bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different Response to Excess Iron and Zinc in Roots of Monocot and Dicot Plants Treated by Silicon
Authors: Mehrabanjoubani Pooyan , Abdolzadeh Ahmad , Sadeghipour Hamid Reza , Aghdasi Mahnaz , B Mohammadhadi Heidari 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Aims
Nutrient changes in the plant root environment modify root growth and development via alterations in cell wall-associated enzyme activities and components.
Methods
This research evaluated the effects of silicon (Si) supply (1.5 mM) on the root apical (AP) and basal parts (BP) of rice and wheat (as monocots), canola and cotton (as dicots) plants exposed to excess Fe (150 mg L-1) and Zn (150 µg L-1).
Results
The +Fe treatment resulted in increased enzymes activity of PAL, cell wall POD, and PPO in the root AP of rice and wheat. The +Fe and +Zn increased the content of phenolic compounds in both root AP and BP of these plants. Also, the activity of cell wall POD was increased in all plants treated with +Fe+Si and some +Zn+Si. In Si-treated (+Si) plants, the activity of PAL, cell wall POD, and PPO significantly increased in the root AP of rice and wheat, while Si did not significantly affect enzyme activities in canola and cotton. Additionally, in +Si treated plants, the content of phenolic compounds decreased in the root AP of rice and wheat. During the PCA analysis of the FTIR spectra, discernible modifications in the cell wall components were observed in monocot plants (especially rice) upon treatment with +Si and +Fe, However, treated dicot plants did not show significant differences.
Conclusions
This study investigated that Si caused more changes in the cell wall at the root AP of monocots than dicot plants, and these changes were exaggerated by +Fe+Si treatment.
Determining Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Demoralization Scale-II in Cancer Patients
Authors: Taghilou Elaheh , Heidarzadeh Mehdi , Molaei Behnam , Khameslou Mehdi Ajri 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
One of the emotional problems in patients experiencing cancer is demoralization syndrome. Concerning the importance of demoralization in cancer patients, having a valid and reliable scale for assessing this problem is crucial. A revised version of Demoralization Scale (DS-II) has been designed in 2016. It was necessary to determine its validity and reliability in population with different culture. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of DS-II (PDS-II) in Iranian cancer patients.
Methods
The study population comprised 170 Iranian cancer patients in Ardabil, Iran. To determine the psychometric properties of PDS-II, the content, convergent, construct, and discriminant validity, besides internal consistency, were evaluated.
Results
Regarding the high correlation of PDS-II with GAD-7, PHQ-9, BHS, and HADS, the convergent validity of the PDS-II was confirmed. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed both the original 2-factor and one-factor models of PDS-II. Internal discriminant validity of the PDS-II was not confirmed because the Average Variance Extracted from two dimensions of PDS-II (AVE = 0.31 and 0.37) was less than the square correlation between these two dimensions (r2 = 0.79). As the patients with a low Karnofsky score acquired more demoralization (p < 0.0001), the external discriminant validity of PDS-II was confirmed. Cronbach α coefficient was 0.88 for the PDS-II.
Conclusions
PDS-II is a valid and reliable scale for measuring demoralization among Iranian people with cancer. However, there is a high overlap between the two dimensions of PDS-II.
A Study of Qualitative Correlations Between CrucialBio-markers and the Optimal Drug Regimen of Type-I LepraReaction: A Deterministic Approach
Authors: Nayak Dinesh , Vilvanathan Sangeetha Anamalamudi , Dasu Krishna Kiran Vamsi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Mycobacterium leprae is a bacteria that causes the disease Leprosy (Hansen’s disease), whichis a neglected tropical disease. More than 200000 cases are being reported per year world wide.This disease leads to a chronic stage known as Lepra reaction that majorly causes nerve damageof peripheral nervous system leading to loss of organs. The early detection of this Lepra reactionthrough the level of bio-markers can prevent this reaction occurring and the further disabilities.Motivated by this, we frame a mathematical model considering the pathogenesis of leprosy andthe chemical pathways involved in Lepra reactions. The model incorporates the dynamics of thesusceptible schwann cells, infected schwann cells and the bacterial load and the concentrationlevels of the bio markers IF N − γ, T N F − α, IL − 10, IL − 12, IL − 15 and IL − 17. We considera nine compartment optimal control problem considering the drugs used in Multi Drug Therapy(MDT) as controls. We validate the model using 2D - heat plots. We study the correlationbetween the bio-markers levels and drugs in MDT and propose a optimal drug regimen throughthese optimal control studies. We use the Newton’s Gradient Method for the optimal control studies.
