bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a health promotion intervention and education based on Health Belief Model on improving the preventive behaviors of self-Medication among women in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Niksadat Negin , Zavare Mehrnoosh Akhtari- , Gohari Mahmood Reza , Zadeh Davood Shojae , Solhi Mahnaz
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Self-medication (SM) is used in medicine without consultation with a physician which leads to serious problems, especially in women. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a health promotion intervention and education based on health belief model (HBM) on improving the preventive behaviors of self-Medication among women in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A quasi-experimental survey was carried out among 88 women in 4 selected health institutions of one of the districts in Tehran, Iran. A multi-stage random sampling method was carried out to select the participants. The intervention group received the educational module based on constructs of HBM on the prevention of SM, free medical facilities, and video about SM. The outcomes were assessed at baseline and one month after intervention by validated questionnaire on constructs of HBM and checklist of behavior in self-medication in both groups. The data were analyzed by SPSS16 using descriptive and analytical statistical tests. Result: At baseline, there was no significant difference between the mean scores of knowledge, perceptions (self-efficacy, susceptibility, severity, perceived benefits and barriers, self-Efficacy) , and prevention of self-medication behavior in both intervention and control groups (p > 0.05); but after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of both groups in all variables (p<0.001). Also, post-test results showed the considerable promotion of perceived barriers scores in the intervention group, especially on simple and fast inaccessibility to physician and high physician expenses. Conclusion: Educational and promotional intervention based on the health belief model is effective in improving the perceptions and behavior of women in the prevention of self-medication.
Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the differential diagnosis of spinal signal changes caused by infection and tumor in the early stages
Authors: Chen Qiaofeng , Wu Shanpeng , Lu Tianxiang , Shi Jianhui
Published: March 2021

Background: Spinal infection and tumor have abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations in the early stages; however, they are not easy to identify before symptoms appear. These conditions have their own characteristics and need to be correctly diagnosed.Methods: MRI images of six cases of pyogenic spondylitis, eight cases of tuberculous spondylitis, eight cases of Brucella spondylitis, and twelve cases of spinal tumor were reviewed. MRI images of the involved vertebral body, vertebral facet joint, spinous process, paravertebral soft tissue, and posterior dural sac of the vertebral body were analyzed using T2-weighted imaging, T1-weighted imaging, lipgraphy and enhanced MRI, respectively. Results: MRI data of spinal infection, spinal tuberculosis, spinal tumor, and spinal Brucella infection differed in their characteristics.Conclusions: MRI could provide early diagnostic evidence for spinal lesions.
Pregnancy Outcomes Following the First Frozen Blastocyst Transfer among Women Aged Less than 35 Years Old
Authors: Hoang Le , Thang Le Duc , Huong Nguyen Thi Lien , Thuy Nguyen Minh , Anh Vu Thi Mai , Duc Nguyen Thanh , Chi Nguyen Thi Dieu , Dung Tham Chi , hugues jean-noël
Published: March 2021

Aims of the study were to describe main outcomes (clinical, ongoing single and multiple pregnancy and live birth rates) following frozen blastocyst transfer performed for the first time among women aged less than 35 years old and analyzed according to both quantity and quality of the embryos. A descriptive cross-sectional study was applied to collect and analyze available data of 505 patients who performed transfer of frozen blastocysts for the first time between June, 2018 and September, 2019 at the Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre of Tam Anh General Hospital. One good quality embryo was transferred for 121 patients (Group 1), 2 good quality embryos for 214 patients (Group 2), 1 good and 1 poor quality embryo for 112 patients (Group 3), 1 good and 2 poor quality embryos for 25 patients (Group 4) and 1 or 2 poor quality embryos for 33 patients (Group 5). Main results showed that the pregnancy rate was 71.9%, 74.8%, 69.4%, 84.0% and 39.4% in Group 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The rate of multiple pregnancy was 36.9%, 16.9%, and 32.0% in Group 2, 3, and 4, respectively, higher than in Group 1 (4.9%). Meanwhile, the live birth rate was 55.6%, 50.9%, and 60.0% in Group 2, 3 and 4, respectively, but not significantly different from the live birth rate in Group 1 (47.9%). In conclusion, pregnancy and live birth rates were not significantly different following transfer of 1 or 2 good quality blastocysts while the rate of multiple pregnancy was significantly increased following the transfer of 2 good quality ones. Transfer of 1 or 2 poor quality embryos in addition to 1 good embryo did not significantly improve the pregnancy rate.
Shenzhi Jiannao Formula Ameliorates Vascular Dementia in Vivo and in Vitro by Inhibition Glutamate Neurotoxicity via Promoting Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis
Authors: Tian Danfeng , Guo Yangyang , Zhang Dandan , Gao Qiang , Liu Ganlu , Lin Jingfeng , Chang Ze , Wang Yuchun , Su Rui , Han Zhenyun
Published: March 2021

