Positive Results Research Articles

Virome-wide analysis of histone modification mimicry motifs carried by viral proteins

Histone mimicry (HM) refers to the presence of short linear motifs in viral proteins that mimic critical regions of host histone proteins. These motifs have the potential to interfere with host cell epigenome and counteract antiviral response. Recent research shows that HM is critical for the pathogenesis and transmissibility of influenza virus and coronavirus. However, the distribution, characteristics, and functions of HM in eukaryotic viruses remain obscure. Herein, we developed a bioinformatic pipeline, Histone Motif Scan (HiScan), to identify HM motifs in viral proteins and predict their functions in silico. By analyzing 592,643 viral proteins using HiScan, we found that putative HM motifs were widely distributed in most viral proteins. Among animal viruses, the ratio of HM motifs between DNA viruses and RNA viruses was approximately 1.9:1, and viruses with smaller genomes had a higher density of HM motifs. Notably, coronaviruses exhibited an uneven distribution of HM motifs, with betacoronaviruses (including most human pathogenic coronaviruses) harboring more HM motifs than other coronaviruses, primarily in the NSP3, S, and N proteins. In summary, our virome-wide screening of HM motifs using HiScan revealed extensive but uneven distribution of HM motifs in most viral proteins, with a preference in DNA viruses. Viral HM may play an important role in modulating viral pathogenicity and virus-host interactions, making it an attractive area of research in virology and antiviral medication.

Design of novel convolution neural network model for lung cancer detection by using sensitivity maps

<p>Despite the existence of numerous models for detecting lung cancer, there is still room for achieving higher levels of accuracy. In this paper, a maximum sensitivity neural network (MSNN) has been proposed. As the name suggests, the model aims to achieve high sensitivity and offers a viable remedy to minimize the number of false positive in oder to improve the overall accuracy for lung cancer detection. The MSNN model is a promising model since it can efficiently interpret grayscale lung computed tomography (CT) scan images as inputs and can be trained using just a few images also. This model has surpassed previous deep learning models by obtaining a remarkable sensitivity of 94.6% and an accuracy of 96.9%. A sensitivity map is created, offering important insights into the critical regions for finding malignant nodules. This innovative method has shown outstanding performance in identifying lung cancer with a low false positive rate which can increase the accuracy of medical diagnoses.</p>

The reverberation of implementation errors in a neuroimaging meta-analytic software package: A citation analysis to a technical report on GingerALE

GingerALE, a widely used neuroimaging meta-analysis software package, contained errors in earlier versions that were later corrected. The technical report “Implementation errors in the GingerALE Software: description and recommendations” by Eickhoff et al. (2017) documented these errors and their corresponding fixes. In the current study, the papers that cited the GingerALE technical report were analyzed to identify the reasons for these citations. In August 2023, a search through Web of Science Core Collection identified 158 papers that cited the GingerALE technical report. These papers were manually examined to extract the citation statements and code the citation reasons into 12 categories. The analysis revealed that the most frequent reason for citing the report was to justify the use of a specific statistical threshold, followed by a simple acknowledgement of using GingerALE, acknowledging the impact of the errors in earlier versions of GingerALE on prior studies or the lack of effect on current results, and justifying the number of experiments in a meta-analysis. A small number of reasons related to non-GingerALE software, matters not related to activation likelihood estimation (ALE), or statements not mentioned in the GingerALE technical report.

Genetic and Biotechnological Approaches to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Advancing Diagnostics, Treatment Strategies, and Public Health Implications.

