bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital technological innovation and clinical risk policy: results and prospects in an Italian private hospital
Authors: Pesel Giuliano , Gibelli Filippo , Bailo Paolo , Ricci Giovanna
Published: November 2023

Background
.The healthcare industry is witnessing a transformative era marked by the advent of digital technologies. One such notable development is the digitization of prescription therapy, which holds potential for significant clinical risk reduction. The traditional methods of maintaining health records, particularly in regions like Italy, are predominantly paper-based, presenting challenges like poor legibility and transcription errors, leading to possible medication mishaps and adverse events. The advent of electronic medical record models, as seen in the private healthcare facility in Friuli Venezia-Giulia, north-eastern Italy, presents a promising solution to these issues.
Methods
.This study explores the implementation of the Electronic Unified Therapy Record (EUTR), a digital tool initiated with the partial digitization of the clinical folder. The EUTR, operational since 2021, is an application that consolidates all therapy sheet information and supplements it with patient-specific data. It is employed during the prescription phase by doctors and the administration phase by nurses, aiming to reduce assistance times and mitigate errors associated with incorrect drug administration.
Results
The preliminary outcomes of implementing the EUTR have shown significant potential in enhancing safety and quality of care. By digitizing and centralizing patient treatment data, EUTR ensures accuracy and consistency, thereby enhancing patient safety. Its real-time updating feature allows for instant error detection, swift rectification, and seamless communication among healthcare professionals. These features have contributed to a reduction in assistance time and a decrease in therapeutic errors.
Conclusions
The introduction of digital tools like the EUTR in healthcare is a promising step towards reducing clinical risks and enhancing patient care. While the preliminary outcomes have been positive, the study concludes with a proposal for future enhancements to the digital tool. Continued innovation in healthcare digitalization, driven by tools like EUTR, can potentially revolutionize patient care, paving the way for a safer, more efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system. This study serves as a benchmark for further research on the impact of digital transformation in healthcare.
Improving Response Time using Lightning based Biased Random Sampling (LBRS) for Load Balancing
Authors: evangeline preetha , D Preetha Evangeline , P Anandhakumar , V Sathya , P Karthikeyan
Published: November 2023

Cloud computing has rapidly emerged as a successful paradigm for providing IT infrastructure, resources and services on a pay-per-use basis over the past few years. The wider adoption of Cloud has led to the establishment of large scale data centers that consume excessive energy. Biased Random Sampling is an existing load balancing algorithm used to choose the load allocation node from the neighboring nodes to satisfy the user requests. Proposed work applies the behavior of lightning to Biased Random Sampling algorithm which is used for load balancing technique in cloud to achieve minimum response time. The work also computes the capacity of the machine to achieve high accuracy in calculating response time while assigning cloudlet received to VM. The work also includes obtaining resources from public cloud when load increases in the private cloud. Response time of proposed work is compared with existing biased random sampling and minimum response time is obtained for proposed load balancing technique. The response time obtained in LBRS is 82% less than BRS algorithm and 74% less than FCFS algorithm. The experimental results showed that the load is evenly distributed for LBRS algorithm and unevenly distributed for BRS algorithm.
LRRK2 regulates ferroptosis through the system Xc-GSH-GPX4 pathway in the neuroinflammatory mechanism of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lu Guohui , Zheng Zijian , Zhang Shushan , Liu Xinjie , Wang Xiangrong , Xue Cheng , Wu Xiao , Zhang Xinran , Liu Zheng , Yao Longping
Published: November 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Neuroinflammation mediated by activated microglia and apoptosis of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the midbrain are its primary pathological manifestations. Leucine-rich repeat protein kinase 2 (LRRK2) kinase has been observed increased expression during neuroinflammation. however, the effect of LRRK2 on microglia activation remains poorly understood. In this study, we have established lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated BV2 cells and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) models for both in vivo and in vitro investigation. Our data in vivo reveal that LRRK2 can promote microglia activation by regulating ferroptosis and activating NF-κB. Inhibition of LRRK2 expression effectively suppressed the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and facilitated the secretion of neuroprotective factors. Importantly, we identified the system Xc-GSH-GPX4 pathway as a critical factor in LRRK2-mediated microglial inflammatory response via the regulation of ferroptosis. Using a microglial culture supernatant (MCS) transfer model, we found that inhibiting LRRK2 or downregulating ferroptosis in BV2 cells prevented SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis. Additionally, we observed abundant expression of LRRK2 and p-p65 in the midbrain, which was elevated in the MPTP-induced PD model, along with microglia activation. LRRK2 and p-p65 expression inhibition with PF-06447475 attenuated microglia activation in the nigrostriatal dense part of MPTP-treated mice. Based on our findings, it is evident that LRRK2 plays a critical role in promoting the neuroinflammatory response during the pathogenesis of PD by regulating the system Xc-GSH-GPX4 pathway. Taken together, our data highlights the potential research and therapeutic value of targeting LRRK2 to regulate neuroinflammatory response in PD through ferroptosis. .
First severe malaria in pregnancy followed in Philippine real-world setting: proof-of-concept of probabilistic record linkage between disease surveillance and hospital administrative data
Authors: Kinoshita Takuya , Espino Fe Esperanza Caridad , Bunagan Raymart , Lim Dodge , Daga Chona , Parungao Sabrina , Balderian Aileen , Micu Katherine , Laborera Rutchel , Basilio Ramon , Inobaya Marianette , Baquilod Mario , Dy Melecio , Chiba Hitoshi , Matsumoto Takehiro , Nakayama Takeo , Kita Kiyoshi , Hirayama Kenji
Published: November 2023

