bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metrics for assessing overall performance of inland waterway ports : a Bayesian Network based approach
Authors: Hossain Niamat Ullah Ibne , Nur Farjana , Jaradat Raed , Hosseini Seyedmohsen , Marufuzzaman Mohammad , Puryear Stephen , Buchanan Randy
Published: May 2021

Because ports are considered to be the heart of the maritime transportation system, thereby assessing port performance is necessary for a nation’s development and economic success. This study proposes a novel metric, namely, “port performance index (PPI)”, to determine the overall performance and utilization of inland waterway ports based on six criteria, port facility, port availability, port economics, port service, port connectivity, and port environment. Unlike existing literature, which mainly ranks ports based on quantitative factors, this study utilizes a Bayesian Network (BN) model that focuses on both quantitative and qualitative factors to rank a port. The assessment of inland waterway port performance is further analyzed based on different advanced techniques such as sensitivity analysis and belief propagation. Insights drawn from the study show that all the six criteria are necessary to predict PPI. The study also showed that port service has the highest impact while port economics has the lowest impact among the six criteria on PPI for inland waterway ports.
Exploratory analysis of the position of Chinese cities as international tourism hubs: product destination versus business environment internationalization
Authors: Feng Xiang , Derudder Ben , Zhu Xiaochuan , Zhou Haixia
Published: May 2021

This paper measures the level of tourism internationalization of 50 major cities in Mainland China by analyzing their connectivity as international tourism hubs. A typology of cities is presented based on a comparison of their ‘product destination internationalization’ and ‘business environment internationalization’ in the tourism sector. Results are interpreted in the context of three dimensions of the internationalization of the Chinese economy: the imbalanced development of the space-economy; the uneven impact of policy plans and mechanisms; and the imprint of spatio-political hierarchies. We discuss how this study can be complemented with research using other spatial imageries, and used as the starting point for further comparative studies on tourism internationalization in other geographical contexts.
STING protects against cardiac dysfunction and remodelling by blocking autophagy
Authors: Xiong Rui , Li Ning , Wang Wei , Wang Bo , Jiang Wenyang , Geng Qing
Published: May 2021

Background

Heart failure, which is characterized by cardiac remodelling, is one of the most common chronic diseases in the aged. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) acts as an indispensable molecule modulating immune response and inflammation in many diseases. However, the effects of STING on cardiomyopathy, especially cardiac remodelling are still largely unknown. This study was designed to investigate whether STING could affect cardiac remodelling and to explore the potential mechanisms.
Methods

In vivo, aortic binding (AB) surgery was performed to construct the mice model of cardiac remodelling. A DNA microinjection system was used to trigger STING overexpression in mice. The STING mRNA and protein expression levels in mice heart were measured, and the cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation and cardiac function were also evaluated. In vitro, cardiomyocytes stimulated by Ang II and cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by TGF-β to performed to further study effects of STING on cardiac hypertrophy and fibroblast. In terms of mechanisms, the level of autophagy was detected in mice challenged with AB. Rapamycin, a canonical autophagy inducer, intraperitoneal injected into mice to study possible potential pathway.
Results

In vivo, the STING mRNA and protein expression levels in mice heart challenged with AB for 6 weeks were significantly increased. STING overexpression significantly mitigated cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammation, apart from improving cardiac function. In vitro, experiments further disclosed that STING overexpression in cardiomyocytes induced by Ang II significantly inhibited the level of cardiomyocyte cross-section area and the ANP mRNA. Meanwhile, TGF-β-induced the increase of α-SMA content and collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts could be also blocked by STING overexpression. In terms of mechanisms, mice challenged with AB showed higher level of autophagy compared with the normal mice. However, STING overexpression could reverse the activation of autophagy triggered by AB. Rapamycin, a canonical autophagy inducer, offset the cardioprotective effects of STING in mice challenged with AB. Finally, further experiments unveiled that STING may inhibit autophagy by phosphorylating ULK1 on serine757.
Conclusions

STING may prevent cardiac remodelling induced by pressure overload by inhibiting autophagy, which could be a promising therapeutic target in heart failure.
Preparation of Cellulose-based fluorescent materials as coating pigment by use of reversible DMSO/DBU/CO2 system
Authors: Cao Qinghua , Dai Jinyue , Bao Xin , Zhang Zhenyu , Liu Fei , Feng Yuhong , Na Haining , Zhu Jin
Published: May 2021

