bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM TERHADAP HAK WARIS ANAK ANGKAT DI INDONESIA
Authors: Carterina Kunadi Lisa , Tantri Cahyaningsih Diana
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This article discusses the legal protection of adopted children for the inheritance rights of adoptive  parents in the Civil Law system in Indonesia. Writing this law is a type of normative legal research that acts prescriptively. The research data is primary data and secondary data. Based on the results of research that can be known, the adoption of children carried out by adoptive parents will require that there is legal protection for the adopted child which is the right of the adopted child to obtain an inheritance from his adoptive parents. The results of the study explaining 4 Court Decisions that have issued these considerations are in accordance with the regulations reviewed in the perspective of Civil Law. The adopted child still has the right to get the inheritance from his adoptive parents.
Keywords: Legal Protection; Inheritance Rights; Adopted Children

Abstrak
Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perlindungan hukum terhadap anak angkat atas hak waris  orang tua angkatnya dalam sistem Hukum Perdata di Indonesia. Penulisan hukum ini merupakan jenis penelitian hukum normatif yang bersifat preskriptif. Pendekatan penelitian menggunakan pendekatan Undang–Undang dan pendekatan kasus serta jenis data-data berupa data primer dan data sekunder. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat diketahui, bahwa pengangkatan anak yang dilakukan oleh orang tua angkat akan mengakibatkan harus adanya suatu perlindungan hukum bagi anak angkat tersebut yang satunya adalah hak anak angkat untuk mendapatkan warisan dari orang tua angkatnya. Hasil penelitian menjelaskan bahwa berdasarkan 4 Putusan Pengadilan yang telah diteliti tersebut pertimbangan hakim sudah sesuai dengan peraturan perundang–undangan yang ditinjau dari perspektif Hukum Perdata. Anak angkat tetap mendapatkan haknya yaitu hak untuk mendapatkan warisan dari orang tua angkatnya.
Kata Kunci: Perlindungan Hukum; Hak Waris; Anak Angkat
Gender Identity Disparities in Criminal Victimization: National Crime Victimization Survey, 2017–2018
Authors: Flores Andrew R. , Meyer Ilan H. , Langton Lynn , Herman Jody L.
Published: February 2021

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of personal and household victimizations among transgender people in the United States.

Methods. We analyzed pooled 2017 and 2018 data from the National Crime Victimization Survey, the first nationally representative sample that allows identification of transgender respondents.

Results. Transgender people experienced 86.2 victimizations per 1000 persons compared with cisgender people’s 21.7 per 1000 persons (odds ratio [OR] = 4.24; 90% confidence interval [CI] = 1.49, 7.00). Households that had a transgender person had higher rates of property victimization (214.1 per 1000 households) than households with only cisgender people (108 per 1000 households; OR = 2.25; 90% CI = 1.19, 3.31). Transgender victims whose sex assigned at birth was male were more likely to perceive their victimization as a hate crime than cisgender victims whose sex assigned at birth was male. There were no disparities in reporting victimizations to authorities: only about half of the victimizations of both transgender and cisgender people were reported.

Conclusions. Public policy and administration need to consider the unique vulnerabilities transgender people routinely encounter, resulting in disparities in criminal victimization.
Monitoring through Community Science: Anna’s Hummingbird Winter Range Expansion into Idaho
Authors: Pollock Jessica J. , Carlisle Heidi Ware , Hayes Heather M. , Robinson Bryce W.
Published: February 2021

Increased urbanization and supplementary feeding are implicated in driving the expansion of the range of the Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna). In many areas this range expansion has been well described, but the recent expansion of the northeastern limit of the nonbreeding distribution, in winter in Idaho, has not yet been summarized. Using data from the Idaho Bird Records Committee database and www.eBird.org from 1976 through 2020, we collated records for Idaho and supplemented them with data from a community-science program of monitoring by homeowners. Our additional effort to solicit records from the community shows that database records and feeder observations alone underestimate the number of individuals present in the state. Through banding and color-marking of 58 individual hummingbirds at private residences, we documented six instances of Anna’s Hummingbirds returning to a site in successive winters, found a roughly even sex ratio, and found a ratio of adults to juveniles of about 3:1. Anna’s Hummingbird may now be a sparse year-round resident in parts of Idaho.
COVID-19 related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C): a case series from a tertiary care pediatric hospital in Qatar
Authors: Hasan Mohammad , Zubaidi Khaled Al , Diab Karim , Hejazi Yahia , Bout-Tabaku Sharon , Al-Adba Buthaina , Maslamani Eman Al , Janahi Mohammad , Roscoe Diane , Lopez Andres , Tang Patrick
Published: February 2021

