bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harnessing the Sars-cov-2 Spike Protein Binding Affinity to Ace2 Receptor Through Narcotinic Compounds Combined With Adjuvants: an in Silico Insight
Authors: Mohammadi Saeedeh , Doustkhah Esmail , Sakhaee Nader , Esmailpour Ayoub , Esmailpour Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Protein products of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) coding gene sequence, were all analyzed and compared to other SARS-CoV S proteins to elucidate structural similarities of spike proteins. A homology modeling of SARS-CoV-2 S protein was obtained and used in molecular docking studies to find binding affinities of spike protein for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The two most important binding sites of S protein, namely, RBD and CTD, critically responsible for binding interactions, were identified. Finally, binding affinity of RBD and CTD domains of S protein with narcotic analgesics are studied. Moreover, interactions of ACE2 receptor- S protein with narcotic compounds when mixed with small molecule adjuvants to improve the immune response and increase the efficacy of potential vaccines, were taken into consideration. In-silico results suggest that the combination of narcotine hemiacetal with mannide monooleate shows a stronger binding affinity with CTD, while carprofen-muramyl dipeptide and squalene have stronger binding affinities for the RBD portion of S protein. Thus, a suitable combination of these narcotic is proposed to yield potent site-blocking efficacy for ACE2 receptor against SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.
How to Inject Ictal SPECT? From Manual to Automated Injection
Authors: Setoain Xavier , Campos Francisco , Donaire Antonio , Mayoral Maria , Perissinotti Andres , Niñeroma-Baizan Aida , Bargallo Nuria , Rumia Jordi , Pintor Luis , Boget Teresa , Carreño Mar
Published: March 2021

BackgroundSuccessful surgery depends on the accurate localization of epileptogenic zone before surgery. Ictal SPECT is the only imaging modality that allows identification of the ictal onset zone by measuring the regional cerebral blood flow at the time of injection. The main limitations of ictal SPECT in epilepsy are the complex methodology of the tracer injection during a seizure. To overcome these limitations, we present the main features of the first automated injector for ictal SPECT (epijet, LemerPax; La Chapelle -sur-Erdre; France). In this study we compared traditional manual injection with automated injection for ictal SPECT in122 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. MethodsThe study included 55 consecutive prospective patients with drug-resistant epilepsy undergoing injection with the automated injector. The control group was our retrospective database of a historic pool of 67 patients, injected manually from 2014-2016. Calculated annual exposure/radioactive dose for operators was measured. Injection time, seizure focus localization with ictal SPECT, as well as repeated hospitalizations related to fails injections were compared in these two groups of patients. ResultsThere were no differences in the average injection time with epijet (13 s) compared with the traditional manual injection (14s). The seizure focus was successfully localized with ictal SPECT with epijet in 44/55 (80%) patients and with manual injection in 46/67 (68%) patients (p=0.694). Repeated studies were required in 16/67 (23%) patients in the manual injection group compared to 4 patients (7%) in the epijet group (p=0.022). Calculated annual exposure/dose for operators of 0.39 mSv/year and administered dose error inferior to 5% are other advantages of epijet. ConclusionThe first results using epijet are promising in adjustment of the injection dose, reducing the rate of radiation exposure for patients and nurses, maintaining the same injection time and allowing high SPECT accuracy. These preliminary results support the use of an automated injection system to inject radioactive ictal SPECT doses in epilepsy units.
The Lived Experiences of Postpartum Women in Ghana Regarding Nursing Care During Childbirth and Their Concept of Care-A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Danzima Nicholas Yakubu , Nayeri Nahid Dehghan , Arpi Manookian , Buunaaim Alexis Dun Boib , Tijani Aliyu
Published: March 2021

Background: Studies have confirmed that the nurse during the period of delivery would be the deciding factor whether the woman would have a positive or negative birth experience. This positive or negative experience depends on the quality of nursing during this period. Hence it is important to know the concept of care from the perspective of postpartum women and their lived experience of nursing care during the period of childbirth. This is because patients’ satisfactory of services rendered is a yardstick for measuring quality of care. However, there is no literature on the lived experience of postpartum women regarding the nursing care rendered to them during childbirth and the viewpoint of postpartum women on the concept of care in the context of Ghanaian health system. Accordingly the objective of the study was to discover the concept of care from the viewpoint of postpartum women and their lived experience of nursing care in the labor ward of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Methods: Using a descriptive phenomenological method, this study was conducted on 10 women who had given birth. A purposive sampling technique was used and data was collected through semi-structured interviews which lasted between 30 to 45 minutes. All participants were made to sign a consent form before participating. Data analysis was done using Colaizzi’s method. Results: Analysis of the interview transcripts depicting the women’s concept of care and experience of nursing care rendered to them during labor and delivery revealed three main themes: (1) Emotional, physical and informational support (2) Pampering and nice communication and (3) Cordial relationship. These women considered these concepts as good nursing care and that care can only be considered as good care if it entails these concepts.Conclusions and implications for practice: It is recommended that midwives and nurses as well as other health workers who nurse pregnant women during childbirth consider the experiences and viewpoint of women regarding their concept of care. The concepts of emotional, physical and informational support, pampering and nice communication and cordial relationship should be taking into consideration when nursing them. This will lead to taking care of them according to their preferences, wishes, needs and values which will lead to their satisfaction and hence quality of care since quality of care is determined by patient’s satisfaction. This will also lead to targeted, individualized, patient centered care for these women.
Clinical Impact of Visually Assessed Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Septic Shock
Authors: Hiraiwa Hiroaki , Kasugai Daisuke , Ozaki Masayuki , Goto Yukari , Jingushi Naruhiro , Higashi Michiko , Nishida Kazuki , Kondo Toru , Furusawa Kenji , Morimoto Ryota , Okumura Takahiro , Matsuda Naoyuki , Matsui Shigeyuki , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: March 2021

