bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic determinants of malaria in tribal dominated Mandla district enrolled in Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Sharma Ravendra K. , Rajvanshi Harsh , Bharti Praveen K. , Nisar Sekh , Jayswar Himanshu , Mishra Ashok K. , Saha Kalyan B. , Shukla Man Mohan , Das Aparup , Kaur Harpreet , Wattal Suman L. , Lal Altaf A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Malaria is known as a disease of poverty because of its dominance in poverty-stricken areas. Madhya Pradesh state in central India is one of the most vulnerable states for malaria morbidity and mortality. Socio-economic, environmental and demographic factors present challenges in malaria control and elimination. As part of the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in the tribal district of Mandla in Madhya Pradesh, this study was undertaken to assess the role of different social-economic factors contributing to malaria incidence.

Methods

The study was conducted in the 1233 villages of district Mandla, where 87% population resides in rural areas. The data was collected using the android based mobile application—SOCH for a period of 2 years (September 2017 to August 2019). A wealth index was computed along with analysis of the socio-economic characteristics of houses with malaria cases. Variables with significant variation in malaria cases were used in logistic regression.

Results

More than 70% of houses in Mandla are Kuccha (made of thatched roof or mud), 20% do not have any toilet facilities, and only 11% had an annual income of more than 50,000 INR, which converts to about $700 per year. Households with younger heads, male heads, more number of family members were more likely to have malaria cases. Kuccha construction, improper water supply, low household income houses were also more likely to have a malaria case and the odds doubled in houses with no toilet facilities.

Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, it has been found that there is an association between the odds of having malaria cases and different household variables such as age, gender, number of members, number of rooms, caste, type of house, toilet facilities, water supply, cattle sheds, agricultural land, income, and vector control interventions. Therefore, a better understanding of the association of various risk factors that influence the incidence of malaria is required to design and/or deploy effective policies and strategies for malaria elimination. The results of this study suggest that appropriate economic and environmental interventions even in low-income and poverty-stricken tribal areas could have huge impact on the success of the national malaria elimination goals.
Mer regulates microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and alleviates neuroinflammation following traumatic brain injury
Authors: Wu Haijian , Zheng Jingwei , Xu Shenbin , Fang Yuanjian , Wu Yingxi , Zeng Jianxiong , Shao Anwen , Shi Ligen , Lu Jianan , Mei Shuhao , Wang Xiaoyu , Guo Xinying , Wang Yirong , Zhao Zhen , Zhang Jianmin
Published: January 2021

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Microglial/macrophage activation and neuroinflammation are key cellular events following TBI, but the regulatory and functional mechanisms are still not well understood. Myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase (Mer), a member of the Tyro-Axl-Mer (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases, regulates multiple features of microglial/macrophage physiology. However, its function in regulating the innate immune response and microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization in TBI has not been addressed. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of Mer in regulating microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation following TBI.

Methods

The controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model was employed. Mer siRNA was intracerebroventricularly administered, and recombinant protein S (PS) was intravenously applied for intervention. The neurobehavioral assessments, RT-PCR, Western blot, magnetic-activated cell sorting, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy analysis, Nissl and Fluoro-Jade B staining, brain water content measurement, and contusion volume assessment were performed.

Results

Mer is upregulated and regulates microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation in the acute stage of TBI. Mechanistically, Mer activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)/suppressor of cytokine signaling 1/3 (SOCS1/3) pathway. Inhibition of Mer markedly decreases microglial/macrophage M2-like polarization while increases M1-like polarization, which exacerbates the secondary brain damage and sensorimotor deficits after TBI. Recombinant PS exerts beneficial effects in TBI mice through Mer activation.

Conclusions

Mer is an important regulator of microglial/macrophage M1/M2 polarization and neuroinflammation, and may be considered as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in TBI.
Association of calprotectin with other inflammatory parameters in the prediction of mortality for ischemic stroke
Authors: Marta-Enguita Juan , Navarro-Oviedo Manuel , Rubio-Baines Idoia , Aymerich Nuria , Herrera Maria , Zandio Beatriz , Mayor Sergio , Rodriguez Jose-Antonio , Páramo Jose-Antonio , Toledo Estefania , Mendioroz Maite , Muñoz Roberto , Orbe Josune
Published: January 2021

Background

Inflammatory response plays an important role in many processes related to acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9), released by monocytes and neutrophils, is a key protein in the regulation of inflammation and thrombosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of circulating calprotectin with other inflammatory biomarkers and AIS prognosis, as well as the calprotectin content in stroke thrombi.

Methods

Among the 748 patients treated at a comprehensive stroke center between 2015 and 2017, 413 patients with confirmed acute ischemic injury were prospectively evaluated. Patients with systemic inflammation or infection at onset were excluded. Plasma calprotectin was measured by ELISA in blood samples of AIS patients within the first 24 h. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to evaluate its association with mortality and functional independence (FI) at 3 months (defined as modified Rankin Scale < 3) and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after ischemic stroke. Further, S100A9 was localized by immunostaining in stroke thrombi (n = 44).

