bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Donation Physicians on Deceased Organ Donation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Squires Janet E. , Aloisio Laura D. , Santos Wilmer John , Cho-Young Danielle , Taljaard Monica , Gritters Nills , Dhanani Sonny , Knoll Gregory
Published: February 2021

Background: An emerging strategy to increase deceased organ donation is to use dedicated donation physicians to champion organ donation. We sought to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of donation physicians in improving organ donation outcomes.Methods: A systematic review was conducted following Cochrane principles. MEDLINE, Embase, and CINHAL databases were searched from inception to March 26, 2020. Quantitative studies examining the effects of donation physicians on all deceased organ donation outcomes were considered for inclusion. Review articles, editorials and opinion articles, and case studies were excluded. Study selection was completed independently by two team members; all discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Two team members independently extracted data from studies. Results: A total of 1,017 studies were screened, and 12 met inclusion criteria. Included studies were published between 1994 and 2019. Half used an interrupted time series design (n = 6; 50%), three (25%) were cohort studies, and three (25%) used a before-and-after study design. Outcomes (reported in greater than 50% of included articles) included consent/refusal rate (n = 8; 67%), number of potential donors (n = 7; 58%), and number of actual donors (n = 7; 58%). Across studies and design types, there was an increase in potential organ donors ranging from 8 to 143% (Mdn = 33%), an increase in actual organ donors from 15 to 113% (Mdn = 27%), an increase in donor consent rate from -3 to 258% (Mdn = 12%) and an increase in deceased donor transplants from 13 to 24% (Mdn = 19%) following the introduction of donation physicians.Conclusions: Donation physicians have the potential to significantly improve deceased organ donation. Further implementation and evaluation of donation physician programs is warranted. However, implementation should be undertaken with a clear plan for a methodologically rigorous evaluation of outcomes.
Clinical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Proximal Qastrectomy with Double Tract Reconstruction in Early Stage of Siewert type II for Adenocarcinoma of Esophagogastric Junction
Authors: Liu Lei , Liu Xiangui , Le Laiping , Huang Hui , Wei Chen
Published: February 2021

Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate the surgical related complication rates, nutritional status, prognosis and the quality of daily life following laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy(LPG)with double tract reconstruction in comparisonto those of laparoscopic total gastrectomy(LTG) for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junctionin three tertiary institutions. Methods: We compared the postoperative outcomes of the two surgical approaches using a well-characterized cohort of early stage gastric carcinoma patients through a retrospective reviewbetweenJanuary2017, and December2018. Both groups were compared regarding patient characteristics, surgical results, the change of body mass index, serum hemoglobinalbumin, vitaminB12and quality of life(qol).Qol was assessed by the Chinese version ofQuality of Life Questionnaire Oesophagogastric-25(QLQ-OG25). The incidence of reflux esophagitis, dumping syndrome, and retention syndrome, were also compared to evaluate postoperative restoration.Results: Both study groups were comparable with respect to general patient characteristics. No mortality and no significant differences were found for qol and surgery- related data except operation time(p < 0.05). The LPG group was associated with a better recovery of body max index ,a fewer incidence of reflux complications and better nutrition parameters (p < 0.05) than the LTG group.Conclusions: In this study, double tract reconstruction after a LPG procedure is safe for gastro esophageal junction cancer. It is superior to the LTG with respect to less incidence of reflux disease,better body weight and improved postoperative nutrition status.
An Updated Geographical Distribution of Leishmania Species Involved in Human Leishmaniasis in Colombia
Authors: Vélez Iván D. , Muskus Carlos , Robledo Sara M.
Published: February 2021

Leishmaniasis in an endemic disease in Colombia. This country ranks second in number of cases of leishmaniasis in Latin America and is one of the four countries with the largest number of Leishmania species. Although leishmaniasis is a notifiable disease, the information about the geographic distribution of Leishmania species circulating in the country is fragmented. Since 1990, when the first distribution map was published in Colombia, very few new reports have described the Leishmania species present in Colombia and their geographic distribution. In this report we included 1,833 natural isolates obtained from human cases of leishmaniasis. Their geographical origin together with those reported by other authors let us confirm the presence of Leishmania species in 30 of 32 Colombian departments, being Quindío and San Andres/Providencia free of transmission. In this work, L. braziliensis is described for first time in the departments of Atlántico, Caldas and Vaupes and L. panamensis in the departments of Guajira and Vaupés. It is also confirmed that L. panamensis and L. braziliensis coexist in the same regions being the main causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia; nonetheless, L. panamensis predominates in the north and western regions whereas L. braziliensis predominates in the southeast region.
Silicon promotes the control of Meloidogyne incognita in lettuce by increasing ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds
Authors: Alonso Tales Arthur de Souza , Silva Dalila Lopes da , Prado Renato de Mello , Soares Pedro Luiz Martins , Tenesaca Luis Felipe Lata , Ferreira Rivanildo Júnior
Published: February 2021

