bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydropower Generation by Transpiration from Microporous Alumina
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Ishii Satoshi , Nozaki Ryusuke , Nagao Tadaaki
Published: February 2021

Traditional hydropower generation is one of the most sustainable energy sources; however, the local environmental impact of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs is serious, and hydroelectric power requires high-cost turbines and generators. Because these installations utilize gravitational potential energy of massive volumes of falling water, this sort of hydropower generation is unsuitable for ubiquitous, small-scale energy production. Here, we report that wetting and evaporation of pure water from a tiny block of porous alumina generates electrical current in the direction of water transpiration. The current induced in microporous alumina is associated with mass transport of water accompanying ions that accumulate near the negatively charged surface of alumina pores. Without any pre-treatment or additives, once evaporation commences, a 3×3 cm2 piece of alumina can generate an open-circuit voltage as large as 0.27 V. The power generation scheme we propose here is simple, clean, and versatile, and it can be employed anywhere, as it utilizes only spontaneous capillary action of water and Coulombic interaction at the alumina-water interface, without requiring any input of heat or light.
Utilizing Sewage Wastewater Heat in District Heating Systems in Serbia - Effects on Sustainability
Authors: Živković Marija , Ivezic Dejan
Published: February 2021

Transformation of the heating sector is recognized as being essential for ensuring reliable and affordable energy services provided with reduced consumption of energy sources, diminished impact on the environment and less import dependency. The possibility of utilizing energy sources that otherwise would be wasted needs to be considered and treated as a big advantage of district heating systems. Despite many advantages, sewage wastewater heat is still a mostly unused resource at the global level and a totally unused energy source in Serbia, while data about the potential of this energy source are lacking. This research proposes a methodology for the determination of the technical potential of waste heat from wastewater treatment facilities for use in district heating systems by heat pump application. Data from existing wastewater treatment facilities are used for providing data for replication in cities without wastewater treatment plants but with district heating systems. An estimation of the recoverable heat energy potential of wastewater is used for evaluation of some effects that could be obtained through its full utilization for heat production in the existing district heating systems. Three groups of indicators are selected for analysis focusing on district heating systems' energy performance (primary energy factor, specific heat consumption per degree day and heating area), the security of energy supply (import dependency, Shannon Wiener diversification index, the share of renewables) and environmental impact (carbon dioxide emission coefficient). Values of the selected indicators are determined for the current state of district heating systems and for the possible future state that could be achieved after full utilization of sewage wastewater potential. The proposed methodology is applied to Serbia, as a case study. It has been shown that all analyzed indicators for the projected future would have more preferable values compared to the values that correspond to the current state of the district heating systems. The use of this renewable energy source should provide primary energy savings of 5% per year, reduction of carbon dioxide emission of 6.5% per year, reduction of import dependency of DH systems of 9.8% and improved diversification of energy sources of 21%.
Hypoxia Activates SUMO-1-HIF-1α Signaling Pathway to Upregulate Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Permeability in Human Tonsil Epithelial Cells
Authors: Lin Yan , Wang Mingjing , Xiao Zhen , Jiang Zhiyan
Published: February 2021

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) can cause harmful effects on untreated children, which include mouth breathing, chronic intermittent hypoxia, sleep disordered breathing (SDB), and even some behavioral problems. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathophysiological process have remained poorly understood. In this study, with use of a variety of biochemical approaches including gene silencing and transiently ectopic protein expression, we examined the molecular effectors involved in this process in an in vitro model of human tonsil epithelial cells (HTECs). We found that a hypoxic condition caused a dramatic upregulation of SUMO-1 expression, a member of the ubiquitin-like protein family, which in turn stabilized hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α by sumoylating this HIF subunit and thus preventing its ubiquitination and degradation in HTECs. We also found that activating HIF-1α promoted permeability of HTEC cells as well as production and secretion of a variety of proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and pro-angiogenic growth factor VEGF. Furthermore, our data showed that hypoxia-induced inflammation was markedly inhibited by M2 macrophages that possess potent anti-inflammatory function. Our results suggest that selectively inhibiting the SUMO-1-HIF-1α signaling pathway leads to inflammatory responses in human tonsil epithelial cells, which might be a novel therapeutic approach for managing hypoxia-induced SDB resulting from AH.
Gut microbiota regulates AML via alternation of intestinal barrier function mediated by butyrate
Authors: Wang Ruiqing , Yang Xinyu , Liu Jinting , Zhong Fang , Zhang Chen , Chen Yuhong , Sun Tao , Ji Chun-yan , Ma Daoxin
Published: February 2021

