bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexcam o el cybersex trafficking en Colombia. Trata y explotación sexual de personas
Authors: Díaz-Vásquez Rafael Francisco , Luque-Becerra Manuela
Published: December 2020

La trata de personas como fenómeno se mantiene vigente y en aumento ante condiciones que garantizan un escenario adecuado para que este flagelo continúe azotando a la humanidad. Entre estas condiciones se encuentra el conflicto armado, la desigualdad en el acceso a derechos de los migrantes y la crisis de la economía. Estos factores facilitan actos, medios y propósitos de la trata de personas. El presente texto aborda el problema de la trata y la explotación sexual de personas en Colombia, país donde las condiciones mencionadas son claras. En específico, se señala cómo se ha generado un aumento en el cybersex trafficking a partir de las plataformas de sexcam, lo que permite no solo la explotación de la prostitución ajena y la explotación sexual, sino también su aumento en razón a las condiciones actuales de país desde el 2016, ya que se ha visto también favorecida por el ingreso de dineros a manera de remesas que permiten el lavado de activos y la financiación del crimen transnacional. Al análisis permite evidenciar que el crecimiento de estas plataformas es ideal en Colombia ante la precariedad de salarios y la falta de oportunidades educativas o laborales, a lo que se suma la falta de optimización en la gestión de recursos por parte del Gobierno nacional en la pandemia y el alto porcentaje de desempleo en menores de 30 años; además, el paso de migrantes venezolanos que encuentran en las plataformas de una opción para la obtención de recursos.
Complete genome sequence of Arthrobacter sp. PAMC25564 and comparative genome analysis for elucidating the role of CAZymes in cold adaptation
Authors: Han So-Ra , Kim Byeollee , Jang Jong Hwa , Park Hyun , Oh Tae-Jin
Published: December 2020

Background: The Arthrobacter group is a known isolate from cold areas, the species of which are highly likely to play diverse roles in low temperatures. However, their role and survival mechanisms in cold regions such as Antarctica are not yet fully understood. In this study, we compared the genomes of sixteen strains within the Arthrobacter group, including strain PAMC25564, to identify genomic features that adapt and survive life in the cold environment.Results: The genome of Arthrobacter sp. PAMC25564 comprised 4,170,970 bp with 66.74 % GC content, a predicted genomic island, and 3,829 genes. This study provides an insight into the redundancy of CAZymes for potential cold adaptation and suggests that the isolate has glycogen, trehalose, and maltodextrin pathways associated to CAZyme genes. This strain can utilize polysaccharide or carbohydrate degradation as a source of energy. Moreover, this study provides a foundation on which to understand how the Arthrobacter strain produces energy in an extreme environment, and the genetic pattern analysis of CAZymes in cold-adapted bacteria can help to determine how bacteria adapt and survive in such environments.Conclusions: We characterized the Arthrobacter sp. PAMC25564 complete genome and comparative analysis, provided an insight into the redundancy of CAZymes for potential cold adaptation. This provide a foundation to understand how Arthrobacter strain produces energy in an extreme environment, there are reports on the use of CAZymes in cold environments. Therefore, we suppose that this process has allowed Arthrobacter species to establish a symbiotic relationship with other bacteria in cold environments or live independently thanks to their capacity for adapting to environmental changes.
Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Air Quality and Health. Association between Concentrations of Tropospheric Ozone and Infection Cases and Deaths in Spain
Authors: Álvarez-Vázquez Eusebio R , Castro-Guijarro Pablo A , Fernandez-Espinosa Antonio José
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThis work describes the changes of the air quality and the health implications caused by the lockdown of the first-wave provoked by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Air pollutants were studied in 83 locations in Southern Spain. The study covered urban and industrial gases, NO2, CO, SO2, H2S and O3, and also PM10 and PM2.5 particles.MethodsIt was evaluated the increase and decrease of concentrations during the state of alarm declared on 14th March. Pearson correlations for air pollutants, meteorological factors, vehicular traffic densities (VTDs) and data of infections and deaths caused by the COVID-19 disease were also assessed.ResultsIt was found a clear reduction in carbon monoxide (-25% to -83%), particulate matter (-21% to -42%) and mainly nitrogen dioxide (-55% to -81%) in trafficked areas during the lockdown, reducing cardiovascular and respiratory problems. CO, SO2 and H2S increased (+26 to 34%, +68 to +85% and +32 to +84%) at industrial locations. O3 increased along the lockdown period coinciding with reductions in NO2 and CO (r = -0.90 and -0.81). This ozone rising constitute the ozone lockdown effect (OLE), increasing the risk of pneumonia hospital admissions. Regarding traffic, Pearson coefficients between ozone and VTDs were higher during lockdown than pre-lockdown period, and in the most trafficked areas a reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 levels was observed, contributing this also to the OLE.ConclusionsEffects of ozone on COVID-19 disease was revealed by the graphic associations and correlations found between O3 levels and infection cases and deaths, which were remarkable, constituting in this case the ozone COVID effect (OCE): when concentrations of O3 increase, the incidence of the disease is higher; when O3 falls, infection cases are reduced.
Do Species Mount Different Genetic Responses to Acute Drought Stress Across an Ecological Gradient? 
Authors: Devitt Jessica Kay , Chung Albert , Schenk John J.
Published: December 2020