Background: Synaptic damage and glutamate excitotoxicity have been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia (VD). Clathrin, RAB5B and N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor 1 (NMDAR1) proteins play a vital role in endocytosis of synaptic vesicles in neurons and glutamate over accumulation. Previous researches have been confirmed that Shenzhi Jiannao (SZJN) formula has an anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effect in VD, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of SZJN formula on cognitive impairment and glutamate excitotoxicity via clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) in vivo and in vitro. Methods: Both common carotid arteries were permanent occluded (2‐vessel occlusion, 2VO) in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats to model VD. One day after operation, the rats began daily treatment with SZJN formula for two weeks. The neuroprotective effects of SZJN formula was subsequently assessed by the novel object recognition test, Morris water maze, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining. Glutamate cytotoxicity was assessed by detecting cell viability and cell death of PC12 cells. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and quantitative real‐time PCR were used to detect the expression levels of clathrin, RAB5B, and NMDAR1.Results: Administration of SZJN formula effectively improved short-term memory and spatial memory. SZJN treatment significantly reduced hippocampal neuronal loss, and recovered the arrangement and morphology of neurons and Nissl bodies. Moreover, SZJN formula promoted the proliferation of PC12 cells and inhibited glutamate-induced cell death. The down-regulation of clathrin and RAB5B, as well as the upregulation of NMDAR1 in the brain induced by 2VO or glutamate was also notably reversed by SZJN formula at both the protein and mRNA levels, which may contribute to SZJN formula induced improved neurological function. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings provide evidence that the neuroprotective effects of SZJN formula in experimental VD maybe mediated through promoting the expression of clathirn-mediated endocytosis and reducing NMDARs‐associated glutamate excitotoxicity. SZJN formula serves as a promising alternative therapy and may be a useful herbal medicine for preventing progression of VD.
Pregnancy Rate After Myomectomy and Associated Factors Among Reproductive Age Women Who Had Myomectomy at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa: Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.
Authors: jeldu meseret olana , asress Tadios Mekonnen , arusi temesgen tantu , gutulo Muluken Gunta
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Uterine myoma occurs in 20-50% of reproductive age women. Uterine myomas may be associated with 5-10% of cases of infertility, but it is the sole cause or factor in only 2-3% of all infertility cases. Myomectomy is surgery done to remove myoma regardless of the methods.Objective: to assess impact of myomectomy on pregnancy rate and associated factors among reproductive age women who had myomectomy at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, in Addis Ababa. Methodology: Hospital based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to determine pregnancy rate after myomectomy & its associated factors. Patients who had myomectomy in SPHMMC from September, 2012 to September, 2017 were enrolled. Information was retrieved from hospital records & phone interviews with the patients. The strength of statistical association was measured by adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Result: Among 180 females participated in this study, 52.2% got pregnant after myomectomy. The result showed that females with age >35 years were 0.31 times less likely to get pregnant after surgery than those ages 20-25 years [AOR=0.31(95%CI: 0.29-0.54)]. People with no infertility before surgery were 1.19 times more likely to be pregnant after surgery than those with unexplained infertility before the surgery [AOR=1.19(95%CI: 1.06-1.57)]. People with two uterine incisions were 0.06 times less likely [AOR=0.06(95%CI: 0.043-0.51)] while those with three or more than three incisions were 0.02 times less likely [AOR=0.02(95%CI: 0.002-0.22)] to get pregnant compared with those with one incision on uterine wallConclusion: Age, number of incision and infertility before surgery were significantly associated with rate of pregnancy after myomectomy.
Analysis of Association Between Genetic Heterogeneity of Interferon Beta Receptor Promoter and Therapeutic Response to Interferon-beta in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Hajian Samin , Mazdeh Mehrdokht , Nouri Fatemeh , Soleimani Meysam
Published: March 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory neuronal damages and consequent disabilities. Episodic relapses of the disease could be decreased by the interferon-beta (IFN-β) therapy in most MS patients. However, the drug response’s efficiency is variable among patients, and the precise mechanism of action of the IFN-β is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the interferon beta-receptor (IFNAR) promoter polymorphisms on response to interferon beta in MS patients. Patients were divided into either responding (n = 57) or non-responding (n = 43) groups according to interferon beta treatment and Expanded Disability Status Scale score. The Sanger sequencing method is used for genotyping. Here, we found a significant association between 65 SNP in responders and non-responders to interferon beta (p-value < 0.05). The results also showed a significant difference between the two groups of responders and non-responders to the treatment in the presence or absence of insertion before GT repeat dinucleotide microsatellite (p-value < 0.02). The present study’s obtained results suggested the genetic heterogeneity in the promoter region of IFNAR can affect response to IFN-β. However, more studies with a larger sample size are needed to demonstrate this relationship further.
The Legacy of the Reformasi: The Role of Local Government Spending on Industrial Development in a Decentralized Indonesia
Authors: Wiryawan Bangkit A. , Otchia Christian
Published: March 2021

