bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SamPy: A New Python Library for Stochastic Spatial Agent-Based Modeling in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Viard Francois , Acheson Emily , Allibert Agathe , Sauve Caroline , Leighton Patrick
Published: December 2022

Agent-based models (ABMs) are computational models for simulating the actions and interactions of autonomous agents in time and space. These models allow users to simulate the complex interactions between individual agents and the landscapes they inhabit and are increasingly used in epidemiology to understand complex phenomena and make predictions. However, as the complexity of the simulated systems increases, notably when disease control interventions are considered, model flexibility and processing speed can become limiting. Here we introduce SamPy, an open-source Python library for stochastic agent-based modeling of epidemics. SamPy is a modular toolkit for model development, providing adaptable modules that capture host movement, disease dynamics, and disease control interventions. Memory optimization and design provide high computational efficiency allowing modelling of large, spatially-explicit populations of agents over extensive geographical areas. In this article, we demonstrate the high flexibility and processing speed of this new library. The version of SamPy considered in this paper is available at https://github.com/sampy-project/sampy-paper .
Intelligent Computer Vision System for Analysis and Characterization of Yarn Quality
Authors: Pereira Filipe , Macedo Alexandre , Pinto Leandro , Soares Filomena , Vasconcelos Rosa , Machado J. M. , Carvalho Vítor
Published: December 2022

The quality of yarn is essential in the control of the fabrics processes. There is some commercial equipment that measures the quality of yarn based on sensors, of different types, used for collecting data about some yarn characteristic parameters. The existing equipment, for the above-mentioned purpose, is characterized by its high size and cost, and for allowing the analysis of only few yarn quality parameters. Thus, this paper presents the development and results obtained with the design of a mechatronic prototype integrating a computer vision system that allows, among other parameters, the analysis and classification, in real time, of the hairs of the yarn using artificial intelligence techniques. The system also determines other characteristics inherent to the yarn quality analysis, such as: linear mass, diameter, volume, twist orientation, twist step, average mass deviation, coefficient of variation, hairiness coefficient, average hairiness deviation and standard hairiness deviation, as well as performs spectral analysis. A comparison of the obtained results with the designed system and a commercial equipment was performed validating the undertaken methodology.
New Perspectives on the Adverse Effects of NSAIDs in Cancer Pain: An Italian Delphi Study from the Rational Use of Analgesics (RUA) Group
Authors: Varrassi Giustino , Coluzzi Flaminia , Fornasari Diego , Fusco Flavio , Gianni Walter , Guardamagna Vittorio , Puntillo Filomena , Sotgiu Giovanni
Published: December 2022

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently prescribed drugs for cancer pain. We used Delphi methodology to evaluate the opinions of clinicians on NSAIDs and paracetamol, with a specific focus on their safety profile. Consensus was reached on 7 statements. High level of consensus was reached regarding use of NSAIDs and gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal risk in patients taking low-dose aspirin and assessment of liver function during long-term treatment with paracetamol. Consensus was also reached that assessment and monitoring of eGFR is important in the elderly being administered NSAIDs. It was further agreed that NSAIDs can often play a key role in association with opioids in treatment of cancer pain and that paracetamol is the analgesic of first choice for patients with mild chronic pain. When NSAIDs are administered in combination with steroids, it was agreed that the risk of gastrointestinal damage is increased since steroids delay the healing of ulcers, and that paracetamol can be used during pregnancy and does not affect the health of the fetus. This Delphi study highlights that there is a poor agreement on how these drugs are routinely prescribed. However, the consensus was reached for 7 key statements and may represent a valid contribution to daily practice.
SuperHyperDominating and SuperHyperResolving on Neutrosophic SuperHyperGraphs And Their Directions in Game Theory and Neutrosophic SuperHyperClasses
Authors: Garrett Henry
Published: December 2022

In this research article, the notions of SuperHyperDominating and SuperHyperResolving are defined in the setting of neutrosophic SuperHyperGraphs. Some ideas are introduced on both notions of SuperHyperDominating and SuperHyperResolving, simultaneously and as the same with each other. Some neutrosophic SuperHyperClasses are defined based on the notion, SuperHyperResolving. The terms of duality, totality, perfectness, connectedness, and stable, are added to basic framework and initial notions, SuperHyperDominating and SuperHyperResolving but the concentration is on the “perfectness” to figure out what’s going on when for all targeted SuperHyperVertices, there’s only one SuperHyperVertex in the intended set. There are some instances and some clarifications to make sense about what’s happened and what’s done in the starting definitions. The key point is about the minimum sets. There are some questions and some problems to be taken as some avenues to pursue this study and this research. A basic familiarity with SuperHyperGraph theory and neutrosophic SuperHyperGraph theory are proposed.
Quantitative Proteomic Characterization of Foreign Body Response towards Silicone Breast Implants Identifies Chronological Disease-Relevant Biomarker Dynamics
Authors: Schoberleitner Ines , Faserl Klaus , Sarg Bettina , Egle Daniel , Brunner Christine , Wolfram Dolores
Published: December 2022