Background: How do xerophytic species thrive in environments that experience extreme annual drought? Although critical to the survival of many species, the genetic responses to drought stress in non-model organisms are unknown. We investigated this question in Mentzelia section Bartonia (Loasaceae), which occurs throughout western North America, including arid lands. To better understand the genetic responses to drought stress among species that occur in different habitats, the gene expression levels of three species from the genus Mentzelia that occur across a precipitation gradient were compared. Two de novo reference transcriptomes were generated and annotated. Leaf and root tissues were collected from control and drought shocked plants and compared to one another for differential expression. A target-gene approach was also implemented to better understand how drought-related genes from model and crop species function in non-model systems.Results: When comparing the drought-shock treatment plants to their respective control plants, we identified 165 differentially expressed clusters across all three species. Differentially expressed genes including those associated with water movement, photosynthesis, and genes that delayed senescence. The transcriptome profiling approach was coupled with a target genes approach that measured expression of 90 genes associated with drought tolerance in model organisms. Comparing differentially expressed genes with a log-fold values of 2 or greater between species and tissue types showed significant differences in drought response. In pariwise comparisons, species that occurred in drier environments differentially expressed greater genes in leaves when drought shocked than those from wetter environments, but expression in the roots mostly produced opposite results. Conclusions: Arid-adapted species mounted greater genetic responses compared to the temperate species, with differences in leaf and root tissue responses. Target genes revealed differences and similarities between functional processes within Mentzelia and other plant groups. Differences in drought response depending on tissue type suggests that genetic and physiological responses occur within one tissue type and not the other, and tissue responses could be evolving at different rates. We determined that drought tolerance is enhanced through pathways of delayed senescence and that genetic responses were tissue and habitat specific.
Genetic Dissection of Resistance to Common Rust (Puccinia Sorghi) in Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.) by Combined Genetic Mapping and Genomic Prediction
Authors: Zhang Xuecai , Ren Jiaojiao , Li Zhimin , Wu Penghao , Loladze Alexander , Zhang Ao , Liu Yubo , Hu Guanghui , Cao Shiliang , Qu Jingtao , Zheng Hongjian , Olsen Michael , Prasanna Boddupalli M. , Vicente Felix San
Published: December 2020

Background: Common rust is one of the major foliar diseases of maize, leading to significant grain yield losses and poor grain quality. The most sustainable strategy for controlling common rust is to develop resistant maize varieties, which requires a further understanding of genetic dissection of common rust resistance. Results: In this study, an association panel and two bi-parental doubled haploid (DH) populations were used to perform genome-wide association study (GWAS), linkage mapping, and genomic prediction analyses. All the populations were phenotyped in multi-environment trials for common rust resistance and genotyped with genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). GWAS revealed six SNPs significantly associated with common rust resistance at bins 1.05, 1.10, 3.04, 3.05, 4.08, and 10.04, respectively. The SNP effect of each SNP ranged from 0.13 to 0.17. Linkage mapping identified six quantitative trait loci (QTL) in the first DH population (DH1) and two QTL in the second DH population (DH2), distributed on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9, respectively. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) of each QTL ranged from 3.55% to 12.45%. A new major QTL was detected in DH1 on chromosome 7 in the region between 144,585,945 and 149,528,489 bp, it had the highest LOD score of 7.82 and the largest PVE value of 12.45%. The genomic regions located at bins 1.05, 1.10, and 4.08 were detected by both GWAS and linkage mapping. GRMZM2G114893 (bin 1.05) and GRMZM2G138949 (bin 4.08) were identified as the putative candidate genes conferring common rust resistance. The genomic prediction accuracies observed in the association panel and two bi-parental DH populations were 0.61, 0.51, and 0.10, respectively. Conclusions: These results provided new insight into the genetic architecture of common rust resistance in maize and a better understanding of the application of genomic prediction for common rust resistance in maize breeding.
Metabolomic Insights into the Browning of the Peel of Bagging ‘Rui Xue’ Apple Fruit
Authors: zhao zhengyang , Wang Hui , Sun Lulong , Wang Shuang , Fan Miaomiao , Zhang Shuhui
Published: December 2020

