bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Plant Species Suitability in Green Walls Based on API, Heavy Metal Accumulation, and Particulate Matter Capture Capacity
Authors: Hozhabralsadat Mersedeh Sadat , Heidari Ava , Karimian Zahra , Farzam Mohammad
Published: January 2022

Today, one of the most pressing issues confronting the civilized and modern world is air pollution. Particulate matter (PM) is a well-known pollutant that contributes significantly to urban air pollution and has numerous short- and long-term adverse effects on human health. One method of reducing air pollution is to create green spaces, mainly green walls, as a short-term solution. The current study investigated the ability of nine plant species to reduce traffic-related PM using a green wall system installed along a busy road in Mashhad, Iran. The main aims were (1) estimate the tolerance level of plant species on green walls to air pollution using the Air pollution tolerance index (APTI); (2) assess the PM capture on the leaves of green wall species using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and accumulation of heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP); (3) select the most tolerance species for reducing air pollution using Anticipated Performance Index (API). The plants' APTI values ranged from 5 to 12. The highest APTI value was found in Carpobrotus edulis and Rosmarinus officinalis, while Kochia Prostrata had the lowest. Among the APTI constituents, leaf water content (R2 = 0.29) and ascorbic acid (R2 = 0.33) had a positive effect on APTI. According to SEM analysis, many PM were adsorbed on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces, as well as near the stomata of Lavandula angustifolia, C. edulis, Vinca minor, and Hylotelephium sp. Based on EDX analysis, carbon and oxygen formed the highest amount (more than 60%) of metals detected in the elemental composition of PM deposited on the leaves of all species. The Sedum reflexum had the highest Cr, Fe, Pb, and As accumulation. The concentrations of all heavy metals studied in green wall plants were higher than in the control sample. Furthermore, the C. edulis is the best plant for planting in industrial, urban areas of the city based on APTI, biological, economic, and social characteristics. It concludes that the use of green walls composed primarily of plants with small leaves can significantly adsorb PM and accumulation of heavy metal.
Modulatory Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor on Cytokines and Clinical Features of Sarcoidosis
Authors: Elahi Morvarid , Talreja Jaya , Koth Laura L. , Samavati Lobelia
Published: January 2022

Background: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology with a significant heterogeneity in organ manifestations, severity, and clinical course. Subjects with sarcoidosis share several features such as, non-necrotizing granuloma, hypergammaglobulinemia, increased local and circulating inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pluripotent chemokine produced by various cell types. The expression of MIF at sites of inflammation suggests a regulatory role in the function of macrophages. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of MIF in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of sarcoidosis patients in association with clinical features and other cytokines. Methods: Sera and BALs of sarcoidosis patients (n=55) were collected at the time of diagnosis and patients were followed longitudinally for 3 years. Additionally, fifteen healthy controls participated in the study. The medical records of all patients including, demographics, radiography stages, pulmonary function tests, and organ involvements were recorded. The levels of MIF, IL-18, IL-10, IL-6, IFN-γ and lysozyme in serum and BAL samples were measured by ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results: Serum MIF had a remarkable positive correlation with IL-10 and IFN-γ but had a negative correlation with serum IgG levels. Importantly, longitudinal follow-up showed a positive correlation between MIF and % predicted diffusion capacity (%DLCO) at 3-year. Serum IL-18 had a significant positive correlation with serum lysozyme, but a negative correlation with % predicted total lung capacity at 3-year follow up. We identified two groups of sarcoidosis subjects with distinct clinical and cytokine features. A group with prominent extrapulmonary involvement, and low serum MIF, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels and a group with elevated serum MIF, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels. Moreover, we found a negative correlation between BAL IL-18 and BAL MIF in sarcoidosis subjects.Conclusions: Patients with low serum MIF, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels has severe and mostly extrapulmonary sarcoidosis with elevated lysozyme and IL-18 levels. Our work provides understanding of phenotypic diversity in association with heterogeneity in cytokine landscape in sarcoidosis.
A Risk Signature Established From Three Coagulation-fibrinolysis Genes Predicts Prognosis in Digestive System Pancancer
Authors: Wang Xingyun , Ji Jinli , Jiang Ying , Zhao Yiyang , Song Zheyao , He Zikang , Shen Ping , Wang Huan , Luo Liangyu , Guan Huilin , Cui Rongjun
Published: January 2022

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the major complications of digestive system cancer, and coagulation-fibrinolysis genes play an important role in VTE. We used univariate Cox analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox analysis to construct 3-PCFGs (prognostic coagulation-fibrinolysis genes) model based on six prognostic coagulation-fibrinolysis genes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of the high- and low-risk groups. In addition, we classified digestive system pancancer patients into three clusters A, B, and C based on 3-PCFGs by K means. High-risk group and cluster C were associated with poor prognosis in digestive system pancancer. The m6A-related genes ALKBH5, FTO, RBM15, YTHDC1, and YTHDC2 (P<0.001) were highly expressed in the high-risk group and cluster C. The risk score was positively correlated with cancer-associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Cluster C had the highest immune score and stromal score. The poor prognosis in the high-risk group and cluster C may be affected by m6A epigenetic modification and immune microenvironment components in the digestive system pancancer.
Molecular (ISSR, cp DNA, ITS) and Morphological Study of the Genus Tragopogon L. (Asteraceae)
Authors: Azizi Hejraneh , Sheidai Masoud , Mozaffarian Valiollah , Noormohammadi Zahra
Published: January 2022

