bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trade-offs Between Succulent and Non-succulent Epiphytes Underlie Variation in Drought Tolerance and Avoidance
Authors: Gotsch Sybil , Williams Cameron B , Bicaba Renee , Hoyos Roxanne Cruz-de , Darby Alexander , Davidson Kenneth , Dix Mackenzie J , Duarte Vanessa , Glunk Andrew C , Green Laura , Ferguson Briana , Munoz-Elizondo Keylor , Murray Jessica G , Picado-Fallas Ignacio , Naesborg Rikke , Dawson Todd E , Nadkarni Nalini
Published: September 2021

Epiphyte communities comprise important components of many forest ecosystems in terms of biomass and diversity, but little is known regarding trade-offs that underlie diversity and structure in these communities or the impact that microclimate has on epiphyte trait allocation. We measured 22 functional traits in vascular epiphyte communities across six sites that span a microclimatic gradient in a tropical montane cloud forest region in Costa Rica. We quantified traits that relate to carbon and nitrogen allocation, gas exchange, water storage, and drought tolerance. Functional diversity was high in all but the lowest elevation site where drought likely limits the success of certain species with particular trait combinations. For most traits, variation was explained by relationships with other traits (trait co-variance), rather than differences in microclimate across sites. Although there were significant differences in microclimate, epiphyte abundance, and diversity, we found substantial overlap in multivariate trait space across five of the sites. We found significant correlations between functional traits, many of which related to water storage, drought tolerance, and carbon allocation. This suite of trait correlations suggests that the epiphyte community has evolved functional strategies along a drought avoidance versus drought tolerance continuum where leaf succulence emerged as a pivotal overall trait.
Suppression of Deflagration Flame Propagation of Methane-Air in Tube By Argon Gas and Explosion-Eliminating Chamber
Authors: Wang Quan , Xu Xiaomeng , Chang Weida , Li Zhimin , Zhang Jun , Li Rui
Published: September 2021

To explore the inhibitory effect of argon gas and explosion-eliminating chamber on methane-air deflagration flame propagation in the tube, based on the Φ=120 mm, L=5.5 m stainless steel pipeline test system to measure methane-air deflagration flame structure, flame propagation speed, and deflagration pressure. The results show that: 10%~30% argon is mixed into the methane-air premixed gas with different equivalent ratios. With the increase in the mixed argon content, the tensile distortion and instability of the flame front increase, and the average value of flame propagation speed decreases by 2.52%~60.0%. The first and second deflagration pressure peaks are reduced by about 13.1%~62% and 17.7%~86.5% respectively. The average value of the methane-air deflagration flame propagation velocity was reduced by 5.7%~37.0% with the explosion-eliminating chamber laid at the nozzle. The second and third deflagration pressure peaks are reduced by about 10%~30% and 50%~90% respectively. The inhibitory effect of argon on the propagation of methane-air flame is considered better than the laying of the explosion-eliminating chamber under the experimental conditions.
C1q/TNF-Related Protein 3 Prevents Diabetic Retinopathy via AMPK Dependent Stabilization of Blood-Retinal Barrier Tight Junctions
Authors: Yan Zheyi , Wang Chunfang , Meng Zhijun , Gan Lu , Guo Rui , Liu Jing , Lau Wayne Bond , Xie Dina , Zhao Jianli , Lopez Bernard L , Christopher Theodore A , Naik Ulhas P. , Wang Yajing , Ma Xinliang
Published: September 2021

Background
The impairment of the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB) increases the pathological development of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a severe complication in diabetic patients. Identifying approaches to preserving iBRB integrity and function is a major challenge in DR. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related proteins-3 (CTRP3) is a newly discovered adipokine and an important biomarker predicting DR severity. We sought to determine whether and how CTRP3 affects the pathological development of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).
Methods
To clarify the pathophysiologic progress of the blood-retinal barrier in NPDR and explore its potential mechanism, a mouse type 2 diabetic model of diabetic retinopathy was used. The capillary leakage was assessed by confocal microscope with fluorescent-labeled protein in vivo. Furthermore, the effect of CTRP3 on the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB) and its molecular mechanism was clarified.
Results
The results demonstrated that CTRP3 protects iBRB integrity and resists the vascular permeability induced by DR. Mechanistically, the administration of CTRP3 activates AMPK signaling pathway and enhances the expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 (tight junction protein) in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, CTRP3 improves the injury of human retinal endothelial cells (HRMECs) induced by high glucose/high lipids (HG/HL) and its protective effects are AMPK dependent.
Conclusions
In summary, we report for the first time that CTRP3 prevents diabetes-induced retinal vascular permeability via stabilizing the tight junctions of the iBRB and AMPK-dependent Occludin/Claudin-5 signaling pathway, thus critically affecting the development of NPDR.
The Relationship Between The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and The Ki-67 Proliferation Index in Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumor/Hemangiopericytoma
Authors: Li Shenglin , Zhou Qing , Zhang Peng , Ma Shize , Xue Caiqiang , Deng Juan , Liu Xianwang , Zhou Junlin
Published: September 2021

