bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DPP3 Expression Promotes Cell Proliferation and Migration in Vitro and Tumor Growth in Vivo That Associates with Poor Prognosis of Esophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jing-Kun , Abudula Abulizi , Yang Hai-Tao , Xu Li-Xiu , Bai Ge , Tulahong Aisiker , Eli Maynur
Published: December 2021

Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPP3) is a zinc-dependent metallopeptidase and elevated in a variety of malignant tumors, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood so far. Here we investigated the association of esophageal carcinogenesis with the regulation of DPP3 expression by tissue-based quantitative analysis and the depletion of DPP3 expression in esophageal cancer cells and xenograft model. Methods: The expression level of DPP3 in esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues was detected in 93 cases of tissue biopsies collected from patients diagnosed with esophageal carcinoma by immunohistochemistry. The effect of DPP3 expression on cell proliferation, migration or apoptosis was determined in DPP3-depleted esophageal cancer cells created by infection with the lentivirus containing the shRNA specific to human DPP3 mRNA sequence followed by cytometric detection using celigo cell count assay, flow cytometry, wound-healing assay and trans-well assay as well as chip screening with a Human Apoptosis Antibody Array kit, which enables the quantitative detection of 43 apoptosis-related genes. A xenograft model was applied to the detection of tumor growth and invasion of DPP3-depleted cancer cells in nude mice.Results: DPP3 expression was elevated in esophageal cancer tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (normal controls) with statistical significance (P<0.05), and associated with poor prognosis of esophageal carcinoma. The DPP3-depletion resulted in a reduced cell proliferation and migration and enhanced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells, and lead to the inhibition of tumor growth and invasion in xenograft model. In addition, DPP3-depletion was associated with the upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins and the downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins.Conclusions: These findings suggest that DPP3 may promote cell proliferation, migration and survival of esophageal cancer cells in vitro, and tumor growth and invasion of esophageal carcinoma in vivo and this might serve as a molecular target for tumor therapy.
Technical Analysis and Identification of a Glass Inlaid Sui-Tang Dynasty Woman’s Crown
Authors: Du Jingnan , Eckfeld Tonia , Yang Junchang , Jiang Fengrui , Zhang Quanmin , Shao Yanbing
Published: December 2021

A woman’s crown made of fine gilt bronze with refined glass inlay work was excavated in 2007 from the Sui-Tang tomb called Kunlun M2 in Xi’an. Many questions surround this mysterious crown which was found buried without context. This study uses nondestructive analysis of the crown to determine its significance, when was it made, and the status of the woman for whom was it made. Optical microscopy (OM), optical coherence tomography (OCT), micro X-ray fluorescence imagery (XRF), and Raman spectroscopy were applied, and identified the crown’s inlays as potash-lime glass, composed mainly of the raw materials include vein quartz or quartzite with potassium nitrate as flux. The inlays were sintered before embedding into gilt copper wire filigree. Compared with existing research on other crowns and their inlays, it is speculated that the crown dates from the Sui dynasty (581-618) or early Tang dynasty (618-649), was made locally by Chinese craftsmen and belonged to the wife of an official.
Effects of Nipping and Micronutrient Foliar Application on Dry Matter Production, Yield, Agronomic Efficiency and Nutrient Uptake of Short Duration Pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan L.) Co(Rg)- 7
Authors: G Srinivasan , R Gobi , Balasubramanian A. , Sathiyamurthi S.
Published: December 2021

Background The productivity of pulse crop is low due to cultivation on agriculturally marginal and sub marginal lands under poor management. So, it needs earnest attention in adaption of desirable production technologies to exploit the yield potential of the pulses and it can be possible by application of fertilizers, nipping and foliar application of nutrients.In this view, aresearch was conducted to studyyield maximization, agronomic efficiency and nutrient uptake pattern with nipping and nutrient management practices in irrigated pigeonpea.Methods Field experiment was conducted at farmer’s field, Palacode, Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District.The pigeonpea seeds were sown by adapting a spacing of 45 × 30 cm. Entire dose of N, P2O5 and K2O (25: 50: 25 kg)were applied basally and the foliar spraying of 0.5 per cent Micronutrient mixture was done as per treatment schedule on 30th& 45th days after sowing using Knapsack Sprayer with the spray fluid of 500 lit. ha-1.Results The results revealed that the application of T9 (125% RDF + Nipping + Micronutrient) recorded significantly higher dry matter production, yield and nutrient uptake.The least values were recorded under the treatment T1 (Control).
Chemical Characterization, Source Apportionment, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5 in a Typical Industrial Region in North China
Authors: wang zhanshan , Yan Jiayi , Zhang Puzhen , Li Zhigang , Guo Chen , Wu Kai , Li Xiaoqian , Zhu Xiaojing , Sun Zhaobin , Wei Yongjie
Published: December 2021

