bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Course of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Children: predictors of steroid resistance
Authors: Yildiz Nurdan , Cicek Neslihan , Guven Sercin , Gokce Ibrahim , Alpay Harika
Published: February 2022

Background: Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is one of the most common renal diseases in children. Clinical response to corticosteroids is an important prognostic factor for long-term renal outcome. We aimed to evaluate the clinical parameters, histopathological findings and complications of NS patients and factors predicting steroid resistance in a single tertiary center. Methods: A hundred and sixty two children (57 girls, 105 boys) with NS followed between 1998 and 2018 in Department of Pediatric Nephrology were analyzed in a retrospective cohort. Secondary causes and infantile NS cases were excluded. Results: The median (IQR; range) age of the children at presentation and follow up time were 4.9(5.7; 0.1-16.8) and 5.5(5.4; 0.1-20.3) years, respectively. A hundred and thirty four (82.7%) patients were steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and 28(17.3%) were steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Age at the first presentation was lower in SSNS group (p=0.002). Hypertension, macroscopic and microscopic hematuria were higher in SRNS group (p<0.001). Percutaneous kidney biopsy was performed in 56(34.6%) patients. The most common histopathological findings were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), minimal change disease (MCD) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) respectively. Four patients with FSGS were subsequently diagnosed as Alport syndrome due to electron microscopic findings and genetic analysis. Four patients with FSGS and one with MPGN reached to end stage kidney disease.Conclusion:The late onset is still an important sign for SRNS. Microscopic and macroscopic hematuria and hypertension may also give a hint for potential steroid resistance. We emphasize that FSGS is a biopsy finding that may reveal to different diagnosis in SRNS.
Accuracy of The Axillary Temperature Screening Compared to Core Rectal Temperature.
Authors: Alayed Yazeed , Hommadi Abdullah , Alkhalifah Mohammed , Bashir Muhammad
Published: February 2022

Purpose
To compare the sensitivity of axillary and rectal temperature in infants who presents to the emergency department with a recent history of fever in order to implement an early diagnostic modality to reduce risk of sepsis, urgency in antibiotic administration and decrease the need for delayed hospital admission.
Methods
A single-centre prospective nested control study of 201 patients who presents with a recent history of fever. Infants Up to 12 months of age were included. Any patient with the following comorbidities were excluded: (1) Haematological malignancy (2) immunocompromised (3) hyperthyroidism (4) recent administration of antipyretics medications and (5) congenital anal or rectal malformation. Demographic characteristics such as age and gender, weight, mean axillary and rectal temperatures were documented. Fever is defined as rectal temperature > 38 C as opposed to > 37.4 in the axillary method. Pearson’s correlation between axillary and rectal temperatures was determined.
Results
The mean age was 6.1 ± 3.5 months. The study had 111 (55.2%) males and 90 (44.8%) females. The mean weight was 7.4 Kg ± 2.1 Kg. The mean (SD) rectal-axillary temperature difference was 0.8°C ± 0.7°C which was statistically significant (P < 0.001The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of the axillary method for fever > 37.4 were 79.34% (95% CI [73-84.9]), 14.3% (95% CI [0.36–57.9]), 96.2% (95% CI [95-97.2]) and 2.4% (95% CI [0.4–13.5]), respectively. On the other hand, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of the rectal temperature method for fever > 38 were 99.5% (95% CI [97.1–99.9]), 100% (95% CI [54–100]), 100% and 85.7% (95% CI [45.9–97.6]), respectively.
Conclusion
the axillary temperature measurement method is not as accurate as the rectal temperature method for the detection of fever in infants with a recent history of fever. The rectal method remains highly important for accurate and prompt diagnosis.
Serum β2‑microglobulin: An independent risk factor for mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by bacterial infection
Authors: Zhang Liming , Cui Na , Feng Xiaokai , Jiang Chunguo , Wang Jing
Published: February 2022

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a heterogeneous disease with extremely high mortality. We hypothesized that the serum β2-microglobulin (β2MG) level would be elevated and be an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality in patients with ARDS caused by bacterial infection. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 257 patients with ARDS caused by bacterial infection from January 1, 2015 to February 28, 2021. Patients were followed for up to 28 days and were divided into a survival group and non-survival group according to their clinical outcomes. The serum β2MG levels and other clinical data were collected. The relationship between β2MG levels and 28-day mortality was explored by performing a Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, updated Charlson comorbidity index, disorders of consciousness, septic shock, albumin level, cardiac troponin I level, procalcitonin level, lactic acid level, prothrombin time, partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio, creatinine clearance rate, acute kidney injury and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment.Results: In this cohort, 96 patients died in 28 days, yielding a 28-day mortality of 37.4%. The median level of serum β2MG for all enrolled patients was 4.7 (interquartile range [IQR]:2.9 - 8.5) mg/L. Higher β2MG levels were significantly associated with 28-day mortality when the β2MG level was analysed as a continuous variable (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.054; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.005 - 1.105; P = 0.031) and when it was categorized into tertiles (HR: 3.239; 95% CI: 1.177 - 8.913; P = 0.023). The β2MG level exhibited a high diagnostic accuracy for predicting 28-day mortality (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.732; 95% CI:0.673-0.785; sensitivity:74.0%; specificity:64.0%; P<0.001). Conclusions: The level of serum β2MG is elevated and is an independent risk factor of 28-day mortality in patients with ARDS caused by bacterial infection.
Comparison of two common treatment methods in patients with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Kermanshah in 2019 2020
Authors: rezaee Leila , azadi pezhvak , Safarzadehkhoushabi Ashkan
Published: February 2022