Starting in 2001 the government of Indonesia employed Regional Autonomy law, providing larger fiscal role to the province and district governments. However, our understanding of its impacts on economic development of Indonesia is still limited. This paper seeks to find the relationship between increasing local government’s capital expenditure on industrial development with focus in the non-oil and gas sector. Capital spending is thought to have moderation effect on investment, the main channel for industrialization, that should contribute to industrial growth. Our System GMM result suggests that there is significant correlation between capital spending and industrial growth. However, we fail to find significance moderation effect between local spending and investment towards the industry. Decentralization progress in Indonesia has been institutionally anchored by the central government particularly with the introduction of concurrent affairs in 2004, allowing central government to take a major developmental role at the local level. In the long run this contributes to the weakening capacity building at the local level, resulting in our non-positive findings. We propose a new institutional model that promote better central-local collaboration.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression in Iranian Adolescents with and Without Hearing Loss (HL) in Previous and During the Outbreak of the COVID-19
Authors: Ariapooran Saeed , Khezeli Mehdi , Batool Ahadi
Published: March 2021

Background: Due to the unavailability of information and resources about COVID-19 in people with Hearing Loss (HL), especially deaf people, the psychological problems, such as PTSD and depression are probably raised in people with hearing loss (HL) during the outbreak of COVID-19. This study was conducted to compare post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in Iranian adolescents with and without HL in previous and during the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods: The statistical sample was 112 adolescents half (56) of whom was with HL, while another half (56) was without HL. The two groups were also homogenized in terms of age, gender, and education. Data were gathered using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 (CPSS-5) and Children's Depression Inventory Short version (CDI: S). The data obtained were analyzed using two-way MANOVA. Results: Results showed that 46.43% and 41.04% of with-HL adolescents during the outbreak of COVID-19, and 17.87% and 25.00% of them in previous the outbreak of COVID-19 had symptoms of PTSD and depression, respectively. Results indicated that the mean score difference between PTSD and depression during and in previous the outbreak of COVID-19 [(during)-(previous)] was higher in adolescents with HL than the control group. conclusion: We concluded that psychological and medical interventions must be beneficial to decrease symptoms of PTSD and depression in adolescents (especially in deaf and hard-of-hearing adolescents) during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Penta Band Single Negative Meta-Atom Absorber designed on Square Enclosed Star-Shaped Modified Split Ring Resonator for S-, C-, X- and Ku- Bands Microwave Applications
Authors: Islam Md. Rashedul , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Moniruzzaman Md. , Samsuzzaman Md. , Arshad Haslina
Published: March 2021

This paper represents a penta band square enclosed star-shaped modified split ring resonator (SRR) based single negative meta-atom absorber (MAA) for multi-band microwave regime applications. FR-4 low-cost material has been used as a substrate to make the MAA unit cell with 0.101λ0 × 0.101λ0 of electrical size, where λ0 is the wavelength calculated at the lower resonance frequency of 3.80 GHz. There are two outer square split ring and one inner star ring shape resonator of 0.035 mm thickness of copper placed on the one side, and another side of the substrate has full copper to construct the desired unit cell. The MAA unit cell provides five absorption peaks of 97.87%, 93.65%, 92.66 %, 99.95%, and 99.86% at the frequencies of 3.80, 5.65, 8.45, 10.82, and 15.92 GHz, respectively, which covers S-, C-, X-, and Ku-bands. The properties of MAA have been investigated and analyzed in the E-, H-fields and surface current. The EMR and highest Q factor of the designed MAA is 9.87 and 30.41, respectively, and it shows a single negative (SNG) property. Different types of parametric analysis have been done to show the better performance of absorption. Advanced Designed System (ADS) software has been used for equivalent circuit to verify the simulated S11 result obtained from the CST-2019 software. Experimental outcomes of the MAA unit cell have a good deal with the simulated result and measured result of the 24×20 array of unit cells also shown. Since the unit cell provides superior EMR, excellent Q-factor, and highest absorption so the recommended MAA can be effectively used as a penta band absorber in microwave applications, like notch filtering, sensing, reducing the unintended noise generated with the copper component of the satellite and radar antennas.
In Vitro Screening of Cucmis Melo L. Against Drought Mediated By PEG and Sorbitol
Authors: Mehmandar Maryam Nekoee , Rasouli Farzad , Giglou Mousa Torabi , Zahedi Seyed Morteza , Aazami Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2021

Water deficit in first growth stages of melon (Cucumis melo L.) in formation of first true leaves after germination can be a factor limiting production. The first step for resolve the problem is genotypes evaluation and identification of drought tolerant melons. An effective method to achieve the goal is use of osmotic solution in tissue culture. Responses of Iranian melon landraces to drought was evaluated using sorbitol at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 M or polyethyleneglycol (PEG 6000) at 0.009, 0.012 and 0.015 M concentrations, and MS medium without treatment as the control. Coleoptile length, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, photosynthetic pigments, protein, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase were measured. The PEG or sorbitol decreased coleoptile length, fresh weight and photosynthetic pigments, and led to enhancement of proline and MDA. Contents of protein and antioxidant enzymes was completely dependent on genotype and type and concentration of osmotic material. The in vitro culture for screening and identification of tolerant and sensitive drought genotypes could be rapid, useful and effective, with sorbitol mimicing drought better than PEG. After in vitro evaluation, the genotype responses to induced water deficit need to be confirmed under field conditions.
Antibioresistance and Virulence Factors Spectrum in Several Bacterial Strains Isolated from Polluted Environments
Authors: Cirstea Maria Doina , Neagu Simona , Stefănescu Mugur
Published: March 2021

