bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Norepinephrine Versus Phenylephrine Infusion for Preventing Postspinal Hypotension During Cesarean Section for Twin Pregnancy: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Chen Zijun , Zhou Jieshu , Wan Li , Huang Han
Published: October 2021

BackgroundCompared with singleton pregnancy, twin gestation is featured by a greater increase in cardiac output. Therefore, norepinephrine might be more suitable than phenylephrine for maintaining blood pressure during cesarean section for twins, as phenylephrine causes reflex bradycardia and resultant a decrease in cardiac output. This study was to determine whether norepinephrine was superior to phenylephrine in maintaining maternal hemodynamics during cesarean section for twins.MethodsInformed consent was obtained from all the patients before enrollment. In this double-blinded, randomized clinical trial, 100 parturients with twin gestation undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive prophylactic norepinephrine (3.2 μg/min) or phenylephrine infusion (40 μg/min). The primary outcome was the change of heart rate and blood pressure during the study period. The secondary outcomes were to compare maternal complications, neonatal outcomes, Apgar scores and umbilical blood acid-base status between the two vasopressors.Results: There was no significant difference was observed for the change of heart rate between two vasopressors. The mean standardized area under the curve of heart rate was 78 ± 12 with norepinephrine vs. 74 ± 11 beats/min with phenylephrine (mean difference 4.4, 95%CI -0.1 to 9.0; P =.0567). The mean standardized area under the curve of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly lower in parturients with norepinephrine, as the mean of differences in standardized AUC of SBP is 6 mmHg, with a 95% CI from 2 to 9 mmHg (P = .0013). However, requirements of physician interventions for correcting maternal hemodynamical abnormalities (temporary cessation of vasopressor infusion for reactive hypertension, rescuing vasopressor bolus for hypotension and atropine for heart rate less < 50 beats/min) and neonatal outcomes were also not significantly different between two vasopressors.Conclusion: Infusion of norepinephrine was not associated with less decrease in heart rate during cesarean section for twins, compared with phenylephrine. Clinical trial number: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900021281) Clinical trial registry URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=35234
Prognostic Value of BTNL9 Combined with Genes of Proteasome and Ubiquitin System in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Xu Ke , Mo Qingfan , Liu Bo , Huang Rongfei , Zhou Wei , Ren Tao
Published: October 2021

Background: An accurate prognostic prediction can improve the individualized management of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC), and the exploration of biomarkers with prognostic value for clinical practice is the prerequisite of the work. Butyrophilin-Like 9 (BTNL9) has recently been found to function as a tumor suppressor gene in a variety of malignancies and has the potency to serve as a prognostic biomarker. Our aim was to explore the relationship between BTNL9 expression and the prognosis of PC, and to unearth its upstream and downstream molecular mechanisms. Methods: The RNA expression of BTNL9 was analyzed in 5 datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The protein expression of BTNL9 was detected by immunohistochemistry in a cohort including 42 PC patients. The relationship between BTNL9 expression and prognosis was analyzed by survival and prognostic factors analysis. Online database and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to explore the upstream and downstream molecular mechanisms of BTNL9. Correlation analysis and CIBERSORT were applied to investigate the relationship between BTNL9 and tumor immunology.Results: In multiple datasets and our cohort, BTNL9 expression was decreased in PC tissues. Patients with high expression of BTNL9 had a better prognosis. BTNL9, age and N stage were identified as the independent prognostic factors of PC. BTNL9 was predicted to be down-regulated by hsa-miR-1910-5p, and it may be involved in the proteasome and PC signaling pathway. Interestingly, genes of proteasome (PSMD2, PSMD7 and PMSD14) and deubiquitin system (USP20, USP27X and USP30) combined BTNL9 could improve the prognostic prediction of PC. In addition, the expression of BTNL9 correlates with the expression of immune checkpoints and influences the infiltration of tumor immune cells. Conclusions: BTNL9 can serve as a prognostic marker of PC, and high expression of BTNL9 was generally associated with better prognosis. Combined the expression of BTNL9 and the expression of PSMD2, PSMD7, PMSD14, USP20, USP27X and USP30 can more accurately analyze the prognosis of patients with PC.
Hospitalized Prognosis of Ischemic Stroke with COPD: A Propensity Score Matching Study
Authors: Zhang Siyan , Zeng Qiong , Wei Liling , Lin Kun
Published: October 2021

