bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative proteomic analysis of mild and severe endometritis determined by LC-MS/MS
Authors: Jiang Xingcan , Li Ziyuan , Huang Cong , Qiu Rendong , Wang Aihua , Lin Pengfei , Tang Keqiong , Chen Huatao , Zhou Dong , Jin Yaping
Published: April 2022

Xinong Saanen goats are among the most common dairy goats in China and serve as major sources of milk in the Chinese dairy industry. Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacterium frequently implicated in uterine diseases. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and is involved in pathogenic processes that lead to post-partum metritis and endometritis in dairy goats. After binding to toll-like receptor 4, LPS induces reactions in the endometrium, leading to acute or chronic inflammation, which impairs reproductive function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LPS on goat endometrial epithelial cells (gEECs) and the changes that occur in response to LPS. The proteomic map of gEECs exposed to different concentrations of LPS was studied using unlabeled liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 1178 proteins were identified in all samples, and 13 differentially expressed proteins were subjected to quantitative and gene ontology functional annotation analyses. In conclusion, this study shows that specific proteins expressed in the goat uterus are altered according to the concentration of LPS.
FBPP: Software to design PCR primers and probes for nucleic acid base detection method of foodborne pathogen
Authors: Soliman Mohamed A. , Azab Mohamed , Hussein Hala A. , Roushdy Mohamed M. , el-naga Mohamed N. Abu
Published: April 2022

Many foods have foodborne pathogens, and detection of it, is very important to serve safe supply of food, consequently reduce of foodborne diseases. Nucleic acid base detection method is one of the most rapid widely methods used in the detection of foodborne pathogens, it depends on the hybridizing between target sequence of the nucleic acid and oligonucleotide primers or probes complementary to the specific nucleic acid sequence of the targeted bacteria. Designing primers and probes for this method is a preliminary and critical step‏.‏ however, new bioinformatics tools are needed to automate, specific and improve the design sets to be used in Nucleic Acid base method. Thus, we developed Foodborne Pathogen primer prob design (FBPP), ‎an open-source Python-based application supported with SQL database for foodborne pathogen virulence factor, for (i) ‎ design primer /probe for detection purpose (ii) PCR & Gel electrophoreses Photo simulation (iii) check the specificity of primers / probe.
Model chain from microscale meteorological simulation to building simulation for spatially resolved heat resilience evaluation
Authors: Schünemann Christoph , Ziemann Astrid , Goldberg Valeri , Kunze Stefanie
Published: April 2022

To assess the heat resilience of buildings in urban development we designed a model chain approach from microscale meteorological simulations, resolving the spatial influences on urban climate, to building performance simulations, evaluating the indoor overheating risk in a building. In this context, the question arises how realistic the microscale meteorological simulation input is and how it affects the indoor comfort. Therefore, we applied the 3D urban climate model ENVI-met and the 1D boundary layer model HIRVAC for two urban districts in Germany as meteorological input for the indoor comfort evaluation of two representative buildings. The results demonstrate that ENVI-met simulations without using measured temperature data create unrealistically low diurnal variations in outdoor air temperature despite an overestimated solar irradiance. The implementation to building simulation leads to a tremendous overestimation of the indoor overheating intensity in both buildings and to wrong conclusions about the efficacy of passive heat adaptation measures. In contrast, the HIRVAC simulations show a more realistic representation of the selected meteorological boundary conditions. Our findings demonstrate that an adjusted boundary layer representation in microscale meteorological simulations is crucial to provide meteorological input suitable for indoor overheating analysis.
Evaluation of the margins and gingival status of full-crown restorations using a household intraoral camera
Authors: Chiu Shuting , Lee Yeh , Liu Min , Chen Hu , Liu Yunsong
Published: April 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the usefulness of intraoral photographs, acquired with a household intraoral camera operating in conventional, calibrated, and polarized modes, with clinical examinations for assessing the margins and gingival status of full-crown restorations.Methods: The clinical examination is performed by a prosthodontist expert who classifies the marginal status of full-crown restorations according to the FDI World Dental Federation, and periodontal expert who classifies the gingival status according to the Modified Gingival Index (MGI). The margins and gingival status of the conventional, calibration, and polarization groups of full-crown restorations were independently assessed by three evaluators who obtained photographs using an intraoral camera. Cases where at least two of three assessors were in agreement were analyzed using Cohen’s kappa coefficient and the chi-square test were calculated.Results: This study included 40 patients with 54 full-crown restorations. The conventional, calibration, and polarization groups differed significantly in marginal and gingival status of full-crown restorations. In the calibration group, there was good agreement between the camera-based and oral clinical examinations in terms of the gingival status of full-crown restorations (kappa = 0.945); this was also the case in the polarization group with respect to the margins of full-crown restorations (kappa = 0.917).Conclusions: An intraoral camera with black and white calibrated images is useful to assess the gingival status of full-crown restorations. Polarization mode can be used to assess the margins of full-crown restorations. The camera is a feasible and valid diagnostic aid.
A Novel Method for Prediction of Skin Diseases Using Supervised Classification Techniques
Authors: K Meena , Veni N N Krishna , Deepapriya B S , Vardhini P A Harsha , Kalyani BJD , L Sharmila
Published: April 2022