Most studies concerning antibiotic resistance are performed on strains isolated from the clinical environment. This phenomenon should not be neglected in bacterial strains isolated from natural or polluted environments, because the phenomenon of virulence and antibiotic resistance occurred in these environments and can contribute to maintaining a reservoir of virulence and antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess the resistance factors as well as the antibiotic resistance pattern in bacterial strains isolated from environments polluted with oil products or heavy metals.The strains under study exhibited virulence factors, 85% of the strains had the ability to synthesize amylases, 65% to hydrolyze esculin and gelatin, 50% to produce lecithinases, and hemolysins, and 40% to metabolize casein. To some bacterial straina, the blaNDM and blaIMP resistance genes were identified. These microorganisms showed intermediate resistance to Carbapenem, Monobactam and Aminoglycoside antibiotic classes. Pollutants exert selective pressure on native microorganisms contributing to the development of defense mechanisms against pollution stress, these mechanisms can be used in virulence and antibiotic resistance.
Heparin- and Rosuvastatin- loaded Poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) Nanofiber Aneurysm Covered Stent Inhibits Inflammatory Smooth Muscle Cell in Reducing in-stent Stenosis and Thrombosis
Authors: Liu Yingjun , Liu Peixi , Song Yaying , Li Sichen , Shi Yuan , Quan Kai , Yu Guo , Li Peiliang , An Qingzhu , Zhu Wei
Published: March 2021

Background: Endovascular covered-stent has unique advantages in treating complex intracranial aneurysms. However, in-stent stenosis and late thrombosis have become the main factors affecting the efficacy of covered-stent treatment. Smooth-muscle-cell phenotypic modulation plays an important role in late in-stent stenosis and thrombosis. Thus, covered stents loaded with drugs that can inhibit smooth-muscle-cell phenotypic modulation may lower the incidence of long-term complications. Methods: Nanofiber covered stents were prepared using coaxial electrospinning. A rabbit-carotid-artery aneurysm model was established and treated with covered stents. Angiography and histology were performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and incidence rate of in-stent stenosis and thrombosis. Phenotype, function, and inflammatory factors of smooth-muscle cells were studied to explore the mechanism of rosuvastatin in smooth-muscle cells. Result: Heparin–rosuvastatin-loaded nanofiber scaffolds inhibited the proliferation of synthetic smooth-muscle cells. Heparin–rosuvastatin-loaded nanofiber covered stent effectively treated aneurysms without showing any notable in-stent stenosis. In vitro experiments showed that rosuvastatin could inhibit the smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation of platelet-derived growth factor-BB induction. The inflammatory cytokines secretion and cell viability were inhibited after rosuvastatin treatment.Conclusion: Rosuvastatin could inhibit the abnormal proliferation of synthetic smooth-muscle cells. Heparin–rosuvastatin-loaded covered stents could reduce the incidence of stenosis and late thrombosis and improve the healing rates of stents used for aneurysm treatment.
The effectiveness and safety of modified posterior scleral reinforcement in Chinese children with high myopia
Authors: Ouyang Qianru , Miao Zequn , Xu Xin , Guo Lili , Meng Qingyu , Liang Shuting , Zhang Jingyi , Fu Haoli , Cao Yu , Huang Lvzhen , Wang Lejin
Published: March 2021

Background To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of modified posterior scleral reinforcement in controlling the progression of myopia in patients with high myopia and provide reference information on surgical treatment for these patients.Methods The study included 32 patients (55 eyes) with high myopia who were treated with modified posterior scleral reinforcement and were followed up at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after the operation.The axial length, refractive error, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and fundus colour photographs after the operation were compared with those before the operation, and whether there were any complications was recorded.Results The axial length of the eye increased by 0.07 mm, 0.12 mm, 0.31 mm and 0.19 mm at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after the operation, respectively. The refractive error increased by 0.05 D, 0.28 D, 0.53 D and 0.50 D at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after the operation, respectively, and the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant changes in BCVA, but there was an upward trend. No severe complications occurred.Conclusion Modified posterior scleral reinforcement can effectively delay the worsening of the ocular axis and refractive error, without severe complications in the short term.
Design, validation and implementation of the Post-Acute (long) COVID-19 Quality of Life (PAC-19QoL) instrument in the PAC-19QoLReg patient registry
Authors: Jandhyala Ravi
Published: March 2021

Background

To design, validate and implement a Post-Acute (long) COVID-19 disease-specific quality of life instrument, (the PAC-19QoL), in a dedicated patient registry, PAC-19QoLReg, to observe changes in quaQoL over a 12-month period.
Methods