Central serous cryortinopathy (CSCR) is an idiopathic disease most commonly seen in young men with a prevalence of 5.8 per 100,000. It is characterized by one or more cases of detachment serosa in the retinal neurosensory layer and may be associated with retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) detachment. Eighty patients were divided into two groups of exposure (receiving eplerenone at a dose of 25 mg for one week and then at a dose of 50 mg for three weeks) and without exposure (without medication). Effectiveness-related variables including best visual acuity as primary outcome, central macular thickness, and choroid thickness as secondary outcomes before, 1 month, and 3 months later were assessed and recorded. Information such as central macular thickness, choroid thickness of 500 and 1000 microns on the nasal side and temporal superior and inferior were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 23 software. The mean reduction in choroid thickness in the macular group treated with eplerenone in the macula, as well as the 500 micron areas of the nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior, are: 12.90 ± 105.82 microns, 15.48 ± 95.17 microns, and 16.07 ±, respectively. 94.45 microns and 14.48 ± 94.96 microns and 15.10 ± 95.94 microns Also in the 1000 micron areas of the nasal, temporal, superior and inferior, respectively: .95 microns and 14.45 ± 95.81 microns and 13.39 ± 96.1.5 microns. It was concluded that treatment with eplerenone was significantly associated with a decrease in choroid thickness in the macula and areas of 500 and 1000 microns of the nasal, temporal, superior and inferior. In our study, 70% of patients were men with a mean age of about 39 It was a year. In our study, more than 30% of patients had low visual acuity at 0.5 on the LogMar scale at the end of the first month without receiving eplerenone.
Comparison of second-look arthroscopic evaluations between two femoral tunnel locations in anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Lixuan , Guo Hanming , Li Yingshan
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis article compared the arthroscopic morphological graft condition between AM bundle ACL reconstruction and anatomic mid-bundle ACL reconstruction. We attempted to determine the best femur tunnel for ACL-R based on a second-look arthroscopic study.MethodsA second-look arthroscopic evaluation was carried out one year after anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction. According to the postoperative 3D-CT, the patients were divided into the anatomic AM group and the anatomic mid-bundle group based on the femoral tunnel location.ResultsIn terms of the Lysholm score, a significant difference existed between the groups at the last follow-up evaluation (p<0.05). The tension of the graft involved was flabby in 2 patients (5.7%) in the center-AM group and 5 patients (15.6%) in the center-center group. Type I and type II were found in 33 patients (94.29%) in the center-AM group and 27 patients (84.38%) in the center-center group. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the femoral tunnel position and the arthroscopic evaluation of the grafts according to the MAS (p=0.02<0.05; Χ2=7.865).ConclusionsOur data demonstrated a significant correlation between the femoral tunnel position, clinical condition, and arthroscopic graft constitution. We found that the anatomic AM bundle position of the graft was better than the anatomic mid-bundle placement after ACL reconstruction.
Effects of strip cropping with reducing row spacing and super absorbent polymer on yield and water productivity of oat (Avena sativa L.) under drip irrigation
Authors: Tian Lu , Liu Jing-hui , Zhang Sheng , Zhao Bao-ping , Mi Jun-zhen , Li Ying-hao , Wang Feng-wu
Published: February 2022

