bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of PTH and corticotomy on implant movement under mechanical force
Authors: Kim Jiyeon , Kim Heon-Young , Kim Won-Ho , Kim Jin-Woo , Kim Minji
Published: November 2020

Background Osseointegrated implants are considered as clinically non-movable. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is known to play a significant role in the regulation of bone remodeling and in intermittent, low doses, result in osteoanabolic effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PTH and corticotomy, both under traction force, on osseointegrated implants.MethodsFour implants—two in each hemimandible—were placed in each of the three study mongrels. Each mongrels were designated as control, normal dose PTH (PTH-1), and high dose PTH (PTH-2) groups, with each groups further subdivided into non-surgery implant and surgery implant. After osseointegration, mechanical force with NiTi closed coil springs (500g) was applied around each implants. Corticotomy was performed around one of four implants in each mongrels. Parathyroid hormone was administered locally on a weekly basis for 20 weeks. Clinical movement of the implants were evaluated with the superimposed 3D- scanned data, bone- microarchitectural and histologic examinations. ResultsSuperimposition analysis showed continuous movement of the non-surgery implant of PTH-1 group. Movement was further justified with lowest bone implant contact (adjusted BIC; 44.77%) in histomorphometric analysis. Upregulation of bone remodeling around the implant was observed in the normal dose PTH group. In the surgery implants, the remarkably higher adjusted BIC compared to the non-surgery implants indicated increased bone formation around the implant surface. ConclusionThe results indicate that the catabolic and anabolic balance of osseointegrated implants in terms of bone remodeling can be shifted via various interventions including pharmacological, surgical and mechanical force. Clinical RelevanceUpregulated bone remodeling by PTH and corticotomy under continuous mechanical force showed the possible implications for the movement of osseointegrated dental implant.
Comparisons of Simulation Results between Passive and Active FSI Models for Left Ventricle in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Huang Xueying , Deng Long , Zuo Heng , Yang Chun , Song Yunhu , Lesperance Mary , Tang Dalin
Published: November 2020

Background. Patient-specific active Fluid-Structure Interactions (FSI) model is a useful approach to non-invasively investigate the hemodynamics in the heart. However, it takes a lot of effort to obtain the proper external force boundary conditions for active models, which heavily restrained the time-sensitive clinical applications of active computational models. Methods. The simulation results of 12 passive FSI models based on 6 patients’ pre-operative and post-operative CT images were compared with corresponding active models to investigate the differences in hemodynamics and cardiac mechanics between these models. Results. It was found that there was no significant difference in shear stress and pressure difference on mitral valve leaflet (MVL) between passive and active models, but a significant difference was found in wall stress on the inner boundary of left ventricle (Endocardium). It was also found that flow shear stress and pressure difference on the MVL were significantly decreased after successful surgery in both active and passive models.Conclusion. Our results suggested that the passive models may provide good approximated hemodynamic results at 5% RR interval, which is crucial for analyzing the initiation of systolic anterior motion (SAM). Comparing to active models, the passive models decrease the complexity of the modeling construction and the difficulty of convergence significantly. Therefore, with proper boundary conditions and sufficient clinical data, the passive computational model may be a good substitution model for the active model to perform hemodynamic analysis for left ventricle to investigate the mechanisms of the initiation of SAM.
HDAC2 inhibits EMT-mediated cancer metastasis by downregulating the long noncoding RNA H19 in colorectal cancer
Authors: Hu Xue-ting , Xing Wei , Zhao Rong-sen , Tan Yan , Wu Xiao-feng , Ao Luo-quan , Li Zhan , Yao Meng-wei , Yuan Mu , Guo Wei , Li Shang-ze , Yu Jian , Ao Xiang , xu xiang
Published: November 2020

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and epigenetic mechanisms promote metastasis. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important epigenetic regulators. Here, we elucidated a novel role of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in regulating EMT and CRC metastasis via ncRNA.Methods: The expression of HDACs in CRC was analyzed using the public databases and matched primary and metastatic tissues, and CRC cells with different metastatic potentials (DLD1, HCT116, SW480 and SW620). Microarray analysis was used to identify differential genes in parental and HDAC2 knockout CRC cells. EMT and histone modifications were determined using western blot and immunofluorescence. Migration ability was assessed by transwell assay, and metastasis was assessed in vivo using a tail vain injection. Gene expression and regulation was assessed by RT-PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter assays. Protein interaction was assessed by immunoprecipitation. Specific siRNAs targeting H19, SP1 and MMP14 were used to validate their role in HDAC2 loss induced EMT and metastasis.Results: Reduced HDAC2 expression was associated with poor prognosis in CRC patients and found in CRC metastasis. HDAC2 deletion or knockdown induced EMT and metastasis by upregulating the long noncoding RNA H19 (LncRNA H19). HDAC2 inhibited LncRNA H19 expression by histone H3K27 deacetylation in its promoter via binding with SP1. LncRNA H19 functioned as a miR-22-3P sponge to increase the expression of MMP14. HDAC2 loss strongly promoted CRC lung metastasis, which was suppressed LncRNA H19 knockdown. Conclusion: Our study supports HDAC2 as a CRC metastasis suppressor through the inhibition of EMT and the expression of H19 and MMP14.
Inhibition of Mitochondrial Carrier Homolog 2 (MTCH2) Suppresses Tumor Invasion and Enhances Sensitivity to Temozolomide in Malignant Glioma 
Authors: Yuan Qiuyun , Yang Wanchun , Zhang Shuxin , Li Tengfei , Zuo Mingrong , Zhou Xingwang , Li Junhong , Li Mao , Xia Xiaoqiang , Chen Mina , Liu Yanhui
Published: November 2020

