bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated bioinformatics analysis reveals novel key biomarkers and potential candidate small molecule drugs in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Joshi Harish , Vastrad Basavaraj , Joshi Nidhi , Tengli Anandkumar , Vastrad Chanabasayya , Kotturshetti Iranna
Published: March 2021

The underlying molecular mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy (DN) have yet not been investigated clearly. In this investigation, we aimed to identify key genes involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of DN. We selected expression profiling by high throughput sequencing dataset GSE142025 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between DN and normal control samples were analyzed with limma package. Gene ontology (GO) and REACTOME enrichment analysis were performed using ToppGene. Then we established the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, miRNA-DEG regulatory network and TF-DEG regulatory network. The diagnostic values of hub genes were performed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Finally, the candidate small molecules as potential drugs to treat DM were predicted using molecular docking studies. Through expression profiling by high throughput sequencing dataset, a total of 549 DEGs were detected including 275 up regulated and 274 down regulated genes. Biological process analysis of functional enrichment showed these DEGs were mainly enriched in cell activation, response to hormone, cell surface, integral component of plasma membrane, signaling receptor binding, lipid binding, immunoregulatory interactions between a lymphoid and a non-lymphoid cell and biological oxidations. DEGs with high degree of connectivity (MDFI, LCK, BTK, IRF4, PRKCB, EGR1, JUN, FOS, ALB and NR4A1) were selected as hub genes from protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, miRNA-DEG regulatory network and TF-DEG regulatory network. The ROC curve analysis confirmed that hub genes were high diagnostic values. Finally, the significant small molecules were obtained based on molecular docking studies. Our results indicated that MDFI, LCK, BTK, IRF4, PRKCB, EGR1, JUN, FOS, ALB and NR4A1 could be the potential novel biomarkers for GC diagnosis prognosis and the promising therapeutic targets. The present study may be crucial to understanding the molecular mechanism of DN initiation and progression.
Hub Genes and Key Pathway Identification in Wilms Tumor Based on Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Vastrad Basavaraj , Vastrad Chanabasayya , Kotturshetti Iranna
Published: March 2021

Wilms tumor (WT) is a childhood kidney cancer with unknown etiology. Gene expression analysis has become very essential in WT. Thus, we performed an integrated analysis of gene expression data to identify new molecular mechanisms and key functional genes in WT. Gene expression (GSE60850) dataset was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using limma. Pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses were performed for the DEGs by ToppGene database. Then, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks and modules were established by the Mentha database and PEWCC1, and visualized by Cytoscape software. Target gene - miRNA regulatory network and target gene - TF regulatory network were established by the Network Analyst database and visualized by Cytoscape software. Finally, survival analysis, expression analysis, stage analysis, mutation analysis, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immune infiltration analysis of hub genes was performed. We identified 988 DEGs ultimately including 502 up regulated genes and 486 down regulated genes. Pathway and GO enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in D-myo-inositol (3,4,5,6)-tetrakisphosphate biosynthesis, platelet activation, cholesterol biosynthesis III, and complement, coagulation cascades, embryo development, cell surface, DNA-binding transcription factor activity, carboxylic acid metabolic process, extracellular space and signaling receptor binding. FN1, AURKA, TRIM41, NFKBIA, TXNDC5, SIN3A, MAGI1, GPRASP2, UCHL1 and FXYD6 were filtrated as the hub genes. These identified DEGs and hub genes facilitate our knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanism of WT and have the potential to be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for WT.
Epidemiology, pathogens distribution, antibiotic susceptibility and the risk factors for mortality of patients with central nervous system infections: a retrospective study from 2012 to 2019 in a teaching hospital in China
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Song Yan , Kang Jianbang , Duan Surong , Li Qi , Feng Fuqiang , Duan Jinju
Published: March 2021

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infections are relatively rare but associated with high mortality worldwide. Empirical antimicrobial therapy is crucial for the prognosis of patients with CNS infections, which should be based on the knowledge of pathogens distribution and antibiotic sensitivities. China is a vast country, and the pathogens distribution varies nationwide. The aim of this study is to investigate the features of pathogens in patients with CNS infections in north China and we tried to evaluate the risk factors for mortality.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the patients with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture in a teaching hospital between January 2012 and December 2019. The following information were collected: demographic characteristics, laboratory data, causative organisms and antimicrobial susceptibility results. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the risk factors for mortality.Results: In this eight-year retrospective study, a total of 72 patients were diagnosed with CNS infections and 86 isolates were identified. Among all the microorganisms detected, Gram-positive strains consisted of 59.3%, Gram-negative bacteria of 30.2% and fungi of 10.5%. The predominant Gram-positive isolate was coagulase-negative staphylococci. Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were the common Gram-negative strains. Compared to 2012-2015 years, the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria increased markedly during 2016-2019 years. Vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid were still 100% sensitive to Gram-positive bacteria. For the multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, only tigecycline was the 100% sensitive antibiotics. The mortality of the 72 patients was 30.6%. In the multivariate analysis, age >50 years, combined pulmonary infection and CSF glucose < normal value were associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions: CNS infections cause high mortality worldwide. Although Gram-positive bacteria are still the primary pathogen of CNS infections, Gram-negative bacteria had increased in recent years and should be considered in the choice of empirical antibiotic treatment. Special attention should be given to older patients and those combined pulmonary infection and with low CSF glucose level.
Processes and Mechanisms of Phosphorus Mobility Among Sediment, Water and Cyanobacteria Under Hydrodynamic Conditions
Authors: Ren Lingxiao , Ding Keqiang , Hu Zhixin , Wang Huiya , Qi Ning , Xu Wei
Published: March 2021

