bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Spectrum of Biopsy-Proven Glomerular Diseases in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Brazil
Authors: Thomé Gustavo Gomes , Bianchini Talissa , Bringhenti Rafael Nazario , Schaefer Pedro Guilherme , Barros Elvino José Guardão , Veronese Francisco Veríssimo
Published: April 2021

Background
The prevalence and distribution of glomerular diseases differs between countries, and the indication to perform a kidney biopsy varies in each center. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of primary and secondary glomerulopathies based on histological diagnosis, and their correlation with demographic and clinical data were evaluated.
Methods
It was included in the study 1051 kidney biopsies retrospectively reviewed between the years 2000 to 2018. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients were assessed. The prevalence of primary glomerulonephritis (PG) and secondary glomerulopathies (SG), as well as tubulo-interstitial diseases (TID), hereditary nephropathies (HN) and other diagnosis, were described. The frequency of primary and secondary glomerulopathies was evaluated by age group, and their temporal variation in three time periods (2000–2005, 2006–2011, and 2012–2018) were reported.
Results
The prevalence of SG predominated (52.4%) followed by PG (29.6%), other diagnoses (10.7%), TID (6.6%) and HN (1.1%). In primary forms, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) prevailed (37.3%), followed by IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 24.4%), membranous nephropathy (MN, 18.6%) and minimal change disease (MCD, 8.4%). Lupus nephritis (LN, 41.1%) had the highest frequency in SG, and in sequence diabetic kidney disease (DKD, 17.8%), systemic vasculitis (SV, 10.2%) and secondary FSGS (2nd FSGS, 10%). Nephrotic syndrome was the most common clinical presentation in PG, and also in DRD and 2nd FSGS, whereas in IgAN and SV the nephritic syndrome was the main form of presentation. In the age group between 18–50 years, LN, FSGS and IgAN predominated, between 51–65 years the proportion of DKD and 2nd FSGS increased, and SV were more found in patients > 65 years. The temporal variation of PG in three time periods showed a statistically significant increase in IgAN (p = 0.001) and a reduction in FSGS (p < 0.001). In SG, there were a reduction in LN (p = 0.027) and increase in DKD (p < 0.001), with a tendency to decrease of 2nd FSGS (p = 0.053).
Conclusions
In this kidney biopsy registry, FSGS and IgAN were the prevalent diagnoses in PG, ​​and LN and DKD in SG. Nephrotic syndrome was the major indication for biopsy. When comparing the temporal variation of glomerulopathies, there was a reduction in FSGS and an increase in IgAN in PGs, and in SGs a reduction of LN with an increase in cases of DKD.
Adaptive Ecological Niche Migration does not Negate Extinction Susceptibility
Authors: Woodhouse Adam , Jackson Sophie , Jamieson Robert , Newton Robert , Sexton Philip , Aze Tracy
Published: April 2021

Extinction rates in the modern world are currently at their highest in 66 million years and are likely to increase with projections of future climate change. Our knowledge of modern-day extinction risk is largely limited to decadal-centennial terrestrial records, while data from the marine realm is typically applied to high-order (> 1 million year) timescales. At present, it is unclear whether fossil organisms with common ancestry and ecological niche exhibit consistent indicators of ecological stress prior to extinction. The marine microfossil record, specifically that of the planktonic foraminifera, allows for high-resolution analyses of large numbers of fossil individuals with incredibly well-established ecological and phylogenetic history. Here, analysis of the isochronous extinction of two members of the planktonic foraminiferal genus Dentoglobigerina shows disruptive selection differentially compounded by permanent ecological niche migration, “pre-extinction gigantism”, and photosymbiont bleaching prior to extinction. Despite shared ecological and phylogenetic affinity and timing of extinction, the marked discrepancies observed within the pre-extinction phenotypic responses are species-specific. These behaviours may provide insights into the nature of evolution and extinction in the open ocean and can potentially assist in the recognition and understanding of marine extinction risk in response to global climate change.
Could selected gut microorganisms be diagnostic biomarkers for autism spectrum disorders? Study based on a commercial microbiota test
Authors: Jendraszak Magdalena , Gałęcka Mirosława , Kotwicka Małgorzata , Regdos Aleksandra , Pazgrat-Patan Michalina , Andrusiewicz Mirosław
Published: April 2021

The early-life modifications of intestinal microbiota may impact children's subsequent emotional and cognitive development. Stool samples of three groups of children (including probiotics and non-probiotics) were analyzed. In cases where probiotics were not used, Bifidobacterium spp. levels differed between the ASD and ALG. In healthy non-probiotics use children, strong positive correlations were observed in E. coli and Enterococcus spp. and Bacterioides and Klebsiella spp. In the non-probiotic use ASD group, a strongly negative correlation was observed in Lactobacillus spp., and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila levels. The presented results did not show conclusive evidence that changes in the level of selected intestinal microorganisms are symptomatic for children with ASD.
GPR18 Agonist Resolvin D2 Reduces the Early Brain Injury in A Rat Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage by Multi-Mechanisms of Protection
Authors: Zhang Tongyu , Zuo Gang , Zhang Hongqi
Published: April 2021

Background

Early brain injury (EBI) is the early phase of secondary complications resulted in poor prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). GPR18 is a G protein-coupled receptor which has been reported for neuroprotection in ischemia. In this study, we aimed to use resolvin D2 (RvD2) as an agonist to investigate the roles of GPR18 in different brain regions during EBI.

