bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia-related lncRNA Signature to Predict the Survival of Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Fu , Li Xinyuan , Zhou Xiang , Tong Hang , Gou Xin
Published: January 2022

Background: Renal cell carcinoma is the most common aggressive tumor of the genitourinary system. The main pathological subtype is clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and its treatment options are very limited. Therefore, identifying specific markers of renal clear cell carcinoma is of great significance for diagnosis and prognosis.Methods: From the TCGA database, we obtained information on 611 patients with renal clear cell carcinoma to analyze the relationship between hypoxia-related lncRNAs and overall survival. According to the coexpression of hypoxia genes and lncRNAs, genes related to hypoxia were identified. Difference analysis and Cox regression analysis were applied to assess survival-related risk factors. According to the median risk score of hypoxia-related genes, patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. According to these gene characteristics and clinical parameters, a nomogram map was built, and GSEA was used for gene function annotation. RT-qRCR, Western Blot and Flow Cytometry were used to determine the role of SNHG19 in RCC cells.Results: By analyzing the coexpression of hypoxia genes and lncRNAs, 310 hypoxia-related genes were obtained. Six sHRlncRs were significantly correlated with the clinical outcomes of patients with ccRCC. Four sHRlncRs (AC011445.2, PTOV1-AS2, AP004609.3, and SNHG19) with the highest prognostic values were included in the group to construct the HRRS model. The high-risk group had a shorter OS than the low-risk group. HR-lncRNAs were considered to be an independent prognostic factor and associated with OS. The high- and low-risk groups showed different pathways in GSEA. Experiments showed that SNHG19 plays essential roles in autophagy and apoptosis of RCC cells.Conclusion: Our research shows that we established and verified a hypoxia-related lncRNA model that accurately correlates with ccRCC patients. This study also provides novel insights into hypoxia-based mechanisms and provides new biomarkers for the poor prognosis of ccRCC patients.
The vacuolar iron transporter mediates iron detoxification in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Aghabi Dana , Sloan Megan , Dou Zhicheng , Antipova Olga , Guerra Alfredo , Harding Clare
Published: January 2022

Iron is essential to living cells, acting as a cofactor in a number of important enzymes in metabolism; however in the absence of correct storage iron forms dangerous oxygen radicals. In both yeast and plants, iron is stored in a membrane-bound vacuole through the action of a vacuolar iron transporter (VIT). This transporter is conserved in the apicomplexan family of obligate intracellular parasites, including in Toxoplasma gondii, a pathogen of medical and veterinary importance. Here, we assess the role of VIT, and iron storage, in T. gondii. We show that iron is restricted to a compartment in the parasite that does not overlap with zinc. By deleting VIT we find a slight growth defect in vitro, however the absence of VIT leads to hypersensitivity to iron, confirming its essential role in iron detoxification in the parasite. This hypersensitivity can be rescued by scavenging of oxygen radicals. In the absence of VIT, parasites store less iron and are at a growth disadvantage when moving into an iron-depleted environment. We show parasite VIT expression is regulated by iron levels at both the transcript and protein level, and by altering the distribution of VIT within the cell. In the absence of VIT, we find that T. gondii responds by altering expression of genes with a role in iron metabolism and by increasing the activity of the antioxidant protein catalase. We also show that iron detoxification has an important role both in parasite survival within macrophages and in virulence in a mouse model. Together, by demonstrating a critical role for VIT during iron detoxification in T. gondii, we reveal the importance of iron storage in the parasite and provide the first insight into the machinery involved.
Surface Water Quality Assessment, Prediction & Modelling of River Daya in Odisha
Authors: Jena Pramod , Rahaman *Sayed Modinur , DasMohapatra Pradeep Kumar , Barik Durga Prasad , Patra Dikshya Surabhi
Published: January 2022

A decision tree -based approach is projected to predict surface water quality and is a good tool to assess quality and guarantee property safe use of water for drinking. The most objective of this study is to assess the surface water quality of the Daya watercourse to work out the quality of drinking functions. Samples were collected from designated locations throughout totally different seasons (winter, summer, rainy) over a amount of five years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020). Total dissolved solids, pH, alkalinity, chloride, nitrate, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, iron, fluoride, were all tested as well as total coliform, fecal coliform, and E. coli. The main goal is to use decision tree regression to construct a model to assess and predict water quality changes in the Daya geographic region of Odisha, India, and compare it to statistical methods.
COVID-19’s Impact on Visitation Behavior to US National Parks From Communities of Color - Evidence From Mobile Phone Data
Authors: Alba Charles , Pan Bing , Yin Junjun , Rice William L. , Mitra Prasenjit , Lin Michael , Liang Yun
Published: January 2022