To clarify the chemical characteristics, source contributions, and health risks of pollution events associated with high PM2.5 in typical industrial areas of North China, manual sampling and analysis of PM2.5 were conducted in the spring, summer, autumn, and winter of 2019 in Pingyin County, Jinan City, Shandong Province. The results showed that the total concentration of 29 components in PM2.5 was 53.4 μg·m-3; the largest contribution was from the NO3- ion, at 14.6 ± 14.2 μg·m-3, followed by organic carbon (OC), SO42-, and NH4+, with concentrations of 9.3 ± 5.5, 9.1 ± 6.4, and 8.1 ± 6.8 μg·m-3, respectively. The concentrations of OC, NO3-, and SO42- were highest in winter and lowest in summer, whereas the NH4+ concentration was highest in winter and lowest in spring. Typical heavy metals had higher concentrations in autumn and winter, and lower concentrations in spring and summer. The annual average sulfur oxidation rate (SOR) and nitrogen oxidation rate (NOR) were 0.30 ± 0.14 and 0.21 ± 0.12, respectively, with the highest SO2 emission and conversion rates in winter, resulting in the SO42- concentration being highest in winter. Although the emission rate of SO2 was low in summer, its conversion rate was high. In winter and autumn, NORs were significantly higher than in spring and summer, and a higher NOR in autumn contributed to significant elevation of the NO3- concentration in autumn relative to spring and summer. The average concentration of secondary organic carbon in 2019 was 2.8±1.9 μg·m-3, and it comprised approximately 30% of total OC. The health risk assessment for typical heavy metals showed that Pb poses a potential carcinogenic risk for adults, whereas As may pose a carcinogenic risk for adults, children, and adolescents. Positive matrix factorization analysis indicated that coal-burning emissions contributed the largest fraction of PM2.5, accounting for 35.9% of the total. The contribution of automotive emissions is similar to that of coal, at 32.1%. The third-largest contributor was industrial sources, which accounted for 17.2%. The contributions of dust and other emissions sources to PM2.5 were 8.4% and 6.4%, respectively.
Effects of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Polysaccharide on Growth Performance and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Husien Hosameldeen Mohamed , Huang JunJie , Peng WeiLong , Zheng ShuMei , Li JinGui
Published: December 2021

Moringa oleifera (MO) is a widely used as the nutritious and non-traditional feed supplementation containing kinds of bioactive substances. However, the enhancement effect of Moringa oleifera leaf Polysaccharide (MOLP) as a feed additive in broilers growth performance and immunity remains unclear. In this study, MOLP was obtained by water extraction and alcohol precipitation method, then purified with Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) assay. Chickens were randomly divided into 4 groups, to receive different doses of MOLP (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4g/kg) in feed for 3 weeks. The body weight gain (BWG) and feed consumption were recorded for feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) calculation. Broiler chickens were sacrificed and sampled on day 14, 21, 28 (D 14, D 21, and D 28) respectively. Serological indicators, including total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLO), and creatinine (CREA) were detected. ELISA kits were applied for detecting the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α). From D 21 to D 28, the results showed that middle dose of MOLP significantly increased BWG and ADFI as well as liver and bursa indexes when compared with the control group. In addition, TP and GLO were also increased (P<0.05). All MOLP treatments enhanced the serum concentrations of IgG and IL-2 (P<0.01). Furthermore, results of quantitative RT-PCR showed that high dose of MOLP treatment significantly increased (P<0.001) the mRNA expression levels of IL-2 and TNF-α of chickens relative to the control group. In conclusion, the results showed that MOLP supplementation contributed to improve growth performance and immune response in broiler chickens, and MOLP could be considered as a promising feed additive.
Bayesian Additive Modeling of Maternal Mortality In Ghana
Authors: Jakperik Dioggban , Nadarajah Saralees , Adjabui Michael Jackson
Published: December 2021

Maternal mortality is a critical measure for quality of health system in any country and hence many countries have made concerted efforts to check its occurrence. Various stakeholders involved in the management of health system in Ghana have been tasked to ensure women do not die whilst giving birth. This study was conducted on a sample of 1,052 women selected from all the ten administrative regions of Ghana in which 188 maternal deaths occurred. Two main analytical tools, namely the Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression and Bayesian Additive Posterior Modeling using IN LA were used. Age at death, Marital Status, and Place of Death emerged as the most significant determinants of maternal mortality in Ghana. It was realized that high number of maternal deaths were recorded in the least developed regions with Northern Region having the highest number of Maternal Deaths. It is therefore important for stakeholders to devise a road map of getting health workers to accept postings to the rural areas and also provide well resourced health facilities to stem this menace.
In Vitro Rumen Degradability of Tropical Legumes and Their Secondary Metabolites Depends on Inoculum Source
Authors: Ortega Einar Artiles , Fé-Rodríguez Pedro Yoelvys de la , Reguera-Barreto Beydis , Lima-Orozco Raciel , Fievez Veerle
Published: December 2021