Purpose: The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hospitalized prognosis, in ischemic stroke patients, as well as complications is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of COPD on inpatient outcomes among ischemic stroke patients.Methods: A retrospective investigation was conducted in 9260 patients with confirmed ischemic stroke, in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, from 2013 to 2020. After excluding patients with missing data or hospital discharge within 24 hours, we divided the eligible 9021 patients into two groups based on whether or not they had been diagnosed with COPD. After a 1:3 ratio propensity score matching (PSM) (n=290, COPD group vs n=856, non-COPD group), we compared hospitalized prognosis and complications between two groups.Results: Stroke patients with COPD had a significantly higher rate of non-recovered and deceased patients at discharge (4.1% vs 2.1%, OR=1.972, P=0.023), and a higher risk of infection (66.2% vs 48.3%, OR=2.10, P<0.001), especially pulmonary infection (48.1% vs 32.3%, OR=1.944, P<0.001), compared to stroke patients without COPD. After propensity score matching analysis, the differences were still statistically significant concerning inpatient non-recovery and death (4.1% vs 1.9%; OR=2.266, P=0.031), infection (66.2% vs 52.9%, OR=1.743, P<0.001) and pulmonary infection (48.3% vs 36.6%, OR=1.619, P<0.001).Conclusion: Stroke patients with COPD have poorer hospitalized prognosis, with a higher rate of non-recovered and deceased patients, as well as higher incidence of infection, compared with those without COPD.
Single cell analysis of early metastasis identifies targetable tumor subpopulation and mechanisms of immune evasion in squamous cell cancers
Authors: Quah Hong Sheng , Cao Elaine Yiqun , Suteja Lisda , Leong Hui , Chong Fui , Li Constance , Gupta Shilpi , Arcinas Camille , Ouyang John , Ang Vivian , Tan Daniel , BISWAS Subhra , Rackham Owen , Iyer N. Gopalakrishna
Published: October 2021

Profiling tumors at single-cell resolution provides an opportunity to understand complexities underpinning lymph-node metastases in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma. Single-cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) analysis of cancer-cell trajectories identified a sub-population of pre-metastatic cells, driven by actionable pathways including AXL and AURK. Blocking these two proteins blunted tumor invasion in patient-derived cultures. Furthermore, scRNAseq analyses of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-lymphocytes showed two distinct trajectories to T-cell dysfunction, corroborated by their clonal architecture based on single-cell T-cell receptor sequencing. By determining key modulators of these trajectories, followed by validation using external datasets and functional experiments, we uncovered a novel role for SOX4 in mediating T-cell exhaustion. Finally, interactome-analyses between pre-metastatic tumor-cells and CD8+ T-lymphocytes uncovered a putative role for the Midkine pathway in immune-modulation; this was confirmed by scRNAseq of tumors from humanized mice. Aside from specific findings, this study demonstrates the importance of tumor heterogeneity analyses in identifying key vulnerabilities during early metastasis
Transition from sub-Rayleigh anticrack to supershear crack propagation in snow avalanches
Authors: Trottet Bertil , Simenhois Ron , Bobillier Grégoire , Herwijnen Alec van , Jiang Chenfanfu , Gaume Johan
Published: October 2021

Snow slab avalanches are released following anticrack propagation in highly porous weak snow layers buried below cohesive slabs. The volumetric collapse of the weak layer leads to the closure of crack faces followed by the onset of frictional contact. Here on the basis of snow fracture experiments, full-scale avalanche measurements, and numerical simulations, we report the existence of a transition from sub-Rayleigh anticrack to supershear crack propagation involving the Burridge-Andrews mechanism. Remarkably, this transition occurs even if the shear-to-normal stress ratio is lower than the static friction coefficient as a result of the loss of frictional resistance during collapse. This finding represents a new paradigm in our understanding of snow slab avalanches presenting fundamental similarities with strike-slip earthquakes.
Physically Active Primary Care Doctors are More Likely to Offer Exercise Counselling to Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Selvaraj Christine , Abdullah Nurdiana
Published: October 2021

Background: Chronic diseases, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major cause of death globally and in Malaysia. Exercise has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality from NCDs. Research shows that physically active primary care doctors (PCDs) offer exercise counselling more often to patients with chronic diseases. This study aims to see if there is indeed an association between physically active primary care doctors offering exercise counselling more often to patients with chronic diseases. Specifically, to determine the association between physical activity (PA) intensity of primary care doctors in private practice from 3 urban states and the initiation of exercise counselling to patients with five chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity/metabolic syndrome and dyslipidaemia).Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving PCDs in private practice in 3 states. Participants from two states were recruited via postal surveys distributed by the Malaysian Academy of Family Physicians. Participants from another state were recruited at a teaching conference for PCDs. A self-administered questionnaire obtained sociodemographic information, initiation of exercise counselling to patients with chronic diseases as well as PA intensity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).Results: The response rate was 32.3% (272/842). Of 272 respondents, the mean age was 34(11) of which 66.5% of participants were female and 33.5% were male. 52.9% of participants had undergraduate qualifications and 47.1% were post-graduate holders. 59.6% were overweight/obese (BMI > 23). PA of 50% of participants was at a moderate level and 24.3% at a high level. For initiation of exercise counselling, most respondents answered ‘always’ or ‘often’ to patients with cardiovascular diseases (59.9%), hypertension (72.8%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (78.6%), obesity/metabolic syndrome (86.4%) and dyslipidaemia (81.6%). PCDs being physically active and non-smokers were associated with a higher initiation of exercise counselling to patients with cardiovascular diseases. Doctors with post-graduate degrees were more likely to offer exercise counselling to hypertensive patients.Conclusion: Primary care doctors with higher physical activity intensity levels were more likely to proactively initiate exercise counselling in patients with cardiovascular diseases during chronic disease follow up visits.
Shielding Gas Influence On AA5086 Welded Joints: Residual Stresses Analysis, Microstructural Characterisation and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Fonseca Maria Cindra , Melado Marcos Caetano , Souza Marcel , Barbosa Cássio
Published: October 2021

