bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of genes and signaling pathways associated with severe COVID-19: high-throughput data analysis with a system virology approach
Authors: Mostafavi Behnam , Forghani-Ramandi Mohammad-Moien , Yaslianifard Somayeh , Alizadeh Mohammad , Dayer Asma , Asgari Zeynab , Mozhgani Sayed‑Hamidreza
Published: January 2023

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused over six million deaths worldwide so far. COVID-19 has presented a variety of severities and outcomes which is able to damage many different organs. In this study, we aimed to identify factors responsible for severe illness and also alterations caused by the virus in various organs at the molecular level.
First, after preprocessing steps, we chose one mRNA expression profile (GSE164805) for further analysis. Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) were screened with the Limma R package and considered for the PPI network construction. By maximizing co-expression value, we constructed subnetworks and subjected them to the Gene Sets Net Correlation Analysis (GSNCA). Successfully passed clusters were subjected to enrichment analysis.
From 60k genes, 7106, 3151, and 1809 genes were considered as DEGs in normal vs. mild, normal vs. severe, and mild vs. severe comparisons, respectively, with p < 0.05 and |LogFC| > 2 as thresholds. PPI network analysis resulted in 17 modules, and 11 of them successfully passed GSNCA analysis with a P value < 0.05. Enrichment analysis culminated in identifying genes and signaling pathways with possible roles in the establishment of severe disease. We noticed considerable similarities between altered signaling pathways in COVID-19 and various malignancies. In addition, we detected alterations of pathways that can help to explain neurological involvement.
Synthesis and Characterization of MoS 2 Nanoflowers Decorated Amino Cellulose Derivatives: An Innovative Approach for Anticancer Therapeutics
Authors: Nazir Farzana , Khan Areesha , Ashraf Iffat , Lughmani Faiza , Rafiq Bushra , Iqbal Mudassir
Published: January 2023

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was modified to amino cellulose (AC) derivatives, 6-deoxy-6-hydrazide cellulose, 6-deoxy-6-(N, N-diethyl) amine cellulose, and 6-deoxy-6-diethyltriamine cellulose (C-Hyd, C-DEA, and C-DETA). AC’s were used as supporting material for the MoS2 Nanoflowers (NFs) for the development of nanocomposites as cancer therapeutics. ACs-MoS2 nanocomposites were analyzed by using spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)-EXS, and Zeta potential. MoS2 NF loading, swelling, and degradation rate of ACs-MoS2 nanocomposites have been investigated. ACs-MoS2 nanocomposites were analyzed against four cancer cell lines NIH3T3, B16F10, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7 cell lines by using presto blue and LIVE/DEAD staining. Cell viability assay and fluorescence microscopy against four cell lines revealed that all AC’s-MoS2 nanocomposites with 5wt% MoS2 showed selective cytotoxicity for cancer cell lines as compared to normal fibroblast cell lines. Our findings revealed that amino cellulose derivatives loaded with MoS2 could be efficient candidates for skin and breast cancer therapy.
Madden Julian Oscillation moves faster as the meridional moisture gradient intensifies in a warming world
Authors: Dasgupta Panini , Roxy Mathew , Prajeesh A.G. , JS Saranya
Published: January 2023

Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), characterized by slow eastward moving (at an average speed of 5 m s-1) largescale cloud bands and associated circulations, is a dominant tropical phenomenon that impacts global weather and climate. Recent studies have reported significant changes in the MJO lifecycle during the post-satellite period (1979 onwards) due to the non-uniform tropical ocean warming. However, the relative roles of natural climate variability and anthropogenic impact in the observed MJO lifecycle change remain unclear and are yet to be determined. In this study, we investigate the observed and projected long-term changes in the MJO lifecycle during the 20th and 21st centuries using four 20th century reanalyses (NCEP-20CRV3, NCEP-20CRV2c, ERA-20C, and CERA-20C) and climate model simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) under different future emission scenarios. Here, we show for the first time a significant increase in the MJO phase speed by almost 1 m s-1 during the 20th century (1900–2014), potentially caused by the steepening of the meridional moisture distribution due to the increased moisture in the tropics compared to the extra-tropics. We also observe a prominent multidecadal variability of the MJO phase speed due to the changes in the zonal moisture distribution associated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Future climate projections under shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) from CMIP6 indicate an increase in the MJO phase speed by 0.10 (SSP1—sustainable path, low emission scenario), 0.68 (SSP2—intermediate emissions) and 1.18 (SSP5—high emission scenario) m s-1 during the 21st century (2015–2100), in response to further steepening of the meridional moisture distribution over the Indo-Pacific warm pool. The increasing MJO phase speed can potentially impact the MJO-related teleconnections and predictability of global weather and climate, and hence need to be monitored closely.
Hyperoside improves diabetic retinopathy by regulating TGF-β1/miR-200b/VEGF pathway
Authors: Yu Xu , Wu Hao , Zhou Lei , Wang Nana , Ben Meijie , Li Shasha , Wang Xiaoci , Yu Jiangyi , Zhao Yue , Zhou Xiqiao
Published: January 2023