Background
Although the Philippines targets malaria elimination by 2030, it is a disease of public health importance in provinces that report malaria. Pregnant women residing in endemic areas are a vulnerable population because their pregnancy is not followed through, and the outcome of their pregnancy is unknown. This study determined the utility of real-world data integrated with disease surveillance dataset as real-world evidence of pregnancy and delivery outcomes in areas endemic for malaria in the Philippines.
Methods
For the period of 2015 to 2019, electronic datasets of malaria surveillance data and Ospital ng Palawan hospital admission log of pregnant women residing in the four selected barangays of Rizal, Palawan were merged using probabilistic linkage. The source data for record linkage were first and last names, birth date, and address as the mutual variable. The data used for characteristics of the pregnant women from the hospital data set were admission date, discharge date, admitting and final diagnosis and body weight on admission. From the malaria surveillance data these were date of consultation, and malaria parasite species. The Levenshtein distance formula was used for a fuzzy string-matching algorithm. Chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the means of the two datasets.
Results
The prevalence of pregnant women admitted to the tertiary referral hospital, Ospital ng Palawan, was estimated to be 8.34/100 overall, and 11.64/100 from the four study barangays; that of malaria during pregnancy patients was 3.45/100 and 2.64/100, respectively. There was only one true-positive matched case from 238 women from the hospital and 54 women from the surveillance datasets. The overall Levenshstein score was 97.7; for non-matched cases, the mean overall score was 36.6 (35.6–37.7). The matched case was a minor who was hospitalized for severe malaria. The outcome of her pregnancy was detected from neither dataset but from village-based records.
Conclusion
This proof-of-concept study demonstrated that probabilistic record linkage could match real-world data in the Philippines with further validation required. The study underscored the need for more integrated and comprehensive database to monitor disease intervention impact on pregnancy and its outcome in the Philippines.
Nicotinamide protects against diabetic kidney disease through regulation of Sirt1
Authors: Yang Yeping , Huang Jinya , Xie Lijie , Wang Yilin , Guo Shizhe , Wang Meng , Shao Xiaoqing , Liu Wenjuan , Wang Yi , Li Qin , Wu Xia , Zhang Zhaoyun , Zeng Fangfang , Gong Wei
Published: November 2023

Purpose
To investigate the effect of nicotinamide (Nam) on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in mice and explore its mechanism.
Methods
Thirty DBA/2J mice were randomly assigned to three groups. After 8 weeks of hyperglycemia induced by streptozocin (STZ), Nam and saline were administrated to the STZ + Nam and STZ + NS mice, respectively, for 8 weeks. Non-diabetic mice (NDM) were used as control group. Twenty In2−/− Akita mice were randomly divided into two groups. After 8 weeks of hyperglycemia, Nam and saline were administered to Akita + Nam and Akita + NS mice, respectively, for 6 weeks. Wild-type littermates were used as the control group. Markers of renal injury were analyzed, and the molecular mechanisms were explored in human proximal tubular HK2 cells.
Results
Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) decreased in the STZ + Nam and Akita + Nam groups. Pathological analysis showed that Nam improved the structure of glomerular basement membrane, ameliorated glomerular sclerosis, and decreased the accumulation of extracellular matrix and collagen. Compared to the diabetic control group, renal fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress were reduced in the Nam-treated mice. The expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in human proximal tubular HK2 cells was inhibited by high glucose and Nam treatment enhanced its expression. However, in HK2 cells with SIRT1 knockdown, the protective effect of Nam was abolished, indicating that the beneficial effect of Nam was partially dependent on SIRT1.
Conclusions
Nam has a renoprotective effect against renal injury caused by hyperglycemia and may be a potential target for the treatment of DKD.
Can Posttransplant Cycloposphamide Reduce the Risk of Graft vs Host Disease for Pediatric Fully Matched Non-Related Stem Cell Transplantation?
Authors: Aksoy Basak Adakli , Ersoy Gizem Zengin , Oner Ozlem Basoglu , Aydogdu Selime , Dikme Gurcan , erdem melek , Fisgin Tunc , Bozkurt Ceyhun
Published: November 2023