Results

Higher calprotectin levels were associated with 3-month mortality, HT, and lower 3-month FI. After adjusting for potential confounders, plasma calprotectin remained associated with 3-month mortality [OR (95% CI) 2.31 (1.13–4.73)]. Patients with calprotectin ≥ 2.26 μg/mL were 4 times more likely to die [OR 4.34 (1.95–9.67)]. Addition of calprotectin to clinical variables led to significant improvement in the discrimination capacity of the model [0.91 (0.87–0.95) vs 0.89 (0.85–0.93); p < 0.05]. A multimarker approach demonstrated that patients with increased calprotectin, CRP, and NLR had the poorest outcome with a mortality rate of 42.3% during follow-up. S100A9 protein, as part of the heterodimer calprotectin, was present in all thrombi retrieved from AIS patients. Mean S100A9 content was 3.5% and tended to be higher in patients who died (p = 0.09). Moreover, it positively correlated with platelets (Pearson r 0.46, p < 0.002), leukocytes (0.45, p < 0.01), and neutrophil elastase (0.70, p < 0.001) thrombus content.

Conclusions

Plasma calprotectin is an independent predictor of 3-month mortality and provides complementary prognostic information to identify patients with poor outcome after AIS. The presence of S100A9 in stroke thrombi suggests a possible inflammatory mechanism in clot formation, and further studies are needed to determine its influence in resistance to reperfusion.
MicroRNA-210 downregulates TET2 and contributes to inflammatory response in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
Authors: Ma Qingyi , Dasgupta Chiranjib , Shen Guofang , Li Yong , Zhang Lubo
Published: January 2021

Background

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury is a leading cause of acute mortality and chronic disability in newborns. Our previous studies demonstrated that HI insult significantly increased microRNA-210 (miR-210) in the brain of rat pups and inhibition of brain endogenous miR-210 by its inhibitor (LNA) provided neuroprotective effect in HI-induced brain injury. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning this neuroprotection remain unclear.

Methods

We made a neonatal HI brain injury model in mouse pups of postnatal day 7 to uncover the mechanism of miR-210 in targeting the ten eleven translocation (TET) methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 that is a transcriptional suppressor of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes in the neonatal brain. TET2 silencing RNA was used to evaluate the role of TET2 in the neonatal HI-induced pro-inflammatory response and brain injury. MiR-210 mimic and inhibitor (LNA) were delivered into the brain of mouse pups to study the regulation of miR-210 on the expression of TET2. Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to validate the direct binding of miR-210 to the 3′ untranslated region of the TET2 transcript. Furthermore, BV2 mouse microglia cell line was employed to confirm the role of miR-210-TET2 axis in regulating pro-inflammatory response in microglia. Post-assays included chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, co-immunoprecipitation, RT-PCR, brain infarct assay, and neurobehavioral test. Student’s t test or one-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.

Results

HI insult significantly upregulated miR-210, downregulated TET2 protein abundance, and increased NF-κB subunit p65 acetylation level and its DNA binding capacity to the interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) promoter in the brain of mouse pups. Inhibition of miR-210 rescued TET2 protein level from HI insult and miR-210 mimic decreased TET2 protein level in the brain of mouse pups, suggesting that TET2 is a functional target of miR-210. The co-immunoprecipitation was performed to reveal the role of TET2 in HI-induced inflammatory response in the neonatal brain. The result showed that TET2 interacted with NF-κB subunit p65 and histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), a co-repressor of gene transcription. Furthermore, TET2 knockdown increased transcriptional activity of acetyl-p65 on IL-1β gene in the neonatal brain and enhanced HI-induced upregulation of acetyl-p65 level and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Of importance, TET2 knockdown exacerbated brain infarct size and neurological deficits and counteracted the neuroprotective effect of miR-210 inhibition. Finally, the in vitro results demonstrated that the miR-210-TET2 axis regulated pro-inflammatory response in BV2 mouse microglia cell line.

Conclusions

The miR-210-TET2 axis regulates pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in microglia, contributing to neonatal HI brain injury.
Measuring body condition of lizards: a comparison between non-invasive dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, chemical fat extraction and calculated indices
Authors: Sion Guy , Watson Maggie J. , Bouskila Amos
Published: January 2021

Background

Condition indices (CIs) are used in ecological studies as a way of measuring an individual animal’s health and fitness. Noninvasive CIs are estimations of a relative score of fat content or rely on a ratio of body mass compared to some measure of size, usually a linear dimension such as tarsus or snout-vent length. CIs are generally validated invasively by lethal fat extraction as in a seasonal sample of individuals in a population. Many alternatives to lethal fat extraction are costly or time consuming. As an alternative, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) allows for non-destructive analysis of body composition and enables multiple measurements during an animal’s life time. DXA has never been used for ecological studies in a small, free-ranging lizard before, therefore we calibrated this method against a chemical extraction of fat from a sample of 6 geckos (Israeli fan toed gecko Ptyodactylus guttatus) ranging in body mass between 4.2–11.5 g. We then  used this calibrated  DXA measurements to determine the best linear measurement calculated CI for this species.

