bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ordering and Dynamics of Interacting Colloidal Particles under Soft Confinement
Authors: Herrera-Velarde Salvador , Euán-Díaz Edith , Castañeda-Priego Ramón
Published: April 2021

Confinement can induce substantial changes in the physical properties of macromolecules in suspension. Soft confinement is a particular class of restriction where the boundaries that constraint the particles in a region of the space are not well-defined. This scenario leads to a broader structural and dynamical behavior than the observed in systems enclosed between rigid walls. In this contribution, we study the ordering and diffusive properties of a two-dimensional colloidal model system subjected to a one-dimensional parabolic trap. Increasing the trap strength makes it possible to go through weak to strong confinement, allowing a dimensional transition from two- to one-dimension. The non-monotonic response of the static and dynamical properties to the gradual dimensionality change affects the system phase behavior. We find that the particle dynamics is connected with the structural transitions induced by the parabolic trap. In particular, at low and intermediate confinement regimes, complex structural and dynamical scenarios arise, where the softness of the external potential induces melting and freezing, resulting in faster and slower particle diffusion, respectively. Besides, at strong confinements, colloids move basically along one direction, and the whole system behaves structurally and dynamically similar to a one-dimensional colloidal system.
Rational Approach to Optimization of Solid Waste Collection Routing Using GIS: A Case Study of Adentan West Residential Area of Accra
Authors: Awuah Edmund Baffour , Rockson Mizpah A. D. , Andam-Akorful Samuel A.
Published: April 2021

Vehicle routing is a critical factor in municipal solid waste (MSW) collection planning and operations. Poor routing can introduce inefficiencies and cause targeted levels of services or performance to be missed irrespective of the level of resource application. Trial and error approaches have been proven to be not the best in the planning and prediction of expected performance. This study explores various Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and analysis techniques, and how they can be applied to optimizing vehicle routes in light of challenging site conditions. Using Adentan West residential area, suburb of Accra Ghana as a case study, current performance of the trial and error method was measured and a GIS computer model was used to evaluate various optimization scenarios to determine the level of savings that can be made. Field measurements were taking with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices for waste collection activities in areas with varying characteristics and conditions, and data analysed for one selected vehicle operating four days per week. It was found that, for a scenario where only the bin collection order was optimized while route selection was restricted by the ArcGIS Network Analyst, 2.6% of travel distance and 2.21% of travel time were saved. For the second scenario where only the route selection was optimized while order of bin collection was restricted, 4.1% and 1.5% of travel distance and time respectively were saved. For a third scenario where both the order of collection and route selection were together optimized, 10.9% and 3.7% of travel distance and time respectively were saved. Lastly, by regrouping all the bins for daily collection, 4.5% and 1.2% of travel distance and time respectively were saved. The results demonstrated that there is always room for optimization of solid waste collection routing irrespective of site constraints and other challenges that the nature of bin distribution pose to drivers. In developing countries like Ghana, where there is high demand for services in the face of limited road network access, application of GIS in optimization of routes will guide providers in planning and subsequently make more savings in fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance and cost of man-hours.
Immune Checkpoints in Pediatric Solid Tumors: Targetable Pathways for Advanced Therapeutic Purposes
Authors: Cocco Claudia , Morandi Fabio , Airoldi Irma
Published: April 2021

Tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a complex network between tumor cells and a variety of components including immune, stromal and vascular endothelial cells as well as extracellular matrix. A wide panel of signals and interactions here take place, resulting in a bi-directional modulation of cellular functions. Many stimuli, on one hand, induce tumor growth and spread of metastatic cells and, on the other hand, contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive environment. The latter feature is achieved by soothing immune effector cells, mainly cytotoxic T lymphocytes, B and NK cells, and/or through expansion of regulatory cell populations, including regulatory T and B cells, tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In this context, immune checkpoints (IC) are key players in the control of T cell activation and anti-cancer activities, leading to the inhibition of tumor cell lysis and of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Thus, these pathways represent promising targets for the development of effective and innovative therapies both in adults and childhood. Here we address the role of different cell populations homing the TME and of well-known and recently characterized IC in the context of pediatric solid tumors. We also discuss preclinical and clinical data available using IC inhibitors alone, in combination each other or administered with standard therapies.
Wounding-Induced VOC Emissions in Five Tropical Agricultural Species
Authors: Portillo-Estrada Miguel , Okereke Chikodinaka N. , Jiang Yifan , Talts Eero , Kaurilind Eve , Niinemets Ülo
Published: April 2021

