bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Web System for Spatial Processing and Analysis: An Application in a Neonatal Screening Program in Southern Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Augusto , Kopacek Cristiane , Castro Simone M. , Vilar Guilherme , Filho Moacyr C.
Published: November 2021

Background

Spatial data analysis refers to the process of finding patterns, detecting anomalies, or testing hypotheses and theories by observing phenomena associated with a specific geographic area or location. The literature in the area presents different studies that seek to understand its phenomena through spatial analysis techniques and methods. However, these studies have several problems, such as the frequent use of only one type of analysis, area or punctual. Furthermore, the studies do not formally describe the process of treatment and organization applied to the data to replicate the spatial analyzes in other research areas. Thus, this work proposes a web system for generating, organizing, and processing data compatible with geographic information systems to construct spatial analysis of area and points.
Methods

The proposed method was developed with the JavaScript programming language and structured in four sequential steps: data acquisition, processing and organization, data validation, and spatial analysis. Data from three diseases (cystic fibrosis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and hemoglobinopathies) from a neonatal screening program in southern Brazil were used to validate the proposed method and construct the spatial analyses. The choropleth mapping and kernel density estimation methods were used to build the analyses.
Results

The results obtained made it possible to georeference the data, validate it to its area of study, associate it with its micro and mesoregions, and cross it with public databases. In addition, the results enabled the construction of scientific maps of area and points to visualize the primary evidence from the spatial distribution of disease cases.
Conclusions

The developed method showed high replication potential for other study contexts. Also, it proved to be relevant in the context of spatial analysis, enabling speed in processing, data organization and, consequently, in the construction of significant results that can be used in public policies that directly impact people's quality of life and health challenges.
Satisfaction of the Clinical Teachers on Standardized Residency Training Program (SRTP) in China
Authors: Chen Boyan , Jin Xiaoyuan , Zhou Jie , Chen Ying , Wang Hongmei
Published: November 2021

Background: Standardized Residency Training Program (SRTP) is a significant initiative to deepen health systems and medical education in developed countries like China. Despite prompting the SRTP nationwide and implementing it with various improvements, Chinese continuous medical education is still in its infancy. Compared with the residents, little is known about clinical teachers under SRTP in China; but clinical teachers effectively determine the training quality as a critical disseminator of knowledge, skills, and values in medical practice. Thus, the study aims to analyze critical factors affecting their cognitive job satisfaction and provide continuous improvements for SRTP.Methods: From December 1, 2018, to May 31, 2019, we conducted a self-design questionnaire from 13 SRTPs (including both training bases and professional bases) in Shaoxing city to evaluate participants' satisfaction. Altogether, 574 clinical teachers responded to the survey with generally high overall satisfaction. We adopted Chi-square Test and Fisher's Exact Test to evaluate the single impact factors affecting the satisfaction of clinical teachers. The multiple factors analysis applied the Logistic Regression model.Results: The male clinical teachers had significant differences in satisfaction of teaching content (OR: 0.675, [95%CI: 0.477~0.953]), conflicts between study and work (OR: 0.542, [95%CI: 0.371~0.791]), the attention of leaders (OR: 0.403, [95%CI: 0.252~0.645]) and subsidies of teachers (OR: 0.527, [95%CI: 0.347~0.805]). Compared with internal medicine, clinical teachers from Surgery (OR: 2.396, [95%CI: 1.365-4.206]) and other departments (OR: 2.409, [95%CI: 1.406-4.129]) were more satisfied when considered residents have high motivation on training. Besides, compared with attending physician, deputy chief physician (OR: 0.493, [95%CI: 0.310- 0.783]) and chief physician (OR: 0.683, [95%CI: 0.471-0.991]) more disagreed that residents' wage is good enough.Conclusion: Clinical teachers widely recognize the SRTP. However, teachers' satisfaction varied due to different genders, working clinical departments, and professional titles. The study also discussed possible reasons and strategy implications behind these findings, which combined unique Chinese society characteristics. Further, we believe the analysis and interpretations remind us of the applications of Western medical education methods, and theories also should consider the unique socio-cultural challenges.
Prognostic Value of Preoperative Neutrophil-to -Lymphocyte Ratio in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: LI XIN-RAN , ZHOU LIN , CHEN YU-XIN , LI NA , MENG JIAN
Published: November 2021

BackgroundStudies in recent years have shown that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with the survival and prognosis of patients with malignant tumors.However, the utility of the NLR in predicting outcomes in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck remains unclear. Here, we examined the prognostic value of the preoperative NLR in patients with ACC of the head and neck.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed 71 patients with a histopathological diagnosis of ACC from August 2005 to November 2020.The optimal cutoff value was obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The characteristics of the patients were evaluated using chi-squared tests.The value of the NLR used in predicting the outcomes of these patients was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models.ResultsThe cutoff value of the NLR was 2.071. The chi-squared tests showed that a high NLR(>2.071)was associated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis(LNM). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the NLR>2.071 group was correlated with a shorter Overall survival(P<0.05). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, high NLR (>2.071) and high age (>54 years) were independent risk factors predicting poorer outcomes in patients with ACC.ConclusionsWe suggest that the preoperative NLR is a useful biomarker for the prognosis of patients with ACC.
Orientation-dependent Fiber-optic Inclinometer Based on Core-offset Michelson Interferometer
Authors: WANG Hua-jie , ZHENG Lai-fang , ZHANG Jun-sheng
Published: November 2021