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disorder where pregnant women have difficulty processing glucose, which influences the mother's and the fetus's health. The rising prevalence of GDM, often linked to obesity, highlights the need to study its processes and develop appropriate treatment techniques. Conventional diagnostic approaches may not accurately anticipate or address genetic predispositions, emphasizing the need for further investigation. Objective This study aims to explore genetic and biotechnological approaches to improve diagnostics, treatment, and public health strategies for GDM. Methodology This research was carried out in two hospitals in Pakistan over a period of 12 months, from January to December 2023. A sample size of 260 was determined using an anticipated GDM prevalence of 15%. The data were obtained by administering structured questionnaires, doing anthropometric measures, and analyzing blood samples for genetic information. The statistical study included the use of descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to examine the relationships between genetic markers and the risk of GDM. The significance level of these associations was assessed using a p-value of <0.05. Results Among the 260 individuals with GDM included in the research, 52 (20.00%) and 73 (28.08%) patients had the TCF7L2 risk variation. The study found that the TCF7L2 and FTO risk polymorphisms were linked to a higher likelihood of developing GDMamong the participants. The association was statistically significant, with p-values of 0.012 and 0.045, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the TCF7L2 risk variant had an odds ratio of 2.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-4.56, p = 0.012), while the FTO risk variant had an odds ratio of 1.97 (95% CI: 1.05-3.70, p = 0.045). There is a substantial association between consuming a large amount of sugar (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.15-3.82, p = 0.017) and engaging in little physical activity (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.07-3.22, p = 0.025) and an increased risk of GDM. Treatment brought the glucose levels of people with GDM down to normal in 68.49% of cases. Conclusion Integrating genetic screening for TCF7L2 and FTO variants with lifestyle modifications may enhance early detection and personalized management of GDM, leading to improved maternal and fetal health outcomes.

738. WHICH PATIENTS WITH BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS ARE MOST LIKELY FOR MALIGNIZATION? UNI AND MULTIVARIANT STUDY. RISK GROUPS

Abstract Background Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a premalignant pathology that can sometimes progress to adenocarcinoma (ADC) of the esophagus. Although the percentage of malignancy is low, one in every 200 patients/year, in the world literature there is great variability (0,1-1 % patients/year). This important discrepancy arises because we know that not all patients with BE have the same risk of malignancy. The objective of this work is allowing us to stratify patients according to their risk of malignancy. Methods We have 147 patients with a mean (range) follow-up is 13.3 years (2-33). During this period, 16 patients progressed to early esophageal ADC (10.8%), malignancy rate of 0.8 patients/year. Two study groups were obtained: 1. Patients with non-malignant BE: 131 (median age 43 years (10-79). 96 men (73%). 2. Patients with malignant BE: 16 (median age 51 years (21-74). 15 men (94%). Statistical method A univariate and multivariate statistical study was carried out to detect which factors have a greater risk of malignancy. We analyzed epidemiological, clinical, endoscopic, histological, functional factors (motility and pH) and therapeutic. RESULTS Age: 22 patients over 65 years, 22.7% of malignancy, and only 8.8% patients under 65 (p=0.05, OR=3.048). Sex 13.5 % men progressed and only 2.8 % women (p=0.045). Familial Barrett's esophagus was positive in 6 patients, 66.6% malignant, while only 8.5% without familial BE progressed (p=0.0001). EB length: patients with metaplastic segments greater than 4 cm have a 12 times greater risk of malignancy. Low grade dysplasia: 39 % patients had a diagnosis of LGD became malignant, and only 7 % patients with not LGD (p&amp;lt;0.0001, OR 8.49). Proliferation Ki67 and p53 high expression patients were malignant in 69.2% and 91.7 % (p&amp;lt;0.0001, OR 29.25 and 242.00). Esophageal functional studies 22.6% patients with esophageal body hypomotility became malignant and only 3.2 % with preserved esophageal body motility (p=0.001, OR 8.75). Neither the mean LES pressure nor the percentage of patients with hypotensive LES were statistically significant. 20.4% patients with severe acid reflux (pH &amp;lt;4 greater than 24%) became malignant versus 6.1 % patients suffered from less reflux (p=0.009, OR 3.93). Type and effectiveness of treatment Malignancy according to treatment, no differences are observed (10 % and 11.6 % en medical and surgical groups). Only 3.9 % patients with effective treatment became malignant, while in 48.1% who failed treatment (p=0.0001, OR 22.9). Multivariate analysis Only LGD reached statistical significance (p=0.007) with an OR 7.18, and the high expression of p53 (p&amp;lt;0.0001) with an OR 89.14. Risk groups Based on statistical analysis, we have established three risk groups (figure 1). We included 5 patients with High Risk (3.5%, F-U 8.6 years), all malignant (100%, 11.6% patients/year). Intermediate Risk 33 patients (22.5%, F-U 11.97 years, with progression in 11 patients (33.3%, 2.7% patients/year). Low Risk to 109 patients (74%), none became malignant. (p&amp;lt;0.0001, OR: 1.78). Conclusion In patients with high and intermediate risk, therapeutic options and endoscopic follow-up should be different than in patients with the absence of these disease characteristics, classified as low risk.

