bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The identification of Necroptosis-Related Genes and Immune Cell Infiltration in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease based on bioinformatics and experimental validation
Authors: Xue Ting , Zheng Leting , Dong Fei , Zhong Xiaoning
Published: May 2023

Globally, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is the third leading cause of death. Necroptosis is a programmed regulated necrosis and contributes to the progression of lung disease. However, the function of necroptosis in COPD needs to be further elucidated. This study aimed to unravel the role of necroptosis in COPD via bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. The GSE38974 and GSE8581 datasets were downloaded from the GEO database. Identified of differentially expressed genes(DEGs) from GSE38974. The GO, KEGG and GSEA enrichment analyses for DEGs.Differentially expressed genes of necroptosis(NR-DEGs) were obtained by combining DEGs and 159 necroptosis-related genes and the GO and KEGG were performed. The AUC values of NR-DEGs were assessed in the GSE38974 dataset and further were verified in the GSE8581 dataset. To further verify NR-DEGs in CSE-induced BEAS-2B cells by using RT-qPCR. The level of immune cell infiltration was quantified by ssGSEA analysis and the correlation analysis was performed between NR-DEGs and immune cell infiltration. We identified 646 DEGs and acquired 5 NR-DEGs(IL1B, IL-33, TNFAIP3, TNFRSF1A and CHMP4B) by combining 646 DEGs and 159 necroptosis-related genes. The GO, KEGG and GSEA enrichment analyses for the DEGs and NR-DEGs mainly involved in regulating of inflammatory response, cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, cytokine activity, receptor ligand activity and necroptosis. The AUC values of the NR-DEGs were 0.797, 0.971, 0.908, 1 and 1 from GSE38974 dataset and further were verified in the GSE8581 dataset were 0.741 and 0.737. The results of RT-qPCR showed that mRNA expression levels of IL1B and TNFAIP3 were up-regulated compared with control group(P<0.05). The analysis result of ssGSEA displayed that IL1B was significantly associated with Plasmacytoid.dendritic.cell, Activated.dendritic.cell, Macrophage, Central.memory.CD8.T.cell, Natural.killer.cell, Type.17.T.helper.cell, MDSC, and TNFAIP3 was significantly associated with Type.17.T.helper.cell, Natural.killer.cell, Macrophage, Central.memory.CD8.T.cell, Activated.dendritic.cell, Plasmacytoid.dendritic.cell, MDSC, Immature.B.cell, Gamma.delta.T.cell. According to the study, we found that necroptosis with COPD pathogenesis and immune cell infiltration is closely related, in particular, IL1B may through necroptosis-dependent pathway activate immune cell infiltration to promote the development of COPD, these may allow us to better understand the role of necroptosis in patients with COPD and provide better immunotherapeutic targets.
Application of Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) for Assesment of Drinking Water Quality in Islamabad
Authors: Ahmed Talal , Sarwar Bilal Ahmad , Sultana Rashida , Akhtar Shamim
Published: May 2023

Present study has been conducted to delineate the heavy metal pollution regardingCadmium, Iron, Lead, Nickel, Chromium, Manganese and Zincin drinking water sources of Defense Housing Authority, Phase II.The area is almost fully dependent on the supply water for household and drinking use. 11 Samples were collected from local water sources and preserved for analyzation. Laboratory analysis was done with SHIMADZU Flame Atomic Absorption Model AA-7000. Results indicated that the Fe, Mn and Zn were under the permissible limits for almost all the sample while the Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr were in higher concentrations regarding the PAK-EPA standards. Heavy Metal Pollution Indexwas calculated to suggest the feasibility of water samples for drinking and it was concluded that most of the samples was hazardous for direct consumption.
Mid-lumbar (L3) epidural stimulation effects on bladder and external urethral sphincter in non-injured and chronically transected urethane-anesthetized rats
Authors: Medina-Aguiñaga Daniel , Hoey Robert F. , Wilkins Natasha , Ugiliweneza Beatrice , Fell Jason , Harkema Susan J. , Hubscher Charles H.
Published: May 2023

Recent pre-clinical and clinical spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) experiments specifically targeting the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral circuitries mediating lower urinary tract (LUT) function have shown improvements in storage, detrusor pressure, and emptying. With the existence of a lumbar spinal coordinating center in rats that is involved with external urethral sphincter (EUS) functionality during micturition, the mid-lumbar spinal cord (specifically L3) was targeted in the current study with scES to determine if the EUS and thus the void pattern could be modulated, using both intact and chronic complete spinal cord injured female rats under urethane anesthesia. L3 scES at select frequencies and intensities of stimulation produced a reduction in void volumes and EUS burst duration in intact rats. After chronic transection, three different subgroups of LUT dysfunction were identified and the response to L3 scES promoted different cystometry outcomes, including changes in EUS bursting. The current findings suggest that scES at the L3 level can generate functional neuromodulation of both the urinary bladder and the EUS in intact and SCI rats to enhance voiding in a variety of clinical scenarios.
Effects of post-discharge oral nutrition supplement on nutritional status and body composition in malnourished patients with gastrointestinal cancer and the clinical implications
Authors: Lin Yi , Chattopadhyay Kaushik , Xu Bin-Bin , Zhang Hui-Qin , Gu He-Dan , Dai Xiao-Yu , Yu Hua
Published: May 2023