Phosphorus (P) has an important role in eutrophication and it is essential to explore the processes and mechanisms of P mobility in natural waters. In this study, laboratory experiments were conducted to simulate the SW system (sediment and water) and SAW system (sediment, algae and water) under four hydrodynamic intensity conditions (static control, 50 rpm, 125 rpm and 200 rpm treatments), to investigate P mobility. Results in SW system showed that, sediment was an important source of P for overlying water, and the released total P (TP) increased with stronger hydrodynamic intensity, when P associated with metal pools (redox-sensitive P [BD-P] and meta-oxides bound P [NaOH-P]) were the most unstable and easier to migrate into the overlying water. Stronger hydrodynamic disturbances could enhance the processes including sediment resuspension, dissolution of particles, and release of P, when P mobility had a close relationship with redox conditions near sediment-water interface (SWI). Therefore, the release of TP, BD-P and NaOH-P from sediment increased and decreased in the control and 50-200 rpm treatments over time. In SAW system, the release of TP significantly increased from sediment comparing to SW system, and the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa could selectively enhance the release of BD-P, NaOH-P, and organic P (OP). Meanwhile, the released P from sediment was quickly accumulated by algal cells. The maximum accumulation ability of P by cells, the highest photosynthetic efficiency and the best growth of M. aeruginosa were observed in 125 rpm treatment. But with excessively strong hydrodynamic intensity (200 rpm treatment), the accumulation ability of P and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) of M. aeruginosa was suppressed, which might hinder algal utilization of P and inhibit algal growth. Overall, our findings demonstrated the patterns of P mobility in natural ecosystems and could contribute to the understanding of P cycling.
Geochemical monitoring of deionized seawater injected underground during construction of an LPG rock cavern in Namikata, Japan, for the safety water curtain system
Authors: Ueda Akira , Ozawa Akiko , Kusakabe Yasushi , Furukawa Takafumi , Yamaguchi Kohei , Yageta Masayuki , Otake Takeshi
Published: March 2021

An underground liquified petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility was constructed between 1998 and 2006 in Namikata, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, to increase domestic LPG stockpiles. The most important issue during construction and operation of this facility is gas leakage prevention. To thwart water leakage, the water curtain system was constructed according to design standards, and a large amount of deionized seawater (seal water) was continuously injected into the rock mass around the cavern to keep the water level constant during both construction and operation. It is possible to distinguish three end member waters (existing groundwater, seawater or fossil seawater, and seal water) using the salinity and isotope (δ18O) difference because seal water injected underground has almost the same δ18O value as seawater. In this study, continuous observation is carried out using the geochemical techniques for flow analysis with a mixing ratio of three end members in the initial construction period (April 2005 to March 2006) of the LPG underground storage facility. It is determined that existing groundwater and seawater originally distributed in this region are partly replaced by seal water in the cavern.
High expression of eIF4E regulates immune cell infiltration and leads to poor prognosis in breast cancer
Authors: Li Fan , Sun Huizhi , Li Yue , Bai Xiaoyu , Dong Xueyi , Zhao Nan , Meng Jie , Sun Baocun , Zhang Danfang
Published: March 2021

Background

The expression and activation of Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is related to tumor transformation and genesis, but the functional role and the mechanism whereby it drives immune infiltration in breast cancer remain uncertain.
Methods

Multiple databases were used for assessing the expression and clinic-pathological features of eIF4E, after which ImmuCellAI and TIMER database were used to explore the relationship between eIF4E and immune infiltration and clinicopathological information were collected from clinical cases of breast cancer. Finally, the genes co-expressed with eIF4E were identified by LinkedOmics. These genes were analyzed protein interaction network and TF-miRNA interaction network by Networkanalyst, and enriched by GO and KEGG. The key genes of immune markers were functionally annotated.
Results

