing and collaboration among the entire rare disease ecosystem. One path to achieving this outcome has been the development of the rare disease cures accelerator, data analytics platform (RDCA-DAP) funded by the US FDA and operationalized by the Critical Path Institute. FDA intentions were clearly focused on improving the quality of rare disease regulatory applications by sponsors seeking to develop treatment options for various rare disease populations. As this initiative moves into its second year of operations it is envisioned that the increased connectivity to new and diverse data streams and tools will result in solutions that benefit the entire rare disease ecosystem and that the platform becomes a Collaboratory for engagement of this ecosystem that also includes patients and caregivers.
On some nonlocal parabolic systems with gradient source terms
Authors: Atmani Somia , Biroud Kheireddine , Daoud Maha , Laamri El-Haj
Published: January 2023

The present paper is concerned with a class of nonlocal parabolic systems set in a regular bounded open subset of RN, where the gradients of the unknowns act as source terms. First, we establish some nonexistence and blow-up in finite time results. Second, we prove some new weighted regularity results. Such results are interesting in themselves and play a crucial role to study local existence of nonnegative solutions under suitable assumptions on the data.
This work also highlights a substantial difference between the nonlocal case and the local case already studied by the fourth author and his coworkers.
Mathematics Subject Classification 2020: 35R11 . 35J62 . 30G50 . 47H10 . 35B45.
Outcome of combining 7.5Fr disposable electronic flexible ureteroscope with 10Fr ureteral access sheath in the treatment of renal stones < 2cm: initial experience
Authors: Song Baiyang , Cheng Yue , Xie Guohai , Huang Ting , Yang Jiner , Fang Li
Published: January 2023

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combining 7.5Fr flexible ureteroscope with 10Fr ureteral access sheath performed in patients with renal calculi under 2cm.
Methods: We prospectively involved 10 patients with renal calculi < 2cm who underwent holmium laser lithotripsy using the combination of 7.5Fr flexible ureteroscope and a 10Fr ureteral access sheath without double-J stents pre-reserved. The patients’ profiles, including preoperative, operative information, and postoperative complications, were recorded.
Results: The success rate of sheath placement was 100% with the operation time of 55.0 ± 20.0 min, while the lithotripsy time of 150.4 ± 199.0 s. Due to the grade-1 injury of ureter, the double-J stent was retained in two cases for a month. Moreover, the duration of stent-keeping was 18.3 ± 20.13 hours, the hospitalization duration after operation was 45.6 ± 15.5 h, and the pain score after 24 hours postoperatively was 4.3 ± 3.5, respectively. Hemoglobin decreased by 5.0 ± 9.2 g/L and creatinine increased by 1.9 ± 6.6 μmol/L postoperatively, and none of the patients suffered from fever or hemorrhage. The SFR was 90.0% in a month after surgery. In terms of the symptom score of stents, overactive bladder symptom score was 1.7 ± 1.5, international prostate symptom score of 3.3 ± 2.8, and quality of life of 1.3 ± 1.7.
Conclusion: Combining 7.5Fr flexible ureteroscope with 10Fr ureteral access sheath is recommended as a safe option for treating renal calculi < 2cm with high rate of sheath placement and lower rate of complication.
Cost-effective and eco-friendly leaf-based bio-adsorbent for methyl blue dye adsorption: thermodynamics, kinetics, isotherms, and phytotoxicity
Authors: Dutta Sagar Kumar , Elias Md. , Anis-Ul-Haque K. M. , Dhar Palash Kumar , Khan Mohammad Mizanur Rahman , Amin Md Khairul
Published: January 2023

