bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient joint compression and encryption approach based on compressed sensing with multiple chaotic systems
Authors: Wang Jingya , Song Xianhua , El-Latif Ahmed A. Abd
Published: April 2022

This paper puts forward a new algorithm that utilizes compressed sensing and two chaotic systems to complete image compression and encryption concurrently. Firstly, the hash function is utilized to obtain the initial parameters of two chaotic maps, which are 2D-SLIM and 2D-SCLMS map respectively. Secondly, a sparse coefficient matrix is transformed from the plain image through discrete wavelet transform. In addition, one of the chaotic sequences created by 2D-SCLMS system performs pixel transformation on the sparse coefficient matrix. The other chaotic sequences created by 2D-SLIM are utilized to generate a measurement matrix and perform compressed sensing operations. Subsequently, the matrix rotation is combined with row scrambling and column scrambling, respectively. Finally, the bit-cycle operation and the matrix double XOR is implemented to acquire the ciphertext image. Simulation experiment analysis manifests that the compressed encryption scheme has advantages in compression performance, key space and sensitivity, and is resistant to statistical attacks, violent attacks and noise attacks.
NSMCE2, a Novel Super-Enhancer-Regulated Gene, is Linked to Poor Prognosis and Therapy Resistance in Breast Cancer
Authors: Benedetto Carolina Di , Oh Justin , Choudhery Zainab , Shi Weiquan , Valdes Gilmer , Betancur Paola
Published: April 2022

Background
Despite today’s advances in the treatment of cancer, breast cancer-related mortality remains high, in part due to the lack of effective targeted therapies against breast tumor types that do not respond to standard treatments. Therefore, identifying additional breast cancer molecular targets is urgently needed. Super-enhancers are large regions of open chromatin involved in the overactivation of oncogenes. Thus, inhibition of super-enhancers has become a focus in clinical trials for its therapeutic potential. Here, we aimed to identify novel super-enhancer dysregulated genes highly associated with breast cancer patients’ poor prognosis and negative response to treatment.
Methods
Using existing datasets containing super-enhancer-associated genes identified in breast tumors and public databases comprising genomic and clinical information for breast cancer patients, we investigated whether highly expressed super-enhancer-associated genes correlate to breast cancer patients’ poor prognosis and to patients’ poor response to therapy. Our computational findings were experimentally confirmed in breast cancer cells by pharmacological SE disruption and gene silencing techniques.
Results
We bioinformatically identified two novel super-enhancer-associated genes – NSMCE2 and MAL2 – highly upregulated in breast tumors, for which high RNA levels significantly and specifically correlate with breast cancer patients’ poor prognosis. Through in-vitro pharmacological super-enhancer disruption assays, we confirmed that super-enhancers upregulate NSMCE2 and MAL2 transcriptionally, and, through bioinformatics, we found that high levels of NSMCE2 strongly associate with patients’ poor response to chemotherapy, especially for patients diagnosed with aggressive triple negative and HER2 positive tumor types. Finally, we showed that decreasing NSMCE2 gene expression by super-enhancer blockade or by directly silencing it increases breast cancer cells’ sensitivity to chemotherapy treatment.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that moderating the transcript levels of NSMCE2 could improve patients’ response to standard chemotherapy consequently improving disease outcome. Our approach offers a new avenue to identify a signature of tumor specific genes that are not frequently mutated but dysregulated by super-enhancers. As a result, this strategy can lead to the discovery of potential and novel pharmacological targets for improving targeted therapy and the treatment of breast cancer.
Genome-scale metabolic modelling enables deciphering ethanol metabolism via the acrylatepathway in the propionate-producer Anaerotignum neopropionicum
Authors: Suarez-Diez Maria , Benito-Vaquerizo Sara , Parera-Olm Ivette , de Vroet Thijs , Schaap Peter J. , Sousa Diana Z , Santos Vitor A.P. Martins dos
Published: April 2022