Skin diseases are the most important worrying problems in societies because it affects the patients both physically and psychologically. Skin disease is one of the highly prone to risk with an association of climatic factors around the world. Predicting the skin disease cases associated with influencing factors is the most crucial task. It is very difficult task to identify the appropriate and optimal features for skin disease from the large volume of health sector data available in the world. Previous researchers applied different types of ensemble features selection techniques for the appropriate selection of features which gives highest accuracy with minimum computation time. Classification rate of any algorithm depends on feature extraction techniques and classifier used for classification purpose. Data availability is one of the most significant drawbacks in the health sector if data is available that might be in raw format. Filling missing value and type conversion almost takes 70% of the time. The missing value can be addressed by statistical parameters such as mean, average, and median with stand mechanism in machine learning. The objective of this paper is the selection of significant attributes and removes irrelevant features that affect model performance. The performance of skin disease data can be experimented through K Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and random forest classifier. The efficiency of the proposed approach is measured through confusion matrix, accuracy, F-measure, precision and Recall.
Theory and experiment on terahertz vibrational spectrum of ferulic acid
Authors: Chang Tianying , Liang Jie , Wei Dongshan , Cui Hong-Liang
Published: April 2022

Ferulic acid (FA, C10H10O4), a type of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, has beneficial pharmacological effects and biological activities, and known for its high application value in medicine, health care and cosmetic products. The vibration spectrum of FA ranging from 0.3 THz to 2.0 THz has been investigated by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). The characteristic absorption peaks located at 0.937, 1.159, 1.464, 1.694 and 1.910 THz are obtained experimentally. To understand the origin of the characteristic absorption peaks of FA, density functional theory (DFT) calculations based on both isolated molecule and crystalline structure are performed. Combined analysis of the experimental and theoretical results informs that the characteristic absorption peak at 1.464 THz comes from intra-molecular interaction, and the ones at 0.937, 1.159, 1.694, and 1.910 THz originate from inter-molecular collective vibrational modes.
Kalmag: a high spatio temporal model of the geomagnetic field
Authors: Baerenzung Julien , Holschneider Matthias , Saynisch-Wagner Jan , Thomas Maik
Published: April 2022

We present the extension of the Kalmag model, proposed as a candidate for IGRF-13, to the 20th century. The dataset serving its derivation has been complemented by new measurements coming from satellites, ground-based observatories and land, marine and airborne surveys.

As its predecessor, this version is derived from a combination of a Kalman filter and a smoothing algorithm, providing mean models and associated uncertainties.

These quantities permit a precise estimation of locations where mean solutions can be considered as reliable or not.

The temporal resolution of the core field and the secular variation was set to 0.1 year over the 122 years the model is spanning. Nevertheless, it can be shown through ensembles a posteriori sampled, that this resolution can be effectively achieved only by a limited amount of spatial scales and during certain time periods. Unsurprisingly, highest accuracy in both space and time of the core field and the secular variation is achieved during the CHAMP and Swarm era.

In this version of Kalmag, a particular effort was made for resolving the small scale lithospheric field. Under specific statistical assumptions, the latter was modeled up to spherical harmonic degree and order 1000, and signal coming from both satellite and survey measurements was contributing to its development.

The model is available through various physical and statistical quantities on a dedicated website at https://ionocovar.agnld.uni-potsdam.de/Kalmag/
Hobson’s choice or a horned dilemma: a grounded theory on adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy verified with breast cancer survivors
Authors: AlOmeir Othman , Patel Nilesh , Donyai Parastou
Published: April 2022

Purpose: A literature review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research had enabled us to develop a grounded theory explaining the difficulties breast cancer survivors face with the initial decision to accept long-term endocrine therapy, and the everyday challenges of continuing or deciding to stop treatment early. Our objective was to interview a cohort of women in a UK setting to corroborate and complete the grounded theory with the end users’ primary involvement. Methods: A semi-structured interview schedule was written based on the existing grounded theory. Fourteen women with a history of hormone-positive breast cancer were recruited and interviewed. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed against the existing grounded theory. Results: The findings were compatible with the core theory ‘Hobson’s choice or a horned dilemma’ and its constituent categories previously developed, with additional concepts identified and added to our paradigm models. Importantly, we found that some women who started with a strong sense of commitment to their treatment changed their mind as they experienced the medication side-effects over time, impacting on their persistence with long-term endocrine therapy. Conclusion: The findings indicate an opportunity for health providers to intervene and influence women’s waning perceptions of the necessity of their treatment, for example upon experiencing the side-effects. Interventions could involve the provision of side-effect management strategies via accessible resources.
Real-world treatment and outcome patterns of patients with mantle cell lymphoma in China: a large, multicenter retrospective analysis
Authors: Yang Ping , Cai Qing-qing , Zhang Wei , Liu Shuo-zi , Liu Hui , Sun Xiu-hua , Dong Yu-jun , Xiao Xiu-bin , Wang Jing-wen , Li Zhen-ling , Huang Wen-rong , Li Li-hong , Bao Hui-zheng , Yang Wei , Wang Ya-lan , Wang Shu-ye , He Juan , Li Xiao-ling , Liu Ai-chun , Jing Hongmei
Published: April 2022