In order to establish an efficient oat planting method under drip irrigation, a study was conducted at Agriculture and Forestry Sciences of Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia during the season (2019-2020) to evaluate the effect of strip cropping with reducing row spacing and super absorbent polymer on the yield and water use efficiency of oat. To conduct the field trials, a split plot system in three replications was established. Three planting patterns were in the main plots, including conventional cropping with 20 cm equal row spacing (PA), strip cropping with the 15cm row spacing (PB) and strip cropping with the 10cm row spacing (PC), and two super absorbent polymer levels were in the subplots, including 22.5 kg ha-2 (Y) and 0 (N). The results showed that, compared with PA, PB and PC both decreased the irrigation volumes by 4.5-18.4 mm, and the irrigation volumes of PB was lower than that of PC. When super absorbent polymers were applied, compared with PA, PB significantly increased grain yield and above-ground biomass, but PC had the opposite effects. The grain yield and above-ground biomass of PB significantly increased by 16.65% and 7.31% on average in two years, respectively. And the increasing of grain yield was attributed by the significant increasing of pike number and kernel number per spike. But when super absorbent polymers were not applied, PB had no significant effects on grain yield and above-ground biomass. PB also had the significant effects on regulating water use of oats weather or not super absorbent polymers were applied, it significantly increased the precipitation ratio by 2.64% (PBY) and 2.13% (PBN) and decreased irrigation ration by 3.32% (PBY) and 5.28% (PBN) on average in two years. Although PB and PC both decreased the total evapotranspiration, but PB increased WUE and PC deceased WUE. The WUEY, WUEP, WUEI of PB increased by 19.70% (PBY) and 9.87% (PBN), 16.65% (PBY) and 7.59% (PBN), 23.82% (PBY) and 16.42% (PBN) on average in two years. Also PB had the highest economic benefits in all treatments. In conclusion, a drip irrigation oat planting pattern was proposed, which the row spacing is 15cm, adjusted the equal row spacing planting to 8-row strip planting, with a belt spacing of 30cm, combined with the application of 22.5kg ha-2 applying super absorbent polymers. And this oat planting pattern is a viable strategy to improve oat productivity.
Growth Induced Magnetic Anisotropy in Yttrium Iron Garnet Films on Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Substrates
Authors: Sriniva Gopalan , Liu Ying , Zhou Peng , Bidthanapally Rao , Zhang Jitao , Zhang Wei , Page Michael R. , Zhang Tianjin
Published: February 2022

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) is a ferrimagnetic oxide of importance for a variety of applications including magnetic field sensors and microwave signal processing devices. Most of the applications, however, require a bias magnetic field that impedes miniaturization of YIG based sensors and communication devices. This work is aimed at strain engineering of YIG films to realize an induced magnetic anisotropy field that could act as a built-in bias field. We discuss here pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and characterization of YIG films on yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) substrates. One expects the − 3% lattice mismatch between the film and substrate to result in an in-plane compressive strain and out-of-plane tensile strain. Films with thickness 55 nm to 380 nm were deposited on (100), (110), and (111) YAG substrates and annealed at high temperatures were characterized by structural and magnetic characterization techniques. The uniaxial out-of-plane strain anisotropy field estimated from X-ray diffraction data varied from 0.5 to 4.kOe for the films, showed an increase with increasing film thickness, and the highest values were for films on (100)YAG. Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements at 5 to 10 GHz also revealed the presence of a growth induced uniaxial anisotropy field as high as 450 Oe in the films, that decreased with increasing film thickness. The FMR line-width varied from 19.5 Oe to 82 Oe with films on (100) YAG showing the smallest values. The PLD YIG films on YAG substrates exhibiting a large perpendicular anisotropy field have the potential for use in sensors and high frequency devices.
Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of sexual and reproductive health rights among undergraduates in state universities in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera Upuli , Abeysena Chrishantha
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) are universal. The objective was to describe the knowledge and attitudes and explore the perceptions regarding SRHR among undergraduates.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 1575 undergraduates using stratified cluster sampling of the selected universities. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was administered to assess knowledge and attitudes on SRHR. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted to explore perceptions and attitudes regarding SRHR.Three hundred and eighty-five (24.4%, n=385) undergraduates had good knowledge, 604 (38.3%) had satisfactory knowledge and 586 (37.2%) had poor knowledge on SRHR. Males and undergraduates who had studied in bioscience stream had better knowledge than the other categories (p<0.001). Majority of undergraduates (93.4%, n=1463) agreed with the statement aimed at equal say among both men and women in sexual relationships, 1234 (78.8%) agreed that a woman has a right to refuse sex with her male partner anytime she wants and 511(32.7%) said women should be submissive to men. Only a very few (3.1%, n=48) thought that the child-care would-be women’s sole response. School education, law, media and culture were identified as being related to the protection and violations of rights. Suggestions were made for the improvement of SRRs including strengthening of education and proper implementation of law. Conclusion: Undergraduates’ knowledge on SRHR was not in an acceptable level, however their attitudes were positive. Effective educational program should be implemented.
Determining Factors Affecting Carbon Emissions by Panel Quantile Regressions Analysis in Visegrad Group
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad , İlarslan Kenan , Yıldız Münevvere , Vo Xuan Vinh
Published: February 2022

This study determines the impacts of gross domestic product, domestic bank credits given to private sector, and military expenditures on carbon emissions based on 1990-2019 time period. The panel quantile regression approach is applied for the Visegrád group countries. Our empirical results reveal that domestic bank credit given to private sector has a positive and meaningful impact on carbon emissions at medium and high quantile levels. On other hand, it has been determined that gross domestic product has a reducing impact on carbon emissions, but military expenditures have an increasing impact on carbon emissions. Besides, as consequences of such tests, the difference between the quantiles, that is, the heterogeneous structure was revealed. A separate model was created with a different panel quantile approach for robustness control, and the results were compared by giving different values to penalty term. These results provide strong evidence for decision-makers and implementers.
The comparison of ABA and humic acid on the expression of some drought related genes in wheat
Authors: YUKSEL ESRA ARSLAN
Published: February 2022