Objiective:
This study evaluated the value of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in distinguishing grade II and III intracranial solitary fibrous tumors /hemangiopericytomas and explored the correlation between ADC and Ki-67.
Methods
The preoperative MRIs of 37 patients treated for solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (grade II, n = 15 and grade III, n = 22) in our hospital from 2011 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We compared the difference between the minimum, average, maximum, and relative ADCs based on tumor grade and examined the correlation between ADC and Ki-67. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of the ADC.
Results
There were significant differences in the average, minimum, and relative ADCs between grade II and III patients. The optimal cutoff value for the relative ADC value to differentiate grade II and III tumors was 0.998, which yielded an area under the curve of 0.879. The Ki-67 proliferation indexes of grade II and III tumors were significantly different, and the average (r = -0.427), minimum (r = -0.356), and relative (r = -0.529) ADCs were significantly negatively correlated with the Ki-67 proliferation index.
Conclusions
ADC can be used to differentiate grade II and III intracranial solitary fibrous tumors/hemangiopericytomas. Our results can be used to formulate a personalized surgical treatment plan before surgery.
White Matter Pathology in Alzheimer’s Transgenic Mice With Chronic Exposure to Low-Level Ambient Fine Particulate Matter
Authors: Chen Ta-Fu , Lee Sheng-Han , Zheng Wan-Ru , Hsu Ching-Chou , Cho Kuan-Hung , Kuo Li-Wei , Chou Charles C.-K. , Chiu Ming-Jang , Teem Boon Lead , Cheng Tsun-Jen
Published: September 2021

Background: Air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM), can cause brain damage, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Typical pathological findings of amyloid and tau protein accumulation have been detected in the brain after exposure in animal studies. However, these observations were based on high levels of PM exposure, which were far from the WHO guidelines and those present in our environment. In addition, white matter involvement by air pollution has been less reported. Thus, this experiment was designed to simulate the true human world and to discuss the possible white matter pathology caused by air pollution. Results: 6-month-old female 3xTg-AD mice were divided into exposure and control groups and housed in the Taipei Air Pollutant Exposure System (TAPES) for 5 months. The mice were subjected to the Morris water maze test after exposure and were then sacrificed with brain dissection for further analyses. The mean mass concentration of PM2.5 during the exposure period was 13.85 μg/m3. After exposure, there was no difference in spatial learning function between the two groups, but there was significant decay of memory in the exposure group. Significantly decreased total brain volume and more neuronal death in the cerebral and entorhinal cortex and demyelination of the corpus callosum were noted by histopathological staining after exposure. However, there was no difference in the accumulation of amyloid or tau on immunohistochemistry staining. For the protein analysis, amyloid was detected at significantly higher levels in the cerebral cortex, with lower expression of myelin basic protein in the white matter. A diffuse tensor image study also revealed insults in multiple white matter tracts, including the optic tract. Conclusions: In conclusion, this pilot study showed that even chronic exposure to low PM2.5 concentrations still caused brain damage, such as gross brain atrophy, cortical neuron damage, and multiple white matter tract damage. Typical amyloid cascade pathology did not appear prominently in the vulnerable brain region after exposure. These findings imply that multiple pathogenic pathways induce brain injury by air pollution, and the optic nerve is another direct invasion route in addition to olfactory nerve.
Multimorbidity and Tooth Loss: The Brazilian National Health Survey, 2019
Authors: Bomfim Rafael Aiello , Cascaes Andreia Morales , Oliveira Cesar
Published: September 2021

BackgroundLittle is known about the presence of two or more chronic conditions (multimorbidity) on tooth loss between adults and older adults. Understanding the mechanisms of multimorbidity on tooth loss is essential to inform policy development. This study aims to investigate the association between multimorbidity and severity of tooth loss in Brazilian adults and older adults. MethodsWe analysed data from a nationally representative sample of 88,531 Brazilian individuals aged 18 and over who participated in the 2019 Brazilian Health Survey. Tooth loss was the outcome by two different classifications: functional dentition (lost 1-12 teeth) and severe tooth loss (lost 23-32 teeth). The presence of multimorbidity was the main exposure and based on thirteen self-reported doctor-diagnosed chronic diseases that were further categorised into two groups, i.e., ≥2 or ≥3 comorbidities. Sociodemographic covariates included sex, age, race, income, level of education and tobacco smoking and geographic region of residency. Multivariate logistic regression models estimated the OR (Odds Ratios) and 95%CI of the associations between multimorbidity and tooth loss. ResultsFor 65,803 adults (aged 18 to 59), the presence of multimorbidity (≥2) was associated with 32% higher odds of having severe tooth loss (95% CI, 1.17; 1.49) and 33% lower odds of having functional dentition (95% CI, 0.60; 0.75). For the 22,728 older adults (aged 60 and older), multimorbidity (≥2) was associated with a 17% higher odds of severe tooth loss (95% CI, 1.06; 1.29) and 23% lower odds of having functional dentition (95% CI 0.70; 0.85). The sensitivity analysis, excluding hypertension, confirmed our findings. ConclusionsBrazilian adults and older adults with multimorbidity are more likely to have severe tooth loss and less likely to have functional dentition.
High Temperature Tribological Performance of Steel/Copper Friction Pairs Lubricated With a Modified C-WS2-(Fe3O4+TiN) Nanoadditives in Non-Copper Coated Solid Wires
Authors: Li Hong , Zhu Jing , Zhang Yu , Li Zhuoxin , Meng Bo
Published: September 2021

