bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Preschool Children: A 12-Year (2008-2019) Survey in Large Cities and Provinces of the Republic of Korea
Authors: Shin Hyejoo , Jung Bong-Kwang , Ryoo Seungwan , Hong Sooji , Chang Taehee , Park Jiyeon , Lee Keon Hoon , Lee Jeonggyu , Park Jae Young , Jeoung Hoo-Gn , Cho Jae Hyun , Chai Jong-Yil
Published: August 2021

A 12-year nationwide survey (2008-2019) was performed to investigate the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection among preschool children in Seoul, 4 large cites (Busan, Incheon, Daegu, and Ulsan), and 9 provinces (grouped into 5 localities) in the Republic of Korea (=Korea). The survey was carried out once a year by 16 regional offices of the Korea Association of Health Promotion. The cello-tape perianal swab method (1 smear per child) was applied to detect eggs of E. vermicularis and other helminths. According to the results, the egg positive rate of E. vermicularis infection in 2008-2009 was 1.8-2.0%, but it decreased gradually to 0.6% in 2019 (P<0.05). The prevalence was significantly higher in boys (0.7-5.0%, mean 1.8%) than in girls (0.5-2.8%, mean 1.3%) (P<0.05). The 2 most southern localities, Jejudo (Province) and Jeolla-do (inclusive of Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do) and a mid-western province, Gyeonggi-do, revealed higher prevalences, whereas Seoul and Gangwon-do showed lower prevalences. The results indicate that a low-grade prevalence of E. vermicularis infection (less than 4%) has been maintained for the recent 12 years among preschool children in Korea. Continuous monitoring of enterobiasis in the child age group is necessary in Korea.
A SURVEY STUDY OF FRACTIONAL ORDER CONTROL TECHNIQUES
Authors: Abood Dr. Layla H.
Published: August 2021

nowadays, there is an interest for using
fractional calculus in many applications and different
researches are presenting in many fields. Control
engineering problems are also solved using fractional
calculus because it analyzes real system dynamics
accurately. In this paper, a review study that present
different researches using factional order
controllers(FOC).The fractional order PID controller are
most widely used in the application of control systems due
to its simple structure and easy implementation, then the
researcher use different techniques mixed with fractional
calculus like fractional order neural network, fractional
order fuzzy logic controller, fractional order sliding mode
controller and finally fractional order backstepping
controller, the recently advances is demonstrated in this
review study.
Epidemiological characteristics of staphylococcal meningitis in Russian Federation
Authors: Beloshitskiy G. V. , Koroleva I. S. , Koroleva M. A.
Published: August 2021

Staphylococcal meningitis (SM) ranks fourth in the etiological structure of purulent bacterial meningitis in the Russian Federation. The most common cause of staphylococcal meningitis is Staphylococcus aureus, which accounts for 68 % of all cases. This meningitis is characterized by a higher mortality rate (30 %) than staphylococcal meningitis of other types of Staphylococcus (13 %) and mainly affects people over 25 years of age. With increasing age, the probability of death increases, and among people over 65 years of age, the mortality rate reaches 44 %.
On epidemiology of congenital ichthyosis in Moscow
Authors: Melnichenko O. O. , Zhukova O. V. , Novozhilova O. L. , Korsunskaya I. M.
Published: August 2021