The Jandhyala Method was used to identify indicators of long COVID quality of life. The resulting PAC-19QoL was validated with a control group of unaffected participants and finally implemented in the dedicated PAC-19QoLReg.
Participants

: 15 participants suffering from long COVID, who have been positively diagnosed with COVID-19, either via diagnostic or antibody tests and a validation control group of 16 healthy participants who have not suffered from COVID-19.
Main Outcome measures:

Indicators submitted by participants with long COVID that address the specific impact of the illness in their quality of life.
Results

Forty-four Quality of Life Indicators (QoLI) across four domains – psychological, physical, emotional and work-related – were agreed by the participants with long COVID to be relevant for the assessment of their quality of life (CI > 0.5). The validation stage identified 35/44 QoLIs that differentiated between the two groups, with a statistically significant difference between the mean QoLI Likert Scores (P < 0.05).
Conclusions

The PAC-19QoL instrument and PAC-19QoLReg prospective observational cohort clinical study will enable an understanding of disease progression, on and off treatment, on the quality of life of patients with long COVID beyond simple symptomatology.
Trial registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04586413; 14th October 2020
Impacts of bariatric surgery in health outcomes and health care costs in Brazil: Interrupted time series analysis of multi-panel data
Authors: Turri Jose Antonio Orellana , Anokye Nana Kwame , Santos Lionai Lima dos , Júnior José Maria Soares , Baraccat Edmund Chada , Santo Marco Aurélio , Sarti Flávia Mori
Published: March 2021

Background: The increasing burden of obesity generates significant socioeconomic impacts for individuals, populations, and national health systems worldwide. The literature on impacts and cost-effectiveness of obesity-related interventions for prevention and treatment of moderate to severe obesity indicate that bariatric surgery presents high costs associated with high effectiveness in improving health status referring to certain outcomes; however, there is a lack of robust evidence at an individual-level estimation of its impacts on multiple health outcomes related to obesity comorbidities.Methods: The study encompasses a single-centre retrospective longitudinal analysis of patient-level data using micro-costing technique to estimate direct health care costs with cost-effectiveness for multiple health outcomes pre-and post-bariatric surgery. Data from 114 patients who had bariatric surgery at the Hospital of Clinics of the University of Sao Paulo during 2018 were investigated through interrupted time-series analysis with generalised estimating equations and marginal effects, including information on patients' characteristics, lifestyle, anthropometric measures, hemodynamic measures, biochemical exams, and utilisation of health care resources during screening (180 days before) and follow-up (180 days after) of bariatric surgery.Results: The preliminary statistical analysis showed that health outcomes presented improvement, except cholesterol and VLDL, and overall direct health care costs increased after the intervention. However, interrupted time series analysis showed that the rise in health care costs is attributable to the high cost of bariatric surgery, followed by a statistically significant decrease in post-intervention health care costs. Changes in health outcomes were also statistically significant in general, except in cholesterol and LDL, leading to significant improvements in patients' health status after the intervention.Conclusions: Trends multiple health outcomes showed statistically significant improvements in patients' health status post-intervention compared to trends pre-intervention, resulting in reduced direct health care costs and the burden of obesity.
Genetic Mapping of Mitochondrial Sorting of the MSC3 Mosaic Mutant of Cucumber
Authors: Wallace Lyle T. , Havey Michael J.
Published: March 2021

Passage of the highly inbred line ‘B’ of cucumber through cell cultures has produced regenerated plants with a mosaic (MSC) phenotype on cotyledons and leaves, as well as rearrangements in the mitochondrial DNA. Both of these characteristics show paternal transmission. MSC3 and MSC16 were derived from independent cell-culture experiments and have distinct mosaic phenotypes and different under-represented regions in their mitochondrial DNAs. A nuclear locus, Psm for paternal transmission of mitochondria, conditions a high proportion of wild type progenies when MSC16 is crossed as the male with female plants carrying the Psm- allele. Plants with homozygous genotypes at Psm were crossed with both MSC3 and MSC16, and segregation of wild-type versus mosaic progenies in these families were not consistent suggesting that sorting of wild-type progenies from crosses with MSC3 and MSC16 have different genetic bases. We identified cucumber plants that produced a high proportion of wild-type progenies in crosses with MSC3 as the male parent. Plants from a segregating F2 family were crossed with MSC3 as the male and progenies scored for numbers of mosaic versus wild-type progenies. The same F2 plants were genotyped-by-sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphisms identified for genetic mapping. Quantitative analysis of the proportion of wild-type testcross progenies identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) in the same genomic region as the Psm locus; however the most significant SNP associated with this QTL was located approximately 856 kilobases from Psm. Eventual identification of a candidate gene controlling this unique mitochondrial sorting in cucumber should reveal important aspects of mitochondrial-nuclear interactions affecting the prevalence of specific mitochondrial DNAs.
A Study of Dry Spells in Iran Based on Satellite Data and Their Relationship With ENSO
Authors: Rezaei Mohammad , Rousi Efi , Ghasemifar Elham , Sadeghi Ali
Published: March 2021