Tragopogon L. (Cichorioideae, Lactuceae, Scorzonerinae) is an Old World genus with 150 species, Rechinger in Flora Iranica divided this genus in 13 section and 37 species that 26 species of them are exist in Iran. Safavi et al. divided it into 26 species without sections in flora Iran. Despite the anatomical and molecular studies done around the world, the exact classification of this genus is not clear due to the high number of secret species, hybridization, polyploidy and rapid diversification. The morphology studies of 32 species and Molecular studies (ISSR, ITS, cp DNA) of 22 species of the genus Tragopogon was investigated . The purpose of these studies are classification and determination of interspecific relationship in this genus. Sections of Rubriflori, Sosnowskya, Chromopappus, Majores, Angustissimi, Krascheninnikovia in flora of Iranica are confirmed on the basis of morphometry and molecular data. Section of Profundisulcati in flora Iranica is confirmed on the base of morphometry data. The Species of T. jesdianus, T . porphyrocephalus, T. rezaiyensis and T. Stroterocarpus in the flora of Iranica are not classified in any section which we classified in the Rubriflori section, Cp DNA dendrogram are not useful for classification in this genus and Chloroplast sequences are very similar among Tragopogon species, Therefore, the use of cp DNA markers in the classification of this genus is not recommended.
Full-Order Sliding Mode Bounded Control for Euler-Lagrange Systems with External Disturbances
Authors: Guo Yong , Di Fuqiang , Lin Xiaodong , Wang Wenlin , Wang Changqing
Published: January 2022

This paper researches two finite-time bounded control methods for Euler-Lagrange systems exposed to external disturbances. A novel full-order terminal sliding mode surface that is convenient for solving the input constraints is designed based on the characters of the hyperbolic tangent function. By using the designed full-order terminal sliding mode surface, the finite-time controller with input constraints can deal with external disturbances with the exactly known upper bound. Further, an adaptive finite-time bounded controller is designed to deal with the external disturbances with the upper bound that cannot be accurately known. Finally, the finite-time stability of the system is proved by using Lyapunov theory and numerical simulations.
Two Differentially Methylated Region (DMR) Networks in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Viral Hepatitis, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kurokawa Suguru , Yoneda Masato , Ogawa Yuji , Honda Yasushi , Kessoku Takaomi , Imajo Kento , Saito Satoru , Nakajima Atsushi , Hotta Kikuko
Published: January 2022

Background

We previously reported that two differentially methylated region (DMR) networks identified by DMR, and co-methylation analyses are strongly correlated with the fibrosis stages of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the current study, we examined these DMR networks in viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods

We performed co-methylation analysis of DMRs using a normal dataset (GSE48325), two NAFLD datasets (JGAS000059 and GSE31803), and two HCC datasets (GSE89852 and GSE56588).
Results

One DMR network was clearly observed in viral hepatitis and two HCC populations. Methylation levels of genes in this network were higher in viral hepatitis and lower in HCC. Fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1), serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 2 (SGK2), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 α (HNF4A) were potential hub genes in this network. Increased methylation levels of the FABP1 gene deteriorated the protection capacity of hepatocytes from oxidative metabolites in NAFLD and viral hepatitis. The decreased methylation levels of SGK2 facilitated the growth and proliferation of HCC cells. Decreased methylation levels of HNF4A in HCC cells were associated with tumorigenesis. The other DMR network was observed in NAFLD, but not in viral hepatitis or HCC. This second network-included genes involved in transcriptional regulation, cytoskeleton organization, and cellular proliferation, which are specifically related to fibrosis and/or tumorigenesis in NAFLD.
Conclusions

Our results suggest that one DMR network was associated with fibrosis and tumorigenesis in both NAFLD and viral hepatitis, while the other network was specifically associated with NAFLD progression. FABP1, SGK2, and HNF4A could be possible candidate targets for the prevention and treatment of HCC.
A practical water–energy–climate solution for sustainable and resilient coastal cities: smart use of seawater in municipal services
Authors: ZHANG Zi , SATO Yugo , DAI Ji , Chui Ho-kwong , Daigger Glen , Loosdrecht Mark van , Chen Guang-Hao
Published: January 2022

