bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome Variation in Tick Infestation and Cryptic Divergence in Tunisian Indigenous Sheep
Authors: Ahbara Abulgasim M. , Khbou Médiha Khamassi , Rhomdhane Rihab , Sassi Limam , Gharbi Mohamed , Haile Aynalem , Rekik Mourad , Rischkowsky Barbara , Mwacharo Joram M.
Published: August 2021

Background: Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites considered second to mosquitos as vectors and reservoirs of multiple pathogens of global concern. Individual variation in tick infestation has been reported in indigenous sheep, but the genes regulating the trait are poorly understood.Results: Here, we report 397 genome-wide signatures of selection overlapping 991 genes from the analysis, using four methods (ROH, LR-GWAS, XP-EHH, FST), of 600K SNP genotype data from 170 Tunisian sheep exhibiting high and low resistance to ticks. We considered 45 signatures detected by consensus results of at least two methods as high-confidence selection sweep regions. These spanned 104 genes which included immune system function genes, solute carriers and chemokine receptor. One region spanned STX5, that has been associated with tick resistance in cattle, implicating it as a prime candidate in sheep. We also observed RAB6B and TF in a high confidence candidate region that has been associated with growth traits suggesting natural selection is enhancing growth and developmental stability under tick challenge. The analysis also reveals fine-scale genome structure suggesting the existence of cryptic divergence in the Tunisian sheep.Conclusion: Our findings provide genomic reference that could enhance our understanding of the genetic architecture of tick resistance and cryptic divergence in indigenous sheep.
The Removal Performance and Mechanisms of Tetracycline Over Mn-rich Limonite
Authors: Wang Luyao , Wang Hanlin , Liu Haibo , Zou Xuehua , Chen Dong , Chu Ziyang , Hu Jinchao , Chen Tianhu
Published: August 2021

Naturally occurring Mn-rich limonite mainly composed of goethite and manganese oxides was used to remove tetracycline (TC) from the aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of limonite were illustrated by various characterization techniques such as XRD, FE-TEM, XPS and FT-IR. The effects of dosage, initial solution pH, temperature and coexisting anions on TC removal were investigated. The results showed that TC could be efficiently adsorbed by limonite with high specific surface area and mesoporous structure through electrostatic interaction and complexation. The co-existence of PO43- inhibited the adsorption of TC by limonite due to the competition with TC for active sites. In addition, manganese oxides exhibited oxidative properties to TC, and the singlet oxygen (1O2) generated during the redox reaction was responsible for TC degradation. Furthermore, the regenerated limonite displayed an efficient recycling performance after four cycles. This study revealed that the Mn-rich limonite was a promising adsorbent for TC removal from aqueous solutions and promoted the application of natural mineral material in the environmental field.
Starvation Induced Autophagy Promotes The Progression of Bladder Cancer By LDHA Mediated Metabolic Reprogramming
Authors: Li Tinghao , Tong Hang , Yin Hubin , Luo Yi , Zhu Junlong , Qin Zijia , Yin Siwen , He Weiyang
Published: August 2021

Background: Aberrantly autophagy and preternatural elevated glycolysis are prevalent in bladder cancer (BLCA), which are both related to malignant progression. But the regulatory relationship between autophagy and glycolytic metabolism remains unveiled. We imitated a starvation condition of tumor microenvironment and found significantly increased level of autophagy and aerobic glycolysis, which both regulated progression of BLCA cells. We further explored regulatory relationships and mechanisms between them.Methods: We used immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy to detect autophagy levels of BLCA cells under different treatment. Lactate and glucose concentration detection demonstrated changes on glycolysis. Expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) were detected at transcriptional and translational levels, which were also silenced by small interfering RNA and effects on malignant progression further tested. Underlying mechanisms on signaling pathways were performed by western blot, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays.Results: Starvation induced autophagy, regulated glycolysis by up-regulating expression of LDHA and caused progressive changes in BLCA cells. Mechanically, after starved ubiquitination modification of Axin1 increased and combined with P62, further degraded by autophagy-lysosome pathway. Liberated β-catenin nuclear translocation increased, binding with LEF1/TCF4 and promotes LDHA transcriptional expression. Also, high expression of LDHA was observed in cancer tissues and positively related to progression.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that starvation-induced autophagy modulates glucose metabolic reprogramming by enhances Axin1 degradation and β-catenin nuclear translocation in BLCA, which promotes transcriptional expression of LDHA and further malignant progression.
A Multi-Scale Analysis Based on a Map-Oriented Database for the Out-of-Plane Seismic Behaviour of Masonry Structures
Authors: Yu Chenjie , Meijers Sander
Published: August 2021