In this study, we aimed to investigate treatment options and the prognosis of patients with mantle cell lymphoma in China. 805 patients diagnosed with MCL between April 1999 and December 2019 at 19 comprehensive hospitals in China were included in this retrospective analysis. The median age of the cohort was 60.0 years with a male-to-female ratio of 3.36:1. 5-year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 30.9% and 65.0% respectively. High-intermediate/high risk group according to MIPI-c, without high-dose cytarabine, lack of Auto-SCT as consolidation and maintenance treatment and SD/PD in initial treatment remained statistically relevant to poor PFS on multivariate analysis (MVA), and ki67 ≥ 50%, B symtoms, high-intermediate/high risk group according to MIPI-c ,without high-dose cytarabine ,lack of maintenance treatment ,SD/PD in initial treatment and relapse/refractory state were independently associated with poorer OS on MVA. First-line high dose cytarabine exposure, auto-SCT as consolidation therapy obtained survival benefits in Chinese population. and our study further confirmed the value of maintenance treatment and explored the application of new drug treatment and bendamustine in R/R MCL patients.
LINC01137 involvement in pancreatic cancer stemness via the miR-7155-5p/KLF12/AKT axis
Authors: Peng Chenghong , Li Kexian , Feng Zengyu , Qin Kai , Ma Yang , Zhao Shiwei , Chen Peng , Lin Jiewei , Jiang Yongsheng , Han Lijie , Cao Yizhi , Luo Jiaxin , Shi Minmin , Chen Hao , Wang Jiancheng , Jiang Lingxi
Published: April 2022

Pancreatic cancer, which most commonly refers to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is one of the most malignant tumors, with a 5-year survival rate of about 4%. Pancreatic cancer stem cells play pivotal roles in chemoresistance and recurrence. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as key regulators of the biological progression of various cancers. Recently, lncRNAs were found to be associated with cancer stem cells, which are related to chemoresistance. LINC01137 has been reported as an oncogene in oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, its function and underlying mechanisms in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Online datasets were used to screen for cancer stem cell-associated lncRNAs and to confirm the relationship between LINC01137 and stem genes. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect RNA expression. In situ hybridization and nucleocytoplasmic separation were used to determine subcellular location. Direct binding of LINC01137 to miR-7155-5p was verified using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. LINC01137 was upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines. Its high expression correlated with advanced pathological stages and poor prognosis. Induction of LINC01137 expression boosted pancreatic cancer stemness, chemoresistance, and proliferation. Mechanistically, LINC01137 exerted its biological function by binding to miR-7155-5p to activate the KLF12/PI3K/AKT pathway. KLF12 also promoted LINC01137 expression. LINC01137 and KLF12 were involved in promoting PDAC tumorigenesis. Our results suggested that LINC01137 functions as an oncogene in pancreatic cancer and identified its post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, which may contribute to targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer.
LncRNA KCNQ10T1 shuttled by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosome inhibits sepsis via regulation of miR-154-3p/RNF19A axis
Authors: Yuan Haojie , Yu Junbo , Liu Chun , Liu Jiajia , Xue Jianhua , Zhao Heyan , Yang Yang
Published: April 2022

Objective
This study aims to discuss the role of exosomes KCNQ10T1 derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in sepsis, and to further investigate its potential molecular mechanisms.
Methods
Exosomes extracted from BMMSCs are identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blot. Fluorescence labeling is applied to detect the internalization of exosomes in receptors. The proliferation ability, migration ability and invasion ability of HUVECs are determined by CCK-8, EdU, wound healing and Transwell. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in sepsis cells are quantitatively detected by ELISA. Kaplan-Meier survival curve is used to describe the overall survival. RT-qPCR is used to detect mRNA expression of related genes. Bioinformatics analysis is performed to search the downstream target of KCNQ1OT1 and miR-154-3p and the interaction is verified by luciferase reporter assay.
Results
Exosomes derived from BMMSCs alleviated the toxicity in sepsis cell models and animal models. In mice with septic cell models, exosomal KCNQ10T1 was down-regulated and associated with lower survival. Overexpression of KCNQ10T1 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of LPS-induced HUVECs. Further research illustrated that miR-154-3p was the downstream target gene of KCNQ1OT1 and RNF19A was the downstream target gene of miR-154-3p. Importantly, functional research findings indicated that KCNQ1OT1 regulated sepsis progression by targeting miR-154-3p/RNF19A axis.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that the exosomal KCNQ1OT1 suppresses sepsis via mediating miR-154-3p/RNF19A, which provides a latent target for sepsis treatment.
Contemporary murals: Chemical characterisation of artists’ spray-paints
Authors: Marazioti Varvara , Douvas Antonios M. , Katsaros Fotios , Koralli Panagiota , Chochos Christos , Gregoriou Vasilis G. , Boyatzis Stamatios , Facorellis Yorgos
Published: April 2022