Results

We found that fat mass measured with DXA was significantly correlated with the mass of chemically extracted fat for specimens more than 4.8 g (N = 5, R2 = 0.995, P < 0.001). Fat percentage regressed with body mass significantly predicted the DXA fat percentage (N = 29, R2adj. = 0.862, p < 0.001). Live wet mass was significantly correlated with predicted fat mass (N = 30, R2 = 0.984, P < 0.001) for specimens more than 4.8 g. Among the five calculated non-invasive CIs that we tested, the best was mass/SVL.

Conclusions

We recommend that in situations where DXA cannot be used, that the most accurate of the body condition estimators for  this species is mass/SVL (snout-vent length) for both sexes.
Conditional knock out of transcription factor CTCF in excitatory neurons induces cognitive deficiency
Authors: Choi Dong Il , Kim Myeongwon , Kim Somi , Yu Nam-Kyung , Kwak Chuljung , Seo Hyunhyo , Lee Kyungmin , Kaang Bong-Kiun
Published: January 2021

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a transcription factor that is involved in organizing chromatin structure. A reduction of CTCF expression is known to develop distinct clinical features. Furthermore, conditional knock out (cKO) study revealed reactive gliosis of astrocytes and microglia followed by age-dependent cell death in the excitatory neurons of CTCF cKO mice. To assess the cognitive ability in CTCF cKO mice of over 20 weeks of age, we examined pairwise discrimination (PD), PD reversal learning (PDr), and different paired-associate learning (dPAL) tasks using a touch screen apparatus. We found cognitive impairment in dPAL touch screen tests, suggesting that prolonged Ctcf gene deficiency results in cognitive deficits.
Preclinical models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: challenges and opportunities in the era of precision medicine
Authors: Yu Yiqi , Yang Gang , Huang Hua , Fu Ziyao , Cao Zhe , Zheng Lianfang , You Lei , Zhang Taiping
Published: January 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely lethal malignancy, with an average 5-year survival rate of 9% (Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Ca Cancer J Clin. 2019;69(1):7-34). The steady increase in mortality rate indicates limited efficacy of the conventional regimen. The heterogeneity of PDAC calls for personalized treatment in clinical practice, which requires the construction of a preclinical system for generating patient-derived models. Currently, the lack of high-quality preclinical models results in ineffective translation of novel targeted therapeutics. This review summarizes applications of commonly used models, discusses major difficulties in PDAC model construction and provides recommendations for integrating workflows for precision medicine.
Circular RNA circLMO7 acts as a microRNA-30a-3p sponge to promote gastric cancer progression via the WNT2/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Cao Jiacheng , Zhang Xing , Xu Penghui , Wang Haixiao , Wang Sen , Zhang Lu , Li Zheng , Xie Li , Sun Guangli , Xia Yiwen , Lv Jialun , Yang Jing , Xu Zekuan
Published: January 2021

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Currently, the overall survival rate of GC is still unsatisfactory despite progress in diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, studying the molecular mechanisms involved in GC is vital for diagnosis and treatment. CircRNAs, a type of noncoding RNA, have been proven to act as miRNA sponges that can widely regulate various cancers. By this mechanism, circRNA can regulate tumors at the genetic level by releasing miRNA from inhibiting its target genes. The WNT2/β-Catenin regulatory pathway is one of the canonical signaling pathways in tumors. It can not only promote the development of tumors but also provide energy for tumor growth through cell metabolism (such as glutamine metabolism).

Methods

Through RNA sequencing, we found that hsa_circ_0008259 (circLMO7) was highly expressed in GC tissues. After verifying the circular characteristics of circLMO7, we determined the downstream miRNA (miR-30a-3p) of circLMO7 by RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter assays. We verified the effect of circLMO7 and miR-30a-3p on GC cells through a series of functional experiments, including colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and Transwell assays. Through Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses, we found that WNT2 was the downstream target gene of miR-30a-3p and further confirmed that the circLMO7-miR-30a-3p-WNT2 axis could promote the development of GC. In addition, measurement of related metabolites confirmed that this axis could also provide energy for the growth of GC cells through glutamine metabolism. We found that circLMO7 could promote the growth and metastasis of GC in vivo by the establishment of nude mouse models. Finally, we also demonstrated that HNRNPL could bind to the flanking introns of the circLMO7 exons to promote circLMO7 cyclization.

Results

CircLMO7 acted as a miR-30a-3p sponge affecting the WNT2/β-Catenin pathway to promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells. Moreover, animal results also showed that circLMO7 could promote GC growth and metastasis in vivo. CircLMO7 could also affect the glutamine metabolism of GC cells through the WNT2/β-Catenin pathway to promote its malignant biological function. In addition, we proved that HNRNPL could promote the self-cyclization of circLMO7.