In this study, four kinds of nanoparticles: graphite, WS2, Fe3O4 and TiN were used as lubricating additives for steel/copper friction pairs to solve the problem of welding contact tube wear with non-copper-coated solid wire at high temperature. The single and composite nanoparticles have excellent dispersion stability in absolute ethanol under the action of the compound surfactant NaSTA+OA+PVP. The tribological test results showed that the maximum decrement with reference to the average coefficient of friction and wear volumes were measured with nanoparticle concentration in 1:1:1 ratio at 300℃. Compared with dry friction, the average friction coefficient and wear volume are reduced by 74.3% and 84.8%, respectively, which may be attributed to the formation of a stable tribo-film mainly composed of C-O, Fe2O3, WO3, TiO2, TiNxOy composite on the worn surface. Therefore, it is considered that the combined lubrication effects of the ball-bearing effect, repairing of worn surfaces and the tribo-film resulted in the lowest friction and wear.
Beta-Blocker Treatment in Ventilated COVID-19 patients – A Cox Regression with Time Dependent Covariate Analysis
Authors: Mistry Dipesh , Hossain Anower , Sun Jianxia , Veenith Tonny , Lall Ranjit , Bion Julian , Whitehouse Tony
Published: September 2021

Background: Patients with co-morbidities are particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 disease. Critically ill patients with COVID-19 frequently experience severe tachycardias and avoidance of these is important in some co-morbidities, for instance cardiovascular disease. There is growing interest in beta blockade in critical illness as their use been associated with improved outcomes in a variety of conditions. We report the real-world use of heart rate management in patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. As retrospective data are prone to an Immortal Time Bias, we created a Cohort Trial such as might be used for a future prospective trial and used Time Dependent Covariate Analysis for its analysis. Methods: Data for all PCR-proven COVID-19 patients ventilated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were extracted from the hospital databases. To compensate for the risk of immortal time bias, we restricted analysis to 144 patients who achieved a heart rate (HR) of 90 beats per minute for more than 12 hours and were treated with norepinephrine. We recorded time from these ‘entry criteria’ to first beta blocker dose. Those patients who did not receive a beta blocker were given a nominal time to beta blocker beyond the censor day. Outcome was mortality censored at 28 days.Results: In the study group, 83/144 patients (57.6%) received a beta blocker. The median interval from entry criteria to beta blocker was 7.91 days (IQR 3.89, 13.15) and median duration of treatment was 7.00 days (IQR 4.00, 14.00). Twenty-four beta blocker patients (28.9%) died within 28 days compared with 29 (47.5%) who did not (adjusted OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.20-0.95, P=0.036). Cox Regression with time-dependent covariate analysis revealed there was an increased, but not significant, risk of death with beta blocker delay (Hazard Ratio 1.42 p=0.264). Mortality was also reduced for each day treated with beta blockade (adjusted Odds Ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.64-0.91; P=0.002).Conclusions: In a retrospective analysis of critically ill ventilated patients with COVID-19 who developed a tachycardia >90 beats per minute and were treated with norepinephrine, beta blockade was associated with reduced mortality.
Can Cerebral Regional Oxygen Saturation (rSO2) Be Used as an Indicator of the Quality of Chest Compressions in Patients With Cardiopulmonary Arrest? A Study Evaluating the Association Between rSO2 and Mean Arterial Pressure: the PRESS Study
Authors: Kishihara Yuki , Yasuda Hideto , Kashiura Masahiro , Harada Naoshige , Moriya Takashi
Published: September 2021