Drought is a common abiotic stress restricting plant growth and yield. Plants develop multiplicity responses such as abscisic acid (ABA) which is a broad-spectrum phytohormone involved not only in regulating development but also in coordinating various stress signal pathways during abiotic stresses. Numerous genes related to drought are regulated by ABA-dependent and independent pathways. Moreover, the effects of humic acid (HA) which is a biostimulant, on growth, yield and protection of plant resistance in various abiotic stresses are a well-known issue in plants. However, it is not clear the relationship between drought related genes and HA. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of the drought stress generated by -6 bar and − 8 bar PEG6000, ABA and HA treatments on malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, expression of drought genes (TaSRG, TaCP, Sal1, Era1 and TdPIP1) on tolerant (Aksel 2000 and Kırkpınar 79) and susceptible (Atlı 2002 and Kırmızı Kılçık) bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes. According to the results, the expression of the genes varied depending on genotype and tissue and it was determined whether the genes used ABA-dependent or ABA-independent mechanisms to provide tolerance to stress in our promoter analysis. Sal1 and Era1 genes are thought to be biotechnologically useful in determining tolerant and susceptible genotypes. As a result, the irregularities of the biochemical changes and expression of genes that were caused by drought stress could be improved by ABA, but HA could be used as an alternative to ABA, considering the positive effects on genes.
Switchable Topological Phase Transition and Novel Nonlinear Optical Properties in ReC2H Monolayer
Authors: Zhang Chunmei , Pi Hanqi , Zhou Li-Qin , Li Si , Zhou Jian , Du Aijun , Weng Hongming
Published: February 2022

Extensive investigations on topological phase transition (TPT) in three-dimensional compounds have been done. Whereas, rare in two-dimensional systems, let alone noncentrosymmetric materials. In this work, based on first-principles calculations, we explore an inversion symmetry broken structural ReC2H monolayer. We reveal that it undergoes two TPTs, namely from normal insulator to Z2 topological insulator and back to normal insulator, at the critical biaxial strain of 2.3% and 7.8%, respectively. The band inversion occurs at the generic momentum in the first TPT, while at high symmetric \(\text{K}\) point in the second one. Usually, band inversion is identified by the exchange in the components or irreducible representations of the wavefunctions. These quantities can be easily obtained in theoretical calculation but hard to be detected in experimental techniques like Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. It is well known that nonlinear optical (NLO) response is very sensitive to the components and symmetries of the engaged bands, which also incorporates information of band topology. Therefore, we study the shift current, one of the widely explored NLO responses in noncentrosymmetric systems, during the two TPTs. We find that in both cases band inversion leads to the sign change of shift vectors around the momenta where the bandgap closes and reopens. Whereas the shift current, as the overall contribution of shift vectors weighted by the absorption rate in the whole Brillouin zone, may keep its direction. This work offers insight that a scrutinized examination is highly demanded in utilizing shift current to detect TPT.
Synthesis And Characterization Of Cofe2o4 And Polypyrrole Based Composites
Authors: Aman Salma , Alharbi F. F. , Ahmad Naseeb , Ejaz Syeda Rabia
Published: February 2022

Spinel ferrites and polymer based nanocomposites are emerging as a new class of materials having potential for medical field and flexible electronic devices. Nano sized ferrites CoFe2O4 were synthesized via chemical technique called co-precipitation. The polypyrrole was produced via in-situ polymerization technique. The formation of nano-composites was completed by combining nano sized ferrites with polypyrrole. Electrical, magnetic and structural properties of samples were inspected through two probe method, vibrating sample magnetometer, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique respectively. The peak intensity of XRD was enhanced and its width reduced with rise of ferrite concentration in the nanocomposites. The dc resistivity was increased with the ferrite contents. The ferromagnetic behavior was picked through hysteresis loop. These parameters were optimized according to requirement by fixing the ferrites ratio. Samples PF-1 (25% ferrites) PF-2 (50% ferrite ratio) displays super paramagnetic phenomenon. These samples may be used in hyperthermia; a cancer treatment technique.
Accelerating Leaf Area Measurement Using a Volumetric Approach
Authors: Haghshenas Abbas , Emam Yahya
Published: February 2022