In this study, the in vitro apparent rumen degradability of organic matter (ARDOM) and plant secondary metabolites (ARDPSM) of three tropical legumes (Mucuna pruriens, Canavalia ensiformis and Leucaena leucocephala) were assessed. For this, single end-point incubations (24 h) as well as kinetic assessments (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h) were set up with different inocula sources, i.e. ruminal inocula from Belgian and Cuban sheep. L-mimosine, L-canavanine, Concanavaline A (Con A) and trypsin inhibitor (TI) were the plant secondary metabolites (PSM) targeted in this study. Bean and forage/bean meals of M. pruriens and C. ensiformis as well as their PSM were extensively degraded during 24 h incubation (0.70 and 0.78 g ARDOM/g of organic matter (OM), respectively and > 0.80 g/g for L-canavanine, > 0.76 TIU/TIU for TI and > 0.95 g/g for Con A, for both legumes). Forage meal of L. leucocephala was considerably less degraded, with apparent ruminal degradabilities of 0.20 and 0.35 g ARDOM/g OM after 24 h incubation with Belgian or Cuban sheep inoculum, respectively. This could - at least partially - be related to L-mimosine, present in L. leucocephala, which was hardly degraded in the Belgian incubation, while a more extensive ruminal breakdown was observed under the Cuban conditions (0.05 to 0.78 g ARDPSM/g PSM, respectively). The negative effect of L-mimosine on OM degradability was supported by in vitro incubations with straw and inoculum from Belgian sheep, as ruminal degradation of straw was 31% lower when L-mimosine was supplemented.
Heat Shock Protein Grp78/BiP/HspA5 Binds Directly to TDP-43 and Mitigates Toxicity Associated with Neurodegenerative Disease Pathology
Authors: François-Moutal Liberty , Scott David , Ambrose Andrew , Zerio Christopher , Dissanayake Kumara , May Danielle , Carlson Jacob , Barbieri Edward , Moutal Aubin , Roux Kyle , Shorter James , Khanna Rajesh , Barmada Sami , McGurk Leeanne , Khanna May
Published: December 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with no cure or effective treatment in which TAR DNA Binding Protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) abnormally accumulates into misfolded protein aggregates in affected neurons. It is widely accepted that protein misfolding and aggregation promote proteotoxic stress. The molecular chaperones are the body’s primary line of defense against proteotoxic stress and there has been long-standing interest in understanding the relationship between chaperones and aggregated protein in ALS. Of particular interest are the heat shock protein of 70 kDa (Hsp70) family of chaperones; however, defining which of the 13 human Hsp70 isoforms is critical for ALS, has presented many challenges. To gain insight into the specific Hsp70 that modulates TDP-43, we investigated the relationship between TDP-43 and the Hsp70s using proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) and discovered several Hsp70 isoforms associated with TDP-43 in the nucleus, raising the possibility of an interaction with native TDP-43. We further found that HspA5 bound specifically to the RNA-binding domain of TDP-43 using recombinantly expressed proteins. HspA5 is increased in prefrontal cortex neurons of ALS patients. Finally, overexpression of HspA5 in Drosophila rescued TDP-43-induced toxicity, suggesting that upregulation of HspA5 may have a compensatory role in ALS pathobiology.
Contact Toxicity of Insecticides and Biopesticides to Trichogramma Chilonis Ishii. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) under Laboratory Condition
Authors: Nidagundi Kartik S , Kambrekar DN , Mallapur C. P.
Published: December 2021

Integration of insecticides and biological controls is an important tactic of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Trichogramma chilonis is a promising natural enemy of many lepidopteran insect pests. However, this hymenopteran egg parasitoid is adversely affected by most insecticides. Contact toxicity of nineteen insecticides and three biopesticides on adults of T. chilonis was investigated by using dry film residue bioassays under laboratory conditions. Profenofos and chlorpyrifos were highly lethal to the adults even at sublethal doses followed by dimethoate, spinosad, indoxacarb and acephate + imidacloprid. Diafenthiuron, nimbecidine and flubendiamide were categorised as less toxic. The biopesticides viz., Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium rileyi were found innocuous to T. chilonis. The studysuggests that the insecticides with less toxicity and biopesticides with apparently no harmful effects on the parasitoid can be used in conjunction with parasitoids in IPM programmes. This will also advice the plant protectionists in avoiding the one with detrimental effects on this hymenopteran wasp with appropriate timing of application that controls the pests without adversely affecting their natural enemies
The Effect of Etanercept Therapy on Adrenal Steroid Metabolism in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Steroid Metabolomics Approach
Authors: Aviel Yonatan Butbul , Keinan Ariel , Hartmann Michaela , Wudy Stefan , Tiosano Dov
Published: December 2021

Objective
To evaluate the impact of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα: etanercept [Enbrel®]) on adrenal activity in the acute phase of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) during which there is a decrease in adrenal androgen and cortisol levels.
Method
Eleven JIA patients aged 12±6.2 years with a disease duration of 6.3±5.2 years were enrolled. They were treated once weekly with etanercept (0.8 mg/kg) for 3±2.8 years. Urine samples for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry steroid hormone analysis were collected before, and 1 and 3 days after etanercept injection and compared to age- and sex-matched healthy control.
Results
The levels of 23 of the 35 metabolites were low before etanercept treatment. Those 23 metabolites included 2 C19 steroids (androgens), 3 C21 steroid hormone intermediates, 14 cortisol metabolites, 2 corticosterone metabolites and 2 C18 steroids (estrogens). One day post-treatment, only 5 of the 23 metabolite levels remained low. They included 2 C19 metabolites, 2 21 steroid metabolites and 1 cortisol metabolite b-c. Three days post-treatment, the only metabolite levels that continued to be low were 1 C19 metabolite, 2 C21 steroid hormone intermediates and 1 cortisol metabolite (a-Cl), while the remaining 18 metabolites had already normalized after 1 day. DHEAS and 17 OH pregnenolone metabolite levels were the last ones to recover. Urinary metabolite ratios reflecting CYP21 and 11β-HSD2 enzymatic activities were lower in JIA patients than in controls.
Conclusion
Almost all of the pre-etanercept treatment cortisol urinary metabolite levels were significantly lower than normal, and almost all rose to normal values by 1 day post-treatment. Blocking TNFα restores adrenal function in JIA.
3D Geological Implicit Modeling Method of Regular Voxel Splitting Based on Layered Interpolation Data
Authors: li jian , liu pei-rong , wang xinyu , cui hao , ma yurong
Published: December 2021