The etiology of exaggerated fibrous capsule formation around silicone mammary implants (SMI) is multifactorial but primarily induced by immune mechanisms toward the foreign material silicone. The aim of this work was to enlighten the disease progression from implant insertion and immediate tissue damage response reflected in (a) the acute wound proteome, and (b) the adsorption of chronic inflammatory wound proteins at implant surfaces. An intra-individual absolute quantitation TMT-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach was applied to profile wound proteome formed around SMI the first five days post-implantation. Compared to plasma, the acute wound profile resembled a more complex composition comprising plasma-derived and locally differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). DEPs were subjected to functional enrichment analysis, which revealed the dysregulation of signaling pathways mainly involved in immediate inflammation response and ECM turnover. Moreover, we found time-course variations in protein enrichment immediately post-implantation and adsorbed to SMI surfaces after 6-8 months. Characterization of the expander-adhesive proteome by label-free approach uncovered a long-term adsorbed acute wound and the fibrosis-associated proteome. Our findings propose a wound biomarker panel for the early detection and diagnosis of excessive fibrosis that could potentially broaden insights into the characteristics of fibrotic implant encapsulation.
A Novel Fluorescent Sensor Based on Aptamer and Qpcr for Determination of Glyphosate in Tap Water
Authors: Shao Yong , Tian Run , Duan Jiaqi , Wang Miao , Cao Jing , Cao Zhen , Li Guangyue , Jin Fen , She Yongxin , El-Aty A. M.
Published: December 2022

Glyphosate　(GLYP)　is a broad-spectrum, non-selective, organic phosphine post emergence herbicide registered for use on many food and non-food field. Herein, we developed a biosensor (Mbs@dsDNA) based on carboxylated modified magnetic beads incubated with NH2-polyA and then hybridized with polyT-glyphosate aptamer and complementary DNA. Afterward, a quantitative detection method based on qPCR was established.　When the glyphosate aptamer on Mbs@dsDNA specifically recognized glyphosate, a complementary DNA is released and then enters the qPCR signal amplification process. The linear range of the method was 0.1-5 μg/mL, and the detection limit was set at 0.1 μg/mL. The recoveries in tap water were ranged from 103.4 ~ 104.9%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were < 1%. The aptamer proposed in this study has a good potential for recognizing glyphosate. The detection method combined with qPCR might have a good application prospect in detecting and supervising other pesticide residues.
MST4: a Potential Oncogene and Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer
Authors: Arora Ritu , Kim Jin-Hwan , Getu Ayechew A. , Angajala Anusha , Chen Yih-Lin , Wang Bin , Kahn Andrea G. , Chen Hong , Reshi Latif , Lu Jianrong , Zhang Wenling , Zhou Ming , Tan Ming
Published: December 2022

The mammalian STE 20-like protein kinase 4 (MST4) gene is highly expressed in several cancer types, but little is known on the role of MST4 in breast cancer and the function of MST4 during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that overexpression of MST4 in breast cancer results in enhanced cell growth, migration, and invasion, whereas inhibition of MST4 expression significantly attenuates these properties. Further study shows that MST4 promotes EMT by activating Akt and its downstream signaling molecules such as E-cadherin/N-cadherin, Snail, and Slug. MST4 also activates AKT and its downstream pro-survival pathway. Furthermore, by analyzing breast cancer patient tissue microarray and silicon datasets, we found that MST4 expression is much higher in breast tumor tissue compared to normal tissue, and significantly correlates with cancer stage, lymph node metastasis and a poor overall survival rate (p<0.05). Taken together, our findings demonstrate the oncogenic potential of MST4 in breast cancer, highlighting its role in cancer cell proliferation, migration/invasion, survival, and EMT, suggesting a possibility that MST4 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.
Validación y punto de corte de la Escala de Atracón Alimentario (BES) en población mexicana
Authors: Valdez-Aguilar Mariana , Vázquez-Arévalo Rosalia , López-Aguilar Xóchitl , Regalado Ruíz Luis Alberto
Published: December 2022

Introducción: el trastorno por atracón (TpA) es la psicopatología alimentaria más prevalente entre la población, por lo que son necesarios instrumentos validados de tamizaje para su detección y diagnóstico oportuno. Objetivo: confirmar la estructura factorial de la Escala de Atracón Alimentario (BES) a través del análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) y proponer un punto de corte en una muestra mexicana. Método: la muestra fue no probabilística constituida por 421 personas (66.7% mujeres) con un rango de edad de 18 a 57 años (M = 23.92, DE = 7.38) provenientes de la ciudad de México y zona metropolitana. Todos los participantes contestaron dos instrumentos que evaluaban sintomatología de TpA y aquellos que puntuaron alto fueron entrevistados para diagnóstico del trastorno. Resultados: de las 421 personas, se diagnosticaron 60 con TpA. Se observó una adecuada consistencia interna del instrumento y el AFC ratificó la estructura de la versión original de dos factores: 1) manifestaciones cognitivas y 2) manifestaciones conductuales, presentando un buen ajuste de los datos. Se exploraron diferentes puntos de corte, observando el 17 como el más adecuado de acuerdo con los valores de sensibilidad (98%) y especificidad (93%). Conclusión: estos resultados contribuyen al desarrollo de una medida de evaluación de atracón alimentario en la población mexicana y proporciona una exploración del BES válida para la detección de sintomatología de TpA tanto en hombres como en mujeres.
Evaluation of cedar tree revetments for bank stabilization at the Locust Creek Conservation Area, Missouri : quantifying bank erosion volumes from preproject to postfailure
Authors: Shelley John , Haring Christopher , Chrisman Nathan
Published: December 2022