An in-fiber Michelson interferometer (MI) inclinometer, which consists of misalignment-spliced fiber with end coating, is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The incident light divided at the misalignment-spliced joint is reflected at the end coating, and then re-coupled into the core of the fiber. Due to the phase difference between the core mode and the cladding mode, a typical Michelson interference is obtained. The fiber near the misalignment-spliced joint is inserted in two capillary quartz tubes. The inclination of the capillary quartz tube leads to a significant deformation and curvature of the misalignment-spliced joint, which causes the wavelength and amplitude of the MI spectrum to change. The experimental results indicate a good response within the angle range of 0º to 50º. Both the wavelength modulation and intensity modulation are realized, with sensitivities of 0.55 nm/deg and 0.17 dB/deg, respectively. Moreover, the sensor shows a strong orientation dependence due to the asymmetric structure in the misalignment-spliced joint.
Halomonas jincaotanensis sp. nov., a 1-naphthylamine degrading bacterium isolated from Pamir Plateau
Authors: Bu Xuying , Xia Zhanfneg , Liu Zhanwen , Ren Min , Wan Chuanxing , Zhang Lili
Published: November 2021

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain TRM 85114 T , was isolated from Jincaotan wetland in Pamir Plateau, PR China. According to the study, we found it have an ability to degrade 1-naphthylamine. Strain TRM 85114 T grow at 4-35 ℃ (optimum, 30 ℃), pH of 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 6.0) and can tolerate 1%-10% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3%). Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TRM 85114 T was affiliated of the genus Halomonas , sharing high sequence similarity (97.3%) with the type strain of Halomonas korlensis XK1 T . The primary cellular fatty acids of strain TRM 85114 T were C 16:0 and C 19:0 cyclo ω 8 c . The predominate respiratory quinone was Q-9. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, lyso-phospatidylglycerol, phospholipids of unknown structure containing glucosarmine, and five unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain TRM 85114 T was 61.6 mol%. Calculated the average nucleotide identities and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain TRM 85114 T and the related type Halomonas strains further revealed that TRM 85114 T represented a novel species of the genus Halomonas , for which the name Halomonas jincaotanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 85114 T (CCTCC AB 2021006 T =LMG 32311 T ).
The Role of Industrial Parks Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Strengthening Ventures' Capability: Evidence From Ethiopian Small Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Hailu Tesfayé , Chebo Abdella Kosa Kosa
Published: November 2021

Small scale enterprises sector has been recognized as an integral component of economic development and it is advisable and indispensable to integrate the enterprises with Industrial parks for sustainable business operation. IPs plays a crucial role in organizing the resources and innovation of manufacturing operation through business advising, infrastructure provision, technology transfer, and R&D support which advances firms’ capability. In this sense, the objective of this was to investigate the role IPs entrepreneurial ecosystem towards improving the capability of small ventures. Data were obtained from a sample of 245 small manufacturing enterprise owners selected through simple random sampling and analysed using descriptive, multi-level regression analysis and OLS regression analysis. From this, the presence of better and suitable entrepreneurial ecosystem which consists of provision of training, market information, adequate finance, and government commitment positively contributes for improvement of small firm’s capability. Despite of this, the study also found that there are many barriers hindered the development of strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ethiopia, such as, human capital, institutional, financial, market, policies and legal procedures, cultural and resource barriers. The entrepreneurial ecosystem influences the resources capability more when academia-industry linkage exists. The OLS regression result also shows that the entrepreneurial skill mediates the influence of entrepreneurial ecosystem on technological capability, while managerial knowledge mediates the influence of entrepreneurial ecosystem on the firm’s resource capability. The implication for policymakers is to develop a policy that supports incorporating small firms in industrial parks entrepreneurial ecosystem and link with academia. The study also forwarded a clue for managers of small firms in improving their firms technological and resource capabilities through building managerial knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.
Nursing Interventions For Prevention of Corneal Injury: A Protocol For A Systematic Review
Authors: Prado Patrícia Rezende do , Silveira Renata Cristina Campos Pereira , Vettore Mario Vianna , Fossum Mariann , Vabo Grete Lund , Gimenes Fernanda Raphael Escobar
Published: November 2021