Municipal services for buildings in developed (sub)tropical coastal cities contributed 18% of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in 2020. One mitigatory solution is the direct use of seawater for district cooling and toilet flushing, which has been applied in Hong Kong on various scales and achieved 30% water and energy savings. However, no systematic evaluation and strategy for this solution are available. Herein, we develop a high-resolution quantitative scheme to elaborate the co-benefits and optimal strategies for expanding this use of seawater. We find that in Hong Kong, Jeddah, and Miami, using local seawater at the city-scale would achieve life-cycle GHG mitigation (42%–56%), energy savings (45%–49%), and freshwater savings (11%–43%). High-resolution analysis reveals that population density and district marginal performance are essential to optimize the efficiency of seawater use. Our scheme confirms the utility of seawater for municipal services and is an effective tool for innovative municipal-service enhancement.
Damming Weakens the Groundwater and Surface Water Exchange and Its Nitrate Removal in Semi-arid Prairie Rivers
Authors: Huang Jing , Lu Xixi , Luo Xin , Hu Haizhu , Jiao Jiu Jimmy
Published: January 2022

Surface water (SW)-Groundwater (GW) exchange plays a vital role in a prairie aquatic system and the biogeochemical cycling in such a system. Considering the inadequate understanding of damming on SW-GW exchange, a damming prairie river in Southeast Eurasian steppe was chosen to investigate variations of the SW-GW exchange and its influences on the fate of nitrate (NO3-). Both hydraulic and hydrochemical methods were applied to precisely depict the daily and seasonal exchange processes. The upstream and downstream reaches of the dam were observed to be upwelling and downwelling conditions respectively within a hydrologic year. Results obtained from multiple tracer methods and hydraulic method indicate that damming contributed to transfer the stream from the upwelling to the downwelling condition and weaken the SW-GW exchange in the downstream. The patterns of SW-GW exchange modulated the NO3- uptake or production between the SW and the GW. NO3- was mainly removed in the SW-GW exchange zone (SW-GW EZ) of the upwelling segment, while produced in the downwelling segment. Both the removal and production of NO3- were enhanced during snowmelt period, which might be an active period for the SW-GW exchange and NO3- fate. This study underscores the negative effect of damming on the SW-GW exchange and accompanied NO3- removal in prairie river systems.
Exploring the Impacts of the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Critical Care Physicians and the Delivery of Patient Care in Seven Countries: A Qualitative Interview-Based Study
Authors: Leigh Jeanna Parsons , DeGrood Chloe , Dodds Alexandra , Rubulotta Francesca , FitzGerald Emily A. , Mizen Sara J. , Krewulak Karla D. , Moss Stephana J. , Stelfox Henry T. , Fiest Kirsten M.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To understand critical care physician experiences across multiple countries with the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future pandemic preparedness planning.
Methods

In this qualitative study, 16 critical care physicians (from seven countries) identified in convenience, purposive sampling took part in individual semi-structured interviews from April 7, 2020 to August 27, 2020 that captured the first wave of the pandemic. Open coding was conducted by two researchers who facilitated inductive thematic analysis.
Results

Key themes identified following thematic analysis included: 1) sourcing and implementation of trusted information; 2) health systems-level preparedness with accessible supports; 3) institutional adaptations including changes to patient care; 4) professional safety and occupational wellbeing; 5) triage and restricted visitation policies; and 6) managing personal familial responsibilities.
Conclusion

Perspectives of critical care physicians are important for ongoing pandemic planning and should be included in future pandemic policy development.
Differential Effects of Transgenerational Plasticity on Morphological and Photosynthetic Properties Between an Invasive Plant and Its Congeneric Native One
Authors: Xiao Xiao , He Linxuan , Zhang Xiaomei , Jin Yu , Chen Jinsong
Published: January 2022

Transgenerational plasticity allows offsprings to be more adaptive in the environmental conditions experienced by their parents. It is suggested that differential effects of transgenerational plasticity on growth performance of offspring ramets may help to understand successful invasion of invasive plant with clonal growth comparing with its congeneric native one. A pot experiment using invasive herb Wedelia trilobata and its congeneric native species Wedelia chinensis was conducted to investigate differential effects of high/low light treatment experienced by mother ramets on morphological and photosynthetic properties of offspring ramets subjected to stressful low light treatment. For W. chinensis, stolon length and maximum carboxylation rate (Vmax) in offspring ramets from mother ramets subjected to low light treatment were significantly greater than those in offspring ramets from mother ramets subjected to high light treatment. For W. trilobata, leaf area and potential maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax) in offspring ramets from mother ramets subjected to low light treatment were significantly greater than those in offspring ramets from mother ramets subjected to high light treatment. We tentatively concluded that effects of transgenerational plasticity on morphological and photosynthetic properties among clonal plants could be species-specific. In addition, more favorable effect of transgenerational plasticity on growth performance was observed in the invasive plant than in its congeneric native species. It is suggested that transgenerational plasticity may be very important for successful invasion of invasive plant with clonal growth, especially in maternal environmental conditions. So, our experiment provides new insight into invasive mechanism of invasive plants.
The Water Yield Pattern for Annual and Monthly Scales Through a Unifying Catchment Water Balance Model
Authors: Liu Dedi , Fu Dezhi
Published: January 2022

