bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Bifunctional Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Involved in the O-Dealkylation or N-Dealkoxymethylation of Chloroacetanilide Herbicides in Rhodococcus sp. B2
Authors: Liu Hongming , Yuan Meng , Liu Aimin , Zhu Guo-Ping , Sun Li-Na
Published: September 2020

Background: The chloroacetamide herbicides pretilachlor is an emerging pollutant, Due to the large amount of use, its presence in the environment threatens to human health. However, the molecular mechanism of pretilachlor degradation is unknown. Results: Now, Rhodococcus sp. B2 was isolated from rice field and found to degrade pretilachlor. The maximum pretilachlor degradation efficiency (86.1%) was observed at a culture time of 5 d, 50 mg/L initial substrate, pH 6.98, and 30.1°C. One novel metabolite was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Draft genome comparison demonstrated that a 32,147-bp DNA fragment, comprising a gene cluster (EthRABCDB2), was absent in the mutant strain TB2 which could not degrade pretilachlor. The Eth gene system, encodes an AraC/XylS family transcriptional regulator, a ferredoxin reductase, a cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase, a ferredoxin and a 10-kDa unknown protein. Complementation of EthABCDB2 and EthABDB2, but not EthABCB2 in strain TB2 restored its activity against chloroacetamide herbicides. The codon of EthABCDB2 was optimized, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified utilizing Ni-affinity chromatography. A mixture of EthABCDB2 or EthABDB2 but not EthABCB2 catalyzed the N-dealkoxymethylation activity toward alachlor, acetochlor, butachlor, and propisochlor and O-dealkylation activity toward pretilachlor, revealing that EthD acted as a ferredoxin in strain B2. EthABDB2 displayed maximal activity at 30 °C and pH 7.5. Conclusions: This is the first report of a P450 family oxygenase catalyzing the O-dealkylation or N-dealkoxymethylation of pretilachlor and propisochlor. And the results provide microbial resource for the remediation of chloroacetamide herbicides-contaminated sites,
Early Outcomes of Pelvic Trauma Patients – Complications, ICU Stay and Treatment Concepts in Two ATLS® Compliant Trauma Centers: Germany and Qatar
Authors: Keil Holger , El-Menyar Ayman , Daerr Julian , Weil Frederik , Abdelrahman Husham , Alhammoud Abduljabbar , Ghouri Syed I , Babikir ElHadi , Wahlen Bianca M , Al-Thani Hassan , Grützner Paul A , Münzberg Matthias
Published: September 2020

Background: Pelvic trauma causes severe threats especially to polytraumatized patients. Not only it is in itself a possible cause for significant bleeding but it also indicates a high risk for intra-abdominal injuries. The initial treatment of patients with pelvic trauma follows the ATLS principles of priority-oriented treatment. To examine the value of this highly standardized concept and to evaluate the effect of different patient collectives on early outcome parameters, two large collectives from Germany and Qatar were analyzed regarding injury parameters and early outcomes.Methods: Patients were recruited in Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar (HGH) and BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Germany (BG). All patients that were treated with a pelvic fracture between 2013 and 2016 were included in this retrospective analysis. Demographic parameters were collected as well as type of injury and the frequency of complication parameters as pneumonia, acute kidney failure, ARDS, sepsis and amount of blood transfusion.Results: We recruited 1436 patients with pelvic fracture (645 from BG and 791 from HGH). The mean age was 57.4 years in the BG and 33.6 years in the HGH group (p<0.000). The mean ISS was 17.81 in the BG and 15.88 in the HGH group (p=0.009). The mean pelvic AIS was 2.65 in the BG and 2.25 in the HGH group (p<0.000). The mean frequency of complications was 9.3% in the BG and 9.9% in the HGH group (p=0.128). The mean frequency of ARDS was significantly higher in the BG group than in the HGH group (5.6% vs. 1.8%, p<0.000). The mean frequency of blood transfusion was significantly lower in the BG group than in the HGH group (28.8% vs. 39.2%, p<0.000).Discussion and Conclusion: Despite significant differences in the two collectives, this analysis shows comparable results regarding early outcome parameters in patients with pelvic injuries. In total, pelvic injuries are accompanied by a relatively high complication risk and need to be evaluated and treated according to priority-based algorithms.
Factors Influencing MLS Career Choice Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Schwartz Lisa , Cymrot Cliff
Published: September 2020

