bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety evaluation of natural products and insecticides to Encarsia formosa Gahan, an endoparasitoid of Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood
Authors: Deeksha  , Sood A.K. , Ghongade Dilip
Published: January 2023

Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is one of the most efficacious natural enemies used as biological control against Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood. Insecticides have a negative impact on non-target species such as natural enemies. Therefore, present studies were conducted to evaluate cattle bye-products based natural products namely, Agniastra, Darekastra, fermented butter milk, Tamralassi and vermiwash at 10%, biopesticide (azadirachtin @ 0.00045%) and chemical insecticides, spiromesifen (0.02%) and imidacloprid (0.005%) for the safety to adults of E. formosa. Dry film method of bioassay was deployed under laboratory conditions. Results revealed that Agniastra, Darekastra, fermented butter milk, Tamralassi, vermiwash and azadirachtin resulted in 23.15, 13.66, 17.36, 15.74, 15.74 and 30.22% adult mortality, respectively being harmless, whereas, spiromesifen and imidacloprid resulted in 53.27 and 58.83% mortality, respectively being slightly harmful to E. formosa.
Ethnic inequalities in incidence, nature, determinants, and duration of long COVID among hospitalised adults in the Netherlands: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chilunga Felix , Appelman Brent , Vugt Michele van , Kalverda Kirsten , Smeele Patrick , ES Josien Van , Wiersinga W Joost , Rostila Mikael , Prins Maria , Stronks Karien , Norredam Marie , Agyemang Charles
Published: January 2023

Background
In-depth data on long-term health effects of COVID-19 across ethnic groups are lacking. We investigated incidence, nature, determinants, and duration of long COVID across ethnic groups admitted for COVID-19 (Dutch, Turkish, Moroccan, African Surinamese, Asian Surinamese, Others) in the Netherlands.
Methods
We used COVID-19 admissions and follow up data (January 2021- July 2022) from Amsterdam University Medical Centers. We calculated incidence proportions of long COVID according to NICE guidelines by ethnic group (at twelve weeks post-discharge) and assessed its determinants in the total population via backward stepwise Poisson regressions. We then examined associations between ethnicity and long COVID using Poisson regression models and adjusted for derived determinants. We also assessed persistence (proportions) of long COVID symptoms at one-year post-discharge.
Results
1886 participants were included. Long COVID incidence proportion was 26%, 95% CI 24–28%. Age and sex adjusted long COVID incidence proportions were highest in Surinamese, Turkish and Moroccan origin populations. Symptoms such as dizziness, joint and muscle pain, palpitations, insomnia, and headache varied by ethnicity. Determinants of long COVID were female sex, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, receiving oxygen, or corticosteroid therapy during admission. African Surinamese (IRR = 1.47, 95% CI:1.15–1.89), South-Asian Surinamese (IRR = 1.59, 1.11–2.26), Moroccan (IRR = 1.39, 1.05–1.83) and Turkish (IRR = 1.56, 1.12–2.18) had a higher risk of long COVID than Dutch origin after adjustments for sex, admission to intensive care unit ICU, and receiving oxygen and corticosteroid therapy during admission. Only 14% of any long COVID symptoms resolved by one-year post-discharge mainly among the South Asian Surinamese origin participants.
Conclusion
Our findings show that one fourth of participants report ongoing symptoms 12 weeks after a COVID-19 admission, with Surinamese, Moroccan and Turkish origin participants having higher long COVID risk than Dutch origin participants. Long COVID risk in the total population is related to female sex, ICU admission, and receiving oxygen and steroid therapies during hospitalisation. Majority of long COVID symptoms disappear within a year of hospital discharge. There is an urgent need for preventive and treatment efforts that consider ethnic inequalities in long COVID among hospitalised individuals.
A Digital Twin of the Infant Microbiome to Predict Neurodevelopmental Deficits
Authors: Chattopadhyay Ishanu , Sizemore Nicholas , Oliphant Kaitlyn , Martin Camilia , Claud Erika
Published: January 2023

Growing evidence that dysbiosis in the infant microbiome can lead to impaired cognitive development suggests a promising target for interventions. However, the precise mechanisms of microbial influence on neurodevelopment, to inform effective clinical interventions, remain unclear. The complexity of the gut ecosystem, with thousands of cross-talking microbial colonizers, together with sparsely observed abundance profiles, has limited progress. Here we introduce a computational framework to learn an approximate “digital twin” of the maturing infant microbiome, that once learned, can reliably forecast detailed ecosystem trajectories unfolding over weeks from few initial observations. This generative model (Q-net), inferred at the level of taxonomic classes of microbes automatically
from standard 16S rRNA profiles, is used to uncover actionable patterns driving developmental fate in early life. We infer the Q-net from longitudinal fecal samples of preterm infants (n = 88, with 398 fecal samples and 32,942 abundance estimates for observed 91 microbial classes) from distinct cohorts recruited in two sites (2-5 samples per subject collected weekly), and is validated to forecast temporal dynamics of key bacterial classes in outof-sample subjects (Rsquared=0.64) over weeks from <= 2 initial observations. Additionally, by contrasting the digital twins inferred separately for typical and suboptimally developing sub-cohorts, we suggest a general approach to estimate the risk (A-delta) of future anomalous deviation of microbiome maturation trajectory for individual patients. We show that the A-delta risk predicts eventual developmental deficit in individuals within the first 2-4 weeks of life, demonstrated by carrying out out-of-sample classification of preterm infants into categories of typical vs sub-optimal head circumference growth (a proxy for cognitive development) with AUC ~76% (positive predictive value 95% +/- 1.8% at 98% specificity) at 30 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Finally, we investigate the role of specific microbial classes and their abundances over time, delivery mode and infant diet in atypical microbiome trajectories. Stepping beyond correlative association and diversity estimates, our digital twins reveal deep n-way interactions of bacterial classes from sparse observational data, and may open the door to patient-specific precision interventions.
Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty after failed penetrating keratoplasty – Case series and review of the literature
Authors: Wykrota Agata Anna , Hamon Loïc , Daas Loay , Seitz Berthold
Published: January 2023