Ichthyosis is an extensive group of hereditary skin diseases characterized by keratinization disorders of the type of hyperkeratosis, which leads to the formation of scales on the skin resembling fish scales. Of all hereditary diseases of keratinization, ichthyosis is the most common disease. In many countries, there are various support groups for patients with ichthyosis, in particular, the All-Russian Charity Foundation for Helping Children with Ichthyosis, the Children- Butterflies Foundation, the Public Organization Support for People with Ichthyosis (Russia), the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types (USA), etc.Objective. To assess the dynamics of the incidence of congenital ichthyosis in the city of Moscow among the population of all age groups for 2015–2020, according to the data of the Moscow Scientific and Practical Centre for Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology (Russia).Materials and methods. Using federal statistical observation form No. 12 ‘Information on the number of diseases registered in patients living in the service area of a medical organization’, approved by the order of Rosstat No. 679 dated November 22, 2019, we analyzed the incidence of congenital ichthyosis in Moscow for 2015–2020.Results. Analysis of data on the incidence of congenital ichthyosis in the context of age groups of the population of the city of Moscow for 2015–2020 showed a trend towards an increase in the incidence of congenital ichthyosis. The increase in the incidence of ichthyosis was detected in almost all age groups of the city's population and was most pronounced in 2018 and 2019 in comparison with the previous time interval.Conclusions. The revealed increase in the incidence of congenital ichthyosis in Moscow may be due to both the true number of cases and the improvement in the quality and availability of primary specialized health care. An important trend is towards wider implementation in medical practice methods, which make it possible to identify a specific genetic defect, to carry out prenatal diagnostics during pregnancy, an intravital histological (pathological-anatomical) study of a skin biopsy, if necessary, differential diagnosis and verification of the diagnosis, as well as genetic counseling of parents, including to assess the birth of children with ichthyosis during pregnancy.
Incidence of healthcare-associated infections among puerperas and newborns in Russian Federation
Authors: Orlova O. A. , Abramov Yu. A. , Akimkin V. G.
Published: August 2021

One of the leading problems of modern public health is healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which lead to significant social and economic damage, and affect the quality of medical care. The proportion of HAIs in obstetric institutions among all the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for 9 years decreased by 1.7 times. The number of puerperas of HAIs decreased by 1.4 times, and HAIs of newborns decreased by 1.6 times. The proportion of puerperal sepsis in the structure of purulent-septic infections of puerperas is 1.7 ± 0.5 %, and sepsis of newborns is 4.4 ± 1.5 %. The average incidence of puerperas of IUPS was 2.0 ± 2.1 per 1,000 births. The incidence of HAIs in newborns was 2.0 ± 1.8 per 1,000 newborns. The ratio of HAIs of newborns to intrauterine infections on average was 1: 9, and in some regions 1:2–1:150. The obtained data on the incidence of HAIs in puerperas and newborns indicates the insufficiency of a systematic approach to recording, analyzing and predicting the incidence of HAIs, which requires a detailed development of standard epidemiological definitions of the case HAIs of puerperas and newborns, intrauterine infections of newborns, as well as a detailed analysis of risk factors for the development of HAIs in obstetric facilities.
Prevention of structural changes in liver in patients with chronic acalculous cholecystitis
Authors: Pecherskikh M. V. Pecherskikh , Efremova L. I.
Published: August 2021

Chronic acalculous cholecystitis is the cause of violations of the functional state of the liver in the form of stagnation in the intrahepatic bile ducts and a decrease in the activity of hepatocytes and is considered within the framework of a single pathology of the hepatobiliary tract. Complex therapy with the inclusion of the drug ademetionine, which in addition to the hepatoprotective effect affects the outflow of intrahepatic bile, contributes to the restoration of the detected violations.
Choice of tactics of combined treatment of patients with malignant diseases of colon
Authors: Kostyuchenko L. N. , Varvanina G. G. , Mikhailyants G. S. , Danilov M. A.
Published: August 2021

The aim. To determine the definition of nutritional extinction and its characteristics in various phases of carcinogenesis, to show the role of nutritional counseling in the selection of personalized metabolic correction programs.

Materials and methods. 107 patients with pancreatic head adenocarcinoma (T3 and T4). In addition to traditional methods, the nutritional status was assessed according to the parameters of the well-known personalized alimentary-volemic diagnosis and the main common metabolic syndromes (inflammatory, hypermetabolism-hypercatabolism, toxic-anemic, anorexia-cachexia).