Background Microbial production of propionate from diluted streams of ethanol (e.g., deriving from syngas fermentation) is a sustainable alternative to the petrochemical production route. Yet, few ethanol-fermenting propionigenic bacteria are known, and understanding of their metabolism is limited. Anaerotignum neopropionicum is a propionate-producing bacterium that uses the acrylate pathway to ferment ethanol and CO2 to propionate and acetate. In this work, we used computational and experimental methods to study the metabolism of A. neopropionicum and, in particular, the pathway for conversion of ethanol into propionate.Results Our work describes iANEO_SB607, the first genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) of A. neopropionicum. The model was built combining the use of automatic tools with an extensive manual curation process, and it was validated with experimental data from this and published studies. The model predicted growth of A. neopropionicum on ethanol, lactate, sugars and amino acids, matching observed phenotypes. In addition, the model was used to implement a dynamic flux balance analysis (dFBA) approach that accurately predicted the fermentation profile of A. neopropionicum during batch growth on ethanol. A systematic analysis of the metabolism of A. neopropionicum combined with model simulations shed light into the mechanism of ethanol fermentation via the acrylate pathway, and revealed the presence of the electron-transferring complexes NADH-dependent reduced ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase (Nfn) and acryloyl-CoA reductase-EtfAB, identified for the first time in this bacterium.Conclusions The realisation of the GEM iANEO_SB607 is a stepping stone towards the understanding of the metabolism of the propionate-producer A. neopropionicum. With it, we have gained insight into the functioning of the acrylate pathway and energetic aspects of the cell, with focus on the fermentation of ethanol. Overall, this study provides a basis to further exploit the potential of propionigenic bacteria as microbial cell factories.
Circumflex arterial sulcus of the scapula (sulcus arteriae circumflexae scapulae). Its anatomy and clinical relevance
Authors: Strnad Tomáš , Bartoníček Jan , Tuček Michal , Naňka Ondřej
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The circumflex scapular artery (CSA) has been described in detail in the literature, but the groove, i.e., the circumflex sulcus (CFS), formed by the artery on the lateral pillar of the scapula has been completely neglected. The aim of the present study was to describe the variability and anatomy of the CFS. Material and method: The study was based on the examination of 103 pairs of dry bone specimens of adult scapulae, i.e., 206 specimens, including 92 (46 pairs) male and 114 (57 pairs) female specimens. In the first step, quantitative criteria were defined for assessment of the CFS presence and type. Subsequently, statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed.Results: The study revealed considerable variability of the arterial groove, which was well-developed in 33% (type A), shallow in 40% (type B), and absent in 27% (type C) of cases. The mean distance between CFS and the infraglenoid tubercle was 3.3 cm (range, 2.5–5.4), which corresponds to the proximal third of the lateral border of the scapula. Conclusion: The study has confirmed variability of the arterial groove (CFS) and its localization in relation to the inferior glenoid rim. The findings are clinically important, particularly in relation to the Judet approach to scapular fractures.
Comprehensive Analysis of CXCL genes in Human Kidney Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Shen Junwen , Wang Rongjiang , Chen Yu , Fang Zhihai , Tang Jianer , Yao Jianxiang , gao jianguo , chen xiaonong , shi xinli
Published: April 2022

Introduction: the predictive value for survival outcomes and mechanisms of the CXCL gene family in kidney Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC).Objective: We evaluated the predictive value for survival outcomes and mechanisms of the CXCL gene family in Kidney Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC). Methods: Transcriptional and survival data of CXCL genes in KIRC patients were retrieved from Oncomine and GEPIA databases to assess their functions. Mutations’ data were downloaded from the cBioPortal, while immune cell components data were obtained from TIMER databases. Enrichment analysis was performed using the STRING database. In vitro assays were performed to validate our findings. Results: A total of 8 CXCL (CXCL2/5/9/10/11/12/13/16) genes were found to be differentially expressed in KIRC tissues. Among them, only CXCL2 and CXCL5 had survival values. In vitro assays revealed that upregulated CXCL2 promotes renal cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Additionally, CXCL2 exhibited an effect on three KIRC immune cell components (B cells, CD4 T cells, and Neutrophils). After evaluating the miRNA sequences upstream of CXCL2, it was established that hsa-miR-532-5p/CXCL2 pathways are potentially involved in the regulatory mechanisms. Finally, we established a prospective signature (CXCL1/5/13) for improved survival outcomes among KIRC patients.Conclusion: Among KIRC patients, 8 CXCL genes were differentially expressed, however, only CXCL2 and CXCL5 exhibited a significant survival value. Upregulated CXCL2 promotes renal cancer cell progression.
Preparation of Nano-SiO2 by silica sol in-situ complexation protective precipitation method
Authors: Yang Yubing , Yang Yuxiang , NI Chaoying
Published: April 2022

In this study, nanosilica particles were prepared from self-made silica gel under the protection of citric acid in situ complexation and ethyl acetate as the latent acid reagent. The effects of ethyl acetate, citric acid, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the particle size of nanosilica were studied. The optimum process parameters were determined as follows: V ethyl acetate: V silica sol = 9:50, citric acid addition amount 3.64%, reaction time 8 h, and reaction temperature 70 ℃. The products were characterized by IR, XRD, and TEM analyses. The results show that the silica prepared using this method has good dispersion, and the average controllable particle size is 19.44 nm. The method has the advantage of a simple preparation process and is expected to achieve industrial production.
Urbanization and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in China
Authors: Hong Chenlu , Luo Yanan
Published: April 2022

