bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Lossless Distributed Data Compression and Aggregation Approach for Low Resources Wireless Sensors Networks
Authors: FUTE Elie TAGNE , KAMDJOU Hugues Marie , AMRAOUI Adnen EL , NZEUKOU Armand
Published: June 2021

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) have been as useful and beneficial as resource-constrained distributed event-based system for several scenarios.Yet, in WSN, optimization oflimited resources (energy, computing memory, bandwidth and storage) during data collection and communication process is a major challenge. Most of energy consumption (as much as 80%) for standard WSN applications lies in the radio module where receiving and sending packets are necessary to communicate between stations.This paper proposes an approach to achieve optimal sensor resources by data compression and aggregation regarding integrity of raw data.Data aggregation discarded a certain sensing data packet, which leads to low data-rate communication and low likelihood of packet collisions on the wireless medium. Data compression reduces a redundancy in aggregated data, which leads to save storage and sending only one small data stream in the bandwidthof communication.The performance of the proposed approach is qualified using experimental simulation on OMNeT++/Castalia. Theperformance metricswere evaluated in terms of Compression Ratio (CR), data Aggregation Rate (AR), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Mean Square Error (MSE) and Energy Consumption (EC).The obtained resultshave significantly increased the network lifetime.Moreover, the integrity (quality) of the raw data is guaranteed.
New Electronically/Resistively Tunable Floating Emulators to Realize Memristor and Inverse Memristor
Authors: Bhardwaj Kapil , Srivast Mayank
Published: June 2021

This article presents the architectures of two emulator circuits, which realize the behaviour of a floating memristor and inverse memristor respectively. Both the presented emulator circuits are based on modified Voltage Differencing Current Conveyor (MVDCC) and grounded passive elements only. The feature of Electronic/Resistance tunability is found in both the emulator circuits. Furthermore, no employment of any external multiplier circuitry can be viewed as an important advantage of the proposed emulators. Also, the utility of the inverse memristor has also been discussed in theoretical discussions. The simulations have been performed to verify the working of all the presented emulator circuits, under PSPICE environment. Moreover, these MVDCC based emulators are also designed using commercially available ICs, LM13700 and AD844.
Guiding Effect of Soft Tectonic Coal on Coal and Gas Outburst and its Experimental Study
Authors: Tu Qingyi , Xue Sheng , Cheng Yuanping , Zhang Wei , Shi Gaofeng , Zhang Guisheng
Published: June 2021

Soft tectonic coal commonly exists in coal and gas outburst zones. The physical simulation experiment was carried out to reproduce the influences of soft coal area on the outburst, and the guiding action mechanism of soft tectonic coal on the outburst was investigated. This study concludes that the amount of outburst coal in the experiments of group with local existence of soft coal area are relatively lower. The outburst coal amount (3.8035 kg) and relative outburst intensity (21.02%) in the GR5# experiment were both lower than that in the GN6# experiment of control group. However, the outburst coal in the experiments of group with local existence of soft coal area could be commonly migrated to a long distance, the maximum throwing distances in the three experiments were all over 16.73 m, reaching as high as 20.10 m. Under the gas pressure of 0.30 MPa in the group with local existence of soft coal area, the outburst coal amount (2.7355 kg) was smaller than the amount (2.803 kg) of pulverized coal filled, and the 2.0 cm coal pillar experiences failure only nearby the outburst mouth. As the gas pressure increases, the failure degree of the coal pillar becomes higher and higher until complete failure. The outburst development sequence is changed due to the existence of the soft tectonic soft area. Once the sealing conditions are destructed, the outburst firstly develops in the soft tectonic coal area. Nevertheless, sufficient energy is supplied to transport the coal mass in the soft tectonic coal area to a farther distance, while the residual outburst energy can just result in the outburst of a small quantity of coal masses in the normal area. This research will be of great scientific significance for explaining the soft tectonic coal-induced change of outburst starting and development sequence.
A Trade-Off Analysis of Adaptive and Non-Adaptive Future Optimized Rule Curves Based on Simulation Algorithm
Authors: Moghaddasi Mahnoosh , Anvari Sedigheh , Akhondi Najmeh
Published: June 2021

This study aims to investigate the performance of Zarrineh Rud reservoir by implementing strategies for adaptation to climate change. Using sequent peak algorithm (SPA), the rule curve were simulated. Then, the optimal rule curve was procured through GA-SPA, aiming to minimize the water shortage. The future data were downscaled using SDSM based on CanEsm2 model and under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5. Finally, in view of environmental demand, reservoir performance indices were calculated for both non-adaptive and adaptive policies during all future periods (2020–2076). Results showed simulation with the static hedging rules managed to significantly reduce the average vulnerability index (by 60%) compared to no hedging, while the dynamic hedging rules outperformed static hedging rules only by 9%. Therefore, considering the insignificant improvement in reservoir performance using dynamic rules and their complexity, static hedging rules are recommended as the better option for adaptation during climate change.
FERMT3 Mediates Cigarette Smoke-induced Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition Through Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Su Xiaoshan , Chen Junjie , Lin Xiaoping , Chen Xiaoyang , Zhu Zhixing , Wu Weijing , Lin Hai , Wang Jianming , Ye Xiangjia , Zeng Yiming
Published: June 2021

