bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An NADPH-auxotrophic Corynebacterium glutamicum recombinant strain and used it to construct L-leucine high-yielding strain
Authors: Chen Sheng-Ling , Liu Ting-Shan , Zhang Wei-Guo , Xu Jianzhong
Published: April 2022

The NADPH-regeneration enzymes in Corynebacterium glutamicum were inactivated to construct an NADPH-auxotrophic C. glutamicum strain by gene knockout and gene replacement. The resultant NADPH-auxotrophic C. glutamicum XL-1 ΔZMICg::ISm (i.e., strain Leu-1) grew well in the basic medium only with gluconate as carbon source. Replacement of the native glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NAD-GapDHCg) by NADP-GapDHCa from Clostridium acetobutylicum is an effective strategy for producing L-leucine in NADPH-prototrophic strain XL-1 and NADPH-auxotrophic strain Leu-1, whereas the L-leucine yield did not differ significantly between these strains (14.1 ± 1.8 g/L v.s. 16.2 ± 1.1 g/L). Enhancing the carbon flux in biosynthetic pathway by recombinant expression plasmid pEC-ABNCE promoted L-leucine production, but the shortage NADPH supply limited the L-leucine yield. The mutated promoters of zwf and icdCg were introduced into C. glutamicum with NADP-GapDHCa and pEC-ABNCE increased L-leucine yield (32.8 ± 1.7 g/L) and improved cell growth (OD562 = 41.3 ± 4.2) because the resultant strain C. glutamicum XL-1 ΔMICg::ISm GCg::GCa Pzwf-D1 Picd-D2/pEC-ABNCE (i.e., strain Leu-9) exhibited the proper intracellular NADPH and NADH level. This is the first report of constructing an L-leucine high-yielding strain that reasonably supplies NADPH by optimizing the biosynthetic pathway of NADPH from an NADPH-auxotrophic strain.
Pain among Older Adults with Cancer - Results from the Cancer and Aging Resilience Evaluation (CARE) Registry
Authors: Obaidi Mustafa AL , Kosmicki Sarah , Harmon Christian , Lobbous Mina , Outlaw Darryl , Khushman Moh’d , McGwin Gerald , Bhatia Smita , Giri Smith , Williams Grant R.
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The impact of pain on functional status and mental health among older adults with cancer is a relevant, yet understudied. We sought to identify the prevalence of pain at diagnosis in older adults with cancer and evaluate the association of pain with functional status limitations, cognition, and mental health. Methods: This study included older adults (age ≥60) with cancer enrolled in the CARE Registry. Pain measured in numeric rating scale from 0-10. We utilized the literature based cut off for moderate-severe as ≥4. Logistic regression used to assess differences in functional status, falls, cognitive complaints, and depression/anxiety associated with moderate/severe pain, adjusted for sex, race, education, ethnicity, marital status, cancer type/stage, and treatment phase. Results: Our cohort included 714 older adults with an average mean age of 70 years and 59% male. Common diagnoses included colorectal (27.9%) and pancreatic (18%). 43.3% reported moderate/severe pain. After multivariate adjusting for covariates, participants with self-reported moderate/severe pain were more likely to report limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 4.3 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1-6.1, p<.001), limitation in activities of daily living (aOR 3.2 95% CI 2.0-5.1, p<.001), cognitive complaints (aOR 2.9 95% CI 1.4-6.0, p<.004), anxiety (aOR 2.2 95% CI 1.4-3.4, p<0.01), and depression (aOR 3.7 95% CI 2.2-6.5, p<.001).Conclusions: Pain is common amongst older adults with cancer and is associated with functional status limitations, cognitive complaints, and depression/anxiety. Strategies to reduce pain and minimize its potential impact on function and mental health warrant future research.
Implementing tuberculosis patient cost surveys in resource-constrained settings: lessons from Tanzania
Authors: Kilale Andrew Martin , Makasi Charles , Majaha Melkisedeck Lolakeha , Manga Chacha Dionis , Haule Sylvia , Hilary Pudensiana , Kimbute Omari , Kitua Stephen , Jani Bhavin , Range Nyagosya , Ngowi Bernard James , Nkiligi Emmanuel , Matechi Emmanuel , Muhandiki Wilbard , Mahamba Vishnu , Mutayoba Beatrice Kemilembe , Ershova Julia
Published: April 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) disproportionally affects persons and families who are economically and socially disadvantaged. Therefore, a patient cost survey was conducted in Tanzania to evaluate the costs incurred by patients and their households before and after the diagnosis of TB. It was the first survey in Tanzania to ascertain baseline information and experience for subsequent surveys. This paper aims to share the experience encountered during the survey to ensure the standardized approach and elimination of potential barriers for implementation of future surveys. A total of 777 TB patients from 30 clusters selected based on probability proportional to the size were interviewed during the study period. As the sample size was calculated based on notification data from the previous year, some health facilities experienced an inadequate number of TB patients during the study to meet the allocated cluster size for the survey. Most facilities had poor recording and recordkeeping in TB registers where deaths were not registered, and some patients had not been assigned district identification numbers. Fixed days for TB drug refills in health facilities affected the routine implementation of the survey as the interviews were conducted when patients visited the facility to pick up the drugs. Tablets used to collect data failed to capture the geographic location in some areas. The households of TB patients lost to follow-up and those who had died during TB treatment were not included in the survey. When planning and preparing for patient costs surveys, it is important to consider unforeseen factors which may affect planned activities and findings. During the survey in Tanzania, the identified challenges included survey logistics, communications, patient enrollment, and data management issues. To improve the quality of the findings of future surveys, it may be reasonable to revise survey procedures to include households of TB patients who were lost to follow up and those who died during TB treatment; the households of such patients may have incurred higher direct and indirect costs than households whose patient was cured as a result of receiving TB treatment.
Quantitative analysis of facial symmetry by using three-dimensional technology
Authors: Wu Zhouqiang , Gao Xiaolei , Long Hu , Lai Wenli
Published: April 2022