Background: As a health transition, urbanization plays an important role in individuals’ health. However, it is difficult to isolate healthy migrant effect between urbanization and health. This study examined the effects of urbanization on depressive symptoms and its possible pathways among Chinese middle-aged and older adults independent of the influence of health-selective migration.Methods: Using the baseline survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this study compared the depressive symptoms among three groups (urbanized rural residents, rural non-migrants and urban non-migrants). The 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) short form was used to measure depressive symptoms. Logistic regression models and Structural Equation Model (SEM) were applied to examine the association between urbanization and depressive symptoms and the corresponding potential mechanisms.Results: Compared with urbanized rural residents, rural residents were more likely to have depressive symptoms (OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.07, 1.32), and urban residents were associated with a decreased risk of depressive symptoms (OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.94). A large proportion of the association between urbanization and depressive symptoms were mainly mediated by social participation, income and living conditions.Conclusions: Planned urbanization had an independent impact on decreased depressive symptoms. Improvements in social participation, income and living conditions are the main drivers behind this relationship. Additionally, urbanization compensates for the negative impact on depressive symptoms from disadvantaged early life conditions, but it cannot completely eliminate the gap between urbanized rural people and urban non-migrants.
Synergistic antibacterial effect of highly permeable curcumin and ciprofloxacin containing self-emulsifying drug delivery system against urinary tract bacterial infections
Authors: Ameer Nabeela , Hanif Muhammad , Azeem Muhammad , Mahmood Khalid , Chugtai Fazal Rahman Sajid , Ramzan Nasreen , Aziz Mubashir , Pandey Kapil
Published: April 2022

Antibacterial properties of curcumin (Cur) and ciprofloxacin (Cip) against urinary tract bacterial infections can be improved by using self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS). Previously prepared Cur-SEDDS (lauroglycol FCC, tween 80, transcutol HP) alone and its combination with ciprofloxacin (Cip) were used to investigate the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), dose response curve, checkerboard assay and time kill assay were performed to investigate the synergistic effect of Cur and Cip. FTIR, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, permeability coefficient (Kp), cell viability assay of Cur, Cip and Cur-Cip containing SEDDS were performed. Average PDI of all SEDDS was 0.3±0.97 with negative charge -10.56±0.67mV at pH 6.8 and encapsulation efficiency 93.88%. Interestingly, Cur and Cip showed synergistic behavior at average MIC of 72±0.45 and 0.33±0.98 against three microorganisms. Stability analysis using Rgui software (R 4.1.3 version) estimates shelf life of 16 months. Improvement in the permeation rate was up to 10 times of Cur and 3 times of Cip in case of SEDDS as compared to their pure form. Enhanced permeation through SEDDS and synergistic antibacterial effect will help in establishing its therapeutic usefulness especially for bacterial urinary tract infections in humans.
Commensal Oral Microbiota Influences Ulcerative Oral Mucositis Clinical Course in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Bruno Julia , Heidrich Vitor , Knebel Franciele H. , de Molla Vinícius Campos , Parahyba Claudia Joffily , Miranda-Silva Wanessa , Asprino Paula Fontes , Tucunduva Luciana , Rocha Vanderson , Novis Yana , Arrais-Rodrigues Celso , Camargo Anamaria Aranha , Fregnani Eduardo Rodrigues
Published: April 2022

Oral mucositis (OM) is a complex acute cytotoxicity of antineoplastic treatment that affects 40%-85% of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. OM is associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased extensive pharmacotherapy, need for parenteral nutrition, and elevated treatment costs. As OM onset relates with the mucosal microenvironment status, with a particular role for microbiota-driven inflammation, we aimed to investigate whether the oral mucosa microbiota was associated with the clinical course of OM in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. We collected oral mucosa samples from 30 patients and analyzed the oral mucosa microbiota by 16S rRNA sequencing. A total of 13 patients (43%) developed ulcerative OM. We observed that specific taxa were associated with oral mucositis grade and time to oral mucositis healing. Porphyromonas relative abundance at preconditioning was positively correlated with ulcerative OM grade (Spearman ρ = 0.61, p = 0.028) and higher Lactobacillus relative abundance at ulcerative OM onset was associated with shortened ulcerative OM duration (p = 0.032). Additionally, we generated a machine-learning-based bacterial signature that uses pre-treatment microbial profiles to predict whether a patient will develop OM during treatment. Our findings suggest that further research should focus on host-microbiome interactions to better prevent and treat OM.
Steady-state estradiol triggers a unique innate immune response to allergen resulting in increased airway hyper-reactivity yet decreased eosinophils and ILC2.
Authors: Warren Kristi , Deering-Rice Cassandra , Huecksteadt Tom , Trivedi Shubhanshi , Venossa Alessandro , Reilly Christopher , Sanders Karl , Clayton Frederic , Wyatt Todd A. , Poole Jill A , Heller Nicola M. , Leung Daniel , III Robert Paine
Published: April 2022

