bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate To Lipid Ratios On Growth Performance, Body Composition, Serum Biochemical Indexes, Lipid Metabolism And Gene Expression of Central Appetite Regulating Factors In Chinese Perch (Siniperca Chuatsi)
Authors: Peng Di , Liang Xu-Fang , Chai Farui , Feng Hexiong , Li Jiao , Tang Shulin , Lu Ke , Zhang Qiwei
Published: August 2021

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary carbohydrate to lipid (CHO: L) ratios on growth performance, body composition, serum biochemical indexes, lipid metabolism and gene expression of central appetite regulating factors in Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) (mean initial weight: 12.86 ± 0.10 g). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (fish meal, casein as main protein sources) were formulated to contain different graded CHO:L ratio diets ranging from 0.12, 0.86, 1.71, 3.29 and 7.19. Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of 18 experimental fish for 8 weeks. Our results revealed that final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) increased with dietary CHO:L ratio from 0.12 to 1.71, and then decreased with further increases in dietary CHO:L ratio. A two-slope broken-line regression analysis based on WGR showed that the optimal dietary CHO: L level for maximum growth performance of fish was 1.60. Crude lipid and crude protein content in the liver and glycogen concentration in the muscle and liver were significantly influenced by the dietary CHO:L ratios (P < 0.05). The lowest crude lipid content in the liver was observed in fish fed the diet with a CHO:L ratio of 1.71(P < 0.05). Dietary CHO:L ratios significantly induced the Glu contents of serum (P < 0.05). The relative expression levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism, such as srebp1 and fas in the liver showed a trend of first decreased and then increased with the increase of dietary CHO:L ratios levels. Appropriate CHO:L ratio in the diet can effectively reduce the accumulation of liver fat. We observed in fish fed the 1.71 CHO:L ratio diet showed higher feed intake, up‐regulated mRNA expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti gene-related protein (AGRP), down‐regulated mRNA expression of cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and pro‐opiomelanocorticoid (POMC) significantly as compared to control group. Thus, these results provide the theoretical basis for feed formulation to determine the appropriate CHO:L ratio requirement of Chinese perch.
High Expression of PC4 is Associate With Lymphatic Metastasis and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma Probably via CCR7/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 Cascade
Authors: Tao ShaoLin , Wang XueMei , Wu LiCheng , Shen Cheng , Tan QunYou
Published: August 2021

Purpose: PC4 is a novel marker for diagnosis and treatment of advanced human cancers metastasis. This study aimed to verify that high expression of PC4 is associated with lymphatic metastasis and predicts poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma probably via CCR7/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 cascade.Methods: PC4 protein expressions in 96 lung adenocarcinoma cases, CCR7/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 protein expressions in 23 lung adenocarcinoma cases, and PC4 clinical outcome in 83 lung adenocarcinoma cases and TCGA as validation were evaluated, respectively. Small interfering RNA was used to explore the relationship of PC4 and the VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 axis in A549 cells. The correlations between PC4 and CCR7, CCR7 and VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 were analyzed in A549 cells and adenocarcinoma tissues, respectively.Results: The results shown PC4 protein highly expressed in tumor tissue compared with normal lung tissue. High expressions of PC4 were remarkably associated with advanced tumor stage (P=0.032), lymphatic metastasis (P=0.004) and poor clinical outcomes (the cohort: HR: 2.135, 95% CI: 1.279-3.562; TCGA: HR: 2.983, 95% CI: 1.249-7.127) in lung adenocarcinoma. CCR7 expressions were remarkably decreased after PC4 RNAi in A549 cells, and significantly correlated with the expressions of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in adenocarcinoma tissues.Conclusion: CCR7/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expressions in lung adenocarcinoma were closely associated with lymphatic metastasis. Overexpression of PC4 is a predictor of lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. PC4 plays important oncogenic roles probably via activation of CCR7/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3, which warrants further study.
Independent and Combined Influences of Physical Activity, Screen Time and Sleep Quality on Adiposity Indicators in Indian Adolescents
Authors: Moitra Panchali , Madan Jagmeet , Verma Preeti
Published: August 2021