Since 1986, earthquakes have occurred in East Groningen , but most houses, schools and are made of unreinforced masonry, which must now withstand magnitude 4 earthquakes. This has created an urgent need to assess large amounts of buildings in a fast but reliable manner. The out-of-plane behaviour is important for seismic assessments of unreinforced masonry buildings. Although the most accurate analysis method to determine the out-of-plane response of such walls is non-linear time-history analysis ( NLTH ), non-linear kinematic analysis ( NLKA ) provides a simple, fast but still reliable solution due to the computational difficulties of NLTH for structures constructed of unreinforced masonry. In this paper, the out-of-plane behaviours of masonry structures are up-scaled from a component scale to a provincial scale in a multi-scale manner. A map-oriented database is established to describe both local behaviours of walls and global behaviours of a province. The out-of-plane assessment by non-linear kinematic analysis ( NLKA ) is automated via the database without further calculations after the static analysis. The database provides a solid guidance to determine which detailed assessment methods will be adopted with limited data before a FEM model is built
End-Effector Position Tracking Control for an Aerial Manipulator with a Lightweight Manipulator
Authors: Cao Huazi , Wang Lixin
Published: August 2021

An end-effector position tracking control task for an aerial manipulator is usually constituted by two subtasks. The first is motion control, and the second is coordinate control so that the end-effector of the aerial manipulator can precisely track the given trajectory. This paper proposes a novel end-effector position tracking control approach for the aerial manipulator with a lightweight manipulator to achieve these two subtasks. The motion control of the aerial manipulator is solved by a partially coupled approach and divided into a multirotor controller and a manipulator controller. The multirotor controller is designed by the adaptive neural network control, while joints of the manipulator are steered by PID controllers. By resorting to radial basis function neural networks with adaptive weight estimation laws, the dynamic coupling between the multirotor and the manipulator can be compensated in real time. With the support of Lyapunov stability criteria, it is proved that the desired trajectories can be boundedly tracked by the multirotor under the proposed controller. Then, a new coordinate control method is proposed based on the linear model predictive control method. This method ensures that the solution satisfies physical limits of the aerial manipulator and can be executed in real time. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed motion controller significantly outperforms a baseline nonlinear motion controller in the simulation cases. Besides, comparisons among the proposed coordinate control method and traditional methods are simulated to demonstrate effectiveness and performance.
Spatio-temporal Pattern of Specialization of Sunbird-flower Networks on Mt. Cameroon
Authors: Janecek Stepan , Chmel Kryštof , Mlíkovský Jiří , Gomez Guillermo Uceda , Janečková Petra , Fominka Nestoral Tajaocha , Njie Marcus Mokake , Ewome Francis Luma
Published: August 2021

Differences in bird-flower interaction specialization across continents serve as a common example of evolutionary trajectory specificity. While New World hummingbird-flower networks have been subject to numerous studies and are considered highly specialized, our knowledge of network specialization for their Old World counterparts, sunbirds (Nectariniidae), is completely insufficient. A few studies from tropical Africa indicate that sunbird-flower networks are rather generalized. Unfortunately, these studies are limited to dry seasons and high elevations around the tree-line, the environments where also niche-based hypotheses often predict lower resource partitioning. In our study, we explore the specialization of sunbird-flower networks and their spatio-temporal variability on Mt. Cameroon (Cameroon). Using a combination of automatic video recording and personal observations, we constructed eight comprehensive sunbird-flower networks in four forest types occurring in different elevations and in both the dry and wet season. As reported by previous studies the montane forest plants, birds and whole networks were highly generalized. Nevertheless, we observed much higher specialization in forests in lower elevations. The wet season was also characterised by higher, but not significant, specialization. While less specialized flowering trees dominated in dry season networks, more specialized herbs and shrubs were visited during the wet season. Whereas our findings do not support the generally accepted assumption that Old World bird-flower networks are rather generalized, we need further studies to understand the differences in bird-flower specialization on individual continents.
Prognosis of Critically Ill Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure Due to the SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 Variant: A Multicenter Retrospective Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Puech bérénice , legrand Antoine , Simon Olivier , Combe Chloe , jaffarbandjee marie-christine , caron margot , Vidal Charles , mavingui Patrick , blondé renaud , boue yvonnick , berguigua hamza , allyn jérôme , Ferdynus Cyril , allou nicolas
Published: August 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the prognosis of patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant 501Y.V2 to that of patients with ARF due to the original strain. Methods: This retrospective matched cohort study included all consecutive patients who were hospitalized for ARF due to SARS-CoV-2 in Reunion Island University Hospital between March 2020 and March 2021. Twenty-eight in hospital mortality was evaluated before and after matching.Results: A total of 218 patients with ARF due to SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled in the study. Of these, 83 (38.1%) were infected with the 501Y.V2 variant. During intensive care unit stay, 104 (47.7%) patients received invasive mechanical ventilation and 20 (9.2%) patients were supported by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Patients infected with the 501Y.V2 variant were younger (58 [51-68] vs. 67 [56-74] years old, P=0.003), had less hypertension (54.2% vs 68.1%, P=0.04), and had less chronic kidney disease (13.3% vs. 31.9%, P=0.002) than patients infected with the original strain. After controlling for confounding variables (62 matched patients in each group), 28-day mortality was higher in the group of patients infected with the 501Y.V2 variant (30.6%) than in the group of patients infected with the original strain (19.4%, P=0.04).Conclusion: In Reunion Island, where SARS-CoV-2 incidence remained low until February 2021 and the health care system was never saturated, mortality was higher in patients with ARF infected with the 501Y.V2 variant than in patients infected with the original strain.
Protein Kinase CK2 Phosphorylates a Conserved Motif in the Notch Effector E(spl)-Mγ
Authors: Jozwick Lucas , Bidwai Ashok
Published: August 2021

