bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The PsMYB12L/PsDFR Module is Involved in Double-Color Formation in Paeonia Suffruticosa ‘Shima Nishiki’
Authors: Zhang Xinpeng , Han Xu , Zhao Mingyuan , Yu Xiaoyan , Li Cheng , Xu Zongda
Published: September 2021

Background: Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Shima Nishiki’ is a extremely precious double-color cultivar in the world because of its unique and attractive flower color. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of its double-color formation have not been completely unravelled until now. In the present study, firstly, the full-length cDNA sequence, genomic DNA sequence, promoter region sequence of the PsDFR gene in the red and pink petals of the ‘Shima Nishiki’ cultivar were cloned and analyzed, respectively. Meanwhile, the methylation level of CpG island and promoter region of this gene in the red and pink petals was also measured. Moreover, the identification of regulatory effect of PsMYB114L/PsMYB12L and PsDFR was performed. Results: Here, we found that the full-length cDNA sequence, genomic DNA sequence, promoter region sequence of PsDFR were identical in the red and pink petals, respectively. There were some differences for the methylation level of this gene in the red and pink petals, but these differences were little and didn’t show obvious regularity. In addition, the regulatory effect of PsMYB12L and PsDFR was successfully identified. Conclusions: Based on these above results, we concluded that PsMYB12L regulating the differential expression of PsDFR may be a key reason for the double-color formation. These results will advance our understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanisms of double-color formation in P. suffruticosa ‘Shima Nishiki’.
Relationship of Trimester-Specific Maternal Thyroid Function With Gestational Weight Gain And Birth Weight In Pregnant Women With Normal Thyroid Autoimmunity
Authors: He Xin , Wang Zhengyuan , Shi Zehuan , Liao Ping , Yan Qin , Song Qi , Cui Xueying , Wang Wenjing , Zang Jiajie
Published: September 2021

Background: Gestational weight gain (GWG) and birth weight are important indicators of maternal and infant health outcomes. Thyroid function may affect body composition and fetal growth during pregnancy. So far, on the premise of excluding thyroid autoimmunity interference, the correlation of thyroid function in different pregnancy with neonatal birth weight and maternal weight gain is still controversial. Methods: This study used data from a prospective birth cohort in Shanghai, China. Serum concentration of TSH, total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were determined using chemiluminescence assay. Maternal GWG and neonatal sex-specific birth weight-for-gestational age Z-score was calculated.Results: Subjects with a higher BMI before pregnancy turned to have a lower GWG and an infant with a higher birth weight. GWG was negatively associated with maternal FT4 at the first and third trimester (p<0.05), and TT4 at the third trimester (p<0.05). GWG was positively associated with maternal FT3 at the second trimester (p<0.05). Lower birth weight Z-score were associated with higher FT4 at the second and third trimester (p<0.05), and higher TT4 at the second trimester (p<0.05). Conclusions: In the general pregnant population with normal thyroid autoimmunity, higher maternal FT4 and TT4 and lower FT3 are associated with less GWG. Higher maternal FT4 and TT4 have an infant with lower birth weight.
Spatial Distribution, Source Discrimination, and Health Risk Assessment of Arsenic and Fluoride in Drinking Water Around Brick Kilns of Vehari, Punjab, Pakistan.
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Fatima Rukhsar , Rasool Atta , Wasaya Allah
Published: September 2021

Water is very important to maintaining life on earth. Fluoride and Arsenic pollution in groundwater is an emerging issue in the world. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure total arsenic, while ion chromatography was used to determine fluoride. The present study was conducted for the health risk assessment of fluoride and arsenic in groundwater around brick kilns. 58 samples of groundwater were collected from district Vehari Punjab and were analyzed for arsenic concentration ranges from 0.330 to 11.120 µg/L, higher than the WHO recommended permissible level of arsenic in drinking water (10 µg/L). The mean value of fluoride in the water supply for drinking is 2.599 mg/L as its concentration ranges are 0.680 to 9.690 mg/L respectively. All the values of fluoride in drinking water were higher than the permissible limit according to WHO standard 1.5 mg/L. The spatial distribution of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater indicates their direct contamination with rock weathering, coal burning, and the use of cheap fuel in brick kilns. The estimated average dose (ADD), hazards quotient (HQ), as well as cancer risk (CR), were computed using statistical formulae to determine the health risks of arsenic and fluoride. The hazard quotient (HQ) values of As and F− in this research area were higher protection and safe limits (HQ > 1), having health risks to the people in this region, caused by brick kilns. Statistical parameters correlation and cluster analysis were used to determining possible contaminant sources in the study area.
Geomorphological And Sedimentary Records of Late Quaternary Activities of Qiaojia-Jinyang Segment of Lianfeng Fault Zone, Southwest China
Authors: Wang Youpeng , Li Dewen
Published: September 2021

