bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between 72-hour ST segment decline and prognostic outcomes in patients with acute fulminant myocarditis complicated by ST-segment elevation on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support
Authors: He Wenyi , Ye Lin , Deng Guolan
Published: January 2023

Objective
To compare differences in ST-segment decline between surviving and non-surviving patients with acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) complicated by ST-segment elevation supported by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from patients with AFM complicated by ST elevation receiving VA-ECMO support in our hospital between January 2017 and December 2019. Based on survivorship status at discharge, patients were separated into survivor and non-survivor groups. The degree of decrease in the sum of ST-segment elevation amplitudes (∑STE) at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h was then compared between these groups to assess the prognostic relevance of these parameters as a noninvasive electrophysiological cardiac biomarker.
Results
In total, 19 AFM patients that underwent VA-ECMO support were included in this study cohort. The mean age of these patients was 35, and 14 survived treatment (73.7%), while 5 did not. Following VA-ECMO support, the 72h∑STE in the survivor group was 0.09 ± 0.093 mm, with this value being significantly lower than that observed in the non-survivor group (0.24 ± 0.270 mm). Significant differences in both 48h∆∑STE (0.73 ± 0.298 vs. 0.65 ± 0.112, P < 0.05) and 72h∆∑STE (0.81 ± 0.353 vs. 0.78 ± 0.045, P < 0.01) were observed when comparing the survivor and non-survivor groups, and the decrease was significantly greater in the survivor group relative to the non-survivor group.
Conclusions
VA-ECMO can effectively treat cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock resulting from AFM. The magnitude of ST-segment retreat may be associated with patient recovery following myocardial injury, potentially predicting prognostic outcomes together with other indicators in a manner that can guide treatment-related decision-making or inform ECG frequency.
Construction and Validation of Nomogram Prognostic Model for Predicting Survival in Hepatoblastoma Patients: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Liu Chunxiang , Wang Song , Liu Yong , Guo Zheng , Li Rui , Wang Yuchao , Sun Wei , Ji Fulong , Sun Daqing
Published: January 2023

Background
For patients with hepatoblastoma (HB), current staging system is not accurate in predicting survival outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop two accurate survival prediction models to guide clinical decision making.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 424 HB patients was performed from 2004 to 2015 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen for variables. The identified variables were used to build survival prediction model. The performance of the nomogram models was assessed based on the concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results
The Cox regression analysis identified six variables affecting overall survival (OS) in HB patients, including race, tumor size, lymph node involvement, distant metastases, surgery and chemotherapy. And the Cox regression analysis identified five variables including race, lymph node involvement, distant metastases, surgery and chemotherapy that affect cancer-specific survival (CCS) in HB patients. In the training cohort, the C-index of the nomogram in predicting the OS was 0.791[95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 0.717–0.865], CSS was 0.805(95% CI: 0.728–0.882). In the validation cohort, the C-index of the nomogram in predicting the OS was 0.712 (95% CI: 0.511–0.913), the CSS was 0.751 (95% CI: 0.566–0.936). In the training cohort, the area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) values of the nomogram in prediction of the 1, 3, and 5-year OS were 0.842 (95% CI: 0.739–0.944), 0.759 (95% CI: 0.670–0.849), and 0.770 (95% CI: 0.686–0.852), respectively. In the validation cohort, the AUC values for prediction of the 1, 3, and 5-year OS were 0.920 (95% CI: 0.806–1.034), 0.863 (95% CI: 0.750–0.976), and 0.844 (95% CI: 0.721–0.967), respectively.
Conclusion
Two nomogram models were developed and validated in this study which provided accurate prediction of the OS and CSS in HB patients. The constructed models can be used for predicting survival outcomes and guide treatment for HB patients.
The Effect of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy (DOACs) On Oral Surgical Procedures: A Systematic Review
Authors: Darwish Ghassan
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were developed to overcome the drawbacks of oral anticoagulants. However, not much has been discussed on the perioperative management of patients on DOACs during oral surgical procedures. Thus, we aim to determine the risk of perioperative and postoperative bleeding during oral surgical procedures in patients on DOACs.
Methodology: A detailed literature search was performed to find potentially relevant studies using Cochrane Library, Clinical Key, ClinicalTrials.gov, Google Scholar, Ovid, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Every article available for free in the English literature for the past 5 years, between 2018 -2022 was searched.
Results: A total of 1091 abstracts were selected through search strategy across various search engines. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight clinical studies using DOACs as anticoagulants or studies comparing patients with and without DOACs under oral surgery procedures were found. The results were inconsistent and varied with few studies recommending DOACs administration with bare minimum reported complications and remaining finding no statistically significant difference between discontinuation or continuation of drugs, especially across basic dental procedures.
Conclusion: Within the limitation of the study, it can be concluded that minor oral surgical procedures are safe to perform in patients on DOAC therapy. However, the continuation or discontinuation of DOACs in patients undergoing oral surgical procedures remains controversial and requires further studies to extrapolate the results.
An assessment of the green innovation, environmental regulation, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions dynamic nexus in China: Fresh insights based on the GMM model
Authors: Jiang Hang , Sun TaiPeng
Published: January 2023