Background: Critically ill patients are vulnerable to corneal injury and the incidence of this adverse event remains high in these patients. Randomized clinical trials have been assessing different types of interventions, hindering nurses' clinical practice for the prevention of corneal injury in critically ill patients. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the most effective nursing interventions to prevent corneal injury in critically ill sedated and mechanically ventilated patients.Methods: A systematic review of intervention studies will be conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses 2020, in the following electronic databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Livivo, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The search of the grey literature will be undertaken on Google Scholar. No language or year of publication restrictions will be applied for the selection of primary studies. Study selection and data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers who will screen the titles and abstracts of the retrieved papers to assess the studies for inclusion. Disagreements between reviewers, during study selection, will be resolved by discussion with a third reviewer. The inclusion criteria will be epidemiologic intervention studies evaluating nursing interventions to prevent or decrease the occurrence of corneal injury in critically ill sedated and mechanically ventilated patients. Methodological quality of the studies will be assessed using the Risk of Bias and Robins-2 tools. Quality of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Discussion: this study has a potencial to identify the most effective nursing interventions for prevention corneal injury in critically ill sedated and mechanically ventilated patients.Systematic review registration: The protocol of this research is approved in PROSPERO under protocol No. 253289.
Potential Biomarkers for Predicting the Overall Survival of Kidney Renal Papillary Cell Carcinoma: A Analysis of N6-Methylandenosine-Related lncRNAs
Authors: Wu zixuan , Huang Xuyan , Cai Min-jie , Huang Peidong
Published: November 2021

Background: It is well established that disease-free survival and overall survival after breast conservation surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy are equivalent to that after mastectomy. However, in Asian countries, the rate of BCS continues to remain low. The cause may be multifactorial including the patient’s choice, availability and accessibility of infrastructure and surgeon’s choice. We aimed to elucidate the Indian surgeons’ perspective while choosing between BCS and mastectomy, in women oncologically eligible for BCS. Methods: We conducted a survey-based cross-sectional study over 3 weeks between January-February 2021. Indian surgeons with general surgical or specialised onco-surgical training, who consented to participate were included in the study. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of study variables on offering mastectomy or BCS to an eligible patient.Results: A total of 347 responses were included. The mean age of the participants was 43(11) years. 63% of the surgeons were in the 25-44 years age group with the majority (80%) being males. 66.4% of surgeons ‘almost always’ offered BCS to oncologically eligible patients. Surgeons who had undergone specialised training in oncosurgery or breast conservation surgery were 35 times more likely to offer BCS (p<0.01). Surgeons working in hospitals with in-house radiation oncology facilities were 9 times more likely to offer BCS (p<0.05). Surgeons’ years of practice, age, sex and hospital setting did not influence the surgery offered.Conclusion: Our study found that two-thirds of Indian surgeons preferred BCS over mastectomy. Lack of radiotherapy facilities and specialised surgical training were deterrents to offering BCS to eligible women.
Lung-targeted Macrophage Biomimetic Nanocarriers Based on Platycodon Grandiflorum Polysaccharides for Calming Cytokine Storm in Pneumonia
Authors: Li Yi , Guo Chunjing , Chen Qiang , Su Yanguo , Guo Huimin , Chen Daquan
Published: November 2021

Background

Pneumonia is a life-threatening respiratory disease without effective treatment due to uncontrolled inflammation of the lung tissue. Suppression of cytokine storms may be one of the keys to saving the lives of patients with severe pneumonia. Given the fragile delivery efficiency of drugs in vivo, novel delivery platforms to address these issues are necessary.
Results

Here, we developed a biomimetic nanocarrier (MNPs) with macrophage membranes coated ROS-responsive Platycodon grandiflorum polysaccharides nanoparticles (PNPs) for targeted delivery of curcumin (MNPs@Cur) to inflamed lungs and treat inflammation by calming cytokine storms. In the study, we could clearly find that MNPs@Cur significantly attenuated inflammation and cytokine storm syndrome in acute lung injury (ALI) mice by neutralizing multiple proinfammatory cytokines. Interestingly, we found that the PNPs also had potent pulmonary targeting compared to other polysaccharide carriers, which probably means that PNPs have inherited the natural targeting ability in the medicinal guide theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Conclusion

The results demonstrated that the developed drug delivery system may serve as an effective and safe nanoplatform for the treatment of pneumonia, as well as provide experimental scientific basis for the medicinal guide theory of TCM and its clinical application.
Quantitative Measurements for Factors Influencing Implementation In School Settings: Protocol for A Systematic Review and A Psychometric and Pragmatic Analysis
Authors: Hoy Sara , Helgadóttir Björg , Norman Åsa
Published: November 2021