Background: Inadequate physical activity (PA), excess screen time (ST), and sub-optimal sleep quality tend to co-occur during adolescence. Yet, little is known about the associations of these behaviors as a cluster with adiposity indicators in Indian adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the independent and combined influences of PA, ST, and sleep quality on body mass index (BMI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) in 10-15 years old adolescents in Mumbai, India. A secondary aim was to explore if these influences vary between sexes.Methods: Cross sectional study. Adolescents (n=772, mean age 13.2 (1.4) years) reported frequency and duration of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and time using screens on a previously validated instrument. Sleep quality was estimated using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Mixed effect logistic regression analyses were performed to explore associations between adiposity indicators (BMI z scores > +1SD and WHtR > 0.5) and unhealthy behaviors (PA< 60min/d, ST > 120 min/d and PSQI scores >5), stratified by sex. Results: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 38.3%. Overall, 62.0% and 85.0% reported MVPA< 60min/d and ST> 120min/d respectively. Girls reported higher ST (218.21 (69.01) min/d as compared to boys (165.3 (101.22) min/d, p < 0.001). Clustering of low PA and excess ST was observed in 69.2% and of all three unhealthy behaviors in 18.8%. Among girls, MVPA < 60 min/d (OR= 1.78, 95% CI 1.54-1.92, p < 0.001) and PSQI scores > 5 (OR= 2.01, 95% CI 1.78-2.25, p < 0.001) predicted increased BMI. The odds of being overweight was 2.10 times higher in boys reporting low PA and 4.13 times higher in those with low PA+ ST > 120min/d. Clustering of all three unhealthy behaviors increased obesity risk in both sexes.Conclusions: The results indicated a co-existence of multiple unhealthy lifestyle factors of obesity and that clustering of these behaviors can further aggravate obesity risk as compared to their independent effects. Integrated interventions that leverage the cumulative benefits of being active, less sedentary, and sufficient sleep are warranted to facilitate greater improvements in obesity risk behaviors.
Influence of the heavy metals concentration on the anaerobic co-digestion performance of activated sludge and Olive mill wastewater
Authors: Alrawashdeh khalideh Al bkoor
Published: August 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Design and Implementation of a Software-Based Advance Electronic Voting Machine Using Automatic Registration and Fingerprint Identification
Authors: Arshad Jehangir , Farooq-i-Azam Muhammad , Khan Ayesha , Irshad Muhammad , Noman Sohail M.
Published: August 2021

In democratic countries, free and fair elections are required to quantify the populace's sentiments to form a government of representatives. It is challenging to maneuver due to the procedural variation from country to country and complexity. As paper-based electoral systems are slow and prone to error that take hours and ample manpower to announce the results, thus a secure efficient electoral system is always preferred. In this paper, we have proposed a secure implementation of auto-registration fingerprint identification-based electronic voting systems to overcome the aspect of accuracy and transparency. We have included a novel feature of automated registration to authenticate the user through identity before the vote casting. Moreover, credentials of voters are collected in a database including fingerprints, and communication of encrypted data between server and machine with secured Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Additionally, the voter can cast their votes through a touch screen Graphical User Interface (GUI), and once the voting time end, the screen can automatically disappear by authorizing admin to print Form-45. Conclusively, the proposed system count votes automatically that is much faster and accurate than the traditional voting techniques. Moreover, the results will be available to the general public in 1-2 hours which ensures fair elections.
Cloning and Function Analysis of a Novel Rice Blast Resistance Gene Pi65 in Japonica Rice
Authors: Wang Lili , Ma Zuobin , Kang Houxiang , Gu Shuang , Mukhina Zhanna , Wang Changhua , Wang Hui , Bai Yuanjun , Sui Guomin , Zheng Wenjing , Ma Dianrong
Published: August 2021

Rice blast seriously threatens rice production worldwide. Utilizing the rice blast resistance gene to breed the rice blast resistant varieties is one of the best ways to control rice blast disease. Using a map-based cloning strategy, here, we cloned a novel rice blast resistance gene, Pi65 from the resistant variety GangYu129 (abbreviated GY129, O. sativa japonica ). Overexpression of Pi65 in the susceptible variety LiaoXing1 (abbreviated LX1, O. sativa japonica ) enhanced rice blast resistance, while knockout of Pi65 in GY129 resulted in susceptible to rice blast disease. Pi65 encodes two transmembrane domains, with 15 LRR domains and one serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic domain, conferring resistance to isolates of M. oryzae collected from northeast China. There are sixteen amino acids differences between the Pi65 resistance and susceptible alleles. Compared with the Pi65 resistant allele, the susceptible allele deleted one LRR domain. Pi65 was constitutively expressed in whole plants, and it could be induce expressed in the early stage of M. oryzae infection . Transcriptome analysis revealed that numerous genes associated with disease resistance were specifically upregulated in GY129 24-hour post inoculation (HPI), on the contrary, the photosynthesis-and carbohydrate metabolism-related genes were particularly downregulated 24 HPI, demonstrating that the disease resistance associated genes has been activated in GY129 (carrying Pi65 ) after rice blast fungal infection, and the cellular basal and energy metabolism was inhibited simultaneously. Our study provides genetic resources for improving rice blast resistance as well as enriches the study of rice blast resistance mechanisms.
A Novel Secured Euclidean Space Points Algorithm for Blind Spatial Image Watermarking
Authors: Shaik Hedayath Basha , B Jaison
Published: August 2021