Methods

Location and time course of GPR18 after SAH were measured with immunofluorescence and western blot in endovascular perforation rat model. RvD2 was given one hour intranasally post-SAH, and SAH grades, neurobehavior and brain water content tests were performed after 24 hours. TUNEL and DHE staining were measured 24 hours post-SAH in cortex. Immunofluorescence, western blot and immunohistochemistry of proteins related to EBI in different brain regions were also performed.

Results

We found GPR18 mainly located in meninges, hypothalamus, cortex and white matter. And GPR18 expression increased in meninges and hypothalamus after EBI, however, it decreased in cortex and white matter. RvD2 could improve neurological scores and brain edema. Mast cell degranulation was attenuated, Chymase and Typtase expression decreased after RvD2 administration in meninges. RvD2 attenuated inflammation with increase of POMC, IL-10 and decrease of NPY, TNF-α in hypothalamus. In cortex, RvD2 alleviated oxidative stress and apoptosis, protected blood-brain barrier. RvD2 also ameliorated white matter injury by MBP elevation and APP depression.

Conclusions

Current results emphasized the importance of GPR18 in the whole brain during EBI. Upregulation of GPR18 with RvD2 may improve neurological functions with multi-mechanisms in different brain regions.
Nomogram for predicting axillary lymph node pathological response in node-positive breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Wenyan , Wang Xin , Wang Xiang , Wang Pilin
Published: April 2021

Background
Pathological complete response (pCR) of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) is frequently achieved in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and ALN status is an important prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. Our goal is to develop a new predictive clinical model to assess the axillary lymph node pCR rate after NAC.
Methods
A retrospective series of 547 patients who had biopsy-proven positive ALNs at diagnosis and undergoing axillary lymph node dissection from 2007 to 2014 in National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. We analyzed the clinicopathologic features and developed a nomogram to predict the probability of ALN pCR. Univariate assessment was performed using a logistic regression model. A multivariate logistic regression stepwise model was used to generate a nomogram to predict ALN pCR in node positive patients Variables with P < 0.05 on multivariable analysis were included in the nomogram. The adjusted area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to quantify the ability to rank patients by risk. Internal validation was estimated using 50–50 hold out validation method. Nomogram was validated externally with the prospective cohorts of 167 patients from 2016 to 2018 of Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and 75 patients from 2018 to 2019 of Beijing Tiantan hospital.
Results
In retrospective study, there were 172 (31.4%) patients achieved axillary pCR after NAC. Multivariate analysis indicated that clinical nodal (N) stage, estrogen receptor (ER) status and clinical response of primary tumor after NAC were significant independent predictors for axillary pCR (P < 0.05). The NAC nomogram was based on these three variables. In the internal validation of performance, the AUCs for the training and test sets were 0.719 and 0.753, respectively. The nomogram was validated in external cohorts with AUCs of 0.862 and 0.766, respectively, which demonstrated good discriminatory power in the external validation data sets.
Conclusion
We developed a nomogram to predict the likelihood of axillary pCR in node positive breast cancer patients after NAC. The predictive model performed well in multicenter prospective external validation. This practical tool could provide information to surgeons regarding whether to perform additional ALND after NAC.
Seismic Risk Assessment of Actively Controlled Buildings under Probable Mainshock-Aftershock Scenarios during their Lifetime
Authors: Khansefid Ali , Bakhshi Ali
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on a new comprehensive probabilistic approach for lifetime risk assessment of buildings equipped with active vibration control systems under future probable mainshock-aftershock scenarios. This procedure starts from the seismic hazard simulation, continues with the building performance evaluation, and ends with the seismic risk assessment. The procedure attempts to reflect the effects of major uncertainty sources existing in both building properties and earthquake scenarios using the Monte-Carlo simulation technique. The method is applied to steel moment-resisting frame buildings armed with the optimally designed active vibration control system (using the linear quadratic regulator algorithm). In each realization of the Monte-Carlo simulation, first, a random earthquake scenario containing probable future mainshock-aftershock sequences and their corresponding synthetic stochastic accelerograms are procreated. Next, the buildings are designed in two separate cases, with and without the presence of active vibration control systems. The former is designed based on the international design codes, while the latter properties are obtained via an advanced optimization method. In the last step, considering all generated samples, the loss curve of buildings with the active control system is developed for two separate cases: with or without taking aftershocks’ effects into account. The application of this method indicates that the active control system works well in decreasing the loss value (on average 66%) of buildings during their 50-year lifetime, especially in the more intensive earthquake scenarios. Additionally, it is shown that by neglecting the aftershocks, the life-cycle cost of building will be estimated tangibly (on average 70%) less than what it would be. Finally, it is observed that the non-structural acceleration-sensitive damages have a higher contribution in total building losses in uncontrolled structures in comparison with the actively controlled building by considering aftershocks.
Transcriptome Analysis Provides Insights into the Root Response of Chinese Fir to Phosphorus Deficiency
Authors: Chen Wanting , Zhou Mengyan , Zhao Mingzhen , Chen Ranhong , Tigabu Mulualem , Wu Pengfei , Li Ming , Ma Xiangqing
Published: April 2021