BackgroundDespite the advances in the techniques of indirect estimation of leaf area, the destructive measurement approaches have still remained as the reference and the most accurate methods. However, even utilizing the modern sensors and applications usually requires the laborious and time-consuming practice of unfolding and analyzing the single leaves, separately. In the present study, a volumetric approach was tested to determine the pile leaf area based on the ratio of leaf volume divided by thickness. For this purpose, the suspension technique was used for volumetry, which is based on the simple practice and calculations of the Archimedes’ principle. ResultsThe results indicated that the wheat volumetric leaf area (VLA), had an approximately 1:1 correlation with the conventionally measured optical leaf area (OLA). Exclusion of the midrib volume from calculations, did not affect the estimation error (i.e. NRMSE < 2.61%); however, improved the slope of the linear model by about 6%. The error of sampling for determining mean leaf thickness of the pile, was also less than 2% throughout the season. Besides, a more practical and facilitated version of the pile volumetry was tested using a Specific Gravity Bench (SGB), which is currently available as a laboratory equipment. As an important observation, which was also expectable according to the 3D shape of the leaf (i.e. expansion in a 2D plane), it was evidenced that the variations in the OLA exactly follows the pattern of the changes in the leaf volume. Accordingly, it was suggested that the relative leaf areas of various experimental treatments might be compared directly based on volume, and independently of leaf thickness. Furthermore, no considerable difference was observed among the OLAs measured using various image resolutions (NRMSE < 0.212%); which indicates that even the superfast scanners with low resolutions as 200 dpi may be used for a precision optical measurement of leaf area. ConclusionsIt is expected that utilizing the reliable and simple concept of volumetric leaf area, based on which the measurement time might be independent of sample size, facilitate the laborious practice of leaf area measurement; and consequently, improve the precision of field experiments.
Effects of citicoline and atorvastatin administration on the regenerative capacity of the distal segment of the transected sciatic nerve in conditions of delayed nerve repair
Authors: Bolandghamat Samira , Behnam-Rassouli Morteza , Mahdavi-Shahri Nasser , Moghimi Ali
Published: February 2022

Backgroundː Pharmacotherapy is a cheap, accessible and non-invasive treatment that can be used in the first hours after the nerve injury. Although using some drugs after nerve injury accelerates the nerve repair process. But their functional outcomes are still not satisfactory. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of citicoline and atorvastatin administration on maintaining the regenerative capacity of the distal segment of the transected sciatic nerve in conditions of delayed nerve repairMethodsː The sciatic nerve of rats was transected and the animals were interaperitoneally administrated citicoline (200 mg/kg), atorvastatin (5 mg/kg), citicoline + atorvastatin and vehicles (control groups) for one month. In the sham group, the sciatic nerve was only exposed. After one month, the transected nerve was repaired by nerve allograft. Fourteen weeks after surgical repair, morphometric and electron microscopic evaluations were performed on the nerve.Resultsː The morphometric and ultrastractural indices of the distal nerve segment were improved in the citicoline, atorvastatin and citicoline + atorvastatin groups compared to that of control groups (P <0.01). It seems that the co-administration of citicoline and atorvastatin, has a synergistic effect on the nerve repair.Conclusionsː The results of this study show that, in the situations that immediate nerve repair using surgery is not possible, administration of citicoline, atorvastatin or a combination of both drugs can keep the regenerative capacity of the distal segment of the transected nerve.
Social Media Data Analysis Framework for Disaster Response
Authors: Ponce-López Víctor , Spataru Catalina
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a social media data analysis framework applied to multiple datasets. The method developed uses machine learning classifiers, where filtering binary classifiers based on deep bidirectional neural networks are trained on benchmark datasets of disaster responses for earthquakes and floods and extreme flood events. The classifiers consist of learning from discrete hand-crafted features and fine-tunning approaches using deep bidirectional Transformer neural networks of these datasets of disaster response. With the development of the multiclassification approach we compare the state-of-the-art results in one of the benchmark datasets containing the largest number of disaster-related categories. The multiclassification approaches developed in this research with support vector machines provide a precision of 0.83 and 0.79 compared to Bernoulli Naïve Bayes which are 0.59 and 0.76 and multinomial Naïve Bayes which are 0.79 and 0.91, respectively. The binary classification methods based on the MDRM dataset show a higher precision with deep learning methods (DistilBERT) than BoW and TF-IDF, while in the case of UnifiedCEHMET dataset show a high performance for accuracy with the deep learning method in terms of severity, with a precision of 0.92 compared to BoW and TF-IDF method which has a precision of 0.68 of 0.70, respectively.
QTL Detection for Rice Grain Length and Fine Mapping of a Novel Locus qGL6.1
Authors: Zhao Mingzhu , Wang Yuanzheng , He Na , Pang Xiu , Wang Lili , Ma Zuobin , Tang Zhiqiang , Gao Hong , Zhang Liying , Fu Liang , Wang Changhua , Liu Jingang , Zheng Wenjing
Published: February 2022