Lianfeng Fault Zone (LFZ) in Southwest China has great significance for understanding the seismogenic environment, but its activity is still poor constrains. The Qiaojia-Jinyang segment (QJS) of LFZ intersects with Jinsha River; Here well developed river terraces provide a potential Spatiotemporal constrains for faulting. Based on investigation of the terrace deposits along river, this paper makes a detailed logging and dating of the faulting and liquefaction of QJS. Combined previous data, the spatiotemporal sequence of the Late Quaternary river terraces in the area was redetermined. It is considered that the first and second grade river terraces at QJS (~10-20m and 60-70m, respectively, above the local river level) are roughly developed in the middle Holocene and the late Late Pleistocene, indicating that the valley along QJS was strongly undercut since the Late Pleistocene. Based on the analysis of the morphological characteristics, spatial distribution, material composition and intersecting relationship between the sand veins and the layers, the cause of the ground motions is preliminarily determined, which indicates the strong seismic activity of the LFZ during the Quaternary. Combined with the faulting characteristics within the profiles of terrace deposits and the dating data of the overlying strata, it is considered that the LFZ is active at least at QJS, and the latest active time is not earlier than the early-middle Holocene. These understandings provide a clear geological evidences for the seismicity assessment at LFZ, and help to the understanding of regional tectonic environment and the prevention of earthquake disasters.
Iodine-125 inhibits invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by downregulating the long noncoding RNA AK213263
Authors: Huo xiaodong , Wang Huixing , Kang Shilei , Huo Bin , Yang Kuo , Chai Shude , Wang junjie , Wang Haitao
Published: September 2021

Background:The interstitial implantation of iodine-125 (125I) by thoracotomy represents a new minimally invasive method for the treatment of lung cancer. Plasmacytoma variant translocation1 (AK213263), which is a long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA), is increased in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues. AK213263 promotes the proliferation of NSCLC cells and is, therefore, an important indicator for early diagnosis and accurate prognosis of NSCLC. However, the detailed molecular mechanism by which 125I and AK213263 affect the pathophysiology of NSCLC remains vague.
Methods: A total of thirty-one pairs of NSCLC tissue and corresponding adjacent healthy lung tissue were collected from Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between March 2015 and September 2016. Using transwell and wound healing assays, together with western blotting and xenograft mouse model, we demonstrated that 125I significantly inhibits NSCLC cell invasion and metastasis by downregulating AK213263.
Results:we show that AK213263 was significantly downregulated by 125I treatment in the NSCLC cell lines tested. In a xenograft mouse model, small interfering AK213263 (si-AK213263) effectively reversed the effect of 125I in reducing tumor size.
Conclusion: 125I inhibits NSCLC cell invasion and metastasis by downregulating AK213263. We elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the oncogenic role of AK213263, which provides a lncRNA-directed target for improved treatment of NSCLC.
Predictive Efficacy of Serum Lipoprotein(A) Combined with TSH in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome After Coronary Angiography
Authors: Xu Kaihang , Wang Le , Han Chuyi , Zhang Yingyi , Zhang Rui , Li Wenyu , Li Tingting , Dong Lijie , Hu Yuecheng , Xu Jinghan , Liu Chunwei , Wei Ao , Qi Wei , Jin Dongxia , Zhang Jingxia , Cong Hongliang
Published: September 2021

Backgroud： Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) are both associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), but it was controversial in ACS patients. Moreover, patients with elevated plasma TSH tend to have higher levels of lipoprotein. We supposed that patients with elevated LP (a) and TSH may have a adverse prognosis after coronary angiography.Methods: We consecutively recruited 1756 patients who underwent coronary angiography, of which 1473 patients with ACS were eventually enrolled. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) contained a complex of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiovascular events, and cardiovascular death. According to the occurrence of end events within 27.4 months, the patients were split into two groups: non-endpoint event group (n = 1288) and endpoint event group (n = 185). The date between the two groups were compared. Serum LP (a) was measured by latex agglutination immunoassay (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany).Results: During a median follow-up of 27.4 months, 185 (12.56%) MACEs occurred. Compared with the non-endpoints group，patients in the end-points group had higher level of preoperative LP (a), LDL and TSH (all P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that LP (a) was an independent risk factor for adverse prognosis after coronary angiography in ACS patients, LP (a) > 53.8nmol/L (highest tertile ) predicted 1.704-fold risk for adverse prognosis of ACS (95%CI 1.194~2.433；P＜0.05); Interestingly, patients with elevated LP (a) and TSH concomitantly conferred the highest risk for adverse prognosis OR=3.090 95%CI 1.657~5.765；P＜0.001).Conclusion: LP (a) was an independent risk factor for adverse prognosis after coronary angiography in ACS patients, and the predictive efficacy was enhanced by TSH.
Ketogenic Diet Ameliorates Inflammation by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Kong Ganggang , Wang Jinyang , Li Rong , Huang Zhiping , Wang Le
Published: September 2021