Leaf mechanical wounding triggers a rapid, within minutes, release of a blend of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Wounding-induced VOC blend is mainly composed of oxygenated ubiquitous stress volatiles such as methanol and volatile products of lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway (mainly C5 and C6 alcohols and aldehydes and their derivatives), but also includes multiple minor VOCs that collectively act as infochemicals inducing defences in non-damaged plant leaves, neighbouring plants and attracting herbivore enemies. Till present, interspecific variability of the rate of induction and magnitude of wounding-induced emissions, and the extent to which plant structural traits and physiological activity alter these emissions are poorly known. Particularly scarce is the information of the induced emissions in tropical agricultural plant species despite their economic importance and large area of cultivation at regional to global scales. We chose five tropical crops with varying photosynthetic activity and leaf structural characteristics: Abelmoschus esculentus, Amaranthus cruentus, Amaranthus hybridus, Solanum aethiopicum and Telfairia occidentalis to characterize the kinetics and magnitude of wounding-induced emissions, hypothesizing that the induced emission response is greater and faster in physiologically more active species with greater photosynthetic activity than in less active species. Rapid highly repeatable leaf wounds (12-mm cuts) were generated by a within-leaf-chamber cutting knife. Wounding-induced VOC emissions were measured continuously with a proton-transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer and gas-chromatography mass spectrometry was used to separate isomers. Twenty-three ion VOCs and twelve terpenoid molecule structures were identified, whereas ubiquitous stress volatiles methanol (on average 40% of total emissions), hexenal (24%), and acetaldehyde (11%) were the main compounds across the species. Emissions of low-weight oxygenated compounds (LOC, 70% of total), and LOX products (29%) were positively correlated across species, but minor VOC components, monoterpenoids and benzenoids were negatively correlated with LOC and LOX, indicating a reverse relationship between signal specificity and strength. There was a large interspecific variability in the rate of induction and emission magnitude, but the hypothesis of a stronger emission response in physiologically more active species was only partly supported. In addition, the overall emission levels were somewhat lower with different emission blend compared to the data reported for wild species, as well as different shares for the VOCs in the blend. The study demonstrates that wounding-dependent emissions from tropical agricultural crops can significantly contribute to atmospheric volatiles, and these emissions cannot be predicted based on current evidence of wild plant model systems.
Reciprocal Inhibition of Immunogenic Performance in Mice of Two Potent DNA Immunogens Targeting HCV Related Liver Cancer
Authors: Jansons Juris , Skrastina Dace , Kurlanda Alisa , Petkov Stefan , Avdoshina Darya , Kuzmenko Yulia , Krotova Olga , Olga Trofimova , Gordeychuk Ilya , Sominskaya Irina , Isaguliants Maria
Published: April 2021

Chronic HCV infection and associated liver cancer impose a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Direct acting antivirals eliminate HCV, unless it is drug resistant, and partially reverse liver disease, but they cannot cure HCV-related cancer. Possible remedy could be a multi-component immunotherapeutic vaccine targeting both HCV-infected and malignant cells, also those not infected with HCV. To meet this need we developed a two-component DNA vaccine based on the highly conserved core protein of HCV to target HCV-infected cells, and a renowned tumor associated antigen telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) based on the rat TERT, to target malignant cells. Their synthetic genes were expression-optimized, and HCV core was truncated after aa 152 (Core152opt) to delete the domain interfering with immunogenicity. Core152opt and TERT DNA were highly immunogenic in BALB/c mice, inducing IFN-γ/IL-2/TNF-α response of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Also, DNA-immunization with TERT enhanced cellular immune response against luciferase encoded by a co-delivered plasmid (Luc DNA). However, DNA-immunization with Core152opt and TERT mix resulted in abrogation of immune response against both components. A loss of bioluminescent signal after co-delivery of TERT and Luc DNA into mice indicated that TERT affects the in vivo expression of luciferase directed by the immediate early cytomegalovirus and interferon-β promoters. Panel of mutant TERT variants was created and tested for their expression effects. TERT with deleted N-terminal nucleoli localization signal and mutations abrogating telomerase activity still suppressed the IFN-β driven Luc expression, while the inactivated reverse transcriptase domain of TERT and its analogue, enzymatically active HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, exerted only weak suppressive effects, implying that suppression relied on the presence of the full-length/nearly full-length TERT, but not its enzymatic activity. The effect(s) could be due to interference of the ectopically expressed xenogeneic rat TERT with biogenesis of mRNA, ribosomes and protein translation in murine cells, affecting the expression of immunogens. HCV core can aggravate this effect, leading to early apoptosis of co-expressing cells, preventing the induction of immune response.
Immunomodulation as a Potent COVID-19 Pharmacotherapy: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Hertanto Decsa Medika , Sutanto Henry , Kencono Wungu Citrawati Dyah
Published: April 2021

In the first year of its appearance, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected more than 120 million individuals and killed 2 million people worldwide. The pandemic has also triggered numerous global initiatives to tackle the newly emerging disease, including the development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the attempt to discover potential pharmacological therapies. Nonetheless, despite the success of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines development, the COVID-19 therapy remains challenging. Several repurposed drugs that were documented to be useful in small clinical trials have been shown to be ineffective in larger studies. Additionally, the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection displayed the predominance of cytokine storm in inducing multiorgan damage. Therefore, the potential benefits of both immune modulation and suppression in COVID-19 have been extensively discussed. Here, we reviewed the roles of immunomodulation as potential COVID-19 pharmacological modalities based on the existing data and proposed several new immunologic targets to be tested in the foreseeable future.
«Quick, Convenient, and Clean»: Advancing Education in Green Chemistry and Nanocatalysis Using Sol-Gel Catalysts Under Flow
Authors: Scurria Antonino , Pagliaro Mario , Ciriminna Rosaria
Published: April 2021