Rationale: Asthma is a chronic airway condition that occurs more often in women than men during reproductive years. In males, testosterone attenuates allergic inflammation while estrogens are thought to exacerbate asthma through the estrogen receptors on airway epithelial cells. Population studies have looked at all types of asthma, and collectively shown that long-term use of oral contraceptives decreased the onset of asthma in women of reproductive age. In the current study, we hypothesized that steady-state levels of estrogen would reduce airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine challenge. Methods: Ovariectomized BALB/c mice (Ovx) were implanted with subcutaneous hormone pellets (estrogen, OVX-E2; or placebo, OVX-Pl) that deliver consistent levels of estrogen [49 ± pg/mL] followed by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge. In conjunction with methacholine challenge, immune phenotyping was performed to correlate inflammatory proteins and immune populations with better or worse pulmonary outcomes measured by invasive pulmonary mechanics techniques. Results: Histologic analysis showed an increase in total cell infiltration around the airways and vasculature leading to an increased inflammatory score in ovarectomized (OVX) animals with steady-state estrogen pellets (OVX-E2-OVA) as compared to other groups including female-sham operated (F-Sham-OVA) and OVX implanted with a placebo pellet (OVX-Pl-OVA). Airway resistance (Rrs) and lung elastance were increased in OVX-E2-OVA in comparison to F-Sham-OVA following aerosolized intratracheal methacholine challenges. Immune phenotyping revealed that steady-state estrogen reduced CD3+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, ILC2 and eosinophils across all experiments. Inflammatory cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13) were also decreased in OVX-E2-OVA treated animals in comparison to Female-Sham-OVA mice. ILC2 that were sorted and stimulated with exogenous IL-33 had less cytokine and chemokine expression when they were isolated from OVX-E2-OVA animals indicating that estrogen suppresses IL-33 mediated activation of ILC2. Conclusions: Therapeutically targeting estrogen receptors may have a limiting effect on eosinophils, ILC2 and potentially other immune populations that may improve asthma symptoms in those females that experience perimenstrual worsening of asthma, with the caveat, that long-term use of estrogens or hormone receptor modulators may be detrimental to the lung microenvironment over time.
An approach for prioritizing candidate genes from RNA-seq using preclinical cocaine craving datasets as a test case
Authors: Vannan Annika , Dell'Orco Michela , Perrone-Bizzozero Nora I. , Neisewander Janet L. , Wilson Melissa A.
Published: April 2022

The addiction field relies heavily on rodent models to probe the complex molecular mechanisms underlying drug motivation and reward. However, findings in animal research often fail to be reproduced or translated into clinical treatments. Here, we developed and applied standardized workflows to three RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) studies in rodent self-administration models to assess reproducibility and translational viability of potential gene targets. Generally, we found low overlap of differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) across datasets using a significance level of P < 0.05, and only 1 DEG in any dataset after correcting for multiple testing (FDR < 0.05 or FDR < 0.1), raising concerns about false positives. When using a nominal P value, which is a standard used in the field, we found potential genomic targets for drug craving and withdrawal that overlap across datasets. Several of these shared genes are conserved in humans and/or are highly expressed in reward regions of the brain, but the sample sizes in all datasets limit the power to distinguish true positives from false positives. Thus, we advocate for improved RNA-seq experimental design, data collection, statistical testing, and metadata reporting that will bolster the field’s ability to communicate across research groups and advance addiction science in a more reproducible manner.
Expression of γδTCR on myeloid cells of Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis -infected C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Chen Dianhui , Mo Feng , Liu Meiling , Liu Lin , Xing Junmin , Shi Feihu , Xie Anqi , Xie Hongyan , Pan Xingfei , Wang Xinhua , Huang Jun
Published: April 2022