Background: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential pathophysiological process in COPD and plays an important role in airway remodeling, fibrosis, and malignant transformation of COPD. Previous studies have indicated FERMT3 is downregulated and plays a tumor suppressive role in lung cancer. However, the role of FERMT3 in COPD, including EMT, has not yet been investigated. Methods: The present study aimed to explore the potential role of FERMT3 in COPD and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Two GEO datasets were combined to identify FERMT3 involved in COPD. The expression of FERMT3 was identified in COPD from two GEO datasets. We then established EMT animal models and cell models through cigarette smoke (CS) or cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure to detect the expression of FERMT3 and EMT markers. RT-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemical, cell migration, and cell cycle were employed to investigate the potential regulatory effect of FERMT3 in CSE-induced EMT. Results: Based on the GEO dataset analysis, the expression of FERMT3 was downregulated in COPD-smoker bronchoalveolar lavage fluid than that in Non-smoker. Cigarette smoke exposure reduced the FERMT3 expression and induces EMT both in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that overexpression of FERMT3 could inhibit EMT induced by CSE in A549 cells. Furthermore, the CSE-induced cell migration and cell cycle progression were reversed by FERMT3 overexpression. Mechanistically, our study showed that overexpression of FERMT3 inhibited CSE-induced EMT through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conclusions: In summary, these data suggest FERMT3 regulates cigarette smoke-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition through Wnt/β-Catenin signaling. These findings indicated that FERMT3 was correlated with the development of COPD and may serve as a potential target for both COPD and lung cancer.
Analysis of Risk Factors for Changes in The Doppler Echocardiographic Indexes of Patients With Gout
Authors: Dang Wantai , Luo Danling , Luo Hui , Hu Jing , Xu Xiaohui , Zhou Jingguo , Liu Jian
Published: June 2021

Objective: The analysis of risk factors for changes in the Doppler echocardiographic indexes of patients with gout with different serum uric acid (SUA) levels were explored to provide clinical evidence for the early diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart function in this patients.Methods: We obtained information of 227 patients with primary gout (intermittent period), the left ventricular structure and functional index were measured using echocardiography and multivariate logistics regression was used to analyze the risk factors related to changes in heart function in patients with gout.Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that the course of disease and cystatin C (Cys-C) were risk factors for the increase of left atrial volume index (LAVI) (OR=1.14, 105.47; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28, 1.18-9468.03). Age, body mass index (BMI), course of disease, and diabetes were risk factors for the increase of the ratio of diastolic peak early transmission flow velocity to peak early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/Em) (OR=1.04, 1.17, 1.14, 4.82; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08, 1.03-1.33, 1.02-1.27, 1.07-21.71). However, the percentage of neutrophils percentage (NE%) and lymphocytes percentage (LY%) might reduce the risk of left ventricular wall thickening, whereas HGB might reduce the risk of increasing E/Em (OR=0.80, 0.75, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.66-0.96, 0.60-0.93, 0.89-1.00).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that BMI, course of disease, diabetes, and Cys-C are risk factors for decreased left ventricular function. Furthermore, HGB, NE%, and LY% appear to have a weak protective effect for the remodeling of left ventricular structure and function.
Downregulation of GJB2 and SLC26A4 Genes Induced by Noise Exposure is Associated with Cochlear Damage
Authors: Garmaroudi Amir Abbasi , Khadem Monireh , Hotkani Maryam Mirzaei , Mozaffari Sajjad , Esmaeilpoor MohammadReza Monazzam , Kazemirad Elham
Published: June 2021

Noise can change the pattern of gene expression inducing sensorineural hearing impairment. There is no investigation on effects of noise frequency on the expression of GJB2 and SLC26A4 genes involved in congenital hearing impairment in cochlear tissue. This study investigated impacts of white and purple noise on gene expression and pathologic changes of cochlear tissue. In this study, 32 adult male Westar rats were selected and divided into experimental groups WN (animals exposed to white noise with a frequency range of 100-20000 Hz), PN (animals exposed to purple noise with a frequency range of 4-20 kHz) and control groups. All experimental groups were exposed to a sound pressure level of 118-120 dB for 8 hours per day. Cochlear tissue sampling was performed for tissue pathology studies, also RNA was extracted at 1 hour & 1 week after cessation of noise exposure. The results showed that Both white and purple noises caused permanent damage to the cortical, estrosilica systems of hair cells and ganglion of the hearing nerve. GJB2 and SLC26A4 were downregulated in both groups exposed with white and purple noise. However, differences are notably more significant in 1 weak post-exposure than 1 hour. Our Findings suggest GJB2 and SLC26A4 can be considered as biomarkers of response to noise frequency which is associated with the pathological response of cochlear tissue, leading to sensorineural hearing impairment. It would be suggested the demand for a more conventional approach to assessment of noise-induced hearing loss and subsequently the practice of hearing protection programs.
Fine Mapping and Identification of the Lobed-Leaf Gene in Radish (Raphanus Sativus L.)
Authors: li xuewei , Guo Chaocheng , Song Yao , Zhang Xiaokang , Xiong Qiufang , Liu Kede
Published: June 2021

