bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remodeling Periodontal Osteoimmune Microenvironment Through MAPK/NFκB Phosphorylation Pathway of Macrophage via Intelligent ROS-scavenging
Authors: Qiu Xinyi , Peng Haoran , Zhao Yue , Yu Yijun , Yang Jie , Liu Chao , Ren Shuangshuang , Miao Leiying
Published: May 2023

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder which leads to the defect of tooth-supporting tissue, especially in alveolar bone. During this process, the polarization behavior of macrophages affects immune inflammation and bone regeneration in which reactive oxygen species(ROS) play an essential role. ROS level should be regulated to the physiological level to protect stem cells from the inflammatory immune microenvironment. Our previous study constructed a ROS-responsive nanoplatform (Pssl-NAC), which possessed ROS-responsive antioxidative effect and could be potentially applied in periodontitis. However, the connection among bone regeneration, inflammation and oxidative stress remained in osteoimmune regulation is not clear. To further investigate the mechanism of the way how Pssl-NAC works in the treatment of periodontitis would be meaningful. Here, we investigated the effect of PssL-NAC in the regulation of the osteoimmune microenvironment through macrophage polarization. Results show PssL-NAC regulated the macrophage polarization direction in an inflammatory environment by maintaining an appropriate level of intracellular ROS, in which the MAPK/NFκB phosphorylation pathway is particularly important. In the macrophage-hPDLSCs co-culture system, PssL-NAC treatment significantly enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. In vivo experiment further confirmed the M2 macrophages increased in the periodontal tissue of rats, and the expression of iNOS and p65 decreased after PssL-NAC treatment. In conclusion, PssL-NAC regulates the osteoimmune microenvironment and protects stem cells from oxidative stress injury for bone regeneration, which provides a strategy for the treatment of periodontitis.
Freshwater fungi from southern Australia: Microvesuvius unicellularis gen. et. sp. nov. and Achrochaeta rivulata sp. nov.
Authors: Fryar Sally , Catcheside David E.A.
Published: May 2023

During a survey of freshwater fungi in temperate southern Australia, two previously unknown anamorphic ascomycetes were found. The coelomycetous ascomycete was placed in the family Morosphaeriaceae (Pleosporales) as a new genus based on molecular data. We introduce the new genus and species Microvesuvius unicellularis with morphological and molecular data. The Dictyochaeta-like hyphomycete was placed in Achrochaetabased on both morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses using ITS, 28S, and tef1 sequences. Achrochaeta rivulata is the second species described within this genus.
Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma and Edmondson-Steiner grade using an integrated workflow of multiple machine learning algorithms
Authors: Han Likai , Peng Xiaojun , Hu Xingen , Ma Tianshi , Shu Zhenyu , Ru Guoqing , Gao Junshun , Yu Lili
Published: May 2023

Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is indeed a great challenge. Based on traditional methods, the specificity and sensitivity of US/AFP are insufficient to detect the early onset of HCC. In this study, we constructed a prediction model for HCC diagnosis and Edmondson-Steiner (ES) grade using machine learning algorithms. The prediction model was constructed based on CT/MRI images, blood AFP, and pathological diagnosis datasets of 171 patients from Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital. First, the automatic liver segmentation method of deep learning algorithm is used to locate the region of interest, and then PyRadiomics (engineering hard-coded feature algorithm) and Boruta (random forest algorithm) are used to extract and screen disease-related image features. By comparing the performance of various algorithms, we choose "plr" as the optimal algorithm for the HCC diagnosis model with AUC of 0.990, Kappa of 0.893 and accuracy of 0.952. "gbm" is the optimal algorithm for the ES grade prediction model with AUC 0.941, Kappa 0.777, and accuracy rate 0.902 in the TCGA-LIHC dataset. Compared with traditional diagnostic models based on clinical features, our model significantly improves the predictive performance. AUC increased from 0.733 to 0.933. This study shows that processing image data using deep learning methods can yield important features compared to conventional methods. Choosing an appropriate machine learning algorithm to build a predictive model can significantly improve the performance of disease diagnosis.
Latency Reduction in Heterogeneous 5g Networks Integrated With Reinforcement Algorithm
Authors: Kodavati Baburao , Ramarakula Madhu
Published: May 2023

Heterogeneous network is considered as key technologies involved in significant utilization of available unused spectrum. Through the implementation of heterogeneous network energy utilization is achieved through effective spectral efficiency with higher throughput. However, this heterogeneous network environment is subjected to the challenge of latency. To derive the complete potential of heterogeneous networks machine learning algorithms need to be adopted for a dynamic environment. In the case of a practical scenario, it is difficult to reduce the network latency due to the complex network nature. To overcome those limitations, this paper proposed a Q-learning Reinforcement learning (QleaRL) for reducing latency. The proposed QleaRL utilizes Cooperative Q - learning based on consideration of state, action, and reward. Through optimal policy, reinforcement learning is computed based on Q -values. The performance of the proposed QleaRL is evaluated for latency. Simulation of proposed QleaRL is examined in terms of numerical analysis. The performance of the proposed QleaRL exhibits superior performance than the fixed power allocation (FPA) and tabular Q learning.
Theoretical and Experimental Observations on Empowered EMI Shielding of Rare Earth Ion Infused α-MnO 2 Nano-rods
Authors: Mondal Dheeraj , Bhattacharya Debopriya , Mondal Tanmoy , Kundu Manisha , Sarkar Sujata , Mondal Indrajit , Mandal Tapas Kumar , Paul Biplab Kumar , Das Sukhen
Published: May 2023