Across metazoans, the effects of Notch signaling are mediated via the Enhancer of Split (E(spl)/HES) basic Helix-Loop-Helix-Orange (bHLH-O) repressors. Although conserved, sequence diversity is, in large part, restricted to the C-terminal domain (CtD), which separates the O-domain from the penultimate WRPW motif that binds the co-repressor Groucho. While the kinases CK2 and MAPK target the CtD and regulate Drosophila E(spl)-M8 and mammalian HES6, the generality of this regulation to other E(spl)/HES repressors has remained unknown. To determine the broader impact of phosphorylation on this large family of repressors, we conducted bioinformatics, evolutionary and biochemical analyses. Our studies identify E(spl)-Mγ as a new target of native CK2 purified from Drosophila embryos, reveal that phosphorylation is specific to CK2 and independent of the regulatory CK2-β subunit, and identify that the site of phosphorylation is juxtaposed to the WRPW motif, a feature unique to and conserved in the Mγ homologues over 50x106 years of Drosophila evolution. Thus, a preponderance of E(spl) homologues in Drosophila are targets for CK2, and the distinct positioning of the CK2 and MAPK sites, raises the prospect that phosphorylation underlies functional diversity of bHLH-O proteins.
Changes in Cardiac Index Induced by Unilateral Passive Leg Raising: a Novel Way for Assessing Fluid Responsiveness
Authors: Zhao Zhiyong , Zhang Zhongwei , Lin Qionghua , Shen Lihua , Wang Pengmei , Zhang Shan , Xia Zhili , Li Fangfang , Xing Qian , Zhu Biao
Published: August 2021

Background: To evaluate the fluid responsiveness of patients, we examined the change in cardiac index (CI) during a unilateral passive leg raising (PLR) test using the ProAQT/Pulsioflex. In addition, we compared the change of CI triggered by bilateral PLR test and unilateral PLR test, and the ability to estimate volume responsiveness in patients.Methods: This was a prospective, observational study, and we enrolled 40 individuals thought of volume expansion. The data of cardiac index, stroke variation in volume, stroke volume index, along with variation in pulse pressure were obtained with ProAQT/Pulsioflex at a semi-recumbent position, during unilateral PLR, bilateral PLR, as well as after expansion of volume (500 ml saline over 15 min). If CI improved more than 15% to the expansion of volume, patients were defined as responders.Results: We excluded three patients. We found that a unilateral PLR-triggered CI increment ≥7.455% forecasted a fluid-triggered CI increment ≥15% with 77.27% sensitivity and 83.33% specificity. Meanwhile, bilateral PLR-triggered increases in CI ≥9.8% forecasted a fluid-triggered CI increment ≥15% with 95.45% sensitivity and 77.78% specificity. The area under the ROC curves constructed for unilateral and bilateral PLR-triggered changes in CI was not significantly different (p=0.1544).Conclusions: The change of CI induced by unilateral PLR may estimate volume responsiveness in patients.Trial registration: Unilateral passive leg raising test to assess patient volume responsiveness: Single-Center Observational Clinical Study, ChiCTR2100046762. Registered 28 May 2021, https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=127104&htm=4
HIV CRF07_BC is Independently Associated With Slower Disease Progression Than Subtype B in Chinese Patients: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Ye Jingrong , Shao Yiming , Lu Hongyan
Published: August 2021

HIV subtypes convey important epidemiological information and possibly influence the rate of disease progression. In this study, HIV disease progression in patients infected with CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, and subtype B was compared in the largest HIV molecular epidemiology study ever done in China. A national data set of HIV pol sequences was assembled by pooling sequences from public databases and the Beijing HIV laboratory network. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with the risk of AIDS at diagnosis ([AIDSAD], defined as a CD4 count <200 cells/µL) in patients with HIV subtype B, CRF01_AE, and CRF07_BC. Of the 20,663 sequences, 9,156 (44.3%) were CRF01_AE. CRF07_BC was responsible for 28.3% of infections, followed by B (13.9%). In multivariable analysis, the risk of AIDSAD differed significantly according to HIV subtype (OR for CRF07_BC vs. B: 0.46, 95% CI 0.39─0.53), age (OR for ≥65 years vs. <18 years: 4.3 95% CI 1.81─11.8), and transmission risk groups (OR for man who have sex with man vs. heterosexual: 0.67 95% CI 0.6─0.75). These findings suggest that HIV diversity in China is constantly evolving and gaining complexity. CRF07_BC is less pathogenic than subtype B, while CRF01_AE is as pathogenic as B.
Clinicopathological Profile, Management and Clinical Outcomes in Recurrent Cases of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia at a Tertiary Care Centre: Original Article
Authors: KUMAR SONALI Kumar , KUMAR Vinay Kumar , Mishra Sanjay Kumar , Sati Alok
Published: August 2021