Removing one key barrier to the industrial uptake of green chemistry and nanocatalysis in the fine and specialty chemical industry requires to fill an ongoing “talent shortage” via expanded chemistry education. In this study we show how the use of hybrid sol-gel catalysts to synthesize fine chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients in flow chemistry reactors illustrates new ideas to reshape chemistry education based on recent research outcomes, visualization and digital tools. Several lessons learned from the industrial and academic utilization of these materials in continuous-flow conversions conclude the study.
Project-Oriented Learning as an Optimal Methodology for the Incorporation of the SDGs in University Teaching: A Systematic Review
Authors: Miñán-Espigares Antonio , Juárez-Romero Claudia-Amanda
Published: April 2021

The use of active methodologies in the university is a priority to achieve higher quality learning. One of these methodologies with the greatest potential for training in competencies is Project-Oriented Learning (PLA), using it in an innovative way. Associating the use of this methodology with the objectives of sustainable development, which have become even more important since the Pandemic by COVID-19, can be a good idea to achieve a more sustained and situated learning. The aim of this study is to find out to what extent research on teaching innovation with Project-Oriented Learning is associated with the Sustainable Development Goals. A systematic review was carried out as indicated by PRISMA through the following databases: WOS and Scopus. WOS found 15 articles on AoP and 6 on Project-Oriented Learning and sustainability. In Scopus 2 were found in 2019. The main results show that in the University, especially in the branches of engineering, AoP is widely used, however, it is rarely related to SDGs. Among the conclusions, we highlight the need for research on project-oriented learning and sustainable development goals.
Mast Cells in the Skin: Defenders of Integrity or Offenders in Inflammation?
Authors: Voss Martin , Kotrba Johanna , Gaffal Evelyn , Katsoulis-Dimitriou Konstantinos , Dudeck Anne
Published: April 2021

Mast cells (MCs) are best known as key effector cells of immediate type allergic reactions that may even culminate in life-threatening anaphylactic shock syndromes. However, strategically positioned at host-environment interfaces and equipped with a plethora of receptors, MCs also play an important role in the first line defense against pathogens. Their main characteristic, the huge amount of preformed pro-inflammatory mediators embedded in secretory granules, allow for a rapid response and initiation of further immune effector cell recruitment. The same mechanism, however, may account for detrimental overshooting responses. MCs are not only detrimental in MC-driven diseases, but also responsible for disease exacerbation in other inflammatory disorders. Focusing on the skin as the largest immune organ, we herein review both beneficial and detrimental functions of skin MCs all the way from skin barrier integrity via host defense mechanisms to MC-driven inflammatory skin disorders. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of IgE-independent pathways of MC activation and their role in sustained chronic skin inflammation and disease exacerbation.
Transitional Morphologies. Urban forms: Generation and Regeneration Processes. An Agenda
Authors: Trisciuoglio Marco , Barosio Michela , Ricchiardi Ana , Tulumen Zeynep , Crapolicchio Martina , Gugliotta Rossella
Published: April 2021

Grounded on urban morphology studies, the research tries to overcome the analysis of the permanents elements of the city seeking for a transitional paradigm in urban morphology, aiming at grasping the dynamics in urban evolution and providing operative tools for urban regeneration design in an adaptive approach. A combination of four actions of urban analysis is here suggested to highlight urban dynamics: a. Sorting the transitional steps of urban morphologies (within rapid market processes), b. Underlining rules and Processes characterizing urban coding in transition, c. Mapping urban assemblages in the adaptive city and d. Reading and representing urban permutation phenomenon. The results of this multifaced and multidimensional set of analytical tools allow to outline a new design thinking paradigm moving towards a parametric approach to urban design of cities in transition broadening the extent of urban regeneration process and supporting urban policies in the framework community based approach.
Dietary antiplatelets: a new perspective on the health benefits of the water-soluble tomato concentrate Fruitflow®
Authors: O’Kennedy Niamh , Duss Ruedi , Duttaroy Asim K
Published: April 2021

Understanding platelet functionality has undergone a sea change in the last decade. No longer are platelets viewed simply as regulators of haemostasis; they are now acknowledged to be pivotal in coordinating the inflammatory and immune responses. This expanded role for platelets brings new opportunities for controlling a range of health conditions, targeting platelet activation and their interactions with other vascular cells. Antiplatelet drugs may be of wider utility than ever expected but often cause too strong a platelet suppression to be used out of clinical settings. Dietary antiplatelets represent a nutritional approach that can be efficacious while safe for general use. Here we review potential new uses for dietary antiplatelets outside the field of cardiovascular health, with specific reference to the water-soluble tomato extract Fruitflow®. Uses in different aspects of inflammation and immune function are discussed, highlighting exercise-induced inflammation, mediating the effects of air pollution, and controlling thrombotic aspects of the immune response. Potential future developments in women’s health, erectile dysfunction, and the allergic response give an indication of how wide-ranging the utility of dietary antiplatelets can possibly be.
Blinking Dermatitis
Authors: Luria Shai , El Haj Madi , Volk Ido
Published: April 2021

Repeated blanching and flushing of the skin, usually the nail bed, is often called Quincke sign. This sign is commonly related to aortic insufficiency, although it may be observed in the nail bed of normal individuals.