The widespread COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed many people’s ways of life. With the necessity of social distancing and lock downs across the United States, evidence shows more people engage in outdoor activities. With the utilization of location-based service (LBS) data, we seek to explore how visitation patterns to national parks changed among communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results show that visitation rates to national parks located closer than 347km to individuals have increased amidst the pandemic, but the converse was demonstrated amongst parks located further than 347km from individuals. More importantly, COVID-19 has adversely impacted visitation figures amongst non-white and Native American communities, with visitation volumes declining if these communities are situated further from national parks. Our results show disproportionately low-representations amongst national park visitors from these communities of color. African American communities display a particularly concerning trend whereby their visitation to national parks is substantially lower amongst communities closer to national parks.
SPAG5 Expression Correlated With Prognostic Implication and Immune Infiltration in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xie Jianjiang , Xu Xie , Zhou Huaping
Published: January 2022

Background Sperm-associate antigen 5 (SPAG5) is a critical oncogene in several cancers. But the role of SPAG5A in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. Thus, the aims of our study are to explore the function and underlying mechanism of SPAG5 in LUAD. Methods Expression of SPAG5 was determined using the Oncomine, TIMER, and GEPIA databases. Correlation of SPAG5 and survival was detected by GEPIA database, PrognoScan, Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases. And the association between SPAG5 and tumor malignant phenotypes were analyzed by the CancerSEA. Besides, the correlation between SPAG5 expression and tumor immune infiltration as well as immune checkpoints were analyzed by TIMER. the co-expression genes of SPAG5 were identified using STRING, and the mutation and biological function of SPAG5 and its co-expression genes were determined by cBioPortal and Metascape, respectively. Finally, the SPAG5 expression in LUAD samples was determined by tissues microarrays (TMA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses.Results We found that upregulated SPAG5 associated with poor survival of LUAD patients. Besides, SPAG5 expression associated to B cell, CD4+ cell, CD8+ cell, macrophage, DC cell as well as CD274, CTLA4, GZMB, LAG3, PDCD1, TIGIT in LUAD. SPAG5 expression also associated with cell proliferation, cell cycle, DNA damage and repair, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and stemness, inflammation in LUAD. Conclusion Our finding indicated that SPAG5 acted as a crucial oncogene in LUAD, and correlated with unfavorable survival as well as tumor infiltration inflation.
Association of Seasonal Ambient Air Pollution With a Risk of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Full-term Pregnancies: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Wenzhou, China
Authors: Huang Huijun , Yu Qiu-Yan , Zheng Tian , Wang Shan-shan , Yang Xin-Jun
Published: January 2022

Prenatal exposures to ambient air pollution have been proved to be associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in previous studies. However, few studies have examined the interaction between air pollution and season of conception on term low birth weight (TLBW) or macrosomia. Birth registry data of singleton live births in Wenzhou, China between January 2015 to December 2016 were accessed from the Wenzhou maternal and child health information management platform, and the ambient air pollutants in Wenzhou were obtained on the Chinese Air Quality Online Monitoring and Analysis Platform. Single/two-pollutant binary logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, and O3) and TLBW/macrosomia, further exploring if the season of conception interacts with air pollution to impact birth weight. Finally, 213,959 term newborns were selected, including 2452 (1.1 %) TLBW infants and 13173 (6.1 %) macrosomia. In single/two-pollutant models, we observed an increased risk of TLBW associated with maternal exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 during the entire pregnancy, especially in the the 2nd trimester. Maternal exposure to O3 during the 1st trimester was associated with increased macrosomia risk, and O3 exposure during the 3rd trimester was associated with increased TLBW risk contrarily. Pregnant women conceived in the warm season may undergo more adverse ambient air environment that is related to the risks of TLBW.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Refusal of Surgical Treatment in Women 40 Years and Older With Breast Cancer in the United States Between 2010 and 2017
Authors: Fwelo Pierre , Yusuf Zenab , Adjei Abigail , Huynh Gabriel , Du Xianglin
Published: January 2022

Purpose Although surgical resection is the main modality of treatment for breast cancer, some patients elect to refuse the recommended surgery. We assessed racial and ethnic differences in women 40 years and older who received or refused to receive surgical treatment for breast cancer in the United States and whether racial disparities in mortality were affected by their differences in the prevalence of refusal for surgical treatmentMethods We studied 277,127 women with breast cancer using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data and performed multivariable logistic regressions to investigate the association between surgery status of breast cancer and race/ethnicity. Additionally, we performed Cox logistic regression analyses to determine the predictors of mortality outcomes. Results Of 277,127 patients with breast cancer, 1,468 (0.53%) refused to receive the recommended surgical treatment in our cohort. Non-Hispanic Black women were 112% more likely to refuse recommended surgical treatment for breast cancer compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts [adjusted odds ratio: 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.82-2.47]. Women who underwent breast conserving surgery [hazards ratio (HR): 0.15, 95% CI: 0.13-0.16] and mastectomy (HR:0.21, 95% CI: 0.18-0.23) had lower hazard ratios of mortality as compared to women who refused the recommended treatment after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion Race/ethnicity was associated with refusal for recommended surgery, especially among non-Hispanic Black women. Also, surgery refusal was associated with a higher risk of all-cause and breast cancer-related mortality. These disparities stress the need to tailor interventions aimed at raising awareness of the importance of following physician recommendations among minorities.
The Valuable Role of Armc1 in Invasive Breast Cancer as a Novel Biomarker
Authors: Gan Yunhao , Zhong Fuxin , Li Lingyu , Wang Hao
Published: January 2022