In view of the problems in traditional geological modeling methods, such as the insufficient utilization of geological survey data, the inaccurate expression of a stratigraphic model, and the large amount of model data, a 3D geological model cannot be smoothly loaded and rendered on the web end. In this paper, a 3D geological implicit modeling method of regular voxel splitting based on hierarchical interpolation data is proposed. This method first uses the boreholes and geological section data from a geological survey for data conversion and fusion, compares the applicability of different interpolation algorithms through cross-validation research, and uses the best fitting algorithm to interpolate and encrypt discrete points in the formation. Then, it constructs the regular voxels, designs five different regular voxel split types, and divides the voxels. In addition, the data structure design of the voxel split model is implemented, and the irregular voxel metadata structure is analyzed and displayed through Three.js. Using this method, based on the survey data of an area in Zhengzhou, the global workflow from data processing to model construction and visualization is demonstrated. The experimental results show that the model can integrate multisource hierarchical interpolation data; express different stratum structures accurately and smoothly, and can realize the fast rendering, spatial query and analysis of the internal information of a geological body in a browser.
Intraoperative Measurements of Nerve Root Tension During Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Fu Zhi-yi , Wu Yujie , Zhu Tong
Published: December 2021

Background

There is no effective standard method to evaluate whether the nerve root tension is restored, which is an important indicator for the recovery of nerve function. This study aimed to demonstrate a technique for measuring nerve root tension during surgery.
Methods

A total of 54 consecutive patients (average age, 52.3 years; range, 28-68 years) received posterior lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar disc herniation comprised the patient sample.The nerve root tension was measured twice before and after intraoperative decompression by the nerve root tension meter modified from the transverse gauge by author. Clinical outcome was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) for leg pain, provided by patients before and after surgery.
Results

There was a significant improvement in the VAS score for leg pain after surgery compared with that before surgery (7.0 ± 2.24 vs. 0.8 ± 0.84, respectively; P < 0.01). Nerve root tension was significantly decreased after decompression compared with that before surgery (1.32 ± 0.22 N vs. 0.64 ± 0.17 N, respectively; P < 0.01). The nerve root tension was positively correlated with the VAS score (r = 0.772, P < 0.05; r = 0.715, P < 0.05).
Conclusions

This study shows that the nerve root tension meter can instantly and non-invasively measure nerve root tension during an operation. It was demonstrated that the nerve root tension of the patient is significantly reduced after decompression. Meanwhile, the VAS score improved significantly, and the nerve root tension and VAS scores were positively correlated.
Diagnosis and Psychotherapeutic Needs by Freiburg Personality Inventory in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Rada Cornelia , Gheonea Dan , Popa Denisa Elena , Tieranu Cristian George
Published: December 2021

Background Despite recent discoveries in pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) still face challenges with improvement, remission, and healing. The objectives of the study were to identify the characteristics of patients with IBD with the Freiburg Personality Inventory and the intensity of the colonic disease, comorbidities, and other factors that could be related to the personality of the subjects.Methods Data were collected in the period 2019–2020 from 46 patients from records at two hospitals. This study used nonparametric methods, such as the Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Mann–Whitney U test, and BOOTSTRAP method. The control group was considered the national normative sample based on the average raw scores on the 12 personality assessment scales using the t test (one sample t test).Results Compared to the control group, the Inhibitedness, Health Concerns, and Emotionality scales had significantly higher raw scores. Additionally, the Social Orientation, Frankness, and Extraversion scales had significantly lower raw scores. Health status was a medical factor that influenced personality scales. On the Somatic Complaints scale, patients who had lesions or comorbidities had significantly higher raw scores. Patients who had comorbidities in addition to IBD had considerably higher raw scores on the Excitability scale.Conclusions Positive affective and cognitive adjustment interventions may aid people with IBD in managing life problems in a balanced manner while interpreting treatment outcomes with confidence. Psychotherapeutic change interventions regarding life perception are required to tackle the description of subjective suffering related to physical inconveniences (Somatic Complaints scale), a strong orientation toward performance (Strain scale), mood swings, anxiety, and pessimism (Emotionality scale). Another intervention is reconsidering values and (re)prioritization, such as family, intimate relationships, friends, health, growth, development, balanced work, all of which can promote a feeling of well-being and balance.
A Heuristic Approach to Dynamic Stiffness Control
Authors: Fakour Farhad , Siadati M. Hossein
Published: December 2021