Background: The nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been reported to be involved in the pathological process of osteoarthritis (OA) inflammation. The ketogenic diet (KD), which previously demonstrated to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, was evaluated to elucidate its protective mechanism against OA in rats. Methods: Anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) together with partial medial meniscectomy was used to create an OA model of rat knee joint. After treatment with KD or standard diet (SD) for 8 weeks, the knee specimens were obtained for testing. Results: KD significantly increased the content of β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) in rats. Compared with the SD group, KD significantly reduced the damage caused by OA in the articular cartilage and subchondral bone. NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) and IL-18 were significantly increased in the SD group compared with the Sham group, while their expressions were significantly decreased in rats treated with KD. In addition, MMP13 in the KD group was significantly decreased compared with that in the SD group, while COL2 was significantly increased. Conclusions: This study confirmed that KD can protect the articular cartilage and subchondral bone in a rat OA model, and its mechanism is that KD reduces the OA inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.
Process Optimization at an Industrial Scale in the adsorptive removal of Cd2+ ions using Dolochar via Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Upadhyay Utkarsh , Gupta Sarthak , Agarwal Ankita , Sreed Inkollu , Anitha Kayamkulathethu Latitha
Published: September 2021

Over the years, researchers have continuously searched for ways to achieve adsorption of heavy metal ions from the industrial effluents at lowest possible cost, which has resulted into the development of innumerous special type of low cost adsorbents, called biosorbents. While potential of many biosorbents have been explored in laboratory setup, very few studies have tried to scale up the biosorption process and predict the performance of these biosorbents in a large scale industrial setup. In this work, performance of laboratory synthesized dolochar has been investigated for adsorption of Cd2+ ions in a large scale process with the application of Aspen Adsorption. Moreover, the optimum values of the operating parameters (namely, flow rate, bed height and inlet metal ion concentration) that would result into maximum amount of cadmium ion adsorption (high exhaustion capacity) in minimum time (less exhaustion time) for a fixed mass of dolochar (1200 kg) have been calculated via the application of Response Surface Methodology. It was found out that, at optimum values of bed height (3.48 m), flow rate (76.31 m3/day) and inlet concentration (10 ppm), the optimized value of exhaustion capacity and exhaustion time for cadmium ion adsorption in dolochar packed bed is equal to 1.85 mg/g and 11.39 hours, respectively. The validity of these simulation experiments can be proven by the fact that the obtained exhaustion capacity of dolochar packed beds always remained in close proximity of the experimentally obtained value of adsorption capacity of the dolochar in batch process mode (equal to 2.1 mg/g).
Corpus Analysis of Interactional Response Words as Indicators of Shared Understanding in Medical Problem-Based Learning Tutorials
Authors: Tokode Olukayode Matthew , Dennick Reg
Published: September 2021

Background Shared understanding is essential to effective collaborative learning. Interactive processes occurring in problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials have been explored to determine their cognitive and social advantages, but shared understanding is a relatively under-researched social process of PBL. The objective of this study is to describe how medical students share understanding in medical problem-based learning tutorials. MethodsWe recruited participants from first-year medical students in a single institution’s problem-based learning graduate entry curriculum. Transcripts from full cycles of eight tutorial groups were compiled to form the study corpus. Small interactional response words as indicators of shared understanding were measured using the Wmatrix 3 programme, and concordance lineswere analysed manually to determine word functions. ResultsInteractional response words were most prevalent in session 1 and least prevalent in session 2 of the PBL cycle. Interactional response words were used to mark unexpanded and simple and complex content expansion functions. While affirmation content expansion functions and reactive content expansion functions were more prevalent in sessions 1 and 3, negation content expansion functions were more frequent in session2. The frequency of interactional response words and their functions seem to align with the focus of each PBL tutorial session. ConclusionsDemonstrating the feasibility of corpus linguistics methodology for PBL concept analysis, this study showed that students in PBL tutorials attained sophisticated levels of shared understanding. We discussed the implication of the results for interprofessional teamworking and patient-doctor communication.
Coexisting protruding osteocyte and arachnoid cyst mimicking spinal cord herniation in a patient with Brown Sequard syndrome
Authors: li jinxing , Sasamori Toru , Hida Kazutoshi
Published: September 2021

This 68-year-old man presented with progressive spastic paraparesis of 2-month duration. The diagnosis was Brown-Sequard syndrome(BSS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed ventral displacement of the spinal cord at Th 7–8. The spinal cord deformity was dominant on the left side. He underwent surgery under the preoperative diagnosis of spinal cord herniation at Th 7–8. Intraoperatively we detected an arachnoid cyst and an osteophyte that compressed the spinal cord at Th 7–8 dorsally and ventrally rather than spinal cord herniation. Postoperative MRI showed successful spinal cord decompression. His neurological findings improved remarkably just after surgery. Although the misdiagnosis of spinal hernia in the actual presence of arachnoid cysts has been reported, ours is the first case of both, a lateralized osteophyte and an arachnoid cysts mimicking spinal cord herniation.
Inelastic phonon transport across atomically sharp metal/semiconductor interfaces
Authors: Song Houfu , Liu Fang , Hu Song , Li Qinshu , Yang Susu , Zhao Lu , Jiang Hailing , Wang Jinlin , Wang Tao , Koh Yee Kan , Kang Feiyu , Wu Junqiao , gu xiaokun , Sun Bo , Wang Xinqiang
Published: September 2021