Background: Invasive breast carcinoma (BRCA) is a common type of breast cancer with high incidence in clinics, so it is significant to find an effective biomarker for BRCA diagnosis and treatment. Although some Armadillo (Arm)-repeat proteins families are confirmed to be biomarkers in cancers, the role of Armadillo repeat-containing 1 (ARMC1) in BRCA remains unknown.Methods: We analyzed the ARMC1 expression in normal breast tissues and BRCA samples, and its association with overall survival by the public database. χ² test evaluated the risks associated with ARMC1 expression in TCGA-BRCA patient samples. The ARMC1 mutations in BRCA were explored in the cBioportal database. Besides, the GO and KEGG analysis was used to explore the potential signaling pathways of ARMC1 in BRCA. Lastly, Immunohistochemistry and immunohistochemistry were performed to validate the ARMC1 expression in BRCA.Results: ARMC1 level in tumor sample was significantly higher than that in normal tissue, and it was also related to lower survival. The factors in clinical patients such as tumor stage and grade and histology were associated with ARMC1 expression. There were 32% of ARMC1 genetic mutations in BRCA, and the amplification and high expression made up the majority of them. Also, ARMC1 might regulate BRCA by involving in the cell cycle. Increased ARMC1 expression was found in clinical breast carcinoma tissues by our confirmatory experiments.Conclusions: All the results revealed that ARMC1 may play a significant role in BRCA as a biomarker, it provides valuable clues for the treatment and diagnosis of invasive breast cancer.
Genome-Wide Association Analysis To Delineate High-Quality Snps For Seed Micronutrient Density In Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.)
Authors: Fayaz Humara , Tyagi Sandhya , Wani Aijaz A. , Pandey Renu , Akhtar Sabina , Bhat Mohd Ashraf , Chitikineni Annapurna , Varshney Rajeev Kumar , Thudi Mahendar , Kumar Upendra , Mir Reyazul Rouf
Published: January 2022

Chickpea is the most important nutrient rich grain legume crop in the world. A diverse core set of 147 chickpea genotypes was genotyped with 50K Cicer SNP array and trait phenotyped in two different environments for four seed micro-nutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn). The trait data and high-throughput 50K SNP genotypic data was used for genome-wide association study (GWAS) that led the discovery of gene/QTLs for seed Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in chickpea. The analysis of seed micronutrient data revealed significant differences for all the four micronutrient concentrations (P ≤ 0.05). The mean concentration of seed Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn pooled over two-year data was 146.1 ppm, 45.9 ppm, 63.8 ppm and 27.0 ppm respectively. The analysis of results led to the identification of 35 SNPs significantly associated with seed Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations. Among these 35 MTAs, 5 were stable (consistently identified in different environments), 6 were major (explain more than 15% phenotypic variation for an individual trait) and 3 were both major and stable MTAs. The stable and major MTAs identified during the present study shall prove useful in molecular breeding programs aimed at enhancing seed nutrient density of chickpea.
A Framework to Support the Progressive Implementation of Integrated Team-based Care for the Management of Copd: a Collective Case Study
Authors: Sibbald Shannon L. , Misra Vaidehi , daSilva Madelyn , Licskai Christopher
Published: January 2022

Background: In Canada, there is widespread agreement about the need for integrated models of team-based care. However, there is less agreement on how to support the scale-up and spread of successful models; there is limited empirical evidence to support this process in chronic disease management. We studied the supporting, and mitigating factors required to successfully implement and scale-up an integrated model of team-based care in primary care.Methods: We conducted a collective case study using multiple methods of data collection including interviews, document analysis, living documents, and a focus group. Our study explored a team-based model of care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) known as Best Care COPD (BCC) that has been implemented in primary care settings across Southwestern Ontario. BCC is a quality improvement initiative that was developed to enhance the quality of care for patients with COPD. Participants included healthcare providers involved in the delivery of the BCC program. Results: We identified several mechanisms influencing the scale-up and spread of BCC and categorized them as Foundational (e.g., evidence-based program, readiness to implement, peer-led implementation team), Transformative (adaptive process, empowerment and collaboration, embedded evaluation), and Enabling Mechanisms (provider training, administrative support, role clarity, patient outcomes). Based on these results, we developed a framework to inform the progressive implementation of integrated, team-based care for chronic disease management. Our framework builds off our empirical work and is framed by local contextual factors. Conclusions: This study explores the implementation and spread of integrated team-based care in a primary care setting. Despite the study’s focus on COPD, we believe the findings can be applied in other chronic disease contexts. We provide a framework to support the progressive implementation of integrated team-based care for chronic disease management.
High-Entropy-Stabilized Polyanionic Cathodes with Multiple Redox Reactions for Sodium-Ion Battery Applications
Authors: Li Huangxu , Xu Ming , Long Huiwu , Zheng Jingqiang , Yuan Kuo , Zhang Liuyun , Xie YangYang , Li Shihao , Gao Jun , Lai Yanqing , Zhang Zhian
Published: January 2022