Background: Phosphorus is one of the essential elements for plant growth and development, but the content of plant available phosphorus (Pi) in many soil types is low. As a fast-growing timber species, Chinese fir is in great demand of Pi, and the lack of Pi in soil restricts the increase of productivity of Chinese fir plantation. Root morphology and the synthesis and secretion of organic acids play an important role in the uptake of phosphorus, but the molecular mechanisms of Chinese fir in response to Pi deficiency are largely unexplored. Results: In this study, seedlings of Yang 061 clone were grown under three Pi supply levels (0, 5 and 10 mg·L-1 P) and morphological attributes, organic acid content and enzyme activity were measured, the transcriptome data of Chinese fir root system were obtained and the expression levels of phosphorus responsive genes and organic acid synthesis related genes on citric acid and glyoxylate cycle pathway were determined. The results showed that there were 50,808 Unigenes annotated from the transcriptome of Chinese fir roots. Among differentially expressed genes, seven genes of phosphate transporter family and seventeen genes of purple acid phosphatase family were up-regulated by Pi deficiency, two proteins of SPX domain were up-regulated and one was down-regulated. The metabolic pathways of the citric acid and glyoxylate cycle pathway were mapped, and the expression characteristics of the related Unigenes under different phosphorus treatments were analyzed. The genes involved in malic acid and citric acid synthesis were up-regulated, and the activities of the related enzymes were significantly enhanced under long-term stress. The contents of citric acid and malic acid in the roots of Chinese fir increased after 30days of Pi deficiency. Conclusion: The Chinese fir roots showed increased expression of citrate and malate synthesis genes, increased content of organic acids and enhanced activities of related enzymes under Pi deficiency. The results provide a new insight for revealing the molecular mechanism of Pi deficiency and the pathway of organic acid synthesis in Chinese fir roots.
Socioecological factors' effect on the subjective experience of COVID-19 quarantine policy in Korea: Consensual qualitative research
Authors: Ro Gee Yeon , Shin Yun-Jeong , Mah Sunghyuck , Min Yeseul , Park Hyunjung , Jeong Sodam
Published: April 2021

Background: In face of the COVID-19, South Korea has provided the ‘Global Golden Standard’ of containment effort. Mandatory quarantine, one of the core policies in place, has proven its efficacy in ensuring public health. Nonetheless, no previous study has examined the policy’s comprehensive impact on its subjects. In addition to providing an account of holistic subjective experience of quarantine, this study also examines the socioecological factors’ influence on the subjective experience by applying the Bronfenbrenner’s model. In order to gather unconstrained information in relation to the contextual background, Consensual Qualitative Research method was used. 17 adults of Korean nationality were interviewed about their experience.Results: 10 categories within four domains of Subjective experience were found: (a) changed life style because of quarantine, continued pre-quarantine life, lasting effect of quarantine in Lifestyle domain; (b) Physical health domain with no subcategory; (c) discomfort, infection anxiety, accepting, satisfying, and gratitude within Psychological Experience domain; and (d) suggestion and change of perspective within Reflection domain. Next, 13 categories of socioecological factors belonged to four different levels of domain: (a) personality and belief in Within-individual domain; (b) quarantine space, personal relationship, coresident, student status, and employment status in Microsystem; (c) Korea’s quarantine policy, maintenance, resources, and abroad’s preventive measure against COVID in Exosystem; and (d) stigma and social responsibility in Macrosystem.Conclusions: The reported subjective experiences of self-quarantine were not uniformly negative or positive, which is unlike previous research findings that were dominantly negative. Identifying socioecological factors that shape an individual’s quarantine experience shed light onto how the government can protect its people from the potential threats of quarantine. The examples include promoting sense of safety through clear and coherent communication about the disease and the measures that are being placed, maximizing opportunities for the subjects to exert control over their lives during quarantine, devising ways to make virtual social connection accessible, and etc.
Quantitative breast density in Contrast-Enhanced Mammography
Authors: Gennaro Gisella , Hill Melissa L. , Bezzon Elisabetta , Caumo Francesca
Published: April 2021