Case report:

Quincke sign manifested on the wrist of a young healthy man. The patient had self-treated with topical antibiotics and steroids for a second-degree burn, but then developed contact dermatitis followed by cellulitis. He presented to the emergency department with a “blinking” effect of the skin lesion.

Conclusion:

The “blinking” effect is the result of focal subcutaneous arterial dilatation in the zone of subcutaneous inflammation.
Natural History of Bilateral Congenital Absence of the L4 Pedicles
Authors: Horn B. David , States Lisa , Pitt Susannah
Published: April 2021

Case:

A 5-month-old girl was diagnosed with congenital bilateral absence of the L4 pedicles and an absent right kidney. She developed a right thoracic scoliosis at age 3 that was treated with a brace. At her most recent follow-up at age 16, she was skeletally mature and had a residual 20° right thoracic scoliosis. She was pain-free, had a normal neurological examination, and was fully active.

Conclusion:

This case presents a long-term follow-up of a patient with congenital bilateral absence of L4 pedicles. She developed scoliosis that was successfully treated with bracing. No other significant issues developed over 15 years of follow-up.
Depositional environments and salt-thickness variations in Urmia Lake (NW Iran): Insight from sediment-core studies
Authors: Mohammadi Ali , Lak Razyeh , Schwamborn Georg , Firouz Amaneh Kaveh , Çiner Attila , Khatouni Javad Darvishi
Published: April 2021

Urmia Lake is a large-scale hypersaline lake that experienced a drastic water-level fall due to natural and anthropogenic forces during the last two decades. Construction of a causeway in the central part of the lake after 1989 has divided the lake into northern and southern parts and caused an extreme change of the lake hydrochemical system. Precipitation of evaporite minerals as crust on the lake floor was caused by the combination of lake level fall and increasing water salinity. However, some parameters controlling rates of salt deposition and dissolution and temporal and spatial variation in salt thickness in Lake Urmia are poorly understood. This study reviews 90 sediment cores from various parts of the lake to put forward a better understanding of the salt depositional system and salt thickness variations in the basin for the last 40 years (1977–2017). Our results indicate that the sedimentary system of Urmia Lake changed rapidly during the last two decades from a permanent hypersaline lake with predominantly fast terrigenous–biochemical sedimentation to a seasonally changing playa sedimentary environment with predominance of evaporite minerals. These changes are responsible for rapid salt deposition that generated a salt-crust with a maximum thickness of 2.95 m overlying Holocene terrigenous sediments. The salt-crust thickness and the water depth have a positive correlation for water depth greater than 1 meter, which means that salt-crust thickness increases where water depth increases. While the thickness of shallow deposits are affected by fresh-water dissolution. In addition, the average salt precipitation rate in the northern and the southern parts of the lake is 466 and 266 times higher, respectively, than the average (0.3 mm/y) sedimentation rate before the lake shrinkage. Similar to other large hypersaline lakes such as the Great Salt Lake (USA) and the Aral Sea (Central Asia), the manmade intervention at Urmia Lake (damming of the catchment, extension of agricultural fields, and causeway construction in the middle part of the lake) threatens its further hydrologic existence.
The prognostic value of tumor size in penile cancer: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database study
Authors: Zheng Wenwen , Zhang Zhiyu , Jiang Wei , Chen Jiaojiao , Yu Shengqiang , Guo Chenyu
Published: April 2021

Background

The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of tumor size on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and lymph node metastasis for patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC).
Methods

The patients diagnosed with PSCC between 2004 and 2015 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Restricted cubic spline functions were calculated to characterize the association between tumor size and the risk of CSM. The competing-risks model was used to evaluate the impact of tumor size on the cumulative incidence of CSM. The logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between tumor size and lymph node metastasis.
Results

Totally, 1365 PSCC patients were analyzed, with 52.3% having tumors ≤ 30 mm, and 47.7% >30 mm. The restricted cubic splines showed that the risks of CSM increased as tumors enlarged. Following adjustment of competing events, the PSCC patients with tumors > 30 mm were more likely to succumb to CSM in comparison with those with tumors ≤ 30 mm (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–2.01, P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, tumor size > 30 mm was significantly associated with an increased risk of CSM relative to tumor size ≤ 30 mm among patients with T1 (HR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.03–2.37, P = 0.036) and T3 (HR = 2.51, 95%CI: 1.41–4.45, P = 0.002) classifications. On logistic regression analysis, tumors > 30 mm were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03–2.07, P = 0.034).
Conclusions

