bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical, Photoluminescence and Optical Investigation of ZnO Nanoparticles Sintered at Different Temperatures
Authors: Sedky Ahmed , Ali Atif , Somaily H.H , Algarni H
Published: March 2021

We report here structural, electrical, photoluminescence (PL), and optical investigations of ZnO nanoparticles. The ZnO samples are initially sintered at various temperatures (T s ) (600-1200 o C) temperatures and their size is reduced twice to nanoscale by using ball friction at 200 rpm rotational speed and 30 minutes duration. It is found that the T s do not influence the well-known peaks associated with the ZnO hexagonal structure, whereas the constants of the lattice and the average crystallite diameters are affected. Although the nonlinear area is observed for all samples in the I-V curves, the breakdown field E B and nonlinear coefficient β are moved to lower values as T s increases, while the residual voltage K r and nonlinear conductivity (σ 2 ) are increased. The empirical relations for K r , E B , and β as a function of T s are; K r = 0.004 T s – 0.487, E B = -1.786T s +2559.5 and β = -0.052 T s +75.19. On the other hand, a maximum UV absorption shift (A max ) is obtained at 412 nm, 400 nm, 384 nm, and 326 nm as the T s increases up to 1200 o C. For each sample, two different energy band gap values are obtained; the first is called the basic bandgap (E gh ) and its value above 3 eV, while the second is called the optical band gap (E gL ), and its value below 2.1 eV. Moreover, the empirical relations of them are E gh = 0.002 T s - 0.24, E gl = -0.0033 T s +5.242 and ∆E = - 0.0015 T s +5.002. Furthermore, the values of (N/m*) and lattice dielectric constant ε L are increased by increasing T s up to 1200 o C, while the vice is versa for the interatomic distance R. The dielectric loss tan δ is almost linear above 4 eV for all samples, and it decreases sharply as the T s increases. The optical and electrical conductivities σ opt and σ ele are decreased as the T s increases up to 1200 o C. Finally, the characteristic of UV band edges against the optimum value of PL intensity for the samples shows 8-continuous peaks. Furthermore, the PL intensity of the peaks is decreased by increasing T s and also by shifting the UV wave number towards the IR region.
Antibiotic drug resistance pattern of uropathogens seen in the first episode of community-acquired pediatric urinary tract infections at a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Sari Eyup , Yazilitas Fatma , Celebi Fatma Zehra Oztek , Akcaboy Meltem , Akisoglu Ozlem , Senel Saliha
Published: March 2021

BackgroundIncreased antibiotic resistance is a significant problem associated with higher morbidity, mortality, and costs in managing urinary tract infections (UTI). This study aims to analyze the antimicrobial resistance profile of uropathogens isolated from children with the first attack of community-acquired UTI.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2010-December 2016, with the patients aged one month to 18 years diagnosed with the first attack of community-acquired UTI at the pediatric outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Patients' age, sex, UTI history, clinical findings at admission, urine analysis, urine culture, and antibiogram results were recorded.ResultsA total of 1086 patients and 1086 cultures were included in the study. The male/female ratio was 1/5.3. The mean age of the children was 73.7±47.1 (0.4-215.9) months. 16.0% were aged 1-24 months. E. coli was the most common causative agent found to be 85.1% in frequency. The overall antimicrobial resistance was found to be highest for ampicillin, followed by piperacillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (63.5, 41.6 and 38.1%, respectively). Imipenem, amikacin, and tobramycin had the least resistance (0.5, 0.5, and 7.6%, respectively). The overall antimicrobial resistance against amoxicillin-clavulanate, ampicillin-sulbactam, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone was 19.4, 24, 25.9 and 21.1%; respectively.Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase positivity was detected in 5.6% (n=61) of samples.ConclusionOur study showed significant increase in antimicrobial resistance to the most common antibiotics which are prescribed before urine culture results and antibiotic sensitivities are available. The resistance rates for amoxicillin-clavulanate, ampicillin-sulbactam, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone were almost 20% or above in children with the first UTI attack in an outpatient setting.
Quantized classical response from spectral winding topology
Authors: Li Linhu , Mu Sen , Lee Ching Hua , Gong Jiangbin
Published: March 2021

Topologically quantized response is one of the focal points of contemporary condensed matter
physics. While it directly results in quantized response coefficients in quantum systems, there
has been no notion of quantized response in classical systems thus far. This is because quantized
response has always been connected to topology via linear response theory that assumes a quantum
mechanical ground state. Yet, classical systems can carry arbitrarily amounts of energy in each mode,
even while possessing the same number of measurable edge modes as their topological winding. In
this work, we discover the totally new paradigm of quantized classical response, which is based on
the spectral winding number in the complex spectral plane, rather than the winding of eigenstates
in momentum space. Such quantized response is classical insofar as it applies to phenomenological
non-Hermitian setting, arises from fundamental mathematical properties of the Green’s function,
and shows up in steady-state response, without invoking a conventional linear response theory.
Speciﬁcally, the ratio of the change in one quantity depicting signal amplification to the variation
in one imaginary ﬂux-like parameter is found to display fascinating plateaus, with their quantized
values given by the spectral winding numbers as the topological invariants.
Neutralization of IL-33 Modifies the Type 2 and Type 3 Inflammatory Signature of Viral Induced Asthma Exacerbation.
Authors: Warren Kristi J , Poole Jill A , Sweeter Jenea M , DeVasure Jane M , Dickinson John D , Peebles R. Stokes , Wyatt Todd A
Published: March 2021