Conclusions

CircLMO7 promotes the development of GC by releasing the inhibitory effect of miR-30a-3p on its target gene WNT2.
Equivalent DNA methylation variation between monozygotic co-twins and unrelated individuals reveals universal epigenetic inter-individual dissimilarity
Authors: Planterose Jiménez Benjamin , Liu Fan , Caliebe Amke , Montiel González Diego , Bell Jordana T. , Kayser Manfred , Vidaki Athina
Published: January 2021

Background

Although the genomes of monozygotic twins are practically identical, their methylomes may evolve divergently throughout their lifetime as a consequence of factors such as the environment or aging. Particularly for young and healthy monozygotic twins, DNA methylation divergence, if any, may be restricted to stochastic processes occurring post-twinning during embryonic development and early life. However, to what extent such stochastic mechanisms can systematically provide a stable source of inter-individual epigenetic variation remains uncertain until now.

Results

We enriched for inter-individual stochastic variation by using an equivalence testing-based statistical approach on whole blood methylation microarray data from healthy adolescent monozygotic twins. As a result, we identified 333 CpGs displaying similarly large methylation variation between monozygotic co-twins and unrelated individuals. Although their methylation variation surpasses measurement error and is stable in a short timescale, susceptibility to aging is apparent in the long term. Additionally, 46% of these CpGs were replicated in adipose tissue. The identified sites are significantly enriched at the clustered protocadherin loci, known for stochastic methylation in developing neurons. We also confirmed an enrichment in monozygotic twin DNA methylation discordance at these loci in whole genome bisulfite sequencing data from blood and adipose tissue.

Conclusions

We have isolated a component of stochastic methylation variation, distinct from genetic influence, measurement error, and epigenetic drift. Biomarkers enriched in this component may serve in the future as the basis for universal epigenetic fingerprinting, relevant for instance in the discrimination of monozygotic twin individuals in forensic applications, currently impossible with standard DNA profiling.
Genome structure variation analyses of peach reveal population dynamics and a 1.67 Mb causal inversion for fruit shape
Authors: Guan Jiantao , Xu Yaoguang , Yu Yang , Fu Jun , Ren Fei , Guo Jiying , Zhao Jianbo , Jiang Quan , Wei Jianhua , Xie Hua
Published: January 2021

Background

Structural variations (SVs), a major resource of genomic variation, can have profound consequences on phenotypic variation, yet the impacts of SVs remain largely unexplored in crops.

Results

Here, we generate a high-quality de novo genome assembly for a flat-fruit peach cultivar and produce a comprehensive SV map for peach, as a high proportion of genomic sequence is occupied by heterozygous SVs in the peach genome. We conduct population-level analyses that indicate SVs have undergone strong purifying selection during peach domestication, and find evidence of positive selection, with a significant preference for upstream and intronic regions during later peach improvement. We perform a SV-based GWAS that identifies a large 1.67-Mb heterozygous inversion that segregates perfectly with flat-fruit shape. Mechanistically, this derived allele alters the expression of thePpOFP2gene positioned near the proximal breakpoint of the inversion, and we confirm in transgenic tomatoes thatPpOFP2is causal for flat-fruit shape.

Conclusions

Thus, beyond introducing new genomics resources for peach research, our study illustrates how focusing on SV data can drive basic functional discoveries in plant science.
Enzymatic degradation of maize shoots: monitoring of chemical and physical changes reveals different saccharification behaviors
Authors: Barron Cécile , Devaux Marie-Françoise , Foucat Loïc , Falourd Xavier , Looten Rachelle , Joseph-Aime Maud , Durand Sylvie , Bonnin Estelle , Lapierre Catherine , Saulnier Luc , Rouau Xavier , Guillon Fabienne
Published: January 2021

Background

The recalcitrance of lignocellulosics to enzymatic saccharification has been related to many factors, including the tissue and molecular heterogeneity of the plant particles. The role of tissue heterogeneity generally assessed from plant sections is not easy to study on a large scale. In the present work, dry fractionation of ground maize shoot was performed to obtain particle fractions enriched in a specific tissue. The degradation profiles of the fractions were compared considering physical changes in addition to chemical conversion.

Results

Coarse, medium and fine fractions were produced using a dry process followed by an electrostatic separation. The physical and chemical characteristics of the fractions varied, suggesting enrichment in tissue from leaves, pith or rind. The fractions were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis in a torus reactor designed for real-time monitoring of the number and size of the particles. Saccharification efficiency was monitored by analyzing the sugar release at different times. The lowest and highest saccharification yields were measured in the coarse and fine fractions, respectively, and these yields paralleled the reduction in the size and number of particles. The behavior of the positively- and negatively-charged particles of medium-size fractions was contrasted. Although the amount of sugar release was similar, the changes in particle size and number differed during enzymatic degradation. The reduction in the number of particles proceeded faster than that of particle size, suggesting that degradable particles were degraded to the point of disappearance with no significant erosion or fragmentation. Considering all fractions, the saccharification yield was positively correlated with the amount of water associated with [5–15 nm] pore size range at 67% moisture content while the reduction in the number of particles was inversely correlated with the amount of lignin.