Green innovation is a critical support to combat climate change arising from greenhouse gas emissions generated by energy consumption. It is an essential way to achieve resource storage, carbon emissions reduction, and sustainable development goals in China. Based on an environmental framework defined as the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) model, this study aimed to empirically check the impact of green innovation (GI), per capita GDP (PGDP), population density (PD), environmental regulations (ER), energy consumption (EC), and industrial structure upgrading (ISU) on CO2 emissions (CO2e). For this purpose, a sample dataset covering the 30 provincial regions in mainland China from 2005 to 2019 was analyzed using the Fixed Effects and System Generalized Method of Moment (SYS-GMM) Methodology. The empirical results showed that CO2e in the current period were further aggravated due to the agglomeration effect of CO2e from the previous period. The data analysis indicated that GI, ER, and ISU all exert a significant inhibitory effect on CO2e, whereas PGDP, PD, and EC had a positive effect on carbon emissions when dynamic relationships were analyzed. In the regional heterogeneity test, the current model also revealed that the impact of GI on diminishing CO2e was more pronounced in the east-central region, but not in the west. It is suggested that policymakers in China not only design differentiated policies in response to regional heterogeneity, but also focus on the decisive role of green technology application, environmental protection, and green transformation of industrial structure in curbing CO2e.
Modeling and analysis of magnetically coupled piezoelectric dual-beam with an annular potential energy function for broadband vibration energy harvesting
Authors: Shao Nan , Chen Zhuo Master , Wang Xian , Zhang Chengxin , Xu Jiawen , Xu Xiaosu , Yan Ruqiang
Published: January 2023

Conventional piezoelectric cantilever-based vibration energy harvesters have narrow bandwidth. In this article, we develop a dual-beam piezoelectric energy harvester featuring an annular potential energy function that can harvest vibration energy over a wide spectrum under small amplitude excitations. The proposed harvester contains two conventional piezoelectric cantilevers placed orthogonal to each other which are coupled by repulsive magnetic force. We demonstrate analytically and numerically that a new annular potential energy function can be configurated with proper configuration. In the new annular stable state, the harvester can detour around the potential barrier rather than jump over it, yielding large-amplitude voltage outputs throughout a wide spectrum. Case studies were carried out and it is proved that the proposed annular stable harvester has a bandwidth of 3.9 Hz and a voltage output performance 3.01 times better than that of a conventional bistable one under excitations of 3 m/s2. The nonlinear dynamics of the proposed harvester are analyzed in detail.
Complex Physical Therapy employing self-adjusting garment (Ready Wrap®) in breast cancer-related lymphedema cases in Brazilian women: A protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Silva Jéssica Malena Pedro da , Araújo Raul Denner Duarte , Santos Francisca Cristina da Silva , Fabro Erica Alves Nogueira , Pinto Marcus Vinicius de Mello , de Aguiar Suzana Sales , Thuler Luiz Claudio Santos , Bergmann Anke
Published: January 2023

Background

Lymphedema is a common complication following breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-adjusting compression garment (Ready Wrap®) in reducing (phase 1) and maintaining (phase 2) upper limb volume in women presenting breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Methods

This study will comprise a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial concerning women with breast cancer-related lymphedema undergoing treatment at a public cancer treatment reference hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The intervention will be carried out by adapting self-dressing versus the standard treatment of compressive bandaging (phase 1), and compressive mesh (phase 2). Both groups will be assessed at the beginning and end of intensive treatment and followed up for up to 12 months to evaluate immediate and late outcomes. Assessments will be carried out by physical upper limb examination (inspection, palpation, volume, dynamometry, and thermography), and a questionnaire application to assess patient quality of life concerning affected upper limb health, functionality and symptoms, adverse effects, adherence and treatment of the. Data will be analyzed descriptively and analytically through univariate and multiple linear regressions. P values < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Discussion

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a self-adjustable garment (Ready Wrap®) in the treatment of lymphedema secondary to breast cancer in Brazilian women compared to the gold standard treatment for limb volume reduction (phase 1) and maintenance (phase 2) phases comprising, respectively, a compressive bandaging and a compressive mesh. The outcome results will provide data based on both quantitative responses and self-reported participant outcomes. The study will also assess the cost-effectiveness of the Ready Wrap® treatment versus standard care. Finally, we expect to reaffirm one more product/therapy as a treatment for this extremely complex and impactful condition following the data analysis.