The gut microbiota has been linked to many cancers, yet the role of intestinal microbes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression remains unclear. Here, we observed a significant shift in the gut microbiota in AML patients, characterized by reduced Faecalibacterium abundance. According to a murine AML model, we found that intestinal microbial diversity decreased as the disease progressed. On the other side, gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by antibiotic treatment accelerated AML progression with a higher leukemia cell burden and shorter overall survival (OS), while fecal microbiota transplantation altered this process. Metabolome analyses showed that microbiota-derived butyrate concentration obviously decreased in AML patient feces, and butyrate gavage postponed AML progression in a mouse model. Moreover, our study revealed that intestinal barrier function is decreased in AML mice which may be related to the microbiota disorder caused by AML. Lower intestinal barrier function increased the bacterial-associated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration in the peripheral blood of AML patients or mice through enhancing intestinal permeability. Butyrate repaired the intestinal barrier damage and inhibited LPS absorption in AML mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the gut microbiota promotes AML progression in a metabolite dependent manner, and targeting the gut microbiota might provide a novel therapeutic option for AML.
Effect of Characterized Pectinase Produced From Aspergillus Niger on the Clarification of Orange and Pineapple Juices
Authors: Ametefe George D. , Oluwadamilare Lemo A. , Ibidapo Olubunmi I. , Fashola Folake , Orji Frank A. , Iweala Emeka E. J. , Chinedu Shalom N.
Published: February 2021

Background: Owing to the importance of enzyme in fruit processing, demand in quality pectinase has increased. As a result, understanding the properties of locally produced pectinase is very important to encourage promotion in its application in the industry. In this study, Aspergillus niger was isolated, screened for its ability to secrete pectinase. The screened Aspergillus niger was used to produce pectinase using solid state fermentation of orange peels. Results: The effect of temperature and its stability, pH and its stability, substrate concentration, metal ions (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, and Fe2) were also investigated. The characterized pectinase was applied in the clarification of both orange and pineapple juices. The findings revealed that the enzyme was most effective at 50oC and relatively stable at 20oC activity of about 0.50 mg/ml for both. The optimal pH of 5 at about 0.50 mg/ml, and stabilized pH of 4 with approximately similar activity was also obtained. Of the metals ions investigated, Na+ gave the highest activity of about 0.61 mg/ml compared to ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) which displayed an inhibitory effect. On further optimizing for the concentration of Na+, low concentration of the ion (10 mM) had higher activity of about 0.61 mg/ml. The (Km) and Vmax was about 0.36 mg/ml and 4.39 U/ml. Conclusion: The characterized pectinase clarified both orange and pineapple juices, with enhanced clarification in orange juice compared to pineapple juice. Therefore, the characterized crude pectinase was suitable for application in the clarification of juices.
Predicting climate effects on aquatic true bugs in a tropical biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Velayutham Sundar Shunmuga , Silva Daniel Paiva , Roque Fabio de Oliveira , Ferreira Juliana Simião , Heino Jani
Published: February 2021

Climate change is a matter of worldwide concern with severe predicted impacts on biodiversity. Here, we analysed the potential impacts of current and future climates on aquatic true bugs (Heteroptera) in relation to their distribution patterns and ecological preferences (based on a database generated from existing literature references and field collections). We considered the traits as ‘species thermal range’ and ‘emergence period’ to evaluate the future climate change impacts on the distributions of aquatic true bugs in the riverine regions of a tropical biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats of India. We used Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on the distributions of aquatic true bugs. We modelled the distributions of twenty-six species of aquatic true bugs using different modelling tools through a carefully examined set of occurrence records to generate potential present distributions and to project these distributions into future scenarios of climate change. We observed increasing/decreasing range sizes of the species in the current and future scenarios. We found losses and increases of species' ranges in some regions, but not much variation in species richness. Similarly, no significant effect was observed in the distribution ranges for species with different duration of emergence period and thermal range in current and future climatic scenarios. Losses and gains in species richness would be concentrated in the mountainous area of the Western Ghats, whereas loss of species and the bigger difference between current and future richness will occur in the adjacent lowlands and towards central regions, including the network of protected areas of the Western Ghats. These areas are critical to buffer regional species loss in the future.
Circulation pattern control of wet days and dry days in Free State, South Africa
Authors: Ibebuchi Chibuike Chiedozie
Published: February 2021

Atmospheric circulation is a vital process in the transport of heat, moisture, and pollutants around the globe. The variability of rainfall depends to some extent on the mechanisms of atmospheric circulation. This paper uses the concept of classifying the recurrent large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns in southern Africa, and the linkage of the classified patterns to wet days and dry days in Free State, South Africa, for the analysis of how the probability of wet and dry events in Free State can be associated with specific synoptic situations, in addition to the underlying dynamics. Principal component analysis was applied to the T-mode matrix (column/variable is time series and row is grid points at which the field was observed) of daily mean sea level pressure field from 1979 to 2018 in classifying the recurrent circulation patterns in southern Africa. 18 circulation types (CTs) were classified in the study region. From the linkage of the CTs to the observed rainfall data, from 11 stations in Free State, it was found that dominant austral winter and late austral autumn CTs have a higher probability of bringing dry days to Free State. Dominant austral summer and late austral spring CTs were found to have a higher probability of bringing wet days to Free State. Cyclonic/anti-cyclonic activity over the southwest Indian Ocean, explained to a good extent, the inter-seasonal variability of rainfall in Free State. The synoptic state associated with a stronger anti-cyclonic circulation at the western branch of the South Indian Ocean high-pressure, during austral summer, leading to enhanced moisture transport by southeast winds was found to have the highest probability to bring above-average rainfall in most regions in Free State; while the synoptic state associated with enhanced transport of cold dry air, from the Benguela current, by the extratropical westerlies was found to be associated with the highest probability of (winter) dryness in Free State.
Self -Assembled Raccoon Dog Parvovirus VP2 Protein Confers Immunity Against RDPV Disease in Raccoon Dogs: In Vitro and in Vivo Studies
Authors: Xia Linya , Luo Guoliang , Wu Mingjie , Wang Lei , Zhang Ning , Wu Congmei , Yin Yuhe
Published: February 2021