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare workforce. Increased personal risk, job instability, and workplace demands due to COVID-19 may reduce individuals’ interests in pursuing a healthcare career. Yet the enhanced visibility of the critical role of healthcare professionals in addressing the crisis may have strengthened individuals’ resolve to serve others as a healthcare provider. Moving forward it will be important for higher education institutions to identify what factors may influence prospective students’ decisions to pursue a healthcare career, including medical laboratory sciences, so that recruitment efforts may be focused accordingly. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using a modified version of the Health Care Choice instrument to include questions regarding COVID-19. Seventy-two (n=72) students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate-level medical laboratory science programs at a university in the United States completed the survey. Parametric and non-parametric analyses were performed to identify relationships between factors that influence career choice and particular demographic factors, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on these factors. Results: Personal interests and nature of the work were the influencing factors rated highest, followed by job prospects. Prior healthcare exposure, self-efficacy, and social influences were rated lower. There were few significant differences based on demographic factors, except those who had military experience. Participants reported being personally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but for most it did not change their career choice. Conclusions: Medical laboratory sciences students report the factors that influence their career choice are similar to the factors that impact other health professionals in choosing their career. Recruitment strategies should focus on the impact that medical laboratory sciences professionals have on people’s lives and the highly skilled, hands-on nature of the work, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
ACTN1 Supports Tumor Growth by Inhibiting Hippo Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Qian , Zhou Xiao-Wei , Zhang Ai-Jun , He Kang
Published: September 2020

Background: Alpha actinins (ACTNs) are major cytoskeletal proteins and exhibit many non-muscle functions. Emerging evidence have uncovered the regulatory role of ACTNs in tumorigenesis, however, the expression pattern, biological functions, and underlying mechanism of ACTN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unexplored.Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of a HCC tissue microarray (n = 157) was performed to determine the expression pattern and prognostic value of ACTN1 in HCC. In vitro loss-of-function study in HCC cells were carried out to investigate ACTN1 knockdown on cell proliferation. In vivo subcutaneous xenograft model and intrahepatic transplantation model were generated to decipher the contribution of ACTN1 in the tumor growth of HCC. Gene set enrichment analysis, quantitative real-time PCR, Co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and western blotting were performed to identify the underlying molecular mechanism.Results: It was found that ACTN1 was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and closely related to llpha-fetoprotein level, tumor thrombus, tumor size, TNM stage and patient prognoses. Knockdown of ACTN1 suppressed in vitro cell proliferation and in vivo tumor growth of HCC cells. Mechanistically, knockdown of ACTN1 increased Hippo signaling pathway activity and decrease Rho GTPases activities. Mechanistically, ACTN1 could competitively interact with MOB1 and decrease the phosphorylation of LATS1 and YAP. The growth-promoting effect induced by ACTN1 was significantly abrogated by pharmacological inhibition of YAP with verteporfin or super-TDU.Conclusions: ACTN1 is highly expressed in HCC tissues and acts as a tumor promoter by suppressing Hippo signaling via physical interaction with MOB1. ACTN1 may serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.
Investigation of Kluyveromyces marxianus as a novel host for large-scale production of porcine parvovirus virus-like particles
Authors: Yang Deqiang , Chen Lei , Duan Jinkun , Yu Yao , Zhou Jungang , Lu Hong
Published: September 2020

Background: Porcine Parvovirus (PPV) is a Parvovirinae virus that can cause embryonic and fetal loss and death and mummification in affected fetal pigs. Unlike conventional vaccines, virus-like particles (VLPs) inherit the natural structure of their authentic virions and highly immunostimulatory that can induce strong humoral immune and T cell responses with no risk of pathogenicity due to incomplete attenuation or inactivation. Production PPV VLPs is still a challenge using the traditional expression platforms due to the low yield and culture cost. Kluyveromyces marxianus is a safe and fast-growing eukaryote that can yield high biomass in low-cost cultures. In this study, we investigated the production and downstream processes of PPV VLPs in K. marxianus, and the potential for effective stand-alone vaccines.Results: After optimization according to the codon bias of K.marxianus, the VP2 protein from Kresse strain was highly expressed. In 5L fermentator, the yield of PPV VLPs reached 2.5 g/L, qualified by HPLC, using a defined mineral medium after 48h fermentation. Two strategies, cation exchange chromatography coupled with Sephacryl® S-500 HR chromatography for the supernatants of pH adjusted cell lysates and anion exchange chromatography followed by cross-flow diafiltration for the precipitate respectively, were established to purify the intracellular PPV VLPs. The purity PPV VLPs reached about 95%, and total recovery was more than 60%. Sera from the PPV VLPs immunized mice showed high titers of IgG antibody and hemagglutination inhibitions on both swine and guinea pig erythrocytes. Spleen lymphocyte proliferation and cytokines detection suggested the PPV VLPs produced by K.marxianus can provoke the cellular immune and humoral immunity responses.Conclusion: This is the highest production of recombinant PPV VLPs achieved to date. The superiorities, safe, high production, short lead time, and low cost, make K. marxianus a greatly competitive platform in bioproduction of PPV VLPs vaccine.
Opportunistic Routing Based on Partial CSI in MIMO Random Ad-hoc Networks
Authors: Richter Yiftach , Bergel Itsik
Published: September 2020