Results. The phases of nutritional extinction are identified, in accordance with which the original schemes of metabolic correction are developed. The effectiveness of the programs used, calculated according to the degree of well-being, was significantly higher in comparison with standard solutions. The feasibility of using this tactic was confirmed (in addition to traditional tests) by measuring the metabolism in lysosomes (according to the analysis of the level of cathepsin L using ELISA in the blood serum of the considered groups of patients).

Conclusions. 1) When determining the tactics of nutritional treatment of cancer patients, it is advisable to distinguish the phases of nutritional extinction, on the basis of which to carry out a differentiated metabolic correction. 2) The role of nutritional counseling (along with consulting with a surgeon and an anesthesiologist) allows you to clarify the strategy of treatment of patients with oncological pathology, and in some cases, make adjustments to the choice of the nature of the surgical aid.
Pathogenetic mechanisms of anemic syndrome formation in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Uspenskiy Yu. P. , Fominykh Yu. A. , Nadzhafova K. N. , Veduta O. I.
Published: August 2021

Inflammatory bowel diseases are an urgent public health problem and are often complicated by the development of anemic syndrome. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, but the correction of associated anemia in most cases remains insufficient. This article describes in detail the pathogenetic mechanisms of the formation of anemic syndrome in inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as possible ways to correct this condition.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospital: frequency and prophylaxis
Authors: Uspenskiy Yu. P. , Baryshnikova N. V.
Published: August 2021

The aim. To analyze the prevalence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) caused by Clostridium difficile in a hospital setting.

Materials and methods. 93 patients with 3 or more episodes of unformed stool (diarrhea) for two consecutive days or more, developed after the use of antibiotics, were monitored. All patients underwent rapid stool analysis for the presence of Clostridium difficile A and B toxins using the X/pert C. diff toxin A/B test.

Results. Toxins A and/or B of Clostridium difficile were detected in 32 patients (34.4 %). The remaining patients (n = 61; 65.6 %) had idiopathic AAD. The most of the patients who were found to have Clostridium difficile toxins in the feces were in the infarction department, cardiology intensive care and trauma departments, i. e. they had severe diseases associated with reduced immunity and inactivity.

Conclusions. The prevalence of AAD caused by Clostridium difficile in hospital settings is high. It is recommended to prescribe drugs for the correction of disorders of the gastrointestinal microflora from the first day of antibiotic therapy, since this will significantly reduce the prevalence of clinical manifestation of diarrhea associated with Clostridium difficile.
Diagnostic role of ASL-perfusion of liver in magnetic resonance imaging in assessing risk of developing portal hypertension in patients with viral hepatitis
Authors: Simakina E. N. , Morozova T. G.
Published: August 2021

Objective. To establish the diagnostic role of ASL-perfusion of the liver in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing the risk of portal hypertension in patients with viral hepatitis.

Materials and methods. 109 patients with viral hepatitis were examined, including 69 (63.3 %) men and 40 (36.7 %) women, the average age of patients was 49.0 ± 2.3 years. All subjects (n = 109) underwent abdominal ultrasound with doppler vascular examination and clinical elastography, ASL-perfusion of the liver with MRI with an assessment of the volume of hepatic blood flow (HBF, ml/100 g/min).

Results. The highest diagnostic and prognostic significance of ASL-perfusion for the liver is a targeted study of changes in the right lobe: for the right lobe, AUROC = 0.886 (95 % CI: 0.799–0.889); for the left, AUROC = 0.635 (95 % CI 0.627–0.641). The diagnostic and prognostic significance of ASLperfusion was evaluated in comparison with ultrasound with doppler vascular examination: AUROC = 0.991 (95 % CI: 0.880–0.993); AUROC = 0.801 (95 % CI: 0.776–0.804), respectively. The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ASL – liver perfusion were evaluated.