Background
Grain length (GL) that is directly associated with appearance quality is a key target of selection in rice breeding. Although abundant quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with GL have been identified, it was still relatively weak to identify QTL for GL from japonica genetic background, as the shortage of japonica germplasms with long grains. We performed QTLs analysis for GL using a recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population derived from the cross between japonica variety GY8 (short grains) and LX1 (long grains) in four environments.
Results
A total of 197 RILs were genotyped with 285 polymorphic SNP markers. Three QTLs qGL5.3, qGL6.1 and qGL11 were detected to control GL by individual environmental analyses and multi-environment joint analysis. Of these, a major-effect and stable QTL qGL6.1 was identified to be a novel QTL, and its LX1 allele had a positive effect on GL. For fine-mapping qGL6.1, a BC1F2 population consisting of 2,487 individuals was developed from a backcross between GY8 and R176, one line with long grain. Eight key informative recombinants were identified by nine kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers. By analyzing key recombinants, the qGL6.1 locus was narrowed down to a 20.117 kb genomic interval on chromosome 6. One candidate gene LOC_Os06g43304.1 encoding cytochrome P450 (CYP71D55) was finally selected based on the difference in the transcriptional expression and variations in its upstream and downstream region.
Conclusions
Three QTLs qGL5.3, qGL6.1 and qGL11 were identified to control grain length in rice. One novel QTL qGL6.1 was fine mapped within 20.117 kb region, and LOC_Os06g43304.1 encoding cytochrome P450 (CYP71D55) may be its candidate gene. We propose that the further cloning of the qGL6.1 will facilitate improving appearance quality in japonica varieties.
Collaboration and Partnerships between South African Higher Education Institutions and Stakeholders: Case Study of a Post-Apartheid University
Authors: Bidandi Fred , Nofor Anthony Ambe , Mukong Claudia
Published: February 2022

In this paper we attempt to locate collaboration and partnerships between higher education institutions and their stakeholders. These include the state, students, teaching and administrative staff, the community and corporate entities. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the contribution of stakeholders to the developmental trajectory and sustenance of higher education institutions using the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa as the case study. The paper analyses existing scholarship to understand the importance of stakeholders and their impact on higher education institutions. The study first examines the stakeholders’ concept in the post-apartheid period, the concept of stakeholder in relation to HEIs, UWC and collaborations and partnership with stakeholders from a theoretical perspective, and the stakeholder collaborations and partnership from UWC perspective. The study adopted a qualitative approach utilising existing data from literature and interviews with participants. Conceptual analysis was used to analyse the data. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key participants. In total, 10 participants participated in the interviews.
Chemical Vapor Deposition Based Superelastic and Superhydrophoboic Thermoplastic Polymeric Nanofibrous Aerogels for Water Purification
Authors: Lu Jianwei , Jiang Yangang , Xiao Ru , Jacob Karl I , Tao Lei , Li Songjun , Guo Li
Published: February 2022

Developing high-performance, low-cost and large-scale absorbent materials is crucial for the treatment of water pollution caused by pollutants leakage and emission. Herein, superelastic and superhydrophobic thermoplastic polymeric nanofibrous aerogels (NFAs) were created for removal pollutants from water by using a facile and effective method. Poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (EVOH) nanofibers fabricated by mass-production techniques were used to construct three-dimensional NFAs through combing freeze-drying process and cross-linking treatment. The optimal parameters for creating EVOH NFAs with good formability and resilience, including composition and ratio of dispersion, dosage of cross-linking agent were obtained through experiments. EVOH nanofibers bonded with each other by glutaraldehyde under acidic conditions to from fibrous network structure in EVOH NFAs. The silane-coated EVOH NFAs were prepared through further modification with vapor-phase methyltrichlorosilane. The deposition of siloxane improved mechanical strength and decreased plastic deformation after 500 cyclic compressions. An asperate fibrous and granular siloxane coating was deposited on the surface of EVOH NFAs. The surface water contact angle increased from 104.4 ± 4.0° to 152.7 ± 1.9°, wettability of NFAs transitioned to being superhydrophobic. Silane-coated EVOH NFAs exhibited superior absorption capacity (40–92 g/g) for a variety of organic pollutants.The organic pollutants would be collected and the sorbents could be reused after distillation or squeezing. A successful scale-up of such materials open up a new insight into design polymeric aerogels in low-cost and large-scale with substantial industrial water purification applications.
A Novel Immune Checkpoint Siglec-15 Antibody Inhibits LUAD by Modulating mφ Polarization in TME
Authors: xiao Xuejun , Peng Yan , Wang Zheyue , Zhang Louqian , yang tingting , Sun Yangyang , Chen Yufeng , Zhang Wenqing , Chang Xinxia , huang wen , Tian Shuning , Feng Zhenqing , Xinhua Nabi , Tang Qi , Mao Yuan
Published: February 2022