Objective
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (postCy) is widely used as prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in haploidentical bone marrow transplantation and is being investigated in matched transplants for pediatric patients. The effect of postCy for prophylaxis of GvHD in pediatric, fully-matched, unrelated, peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is described.
Methods
This was a retrospective clinical study of 110 pediatric patients diagnosed with malignant and non-malignant diseases who underwent PBSCT from matched unrelated donors (MUD). Fifty patients received 50 mg/kg/d cyclophosphamide on day +3 and +4, designated Group 1, while the remaining 60 (Group 2) did not receive postCy. All patients were given a regimen of standard immunosuppression.
Results
One hundred and ten patients younger than 18 years (73 males and 37 females) were followed-up for a median of two years after successful PBSCT. The incidence of grade II–IV and grade III–IV acute GvHD was 28% and 18% in Group 2 while in Group 1 these rates were 20% and 10%, respectively. The incidence of chronic GvHD was 8.3% for Group 2 and 4% in Group 1. Survival for >100 days was 87.2% overall, 86% in Group 1 and 89% in Group 2; similarly, overall survival in these three populations was 78%, 76% and 80%, respectively. None of these differences were significant.
Conclusion
Although postCy-transplant was shown to have advantages for unmatched and haploidentical PBSCT in adult patients, the findings of the present study suggest no effect in fully MUD PBSCT in children. There is a need for larger studies to confirm or refute these findings and, if shown to be robust, to investigate why there is this difference between pediatric and adult transplant patients.
Increased epithelial cell spreading by histatin-1 is associated by enhanced mitochondrial and cytoskeletal dynamics
Authors: Bikker Floris , Ma Dandan
Published: November 2023

Histatin-1, a histidine-rich salivary peptide, promotes cell spreading and cell-surface adhesion thereby playing a role in faster oral wound healing processes when compared to the skin. However, the underling mechanisms remains relatively understudied. This study explored the potential relationships between histatin-1(Hst1), mitochondria and alterations in the cytoskeleton. Live cell confocal microscopes were adopted to capture the images and videos to assess the effect of Hst1 on the interaction between mitochondrial and cytoskeletal dynamics. Mitochondrial bioenergetics were determined using Seahorse® XF96 analyzers. Hst1 significantly increase filopodia formation and elongation within 24hours. NaN3, an inhibitor of cytochrome oxidase, resulted in reduced filopodial formation capacity of Hst1. This difference was likely due to distinct patterns of mitochondrial morphology, density, and membrane potential, as well as ATP production. Meanwhile, Hst1 also targeted to the actin and may involve in the process of action polymerization in cell spreading. Hst1 promotes interaction between mitochondria and cytoskeleton to induce filopodial formation preceding cell spreading.
Prevelance of Long Acting Contraceptive Use and Associated Factors Among Married Women of Reproductive Age in Angacha Destrict, Kemebata Temebaro Zone, Snnpr, Ethiopia.
Authors: Demilo Melkamu Gebre , Kassa Dejene Hailu
Published: November 2023

Back ground
In many developing countries including Ethiopia, rapid population growths is a major challenge to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and affects maternal health. Despite their safety and effectiveness, only 15.5% and 3.4% of women are globally using long acting contraceptive methods (LACMs) such as IUCDs and sub dermal implants, respectively. Angacha District has been exerting a lot of efforts to promote LACM, but there is lack of scientific- evidence regarding the status of LACM use and associated factors among married women.
Methods
A sample of 632 married women of reproductive age was participated. Multi-stage sampling technique was carried out to select the study population. First, all the 19 kebeles of the woreda were stratified into 2 urban and 17 rural kebeles. Then, 1 kebele from urban and 4 kebeles from rural, a total of 5 kebeles were randomly selected by lottery method. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews with married women of reproductive age from selected households. Descriptive and binary logistic regressions were done to describe and examine association between outcome and explanatory variables.
Results
The prevalence of LACMs use was 14.2%. Women aged between 25–34 and 35–49 years [AOR = 0.36(95%CI:0.17,0.77)] and [AOR = 0.28(95%CI:0.1,0.77)], monthly average income[AOR = 0.26(95%CI:0.1,0.69)], overall knowledge scores about LACMs [AOR = 3.1 (95%CI:1.23,7.66)], partners discussion[AOR = 0.24(95%CI:0.07,0.9)], womens’ desire for more children [AOR = 4.32(95%CI:1.55,12.03)] were significantly associated with LACMs use.
Conclusion
LACMs use in the study area was low. Some socio-demographic, economic & cultural factors like age of respondents, households’ monthly average income, overall knowledge scores about LACMs, partner’s discussion & desire for more children were associated with LACMs use.
Growth charts for children aged 6-17 years in Shanxi, China: comparison with other cities of China, WHO and neighboring countries
Authors: li Kunkun , Cao wenjun , Tao Mengmeng , Tian Wei , Chang Ruimin
Published: November 2023

Background
Growth charts are an important method for evaluating a child’s health, growth, and nutritional status. To present body mass index (BMI)-for-age references reflecting children’s growth in Shanxi.
Methods
A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 5461 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. The LMS method was used to calculate the percentile values of body mass index by gender and age. Smoothed BMI-for-age growth curves were established for both sexes and compared with reference data from other cities of China, WHO and neighboring countries.
Results
BMI centiles increased with age but with different patterns in both boys and girls. The centile curves from the 3rd to the 50th had a slight increase, while a sharp increase was seen from 11 to 17 years in boys and from 6 to 14 years in girls in the higher centiles. In comparison with other cities of China, the values for the 50th percentile are higher than those reported for children from China 2009, Shanghai, Changsha and China 2010 in both sexes. In comparison with WHO growth references, Chinese girls and boys had higher values in all percentiles, whereas curves of girls look roughly the same. The medians for BMI in Shanxi increase linearly from 6 to 17 years in boys. Compared to the neighboring countries, the 50th percentile curves of Japan, India and Iran are lower for boys and girls aged 5–14 than Korea, Shanxi and Pakistan. Shanxi has the highest percentile curves for girls and boys aged 12–17 compared to other neighboring countries.
Conclusions
The BMI percentiles of children aged 6–17 years in Shanxi differed significantly from the growth reference curves of other cities of China, WHO and neighbouring countries. Therefore, BMI curves that meet local and population-specific should be developed to assess physical growth of children, detect overweight and obese children early, and provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in children.
Genetically Synthesized Supergain Broadband Wire-Bundle Antenna
Authors: Vovchuk Dmytro , Uziel Gilad , Machnev Andrey , Porins Jurgis , Bobrovs Vjaceslavs , Ginzburg Pavel
Published: November 2023