Background: Bagging is one of the most important techniques for the production of high-quality fruits. In the actual of cultivating, we found a new kind of browning in peel of apple fruit that occurs before harvest and worsen during storage period. There are many studies on metabonomic analysis of browning about storage fruits, but few studies on the mechanism of browning before harvest. This experiment was based on metabonomic studies to explore the effect of bagging on fruit peel browning.Results: In this study, five-year-old trees of ‘Rui Xue’ were used as materials. Bagging fruits without browning (BFW) and bagging fruits with browning (BFB) were set as the experimental groups, non-bagging fruits (NBF) were set as control (CT). Our results show that 131 metabolites of BFW were significantly up-regulation and 217 metabolites were significantly down-regulation compared with NBF; 198 metabolites of BFB were significantly up-regulationand and 178 metabolites were significantly down-regulation compared with BFW (Variable important in projection (VIP) > 1 and p-value < 0.05). The synthesis and accumulation of flavonoids and lipids were significantly changed after bagging; compared with NBF, 11 flavonoids and 6 lipids molecules were significantly decreased in the BFW (top 50 metabolites). Compared with BFW, 11 flavonoids and 7 lipids were further decreased in BFB, but, 12 triterpenes were significantly accumulated in BFB. As the peel browning, galactose metabolism, ABC membrane transporter protein, flavonoid biosynthesis and linoleic acid metabolism pathways were significantly changed in BFW and BFB compared with NBF. Physiological indicators show that, compared with NBF, the MDA in peel of BFW and BFB significantly increased by 0.46 times and 2.94 times, respectively; and the cell membrane permeability of BFW and BFB were significantly increased by 15.7% and 28.2%, respectively. We analyzed the expression of related genes in the metabolic pathways of flavonoids, compared with NBF, the flavonoid synthesis genes MdLAR were significantly up-regulated by 2.55 and 9.37 times in BFW and BFB, and the MdANR genes were also significantly up-regulated by 2.33 and 2.69 times, respectively. In addition to this, the downstream flavonoids-related polymeric genes MdLAC7 and MdLAC14 were the most significantly expressed. Compared with NBF, MdLAC7 was significantly up-regulated by 0.43 and 13.88 times in BFW and BFB, and MdLAC14 was also significantly up-regulated by 7.13 and 3.17 times, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that the microenvironment of fruit was changed by bagging, the destruction of cell structure, the increase of lipid peroxidation of cell membrane, the decrease of flavonoids and the increase of triterpenoids were the main reasons for the browning of peel about bagging ‘Rui Xue’.
Predictors of treatment failures of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Vietnam: a 4-year single-center retrospective study
Authors: Duong Minh Cuong , Pham Oanh Kieu Nguyet , Nguyen Phong Thanh , Nguyen Chau Van Vinh , Nguyen Phu Hoan
Published: December 2020

BackgroundDrug-resistant falciparum malaria is an increasing public health burden. We examined the magnitude of Plasmodium falciparum infection and the patterns and predictors of treatment failure in Vietnam. MethodsMedical records of all 443 patients with malaria infection admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases between January 2015 and December 2018 were used to extract information on demographics, risk factors, symptoms, laboratory tests, treatment, and outcomes. ResultsMore than half (59.8%, CI 55.1%-64.4%) of patient acquired P. falciparum infection of whom 21.9% (CI 17.1%-27.4%) had severe malaria, while 7.2% (CI 4.6%-10.9%) and 19.2% (CI 14.7%-24.5%) developed early treatment failure (ETF) and late treatment failure (LTF) respectively. ETF was 4.7% among patients referred from Binh Phuoc province and Central Highland, 12.9% from other areas in Vietnam, and 6.9% from Africa. LTF was 16.2% among patients from Binh Phuoc province and Central Highland, 22.6% from other areas in Vietnam, and 27.6% from Africa. Most patients (98.5%) recovered completely. Having severe malaria was a predictor of ETF (AOR 6.96, CI 2.55-19.02, P < 0.001). No predictor of LTF was identified.ConclusionP. falciparum remains the prevalent malaria parasite. Despite low mortality rate, severe malaria is not rare and is a significant predictor of ETF. To reduce the risk for ETF, studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of combination therapy including parenteral artesunate and a parenteral partner drug for severe malaria. The study alerts the possibility of drug-resistant malaria in Africa and other areas in Vietnam which are known as nonendemic areas of antimalarial drug resistance. A more comprehensive study using molecular technique in these regions is required to completely understand the magnitude of drug-resistant malaria and to design appropriate control strategies.
Association of Androgen Receptor Expression with Glucose Metabolic Features in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Lee Reeree , Lee Han-Byoel , Paeng Jin Chul , Choi Hongyoon , Whi Wonseok , Han Wonshik , Noh Dong-Young , Seok Ju Won , Kang Keon Wook , Cheon Gi Jeong
Published: December 2020

Androgen receptor (AR) is a potential therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We aimed to elucidate the association of AR expression with glucose metabolic features in TNBC. Two independent datasets were analyzed; FDG PET data of our institution and a public dataset of GSE135565. In PET analysis, patients with TNBC who underwent baseline PET between Jan 2013 and Dec 2017 were retrospectively enrolled. Clinicopathologic features and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of tumors were compared with AR expression. In GSE135565 dataset, glycolysis score was calculated by the pattern of glycolysis-related genes, and its association with SUVmax and AR gene expression were analyzed. A total of 608 female patients were included in the PET data of our institution. SUVmax was lower in AR-positive tumors and correlated with lower AR expression. In multivariate analyses, AR was a deterministic factor for low SUVmax, along with other key clinicopathologic features. In the GSE135565 dataset, AR expression also exhibited a negative correlation with SUVmax and the glycolysis score. Low glucose metabolism is a signature of AR expression in TNBC. It is suggested that evaluation of AR expression status needs to be considered in clinical practice particularly in TNBC with low glucose metabolism.
Short-term Fasting Enhances the Protection Against Listeria Monocytogenes Infection Through Changes of Intestinal CD103+ Dendritic Cells
Authors: Ju Young-Jun , Lee Kyung-Min , Kim Girak , Kye Yoon-Chul , Kim Han Wool , Chu Hyuk , Park Byung-Chul , Cho Jae-Ho , Han Seung Hyun , Yun Cheol-Heui
Published: December 2020

