bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Traditional Healers’ Knowledge and Infection Control Practices Related to HIV in Bukavu City, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Célestin Kyambikwa Bisangamo , El-Nimr Nessrin Ahmed , Patrick Milabyo Kyamusugulwa , Wahdan Iman Mohamed Helmy , Gad Zahira Metwally 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: Patients with HIV consult traditional healers (THs). These THs can both delay care for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and transmit HIV through poor infection control practices. The main objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and practices of THs regarding HIV in Bukavu.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 71 THs in Bukavu City. The collected data included the following topics: personal and socio-demographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, and infection control practices. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples T-test or F-test, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data with a p-value < 0.05.
Results: The THs’ mean age was 49.2 ± 11.2 years, and the majority were aged 40 to <60 years. Males constituted 88.7% of THs with a male-to-female ratio of 7.9. Findings of the study revealed that THs had inadequate knowledge about HIV infection and poor infection control practices.
Conclusion and recommendations: The study revealed that THs' knowledge about HIV infection was insufficient and that they had poor infection control practices. Formal standardized training on HIV infection should be organized for all THs so that they can always refer their patients to modern, reliable antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics and reduce the risk of occupational exposure in their practices.
Impact of shield tunneling on deformation of overlying existing tunnels considering jacking force effect
Authors: Zhang Fang , Feng Guohui , Li Yujie , Wang Zhongjin , Chen Guanyu , Xu Changjie 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

In order to investigate the influence of shield tunneling on the deformation of overlying existing tunnels, a predictive analytical method for the deformation response of existing tunnels is proposed. The modified Loganathan formula is used to analytically obtain additional stresses at the axis of the existing tunnel caused by tunnel excavation underlying. The existing tunnel is simplified as an infinite Timoshenko beam supported on a Winkler foundation. The influence of jacking force in the existing tunnel is introduced, and analytical solutions for stress and deformation responses of the existing tunnel are obtained by considering boundary conditions at both ends. The research results indicate that the calculated results closely match measured data from existing literature, and the proposed method shows superiority compared to the T-W and EB-W models with degenerate capabilities. Further parameter analysis concludes that the shear stiffness of the existing tunnel is not a sensitive factor to tunnel displacement changes, but the change in jacking force is crucial. The jacking force in the existing tunnel is a significant factor affecting the response of existing tunnel. Both the deformation and inner forces of the existing tunnel linearly increase with the increase of the ground loss rate.
Mitotic MTH1 inhibitor TH1579 induces PD-L1 expression and inflammatory response through the cGAS-STING pathway
Authors: Helleday Thomas , Shen Jianyu , Mancina Emilio , Chen Shenyu , Gad Helge , Berglund Ulrika , Sanjiv Kumar 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The mitotic MTH1 inhibitor TH1579 is a dual inhibitor that inhibits mitosis and MTH1 and leads to cancer-specific cell death. The response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment is often augmented by DNA damaging agents through the cGAS-STING pathway. This study investigates whether TH1579 can improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades through its immunomodulatory properties. Various human and murine cancer cell lines were treated with mitotic MTH1i TH1579, and the expression of PD-L1 and T-cell infiltration-related chemokines was analysed by flow cytometry and real-time qPCR. Syngeneic mouse models were established to examine the combined effect of TH1579 and PD-L1 blockade. In our investigation, we found that TH1579 upregulates PD-L1 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels in human cancer cell lines. However, in murine cell lines, the increase was less pronounced. An in vivo experiment in a syngeneic mouse melanoma model showed that TH1579 treatment significantly increased the efficacy of atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, compared to vehicle or atezolizumab monotherapy. Furthermore, TH1579 exhibited immune-modulatory properties, elevating cytokines such as IFN-β and chemokines including CCL5 and CXCL10, in a cGAS-STING pathway-dependent manner. In conclusion, TH1579 has the potential to improve ICI treatment by modulating immune checkpoint-related proteins and pathways.