This study outlines the chemical characterisation of various commercial spray-paints in different colours as used in contemporary public murals, street art, and graffiti. The analyses were focused on the identification of the binding media, pigments, and additives. The aim of the study was twofold; to establish a protocol for the diagnosis of aerosol paints and to provide useful information, which could help conservators remove overpaintings from both commissioned murals and any other form of cultural heritage. A multi-technique approach was developed using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) for the identification of the main binder, pigments, and extenders, while Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and Raman spectroscopy were used as complementary tools for the determination of organic and inorganic pigments, and fillers. Three kinds of binders based on alkyd or acrylic resins modified with nitrocellulose and/or styrene, along with a variety of organic pigments and inorganic components were detected.
Establishment and validation of a DNA damage repair gene based model for ovarian cancer typing and prognosis
Authors: LI Yan , CHEN Shu-ran , Pan YANG , LIU Jing , Yuling Wang , HUANG Qiang , Rui DONG , Yinjiu HUANG , Jian LIU
Published: April 2022

Background
Under physiological conditions, DNA damage and repair are in a dynamic equilibrium. When this equilibrium is disrupted, the cell undergoes pathological changes, eventually the cell becomes cancerous. Ovarian cancer (OC) is a malignant disease with unique genomic characteristics, most of the chemotherapeutic agents currently used in ovarian cancer depend on the balance between damage and repair of DNA (DDR). DDR-related genes have potential value as prognostic indicators for ovarian cancer.
Results
DDR-related genes can well typing ovarian cancer patients, 16 genes associated with prognosis of ovarian cancer patients (CH25H, CCR7, CACNA1C, SLC4A8, CXCL11, UBD, TRPV4, RPS6KA2, FCGBP, TOMM20L, STX18, PI3, CMBL, ISG20, AKAP12, and PIGS) were screened as risk genes for the construction of ovarian cancer prognostic models.
Conclusion
Based on DDR-related genes for ovarian cancer typing and studying the prognostic relevance of differential genes between typing on ovarian cancer, 16 genes were screened for predicting poor prognosis of OC. To provide research directions for subsequent drug development and research basis for clinical application.
Thermally Tunable Infrared Metalens Using Phase Change Material
Authors: Buhara Ebru , Ghobadi Amir , Ozbay Ekmel
Published: April 2022

Metamaterials and their two-dimensional forms, metasurfaces, have been studied intensively due to their unique features that usually do not exist in nature. Due to their unusual properties, they have found their way into many different application areas. One of these application areas is metalens application, where the metasurfaces are formed as flat lenses and they bend the wavefront of the outgoing electromagnetic wave. Metalenses are a candidate to replace the spherical lenses because they are much smaller, they are easy to fabricate, and they are a solution to aberration problems. In this paper, a metalens structure with \(11 \mu\)m operating wavelength is studied. In addition to working at the long infrared wavelength, the dynamic feature is brought to the metalens with the addition of vanadium dioxide, and power control at the focal point is obtained.
Anticoagulant monitoring of rivaroxaban by chromogenic anti-Xa assays and UHPLC-MS/MS in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Liu Xiao-qin , Gu Yi , Zhang Yu-fei , Shen Wei , Gu Zhi-chun , Zhong Ming-kang , Ding Hong-yan , Ma Chun-lai
Published: April 2022

Background: Monitoring the level of anticoagulation by rivaroxaban in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is valuable in clinical practice. Our study aimed to measure the plasma levels of rivaroxaban both by chromogenic anti-Xa assays and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in Chinese patients with NVAF, and compare with the expected drug levels. Materials and methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted to include NVAF patients taking rivaroxaban. Rivaroxaban levels were determined using UHPLC-MS/MS and chromogenic anti-Xa assays (Biophen DiXal and Zhenyuan anti-Xa). The correlation and agreement among measurements by different assays were evaluated. The rivaroxaban levels in Chinese patients were also compared with the expected drug levels, which were estimated from previous clinical trials and widely accepted. Results: A total of 243 plasma samples were collected from 182 patients. Results measured using the two chromogenic anti-Xa assays were both linearly correlated with those measured using UHPLC-MS/MS, especially in the range of 50–200 ng/mL, but the concentrations determined using anti-Xa assays were systematically underestimated. Rivaroxaban levels measured by either UHPLC-MS/MS or chromogenic anti-Xa assays were both larger than the expected ranges. There was no difference in the distribution of concentration whether the patients took an appropriate dose or not. However, for Chinese patients with an inappropriate lower dose, trough concentrations were less likely to exceed the expected concentration ranges.Conclusion: Rivaroxaban concentration in patients with NVAF were highly variable compared to the expected ranges estimated from clinical trials, whether measured by UHPLC-MS/MS or chromogenic anti-Xa assays. Chinese patients taking an appropriate rivaroxaban dose are more likely to obtain a rivaroxaban concentration level higher than expected, independent on the assay used.
Multi-parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Regeneration in a Standardized Partial Hepatectomy Rat Model
Authors: Shen Wen , Qiu Caixin , Xie Shuangshuang , Sun Yajie , Yu Yongquan , Zhang Kun , Wang Xuyang , Zhu Jinxia , Grimm Robert
Published: April 2022

