bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy Ameliorates Neuroinflammatory Alterations in a Pilocarpine-Induced Epilepticus Model
Authors: El-Hameed Abeer Mohamed Abd , Abuelsaad Abdelaziz S. A. , Khalil Abdelwahab
Published: March 2021

Background: Bee venom (BV) is applied in different traditional medicinal therapies and is used worldwide to prevent and treat many acute and chronic diseases. Epilepsy has various neurological effects, e.g., epileptogenic insults; thus, it is considered a life-threatening condition. Seizures and their effects add to the burden of epilepsy because they can have health effects including residual disability and even premature mortality. The use of antiinflammatory drugs to treat epilepsy is controversial; therefore, the alternative nonchemical apitherapy benefits of BV were evaluated in the present study by assessing neuroinflammatory changes in a pilocarpine-induced epilepticus model. Methods: Levels of electrolytes, neurotransmitters, and mRNA expression for some gate channels were determined. Moreover, ELISA assays were conducted to detect pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, whereas RT-PCR was performed to assess mRNA expression of Foxp3 and CTLA-4.Results: BV ameliorated the interruption in electrolytes and ions through voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, and it limited neuronal excitability via rapid repolarization of action potentials. In addition, BV inhibited the high expression of proinflammatory cytokines.Conclusions: Acupuncture with BV was effective in preventing some of the deleterious consequences of epileptogenesis associated with high levels of glutamate and DOPA in the hippocampus. BV ameliorates changes in the expression of voltage-gated channels, rebalances blood electrolytes and neurotransmitters, and modulates the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, BV could reduce the progression of epileptogenesis as a cotherapy with other antiepileptic drugs.
Preparation of Folic Acid-conjugated Albumin Nanoparticles Containing Paclitaxel using High-pressure Homogenisation Coagulation Method
Authors: Chu Yan , Chai Shuo , Pan Hong , Qian Jiayi , Han Cuiyan , Sui Xiaoyu , Liu Tingting
Published: March 2021

In this study, we prepared and evaluated folic acid-conjugated albumin-paclitaxel (FA-BSA-PTX) nanoparticles using a new green technique, called the high-pressure homogenisation coagulation method (HPHCM). The effect of process parameters such as BSA concentration, coagulant concentration, homogenisation time, homogenisation pressure, water/ethanol ratio, and BSA/PTX ratio was analysed to optimise nanoparticle size, albumin conversion rate, and encapsulation efficiency. BSA concentration was found to exert a great influence on albumin conversion rate and particle size. Meanwhile, the BSA/PTX ratio significantly affected the nanoparticle encapsulation efficiency. Electron microscopy showed that the freeze-dried particles mostly existed in the form of dimers and trimers with an average particle size of 300–400 nm. Infrared spectroscopy indicated that PTX was well encapsulated in BSA. Raman spectra of the synthesised nanoparticles indicated changes in the disulphide bond configuration and protein structure. In vitro drug-release analysis showed that crosslinked nanoparticles exhibited a sustained release. Furthermore, in vitro cell-uptake studies on HeLa cells showed that FA can be used as a targeting ligand for albumin carriers to enhance the active targeting effect of the nanoparticles with a high FR expression. These results suggest that HPHCM is an effective method to prepare FA-BSA-PTX drug-delivery systems.
Updating seismic hazard models for Kuwait
Authors: el-aal Abd el-aziz Khairy Abd , Mostafa Shaimaa Ismail , Al-Enezi Abdullah , Al-Jeri Farah , Al-Sayegh Ammar
Published: March 2021

The valuable results from this research are the first and essential step for assessing seismic risk in Kuwait. The increase in the urban development and construction of tall buildings and skyscrapers in Kuwait necessitated an estimate of the seismic risk for creating a unified seismic code for Kuwait. This research comes to make the necessarily step by assessing the seismic hazard and deaggregation in the State of Kuwait. For this purpose, the historical and instrumental seismic catalogs of Kuwait and the active Zagros Seismic Belt were primarily compiled, unifying the magnitudes, removing unnecessary earthquakes (seismicity declustering) and considering the completeness of the catalogs. Multi-seismotectonic models for Kuwait region incorporate earthquake focal mechanisms, seismicity pattern, and structural geological situation have been created to reduce epistemic uncertainty. The recurrence parameters as well as the maximum expected earthquake from each seismic source were fundamentally estimated. Appropriate ground motion attenuation relation within a logic tree formulation was mainly used in creating hazard maps. A state-of-the-art probabilistic approach is used herein to produce hazard maps at return periods of 75, 475, 975 and 2475 years (equivalent to 50%, 10%, 5% and 2%, respectively, probability of exceedance in 50 years) at periods of PGA, 0.1, 1 and 4 seconds. The computations of hazard maps were constructed using spacing grid of 0.2° × 0.2° all over the Kuwait area. Uniform hazard spectrum and deaggregation charts have been adopted for all six governorates of Kuwait. These results with vulnerability index are the main components for estimating the seismic risk of Kuwait.
Highly Transmission Efficiency of Optoelectronic Devices Using Active Hybrid Plasmonic Coupler
Authors: elbialy samar elsayed , Yousif Bedir , Samra Ahmed
Published: March 2021