High-gain antennas are essential hardware devices, powering numerous daily applications, including distant point-to-point communications, safety radars, and many others. While a common approach to elevate gain is to enlarge an antenna aperture, highly resonant subwavelength structures can potentially grant high gain performances. The Chu-Harrington limit is a standard criterion to assess electrically small structures and those surpassing it are called superdirective. Supergain is obtained in a case when internal losses are mitigated, and an antenna is matched to radiation, though typically in a very narrow frequency band. Here we develop a concept of a spectrally overlapping resonant cascading, where tailored multipole hierarchy grants both high gain and sufficient operational bandwidth. Our architecture is based on a near-field coupled wire bundle. Genetic optimization, constraining both gain and bandwidth, is applied on a 24-dimensional space and predicts 8.81 dBi realized gain within a half-wavelength in a cube volume that is 13% fractional bandwidth, which is the best performance in the field. Small wire bundle structures are rather attractive for designing superscattering and superdirective structures, as they have a sufficient number of degrees of freedom to perform an optimization, and, at the same time rely on simple fabrication-tolerant layouts, based on low-loss materials.
On the Nonlinear Dynamics of In-Contact Rigid Bodies experiencing Stick-Slip and Wear Phenomena
Authors: D'Annibale Francesco , Casalotti Arnaldo
Published: November 2023

In this paper, the dynamic behavior of one degree-of-freedom oscillator subject to stick-slip and wear phenomena at the contact interface with a rigid substrate is investigated. The motion of the oscillator, induced by a harmonic excitation, depends on the tangential contact forces, exchanged with the rigid soil, which are modeled through nonlinear constitutive laws accounting for stick-slip phenomena due to friction as well as wear due to abrasion. The nonlinear ordinary differential equations governing the problem are derived, whose solution is numerically obtained via a typical Runge–Kutta-based algorithm. The main target of this study is to analyze and discuss the strong nonlinear behavior descending from the presence of stick-slip and wear phenomena, thus investigating the effect of the different interface modeling.
Comparative Study for Improving Soft Soil Beneath an Embankment
Authors: Abdrabbo Fathi M. , Gaaver Khaled E. , Khalifa Shahinaz A.
Published: November 2023

Earth embankments are often required at construction sites to support roads, networks, and rail systems. Therefore, this paper studies different methods for improving soft soil in order to construct an earth embankment on such soft soil. A numerical analysis was performed using 2D finite element software (Plaxis) to simulate the proposed embankment and the underlying soil. The findings revealed that the soil at the site could not sustain the stresses imposed from the full height of the embankment, leading to shear failure in the soil before establishing the proposed height of the embankment. To tackle this problem, two techniques were considered and a comparative analysis was conducted to assess the effectiveness of these techniques. The first technique involved using lightweight materials, such as soil mixed with sawdust or geo-foam for constructing the embankment. In the second technique variety of replacement techniques, including concrete piles (CP), deep-mixing columns(DMC), stone columns(SC), and sand piles(SP) were employed to improve the bearing capacity of the soft soil layers. Research findings indicate that only 60% of embankment height could be constructed on non-improved soil with acceptable settlement. Using lightweight materials significantly reduces settlement and stress without the need for additional improvement measures. Replacing the weak soil with different materials enhances the soil properties and helps in transferring loads through the soil. Replacing soft soil reduced the settlement by ratio varied between 8.50–75% and the stress by ratios ranging from 30–80%. Importantly, the findings from DMC align with those of CP. Finally, British Standard 8006 (2010) overestimates the loads acting on CP by a ratio varied from 2 to 14. This ratio increases as the pile's material stiffness decreases.
Prevalence of dental anxiety among adult patients attending the University of Ghana Dental school clinic, Accra
Authors: Dai-Kosi Alfred Dickson , Tormeti Daniel , Adu-Kofi Darkowaa , Sackeyfio Josephine , Nyako Ebenezer Anno , Acquaye Victoria Akuorkor , Abbey Elizabeth Anorkor
Published: November 2023

