bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloning and functional analysis of the promoter of a UDP-glycosyltransferase gene from Panax quinquefolium L.
Authors: chen jing xian , LU CHAO , Cruz Reggie Yadao de la , LI YUHUA , ZHENG JUNPING , ZHANG YAOGUANG , WANG YANLU
Published: November 2022

In order to explore the function of the Pq3-O-UGT2 promoter, chromosome walking technology was used to isolate the 1399 bp sequence upstream of the ATG initiation codon of Pq3-O-UGT2 from Panax quinquefolium L. Bioinformatics analysis shows that the nucleic acid sequence contains a large number of typical structures unique to eukaryotic promoters and many other important cis-acting regulatory elements, including light responsive elements, hormone-responsive elements and stress-responsive elements, etc. Seven fragments including the full-length promoter and six 5′ terminal series deleted fragments were fused with the GUS reporter gene to test their activities. The results of histochemical staining show that a strong GUS activity were observed in flowers, siliques, leaves, stems and roots of transgenic Arabidopsis containing the full length Pq3-O-UGT2 promoter. Different GUS activity were also observed in the seedlings of transgenic Arabidopsis containing the full length promoter and six 5′ terminal series deleted fragments. Fluorometric assays show that seven fragments were found to drive GUS expression, and the highest enzyme activity is the full-length fragment with 4370 pmol 4-MU/min/mg protein, which is 80.01% of the CaMV35S promoter. Followed by P-801::GUS with 2162 pmol 4-MU/min/mg protein, and the shortest promoter containing P-198::GUS with 45 pmol 4-MU/min/mg protein was sufficient to activate GUS expression. In addition, extended light, low temperatures, Methyl jasmonate(MeJA), Abscisic acid(ABA), NAA and GA3 were selected to investigate the Pq3-O-UGT2 promoter in response to abiotic stress and hormone treatment. The promoter activity of the full length can be enhanced much more than the other six 5′ terminal series deleted fragments, and the most significant change was detected in MeJA treatment with 2.12 times increased. Furthermore, it was found that the promoter activity of P-998::GUS can be enhanced by ABA with 1.47 times. Above results show that the GUS activity of different promoter fragments had different response to different environmental factors. This article provides a great understanding of complex regulatory mechanisms of Pq3-O-UGT2 and the molecular mechanisms of triterpene biosynthesis.
Micropropagation of Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl. using SETIS™ bioreactor
Authors: Vendrame Wagner , Xu JianJian , Beleski David G.
Published: November 2022

Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl. is a tropical epiphytic orchid showing characteristics of interest for the ornamental nursery industry. However, problems with traditional propagation methods limit the development of a large-scale commercial production system. In addition, this species is considered endangered due to the reduction in population caused by habitat destruction, climate change and over-collection from native areas. The use of micropropagation has been investigated for this species, and the use of liquid in vitro systems showed potential for use of temporary immersion bioreactors for micropropagation of B. nodosa. This study evaluated the efficiency of the SETIS™ bioreactor system for the micropropagation of B. nodosa by adjusting parameters of immersion (frequency and duration) and by comparing it to conventional semi-solid culture systems. Results indicate that temporary immersion of B. nodosa explants with a frequency of 2 h and duration of 2 min returned the highest multiplication rates, with 4.6 shoots produced per explant compared with 2.8 shoots per explant in semi-solid agar-based systems. The use of bioreactors also promoted increased growth and development and in vitro rooting, therefore improving survival and facilitating acclimatization of in vitro-derived plantlets. This is the first study demonstrating a successful protocol for large-scale micropropagation of B. nodosa using SETIS™ bioreactors, which could have significant value and impact for the commercial production of this species as well as for conservation purposes.
Field Experiment Reveals Unintended Consequences of Organic Matter Amendments in Restoring Wetlands
Authors: Baldwin Andrew H. , Yarwood Stephanie A. , Scott Brian
Published: November 2022

Wetlands are identified as key ecosystems in the UN Decade on Restoration initiative because of their water management and global warming benefits. Wetland restoration sometimes includes adding organic matter (+ OM) to accelerate hydric soil development and provide nutrients for new vegetation. We conducted a manipulative field experiment to identify the most effective type of + OM and loading rate for soil and vegetation development in a freshwater wetland restoration site that was a former agricultural field. The + OM included municipal waste biosolids, composted wood chips, and cow manure at various application rates. We found that + OM had little influence on soil bulk density or hydric soil indicators, and resulted in the growth of undesirable vegetation and increased greenhouse gas flux. For example, manure, which contains nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), increased aboveground biomass but favored non-native species that lowered plant diversity and floristic quality. All + OM increased methane (CH4), but the range varied greatly (1.04–7.3 times). Hydrology also had a strong influence on CH4 emissions, and areas that experienced wet-dry cycles had 1.7–3.0 times more estimated annual CH4 emissions that those that were constantly inundated. Organic soil amendments were not necessary to support wetland plant growth or develop hydric soils, and may unnecessarily exacerbate atmospheric warming and invasive species spread.
Identification of Serotypes of Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida from pneumonic cases of sheep and goats and their antimicrobial sensitivity profiles in Borana and Arsi zones, Ethiopia
Authors: Girma Sisay , Getachew Latera , Beyene Ayele , Tegegne Desiye Tesfaye , Tesgera Takele , Debelo Motuma , Debano Jarso , Teshome Dereje , Abdisa Kebede , Wirtu Abebe , Tekle Muluken , Abera Birhanu , Tafess Ketema , Dandecha Morka , Abayneh Takele , Getachew Belayneh , Tufa Takele Beyene , Tolera Teshale S..
Published: November 2022