Background: Facial symmetry is becoming increasingly important in today's orthodontic treatment. But the asymmetrical boundary is not clearly demarcated. 3dMD has a clear advantage in measuring facial asymmetry. The aim of this study was to quantify the facial asymmetry by three-dimensional (3D) technology as well as to study whether the evaluation by non-experts about facial asymmetry was consistent with the analysis by 3D technology.Methods: The facial symmetry of 330 patients was evaluated by 10 non-experts. 3D facial images were taken using 3dMD stereophotogrammetry equipment. The original face and its mirror shell were divided into 7 regions and the surface matching was measured in the whole face and all regional areas. The degree of symmetry was calculated by the software 3-matic STL 9.0. The difference between the two groups was analyzed by Independent-Samples T Test and the diagnostic efficiency of symmetry degree was analyzed by ROC curve analysis. The consistency between the symmetric degree and the result of evaluation was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Results: The ROC analysis revealed significant diagnostic values in the determination of the facial asymmetry of lip, chin, cheek and lateral mandible areas. The cut-off values of symmetry degree were between 60%-80%. The evaluation was middle correlation with the symmetric degree of the whole face.Conclusions: The chin and lateral mandible contribute most significantly to the facial symmetry. The objective measurement of facial symmetry, 3D technology, is reliable.
Expression of lactoferrin in the peripheral blood of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and its clinical significance
Authors: Tao Yuanyong , Zhang Xuguang , Sun Mingyan , Zhang Yuzhi , Sun Wanli , Wu Qianqian , Dai Bingqing , Ma Chunhui , An Fengxiao
Published: April 2022

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) affects patients' lives and reduces their quality of life. Lactoferrin (LF) is a member of the transferrin family. We explore the expression level of LF in the peripheral blood of PTB patients and the clinical significance of LF in the diagnosis and course evaluation of PTB. Methods: Plasma LF concentration and neutrophil LF concentration were measured, and their correlation was analyzed, as well as their diagnostic validity and specificity for PTB. Results: Plasma LF concentration of active PTB patients was higher than that of stable PTB patients and patients in the control group. Neutrophil LF concentration of active PTB patients was higher than that of the control group, whereas it was reversed in stable PTB patients. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of neutrophil LF and plasma LF between primary and retreated PTB patients. There was a positive correlation between them, and the LF level was positively correlated with the TB replication load. Neutrophil LF had a higher specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing stable PTB, while plasma LF had higher specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of active PTB. Conclusions: Plasma LF has a higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of active PTB, and LF might be a biological indicator of PTB.
Fabrication of durable multifunctional coatings for cotton fabrics with flame retardant, antibacterial, fluorine-free superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties
Authors: Gu Jianjun , Yan Xiaofei , Qi Dongming , Xie Ruyi , Yang Xiaoming , Li Yaobang , Li Jiawei
Published: April 2022

Cotton has been widely used in fabrics owing to its good moisture absorption, air permeability, wearing comfort and biodegradability. However, cotton-based products are always easy to be ignited, breed bacteria and contamination due to the nature of massive cellulose and pores. In this work, a durable multifunctional coating for cotton fabric with flame retardant, antibacterial, fluorine-free superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties, FR-PDA@Ag-PDMS, was successfully fabricated on its surface. At first, dopamine was deposited on flame resistance cotton fabric grafted with ammonium vinyl phosphonate (AMVP). Then the antibacterial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were bound to polydopamine (PDA) coating on the fabric surface by reducibility of catechol in PDA, the coated fabric showed excellent antibacterial activity (99.99%) against S. aureus and E. coli. Subsequently, the fabric was coated by PDMS to obtain excellent self-cleaning ability with a water contact angle (CA) of over 150°. The flame retardant tests results showed the multifunctional coating cotton fabrics obtained the limiting oxygen index value (LOI) of 29.8%, self-extinguishment, lower total heat release, and effective smoke suppression compared with the bare cotton. More importantly, under the action of AMVP, PDA@Ag, and PDMS, multifunctional coating cotton fabrics still maintained excellent durability flame retardant, antibacterial, superhydrophobic and self-cleaning performance after 50 standard washing cycles.
Oral symptom assessment tools in patients with advanced cancer: a scoping review
Authors: Cleary Niamh , Mulkerrin Olivia Munnelly , Davies Andrew
Published: April 2022