This paper discusses modeling and optimizing the performance of hybrid plasmonic bidirectional coupler which is used as a basic building block in modeling highly transmission efficiency of optoelectronic devices such as filter, wavelength division multiplexer, logic gates and switching matrix with a help of an active material (indium tin oxide) that has an electrically-adjustable permittivity. All the proposed devices satisfied high transmission efficiencies at the desired output ports over a suitable wavelength range. The realized structures are characterized and simulated by 3D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD). The components would be useful in the optical interconnect networks, photonic integrated circuits and signal processing system.
Spontaneously Sn Doped Bi/BiOx Core–shell Nanowires Toward High-Performance CO2 Electroreduction to Formate
Authors: Zhao Yang , Liu Xunlin , Liu Zhixiao , Lin Xin , Lan Jiao , Zhang Yanlong , Lu YR , Peng Ming , Chan Ting-Shan , Tan Yongwen
Published: March 2021

Electrochemical CO2 reduction to formate using renewable electricity provides a promising strategy to product value-added carbon-based fuels and feedstocks. However, it still remains a grand challenge to further reduce the cathodic potentials and increase current density for the large-scale practical applications of formate. Herein, we report that spontaneously Sn doped Bi/BiOx nanowires (denoted as Bi/Bi(Sn)Ox NWs) are prepared from electrochemical dealloying strategy. The Bi/Bi(Sn)Ox NWs exhibit impressive CO2 electroreduction activity to formate with a Faradaic efficiency (FE) > 92% from -0.5 to -0.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and achieve a current density of 301.4 mA cm-2 at -1.0 V vs. RHE under gas diffusion cell configuration. In-situ Raman spectroscopy and theory calculations reveal that the incorporation of Sn atoms into BiOx species modulates the electron states of Bi, allowing the *OCHO intermediate to favorably adsorb onto the reconstructed Bi(Sn)Ox surface while promotes formate generation by suppressing the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. This work provides effective in-situ construction of the metal/metal oxide hybrid composites with heteroatom doping and offers insights in promoting practical CO2 conversion technology.
Confirmation of Rpp Genes Conferring Resistance to Asian Soybean Rust and Mapping of Rpp1 Allele from PI 594723
Authors: Meira Daniela , Batti Vinícius de B. Bez , Woyann Leomar G. , Milioli Anderson Simionato , Bozi Antonio Henrique , Beche Eduardo , Panho Maiara Cecilia , Barrionuevo Fabiana , Madella Laura Alexandra , Malone Gaspar , Júnior Salvador L. Brito , Finatto Taciane , Benin Giovani
Published: March 2021

In this study, we aim to develop and validate KASP molecular markers in soybean populations for Asian soybean rust (ASR) resistance gene Rpp1 (PI 200492, PI 594538A, PI 587880A), identify the gene hypothetically present in PI 594723, and validate KASP markers for Rpp2 (PI 230970), Rpp3 (PI 506764), Rpp4 (PI 459025A), and Rpp5 (PI 506764, PI 200487). Ten F2 soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) populations derived from crosses between rust-susceptible (55I57RSF IPRO, 63I64RSF IPRO) x rust-resistant sources (PI 200492, PI 594738A, PI 587880A, PI 594723, PI 230970, PI 506764, PI 459025A and PI 200487) were evaluated. All F2 plants were individually evaluated in field conditions for ASR phenotypic reactions, classified according to sporulation level. SNP markers were developed according to markers associated with Rpp genes available at the SoyBase, using KASP methodology. Based on a slight difference in map position and different phenotypic disease reactions of PI 200492, the authors suggest that PI 594723 carries a resistance gene Rpp1-b. The Rpp1-b gene from PI 594723 was mapped in Chr 18 in a 12.4 cM region. The PIs carrying Rpp1-b (PI 594723, PI 587880A, and 594538A) showed strong resistance to ASR compared to the lines carrying Rpp1 (PI 200492). A total of 26 KASP markers were significantly associated (P < 0.01) with ASR. Among those, M1, M5 and M6 (Rpp1), M13 and M14 (Rpp2), M16, M17 and M20 (Rpp3), M25 and M26 (Rpp4), and M27 and M28 (Rpp5) have the potential to be used in marker-assisted selection strategies.
Interaction Between Genetic Predisposition, Smoking, and Dementia Risk: A Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Na , Ranson Janice , Zheng Zhi-Jie , Hannon Eilis , Zhou Zhenwei , Kong Xuejun , Llewellyn David , King Daniel , Huang Jie
Published: March 2021

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study to evaluate whether the association between cigarette smoking and dementia risk is modified by genetic predisposition including apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and polygenic risk (without APOE gene). We included 193,198 UK Biobank participants aged 60 to 73 years without dementia at baseline who were recruited from 2006 to 2010 and followed until 2018. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards model. The cohort was followed up for 1,700,886 person-years (median [interquartile range] follow-up, 9.0 [8.3-9.7] years). 1788 participants with incident dementia cases were detected. Of non-APOE-ε4 carriers, 0.89% (95% CI, 0.73%-1.08%) current smokers developed dementia compared with 0.49% (95% CI, 0.44%-0.55%) of never smokers (adjusted HR 1.78; 95% CI, 1.39-2.29). Of participants with high polygenic risk, 1.77% (95% CI, 1.35%-2.27%) current smokers developed dementia compared with 1.05% (95% CI, 0.91%-1.21%) of never smokers (adjusted HR 1.63; 95% CI, 1.16-2.28). A significant interaction was found between APOE genotype and smoking status (P = 0.002) while no significant interaction was identified between polygenic risk and smoking status on risk of dementia (P = 0.25). APOE genotype while not polygenic risk modified the effect of smoking on dementia risk.
Computational Study on Novel Natural Inhibitors Targeting c-MET
Authors: Ge Junliang , Wu Bo , Yang Wenzhuo , Zhong Sheng , Hou Yuanyuan , Ren Junan , Li Juncheng , Wang Jing , Dou Gaojing , Zhang Zhiyun , Wang Xinhui , Mou Yonggao
Published: March 2021