Respiratory diseases caused by M. haemolytica and P. multocida have been known to result in a considerable loss due to mortality and reduced production. This study aimed at isolation and identification of M. haemolytica and P. multocida associated with pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep and goats using bacteriological and molecular techniques. Identification of serotypes of M. haemolytica and P. multocida was done using indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT). The in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity profiles of the M. haemolytica were tested using standard disk diffusion method. A total of 52 and 78 nasal swabs were collected from pneumonic cases for bacterial isolation and identification in Borana and Arsi zone, respectively. Four hundred sera samples were collected for identification of serotypes. The results showed that 17 of 52 (32.69%; 95% CI: 20.33, 47.11) nasal swabs collected from pneumonic animals in Borana yielded positive results for Pasteurella / Mannheimia species, 13 (25.00%; 95% CI: 14.03, 38.95) of which were M. haemolytica. None of the samples yielded P. multocida. Twenty-three of 78 (29.49%; 95% CI: 19.69, 40.89) nasal swabs collected from pneumonic animals yielded positive results for M. haemolytica (17) and P. multocida (6). Secondary biochemical characterization revealed that 14 of the 17 isolates conform to M. haemolytica whereas none of the 6 isolates suspected to be P. mutocida were confirmed. Eleven (84.62%) isolates from Borana and 4 (28.57%) from Arsi were confirmed to be M. haemolytica using PCR targeting the Rpt2 genes. None of the isolates with cultural and morphological features of P. multocida gave positive results by molecular assay. Serological assay identified three serotypes of M. haemolytica namely A1, A2 and A7 almost in all of the samples whereas P. multocida serotype A was detected in 78.75% of the samples. The M. haemolytica isolates tested for susceptibility to antibiotics showed resistance against Bacitracin (83.33%) and Penicillin (50.00%) while were found susceptible to Gentamycin, Chloramphenicol and Sulfamethoxazole (100%) and Tetracycline (83.33%). In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed the association of M. haemolytica with pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep and goats and can be of use in vaccine development in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, further investigations and continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and appropriate selection and prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock sector are required.
A Genetic Algorithm for Simultaneous Route and Path Planning in a Road Network
Authors: Sakazaki Kota , Shen Tielong
Published: November 2022

We consider the problem of deploying a connected car, capable of V2X communication, to propagate data to groups of evacuation shelters that have lost mobile network connectivity. The problem is a combination of two subproblems: first of finding the optimal order in which the destinations should be visited, and second of finding the optimal path in a road network that allows a connected car to deliver information to all prescribed shelters. We develop a genetic algorithm with double chromosome encoding to simultaneously solve both subproblems. One chromosome encodes the solution to the routing problem, the other to the path-planning problem. Experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm is capable of finding the optimal solution with reasonable accuracy and precision.
LASSO regression combined with SVM-REF to screen the characteristic genes of pancreatic cancer and its immune correlation analysis
Authors: chen yiyang , zhou wanbang , gong yiju , ou xi
Published: November 2022

Background
Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract, and its mortality, recurrence, and morbidity are still increasing year by year. At the same time, due to the lack of typical clinical manifestations in its early stage, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Methods
In this study, the differential genes of pancreatic cancer and normal tissues were first analyzed from 4 datasets in the GEO database. GO function, DO disease and GSEA enrichment analysis of differential genes was performed. Screening of characteristic genes of pancreatic cancer using LASSO regression combined with SVM-REF. Differential analysis and ROC curve analysis were performed on the eigengenes. Meanwhile, another dataset from the GEO database is used for validation. Finally, differences and correlations between pancreatic cancer characteristic genes and immune cells were analyzed.
Results
90 differential genes were obtained by screening, and 6 characteristic genes of pancreatic cancer were obtained by taking the intersection of the two characteristic genes of pancreatic cancer screened by machine learning. Validation of signature genes further increases its reliability. Finally, immunoassays yielded multiple immune cells associated with pancreatic cancer signature genes.
Conclusion
The six characteristic genes of pancreatic cancer screened by the combination of LASSO regression and SVM-REF may be new biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer, and may be a new potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. point.
Neutrophil extracellular traps exacerbate microglia/macrophages-mediated neuroinflammation via cGAS in mice with traumatic brain injury
Authors: shi mingming , Liu Liang , Cao Yiyao , Min Xiaobin , li tuo , Jia Haoran , Mi Liang , Zhang Yanfeng , Liu Xilei , Zhou Yuan , Li Shenghui , Yang Guili , Liu Xiao , Deng Quanjun , Chen Fanglian , chen xin , Zhang Shu , Zhang Jianning
Published: November 2022

