bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-transition-metal water oxidation catalysts. Faster rates via electronic structure tuning
Authors: Hill Craig , Tao Meilin , Yin Qiushi , Kaledin Alexey , Uhlikova Natalie , Chen Yu-Sheng , Lian Tianquan , Geletii Yurii , Musaev Djamaladdin , Bacsa John
Published: September 2021

Mixed 3d-metal oxides are some of the most promising water oxidation catalysts (WOCs), but it is very difficult to know the active site structures and thus structure-catalytic activity correlations at the molecular level in such insoluble materials. This study reports a molecular water oxidation catalyst, [Co2Ni2(PW9O34)2]10- (Co2Ni2P2), that constitutes a molecular model of the heterogeneous WOC, cobalt-nickel oxide. Both Co2Ni2P2 and its isostructural analogue, [Co4(PW9O34)2]10- (Co4P2), have the same CoO5(H2O) active sites but Co2Ni2P2 is an order of magnitude faster than Co4P2. Co2Ni2P2 is prepared by a new synthesis, and both the location and percent occupancy of Co and Ni in Co2Ni2P2 (Co outside and Ni inside the central belt are >97% for each) is confirmed by multiwavelength synchrotron X-radiation anomalous dispersion scattering (synchrotron XRAS), a technique applied for the first time to such complexes. Density functional theory (DFT) studies predicated and reveal that Co4P2 and Co2Ni2P2 have greatly altered frontier orbitals, while stopped-flow kinetic studies and DFT calculations indicate that water oxidation by both complexes follows analogous multi-step mechanisms, including Co-OOH formation, with the energetics of most steps being lower for Co2Ni2P2 than for Co4P2.
A machine learning approach to identify psychological factors driving vaccine hesitancy in high income countries
Authors: Lincoln Tania , Schlier Björn , Strakeljahn Felix , Gaudiano Brandon , So Suzanne , Kingston Jessica , Morris Eric , Ellett Lyn
Published: September 2021

Understanding factors driving vaccine hesitancy is crucial to vaccination success. We surveyed adults (N = 2510) from February to March 2021 across five sites (Australia = 502, Germany = 516, Hong Kong = 445, UK = 512, USA = 535) using a cross-sectional design and stratified quota sampling for age, sex, and education. We assessed willingness to take a vaccine and a comprehensive set of putative predictors. Predictive power was analysed with regression analyses and machine learning algorithms. Only 57.4% of the participants indicated that they would definitely or probably get vaccinated. A parsimonious machine-learning model could identify vaccine hesitancy with high accuracy (i.e. 83% sensitivity and 82% specificity) using 10 variables only. The most relevant predictors were vaccination conspiracy beliefs, paranoid concerns related to the pandemic, COVID anxiety, high perceived risk of infection, low perceived social rank, lower age, and female gender. Campaigns seeking to increase vaccine uptake need to take mistrust as the main driver of vaccine hesitancy into account.
Robust and sparse Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform-based Twin Support Vector regression for dense 5G InH Communications
Authors: charrada anis , Samet Abdelaziz
Published: September 2021

A robust and sparse Twin Support Vector Regression based on Dual Tree Discrete Wavelet Transform algorithm is conceived in this paper and applied to 28, 38, 60 and 73-GHz LOS (Line-of-Sight) wireless multipath transmission system in 5G Indoor Hotspot (InH) settings (simple, semi-complex and complex conference rooms) under small receiver sensitivity threshold. The algorithm establishes a denoising process in the learning phase based on Dual Tree Discrete Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT) which is suitable for time-series data. Additionally, the Close-In (CI) free space reference distance path loss model is analyzed and the large-scale propagation and probability distribution functions are investigated by determining the PLE (Path Loss Exponent) and the standard deviation of Shadow Factor (SF) for each InH scenario under consideration. Performance are evaluated under twelve (12) configuration scenarios, according to three criteria: mobility (0/3mps), receiver sensitivity threshold (-80/-120 dBm) and type of the InH area (simple, semi-complex and complex conference room). Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach compared to other standard techniques.
Intravenous insulin administration preparation for myocardial 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose viability imaging has the potential to reduce radiation exposure dose
Authors: Chen Yangchun , Wang Qingqing , Huang Peihao , Wang Yuehui , Chen Yuxuan , Zhuo Huilin , Dai Ruozhu , Wang Huoqiang
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to identify and validate the optimal 18F-FDG activity and acquisition time for cardiac viability imaging with intravenous insulin administration based on a fixed 18F-FDG activity.
Methods

Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) images from 30 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were retrospectively reconstructed into 900, 360, 180, 90, and 45 s durations. An optimal product of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) of the myocardium and segmental uptake (SU) and acquisition time (MSAT) was determined through a receiver operating characteristic curve. The optimal acquisition time (OAT) was equal to MSAT divided by mean SUV of the myocardium (MyoSUV) and validated in another 26 patients with CAD.
Results