PurposeOral symptoms are common in patients with advanced cancer. The aim of this scoping review was to identify oral symptom assessment tools that have been specifically utilised in patients with “advanced cancer”.MethodsThe review was conducted / reported according to international guidelines for undertaking scoping reviews. PubMed, Embase and CINAHL were searched for articles involving adult patients with advanced cancer, which involved assessment of ≥ 2 oral symptoms, and which involved patients with > 1 type of cancer. ResultsThe review identified four validated symptom assessment scales, including one cancer-specific quality of life scale (EORTC QLQ OH-15), one generic tool for assessing the “social impact” of specific oral problems (OHIP), one cancer-specific generic symptom assessment scale (MSAS), and one cancer-specific oral symptom assessment scale (OSAS).ConclusionSymptom assessment tools can facilitate good symptom control in clinical practice, and are an integral component of clinical research. The review identified four validated symptom assessment scales that could be utilised to assess oral symptoms in patients with advanced cancer.
Implementing electronic patient reported outcome data capture for multi-centre oncology clinical trials
Authors: Philipps Lara , Foster Stephanie , Gardiner Deborah , Gillman Alexa , Haviland Jo , Hill Elizabeth , Manning Georgina , Stiles Morgaine , Hall Emma , Lewis Rebecca
Published: April 2022

Background:Traditionally patient reported outcomes (PRO) are collected on paper as key endpoints for clinical trials. With increasing internet usage there is an interest in the use of electronic patient reported outcomes. Although previous studies in the general oncology clinical setting have shown the equivalence of scores in paper and electronic formats, there is a wide ranging level of uptake of electronic patient reported outcome acceptance amongst trial patients.Implementation plan:We have chosen to implement the use of electronic patient reported outcomes in our clinical trial population using a study within a trial (SWAT) to assess functionality and acceptability to patients. This will be led by a multi-disciplinary team of project managers, methodologists, clinicians and data scientists. The implementation plan has multiple ethical and regulatory considerations required in system identification, patient and public involvement and the design of a SWAT. Conclusion: Implementation of ePRO even in a world of increasing technology use is a complex and multifactorial project requiring careful consideration and adequate resourcing.
Trend and effectiveness of blending learning in Chinese pharmaceutical education
Authors: Li Tianyi , Wang Haina
Published: April 2022

Background: This study reviewed the trend and application effectiveness of blending learning in pharmaceutical education in China. In the post epidemic era, developing countries, including China, are in a critical period of digital transformation in education. Blending learning has been widely used in Pharmaceutical education in China. It is crucial to understand the development stage objectively and evaluate the teaching effect correctly.Methods: Using CiteSpace.5.8.3 software, this paper analyzes the global development trend and hotspots of 1537 articles on blended learning collected in Web of Science database from 2000 to 2021. The research on the application of blended learning in Pharmaceutical specialty in China was systematically searched from the databases construction to August 2021. Review Manager5.4 software was used to analyze the included studies.Results: According to visual analysis, blended learning, especially in theory and technology, has developed rapidly and is still a research hotspot in the field of education. A total of 21 studies were included in the meta-analysis. According to the analysis, compared with conventional teaching method, students' theoretical scores (MD=6.10, 95%CI[4.46, 7.75], P < 0.00001), experimental operation scores (MD=6.50, 95%CI[4.33, 8.67], P < 0.00001) and multiple learning abilities were improved in blending learning. Conclusions: Based on the published articles, the effect of blending learning is better than traditional teaching method in pharmaceutical education in China in recent years. This teaching method can be used as an optional method of pharmacy teaching in China, but it needs to design the curriculum reasonably according to the environment of higher education in China.
An Integrated GIS-based ANP Analysis for Selecting Solar Farm Installation Locations: Case Study in Cumra Region, Turkey
Authors: Uyan Mevlut , Dogmus Ozgul
Published: April 2022

With the depletion of traditional energy sources, which are defined as fossil fuels, the importance of renewable energy sources has increased even more. Renewable energy is a sustainable energy source that can be reproduced with the use of existing resources and has almost no harm to the environment. Solar energy is one of the leading energy types among sustainable energy sources. The sun is an inexhaustible source of energy for humanity that can be used for generations. The first step in the project design process in the installation of solar farms is to determine the suitable land. Appropriate site selection is an important factor that increases the efficiency of a solar farm. In order to minimize the negative environmental, economic and social effects in the solar farms location studies, all criteria affecting the study should be taken into consideration. A good land selection and preparation of the selected land for the process are among the issues that should be considered in the first place for an efficient solar farm. This study presents the application of combining ANP, which is one of the MCE methods, with GIS, in order to determine the most suitable locations for solar power plants in Cumra region, Konya, Turkey. Six main criteria have been defined for the most suitable site selection in the study area. Criteria maps were prepared by GIS software using weight values ​​determined from ANP and combined for the site suitability map. Suitability map was divided into three categories as low, moderate and high suitable with an equidistant classification method.
Synthesis of high-modulus thermoset PUs of PCL-PTMG/CNW Biomaterials with different Soft Domain Architecture and Composition for high Shape Memory Performance
Authors: Aboueimehrizi Elahe , Makaremy Mohammad Amin , Bazrpash Sina , Noormohammadi Fatemeh , Darestani Yasaman Rahimi , Nourany Mohammad
Published: April 2022