The use of silicon (Si) has a physical barrier effect on plant tissues, decreasing nematode infection in different crops. Notwithstanding, research on lettuce crop is lacking, especially regarding the chemical mechanisms of action of this beneficial element. Therefore, this study evaluates the effect of Si supply on lettuce plants infested with 0, 6000, and 12000 eggs and second stage juveniles of M. incognita, both in the absence and in the presence of Si (2 mM) in the nutrient solution. Silicon increases phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid, reducing the M. incognita population and decreasing oxidative stress. It also increases chlorophyll index and the quantum efficiency of the photosystem II (FV/FM), favoring the growth and production of lettuce plants. The use of Si decreased the number of nematodes and affected their reproduction, decreasing the number of eggs and galls in the roots of lettuce plants, being yet another sustainable alternative for the control of M. incognita. The Si benefit would be due to the combined effect of the physical barrier and the chemical action from the increase in phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid in plant tissues, improving the physiological aspects of plants.
Study on Crystallization Mechanism of GeSn Interlayer for Low Temperature Ge/Si Bonding
Authors: Wang Ziwei , Zhang Ziqi , Huang Donglin , Ke Shaoying , Li Zongpei , Huang Wei , Wang Jianyuan , Li Cheng , Chen Songyan
Published: February 2021

Low temperature bonding technologies is necessary in next-generation photonic integrated circuits, such as flexible optoelectronic devices, low dark current Ge/Si devices and so on. Since Germanium-Tin (GeSn) alloy has lower crystallization temperature, in this work, amorphous GeSn with 5% Sn alloy by magnetron sputtering is introduced as an intermediate layer for wafer bonding innovatively. And high strength Ge/Si heterojunction with a crystal GeSn layer is realized without any surface activation process. Two mechanisms in the interlayer crystallization are put forward and substantiated experimentally and theoretically: 1) the a-GeSn turns to be poly-GeSn due to the induction of the c-Ge substrate. 2) Stress between Si wafer and interlayer due to thermal mismatch contributes to the crystallization. It is concluded that GeSn semiconductor interlayer bonding would be one of the potential technologies for bonding process.
A novel design of fast and compact all-optical full-adder using nonlinear resonant cavities
Authors: Naghizade Saleh , Saghaei Hamed
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we report a new design of all-optical full-adder using two nonlinear resonators. The PhC-based full-adder consists of three input ports (A, B, and C for input bits), two nonlinear resonant cavities, several waveguides, and two output ports (for the Sum and Carry). Eight silicon rods and a nonlinear rod composed of doped glass form each resonant cavity. The well-known plane wave expansion technique is used to calculate the photonic band structure. It shows a wide photonic bandgap in the wavelength range of 1365 nm to 2074 nm covering the C and L optical transmission bands. The finite-difference time-domain method is applied to study the light propagation inside the full-adder. Our numerical results demonstrate when the incoming light intensity increases, the nonlinear optical Kerr effect appears and controls the direction of light emitted inside the structure as desired. The maximum time delay and footprint of the proposed full-adder are about 3ps and 758.5 µm2, respectively. Therefore, due to the low time delay and small footprint, the presented design can be used as a basic mathematical operator in the all-optical arithmetic logic unit.
Comparative Analysis of Chicken Cecal Microbial Diversity and Taxonomic Composition in Response to Dietary Variation using 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Authors: Rashid Zubia , Yousaf Muhammad Zubair , Gilani Syed Muddassar Hussain , Zehra Sitwat , Ali Ashaq , Azhar Abid , Galani Saddia
Published: February 2021

Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to human and animal health. As a consequence, their use in conventional poultry feed may be replaced by non-antibiotic additives (alternatives to antibiotics, ATAs). Phytogenic feed additives and organic acids have been gaining considerable attention that could abate the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and strengthen gut function in broiler chickens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of phytogenic feed additives and organic acids on cecal microbial diversity using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the V3-V4 region. In this study, 240 chicks were divided into five treatments comprising: a controlled basal diet (CON), antibiotic group (AB), phytogenic feed additives (PHY), organic acids (ORG) and a combination of PHY + ORG (COM). A distinctive microbial community structure was observed amongst different treatments with an increased microbial diversity in AB, ORG and COM (p < 0.05). The synergistic effects of PHY and ORG increased the population of beneficial bacteria that belonged to the phyla: Firmicutes, Bacteroides and Proteobacteria in the cecum. The presence of the species Akkermansia muciniphila (involved in mucin degradation) and Bacillus safensis (a probiotic bacterium) were noticed in COM and PHY, respectively. Clustering analysis revealed a higher relative abundance of similar microbial community composition between AB and ORG groups. In conclusion, treatments with PHY and ORG modified the relative abundance and presence/absence of specific microbiota in the chicken cecum. Hence, cecal microbiota modulation through diet is a promising strategy to reduce cross-contamination of zoonotic poultry pathogens.
Ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (AOA) are Winners to Survive in Oxygen-limited Habitat Compared to Ammonia-oxidizing Bacteria (AOB)
Authors: Dai Peigang , Song Wenjing , Che Zhao , Zhang Lili , Dong Zhaorong
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Both ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) perform the ammonia oxidation together. These two kinds of microbes present a convenient model for studying niche specialization. To date, few surveys concentrated on the influence of oxygen concentration on niche specialization of AOA and AOB in intertidal zones. Methods: Here, high-throughput sequencing by Illumina MiSeq and qPCR were applied to detect the change of abundance, diversity as well as community structure of both AOA and AOB with 0-60 cm sediments depth in the intertidal zone in Qingdao.Results and Conclusion: The AOA/AOB amoA gene copy numbers and AOA/AOB OTU numbers were all increased as sediment depth went deeper, which indicated that AOA were more adaptive to oxygen-limited niches compared to AOB and oxygen indeed led to the niche specialization of AOA and AOB in intertidal sediments. The dominant AOA and AOB were the Nitrosopumilus and Nitrosospira clusters, respectively, which indicated an ecological success in intertidal zone. Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) was significantly positively correlated with AOB abundance and AOB OTU numbers (P < 0.01). In addition, both TN (P < 0.01) and pH (P < 0.05) were significantly and negatively correlated with AOB abundance. TN was also significantly and negatively correlated with AOB OTU numbers (P < 0.05).
Image quality and lesion detectability in low-dose paediatric 18F-FDG scans using total-body PET/CT
Authors: Hu Ying-Ying , Zhao Yu-Mo , Chen Tao , Zhang Wei-Guang , Wang Lin-Hao , Feng Jiatai , Li Chen-Wei , Zhang Xu , Fan Wei
Published: February 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effects of dose reduction on image quality and lesion detectability of oncological 18F-FDG total-body PET/CT in paediatric oncological patients, and explore the minimum threshold of administered tracer activity.Methods: A total of 33 paediatric patients (weight, 8.5–58.5 kg; age 0.8–17.6 years) underwent total-body PET/CT using uEXPLORER scanner with an 18F-FDG administered dose of 3.7 MBq/kg and an acquisition time of 600 s were retrospectively enrolled. Low-dose images (0.12 – 1.85 MBq/kg) were simulated by truncating the list-mode PET data to reducing count density. Subjective image quality was rated on a 5-point scale. Semi-quantitative uptake metrics for low-dose images were assessed using region-of-interest (ROI) analysis of healthy liver and suspected lesions and were compared to full-dose images. The micro-lesion detectability was compared among the dose-dependent PET images.Results: Our analysis shows that sufficient subjective image quality and lesion conspicuity could be maintained down to 1/30th (0.12 MBq/kg) of the administered dose of 18F-FDG, where good image quality scores were given to 1/2- and 1/10- dose groups. The image noise was significantly more deranged than the overall quality and lesion conspicuity in 1/30- to 1/10-dose groups (all P < 0.05). With reduced doses, quantitative analysis of ROIs showed that SUVmax and SD in the liver increased gradually (P < 0.05), but SUVmax in the lesions and lesion-to-background ratio (LBR) showed no significant deviation down to 1/30-dose. 100% of the 18F-FDG-avid micro-lesions identified in full-dose images were localised down to 1/15-dose images; while 97% of the lesion were localized in 1/30-dose images.Conclusion: The total-body PET/CT might significantly decrease the administered dose upon maintaining the image quality and diagnostic performance of micro-lesions in paediatric patients. Data suggests that using total-body PET/CT, optimal image quality could be achieved with an administered dose-reduction down to 1/10-dose (0.37 MBq/kg).
Market liquidity and capital structure: Does it really matter for Vietnam’s family ownership?
Authors: Nguyen Kien Son , Nguyen Van Thi Hong , Le Hang Thu
Published: February 2021

This study analyzes the moderating effect of different kinds of family ownership on the relationship between market liquidity and capital structure. Using a new sample of 315 Vietnam listed firms for five years, we figured out a significant negative link between stock market liquidity and capital structure. However, it is well noted that there is an adverse reaction from family ownership where the higher the dual-class control and dynamic structure mechanism, the more control-enhancement the family ownership will be, which leads to a higher risk aversion regarding debt-bankruptcy. In this sense, corporate leverage had responded positively to an increase in stock liquidity in the case of family ownership intervention.
Exploring the Synergistic Potential of Fuzzy Methodology Based Multi-Objective Optimisation in the Performance, Emission and Stability Trade-Off Study of an Existing Conventional CRDI Diesel Engine Powered With Schleichera Oleosa Biodiesel/Diesel Blends
Authors: jatoth Ramachander , Gugulothu Santhosh Kumar
Published: February 2021

The common rail direct injection diesel engine is an advanced combustion method to use alternative fuel with higher fuel economy and, reduce NOx and soot emissions. The present paper aims to investigate the influence of Schleichera oleosa oil (Kusum oil) on CRDI engine performance. This paper deals with the study on the influence of the Schleichera oleosa oil (Kusum oil) when added to diesel blend (B25, B50, B75, B100) on the emission, combustion and performance characteristics of a four stroke, single cylinder, common rail direct injection diesel engine working at a fixed speed and varying operating scenarios. The mixture of kusum oil blend and air is ignited by diesel through fuel injector into the combustion chamber at the end of compression stroke. It is noticed from the experimental results that, with an increase of kusum oil in the blends, ignition delay (ID) increases and start of combustion (SOC) is retarded. It is noticed that B100 shows the highest ID and low in-cylinder pressure; however, B50 shows the lowest ID compared to higher fractions of biodiesel blends. An increase in biodiesel proportion reduces NOx and smoke opacity but, HC and CO emissions increase compared to pure diesel mode engine. B25 shows the highest brake thermal efficiency (12%) compared to remaining biodiesel blends and baseline diesel engine. For finding optimum blend for lower BSFC, NOx, UHC and higher BTE Taguchi method is considered. Then Fuzzy rule is considered for two inputs parameters (load and fuel blend) and single output variable (MPCI). By considering multi-objective optimization technique, it is found that B25 blend has optimal MPCI value (0.68) which makes it best blend for enhancing the performance and lowering the emissions.
Evolution of Waste Iron Rust into α-Fe2O3/CNF and α-Fe2O3/PANI Composites as an Efficient Positive Electrode for Sustainable Hybrid Super-capacitor
Authors: Bhuse Darpan Vijaykumar , Bhuse Vijaykumar M , Atram Ramdas G , Atram Rounak R , Kondawar Subhash B
Published: February 2021