Expression level of miR-146a correlates with the coronary lesion severity and clinical prognosis in UA patients
Authors: Shi Binbing , Wang Xiaotong , Xue Tongneng , Liu Jie , Wu Wanling , Luo Yuanyuan , Pan Defeng , Zhu Hong 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective
To investigate whether there is a connection between the plasma expression level of miR-146a and both the severity of coronary lesion and clinical prognosis in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UA).
Methods: 100 unstable angina pectoris(UA group) and 100 healthy controls (Control group) were selected to detect the plasma miRNA-146a expression level. To assess the coronary lesion severity in UA patients by Gensini score, analyze the correlation between miR-146a expression level and the degree of coronary artery stenosis in UA patients. The incidence of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) were followed up for 48 months after hospitalization and discharge in UA patients. Using the median grouping method to divide the miR-146a expression level in 100 UA patients into high and low expression groups, analyzing the incidence of MACE in patients with different miRNA-146a expression level by the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results: The plasma expression level of miR-146a in the UA group was 1.8 times higher than in the control group (Z=6.970, P <0.001), and was correlated with the severity of coronary lesion; the high expression level was associated with a higher Gensini score (P<0.05). Patients with high miR-146a expression level had a significantly higher incidence of MACE compared to those with low miR-146a expression level (Log-rank: P=0.004).
Conclusion: The plasma miR-146a expression level of UA patients was correlated with the severity of coronary lesion, and patients with higher miR-146a expression level had a poor clinical prognosis than those with lower expression level.a pectoris (UA group) and 100 healthy controls (Control group) were selected to detect the plasma miRNA-146a expression level. To assess the coronary lesion severity in UA patients by Gensini score, analyze the correlation between miR-146a expression level and the degree of coronary artery stenosis in UA patients. The incidence of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) were followed up for 48 months after hospitalization and discharge in UA patients. Using the median grouping
Origin of non-uniform tooth flank hardening distribution in SCM440 mobile induction heat treated steel spur gears – a parametrical study with experimental-numerical coupled investigation
Authors: Saputro Imang Eko , Chiang Chih-Pin , Huang Hung-Chieh , Fuh Yiin-Kuen 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The design of a hardening process that can achieve the desired level of hardening quality is paramount for spur gear teeth, as a poorly executed process may result in a variety of defect schemes. The mobile induction hardening technique has emerged as a promising and cost-effective method for large spur gears. However, achieving the desired output quality remains challenging. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the results of gear tooth hardening using the tooth-to-tooth mobile induction hardening process. The evaluation process focuses on the tooth flank, which is the area most prone to failure. The study investigates the effects and interactions of crucial process parameters, such as flank length, scanning speed, and air gap, on the hardening results. Numerical and experimental measurements are used to characterize the hardening results. The study's results demonstrate high accuracy in the modeled numerical simulation, with prediction errors ranging from 3.02–4.05% across different experiment-numerical validation scenarios. The induction heating and spray cooling design employed in the study generate sufficient heating energy to achieve an average austenite distribution of 97.13% in the heat-affected zones and an average martensite phase of 82.21% during the quenching process. A tempering process is then carried out as a standard procedure to enhance the material's ductility, resulting in a decrease in material hardness from a maximum of 64.77 HRC initially to a maximum of 61.98 HRC. Multivariable nonlinear regression analysis confirms the significant influence of the studied process parameters on flank hardening quality, with the scanning speed parameter having the most substantial impact. The quantitative results indicate that reducing the scanning speed, air gap, and flank length leads to better hardening quality in terms of longer hardened flank, deeper hardening depth, and smaller edge effects. Insights provided in this study is very beneficial to build intuitions in obtaining desired hardening quality of tooth flank using mobile induction hardening.