In this communication, for the first time rare earth elements like Gd3+ and Er3+ ions are impregnated into the α-MnO2 tunneled structure involving the modified chemical synthesis route followed by hydrothermal technique. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectroscopy confirm the proper phase formation without any impurity. A theoretical in-depth DFT study for the electronic bands and variation of density of states with the infusion of rare earth elements into the host structure confirms the experimental findings and depicts the suitability of the material towards the EMI shielding application. The novel synthesis technique helps to achieve uniform nanorod formation with a high specific surface area. Doping-induced defects, high surface-to-volume ratio, Maxwell-Wagner–Siller interfacial polarization, etc lead to achieving high dielectric response with moderate tangent loss at frequency range 40Hz to 1MHz. Temperature-dependent dielectric behavior indicates the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition at 120 \(℃\) and 70 \(℃\) for the Gd- and Er-doped α-MnO2 samples respectively. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) has achieved a maximum of − 43 dB at 15.3 GHz and − 46 dB at 15.3 GHz for Gd- and Er-doped α-MnO2 thin layer of thickness ∼600 µm respectively. Higher dipolar polarization, loss tangent, conductive pathways, and defects inside the crystal lead to attaining a high EMI shielding efficiency. This result reveals > 99.999% EMI SE against the hazardous electromagnetic waves in the microwave/GHz frequency region.
Evaluating the facilitators and constraints that informed the adaptation of Family Integrated Care to a Ugandan neonatal hospital unit: a qualitative study
Authors: Kabajassi Olive , Reiter Anna , Tagoola Abner , Kenya-Mugisha Nathan , O’Brien Karel , Wiens Matthew O. , Feeley Nancy , Duby Jessica
Published: May 2023

Background: Family Integrated Care (FICare) is a model of care developed in a Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that engages parents to be active participants in their infant’s care team. FICare has the potential to have the greatest impact in low-income countries, where the neonatal mortality rate is disproportionately high and the health workforce is severely strained.
This manuscript details the facilitators and constraints that informed the adaptation of FICare to a neonatal hospital unit in Uganda
Methods: Focus groups of ten mothers and interviews of eight workers were conducted to identify facilitators and constraints to the implementation of FICare in Uganda. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive content analysis. An adaptation team of key stakeholders developed Uganda FICare in the Special Care Nursery in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital based on the results from the focus groups and interviews.
Results: The potential to reduce the healthcare provider workload, the desire to empower mothers and the pursuit to improve neonatal outcomes were identified as key facilitators. Maternal difficulty in learning new skills, lack of trust from healthcare providers and increased maternal stress were cited as potential barriers. Uganda FICare focused on task-shifting important but often neglected patient care tasks from healthcare providers to mothers. Healthcare providers were taught how to respond to maternal concerns. All intervention material was adapted to prioritize images over text. Mothers familiar with FICare were encouraged to provide peer-to-peer support and guidance to mothers with newly hospitalized infants.
Conclusions: Engaging stakeholders to identify the facilitators and constraints to local implementation is a key step in adapting an intervention to a new context. Uganda FICare shares the core values of the original FICare but is adapted to enhance its feasibility in low-resource settings.
Barriers and enablers to implementing Interprofessional Collaborative Teams in Primary Care: A narrative review of the literature using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research
Authors: Grant Amy , Kontak Julia , Jeffers Elizabeth , Lawson Beverley , MacKenzie Adrian , Burge Fred , Boulos Leah , Lackie Kelly , Marshall Emily Gard , Mireault Amy , Philpott Susan , Sampalli Tara , Sheppard-LeMoine Debbie , Martin-Misener Ruth
Published: May 2023

Background
Interprofessional collaborative teams (teams) have been introduced across Canada to improve access to and quality of primary care. However, the quality and speed of team implementation has been challenging and has not kept pace with increasing access issues. The aim of this research was to use an implementation framework to categorize and describe barriers and enablers to team implementation in primary care.
Methods
A narrative review that prioritized systematic reviews and evidence syntheseswas conducted. A search using pre-defined terms was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, and potentially relevant grey literature was identified through ad hoc Google searches and hand searching of health organization websites. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to categorize barriers and enablers into five domains: (1) Features of Team Implementation; (2) Government, Health Authorities and Health Organizations; (3) Characteristics of the Team; (4) Characteristics of Team Members; and (5) Process ofImplementation.
Results
Data were extracted from 19 of 435 articles that met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Most barriers and enablers were categorized into two domains of the CFIR: Characteristics of the Team and Government, Health Authorities, and Health Organizations. Key themes identified within the Characteristics of the Team domain were team-leadership, including designating a manager responsible for day-to-day activities and facilitating collaboration; clear governance structures, technology supports and tools that facilitate information sharing and communication; and a combination of formal and informal methods of communication. Key themes within the Government, Health Authorities, and Health Organizations domain were professional remuneration plans, regulatory policy, and interprofessional education that encourage and incorporate interprofessional competencies and values.
Conclusions
Barriers and enablers to implementing teams using the CFIR were identified, which enables stakeholders and teams to tailor implementation of teams at the local level to impact the accessibility and quality of primary care.
A Novel Application of Artificial intelligence technology for Outdoor High-Voltage Composite Insulators
Authors: BELHOUCHET Khaled , OUCHEN Lyamine , BAYADI Abdelhafid , ALTI Nadjim
Published: May 2023