Object This study was designed to select ideal lead compounds and preclinical drug candidates with inhibitory effect on c-MET from the drug library (ZINC database).Methods A battery of computer-aided virtual techniques were used to identify possible inhibitors of c-MET. LibDock is applied for structure-based screening followed by ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolic, excretion) and toxicity prediction. Molecular docking was conducted to confirm the binding affinity mechanism between the ligand and c-MET Molecular dynamics simulations were used to assess the stability of ligand-c-MET complexes.Results Two new natural compounds ZINC000005879645 and ZINC000002528509 were found to bind to c-MET in ZINC database, showing higher binding affinity. In addition, they were predicted to have lower rodent carcinogenicity, Ames mutagenicity, developmental toxicity potential, and high tolerance to cytochrome P4502D6. Molecular dynamics simulation shows that ZINC000005879645 and ZINC000002528509 have more favorable potential energies with c-MET, which could exist stably in the natural environment.Conclusion This study suggests that ZINC000005879645 and ZINC000002528509 are ideal latent inhibitors of c-MET targeting. As drug candidates, these two compounds have great security and important implications for the design and improvement of c-MET target drugs.
Production of a β-glucosidase-Rich Cocktail from Talaromyces Amestolkiae using Raw Glycerol: Its Role for Lignocellulose Wastes Valorization
Authors: Méndez-Líter Juan Antonio , de Eugenio Laura Isabel , Hakalin Neumara , Prieto Alicia A , Martínez María Jesús
Published: March 2021

Background: As β-glucosidases represent the major bottleneck for industrial degradation of plant biomass, great efforts are being devoted both to discover novel and robust versions of these enzymes, as well as to develop efficient and inexpensive ways to produce them. In this work, raw glycerol from chemical production of biodiesel was tested as carbon source for the fungus Talaromyces amestolkiae with the aim of producing enzyme cocktails rich in this activity. Results: When using raw glycerol as sole carbon source, approximately 11 U/mL β-glucosidase were detected in these cultures, constituting the major cellulolytic activity. Besides, it was detected that the enzymatic production started when glycerol was completely depleted, which implicates that it was produced under carbon starvation stimuli. Proteomic analysis of the produced crudes revealed BGL-3 as the most abundant protein and the main b-glucosidase. This enzymatic cocktail was successfully used to supplement a basal commercial cellulolytic cocktail (Celluclast 1.5L) for saccharification of different pretreated wheat straw, and improving the yield that the commercial preparation can reach alone.Conclusions: This study corroborates that even hardly exploitable industrial wastes, such as glycerol, can be used by Talaromyces amestolkiae as carbon sources to produce very valuable enzymatic preparations for the production of biofuels and other bioproducts in a framework of circular economy.
Collective Outbreak of Severe Acute Histoplasmosis in Immunocompetent Chinese: The Clinical characteristics and Continuous Monitoring of Serum Cytokines/Chemokines
Authors: Peng Yin-yin , Guo Shu-liang , yan Xiao-feng , Zhang Lv-lang , Wang Jing , Yuan Guo-dan , Qing Gang , Xu Lu-lu , Cao Ju
Published: March 2021

Background: Acute histoplasmosis is a rare fungal disease and is likely to be misdiagnosed in clinic. In this paper we attempted to find some easy potential specific diagnostic and disease severity predictors of acute histoplasmosis, on the basis of so far the biggest collective outbreak of severe acute histoplasmosis by inhaled fungi in Chinese. Methods: 10 immunocompetent Chinese were infected when they were working in Guyana, South America. Their clinic characteristics, as well as their blood samples were collected for analysis, and then Person rank correlation was employed to check the associations between the indicators and their clinic conditions. Results: At admission, their CRP, PCT, LDH and CysC were increased, CD4/CD8 was decreased (<1), and β2-MG was increased in 9 of them. For cytokines and chemokines, IL-4 was always <1.3pg/ml, and the IL-12, INF-a, TNF-a were always less than reference values. The results of Person rank correlation analysis showed that β2-MG, CysC, G-test, N/L, LDH were in positive associations to CRP, PCT, which were significantly correlated to the disease severity as well. Then IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 were in positive associations to CRP, PCT, β2-MG, CysC, G-test, N/L, and LDH, too. Conclusions: β2-MG, CysC, N/L, LDH, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 may be reasonably potential diagnostic and disease severity predictors of acute histoplasmosis, but more examinations are still needed for further verification. More relevant indicators should also be taken into account for improving the accuracy of diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
Photocatalytic Activity and Filtration Performance of Hybrid TiO2-Cellulose Acetate Nanofibers for Air Filter Applications
Authors: Kwon Miyeon , Kim Juran
Published: March 2021