Trial registration

NCT04934098 [Clinical trials phase 1] and NCT04881604 [Clinical trials phase 2]
FNH in a Child with Congenital Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (Abernethy Malformation)：A Case Report
Authors: Wang Chi , Yan Yuchun , Yang Yang , Ma Shuai , Tao Ran
Published: January 2023

Background Abernethy malformation, namely congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPS) is a rare congenital anomaly of the splanchnic venous system. Abernethy malformation is often associated with liver tumors. FNH often appears in children with Abernethy Malformation.
Case Presentation we report a focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) child which finally vanished after blocking the inferior mesenteric vein and restored portal blood flow. Conclusions FNH in children with Abernethy Malformation should not be actively resected. After blood flow reconstruction, FNH may disappear.
Ligand-independent Activation of Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor β promotes contraction of retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Duan Yajian , Wu Wenyi , Cui Jing , Matsubara Joanne Aiko , Kazlauskas Andrius , Li Xiaorong , Lei Hetian
Published: January 2023

Background
Epiretinal membranes in patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) consist of extracellular matrix and a number of cell types including retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and fibroblasts, whose contraction causes retinal detachment. In RPE cells depletion of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor (PDGFR)β suppresses vitreous-induced Akt activation, whereas in fibroblasts Akt activation through indirect activation of PDGFRα by growth factors outside the PDGF family (non-PDGFs) plays an essential role in experimental PVR. Whether non-PDGFs in the vitreous, however, were also able to activate PDGFRβ in RPE cells remained elusive.
Methods
We showed that expression of a truncated PDGFRβ lacking a PDGF-binding domain in the RPE cells whose PDGFRB gene had been silent using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology restored vitreous-induced Akt activation as well as cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration and contraction.
Results
We found that scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) with N-acetyl-cysteine and inhibiting Src family kinases (SFKs) with their specific inhibitor SU6656 blunted the vitreous-induced activation of the truncated PDGFRβ and Akt as well as the cellular events related to the PVR pathogenesis.
Conclusions
These discoveries suggest that in RPE cells PDGFRβ can be activated indirectly by non-PDGFs in the vitreous via an intracellular pathway of ROS/SFKs to facilitate the development of PVR, thereby providing novel opportunities for PVR therapeutics.
Genetic detection of two novel LRP5 mutations in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Li Jia-yu , Wang Chan-juan , Zhang Shao-chi , Cai Bo , Pan Bo , Sun Cai-hong , Qi Xiao-long , Ma Chun-mei , Fang Wei , Jin Kang-xin , Bi Xiao-jun , Jin Zi-Bing , Zhuang Wen-juan
Published: January 2023

Objective
To identify causative genetic mutations by targeted exome sequencing in 9 independent pedigrees with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) and characterize the novel pathogenic mutations by molecular dynamics simulation.
Methods
Clinical data were collected from 9 families with FEVR. The causative genes were screened by targeted next-generation sequencing (TGS) and verified by the Sanger sequencing. In silico analyses (SIFT, Polyphen2, Revel, Mutation taster, and GERP++) were carried out to evaluate the pathogenicity of the mutations. Molecular dynamics was simulated to predict the alterations of protein conformation and flexibility transformation on pathogenesis.
Results
A 44% overall detection rate was achieved with four mutations including c.4289delC:p.Pro1431Argfs*8, c.2073G > T:p.Trp691Cys, c.1801G > A:p.Gly601Arg in LRP5 and c.633T > A:p.Tyr211* in TSPAN12 in 4 unrelated probands. Based on in silico analysis and ACMG standard, two of them, c.4289delC:p.Pro1431Argfs*8 and c.2073G > T:p.Trp691Cys of LRP5 were identified as novel pathogenic mutations. According to a molecular dynamics simulation, both mutations altered the secondary structure and spatial conformation, thus compromising its stability and flexibility.
Conclusion
Two novel genetic variants of the LRP5 gene were found to contribute to FEVR in this study, enriching the mutation spectrum of this condition. The impact of these two mutations on protein structure was validated by molecular dynamics simulation, further evidencing their pathogenicity.
Heterogeneous Decentralized Machine Unlearning with Seed Model Distillation
Authors: Ye Guanhua , Chen Tong , Nguyen Quoc Viet Hung , Huang Zi , Zhou Xiaofang , Yin Hongzhi
Published: January 2023

As some recent information security legislation endowed users with unconditional rights to be forgotten by any trained machine learning model, personalized service providers must put unlearning functionality into their consideration. The most straightforward method to unlearn users’ contribution is to retrain the model from the initial state, which is not realistic in high throughput applications with frequent unlearning requests. Though some machine unlearning frameworks have been proposed to speed up the retraining process, they fail to match decentralized learning scenarios. In this paper, we design a decentralized unlearning framework called HDUS, which uses distilled seed models to construct erasable ensembles in all clients. Moreover, the framework is compatible with heterogeneous on-device models, representing stronger scalability in real-world applications. Extensive experiments on three real-world datasets show that our HDUS achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Knowledge, perception and practice of antibiotic use among livestock farmers in the Central Division of Fiji
Authors: Shah Shameel , Charan Harshna , Carlisle Karen , MacLaren David , Palagyi Anna
Published: January 2023