PurposeThis study was taken up at this centre to look into the various causes of recurrence, clinicopathological profile and final outcomes in recurrent OSSN. MethodologyA prospective cohort study was conducted and total 18 patients were recruited. All patients were subjected to detailed history, comprehensive eye examination and imaging studies. A treatment plan was formulated based on the size and extent of the lesion. Primary outcome measures were resolution/regression of tumor, recurrence of the lesion and incidence of complication associated with each treatment modality.ResultsThe common cause of recurrence in our study was misdiagnosis of the lesion as in 15 cases it was diagnosed as pterygium and in 03 cases it was actinic keratosis. Excision Biopsy with adjunctive cryotherapy was the preferred treatment modality followed by topical interferon @ 2b drop in our study. We could achieve good outcomes in terms of complete regression of the tumor in 15 cases. The complication associated with this treatment was minimal in our study as few patient develop redness and irritation which got subsided after application of topical lubricants. There was no recurrence of the lesion even after 06 months of follow up in all 18 cases.ConclusionRecurrence can be mitigated in all cases of OSSN if they are diagnosed on time with institution of appropriate treatment modality. Regular follow- up is required to assess the response to treatment and change over to new treatment plan in cases with inadequate response to curb the incidence of recurrence in OSSN.
The response of China’s wetland vegetation to climate changes
Authors: Yan Xin , Wang Rui , Niu Zhenguo
Published: August 2021

Wetland vegetation dynamics are of vital importance for comprehending changes in ecosystem structure. Under the background of global climate change, it is still unclear the change trends of wetland vegetation in China, and whether there are differences between the response of wetland vegetation and non-wetland vegetation to climate change. Based on Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) NDVI3g, NOAA Vegetation Health Products (VHP) and climate data, this study explored the response of wetland vegetation to climate change in China from 1981 to 2015. The results show that: 1) NDVI of wetland vegetation in China shows a downward trend on the whole after the year of 2004. 2) In water-limited zones, wetland vegetation NDVI is positive correlated with precipitation; while in temperature-limited zones, it is positive correlated with temperature. 3) El Nino and La Nina may affect wetland vegetation NDVI. The greater impact of La Nina phenomenon than El Nino phenomenon is the possible reason for the upward trend of wetland vegetation NDVI, while the greater impact of El Nino phenomenon than La Nina phenomenon may be the reason for the downward trend of NDVI. 4) The response of wetland vegetation and non-wetland vegetation to climate change is significantly different. Non-wetland vegetation responds more significantly to climate change than wetland vegetation.
Impacts of Mild and Moderate Acute Hypoxia on Visual Contrast Sensitivity
Authors: Yan Weiming , Zhao Guanhua , Long Pan , Chen Meizhu , Zhang Zuoming , Chen Tao
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Acute hypoxia could hamper the visual performance during the aviation. In the study, we aimed to investigate the effects of acute hypoxia on the contrast sensitivity (CS) and the color contrast sensitivity (CCS).Methos: 12 healthy volunteers (aged 20-22 years old) were selected for CS and CCS examination at altitude of 300m, 3000m and 4500m by applying the hypobaric cabin to simulate acute hypoxia (3000m in height = mild hypoxia; 4500m = moderate hypoxia). All data were collected after the heart rate and the blood oxygen saturation became stable, and were analyzed by the paired student’s t-test. Results: The CS at the spatial frequency of 1.5 Cpd was significantly increased at the altitude of 3000m (P<0.05), while CS at the higher spatial frequencies was not significantly affected. The CS of 1.5 and 3.0 Cpd was increased at the altitude of 4500m (P<0.05), while the CS of higher spatial frequency did not change significantly. With the increased degree of hypoxia, the overall CCS was increased with a statistical difference at 4500m (P<0.05). The CCS of the temporal superior and inferior quadrants were significantly affected (P<0.05), while those in other quadrants were significantly changed. Conclusions: Mild and moderate acute hypoxia could affect the CS in the low spatial frequency. With the increased degree of acute hypoxia, CCS deteriorates with the temporal quadrant more vulnerable to be affected.
Investigation of Spectrum and Analysis of Risk Factor for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Chinese Army During a Field Training on the Midland of China in the New Era
Authors: Zhang Guanjun , Li Mingyang , Lin Fan , Zhang Yizhe , Li Haohui , Song Hongwen , Li Bin
Published: August 2021