Background: Respiratory viral infections are one of the leading causes of need for emergency care and hospitalizations in asthmatic individuals, and airway-secreted cytokines are released within hours of viral infection to initiate these exacerbations. IL-33, specifically, contributes to these allergic exacerbations by amplifying type 2 inflammation. We hypothesized that blocking IL-33 in RSV-induced exacerbation would significantly reduce allergic inflammation. Methods: Sensitized BALB/c mice were challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA) to establish allergic inflammation, followed by RSV-A2 infection to yield four treatment groups: Saline only (Saline), RSV-infected alone (RSV), OVA alone (OVA), and OVA-treated with RSV infection (OVA-RSV). Lung outcomes included lung mRNA and protein markers of allergic inflammation, histology for mucus cell metaplasia and lung immune cell influx by cytospin and flow cytometry. Results: While thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and IL-33 were detected 6 hours after RSV infection in the OVA-RSV mice, IL-23 protein was uniquely upregulated in RSV-infected mice alone. OVA-RSV animals varied from RSV- or OVA-treated mice as they had increased lung eosinophils, neutrophils, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) detectable as early as 6 hours after RSV infection. Neutralized IL-33 significantly reduced ILC2 and eosinophils, and the prototypical allergic proteins, IL-5, IL-13, CCL17 and CCL22 in OVA-RSV mice. Numbers of neutrophils and ILC3 were also reduced with anti-IL-33 treatment in both RSV and OVA-RSV treated animals as well. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicate a broad reduction in allergic-proinflammatory events mediated by IL-33 in RSV-induced asthma exacerbation.
Phase II Study of Metronomic Treatment With Daily Oral Vinorelbine as First-line Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced/metastatic HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer Resistant to Endocrine Therapy: VinoMetro – AGO-B-046
Authors: Krajnak Slavomir , Decker Thomas , Schollenberger Lukas , Rosé Christian , Ruckes Christian , Fehm Tanja , Thomssen Christoph , Harbeck Nadia , Schmidt Marcus
Published: March 2021

PurposeMetronomic chemotherapy (MCT) is an increasingly used treatment option in hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced/metastatic breast cancer (MBC) after failure of endocrine-based therapies. MethodsVinoMetro was a multicentre, open-label, single-arm, phase II study of metronomic oral vinorelbine (VRL; 30 mg/day) as a first-line chemotherapy (CT) in patients with HR+/HER2- MBC after endocrine failure. The primary endpoint was the clinical benefit rate (CBR) at 24 weeks. ResultsBetween January 2017 and April 2019, 9 patients were enrolled. The CBR was 22.2% (90% confidence interval [CI] 4.1–55.0), p=0.211. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12.0 weeks (95% CI 11.3–12.7). Grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 22.2% of patients. One patient died of febrile neutropenia.ConclusionVinoMetro (AGO-B-046) was closed early after 9 patients and occurrence of one grade 5 toxicity in agreement with the lead institutional review board (IRB). Metronomic dosing of oral VRL in HR+/HER2- MBC as first-line CT after failure of endocrine therapies showed only limited benefit in this population.Trial registration number and date of registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03007992; December 15, 2016
miR-142-3p and HMGB1 Are Negatively Regulated in Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration and Autophagy of Cartilage Endplate Cells
Authors: Wang Bo , Ji Demin , Xing Wenhua , Li Feng , Huang Zhi , Zheng Wenkai , Xue Jianmin , Yang Xuejum , Zhu Yong
Published: March 2021

Background: cartilage endplate (CEP) degeneration plays a vital role in the pathological process of intervertebral disc degeneration. It has been previously reported that microRNAs may participate in the occurrence and development of intervertebral disc degeneration through regulating its’ target genes directly. The regulatory roles of miR-142-3p /HMGB1 in some orthopedic diseases have been determined successively, but there was no report about the degeneration of CEP. Therefore, we aimed to determine the regulation of miR-142-3p /HMGB1or potential molecular mechanisms on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and autophagy of CEP cells.Methods: the target gene of miR-142-3p was determined by double luciferase assay. We selected ATDC5 cell lines. CCK-8 method was used to detect cell proliferation. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to determine gene expression levels, and western blot analysis was used to determine protein expression levels. We chose the flow cytometry to measure cell apoptosis and cell cycle.Results: the result of luciferase detection showed that the target gene of miR-142-3p in CEP cells was HMGB1. Knockdown the miR-142-3p inhibited the expression level of HMGB1, the proliferation and migration of CEP cells, but it promoted apoptosis of CEP cells. In addition, the detection results of the proteins related to apoptosis or autophagy showed that knockdown of miR-142-3p promoted apoptosis and autophagy.Conclusion: The negative regulation of miR-142-3p /HMGB1 can affect the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and autophagy of CEP cells. Our results provided a new idea for the targeted treatment of CEP degeneration by inhibiting the expression of HMGB1.
Marine fish larvae consistently use external cues for orientation
Authors: Berenshtein Igal , Faillettaz Robin , Irisson Jean-Olivier , Kiflawi Moshe , Siebeck Ulrike , Leis Jeffery , Paris Claire
Published: March 2021