A green and sustainable approach to recycle the waste iron rust into a valuable α modification of Fe2O3 via simple grinding and calcination for application in hybrid supercapacitor is reported. The α-Fe2O3 was coupled with conducting polymer carbon nanofibers (CNF) and Poly aniline (PANI) to form composite hybrid supercapacitor electrode materials. The conventional hydrothermal, electro-spinning processes were used to prepare composites. X-ray diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy were used to study the structural, morphological and compositional properties of as synthesised α-Fe2O3 and its composites with CNF and PANI. The α-Fe2O3/CNF and α-Fe2O3/PANI composites coated on carbon rod were used as electrodes in a three-electrode system to study Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Cyclic Voltammetry and Galvanostatic Charge-Discharge in 1M H2SO4. It is observed that α-Fe2O3/PANI exhibit higher response as against α-Fe2O3/CNF with respect to specific capacitance; 192.29 Fg-1 (88.88 Fg-1), energy density; 11.28 WhKg-1 (3.084 WhKg-1) power density; 162.44Wkg-1 (69.39 Wkg-1) with capacitance retention of 80% (75%). The heavy dispersion of α-Fe2O3 over long CNF and PANI fibres with intimate contact resulted in abundant active sites for electrochemical reactions leading to obtained result. The rust derived α-Fe2O3 with PANI offer excellent stability to act as potential candidate for sustainable hybrid supercapacitor application.
Cold-Inducible RNA-Binding Protein (CIRP) Potentiates Uric Acid-Induced IL-1β Production
Authors: Fujita Yuya , Yago Toru , Matsumoto Haruki , Asano Tomoyuki , Matsuoka Naoki , Temmoku Jumpei , Sato Shuzo , Furuya Makiko , Suzuki Eiji , Watanabe Hiroshi , Kawakami Atsushi , Migita Kiyoshi
Published: February 2021

Background
Gout is an autoinflammatory disease driven by interleukin-1 (IL-1) induction in response to uric acid crystals. IL-1β production is dependent on inflammasome activation, which requires a priming signal, followed by an activating signal. The cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) has been recently identified as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP). In this study, we evaluated the roles of CIRP in monosodium urate (MSU)-mediated IL-1β secretion using human neutrophils.
Methods
Human neutrophils were stimulated by MSU in the presence or absence of CIRP priming to determine NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent caspase-1 activation and IL-1β production. Cellular supernatants were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the presence of IL-1β or caspase-1 (p20). The cellular supernatants and lysates were also analyzed by immunoblotting using anti-cleaved IL-1β or anti-cleaved caspase-1 antibodies. Additionally, pro-IL-1β and NLRP3 transcript levels were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR).
Results
Neither CIRP nor MSU stimulation alone induced sufficient IL-1β secretion from neutrophils. However, MSU stimulation induced IL-1β secretion from CIRP-primed neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner. This MSU-induced IL-1β secretion from CIRP-primed neutrophils was accompanied by the induction of cleaved IL-1β (p17). Furthermore, cleaved caspase-1 was induced in the cellular lysates of CIRP/MSU-treated neutrophils. Additionally, CIRP stimulation induced the expression of pro-IL-1β mRNA and protein in neutrophils.
Conclusions
Our data indicate that CIRP, an endogenous stress molecule, triggers uric acid-induced mature IL-1β induction as a priming stimulus for NLRP3 inflammasome in human neutrophils. We propose that CIRP acts as an important proinflammatory stimulant that primes and activates inflammasome and pro-IL-1β processing in response to uric acid in innate immune cells.
Autophagy-Sirtuin1(SIRT1) Modulated The Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) Proliferation and Migration Via wnt/β-Catenin/GSK3β Signaling Pathway and Alleviated The Coronary Atherosclerosis (CAS) in Mice
Authors: Li Yanwei , Cui Wei , Song Bing , Ye Xuying , Li Zhuqing , Lu Chengzhi
Published: February 2021

Background and purpose: SIRT1 exerted its link to CAS risk in humans and EPCs presented its reparative role in CAS. In this study, we explored the role of SIRT1 in CAS mice and also its modulation in EPCs.Methods and materials: ApoE-/- mice were fed with high-fat and high-glucose food to establish the CAS animal model with the normally-raised C57BL/6 mice as a healthy control group. 5 ApoE mice were intravenously injected with SIRT1 activator, SRT 2104 and another 5 were injected with inhibitor Nicotinamide in tail. Weight changes were recorded per week. Blood samples were taken from posterior orbital venous plexus and detected by automatic biochemical analyzer for lipid concentrations. Coronary artery tissues were observed. HE staining displayed the pathological condition while Immunohistochemistry (IHC) evaluated the CD34+/VEGFR2+ relative density. In vitro, EPCs were isolated from bone marrow each group and then purified, cultured and verified using immunofluorescence staining (IFS). Thereafter, we examined the modulatory mechanism of SIRT1 in EPCs by RT-PCR, MTT, Western Blot (WB) and colony formation, scratch methods, connecting the wnt/β-catenin/GSK3β signaling pathway.Results：SIRT1 activation negatively regulated the weight and TC, TG and LDL. SIRT1 activator alleviated the lesion area and decreased the CD34+/VEGFR2+ density which was higher in coronary artery tissues in CAS and SIRT1 inhibitor groups. In vitro, SIRT1 activator promoted the bone marrow-derived EPCs proliferation, migration and activated wnt/β-catenin/GSK3β signaling pathway while inhibited the autophagy biomarkers ATG1 and LC3II. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy led to the upregulation of SIRT1 and increase in cell proliferation, migration and wnt/β-catenin/GSK3β activity. The suppression of the pathway in turn lowered SIRT1 expression in EPCs, attenuated the cell proliferation and migration and promoted autophagy. Conclusion: Taken all the findings together, this research disclosed that SIRT1 activator might perform its protective role in CAS through autophagy inhibition via wnt/β-catenin/GSK3β signaling pathway in EPCs.
Contamination of Water, Sediment and Fish With Residues of Pesticides Used in Cotton Production in Northern Benin
Authors: Douny Caroline , Zoumenou Y.M. , Aïna Martin , Toko Ibrahim , Igout Ahmed , Guedegba Léa , Chabi Sika , Kestemont Patrick , Scippo Marie-Louise
Published: February 2021