Larger tumors (> 30 mm) were significantly associated with higher risks of CSM and increased likelihood of lymph node metastasis for PSCC patients, which could be integrated into the development of a staging system for penile cancer.
WITHDRAWN: GPR84 inhibitor ameliorated lung inflammation and modulated NF-κB through MAPK signalling pathway
Authors: Wang Ting , Zou Yan , Lv He
Published: April 2021

We set our experiments to investigate the role of GPR84 in LPS-induced acute lung injury. The expression of GPR84 was detected through RT-qPCR and Western blotting (WB) after LPS treatment in ALI mouse and cell model, respectively. Following the treatment of GPR 84 inhibitor, the lung injury was evaluated through HE staining while the MAPK signalling components were analyzed through WB, as well as NF-κB signalling components. These components were further analyzed by the addition of anisomycin or TPA. The analysis of apoptosis was performed through TUNEL staining. We showed that LPS stimulated the expression of GPR84 expression. GPR 84 inhibitor facilitated the activation of MAPK signalling while inhibiting MAPK signalling, these effects of which were further rescued by anisomycin or TPA treatment. In conclusion, our findings support that GPR84 inhibitor improved lung injury caused by LPS and revealed a role of GPR87 modulating NF-κB through MAPK signalling pathway. Altogether, GPR84 could be as a prospective target for the treatment of ALI.
ExpDNN: Explainable Deep Neural Network
Authors: Chen Chi-Hua
Published: April 2021

In recent years, deep neural networks have been applied to obtain high performance of prediction, classification, and pattern recognition. However, the weights in these deep neural networks are difficult to be explained. Although a linear regression method can provide explainable results, the method is not suitable in the case of input interaction. Therefore, an explainable deep neural network (ExpDNN) with explainable layers is proposed to obtain explainable results in the case of input interaction. Three cases were given to evaluate the proposed ExpDNN, and the results showed that the absolute value of weight in an explainable layer can be used to explain the weight of corresponding input for feature extraction.
Genome-wide analysis of BURP genes and identification of a BURP-V gene RcBURP4 in Rosachienesis
Authors: Fu Lufeng , Zhang Zhujun , Wang Hai , Zhao Xiaojuan , Su Lin , Geng Lifang , Lu Yizeng , Tong Boqiang , Liu Qinghua , Jiang Xinqiang
Published: April 2021

BURP proteins are unique to plants and may contribute greatly to growth, development, and stress responses of plants. Despite the vital role of BURP proteins, little is known about these proteins in rose (Rosa spp.). In the present study, nine genes belonging to the BURP family in R. chienesis were identified by using multiple bioinformatic approaches against the rose genome database. The nine RcBURPs, with diverse structures, were located on all chromosomes of the rose genome, except for Chr2 and Chr3. Phylogenic analysis revealed that these RcBURPs can be classified into eight subfamilies, including BNM2-like, PG1β-like, USP-like, RD22-like, BURP-V, BURP-VI, BURP-VII, and BURP-VIII. Conserved motif and exon-intron analyses indicated a conserved pattern within the same subfamily. The presumed cis-regulatory elements (CREs) within the promoter region of each RcBURP were analyzed and the results showed that all RcBURPs contained different types of CREs, including abiotic stress-, light response-, phytohormones response-, and plant growth and development-related CREs. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that a BURP-V member, RcBURP4, was induced in rose leaves and roots under mild and severe drought treatments. We then overexpressed RcBURP4 in Arabidopsis and examined its role under abscisic acid (ABA), NaCl, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and drought treatments. Furthermore, RcBURP4-silenced rose plants exhibited decreased tolerance to dehydration. The results obtained from this study provide the first comprehensive overview of RcBURPs and highlight the importance of RcBURP4 in rose plant.
Impact of participating in global value chain on the carbon dioxide emissions of China's equipment manufacturing industry
Authors: Li Yan , Xia Xinxin , Huang Qingbo
Published: April 2021

As the pillar industry in China's post-industrial era, the equipment manufacturing industry has played an important role of providing technical equipment for downstream industries, which also brought about a substantial increase in CO2 emissions. Therefore, in order to find ways to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of the equipment manufacturing industry, this paper based on the global value chain production length decomposition model, improved the CO2 emission effect model and the STIRPAT model to study the different impact of the GVC production length on the CO2 emissions of China's equipment manufacturing industry under different GVC participation modes. The study found that extending GVC production length can effectively reduce CO2 emissions, and the CO2 reduction effect of the simple GVC production length is the most significant. Besides, with the extension of the GVC production length, the CO2 emissions of high-tech industries have decreased, while the CO2 emissions of medium-technology industries have increased. In addition, the improvements of policy regulations, factor structure and foreign investment will also reduce CO2 emissions, but the expansion of production scale and R&D investment will increase CO2 emissions.
Speech therapy and tracheostomy rehabilitation in COVID 19: five preliminary case reports
Authors: Santos Telma Dias dos , Gomes Fernanda Maria Latorre , Gomes Dafne Calsoni , Taquemori Lais Yassue , Tonelotto Andréia
Published: April 2021