A series of cellulose-based fluorescent materials are prepared under relative mild conditions by use of the reversible DMSO/DBU/CO2 system to utilize as coating pigments. Through the observation under 365nm UV light, the cellulose-based fluorescent materials exhibit good fluorescence response and bright color. Furthermore, due to the limitation of the molecular skeleton of cellulose, the intrinsic aggregation caused quenching phenomenon commonly existed in conventional organic fluorescent pigments can be effectively inhibited, which is very helpful to retain good fluorescence response in epoxy-based coating material and its coating films. Moreover, the addition of cellulose-based fluorescent materials also increases the mechanical properties of the coating film. The increase of tensile strength and tensile modulus respectively reaches ~ 39% and ~ 66%. Solvent resistance and thermal property of the coating films generally remain unchanged. The fabrication of cellulose-based fluorescent materials in DMSO/DBU/CO2 system provides a feasible way to develop the functional application of cellulose.
Tropopause Folding Events to the East of Tibetan Plateau in Boreal Summer and their Remote Relation to the Circulation Anomalies over Northeastern Atlantic
Authors: Zhu Chuandong , Ren Rongcai
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the occurrence of tropopause folding (TF) events to the east of Tibetan Plateau (ETP) (TF–ETP) in boreal summer. Firstly, it is revealed that, anomalously frequent TF–ETP occurrence in summer, always corresponds to a significant dipole rainfall anomaly pattern over China, with negative rainfall anomalies over the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze and Yellow river valleys, and positive rainfall anomalies over eastern China. Secondly, the South Asian High (SAH) center over Tibetan Plateau (TP) is found to be anomalously stronger when occurrence of TF–ETP events is frequent. Further diagnosis indicates that, the TF–ETP occurrence is related to an eastward propagating Rossby wave train (RWT) that originates from a barotropic low anomaly center over the northeastern Atlantic (NEA) about one–week before. The RWT propagates downstream via Western Europe, the west of Baikal and down to East Asia along the mid-latitude westerlies, and is connected to a high anomaly center over the north rim of TP, which enhances the SAH center over TP. The enhanced SAH in turn favors the southward and downward PV intrusion and the subsequent occurrence of TF–ETP. Furthermore, the low anomaly center that initiates the RWT is related to dynamical forcing of transient eddy activity over the NEA, which induces the low via eddy-forced upper divergence and its pumping. Finally, such local and remote processes are confirmed in a typical TF–ETP case. The ERA–Interim daily fields during 1979–2018 is used.
Temporal Stability Analysis for the Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Surface Water Quality
Authors: Zhang Xiaobin , Ma Ligang , Zhu Yihang , Lou Weidong , Xie Baoliang , Sheng Li , Hu Hao , Zheng Kefeng , Gu Qing
Published: May 2021

Better characterizing the spatio-temporal pattern of water quality would increase the ability to effectively manage water resources. This study applied the concept of temporal stability analysis (TSA) to explore the temporal characteristics of spatial variability in surface water quality. Monitoring data from 41 monitoring stations in Qiantang River, China for 2017–2019 were used to assess four indicators: dissolved oxygen (DO), permanganate index (CODMn), total phosphorus (TP), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N). A Spearman’s rank correlation for each pair of monitoring times demonstrated that the spatial pattern of water quality was maintained for a specific period of time. The TP concentration was most temporally stable compared with the other three indicators across the study area. A temporal analysis of relative differences was applied to examine the temporal stability of the sampling sites. The mean concentrations, with acceptable errors, were estimated from the representative sites identified for the four water quality indicators. Different metrics were assessed to identify the temporally stable sites. The standard deviation of the relative difference (SDRD) and index of temporal stability (ITS) were found to be better for identifying the stable sites compared to the mean absolute bias error (MABE) and root mean square error (RMSE) in this study. A correlation analysis between the temporal stability indices and potential influencing factors showed that land use proportions (forest, built-up land, and agricultural land), and socio-economic indicators (gross domestic product [GDP] and population density) were closely associated with the temporal stability of water quality. The results showed evidence that the TSA method was feasible and effective in identifying the temporal stability of surface water quality and optimizing the water quality monitoring program. This study’s method and findings can help improve surface water quality monitoring strategies and water resource management.
Development of a Novel Fuzzy Logic-Based Wetland Risk Assessment Approach for the Management of Freshwater Wetland Ecosystems
Authors: Hasani Sajad Soleymani , Mojtahedi Alireza , Reshadi Mir Amir Mohammad
Published: May 2021

In the present study, a new wetland risk assessment approach based on the fuzzy inference system (FIS) was developed and proposed for the first time to improve the traditional ESCOM's wetland classification and risk assessment index (WCRAI). As two of the twenty-five Iranian wetlands of international importance, the Kani Barazan and Choghakhor wetlands were selected as the study areas due to their significant roles in protecting the biodiversity of their regions. The wetlands are supported by the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands to mandate and encourage the local authorities for their conservation and sustainable exploitation. In this regard, the Iranian Department of Environment, in cooperation with UNDP/GEF, selected these wetlands to demonstrate new approaches to managing the wetland areas protected by the Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP). A real-time wetland monitoring station with hydrological instruments, including water level, air temperature, air humidity, and water quality multi-parameter sensors recording water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen, was implanted at the deepest part of both wetlands. The manual sampling of water quality parameters was also carried out periodically during specific time intervals. The relative importance of the wetland health indicators involved in the FIS was determined using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). In turn, the health level categories of both wetlands were assessed using the traditional and proposed wetland risk assessment approaches. The efficiency of the proposed method was evaluated with the considered scenarios, and it was shown to be a more flexible and appropriate approach for wetland health assessment. Furthermore, the observed differences between the health level categories of the first case study indicated the importance of using the AHP-FIS method to improve the traditional ESCOM's WCRAI.
Capacity and Modeling of Acid Blue 113 Dye Adsorption onto Chitosan Magnetized by Fe2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Al-Musawi Tariq , Mengelizadeh Nezamaddin , AL-Rawi Orabi Shareef , Balarak Davoud
Published: May 2021