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the effects of 3-week post-discharge tumor-specialized ONS (TSONS) on nutritional status, and parameters of anthropometry and body composition in malnourished GIC patients after surgery.Methods A retrospective study was delivered in a real-life clinical setting. GIC adults at risk of malnutrition after surgery from December 2021 to October 2022 were included in this TSONS program. All malnourished GIC patients were recommended to receive hospital-prepared TSONS, containing 18.0% protein, 50.0% fat, and 32.0% carbohydrate per service, to reach 500 kcal per day for up to 3 weeks. Nutritional status was evaluated by Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). The changes in the clinical outcomes of body composition were compared at 3-week after TSONS from baseline values, stratified by adjuvant chemotherapy status.Results In total, 36 malnourished GIC patients receiving three-week TSONS were included in this analysis. Three-week TSONS improved nutritional status (P < 0.001). However, TSONS did not significantly impact body composition. When stratified by chemotherapy status, although the difference did not reach a significant level, more weight gain and improved body composition were observed in the patients not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, and of these in patients with normal muscle mass in particular. Meanwhile, a slight rise in fat mass along with visceral fat was promoted by adjuvant chemotherapy, especially for sarcopenic patients.Conclusion Three-week post-discharge TSONS could benefit nutritional status in malnourished GIC patients after surgery. However, it did not have a significant impact on the increase in body weight and improvement of body composition through one-chemotherapy cycle of TSONS.
A method to mitigate GHG emissions produced from Diwali crackers using Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Katuri Abhiram , Manda Jai Charan , Dr Manugupta , lakkarusu pavan kumar varma
Published: May 2023

Due to the rapidly expanding population, currently there has been an increase in the use of chemicals that are released into the atmosphere. The primary cause of this is pollution from various sorts of cracker producing enterprises and its bomb products, which, when burned, have a significant negative impact on the atmosphere and cause a wide range of issues for people. The proposed study intends to create a system for evaluating crackers in a certain area based on their capacity and emission values, and applies principal component analysis to identify the crackers that produce the most emissions. The suggested method uses principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of the dataset and enhance the error factor. From the regional data, Eigenvalues, Variability (%), and Cumulative (%) have been examined. The outcomes can assist the authorities in reducing the air pollution-causing fireworks and subsequently controlling their sale and usage in the area.
Characterization of radon concentration, surface and mass exhalation rates radon and effective dose rate from soil samples in the Midelt, region of Morocco, using Alpha GUARD
Authors: Said KHADOUR , brahim SEDRA Moulay , Abderrahman EL BOUKILI , El-Taher Atef
Published: May 2023

The article discusses the levels of radon concentration in soil samples from the Midelt region of Morocco. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is known to increase the risk of lung cancer, and understanding its presence and migration is important for predicting and mitigating radon exposure in indoor environments. The study aims to determine the natural levels of radon radioactivity in soil samples from four locations in the Midelt region and evaluate the collective impact of radiological hazard indices, such as annual effective dose equivalent, surface area, and mass radon exhalation rate. The soil samples were collected from Tounfite, Boumia, Aghbalou, and Zaida, and analyzed using the AlphaGUARD device to measure the activity concentration of radon. This study provides important information about the levels of radon concentration in the soil of the Midelt region of Morocco, which can be used to predict and mitigate radon exposure in residential and other indoor environments.
Incidence of eriophyid (Acariformes: Eriophyidae) and predatory mites (Parasitiformes: Phytoseiidae) in Florida citrus orchards under three different pest management programs
Authors: Demard Emilie P. , Döker Ismail , Qureshi Jawwad A.
Published: May 2023

The abundance and diversity of eriophyid and phytoseiid mites in south and central Florida were assessed in six citrus orchards under three different pest management systems, conventional, organic, and untreated. Tree canopy, ground cover, and leaf litter were sampled every two months in two groves each under conventional, organic, and untreated pest management from April 2019 to February 2021. The citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) was identified from 95-99% of the samples from study groves except 45% in one untreated orchard (n = 938). The pink citrus rust mite, Aculops pelekassi (Keifer) was present in organic and untreated orchards at 5% and 28%, respectively, but absent from conventional orchards (n = 134). Twenty-nine species of phytoseiid mites were identified from 1,778 specimens. Thirteen species were present in the canopy, fifteen in the ground cover, and eighteen in the leaf litter with some common species among these habitats. In the tree canopy, Typhlodromalus peregrinus (39%), Euseius spp. (25%), and Iphiseiodes quadripilis (19%) were the dominant species. Typhlodromalus peregrinus (43%), Typhlodromips dentilis (25%), and Proprioseiopsis mexicanus (13%) were the major species in the ground cover. Species richness was lower in organic orchards (3.0) compared to conventional and untreated orchards (5.0 and 4.7, respectively). In the leaf litter, Amblyseius curiosus (26%), Proprioseiopsis carolinianus (15%), Chelaseius floridanus (14%), and A. tamatavensis (12%) were the most common species. Shannon index was significantly higher in conventional orchards (1.45) compared to organic and untreated orchards (1.02 and 1.05, respectively). Evenness was also higher in conventional orchards (0.86) compared to organic and untreated (0.72 and 0.68, respectively). Finding of several phytoseiids in abundance across pest management programs suggest the need for identifying their role in pest suppression particularly mites.
Risk factors for implant failure in transverse intertrochanteric fractures
Authors: Izawa Yuta , Futamura Kentaro , Murakami Hiroko , Shirakawa Tetsuya , Tsuchida Yoshihiko
Published: May 2023