Aims
To evaluate the efficacy of hyperoside and the role of TGF-β1/miR-200b/VEGF pathway in treating diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Methods
(1) Retinal endothelial cells (RECs) were cultured in the normal-glucose group (NG), high-glucose group (HG), mannitol group, high glucose + low-concentration hyperoside group, high glucose + high-concentration hyperoside group, normal glucose + miR-200b inhibitor group (NG + MI), normal glucose + normal control group (NG + NC), high glucose + miR-200b mimic group (HG + MM), and high glucose + normal control group (HG + NC). The viability, migration and tube formation of RECs, and the expressions of TGF-β1, miR-200b and VEGF in each group were detected and compared. (2) Eight Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used in the normal control group, and 32 SD rats established DR models were randomly divided into the four groups for DR group (DR), DR + low-dose hyperoside group, DR + high-dose hyperoside group, and DR + Calcium Dobesilate group. The tissue pathology and vasculopathy of rat retina, and the expressions of TGF-β1, miR-200b, and VEGF of retinal tissues in different group were tested and compared.
Results
(1) Excessive proliferation, migration and tube formation of RECs were induced by high glucose. The expressions of TGF-β1 and VEGF in HG were markedly up-regulated, but miR-200b levels were obviously down-regulated. However, hyperoside could significantly reverse the expressions of TGF-β1, VEGF and miR-200b; and inhibit high-glucose-induced over-proliferation of RECs dose-dependently. RECs viability and VEGF level were much higher in NG + MI than for NG but lower in HG + MM than for HG, while miR-200b level was substantially lower in NG + MI than for NG but higher in HG + MM than for HG. (2) The retinal pathological changes and vasculopathy in DR rats were more serious compared with normal rats. TGF-β1 and VEGF levels in DR rats retina were markedly up-regulated, while miR-200b levels were obviously down-regulated. However, hyperoside could notably reverse the expressions of TGF-β1, VEGF, and miR-200b in DR rat retina and alleviate retinal tissue injury and vascular lesions of DR rats dose-dependently.
Conclusion
Hyperoside could treat DR by regulating TGF-β1/miR-200b/VEGF pathway.
Pure and Antimony-doped Tin Oxide Nanoparticles for Fluorescence Sensing and Dye Degradation Applications
Authors: Deepika Garg , Singh Gurdeep , Rekhi Heena , Kaur Manpreet , Verma Rajpal , Singh Karamjit , Malik Ashok
Published: January 2023

Recently, fluorescent antimony doped tin oxide nanoparticles have attracted an enormous attention due to its low cost, chemical inertness and stability. In this study, we demonstrated a quick, facile and eco-friendly, economic hydrothermal/solvothermal synthetic method for the synthesis of fluorescent antimony doped (1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10%) tin oxide nanoparticles. The antimony doping in a reasonable range can change the properties of SnO2 and there occur a lattice distortion with increase in doping evidenced through crystallographic studies. Particular morphology and smaller size results in best photocatalytic degradation percentage of 80.86 % for malachite green (MG) dye with 10% Sb-doped SnO2in aqueous media. Moreover, fluorescent sensing studies shows highest quenching efficiency (27%) by 10 mol% Sb-doped SnO2 as compared to other undoped and doped samples with Cd2+ concentration 0.11μg/ml in the drinking water followed by limit of detection (LOD) as 0.0152 μg/ml. Thus, antimony doped tin oxide nanoparticles can be a promising material for fast and low cost analysis of cadmium ions.
Detection of Abusive Bengali Comments for Mixed Social Media Data Using Machine Learning
Authors: Sultana Sherin , Redoy Md Omur Faruk , Nahian Jabir Al , Masum Abu Kaisar Mohammad , Abujar Sheikh
Published: January 2023

Most people around the world use social media in their daily lives as a result we can see that it has become an integral part of our lives. Moreover, many people use social media for their livelihood. Social media has a lot of influence on our life from different aspects. Although there are many positive aspects, the trend of negative comments on social media has become a serious problem these days. Through this study, we have detected bad comments made in the Bengali language on social media using machine learning algorithms and measured those performances. Although much work has been done on this issue in other languages, it is scarce in the Bengali language. We have used six different types of machine learning algorithms for this study and the algorithms used are Logistic Regression (LR), Multinomial Naive Bayes (MNB), Random Forest (RF), Support vector machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Gradient Boosting (GB). Among all the algorithms used in this study, SVM gave the best results with an accuracy of 85.7%.
Expectations of Duplicate Gene Retention Under the Gene Duplicability Hypothesis
Authors: Wilson Amanda Erin , Liberles David
Published: January 2023