In Northern Benin, insecticides are used for cotton production. These insecticides can be easily transferred to water ponds close to cotton fields. To monitor insecticides levels in water, sediments and fish samples from water ponds, a GC-MS analytical method was developed to detect residues of endosulfan, DDT and its parent compounds, isomers of HCH, pyrethroids and chlorpyrifos. In addition, the influence of storage conditions of water sample on pesticides determination performance has been studied. The limits of quantification were between 0.16 and 0.32 µg/L in water, 0.5 and 1 μg/kg in sediment and 1 and 2 μg/kg in fish. Twenty samples of water, twenty of sediments and forty of fish were taken in four different water reservoirs at five different times. Alpha-endosulfan, lambda-cyhalothrin and permethrin were the identified in sediment while p,p’-DDE, α- and β-HCH, chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin and permethrin were detected in fish. Only organochlorines were determined in water because of the lack of recovery of pyrethroids from water stored in glass. Concentrations of insecticide residues in sediment for all water ponds ranged from non-detected to 101 µg/kg and from non-detected to 36 µg/kg in fish. Preliminary risk assessment for consumers of the North of Benin showed that the Estimated Daily Intakes were lower than the Acceptable Daily Intake sand Acute Reference Doses for all consumers. However, as one fish can be contaminated by 5 pesticide residues at the same time, it is not possible to exclude a risk for the consumer due to his exposure to mixtures of pesticides.
AC Conductivity and Conduction Mechanism of Iron (II) Chloride (FeCl2) /Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Poly (vinylpyrroldone) (PVP) Polymer Blend Electrolyte
Authors: Alfannakh Huda
Published: February 2021

Blend sample based on Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Poly (vinylpyrroldone) (PVP), (50:50), and their blend electrolyte with different weigh ratio of Iron (II) Chloride (FeCl2), (0.5, 1 and 2 wt.%), have been prepared using casting method. The AC electrical properties of these samples were investigated in the frequency range 1 kHz to 1 MHz and in temperature ranging from 30 to 150 °C. The real and imaginary impedance, frequency and temperature dependence, indicate the enhancement of the electrical conductivity of the blend due to addition of FeCl2. Pure and electrolyte blend samples were found to be characterized by a plateau region at low frequency and high temperature, and this plateau region increases with increase in temperature and /or FeCl2 weight ratio. Nyquist plots for pure and blend electrolyte samples presented depressed semicircles at all temperatures. For pure blend sample, the ac conductivity was attributed to hopping mechanism while for blend electrolyte sample ionic conduction represents the predominant conduction mechanism. Jonscher universal power law was used to study the conduction mechanism for pure and electrolyte blend sample. The activation energy for blend and blend electrolyte samples was calculated and two activation regions were appeared for blend electrolyte samples.
Tapping Into the Aging Brain: in Vivo Microdialysis Reveals Mirroring Pathology Between Preclinical Models and Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Bjorkli Christiana , Louet Claire , Flo Trude Helen , Hemler Mary , Sandvig Axel , Sandvig Ioanna
Published: February 2021

BackgroundPreclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can provide valuable insights into the onset and progression of the disease, such as changes in concentrations of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, such models are currently underutilized due to limited advancement in techniques that allow for longitudinal monitoring of CSF akin to methods employed in AD patients. An elegant way to understand the biochemical environment in the diseased brain is intracerebral microdialysis, a method that has until now been limited to short-term observations, or snapshots, of the brain microenvironment. ResultsOur novel push-pull microdialysis method in AD mice permits in vivo longitudinal monitoring of dynamic changes of Aβ and tau in CSF and allows for better translational understanding of CSF biomarkers. Specifically, we demonstrate that CSF concentrations of Aβ and tau along disease progression in transgenic mice mirror what is observed in patients, with a decrease in CSF Aβ observed when plaques are deposited, and an increase in CSF tau once tau pathology is present in the brain. We found that a high molecular weight cut-off membrane allowed for simultaneous sampling of Aβ and tau, comparable to lumbar puncture CSF collection in patients. We furthermore provide specific recommendations for optimal application of our novel microdialysis method, such as achieving optimal recovery of analytes, which depends heavily on the flow rate of perfusion, probe properties and perfusate composition. ConclusionsOur approach can further advance AD research by following evolving neuropathology along the disease cascade via consecutive sampling from the same animal, and can additionally be used to administer pharmaceutical compounds and assess their efficacy in treating AD.
Determination of key-thermodynamic parameters using a kinetic modeling approach to describe the post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolysis catalyzed by cutinase from Humicola insolens
Authors: Eugenio Erika de Queiros , Campisano Ivone Sampaio Pereira , Castro Aline Machado de , Coelho Maria Alice Zarur , Langone Marta Antunes Pereira
Published: February 2021