Background: Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer, and cancer detection in mammography is reduced in dense breasts. Quantitative tools are available to measure breast density from digital mammography (DM) or tomosynthesis (DBT). Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) is an emerging breast imaging technique, consisting of the acquisition of an image pair (low-energy, LE, and high-energy, HE) for each mammography view. LE-CEM images have been demonstrated to be visually equivalent to a standard mammogram, thereby, CEM examinations do not require additional mammography to complete the clinical information. In this study, volumetric breast density (VBD) measured in LE-CEM was compared with VBD obtained from DM/DBT images.Methods: Between Mar 2019 and Dec 2020 222 women were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial aiming to compare clinical performance of CEM with breast MRI in a population of women at intermediate and high risk for breast cancer. In this observational cohort study, 150 women enrolled in this trial having at least a DM/DBT study performed before/after CEM were selected. CEM and previous/subsequent DM/DBT images were processed by an automatic algorithm to calculate VBD for each view. VBD from LE-CEM and DM/DBT views were compared using a paired Wilcoxon test. P < 0.05 was considered indicative of a statistically significant difference. A multivariate regression model was applied to analyze the relationship between paired VBD differences and multiple independent variables certainly or potentially affecting VBD.Results: Mean age of women included in this study was 51.0±8.4 years. Median VBD was comparable for LE-CEM and previous/subsequent DM/DBT (12.73% vs. 12.39%), not evidencing any statistically significant difference (P = 0.5855). VBD differences between LE-CEM and DM were associated to significant differences of glandular volume, breast thickness, compression force and pressure, contact area, and nipple-to-posterior-edge distance i.e. variables reflecting differences in breast positioning (coefficient of determination 0.6023; multiple correlation coefficient 0.7761).Conclusions: Volumetric breast density can be obtained from low-energy contrast-enhanced spectral mammography and is not significantly different from volumetric breast density measured from standard mammograms.
Magnitude And Associated Factors of Intraoperative Nausea And Vomiting Among parturients who gave birth with Cesarean Section under Spinal Anesthesia At Hospitals in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Demilew Basazinew Chekol , Zewudu Fentaye , Eshetie Dinberu Dinberu , Ayenew Netsanet Temesgen , Molla Eshetie
Published: April 2021

Background

Intraoperative nausea and vomiting is common intraoperative conditions by which parturient feel discomfort and disturbed after spinal anesthesia.
Methods

Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on mothers underwent cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. Descriptive analysis and chi square test were employed. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to measure the association of factors with the outcome variable intraoperative nausea and vomiting. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was used to decide statistical significance for multivariable logistic regression.
Result

A total of 246 parturients were participated in this study. The incidence of intraoperative nausea and vomiting was 40.2%. According to multivariable logistic regression, age greater than 30 years (AOR, 6.26; 95%CI, 2.2-17.78; p-value 0.001), primiparous ( AOR, 3.72; 95%CI, 1.35–10.24; p-value, 0.011), having motion sickness (AOR, 7.1; 95%CI, 2.75–18.33; p-value 0.001), emergency cesarean sectin (AOR, 9.85; 95%CI, 3.19–30.38; p-value 0.001), oxygen suplimentation (AOR, 0.021; 95%CI, 0.005–0.08; p-value 0.0001) and uterotonic agent (AOR, 2.99; 95%CI 1.24–7.22; p-value 0.015) had statistically significant association with intraoperative nausea and vomiting.
Conclusion

In our study, the overall incidence of intraoperative nausea and vomiting after spinal anesthesia was 40.2%. Parturients with age greater than 30 years, having motion sickness, didn’t got intraoperative supplemental oxygen, oxytocin used for uterotonic purpose, emergency surgery and primiparous were at increased risk intraoperative nausea and vomiting.
Vibration Mechanism and Compensation Strategy of Magnetic Suspension Rotor System under Unbalanced Magnetic Pull
Authors: JI LI , Ma Xue-qing , Chen Zhen-min
Published: April 2021

The existing imbalance compensation strategies for magnetic suspension motors mainly focus on the mass unbalance force, ignoring the effects of the unbalanced magnet pull (UMP). This paper studied the vibration mechanism and compensation strategy of magnetic suspended permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) under the influence of UMP. Firstly, an analytical model of the flux density was established based on equivalent magnetic circuit method, then the analytical expressions of UMP was deduced by Maxwell stress tensor method. Furthermore, an unbalanced compensation method based on hypothetical reference frame (HRF) transformation was proposed. The stability of the closed-loop system with compensation was analyzed based on the complex-coefficients theory. The proposed model and compensation strategy were verified by the simulations and experiments. The results indicate that the proposed compensation strategy can achieve effective suppression of the magnetic rotor vibration.
Predicting Sex from Retinal Fundus Photographs Using Automated Deep Learning
Authors: Korot Edward , Pontikos Nikolas , Liu Xiaoxuan , Wagner Siegfried K , Faes Livia , Huemer Josef , Balaskas Konstantinos , Denniston Alastair K. , Khawaja Anthony , Keane Pearse A
Published: April 2021