What interaction between income Inequality and Structural Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Atangana Simeon Serge , Nzepang Fabrice , Anya Saturnin Bertrand Nguenda 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

The aim of this article is to study the interaction between income inequality and structural transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using a sample of 18 countries over the period 1996-2015, we successively perform the panel causality test in the Granger sense developed by Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) and Juodis et al. (2021) on income inequality and Overall labor productivity, inter industry productivity (structural change effect), and finally intra industry productivity (internal or intra effect). The empirical results show that income inequality is at the root of structural transformation and labor productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. This confirms the contemporary view that income inequality benefits development by acting as an incentive or means of self-transcendence. At the same time, we find that migration of both highly-skilled and unskilled workers leads to income inequalities between native and migrant workers internationally, and between rural and urban workers within countries.
Study on Articular Surface Morphology of Atlantoaxial Lateral Mass Based on Differential Manifold
Authors: Zhang Zeyuan , Zhao Yao , Chou Dean , Wang Yuqiang , Zhang Shuhao , Zhou Ruifang , Ma Zeyu , Wang Limin , Yu Zhong , Liu Yilin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objectives
To propose a surface reconstruction algorithm based on a differential manifold (a space with local Euclidean space properties), which can be used for processing of clinical images and for modeling of the atlantoaxial joint. To describe the ideal anatomy of the lateral atlantoaxial articular surface by measuring the anatomical data.
Methods
Computed tomography data of 80 healthy subjects who underwent cervical spine examinations at our institution were collected between October 2019 and June 2022, including 46 males and 34 females, aged 37.8 ± 5.1 years (28-59 years). A differential manifold surface reconstruction algorithm was used to generate the model based on DICOM data derived by Vision PACS system. The lateral mass articular surface was measured and compared in terms of its sagittal diameter, transverse diameter, articular surface area, articular curvature and joint space height.
Results
There was no statistically significant difference between left and right sides of the measured data in normal adults (P > 0.05). The atlantoaxial articular surface sagittal diameter length was（15.83±1.85）and（16.22±1.57）mm on average respectively. The transverse diameter length of the articular surface was (16.29±2.16) and (16.49±1.84) mm. The lateral articular surface area was (166.53±7.69）and (174.48±6.73) mm2 and the curvature was (164.03±5.27) and (153.23±9.03)°respectively. The joint space height was 3.05±0.11mm respectively. There is an irregular articular space in the lateral mass of atlantoaxial, and both upper and lower surfaces of the articular space are concave. A sagittal plane view shows that the inferior articular surface of the atlas is mainly concave above; however the superior articular surface of the axis is mainly convex above. In the coronal plane, the inferior articular surface of the atlas is mostly concave above, with most concave vertices located in the medial region, and the superior articular surface of the axis is mainly concave below, with most convex vertices located centrally and laterally.
Conclusion
Differential manifold algorithms can effectively process atlantoaxial imaging data, fit and control mesh topology, and reconstruct curved surfaces to meet clinical measurement applications with high accuracy and efficiency; The articular surface of the lateral mass of atlantoaxial mass in normal adults has relatively constant sagittal diameter, transverse diameter and area. The distance difference between joint spaces is small, but the shape difference of articular surfaces differs greatly.