Background: Malignant glioma exerts a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOs) to aerobic glycolysis, with suppressed mitochondrial functions. This phenomenon offers a proliferation advantage to tumor cells and decrease mitochondria-dependent cell death. However, the underlying mechanism for mitochondrial dysfunction in glioma is not well elucidated. MTCH2 is a mitochondrial outer membrane protein that regulates mitochondrial metabolism and related cell death. This study aims to clarify the role of MTCH2 in glioma.Methods: Bioinformatic analysis from TCGA and CGGA databases were used to investigate the association of MTCH2 with glioma malignancy and clinical significance. The expression of MTCH2 was verified from clinical specimens using real-time PCR and western blots in our cohorts. siRNA-mediated MTCH2 knockdown were used to assess the biological functions of MTCH2 in glioma progression, including cell invasion and temozolomide-induced cell death. Biochemical investigations of mitochondrial and cellular signaling alternations were performed to detect the mechanism by which MTCH2 regulates glioma malignancy.Results: Bioinformatic data from public database and our cohort showed that MTCH2 expression was closely associated with glioma malignancy and poor patient survival. Silencing of MTCH2 expression impaired cell migration/invasion and enhanced temozolomide sensitivity of human glioma cells. Mechanistically, MTCH2 knockdown may increase mitochondrial OXPHOs and thus oxidative damage, decreased migration/invasion pathways, and repressed pro-survival AKT signaling.Conclusion: Our work establishes the relationship between MTCH2 expression and glioma malignancy, and provides a potential target for future interventions.
Analysis of IL-1β, CXCL8, and TNF-α levels in the crevicular fluid of patients with periodontitis or healthy implants
Authors: Aleksandrowicz Paweł , Brzezińska-Błaszczyk Ewa , Kozłowska Elżbieta , Żelechowska Paulina , Borgonovo Andrea Enrico , AGIER JUSTYNA
Published: November 2020

Background: Our study aimed to assess the level of IL-1β, CXCL8, and TNF-α in peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) collected from patients with no clinical symptoms of mucositis or peri-implantitis and compare them with cytokine concentration in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) acquired from patients with healthy periodontium and those with varying severity of periodontitis.Methods: A total of 189 subjects were included in the study, and GCF/PISF samples were checked for IL-1β, CXCL8, and TNF-α levels using an ELISA test.Results: The IL-1β level in PISF in patients with implants was significantly lower than in GCF in patients with mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis. The CXCL8 level in PISF was considerably lower than in patients with moderate periodontitis. The TNF-α level in PISF in patients with implants was markedly higher compared to subjects with healthy periodontium or patients with mild periodontitis.Conclusion: Analysis of cytokine levels may help describe the pathogenesis and early diagnosis of peri-implantitis and prevision in high-risk patients.
Longitudinal analysis of cell-free mutated KRAS and CA 19-9 predicts survival following curative resection of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Hussung Saskia , Akhoundova Dilara , Hipp Julian , Follo Marie , Klar Rhena , Philipp Ulrike , Scherer Florian , von Bubnoff Nikolas , Duyster Justus , Börries Melanie , Wittel Uwe , Fritsch Ralph
Published: November 2020

Background: Novel biomarkers and molecular monitoring tools hold potential to improve outcome for patients following resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We hypothesized that the combined longitudinal analysis of mutated cell-free plasma KRAS (cfKRASmut) and CA 19-9 during adjuvant treatment and follow-up might more accurately predict disease course than hitherto available parameters. Methods: Between 07/2015 and 10/2018, we collected 134 plasma samples from 25 patients after R0/R1-resection of PDAC during adjuvant chemotherapy and post-treatment surveillance at our institution. Highly sensitive discriminatory multi-target ddPCR assays were employed to screen plasma samples for cfKRASmut. cfKRASmut and CA 19-9 dynamics were correlated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients were followed-up until 01/2020.Results: Out of 25 enrolled patients, 76% had undergone R0 resection and 48% of resected PDACs were pN0. 17/25 (68%) of patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 22.0 months, with 19 out of 25 (76%) patients relapsing during study period. Median RFS was 10.0 months, median OS was 22.0 months. Out of clinicopathologic variables, only postoperative CA 19-9 levels and administration of adjuvant chemotherapy correlated with survival endpoints. cfKRASmut. was detected in 12/25 (48%) of patients, and detection of high levels inversely correlated with survival endpoint. Integration of cfKRASmut and CA 19-9 levels outperformed either individual marker. cfKRASmut outperformed CA 19-9 as dynamic marker since increase during adjuvant chemotherapy and follow-up was highly predictive of early relapse and poor OS. Conclusions: Integrated analysis of cfKRASmut and CA 19-9 levels is a promising approach for molecular monitoring of patients following resection of PDAC. Larger prospective studies are needed to further develop this approach and dissect each marker`s specific potential.
How cognitive loads modulate the postural control of older women with low back pain ?
Authors: Ge Le , Yu Qiuhua , Wang Chuhuai , Huang Huanjie , Li Xin , Zhang ShanShan , Zhang SiYun
Published: November 2020