High-entropy (HE) materials containing multiple elements have created a growing interest in exploring the property limits of electrodes in energy storage and understanding the underlying chemical/physical mechanisms. Here, we show a substantial improvement in performance of HE-based cathodes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Polyanionic structure has a large compositional flexibility and can incorporate many active transition-metal (TM) species, which is an ideal platform to design HE cathode materials. As a proof of concept, we show that HE sodium superionic conductor (HE-NASICON) materials can be synthesized via a facile sol-gel method. By comparing a group of HE-NASICON cathodes containing different contents of TM species, we demonstrate that the multi-Na-ions intercalation/deintercalation process is highly reversible, whereas capacity and cycling stability are improved. The HE-NASICON cathode with equal molarity of five TM species achieves a high capacity of 161 mA h g−1 and capacity retention of 85% when cycling at a high rate of 5 C over 1000 cycles. In-situ XRD and spherical-aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope (ACTEM) also demonstrate a robust trigonal phase with a volume change of merely 4.07% during the multi-Na-ions storage. These results reveal the effectiveness of HE concept in expediting high-performance polyanionic cathodes for real SIBs applications.
An Evaluation Framework Combining Real-Time Transmission Electron Microscopy and Integrated Machine Learning-Particle Filter Estimation Enables Detection and Quantitative Tracking of Nanoscale Defects During Plastic Deformation Processes
Authors: Sasaki Kai , Muramatsu Mayu , Hirayama Kenta , Endo Katsuhiro , Murayama Mitsuhiro
Published: January 2022

Observation of dynamic processes by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an attractive technique to experimentally analyze materials’ nanoscale phenomena and understand the microstructure-properties relationships in nanoscale. Even if spatial and temporal resolutions of real-time TEM increase significantly, it is still difficult to say that the researchers quantitatively evaluate the dynamic behavior of defects. Images in TEM video are a two-dimensional projection of three-dimensional space phenomena, thus missing information must be existed that makes image’s uniquely accurate interpretation challenging. Therefore, even though they are still a clustering high-dimensional data and can be compressed to two-dimensional, conventional statistical methods for analyzing images may not be powerful enough to track nanoscale behavior by removing various artifacts associated with experiment; and automated and unbiased processing tools for such big-data are becoming mission-critical to discover knowledge about unforeseen behavior. We have developed a method to quantitative image analysis framework to resolve these problems, in which machine learning and particle filter estimation are uniquely combined. The quantitative and automated measurement of the dislocation velocity in an Fe-31Mn-3Al-3Si autunitic steel subjected to the tensile deformation was performed to validate the framework, and an intermittent motion of the dislocations was quantitatively analyzed. The framework is successfully classifying, identifying and tracking nanoscale objects; these are not able to be accurately implemented by the conventional mean-path based analysis.
Alternative Liquid Assisted-Sintering of AL/CU Composites Using Selective Powders of AS-Cast Al-ZN Alloy
Authors: Ortiz Eder Lopes , Osório Wislei Riuper , Bortolozo Ausdinir Danilo , Padilha Giovana da Silva
Published: January 2022

Al and its alloys constitute one of the most versatile, economical and attractive materials for a wide range of applications. The 7xxx and 2xxx series alloys are those of achieving the highest mechanical strength among aluminum alloys. In this investigation, using powder metallurgy provides the microstructural and mechanical properties characterizations of non-commercial Al6Cu5Zn alloy by using powder metallurgy. Initial powder sizes are determined and the best condition is obtained for the distribution comprised between 75-106 μm. The samples are sintered at 585 oC, 600 oC and 615 oC during 0.5, 1.5 h and 3 h. It is found that mechanical behavior similar to as-cast Al-Cu based alloys is attained (~ 125 MPa) when the samples at 615 oC during 3 h are sintered. Considering the reduction of energy consumption and metal fumes commonly produced in foundry, Al-Zn powder can be used with Al and Cu elemental powders to constitute an Al6Cu5Zn alloy.
3-oxo-C12:2-HSL, Quorum Sensing Molecule from Human Intestinal Microbiota, Inhibits Pro-inflammatory Pathways in Immune Cells via Bitter Taste Receptors
Authors: Coquant Garance , Aguanno Doriane , Brot Loic , Belloir Christine , Delugeard Julie , Roger Nathalie , Pham Hang-Phuong , Briand Loic , Moreau Marielle , De Sordi Luisa , Carrière Véronique , Grill Jean-Pierre , Thenet Sophie , Seksik Philippe
Published: January 2022