Background: Raccoon dog parvovirus (RDPV) causes acute infectious diseases in raccoon dogs and may cause death in severe cases. Current treatment strategy relies on the extensive usage of classical inactivated vaccine which is marred by large doses, short immunization cycles and safety concerns.Methods: The present study aimed at optimization of RDPV VP2 gene, subcloning the gene into plasmid pET30a, and its subsequent transfer to E. coli with trigger factor 16 for co-expression. The protein thus expressed was purified with ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic chromatography, and endotoxin extraction procedures. VLPs were examined by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and the efficacy of VLPs vaccine was tested in vivo.Results: Results indicated that RDPV VP2 protein could be expressed soluble. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering results indicated that RDPV VP2 self-assembled into VLPs. Hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers elicited by Al(OH)3 adjuvanted RDPV VLPs were comparable with RDPV inactivated vaccines, and the viral loads in the blood of the struck raccoon dogs were greatly reduced. Hematoxylin and eosin and Immunohistochemical results indicated that RDPV VLPs vaccine could protect raccoon dogs against RDPV infections. Conclusions: These results suggest that RDPV VLPs have the ability to become a potential vaccine candidate for RDPV therapy.
Statistics and Computational Fluid Dynamics Analyses of the Experimentally Confirmed Thermal Behavior of Self-designed Internally Cooled Smart Cutting Tool
Authors: Öztürk Erkan , Yıldızlı Kemal
Published: February 2021

When compared with dry machining, using traditional cutting fluids has some weaknesses such as environmental pollution, high machining costs and harmful effects on human health. Internally cooled cutting tools (ICCT) have been a promising, sustainable, health-friendly and green technologies for turning applications. However, the effects of different types of internal coolant fluids on insert tip temperature (Ttip) have not been investigated for ICCTs. Within effective cooling, machining quality of metallic materials and tool life can improve. Therefore, a conjugate heat transfer (CHT) model for a self-designed internally cooled smart cutting tool (ICSCT) was set. The CHT simulation was experimentally confirmed using pure water. After that, the effects of flow velocity (Vf), inlet temperature of the coolant fluid (Tinlet) alongside different types of glycol-based heat transfer fluids (including pure water) on Ttip were statistically evaluated by the Taguchi method and analysis of the variance (ANOVA). It was found that the most effective factor was the Tinlet at a contribution ratio level of 88.32%. Additionally, Vf and the type of heat transfer fluid were found to be significant according to statistics. Hence, since no external coolant is used, the designed smart tool can be counted as being environmentally friendly and health friendly. In conclusion, the glycol-based fluids can be a better choice for internally cooled tool designs owing to their superior features, e.g., corrosion prevention, nontoxicity and stable heat transfer capability at lower temperatures compared to pure water although pure water has better thermal properties than the glycol-based fluids.
Chatter Suppression and Stability Analysis of Rotary Ultrasonic Milling Titanium Alloy Thin-walled Workpiece
Authors: Sun Lianjun , Zheng Kan , Liao Wenhe
Published: February 2021

Titanium alloy and its thin-walled structures are widely used in the aerospace field. Aiming at the processing chatter and difficult-to-machine problem of titanium alloy thin-walled workpieces, rotary ultrasonic milling technology (RUM) is employed to restrict machining vibration in this paper. Firstly, the titanium alloy web with low stiffness is equivalent to a mass-spring-damping system with three degrees of freedom for describing its dynamic characteristics. Then, a novel stability analysis method is proposed for RUM thin-walled workpiece (RUM-tww) through defining an ultrasonic function angle. Furthermore, RUM-tww stability lobe diagrams (SLDs) are achieved based on the semi-discrete method (SDM). The simulation results show that the milling stability of titanium alloy webs is improved effectively under the effect of ultrasonic vibration energy. Compared with conventional milling thin-walled workpiece (CM-tww), the stability region of RUM-tww is increased by 80.32% within the spindle speed from 1000r/min to 5000r/min. Finally, milling experiments are carried out to verify the validity and rationality of SLDs via analyzing chatter marks, cutter marks and flatness on the machined surface. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical prediction.
A Case of Mucor Irregularis-Associated Cutaneous Mucormycosis in the Forearm
Authors: Wu Zeting , Dong Wenwei , Yao Liwei , Xu Dingli , Chen Xianwu , Mao Haijiao
Published: February 2021