This study retrospectively analyzed data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III critical care database to determine whether visually-assessed right ventricular (RV) dysfunction was associated with clinical outcomes in septic shock patients. Associations between visually-assessed RV dysfunction by echocardiography and in-hospital mortality, lethal arrhythmia, and hemodynamic indicators to determine the prognostic value of RV dysfunction in patients with septic shock were analyzed. Propensity score analysis showed RV dysfunction increased risk of in-hospital death in patients with septic shock (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99–2.32; P<0.0010. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, RV dysfunction was associated with in-hospital death (OR, 2.19; 95%CI, 1.91–2.53; P<0.001), lethal arrhythmia (OR, 2.19; 95%CI, 1.34–3.57; P<0.001), and tendency for increased blood lactate levels (OR, 1.31; 95%CI, 1.14–1.50; P<0.001) independent of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. RV dysfunction patients had lower cardiac output, pulmonary artery pressure index, and RV stroke work index than those without RV dysfunction. In patients with septic shock, visually-assessed RV dysfunction was associated with in-hospital mortality, lethal arrhythmia, and circulatory insufficiency independent of LV dysfunction. Visual assessment of RV dysfunction using echocardiography might predict the short-term prognosis of patients with septic shock by reflecting hemodynamic status.
Experimental Study on the Characteristics of Ultrafine Grinding of Potassium-bearing Shale and the Feasibility of Roasting Pre-cracking
Authors: Zhu Zaisheng , He Zhenquan , Gai Guosheng
Published: March 2021

As potassium-bearing shale is still being developed as a potential alternative to potash, the first step to improve its utilisation is to reduce its particle size. This paper explores whether roasting pre-cracked potassium-bearing shale can improve the quality of ultra-fine crushing products. By analysing the particle size distribution and the fractal dimension of the particle size distribution, the results for 1 h and 2 h roasting pre-cracking experiments were found to be contradictory. AHP-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation of the three indicators of product quality and quantity was used, resulting in a unique indicator. Roasting pre-cracking for 2 h was found to have a facilitating effect, with the average of the three fuzzy comprehensive evaluation values increasing from 0.71 to 0.78. The great difference in cost outlay suggests that the technique is not suitable for industrial applications. Subsequently, two groups of microwave pretreatment experiments were carried out but led to unsatisfactory results in which microwave pretreatment was not conducive to the ultrafine grinding of potassium-bearing shale.
An Improved Residual-Network Model-based Conditional Generative Adversarial Network Plantar Pressure Image Classification: A Comparison of Normal, Planus, and Talipes Equinovarus Feet
Authors: Han Jianlin , Wang Dan , Li Zairan , Dey Nilanjan , Shi Fuqian
Published: March 2021

The number of layers of deep learning (DL) increases, and following the performance of computing nodes improvement, the output accuracy of deep neural networks (DNN) faces a bottleneck problem. The resident network (RN) based DNN model was applied to address these issues recently. This paper improved the RN and developed a rectified linear unit (ReLU) based conditional generative adversarial nets (cGAN) to classify plantar pressure images. A foot scan system collected the plantar pressure images, in which normal (N), planus (PL), and talipes equinovarus feet (TE) data-sets were acquired subsequently. The 9-foot types named N, PL, TE, N-PL, N-TE, PL-N, PL-TE, TE-N, and TE-PL were classified using the proposed DNN models, named resident network-based conditional generative adversarial nets (RNcGAN). It improved the RN structure firstly and the cGAN system hereafter. In the classification of plantar pressure images, the pixel-level state matrix can be direct as an input, which is different from the previous image classification task with image reduction and feature extraction. cGAN can directly output the pixels of the image without any simplification. Finally, the model achieved better results in the evaluation indicators of accuracy (AC), sensitivity (SE), and F1-measurement (F1) by comparing to artificial neural networks (ANN), k-nearest neighbor (kNN), Fast Region-based Convolution Neural Network (Fast R-CNN), visual geometry group (VGG16), scaled-conjugate-gradient convolution neural networks (SCG-CNN), GoogleNet, AlexNet, ResNet-50-177, and Inception-v3. The final prediction of class accuracy is 95.17%. Foot type classification is vital for producing comfortable shoes in the industry.
Hyperchloremia Is Associated With Poor Renal Outcome After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Choi Jae Shin , Yun Donghwan , Kim Dong Ki , Oh Kook-Hwan , Joo Kwon Wook , Kim Yon Su , Na Ki Young , Han Seung Seok
Published: March 2021