Digital raw images obtained from the data set of various organizations require authentication, copyright protection, and security with simple processing. New Euclidean space point’s algorithm is proposed to authenticate the images by embedding binary logos in the digital images in the spatial domain. Diffie–Hellman key exchange protocol is implemented along with the Euclidean space axioms to maintain security for the proposed work. The proposed watermarking methodology is tested on the standard set of raw grayscale and RGB color images. The watermarked images are sent in the email, WhatsApp, and Facebook and analyzed. Standard watermarking attacks are also applied to the watermarked images and analyzed. The finding shows that there are no image distortions in the communication medium of email and WhatsApp. But in the Facebook platform, raw images experience compression and observed exponential noise on the digital images. The authentication and copyright protection is tested from the processed Facebook images, it is found that the embedded logo could be recovered and seen with added noise distortions. So the proposed method offers authentication and security with compression attacks. Similarly, it is found that the proposed methodology is robust to JPEG compression, image tampering attacks like collage attack, image cropping, rotation, salt, and pepper noise, sharpening filter, semi-robust to Gaussian filtering, and image resizing, and fragile to other geometrical attacks. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve is drawn and found that the area under the curve is approximately equal to unity and restoration accuracy of [67 to 100]% for various attacks.
Study on Molecular Mechanism of Benzo (ɑ) pyrene on CMA by HSP90ɑ and HIF-1ɑ
Authors: Zhang Shasha , Liu Tingting , Chen Qi , Su Min , Bai Tuya , Zhang Mengdi , Hu Yuxia , Li Jun , Chang Fuhou
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVE: The effects of benzo (α) pyrene (BaP) on molecular chaperone autophagy (CMA) through heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) were studied by RNA interference and subcutaneous tumor formation technique in nude mice. METHODS: 40 nude mice inoculated with the shHSP90ɑ A549 cell line under the armpits of the forelimbs were divided into 4 groups, 1.80 mg/kg/d BaP-corn oil solution was intragastrically administered for 60 days (except the Control group), and the growth of nude mice and transplanted tumors was recorded curve. The size and morphological changes of tumors were observed by small animal imaging technique and HE staining method. qPCR, Western blot and Immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of HSP90ɑ, HSC70 and Lamp-2A. A549 cells were treated with 0.1μmol/L, 1μmol/L and 10μmol/L BaP for 24h, EPO, HIF-1ɑ concentration and HIF-1ɑ protein expression were detected by Elisa and Western blot; A549 cells were treated with 10μmol/L BaP and added HIF-1ɑ inhibitor 24h, qPCR, Western blot and Immunofluorescence method were used to detect the expression of HSP90ɑ, HSC70 and Lamp-2A. RESULTS: BaP can reduce silence HSP90ɑ the weight of nude mice and transplanted tumors (P<0.01); BaP can reduce silence HSP90ɑ the expression of HSP90ɑ, HSC70, Lamp-2A mRNA and protein in transplanted tumor tissues (P<0.05); BaP has no significant difference in the organization structure of silence HSP90ɑ and non-silence HSP90ɑ; BaP can reduce the total number of bioluminescence photons of silence HSP90ɑ transplanted tumors (P<0.01). 10μmol/L BaP can increase the concentration of EPO and HIF-1ɑ and the expression of HIF-1ɑ protein in A549 cells (P<0.05); and after adding HIF-1ɑ inhibitors treat A549 cells, HSP90ɑ, HSC70, Lamp-2A mRNA and protein expression were decreased (P<0.05), and the fluorescence intensity of HSP90ɑ was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: BaP can promote the growth of transplanted tumor in nude mice, while the growth of transplanted tumor in nude mice is inhibited shHSP90ɑ. BaP promotes the occurrence of CMA by promoting the expression of HSP90ɑ and HIF-1ɑ, which are important regulatory genes for BaP to activate CMA.
Risk-focused Differences in Molecular Processes Implicated in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Corollaries in DNA Methylation and Gene Expression
Authors: Konwar Chaini , Asiimwe Rebecca , Inkster Amy M. , Merrill Sarah M. , Negri Gian L. , Aristizabal Maria J. , Rider Christopher F. , MacIsaac Julie L. , Carlsten Christopher , Kobor Michael S.
Published: August 2021

Background Understanding the molecular basis of susceptibility factors to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a global health imperative. It is well-established that males are more likely to acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection and exhibit more severe outcomes. Similarly, exposure to air pollutants and pre-existing respiratory chronic conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) confer an increased risk to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods We investigated molecular patterns associated with risk factors in 398 candidate genes relevant to COVID-19 biology. To accomplish this, we downloaded DNA methylation and gene expression datasets from publicly available repositories (GEO and GTEx portal) and utilized data from our unpublished controlled human exposure study. Results First, we observed sex-biased DNA methylation patterns in autosomal immune genes such as NLRP2, TLE1, GPX1, and ARRB2 (FDR <0.05, magnitude of DNA methylation difference Δβ >0.05). Second, our analysis on the X-linked genes identified sex associated DNA methylation profiles in genes such as ACE2, CA5B, and HS6ST2 (FDR <0.05, Δβ >0.05). These associations were observed across multiple respiratory tissues (lung, nasal epithelia, airway epithelia, and bronchoalveolar lavage) and in whole blood. Some of these genes, like NLRP2 and CA5B, also exhibited sex-biased expression patterns. Third, we identified modest DNA methylation changes in CpGs associated with PRIM2 and TATDN1 (FDR <0.1, Δβ >0.05) in response to particle-depleted diesel exhaust in bronchoalveolar lavage. Finally, we captured a DNA methylation signature associated with COPD diagnosis in a gene involved in nicotine dependence (COMT) (FDR <0.1, Δβ >0.05). Conclusion Our findings on sex differences are of clinical relevance given they potentially point to an exaggerated immune response in males. We also found tissue-specific DNA methylation differences in response to particulate exposure potentially capturing an NO2 effect – a contributor to COVID-19 susceptibility. While we identified a molecular signature associated with COPD, all COPD-affected individuals were smokers, which may either reflect an association with the disease, smoking, or may highlight a compounded effect of these two risk factors in COVID-19. Overall, the findings point towards the molecular basis of variation in susceptibility factors that may partly explain disparities in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Design and Performance Analysis of Ultrathin Nanowire FET Ammonia GAS Sensor
Authors: Verma Chhaya , Singh Jeetendra , Tripathi Santosh Kumar , Kumar Rajeev
Published: August 2021