A 61-year-old man developed rupture of the left forearm after cupping 1 year ago, which was partially improved after surgical dressing change. However, the lesion site recurred repeatedly since then and no cure was found. In the recent one month, he came to the hospital for treatment due to the increased area of skin rupture. The lesions involved subcutaneous tissue, reaching deep to the fascia layer, with large black mildew spots on the surface and necrosis like bean dregs in the deep part. The lesion was irregular in distribution, with different sizes and unclear boundaries. Blood blisters and papules could be seen on the skin at the edge, with partial rupture and hemorrhage.
Soil Structure Interaction Effects on Stability of HP/HT Unburied Subsea Pipelines Using a Probabilistic-Based Approach
Authors: Forcellini Davide , Mina Daniele , Karampour Hassan
Published: February 2021

Soil structure interaction (SSI) may considerably affect the seismic vulnerability of subsea high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) pipelines. Numerical simulations are herein proposed to study the effects of soil deformability on failure of an unburied pipeline with D/t = 20, laid on the seabed and resting on a sleeper. OpenSees is used to assess an earthquake scenario imposed on a laterally buckled pipeline by considering the effects of non-linear soil behaviour on the mechanisms that induce damage on the soil-pipeline system. Uncertainties in the case study were considered by applying a probabilistic-based approach and by developing analytical fragility curves that allow estimation of the probability of exceedance of the selected failure criteria.
Target Position and Safety Margin Effects on Path Planning in Obstacle Avoidance
Authors: Saeedpour-parizi Mohammad R. , Hassan Shirin E. , Azad Ariful , Baute Kelly J. , Baniasadi Tayebeh , Shea John B.
Published: February 2021

This study examined how people choose their path to a target, and the visual information they use for path planning. Participants avoided making contact with an obstacle as they walked to a bookcase and picked up a cup from different locations on a shelf. Participants chose a path with a smaller deviation angle from a straight line to the target and chose a side of the obstacle which was closer to them. Unlike previous studies which have not included a safety margin in their analyses, we found that the right and left safety margins combined to account for 26% of the variability in path planning decision making. In some cases, participants chose a longer path around the obstacle even when the available safety margin which would have resulted in a straight line to the target was large enough to allow passage. Gaze analysis findings showed that participants directed their gaze to minimize the uncertainty involved in successful task performance and that gaze sequence changed with obstacle location. Early in their walk to the target, the greatest allocation of gaze was on the safety margin and target, later in their walk, gaze shifted to the safety margin when it was small, and then gaze shifted primarily to the target after the participant passed the obstacle. Our results of a path selection judgment test showed that the threshold for participants abandoning their preferred side for circumventing the obstacle was 15 cm to the left of the bookcase shelf center.
Feng Shui and Imperial Examinations: A Case Study on the 1849 Severe Flood in Nanjing and Discussions on Flood Discharge
Authors: Xu Zhengrong , Yang Yuda , Sun Tao
Published: February 2021

Social adaptations to natural hazards have been influenced by various social and economic factors including traditional cultures such as Feng Shui that is known as Chinese geomancy. This study examined not only the progressive processes and spatial distribution of the 1849 severe flood in Nanjing city but also subsequent countermeasures based on historical documents, maps, and digital elevation model (DEM) data. As an adaptation to extreme floods, a project that connects Xuanwu Lake to the Yangtze River has been deeply discussed to relieve the flood risk. As the role of the traditional concept of Feng Shui in China was not neglectable, however, local officials and elites of Nanjing city worried that the project may destroy the Feng Shui of the city, which may bring misfortune to local candidates in the Imperial Examinations, their future promotion, and the prosperity of their families. This indicates that, in the complicated traditional Chinese society, such traditional cultures may play an important role in determining social adaptations to climate change. However, these concepts may not lead to a consensus without specific institutional culture. Hence, in a complicated traditional society, the institutional culture was also fundamental to build social adaptations to climate change. This project has been eventually completed in 1931 as the concepts have kept dynamically being changed in a complicated society, which demonstrates that the relationship between the culture and the social adaptation to climate change is also evolving.
Elementary Schools’ Response to Student Wellness Needs During the COVID-19 Shutdown: A Qualitative Exploration Using the R=MC2 Readiness Heuristic
Authors: Calvert Hannah , Lane Hannah G. , McQuilkin Michaela , Wenner Julianne A. , Turner Lindsey
Published: February 2021