Background: To address the effectiveness and sustainability of school-based interventions, there is a need to consider factors affecting implementation success. This rapidly growing field of implementation focused research is struggling with how to assess and measure implementation-relevant constructs. Earlier research identifies the need for strong psychometric and pragmatic measures. The aims of this review are therefore to (i) systematically review the literature to identify measurements of factors influencing implementation which have been developed or adapted in school settings, (ii) describe each measurement’s psychometric and pragmatic properties, (iii) describe the alignment between each measurement and corresponding domain and/or construct of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).Methods: Six databases (Medline, ERIC, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Embase, and Web of Science) will be searched for peer-reviewed articles reporting on primary and secondary school settings, published from year 2000. Our search string will be built on three core levels of terms for: (a) implementation, (b) measurement, and (c) school settings. Two independent researchers will screen articles and extract data, with a third researcher cross-checking the process. The identified measurements will be mapped against CFIR domains and constructs, and analyzed for their psychometric and pragmatic properties using The Psychometric and Pragmatic Evidence Rating Scale (PAPERS), as well as for their measurement equivalence (invariance). The protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P).Discussion: By identifying measurements that are psychometrically and pragmatically strong in the field, this review can contribute to the identification of feasible, effective, and sustainable implementations strategies. Through highlighting the gaps within the range of constructs in the tools retrieved, this review may provide insights for future research and where resources could be allocated. Combined, this review will provide a greater understanding of factors influencing implementation of initiatives within school settings, and how these can be further studied.Registration: This review is submitted to be prospectively registered on PROSPERO ID: 284741. Submission occurred the 12th of October 2021.
Preoperative Small Pulmonary Nodule Localisation Using Hookwires or Coils: Strategy Selection in Adverse Events
Authors: Zuo Tao , Gao Zhaoming , Wen Bing , Chen Baojun , Zhang Zhenfa
Published: November 2021

Objective
We conducted a retrospective study of adverse events associated with the preoperative procedure of computed tomography (CT)–guided hookwire or coil localisation. We analysed the experience of and process flaws in resecting ground-glass nodules (GGNs) using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and determined the remedial strategy.
Methods
Adverse events were evaluated in 20 patients with 25 GGNs who underwent CT-guided hookwire or coil localisation before VATS. For lesions not successfully marked or detected, palpation, resection of the highly suspected area, segmentectomy or lobectomy was performed.
Results
Among all adverse events, 10 were dislodgement of the marking materials, 2 were breakaway of the marking materials, 4 were >2-cm distance between the lesions and the tip, one was marking material across the two adjacent lobes, 10 were pneumothorax and two were certain parts of marking materials stuck into the walls. All GGNs were resected successfully. Fifteen lesions were detected by palpation. Three GGNs were discovered after the resection of highly suspected areas. The GGNs were removed by lobectomy. Segmentectomies and lobectomies were performed directly on two and four GGNs, respectively.
Conclusions
When adverse events occur, a second localisation, intraoperative localisation, resection of a highly suspected area, or a segmentectomy or lobectomy can be successfully attempted using VATS for resection of GGNs.
Risk factors analysis and establishment of a clinical predictive model for recurrence after first attack of myasthenia gravis: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Liu Jiayi , Liu Lulu , Zhang Zhengxiang
Published: November 2021

Background Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare and recurrent disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for relapse in MG patients after their first attack and establish a clinical predictive model. We conducted a retrospective study of 86 MG patients, followed and reviewed the clinical data of patients from the first onset to the first relapse, including age of onset, site of first symptom, MGFA at onset, thymoma, surgical resection of the thymoma, infection history, irregular drug use, combination of other autoimmune diseases, AChR antibody, and anti-Musk antibody, etc. The R software was used for statistical analysis. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to analyze risk factors. The clinical predictive model was established by Logistic regression analysis. Results Within 2 years after the first attack, 61.2% of MG patients relapsed. MGFA at onset, irregular drug use and infection history were independent risk factors for MG relapse within 2 years after the first attack ( p < 0.05). The clinical prediction model has good discrimination and calibration. Conclusion The relapse of MG is affected by a variety of factors. The clinical predictive model that was established in this study can help clinicians predict the probability of relapse in MG patients, identify early high-risk relapse patients, and serve for high-quality clinical management.
Clinical Characteristics of Bacterial Spectrum and Antimicrobial Resistance in Urine and Stone Cultures From Patients With Kidney Stone Disease
Authors: Lei Min , Jiang Zheng , Xu Peng , An Lingyue , Chang Zhenglin , Zhang Yuyan , Zhang Shike , Zeng Tao , Li Shujue , Tiselius Hans-Göran , Zeng Guohua , Wu Wenqi
Published: November 2021

Background

It is important to understand the clinical characteristics of bacterial spectrum and antibiotic resistance of urine and stone pathogens for the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis and perioperative infection.
Methods

Consecutive patients with kidney stones treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) from September 2016 to September 2018 were included. The bacterial species and antibiotic sensitivity test of the germs cultured from clean middle-stream urine and from stones intraoperatively were evaluated.
Results