Studies addressing the hospitalization of patients affected by COVID-19 have reported that length of hospital stay in intensive care unit varies between 12 and 22 days. Part of these patients require orotracheal intubation (OTI) and, in cases where OTI is prolonged and/or with complications, they consequently end up undergoing open surgical tracheostomy (OST). In most hospitals, a multidisciplinary team composed of physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and speech-language therapists is responsible for this process, which allows early removal of the tracheal cannula, making it safer for patients, with reduced risk of failure and complications. Although safety recommendations and procedures support the most diverse protocols of weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy, there is no universally accepted protocol for this transition. This is a complex issue that is necessary in the current scenario, because studies establishing weaning and decannulation criteria in patients with COVID-19 are urgent at this moment. Purpose: To describe the process of weaning from the tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This is a descriptive study presenting a series of case reports. It describes the decannulation process in five tracheostomized patients with COVID-19 (3 men and 2 women) aged 41 and 74 years who agreed to participate in the study and remained hospitalized in a private hospital in the city of XXXX. Results: The decannulation process of the five COVID-19 patients lasted up to 10 days (mean duration of 6.4 days).
Primary treatment and Recent survival trends in patients with Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of Central Nervous System,1995-2016: a population-based SEER analysis
Authors: Chen Cui , Sun Peng , Sun Xiaoqing , Chen Shaoyong , Yang Hang , Wang Yu , Li Zhi-ming
Published: April 2021

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate primary treatment and recent survival trends in patients with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of CNS from 1995 to 2016.Using the SEER data, patients diagnosed with non-HIV associated PCNSL-DLBCL aged ⩾18 years between 1995 and 2016 were identified. The year of diagnosis was divided into the time periods-1(1995–2002), the time periods-2(2003–2012) and the time periods-3(2013–2016). We used Chi-square tests, the Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test and Cox regression model in the analysis. Overall, 3760 patients were included. Both the use of radiotherapy alone and the application of combined chemoradiotherapy decreased significantly, following the wider use of chemotherapy alone during 1995–2016. There was a significant improvement in PCNSL cancer-specific survival (period-1: 13 months vs period-2: 19 months vs period-3: 41 months, P < 0.001). Survival of patients aged above 70 years did not change from the time period-1 to the time period-2 (P = 0.101). However, there was an increase in CSS from the time period-2 to the time period-3 in the elderly patients (period-2: 5 months vs period-3: 9 months, P < 0.001). On multivariable analyses, diagnosed in the time period-3 was significantly and independently associated with better CSS (HR 0.577, 95% CI 0.506–0.659). Our analysis shows the use of radiotherapy in the treatment of PCNSL has waned over the study span. There was a significant improvement in CSS during 1995–2016, which reflected developments in treatment over time. The elderly patient population also gained a significant CSS benefit in the most recent period.
Preparation and Performance Characterization of a new dust suppressant with a cross-linked network structure for use in open-pit coal mines
Authors: Jin Hu , Zhang Yansong , Li Nan , Yang Junjie , Xi Ya , Cai Li , Pan Zhichao
Published: April 2021

In an effort to control dust pollution in open-air environments such as pit coal mines and coal transportation systems, a new dust suppressant with a cross-linked network structure was prepared. Graft copolymerization of soy protein isolate (SPI) and methacrylic acid (MAA), using potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator and hexametaphosphoric acid (SHMP) as the cross-linking agent, formed the network structure. The optimal MAA/SPI mass ratio for the dust suppressant was determined through a single factor experiment to be 3:4, with 0.8 and 0.2 g of SHMP and KPS, respectively. The grafting reaction required 30 min at 60 ℃. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize the structure and application performance of the dust suppressant. The experimental results showed that the graft copolymerization reaction successfully formed the desired cross-linked network, and that when the cross-linked network material was sprayed on coal dust it formed a dense, solidified shell, which effectively resisted wind erosion and served as a dust suppressant. The average reduction of the total suspended particulate matter of an open-air coal pile reached 79.95%, demonstrating effective dust suppression.
Ongoing conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR): health burden and attributable economic damage estimate
Authors: Shabanan Sedighe Hosseini , Moradi-Lakeh Maziar , Majdzadeh Reza
Published: April 2021