In this research work, a group of thermoset polyurethane (tPU) nanocomposites were synthesized. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL2000), Poly (tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG2000), and different architecture and compositions of PCL and PTMG were used as diols. Cellulose nanowhisker (CNW), with 1.0 wt% content, was used to cross-link the prepolymers and to produce high-modulus specimens for high shape memory performance. The analyses of crystallization showed that thermal stability of the PTMG and PCL crystallites decreases upon block copolymerization, blending and incorporation of the block copolymer into the blend (about 10\(℃\) decrease). Cross-linking of the prepolymers using CNW has also reduced the crystallites’ thermal stability to a large extent (about 50\(℃\) decrease). The results of the Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) also showed that the thermoset PUs have a large elastic modulus at above room temperature (higher than 10 MPa) and very small tanδ height (below 0.15), which was attributed to its semi-crystalline nature and presence of CNW with high elastic modulus (110–220 GPa). The thermomechanical behavior of the tPUs proved to be ideal for acquiring high shape memory performance. The tPUs have also proved to be highly biocompatible.
A randomized trial of scapular exercises with electromyography biofeedback in oral cancer patients with accessory nerve dysfunction
Authors: Chen Yueh-Hsia , Liang Wei-An , Lin Chi-Rung , Huang Cheng-Ya
Published: April 2022

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback on scapular positions and muscle activities during scapular-focused exercises in oral cancer patients with accessory nerve dysfunction.Methods: Twenty-four participants were randomly allocated to the motor-control with biofeedback group (N=12) or the motor-control group (N=12) immediately after neck dissection. Each group performed scapular-focused exercises with conscious control of scapular orientation for three months. EMG biofeedback of upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and lower trapezius (LT) were provided in the motor-control with biofeedback group. Scapular symmetry measured by modified lateral scapular slide test; shoulder pain; active range of motion (AROM) of shoulder abduction; upper extremity function; maximal isometric muscle strength of UT, MT, and LT; and muscle activities during arm elevation/lowering in the scapular plane were evaluated at baseline and the end of the intervention.Results: After the 3-month intervention, only the motor-control with biofeedback group showed improving scapular symmetry. Although both groups did not show significant improvement in shoulder pain, increased AROM of shoulder abduction and muscle strength of the UT and MT were observed in both groups. In addition, only the motor-control with biofeedback group had improved LT muscle strength, upper extremity function, and reduced UT and MT muscle activations during arm elevation/lowering.Conclusions: Early interventions for scapular control training significantly improved shoulder mobility and trapezius muscle strength. Furthermore, by adding EMG biofeedback to motor-control training, oral cancer patients demonstrated greater effectiveness in stabilizing scapular position, muscle efficiency, and upper extremity function than motor-control training alone.Trial registration: Institutional Review Board: This study was approved by the Chang Gung Medical Foundation Institutional Review Board (Approval No: 201901788A3. Approval Date: 2 January, 2020). Clinical trial Registration: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04476004. Initial released Date: 16 July, 2020).
Improving perioperative efficiency in the management of surgical sets for trauma surgeries: the 4S approach.
Authors: Ribes-Iborra Julio , Segarra Borja , Cortés-Tronch Victor , Quintana Javier , Galvain Thibaut , Muehlendyck Christian , Escalona Elena , Battaglia Suzanne , Navarrete-Dualde Jorge
Published: April 2022

Background The perioperative management of the surgical instruments and implants that comprise sets for trauma surgeries has been identified as a complex and resource-intensive activity due to non-standardized inventories, redundant surgical instruments and unnecessary sterilization cycles. The 4S Intelligent Trauma Care program aims to improve process efficiency and thereby reduce environmental impact by utilizing standardized inventories, a sterile implant portfolio, a barcode that enables a digital safety certification, and a digitized restocking service. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the introduction of the 4S program for the management of surgical sets in open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) trauma surgeries.Methods This was a single-center, prospective, comparative study of ORIF trauma surgeries undertaken pre- and post-implementation of the 4S program (30 pre- and 30 post-implementation procedures). The primary outcome was the proportion of procedures with fewer than two sterilization cycles. Secondary outcomes were the number of sterilization cycles per procedure, set processing time across departments, total set processing costs, number of missing or damaged implants, number of cleaning cycles per procedure, time taken to assemble containers for sterilization, number of containers entering the autoclave per procedure, environmental impact, number of baskets entering the cleaning machine per procedure, and staff satisfaction.ResultsImplementation of the 4S program resulted in a reduction in the mean number of sterilization cycles required from 2.1 to 1.0 (p<0.001). Pre-implementation, only 30.0% of procedure sets were sterilized within one cycle, compared to 100.0% post-implementation (p<0.001). A reduction in the mean set processing time of 24.1% in the OR and 35.3% in the sterilization department was observed. Mean set processing costs pre-implementation were €81.23, compared to €50.30 post-implementation. Furthermore, implementation was associated with significant reductions in water and electricity usage per procedure, and increased staff satisfaction.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the substantial time and cost savings, positive environmental impact and staff satisfaction that can be achieved by streamlining surgical set management through the 4S program. To our knowledge, this is the first study of this type and our findings are anticipated to be generalizable to other hospitals and surgical specialties.
Structural analysis of monomeric RNA-dependent polymerases revisited
Authors: Jácome Rodrigo , Campillo-Balderas José Alberto , Becerra Arturo , Lazcano Antonio
Published: April 2022