Conclusion. When performing ASL-perfusion of the liver, MRI should evaluate quantitative and qualitative criteria. Criteria for the prognosis of portal hypertension according to ASL- perfusion in MRI in patients with viral hepatitis: HBF 131–160 ml/100 g /min, red card – very high risk, HBF = 161–185 ml/100 g/min, red card – high, HBF = 40–130 ml/100 g/min, mixed card – medium; HBF = 131–160 ml/100 g/min, blue card-low risk (r = 0.883).
Cumhuriyetin İlk Yıllarında Modern Toplum İnşa Sürecinde Sanayi Tesislerinin Rolü
Authors: KAYA Mutlu
Published: August 2021

Türkiye için cumhuriyet, rejim değişikliğinden öte topyekün bir değişimi ifade etmektedir. Modern bir ülke için ekonomik bağımsızlığı sağlamakla beraber toplumun düşünce yapısı ve kültürel yaşam üzerinde de birtakım yenilikler yapmak hedeflenmiştir. Hedeflenen yenilikleri halka anlatmak ya da kanunlaştırmaktan ziyade yaşamın bir parçası haline getirmek üzere örnek üretim ve yaşam alanları oluşturulmuştur. Cumhuriyet’in ilk yıllarında bu amaçla kurulan sanayi tesislerinin kuruluş felsefeleri ve toplum üzerindeki etkilerinin açıklanması çalışmanın temel amacını oluşturmaktadır. Saha çalışmaları ve doküman inceleme yöntemiyle elde edilen verilerin kullanıldığı araştırmada konu, yabancı sermaye, özel sektör ve devlet teşekküllerinden oluşan dokuz fabrika örneğinde ele alınmıştır. Fabrikalar, üretim tesislerinin yanında modern konutları, okulu, sineması, spor alanları, konferans salonları, eğlence tesisleri ile hem ülke ekonomisine katkı sağlayacak hem de modern yaşamın sembolü olacak birer okul olarak tasarlanmıştır. Cumhuriyet kültürünü yaymak üzere birer sosyal değişim projesi olarak tasarlanan bu fabrikaların, kuruldukları çevrelerin sosyal ve ekonomik hayatında önemli değişiklikler yaratarak model sanayi şehirleri ortaya çıkardıkları tespit edilmiştir.
Predicted B Cell Epitopes Highlight the Potential for COVID-19 to Drive Self-Reactive Immunity
Authors: Moody Rhiane , Wilson Kirsty L. , Boer Jennifer C. , Holien Jessica K. , Flanagan Katie L. , Jaworowski Anthony , Plebanski Magdalena
Published: August 2021

COVID-19, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), whilst commonly characterised as a respiratory disease, is reported to have extrapulmonary manifestations in multiple organs. Extrapulmonary involvement in COVID-19 includes autoimmune-like diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and Kawasaki disease, as well as the presence of various autoantibodies including those associated with autoimmune diseases such a systemic lupus erythematosus (e.g. ANA, anti-La). Multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged globally, some of which are found to be associated with increased transmissibility and severe disease. We performed an unbiased comprehensive mapping of the potential for cross-reactivity with self-antigens across multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins and compared identified immunogenic regions across multiples strains. Using the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) B cell epitope prediction tool, regions predicted as antibody epitopes with high prediction scores were selected. Epitope sequences were then blasted to eight other global strains to identify mutations within these regions. Of the 15 sequences compared, eight had a mutation in at least one other global strain. Predicted epitopes were then compared to human proteins using the NCBI blast tool. In contrast to studies focusing on short sequences of peptide identity, we have taken an immunological approach to selection criteria for further analysis and have identified 136 alignments of 6–23 amino acids (aa) in 129 human proteins that are immunologically likely to be cross-reactive with SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, to identify regions with significant potential to interfere with host cell function-or promote immunopathology, we identified epitope regions more likely to be accessible to pathogenic autoantibodies in the host, selected using a novel combination of sequence similarity, and modelling protein and alignment localization with a focus on extracellular regions. Our analysis identified 11 new predicted B-cell epitopes in host proteins, potentially capable of explaining key aspects of COVID-19 extrapulmonary pathology, and which were missed in other in silico studies which used direct identity rather than immunologically related functional criteria.
Hydroxyapatite-Coated Titanium by Micro-Arc Oxidation and Steam–Hydrothermal Treatment Promotes Osseointegration
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Mei Lina , Jiang Xuesheng , Jin Mingchao , Xu Yan , Li Jianyou , Li Xiongfeng , Meng Zhipeng , Zhu Junkun , Wu Fengfeng
Published: August 2021