A chitosan polymer was magnetized by coating with magnetite Fe2O3 nanoparticles, and the resultant material (C–Fe2O3) was first characterized through scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy–dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and point of zero charge analyses. C–Fe2O3 was then employed as a separable and efficient adsorptive agent to remove acid blue 113 (AB113) dye from aqueous solution. The removal efficiency was optimized at different environmental parameter values (pH: 3–11, C–Fe2O3 dose: 0.1–1 g/L, initial AB113 dye concentration: 10–100 mg/L, adsorption time: 0–300 min, and temperature: 388–318 K). Under optimum conditions, an AB113 dye removal efficiency of 99.68% was achieved. In addition, the effect of the presence of NaCl, NaNO3, Na2CO3, and MgSO4 ions on the AB113 dye removal efficiency could be ranked as NaCl > NaNO3 > MgSO4 > Na2CO3. The statistical analysis using the coefficient of determination, root mean square error, chi-square test, sum of squared errors, and average relative error showed that the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order equations were the best mathematical models for fitting the isothermal and kinetics data. Further kinetics analyses showed that the adsorption of AB113 molecules on C–Fe2O3 active sites was dominated by the intraparticle diffusion process. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the AB113 dye adsorption process was favorable, endothermic, and spontaneous. Furthermore, an increase in temperature had a positive impact on AB113 dye removal. The regeneration study confirmed the excellent shelf life of C–Fe2O3, with only a slight loss in the removal efficiency (< 7%) being detected after six operational cycles of AB113 dye adsorption. Compared with other adsorbents, C–Fe2O3 was more effective for the adsorption of AB113 dye, with an adsorption uptake up to 128 mg/g.
Natural Resources, Institutional Quality and Financial Development in GCC Member Countries: Visiting ‘Resource Curse Hypothesis’ by DCCE Estimation
Authors: Faheem Muhammad , Chaudhry Imran Sharif , Hussain Sadam
Published: May 2021

The main purpose of the study is to check whether natural resource rent affects the financial development or supporting resource curse hypothesis by employing a recently developed estimation technique by Chudik and Pesaran (2015) over 1985 to 2017 in GCC member countries. The novelty of this methodology is to consider structural breaks and the heterogeneity issues that are common in panel data. The results of DCCE estimates are in support of resource hypothesis that natural resource rent hurt financial development. Additionally, this study takes moderation of institutional quality to check the threshold point or turning point where natural resource rent effect becomes positive. Our results of interaction term postulate that a higher level of institutional quality mitigates the adverse effect of natural resource rent on financial development. The study results recommend the policy of natural resource rent in the presence of high institutional quality should continue because it improves the financial development in GCC member countries.
Bifurcation Analysis and H∞ Control of a Stochastic Competition Model with Time Delay
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Jing
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we study a stochastic competition model with time delay and harvesting.We first simplify it through the stochastic center manifold reduction principle and stochastic averaging method as a one-dimensional Markov diffusion process. Singular boundary theory and an invariant measure are applied to analyze stochastic stability and bifurcation. The T-S fuzzy model of the system is constructed, and the H∞ fuzzy controller is designed to eliminate the bifurcation phenomenon through a linear matrix inequality approach. Numerical simulation is used to demonstrate our results.
Fixed-time formation tracking for multiple nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots based on distributed observer
Authors: Sun Fenglan , Li Hao , Zhu Wei , Kurths Jürgen
Published: May 2021

This paper studies the distributed fixed-time formation tracking problem of multiple nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots system over directed fixed and switching topologies. Through a classical nonlinear transformation, the formation control problem is transformed into a consensus problem. New control protocols based on a distributed observer are proposed. The communication topology between multiple nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots is directed, which can reduce the energy loss of communication. Some sufficient conditions of multiple robots achieving the expected formation pattern are given. All follower robots can track the leader's trajectory, form the desired formation shape within a fixed settling time, and make the leader in the geometric center of the formation. By adopting graph theory, Lyapunov stability method and fixed time theory, one can obtain an upper bound of the settling time, and the settling time is independent of the system's initial states. Finally, two examples are presented to illustrate the potential correctness of the main results.
Candidemia in Internal Medicine: Facing The New Challenge
Authors: Brescini Lucia , Mazzanti Sara , Morroni Gianluca , Pallotta Francesco , Masucci Annamaria , Orsetti Elena , Montalti Roberto , Barchiesi Francesco
Published: May 2021