Background: Hyperchloremia is associated with the risks of several morbidities and mortality. However, its relationship with acute kidney injury (AKI) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains unresolved.Methods: A total of 2,977 patients undergoing CABG between 2003 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed from two tertiary hospitals. Patients were categorized by serum chloride levels into normochloremia (95–105 mmol/L), mild hyperchloremia (106–110 mmol/L) and severe hyperchloremia (>110 mmol/L). The odds ratios (ORs) for AKI and hazard ratios (HRs) for ESRD were calculated after adjustment for multiple covariates. The death-adjusted risk of ESRD was additionally evaluated.Results: Postoperative AKI occurred in 798 patients (26.5%). The hyperchloremia group had a higher risk of AKI than the normochloremia group, wherein the risk was incremental depending on the severity of hyperchloremia as follows: ORs were 1.26 (1.06–1.51) and 1.95 (1.52–2.51) in the mild and severe hyperchloremia groups, respectively. During a median period of 7 years (maximum 15 years), 70 patients (2.3%) had ESRD. The severe hyperchloremia group was at an elevated risk of ESRD compared with the normochloremia group, with an HR of 2.43 (1.28–4.63). Even after adjusting for the competing risk of death, hyperchloremia was associated with the risk of ESRD.Conclusions: Preoperative hyperchloremia is associated with poor renal outcomes such as AKI and ESRD after CABG. Accordingly, serum chloride should be monitored in patients undergoing CABG.
Galectin-1 From Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes the Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Through TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: you xiaolan , Wu Jian , Zhao Xiaojun , Jiang Xingyu , Tao Wenxuan , Chen Zhiyi , Huang Chuanjiang , Zheng Tingrui , Shen Xianhe
Published: March 2021

Background The gastric cancer (GC) microenvironment has important effects on biological behaviors, such as tumor cell invasion and metastasis. However, the mechanism by which the GC microenvironment promotes GC cell invasion and metastasis is unknown. The present study aimed to clarify the effects and mechanism of galectin-1 (GAL-1, encoded by LGALS1) on GC invasion and metastasis in the GC microenvironment.Methods The expression of GAL-1/ LGALS1 was determined using western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR in GC tissues. Besides, methods including stable transfection, Matrigel invasion and migration assays, and wound-healing assays in vitro; and metastasis assays in vivo, were also conducted.Results GAL-1 from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) induced the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) of GC cells though the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1)/ Sma- and mad-related protein (Smad) pathway, and affected the prognosis of patients with GC. The level of GAL-1 was high in CAFs, and treating MGC-803 and SGC -7901 cell line with the conditioned medium from CAFs promoted their invasion and metastasis abilities. Overexpression of LGALS1 promoted the expression of TGF-β1 and induced EMT of GC cell lines. A TGF-β1 antagonist inhibited the invasion and migration of GC cells. In vivo, overexpression of LGALS1 promoted GC growth and metastasis, and the TGF-β1 antagonist dramatically reversed these events. Conclusions These findings suggested that high expression of GAL-1 in the GC microenvironment predicts a poor prognosis in patients with GC by promoting the migration and invasion of GC cells via EMT through the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. The results might provide new therapeutic targets to treat GC.
An Electrochemically Reduced Copper/Reduced Graphene Oxide Film Modified Electrode for Sensitive Non-Enzymatic Glucose Detection in Human Serum
Authors: Phetsang Sopit , Kidkhunthod Pinit , Chanlek Narong , Jakmunee Jaroon , Mungkornasawakul Pitchaya , Ounnunkad Kontad
Published: March 2021

Numerous studies suggest that modification with functional nanomaterials can enhance the electrode electrocatalytic activity, sensitivity, and selectivity of the electrochemical sensors. Here, a highly sensitive and cost-effective disposable non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on copper(II)/reduced graphene oxide modified screen-printed carbon electrode is demonstrated. Facile fabrication of the developed sensing electrodes is carried out by the adsorption of copper(II) onto graphene oxide modified electrode, then following the electrochemical reduction. The proposed sensor illustrates good electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation with a wide linear detection range from 0.10 mM to 12.5 mM, low detection limit of 65 µM, and high sensitivity of 172 µA mM− 1 cm− 2 along with satisfactory anti-interference ability, reproducibility, stability, and the acceptable recoveries for the detection of glucose in a human serum sample (95.6–106.4%). The copper(II)/reduced graphene oxide based sensor with the superior performances is a great potential for the quantitation of glucose in real samples.
Evaluating the Effect of Heat Waves on Early Melting of Snow Covers of Karkheh Catchment in Iran
Authors: Keikhosravi Ghasem
Published: March 2021