This paper reports on a new approach for optimal design of corona rings on composite insulator. Finite element method combined with the experimental design methodology and Bat optimization method were used in order to minimize the maximum E-field along the insulator length, with the objective of increasing its long-term performance. Corona ring height (H), radius (R) and tube diameter (Dr) are the most important parameters in the design corona rings. They have been evaluated using different techniques and their optimization was achieved by minimizing the objective function using Bat algorithm which is one of the most recently developed nature-inspired optimization approaches. Simulation studies cover potential and electrical field distributions using COMSOL 4.3, which uses a numerical analysis technique based on Finite Element Method (FEM) were done. Reported results show that the optimized corona ring decreases significantly the electric field near its end fittings. That is, potential distribution will be more uniform with the presence of the optimized corona ring. By installing corona ring, the electric field improves about 58.6% compared with the threshold value. The results show that optimization using Bat algorithm as new methodology is efficient for designing corona rings on transmission line composite insulators and it presents more accurate result in finding the best solutions for corona discharges problems.
EZH2-mediated epigenetic silencing of tumor- suppressive let-7c/miR-99a cluster by hepatitis B virus X antigen enhances hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis
Authors: Wu Chen-Shiou , Chien Yi-Chung , Yen Chia-Jui , Wu Jia-Yan , Bai Li-Yuan , Yu Yung-Luen
Published: May 2023

Background
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded X antigen, HBx, assists in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through complex mechanisms. Our results provide new insights into the EZH2 epigenetic repression of let-7c that promotes HCC migration induced by HBx. Thus, let-7c and HMGA2 represent key diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of HBV-related HCC.
Results
We investigated the epigenetic regulation of let-7c, an important representative miRNA in liver tumor metastasis, in human HCC cells to verify the effect of HBx. Based on quantitative PCR (qPCR) of mRNA isolated from tumor and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues of 24 patients with HBV-related HCC, EZH2 expression was significantly overexpressed in most HCC tissues (87.5%). We executed a miRNA microarray analysis in paired HBV-related HCC tumor and adjacent non-tumorous liver tissue from six of these patients and identified let-7c, miR-199a-3p, and miR-99a as being downregulated in the tumor tissue. Real-time PCR analysis verified significant downregulation of let-7c and miR-99a in both HepG2X and Hep3BX cells, which stably overexpress HBx, relative to parental cells. HBX enhanced EZH2 expression and attenuated let-7c expression to induce HMGA2 expression in the HCC cells. Knockdown of HMGA2 significantly downregulated the metastatic potential of HCC cells induced by HBx.
Conclusions
The deregulation of let-7c expression by HBx may indicate a potential novel pathway through deregulating cell metastasis and imply that HMGA2 might be used as a new prognostic marker and/or as an effective therapeutic target for HCC.
Characterization of Partially Defatted Moringa Seed Flour Obtained at Different Temperatures
Authors: Pageo S. , García-Mares F. J. , Ortolá M.D. , Juan-Borrás M. , Soriano M.D. , Castelló M.L.
Published: May 2023

There is more and more interest in the search for new crops, which are well-adapted to climate change due to their low irrigation requirements and resistance to high temperatures. The plant, Moringa oleifera, is native to India and fulfils these characteristics. Moreover, each of its parts (leaves, pods, seeds, roots, flowers…) can be used for fodder, human food or pharmacological formulas due to the high levels in protein and antioxidants, among other components. This study focuses on the assessment of moringa defatted seeds (MDS) obtained after extracting oil from moringa seeds at different temperatures (from 70 to 220 ºC). Therefore, knowledge of their nutritional profile may offer up new possible uses in different food matrices, so contributing to the circular economy. The results showed that MDS had 50% proteins, 10% fats and 29% carbohydrates, the rest being water (4%) and ashes (7%). The highest temperature applied caused a significant reduction in the b* coordinate and luminosity, giving rise to MDS that were darker brown in color. This residue was rich in polyphenols (especially flavonols), which in some cases (p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and rutin) were enhanced at the highest temperature (220ºC), as was the total antioxidant capacity.
Not enough time to recover? Understanding the poverty effects of recurrent floods in the Philippines
Authors: Sauer Inga J. , Walsh Brian , Frieler Katja , Bresch David N. , Otto Christian
Published: May 2023