Long-term scheduling and short-term decision-making for water resources management often require understanding the relationship of water yield pattern between the annual and monthly scales. As the water yield pattern mainly depends on land cover/use and climate, a unifying catchment water balance model with factors has been adopted to derive a theoretical water yield pattern with annual and monthly scales. Two critical values at the parameters ε=1-√2/2 and ϕ=1.0 are identified. The parameter ε referring to the water storage (land use/cover) and evaporation (climate) changes can make more contribution than ϕ for water yield when ϕ>1.0, especially with ε<1-√2/2. But there is less contribution made by ε when ϕ<1.0. The derived theoretical water yield patterns have also been validated by the observed data or the simulated data through the hydrological model. Due to the bias of the soil moisture data, a lot of the estimated parameter ε values are over its theoretical range, especially for the monthly scale in humid basins. The performance of the derived theoretical water yield pattern at annual scale is much better than that at monthly scale while there are only a few data sets from the arid basin at every months fall within their theoretical ranges. Even the relative contributions of ε is found to be bigger than those of ϕ due to ε<1-√2/2 and ϕ>1.0, there are no significant linear relationships between annual and monthly parameters ε and ϕ. Our results not only validate the derived theoretical water yield pattern with the estimated parameter directly by the observed or simulated data rather than the calibrated parameter, but also can guide for further understanding physical of water balance to conversion time scales for the combing long-term and short-term water resources management.
Securing the Environmental Water Requirements of Seasonally Ponding Wetlands: Partnering Science and Management Through Benefit Sharing
Authors: Barchiesi Stefano , Camacho Antonio , Hernández Eva , Guelmami Anis , Monti Flavio , Satta Alessio , Jordán Osvaldo , Angelini Christine
Published: January 2022

Although environmental flow regime assessments are becoming increasingly holistic, they rarely provoke water managers to enact the adaptive water reallocation mechanisms required to secure environmental water for wetlands. The conditions that cause science-based environmental flow assessments to succeed or fail in informing the management of environmental water requirements remain unclear. To begin to resolve these conditions, we used process tracing to deconstruct the sequence of activities required to manage environmental water in four case studies of seasonally ponding wetlands in Mediterranean and Mesoamerican watersheds. We hypothesized that, when the flexibility and equitability of the socioeconomic system do not match the complexity of the biophysical system, this leads to a failure of managers to integrate scientific guidance in their allocation of environmental water. Diagnostic evidence gathered indicates that science-management partnerships are essential to align institutional flexibility and socioeconomic equitability with the system’s ecohydrological complexity, and thus move from determination to reallocation of environmental water. These results confirm that institutions e.g., river basin organizations need to be supplemented by motivated actors with experience and skill to negotiate allocation and adaptive management of environmental water. These institutional-actor synergies are likely to be especially important in water scarce regions when the need to accommodate extreme hydrological conditions is not met by national governance capacity. We conclude by focusing on benefit sharing as a means to better describe the conditions for successful science-based environmental flow assessments that realize productive efficiency in environmental water allocation i.e., recognition of multiple values for both people and ecosystems.
Characterization of Groundwater Zones and Salinity Assessment in Aquifers of the Campo District, South Cameroon Using the GIS, AHP and PCA Approach.
Authors: Raoul Kouamou Njifen Serges , Francoise Eyengue A Nyam , Hermann Fossi Donald , Marcelin Bikoro Bi-Alou , Anita Ngouokouo Tchikangoua , Parfait Bounoung Clement , Tabod Tabod Charles
Published: January 2022

In the Campo region, groundwater is critical for human consumption and social activity. Groundwater potential is influenced by a region's geological, geophysical, and hydrogeological factors. The major goals of this research are to determine which regions are ideal for productive groundwater drilling and to assess the source of salinity in the study area's coastal aquifers. The groundwater potential map was created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Hierarchical Analysis Process (AHP). The process of groundwater mineralization was studied using principal component analysis (PCA). Six variables were taken into account, and weights were assigned to them based on their impact on groundwater recharge. In a GIS environment, spatial integration and a combination of theme layers were conducted. Campo's groundwater potential map was divided into four zones: low 14.4% (389.6 km²), moderate 53.3% (1484.5 km²), high 28.3% (783.3 km²), and extremely high 4.1% (110.9 km²). The results of the PCA reveal a mechanism of water-rock interaction, as a result of geological alteration and a salinization process caused by the intrusion of seawater and human activity The source of salinity in groundwater is manmade (agricultural and residential activities) rather than seawater intrusion. Seawater infiltration is not greatly aided by the low lineament density found near the beaches.
Gut Microbiota and Metabolome Alterations Associated with Chinese Monks’ Practice
Authors: Qiao Tingting , Lu Ganghua , Lv Zhongwei , Li Dan , Jia Chengyou , Song Yingchun , Jiang Wen , Yu Xiaqing , Gao Dingwei , Tong Junyu , Wang Ru
Published: January 2022