In this work, an ultrathin 3 nm nanowire field-effect transistor (NWFET) based ammonia gas sensor is designed, and its sensitivity is analyzed at room temperature. The designed NWFET for gas sensing is observed to have a higher ratio of ION to IOFF than 109, lower DIBL and better gate controlling due to a higher surface to volume ratio. The gas-sensing performance analysis has been done for three different catalysts, iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), and palladium (Pd), by gradually increasing the work function by a difference of 50meV. The device showed higher OFF current sensitivity compared to ON current sensitivity. The power consumption and threshold voltage are observed to be least for palladium catalytic gate electrodes making palladium the most favorable catalytic for ammonia gas for the designed gas sensor.
Functional validation of Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) anthocyanidin synthase (Wb ANS) gene through virus-induced gene silencing
Authors: Singh Vinayak , Kumar Verandra , Lone Rayees Ahmad , Mohanty Chandra Sekhar
Published: August 2021

Background

Histochemical and microscopic observations of various tissues of the underutilized legume winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) indicated that the plant and its various parts are highly infested with condensed tannin (CT). Characterization of CT was carried out through the quantification of its structural-monomeric units catechin and epicatechin. The responsible candidate gene for anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) biosynthesis was identified, phylogenetically mapped and manipulated for lowering the CT-content.
Results

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) was employed for silencing of WbANS transcript. WbANS-VIGS induction resulted in four-fold decrease in condensed tannin biosynthesis in P. tetragonolobus.
Conclusion

As condensed tannin adversely affects digestion and considered as an anti-nutrient, so this study might be helpful in future for altering the biosynthesis of condensed tannin by manipulating the ANS-encoding molecular factors.
Detection of Sepsis Patients Using Biomarkers Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Eskandari Mahsa Amin , Moridani Mohammad Karimi , Mohammadi Salar
Published: August 2021

Objective: Sepsis is the second most common cause of death in patients with non-cardiovascular diseases admitted to the ICU. It is one of the top ten reasons for death among all hospitalized patients. This study aimed to compare the value of some blood parameters in the diagnosis of sepsis and investigate their relationship to select a more practical diagnostic method.Method: In this descriptive-analytical study, 208 patients with sepsis admitted to the ICU were selected. Then the physiological parameters of patients and normal individuals were measured. Data analysis was performed using the P-value and effect size methods and MATLAB software. To classify the disease, the MLP, RBF, and KNN methods were used.Result: The values of the HR, O­2Sat, and SBP in patients with sepsis have changed significantly compared to normal conditions. The classification results using different classifications showed that the values of specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy in the classifier are more than MLP and RBF and are equal to 98%,100%, and 99%, respectively.Conclusion: Clinically, accurate detection of sepsis and the prediction of the patients at risk of developing sepsis is useful for improving treatment. Given the significant differences between HR, O­2Sat, and SBP between normal and sepsis patients in this study, it may be possible to use these tests as simple tests instead of the complement protein 3 (C3) and Procalcitonin (PCT) tests to diagnose sepsis in the ICU.
Selected Ideal Natural Ligand Against TNBC by Inhibiting CDC20, Using Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology
Authors: Liu Naimeng , Wang Xinhui , Lv Xiaye , Li Duo , Xie Haoqun , Guo Zhen , Song Dong
Published: August 2021

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), as the most aggressive kinds of breast tumor, still cannot get effective targeted therapy. Recently, techniques of bioinformatics and molecular biology were hot topics in drug development. We want to find potential therapeutic targets of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients by bioinformatics and screen ideal natural ligand that can bind with the potential target and inhibit it by using molecular biology.Methods: Bioinformatics and molecular biology were combined to analyze potential therapeutic targets. Differential expression analysis identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TNBC tissues and normal tissues. The functional enrichment analyses of DEGs shown the important gene ontology (GO) terms and pathways of TNBC. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction screened 20 hub genes, while Kaplan website was used to analyze the relationship between the survival curve and expression of hub genes. Then Discovery Studio 4.5 screened ideal natural inhibitors of the potential therapeutic target by LibDock, ADME, toxicity prediction, CDOCKER and molecular dynamic simulation.Results: 1,212 and 353 DEGs were respectively found between TNBC tissues and normal tissues, including 88 up-regulated and 141 down-regulated DEGs in both databases. 20 hub genes were screened, and the higher expression of CDC20 was associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, we chose CDC20 as the potential therapeutic target. 7,416 natural ligands were conducted to bind firmly with CDC20, and among these ligands, ZINC000004098930 was regarded as the potential ideal ligand, owing to its non-hepatotoxicity, more solubility level and less carcinogenicity than the reference drug, apcin. The ZINC000004098930-CDC20 could exist stably in natural environment.Conclusion: 20 genes were regarded as hub genes of TNBC and most of them were relevant to the survival curve of breast cancer patients, especially CDC20. ZINC000004098930 was chosen as the ideal natural ligand that can targeted and inhibited CDC20, which may give great contribution to TNBC targeted treatment.
Computational Study of Halogen-Halogen Interactions in Polyhalide Ionic Liquids
Authors: Xu Yanmin , Zhang Jiaqiang , Yang La , Zhang Yifei , Xu Zhijian , Lu Yunxiang
Published: August 2021