Background: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a severe complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children, which is increasingly being reported worldwide. Here we report the first case series of 7 children diagnosed with MIS-C in Qatar. Methods: Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 positive patients admitted to Sidra Medicine, Qatar from June to October 2020, who met the WHO case definition for MIS-C were reviewed.Results: The mean age in our case series was 5.6 years, of which 71.4% were males. All patients were previously healthy but had a history of COVID-19 infection. Fever, rash, vomiting and abdominal pain were the most common symptoms (70%-100%). The average hospitalization was 12.9 days with no case fatalities. Laboratory findings included lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia in most patients, as well as evidence of coagulopathy and elevated inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, ferritin and procalcitonin. Many patients (71.4%) required inotropic support in intensive care, while only one required respiratory support. Although all patients had elevated cardiac biomarkers, cardiovascular involvement was observed in 42.9% of patients with one patient developing a giant coronary aneurysm. All patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and 86% of patients received corticosteroids, with two patients requiring treatment with IL-1 inhibitors.Conclusions: Our report is one of the first reports on MIS-C from Asia. Although clinical features and outcomes are not significantly different from those reported elsewhere, lack of case fatalities in our cohort may indicate that early recognition and prompt medical attention is necessary for a favorable outcome in MIS-C.
Prevalence of mycoplasma-like lung lesions in pigs from commercial farms from Spain and Portugal
Authors: Pallares Francisco J. , Añón JA , Rodríguez-Gómez IM , Gómez-Laguna J , Fabré R , Sánchez-Carvajal JM , Ruedas-Torres Inés , Carrasco Librado
Published: February 2021

Background: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae causes a chronic respiratory disease that produces important economic losses due to poor productive performance, increased mortality and costs for several control strategies. The prevalence of mycoplasma-like lesions (MLL) at abattoir has been widely studied in different countries, making use of different scoring systems. However, most of them are difficult to apply in abattoirs with high number of pigs sacrificed per hour. For that reason, it is necessary to adapt the scoring system to the reality of the modern abattoir, even if there is a loss of accuracy. Our purpose was to investigate the prevalence and severity of MLL at abattoirs in Spain and Portugal using a 0 to 5 scoring system adapted to abattoirs with high number of sacrificed pigs per hour and to highlight the histopathological diagnosis as confirmatory method to identify patterns of pneumonia correlated to gross lesions. Results: Cranioventral pulmonary consolidation, a typical MLL, was the most frequent lung lesion (30.97 %) detected at the abattoir, followed by dorsocaudal infarcts with pleurisy (12.51 %) and pleurisy alone (6.26 %). The average score for all examined lungs at abattoir was 1.99 out of 5 points. The histopathological study revealed that the 78.17 % of the randomly selected lungs with MLL presented microscopic lesions compatible with M. hyopneumoniae infection. Most bronchointerstitial and interstitial pneumonia lesions had a chronic course while most suppurative and fibrinous bronchopneumonia lesions had an acute course and a higher degree of severity. The combination of microscopic lesions more frequently observed was bronchointerstitial pneumonia + interstitial pneumonia + suppurative bronchopneumonia. Conclusions: The prevalence of MLL at abattoir was 30.97 %, however, after microscopic examination the real prevalence of lungs with lesions compatible with M. hyopneumoniae infection was reduced up to 24.21 %. The six more prevalent combinations of lesions in the microscopic study involved the 66.13 % of examined lungs, and in all of them, microscopic lesions characteristic of M. hyopneumoniae infection were found, what supports the importance of M. hyopneumoniae as a primary pathogen in cases of PRDC.
“Molecular Anatomy”: A New Multi-Dimensional Hierarchical Scaffold Analysis tool
Authors: Manelfi Candida , Gemei Marica , Talarico Carmine , Cerchia Carmen , Beccari Andrea R.
Published: February 2021

The scaffold representation is widely employed to classify bioactive compounds on the basis of common core structures or correlate compound classes with specific biological activities.In this paper, we present a novel approach called “Molecular Anatomy” as a flexible and unbiased molecular scaffold-based metrics to cluster large set of compounds. We introduce a set of nine molecular representations at different abstraction levels, combined with fragmentation rules, to define a multi-dimensional network of hierarchically interconnected molecular frameworks. We demonstrate that the introduction of a flexible scaffold definition and multiple pruning rules is an effective method to identify relevant chemical moieties. This approach allows to cluster together different molecular species with similar biological activity, capturing most of the structure activity information, in particular when libraries containing a huge number of singletons are analyzed. We also propose a procedure to derive a network visualization that allows a full graphical representation of compounds dataset, permitting an efficient navigation in the scaffold’s space and significantly contributing to perform high quality SAR analysis.
In vitro testing of a funnel-tip catheter model to decrease clot migration and to evaluate clot effects in mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Payne Emily S. , Krost-Reuhl Samantha , Heimann Axel , Kempski Oliver , Keric Naureen , Masomi-Bornwasser Julia , Gerber Tiemo , Seidmann Larissa , Leithner Doris , Kloeckner Roman , Hahn Felix , Müller Lukas , Auer Timo A. , Kirschner Stefanie , Brockmann Marc A. , Tanyildizi Yasemin
Published: February 2021