Samples of AA5086 aluminium alloy were welded by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) with alternating current using three different shielding gases. The samples were welded with pure argon (Ar), a mixture of argon and helium (Ar + He) and a new mixture composed of argon, nitrous oxide and oxygen (Ar + N2O + O2). The effect of the shielding gas on the residual stresses and on the mechanical and microstructural properties of the welded joints was evaluated and compared with the base metal. The new gas mixture produced compressive residual stresses in the longitudinal and transverse directions in the weld metal. Tensile test of welded joints indicated similar values for yield strength and ultimate tensile strength; however, these values were lower compared to the base metal. The new gas mixture provided a welded joint with hardness values in the weld metal and heat affected zone close to the base metal values and with greater magnitude compared to samples welded using pure argon and mixture of argon and helium. Microstructural characterisation performed by optical and scanning electron microscopy showed that the new mixture produced welded joints with lower porosity.
Patient Characteristics and Utilization of an Online Patient Portal in a Rural Academic General Internal Medicine Practice
Authors: Liu Stephen K. , Osborne Annette E. , Bell Sigall , Mecchella John N. , Hort Shoshana , Batsis John A.
Published: October 2021

Background: Online patient portals have the potential to improve patient engagement and health care outcomes. This is especially true among rural patient populations that may live far from their health care providers and have transportation barriers to access care. This study compared the characteristics of active users of an online patient portal to non-users and assessed utilization among users in a rural academic primary care clinic to identify disparities in adoption and use. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of 28,028 patients in a general internal medicine clinic between June 2019 and May 2020 to assess a) characteristics of patients who had an online patient portal account and used the patient portal compared to those who did not register for an account, and b) the frequency of use of the patient portal (number of logons and number of messages sent and received) by patients over the study period. We compared results based on demographic characteristics, focusing on gender, age, race, presence or absence of nine chronic illnesses, smoking status, and BMI. Results: In the study cohort of 28,028 patients, 82% were active users of the patient portal. Females, patients aged 41-65, and non-smokers were more likely to use the portal than their counterparts. In total, patients with eight out of nine chronic illness groups studied (heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, history of a myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, and renal disease) were less likely to use the patient portal than patients without these chronic conditions. On average, patients log onto the patient portal 25 times per year and send and receive 6 messages to and from the clinic. We found that females, patients older than 65, former smokers and obese patients logged on and sent and received more messages compared to the overall cohort. Although the sample size was small, on average Black patients logged onto the patient portal 19 times and sent and received 3.6 messages compared to White patients who logged on 25 times with 5.8 messages on average over the yearlong study period.Conclusions: In a rural academic internal medicine clinic, female patients, aged 41-65, non-smokers, and those without certain chronic conditions were more likely to use an online patient portal. Recognizing and addressing barriers to patient portal use is essential for robust and sustained patient portal uptake and ensuring that the benefits of portal use are equally distributed among all patients.
A Plasmon Modulator by Directly Controlling the Couple of Photon and Electron
Authors: Hu Xue-fang , Zhao Xiang-yue , Gu Yin-wei , Jin Shu-ping , Cui Yi-ping , Lu Chang-gui
Published: October 2021

As a strong couple mode of photon and electron collective oscillation, the movement of an electron can affect the collective plasmon behaviors efficiently. In this paper, we proposed a novel method for modulating the plasmon by directly controlling the movement of the electron but independent of the properties of the medium. This method is demonstrated by a hybrid graphene-dielectric-interdigital electrode structure in the mid-infrared range. It is possible to regulate the confinement of the graphene carrier and stimulate the plasmon in real-time by using the potential wells created by interdigital electrodes. Furthermore, the plasmon frequency can also be modulated utilizing changing the confined area and the density of the carrier. As a result. the frequency has been tuned over a range of ~ 33 cm−1 by applying voltage, and the maximum extinction ratio we measured is 8%. Due to the movement of the electron can also be driven optically, these findings may define a new approach to the all-optical modulator with low pump power.
Paradoxical Association Between Apolipoprotein B and Prognosis in Coronary Artery Disease: A 36,468 Chinese Cohort Study
Authors: Li Huanqiang , Wang Bo , Mai Ziling , Yu Sijia , Zhou Ziyou , Lu Hongyu , Lai Wenguang , Li Qiang , Yang Yongquan , Deng Jingru , Tan Ning , Liu Yong , Liu Jin , Chen Jiyan , Chen Shiqun
Published: October 2021

Background

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was identified as the target for blood lipid management among coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Previous studies reported an inverse correlation between baseline LDL-C concentration and clinical outcomes. However, the association between baseline ApoB concentration and long-term prognosis is unknown.
Methods

36,486 CAD patients admitted to Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital in China were enrolled in this study and patients were categorized into two groups: high concentration of ApoB (≥65 mg/dL) group and low concentration of ApoB (< 65 mg/dL) group. The association between ApoB levels and long-term all-cause mortality was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses.
Results