The US Army Corps of Engineers Regional Sediment Management (RSM) program funded research to assess the longevity and effectiveness of cedar tree revetments for sediment reduction. Between 1988 and 1997, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) constructed multiple cedar tree revetments, plantings, and a grade-control structure at an experimental stream management area on Locust Creek within the Locust Creek Conservation Area (LCCA). For the first few years, MDC also replaced missing trees as needed. MDC monitored these sites with photographs and cross sections until 2004. This study evaluated bank stability on Locust Creek from 1970 to 2019 using aerial imagery, lidar, ground surveys, and a December 2019 site visit to estimate the areal change in streambanks and the volume of sediment eroded over the years. Based on their dates of construction, the project compared preproject, with-project, and postfailure conditions at each site. The project included cedar tree revetments, other hardwood revetments, plantings, and a grade-control structure. This research found a 50% to 64% reduction in erosion for approximately 14 years. As of December 2019, all tree revetments had failed, and banks were bare and steep. The grade-control structure remained intact and continued to stabilize bed and banks immediately upstream.
A new meta-heuristic algorithm: Artificial Yellow Ground Squirrel (YGSA)
Authors: Farimani Hojjat Farrahi , Bahrepour Davoud , Tabbakh Seyed Reza Kamel , Ghaemi Reza
Published: December 2022

Recently, extensive research has been focused on population-based and nature-inspired optimization algorithms. Such as war strategy algorithm, particle swarms algorithm, gray wolves algorithm, and other algorithms. Depending on their nature, each algorithm has various applications in different sciences. Despite their benefits, there are a few problems such as convergence and avoid from the trap of local optimum. In this paper, a novel optimization algorithm called Yellow Ground Squirrel Algorithm (YGSA) has been proposed, which has been inspired based on observation of the yellow ground squirrel's behavior. The proposed strategy has been modeled basis of escaping of squirrel and chasing hunter, where the squirrel tries to increase its distance to hunter and to reduce its distance to nest. Squirrel attempts to keep it constant or increasing its distance to hunter to find its next position. The experiments has been evaluated by the 56 benchmark test functions and compared with other meta-heuristic algorithms including HBO, GSA, PSO, SCA, and WSO. The experiment results has demonstrated performance of YGSA in terms of the Convergence, global and local optimal is yield better outcomes against other mentioned meta-heuristic algorithms.
An improved arithmetic optimization algorithm with hybrid elite pool strategies
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Zhang Xingong , Zhang Hanxiao , Cao Zhong , Chen zhaohui
Published: December 2022

For population-based optimization algorithms, a variety of strategies may combine to adjust the main process to improve the optimization performance. Considering the shortcomings of the arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA), this paper proposes an improved arithmetic optimization algorithm with hybrid elite pool strategies. The mathematical optimization acceleration (MOA) function is reconstructed to balance the global exploitation and local exploration ability. Hybrid elite pool strategies integrate search strategies with different abilities and let them support each other, to improve the effectiveness of the search. Twenty-eight benchmark functions and two engineering problems are optimized to examine the performance of the proposed algorithm. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs better than other metaheuristic algorithms on both convergence speed and accuracy. It is also verified that the proposed algorithm inherits the performance of faster convergence of AOA with a new MOA function and the performance escaping from local optima of AOA with hybrid elite pool strategies.
SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT OF Biomphalaria glabrata (SAY, 1818) TO SURFACTANT SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE (SDS) FOR ECOTOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSES
Authors: Tallarico Lenita , Silva Fábio Nunes Vieira , Nakano Eliana
Published: December 2022

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is an anionic surfactant widely used in domestic and professional cleaning products. Currently, it is known that there is a large release of this compound in the aquatic environment, which can cause biochemical and physiological changes at several trophic levels. Therefore, it is relevant to determine the effects on organisms of environmental and public health importance, such as the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata. In this work, acute and developmental ecotoxicity assays with gastropods were performed to evaluate and to establish a sensitivity control chart with SDS. Adults and embryos were exposed to the surfactant for 24 hours at concentrations between 12.5 and to 300 mg L− 1, as well as a control group. Adults were more sensitive to SDS than embryos stages. It was observed for adults LC50 of 36.87 mg L− 1 and a differential sensitivity in each embryonic stage (EC50 = blastulae 58.59, gastrulae 74.45, trochophore 95.24 and veliger 157.89 mg L− 1). Snails presented release of hemolymph and mucus, body out of the shell and penile overexposure during and after exposure. Teratogenic effects were evidenced at all embryonic stages. The difference in results obtained in adults and embryos reinforces the importance of carrying out analyzes at different developmental stages. The serial assays established with SDS for B. glabrata showed efficiency and constancy conditions for the ecotoxicity assays with good laboratory practice standards.
Effect of SIRS, Sepsis and Chemotherapy on Rocuronium Muscle Relaxation: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Liu Chenxi , Liu Siqi , Yang Hang , Song Xuesong
Published: December 2022

Background

Studies have shown that systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis and chemotherapy can attenuate the muscle relaxing effect of rocuronium, prolong the onset of muscle relaxation as well as shorten the maintenance and recovery time. However, there are few reports on this phenomenon.