Gastrointestinal tract is the first organ to be directly affected upon fasting. However, little is known about how the fasting influences intestinal immune system. In the present study, we focused on the changes of intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) in mice upon short-term fasting and how the changes influence protective immunity against Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. We found that the fasting induces an increased number of CD103+CD11b- DCs in both small intestinal lamina propria (SI LP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) and the SI LP CD103+CD11b- DCs undergo an active proliferation and migration by increased levels of GM-CSF and CCR7, respectively. At 24 hours post-infection (hpi) of LM, there was a significant reduction of bacterial burden from the spleen, liver, and mLN of the short-term fasting mice compared to those of ad libitum mice. Accordingly, short-term fasting mice showed enhanced survival against LM infection when compared with ad libitum mice. Furthermore, significantly high amount of TGF-β2 and Aldh1a2 expression from CD103+CD11b- DCs in mouse infected with LM sequentially caused the following events: the increase of Foxp3+ Tregs, preferential change in the composition of CD103+ to CD103- DCs, and the induction of IFN-γ producing cells. Collectively, increase of intestinal CD103+ DCs by short-term fasting is a key player for protection against LM infection through the changes of functional features from tolerogenic to Th1 immunogenic.
Decoration of Graphene Oxide with Cobalt(II) Coordinated Silica and its Catalytic Activity for the Synthesis of Functionalized Indenopyrazolones
Authors: Mirheidari Mahnaz , Safaei‐Ghom Javad
Published: December 2020

We synthesized functionalized f-SiO2@GO@Co catalyst through decorating graphene oxide surface using SiO2 sphere with the help of ethylenediamine ligand and chelation with CoCl2.6H2O for increasing the catalyst activity to produce heterogenous catalyst. The heterogenous catalyst was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, Raman spectra, and TGA. We assessed activity of the catalyst in the synthesis of indenopyrazolones and results demonstrated high activity for the catalyst. The ability of the catalyst to increase the yield and reduction in reaction time as well as high catalytic activity, and recycling are prominent advantages of the catalyst.
Quantification of Malignant Lymph Nodes and Benign Lymph Nodes in Patients of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Cao Qingdong , Wang Xiaojing , Wang Ying , Li Dan , Bi Lei , Yang Shuai , Shan Hong , Jin Hongjun
Published: December 2020

BackgroundMost esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) imaging diagnoses can be performed by routine CT and ultrasound, but it is difficult to detect metastatic lymph nodes or minor lesions. Functional imaging diagnosis based on 18F-FDG PET/CT has potential advantages for detection of metastatic lymph nodes, or differentiation of benign from malignant lymph nodes, and for typing and staging of ESCC. The purpose of this study is to provide 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for ESCC patient to quantify the difference between malignant lymph nodes (MLN) and benign lymph nodes (BLN) for ESCC. MethodsDynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed in 46 patients (26 patients without MLN (N0 stage) and 20 with MLN (non-N0 stage) who were pathologically confirmed for ESCC. Visual and quantitative differences were measured in primary tumor (PT), MLN and BLN regions of interest (ROIs). Finally, 52 MLN and 133 BLN (83 from N0 stage and 50 from non-N0 stage) were included for analysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by a Patlak model using Matlab program to obtain the influx constant (Ki). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was also determined from the static and dynamic PET/CT scans. Based on the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, the sensitivity and specificity for each parameter in differentiation diagnosis were evaluated. ResultsKi and SUVmax in PT non-N0 group was slightly higher than in N0 groups (0.04 ± 0.02 vs 0.03 ± 0.03, 8.01 ± 3.90 vs 7.08 ± 5.39, respectively), but with no significant difference (p > 0.05). And Ki and SUVmax in MLN were higher than BLN with statistically significant difference (KiMLN vs KiBLN ( 0.021 ± 0.014 vs 0.006 ± 0.004, p < 0.0001); (SUVmaxMLN vs SUVmaxBLN (4.35 ± 2.27 vs 1.89 ± 0.85, p < 0.0001); The sensitivity both Ki and SUVmax were 80.77 %, the specificity for Ki was 89.47%, and SUVmax 87.22% respectively. And the diagnostic accuracy Ki (90.61%) was slightly better than SUVmax (88.16%). Conclusions﻿Quantitative parameters (both Ki and SUVmax) of 18F-FDG in ESCC patients are sensitive diagnostic measurements capable to identify MLNs from BLNs.
The Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on Head and Neck Cancer Incidence Risk: A Population-based Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jiang Huaili , Zhou Lei , He Qiansheng , Jiang Kanglun , Huang Xinsheng , Yuan Jinqiu
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThere are limited evidences clarifying the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components on head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence risk. We explored the correlation between MS, MS components, and the combined effects of MS and C-reactive protein (CRP) and HNC risk. MethodsThis is a prospective analysis of 474,929 participants from the UK Biobank cohort. Cox proportional hazard regression was utilized to assess the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), and to explore the non-linear correlation between an individual MS component and HNC risk. ResultsIndividuals with MS (HR, 1.05; 95%CI, 0.90-1.22) had no higher risk of HNC than those without MS and those with more MS components showed no higher HNC risk. Nevertheless, we observed that MS component hyperglycaemia (HR, 1.22; 95%CI, 1.02-1.45) was independently correlated with elevated HNC risk. In a non-linear manner, waist circumference and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) showed a U-shape association with HNC risk. Further linear analysis indicated that male waist circumference, female waist circumference (when ≥93.16 cm), male HDL (when ≥1.45mmo/L) and blood glucose were positively correlated with HNC risk. Increased CRP (≥1.00mg/dL) elevated HNC risk and individuals with MS and CRP≥ 1.00mg/dL had the highest HNC risk (HR, 1.29; 95%CI, 1.05-1.58). ConclusionsAlthough MS are not correlated with elevated HNC risk, high male waist circumference, high female waist circumference (≥93.16 cm), high male HDL (≥1.45mmo/L) and high blood glucose are independent risk factors of HNC. We also recommended a potential combined effect of MS and CRP in head and neck tumorigenesis.
Pan-cancer Analysis Combining with Experiments Indicates the Sensitivity of Renal Carcinogenesis to DLGAP5 Expression
Authors: Feng Yun , Li Fang , Guo Xianli , Wang Fenghui , Shi Haiyan , Du Juan , Zhang Huahua , Gao Yi , Li Dan , Yan Jing , Yao Yan , Hu Weihong , Han Jiaqi , Zhang Mengjie , Ding Ruxin , Wang Xiaofei , Huang Chen , Zhang Jing
Published: December 2020