Background
Gene duplication is an important process in evolution. What causes some genes to be retained after duplication and others to be lost is a process not well understood. The most prevalent theory is the gene duplicability hypothesis, that something about the function and number of interacting partners (number of subunits of protein complex, etc), determines whether copies have more opportunity to be retained for long evolutionary periods. Some genes are also more susceptible to dosage balance effects following WGD events, making them more likely to be retained for longer periods of time. One would expect these processes that affect the retention of duplicate copies to affect the conditional probability ratio after consecutive duplication events. The probability that a gene will be retained after a second whole genome duplication event (WGD2), given that it was retained after the first whole genome duplication event (WGD1) versus the probability a gene will be retained after WGD2, given it was lost after WGD1 defines the probability ratio that is calculated.
Results
Since duplicate gene retention is a time heterogeneous process, the time between the events (t1) and the time since the most recent event (t2) are relevant factors in calculating the expectation for observation in any genome. Here, we use a survival analysis framework to predict the probability ratio for genomes with different values of t1 and t2 under the gene duplicability hypothesis, that some genes are more susceptible to selectable functional shifts, some more susceptible to dosage compensation, and others only drifting. Here we present a formalization of the gene duplicability hypothesis to characterize evolutionary dynamics and explanatory power in a recently developed statistical framework.
Conclusions
This work presents expectations of the gene duplicability hypothesis over time under different sets of assumptions. This expectation will enable formal testing of processes leading to duplicate gene retention.
Perinatal Outcomes Among Indian-born Mothers in Australia
Authors: Barthasarathy kanmani , LAM Louisa
Published: January 2023

Objective: To examine the incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes for Indian-born mothers compared to other mothers living and giving birth in Australia.
Design, setting and participants: This retrospective cohort study was designed to investigate all births in Australia in 2012 and those in the Monash Health Birthing Outcomes System (BOS) 2014 to Indian-born mothers in Australia. Data sets were analysed involving descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS vs 23).
Results: Indian-born mothers in Australia are at increased risk of induced labour, emergency caesarean section, very preterm birth (20 – 27 weeks), babies with low to very low birth weight, and low Apgar score (0-2) at 5 minutes, gestational diabetes, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin B12 deficiencies compared to other mothers giving birth in Australia. This is despite a range of protective factors (25–34 years, married, nonsmokers, and a BMI <30) that would normally be expected to reduce the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes for mothers giving birth in a developed country.
Conclusion: In the absence of many of the recognized maternal risk factors, young Indian-born mothers continue to face increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, despite access to high quality maternity care in Australia. Recommendations arising from this study include the need for an intervention study to identify maternal risk factors for Indian-born mothers in mid to late pregnancy that contribute to the risk for very preterm birth and low birth weight.
Comparative Analysis of the Reactivity of Anthocyanidins, Leucoanthocyanidins, and Flavonols using a Quantum Chemistry Approach
Authors: Farias Sergio Antônio de Souza , Costa Kauê Santana da , Martins João B. L.
Published: January 2023

In the present study, we performed a comparative structural, conformational, electronic, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the reactivity of the chemical structure of primary flavonoids, anthocyanidins, and leucoanthocyanidins. We focused our analysis on the following molecular questions: i) differences in cyanidin catechols (+)-catechin, leucocyanidin and quercetin; ii) the loss of a hydroxyl presents in the R1 radical of leucoanthocyanidin due to possible differences in the functional groups linked to C4 (ring C), and, iii) the electron affinity of the 3-hydroxyl group (R7) in the flavonoids delphinidin, pelargonidin, cyanidin, quercetin and kaempferol. For the analysis of the molecular properties, we used the density functional theory (DFT) to evaluate the formation of the covalent bonds and intermolecular forces. A broad analysis of quantum properties was performed using the assessment of the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface, electron localization function (ELF), Fukui functions, descriptors constructed from frontier orbitals, and nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS).
Management of diseases in a ruminant livestock production system: a participatory appraisal of the performance of veterinary services delivery, and utilization in Ghana
Authors: Nuvey Francis Sena , Mensah Gloria Ivy , Zinsstag Jakob , Hattendorf Jan , Fink Günther , Bonfoh Bassirou , Addo Kennedy Kwasi
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Sustainable livestock production remains of central importance for attaining food security globally and for securing the livelihoods of a sizeable proportion of people in developing countries. However, ineffective control of livestock diseases often reduces livestock productivity, results in animal mortalities, and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance. This study sought to assess the management strategies employed by farmers for priority diseases, and assess the utilization, and performance of veterinary services.
Methods: We conducted a mixed-method study in three districts representative of the northern, middle and southern farming belts of Ghana. We used semi-structured questionnaires to collect data from 350 ruminant livestock farmers and thirteen professional veterinary officers (VOs) in surveys. We also conducted seven focus group discussions (FGD) involving 65 livestock farmers. The survey data were analyzed, and the distribution of priority diseases, management strategies and performance of veterinary services described. FGD transcripts were analyzed deductively using NVivo. We used triangulation to validate findings across the different datasets.
Results: Almost all the farmers (98%) reared small ruminants, with about 25% also rearing cattle. Among small ruminants, the prevalent diseases were Pestes-des-Petits-Ruminants and Mange, while cattle suffered mainly from Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia and Foot-and-Mouth-Disease. About 82% of farmers used treatment, while only 20% used vaccination services. The antimicrobial medicines used in managing the diseases are poorly controlled and regulated by the veterinary system, and in most of the cases wrongly applied by farmers in treating the diseases. Farmers mainly use services of informal providers (51%), with only 33% utilizing VOs. The farmers perceived VOs to perform highly in terms of drugs availability and quality, treatment effectiveness, advisory services, service affordability, and competence, while the informal providers were better in proximity and popularity with farmers.
Conclusions: Vaccine preventable diseases are a key constraint to livestock production in Ghana. Although the VOs performed better on most indicators, their services are seldom used. The inability of the veterinary system to control antimicrobials used in animal production contributes to their misuse by farmers, thereby threatening food safety and security. New efforts to improve adoption of vaccination and antimicrobial stewardship are needed to achieve sustainable livestock production.
Influence of the scale factor on the constraint effect in welded joints with soft interlayers
Authors: Terentyev Egor , Zhgut Daria , Gudenko Alexandr , Marchenkov Artem , Borodavkina Kseniya , Kozyrev Khariton
Published: January 2023