The larval stage is the main dispersive mechanism of most marine teleost fish species. The degree to which larval behavior controls dispersal outcome has been a subject of debate in the past decades. Multiple studies demonstrated orientation mechanisms in several species separately, however a cross-species analysis examining fundamental orientation traits has not been carried out. Here, we apply a cross-species meta-analysis, focusing on the fundamental question of whether larval fish use external cues for directional movement. We compare the observed directional patterns to those expected under a strict use of internal cues. We find that the bulk of fish larvae use external cues for directional swimming, highlighting the contribution of larval orientation behavior to larval dispersal outcome. This finding is an essential step towards a proper implementation of larval behavior in biophysical dispersal models, improving our understanding of population connectivity, and facilitating sustainable management and conservation of marine resources.
Silencing Sirtuin5 induces DNA damage by suppressing the pentose phosphate pathway in a demalonylation-dependent manner: A possible target for anticancer therapy in CRC
Authors: Wang Hao-Lian , Chen Yan , Wang Yun-Qian , Tao En-Wei , Tan Juan , Liu Qian-Qian , Li Chun-Min , Tong Xuemei , Gao Qin-Yan , Hong Jie , Chen Ying-Xuan , Fang Jingyuan
Published: March 2021

A previous study by our research group showed that sirtuin5 (SIRT5), a member of the class III NAD＋-dependent deacetylase family, is highly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study showed that deletion of SIRT5 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis as a result of continuous and irreparable DNA damage in CRC cells, a consequence of the impaired production of ribose-5-phosphate (R5P) which is essential for nucleotide synthesis. Consistently, the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by SIRT5 silencing could be reversed by supplementation with four nucleotides. Moreover, metabolic profiling revealed that silencing of SIRT5 could inhibit the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), which produces R5P, required for base ribosylation. Notably, SIRT5 activates transketolase (TKT), the key enzyme in the cellular non-oxidative PPP, by mediating its lysine demalonylation through the interaction between SIRT5 and TKT. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that TKT is essential for the SIRT5-induced malignant phenotypes of CRC, both in vivo and in vitro. These results therefore revealed that the increased lysine malonylation levels of TKT caused by silencing SIRT5 suppresses non-oxidative pentose phosphate metabolism, leading to a low-nucleotide pool. This in turn induces DNA damage in tumor cells and inhibits proliferation, suggesting that SIRT5 may serve as a potential anticancer target.
Injections and Infections: Understanding Syringe Service Program Utilization in a Rural State
Authors: Thakarar Kinna , Sankar Nitysari , Murray Kimberly , Lucas Frances Lee , Burris Deb , Smith Robert
Published: March 2021

Background: Increasing rates of injection drug use (IDU) associated-infections suggest significant syringe service program (SSP) underutilization. Our study objective was to assess patient knowledge, attitudes, and practices of safe injection techniques and to determine predictors of SSP utilization in a rural state. Patients and Methods: This was a fifteen-month cross-sectional study of participants hospitalized with IDU-associated infections in Maine. Data were collected through Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview survey and medical record review. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize injection knowledge, attitudes and practices. The primary outcome was SSP utilization, and the main independent variable was self-reported distance to SSP. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated SSP utilization, controlling for gender, homelessness, history of overdose, having primary care physician and distance to SSP. Results: Of the 101 study participants, 65 participants (64%) reported past 3 month SSP utilization, though only 33% used SSPs frequently. Many participants (57%) lived more than 10 miles from an SSP. Participants who lived less than 10 miles of an SSP were more likely to use an SSP (adjusted odds ratio 5.39; 95% CI 1.9-15.7). Conclusions Our study highlights unsafe injection practices and lack of frequent SSP utilization among people admitted with IDU-associated infections in a rural state. Especially given increasing stimulant use, these results also highlight the need for SSP access even among individuals prescribed medication for opioid use disorder. Particularly in rural areas where patients may live more than 10 miles from an SSP, expansion of harm reduction services, including mobile units, should be a priority.
Oldest (ca. 518 Ma) Mariana type oceanic subduction initiation ophiolite: constraining initiation of modern oceanic plate tectonic regime
Authors: Yao Jinlong , Cawood Peter , Zhao Guochun , Han Yigui , Xia Xiao-Ping , Liu Qian , Wang Peng
Published: March 2021