A facile method to prepare hybrid cellulose acetate nanofibers containing TiO2 (TiO2 -CA nanofiber) by emulsion electrospinning technique was developed for denitrification and the filtration of particulate matters (PMs). This work found that hybrid TiO2-CA nanofibers mainly contain the anatase form of TiO2, attributing to the photodecomposition of NO gas under UV irradiation. TiO2-CA nanofibers also showed excellent filtration efficiency of 99.5% for PM0.5 and photocatalytic efficiency of 78.6% for NO removal. Furthermore, the results implied the morphology of TiO2-CA nanofibers, such as micro-wrinkles and protrusions, increased the surface hydrophobicity up to 140° with increased addition of TiO2 nanoparticles. The proposed TiO2-CA nanofibers, as a result, would be promising materials of highly efficient and sustainable air filters for industrial and home appliance systems.
Preparation and characterization of a novel sulfonated titanium oxide incorporated Chitosan nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell application
Authors: Ahmed Saad , Hussain Amjad , Arshad Tasleem , Khan Muhammad , Zada Amir , Hassan Muhammad , Hussain Hidayat , Hussain Javid , Imran Muhammad , Ali Iftikhar , Ahmad Ikram , Ali Maroof , Ullah Hussain
Published: March 2021

In this study, nano-TiO2 sulfonated (STiO2) with 1,3-propanesultone was incorporated into the chitosan matrix for the fabrication of chitosan/STiO2 (C/STiO2) nanocomposite membranes. The grafting of sulfonic acid (–SO3H) groups was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermos-gravimetric analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The physicochemical properties such as water uptake, swelling ratio, thermal and mechanical stability, ion exchange capacity and proton conductivity of the as prepared membranes were measured. The proton groups on the surface of TiO2 can form continuous proton conducting pathways along the C/STiO2 interface resulting in the improvement of proton conductivity of C/STiO2 nanocomposite membranes. The nanocomposite membrane with 5 % sulfonated TiO2 showed higher proton conductivity (0.035 S·cm-1) than commercial Nafion-117 membrane (0.033 S·cm-1) due to the strong interfacial interactions between -SO3H group of acid and hydroxyl group of TiO2. Further, the –NH2 groups of chitosan restrict the mobility of chitosan chains to enhance the thermal and mechanical stability of the nanocomposite membranes. These C/STiO2 nanocomposite membranes have promising applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
Impact of Climate on Tea Production: A Study of the Dooars Region in India
Authors: Mallik Piyashee , Ghosh Tuhin
Published: March 2021

The Dooars region of West Bengal in India is a major tea producing region that contributes around 25% of the national tea yield. Changes in weather patterns along with the increased frequency of drought, storms, flood, etc. are likely to affect the tea industry adversely as tea production is reliant on the climate of the tea-growing region. In spite of the tea industry being the primary contributor of the Dooars economy, to date, the impact of climatic variables on tea yield in Dooars region remains unexplored. Here, we have developed a panel dataset that includes monthly data of the tea gardens of Dooars region over a 10-year period and statistically analysed the effects of climatic variables including temperature, precipitation, drought intensity, magnitude of warm-wet condition and precipitation intensity on tea yield. Overall, our seasonal analysis suggested that higher temperature during summer and monsoon seasons affected tea yield. Contrastingly, higher temperature during winter months and summer and winter rainfall were found to be beneficial for the increase in tea yield. An excessive and sporadic rainfall and a combination of hotter and wetter weather condition during monsoon months had a detrimental effect on tea yield. Finally, projections using climate models under different emission scenario predicted reduction of monsoon production under extreme carbon emission. The analyses and predictions of our study will be beneficial for tea garden managers of Dooars region in particular and northern India in general in adopting strategies to prevent the tea plantations from being affected due to climate change.
Association Between Covid-19 and Heart Failure: Evidence From a Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Huachen , Guo Zheng , Zheng Yulu , Chen Bing
Published: March 2021

Background: Current research observing inconsistent associations of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with heart failure (HF) are prone to bias based on reverse causality and residual confounding factors. Our aim was to apply a two-sample Mendelian randomization method to investigate whether COVID-19 has a causal effect on HF. Methods: Twenty-nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were proposed as candidate instrumental variables (IVs). A total of 3,523 patients with COVID-19 and 36,634 control participants were included in the genome-wide meta-analysis. We analyzed the largest genome-wide association studies (GWAS) meta-analysis of heart failure in individuals of European ancestry consisting of 47,309 patients with HF and 930,014 controls. The inverse variance weighted (IVW), the Mendelian randomization-Egger (MR-Egger) regression, the simple mode (SM), weighted median, and weighted mode were utilized for the MR analysis to test the stability and a causal effect. Results: The IVW, MR-Egger regression, SM, weighted median and weighted mode demonstrated there was no association between the genetically predicted COVID-19 infection and HF risk (OR, 1.004; 95%CI, 0.994-1.014; P=0.467; OR, 1.008; 95%CI, 0.996-1.019; P=0.218; OR, 0.968; 95%CI, 0.924-1.015; P=0.186; OR, 1.001; 95%CI, 0.988-1.014; P=0.881; OR, 1.001; 95%CI, 0.989-1.014; P=0.836; respectively). Conclusion: This two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis provided no evidence to sustain the causality of COVID-19 on HF.
Natural Variation of Dt2 Promoter Controls Plant Height and Node Number in Semi-Determinant Soybeans
Authors: Kou Kun , Su Tong , Wang Yanping , Yang Hui , Du Hao , He Milan , Li Tai , Ma Lixin , Liao Chunmei , Yang Cen , Shi Wenqian , Chen Linnan , Li Yongli , Yang Bize , Kong Lingping , Li Shichen , Wang Lingshuang , Zhao Xiaohui , Lu Sijia , Liu Baohui , Kong Fanjiang , Fang Chao
Published: March 2021