Objective To investigate the digestive disease spectrum of Chinese army servicemen during a field training on the midland and to analyze risk factors of diseases in order to discuss the relative prevention and treatment strategies. Methods Seven troops during a field training on the midland of China were randomly selected by using stratified cluster random sampling methods,all soldiers in that received a questionnaire survey,and then we collected all questionnaires and summarized the soldiers’ digestive system disease spectrum, and discussed risk factors for diseases. Results 3055 valid questionnaires were finally collected,896 soldiers had digestive symptoms, and of all symptoms diarrhea was the most common,whose ratio was 29.3%; 507 soldiers suffered from digestive system diseases, including gastritis,enteritis,digestive ulcer,functional bowel disease, which were more common.By the logistic regression analysis, length of military service time,identity of army officer,length of a field training time,training pressure,chilled abdomen,and defiled food were possible risk factors for digestive diseases.Conclusions During a field training,a healthy and regular diet, the thermal outfit,appropriate decompression of negative emotions and reasonable training time may effectively decrease the risk of digestive diseases, so that to reduce attrition.
Molecular Biotyping, Phylogenetic Analysis of Indole Acetic Acid Producing Rhizobium Sp. CU8 and Co-inhabitant Non-rhizobial Nodule Associated Bacteria From Mimosa Pudica L.
Authors: R. Maya , AKKARA YUSUF
Published: August 2021

The interaction between rhizobia and other nodule associated bacteria assist to mitigate nutrient stress in leguminous plants by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and synthesizing plant growth regulators. Beneficial effects of microbial inoculants emphasize the need for further research and their use in modern agriculture. The present work describes the isolation, identification, plant growth promoting properties and phylogenetic analysis of nodule associated bacteria from Mimosa pudica L. Isolation and characterization of nodule associated bacteria were done according to standard procedures. Molecular characterization of the isolates was performed using 16S ribosomal RNA. Plant growth promoting ability was analyzed by quantifying the levels of Indole acetic acid. Evolutionary distance and relatedness was analyzed using neighbor joining method. Rhizobium sp. CU8 and three other co-resident non-rhizobial nodule associated bacteria (Bacillus cereus MY5, Ralstonia pickettii MY1 and Lactococcus lactis MY3) exhibiting nitrogen fixation, plant growth promotion and other potential microbial activities were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the genetic relatedness and evolutionary significance of Rhizobium sp. CU8 and other co-inhabitant non-rhizobial nodule associated bacteria from M. pudica. Present study identified the four isolates as potential biofertilizers due to their nitrogen fixing and growth promoting characteristics. L. lactis MY3 is the first co-resident nitrogen fixer and plant growth promoter reported from the root nodules of M. pudica.
Clinical Trials on Stem Cells as a Therapeutic Agent: An Analysis From Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI)
Authors: Ray Suman , Chavan Chandrasekhar
Published: August 2021

The stem cells have abundant potential for innovative therapeutic programs to replace or regenerate cells or tissues having functional impairment. Since the introduction of stem cell therapy using embryonic stem cells in 1998, the clinical use of the stem cells has increased. On the scientific ground, it is necessary to pass the clinical trials, otherwise, it may be recognised as an unproven therapy. The market of unproven stem cell therapy got attention when stem cell clinics started to advertise and claim to cure untreatable diseases. Indian Government has thus considered stem cell as a drug, and stem cells gone under clinical trials for market approval. In this study, we studied research trends related to clinical trials using stem cells as a therapeutic agent based on data obtained from the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI). Our study showed that many clinical trials on the stem cells have been registered in the CTRI database, but only few of the clinical trials has been focusing on the actual stem cell drug development process. The greatest part of these trials were interventional and focused on bone marrow stem cells. On the other hand, only 2% of clinical trials actually focused on iPSCs. There is need to promote randomized clinical trials than single arm trials then our reliability on outcome from clinical trials may increases.
Usefulness of Presepsin for the Early Detection of Infectious Complications after Elective Colorectal Surgery, Compared with C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin
Authors: Amanai Erika , Nakai Kishiko , Saito Junichi , Hashiba Eiji , Miura Takuya , Morohashi Hajime , Sakamoto Yoshiyuki , Mikami Akio , Hakamada Kenichi , Hirota Kazuyoshi
Published: August 2021

Background: Infectious complications remain a major clinical problem in colorectal surgery, contributing to prolonged hospital stays, additional costs and significant postoperative mortality. Presepsin has been reported to be a useful marker to diagnose sepsis, similar or superior to procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma presepsin concentrations are associated with the severity of sepsis and its outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of presepsin in the early detection of infectious complications after elective colorectal surgery, compared with CRP and PCT.Methods: This study was a prospective observational study. Patients of age >18 who underwent elective colon resections were enrolled and patients with end-stage kidney disease were excluded. Blood samples were collected just before surgery and on postoperative day (POD) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Infectious complications were diagnosed by surgeons. Results: A total of 114 patients were examined, and 27 patients (23.7%) developed infectious complications: 11 anastomotic leaks, 13 intra-abdominal infections, and 3 wound infections. CRP and PCT markedly increased from POD1 to POD3 and then gradually decreased toward POD6 in both groups, but the trends of the decrease in the infected group were blunt, compared with those in the non-infected group. On the other hand, presepsin did not show major changes just after surgery, but it increased on POD4 and POD6, when the complications occurred. ROC analysis to predict infectious complications revealed that the best accuracy was obtained on POD 6 for all biomarkers. CRP showed excellent predictability and presepsin showed good predictability. However, the cut-off values of all biomarkers were relatively lower than expected. Conclusions: The trends of change in presepsin following colorectal surgeries were distinct from those of CRP and PCT. Monitoring the presepsin trends after colorectal surgeries could be helpful to detect postoperative infectious complications.Trial registration: UMIN000025313. Registered on 17 December 2016.
Salinity Thresholds for Understory Plants in Coastal Wetlands.
Authors: Anderson Steven , Ury Emily , Taillie Paul , Ungberg Eric , Moorman Christopher , Poulter Benjamin , Ardon Marcelo , Bernhardt Emily , Wright Justin
Published: August 2021