High expression of eIF4E was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in breast cancer samples from multiple databases. It is notable that the expression of eIF4E is positively correlated with the infiltration of CD8+T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. The expression of eIF4E is closely related to many immune markers in breast cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the patients with high expression of eIF4E related macrophage marker (CD68+) and M2 type marker (CD163+) in tumor stroma(TS) were significantly correlated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05). High infiltration density of CD163+ had significant difference in TNM staging compared with those with low(P < 0.05).Functional analysis of co-expressed genes showed that they were involved in the biological process of human immune response. GO analysis showed that co-expressed immune marker genes were involved in human immune response, adaptive immune response, macrophage activation, extracellular structure organization and regulation of DNA metabolism process. KEGG enrichment showed that it was involved in inflammatory bowel disease, cell adhesion molecule pathway, JAK-STAT signal pathway, T cell receptor signal pathway and so on.
Conclusions

These results suggest that high expression of eIF4E regulates immune cell infiltration, especially promotes macrophage M2 polarization by JAK/STAT6 and PI3K/AKT pathway, which is associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. It is a valuable prognostic biomarker for breast cancer patients, and may be a potential therapeutic target in the future.
Joint of Modeling Techniques and Life Cycle Assessment for Prediction of Yield, Economic Profit, and Global Warming Potential for Wheat Farms
Authors: Ghasemi-Mobtaker Hassan , Kaab Ali , Rafiee Shahin
Published: March 2021

Forecasting crop yield and its environmental effects can help increase agricultural energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. This study provides mathematical, adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and neural networks (ANNs) techniques for forecast yield, economic profit, and global warming of wheat production. For this purpose, 75 wheat farms located in the central area of Hamadan province were selected randomly and data were gathered through oral interview. Then, computed the input and output energy, life cycle assessment (LCA) was utilized to specify the environmental effects of wheat cultivation. The calculations displayed that the averages of inputs and outputs energy were about 43055 MJ ha−1 and 117407 MJ ha−1, respectively. The LCA results demonstrated that wheat cultivation cause to the emissions of 624.29 kg CO2 eq. ton−1. ANN structures for predicting yield, economic profit and global warming in wheat production with two hidden layers were the best topologies. ANFIS model results indicated that in the 3-level ANFIS model, the highest R2 is found for net return (0.962). The results comparison showed that ANN and ANFIS models outperform linear models to predict yield, economic profit, and global warming of wheat production.
Tool Wear Prediction Using a Hybrid of Tool Chip Image and Evolutionary Fuzzy Neural Network
Authors: Lin Cheng-Jian , Jhang Jyun-Yu , Chen Shao-Hsien
Published: March 2021

This paper proposed an evolutionary fuzzy neural network (EFNN) for tool wear prediction. The material chip is affected by cutting conditions during the cutting process. The different tool wear status causes different chip color which means the color of material chip can be an important factor for tool wear prediction. In this study, an industrial camera is used to capture chip image and convert it into CIE xy chromaticity features through a color conversion model. In addition, to improve the prediction accuracy, a dynamic group cooperative particle swarm optimization (DGCPSO) is proposed to optimize the EFNN parameters. The cutting time and CIE xy value are used as the input of the EFNN, and the output is predicted tool wear value. The experimental results show that the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the proposed EFNN is 2.83% better than other methods.
Multimodal characterization of macular telangiectasia type 2 and correlation with multifocal electroretinogram
Authors: Ayachit Apoorva , Reddy Lakshmipriya Uday , Joshi Shrinivas , Ayachit Guruprasad
Published: March 2021

1. Purpose: To study the correlation of multimodal imaging in macular telangiectasia (Mac Tel) with foveal function on multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG)2. Methods: Eyes with non- proliferative Mac Tel diagnosed based on clinical examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), autofluorescence (AF), fluorescein angiography (FA), OCT angiography (OCTA). Control group with normal eye exam included for multifocal electroretinogram.Staging of OCT, OCTA, AF and FA done in Mac Tel subjects. mfERG done in study subjects and controls. Correlation of imaging modalities and P1 amplitudes at fovea (ring 1) studied in terms of correlation co-efficient.3. Results: Twenty nine eyes of 16 patients of Mac Tel and 25 eyes of 19 controls were included. BCVA was 0.38 ± 0.266 in study eyes and 0 in control eyes. On OCT it was observed that 41.4% Mac Tel eyes (n = 12) belonged to stage 3, 37.9%(n = 11)) eyes belonged to stage 2 and 20.7% (n = 6) eyes belonged to stage 1. AF- Stage 3 comprised of 75.9% eyes (n = 22); 4 eyes belonged to stage 2 and 3 eyes to stage 1. On FA, 18 eyes belonged to stage 3 (62.1%); stage 2 was seen in 1 (3.4%) eye and stage 1 was seen in 10 (34.5%) eyes. There was decrease in P1 amplitudes from R1(p < 0.001), R2( 0.001), R3 (< 0.001) and R4 (0.001) in Mac Tel eyes compared to control eyes but not in R5 (p 0.785). SD- OCT had positive correlation with FAF (CC 0.747,p < 0.001) FFA (CC 0.775, p < 0.001) and R1P1 (CC 0.682, p < 0.001). With OCTA there was no significant correlation (CC 0.318, p 0.093). There was positive and significant correlation of OCT (0.682,<0.001), OCTA (0.379,p 0.042) AF ( 0.635, p < 0.001) and FA (0.495, p < 0.006) with R1P1.4. Conclusions: Existing multimodal imaging systems can be reliable indicators of foveal function as on mfERG.
Combination of XGBoost Analysis and Rule-Based Method for Intrapartum Cardiotocograph Classification
Authors: Kuo Pao-Lin , Lim Bee Yen , Du Yi-Chun , Chen Po-Fan , Tsai Pei-Yin
Published: March 2021