Background: Discs large-associated protein 5 (DLGAP5), a kinetochore ﬁbers-binding protein, has been found to function as a oncoprotein in many cancers. However, its expression patterns in normal and cancer tissues across pan-cancer, as well as the cell lines, are far from clear. Methods: Data from genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to analyze the DLGAP5 expression in normal tissues and cancer cell lines, respectively. The analysis of DLGAP5 expression in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was based on data from a combined TCGA and GTEx. The associations between the expression, prognosis and cancer immune infiltrates in pan-cancer were also investigated based on TCGA and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), respectively. Furthermore, the analysis results of ccRCC was verified using cell lines via RNAi, western blotting, and the cytological analysis.Results: The low expression levels of DLGAP5 were observed in 31 types of common human tissues, including kidney tissue. However, its expression displayed upregulation in all the 21 tested cancer cell lines, of which kidney cancer cell lines showed a minimal upregulation. As predicted, the significant overexpression of DLGAP5 occurred in at least 26 types of common cancer tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues. Surprisingly, in three types of kidney cancer (KICH, KIRC/ccRCC, KIRP), DLGAP5 exhibited a statistically significant, but minor, overexpression among 26 types of tested cancers. Furthermore, the survival probability of some tested cancers, including kidney cancer, were significantly related to the upregulated expression of DLGAP5. In addition, among 33 types of tested cancers, KIRC/ccRCC, LGG and LIHC showed a significant positive correlation between DLGAP5 expression and immune infiltration levels. DLGAP5 expression level was also significantly positive correlated with clinical TNM stage of ccRCC patients. Regarding ccRCC tissues and the cell lines, upregulation expression of DLGAP5 was also detected. Its knockdown inhibited the cells viability and proliferation, and compromised the cells migration and invasion. Conclusions: DLGAP5 overexpression occurred in common human cancers, including the kidney cancers. Notably, ccRCC, seemed to be particularly sensitive to the expression. DLGAP5, therefore, may be as a robust independent prognostic biomarker in ccRCC diagnosis.
Non-Invasive Tool to Distinguish Between Acute Rejection and Stable Graft Function Using Urinary mRNA Signature Reflecting Allograft Status in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Seo Jung-Woo , Lee Yu-Ho , Tae Dong Hyun , Park Seon Hwa , Moon Ju-Young , Jeong Kyung Hwan , Kim Chan-Duck , Chung Byung Ha , Park Jae Berm , Kim Yeong Hoon , Seok Junhee , Joo Sun Hyung , Lee Seung Whan , Lee Sang-Ho
Published: December 2020