The MyoSUV, mean SUV of the blood, SU, and their biases on reconstructed image durations of 90, 180, and 360 s were equivalent to those on an image duration of 900 s. The optimal MSAT was 848.2. In the validation group, the OAT was 129 ± 76 s (95% confidence interval, 99–160), approximately one-third of the usual acquisition time. The MyoSUV and SU were equivalent for the difference (0.15 ± 0.21, P < 0.001; −0.01 ± 0.03, P < 0.001) between PET image duration of OAT and 600 s (7.71 ± 3.01 vs. 7.56 ± 2.94, 67.1 ± 15.4% vs. 67.7 ± 15.6%).
Conclusion

Intravenous insulin administration preparation has the potential to reduce radiation exposure and acquisition time of cardiac 18F-FDG viability imaging without losing the accurate measurement of MyoSUV and SU when reaching an OAT.
Migration Law of Atrazine During Freezing of Water
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhao Wanli , Yu Aixin , Liu Yucan , Ren Fangyun , Zhao Tongguo , Liu Tongshuai
Published: September 2021

To explore the migration law of atrazine during the freezing process, an indoor simulated freezing experiment was carried out. The distribution coefficient (K) was used to characterize the migration ability of atrazine and explore the effects of freezing thickness, freezing temperature, and initial concentration on the migration of atrazine between ice and water. The research results showed that the concentration relationship between the ice and water phases was: ice < water before freezing < water under the ice. This indicates that atrazine migrated to the water under the ice during the freezing process in our experiment. The K value decreased as the ice thickness, freezing temperature, and initial concentration increased; thus, the greater the ice thickness, the higher the freezing temperature, the greater the initial atrazine concentration, and the greater the ability of atrazine to migrate to the water under the ice. This study provides a reference for managing natural waterbodies in high-latitude and high-altitude environments during the freezing period.
Nurses Lack of Knowledge On Inhaler Devices In China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Xie Ning , Zheng Zheng , Yang Qilian , Li Man , Ye Xiaofen
Published: September 2021

Background: To know the knowledge on inhaler devices in medical staff, this study surveyed knowledge of inhaled therapy and the use of inhaler devices in nurses in China.Methods: 1831 nurses were selected to survey on a new self-designed questionnaire online. The questionnaire has 11 questions, including the storage location of the inhaler devices, steps of using the inhaler device, and the common errors when using various devices, etc. Results: Among the 1831 participants, 816(44.57%), 122(6.66%) and 893(48.77%) nurses worked in community hospital, secondary hospital and tertiary hospital respectively. Adequate knowledge of inhaler devices was demonstrated by nurses working in community hospital(20.10%)、Secondary hospital(8.2%) and Tertiary hospital(13.1%). 27.70% nurses in community hospital knew operational key points in using inhaler compared to in secondary hospital (15.57%) and tertiary hospital (23.18%) P<0.01. Only 9.5%-26.00% of participants chosen correct answers about the ten questions about the use of inhaler. Question six (Which of the following is the wrong option when using Ellpta?) was the one with the highest percentage of correct answers (26.00%). The question with lowest rate of correct answers (9.50%) was question 3 (What are the main points that need to be followed when using DPI?). The most people of correct answers number is Ellpta(26.00%) and the least is Respimat(10.32%). Conclusion: The focus on community hospitals has some results in China. However, knowledge on inhaler devices should be continued to strengthen among nurses in hospital. It is necessary to create training opportunities for nurses to increase their awareness and knowledge of chronic respiratory diseases management.
Undernutrition, Food Insecurity and Associated Factors among Adult HIV Positive people on HAART in Public Health Facility in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Authors: Neme Desalegn , Bikila Haile , Tesfaye Tariku , Desalegn Markos , Kaba Zalalem
Published: September 2021

Background: Malnutrition is resulted from inequalities in nutrients intake and body demands. People living with Human Immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are more vulnerable to malnutrition, due to opportunistic infection, metabolic disorder, and increased need of energy during infection. Worldwide, over 800 million people are chronically undernourished. The dual burden in areas of severe food insecurity and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic are highly contributing to morbidity and mortality of people living with HIV, especially in developing countries particularly Sab- Saharan Africa is considered as home of malnutrition and food insecurity. The major problem of PLHIV in Ethiopia is under nutrition and its complication. Objective: This study aimed to assess magnitude of under nutrition, food insecurity and associated factors among adult clients on ART attending ART clinic, at public health facilities, Oromia regional states central Ethiopia Method: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult PLHIV and on highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) attending public health facility in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne (OSZSF) was conducted from August 2020 to May 2021. A systematic sampling was applied for sample selection. A pre tested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate and multivariable analysis also employed to identify the presence, strength, direction of association and other confounding. After calculating for both first objective (prevalence of under nutrition) and second objective or factors associated with under nutrition the maximum sample size 305 was selected for this study.Result: The prevalence of under nutrition was 22.4% and house hold food insecurity was also high in current study 54.3%. Factors associated with under nutrition among participants were absence of ration (AOR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.0-0.9), World health organization clinical stage II, III and VI (AOR= 6.8, 95%CI: 2.5-18.6) and household food in secure (AOR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.27-0.95) while literacy status primary and less (AOR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.1-4.6), household average monthly income <2250 Ethiopian birr (AOR=0.41, 95%CI:0.21-0.8) and meal frequency less or equal to two (AOR=4.14, 95%CI:1.3-13.46).Conclusion and recommendation: This study finding reveals high prevalence of under nutrition and HH food insecurity results in disturbing the success of the program, thus Comprehensive care and support bio-medical and inter-sectorial collaboration is suggested for alleviating the problem.
Are magicians specialists at identifying deceptive motion? The role of expertise in being fooled by sleight of hand.
Authors: Garcia-Pelegrin Elias , Wilkins Clive , Clayton Nicola
Published: September 2021