Recent years have seen many specific applications of polyhalide ionic liquids (ILs) such as oxidizing solvents for metals and alloys, immersion fluids for optical mineralogy, and electrolyte components for dye-sensitized solar cells. In this work, interhalogen interactions in a set of polyhalide ILs composed of polyhalide anions, [X3]−, [X5]− and [X7]− (X = I or Br), with two typical cations, tetramethylammonium [NMe4]+ and 1,3-dimethylimidazolium [DMIM]+, were thoroughly studied from a computational point of view. In addition, a halogen-bonded supramolecular anion, [C6F13-I∙∙∙I∙∙∙I-C6F13]−, was also taken into account for comparison. Unlike those in bare polyhalide ions, halogen-halogen interactions in ionic pairs for the investigated ILs are somewhat asymmetric caused by the interactions between the cations and the anions. Most interhalogen contacts in ionic pairs have some covalent content, while I∙∙∙I interactions in the complexes of the supramolecular anion are purely noncovalent. In general, there are two classes of interhalogen bonds in ionic pairs: one class with longer X∙∙∙X distances shows primarily ionic character, while the other with shorter distances has a larger degree of covalency, i.e. intermediate ionic/covalent nature.
Distinct Composition and Assembly Processes of Bacterial Communities in a River From The Arid Area: Ecotypes or Habitat Types?
Authors: Qi Ran , Xue Nana , Zhou Xiaobin , Zhao Li , song Wen juan , Yang Yuyi
Published: August 2021

The composition, function, and assembly mechanism of the bacterial community are the focus of microbial ecology. Unsupervised machine learning may be a better way to understand the characteristics of bacterial metacommunities compared to the empirical habitat types. In this study, the composition, function, and assembly mechanism of the bacterial community in the arid river were analyzed. Four ecotypes were recognized across the three habitats (biofilm, water, and sediment) by Dirichlet multinomial mixture method. The bacterial communities in water are more sensitive to human activities. Bacterial diversity and richness in water decreased as the intensity of human activities increased from the region of Water II to Water I. Significant differences in the composition and function profile of bacterial communities between water ecotypes were also observed, such as higher relative abundance in the taxonomic composition of Firmicutes and function of plastic degradation in Water I than those in Water II. Habitat filtering may play a more important role in the assembly of bacterial communities in the river biofilm, while stochastic processes dominated the assembly process of bacterial communities in water and sediment. In Water I, salinity and mean annual precipitation were the main drivers shaping the biogeography of taxonomic structure, while mean annual temperature, total organic carbon, and ammonium nitrogen were the main environmental factors influencing the taxonomic structure in the Water II. These results would provide conceptual frameworks about how to choose habitat types or ecotypes for the research of microbial communities among different niches in the aquatic environment.
Chinese Patent Medicine As An Adjuvant Treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients: A Protocol for A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Fang , Wu Zhaochu , Jiang Fengli , Huang Mao , Wang Jine , Sun Wenli , Zhang Lishan
Published: August 2021

Background
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, chronic, irreversible, and lethal interstitial lung disease (ILD) with unknown etiology occurring mainly in elderly. In recent years, the morbidity and mortality of IPF steady increase. However, there are currently no therapies that reverse fibrosis, the median survival time reported ranging from 2 to 5 years from diagnosis. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese patent medicines as an adjuvant treatment in combination with Western medicines in the treatment of patients with IPF.
Methods
We will search electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Database (SinoMed), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP information (CQVIP), and Wanfang database using keywords related to IPF and Chinese patent medicine. Search was also carried out on ClinicalTrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) and the Chinese Clinical Trials Register (ChiCTR). Reference lists of literature included and relevant systematic reviews will be checked. Two independent reviewers will involved in screening studies, extracting data, and evaluating works. Any disagreements will be resolved by discussion or in consultation with a third reviewer. Data analysis will be conducted using the Review Manager software (version 5.4.1). The risk of bias of each study and the quality of evidence will be respectively assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias tools and GRADE system.
Discussion
This review will integrate the current evidence and provide evidence regarding use of Chinese patent medicine as an adjuvant treatment in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to provide clarity regarding the potential benefits and best practice.
Trial registration:
PROSPERO CRD42021252806
Inequality in Financing and Distribution of Noncommunicable Diseases in China: Evidence From 2017-2019
Authors: Fang Quan , Ma Guoliang , Zhang Shunli , Zhang Qin , Xu Xinzhou , Wang Xin
Published: August 2021