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of heat waves on the early melting of snow cover in the Karkheh catchment of Iran. After collecting daily data on the maximum temperature of meteorological stations in the catchment during the statistical period (2000-2019), three indices of WSDI, Baldi, and ocular method were used to determine the threshold of days with heat wave. By extracting the hot waves and applying programming, the snow cover maps were drawn in the Google Earth Engine system and the area of ​​snow cover zones was calculated in the Model Builder environment. Finally, the atmospheric data were received from the NCEP/NCAR site and their generating patterns were examined after drawing in Grads software environment after determining the atmospheric synoptic patterns. The results indicated that the slope trend of hot waves is increasing at the catchment level. The average annual frequency of heat waves extracted for the snow cover growth period (November to May) was equal to 24 days of hot waves during the year. Regarding the ground pressure conditions and synoptic conditions of high atmospheric levels, two dominant synoptic patterns of heat waves were identified in the region as follows: 1) The Siberian high-pressure synoptic pattern at the ground level and the Saudi-African high-pressure ridge at high atmospheric levels. This synoptic pattern reduces snow cover area by an average of 40% in the Karkheh catchment and the highest frequency of the occurrence of this synoptic pattern is in February and March. 2) Pakistan-Africa low-pressure synoptic pattern at ground level and Saudi-African high-pressure ridge at high atmospheric levels, the frequency of the occurrence of which is higher in April and May months and reduces the snow cover area in the Karkheh catchment by an average of more than 55%.
Timing for elective cesarean and maternal fetal outcome: a retrospective cohort
Authors: Rosa Marcos Wengrover , Perez Amanda Vilaverde , Muller Gabriel Cardozo , Sbaraini Mariana , Hammes Luciano Serpa , Ghizzoni Flavia , Grossi Fernanda Santos , Ferreira Charles Francisco , Vettorazzi Janete
Published: March 2021

Objective: To assess the relationship between the timing of elective cesarean section (C-section) and neonatal outcomes in a Brazilian population.Methods: Retrospective cohort study including women with single gestation submitted to elective C-section from January 2013 to December 2016. Eligibility criteria included primiparous mothers and those who previously underwent a C-section, with gestational ages of 37–39 weeks (group I) or ≥ 39 weeks (group II), undergoing antepartum elective C-section without clinical indication. Main Outcomes and Measures: adverse neonatal outcomes (NICU admission, respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, hiperbilirrubinemia, neonatal infection and meconium aspiration syndrome)Results: There were 17,184 live births at Hospital Moinhos de Vento during the study period. Of these, remaining 3,722 C-sections without medical indication in nulliparous women or in those with one previous C-section. Of these, 1,460 were in group I and 2,262 were in group II. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization, respiratory distress and hyperbilirubinemia were positively associated with group I in relation to group II (p≤0.0001, p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Elective C-section based on maternal request should not be recommended; however, for women who require elective C-section, neonatal outcomes suggest that delivery between 39 and 39+7 weeks is the optimal timing.
The Governance of Energy Transition: Lessons from the Nigerian Electricity Sector
Authors: Edomah Norbert
Published: March 2021