Intense neuroinflammatory response with widespread microglia/macrophage activation and leucocyte infiltration occurring during the acute phase of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important mediator of secondary neurological injury. Neutrophils, as the most abundant leukocytes in peripheral circulation and the first-line transmigrated immune cells at the contused parenchyma following TBI, are suggested to worsen TBI outcomes and exacerbate TBI-related neuroinflammation, via unclear mechanisms. We hypothesized that neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation as a key mechanistic regulator, exacerbate microglia/macrophage-mediated neuroinflammation and acute neurological deficits after TBI. In this study, we observed massive NET formation in contused brain tissue of TBI patients and elevated plasma NET biomarkers correlated with upregulated cGAS-STING pathway. Overexpression of peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) induces an increase in the NET formation that is accompanied by upregulation of the cGAS-STING pathway and exacerbation of microglia/macrophages-mediated neuroinflammation and neurological injury. Additionally, degradation of NETs-associated DNA by DNase 1 and inhibition of NET formation by pharmacological inhibition of PAD effectively inhibit cGAS-STING pathway activation and ameliorate microglia/macrophages-mediated neuroinflammatory responses. Collectively, our data highlight that targeting NETs is a promising therapeutic strategy for TBI treatment.
Why does mere field of study mismatch yield wage premium in the Turkish labor market?
Authors: EGE Ahmet Alper , ERDIL Erkan
Published: November 2022

Using a micro dataset from labor force survey of Turkey, this paper estimates the effects of covariates on wages by employing a quantile regression method, with special emphasis on the effect of overlapping mismatch. The analyses are conducted separately for two target groups: the employees who graduated from (i) higher education and (ii) vocational and technical high schools. For both target groups, employees who are well-matched by field of study but overeducated (mere vertical mismatch) and those who are both overeducated and mismatched by field of study (full-mismatch) incur wage penalties at an increasing rate along the wage distribution. However, for higher education, the effect of mere field of study mismatch (well-matched by education level but mismatched by field of study) on wages is mixed and novel to some extent in the literature. More notably, employees who graduated from higher education and who are merely field of study mismatched incur wage penalties at the first three quantiles of wage distribution but earn more than the well-matched employees at higher quantiles. This finding suggests that mere field of study mismatch need not be considered negative per se but it yields a wage premium, especially at higher quantiles of the wage distribution. This novel finding might imply that these employees are highly skilled and are preferred by employers with a reward of higher wages.
Development and verification of pyroptosis scoring system of lower-grade gliomas
Authors: Chen Xiao , Xu Ying , Wang Maode , Ren Chunying
Published: November 2022

Pyroptosis plays a crucial role in the malignant progression of solid tumors, while the underlying mechanism of pyroptosis has not been systematically investigated in lower-grade glioma (LGG). We retrospectively enrolled TCGA-LGG and CGGA-LGG cohorts, the Genotype-Tissue Expression project, and clinical samples. Pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) were obtained from the Molecular Signatures Databas. Pyroptosis consensus clustering based on the expression profile of PRGs was used for consistency matrix construction in LGG samples. Subsequently, the “Boruta” algorithm was performed to identify the signature genes among pyroptosis subtypes. Principal component analysis implemented the dimension reduction of the expression profile of signature genes to construct a pyroptosis scoring system. Functional annotation analysis and immune cell infiltrating research depict the immune landscape among different pyroptosis groups. In addition, biomarkers of the pyroptosis scoring system were identified through weight gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). 27 PRGs were obtained, 5 of PRGS downregulate while 8 upregulate in LGG. Three pyroptosis patterns identified retain distinct clinical features and tumor microenvironment (TME). Based on the best cut-off pyroptosis value (7.244834), LGG samples were assigned into low and high pyroptosis groups. Patients with higher pyroptosis scores tend to have better prognoses. The pyroptosis score was considered as an indicator predicting the benefits of immunotherapy. In addition, BUB1 and KIF11 were considered the prognostic and pyroptosis-related markers in LGG. The Pyroptosis scoring system constructed in this study could heighten our comprehension of the tumor microenvironment of LGG and assist us in making individualized treatment strategies for patients.
Framing a novel holistic energy subsystem structure for water-energy-food nexus: A review of existing literature
Authors: Vahabzadeh Masoud , Afshar Abbas , Molajou Amir
Published: November 2022