Case presentation

Case 1 was a 47-year-old Chinese male with gastric remnant cancer, who had a sudden onset of abdominal pains after SOX chemotherapy, and underwent an emergency abdominal CT suggesting gastrointestinal perforation. An emergency abdominal exploratory surgery was performed, after which the intraoperative recovery of spontaneous breathing and abdominal muscle tension occurred several times. Case 2 was a 71-year-old Chinese male who underwent an emergency borehole drainage for a sudden cerebral hemorrhage. His intraoperative mechanical ventilation mode showed multiple respiratory waveform changes, which were considered as the recovery of spontaneous breathing. Case 3 was a 43-year-old Chinese female diagnosed with breast cancer, who underwent a radical elective breast cancer surgery after a chemotherapy through the AC-T regimen. Intraoperatively, a significant muscle fibrillation was developed during lymph node dissection.

Conclusion

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis and chemotherapeutic factors could be associated with a poor effect of intraoperative rocuronium muscle relaxation, whose specific mechanisms need to be further clarified.
Impact of a primary care pharmacist intervention on pregnant women`s medication use: The SafeStart intervention study linked to a national prescription database
Authors: Ngo Elin , Truong Maria Bich-Thuy , Nordeng Hedvig
Published: December 2022

Background Prior studies show that pharmacists’ consultations are highly appreciated by pregnant women and feasible in community pharmacies. However, it is unknown whether such counselling has an impact on medication use during pregnancy. Aim This study aimed to assess whether a pharmacist consultation in early pregnancy was associated with pregnant woman’s utilization of medications with focus on antiemetic medications. Methods The SafeStart study recruited Norwegian, pregnant women in the first trimester between February 2018 and February 2019. Women in the intervention group received a pharmacist consultation in a community pharmacy or by phone. An online follow-up questionnaire was completed 13 weeks after enrollment. Data from the SafeStart study was linked to the Norwegian Prescription Database. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between the pharmacists’ intervention and medication use in second trimester. Results The study included 103 women in the intervention group and 126 women in the control group. Overall prescription fills in the first and second trimester was 55.3% and 44.7% (intervention group) and 49.2% and 51.6% (control group), respectively, as registered in the Norwegian Prescription Database. In total, 16–20% of women in the first trimester and 21–27% of women in the second trimester had a prescription on antiemetic medication. The pharmacist intervention was not associated with women`s self-reported medication use nor prescribed medications in the second trimester. Conclusion The pharmacist consultation had no impact on pregnant women`s use of medications. Future pharmacist consultations should focus on other outcome factors, such as risk perception, knowledge level, and use of other healthcare services.
Designing a Digital Twin of Weld Fatigue Based on Grid Interpolation and Equivalent Structural Stress Methods
Authors: He Xiwang , Yang Liangliang , Lai Xiaonan , Zhang Fan , Zhou Dongcai , Song Xueguan
Published: December 2022

This paper presents a digital twin (DT) to realize the prediction of weld fatigue for large and complex engineering equipment. Digital twin in this context consists of an equivalent structural stress method based on grid interpolation, radial basis function (RBF), and fatigue damage estimation which is adopted to calculate the remaining useful life (RUL). At first, methods for structural stress of tetrahedral mesh calculation are presented. This method provides trained data for the RBF model to realize the online prediction of structural stress since the complexity of the engineering structure. The predicted real-time stress values feed the fatigue damage model of the weld joint. The model combines the main S-N curve of the weld structure, the rainflow counting method, and the linear damage accumulation method to online calculate the RUL of the weld joint. Moreover, the boom weld of telehandlers is an example to validate the proposed framework for structural stress prediction and RUL estimation of the engineering equipment. The results show that the equivalent structural stress method based on grid interpolation can implement the structural stress analysis of tetrahedral mesh. Most importantly, a compensated radial basis function (C-RBF) is developed to realize structural stress prediction in real-time and online RUL estimation. The C-RBF method can improve prediction accuracy compared with the RBF method. All in all, the proposed framework can leverage the advantages of DT for the fatigue online analysis of weld joints, and then promote the development of DT in engineering applications.
Laparoscopic Umbilical Resection of Urachal Remnants: An Optimal Surgical Method
Authors: Yuki Hideo , Ohkubo Naoya , Kurashina Ryo , Sakamoto Kazumasa , Suzuki Issei , Takei Kohei , Betsunoh Hironori , Nukui Akinori , Yashi Masahiro , Kamai Takao
Published: December 2022