The influence of the scale effect on the strength of mechanically inhomogeneous welded structures with a soft zone was studied. The investigated welded samples were made of two 12Kh18N10T austenitic steel plates and a low-carbon ferritic insert connected between them by two dissimilar welded joints performed by electron beam welding. Tensile strength as a function of relative thickness for tensile specimens with a thickness of 1.2 to 10 mm was plotted. It was shown that with a relative thickness of the soft zone in the range from 0.2 to 0.5, the scale effect did not manifest during tension. This can be explained by low plastic compressive deformations in the soft zone after heat treatment, which typically leads to a decrease in the constraint effect due to the Bauschinger effect.
Whole-genome sequencing to investigate Mycobacterium bovis strains circulating in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Perea Claudia , Ceres Kristina , Durán Uziel , Osa Silvia Tortosa la , Alonso Bernardo , Perera Alejandro , Gröhn Yrjo , Bravo Doris , Stuber Tod , Thacker Tyler , Robbe-Austerman Suelee
Published: January 2023

Background
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) is endemic in cattle in Latin America, and even though government programs exist for the control and eradication of the disease, efforts are hindered by the limited resources available for farmer compensation and program operation. Epidemiological surveillance and strain characterization are key for understanding disease dynamics, for which whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a powerful tool. Currently, there is limited information regarding bTB in the Caribbean, so the aim of this study was to use WGS to characterize M. bovis strains circulating in the Dominican Republic (DR).
Results
A total of 81 M. bovis isolates were obtained from cattle from different regions were sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic and ancestral reconstruction/temporal analyses were performed to investigate M. bovis genetic diversity, population structure, and potential dates of introduction into the Dominican Republic. Three main lineages were identified: DR1, DR2 (consisting of subgroups DR2a, DR2b, and DR2c), and DR3. Cluster analysis revealed at least four introductions of M. bovis during the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The most recent common ancestors to the DR lineages were linked to the United States, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, from where historical imports of cattle have occurred. Population structure analyses indicated that M. bovis is largely panmictic in the Dominican Republic, with no relationship between geographic location and genotype.
Conclusion
The current study provides important information regarding the origin of M. bovis strains circulating in the Dominican Republic, its genetic diversity and spread in the local cattle herds, providing a frame of reference for continuing M. bovis surveillance. Finally, this study significantly contributes to the worldwide M. bovis framework.
Economic Burden of Chronic Migraine in OECD countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Eltrafi Alyaa , Shrestha Sunil , Ahmed Ali , Mistry Hema , Paudyal Vibhu , Khanal Saval
Published: January 2023

Background
Chronic migraine (CM) is a headache disorder leading cause of disability worldwide. The condition is diagnosed when patients experience at least 15 headache days per month for at least three months. Due to the severe nature of CM, the illness is associated with a significant social, physical, and financial burden. Determining the costly components and overall economic burden of CM can help guide health policy decision-making. Thus, the objective of this systematic review is to summarise the economic burden of chronic migraines in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and analyze the methodology and findings of chronic migraine cost of illness studies
Methods
Databases (including MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL) were searched with a broad search strategy for studies that estimated the cost of illness of chronic migraines. The articles were limited to the English Language, from inception to October 2021 and only findings from OECD countries. Methodology features and key findings were extracted from the studies. The costs stated by the articles were converted to GBP to allow comparisons.
Results
The search identified thirteen eligible cost-of-illness studies conducted in OECD countries. The findings exhibited considerable direct and indirect costs associated with chronic migraine. The direct costs for chronic migraine ranged from GBP 1,754.52 to GBP 8,219.46 annually per person. In addition, hospitalisation and drugs cost was revealed to be profoundly burdensome direct healthcare cost. Whereas indirect costs ranged from £2579.07 to £48,810, and the total annual cost ranged from £6,443.41 to 53,446.38.
Conclusion
CM has a substantially high cost of illness across multiple OECD countries. However, there is a lack of research estimating the cost of illness. Current research is also limited to a low number of OECD countries. In addition, indirect costs are infrequently considered. Thus, there is an opportunity for further research in this area.
Influence of thoracoscopic operations on pulmonary function and postoperative recovery
Authors: Wu Di , Zhao Honglin , Li Xuanguang , Dong Ming , Li Xin , Liu Jinghao , Liu Minghui , Wang Jing , Xia Chunqiu , Yan Tingzhi , Liu Hongyu , Chen Jun
Published: January 2023