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest causes numerous deaths worldwide. High-quality chest compressions are important for good neurological recovery. Arterial pressure is considered useful to monitor the quality of chest compressions by the American Heart Association. However, arterial pressure catheter might be inconvenient during resuscitation. Conversely, cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) during resuscitation may be associated with a good neurological prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between mean arterial pressure and rSO2 during resuscitation to use rSO2 as the indicator of the quality of chest compressions.Methods: This study was a single-centre, prospective, observational study. Patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who were transported to a tertiary care emergency centre between October 2014 and March 2015 in Japan were included. The primary outcome was the regression coefficient between MAP and rSO2. MAP and rSO2 were measured during resuscitation (at hospital arrival [0 min], 3 min, 6 min, 9 min, 12 min, 15 min), and MAP was measured by an arterial catheter inserted into the femoral artery. For analysis, we used the higher value of rSO2 obtained from the left and right forehead of the patient and measured using a near-infrared spectrometer. Regression coefficients were calculated using the generalized estimating equation (GEE) with MAP and SAP as response variables and rSO2 as an explanatory variable, because MAP and rSO2 were repeatedly measured in the same patient. Since the confounding factors between MAP or SAP and rSO2 were not clear clinically or from previous studies, the GEE was analysed using univariate analysis.Results: Thirty-seven patients were analysed. rSO2 and MAP during resuscitation from hospital arrival to 15 min later were expressed as follows (median [interquartile range]): rSO2, 29.5 (24.3–38.8) %, and MAP, 36.5 (26–46) mmHg. The regression coefficient (95% confidence interval) of log-rSO2 and log-MAP was 0.42 (0.03–0.81) (p=0.035).Conclusion: rSO2 and MAP showed a mild but statistically significant association. rSO2 could be used to assess the quality of chest compressions during resuscitation as a non-invasive and simple method.Trial registration: This study was registered in the University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000015479).
Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy, Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass, and Ileal Transposition on Myocardial Ischaemia–Reperfusion Injury in Non-Obese Non-Diabetic Rats
Authors: Kornyushin Oleg , Sonin Dmitry , Polozov Alexander , Masley Vitaly , Bulavinova Nika , Chervyak Maria , Istomina Maria , Mukhametdinova Daria , Neimark Alexander , Cheburkin Yuri , Toropova Yana , Derkach Kira , Shpakov Alexander , Galagudza Michael , Shlyakhto Evgenyi
Published: September 2021

Bariatric surgery (BS) improves outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Here we tested the hypothesis that BS-mediated reduction in fatal MI could be attributed to its infarct-limiting effect. Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: control (CON), sham (SHAM), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and ileotransposition (IT). Ten weeks later, animals were subjected to 30-min myocardial ischemia plus 120-min reperfusion. Infarct size (IS) and no-reflow zone (NRZ) were determined histochemically. Fasting plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), leptin, ghrelin, and insulin were measured using ELISA. Compared with SHAM, RYGB and SG reduced IS by 22% (p = 0.011) and 10% (p = 0.027), and NRZ by 38% (p = 0.01) and 32% (p = 0.004), respectively. IT failed to reduce IS and NRZ. GLP1 level was increased in the SG and RYGB groups compared with CON. In both the SG and RYGB, leptin level was decreased compared with CON and SHAM. In the SG group, ghrelin level was lower than that in the CON and SHAM. Insulin levels were not different between groups. In conclusion, RYGB and SG increased myocardial tolerance to ischemia–reperfusion injury of non-obese, non-diabetic rats, and their infarct-limiting effect is associated with decreased leptin and ghrelin levels and increased GLP-1 level.
MRSA Femoral Osteomyelitis From Superinfected Scabies Lesions: a Pediatric Case Report
Authors: Sartorio Marco Ugo Andrea , Munari Alice Marianna , Carlucci Patrizia , Erba Paola , Calcaterra Valeria , Fabiano Valentina
Published: September 2021

Scabies is a skin infestation from the Sarcoptes scabiei. It is considered a public health issue causing concern in developing countries and is one of the World Health Organization (WHO) Neglected Tropical Disease. Scabies skin lesions may cause severe itch and can be the portal of entry for opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria which can cause serious systemic infections. We report the case of a 3 year-old-boy with recurrent scabies infection presenting to the Emergency Department because of fever and refusal to walk. At medical examination he looked unwell, right thigh was extremely painful on palpation and blood test showed neutrophilic leucocytosis and significantly increased C reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an osteomyelitis of metaphysis and distal diaphysis of the right femur with associated subperiosteal purulent collection and concomitant pyomyositis and fasciitis of the distal right thigh. Blood cultures turned positive for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. He received a long course of intravenous antibiotic therapy and his condition slowly improved. Follow-up femur X-ray showed a mixed pattern of erosion and sclerosis at meta-diaphyseal region and periosteal reaction at diaphyseal region. This case highlights the importance of early scabies diagnosis even in Western countries where poverty and household overcrowding are not matters of concern. Early diagnosis, timely begin of proper treatment and evidence of clinical resolution are important elements to prevent recurrence of infection and serious systemic superinfections even from multi-drug resistant bacteria. Clinical consequences from unrecognized disease or inadequate eradication are preventable.
Rapid and Quantitative Uncertainty Estimation of Coseismic Slip Distribution for Large Interplate Earthquakes Using Real-time GNSS Data and Its Application to Tsunami Inundation Prediction
Authors: Ohno Keitaro , Ohta Yusaku , Hino Ryota , Koshimura Shunichi , Musa Akihiro , Abe Takeshi , Kobayashi Hiroaki
Published: September 2021