Background: Due to the ongoing conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), countries in the region have confronted a severe health crisis in recent years. This study was conducted to describe the direct health burden of conflicts in the region and quantify the fraction of economic damage attributed to the health impact of conflict. Methods: We used Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) from the Global Burden of Disease attributed to conflict and considered the value of a life-year as at least one Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita purchasing power parity (PPP) to indirectly estimate the economic burden. Results: From 1990 to 2017, out of the 22 countries in the EMR, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen suffered the most from conflict and terrorism. Conflict accounted for 64%, 50%, and 35% of all causes of DALYs in Libya and Syria, and Palestine, in 2011, 2016, and 2008, respectively. In 2017, Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan had the most significant health-related economic burden of conflict per capita, more than 100 current international dollars. Iraq was affected by a loss of about 80% of its health expenditure due to conflict and terrorism, an estimated total of 23 billion current international dollars. Conclusions: Our study reflects the significance of the health burden due to conflict in the EMR and its subsequent economic consequences. Stability and peace is among the most influential determinants of health and economic development in the region.
Toward an Integrated System of Climate Change and Human Health Indicators: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Liu Ann Y. , Trtanj Juli M. , Lipp Erin K. , Balbus John M.
Published: April 2021

Environmental health indicators are helpful for tracking and communicating complex health trends, informing science and policy decisions, and evaluating public health actions. When provided on a national scale, they can help inform the general public, policy makers, and public health professionals about important trends in exposures and how well public health systems are preventing those exposures from causing adverse health outcomes. There is a growing need to understand national trends in exposures and health outcomes associated with climate change and the effectiveness of climate adaptation strategies for health. To date, most indicators for health implications of climate change have been designed as independent, individual metrics. This approach fails to take into account how exposure-outcome pathways for climate-attributable health outcomes involve multiple, interconnected components. We propose reframing climate change and health indicators as a linked system of indicators, which can be described as follows: upstream climate drivers affect environmental states, which then determine human exposures, which ultimately lead to health outcomes; these climate-related risks are modified by population vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies. We apply this new conceptual framework to three illustrative climate-sensitive health outcomes and associated exposure-outcome pathways: pollen allergies and asthma, West Nile Virus infection, and vibriosis.
Serum levels of Vitamin D3, Zinc, and Parathyroid Hormone in HCV-induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Authors: Khattab Mahmoud , Abdelaziz Mohammad Omar , Mohamad Arwa , Matta Ragaa Abd- Elshaheed , Fouad Magdy , Khattab Muhammed , Hassan Hatem , Khalil Eman Hussein , Mokhtar Fatma , Moness Hend M. , Adel Nashwa Mohamed , Ahmed Elham
Published: April 2021

Background and AimThe role of the metabolic syndrome in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been previously reported. This study aims to investigate the possible role of vitamin D3, Zinc, Parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphorus serum levels as non-traditional metabolic risk factors in HCV-related HCC.MethodThis cross-sectional observational study recruited HCV infected patients with and without HCC. All patients were subjected to demographic, biochemical, and hematological assessment. Serum levels of vitamin D3, Zinc, PTH, calcium, and phosphorus were determined in all the study participants.ResultsThis study includes 50 patients with HCV-related HCC compared to 40 patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis and 30 patients with HCV chronic hepatitis C (CHC) without HCC. Our results show significantly higher age, male sex, aspartate transaminase (AST), PTH and corrected serum calcium levels in the HCC patients compared to values in the other two groups, (p < 0.001); while significant lower vitamin D3 and zinc levels were detected among the HCC patients compared to patients with non-HCC liver cirrhosis and CHC, (p < 0.001).Vitamin D3 deficiency was detected in 96% of the HCC patients, while it was detected in only 22.5% of the cirrhotic patients and in none of the CHC patients, (p < 0.001). However, on multiple stepwise regression analysis, only the age, AST, PTH, and corrected calcium levels were the independent predictors for HCC when studied in relation to chronic liver disease.ConclusionThis study indicates the prevalent deficient levels of vitamin D3 and zinc in HCC patients; however, a causal relationship is not established in this study.
Antimicrobial effects of Sophora Flavescens Alkaloids on metronidazole-Resistant Gardnerella vaginalis in planktonic and biofilm formation
Authors: Fan Linyuan , liu zhaohui , Zhang Zhan , Bai Huihui , Zhang Xu , Zong Xiaonan , Li Ting
Published: April 2021

Objectives: This study aims to explored the effects and mechanisms of Sophora Flavescens Alkaloids (SFAs) on metronidazole-resistant Gardnerella vaginalis under planktonic and biofilm conditions.Methods: The main components of SFAs were analyzed using HPLC. Clinical strains were cultured from the vaginal secretions of BV patients, followed by PCR and 16s rRNA gene sequencing identification. According to the 2012 CLSI guidelines for anaerobic drug sensitivity testing, the sensitivity of Gardnerella vaginalis to metronidazole and SFAs were determined using the microdilution broth method. The formation of biofilms was evaluated, and the biofilm microstructure was observed using scanning electron microscopy.Results: The main active contents of SFAs were matrine and oxymatrine. Nineteen metronidazole-resistant strains were isolated and identified (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC≥32 μg/mL), of which four clinical strains were observed to be strong biofilm producer and the final minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of metronidazole was increased to 512 μg/mL. SFAs could not only inhibited the growth of metronidazole-resistant Gardnerella vaginalis in planktonic (MIC: 0.3125-1.25 mg/mL), but also eliminated the biofilm formation (MBIC: 0.625-1.25 mg/mL). Also, there was less biomass biofilm formation which was sparse and relatively thin. In the high-magnification scanning electron, it was observed that the water channels were destroyed, and furturemore, the biofilm morphology changed from a thick to flaky shape and was nearly depleted.Conclusions: Our results indicate that SFAs could not only inhibite the growth of metronidazole-resistant Gardnerella vaginalis in planktonic and biofilm levels, but also destroyed the biofilm morphology and microstructure, which may contribute to the prevention of BV recurrence.
Loss of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 impaired the osteogenesis of mesenchymal progenitor cells in vivo and in vitro
Authors: HUANG ZIJING , Feng Jingyi , Feng Xin , Chan Laiting , Lu Jiarui , Lei Lizhen , Huang Zhuwei , Zhang Xiaolei
Published: April 2021