Introduction: There have been substantial efforts over the years to improve oral healthcare through technology, preventive methods, and dental behavioral management. Despite these efforts, dental anxiety poses considerable challenges to both patients and dentists. Its burden has however not been thoroughly explored in Ghana.
Aim of the study: To determine the prevalence of dental anxiety among adult patients attending the University of Ghana Dental School Clinic.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which assessed the level of anxiety of patients by use of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present results in the form of charts and graphs while Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to test the relationship between categorical variables.
Results: There were 72 participants included in the study, consisting of 41.7% females, and 58.3% males. The cumulative prevalence of dental anxiety was 95.8%, with 41.7% respondents having ‘low anxiety’, 33.3% with ‘moderate anxiety’, 16.7% with ‘high anxiety’ and 4.2% respondents had ‘extreme anxiety’. The most commonly reported causes of dental anxiety were the sound and feel of the drill/handpiece (38.6%), followed by injection (36.8%). The level of dental anxiety was significantly influenced by the gender of patients and their experience in visiting the dental clinic.
Conclusion: This study found the prevalence of dental anxiety to be high among participants. Behavioural management in dental practices should therefore be prioritized to optimize care and treatment outcomes.
A machine learning technique for deriving the optimal mesh size of a gizzard shad (Konosirus punctatus) gillnet
Authors: Koo Myungsung , Kwon Inyeong
Published: November 2023

This study aims to prevent the bycatch of young gizzard shads, a non-target fish species, and to derive mesh sizes appropriate for economic fishery management. Test fishing operations (11 times) were conducted by manufacturing gillnet fishing gear with different mesh sizes (50.5, 55.1, 60.6, and 67.3 mm) in the coastal waters of the southern Gyeongsang Province. Selectivity curve estimation and machine learning models were developed to design an appropriate mesh using data measured at sea. Model 1 was constructed using mesh variables to classify score groups. In contrast, Model 2 was constructed using mature, bycatch, and CPUE variables to categorize score groups. As a result of this study, the total length with a 0.5 gillnet selection ratio was estimated to be 179.3, 195.6, 215.1, and 238.9 mm for the 50.5, 55.1, 60.6, and 67.3 mm mesh sizes, respectively. In Model 1, a mesh size of 57.85 mm or less was determined as the most appropriate mesh size for biological and economic measurements. Considering biological and economic aspects, shad gillnets should have a mesh size in the 50.5-55.1 mm range.
The Application of Reverse Z-Plasty Design in Medial Canthal Skin Redundancy Reconstruction Surgery.
Authors: Huahui Zhang , Xiaohui Long , Jiange Qian , Qiming Zhao
Published: November 2023

Purpose
To investigate the clinical outcomes of reverse Z-plasty in the reconstruction of epicanthal fold.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent reverse Z-plasty for epicanthal fold reconstruction from September 2019 to January 2023. The surgical procedure involved preoperative design line incision, dissection beneath the orbicularis oculi muscle to form a muscular flap, and using the temporal side muscular flap as the reconstructed epicanthal fold. Postoperative follow-up included assessing the degree of epicanthal fold reduction, the appearance of the epicanthal fold, incision scars, and patient satisfaction. The intercanthal distance was measured in all patients before surgery and at 6 months postoperatively, and the paired t-test was used for statistical analysis with a significance level of P < 0.05 indicating statistical significance.
Results
A total of 16 patients (15 females, 1 male) with an average age of 32 years (range: 17–38 years) were included in the study. All patients had a follow-up period of at least 3 months, with an average follow-up of 7 months. Patient satisfaction evaluation showed that 13 patients were very satisfied, 3 patients were satisfied, and there were no cases of dissatisfaction. The degree of exposure of the lacrimal prominence decreased in all patients, the shape of the epicanthal fold was natural, the size of bilateral eyelid fissure was appropriate, and the parallel double eyelids were transformed into fan-shaped double eyelids. The appearance of the incision scars was not prominent and the lines were smooth. The increase in intercanthal distance ranged from 3 to 6mm, with a range of ICD elongation ratio from 9.09–28.30%. The preoperative measurement of intercanthal distance ranged from 28 to 35.0mm, with a mean of 31.25 ± 2.32mm, and the postoperative measurement was 35.19 ± 2.26mm. The difference was statistically significant (t=-4.793, P < 0.001). There were no urgent or discomfort sensations in eye movement, and the results were satisfactory.
Conclusion
Reverse Z-plasty design is suitable for epicanthal fold reconstruction. The incision design is clear and precise, and the postoperative outcomes are stable, achieving successful reconstruction of the epicanthal fold.
Identification of Potential Inhibitors Against Staphylococcus Aureus: In Silico Analysis of the LLM Gene as a Therapeutic Target
Authors: Ojeniyi Fiyinfoluwa , Ehigie Folashade Adeola , Fakuade Ayodeji Adebayo , Ayoola Babatunde Paul , Ehigie Leonard Ona
Published: November 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that poses a significant global health threat due to its versatile pathogenicity and increasing antibiotic resistance. To counteract this menace, researchers have been exploring strategic approaches, such as targeting the bacterium's essential genes. In this study, the focus is on the LLM gene, which is crucial for bacterial lysis and methicillin resistance. In silico analysis was conducted to identify the protein as a potential therapeutic target. Various computational techniques, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, were employed to assess the inhibitory potential of different compounds against this target, benchmarking them against the standard drug, Tunicamycin. Through virtual screening, twenty-two ligands were docked against the protein receptor and six promising inhibitors were indetified, namely: ZINC06605913, ZINC06905586, ZINC35022243, ZINC40483738, ZINC90417652, and ZINC85428484. Among these, Zinc 90417652 (ZIN) emerged as a frontrunner, demonstrating superior binding affinity and stability metrics compared to Tunicamycin. Molecular dynamics analyses, spanning RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, and MM-PBSA, validated the stability and dynamics of the LLM protein in the presence of ZIN. Further, binding free energy evaluations accentuated ZIN's superior binding profile, and residue decomposition analyses pinpointed key residues integral to this enhanced binding. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the potential of Zinc 90417652 as a lead candidate for the development of potent antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus, offering a promising avenue for combating this global health threat.
TMEM173 is a biomarker of predicting prognosis, immune responses and therapeutic effect in human Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Bo , Wang pengru , Zhou Pingting
Published: November 2023