Deep learning may transform health care, but model development has largely been dependent on availability of advanced technical expertise. Herein we present the development of a deep learning model by clinicians without coding, which predicts reported sex from retinal fundus photographs. A model was trained on 84,743 retinal fundus photos from the UK Biobank dataset. External validation was performed on 252 fundus photos from a tertiary ophthalmic referral center. For internal validation, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the code free deep learning (CFDL) model was 0.93. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and accuracy (ACC) were 88.8%, 83.6%, 87.3% and 86.5%, and for external validation were 83.9%, 72.2%, 78.2% and 78.6% respectively. Clinicians are currently unaware of distinct retinal feature variations between males and females, highlighting the importance of model explainability for this task. The model performed significantly worse when foveal pathology was present in the external validation dataset, ACC: 69.4%, compared to 85.4% in healthy eyes, suggesting the fovea is a salient region for model performance OR (95% CI): 0.36 (0.19, 0.70) p = 0.0022. Automated machine learning (AutoML) may enable clinician-driven automated discovery of novel insights and disease biomarkers.
Study of toxicities of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) in post-operative patients of carcinoma cervix and endometrium
Authors: Ali Mohammad , Sahni Kamal , Sapru Shantanu , Rastogi Madhup , Khurana Rohini , Hadi Rahat , Gandhi Ajeet Kumar , Nanda Sambit Swarup , Tiwari Ramakant , Singh Narayan Pratap , Bhatt Madan Lal Brahma
Published: April 2021

Background

Various studies have shown a clinical benefit of pelvic IMRT but included a significant number of patients with intact cervix and uterus. Therefore we proposed a prospective study to evaluate the toxicity, feasibility, and tolerance of IMRT in post-operative patients with carcinoma cervix and endometrium.
Methods and Material:

This was a prospective, single-arm study, conducted from August 2015 to October 2018 including a total of 30 patients (23 cervical and 7 endometrial cancer) who had undergone a total hysterectomy and required adjuvant pelvic irradiation. These patients were treated with pelvic IMRT using a dose of 45-50.4 Gray (Gy) at 1.8-2 Gy per fraction given as 5 fractions per week with/without concurrent chemotherapy (using injection cisplatin 35–40 mg/m2 per week) as per indications. Acute toxicities were recorded at weekly intervals during the treatment followed by the assessment of late toxicities at the time of each follow-up visits using RTOG radiation morbidity criteria.
Results

Maximum on treatment skin, lower gastrointestinal (LGI), genitourinary (GU), and hematological toxicities were grade 1, 2, 2, and 2, occurring in 38%, 31%, 14%, and 3.4% of the cases, respectively. No late skin and GU toxicities were observed. Maximum late LGI toxicity was grade 1, occurring in 6.67% of the cases. Five (out of 30) patients developed treatment failures (2 distant and 3 local). At a median follow-up of 35 months, the 3 year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 83.3% (all stages included).
Conclusion

Considering acute and late adverse events in the form of skin, LGI, GU, and hematological toxicities, IMRT is well tolerated and has an acceptable toxicity profile even in the setting of an aggressive tri-modality approach.
Quantification of spatial metal accumulation patterns in Noccaea caerulescens by X-ray fluorescence image processing for genetic studies
Authors: Zee Lucas van der , Remigio Amelia Corzo , Casey Lachlan W. , Purwadi Imam , Yamjabok Jitpanu , Ent Antony van der , Kootstra Gert , Aarts Mark G.M.
Published: April 2021

Background Hyperaccumulation of trace elements is a rare trait among plants which is being investigated to advance our understanding of the regulation of metal accumulation and applications in phytotechnologies. Noccaea caerulescens (Brassicaceae) is an intensively studied hyperaccumulator model plant capable of attaining extremely high tissue concentrations of zinc, and nickel with substantial genetic variation at the population-level. X-ray Fluorescence microscopy (µXRF) is a sensitive high-resolution technique to obtain information of the spatial distribution of the plant metallome in hydrated samples We used laboratory-based µXRF to characterize a collection of 86 genetically diverse Noccaea caerulescens accessions from across Europe. We developed an image-processing method to segment different plant substructures in the µXRF images. We introduced the concentration quotient (CQ) to quantify spatial patterns of metal accumulation and linked that to genetic variation.Results Image processing resulted in automated segmentation of µXRF plant images into petiole, leaf margin, leaf interveinal and leaf vasculature substructures. The harmonic means of recall and precision (F1 score) were 0.79, 0.80, 0.67, and 0.68, respectively. Spatial metal accumulation as determined by CQ is highly heritable in Noccaea caerulescens for all substructures, with broad sense heritabilities (H2) ranging from 76–92% correlates only weakly with other heritable traits. Insertion of noise into the image segmentation algorithm barely decreases heritability scores of CQ for the segmented substructures, illustrating the robustness of the trait and the quantification method. Very low heritability was found for CQ if randomly generated substructures were compared, validating the approach.Conclusions A strategy for segmenting µXRF images of Noccaea caerulescens is proposed and the concentration quotient is developed to provide a quantitative measure of metal accumulation pattern, which can be used to determine genetic variation for such pattern. The metric is robust to segmentation error and provides reliable H2 estimates. This strategy provides an avenue for quantifying XRF data for analysis of the genetics of metal distribution patterns in plants and the subsequent discovery of new genes that regulate metal homeostasis and sequestration in plants.
Chemotherapy-associated steatohepatitis was concomitant with epicardial adipose tissue volume increasing in breast cancer patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Xiaoxia , Tan Yuchuan , Qi Jun , Liu Daihong , Shen Hesong , Tan Yong , Wang Lei , Zhang Yipeng , Ma Xin , Wang Jiazheng , Zhang Jiuquan
Published: April 2021