Background: The role of CD3+γδTCR+(γδT) cells during the Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis infection has been reported in our previous studies. However, there is a paucity of studies on the characteristics of myeloid cells which expressed γδTCR. Therefore, the aim of this study was to observe the properties of γδTCR-expressing myeloid cells in the spleen of C57BL/6 mice infected by P. yoelii NSM. Methods: Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the spleens. The samples from the experimental group before and after infection underwent RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to evaluate the frequency of γδTCR+ cells and the characteristics of γδTCR+ cells in Plasmodium yoelii-infected mice.Results: We observed obvious infiltration of inflammatory in infected C57BL/6 mouse spleens. The proportions of γδTCR+ cells and CD11b+ γδTCR+cells from infected group were higher than that from normal group. γδTCR+CD11b+ cells expressed high levels of activated-mediated genes and inflammatory-mediated genes. We characterized the heterogeneous pathway activities among γδTCR+CD11b+ cells from normal and infected group. The oxidative phosphorylation, respiratory electron transport chain and leukocyte activation involved in immune response pathways were up-regulated, while the alpha-beta T cell activation and myeloid leukocyte migration pathways were down-regulated. Importantly, we found that Ly6c2 was higher expressed in γδTCR+CD11b+ cells than Ly6g. Consistent with it, flow cytometry results revealed that a subset of Ly6C+Ly6G-CD11b+γδTCR+ cells was higher than Ly6G+Ly6C-CD11b+γδTCR+ cells in the spleen. Conclusions: Taken together, our data suggest the existence of a population of γδTCR-expressing myeloid cells and played potential role in the context of Plasmodium infection. The molecular markers and pathways screened warrant further study.
Fibulin-3 sponges Tiam1 to manipulate MMP-7 activity through β-catenin signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Guo Honglei , Ji Yangyang , Zhang Bo , Huang Xin
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (named OSCC) is considered as the most frequent malignancy in oral cavity, which has became a rapid increasing problem for the global public health with unclear underling molecular mechanism. Previously, we reported Tiam1 (T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis inducing factor 1) as a potential oncogene for OSCC. Here, we in-depth explored its signaling mechanism. Methods: The mRNA and protein expression levels of primary differentially expressed genes (Tiam1, Fibulin-3 and MMP-7) were measured in different TNM stages of OSCC patients using RT-PCR and ELISA respectively. Using human OSCC cell line CAL27 cell line, the relationships between these factors have been analyzed and the direct interaction has been also examined. The luciferase reporter assay was established for the promoter region of MMP-7. Both the epithelial (E-cadherin) and mesenchymal protein markers (Vimentin and Snail) have been investigated using western blotting. Results: The mRNA and protein activities of Fibulin-3 declined as the increase of TNM stage. Inversely, the mRNA and protein levels of Tiam1 and MMP-7 elevated significantly as OSCC progressed. Tiam1 transfection in CAL27 cells stimulated the expression of MMP-7 by accelerating the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, which was opposite to the functions of Fibulin-3. Moreover, Tiam1 interacted directly with Fibulin-3. The Tiam1 induced OSCC epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via MMP-7 activation, which was dependent of β-catenin direct binding on the promoter region. Conclusions: Collectively, these results indicated that Tiam1 competed with Fibulin-3 for nuclear β-catenin translocation, which subsequently stimulated MMP-7 expression by TCF-4 domain interaction following EMT initiation in OSCC development. Our systematical work here hypothesized an innovative signaling cassette for OSCC progression, which provided beneficial references for future clinical study.
Metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma within a pituitaryneuroendocrine tumor: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Suzuki Koji , Tahara Shigeyuki , Hattori Yujiro , Teramoto Shinichiro , Ishisaka Eitaro , Inomoto Chie , Osamura Robert Yoshiyuki , Morita Akio
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Collision tumors in which malignant neoplasms metastasize to pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are extremely rare. We report a case of PitNET with a history of colorectal and bladder cancers and a relatively rapid progression of neurological symptoms.Case Report: A 75-year-old man who underwent tumor resection for bladder cancer 36 years before and for colon cancer 18 years before without recurrence suffered from right-sided homonymous hemianopsia, ptosis and diplopia of the right eye. MRI revealed a tumor with a diameter of 3.2 cm, extending from the anterior pituitary gland to the suprasellar region. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the tumor showed heterogeneous contrast enhancement. Semi-emergency endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery was performed because of the relatively rapid progression of neurological symptoms. Histopathological examination revealed a group of thyroid transcription factor-1- and napsin A-positive papillary proliferating cells intermingled with α-subunit (α-SU)- and steroidogenic factor-1-positive PitNET cells. The patient was diagnosed with metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma within a PitNET (gonadotroph PitNET).Results: Genetic testing revealed a positive EGFR (Ex-19del) mutation, and chemotherapy was initiated. Additional stereotactic radiotherapy was performed for the residual tumor in the sella turcica. Chemotherapy was continued, and 24 months later, both the primary and metastatic tumors were well controlled.Conclusion: Cases of metastasis of a malignant neoplasm within a PitNET are difficult to diagnose. In the case of a sella turcica tumor with relatively rapid progression of neurological symptoms, early surgical intervention is recommended because of the possibility of a highly proliferative tumor and to obtain pathologic specimens.
A qualitative study of Influences, Sources of Information and Media Consumption habits on Uptake of Contraceptive Services among people of Reproductive age in Uganda
Authors: Namanda Cissie , Atuyambe Lynn , SSali Sarah , Mukose Aggrey , Tumwesigye Nazarius Mbona , Makumbi Frederick E. , Tweheyo Ritah , Gidudu Andrew , Sekimpi Carole , Hashim Catherine Verde , Nicholson Martha , Ddungu Peter
Published: April 2022

Background
Uganda has registered an increased investment in family planning (FP) programmes, which has contributed to improvement in knowledge of modern contraceptive methods being nearly universal. However, this has not matched uptake of modern methods and reduction in unmet need of FP. Due to these challenges, a programme on improving awareness, access to and uptake of modern contraceptives is being implemented. We therefore conducted a formative study to determine the influences, key sources and media consumption habits of contraceptive information at the onset of this programme.
Methods
Using a qualitative study design, we conducted thirty-two focus group discussion and twenty-one in-depth interviews involving men and women of reproductive age. We also carried out twenty-one key informant interviews with people involved in FP service delivery. Data was collected in 4 districts where implementation of the program was to take place. Audio recorders were used to collect data and tools translated in local languages. A codebook was developed, transcripts coded in vivo using a computer software Atlas-ti version 7 before analysis. Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional review boards and informed consent sought from all participants.
Results
Three themes emerged from the data; influences to contraceptive uptake, sources of contraceptive information and media consumption habits. From the study, most married people with children mentioned health workers as influences while adolescents reported their peers and friends to be their main influence. Religious leaders and mothers in law were reported to mainly discourage people from taking up modern contraceptive methods. Key sources of information were health workers followed by radio. Television, mobile vans mounted with megaphones were other sources of information. Radio was majorly among male whereas television was a source common among female living in urban settings. For media consumption habits, participants advocated for messages in a language free of vulgar words that would interest men. In conclusion, health workers, religious leaders and mothers determine uptake of contraceptive services. The study recommends the consideration of the role of these influences at design of FP program interventions as well as more involvement of health workers in sensitization of communities about contraceptive methods.
Evaluation Of Intestinal Permeability With Plasma Zonulin Level In Patients With Vitiligo And Its Correlation With Inflammatory Cytokines And Oxidative Stress Markers
Authors: Arslan Selami , Altunisik Nihal , Turkmen Dursun , Uremis Muhammed Mehdi , Sener Serpil , Turkoz Yusuf
Published: April 2022