Background
This study aims to evaluate visual outcome, central corneal thickness, and re-bubbling rate in a cohort with undersized secondary Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) due to endothelial graft decompensation following primary penetrating keratoplasty (PK).
Methods
All patients who received a secondary DMEK (n = 16) or triple DMEK (n = 2) after failed primary PK between November 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Analyzed parameters were corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), re-bubbling rate and graft survival.
Results
18 eyes of 18 patients were included. All patients underwent a DMEK with undersized graft after failed PK(s). Mean time between the last PK and DMEK was 102 ± 82 weeks. CDVA increased significantly from 1.12 ± 0.60 logMAR preoperatively to 0.64 ± 0.49 logMAR 6 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.013). Mean CCT decreased significantly from 807 ± 224 µm before to 573 ± 151 µm 6 weeks after DMEK (p = 0.003). Re-bubbling was necessary in eight eyes (44.4%) after a median time of 7 days. The 12-month Kaplan Meier survival was 66.7%.
Conclusion
In case of endothelial graft decompensation without stromal scars after primary PK, a (triple) DMEK can be performed for patients who had satisfying CDVA before the endothelial decompensation. Prior to DMEK indication, an AS-OCT should be routinely performed to circularly search for posterior steps at the PK graft margin, as well as shortly after DMEK to exclude a detachment of the endothelial graft. All patients should be informed about a higher re-bubbling rate in comparison to primary DMEK.
In-situ observations in 30–40 km using radiosondes with large rubber balloons around western Pacific during YMC-BSM 2021
Authors: Kinoshita Takenari , Ogino Shin-Ya , Suzuki Junko , Shirooka Ryuichi
Published: January 2023

To observe small-scale wave activity, such as gravity waves, in the middle and upper stratosphere around the western Pacific, radiosonde observations with large rubber balloons were conducted on board the research vessel (R/V) Mirai from June to July 2021. This report describes the initial results of radiosonde observations, based on experimental observations, which have enabled us to obtain a large number of wind velocity and temperature data with high vertical resolution in the 30–40-km altitude range. The comparison results between reanalysis data and radiosonde observation data for wind velocity, and between Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC)-2 GNSS-RO data and radiosonde observation data for temperature are also reported to demonstrate that capturing the small vertical-scale waves that drive the middle atmospheric general circulation can be useful in revealing the structure of the middle atmospheric general circulation.
Dynamics of the proton exchange process in benzoic acid, interacting with the substrate of lithium niobate crystal
Authors: Demin Vitaly , Petukhov Maxim , Ponomarev Roman
Published: January 2023

This paper is devoted to numerical analysis of the behavior of ion boundary layer, forming in the process of proton exchange during the interaction of the benzoic acid melt and lithium niobate wafer. This interaction leads to the dissociation of acid molecules and absorption of released protons by the crystal with following injection of benzoate-ions and lithium ions back into the acid. Mathematical model, offered in the article, implies that it is possible to use continuous media approximation to describe this phenomenon. Statement of current problem includes diffusion and electrostatic mechanisms of mass transfer. In addition, the ions recombination is taken into account in our description. Numerical scheme, based on the two-field finite differences method, shows formation of the steady state, which is characterized by exponential-like profiles of concentration and appearance of induced nonuniform electric field. It is important to note, that full charge of the system remains be equal to zero. Results of numerical simulation demonstrate the formation of boundary layer for benzoate-ion. At the same time, nonuniformities, appearing in the layer, don’t induce instabilities, breaking mechanical equilibrium, and don’t lead to high scale concentration convection.
Establishment of Reference Intervals for the routine Liver function tests in the adult population of Gandaki province, Nepal
Authors: Sharma Asmita , Pokharel Daya Ram , Dhakal Ganesh
Published: January 2023

Background:

International Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) guidelines recommend every laboratory establish its own reference intervals (RIs) to promote precision medicine. However, Nepalese diagnostic laboratories rarely establish RIs for routine biochemical test parameters and use them while reporting the test results. Thus, there is a dearth of population and method-specific RIs of several biochemical parameters in Nepal. This study thus aimed to establish dry chemistry-based RIs of routine LFTs for the adult population of Gandaki Province, Nepal.