A general consonance principle for closure tests based on -values.

The closure principle is a powerful approach to constructing efficient testing procedures controlling the familywise error rate in the strong sense. For small numbers of hypotheses and the setting of independent elementary -values we consider closed tests where each intersection hypothesis is tested with a -value combination test. Examples of such combination tests are the Fisher combination test, the Stouffer test, the Omnibus test, the truncated test, or the Wilson test. Some of these tests, such as the Fisher combination, the Stouffer, or the Omnibus test, are not consonant and rejection of the global null hypothesis does not always lead to rejection of at least one elementary null hypothesis. We develop a general principle to uniformly improve closed tests based on -value combination tests by modifying the rejection regions such that the new procedure becomes consonant. For the Fisher combination test and the Stouffer test, we show by simulations that this improvement can lead to a substantial increase in power.

TRIBOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF TUNGSTEN CARBIDE AND HARD CHROME COATINGS ON EN19 FOR COLD ROLLING APPLICATION

In the heavy sheet metal industry, rolls are generally made up of EN19. To enhance the life of the cold rolling mills it can be coated. This paper presents an experimental study to check the effect of alloy coatings such as Hard Chrome and Tungsten carbide on wear resistance and other characteristics of roller base materials EN19 which is used in rolling process of heavy metal industry. In this paper a comparative tribological study of Hard Chrome, Tungsten carbide, EN19 through hardness testing, surface roughness analysis, SEM, and EDS, XRD, sliding wear experiments and statistical study through Design of Experiment has been performed to find out the best material which can increase the life of rolls. From the experiments carried out it has been found that hardchrome has 15.19 times the longevity of the substrate EN19. Tungsten carbide has 19 times the life of EN19 and 1.25 times the life of hardchrome. Tungsten carbide coating gives more hardness and wear resistance than the Hard Chrome and EN19 base material of the roll. Thus, using Tungsten carbide coating on EN19 rolls will improve the life and enhance the longevity of the roll used in cold rolling process in heavy steel industry.

Sociodemographic Factors and Students’ Attitudes towards Integrated Instruction

The primary objective of the study was to ascertain the attitudes of final-year students in undergraduate academic and master’s academic studies at the University of Nis Faculty of Sport and Physical Education and the University of Pristina - Kosovska Mitrovica Teacher Education Faculty in Prizren - Leposavic toward the possibilities of integrating the learning contents of the subjects Serbian Language and Physical Education. The study aims to investigate views about integrated instruction and the incorporation of Serbian Language and Physical Education in the integrative curriculum based on several demographic criteria such as gender, age, faculty major, overall grade point average, and socioeconomic status. The research was conducted on a sample of 179 students. Descriptive techniques were used to determine the level of expression of basic variables, while a Linear Regression Model was employed for statistical inference testing of established hypothesis. The results obtained indicate a statistically significant correlation between attitudes towards integrated instruction and the incorporation of the Serbian Language in the integrative curriculum in relation to sociodemographic characteristics (Hypothesis 1 and 2). However, no statistically significant associations were found for attitudes towards the incorporation of Physical Education in the integrative curriculum concerning sociodemographic variables (Hypothesis 3).