This mixed-methods study aimed to: 1) characterise veterinary antimicrobial imports into Fiji over a 12 month period; and 2) evaluate the knowledge, perception and practice of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among livestock farmers in the Central Division of Fiji. Out of 15 antibiotic import shipments during November 2016−October 2017, just under half (40%) were initiated by non-government veterinarians, with the broad-spectrum antibiotics amoxicillin and cephalosporin being imported most frequently. 7% of antibiotic imports were initiated by individual (non-veterinary) users. Semi-structured interviews with 10 livestock farmers from Fiji’s Central Division found that, despite the widespread use of antibiotics with livestock, farmers were not aware of AMR or its risk to public and animal health. Educational barriers and social norms may discourage farmers from questioning veterinary personnel about antibiotic administering practices. Veterinarian-delivered education and awareness campaigns may be considered to help improve veterinary−farmer AMR communications and assist Fijian livestock farmers to optimise antibiotic usage.
Audiovisual resource in patients in the preoperative period of myocardial revascularization: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: de Araújo Naryllenne Maciel , Silva Silmara de Oliveira , Silva Louise Constancia de Melo Alves , Mendes Francisco de Cássio de Oliveira , Sarmento Sabrina Daiane Gurgel , Ribeiro Kátia Regina Barros , Dantas Rodrigo Assis Neves , Dantas Daniele Vieira
Published: January 2023

Cardiac surgery involves increased anxiety associated with lack of knowledge about the procedure. Thus, health education can be beneficial as a technological tool in the preoperative period for self-care and control of patient anxiety. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the audiovisual resource in the acquisition of knowledge about the level of anxiety in the preoperative period of myocardial revascularization. Randomized clinical trial with 44 patients in the preoperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting, equally divided into two groups. The control group (CG N = 22) received only verbal instructions and the experimental group (EG N = 22) received intervention from an audiovisual resource. Data were collected through a knowledge questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The analysis was performed using Student's t, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. There was a statistically significant difference in favor of the group that received the intervention with the audiovisual resource, in addition to an increase in positive feelings after preoperative guidance. The effectiveness of the video in nursing guidance in the preoperative period of cardiac surgery was verified, facilitating the surgical process for the patient and offering a tool for the nurses' work process for an evidence-based practice. Trial registration: the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) platform under number RBR-24c5qwm (27/05/2021).
Fallopian tube abscess caused by Escherichia coli in a 12-year-old adolescent virgin: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: He Xi-Feng , Du Xiu-Ping , Qiao Cui-Feng
Published: January 2023

Background: Fallopian tube abscess in adolescent virgins is very rare，it may lead to long-term or even lifelong complications once it occurred.
Case: A 12-year-old adolescent virgin with no history of sexual intercourse and previous physical fitness who presented with lower abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting for 22 hours. Laparoscopic surgery revealed an abscess in the left fallopian tube，the left fallopian tube was surgically removed and the pus was cultured for E. coli.
Summary and Conclusion: It is important to consider pelvic abscess in the differential diagnosis of adolescent virgins with clinical symptoms of acute abdomen.E. coli may be the causative agent.
Presentation of severe brucellosis in 5-year-old boy - challenges and results
Authors: Dinikina Yulia , Tsoy Uliana , Dyachkov Andrey , Grozov Roman , Mushkin Aleksandr , Zorin Vyacheslav , Nikitina Irina , Grineva Elena
Published: January 2023

Brucellosis is highly contagious zoonotic bacterial disease caused by gram-negative genus. It has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and due to variety and nonspecificity of clinical signs the diagnostics can be very complicated. We present a clinical case of severe chronic brucellosis in a 5-years old boy with long-term course of disease and multiorgan involvement. A different complication of brucellosis including severe syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH) are discussed. Despite severe course of disease patient achieved significant clinical improvement due to multidisciplinary approach and optimal etiotropic and pathogenetic treatment.
A simple and efficient in planta transformation method based on the active regeneration capacity of plants
Authors: Mei Guoguo , Chen Ao , Wang Yaru , Li Shuquan , Wu Minyi , Liu Xu , Hou Xingliang
Published: January 2023

Plant genetic transformation strategies serve as essential tools for the genetic engineering and advanced molecular breeding of plants. However, the complicated operational protocol and low efficiency of the current transformation strategies restrict the genetic modification of most plant species. This paper describes the development of a Regenerative Activity-dependent in Planta Injection Delivery (RAPID) method based on the active regeneration capacity of plants. In this method, Agrobacterium tumefaciens was delivered to plant meristems via injection for inducing transfected renascent tissues. Stable transgenic plants were obtained by subsequent vegetative propagation of the positive renascent tissues. The method was successfully applied for the transformation of plants with strong regeneration capacity, including different genotypes of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), potato (Solanum tuberosum), and bayhops (I. pes-caprae). Compared to the traditional transformation methods, RAPID has a markedly high transformation efficiency (up to 40%), shorter duration (less than 4 weeks), and does not require tissue culture procedures. The RAPID method therefore overcomes the limitations of traditional methods for achieving rapid in planta transformation, and can be potentially applied to a wide range of plant species that are capable of active regeneration.
Hair embedding after transperineal prostate biopsy: a case report and in vitro experiment
Authors: Ni Jiaxuan , Ni Ying , Zhang Tielong , Wang Gang , Ding Xuefei , Zhou Guangchen
Published: January 2023