BackgroundThe practices of monks mainly include long-term vegetarianism and meditation, which are likely to fundamentally influence the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites. We aim to study the relationship between the practices of Chinese monks and gut microbiotas and metabolites.MethodsTwenty-four monks and forty-eight omnivorous controls (never meditated) were included. The microbiotas of all samples were profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the metabolomes were examined by nontargeted LC–MS metabolomics. Twenty-four monks were divided into the H group and the L group according to the median time of practice, and microbiota and metabolite analyses were carried out in the two groups.ResultsMicrobial communities and metabolites were decreased in monks. Bacteroidetes was increased in monks, while the Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios were decreased. At the genus level, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospira, Roseburia, norank_f__Lachnospiraceae, etc. were higher in monks, while Blautia, Eubacterium__hallii_group, Bifidobacteria, etc. were lower (all p < 0.05). Most identical KEGG categories in both Tax4Fun and PICRUSt2 were related to metabolism (6/8, 75.0%). Most higher abundance genera were positively correlated with higher abundance metabolites in monks, indicating that intestinal flora significantly affects intestinal metabolic function. Lipids and lipid-like molecules were the major differential metabolites (VIP >2, p < 0.05) in the two groups. L-dopa plays an important role in many metabolic pathways in monks. Prevotella_9 was enriched in the L group, while norank_f__Lachnospiraceae was enriched in the H group. DG (16:0/18:0/0:0) was highly expressed in the H group and participated in sixteen KEGG functional pathways as well as many immune-related KEGG enrichment pathways.Conclusion﻿The monks' lifestyle practices of vegetarianism and meditation have the potential to modulate human metabolism and function by affecting the gut microbial composition and metabolites. The appropriate practice of monks makes the intestine younger and increases immunity, but long-term practice may cause adverse physical and mental events.
Effect of Cu(II) and Conserved Copper Binding Sites on Multicopper Oxidase CopA and Characterization of the BioMnOx
Authors: Tang Wenwei , Jin Xiaoyu , Liu Yunying , Zhang Mengtian , Li Xiaoxuan , Zeng Xinping
Published: January 2022

The microbial manganese removal process is believed to be the catalytic oxidation of Mn(II) by manganese oxidase. In this study, the multicopper oxidase CopA was purified and found to have high manganese oxidation activity in vitro and Cu(II) can significantly enhance its manganese oxidation activity. The gene site-directed mutagenesis was used to mutate four conserved copper binding sites of CopA and then obtain four mutant strains. The manganese removal efficiency of the four strains was determined to find that H120 is the catalytic active site of the CopA. Protein modification analysis of CopA obtained under different conditions by mass spectrometry revealed that the loss of Cu(Ⅱ) and the mutation of the conserved copper binding site H120 resulted in the loss of modification of ethoxyformyl and quinone, the number of modifications was reduced and the position of modification was changed, eventually causing a decrease in protein activity. It reveals that Cu(II) and H120 play an indispensable role in the manganese oxidation of the multicopper oxidase CopA. The Mn valence state of BioMnOx was analyzed by XPS, finding that both the strain-mediated product and the CopA-mediated product were composed of MnO2 and Mn3O4 and the average valence of Mn is 3.2.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Risk Factors in the Pandemic Epicentre of Catalonia
Authors: Moreno Sandra , Miró Queralt , Soler Ainhoa , Gallego Mireia , Homs Maria , Garcia Maria José
Published: January 2022

Aim To define the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the municipality of Vilanova del Camí (in the sub-region of Conca d'Ódena) and to know the risk factors associated with positive seroprevalence.Method Cross-sectional descriptive study. The population of Vilanova del Camí had the opportunity to voluntarily attend two screenings for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (October and December 2020). Users who participated in the screening signed an informed consent form. From the 3610 attendees at the screening 2,170 patients were randomly selected. The test results and other demographic variables (sex, age, morbidity index) and users’ clinical variables (diagnoses, smoking and drugs) were analysed. Results The prevalence of antibodies against COVID19 was 9.6% (95% CI 8.4% to 10.9%) and was similar for men and women but increased with age. In complex chronic patients, the prevalence was 14.3% and in patients with advanced chronic disease, 25%. Age, AMG (Adjusted Morbidity Groups) index, COVID diagnosis and COVID contact diagnosis were risk factors for positive seroprevalence. The October analysis detected a higher seroprevalence (12.16%) than in the December analysis (8.38%). In the December screening, obesity was a risk factor for positive seroprevalence. Conclusions This study demonstrates the high seroprevalence of antibodies in the pandemic epicentre of Catalonia. The differences in the analysis of October and December show the impact of the first wave in the Conca d'Ódena sub-region.
Safety and efficacy of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor during concurrent chemoradiotherapy for small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective, cohort-controlled trial
Authors: Wang Cunliang , Zhu Shouhui , Miao Chuanwang , Wang Yu , Chen Jiazhen , Yuan Shuanghu , Hu Xudong
Published: January 2022

Objective

To investigate pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) safety and efficacy in preventing hematological toxicity during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Methods