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding the financing and distribution of diseases can provide a basis for policy formulation and intervention. This study analyses the expenditure of NCDs in China to provide health policy advice.Methods: Data were collected by multi-stage stratified random sampling from 2017-2019. The medical expenses of patients with NCDs were calculated based on “System of Health Accounts 2011”(SHA 2011), Analyze from funding sources, dimensions of institutional flow, and financing scheme. Linear regression analysis was conducted by controlling factors influencing hospitalization expenses. All analyses were performed by STATA 15.0.Results: 408 institutions and 8,104,233 valid items were included in the study. The current curative expenditure (CCE) of NCDs was 14.205 billion China Yuan (CNY) in 2017, 15.914 billion CNY in 2018, and 18.055 billion CNY in 2019. More than 60% came from public financing. The proportion of family health financing continued to decline, reaching 31.16% in 2019. The expenditures were mainly in general hospitals, above 70%. Elderly patients account for the majority. Diseases of the circulatory system, Diseases of the digestive system, and Neoplasms were the main NCDs. Year, age, gender, length of stay, surgery, insurance, and institution level were the factors affecting hospitalization expenses.Conclusions: NCDs are the main economic burden of diseases in China, and their financing and distribution are inequality. To reduce the economic burden of NCDs, the government needs to optimize resource allocation and rationalize institutional flows and functions.
Cementless Hemiarthroplasty Without Femoral Calcar Reconstruction Versus Cemented Hemiarthroplasty for Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures in octogenarians
Authors: Sun Chang , Cai Meng , Meng Jia , Zhang Yu , Jiang Hui , Zhao Jianning , Guo Ting
Published: August 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the mid-term outcomes of cementless hemiarthroplasty without femoral calcar reconstruction with cemented hemiarthroplasty in patients aged 80 years or more.
Methods

From January 2015 to December 2017, 135 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were retrospectively investigated, 70 patients were treated with the cemented hemiarthroplasty while 65 patients were treated with a modular long-stem cementless hemiarthroplasty without rebuilding calcar. Clinical and radiological results were analyzed.
Results

The 106 alive patients were followed for 62.1 ± 8.3 months, and 29 patients died during the follow-up period. No significant differences were found in terms of demographic and clinical characters of patients, weight training time, postoperative hospital stay length, postoperative ambulatory status and Harris hip score. Patients treated with cementless hemiarthroplasty had a shorter operative time, less estimated blood loss, less amount of blood transfusion and a lower one-year mortality compared with patients treated with cemented hemiarthroplasty.
Conclusions

Compared with cemented hemiarthroplasty, cementless hemiarthroplasty using a long modular stem without reconstruction of femoral calcar was a good choice for octogenarians with unstable intertrochanteric fractures.
Research on the Mechanism of Main Roof Advanced Breaking and Supporting Technology When Long-wall Face Passing Through Abandoned Roadways
Authors: Weidong Pan , Cang Deng , Boyang Li , Kunming Zhang , Shan Gao
Published: August 2021

Unlike general long-wall mining, the roof activity is more intense when long-wall face passes through the abandoned roadway. Technically, the coal pillar between the abandoned roadway and the long-wall face will suddenly fail with a certain critical value of its width, leading to the roof breaks in advance and other production-restricted problems because of the support loss, which will be a great threat to underground mining activities. In order to guarantee a safe mining condition, therefore, it is greatly necessary to uncover how the roof breaks in advance and how to cope with it. From the stability maintaining of the key block perspective, this paper took for research that the 12404-1 long-wall face of Wulanmulun coal mine, China. The critical value of the coal pillar’s width was determined to be about 5m by theoretical analysis, likely, the appropriate support force of the abandoned roadway’s roof is about 4020KN per meter. Meanwhile, a numerical simulation method was adopted to study the ground pressure when the long-wall face passing through the abandoned roadway. Correspondingly, a compound supporting technology involving the roof presplit technique, anchor cable supporting and pumping pillar supporting were proposed for the roof of the abandoned roadway, and it practically worked well.
Influence of Indirect Solar Irradiance on Satellite Observation
Authors: Wang Xia , LI Zhi , Xu Can , Huo Yurong , Wu Yifan
Published: August 2021

With the development of Space Domain Awareness(SDA), satellites’ optical characteristics are becoming attention-grabbing. Sunlight was usually considered the only light source for the satellites. However, in the actual observation, researchers have found that earthshine and moonlight would increase errors of the observation results, which have greatly influence the estimation of the satellite’s state. In order to avoid this influence, we propose an observation strategy. Firstly, we propose an accurate earthshine model, which considers the earth’s volume and favors long-time continuous satellite observation. Then, we explore the earthshine and moonlight’s impact on satellite observation results and find that this impact varies with the satellite attributes. Furthermore, we Figure out the law of this impact and establish a connection between this law and observation geometry. Finally, a Period Contribution model is proposed to provide a corresponding observation strategy to avoid the influence of earthshine and moonlight.
Fast Machine Learning Annotation in the Medical Domain: A Semi-Automated Video Annotation Tool for Gastroenterologists
Authors: Krenzer Adrian , Makowski Kevin , Hekalo Amar , Fitting Daniel , Troya Joel , Zoller Wolfram G. , Hann Alexander , Puppe Frank
Published: August 2021