Background
To date, there is no standard established laparoscopic surgical method for managing urachal remnants because of their rarity, and several questions remain unanswered. This study aimed to determine the optimal surgical method for managing urachal remnants and presents the operative outcomes of our cases in relation to the findings from the existing literature.
Methods
We analyzed the data of 16 patients (7 women and 9 men; age range, 19–48 years) who underwent surgery for urachal remnants between January 2013 and March 2019 at our institution.
Results
In our cases, all urachal remnants were urachal sinuses, and the primary complaints were umbilical pain and pus discharge. Most of these symptoms were controlled using umbilical drainage and oral antibiotic intake; however, incisional drainage was required in two cases. In all cases, we performed a laparoscopic resection of the urachal remnants; one patient underwent an open conversion due to a very thick abdominal wall. A postoperative complication—local infection that was treated using re-suturing—was observed in one patient. No adverse events occurred in the other cases. Our method was appropriate because it allowed for complete urachal resection with good cosmetic results, i.e., a small and natural scar appearance. Additionally, if bladder injury occurred, bladder re-suturing was easily possible because of the laparoscopic port’s position.
Conclusions
We present an optimal method for laparoscopic urachal resection. This method may be recommended for young patients with an abdominal wall thickness of < 2 cm.
Intrafraction motion during CyberKnife® prostate SBRT: impact of imaging frequency and patient factors
Authors: Rose Clarecia , Ebert Martin A. , Mukwada Godfrey , Skorska Malgorzata , Gill Suki
Published: December 2022

Purpose: To determine the relationship between imaging frequencies and prostate motion during CyberKnife stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer. Methods: Intrafraction displacement data for 331 patients who received treatment with CyberKnife for prostate cancer were retrospectively analysed. Prostate positions were tracked with a large variation in imaging frequencies. The percent of treatment time that patients remained inside various motion thresholds for both real and simulated imaging frequencies was calculated. Results: 84,920 image acquisitions over 1635 fractions were analysed. Fiducial distance travelled between consecutive images were less than 2, 3, 5, and 10 mm for 92.4%, 94.4%, 96.2%, and 97.7% of all consecutive imaging pairs respectively. The percent of treatment time that patients received adequate geometric coverage increased with more frequent imaging intervals. No significant correlations between age, weight, height, BMI, rectal, bladder or prostate volumes and intrafraction prostate motion were observed. Conclusions: There are several combinations of imaging intervals and movement thresholds that may be suitable for consideration during treatment planning with respect to imaging and CTV-to-PTV margin calculation, resulting in adequate geometric coverage for approximately 95% of treatment time. Rectal toxicities and treatment duration need to be considered when implementing combinations clinically.
Electro-microgellation of CS/PL spheres self-embedded with in situ AgNPs formation as a losartan delivery system
Authors: Zidan Mostafa M. , Reicha Fikry M. , Gabr Mohamed M. , Elmezayyen Ayman S.
Published: December 2022

Given rise to a green chemistry, in a single step, electro-microgelation of chitosan (CS)-pullulan (PL) hybrid system self-embedded with in situ formed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) avoiding the presence of reducing and/or crosslinking agent was prepared and introduced as a drug carrier system of losartan as a model drug. The formation, morphology, size distribution, compositional and structural features of the microgel and AgNPs have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV– visible measurements (UV–vis). The compositional and structural features of the microgels were revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), induced coupled plasma (ICP) and Zeta potential analysis. Losartan (LOS) entrapment within the microgel network possibility was examined using UV–Vis and TEM measurements. The results revealed that a uniform AgNPs with average narrow size distribution 5.4 nm and border to border interparticle distance 1.22 nm successfully self-embedded within in situ electrosynthesised chitosan-pullulan hybrid microgels of a dual size distribution (151.4 and 43.5 nm) with a positive surface charge +25 ± 5.18 mV guarantee the electrostatic repulsion between the particles. Besides, the incorporation of AgNPs during the electrosynthesis process played a crucial role in the morphology transition from pearl-necklace to microsphere structure. Furthermore, stability examination of the colloidal microgel particles introduced that the single particle contains Ag + ions undergo a slow reduction rate in consistency with a nucleation favored over growth. On the other hand, the obtained microgel particles have a good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Investigation of the ability of the losartan incorporation inside the microgel particles during the microgel preparation explored that a stable core/shell like structure (core: losartan and shell: AgNPs@CS/PL) was effectively formed with average size 95 nm and zeta potential +39 mV promoting the particles stability.
Convergence and stability of the Milstein scheme for stochastic differential equations with piecewise continuous arguments
Authors: Zhang Yuhang , Song Minghui , Liu Mingzhu
Published: December 2022

This work develops the Milstein scheme for commutative stochastic differential equations with piecewise continuous arguments (SDEPCAs). As far as we know, although there have been several papers considering the convergence and stability for different types of numerical solutions on SDEPCAs, none of these numerical methods has a convergence order of more than one-half. However, it is well known that the Milstein-type method for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) or stochastic delay differential equations (SDDEs) has a strong convergence order of one, which is better than the convergence order of the Euler-type method. Accordingly, we first construct the Milstein method for SDEPCAs in this paper and then show its convergence order can also reach one. Finally, we prove that the Milstein method can preserve the stability of SDEPCAs. In the last section, we provide several illustrative examples to show that the convergence rate and the stability of the Milstein simulations are consistent with the theoretical results.
Gestational hypertension complicated with adrenocortical carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Qiang Xiaoteng , Bai Qing , Li Yin , Huang Jing , Ma Xuemei , Wang Weiwei
Published: December 2022