The overall mortality was 12.49% (n = 4,554) over a median follow-up period of 5.01 years. According to Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients with low baseline ApoB levels were paradoxically more likely to get a worse prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to adjust for confounding factors such as age, gender, and comorbidity, and there was no obvious difference in long-term all-cause mortality among ApoB patients (aHR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.99-1.16). When CONUT and total bilirubin were adjusted, the risk of long-term all-cause mortality would reduce in the low-ApoB (< 65mg/dl) group (aHR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78-0.96). In the fully covariable-adjusted model, patients in the ApoB < 65mg/d group had a 10.00% lower risk of long-term all-cause death when comparing to patients with ApoB≥65mg/dL (aHR: 0.90; 95% CI:0.81-0.99).
Conclusion

This study found a paradoxical association between baseline ApoB concentration and long-term all-cause mortality. Malnutrition and bilirubin mainly mediate the ApoB paradox.
Evaluation of Parameters for Fetal Behavioural State Classification
Authors: Semeia Lorenzo , Sippel Katrin , Moser Julia , Preissl Hubert
Published: October 2021

Fetal behavioural states (fBS) describe periods of fetal wakefulness and sleep and are commonly defined by features such as body and eye movements and heart rate. Automatic state detection through algorithms relies on different parameters and thresholds derived from both the cardiogram and the actogram, which are highly dependent on the specific datasets and are prone to artefacts. Furthermore, the development of the fetal states is dynamic over the gestational period and the evaluation usually only separated into early and late gestation (before and after 32 weeks). In the current work, fBS were classified in 120 fetal magnetocardiographic data segments, between 27 and 39 weeks of gestational age, by both a classification algorithm and visual inspection. To identify how automated fBS detection could be improved, we first identified commonly used parameters for fBS classification in both the cardiogram and the actogram, and investigated their distribution across the different fBS. Then, we calculated a Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve to determine the performance of each parameter in the fBS classification. Finally, we investigated the development of parameters over gestation through linear regression. As a result, the parameters derived from the cardiogram have a higher classification accuracy compared to those derived from the body movement as defined by the actogram. However, the overlapping distributions of several parameters across states limit a clear separation of states based on these parameters. The changes over gestation of the cardiogram parameters reflect the maturation of the fetal autonomous nervous system. Given the higher classification accuracy of the cardiogram in comparison to the actogram, we suggest to focus further research on the cardiogram. Furthermore, we propose to develop a probabilistic fBS classification approaches to improve classification in less prototypical datasets.
Entropy Generation and Thermal Analysis of Nanofluid Flow Inside the Evacuated Tube Solar Collector
Authors: Tabarhoseini S. Mojtaba , Sheikholeslami M.
Published: October 2021

In the current investigation, the thermal and thermodynamic behavior of a buoyancy-driven evacuated tube solar collector has undergone precise evaluation, and the efficacy of nanoparticle dispersion in the base fluid has been scrutinized using computational fluid dynamics based on the finite volume method. The natural convection process was analyzed in different vertical sections of the absorber tube. The temperature and velocity distributions of water as the conventional working fluid and the nanofluid were compared at various cutting planes along the tube during the simulation time. In this problem, CuO nanoparticles with optimum thermal properties were suspended in the base fluid. According to the surveyed results, the temperature distribution analysis illustrates that the mean temperature of the tank experiences more enhancement when the nanofluid is used. The comparison of the heat transfer coefficient between two simulated cases shows the competency of utilizing CuO/water nanofluid in the thermal performance improvement of the collector. The results related to entropy generation assessment show that the irreversibility owing to fluid friction rises when the nanofluid is applied during the flow time. In contrast, the entropy generation of pure water owing to heat transfer surpasses the case with nanofluid.
Genomic insights into rapid speciation within the world’s largest tree genus
Authors: Low Yee Wen , Rajaraman Sitaram , Tomlin Crystal , Ahmad Joffre Ali , Ardi Wisnu , Armstrong Kate , Athen Parusuraman , Berhaman Ahmad , Bone Ruth , Cheek Martin , Cho Nicholas Rui Wen , Choo Le Min , Cowie Ian , Crayn Darren , Fleck Steve , Ford Andrew , Forster Paul , Girmansyah Deden , Goyder David , Gray Bruce , Heatubun Charlie , Ibrahim Ali , Ibrahim Bazilah , Jayasinghe Himesh , Kalat Muhammad Ariffin , Kathriarachchi Hashendra , Kintamani Endang , Koh Sin Lan , Lai Joseph Tuck Kwong , Lee Serena Mei Lynn , Leong Paul Kiam Fee , Lim Weihao , Lum Shawn Kaihekulani Yamauchi , Mahyuni Ridha , McDonald William , Metali Faizah , Mustaqim Wendy , Naiki Akiyo , Ngo Kang Min , Niissalo Matti , Ranasinghe Subhani , Repin Remi , Rustiami Himmah , Simbiak Victor , Sukri Rahayu , Sunarti Siti , Trethowan Liam , Trias-Blasi Anna , Vasconcelos Thais , Wanma Jimmy , Widodo Pudji , Wijesundara Douglas Siril , Worboys Stuart , Yap Jing Wei , Yong Kien Thai , Khew Gillian S.W. , Salojärvi Jarkko , Michael Todd , Middleton David , Burslem David , Lindqvist Charlotte , Lucas Eve , Albert Victor
Published: October 2021