For appropriate and even superior performance yet cost reduction, this work was performed with the aim of weight reduction in the overall design and construction of possibly any machine tools. As far as our literature search is concerned, there does not seem to be much work published regarding successful weight reduction while maintaining performance using mass participation factor (MPF) in the areas of interest of the machine tools. In order to accomplish this task, we started with the ‘bed’ compartment of a CNC system and resorted to using the finite element analysis (FEA) software package and thoughtfully manipulated the available data/parameters until the desired results were obtained. The most important parameters were static stiffness, dynamic stiffness, and damping ratio. On the ‘bed’ of the machines’ compartment currently in production, it was so identified that there was unnecessary material (dead weight), and thus the FEA software was used in order to remove the unnecessary material by iteration. Finally, a new machine was built devoid of the unnecessary material, resulted in 9.3% weight reduction as predicted by the simulation, without sacrificing any accuracy and/or precision in performance.
Experimental Research on the Surface Quality of Milling Contour Bevel Gears
Authors: Wu Mingyang , Zhang Jianyu , Ma Chunjie , Zhang Yali , Cheng Yaonan
Published: December 2021

Contour bevel gears have the advantages of high coincidence, low noise and large bearing capacity, which are widely used in automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding and construction machinery. However, the quality of the tooth surface has a significant impact on the transmission accuracy of the gear, so it is of great significance to optimize the surface quality of the contour bevel gear. This paper firstly analyzes the formation process of machined surface roughness of contour bevel gears on the basis of generating machining method, and dry milling experiments of contour bevel gears are conducted to analyze the effects of cutting speed and feed rate on the machined surface roughness and surface topography of the workpiece. Then, the surface defects on the machined surface of the workpiece are studied by SEM, and the causes of the surface defects are analyzed by EDS. After that, XRD is used to compare the microscopic grains of the machined surface and the substrate material for diffraction peak analysis, and the effect of cutting parameters on the microhardness of the workpiece machined surface is investigated by work hardening experiment. The research results are of great significant for improving the machining accuracy of contour bevel gears, reducing friction losses and improving transmission efficiency.
Dynamic cognitive characteristics of emotional conflict in subthreshold depressed patients: An Event-Related Potential Study
Authors: Wang Weizhou , Xie Qi , Zhang Lulu , Hu Shuang
Published: December 2021

Subthreshold depression (SubD) has a considerable impact on an individual’s subjective well-being and psychosocial functioning, and is a risk factor for Major depression disorder (MDD). The inability to effectively control and resolve emotional conflict is a typical symptom of certain mood disorders, and the aim of this study was to confirm impairments in cognitive processing mechanisms for emotional conflict processing in SubD patients with event-related potential (ERP) recording. The study of the mechanisms of emotional conflict in subthreshold depression may provide an ideal model for understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms and developing preventive strategies in patients with MDD. Methods:The Healthy control (HC) and SubD groups were recruited, with 32 subjects in each group completing the word-face Stroop paradigm, during which ERP amplitudes and latencies were recorded. Results:Compared to HC group, the SubD group had lower accuracy and longer response times in both the "consistent stimulus" and "inconsistent stimulus" conditions. Regardless of the stimulus condition, the SubD group had a greater N2 amplitude in the prefrontal mid-lobe region. In the SubD group, the N450 amplitude was also found to be greater in the prefrontal middle region for the "incongruent stimulus minus congruent stimulus" and the conflict SP amplitude was smaller in the parieto-occipital region for the "incongruent stimulus minus congruent stimulus". Conclusions:The findings suggest that, supported by behavioural and brain evidence, people with SubD have dynamic cognitive deficits in emotional conflict processing, specifically greater sensitivity to early processing of emotional stimuli and sharper detection of emotional conflict, but more delayed adaptation and response options following emotional conflict resolution.
Spatial Distribution of Trophic Groups of Amoebae Around the Root Zone of Zea Mays Mycorrhizal With Rhizophagus Intraradices Grown in Microcosms
Authors: Cortes-Pérez Sandra , Ferrera-Cerrato Ronald , Rodríguez-Zaragoza Salvador , Alarcón Alejandro
Published: December 2021

Fitness and productivity of most terrestrial plants depend on early associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and mutualistic bacteria. Plants select most of the microbial communities cohabiting their roots and mycorrhizosphere, attracting also all types of microbial predators. Naked amoebae are among the most voracious predators inflicting significant changes in soils bacterial and fungal populations. We evaluated how roots of Zea mays with or without Rhizophagus intraradices mycorrhizosphere (AMF) influence trophic groups of amoebae, along vertical (3, 6, and 9-cm) and horizontal soil distribution (roots and free-root compartments) grown in microcosms after, 20 days. Amoebae community in Non-AMF showed a high species richness in the root zone at 3 to 6-cm depth, and at the two free-root compartment away from plants. Conversely, AMF and mycelium zones modified the amoeba community at 6 to 9-cm depth, recording higher diversity of trophic groups than unplanted soil compartments. The highest bacterivorous diversity was found at the closer compartment to AMF roots, but fungivorous amoebae was not recorded. Amoebae feeding preferences were similar in both AMF and Non-AMF microcosms in where bacterivorous amoebae were dominant, while protozoa-eating amoebae were more frequent at the mycelium compartments. Rare amoebae species were found in AMF microcosms in comparison to those recorded from Non-AMF and unplanted microcosms.
Lactic Acid Bacteria From Saltwater Fish Samples: Probiotic Potential Characterization and Clustering Using Unsupervised Algorithms
Authors: Mazlomi Atefeh , Panahi Bahman , Nami Yousef
Published: December 2021