Background: The capacity of postural control is a key factor related to falling in older people, particularly in older women with low back pain (LBP). Cognitive involvement in postural control increases with age.However, most scholars have not considered different difficulty levels of cognitive loads when exploring the effects of cognition on postural control in older patients with LBP. The present study is to investigate how different levels of cognitive loads modulate postural control in older women with LBP. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Twenty older women with LBP were recruited into the LBP group, and 20 healthy older women without the history of LBP were recruited into the healthy control group. Balance parameters were computed to quantify postural control. All participants underwent the balance test , which required the participant to maintain stability during standing on a force platform with or without a concurrent cognitive task. The balance test included three levels of difficulties of posture tasks (eyes-open vs. eyes-closed vs. and one-leg stance) and three cognitive tasks (without cognitive task vs. auditory arithmetic task vs. serial-7s arithmetic task). Results: A repeated-measure analysis of variance (3 postural tasks × 3 congnitive tasks× 2 groups) testing the effects of the different congnitive task levels on the performance in different postural conditions.Older women with LBP had worse postural control (as reflected by larger center of pressure (COP) parameters) than control group regardless of postural or cognitive difficulties. Compared with the single task, the COP parameters of participants with LBP were larger during dual tasks, even though the difficulty level of the cognitive task was low. Larger COP parameters were shown only if the difficulty level of the cognitive task was high in control group. Correlations between sway area/sway length and the number of falls were significant in dual tasks. Conclusion: Our findings shed light on how cognitive loads modulate postural control for older women with LBP. Compared with control group, cognitive loads showed more disturbing effects on postural control in older women with LBP, which was associated with falling.
Statistical methods for the analysis of adverse event data in randomised controlled trials: a scoping review and taxonomy
Authors: Phillips Rachel , Sauzet Odile , Cornelius Victoria
Published: November 2020

BackgroundStatistical methods for the analysis of harm outcomes in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are rarely used, and there is a reliance on simple approaches to display information such as in frequency tables. We aimed to identify whether any statistical methods had been specifically developed to analyse prespecified secondary harm outcomes and non-specific emerging adverse events (AEs).MethodsA scoping review was undertaken to identify articles that proposed original methods or the original application of existing methods for the analysis of AEs that aimed to detect potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in phase II-IV parallel controlled group trials. Methods where harm outcomes were the (co)-primary outcome were excluded.Information was extracted on methodological characteristics such as: whether the method required the event to be prespecified or could be used to screen emerging events; and whether it was applied to individual events or the overall AE profile. Each statistical method was appraised and a taxonomy was developed for classification.ResultsForty-four eligible articles proposing 73 individual methods were included. A taxonomy was developed and articles were categorised as: visual summary methods (8 articles proposing 20 methods); hypothesis testing methods (11 articles proposing 16 methods); estimation methods (15 articles proposing 24 methods); or methods that provide decision-making probabilities (10 articles proposing 13 methods). Methods were further classified according to whether they required a prespecified event (9 articles proposing 12 methods), or could be applied to emerging events (35 articles proposing 61 methods); and if they were (group) sequential methods (10 articles proposing 12 methods) or methods to perform final/one analyses (34 articles proposing 61 methods). ConclusionsThis review highlighted that a broad range of methods exist for AE analysis. Immediate implementation of some of these could lead to improved inference for AE data in RCTs. For example, a well-designed graphic can be an effective means to communicate complex AE data and methods appropriate for counts, time-to-event data and that avoid dichotomising continuous outcomes can improve efficiencies in analysis. Previous research has shown that adoption of such methods in the scientific press is limited and that strategies to support change are needed.
Effect of different thermal stimuli on improving microcirculation in the contralateral foot
Authors: Ren Weiyan , Xu Liqiang , Zheng Xuan , Pu Fang , Li Deyu , Fan Yubo
Published: November 2020