The use of magic effects to investigate the blind spots in the attention and perception and roadblocks in the cognition of the spectator has yielded thought-provoking results elucidating how these techniques operate. However, little is known about the interplay between experience practising magic and being deceived by magic effects. In this study, we performed two common sleight of hand effects and their real transfer counterparts to non-magicians, and to magicians with a diverse range of experience practising magic. Although, as a group, magicians identified the sleights of hand as deceptive actions significantly more than non-magicians; this ability was only evidenced in magicians with more than 5 years in the craft. However, unlike the rest of the participants, experienced magicians had difficulty correctly pinpointing the location of the coin in one of the real transfers presented. We hypothesise that this might be due to the inherent ambiguity of this transfer, in which, contrary to the other real transfer performed, no clear perceptive clue is given about the location of the coin. We suggest that extensive time practising magic might have primed experienced magicians to anticipate foul play when observing ambiguous movements, even when the actions observed are genuine.
Multiple Primary Cancer and Survival After Lumpectomy with or without Radiotherapy for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ: A Propensity-Score-Matching Study
Authors: Li Yitong , Ouyang Dengjie , Chen Qitong , Hong Tao , Yi Wenjun
Published: September 2021

Background: Radiotherapy combined with breast-conserving surgery is widely performed in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This research was conducted to evaluate the use of radiotherapy to reduce the risk of multiple primary cancer (MPC) and mortality in DCIS patients. Methods: 108,416 patients first diagnosed with DCIS between 1998 and 2015 who received lumpectomy in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 database were included. Age, race, year of diagnosis, laterality, pathologic grade, surgery, radiation, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, tumor size and vital status were extracted. A comparison of lumpectomy vs. lumpectomy plus radiotherapy was performed using 1:1 propensity score-based matching. Results: Of the 108,416 patients, 39,039 patients were treated with lumpectomy alone, and 69,377 were treated with lumpectomy and radiotherapy. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death was 0.801 and 0.7444 for occurrence of MPC in the lumpectomy and radiotherapy vs. lumpectomy alone groups, respectively. Conclusion: Lumpectomy plus radiotherapy is associated with a significant reduction in mortality and risk of MPC, mainly second primary BC. Younger patients, Black women with high-grade tumors were likely to benefit most. Radiotherapy reduced the risk of occurrence rather than the mortality of MPC patients to reduce the overall mortality.
Jiao-Tai-Wan Ameliorates the Insulin Resistance and Lipid Metabolism in T2DM Rats by Regulating Neurotransmitters
Authors: Chen Jianhua , Jing Ziqi , Wang Xue , Li Chu , Li Yanyi , Li Zhihui , Ma Pengkai , Zhang Yujie
Published: September 2021

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, and accompanied by neuroendocrine disorders. Recently, Jiao-Tai-Wan (JTW) has been reported to exert hypoglycemic effects against diabetes. However, its mechanism has not been clarified. Therefore, we attempted to explore the effect of JTW on alleviating insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorder in T2DM rats by regulating the level of neurotransmitters. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with a high-fat diet/streptozotocin to induce T2DM and then gavaged with JTW for 4 weeks. Afterwards, endpoints including body weight, fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, serum insulin, and lipid index were determined, and we analyzed pathological changes in the liver and kidney. Meanwhile, the level of neurotransmitter neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues was measured by UPLC-MS/MS. Furthermore, the expression of neurotransmitter transporter mRNA and protein levels in the brain and kidney of T2DM rats was analyzed by qRT-PCR and WB. Results: The results showed that JTW ameliorated glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism in T2DM rats by regulating the disorder of neurotransmitter distribution in the brain, kidney, intestine, adrenal gland, blood, and urine of T2DM rats. Mechanically, JTW may improve neurotransmitter disturbance by reducing mRNA and protein expression of SERT, DAT, and GAT-1 and increasing mRNA and protein expression of NET in the brain and kidney of T2DM rats.Conclusion: Our findings confirm that JTW can play a hypoglycemic role by regulating the disorder level of neurotransmitter distribution in T2DM rats, which may have potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of T2DM.
Analysis of Correlation Between Coronary Tortuosity and Calcification Score
Authors: Li Min , Wang Zhen-Wei , Fang Li-Juan , Cheng Shou-Quan , Wang Xin , Liu Nai-Feng
Published: September 2021