Initiation of stable Mariana type one-sided oceanic subduction zones requires rheologically strong oceanic lithosphere, which developed through secular cooling of Earth mantle. This enabled the development of focused high stress zones resulting in narrow weak zones of convergence with resultant oceanic subduction leading to mantle hydration and arc magmatism. Based on detailed study and identification of the oldest (518 Ma) Mariana type oceanic subduction initiation ophiolite (Munabulake ophiolite) on Earth from northern Tibet, along with compilation of oceanic subduction initiation ophiolites through Earth history, we argue for the initiation of modern plate tectonic regime by at least the early Cambrian. The mantle and crust members of the Munabulake ophiolite preserve a complete ophiolite stratigraphy. Blocks of layered marble and siliceous rocks interlayered with meta-basalt indicate a marine environment. Zircons from an olivine gabbro sample yield a concordant age of 518 Ma, along with mantle derived low δ18O (2.69‰ – 5.7‰) and high εHf(t) (11.1–13.6) values. The zircons also have varied H2O contents ranging from 109–1339 ppm with peaks at 260 and 520 ppm, indicative of hydration of mantle derived magma. The highly depleted peridotites display U–shaped REE patterns and varied Zr/Hf ratios, whereas spinel and olivine compositions within the peridotites indicate that they are residues of various degrees of melt extraction and evolved from abyssal to fore-arc peridotites. The crustal members of the ophiolite are mostly tholeiitic, display flat REE patterns and lower HFSEs, comparable to transitional lavas associated with Mariana subduction initiation ophiolite. Some rocks from the crustal section of the ophiolite display NMORB-like compositions but are also characterized by depletion in HSFEs. Therefore, the Munabulake ophiolite displays a chemical duality and progressively evolved from MORB (mid-ocean ridge basalt) to SSZ (supra-subduction zone) compositions, consistent with observations from zircon Hf-O isotopes and H2O contents. Furthermore, the ophiolite was formed during subduction initiation of the Proto-Tethys Ocean at the northern Gondwana margin, and coincided with an inferred slab roll back event in the southern Gondwana margin at ca. 530 − 520 Ma, indicative of a time of global tectonic re-organization. The early Cambrian Munabulake ophiolite indicates comparable slab strength and conditions to those that characterize modern plate tectonics. Such a tectonic regime coincided with final Gondwana assembly, and was associated with ca. 530 − 520 Ma global tectonic re-organization.
Socioeconomic Inequality in Exclusive Breastfeeding Behavior and Ideation Factors for Social Behavioral Change in Three North-western Nigerian States: a Cross-sectional Study.
Authors: Abegunde Dele , Hutchinson Paul , Anaba Udochisom , Adebagbo Foyeke Oyedokun , Johansson Emily White , Feyisetan Bamikale , Mtiro Emma
Published: March 2021

BackgroundSocioeconomic inequalities could mitigate the impact of social and behavior change (SBC) interventions aimed at improving positive ideation towards the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. This study explores the empirical evidence of inequalities in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and associated ideational domains of the theory of Strategic Communication and Behavior Change in three north-western Nigeria states. MethodsWe used cross‐sectional data from 3,007 randomly selected women with under-two-year-old children; the convenient regression method was applied to estimate the concentration indexes of exclusive breastfeeding behavior, ranked by household wealth index. Inequality was decomposed to associated ideational factors and sociodemographic determinants. Avoidable inequalities and the proportion of linear redistribution to achieve zero inequality were estimated. ResultsWomen from wealthier households were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding (CIx = 0.1236, p-value = 0.00). Attendance of at least four antenatal clinic visits (ANC 4+) was the most significant contributor to the inequality, contributing CIx = 0.0307 (p-value = 0.00) to the estimated inequality in exclusive breastfeeding practice. The elasticity of exclusive breastfeeding behavior with respect to partners influencing decision to breastfeed and ANC4+, were 0.1484 (p-value = 0.00) and 0.0825 (p-value = 0.00) respectively. Inequality in the regular attendance at community meetings (CIx = 0.1887, p-value =0.00); ANC 4+) (CIx = 0.3722, p-value = 0.00); and maternal age (CIx = 0.0161, p-value = 0.00) were pro-rich. A 10.7% redistribution of exclusive breastfeeding behavior from the wealthier half to the poorer half of the population could eliminate the inequality (line of zero inequality). Inequalities were mainly in the cognitive and social norms domain and were all pro-poor.ConclusionSocioeconomic inequalities exist in exclusive breastfeeding behaviour: the associated ideations in the study states but are mostly avoidable. A 10.7% redistribution from wealthier to the poorer half of the population will achieve elimination. Messaging for SBC communication interventions to improve breastfeeding practices could be more effective by targeting the mitigation of these inequalities.
Developmental decrease of entorhinal gate disrupts prefrontal-hippocampal communication in immune-challenged DISC1 knockdown mice
Authors: Xu Xiaxia , Song Lingzhen , Kringel Rebecca , Hanganu-Opatz Ileana
Published: March 2021

The prefrontal-hippocampal dysfunction that underlies cognitive deficits in mental disorders emerges during early development. The contribution of the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC), a gatekeeper of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HP), to the early dysfunction is fully unknown. Here we show that the poorer LEC-dependent associative recognition memory detectable at pre-juvenile age is preceded by abnormal communication within LEC-HP-PFC networks of neonatal mice mimicking the combined genetic and environmental etiology (GE) of disease. The prominent entorhinal drive to HP is weaker in GE mice as a result of sparser projections from LEC to CA1 and decreased efficiency of axonal terminals to activate the hippocampal circuits. In contrast, the direct entorhinal drive to PFC is not affected in GE mice, yet the PFC is indirectly compromised, as target of the under-activated HP. Thus, already at neonatal age, the entorhinal function gating prefrontal-hippocampal circuits is impaired in a mouse model of disease.
Malaria en route to elimination in two endemic coastal environments of southern India: an eco-epidemiological analysis from 2004 to 2019
Authors: Reegan Appadurai Daniel , Kumar Chandrabose Senthil , Justin Johnson Amala , Udhayakumar Pandia Nadar , Balavinayagam Shanmugasundaram , Tamilmaran Palaniyandi , Natesan Angaiah , Gopinath Sundararaj , Joe Nirmal , Arthur Roshini
Published: March 2021