Conclusion

Real-time monitoring of sugar release and changes in the number and size of the particles clearly evidenced different degradation patterns for fractions of maize shoot that could be related to tissue heterogeneity in the plant. The biorefinery process could benefit from the addition of a sorting stage to optimise the flow of biomass materials and take better advantage of the heterogeneity of the biomass.
A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quality control of bioconverted Mori Folium extracts with appropriate marker compounds related to antidiabetes
Authors: Kim Jin Hyeok , Kim Tae Jung , Kim Hyun June , Cho Chong Woon , Kim Seok Jin , Cho Hyun So , Kim Kyung Tae , Kang Jong Seong
Published: January 2021

A HPLC method was developed to assess the enhanced bioactivity of bioconverted Mori Folium (MF) extract and to apply a quality-control system. Liquid-liquid extraction was applied to observe changes in chemical composition through enzymatic bioconversion. The ethyl acetate layer was used for quality control of the anti-diabetic functional MF product. A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to analyze five marker compounds (syringaldehyde, trans-caffeic acid, morin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, astragalin, and moracin M 3′-O-β-glucopyranoside) within 60 min. Optimized sample preparation was sonication for 44 min and a water-to-material ratio of 102.5 mL/g by response surface methodology. Comparing MF water extract, trans-caffeic acid and syringaldehyde contents were increased 1.89 times and 2.70 times at Viscozyme-bioconverted material by applying the developed method. This HPLC method can be used to control the quality of bioconverted MF based on suitable bioactive markers and also applied to develop anti-diabetic functional foods containing Mori Folium.
Proctalgia secondary to rectal arteriovenous malformation and inferior mesenteric vein stenosis in a patient post liver transplant
Authors: Healy GM , Gondal F , Rutledge N , Houlihan DD , McCann JW
Published: January 2021

Background

Chronic proctalgia can have a major impact upon quality of life. There are many potential aetiologies however, in some patients no cause can be identified.

Case presentation

We present a patient post liver transplant with intractable proctalgia, despite multidisciplinary management including opioids, nerve blocks and surgical intervention. An underlying rectal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was subsequently identified and successfully treated with embolotherapy. The onset of symptoms coincided with the development of inferior mesenteric vein stenosis, likely leading to engorgement of the malformation due to impaired venous outflow. Neovascularisation secondary to the liver transplant procedure may also have contributed to growth of the lesion.

Conclusion

This is a rare presentation of rectal AVM. These lesions can be treated with minimally invasive embolisation/sclerotherapy and should be considered in cases of unexplained proctalgia.
A fungus-eat-fungus world: Digitopodium, with particular reference to mycoparasites of the coffee leaf rust, Hemileia vastatrix
Authors: Colmán Adans A. , Evans Harry C. , Salcedo-Sarmiento Sara S. , Braun Uwe , Belachew-Bekele Kifle , Barreto Robert W.
Published: January 2021

Digitopodium hemileiae was described originally in 1930 as Cladosporium hemileiae; growing as a mycoparasite of the coffee leaf rust (CLR), Hemileia vastatrix, in a sample of diseased leaves of Coffea canephora collected in the Democratic Republic of Congo. No cultures from this material exist. More recently, the type material was re-examined and, based on morphological features, considered to be incorrectly placed in Cladosporium. The new genus Digitopodium was erected to accommodate this species. Interest in fungal antagonists of H. vastarix, as potential biocontrol agents of CLR, led to comprehensive surveys for mycoparasites, both in the African centre of origin of the rust, as well as in its South American exotic range. Among the rust specimens from Ethiopia, one was found to be colonized by a fungus congeneric with, and similar to, D. hemileiae. Pure cultures obtained from the Ethiopian material enabled a molecular study and for its phylogenetic position to be elucidated, based on DNA sequence data from the ITS and LSU regions. Molecular data showed that two members of the recently erected genus Hyalocladosporiella (Herpotrichiellaceae: Chaetothyriales) are congeneric with Digitopodium from Ethiopia and morphologically similar to both D. hemileiae and the two Ethiopian isolates. These isolates were found to be morphologically and genetically identical to H. tectonae, described previously from Brazil. Thus, species of Hyalocladosporiella are re-allocated to Digitopodium here; including D. tectonae, and a novel species, D. canescens, recently found in Brazil growing as a mycoparasite of Puccinia thaliae. The potential use of D. hemileiae and D. tectonae for classical biological control of CLR is discussed.
Square-well potential in quaternionic quantum mechanics
Authors: Sergio Giardino
Published: January 2021

The one-dimensional infinite square well is the simplest solution of quantum mechanics, and consequently one of the most important. In this paper, we provide this solution using the real Hilbert space approach to quaternionic quantum mechanics (

). We further provide the one-dimensional finite as well and a method to generate quaternionic solutions from non-degenerate complex solutions.
Computed tomography features of cor triatriatum: an institutional review
Authors: Goel Archita , Viswamitra Sanjaya , Reddy Bhavana Nagabhushana , Gaduputi Jahnavi
Published: January 2021

Objectives:

Cor Triatriatum is a rare anomaly that can either involves the left atrium (Cor Triatriatum Sinister-CTS) or the right atrium (Cor Triatriatum Dexter- CTD). Preoperative identification of this anomaly is important in determining patient treatment course. The objective of this paper is to understand imaging findings, classification and to familiarise the reader with other associated congenital cardiac anomalies that influence patient management.