Background: Coronary artery tortuosity (CAT) is regarded as a variation of vascular anatomy, and its relationship with coronary artery calcification (CAC) score is still not well clarified. Studying the correlation between coronary artery calcification scores and CAT to determine specific prevention and intervention populations seems to have more meaningful.Methods: The study is a cross-sectional retrospective study, including 1280 patients with tortuous coronary artery. CAT is defined as the presence of at least three consecutive curvatures of more than 45°measured during systole or diastole of a major epicardial coronary artery. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust the clinical parameters directly affecting CAT.Results: Of these individuals, 445 (35%) were evaluated having CAT, of which females are higher than males (59.1% vs. 40.9%). Moderate CAC score (101-400) (odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.05-2.10, P=0.025) revealed significantly associated with CAT on univariable analysis. However, multivariable analysis after adjusting for confounding factors only indicated that CAT was positively correlated with female (OR 1.60, 95%CI 1.22-2.10, P=0.001), hypertension (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03-1.74, P=0.028), and age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, P=0.001), while was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) > 28 (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.32-0.70, P<0.0001). Further analysis stratified by gender showed that compared with non-CAT, CAT was significantly linked with moderate CAC score (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.00-3.20, P=0.048), hypertension (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07-2.22, P=0.021), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.07-3.24, P=0.028), while was negatively related to BMI > 28 (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.84, P<0.008) in female patients.Conclusions: CAT is more likely to be found in females, connected with hypertension, age, and BMI. No significant correlation is found between the presence of tortuosity and calcium score or diameter stenosis on multivariable analysis. Whereas the CAT is associated with moderate CAC score in correlation analysis when women are selected as the main group.
R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor Family in Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich: Potential Associations between Cd2+ Stress and Flavonoid Metabolism
Authors: Feng Xinkang , Abubakar Aminu Shehu , Chen Kunmei , Yu Chunming , Zhu Aiguo , Chen Jikang , Gao Gang , Wang Xiaofei , Mou Pan , Chen Ping
Published: September 2021

Background: The characterization of gene families especially MYB being the largest transcription factor (TFs) families in plants is a crucial step for functional studies. The completion of ramie genome sequencing provides a great opportunity to investigate the organization and evolutionary traits of ramie MYB genes at the genome-wide level. Results: A total of 105 BnGR2R3-MYB genes were identified in ramie and divided into 35 distinct subfamilies according to phylogeny divergence and sequences similarity. These genes were unevenly distributed among 14 chromosomes. Collinearity analysis showed that the segmental and tandem duplication events is the dominant form of the gene family expansion, and duplications prominent in distal telomeric regions. 88 BnGR2R3-MYB genes showed syntenic relationship with those in Apocynum venetum, followed by Cannabis sativa (58), Arabidopsis (53), maize (8) and rice (4). 103 of the 105 BnGMYB proteins were predicted nuclear subcellular, the remaining two were in either chloroplast or cytoplasm. The combination of transcriptome data and phylogenetic tree allows us to propose some powerful MYB candidates that might be involved in the regulation of secondary wall-associated cellulose synthases (BnGMYB14) secondary cell wall thickening (BnGMYB66/67) and flavonoids synthesis (BnGMYB60). The MYBs subgroups involve in regulating anthocyanin were different from arabidopsis and tomato pointing that BnGMYB in other groups play a role in regulating anthocyanin synthesis. qPCR results revealed 8 MYB TFs candidate genes for cadmium stress in ramie. There was an increased in synthesis of procyanidins under the cadmium stress, which suggest a new regulatory pathway in response to the stress. The predicted network identifies the interface between flavonoid metabolic pathways and adversity stress, and found evidence for the involvement of flavonoid synthetic pathways in the stress regulation.Conclusions: This work provides a basic understanding of BnGR2R3-MYB gene family characteristics and provides valuable information that may contribute in improving the tolerance of ramie to cadmium stress and fiber quality.
What Hinders Twin Mothers From Breastfeeding - A Qualitative Study of Chinese Women
Authors: Ren Lijie , Yang Yan , Yu Zhichao , Liu Fang , Shao Qinwen , Sun Xianghong
Published: September 2021

Objective

To explore the difficulties of twin mothers in breastfeeding and the factors that promote breastfeeding, so as to develop interventions to improve the breastfeeding rate of twin mothers.
Methods

Semi-structured interviews were used to interview women with twin pregnancy experience.
Results

We found that twin pregnancy itself was an obstacle to breastfeeding. Lack of breastfeeding knowledge guidance, separation of mother and newborns, poor maternal and child health conditions and the convenience of breast milk substitutes also hindered the implementation of breastfeeding for women with twin pregnancy. On the other hand, the emotional support of family members, proper breastfeeding guidance, sufficient breast milk production and economic pressure were the main factors that promote the breastfeeding of women with twin pregnancy.
Conclusion

To promote the breastfeeding of women with twin pregnancy needs the support of family, society and policy. Breastfeeding education should be extended to prenatal care and the primary caregiver of the new mother, and timely guidance should be provided after delivery to achieve satisfactory breast milk production.
Targeting ADAR1 with a Novel Small-Molecule for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wang Xiao , Li Jiaxing , Zhu Yasheng , Zeng Ting , Ding Jiayu , Min Wenjian , Huang Fei , Liang Shunqing , Yuan Kai , Kuang Wenbin , Ji Minghui , Sun Chengliang , Hou Yi , Wang Liping , Jiang Yuzhang , Hao Haiping , Xiao Yibei , Yang Peng
Published: September 2021