Background : We aimed to evaluate the correlation between the pathological changes and multi-parameter MRI characteristics of liver regeneration (LR) in a standard partial hepatectomy (PH) rat model.Methods : Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: MR scan group (n = 14) and pathologic analysis (PA) group (n = 56). All 14 rats in the MR group underwent liver T1 mapping, T2 mapping, and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) before and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th, and 21st day after 70% hepatectomy. Seven rats in the PA group were euthanized at each time point to determine Ki-67 indices, hepatocyte size (HTS), and steatosis grade.Results : Liver T1 and T2 values increased to maximum on day 2 (P < .001 vs. baseline), D and K values decreased to minimum on day 3 and 2, respectively (P < .001 vs. baseline), then all parameters returned to baseline gradually. Hepatocyte Ki-67, hepatocyte size and steatosis grade initially increased after surgery (P < 0.05 vs. baseline), followed by a gradual decline over time. Both T2 and K values correlated well with Ki-67 indices (r = 0.756 and -0.807, respectively; both P < .001) and steatosis grade (r = 0.814 and -0.725, respectively; both P < .001), moderate with HTS (r = 0.640 and -0.562, respectively; both P < .001).Conclusions : PH induced liver changes that can be observed on MRI. The MRI parameters correlate with the LR activity and allow monitoring of LR process.
Human β-defensin-3 and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 synergistically promote the cell proliferation and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Du Yongxiu , Yang Yanlan , Zhang Wenbo , Yang Chenxi , Xu Pu
Published: April 2022

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a usual oral cancer; it’s necessary to identify targets for its early diagnosis and treatment. This research aimed to investigate the roles of human β-defensin-3 (hBD-3) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in the pathogenesis and progression of OSCC. Methods: The connection between NF-κB p65 and the carcinogenesis of oral cancer was explored by immunohistochemical staining. The relative expressions of hBD-3 and NF-κB p65 in OSCC cells were evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Afterwards, hBD-3 was knocked down, and NF-κB p65 was overexpressed. The cell viability and invasion were tested via CCK-8 and Transwell experiment, and the expression of hBD-3, NF-κB p65 and its downstream molecules were evaluated by Western blot. Results: The content of NF-κB p65 was increased with the aggravation of oral submucosal fibrosis. hBD-3 and NF-κB p65 were high-expressed in OSCC cells. The viability and invasion abilities of OSCC cells that knocking down hBD-3 were markedly decreased, while they were restored by co-overexpression of NF-κB p65. The expressions of NF-κB p65, c-myc were decreased and IκB, p21 were increased with the knockdown of hBD-3. After co-overexpression of NF-κB p65, the expression of hBD-3 and IκB didn’t change significantly, while c-myc and p21 was dramatically changed. Conclusion: hBD-3 and NF-κB p65 facilitate the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells, and hBD-3 may promote this process by regulating the expression of NF-κB p65 and its downstream c-myc and p21.
Microbial Production of Toluene in Oxygen Minimum Zone Waters in the Humboldt Current System off Chile
Authors: Sr Benjamín M , Pantoja-Gutiérrez Silvio
Published: April 2022

Expansion of oxygen minimum zones (OMZ) in the world´s oceans is likely to enhance production of anaerobic metabolites by marine microorganisms. Here we show that the aromatic hydrocarbon toluene is present throughout the year in shelf waters of the upwelling ecosystem of the Humboldt Current System off Concepción (36ºS), Chile, and it is a product of microbial anaerobic metabolism of the water column. The intra-annual variability in toluene concentrations within the water column is consistent with seasonal variability in the relative strengths of suboxic equatorial and well-oxygenated subantarctic water masses that interact in the study area. These observations were complemented with data from laboratory incubations of OMZ water –– showing microbial production of toluene in the absence of O2. Toluene concentrations were elevated in deeper O2-depleted waters and followed a seasonal pattern. Toluene was also detected in the oxygenated waters of subantarctic origin that impinge on the continental shelf and replace OMZ waters every year during austral winter. Since toluene production was not detected in incubations under aerobic conditions, we hypothesize that OMZ waters export toluene to surrounding oxygenated waters. Expansion of OMZ waters in the world will certainly enhance production and export of anaerobic metabolites by marine microorganisms.
Functional optimization of electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) using human corneal epithelial cells
Authors: Ebrahim Abdul Shukkur , Ebrahim Thanzeela , Kani Hussein , Ibrahim Ahmed S. , Carion Thomas W. , Berger Elizabeth
Published: April 2022