Water, Energy, and Food (WEF) are inseparably interrelated vital resources for every society's subsistence, sustainability, and development. Due to world population growth and economic developments, new environmental challenges that aggravate WEF resources' insufficiency have emerged. WEF nexus aims to examine how three WEF subsystems will interact and grow together. Most existing energy models do not fully account for all requirements and interactions between the WEF subsystems in the WEF nexus context. This paper frames a comprehensive structure for the energy subsystem within the WEF nexus system for Iran country. In the proposed framework, the energy subsystem's supply and demand side are formulated using both data and equations. The presented framework addresses most interactions between WEF subsystems in a dynamic and adaptive setting. It is shown that through analysis of binding interactions between WEF, different management scenarios can boost the flexibility of the supply and demand side of the energy subsystem. In addition, by incorporating this framework, the water subsystem will manage the allocated and consumed water on the supply side and arrive at the most desirable outcome for the water sector. Also, the optimal cropping pattern could be evaluated based on energy consumption.
Importance of engineering geology on slope stability analysis applied in Northern Marmara Motorway (Section-5), İzmit, Turkey
Authors: Çakıner Müge , Bozkurtoğlu Erkan
Published: November 2022

Northern Marmara Motorway is a project planned to reduce the heavy traffic load around İstanbul, Tekirdağ, Kocaeli and Adapazarı provinces. In the Kurtköy-Akyazı section of the Northern Marmara Motorway, within the 5th section, bordered by “the Motorway Port Connection Road” and “İzmit Junction”, flow and slide-type mass movements were observed along the route. Possible causes of these mass movements occurred in the Çaycuma Formation which is sandstone-shale alternation, and the support system to stop the movements were evaluated within the scope of the study. The existing project criteria were analysed for the static and dynamic conditions, types of mass movements and the factors causing these mass movements were determined, and the slope stabilization applications suggested. The study area was additionally evaluated in terms of hydrogeological characteristics. Therefore, a meteorological water budget for the study area has been calculated by the Penman Method. Additionally, the water budget data was evaluated in terms of the mechanism that creates the mass movement, the environmental properties and the water relationships. Stability analyses were run in terms of soil structure, soil-rock mechanics, engineering geology, geotechnical engineering, and field and laboratory test results for the mass movements that took place in the right cut slopes between KM: 170 + 300 − 170 + 400, KM: 170 + 640 and KM: 175 + 297 − 175 + 463 of the 5th section.
Schistosoma mansoni excretory secretory products induce protein kinase signalling, hyperkinesis, and stem cell proliferation in the opposite sex
Authors: Shakir Eman , Rinaldi Gabirel , Kirk Ruth , Walker Anthony
Published: November 2022

Adult male and female schistosomes in copula dwell within human blood vessels and lay eggs that cause the major Neglected Tropical Disease human schistosomiasis. How males and females communicate to each other is poorly understood; however, male-female physical interaction is known to be important. Here, we investigated whether excretory-secretory products (ESPs), released into the external milieu by mature Schistosoma mansoni, might induce responses in the opposite sex. We demonstrate that ESPs adhere to the surface of opposite sex worms inducing the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathways, particularly in the parasite tegument. Furthermore, we show that mature worms stimulated signalling in juvenile worms. Strikingly, we demonstrate that ESPs from the opposite sex promote stem cell proliferation, in an ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent manner, in the tegument and within the testes of males, and the ovaries and vitellaria of females. Hyperkinesia also occurred following opposite sex ESP exposure. Our findings support the novel concept that male and female schistosomes may communicate over distance to modulate key processes underlying worm development and disease progression, opening novel avenues for schistosomiasis control.
The effect of northern hemisphere blocking systems on wet and dry periods in Iran under climate change conditions
Authors: Nejad Meysam Toulabi , Sharifi Leyla , Lupo Anthony R
Published: November 2022

The present research was carried with the aim of investigating the relationship between blockings in the northern hemisphere and widespread wet periods and droughts in Iran. The data of the research include: precipitation of 43 synoptic stations of Iran, data of 500 hPa height geopotential and blocking factors from 1973 up to 2018. Blocking indicator (BI) was used for studying blockings and ZSI indicator was used to extract wet periods and droughts. Pearson's correlation was also used to investigate the relationship between blocking components and droughts and wet periods. Results from investigating widespread wet periods and droughts showed that before global warming, 7 wet periods occurred broadly while during the global warming, this number decreased to 5 years. Nevertheless, widespread droughts increased from 16 years to 18 years. Results from data analysis reveals that during a 46-year period of time, 977 blocking's cores have been shaped in the whole region 41 percent of which have been formed in pre-climate change period and the rest 59 percent in the second period. Regarding the intensity of blocking'sformation, it can be said that more than 77% of blockings have been medium, 10.5 % strong and 12% have been weak and with the occurrence of global warming got even weaker and inclined more to dryness and latitudes above 55 55º N. As a result, their power has decreased and they reached Iran less effectively. Blockings migration to upper latitudes can be attributed to the Increase in the subtropical high-pressure force and reduction of polar vortex penetration (polar low pressure) toward middle latitudes due to climate change. Thus, with the transference of blocking cores to upper latitudes the landing position of the troughs resulted from the blocking systems, has lesser reached to Iran and as a result, drought in Iran has increased. The results from correlation of factors of blocking and wet periods and droughts showed that in the situation of climate change, the intensity of blocking systems affecting Iran has decreased and led to decrease of wet periods and increase of droughts.
Incidence and Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Amhara Region Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, 2021: Retrospective Follow-up Study
Authors: Abiye Melesse , Gedefaw Mihrete , Endaweke Migbaru , Abinew Yideg , Shimekaw Atirsaw , Gurmu Yonas , Zeleke Haymanot
Published: November 2022