Despite initial response to androgen signaling therapy, most prostate cancer (PCa) patients eventually relapse and remain incurable. ADAR1-mediated A-to-G editing plays oncogenic roles in various tumors. However, the specific function of ADAR1 and the global RNA edited targets governing PCa progression remain underexplored. Here, we demonstrate that highly expressed ADAR1 as a crucial oncogenic target in PCa, and develop a novel small-molecule ADAR1 inhibitor ZYS-1 with significant anti-tumor efficacy and favorable safety profile. Either depletion or pharmacological inhibition of ADAR1 dramatically suppress PCa growth, inhibit metastasis, and potentiate immune response. We further reveal that the translation of MTDH is repressed by ADAR1 in an editing-dependent manner, which drives cell proliferation and invasion in PCa. Collectively, these results shed light on ADAR1 as a novel druggable target in PCa therapy and highlight the widespread applicability of ADAR1 inhibitors for a broad spectrum of malignancies.
Impact of Femoral Stem Prosthesis Tip On Femoral Cortex After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wang Qiang , Cheng Qi , Wang Dasai , Cheng Jian , Wang Chao , Li Congming , Chen Pingbo , Wu Yongzhi
Published: September 2021

Background: The mechanisms of pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not clear, which may be related to its impact on the femoral cortex caused by improper prosthesis placement. This study was to explore the the impact of the femoral stem prosthesis on the femoral cortex after implantation, and its relationship with postoperative thigh pain. Methods: Totally 172 patients who underwent primary THA were retrospectively analyzed, who were divided into the impact (n=25) and non-impact (n=147) groups. Contact or penetration of the femoral stem prosthesis tip with the distal femoral cortex was defined as impingement. Patients were followed up and recorded.Results: In the patients undergoing primary THA, 25 patients (14.5%) had impact, including 7 males and 18 females. Most of the patients in the impact group were women of small stature. In the impact group, the postoperative thigh pain was more obvious, and the Harris Hip score (HHS) was lower, compared with the non-impact group (P < 0.05). The regression analysis showed that height (OR=1.196; 95%CI: 1.059-1.351; P=0.004) and prosthesis implant angle (PIA) (OR=0.208; 95%CI: 0.074-0.584; P=0.003) were important risk factors for distal femoral cortical impingement in patients who underwent THA. Conclusions: Patients with short stature should have adequate preoperative planning for primary THA, to prevent increased risk of postoperative thigh pain due to impinging femoral stem implants.
Brain Transcriptome of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Tourette Syndrome Defines Common Targetable Inflammatory Pathways Involving Cytokines, Complement, and Kinase Signalling
Authors: Alshammery Sarah , Patel Shrujna , Jones Hannah F , Han Velda X , Gloss Brian S , Gold Wendy A , Dale Russell C
Published: September 2021

BackgroundNeurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism-spectrum disorders (ASD) and Tourette syndrome (TS) are common brain conditions which often co-exist, however current management focuses on symptom mitigation, with no approved treatments targeting disease mechanisms. There is accumulating literature implicating the immune system in NDDs, and transcriptomics of post-mortem brain tissue from individuals with NDDs has revealed an inflammatory signal. MethodsWe interrogated two RNA-sequencing datasets of ASD and TS (compared to age-matched controls) and identified the top 1000 differentially expressed genes, to explore commonly enriched pathways using an over-representation analysis through GO, KEGG and Reactome.ResultsIn the ASD analysis, the top 1000 DEGs enriched 754 GO terms (all upregulated), 55 KEGG pathways (54 upregulated), and 109 Reactome pathways (all upregulated), involving inflammation, cytokines, complement, cell signalling and epigenetic regulation. In the TS analysis, the top 1000 DEGs enriched 419 GO terms (416 upregulated), 56 KEGG pathways (all upregulated), and 28 Reactome (all upregulated) pathways, including inflammation, cytokines, signal transduction and immune response to stimuli. Of the top 1000 DEGs from the ASD and TS analyses, 133 DEGs were shared. Interaction networks of the common protein-coding DEGs using STRING revealed 5 central up-regulated hub genes: CSF2RB, HCK, HCLS1, LCP2 and PLEK, which are all kinases involved in cell signalling. Applying KEGG and Reactome analysis to these common DEGs identified pathways involving interleukins, complement activation, and cell signalling pathways. ConclusionsThese findings bring new evidence of shared inflammation in ASD and TS, and provide therapeutic opportunities targeting inflammation, epigenetic machinery, and cell signalling including kinases.
Formation and Transformation Trends of Metal Carbonates With Cation Ratio and Ion Interaction in Post-treatment Process of Desalination Brine
Authors: Kim Injun , Park Jinwon , Yoo Yunsung
Published: September 2021