Understanding thermal transport across metal/semiconductor interfaces is crucial for heat dissipation of electronics The dominant heat carriers in non-metals, phonons, transport elastically across most interfaces, except for a few extreme cases where the two materials that formed the interface are highly dissimilar with a large difference in Debye temperature. In this work we show that even for two materials with similar Debye temperatures (Al/Si, Al/GaN), a substantial portion of phonons will transport inelastically across their interfaces at high temperatures, significantly enhancing interface thermal conductance. Moreover, we find that interface roughness strongly affects phonon transport process. For atomically sharp interfaces, phonons are allowed to transport inelastically and interface thermal conductance linearly increases at high temperatures. With increasing interface roughness, inelastic phonon transport rapidly diminishes. Our results provide new insights on phonon transport across interfaces and open up opportunities to engineering interface thermal conductance specifically for materials of relevance to microelectronics.
Sources, Bioavailability And Adequacy of Zinc Intake Among Rural-Resident Men In Malawi
Authors: Pakira Lydia , Kalimbira Alexander
Published: September 2021

Background: Zinc deficiency (ZnD), measured using serum zinc (Zn) prevails in 66% of 20–54 year-old men in Malawi, and is higher than that of other demographic groups. We conducted this study to identify local plant and animal sources of Zn; to determine the frequency of intake of Zn-rich foods; and, to assess the bioavailability of Zn in the food sources.Methods: We employed a descriptive cross-sectional study of 20–54 year-old men (n=101) who are residents of a rural area of Lilongwe district in central Malawi. Dietary assessment was done using a food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall. Dietary adequacy was assessed using modified NutriSurvey 2007. Zinc bioavailability was estimated using Murphy’s model of algorithm based on FAO/WHO Zn bioavailability factors.Results: Only 20.3% of the participants were knowledgeable of Zn, and mostly cited rice, cassava, sweet potato, milk and fish as sources of Zn. Degermed-dehulled hard porridge (locally called nsima) (53.5%), small fish (30.7%), mangoes (69.3%), groundnuts (20.8%), pumpkin leaves (65.3%) and sunflower oil (24.8%) were the most frequently consumed foods. Slightly over one third (36.6%) of the participants met the recommended dietary allowance for Zn (mean intake of 14.4±14 mg), but ˂1% consumed Zn that was bioavailable (mean 2.2±2.5 mg).Conclusion: Habitual intake of plant-based diets with poorly bioavailable Zn was widespread among men in this rural population in Malawi, which led to inadequate dietary Zn intake. Food systems-based operational research should be conducted to understand barriers and facilitators of adequate intake of bioavailable Zn in rural areas of Malawi.
Eye-Gaze Control of a Wheelchair Mounted 6DOF Assistive Robot for Activities of Daily Living
Authors: Sunny Md Samiul Haque , Zarif Md Ishrak Islam , Rulik Ivan , Sanjuan Javier , Rahman Mohammad Habibur , Ahamed Sheikh Iqbal , Wang Inga , Schultz Katie , Brahmi Brahim
Published: September 2021

Background: Building control architecture that balances the assistive manipulation systems with the benefits of direct human control is a crucial challenge of human-robot collaboration. It promises to help people with disabilities more efficiently control wheelchair and wheelchair-mounted robot arms to accomplish activities of daily living.Methods: In this paper, our research objective is to design an eye-tracking assistive robot control system capable of providing targeted engagement and motivating individuals with a disability to use the developed method for self-assistance activities of daily living. The graphical user interface is designed and integrated with the developed control architecture to achieve the goal.Results: We evaluated the system by conducting a user study. Ten healthy participants performed five trials of three manipulation tasks using the graphical user interface and the developed control framework. The 100% success rate on task performance demonstrates the effectiveness of our system for individuals with motor impairments to control wheelchair and wheelchair-mounted assistive robotic manipulators.Conclusions: We demonstrated the usability of using this eye-gaze system to control robotic arm mounted on wheelchair in activities of daily living for the people with disabilities. We found high levels of acceptance with higher ratings in evaluation of the system with healthy participants. Trial registration: Not applicable.
Global Famine after Nuclear War
Authors: Xia Lili , Robock Alan , Scherrer Kim , Harrison Cheryl , Jaegermeyr Jonas , Bardeen Charles , Toon Owen , Heneghan Ryan
Published: September 2021