Clot-retrieval failure and embolism in new territories (ENT) are complications reducing the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Reasons for these problems are clot abruption during stent retriever retraction into the cylindrical tip of a standard distal access catheter (DAC), and antegrade blood flow during retrieval. To overcome these complications, a funnel-shaped tip catheter model was developed and tested. Using an experimental in vitro setup, this study compared the efficacy of a funnel-shaped tip with a standard cylindrical tip in combination with different clot compositions. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed 80 times for each tip, using two stent retrievers (Trevo XP ProVue 3/20 mm and 4/20 mm) and four different clot types (mechanical vs. static preparation, 0-24h vs. 72h clot aging times). Significantly higher first-pass recanalization rates were observed for the funnel-shaped tip, which reached 70.0% vs. 30.0% for the standard tip (absolute difference, 32; relative difference 20.0%, P < 0.05), regardless of the clot type and stent retriever. Recanalization could be increased using fibrin-rich mechanical clots vs. clots prepared under static conditions, as well as 0-24h vs. 72h aged clots, respectively. The extended in vitro-experiments verified the usability of the recently patented funnel-shaped DAC, hereby implementing next-level in vivo-experiments.
The role of IL-1 in adipose browning and muscle wasting in CKD-associated cachexia
Authors: Cheung Wai W , Zheng Ronghao , Hao Sheng , Wang Zhen , Gonzalez Alex , Zhou Ping , Hoffman Hal M , Mak Robert H
Published: February 2021

Cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β trigger inflammatory cascades which may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated cachexia. CKD was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy in mice. We studied energy homeostasis in Il1β −/−/CKD, Il6−/−/CKD and Tnfα −/−/CKD mice and compared with wild type (WT)/CKD controls. Parameters of cachexia phenotype were completely normalized in Il1β −/−/CKD mice but were only partially rescued in Il6−/−/CKD and Tnfα −/−/CKD mice. We tested the effects of anakinra, an IL-1 receptor antagonist, on CKD-associated cachexia. WT/CKD mice were treated with anakinra (2.5 mg.kg.day, IP) or saline for 6 weeks and compared with WT/sham controls. Anakinra normalized food intake and weight gain, fat and lean mass content, metabolic rate and muscle function, and also attenuated molecular perturbations of energy homeostasis in adipose tissue and muscle in WT/CKD mice. Anakinra attenuated browning of white adipose tissue in WT/CKD mice. Moreover, anakinra normalized gastrocnemius weight and fiber size as well as attenuated muscle fat infiltration in WT/CKD mice. This was accompanied by correcting the increased muscle wasting signaling pathways while promoting the decreased myogenesis process in gastrocnemius of WT/CKD mice. We performed qPCR analysis for the top 20 differentially expressed muscle genes previously identified via RNAseq analysis in WT/CKD mice versus controls. Importantly, 17 differentially expressed muscle genes were attenuated in anakinra treated WT/CKD mice. In conclusion, IL-1 receptor antagonism may represent a novel targeted treatment for adipose tissue browning and muscle wasting in CKD.
Association between myocardial mechanical dispersion and ventricular arrhythmogenicity in Chagas cardiomyopathy.
Authors: de Azevedo Alda Cristina Alves , Barros Marcio Vinicius Lins , Klaboe Lars Gunnar , Edvardsen Thor , Costa Henrique Silveira , Paixao Gabriela Miana de Mattos , Junior Omar Ribeiro Santos , Nunes Maria do Carmo Pereira , Rocha Manoel Otavio da Costa
Published: February 2021

Endemic Chagas diseaseis a major health concernin LatinAmerica. Ventricular arrhythmias (VA) is a hallmark of Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChC) associated with worse prognosis. To verify if there is an association between myocardial mechanical dispersion and ventricular arrhythmogenicity in CCM. This is a cross-sectional study involving 77 patients with CCM. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and MD were evaluated by echocardiogram, derived from the speckle tracking technique. Myocardial MD was measured from the onset of the Q / R wave on electrocardiogram to the peak longitudinal strain in 16 segments of the left ventricle. Frequency and complexity of ventricular extrasystoles (VES) were assessed by dynamic electrocardiography. The density and complexity of VES and the presence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardias (NSVTs) increase as MD increases. In logistic regression, MD was the only variable associated with the presence of VES in pairs and bigeminy. In the univariate analysis, both MD and GLS were associated with the presence of NSVT (both, p < 0.01), and MD was independently associated with NSVT (OR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.004–1.201, p = 0.031). In Chagas cardiomyopathy, MD is associated with a higher density and complexity of ventricular extrasystoles, including NSVT.
Geochemical Characteristics of the Late Cretaceous Lower Zhoutian Formation in the Jitai Basin, Southeast China: Implications for palaeoenvironment and provenance
Authors: Yan Kai , Wang Chun-Lian , Mischke Steffen , Wang Jiu-Yi , Shen Li-Jian , Yu Xiao-Can , Meng Ling-Yang
Published: February 2021

Major, trace and rare earth element geochemistry of the late Cretaceous lower Zhoutian Formation from the Jitai Basin of Southeast China were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectromentry (ICP-MS) analysis. The paleoclimate, paleo-environment and provenance of lower Zhoutian Formation in the Jitai Basin are analyzed in detail with these data.According to the research, the range of Sr/Cu values is wide, which indicates the changeable palaeoclimate, the curves of FeO/MnO and Al2O3/MgO are negatively correlated with the Sr/Cu curves. These changes indicate that the palaeoclimate of the late Cretaceous lower Zhoutian Formation in the Jitai Basin was divided into two parts. The lower part experienced two cooling events; the upper part was dominated by warm humid climate.The changes of B/Ga and Sr/Ba curves are similar to Sr/Cu curves. According to these values, the salinity of the late Cretaceous lower Zhoutian Formation in the Jitai Basin was consistent with palaeoclimate. The salinity of lower part changed from salt water to fresh/brackish water. The upper part was mainly fresh/brackish water, and there were many changes from fresh/brackish water to salt water. The values of Ni/Co, V/Cr, V/(V + Ni) and Ce/Ce* are relatively stable, indicating a long-term oxidation environment. The diagrams of La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10, La/Th-Hf and sandstone-siltstone background function show that the provenance in lower Zhoutian Formation mainly is a mixture of upper crust felsic sediments and old components.
Human Exposure Assessment to Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) from Tofu Consumption
Authors: Paz Soraya , Rubio Carmen , Gutiérrez Ángel J. , González-Weller Dailos , Hardisson Arturo
Published: February 2021