The elimination of textile dye from wastewater is an ecological and environmental barrier to continued industrial expansion. The current study aims to analyse the anionic methyl blue (MB) dye's ability to bind to the Artocarpus heterophyllus leaf powder (AHLP) and assess its capacity to eliminate the dye from an aqueous solution. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and zero-point charge (pHzpc) analyses were utilised to characterise the leaf powder (adsorbent). The adsorption efficiency was evaluated through various conditions, including solution pH (3-10), dye concentration (20-50 mg.L-1), AHLP dosage (1.50-8.0 g.L-1), contact time (0-90 min), and temperature (300-323 K). The maximum dye adsorption efficiency (91.10%) was achieved within 45 min, using 3.0 g.L-1 adsorbent dose in 20 mg.L-1 MB solution at pH 4.0 and 300 K temperature. The adsorption mechanism was congruent with the pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.99) and the Langmuir model (R2 = 1.0). Several thermodynamic parameters, like enthalpy change (∆Ho), Gibbs free energy change (∆Go), and entropy change (∆So) were analysed to identify the spontaneity and exothermic nature of the adsorption. Besides, the phytotoxicity trials on Cicer arietinum seeds revealed 0%, 80%, 87%, and 100% germination in the experimental MB solution, treated MB solution, MB-loaded AHLP, and fresh water, respectively, confirming the non-toxicity of both the treated MB solution and MB-loaded AHLP adsorbent. Therefore, the AHLP adsorbent might be a potential material for wastewater management due to its several advantages, like cost-free, abundant, easy to prepare, fast and high efficiency, and eco-friendly.
Analysis of Quadratic Thermal Radiation on Carreau Fluid Past a Melting Stretchable Cylinder
Authors: Lim Yeou Jiann , Mohamad Ahmad Qushairi , Rawi Noraihan Afiqah , Ling Dennis Chaun Ching , Zin Nor Athirah Mohd , Shafie Sharidan
Published: January 2023

The melting phenomenon plays a vital role in power storage, electronic cooling, and semiconductor manufacturing. A better understanding of the phenomenon may produce an electronic device with optimal performance. In the present study, the melting effect on the flow of Carreau fluid over a stretchable cylinder is analyzed. Since the temperature difference is huge, quadratic thermal radiation is considered to simulate the real situation. To solve the governing equations, suitable similarity variables are applied to convert the complex nonlinear partial equations into ordinary equations. Semi-analytical homotopic solutions of the equation are then determined using the homotopy analysis method. The melting parameter has increased the heat transfer rate by more than 10% for both Prandhl fluids. As the temperature ratio due to the quadratic radiation increase, the local Nusselt number for the fluid with a Prandtl number, 0.71 has been reduced by 25%, and more reduction is observed for fluid with a Prandtl number, 10.
Mapping Global Responses to Climate Change by Categorising Adaptation Tools through Stated Objectives and Specificity
Authors: Nkoana Elvis Modikela
Published: January 2023

This paper maps global responses to the imminent climate change catastrophe by categorising climate adaptation tools according to their stated objectives and specificity. Categorisation is useful in that it exposes popular discourse on climate adaptation, clarifies the developmental, climate-proofing or impact focus of development cooperation organisations towards climate adaptation, and draws contradistinctions between climate adaptation approaches in developed and developing countries. Systematic review of scientific and grey literature yielded peer-reviewed journal articles and an inventory of over one-hundred and thirty-two (132) climate adaptation tools. Secondary data analysis method was used to develop a continuum/framework to categorise fifty (50) selected climate adaptation tools according to their stated objectives and specificity. Findings reveal that climate adaptation initiatives can occur on a wide scale ranging from purely developmental activities to actions that directly confronts the impacts of climate change. Most climate adaptation initiatives are carried out using climate-proofing tools. Climate-proofing traditional socio-economic development might undermine genuine climate adaptation efforts. Also, there is an acute shortage of information provision tools that furnishes the user with localised information about climate change. This might have negative implications for rural and localised development planning. In conclusion, this categorisation will provide useful recommendations for the development and implementation of future climate adaptation tools in a sub-Saharan African context.
Adaptive Fine-tuning for Multiclass Classification over Software Requirement Data
Authors: Cevik Mucahit , Yildirim Savas , Parikh Devang , Basar Ayse
Published: January 2023