Candidemia is an alarming problem in critically ill patients including those admitted in Internal Medicine Wards (IMWs). Here, we analyzed all cases of candidemia in adult patients hospitalized over nine years (2010–2018) in IMWs of a 980-bedded University Hospital of Ancona, Italy. During the study period, 218/505 (43%) episodes of candidemia occurred in IMWs patients. The cumulative incidence was 2.5/1000 hospital admission and increased significantly over time (p = 0.013). Patients were predominantly male, with a median age of 68 years. Cardiovascular diseases and solid tumors were the most frequent comorbidities. Candida albicans accounted for 51% of the cases, followed by C. parapsilosis (25%), C. tropicalis (9%) and C. glabrata (7%). Thirty-day mortality was 28% and did not increased significantly over time. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of neutropenia (OR 7.247 [CI95% 1,368 − 38,400; p = 0.020]), pneumonia (OR 2.323 [CI95% 1,105-4,884; p = 0.026]), and being infected with C. albicans (OR 2.642 [95% CI 1,223-5,708; p = 0.013) emerged as independent predictors of mortality. The type of antifungal therapy did not influence the outcome. Overall, these data indicate that patients admitted to IMWs are increasingly at higher risk of developing candidemia. Mortality rate remains high and significantly associated with both microbiologic- and host-related factors.
An RCT of a decision aid to support informed choices about taking aspirin to prevent colorectal cancer and other chronic diseases: A study protocol for the SITA (Should I Take Aspirin?) Trial
Authors: Milton Shakira , McIntosh Jennifer , Macrae Finlay , Chondros Patty , Trevena Lyndal , Jenkins Mark , Walter Fiona M. , Taylor Natalie , Boyd Lucy , Saya Sibel , Karnchanachari Napin , Novy Kitty , Forbes Carmody , Gutierrez Javiera Martinez , Broun Kate , Whitburn Sara , McGill Sarah , Fishman George , Marker Julie , Shub Max , Emery Jon
Published: May 2021

Background: Australian guidelines recommend that all people aged 50-70 years old actively consider taking daily low-dose aspirin (100–300mg per day) for 2.5 to 5 years to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite the change of national CRC prevention guidelines, there has been no active implementation of the guidelines into clinical practice. We aim to test the efficacy of a health consultation and decision aid, using a novel expected frequency tree (EFT) to present the benefits and harms of low dose aspirin prior to a general practice consultation with patients aged 50-70 years, on informed decision-making and uptake of aspirin. Methods: Approximately five to seven general practices in Victoria, Australia will be recruited to participate. Patients 50-70 years old, attending an appointment with their general practitioner (GP) for any reason, will be invited to participate in the trial. Two hundred fifty-eight eligible participants will be randomly allocated 1:1 to intervention or active control arms using a computer-generated allocation sequence stratified by general practice, sex, and mode of trial delivery (face-to-face or teletrial). There are two co-primary outcomes: informed decision-making at one-month post randomisation, measured by the Multi-dimensional Measure of Informed Choice (MMIC), and self-reported daily use of aspirin at six months. Secondary outcomes include decisional conflict at one-month and other behavioural changes to reduce CRC risk at both time points. Discussion: This trial will test the efficacy of novel methods for implementing national guidelines to support informed decision-making about taking aspirin in 50-70-year-olds to reduce risk of CRC and other chronic diseases.
How to Support the In Vitro Culture of Human Ovarian Cells and Follicles? A Preliminary Step for Assembling an Artificial Ovary
Authors: Moshrefi Mojgan , Aflatoonian Abbas , Ghasemi-Esmailabad Saeed , Karimi-Zarchi Mojgan , Sadeghian-Nodoushan Fatemeh , Shahmohamadi Sajad , nikukar Habib
Published: May 2021

BackgroundThe first step in assembling an artificial ovary is supporting the in vitro growth of ovarian cells/follicles. Therefore, proliferation of granulosa or cumulus cells (CCs) is important and due to limited proliferation, improving the mediums for in vitro propagation of these cells is helpful. ObjectiveThis study aimed to characterized the appropriate media and supplements for in vitro culture of ovarian cells (OCs) and CCs. Material & MethodsCortical, medullar and hilar cells of ovary were cultured and their conditioned medium (CMs) collected. The expression of GDF9, as a key factor for ovarian follicular growth, was evaluated. CCs were collected from healthy women, who referred due to male factor infertility. To choose the optimum basal medium, a mixture of OCs was cultured with basal mediums, supplemented with two concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and human serum albumin (HSA). The cocktails were as follows: [Serum free mediums], [mediums+10%FBS], [mediums+20%FBS], [mediums+1%Alb)], [mediums+2%Alb], [mediums+10%FBS+1%Alb], [mediums+10%FBS+2%Alb], [mediums+20%FBS+1%Alb] & [mediums+20%FBS+2%Alb]. The same process was repeated for CCs. Also, the effect of various concentrations of L-Glutamine, bovine serum albumin (BSA), HSA, insulin transferrin selenium (ITS), Follitropin alfa® and Pregnyl® was evaluated on the growth of CCs. As well, CCs were treated with various concentrations of follicular fluids (FFs) and CMs. CMs were collected from ovarian, testicular, adipose & amniotic derived and ovarian carcinoma cells. FFs were collected from women with poor responders, endometriosis, advanced age, polycystic ovarian syndrome, male factor and unknown infertility. Then, CCs morphology, proliferation capacity and culture duration were evaluated. ResultsAll the ovarian cells expressed GDF9. αMEM+20%FBS and DMEMF12+20%FBS were the most suitable cocktails for OCs and CCs, respectively. 20%FBS was superior to 10% for both OCs and CCs. HSA could not support the growth of OCs and CCs, alone. The cocktail of mediums with 20%FBS superior to the others. The CMs of cortical and (hillar+medullar) cells and FFs from male factor and unknown infertility patients caused higher CCs proliferation. 17 mM/l L-Glutamine, 24 mg/ml BSA, 20 mg/ml HSA, 10 ng/ml ITS, 300 mIU/ml Follitropinα and 3.5 IU/ml Pregnyl led to higher proliferation of CCs. ConclusionCMs, serums and FFs can support the CCs growth alongside with basal mediums, supplemented with hormones, ITS and L-Glutamine, which are cheaper and more accessible.
PremPLI: Predicting the Effects of Missense Mutations on Protein-Ligand Interactions
Authors: Sun Tingting , Chen Yuting , Wen Yuhao , Zhu Zefeng , Li Minghui
Published: May 2021