Background
Nowadays, the age of patients qualified for lung surgery has been lowered. These people have increasingly higher requirements for postoperative quality of life, which is closely related to pulmonary function (PF). Therefore, it’s meaningful to analyze the effects of different surgical methods on postoperative PF and postoperative recovery.
Methods
A total of 171 patients underwent thoracoscopic lung surgery were selected in our study: unilateral lobectomy (UL), unilateral sublobectomy (USL), and other surgical method (OSM). Other operations included unilateral/bilateral lobectomy and/or sublobectomy. Study indicators included patient general condition, PF and recovery condition.
Results
The USL was in the best condition during and after surgery. Then was OSM, USL was the worst. All the thoracoscopic operations significantly reduced PF and the loss of PF in the UL was significantly higher than USL. In the long-term observation, the loss of PF after lobectomy was almost the same. The compensatory capacity of the upper lobe was better than the lower lobe. The prediction models of PF cannot fully reflect the actual situation after operation. Our PF loss assessment table based on clinical data was constructed to correct existing models.
Conclusions
Surgeries had significant effects on PF, but these changes gradually disappeared after operation. The greatest affect were PEF and PEF%, the least were MVV and MVV%. The compensatory function of the upper lobe was better than lower one. The loss of PF in multiple lung tissue resection is equivalent to lobectomy. Our postoperative PF assessment table can better reflect the PF than existing prediction models.
Effect of manure and biochar on the aluminum, copper, and iron bioaccumulation by Salicornia species in soil
Authors: Ashrafi Fahime , Heidari Ava , Farzam Mohammad , Karimi Alireza , Amini Malihe
Published: January 2023

Experiments were conducted to investigate the ability of two species of Salicornia persica and Salicornia perspolitana to extract heavy metals, including aluminum, iron, and copper. In this study, manure and biochar were applied to improve performance. The two species of S. persica and S. perspolitana were grown outdoor in experimental pots. The effect of experimental treatments including manure and biochar on the two species was investigated. The results showed that biochar significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the accumulation of heavy metals in both S. persica and S. perspolitana. In biochar treatment, the values of heavy metals in roots and shoots were found to be 3327 mg/kg, 109.17 mg/kg for aluminum, 3527 mg/kg and 142.17 mg/kg for iron, and 73.93 mg/kg and 11.90 mg/kg for copper, respectively. In the manure treatment, the values of heavy metals in the roots and shoots were reported as 3993 mg/kg and 119.29 mg/kg for aluminum, 5542 mg/kg and 179.17 mg/kg for iron, and 78.67 mg/kg and 12.74 mg/kg for copper, respectively. In general, our findings showed that using biochar and manure in the soil allowed heavy metals to be stabilized, which reduced heavy metal accumulation in both S. persica and S. perspolitana. Heavy metal accumulation was higher in S. perspolitana than in S. persica.
RNA Binding Protein-related bioinformatics analysis reveals that PCF11 is a prognostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Gaoxiang , Song Yuxing , Zheng Zenan , Ai Yilong , Lv Xiaozhi
Published: January 2023

Background: RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play important roles in tumor carcinogenesis and progression. However, the underlying mechanisms of RBPs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are still unclear. This study was aimed to explore the prognostic value of RBP-related genes in OSCC.
Methods: Transcriptome and clinical data of OSCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and the differentially-expressed RBPs were screened via R software. Then, we constructed a risk model and preformed comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. After that, the prognostic related RBPs were screened out and verified by other cohorts from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database subsequently. In the end, the target RBP, were investigated in OSCC cell lines and in 84 OSCC patients.
Results: A total of 249 differentially-expressd RBPs were screened out and PPI networks were established. 7 prognostic RBPs were obtained via Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, we successfully established a prognostic model and plotted a nomogram to visualize this model. Subsequently, 5 RBPs were selected out by survival analysis and only PCF11 was significantly differentially-expressed in OSCC after verifying them in GEO database. GSEA analysis showed that low expression of PCF11 was associated with the enhancement of oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS) and proteasome. In addition, PCR and immunohistochemical staining results revealed that PCF11 expression were down-regulated in OSCC cells and tissues. And the down-regulation of PCF11 was remarkably showed in advanced OSCC patients.
Conclusions: RBPs might be potential biomarkers in OSCC, provided a novel target for the diagnosis and therapy of OSCC.
Effect of Repeated Intravitreal anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Drugs on Corneal Endothelium
Authors: QI Yuan-Yuan , ZHANG Fan , LI Chun-Shi , JIN Cui-Hua , XUE Xin-Xia , CHU Meng , YI Ling-ling , Zhang LI-jun
Published: January 2023