The role of Transmembrane protein 173 (TMEM173) in predicting the prognosis and response to treatment in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain unclear. We found that the expression level of TMEM173 in LUAD tissues was significantly decreased and high TMEM173 expression is associated with better overall survival in LUAD patients. TMEM173 was mainly enriched in immune response-regulating signaling pathway, T cell activation and cell cycle G2/M phase. Furthermore, it was found that TMEM173 expression was positively related to markers and infiltration levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. TMEM173 could predict response to targeted therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy in LUAD patients. In vitro knockdown TMEM173 decreased the percentage of G2 phase cells, contributing to the increased growth of lung cancer cells. TMEM173 might be a prognostic biomarker and a potential target of precision therapy for LUAD patients.
Screening tropical and sub-tropical maize germplasm for resistance to Striga hermonthica and S. asiatica and yield-related traits
Authors: Dossa Emeline N. , Shimelis Hussein , Shayanowako Admire I. T. , Laing Mark D.
Published: November 2023

Identification of maize germplasm with dual resistance to Striga hermonthica (Sh) and S. asiatica (Sa), could lead to the development of cultivars with stable resistance. 130 tropical and sub-tropical maize germplasms were evaluated in a controlled environment for their reaction to Sh and Sa infestations using a 13x10 alpha lattice design with two replications over two seasons. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were detected among the assessed genotypes for all the recorded traits in Sh and Sa-infested treatments. Under Sa-infested conditions, mean Striga emergence counts 8 weeks after planting (SEC8) and 10 weeks after planting (SEC10) were 5.00 and 45.50 respectively, while the mean Striga damage rate 8 weeks after planting (SDR8) and 10 weeks after planting (SDR10) were 3.35 and 3.07, respectively. Under Sh-infested conditions, SEC8 and SEC10 mean values were 3.66 and 3.77, respectively, while the SDR8 and SDR10 values were 5.25 and 2.75 respectively. Positive and significant (P < 0.05) correlations were found between anthesis-silking interval (ASI) and SDR8 (r = 0.18) and SDR10 (0.32) under Sa-infested conditions. Negative and significant correlations were recorded between ear per plant (EPP) and SEC8, SDR8, and SDR10, with r=-0.18, r=-0.27, and r=-0.24, respectively. Under Sh-infested conditions, significant and negative correlations were recorded between SDR8 and EPP (r=-0. 20), EHT and SEC8 (r=-0.22), EHT and SDR8 (r=-0.36), PLHT and SDR8 (-0.48), and PLHT and SDR10 (-0.22). The results suggest that dual resistance to the two Striga species exists in some tropical and sub-tropical maize lines. The following genotypes have dual resistance to Sa and Sh: CML440, CML566, CML540, CML539, CLHP0343, CLHP0326, TZISTR1248, TZSTRI115, TZISTR25, TZISTR1205, TZSTRI113, TZISTR1119, TZISTR1174 and the OPVs B.King/1421, Shesha/1421, ZM1421, DTSTR-W SYN13, DTSTR-Y SYN14, and 2*TZECOMP3DT/WhiteDTSTRSYN) C2. The identified genotypes are suitable for use as parents in developing and deploying high-performing maize varieties with Striga resistance and improved grain yield.
Evaluation of the influence of temperature and time exposure on Peruvian Maca (Lepidium meyenii) flour samples through NIR spectroscopy and chemometrics
Authors: Goldoni Juliane Cristina Ramos , Bernaski Gabriel Radael , Paulino Hellen Fernanda Silva , Trevisoli Thayse Renata , Tauler Romà , Valderrama Patrícia , Março Paulo Henrique
Published: November 2023

In this study, the three most known varieties of the Peruvian Maca (Lepidium meyenii), yellow, red, and black, were submitted to heating (from 25 to 200°C) for one hour, during 10-minute intervals and measured by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, after 24 hours resting in a desiccator, to evaluate the changes at each temperature. The study focused on changes related to heating for considering new applications on Maca-enriched food products such as bread, cakes, and cookies. To perform the experiment, 9 portions of 1g of each sample remained in an oven at each temperature (25, 50, 100, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, and 200°C) for different times (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minutes). The multivariate curve resolution with alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) was applied to interpret the results. In general, it was observed that spectral variations start to occur from heating samples from above 100°C. The recovered signals indicated that most spectral variations occurred in regions assigned to N-H vibrations, suggesting that heating influences the protein and/or macamides, which are responsible for most of the properties attributed to the Peruvian Maca. The yellow Maca phenotype was the most susceptible to spectral variations after heating, while the black Maca displayed the slowest spectral transformations. This study may encourage deeper investigations into the use of Maca-derived foods regarding their health-beneficial effects after heating to indicate the limitations of Maca applications.
Long noncoding RNA MCM3AP-AS1 promotes ovarian cancer cells progression by modulating miR-383/DDIT4 axis
Authors: Yan Huan , Chen Yibing , Guo Ruixia
Published: November 2023