Background Intertrochanteric femoral fractures include transverse and reverse oblique fractures. The incidence of implant failure in intertrochanteric fractures is high. The risk factors of perforation and cutout of lag screws or helical blades in intertrochanteric transverse fractures have not been elucidated. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the risk factors of perforation and cutout of lag screws or helical blades in intertrochanteric transverse fractures and propose an effective treatment strategy.Methods Thirty-eight patients with intertrochanteric transverse fractures who underwent surgical fixation with an intramedullary nail between 2013 and 2022 were included in this study. Patients with and without perforation and cutout of the lag screw or helical blade were grouped into group 1 and 2, respectively. To identify the risk factors of perforation and cutout of the lag screw or helical blade, age, sex, laterality, AO/Orthopedic Trauma Association classification, presence of lesser trochanteric fragments and anterior wall comminution, length and thickness of the nail, use of cement augmentation, postoperative quality of reduction, and tip apex distance were compared between the two groups.Results Perforation and cutout of the lag screw or helical blade occurred in eight cases, which were classified into group 1. Thirty patients without implant failure were classified into group 2. All eight cases in group 1 and 14 cases (46.7%) in group 2 had anterior wall comminution; group 1 had a significantly higher rate of anterior wall comminution than group 2 (p = 0.0119). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of items other than anterior wall comminution. Cement augmentation was not used in group 1; in group 2, it was used in eight patients. All eight patients with cement augmentation in group 2 had anterior wall comminution.Conclusions Anterior wall comminution was a risk factor of perforation and cutout of the lag screw or helical blade in femoral intertrochanteric transverse fractures. It may be possible to prevent implant failure using cement augmentation and static locking of the lag screw or helical blade at the insertion of an intramedullary nail.
Change in Microstructure and Fractal Characteristics of Intact and Compacted Loess due to its Collapsibility
Authors: Zhang 张少英 , Shao Shuai , Shao Shengjun , Wu Hao , Zhao Kai
Published: May 2023

This work aimed to examine the fractal dimension and difference law of intact and compacted loess before and after collapse. The uniaxial compression tests were performed to obtain specimens under different vertical stresses, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests were conducted to determine the pore size distribution (PSD). Three models were selected to determine the fractal dimensions based on PSD. As a result, the pores were classified into ultra-micropores (d < 0.1 µm), micropores (0.1 µm < d < 2 µm), small pores (2 µm < d < 10 µm), and large pores (d > 10 µm). When the fractal dimensions were determined using the capillary pressure model, there were three fractal intervals (Ds1, Ds2, and Ds3), with only Ds1 and Ds2 meeting the definition of fractal dimension. Ds1 increased considerably after the collapse, but Ds2 declined. The thermodynamic law-based model presented the best linear fit, and there was only one fractal interval. The fractal dimension Dn increased dramatically after the specimen was wet collapsed. Combined with fractal theory, it revealed that collapse changed the pore uniformity and complexity of the loess. After collapse, the microscopic pores of the loess became coarser and more complicated.
Breast Cancers Secreting Sialyl-Fibronectin in the Blood are Less Likely to Cause Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition and Have a Good Prognosis
Authors: Takeyama Hiroshi , Manome Yoshinobu
Published: May 2023

Purpose:
Elevated blood fibronectin (FN) levels have been observed in various cancers; however, their significance is controversial. We measured sialyl-fibronectin (S-FN), a type of FN secreted by tumor cells in the blood, and investigated whether blood S-FN secretion is associated with cancer malignancy and recurrent metastasis.
Methods:
We constructed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system that recognized S-FN as an antigen and measured the amount of S-FN secreted into the blood of 89 breast tumor patients. The relationship between S-FN secretion and prognostic predictors was statistically examined. Immunostaining was performed to identify the site of S-FN secretion in the breast tissue.
Results:
Among the 82 breast cancer cases, 21 (25.6%, 21/82) and 61 (74.4%, 61/82) were blood S-FN-positive and S-FN-negative, respectively. Regarding prognostic predictors in blood S-FN-positive and S-FN-negative cases, a significant difference was found in three factors of locoregional recurrence (p = 0.026), remote metastasis (p = 0.049), and histological margin (p = 0.001). Locoregional recurrence was associated with positive histological margins in S-FN-positive cases. However, remote metastasis was associated with N-factor and histological classification (HC) in S-FN-negative cases. Furthermore, S-FN particles were detected in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells through immunostaining. After the onset of recurrent metastasis, two S-FN-positive and six S-FN-negative patients received anticancer drug treatment; however, further progression was observed in five S-FN-negative patients.
Conclusion
S-FN-positive cases are less likely to cause distant metastases, have a better prognosis, and may be less resistant to therapeutic agents than S-FN-negative cases, which contain many epithelial-mesenchymal transition cells.
Trial registration number and Date: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Jikei Medical University, Tokyo, Japan, in 2011 [No. 27-112 (7997)].
Biochemical Characterisation of a PL24 Ulvan Lyase from Seaweed-Associated Vibrio sp. FNV38
Authors: Rodrigues Valerie J. , Jouanneau Diane , Fernandez-Fuentes Narcis , Onime Lucy A. , Huws Sharon A. , Odaneth Annamma A. , Adams Jessica M. M.
Published: May 2023