Cardiotocograph (CTG) contains uterine contraction (UC) and fetal heart rate (FHR) signals, which is an important information of clinical pregnant woman care. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is one of the reference guides for clinical care and it classified pregnant woman into three categories including I, II, and III to evaluate the status of fetus. However, when it comes to manual interpretation was time-consuming and not easy to observe the slight differences. In this study, we combined rule-based method and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) analysis for intrapartum cardiotocograph classification. Because the category II of NICHD is defined unknown status, XGBoost analysis was used to classify the category II into IIa and IIb, and analyze their probability of fetal distress (FD). From the clinical trial of 68 pregnant women, the results of three categories (I, II and III) were consistent and no statistical difference with the clinicians’ interpretation and the average Kappa was about 0.72. The results also indicated that the probability of FD was 28.8% and 71.2% in category IIa and IIb, respectively. It shows the proposed method has potential to provide a clinical assistant tool for pregnant women care.
A new uncertain linear regression model based on equation deformation
Authors: Wang Shuai , Ning Yufu , Shi Hongmei
Published: March 2021

When the observed data are imprecise, the uncertain regression model is more suitable for the linear regression analysis. Least squares estimate can fully consider the given data and minimize the sum of squares of residual error, and can effectively solve the linear regression equation of imprecisely observed data. On the basis of uncertainty theory, this paper presents an equation deformation method for solving unknown parameters in uncertain linear regression equations. We first establish the equation deformation method of one-dimensional linear regression model, and then extend it to the case of multiple linear regression model. We also combine the equation deformation method with Cramer's rule and matrix, and propose the Cramer's rule and matrix elementary transformation method to solve the unknown parameters of the uncertain linear regression equation. Numerical examples show that the equation deformation method can effectively solve the unknown parameters of the uncertain linear regression equation.
Psychometric Validation of the EORTC QLQ-HCC18 in Patients with Previously Treated Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Serrano Daniel , Podger Lauren , Barnes Gisoo , Song James , Tang Boxiong
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Demonstrate the measurement properties of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Hepatocellular Carcinoma 18-question module (EORTC QLQ-HCC18) within a previously treated, unresectable HCC clinical trial population that was distinct from the published QLQ-HCC18 validation population. Methods: Analyses were conducted using data from BGB-A317-208, an open label, international, clinical trial of the monoclonal antibody tislelizumab in adult HCC patients. The EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and QLQ-HCC18 were assessed at baseline as well as weeks 3 and 9. Psychometric validation of the QLQ-HCC18 included reliability, construct validity, ability to detect change, and meaningful within-patient change (MWPC). Known-groups validity and MWPC analyses were also stratified on several pre-defined subpopulations. Results: A total of 248 patients were included. The QLQ-HCC18 fatigue, nutrition, and index domains demonstrated acceptable internal consistency; acceptable test-retest reliability was found for fatigue, body image, nutrition, pain, sexual interest, and index domains. The QLQ-HCC18 fatigue domain achieved acceptable concurrent validity for 13 of 16 correlations; the index domain achieved acceptable concurrent validity for 15 of 16 correlations. Clear differentiation of the QLQ-HCC18 change scores between improvement and maintenance anchor groups were observed for body image, fatigue, pain, and index domains. Differentiation between deterioration and maintenance anchor groups were observed for fever and fatigue domains. MWPC point estimates defining improvement for the QLQ-HCC18 fatigue and index domains were -7.18 and -4.07, respectively; MWPC point estimates defining deterioration were 5.34 and 3.16, respectively. Conclusions: The EORTC QLQ-HCC18 fatigue and index domains consistently demonstrated robust psychometric properties, supporting the use of these domains as suitable patient-reported endpoints within a previously treated, unresectable HCC patient population.
Impact of Vaccine Prioritization Strategies on Mitigating COVID-19: An Agent-Based Simulation Study using an Urban Region in the United States
Authors: Tatapudi Hanisha , Das Rachita , Das Tapas
Published: March 2021