A Network Pharmacology and molecular docking-based study exploring the pharmacokinetics, safety and mechanism of action of Polyscias fulva bioactive compounds against uterine fibroids
Authors: Kiyimba Kenedy , Guantai Eric , Munyendo Lincoln , Obakiro Samuel Baker , Gavamukulya Yahaya 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Uterine Fibroids (UF) also known as uterine leiomyomas are a significant reproductive health challenge among the female population, globally. Apart from surgery which has several complications, many available pharmacological therapeutic options reduce symptoms rather than being curative. The use of Polyscias fulva for the management of UF by Traditionally in Uganda implored the scientific validation process through network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches. Using scholarly literature search, known bioactive compounds of Polyscias fulva were retrieved from various databases. The SwissADME platform was used to evaluate drug likeliness and pharmacokinetic parameters of the compounds. The potential target genes of the compounds were predicted using the Swiss Target Prediction Database. Human genes associated with UF were obtained from GeneCards and OMIM databases. The interaction between the compounds and UF genes was established through protein–protein interaction, gene ontology, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The binding affinities between the bioactive compounds of Polyscias fulva and the retrieved UF hub targets were determined using AutoDock tools. Here we show that Five Polyscias fulva bioactive compounds: pinoresinol, lichexanthone, methyl atarate, β-sitosterol and Cauloside A exhibited drug likeness properties with moderate safety profiles. β -sitosterol demonstrated stronger binding affinity with five human uterine fibroids targets i.e. HIF1A (-9.21 kcal/mol), ESR1 (-8.31kcal/mol), EGFR (-9.75kcal/mol), CASP3 (-7.13kcal/mol) and CCND1(-5.74kcal/mol) while the other four compounds strongly bound to three targets (HIF1A, ESR1, EGFR). In conclusion, Polyscias fulva contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-proliferative activity against UF with promising pharmacokinetic properties and safety profiles using computational predictive models.
Investigating English-majored Senior Students’ Application of Grammar in Report Writing
Authors: Anh Khau Hoang , Ngoc Trinh Boi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Grammar helps communication either in the written or spoken forms go smoothly and look and sound academically. Due to this important role of grammar, this study explored English-majored senior students’ utilization of grammar in their report writing, one of the requirements in the program. A mixed method was employed by utilizing summative content analysis to collect the data on types of grammatical errors, unclear-meaning texts, and language interference from 49 reports written by 49 students. In addition, nine Vietnamese-speaking teachers of English were invited to remark on a two-scale survey “Agree” or “Disagree” with the extracts postulated by the authors, who considered such extracts have evidence in language interference and meaning clarity. The results show that students encountered 13 common grammatical errors: sentence fragments, sentence connectors, passive voice, collocations, parts of speech, prepositions, parallel structures, nouns, adjective clauses, and articles; the three most prevalent grammatical errors are simple past tense, run-on sentences, and word choice. Most teachers highly agreed with the suggested extracts by the authors regarding the unclear meaning and language-interference extracts. The study has contributed to the English bachelor program, where English grammar lessons are taught and tested implicitly, to reconsider teaching them explicitly and integrate them into writing effectively. The results, furthermore, suggested that factors related to grammar learning and mastering, such as teaching and learning methods, students’ motivation, and curriculum need further investigation. Detailed discussion and limitations of the results were presented.
Impact of Human upper Dermis tissue on the spectral intensity of a pulsed chirped General Model vortex higher-order cosh-Gaussian beam
Authors: Benzehoua H. , Saad F. , Bayraktar M. , Chatzinotas S. , Belafhal A. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We conduct the analytical study of the propagation properties of a pulsed chirped General Model vortex Higher-order cosh-Gaussian beam (GMvHchGB) passing through human upper dermis tissue using the power spectrum refractive index, the extended Huygens-Fresnel integral, and the Fourier Transform method in this study. We perform numerical simulations based on the derived formula to illustrate how the properties of this beam are affected by varying beam parameter configurations within the human upper dermis tissue. We observe that the pulsed chirped GMvHchGB undergoes changes in its shape as it traverses a considerable distance through this medium. In the numerical analysis, we focus on the impact of incident parameters such as Gaussian waist, cosh parameter, hollowness, and beam order. We anticipate that the results obtained from our simulations are significant in developing bio-optical disease detection and treatment technologies especially for cancer. Based on the difference in the intensity distribution, scientists can detect the diseases.