In this paper we consider opportunistic routing in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) random wireless ad-hoc networks (WANETs). Our analysis uses a proper model of the physical layer together with an abstraction of the higher communication layers. We assume that the nodes are distributed according to a Poisson-Point-Process and consider a routing scheme that opportunistically selects the next relay and the number of spatially multiplexed data streams. The routing decisions are based on geographic locations, the channel gains of the neighbor nodes and the statistical characterization of all other nodes. Unlike the single antenna case, the optimal routing scheme cannot be explicitly expressed. Hence, we propose a smart-routing scheme for MIMO that adapts the number of data streams per user to the channel conditions. Numerical results demonstrate that this scheme outperforms all previously published schemes for this scenario. The findings highlight the importance of channel state information for efficient routing, and the need for an adaptive selection of the number of data streams at each transmitter.
Anthraquinone Laxative-Altered Gut Microbiota Induces Colonic Mucosal Barrier Dysfunction for Colorectal Cancer Progression
Authors: Wei Zhonghong , Wu Jiawei , Yang Yu , Shen Peiliang , Cheng Peng , Tao Li , Shan Yunlong , Sun Zhiguang , Lu Yin
Published: September 2020

Background: The safety of anthraquinone laxatives has been controversial. Previously, a few scattered studies have revealed that anthraquinones can cause the damage to the structure of colonic epithelial tissue, and long-term intake of anthraquinone laxatives increase the colorectal cancer risks. In this study, we focused on sennoside A, a primary purgative component in anthraquinone laxatives, and investigated the effects of sennoside A on intestinal inflammation, host metabolism, and whether it can exacerbate the colitis-associated colon cancer in the AOM/DSS mouse model. Results: Initially, sennoside A disrupted the mucus layer and mechanical barrier of the colon. The dynamic effects of sennoside A on the community structure of gut microbiota were futher anlyazed. We found sennoside A significantly promoted the dominant growth of Akkermansia muciniphila after continuous treatment for 56 days, which was independent of the prototype of sennoside A and its metabolites, including the main host metabolite rhein and bacteria metabolites. Interestingly, sennoside A suppressed the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria, thereby decreasing the butyrate levels. Besides, sennoside A directly inhibited the growth of Clostridium tyrobutyrate and Clostridium butyricum, which was not caused by the prototype of sennoside A , but the direct bacteriostatic effect produced from its metaboliterhein. Lastly, supplement with butyrate prevented sennoside A-induced gut dysbiosis and mucus barrier impairment. Conclusions: our work reveals that sennoside A can impair the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, which is closely related to the disruption of the structural balance between mucus-degrading bacteria and exogenous fibro-degrading bacteria, inducing long term low-grade inflammation, metabolic disorders associated with tumorigenesis, and consequently promoting the progression of colonic carcinogenesis in the AOM/DSS mouse model.
Upgraded adenine base editor (uABE) with minimized RNA off-targeting activity
Authors: Li Jianan , Yu Wenxia , Huang Shisheng , Wu Susu , Li Liping , Zhou Jiankui , Cao Yu , Huang Xingxu , Qiao Yunbo
Published: September 2020

Both adenine base editors (ABEs) and cytosine base editors (CBEs) have been recently revealed to induce transcriptome-wide RNA off-target editing in a guide RNA-independent manner. As the optimized ABE, ABEmax, induces highly efficient A-to-I (inosine) editing within an E.coli tRNA-like structure, we construct a reporter system containing E.coli Hokb gene with a tRNA-like motif for robust detection of RNA editing activities. Then, we design mutations to disrupt the interaction between TadA and tRNAs in structure-guided principles, and find that Arginine 153 (R153) within TadA is essential for recognizing core tRNA-like structures. Two ABEmax or mini ABEmax variants (TadA* fused with Cas9 (D10A)) with deletion of R153 within TadA and/or TadA* (named as del153/del153* and mini del153) are successfully engineered, showing minimized RNA editing, but comparable DNA on-targeting activities. Moreover, del153 in recently reported ABE8e or ABE8s can also largely reduce their RNA off-targeting activities. Taken together, we develop a strategy to generate upgraded ABEs (uABEs) with minimized RNA off-target activities.
Takotsubo Syndrome Induced by Brachytherapy in a Patient with Endocervical Adenocarcinoma.
Authors: Vieira Aline Cristini , Ribeiro Mauricio Fernando Silva Almeida , Lima Julianne , Filho Jacob Sessim , Carvalho Heloisa de Andrade , Mano Max Senna
Published: September 2020