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) was recently reported to be implicated in cancer progression. However, the role of MCM3AP-AS1 in ovarian cancer (OC) remains undetected. In this study, MCM3AP-AS1 expression was elevated in OC tissues. High MCM3AP-AS1 expression was related to advanced tumor stage and poor survival. MCM3AP-AS1 knockdown inhibited OC cells proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in vitro and suppressed primary tumor growth in vivo. Mechanically, MCM3AP-AS1 sponged miR-383 and upregulated the expression of DDIT4. In addition, the suppression of EMT induced by silencing of MCM3AP-AS1 involved with miR-383 inhibition. In sum, MCM3AP-AS1 promoted cell progression through regulating miR-383/DDIT4, which suggested a novel potential oncogenic target for OC.
Disparities in the association between ambient temperature and preterm birth according to individual and regional characteristics: a nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study
Authors: Min Jieun , Lee Whanhee , Oh Jongmin , Kwag Youngrin , Kim Eunji , Kim Joyce Mary , Lee Kyung A , Ha Eunhee
Published: November 2023

Background
Several studies have reported that high temperatures during pregnancy are associated with preterm births (PTBs). Although the association might be disproportionate, related evidence remains sparse. We evaluated the disproportionate risk of PTB associated with ambient temperature during pregnancy by individual and regional characteristics in South Korea.
Methods
We collected data on birth certificates and daily mean temperatures during the period from 2011 to 2019. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to investigate the association between temperature and PTB and stratified analyses were conducted to examine the effect modification of individual and regional characteristics.
Results
A total of 160,067 singleton PTBs were recorded in Korea from 2011 to 2019. A 5℃ increase in the mean temperature during the last four weeks before delivery was associated with an increased risk of PTB with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 1.05), and the association was more evident in mothers aged ≥ 35 years (OR: 1.06 [95% CI: 1.03, 1.10]) and with low education levels (OR: 1.04 [95% CI: 1.02, 1.05]). Additionally, the estimated risk was evident in districts with lower medical resources and more prominent disparities were shown by individual and regional characteristics in rural areas than in urban areas.
Conclusions
This study provides evidence that the risk of PTB related to ambient temperature is disproportionate by individual and regional characteristics and suggests the need for public health policies to alleviate the disparities, especially in rural areas.
Emergence of Morbid Jealousy in the context of executive dysfunction and stroke
Authors: Blackman Graham , Bird Jacob , Ruths Florian , Ederle Joerg , Nashef Lina , Hejda-Forde Sylvia , Bell Vaughan , Okai David
Published: November 2023

Morbid jealousy is a pathological state in which an individual becomes convinced that their partner has become unfaithful. Morbid jealousy can emerge as either part of a primary psychiatric disorder or secondary to an underlying medical condition. We report a 46-year-old male who presented with morbid jealousy and depression 24 years after a left frontotemporal haemorrhagic stroke complicated by epilepsy. Neuropsychological assessment identified evidence of executive dysfunction. Antipsychotic and antidepressant medication, alongside cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) resulted in full remission of his delusions of jealousy and associated psychiatric symptoms. Neuropathological and neuropsychological factors in the case are discussed alongside the existing literature. Whilst the underlying mechanisms underpinning morbid jealousy remain elusive, the case illustrates the potential role of executive dysfunction in the aetiology of morbid jealousy.
Reevaluating the splice-altering variant in TECTA as a cause of nonsyndromic hearing loss DFNA8/12 by functional analysis of RNA
Authors: Yang Yan , Luo Haiyan , Pan Lijuan , Feng Chuanxin , Guo Zhen , Zou Yongyi , Zeng Baitao , Huang Shuhui , Yuan Huizhen , Wu Ping , Liu Danping , Dan Yi , Xiao Junfang , Li XinYu , Chen ZhongFa , Zeng Xiao Ni , Jiang XiangLong , Yang Bicheng , Liu Yuhe , Liu Yanqiu
Published: November 2023

Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine the genetic cause of early onset autosomal dominant hearing loss segregating in five-generation kindred of Chinese descent and provide preimplantation genetic testing for them.
Methods
Clinical examination, pedigree analysis and exome sequencing were carried out on the family. Minigene-based splicing analysis, in vivo RNA analysis and predicted changes in protein structure by molecular modeling were conducted on the candidate variant. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for the causative variation and chromosome aneuploidis based on SNP analysis has been used to avoid transmission of hearing loss in this family.
Results
All the affected individuals presented with moderate down-sloping hearing loss and whole-exome sequencing identified a novel splice-site variant c.5383 + 6T > A in the tested subjects within the TECTA locus. Genotyping of all the 32 family members confirmed segregation of this variant and the hearing loss phenotype in the extended family. Functional analysis of RNA and molecular modeling indicates that c.5383 + 6T > A is a pathogenic splice-site variant and should be considered as genetic cause of the hearing loss. Furthermore, a successful singleton pregnancy with no variation in TECTA c.5383 + 6 was established and a healthy male child was born by PGT.
Conclusion
We have identified a novel variant c.5383 + 6T > A in TECTA ZA-ZP inter-domain, which could be contributing to the early-onset autosomal dominant hearing loss phenotype. The implications of our study are valuable in elucidating the disrupted RNA splicing and uncovering the genetic cause of hearing loss with TECTA pathogenic variants, as well as providing reproductive approaches to healthy offspring .
FPGA-Based Image Denoising Using Adaptive Vector Directional Distance Filter: Performance Analysis and Comparison
Authors: K Arunkumar , N Nalini , P Mangayarkarasi , Albert Anitha Juliette
Published: November 2023