BackgroundThe rising need for energy transition towards more sustainable energy sources requires a rethink in the governance of energy systems. Arguably, policy makers have very important roles in governing transitions in any given society through established institutional frameworks. It has also been argued that energy infrastructure choices are determined by institutional dynamics and structures. However, what are the influences underlying changes in energy systems and what lessons can we draw from them for the governance of energy transition? This study focuses on understanding the dynamics of energy transition governance within the Nigerian electricity sector with the aim of drawing lessons that impact on energy transition and energy systems change.MethodsUsing explorative research tools, this research explores the dynamics of energy transition governance within the Nigerian electricity sector with the aim of drawing lessons that impact on energy transition and energy systems change. Data from primary and secondary sources in documentary archives and other published sources that links to the Nigerian historical energy infrastructure provisions were used for analysis in order to draw lessons on energy transition dynamics in Nigeria.ResultsThe study revealed that there were three important factors that had a direct impact on energy transition and energy systems change within Nigeria’s electricity sector. These are: (1) Changing perceptions and goals (during the period leading up to Nigeria’s independence, 1890 – 1960s); (2) Direct government interventions in energy infrastructure provisions (1940s – 1970s); and (3) Major changes in market rules (from 2005 and beyond).ConclusionsThe study concludes by highlighting that: (1) there is a need for government institutions to tackle energy access issues that addresses the needs of the poor; (2) it is imperative to explore technological options that are more sustainable; and (3) there is a need to address energy consumption patterns that are more energy intensive. Indeed, available energy resources, technological changes in electricity supply systems, and the ‘geographies of energy’ are major factors that influence energy production and consumption dynamics. All of these needs to be considered as energy decisions are primarily political choices.
Assessment of the Accuracy of Malaria Microscopy in Private Health Facilities in Entebbe Municipality, Uganda; A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mutabazi Tobius , Arinaitwe Emmanuel , Ndyabakira Alex , Sendaula Emmanuel , Kakeeto Alex , Okimat Paul , Orishaba Philip , Katongole Simon Peter , Mpimbaza Arthur , Byakika-Kibwika Pauline , Karamagi Charles , Kalyango Joan Nakayaga , Kamya Moses R , Dorsey Grant , Nankabirwa Joaniter Immaculate
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Although microscopy remains the gold standard for malaria diagnosis, little is known about its accuracy in the private health facilities in Uganda. We evaluated the accuracy of malaria microscopy, and factors associated with inaccurate smear results at private health facilities in Entebbe Municipality, Uganda.Methods: Between April and May 2018, all patients referred for a malaria smear in 16 private health facilities in Entebbe municipality were screened, and 321 patients were enrolled. A questionnaire was administered to collect demographic and clinical information, facility-based smear results were recorded from the participant’s consultation notes, and a research slide was obtained for expert microscopy. A health facility assessment was conducted, and information on experience in performing malaria microscopy was collected from all facility personnel reading smears and the data was linked to the participant’s clinic visit. Results: The prevalence of malaria parasitemia was 15.0% by expert microscopy. The sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of the facility-based microscopy were high (95.8%, 90.1% and 99.2% respectively). However; the positive predictive value (PPV) was low with 27/73 (63%) patients diagnosed with malaria not having the disease. Majority of the inaccurate results were from 2 of the 23 laboratory personnel reading the smears. The factors associated with inaccurate smear readings included being read by a technician; 1) who had less than 5 years’ experience in reading malaria smears (adjusted Odds Ratio [OR] = 9.74, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] (1.06 – 89.5), p-value=0.04), and 2) who was examining less than 5 smears a day (OR = 38.8, 95% CI 9.65- 156, p-value <0.001).Conclusion: The accuracy of malaria microscopy in this setting was high, although one third of the patients diagnosed with malaria did not have the disease. Majority of the errors in smear readings were made by two laboratory personnel, with the main factor associated with inaccurate smear results being low experience in malaria microscopy. In-service training may be sufficient to eliminate inaccurate smear results in this setting, and these private facilities would be ideal model facilities to improve the quality of malaria microscopy in Uganda especially in the public sector.
Barriers to Learning for Sustainability: Reflections from a British Science Teacher
Authors: Parry Sally , Metzger Ellen
Published: March 2021

We collectively face a constellation of complex and interconnected environmental, social, and economic problems that threaten human and planetary wellbeing now and in the future. Learning that enables students across all levels and settings of education to become change agents for a more sustainable future, is widely expected to play a crucial role. However, “education as usual” with its one-way transmission of information from teacher to passive learners, disciplinary silos, and high-stakes, facts-based assessments, will not suffice to equip learners with the knowledge and competencies needed to address chronic and complex obstacles to sustainability. Forging a more sustainable path forward will require rethinking of traditional educational systems that were designed for different times. It will also necessitate a shift from traditional, teacher-centered pedagogies to strategies that nurture action-oriented, experiential and reflective learning in the face of complexity, uncertainty, and rapid change. In this contribution, the reflections of a British science teacher provide a first-hand perspective on the disconnect between the international discourse on transformative learning for sustainability and everyday classroom practice within the constraints of prevailing educational systems.
The Antibiotic Susceptibilities of Methicilline-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated From Various Clinical Samples
Authors: Ozbek Erdal , TEMİZ Hakan , ÖZCAN Nida , AKKOÇ Hasan
Published: March 2021

Background and Objective::
In this study, it was aimed to determine the in vitro susceptibilities of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains to fluoroquinolone, linezolid, tigecycline, and quinupristin /dalfopristin as well as the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance phenotype.
Materials and Methods
A total of 94 MRSA strains isolated from various clinical samples in our hospital laboratory between January 2020 and September 2020 were included. The in-vitro susceptibilities of MRSA strains against fluoroquinolone, linezolid, tigecycline, and quinupristin/dalfopristin were determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay according to The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). The E test assay was used for evaluation of tigecycline susceptibility. The D-zone test was performed with erythromycin (15 µg) and clindamycin (2 µg) discs to determine the MLSB resistance. Besides, bacterial identification, antibiotic susceptibility tests including methicillin resistance and MLSB phenotype determination were performed by using VİTEK 2 Gram-positive diagnostic kits(Bio-Mérieux/France).
Results
Results: Among 94 MRSA strains included, resistance rates to ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, tigecycline, and quinupristin/dalfopristin were found as 71% (67 isolates) 64%(60 isolates), 17%(16 isolates), and 2% (2 isolates), respectively.. Resistance was not detected for linezolid. A total of 36(49%) isolates showed cMLSB resistance phenotype while 18(19%) had iMLSB resistance. The MS phenotype – strains resistant to erythromycin and susceptible to clindamycin- was not detected.
Conclusion
Very little or no resistance was found to linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin and tigecycline. Therefore, these antibiotics may be beneficial for the proper treatment of infections caused by MLSB-resistant isolates.
Identification of biomarkers associated with metabolic cardiovascular disease using mRNA-SNP-miRNA regulatory network analysis
Authors: Fan Zhiyuan , Peng Wenjuan , Wang Zhiwen , Zhang ling , Liu Kuo
Published: March 2021