Methods:

From the hospital electronic health records (EHR) database, we identified 10 patients of Cor Triatriatum out of 974 patients who underwent cardiac CT between 15 July 2014 and 20 March 2020 for congenital heart disease. Medical records and imaging findings were reviewed retrospectively.

Results:

Out of 10 patients, nine patients had CTS (90%) and only one patient had CTD (10%). Five out of nine patients (55.5%) had CTS type II and four (44.4%) had CTS type III. The mean of the membrane orifices in CTS type III was 18.5 mm and was 5.78 mm in CTS type II. Pulmonary veins were dilated in all patients of CTS type II (62.5%), two patient of CTS type III (25%) and in only patient with CTD (12.5%). Ostium secundum atrial septal defect was the most common (66%) associated cardiac anomaly, followed by ventricular septal defect (44%).

Conclusions:

CT allows excellent pre-operative evaluation of Cor Triatriatum and associated cardiac anomalies.

Advances in knowledge:

CT is excellent in making a diagnosis and classifying Cor Triatriatum and for identification of cardiac anomalies and complications associated with it.
Lifestyle changes in arterial hypertension - an important objective of cardiovascular rehabilitation. The role of physical exercise
Authors: POP Dana , DĂDÂRLAT-POP Alexandra , CISMARU Gabriel , ZDRENGHEA Dumitru , CALOIAN Bogdan
Published: January 2021

Cardiovascular rehabilitation includes lifestyle changing measures, secondary drug prevention and physical training programs. Identifying and addressing cardiovascular risk factors, among which arterial hypertension, is an important objective of cardiovascular rehabilitation. Patients with arterial hypertension should be initially assigned to a cardiovascular risk class. Alongside drug therapy, a healthy diet and physical activity play an important role in the control of blood pressure values

Keywords: arterial hypertension, physical exercise,
Case presentation of a patient with an onset of psychotic disorder, polytraumatized by defenestration from 10th floor, with thoraco-lumbar SCI and multiple somatic fractures, with favorable neuro-motor and psychiatric evolution after rehabilitation
Authors: NOHAI Iulia-Maria , DUMITRASCU Andreea , BAJENARU Alina Oana , CIMPEANU Cristina , STOICA Simona-Isabelle , ANDONE Ioana , CHIPARUS Carmen , POPESCU Cristina , ONOSE Gelu
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Traumatic fractures of the spine are most common at the thoracolumbar junction and can be a source of great disability. Most of them occur due to motor vehicle injuries and falls from a height. Since these are high-velocity injuries, thoracolumbar fractures are commonly associated with other injuries like rib fractures, pneumo-hemothorax, and rarely great vessel injuries, hemopericardium and diaphragmatic rupture.
Materials and Methods: In this article - having the patient and the THEBA Bioethics Committee approval (no. 3159/30.01.2020) – it is presented the case of a 26-year-old patient who suffered a polytrauma due to defenestration from the 10th floor - about 30 m high -resulted in thoraco-lumbar SCI associated with other severe injuries, hospitalized in Neuromuscular Clinical Division by transfer from the Neurosurgery Clinic of our hospital, for neuromotor recovery, presenting a L1 AIS/ Frankel C quadriplegia and neurogenic bladder. During the hospitalization, the patient presented psychomotor agitation, food and medication rejection, which is why repeated psychiatric evaluations were requested and performed.
Following the recovery program, the patient's evolution was favorable: recovered the weight deficit, improved the motor control and sensitivity, the urethral indwelling catheter was suppressed and the intermittent catheterization program was started with later regaining of the micturition control.
The patient was assessed functionally using the following scales: AIS/Frankel, modified Ashworth, Functional Independence Assessment (FIM), Life Quality Assessment (QOL), FAC International Scale, Independence Assessment Scale in Daily Activities (ADL/IADL).
Results:The patient benefited from a complex program of neuromuscular rehabilitation, with a favorable evolution, with the increasing scores from the evaluated scales and, thus, with a final performance of walking with support on short distances, as well as a sphincter reeducation with the neurogenic bladder remission.
Conclusions: Associating interdisciplinary approach with a customized rehabilitation program in a patient with an onset of psychotic disorder, polytraumatized by defenestration from the 10th floor, with thoraco-lumbar SCI and other severe injuries led to neuromotor and psychiatric improvements, and sphincter function reeducation with an important improvement in patient's quality of life.