Backgroud: The lower extremities of the body often suffer from impaired microcirculation, particularly in the elderly or people with underlying conditions such as diabetes. Especially for people suffering from peripheral vascular diseases, skin lesions or wearing an external fixator in one side of limbs, direct contact treatments are not suitable for them to improve microcirculation. Heating the contralateral limb has been reported to improve blood flow in the impaired limb. However, its effect on plantar microvascular responses has not been previously investigated. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore how heating by warm bath and infrared radiation affects the circulations in the contralateral foot. Twelve healthy adults participated in this study and were randomly assigned to either placing the left foot in a warm bath or exposing it to infrared radiation for 10 minutes intervention every other day. The skin temperature (Temp) and skin blood flow (SBF) in the second metatarsal head of the contralateral foot were measured before and after the intervention.Results: The results showed that both Temp (Bath: from 29.05±3.56 °С to 31.03±4.14 °С; Infrared: from 29.98±3.86 °С to 31.07±3.92 °С) and SBF (Bath: from 62.26±48.12 PU to 97.76±63.90 PU; Infrared: from 63.37±39.88 PU to 85.27±47.62 PU) in the contralateral foot were significantly increased after heating in both tests (P<0.05). However, the contralateral SBF increased for 5 minutes after heating in warm bath test, but only for 1 minute in infrared radiation test.Conclusions: The results of this study show that both heating methods are the effective at increasing contralateral Temp and SBF, but the warm bath has a stronger residual thermal effect.
Dietary protein is the strong predictor of coronary artery disease; a data mining approach
Authors: Soflaei Sara Saffar , Shamsara Elham , Sahranavard Toktam , Esmaily Habibollah , Moohebati Mohsen , Shabani Niloofar , Asadi Zahra , Tajfard Mohammad , Ferns Gordon A , Mobarhan Majid Ghayour
Published: November 2020

Backgrounds: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Diet is known to contribute to CAD risk, and the dietary intake of specific macro- or micro-nutrients might be potential predictors of CAD risk. Machine learning methods may be helpful in the analysis of the contribution of several parameters in dietary including macro- and micro-nutrients to CAD risk. Here we aimed to determine the most important dietary factors for predicting CAD.Methods: A total of 273 cases with more than 50% obstruction in at least one coronary artery and 443 healthy controls who completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were entered into the study. All dietary intakes were adjusted for energy intake. The QUEST method was applied to determine the diagnosis pattern of CAD.Results: A total of 34 dietary variables obtained from the FFQ were entered into the initial study analysis, of these variables 23 were significantly associated with CAD according to t-tests. Of these 23 dietary input variables, adjusted protein, manganese, biotin, zinc and cholesterol remained in the model. According to our tree, only protein intake could identify the patients with coronary artery stenosis according to angiography from healthy participant up to 80%. The dietary intake of manganese was the second most important variable. The accuracy of the tree was 84.36% for the training dataset and 82.94% for the testing dataset.Conclusion: Among several dietary macro- and micro-nutrients , a combination of protein, manganese, biotin, zinc and cholesterol could predict the presence of CAD in individuals undergoing angiography.
Comparison and Interpretation of Characteristics of Rhizosphere Microbiomes of Three Blueberry Varieties
Authors: zhang Yan , Wang Wei , Shen Zhangjun , Wang Jingjing , Chen Yajun , Wang Dong , Liu Gang , Han Maozhen
Published: November 2020

Background: Studies on the rhizosphere microbiome of various plants proved that rhizosphere microbiota carry out various vital functions, and can regulate the growth and improve the yield of plants. However, rhizosphere microbiome of commercial blueberry was only reported by a few study and remains elusive. Comparison and interpretation of the characteristics of rhizosphere microbiome of blueberry are remarkably important to maintain its health. Methods: Hence, we profiled the taxonomical, functional, and phenotypic compositions of rhizosphere microbial communities of 15 rhizosphere soil samples collected from three different blueberry varieties and five bulk soil samples, and compared our results with previous study focused on the rhizosphere microbiome of blueberry varieties. Results: Our results demonstrated significant differences in both alpha diversity and beta diversity of rhizosphere microbial communities of different blueberry varieties and bulk soil. The distribution patterns of taxonomical, functional, and phenotypic compositions of rhizosphere microbiome differ across the blueberry varieties. The rhizosphere microbial communities of three different blueberry varieties could be distinctly separated and 28 discriminative biomarkers were selected to distinguish these three blueberry varieties. Core rhizosphere microbiota for blueberry was identified, and it contained 201 OTUs, which were mainly affiliated with Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria. Moreover, the interactions between OTUs of blueberry rhizosphere microbial communities were explored by a co-occurrence network of OTUs from an ecological perspective. Conclusions: This pilot study explored the characteristics of blueberry’s rhizosphere microbial community, such as the beneficial microorganisms and core microbiome, and provided an integrative perspective on blueberry’s rhizosphere microbiome, which beneficial to blueberry health and production.
Factors Associated with Uptake of De-Worming Drugs During Pregnancy Among Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania; An Analysis of Data from the 2015-16 Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicators Survey
Authors: Yinglan Li , Bankanie Vicent , Moshi Fabiola Vincent
Published: November 2020