Background: During spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying public health advisories forced K-12 schools throughout the United States to suspend in-person instruction. School personnel rapidly transitioned to remote provision of academic instruction and wellness services such as school meals and counseling services. When schools operate under typical circumstances, many factors affect their capacity to provide services to students. The aim of this study was to investigate how schools responded to the transition to remote supports, including assessment of what readiness characteristics schools leveraged or developed to facilitate those transitions. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the spring of 2020, with an interview guide informed by school wellness implementation literature. Personnel (n=50) from 39 urban and rural elementary schools nationwide participated. A team of three coders iteratively analyzed the data. After first-cycle open coding, the readiness = motivation capacity2 (R=MC2) heuristic, developed by Scaccia and colleagues, guided coding to determine themes related to schools’ readiness to support student wellness in innovative ways during the pandemic closure. Axial coding was then used to connect codes to themes within each readiness construct. Results: Two distinct code sets emerged, defined according to the R=MC2 heuristic (1) Innovations: roles that schools took on during the pandemic response, and (2) Readiness: factors influencing schools’ motivation and capacity to carry out those roles. The innovation was defined as a network of support for student wellness, which included themes such as serving meals, providing wellness services, and promoting positivity. Emergent themes related to Readiness included recognizing the need to support disadvantaged families, positive influence of local school leaders in coordinating the network, and attitudes of schools and the surrounding communities to “do anything it takes” to facilitate the network. Technology infrastructure was a cross-cutting theme which impacted schools’ readiness to carry out the network of support. Differences emerged between urban and rural schools. Conclusions: Schools demonstrated unprecedented capacity and motivation to provide crucial wellness support to students and families early in the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts can inform future resource allocation and new strategies to implement school wellness practices when schools resume normal operations.
Bactericidal Potency of Bioderived Carbon and Calcium Decorated on Synthesized Copper Oxide Nanocomposite from Calotropis gigantea against Primitive Wound Associated Pathogens
Authors: Govindasamy G Ambarasan , Mydin Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. , Harun Nor Hazliana , Sreekan Srimala
Published: February 2021

Commercialized antibiotics are often linked with ineffectiveness in treating chronic wound ulcer especially associated multi-drug resistant pathogens. Photocatalytic nanoparticles have become current trade attention as potent antibacterial agent. This study investigates the bactericidal potency of green synthesised CuO nanoparticles from Calotropis gigantea (C. gigantea) leaves extract at different calcination temperatures (i.e. 400°C and 500 °C) against MDR and non-MDR wound related pathogens. A well-defined oval shape CuO nanoparticles were obtained at 500 °C (CuO-500C) with present of calcium and carbon atoms were characterized using the X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. FTIR and UV-Vis analysis successfully confirmed phenol and carbonyl group are the stabilizing phytochemical agents. Further antimicrobial performance of CuO-500C sample was observed against non-MDR and MDR pathogens. CuO-500C sample found to markedly inhibit biofilm formation of S. aureus. A significant reduction of non-MDR Gram-positive bacterial colonies observe starts from 6 h exposure and bactericidal activity was noticed at 12 h exposure. Furthermore, constant prolong free radicals release was observed up to 30 days which might provide advantage against long-term antimicrobial application. Overall, it proves that high concentrated natural carbon and calcium wrapped green synthesised CuO nanocomposite demonstrated potential as a strong antimicrobial agent for combating pathogens associated with open wound infections especially in long- term basis.
Study on the Early Warning and Forecasting of Flash Floods in Small Watersheds Based on the Rainfall Pattern of Risk Probability Combination
Authors: Lu Lu , Yuan Wenlin , Su Chengguo , Gao Qianyu , Yan Denghua , Wu Zening
Published: February 2021

Flash floods cause great harm to people's life and property safety. Rainfall is one of the main causes of flash floods in small watersheds. The uncertainty of rainfall events results in inconsistency between the traditional single rainfall pattern and the actual rainfall process, which poses a great challenge for the early warning and forecasting of flash floods. This paper proposes a novel rainfall pattern based on total rainfall and peak rainfall intensity, i.e., the rainfall pattern of risk probability combination (RPRPC). To determine the joint distribution function with the best fitting effect, copula functions are introduced and optimized. On this basis, the HEC-HMS hydrological model is used to simulate the rainfall-runoff process, a trial algorithm is used to calculate the critical rainfall (CR), and an optimistic-general-pessimistic (O-G-P) early warning mode considering the decision maker's risk preference is proposed. The small watershed of Xinxian in Henan province, China, is taken as a case study for calculation. The results show that the RPRPC is feasible and closer to the actual rainfall process than the traditional rainfall pattern (TRP) and that the HEC-HMS model can be applied to small watersheds in hilly areas. Additionally, the influence of antecedent soil moisture condition (ASMC) and rainfall pattern on critical rainfall varies with the change of peak rainfall intensity and rainfall duration. Finally, the O-G-P early warning mode is effective and provides a valuable reference for the early warning and forecasting of flash floods in small watersheds in hilly areas.
Elbow Dislocation With Irretrievable Rotating-rope Injury of the Forearm: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Wang Jianchuan , Qin Song , Wang Tienan
Published: February 2021