Objective
To investigate the potential effect of repeated intravitreal injection of anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth factor(anti-VEGF)drugs on corneal endothelium in patients with macular edema.
Methods
This is a prospective study in which a total of 64 patients (64 eyes) were treated with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF. There were 19 cases of neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD), 20 cases of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)and 25 cases of Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO). 29 cases were treated with Aflibercept (2mg/0.05ml) and 35 cases with Ranibizumab (0.5mg /0.05ml). 3 + PRN therapy was used. Corneal endothelial microscopy was used to measure the corneal thickness and corneal endothelium. The various changes in corneal thickness, corneal endothelial cell density, average cell area, coefficient of variation, and proportion of hexagonal cells were compared between one month after each injection and before injection.
Results
The proportion of corneal endothelial hexagonal cells (Hex%) in the operative eyes after the 2nd and 3rd injection was found to be significantly lower than that of baseline. Hex% in the operative eyes after the 4th injection was lower than that of baseline, 2nd as well 3rd injection and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The number of injections was irrelevant to the changes of corneal endothelium. There were no statistically significant differences in all corneal endothelial indexes in contralateral eye.
Conclusion
Repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs can affect the morphology of corneal endothelial cells. Thus, for patients with fundus disease who need multiple intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs, attention should be paid to the changes of corneal endothelium, especially for those suffering with diabetes, a history of eye surgery (such as cataract surgery), or patients with high intraocular pressure and other diseases that can adversely affecting corneal endothelium.
Efficiency of Botulinum Toxin Injection into the Arm on Postural Balance and Gait after Stroke
Authors: Lee Junhee , Park Ji Eun , Kang Byung Heon , Yang Seung Nam
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between improvement of spasticity in hemiplegic patient’s upper extremity with Botulinum toxin injection and improvement in postural balance and gait function. For this prospective cohort study, sixteen hemiplegic stroke patients with upper extremity spasticity were recruited. The plantar pressure with gait parameters, postural balance parameters, Modified Ashworth Scale, and Modified Tardieu Scale were evaluated before, 3weeks and 3months after Botulinum toxin A (BTxA) injection. Spasticity of hemiplegic upper extremity before, and after BTxA injection were significantly changed. Plantar pressure overload in affected side was reduced after BTxA injection. The mean X-speed and the horizontal distance decreased in postural balance analysis with eyes-opened test. Improvement in hemiplegic upper extremity spasticity showed positive correlation with gait parameters. In addition, improvement in hemiplegic upper extremity spasticity was positively correlated with change in balance parameters in postural balance analysis with eyes-closed and dynamic tests. This study focused on the effect of stroke patient’s hemiplegic upper extremity spasticity on their gait and balance parameters and identified that the BTxA injection on hemiplegic patient’s spastic upper extremity improve postural balance and gait function.
Oxidative stress and genotoxicity in oral epithelial cells of subjects undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Appliances
Authors: Ángeles-Estrada Lucía , Pérez-Soto Elvia , Pérez-Vielma Nadia Mabel , Gómez-López Modesto , Sánchez-Monroy Virginia
Published: January 2023

Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze changes in oxidative stress (OS) and the genotoxic damage in oral epithelial cells caused by fixed orthodontic appliances.
Materials and methods Samples of oral epithelial cells were obtained from fifty-one healthy voluntary subjects who had an indication for orthodontic treatment. The samples were obtained before and after 6- and 9-months starting treatment. OS was evaluated by quantitation of 8-hydroxy-2’deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and by relative gene expression of antioxidant enzymes Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT). DNA degradation and instability were evaluated by multiplex PCR and fragment analysis for human identification.
Results Quantitation of 8-OHdG evidenced increase during treatment, although not statistically significant. SOD showed increase of 2.5 and 2.6-fold after 6 and 9 moths of treatment. CAT shows an increase of 3-fold, after six months of treatment, while after 9 months of treatment the level expression decreased to level similar to that before treatment. DNA degradation was found in 8% and 12% of DNA samples after 6 and 9 months of treatment,respectively, while DNA instability was detected in only 2% and 8 % of DNA samples after 6 and 9 months of treatment, respectively.
Conclusions Results show light changes in OS and genotoxicity after fixed orthodontic appliances, but also suggesting a biological adaptation response to treatment after 6 months.
Clinical relevance OS in buccal cavity represents risk to oral and systemic diseases. Implementation of antioxidant supplementation, use of thermoplastic materials, and time reduction during orthodontic therapy may reduce the risk.
Microbial hazard identification and exposure assessment of raw milk consumption in Jimma zone, south west Ethiopia
Authors: Gume Beje , Berhanu Leykun , Kassa Tesfaye , Bediru Habib , Fikre Assegid Getaneh , Dadi Lelisa Sena , Mereta Seid Tiku
Published: January 2023