Image processing is essential in a wide range of applications, like medical imaging and remote sensing, where precise visual scene interpretation is critical. However, noise is typically introduced during the process of creating, editing, transmitting, and storing color images, diminishing their visual quality and the efficacy of later image processing operations. Digital image processing relies heavily on noise reduction, also known as denoising, which seeks to get rid of unwanted noise without altering the quality of the image's essential details. In this research, we show how to use a hardware/software codesign strategy to efficiently construct the Adaptive Vector Directional Distance Filter (AVDDF) on a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). To streamline the development process, we use a high-level synthesis (HLS) pipeline with the Xilinx Vivado HLS tool. The software module is written in C/C++ and runs on a high-performance Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC). Comparisons are done with well-established denoising techniques like the Vector Directional Distance Filter (VDDF) and the Vector Directional Filter (VDF) to evaluate the effectiveness of the AVDDF technique. For performance comparisons, evaluation criteria such as the Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), and Mean Squared Error (MSE) are used. In addition, the performance of the FPGA is measured in terms of its Look-Up Tables (LUTs), Flip-Flops (FFs), BRAM_18K (Block RAMs), and DSP48E (Digital Signal Processing Blocks) using Verilog. The area, power, and delay performance of the suggested ASIC implementation is evaluated as well. The findings of this study prove that the AVDDF denoising method is effective in enhancing image quality while keeping crucial image properties unchanged.
Preservation of the posterior septum and stump for anatomical posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the tibial tunnel reference position
Authors: Chen Zhen , Niu Yingzhen , Jin Lingpeng , Zheng Yi , Zhang Zhuangdai , Wang Fei , Chen Baicheng , Dong Jiangtao
Published: November 2023

Background:The purpose was to explore theanatomicposition relationship and locate the lowest tunnel within the the PCL tibial insertion while intactly preserved the PCL stump, posterior septum and capsule.Methods:Twelve fresh unpaired adult human cadaveric knees were used to observe the spatial anatomical position between the PCL tibial insertion, posterior septum and posterior capsule. Then, the distal reflexion of the posterior capsule and the posterior septum were intactly preserved and used as references to search for the center of the tibial insertion (CP) and lowest tibial tunnel (SP). And measured the distance of the SP and CP points and PCL tibial insertion by anatomical measurements and CT scan.Results:In twelve specimens,the PCL tibial insertions were fully located within the posterior medial compartment of the knee. The distance of the CP from the tibial plateau articular surface was (6.5±0.2) mm, and the horizontal and vertical distances from the posterior septum were (5.9±0.3) and (5.4±0.4) mm, while the SP from them were (9.5±0.4), (4.3±0.3) and (4.1±0.3) mm, respectively. All the tibial tunnels established centered around the SP retained the intact posterior wall, which was (1.6±0.3) mm to the distal reflexion of the posterior capsule. The SP/CP was (17.6±5.6) % and (49.9±0.3) % closer to the inferior boundary, while (49.3±13.2) % and (33.9±6.8) % relative to the lateral boundary of the insertion.Conclusion:ThePCL tibial insertion was located in the posterior medial compartment of the knee, with the posterior septum and distal reflexion of the posterior capsule as its lateral and inferior boundaries. Using the posterior septum and posterior capsule as reference marks, a low tibial tunnel with high repeatability can be established in the PCL tibial insertion without damaging the posterior septum.
Computational repurposing of Trimethoprim: molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies suggest a potential inhibition of colchicine-binding site.
Authors: Osama Salma , Shahin Mai I. , Elrazaz Eman Z. , Abouzid Khaled A. M.
Published: November 2023

Cancer is a major global health concern, and its incidence is projected to rise in the coming years. Drug repurposing, the identification of new uses for existing drugs, offers a promising approach to accelerating the development of potent and less toxic anti-cancer agents. This in silico study explored the possible repurposing of trimethoprim, an approved synthetic antimicrobial, as a colchicine-binding site (CBS) inhibitor using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Trimethoprim shares structural similarities and pharmacophoric features with colchicine and the combretastatins, potent antimitotic agents that target the CBS. The docking results showed that trimethoprim achieved a good binding affinity to the CBS, with an average CDOCKER_ENERGY of -33.75 kcal/mol. The MD simulations (100 nanoseconds) confirmed the stability of the trimethoprim-tubulin complex, with a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of less than 2.5 Å for the protein backbone. The root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) of the binding site residues increased, indicating their increased flexibility. The radius of gyration (Rg) also increased within acceptable limits, suggesting that the protein unfolds to accommodate trimethoprim binding. The binding energy calculated using the Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) approach was − 27.3 kcal/mol, which further confirms the docking results. Overall, the findings of this study provide preliminary evidence that trimethoprim has the potential to be repurposed as a CBS inhibitor. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate its efficacy and safety as a potential anti-cancer agent.