Background
Siglec-15 (S15) is a type-I transmembrane protein and is considered a new candidate of immune checkpoint inhibitor for cancer immunotherapy.
Methods
In the present study, we first constructed and characterized a chimeric S15-specific monoclonal antibody (S15-4E6A). Then, the antitumor effectiveness and modulatory role of S15-4E6A in macrophages (mφs) were explored in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the underlying mechanism by which S15mAb inhibits LUAD was preliminarily explored.
Results
The results demonstrated the successful construction of S15-4E6A, and S15-4E6A exerted an efficacious tumor-inhibitory effect on LUAD cells and xenografts. S15-4E6A could promote M1-mφ polarization while inhibiting M2-mφ polarization, both in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions
S15-based immunotherapy that functions by modulating mφ polarization may be a promising strategy for the treatment of S15-positive LUAD.
Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of undergraduate medical students towards drug addiction and prevalence of drug addicts in Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum
Authors: Bashir Sara N. , Hasabo Elfatih A. , Elhag Noha E. , Ahmed Yousra S. , Omer Alaa T. , Abdelgadir Istabraq I. , Awadalla Heitham
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Addiction can be defined as the loss of control over drug use. Drug addiction makes major damage to the population and countries worldwide. Youths are a high-risk category for the use of the addicted substance. There are an increase in drugs usage and drinking alcohol in many developing countries. We conducted this study to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards drug addicts and addiction.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Khartoum between December 2020 and January 2021. 355 students participated in the study with a 97% response rate. A structured questionnaire was used and data obtained were analyzed by chi-square test to identify any association between deferent variables.Results: Among participants, 1.4% of students were reported they were addicted to drugs. 7.9% were tried at least one type of addicted illicit drug before. A very high percentage of students (92.1%) were considered to have good knowledge about drug addiction. Only 32.1% had a positive attitude toward addicted patients and addiction and the majority had the opposite. Relatively low percent (16.6%) have done a good practice toward addicted patients and drugs. There were significant associations between an academic year with all of the knowledge (p=<0.001), attitude (p=0.001), and practice (p=<0.001) scores. Besides significant association between gender and practice (p=0.004).Conclusion: Although the prevalence of drug addiction among medical students was low, it is detected as a warrant red light. Knowledge of students about drug addiction is good but a negative attitude towards it has been notified. More attention is required towards students about drug addiction. Introduction of a course or workshop about the danger of drug addiction and how to deal with addicted patients.
Classic RNA extraction is efficient for subsequent detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swab samples
Authors: Saldanha Maíra Garcia , Reis Nayra , Junior Marcos Antônio Azevedo , Girão Manoel João Batista Castello , Sartori Marair Gracio Ferreira , Luna Luciano Kleber de Souza , Bellei Nancy Cristina Junqueira , Bonetti Tatiana Carvalho de Souza
Published: February 2022

Background: Mass testing is a fundamental measure for tracking and controlling the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. The standard diagnosis for infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) involves the extraction of nucleic acids for the recognition of viral genes present in biological samples collected from the population. This worldwide demand affects the distribution of specific reagents and difficult to expand the number of tests. The aim of the study was to compare the quality of the extracted material using a commercial kit and a phenol-based reagent and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results. We performed these two RNA extraction protocols with 15 samples positive for SARS-CoV-2. Results: Our analysis showed that there was no reduction in the sensitivity of the RT-PCR test or direct impact on the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: Both methodologies proved to be useful and show similar results, confirming the possibility of using alternative RNA extraction protocols for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.
Severe pneumonia with thrombocytopenia caused by Chlamydia psittaci: A case and literature review
Authors: shi Zhaokun , wang Lu , chen Wei , du Xianjin , zhan Liying
Published: February 2022

Background: Severe pneumonia caused by Chlamydia psittaci is a rare infectious disease associated with living environment. The causes of thrombocytopenia were infection, leukemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenia and many other factors. The determination of platelet parameters could reflect the compensatory situation of bone marrow and provide a basis reason of thrombocytopenia identification. Case presentation: Based on the patient’s symptoms, exposure history, computerized tomography（CT）and next-generation sequencing, a preliminary diagnosis of the patient were made, at the same time other infections are excluded. We reported a case of severe pneumonia with severe thrombocytopenia caused by Chlamydia psittaci. During the treatment, he was diagnosed as parrot fever and secondary immune thrombocytopenia. Anti-infection and rising platelet with Doptelet treatment were in effect. The presence of high fever, feeling faint, gastrointestinal symptoms, images of chest CT and platelet reduction, Chlamydia psittaci might be considered as a priority reason of this case, other infections and hematology disorders excluded.Conclusion: This is the first reported case of Chlamydia psittaci-induced thrombocytopenia associated with bone marrow changes and treatment. The efficacy of mokexin in the treatment of thrombocytopenia may be further generalized.
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Post ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination – Can It Be Explained by the Two-hit Hypothesis?
Authors: Parakh Shweta , Maheshwari Shrey , Das Shrutanjoy , Vaish Hans , Luthra Gaurav , Agrawal Rupesh , Gupta Vishali , Luthra Saurabh
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE - To report a case of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) seven days following the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine.OBSERVATION - A 31-year-old male presented with CRVO with cystoid macular edema, one week after receiving his first ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine dose. Apart from mild hyperhomocysteinemia, no major thrombophilic or systemic risk factors were found. Anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies, specific for vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, were also negative. However, he tested strongly positive ( > 250 U/mL) for severe acute respi­ratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG spike antibodies, 2 weeks post the first dose – suggestive of a prior subclinical infection. CONCLUSION - COVID-19 is known to be associated with an altered host one-carbon metabolism resulting in hyperhomocysteinemia. We hypothesize that a prior subclinical infection with COVID-19 - the first hit - led to hyperhomocysteinemia in our patient and vaccination proved to be the second hit that triggered the thrombotic event. Further studies, including correlation of thrombotic complications with IgG antibody titres post-vaccination, are essential in order to better understand the pathogenesis of such events.
spontaneous rupture of rhabdomyosarcoma of the testis with unilateral ptosis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wu Ronghua , Liu Xing , Song Yajun , Yi Shanhong , Chen Wei , Fu Wanlei , Zhu Jingzhen
Published: February 2022