Successful recoveries of households in the aftermath of extreme weather events are key to avoid long-term poverty implications. Yet, in frequently hit regions, there may not always be enough time for households to recover in-between recurrent events. There is a common narrative that the resulting incomplete recoveries aggravate adverse impacts, but there may also be counteracting mechanisms where a cluster of events leads to less destruction than a series of well-separated events because, after the first events, there are less assets left that can be destroyed by the subsequent events. To develop a systematic quantitative understanding for the interplay of the different mechanisms, we extend an agent-based household model to recurrent floods and study their welfare effects in the Philippines in dependence of household exposure and income. We find that incomplete recoveries increase cumulative consumption and well-being losses across the study period 2000-2018 by 50%. While low-income households suffer the highest well-being losses, lower-middle income households experience the largest relative increase in well-being (240%) and consumption losses (120%) due to incomplete recoveries. Our results show that the impacts of recurrent extreme weather events on households are not additive. In consequence, the well-being and consumption losses can be critically underestimated when concluding from the poverty implications of an individual event on the implications of recurrent events, as usually done in conventional disaster risk management. Thus, accounting for incomplete recoveries may allow to develop more effective risk management strategies and better prepare societies for an intensification of these events under global warming.
Synthesis Of Zeolite Granules From NaCl Activated- Nano Zeolite Ore To Remove Calcium Ions From Groundwater
Authors: Hasan Faten , alghoraibi ibrahim
Published: May 2023

Conventional water softening is often basis on the ion exchange process, utilizing a plastic polymeric material in the form of small beads called resins, or using geopolymers such as zeolites. The scope of this research is to minimize water hardness especially calcium hardness via an easy, environmental, and affordable method. A natural material Syrian zeolite ore was utilized in this work and improved by grinding to particle size ranges from 100 to 200 nm and treated with 1M NaCl solution. Both the natural zeolite ore and nano-activated zeolite were characterized chemically and structurally by FTIR, EDS, and FESEM techniques which revealed that Nano-activated zeolite was successfully synthesized. The obtained zeolite powder was formed into spherical millimeter-sized granules using a natural binder, bentonite clay (Aleppo Bellone), at a ratio of 1:1. The swelling index of the granules was measured and it was about 19%. The granules were tested in a gravity filtration process at a slow flow rate of 0.5 mL.min− 1. g− 1 using natural groundwater. The results showed that calcium ions were removed effectively from the groundwater, with a removal percentage of around 47.36%.
Estimated indirect costs of haemodialysis versus peritoneal dialysis from a patient’s perspective at an Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa (Running title: Indirect costs of peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis)
Authors: MOALOSI KOTULO , SIBANDA MNCENGELI , KURDI AMANJ , GODMAN BRIAN , MATLALA MOLIEHI
Published: May 2023

In South Africa (SA), End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients can be on either Haemodialysis (HD), which is performed by a health care professional in a hospital thrice weekly; or they could be on Peritoneal dialysis (PD), which they can perform daily at home. There needs to be more studies within the South African healthcare sector on the cost of ESRD and especially the indirect costs associated with being on dialysis. This study aimed to determine and compare the indirect costs associated with HD and PD from the patients’ perspective at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) in Pretoria. The study used a cross-sectional prospective quantitative study design. The researcher used face-to-face interviews to collect data and the human capital approach to calculate productivity losses. The study population included all patients over 18 receiving HD or PD for over three months; 54 patients participated (28 on HD and 26 on PD). The study took place for seven months, from September 2020 to March 2021. Haemodialysis patients incurred greater productivity losses per annum ($8127.55) compared to PD (R$3365.34); the difference was statistically significant with a P-value of 0.000. More HD (96.4%) patients were unemployed than (76.9%) PD patients.
A preliminary study on the digital evaluation of absolute marginal discrepancy of fixed dental prostheses
Authors: Liang Shanshan , Yuan Fusong , Sun Yuchun , Li Deli , Jia Lu
Published: May 2023

Background In clinical practice, the control of the marginal fit of fixed dental prostheses is hindered by the evaluation method, which needs to be further improved to increase its clinical applicability. We aimed to develop a fully digital method to quantitatively evaluate the absolute marginal discrepancy of fixed dental prostheses based on the digital impression technology and reverse engineering software.
Methods A digital workflow and the conventional impression combined with the lost-wax heat-pressed technique were adopted to separately fabricate ten glass ceramic fixed dental prostheses. These twenty fixed dental prostheses were seated on the abutment, and the absolute marginal discrepancy was evaluated using the method developed in this study. One-way analysis of variance was used to statistically analyze the measurement results.
Results Using the fully digital quantitative evaluation method, the mean value of absolute marginal discrepancy for fixed dental prostheses fabricated by the conventional method was 106.69 ± 6.46 μm, and that fabricated by the digital workflow was 102.55 ± 6.96 μm. The difference in the absolute marginal discrepancy of three-unit all-ceramic fixed dental prostheses fabricated using the two methods was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
Conclusions The digital quantitative evaluation method for absolute marginal discrepancy was preliminarily established and applied in three-unit ceramic fixed dental prostheses. This study provided a fully digital quantitative method for the absolute marginal discrepancy of three-unit fixed dental prostheses, which allows for improvements in measurement, thus facilitated quality control of the marginal fit of fixed dental prostheses. This lays the foundation for the development of an automated software platform for evaluating marginal fit of dental prostheses.
An improved non-local means algorithm for CT image denoising
Authors: Huihua Kong , Wenbo Gao , Yunxia Di
Published: May 2023