Background
- Acute kidney injury is an emerging global public health problem significantly associated with increased in morbidity, mortality, and extra cost incurred. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for acute kidney injury that is not well investigated in developing countries including Ethiopia.
Objective
- To assess the incidence and predictors of acute kidney injury among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients having follow-ups in Amhara region Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals.
Methods
- Institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 538 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients from January 1, 2014, to January 1, 2020, by systematic random sampling. Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-rank test were used to compare survival time between different categories of explanatory variables. Cox proportional hazard was used to determine significant predictors and proportional hazard assumptions were checked by plotting cox Snell’s residual and global test.
Results
- the incidence rate of acute kidney injury among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was 38 per 10,000 person-months observations. The significant predictors were poor glycemic control [AHR (95% CI) 1.70(1.06, 2.74)], Hypertension [AHR (95% CI) 2.36(1.17, 4.79)], Congestive heart failure [AHR (95% CI) 1.79(1.11, 2.89)], Chronic kidney disease [AHR (95% CI) 2.02(1.23, 3.33)], Dyslipidemia [AHR (95% CI) 2.57(1.40, 4.70)], Diabetic nephropathy [AHR (95% CI) 2.08(1.24, 3.51)], Sepsis [AHR (95% CI) 2.96(1.87, 4.70)] and Body mass index((> 30 & 25-29.9 kg/m2); [AHR (95% CI) 4.24(1.98, 9.07) and 2.84(1.50, 5.38) respectively)].
Conclusion
- the incidence of acute kidney injury among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was relatively higher in this study area than in previous studies. Implementing good glycemic control, close monitoring of comorbidities, infection prevention, and weight reduction were vital to reducing the incidence of acute kidney injury in type 2 diabetic patients.
Faecal microbiota transplantation from Alzheimer’s participants induces impairments in hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive behaviours in rats
Authors: Grabrucker Stefanie , Marizzoni Moira , Silajdžić Edina , Lopizzo Nicolo , Mombelli Elisa , Nicolas Sarah , Dohm-Hansen Sebastian , Scassellati Catia , Moretti Davide , Rosa Melissa , Hoffmann Karina , Englsih Jane , Lavelle Aonghus , O'Neill Cora , Thuret Sandrine , Cattaneo Annamaria , Nolan Yvonne
Published: November 2022

The gut microbiome is emerging as an important susceptibility factor in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) possibly due to the increased prevalence of pro-inflammatory genera in gut microbiota of AD participants. Microbiota-mediated changes in cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), an important process for memory which is altered in AD, position the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a key regulator of AD. However, it is unknown whether gut microbiota alterations are the cause or consequence of AD symptoms. We transplanted faecal microbiota from AD participants and age-matched controls into microbiota-depleted naïve adult rats and found impairments in AHN and associated memory tasks, which correlated with clinical cognitive scores. Discrete changes in the rat caecal and hippocampal metabolome were evident. Serum from AD participants also decreased neurogenesis in vitro and correlated with cognitive scores and pro-inflammatory genera. Our results reveal that the cognitive symptoms in AD may be due to alterations in gut microbiota, and that impaired neurogenesis may be a mechanistic link between altered gut microbiota and cognitive impairment in AD.
Label-free aptasensor for the ultrasensitive detection of insulin via a synergistic fluorescent turn-on strategy based on G-quadruplex and AIEgens
Authors: Zeng Xiaohui , Wang Hailong , Zeng Yanbo , Yang Yiwen , Zhang Zulei , Li Lei
Published: November 2022

Insulin, the only hormone regulating blood glucose level, is strongly associated with diabetes and its complications. Specific recognition and ultrasensitive detection of insulin are of clinical significance for the early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. Inspired by aggregation-induced emission, we presented a turn-on label-free fluorescence aptasensor for insulin detection. Quaternized tetraphenylethene salt was synthesized as the fluorescence probe, guanine-rich aptamer IGA3 was selected as recognition element, and graphene oxide was chosen as the quencher. Under optimized conditions, the fluorescence aptasensor displayed a wide linear range (1.0 pM–1.0 µM) with a low limit of detection (0.42 pM). Furthermore, the aptasensor was successfully applied to detect insulin in human serum. Spiked recoveries were obtained in the range of 96.06–104.26%. All these results demonstrated that the proposed approach has potential application in the clinical diagnostics of diabetes.
Presaccadic attention sharpens visual acuity
Authors: Kwak Yuna , Hanning Nina M. , Carrasco Marisa
Published: November 2022