We retrospectively assessed 80 SCLC patients treated with CCRT from January 2013 to December 2018 who received PEG-rhG-CSF within 48 hours after the end of chemotherapy, defined as prophylactic use, as the experimental group. An additional 80 patients who were not treated with PEG-rhG-CSF were matched 1:1 by the propensity score matching method and served as the control group. The main observations were differences in hematological toxicity, neutrophil changes, febrile neutropenia (FN) incidence and adverse reactions. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed with regular assessment and follow-up.
Results

The leukocyte, neutrophil, erythrocyte, and platelet counts and hemoglobin level decreased after CCRT, but the experimental group had slightly higher leukocyte and neutrophil counts than the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of grade III-IV leukopenia (18.75% vs. 61.25%) and neutropenia (23.75% vs. 67.5%) in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The absolute neutrophil count was 4.17±0.79 on day 1 and peaked (6.81±2.37) on day 10 in the experimental group; the value in the control group was 2.81±0.86 on day 1. It decreased significantly and reached the minimum (0.91±0.53) on day 10 (P<0.05). The experimental group had a lower FN incidence than the control group (P<0.05). There was also no significant acute esophagitis or pulmonary toxicity. The treatment had no significant effect on PFS (11.4 vs. 8.7, P=0.958) or OS (23.9 vs. 17.3, P=0.325) over an 18.6-month median follow-up time.
Conclusion

PEG-rhG-CSF has good efficacy and safety in preventing hematological toxicity in SCLC patients during CCRT and has no significant effects on PFS or OS.
Genetic and QTL Analysis for Hilum-Eye Types in Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp)
Authors: Angira Brijesh , Zhang Yang , Zhang Hong-Bin , Zhang Meiping , Singh B.B. , Hays Dirk B
Published: January 2022

Cowpea is an important food legume widely grown in the semi-arid tropics and serves as a main source of dietary protein, minerals, and vitamins. However, varieties differ from region to region based on the consumer’s preference for seed types determined by seed size, seed coat texture, seed color, and hilum-eye types. The genetics of seed size, seed color, and seed coat texture have been well documented, but the hilum-eye types have not been studied well because they represent seven different types with complex interactions. We studied the genetic segregation for hilum-eye types and determined the number of genes involved in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between a small eye parent ‘GEC’ and a Watson eye parent ‘IT98K-476-8’. The results demonstrated a three-gene model, W (Watson), S (small), and R (large), for cowpea seed hilum-eye type pattern and the interaction of these three genes, W, S, and R, resulted in five phenotypes, viz. self, Watson, small, large, and ring hilum-eye types. Moreover, we also mapped the RILs for hilum-eye types, identified three quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and aligned to the cowpea reference genome as QTL qHilum7.1, qHilum9.1, and qHilum10.1, corresponding to these three genes, Ring type (R), Watson type (W), and Small type (S) hilum-eye type patterns, respectively. Therefore, there was a complete agreement between the genetic analysis and QTL mapping for the number of genes controlling the hilum types in cowpea.
Using Bayesian state-space models to understand the population dynamics of the dominant malaria vector, Anopheles funestus in rural Tanzania
Authors: Ngowo Halfan , Okumu Fredros Oketch , Hape Emmanuel Elirehema , Mshani Issa H , Ferguson Heather M , Matthiopoulos Jason
Published: January 2022

Background: It is often assumed that the population dynamics of the malaria vector Anopheles funestus, its role in malaria transmission and the way it responds to interventions are similar to the more elaborately characterized An. gambiae. However, An. funestus has several unique ecological features that could generate distinct transmission dynamics and responsiveness to interventions. The objectives of this work were to develop a model which will; 1) reconstruct the population dynamics, survival, and fecundity of wild An. funestus populations in southern Tanzania, 2) quantify impacts of density dependence on the dynamics, and 3) assess seasonal fluctuations in An. funestus demography. Through quantifying the population dynamics of An. funestus, this model will enable analysis of how their stability and response to interventions may different from that of An. gambiae s.l.Methods: A Bayesian State Space Model (SSM) based on mosquito life history was fit to time series data on the abundance of female An. funestus s.s. collected over 2 years in southern Tanzania. Prior values of fitness and demography were incorporated from empirical data on larval development, adult survival and fecundity from laboratory-reared first generation progeny of wild caught An. funestus. The model was structured to allow larval and adult fitness traits to vary seasonally in response to environmental covariates (i.e. temperature and rainfall), and for density dependency in larvae. We measured the effects of density dependence and seasonality through counterfactual examination of model fit with or without these covariates.Results: The model accurately reconstructed the seasonal population dynamics of An. funestus and generated biologically-plausible values of their survival larval, development and fecundity in the wild. This model suggests that An-funestus survival and fecundity annual pattern was highly variable across the year, but did not show consistent seasonal trends either rainfall or temperature. While the model fit was somewhat improved by inclusion of density dependence, this was a relatively minor effect and suggests that this process is not as important for An. funestus as it is for An. gambiae populations.Conclusion: The model's ability to accurately reconstruct the dynamics and demography of An. funestus could potentially be useful in simulating the response of these populations to vector control techniques deployed separately or in combination. The observed and simulated dynamics also suggests that An. funestus could be playing a role in year-round malaria transmission, with any apparent seasonality attributed to other vector species.
Integrative Genomic Analysis of Drug Resistance in MET Exon 14 Skipping Lung Cancer Using Patient-Derived Xenograft Models
Authors: Xu Yunhua , Gu Linping , Li Yingqi , Zhao Ruiying , Jian Hong , Xie Wenhui , Liu Liu , Wu Huiwen , Han Yuchen , Lu Shun
Published: January 2022