Objective: To reduce the risks of transperineal prostate biopsy complications and to identify the causes of hair embedding in prostate tissue.
Methods: Hair embedded in the puncture canal was observed in two cases of transurethral resection of the prostate following transperineal puncture biopsy with a Bard MC1820 disposable biopsy needle. In vitro experiments were used to analyze and reconstruct the process of hair embedding in prostate tissue.
Results: The simulation experiment confirmed that the hair was clamped between the needle core and the coaxial needle sheath. In addition, the puncture needle broke the skin and entered the tissue. After activating the trigger, the hair outside the coaxial needle sheath was pushed into the puncture passage and remained there.
Conclusion: Hair embedding caused by perineal prostate biopsy is a consumable-related adverse event, and skin preparation prior to transperineal prostate biopsy is recommended.
Polyphenol regulates metabolic and physiological properties of microalgae to accumulate biocompounds
Authors: Zou Li-Gong , Zheng Dan-Lin , Yao Yi-Tong , Wen Fu-Fang , Wang Xiang , Li Da-Wei , Yang Yu-Feng , Yang Wei-Dong , Balamurugan Srinivasan , Kwok Hang Fai , Li Hong-Ye Y.
Published: January 2023

Background
The development of affordable strategy to concurrently enhance microalgal biomass and biocomponents is warranted for commercial applications. Here, we investigated the efficacy of a cheap and natural polyphenol, tannic acid, on regulating metabolic and physiological properties of oleaginous microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum to overproduce biocompounds.
Result
Tannic acid provision regulated the key metabolic pathways to enhance algal biomass and lipids in a dose-dependent manner without direct impact on photosynthesis. It reduced oxidative stress and reallocated carbon precursors towards lipogenesis. Lipidomic analyses showed that tannic acid provision unprecedentedly regulated the key lipogenic pathways, enhanced glyco- and neutral-lipids by 1.29- and 1.54-fold, respectively, whereas phospholipids were significantly altered. Tannic acid facilitated polyunsaturated fatty acid overproduction with a specific increment of EPA and DHA by 1.18- and 2.25-fold, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that tannic acid upregulated the expression of multiple genes involved in lipogenesis.
Conclusion
Here, we dissected the potential of tannic acid, a natural and cheaper polyphenol, on concurrently enhancing lipids and PUFAs without impairing physiological properties in P. tricornutum. The findings provide novel insights into the mechanistic roles of polyphenol as a potential chemical modulator.
The key point of transsphenoidal surgery for infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma：Better saddle diaphragm resection
Authors: Liu Qi , Chen Xiaokun , Bao Xinjie , Yao Yong , Deng Kan , Feng Ming , Lian Wei , Xing Bing , Wang Renzhi
Published: January 2023

Background Craniopharyngiomas have a high recurrence rate and a poor prognosis, and the key methods for reducing recurrences are unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the key points of microscopic or endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery used to treat infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas.
Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients with infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2015 and 2018.
Results The main symptoms of patients with infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas included headache, endocrine disorders, decreased vision, or visual field defects. In terms of tumor location, nine patients were completely intrasellar and the remaining 11 patients were intrasuprasellar. Of the 20 patients, 16 patients underwent resection under the microscope and the remaining four patients underwent transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery. Gross total tumor resection was achieved in 12 patients. Six patients underwent saddle diaphragm resection, while the remaining 14 patients were not. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks occurred during surgery in six patients (6/6 saddle diaphragm resection group). Eleven patients with high PRL levels preoperatively all had decreased levels to varying degrees postoperatively and levels returned to normal in eight of these patients. Two patients with diabetes insipidus achieved resolution postoperative. Visual acuity improved in one patient. After an average follow-up of 26.4 months, eight patients experienced tumor recurrence. Recurrence did not occur in any of the six patients who underwent saddle diaphragm resection (0% vs 57.1%, P=0.0419).
Conclusion The resection of the saddle diaphragm is pivotal in craniopharyngioma removal surgery and is related to tumor recurrence. In comparison to the saddle diaphragm protection group, the resection group is able to achieve a reduced recurrence rate while maintaining acceptable complications.
SMAD2 inhibites pyroptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and secretion of inflammatory factors via TGF-β pathway in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mao xingxing , Wu Weijie , Nan Yunyi , Sun Weiwei , Wang Youhua
Published: January 2023