In 1055 patients, the rate of positive bacterial test was higher in stones than in urine (337, 31.0% vs. 221, 20.9%, p=0.016). 167(15.8%) patients had both positive urine culture (UC) and stone culture (SC), of which 137 (82.0%) had identical bacteria in both cultures. In infection stone patients, the positive rate of bacteria was 34.7% (91/262) in urine and 52.3% (137/262) in stone, and in non-infection stone patients, was 16.4% (130/793) and 25.2% (200/793). The positive rate of SC in patients with different types of stones were higher than that of UC. E. coli was the most common organism not only in both UC (54.3% ,120/221) and SC (43.9%,148/337) but also in urine and stones from patients with infection stones (44.0%,32.8%) or non-infection stones (61.5%,51.8%). Furthermore, the pathogens isolated from urine and stones showed high resistance to fluoroquinolones, ceftriaxone, cefazolin, cefuroxime, β-lactamases and sulfonamides (all resistance>20%).
Conclusions

The bacterial spectra demonstrated in stones and urine samples were significantly different. Positive SC was more commonly encountered than positive UC. Compared with non-infection stones, infection stones were accompanied by higher rates of positive tests in both cultures. The antibiotic resistance was comparable between bacteria in the two cultures. A combination of antibiotic sensitivity results in urine and stones might be a useful guide for selection of effective and appropriate treatment aiming at reduced problems with bacterial antibiotic resistance.
Association Between Serum 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and Homocysteine in Chinese Hypertensive Participants With Different MTHFR C677T Polymorphisms: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Cheng Yu , Liu Shuai , Chen Duo , Yang Yiman , Liang Qiongyue , Huo Ya , Zhou Ziyi , Zhang Nan , Wang Zhuo , Liu Lishun , Song Yun , Liu Xiangyi , Duan Yong , Liang Xiuwen , Hou Bingjie , Wang Binyan , Tang Genfu , Qin Xianhui , Yan Fangrong
Published: November 2021

Background and aims: Clarifying the association between 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and homocysteine and the effect pattern of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) may contribute to the management of homocysteine and may serve as a significant reference for a randomized controlled trial of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate intervention. This study aimed to reveal the association between these two biochemical indices. Methods: Study population was drawn from the baseline data of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT), including 2,328 hypertensive participants. 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and homocysteine were determined by stable-isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and automatic clinical analyzers, respectively. MTHFR C677T polymorphisms were detected using TaqMan assay. Multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the association between serum 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and homocysteine. Results: There was a significant inverse association between 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and homocysteine when 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was B 10 ng/mL, and this association was modified by MTHFR C677T (per 1-ng/mL increment; All: a = -0.50, P < 0.001; CC: c = -0.14, P = 0.087; CT: k = -0.20, P = 0.011; TT: g = -1.19, P < 0.001). Moreover, the decline in trend in genotype TT participants was stronger than in genotype CC participants (P for difference < 0.001) and genotype CT participants (P for difference < 0.001), while there was no significant difference between genotype CC and genotype CT participants (P for difference = 0.757). Conclusions: Our data showed a non-linear association between serum homocysteine and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate among Chinese hypertensive adults, however, it could be inversely linearly fitted when serum 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was r 10 ng/mL , and this association was modified by MTHFR C677T.
Phosphorylation of Focal Adhesion Kinase at Tyr925: Role in Glia-Dependent and Independent Migration Through Regulating Cofilin and N-Cadherin
Authors: Song Lingzhen , Zhao Shanting , Frotscher Michael , Chai Xuejun
Published: November 2021

The adult neocortex is a six-layered structure, consisting of nearly continuous layers of neurons that are generated with large temporal diversity. During development, cortical neurons originating from the ventricular zone migrate towards the Reelin-containing marginal zone in an inside-out arrangement. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), one tyrosine kinase localizing to focal adhesions, has been shown to be activated by Src, an important downstream molecule of Reelin signaling, at tyrosine 925 (Y925). Up to date, the precise molecular mechanisms of FAK and its phosphorylation at Y925 during neuronal migration are still unclear. Combining in utero electroporation with immunohistochemistry and live imaging, we examined the function of FAK in regulating neuronal migration. We show that phosphorylated FAK is colocalized with Reelin positive cells in the developing neocortex and hippocampus. Phosphorylation of FAK at Y925 is significantly reduced in reeler mice. Overexpression and dephosphorylation of FAK impair locomotion and translocation, resulting in migration inhibition and dislocation of both late-born and early-born neurons. These migration defects are highly correlated to the function of FAK in regulating cofilin phosphorylation and N-Cadherin expression, both are involved in Reelin signaling pathway. Thus, phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase at Y925 is crucial for both glia-dependent and independent neuronal migration.
Titanium dioxide nanotubes increase purinergic receptor P2Y6 expression and activate its downstream PKCα–ERK1/2 pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under osteogenic induction
Authors: Wang Chen , Liu Yanchang , Shang Xianbo , Ma Sai , Guo Huihui , Zhao Yao , Liu Lei , Zhu Yakun , Yu Haoran , Cheng Wendan
Published: November 2021