The effects of sea level rise and coastal saltwater intrusion on wetland plants can extend well above the high-tide line due to drought, hurricanes, and groundwater intrusion. Research has examined how coastal salt marsh plant communities respond to increased flooding and salinity, but more inland coastal systems have received less attention. The aim of this study was to identify whether ground layer plants exhibit threshold responses to salinity exposure. We used two vegetation surveys throughout the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula (APP) of North Carolina, USA to assess vegetation in a low elevation landscape (< 3.8 m) experiencing high rates of sea level rise (3-4 mm/year). We examined the primary drivers of community composition change using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS), and used Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) to detect thresholds of compositional change based on indicator taxa, in response to potential indicators of exposure to saltwater (elevation, Na, and the S Ca + Mg). Salinity and elevation explained 64% of the variation in community composition, and we found two salinity thresholds for both soil Na+ (265 and 3843 g Na+/g), and Ca+ + Mg+ (42 and 126 µeq/g ) where major changes in community composition occur on the APP. Similar sets of species showed sensitivity to these different metrics of salt exposure. Overall, our results showed that ground layer plants can be used as reliable indicators of salinity thresholds in coastal wetlands. These results can be used for monitoring salt exposure of ecosystems and for identifying areas at risk for undergoing future community shifts.
Knowledge-Based Systems Manufacturing With Viability Ensuring
Authors: Gribova Valeriya V. , Shalfeeva Elena A.
Published: August 2021

With highly increased competition, intelligent product manufacturing based on interpretable knowledge bases has been recognized as an effective method for building applications of explainable Artificial Intelligence that is the hottest topic in the field of Artificial Intelligence. The success of product family directly depends on how effective the viability mechanisms are laid down in its design. In this paper, a systematic cloud-based set of tool family is proposed to develop viable knowledge-based systems. For productive participation of domain and cognitive specialists in manufacturing, the knowledge base should be declarative, testable and integratable with other architectural components. Mechanisms to ensure KBS viability are provided in an ontology-oriented development environment, where each component is formed in terms of domain ontology by using the adaptable instrumental support. Due to the explicit separation of ontology from knowledge, it became possible to divide competencies between specialists creating an ontology and specialists creating a knowledge base. We rely on the fact that the activity of creating an ontology is significantly different from the activity of creating a knowledge base. Creating an ontology is a creative process that requires a systematic analysis of the domain area in order to identify common patterns among its knowledge.The characteristic properties of knowledge-based systems related to viability are described. It is explained, how these properties are provided in development environments implemented on cloud platform. The concept of a specialized manufacturing environment for knowledge-based system is introduced. The necessary set of tools for such ontology-oriented environment construction is determined. The example of tools for creating specialized manufacturing environments is the instruments implemented on the «IACPaaS» platform. The IACPaaS is already used for collective development of thematic cloud knowledge portals with viable knowledge-based systems. This specialized manufacturing environment has enabled the creation of multi-purpose medical software services to support specialist solutions based on knowledge being remotely improved by experts.
Effects of HIV status and history of pregnancy termination on trends of family planning knowledge among women in nine fragile and conflict-affected countries
Authors: Woytowich Daniel John , Xie Bin
Published: August 2021

Background

To decrease the proportion of women in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS) that need, but are not using modern contraception, the global health community must better understand family planning (FP) knowledge gaps; and elucidate which subgroups of women are, and are not, effectively being reached with FP information. This study investigated whether women with notable sexual and reproductive health histories that put them at risk for future pregnancy complications, namely HIV + women and women with history of terminated pregnancy (HTP), would possess more complete FP knowledge and/or recall being given FP information more readily than HIV- women and women with no HTP (NHTP), respectively.
Methods

Knowledge of several contraceptive methods, and the prevalence of women who recalled being given FP information at a healthcare visit, or via TV, radio, or periodical were estimated across HIV, HTP, and country subgroups. HIV + and HTP status were major predictors in multivariate logistic regressions analyzing the odds of knowing a specified method of contraception or of recalling being given FP information via the modes considered.
Results

HIV + as opposed to HIV- women showed significantly higher odds of knowing about the pill (p = 0.001), IUD (p < 0.001), injectables (p = 0.005), male condoms (p < 0.001), female condoms (p < 0.001), and implants (p < 0.001); but not female or male sterilization. HIV + women demonstrated higher odds of recalling being given FP information at a health visit (p = 0.001), whereas HTP women did not. HTP women showed higher odds (p < 0.001) of knowing each modern method of FP with the exception of male sterilization and of recalling TV (p = 0.01) and radio (p < 0.001) FP messages.
Conclusions