Objective
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease. Over activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes is responsible for the hyperplasia of synovium and destruction of cartilage and bone and pyroptosis of FLS plays a key role in those pathological processes during RA. This study investigated the detail mechanisms that SMAD2 regulate the pyroptosis of FLS and secrtion of inflammatory factors in rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods
We collected synovial tissues of RA patients and FLS-RA and cultured FLS for detection of expression of SMAD2. ASC, NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1 and GSDMD-N were detected by western-blot after over expression of SMAD2. Besides, Flow cytometry, electron microscope, Elisa, HE-staining and Safranin O stainingwere performed to further demonstrated that SMAD2 can affected the pyroptosis of FLS-RA.
Results
The expression of SMAD2 was down-regulated in synovial tissues of RA patients and FLS-RA. Over expression of SMAD2 can inhibited expression of ASC, NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1 and GSDMD-N. Flow cytometry and electron microscope further demonstrated that SMAD2 attenuated pyroptosis of FLS-RA. In addition, overexpression of SMAD2 also inhibited inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6 and IL-8 secretion and release of LDH. Besides, overexpression of SMAD2 can reversed the decrease of p-SMAD2 and TGF-TGF-β induced by nigericin. In vivo experiments on CIA rats further demonstrated that overexpression of SMAD2 by local intra-articular injection of LV-SMAD2 can effectively alleviated joint redness, swelling, destruction of cartilage and bones.
Conclusion
SMAD2 inhibited FLS-RA pyroptosis by down-regulating of NLRP3 inflammasomes (NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 complex) and eased the secretion of inflammatory factors via TGF-β signaling pathway, thereby improve the symptom of RA. We hope that this study may provide a new research idea for RA and a potential target for treatment of RA.
Estimating the spatial coverage of wastewater treatment in Chinese river catchments, for the purpose of water quality modelling
Authors: Jackson Benjamin William , Sweetman Andrew James
Published: January 2023

Models with a focus on the release of substances from domestic wastewater in China require data on the number of people served by a sewage treatment works (STW), but also the proportion of wastewater that is not treated by a STW, both of which are difficult to determine. It is also important to be able to reassess the coverage of wastewater networks periodically when evaluating long-term risk, as China’s wastewater network has expanding rapidly in recent decades. A methodology is described which can be used to determine the number of people releasing both treated and untreated wastewater within a Chinese river catchment using readily available data. This is applied to the East River catchment in South East China for 2010, 2015, and 2020. We determined that the wastewater network expanded significantly during this period, but there remain large areas of the catchment with no apparent wastewater treatment facilities.
On nonlinear greedy randomized Kaczmarz methods for solving large-scale systems of nonlinear equations
Authors: Tan Long-Ze , Guo Xue-Ping
Published: January 2023

The greedy randomized Kaczmarz (GRK) method is an efficient method for solving large-scale systems of linear equations. Based on this basic idea, we propose a nonlinear greedy randomized Kacz-marz (NGRK) method for solving large-scale systems of nonlinear equations and prove its convergence. Then, to improve the computational efficiency of the NGRK method, we design the multi-step NGRK (MNGRK) method and the accelerated NGK (ANGK) method, respectively. Theoretical results show that the convergence speed of the MNGRK and ANGK methods is faster than that of the NGRK method. Finally, inspired by the max-distance coordinate descent (MDCD) method, we also establish the nonlinear max-distance Kaczmarz (NMDK) method and its accelerated version.
Silica nanoparticles induce pulmonary damage in rats via VEGFC/D–VEGFR3 signaling-mediated lymphangiogenesis and remodeling
Authors: Yu Yanan , Pan Yujie , Chang Bing , Zhao Xiaoxu , Qu Kunlong , Song Yuguo
Published: January 2023

Background
Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used as drug carriers for improving drug delivery and retention. The lungs are highly sensitive to toxicity of SiNPs entering the respiratory tract. Furthermore, pulmonary lymphangiogenesis, which is the growth of lymphatic vessels observed during multiple pulmonary diseases, plays a vital role in promoting the lymphatic transport of silica in the lungs. However, more research is required on the effects of SiNPs on pulmonary lymphangiogenesis. We investigated the effect of SiNPs-induced pulmonary toxicity on lymphatic vessel formation in rats and evaluated the toxicity and possible molecular mechanisms of 20-nm SiNPs. Female Wistar rats were instilled intratracheally with saline containing 3.0, 6.0, and 12.0 mg/kg of SiNPs once a day for 5 days, then sacrificed on day 7. Lung histopathology, pulmonary permeability, pulmonary lymphatic vessel density changes, and the ultrastructure of the lymph trunk were investigated using light microscopy, spectrophotometry, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. CD45 expression in lung tissues was determined using immunohistochemical staining, and protein expression in the lung and lymph trunk was quantified using western blotting.
Results
We observed increased pulmonary inflammation and permeability, lymphatic endothelial cell damage, pulmonary lymphangiogenesis, and remodeling with increasing SiNPs concentration. Moreover, SiNPs activated the VEGFC/D–VEGFR3 signaling pathway in the lung and lymphatic vessel tissues.
Conclusions
SiNPs result in inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis and remodeling, further pulmonary damage, and increased permeability by activating VEGFC/D–VEGFR3 signaling. Our findings provide evidence for SiNPs-induced pulmonary damage and a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of occupational exposure to SiNPs.
Non-hyalinizing trabecular thyroid adenoma: A novel thyroid tumor with diagnostic pitfalls of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Matsuse Michiko , Mitsutake Norisato , Suzuki Ayana , Higuchi Miyoko , Hayashi Toshitetsu , Kamma Hiroshi , Miyauchi Akira , Akamizu Takashi
Published: January 2023