In a nuclear war, bombs targeted on cities and industrial areas would start firestorms, injecting large amounts of soot into the upper atmosphere, which would spread globally and rapidly cool the planet. The soot loadings would cause decadal disruptions in Earth’s climate, which would impact food production systems on land and in the oceans. In 1980s, investigations of nuclear winter impacts on global agricultural production and food availability for 15 nations, but new information now allows us to update those estimates. Recently, several studies analyzed changes of major grain crops and marine wild-catch fisheries for different scenarios of regional nuclear war using sophisticated models. However, the impact on the total food supply available to humans is more complex. Here we show that considering all food sources and potential adaptation measures, such as using animal feed directly for humans, famine would result for most of Earth even from a war between India and Pakistan using less than 3% of the global nuclear arsenal. We look at the climate impacts from a range of scales from regional to global nuclear war, and estimate the total amount of food calories available in each nation, including crops, livestock, and fisheries, for each year following a nuclear holocaust. Our findings quantify the global indirect impacts of nuclear war away from target areas, and demonstrate the need to prevent any scale of nuclear war.
Heterozygous FMN2 Missense Variant Found in A Family Case of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Authors: Li Jie , Peng Tianliu , Wang Le , Long Panpan , Quan Ruping , Tan Hangjing , Zeng Minghua , Wu Xue , Yang Junting , Xiao Hongmei , Shi Xiaobo
Published: September 2021

Background

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency plagues 1% of women under 40, while quite a few remain an unknown cause. The development of sequencing has helped find pathogenic genes and reveal the relationship between DNA repair and ovarian reserve. Through the exome sequencing, our study targets screening out the possible POI pathogenic gene and variants in a Chinese family and 20 sporadic POI patients, preliminarily exploring the functional impact and finding out potential linkages between the gene and POI.
Results

The whole exome sequencing suggested a novel FMN2 heterozygous variant c.1949C > T (p.Ser650Leu) carried by all three patients in a Chinese family and another c.1967G > A(p.Arg656His) variant in a sporadic case. Since no FMN2 missense mutation is reported for causing human POI, we preliminarily assessed p.Ser650Leu variant via cross-species alignment and 3D modeling and found it possibly deleterious. A series of functional evidence was consistent with our hypothesis. We proved the expression of FMN2 in different stages of oocytes and observed a statistical difference of chromosomal breakages between the POI patient carrying p.Arg656His variant and the health control (p = 0.0013). Western Blot also suggested a decrease in FMN2 and P21 in the mutant type and an associated increase in H2AX. The p.Arg656His variant with an extremely low frequency also indicated that the gene FMN2 might play an essential role in the genetic etiology of POI. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first POI report on missense variants of FMN2.
Conclusion

This finding indicates a novel gene possibly related to POI and sheds lights on the study of FMN2.
MNB1 gene is involved in regulating the iron-deficiency stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Song Hui , Chen Feng , Wu Xi , Hu Min , Geng Qingliu , Ye Min , Zhang Cheng , Jiang Li , Cao Shuqing
Published: September 2021

Abstract Iron (Fe) is an indispensable mineral element for normal growth of plants. Fe deficiency induces a complex series of responses in plants, involving physiological and developmental changes, to increase Fe uptake from soil. However, the molecular mechanism involved in plant Fe-deficiency is not well understood. Here, we found that the MNB1 gene is involved in modulating Fe-deficiency response in Arabidopsis thaliana . The expression of MNB1 was inhabited by Fe-deficiency stress. Knockout of MNB1 led to enhanced Fe accumulation and tolerance, whereas the MNB1-overexpressing plants were sensitive to Fe-deficiency stress. Lower H 2 O 2 concentrations in mnb1 mutant plants were examined under Fe deficiency circumstances compared to wild-type. On the contray, higher H 2 O 2 concentrations were found in MNB1-overexpressing plants, which was adversely linked with malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Furthermore, in mnb1 mutants, the transcription level of the Fe-uptake and translocation genes, FIT , IRT1 , FRO2 , Z IF , FRD3 , NAS4 , PYE and MYB72 , were considerably elevated during Fe-deficiency stress, resulting in higher Fe accumulation. Together, our findings show that the MNB1 gene negatively controls the Fe-deficiency response in Arabidopsis via modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the ROS-mediated signaling pathway, thereby affecting the expression of Fe-uptake and translocation genes.
Effects of HIV Status and History of Pregnancy Termination on Trends of Family Planning Knowledge among Women Living in Nine Fragile Countries
Authors: Woytowich Daniel , Xie Bin
Published: September 2021

Background: To decrease the proportion of women in fragile or 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.
Tensor-Based DOA Estimation for Array Virtual Translation
Authors: Peng Jiaqiang , Zheng Guimei
Published: September 2021