Notable findings were the higher FP awareness among HIV + and HTP women, and the observation that HIV + women were seemingly provided FP information more readily at healthcare visits than were HTP women, despite their similar risk profiles concerning future pregnancies. Subsequent studies may elucidate why these patterns were observed and indicate which other diagnostic groups are effectively being reached with FP education, and which are not. Understanding trends and predictors of FP knowledge can help practitioners better target FP counseling efforts in FCS toward knowledge gaps and their causes.
Biosorption As A Perfect Technique for Purification of Wastewater Contaminated With Ammonia
Authors: Abdelfattah Ibrahim , El-Saied Fathy A. , Almedolab Ali A. , El-Shamy Ashraf M.
Published: August 2021

Eichhornia Crassipes root powder (ECRP) has been used to remove ammonia from aqueous solutions. The biosorption factors such as biosorbent dosage, pH, initial ammonia concentration, and contact time have been considered in batch conditions. The optimal conditions, at pH (6), sorbent dose 5 g/l, time (30 min) ammonia concentration (10 mg/l). Langmuir is better suited than Freundlich isotherm. The kinetic models: Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Bohart-Adm were applied. These models showed that; the adsorption capacity decreased with flow rate increases as follows: (32.57, 31.82, 31.25, and 30.17 mg/gm) respectively at a flow rate (10, 15, 20, and 25 ml/min). The roots powder of Eichhornia Crassipes was used to treat specific drainage wastewater obtained from the Sabal drain at Menoufia, Egypt. The average efficiency of ammonia removal was 87% per batch adsorption method at pH value = 7.5, sorbent dose 5 g/L, uptake period (30 minutes), and primary load 7.1 mg/l; however, ammonia removal by column continuous adsorption method exceeded 94 %. In addition, (ECRP) has been shown to be efficient in removing arsenic, sulfate, nitrates, nitrite, silica, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, aluminum, and lead from actual sewage wastewater, in addition to removing more than 75 % COD.
The Effectiveness Sustainability of Supervised Balance Training in Chronic Ankle Instability With Grade Iii Ligament Injury: A One-year Prospective Study
Authors: Hou Zongchen , Huang Hongshi , Ao Yingfang , Hu Yuelin , Jiao Chen , Guo Qinwei , Miao Xin , Li Nan , Jiang Yanfang , Jiang Dong
Published: August 2021

Background: To determine the effectiveness sustainability of the supervised balance training in the chronic ankle instability (CAI) cases with grade III ligament injury. Methods: Twenty young adults (12 males and 8 females) diagnosed as CAI with grade III ligament injury underwent a 3-months supervised balance training. The self-reported functional questionnaire, plantar pressure, and isokinetic ankle strength were consecutively evaluated at pre-training, 3 months, 6 months and one year. Paired T test was used to explore the changes of muscle strength and foot pressure to evaluate the effectiveness sustainability of balance training. According to whether the patient has sprain recurrence, the patients were divided into sprain recurrence group and control group. The risk factors of sprain recurrence were explored with univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression.Results: The self-reported functional scores, the plantar pressure distribution and the muscle strength showed significant immediate improvements after 3-month supervised balance training. At post-training 6 months, peak force under 2nd metatarsal, time to peak force under the medial hindfoot, time to boundary measurements and dorsiflexion, and eversion strength were partly declined to the pre-training level. 16 patients (80%) resumed the daily life and sports without sprain recurrence during the follow-up. Four patients (20%) reported ankle sprain during the follow-up, and the sprain recurrence group showed significantly higher Beighton scores (p=0.012) and weaker initial inversion strength (p=0.022) than the control group.Conclusions: Three months’ supervised balance training could effectively improve postural control and muscle strength of the CAI cases with grade III ankle ligament, although these improvements would be partial deceased over time. Additional strength exercises for dorsiflexion and eversion should be supplemented from 6 months. Higher Beighton score and initial inversion muscle strength weakness might increase the risk of sprain recurrence.Clinical registration: ChiCTR1900023999, June 21th, 2019
Investigating Resistance to Emamectin Benzoate in the Tomato Borer Tuta Absoluta
Authors: Roditakis Emmanouil , Stavrakaki Marianna , Ilias Aris , Ioannidis Panagiotis , Vontas John
Published: August 2021