The study of Maximum number of Consecutive Dry Days (MCDDs) is one approach to analyse precipitation behavior in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. This study is a first attempt to investigate the MCDDs and their relationship with the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in winter months over Iran. The study was carried out using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite data on a daily basis at 1° latitude × 1° longitude spatial resolution and reanalysis data for the period 1998-2019. Results showed that the highest values of MCDDs are observed in southeastern Iran and the lowest in northwestern Iran. Based on the coefficients of the linear trend of the MCDDs, the significant increasing trends are remarkably more abundant than declining trends, especially in the northern half of the country in December and January. The results regarding the relationship between ENSO and MCDDs indicated a non-stationary behavior, with significant negative correlation for December (especially in southwest) and positive correlation for January and February (especially in southeast). The largest differences in the correlation coefficients were observed between December and January. In general, during El Niño (La Niña) phases, the length of MCDDs decreases (increases) in December and increases (decreases) in January especially in the southern half. By comparing different large-scale climate parameters for the two months, we found that during El Niño (La Niña) phases, a negative (positive) anomaly of geopotential height, and a positive (negative) anomaly of zonal wind and specific humidity are observed over the region in December, while the opposite situation occurs in January. The innovation of this study is the use of satellite data that provide a continuous spatial coverage of the region and the consideration of the ENSO teleconnection pattern in regards to dry spells. We find that El Niño (La Niña) has contradictory effects on MCDDs in different winter months in the southern half of the country. These findings are of great importance for a country like Iran that lies in arid and semi-arid regions, as they can be useful for water resources management.
Sonographic Evaluation of the Degree of Medial Meniscal Extrusion During Thessaly Test in Healthy Knees
Authors: Cho Chin-Suk , Tollefson Lauren , Reckelhoff Kenneth
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveThe Thessaly test is a commonly used orthopedic test for meniscus tear evaluation. The study’s objective is to evaluate the degree of medial meniscal extrusion during different loading phases of the Thessaly test. MethodsA convenience sample of 60 healthy knees (35 participants) was examined. Sonographic measurement of the degree of physiologic extrusion of the medial meniscus deep to the medial collateral ligament was taken by two examiners at six different loading phases: supine, standing, 5° knee-flexion with internal (IR)/external (ER) rotation and 20° knee-flexion with IR/ER. The difference in meniscal extrusion by knee position was compared with ANOVA. Interrater reliability assessment was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient. ResultsThe mean meniscal extrusion for each position was - supine: 2.3±0.5mm, standing: 2.8±0.8mm, 5° IR: 2.3±0.9mm, 5° ER: 2.4±0.7mm, 20° IR: 1.9±0.8mm, and 20° ER: 2.3±0.7mm. Significant increase in extrusion was observed from supine to standing (p<0.05) and from 20° IR to 20° ER (p=0.015). Significant decreased measurement was observed from standing to 5° IR (p<0.05), 5° ER (p<0.05), 20° IR (p<0.05) and 20° ER (p<0.05). There is no significant change between 5° IR and 5° ER (p=1.0). Interrater reliability of the measurements across the six positions was poor to moderate (0.35-0.57, p<0.05). ConclusionOur study’s novel findings showed clear dynamic changes during Thessaly test, which implies increase in compressive stress across the medial meniscus and a potential mechanism for pain generation during this test. Further testing is needed to address the poor-moderate reliability and confirm findings.
Effects of Using an Abdominal Simulator to Develop Palpatory Competencies in 3rd Year Medical Students.
Authors: Hamm Robert M. , Kelley David M. , Medina Jose A , Syed Noreen S. , Harris Geraint A. , Papa Frank J.
Published: March 2021

Background. US medical students seldom practice enough on patients to master the palpation skills of the physical examination of the abdomen. We evaluated the impact of extended practice with an abdominal simulator which provides concurrent and summative feedback on the appropriate depth of palpation and coverage of relevant areas. Methods. All third-year medical students were given the opportunity to study with the AbSim simulator during the family medicine rotation. The competence of those who studied with the simulator was measured by its sensors, before and after a training session that included visual feedback regarding the depth and coverage of the student’s manual pressure. Additionally, they reported their confidence in their abdominal examination skill at the beginning and end of the rotation. Results. 119 (86.9%) of 137 students filled out the initial questionnaire, and 73 (61.3%) studied the tutorial. Pre-training competence was predictable by gender, but not by month of third year nor by previous surgery or internal medicine rotations. There was little relation between students’ confidence in their abdominal examination skills and their measured competence. The simulator training had a highly significant effect, improving overall competence (4 measures, all p’s < 0.001). Conclusions. A tutorial using an abdominal simulator increased medical students’ competency examining the abdomen, both the depth of palpation and the thoroughness of coverage. Interpretation of changes in confidence are uncertain, because confidence was unrelated to objectively measured competence, although low initial confidence did influence student choice to study with the abdominal simulator.
Development and Utilization of the Functional Co-dominant KASP Marker for Thermo-sensitive Genic Male Sterility in Rice
Authors: Qi Yongbin , Wang LinYou , Song Jian , Ma Guohua , Wang Jianjun
Published: March 2021