BackgroundTo address the negative effects of desalination plants, CO2 emissions, and discharge of desalination brine, we studied the carbon capture utilization (CCU) process based on metal carbonation via the reuse of desalination brine. In this study, we converted CO2 and simulated desalination brine into metal carbonate using monoethanolamine as an aqueous absorbent. The produced metal carbonate varied according to the cation component of the simulated desalination brine. We focused on ion interactions in the aqueous system, occurred by cation ratio, and other phenomena caused by the interactions.ResultsWe determined that the common ion effect, which occurred owing to the ion interactions of the system, was the main reason for the various carbonation trends. Ionic atmospheres that were changed by the ionic components significantly affected the trends. The high salinity of the desalination brine also affected the metal carbonation. We further deduced that the variation in the results was derived from interactions between the abovementioned effects. And we also found that Na+, which was overlooked in former studies about polymorph transformation, also affects polymorph transformation.ConclusionsAll the phenomena in the metal carbonation interrupt desalination brine post-treatment because of their unpredictability. However, we suggest ambient estimation of its cation components, which would help future studies and demonstrate desalination brine post-treatment.
Soluble CCR2 Gene Therapy Controls Joint Inflammation, Cartilage Damage, and the Progression of Osteoarthritis by Targeting MCP-1
Authors: Na Hyun Sik , Lee Seon-Yeong , Lee Dong Hwan , Woo Jin Seok , Cho Keun-Hyung , Kim Seon Ae , Go Eun Jeong , Lee A Ram , Choi Jeong-Won , Kim Seok Jung , Cho Mi-La
Published: September 2021

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of degenerative arthritis and affects the entire joint, causing pain, joint inflammation, and cartilage damage. Various risk factors are implicated in causing OA, and in recent years, a lot of research and interest have been directed toward chronic low-grade inflammation in OA. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1; also called CCL2) acts through C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) in monocytes and is a chemotactic factor of monocytes that plays an important role in the initiation of inflammation. The targeting of CCL2–CCR2 is being studied as part of various topics including the treatment of OA.Methods: In this study, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effects the sCCR2 E3 gene may exert on OA. The effects of sCCR2 E3 were investigated in animal experiments consisting of intra-articular injection of sCCR2 E3 in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model. The effects after intra-articular injection of sCCR2 E3 (fusion protein encoding 20 amino acids of the E3 domain of the CCL2 receptor) in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA rat model were compared to those in rats treated with empty vector (mock treatment) and full-length sCCR2.Results: Pain improved with expression of the sCCR2 gene. Improved bone resorption upon sCCR2 E3 gene activation was confirmed via bone analyses using micro-computed tomography. Histologic analyses showed that the sCCR2 E3 gene exerted protective effects against cartilage damage and anti-inflammatory effects on joints and the intestine.Conclusions: These results show that sCCR2 E3 therapy is effective in reducing pain severity, inhibiting cartilage destruction, and suppressing intestinal damage and inflammation. Thus, sCCR2 E3 may be a potential therapy for OA.
Substance P Enhances Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)-associated Autophagy and Reduces Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis.
Authors: Chen Fa-Xiu , Hu Jian , Fang Jing , Li Qing-Ling , Wan Qin , Peng Le
Published: September 2021

BackgroundAnthracyclines, including doxorubicin, are some of the most potent anticancer drugs available. However, the use of doxorubicin as a chemotherapeutic agent is severely hindered by dose-limiting toxicity, particularly cardiotoxicity, while degrading other organ systems. Despite years of use and the number of details published on this drug, the understanding of its cellular mechanisms remains limited. MethodCardiomyocyte grouping was carried out, where H9C2 cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into a control group, a myocardial model group, an SP group, and an SP antagonist group. For replication in animal models, twelve rats were similarly randomly assigned into a control group, a myocardial model group, an SP group, and an SP antagonist group. Except for the control group, the rats in the other groups were modelled: the rats were injected with adriamycin solution. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis, while HE staining, TUNEL stain, Western Blot detection, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to detect autophagy levels accordingly. All the results were analysed and carefully interpreted. Resultshe tachykinin, substance P, is located mainly in sensory nerves and in the heart, where substance P-containing nerve fibres are often found around coronary vessels, making them ideally situated to detect changes in the myocardial environment. Apoptosis and autophagy are genetically regulated, evolutionary-conserved processes that regulate cell fate and are important for development, normal physiology, and a wide range of diseases. Recent studies show that despite the significant differences between these two processes, their regulation is closely connected and certain regulators are able to control both apoptosis and autophagy. ConclusionsIn this study, the influence of substance P was discussed, providing possible molecular mechanisms for crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy mediating heart failure due to doxorubicin therapy. Trial registration﻿(20192BBGL7D031) 2019-09-17.
Phenotypic Plasticity and Genetic Variation of Leaf Pigment Content in a Southern Beech
Authors: Rios Jorge Andres Arias , Mujtar Veronica Andrea El , Pastorino Mario Juan , Marchelli Paula
Published: September 2021