This research aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the bowl of saltwater fish to assess their probiotic properties. Nineteen isolates of LAB including Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactococcus lactis, Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Pediococcus lolli were recognized using molecular tools. All the isolates survived in the simulated conditions of the GI tract. Auto-aggregation ranged from 01.3 ± 0.5% to 82.6 ± 1.4% and hydrophobicity with toluene ranged from 3.7 ± 1.6% to 69.4 ± 1.3%, while the range of hydrophobicity with xylene was from 02.2 ± 1.6% to 56.4 ± 2.1%. All the isolates of lactobacilli, pediococci, enterococci, and lactococci indicated variable sensitivity and resistance towards clinical antibiotics. Non-neutralized cell free supernatant of isolates F12 and F15 showed antimicrobial activity against all the 8 evaluated enteric pathogens. Cluster analysis of identified potential probiotic bacteria based on heat-map and PCA methods also highlighted the priority of isolates F3, F7, F12, and F15 as bio-control agents in fishery industry. The findings of this study may essentially contribute to the understanding of the probiotic potential of LAB in saltwater fish, in order to access their probiotic characterization for use as biocontrol in fishery.
An Allometric Model Based Approach For Estimating Biomass In Seven Indian Bamboo Species In Western Himalayan Foothills, India
Authors: Kaushal R. , Islam S. , Tewari Salil , Tomar J. M.S. , Thapliyal S. , Madhu M. , Trinh T. L. , Durai J.
Published: December 2021

The rapid growth rate, high biomass production, and annual harvesting, makes bamboo as suitable species for commercial production. Allometric equations for many broadleaf and conifer tree species are available. However, knowledge on biomass production and allometric equations of bamboos are limited. This study aims at developing species specific allometric models for predicting biomass and synthetic height values as a proxy variable for seven bamboo species in Himalayan foothills. Two power form based allometric models were used to predict above ground and culm biomass using Diameter at breast height (D) alone and D in combination with culm height (H) as independent variable. This study also extended to establishing H-D allometric model that can be used to generate synthetic H values as proxy to missing H. In the seven bamboo species studied, among three major biomass component (culm, branch and foliage), culm is the most important component with highest share (69.56 to 78.71%).Distribution of percentage (%) share of culm, branch and foliage to above ground fresh weight varies significantly between different bamboo species. D. hamiltonii has highest productivity for above ground biomass components. Ratio of dry to fresh weight of seven bamboo species was estimated for culm, branch, foliage and above ground biomass to convert fresh weight to dry weight.
Study On Diagnosis And Management Strategies On Heterotopic Pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Yan , Chen Xiujuan , Lin Yuan , Lian Chengying , Xiong Xiumei
Published: December 2021

Objective The aims of this study were to analysis the clinical characteristics of women with heterotopic pregnancy (HP) following embryo transfer (ET) and explore the early predictors for pregnancy outcomes.Methods This retrospective study reviewed patients with HP following assisted reproductive technology (ART) in our institution between January 2013 and December 2020. The relationships between pregnancy outcomes and general features, ultrasonic characteristics and different treatment modality were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.Results Fourty patients were identified, including 27 with tubal HP, 7 interstitial HP and 6 cornual HP. The most frequent manifestations before diagnosis was vaginal bleeding (30.0%), while 7 patients (17.5%) had no symptoms before diagnosis. The mean gestational age at symptom onset was 44.8 ± 8.6 days (range 27–68). Gestational age at diagnosis was 49.4 ± 7.6 days (range 29–68). Among these cases, twenty-nine patients of HP were accurately diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS). Hence, the sensitivity of TVS for detecting HP was 72.5% (29/40). Eleven patients received expectant management, while 29 patients underwent laparotomy (13/29) or laparoscopy (16/29) surgery. Gestational age at surgery day was 51.0±8.6 days (range 33–67). Live births occurred for 18 patients in the surgery group, 3 of whom delivered preterm. Additionally, the miscarriage rate was lower for patients with IUP cardiac activity (16.7% vs. 90.0%) than patients without IUP cardiac activity at HP diagnosis (P < 0.001). Further by logistic regression analysis, an IUP with cardiac activity at HP diagnosis was identified as an independent factors of pregnancy outcome (P<0.001).Conclusions Symptoms combined with routine TVS scans could reduce misdiagnosis and facilitate the diagnosis of HP. An IUP with cardiac activity at HP diagnosis as predictors for a favorable prognosis of HP. Prompt surgical intervention after diagnosis may minimize the incidence of abortion of IUP.
Thermal Stability and Crystallization Behavior of Contaminated Recycled Polypropylene for Food Contact
Authors: Veroneze Isabelly , Letícia Akemi , Cruz Sandra Andrea
Published: December 2021