Species radiations have long fascinated biologists, but the contribution of adaptation to observed diversity and speciation is still an open question. Here, we explore this question using the clove genus, Syzygium, the world’s largest genus of tree species comprising approximately 1200 species. We dissect Syzygium diversity through shotgun sequencing of 182 distinct species and 58 additional as-yet unidentified taxa, and assess their genetic diversity against a chromosome-level reference genome of the sea apple, Syzygium grande. We show that Syzygium grande shares a whole genome duplication (WGD) event with other Myrtales. Genomic analyses confirm that Syzygium originated in Sahul (Australia-New Guinea), and later diversified eastward to the Hawaiian Islands and westward in multiple independent migration events. The migrations were associated with bursts of speciation events, visible by poorly resolved branches on phylogenies and networks, some of which were likely confounded by incomplete lineage sorting. Clinal genomic variation in some sublineages follows phylogenetic progression, which coupled with sympatric occurrences of distantly related species suggests that both geographic and ecological speciation have been important in the diversification of Syzygium. Together, these results point to a mixture of both neutral and adaptive drivers having contributed to the radiation of the genus.
Feasibility of a randomized clinical trial evaluating a community intervention for household tuberculosis child contact management in Cameroon and Uganda
Authors: Vasiliu Anca , Tiendrebeogo Georges , Awolu Muhamed Mbunka , Akatukwasa Cecilia , Tchakounte Boris Youngui , Ssekyanzi Bob , Tchounga Boris Kevin , Atwine Daniel , Casenghi Martina , Bonnet Maryline , group CONTACT study
Published: October 2021

BackgroundOne of the main barriers of the management of household tuberculosis child contacts is the necessity for parents to bring healthy children to the facility. We assessed the feasibility of a community intervention for tuberculosis (TB) household child contact management and the conditions for its evaluation in a cluster randomized controlled trial in Cameroon and Uganda.MethodsWe assessed three dimensions of feasibility using a mixed method approach: (1) recruitment capability using retrospective aggregated data from facility registers; (2) acceptability of the intervention using focus group discussions with TB patients and in-depth interviews with healthcare providers and community leaders; and (3) adaptation, integration and resources of the intervention in existing TB services using a survey and discussions with stakeholders.ResultsReaching the sample size is feasible in all clusters in 15 months with the condition of regrouping 2 facilities in the same cluster in Uganda due to decentralization of TB services. Community health worker (CHW) selection and training and simplified tools for contact screening, tolerability and adherence of preventive therapy were key elements for the implementation of the community intervention Healthcare providers and patients found the intervention of child contact investigations and TB preventive treatment management in the household acceptable in both countries due to its benefits (competing priorities, transport cost) as compared to facility-based management. TB stigma was present, but not a barrier for the community intervention. Visit schedule and team conduct were identified as key facilitators for the interventionConclusionsThis study shows that evaluating a community intervention for TB child contact management in a cluster randomized trials is feasible in Cameroon and Uganda.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03832023. Registered on February 6th 2019
Optimized Synthesis of Layered Double Hydroxide Lactate Nanosheets and Their Biological Effects on Arabidopsis Seedlings
Authors: Wu Hongyang , Zhang He , Li Xinyu , Zhang Yu , Wang Jiankun , Wang Qiang , Wan Yinglang
Published: October 2021

Background: Layered double hydroxide lactate nanosheets (LDH-lactate-NS) are powerful carriers for delivering macro-molecules into intact plant cells. In the past few years, some studies have been carried out on DNA/RNA transformation and plant disease resistance, but little attention has been paid to these factors during LDH-lactate-NS synthesis and delamination, nor has their relationship to the DNA adsorption capacity or transformation efficiency of plant cells been considered. Results: Since the temperature during delamination alters particle sizes and zeta potentials of LDH-lactate-NS products, we compared the LDH-lactate-NS stability, DNA adsorption rate and delivery efficiency of fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I (FITC) of them, found that the LDH-lactate-NS obtained at 25℃ has the best characters for delivering biomolecules into plant cell. To understand the potential side effects and cytotoxicity of LDH-lactate-NS to plants, we compared the root growth rate between the Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings grown in the culture medium with 1-300 μg/mL LDH-lactate-NS and equivalent raw material, Mg(lactate)2 and Al (lactate)3. Phenotypic analysis showed LDH in a range of 1-300 μg/mL can enhance the root elongation, whereas the same concentration of raw materials dramatically inhibited root elongation, suggesting the nanocrystallization has a dramatical de-toxic effect to Mg(lactate)2 and Al (lactate)3. Since enhancing of root elongation by LDH is an unexpected phenomenon, we further designed experiments to investigate influence of LDH to Arabidopsis seedlings. We further used the gravitropic bending test, qRT-PCR analysis of auxin transport proteins, non-invasive micro-test technology and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate the auxin transport and distribution in Arabidopsis root. Results indicated that LDH-lactate-NS affect root growth by increasing the polar auxin transport.Conclusions: Optimal synthesized LDH-lactate-NS can delivery biomolecules into intact plant cells with high efficiency and low cytotoxity. The working solution of LDH-lactate-NS can promote root elongation via increase the polar auxin transport in Arabidopsis roots.
Modulation by Phosphonium Ions of the Activity of Mitotropic Agents Based on the Chemiluminescence of Luminols
Authors: Rodríguez-Muñiz Gemma M. , Mikroulis Theodoros , Pantelia Anna , Rotas Georgios , Cuquerella M. Consuelo , Vougioukalakis Georgios C. , Miranda Miguel A.
Published: October 2021