The search for a straightforward technology for post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PC-PET) degradation is essential to develop a circular economy. In this context, PET hydrolases such as cutinases can be used as bioplatforms for this purpose. Humicola insolens cutinase (HiC) is a promising biocatalyst for PC-PET hydrolysis. Therefore, this work evaluated a kinetic model, and it was observed that the HiC seems not to be inhibited by any of the main PET hydrolysis products such as terephthalic acid (TPA), mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET), and bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). The excellent fitting of the experimental data to a kinetic model based on enzyme-limiting conditions validates its employment for describing the enzymatic PC-PET hydrolysis using two-particle size ranges (0.075-0.250, and 0.250-0.600 mm) and temperatures (40, 50, 55, 60, 70, and 80 ºC). The Arrhenius law provided a reliable parameter (activation energy of 98.9 ± 2.6 kJ mol −1 ) for enzymatic hydrolysis, which compares well with reported values for chemical PET hydrolysis. The thermodynamic parameters of PC-PET hydrolysis corresponded to activation enthalpy of 96.1 ± 3.6 kJ mol -1 and activation entropy of 10.8 ± 9.8 J mol -1 K -1 . Thus, the observed rate enhancement with temperature was attributed to the enthalpic contribution, and this understanding is helpful to the comprehension of enzymatic behavior on hydrolysis reaction.
Co-morbidity of attention deficit hyper activity disorder and associated factors among children with seizure disorder attending pediatric seizure clinic a cross-sectional study at Gondar University hospital (2016), northwest, Ethiopia
Authors: Sebhat Haregewoin Mulat , Muluneh Niguse , Eyasu Tewodros
Published: February 2021

BackgroundWhen attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) presents in epileptic children, it makes the treatment complicated and the prognosis poor. Hence, understanding the magnitude of ADHD and associated factors would be important to have a policy intention towards these people and to design appropriate interventions. Therefore, the current study was conducted to determine co-morbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and associated factors in children with seizure disorders.Methods A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted by taking 260children who had follow ups in the pediatric seizure clinic. The systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit participants. A structured, pretested and interviewer administered questionnaire which included questions on associated factors and standard disruptive behavioural disorder (DBD) rating scale was used to collect data. Data were coded, entered and cleaned by using the Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. The multivariate binary logistic regression was used to cheek the association between independent and dependent variables. Variables with significant associations were identified on the basis of OR, with a 95%CI and p-value of < 0.05 and considered as statistically significant.ResultThe prevalence of ADHD among epileptic children was found to be 115(44.2%),with a confidence interval of (38.1-50.5),out of which only 3(2.6%) were detected as having mental health problems by the clinician. The predominant subtype was inattentive type 96(61.1%). Factors significantly associated with ADHD were male sex (AOR = 2.70 CI: 1.46-4.97), family history of seizure disorder (AOR=2.42CI:1.26-4.65), family history mental illnesses (AOR=4.14 CI: 1.76-9.68), sudden onset of seizure (AOR=2.37 CI: 1.32-4.27) and uncontrolled seizure (AOR=2.55 CI: 1.41-4.61). Conclusion Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was common among children with seizure disorders in the study area. Therefore, interventions that would address such factors would help to overcome further complications.
Moderately Hypofractionated Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) With a Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Locally Advanced Head and Cancer – Do Modern Techniques Held Their Promise?
Authors: Wichmann Jörn , Durisin Martin , Hermann Robert Michael , Merten Roland , Christiansen Hans
Published: February 2021

PurposeIntensity-modulated-radiotherapy (IMRT) is still a standard of care for radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LA-HNSCC). Simultaneous-integrated-boost (SIB) and moderately hypofractionation offer an opportunity of individual dose painting and reduction of overall treatment time. We present retrospective data on toxicity and local-regional-control of a patient cohort with LA-HNSCC treated with an IMRT-SIB-concept in comparison to normofractionated 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3D-RT) after a long-term follow-up.MethodsBetween 2012 and 2014, n=67 patients with HNSCC (stages III/IV without distant metastases) were treated with IMRT-SIB either definitive (single/total doses: 2.2/66Gy, 2.08/62.4Gy, 1.8/54Gy in 30 fractions) or in the postoperative setting (2.08/62.4Gy, 1.92/57.6Gy, 1.8/54Gy). These patients' clinical course was matched (for gender, primary, and treatment concept) as part of a matched-pair-analysis with patients treated before mid-2012 with normofractionated 3D-CRT (definitive: 2Gy/50Gy followed by a sequential boost up to 70Gy; postoperative: 2Gy/60-64Gy). Chemotherapy/immunotherapy was given concomitantly in both groups in the definitive situation (postoperative dependent on risk factors). Primary endpoints were acute and late toxicity; secondary endpoint was loco-regional-control (LRC).Results67 patients treated with IMRT-SIB (n = 20 definitive, n = 47 adjuvant) were matched with 67 patients treated with 3D-RT. There were minor imbalances between the groups concerning non-matching-variables like extracapsular extension (ECE) and chemotherapy in IMRT-SIB.Significantly less toxicity was found in favor of IMRT-SIB concerning dysphagia, radiation dermatitis, xerostomia, fibrosis, and lymphoedema. After a median follow-up of 63 months, median LRC was not reached (IMRT-SIB) vs. 69.5m (3D-RT) (p=0.63).ConclusionThis moderately hypofractionated IMRT-SIB-concept showed to be feasible with less toxicity compared to conventional 3D-RT in this long-term follow-up observation.
Electron Irradiation Eﬀects in Au thin Flms
Authors: Oliveira Franciele Silva Mendes de , Nogueira Maurício Jesuíno , Fabrim Zacarias Eduardo , Fichtner Paulo F P
Published: February 2021