Background

Coastal environment and climatic condition are more suitable in propagation of mosquito vectors, and malaria parasite transmission throughout the year. In the present investigation, malaria prevalence in two endemic coastal localities of India viz., Besant Nagar (Chennai district) and Pamban (Rameshwaram district) were analysed from 2004 to 2019.
Methods

Malaria surveillance data and entomological data from malaria clinic were used to investigate epidemiological parameters. The annual malaria cases were correlated with highest maximum temperature.
Results

The analysis showed that the malaria case (P.v. and P.f.) report were directly proportional to the temperature increase. Malaria cases were remarkably increased from 2004 to 2011 and subsequently, both P.v. and P.f. cases were drastically reduced till 2019. P. vivax was higher than P. falciparum and male population was found to be more affected. Mixed infection of P.v. & P.f. was observed only in Besant Nagar site (0.3%). The most affected age group was adult age group (15 years and above) in both Besant Nagar (76.1%) and Pamban (69.5%).
Conclusions

Improved surveillance, complete treatment and integrated vector control activities showed declining trend of malaria cases in both the coastal sites towards malaria elimination.
Precision measurements on oxygen formation in stellar helium burning with gamma-ray beams and a Time Projection Chamber
Authors: Smith Robin , Gai Moshe , Stern Sarah , Schweitzer Deran , Ahmed Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Stellar Evolution theory relies on our knowledge of nuclear reactions, with the carbon/oxygen (C/O) ratio, at the end of helium burning, being the single most important input. However, the C/O ratio is still not known with sufficient accuracy, due to large uncertainties in the cross section for the fusion of helium with 12C to form 16O, denoted as the 12C(α,γ)16O reaction. We present initial results at moderately low energies using a novel method, which is significantly different from the experimental efforts of the past four decades. Precise angular distributions of the 12C(α,γ)16O reaction were obtained by measuring the inverse 16O(γ,α)12C reaction with gamma-beams and a Time Projection Chamber detector. These allowed us to measure, for the first time, the interference angle of the l = 1 and 2 partial waves contributing to this reaction (φ12), which agrees with predictions based on the unitarity of the scattering matrix.
Does Fiscal Decentralization and Green Innovation mitigate the environmental pollution with the help of Institutional governance? Evidence from Asian Countries using novel (MMQR)
Authors: Rani Tayyaba
Published: March 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A Proof-of-Concept Study of Maternal Immune Activation Mediated Induction of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) and Inflammasome Pathways Leading To Neuroprogressive Changes and Schizophrenia-Like Behaviors in Offspring.
Authors: Talukdar Pinku Mani , Abdul Fazal , Maes Michael , Berk Michael , Venkatasubramanian Ganesan , Kutty Bindu M , DEBNATH MONOJIT
Published: March 2021

Infection, particularly prenatal infection leads to an enhanced risk of schizophrenia in the offspring. Interestingly, few data exist on the pathway(s) such as TLR and inflammasome, primarily involved in sensing the microorganisms and inducing downstream inflammatory responses, apoptosis and neuroprogressive changes in the prenatal infection-induced risk of schizophrenia. Herein, we aimed to discern whether prenatal infection-induced maternal immune activation (MIA) causes schizophrenia-like behaviors through activation of TLR and inflammasome pathways in the brain of offspring. Sprague Dawley rats (n=15/group) were injected either with poly (I:C) or LPS or saline at gestational day (GD)-12. Significantly elevated plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-17A assessed after 24 hours were observed in poly (I:C) and LPS-treated rats, indicating MIA. The offspring rats of poly (I:C)-and LPS-treated dams displayed increased anxiety-like behaviors, deficits in social behaviors and prepulse inhibition. The hippocampus of offspring rats showed increased expression of TLR3, TLR4, NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 of poly (I:C) and TLR3, TLR4, NLRP3, Cas1, IL-1β, and IL-18 of LPS-treated dams. Notably, the expression of these genes showed a positive correlation with apoptotic and a negative correlation with neuroprotective genes. Furthermore, TLR and inflammasome genes had significant impact on social deficits and impaired prepulse inhibition in offspring rats. The results suggest MIA due to prenatal infection perhaps trigger TLR, inflammasome and apoptotic pathways leading to the induction of schizophrenia-like behaviors in the later stages of life. Prenatal infections seem to drive neuroprogression and subsequently schizophrenia-like symptoms through a common central pathway involving TLR, inflammasome and apoptosis.
The Real-World status and risk factors for a poor prognosis in elderly patients with primary central nervous system malignant lymphomas: a multicenter retrospective cohort study of the Tohoku Brain Tumor Study Group 
Authors: Asano Kenichiro , Yamashita Yoji , Ono Takahiro , Natsumeda Manabu , Beppu Takaaki , Matsuda Kenichiro , Ichikawa Masahiro , Kanamori Masayuki , Matsuzaka Masashi , Kurose Akira , Saito Kiyoshi , Sonoda Yukihiko , Ogasawara Kuniaki , Fujii Yukihiko , Shimizu Hiroaki , Ohkuma Hiroki , Kitanaka Chifumi , Kayama Takamasa , Tominaga Teiji
Published: March 2021