Visual perception is limited by spatial resolution, the ability to discriminate fine details. Spatial resolution not only declines with eccentricity but also differs for polar angle locations around the visual field, also known as ‘performance fields'. To compensate for poor peripheral resolution, we make rapid eye movements –saccades– to bring peripheral objects into high-acuity foveal vision. Already before saccade onset, visual attention shifts to the saccade target location and prioritizes visual processing. This presaccadic shift of attention improves performance in many visual tasks, but whether it changes resolution is unknown. Here, we investigated whether presaccadic attention sharpens peripheral spatial resolution; and if so, whether such effect interacts with performance fields asymmetries. We measured acuity thresholds in an orientation discrimination task during fixation and saccade preparation around the visual field. The results revealed that presaccadic attention sharpens acuity, which can facilitate a smooth transition from peripheral to foveal representation. This acuity enhancement is similar across the four cardinal locations; thus, the typically robust effect of presaccadic attention does not change polar angle differences in resolution.
Adaptive Reduced Parameters Fault-Tolerant Tracking Control for Stochastic Multiagent Systems with Simplifified Memory Event-Triggered Strategy
Authors: Li Dongni , Cao Liang , Xue Hong
Published: November 2022

The memory event-triggered finite-time bipartite tracking control scheme is presented for the stochastic nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs). The actuator is affected by Bouc-Wen Hysteresis and actuator faults simultaneously, and to guarantee the tracking performance, an adaptive finite-time bipartite controller which reduces online estimation parameters is constructed for the stochastic systems. A simplified memory event-triggered mechanism is proposed under the backstepping framework for the first time. Furthermore, the released data is used to set the event-triggered threshold condition, which avoids the problem of trigger instability caused by actuator faults and Bouc-Wen Hysteresis. Disturbance observers are applied to compensate the impact of input hysteresis and system disturbances. According to the Lyapunov theory, it is shown that all signals of the closed-loop systems are semiglobal practical finite-time stable (SGPFS) in probability. Meanwhile, the bipartite control performance is obtained. Finally, a practical and a numerical simulation example are provided to attest the validity of the proposed bipartite tracking control strategy.
Correlation and Agreement Between Arterial and Venous Blood Gas Analysis in Patients with Hypotension - An Emergency Department Based Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Prasad Hari , Vempalli Nagasubramanyam , Agrawal Naman , N Ajun U , Salam Ajmal , Datta Soumya Subhra , Singhal Ashutosh , Ranjan Nishant , P Shabeeba Sherin P , G Sundareshan
Published: November 2022

Background
Blood gas analysis is integral to assessing emergency department (ED) patients with acute respiratory or metabolic disease. Arterial blood gas (ABG) is the gold standard for oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status but is painful to obtain. Peripheral venous blood gas (VBG) is a valuable alternative as it is less painful and easy to collect. The comparability of ABG and VBG was studied in various conditions. But in hypotension, comparability is still a concern. So, we studied the correlation and agreement between ABG and VBG in hypotensive patients.
Methodology:
The study was conducted at the emergency department of a tertiary healthcare center in Northern India. Patients with hypotension above 18 years of age who satisfied the inclusion criteria were clinically evaluated. Patients who require ABG as a part of routine care were sampled. ABG was collected from the radial artery at the wrist level. VBG was obtained from the cubital or dorsal hand veins. Both samples were collected within 10 minutes and were analyzed. All ABG and VBG variables were entered in premade proforma. The patient was then treated and disposed of according to institutional protocol.
Results
Two hundred fifty patients were enrolled. The mean age was 53.25 ± 15.71 years. 56.8% were male. The study included 45.6% septic, 34.4% hypovolemic, 18% cardiogenic, and 2% obstructive shock patients. The study found a strong correlation and agreement for ABG and VBG pH, pCO2, HCO3, lactate, sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, blood urea nitrogen, base excess, and arterial/alveolar oxygen ratio. Hence, regression equations were made for the aforementioned. There was no correlation observed between ABG and VBG pO2 and SpO2. Our study concluded that VBG could be a reasonable alternative for ABG in hypotensive patients. We can also mathematically predict values of ABG from VBG using regression equations derived.
Conclusions
The study has shown strong correlations and agreements for most ABG and VBG parameters except pO2 and SO2. The study can predict an ABG mathematically using regression formulas formulated from a VBG. This will decrease needle stick injury, consume less time, and make blood gas evaluation easy in hypotensive settings.
Brucellar arthritis and sacroiliitis: an eight-year retrospective comparative analysis of demographic, clinical and paracilinical features
Authors: Sayad Babak , Bozorgomid Arezoo , Mohammadi Arman , Ahmadi Forouzan , Arghand Leila , Shadmani Fatemeh Khosravi , Morovati Sanaz
Published: November 2022