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as stress cardiomyopathy, apical ballooning syndrome and broken heart syndrome, is characterized by acute-onset chest pain, electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities and reversible left ventricular (LV) disfunction in the absence of a culprit obstructive lesion in the coronary arteries; therefore, myocardial infarction is the most important differential diagnosis. Usually induced by emotional/physical stress, its treatment consists in hemodynamic support until complete and spontaneous recovery occurs, which is generally achieved within a few days to weeks. Cervical malignancies are an important public health issue in low/middle-income countries and, in the setting of locally advanced disease, concurrent chemoradiation followed by brachytherapy is considered the standard treatment, harboring curative potential. Case report: We report a case of a 38-year-old woman who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy and developed cardiopulmonary arrest in ventricular fibrillation during a brachytherapy session. Complementary tests disclosed altered EKG and cardiac biomarkers, no evidence of coronary artery obstruction, as well as LV disfunction consistent with TTS on echocardiogram and cardiac MRI. After few days of supportive therapy, complete recovery of heart function was observed. Conclusion: considering that community clinicians might be unfamiliar with TTS, this condition is likely to be underdiagnosed. Especially for cancer patients, who usually experience intense emotional/physical stress intrinsically associated with their diagnosis and aggressive treatments, considering TTS as a differential diagnosis is warranted. Intracavitary brachytherapy procedure may represent a trigger for TTS.
Analysis of Vaginal and Endometrial Microbiota Communities in Infertile Women With a History of Repeated Implantation Failure
Authors: Ichiyama Takuhiko , Kuroda Keiji , Nagai Yoko , Urushiyama Daichi , Ono Motoharu , Yamaguchi Takashi , Nagayoshi Motoi , Sakuraba Yoshiyuki , Yamasaki Fumio , Hata Kenichiro , Miyamoto Shingo , Itakura Atsuo , Takeda Satoru , Tanaka Atsushi
Published: September 2020

Background: Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is estimated to occur in 15%–20% of infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Molecular identification recently confirmed that the uterine microbiota may have implications for reproductive and obstetrical outcomes. One hundred forty-five women who had been diagnosed with RIF were enrolled in the study. Twenty-one healthy women were also enrolled as controls. We investigated their vaginal and endometrial microbiotas using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and compared the microbiota profiles in the patients with RIF and controls.Results: The endometrial microbiotas had higher α-diversities than did the vaginal microbiotas (p<0.001 in both patients with RIF and healthy women). The microbiota profiles showed that vaginal and endometrial samples in patients with RIF had significantly higher levels of 5 and 14 bacterial genera, respectively, than those in healthy women. These genera included Atopobium, Gardnerella, Prevotella and Megasphaera. Vaginal Lactobacillus rates in patients with RIF were significantly lower at 76.4 ± 38.9% compared with those of the controls at 91.8 ± 22.7% (p=0.018), but endometrial Lactobacillus rates did not significantly differ between the RIF patients and controls (56.2 ± 36.4% and 58.8 ± 37.0%, respectively, p=0.79) Conclusions: Impaired microbiota communities containing specific bacteria in both the endometrium and vagina were associated with implantation failure. The Lactobacillus rate in the vagina, but not the endometrium, may be a biomarker for RIF.Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000031731, Registered 15 March 2018; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000036121
Family Planning for Women With Severe Mental Illness in Rural Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Zerihun Tigist , Sorsdahl Katherine , Hanlon Charlotte
Published: September 2020

Background: Family planning is a crucial issue for all women of reproductive age, but in women with severe mental illness (SMI) there may be particular challenges and concerns. As primary care-based mental health services are expanding in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is an opportunity to improve family planning services for women with SMI. However, research exploring unmet family planning needs of women with SMI in such settings is scarce. Therefore, the present study explored the family planning experiences, unmet needs and preferences of women with SMI who reside in a predominantly rural area of Ethiopia Methods: A qualitative study design was used. Women with SMI who were participating in the ongoing population-based cohort study in Butajira were selected purposively on the basis of responses to a quantitative survey of current family planning utilization. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women with SMI who were of reproductive age. Audio files were transcribed in Amharic, translated into English and analyzed using the Framework Approach using Open Code qualitative data analysis software. Results: Participants reported pervasive effects of SMI upon the intimate relationships and sexual life of women. Although women with SMI felt that family planning was important, they had limited knowledge of family planning generally and a lack of understanding of the specific family planning needs relevant to having SMI. None of the women with SMI in the present study had received any recommendations to use family planning services while accessing mental health care services. The participants identified ways in which primary care-based mental health services could better meet their family planning needs. Conclusion: This study has provided in-depth perspectives from women with SMI about the broader context of their family planning experience, needs, barriers and how integrated primary care services could better meet their needs. Empowerment of women with SMI to access information and services needs to be an important focus of future efforts to improve the reproductive experiences of this vulnerable group.
The Treatment of Macrolide-Resistant Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children
Authors: DAI Fang-fang , LIU Feng-qin , CHEN Xing , YANG Juan , WANG Ke , GUO Chun-yan
Published: September 2020