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (V, B, Ba, Li, Sr, Cr, Ni, Al, Pb, Cd) were determined in 130 samples of different tofu types (natural, flavoured, smoked and fresh made) by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). Al was the most notable element found with the highest concentration (6.71 mg/kg ww) found in flavoured tofu. Ni level (0.38 mg/kg) stands out in smoked tofu. European tofu has higher PTEs levels than Chinese tofu. Organic produced tofu has higher PTEs concentrations than conventional produced tofu. 200 g/day of smoked tofu confers a contribution percentage of 39.6% of its TDI (tolerable daily intake). In addition, 200 g/day of flavoured tofu would mean a high Pb contribution with a 23.2% of the BMDL (benchmark dose level) set in 0.63 µg/kg bw/day to the development of nephrotoxicity. Mean consumption would not pose a risk to adults’ health. Considering the obtained results, it would be advisable to establish limits for certain metals such as Pb, Al and Ni in this type of product. Furthermore, it is recommendable to set consumer guidelines to some tofu types in order to avoid excessive intake of PTEs.
Identification and molecular analysis of 17 novel hydroxymethylbilane synthase mutations in 69 Chinese patients with acute intermittent porphyria
Authors: xiang Hu yuan , hao Li wei , lin Kang ning , yan Ma li , qing Teng , ling Mo gui , hong Wu jia , yang Wang xin , jie Bi ren , yun Zhang song
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND: Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease caused by mutations to the hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene in the heme biosynthesis pathway. AIP is a rare disease that is thought to display incomplete penetrance. Studies on the characteristics of HMBS mutations in people from Britain, France, Russia, and Sweden have been performed. RESULT: In this study, a total of 45 different gene mutations were found, 17 of which were novel mutations that have not been previously reported. The 45 HMBS mutations included 19 missense, 11 splicing, and 4 nonsense mutations; 9 small deletions, 1 repeat insertion, and 1 complex deletion-insertion mutation. One mutation (c.673C>T) was found in the gene sequence of 8 unrelated patients, making it the most common mutation, and another mutation (c.517C>T) was found in 7 unrelated patients, making it the next most common mutation found in this study. To study the expression level of mutant HMBSs, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were performed with four novel mutants (c.653G>A, c.597dupC, c.673_674del, c.1045_1046delAA), and the crystal structure changes were compared through homologous modeling to indicate the possible pathogenic mechanism.CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the characteristics of HMBS gene mutation in Chinese were studied, which laid a foundation for further research in the future.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Pyrimidine Analogues as SecA Inhibitors
Authors: BAMBA FANTE , Jin Jinshan , Chaudhary Arpana S. , Tai Phang C. , Wang Binghe
Published: February 2021

SecA, a key component of the bacterial Sec-dependent secretion pathway, is an attractive target for the development of new antimicrobial agents. We have previously reported pyrimidine analogs as SecA inhibitors. Herein, we report an extension of the earlier work in the synthesis and evaluation of a series of 15 5-cyanothiouracil derivatives as SecA inhibitors. All the compounds have been evaluated for their inhibition of SecA ATPase (EcSecAN68) and for their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli NR698 (a leaky mutant) and Bacillus anthracis Sterne. Twelve compounds showed IC50 of less than 6.3 µM when tested against EcSecAN68. In antimicrobial studies against E. coli NR698, six compounds showed MIC of less than 12.5 µM with three being less than 6.3 µM. Against B. anthracis Sterne, three compounds showed MIC of less than 6.3 µM.
Gosha-jinki-Gan (GJG) shows anti-aging effects through suppression of TNF-α production by Chikusetsusaponin V
Authors: Hagihara Keisuke , Nunomura Kazuto , Lin Bangzhong , Fumimoto Megumi , Watanabe Junko , Mizuhara Yasuharu
Published: February 2021

Frailty develops due to multiple factors, such as sarcopenia, chronic pain, and dementia. Go-sha-jinki-Gan (GJG) is a traditional Japanese herbal medicine used for age-related symptoms. We have reported that GJG improved sarcopenia, chronic pain, and central nervous system function through suppression of TNF-α production. In the present study, GJG was found to reduce the production of TNF-α in the soleus muscle of senescence-accelerated mice at 12 weeks and 36 weeks. GJG did not change the differentiation of C2C12 cells with 2% horse serum. GJG significantly decreased the expression of MAFbx induced by TNF-α in C2C12 cells on real-time PCR. TNF-α significantly decreased the expression of PGC-1α and negated the enhancing effect of GJG for the expression of PGC-1α on digital PCR. Examining 20 chemical compounds derived from GJG, cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon bark and Chikusetsusaponin V (CsV) from Achyrantes Root dose-dependently decreased the production of TNF-⍺ in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. CsV inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in RAW264.7 cells. CsV showed low permeability using Caco-2 cells. However, the plasma concentration of CsV was detected from 30 minutes to 6 h and peaked at 1 h in the CD1 (ICR) mice after a single dose of GJG. In 8-week-old SAMP8 mice fed 4% (w/w) GJG from one week to four weeks, the plasma CsV concentration ranged from 0.0500 to 10.0 ng/mL. The evidence that CsV plays an important role in various anti-aging effects of GJG via suppression of TNF-⍺ expression is presented.
Pan-Cancer analysis of clinical significance and associated molecular features of glycolysis
Authors: Liu Yi-chen , Lin Peng , Zhao Yu-jia , Wu Lin-yong , Wu Yu-quan , Peng Jin-bo , Yang Hong , He Yun
Published: February 2021