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia to evaluate the presence of five target pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter jejuni in raw milk and to assess the exposure level of consumers. Raw milk samples were analyzed in laboratory and semi-structured interview questions and observational checklists were administered to collect data on the amount and frequency of consumption. Statistical analysis of data obtained from laboratory results and questionnaire surveys were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Among the total of 150 raw milk samples collected from the study area, about 61.3% were found to be contaminated by one or more types of pathogens along the dairy value chain. The highest and the least bacterial counts recorded from E. coli and L. monocytogenes contamination in the milk were 4.88 log10cfu/ml and 3.45 log10cfu/ml respectively; whereas Campylobacter jejuni were totally absent in the retailer outlets. The mean concentrations of all pathogens demonstrated significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) using 95% confidence interval where the prevalence percentage of isolates increased as milk transported from dairy farms to the retail outlets. All pathogens were detected in the unsatisfactory level along the dairy value chain, particularly at retail outlets, where raw milk is ready for consumption. The estimated mean annual risk of acquiring intoxication of E. coli across retailer outlets is 100% whereas salmonellosis, S. aureus intoxication, and listeriosis are 84%, 65% and 63% respectively. The results of our study, therefore, demonstrated that the high annual probability of infection could be ascribed to the traditional production and consumption patterns of raw milk in Ethiopia. Consuming such ready-to-eat foods with unacceptable microbiological quality is one of the concerns that develop public health risks that increase the chance of food-borne illness. Hence, it requires regular monitoring and implementing hazard identification and critical control point principles along raw milk production to retail points.
NIBAN2 promotes osteogenic differentiation and antagonizes osteoporosis by regulating RUNX2 alternative splicing
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Yang Zhiqiang , Wei Renxiong , Zhang Yufeng , Chen Zhe , Lv Xuan , Deng Zhouming , Huang Zan , Xie Yuanlong , Cai Lin
Published: January 2023

Osteoporosis is characterized by excessive bone resorption and/or defects in bone formation. The identification of factors promoting osteoblast differentiation provides potential targets for osteoporosis therapy. Through integral analyses of multiple datasets, we discovered that NIBAN2 was tightly associated with bone formation and osteoporosis. NIBAN2 promoted osteoblast differentiation in vitro, and conditional Niban2 knockout in osteoblasts caused bone loss and insufficient mineralization in mice. Transcriptomic and mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated that NIBAN2 decreased the expression of repressive Runx2 alternative splicing transcripts. NIBAN2 did so by interacting with the Hnrnpu-cored spliceosome complex and switch components. In vivo, Niban2 rescued bone loss in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in mice. Thus, our research provides a potential anabolic therapy target for osteoporosis involving regulation of alternative splicing.
Polar Solomon Rings in Ferroelectric Nanocrystals
Authors: Wang Jing , Liang Deshan , Ma Jing , Fan Yuanyuan , Ma Ji , Jafri Hasnain , Yang Huayu , Zhang Qinghua , Wang Yue , Guo Changqing , Dong Shouzhe , Liu Di , Wang Xueyun , Hong Jiawang , Zhang Nan , GU Lin , Yi Di , Zhang Jinxing , Lin Yuan-Hua , Chen Long-Qing , Huang Houbing , Nan Ce-Wen
Published: January 2023

Solomon rings, upholding the symbol of wisdom with profound historical roots, had been widely used as decoration in ancient architecture and clothes. Yet, it was only recently discovered that such topological structures can be formed by self-organization in biological/chemical molecules, liquid crystals, etc. Here, we report the observation of polar Solomon rings in a ferroelectric nanocrystal, which are composed of two interwoven vortices and mathematically equivalent to a 412 link in topology. By combining piezoresponse force microscopy observations and phase-field simulations, we demonstrate the reversible switching between polar Solomon rings and vertex textures by an electric field. The two types of topological polar textures exhibit distinct absorption of terahertz infrared waves, which can be utilized in infrared displays with a nanoscale resolution. Our study establishes, both experimentally and computationally, the existence and electric manipulation of polar Solomon rings, a new form of topological polar structures, which may provide a simple way for fast, robust, and high-resolution optoelectronic devices.
The role of I4.0 in a data-driven shared platform for a Circular product and service package
Authors: Atif Sehrish
Published: January 2023