Titanium (Ti)-based alloys are widely used in tissue regeneration with advantages of improved biocompatibility, high mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and cell attachment. To obtain bioactive bone–implant interfaces with enhanced osteogenic capacity, various methods have been developed to modify the surface physicochemical properties of bio-inert Ti and Ti alloys. Nano-structured hydroxyapatite (HA) formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) is a synthetic material, which could facilitate osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, and angiogenesis on the Ti surface. In this paper, we applied MAO and steam–hydrothermal treatment (SHT) to produce HA-coated Ti, hereafter called Ti–M–H. The surface morphology of Ti–M–H1 was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the element composition and the roughness of Ti–M–H1 were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Bruker stylus profiler, demonstrating the deposition of nano-HA particles on Ti surfaces that were composed of Ca, P, Ti, and O. Then, the role of Ti–M–H in osteogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro was evaluated. The data illustrated that Ti–M–H1 showed a good compatibility with osteoblasts (OBs), which promoted adhesion, spreading, and proliferation. Additionally, the secretion of ALP, Col-1, and extracellular matrix mineralization was increased by OBs treated with Ti–M–H1. Ti–M–H1 could stimulate endothelial cells to secrete vascular endothelial growth factor and promote the formation of capillary-like networks. Next, it was revealed that Ti–M–H1 also suppressed inflammation by activating macrophages, while releasing multiple active factors to mediate osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Finally, in vivo results uncovered that Ti–M–H1 facilitated a higher bone-to-implant interface and was more attractive for the dendrites, which promoted osseointegration. In summary, MAO and SHT-treated Ti–M–H1 not only promotes in vitro osteogenesis and angiogenesis but also induces M2 macrophages to regulate the immune environment, which enhances the crosstalk between osteogenesis and angiogenesis and ultimately accelerates the process of osseointegration in vivo.
Effects of Carboxyl or Amino Group Modified InP/ZnS Nanoparticles Toward Simulated Lung Surfactant Membrane
Authors: Wang Juan , Feng Shun , Liu Jie , Liu Rui-Lin
Published: August 2021

Quantum dots (QDs) as a promising optical probe have been widely used for in vivo biomedical imaging; especially enormous efforts recently have focused on the potential toxicity of QDs to the human body. The toxicological effects of the representative InP/ZnS QDs as a cadmium-free emitter are still in the early stage and have not been fully unveiled. In this study, the DPPC/DPPG mixed monolayer was used to simulate the lung surfactant monolayer. The InP/ZnS-COOH QDs and InP/ZnS-NH2 QDs were introduced to simulate the lung surfactant membrane’s environment in the presence of InP/ZnS QDs. The effects of InP/ZnS QDs on the surface behavior, elastic modulus, and stability of DPPC/DPPG mixed monolayer were explored by the surface pressure-mean molecular area isotherms and surface pressure-time curves. The images observed by Brewster angle microscope and atomic force microscope showed that the InP/ZnS QDs affected the morphology of the monolayer. The results further demonstrated that the InP/ZnS QDs coated with different surface groups can obviously adjust the mean molecular area, elastic modulus, stability, and microstructure of DPPC/DPPG mixed monolayer. Overall, this work provided useful information for in-depth understanding of the effects of the −COOH or −NH2 group coated InP/ZnS QDs on the surface of lung surfactant membrane, which will help scientists to further study the physiological toxicity of InP/ZnS QDs to lung health.
Oxidative Stress-Induced Ferroptosis in Cardiovascular Diseases and Epigenetic Mechanisms
Authors: Li Jiamin , Zhou Yunxiang , Wang Hui , Lou Jianyao , Lenahan Cameron , Gao Shiqi , Wang Xiaoyu , Deng Yongchuan , Chen Han , Shao Anwen
Published: August 2021

