bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of accumulator plant species straw on the cadmium and nutrient uptake of potato
Authors: Tang Yunchuan , Yang Mingqi , Chen Tao , Feng Yan , Chun Jun , Zhang Qingpei 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe farmland soil contaminated by the cadmium (Cd) has affected the safe production of potato. In this study, the sprouted potato tubers were planted in the artificially prepared Cd‐contaminated soil, and the straws of Cd‐accumulator species (Malachium aquaticum, Conyza canadensis, Galium aparine, and Nasturtium officinale) were mulched on the soil surface to study the effects of Cd‐accumulator plant straw on the Cd accumulation and nutrient uptake of potato. The straws of M. aquaticum and N. officinale increased the biomass. Specifically, the straw of N. officinale increased the root, tuber, stem, and leaf biomass by 51.2%, 28.5%, 85.4%, and 123%, respectively, compared with the control. The straws of M. aquaticum and N. officinale increased the contents of photosynthetic pigments. The straws of accumulator plant species increased the peroxidase activity, while the straws of M. aquaticum, C. canadensis, and N. officinale decreased the superoxide dismutase activity. Meanwhile, only the straws of G. aparine and N. officinale increased the catalase activity. Regarding the nutrient uptake, only the straw of M. aquaticum increased the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents in both tuber and aboveground parts. In terms of the Cd content, only the straw of N. officinale decreased the Cd contents in various organs, while the straws of other accumulator species increased the Cd content to some extent. These results indicate that the straw of N. officinale can promote the growth and reduce the Cd uptake of potato, and should, therefore, be used in the potato cultivation in the Cd‐contaminated farmland soil areas.
Two‐timescale optimization approach for coordinated multi‐point design in unmanned aerial vehicle‐assisted cellular networks
Authors: Abdelhakam Mostafa M. , Elmesalawy Mahmoud M. , Ibrahim Ibrahim I. , Sayed Samir G. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThanks to their mobility, flexibility, and adaptive altitude, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been admitted for several applications in wireless communication systems. In particular, UAVs can function as aerial base stations (BSs) to increase cellular network capacity and provide persistent coverage. Due to the line‐of‐sight channels between UAVs and user equipments (UEs), strong co‐channel interference may be generated in the network. In this article, a joint transmission coordinated multi‐point technique is considered in the downlink cellular network to effectively manage the interference brought by UAVs. A two‐timescale optimization approach is proposed to prevent exchanging absurd messages and channel information between the transmission points. The objective of the proposed method is to maximize the sum rate of the network subject to the constraints on UEs' quality of service as well as per‐ground BS and per‐UAV total transmitted power. The proposed approach is decomposed into long‐term and short‐term problems. The long‐term problem aims to jointly optimize the UEs' clusters, the UAVs' locations, and the initial transmit beamforming vectors based on large‐scale channel gain. This problem is a mixed‐integer nonlinear programming optimization problem, which is nondeterministic polynomial hard. Meanwhile, the short‐term problem requires obtaining the transmit beamforming vectors according to the overall channel vector. This problem is also a non‐convex optimization problem. To address these challenges, two algorithms are proposed based on difference of convex functions programming and successive convex approximation technique to deal with these two problems. Extensive simulations show that the performance of the proposed approach outperforms the comparable algorithms.