Background: Urine has been regarded as the best resource based on the assumption that urine can directly reflect the state of the allograft or ongoing injury in kidney transplantation. Previous studies, suggesting the usefulness of urinary mRNA as a biomarker of acute rejection, imply that urinary mRNA mirrors the transcriptional activity of the kidneys. Methods: We absolutely measured 14 data-driven candidate genes using quantitative PCR without pre-amplification in the cross-sectional specimens collected from Korean kidney transplant patients. We developed a clinical application model adopting urinary mRNAs for allograft rejection using a binary logistic regression and finally verified its usefulness in a large-scale validation group.Results: We measured the candidate genes in 103 training samples. Expression of 8/14 genes were significantly different between acute rejection and stable graft function with normal pathology and long-term graft survival. Also, CXCL9 was distinctly expressed in allografts with acute rejection in in situ hybridization analysis. This result, consistent with the qPCR result, implies that urinary mRNA could reflect the magnitude of allograft injury. We developed AR prediction model by differently combined mRNAs and the area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.89 in training set. The model was validated in 391 independent samples, and the AUC of the model was 0.84 with a fixed manner. In addition, the decision curve analysis indicated a range of reasonable threshold probabilities for biopsy. Conclusions. Therefore, we suggest urinary mRNA signature may serve as a non-invasive monitoring tool of acute rejection and intragraft immune injury.
Global and Regional Prevalence and Burden of Latent and Acute Toxoplasmosis in People Living With HIV: an Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Rostami Ali , Riahi Seyed Mohammad , Sagha Shayan Abdollahzadeh , Taghipour Ali , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Afroozi Mousa Mohammadnia , Gamble Ray
Published: December 2020

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection is one of the most prevalent opportunistic and life-threatening infections in people living with HIV (PLWH). Here, we undertook a meta-analysis to estimate the global prevalence of latent (LT) and acute (AT) toxoplasmosis in PLWH.Methods: Eligible studies reporting the prevalence of LT or AT in PLWH were searched from January 1980 to July 2020, using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Sciences, SciELO and Embase databases. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and evaluated overall burden of co-infection worldwide. Countries were categorised based on World Health Organization regions. Multiple subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed.Results: From 4,024 studies identified, 150 (involving 44,473 PLWH) and 65 (involving 17,705 PLWH) studies met the inclusion criteria, for LT and AT in PLWH, respectively. The overall prevalence rates of LT and AT in PLWH were 37.4% (95% CI, 33.4–4.4) and 1.3% (95%CI, 0.9–1.8%), respectively. We estimated that, worldwide, approximately 14.2 and 0.5 million PLWH are affected by LT and AT, respectively. The highest and lowest burden of LT and AT were seen in the African and Western Pacific regions, respectively. Moreover prevalence rates were highest in countries with low levels of income and human development indexes. We indicated that eating raw/undercooked meat, frequent contact with soil, low numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes and older age were significant risk factors of toxoplasmosis in PLWH.Conclusion: Our findings revealed that, a high number of PLWH are exposed to or infected with T. gondii. These findings suggest a need for more routine testing, care of, and treatment for T. gondii infection in all PLWH, and educating these patients about risk factors and preventive measures to reduce the burden of both latent and acute toxoplasmosis.
Risk factors for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after pediatric liver transplantation in China
Authors: Liu Li-min , Deng Zhao-hui , Yang Kai-hua , Zhou Tao , Gu Guang-xiang
Published: December 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the risk factors associated with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after liver transplantation in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of patients treated and followed up at Shanghai Children's Medical Center between January 2012 and January 2019. Twenty-four patients with PTLD were enrolled in this study using a 1:2 pairing design. Each case was matched with two controls that had undergone liver transplantation within the same year but did not develop PTLD during the follow-up period. A total of 72 patients were included in this study.Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, tacrolimus blood concentration, Platelet (PTL), Aspartate aminotransferase(AST),Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Cholesterol(CHOL).Multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed that EBV infection was an independent risk factor for PTLD.Conclusions: EBV infection is an independent risk factor for PTLD. When uncontrolled proliferation of EBV occurs after organ transplantation, the dosage of immunosuppressive agents should be appropriately reduced.
Factors associated with an inadequate volume of expressed milk among mothers of preterm and low birth weight neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive CcareUnits of Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: kedida misgana hirpha , Asfaw Hussen Mekonnen , Fenta Fikirtemariam Abebe
Published: December 2020

Background

Globally among live births born annually about 15 million are born prematurely before 37 completed weeks. Born preterm is one factor for suboptimal breastfeeding. This study aimed to identify factors associated with an inadequate volume of expressed milk among mothers of preterm and Low Birth Weight neonates in Neonatal Intensive Care Units of government hospitals in Addis Ababa.
Methods

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in government hospitals providing Neonatal Intensive Care Units on a total of 124 mothers who were available in Neonatal Intensive Care Units during the study period.
Results

About one-third of the respondents (33.9%) were not able to express the required amount of milk. Stable health status of a baby (AOR = 0.24; CI = 0.07 to 0.86), the fair (subcritical) health status of a baby (AOR = 0.18; CI = 0.04 to 0.76), worry about volume milk (AOR = 3.51; CI = 1.40 to 8.80) and worry about the health status of the baby (AOR = 3.88; CI = 1.61 to 9.90) were significantly associated with an inadequate volume of expressed breast milk
Conclusions

The present study revealed that 33.9% of mothers were not able to express an adequate amount of milk. To promote an adequate amount of expressed breast milk health care providers have to alleviate the psychological problems of mothers in the Neonatal Intensive CcareUnits and providing all possible care to prevent deterioration of neonates.
Metadichol®, a Novel Nano Lipid Formulation that Inhibits SARS-COV-2 and a Multitude of Pathological Viruses in vitro
Authors: Raghavan Palayakotai
Published: December 2020