Background Approval of novel vaccines for COVID-19 has brought hope and expectations, but not without additional challenges. One central challenge is how to appropriately prioritize the use of limited supply of vaccines. This study evaluates various prioritization strategies and the efficacy of the vaccination campaign underway in the U.S.Methods The study develops a granular agent-based simulation model for mimicking community spread of COVID-19 under various social interventions including full and partial closures, isolation and quarantine, use of face mask and contact tracing, and vaccination. The model is populated with demographic and societal data for an urban community in the U.S. with 2.8 million residents as well as viral parameters. The model tracks daily numbers of infected, hospitalized, and deaths for all census age-groups. Model is calibrated using parameters for viral transmission and level of community circulation of individuals. Published data from the Florida COVID-19 dashboard is used to validate the model. Vaccination strategies are compared using hypothesis test for pairwise comparisons.Results Three prioritization strategies examined are: a close variant of the CDC recommendation, an age-stratified strategy, and a random strategy. The impact of vaccination is also contrasted with a no vaccination scenario. The comparison shows that the ongoing campaign in the U.S. using vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna is expected to 1) reduce the cumulative number of infection by 10% and 2) help the pandemic to subside below a small threshold of 100 daily new reported cases sooner by approximately a month. The prioritization strategies when compared with each other showed no significant difference in their impacts on pandemic mitigation.Conclusions Recent explosive growth of the number of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. continues to shrink the susceptible population. This, we believe, will likely limit the expected number of people that could be prevented from getting infected due to vaccination. A shrinking susceptible pool may also be an attributable reason for the observed lack of statistical difference among the outcomes of the prioritization strategies. However, the invariance of the strategies should give more latitude for decision makers in COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Frequency-Energy Plots of Bistable Nonlinear Energy Sink
Authors: Shudeifat Mohammed Ameen Al , Saeed Adnan Salem
Published: March 2021

The nonlinear energy sink (NES), which is proven to perform rapid and passive targeted energy transfer (TET), has been has been employed for vibration mitigation in many primary small- and large-scale structures. Recently, the feature of bistability, in which two nontrivial stable equilibria and one trivial unstable equilibrium exist, is utilized for passive TET in what is known as Bistable NES (BNES). The BNES generates a nonlinear force that incorporates negative linear and multiple positive or negative nonlinear stiffness components. In this paper, the BNES is coupled to a linear oscillator (LO) where the dynamic behavior of the resulting LO-BNES system is studied through frequency-energy plots (FEPs), which are generated by analytical approximation using the complexification-averaging method and by numerical continuation techniques. The effect of the length and stiffness of the transverse coupling springs is found to affect the stability and topology of the branches and indicates the importance of the exact physical realization of the system. The rich nonlinear dynamical behavior of the LO-BNES system is also highlighted through the appearance of multiple symmetrical and unsymmetrical in- and out of- phase backbone branches, especially at low energy levels. The wavelet transform is imposed into the FEP for variety of initial conditions and damping content and it is found that the FEP has backbone branches at low energy levels associated with the oscillation of the bistable attachments about one of its stable equilibrium positions where passage through the unstable equilibrium position does not occur.
Mechanism and Isotherm Modeling of Effective Adsorption of Malachite Green as Endocrine Disruptive Dye using Acid Functionalized Maize Cob (AFMC)
Authors: Ojediran John O , Dada Adewumi O. , Aniyi Stephen O. , David Robinson O.
Published: March 2021

Cationic Malachite green has been identified as a candidate of endocrine disruptive compound found in the environment. In this study, the mechanism and isotherm modeling of effective adsorption of cationic malachite green dye onto acid functionalized maize cob (AFMC) was investigated by batch technique. The operational parameters such as initial concentration (100–600 mg/L); contact time (10–120 mins) and pH (3–10) influenced the removal efficiency and quantity adsorbed. Maximum of 99.3% removal efficiency was obtained at optimum conditions. AFMC physicochemical properties (surface area 1329 m2/g and particle size 300µm<Ф<250µm) enhanced its efficiency. Based on R2 > 0.97 and consistently low values of SSE, X2, HYBRID and MSPD adsorption statistical error functions (ASEF), equilibrium data were best fitted to Freundlich isotherm. Kinetic data were best described by pseudo second-order model with consistent R2 > 0.98 and validated by ASEF. The mechanism of process was better described by intraparticle diffusion. Evidence of adsorption process was confirmed by change in morphology and surface chemistry determined by SEM and FTIR respectively. The performance of AFMC enlisted it as a sustainable and promising low-cost adsorbent from agro-residue for treatment of endocrine disruptive dye polluted water.
Uncovering new global risks from commercial chemicals in air
Authors: Liggio John , Liu Qifan , Li Li , Zhang Xianming , Saini Amandeep , Li Wenlong , Hung Hayley , Hao Chunyan , Li Kun , Lee patrick , Wentzell Jeremy , Huo Chunyan , Li Shao-Meng , Harner Tom
Published: March 2021