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta is a major pest of tomato mainly controlled by chemical insecticides. However, development of resistance to specific chemical classes has made control of the pest extremely difficult. Emamectin benzoate belongs to the avermectin mode of action and to date, low or no resistance levels against this insecticide have been documented. Recently, reduced efficacy of emamectin benzoate was documented, in a field population from Crete (9-fold resistant ratio (RR)). Subsequent laboratory selections with emamectin benzoate for eight sequential generations, resulted in an increase of the RR to 60-fold, the highest resistance level reported to the particular insecticide. Hereby, we are presenting the characterization of emamectin benzoate resistance in T. absoluta. Sequencing of the GluCl and GABA receptor (rdl) genes, the molecular targets of emamectin benzoate, indicted absence of non-synonymous SNPs. The use of known enzyme inhibitors (PBO, DEF and DEM) revealed that P450s partially synergized emamectin benzoate resistance, suggesting potential implication of metabolic resistance. RNA-seq approach was used to identify differentially expressed genes, from emamectin benzoate resistant and susceptible T. absoluta populations. Twelve libraries were sequenced using the Illumina platform, which generated 81 Gbp, thus substantially increasing the number of publicly available genomic resources for this species. The de novo transcriptome assembly consisted of 549,601 contigs, grouped in 233,453 unigenes. Differential expression analysis and qPCR validation revealed over-expression of one unigene similar to cytochrome P450 (Clan 4) potentially implicated in emamectin benzoate resistance, supporting further the involvement of P450s in the observed resistance phenotype.
A rapid and efficient method to evaluate the infection of major DNA viruses in sweet potato seedlings and tubers
Authors: LIU Qili , Zhou Feng , Song Puwen , Li Yongqiang
Published: August 2021

Background

Sweet potato is an important food crop in China which is the fifth largest staple crop next to rice, wheat, maize, and soybean. Recent years the destroy infecting by DNA viruses in sweet potato was more and more serious. Three DNA viruses (sweepoviruses, Badnavirus and Mastrevirus) are major agents in viral diseases of sweet potato in China. It is necessary to establish a rapid and efficient method to evaluate the health of sweet potato seedlings and tubers,which will greatly affect the yield, quality of tubers and seeding circulation of sweet potatoes. Sweepoviruses were a group phylogenetically distinct from other begomoviruses that infects plants of the family Convolvulaceae including sweet potato. Sweet potato symptomless virus 1 (SPSMV-1) is the only species of Mastrevirus which can infected sweet potato. Sweet potato Badnavirus B (SPBV-B) are non-enveloped bacilliform DNA viruses with a monopartite genome which belonged to the genus Badnavirus of the family Caulimoviridae and was first found in sweet potato in 2009. As the mixed infection of these viruses is very common, rapid detection is required for etiologic diagnosis.
Results

In this study, a rapid and efficient method to evaluate the infection of major DNA viruses (sweepoviruses, Badnavirus and Mastrevirus) in sweet potato seedlings and tubers was developed and applied. A mixture of three pairs of primers was used for amplification of viral nucleic acids, yielding three different amplicons with sizes of 750 bp, 147 bp and 396 bp for sweepoviruses, Badnavirus and Mastrevirus respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of multiplex PCR were also evaluated. A total of 65 sweet potato samples with virus-like symptoms cuttings and storage roots from Henan province in China were collected between June 2019 and July 2021. They were tested for the presence of three DNA viruses by multiplex PCR which showed sweepoviruses, Badnavirus and Mastrevirus infections were 60.0%, 36.7%, and 43.3% respectively. Co-infections with three viruses, sweepoviruses and Badnavirus, sweepoviruses and Mastrevirus, Badnavirus and Mastrevirus were identified in different samples (the detection ratio of co-infections was 13.3%, 20.0%, 13.3%, and 10.0% respectively).
Conclusions

In the current situation of frequent virus mixed infection in sweet potatoes, this method is the first report on a simple assay and may be a potentially useful for apid and efficient method to evaluate the infection of major DNA viruses in sweet potato seedlings and tubers in China.
Aspirin Regulates Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer via Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway and Reversing Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition
Authors: zhou hanyu , Yan ZhiYing , Wei Feifei , Liu Muhan , liu yi , Zhang Xianming , xu Kequn , Zhu Yingwei , yun xiao
Published: August 2021

Background: Gemcitabine is considered a classical agent for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer. However, gemcitabine resistance is a common cause of treatment failure, leading to poor survival. Therapy to overcome gemcitabine resistance would benefit patients with pancreatic cancer. This study investigated the impact of aspirin (ASA) to gemcitabine resistance in the biological function of pancreatic cancer cells and the potential mechanism. Methods: The MTT assay, wound healing assay and annexin V-FITC/PI test was used to determine whether ASA could inhibit gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cells. Besides, the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, E-cadherin, Vimentin, p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR was detected by the Western blot. Statistically significant differences between groups were determined with the Student’s t-test. Results: The proliferation and migration of SW1990 and BxPC3 cells were significantly decreased while the apoptosis rate was increased in the combination of ASA and gemcitabine group (p<0.05). The level of Bcl-2 was decreased and the level of Bax was increased significantly in the combination of ASA and gemcitabine group (p<0.05) while the level of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR was decreased (p<0.05). What’s more, this group significantly reversed EMT in SW1990 and BxPC3 cells with an increase in the expression of E-cadherin and a decrease in Vimentin. Conclusion: Our research provided evidence ASA could help to inhibit gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer cells, probably via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and reversing EMT. Thus, combined use of ASA and gemcitabine is expected to be a potential therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer patients.