In the gut ecosystem, microorganisms regulate group behaviour and interplay with the host via a molecular system called quorum sensing (QS). The QS molecule 3-oxo-C12:2-HSL, first identified in human gut microbiota, exerts anti-inflammatory effects and could play a role in inflammatory bowel diseases where dysbiosis has been described. Our aim was to identify which signalling pathways are involved in this effect. We observed that 3-oxo-C12:2-HSL decreases expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as, Interleukine-1β (-3 %) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) (40 %) by stimulated immune RAW264.7 cells and decreased TNF secretion by stimulated PBMC in a dose-dependent manner, between 25 µM to 100 µM. Transcriptomic analysis of RAW264.7 cells exposed to 3-oxo-C12:2-HSL, in a pro-inflammatory context, highlighted JAK-STAT, NF-κB and TFN signalling pathways and we confirmed that 3-oxo-C12:2-HSL inhibited JAK1 and STAT1 phosphorylation. We also showed through a screening assay that 3-oxo-C12:2-HSL interacted with several human bitter taste receptors. Its anti-inflammatory effect involved TAS2R38 as shown by pharmacologic inhibition and led to an increase in intracellular calcium levels. We thus unravelled the involvement of several cellular pathways in the anti-inflammatory effects exerted by the QS molecule 3-oxo-C12:2-HSL.
Building Reliable Radiomic Models Using Image Perturbation
Authors: Teng Xinzhi , Zhang Jiang , Zwanenburg Alex , Sun Jiachen , Huang Yu-hua , Lam Saikit , Zhang Yuanpeng , Li Bing , Zhou Ta , Xiao Haonan , Liu Chenyang , Li Wen , Han Xinyang , Ma Zongrui , Cai Jing , Li Tian
Published: January 2022

Radiomic model reliability is a central premise for its clinical translation. Presently, it is assessed using test-retest or external data, which, unfortunately, is often scarce in reality. Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel image perturbation-based method (IPBM) for the first of its kind toward building a reliable radiomic model. We first developed a radiomic prognostic model for head-and-neck cancer patients on a training (70%) and evaluated on a testing (30%) cohort using C-index. Subsequently, we applied the IPBM to CT images of both cohorts (Perturbed-Train and Perturbed-Test cohort) to generate 60 additional samples for both cohorts. Model reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) to quantify consistency of the C-index among the 60 samples in the Perturbed-Train and Perturbed-Test cohorts. Besides, we re-trained the radiomic model using reliable RFs exclusively (ICC>0.75) to validate the IPBM. Results showed moderate model reliability in Perturbed-Train (ICC:0.565, 95%CI:0.518-0.615) and Perturbed-Test (ICC:0.596, 95%CI:0.527-0.670) cohorts. An enhanced reliability of the re-trained model was observed in Perturbed-Train (ICC:0.782, 95%CI:0.759-0.815) and Perturbed-Test (ICC:0.825, 95%CI:0.782-0.867) cohorts, indicating validity of the IPBM. To conclude, we demonstated capability of the IPBM toward building reliable radiomic models, providing community with a novel model reliability assessment strategy prior to prospective evaluation.
Adherence to Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay Diet Can Decreased Risk of Age Associated Poor Muscle Strength; A Cross- Sectional from Kurdish Cohort Study
Authors: Pasdar Yahya , Moradi Shima , Saedi Saman , Hamzeh Behrooz , Najafi Farid
Published: January 2022

The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet aims to reduce dementia and the decline in brain health that often occurs as people get older. Loss of muscle strength (sarcopenia) is a geriatric syndrome that has associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. The current study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to MIND diet and decrease the risk of age-associated poor muscle strength. This cross-sectional study was performed using data from Ravansar's non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study on 3181 adults (48.5% men) aged 35–65 years. The dietary intake of the studied participants was assessed by the use of a 114-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed by RaNCD cohort study. The MIND diet and the major dietary patterns were computed based on their dietary intake and three dietary patterns were identified including plant-based diet, high protein diet, and unhealthy diet. Hand grip strength (HGS) was measured using a hand-held hydraulic handgrip dynamometer and poor HGS was defined as HGS less than 32.8 and 20.5 kg in men and women, respectively. We found that greater adherence to MIND diet was associated with lower risk of poor HGS (OR: 0.65; CI 95%: 0.51-0.83). Furthermore, participants who were in third tertiles of plant- based and high protein diet were more likely 37% and 33% lower risk of poor HGS (OR: 0.63; CI 95%: 0.5-0.79), (OR: 0.67; CI 95%: 0.54-0.84), respectively. On the other hand, greater following to unhealthy diet was related to higher risk of poor HGS (OR: 1.39; CI 95%: 1.11-1.74). Overall, our findings provide that adhere to plant- based and high protein diet, as well as MIND diet had protective effects on age related poor HGS, while adherence to unhealthy diet can developed age related poor HGS.
Resolving Missing Protein Problems Using Functional Class Scoring
Authors: Wong Bertrand Jernhan , Kong Weijia , Wong Limsoon , Goh Wilson Wen Bin
Published: January 2022