This study aims to explore the role of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies with the circular economy (CE) in the shadow of a Product Service System (PSS). Integrating innovative technologies creates a circular economic system that enhances the value and legitimacy of their trade. Recently, many global industries have shifted their focus towards product-based services to perpetuate in today’s competitive market without negatively influencing environmental detrition. This is the first study to highlight how the service-centric paradigm has a significant impact on the creation of circular products, the management of their lifecycles, and their cost analysis. Additionally, this study will advance our understanding of how I4.0 technologies use waste to create sustainable energy sources rather than consuming virgin resources (normally considered a linear model). This research used the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology to analyse and categorise a literature survey of 126 research articles published over ten years (2013-2022). The analysis indicates that the early research is mostly focused on defining the key variables (CE, I4.0, and PSS) and developing various frameworks to promote eco-efficient services and/or sustainable development using I4.0 technologies and is engineering focused. It is established that two propositions leverage CE; the first one is value co-creation, which enhances perceived value. In contrast, the other one is related to the application of data-driven platforms using I4.0 technologies for sculpting the strategy and other decision support. There need to be more studies analysing CE, I4.0, and PSS. Therefore, this study has analysed the suitability of the theoretical propositions regarding the impact of applying I4.0 technologies with CE and PSS towards this paradigm shift.
High-Resolution Population Genetic Structure of Tawny Crazy Ant (Nylanderia fulva Mayr: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Origin in South America and Introduced Regions of the United States
Authors: Holt Jocelyn R. , Lerma James Montoya , Calcaterra Luis A. , Raszick Tyler J. , Medina Raul F.
Published: January 2023

Background
The tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva Mayr) is native to South America and was first reported in the continental United States (US) in 1938. It was not until the 1990s in Florida and 2000s in Texas that this ant was considered a serious pest in the US. Tawny crazy ant (TCA) is currently considered an invasive pest in six US states and this ant’s invasion success is attributed in part to a unicolonial nature, multiple queens per nest, natural enemies release in the invasive range, and ability to detoxify venom from other competitor ant species. A limited number of low-density molecular markers have previously shown little genetic differentiation among TCA populations across their geographic distribution in the US.
Results
Using High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) we obtained high-density molecular markers (i.e., SNPs) for TCA samples. With 26,657 SNPs we identified genetic variation among TCA populations in different states across the US (i.e., Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida) and in South America (i.e., Argentina, Colombia, and Peru).
Conclusion
Our results underscore that for recently introduced invasive species, increasing the number of molecular markers used in population genetic studies can provide greater resolution. High-resolution information on regional genetic differences can help inform pest management strategies.
Plasma-derived exosomes contributes to Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in moyamoya disease
Authors: Liu Jilan , Chen Chao , Qin Xianyun , Lu Yan , Zhang Bin , Jin Feng
Published: January 2023

Moyamoya disease was a cerebrovascular disease with a high disability rate, and its pathogenesis was still unknown. Endothelium-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was the pathological basis of many vascular diseases, however, whether EndMT played a key role in moyamoya disease has not been reported. Multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry staining confirmed that CD31, VE-cadherin and E-cadherin were down-regulated, α-SMA and Vimentin were significantly up-regulated in moyamoya vascular endothelial cells. Therefore, we proposed for the first time that EndMT may exist in the vessels of moyamoya disease. Plasma-derived exosomes (PDEs) can transmit information between cells and tissues and are of great value in many disease studies. PDEs significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration, and make cells slender. PDEs induced EndMT phenotype changes in cerebral vascular endothelial cells including decreased endothelial cell markers expression and increased mesenchymal cell markers expression. We demonstrate that EndMT phenotypic alterations are mediated in part by microRNA. Thus, we concluded that PDEs induce the EndMT phenotype to promote the development of moyamoya disease. This study aimed to provide a new theoretical basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease.
How to measure snoring: A systematic review
Authors: Kim Su Geun , Cho Sung-Woo , Rhee Chae-Seo , Kim Jeong-Whun
Published: January 2023

Objective
Snoring is the most common and main symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. therefore, it should be managed effectively. Various methods of measuring snoring are available, and even if the measurement is performed the same way, communication is difficult because there are no common reference values between the researcher and clinician with regard to intensity and frequency, among other variables. In other words, no consensus regarding measurement has been reached. Therefore, this study aimed to review the literature related to the measurement of snoring, such as measurement devices, definitions, and device locations.
Methods
A literature search based on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases was conducted from the date of inception to April 30, 2022. Twenty-seven articles were included in this study. Papers that mentioned only the equipment used for measurement and did not include individual details were excluded from the study.
Results
Three representative methods for measuring snoring emerged. These include (1) a microphone, which measures snoring sound; (2) piezoelectric sensor, which measures snoring vibration; and (3) nasal transducer, which measures airflow. In addition, recent attempts have been made to measure snoring using smartphones and applications.
Conclusion
Numerous studies have investigated both obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. However, the methods of measuring snoring and snoring-related concepts vary across studies. To understand the pathophysiology underlying obstructive sleep apnea and address sleep-related diseases, consensus in the academic community on how to measure and define snoring is required.