Background
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes can improve the osseointegration of pure titanium implants, but this exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The purinergic receptor P2Y6 is expressed in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and participates in the regulation of bone metabolism. However, it is unclear as to whether P2Y6 is involved in the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs induced by TiO2 nanotubes.
Methods
TiO2 nanotubes were prepared on the surface of titanium specimens using the anodizing method. The surface morphology of the nanotubes was observed by a scanning electron microscope, and the elemental analysis was carried out by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect the expression of P2Y6, markers of osteogenic differentiation, and PKCα–ERK1/2.
Results
The average inner diameter of the TiO2 nanotubes increases with an increase in voltage (voltage range of 30–90V), and the expression of P2Y6 in BMSCs could be upregulated by TiO2 nanotubes in osteogenic culture. Inhibition of P2Y6 expression partially inhibited the osteogenic effect of TiO2 nanotubes and downregulated the activity of the PKCα–ERK1/2 pathway. The osteogenic effect of TiO2 nanotubes when combined with P2Y6 agonists was more pronounced.
Conclusions
TiO2 nanotubes can promote the P2Y6 expression of BMSCs during osteogenic differentiation and promote osteogenesis by activating the PKCα–ERK1/2 pathway.
Poroelastic Attributes: A Real-time Determinant Membrane Nanorheology for Receptor Dependent Endocytosis of Targeted Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Kulkarni Tanmay Abhay , Mukhopadhyay Debabrata , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: November 2021

BackgroundEfficacy of targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles relies on several factors including the uptake mechanisms such as phagocytosis, macropinocytosis, micropinocytosis and receptor mediated endocytosis. These mechanisms have been studied with respect to the alteration in signaling mechanisms, cellular morphology, and linear nanomechanical properties (NMPs). Commonly employed classical contact mechanics models to address cellular NMPs fail to address mesh like structure consisting of bilayer lipids and proteins of cell membrane. To overcome this technical challenge, we employed poroelastic model which accounts for the biphasic nature of cells including their porous behavior exhibiting both solid like (fluid storage) and liquid like (fluid dissipate) behavior ResultsIn this study, we employed atomic force microscopy to monitor the influence of surface engineering of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to the alteration of nonlinear NMPs such as drained Poisson’s ratio, effective shear stress, diffusion constant and pore dimensions of cell membranes during their uptake. Herein, we used pancreatic cancer (PDAC) cell lines including Panc1, AsPC-1 and endothelial cell HUVECs to understand the receptor-dependent and -independent endocytosis of two different GNPs derived using plectin-1 targeting peptide (PTP-GNP) and corresponding scrambled peptide (sPEP-GNP). Compared to untreated cells, in case of receptor dependent endocytosis of PTP-GNPs diffusion coefficient altered ~1264-fold and ~1530-fold and pore size altered ~320-fold and ~260-fold in Panc1 and AsPC-1 cells respectively. Whereas for receptor independent mechanisms, we observed modest alteration in diffusion coefficient and pore size, in these cells compared to untreated cells. Effective shear stress corresponding to 7.38±0.15 kPa and 20.49±0.39 kPa in PTP-GNP treatment in Panc1 and AsPC-1, respectively was significantly more than that for sPEP-GNP. These results demonstrate that with temporal recruitment of plectin-1 during receptor mediated endocytosis affects the poroelastic attributes of the membrane. Conclusion﻿This study confirms that nonlinear NMPs of cell membrane are directly associated with the uptake mechanism of nanoparticles and can provide promising insights of the nature of endocytosis mechanism involved for organ specific drug delivery using nanoparticles. Hence, nanomechanical analysis of cell membrane es using this noninvasive, label-free and live-cell analytical tool can therefore be instrumental to evaluate therapeutic benefit of nanoformulations.
Increased CD21-CD27- atypical memory B cells as a biomarker of clinical disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Horisberger Alice , Humbel Morgane , Fluder Natalia , Bellanger Florence , Fenwick Craig , Ribi Camillo , Comte Denis
Published: November 2021