Protein-ligand interactions trigger a multitude of signal transduction processes and resistance to small-molecule drugs is the main cause of the failure of therapeutic drugs in clinical practice. Missense mutations altering the binding of ligands to proteins are one of the critical mechanisms that result in genetic disease and drug resistance. Computational methods have made a lot of progress for predicting binding affinity changes and identifying resistance mutations, but they are still not satisfied and need to be further improved in both accuracy and speed. To address these issues, we introduced PremPLI, a structure-based machine learning method for quantitatively estimating the effects of single mutations on ligand binding affinity changes. A comprehensive comparison of the predictive performance of PremPLI with other available methods on two benchmark datasets confirms that our approach performs robustly and presents similar or even higher predictive accuracy than the approaches relying on first-principle statistical mechanics and mixed physics- and knowledge-based potentials while requires much less computational resources. PremPLI can be used for guiding the design of ligand-binding proteins, identifying and understanding disease driver mutations, and finding potential resistance mutations for different drugs. PremPLI is freely available at https://lilab.jysw.suda.edu.cn/research/PremPLI/ and allows to do large-scale mutational scanning.
Ionic Homeostasis and Redox Metabolism Upregulated by 24-Epibrassinolide are Crucial for Mitigating Nickel Excess in Soybean Plants, Enhancing Photosystem II Efficiency and Biomass
Authors: Saraiva Marcelo Pires , Maia Camille Ferreira , Batista Bruno Lemos , Lobato Allan Klynger da Silva
Published: May 2021

Nickel (Ni) excess often generates oxidative stress in chloroplasts, causing redox imbalance, membrane damage and negative impacts on biomass. 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR) is a plant growth regulator of great interest in the scientific community because it is a natural molecule extracted from plants that is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. This study aimed to determine whether EBR can induce benefits on ionic homeostasis and antioxidant enzymes and convey possible repercussions on photosystem II efficiency and biomass, more specifically evaluating nutritional, physiological, biochemical and morphological responses in soybean plants subjected to Ni excess. The experiment was randomized with four treatments, including two Ni concentrations (0 and 200 µM Ni, described as – Ni2+ and + Ni2+, respectively) and two concentrations of 24-epibrassinolide (0 and 100 nM EBR, described as – EBR and + EBR, respectively). In general, Ni caused deleterious modulatory effects on chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange. In contrast, EBR enhanced the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (15%) and electron transport rate (19%) due to upregulation of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase. Exogenous EBR application promoted significant increases in biomass, and these results were explained by the benefits on nutrient contents and ionic homeostasis, demonstrated by increased Ca2+/Ni2+, Mg2+/Ni+ 2 and Mn2+/Ni2+ ratios.
Emodin Attenuates Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Cgas-STING Pathway
Authors: Shen Pan , Cheng Zhe , Liu Qiong
Published: May 2021