This study proposes a new method for the uncertainty estimation of coseismic slip distribution on the plate interface deduced from real-time global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data and explores its application for tsunami inundation prediction. Jointly developed by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan and Tohoku University, REGARD (REal-time GEONET Analysis system for Rapid Deformation monitoring) estimates coseismic fault models (a single rectangular fault model and slip distribution model) in real time to support tsunami prediction. The estimated results are adopted as part of the Disaster Information System, which is used by the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan to assess tsunami inundation and damage. However, the REGARD system currently struggles to estimate the quantitative uncertainty of the estimated result, although the obtained result should contain both observation and modeling errors caused by the model settings. Understanding such quantitative uncertainties based on the input data is essential for utilizing this resource for disaster response. We developed an algorithm that estimates the coseismic slip distribution and its uncertainties using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. We focused on the Nankai Trough of southwest Japan, where megathrust earthquakes have repeatedly occurred, and used simulation data to assume a Hoei-type earthquake. We divided the 2951 rectangular subfaults on the plate interface and designed a multistage sampling flow with stepwise perturbation groups. As a result, we successfully estimated the slip distribution and its uncertainty at the 95% confidence interval of the posterior probability density function. Furthermore, we developed a new visualization procedure that shows the risk of tsunami inundation and the probability on a map. Under the algorithm, we regarded the Markov chain Monte Carlo samples as individual fault models and clustered them using the k-means approach to obtain different tsunami source scenarios. We then calculated the parallel tsunami inundations and integrated the results on the map. This map, which expresses the uncertainties of tsunami inundation caused by uncertainties in the coseismic fault estimation, offers quantitative and real time insights into possible worst-case scenarios.
Molecular evidence of autophagy impairment as serum level of ATG13 is elevated in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: two independent case-control studies
Authors: Roy Avik , Gottschalk Carl Gunnar , Peterson Daniel , Knox Konstance , Maynard Marco , Whelan Ryan J
Published: September 2021

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome is a multisystem illness characterized with extreme muscle fatigue associated with pain, neurocognitive impairment, and chronic inflammation. Despite intense investigation, the molecular mechanism of this disease is still unknown. Here we report two independent case-control studies to demonstrate that autophagy proteins are strongly upregulated in the serum of ME/CFS patients indicative of severe impairment in metabolic events of autophagy. Serum samples collected from two healthy and two age-matched patients were assayed for protein aggregation, screened for autophagy-related factors via an antibody array, quantified with densitometric analyses, and finally reconfirmed with ELISA analyses. Based on that double-blinded and gender-balanced study, the levels of ATG13, p62, and alpha-synuclein (α-syn) were found to be consistently elevated in the serum samples of these two ME/CFS patients. Moreover, our microglia-based oxidative stress response study and nitrite analyses indicated that serum samples of ME/CFS patients evoked the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrite in human HMC3 microglial cells, whereas neutralization of ATG13 was shown to strongly diminish the production of ROS and nitrite demonstrating the de novo effect bloodborne autophagy factors on inducing the stress response in microglial cells. Collectively, our results indicate that the impairment of autophagy followed by upregulations of autophagy markers especially ATG13 in serum could be a pathological hallmark in ME/CFS.
Primary Intracranial Malignant Melanomas: Retrospective Analysis of Management in a Single Chinese Institution and literature Review
Authors: Chen Lifeng , Yang Yang , Li Dongmei , Bu Bo , ma xiaodong
Published: September 2021

Background: Primary intracranial malignant melanoma (PIMM) is a rare malignant tumor. The authors retrospectively reviewed and discussed the clinical features, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes of patients with histologically proven PIMM. Methods: The data of 15 patients with PIMM in our hospital within 14 years (from January 2005 to January 2019) were collected. The clinical and imaging presentations, pathology, surgical strategies, adjuvant treatment and the prognosis were analyzed in this study.Results: Eleven men and 4 women with mean age 37.9 years (19-61 years) were observed over an average follow-up period of 22.6 months (range, 6–36 months). CT showed iso or high density in 12 cases (80%). MRI sacns indicated that 14 tumors were mainly hyperintensity on T1 weighted images, hypointensity on T2 weighted images, and had no or mild enhancement. The treatment modalities included total resection followed by conventional radiotherapy (RT) (n=12), and subtotal resection followed by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) (n=3). Fifteen cases had recurrence or metastasis at the average 14.7 months (6-23 months): local recurrence (8 cases), distant metastasis (5 cases), both of them (2 cases). Fourteen cases (93.3%) died and the mean overall survival was 22 months (6-36 months). The median survival period was 23 months. The overall survival rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 80%, 47%, and 13%, respectively. Radical resection with RT was associated with longer overall survival (log-rank, p<0.05). Conclusions: PIMM is an extremely rare tumor with poor prognosis, which is difficult to get correct preoperative diagnosis. Improvement of the recognition of MRI features of melanoma can increase the preoperative diagnosis rate, and radical resection with RT may provide longer overall survival rate. Targeted and immunotherapy therapies may provide promise as treatment options for PIMM.
Relationship Between Brain Iron Deposition and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Prasuhn Jannik , Göttlich Martin , Gerkan Friederike , Kourou Sofia , Ebeling Britt , Kasten Meike , Hanssen Henrike , Klein Christine , Brüggemann Norbert
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe underlying pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease is complex, involving different molecular pathways, including brain iron deposition and mitochondrial dysfunction. At a molecular level, these disease mechanisms are likely interconnected. Therefore, they offer potential strategies for disease-modifying treatments. We aimed to investigate subcortical brain iron deposition as a potential predictor of the bioenergetic status in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. MethodsThirty patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease underwent multimodal MR imaging (T1, susceptibility-weighted imaging, SWI) and 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging. Contrast-to-noise ratios based on the SWI images of the putamen, caudate, globus pallidus, and thalamus for each hemisphere were used in a multiple linear regression model to predict in vivo metabolites. ResultsSubcortical brain iron deposition, particularly in the putamen and globus pallidus, was highly predictive of the region-specific amount of high-energy-containing phosphorus metabolites in our subjects. Conclusions﻿Our study suggests that brain iron deposition but not the variability of individual volumetric measurements are highly predictive of mitochondrial impairment in vivo. These findings offer the opportunity, e.g., by using chelating therapies, to improve mitochondrial bioenergetics in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
Super-Enhancer Associated Nine-gene Prognostic Score Model for Prediction of Survival in Chronic Lymphoic Leukemia Patients
Authors: Liang Xue , Meng Ye , Li Cong , Wang Yangyang , Pu Lianfang , Hu Linhui , Li Qian , Zhai Zhimin
Published: September 2021

BackgroundChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a group of highly heterogeneous mature B cell malignancy with various disease courses and diagnoses. Super-enhancer(SE) is a novel concept drew in recent years which is a cluster of enhancers involved in cell differentiation and tumorigenesis ,and is one of the promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. Although there is a multitude of prognostic markers in CLL, insights into the role of super-enhancer(SE)-related risk indicators are still lacking.MethodsThe CLL-related super-enhancers in training database were processed by Lasso penalized Cox regression analysis to screen a nine-gene prognostic model. And the associations between all of the individual markers and OS of CLL were assessed by Cox regression analysis. Besides, in order to understand the connection between individual genes and selected disease characteristics, like IGHV mutation status, FISH abnormality, and ZAP70 expression level, we performed correlation analysis.ResultsA nine-gene prognostic model was screened, including TCF7, VEGFA, MNT, GMIP, SLAMF1, TNFRSF25, GRWD1, SLC6AC, and LAG3. A SE-related risk score was further constructed and the robust predictive performance with 5-year survival and time-to-treatment (TTT) area under the curve(AUC): 0.997 and 1.000 in the training database and 0.628 and 0.673 in the testing database, respectively. Besides, a high correlation was found between the risk score and known prognostic markers of CLL, including the mutational status of immunoglobulin variable region loci (IGHV), chromosomal abnormalities, and ZAP70 expression. Meantime, we noticed that the expression of TCF7, GMIP, SLAMF1, TNFRSF25, and LAG3 in CLL were different from healthy donors(P<0.01), moreover, the risk score and LAG3 level of matched pairs before and after treatment samples varied significantly, although these results were not completely consistent in different datasets. ConclusionTherefore, the SE-associated nine-gene prognostic model developed here may be used to predict the prognosis and assist in the risk stratification of CLL patients in the future.
Investigation On Sleep Status and Its Influencing Factors in Children Aged 3-14 in Beijing
Authors: Hongbin Li , Zhuo Li , Xiaodan Li , Jing Zhao , Guixiang Wang , Hua Wang , Jie Zhang , Xin Ni
Published: September 2021

Objective: To investigate the current status of children's sleep in Beijing and analyze the influencing factors that affect it. Methods:Using multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling, a total of 11420 children aged 3-14 in 7 districts in Beijing were included in the study. The Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) was used to investigate and analyze various factors influencing sleep. Multi-level model was used to analyze the relationship between PSQ score and related factors. Results: The average PSQ score of the children surveyed was 3.60 ± 2.69 points. If the score is greater than 7, it is considered that there may be sleep quality problems . The proportion of children with sleep quality problems was more than 8%. Multi-level model analysis results show that younger children have higher PSQ scores than older children. Boys have higher PSQ scores than girls. Conclusion: The sleep quality of children in Beijing is not optimistic. The PSQ score of preschool children is higher than school age children. It is recommended that parents pay attention to children’s sleep status and try to remove influencing factors.
A Novel Metrics to Predict Right Heart Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Valente Federica , Stefanidis Constantin , Vachiéry Jean-Luc , Dewachter Céline , Engelman Edgard , Eynden Frédéric Vanden , Roussoulières Ana
Published: September 2021

BackgroundRight Heart Failure (RHF) is a severe complication that can occur after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, increasing early and late mortality. Although numerous RHF predictive scores have been developed, limited data exist on the external validation of these models.We therefore aimed at comparing existent risk score models and identifying predictors of severe RHF at our center.MethodsIn this retrospective, single center analysis, clinical, biological and functional data were collected in patients implanted with a LVAD between 2011 and 2020. Early severe RHF was defined as use of inotropes for ≥14 days, nitric oxide use for ≥48 hours or unplanned right-sided circulatory support.Risk models were evaluated for the primary outcome of RHF or RVAD implantation by means of logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves. ResultsAmong 92 patients implanted, 24 (26%) developed early severe RHF. The EUROMACS-RHF risk score performed the best in predicting RHF (C=0.82 - 95% CI: 0.68-0.90), compared with the other scores (Michigan, CRITT). In addition, we developed a new model, based on four variables selected for the best reduced logistic model: the INTERMACS level, the number of inotropes used, the ratio of right atrial/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the ratio of right ventricle/left ventricle diameters by echocardiography. This model demonstrated significant discrimination of RHF (C=0.91 - 95% CI: 0.76-0.96).ConclusionAmongst available risk scores, EUROMACS-RHF performs best to predict the occurrence of RHF after LVAD implantation. Our model’s performance compares well to the EUROMACS-RHF score, adding a more objective parameter to RV function evaluation.
Lifestyle Changes, Mental Health, and Health-related Quality of Life in Children Aged 6-7 Years Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Germany
Authors: Kurz Deborah , Braig Stefanie , Genuneit Jon , Rothenbacher Dietrich
Published: September 2021