Commercial chemicals are used extensively across global urban centers, posing a potential exposure risk to 4.2 billion people, which accounts for 55% of the global population. Harmful chemicals are often assessed and regulated based on their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxic properties, under international and national initiatives such as the Stockholm Convention. However, current regulatory frameworks largely rely upon knowledge of the properties of the parent chemicals, with minimal consideration given to their atmospheric transformation products. This is mainly due to a significant lack of experimental data, as identifying transformation products in complex mixtures of airborne chemicals is an immense analytical challenge,hence making a comprehensive and reliable risk assessment for harmful chemicals currently unachievable. Here, we develop a novel framework, combining laboratory and field experiments, non-target analysis techniques, and in-silico modelling, to identify and assess the hazards of airborne chemicals, which takes into account atmospheric chemical reactions. By applying this framework to organophosphate flame retardants, as representative chemicals of emerging concern, we find that their transformation products are globally distributed across 18 megacities, representing a previously unrecognized exposure risk for the world’s urban populations. Furthermore, the transformation products can be up to an order of magnitude more persistent, environmentally mobile, and toxic than the parent chemicals. The results indicate that the overall human and environmental risks associated with flame retardants could be significantly underestimated, while highlighting a strong need to include atmospheric transformations in the development of regulations for all harmful chemicals moving forward.
Epidemiology, species distribution, and outcome of nosocomial Candida spp. bloodstream infection in Shanghai — An 11-year retrospective analysis in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Zheng Yanjun , Xie Ting , Wu Lin , Liu Xiaoying , Zhu Ling , Chen Ying , Mao Enqiang , Han Lizhong , Chen Erzhen , Yang Zhitao
Published: March 2021

Background The incidence of Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs), has increased over time. In this study, we aimed to describe the current epidemiology of Candida BSI in a large tertiary care hospital in Shanghai and to determine the risk factors of 28-day mortality and the impact of antifungal therapy on clinical outcomes. Methods All consecutive adult inpatients with Candida BSI at Ruijin Hospital between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018 were enrolled. Underlying diseases, clinical severity, species distribution, antifungal therapy, and their impact on the outcomes were analyzed. Results Among the 370 inpatients with 393 consecutive episodes of Candida BSI, the incidence of nosocomial Candida BSI was 0.39 episodes/1000 hospitalized patients. Of the 393 cases, 299 (76.1%) were treated with antifungal therapy (247 and 52 were treated with early appropriate and targeted antifungal therapy, respectively). The overall 28-day mortality rate was 28.5%, which was significantly lower in those who received early appropriate (25.5%) or targeted (23.1%) antifungal therapy than in those who did not (39.4%; P=0.012 and P=0.046, respectively). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, age, chronic renal failure, mechanical ventilation, and severe neutropenia were found to be independent risk factors of 28-day mortality rate. Patients who received antifungal therapy had a lower mortality risk than did those who did not.Conclusions The incidence of Candida BSI has increased steadily in the past 11 years at our tertiary care hospital in Shanghai. Antifungal therapy influenced short-term survival, but no significant difference in mortality was observed between patients who received early appropriate and targeted antifungal therapy.
Circadian miR-449c-5p regulates uterine Ca2+ transport during eggshell calcification in chickens
Authors: Cui Zhifu , Zhang Zhichao , Amevor Felix Kwame , Du Xiaxia , Li Liang , Tian Yaofu , Kang Xincheng , Shu Gang , Zhu Qing , Wang Yan , Li Diyan , Zhang Yao , Zhao Xiaoling
Published: March 2021

Background: miRNAs regulate circadian patterns by modulating animal biological clock. Clock genes exhibited a cosine expression pattern in the fallopian tube of chicken uterus in our previous study. Clock-controlled miRNAs are present in mammals and Drosophila; however, whether there are clock-controlled miRNAs in chicken uterus and, if so, how they regulate egg-laying rhythms are not clear. Here, we selected 18 layer hens with similar ovipositional rhythmicity (three birds were sacrificed for study per at 4 h intervals throughout 24 h); their transcriptomes were scanned to identify the circadian miRNAs and to explore regulatory mechanisms within the uterus of chickens. Results: We identified six circadian miRNAs mainly associated with several biological processes including ion trans-membrane transportation, response to calcium ion, and enrichment of calcium signaling pathways. Verification of experimental results revealed that miR-449c-5p exhibited a cosine expression pattern in chicken uterus. Ca2+-transporting ATPase 4 (ATP2B4) in the plasma membrane is the predicted target gene of circadian miR-449c-5p and is highly enriched in the calcium signaling pathway. We speculated that clock-controlled miR-449c-5p regulated Ca2+ transportation during eggshell calcification in chicken uterus by targeting ATP2B4. ATP2B4 mRNA and protein were rhythmically expressed in chicken uterus, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed that ATP2B4 was directly targeted by miR-449c-5p. miR-449c-5p showed an opposite expression profile with ATP2B4 within a 24h cycle in chicken uterus; it inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of ATP2B4 in uterine tubular gland cells. Additionally, overexpression of ATP2B4 significantly decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P < 0.05), while knockdown of ATP2B4 accelerated intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Similar results were found after ATP2B4 knockdown by miR-449c-5p. These results indicated that ATP2B4 promoted uterine Ca2+ trans-epithelial transport. Conclusions: Clock-controlled miR-449c-5p regulates Ca2+ transport in chicken uterus by targeting ATP2B4 during eggshell calcification.
Approaches in Research on Flood Risk Perception and Their Importance in Flood Risk Management
Authors: Lechowska Ewa
Published: March 2021