Ulvan is a green macroalgal cell wall polysaccharide that has tremendous potential for valorisation due to its unique composition of sulphated rhamnose, glucuronic acid, iduronic acid and xylose. Several potential applications necessitate the breakdown of the polysaccharide to oligomers or monomers. Research on ulvan saccharifying enzymes has been continually increasing over the last decade, with the increasing focus on valorisation of seaweed biomass for a biobased economy. Lyases are the first of several enzymes that are involved in saccharifying the polysaccharide and several ulvan lyases are being structurally and biochemically characterised to enable their effective use in the valorisation processes. This study investigates the whole genome of Vibrio sp. FNV38, an ulvan metabolising organism and biochemical characteristics of a PL24 ulvan lyase that it possesses. The genome of Vibrio sp. FNV38 has a diverse CAZy profile with several genes involved in the metabolism of ulvan, cellulose, agar, and alginate. The enzyme exhibits optimal activity at pH 8.5 in 100mM Tris-HCl buffer and 30oC. However, its thermal stability is poor with significant loss of activity after 2 hours of incubation at temperatures above 25oC. Breakdown product analysis reveals that the enzyme depolymerised the polysaccharide predominantly to disaccharides and tetrasaccharides. The enzyme is the first to be characterised from Vibrio sp. and has the potential to be genetically modified to improve its thermal stability for use in biorefinery processes.
PTX3 regulates immune infiltration and epithelial/fibroblast repair and regeneration in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: d’Amati Antonio , Ronca Roberto , Maccarinelli Federica , Turati Marta , Lorusso Loredana , De Giorgis Michelina , Tamma Roberto , Ribatti Domenico , Annese Tiziana
Published: May 2023

Several studies have shown a potential protective role of long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in different lung pathologies. In the present study, we have explored the influence of PTX3 in the bleomycin (BLM)-induced murine model of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). We made a picture of the pulmonary microenvironment by looking at inflammatory infiltrate (macrophages, mast cells, T cells) and stemness/regenerative markers of lung epithelium (SOX2) and fibroblasts/myofibroblasts (CD44) at different time points that retrace the progression of the disease from onset at day 14, to full-blown disease at day 21, to incomplete regression at day 28. We took advantage of transgenic PTX3 overexpressing mice (Tie2-PTX3) and Ptx3 null ones (PTX3-KO) in which IPF was indued. Our data have shown that: throughout the whole experimental period, the CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages and the Tryptase+ mast cells are reduced in the Tie2-PTX3 pulmonary microenvironment compared to wild-type (WT) or PTX3-KO; on the contrary, CD4+ T cells are consistently present on day 14 and dramatically decreased on day 21 in Tie2-PTX3 compared to WT or PTX3-KO; CD8+ T cells do not show significant differences on day 14, but are significantly reduced on day 21 in Tie2-PTX3 compared to WT or PTX3-KO; SOX2 is reduced on days 14 and 21 in Tie2-PTX3 compared to WT or PTX3-KO; CD44 is reduced on day 21 in Tie2-PTX3 compared to WT or PTX3-KO. This scenario demonstrates the anti-inflammatory effects of PTX3, which reduces pro-inflammatory cells and counteracts profibrotic events.
Lower early-stage rectal cancer surgical approaches: Therapeutic options and cancer biomarker alterations
Authors: bin yue , Gao Hongjian , Wang Lihua , Deyu Chen , Yao Yuan , Li Xingdong , Fei Yuxuan , Zhang Chunxia
Published: May 2023