Background
Spontaneous rupture of testicular rhabdomyosarcoma is very rare. We report a case of spontaneous testicular rupture that was pathologically confirmed as rhabdomyosarcoma with unilateral blepharoptosis.
Case presentation:
a 19-year-old male and his father had weakness of the left eyelid muscle ,who was suspicion diagnosed right inguinal hernia by the family doctor without further treatment ,Two days later, there was skin itching in the right inguinal area, with redness, swelling and discomfort of the right scrotum, and he went to the local hospital again,Ultrasound examination showed that the contusion of the right testis may have been complicated with orchitis,oral levofloxacin was invalid.scrotal enlargement significantly increased, He came to the emergency room of our hospital the patient was treated with levofloxacin, but the pain was not relieved,CT and Ultrasound examination cannot defined the cause of the disease,the exploration of the right scrotum, which was performed under general anaesthesia and comfirmed the right testis was spontaneous rupture,The pathological diagnosis was rhabdomyosarcoma of the right testis.
Conclusion
Testicular rhabdomyosarcoma is clinically rare, and spontaneous rupture is even more rare. The pathogenesis of the disease needs to be further studied, and the diagnosis is made on a case-by-case basis. Overall, the prognosis is poor. As seen by this case, whether there is some association between testicular rhabdomyosarcoma and ptosis needs further study. unfortunately,
Gastric metastasis of hpeatic sarcomatoid carcinoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Ma ShuoShuo , Zhang DengYong , Zhao GuanRu , Ding Sheng , Wu Qiong , Zhang XueLi , Lu Zheng
Published: February 2022

Background: Hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma (HSC), an extremely rare malignant tumor in clinical practice, mostly occurs in the right lobe and rarely in the left lobe of the liver. This paper reports a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma that occurred in the left outer lobe of the liver, accompanied by gastric stromal tumors (GSTs) of the greater curvature of the stomach, and the patient developed gastric metastasis of liver sarcomatoid carcinoma in the later stage.Case presentation: A 63-year-old male patient was diagnosed with both HSC and GST. With fever as the main clinical manifestation, the liver malignant tumor was detected after he underwent abdominal computer tomography (CT) and ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy at the local hospital. The patient came to our hospital for further treatment. During the next electronic gastroscopy, we found multiple submucosal tumors (SMT) in the stomach. Without multiple metastases in other parts, we performed left hepatic lobe resection with gastric partial resection, and the postoperative pathology determined the presence of HSC and GST. One month after surgery, the patient felt well, and the imaging examination found no obvious space-occupying lesions in other areas. Unfortunately, four months later, the patient showed pain in the upper left abdomen and found metastases in the stomach. We performed the operation on him again, and the patient recovered well after the operation. The patient was still alive at the time of writing this paper.Conclusion: Hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma lacks characteristic clinical manifestations and is highly malignant. Surgery is the first choice for the treatment of patients with HSC. For sarcomatoid cancer that occurs in the left lobe of the liver, we need to be highly vigilant against the tumor's invasion of the stomach tissue, especially when the tumor breaks through the capsule of the liver. In addition, during the operation, doctors need to perform delicate operations to avoid dissemination and metastasis of the gastrointestinal tract.
Pancreaticoduodenal and choledochal hemangiomatosis with vascular variation in a child: a rare disease with challenge starts from diagnosis（a case report）
Authors: Tian Daguang , Zhu Hong , Wei xiaoping
Published: February 2022

Background Visceral hemangiomatosis is a benign tumor that is rarer than hemangioma and it has not been reported to occur at pancreas, duodenum and choledoch. So it is easy to be confused it with other pancreatic tumors or choledocholithiasis secondary to bile excretion disorder caused by compression of hemangiomatosis. Case presentation We reported a case of a 2 years and 9 months old child presented with repeated and fluctuating jaundice for 3 months following history of endoscopic stone removal with diagnosis of choledocholithiasis in local hospital. Abdominal CT revealed pancreatic head tumor which was undiagnosed before. A rare vascular variation as CMT was also found. Misdiagnosed as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, PD was performed. However, history reported pancreaticoduodenal and choledochal hemangiomatosis. Although the boy was in good condition and gained 4Kg in weight 3 months after operation, PD was not the best choice for him if we could make accurate diagnosis before or during operation. Conclusion Our report highlights the difficulty in diagnosing visceral hemangiomatosis and indicates the need for radiologists, endoscopists and surgeons to consider such a possibility when they are confronted with repeated and fluctuating jaundice which can’t be explained by simple choledocholithiasis.