Keywords: neuromuscular rehabilitation, traumatic spinal cord injury, psychiatric disorder, polytrauma,
Benefits of robotic devices in medical rehabilitation of a case with neurofibromatosis type1
Authors: ANDRONIE-CIOARA Felicia Liana , ȘEREȘ Daniela , AVRAM GULER Natalia Loredana , CEVEI Iulia , OPREA Claudia , STOICANESCU Alexandra Maria , JIMAN SCURT Laura Crina , GHERLE Anamaria
Published: January 2021

The term neurofibromatosis (NF) describes a group of genetic disorders that primarily affect the cell growth of neural tissues. Three clinically and genetically distinct forms of neurofibromatosis have been described: neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and schwannomatosis. The inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant for all three types. We present the case of a 57 years old man, admitted to the Medical Rehabilitation Clinical Hospital Baile Felix, Romania, who was diagnosed with spastic tetraparesis, neurofibromatosis type 1, chronic viral hepatitis B and D, hypercholesterolemia, sarcopenia and osteoporosis. The objectives of the rehabilitation treatment were combating pain; preventing and correcting vicious postures at rest and during activity; maintaining or increasing joint mobility; increasing the mobility of the cervical and lumbar spine; decreasing spasticity; increasing strength of paralyzed muscles; improving motor control of paralyzed limbs; transfers re-education, gait re-education; improving breathing; improving ADLs; maintaining autonomy; gaining daily independence; prevention of recurrent complications and increasing the quality of life. The rehabilitation treatment was complex, performed over a period of 2 weeks and included various physiotherapy approaches, hydrokinetotherapy, massage, occupational therapy, robotic devices and virtual reality. It improved the patient's functional independence and quality of life. Innovations in information technology will refine and increase the efficiency, expertise and competence of medical rehabilitation, in order to ensure comfort for the patient and an appropriate and safe therapeutic approach.

Keywords: neurofibromatosis, robotic devices, medical rehabilitation,
Energy-dependent protein folding: modeling how a protein folding machine may work
Authors: Sahakyan Harutyun , Nazaryan Karen , Mushegian Arcady , Sorokina Irina
Published: January 2021

Background: Proteins fold robustly and reproducibly in vivo, but many cannot fold in vitro in isolation from cellular components. Despite the remarkable progress that has been achieved by the artificial intelligence approaches in predicting the protein native conformations, the pathways that lead to such conformations, either in vitro or in vivo, remain largely unknown. The slow progress in recapitulating protein folding pathways in silico may be an indication of the fundamental deficiencies in our understanding of folding as it occurs in nature. Here we consider the possibility that protein folding in living cells may not be driven solely by the decrease in Gibbs free energy and propose that protein folding in vivo should be modeled as an active energy-dependent process. The mechanism of action of such a protein folding machine might include direct manipulation of the peptide backbone.

Methods: To show the feasibility of a protein folding machine, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations that were augmented by the application of mechanical force to rotate the C-terminal amino acid while simultaneously limiting the N-terminal amino acid movements.

Results: Remarkably, the addition of this simple manipulation of peptide backbones to the standard molecular dynamics simulation indeed facilitated the formation of native structures in five diverse alpha-helical peptides. Steric clashes that arise in the peptides due to the forced directional rotation resulted in the behavior of the peptide backbone no longer resembling a freely jointed chain.

Conclusions: These simulations show the feasibility of a protein folding machine operating under the conditions when the movements of the polypeptide backbone are restricted by applying external forces and constraints. Further investigation is needed to see whether such an effect may play a role during co-translational protein folding in vivo and how it can be utilized to facilitate folding of proteins in artificial environments.
Improving Higher Order Thinking Skills via Semi Second Life
Authors: Amin Dwi Isnaini , Ikhsan Jaslin
Published: January 2021

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of virtual laboratory based on semi second life (s-SL) on higher order thinking skills of general senior secondary school in chemistry learning process. The research design was adopted posttest-only design approach to a quasi-experimental. This study was conducted in the one of public general senior secondary school in 3T regions – Bangkalan City – one of the cities in East Java Province, Indonesia. There were 81 students in the grade 11 of natural science who involved in this study. The participants were divided into three groups, namely the students who did practical work by demonstration methods in chemistry real laboratory, the students who did practical work by experiment methods in virtual laboratory based on s-SL, and the students who did practical work by combination both of them (demonstration methods in chemistry real laboratory and experiment methods in virtual laboratory based on s-SL). The students in each group was tested by posttest of higher order thinking skills. The data was analysed with one-way ANOVA. The results of data analysis shows that there is a significance difference of each groups. Virtual laboratory based on s-SL has enough effect on the students’ higher order thinking skills.
Development of the Emotional Stability Seen as a Personal Leadership Quality Using the Acmeological Approach in the Master’s Students
Authors: Provorova Yevheniia M. , Ivakhnenko Tamara P. , Oliinyk Nataliіa A. , Tamarkina Olha L. , Atroshchenko Tetiana O.
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify how the leadership training programme based on the acmeological approach for the Master’s students influences the students’ emotional stability and how that programme was perceived by graduates. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods to yield data. The dimensions of emotional stability such as behavioural self-awareness, communication and conflict management, emotional and behavioural self-efficacy, adaptability, and self-programming of a positive mental attitude were used as variables in the study. Three qualitative and quantitative tools were used in the study. Those were the adapted and modified Emotional Stability Scale in the leadership context, the focus group interview, and the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software. The IBM SPSS Statistics (25.0.0.1) was used to compute the yielded data. The study found that the train-the-trainer leadership programme entitled “Crisis-driven Leadership” based on the acmeological approach fostered a statistically significant improvement in the Master’s students’ emotional stability. Moreover, the graduates perceived the programme positively and could more or less accurately explain how it enhanced their experience. The study upgraded the concept of leadership training by focusing on the development of the students’ emotional stability. The latter was trained using the combination of the age psychology and cross-disciplinary games (gamified activities, simulations), online and offline personality-development-purpose learning, a project method, collaborative learning technologies. It increased substantially the effectiveness of both development of the students’ emotional stability and leadership training. The study has brought a new psychological perspective to developing emotional stability in the students aged 20-22.
Digital Storytelling: Developing 21st Century Skills in Science Education
Authors: Gürsoy Gülden
Published: January 2021