Physiological, morphological and phenological attributes are potentially adaptive traits that determine functional responses to certain environmental conditions. They are crucial for understanding adaptations to environmental variation along a species natural range. In particular, leaf pigment content can be a good proxy to the physiological and phenological tree state. Our goal was to evaluate the variation in pigment traits among Nothofagus alpina populations in a common garden trail during two years to infer local adaptation and/or phenotypic plasticity. We also aim to analyse the correlation between pigment traits and phenological traits and climatic data from the geographic location of the populations. To comprise the entire range of the species in Argentina, we analysed 400 individuals from eight natural populations coming from four lake watersheds. Pigment traits were estimated using a spectrophotometer and analysed with linear mixed model (LMM). Significant differences among fixed factors (populations - years and watershed – years) were found in chlorophyl a, b, total, carotenoids and anthocyanins concentrations. Higher concentrations were found for 2018, year with the highest number of rainy days and accumulated precipitation. Two populations (Boquete and Tren Tren) were always the most contrasting ones. At population level, the correlation between the means of pigment concentrations and phenological traits was significant in almost all cases. Conversely, the correlation between the means of population pigment concentrations and the main geographic, climatic and bioclimatic variables of the home range were not significant. The significance of the environmental factor (year) in the linear mixed models tested is evidence of phenotypic plasticity of pigment content, suggesting flexibility for acclimatization to moderate inter-annual changes in climatic conditions. The significance of population and watershed and the influence of the family factor on the variance of the pigment traits are evidence of the genetic control as well as the potential adaptive value of leaf pigment content in N. alpina, giving a base for adaptation to a long-lasting change in climate. High correlations between phenological and pigment traits indicate that, in N. alpina, the determination of only one pigment concentration could be used as a proxy of bud burst, senescence and growing degree days.
Dominant Tree Mycorrhizal Associations Affect Soil Nitrogen Transformation Rates Through Mediating Microbial Abundances in a Temperate Forest
Authors: Lin Guigang , Yuan Zuoqiang , Zhang Yansong , Zeng De-Hui , Wang Xugao
Published: September 2021

Tree-fungal symbioses are increasingly recognized to affect soil nitrogen (N) transformations, yet the role of soil microbes in the process is largely unclear. Soil microbes directly interact with trees and are a primary driver of many N transformation processes. Here, we explored the linkage among tree mycorrhizal associations, soil microbes and N transformation rates in a temperate forest of Northeast China. Across a gradient of increasing ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree dominance, we measured soil acid-base chemistry, bacterial and fungal abundances, N-hydrolyzing enzyme activities, abundances and community composition of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria, and net N mineralization and net nitrification rates. Results showed that soil pH, exchangeable base cations, inorganic N concentrations and N transformation rates decreased with increasing ECM tree dominance. The ECM tree dominance was negatively related to soil bacterial and AOA amoA gene abundances, and positively to soil fungal abundances and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities. These shifts in soil microbial abundances and enzyme activities along the mycorrhizal gradient were linked with the increase in soil acidity with increasing ECM tree dominance. Structural equation models revealed that ECM tree dominance was not directly related to N transformation rates, but indirectly to net N mineralization rates via affecting bacterial and fungal abundances, and indirectly to net nitrification rates via influencing AOA amoA gene abundances. Collectively, our results indicate that soil microbes provide a mechanistic link between mycorrhizal associations and soil N transformations, and suggest that shifts in forest mycorrhizal associations under global change could have profound consequences for biogeochemical cycling of temperate forests.
Workpiece Temperature Investigation In Micromilling of Titanium Alloy
Authors: Santos Aline Gonçalves dos , Silva Marcio Bacci da , Oliveira Gustavo Vilela , Jackson Mark James
Published: September 2021

The study of the micromachining process of titanium alloys has been intensified due to a greater need to develop microcomponents applied to the medical area. However, the investigation of the behavior of process variables is still incipient, complex and challenging. Heat and temperature distribution, for example, are important aspects for any machining process. Thus, the main objective of this work is to investigate the temperature during the micro-milling of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, by means of an experimental study combined with numerical simulation. To carry out the tests, AlCrN coated carbide end mill tool was used for machining micro slots. During machining, the workpiece temperature is measured using T-type thermocouples welded to the workpiece surface, aligned with the tool path. The temperature distribution was also obtained by numerical simulation using the commercial software Third Wave AdvantEdge, version 7.4015. The experimental results showed that the temperature on the surface of the specimen increases from the up-milling side to the down milling side. In addition, the temperature has a tendency to increase with tool wear. However, the simulation data showed that the temperature is higher in the center of the channel, the position with the highest undeformed chip thickness.
Pharmacokinetics of a retrograde infusion of Paclitaxel into the thoracic duct in a porcine model
Authors: Saito Akira , Kimura Natsuka , Kaneda Yuji , Ohzawa Hideyuki , Miyato Hideyo , Yamaguchi Hironori , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Nagai Ryozo , Sata Naohiro , Kitayama Joji , Aizawa Kenichi
Published: September 2021

Gastrointestinal cancer with massive nodal metastases is a lethal disease. In this study, using a porcine model, we attempted to infuse the anti-cancer drug, Paclitaxel (PTX), into the thoracic duct to examine the efficiency of drug delivery to intra-abdominal lymph nodes. We established a technical method to catheterize the thoracic duct in the necks of pigs. Serum, liver, and spleen concentrations of PTX were significantly lower after thoracic duct (IT) infusion than after intravenous (IV) administration. Approximately 12–24 h after infusion, PTX concentrations in abdominal lymph nodes tended to be higher with IT than with IV infusion; however, increased levels of PTX were much lower than expected. Unexpectedly, concentrations of PTX in urine were much higher after IT administration than after IV administration, demonstrating that most PTX administered via the thoracic duct was promptly excreted from the kidneys. These findings suggest that infusion of anti-cancer drugs into the thoracic duct will not produce clinical benefits for patients with extensive lymphatic metastases in abdominal malignancies.
Alternative Splicing Related Genetic Variants in lncRNA BCLETare Associated with Bladder Cancer Risk in the Chinese Population
Authors: Liu Hanting , Wang Xi , Guo Zheng , Sun Guanting , Lv Qiang , Qin Chao , Yuan Lin , Wang Yunyan , Du Mulong , Wang Meilin , Chu Haiyan , Zhang Zhengdong
Published: September 2021