Background: Machine learning, especially deep learning, is becoming more and more relevant in research and development in the medical domain. For all of the supervised deep learning applications, data is the most critical factor in securing successful implementation and sustaining the progress of the machine learning model. Especially gastroenterological data, which often involves endoscopic videos, are cumbersome to annotate. Domain experts are needed to interpret and annotate the videos. To support those domain experts, we generated a framework. With this framework, instead of annotating every frame in the video sequence, experts are just performing key annotations at the beginning and the end of sequences with pathologies, e.g. visible polyps. Subsequently, non-expert annotators supported by machine learning add the missing annotations for the frames in-between. Results: Using this framework we were able to reduce work load of domain experts on average by a factor of 20. This is primarily due to the structure of the framework, which is designed to minimize the workload of the domain expert. Pairing this framework with a state-of-the-art semi-automated pre-annotation model enhances the annotation speed further. Through a study with 10 participants we show that semi-automated annotation using our tool doubles the annotation speed of non-expert annotators compared to a well-known state-of-the-art annotation tool. Conclusion: In summary, we introduce a framework for fast expert annotation for gastroenterologists, which reduces the workload of the domain expert considerably while maintaining a very high annotation quality. The framework incorporates a semi-automated annotation system utilizing trained object detection models. The software and framework are open-source.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Stunting Among Children 6-59 Months in Pastoralist Communities of Southeast Ethiopia
Authors: Tefera Tomas , Belda Semere Sileshi , Alemayehu Mulusew Teshome , Hussein Mohammedawel Abduku , Haile Mekonnen Tegegne , Ganfure Gemechu
Published: August 2021

Background: In Ethiopia, stunting is one of the most important public health problems. It affects human capital and productivity in several dimensions like impairing learning potential, increased economic costs to health systems and families. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with stunting among children 6-59months in pastoralist communities of Bale Zone, south-east Ethiopia. Methods: A community- based cross-sectional study design was executed involving 657 children paired with their mothers. A structured questionnaire was administered. Anthropometry was conducted on children following standard procedures. A stepwise logistic regression with backward elimination method was used to identify factors associated stunting. Adjusted odd ratios with 95% confidence interval and p-value of ≤ 0.05 were used to assess level of significance. Results: prevalence of stunting was 43.2 (95% CI: 39.9–47.5). Male children (AOR=3.5, 95%CI, 1.59 -7.71), mothers with primary education level (AOR=8.8 ,95%CI, 7.36 -9.19), and bottle feeding practice (AOR: 3.7, 95%CI, 1.74 -7.69) were positively associated with child stunting, whereas colostrum’s feeding practice(AOR:0.14, 95% CI, 0.06 -0.32),improved source of drinking water(AOR=0.3, 95%CI: 0.11-0.71), exclusively breast feeding (AOR: 0.4 [95%CI, 0.20 -0.92), timely of complimentary feeding initiation(AOR: 0.04, 95%CI 0.00, 0.01), growth monitoring follow up (AOR=0.3 [95%CI, 0.13 -0.59), were showed negative association. Conclusion: Prevalence of stunting was high. Therefore, due attention has to be given on child nutritional education, safe drinking water supply, and promotion of community-based growth monitoring in order to in order to end stunting in children by 2030.
Biodegradation and Metabolic Pathway of Sulfamethoxazole by Sphingobacterium Mizutaii
Authors: Song Jinlong , Hao Guijie , Liu Lu , Zhang Hongyu , Zhao Dongxue , Li Xingyang , Yang Zhen , Xu Jinhua , Ruan Zhiyong , Mu Yingchun
Published: August 2021

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is the most commonly used antibiotics in China for inhibiting aquatic animal diseases. However, the residues of SMX are difficult to eliminate and may enter the food chain, leading to considerable threats on human health. The bacterial strain Sphingobacterium mizutaii LLE5 was isolated from activated sludge. This strain could utilize SMX as its sole carbon source and degrade it efficiently. Under optimal degradation conditions (30.8 °C, pH 7.2, and inoculum amount of 3.5 × 107 cfu/mL), S. mizutaii LLE5 could degrade 93.87% of 50 mg/L SMX within 7 days. Four intermediate products from the degradation of SMX were identified: sulfanilamide, 4-aminothiophenol, 5-amino-3-methylisoxazole, and aniline, suggesting a possible degradation pathway based on these findings. This report is the first to confirm that Sphingobacteriumi could degrade SMX. Furthermore, S. mizutaii LLE5 could also degrade other sulfonamides. The degradation efficiencies of strain LLE5 for sulfadiazine, sulfaguanidine, sulfamisoxazole, and sulfadimidine were 59.85%, 51.68%, 46.95%, and 37.42%, respectively.
Evaluation of the Initial 12 Months of a Routine Cryptococcal Antigen Screening Program in Reduction of HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis in Uganda
Authors: Enock Kagimu , Julius Kiwanuka , Griffith Bridget C , Abila Derrick Bary , Rutakingirwa Morris K , Kasibante John , Kandole Kiiza Tadeo , Kwizera Richard , Semeere Aggrey , Meya David B
Published: August 2021