Comparing international dementia research priorities—Systematic review
Authors: Logan Monica , Leitch Stephanie , Bosakh Zainab , Beishon Lucy , Quinn Terence J. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectivesResearch priority setting aims to collate stakeholder opinion to determine the most pressing research questions. Priority setting exercises influence decisions around research funding, development and policy. We compared published dementia research priority setting exercises from international healthcare systems.MethodsFour multidisciplinary, international, electronic databases were searched for relevant studies (2010 until 2021). Priorities were extracted, coded and assigned to categories using thematic analysis. The Nine Common Themes of Good Practice (9CTGP) and the Reporting guideline for priority setting of health research (REPRISE) checklists were used to assess methodological and reporting quality respectively.ResultsFrom 265 titles, 10 priority setting exercises (1179 participants, 147 priorities) were included. Studies spanned four continents and the majority included people living with dementia and their care‐givers in the priority setting process (68%). Only one paper met all the best practice indicators. Issues around inclusiveness, implementation and evaluation of the priorities were apparent in nine papers. We categorised priorities under eight themes: caregivers (25%, n = 37), support (24%, n = 35), awareness and education (16%, n = 24), drugs and interventions (14%, n = 21), diagnosis (8%, n = 12), pathology (6%, n = 9), research design (5%, n = 7), and prevention (1%, n = 2). Priorities varied by geographical region, with awareness and education of higher priority in low‐middle income countries, compared to caregivers and support in high income countries.ConclusionsKey priorities were identified with some commonality around themes considered of greatest importance. There is scope to improve the process and reporting of priority setting. Priorities differed according to contextual factors and so, priorities specific to one healthcare setting may not be applicable to others.
The mechanics of diurnal thermal stratification in river pools: Implications for water management and species conservation
Authors: Buxton Todd H. , Lai Yong G. , Som Nicholas A. , Peterson Eric , Abban Ben 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe examined conditions that form or prevent thermal stratification in river pools using field measurements, statistical modelling, and three‐dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling. Our motivation is to identify variables that control stratification for exploitation to enhance or prevent thermal gradients as needed to benefit species in rivers. One study pool (UT) is located above water storage reservoirs and receives natural flows, and the other pool (PT) is regulated and receives unnaturally high, cold water in summer; both pools are on the Trinity River, California. Thermal stratification formed in UT pool in spring at a critical flow of 1.01 m3/s, peaked at 8.1°C in summer, and exhibited diurnal formation and destruction under sub‐critical flows until fall. At PT pool, the 14.2 m3/s baseflow caused mixing that prevented stratification and formed a spatially homogenous thermal environment. Statistical analyses indicated the daily range in air and inlet water temperature at UT pool best correlated with the occurrence and strength of stratification but were progressively irrelevant as flows increased above the critical value. The validated CFD model was used to reproduce the diurnal stratification and explain the processes involved. The CFD model correctly predicted the observed critical flow and replicated the dynamics of stratification at UT pool and isohyets observed at PT pool. The CFD results also confirmed that low flows are the main variable for stratification to form, and the daily range in inlet water temperature drives the strength of the thermal gradient. The model estimated a critical discharge at PT pool of 2.0 m3/s, twice that for UT pool owing to its 2.6‐times larger area, suggesting critical flows scale with pool size. Results showed that releasing critical and lower flows in summer on regulated streams may conserve water and provide thermal gradients that benefit poikilothermic species; alternately, higher than critical flows can prevent stratification where needed to improve water quality.
Molecular mechanism of VEGF and its role in pathological angiogenesis
Authors: Ahmad Ajmal , Nawaz Mohd Imtiaz 
Published: October 2022

AbstractOver the last seven decades, a significant scientific contribution took place in the delineation of the implications of vascular endothelial‐derived growth factor (VEGF) in the processes of angiogenesis. Under pathological conditions, mainly in response to hypoxia or ischemia, elevated VEGF levels promote vascular damage and the growth of abnormal blood vessels. Indeed, the development of VEGF biology has revolutionized our understanding of its role in pathological conditions. Hence, targeting VEGF or VEGF‐mediated molecular pathways could be an excellent therapeutic strategy for managing cancers and intraocular neovascular disorders. Although anti‐VEGF therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies and small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have limited clinical efficacy, they can still significantly improve the overall survival rate. This thus demands further investigation through the development of alternative strategies in the management of VEGF‐mediated pathological angiogenesis. This review article focuses on the recent developments toward the delineation of the functional biology of VEGF and the role of anti‐VEGF strategies in the management of tumor and eye pathologies. Moreover, therapeutic angiogenesis, an exciting frontier for the treatment of ischemic disorders, is highlighted in this review, including wound healing.