In the past few years, our understanding of the RNA virosphere has changed dramatically due to the growth and spurt of metagenomics, exponentially increasing the number of RNA viral sequences, and providing a better understanding of their range of potential hosts. As of today, the only conserved protein among RNA viruses appears to be the monomeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme belongs to the right-hand DNA-and RNA polymerases, which also includes reverse transcriptases and eukaryotic replicative DNA polymerases. The ubiquity of this protein in RNA viruses makes it a unique evolutionary marker and an appealing broad-spectrum antiviral target. In this work pairwise structural comparisons of viral RdRps and RTs were performed, including tertiary structures that have been obtained in the last few years. The resulting phylogenetic tree shows that the RdRps from (+)ss- and dsRNA viruses might have been recruited several times throughout the evolution of mobile genetic elements. RTs also display multiple evolutionary routes. We have identified a structural core comprising the entire palm, a large moiety of the fingers and the N-terminal helices of the thumb domain, comprising over 300 conserved residues, including two regions that we have named the “knuckles” and the “hypothenar eminence”. The conservation of an helix bundle in the region preceding the polymerase domain confirms that (-)ss and dsRNA Reoviruses’ polymerases share a recent ancestor. Finally, the inclusion of DNA polymerases into our structural analyses suggests that monomeric RNA-dependent polymerases might have diverged from B-family polymerases.
Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Concentration and Radiological Risk in Tanjung Enim’s Coal Mine, South Sumatra Indonesia
Authors: Ramadhany Muhammad Farhan , Wijaya Gede Sutresna , Muharini Anung
Published: April 2022

Environmental radioactivity analysis has been carried out to determine the level of environmental radioactivity and the potential radiological hazards at Tanjung Enim’s coal mine. Gamma spectroscopy method has been carried out to identify radionuclides and their types of activity. The results of radionuclide concentration are used to determine the radiological hazard index and become input data for the Residual Radioactivity Onsite 7.2 application to determine the dose rate and long-term cancer potential received by workers in coal mines. The results obtained for the average concentration of radionuclide activity in coal samples are 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K are 72.468 Bq/kg, 86.905 Bq/kg, and 1802.049 Bq/kg, respectively. While the soil samples 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K respectively 79.205 Bq/kg, 100.209 Bq/kg, and 1443.275 Bq/kg. The radionuclide concentrations of both samples exceeded the UNSCEAR and worldwide reported averages for coal and soil. The average radiological hazard index for coal samples, namely Raeq, Hin, and Hex, was 335.500 Bq/kg, 1.102, 0.906, respectively. While the soil samples were 333.636 Bq/kg, 1.115, and 0.901, respectively. The index parameter is already lower than the UNSCEAR recommendation except for Hin, so there is a potential radiological hazard in internal pathways such as respiratory and digestive organs for mining workers. The total annual effective dose rate based on 5 RESRAD-Onsite 7.2 pathways, namely external gamma, inhalation, radon, soil ingestion, and drinking water, is 1.675 mSv/year, exceeding the dose limits determined by ICRP, 1 mSv/year. The ELCR is 6.625×10-3 which exceeds the UNSCEAR recommendation, 2.4×10-4. Based on the results, it is necessary to intervene in the mining environment of the Tanjung Enim’s coal mine.
A robust assessment of rainfall erosivity changes over China through an ensemble of high-resolution climate models
Authors: Weng Xuerou , Zhu Jinxin , Wang Dagang , Wang Shuo , Tang Guoping , Luo Ming
Published: April 2022