Background: Asymptomatic Cryptococcal Antigenemia (CrAg) patients develop meningitis within a month of testing positive. Pre-emptive antifungal therapy can prevent progression to Cryptococcal meningitis(CM). In April 2016, a national CrAg screening program was initiated in 206 high-volume health facilities that provide antiretroviral therapy in Uganda. We report the evaluation of the CrAg screening cascade focusing on linkage to care, fluconazole therapy for 10 weeks, and ART initiation in a subset of facilities.Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional survey of patients with CD4<100 at seven urban and seven rural facilities after one year of program implementation. We quantified the number of patients who transitioned through the steps of the CrAg screening cascade over six-months follow-up. We defined cascade completion as a prophylactic fluconazole prescription. We conducted semi-structured interviews with lab personnel and clinic staff to assess functionality of the CrAg screening program. Data was collected using REDCap.Results:We evaluated 359 patient records; the majority (358/359, 99.7%) were from government owned health facilities and just over half (193/359, 53.8%) had a median baseline CD4 cell count of <50 cell/µL. Overall, CrAg screening had been performed in 255/359 (71.0%, 95% CI, 66.0-75.7) of patients’ records reviewed, with a higher proportion among urban facilities (170/209 (81.3%, 95% CI, 75.4-86.4)) than rural facilities (85/150 (56.7%, 95% CI, 48.3-64.7)). Among those who were CrAg screened, 56/255 (22.0%, 95% CI, 17.0-27.5%) had cryptococcal antigenemia, of whom 47/56 (83.9%, 95% CI, 71.7-92.4%) were initiated on pre-emptive therapy with fluconazole and 8/47 (17.0%, 95% CI, 7.6-30.8%) of these were still receiving antifungal therapy at 6 months follow up. Atleast one CNS symptom was present in 70% (39/56) of those with antigenemia. In patients who had started ART, almost 40% initiated ART prior to CrAg screening. Inadequacy of equipment/supplies was reported by 15/26 (58%) of personnel as a program barrier, while 13/26 (50%) reported a need for training about CM and CrAg screening.Conclusion:There was a critical gap in the follow-up of patients after initiation on fluconazole therapy. ART had been initiated in almost 40% of patients prior to CrAg screening, which predisposes them to unmasking Cryptococcal IRIS. Higher antigenemia patients presenting with CNS symptoms could be related to late presentation. There is need to address these gaps after a more thorough evaluation.
Homologous and Mitochondrial Targeting Synergistic Induction of Apoptosis and Ferroptosis Enhanced PDT Performance Against Osteosarcoma HOS
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Liang , Zhao Guosheng , Zhang Yuan , Zhan Fangbiao , Chen Zhiyu , He Tao , Cao Yang , Hao Lan , Wang Zhigang , Quan Zhengxue , Ou Yunsheng
Published: August 2021

Background: There have been no prominent advancements in osteosarcoma (OS) treatment in the past 20 years. Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging technique for cancer therapy, its lack of targeting in OS treatment severely limits its applications.Methods: In this study, we constructed a potential theranostic nanoplatform by using (poly (ethylene glycol) polylactic-co-Glycolic acid (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) wrapping IR780 into the core (PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs), which was further camouflaged with human OS cell membranes from the HOS cell line (MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs) to show homologous and mitochondrial targeting capacities. In addition, the potential underlying anticancer mechanisms of MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs-mediated PDT was investigated.Results: We demonstrated that the MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs had excellent tumor/mitochondrial targeting with the help of homologous targeting to HOS cell line. Moreover, the excellent photoacoustic (PA)/fluorescence (FL) imaging ability of MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs laid a foundation for further applications. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, we demonstrated that dual-targeting NPs-mediated PDT could significantly induce HOS cell apoptosis and ferroptosis, and further explored apoptosis was triggered by cytochrome c-activated mitochondrial apoptosis (endogenous apoptosis), and the specific molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis is the activation of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy and the passivation of GPX4 in vitro, synergistically leading to the excessive accumulation of ROS. In addition, MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs-induced PDT also showed an obvious inhibitory effect on tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: These results suggest the dual-targeting-based theranostic nanoplatform provides an effective method to improve PDT performance in OS and paves a new and promising way for OS therapy.
Potential of Megathrust Earthquakes Along the Southern Ryukyu Trench Inferred from GNSS Data
Authors: Kano Masayuki , Ikeuchi Aoi , Nishimura Takuya , Miyazaki Shin'ichi , Matsushima Takeshi
Published: August 2021

The southern part of the Ryukyu subduction zone has recorded tsunami events with a recurrence interval of several hundred years. Although their source is controversial, one model suggested that the last 1771 Yaeyama tsunami was caused by a shallow megathrust earthquake with a magnitude of 8. However, the current knowledge on interplate coupling based on recent geodetic data is limited. This study analyzed a time series of Global Navigation Satellite System data from January 2010 to February 2021, including newly installed stations by Kyoto and Kyushu Universities to obtain the distance changes between stations and vertical secular velocities. The distance changes ranged 2.4 mm/yr in contraction and 4.7 mm/yr in extension, and the vertical velocities exhibited no clear uplift or subsidence of -2.4 to 1.1 mm/yr. The back slip inversion results indicated the slip deficit of 16–54 mm/yr in the south of the Yaeyama Islands. The large slip deficit area is complementarily intervened between the shallower source area of low-frequency earthquakes and the deeper slow slip region, suggesting the spatial heterogeneity of frictional properties along the plate interface. If the large slip deficit area accumulates stress in the same rate since the last 1771 earthquake, it could result in a megathrust event of at least greater than a moment magnitude of 7.7. Because the limited onshore data cannot resolve the slip deficit on the shallow plate interface, seafloor geodetic observations are essential to clarify the detailed spatial distribution of slip deficit and discuss its earthquake and tsunami potential.