Materials and Methods:

This was a priori method for the establishment of RIs which enrolled a cohort of 272 healthy adults from the Gandaki Province of Nepal to establish RIs of LFTs as per the recommendation of IFCC guidelines. The RIs were estimated using non-parametric statistical tools and presented as RI based on the percentile method. Our established RIs were compared to those supplied by reagent kit manufacturers by comparing calculated out-of-range (OOR) values.

Results:

Total and sex-specific reference intervals were established for the routine liver function test parameters. For general population established RIs include: Total protein 68.0-69.0g/L; Albumin 39.0-52.0g/L; Globulin 27.0-42.0g/L; A/G ratio 1.1-1.8; total bilirubin 5.13-25.65𝝁mol/L; Unconjugated bilirubin 1.71- 17.10 𝝁mol/L; Conjugated bilirubin 0.00-10.26 𝝁mol/L; AST 20.0-43.2U/L; ALT 11.0-53.0 U/L; AST/ALT ratio 0.7-2.1; ALP 42.0-135.4U/L. The overall 95% RI s for these parameters showed significant sex differences (p < 0.05) for Albumin, Globulin, A/G ratio, AST, ALT and AST/ALT ratio. The RIs established for LFT parameters were found to vary significantly according to the age and sex of the study subjects. Moreover, established RIs in this study also differed from the currently adopted external RIs while observing out-of-range results.

Conclusion:

The present study for the first time established the dry chemistry-based RIs of routine LFTs for the adult population of Gandaki Province of Nepal. This RIs were different from the currently adopted external RIs supplied by manufacturers. Hence the diagnostic lab from Gandaki province is recommended to follow this RI while reporting the results of routine liver function tests.
A comprehensive analysis of the significance of immunogenic cell death-related genes in the prognosis and immune microenvironment of patients with bladder cancer
Authors: Meng Wei , Chen Bo , Jiang Zhaosheng , Cai Bo , Ma Limin , Guan Yangbo
Published: January 2023

Background
BLCA is the second most common urogenital malignancy. In recent years, although the use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy has been thoroughly studied, the prognosis of metastatic BLCA is still poor. In order to improve the survival of BLCA patients and the accuracy of their response to individualized therapy, we need to further explore more novel BLCA biomarkers.Immunogenic cell death (ICD), a unique form of regulatory cell death, not only plays an important role in the immune process, but also activates the adaptation of immunocompetent hosts through the release of damage-related molecular patterns (DAMPs) and cytokine immunity, thereby establishing long-term immune memory. To some extent, this can affect the process of eradicating pathogens and balancing anti-tumor immunity against tumor immunity cycle.Currently, studies on the role of Immunogenic cell death (ICD) related genes in survival prognosis and immune processes in many tumors have been carried out. Unfortunately, this is not yet explored in BLCA.
Methods
We performed the analysis using BLCA samples involved in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Two subtypes associated with ICD were identified by consensus clustering, and the correlation between the two subtypes and survival and immunity in BLCA patients was investigated. In addition, we established and validated an ICD-related prognostic model and investigated the correlation between this model and prognosis, immunoinfiltration, immune cells, and immunotherapy response in BLCA patients.
Results
The results suggest that high ICD subtypes are associated with poor clinical outcomes, abundant immune cell infiltration, and high immune response signal activity. Our ICD-related prognostic model can predict the survival of BLCA patients and is associated with immunoinfiltration and tumor immune cells.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we established a new BLCA stratification system based on ICD-related genes. This stratification has important guiding significance for evaluating the prognosis of BLCA patients and the effect of immunotherapy.
Assessment of Honey Handling Practices Along the Supply Chain From Gera District to Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Abdi Gemechu G. , Tola Yetenayet B. , Kuyu Chala G , Muleta Obsuman D
Published: January 2023

Honey is one of the agricultural products produced for different purposes as a food, and condiment, and has medicinal value. The quality and safety of honey supplied to the market are in question due to mishandling practices and suspected adulteration for unfair economic gain. This study aimed to assess honey handling practices along the supply chain from the Gera district to the main market destination (Jimma town) in the southwest part of Ethiopia. Information was gathered from a total of 292 sampled members of different chain actors (262 beekeeper households, 5 beekeeper cooperatives, and 25 retailers). Data on handling practices affecting quality and safety were collected through observation and interviews using pretested semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Most of the beekeeper households (88%) do not store many portions of harvested honey for more than six months; whereas, the majority of cooperative beekeepers (80%) store from 6 months to one year. In the study area, different types of plastic containers like jute sacks with polyethylene plastic lining (76%), clay pots (17%), bottle gourd, and containers made up of aluminum (7%) were commonly used honey packaging materials. Traders (73% in Chira, 40% in Agaro, and 44% in Jimma) store honey together with other commodities like wax and cow butter in the storage place. The majority of the household beekeepers (92%) and all of the cooperative respondents responded that the potential honey adulterants are flour of wheat and maize, banana fruit, cooked sweet potato, water, and most commonly with sugar syrup. Quick adulteration detection methods such as rubbing a small amount of honey sample between fingers, visually observing the clarity of the honey, and checking the aroma and odor of the honey were used in the study area. Generally, poor handling practices and adulteration at each supply chain actor in the study area could negatively affect the quality and safety of honey.
Assessment of biosecurity traits and in situ antibacterial activities of Weissella cibaria strains isolated from Campos das Vertentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil focused for a potential probiotic and food application
Authors: Teixeira Camila Gonçalves , Belguesmia Yanath , Rodrigues Rafaela Silva , Lucau-Danila Anca , Nero Luís Augusto , Carvalho Antônio Fernandes , Drider Djamel
Published: January 2023