Concurrent dislocation of the distal radiulnar joint of the proximal elbow and proximal radius fracture with rotatory noose injury medial to the ulnar tuberosity is an extremely rare case. No such injury has been reported in the domestic or international literature. The injury we report is similar to that of the proximal fibula of the ankle locked behind the tibial tuberosity, namely Bosworth's injury. We report a case of 36 male elbow proximal distal radial ulnar radial ulnar joint rotation joints and proximal radial fracture and dislocation bowstring in ulna nodule inside, in the rapid and timely accurate diagnosis under the emergency line open reduction and accurate judgment and treatment of this injury is challenging, early diagnosis and timely treatment can get the best curative effect.
Characterization of Tree Crops Biomass from Marginal Lands as Feedstock for Solid Biofuels
Authors: Kamperidou Vasiliki , TERZOPOULOU Paschalina , BARBOUTIS Ioannis
Published: February 2021

Even though the biomass production on marginal lands intended to be used as biofuel production feedstock has been proposed as an alternative viable option for meeting biofuel requirements and address the conflict between food and fuels, there are still concerns whether the species grown on marginal lands can have a high quality performance as solid biofuels feedstock. In this study, material of stem wood, branches and bark of three native forest species of Mediterranean region, turkish pine, black pine and black locust was harvested from marginal lands of North Greece, and thoroughly characterized on the basis of physical properties, combustion characteristics, chemical composition, and ash elemental analysis. The potential of these fast-growing drought-tolerant species to contribute as sustainable feedstock for qualitative solid biofuels production is high, with black pine to present the highest potential. The materials presented low moisture and ash contents, especially stems and branches, and high calorific values, comparable to species grown on conventional lands, attributed to high lignin contents. The materials ashes consist mainly of Ca, K, S, P major elements and their toxic elements contents are negligible, increasing the ashes potential to be utilized in fertilizing.
Social Media, Vaccine Hesitancy and Trust Deficit in Immunization Programs: A Qualitative Enquiry in Malappuram District of Kerala, India
Authors: Nair Anoop T , Nayar Kesavan Rajasekharan , Koya Shaffi Fazaludeen , Abraham Minu , Azariah Jinbert L. , Grace Chitra , Sreeku Sreekutty , Chembon Priya , Swarnam Kamala , Pandey Anant Kumar , Pillai A. Marthanda
Published: February 2021

BackgroundWith increased penetration of the internet and social media, there are concerns regarding its negative role in influencing parents’ decisions regarding vaccination for their children. It is perceived that a mix of religious reasons and propaganda by anti-vaccination groups on social media are lowering the vaccination coverage in Malappuram district of Kerala. We undertook a qualitative study to understand the factors responsible for generating and perpetuating vaccine hesitancy; to understand the pathways of trust deficit in immunization programs; and to understand the interaction between various social media actors. MethodsIn-depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted among parents/caregivers, physicians, public sector health staff, alternate system medical practitioners, field healthcare workers, and teachers in areas with highest and lowest vaccination coverage in the district as well as with communication experts. ResultsThe trust-deficit between parents/caregivers and healthcare providers is created by multiple factors such as providers’ lack of technical knowledge, existing patriarchal societal norms, and vaccine critical views of naturopaths and homeopaths. Anti-vaccine groups use social media to influence caregivers' perceptions and beliefs. Religion does not appear to play a major role in creating vaccine resistance in this setting. ConclusionsA long-term, multi-pronged strategy should be adopted to address the trust deficit. In the short to medium term, health sector can focus on appropriate and targeted vaccine related communication strategies including the use of infographics, soft skill development of health workers, technical competency improvement through a mobile application-based repository of information, and creation of a cell to monitor vaccine related conversations in social media and intervene if needed.
Mechanism of Antimicrobial Activity of Honeybee (Apis Mellifera) Venom on Gram-Negative Bacteria: Escherichia Coli and Pseudomonas Spp.
Authors: HAKTANIR Izlem , Masoura Maria , MANTZOURIDOU Fani Th , GKATZIONIS Konstantinos
Published: February 2021

Honeybee venom (Apitoxin, BV), a secretion substance expelled from the venom gland of bees, has being reported as antimicrobial against various bacterial species; however, the mechanism of action remains uncharacterized. In this study, the antibacterial activity of BV was investigated on hygiene indicator Escherichia coli and the environmental pathogen and spoilage bacterial species, Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens. An array of methods was combined to elucidate the mode of action of BV. Viability by culture on media was combined with assessing cell injury with flow cytometry analysis. ATP depletion was monitored as an indicator to metabolic activity of cells, by varying BV concentration (75, 225and 500µg/mL), temperature (25°H and 37°o), and time of exposure (0 to 24h). Venom presented moderate inhibitory effect on E. coli by viability assay, caused high membrane permeability and significant ATP loss where the effect was increased by increased concentration. The viability of P. putida was reduced to a greater extent than other tested bacteria at comparable venom concentrations and was dictated by exposure time. On the contrary, P. fluorescens appeared less affected by venom based on viability; however, flow cytometry and ATP analysis highlighted concentration- and time-dependent effect of venom. According to Transmission Electron Microscopy results, the deformation of the cell wall was evident for all species. This implies a common mechanism of action of the BV which is as follows: the cell wall destruction, change of membrane permeability, leakage of cell contents, inactivation of metabolic activity and finally cell death.
Circular RNA circ_001422 Promotes Progression and Metastasis of Osteosarcoma via the miR-195-5p/FGF2/PI3K/Akt Axis
Authors: Yang Bingsheng , Li Lutao , Tong Ge , Zeng Zhirui , Tan Jianye , Su Zexin , Liu Zhengwei , Lin Jiezhao , Gao Wenwen , Chen Jianping , Zeng Sisi , Wu Guofeng , Li Lin , Zhu Shuang , Liu Qiuzhen , Lin Lijun
Published: February 2021

BackgroundCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in diverse processes that drive cancer development. Nevertheless, the expression landscape and mechanistic function of circRNAs in osteosarcoma (OS) remain to be studied.MethodsBioinformatics analysis and high-throughput RNA sequencing tools were employed to determine differentially expressed circRNAs between OS and adjacent healthy tissues. The expression levels of circ_001422 in clinical specimens and cell lines were measured using qRT-PCR. A total of 55 OS patients were recruited to analyze the association of circ_001422 expression with clinicopathologic features. Loss- and gain-of-function tests were conducted to explore the role of circ_001422 in OS cells. RNA immunoprecipitation, fluorescent in situ hybridization, bioinformatics databases, RNA pull-down assay, dual-luciferase reporter assay, mRNA sequencing, and rescue experiments were conducted to decipher the competitive endogenous RNAs regulatory network dominated by circ_001422.ResultsWe characterized a novel and abundant circRNA, circ_001422, which promoted the progression of OS. Circ_001422 expression was dramatically higher in OS cell lines and tissues relative to normal samples. Increased circ_001422 correlated with more advanced clinical stage, larger tumor size, more distant metastases and poorer overall survival of OS patients. Knockdown of circ_001422 markedly repressed proliferation and metastasis and promoted apoptosis of OS cells in vivo and in vitro, whereas overexpression of circ_001422 exerted an opposite effect. Mechanistically, competitive interactions between circ_001422 and miR-195-5p elevated the expression of FGF2 while also initiating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These events enhanced the malignant characteristics of OS cells.Conclusions﻿Circ_001422 accelerates OS tumorigenesis and metastasis through modulating the miR-195-5p/FGF2/PI3K/Akt axis, implying that circ_001422 could be therapeutically targeted to treat OS patients.
Induction of Artesunate Resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum 3D7 Strain Using Intermittent Exposure Method and Comparing P.fk13 Sequence between Susceptible and Resistant Strains
Authors: Barati Sahar , Haghi Afsaneh Motevalli , Nateghpour Mehdi , Zamani Zahra , Khodaveisi Sadegh , Etemadi Soudabeh
Published: February 2021

Background: Malaria is a major health issues in a number of countries in the world, especially tropical countries. Over the past 50 years, the resistance of Plasmodium falciparum has expanded against the antimalarial drugs that had been used to treat the disease. Recently resistance to some derivatives of artemisinin and the failure of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) has threatened all major achievements in malaria control. Resistant strains are limited around the world, but it may spread very soon, hence the necessary to be prepared for any event regarding this matter, it is needed to organize more investigations about resistant strains and related genes. Preparation of a new resistant strain in the laboratory can provide opportunity to predict genes responsible for resistance. The aim of this study was to induce resistance to artesunate in Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain using intermittent exposure method and comparing P.fk13 gene sequence between susceptible and resistance strains.Methods: Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain was cultured according to Trager & Jensen method with some modifications. Serial concentrations between 10-2 mol/l, to 10-7mol/l were prepared, then P.falciparum 3D7 was exposed to each of the dilution to determine IC50 and lethal dose. After 24 hours exposure the rate of parasitemia and mean of growth inhibitory percent were evaluated. Sensitivity reduction process was started from the concentration of 10-7mol/l and ended at 10-2mol/l. Exposed parasites were collected after at least 27 days after cultivation in each drug concentration. DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing process were performed to investigate any possible mutations in the pfk13 gene sequence.Results: Effectiveness of 10-2mol/l concentration of artemisinin was found as a lethal dose. The resistant strain was provided in the lab, sequenced and registered in the gene bank as P.f Art -2, (accession number MH796123. 1). Alignment of this registered sample showed no mutation in P.f kelch13 gene in comparison with standard strain submitted in the Genebank. Conclusions: Results of this study showed that resistance to artesunate in malaria parasite may occur but with no mutation in the P.f kelch13 gene. Therefore, whole genome sequencing should be applied to determine mutations in resistant strains.
Inflammation Related circRNAs Polymorphism and Ischemic Stroke Prognosis
Authors: liu xu , wang qianwen , zhao jingjing , chang hongtao , zhu ruixia
Published: February 2021