A New Model for Prognosis Assessment in Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Serum Albumin and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Zhang Hua , Qiu Shaodong , Chen Fei , Wang Xiaojun 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of serum albumin (Alb) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as predictors of all-cause mortality (ACD) in patients diagnosed with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD).
Method
Patients with SCAD were categorized into four groups based on their levels of Alb and LVEF. Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to assess and compare the ACD rates across the four groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of predicting ACD using the combination of Alb and LVEF, as well as Alb or LVEF alone. Cox regression analysis was employed to identify the factors influencing the occurrence of ACD in patients with SCAD and to establish the correlation between Alb and LVEF.
Results
ACD occurred in 18 out of 203 patients with SCAD, accounting for 8.9% of the sample. The average follow-up period was 26.53 ± 14.34 months. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed varying risks of ACD across the four groups, with Group A having the highest risk (26.7%), followed by Group B (17.6%), Group D (0.9%), and Group C (0%). This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of Alb and LVEF had superior predictive value for ACD (AUC = 0.888) compared to either Alb alone (AUC = 0.879) or LVEF alone (AUC = 0.651). This difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Alb ≤ 4 g/dL predicted ACD events after adjusting for baseline (HR: 12.16, 95% CI: 1.57 to 94.41; P = 0.017) and treatment (HR: 19.36, 95% CI: 2.53-147.78, P = 0.004). Alb was positively correlated with LVEF (r = 0.22, P = 0.002).
Conclusions
Alb combined with LVEF is more effective than a single index in predicting ACD in SCAD and could be used as a new model to judge the prognosis of SCAD.
IL-17A regulates collagen synthesis after autophagy in bronchial fibroblasts through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Yao Pei-xue , Chen Yuan-shou , Liu Mao-mao , Liao Shi-xia , Zhang Lan-ying , Chen Jie , Ou-Yang Yao 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background Airway inflammation and remodeling are the most important characteristics of COPD. Our previous studies have shown that airway inflammation in COPD is related to upregulation of IL-17A, but the relationship with airway remodeling still needs further investigation. It is speculated that IL-17A can regulate autophagy of bronchial fibroblasts and affect collagen production, exacerbating airway remodeling. This article aims to explore the mechanism of IL-17A regulating the autophagy pathway PI3K/Akt/mTOR in COPD airway remodeling at the cellular level. Targeting IL-17A therapy may provide new ideas for the treatment of COPD airway remodeling.
Methods Primary bronchial fibroblasts isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with IL-17A, rapamycin, Ly294002 (a PI3K-Akt inhibitor), or IL-17A+rapamycin.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of autophagic markers (LC3 and p62), PI3K, mTOR and AKT. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the changes in the number of autophagosomes (APs) in the cells in each group. Western blotting (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF) analysis were used to detect changes in the protein expression levels of Collagen I and Collagen III in each group.
Results Our results suggested that IL-17A activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and inhibited autophagy in bronchial fibroblasts by inhibiting autophagosome formation. We also observed that IL-17A promoted collagen production by inhibiting bronchial fibroblast autophagy. Our findings indicated that modulators of autophagy may be developed as new therapeutic target for COPD by repressing airway remodeling.
Conclusions IL-17A promotes the synthesis of Collagen I and Collagen III in bronchial fibroblasts by inhibiting autophagy via activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway.
Conclusions IL-17A promotes the synthesis of Collagen I and Collagen III in bronchial fibroblasts by inhibiting autophagy via activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway.