Background:
Emodin, a natural bioactive compound from traditional Chinese herbs, exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. However, its protective effects in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity still unclear.
Aim:
The study explored the effects of emodin on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity and investigated the potential molecular mechanisms.
Materials and Methods:
C57BL/6 mice with pre-treatment of emodin (15, 30 mg/kg) for consecutive 5 days, then were given APAP (300 mg/kg) to make APAP-induced liver injury model. Mice were sacrificed to detected the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), and the liver tissues levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD). Histological assessment, Western blot and ELISA were conducted.
Results:
Emodin pretreatment significantly reduced the levels of ALT, AST, and ALP, increased the levels of ALB, alleviated hepatocellular damage and apoptosis, attenuated the exhaustion of GSH, SOD, and accumulation of MDA, increased the expression of antioxidative enzymes, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1(NQO1). Additionally, emodin inhibited the expression of NLRP3 and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Emodin inhibited Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and its downstream signaling effector stimulator of interferon genes (STING) expression for liver protection against APAP-induced inflammatory responses and apoptosis.
Conclusion:
The above results suggested that emodin protected hepatocytes from APAP induce liver injury via the up-regulation of Nrf2 mediated anti-oxidative stress pathway, the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, and the down-regulation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Management Costs of Febrile Neutropenia in Oncology Patients in Colombia
Authors: Lema Mauricio , Preciado Beatriz , Quiceno Diana , Mora Sara , Gamboa Natalia Castano , Reyes Juan
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To describe the clinical characteristics, resource utilization, and direct cost of febrile neutropenia (FN) in a healthcare institution in Colombia for patients seen between 2017-2019.Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study of a cohort of patients hospitalized due to FN. Costs were extracted from the review of medical records from diagnosis of FN until discharge or death, and official sources were used to estimate the cost. Results: Forty-four FN episodes were included. Median age was 61 years (IQR: 53-72). Solid tumors accounted for 68.8%. In first-line treatment were 14 (31.8%), same in proportion in adjuvant/neoadjuvant, and 5 (11.4%) in second-line. FN occurred in 15 (34.0%) high-risk patients. Mean LOS per episode was 5.1 ± 2.5 days. All patients were discharged alive. The median overall cost was $925 ± $783 per episode, with hospital stay being the main driver-cost.Conclusion: FN occurred mainly in advanced-stage solid tumors and in low-risk group. Higher costs in this cohort were found in long length of stay and high-risk patients.
Vegetation Shapes Aboveground Invertebrates Communities More Than Soil Properties and Pollution on a Metal Contaminated Site
Authors: Ozaki Shinji , Fritsch Clémentine , Mora Frédéric , Cornier Thierry , Scheifler Renaud , Raoul Francis
Published: May 2021

Pollution with trace metals (TM) has been shown to affect diversity and/or composition of plant and animal communities. While ecotoxicological studies have estimated the impact of TM contamination on plant and animal communities separately, ecological studies have widely demonstrated that vegetation is an important factor shaping invertebrate communities. It is supposed that changes in invertebrate communities under TM contamination would be explained by both direct impact of TM on invertebrate organisms and indirect effects due to changes in plant communities. However, no study has clearly investigated which would more importantly shape invertebrate communities under TM contamination. Here, we hypothesized that invertebrate communities under TM contamination would be affected more importantly by plant communities which constitute their habitat and/or food than by direct impact of TM. Our analysis showed that diversity and community identity of flying invertebrates were explained only by plant diversity which was not affected by TM contamination. Diversity of ground-dwelling (GD) invertebrates in spring was explained more importantly by plant diversity (27% of variation) than by soil characteristics including TM concentrations (8%), whereas their community identity was evenly explained by plant diversity and soil characteristics (2-7%). In autumn, diversity of GD invertebrates was only explained by plant diversity (12%), and their identity was only explained by soil characteristics (8%). We conclude that vegetation shapes invertebrate communities more importantly than direct effects of TM on invertebrates. Vegetation should be taken into account when addressing the impacts of environmental contamination on animal communities.
Comparison of the Tissue Distribution and Metabolism of AN1284, a Potent Anti-Inflammatory Agent, After Subcutaneous and Oral Administration in Mice
Authors: Weitman Michal , Bejar Corina , Melamed Michal , Weill Tehilla , Yanovsky Inessa , Zeeli Shani , Nudelman Avraham , Weinstock Marta
Published: May 2021

Purpose. To establish a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method to compare the tissue distribution and metabolism of AN1284 after subcutaneous and oral administration at doses causing maximal reductions in IL-6 in plasma and tissues of mice. Methods. Lipopolysaccharide activated RAW 264.7 macrophages were used to detect the anti-inflammatory activity of AN1284 and its metabolites. Mice were given AN1284 by injection or gavage, 15 min before lipopolysaccharide. The reduction of IL-6 measured after 4h. Results. AN1284 is metabolized to the indole (AN1422), a 7-OH derivative and its glucuronide. AN1422 had weaker anti-inflammatory activity than AN1284 in LPS-activated macrophages and in mice. Maximal reductions in IL-6 in plasma, brain and liver were seen after subcutaneous injection of (0.5 mg/kg). This dose was also most effective in reducing IL-6 in the liver after oral drug administration but 2.5 mg/kg was needed for the same reductions in plasma and brain. Peak concentrations after oral administration of AN1284 (2.5 mg/kg) were 5.5-fold higher in the liver but 7-, 11 and 19-fold lower in plasma, brain and kidneys than after injection of 0.5 mg/kg. Similar concentrations in the liver were achieved by AN1284 (1 mg/kg/day) administered in the drinking fluid, and 2.5 mg/kg/day, via subcutaneously-implanted mini-pumps. Although drug levels were only 12% of the peak seen after acute injection of 0.5 mg/kg, they significantly decreased hepatocellular damage, liver triglycerides and cholesterol in diabetic mice. Conclusion. AN1284 can be given orally to treat chronic liver disease and its preferential concentration in the liver should limit potential adverse effects.
Irinotecan Based Chemotherapy in Extrapulmonary Neuroendocrine Carcinomas: Survival and safety data from a Multicentric Italian Experience
Authors: Bardasi Camilla , Spallanzani Andrea , Benatti Stefania , Spada Francesca , Laffi Alice , Lorenzo Antonuzzo , Lavacchi Daniele , Riccardo Marconcini , Marco Ferrari , Rimini Margherita , Caputo Francesco , Santini Chiara , Cerma Krisida , Casadei-Gardini Andrea , Andrikou Kalliopi , Salati Massimiliano , Bertolini Federica , Fontana Annalisa , Dominici Massimo , Luppi Gabriele , Gelsomino Fabio
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are a rare subgroup of neuroendocrine neoplasms that occasionally originate from gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) tract. Evidence of the effectiveness of chemotherapy is scarce. Platinum plus Etoposide regimens are currently the standard treatment in first-line, while little data are available on second-line treatments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Irinotecan (IRI)-based chemotherapy in a series of extrapulmonary NECs. Methods: Patients with NEC diagnosis treated at University Hospitals of Modena, Florence, Pisa, and European Institute of Oncology of Milan with an IRI-based regimen (FOLFIRI or XELIRI) after progression to a first-line platinum-based therapy were enrolled. Objective responses were assessed according to RECIST criteria. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. Results: 34 patients, 16 males, and 18 females, median age of 59 years (range 32-77), with metastatic NEC were included. Twenty-seven pts had Ki-67 ≥ 55% and 4 pts Ki-67 of < 55% (for 3 pts data was not available). The median number of treatment cycles of the IRI-based regimen was 7.5 (range 1-16). Six partial responses (17.6%) and 9 stable diseases (26.5%) were observed, with a disease control rate of 44.1%. Median PFS and OS were 4.4 and 5.9 months, respectively. Neutropenia, anemia, and nausea were the only G3-G4 toxicities reported. Conclusion: Despite the relatively small sample size, IRI-based therapy demonstrated to be a valid option for patients with pre-treated extrapulmonary NEC.
Regional air pollution severity affects the incidence of acute myocardial infarction triggered by short-term pollutant exposure: A time-stratified case-crossover analysis
Authors: Yen Chih-Chien , Chen Ping-Ling
Published: May 2021