The analysis of software requirement specifications (SRS) using Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods has been an important study area in the software engineering field in recent years. Especially thanks to the advances brought by deep learning and transfer learning approaches in NLP, SRS data can be utilized for various learning tasks more easily. In this study, we employ a three-stage domain-adaptive fine-tuning approach for three prediction tasks regarding software requirements, which improve the model robustness on a real distribution shift. The multi-class classification tasks involve predicting the type, priority and severity of the requirement texts specified by the users. We compare our results with strong classification baselines such as word embedding pooling and Sentence BERT, and show that the adaptive fine-tuning leads to performance improvements across the tasks. We find that an adaptively fine-tuned model can be specialized to particular data distribution, which is able to generate accurate results and learns from abundantly available textual data in software engineering task management systems.
Surgical strategy for colorectal cancer with synchronous liver and extrahepatic metastases - A scoring system and decision tree model
Authors: Tseng Chan-Wei , Teng Hao-Wei , Lin Chun-Chi , Lei Hao-Jan , Hung Jung-Jyh , Hsia Cheng-Yuan , Chou Shu-Cheng , Yang Shung-Haur , Lin Jen-Kou , Jiang Jeng-Kai , Chang Shih-Ching , Chau Gar-Yang
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The role of hepatectomy in a specific group of patients with synchronous colorectal cancer with liver metastases (SCRLM) and synchronous extrahepatic disease (SEHD) is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of liver surgery and define the selection criteria for surgical candidates in patients with SCRLM+SEHD.
Methods: Between July 2007 and October 2018, 475 patients with colorectal cancer with liver metastases (CRLM) who underwent liver resection were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-five patients with SCRLM+SEHD were identified and included in the study. Clinical pathological data of these patients were analyzed to evaluate the influence on survival. Important prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. The risk score system and decision tree analysis were generated according to the important prognostic factors for better patient selection.
Results: The 5-year survival rate of patients with SCRLM+SEHD was 21.9%. The most important prognostic factors were SCRLM number > 5, site of SEHD other than the lung only, inability to achieve SCRLM+SEHD R0 resection, and BRAFmutation of cancer cells. The proposed risk score system and decision tree model easily discriminated between patients with different survivalrates and identified the profile of suitable surgical patients.
Conclusions: Liver surgery should not be a contraindication to patients with SCRLM+SEHD. Patients with complete SCRLM+SEHD R0 resection, SCRLM number ≤ 5, SEHD confined to the lung only, and wild-type BRAF could have favorable survival outcomes. The proposed scoring system and decision tree model may be beneficial to patient selection in clinical use.
Evaluation of Benzoate and Sorbate Preservatives contents in Mayonnaise Sauce and Salad Dressings in Urmia, Iran
Authors: Yazdanfar Najmeh , Manafi Leila , Rafsanjani Boshra Ebrahimi-Nejad , Mazaheri Yeganeh , Sadighara Parisa , Mohamadi Sara
Published: January 2023

As the mayonnaise sauce and salad dressings have become the favored food products among the world's population recently, the quality and safety of these products are of great importance. In this study, the amount of two common preservatives in sauces including sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and compared with the Iranian national standard. For this purpose, 49 samples of different brands of mayonnaise sauces and salad dressings were collected randomly from supermarkets in Urmia, Iran. According to the results of this study, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate were not detected in 2 samples (4.08%) and 4 samples (8.16%) out of 49 samples, respectively. The mean concentrations of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate in the samples were estimated as 249.95 and 158.06 ppm, respectively. Consequently, the preservative concentrations in all samples of mayonnaise sauces and salad dressings were lower than the Iranian acceptable level. Due to the importance of the side effects of these preservatives for consumers, their consuming must be conscious and limited to national standards. Therefore, regular and accurate evaluations of these preservatives in sauces and other high-consumption food products are recommended to provide consumer' safety.
Estimation of soil erosion using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in Relation to Landslides in Western Mid-hills of Nepal
Authors: Pathak Lalit , Joshi Kamana , Ghimire Pradeep
Published: January 2023