The non-local means (NLM) is a classical image denoising algorithm. However, the denoising effect of the NLM algorithm is easily affected by the noise level of neighboring pixel and image edge information, which leads to poor denoising effect for high noise level image. In this paper, an improved NLM (I-NLM) denoising algorithm is proposed, which can extract the gradient information of the image more accurately by fusing the Laplacian of Gaussian operator. At the same time, the algorithm combines the real domain information and the gradient information of the image to calculate the weight of the similarity between the image blocks. Experimental results show that compared with the traditional NLM algorithm, the proposed I-NLM algorithm can effectively preserve the edge of the image while suppressing the noise, and recover the CT images with high Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and SSIM values.
Mathematical modelling of thermal waves inside human eye due to instantaneous heat flux in context of generalized heat transfer theory with relaxation times
Authors: Tiwari Rakhi , Kumar Roushan , Sachan Satyam
Published: May 2023

Being a most sensitive organ of the human body, eyes are significantly affected from the environmental/thermal changes. Therefore, mathematical modelling of the heat transport inside the human eye has become a topic of immense interest for the scientific community. The current article establishes a new mathematical model to observe the impact of the temperature distributions inside each part of the human eye. A bio-heat transfer model concerning two relaxation times (dual phase lag) is taken into account for the study of the heat flux in the eye. Closed-form solutions are determined by adopting a normal model analysis approach. Quantitative results are evaluated in the space and the time domain. Influences of the prominent parameters such as porosity parameter, activation energy, blood perfusion quantity and ambient temperature are observed on the temperature distributions for each part of the human eye. Influences of the phase lag parameters on the temperature distributions are obtained inside different layers of eye. Advantages of the present heat transfer model are established by comparing the present numerical results with the corresponding results under the theory of the old established bio heat transfer model having one relaxation parameter (LS model) and classical theory of heat transfer (CTE model) without relaxation time.
Sarcopenia and nutritional status are associated with Severe Postoperative Complications in Gastric Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Sun Sida , Zhao Fuya , He Cankun , Qian Huiyang , Chen Huizhong , Zhou Junfeng , He Qingliang
Published: May 2023

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the risk of severe postoperative complications (SPCs) in patients with gastric cancer and to construct a nomogram based on independently related factors to identify high-risk patients.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 297 consecutive patients undergoing gastrectomy in this multicenter study. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by preoperative computed tomography of the L3 skeletal muscle area. Nutritional status was assessed according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. According to the Clavien–Dindo classification system, SPCs were classified as C-D Grade ≥ IIIa. A nomogram consisting of the independent risk factors was constructed to quantify the individual risk of SPCs.Results Of the 297 patients analyzed in this study, 86 (28.96%) were diagnosed with malnutrition, 55 (18.52%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia, and 24 (8.08%) were diagnosed with SPCs. Patients who developed SPCs had longer hospital stays (SPCs vs. non-SPCs: 23 vs. 11 days, P < 0.001) and higher hospitalization expenses (SPCs vs. non-SPCs: 121456¥ vs. 72012¥, P < 0.001) than those who did not. Logistic analysis revealed that malnutrition (P < 0.001), sarcopenia (P = 0.017), combined resection (P = 0.028), and duodenostomy (P = 0.001) independently predicted the occurrence of SPCs. The nomogram exhibited good discrimination, with a discriminant consistency index of 0.822, and the calibration was also excellent.Conclusions Sarcopenia, malnutrition, combined resection and duodenostomy are independent predictors of SPCs. Our nomogram exhibited good discrimination and was practical for identifying patients at high risk of SPCs.
Global-scale GWAS Associates a Subset of SNPs with animal-adapted variants in M. tuberculosis Complex
Authors: Brenner Evan P. , Sreevat Srinand
Published: May 2023

Background
While Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) variants are clonal, variant tuberculosis is a human-adapted pathogen, and variant bovis infects many hosts. Despite nucleotide identity between MTBC variants exceeding 99.95%, it remains unclear what drives these differences. Markers of adaptation into variants were sought by bacterial genome-wide association study of single nucleotide polymorphisms extracted from 6,360 MTBC members from varied hosts and countries.
Results
The search identified 120 genetic loci associated with MTBC variant classification and certain hosts. In many cases, these changes are uniformly fixed in certain variants while absent in others in this dataset, providing good discriminatory power in distinguishing variants by polymorphisms. Multiple changes were seen in genes for cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism, pathways previously proposed to be important for host adaptation, including Mce4F (part of the fundamental cholesterol intake Mce4 pathway), 4 FadD and FadE genes (playing roles in cholesterol and fatty acid utilization), and other targets like Rv3548c and PTPB, genes shown essential for growth on cholesterol by transposon studies.
Conclusions
These findings provide a robust set of genetic loci associated with the split of variant bovis and variant tuberculosis, and suggest that adaptation to new hosts could involve adjustments in uptake and catabolism of cholesterol and fatty acids, like the proposed specialization to different populations in MTB lineages by alterations to host lipid composition. Future studies are required to elucidate how the associations between cholesterol profiles and pathogen utilization differences between hosts and MTBC variants, as well as the investigation of uncharacterized genes discovered in this study. This information will likely provide an understanding on the diversification of MBO away from humans and specialization towards a broad host range.
Probiotic properties and antibiotic susceptibility assessment of Streptococcus thermophilus isolates
Authors: Hamdaoui Nora , Azghar Ali , Benkirane Chaymae , Bouaamali Haytham , Mohamed Mouncif , Ou-yahia Douaae , Guerrouj Bouchra El , Assahraou Abdessalam , Maleeb Adil , Mustapha Meziane , Alkowni Raed , Jodeh Shehdeh
Published: May 2023