Background
Early-stage rectal cancer is used in cases of histological findings including pTis and pT1 tumors, which are no metastases, no lymphovascular or perineural invasion, and located at the mucosa level of the intestinal wall. Low early-stage rectal cancer (LeREC), transanal resection can be an attractive alternative to less invasive surgical procedures and postoperative complications. However, none of the currently used surgical methods could be considered an ideal surgical option that is effective, safe, and painless. We hypothesized that a combination of the simplified transanal excision (sTE) and Ruiyun procedure for hemorrhoids (RPH) will increase the safety and effectiveness of surgical treatment low early-stage rectal cancer.
Purpose
To explore the safety and efficacy of the Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) or combining the sTE with RPH in the treatment of LeREC.
Methods
This is a randomized, controlled, balanced study of 48 patients with LeREC, who diagnosed with low early-stage rectal tumor less than 12 cm from the anal verge and were candidates for TEM or combining the sTE with RPH. Expression of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, FOXD1 and PAK4 were determined in primary tumors from 48 patients with locally LeREC scheduled for TEM (20 cases) or RPH with the sTE (28 cases). The outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between 2 types of surgeries.
Results
Between Feb 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2019, 48 patients were randomly assigned. 20 to TEM and 28 to combining sTE with RPH surgery. Then, all patients had been followed up within 12 months. Histopathological features for CDK2/4/6, FOXD1 and PAK4 proteins that would be considered to be associated with increased risk of tumor recurrence.
Conclusions
sTE combined with RPH can reduce the incidence of intraoperative bleeding, reduce the cost of surgery, facilitate diagnosis and treatment in grassroots hospitals, and improve the curative efficacy in the treatment of patients with lower two-thirds of early-stage rectal cancer.
RIG-I is an intracellular checkpoint that limits CD8+ T-cell antitumor immunity
Authors: Duan Xiaobing , Hu Jiali , Zhang Yuncong , Zhao Xiaoguang , Yang Mingqi , Sun Taoping , Li Wenting , Yang Ze , Zhang Yitian , Lin Xiaowen , Liu Dingjie , Meng Ya , Yang Guang , Lin Qiuping , Zhang Guihai , Lei Haihong , Yi Zhengsheng , Liu Yanyan , Wu Yujuan , Diao Wenqing , Li Zesong , Zhan Meixiao , Sun Hong-Wei , Li Xian-Yang , Lu Ligong
Published: May 2023

Background Although a variety of immune checkpoint monoclonal antibodies have been approved for the treatment of cancers, the low response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors limits their wide clinical application. Therefore, to explore new and broader immunotherapy targets to improve the response rate of CD8+ T cells will provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment of refractory malignant solid tumors.Methods We used single-cell sequencing data to screen for genes associated with exhaustion of infiltrating CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment and validated them by immunoblotting and multiplex immunohistochemistry. We used flow cytometry to analyze the effects of RIG-I knockout in spleen and lymph nodes on the secretion of anti-tumor cytokines and the differentiation and development of CD8+ T cells in vitro. We analyzed the effect of RIG-I knockdown on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, and melanoma in vivo, then analyzed the secretion of anti-tumor cytokines by CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment by flow cytometry. We analyzed the possible factors inducing the up-regulation of RIG-I and the signaling pathways downstream of RIG-I that negatively regulate the anti-tumor function of CD8+ T cells in vitro by flow cytometry and immunoblotting. We validated the effect of RIG-I targeting human CD8+ T cells on human tumors in immunodeficient mice. We evaluated the effect of PD-1 antibody in combination with targeted RIG-I on tumor inhibition in mice.Results Here, we demonstrate that RIG-I is upregulated in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, where it functions as an intracellular checkpoint to negatively regulate CD8+ T-cell function and limit antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, upregulation of RIG-I in CD8+ T cells is induced by retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A in the tumor microenvironment, and directly inhibits the AKT/glycolysis signaling pathway. In addition, deletion of RIG-I enhances the efficacy of adoptively transferred T cells against solid tumors, and inhibition of RIG-I enhances the response to PD-1 blockade.Conclusions Overall, our study identifies RIG-I as an intracellular checkpoint and a potential target for alleviating inhibitory constraints on T cells in cancer immunotherapy, either alone or in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy focusing on hormones produced. : a case control study
Authors: Izawa Mizuki , Takeda Toshikazu , Anno Tadanori , Yasumizu Yota , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Matsumoto Kazuhiro , Morita Shinya , Kosaka Takeo , Mizuno Ryuichi , Asanuma Hiroshi , Oya Mototsugu
Published: May 2023

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is widely performed for a number of hormone-producing tumors and postoperative management depends on the hormones produced. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective analysis to clarify the risk factors for postoperative complications, particularly postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Methods: We analyzed 406 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy at our hospital between 2003 and 2019. Postoperative fever was defined as a fever of 38°C or higher within 72 hours after surgery. We investigated the risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Results: There were 188 males (46%) and 218 females (54%) with a median age of 52 years. Among these patients, tumor pathologies included 188 primary aldosteronism (46%), 75 Cushing syndrome (18%), and 80 pheochromocytoma (20%). Postoperative fever developed in 124 of all patients (31%), 30% of those with primary aldosteronism, 53% of those with pheochromocytoma, and 8% of those with Cushing syndrome. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified pheochromocytoma and non-Cushing syndrome as independent predictors of postoperative fever. Postoperative fever was observed in 42 out of 80 cases of pheochromocytoma (53%), which was significantly higher than in cases of non-pheochromocytoma (82/326, 25%, p<0.01). In contrast, postoperative fever developed in 6 out of 75 cases of Cushing syndrome (8%), which was significantly lower than in cases of non-Cushing syndrome (118/331, 35.6%, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Since postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy is markedly affected by the hormone produced by pheochromocytoma and Cushing syndrome, it is important to carefully consider the need for treatment.
Headache among Syrian patients Behcet’s disease: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Rabah Karam , Rabah Nour , Deeb Haya , Kudsi Maysoun
Published: May 2023