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is one of the most important legume crops and its plant height (PH) is one significant quantitative trait closely related to node number (NN) and internode length (IL) on the main stem, which affect yield together. In this study, we used a recombinant inbred line (RIL) derived from a cross between two semi-determinate stem soybean varieties (Dt1Dt1Dt2Dt2), JKK378 and HXW. A consistent QTL named qPH18 simultaneously controlling PH, NN, and IL was identified, in which this region harbors the semi-determinant gene, Dt2. Sequencing of the promoter of Dt2 from JKK378, identified three polymorphisms relative to HXW, including two SNPs and a 18bp Indel. The expression level of Dt2 in qPH18JKK378 group was lower than that in qPH18HXW group, meanwhile, as a downstream gene, the expression of Dt1 from two groups showed a contrary tendency. Transient transfection assay confirmed that the promoter activity of Dt2 from JKK378 is lower compared to HXW. We speculate that the polymorphisms in the two dominant Dt2 promoter caused difference in expression level of Dt2 and its downstream gene Dt1, hence, affect PH, NN, IL, and grain weight per plant without changing stem growth habit. Compared to PH18HXW allele, qPH18JKK378 allele suppresses the expression of Dt2 gene which releases the expression of Dt1, thus promotes plant node number and enhanced grain yield. These results will be helpful for revealing the mechanism underlying the node number and plant height, the soybean materials and molecular marker will facilitate molecule breeding.
Screening and Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity from Tibetan Qula, a Yak Milk Cheese
Authors: Zhang Bei , Chen Jun , Wu Guofang , Wang Lei , Qin Guangyong , Pang Huili , Zhang Miao , Liu Yuan , Tan Zhongfang
Published: March 2021

BackgroundLactic acid bacteria with natural, effective antibacterial activity, safe and reliable characteristic, gradually become one of the key technologies in food fermentation applications, food preservation and other fields. In this study, 112 presumptive lactic acid bacteria isolated from Tibetan Qula, a fermented yak cheese popular in the Tibetan plateau, were screened for potential probiotic microorganism with antimicrobial activity.Results12 lactic acid bacteria were found to have antibacterial activity, and strain QZ50 in particular showed broad-spectrum inhibition against pathogenic bacteria, which retained its antibacterial activity after sequential removal of acids and hydrogen peroxide, indicating the production of a broad-spectrum bacteriocin that could inhibite Micrococcus luteus ATCC 28001, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 26003, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 63501, Escherichia coli ATCC 30105, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10104, and Salmonella enterica ATCC 50094. Strain QZ50 was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum based on physicochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing. And the optimum production conditions were evaluated to obtain the highest yield of plantaricin QZ50. The optimum medium, temperature, initial pH, and inoculum amount for plantaricin QZ50 production were Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS), 30°C, 6.5, and 3%, respectively. In addition, different C source, N source and stimulating factors in medium show significant effects on plantaricin QZ50 production (P ＜ 0.05). The optimum C and N source were respectively glucose and yeast extract, and 2% Tween 80 contributed highest production of plantaricin QZ50. Plantaricin QZ50 exhibited strong heat stability and remained activity at pH 2.0–8.0. In addition, plantaricin QZ50 was inactivated by pepsin, proteinase K, trypsin, papain, and chymotrypsin.ConclusionsSome strains of Lactobacillus isolated from the Qula in the Tibetan plateau have good antibacterial activity which could be considered as potential probiotic. The strain of Lactobacillus plantarum QZ50, with a broad-spectrum, stable, safe, and natural antibiotic, has potential applications as a food biopreservative.
The Application of Full-Size Three-Dimensional Individual Printed Model Combined with Three-Dimensional Digital Demonstration Can Facilitate Patient’s Preoperative Comprehension to Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy
Authors: Yuan Xiaobin , Liu Xiaolei , Jing Qiang , Liu Fan , Zhang Xuhui
Published: March 2021

Background: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of full-size three-dimensional individual printed model (3D-IPM) based on computerized tomography (CT) reconstruction combined with 3D individual digital models (3D-IDMs) for improving the patient’s and their families’ comprehension levels of robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) preoperatively. Methods: Between January 2020 and January 2021, 37 patients underwent RALPN in our institution. 3D individual digital models (3D-IDMs) were reconstructed based on the data of computerized tomography (CT) scanning and full-size 3D-IPMs were fabricated correspondingly. For each patient and his/her closest accompanying immediate family member (CAIFM) (spouse or son/daughter), two semi-structured conversations were held by using CT films (1st conversation) and 3D-IPM combined with 3D-IDM demonstration (2nd one) respectively. The preoperative levels of comprehension were evaluated quantitatively by using a self-made preoperative comprehending score (PCS) in the patients and CAIFMs. Results: All the fabrications of full-size 3D-IPMs and all the operations were technically successful. The total PCS elevated significantly by presenting 3D-IPM combined with 3D-IDM demonstration compared with CT films (42.5 vs 35.5 in patients, P<0.001; 42.9 vs 35.8 in CAIFMs, P<0.001). Sub-PCSs in the evaluating aspects of renal anatomy, mass characteristics, the upcoming RALPN procedure, potential complication risks and prognosis also showed a uniformed climbing pattern with the assistance of 3D-IPM+3D-IDM. Conclusion: The application of 3D-IPM presentation combined with 3D-IDM demonstration can improve the preoperative comprehension of patient and CAIFM to RALPN with more intuitionistic and verisimilar presentation， and can be used in RALPN patient education for increasing patients’ and their families’ cognitive empowerment.
Effectiveness of faith-based interventions on the rate of discharged against medical advice in the tertiary newborn units in Nigeria: A protocol for an open label randomized control trial, the FBI-DAMA Study
Authors: Alao Michael Abel , Ibrahim Olayinka Rasheed , Ogunbosi Oluwatosin Babatunde , Nna Emmanuel Okechukwu , Asinobi Adanze Onyenonachi , Olapegba Peter Olamakinde
Published: March 2021