Conjunctive processing of spatial border and locomotion in retrosplenial cortex during spatial navigation.

Spatial information and dynamic locomotor behaviours are equally important for achieving locomotor goals during spatial navigation. However, it remains unclear how spatial and locomotor information is integrated during the processing of self-initiated spatial navigation. Anatomically, the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) has reciprocal connections with brain regions related to spatial processing, including the hippocampus and para-hippocampus, and also receives inputs from the secondary motor cortex. In addition, RSC is functionally associated with allocentric and egocentric spatial targets and head-turning. So, RSC may be a critical region for integrating spatial and locomotor information. In this study, we first examined the role of RSC in spatial navigation using the Morris water maze and found that mice with inactivated RSC took a longer time and distance to reach their destination. Then, by imaging neuronal activity in freely behaving mice within two open fields of different sizes, we identified a large proportion of border cells, head-turning cells and locomotor speed cells in the superficial layer of RSC. Interestingly, some RSC neurons exhibited conjunctive coding for both spatial and locomotor signals. Furthermore, these conjunctive neurons showed higher prediction accuracy compared with simple spatial or locomotor neurons in special navigator scenes using the border, turning and positive-speed conjunctive cells. Our study reveals that the RSC is an important conjunctive brain region that processes spatial and locomotor information during spatial navigation. KEY POINTS: Retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is indispensable during spatial navigation, which was displayed by the longer time and distance of mice to reach their destination after the inactivation of RSC in a water maze. The superficial layer of RSC has a larger population of spatial-related border cells, and locomotion-related head orientation and speed cells; however, it has few place cells in two-dimensional spatial arenas. Some RSC neurons exhibited conjunctive coding for both spatial and locomotor signals, and the conjunctive neurons showed higher prediction accuracy compared with simple spatial or locomotor neurons in special navigation scenes. Our study reveals that the RSC is an important conjunctive brain region that processes both spatial and locomotor information during spatial navigation.

The Effect Round House strategy on pupils Writing skill

The present study aims at finding out the effect of Round House strategy on developing EFL Intermediate pupils’ Writing skill. To achieve the aim of this study , a hypotheses is assumed to be established. there is no statistically significant difference between the experimental group in the pre –post writing test . A sample consists of (60) pupils in first grade at Al-Hammiya Intermediate School for Boys distributed into two groups. Group (A) represents experimental group that includes (30) pupils are taught according to Round House strategy. Group (B) represents control group who also includes (30) pupils who are taught according to the prescribed method. Both groups have been equalized in such variables educational level of parents. English scores achievement in preceding year, and the pre-test of both groups. The dependability coefficient has been validated using the Alpha-Cronbach method. A statistical study of the items has been done to determine the discrimination power and level of difficulty for each item. As a result, the post-test has been administered to the full sample. The formula for "the T-test of two independent and paired samples' has been employed to statistically analyze the data acquired from the post-test results. There is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group" when using Round House strategy. Appropriate recommendations and suggestion for future research are made in light of the study's results and conclusions

Statistical studies of the characteristics and key influencing factors of sediment changes in the upper Yangtze River over the past 60 years

Sediments in the upper Yangtze River have significantly changed over the past 60 years. The characteristics and causes of these sediment changes must be determined in the upcoming phases of the comprehensive management of the Yangtze River Basin. Based on sediment observation data from 1960 to 2020, this study examined the trends and sudden changes in the sediments in the mainstream and its significant tributaries in the upper Yangtze River. The relative contributions of precipitation change and various human activities to sediment load changes are quantified. The relationships between sediment variations and the construction and large dam projects, soil and water conservation measures, and earthquake disasters are established. The results indicate that there was a significant decline in sediment load with main changes occurring around the 1985s and 2010s. Multiple double mass curves are used to quantify the relative contributions of precipitation change and human activities to sediment load changes. The relative contribution of dams to the decrease in sediment load ranges from 53 % to 74 %. Precipitation change serves a significant role in the observed changes, accounting for a range of 10 % to 27 %. Soil conservation measures take some time to show their impact on sediment reduction. These measures work by stabilizing the soil and improving hydrological conditions. On average, they contribute between 7 % and 20 % towards reducing sediment. In recent times, there has been a noticeable rise in sediment load in rivers like the Jialing and Min Rivers. This unexpected increase could potentially be linked to a combination of factors including earthquakes, heavy precipitation, and localized sediment scouring. The results of this study offer valuable insights into the variations in river sediment load, aiding in the improved management of water resources and sediment in large dams. These findings provide helpful insights for dam management.