Introduction
The number of elderly patients with primary central nervous system malignant lymphoma(EL-PCNSL) has been increasing. However, due to their poor pre-treatment Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS) and many comorbidities, it is possible that sufficient treatment has not been performed. We therefore conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate risk factors associated with a poor prognosis of the Real-World status of EL-PCNSL in the Tohoku Brain Tumor Study Group.
Methods
Patients aged ≥ 71 years with PCNSL were enrolled from 8 centers. Univariate analysis was performed by the log-rank test. A Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.
Results
Three of total 142 cases received best supportive care(BSC) from the beginning. Treatment was given to 30 cases without a pathological diagnosis, 3 cases with a cerebrospinal fluid diagnosis, and 100 cases with CD20-positive DLBCL diagnosis. Total 133 cases(median age 76 years) were included. The median pre-treatment KPS was 50%. There were 117(88.0%) patients with 213 pre-treatment comorbidities(1.8 comorbidities per patient). PFS and OS were 16 months and 24 months, respectively. Risk factors associated with poor prognosis on Cox proportional hazards model were pre-treatment cardiovascular disease and central nervous system disease comorbidities, post-treatment pneumonia and other infections, and the absence of radiation or chemotherapy.
Conclusions
EL-PCNSL was actively treated and BSC was only a few. Pre-treatment comorbidities and post-treatment complications would influence the prognosis. Radiation and chemotherapy were found to be effective, but no conclusions could be drawn regarding the content of chemotherapy and whether additional radiation therapy should be used.
Photobiomodulation Improves the Inflammatory Response and Intracellular Signaling Proteins Linked To Vascular Function and Cell Survival in the Brain of Aged Rats
Authors: Cardoso Fabrizio , Mansur Fernanda , Araújo Bruno , Gonzalez-Lima Francisco , Silva Sérgio Gomes da
Published: March 2021

Photobiomodulation is a non-pharmacological tool widely used to reduce inflammation in many tissues. However, little is known about its effects on the inflammatory response in the aged brain. We conducted the study to examine anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation in aging brains. We used aged rats (20 months old) with control (handled, laser off) or transcranial laser (660 nm wavelength, 100 mW power) treatments for 10 consecutive days and evaluated the level of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and the expression and activation of intracellular signaling proteins in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Inflammatory analysis showed that aged rats submitted to transcranial laser treatment had increased levels of IL-1alpha and decreased levels of IL-5 in the cerebral cortex. In the hippocampus, the laser treatment increased the levels of IL-1alpha and decreased levels of IL-5, IL-18 and fractalkine. Regarding the intracellular signaling proteins, a reduction in the ERK and p38 expression and an increase in the STAT3 and ERK activation were observed in the cerebral cortex of aged rats from the laser group. In addition, the laser treatment increased the hippocampal expression of p70S6K, STAT3 and p38 of aged rats. Taken together, our data indicate that transcranial photobiomodulation can improve the inflammatory response and the activation of intracellular signaling proteins linked to vascular function and cell survival in the aged brain.
Do we really need sub-micron resolution to analyse single cell molecular features through vibrational spectroscopy? A pilot study using Plasmodium falciparum-infected Human Erythrocytes
Authors: Banas Agnieszka , Banas Krzysztof , Chu Trang Thi Thu , Naidu Renugah , Hutchinson Paul Edward , Agrawal Rupesh , Lo Michael , Kansiz Mustafa , Chandramohanadas Rajesh , Breese Mark
Published: March 2021

Malaria is one of the major life-threatening diseases to afflict humanity with an estimated 228 million cases worldwide in 2018. There exists no approved Malaria vaccine on the market yet, partly due to the complexity of the parasite life cycle and the vast repertoire of polymorphic proteins they express during different stages of development. In this work, we have tested two emerging spectroscopic approaches: Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy combined with infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) in contrast to the more traditional Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) microspectroscopy which has emerged recently as a new promising tool to provide label-free analysis of cell and tissue sections. Examples of chemical spatial distributions of selected bands and spectra for Plasmodium falciparum infected RBCs collected with the three modalities are presented and compared together with advantages and limitations of each method. Based on these results, it appears that O-PTIR and AFM-IR techniques can be explored as powerful tools for the analysis of cells and ipso facto, these methods can help in better understanding complex processes occurring within heterogeneous objects such as infected RBC due to their superior spatial resolution in comparison with traditional approaches for infrared spectroscopic characterization.
Parsplana Vitrectomy Alone Versus Parsplana Vitrectomy Combined With Phacoemulsification for The Treatment of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Randomized Study
Authors: Mora Paolo , Favilla Stefania , Calzetti Giacomo , Berselli Giulia , Benatti Lucia , Carta Arturo , Gandolfi Stefano , Tedesco Salvatore Antonio
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND: To compare parsplana vitrectomy (PPV) with and without phacoemulsification to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).DESIGN: parallel, randomized trial.METHODS: subjects aged 48 - 65 years with RRD in a phakic eye due to superior retinal tears with an overall extension of retinal breaks < 90° underwent to PPV alone (group A); or PPV plus phacoemulsification (phacovitrectomy, PCV, group B). Post-operative follow-up visits occurred at 1 week, 1 month (m1), 3 months (m3), and 6 months (m6) after surgery. The main outcome was the rate of retinal reattachment. Secondary outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), central macular thickness (CMT), and cataract progression (in the lens-sparing [PPV-alone] group).RESULTS: in this initial phase of the study a total of 59 patients (mean age: 55 years, 59 eyes) were enrolled: 29 eyes in group A and 30 eyes in group B. Both groups had similar gas tamponade. During the follow-up there were three cases of RRD recurrence in group A and one in group B. The relative risk of recurrence in group A was 3.22 times higher but the difference was not significant (p = 0.3). The two groups were also similar in terms of BCVA and IOP variation. At m3, CMT was significantly higher in group B (p = 0.014). In group A, cataract progression was significant at m6 (p = 0.003).CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of RRD patients selected according to their preoperative clinical characteristics, PPV was comparable to PCV in terms of the rate of retinal reattachment after 6 months.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN15940019Date registered: 15/01/2021 (retrospectively registered)
A dual-functional ferroferric oxide/quantum dots theranostic nanoplatform for fluorescent labeling and photothermal therapy
Authors: Yin Naiqiang , Wang Xianling , Yang Tonghui , Ding Yanli , Li Liqiang , Li Peng , Xu Xiaoliang , Zhu Lixin
Published: March 2021