Background: Discharged against medical advice (DAMA) is a risk factor that often leads to adverse outcomes and hospital re-admissions in neonatal units. Few studies have shown that spiritual/faith-based institutions (FBI) tend to have lower incidence of DAMA compared with public hospitals. Perhaps the holistic approach to patient care that addresses the spiritual needs, the soul and the body component of a being in this setting may account for the observed lower incidence of DAMA. Limited randomized control trials (RCT) exist on faith-based interventions with regards to DAMA in published literature. This study seeks to compare the effectiveness of FBI, social support, religiosity and types of FBI on neonatal DAMA against standard of care in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Methods: This RCT will be carried out in 2 public tertiary teaching hospitals in 2 of 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The socio-demographic and clinical details of all patients admitted to the neonatal wards during the study period will be documented. Study participants will be selected through a multistage sampling technique. Subjects will be randomized and allocated to treatment and control arms having established baseline measure of social support and religiosity. Ethical approval was obtained from the State Research Ethics Review Committee. Written informed consent will be obtained from the parents/caregivers prior to patient enrolment. The study will be conducted in line with Declaration of Hesinki 2013. Appropriate statistical tools will be used for data collection and analysis.Discussion:The outcome of this analysis will give insight into the effectiveness of FBI on DAMA. It will also predict the effect of the mediators of parents/caregivers’ religiosity, spirituality, forms of FBI, parents/caregivers’ religious sect and social support on rate of DAMA on neonatal admission in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. This may help inform Public Health Institutions and Governments’ decisions on the determinants of neonatal DAMA and how to mitigate such outcomes. It is hoped that the evidence from this study may guide policy formulation and guidelines to enhance hospital retention of sick neonates until they are fit for discharge. Trial registration: This study was registered in the Pan Africa Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202102670906630).
Surgical Ciliated Cyst Secondary to Orthognathic Surgery: Report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Díez-Montiel Alberto , Armentia  , Antunez-Conde Raul , Navarro-Cuéllar  , Tousidonis  , Salmeron Jose Ignacio , Antón-Badiola  , Soares Jo Castro , Bonsfills
Published: March 2021

Background: Surgical ciliated cysts (SCC) of the maxilla appear as a delayed complication after surgery in the maxillary sinus, midface osteotomies, traumatic tooth extraction, and maxillary fractures. They are defined as a lytic lesion with entrapment of the pseudostratified columnar epithelium.Report of three cases: We present three patients in which after orthognathic surgery a slowly enlarging asymptomatic swelling mass was developed. On CT, all the cases presented lytic expansive lesions in the alveolar ridge. In the three cases, lesions were completely excised, and upon histological examination, ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells was found so they were diagnosed as SCC. An exhaustive review of the medical literature was conducted. The PubMed database was searched for PubMed Central (PMC). 44 references were found, reporting 1555 cases: 11 series and 33 case reports, being the largest series from the Asian countries. The mean age was 46.5 years, and more frequently described in male patients. The most frequent form of presentation was as unilateral unilocular cysts in the posterior maxilla. They were described most frequently after a Caldwell-Luc approach. The average latency time was of 19.9 years.Conclusion: SCC is a rare complication after orthognathic surgery, but large series have been published, so maybe it could be interesting to include these cysts in the next Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of the Head and Neck Tumors: Odontogenic and Maxillofacial Bone Tumors, making clear the difference between SCC and mucoceles to avoid future confusions.
Focusing on the Treatment of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Analysis of 226 Trials Registered on Clinicaltrials.gov and ChiCTR
Authors: Guo Jincai , Xie Hui , Wu Hao
Published: March 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the registered clinical trials of COVID-19, and to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of COVID-19. Methods: Chinese ClinicalTrial Registry (ChiCTR) and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched for clinical trials of COVID-19, which were registered from inception to February 29, 2020, to screen out the clinical trials on the treatment of COVID-19, and the research units and regions, sample size, study types, study stages, and intervention measures were analyzed. Results: There were 226 clinical trials on COVID-19 in the 2 databases, and all of them were registered by research units in China. The top five registered areas were Hubei, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Zhejiang. The study type was as follows: interventional study (207, 91.6%) and observational study (18, 8.0%). Clinical trial staging was as follows: exploratory studies/preliminary trials (91, 40.3%), phase I trials (4, 1.8%), phase II trials (12, 5.3%), phase III trials (12, 5.3%), phase IV trials (47, 20.8%), phase I/II trials (2, 0.9%), phase II/III trials (5, 2.2%), and other trials (57, 25.2%). Intervention measures were as follows: there were 143 (63.3%) trials of western medicine treatment, 50 (22.1%) trials of Chinese medicine treatment, and 21 (9.3%) trials of integrated Chinese medicine treatment and western medicine treatment. Conclusion: Researchers have registered a large number of clinical trials in a short time. The number of existing patients of COVID-19 is not enough to support hundreds of clinical trials. There is a lack of multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
Ferromagnesian jeffbenite synthesized at 15 GPa and 1200 °C
Authors: Smyth Joseph R. , Wang Fei , Alp E. Ercan , Bell Aaron S. , Posner Esther S. , Jacobsen Steven D.
Published: March 2021