Background Tumor glycolysis acts as a major promoter of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Given its complex mechanisms and interactions, a comprehensive analysis to reveal its clinical significance and molecular features is urgent. Materials and Methods Based on a well-established glycolysis gene expression signature, we quantified 8633 patients across different cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and evaluated their prognostic associations. High tumor glycolytic activity correlated with inferior overall survival in pan-cancer patients (hazard ratio: 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.20–2.40, P = 0.003). The prognostic value of glycolysis was stable regardless of clinical parameters and correlated with molecular subtypes. The prognostic significance of glycolysis was validated using another three independent datasets. In addition, genome, transcriptome, and proteome profiles were utilized to characterize distinctive molecular features associated with glycolysis.Results Mechanistically, glycolysis fulfilled the fundamental needs of tumor proliferation in multiple ways. Exploration of the relationships between glycolysis and tumor infiltrating immune cells showed that glycolysis enabled immune evasion of tumor cells. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and dopamine receptor antagonists represent classes of compounds that can effectively reverse the glycolytic status of cancers.Conclusion Our study provides an in-depth molecular understanding of tumor glycolysis and may have practical implications for clinical cancer therapy.
Mineralogical, Physico-chemical and Geochemical Characterization of Three Kaolinitic Clays (Ne Algeria): Comparative Study
Authors: boukoffa mechati , Lamouri Bachir , Bouabsa Lakhdar , Fagel Nathalie
Published: February 2021

Forteen clay samples collected from three kaolin deposits (Tamazert, Hadj Ali and Chekfa; NE Algeria) are characterized by several techniques in order to compares them to somes kaolins used in industry especially that used in ceramics. All the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Infrared absorption spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TG), plasticity, environmental scanning electron microscopy and chemical major elements analysis. The bulk mineralogical composition of all clays samples is dominated by kaolinite (21-75%), illite/ muscovite (33-76%) and quartz (7-21%). K-feldspar and plagioclase are only present in Chekfa and Hadj Ali clays with small amounts. Clay fraction (< 2µm) dominated by kaolinite and illite (98%). Chlorite and smectite are present in some samples of Chekfa and Hadj Ali clays with insignificant amount (˂1%). The particles-size distribution of all samples showed the abundance of sandy silt fraction (28-63%) and silty sand (39-64%) with moderate clayey fraction (2-7%). The chemical composition showed variable amounts of SiO2 (59-68%), Al2O3 (18-39%), Fe2O3 (.26-1.38%) and TiO2 (0.34-0.69%) in accordance with the free quartz in all studied samples. Plasticity-index (7.5-7.9%), Specific surface (28-47m2) and Cation exchange (5-11meq/100g) values are moderate in all samples. Given these properties, these clays may be suitable in bricks and ceramic product.
Microvascular Comparison in Younger and Older Patients With Retinal Vein Occlusion Analyzed by OCT Angiography
Authors: Ye Panpan , Zhu Tiepei , Zheng Fang , Zhou Min , Fang Xiaoyun , Yao Ke
Published: February 2021

Background: To compare changes in retinal microvasculature of young and elderly patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) after anti-VEGF treatment.Methods: RVO patients who underwent anti-VEGF treatment were retrospectively reviewed and categorized into two groups based on age. The OCT angiography images were obtained during each visit. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were measured and compared between the two groups. Vision improvements and retinal microvasculature changes were also correlated.Results: Twenty patients with 20 eyes were enrolled in the younger group and 46 patients with 46 eyes were enrolled in the older group. Younger patients demonstrated better BCVA, higher VD and smaller FAZ than older patients at 12 months after the first anti-VEGF treatment. The improvement of VD was observed only in the younger group. A positive correlation between vision improvement and VD increase was noted.Conclusion: Young patients with RVO can achieve rapid rehabilitation of deep retinal vasculature which lead to a better visual outcome.
Individualized Surgery Combined with Radiotherapy and Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection for the treatment of Auricular Keloids
Authors: Sun Qiang , Yu Er-te , Zhou You , Tong Shuang , Zhou Kai-jian , Guo Shu
Published: February 2021