Background Determining disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is challenging and limited by the lack of reliable biomarkers. Analysis of the altered distribution of circulating B cells has shown promise for assessment disease activity. Yet studies are limited by variable classifications of B subsets. Therefore, we studied peripheral B cells using high-dimensional tools to identify a valid biomarker of disease activity.Methods We studied B cells in two separate cohorts of patients included in the Swiss SLE Cohort Study. In discovery cohort A, we analyzed cryopreserved PBMCs from 30 SLE, and 30 age-, sex- and ethnicity matched healthy controls (HC) by mass cytometry. In validation cohort B, fresh blood from 63 SLE, 14 Sjögren syndrome (pSS), 14 Sarcoidosis (Sarc), and 39 age-matched HC were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results In cohort A, using unsupervised clustering analysis, we identified 7 metaclusters within B cells. Two metaclusters were increased in SLE and exhibited a phenotype of atypical memory B cells (aMBC): CD21-, CD27-, CD11c+ and CXCR5-. Based on cohort A results, we confirmed in cohort B the increase in CD21-CD27- aMBC in SLE, compared to healthy and disease controls. In both cohorts, aMBC were associated with the severity of clinical manifestations. Compared to classical biomarkers, aMBC showed a significant correlation with clinical signs of disease activity. Conclusion aMBC were expanded in SLE, and the increase correlated with clinical disease activity. According to our data, aMBC represents a robust and easily accessible biomarker to assess disease activity in patients with SLE.
Metasurface-based Augmented Reality Headset Equipped with an Eye Movement Monitoring System
Authors: afra tara , salehi mohammad reza , Abiri Ebrahim
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a metasurface-based waveguide display equipped with an eye movement monitoring system is presented. In the suggested device, the functions of the eye movement system and AR are completely independent of each other and are designed in two separate sections at wavelengths 775 nm and 635 nm respectively. In the next part, in order to investigate the effects of the shape of the waveguide on FOV and efficiency, a multifunctional display system comprise of a single rectangular waveguide with two sensitive polarization channels are designed to operate as an AR and eye movement monitoring system simultaneously at visible and IR wavelengths respectively. In both devices, monitoring eye movements can be done over the range of -24º to 24º and the digital images are displaced in the user’s FOV based on horizontal eye positions. Although the first suggested system is heavier than one, its FOV is almost more than twice of the second system. The results indicate that metasurface-based waveguide technology can be considered as an appropriate platform for developing wearable eye movement systems.
An Emotional Discrete Controller PSO Tuned and PLC Implemented for a Real Industrial Pumping System
Authors: Marques Davidson , Silva Jeydson , Lira Milde Maria , Aquino Ronaldo
Published: November 2021

The application of automation techniques to water pump systems, combined with modern control techniques, has been increasing the hydraulic and energy efficiency of such systems. In this context, the objective of this work is to present an intelligent method of flow control based on Brain’s Emotional Learning (BELBIC), which will be applied to an experimental workbench of a pumping system, located in the Energy Efficiency and Energy Quality Laboratory (LEEQE) at Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE). The parameters of this controller are optimized with a particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique with minimization of Integral Absolute Error (IAE). Initial tests were performed in a computational environment so that the system’s performance could be pre-tested, thereby the dynamics of the system was modeled from real data generated in the process. The experimental results were obtained through the implementation of this control system in a programmable logic controller (PLC), which was the device responsible for all the automation of the workbench previously mentioned. The data of this workbench were collected using a supervisory system exclusively developed for this work. These data were then used to analyze the performance of the proposed control system, which demonstrated that its behavior was efficient.
Adherence to Face Mask and Social Distancing during Coronavirus 19 Pandemic. Sudan 2020-2021
Authors: Aboshanab Mohammed
Published: November 2021

Background and Objectives:The Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID 19) pandemic affects 187 countries which is began in China in December 2019 and spread around the world very quickly, becoming one of the greatest threats to human life in this century. As a result, preventive measures such as wearing face mask and social distancing have been implemented to fight against spreading of the virus. This study aimed to assess adherence to face mask and social distancing during COVID19 pandemic.Methods and Materials:This is a Cross-sectional observational study conducted at Khartoum state, the capital of Sudan. 1222 residents have been selected randomly to participate in this study. The inclusion criteria are: Everybody lives in Khartoum state is eligible to participate in this study. The exclusion criteria are: Everybody does not live in Khartoum state.The data was collected through structural questionnaire which include personal data and the questions which measure the adherence to face mask and social distance. And the data was analyzed by SPSS application.Results:The total of participants in this study was 1222. The majority of participants wear face mask only if it is necessary to enter a commercial store, governmental institution or a hospital (45.9%). The remaining portion of the participants wearing the mask only when they are with their family (11.9 %) or with friends (11.1%) or at transport (16 %) and at parties (6.5 %). On the other hand, (8.4 %) of the participants never wear a mask at all Table (4).The most of the participants practicing the social distancing only if it is needed to enter a commercial store, government institution or a hospital (41.5%), whereas the rest do it only when they are with their family (10.2 %), with friends (6.2 %), at parties (6.8 %) and at transport (11 %). However, almost quarter of them do not do social distancing at all (24.3 %).Conclusion:In conclusion, most of the participants in this study have poor adherence to COVID19 preventive measures, especially wearing Face Mask and social distancing. They tend to follow these preventive measures only when imposed by an authority or it is necessary to enter certain places.
Potential Change of Soil Microbial Diversity in Anticipated Atmospheric-CO2 Elevation Triggers Rhizosphere Activation: A Meta-analysis.
Authors: Bhattacharyya Pratap , Varghese Eldho , Dash Pradeep Kumar , Padhy Soumya Ranjan , Santra Priyabrata , Mohapatra Trilochan
Published: November 2021