Quantum wetting transition in the cluster Ising model

The wetting transition in the one-dimensional cluster Ising model with opposite boundary fields is studied. Tuning one boundary field while fixing another leads to the occurrence of phase transitions, where the transition points depend on the cluster coupling. Furthermore, the phase diagram is divided into three regions with different phase transition. For weak and strong cluster coupling, the phase transition is continuous and belongs to the same universality of transverse Ising model with boundary fields. For intermediate cluster coupling, the phase transition is first order. In the strong cluster coupling region, the critical region becomes exponentially small and the asymptotic behavior is absent even for lattice size up to 104. A numerical method to solve the energy gap and the correlation length is proposed on an infinite long spin chain. With this method, one can get the critical behavior as close to the critical point as possible provided that the numerical accuracy is high enough. In the light of this method, we clearly show that there is a preasymptotic regime in which the apparent critical exponents depend on the cluster coupling. Moreover, we obtain the accurate energy gap exponent zν and the correlation length exponent ν in the asymptotic critical region.

Theoretical study of a putative adsorption mechanism of arginine and glutamate on goldfish 5.24 and zebrafish Z06: Statistical physics modeling, thermodynamic study, and docking simulation

An adsorption phenomenon putatively involved in the sense of smell of arginine and glutamate amino acids in the goldfish olfactory receptor 5.24 and the zebrafish olfactory receptor Z06 was applied in this study to deeply interpret and characterize the olfaction process at a molecular level. As a result, the experimental concentration-olfactory response curves were adjusted using the mono-layer model with one energy (MLM1E). On the one hand, the physicochemical parameters involved in the chosen model were utilized to microscopically investigate the four olfactory systems. Indeed, the two amino acids were adsorbed via a non-parallel configuration, and the process of adsorption was multi-molecular. The molar adsorption energies, which ranged from 22.09 to 35.97 kJ/mol, could be utilized to define the energetic interaction types between the investigated amino acids and the two tested fish olfactory receptors. The size and adsorption energy heterogeneity of 5.24 and Z06 binding pockets were measured by estimating the pocket site size distributions or PSDs (stereographic characterization) and the adsorption energy distributions or AEDs (energetic characterization). On the other hand, these physicochemical parameters could also be applied to macroscopically investigate the four olfactory systems. Hence, three thermodynamic functions including the adsorption entropy Sa, the internal energy Eint, and the Gibbs free energy G were computed in order to investigate the disorder, the exothermicity, and the spontaneity of the studied systems, respectively. The docking modeling analysis of arginine and glutamate amino acids with goldfish 5.24 and zebrafish Z06 revealed simulated binding energies that closely matched the average adsorption energies (peaks of AEDs). These affinities corresponded to the adsorption energy bands known as olfactory bands or spectrums of vibration modes.