In order to make up for the problem that the tensor-based spatial smoothing DOA estimation algorithm cannot make good use of the physical aperture of the array, this paper proposes a tensor-based array virtual translation DOA estimation algorithm. Under the framework of the tensor-based DOA estimation algorithm, the algorithm applies the array virtual translation technique to the factor matrix obtained after tensor decomposition, which can be expanded into signal subspace and approximately has a Vandermonde structure. Furthermore, the available array aperture of the algorithm is expanded, the estimation accuracy is improved, and the limitation of the physical array aperture on the algorithm’s multi-target estimation ability is broken. Since the processing technique proposed in this paper has nothing to do with the construction of tensors, this technique is suitable for all DOA estimation algorithms based on tensors. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation verify the effectiveness of the algorithm proposed in this paper.
Experimental realization of high-fidelity quantum logic gate between photons
Authors: Shi Shuai , Xu Biao , Zhang Kuan , Ye Gen-Sheng , Xiang De-Sheng , Liu Yubao , Wang Jingzhi , Su Daiqin , Li Lin
Published: September 2021

Quantum logic gates with fidelity above fault-tolerant threshold are building blocks for scalable quantum technologies[1,2]. Compared to other types of qubits, photon is one of a kind due to its unparalleled advantages in long-distance quantum information exchange[3-5]. As a result, high-fidelity photonic quantum operations are not only indispensable for photonic quantum computation[6-8] but also critical for quantum network[2,9]. However, two-qubit photonic quantum logic gate with fidelity comparable to that of leading physical systems, i.e. 99.7% for superconducting circuits[10] and 99.9% for trapped ions[11], has not been achieved. A major limitation is the imperfection of single photons[12]. Here, we overcome this limitation by using high-quality single photons generated from Rydberg atoms as qubits for the interference-based gate protocol, and achieve a gate fidelity up to 99.84(3)%. Our work paves the way for scalable photonic quantum applications[13-15] based on near-optimal single-photon qubits and photon-photon gates.
Determinants of Consistent Condom Use Among Filipino Women: Results From the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Pepito Veincent Christian F. , Amit Arianna Maever L. , Tang Clinton S. , Molen Ryan Gabriel C. , Co Luis Miguel B. , Aliazas Neil Andrew Kiamco , Reyes Sarah J. De Los , Sumpaico-Tanchanco Lourdes Bernadette
Published: September 2021

Background: Consistent condom use had been perennially low in the Philippines, despite being a tested and proven public health intervention to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Considering the high fertility rate, teenage pregnancy rate, and the rapidly increasing incidence of HIV in the country, we identify the determinants of consistent condom use in the country. Methods: We used data from the individual recode of the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey. We used logistic regression for survey data to identify factors associated with consistent condom use. Results: Out of 25,074 respondents, only 261 (1.13%) have used condoms consistently with their most recent partner. Reach of information and education campaigns on contraceptive use via different media ranged from 62% via television to 7% via SMS. After adjusting for confounders, those who were able to ask their partners to use condoms during sexual intercourse has 6.10 times (adjusted odds ratio: 6.10; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 2.00. 18.61) odds of consistent condom use than those who were unable to ask their partners to use condoms during sexual intercourse. Meanwhile, HIV knowledge (aOR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.39), hearing about contraception in television (aOR: 1.54; 95% CI: 0.99, 2.39), age (aOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.00), and number of children (aOR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.20) have borderline significant associations with consistent condom use. Conclusions: The low percentage of those who use condoms consistently, together with the low reach of information and education campaigns highlight the need to further intensify information and education campaigns to promote consistent condom use. Interventions to improve sexual agency and promote HIV knowledge should be implemented to address the burden of unwanted pregnancies and HIV in the Philippines.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia Coli Strain S9922 Isolated from Meningitis in Calf and Comparative Genomic Analysis with Other E. Coli Pathotypes
Authors: Li Beibei , Ren Jingjing , Ma Xun , Qin Qian , Wang Xinyu , Jiang Jianjun , Wang Pengyan
Published: September 2021

Background: Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) exists in the normal intestinal flora, but can invade and colonize extraintestinal sites and cause a wide range of infections. Genomic analysis of ExPEC has mainly focused on isolates of human, poultry and pig. In recent years, some large-scale dairy farms in Xinjiang broke out cases characterized by neurological symptoms and acute death in newborn calves. To better understand the genomic attributes underlying the pathogenicity of bovine-source ExPEC, a highly virulent strain, which named E. coli S9922 was isolated from cerebral effusion in a calf that died of meningitis, was sequenced and analyzed.Results: Using single-molecule sequencing technology on PacBio and then assembled, the genes were predicted and annotated. The whole genome of E.coli S9922 was consisted of a chromosome and three plasmids containing 5055 genes, and the total length was 5269374 bp and the average G+C content was 50.82%. In addition, 291 host-, 204 virulence-, and 185 resistance-related genes, and 182 T3SS effector proteins were found by comparison with related databases. Comparison of this genome to 16 representative strains of pathogenic E.coli genomic sequences showed that E.coli S9922 had the greatest co-linearity with E.coli 90-9272. In addition, Core genes obtained by cluster analysis of E.coli S9922 homologous genes were classified, a total of 2570, 2780, and 2188 genes were obtained via COG, KEGG, and GO comparisons, respectively. The unique genes identified by homologous cluster analysis were classified 204, 550, 239 genes in COG, KEGG, and GO comparisons, respectively. Evolutionary tree analysis revealed a close evolutionary relationship between E.coli S9922 and E.coli 90-9272, and a distant relationship between E.coli S9922 and UTI89.Conclusions: The study provide dgenomics of E.coli S9922 strain from the cattle that had died of meningitis. It enriched the genome data of E.coli and laid a theoretical foundation for further experimental study of ExPEC. Comparative genomics analysis showed that E.coli S9922 had a close evolutionary relationship with E.coli 90-9272, but far from that of UTI89.
Molecular Phylogenies Map to Biogeography Better than Morphological Ones
Authors: Oyston Jack , Wilkinson Mark , Ruta Marcello , Wills Matthew
Published: September 2021