The antagonistic Weissella cibaria strains W21, W25 and W42 are characterized in this study for additional beneficial properties. These strains display therefore high scores of adhesion to intestinal cell-lines and capacities to exclude in situ pathogens such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA S1) and Escherichia coli 184, which is resistant to colistin. Further, W. cibaria W21, W25 and W42 were hemolysis-negative, non-cytotoxic towards a mix of eukaryotic Caco2 and HT-29 cell-lines, do not induce inflammation on the promonocytic human cell line U937, but were unable to survive conditions mimicking the human gastrointestinal tract. Their biosafety aspect was addressed in silico and experimentally by studying their blood-hemolysis and susceptibility to antibiotics. To sum up, W. cibaria W21, W25 and W42 have no acquired related antimicrobial resistance genes and mobile genetic elements (MGE) in their genomes. Nevertheless, their intrinsic resistance to vancomycin was established in vitro and confirmed with in silico analyses. Their difficulties to face the gastrointestinal conditions could be overcome by using appropriate delivery systems. Taking all these data together, we claim that W. cibaria W21, W25 and W42 are coming as excellent strains candidates with wide a range of industrial applications and bio-functional properties .
Long-term outcome and prognostic factors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Peng Xu , Ke Jianji , Wan Qian , Liu Yahui
Published: January 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is recognized as one of the most malignant malignancies and has a very poor prognosis. Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is one of the radical surgeries for early PDAC. However, the long-term survival outcomes of PDAC patients undergoing LPD surgery and what factors influence their prognosis have been rarely reported. To find the answers to these questions, we designed and implemented this study. A total of 141 patients who underwent LPD and had pathologically confirmed PDAC between May 2016 and August 2020 at the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University(Changchun, China) were enrolled in the study. We followed them regularly after their discharge and collected their clinicopathological data until December 2021. We analyzed these clinicopathological data and performed a survival analysis. During the patients' follow-up period, recurrence occurred in 98 patients; deaths occurred in 93 patients. The median recurrence-free survival (RFS) of PDAC patients was 12.6 months, while the median overall survival (OS) of PDAC patients was 16.3 months. Patients with elevated CA242 and CA19-9 levels, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and tumor size > 3cm had worse prognoses (P < 0.05). In conclusion, elevated CA242 and CA19-9 levels, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and tumor size > 3cm were unfavorable independent prognostic factors for PDAC patients undergoing LPD.
Lung recruitment and hyperinflation with higher positive end-expiratory pressure in COVID-19: a computed tomography study
Authors: Protti Alessandro , Santini Alessandro , Pennati Francesca , Corte Francesca Dalla , Martinetti Nicolò , Pugliese Luca , Picardo Giorgio , Chiurazzi Chiara , Ferrari Michele , Costantini Elena , Aliverti Andrea , Cecconi Maurizio
Published: January 2023

Background
A higher (> 10 cmH2O) positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is commonly used in patients with moderate to severe hypoxemia due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, compliance more commonly decreases when PEEP is increased from 10 to 15 cmH2O, as for lung hyperinflation. In this study, we directly measured lung recruitment and hyperinflation induced by increasing PEEP from 10 to 15 cmH2O in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.
Methods
Twenty mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 underwent a lung computed tomography (CT) at 10 and 15 cmH2O of airway pressure. Gas exchange and compliance were then measured with 10 and 15 cmH2O of PEEP. Recruitment was computed as the decrease of the non-aerated lung volume (density above − 100 HU) and hyperinflation as the increase of the over-aerated lung volume (density below − 900 HU). If recruitment was larger than hyperinflation, the net morphological response was “recruitment”; otherwise, it was “hyperinflation”.
Results
With 10 cmH2O of PEEP, the median (Q1-Q3) arterial tension to the inspiratory fraction of oxygen (PaO2:FiO2) was 146 (107–197) mmHg. The net morphological response to increasing PEEP was recruitment in nine (45%) patients and hyperinflation in eleven (55%). Oxygenation improved in twelve (60%) patients, but compliance in only three (15%). Compliance with 10 cmH2O of PEEP ≤ 45 cmH2O/ml predicted net recruitment in response to increasing PEEP with a positive predictive value of 0.89 (95%-confidence intervals: 0.49-1.00) and a negative predictive value of 0.91 (0.59-1.00).
Conclusions
The morphological response to a higher PEEP is largely variable in patients with COVID-19, ranging from net recruitment (in half of the patients) to net hyperinflation (in the other half). Baseline compliance may help to predict the individual response to increasing PEEP.
Genetic diversity analysis of Rumex patientia L. in different habitats
Authors: Chang Mingzhu , Yunhe Cui , Tingyu Li , Yupeng Li , Runhong Mu , Jianyu Zhu
Published: January 2023