One of the key challenges in present time to meet out growing global food demand without damaging environment under constant threats of climate-extremes. Enhancement of nutrient use efficiency and build up intrinsic system tolerance through soil microbial manipulation has gained significant international support to address this challenge. Impact of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) on soil microbial diversities both at present and future climatic scenario in spatial and temporal scale is highly debated with respect to its effects on soil functioning, nutrients dynamics and crop productivity and its practical consequences on resource conservation and food security. We conducted a meta-analysis on global database using 572 observations from 202 studies to investigate the effects of elevated CO2 on soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), yield and structural (soil microbial populations) and functional (soil enzymatic activities) diversities across 22 countries and 108 crop species. Overall, our results revealed that MBC and functional diversity increases with elevated atmospheric-CO2 irrespective of temperature zone and crop type. However, data trends showed structural diversity has been gradually adapted under elevated CO2 across the region over decadal scale. Anticipated elevation of atmospheric CO2 increase rhizospheric activities and could make soil more input demanding and more so in temperate region. Therefore, to fetch the benefits of CO2 fertilization and to meet out the higher demand both plant and soil (microbes), real time judicious nutrient supply is necessary; otherwise, soil priming, loss of fixed soil carbon reserve and land degradation might threat the future food security.
Effects of Moderate-to-Vigorous Acute Exercise on Visual Consciousness
Authors: Zhang Binn , Meng Xiaoxu , Yu Yanglan , Han Yaogang , LIU Ying
Published: November 2021

Background

the effect of acute exercise on cognition covers almost all stages of information processing, but few studies have focused on visual awareness. Subjective reports on the appearance of faint speed-changes in the perception of stimuli were used as an index for visual consciousness. Visual consciousness was assessed after exercise or rest. Aside from subjective index, objective speed-change discrimination was added as an index for the level of consciousness. Results: the results showed that subjective reports on the appearance of faint speed-changes in the perception of stimuli were affected by acute aerobic exercise. The hit rate for speed-change detection was marginally significantly higher after exercise than sedentary condition. Furthermore, the d’ index was higher after exercise. Analysis of the results obtained for the objective discrimination task showed that discrimination speed was boosted only when subjects were aware of the speed-change. Conclusions: these results suggest that acute exercise enhances visual consciousness.
Effects of Different Mutation Rates and Randomness on the Distribution of Linkage Disequilibrium
Authors: Zhang Rong , Du ZhiQiang
Published: November 2021

Background

Mutation has recently received much attention on its role in the evolution and genetics of complex trait. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) distribution can be affected by mutation as reported recently, in which the same mutation rates were adopted in the transition matrix. However, effects of different types, rates and randomness of mutation on LD distribution remain unexplored.
Results

Here, we considered in the transition matrix mutations at each locus to be of different types and rates (i.e. nucleotide transition or transversion treated differently), to examine how the LD distribution between two genetic loci was affected. After examining consecutively factors such as effective population size, recombination and selection, different mutation types and rates could further change the dynamics of LD distribution. However, at the current scale of mutation rate (weak at 10−9-10−8), mutation seemed to play only a minor role, compared to recombination and selection. A simple model further showed that mutation randomness increased the ruggedness of LD curves, which fluctuated around the steady state.
Conclusions

Taken together, different mutation rates and randomness could further disturb the dynamics of LD distribution. Our findings can help better understand the role of mutation in molecular evolution and complex trait genetics.
Pharmacological Use of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Derivatives in Osteoarthritis Pain Management: A Systematic Review
Authors: Du Ze , Chen Hanxiao , Cai Yongrui , Zhou Zongke
Published: November 2021

Background

Pain is the major complication of osteoarthritis (OA) patients and is a decisive symptom for medical intervention. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives are optional painkillers but not widely used in pain management of OA patients. We synthesized the efficacy and safety of GABA derivatives for OA pain management.
Methods

We searched Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, and ClinicalTrals.gov from inception to 13 October 2021 and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of GABA derivatives with placebo or standard control in OA pain management. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed these studies for risk of bias using Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for RCT.
Results

In total, three eligible RCTs (n=3) meeting the eligibility criteria were included. Among these RCTs, one focused on hand OA pain management, while two RCTs focused on knee OA. In hand OA, pregabalin reduced numerical rating scale (NRS) score and the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN) pain score significantly compared with placebo, and caused 55 AEs. In knee OA, pregabalin reduced visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score significantly with no recorded adverse event (AE). Meanwhile, in knee OA, gabapentin reduced both VAS score and WOMAC pain score compared with acetaminophen and caused 9 AEs.
Conclusions

GABA derivates are effective and safe in OA pain management. However, future researches with large sample size are needed to further prove the efficacy of GABA derivates in OA pain control.
Trial registration:
CRD42021240225.