Leaf shape is one of the important factors affecting the yield and quality of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). In this study, an F2 population obtained from the cross of the lobed-leaf cultivar J4 with the serrated-leaf cultivar WA was used for genetic analysis and gene mapping of the lobed-leaf trait. The lobed-leaf trait is controlled by a single dominant nuclear gene, and dominant over the serrated-leaf trait. Through bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and genotyping by sequencing (GBS), the lobed-leaf gene was initially mapped to the genomic region from 0.66 Mb to 8.19 Mb on chromosome R7. By using nine insertion/deletion (INDEL) markers, the gene was further narrowed down to a 1.53 Mb region. The comparative analysis of the collinear region between Raphanus sativus and Brassica napus identified Rs390250, an HD-Zip I transcription factor as the most probable candidate gene. Phylogenetic analysis supported that Rs390250 is an RCO (REDUCED COMPLEXITY) orthologous gene, and the single nucleotide variation (C425T) of Rs390250 which caused an amino acid substitution from serine (S) to lysine (L) in conserved leucine zipper domain, may destroy its DNA-binding function and be supposed to response for the morphological variation.
Strengthening the Construction of Pathology Department of Chinese Primary Hospitals is an Urgent Task
Authors: Chen Ke , meng xiangling , Wang Zhengguang
Published: June 2021

Background: pseudomyxoma peritonei(PMP) is a rare disease, the incidence of occult, mainly occurs in the appendix, ovary, etc., generally speaking, the progress is slow, through imaging diagnosis is more difficult, and the symptoms are not typical, often found in abdominal exploration, the treatment effect is relatively poor. Because PMP is often secondary to appendectomy, it is particularly important to make a careful pathological examination of the specimen after appendectomy. Case presentation: This case is a middle-aged and elderly man. Seven years after appendectomy, the specimen was confirmed as PMP by pathology after laparoscopic exploration. Later, the specimen 7 years ago was reexamined and pathological examination showed that the tumor was composed of mucinous cells. Conclusions: This puts forward higher requirements for the construction of pathology department in China's primary hospitals.
C-Kit+ Cells Can Modulate Asthmatic Condition via Differentiation Into Pneumocyte-Like Cells and Alteration of Inflammatory Responses via ERK/NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Mirershadi Fatemeh , Ahmadi Mahdi , Rahbarghazi Reza , Heiran Hossein , Keyhanmanesh Rana
Published: June 2021

Background

The exact role of the progenitor cell types in the dynamic healing of asthmatic lungs is lacking. This investigation was proposed to evaluate the effect of intra-tracheally administered rat bone marrow-derived c-kit⁺ cells on ovalbumin-induced sensitized male rats.
Methods

Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; healthy rats received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (C); sensitized rats received PBS (S); PBS containing C-kitˉ cells (S + C-kit−); and PBS containing C-kit⁺ cells (S + C-kit⁺). After two weeks, circulatory CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T-cell counts and pulmonary ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway as well as the probability of cellular differentiation were assessed.
Results

The results showed that transplanted C-Kit+ cells were engrafted into pulmonary tissue and differentiated into epithelial cells. C-Kit+ cells could increase the number of CD4+ cells in comparison with S group (p < 0.001); however, diminished the level of CD8+ cells (p < 0.01). Moreover, data showed increased p-ERK/ERK ratio (p < 0.001) and NF-ƙB level (p < 0.05) in sensitized rats compared to C group. The administration of C-kit+, but not C-Kit−, decreased p-ERK/ERK ratio and NF-ƙB level than those of S group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions

The study showed that C-Kit+ cells engrafted into pulmonary tissue reduced NF-ƙB protein level and diminished p-ERK/ERK ratio, leading to suppression of inflammatory response in asthmatic lungs.
Climatic Risk Zoning for Potential Occurrence of Cacao Moniliasis Disease in Northeastern Brazil Under The Influence of ENSO Phases
Authors: Galvão Ícaro Monteiro , Pereira Gislaine Silva , Sentelhas Paulo
Published: June 2021

Air temperature and relative humidity are the main drivers of many fungal diseases, such as moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri), which affects cocoa production worldwide. This disease occurs in some Latin American countries; however, it has not yet occurred in Brazil. Moniliasis could cause serious damage to the Brazilian cocoa production if present in the country. Therefore, to know the risks of moniliasis to cocoa production in the largest Brazilian producing region, in the state of Bahia, this study investigated the climatic favorability for the occurrence of this disease in this state, by defining and mapping the climatic risks and by assessing the influence of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases on it. Daily air temperature and relative humidity data from 28 weather stations of the national weather network in the state of Bahia, between 1988 and 2018, were employed to determine the risk index for cocoa moniliasis occurrence (RICM), based on the number of days favorable to the disease, which was categorized in five levels of favorability, ranging from “unfavorable” to “very favorable”. Seasonal and annual RICM maps were generated by a multiple linear regression procedure, considering raster layers of latitude, longitude, and altitude. The maps showed a high spatial and temporal RICM variability in the state of Bahia, with the highest risk for moniliasis occurrence in the eastern part of the state, where most producing areas are located. The ENSO phase showed to influence cocoa moniliasis occurrence, with the years with a transition between El Niño and Neutral phases being the most critical for this disease in majority of assessed locations. These results show that cocoa producers in the state of Bahia, Brazil, should be concerned with moniliasis occurrence as a potential disease for their crops, mainly in the traditional producing regions and when ENOS is in a transition from El Niño to Neutral.
Antenatal Depressive Symptoms in Rwanda: Rates, Predictors, and Social Support
Authors: Umuziga Marie Providence , Gishoma Darius , Hynie Michaela , Nyirazinyoye Leatitia
Published: June 2021