This paper reports a rare case of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in pregnancy with gestational hypertension as the main clinical manifestation. Hypertensive diseases in pregnancy should receive enough attention to identify and exclude the possibility of adrenal diseases, thereby making a timely diagnosis and active treatment.
Construction and validation of a gene expression classifier to predict immunotherapy response in primary triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Ensenyat-Mendez Miquel , Orozco Javier , Llinàs-Arias Pere , Iñiguez-Muñoz Sandra , Baker Jennifer , Salomon Matthew , Martí Merce , DiNome Maggie , Cortés Javier , Marzese Diego
Published: December 2022

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) improve clinical outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. However, a subset of patients does not respond to treatment. Biomarkers that show ICI predictive potential in other solid tumors, such as levels of PD-L1 and the tumor mutational burden, among others, show a modest predictive performance in patients with TNBC.
Methods: We built machine learning models based on pre-ICI treatment gene expression profiles, to construct gene expression classifiers to identify primary TNBC ICI-responder patients. This study involved 132 ICI-naïve and 721 specimens treated with ICI plus chemotherapy, including TNBC tumors, HR+/HER2- breast tumors, and other solid non-breast tumors.
Results: A 37-gene TNBC ICI predictive (TNBC-ICI) classifier showed a high performance in predicting pathological complete response (pCR) to ICI plus chemotherapy on an independent TNBC validation cohort (AUC=0.86). The TNBC-ICI classifier showed better performance than other previously established molecular signatures, including PD-1 (PDCD1) and PD-L1 (CD274) gene expression (AUC=0.67). Integrating molecular signatures did not improve the efficiency of the classifier (AUC=0.75). TNBC-ICI displayed a modest accuracy in predicting ICI response in two different cohorts of HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients (AUC: 0.72-0.76). Evaluation of six cohorts of patients with non-breast solid tumors treated with ICI plus chemotherapy showed overall poor performance (median AUC=0.67).
Conclusion: TNBC-ICI predicts pCR to ICI plus chemotherapy in patients with primary TNBC. The study provides a guide to implementing the TNBC-ICI classifier in clinical studies. Further validations will consolidate a novel predictive panel to improve the treatment decision-making for patients with TNBC.
Development of a novel integrated isothermal amplification system for detection of bacteria-spiked blood samples
Authors: Li Jin , Shang Mei-Yun , Deng Shao-Li , Li Min , Su Ning , Ren Xiao-Dong , Sun Xian-Ge , Li Wen-Man , Li Yu-Wei , Li Ruo-Xu , Huang Qing , Lu Wei-Ping
Published: December 2022

Bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by bacteria is highly pathogenic and lethal, and easily develops whole-body inflammatory state. Immediate identification of disease-causing bacteria can improve patient prognosis. Traditional testing methods are not only time-consuming, but such tests are limited to laboratories. Recombinase polymerase amplification combined with lateral flow dipstick (RPA-LFD) holds great promise for rapid nucleic acid detection, but the uncapping operation after amplification easily contaminates laboratories. Therefore, the establishment of a more effective integrated isothermal amplification system has become an urgent problem to be solved. In this study, we designed and fabricated a hermetically sealed integrated isothermal amplification system. The system integrates recombinase polymerase amplification assays (RPA assays), lateral flow dipsticks detecting amplicons (LFD), detection devices, and matched metal heat blocks. Combining with the isothermal amplification system, a set of RPA-LFD assays for detecting S. aureus, K. peneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenza in BSI were established and evaluated. The whole process could be completed in less than 15 min and the results can be visualized by the naked eye. Established RPA-LFD assays showed good specificity and sensitivity. In addition, a retrospective confirmation of 60 bacteria-spiked blood samples identified by mass spectrometry was performed by the newly developed integrated isothermal amplification system. The developed RPA-LFD assays displayed a good sensitivity, and no cross-reactivity was observed in seven similar bacterial genera. The results obtained with 60 clinical samples indicated that the developed RPA-LFD assays had high specifcity and sensitivity for identifying S. aureus, K. peneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenza in BSI. Our results showed that the developed RPA-LFD assay is an alternative to existing PCR-based methods for detection of S. aureus, K. peneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenza in BSI in primary hospitals.
Labor reintegration: A nonlinear process
Authors: Vivas Ana María Velasco , Díaz-Bambula Fátima
Published: December 2022

The objective of this article is to present a reading of the labor reintegration process. This study addresses the labor reintegration process of people who return to work after having been disabled for long periods of time regardless of the origin (common or work). This phenomenon has received different names in Spanish: reincorporation, return and reintegration. Thus, it has been difficult to understand. In some studies, it has been viewed as a result, while in others, it has been viewed as a process.
Method: A qualitative study was conducted using the biographical method and the discursive interview technique with 11 participants. Content analysis and narrative lines were used.
Results: Labor reintegration is a complex, multidimensional, multitemporal and multidirectional phenomenon. It is not a single process. It can entail multiple processes, since it depends on the experiences of those who live it, the contexts and the organizations where it is developed in a regulatory-administrative process that begins with the end of the period of labor inability, whose onset occurs with the same health-disease event.
Conclusion: The phenomenon must be understood in terms of the psychosocial aspect and transcend the normative reading related to safety and health at work. It must shift from being a model focused on insurability to a model focused on workers’ health.
Case-based Learning Combined with Concept Mapping improves medical students' learning outcomes of biochemistry
Authors: Zhou Taimei , Wen Zhichao , Wang Haiying , Jiang Xinglin
Published: December 2022