Spatiotemporal variation in rainfall erosivity resulting from changes in rainfall characteristics due to climate change has implications for soil erosion in developing countries. It is of great significance to understand the past and future changes of rainfall erosivity and its implications in different regions of China on a national scale to promote soil and water conservation planning. In this paper, China is divided into eight first-class areas of soil and water conservation zoning. The multi-climate model and multi-emission scenario approach to characterize the spatiotemporal projection of rainfall erosivity and assess variations of rainfall erosivity in China consists of 5 regional climate models (RCMs) and two Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 and 8.5 (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) scenarios for the baseline period (1986-2005) and future periods (2071-2090). The result indicates that compared with observational data, the performance of the MCLM and PRECIS is better than other models in reproducing the spatial distribution and annual cycle of rainfall erosivity in China. There is an increasing trend in the annual rainfall erosivity from the baseline climate up to the RCMs, for all the RCMs, with an average change in erosivity of about 13.0% and 22.1% under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively. Under the RCP 8.5 scenario, the absolute value of rainfall erosivity increased by 797.8 and 969.7 MJ·mm·hm-2·h-1 respectively in the South China red soil region and the North China mountainous region, indicating that climate warming will greatly enhance the potential erosion capacity of rainfall in these two areas. Meanwhile, the Southwest China karst region and Qinghai Tibet Plateau region are more sensitive to radiation forcing. According to the changes in rainfall erosivity, local soil conditions, vegetation coverage, and other factors in different regions, taking soil and water conservation measures is conducive to reducing the risk of soil erosion caused by climate change.
Effects of smoking on the tissue regeneration-associated functions of human endometrial stem cells via a novel target gene SERPINB2
Authors: Park Se-Ra , Kim Seong-Kwan , Kim Soo-Rim , LEE Hwa Yong
Published: April 2022

Background: Smokers directly inhale mainstream cigarette smoke, which contains numerous known and potential toxic substances, and thus, smoking is expected to have broad harmful effects that cause tissue injury and dysfunction. Interestingly, many studies have suggested that the recent decline in female fertility and increased rate of spontaneous abortion could be associated with increased smoking rates. Indeed, women that smoked for 10 years or more were reported to have a ~20% higher infertility rate than women that had never smoked. However, the reasons for the underlying harmful aspects of smoking on female fertility remain a matter of debate. Importantly, a previous study revealed that resident endometrial stem cell deficiency significantly limits the cyclic regeneration potential of endometrium, which in turn, decreases successful pregnancy outcomes. In this context, we postulated that exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke extracts might decrease female fertility by inhibiting the functions of resident endometrial stem cells.Methods: We investigated whether cigarette mainstream smoke exposure directly inhibits various tissue regeneration-associated functions of endometrial stem cells, such as self-renewal, migration, pluripotency, and differentiation capacity in vitro. Next, we determined whether SERPINB2 mediates cigarette smoke-induced suppressive effects on various tissue regeneration-associated functions by depleting SERPINB2 expression with specific shRNA targeting SERPINB2. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with low (0.5 mg/kg) or high (1 mg/kg) doses of cigarette smoke extract (10 times for two weeks), and endometrial stem cells were then isolated from mice uterine tissuesResults: We found that exposure to cigarette smoke extracts remarkably suppressed various tissue regeneration-associated functions of endometrial stem cells, such as self-renewal, migration, multilineage differentiation ability, and pluripotency in vitro and in vivo by activating the SERPINB2 gene. Indeed, cigarette smoke-induced inhibitory effects on various endometrial stem cell functions were significantly abolished by SERPINB2 knockdown. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable information on the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on resident endometrial stem cells and hopefully will facilitate the developments of promising therapeutic strategies for subfertile or infertile women that smoke cigarettes.
The use of autogenous tooth bone graft powder in the treatment of osseous defects after impacted mandibular third molar extraction: a prospective split-mouth observational clinical pilot study
Authors: Wushou Alimujiang , Zheng Yan , Han Yu , Han Fang-kai , Yang Zhi-cheng
Published: April 2022

Background:Impaction of mandibular third molars (M3) is one of the most common diseases. Extraction of M3 usually exacerbates osseous defects at the distal aspect of the adjacent second molar (M2). BonMaker® ATB has been cited as a novel autogenous bone grafting material. The aim of this pilot study was to introduce a novel method for repairing the distal osseous defects of M2 after the surgical removal of M3 with autogenous tooth graft powder (ATGP).Method:A total of five patients were enrolled in this prospective split-mouth observational clinical pilot study. Third molars were extracted unilaterally from patients with proximal alveolar bone loss ≥5 mm of M3. The ATGP was prepared chairside and randomly implanted in one of the M3 extraction sockets, and the other side was treated with a blank and considered the control site. Patients were followed up at six months.ResultsThe five patients included three males and two females. Their ages ranged from 25 to 30 years, with a median of 27 years. Primary wound healing without complications was achieved in all the patients. There was a greater tendency for swelling of the cheeks and trismus to occur at the experimental site on the third postoperative day. Compared with the control site, the experimental site exhibited progressive bone filling and ossification in the sixth postoperative month. Moreover, the probing pocket depth of the experimental site was lower than that of the control site.ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate that ATGP effectively and economically repairs distal osseous defects of M2. Further study is required to validate the effectiveness with a larger study population.
Calcium carbonate alleviates calcium deficiency through changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites
Authors: He Xiaodong , Liu Tianshu , Yu Hai , Wang Shuai , Li Huimin
Published: April 2022