Single crystals of Al-free, ferromagnesian jeffbenite up to 200 µm in size have been synthesized at 15 GPa and 1200 °C in a 1200 tonne multi-anvil press from a starting composition in the forsteritefayalite-magnetite-water system. This phase has the approximate formula Mg2.62Fe0.872+Fe1.633+Si2.88O12 and is observed to coexist with a Ca-free clinopyroxene plus what appears to be quenched melt. The crystal structure has been refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and is similar to that determined for natural Al-bearing jeffbenite, Mg3Al2Si3O12, reported from inclusions in superdeep diamonds. The structure is a tetragonal orthosilicate in space group I42d with a = 6.6449(4) Å, c = 18.4823(14) Å, and is structurally more closely related to zircon than to garnet. The T2 site is larger than T1, shares an edge with the M2 octahedron, and incorporates significant Fe3+. Because of the tetrahedral incorporation of trivalent cations, jeffbenite appears to be compositionally distinct from garnet. Previous speculations that the phase may only occur as a retrograde decompression product from bridgmanite are not supported by its direct synthesis under transition zone conditions. The phase has a calculated density of 3.93 g/cm3, which is indistinguishable from a garnet of comparable composition, and is a possible component in the mantle transition zone under oxidizing conditions or with Al-rich compositions.
The impact of wise capital on the balanced performance of small enterprises in Iraq
Authors: Mahmood Ali AL-Obaidi Amel
Published: March 2021

This study aims to examine the impact of wise capital on the performance of small enterprises in Iraq. Inference, innovation, social responsibility and independence are considered as wise capital dimensions. On the other hand, the financial dimension, customer dimension, learning and growth, and the operational dimension are treated as measures of enterprise performance. The study uses a sample of 207 respondents. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to estimate the results. The results of the study indicate that two dimensions of wise capital, innovation and independence, have significant negative impacts on different measures of enterprise performance, but there is no evidence that inference and social responsibility affect the performance of enterprises in Iraq. This study has several contributions and implications. It contributes to the literature on wise capital and performance of small enterprises. It provides an opportunity for policy makers, regulators, academicians, and entrepreneurs to gain insight into the policy measures and remedies needed to improve the performance of small enterprises in Iraq.
Temperature analysis of a novel MAIB reactor during the treatment of wastewater from recycled paper mill
Authors: Zwain Haider M. , Naje Ahmed Samir , Vakili Mohammadtaghi , Dahlan Irvan
Published: March 2021

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an essential technology for wastewater management, resource recovery and biogas production, and it is considered as an efficient and reliable treatment method for many wastewaters. Operating parameters have been shown to directly affect the stability and treatment performance of AD, especially temperature. For 180 days, the AD of recycled paper mill wastewater (RPMW) was carried out in a modified anaerobic inclining-baffled (MAIB) reactor under various temperature conditions, i.e. 29 °C (low mesophilic), 37 °C (mesophilic) and 55 °C (thermophilic). It was found that total COD removal of 94, 96 and 76%, and methane yields of 0.125, 0.196 and 0.256 L CH4/g CODremoved were attained at temperatures of 29, 37 and 55 °C, respectively. Throughout the three transition periods, the pH level in the MAIB reactor fluctuated slightly within the range of 5.8–6.5 without affecting the system stability. The results concluded that thermophilic condition strongly influenced the MAIB reactor performance, leading to lower COD removal, higher methane yield and gradually recovered pH level.
Detection of water quality failure events at treatment works using a hybrid two-stage method with CUSUM and random forest algorithms
Authors: Riss Gerald , Romano Michele , Memon Fayyaz Ali , Kapelan Zoran
Published: March 2021

Near-real-time event detection is crucial for water utilities to be able to detect failure events in their water treatment works (WTW) quickly and efficiently. This paper presents a new method for an automated, near-real-time recognition of failure events at WTWs by the application of combined statistical process control and machine-learning techniques. The resulting novel hybrid CUSUM event recognition system (HC-ERS) uses two distinct detection methodologies: one for fault detection at the level of individual water quality signals and the second for the recognition of faulty processes at the WTW level. HC-ERS was tested and validated on historical failure events at a real-life UK WTW. The new methodology proved to be effective in the detection of failure events, achieving a high true-detection rate of 82% combined with a low false-alarm rate (average 0.3 false alarms per week), reaching a peak F1 score of 84% as a measure of accuracy. The new method also demonstrated higher accuracy compared with the CANARY detection methodology. When applied to real-world data, the HC-ERS method showed the capability to detect faulty processes at WTW automatically and reliably, and hence potential for practical application in the water industry.
Consumptive water footprints, water use efficiencies and productivities of rice under alternate wetting and drying for Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
Authors: Biswas A. , Mailapalli D. R. , Raghuwanshi N. S.
Published: March 2021