Room temperature 200 keV electron irradiation eﬀects on the area retraction behavior presented by 6.75 nm thick Au thin ﬁlms deposited over a self-standing SiO 2 / silicon nitride membrane are investigated as a function of the irradiation ﬂuence Φ. The as-deposited ﬁlms already contain void discontinuities. The void growth behavior is investigated considering irradiation and thermally-induced surface atoms’ migration. The ﬁlm’s coverage area A(Φ) and void perimeter P(Φ), obtained via Transmission Electron Microscopy observations, allow for calculating the atomic displacement causing the area retraction. This data is compared with model calculations of irradiation and thermally-induced atomic ﬂuxes. The results demonstrate that the balance between the thermal and irradiation processes strongly depends on the choice of the surface thermal diﬀusivity values, which present large discrepancies in the literature. Our results suggest that irradiation-induced atomic displacements follow the same thermodynamic driving forces acting in thermal processes. The work also discloses a new method to investigate surface atoms’ behavior and promote microstructural modiﬁcations at room or lower temperatures.
Functionally Confirmed Compound Heterozygous ADAM17 Missense Loss-of-function Variants Cause Neonatal Inflammatory Skin and Bowel Disease 1
Authors: Imoto Issei , Saito Masako , Suga Kenichi , Kohmoto Tomohiro , Otsu Masanobu , Horiuchi Keisuke , Nakayama Hironao , Higashiyama Shigeki , Sugimoto Mayumi , Sasaki Ayumi , Homma Yukako , Shono Miki , Nakagawa Ryuji , Hayabuchi Yasunobu , Tange Shoichiro , Kagami Shoji , Masuda Kiyoshi
Published: February 2021

A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) is the major sheddase that processes more than 80 substrates, including tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα). The homozygous genetic deficiency of ADAM17 causing a complete loss of ADAM17 expression was reported to be linked to neonatal inflammatory skin and bowel disease 1 (NISBD1). Here we report for the first time, a family with NISBD1 caused by functionally confirmed compound heterozygous missense variants of ADAM17, namely c.1699T > C (p.Cys567Arg) and c.1799G > A (p.Cys600Tyr). Both variants were detected in two siblings with clinical features of NISBD1, such as erythroderma with exudate in whole body, recurrent skin infection and sepsis and prolonged diarrhoea. In a cell-based assay using Adam10/17 double-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (Adam10/17−/− mEFs) exogenously expressing each of these mutants, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated shedding was strongly reduced compared with wild-type ADAM17. Moreover, lysates from Adam10/17−/− mEFs exogenously expressing each mutant exhibited impaired basal and PMA-stimulated TNFα converting enzyme activity. Thus, in vitro functional assays demonstrated that both missense variants cause the complete loss-of-function of ADAM17, resulting in the development of NISBD1. Our study further expands the spectrum of genetic pathology underlying ADAM17 in NISBD1 and establishes functional assay systems for its missense variants.
The Effect of MAOA Gene × Gender on the Relationship between Negative Network News Browsing Preference and Aggression among College Students
Authors: Gao Fengqiang , Guo Zongxin , Zhan Xiangping , Wang Jun , Shi Huimin , Yan Yun , Sun Yu , Wang Peng
Published: February 2021

The present research aims to examine whether and how the negative network news browsing preference (NNNBP) affect individual’s aggression. Two studies were conducted in the current research: study 1 developed a new measurement scale—network news browsing preference questionnaire(NNBPQ). The results indicated it had appropriate reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.93) and validity (χ 2 /df = 1.92, CFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.89, GFI = 0.89，TLI = 0.94，RMSEA = 0.05) , which was conformed to psychometrics standards, and could be used for further study. Study 2 explored the relationship between NNNBP and aggression, and the moderate effect of MAOA gene × gender among 352 college students. The results indicated that: (a) NNNBP could positively predict male college students’ hostility and total score. It also could positively predict female college students’ physical aggression, verbal aggression, hostility and total score. (b) MAOA Gene × gender had moderate effect on the relationship between NNNBP and aggression; more specially, NNNBP could positively predict female G allele carriers’ physical aggression and hostility, while didn’t show significant under other conditions. Finally, the limitations and future prospects of the present research were discussed.
The Rescue and the Selection of the Thermally Stabled Type O Vaccine Candidate Strains of Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus
Authors: Li Dong , Gao Ya , Li Pinghua , Ma Xueqing , Bai Xingwen , Sun Pu , Du Ping , Yuan Hong , Cao Yimei , Li Kun , Fu Yuanfang , Zhang Jing , Bao Huifang , Chen Yingli , Li Zhiyong , Lu Zengjun , Liu Zaixin
Published: February 2021