Thermos-sensitive genic male sterility (TGMS) is the important genetic resource in two-line hybrid rice breeding. The pollen fertility of TGMS lines is regulated by a single point mutation on the TGMS genes. Based on the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and indel, KASP markers were developed and utilized in rice molecular breeding due to high-through detection with low cost and save time. In this study, we convert the SNPs on TGMS genes including p/tms12-1 and tms9-1 gene to the functional co-dominant KASP marker and used in two-line hybrid rice breeding. We can differentiate the TGMS lines conferring p/tms12-1 or tms9-1 from another TGMS lines by KASP assay. Of them, the genotype of Pei'ai64S and Hua201S containing p/tms12-1 is homozygous GG genotype with blue signal, and the genotype of HengnongS-1 containing tms9-1 is homozygous CC genotype with red signal. KASP assay for tms9-1 gene was proved that the genetic mode is fit to one recessive Mendalian trait. The test of seed purity was performed by KASP marker for the two-line hybrid varieties of Liangyoupeijiu and Hualiangyou1206, which is consistent with the previous dCAPS marker. Moreover, the tms12-1 and tms9-1 gene were pyramided in the same genetic background and the new TGMS lines were generated. Therefore, the KASP marker for TGMS genes developed in this study can be widely used in two-line hybrid rice breeding. It will provide a visual convenient toolkit for breeders to select the target individual plant by the high-throughput detection in the different two-line rice breeding program.
Successful Treatment of an Adult Diffuse Midline Glioma With Olaparib Combined With Bevacizumab
Authors: Wang Yong , Xu Jun , Luo Ningning , Qi Chuang , Tao Rongjie
Published: March 2021

Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), characterized by malignant, fast growing and carrying a poor prognosis, are a rare subtype of glial tumor. Majority of DMGs harboring H3 K27-mutation are a novel entity with a worse prognosis and are categorized as a grade IV glioma. Histone-mutated DMGs characterized by a midline location occur more commonly in children and less frequently in adults. Considering the treatment is limited in DMG, the need for effective therapeutic strategies is urgent. Olaparib is one of Poly-ADP-Ribose Polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and has been reported in inhibiting glioma in some preclinical trials and clinical trial in glioblastoma. Olaparib plus bevacizumab have been successfully used in ovarian cancer. However, the olaparib application in DMGs has not been reported yet. Herein, we firstly reported that an adult DMG patient benefited from olaparib combined with bevacizumab. This report provides a promising treatment option for DMG patients.
Study of the Implementation of Fibrous Materials and Earth in Hollow Body Slab in Reinforced Concrete: Case of Laterite, Borassus Aethiopum and Calamus Deerratus Woods
Authors: Agossou Yemalin Daniel , Ekpo Thomas Dèkandji , Boissiere Rémi , Adjovi Edmond Codjo , Chabi Edem , Amadji T. Armel , Khelil Abdelouahab
Published: March 2021

This work enrolls in the context of eco materials. It concerns the field of transformation of local shrub forest resources and lateritic earth with low market values into building materials and is developing a process for the valorization of lateritic nodules, Borassus aethiopum (palmyra) and Calamus deerratus (rattan) in the engineering of modern reinforced concrete structures. The objective of this process is to promote the rational use of these local materials in the realization of the floors of social housing. Experimental studies of physical and mechanical characterizations of the lateritic concrete formulated, of the palmyra and rattan woods were carried out. Through tests of tearing and sliding of the interface between normal concrete and laterite concrete (push-out tests), it has been highlighted the adhesion of palmyra wood to concrete and the contribution of rattan lianas to oppose the longitudinal sliding of the interface between two concretes of different nature. The case study of a hollow body slab in mixed concrete (normal and laterite concrete) reinforced with palmyra and rattan woods, showed the structural effectiveness of lateritic earth, of palmyra and rattan woods in the realization of social housing modern slads with a range of up to 5 meters.
Close to the Madding Crowd: How Resilient are Imperilled Mediterranean Urban Wetlands?
Authors: Aouadi Abdallah , Samraoui Farrah , Touati Laid , Nedjah Riad , Souiki Lynda , Samraoui Boudjéma
Published: March 2021