Despite technological advances in proteomics, incomplete coverage and inconsistency issues persist, resulting in “data holes”. These data holes cause the missing protein problem (MPP), where relevant proteins are persistently unobserved, or sporadically observed across samples. This hinders biomarker and drug discovery from proteomics data. Network-based approaches are powerful: The Functional Class Scoring (FCS) method using protein complexes was able to easily recover missed proteins with weak or partial support. However, there are limitations: The verification approach (in determining missing protein recovery) is potentially biased as the test data was based on relatively outdated Data-Dependent Acquisition (DDA) proteomics and FCS does not provide a scoring scheme for individual protein components (in significant complexes). To address these issues: First, we devised a more rigorous evaluation of FCS based on same-sample technical replicates. And second, we evaluate using data from more recent Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) technologies (viz. SWATH).Although cross-replicate examination reveals some inconsistencies amongst same-class samples, tissue-differentiating signal is nonetheless strongly conserved. This confirms FCS as a viable method that selects biologically meaningful networks. We also report that predicted missing proteins are statistically significant based on FCS p-values. Although cross-replicate verification rates are not spectacular, the predicted missing proteins as a whole, have higher peptide support than non-predicted proteins. FCS also has the capacity to predict missing proteins that are often lost due to weak specific peptide support. As a yet unresolved limitation, we find that FCS cannot assign meaningful probabilities to individual protein components (no relationship between actual probability of verification and FCS-assigned probability) as it only provides a p-value at the level of complexes.
Dispersal and Oviposition Patterns of Lycorma Delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) During Oviposition Period in Ailanthus Altissima (Simaroubaceae)
Authors: Jung Minhyung , Kho Jung-Wook , Gook Do-Hun , Lee Young Su , Lee Doo-Hyung
Published: January 2022

The spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), has the potential to become a global pest and is currently expanding its range in the United States. In this study, we investigated the dispersal patterns of SLF in Ailanthus altissima during its oviposition period in South Korea using fluorescent marking system. Oviposition patterns of SLF were then analyzed by surveying egg masses in A. altissima patches. The recapture rate of fluorescent-marked SLF rapidly decreased < 30% within the first two weeks. During the oviposition period, seven cases of among-patch dispersal of SLF adults were observed with a minimum estimated dispersal distance mainly ranging between 10 - 60 m and a maximum of 1,740 m. Also, the number of A. altissima trees detected with fluorescent-marked SLF increased until late September. Based on the egg mass survey, a total of 159 egg masses were detected from 38 out of 247 A. altissima trees. Furthermore, ca. 80% of egg masses were located < 2.5 m above the ground. Finally, the number of egg masses showed significant positive correlations with the height and diameter at root collar of A. altissima trees; both tree height and DRC were significantly larger from the trees with egg masses.
Doxorubicin Impacts the Chromatin Binding of Hmgb1, Histone H1 and Retinoic Acid Receptor
Authors: Bosire Rosevalentine , Fadel Lina , Mocsár Gábor , Nánási Péter , Sen Pialy , Sharma Anshu Kumar , Naseem Muhammad Umair , Kovács Attila , Kugel Jennifer , Kroemer Guido , Vámosi György , Szabó Gábor
Published: January 2022

Doxorubicin (Dox), a widely used anticancer DNA-binding drug, affects chromatin in multiple ways, and these effects contribute to both its efficacy and dose-limiting side-effects, especially cardiotoxicity. Here we studied the Dox effects on the chromatin binding of the architectural proteins high mobility group B1 (HMGB1) and the linker histone H1, and the transcription factor retinoic acid receptor (RARα) by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), in live cells. At lower drug concentrations, Dox increased the binding of HMGB1 to DNA while decreasing the binding of the linker histone H1. At higher doses that correspond to the peak plasma concentrations reached in chemotherapy, Dox reduced the binding of HMGB1 as well. This biphasic effect is interpreted in terms of a hierarchy of competition between the ligands involved and Dox-induced local conformational changes of nucleosome-free DNA. When combined, FRAP and FCS mobility data suggest that Dox decreases the overall binding of RARα to DNA, an effect that was only partially overcome by agonist binding. The intertwined interactions described likely contribute to the effects as well as side-effects of Dox.
Locomotive Syndrome Associated With Daily Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Community‐dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Analysis
Authors: Ishihara Yoshihiko , Ozaki Hayao , Nakagata Takashi , Yoshihara Toshinori , Natsume Toshiharu , Kitada Tomoharu , Ishibashi Masayoshi , Deng Pengyu , Yamada Yasuyuki , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Machida Shuichi , Naito Hisashi
Published: January 2022

Background: Locomotive syndrome (LS) is associated with weakness and loss of function in the musculoskeletal organs. To evaluate the association between LS and daily physical activities (PA) in community-dwelling older adults using a three-axis accelerometer. Methods: This cross-sectional study included healthy 80 older adults (40 men and 40 women; age: 60-79 years). Three functional tests, the two-step test, the stand-up test, and the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS) were used to assess the risk of LS. Maximal isometric muscle strengths of the knee extensors were examined, and the weight bearing index (knee extension strength/body weight) was calculated. Habitual daily PA was evaluated using a three-axis wrist accelerometer. Results: Of the 80 participants, 41 (51.3%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for LS (including a two-step test score < 1.3, difficulty with one-leg standing from 40 cm in the stand-up test, and a 25-question GLFS score ≥ 7) We found that step count and time spent performing moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) were significantly higher in women participants without LS compared to those with LS (p = 0.01); no significant difference was found in men. Logistic regression analyses indicated a longer time spent performing MVPA (> 47.26 min/day) was associated with a lower risk of LS compared to only performing for 21.11 min/day. Conclusions: Our data showed that daily MVPA using a three-axis accelerometer was associated with LS in community-dwelling older adult women, but not in men.
Retinal Development and The Expression Profiles of Opsins Genes During Larvae Development in Takifugu Rubripes
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wu Yumeng , Li Weiyuan , Wang Jia , Zhou Huiting , Zhang Lei , Liu Qi , Ying Liu , Yan Hongwei
Published: January 2022