Background: Although multiple methods have been proposed to treat auricular keloids, low curative effects and high recurrence rates are currently major clinical problems. Thereinto, surgery combined with radiotherapy and triamcinolone acetonide injection is considered to be the proper choice for comprehensive treatment of auricular keloids.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of individualized surgery combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of auricular keloids. Methods: From February 2014 to February 2017, a total of 67 patients with 113 auricular keloids were enrolled in this study. According to the specific conditions of the lesions, the local tissue and the patient's wishes, different surgical methods were selected for scar excision and repair of the defect. Within 24 hours after the keloid was excised, 5 Mev electron beam irradiation by the linear accelerator was used for radiotherapy with a total dose of 20 Gy at interval of 1 day for 10 consecutive times. Triamcinolone acetonide was injected immediately after 1, 2, and 3 months after surgery.Results: A total of 113 keloids were received treatment. The follow-up period was 24 months. Fourteen keloids (12.39%) showed subjective recurrence with a success rate of 87.61%. The VSS scores were as follows: 82 keloids (72.57%) scored less than 5 points (good result), 21 keloids (18.58%) scored 6 to 10 points (fair result), and only 10 keloids (8.85%) scored more than 10 points (bad result). The effective rate was 91.15%.Conclusions: Individualized surgery combined with early postoperative radiotherapy and triamcinolone acetonide injection is an ideal treatment method to ensure good auricular appearance, low incidences of complications and recurrence based on effective treatment of auricular keloids.
Computational pharmacogenomic screen identifies drugs that phenocopy dipyridamole and potentiate anti-breast cancer activity of statins
Authors: Leeuwen Jenna van , alawi Wail Ba , Branchard Emily , Longo Joseph , Silvester Jennifer , Cescon David , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Penn Linda , Gendoo Deena
Published: February 2021

Statins are a family of FDA-approved cholesterol-lowering drugs that inhibit the rate-limiting enzyme of the metabolic mevalonate pathway, which have been shown to have anti-cancer activity. As therapeutic efficacy increases when drugs are used in combination, we sought to identify agents, like dipyridamole, that potentiate statin-induced tumor cell death. As an antiplatelet agent dipyridamole will not be suitable for all cancer patients. Thus, we developed an integrative pharmacogenomics pipeline to identify agents that were similar to dipyridamole at the level of drug structure, in vitro sensitivity and molecular perturbation. To enrich for compounds expected to target the mevalonate pathway, we took a pathway-centric approach towards computational selection, which we called mevalonate drug network fusion (MVA-DNF). We validated two of the top ranked compounds, nelfinavir and honokiol and demonstrated that, like dipyridamole, they synergize with fluvastatin to potentiate tumour cell death by blocking the restorative feedback loop. This is achieved by inhibiting activation of the key transcription factor that induces mevalonate pathway gene transcription, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2). Mechanistically, the synergistic response of fluvastatin-nelfinavir and fluvastatin-honokiol was associated with similar transcriptomic and proteomic pathways, indicating a similar mechanism of action between nelfinavir and honokiol when combined with fluvastatin. Further analysis identified the canonical epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene, E-cadherin as a biomarker of these synergistic responses across a large panel of breast cancer cell lines. Thus, our computational pharmacogenomic approach can identify novel compounds that phenocopy a compound of interest in a pathway-specific manner.
Predictors of the surgical outcome of propeller perforator flap reconstruction, focusing on the effective safe distance between the perforator and the wound edge
Authors: Wang Peng , Lin Fang , Ma YunHong , Wang Jianbing , Zhou Ming , Rui YongJun
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Soft tissue defects in the distal third of the leg and malleolus are difficult to cover and often require free tissue transfer, even for small-sized defects. Propeller flaps were designed as an alternative to free tissue transfer, but are reportedly associated with high complication rates. The aim of our study was to assess our institutional experience with the propeller flap technique and to predict its role in lower-limb reconstruction. Methods: All patients who had undergone propeller flap reconstruction of a distal leg defect between 2013 and 2018 were included. Demographic, clinical, and follow-up data were analyzed. Results: Complications occurred in 17 of 82 propeller flaps (20.7%), comprising 11 cases of partial necrosis and six of total necrosis. There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index smoking, diabetes mellitus, and soft tissue defect sites between the groups of patients with versus without flap necrosis (p > 0.05). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), there were also no significant differences between these two groups in the length and width of the fascial pedicle, and the ratio of the flap length to the flap width (p > 0.05). Interestingly, there were significant differences between the two groups in the distance between the flap perforator and the wound center (p < 0.05) and the rotation angle of the flap (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that when the nearest distance from the flap to the wound was less than 3.5 cm, the necrosis rate of the flap was markedly increased (AUC = 76.1); this suggests that the effective safe flap–wound distance was 3.5 cm. Conclusions: Propeller flaps are a reliable option for reconstruction in carefully selected patients with traumatic defects of the lower limb and malleolus. What we found is that What we found is that the ‘effective safe distance’ was 3.5 cm which the distance from the flap to the wound.
Extending the Low Temperature Operating Range of Sodium Metal Batteries with Acyclic/Cyclic Ether-Based Electrolytes
Authors: Wang Chuanlong , Thenuwara Akila , Luo Jianmin , Shetty Pralav , McDowell Matthew , Li Weiyang
Published: February 2021