BackgroundPrevalence of perinatal depression is high in Rwanda and has been found to be associated with the quality of relationship with partners. This study extends this work to examine the relationship between antenatal depressive symptoms and social support across several relationships among women attending antenatal care services. Methods Structured survey interviews were conducted with 396 women attending antenatal care services in 4 health centers in the Southern Province of Rwanda. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Maternity Social Support Scale (MSSS) were used to assess antenatal depressive symptoms and the level of support respectively. Socio-demographic and gestational information, pregnancy intentions, perceived general health status, and experience of violence were also collected. Univariate, bivariate analyses and a multivariate logistic regression model were performed to determine the relationship between social support and predictors of antenatal depressive symptoms. ResultsMore than half of respondents were married (55.1%) or living with a partner in a common-law relationship (28.5%). About a third (35.9%) were in their 6th month of pregnancy; the rest were in their third term. The prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms was 26.6% (EPDS ≥ 12). Bivariate analyses suggested that partner and peer support negatively predict depression level symptoms.Adjusting for confounding variables such as unwanted pregnancy (AOR: 0.415, CI: 0.221- 0.778), parity (AOR): 0.336, C.I: 0.113–1.000) and exposure to extremely stressful life events (Odds Ratio = 2.300, C.I. = 1.263–4.189), husband/partner support (AOR: 4.458, CI: 1.833- 10.842) was strongly significantly associated with antenatal depressive symptoms such that women reporting good support were less likely to report depression level symptoms than those reporting poor support or those with no partner. Peer support was no longer significant.Conclusion The study revealed that social support may be a strong protector against antenatal depressive symptoms but only support from the partner. This suggests that strengthening support to pregnant women may be a successful strategy for reducing the incidence or severity of maternal mental health problems, but more work is required to assess whether support from peers can compensate for absent or unsupportive partners.
Characterisation of Regional Human Meniscal Progenitor Cells
Authors: Wang Jingsong , Roberts Sally , Cui Zhanfeng , Zhang Weiguo , Wright Karina
Published: June 2021

Background The surgical treatment of meniscus injury has represented a clinical challenge for decades. Stimulating meniscus regeneration using transplanted meniscal progenitor cells has been suggested as a promising new strategy. However, there is a lack of studies which decisively identify and characterise progenitor cell populations in human meniscus tissues. Methods In this study, donor-matched progenitor cells were isolated via selective fibronectin adhesion from the avascular (PAvas) and vascular (PVas) regions of the meniscus and chondroprogenitors (PChs) from articular cartilage (n=5 donors). In addition, whole mixed populations of cells (MAvas, MVas, MChs) from the same regions were obtained by standard isolation techniques for comparison. The colony formation efficacy of PAvas, PVas and PChs was monitored using Cell-IQ® live cell imaging. Proliferation rates of progenitors were compared with their mixed population counterparts. Cell surface markers indicative of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) profile and progenitor markers were characterised by flow cytometry in all populations. The chondrogenic capacity was assessed via pellet culture assays and measuring chondrogenic gene expression levels, GAG/DNA content and morphology. Results All meniscal progenitor and chondroprogenitor populations showed colony forming capacity in monolayer culture, whereas mixed populations were distributed randomly at passage 0. PVas had significantly lower population doubling times compare to MVas and proliferated faster than PAvas and PChs based on colony forming efficacy. Progenitor populations showed significantly higher positivity for CD49b and CD49c compared to their mixed population counterparts and PChs had a higher positivity level of CD166 compared to mixed chondrocytes. Collagen types II and X expression was significantly downregulated in pellets formed by progenitor populations. GAG/DNA analysis demonstrated that progenitor cells generally produced more GAG than mixed populations. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the human meniscus contains meniscal progenitor populations in both the avascular and vascular regions. Meniscal progenitors derived from the vascular region exhibit enhanced proliferative and chondrogenic characteristics compared to those from the avascular region; this may associate with the enhanced meniscal healing potential in the vascular region. These findings build on the body of evidence which suggests that meniscal progenitors represent an attractive cell therapy strategy for meniscal regeneration.
MitoQ Promotes M2-Like Macrophage/Microglia Polarization And Attenuates Apoptosis After Spinal Cord Injury Through Mitochondria-Dependent Pathway
Authors: Huang Tengli , Lin Junqing , Shen Junjie , Zheng Xianyou
Published: June 2021