BackgroundUptake of deworming drugs is one of the important antenatal strategies in preventing anaemia in pregnancy. Little is known about the factors associated with uptake of the de-worming drugs. This study aimed at identifying the factors associated with the uptake of de-worming drugs during pregnancy among women of reproductive age.Method: The study used data from the 2015-16 Tanzania HIV Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicators Survey (2015-16 TDHS-MIS). A total of 6924 women of active reproductive age from 15 to 49 were included in the analysis. Both univariate and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with uptake of deworming drugs among women of reproductive age in Tanzania.Results: Majority of interviewed women 3864(60.1%) took deworming drug while a total of 2560(39.9%) did not take deworming drugs. After controlling for confounders, factors associated with uptake of deworming drugs were early antenatal booking, (AOR=1.404 at 95% CI=1.24-1.59,p<0.001); age group of a woman [20 to 34years (AOR=1.382 at 95% CI=1.125-1.696, p=0.002), more than 34years (AOR=1.287 at 95% CI=1.004-1.65, p=0.046)] age less than 20 years was a reference population; rural residence (AOR=1.53 at 95% CI=1.099-2.128,p=0.012); wealth index [middle (AOR=1.151 at 95% CI=1.003-1.32,p=0.044), rich (AOR=1.378 at 95% CI=1.185-1.602, p<0.001) poor was a reference population; level of education [higher level (AOR=2.455 at 95% CI=1.189-5.067,p=0.015)] no formal education was a reference population; parity [para 5 and above (AOR=0.993 at 95% CI=0.824-1.197,p<0.001)] para one was the reference population; zones [Mainland rural (AOR=0.439 at 95% CI=0.307-0.628,p<0.001), Zanzibar Island (AOR=0.22 at 95% CI=0.158-0.306, p<0.001) and Pemba Island AOR=0.493 at 95% CI=0.337-0.723, p<0.001.ConclusionFactors associated with uptake of deworming drugs were early antenatal booking, age group, rural residence, zonal residence, wealth index, level of education, and parity. Considering the outcomes of anaemia in pregnancy, clinicians should consider all the modifiable factors affecting the uptake of the deworming drugs during pregnancy to every woman of reproductive age before and after conception. Whenever possible, it should be done even beyond antenatal clinics.
Antenatal Care Users, Health Care Providers’ Perception and Experience on Antenatal Care Health Education: Qualitative Study at Five Public Health Centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Woldeyohannes Fikirte Woldeselassie , Modiba LM
Published: November 2020

Background: Providing antenatal care health education is one of the elements that promote the health of women by preventing pregnancy-related issues and assisting pregnant women to apprehend delivery preparedness and complications readiness plan. However, healthcare providers offer underprovided and too little information to women. Moreover, assessment of health care provider’s health education interventions in antenatal care services has not yet been studied in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to explore and describe perceptions and experiences of pregnant women and health care providers’ health education during antenatal care.Methods: A Qualitative phenomenological research design was used to explore the awareness and experience of pregnant women and health care providers of antenatal health education at deliberately selected health centers. Focused group discussions and key informant interviews were used to gather data using an interview guide from pregnant women and health care providers working at antenatal care from June 20-30, 2018 respectively.Results: The qualitative findings have shown that the provision of antenatal care health education is insufficient. Especially there is health care provider misunderstand birth preparedness and complication readiness health education. Factors such as time, work overload, and personal perceptions of health care professionals, women's duty at home, and a growing number of clients influence the delivery of antenatal care health education.Conclusions: In general antenatal care, health education provided by health professionals during antenatal care was inadequate and affected by various factors. Therefore, the researcher of this study recommends that policy makers and programmers to develop a strategy to strengthen health education in the antenatal care service that will contribute to health education is critical in the prevention of maternal mortality and morbidity related to pregnancy danger signs awareness problem.
Brain-Restricted mTOR Inhibition with Binary Pharmacology
Authors: Shokat Kevan , Zhang Ziyang , Fan Qi-Wen , Luo Xujun , Lou Kevin , Weiss William
Published: November 2020

On-target-off-tissue drug engagement is an important source of adverse effects that constrains the therapeutic window of drug candidates. In diseases of the central nervous system, drugs with brain-restricted pharmacology are highly desirable. Here we report a strategy to achieve inhibition of mTOR while sparing mTOR activity elsewhere through the use of a brain-permeable mTOR inhibitor RapaLink-1 and brain-impermeable FKBP12 ligand RapaBlock. We show that this drug combination mitigates the systemic effects of mTOR inhibitors but retains the efficacy of RapaLink-1 in glioblastoma xenografts. We further present a general method to design cell-permeable, FKBP12-dependent kinase inhibitors from known drug scaffolds. These inhibitors are sensitive to deactivation by RapaBlock enabling the brain-restricted inhibition of their respective kinase targets.
Soil Quality Evaluation Under Different Land Use Types in Kersa Sub-watershed, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Tefera Yared Mulat , Tehaye kibebew Kibret , Bedadi Bobe Bobe , Kedir Muktar Mohammed
Published: November 2020

Background:soil quality, which can be inferred using indicators that interact synergistically, is affected by land use types and agricultural management practices. This study assessed the status of soil quality under three adjacent land uses (cultivated, grazing, and fallow) in Kersa sub watershed (622 ha). Soil samples were collected from the surface soil (0-20 cm depth) of the identified land uses with three replications and the soil quality parameters were analysed. A minimum data set of soil quality indicators were selected from physical, chemical, and biological parameters using the literature review and expert opinion method. Linear scoring functions were used to give unit less score for the selected data sets, which were then integrated into a soil quality index (SQI).Results:The results revealed that bulk density, aggregate stability, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), available P, and soil organic carbon(SOC) had a significant difference in SQI among the different land uses. The soil quality indices were 0.69 for grazing land, 0.62 for cultivated land, and 0.59 for the fallow land. The SQI of all the land uses fall in the intermediate soil quality (0.55 < SQI < 0.70) class.Conclusion:In almost all the quality indicators assessed, the grazing land was superior to the cultivated and fallow lands. Therefore, implementing management practices that enhance soil quality is imperative for sustainable agricultural production in the study area.
Mycorrhizal fungi transfer nitrogen from tree to maize in subsistence farmers' fields
Authors: Dierks Janina , Blaser-Hart Wilma , Gamper Hannes , Six Johan
Published: November 2020