Background: Oral ulcers, genital ulcers and uveitis represent the typical trial of Behcet’s disease (BD). it is well common on the Old Silk Road. The mucocutaneous lesions are the hallmark of BD, but neurological involvement is one of the severe symptoms. Headaches may be an early sign of BD neurological involvement. The aim of this study is to investigate the headache prevalence and its types, and characteristics in a Syrian sample of BD patients.
Methods: BD patients were clinically interviewed and examined to collect their information, symptoms and signs. the International Study Group for Behcet's Disease diagnosis criteria was used to confirm the BD diagnosis. The International Classification of headaches was used when classifying the headaches.
Results: 120 participants were included in the study. half of them were BD patients and the control group was also 60 participants. Among Syrian BD patients, 36.7% suffer from primary headaches and 36.7% suffer from secondary headaches. These findings were not significantly different between the BD patients and the healthy population. Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: Headache should not be considered a predictor for neurological involvement among BD patients. Additional attention to BD patients or the specific treatment for headaches is not required and does not differ from the general population.
One-step preparation of α-Al2O3/SiO2 composite tritium permeation barrier via slurry spin coating method and performance investigation
Authors: Liu Dong-Guang , Zou Jin-Xin , Yang Ting-Ting , Zhou Si-Wei , Luo Lai-Ma , Hong Chun-Fu
Published: May 2023

In the fusion reactor, a-Al2O3 and its composite coatings have became the preferred material for tritium permeation barriers. The slurry spin coating method in this study is used to prepare α-Al2O3/SiO2 composite coating for one-step at the temperature of 600 °C, 700 °C and 800 °C. The effect of heat treatment temperature on the composite coating's microstructure and adhesion strength is investigated. When the coating prepared temperature is 600 °C, the thermal shock resistance and hydrogen permeation resistance are also studied. The findings demonstrate that as the heat treatment temperature rises, defects such as holes and cracks appear. The surface of the composite coating is continuous and compact when the preparation temperature is 600 °C, and the adhesion strength is 88.7 N. Thermal shock tests demonstrate that the 600 °C-α-Al2O3/SiO2 composite coating is still dense and is bonded well to the substrate after 50 times thermal shocks at 500 °C. The hydrogen resistance capability indicate that the 600 °C-α-Al2O3/SiO2 composite is 4.6 times greater than the substrate.
Bearing capacity of strip foundations based on soil parameters: a classical earth pressure analysis problem
Authors: Pantelidis Lysandros
Published: May 2023

The bearing capacity of shallow foundations is one of the major fields of soil mechanics and foundation engineering. Since 1920, when Prandtl suggested the well-known failure mechanism with the three zones and 1943, when Terzaghi, based on this mechanism, suggested his famous equation with the three N-factors, numerous bearing capacity methods for the basic problem of centrically-vertically loaded strip footings have been proposed in the literature, mainly focusing on refining the Nγ factor. It is mentioned that Terzaghi worked with the vertical equilibrium of forces, but he largely relied on the earth pressure theory, where, finally, he had to calculate three earth pressure coefficients i.e., for the self-weight and cohesion of the soil and the lateral surcharge. In his problem, these coefficients worked in the vertical direction. The purpose of the present paper is to suggest a completely new approach for the bearing capacity to the above-mentioned problem. It is shown that the problem in question is a classical earth pressure analysis problem, where a virtual wall divides the failure mass into an active and a passive failure zone. Also, it is shown that it is not the Nγ factor which prevents us from having better prediction for the bearing capacity of footings, but the foundation depth, where a suitable correction factor (same for all three bearing capacity terms) needs to be applied. The method proposed herein puts the problem on the correct basis, avoids crude assumptions and methodology tricks, and paves the way for a general bearing capacity theory able to effectively deal with groundwater table, seismic excitation, stratified or sloping soils, footing interference etc. Moreover, since, as known, the dilatancy of soils affects the bearing capacity value, the proposed method has been calibrated against non-associated finite element models with ψ=0°. Thus, the proposed method is on the safe side.
Capturing head impacts in boxing: a video-based comparison of three wearable sensors
Authors: Flao Enora Le , Lenetsky Seth , Siegmund Gunter P. , Borotkanics Robert
Published: May 2023

Wearable sensors are used to quantify head impacts in athletes, but recent work has shown that the number of events recorded may not be accurate. This study aimed to compare the number of head acceleration events recorded by three wearable sensors during boxing and assess how impact type and location affect the triggering of acceleration events. Seven boxers were equipped with an instrumented mouthguard, a skin patch, and a headgear patch. Contacts to participants’ heads were identified via three video cameras over 115 sparring rounds. The resulting 5168 video-identified events were used as reference to quantify the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of the sensors. The mouthguard, skin patch, and headgear patch recorded 695, 1579, and 1690 events, respectively, yielding sensitivities of 35%, 86% and 78%, respectively, and specificities of 90%, 76%, and 75%, respectively. The mouthguard, skin patch, and headgear patch yielded 693, 1571, and 1681 true positive events, respectively, leading to PPVs for head impacts over 96%. All three sensors were more likely to be triggered by punches landing near the sensor and cleanly on the head, although the mouthguard’s sensitivity to impact location varied less than the patches’. While the use of head impact sensors for assessing injury risks remains uncertain, this study provides valuable insights into the capabilities and limitations of these sensors in capturing video-verified head impact events.
Noise robust neural network architecture
Authors: Yunuo Xiong , Hongwei Xiong
Published: May 2023