A hybrid YDSE - THDCNN approach based multi objective optimization of energy management for renewable energy sources with electric vehicles

Thermal power plants have long been essential to the fossil fuel-based electricity supply chain, according to statistics studies. Nevertheless, due to the enormous initial and ongoing expenses of modern power plants as well as their negative environmental effects. This manuscript proposes a hybrid technique for grid-connected load-following hybrid photovoltaic and wind microgrid with a grid-connected electric vehicle charging system. The proposed hybrid technique is the joint execution of both Young's double-slit experiment optimizer (YDSE) and the Tree Hierarchical Deep Convolutional Neural Network (THDCNN). Hence, it is named as YDSE-THDCNN. The major objective of the proposed technique is to reduce the fuel, operation, and maintenance costs, as well as to reduce the environmental costs and maximize the efficiency of the system. The proposed YDSE technique is utilized to generate the control signal of the inverter and the optimal signal will be predicted by the THDCNN. By then, the MATLAB working platform has adopted the proposed way, and the existing method is used to compute its execution. The proposed method outperforms any existing techniques, including the Genetic Algorithm (GA), Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (BOA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Algorithm. The existing method shows the cost of 2.6$, 3.8$, 4.6$, and the proposed method shows the cost of 1.3$ which is lower than the other existing method.

A multi-level Statistical Study on the Financial Supply and Demand Structure of Science and Innovation Enterprises: A case study of Hefei Science and Innovation Financial Reform Pilot Zone

A multi-level Statistical Study on the Financial Supply and Demand Structure of Science and Innovation Enterprises: A case study of Hefei Science and Innovation Financial Reform Pilot Zone

Investigating the Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Land Cover and Ecosystem Service Value in the Kuye River Basin

Land cover change influences the provision of regional ecosystem services, posing a threat to regional ecological security and sustainable development. The Kuye River Basin, a vital tributary of the Yellow River Basin, has experienced significant land cover changes due to intense human activity. Building on analysing the spatiotemporal evolution of land use cover and ecosystem service values from 1990 to 2022, this study predicted the land cover structure and ecosystem service value with two future scenarios, the NDC and the EPC, to provide insights into guiding sustainable policy interventions. We found the predominant land cover types were greensward and forest land, accounting for 67.22% of the total area. Forest land, greensward, and farmland have increased, while desert, water area, and other land types have decreased from 1990 to 2022. Forest land, greensward, farmland, and water areas are the main contributors to ecosystem service value in the Kuye River Basin. However, water area services have significantly decreased from 1990 to 2022. Under the NDC scenario, land development primarily relies on greensward and farmland, reducing forest and water areas and weakening the ecosystem’s regulatory and supporting functions. In contrast, the EPC scenario enhances ecosystem services by protecting critical ecological regions. Ecological protection measures significantly increase the ecosystem service values of the Kuye River Basin, and well-planned land use can effectively balance economic development with ecological preservation. This study provides scientific evidence to inform policies integrating ecological protection and economic growth, contributing to the sustainable development of the Kuye River Basin.

No significant alteration in white matter microstructure in first-degree relatives of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by structural alteration within white matter tissues of cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical, temporal and occipital circuits. However, the presence of microstructural changes in the white matter tracts of unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with OCD as a vulnerability marker remains unclear. Therefore, here, diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) data were obtained from 29 first-degree relatives of patients with OCD and 59 healthy controls. We investigated the group differences in FA using whole-brain analysis (DTI analysis). For additional regions of interest (ROI) analysis, we focused on the posterior thalamic radiation and sagittal stratum, shown in recent meta-analysis of patients with OCD. In both whole-brain and ROI analyses, using a strict statistical threshold (family-wise error rate [FWE] corrected p<.05 for whole-brain analyses, and p<.0125 (0.05/4) with Bonferroni correction for ROI analyses), we found no significant group differences in FA. Subtle reductions were observed in the anterior corona radiata, forceps minor, cingulum bundle, and corpus callosum only when a lenient statistical was applied (FWE corrected p<.20). These findings suggest that alterations in the white matter microstructure of first-degree relatives, as potential vulnerability markers for OCD, are likely subtle.