Background CircRNAs belong to a novel class of noncoding RNAs that are generated by exons of genes by alternative mRNA splicing and involved in pathophysiological processes of ischemic stroke by regulating neuroinflammation. Method A total of 982 patients were enrolled in our study for stroke recovery analysis. The aim of our study was to first explore the association between the inflammation related circRNA polymorphism and functional outcome 3 months after ischemic stroke by using multivariate logistic regression model. Next, we further investigated the role of circRNA polymorphism in predicting stroke recurrence by using cox proportional hazards regression model. Five circRNA polymorphisms were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction and ligation detection reaction method.Results We identified circ-STAT3(signal transducer and activator of transcription) rs2293152 GG genotype to be associated with poorer recovery 90 days after stroke (OR=1.452; 95%CI:1.165-4.362, p=0.016). After adjusting for confound factors, the association for rs2293152 with 3 months outcome after IS was stronger, suggesting a mechanism that rs2293152 is an independent risk factor for stroke recovery (OR=2.255; 95%CI:1.034-2.038, p=0.031). However, no other circRNA polymorphisms (rs41274714, rs10870141, rs10485505, rs4911154) was associated with functional outcome 3 months after stroke in any genetic models. Subgroup analysis revealed that the negative effect of rs2293152 GG genotype was greater in female and older patients, subjects with history of hypertension. Additionally, all the circRNA polymorphisms were not correlated with recurrent risk of ischemic stroke. Conclusion Our results indicated that circ-STAT3 might be a novel biomarker for predicting functional outcome after stroke and an important contributor to the ischemic stroke recovery.
Eight-hour Time-restricted Feeding Improves Endocrine and Metabolic Profiles in Women With Anovulatory Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Li Chunzhu , Xing Chuan , Zhang Jiaqi , Zhao Han , Shi Wenjing , He Bing
Published: February 2021

Background: Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a form of intermittent fasting, which is beneficial for weight loss and cardiometabolic health. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reproductive endocrine and metabolic diseases affecting women of childbearing age. It is associated with an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While limited data are available on the effects of TRF in PCOS. Thus, we sought to investigate the effects of TRF in women with anovulatory PCOS.Methods: Eighteen women aged between 18 and 31 with anovulation of PCOS participated in a 6-week trial and were divided into two consecutive periods: (1) 1-week baseline period; and (2) 5-week TRF period. Fifteen participants completed the study. Changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), Waist-to-Hip Ratio, skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass (BFM), body fat percentage (BF%), visceral fat area (VFA), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH/FSH, total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), fasting glucose, fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), area under the curve (AUC) for insulin (AUCInsulin), area under the curve (AUC) for glucose (AUCGlucose), AUCInsulin/AUCGlucose Ratio, lipids, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), menstrual cycle and eating behaviors were evaluated.Results: Significant changes in body weight, BMI, BFM, BF%, VFA, TT, SHBG, FAI, FINS, HOMA-IR, AUCInsulin, AUCInsulin/AUCGlucose Ratio, ALT, hsCRP and IGF-1 were found after the TRF period. An improvement in menstrual cycle irregularity was detected in 73.3% (11/15) patients. Conclusion: The diet of TRF may be beneficial to anovulatory PCOS on weight loss (especially reducing body fat), improving menstruation, hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance and inflammation.Trial registration Clinicaltrial.gov, NCT04580433, registrered October 8, 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04580433
Maternal Undernutrition Alters The Skeletal Muscle Development and Methylation of Myogenic Factors in Progeny: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhou Xiaoling , Yan Qiongxian , Liu Liling , Chen Genyuan , Tang Shaoxun , He Zhixiong , Tan Zhiliang
Published: February 2021

Maternal malnutrition alters protein synthesis and muscle development in offspring. Epigenetic modification is one of the mechanisms involved in this developmental programming. However, the role of the methylation of myogenic factors remains unclear. Twenty-four pregnant goats were assigned to a control (100% of the nutrients requirement, n = 12) or a restricted group (60% of the nutrients requirement, n = 12) between 0.3 and 0.7 gestation (G). Descendants were harvested at 0.7 G and at 91 days after birth to analyze the fiber area and fiber type of femoris muscle and to examine the effects on the mTOR signal pathway and methylation of the promoter regions of myogenic factors. Maternal undernutrition increased the fiber area of the vastus muscle in the fetuses (P < 0.05). Undernutrition enhanced (P < 0.01) the proportions of MyHCI and MyHCIIA fibers in the vastus muscle of fetuses and semitendinosus (ST) muscle of kids, while the proportion of MyHCIIX fibers were decreased (P < 0.01) in the restricted fetuses and kids. The mRNA expression levels of EYA1 and MYOZ2 in the restricted fetuses were downregulated (P < 0.05), but no difference was observed in the restricted kids (P > 0.05). The percentage of DNA methylation at the + 530 CpG site of the MYF5 gene in the restricted fetuses was increased (P < 0.05), but the methylation percentages of the MYF5 gene at the +274,280 CpG site and of the MYOD gene at the +252 CpG site in the restricted kids were reduced (P < 0.05). The mTOR protein signals were downregulated (P < 0.05) in the restricted fetuses and kids. These results indicated that maternal undernutrition altered the fiber type of femoris muscle in offspring, but its relationship with the methylation in the promoter regions of myogenic genes needs to be further studied.