Background: CVD is the leading cause of death in T2DM patients. However, few biomarkers have been identified to detect and diagnose CVD in the early stage of T2DM. The aim of our study was to identify the important mRNAs, micro (mi)RNAs and SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) that are associated with metabolic cardiovascular disease. Materials and methods: Expression profiles and GWAS data were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. MiRNA-sequencing was conducted by Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform in T2DM patients and T2DM with CVD patients. EQTL analysis and gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted. MRNA-miRNA co-expression network and mRNA-SNP-miRNA interaction network were established and visualized by Cytoscape 3.7.2.Results: In our study, we identified 56 genes and 16 miRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed. GO and KEGG analyses results indicated that B cell receptor signaling pathway and hematopoietic cell lineage were included in the biological functions of differentially expressed genes. MRNA-miRNA co-expression network and mRNA-SNP-miRNA interaction network illustrated that let-7i-5p, RASGRP3, KRT1 and CEP41 may be potential biomarkers for the early detection and diagnosis of CVD in T2DM patients.Conclusion: Our results suggested that downregulated let-7i-5p, and upregulated RASGRP3, KRT1 and CEP41 may play crucial roles in molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and development of CVD in T2DM patients.
Asiatic Acid Alleviates Ang-II Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis via miR-126/PIK3R2 signaling
Authors: Li Haiyu , Tian Xiaoxu , Ruan Yongjuan , Xing Junhui , Meng Zhe
Published: March 2021

BackgroundCardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor of many cardiovascular diseases. Studies demonstrated that microRNA-126 (miR-126) was involved in angiogenesis during physiological and pathological process. However, its role in cardiac hypertrophy has not been known clearly. Recent studies demonstrated asiatic acid (AA) has obvious protective effect on cardiac hypertrophy. Here, this study aimed to discover the regulatory role of miR-126 and its mechanism in cardiac hypertrophy, and to determine whether AA’s anti-hypertrophy effect is partially miR-126 dependent. MethodsMale Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were AngII infused via osmotic minipumps for 4 weeks and were treated with AA (20mg/kg/day) by oral gavage. Cardiac protective hypertrophy was assessed using the echocardiography and histological analysis. And, the effect of AA on miR-126 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was investigated.ResultsTreatment of rats with AA decreased the ratio of heart weight to tibia length and hypertrophy markers. Moreover, our results found downregulation of miR-126 and activation of PI3K/AKT signaling AngII infusion induced cardiac hypertrophy model. It was also determined that miR-126 targets PIK3R2 directly. ConclusionsAA supplementation upregulated the expression of miR-126 and conferred cardio-protection against AngII induced cardiac hypertrophy.
Inflammatory factors are crucial for the pathogenesis of post-traumatic osteoarthritis confirmed by a novel porcine model: “Idealized” anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction” and gait analysis
Authors: Zhao Ruipeng , Dong Zhengquan , Wei Xiaochun , Gu Xiaodong , Han Pengfei , Lv Zhi , Wu Hongru , Yan Yanxia , Huang Lingan , Li Haoqian , Li Fei , Li Pengcui
Published: March 2021

Background: The study was performed to determine whether idealized anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (IACL-R) restores normal gait features, and whether inflammatory factors are involved in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).Methods: Fourteen mature female minipigs were allocated to a sham group (n = 7) or an IACL-R group (n = 7). Load asymmetry during gait was recorded using a pressure-sensing walkway measurement system to evaluate the gait features of the right knee joint before and after surgery. Inflammatory factors (including interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α, and granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor) in synovial fluid were measured using Luminex assays before and after surgery. Cartilage integrity and the subchondral bone plate of the right knee were evaluated using histology and imaging at 3 months postoperatively.Results: Swing time and stance time returned to their preoperative values on day 31, while maximum force, contact area, peak force ,and impulse returned to their preoperative values on day 45 after the surgery in the IACL-R group (P = 0.073, 0.053, 0.107, 0.052, 0.152, and 0.059, respectively).Thus, IACL-R restored normal gait. Compared with their preoperative concentrations, all tested inflammatory factors showed significantly increased concentrations in the synovial fluid in the IACL-R group, especially at 3, 7, and 15 days postoperatively. X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histological data showed severe cartilage damage in the IACL-R model.Conclusion: IACL-R restored normal gait features but caused significant cartilage damage, indicating that significantly elevated inflammatory factors maybe crucial for the pathogenesis of PTOA.
EMILIN2 Correlated With Its Methylation and Immune Infiltration Could Be an Independent Prognostic Biomarker in LGG
Authors: Wang Li-chong , Zhang Zhe , Tan Zi-long , Lv Qiao-li , Chen Shu-hui , Shen Xiao-Li
Published: March 2021

Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) are slow-growing brain cancer in central nervous system neoplasms. EMILIN2 is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein which could influence the progress of some tumour which is unclear in LGG. In our study, the methylation, expression, prognosis and immune value of EMILIN2 were analysed in LGG through bioinformatics analysis. we first analysed the LGG data from TCGA and discovered that the EMILIN2 expression, negatively correlated to the EMILIN2 methylation could predict a poor prognosis and associated with different clinical parameters. Moreover, univariate and multivariate Cox regression were performed in CGGA showed that the EMILIN2 could be an independent prognostic biomarker in LGG. Finally, EMILIN2 expression showed a correlation with gene makers in some immune cells which identified the significance of EMILIN2 in immune infiltration. In conclusion, EMILIN2 could act as an independent prognostic biomarker which might be associated with the malignancy and development of gliomas and play a crucial role in glioma in immune infiltration.
Deriving the Fluctuation Theorem for Information-Transmission Systems Using a Cyclic Chain-Reaction Sequence
Authors: Tsuruyama Tatsuaki
Published: March 2021

Chemical chain-reactions are pathways that can transmit information, as demonstrated by signal-transduction reactions in cell biology. In this study, we defined entropy as the logarithm of the concentration ratio of chemical species and considered the channel capacity for information transmission by maximizing the entropy. We hypothesized that the reaction chain has an orientation in which the reaction time for the reverse reaction is sufficiently long. According to this model, the logarithm of the forward and reverse transitional probability ratio was found to indicate the entropy-time average per unit reaction time, corresponding to the fluctuation theorem for thermodynamics regarding entropy production rate. This conclusion illuminates the process of signal transduction in cells and other biochemical systems and may provide insights into the relation between thermodynamic and information entropy.
Hidden Markov Model based Stride Segmentation on Unsupervised Free-living Gait Data in Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Authors: Roth Nils , Küderle Arne , Ullrich Martin , Gladow Till , Marxreiter Franz , Klucken Jochen , Eskofier Bjoern , Kluge Felix
Published: March 2021

Background: To objectively assess a patient's gait, a robust identification of stride borders is one of the first steps in inertial sensor-based mobile gait analysis pipelines. While many different methods for stride segmentation have been presented in the literature, an out-of-lab evaluation of respective algorithms on free-living gait is still missing.

Method : To address this issue, we present a comprehensive free-living evaluation dataset, including 146.574 semi-automatic labeled strides of 28 Parkinson's Disease patients. This dataset was used to evaluate the segmentation performance of a new Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based stride segmentation approach compared to an available dynamic time warping (DTW) based method.

Results: The proposed HMM achieved a mean F1-score of 92.1% and outperformed the DTW approach significantly. Further analysis revealed a dependency of segmentation performance to the number of strides within respective walking bouts. Shorter bouts (<30 strides) resulted in worse performance, which could be related to more heterogeneous gait and an increased diversity of different stride types in short free-living walking bouts. In contrast, the HMM reached F1-scores of more than 96.2% for longer bouts (>50 strides). Furthermore, we showed that an HMM, which was trained on at-lab data only, could be transferred to a free-living context with a negligible decrease in performance.

Conclusion: The generalizability of the proposed HMM is a promising feature, as fully labeled free-living training data might not be available for many applications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of stride segmentation performance on a large scale free-living dataset. Our proposed HMM-based approach was able to address the increased complexity of free-living gait data, and thus will help to enable a robust assessment of stride parameters in future free-living gait analysis applications
Development characteristic and formation mechanism analysis of collapse sinkholes in Wugaishan town, Chenzhou city, Hunan province, China
Authors: Pan Zongyuan , Chen Xuejun , Yang Xin , Song Yu , Ban Rulong , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: March 2021

The cover collapse sinkholes occurred and concentrated in Wugaishan town, Chen zhou city since 1996. The results are combined with results of site investigation, geophysical prospecting and in situ groundwater monitoring data, allowing the development characteristics and formation mechanism of surficial collapse incidents to be summarized. Collapse sinkholes are significantly active in recent years and mostly develop in the rainy season ranging from April to June and generally show a zonal distribution along the topography of study area from SW to NE. 92.31 % of total collapse events occurred in the thickness of overburden material ranged from 0 to 15 m, which indicated that overlying material less than 15 m was easier to collapse. The results show that collapse sinkholes have strong relationship with characteristic of overburden material, which sharply decrease in internal physical and mechanical property of bottom layer. Furthermore, substantial cavities formed within bedrock are the best transport channels and storage spaces for the unconsolidated material, especially under the condition of dynamic undulation of groundwater level. The formation mechanism of collapse sinkhole is divided into three types: infiltration erosion, coupling air implosion with vacuum cavitation and saturation erosion. Each formation mechanism is related to changes of groundwater level. When groundwater level rose above the soil-bedrock interface, saturated subsoil were easier to disintegrate into small particles and migrate downward as the vertical seepage of groundwater. The hydraulic gradient increased and became the predominant factor for the development of soil cavity as groundwater level dropped below the soil-bedrock interface. Moreover, when groundwater level sharply surged up at the relative sealed environment, the upward erosion roof of cavity would be more likely to collapse by the entrapped air blasting.
UV-green dichromacy in the basal hymenopteran Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae).
Authors: Guignard Quentin , Spaethe Johannes , Slippers Bernard , Strube-Bloss Martin , Allison Jeremy D.
Published: March 2021