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction and macrophage/microglia mediating inflammation are critical pathological process components of secondary injury in spinal cord injury (SCI), which lead to impaired regeneration and function recovery. Mitochondria is essential to macrophage/microglia metabolism and polarization. However, there are few research in SCI on mitochondrial dysfunction and macrophage/microglia polarization modulation by MitoQ, a mitochondrial-specific antioxidant. Therefore, we tried to investigate whether MitoQ could promote function recovery after SCI and its potential mechanism.Methods: A T10 spinal cord clip compression model was established in female C57BL/6 mice. MitoQ (1 mg/ml) was injected intraperitoneally on day 0, 1, 2 after SCI. Immunofluorescence assay (iNOS/Arg-1) was performed on day 3 and 14 to evaluate macrophage/microglia polarization after SCI. Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) score and footprint analysis were used to evaluate function recovery. Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Luxol Fast Blue (LFB) staining were used to evaluate tissue preservation and myeline loss. Western-blotting (mfn-1/2/drp-1), flow cytometry, immunofluorescence assay (iNOS/Arg-1) and fluorescence assay (Mitosox Red/ DCFH-DA) were used to evaluate in-vitro mitochondrial function and macrophage/microglia polarization. Tunel staining, Hochest staining and Western-blotting (Bax/Bcl-2/Cleaved-caspase-3) were used to evaluate cell apoptosis in BV2 cells and established SCI animal models.Results: Compared with SCI group, MitoQ group showed reduced M1-like polarization with enhanced M2-like polarization on day 3 and day 14 after SCI. MitoQ group promoted function recovery and tissue preservation on day 28. MitoQ attenuated mitochondrial biodynamic imbalance and reduced mitochondrial-specific reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in BV2 cells. MitoQ inhibited cell apoptosis resulting from in-vitro LPS challenging and in-vivo SCI.Conclusion: MitoQ improves function recovery and tissue preservation after SCI through the promotion of M2-like polarization of macrophage/microglia, inhibition of cell apoptosis and following neuroinflammation with the improvement of mitochondrial function and decreasing oxidative stress. Taken together, our results suggest that mitochondrial function modulation is a potential treatment option of post-SCI macrophage/microglia polarization dysfunction, following neuroinflammation and function impairment.
Identification of Ms2, a Novel Locus Controlling Male-fertility Restoration of Cytoplasmic Male-sterility in Onion (Allium Cepa L.), and Development of Tightly Linked Molecular Markers
Authors: Yu Nari , Kim Sunggil
Published: June 2021

Cytoplasmic male-sterility (CMS) has been exclusively used to produce F1 hybrid seeds of onion (Allium cepa L.). A single nuclear locus, Ms, is known to restore male-fertility of CMS in onions. Unstable male-sterile onions producing a small amount of pollen grains have been identified in a previous study. When such unstable male-sterile onions were crossed with stable male-sterile onions containing CMS-T cytoplasm, male-fertility was completely restored, although genotypes of the Ms locus were homozygous recessive. Inheritance patterns indicated that male-fertility restoration was controlled by a single locus designated as Ms2. A combined approach of bulked segregant analysis and RNA-seq was used to identify candidate genes for the Ms2 locus. High resolution melting (HRM) markers were developed based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected by RNA-Seq. Comparative mapping of the Ms2 locus showed that Ms2 was positioned at the end of chromosome 2 with a distance of approximately 70 cM away from the Ms locus. Although 38 contigs containing reliable SNPs were analyzed using recombinants selected from 1,344 individuals, no contig showed perfect linkage to Ms2. Interestingly, transcription levels of orf725, a CMS-associated gene in onions, were significantly reduced in male-fertile individuals of segregating populations. However, no significant change in its transcription level was observed in individuals of a segregating population with male-fertility phenotypes determined by the Ms locus, suggesting that male-fertility restoration mechanism of Ms2 might be different from that of the Ms locus.
Grass-Like Plants Release General Volatile Cues Attractive for Gravid Anopheles Gambiae S.S. Malaria Vector Mosquitoes
Authors: Bokore Getachew Eticha , Svenberg Linus , Tamre Richard , Onyango Patrick , Bukhari Tullu , Emmer Åsa , Fillinger Ulrike
Published: June 2021

Background: Understanding the ecology and behaviour of disease vectors, including the olfactory cues used to orient and select hosts and egg-laying sites, are essential for the development of novel, insecticide-free control tools. Selected graminoid plants have been shown to release volatile chemicals attracting malaria vectors, however, whether the attraction is selective to individual plants or more general across genera and families is still unclear. Methods: To contribute to the current evidence, we implemented bioassays in two-port airflow olfactometers and in large field cages with four live graminoid plant species commonly found associated with malaria vector breeding sites in western Kenya, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus exaltatus of the Cyperaceae family and Panicum repens and Cynodon dactylon of the Poaceae family. Additionally, we tested one Poaceae species, Cenchrus setaceum, not usually associated with water. The volatile compounds released in the headspace of the plants were identified using gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry.Results: All five plants attracted gravid vectors, with the odds of a mosquito orienting towards the choice-chamber with the plant in an olfactometer being 2-5 times higher than when no plant was present. This attraction was maintained when tested with free-flying mosquitoes over a longer distance in large field cages, though at lower strength, with the odds of attracting a female 1.5-2.5 times higher when live plants were present than when only water was presented in the trap. Cyperus rotundus, previously implicated in connection with an oviposition attractant, consistently elicited the strongest response from gravid vectors. Volatiles regularly detected were limonene, β-pinene, β-elemene and β-caryophyllene among other common plant compounds previously described in association with odour-orientation of gravid and unfed malaria vectors. Conclusions: The present study confirms that gravid Anopheles gambiae use chemical cues released from graminoid plants to orientate. These cues are released from a variety of graminoid plant species in both the Cyperaceae and Poaceae family. Given the general nature of these cues, it appears unlikely that they are exclusively used for the location of suitable oviposition sites. The utilisation of these chemical cues for attract-and-kill trapping strategies must be explored under natural conditions to investigate their efficiency when in competition with complex interacting natural cues.
Conditioned Excitation And Inhibition of Short Latency Gamma Band Oscillations In Early Visual Cortex During Fear Learning In Humans
Authors: Santos-Mayo Alejandro , de Echegaray Javier , Moratti Stephan
Published: June 2021