Background
Streptococcus thermophilus were considered one of probiotic bacterial strain; found in milk, cheese, and yogurt, that providing health benefits to humans. Due to their probiotic potentiality, S. thermophilus can be very helpful in replacing chemicals preservatives. This study came out to investigate the probiotic activity of ten S. thermophilus isolates obtained from raw cow milk in eastern Morocco against multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Escherichia coli (ATCC: 25922 and 35218). Besides their antioxidant potential, bile salts tolerance as well as their antibiotic susceptibility, were evaluated
Result
The results showed remarkable in vitro inhibitory ability of the studied S. thermophilus isolates against the tested multidrug-resistant bacteria, as reported for S. thermophilus CFS and supernatant against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC29213), confirming their potential as antibacterial agents. The mixtures of NaOH, catalase and proteinase K showed no inhibition zones against all tested multidrug-resistant bacteria; suggesting the main antibacterial effect of all isolates based on acids, hydrogen peroxide and/or proteins. For the antioxidant activity, the DPPH inhibition values varied between 18.97% and 44.44%, for the bacterial isolate ST9 and ST5, respectively. Notably, S. thermophilus isolates were able to survive up to 6h of incubation with a concentration of 0.1% of bile salt at 37°C. Thus, ST5 could be considered as the most promising bacterial isolate in terms of antioxidant activity. All isolates of S. thermophilus exhibited sensibility to all tested antibiotics except for rifampicin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole compared to the standards proposed by the European committee on antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Conclusions
The tested isolates were exhibited excellent antibacterial and potential antioxidant activities. In addition to that, these isolates were reported to resist rifampicin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole antibiotics. These findings presage the use of S. thermophilus isolates as good probiotics.
Chromosome evolution in a genus that deviates from the standard karyotype formula of Lacertidae
Authors: Naveira Horacio , Rojo Verónica , Gómez-Seoane Iván , Ferguson-Smith Malcolm A. , Pereira Jorge C. , Martínez-Lage Andrés
Published: May 2023

This paper describes the preparation of flow-sorted chromosome paints from the Iberian Rock lizard I. monticola, and exemplifies their subsequent use in cross-species chromosome painting for carrying out comparative analyses of chromosome evolution in the congeneric species I. galani and I. bonnali, as well as in two other species of Lacertini, namely Lacerta schreiberi and Timon lepidus, whose sex chromosomes were also studied through comparative genomic hybridization. Most species of Lacertini possess a diplod number of 2n = 38, with 36 acrocentric macrochromosomes and 2 microchromosomes. However, the nine species included in the genus Iberolacerta do not possess microchromosomes, and additionally very conspicuous differences from the standard Lacertini karyotype are observed in the three Pyrenean species of this genus, including I. bonnali, with several biarmed metacentrics and a Z1Z2W multiple sex-chromosome system. All the species of the familiy Lacertidae, so far with the possible exception of L. schreiberi, appear to share homologous Z chromosomes, which date back to the last common ancestor of the whole group. We provide conclusive evidence that L. schreiberi should no longer be considered an exception to this rule, demonstrate that the loss of microchromosomes in Iberolacerta was produced by their fusion to a middle-sized chromosome, that the multiple sex-chromosome system of the Pyrenean species of Iberolacerta originated from the fusion of the ancestral W chromosome with one of the shortest autosomes, and provide additional evidence of the fast evolution of DNA sequences linked to the W chromosome in Lacertini.
Coffee and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 observational studies
Authors: Liu Yongsheng , Wang Yongyi , Lai Xiaodong , Gao Jian , Fan Wei , Wang Chuanying , Yang Tianwen , Yao Jie , Lei Youchun
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common metabolic disorder. According to some epidemiological studies and different meta-analysis, it is not clear that whether the relevance of the occurrence and progression of NAFLD and coffee consumption is very close. So we conducted the present article to make it clear. METHODS The PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase were searched up to December 1, 2022. We performed the meta-analysis of not regular coffee vs. regular coffee drinking and coffee drinking vs. the progression of NAFLD, and conducted subgroup analysis of participants, kinds of coffee, methods of diagnosis to verify that relationship. The pooled odds ratio (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) IV. Random and 95% CIs were calculated by random-effects model. RESULTS Eleven articles were included, including 7093 cases and 20625 non-cases. Whether regular coffee drinking or not was not significantly associated with NAFLD occurrence, and OR were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.43–1.62). Moreover, the pooled SMD IV. Random. from the comparison of coffee drinking vs. the progression of NAFLD was − 0.12(95%CI :-0.31-0.07), showing not statistical significance. What’s more, subgroup analysis of people being obese or not, methods of diagnosis of NAFLD, types of coffee, suggested non beneficial efficacy of coffee drinking on NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS The existing evidence showed coffee drinking did not significantly decrease the occurrence and progression of NAFLD. In addition, different kinds of coffee failed to show any beneficial efficacy on NAFLD. Thus, coffee is not recommended for people to decrease the occurrence and slow the progression of NAFLD. As we were unable to assess the components of coffee on NAFLD, the results of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution. Further study is needed to assess the influence of main ingredient of coffee, caffeine, on NAFLD.
Improved Query Expansion Using Relevance Feedback and Haar Wavelet Transform for Information Retrieval
Authors: Shukla Abhishek Kumar , Das Sujoy
Published: May 2023