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin in children with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled six confirmed cases of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (n=6) who were admitted in the pediatric respiratory ward of Shandong provincial hospital Affiliated to Shandong first Medical University between January 1st, 2020and February 29th, 2020. Levofloxacin was given to the patients through the intravenous or oral route as per the following dosages :< 5 years, 8-10 mg/kg q12hours; > 5 years, 8-10 mg/kg, qd for ten days. The clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results: The average age of the enrolled cases was six years and nine months (range, four years, and seven months to eleven years and seven months). All cases were found to be drug-resistant and were treated with azithromycin combined with antibacterial drugs. Levofloxacin was used in the patient’s refractory to macrolide antibiotics. The temperature of five cases returned to normal 1 to 2 days after treatment with levofloxacin, and the imaging of the four cases showed expected improvements. The gastrointestinal symptoms, neurological manifestations, joint symptoms, blood parameters, liver and kidney functions, and exercise conditions of the children were closely monitored. The follow-up time of the patients ranged from one week to five months. No drug-related adverse reactions were observed in patients during treatment or during follow up.Conclusions: The clinical symptoms and imaging significantly improved after treatment with levofloxacin, and no drug-related adverse reactions were observed. Levofloxacin proved to be an effective and safe drug in the treatment of children with macrolide-resistant mycoplasma pneumonia.
Maternal Satisfaction on Delivery Care Services and Associated Factors Among Mothers who Gave Birth in the University of Gondar Teaching and Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Firdie Andualem , Maru Alemnew , Deriye Abdulahi , Assefa Amare , Bedassa Abdi , Bekele Anteneh , Alemayehu Amanuel , Abebe Zegeye , Gizaw Zemichael
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Maternal satisfaction on delivery services is an important indicator for assessment of the quality of care. Quality of delivery care is the degree to which maternal health services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of timely and appropriate treatment for the purpose of achieving desired outcomes. The use of services and outcomes are the result not only of the provision of care but also of women’s experience of that care. Therefore, investigating women’s experience or satisfaction on delivery care is of paramount importance to enhance the services utilization. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected using structured and pretested questionnaire from 403 mothers who were recruited by simple random sampling technique. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with maternal satisfaction on delivery services on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and a p – value less than 0.05. Results: The current study found that 78.2%, 65.5%, 64.3%, 49.9% and 44.7% of the mothers who gave birth at the University of Gondar teaching and referral hospital were satisfied on physicians’ communication, health care services, physicians’ attitude, privacy and sanitation condition of the health institution respectively. The overall satisfaction of mothers on delivery services was found to be 65.5%. Maternal satisfaction was statistically associated with diploma and above education [AOR = 0.29, 95% CI = (0.13, 0.66)]; secondary and/or primary education [AOR = 0.42, 95% CI = (0.20, 0.90)]; Antenatal care (ANC) follow-up in the current pregnancy [AOR = 4.47, 95% CI = (1.77, 11.27)] and short waiting time [AOR =1.85, 95% CI = (1.19, 2.88)].Conclusion: This study revealed that the overall satisfaction of mothers on delivery service was found to be suboptimal. Physicians’ communication, health care services and physicians’ attitude were areas where the highest proportion of mothers satisfied. On the other hand, the highest proportion of mothers was dissatisfied on sanitation condition. Educational status, ANC follow-up and waiting time were found to be statistically associated with maternal satisfaction on delivery services.
Circular RNA circDLC1 Inhibits MMP1-Mediated Liver Cancer Progression via Interaction with HuR
Authors: Liu Hailing , Lan Tian , Li Hui , Xu Lin , Chen Xing , Liao Haotian , Chen Xiangzheng , Du Jinpeng , Cai Yunshi , Wang Jinju , Li Xuefeng , Huang Jiwei , Yuan Kefei , Zeng Yong
Published: September 2020

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been demonstrated to be closely related to cancer progression. KIAA1429, a key component of the m6A methyltransferase complex, has recently been reported to promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression by regulating the m6A methylation. However, the involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in KIAA1429-mediated HCC progression is still unknown.Methods: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m6A-seq) were utilized to identify KIAA1429-regulated circRNAs. The effects of circDLC1 on proliferation and metastasis of hepatoma cells were examined in vitro and in vivo. RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression of circDLC1 in HCC tissues and hepatoma cells. RNA FISH, RIP assays and biotin-labeled RNA pull-down were used to investigate the downstream effector of circDLC1. The downstream targets of circDLC1 were identified using RNA-seq.Results: Our data demonstrated that circDLC1 was downregulated in HCC tissues and closely relevant to favorable prognosis. Overexpression of circDLC1 inhibited the proliferation and motility of hepatoma cells in vitro and in vivo, while silencing of circDLC1 played the opposite role. Mechanistic investigations revealed that circDLC1 could bind to RNA-binding protein HuR, which subsequently reduced the interaction between HuR and MMP1 mRNAs, thus inhibited the expression of MMP1, finally contributed to inhibition of HCC progression.Conclusion: Our work suggests that circDLC1, a downstream target of KIAA1429, is a promising prognostic marker for HCC patients, and the circDLC1-HuR-MMP1 axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
Community Detection using Unsupervised machine learning technique on COVID -19 dataset
Authors: Chaudhary Laxmi , Singh Buddha
Published: September 2020