Background
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) driven by MET exon 14 skipping (METex14) occurs in 3-4% of NSCLC cases and defines a subset of patients with distinct characteristics. MET targeted therapy has led to strong clinical responses, however little is known about aquired resistance to drugs in these patients. Patient derived xenograft (PDX) models are recognized as excellent preclinical models to facilitate the understanding of the mechanisms underlying drug resistance.
Methods
We describe a patient case harboring METex14 who exhibited drug resistance after treatment with crizotinib. Subcutaneous xenografts were generated from pretreatment and post-resistance patient specimens. PDX mice were then treated with MET inhibitors (crizotinib and tepotinib) to evaluate their drug response. DNA and RNA sequencing analysis was performed on patient tumor specimens and matching xenografts.
Results
PDXs preserved most of the histological and molecular profiles of the parental tumors. Drug resistance to MET targeted therapy was confirmed in PDX models through in vivo drug analysis. Newly aquired MET D1228N mutations and EGFR amplificated were detected in patient-resistant tumor specimens. Although the mutations were not detected in the PDX, EGFR overexpression was observed in RNA sequencing analysis indicating possible off target resistance through the EGFR bypass signaling pathway.
Conclusions
We established and characterized a pair of METex14 NSCLC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), including the first crizotinib resistant METex14 PDX. This model will be a powerful tool for testing hypotheses of drug resistance mechanisms and investigations into novel therapeutic strategies.
Long Non-Coding RNA HAGLROS Promotes the Malignant Progression of Bladder Cancer by Regulating the miR-330-5p/SPRR1B Axis
Authors: Xiao Shiwei , Zuo Yigang , Li Yanan , Huang Yinglong , Fu Shi , Yuan Dongbo , Qiao Xuhua , Wang Haifeng , Wang Jiansong
Published: January 2022

BackgroundBladder cancer (BC) is the most common genitourinary malignancy worldwide, and its aetiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Long noncoding RNAs can play vital roles in gene expression and diverse biological processes, especially in cancers. Accumulating evidence has shown that HAGLROS, a novel lncRNA, is closely related to the occurrence and progression of various cancers. However, the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of HAGLROS in BC remain unknown.MethodsThe relative expression of HAGLROS in BC was determined by bioinformatics analysis, transcriptome sequencing analysis and qRT–PCR. Gain- or loss-of-function assays were performed to study the biological roles of HAGLROS in BC. A CCK-8 assay was used to detect BC cell proliferation. BC cell invasion and migration were investigated by wound healing and Transwell assays. The cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry assay. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate SPRR1B expression. The differential expression of candidate genes and their relationships were evaluated in data retrieved from the starBase database, the GEIPIA database, the Lnc2Cancer database and the LncBase database. FISH assays, subcellular fractionation assays and luciferase reporter assays were performed to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of HAGLROS.ResultsHAGLROS expression is significantly upregulated in BC tissues and cells, and increasing HAGLROS expression was related to high pathologic grade. HAGLROS enhances the proliferation, migration and invasion of BC. Furthermore, SPRR1B is obviously upregulated and miR-330-5p is significantly downregulated in BC. Mechanistically, we found that HAGLROS is mainly located in the cytoplasm and positively regulates SPRR1B expression by sponging miR-330-5p, playing an oncogenic role in BC pathogenesis.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrates that HAGLROS is significantly overexpressed and plays an oncogenic role by regulating the miR-330-5p/SPRR1B axis in BC. HAGLROS may serve as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of BC.
Trichoderma juruarense sp. nov. (Hypocreaceae) a new fungal species from sediments of the Amazonian Juruá River with agricultural potential
Authors: Gwinner Raoni , Sousa Thiago F. , de Sousa Sandra B. , Bandeira Izabel C. , Castro Gleucinei dos S. , Hanada Rogério E. , Faria Jéssica V. , Koolen Hector H. F. , Silva Gilvan Ferreira
Published: January 2022