Background

The hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity caused by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) are of increasing concern to clinicians in breast cancer (BC) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of chemotherapy-associated steatohepatitis (CASH), quantitate the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume in BC patients, and explore the correlations of these parameters with blood lipid levels in BC patients who received NAC.
Methods

From October 2018 to April 2020, BC patients were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. The patients were divided into BC-non-NAC group and BC-NAC group (BC-NAC subgroups 1 ~ 4 according to the number of NAC cycles). The prevalence of CASH was evaluated using quantitative MRI mDIXON-Quant examinations, from which the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) was assessed. The EAT volume was quantified on chest CT by semi-automatic volume analysis software. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the associations among PDFF values, EAT volumes and blood lipid levels.
Results

A total of 662 women (BC-non-NAC group: 445 patients; BC-NAC group: 217 patients) were included. The prevalence of CASH in BC-NAC group was significantly higher than the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in the BC-non-NAC group (42.8% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.001). As the number of NAC cycles increased, the prevalence of CASH increased in the BC-NAC subgroups (p = 0.034). EAT volume was measured in 561 of 662 BC patients, and was significantly higher in the BC-NAC group than in the BC-non-NAC group (137.26 ± 53.48 ml vs. 125.14 ± 58.77 ml, p = 0.020). A moderate positive correlation was observed between the hepatic PDFF value and EAT volume (r = 0.411, p < 0.001), and these parameters were also positively correlated with triglycerides in the BC-NAC group (r = 0.386, p = 0.004; r = 0.338, p < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions

NAC significantly increased the prevalence of CASH and EAT volume and there was significant positive correlation among the hepatic PDFF value, EAT volume and triglycerides, which indicate the abnormal lipid metabolism caused by NAC may be another pathway to induce cardiovascular disease in BC patients.
The Views of Pre-Service Elementary Teachers About Online and Traditional Peer Assessment
Authors: AKÇAY Ahmet Oğuz , GÜVEN Ufuk , KARAHAN Engin
Published: April 2021

The goal of this study is to compare traditional peer evaluation and online peer evaluation in order to identify which method is more effective in evaluating peers. Qualitative research method was used in this study to understand pre-service teachers’ opinions on different peer evaluation techniques. The study was carried out in a state university in Turkey. The sample consisted of 58 second year pre-service teachers majoring in primary school teacher program who enrolled in “Instructional Technologies and Material Development” course. Pre-service teachers were divided into 11 groups, with five or six students in each group. Participation was voluntary and the students in each group actively participated in the traditional and online peer assessment activities. The analyses of the data were done via content analysis, by creating categories and then themes. The themes that emerged as a result of the analysis of the data collected within the study were (1) objectivity, (2) evaluation criteria, (3) interaction, and (4) attributes of the online evaluation platform. The study concluded that a combination of peer and instructor evaluation and even self-assessment can give a better validity and objectivity of assessment.
Influence of Feeding Gases on the Composition of Plasma Activated Water
Authors: Thati Jyothi , Adepu Athmeeya Mythri , Raza Ahmed Hashim , Ankathi Dhanush , Gongalla Vani
Published: April 2021

As we are all aware that “PLASMA” is the fourth state of matter and about 99% of the universe comprises of plasma. Plasma invariably consists of essential reactive oxygen and nitrogen species which are necessary for agricultural purposes thus making it an interesting subject for research. When water is exposed to plasma arc, its composition changes and forms Plasma Activated Water (PAW). Research studies have proved PAW to be an effective disinfectant and also providing imperative nutrients to plants. This paper reviews the impact of feeding gases such as Air, Ammonia, Argon, Nitrogen, Helium, Oxygen and Carbon dioxide on PAW composition. Hydrogen peroxide, nitrates, nitrites and pH value are the four key aspects of PAW which decide its influence. H2O2 helps in bacterial inactivation whereas nitrates and nitrites are a source of nutrients. It is known that nitrites decompose rapidly in water and form compounds that promote bacterial inhibition. Here the impact of using Air, Ammonia, Argon, Nitrogen, Helium, Oxygen and Carbon dioxide is being reviewed and studied. More specifically, the concentration of major Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS) formed in the process and the physical properties of PAW at various atmospheres are is discussed in detail.
Evaluation of Fungal Activity Through In Silico Analysis of Medicinal Plants Against Exophiala Jeanselmei
Authors: Vel V Sankara , Arunprasath A
Published: April 2021