Trees within farmers' fields can enhance systems' longer-term productivity e.g., via nutrient amelioration, which is indispensable to attain sustainable agroecosystems. While arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to improve plant access to soil nutrients, the potential of AMF to facilitate nutrient transfer from trees to crops is unclear. We used the 15N (nitrogen) natural abundance technique together with root and AMF exclusion plots to assess if Faidherbia albida (faidherbia) trees deliver N to maize via associated AMF in smallholder fields. We show, here, that within one cropping season, maize obtained approximately 35 kg biologically fixed N ha-1 from faidherbia and AMF significantly contribute to this transfer of N. One third of tree-derived N in maize leaves was attributed to transfer via AMF and two thirds were explained by tree leaf litter input. Thus, the faidherbia-AMF association can enhance agroecosystem functioning and as such, attain greater sustainability of low-input cropping systems.
Seroconversion for SARS-CoV-2 in rheumatic patients on synthetic and biologics Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Santana Felipe M , Lopes Jaqueline B , Perez Mariana O , Campana Gustavo , Levi José Eduardo , Lopes Flávia PPL , Gebara Otávio , Cobra Jayme F , Figueiredo Camille P
Published: November 2020

Introduction - To date, there is a lack of information on how immunomodulatory drugs for autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) impair humoral immune response following SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Hence, we examined anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM positivity in ARD patients on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).Methods - We conducted a prospective study with ARD patients on different synthetic or biologic DMARDs (sDMARDs or bDMARDs) and control patients without DMARDs. All patients underwent a clinical baseline interview. They were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM at baseline and three months later. Patients were monitored for incident respiratory symptoms during the follow-up. rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was performed for suspected COVID-19 infection. A univariate analysis was conducted according to antibody positivity to find significant associations for seroconversion.Results - We included one hundred patients for the analysis. Half of the patients who turned IgG positive in the study remained asymptomatic. All positive rRT-PCR patients showed seroconversion for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. A borderline significant association was found for bDMARD use in IgG-positive patients (42.9% vs. 19.8%, p=0.056). On the other hand, none of the patients on non-antimalarial sDMARD had detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG compared to 35.4% of the remainder of the sample, reaching borderline statistical significance (0.0% vs. 35.4%, p=0.050).Conclusions - Serology for COVID-19 yielded a 14% incidence in our sample, half evolving asymptomatically. Temporally withholding bDMARD therapy in ARD patients during the pandemic based on possible humoral response impairment is not suitable. sDMARD was associated with a lower incidence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG positivity, and further studies on this possible impact are warranted.
A Low-Power Biomimetic Crypto Engine for All-In-One IoT based on Programmable and Multifunctional MoS2 FETs
Authors: Dodda Akhil , Das Saptarshi
Published: November 2020

In the emerging era of internet of things (IoT), ubiquitous sensors continuously collect, consume, store, and communicate an astonishing volume of information, which are becoming increasingly vulnerable to theft and misuse. Modern software crypto systems are powerful but require extensive computational infrastructure for implementing ciphering algorithms making it difficult to be adopted by IoT edge sensors that operate with limited hardware resources and at miniscule energy budgets. Here we propose, and experimentally demonstrate a low-power, biomimetic, crypto system integrated with IoT edge sensor based on an array of atomically thin, multifunctional, and programmable MoS2 field effect transistors (FETs). We show that the information received by a MoS2 photodetector and encrypted by a population of MoS2 based reconfigurable artificial neural encoders is secure from an eavesdropper with finite resources. We also show that our all-in-one IoT platform consumes miniscule energy in the range of tens to hundreds of pico Joules, has a small hardware footprint, and combines sensing, non-volatile storage, and security, for the first time.
Health-promoting Carotenoids and Phenolics in 31 Capsicum Accessions
Authors: Guzman Ivette , Vargas Krystal , Chacon Francisco , McKenzie Calen , Bosland Paul W.
Published: November 2020