Over the course of evolution the human brain has been shaped to prioritize cues that signal potential danger. Thereby, the brain does not only favor specie-specific prepared stimulus sets such as snakes or spiders, but can learn associations between new cues and aversive outcomes. One important mechanism to achieve this is associated with learning induced plasticity changes in sensory cortex that optimizes the representation of motivationally relevant sensory stimuli. Animal studies have shown that the modulation of gamma band oscillations predicts cholinergic driven plasticity changes in sensory cortices shifting neurons’ responses to fear relevant features as acquired by Pavlovian fear conditioning. Here, we report conditioned excitatory and inhibitory gamma band modulations in humans during fear conditioning of orthogonally oriented sinus gratings representing fear relevant and irrelevant conditioned cues, respectively. Thereby, pairing of a sinus grating with an aversive loud noise not only increased short latency (during the first 180 ms) evoked visual gamma band responses, but was also accompanied by strong gamma power reductions for the fear irrelevant control grating. The current findings will be discussed in the light of recent neurobiological models of cholinergic driven plasticity changes in sensory cortices and classic learning models such as the Rescorla-Wagner framework.
Transcriptomic Characterisation of the Molecular Mechanisms Induced by RGMa During Skeletal Muscle Hyperplasia and Hypertrophy
Authors: Copola Aline Gonçalves Lio , Santos Íria Gabriela Dias dos , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Bem Luiz Eduardo Vieira Del , Junior Paulo Henrique de Almeida Campos , Nogueira Júlia Meireles , Costa Alinne do Carmo , Silva Gerluza Aparecida Borges , Jorge Erika Cristina
Published: June 2021

Background: The repulsive guidance molecule a (RGMa) is a GPI-anchor axon guidance molecule first found to play important roles during neuronal development. RGMa expression patterns and signalling pathways via Neogenin and/or as BMP coreceptors indicated that this axon guidance molecule could also be working in other processes and diseases, including during myogenesis. Previous works have consistently shown that RGMa is expressed in skeletal muscle cells and that its overexpression induces both nuclei accretion and hypertrophy in muscle cell lineages. However, the cellular components and molecular mechanisms induced by RGMa during the differentiation of skeletal muscle cells are poorly understood. In this work, the global transcription expression profile of RGMa-treated C2C12 myoblasts during the differentiation stage, obtained by RNA-seq, were reported. Results: RGMa treatment could modulate the expression pattern of 2,195 transcripts in C2C12 skeletal muscle, with 943 upregulated and 1,252 downregulated. Among them, RGMa interfered with the expression of several RNA types, including categories related to the regulation of RNA splicing and degradation. The data also suggested that RGMa hyperplasia effects could be due to their capacity to induce the expression of transcripts related to cell-cell adhesion, while RGMa effects on muscle hypertrophy might be due to (i) the activation of the mTOR-Akt independent axis and (ii) the regulation of the expression of transcripts related to atrophy. Finally, RGMa induced the expression of transcripts that encode skeletal muscle structural proteins and members of the signalling pathways associated with GEF and Rho/Rac, common secondary signals of skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and the canonical pathway of the RGMa/Neogenin signalling. Conclusions: These results provide comprehensive knowledge of skeletal muscle transcript changes and pathways in response to RGMa.
Increasing Softwood Pulp Yield by Minimizing Primary Peeling of Wood Carbohydrates Using Sodium Methyl Mercaptide Before and During Kraft Pulping
Authors: Patil Ravikant A , Adriaan van Heiningen
Published: June 2021

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of sodium methyl mercaptide (SMM) on the minimization of peeling reactions of southern pine chips in the kraft pulping process. Two methods were evaluated for SMM addition to the pulping process: 1) pre-treatment before pulping or 2) co-addition with white liquor. The effect of SMM charge, pre-treatment temperature and time, and pH of pre-treatment liquor was studied. The experimental results showed about 1.5 to 2.5 % (on O.D. (oven dry) wood basis) increase in the pulp yield after pre-treatment with or co-addition of 4.38% SMM (on O.D. wood basis). The use of 4.38% SMM allowed a decrease of the white liquor effective alkali charge (EA, on O.D. wood basis) by 3%. 4.38% SMM charge seemed to be optimum for the pre-treatment. Pre-treatment at lower pH resulted in a significant decrease in yield and an increase in rejects. The increase in pulp yield was mostly due to the increased retention of cellulose and xylan. The retention of galactoglucomannan was negligible. About 80% of the cellulose yield increase is due to the suppression of primary peeling. The remainder (0.3–0.4% of the yield increase (on O.D. wood basis) is due to reduced alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent secondary peeling.
Establishment of an Early Diagnosis Model of Colon Cancerous Bowel Obstruction Based on 1HNMR
Authors: Zeng Jie , Peng Jin , Jiang Hua , Deng Pengchi , Li Kexun , Long Daolin , Wang Kai
Published: June 2021