Polypropylene is one of the most widely used polymers, especially in the food packaging industry, which causes negative environmental effects. Recycling is a good option to partially solve this environmental problem. Thus, the polymer was contaminated with a cocktail to simulate the conditions of disposal and recycling following FDA guidelines. The influence of contaminants on recycled PP was analyzed by quiescent and nonquiescent crystallization. It was found that the contaminants alter the crystallization flow since longer induction times were observed for all contaminated samples. Also, the thermal behavior was performed considering that the thermogravimetric (TGA) results indicated an increase in the stability with the presence of contaminants. Therefore, a deep investigation using the induced oxidation time (OIT) and induced oxidation temperature (OITD) was performed. The contaminants play an important role in the crystallization process, as well as, in the degradation of the samples. Furthermore, the use of TGA and DSC as complementary techniques is fundamental to analyze this influence.
Development and Pilot Implementation of a Patient Oriented Discharge Summary for Critically Ill Patients (PODS-ICU)
Authors: Shahid Anmol , Sept Bonnie G. , Kupsch Shelly , Brundin-Mather Rebecca , Piskulic Danijela , Soo Andrea , Grant Chris , Leigh Jeanna Parsons , Fiest Kirsten M. , Stelfox Henry T.
Published: December 2021

Background - Patients leaving the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience gaps in care due to deficiencies in discharge communication. This study aimed to develop an ICU specific patient-oriented discharge summary tool (PODS-ICU) and pilot test the tool for acceptability and feasibility.Methods - Patient-partners, ICU clinicians, and researchers met to discuss ICU patients’ specific informational needs and design the PODS-ICU through several cycles of iterative revisions. Research team nurses piloted the PODS-ICU with patient and family-caregiver participants in two ICUs in Calgary, Canada. Follow-up surveys on the PODS-ICU and its impact on discharge were administered to participants and ICU nurses.Results – Fifteen patient and family-caregiver participants were administered the PODS-ICU. Most participants felt that their discharge from the ICU was good or better (n=13), and some (n=9) participants reported a good understanding of why the patient was in ICU. Most participants (n=12) reported that they understood ICU events and impacts on the patient’s health. ICU nurses reported that the PODS-ICU was “not reasonable” in their daily clinical workflow due to “time constraint”. Conclusions - PODS-ICU improves patients and family-caregivers’ understanding of ICU events and health-implications but requires better integration with existing care processes to be feasible. Patient or Public Contribution – This work involved patient partners (i.e., individuals with lived experience as patients or family-caregivers) in tool development, study design, participant recruitment, and manuscript preparation.
Gardnerella Vaginalis in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection is Associated with Dysbiosis of the Bladder Microbiome
Authors: Yoo Jeong-Ju , Song Ju Sun , Kim Woong Bin , Yun Jina , Shin Hee Bong , Jang Mi-Ae , Ryu Chang Beom , Kim Sung Shin , Chung Jun Chul , Kuk Jung Cheol , Shin Eung Jin , Song Ho-Yeon , Yu Byung Chul , Lee Eek-Sung , Ryu Seong Ho , Kim Jae Heon , Kim Young Ho
Published: December 2021

Background: Recent studies on the urine microbiome have highlighted the importance of the gut-vagina-bladder axis in recurrent cystitis (RC). In particular, the role of Gardnerella as a covert pathogen that activates E. coli in animal experiments has been reported. Herein, we conducted a human bladder microbiome study to investigate the effect of Gardnerella on RC. Methods: Urine 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing via transurethral catheterization was conducted in the normal control group (NC) (n=18) and RC group (n=78). Results: The positive detection rate of Gardnerella species did not differ between the NC and RC groups (22.2% vs. 18.0%, p = 0.677). In addition, the Gardnerella-positive NC and Gardnerella-positive RC groups showed similar levels of microbiome diversity. The Gardnerella-positive group was categorized into three subgroups: Escherichia-dominant group, Gardnerella-dominant group, and Lactobacillus-dominant group, respectively. All of the Escherichia-dominant groups were associated with RC. Gardnerella-dominant or Lactobacillus-dominant groups expressed RC with symptoms when risk factors such as degree of Gardnerella proliferation or causative agents of bacterial vaginosis were present.Conclusion: Gardnerella can act as a covert pathogen of RC depending on other risk factors, and Gardnerella infection should be considered in patients with RC. New guideline recommendations regarding antibiotics selection based on a novel method to detect the cause of RC may be required to reduce antibiotics resistance.
The Impact of Package Design On Fermented Milk Waste
Authors: Barbosa Ritielle , Porto Bruna Castro
Published: December 2021

One of the main goals of food packaging is the food waste reduction. However, some package designs may contradict this premise. This present work aimed to evaluate the effect of package design on fermented milk waste. Twenty-six packages of fermented milk of eight different designs were weighted to obtain the following masses: i) mass of the liquid removed from the package through a consumption simulation; ii) mass of the package without food and before the washing and drying processes; and, iii) mass of the cleaned and dried package. The main package factor in the fermented milk waste was the shape of the bottleneck. The packages that provided greater removal of the liquid content did not offer resistance to the food flow in the bottleneck. Other aspects that contributed to the food waste were straight angles and curves of the package. Thus, the package design impacts in the fermented milk waste.
Moving from Basic to More Advanced: Is there an Increase Over Time in the Complexity of Teacher Questions and Student Responses in Case Based Clinical Seminars?
Authors: Gartmeier Martin , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Grünewald Marc , Häusler Janina , Pfurtscheller Theresa , Seidel Tina , Berberat Pascal
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Case-based group discussions (CBGD) are a specific, interaction-focused form of case based medical education dedicated to foster medical students’ skills of applying basic biomedical knowledge to patient cases. In such seminars, teacher question-student response patters are a crucial aspect. We empirically investigate to which degree clinical teachers progress from more basic, knowledge-oriented towards more advanced, elaboration-oriented questions in CBGD-seminars.
Methods