The study of flood risk perception factors can be considered by using different paradigms. In attempting to understand risk perception, two basic paradigms can be distinguished: rationalist and constructivist. The rationalist approach tends to focus on modeling, characterizing, and predicting behavioral results regarding various threats. According to the constructivist paradigm, threats are perceived as socially constructed. This paper aims to assess the importance of the rationalist and constructivist approaches in research on flood risk perception and flood risk management more broadly by answering the questions: (1) which factors are more effective in moderating attitudes towards flood risk?, (2) which research approach provides more useful information in shaping attitudes towards flood risk?, (3) research in which approach provides more useful information to improve flood risk management? The paper concludes by pointing out the desired direction of research on flood risk perception from the perspective of improving flood risk management. In contemporary empirical works managing the perception of flood risk, a rationalistic approach that psychometrically searches for cognitive models dominates. Often, statistically obtained dependencies are mutually exclusive. Thus, studies on perception that apply the constructivist approach are in an early stage of development. They indicate that the social, political, cultural, religious, and historical contexts shape the perception of flood risk. On the basis of the aforementioned information, the focus of research on flood risk should shift to studies conducted by applying the constructivist approach, highlighting the role of contextual factors in shaping risk perception.
Comparison of in-house SARS-CoV-2 genome extraction procedures. A need for COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Martin Gabriel , Rojo-Alba Susana , Castelló-Abietar Cristian , Abreu-Salinas Fátima , Costales Isabel , Boga Jose Antonio , Melón Santiago , Álvarez-Argüelles Marta Elena
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Among the methods used to diagnose COVID-19, those based on genomic detection by q(RT)-PCR are the most sensitive. To perform these assays, a previous genome extraction of the sample is required. The dramatic increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 detection assays has increased the demand for extraction reagents hindering the supply of commercial reagents. Homemade reagents and procedures could be an alternative. Methods: Nasopharyngeal samples were extracted by seven different methods as well as the automatic method MagNaPure96, to detect SARS-CoV-2. Results: All protocols show sensitivity higher than 87%, in comparison with reference method, for detecting SARS-CoV-2 as well as human β- globin. Conclusions: Our results support that these procedures, using common and cheap reagents, are effective to extract RNA (from SARS-CoV-2) or DNA (from human β-globin) genome from nasopharyngeal swabs. Furthermore, these procedures could be easily adopted by routine diagnostic laboratories to implement detection methods to help to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
A novel personal ventilation strategy to circumvent aerosol transmission
Authors: Yoshida Tomoaki , Shibata Eiji , Ishida Natsuki , Nakatani Tomoya
Published: March 2021

In the pandemic of COVID-19, a rigorous lockdown or social distancing will mitigate transmission, but some alternative strategy is needed especially for mass-gathering events. Given that the main path of transmission is through droplets or aerosols, a swift removal of them immediately after exhalation, which may attain “personal air zoning”, would be more effective and feasible than whole room ventilations. In the present study, an artificial fog was employed as a model aerosol to be exhaled and readily visualized on movies and quantified on dust indicators. The temporal and spatial distribution of this model microdroplet amounts corresponded reasonably well with previously published data, where talking air flow was quantified as a negative staining, in that it predominates below the mouth height rather than horizontal, and that it travels forward over 1.5 m in 30 sec. Under this model condition, nearly 99% of exhaled microdroplets could be efficiently blown up beyond the bystanders’ head heights, when a minimal air flow (2.5 m/s) was applied, using a typical personal cooling fan just below the chin. This swift upward removal of microdroplets would prevent bystanders’ immediate inhalation and provide sufficient probation periods for safe exhaustion from indoor spaces.
Using Landsat 8 Imagery for Remote Monitoring of Total Phosphorus as a Water Quality Parameter of Irrigation Ponds in Taiwan
Authors: Su Po-Wen , Lo Shang-Lien
Published: March 2021

Monitoring water body quality parameters with high spatial and temporal resolutions is crucial because mitigation of pollution is usually costlier than early prevention/intervention. The existing monitoring methods for irrigation ponds in Taoyuan, Taiwan, are based on field measurements that have low spatial and temporal resolutions. In this study, using Landsat 8 satellite imagery, a multiple regression-derived relationship between the satellite band reflectance and the concentration of total phosphorus (TP) was established. The satellite imagery was atmospherically corrected with ACOLITE based on shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands. This method was used to select predictor variables in the multiple regression-derived equation based on forward selection of variables using a p-value and variation inflation factor (VIF) threshold. The derived equation yielded a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.67. The near-infrared band (band 5) was found to be most significant. The Landsat 8 imagery retrieved for two of the three pond studies included only a few pixels from the ponds because parts of the pond surfaces are covered by floating photovoltaic power plants. The TP concentrations resulting from the derived equation indicate the feasibility of using satellite remote sensing methods to monitor the water quality. The derived relationships are potentially applicable to extend the availability of temporal and spatial water quality data for these irrigation ponds.
WITHDRAWN: Optimal energy estimation of Toffoli and Peres gate design using quantum-dot cellular automata
Authors: Patidar Mukesh , Gupta Namit
Published: March 2021