Objective

To prospectively establish an early diagnosis model of acute colon cancerous bowel obstruction by applying nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy(1H-NMR) technology based metabolomics methods, combined with machine learning.
Methods

In this study, serum samples of 71 patients with acute bowel obstruction requiring emergency surgery who were admitted to the Emergency Department of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from December 2018 to November 2020 were collected within 2 hours after admission, and NMR spectroscopy data was taken after pretreatment. After postoperative pathological confirmation, they were divided into colon cancerous bowel obstruction (CBO) group and adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO) control group. Used MestReNova software to extract the two sets of spectra bins, and used the MetaboAnalyst5.0 website to perform partial least square discrimination (PLS-DA), combining the human metabolome database (HMDB) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to find possible different Metabolites and related metabolic pathways.
Results

22 patients were classified as CBO group and 30 were classified as ABO control group. Compared with ABO group, the level of Xanthurenic acid, 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid, Gentisic acid, Salicyluric acid, Ferulic acid, Kynuric acid, CDP, Mandelic acid, NADPH, FAD, Phenylpyruvate, Allyl isothiocyanate, and Vanillylmandelic acid increased in the CBO group; while the lecel of L-Tryptophan and Bilirubin decreased (all P < 0.05). There were significant differences between two groups in the tryptophan metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism and synthesis pathways of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan (all P < 0.05). Tryptophan metabolism pathway had the greatest impact (Impact = 0.19). The early diagnosis model of colon cancerous bowel was established based on the levels of six metabolites: Xanthurenic acid, 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid, Gentisic acid, Salicylic acid, Ferulic acid and Kynuric acid (R2 = 0.995, Q2 = 0.931, RMSE = 0.239, AUC = 0.962).
Conclusion

This study firstly used serum to determine the difference in metabolome between patients with colon cancerous bowel obstruction and those with adhesive bowel obstruction. The study found that the metabolic information carried by the serum was sufficient to discriminate the two groups of patients and provided the theoretical supporting for the future using of the more convenient sample for the differential diagnosis of patients with colon cancerous bowel obstruction. Quantitative experiments on a large number of samples were still needed in the future.
Assessment of Low Patient Social Support and its Associated Factors Among Hospitalized Medical Surgical Adult Inpatients in Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Multi -Center Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tesfa Shegaw , Abebe Haimanot , Tefera Bitew , Ayinalem Agere , Tsegaye Baye , Fetene Temen , Tadesse Betilhem , Alebel Fisha , Tsehay Tadesse
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Patient social support is a network or web of social relationships that each individual keeps including the closest people, such as family, close friends and other neighborhood or community individuals in the hospital as well as out of the hospitals. Patient psychosocial support influences the health status and treatment effectiveness, getting quality of care in a hospitalized medical surgical inpatient. It should be practiced in hospital setting than community setting. Objective: To assess low patient social support and its associated factors among medical surgical adult inpatients in public hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020.Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted with 380 study subjects from March 1-30, 2020. Systematic random sampling technique was used and data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Trained nursing students collected data, collected data was entered into Epi-data 3.1 and export to SPSS version 26 for analysis, and then binary and multiple logistic regression was performed to check the association between dependent and independent variable.Result: In this study, low level of patient social support was 61.9%, while 38.1% of them have high level of patient social support. Variables being housewives [AOR=3.41; 95%CI (1.145-10.153)], chat chewing [AOR=2.596; 95%CI (1.072-6.288)], psychosocial counseling [AOR=4.149; 95 %CI (0.075-0.771) and Previous history of hospitalization [AOR=1.673; 95%CI (1.019-2.746) were found to be significantly associated with low patient social support. While age, sex, ethnicity, religion, income, alcohol drink, smoking, other illegal substance use, and family history of mental health problem, having mental illness, type of case and length of hospital stay were not significantly associated.Conclusion and recommendation: The overall level of patient social support in hospitalized patients was low and being housewives, chat chewing, psychosocial counselling, and Previous history of hospitalization were significantly associated with low level of patient social support among adult inpatients, therefore health care providers should provide special consideration to those group of patients admitted to the hospitals.
Hydroxychloroquine Use Is Not Associated With QTc Length in a Large Cohort of SLE and RA Patients
Authors: Park Elizabeth , Giles Jon T. , Perez-Recio Thania , Pina Paloma , Depender Christopher , Gartshteyn Yevgeniya , Askanase Anca , Bathon Joan , Geraldino-Pardilla Laura
Published: June 2021

BackgroundHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a cornerstone therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, reports of its use and subsequent fatal arrhythmias in patients with Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) have raised concern regarding its cardiovascular (CV) safety. Therefore, we examined the relationship between HCQ use and corrected QT (QTc) length in SLE and RA patients without clinical CV disease (CVD).MethodsOne SLE (n=352) and two RA cohorts (n=178) with electrocardiograms (ECGs) collected as part of study data were analyzed. RA cohort participants were recruited from tertiary referral centers with additional referrals from community rheumatologists, while SLE subjects originated from the Columbia University Lupus Cohort. All patients met American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for SLE or RA, and lacked known CVD. The exposure of interest was HCQ use and main outcome measure was QTc length [continuous or categorical (≥440 ms and ≥500 ms)]. ResultsOf the combined SLE and RA cohorts (n=530), 70% were HCQ users and 44% had a QTc≥ 440 ms. The adjusted mean QTc length was comparable between HCQ users vs non-users (438 ms vs 437 ms). In multivariable logistic models, HCQ use was not a significant predictor of a QTc≥440 ms for the entire cohort (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.48-1.23; p=0.27). Importantly, a QTc≥500 ms was inversely associated with HCQ use and not associated with arrhythmias or deaths. A significant interaction was found between HCQ use and use of anti-psychotics. Ultimately, the use of HCQ combined with any QTc prolonging medication as a group was associated with a QTc length (434 ms; 95%CI 430, 439) which was comparable to that of use of HCQ alone (433 ms; 95% CI 429, 437). ConclusionIn a combined cohort of SLE and RA patients without clinical CVD, adjusted QTc length was comparable between HCQ and non-HCQ users, supporting its CV safety in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Inhibition of Enterovirus 71 by Picochlorum sp. 122 via AKT and ATM/ATR Signaling Pathways
Authors: Guo Min , Zheng Ruilin , Wu Hua-lian , Chen Danyang , Su Jingyao , Xu Tiantian , Wu Houbo , Xiang Wenzhou , Li Yinghua , Zhu Bing
Published: June 2021

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) pose a critical threat in global public health and may lead to severe and even lethal cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD). No effective antiviral agents are available to the masses for treatment of HFMD caused by EV71. Polysaccharide provides a good clinical application for antivirus. Polysaccharides extracted from Picochlorum sp. 122 (PPE) is a kind of seaweed Polysaccharides, the reports on its antiviral activity are limited. In this study, the antiviral activity was verified in Vero cells. Briefly, PPE has been demonstrated to restrain EV71 infection through MTT assay and cellular cytopathic effect. In addition, the decrease of the nucleic acid and protein levels of VP1 indicated PPE effectively inhibited the proliferation of EV71 in Vero cells. Furthermore, the annexinV-affinity assay suggested that PPE protected host cells from apoptosis. The mechanistic investigations revealed that PPE restrained EV71-induced host-cells apoptosis by AKT and ATM/ATR signaling pathways. In conclusion, these results demonstrate PPE is a hopeful antiviral drug for the infection of EV71.
Assessment of Genetic Variation in COI Gene of Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus Gigas) Population Along the Coast of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha, India
Authors: Tudu Sanatan , GUPTA SANDEEP KUMAR , Dash Bisnu Prasad
Published: June 2021

Horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas) is an archaic group of marine creature which plays a vital role in the saline ecosystem. Many researchers emphasize and enhance the knowledge about the horseshoe crab's basic biology, morphology, and ecology, whereas very little information is available about its population genetics. We attempted to develop a baseline database about the ecology, phylogeography, and genetic variation among the horseshoe crab population from Odisha, India. We collected 152 samples of horseshoe crab from the coastal area of the Bay of Bengal. The generated Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I gene (COI) sequences of T. gigas were compared with the sequences of T. gigas obtained from GenBank. The GenBank sequences were of two populations from South China and Malaysia. A total of 26 unique haplotypes were observed in three populations of T. gigas. Pairwise F-statistic distance (FST) between South China-India was 0.708; Malaysia-India was 0.608, and South China-Malaysia was 0.136. It indicated that the South China population was closely related to the Malaysian population and the Indian population was appeared to be genetically distinct from the other two populations. It signifies the ecological importance of the Indian population. Furthermore, the migrant per generation (Nm) was 0.16, which indicated a low gene flow among T. gigas populations. The haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (π) were 0.58826 and 0.00476, respectively. This study would help lay future strategy and conservation of horseshoe crab across the Bay of Bengal.
Impact of Spherical Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles on Thermal Properties of Polypropylene Resin
Authors: Bendaoued Ahlem , Messaoud Mouna , Harzallah Omar , Bistac Sophie , Salhi Rached
Published: June 2021

Ceramics nanometric reinforced polymer composite is a significant material for catalysis, solar cells, production of hydrogen and energy applications, etc. In order to take benefit from the interesting mechanical properties and thermal stability of TiO2, these ceramic nanomaterials was synthesized by the Sol-Gel process in attempt to study the thermal stability, structure, and morphology of the resulting nanoparticles powders. The obtained results revealed that, the sphere is composed of 20-30 nm nanoparticles with excellent thermal stability of nano-TiO2. This work focused on the thermal characterization and the study of nanocomposite xWt. %TiO2/PP (x=0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 mol%). In this study, the obtained results revealed that the molar ratio of TiO2 influences the final thermal stability and degree of crystallinity of the composite. It was found that the use of TiO2 seems to be an effective and very promising way to increase the thermal properties of the resulting composite. The greatest degree of crystallinity (54.80%) and thermal degradation stability are obtained for composite reinforced by 7.5Wt. %TiO2.