The species of Trichoderma are the most common fungi to be used as biocontrol agents, and their metabolic arsenal has a wide variety of applications that places this genus among those with the potential to provide biotechnological products. The ubiquitous nature of Trichoderma has favored a rapid increase in the number of described species, and significant efforts have been made towards the taxonomy of Trichoderma in order to improve the accuracy of identification. During a study of cultivable microbiota from the Juruá River, Amazon, Brazil. Isolates with morphological characteristics of the genus Trichoderma were screened for their capacity to control phytopathogens. A total of five Trichoderma isolates were identified using morphological data combined with phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region, and partial sequences of TEF and RPB2. Trichoderma juruarense sp. nov. form a monophyletic clade that is closely related to T. cyanodichotomus, a species that occupies an unresolved position in the Trichoderma taxonomy. T. cyanodichotomus and T. juruarense sp. nov. present an intracellular blue-green pigment in potato dextrose agar (PDA) and differ in conidia and chlamydospores sizes. These data support the proposition of a new species, named here as Trichoderma juruarense. The holotype of T. juruarense INPA0108 presents in vitro inhibition against phytopathogens, such as Colletotrichum siamense (50%), Corynespora cassiicola (43%), Fusarium decemcellulare (61%) and Sclerotium rolfsii (51%), which demonstrates desirable traits that warrant further studies on plant protection. In addition, T. cyanodichotomus and T. juruarense formed a new clade based on the sequence data of the RPB2 gene.
An AI-Enabled Predictive Analytics Dashboard for Acute Neurosurgical Referrals
Authors: Pandit Anand , Jalal Arif , Toma Ahmed , Nachev Parashkev
Published: January 2022

Healthcare dashboards make key information about service and clinical outcomes available to staff in an easy-to-understand format. Most dashboards are limited to providing insights based on group-level inference, rather than individual prediction. Here, we evaluate a dashboard which could analyze and forecast acute neurosurgical referrals based on 10,033 referrals made to a large volume tertiary neurosciences center in central London, U.K., from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown period until October 2021. As anticipated, referral volumes significantly increased in this period, largely due to an increase in spinal referrals. Applying a range of validated time-series forecasting methods, we found that referrals were projected to increase beyond this time-point. Using a mixed-methods approach, we determined that the dashboard was usable, feasible, and acceptable to key stakeholders. Dashboards provide an effective way of visualizing acute surgical referral data and for predicting future volume without the need for data-science expertise.
Mental health of people living with HIV during the COVID-19 epidemic in Tokyo
Authors: Tanaka Takahiro , Koga Michiko , Senkoji Tomoe , Kubota Megumi , Ikeuchi Kazuhiko , Kikuchi Tadashi , Saito Makoto , Adachi Eisuke , Tsutsumi Takeya , Hosaka Takashi , Yotsuyanagi Hiroshi
Published: January 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts physical health and mental health. People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than the general population. We examined the mental health of PLWH during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.
Methods

We retrospectively examined the medical records of PLWHs who underwent the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 at an HIV referral hospital in Tokyo. Stringency Index (SI) values were used to measure the intensity of social infection control measures.
Results

Between February 2020-May 2021, 30 PLWH were examined at least once. The median age was 49 years, 29 PLWH were on antiretroviral therapy, and the median CD4 count was 580.5/µL. A total of 30% of the patients experienced distress, 45% depression, and 21.4% generalized anxiety disorder. Fourteen PLWH were taken for a median of four tests (IQR:2.0-7.3) and classified into three types: 1) Moderate distress or mild depression or anxiety at the beginning that decreased gradually (six patients, 43%), 2) persistent severe distress, but moderate depression or anxiety gradually decreased (six patients, 43%), and 3) extremely severe distress and depression or anxiety continued to syncope with the SI values (two patients, 14%). Having no partners, unemployment, and a history of psychiatric diseases were more commonly observed in the highly severe mental health groups.
Conclusions

PLWH are more vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic than the general population, especially those with substantial social isolation. Attention should be paid to the mental health of PLWH.
Simulating Wheat Production Potential Under Near-future Climate Change in Arid Regions of Northeast Iran
Authors: Saberali Seyed Farhad , Shirmohammadi-Aliakbarkhani Zahra , Nasrabadi Hossein Nastari
Published: January 2022

Water scarcity is the key challenge in arid regions, which exacerbates under climate change (CC) and must be considered to assess the impacts of CC on cropping systems. A climate-crop modelling approach was employed by using the CSM-CERES-Wheat model in some arid regions of northeast Iran to project the effects of CC on irrigated wheat production. Current climate data for 1990-2019 and climate projections of three climate models for 2021–2050 under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios were used to run the crop model. Two irrigation scenarios with different irrigation efficiencies were also simulated to investigate the impacts of water scarcity associated with changing climate and irrigation management on wheat productivity. Results indicated that mean temperature is projected to increase at the rates of 1.74–2.73 °C during the reproductive growth period of winter wheat over the study areas. The precipitation projections also indicated that the precipitation rates would decrease over most of the wheat-growing period. The length of the vegetative growth period will extend in some regions and shorten in others under the near future climate. However, the grain filling duration will reduce by about 2–4 days across all regions. The mean seasonal PET is expected to decrease by about 11 mm from 2021 to 2050 over the study areas. A mean overall reduction in winter wheat yield due to future climate conditions would be about 12.3 % across the study areas. However, an increase of 15-30% in the irrigation efficiency will be able to offset yield reductions associated with limited water supply under future climate scenarios. The results suggest that CC will exacerbate limited irrigation water availability, so implementing high-efficiency irrigation systems should be a priority to adapt to climate change in an arid cropping system.