In which we propose neural network architecture (dune neural network) for recognizing general noisy image without adding any artificial noise in the training data. By representing each free parameter of the network as an uncertainty interval, and applying a linear transformation to each input element, we show that the resulting architecture achieves decent noise robustness when faced with input data with white noise. We apply simple dune neural networks for MNIST dataset and demonstrate that even for very noisy input images which are hard for human to recognize, our approach achieved better test set accuracy than human without dataset augmentation. We also find that our method is robust for many other examples with various background patterns added.
Vitamin C and Vitamin D: Safe enough in liver with iron overload?
Authors: Güvendi Gülname Fındık
Published: May 2023

Background/Aim: Iron accumulation triggers fibrosis in liver. In this study, preconditioing and postconditioning effects of vitamin C(VitC) and vitamin D(VitD), were evaluated in rat liver with iron overload.
Materials&Methods: 100 mg/kg vitC and/or 100 mg/kg vitD were administered before or after the iron overload induced with 88 mg/kg iron dextran(Fe) to Wistar Albino rats. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanin aminotransferase(ALT), tissue total oxidant status(TOS) and total antioxidant status(TAS) were measured; hepatocyte damage, fibrosis and inflammation were evaluated.
Results: AST values were significantly lower in postconditioning groups compared to Fe group;VitC significantly increased ALT compared to Fe.When Fe group and treatment groups were examined, the mean tissue TOS values were found to be statistically significantly higher in the treatment groups, while the same change was not observed in the tissue TAS levels.
Conclusion: VitC and VitD should not be used individually/together without detailed clinical, laboratory and pathological evaluation in cases with iron overload.
The PTGR1 expression is controlled by TE-derived Z-DNA forming sequence cooperating with miR-6867-5p
Authors: Lee DuHyeong , Bae Woo Hyeon , Ha Hongseok , Kim Woo Ryung , Park Eun Gyung , Lee Yun Ju , Kim Jung-min , Shin Hae Jin , Kim Heui-Soo
Published: May 2023

Z-DNA, a well-known non-canonical form of DNA involved in gene regulation, is often found in gene promoters. Transposable elements (TEs), which make up 45% of the human genome, can move from one location to another within the genome. TEs play various biological roles in host organisms, and like Z-DNA, can influence transcriptional regulation near promoter regions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Although TEs can generate Z-DNA and miRNAs can bind to Z-DNA, how these factors affect gene transcription has yet to be elucidated. Here, we identified potential Z-DNA forming sequences (ZFSs), including TE-derived ZFS, in the promoter of prostaglandin reductase 1 (PTGR1) by data analysis. The transcriptional activity of these ZFSs in PTGR1 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assays. In addition, we discovered a novel ZFS binding miRNA (miR-6867-5p) that suppressed PTGR1 expression by targeting to ZFSs. In conclusion, these findings suggest that TEs can regulate PTGR1 gene expression by forming Z-DNA and that miR-6867-5p can suppress PTGR1 by interacting with ZFSs.
Electroplated ZnO Thin Film: Influence of Deposition Time on Optical and Structural Properties
Authors:   Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jalan Willem Iskandar Medan Estate, Medan 20221, Indonesia, Siregar Nurdin , Motlan Motlan ,   Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jalan Willem Iskandar Medan Estate, Medan 20221, Indonesia, Sirait Makmur ,   Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Medan, Jalan Willem Iskandar Medan Estate, Medan 20221, Indonesia
Published: May 2023

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film, an important n-type semiconductor for various applications, needs to be prepared by a simple and low-cost method. Herein, ZnO thin films with various deposition times (1.25 min, 2.50 min, 5.00 min and 7.5 min) have been successfully fabricated by the electroplating method. The X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that the crystal structure of all samples was hexagonal, with the largest crystal size of 28.17 nm and a deposition time of 2.50 min. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis shows that the deposition time increased along with the more visible size distribution of the crystallite grains and the smaller, more spherical and uniform, compact coating of the substrate. It is found that increasing the deposition time from 1.25 min to 7.5 min leads to an increment of thickness from 0.84 µm to 4.4 µm. The elemental analysis reveals the presence of zinc (Zn) and oxygen (O) without impurities. The optical analysis reveals that the ZnO transmittance was greater than 95% for all deposition times. The highest bandgap energy value of the ZnO thin film is 3.24 eV at a deposition time of 1.25 min. With great optical and structural properties, our ZnO thin film has a big potential to be used for dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC).
Condition for Zero Doppler Effect in Classical Theory, Special Relativity and New Approach
Authors:   Department of Physics, University of Prishtina Rr. George Bush 31, 10000, Prishtina, Kosova, Klinaku Shukri
Published: May 2023

The Doppler effect (DE) has a wide application in many areas of science and technology. Radiofrequency technologies that use this effect are based on the classical DE theory. We know that since 1905, we have the relativistic theory of DE. Recently, a new DE theory based on relative velocity between wavefronts and wave source/observer has been proposed. In this paper, we will examine the condition for the vanishing of DE, that is, no frequency shift irrespective of the relative motion between the wave and the wave source/observer. Examination will be done to the three theories of DE.
Electronic Journals: A Place for Women to Publish?
Authors: Tescione Susan M.
Published: May 2023