COVID-19 has been considered to be the most destructive pandemic ever happened in the history of mankind. The worldwide research community has put a tenacious effort to carry out research on the COVID-19 to analyse its impact on economic, medical and sociolgoical fields. They are trying to solve many crucial issues related to this disease and derive strategies to deal with this global pandemic. In this paper, we have analysed the trend, countries affected regionally and the variation of cases at the country level on COVID-19 dataset. We have used the Principal component analysis on the COVID-19 dataset variables to reduce the dimentionality and find the most significant variables. Further, we have unvieled the hidden community structure of countries by applying the unsupervised clustering approach, K-means. The resulted communities can be an advantage to researchers, politicians, sociologists, different policy makers and managers of health sector.
Similarity Comparisons of SARS-CoV-2 Samples between Wuhan and G20
Authors: Wang Zhenhui , Qiao Mu , Zheng Jeffrey
Published: September 2020

To analyze SARS CoV-2 genomes, this paper uses a viral genome collected in Wuhan as a basic sequence to select a set of genomes from G20 countries/regions for comparison. Two methods are applied in visualization followed in the A1 and C1 modules of the MAS to provide 1D similarity projection and information entropy approaches. For a pair of two genomes segmented as M segments to calculate base differences corresponding to each segment, a measuring vector can be generated to be projected as a visual map. Refined information will be provided to calculate the information entropy corresponding to base differences. This provides quantitative measures to organize these genomes arranged into a linear order. The first method uses a line chart representation to illustrate relevant differences among genomes 1 by 1 between Wuhan and other regions. The second method uses a histogram representation to observe the information entropy projection results. Significant similarities are observed among the differences with approximately equal entropies with higher similarity. Based on the comparison of gene sequence diagrams between Wuhan and various regions, a difference analysis was carried out.
Assessing the effects of exposure to a SARS-CoV-2 re-positive patient in healthcare personnel
Authors: Ogawa Yoshihiko , Nishida Koji , Gohma Iwao , Kasahara Kei , Yano Hisakazu
Published: September 2020

Objective: To evaluate whether patients with COVID-19 who have tested re-positive with the PCR test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus are infectious is a challenge in the current circumstances. A follow-up survey was conducted with healthcare personnel (HCP) who were exposed to a patient whose PCR test results for SARS-CoV-2 were re-positive 18 days after the initial confirmation of negative PCR results.Results: We studied a total of 15 HCP who had contact exposures (15/15) and aerosol exposures (7/15). None of them tested positive for IgG against SARS-CoV-2 on blood examination. None of them had any symptoms during 10 days of active isolation. All PCR tests conducted using the nasopharyngeal swabs collected from the HCP on day 10 were negative. No apparent infection was found in any of the HCP who had contact exposure with and/or aerosol exposure from the patient whose PCR test results for SARS-CoV-2 were re-positive 18 days after the initial confirmation of negative results of PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2.Trial Registration: No. 170, approved June 10th, 2020 by the ethics committee of Sakai City Medical Center.
Metabolomics Reveals the Renoprotective Effect of N-butanol Extract and Amygdalin Extract From Amygdalus Mongolica in Rats With Renal Fibrosis
Authors: BAI wanfu , Liu Qing , Chang Hong , Liu Quanli , Gao Chen , Bai Yingchun , Zhou Hongbing , Shi Songli
Published: September 2020

Background: Renal fibrosis is a pathological process of progression from chronic kidney disease to end-stage renal disease, which threaten human health. Amygdalus mongolica is a traditional Chinese medicine, and our previous studies demonstrated that the n-butanol extract (BUT) and amygdalin extract (AMY) from its seeds, which are effective components of A. mongolica, can prevent renal fibrosis (RF). The present study was to investigate the exact mechanism of the protective effect of A. mongolica on RF. Methods: The RF rat model was established through unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Biochemical indicators were measured, combined with histopathology of renal tissue, to evaluate the anti-RF effects of the extracts of A. mongolica. A serum metabonomic method based on UPLC-QTOF-MS was used to clarify the changes in the metabolic profile among the different groups. Results: We found that tubulointerstitial damage and fibrosis were significantly improved, metabolic perturbations were restored after treatment with BUT and AMY. Thirty-eight metabolites associated with RF progression and related to the regulation of arginine and proline metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, histidine metabolism and pentose and glucuronate interconversions were identified. They were restored to levels similar to those observed in controls by treatment with AMY and BUT. Moreover, no significant differences in efficacy were observed between the BUT and AMY groups. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that antifibrotic effects of A. mongolica in rats with RF. It was the first to reveal the potential mechanisms of the renoprotective effects after treatment with BUT and AMY from A. mongolica.
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the recovery of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by density gradient
Authors: Manunta Maria D. I. , Lamorte Giuseppe , Ferrari Francesca , Trombetta Elena , Tirone Mario , Bianco Cristiana , Cattaneo Alessandra , Santoro Luigi , Baselli Guido , Brasca Manuela , Ostadreza Mahnoosh , Erba Elisa , Gori Andrea , Bandera Alessandra , Porretti Laura , Valenti Luca V. C. , Prati Daniele
Published: September 2020

SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is characterised by a hyperinflammatory response that plays a major role in determining the respiratory and immune-mediated complications of this condition. While isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from whole blood of COVID-19 patients by density gradient centrifugation, we noticed some changes in the floating properties and in the sedimentation of the cells on density medium. Investigating this further, we found that in early phase COVID-19 patients, characterised by reduced circulating lymphocytes and monocytes, the PBMC fraction contained surprisingly high levels of neutrophils. Furthermore, the neutrophil population exhibited alterations in the cell size and in the internal complexity, consistent with the presence of low density neutrophils (LDNs) and immature forms which may explain the shift seen in the floating abilities and that may be predictive of the severity of the disease. The percentage of this subset of neutrophils found in the PBMC band was rather spread (35.4±27.2%, with a median 28.8% and IQR 11.6-56.1, Welch’s t-test early phase COVID-19 versus blood donor healthy controls P<0.0001). Results confirm the presence of an increased number of LDNs in patients with early stage COVID-19, which correlates with disease severity and may be recovered by centrifugation on a density gradient together with PBMCs.
TW-SIR: Time-window based SIR for COVID-19 forecasts
Authors: Liao Zhifang , Lan Peng , Liao Zhingning , Zhang Yan , Liu Shengzong
Published: September 2020

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many COVID-19 research studies have proposed different models for predicting trend of COVID-19. Among them, the prediction model based on mathematical epidemiology (SIR) is the most widely used, but most of these models are adapted in special situations based on various assumptions. In order to reflect the real-time trend of the epidemic in the process of infection for different areas, different policies and different epidemic diseases, a general adapted time- window based SIR model is proposed, which is characterized by introducing a time window mechanism for dynamic data analysis and using machine learning method predicts the Basic reproduction number R0 and the exponential growth rate of the epidemic. Multiple data sets of epidemic diseases are analyzed, and the numerical results showed that the framework can effectively measure the real-time changes of the parameters during the epidemic, and error rate of predicting the number of COVID-19 infections in a single day is within 5%
The feedstock chemical composition (wood pine), cellolignin and hydrolyzate obtained with alcohol boiling
Authors: Федотова Н.Н. , Елкин В.А.
Published: September 2020

В последнее время развитие гидролизных производств и стабильное функционирование ряда действующих предприятий лимитируется, в первую очередь, экологическими факторами (воздействие химических веществ на окружающую среду), значение которых долгое время недооценивалось. Для кардинального решения проблемы охраны окружающей среды необходимо применение экологически оптимальной технологии в гидролизно-спиртовом производстве, которая не нарушает процесса саморегуляции природных комплексов. Производство технического этанола из древесного сырья сопровождается образованием крупнотоннажного отхода – послеспиртовой барды, количество которой во много раз превосходит выход основного продукта и достигает 135–150 м3 на 10 м3 этанола. Наиболее оптимальным решением утилизации послеспиртовой барды, с нашей точки зрения, является ее использование в основном производстве, в частности для приготовления варочной кислоты на процесс гидролиза растительного сырья. Приводятся данные по химическому составу исходного сырья (древесной сосны), целлолигнина и гидролизата, полученного от спиртовой варки. При изучении химического состава древесины сосны установлено содержание в ней целлюлозы – 42,6%, ЛГП – 17,2%, лигнина – 20,4%. Концентрация редуцирующих веществ в гидролизате составляет 3,1%, сухих веществ – 3,5%, органических кислот в пересчете на уксусную кислоту – 0,54%, олигосахаридов – 0,34%, фурфурола – 0,12%, рН гидролизата – 1,2. Доброкачественность гидролизата – 88%. При исследовании химического состава целлолигнина установлено, что в ходе варки все легкогидролизуемые полисахариды и около 45% трудногидролизуемых полисахаридов древесины перешли в раствор. Таким образом, установлено: присутствие в целлолигнине около 20% полисахаридов указывает на недостаточно оптимальный режим гидролиза растительного сырья; доброкачественность гидролизата отвечает требованиям, предъявляемым к гидролизатам в спиртовом производстве; предлагаемая технология предусматривает использование послеспиртовой барды для приготовления варочной кислоты.
Criterion for the estimation of forest reproduction
Authors: Тихонов А.С.
Published: September 2020

Лесной кодекс РФ требует обеспечивать воспроизводство леса – процесс восстановления леса с присущими ему природными свойствами. Чтобы на практике не разреживали чрезмерно древостои для достижения большего участия целевых пород, критерий должен учитывать и относительную полноту I яруса. С этих позиций были проанализированы древостои ели, сосны и дуба после сплошных и равномерно-постепенных рубок в течение нескольких десятилетий под влиянием рубок ухода. Установлено, что более объективно отражает качество возобновление главных пород не шкала Гослесхоза по густоте подроста, а шкала по встречаемости его на учётных площадках размером по 10 м2. По величине встречаемости можно прогнозировать долю участия главной породы в сформировавшемся по составу древостое. Эффективной оказалась равномерно-постепенная рубка в ельнике, полнота I яруса составляла 0,50. Сосна возобновилась успешно и после сплошной рубки с минерализацией почвы гусеницами трелёвочного трактора в осенний период. Полнота яруса составила 0,73. Наилучшим образом возобновление дуба произошло при равномерно- постепенной рубке. Уже через год после окончательного приёма предварительный подрост и тонкомер дуба в возрасте 41–90 лет имели 5 единиц в составе яруса, а полнота – 0,78.