Phylogenetic relationships are inferred principally from two classes of data: morphological and molecular. Most current phylogenies of extant taxa are inferred from molecules, and when morphological and molecular trees conflict the latter are often preferred. Although supported by simulations, the superiority of molecular trees has never been assessed empirically. Here we test phylogenetic accuracy using two independent data sources: biogeographical distributions and fossil first occurrences. For 48 pairs of morphological and molecular trees, we show that molecular trees are, on average, significantly more biogeographically congruent than their morphological counterparts. We also report an increase in the biogeographical congruence of phylogenies over research time. We find no significant differences in stratigraphical congruence between morphological and molecular trees. These findings have implications for understanding homoplasy in morphological data sets, the utility of morphology as a test of molecular hypotheses, and the difficulty of analysing fossil groups for which molecular data are unavailable.
Various Expression and Clinical Significance of Checkpoint Molecules in Advanced Osteosarcoma: Possibilities for Novel Immunotherapy
Authors: Xie Lu , Chen Chenglong , Liang Xin , Xu Jie , Sun Xin , Sun Kunkun , Yang Rongli , Tang Xiaodong , Guo Wei
Published: September 2021

Background: The fact that studies on anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or its relevant ligand 1 (PD-L1) have yielded such few responses greatly decreases the confidence in immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors for advanced osteosarcoma. We examined 35 advanced osteosarcoma specimens, characterized the expression of various checkpoint molecules with immunohistochemistry and analyzed the relationship of the expression of these checkpoint molecules with patients’ clinical courses. Methods: Immunohistochemistry for B7-H3, CD47, PD-L1, TIM3, TGF-β, CXCR 4, CD27, IDO1, KIRs and SDF-1 was performed on 35 resected advanced osteosarcoma specimens. Associations between the marker levels and clinicopathological variables and survival were evaluated. Results: The positive rates of B7-H3, CD47, PD-L1, TIM3, and TGF-β expression in this sample of 35 heavily treated osteosarcomas were 29% (10/35), 15% (5/35), 9% (3/35), 6% (2/35) and 6% (2/35), respectively, and diverse staining intensities were observed. Among these advanced patients, 15/35 (43%) had positive checkpoint expression, of whom 33% (5/15) showed evidence of the coexpression of more than 1 checkpoint molecule. We did not find any obvious correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and the positive expression of these molecules; however, for this small sample, a tendency for benefiting from anti-PD-1 therapy was observed in patients with positive B7-H3 expression (P = 0.057). Conclusions: Our study first reported that only a small subset of progressive osteosarcomas expressed tumor immune-associated checkpoint molecules. Those osteosarcomas that had ever been responsive to anti-PD-1 therapy usually had evidence of the coexpression of multiple checkpoint molecules.
Immunogenicity, Safety and Antiphospholipid Antibodies After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Patients With Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Signorelli Flavio , Balbi Gustavo Guimarães Moreira , Aikawa Nadia Emi , Silva Clovis Artur Almeida , Kupa Léonard de Vinci Kanda , Medeiros-Ribeiro Ana Cristina , Yuki Emily Figueiredo Neves , Pasoto Sandra Gofinet , Saad Carla Gonçalves Schahin , Borba Eduardo Ferreira , Seguro Luciana Parente Costa , Pedrosa Tatiana , Oliveira Vitor Antonio de Angeli , Costa Ana Luisa Cerqueira de Sant’Ana , Ribeiro Carolina Torres , Santos Roseli Eliana Beseggio , Andrade Danieli Castro Oliveira , Bonfa Eloisa
Published: September 2021