The use of non-drug intervention for calcium deficiency has attracted attention in recent years. Although calcium carbonate is the preferred raw material for calcium supplements, the mechanism of its anti-calcium deficiency effect from the perspective of intestinal flora and metabolomics is rarely reported. In this study, we compare the abundance of intestinal flora and the expression levels of fecal and plasma metabolites in control rats fed with basic diet, low calcium fed rats, and calcium carbonate treated rats. The results revealed that compared with low-calcium rat, calcium content and bone mineral density of the midpoint and distal femur of rats in the oral calcium carbonate group were significantly improved. 16S rRNA sequencing and metabonomics analysis showed that calcium carbonate intervention altered the composition of intestinal microbiota and metabolic profiles in feces and plasma of low-calcium fed rats. Further, correlation analysis showed that selected intestinal flora were significantly correlated with metabolites enriched in feces and plasma. In conclusion, calcium carbonate intervention has the potential to reduce calcium deficiency and related symptoms, while affecting intestinal microbiota composition and metabolic characteristics in low-calcium rats. This study highlights scientific evidence for the potential effect of calcium carbonate as a calcium supplement on calcium deficiency.
Is metformin the only culprit for cognitive impairment in diabetes?
Authors: Boloor Archith , H Yeshwanth
Published: April 2022

BackgroundAs diabetic patients conventionally are on a long-term prescription for metformin, it is important to identify any increase in their risk for developing cognitive disorders. Hence, an attempt was made here to study the cognitive impairment by using Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA) as a possible predictor of development of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetics on metformin therapy.Methods400 Type 2 diabetics on metformin containing anti-diabetic regimen were enrolled between sept 2016 and September 2018 and data recorded, cognitive test MoCA was administered and a score of less than 26 was considered abnormal. Results In this study, the participants on metformin had a mean MoCA score of 20.17±2.06, while those on other drugs had a mean score of 21.11±3.06. Thus, metformin use has significant impact on the cognitive abilities of its user.ConclusionsAmongst patients receiving medical therapy for control of type 2 diabetes, participants using metformin showed a very high prevalence rate of abnormal MoCA scores (85%).
Anti-colorectal cancer of Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf. and targets prediction via network pharmacology and molecular docking study
Authors: Dai Weibo , Yang Jing , Liu Xin , Mei Quanxi , Peng Weijie , Hu Xianjing
Published: April 2022

Background: Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf. (AGS), a Chinese folk medicine widely grows in the south of China and is traditionally used for treating rheumatism, the pain of bone and muscle, and traumatic injury. Several studies reported that AGS could inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer, liver cancer, and bladder cancer cell lines. However, little is known about its anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) efficiency. Methods: In the present study, a combination of MTT assay, network pharmacological analysis, bioinformatics, and molecular docking study was used to investigate the active ingredients, targets of AGS against CRC, as well as the potential mechanism.Results: MTT assay showed that three kinds of fractions from AGS, including the n-butanol extract (NBAGS), ethyl acetate fraction (EAAGS), and petroleum ether fraction (PEAGS) significantly inhibited the proliferation of CRC cells, with the IC50 values of 197.24, 264.85, 15.45 μg/mL on HCT116 cells, and 523.6, 323.59, 150.31 μg/mL on SW620 cells, respectively. Eleven active ingredients, including 4-O-galloylbergenin, 11-O-galloylbergenin, 11-O-protocatechuoylbergenin, 11-O-syringylbergenin, ardisiacrispin B, bergenin, epicatechin-3-gallate, gallic acid, quercetin, stigmasterol, stigmasterol-3-o-β-D-glucopyranoside were identified. A total of 173 targets related to the bioactive components and 21572 targets related to CRC were picked out through database searching. Based on the crossover targets of AGS and CRC, a protein-protein interaction network was built up by the String database, from which it was concluded that the core targets would be SRC, MAPK1, ESR1, HSP90AA1, MAPK8. Besides, GO analysis showed that the numbers of biological process, cellular component and molecular function of AGS against CRC were 1079, 44, and 132, respectively, and KEGG pathway enrichment indicated that 96 signaling pathways in all would probably be involved in AGS against CRC, among which MAPK signaling pathway, lipid, and atherosclerosis, proteoglycans in cancer, prostate cancer, adherens junction would probably be the major pathways. The docking study verified that AGS had multiple ingredients and multiple targets against CRC. Conclusion: Our study showed that AGS had good anti-CRC potency with the characteristics of multi-ingredients, -targets, and -signaling pathways.
Study effect of weather conditions on the allegro-inflammatory factors and clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis
Authors: Tan Congming , Xin Yuan , Liu Wenjun , Luo Yan
Published: April 2022