Mitochondria-targeting drugs and diagnostics are used in the monitoring and treatment of mitochondrial pathologies. In this respect, a great number of functional compounds have been made mitotropic by covalently attaching the active moiety onto a triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation. Among these compounds, a number of molecular detectors for reactive oxygen species (ROS) are based on fluorescent and chemiluminescent probes. In this regard, luminol (probably the most widely known chemiluminescent molecule) has been employed for a number of biological applications, including ROS detection. Its oxidation under specific conditions triggers a cascade of reactions, ultimately leading to the excited 3-aminophthalate (3AP*), which emits light upon deactivation. Hence, the photophysical interaction between the light emitting species 3AP* and TPP cations needs to be evaluated, as it can add valuable information on the design of novel emission-based mitotropic systems. We herein investigate the quenching effect of ethyltriphenylphosphonium cation onto substituted 3-aminophthalates. These were prepared in situ upon the hydrolysis of the corresponding anhydrides, which were synthesized from 3-aminophthalimides. Steady-state fluorescence and time-resolved experiments were employed for the evaluation of a possible electron transfer quenching by phosphonium ions. Our experimental results confirmed such quenching, suggesting it is mainly dynamic in nature. A minor contribution of static quenching that was also detected is attributed to complex formation in the ground state. Accordingly, the chemiluminescence of luminol was indeed strongly reduced in the presence of phosphonium ions. Our results have to be taken into account during the design of new chemiluminescent mitotropic drugs or diagnostic agents of the luminol family.
Zn2+ -Schiff’s base Complex as an “On-Off-On” Molecular Switch and a Fluorescence Probe for the Cu2+ and Ag+ ions
Authors: Elroby Shaaban , Banaser Bashair Abdullah , Aziz Saadullah G , Jedidi Abdesslem , Hassan Walid I , Osman Osman I
Published: October 2021

The present study presents a thorough theoretical analysis of the electronic structure and conformational preference of the Schiff’s base ligand N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzilidene)-2,4,6-trimethyl benzene-1,3-diamine (H2L) and its metal complexes with Zn2+, Cu2+ and Ag+ ions. The study aims to investigate the behavior of H2L and the binuclear Zn2+ complex (1), as fluorescent probes for the detection of metal ions (Zn2+, Cu2+ and Ag+) using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT). The six conformers of the H2L ligand were optimized using B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory, while the L-2-metal complexes were optimized by applying B3LYP functional with LANL2DZ/6-311++G** mixed basis set. The gas-phase and solvated Enol-cis isomer (E-cis) was found to be the most stable species. The absorption spectra of E-cis isomer and its metal complexes were simulated using B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, M06-2X and ωB97X functionals with a 6-311++G** basis set for C, O, N and H atoms and LANL2DZ basis set for the metal ions (Zn2+, Cu2+ and Ag+). The computational results of B3LYP functional were in excellent agreement with the experimental ones. Hence, it has been adopted for performing the emission calculations. The results indicated that, the metal complex (1) can act as a fluorescent chemosensor, for the detection of Ag+ and Cu2+ ions through the mechanism of the Intermolecular Charge Transfer (ICT) and as a molecular switch “On-Off-On” via the replacement of Cu2+ by Ag+ ions, as proved experimentally.
Historical and future land use and land cover changes in the Fincha watershed, Ethiopia
Authors: Regasa Motuma Shiferaw , Nones Michael
Published: October 2021

The increasing human pressure on African regions is recognizable from land use land cover (LULC) changes maps, as derived from satellite imagery. Using the Ethiopian Fincha watershed as a case study, the present work focuses on i) identifying historical LULC change in the period 1989-2019; ii) estimating LULC in the next thirty years, combining Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with Land Change Modelling (LCM). Landsat5/8 images were combined with field evidence to map LULC in three reference years (1989, 2004, 2019), while the Multi-Layer Markov Chain (MPL-MC) model of LCM was applied to forecast LULC in 2030, 2040 and 2050. The watershed was classified into six classes: waterbody, grass/swamp, built-up, agriculture; forest and shrub. The results have shown that, in the past 30 years, the Fincha watershed experienced a reduction of forest and shrubs due to ever-increasing agricultural activities, and such a trend is also expected in the future. In addition, the decrease in areas covered by natural forests can drive to an increase in soil erosion, fostering the siltation in the water reservoirs located in the basin. The study pointed out the urgency of taking actions in the basin to counteract such changes, which can eventually drive to a less sustainable environment.
Low-Temperature Synthesis, Structural and Optical Characterizations of The Novel Bisbs3 Thin Films as Anew Absorber Layer for Solar Cells
Authors: radaf I M El , Al-Zahrani H.Y.S
Published: October 2021