The recently discovered ferroptosis is a new kind of iron-regulated cell death that differs from apoptosis and necrosis. Ferroptosis can be induced by an oxidative stress response, a crucial pathological process implicated in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Accordingly, mounting evidence shows that oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis plays a pivotal role in angio-cardiopathy. To date, the inhibitors and activators of ferroptosis, as well as the many involved signaling pathways, have been widely explored. Among which, epigenetic regulators, molecules that modify the package of DNA without altering the genome, emerge as a highly targeted, effective option to modify the signaling pathway of ferroptosis and oxidative stress, representing a novel and promising therapeutic potential target for CVDs. In this review, we will briefly summarize the mechanisms of ferroptosis, as well as the role that ferroptosis plays in various CVDs. We will also expound the epigenetic regulators of oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis, and the promise that these molecules hold for treating the intractable CVDs.
Validation of the Relationship Between Iris Color and Uveal Melanoma Using Artificial Intelligence With Multiple Paths in a Large Chinese Population
Authors: Zhang Haihan , Liu Yueming , Zhang Kai , Hui Shiqi , Feng Yu , Luo Jingting , Li Yang , Wei Wenbin
Published: August 2021

Previous studies have shown that light iris color is a predisposing factor for the development of uveal melanoma (UM) in a population of Caucasian ancestry. However, in all these studies, a remarkably low percentage of patients have brown eyes, so we applied deep learning methods to investigate the correlation between iris color and the prevalence of UM in the Chinese population. All anterior segment photos were automatically segmented with U-NET, and only the iris regions were retained. Then the iris was analyzed with machine learning methods (random forests and convolutional neural networks) to obtain the corresponding iris color spectra (classification probability). We obtained satisfactory segmentation results with high consistency with those from experts. The iris color spectrum is consistent with the raters’ view, but there is no significant correlation with UM incidence.
Sulfoxide Reductases and Applications in Biocatalytic Preparation of Chiral Sulfoxides: A Mini-Review
Authors: Peng Tao , Cheng Xiaoling , Chen Yongzheng , Yang Jiawei
Published: August 2021

Chiral sulfoxides are valuable organosulfur compounds that have been widely used in medicinal and organic synthesis. Biocatalytic approaches for preparing chiral sulfoxides were developed in the past few years, mainly through asymmetric oxidation of prochiral sulfides. Recently, the application of sulfoxide reductase to prepare chiral sulfoxides through kinetic resolution has emerged as a new method, exhibiting extraordinary catalytic properties. This article reviews the chemical and biological functions of these sulfoxide reductases and highlights their applications in chiral sulfoxide preparation.
2D/3D Halide Perovskites for Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Chen Xiang , Zhou Hai , Wang Hao
Published: August 2021

The traditional three-dimensional (3D) halide perovskites (HPs) have experienced rapid development due to their highly power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, the instability of 3D perovskite on humidity and UV irradiation blocks their commercialization. In the past few years, two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskites attract much attention because they behave better stability due to the water resistance of the aliphatic carbon chains in the 2D perovskite lattice. In this review, we categorize the 2D/3D perovskites based on the applications [i.e., solar cells (SCs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors (PDs)]. We further discuss the recent efforts in the performance enhancement of the 2D/3D perovskite-based devices. However, there are still some difficulties before 2D/3D HPs is fully commercialized. We will provide some scientific and technical challenges and prospects in the article to point out the future direction.
Evolution of Supramolecular Systems Towards Next-Generation Biosensors
Authors: Lim Sujeung , Kuang Yuyao , Ardoña Herdeline Ann M.
Published: August 2021