The present study aimed to provide a digital story development experience for pre-service science teachers in the “instructional technologies and material development” course and to determine the impact of these experiences on their views on digital storytelling. Simultaneous parallel design, one of the mixed methods in which both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, was used in the study. Quantitative and qualitative findings are presented in different sections and both were interpreted in the discussion section. The quantitative study data were collected from 50 pre-service teachers, while the qualitative data were collected from 16 pre-service teachers. Quantitative data were collected by a survey and the qualitative data were collected in interviews. Descriptive/inferential statistics were employed in the analysis of the survey data. The steps of the analysis, coding, and categorization were adopted in the study for qualitative data. The positive effect of digital storytelling on the 21st-century skills of pre-service teachers was revealed by both quantitative and qualitative data. Furthermore, it was determined that pre-service teachers considered digital storytelling as advantageous since it provided meaningful and permanent learning, was fun and motivational; however, it also had disadvantages since it was time-consuming and required technological knowledge. It was revealed that they experienced certain difficulties in scriptwriting, finding the related images/videos and photographs, and finalizing the recording, and they considered that most, if not all, topics in the science course were suitable for digital storytelling. For pre-service teachers to acquire 21st-century skills, digital storytelling should be employed in several courses including the teaching practice course, and pre-service teachers should gain experience in preparing the students for digital storytelling.
The Motion of Strawberry Leaves in an Air-Assisted Spray Field and its Influence on Droplet Deposition
Authors: Wu Shuo , Liu Jizhan , Wang Jiangshan , Hao Dianhe , Wang Rongkai
Published: January 2021

Highlights

A visualization method for the motion of strawberry leaves in an air-assisted spray field is proposed.

Strawberry leaves showed two motion states in different critical velocity ranges of the sprayer airflow.

The airflow instability and the turbulence effect are considered important factors for the leaf vibrations.

A strawberry leaf azimuth angle in the range of 90° to 270° can provide good deposition with smaller droplets.

Abstract. The reasonable motion of crop plants in an air-assisted spray field can improve droplet deposition. Therefore, this study focuses on the motion of strawberry leaves and the droplet deposition mechanism in an air-assisted spray field. First, this study proposes a descriptive method for strawberry leaf motion in an air-assisted spray field and clarifies the important influence of strawberry leaf motion on droplet deposition. Second, an experiment was performed on the motion and droplet capture of single strawberry leaves in multi-position postures in an air-assisted spray field. The results showed that the leaves had two motion states (i.e., low amplitude with low frequency and high amplitude with high frequency) at different airflow velocities and inclination angles, and the critical airflow velocity corresponding to the two motion states was determined to be 8.7 m s-1. When the azimuth angle of the strawberry leaves is in the range of 90° to 270°, a reasonable inclination angle of the airflow and the high frequency and high amplitude vibration state of the leaves driven by the airflow will provide good deposition and canopy penetration of droplets with smaller diameters. Keywords: Air-assisted spray field, Droplet deposition, Motion, Spray, Strawberry leaves.
Digital Holography and 3D Imaging 2020: introduction to the feature issue
Authors: Liu Juan , Cao Liangcai , Stoykova Elena , Ferraro Pietro , Memmolo Pasquale , Blanche Pierre-Alexandre
Published: January 2021

This feature issue of JOSA A and Applied Optics is dedicated to the fourteenth OSA Topical Meeting “Digital Holography and 3D Imaging” held 22–26 June 2020 in a virtual meeting. The conference, taking place every year, is a focal point for global technical interchange in the field of digital holography and 3D imaging, providing premier opportunities for people working in the field to present their new advances in research and development. Papers presented at the meeting highlight current research in digital holography and three-dimensional imaging, including interferometry, phase microscopy, phase retrieval, novel holographic processes, 3D and novel holographic displays, integral imaging, computer-generated holograms, compressive holography, 3D holographic display, AR display, full-field tomography, specific image and signal processing, and holography with various light sources, including coherent to incoherent and x-ray to terahertz waves. Techniques of digital holography and of 3D imaging have numerous applications, such as the state-of-the-art technological developments that are currently underway and stimulate further novel applications of digital holography and 3D imaging in biomedicine, deep learning, and scientific and industrial metrologies.