Background: The measures against the COVID-19 pandemic are challenging for children and parents, and detrimental effects on child health are suggested especially from lock-down measures and school closings. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a population based longitudinal (birth-) cohort study (SPATZ study) conducted in the South of Germany. Data included all children of the 6- and 7-year follow-up for whom a questionnaire was completed during first grade of school. Consequently, we were able to analyze children being in first grade before the first lockdown in Germany (≤15th March 2020), as well as children being in first grade during the pandemic (>15th March 2020). We conducted descriptive statistics and estimated the associations between the two time periods, before and during the pandemic, and various outcomes of child health using multivariable adjusted linear or logistic regression modeling. The analysis was stratified by gender. Results: Results among n=362 children aged six or seven years showed substantially lower mean scores of health-related quality of life (b: -5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): -9.0, -2.0), and higher mean scores in emotional and behavioral difficulties (b: 2.0, 95% CI: 0.2, 3.8) in girls during vs. before the COVID-19 pandemic using multivariable linear regression modeling. In addition, weekly screen-time was increased in boys by 3.5 hours (95% CI: 0.6, 6.4). We did not find substantial differences in sleep quality, physical activity, and time spent with books, neither in boys nor in girls, however, the limited sample size has to be considered.Conclusion: Child health (and behavior) of first grade school children is possibly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with adverse consequences possibly differing by gender.
The Bisphenol F and Bisphenol S and Cardiovascular disease: results from NHANES 2013-2016
Authors: wang Ruihua , Fei Qiaoyuan , Liu Shan , Weng Xueqiong , Liang Huanzhu , Wu Yingying , Wen Lin , Hao Guang , Cao Guangwen , Jing Chunxia
Published: September 2021

Background
Bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) are replacing bisphenol A (BPA) in the manufacturing of products containing polycarbonates and epoxy resins, however, the effects of these substitutes on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have not been assessed.
Objective
To examine the association of urinary BPS and BPF with the CVD risk in a U.S. representative population.
Method
A cross-sectional data with 1,266 participants aged 20 to 80 years from the 2013–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was analyzed. The logistic regression was used to assess the association between BPF, BPS and CVD. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was applied to assess the mixed effect.
Results
A total of 138 patients with CVD were identified. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, T3 concentration of BPS increased the risk of total CVD (OR: 1.98, 95%CI: 1.20–3.28). When stratified by age, we found that BPS increased the risk of CVD in the 50–80 age groups (OR:1.40, 95%CI: 1.05–1.87). BPS was positively associated with the risk of stroke and T3 of BPS increased the stroke risk by 3.46 times (95%CI: 1.09–10.95). No significant association was observed between BPF and CVD. Although BKMR model did not identify the mixed exposure effect of BPS, the risk of CVD increased, with the increase of compound concentration.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that BPS may increase the risk of total CVD and stroke in the U.S population, and prospective studies are needed to confirm the results.
Synthesis of SnO2 and Zn doped SnO2 Nanoparticles by Flame Oxidation Process for Photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue Dye
Authors: P SIVARAMA PRABHU , PONNUSAMY KATHIRVEL , Maruthamani D , Ram S.D Gopal
Published: September 2021

A very simple and rapid flame oxidation method is effectively used to synthesis pure Tin Oxide (SnO2) and Zinc doped Tin Oxide (Zn:SnO2) nanoparticles from the metallic Tin (Sn) and Zinc (Zn) powders for the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene blue (MB) dye and characterized to study their structural, optical, elemental and chemical properties. From the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) it indicates that the synthesized SnO2 and Zn:SnO2 nanoparticles have pure tetragonal and cubical phases respectively and their average size increases when Zn was doped with SnO2. Raman spectral studies confirms the various mode of vibrations and the crystal structure of the synthesized nanoparticles from the spectral peaks of Raman shifts. Purity, atomic percentage and chemical composition were analysed using Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The band gap energy was increasing from 3.5 eV to 3.6 eV when doping of Zn with SnO2, which was revealed from the UV-visible spectroscopic analysis. Photoluminescence analysis (PL) confirms the red shifted emission for Zn:SnO2 due to the oxygen deficiency. The CIE chromaticity(x,y) for SnO2 and Zn:SnO2 was calculated from the emission spectra and the cordinates represents blue and violet region respectively. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis shows that the pure SnO2 nanoparticles have irregular, agglomerated, nanoflowered and nanoclustered formation whereas Zn:SnO2 nanoparticles have more crystalline, cubical and nanoflakes structures. The photocatalytic activity was enhanced due to the presence of Zn in SnO2 under UV light irradiation. The efficiency of MB degradation by SnO2 and Zn:SnO2 nanoparticles are above 80%, which proves to be an effective photocatalyst.
Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Phoneutria Boliviensis (Araneae, Ctenidae): New Insights Into the Phylogeny and Evolution of Spider
Authors: Prada Carlos Fernando , Franco Lida Marcela , Cabarcas Felipe
Published: September 2021