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has an increased risk of coagulopathy with high frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). The recent reports of thrombosis associated with the adenovirus-based vaccines raises concern that SARS-CoV-2 immunization in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients may trigger a dysregulated immune response with possible clotting complications. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess immunogenicity, aPL production and safety of Sinovac-Coronavac in PAPS patients.Methods: This prospective controlled phase 4 study of SARS-CoV-2-naïve PAPS patients and a control group (CG) consisted of a two-dose Sinovac-CoronaVac (D0/D28) and blood collection before vaccination (D0), at D28 and 6 weeks after second dose (D69) for immunogenicity/aPL levels. Outcomes were seroconversion (SC) rates of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG and/or neutralizing antibodies (NAb) at D28/D69. Safety and aPL production were also assessed. Results: Forty-four PAPS patients and 132 CG had comparable age (p=0.982) and sex (p>0.999). At D69, both groups had high and comparable SC (83.9% vs. 93.5%, p=0.092) and GMT [50.2(95%CI 34.5-73.2) vs. 61.7 (95%CI 52.8-72.3), p=0.249] as well as NAb positivity (77.4% vs. 78.7%, p=0.440), and NAb-activity [64.3% (49.0-77.0) vs. 60.9% (45.6-81.3), p=0.689]. Of note, for D28, the antibody response was very low and also similar in both groups SC (25.8% vs. 30.6% p=0.609). Antiphospholipid levels remained stable throughout the study at D0 vs D28 vs D69 (IgG aCL, p=0.058; IgM aCL, p=0.091; IgG aβ2GPI, p=0.513 and IgM aβ2GPI, p=0.468). Thrombotic event up to 6 months or other moderate/severe side effects were not observed.Conclusions: We provide novel evidence that Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine has a high immunogenicity and excellent safety profile in PAPS. We further demonstrated that this vaccine did not trigger thrombosis or induced changes in aPL-related antibodies production. Our findings strongly support the recommendation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for PAPS patients.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov - Identifier: NCT04754698 first registered on February 8th, 2021.
Cell Type Matters: Competence For Alkaloid Metabolism Differs In Two Seed-Derived Cell Strains of Catharanthus Roseus.
Authors: Raorane Manish L. , Manz Christina , Hildebrandt Sarah , Mielke Marion , Thieme Marc , Keller Judith , Bunzel Mirko , Nick Peter
Published: September 2021

Since the discovery of the anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine, Catharanthus roseus has been intensively studied for biosynthesis of several terpene indole alkaloids (TIAs). Due to their low abundance in plant tissues at a simultaneously high demand, modes of production alternative to conventional extraction are mandatory. Plant cell fermentation might become one of these alternatives, yet decades of research have shown limited success to certain product classes, leading to the question, how to preserve the intrinsic ability to produce TIAs (metabolic competence) in cell culture? We used the strategy to use the developmental potency of mature embryos to generate such strains. Two cell strains (C1and C4) from seeds of Catharanthus roseus were found not only to differ morphologically, but also in their metabolic competence. This differential competence became manifest under phytohormone elicitation, but also upon feeding with alkaloid pathway precursors. The more active strain C4 formed larger cell aggregates and was endowed with longer mitochondria. These cellular features were accompanied by higher alkaloid accumulation in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicitation. The levels of catharanthine could be increased significantly, while the concurrent vindoline branch of the pathway was blocked, such that no bisindole alkaloids were detectable. By feeding vindoline to MeJA elicited C4 cells, vincristine became detectable; however, only to marginal amounts. In conclusion, these results show that cultured cells are not just “de-differentiated”, but can differ in metabolic competence. In addition to elicitation, and precursor feeding, the cellular properties of the “biomatter” are highly relevant for the success of plant cell fermentation.
Transcriptional Profiles of Long Non-coding RNAs Involved in Fatty Acid Biosynthesis at Filling Stage of Soybean Pods
Authors: Ma Bohan , Li Yue , Khalifa Mohamed , Teng Meng , Zhang Aijing , Zhao Qiuzhu , Lamboro Abraham , Yao Dan , Zhang Jun
Published: September 2021

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNAs of more than 200 nucleotides. To date, the roles of lncRNAs in soybean fatty acid synthesis have not been fully studied. Here, the low-linolenic acid ‘mutant 72’ (MT72) and the wild-type control ‘JiNong 18’(JN18) were used. Based on the previously published data on lncRNAs related RNA-seq in young pods of soybean 30 d to 40 d after flowering, lncRNAs and mRNAs from soybean pods 50 d after flowering were identified using high-throughput sequencing. The possible target genes of lncRNAs were predicted, and the functions related to fatty acid synthesis were analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG).Results: A total of 10,500 lncRNAs and 54,370 mRNAs were identified, and 115 possible target genes of 1,805 differentially expressed lncRNAs were found to be involved in fatty acid synthesis. A network of lncRNAs and mRNAs was constructed, and a total of 604 lncRNAs and 1,484 mRNAs had regulatory relationships. Among them, 115 target genes of 77 lncRNAs were directly or indirectly involved in fatty acid biosynthesis.Conclusions: The function related to fatty acid synthesis was predicted by differential expression of the target gene mRNAs interacting with lncRNAs. In conclusion, our results provide a theoretical basis for studies on fatty acid synthesis of lncRNAs in soybean.