Background: It has been proven that there is an increase in intestinal permeability in some autoimmune diseases. In our study, we aimed to evaluate intestinal permeability in vitiligo disease by looking at zonulin levels. At the same time, we aimed to examine the correlation of inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels with zonulin.Methods: Fourty one vitiligo patients and 41 healthy volunteers were included in our study. Venous blood samples were taken from the patient and control groups, and the levels of zonulin, LPS, Interleukin (IL)-6, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and oxidative stress markers were examined.Results: The zonulin mean of the patient group was found to be statistically significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between zonulin level and IL-6, TNF-α and LPS levels (p<0.05). While the TNF-α and LPS levels of the patient group were found to be significantly higher than the control group, there was no significant difference in terms of IL-6 levels. The reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, total antioxidant status levels in the erythrocytes were lower and malondialdehyde levels were higher in the patient group compared to the control group. Conclusion: We think that serum zonulin level increases and intestinal permeability increases in vitiligo disease.
Dynamic Programming of the Stochastic Burgers Equation Driven by Levy Noise
Authors: MOHAN MANIL T. , SAKTHIVEL K. , SRITHA SIVAGURU. S
Published: April 2022

Abstract. In this work, we study the optimal control of stochastic Burgers equation perturbed by Gaussian and L´evy type noises with distributed control process acting on the state equation. We use the dynamic programming approach for the second order Hamilton-JacobiBellman (HJB) equation consisting of an integro-differential operator with L´evy measure associated with the stochastic control problem. Using the regularizing properties of the transition semigroup corresponding to the stochastic Burgers equation and compactness arguments, we solve the HJB equation and the resultant feedback control problem.
Retinometer as a postoperative predictor of visual acuity in patients with senile cataract
Authors: Paez Ivan , Macias Jaime , Lansingh Van Charles , Eckert Kristen A.
Published: April 2022

Objective: To evaluate the estimation of postoperative visual acuity (VA) by a retinometer and its correlation with cataract characteristics in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Material and Methods: A prospective case series was conducted on a consecutive sample of patients with senile cataract who underwent cataract surgery from September through December 2021. Before surgery, the retinometer estimated postoperative best-corrected VA (BCVA). Estimations were compared to postoperative BCVA 1 month after surgery. Logistic regression evaluated the correlation between estimations and cataract characteristics [cataract grade (color and opacity) and density].Results: Among 64 patients (64 eyes) who underwent cataract surgery, 28 (43.8%) had equivalent postoperative BCVA estimations and real values, 36 (56.2%) showed better BCVA than predicted, and none showed lower postoperative BCVA than predicted. Postoperative outcomes were accurately predicted in 55% of mild, 55.6% of moderate, and 11.8% of severe cataract cases. Cataract grade and density were significant predictors of postoperative BCVA (R 0.69, P < 0.0001).Conclusion: Retinometer accuracy varied according to cataract severity. Results support the preoperative use of the retinometer in mild and moderate cataract cases as a useful tool to inform patients of their visual prognosis following surgery.
The small RNA STnc1480 contributes to the regulation of biofilm formation and pathogenicity in Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: li jing , Ning Chengcheng , Li Na , Guo Yun , Ji Chunhui , Zhu Xiaozhen , Zhang Xingxing , Meng Qingling , Xia Xianzhu , Cai Xuepeng , Qiao Jun
Published: April 2022