New pathogenic virus outbreaks, occurring with increasing regularity, are leading us to explore novel approaches, which will reduce the reliance on time-consuming vaccine modes to halt the outbreaks. The requirement is to find a universal approach to disarm any new and as yet unknown viruses as they appear. A promising approach could be targeting lipid membranes, which are common to all viruses and bacteria.The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) has reaffirmed the importance of interactions between components of the host cell plasma membrane and the virus envelope as a critical mechanism of infection. Metadichol®, a nano lipid emulsion, has been examined and shown to be a strong candidate to help stop the proliferation of SARS-COV-2.Naturally derived substances, such as long-chain saturated lipid alcohols, reduce the infectivity of various types of viruses, including coronaviruses such as SARS-COV-2, by modifying lipid-dependent attachment to human host cells. SARS-COV-2 uses the receptor ACE2 for entry and the serine protease TMPRSS2 for S protein priming.Metadichol®, a nano lipid formulation of long-chain alcohols, has been shown to inhibit TMPRSS2 (EC50 96 ng/ml). Compared to the inhibitor camostat mesylate (EC50 26000 ng/ml), it is 270 times more potent. Additionally, Metadichol® is also a extremely weak inhibitor of ACE2 at 31 µg/ml. Further a live virus assay in Caco2 cells, Metadichol® inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication with an EC90 of 0.16 µg/ml.
Barriers to the Adoption of Energy Efficiency Measures in Mostaganem, Algeria
Authors: Seddiki Mohammed , Bennadji Amar , Tehami Mohamed
Published: December 2020

The residential sector of Algeria consumes 29% of the total energy consumption. In order to reduce and address this consumption along with the challenges of climate change, the Algerian public policy considers energy efficiency investment measures (EEIMs) in the residential sector as a key factor. However, despite the recommendations and incitement measures from the government, the adoption of EEIMs of Algerian homeowners is too low. In 2018, EEIMs have been implemented in 4,000 houses. This number represents only 4% of the government's target which is the implementation of EEIMs in 100,000 houses per year. The present article, accordingly, attempts to explore the barriers to the adoption of EEIMs. To this effect, a questionnaire survey with 150 randomly selected Algerian single-family homeowners in Mostaganem area was used for the study. It was found that the five greatest barriers to the adoption of EEIMs were: (1) the lack of subsidies and rebates on energy efficient equipment, (2) the high initial prices of energy efficient equipment, (3) the lack of techniques and tools for
the estimation of saved energy, (4) the unwillingness to borrow money and (5) the difficulty of identifying, procuring, installing, operating and maintaining energy efficiency measures. The principal component analysis categorised 16 barriers around four components: (1) "Financial" barriers, (2) "Technological" barriers, (3) "Lack of time and knowledge" barriers and (4) "Attitude towards energy efficiency improvements" barriers. Finally, the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) analysis has shown that the perception of barriers to the adoption of EEIMs also differs in accordance with certain personal characteristics of the homeowner.
An Observational Study on Forest Landscape Conservation in Malaysia via the Establishment of Forestry Educational Centres
Authors: Hussein Mohd Kher , Mohd Yusof Mohd Johari , Jaafar Nor Syuriaty
Published: December 2020

The establishment of the forestry educational centre is a good effort made to protect and conserve the forest as well as assisting the public in understanding the landscape changes and sensitivity towards its sustainability. However, there are lacks of consciousness and obligation of the important of landscape conservation in the context of development planning that causes the problem of effective implementation of a conservation strategy exists. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss forest landscapes conservation, particularly in Malaysia with the objectives of to analyse the current landscape features of selected forestry educational centres and to increase awareness among the stakeholders on the importance of conserving and preserving forest landscape towards its sustainability. The study was conducted using two methods specifically via a case study where the Sultan Idris Shah Forestry Education Center (SISFEC) was selected and field observations were conducted to analyse the existing physical condition of the study site. Findings have indicated that SISFEC has successfully conserved the existing landscapes and delivered awareness and knowledge on forest conservation and preservation to the public through several activities such as forestry camps, nature walks, and environmental education programmes. On the other hand, the findings also suggested that the forestry management should give higher priority in maintaining the manmade landscape image of the forest and plan their activities well through good monitoring and efficient management planning which will ensure the site's sustainability in future.
A Review and Classification of Integrated Project Delivery Implementation Enablers
Authors: Kahvandi Zahra , Saghatforoush Ehsan , ZareRavasan Ahad , Viana Marina Lapa
Published: December 2020