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) are a novel dominant transistor-less computational nanotechnology. It is an appropriate candidate for the upcoming generation of quantum computational nano-electronics technology. The main objective of this research work is to present a QCA reversible logic circuits design such as the Toffoli gate (TG) and Peres gate (PG) and do the analysis of different parameters. In this paper, we propose a single layer coplanar method to solve this physical layout design and synchronization problem. The presented reversible logic gate (RLG) layout designs are implemented by Bijection functional algorithm for reduction of the number of QCA (quantum) cells, latency, and minimum design area. Also, the Optimized energy dissipation and effect of temperature on output polarization cell, of the proposed structure have been checked successfully using the tool QD-E (Energy) tool. The proposed QCA design has been verified by QCADesigner-E 2.2 tool using a bistable approximation and coherence vector engine. Finally, comparisons have been proposed RLG-TG and RLG-PG designs with the existing QCA design.
Intramedullary Nail Holes Laser Indicator, a Non-Invasive Technique for Interlocking of Intramedullary Nails
Authors: Maleki Mohammadreza , Tehrani Alireza Fadaei , Aray Ayda , Ranjbar Mehdi
Published: March 2021

Interlocking of intramedullary nails is a challenging procedure in orthopedic trauma surgery. Numerous methods have been described to facilitate this process. But they are exposed patient and surgical team to X-rays or involves trial and error. An accurate and non-invasive method has been provided to easily interlocking intramedullary nails. By transferring a safe visible light inside the nail, a drilling position appears which use to drilling bone toward the nail hole. The wavelength of this light was obtained from Ex-Vivo spectroscopy on biological tissues which has optimal transmission, reflectance, and absorption properties. Moreover, animal and human experiments were performed to evaluate performance of the proposed system. Ex-Vivo performance experiments were performed successfully on two groups of cow and sheep samples. Output parameters were procedure time and drilling quality which there were significant differences between the two groups in procedure time (P<0.05). But no significant differences were observed in drilling quality (P>0.05). Moreover, an In-Vivo performance experiment was performed successfully on a middle-aged man. Intramedullary nail holes laser indicator is a safe and accurate method that reduced surgical time and simplifies the process. This new technology makes it easier to interlocking the intramedullary nail which can have good clinical applications.
Hip fracture risk with corticosteroids in patients with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Peixu , Gao Fuqiang , Sun Wei , Li Zirong , Shi Lijun , Xu Xin , Li Tengqi , Fan Xiaoyu , Wu Xinjie
Published: March 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex respiratory disease. The risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures can increase in COPD patients treated with glucocorticoids.Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between the risk of hip fractures and patients with COPD treated with corticosteroidsMethods: We searched both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (case-control, prospective cohort or retrospective cohort) of hip fractures in patients with COPD. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) employing a random effect (RE) model or fixed effect (FE) model. Review Manager 5.3 was used for statistical analysis.Results: The risk of hip fractures significantly increased in patients with COPD compared to patients without COPD. (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.15-1.66; p=0.09; I2=43%). Patient treated with oral corticosteroids (OCS) has a significantly higher risk of hip fractures (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.36-1.55).Conclusion: The result of this meta-analysis showed that there is a significantly increased risk of hip fracture among patients with COPD.
Loneliness, social isolation, and pain following the COVID-19 outbreak: data from a nationwide internet survey in Japan
Authors: Yamada Keiko , Wakaizumi Kenta , Kubota Yasuhiko , Murayama Hiroshi , Tabuchi Takahiro
Published: March 2021

The aim of cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between pain and loneliness and increased social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 25,482 participants, aged 15–79 years, were assessed using an internet survey; the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (Version 3), Short Form 3-item (UCLA-LS3-SF3) was used to assess loneliness, and a modified item of the UCLA-LS3-SF3 was used to measure the perception of increased social isolation during the pandemic. The outcome measures included the prevalence/incidence of pain (i.e., headache, neck or shoulder pain, upper limb pain, low back pain, and leg pain), pain intensity, and chronic pain history/prevalence. Pain intensity was measured by the pain/discomfort item of the 5-level version of the EuroQol 5 Dimension scale. Odds ratios of pain prevalence/incidence and chronic pain history/prevalence according to the UCLA-LS3-SF3 scoring groups (tertiles) and the frequency of the perceived increase in social isolation (categories 1–5) were calculated using multinomial logistic regression analysis. The mean pain intensity values among different loneliness and social isolation levels were tested using an analysis of covariance. Increased loneliness and the severity of the perceived social isolation were positively associated with pain prevalence/incidence, intensity, and the history/prevalence of chronic pain.