Vision is the dominant sensory modality in fish and critical for the survival of fish larvae to detect predators or capture prey. The visual capacity of fish larvae is determined by the structure of the retina and the opsins expressed in the retinal and non-retinal photoreceptors. In this study, the retinal structure and opsin expression patterns during the early development stage of Takifugu rubripes larvae were investigated. At around two days after hatching days (dah), the yolk sac of T. rubripes disappeared, the mouth was clearly visible and the larvae started swimming and feeding on rotifers. Histological examination showed that at 1 dah, six layers were observed in the retina of T. rubripes larva, including the pigment epithelial layer (RPE), photoreceptor layer (PRos/is), outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner nuclear layer (INL), inner plexiform layer (IPL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). At 2 dah, all eight layers were visible in the retina in T. rubripes larva, including RPE, PRos/is, ONL, outer plexiform layer (OPL), INL, IPL, GCL and optic fiber layer (OFL). By measuring the thickness of each layer, opposing developmental trends were found in the thickness of ONL, OPL, INL and IPL, GCL and OFL. The nuclear density of ONL, INL and GCL and ratio of ONL/INL, ONL/GCL and INL/GCL were also measured and the ratio of ONL/GCL ranged from 1.9 at 2 dah to 3.4 at 8 dah and no significant difference was observed between the different developmental stages (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed for the INL/GCL ratio between the different developmental stages, which ranged from 1.2 at 2 dah to 2.0 at 18 dah (p > 0.05). The results of quantitative real-time PCR showed that the expression of rhodopsin, LWS, SWS2, green opsin, rod opsin, opsin3 and opsin5 could be detected from 1 dah. These results suggested that the maturation of eye of T. rubripes occurred during the period of transition from endogenous to mixed feeding, explaining the need for vision-based survival skills during the early life stages after hatching and for the overall ecology and fitness of T. rubripes.
Astragalin Ameliorates Cognitive Dysfunction Through Inhibiting PI3K/Akt-MTOR-Mediated Autophagic Flow in Hippocampal Neurons of APP/PS1 Mice
Authors: Yang Cuizhu , Zhang Runheng , Wang Shuhan , Tian Yinghong , Yang Yaqi , Liu Jing , MA YUXIN
Published: January 2022

Astragalin (AST), a natural small molecule flavonoid, can exert anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer impacts by regulating autophagy. However, the potential mechanism of the neuroprotective effect of AST on neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is still not clear. In the present study, we firstly screened AST for the treatment of AD from the ingredients of Chinese medicines such as Acori tataninowii Rhizoma, Eucommiae Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba through the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP) database. And then we found that AST could improve the cognitive abilities of APP/PS1 mice by Step-down passive avoidance (SDA) and Morris Water Maze (MWM) Test. Further, we identified that AST diminished Aβ plaques deposition in the brains of APP/PS1 mice and Aβ as well as Aβ42 levels in the serum of APP/PS1 mice. Next, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), p62, Beclin-1, ATG5, ATG12, LAMP-1 were observed to be co-expressed with NeuN in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice by immunofluorescent multiplex staining, while AST was able to activate autophagy and maintain autophagic flow in hippocampal neurons of APP/PS1 mice by western blot (WB) analysis. Finally, AST reduced the expressions of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR by WB analysis. Taken together, we confirmed that AST may play key neuroprotective effects on APP/PS1 mice by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt-mTOR signaling pathway to activate autophagy and keep autophagic flow smooth.
Treatment Outcomes and Relative Dose Intensity of Chemotherapy in Slovene Patients With Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Rozman Samo , Gorenjec Nina Ružić , Novaković Barbara Jezeršek
Published: January 2022

This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the association of relative dose intensity (RDI) with the outcome of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients with advanced stage disease receiving ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) and escalated BEACOPP regimen (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone). A total of 114 HL patients treated between 2004 and 2013 were enrolled for evaluation. RDI calculations were based on a Hryniuk's model. The association of variables with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was analysed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. The median age of patients was 39 years, majority of patients were males and had stage IV disease. Fifty-four patients received ABVD and 60 received BEACOPP chemotherapy with 24 and 4 deaths, respectively. Patients in BEACOPP group were significantly younger with lower Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) in comparison with ABVD group, making the comparison of groups impossible. In ABVD group, RDI was not significantly associated with OS (p=0.590) or PFS (p=0.354) in a multivariate model where age was controlled. The low number of events prevented the analysis in the BEACOPP group. Patients' age was strongly associated with both OS and PFS: all statistically significant predictors for OS and PFS from univariate analyses (chemotherapy regimen, CCI, RDI) lost its effect in multivariate analyses where age was controlled. Based on our observations, we can conclude that RDI is not associated with the OS or PFS after the age is controlled, neither in all patients combined nor in individual chemotherapy groups.
A Fluorescence System Composed of Nitrogen-doped Graphene Quantum Dots and Gold Nanoparticles Coated With Phenylalanine for Selective and Sensitive Quantification of Piroxicam in Biological Samples
Authors: Bahmani Maryam Moallemi , Shabani Ali Mohammad Haji , Dadfarnia Shayessteh , Afsharipour Roya
Published: January 2022