Objective
The present study was undertaken to investigate the genetic diversity of Rumex patientia L. in distinct habitat types.
Methods
Eighty samples from 4 natural populations in Jilin Province of China were analyzed by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR).
Results
ISSR techniques produced 135 bands and 71 polymorphic bands, of which the polymorphic bands (PPB) accounted for 52.6% among natural populations; the gene diversity (H) was 0.1751, and Shannon's diversity index (I) was 0.2634. In the population, the percentage of polymorphic loci (P) was 25.93% and 37.04%, the genetic diversity index (H) was 0.0714–0.1124 and Shannon’s diversity index (I) was 0.1121–0.1676. Population E had the highest genetic diversity, however, population S had the lowest. Based on the species genetic differentiation analysis, the total Nei diversity index (Ht) of Rumex patientia L. from Jilin City was 0.1110 and the within-population genetic diversity (Hs) was 0.1751. The coefficient of genetic differentiation between population areas (GST) was 0.3662. The Gene flow between populations was 0.8654.
Conclusion
The results showed that the inter-population variation accounted for 36.62% of the total variation, and the intra-population variation accounted for 63.38%. Cluster analysis based on Nei’s genetic distance showed that the greatest genetic distance between E and S (0.1218) and the closest genetic distance between W and N (0.0794).
Antibiotic resistance Lactobacillus spp. from human breast milk: can be an option as probiotics?
Authors: Hernández Taimy , Sánchez Ileana , López Naldis , Prieto Leyanis , Hernández Aldo , Arenal Amilcar
Published: January 2023

Aim: The present study aimed to characterize microbial isolates from human breast milk.
Methods and Results: The isolates were identified using its 16S rDNA sequences. The isolates were characterized by determining their resistance to gastrointestinal conditions (pH, bile salts, and lysozyme), antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial activity, biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide production, and carbohydrate fermentation profile. Five isolates were obtained belongi with probiotic properties were obtained belonging to the species of Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus arizonensisort about L. arizonensis isolated from human breast milk. The isolates LT1512 and LM1563C presented the best probiotic properties due to high percentages of survival under gastrointestinal conditions, antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli, resistance to twelve antibiotics, biofilm formation, and a wide fermentative characteristic related to carbohydrates contained in food.
Conclusions: This study confirmed that the breast milk of women with a healthy food pattern is a good source of isolation from lactic acid bacteria.
Significance and Impact of the Study:
Milk carries a microbiota with potential probiotic properties making it a source and a focus for further research.
Impacts of Tax Digitalisation on Tax Revenues in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bassongui Nassibou , Houngbédji Honoré
Published: January 2023

This study investigates whether and how tax digitalisation reforms operated in sub-Saharan African countries generate more tax revenues. To this end, we performed a systematic literature review based on case-country studies. Our conceptual model shows that new business creation, tax morale, tax compliance, efficiency in tax collection and e-governance are channels through which the digital economy affects the mobilisation of tax revenues. We also found that tax digitalisation significantly improved tax revenues in the sample. However, our findings reveal a scarcity of evidence on the nexus of digitalisation and tax revenues. Further research is needed to fill this gap.
JEL Code: M15, E62, O55.
A Robust Ferroptosis-Related Prognostic Model Associated With Immune Infiltration, Tumor Mutation Burden in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Dai Xianyu , Cao Hongliang , Wang Hongjie , Zhong Rong , Luo Chenming , Ge Pinxu , Zhang Zhongqi , Yuan Tengfei , Fan Yanpeng , Liu Heng , Hou Yuchuan
Published: January 2023

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) is a common clinical disease with a poor prognosis caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Despite many treatments available, the risk of recurrence and metastasis remains high. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered iron-dependent programmed cell death. More and more scientific studies have shown that inducing ferroptosis of tumor cells can inhibit tumor cell growth and disease progression, especially for some tumors that are not sensitive to traditional treatments. However, whether the ferroptosis-related genes(FRGs) can accurately predict the prognosis of BC patients is still not very clear and significant biomarkers are still insufficient.
Results: Six genes (EGFR, FADS1, ISCU, PGRMC1, PTPN6, and TRIM26) were identified to construct a prognostic risk model. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) training cohort was divided into high- and low-risk groups according to the median risk score. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated that the overall survival (OS) of the high-risk group was worse than that of the low-risk group. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves showed excellent predictive accuracy. TCGA validation cohort and three independent Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to conduct further external validation. A series of functional analyses demonstrated the relationship between tumor microenvironment and FRGs, and between tumor mutation burden and immunotherapy in the high- and low-risk groups. Conclusion: A robust prognostic risk model was established, which has independent predictive value for the prognosis of BC patients. The correlations between ferroptosis and tumor immune infiltration, immunotherapy, and tumor mutation burden were studied, providing insights into the treatment of bladder cancer patients in the future.
Methods: We downloaded the gene expression data and corresponding clinical information of bladder cancer samples from TCGA database in the UCSC-Xena and GEO public database, and obtained FRGs from the FerrDb platform. Univariate Cox regression analysis, multivariate Cox regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to screen out FRGs with clinical predictive value. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed to explore the classical signaling pathways related to ferroptosis. CIBERSORT was used to quantify the infiltration of 22 kinds of immune cells.
Detoxification effects and potential mechanisms of NP-induced hepatotoxicity by ethanolic extracts from Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau leaf
Authors: Xiao Xueman , Chen Congying , Huang Huiying , Shi Jian , Liu Huan , Liu Chunhong
Published: January 2023