As the web is growing day by day increasingly, retrieval of a document with high precision is becoming a challenging task for the search engine. Another problem that retrieval models suffer, is the vagueness of user queries. Query expansion is one of the popular methods used to improve the performance of the retrieval system. This technique suggests some additional terms and appends them to the original query so that the performance of the retrieval system gets improved. The proposed method uses relevance feedback (RF) and based technique which assumes top 'k = 30' documents are relevant then from this user selects the 'n'(n varies according to system response) most relevant documents as per his information need. The proposed method also uses wavelet transform to select the most informative terms from top 'k' documents. The proposed method improves both precision and recall. The MAP (Mean Average Precision) value of the proposed method is 0.3792 which is an improvement of 14.83%, 14.87%, 30.21%, 14.32%, and 27.29% on MAP value is observed with respect to Bo1-based query expansion, Bo2-based query expansion, Chi-Square based query expansion, KL divergence-based query expansion and original query respectively.
T cells expressing a HER2-specific chimeric antigen receptor as treatment for breast cancer
Authors: Xie Xinshan , Li Xiaobin , Liu Gang , Zhao Hui , Zhou Zhenlong , Xiong Sheng
Published: May 2023

HER2 is a member of the growth factor receptor family. It is very weakly expressed in the few epithelial cells in normal tissue. The HER2 gene and protein are overexpressed in many solid tumors. Thus, there are many advantages of targeting HER2 in tumor therapy. Tumor relapse can be prevented by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. The efficacy of CAR-T-cell therapy against tumors can be improved by adding a hinge region to the CAR structure. Here, we constructed a second-generation CAR with a high-affinity scFv derived from a humanized anti-Her2 antibody and a CD8 hinge region. The CAR was transduced into T cells by lentiviral transfection. The modified CAR-T cells specifically targeted Her2 + tumor cells in vitro and in clinically relevant syngeneic and xenogeneic mouse models of Her2 + breast cancer. The modified CAR-T cells specifically recognized Her2 + breast cancer cells. The effect of the CAR-T cells against Her2 + breast cancer cells in vitro was in line with their efficacy in xenogeneic mouse models. Thus, these modified CAR-T cells may be a therapy for Her2 + breast cancer.
The development of non-scarring alopecia in women who wear the hijab
Authors: Ceresnie Marissa S. , Mohney Lindsey , Seale Lauren , Fahs Fatima , Mohammad Tasneem F.
Published: May 2023

Little is known about hair loss associated with wearing the hijab, a religious head covering worn by Muslim women. We performed a single-center analysis to investigate the association between various forms of non-scarring alopecia and wearing the hijab. This study included 125 patients who wore the hijab and 40 race/ethnicity-matched women who did not wear the hijab. Among the 165 total patients diagnosed between January 2015 and March 2022, 71 had telogen effluvium, 78 had female pattern hair loss, and 16 had traction alopecia. We found patients who wore the hijab had a younger mean age of alopecia onset than patients who did not wear the hijab (31.5 vs. 37.3 years; P = 0.02). Our study suggests that vitamin D deficiency (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.2–14.1; P = 0.02) and seborrheic dermatitis (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.1–8.1; P = 0.03) may significantly impact the development of telogen effluvium in patients who wear the hijab. Targeting these risk factors among patients who wear the hijab may be considered to prevent hair loss.
Simulation of Catalase-Dependent Tolerance of Microbial Biofilm
to Hydrogen Peroxide with a Biofilm Computer Model
Authors: Stewart Phil , Owkes Mark
Published: May 2023