Background Long-term exposure to air pollution results in a high incidence of cardiovascular disease. Whether acute myocardial infarction is triggered by short-term exposure to air pollution is related to the average severity of air pollution in the area.DesignCase-crossover analysis.MethodsThis was a retrospective study based on hospital medical records. The study period was 2017-2018. Research data were collected from Taoyuan Hospital, which is located in a low-severity pollution area, and Taichung Hospital, which is in a high-severity pollution area, and the correlation between short-term air pollution exposure and acute myocardial infarction was analyzed.ResultsThe correlation between short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and acute myocardial infarction was not significant for the cases collected from Taoyuan Hospital (PM2.5 OR: 1.006 & 95% CI: 0.995-1.017; PM10 OR: 0.996 & 95% CI: 0.988-1.003). However, for the cases collected from Taichung Hospital, short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 (odds ratio: 1.021; 95% confidence interval: 1.002-1.040) and PM10 (odds ratio: 1.010; 95% confidence interval: 1.001-1.020) resulted in high incidence of acute myocardial infarction.ConclusionsShort-term pollutant exposure will increase the incidence of acute myocardial infarction based on the severity of regional air pollution. In addition to addressing traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, the government must formulate relevant policies for reducing air pollution and thus the hazards to national health.
Bacterial Cellulose Based Facial Mask With Antioxidant Property and High Moisturizing Capacity
Authors: Bilgi Eyup , Gokce Evren Homan , BAYIR ECE , Sendemir Aylin , Ozer Kevser Ozgen , Tuna E. Esin Hames
Published: May 2021

Bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by certain bacteria has the potential to be used in many different areas. Despite its advantageous properties such as high purity, mechanical strength, nanofiber mesh structure, and high-water holding capacity, its production through a biotechnological process prevents it from competing with vegetable cellulose in terms of cost-effectiveness. Therefore, studies associated with BC can be divided in two categories which are development cost effective BC production methods and culture media, and production of high value-added products from BC. In this study, it was aimed to develop a taurine-loaded moisturizing facial mask with antioxidant properties based on BC's high-water retention and chemical retention capacity. BC facial mask samples were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Liquid Chromatography–Mass spectrometry (LC-MS), microbial, and mechanical stability tests. According to our results, produced facial mask samples do not show any cytotoxic effect on neither human keratinocyte (HS2) nor mouse fibroblast (L-929) cell lines, it has high thermal stability which making it suitable for different sterilization techniques including sterilization by heat treatment. Taurine release (over 2µg/ml in 5 min) and microbial stability tests (no bacterial growth observed) of packaged products kept at 40 and 25 °C for 6 months have shown that the product preserves its characteristics for a long time. In conclusion “bacterial cellulose-based facial masks" are suitable for use as a facial mask, and they can be used for moisturizing and antioxidant properties by means of taurine.
Evolutionary Game Analysis of Coal Enterprise Resource Integration Under Government Regulation
Authors: Sun Ziyuan , Wang Wei , Zhu Weixing , Ma Lin , Dong Yuting , Lu Jiangwei
Published: May 2021