Clinacanthus nutans(Burm.f.) Lindau (C. nutans) is native to tropical Asian countries and is an important ingredient in the traditional medicinal system. It is of interest because of the flavonoids it contains, which are rare in plants. It has traditionally been used to treat herpes infections and snake venoms. However, the ability of C. nutans to counteract exogenous chemical-induced hepatotoxicity is not yet known. Nonylphenol (NP) is a widely distributed environmental endocrine disruptor, and the liver is one of the target organs for its toxic effects. In this study, we designed in vitro tests to investigate the protective effect of ethanolic extracts from C. nutans leaf (CE) on NP-induced hepatotoxicity and its molecular mechanism. Sixty µM NP was selected as the optimum to treat Hep G2 cells for 24 h to establish a cell injury model, and the intervention doses of CE were 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 mg/mL, followed by ERK inhibitor (PD98059), P38 inhibitor (SB202190), Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) to assist in validation of the intervention mechanism. The results showed that CE could reverse NP-induced Hep G2 cytotoxicity and upregulated cell survival, cellular GSH content, CAT viability and ATP content which was probably achieved by inhibiting ERK/P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway and activating the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2/Heme Oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway. These data suggest that CE play a detoxifying role in NP-induced hepatotoxicity, which may be achieved by inhibiting the ERK/P38 MAPKs pathway and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
Thermodynamic properties of a GaAs quantum well from semi-relativistic quantum mechanics
Authors: Tshipa Moletlanyi
Published: January 2023

A semi-relativistic quantum mechanical equation is arrived at. This is achieved by considering the Taylor series expansion of the energy of a particle to the fourth, sixth order and later generalized to infinity. As an illustration of the equations obtained herein, thermodynamic properties of a GaAs quantum well are evaluated. The results obtained considering the fourth and sixth order contributions are compared with those obtained from the second order Schrodinger equation. The contributions of the fourth and sixth order corrections are studied under different conditions. Results show that fourth order contributions are more significant than those of the sixth order, particularly for narrow quantum wells.
Reverse auctions with transportation and convex costs
Authors: Heymann Benjamin , Jofré Alejandro
Published: January 2023

We discuss a procurement problem with transportation losses and piecewise linear production costs.We first provide an algorithm based on Knaster-Tarski's fixed point theorem to solve the allocationproblem in the quadratic losses case. We then identify a monotony condition on the types distribution under which the Bayesian cost minimizing mechanism takes a simple form.
Computational design of Novel Casein kinase 2 small molecule inhibitors for cancer therapy
Authors: Gopalakrishna Keerthi Priya , Gopinathan Kirthika , DAB REX , Kanekar Saptami , Pavadai Parasuraman , Chandrasekaran Jaikanth
Published: January 2023

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a key role in the regulation of a wide range of cellular processes. Recent studies have suggested that CK2 may be involved in cancer development and progression. CK2 has been found to be overexpressed in several types of cancer, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Despite the twelve ATP competitive CK2 inhibitors, only the carboxylic derivative CX-4945 is now in Phase I/II clinical trials. The feasibility of synthesis and the diversity of chemical structures with acceptable biological properties are the most compelling challenges in small molecule discovery. To overcome these constraints, we used an e-pharmacophore model for the CX4945-CK2 complex, followed by virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs, and repositioned five drugs in the current study based on their docking score, interaction pattern with critical amino acid residues, and occupancy at the active site. Furthermore, in the "DrugSpaceX" database, first level transformation (set 1 analogues) was performed, yielding 1,589 analogues. DE153270 was the top-ranked set 1 analogue based on virtual screening, with a docking score of -10.854 kcal/mol and a SA score of 2.7, followed by DE153526 (docking score -10.852), DE13269 (docking score -10.617), DE150709 (docking score -10.608), and DE153268 (docking score -10.608). (Docking score -9.543). According to the t-SNE visualization, the transformation around Deferasirox, Masoprocol, and Bromozepam are more promising for building CK2 inhibitors. The complex CK2-DE153270 (analogue from deferasirox) was simulated for 200 nanoseconds using additional parameters, and the protein and ligand RMSD showed that DE153270 firmly bonded to active site residues and preserved important contacts at Lys68, Asp175, and Trp176. Other databases do not include information on the lead DE153270. These data suggest that the new candidate DE153270 is likely to have an inhibitory effect at the CK2 binding site.
Prediction of neoplastic gallbladder polyps in patients with different age level based on preoperative ultrasound: a multi-center retrospective real-world study
Authors: Li Qi , Dou Minghui , Liu Hengchao , Jia Pengbo , Wang Xintuan , Geng Xilin , Zhang Yu , Yang Rui , Li Junhui , Yang Wenbin , Yao Chunhe , Zhang Xiaodi , Lei Da , Yang Chenglin , Hao Qiwei , Liu Yimin , Guo Zhihua , Geng Zhimin , Zhang Dong
Published: January 2023