Sensitivity of Benzene Biodegradation to Variations in Kinetic Parameters in a Brazilian Residual Soil
Authors: Santos Gabrielle de Assumpção Oliveira , RomeroVelásquez Lizardo Glorioso , Österreicher-Cunha Patricia , Vargas Eurípedes do Amaral 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

The research reported in the present paper contemplated the study of an undisturbed block of gneissic residual soil moulded in situ and subjected to contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons. The block was instrumented, monitored and submitted to a horizontal flow of a solution composed of water, benzene and toluene to assess the compounds' mobility and decay. For the experiment, 11 monitoring points were assessed for about 3 months. The results showed retention of the compounds and the presence of microbial activity suggesting the occurrence of biodegradation. This article presents the results of a numerical study conducted to simulate the experiment performed with the soil block and assess the model parameters’ sensitivity. The multiplicative Kinetic Model Monod was selected to represent the contaminant biodegradation process. The kinetic parameters were calibrated based on one of the monitoring points previously selected. Results indicated increasing discrepancies with the experimental data as the distance between the sample points and the source increased. The monitoring point presenting the best estimates was selected to calibrate the parameters and assess the sensitivity of the kinetic and transport parameters used in the model. The parameters with the highest sensitivity were bacterial maximum specific growth and death rate, as well as the half-saturation coefficient of benzene. The least sensitive parameters were bacteria concentration and dispersivity.
Effectiveness and Optimal Timing of Azvudine in COVID-19 Patients: A Multi-center Retrospective Study in Beijing, China
Authors: Han Xinjie , Han Xiaobo , Wang Yongqian , Wang Ze , Cui Junchang , Zhao Weiguo , Mo Guoxin , Liu Yuhong , Zheng Mengli , Xie Fei , Wang Kaifei , Meng Jiguang , Yuan Xin , Han Zhihai , Xiao Kun , Pan Pan , Sun Junping , Zhang Mingyue , Zhang Xinxin , Cheng Haibo , Xie Wuxiang , Xie Lixin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background: Clinical effectiveness of Azvudine against coronavirus infection and optimal time for initiation of Azvudine treatment to hospitalized COVID-19 patients are not fully understood.
Methods: This is a multi-center retrospective cohort study, and five clinical centers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital participated. From omicron pandemics, 6218 hospitalized patients confirmed with COVID-19 from December 10, 2022, to February 20, 2023, were retrieved for this study. After exclusions and propensity score matching , 428 Azvudine recipients and 428 controls were included with a follow-up of 28 days. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality during 28 days of hospitalization, and the secondary outcome was the proportion of patients with clinical improvement up to day 28.
Results: The Azvudine group had a lower crude all-cause death rate when compared to the control group (2.82 per 1000 person-days vs. 4.52 per 1000 person-days; HR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.40-1.00; P=0.038). Notably, the incidence rate of clinical improvement outcome was significantly higher in patients who received Azvudine within 5 days from the onset of symptoms, compared to the control group (Median days: 9 vs. 10; P=0.007). Subgroup analyses showed that chronic lung disease and corticosteroid treatment acted as protective factors (P=0.010; P=0.050).
Conclusions: Clinical effectiveness of Azvudine in improving all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients was seen, and initiation of Azvudine treatment within 5 days of the onset of symptoms was found to be significant. Additionally, the findings revealed the protective effect of Azvudine in COVID-19 patients with chronic lung disease.
Characterization of plant growth promoting and antagonistic bacteria associated with the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of Platanus mexicana and Persea shiedeana trees natural hosts of ambrosia beetle.
Authors: Ferrera-Rodriguez Ofelia , Alarcón-González Brian Arturo , Caballero-Reyes Gerardo Emmanuel , Hernández-Melchor Dulce , Alarcón Alejandro , Ferrera-Cerrato Ronald , Ortiz-Castro Randy 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
It is well known that bacteria belonging to the microbiota of plants, contribute to the better development of their hosts by different mechanisms, such as, growth promotion, nutrient facilitation, stimulation of plant defenses, antagonizing pathogens or pests, and some of them are also, some microorganisms show enzymatic activities with biotechnological application in the agricultural and industrial sector. In the present study we identified and characterized fourteen bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of Platanus mexicana and Persea schiedeana trees; the aim of this research was to evaluate bacterial biological activities over plant growth promotion on Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings and antagonistic activity against the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium sp., besides studying their lytic ability when confronted with cellulose, pectin, or chitin as carbon sources. These strains were classified into the genera Curtobacterium, Plantibacter, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Carnobacterium, Staphylococcus, Erwinia, Serratia, Exiguobacterium and Yersinia. Each individual strain exhibited revealed at least one of the characteristics evaluated. Yersinia sp. strain PsH3-014(14D) and Bacillus sp. strain Hay2-01H(7) stand out from the other strains due to their ability to promote plant growth in A. thaliana seedlings as well as their antagonistic activity against of Fusarium sp. In addition, PsH3-014(14D) also degrades pectin and chitin, while Hay2-01H (7) degrades cellulose and pectin. In contrast, Carnobacterium gallinarum strain Chi2-3Ri was detrimental for the development of Arabidopsis seedlings but it can degrade cellulose. Erwinia sp. strain Hay2-1H was the only strain capable of degrading all three biopolymers tested (cellulose, pectin, and chitin). Further research could be directed towards the isolation and characterization of key enzymes produced by the these strains, as well as further exploration of other metabolic capacities.