A biocompatible, nontoxic theranostic nanoplatform consisting of mesoporous silica-coated ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4) and Mn-doped ZnS-ZnS quantum dots has been synthesized via a layer-by-layer method. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer, magnetometry, and fluorophotometer were employed to characterize the nanoplatform. The nanoplatform exhibited excellent superparamagnetic, fluorescent and light adsorption properties. A template method was introduced to form a mesoporous silica structure on the nanoplatform, lowering the mass of the nanoplatform and effectively promoting the absorption of incident light, compared with traditional silica layer. In addition, after endocytosis of the nanoplatform, cancer cells were easily detected under fluorescence microscope because of the excellent fluorescent behavior of quantum dos. Moreover, vitro cell experiments confirmed that nanoplatform possessed perfect photothermal effect to destroy tumor cells under the laser irradition. Therefore, ferroferric oxide/quantum dots nanoplatforms, combined with fluorescent labeling and photothermal therapy for cancer cells, are expected to be a promising biopotential materials in the field of diagnosis and treatment.
Revictimization and the Specificity Hypothesis- Do Different Subtypes of Interpersonal Violence Predict Each Other?
Authors: Langer Lioba , Neuner Frank
Published: March 2021

Background: Revictimization refers to the finding that victims of child abuse have an increased risk of experiencing violence as adolescents and adults. To date, revictimization has been well documented for sexual violence. Recent findings show that the same phenomenon occurs for physical and emotional types of violence and indicate specificity in the relationship. In particular, childhood sexual abuse predicts sexual violence in adulthood and childhood physical abuse predicts future physical victimization. Although emotional violence is among the most harmful types of maltreatment, emotional revictimization has not yet been systematically documented. The aim of this study was to investigate how the three different types of childhood abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional) were related to the three different types of adult victimization (sexual, physical, and emotional).Methods: In an online survey of 135 adult women with high levels of victimization, sexual, physical and emotional experiences of violence were assessed separately for childhood and adulthood.Results: Linear regressions indicated specific relationships between childhood sexual and physical abuse and sexual violence in adulthood (standardized beta coefficients .33*** and .21*), while childhood physical abuse predicts physical violence in adulthood (standardized beta coefficient .44***). Emotional violence experiences in adulthood were predicted by childhood sexual and emotional abuse (standardized beta coefficients .20*** and .08*).Conclusions: The findings partly support the specificity hypothesis of revictimization and have significant implications for practice, particularly for the development of more effective approaches to preventing repeated violence.
Freeze-dried Carboxymethyl Chitosan/starch Foam for Use as Hemostatic Wound Dressing
Authors: Jungprasertchai Nalintorn , Chuysinuan Piyachat , Ekabutr Pongpol , Niamlang Pimolpun , Suphaphol Pitt
Published: March 2021

Prolonged bleeding is a general complication that occurs after tooth extraction or oral surgery. Thus, patients must apply pressure and use absorbable wound dressings to stop bleeding and prevent blood loss. This method can stop bleeding and create blood clotting. However, some people have bleeding disorders or cannot stop bleeding with applied pressure after oral surgery. Therefore, hemostatic foam dressing has been an interesting material that can be used to stop bleeding and not damage blood clotting in the wound site. In this study, foam was prepared using a blend of starch with carboxymethyl chitosan and glyoxal as a crosslinking agent. The foam was formed by freeze-drying. Carboxymethyl chitosan/starch foam can absorb and hold water rapidly as analyzed by blood clotting assay and maximum swelling. Thus, carboxymethyl chitosan/starch foam (CM/starch foam) in a 1:4 ratio with 1% glyoxal can also absorb blood very well with suitable properties. It is non-cytotoxic to human dermal fibroblast cells by MTT assay and has good mechanical properties in a wet environment.
Nitrification Inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole Phosphate Improves Nitrogen Recovery and Accumulation in Cotton Plants by Reducing NO3- Leaching Under 15N-urea Fertilization
Authors: de Paulo Ezio Nalin , Galindo Fernando Shintate , Rabêlo Flávio Henrique Silveira , Frazão Joaquim José , Lavres Jose
Published: March 2021