Supramolecular materials, which rely on dynamic non-covalent interactions, present a promising approach to advance the capabilities of currently available biosensors. The weak interactions between supramolecular monomers allow for adaptivity and responsiveness of supramolecular or self-assembling systems to external stimuli. In many cases, these characteristics improve the performance of recognition units, reporters, or signal transducers of biosensors. The facile methods for preparing supramolecular materials also allow for straightforward ways to combine them with other functional materials and create multicomponent sensors. To date, biosensors with supramolecular components are capable of not only detecting target analytes based on known ligand affinity or specific host-guest interactions, but can also be used for more complex structural detection such as chiral sensing. In this Review, we discuss the advancements in the area of biosensors, with a particular highlight on the designs of supramolecular materials employed in analytical applications over the years. We will first describe how different types of supramolecular components are currently used as recognition or reporter units for biosensors. The working mechanisms of detection and signal transduction by supramolecular systems will be presented, as well as the important hierarchical characteristics from the monomers to assemblies that contribute to selectivity and sensitivity. We will then examine how supramolecular materials are currently integrated in different types of biosensing platforms. Emerging trends and perspectives will be outlined, specifically for exploring new design and platforms that may bring supramolecular sensors a step closer towards practical use for multiplexed or differential sensing, higher throughput operations, real-time monitoring, reporting of biological function, as well as for environmental studies.
Human Adenovirus Type 7 Infections in Hubei, China During 2018-2019: Epidemic Features and Genetic Characterization of the Detected Viruses
Authors: Li Ying , Wang Decheng , Zhang Jingjing , Huang Peiqi , Du Hui , Xu Jiali , Chen Hebin , Yan Yi , Chen Hongwei , Lu Xiaoxia , Liu Di
Published: August 2021

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) type 7 can cause severe respiratory disease. During the period between December 2018 and August 2019, HAdV-7 infection was identified in 129 patients in Wuhan Children’s Hospital, Hubei Province, China. Samples were collected from hospitalized children and metagenomic sequencing was applied to detect the HAdV infections. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocystosis (HLH) related to HAdV infections was observed in some patients clinically and patients were divided into two groups based on this to test the differences among clinical indicators. Genome variation, in silico restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), and phylogenetic analyses were carried out to show the genome characterization of HAdV-7 in this study. It was found that many indicators, such as all blood routine indicators, in patients of the HLH group showed significant levels. In this study, REA revealed that HAdV-7 might belong to genome 7d and genome variation analysis displayed the stable genome of HAdV. HAdV-7 is an ongoing threat to the public, and global surveillance should be established.
Conformation of the Solute-Binding Protein AdcAII Influences Zinc Uptake in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Župan Marina L. , Luo Zhenyao , Ganio Katherine , Pederick Victoria G. , Neville Stephanie L. , Deplazes Evelyne , Kobe Boštjan , McDevitt Christopher A.
Published: August 2021

Streptococcus pneumoniae scavenges essential zinc ions from the host during colonization and infection. This is achieved by the ATP-binding cassette transporter, AdcCB, and two solute-binding proteins (SBPs), AdcA and AdcAII. It has been established that AdcAII serves a greater role during initial infection, but the molecular details of how the protein selectively acquires Zn(II) remain poorly understood. This can be attributed to the refractory nature of metal-free AdcAII to high-resolution structural determination techniques. Here, we overcome this issue by separately mutating the Zn(II)-coordinating residues and performing a combination of structural and biochemical analyses on the variant proteins. Structural analyses of Zn(II)-bound AdcAII variants revealed that specific regions within the protein underwent conformational changes via direct coupling to each of the metal-binding residues. Quantitative in vitro metal-binding assays combined with affinity determination and phenotypic growth assays revealed that each of the four Zn(II)-coordinating residues contributes to metal binding by AdcAII. Intriguingly, the phenotypic growth impact of the mutant adcAII alleles was, in general, independent of affinity, suggesting that the Zn(II)-bound conformation of the SBP is crucial for efficacious metal uptake. Collectively, these data highlight the intimate coupling of ligand affinity with protein conformational change in ligand-receptor proteins and provide a putative mechanism for AdcAII. These findings provide further mechanistic insight into the structural and functional diversity of SBPs that is broadly applicable to other prokaryotes.
Assessing Damages to Built and Natural Environments: Linking Hydrodynamic and Geospatial Enviro-Economical Models
Authors: Rifai Hanadi S. , Kiaghadi Amin , Burleson Daniel W.
Published: August 2021