Background

Only one thyroid follicular cell-derived tumor with a purely trabecular growth pattern has previously been described. This report aims to describe the histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings of our second case, propose a novel thyroid tumor, and discuss its diagnostic pitfalls.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old female presented with an encapsulated thyroid tumor composed of thin and long trabeculae. No papillary, follicular, solid, or insular patterns are observed. The tumor cells were elongated or fusiform and arranged perpendicular to the trabecular axis. No nuclear findings of papillary thyroid carcinoma and increased basement membrane material were found. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for paired-box gene 8, thyroid transcription factor-1, and negative for thyroglobulin, calcitonin, and chromogranin A. Inter- and intra-trabecular accumulation of type IV collagen-positive materials was not demonstrated. No PAX8/GLIS1, PAX8/GLIS3, BRAF, HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, TERT, CTNB1, PTEN, or RET were detected.

Conclusions

We report our case as a novel disease entity called non-hyalinizing trabecular thyroid adenoma, which has the diagnostic pitfalls of hyalinizing trabecular tumor and medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Rapid detection and diagnosis of herpetic keratitis using quantitative microfluidic polymerase chain reaction system for herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus DNA: A case series
Authors: Hirota Akira , Shoji Jun , Inada Noriko , Adachi Rumi , Tonozuka Yukiko , Yamagami Satoru
Published: January 2023

Background
A microfluidic real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system can rapidly detect the viral DNA in specimens. Detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA in tears is a useful diagnostic tool for herpes simplex virus keratitis (HSK) and herpes zoster ophthalmics (HZO).
Methods
In total, 20 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Among them, 8 patients with infectious epithelial HSK and 12 patients with HZO were included in HSK and HZO groups, respectively. In addition, 8 patients with non-herpetic keratitis and 4 healthy individuals without keratitis were included in the control group. Numbers of HSV and VZV DNA copies in tears of all patients and individuals were evaluated using a microfluidic real-time PCR system. Regarding HSV/VZV DNA test, tear specimens were collected by filter paper method using Schirmer’s test paper, and subsequently, DNA was extracted from the filter paper using an automated nucleic acid extractor. Afterward, quantitative PCR was performed using a microfluidic real-time PCR system.
Results
From tear collection to real-time PCR result determination, the HSV/VZV DNA test took approximately 40 minutes. In the HSK group, the sensitivity and specificity of the HSV DNA tests were 100% each. The median value (range) of number of HSV DNA copies for affected eyes was 3.4×105 copies/µL (under a lower detection limit of 7.6). In the HZO group, the sensitivity and specificity of the VZV DNA tests were 100% each. The median value (range) of number of VZV DNA copies for affected eyes was 5.3×105 copies/µL (under a lower detection limit of 5.6×10–2).
Conclusion
In conclusion, quantitative PCR for HSV and VZV DNA in tears using a microfluidic real-time PCR system is useful for diagnosing and monitoring HSK and HZO.
Study on diffractive optical characteristics and elimination methods of diamond fly-cutting optical plane
Authors: Guo Yawen , Yin Ziqiang , Chen Pengyu , Xia Senbin
Published: January 2023

Cube concer retro-reflector is an optical element with high reflectivity, widely used to improve safety in low light level environments. High-precision and surface finish die cores are used to mass produce high-quality retro-reflectors. There are periodic micro-morphologies on the die core surface machined by diamond fly-cutting, which weaken the reflection characteristics of optical elements. The finite element method theoretically revealed the relationship between optical defects and surface topography, and the fly-cutting experiment was carried out to verify the analysis. At the same time, an efficient machining method to eliminate the diffraction phenomenon is proposed. According to the machining results, the error source of this method is analyzed and calibrated. This research provides a new idea for obtaining the optical plane of retro-reflector with high efficiency and accuracy.
Numerical Solution For The Slowly Rotating Polytropic Fluid Sphere
Authors: Elias Priya Anthina , Thomas Sanish
Published: January 2023

We propose an efficient numerical method for solving a non-linear ordinary differential equation describing the stellar structure of the slowly rotating polytropic fluid sphere. The Ramanujan’s method i.e. an iterative method has been used to determine the roots of the obtained series through special function as it gives the accurate numerical results to the series solution as any other computational methods. Therefore, it can be used as an application to astrophysics and astronomy. The numerical results are presented for values of the polytropic index n= 0.0(0.1) to 2.0.
Cooperative Routing and Improved Energy-Efficient Harvested- Aware Clustering for Wireless Body Area Network
Authors: Kaleem Mohd , Devarajan Ganesh Gopal
Published: January 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Predictors of Protein Losing Enteropathy after Fontan completion, a retrospective study from eight years’ experience in a growing high volume cardiac surgery center.
Authors: AbdelMassih Antoine Fakhry , Kiraly Laszlo , Badaoui Hazem El , Khan Mohammad , Hetharsi Balazs , Till Judit Noemi , Omelchenko Aleksandr , Salah Alaa Ziad , Jburi Farah Tarik Al , Alkhouli Laila , Taher Mina , Alhosani Najah , Youssef Omnia , Iqbal Sumaiya , Allami Zahraa , Jha Neerod Kumar , Hamad Eman Mahmoud , Omar Yasmin , AbdelRaouf Mohamed Mohamed , Khan Arshad , Azeez Zafar , Attia Michael , Mina Mariam , Ali Alyaa Al , Musleh Afnan
Published: January 2023