Investigating how Mediterranean wetlands respond to adjacent land use conversion, is an important first step in mitigating the impact of human encroachment and other environmental stressors. We monitored the composition and structure of waterbird assemblages, in a Mediterranean urban marsh, subjected to severe anthropogenic pressures. Remote sensing indicated that in the last two decades Boussedra Pond was subjected to landfill, resulting in a substantial reduction (~ 50%) of the marsh, while due to a lack of urban planning urban built-up and agriculture areas expanded considerably in its surroundings. Seasonal changes in the diversity of waterbirds, including the globally Endangered (EN) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and the Near-Threatened (NT) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, reflected the importance of the site as a staging and wintering area for many migratory species. The long-term study also suggested that breeding waterbirds species respond differentially to the loss and degradation of habitats, as highlighted by the resilience of the synanthropic Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and the disappearance of several breeding marsh specialists, like the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus and the Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. The study points out the need for both a coordinated cross-sectorial land use planning and an immediate, affordable and sustainable wetland conservation action.
Acute effects of coffee on neurocognitive function: an electroencephalography network analysis
Authors: Kim Hayom , Kang Sung Hoon , Kim Soon Ho , Kim Seong Hwan , Hwang Jihyeon , Kim Jae-Gyum , Han Kyungreem , Kim Jung Bin
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanisms underlying effects of coffee on cognition in the context of brain networks. Here we investigated functional connectivity before and after drinking coffee using graph theoretical analysis of electroencephalography (EEG). Twenty-one healthy adults voluntarily participated in this study. The neuropsychological tests were consecutively performed at the start of the EEG recording and 30 min after coffee consumption. Graph analyses were performed and compared before and after coffee consumption. Correlation analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between changes in graph measures and those in cognitive function tests. FC was reorganized toward more efficient network properties after coffee consumption. Performance in Digit Span tests and Trail Making Test Part B improved after coffee consumption, and the improved performance in executive function was correlated with changes in graph measures, reflecting a shift toward efficient network properties. The beneficial effects of coffee on cognitive function might be attributed to the reorganization of FC toward more efficient network properties. Based on our findings, the patterns of network reorganization could be used as quantitative markers to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of coffee on cognition, especially executive function.
Antifungal activity of camphor against four phytopathogens of Fusarium
Authors: Huo Huanran , Gu Yan , Cao Yueqin , Liu Na , Jia Pengfei , Kong Weibao
Published: March 2021

Fusarium, one of the main fungal pathogens, can infect field crops and cause great economic loss. This paper concerns a research on the antifungal activity of camphor. In our study, an assessment was made on the antifungal activity of camphor against four common phytopathogens: Fusarium oxysporum G5, F. solani G9, F. verticillioide, and F. graminearum. The method adopted was mycelial growth inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of camphor against the four tested fungi were 4.0, 4.0, 4.0, and 2.0 mg/mL, and the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were 2.0, 2.0, 2.0, and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. The paper proper also involves an investigation the, fungicidal mechanisms via cell membrane permeability, proteins and nucleic acids leakage and scanning electron microscopy. The results of preliminary antifungal mechanism revealed that camphor can cause cytomembrane destruction, enhancing the permeability of cytomembrane and releasing intracellular macromolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins. Supposedly, the results suggested that the cytomembrane may be the target of camphor. In addition, these outcomes indicated that camphor can exhibit pronounced fungicidal activities against the four tested fungi and could be a promising alternative for the control of phytopathogenic Fusarium.
Global heating of Jupiter's upper atmosphere by auroral energy circulation
Authors: O'Donoghue James , Moore Luke , Bhakyapaibul Tanapat , Melin Henrik , Stallard Tom , Connerney John , Tao Chihiro
Published: March 2021

Giant planet upper atmospheres have long been observed to be significantly hotter than expected. Magnetosphere-atmosphere coupling processes give rise to auroral emissions and enormous energy deposition near the magnetic poles, explaining high temperatures for narrow regions of the planet. However, global circulation models have difficulty redistributing auroral energy globally due to the strong Coriolis forces and ion drag. Heating by solar photons is insufficient at giant planets, and yet other proposed processes, such as heating by waves originating from the lower atmosphere, also fail to explain the warm equatorial temperature. There remains no self-consistent explanation for measured non-auroral temperatures at present, mostly due to a lack of definitive observational constraints. Here, using high-resolution maps capable of tracing global temperature gradients at Jupiter, we show that upper-atmosphere temperatures decrease steadily from the aurora to the equator. During a period of enhanced auroral activity, likely driven by a coincident solar wind compression event, we also find a global increase in temperature accompanied by a high temperature planetary-scale structure that appears to emanate from the auroral region. These observations indicate that Jupiter's upper atmosphere is predominantly heated via the redistribution of auroral energy.
When style matters: visual exploration is low dimensional and driven by intrinsic dynamics.
Authors: Zangrossi Andrea , Cona Giorgia , Celli Miriam , Zorzi Marco , Corbetta Maurizio
Published: March 2021

It is often assumed that we look at objects that are salient and behaviorally relevant, and that we pay attention differently depending on individual genetics, development, and experience. This view should imply high interindividual variability in eye movements. Conversely, we show that 60% of eye movements variance of more than a hundred observers looking at hundreds of different visual scenes could be summarized by a few components. The first component was not related to image-specific information and identified two kinds of observers during visual exploration: "static" and "dynamic". These viewing styles were accurately identifiable even when observers looked at a blank screen and were described by the degree of similarity to a power-law distribution of eye movements, which is thought to be a measure of intrinsic dynamics. This suggests that eye movements during visual exploration of real-world scenes are relatively independent of the visual content and may underlie intrinsic dynamics.