In this research work, thin films of BiSbS3 have been successfully synthesized onto well cleaned soda-lima glass substrates via the chemical bath deposition procedure at different thicknesses (t= 159, 243, 296 and 362 nm). The X-ray diffraction patterns of the chemically deposited BiSbS3 films depicted that the synthesized films exposed polycrystalline nature and have an orthorhombic structure. The structural parameters of the chemically deposited BiSbS3 films were evaluated by Debye-Scherer’s formulas. The surface morphologies of the BiSbS3 films were fixed via the field-emission-scanning-electron microscope. The analyses of the linear optical parameters of the chemically deposited BiSbS3 thin films refer to improving the values of the absorption coefficient, α and the linear refractive index, n via the increase in the film thickness. In addition, there is an observed reduction in the energy gap, Eg values from 1.38 to 1.22 eV occurred by raising the film thickness. Furthermore, there is an enhancement in the nonlinear optical constants and the optoelectrical parameters occurred by raising the film thickness where the nonlinear refractive index, \({n}_{2},\)the optical free carrier concentration, \({N}_{opt}\) and the optical conductivity σopt were enlarged with increasing the values of film thickness. Moreover, the hot probe procedure was applied to the BiSbS3 thin films and this method demonstrated that the chemically deposited BiSbS3 films are p-type semiconductors.
A Redox-Responsive Dihydroartemisinin Dimeric Nanoprodrug For Enhanced Antitumor Activity
Authors: Li Yawei , Pei Qing , Cui Baiji , Zhang Hongmei , Han Liu , Li Wenqing , Zhu Wenhe , Feng Xianmin , Xie Zhigang
Published: October 2021

Redox-responsive drug delivery system emerges as a hopeful platform for tumor treatment. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been investigated as an innovative tumor therapeutic agent. Herein, a DHA dimeric prodrug bridged with disulfide bond as linker (DHA2-SS) has been designed and synthesized. The prepared prodrugs could self-assemble into nanoparticles (SS NPs) with high DHA content (>90%) and robust stability. These SS NPs display sensitive redox responsive capability and can release DHA under the tumor heterogeneity microenvironment. SS NPs possess preferable antitumor therapeutic activity in contrast with free DHA. Moreover, the possible anti-cancer mechanism of these nanoparticles was investigated through RNA-seq analysis, bioinformatics and molecular biological method. SS NPs could induce apoptosis via mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, as well as glycolysis inhibition associate with the regulation of PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α signal path, which may offer an underlying therapeutic target for liver cancer. Our study highlights the potential of using redox responsive prodrug nanoparticles to treat cancer, meanwhile provides insights into the anti-cancer mechanism of DHA prodrug.
Bi Incorporation and Segregation in the MBE-Grown GaAs-(Ga,Al)As-Ga(As,Bi) Core-Shell Nanowires
Authors: Sadowski Janusz , Kaleta Anna , Kryvyi Serhii , Janaszko Dorota , Kurowska Bogusława , Bilska Marta , Wojciechowski Tomasz , Domagala Jarosław Z. , Sanchez Ana M. , Kret Sławomir
Published: October 2021

Incorporation of Bi into GaAs-(Ga,Al)As-Ga(As,Bi) core-shell nanowires grown by molecular beam epitaxy is studied with transmission electron microscopy. Nanowires are grown on GaAs(100) substrates with Au-droplet assisted mode. Bi-doped shells are grown at low temperature (300 °C) with a close to stoichiometric Ga/As flux ratio. At low Bi fluxes, the Ga(As,Bi) shells are smooth, with Bi completely incorporated into the shells. Higher Bi fluxes (Bi/As flux ratio ~ 4%) led to partial segregation of Bi as droplets on the nanowires sidewalls, preferentially located at the nanowire segments with wurtzite structure. We demonstrate that such Bi droplets on the sidewalls act as catalysts for the growth of branches perpendicular to the GaAs trunks. Due to the tunability between zinc-blende and wurtzite polytypes by changing the nanowire growth conditions, this effect enables fabrication of branched nanowire architectures with branches generated from selected (wurtzite) nanowire segments.
Construction of a Quadruple Gene-deleted Vaccine Confers Complete Protective Immunity Against Emerging PRV Variant Challenge in Piglets
Authors: Sun Leqiang , Tang Yajie , Yan Keji , Zhang Huawei
Published: October 2021