Hydrogen peroxide (HP) is a common disinfectant and antiseptic. When applied to a biofilm, it may be expected that the top layer of the biofilm would be killed by HP, the HP would penetrate further, and eventually eradicate the entire biofilm. However, using the Biofilm.jl computer model, we demonstrate a mechanism by which the biofilm can persist, and even become thicker, in the indefinite treatment with an HP solution at concentrations that are lethal to planktonic microorganisms. This surprising result is found to be dependent on the neutralization of HP by dead biomass, which provides protection for living biomass deeper within the biofilm. Practically, to control a biofilm, this result leads to the concept of treating with an HP dose exceeding a critical threshold concentration rather than a sustained, lower-concentration treatment.
Comparison of Senhance and Da Vinci Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: Short-term Outcomes, Learning Curve, and Cost Analysis
Authors: Yuan Lun-Hsiang , Tseng Chi-Shin , Hsieh Tsung-Yi , Huang Yu-Wen , Huang Chao-Yuan , Huang Shi-Wei , Lin Yen-Chun
Published: May 2023

Background
The Senhance® Robotic System is a new laparoscopy-based platform that has been increasingly used in radical prostatectomy (RP) procedures. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of Senhance RP (SRP) with da Vinci RP (DRP) cases.
Methods
From August 2019 to April 2022, we prospectively recruited 65 cases of SRP. We compared the peri-operative data, postoperative complication rates, short-term surgical outcomes (3-month postoperative undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and incontinence rates), learning curves, and cost analysis with data from 60 recent da Vinci Xi RP cases (rdRP), as well as an additional cohort of 60 initial da Vinci Si RP cases (idRP).
Results
There was no difference in operating time (231vs. 256 minutes), blood loss (180 vs, 165 ml), and postoperative surgical complication rate (Clavient -Dindo grade I-IV, 24.6 vs, 26.7%) between the SRP cases and the rdRP. Regarding the oncologic and continence function, there was no difference between positive margin rate (38.5% vs. 40.0%), rate of undetectable PSA level at postoperative 3 months (64.6 vs. 76.8%), and incontinence rate (15.4 vs. 16.7%) at postoperative 3 months between the two cohorts. The learning curve showed a quick downward slope for laparoscopic experienced surgeons. The median pocket cost for SRP patients in our hospital was $4170, which was lower than $7675 for the DRP patients.
Conclusions
Safety and short-term outcomes are comparable between SRP and DRP. For experienced LRP surgeons, using the Senhance system to perform RP is straightforward. With a more affordable price as its biggest advantage, the Senhance system may serve as a safe and effective alternative for robotic RP.
The role of plasma inflammatory markers in late-life depression and conversion to dementia: a 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Aarsland Dag , Young Allan , Engedal Knut , O'Brien John , Selbaek Geir , Idland Ane-Victoria , Watne Leiv-Otto , Borza Tom , Bocharova Mariia
Published: May 2023

Late-life depression (LLD) has been linked to increased likelihood of subsequent dementia, although mechanisms responsible for this association remain largely unknown. One feature frequently observed in both LLD and dementia is elevated levels of plasma inflammatory markers.
PRODE (Prognosis of Depression in the Elderly) is a prospective naturalistic study of patients with LLD (N=152; aged 60+). Patients were followed up for 3 years; follow-up data was available for 138 patients, and 36 (26.1%) developed dementia by year 3. Plasma inflammatory markers data were available for 136 patients at baseline for the following range of cytokines and chemokines: IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17a, IL-18, IL-33, TNFα, CD40L, IFN-γ, CCL-2 and CCL-4.
Levels of plasma inflammatory markers were compared between 136 LLD patients and healthy controls (n=103), using first multiple linear regression (inflammatory markers as outcome) with stepwise adjustment, and then binary logistic regression with depression status (LLD vs controls) as outcome. Further, we explored whether inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics of LLD (age of onset, course) predicted progression from LLD to dementia using Cox regression.
Levels of IL-1ra, IFN-γ, CCL-2, CCL-4 and IL-17a were significantly higher in LLD patients compared to controls. However, none of the inflammatory markers predicted progression from LLD to dementia. Among clinical features, only poor response to treatment significantly predicted higher risk of progression to dementia.
In summary, this study replicated previous findings of an increase in inflammatory markers in LLD but did not find evidence they had increased risk of developing future dementia.
Morphological and temporal variations in the gametogenic development of the killifish Melanorivulus rossoi (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae) in an area under crop influence
Authors: Cassel Monica , Severo-Neto Francisco , Mehanna Mahmoud , Ferreira Adelina
Published: May 2023

Melanorivulus rossoi has a restricted distribution and, due to land modifications for agricultural use, may be on the verge of extinction. So, understanding its gametic development and reproductive cycle can expand the knowledge of the species and possible reproductive and/or ecological interventions. Specimens were collected in swamps adjacent to crop areas in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Individuals were fixed in Karnovsky's solution, gonadal samples were extracted and submitted to the histological preparation protocol. 221 individuals were analyzed, with the highest abundance of individuals collected from February to August. Larger fish were observed in the last months of the year, especially in November, while the smallest ones were collected in June. For females, all individuals presented ovarian follicles in different periods of maturation and gonadal differentiation. The same was observed for males, with constant proportions of spermatic cells. Thus, for M. rossoi, it has been found that the production of gametic cells in both male and female gonads is constant, characterizing a synchronous cell development in males and females. The data observed for Melanorivulus rossoi compared to M. punctatus, previously studied by our research group, showed that despite the species being related, the gametogenesis data have some differences.