Despite the promise of sodium electrochemistry at ambient temperature, the performance of sodium metal batteries in frigid environments is hindered by high internal resistance and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which strongly depends on the electrolyte composition. Here we present an electrolyte formulation consisting of acyclic/cyclic ethers as binary solvents and a compatible sodium salt, which is thermally stable down to − 150°C. This electrolyte not only provides low resistance but enables a protective SEI in cold environments. Long-term sodium-metal cycling is demonstrated at the gelid temperature of − 80°C, showing small overpotentials of ~ 150 mV for over 750 hours. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy are performed to elucidate the temperature-dependent chemistry of the interphase. Full cells are further demonstrated, exhibiting a low decay rate (< 0.089% per cycle) and a high average Coulombic efficiency (> 99.5%) at temperatures as low as − 60°C.
High Prevalence of Sars-Cov-2 Infection In Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery
Authors: KONUK ŞERİFE GÜLHAN , KILIÇ RAŞİT , KAYA FATİH , GÜNEŞ ALPER
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevalence has rapidly been increased worldwide in the last a few months. Asymptomatic COVID-19 cases scheduled for elective surgeries can be a risk factor for the healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients undergoing cataract surgery.MethodsPatients scheduled for cataract surgery in months of November and December 2020 were included in the study. COVID 19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test was taken routinely from all patients within 48 hours before the operation date. ResultIn this study, 151 patients who planned cataract surgery were included. The average age of the patients was 64,6±12,6 years. The study population consisted of 94 (%62,3)men and 57 (%37,7) women. According to COVID 19 PCR test results, there were 16 (%10.6) positive cases. All cases were asymptomatic.ConclusionsAsymptomatic covid patients continue to be contagious. We need to be careful when taking elective cases to minimize the risk of adverse outcomes after surgery and transmission of viruses to medical staff and other patients.
Does Good Governance Moderate the Financial Development-CO2 Emissions Relationship?
Authors: Omri Anis , Kahia Montassar , Kahouli Bassem
Published: February 2021

This inquiry contributes to the previous literature by analyzing the empirical linkage between the development of the financial sector and carbon emissions in the presence of good governance. Specifically, we examine the ability of good governance in moderating the negative effect of financial development on environmental quality in the case of Saudi Arabia over the period 1996-2016. Different indicators of financial development and governance quality are included in the analysis. Using Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimator, we find that (i) an unconditional effect of the three indicators of financial development on increasing carbon emissions in the most models; (ii) the conditional impact of the indicators of governance quality increases carbon emissions in the most models; (iii) the interactions between the indicators of governance and the indicators of financial development are negative and statistically significant only in the models pertaining to political and institutional governance, meaning that the development of financial sector reduces carbon emissions if it is accompanied by good institutional and political governance.
Identification and Characterization of A Lanosterol synthase Gene from Sanghuangporus Baumii
Authors: Wang XuTong , Sun TingTing , Sun Jian , Liu Zengcai , Zou Li
Published: February 2021

Lanosterol synthase (LS) is a key enzyme involved in the mevalonate pathway (MVA pathway) to produce lanosterol, which is a precursor for synthesizing Sanghuangporus baumii triterpenoids. To research the characteristics and construction of LS, LS ORF and promoter were cloned from S. baumii. A 2,445 bp S. baumii LS sequence was obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technology and recombinant PCR. S. baumii LS sequence includes a 5’-untranslated region (129 bp), a 3’-untranslated region (87 bp), and an open reading frame (2,229 bp) encoding a 734 amino acids. The molecular weight of LS is 84.99 kDa, and transcription start site of S. baumii LS promoter sequence ranged from 1 740 bp to 1790 bp. LS promoter contained 12 CAAT-boxes, 5 ABREs, 6 G-Boxes, 6 CGTCA-motifs, and so on. The S. baumii LS protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) (84.99 kDa + 21.15 kDa tag protein). The transcription level of S. baumii LS was the highest on day 11 in mycelia (1.6-fold).
Insights Into Role of STP13 in Sugar Driven Signaling That Leads to Decrease in Photosynthesis in Dicot Legume Crop Model (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Under Fe and Zn Stress.
Authors: Urwat Uneeb , Zargar Sajad , Ahmad Syed Mudasir , Ganai Nazir Ahmad
Published: February 2021

Mineral (Fe/Zn) stress significantly affects fundamental metabolic and physiological responses in plants that results in reduction of plant growth and development. In the present study, common bean variety; Shalimar French Bean-1 (SFB-1) was used as an experimental material and were grown under in vitro condition on 4 different MGRL media i.e. normal MGRL medium (Control), MGRL without Fe (0-Fe), MGRL without Zinc (0-Zn) and MGRL with excess Zn (300-Zn) for 21 days under optimum conditions. Shoot and root tissue from all the treatments were harvested and further, subjected to estimation of total chlorophyll, total sugar and extraction of total RNA for differential gene expression of sugar transporter 13 (STP13). We observed significant decrease in total chlorophyll content in stressed plants. However, the concentration of total sugar and fold expression of STP13 gene was significantly higher in shoots of Fe/Zn stressed and in roots of 300-Zn plants. We observed higher accumulation of sugar under stress condition that correlated with high expression of sugar transporter 13 (STP 13). Further, we observed decrease in the chlorophyll content under stress conditions. Based on these findings, we propose the role of sugar driven signaling in decreasing photosynthesis in case of common bean. The decrease in photosynthesis is, confirmed by observing significant decrease in chlorophyll content in stressed plants.
Stochastic Modeling of 2D Photonic Crystals
Authors: Wafa Mohamed I. , El-Batawy Yasser M. , El-Naggar Sahar A.
Published: February 2021