The anticancer effect of EGFR‐targeting artificial microRNA controlled by SLPI promoter in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Dong Feilin , Su Lizhong , Tan Jun , Luo Hui 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis study intends to use artificial microRNA (recombinant adenovirus vector) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to inhibit the overexpressed EGFR in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.MethodThe research group verified the expression of EGFR in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through databases, clinical tissues, and cellular pathways. The team first tested the transfection of the recombinant adenovirus by fluorescence microscopy. After adenovirus treatment with different multiplicity of infection (MOI), EGFR level and cell viability in cells were examined by Western blot and MTT assay. Next, the effects of adenovirus (Ad)‐SLPI‐EGFR on cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and related proteins were sequentially examined by EdU, scratch, Transwell, and Western blot. In vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the biological function of EGFR in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.ResultAll three validation pathways showed the increase in EGFR expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Transfection tests showed that the SLPI promoter was specific in CNE2 cells. With the increase in MOI, the inhibition of EGFR expression and cancer cell viability by Ad‐SLPI‐EGFR was enhanced. Meanwhile, Ad‐SLPI‐EGFR effectively reduced the proliferation and metastasis of CNE2 cells and affected the expression of related proteins. Furthermore, Ad‐SLPI‐EGFR inhibited the invasion and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vivo.ConclusionAd‐SLPI‐EGFR inhibits the expression of EGFR in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, and finally achieves the purpose of inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, which may provide novel targeted intervention for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Validation study of the JSHBPS nomogram for patients with colorectal liver metastases who underwent hepatic resection in the recent era ‐ a nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Beppu Toru , Yamamura Kensuke , Sakamoto Katsunori , Honda Goro , Kobayashi Shin , Endo Itaru , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Kotake Kenjiro , Itabashi Michio , Hashiguchi Yojiro , Kotera Yoshihito , Yamaguchi Tatsuro , Natsume Soichiro , Tabuchi Ken , Kobayashi Hirotoshi , Yamaguchi Kensei , Morita Satoshi , Kikuchi Ken , Miyazaki Masaru , Sugihara Kenichi , Yamamoto Masakazu , Takahashi Keiichi ,   Joint Committee for Nationwide Survey on Colorectal Liver Metastasis
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery (JSHBPS) nomogram was developed to predict disease‐free survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) undergoing upfront hepatectomy. However, the utility of the nomogram in patients with resected CRLM remains unknown in the current situation in which treatment strategies are changing with advances in drugs.MethodsPatients in the initial nomogram cohort (n = 727) and validation cohort (n = 2225) were divided into the upfront hepatectomy and preoperative chemotherapy groups. The nomogram was validated by measuring calibration and discrimination in the two cohorts. Calibration curves were plotted, and survival probabilities were compared. Finally, to quantify the discrimination power, we estimated the concordance index (C‐index).ResultsIn the upfront hepatectomy group, the C‐index was 0.63, the suitable cutoff value of the Beppu score was 7, and adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly effective limited to high‐risk patients (Beppu score ≥7). The C‐index was 0.56 in the preoperative chemotherapy group.ConclusionsThe JSHBPS nomogram remains beneficial for patients undergoing upfront hepatectomy in the recent era but is less effective for patients undergoing hepatectomy after chemotherapy. Patients with a Beppu score ≥7 showed high‐risk recurrence, and adjuvant chemotherapy should be recommended for these patients.