Based on the perspective of government regulation, this paper discusses how to guide and restrict coal enterprises to conduct resource integration behavior, and whether the government supervises this behavior. First, through empirical research, government regulations of coal enterprises are given practical policy implications. Second, using evolutionary game and simulation technology, from the perspective of government regulation, we explore the complex behavioral interaction mechanism between the dominant and inferior coal enterprises, the mechanism between the government and coal enterprises, and analyze the impact of key factors on the dynamic evolution process. Finally, the sensitivity analysis of the selected parameters is discussed in details, which provides useful decision-making suggestions for the government and enterprises. Results demonstrate that:(1) when the power gap between enterprises is great, government regulations are not effective for inferior enterprises;(2) the combination of government regulation can help to improve the efficiency of coal enterprise strategy selection;(3) excessive government regulations make the strategic choices of the government and coal enterprise tend to swing, failing to achieve effectively resource integration and government supervision.
Differences in the Clinical Presentation, Management, and In-Hospital Outcomes of Acute Aortic Dissection in Patients With and Without End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Xie Jiahe , Zeng Shan , Xie Long , Ding Rongming , Hu Jing , Zeng Hong , Lu Weiling , Hu Yuhua , Li Qingrui , Zhong Gaojun , Zhou Shiju , Liu Ziyou , Liao Yulin , Zhong Yiming , Xie Dongming
Published: May 2021

Background
Few studies have evaluated the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) presenting with acute aortic dissection (AAD) in real-world clinical practice. Thus, this study investigated the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of AAD patients with ESRD.
Methods
A total of 217 patients were included. We evaluated the differences in the clinical features, management, and in-hospital outcomes of patients with and without a history of ESRD presenting with AAD.
Results
A history of ESRD was present in 71 of 217 patients. Patients with ESRD had atypical clinical manifestations (p < 0.001) and were more likely to be managed medically compared with patients without ESRD (p = 0.002). Hypertension and type B aortic dissection were significantly more common among patients with ESRD. Moreover, patients with ESRD had lower leucocyte and platelet counts than patients without ESRD in laboratory findings (p < 0.001). However, hospitalization days and in-hospital mortality were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified Type A aortic dissection as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality among patients without ESRD (OR, 13.68; 95% CI, 1.92 to 98.90; P = 0.006).
Conclusions
This study highlights differences in the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of AAD patients with ESRD. These patients usually have atypical symptoms and more comorbid conditions and are managed more conservatively. However, these patients have no in-hospital survival disadvantage over those without ESRD. Further studies are needed to better understand and optimize care for patients with ESRD presenting with AAD.
Study On Urban Rainstorm Pattern of Short-Duration Double-Peak
Authors: Zhang Jinping , Kong Lingli , Fang Hongyuan
Published: May 2021

At present, researches on urban short-duration rainstorm patterns mainly focus on single-peak rainstorm patterns, and rarely involve double-peak rainstorm patterns, or convert double-peak patterns into single-peak patterns directly, even ignore the impact of double-peak patterns, which directly affects the urban flood planning and early warning and rescue. To scientifically and rationally deduce the urban short duration double-peak rain pattern, this paper proposes a new function fitting rain pattern method by constructing double-peak virtual rain peak rainfall and virtual rain peak coefficient (RPC), based on the idea of convert double-peak to singel-peak, then revert to the double-peak, directly deducing the double-peak rain pattern.The results show that (1) The rain pattern derived by the function fitting rain pattern method(FFRPM) can effectively improve the accuracy of the double-peak rain pattern, and is also more practical; (2) The fitting degree of function fitting rainfall pattern and actual rain pattern is more than 90%, accounting for 80%, the fitting degree of main and secondary peak rainfall is more than 90%, with an average of about 95%; the accuracy of the main and secondary peak positions is also relatively high; (3) Compared with the P&C rain pattern method(RPM), whether the overall accuracy or local peak rainfall, the FFRPM has the higher accuracy, especially more accurate on rain peak rainfall.
Safety and Efficacy of Tomosynthesis-guided Breast Biopsies in the Prone Position: Mono-centric Study and Review of the Literature.
Authors: Catelli Antonio , Santoro Angela , Antignani Elena , Venetucci Pietro , Minelli Salvatore
Published: May 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the safety and efficacy of 9G needle biopsy under tomosynthesis guidance with the patient in the prone position.Materials and methods: This is a retrospective observational study conducted on patients with non-palpable breast mass exclusively detectable through tomosynthesis, performed from the 1st January 2018 to the 1st August 2020. The procedures were performed by taking 12 tissue samples from each mass. The evaluated technical success was considered as a conclusive sample for histological diagnosis. We performed a comparison between the procedural data of interventions in patients who have a lesion  10mm and between high contrast and low contrast masses. The histological data of the samples were analyzed.Results: 500 biopsies of the total 1500 performed from the 1st January 2018 to the 1st August 2020 were included in the study; repetitions for inadequate withdrawal occurred 0.4% (3/500). No major complications have ever been observed. Two cases (0.2%) of minor bleeding were observed with self-limited bleeding from the skin breach at 90 minutes without clinical sequelae in an asymptomatic patient. The biopsy samples showed carcinoma in 55.2% (276/500). Conclusion: Our study suggests that the 9G needle sampling biopsy procedure through tomosynthesis guide with prone patient is a safe and effective procedure for the characterization of indeterminate breast mass.