Background: The prevalence of neoplastic polyps in gallbladder polyps (GPs) increases sharply with age and is associated with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). This study aims to predict neoplastic polyps and provide appropriate treatment strategies based on preoperative ultrasound features in patients with different age level.
Methods: According to the age classification of WHO, 1523 patients with GPs who underwent cholecystectomy from January 2015 to December 2019 at 11 tertiary hospitals in China were divided into young adults group (n=622), middle-aged group (n=665) and elderly group (n=236). Linear scoring models were established based on independent risk variables screened by Logistic regression model in different age groups. The area under ROC (AUC) to evaluate the predictive ability of linear scoring models, long- and short diameter of GPs.
Results: Independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps included number of polyps, polyp size (long diameter), and fundus in young adults and elderly groups, while number of polyps, polyp size (long diameter), and polyp size (short diameter) in middle-aged groups. In different age groups, the AUCs of its linear scoring model was higher than the AUCs of the long- and short diameter of GPs for differentiating neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps (all P<0.05), and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed that the prediction accuracy of the linear scoring models was higher than the long- and short diameter of GPs (all P>0.05).
Conclusion: The linear scoring models of young adults, middle-aged and elderly groups can effectively distinguish neoplastic polyps from non-neoplastic polyps based on preoperative ultrasound features.
Selective effects of ginseng fibrous root necromass on the fungal community in the rhizosphere and the related mechanism of ginseng replant disease
Authors: Zhu Si-Heng , Li Yu-Ting , Baoyin Bate , Zhang Lianxue , Li Yu , Xiao Shengyuan
Published: January 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Summer Surface Warming Driven by the Strong El Niño in the South China Sea
Authors: Bi Hanwen , Liu Qin-Yan , Chen Xianyao
Published: January 2023

The interannual variability of sea surface temperature (SST) in the South China Sea (SCS) exhibits two peaks around January and August in the subsequent year of the El Niño. We show that the second basin-scale summer SST warming feature peaked in August [+1] is only distinct after strong El Niño events, not regular El Niño events. The upper ocean heat budget analysis demonstrates that the abnormal Ekman advection (Eka) dominants the second warming features during the whole developing stages from June [+1] to August [+1], while the abnormal geostrophic advection (Goa) leads to the warm tendency in June [+1], by reducing the Vietnam coastal upwelling. The local dynamical effects of abnormal Eka and Goa in the SCS are attributed to the advanced abnormal easterly wind breakout in the western Pacific, coincided with the development of West North Pacific anomalous anticyclone (WNPAC) in response to strong El Niño. Our results suggest that the second warming features of SCS SST during the next summer are the footprints of strong El Niño events via the establishment of the WNPAC, which is tightly related to Indo-Pacific remote processes.
Modeling and numerical solution of the Laplace equation in 2D by the finite difference method case of the heat equation - Study of stability
Authors: Taloub Djedid , Bouras Abdelkarim , Driss Zied
Published: January 2023

The objective of this paper is to show the procedure to follow to analyze a physical phenomenon, with a simple and effective method. Mathematical stability examination was performed to define which resolution is stable and physically feasible. We have seen the approach and the steps that must be taken to go from a mathematical model to a numerical model. To do this, we used the Poisson equation as an example, and to show the results, we used the heat transfer equation. In real life, the most difficult step is not the numerical processing and analysis, but to understand the physical phenomenon and to translate it into a mathematical formulation. The finite difference approach is employed to resolving those equations numerically. The resulting schemes were resolved by the iterative GAUSS Seidel technique. These differential schemes have an approximate order 0(h2), and are absolute stable. Differential schemes are a linear algebraic equation system which solution can be solved by the Gaussian technique of elimination. This paper provides a good basis for the analysis of physical phenomena that deal with partial differential equations in 2D. In several sectors and branches, whether in the industrial framework.
Comparative Efficacy of Gingival Massage of Aloe-vera gel and Sidr Honey on Gingival health: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Khalid Fizza , Ahmed Shahbaz , Farooqui Waqas Ahmed , Pervaiz Haseeb , Riaz Sania , Shabbir Sumaiya , Khan Ziaur Rahman
Published: January 2023