Spiders are the most abundant land predators and megadiverse on earth. In recent years, the mitochondrial genome has been sequenced, mainly for ecological and commercial purposes, reporting some level of rearrangements in this genome. However, there is poor genetic information in several taxonomic families of spiders. The aim of this study was to obtain the sequence of the complete genome of Phoneutria boliviensis and, based on this, extract the mitogenomes of other species of the family Ctenidae from published transcriptomes to perform a comparative study among spider species to determine the relationship between the level of mitochondrial rearrangement and its possible relationship with molecular variability in spiders. Complete mitochondrial genomes of eighteen spiders (including nine Ctenidae species) were obtained by two different methodologies (sequencing and transcriptome extraction). Fifty-eight spider mitochondrial genomes were downloaded from the NCBI database for gene order analysis. After verifying the annotation of each mitochondrial gene, a phylogeny and gene order, analysis from 76 spider mitochondrial genomes was obtained. Our results show a high rate of annotation error in the mitochondrial genomes of spiders published in databases, which could lead to false phylogenetic relationships. Moreover, to provide new mitochondrial genomes in spiders by two different methodologies to obtain them, our analysis identifies six different mitochondrial architectures among all spiders. Translocation or tandem duplication random loss (TDRL) events in tRNA genes were identified to explain the evolution of the spider mitochondrial genome. In addition, our findings provide new insights into spider mitochondrial evolution.
Research on Surface Modification of Screen Printing Electronics
Authors: Tian Ye , Li Yan , Yuan Ying-Cai , Zhao Lin , He Gao-Shen , Peng Tuo-Kai , Xu Jian-Lin
Published: September 2021

Printing electronic components by screen printing with its excellent printing quality, high efficiency, and green environmental protection have broad application prospects in additive manufacturing. However, efficiency and quality of printing were decreased as conductive-ink blocking screen in the actual process of printing. Thus, it is pivotal that exploring factors of adhesion from the interaction of conductive-ink and screen. Herein, the functional relationship between adhesion and factors of adhesion and influence trend of adhesion on ink residue was obtained via the establishment of liquid-bridge adhesion model between two plates according to screen printing ink transfer process, solid-liquid wetting theory, and adhesion mechanism, which was verified by software Fluent. In order to justify the accuracy of the model and simulation, the adhesion and ink residue were tested on the surface-modified glass sheet as the result that the model and simulation were consistent with the experimental record. It was demonstrated that solid-liquid contact angle, tensile distance, and liquid volume are the main factors affecting the change of solid-liquid adhesion. With the increase of tensile distance and contact angle, the adhesion force decreases, which causes the decline of the residual amount of liquid on the solid surface. By means of screen modification, the adhesion between conductive-ink and screen can be reduced, as meanwhile the efficiency and quality of printed products can be improved.
Estrogen Hormone Is an Essential Sex Factor Inhibiting Inflammation and Immune Response in COVID-19
Authors: Li Fuhai , Boon Adrianus C.M. , Michelson Andrew P. , Foraker Randi E. , Zhan Ming , Payne Philip R.O.
Published: September 2021

Although vaccines have been evaluated and approved for SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention, there remains a lack of effective treatments to reduce the mortality of COVID-19 patients already infected with SARS-CoV-2. The global data of COVID-19 showed that men have a higher mortality rate than women. We further observed that the proportion of mortality of female increases starting from around the age of 55 significantly. Thus, sex is an essential factor associated with COVID-19 mortality, and sex related genetic factors could be interesting mechanisms and targets for COVID-19 treatment. However, the associated sex factors and signaling pathways remain unclear. Here, we propose to uncover the potential sex associated factors using systematic and integrative network analysis. The unique results indicated that estrogen hormones (ER), e.g., estrone and estriol, 1) interacting with ESR1/2 receptors, 2) can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 caused inflammation and immune response signaling in host cells; and 3) estrogen hormone is associated with the distinct fatality rates between male and female COVID-19 patients. Specifically, a high level of estradiol protecting young female COVID-19 patients, and estrogen loss to an extremely low level in females after about 55 years of age causing the increased fatality rate of women. In conclusion, estrogen hormone, interacting with ESR1/2 receptors, is an essential sex factor that protects COVID-19 patients by inhibiting inflammation and immune response caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Medications perturb the down-stream of ESR1/ESR2 to inhibit the inflammation and immune response can be effective or synergistic combined with other existing drugs for COVID-19 treatment.