We video recorded 32 case-based seminars in the areas of surgery and internal medicine. 21 different clinical teachers had taught and 398 medical students had attended these seminars. We coded closed-reproductive and open-elaborative teacher questions as well as reproductive and elaborative student responses to these questions. Interrater reliability was satisfactory. For determining trends regarding the teacher questions / student responses, we compared eight equally long time-segments per seminar.
Results

Overall, clinical teachers posed more closed-reproductive than open-elaborative questions to students and the latter gave more reproductive than elaborative responses. Regarding the frequencies of these forms of teacher questions / student responses, we found no significant differences over time.
Discussion

We found that clinical teachers did not deliberately modify the types of questions they posed over time to push their students towards more elaborative responses. Generally, this raises the critical question to which degree promising didactic concepts are actually put into clinical teaching practice. In our sample, we observed substantial heterogeneity regarding the variables in focus of our study. We conclude that medical education researchers should more thoroughly take different starting conditions and teaching approaches of different teachers into account.
Selecting Drought-Tolerance Markers: An Exploratory Analysis in Contrasting Soybeans
Authors: Toum Laila , Pérez-Borroto Lucía Sandra , Peña-Malavera Andrea Natalia , Luque Catalina , Welin Bjorn , Berenstein Ariel , Porto Darío Fernandez Do , Vojnov Adrian , Castagnaro Atilio Pedro , Pardo Esteban Mariano
Published: December 2021

Identifying high-yield genotypes under low water availability is an important goal for soybean breeding. However, a major bottleneck lies in phenotyping, particularly in selecting cost-efficient markers associated with stress tolerance and yield stabilization. Here, we conducted in-depth phenotyping experiments using two soybean genotypes with contrasting drought tolerance, MUNASQA (tolerant) and TJ2049 (susceptible), aiming to identify and statistically validate stress tolerance and yield stabilization markers. Firstly, at the R5 critical reproductive stage, the molecular differences between the genotypes responses to mild water deficit were explored through massive analysis of cDNA ends (MACE)-transcriptomic and gene ontology. MUNASQA transcriptional profile, compared to TJ2049, revealed significant differences when responding to drought. Next, both genotypes were phenotyped under mild water deficit, imposed in vegetative (V3) and R5 stages, by evaluating 22 stress-response, growth and water-use markers, which were subsequently correlated between phenological stages and with yield. Several markers showed high consistency, independent of the phenological stage, demonstrating the effectiveness of the phenotyping methodology and its possible use for early selection. Finally, these markers were classified and selected according to their cost-feasibility, statistical weight and correlation with yield. Here, pubescence, stomatal density and canopy temperature depression emerged as promising markers for early selection of drought-tolerant soybeans.
Design and Feasibility Tests of a Gas-driven Bionic Flytrap Soft Robot
Authors: Li Jian , Yan Jie , Huang Meizhen , Wang Yangwei
Published: December 2021

The research of bionic soft robot is a complex system engineering, including soft matrix material, soft actuator, soft sensor and bionic control system. Unlike most animals, plants cannot move in whole voluntarily. However, for the purpose of energy and nutrition, various parts of the plant body also carry out various movements, which vary from millisecond to hour on a large time scale. As a result, Plants are considered a source of inspiration for innovative engineering solutions, and a growing number of researchers are investigating the mechanisms of plant movement and biomimetic research. In this paper, the biological morphology, microstructure and movement mechanism of Venus flytrap leaf were studied and analyzed, and a bionic flytrap grassland machine with chamber design was designed and manufactured. Firstly, according to the research report on the biological morphology, microstructure and movement mechanism of Venus flytrap, the idea of chamber design was determined. Based on this observation, we reconstructed the leaf model and bionic structure of Venus flytrap by reverse modeling. Based on the principle of turgor pressure deformation, the chamber design rules of bionic Venus flytrap blade were formulated and optimized with silica gel as the bulk material. The flow channel design of Venus flytrap blade was studied and explored. Finally, the bionic Venus flytrap leaf was made by 3D printing technology and silica gel casting process, and the two bionic leaves were clamped at a certain opening Angle. The bending performance of bionic flytrap blade and the flytrap closure experiment were studied by air pressure excitation. The experimental results show that the bionic Venus flytrap blade can complete bending and closing experiments, and the bionic Venus flytrap can complete the whole capturing process within 5s. The leaf opening Angle of the bionic Venus flytrap reaches 80 degrees, which fits well with the real Venus flytrap blade and meets the design requirements and bionic goals. Apparently, this study is the first to design the chamber of the bionic flytrap leaf, formulate rules, and study the possibility of its deformation. It provides a new idea for the study of the movement and deformation of plant leaves, and expands the application of bionic robots, especially the robot solutions for plant types.