Due to the fabrication processes, inaccurate manufacturing of the photonic crystals (PCs) might occur which affect their performance. In this paper, we examine the effects of tolerance variations of the radii of the rods and the permittivity of the material of the two-dimensional PCs on their performance. The presented stochastic analysis relies on plane wave expansion method and Mote Carlo simulations. We focus on two structures, namely Si-Rods PCs and Air-Holes PCs. Numerical results show – for both structures – that uncertainties in the dimensions of the PCs have higher impact on its photonic gap than do the uncertainties in the permittivity of the Si material. In addition, Air-Holes PCs could be a good candidate with least alteration in the photonic gap considering deviations that might occur in the permittivity of Si due to impurities up to 5%.
Efficacy and Safety of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Co-Infusion in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: li Teng , Luo Chengxin , Zhang Jiasi , Wei Ling , Sun Wei , Xie Qin , Liu Yan , Zhao Yongli , Xu Shuangnian , Wang Lihua
Published: February 2021

BackgroundHematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving strategy for severe hematological conditions, but its efficacy and safety need further improvement. Co-infusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may bring promise for the overall efficacy in HSCT setting. About that there are increasing studies, while the results from different trials are conflicting. A systematic review and meta-analysis are needed to appraise the real efficacy of MSCs co-infusion in HSCT. MethodsFive medical databases were searched to identify related controlled studies, which included individuals with hematological diseases receiving allogeneic HSCT (allo-HSCT), and with MSCs co-infusion as intervention arm versus no MSCs as comparison arm. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.ResultsUltimately, 19 trials met the inclusion criteria. MSCs co-infusion was associated with shorter time both to ANC engraftment (4RCTs: SMD -1.20, p = 0.04; 10nRCTs: SMD -0.54, p = 0.04) and PLT engraftment (4RCTs: SMD -0.60, p = 0.04; 10nRCTs: SMD -0.70, p = 0.01), lower risk of cGVHD incidence (4RCTs: RR 0.53, p = 0.01; 10nRCTs: RR 0.50, p < 0.01), and slightly positive trend towards the risk of aGVHD incidence (3RCTs: RR 0.84, p = 0.33; 9nRCTs: RR 0.74, p < 0.01) and NRM(3RCTs: OR 0.59, p = 0.34; 3nRCTs: OR 0.18, p < 0.01); didn’t affect relapse (5RCTs: RR 1.34, p = 0.34; 4nRCTs: RR 0.74, p = 0.24) and overall survival (4RCTs: HR 1.54, p = 0.18; 6nRCTs: HR 0.60, p = 0.06). Subgroup analyses revealed that, when co-transplanted with MSCs, patients younger than 18 or those received HLA-haploidentical grafts had improved engraftment (ANC and PLT）and lower risk of NRM and GVHD (acute and chronic forms) incidence. For adults or those received HLA-identical grafts, the risk of cGVHD incidence were reduced. Patients with hematologic malignancies had lower risk of developing GVHD and NRM, patients with non-malignancies showed faster engraftment.ConclusionWithout increasing the risk of mortality or relapse, MSCs co-infusion in allo-HSCT improved engraftment of platelet and neutrophil, reduced the risk of developing cGVHD. In terms of aGVHD and NRM, the effect of MSCs co-infusion was not quite significant with current evidence.
Neck circumference as marker of overweight and obesity among secondary adolescents aged 12-19 years in southwestern Uganda: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Katamba Godfrey , Agaba David Collins , Muzaale Francis , Namaganda Agnes , Namayanja Rosemary , Musasizi Abdul , Kinene Mivule Abdul , Migisha Richard
Published: February 2021

Background
Overweight and obesity have become more common among adolescents. Various indicators have been used to assess this burden across populations. Recent findings elsewhere have found neck circumference to be useful in defining overweight and obesity. However, the use of neck circumference as marker of overweight and obesity needs to be further explored among adolescents in Uganda.
Objective
To assess the usefulness of neck circumference as a marker of overweight and obesity.
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted among secondary adolescents aged 12–19 years from May to August in 2018, Height was measured using a wall mount height board and weight using a standard weighing scale. Neck circumference was measured using an inelastic measuring tape. We defined overweight as BMI = 25.0-29.9kg/m2 while obesity as BMI ≥ 30.0kg/m2 among the study participants. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between neck circumference, height, weight and body mass index. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the suitable cutoff of neck circumference for overweight and obesity.
Results
We enrolled 616 adolescents aged 12–19 years, with mean age of 15.6 ± 2.0 years. Most (65.6%) were female. The overall prevalence of overweight was 30.5% while that of obesity was 3.4%. Neck circumference was significantly correlated with height (r = 0.561, P < 0.001), weight (r = 0.547, P < 0.001) and body mass index (r = 0.193, P < 0.001). The best cutoff of neck circumference to identify participants with obesity were ≥ 31.0 cm with AUC of 0.83[0.73–0.94] and ≥ 32.0cm with an AUC of 0.59[0.11-1.00] among the females and males respectively.
Conclusion
Neck circumference was useful in defining and hence classifying for overweight or obesity among the female adolescents in our study population. It could useful for screening for overweight and obesity among the female adolescents.