Phaeohyphomycosis is a fungal infectious disease commonly called as dermal problem which is caused by dematiaceous fungi, Exophiala jeanselmei. Chitin was the main component of fungal cell and no effective inhibitor was identified still in chitin synthase I. The protein chitin synthase I play a major role in drug metabolism as well as signal processing molecule and therefore have been targeted in the present study. The medicinal plants being a solution for several human ailments, also act as a reservoir for secondary metabolites, has taken its credit as a cure from our ancient times. The biological activity of the Myricetin was analysed using the pass online tool. The value of Probability to be active (Pa) = 0.241 Probability to be inactive (Pi) = 0.021. The several compounds retrieved from the plants Acalypha indica, Achyranthus aspera, Brassica niger, Cassia auriculata, Cleome gynandra, Clitoria ternatea, Ipomoea hederaceae, Leucas aspera, Mimosa pudica, Phyllanthus niruri, Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum sanctum, Tridax procumbens, Vitex negundo and Waltheria indica were analyzed for its possible significant interaction with the target protein using molecular docking studies. The compound Myricetin had Binding energy of -7.32 Kcal/mol and formed hydrogen bonds with the residue HIS 29 showing the bond length of 1.8 Å and residue THR 3 showing the bond length of 1.9 Å. The future perspective of the study is to determine the stability of the protein-compound interaction through docking studies.
Structure and New Substructure of α-Ti2O3: X-ray Diffraction and Theoretical Study
Authors: Merazka Soumia , Hammoudi Lamia , Kars Mohammed , Sidoumou Mohamed , Roisnel Thierry
Published: April 2021

The Crystal structure of both α-Ti2O3 and its new substructure with a halved c-axis has been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The α-Ti2O3 substructure described in the R-3m space group, reveals an unusual 12-fold high coordination of Ti atoms forming edge and face-sharing distorted hexagonal prisms TiO12 stacking along the c-axis. The Hubbard-corrections predict a close bandgap for both α-Ti2O3 and its substructure; whereas a comparative study of their relative stability indicates that the substructure is thermodynamically less stable.
Model assisted identification of N2O mitigation strategies for full-scale reject water treatment plants
Authors: Beier M. , Feldkämper I. , Freyschmidt A.
Published: April 2021

In a 3-year research project, a new approach to forecast biological N2O formation and emission at high-strength reject water treatment has been developed (ASM3/1_N2OISAH). It was calibrated by extensive batch-tests and finally evaluated by long-term measurement campaigns realized at three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with different process configurations for nitrogen removal of reject water. To enable a model application with common full-scale data, the nitritation-connected supplementary processes that are responsible for N2O formation are not depicted in the model. Instead, within the new model approach the N2O formation is linked to the NH4-N oxidation rate by defining specific formation factors [N2O-Nform/NH4-Nox], depending on the concentrations of NO2 and O2 as well as the NH4 load. A comparison between the measured and the modeled N2O concentrations in the liquid and gas phase at the full-scale treatment plants prove the ability of the proposed modelling approach to represent the observed trends of N2O formation, emission and reduction using the standard parameter set of kinetics and formation factors. Thus, enabling a reliable estimation of the N2O emissions for different operational conditions. The measurements indicate that a formation of N2O by AOB cannot completely be avoided. However, a considerable reduction of the formed N2O was observed in an anoxic environment. Applying the model, operational settings and mitigation strategies can now be identified without extensive measurement campaigns. For further enhancement of the model, first results for kinetics of N2O reduction kinetics by denitrification processes were determined in laboratory-scale batch tests.
Computational fluid dynamics modelling of quasi-collimated beam apparatus – a typical bench scale UV apparatus for water treatment
Authors: Lian Junfeng , Sun Liangmin , Jiang Chong , Li Wentao , Zhu Yichun , Qin Xinxin , Liu Zuwen
Published: April 2021

Quasi-collimated beam apparatus (QCBA), a typical bench scale UV apparatus, is crucial for the biodosimetry determination of UV dose in target reactors. However, the key parameters for the QCBA construction are usually estimated via rule-of-thumb calculations. Computational fluid dynamics models are applied in this study to simulate the UV fluence rate (FR) distributions in QCBAs. QCBAs with either a cylindrical tube or successive apertures irradiate quasi parallel light into selected dishes. The simulated Petri factors (PF) in the target QCBAs with a single aperture were all >0.84, and increased with the extended distance (L1) from the UV lamp to the upper aperture. QCBAs with two successive apertures are recommended compared with those with three apertures or cylindrical tube. A trend of FR distribution from dispersed to concentrated is observed when L1 or the interval distance between each aperture increases in a dual-aperture QCBA. QCBAs with multiple lamps were favorable to increase the UV output power, while having a nearly negligible loss of parallelism. An actual QCBA was constructed, and the maximal and average FR and PF values in a 60-mm dish were 0.159 and 0.164 W/m2, and 0.967, respectively, in accordance with the simulated results.
Numeric modeling of bacteria population evolution in human lungs
Authors:   Perm National Research Polytechnic University, 29 Komsomolskiy Ave., Perm, 614990, Russian Federation, Pil N.E. , Chigvintsev V.M. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies,82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation
Published: April 2021