Purpose: The use of nitrification inhibitors could be an interesting alternative to enhance nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency in annual crops such as cotton, under tropical soil conditions. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the efficiency of nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) in a typical tropical soil, evaluating the fate of nitrogen (N-NO3-, N-NH4+ and total N in soil and leached water), N-accumulation and N recovery by cotton plants and soil. Methods: Leaching columns with cotton plants were used to access N-NO3- and N-NH4+ losses in drainage water. Treatments consisted in three N levels applied in side-dressing (corresponding to 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1) as 15N-urea with and without DMPP application. An additional treatment (absence of N application in side-dressing) was used as control. Results: 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate was efficient to improve N recovery from applied urea fertilizer in plants and in the soil by reducing NO3- leaching, leading to enhanced N acquisition from fertilizer and soil, augmenting plants N-accumulation, mainly when high N levels above 100 kg N ha-1 were applied. We found that total N recovery increased 31% when 150 kg N ha-1 was applied as urea + DMPP source compared to conventional urea. In addition, DMPP application reduced NO3- leaching losses (c.a. of 11 to 20%), although had no significant effect on shoot and root dry matter yield. Conclusion: The reduction of NO3- leaching losses highlights the potential of DMPP to mitigate the impact of increased urea input on leaching losses thereby improving N use efficiency and N uptake in cotton crop.
Ecotourism risk assessment in Yaoluoping Nature Reserve, Anhui, China based on GIS
Authors: Tang Xuehai , Wu Yanping , Ye Jun , Lv Haiyan , Sun Feixia , Huang Qingfeng
Published: March 2021

With the continuous increase of tourism development and human disturbance, the functional structure distribution, sustainable utilization of resources and ecological benefits of nature reserves have been affected, and its ecological risk has increased significantly. This study proposes ecotourism development patterns for risk areas at each level, to provide a basis for stabilizing and promoting the ecological sustainable development of nature reserves. Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve in China is used as a study example. Based on GF-2 satellite data within the reserve area in 2017, ENVI, Fragstats and ArcGIS10.2 are used for land use classification as well as evaluation indicators selection and analysis. The ecotourism risk assessment model of the reserve is constructed, which is combined with the analytic hierarchy process and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. The model consists of landscape ecology, topographic hydrology, land use and human activities factors, and it can produce the distribution map at the ecotourism risk level of the reserve. Results show that the high ecotourism risk areas in the reserve are mainly located around rivers and roads, and they are distributed in strips. Overall, the ecotourism risk level in the northern part of the reserve is higher than that in the southern part. Nearly 90% of the regional ecotourism risk is at the middle or low level, implying the reserve in a healthy level overall. However, except for low risk areas, the proportion of risk areas at all levels in the core zone is higher than that in the buffer zone.
Spatial landslide susceptibility mapping using integrating an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with two multi-criteria decision-making approaches
Authors: Paryani Sina , Neshat Aminreza , Pradhan Biswajeet
Published: March 2021

Landslide is a type of slope processes causing a plethora of economic damage and loss of lives worldwide every year. This study aimed to analyze spatial landslide susceptibility mapping in the Khalkhal-Tarom Basin by integrating an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with two multi-criteria decision-making approaches, i.e. the stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) and the new best-worst method (BWM) techniques. For this purpose, the first step was to prepare a landslide inventory map, which were then divided randomly by the ratio of 30/70 for model training and validation. Thirteen conditioning factors were used as slope angle, slope aspect, altitude, topographic wetness index (TWI), plan curvature, profile curvature, distance to roads, distance to streams, distance to faults, lithology, land use, rainfall and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). After the database was created, the BWM and the SWARA methods were utilized to determine the relationships between the sub-criteria and landslides. Finally, landslide susceptibility maps were generated by implementing ANFIS-SWARA and ANFIS-BWM hybrid models, and the ROC curve was employed to appraise the predictive accuracy of each model. The results showed that the areas under curves (AUC) for the ANFIS-SWARA and ANFIS-BWM models were 73.6% and 75% respectively, and that the novel BWM yielded more realistic relationships between effective factors and the landslides. As a result, it was more efficient in training the ANFIS. Evidently, the generated landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs) can be very efficient in managing land use and preventing the damage caused by the landslide phenomenon.
Design and investigation of a high-sensitivity PCF sensor for the detection of sulfur dioxide
Authors: Nizar Mohamed , Caroline Elizabeth , Krishnan Prabu
Published: March 2021

A vertical photonic crystal fiber (V-PCF) and horizontal PCF (H-PCF) are designed for the detection of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in this paper. A demanding numerical investigation is carried out in a wider range of wavelengths from 0.8 µm to 1 µm. SO2 is a major contributor to air pollution, which is responsible for asthma and cancer. The optical parameters are analyzed by using the Finite Element Method (FEM) which consumes a completely circular isotropic Perfectly Matched Layer (PML). The designed V-PCF sensor test is performed with different PML radius values, different elliptical constants for the inner cladding, the outer cladding layer, and the core. The higher relative sensitivity of 59.34% makes this proposed V-PCF a good design for SO2 detection.