Background: Case-based learning (CBL) and concept mapping (CM) are two important strategies in medical education. This study aimed to assess the effects of CBL combined with CM on medical students' learning in biochemistry course via comparison with didactic lectures.
Methods: A total of 60 medical students from Hunan University of Medicine (China) in the first semester of their sophomore year were included in this study. Among them, 30 students were introduced to the innovative program consisting of CBL and CM, and 30 students attending didactic lectures formed the control group. A terminal examination and Likert questionnaires were employed to investigate the efficacy and possible advantages of the combination of CBL and CM when compared with didactic lectures.
Results: Students attending the innovative program got higher scores in the final examination than those received didactic lectures. Majority students enjoyed the
combination use of CBL and CM, and they generally approved oftheir positive effects on improving logical thinking abilities and helping to bridge the gap between the basic science and clinical practice. Moreover, 90% (27/30) students declared they would use CBL and CM in their future studies and works.
Conclusion: The combination of CBL and CM had positive effects on learning outcomes of biochemistry and medical students' opinions regarding their combination were overwhelmingly positive.
Overexpression of POU3F2 promotes radioresistance in triple-negative breast cancer via Akt pathway activation
Authors: Xie Guozhu , zhnaghan Han , Zheng Jieling , Fu Yiming , Ling Jing , Liu ZiShen , Lin Xiaotong , Dong Xin , Sun Yao , Tan Tingting , Guo Zhaoze
Published: December 2022

Purpose: POU3F2 is associated with malignant behaviors and poor prognosis in cancer. However, the function and mechanism of POU3F2 in breast cancer remains to be elucidated. The purpose of our study was to explore the role of POU3F2 in triple-negative breast cancer and radiotherapy.
Methods:POU3F2 expression was examined by RT-PCR and Western Blot.Proliferation of cancer cells was measured by MTT assay.Migration of cancer cells was determined by Transwell assay and wound healing assay.To determine which proteins interact with POU3F2,co-IP was preformed.Survival analysis was performed by online database resources GEPIA and The Kaplan–Meier plotter.DNA damage after radiation was examined by Comet Assay.Radiosensetivity was evaluated with Clonogenic survival assays.Tumor xenograft was established with MDA-BA-231 breast cancer cells in BALB/c nude mice to explore the effect of POU3F2 in vivo.
Results:We found that the expression of POU3F2 was significantly elevated in breast cancer cells, and higher POU3F2 expression was related to poor prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Functional assays revealed that POU3F2 promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, knock-down of POU3F2 decreased the radioresistance of TNBC cells in vitro. Furthermore, POU3F2 could enhance the activation of the Akt pathway by interacting with ARNT2, thereby promoting proliferation and radioresistance in TNBC cells.
Conclusions:Our results provide the first evidence that high expression of POU3F2 promotes radioresistance in triple negative breast cancer via Akt pathway activation by interacting with ARNT2.
Short-term exposure to dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits LPS-induced IκBζ expression in macrophages: implications for the pharmacological activity of DMF
Authors: Zhang Yong , Tang Jingshu , Zhou Yujun , Xiao Xiong , Chen Qiuyu , Wang Hongyue , Lan Jiaqi , Wu Lei , Peng Ying
Published: December 2022

Background The pharmacological activity of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in treating psoriasis and multiple sclerosis (MS) is not fully understood. DMF is hydrolysed to monomethyl fumarate (MMF)in vivo, which is believed to account for the therapeutic effects of DMF. However, previous studies have provided evidence that DMF also enters the circulation. Given that DMF is short-lived in the blood, whether DMF has a therapeutic impact is still unclear. Methods Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated RAW264.7 cell activation was used as a model of inflammation to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of short-term DMF exposurein vitro. Whole blood LPS stimulation assay was applied to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of DMF and MMF in vivo. Griess assay was performed to examined nitrite release. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors were measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR), ELISA and Western blot. Depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) was evaluated by Ellman’s assay. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to evaluate DMF effects on Nrf2-ARE pathway activation, promoter activity ofNfkbizand mRNA stability ofNfkbiz. Binding of STAT3 to the IκBζ promoter were examined using Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Results Short-term exposure to DMF significantly inhibited the inflammatory response of RAW264.7 cells and suppressed LPS-induced IκBζ expression. Importantly, oral DMF but not oral MMF administration significantly inhibited IκBζ transcription in murine peripheral blood cells. We demonstrated that the expression of IκBζ is affected by the availability of intracellular GSH and regulated by the transcription factor Nrf2 and STAT3. DMF with strong electrophilicity can rapidly deplete intracellular GSH, activate the Nrf2-ARE pathway, and inhibit the binding of STAT3 to the IκBζ promoter, thereby suppressing IκBζ expression in macrophages. Conclusion These results demonstrate the rapid anti-inflammatory effects of DMF in macrophages, providing evidence to support the direct anti-inflammatory activity of DMF.
Prevention of myopia shift and myopia onset using 0.01% atropine in premyopic children - A Prospective, Randomized, Double-masked, Crossover Trial
Authors: Wang Weiqun , Zhang Fengyan , Yu Shiao , Ma Nana , Huang Congcong , Wang Ming , Wei Li , Zhang Junjie , Fu Aicun
Published: December 2022