Background

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is a cytoplasmic transcription factor that participates in various biologic processes. Loss of Stat3 causes hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome, presenting with skeletal disorders including osteoporosis, recurrent fractures, scoliosis, and craniosynostosis. The objective of this study is to explore the effect and mechanism of Stat3 on osteogenesis of mesenchymal progenitors.
Methods

Stat3 was conditionally knockout (CKO) in mesenchymal progenitors by crossing the pair-related homeobox gene 1-cre (Prx1-Cre) with Stat3-floxed strain mice. Whole-mount-skeletal staining, histology, and Micro-CT were used to assess the differences between Stat3 CKO and control mice. Further, in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the osteogenesis potential of primary isolated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from both control and Stat3 CKO mice. After osteogenic induction for 14d, alizarin red staining was used to show the calcium deposit, while the western blotting was applied to detect the expression of osteogenic markers.
Results

Compared with the control, Stat3 CKO mice were present with shortened limbs, multiple fractures of long bone, and open calvarial fontanels. The abnormal growth plate structure and reduced collagen fiber were found in Stat3 CKO limbs. According to micro-CT analysis, the reduced cortical bone thickness and bone volume were found on Stat3 CKO mice. The in vitro osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was inhibited in Stat3 CKO samples. After osteogenic induction for 14d, the significantly diminished calcium deposits were found in Stat3 CKO BMSCs. The decreased expression of osteogenic markers (OPN and COL1A1) was observed in Stat3 CKO BMSCs, compared with the control.
Conclusions

Stat3 played a critical role in bone development and osteogenesis. Loss of Stat3 impaired the osteogenesis of mesenchymal progenitors in vivo and in vitro.
Genome sequence analysis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus lytic phage vP_VpaS_VP-RY-9
Authors: Ren Yuan , Chen Renjie , Xu Yongping , Li Xiaoyu , Cong Cong , Cui Huijing , Li Shuying , Li Jibin , Wang Lili
Published: April 2021

A lytic bacteriophage Vp-9, designated vP_VpaS_VP-RY-9, was isolated from sewage collected in Dalian, China. The double-stranded DNA genome of phage vP_VpaS_VP-RY-9 is 81.604 kb long, which has a mol% G + C content of 45.75, containing 117 ORFs, but any tRNA was found. Comparison of its genomic features and phylogenetic analysis revealed that phage vP_VpaS_VP-RY-9 is a novel member of the order Caudovirales, family Siphoviridae, genus Vibrio. The present results suggest that phage vP_VpaS_VP-RY-9 may represent a potential therapeutic agent against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
STAT1: A novel candidate biomarker and potential therapeutic target of the recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: CAO Ming-Chen , Fang Meng-Xiang , Li Lei , Xiao-Min XING , ZHOU Chang-Kai , WANG Long-Yuan , Xu Long , Ren Wei , JING Fan-Bo
Published: April 2021

At present, the recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) are not completely clear. Therefore, identifying the underlying diagnostic biomarkers of RAS can provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of RAS. The gene chip data of RAS (GSE37265) were downloaded from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a co-expression module. A total of 16 co-expression modules were identified, and 30 hub genes in the turquoise module were identified. In addition, functional analysis of hub genes in modules of interest was performed, which indicated that such hub genes were mainly involved in pathways related to immune response, virus infection, epithelial cell, signal transduction. module two clusters (highly interconnected regions) were determined in the network, with score=17.647 and 10, respectively, cluster 1 and cluster 2 are linked by STAT1 and ICAM1, it is speculated that STAT1 may be a primary gene of RAS. Finally, genistein, daidzein, kaempferol, resveratrol, rosmarinic acid, triptolide, quercetin and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate were selected from the TCMSP database, and both of them is the STAT-1 inhibitor. The results of reverse molecular docking suggest that in addition to triptolide, (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and resveratrol, the other 5 compounds (flavonoids) with similar structures may bind to the same position of STAT1 protein with different docking score. In conclusion, our results screened potential biomarkers that might contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of RAS, STAT1 protein is one of the potential therapeutic targets of RAS, and this target can be used to screen potential compounds.