Background: Although thousands of alternative splicing related single nucleotide polymorphisms (AS-SNPs) have been uncovered in human tumors, the potential function of AS-SNPs involved in bladder cancer is rarely reported. Here we identified bladder cancer risk-associated AS-SNPs and revealed its underlying causal mechanism in bladder carcinogenesis.Methods: Variants with annotation of “splice-3” or “splice-5” were extracted as AS-SNPs through the database of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (dbSNP). Two-stage case-control studies comprising 1,630 cases and 2,504 controls were conducted to assess the association between the AS-SNPs and bladder cancer risk. A series of experiments including luciferase reporter assays, RNA immunoprecipitation, and malignant phenotype were performed to comprehensively investigate the genetic and epigenetic biological effects of AS-SNPs in the development of bladder cancer.Results: We identified the potential causal variant rs558814 A>G located in intron of lncRNA BCLET (Bladder Cancer Low-Expressed Transcript) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.76 to 0.92, P = 3.26 × 10−4]. The SNP rs558814 exerted transcriptional activity regulatory effect and thus facilitated the expression of BCLET transcripts including BCLET-long and BCLET-short. In addition, both BCLET transcripts overexpression remarkably inhibited in vitro and in vivo bladder cancer phenotypes including cell proliferation, clone formation, invasion, migration and apoptosis. Mechanistically, lncRNA BCLET bound to MSANTD2 mRNA, masked splicing site of MSANTD2 mRNA, and thereby facilitated the expression of MSANTD2-004 transcript, which lacks the first exon and remarkably inhibited the progression of bladder cancer.Conclusions: Our findings not only revealed the important role of AS related genetic variants rs558814 and its associated gene BCLET in bladder cancer progression, but also provided the perspective to understand the etiology and pathology of cancers from the alternative splicing regulation mechanism.
NDRG2 Inhibits Pyruvate Carboxylase-Mediated Anaplerosis and Combines with Glutamine Blockade To Inhibit The Growth of Glioma
Authors: Wang Jiancai , Sun Xiang , Wang Jiayuan , Zhang Kun , Yuan Yiyi , Yao Libo , Li Xia , Shen Lan
Published: September 2021

Background

Due to the rapid proliferation, cancer cells have increased anabolic biosynthesis, which requires anaplerosis to replenish precursor intermediates. The major anaplerotic sources are pyruvate and glutamine, which require the catalysis of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and glutaminase (GLS) respectively. In GLS-suppressed cancer cells, the PC-mediated pathway for anaplerosis is crucial to maintain cell growth and proliferation. Here, we investigated the regulatory role and molecular mechanism of the tumor suppressor NDRG2 in PC and PC-mediated anaplerosis.
Methods

We first evaluated the correlation between PC and NDRG2 in glioma cell lines and human glioma tissue microarrays. The interaction between PC and NDRG2 was tested by tandem affinity purification-mass spectrometry (TAP-MS) and coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP). We then detected the effect of NDRG2 on PC-mediated anaplerosis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Preclinical evaluation of NDRG2 alone or combined with a glutaminase inhibitor was conducted in glioma cells and xenograft mouse tumors.
Results

NDRG2 interacted with PC and induced the degradation of PC in glutamine-deficient glioma cells. NDRG2 also inhibited the activity of PC and PC-mediated anaplerosis. As a result, NDRG2 significantly inhibited the malignant growth and proliferation of glioma cells in combination with a glutamine antagonist. In addition, NDRG2 more significantly inhibited the protein level of PC in IDH1(R132H)-mutant glioma cells than in wild-type glioma cells.
Conclusions

These findings indicate that the molecular mechanism of NDRG2 inhibits PC-mediated anaplerosis and collaborates with glutamine antagonist to inhibit the malignant proliferation of glioma cells, thus providing a theoretical and experimental basis for targeting anaplerosis in glioma therapy.
Online self-evaluation: the EFL writing skills in focus
Authors: Al-Mwzaiji Khaled Nasser Ali , Alzubi Ali Abbas Falah
Published: September 2021

Students need more independent roles to evaluate their learning performance, especially in the absence of teachers’ feedback due to some constraints such as technology and poor experience. This study investigates the potential of online self-evaluation on students’ writing skills in English as a foreign language (EFL). It examines the Preparatory Year (PY) students’ most improved EFL writing areas and perceptions when they use online self-evaluation in writing. In this quasi-experiment, two groups of PY EFL writing program students participated in the study for one semester 2020–2021. A mixed-method design was applied: Self-monitoring checklists, self-evaluation questionnaires, achievement tests, and students’ portfolios. Findings revealed that most of the learners’ mistakes were in punctuation marks, capitalization, informal language, and subject-verb agreement. It was also perceived that learners were doing fine about where and how they should be. The study proved that the students’ self-evaluation and performance in writing correlated significantly; however, the effect size was low. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that training programs on strategy are to be boosted, especially in institutions where learners receive less feedback.