An intact epithelium is key to maintaining corneal integrity and barrier function which can lead to impaired ocular defense and sight-threatening opacity when compromised. Electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing or ECIS is a non-invasive method to measure real-time cellular behaviors including barrier function and cell migration. The current study uses ECIS technology to assess and optimize human telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial cells (HUCLs) to generate quantifiable measurements that accurately reflect changes in cell behavior in vitro. Five cell densities were assessed in two different media to determine the optimal conditions for monitoring of cellular behavior over time. Parameters of evaluation included: overall impedance (Z), barrier resistance (R), cell capacitance (C), and mathematical modeling of the R data to further generate Rb (the electrical resistance between HUCLs), α (the resistance between the HUCLs and the substrate), and Cm (the capacitance of the cell membrane) measurements. All parameters of assessment strongly indicated DMEM/F12 at 60,000 cells as the optimal condition for ECIS assessment of HUCLs. Furthermore, this work highlights the ability of the sensitive ECIS biosensor technology to comprehensively and quantitatively assess corneal epithelial cell structure and function and the importance of optimizing not only cell density, but choice of media used for in vitro culturing.
Higher expression of High-mobility Group AT Hook Protein 2 (HMGA2) in the border zone compared to the center zone of glioblastoma and a tendency that high HMGA2 expression in the border zone may have a poor impact on survival
Authors: Nohman Amin I. , Schwarm Frank P. , Stein Marco , Schänzer Anne , Koch Christian , Uhl Eberhard , Kolodziej Malgorzata
Published: April 2022

Introduction: High-mobility group AT-hook protein 2 (HMGA2) is a gene regulatory protein that correlates with malignancy, metastatic potential, and poor prognosis. It has been shown that HMGA2 is overexpressed in various tumors such as esophageal squamous cell cancer, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. The invasive character and highly aggressive structure of glioblastoma led us to invest the HMGA2 expression in the border zone of the tumor more closely. We compared the HMGA2 expression in glioblastoma and normal brain tissue. Also, we analyzed and compared the HMGA2 expression in the border zone and center zone of the tumor. HMGA2 expression was additionally correlated with clinical parameters such as sex, age, MGMT methylation status, progression-free survival, and overall survival.Methods: Samples from 23 patients with glioblastoma WHO grade 4 were analyzed for HMGA2 expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Areas from the tumor center and border were analyzed separately. Two normal brain tissue specimens served as controls. Results were compared with molecular results and clinical parameter. Results: Both, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry displayed a significantly higher HMGA2 expression in glioblastoma compared to normal brain tissue (qPCR p=0.013, IHC p=0.04). Moreover, immunohistochemistry showed a significantly higher HMGA2 expression in the border zone of the tumor than in tumor center zone (p=0.012). Survival analysis revealed a tendency to a shorter survival if HMGA2 was highly expressed in the border zone. No significant correlation between HMGA2 expression and survival was obtained.Conclusion: In summary, the results display an overexpression of HMGA2 in the border zone of glioblastomas and thus thorough surgical resection of the vital and aggressive border cells might be important to inhibit the invasive character of the tumor.
Early exposure to enriched environment protects apoptosis and improves behavioral improvement by downregulating Fas/FasL signaling pathway after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
Authors: Cho Sung-Rae , Lee Hoo Young , Song Suk-Young , Hwang Jihye , Baek Ahreum , Kim Sung Hoon , Park Jung Hyun , Pyo Soonil
Published: April 2022

Early rehabilitation presents favorable outcomes for stroke patients. However, the optimal strategy for early rehabilitation is unclear currently due to the current limitation in the data on the effects of early initiation of rehabilitation based on voluntary exercise. During the hyperacute phase of ischemic stroke, upregulation of Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis is observed. Environmental enrichment (EE) is a therapeutic paradigm for laboratory animals that consists of complex combinations of physical, cognitive, social stimuli and voluntary exercise. Few studies delineated the effect of EE on apoptosis in an experimental model of hyperacute stroke. The aim of the study is to determine whether hyperacute exposure to EE can effectively regulate Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis following hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and improve neurobehavioral function. C57Bl/6 mice were randomly assigned to either EE or standard cage (SC) within 3 hours or on day 3 after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury for 2 weeks. Neurobehavioral tests, transcriptome analysis, Western Blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed in the brain samples of cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and total infarct volume was calculated. Compared with SC, hyperacute exposure to EE was associated with greater improvement in anxiety, motor function, cognitive ability, reduced total infarct volume, and decreased neuronal death. It significantly downregulated Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis, decreased expression of Fas, FADD, cleaved caspase-8/caspase-8, cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3, as well as Bax/Bcl-2 in both regions. Overall, the results of this study demonstrates that the early exposure to EE is a neuroprotective therapeutic translation for stroke rehabilitation through effective inhibition of extrinsic as well as intrinsic apoptotic pathways.
Observation of Curative Effect on Meridian Theory-based Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Non-specific Low Back Pain: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: 凡 勇福 , Liu Feilai , Li Mengna , 阮 晓迪 , Wu Mingli , 苏 凯奇 , Gao Jing , Feng Xiaodong
Published: April 2022