Residual feed intake and gain changes the performance and carcass traits in Nellore cattle
Authors: Fernandes Luis Miguel Gonçalves , Chaves Amália Saturnino , Lopes Idael Matheus Góes , de Moraes Giovanna Faria , Abreu Luiza Rodrigues Alves 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The residual intake and gain (RIG) aims to select animals with fast growth development that present low feed intake in relation to the expected. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of selection for RIG with performance and carcass traits in Nellore cattle. Initially, residual feed intake (RFI) and residual gain (RG) were determined. From this, the RIG was calculated, and the animals were classified as efficient and inefficient for RIG. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Pearson's correlations were estimated between performance, carcass characteristics, and RIG classes. The efficient animals for RIG showed higher daily weight gain (DWG), Longissimus muscle area (LMA), and mean metabolic body weight (MMBW)(P < 0.001) than the inefficient ones. No significant correlations (P > 0.05) were found between subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), marbling (MAR), LMA, MMBW, and the RIG. The RIG is a measure that can be used to identify and select animals with higher rates of DWG and LMA without changes in the dry matter intake (DMI), SFT, and MAR. However, this index should still be observed with caution, as it may be dependent on body size. The selection of animals according to the RIG can be an important factor to generate phenotypic evolution in characteristics such as weight gain and rib eye area without adverse effects on the carcass fat deposition.
An Intelligent Model and Simulation of High Voltage and Medium Voltage Transmission Line Protection Scheme Using Time Overcurrent Relay Optimization Settings
Authors: Ntambara Boniface , Sitati Simiyu Stanley , Wambua Paul M. , Bosco Byiringiro Jean 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
A new method for optimizing overcurrent relay (OCR) settings and coordination in interconnected power systems was developed. The method considers factors such as feeder impedance equivalences, phase-to-phase fault currents, current settings of 110kV incoming and 15kV outgoing feeders, and operating times for relay characteristics (standard, very, and extremely inverse of overcurrent relay). The maximum fault current of the interconnected power grids is also considered. Power system parameters like X/R ratio, current transformer ratio, transmission line length, resistances, inductances, full load current, line capacity, CT ratio for outgoing feeders, grid frequency, and real power are also considered. To ensure safety and rapid operation of overcurrent relays, settings such as pickup value, time setting multiplier (TMS), and OCR characteristics are carefully considered. The results show that the OCRs coordination interval time to fastest clear faults range from 0.0927 sec-0.062 sec to 0.0764 sec-0.0661 sec for extremely, very, and standard inverse relays, respectively.
Ortognatı̇k Cerrahı̇ Planlanan Hastalarda Maksillofasiyal Bölgedeki Bazı Anatomik Yapıların Morfometrik Özellikleri
Authors: GEZER Derya , BOZDEMİR (HAŞTAR) Esin 
Published: December 2023

Amaç: Ortognatik cerrahi planlanan hastalarda maksillofasiyal bölgedeki bazı anatomik yapıların morfometrik özelliklerini değerlendirmek ve bu özellikleri sagittal yönde farklı çene ilişkilerine cinsiyete ve yaşa göre karşılaştırmaktır.
Gereç-Yöntem: Çalışmaya 18-50 yaş arası ortognatik cerrahi planlanlanması amacıyla konik ışınlı bilgisayarlı tomografi alınan 235 yetişkin hasta dahil edildi. konik ışınlı bilgisayarlı tomografi görüntülerinde posterior süperior alveolar arter (PSAA) çapı koronal kesitte ölçüldü. İnsiziv foramen (İF) genişliği sagital düzlemde milimetre cinsinden ölçüldü. Mental foramenin (MF) çapı cross-sectional kesitler üzerinde foramenin alt ve üst sınırı arasındaki mesafe ölçülerek belirlenmiştir.
Bulgular: PSAA’nın ortalama çapı ile cinsiyetler arasındaki ilişki sağ ve sol her iki çenede de istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulundu (p0,05). Sınıf 1 bireylerde ortalama İF çapı 3,2±0,85 mm, Sınıf 2 bireylerde 3,1±0,69 mm ve Sınıf 3 bireylerde 3,1±0,79 mm tespit edildi. İF çapı ile maloklüzyon tipi arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki bulunmadı (p>0,05). Erkeklerde MF çapı kadınlara göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı derecede fazla bulundu (p=0,000). Yaş ve maloklüzyon ile MF çapı arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir farklılık bulunmadı (p>0,05).
Sonuç: Ortognatik cerrahi planlanan hastalarda maloklüzyon tipinin posterior superior alveoler arter, insiziv foramen ve mental foramenin morfometrik ölçümlerini etkilemediği belirlenmiştir.