Background: Pseudorabies virus (PRV) causes Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies (PR) in pigs worldwide, which leads to heavy economic losses to the swine industry. Pigs are the natural host, meanwhile, animals such as dogs, cats, foxes, rabbits, cattle and sheep are susceptible to infection. In 2011, the emerging PRV variant led to the outbreak of PR in Bar-tha-K61-vaccinated pigs. The PR outbreaks demonstrated that the Bartha-K61 vaccine did not provide full protection against the emerging PRV variant. It is widely believed that PRV live-attenuated vaccines could control PRV infection. Methods: In this study, we developed a novel PRV live-attenuated vaccine by deleting its gI, gE, US9, and US2 genes through CRISPR/Cas9, which was named PRV GDFS-delgI/gE/US9/US2.Results: Safety experiments confirmed that PRV GDFS-delgI/gE/US9/US2 was safe for 5 to 7-day-old suckling piglets. Piglets immunized with the PRV GDFS-delgI/gE/US9/US2 vaccine did not produce PRV gE-specific antibodies but could generate PRV gB-specific antibodies and high neutralizing titers against the PRV GDFS strain (variant PRV strain) or PRV Ea strain (older PRV strain). After challenge with the emerging PRV GDFS variant, none of the piglets immunized with the PRV GDFS-delgI/gE/US9/US2 vaccine showed any clinical signs, and their rectal temperatures were normal. Moreover, the autopsy and histopathological analyses revealed that the piglets in the PRV GDFS-delgI/gE/US9/US2 vaccine group did not show apparent gross or pathological lesions. Furthermore, the piglets in the PRV GDFS-delgI/gE/US9/US2 vaccine groups did not present weight loss. According to the criteria of the OIE terrestrial manual, the results of the experiment confirmed that the PRV GDFS-delgI/gE/US9/US2 vaccine could provide full protection against the emerging PRV variant strain in piglets. Conclusions: The PRV GDFS-delgI/gE/US9/US2 strain is a potential new live-attenuated vaccine against emerging PRV variant strain infections in China.
Revealing Salient Aquatic Ecosystem Services Bundles: A Q-Methodology Application in South Africa
Authors: Jourdain Damien , Namakando Namakando , Mungatana Eric Dada , Mirzabaev Alisher , Njiraini Georgina
Published: October 2021

Preserving water quality, which has at least four of the ten characteristics of a “wicked problem”, is fundamental for economic development, ecosystems function, and human wellbeing. Consequently, identifying suitable public policies or technological solutions that can maintain or restore affected ecosystems, especially in river catchments, is a huge challenge. Understanding diverse stakeholder perspectives on important water related ecosystem services is critical to improving water governance and quality. This study uses the Q-methodology to identify and analyze perspectives about water-related ecosystem services in the Olifants river catchment, one of the most important and polluted in South Africa, across six diverse stakeholder groups competing for its limited water resources. The Q is a semi-qualitative methodology that can systematically recover detailed views of the subjective perceptions diverse stakeholder groups hold on a given topic. Our results suggest existence of three significant and conflicting perspectives. The “conservationists” privilege regulation and supporting services, the “water users” give highest priority to water for domestic and other private uses, while the “planners” rank mastering the environment for societal benefits highest. Equally importantly, our results also suggest solutions like ecological infrastructure investments, which deliver important services for some stakeholders without compromising the welfare of those who hold neutral perspectives towards them.
Improvement in The Working Life of A Micro Journal Bearings With An Electroless Ni-P Coating
Authors: Kao Jin-Yih
Published: October 2021

Wear is considered the main criterion to evaluate the mechanical performance of electroless Ni-P coating in a radial micro journal bearing (copper alloy, inner diameter 3 mm × outer diameter 5 mm × length 7 mm). The study was carried out using different coating parameter combinations, namely, solution pH values of (6, 7 and 8), deposition time (10, 20 and 30 min) and bath temperature (60, 80 and 95oC). The structure, surface morphology, hardness and wear resistance of the electroless Ni-P coatings were measured and analyzed. The optimum combination of coating parameters for minimum wear is a pH value of 8, deposition time of 30 min and bath temperature of 95oC. Further, the structural changes of the coatings before and after annealing treatment (100 ~ 700oC) in a vacuum ambient were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, while their elemental composition and surface morphology were analyzed using an energy dispersive spectrometer and a scanning electron microscope. The Ni-P films were subjected to annealing temperature at 400oC for 1 hour, leading to recrystallization of the Ni matrix and the precipitation of Ni3P. The hardness increases with increasing annealing temperature to a peak of 960 HV at 400oC and then decreases monotonously.
Cathode Structure Optimization and Process Experiment in Electrochemical Machining of Multi-stage Internal Cone Hole
Authors: Tang Lin , Yang Wenli , Shi Chengjin , Zhang Lifeng , Zhai Kaige
Published: October 2021

In order to solve the problems of uneven gap distribution and flow pattern in complex parts with multi-stage internal cone holes in electrochemical machining, a method of computer simulation assisted cathode design was proposed. The electric field and flow field models of machining gaps were established respectively, and the simulation of different cathode profiles was carried out. When the cathode cone angle is 2°, the electric field distribution between the cathode and the workpiece is reasonable, and the electrolyte distribution in the machining gap is uniform. With the conditions of processing voltage 10 V, electrolyte inlet pressure 1.5 MPa, electrolyte temperature 28 ℃ and cathode feed speed 5mm/min, the ECM processing of multi-stage internal cone hole was carried out by using the optimized cathode. The results show that the surface of the workpiece has no flow pattern, the dimensional forming accuracy is better than 0.1mm, and the surface roughness reaches Ra0.697µm. Research shows that the optimization of cathode structure with computer simulation can shorten the cathode development cycle and reduce the cost of cathode design effectively in ECM, which provides an efficient and feasible method for the optimization of complex cathode structure.