Background
Brucellosis is a common global zoonotic disease with a wide range of complex and non-specific clinical manifestations that may lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Osteoarticular involvement is the most common complaint in brucellosis.
Methods
This retrospective descriptive study was performed on patients presenting to a teaching hospital in Kermanshah, Iran with a diagnosis of brucellosis during 2011–2019. The demographic and clinical characteristics, complications, laboratory findings and treatment were recorded during the study period. Then, the difference in the collected data was investigated between brucellosis patients with and without arthritis or sacroiliitis.
Results
Of 425 patients, 130 (30.58%) had osteoarticular involvement. Sacroiliitis (13.6%) followed by spondylitis (12.9%) and peripheral arthritis (9.6%) was the most common type of complication. 15% of patients with Sacroillitis had spondylitis, concomitantly. There were no significant demographic differences between patients with and without brucellar arthritis or sacroiliitis. The patients with brucellar arthritis had a significantly higher frequency of arthralgia. Arthralgia, neck pain, back pain, positive Faber test, radiculopathy and vertebral tenderness were significantly more frequent in patients with Sacroiliitis; while fever and headache were significantly more common in patients without sacroiliitis. The median wright and 2ME titers were higher in brucellosis patients with arthritis or sacroiliitis versus patients without arthritis or sacroiliitis, but the difference was not significant. Synovial fluid was analyzed in 20 cases. The mean white cell count, glucose and protein level were 3461 ± 2.70, 58.54 ± 31.43 mg/dLit and 8.6 ± 11.85 g/dLit, respectively. Neutrophil cells were predominant in 80% of samples. patients with arthritis had a higher median platelet count and patients with sacroiliitis had higher median levels of AST and ALP significantly.
Conclusions
Arthritis and sacroiliitis had a frequency of 9.64% and 13.6%, respectively. Any complaints of low back pain and radiculopathy as well as the presence of spondylitis in patients should raise suspicion of sacroiliitis. High levels of ALP and a high platelet count may be associated with brucellar sacroiliitis and arthritis, respectively. The use of paraclinical methods such as MRI and bone scan seems necessary for diagnosis of sacroiliitis.
Thalamus morphology in healthy and disease patients: MRI retrospective study
Authors: Khasawneh Ramada R. , Abu-El-Rub Ejlal
Published: November 2022

Background: The thalamus, are large, gray masses that act as an evolved sensory and motor gateway to the cortex. The thalamus has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several illnesses. In this study we measure and compare the size of thalamus and interthalamic adhesion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between normal, Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis Arab patients. Moreover, we assess the gender differences and right-left differences of the thalamus and interthalamic adhesion in all three groups
Materials and methods: This prospective study was used T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) to measure the anteroposterior, transvers and vertical length of the thalamic and interthalamic adhesion. The MRI scan were obtained from 150 (75 males and 75 females) healthy participants, 100 (52 males and 48 females) Alzheimer’s patients, and a 100 (56 males and 44 females) multiple sclerosis patients.
Results: The thalamus and interthalamic adhesion size were significantly reduce in both Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis patients comparing to healthy controls. There was no correlation between gender or right-left sides and the dimensions of the thalamus and interthalamic adhesion within the same disease group.
Conclusion: The study showed a correlation between some neurodegenerative disorder and the thalamus and interthalamic adhesion size. The gender and the right-left sides not effecting the thalamus and interthalamic adhesion size within the same neurodegenerative disorder group.
A CNN deep learning model to improve SNP-based hypertension risk prediction accuracy
Authors: Lajevardi S. Ali , Kargari Mehrdad , Daneshpour Maryam S , Akbarzadeh Mahdi
Published: November 2022

Hypertension is a modifiable factor for cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, known as the silent killer. Therefore, especially at a young age, method development to detect the risk of hypertension is essential. Most models for predicting disease risk are primarily based on lifestyle factors. Recently, considering the risk of genetic factors, including disease-related SNPs, has improved the accuracy of individual disease prediction. SNP is a small genetic change in DNA and is the most common genetic variation in humans. Four approaches are used to predict hypertension with genomic markers analysis: a statistical, meta-analysis, machine learning, and clinical modeling. The most critical issue in these models is the high number of input SNPs and their relationship. In the present study, a deep learning method with the CNN approach uses multiple SNPs and hypertension labels in a longitudinal cohort study for comparison; PRS was calculated using plink and gcta64 software. First, the genomic data is converted into an image and entered into the CNN model, whose layers include the convolution layer, pooled layer, fully connected layer, and output layer. Data contains three sections: genomic data, age, and longitudinal data of hypertension based on the study of cardiac-metabolic genetics in Tehran. AUC was used to compare the performance of the model. The CNN model with an AUC value of 0.877 shows better performance than the PRS and the latest models presented in the literature.
Effect of the decreased frequency of going out on the association between anxiety and sleep disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mediation analysis
Authors: Sugawara Yumi , Yabe Yutaka , Hagiwara Yoshihiro , Tsuji Ichiro
Published: November 2022