The forest code of the Russian Federation requires the reproduction of forests – the process of forest restoration with its inherent natural properties. In practice, the criterion should take into account the relative completeness of the first tier in order to avoid excessive thinning of stands in order to achieve greater participation of target species. From these positions analyzed stands of spruce, pine and oak after continuous and evenly-gradual felling for several decades under the influence of felling care. Found that more objectively reflects the quality of the resumption of the main species, not the scale of state forestry on the density of the undergrowth, and scale of occurrence of its on experimental plots measuring 10 m2. The magnitude of occurrence we can predict the equity share principle species formed in the composition of the forest stand. Effective was evenly-gradual felling in spruce, the completeness of the first tier was 0.50. Pine resumed successfully after clear cutting with the salinity of the soil by caterpillar skidder in autumn.
Quantification of noncellulosic polysaccharides and other components in vegetable raw materials
Authors: Евстигнеев Э.И.
Published: September 2020

Предложен метод количественного определения нецеллюлозных полисахаридов в растительном сырье (древесине и сельскохозяйственных растениях). Он предусматривает определение в анализируемых образцах общего содержания полисахаридов и целлюлозы, а нецеллюлозные полисахариды определяются по разности. В качестве метода определения целлюлозы использовали азотно-спиртовый метод (метод Кюршнера), который отличается простотой и отсутствием необходимости предварительной экстракции образца, поскольку этанол является лучшим растворителем экстрактивных веществ среди индивидуальных растворителей. Для корректировки содержания целлюлозы Кюршнера на «чистую» целлюлозу в ней бромид-броматным методом определяются остаточные пентозаны. Как показали результаты анализа образцов с известным содержанием нецеллюлозных полисахаридов, разработанный метод позволяет определять указанные компоненты с высокой точностью (относительная ошибка определения не превышает 4,3%). Кроме того, в работе предложена схема определения основных компонентов растительного сырья. Она включает в себя определение полисахаридов, целлюлозы, нецеллюлозных полисахаридов, лигнина, экстрактивных веществ и золы. С ее помощью можно достаточно полно охарактеризовать компонентный состав сырья растительного происхождения, не прибегая к использованию специального оборудования. С помощью новой схемы анализа определены различия в содержании и составе полисахаридов древесины хвойных и лиственных пород.

The method of quantitative determination of noncellulosic polysaccharides in vegetable raw materials (wood and agricultural plants) is offered. He provides determination in the analyzed samples the general content of polysaccharides and cellulose, and noncellulosic polysaccharides are determined by a difference. As a method of determination of cellulose used Kürschner method which differs in simplicity and lack of need of preliminary extraction of a sample as ethanol is the best solvent of extractive substances among individual solvents. For correction of content of Kürschner cellulose on «pure» cellulose residual pentosans are determined by bromide bromated method. As have shown results of the analysis of samples with the known content of noncellulosic polysaccharides, the developed method allows to determine the specified components with high precision (the relative error of definition doesn't exceed 4.3%). Besides, in work the scheme determination of the main components of vegetable raw materials is offered. It includes determination of polysaccharides, cellulose, noncellulosic polysaccharides, lignin, extractive substances and ashes. With her help it is possible to characterize rather fully component composition of vegetable raw materials without resorting to use of the special equipment. Differences in contents and composition of polysaccharides of wood of coniferous and deciduous breeds are defined by the new scheme of the analysis.
Vibrating load of the operator of the feller-buncher in the process of cleaning the base of the tree from snow by turning the handle
Authors: Александров В.А. , Александров А.В. , Гомон Д.Ю.
Published: September 2020

Разработана модель биодинамической системы «оператор – валочно- трелёвочная машина». Математическое описание составлено в форме уравнения Лагранжа 2-го рода. Система уравнений решена относительно деформации упругой связи сидения с корпусом машины методом Рунге–Кутта с помощью среды программирования MathCAD. Апробация модели осуществлена на примере серийно выпускаемых валочно-трелёвочных машин в режиме очистки основания дерева от снега поворотом рукояти. Установлено, что вибронагруженность операторов ВТМ превышает санитарные нормы в 4–6 раз.

In article the model of biodynamic system is developed «the operator – feller – the packaging car (feller – buncher machine)». The mathematical description is worked out in the form of the equation of Lagrange second number. The system of the equations is solved concerning elastic deformation suspension seats of the operator by a method of Runge–Kutta, by MathCAD. Model approbation is carried out on an example of serially let out feller-buncher LP-17A in the dispersal mode at start-off from the place. As a result of researches it is established: vibroloading operators of feller-packaging cars exceeds the sanitary code in 4–6 times.