To evaluate the efficacy of 0.01% atropine eye drops in preventing myopia shift and myopia onset in premyopic children. A prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted over 13 months. Sixty premyopic children aged 6–12 years with cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (SER) > -0.75 D and ≤ + 0.50 D in both eyes were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive one drop of 0.01% atropine or placebo once nightly for 6 months (period 1), followed by a 1-month recovery period. Then, the 0.01% atropine group was crossed over to the placebo group, and the latter was crossed over to the 0.01% atropine group for another 6 months (period 2). The primary outcomes were changes in SER and axial length (AL), and the secondary outcomes were the proportion of myopia onset (SER ≤ -0.75D) and fast myopic shift (change in SER ≤ -0.25D) in the two periods. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model performed statistically significant treatment effect of 0.01% atropine compared with placebo (pSER = 0.02, pAL < 0.001), with a mean SER and AL difference of 0.20D (-0.15 ± 0.26D vs. -0.34 ± 0.34D) and 0.11mm (0.17 ± 0.11mm vs. 0.28 ± 0.14mm) in period 1, and 0.17D (-0.18 ± 0.24D vs. -0.34 ± 0.31D) and 0.10mm (0.15 ± 0.15mm vs. 0.24 ± 0.11mm) in period 2. GEE model showed that the proportion of myopia onset (p = 0.004) and fast myopic shift (p = 0.009) were significantly lower in the 0.01% atropine group than that in the placebo group. The period effect was not statistically significant (all p > 0.05). 0.01% atropine significantly prevented myopic shift, axial elongation, and myopia onset in premyopic schoolchildren in central Mainland China. Conclusions: Within the limits of only two consecutive 6-month observation period, 0.01% atropine eye drops effectively prevented myopic shift, axial elongation, and myopia onset in premyopic children. Trial registration: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2000034760). Registered 18 July 2020.
Homemade 100 pair base DNA ladder Based on bacterial plasmid pMAL-C2X
Authors: Badreh Firuzeh , Jahanbin khodakaram , khodadadi Ali , zadeh Ali khorasani , sharifat Moosa , khayati Milad , Rashno Mohammad
Published: December 2022

Background: Most molecular biology research findings require markers such as DNA ladders to detect and quantify nucleic acid fragments length by electrophoresis in routine task. Methods: In this study, we report a method to prepare a 100 pair base DNA ladder based on PCR technique. The bacterial plasmid pMAL-C2X was used as the template DNA in PCR. PCR products were extracted by phenol/chloroform, precipitated with ethanol and mixed proportionally. Results: Finally, a set of 7 primers (5 Revers and 2 Forward) successfully designed. The amplified PCR fragments were quantified by nanodrop and the bands size were estimated by gel electrophoresis along with a co-migrating commercial 100 bp ladder in 1.5% agarose gel. The results indicated that the clear and sharp bands of 100–1000 bp were successfully generated by one reaction in PCR. Conclusions: Our homemade product is a competitive product with a commercial market and can be prepared with a simple and inexpensive method and low probability of non-specific band.
Investigation on the Positive Chronotropic Action of 6- Nitrodopamine in the Rat Isolated Atria
Authors: Britto-Júnior José , Lima Antonio Tiago , Fuguhara Vivian , Monica Fabiola Z. , Antunes Edson , Nucci Gilberto
Published: December 2022

6-Nitrodopamine (6-ND) is released from rat isolated atria being 100-times more potent than noradrenaline and adrenaline, and 10,000-times more potent than dopamine as a positive chronotropic agent. The present study aimed to investigate the interactions of 6-ND with the classical catecholamines, phosphodiesterase (PDE)-3 and PDE4 and the protein kinase A in rat isolated atria. Atrial incubation with 1 pM of dopamine, noradrenaline or adrenaline had no effect on atrial frequency. Similar results were observed when the atria were incubated with 0.01 pM of 6-ND. However, co-incubation of 6-ND (0.01 pM) with dopamine, noradrenaline or adrenaline (1 pM each) resulted in significant increases in atrial rate, which persisted over 30 min after washout of the agonists. The increased atrial frequency induced by co-incubation of 6-ND with the catecholamines was significantly reduced by the voltage-gated sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (1 mM, 30 min), indicating that the positive chronotropic effect of 6-ND is due in part to activation of nerve terminals. Pre-treatment of the animals with reserpine had no effect on the positive chronotropic effect induced by dopamine, noradrenaline or adrenaline; however, reserpine markedly reduced the 6-ND (1 pM)-induced positive chronotropic effect. Incubation of the rat isolated atria with the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 (1 mM, 30 min) abolished the increased atrial frequency induced by dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline, but only attenuated the increases induced by 6-ND. 6-ND induces catecholamine release from adrenergic terminals and increases atrial frequency independently of PKA activation.