The present work focuses on building up a mathematical model showing bacteria population evolution in human lungs taking into account dynamics of immune processes; the model would be useful for assessing functional damage to the lungs. Numeric modeling of processes that occur in a human body is a promising tool for analyzing and predicting impacts exerted by risk factors on health. The suggested approach was developed within a concept describing a human body as a multi-level model that allowed for interaction between various systems and functional state of examined organs given effects produced on them by different adverse factors. Since direct modeling of the structure and processes occurring in the lungs is rather complicated, these organs are usually described with a porous medium model and it requires a lot of computing resources. Damage to the lungs determined via an evolution equation was introduced into the model. The equation described dependence between damage and infiltrate distribution and effects produced on alveolar cells by toxicants excreted by bacteria. The work dwells on certain results that characterize how concentrations of immune system components and bacteria population are spatially distributed when an immune response is evolving. Our research provides a qualitative insight into reasons for quantitative changes in bacteria population under immune reactions occurring in a body under exposure to different factors. This approach can be used for obtaining more precise parameters for existing population models that show spread and clinical course of bacterial infections and for making a long-term prediction of an epidemiological situation. Results obtained with this approach can be useful for analyzing risks of communicable diseases including those occurring under exposure to adverse environmental factors.
Assessment and classification of food products as per health risks caused by chemical and microbiological contamination
Authors:   East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research, 12a the 3rd micro-district, Angarsk, 665827, Russian Federation, Bogdanova O.G. ,   East Siberia State University of Technology and Management, Bldg. 1, 40v Klyuchevskaya Str., Ulan-Ude, 670013, Russian Federation, Molchanova O.A. ,   East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research, 12a the 3rd micro-district, Angarsk, 665827, Russian Federation,   Federal Service for Surveillance over Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Buryatiya Region office, 45b Klyuchevskaya Str., Ulan-Ude, 670013, Russian Federation, Tarmaeva I.Yu. ,   Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 2/14 Ustinsky lane, Moscow, 109240, Russian Federation, Efimova N.V. ,   East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research, 12a the 3rd micro-district, Angarsk, 665827, Russian Federation
Published: April 2021

Our research goal was to reveal priority food products (FP) distributed on a regional consumer market as per health risks they caused for population. The research was accomplished with statistic, analytical, and mathematical procedures as well as using comparative analysis procedure. We analyzed laboratory data on sanitary-chemical and physical-chemical parameters collected over 2010–2019; our analysis revealed there were insignificant risks excluding FP contamination with nitrates. Special attention should be paid to microbiological contamination as overall parameters related to it remain steady over the compared 5-year periods. We also have detected unfavorable trends as average parameters have grown authentically over the last 5 years against 2010–2014 when it comes to fruit and vegetables, poultry, fish products, and alcoholic beverages with growth rates varying from 3.53 times to 1.44 times. Having accomplished all the necessary calculations, we established that in Buryatia, just as in the Russian Federation in general, there were no food products that could cause extremely high health risks. But at the same time, the examined regional market had certain differences from the overall Russian one. High health risks were caused by poultry and it was not the case in the country in general. Bakery, confectionary, and fish products that caused high health risks in the country as a whole caused only significant risks in the region. Milk products also were assigned into a high risk category. We performed complex assessment and classified FP as per their quality and safety using health risk analysis methodology; it allowed us to determine priorities resulted from microbiological contamination of poultry and this fact is vital for population health in Buryatia.
Heavy metal concentration in vegetables and their potential risk for human health
Authors:   College of Natural & Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feseha A. ,   College of Natural & Computational Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia, Chaubey A.K. ,   College of Natural & Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Abraha A. ,   College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
Published: April 2021

This study assesses heavy metal levels in the water, soil, and vegetables (swiss chard, lettuce, cabbage, collard green, tomato, green pepper, and carrot) irrigated with wastewater in Gamo, Ethiopia. The samples of soils, waters, and vegetables were randomly collected, processed, and analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results obtained show that the mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Ni had the highest concentration, and Pb, Zn, and Cu had the lowest concentration in irrigation waters. The levels of Cd in the Kulfo river area and Chamo Lake area and Cu in most of the farm soils were also found to be higher than the guideline values. The study also revealed that the mean levels of Cd in most vegetables and Cr and Pb in some vegetables were higher than the maximum recommended limits set by the World Health Organization / Food and Agriculture Organization 2001. Among the vegetables, cabbage had the highest heavy metal content followed by Swiss-chard, carrot, tomato, collard green, green pepper, and lettuce. The Hazard quotient of Cu, and Ni of all samples of vegetables and Cd in some samples vegetables obtained exceeded unity. It signifies that there are potential health risks to the consumers. This study recommends regular monitoring of heavy metals in soils, waters, and foodstuffs to prevent excessive accrual in the food chain.