Salmonella Typhimurium (STM) is one of the most important food-borne bacteria that seriously harm livestock and human beings, which is capable of regulating the expression of its own genes in a variety of ways to adapt to a wide variety of adverse environmental stresses. To understand the regulatory roles of sRNA STnc1480 on the capability of STM, the STnc1480 gene-deficient strain △STnc1480 and its complement strain △STnc1480/STnc1480 were generated, and the impacts of STnc1480 gene deficiency on the capability of responding to different environmental stresses, BF formation and pathogenicity were analyzed, respectively. Then, the target genes that were regulated by STnc1480 were also analyzed and explored. Compared with parent and complement strains, the deficiency of the STnc1480 gene significantly reduced the BF formation. Moreover, the capacities of adhesion and invasiveness of the △STnc1480 strain to macrophages were also significantly reduced, while the LD50 in mice was significantly increased. The bacterial loads in liver and spleen were significantly reduced, and the pathological damage was alleviated. It was confirmed that the STnc1480 could be complementary to the 5’-UTR (-52 to -71 bases) region of lpfA mRNA. The bacterial dual plasmid reporting system confirmed that STnc1480 was capable of interacting with the mRNA of the lpfA gene, suggesting that STnc1480 can regulate the 5’-UTR of the lpfA mRNA at post transcription level to reduce the expression of the bacterial fimbria, thus reducing the BF formation and pathogenicity of STM.
A Novel Biomarker Selection Method Combining Graph Neural Network and Gene Relationships Applied to Microarray Data
Authors: Li Wei , Xie Weidong , Zhang Shoujia , Wang Linjie , Yang Jinzhu , Zhao Dazhe
Published: April 2022

Background: The discovery of critical biomarkers is significant for clinical diagnosis, drug research and development. Researchers usually obtain biomarkers from microarray data, which comes from the dimensional curse. Feature selection in machine learning is usually used to solve this problem. However, most methods do not fully consider feature dependence, especially the real pathway relationship of genes. Results: Experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to classical algorithms and advanced methods in feature number and accuracy, and the selected features have more significance. Method: This paper proposes a feature selection method based on a graph neural network. A graph structure and real feature dependence combined with Pearson correlation coefficient is used in our method to construct graph structure model, the information propagation and aggregation method of graph neural network is used to characterize node information, and the spectral clustering method is used to filter redundant features. Then, the feature ranking aggregation model using eight feature evaluation methods acts on each clustering sub-cluster for different feature selection. Conclusion: The proposed method can effectively remove redundant features. The algorithm’s output has high stability and classification accuracy, which can potentially select potential biomarkers.
A preliminary exploration of pancreatic ferroptosis: Inhibition of ferroptosis alleviates pancreatic injury through the NLRP3 pathway in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Li Jie , Cheng Long , Ji Liang , Tang De-sheng , Yan Chang-sheng , Guo Xiao-yu , Cui Ji-tao , Cao Feng , Wang Gang
Published: April 2022

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore whether ferroptosis exists in acute pancreatitis (AP) and the effect of iron ions on the NLRP3 pathway.Materials and Methods A total of 45 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups (control, AP, AP+2, 2'-bipyridyl). A total of 12 injections (caerulein, 50 μg/kg) were given at one-hour intervals. The mice in the AP+2, 2'-bipyridyl group were pretreated with 2, 2'-bipyridyl (20 mg/kg) for 1 hour and then injected with caerulein. The mice in the control group were injected with an equal volume of normal saline. All of the mice were killed one hour after the last injection. The pancreases were harvested for histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemistry analyses and western blotting. One-way ANOVA and Student’s t test were performed. ﻿Results The ferroptosis inhibitor 2, 2'-bipyridyl can prevent the accumulation of iron ions, reduce the formation of lipid peroxides and alleviate injury in the process of AP, and reduce pancreatic inflammation through the NLRP3 pathway.Conclusion This experiment revealed the presence of ferroptosis in AP. The application of 2, 2'-bipyridyl can obviously alleviate pancreatic damage through the NLRP3 pathway.
Machine learning algorithms to automate differentiating cardiac amyloidosis from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Wu Ziwen , Zheng Jin-Lei , Kuang Lin , Yan Hui
Published: April 2022

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis has poor prognosis, high mortality and is often misdiagnosed as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, leading to delayed diagnosis. Objective: Machine learning combined speckle tracking echocardiography was proposed to automate differentiating two conditions.Methods: A total of 74 patients with pathologically confirmed cardiac amyloidosis and 64 patients of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were enrolled from June 2015 to November 2018. Machine learning models utilizing traditional and advanced algorithms were established and determined the most significant predictors. The performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC). Results: With clinical and echocardiography data, all models showed great discriminative performance (AUC > 0.9). Compared with logistic regression (AUC=0.91), machine learning such as support vector machine (AUC=0.95, P=0.477), random forest (AUC= 0.97, P=0.301) and gradient boosting machine (AUC= 0.98, P=0.230) demonstrated varying degrees of improvement of predicting cardiac amyloidosis. With speckle tracking echocardiography, the predictive performance of the voting model was similar to that of LightGBM (AUC were 0.86 for both), while the AUC of XGBoost was slightly lower (AUC=0.84). In 5-fold cross validation, the voting model was more robust globally and superior to the single model in some test sets. Conclusions: Data-driven machine learning had shown admirable performance in differentiating two conditions and could automatically integrate abundant variables to identify the most discriminating predictors without making preassumptions. In the era of big data, automated machine learning will help to better identify patients with cardiac amyloidosis, and to timely and effectively intervene, thus improving the outcome.
New spermatological characteristics in the Hemiuroidea inferred from the ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Gonocerca phycidis a stomach parasite of Gephyroberyx darwinii (Teleostei: Trachichthyidae) off the Senegal coast
Authors: Bâ Aïssatou , Bakhoum Abdoulaye J.S. , Ndiaye Papa Ibnou , Bray Rodney Alan , Bâ Cheikh Tidiane , Marchand Bernard , Quilichini Yann
Published: April 2022