Allergic rhinitis is one of the allergic diseases that initiated by Th2 immune response and mediators are main reason of clinical symptoms. In the patients, environmental factors are main triggers of allergic reactions. Therefore, effects of climate conditions (warm, cold, humid and dry) on allergic rhinitis were evaluated. AR model was produced under the four different conditions. Then, Clinical symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing), total IgE, histamine, IL-4 LTB4, LTC4 and gene expression of CysLT1R, HRH1, and MUC5a were studied. Nasal rubbing, histamine level, gene expression of MUC5a and HRH1 in the AR-C, sneezing in the AR-D, LTB4 and LTC4 levels and gene expression of CysLT1R in the AR-W groups were significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared to the AR group. The level of total IgE and IL-4 had no significant changes (P > 0.05). Air temperature and humidity had effect on AR pathophysiology and, weather conditions can be important factor in control and treatment of AR.
On the mysterious earthquake lightning that appeared immediately before and after the 1995 M7.3 Kobe earthquake
Authors: Enomoto Yuji , Yamabe Tuneaki , Sugiura Shigeki , Kondo Hitoshi
Published: April 2022

Immediately before and after the 1995 Kobe earthquake that occurred at 5:46 local time on January 17, 1995, the sky, which is normally dark at that time in mid-winter, displayed a mysterious illumination such that it became brighter like daytime, changed color, and after a while, returned to its normal dark appearance. This long-lived earthquake lightning (EQL) consisted of several luminous cloud masses floating in the lower atmosphere, from which mottled streak clouds, colored pale blue, white, and red, extended into the sky. This EQL did not occur above the Rokko-Awajisima fault zone, which was violently active during the Kobe earthquake, but above the Uemachi fault zone, which is located across Osaka Bay. The cause of this mysterious EQL has long remained unresolved. In this article, we propose a radioluminescence model due to radon emanating from the Uemachi fault shear zone, which has a peculiar geological structure, as a reasonable hypothesis for the mysterious EQL, and discuss the validity of the hypothesis while referring to various physicochemical anomalies observed in the Kobe earthquake as well as numerical simulation of radon and/or radon/methane bearing water vapor migration in the air.
Quantitative analysis of lake-cooling effect in Hefei, China, based on multispectral remote sensing and its response to urban expansion
Authors: Lin Xuening , Cui Yuhuan , Hao Shuang , Hong Hong , Zhang Man , Zhang Jingdong , Li Ruonan , Liu Mengyu
Published: April 2022

Urban expansion has intensified the heat-island effect, and the negative impact on the natural environment has gradually become considerable. However, urban lakes can significantly alleviate the heat-island effect caused by urbanization. Based on four-phase multispectral remote-sensing images during 2005–2020, 17 lakes in the main and surrounding urban areas of Hefei, China, were selected as the objects of our research. Each lake’s cooling intensity and distance were calculated; cooling-efficiency data for different lakes were compared and analyzed considering lake areas and regional differences. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The central temperature of the lakes correlated positively with cooling intensity (R = 0.55, P < 0.01) but negatively with cooling distance (R = −0.28, P < 0.05); the area of the lakes was significantly positively correlated with cooling distance (R = 0.49, P < 0.01) and weakly positively correlated with cooling intensity. When a lake area reached a certain threshold, its cooling intensity tended to stabilize. (2) The lakes around the urban area were far away from the main urban area where the heat-island effect was most concentrated, the ability of absorbing the high surface temperature caused by the heat-island effect was limited, the cooling-intensity and cooling-distance efficiency were less than those of the main urban lakes. (3) With urban expansion and the intensified urban heat-island effect, the cooling-intensity efficiency of lakes in the main urban area gradually increased, whereas the cooling-distance efficiency of lakes decreased.
Investigation of the Relationship between Geomagnetic Activity and Solar Wind Parameters Based on A Novel Neural Network (Potential Learning)
Authors: Kitajima Ryozo , Nowada Motoharu , Kamimura Ryotaro
Published: April 2022

Predicting geomagnetic conditions based on in-situ solar wind observations allows us to evade disasters caused by large electromagnetic disturbances originating from the Sun to save lives and protect economic activity. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between the Kp index, representing global magnetospheric activity level, and solar wind conditions using an interpretable neural network known as potential learning (PL). Data analyses based on neural networks are difficult to interpret; however, PL learns by focusing on the “potentiality of input neurons” and can identify which inputs are significantly utilized by the network. Using the full advantage of PL, we extracted the influential solar wind parameters that disturb the magnetosphere under southward Interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions. The input parameters of PL were the three components of the IMF (Bx, By, -Bz(Bs)), solar wind flow speed (Vx), and proton number density (Np) in geocentric solar ecliptic (GSE) coordinates obtained from the OMNI solar wind database between 1998 and 2019. Furthermore, we classified these input parameters into two groups (targets), depending on the Kp level: Kp = 6- to 9 (positive target) and Kp = 0 to 1+ (negative target). Negative target samples were randomly selected to ensure that numbers of positive and negative targets were equal. The PL results revealed that solar wind flow speed is an influential parameter for increasing Kp under southward IMF conditions, which was in good agreement with previous reports on the statistical relationship between the Kp index and solar wind velocity, and the Kp formulation based on the IMF and solar wind plasma parameters. Based on this new neural network, we aim to construct a more correct and parameter-dependent space weather forecasting model.