Active rTMS not superior to Sham for Treating Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Moussavi Zahra , Uehara Maria , Rutherford Grant , Lithgow Brian , Millikin Colleen , Wang Xikui , Saha Chandan , Mansouri Behzad , Omelan Craig , Fellows Lesley , Fitzgerald Paul B , Koski Lisa 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background-
We report results of a large multisite double-blind randomized trial investigating the short and long-term efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at mild to moderate stages, in doses of either 2 or 4 weeks of treatment (5 days/week), whilst compared with 4 weeks of sham TMS. Randomization to treatment group was stratified based on age and severity. The objectives of this study were to: 1) investigate the efficacy of active rTMS versus sham, 2) investigate the effect of dose of treatment (2 or 4 weeks), and 3) investigate the length of benefits from treatment.
Methods
- The rTMS pulses (20 Hz, 30 pulses/train, 25 trains, 10-s intertrain interval) were applied to the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally using neuro-navigation. We compared the primary outcome measure’s (ADAS-Cog) score changes from pre- to post-treatment, with assessments at baseline and 4 more times up to 6 months post-treatment.
Results-
Data of 135 patients were analyzed. The mean total ADAS-Cog score at baseline did not differ between the active and sham treatment groups, nor across the three study sites. The overall results show significant cognitive improvement after treatment with either sham or active coils.
Conclusion-
The results do not support the benefit of active rTMS versus sham for cognitive treatment of mild/moderate AD. We discuss this finding in the context of the existing literature on rTMS therapy for AD, as well as evidence of the sham coil’s potential to induce a low-level current in the brain.
Relationship between tumor thickness and GATA3 immunoexpression in lip and tongue squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Vital Arthur Geovanni Borges , Carvalho Maria Carolina Magalhães , Maia Caio Rodrigues , Galvão Hébel Cavalcanti , Souza Lélia Batista , Santos Pedro Paulo Andrade 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objectives
Our aim was to evaluate tumor thickness in cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to correlate it with histological grade of malignancy and GATA3 immunoreactivity.
Materials and Methods
Sixty specimens (30 lower lip SCCs [LLSCCs] and 30 oral tongue SCCs [OTSCCs]) were scanned and digitized for the subsequent measurement of tumor thickness, histopathological examination, and quantitative analysis of GATA3 in the parenchyma and stroma of the tumors.
Results
Tumor thickness was lower in LLSCC cases compared to OTSCCs (p: 0.000). Immunohistochemical analysis of GATA3 in parenchyma, stroma and both compartments showed higher immunoreactivity in LLSCCs compared to OTSCCs (p: 0.000). We observed a negative correlation between tumor thickness and GATA3 expression in parenchyma (p: 0.014), stroma (p: 0.032), and both compartments (parenchyma and stroma) (p: 0.012).
Conclusions
Our results revealed the presence of GATA3 in all cases both in the parenchyma and in the stroma. Higher expression was more related to LLSCCs, which are known to be less aggressive tumors than OTSCCs. A greater tumor thickness was found in OTSCCs, which was correlated with lower expression of GATA3, suggesting that this protein is involved in the inhibition of proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacity.
Clinical relevance:
These findings can provide a basis for the identification of new therapeutic targets for OSCC, reinforcing the use of GATA3 as a biomarker in the neoplasms studied.