An attempt has been made in this research to assess soil erosion and its spatial distribution by the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model at Rangun Khola Watershed, western Nepal. The erosion factors were acquired from multiple sources (Satellite images, ALOSPALSAR DEM, SOTER soil database, Esri 2020 land cover map, rainfall database of DHM) and an integrated analysis was carried out in raster format of GIS. A landslide inventory was generated on the basis of satellite images and past literature to validate soil erosion intensity in the area. The result map of the RUSLE model was categorized into six levels based on the erosion severity, and 9.06% of the area was found to be under extremely severe soil erosion risk (> 80 ton ha− 1year− 1) indicating urgent consequences. The frequency ratios for each level of potential erosion susceptible to landside exhibited a linear relationship depicting reasonable and satisfactory level of agreement between the landslide event/location data and the erosion map that validates the model result. The result of this study will be helpful to detect the sensitive zones presenting a priority of protection and offer valuable information that aids decision-makers and user agencies in creating adequate conservation planning programs to stop soil erosion and maintain the natural balance.
Therapeutic Potential of Rlip Loss on Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ramesh Malvika , Tarbox James , Singh Sharda , Awasthi Sanjay
Published: January 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease and is marked by dry skin and itchy papules that can become excoriated. AD can be caused by the interaction of host factors such as genetic susceptibility, immunologic responses, and skin barrier. The inflammatory environment of AD is characterized by Th2 and skin barrier dysfunction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also responsible for inflammation associated with AD and the pathogenic disease process. Rlip knockdown is found to protect p53 deficient mice from carcinogenesis as well as reduce inflammation. Rlip knockdown also alters various canonical pathways and, in AD, can lead to inflammatory signaling by altering the balance of Th1 and Th2 immune genes involved in the pathogenesis of eczema. Here we suggest upregulation of ALDH3A1, ACVR1C, and IL-13RA2 through Rlip inhibition could serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of AD through reduction of skin inflammation and maintenance of skin barrier, decreased Th2 immune response, and lowered intracellular calcium signaling involved in skin pain threshold.
Effect of Silver nanoparticles exposure on oxidative stress in blue swimmer crab (Portunus pelagicus)
Authors: Bita Seraj , Ranjbari Nazanin Ghorbani , Kazemi Mohsen
Published: January 2023

Nanotechnology is a new technology that has many potential environmental effects on living organisms, especially aquatic species. This study was carried out to determine the median lethal concentrations (LC50) of silver nanoparticles and its effect on the antioxidant system in the hepatopancreas and muscle tissue of blue swimmer crab (Portunus pelagicus). The LC50 value was determined according to the OECD standard method and after that, the crabs were exposed to sublethal silver nanoparticles concentrations (equivalent to 25, 50 and 75% LC50 AgNPs) for 14 days. To measure the activity of catalase, glutathione superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde, crab were sampled on days 3, 7 and 14. According to the results, the 96 h LC50 value of AgNPs was 13.65 mg/L. In both hepatopancreas and muscle tissue, except glutathione and glutathione peroxidase, the level of catalase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity of crabs exposed to 50% LC50 of AgNPs were significantly decreased as compared to the control (p < 0.05). MDA level in hepatopancreas significantly increased in crab exposed to 50% LC50 of AgNPs compared to all tested concentration and control group (p < 0.05), but not in the muscle. In general, crabs exposed to 50% LC50 of AgNPs showed a significant decrease in the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity, except in MDA level where it was significantly increased which was indicate that a dose of 50% LC50 of AgNPs had a deleterious effect on the hepatopancreas antioxidant system of blue swimmer crab.