Optimising surface morphology for enhanced radiative properties in thermal energy-efficient materials

Environmental concerns related to heat-absorbing materials in the construction industry can be effectively addressed by optimising the reflectivity of incoming sunlight and thermal emissivity of materials. These radiative properties are closely tied to the surface morphology characteristics of building materials, making superficial topography a critical factor in determining their thermal and energy performance. In our research, we performed reflectance analysis in the UV-Vis-NIR-MIR region and conducted FT-IR analysis to assess the colour and reflectance behaviour of the samples, along with surface morphology and topography investigations. The data collected were utilised in a statistical study to analyse the relationship between superficial topography and thermo-optical characteristics. Our findings underscore the significant impact of surface morphology as a secondary factor influencing radiative properties. Specifically, our results indicate that large-scale components influence mid-infrared absorbance, while surface roughness is crucial in determining solar reflectance properties. Notably, an increase in roughness consistently leads to a reduction in near-infrared and visible reflectance properties by up to 17% and 8%, respectively, with no noticeable effect in the UV region. In conclusion, our research demonstrates the potential for customising and optimising surface properties to reduce energy consumption for cooling purposes and alleviate the urban heat island effect.

Comparative Study of Indonesia and Timor Leste on the Psychological Conditions, Social Support, and Immunity of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)

Background: The World Bank reports that Timor Leste and Indonesia had the same HIV incidence rate of 0.2 per 1,000 persons in this age range who are not infected for adults aged 15 to 49. Depression is a mental condition that is marked by a chronic absence of interest and unhappiness. If left untreated, depression may have grave consequences and seriously interfere with daily life. Aim: This research compares the psychological states, social assistance, and resistance of Timor Leste and Indonesian individuals living with HIV. Method: Reaching a sample size of one hundred individuals was accomplished by the use of a cross-sectional methodology, a descriptive-comparative design, and a purposeful sampling strategy. Bivariate analysis was performed using ANOVA with a significance threshold of p &lt; 0.05. The range of frequency was used to do univariate analysis. Result: In Indonesia and Timor-Leste, when it comes to the psychological state of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), there is no apparent variation wherever to be found. According to statistical studies, there are variations in the amount of social support for PLWHA between the two nations. The significance level of 0.05 is not met by the p-value of 0.0 for these variations. Some PLWHA had an undetectable viral load, likely due to their adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ARV) as recommended by healthcare providers. Conclusion: Even though the psychological status of people living with HIV/AIDS is comparable in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, the level of social support differs between the two countries.

A Unique Derivative Chromosome 4 with a Predominant 4p16.3 Microduplication Phenotype and a Literature Review

Introduction: Constitutional structural abnormalities affecting chromosome 4 result in variable distinct phenotypic traits including duplication 4p syndrome, deletion 4p or Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS), deletion 4q and duplication 4q syndromes. Complex rearrangements involving both chromosome 4 arms are very rarely reported with different break points occurring within regions of 4p13-p16 and 4q32-35. They most commonly occur in familial cases due to parental pericentric inversion resulting in a recombinant chromosome 4 “rec(4).” The clinical picture is dependent on the size and type of copy number imbalance and the genes involved. Methods: We report on a female patient with delayed developmental milestones and lower limb anomalies, who carried a de novo unique type of complex rearrangement affecting both chromosome 4 arms, diagnosed by karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and chromosomal microarray (CMA). Results: The chromosome 4 rearrangement involved three copy number alterations, consisting of a terminal 1.17 Mb 4p16.3 deletion with a contiguous proximal 1.8 Mb 4p16.3 duplication, including the Wolf-Hirschhorn critical (WHSC) region, and an inverted 27 Mb terminal 4q32-35.2 duplication attached to terminal 4p. The patient’s predominant phenotype was consistent with 4p16.3 microduplication syndrome. The rearrangement occurred as a de novo abnormality, and thus it was designated as a derivative chromosome 4. To the best of our knowledge, this complex type of chromosome 4 rearrangement has not been reported so far. Conclusion: The present report adds to the scarce 4p16.3 microduplication syndrome reports and emphasizes the role of WHSC region in the syndromic phenotype. It also reveals the importance of CMA in detecting subtle copy number variations (CNVs) that could be dominantly reflected on the phenotype, which is very important in patients’ management and family counselling.