Background
Non-specific low back pain (NLBP) is a major global socioeconomic burden, and the prevalence of NLBP is still on the rise. At present, there is no ideal cure effect of drugs for this disease. This may be the reason why patients often use complementary therapies. Among them, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has gradually received more attention and has become the main treatment method for NLBP. The purpose of this study is to provide scientific evidence for the effect and safety of meridian theory-based ESWT on NLBP.
Objective
This study aims to evaluate the effect and safety of meridian theory-based ESWT on NLBP. This study will also provide more high-quality experimental evidence for the clinical application of meridian theory-based ESWT for the treatment of NLBP in the future.
Methods
This study is a single-blind, multi-center, randomized controlled trial. 64 patients with NLBP, aged 18 to 60 years, will randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group(N.=32), which will receive meridian theory-based ESWT application, and the control group(N.=32) which will receive conventional ESWT treatment. These two applications will be carried out twice a week for two weeks. The primary outcomes will be Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The secondary outcome will be Surface Electromyography (sEMG). All outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and after the intervention (7 days, 14 days).
Discussion
The results of this multi-center randomised controlled trial will contribute to providing rigorous clinical evidence for the efficacy and security of meridian theory-based ESWT for NLBP.
Trial registration:
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100051049. Registered on 10 September 2021, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=46316
EFFECT OF THE THIRD DOSE OF ASTRAZENECA VACCINE ON THE ABILITY TO GENERATE ANTI-RBD ANTIBODIES WITHIN TWO AT-RISK POPULATIONS, GERIATRICS AND HEALTH PERSONNEL IN THE PROVINCE OF TUCUMÁN
Authors: Ruiz Luis Medina , Contreras Miguel Ferre , Molina Eliana , Aguilar Mónica , Costas Dardo , Aznar Patricia , Alcorta María Elena , Lara Laura , Barrenechea Guillermo Gabriel , Ortega Eugenia Silvana , Peral María de los Ángeles
Published: April 2022

This study aims to evaluate the effect on the ability to generate Anti-Anti RBD antibodies (Anti-SAR-CoV 2-Spike-RBD) to the third dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in two at-risk populations in the Province of Tucumán. Humoral immune responses, assayed by anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike-RBD IgG ELISA, were measured in 223 participants, including geriatric patients and healthcare workers, at 0, 14 and 28 days after receiving third dose of the AstraZeneca between October and December 2021 in Tucuman, Argentina. The antibodies title in geriatric patients with and without previous COVID-19 diseases and complete vaccine schedule increased significantly 14 days after receiving the third dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine (p<0.001). When compared Antibody Concentration in geriatric patients with and without a history of COVID-19 14 days post-vaccination, the increase in antibodies was higher in those who did not have a previous history of COVID-19 (p<0.05). The antibodies title in healthcare personnel with and without previous COVID-19 diseases and complete vaccination increased significantly 14 days post-vaccination with the third dose of AstraZeneca (p<0.01). There was a negative correlation between age and antibodies titer 14 days after the third dose of COVID vaccine in persons with no history of disease (rs= -0.36, p=0.0001). While persons with a history of COVID-19 did not have a significant correlation (rs= -0.03; p=0.8). The results obtained provide information on antibodies dynamics after the third dose with AstraZeneca in a context of vaccine heterogeneity, indicating the importance of baseline studies of antibodies and hybrid immunity when considering vaccination policies.
Constructing an adaptability evaluation framework for community disaster management from an earthquake event
Authors: Lin Bih-Chuan , Lee Chun-Hung
Published: April 2022

The frequency and intensity of natural disasters continue to increase with climate change, especially earthquake disasters, causing community in the serious damage and casualties. How to improve community awareness and adaptability to disasters is key point for policymakers, because each community may bring different perspectives to understanding community disaster adaptive and resilience. Based on the aspects of adaptive capacity and community resilience, we adopting the choice experiment (CE) to assess the disaster prevention preferences of urban and suburban residents to establish an adaptive evaluation framework for community disaster management. The results show features that affect the differentiation of community residents' participation regarding community disaster management program are : 1) to have a regularly disaster prevention drills, 2) to cooperate drills with local governments, 3) to train to become a disaster prevention vanguard, and 4) to assemble NGOs and government forces to respond for disaster-occurring. The scenario of integrated disaster prevention educations and community organization transformation has the highest welfare effects among all the proposed scenarios; And only if the disaster prevention management preference and disaster perception ability of community residents are applied to the disaster prevention strategy, so that disaster management can be effectively implemented in the community. These findings provide useful theoretical construction and policy inspiration for the government in the development of disaster management and community disaster management organizations.
Genomic analyses identify critical significant biological processes in prunetin treated gastric cancer cells
Authors: Wang Mengshan , Chang Tingxiang
Published: April 2022

Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor in the digestive system and surgery is the only radical treatment. Prunetin is a kind of O-methylated flavonoid that belongs to the group of isoflavone executing beneficial activities, which recently showed treatment effects on a variety of cancers. However, the mechanism of prunetin in gastric cancer is still unclear. Here, we aim to discover the key genes and signaling pathways by analyzing the RNA-seq data. The GSE198930 was created by the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (Homo sapiens). The KEGG and GO analyses revealed that "Biosynthesis of cofactors" and "Carbon metabolism" were the main changed biological processes. Moreover, we revealed several interactive genes including MYC, SRC, ASNS, SHMT2, PSAT1, CXCL8, EIF4EBP1, PSPH, SLC1A5, and MTHFD2. Our study may provide novel insights into the treatment of gastric cancer.
Impact of Sugarcane outgrower Scheme on Income of Participating Households: empirical evidence around Wonji/Shoa Sugar Factory, Ethiopia
Authors: FEDI GUTEMA BATI , Asefa Fekadu Dereje , Waktola Abebe Tafa
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Contract farming has been practiced in the sugarcane outgrowers scheme at Wonji/Shoa sugar factory more than two decade. However, their economic impact of participating farmers is remains underexplored. The study, is therefore, analyzed the impact of sugarcane outgrower scheme on participant households by comparing with non contract farm households around Wonji/Shoa sugar factory area. The propensity score matching and probit model was used to estimate scheme impact on income and determine factors influencing participation, respectively. The probit model result show that age, total farm area and distance of the farm area from sugar factory weigh bridge/main road have positively and statistically effects participation where as farming experience and livestock asset holding have negatively and statistically influenced farmers’ participation. The propensity score matching estimates show that compared with their non-participant counterparts, participation in sugarcane outgrower scheme farming is associated with less beneficial effects in proxy measures of the average farm household's farm income per adult equivalent with statistically significant at 1% probability level. In conclusion, finding stress the need for appropriate policy formulation and implementation on improving the farm households’ income of participants which economically benefits contract smallholder farmers. These may include improving the productivity and efficiency of sugarcane production, optimizing cost of production, encouraging the scheme farmers to diversify their livelihoods, improving the price of sugarcane output per tonnage, and additional support by third parties.

Keywords : Outgrower scheme, Sugarcane, Wonji/Shoa, farm household income, Oromia, Ethiopia
NISQ Algorithm for Hamiltonian simulation via truncated Taylor series
Authors: Lau Jonathan Wei Zhong , Haug Tobias , Kwek Leong Chuan , Bharti Kishor
Published: April 2022

Simulating the dynamics of many-body quantum systems is believed to be one of the first fields that quantum computers can show a quantum advantage over classical computers.
Noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) algorithms aim at effectively using the currently available quantum hardware. For quantum simulation, various types of NISQ algorithms have been proposed with individual advantages as well as challenges.
In this work, we propose a new algorithm, truncated Taylor quantum simulator (TQS), that shares the advantages of existing algorithms and alleviates some of the shortcomings. Our algorithm does not have any classical-quantum feedback loop and bypasses the barren plateau problem by construction. The classical part in our hybrid quantum-classical algorithm corresponds to a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP) with a single quadratic equality constraint, which admits a semidefinite relaxation. The QCQP based classical optimization was recently introduced as the classical step in quantum assisted eigensolver (QAE), a NISQ algorithm for the Hamiltonian ground state problem. Thus, our work provides a conceptual unification between the NISQ algorithms for the Hamiltonian ground state problem and the Hamiltonian simulation. We recover differential equation-based NISQ algorithms for Hamiltonian simulation such as quantum assisted simulator (QAS) and variational quantum simulator (VQS) as particular cases of our algorithm.
We test our algorithm on some toy examples on current cloud quantum computers. We also provide a systematic approach to improve the accuracy of our algorithm.
Quantum oscillations in interaction-driven insulators
Authors: Allocca Andrew , Cooper Nigel
Published: April 2022

In recent years it has become understood that quantum oscillations of the magnetization as a function of magnetic field, long recognized as phenomena intrinsic to metals, can also manifest in insulating systems.
Theory has shown that in certain simple band insulators, quantum oscillations can appear with a frequency set by the area traced by the minimum gap in momentum space, and are suppressed for weak fields by an intrinsic ``Dingle damping'' factor reflecting the size of the bandgap.
Here we examine quantum oscillations of the magnetization in excitonic and Kondo insulators, for which interactions play a crucial role.
In models of these systems, self-consistent parameters themselves oscillate with changing magnetic field, generating additional contributions to quantum oscillations.
In the low-temperature, weak-field regime, we find that the lowest harmonic of quantum oscillations of the magnetization are unaffected, so that the zero-field bandgap can still be extracted by measuring the Dingle damping factor of this harmonic.
However, these contributions dominate quantum oscillations of magnetization at all higher harmonics, thereby providing a route to measure this interaction effect.
More on the three-gluon vertex in SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in three and four dimensions
Authors: Maas Axel , Vujinovic Milan
Published: April 2022

The three-gluon vertex has been found to be a vital ingredient in non-perturbative functional approaches. We present an updated lattice calculation of it in various kinematical configurations for all tensor structures and multiple lattice parameters in three dimensions, and in a subset of those in four dimensions, for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in minimal Landau gauge. In three dimensions an unambiguous zero crossing for the tree-level form-factor is established, and consistency for all investigated form factors with a power-like divergence towards the infrared is observed. Using very coarse lattices this is even seen towards momenta as low as about 15 MeV. The results in four dimensions are consistent with such a behavior, but do not yet reach deep enough into the infrared to establish it.