In the current competitive and complex business environment, innovation in the construction industry is vital. In this sense, integrated project delivery is an emerging delivery system for construction projects; however, implementing this system requires some enablers to enhance its implementation. Until now, no study has been conducted to identify what enablers can lead to proper integrated project delivery implementation. Therefore, this study aims to identify and to classify integrated project delivery implementation enablers. In this study, a comprehensive list of integrated project delivery implementation enablers has been developed using an in-depth literature review. Besides, integrated project delivery project managers, employers, consultants, contractors and engineers participated in a survey. The obtained results were analysed using exploratory factor analysis method. Thus, the study findings illustrated that organisational enablers are considered essential enablers, followed by environmental, contractual and technical enablers. The significance of this research is the identification and classification of integrated project delivery implementation enablers, which will provide valuable information to develop integrated project delivery implementation strategies. Additionally, the results of this study can be a proper roadmap to support developing countries to adopt the integrated project delivery approach for project developments.
Categorization of case in case study research method: new approach
Authors: Ababacar Sy Diop Khalifa , Liu Ersi
Published: December 2020

This study was inspired by two of the leading papers in the case study method: Eisenhardt (1991) and Dyer and Wilkins (1991). The work of those authors could be considered a benchmark for research based on a case study. Additionally, this research comes as a complement to re-categorize case study research design. After reviewing those papers, the authors identified certain misunderstandings relative to when a case study should be addressed as single or multiple case studies. This study reviewed both recent and ancient research papers that used the case study research design in their investigations based on this misunderstanding. Thus, the previously identified misinterpretation of case study categorization is the gap this study filled. For this study, the case study research design was to be re-categorized to understand which case study design suits which research study. Accordingly, based on the identified gap, the study used secondary data to re-categorize the case study research design through a literature review method. As a result, the study identified three case study categories: single setting case study with single sub-case, single setting case study with multiple sub-cases, and multiple case studies. Consequently, the result re-categorizes single case study design into single sub-case and multiple sub-cases. This study makes recommendations through the proposed approach that filled the gap identified in the case study design categorization. In terms of adding to knowledge, this study’s proposed approach will augment the optimal use of case study research design by management, economics, and other disciplines’ researchers in the future.
Clinical case of a paradoxical embolism that caused an acute myocardial infarction after deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Larchikova Yu. V. , Ehrlikh A. D. , Smetanina I. N. , Zheltov N. Yu.
Published: December 2020

Paradoxical thromboembolism due to the presence of an patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a rather rare phenomenon, especially when an embolism results in acute myocardial infarction (MI). The presented clinical case of the paradoxical embolism is interesting for several reasons: firstly, the patient's primary disease was deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary artery thromboembolism (PATE); secondly, apparently, it was due to PATE and the subsequent overload of the right side of the heart that thelatent embolism became apparent; thirdly, the paradoxical embolism was apparently caused by the fragments of alarge thrombus stuck in PFO, fourthly, the current clinical situation was ambiguous with respect to medical decisions, primarily concerning antithrombotic therapy.
The effects of accounting knowledge, entrepreneurial traits, and subjective norms on the use of accounting information in investment decision making (case study on MSME actors in Gunungkidul Regency)
Authors: Rahmiyanti Firdha , Pratiwi Reza Adellya , Yuningrum Heny , Muyassarah Muyassarah
Published: December 2020

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of accounting knowledge, entrepreneurial traits, and subjective norms on the use of accounting information on making investment decisions of MSME actors in Gunungkidul Regency.Method - This study uses quantitative research methodology by purposive sampling. The gathered data in this study were processed using the SPSS program. This study was carried out on 20 February to 20 March 2020. The population in this study was businessmen of MSMEs in Gunungkidul Regency who had used accounting documentation. The research took 60 respondents as a sample of the study.  Result - This study resulted that the variables of accounting knowledge and entrepreneurial traits have a positive and significant effect on the use of accounting information in making investment decisions of MSME actors in Gunungkidul Regency; While the subjective norms variable does not have a positive and significant effect on the use of accounting information in making investment decisions of MSME actors in the Gunungkidul Regency.Implication - Future research can expand the object of research in several other regencies and can add other research variables.Originality - The researchers added an independent variable that is subjective norms and entrepreneurial traits, whereas the previous researchers only used accounting knowledge as the independent variable.
Cultural Mandate of Local Governance: Running in Place
Authors: Muzychuk V. Yu.
Published: December 2020

Atpresent, local governments are unable to fulfil their cultural mandate either in termsof their functionality, or in the context of the required funding, or in terms of the scaleand importance of tasks related to the development of culture. The article examines theproblem of the ability of local governments to address the cultural agenda: the contentof the network of municipal cultural institutions and ensuring the availability of culturalgoods for the general population. The actions of the state over the past three decades testifyto the implementation in Russia of managerial decisions that are extremely unfriendlyto the cultural sphere. Firstly, we are talking about the reform of the budgetary sector,marked by the optimization, unification and commercialization of cultural institutions anda reduction in the number of employees. Secondly, within the framework of the reform oflocal government, all responsibility for the functioning of the so-called grassroots level ofculture: public libraries, cultural and leisure institutions, local museums and art schools wastransferred to the municipal level without bringing the required amount of public funding.Thesituation is aggravated by the accumulated socio-economic problems of municipalities,whichreflected in the cultural sphere. A way out of the closed circle is seen in the revisionand a clear definition of the area of responsibility of local government bodies in the field ofculture and guaranteed public funding.