This study investigated the diversity of carotenoids and phenolics in germplasm from three Capsicum (chile pepper) species, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, and Capsicum chinense. Lutein, a yellow-pigmented carotenoid, and phenolics, a group of secondary metabolites, are reported to have health-promoting properties. The germplasm studied matured to a yellow color. The hypothesis was that all yellow fruits would contain either the carotenoid lutein, a yellow pigment, or a large amount of phenolics, a group of secondary metabolites that may be yellow among other colors. Thirty-one Capsicum accessions were grown in the field over a period of two seasons. On a dry weight (DW) basis, lutein ranged from 0.14 to 94.2 μg·g−1, and total phenolics ranged from 5.79 to 15.01 mg·g−1. No lutein was detected in one accession and β-carotene, another health-promoting compound, was lacking in four accessions. Accessions were grouped into four groups according to a principal component analysis plot. Results from this study indicate that in only nine accessions, lutein represented at least 50% of the total carotenoid amounts in each accession. These accessions are desirable not only as a source of dietary lutein, a natural yellow pigment, but also as genetic material that can be used to breed for higher lutein Capsicum. Therefore, yellow color is not a good indicator of lutein content and phytochemical analysis is required to determine the content of health-promoting compounds.
Normative and negative sexual experiences of transgender identifying adolescents in the community
Authors: Heino Elias , Fröjd Sari , Marttunen Mauri , Kaltiala Riittakerttu
Published: November 2020

Background:

Sexuality is a major facet of development during adolescence. Apace with normal sexual development, sexual experiences become more common and intimate. Recent research reports mixed results as to whether this is the case among transgender identifying adolescents. Recent research also suggests that trans youth experience negative sexual experiences (such as dating violence and sexual harassment) more often than their cisgender identifying peers. However, most studies have had clinical or selected samples.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to compare the normative as well as negative sexual experiences of trans youth with their cisgender peers in the general population.

Method:

Our study included 1386 pupils of the ninth year of comprehensive school in Finland, mean age (SD) 15.59 (0.41) years. We compared sexual experiences, sexual harassment and dating violence among trans youth and their cisgender identifying peers. Distributions of the outcome variables were calculated among the whole sample and by sex. Next, multivariate associations were studied using logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, honesty of responding and depression. Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) are given.

Results:

After adjusting for age, sex, honesty of responding and ultimately for depression, normative sexual experiences of trans youth did not differ systematically from those of the mainstream, cisgender identifying youth. After adjusting for sex, age and honesty, transgender youth had increased Odds Ratios for experiences of sexual coercion and dating violence perpetration. In the final models however, no statistically significant differences were detected in the negative sexual experiences between transgender and cisgender youth.

Conclusions:

Transgender identifying adolescents presented neither with delayed nor with excessively advanced sexual experiences. However, transgender youth seem to be more susceptible to subjection to sexual coercion and, unexpectedly, dating violence perpetration than their cisgender peers. However, these associations may in fact relate more closely to depression, a prevalent phenomenon among trans youth, than transgender identity itself.
Corporate life cycle and cash holding decisions: A South African study
Authors: Chireka Trust
Published: November 2020

The resource-based view theory suggests that as firms’ resource bases differ along the corporate life cycle, even corporate policies such as cash holdings vary along the life cycle. This study seeks to understand the effect of firm’s life cycle on corporate cash holding behavior. Previous literature has sought to investigate the firm and institutional determinants of corporate cash holdings. Using the resource-based view theory, this study investigates whether corporate life cycle can be another determinant of corporate cash holdings. A panel data analysis of a sample of 112 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed firms from 2011 to 2018 is utilized to determine if firm’s life cycle does influence cash holding behavior. Dickinson’s cash flow analysis is used to proxy life cycle stages and control other known determinants of corporate cash holdings such as firm size, leverage, profitability, dividend payments, and growth opportunities. Contrary to other studies, this study finds no significant relationship between life cycle stages and corporate cash holdings, suggesting that corporate cash holdings for South African firms are driven by other factors other than life cycle resource allocations. However, it is found that prior year cash balances, firm size, and profitability have significant positive relationships with cash holdings. It is also found that liquid asset substitutes, leverage, and investment opportunities exert a significant and negative influence on corporate cash holdings.
Rehabilitation of patients with facial nerve injuries after neurosurgical treatment
Authors:   Russian Neurosurgical Institute of A. L. Polenov — branch of the National Medical and Investigative Centre of prof. V. A. Almazov, Zharova Elena , Bondarenko Anastasia ,   Russian Neurosurgical Institute of A. L. Polenov — branch of the National Medical and Investigative Centre of prof. V. A. Almazov, Vershinina Elena ,   Institute of physiology of I. P. Pavlov of the Russian Academy of Sciences,   Institute of regional economy problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Titova Olga ,   Russian Neurosurgical Institute of A. L. Polenov — branch of the National Medical and Investigative Centre of prof. V. A. Almazov, Talnishnih Natalia ,   Russian Neurosurgical Institute of A. L. Polenov — branch of the National Medical and Investigative Centre of prof. V. A. Almazov
Published: November 2020

The facial nerve is most often, as compared with other cranial nerves, damaged due to surgical interventions. In the first place, as the cause of iatrogenic damage, is neurosurgical treatment for neoplasms of the ponto-cerebellar angle and temporal bone, brain injuries. The neuropathy of the facial nerve is the cause of neurological and cosmetic defects that have a serious traumatic effect on the patient. The psychological consequences of facial neuropathy are more important for the patient than physical damage. Paresis of mimic muscles cannot be hidden and often leads to social maladjustment, isolation and a marked reduction in the quality of life. Facial neuropathy, in most cases, is not a life-threatening condition, but it definitely changes the patient’s life. This article proposes an effective rehabilitation system, tested on 172 patients with facial nerve damage after neurosurgical treatment. The combined use of physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic gymnastics, including posture treatment with taping, during the early period of the disease, allows restoring nerve function and maintaining mimic muscles, as well as avoiding undesirable complications such as pathological synkinesis and corneal atrophy.
Acessibilidade Informacional à Pessoa com Deficiência Visual através do Livro Falado
Authors: Fonseca Grasielle Lopes Menezes da , Lima Neuza Rejane Wile
Published: November 2020