Background:
Fontan procedure is the final stage of a three-stage palliation process in patients born with a univentricular heart as part of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) or other types of Univentricular Heart. As essential as this procedure has proven to be for such cases, the Fontan physiology diminishes the cardiac output and expands systemic venous pressure which leads to venous congestion that can be complicated by Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE). The aim of this retrospective research was to study the predictors of such complications in all patients who underwent completion of Fontan in our center in the past eight years. It involved the examination of medical records of patients who underwent completion of Fontan repair in our center since the inauguration of its cardiac surgery program. Exclusion criteria included the absence of any of the required predictors in a medical report. Included patients were divided into two groups: those who developed PLE and those who did not. For each group, the following data were collected: The degree of AV valve regurge, the ventricular functions, the invasive SVC, and pulmonary pressures before Fontan completion and the original cardiac diagnosis.
Results:
48 patients were included: only 13 developed PLE, accounting for 25% of the total patients. A multivariate regression analysis of the best predictors of the occurrence of PLE was the degree of AV valve regurge (P = 0.008), SVC mean pressure (P value = 0.01), and Ventricular functions (P value = 0.02). A ROC analysis was performed for each of the best predictors and showed that SVC pressure > 11 was 100% sensitive, moderate and severe regurge were 69% sensitive, and moderate to severe impairment of ventricular functions was 53% sensitive in predicting subsequent PLE.
Conclusion:
The unleashed findings might be game-changing in the decision-making of whether to complete the Fontan pathway or not in our growing cardiac surgery center, which is one of the largest in its respective region. The presence of moderate to severe AV valve regurge, moderate to severe ventricular dysfunction, and a Superior Vena caval pressure above 11 before Fontan completion should be regarded as contraindications to completion of the procedure.
From leather wastes to leather: enhancement of low quality leather using collagen recovered from leather tanned wastes
Authors: Gargano Marika , Florio Claudia , Sannia Giovanni , Lettera Vincenzo
Published: January 2023

Leather industry produces huge amounts of solid wastes. In the last decade, several methods for the recovery and valorization of these wastes were developed, mainly focused on the extraction of collagen using chemical methods. The extracted collagen, due to its poor quality, is mostly used in agriculture as a nitrogen source ingredient of fertilizers. This study aims to apply collagen, extracted from leather tanned solid wastes using a recently reported new process based on enzymatic hydrolysis, as filling agent for low quality leather. Thanks to the enzymatic hydrolysis, collagen can be extracted without affecting its integrity and, therefore, its quality. In order to use the extracted collagen as filler for low quality leather, an enzymatic mediated cross-linking reaction between collagen and casein was developed. The enzymatic cross-linking reaction was added as an additional phase of the re-tanning process or as a replacement of one of the re-tanning steps. To evaluate the filling effect, thickness of the treated leather was measured and infrared and microscopy analyses were performed, comparing the new methods to the traditional standard one. The mechanical properties of the filled leather were tested and the sensorial features, such as fullness and touch feelings, were estimated through a panel test. Results suggest the high potential of extracted collagen to be employed back in leather processing both as additive and as substitutive filler.
Morpho-Biochemical effect of salinity on medicinal plants of Gilgit-Biltistan, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Ejaz , Mansoor Simeen , Tabassum Bushra
Published: January 2023

Salinity stress is one of the significant abiotic stresses affecting germination, seedling length, biomass, total protein, and antioxidant enzyme activity in plants. The present study attempts to understand the effect of salt stress on medicinal plants found in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), northern areas of Pakistan. Seeds of medicinal plants were sterilized and grown in Petri Dishes containing salt treatments of 0 mM, 100 mM, and 200 mM separately for one week. The effect of salinity stress on morphological parameters like germination percentage, seedling length, and biomass was observed. The biochemical parameters such as total protein, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The statistical analysis was performed by the software SPSS version 20.0. Spectrophotometry and gel electrophoresis was used to analyze total protein and antioxidant enzymes quantitatively and qualitatively. It was noticed that increasing levels of salt there was a negative effect on germination percentage (Mean square MS, 8964.48**), seedling length (MS, 208.69**), and biomass (MS, 2.609**). Salinity has no significant effect on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, APX (MS, 31686.791 non-significant), and GPX (MS, 23.41, non-significant). Still, it significantly affects the total protein (MS,17442485.315**) of different genotypes of medicinal plants.