An experimental study was carried out with medium duration rice variety (IR 36) during kharif and rabi seasons of 2015/16 and 2016/17 to investigate the effect of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) practice on water use efficiency, productivity, and consumptive water footprints of rice. The performance of AWD practice was compared with the conventionally (CON) irrigated rice using non-weighing lysimeters. The study resulted that by managing the alternate wetting and drying up to 15 cm below the ground level, a significant reduction in water input (26–29% in kharif and 22–27% in rabi season) could be achieved under AWD. A reduction in evapotranspiration (about 6% in both kharif and rabi seasons) was also observed under AWD. Reduction in consumptive water footprint (about 2–3% in kharif and 2–5% in rabi) was obtained under AWD. Reductions in blue water footprints (7% in kharif and 4–5% in rabi) was also observed under AWD. On average, crop water use efficiency was significantly enhanced by 27–33% and 20–29% in the respective kharif and rabi seasons under AWD practice. Significant improvement in total water productivity by 29–37% and 23–35% in the respective two seasons exhibited the superiority of AWD over CON during the two years of field experiments.
A new approach for suspended sediment load calculation based on generated flow discharge considering climate change
Authors: Adib Arash , Kisi Ozgur , Khoramgah Shekoofeh , Gafouri Hamid Reza , Liaghat Ali , Lotfirad Morteza , Moayyeri Neda
Published: March 2021

Use of general circulation models (GCMs) is common for forecasting of hydrometric and meteorological parameters, but the uncertainty of these models is high. This study developed a new approach for calculation of suspended sediment load (SSL) using historical flow discharge data and SSL data of the Idanak hydrometric station on the Marun River (in the southwest of Iran) from 1968 to 2014. This approach derived sediment rating relation by observed data and determined trend of flow discharge time series data by Mann-Kendall nonparametric trend (MK) test and Theil-Sen approach (TSA). Then, the SSL was calculated for a future period based on forecasted flow discharge data by TSA. Also, one hundred annual and monthly flow discharge time series data (for the duration of 40 years) were generated by the Markov chain and the Monte Carlo (MC) methods and it calculated 90% of total prediction uncertainty bounds for flow discharge time series data by Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) on Monte Carlo (MC). It is observed that flow discharge and SSL will increase in summer and will reduce in spring. Also, the annual amount of SSL will reduce from 2,811.15 ton/day to 1,341.25 and 962.05 ton/day in the near and far future, respectively.
Anodic oxidation of bisphenol A by different dimensionally stable electrodes
Authors: Can Orhan T. , Tutun Muhammed M. , Keyikoglu Ramazan
Published: March 2021

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a known endocrine disrupter and was detected in surface waters. We investigated the mineralization of BPA by electrochemical oxidation. Six different types of electrodes, including the boron-doped diamond (BDD), platinum (Pt), and mixed metal oxide (MMO) electrodes; RuO2–IrO2, RuO2–TiO2, IrO2–Ta2O5, and Pt–IrO2, were compared as the anode material. Total organic carbon (TOC) was analyzed to monitor the mineralization efficiency of BPA. BDD achieved 100% BPA mineralization efficiency in 180 min and at a current density of 125 mA/cm2, whereas the TOC removal efficiency of Pt was 60.9% and the efficiency of MMO electrodes ranged between 48 and 54%. BDD exhibited much lower specific energy consumption, which corresponds to a lower energy cost (USD63.4 /kg TOC). The effect of operational parameters showed that the BDD anode was much more affected by the current density, initial BPA concentration, and electrolyte concentration than the other parameters such as the stirring speed and interelectrode distance.
HE4 is a Beneficial Biomarker in Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mohammad Hayam Fathy , El-Khazragy Nashwa , Hassan S. , Abukra Fatma , Abdelrahman Rehab M. , Riad Amr Ahmed Mahmoud , Abdelhafeez Mohamed A.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Endometrial carcinoma ranks second among the most common gynecological
malignancy in developing countries. Biomarkers are needed to aid in screening the disease and
predicting the clinical as well as the therapeutic outcome. Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4) is a
protein that was first isolated from human epididymis cells. HE4 levels are elevated in various
types of cancers, such as ovarian and gastric cancer.

Objectives:

We aim to assess the association of serum and tissue, HE4, and endometrial adenocarcinoma
in 77 Egyptian patients divided into two groups: 37 patients in the endometrial cancer group
and 40 patients in the control group.

Results:

We found that HE4 levels were significantly increased in both serum and tissue of the endometrial
cancer group compared to the negative control group. Moreover, higher expression levels
were significantly associated with high-grade tumors. HE4 showed excellent diagnostic and
prognostic value with a sensitivity and specificity of over 90 percent.

Conclusion:

We conclude that both serum and tissue expression of HE4 are sensitive, specific diagnostic
and prognostic biomarkers in endometrial adenocarcinoma. In addition, they can predict extra-
uterine involvement and staging of the disease.

Clinical Trial Registration No::

PRS-NCT03456791.
The Potential of T Cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin-Domain Containing-3
(Tim-3) in Designing Novel Immunotherapy for Bladder Cancer
Authors: Mohsenzadegan Monireh , Bavandpour Parizad , Nowroozi Mohammad Reza , Amini Erfan , Kourosh-Arami Masoumeh , Momeni Seyed Ali , Bokaie Saied , Sharifi Laleh
Published: March 2021

:

Targeting inhibitory receptors on T cells in the tumor sites can promote effective anti-tumor immunity in bladder cancer. Unfortunately, the main dilemma is that a large number of patients remain refractory to CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 blockade therapies. T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) is an inhibitory receptor expressed on T cells and innate immune cells. Both in vivo and in vitro data from patients with advanced cancers support the role of Tim-3 inhibition in satisfactory anti-tumor immunity. In bladder cancer, the expression level of Tim-3 significantly increases with advanced pathological grade and T stage. Therefore, rationality implies that designing novel monoclonal antibodies reactive with Tim-3 alone or in combination with other checkpoint inhibitors may indicate a favorable response in bladder cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate the possibility of targeting Tim-3 as a novel anti-cancer treatment for bladder cancer.