Background
Inflammation of gingival tissues in response to bacterial plaque accumulation is a key risk factor for the onset of gingivitis and progression towards periodontal inflammation. Thus, control of gingival inflammation is a prerequisite to sustain gingival health. Honey has been used in gingivitis and periodontal diseases for its antibacterial and healing properties, on the other hand, use of aloe-vera gel for its anti-inflammatory properties, has been reported in dentistry for many oral conditions. The main objective of the study was to find out the effects of gingival massage with aloe-vera gel and sidr honey as adjunct as well as the difference in the efficacy of aloe-vera gel and sidr honey in reducing clinical parameters.
Method:
105 patients with gingivitis were selected in this single-blinded Randomized control clinical trial. At recruitment dental prophylaxis i-e ultra-sonic scaling (US) was performed. At baseline all clinical parameters, gingival index, plaque index and bleeding on probing were recorded. All the participants were then randomly divided into three groups, Group A: US & Gingival massage with aloe-vera gel, Group B: US & Gingival massage with Sidr honey and Group C US only. On 30th day of trial all the patients were re-examined for all the clinical parameters.
Results:
Gingival massage with both interventions showed statistically significant improvement in plaque index, gingival index and bleeding on probing. In Group A and B highly, significant differences were observed in plaque index (<0.001), gingival index (<0.001) and bleeding on probing after gingival massage with interventions when compared with control group. However, when group A was compared to group B significant differences were observed in gingival index.
Conclusion
This clinical trial showed that gingival massage with both naturopath’s aloe-vera gel and sidr honey had significant effect in reducing plaque index, gingival index and bleeding on probing when used as adjuncts in patients with gingivitis. However, sidr honey gingival massage was more effective than aloe-vera gel in comparison to control group.
Trial Registration no: ClinicalTrials.gov, under the protocol ID NCT05231096 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05231096).
Relationships between stiffness of material, lamellas and CLT elements with respect to out of plane bending and rolling shear
Authors: Olsson Anders , Schirén Whokko , Segerholm Kristoffer , Bader Thomas
Published: January 2023

The use of cross laminated timber (CLT) for construction has increased greatly in recent years and the large volumes of wood used for CLT means that it is important to optimize the use of the material. This requires relevant grading of lamellas and knowledge of relationships between lamella and CLT properties. In the present study the relationship between dynamic axial modulus of elasticity (MoE) of lamellas and the quasi-static out of plane bending stiffness of CLT is investigated. By means of four-point bending test it is shown that the effective quasi-static MoE of lamellas in CLT is only 2­–6 % lower than the average axial dynamic MoE of the individual lamellas. With this knowledge, producers of CLT can easily predict and control the important out of plane bending stiffness of the produced CLT. Moreover, it is shown that effective rolling shear stiffness of layers in CLT can be accurately determined by means of digital image correlation performed in connection to four-point bending of CLT, even for long test spans. For layers of lamellas of Scots pine of size 40 × 190 mm2 the average apparent or effective rolling shear modulus was determined to 159 MPa. The average rolling shear modulus of the same material was determined to 56 MPa.
An Integrated Fuzzy MCDM Method for the Evaluation of R&D Projects
Authors: DURSUN Mehtap , LILIÇ Melike
Published: January 2023

Research and development (R&D) activities are essential to guarantee continuity of firms, meet customer requirements and keep ahead in competition. R&D project selection constitutes a significant part of project management in order to achieve the desired results and outputs. In this study, an integrated fuzzy multi-criteria group decision making approach is developed for R&D project selection. The problem includes a hierarchical structure of the criteria, uncertainty in evaluating the relative importance of criteria/sub-criteria and rating of candidate projects. The method employs the ordered weighted average (OWA) operator as the aggregation operator, which helps to fully reflect the real behavior of the decision makers in group decision making problems. Fuzzy integral method, which does not require the assumption of the mutual independence of criteria, is used to rank the alternatives. The case study is conducted in a small-sized company in Turkey, which designs and produces special purpose machines. A R&D project selection model is developed to maximize the desired outputs. The results of the analysis show that technological, environmental, marketing, organizational, national and financial issues should be considered simultaneously in the evaluation process. The proposed method is shown to be efficient, generalizable and practical and it has several significant merits compared to the other methods.
Chemical Composition and Functional Properties of Dietary Fiber Concentrates Obtained from Peach Palm By-Product
Authors: Giombelli Cristiane , Raspe Djéssica , Donadone Dayara , da Silva Camila , Barros Beatriz
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to produce and to characterize dietary fiber concentrates (DFCs) obtained from the peach palm by-product (PPB). Subcritical water extraction (SWE) and aqueous extractions at low pressure in magnetic (LPMS) and orbital (LPOS) stirring were carried out to DFCs production. DFCs and the untreated PPB were analyzed for composition, functional properties, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The aqueous extraction treatments increased the total dietary fiber content, due to the removal of sugars (88.7-99.6%) and the partial leaching of proteins and ashes. The DFC obtained by SWE had the highest content of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. The methods of aqueous extraction changed the structure of fiber components, that becomes more porous and fragmented, improving the functional properties, as water and oil absorption. Cellulose was the most abundant component of the samples and the alteration in its conformation was observed in the infrared spectra. The principal component analysis showed that the changes on the composition and functional properties were associated with the treatments applied. DFCs produced in this work, specially by SWE, are considered interesting alternatives to promote the utilization of peach palm by-product as a fiber-rich component.