A precondition for colour vision is the presence of at least two spectral types of photoreceptors in the eye. The order Hymenoptera is traditionally divided into the Apocrita (ants, bees, wasps) and the Symphyta (sawflies, woodwasps, horntails). Most apocritan species possess three different photoreceptor types. In contrast, physiological studies in the Symphyta have reported one to four photoreceptor types. To better understand the evolution of photoreceptor diversity in the Hymenoptera, we studied Sirex noctilio, which belongs to the superfamily Siricoidea, a sister group of the Apocrita. Our aim was to i) identify the photoreceptor types of the compound eye by electroretinography (ERG), ii) characterise the visual opsins genes of S. noctilio by genomic comparisons and phylogenetic analyses and iii) analyse opsin mRNA expression. ERG measurements revealed two photoreceptor types in the compound eye, maximally sensitive to 527 and 364 nm. In addition, we identified three opsins in the genome, homologous to the hymenopteran LW1, LW2 and UV opsin genes. The LW1 and UV opsins were found to be expressed in the compound eyes, and LW2 and UV opsins in the ocelli. The lack of a SW-homologous opsin gene and a corresponding receptor suggests that S. noctilio is a UV-green dichromate.
Intracortical Screw Insertion Plus Limited Open Reduction in Treating Type 31A3 Irreducible Intertrochanteric Fractures in the Elderly
Authors: Huang Xiao-wen , Hong Gu-qi , Zuo Qiang , Qun Chen
Published: March 2021

Objective: To discuss the clinical efficacy of intracortical screw insertion plus limited open reduction in treating type 31A3 irreducible intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 23 elderly patients with type 31A3 irreducible intertrochanteric fractures (12 males and 11 females, aged 65-89 years old, with an average of 75.6±5.1 years old) who received treatment at the orthopedics department of our hospital from September 2017 to August 2019. After type 31A3 irreducible intertrochanteric fractures were confirmed by intraoperative C-arm, all of these cases received intracortical screw insertion plus limited open reduction in the broken end with intramedullary screw internal fixation. The basic information of surgery, reduction effects, and FRS scores of the hip joint were assessed. Results: All patients were followed up for an average of 13.8 months. The operation time was 53.8±13.6min (40-95min). The intraoperative blood loss was 218.5±28.6ml (170-320ml). The average number of intraoperative X-rays was 22.8±4.6 (18-33). The average time to fracture union was 4.8±0.7 months. The reduction effect was assessed using Kim's fracture reduction evaluation. 20 cases achieved grade I fracture reduction and 3 cases grade II fracture reduction. All of them achieved excellent or good fracture reduction. Upon the last follow-up, the FRS score was 83.6±9.8, which was not significantly different from the FRS score (84.8±10.7) before the fracture (t= 0.397, P= 0.694). Conclusion: With careful preoperative preparation, intracortical screw insertion plus limited open reduction could achieve high-quality fracture reduction and fixation in elderly patients with type 31A3 irreducible intertrochanteric fractures. Good clinical outcomes were achieved without increasing operation time and intraoperative blood loss.
Effects of low-frequency noise from wind turbines on heart rate variability in healthy individuals
Authors: Chiu Chun-Hsiang , Lung Shih-Chun Candice , Chen Nathan , Hwang Jing-Shiang
Published: March 2021

Background: Wind power has been applied around the world as a source of clean energy. However, wind turbines generate low-frequency noise (LFN, 20-200 Hz), which poses health risks to nearby residents. This study aimed to assess heart rate variability (HRV) response to LFN exposure and to evaluate the LFN exposure (dB, LAeq) inside households located near wind turbines. Methods: Thirty subjects living within a 500 m radius of wind turbines were recruited. The field campaigns for LFN (LAeq) and HRV monitoring were carried out in July and December 2018. A generalized additive mixed model was employed to evaluate the relationship between HRV changes and LFN. Results: The results suggested that the standard deviations of all normal to normal R-R intervals reduced significantly by 3.39% with a 95% CI = (0.15%, 6.52%) per 7.86 dB (LAeq) of LFN in the exposure range of 38.2-57.1 dB (LAeq)—i.e., a 0.43% reduction per 1 dB (LAeq). The results of household monitoring showed that the indoor LFN exposure (LAeq) ranged between 30.7 and 43.4 dB (LAeq) at a distance of 124-330 m from wind turbines. The worst case had 99.6%, 89.1%, and 96.8% at daytime, evening, and nighttime, respectively, exceeding the LFN standards of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. Moreover, households built with concrete and equipped with airtight windows showed the highest LFN difference of 13.7 dB between indoors and outdoors. Conclusion: This work is the first study assessing the HRV impacts from turbine LFN in Asia, where wind turbines installed within short distances from residential areas. In view of the adverse health impacts of LFN exposure, there should be regulations on the requisite distances of wind turbines from residential communities for health protection.