Purpose
The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between anxiety and sleep disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate whether sleep disorder is mediated by the decreased frequency of going out.
Methods
The data of a total of 1,976 residents aged 18 years and over who had responded to a self-reported questionnaires at a health survey in 2020 were analyzed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on their response to the questionnaire on anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep disorder was measured using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). A cross-sectional analysis was performed to examine the association between anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic and AIS scores. Mediation analysis was used to calculate the association between anxiety and AIS scores during the COVID-19 pandemic, with decreased frequency of going out as a potential mediating variable.
Results
In the cross-sectional study, the level of anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with the AIS score (p < 0.001). On mediation analysis, the direct effect of the relationship showed that anxiety positively influenced AIS scores (β = 0.283, p < 0.01). The indirect effect of the relationship showed that the decreased frequency of going out positively mediated the relationship between anxiety and AIS scores (β = 0.342, p < 0.05). The decreased frequency of going out accounted for almost 10% of the AIS score.
Conclusion
The present study found that anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with sleep disorder, with the decreased frequency of going out mediating this association.
Serum interleukin-6 level predicts the prognosis for patients with alcohol-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Authors: Murakami Serami , Imamura Michio , Uchida Takuro , Suehiro Yosuke , Namba Maiko , Fujii Yasutoshi , Uchikawa Shinsuke , Teraoka Yuji , Fujino Hatsue , Ono Atsushi , Nakahara Takashi , Murakami Eisuke , Okamoto Wataru , Yamauchi Masami , Kawaoka Tomokazu , Miki Daiki , Hayes C. Nelson , Tsuge Masataka , Aikata Hiroshi , Ohira Masahiro , Ohdan Hideki , Oka Shiro
Published: November 2022

Aim: Heavy alcohol drinking is the most common etiology of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in Japan. In some patients, ACLF is associated with a fatal outcome within less than 6 months. We evaluated the prognosis of patients with alcohol-related ACLF in our cohort and explored the prognostic factors.
Methods: Forty-six patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who fulfilled the Japanese diagnostic criteria for ACLF, including extended and/or probable, were enrolled in this study. Serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNFα) were measured. We assessed the prognosis of the patients and identified factors associated with survival.
Results: During the median 33-day observation period, 19 patients died, and 3 patients underwent living donor liver transplantation. Cumulative survival rates of patients treated without liver transplantation were 69, 48, 41 and 36% at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Eighteen of the 19 deceased patients died within 6 months after ACLF diagnosis. Serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated, and patients who underwent liver transplantation or who died within 6 months after admission had significantly higher serum IL-6 levels than the survival group. Multivariate analysis identified IL-6 >23.3 pg/mL at admission and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥25 on day 4 of admission as significant independent factors for mortality within 6 months.
Conclusion: Serum IL-6 level and Day-4 MELD were prognostic factors for alcohol-related ACLF. Early liver transplantation is a potential treatment option for patients whose prognosis is expected to be poor.
Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Toward Covid‑19 And Omicron Among the General Public in Gujarat: A Cross‑Sectional Online Survey
Authors: Patel Rishita D
Published: November 2022

The global catastrophe, it is pretty unnecessary to elaborate on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that brought about 2019. 43 million instances in India have been recorded, of which 42.4 million have recovered while more than 521 thousand people have succumbed to the pandemic as of July, 2022. Of late, the second wave of the infection and new variants of the virus have also surfaced across various latitudes and longitudes of the globe. Various control measures have been adopted globally, however, the success and effectiveness of the control measures are affected by people’s knowledge, practices and attitudes (KAP) towards the pandemic. Therefore, this study sought to ascertain the public's level of KAP toward COVID-19 in India. A cross-sectional online survey of Indian public was conducted between 31st January 2022 to 5th march 2022. The survey questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, pertaining to knowledge (15 items), attitude (9 items), and practices (9 items), modified from a previously published questionnaire on COVID-19 and Omicron. This study added KAP towards omicron variant. A total of 496 persons completed the survey. The average score of the knowledge towards COVID19 and Omicron of males were 11.33 ± 2.899/15 and females were 10.9 ± 2.595/15 respectively. Attitude scores of males were 3.65 ± 1.01/5 and females were 3.68 ± 1.02/5 respectively towards COVID19 and Omicron. Practice scores of males were 2.5 ± 0.56/3 and females were 2.5 ± 0.48/3 towards COVID19 and Omicron. The overall correct rate of knowledge questions was 73.33%, attitude questions were 6.87% and practice questions were 5.94% among the 496 participants. Maximum respondents demonstrated good level of knowledge (73.34%) and attitude (76.41%) while 66% were found to follow moderate practices towards the pandemic. The good practice skills, a considerable percentage (8.25%) of respondents never wore nose masks, washed hands, and maintained social distance (12.2%) during the outbreak. By the same token, 84.95% of the public were carrying sanitizers during covid and omicron pandemic. Due to the limited sample, we must be cautious when generalizing these findings to whole populations. From this result finding we can definitely say that general public of Gujarat have good KAP towards COVID 19 and omicron, still health education programs can improve KAP of people.