The inactivated vaccines of Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) have been used widely in the world to control Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). But the virions (146S) of this virus are easily dissociated into pentamer subunits (12S), thus limits the immune protective efficacy of the inactivated vaccines when the temperature is higher than 30°C. The cold-chain system can maintain the quality of the vaccines, but that is usually not reliable in limited resource settings. Thus, it is imperative to improve the thermostability of vaccine strains to guarantee the vaccines’ quality. In this study, 4 recombinant FMDV strains containing single or multiple amino acids substitutions in the structural proteins (SP) were rescued by using a pre-constructed FMDV type O full-length infectious clone (pO/DY-VP1). The assays used here indicated that the single or multiple amino acids substitutions in SP may affect the viral replications to different degrees. Furthermore, the heat and acid stabilities of the recombinant viruses were significantly improved comparing with the parental virus. Three well thermally stable strains of recombinant viruses (rHN/DY-VP1Y2098F, rHN/DY-VP1V2090A-S2093H and rHN/DY-VP1V2090A-S2093H-Y2098F) were selected for inactivated vaccine to immunize pigs. Blood samples were collected every week to prepare sera. Meanwhile the effects of mutations in SP amino acids on the antigenicity were analyzed by viral neutralization test, which showed that the substitutions of S2093H, Y2098F and S2093H-Y2098F did not affect the immunogenicity. In addition, comparing to the parental virus, Y2098F mutation could increase the thermostability significantly (p<0.05). In conclusion, the rHN/DY-VP1Y2098F mutant is considered as a potential vaccine strain in the future.
Assessing the Usability of Complex Psychosocial Interventions: The Intervention Usability Scale
Authors: Lyon Aaron R , Pullmann Michael D. , Jacobson Jedediah , Osterhage Katie , Achkar Morhaf Al , Renn Brenna N. , Munson Sean A. , Areán Patricia A.
Published: February 2021

Background. Usability – the extent to which an intervention can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction – is a key determinant of implementation success. However, few instruments have been developed to measure the design quality of complex health interventions (i.e., those with several interacting components). This study evaluated the structural validity of the Intervention Usability Scale (IUS), an adapted version of the well-established System Usability Scale (SUS) for digital technologies, to measure the usability of a leading complex psychosocial intervention, Motivational Interviewing (MI), for behavioral health service delivery in primary care. Prior SUS studies have found both one- and two-factor solutions, both of which were examined in the current study of the IUS.Method. A survey administered to 136 medical professionals from 11 primary care sites collected demographic information and IUS ratings for MI, the evidence-based psychosocial intervention that primary care providers reported using most often for behavioral health service delivery. Factor analyses replicated procedures used in prior research on the SUS.Results. Analyses indicated that a two-factor solution (with “usable” and “learnable” subscales) best fit the data, accounting for 54.1% of the variance. Inter-item reliabilities for the total score, usable subscale, and learnable subscale were α = .83, α = .84, and α = .67, respectively.Conclusions. This study provides evidence for a two-factor IUS structure consistent with some prior research, as well as acceptable reliability. Implications for implementation research evaluating the usability of complex health interventions are discussed, including the potential for future comparisons across multiple interventions and provider types, as well as the use of the IUS to evaluate the relationship between usability and implementation outcomes such as feasibility.
YAP1 Protein Expression Has Variant Prognostic Significance in SCLC Stratified by Histological Subtypes
Authors: Wang Xin , Guo Yiying , Liu Li , Wei Jiacong , Zhang Jinyao , Xie Tongji , Dong Jiyan , Li Junling , Xing Puyuan , Yang Lin
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a nuclear effector of an inactivated HIPPO pathway, has been identified as one of four molecular subtypes of SCLC defined by the transcriptional regulatory mechanism. We aimed to explore the clinicopathological relevance and prognostic significance of YAP1 expression in SCLC stratified by histological subtypes. Methods: Tumor sections and corresponding formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of 297 SCLC patients were retrieved from the pathological specimen repository and were subsequently reviewed by pathologists. Forty-six C-SCLCs (15.5%) and 251 P-SCLCs (84.5%) were identified respectively. YAP1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and assessed semi-quantitatively on tumor tissue array (TMA). Propensity score was used to match C-SCLCs and P-SCLCs in a ratio of 1 to 2 to balance age, gender, tumor stage and treatment methods. Finally, 46 C-SCLCs and 92 P-SCLCs were included for prognostic analysis.Results: The positive rate of YAP1 expression was significantly higher in C-SCLCs than P-SCLCs before matching (52.2% vs 29.1%, P = 0.004). After matching by propensity score, the prescribed clinical parameters were well balanced between P-SCLCs and C-SCLCs. Expression of YAP1 was associated worse overall survival (OS) (5- year OS%, 39.0% vs. 74.9%, P = 0.013) and was an independent risk factor for OS (HR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.01-8.51; P=0.048) exclusively in C-SCLC. Univariate survival analysis in subgroups of different clinical variables also confirmed the prognostic impact of YAP1 was most significant in C-SCLC. But for P-SCLCs, expression of YAP1 showed no prognostic impact. Conclusions: Expression of YAP1 in small cell components of C-SCLC was significantly higher than that in P-SCLC. Besides, it served as an unfavorable predictor for OS in C-SCLC but not in P-SCLC, which suggested different entities of small cell components with variant YAP1 expression and potential different targetable oncogenic pathway between C-SCLC and P-SCLC.