Academic publishing in North America has existed in its current form for more than two centuries. For most disciplines, the journal article remains academe's stock-in-trade. Tradition as well as institutional policy play pivotal roles in "publish or perish," and decisions about hiring, promotion, and tenure often rest on the candidate's publication record. The format of the published work, the quality of the journal, the publication peer review process, copyediting, typesetting, and the finished look of an article in print all contribute to the authority of published research (Tomlins, 1998). The process of "getting into print" is arduous and can consume a year or more. Proponents of electronic journals say that this slow process creates a body of literature that is outdated at publication. In contrast, electronic peer review proceeds quickly, and anyone can self-publish on the World Wide Web. Many scholars object to the time the peer review process absorbs and predict the demise of print journals in libraries due to expense, shelf space, availability, turn-around time, and the costs of preservation. Although technology can place information at a researcher's fingertips almost instantly, scholars are concerned about other academic issues that involve the quality of the research and publication.
Science Advice as an Honest Broker: A Case Study of the National Clinical Committee for Infectious Diseases
Authors:   European Constitutional Law Association, Kim Younsik
Published: May 2023

Politics or policy-making(administration) system tends to transfer decision-making functions to science in modern societies with increasing uncertain complexity. This tendency confines scientific discussion in extreme polarisation, which is tightly coupled to political win-lose. As science is more tightly coupled to politics and policy, the degree of freedom for each system is lowered, narrowing the room where policy alternatives are discussed and compromised. Under this analysis, the research proposes the honest broker model as an appropriate role model for scientific advisors in a modern society where uncertainty and value conflicts are growing. Scientific advisors do not prepare a single policy answer but rather present a variety of feasible scenarios and multiple policy alternatives within the scope of uncertainty. For scientific advisory to function as an honest intermediary, certain normative principles such as accountability separation between policy-making and scientific advisory system, transparency, diversity and openness should be established first. Finally, this paper attempts to apply the theoretical discussions to an institutional reformation of the current National Clinical Committee for Infectious Diseases. In this regard, the most urgent issue in the future is to institutionalize the science advice process. Such institutional settings enhance the influence of scientific advisory on policy while preventing the situation in which scientists are accused of political or legal responsibility for policy failure.
Türkiye’de Bakliyat Üretimi Üzerine Tarımsal Planlama İçin Bir Matematiksel Model Önerisi
Authors: YILDIZ Osman , SEL Çağrı
Published: May 2023

Üretim planlaması, üretim kaynaklarının ekonomik kullanımı ile verimliliği artırır. Tarımsal ürünlerin üretim miktarları ekim alanlarına göre belirlenmekte ve tarımsal planlama ile üretim verimliliği öngörülebilmektedir. Buradaki problem ekonomik olarak karlı ve ülke ihtiyacını en yüksek düzeyde karşılayan yıllık tarımsal üretim planını rasyonel olarak yapmaktır. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’de bakliyat üretimi üzerine bir tarımsal planlama yapmak amacıyla doğrusal programlama modeli geliştirilmiştir. Model ile Kuru fasulye, Nohut, Mercimek ürünlerinin 2019 yılına ait üretim ve maliyet verileri kullanılarak ulusal ölçekte verimlilik ve iktisadilik analizleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Analizler neticesinde, bakliyat üretimi için ayrılan tarım alanlarının %6.14 artırılarak ile 1.24 oranında bir iktisadilik ile ülke ihtiyaçlarının %100 yeterlilik düzeyinde karşılanacağı sonucuna varılmıştır. Önümüzdeki yıllarda gerçekleştirilecek tarımsal faaliyetlerin ve bu faaliyetleri düzenleyen ulusal politikaların planlanmasında ortaya koyulan bu karar destek modelinden istifade edilebilecektir.
Using computer vision to monitor ice conditions in water supply infrastructure: a study of salient image features
Authors: Chen Junjie , Liu Donghai
Published: May 2023

Ice condition monitoring (ICM) is critical for the operation and maintenance of water supply infrastructure in cold regions. Existing approaches either depend on ground-level sensors or satellite photography for ICM, which suffer from high maintenance costs or inadequate precision. Computer vision (CV) has the potential to tackle the limitations by providing a precise and scalable solution based on near-shore cameras and increasingly affordable drones. To explore the potential of CV for ICM, this paper presents a systematic study of salient image features for differentiating typical ice evolvement phases throughout the freeze–thaw cycle. First, ice condition during the freeze–thaw cycle is studied to provide a categoric system of typical ice stages. Second, multiple image feature descriptors are proposed to characterize the distinction between different ice conditions. Finally, with the proposed descriptors as input, two support vector machines (SVMs) are trained to classify the ice condition for automatic ICM. Experiments have been implemented to identify salient features for ice characterization. It was found that the SVMs can achieve 71.9 and 77.3% accuracy for the prediction of ice stage and ice flow strength, respectively. Future research is suggested to develop the research findings into practical solutions for webcams or drone-based automatic ICM.