Clinical evaluation of a surgical difficulty score for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis proposed in the Tokyo Guidelines 2018
Authors: Egawa Noriyuki , Miyoshi Atsushi , Manabe Tatsuya , Sadashima Eiji , Koga Hiroki , Sato Hirofumi , Ikeda Osamu , Tanaka Toshiya , Kitahara Kenji , Noshiro Hirokazu 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackground/PurposeWe evaluated the difficulty score of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) proposed in the Tokyo guidelines 2018 (TG18) and analyzed the most appropriate scoring method.MethodsWe reviewed 127 patients who underwent LC for AC from January 2018 to March 2022. According to TG18, surgical difficulty was scored for five categories consisting of 25 intraoperative findings. The median, highest, and mean score of the five categories were analyzed for their association with surgical outcomes.ResultsThe difficulty score distribution (0/1/2/3/4/5/6) was as follows: median (8/34/43/30/12/0/0), highest (1/1/32/42/36/15/0) and mean (19/49/49/10/0/0/0). In all three scoring methods, higher difficulty scores were significantly correlated with longer operative time, more blood loss, and higher occurrence of subtotal cholecystectomy in trend tests. The areas under the curve (AUCs) for prediction of prolonged operative time minutes and increased blood loss were similar in all three scoring methods. For conversion to subtotal cholecystectomy, the AUC was significantly better for the highest than median and mean score (p = .015 and p = .002, respectively).ConclusionsThe difficulty score in TG18 appropriately reflects the surgical difficulty of LC for AC. The median, highest, and mean scores of the five categories are all available, and the highest scores are simple and versatile.
The effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of HIV service delivery at private pharmacies in sub‐Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Kuo Alexandra P. , Roche Stephanie D. , Mugambi Melissa L. , Pintye Jillian , Baeten Jared M. , Bukusi Elizabeth , Ngure Kenneth , Stergachis Andy , Ortblad Katrina F. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionPrivate pharmacies are an understudied setting for differentiated delivery of HIV services that may address barriers to clinic‐delivered services, such as stigma and long wait times. To understand the potential for pharmacy‐delivered HIV services in sub‐Saharan Africa, we conducted a scoping review of the published and grey literature.MethodsUsing a modified Cochrane approach, we searched electronic databases through March 2022 and HIV conference abstracts in the past 5 years for studies that: (1) focused on the delivery of HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and/or pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at private pharmacies in sub‐Saharan Africa; (2) reported on effectiveness outcomes (e.g. HIV incidence) or implementation outcomes, specifically feasibility and/or acceptability; and (3) were published in English. Two authors identified studies and extracted data on study setting, population, design, outcomes and findings by HIV service type.Results and discussionOur search identified 1646 studies. After screening and review, we included 28 studies: seven on HIV testing, nine on ART delivery and 12 on PrEP delivery. Most studies (n= 16) were conducted in East Africa, primarily in Kenya. Only two studies evaluated effectiveness outcomes; the majority (n= 26) reported on feasibility and/or acceptability outcomes. The limited effectiveness data (n= 2 randomized trials) suggest that pharmacy‐delivered HIV services can increase demand and result in comparable clinical outcomes (e.g. viral load suppression) to standard‐of‐care clinic‐based models. Studies assessing implementation outcomes found actual and hypothetical models of pharmacy‐delivered HIV services to be largely feasible (e.g. high initiation and continuation) and acceptable (e.g. preferable to facility‐based models and high willingness to pay/provide) among stakeholders, providers and clients. Potential barriers to implementation included a lack of pharmacy provider training on HIV service delivery, costs to clients and providers, and perceived low quality of care.ConclusionsThe current evidence suggests that pharmacy‐delivered HIV services may be feasible to implement and acceptable to clients and providers in parts of sub‐Saharan Africa. However, limited evidence outside East Africa exists, as does limited evidence on the effectiveness of and costs associated with pharmacy‐delivered HIV services. More research of this nature is needed to inform the scale‐up of this new differentiated service delivery model throughout the region.