As pessoas com deficiência visual precisam ser atendidas com recursos que contemplem os processos educacionais, culturais e políticos e, assim, é fundamental que se desenvolvam estratégias para que essas pessoas se tornem cidadãs críticas, comprometidas e atuantes em uma sociedade democrática, independente da deficiência. O estudo tem como objetivo elaborar, validar e distribuir o Manual de Produção do Livro Falado para orientar a gravação de textos em áudio, visando traçar orientações aos professores e profissionais da educação inclusiva. O Manual trará uma orientação atual e consonante com a utilização apropriada pelo usuário do produto, a pessoa com deficiência visual. A metodologia deste estudo foi qualitativa, a partir de investigação bibliográfica, histórica, documental e de campo. O Manual foi validado por meio de questionário, respondido por 12 participantes de três Oficinas de Gravação Digital de Livros em Áudio oferecidas no Instituto Benjamin Constant entre 2018 e 019. O Manual produzido será disponibilizado gratuitamente no formato de E-book. Esses produtos agregam experiência às perspectivas da diversidade e inclusão na área da deficiência visual e são fundamentais para o desenvolvimento de um trabalho cada vez melhor com recursos de tecnologia assistiva
Hydrogel: A Promising Material in Pharmaceutics
Authors: Waseeq Ur Rehman  , Asim Muhammad , Hussain Shah , Khan Shahid Ali , Khan Sher Bahadar
Published: November 2020

Hydrogels are natural or synthetic polymeric networks, insoluble in water, or sometimes found as
colloidal gel where the dispersion medium is water. Hydrogels can absorb approximately 90% water and are
regarded as superabsorbent materials; hence these resemble the natural living tissues more than any other biological-
based materials. Because of their ability to absorb water, they are used to investigate the properties of
swollen polymer networks and have wide applications in different fields such as contact lenses, drug delivery
systems for proteins, and many others. To make them biodegradable, labile chemical bonds are introduced in
the main backbone through crosslinking. These unstable bonds can then be broken down by various agents
chemically, physically, or enzymatically, generally by hydrolysis or through some controlled parameters. Hydrogels
are frequently used in the medical field. For instance, pH and temperature-sensitive hydrogels may be
used in the targeted drug delivery which have been explained in detail in the current review. The other applications
of hydrogels are also explained with regard to personal health care products, biomedical, bio-separation,
wound healing, tissue engineering, and drug delivery, etc., which make them promising materials in pharmaceutics.
They are also used in agriculture and environmental remediation. The purpose of this review is to expose
their salient features and biomedical applications.
COVID-19 and Domestic Animals: Exploring the Species Barrier Crossing, Zoonotic and Reverse Zoonotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Harilal Seetha , Al-Sehemi Abdullah G. , Pannipara Mehboobali , Behl Tapan , Mathew Githa E. , Mathew Bijo
Published: November 2020

Background:

To date, more than thirty animals have been tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; all of
them infected by humans with COVID-19. Some animal experiments suggested the possibility of animal to animal
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 that was seen in some cases of infected animals. Animal to human transmission
was considered unlikely until investigations revealed the possibility of mink to human transmission of
SARS-CoV-2 in the Netherlands.

Objective:

The current study aims at highlighting the predominance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in various animal
species, reverse zoonotic transmission and proposing possible animal models that might aid in the study
and development of a vaccine against Covid-19.

Methods:

The authors have gathered information on various animal species infected with SARS-CoV-2 and
possible tests conducted via online news reports, websites and Scopus indexed journals.

Results:

The study of the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 to domestic animals concluded that pigs, chicken, and
ducks were not vulnerable to Covid-19; dogs showed less susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and cats as well as ferrets
were seen susceptible to Covid-19. SARS-CoV-2 has been seen crossing the species barrier, infecting humans
from the wild with the yet unclear source, spreading from humans to humans quickly, humans to animals,
animals to animals, and is likely to spread from animals to humans even though minimally. Animals appear
somewhat resistant to SARS-CoV-2 transmission compared to humans who globally crossed eight million infection
cases, and the infected animals mostly do not show many complications and recover quickly.

Conclusion:

Precautions are advised to prevent human to animal transmission of the virus, and in some areas,
to avoid animal to human spread of the virus. Further monitoring is required to assess the SARS-CoV-2 infection
in animals as COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving condition worldwide. Cats and ferrets have physiological
resemblance and genome sequencing studies propose the possibility of these species to be used as animal models
for investigating the SARS-CoV-2 infection and this might aid in further studies and vaccine development
against Covid-19.