In this study, a sensitive fluorimetric method is proposed for the determination of piroxicam using nitrogen graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) and gold nanoparticles coated with phenylalanine. The fluorescence emission of N-GQDs at 440 nm decreases with the increase of gold nanoparticles coated with phenylalanine. However, the addition of piroxicam causes the release of gold nanoparticles from the surface of quantum dots followed by the retrieval of the fluorescence emission of N-GQDs. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the concentration range of 2.0-35.0 nmol L-1 for piroxicam with a limit of detection of 0.11 nmol L-1. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of piroxicam in urine and serum samples.
Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Exosomal Mir-466f-3p Reverses Emt Process Through Inhibiting Akt/gsk3β Pathway via C-met in Radiation-induced Lung Injury
Authors: Li Yi , Shen Zhufu , Jiang Xiao , Wang Yuanyuan , Yang Zuozhang , Mao Yuchi , Wu Zhixian , Li Gaofeng , Chen Hong
Published: January 2022

Background: Radiation-induced lung fibrosis (RILF) is a common complication of thoracic radiotherapy. Alveolar epithelial cells play a crucial role in lung fibrosis via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells own the beneficial properties to repair and regeneration of damaged tissues, however the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods: Mouse mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (mMSCs-Exo) were isolated by differential centrifugation, and their protective effects were assessed in vivo and in vitro , respectively. EMT-associated proteins were measured via western blot assay and/or immunofluorescence staining. The miRNA expression was measured by microarray assay and qPCR. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction with KEGG analysis, luciferase assay, and rescue experiments were performed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying miR-466f-3p. Results: mMSCs-Exos were efficiently isolated ranging from 90-150 nm with high expression of exosomal markers (CD63, TSG101, and CD9). mMSCs-Exos administration efficiently relieved radiation-induced lung injury with less collagen deposition and lower levels of IL-1β and IL-6. Meanwhile, in vitro results showed mMSCs-Exos treatment obviously reversed EMT process induced by radiation. Among enriched miRNA cargo in exosomes, miR-466f-3p was primarily responsible for the protective effects via inhibition of AKT/GSK3β pathway. Our mechanistic study further demonstrated that c-MET was the direct target of miR-466f-3p, whose restoration partially abrogated mMSCs-Exo-mediated inhibition in both EMT process and AKT/GSK3β signaling activity induced by radiation. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that exosomal miR-466f-3p derived from mMSCs may possess anti-fibrotic properties and prevent radiation-induced EMT through inhibition of AKT/GSK3β via c-MET, providing a promising therapeutic modality for radiation-induced lung fibrosis.
Matched Queues with Flexible Customers and Impatient Customers
Authors: liu hengli
Published: January 2022

This paper studies a double-ended queue with four Poisson inputs and flexible customers, and its stability is guaranteed by customers’ impatient behavior. We show that such a queue can be expressed as a quasi birth-and-death (QBD) process with infinitely many phases. For this purpose, we provide a detailed analysis for the QBD process, including the system stability, the stationary probability vector, the sojourn time, and so forth. Finally, numerical examples are employed to verify the correctness of our theoretical results, and demonstrate how the performance measures of this queue are influenced by key system parameters. We believe that the methodology and results described in this paper can be applied to analyze many practical issues, such as those encountered in sharing economy, organ transplantation, employee recruitment, onlinedating, and so on.
WITHDRAWN: Edible Mushroom significantly ameliorated Hepatorenal Toxicity of Butyl Paraben (BP) in Albino Rats.
Authors: berhane Kassahun
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Parabens are used commonly as preservatives in a range of cosmetics applied to the under arm and breast area as well as popular preservatives because of their cost.Aim of the work: This study was done to evaluate the neprohepatic toxicity of parabens. Materials and methods: Thirty adult female rats were used and given paraben orally for six months at parabens at dose of 10 % of the LD50 equal to 4.6mg\kg.bw. Mushroom was given orally to at dose of 10 mg/kg/day for six months too. Results: Oral administration of BP induced biochemical and histopathological changes. Biochemical changes: BP toxicity manifested by changes in the liver and kidney function tests manifested by increase AST, ALT, Bilirubin, urea and createnine with decreases to plasma proteins in comparison to control group. Giving mushroom caused amelioration to the nephrohepatic toxicity by inducing recovery in liver and kidney functions in comparison to paraben treated group. For histopathological findings: BP induced vascular congestion in liver and kidney in association with necrotic changes in the hepatorenal epithelium which improved after mushroom treatment. Conclusion: BP induced hepatorenal toxicity which improved by mushroom treatment.