Engineering Escherichia coli for l‐homoserine production
Authors: Sun Bing‐Yao , Wang Feng‐Qing , Zhao Jian , Tao Xin‐Yi , Liu Min , Wei Dong‐Zhi 
Published: October 2022

Abstractl‐homoserine, a nonprotein amino acid, is used to synthesize many active substances in the industry. Here, to develop a robust l‐homoserine‐producing strain, Escherichia coli W3110 was used as a chassis to be engineered. Based on a previous construct with blocked competing routes for l‐homoserine synthesis, five genes were overexpressed by promoter replacement strategy to increase the l‐homoserine production, including enhancement of precursors for l‐homoserine synthesis (ppc, thrA, and asd), reinforcement of the NADPH supply (pntAB) and efflux transporters (rhtA) to improve the l‐homoserine production. However, the plasmid losing was to blame for the wildly fluctuating fermentation performance of engineered strains, ranging between 2.1 and 6.2 g/L. Then, a hok/sok toxin/antitoxin system was introduced into the free plasmid expression cassette to maintain the genetic stability of the episomal plasmid; consequently, the plasmid‐losing rate sharply decreased, resulting in the engineered strain SHL17, which exhibited excellent stability in l‐homoserine production, with 6.3 g/L in shake flasks and 44.4 g/L in a 5‐L fermenter without antibiotic addition. This work verified the effective use of the hok/sok toxin/antitoxin system combined with promoter engineering to improve the genetic stability of E. coli episomal plasmids without antibiotics.
Correlation between copper speciation and transport pathway in Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Wu Min , Wang Cong , Ke Leqin , Chen Dewen , Qin Yumei , Han Jianzhong 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDPrevious studies have demonstrated that, in contrast to the properties of food‐derived copper, water‐derived copper exerts neurotoxic effects and exhibits different speciation during digestion. The cellular uptake efficiencies of different speciation of copper are distinct. However, it is unclear whether these different speciation share the same transport pathway in intestinal epithelial cells. In the present study, the intracellular accumulation of copper derived from copper ion and copper complex solutions was investigated in Caco‐2 cells.RESULTSThe cellular accumulation of copper derived from copper ions was higher than that of copper derived from the copper complex. Treatment with carboplatin and Ag+, which are copper transporter receptor 1 (Ctr1, LC31A1) inhibitors, did not inhibit copper accumulation in Caco‐2 cells, but inhibited copper accumulation in HepG2 cells. Zinc ion significantly decreased the intracellular copper content from 114 ± 7 μg g−1 protein to 88 ± 4 μg g−1 protein in the copper ion‐treated Caco‐2 cells, but not in the copper complex‐treated Caco‐2 cells (84.6 ± 14 μg g−1 protein versus 87.7 ± 20 μg g−1 protein, P > 0.05). Additionally, copper accumulation in Caco‐2 and HepG2 cells significantly differed depending on different solvents (Hanks' balanced salt solution and NaNO3, P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that the intracellular accumulation of copper derived from copper ion and copper complex is mediated by distinct copper transport pathways. Copper speciation may be an important factor that affects copper absorption and toxicity. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fluorescence guidance improves the accuracy of radiological imaging‐guided surgical navigation
Authors: Henderson Eric R. , Hebert Kendra A. , Werth Paul M. , Streeter Samuel S. , Rosenthal Eben L. , Paulsen Keith D. , Pogue Brian W. , Samkoe Kimberley S. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundImaging‐based navigation technologies require static referencing between the target anatomy and the optical sensors. Imaging‐based navigation is therefore well suited to operations involving bony anatomy; however, these technologies have not translated to soft‐tissue surgery. We sought to determine if fluorescence imaging complement conventional, radiological imaging‐based navigation to guide the dissection of soft‐tissue phantom tumors.MethodsUsing a human tissue‐simulating model, we created tumor phantoms with physiologically accurate optical density and contrast concentrations. Phantoms were dissected using all possible combinations of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance, and fluorescence imaging; controls were included. The data were margin accuracy, margin status, tumor spatial alignment, and dissection duration.ResultsMargin accuracy was higher for combined navigation modalities compared to individual navigation modalities, and accuracy was highest with combined CT and fluorescence navigation (p = 0.045). Margin status improved with combined CT and fluorescence imaging.ConclusionsAt present, imaging‐based navigation has limited application in guiding soft‐tissue tumor operations due to its inability to compensate for positional changes during surgery. This study indicates that fluorescence guidance enhances the accuracy of imaging‐based navigation and may be best viewed as a synergistic technology, rather than a competing one.