CONFECÇÃO DE GUIA MULTIFUNCIONAL PARA PLANEJAMENTO DE REABILITAÇÃO IMPLANTOSSUPORTADA: RELATO DE CASO
Authors: Galvão Júlia Bárbara Medeiros , Marinho Liliane Cristina Nogueira , Pascoal Ana Luísa de Barros , Paiva Kêiverton Rones Gurgel , Dantas Wagner Ranier Maciel , Gurgel Bruno César de Vasconcelos , Calderon Patrícia dos Santos 
Published: December 2023

Introdução: Em busca da estética e da função mastigatória, é cada vez mais crescente a procura por reabilitações implantossuportadas. O guia multifuncional surge para orientar a disponibilidade óssea e contribuir no planejamento da instalação tridimensional dos implantes, seguindo os princípios do planejamento reverso. Objetivo: Descrever, por meio de um caso clínico, a possibilidade de obtenção de resultados de excelente previsibilidade em coroas unitárias implantossuportadas, por meio do uso de guias multifuncionais, no planejamento do início ao fim de tratamento. Relato de caso: Paciente A.M.F, 44 anos, sexo feminino, compareceu à clínica de Prótese dentária do Departamento de Odontologia/UFRN com queixa de insatisfação da sua prótese removível e harmonia do sorriso. Ao exame clínico e radiográfico, observou-se ausência do elemento 12, apresentando um espaço interoclusal de 5mm e distância mésio-distal 7mm. Foi confeccionado o guia em resina acrílica, o qual foi preenchido o espaço desdentado com um dente de estoque. Em seguida, o dente deste guia teve seu centro perfurado com uma broca esférica para peça reta na região de cíngulo e com isso, preenchida com guta percha em bastão. Após isso, o paciente foi encaminhado para realizar uma tomografia computadorizada cone beam com o guia multifuncional em posição. As imagens obtidas permitiram o planejamento para instalação do implante, como inclinação e posicionamento favorável, bem como ausência de disponibilidade óssea na região. Conclusão: Os guias auxiliam em diversas fases do tratamento e permitem maior previsibilidade dos resultados em reabilitações protéticas unitárias implantossuportadas.
Palavras-Chave: Guia Multifuncional. Implantes Dentários. Planejamento Reverso. Estética Dentária.
Interplay of G-proteins and Serotonin in the Neuroimmunoinflammatory
Model of Chronic Stress and Depression: A Narrative Review
Authors: Gusev Evgenii , Sarapultsev Alexey 
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
This narrative review addresses the clinical challenges in stress-related disorders
such as depression, focusing on the interplay between neuron-specific and pro-inflammatory mechanisms at
the cellular, cerebral, and systemic levels.

Objective:
We aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking chronic psychological stress with low-grade
neuroinflammation in key brain regions, particularly focusing on the roles of G proteins and serotonin (5-HT)
receptors.

Methods:
This comprehensive review of the literature employs systematic, narrative, and scoping review
methodologies, combined with systemic approaches to general pathology. It synthesizes current research on
shared signaling pathways involved in stress responses and neuroinflammation, including calcium-dependent
mechanisms, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and key transcription factors like NF-κB and p53. The review
also focuses on the role of G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors (GPCRs) in immune and pro-inflammatory
responses, with a detailed analysis of how 13 of 14 types of human 5-HT receptors contribute to depression
and neuroinflammation.

Results:
The review reveals a complex interaction between neurotransmitter signals and immunoinflammatory
responses in stress-related pathologies. It highlights the role of GPCRs and canonical inflammatory mediators
in influencing both pathological and physiological processes in nervous tissue.

Conclusion:
The proposed Neuroimmunoinflammatory Stress Model (NIIS Model) suggests that proinflammatory
signaling pathways, mediated by metabotropic and ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors, are crucial for
maintaining neuronal homeostasis. Chronic mental stress can disrupt this balance, leading to increased pro-inflammatory
states in the brain and contributing to neuropsychiatric and psychosomatic disorders, including depression.
This model integrates traditional theories on depression pathogenesis, offering a comprehensive understanding
of the multifaceted nature of the condition.