The present study provides the first ultrastructural data on the digenean Gonocerca phycidis belonging to the family Gonocercidae. Live adults digenean were collected from the stomach of the marine fish Gephyroberyx darwinii (Teleostei: Trachichthyidae) caught in the Atlantic Ocean, off Dakar (Senegal). This is also the first report of G. phycidis from Senegal and this host species. The mature spermatozoon exhibits (i) two axonemes with the 9 + ‘‘1’’ pattern of the Trepaxonemata, (ii) a lateral expansion associated with external ornamentations and without cortical microtubules, (iii) two types of external ornamentation of the plasma membrane located in the anterior extremity of the spermatozoon, (iv) two bundles of cortical microtubules in the mitochondrial and nuclear areas of the spermatozoon, (v) one mitochondrion and (vi) a nucleus. The maximum number of cortical microtubules is located in the median part of the spermatozoon. Moreover, the mature spermatozoon of G. phycidis presents some peculiarities. The presence of a lateral expansion without cortical microtubules associated with external ornamentations is described here, for the first time, in digenean spermatozoa. The presence of two elongated bundles of cortical microtubules is also reported for the first time in the superfamily of Hemiuroidea. However, the ultrastructure of the posterior spermatozoon extremity confirms that already described in other hemiuroidean species.
Iso-Graph: Its Definition and Properties
Authors: Song Yuqing
Published: April 2022

This paper introduces a discrete Reeb graph model, called iso-graph, on arbitrary graphs, and discusses its properties. We define a sect on a graph as an edge subset which, if removed, transects the input graph, changing it homotopically. We show that an iso-graph is essentially a collection of sects which are nested and not inversely tangent. The iso-graph model can be used as a substitute for existing discrete Reeb graphs with the advantages of avoiding data perturbation and interpolation.
Learning Domain-Specific Edit Operations from Model Repositories with Frequent Subgraph Mining
Authors: Tinnes Christof , Kehrer Timo , Joblin Mitchell , Hohenstein Uwe , Biesdorf Andreas , Apel Sven
Published: April 2022

Model transformations play a fundamental role in model-driven software development. They can be used to solve or support central tasks, such as creating models, handling model co-evolution, and model merging. In the past, various (semi-)automatic approaches have been proposed to derive model transformations from meta-models or from examples. These approaches require time-consuming handcrafting or the recording of concrete examples, or they are unable to derive complex transformations. We propose a novel unsupervised approach, called Ockham, which is able to learn edit operations from model histories in model repositories. Ockham is based on the idea that meaningful domain-specific edit operations are the ones that compress the model differences. It employs frequent sub-graph mining to discover frequent structures in model difference graphs. Learning Domain-Specific Edit Operations We evaluate our approach in two controlled experiments and one real-world case study of a large-scale industrial model-driven architecture project in the railway domain. We found that our approach is able to discover frequent edit operations that have actually been applied before. Furthermore, Ockham is able to extract edit operations that are meaningful to practitioners in an industrial setting. We also discuss some of the use cases for the discovered edit operations in this industrial setting.
Compound heterozygous p.L483P and p.S310G mutations in GBA1 cause type 1 adult Gaucher disease: case report with a novel mutation
Authors: Wen Xiaoling , Wang Yaozi , Zhang Xialin , Zhang Zhijuan , Liu Xiaxia , Lu Haiyan , Hao Guoping , Wang Xiaohuan , Yang Linhua , Zhang Ruijuan
Published: April 2022

Background
Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary lysosomal storage disease. It is caused by glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) gene mutation that leads to decreased activity of acid β-glucosidase (glucocerebrosidase [GCase]). GD genotype-phenotype correlation is not fully understood. The aim of the current study was to identify and characterize compound heterozygous mutations of GBA1 in a type 1 adult GD patient.
Results
Using enzymological studies and whole exome sequencing, the patient with type 1 GD was found to becompound heterozygous for GBA1 missense mutations in exon 10 c.1448T > C (p.L483P) and exon 7 c.928A > G (p.S310G). The patient's mother who had Parkinson disease history was heterozygous for p.S310G mutation. The asymptomatic father was heterozygous for p.L483P mutation. The sister did not carry either mutation. Structural modeling showed both p.S310G and p.L483P are far away from the GCase active site. The p.S310G mutation in domain 1 could cause decreased stability between the α2 and α3 helices of GBA1. The p.L483P mutation in domain 2 could reduce the van der Waals force of the side chain and disrupt the C-terminal -sheet.
Conclusions
The p.L483P/p.S310G novel compound heterozygous mutation underlies type 1 GD and likely impacts GCase protein function. This is the first description of p.S310G associated with mild type 1 GD in the context of coinherited p.L483P mutation.