In this study, a novel framework was developed to provide a holistic damage assessment caused by severe hydrologic events whether individually or as a compound event. The novel framework uses a developed hurricane-specific water quality model, Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code-Storm Surge model (EFDC-SS) and an ArcGIS-based framework, the Facility Economic Damage and Environmental Release Planning (FEDERAP) to assess damages to the built and natural environment. The developed framework could be used to compare different hurricanes and storms with a focus on land inundation, spill destination in both land and water and their associated risks, as well as economic loss including both physical and secondary losses. The results showed different spreading mechanisms during surge and rainfall-based hurricanes. While storm surge pushed contaminants (from spills) upstream, the rainfall-based hurricane caused a larger footprint of contamination on land. Though different in spreading patterns, spills during both hurricane types can widely spread miles away from the release location in a very short period of time. The FEDERAP economic loss model showed that facility area, average land elevation, the number of storage tanks and process units at the facility, and daily production are key drivers in the calculated total losses for a given hydrologic event.
Impact of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on the Inflammatory Response and Viral Clearance in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Huang Linna , Chen Ziying , Ni Lan , Chen Lei , Zhou Changzhi , Gao Chang , Wu Xiaojing , Hua Lin , Huang Xu , Cui Xiaoyang , Tian Ye , Zhang Zeyu , Zhan Qingyuan
Published: August 2021

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on the inflammatory response and viral clearance in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Methods: We included 229 patients with confirmed COVID-19 in a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Propensity score matching at a ratio of 1:3 was introduced to eliminate potential confounders. Patients were assigned to the ACEI/ARB group (n = 38) or control group (n = 114) according to whether they were current users of medication.

Results: Compared to the control group, patients in the ACEI/ARB group had lower levels of plasma IL-1β [(6.20 ± 0.38) vs. (9.30 ± 0.31) pg/ml, P = 0.020], IL-6 [(31.86 ± 4.07) vs. (48.47 ± 3.11) pg/ml, P = 0.041], IL-8 [(34.66 ± 1.90) vs. (47.93 ± 1.21) pg/ml, P = 0.027], and TNF-α [(6.11 ± 0.88) vs. (12.73 ± 0.26) pg/ml, P < 0.01]. Current users of ACEIs/ARBs seemed to have a higher rate of vasoconstrictive agents (20 vs. 6%, P < 0.01) than the control group. Decreased lymphocyte counts [(0.76 ± 0.31) vs. (1.01 ± 0.45)*109/L, P = 0.027] and elevated plasma levels of IL-10 [(9.91 ± 0.42) vs. (5.26 ± 0.21) pg/ml, P = 0.012] were also important discoveries in the ACEI/ARB group. Patients in the ACEI/ARB group had a prolonged duration of viral shedding [(24 ± 5) vs. (18 ± 5) days, P = 0.034] and increased length of hospitalization [(24 ± 11) vs. (15 ± 7) days, P < 0.01]. These trends were similar in patients with hypertension.

Conclusions: Our findings did not provide evidence for a significant association between ACEI/ARB treatment and COVID-19 mortality. ACEIs/ARBs might decrease proinflammatory cytokines, but antiviral treatment should be enforced, and hemodynamics should be monitored closely. Since the limited influence on the ACEI/ARB treatment, they should not be withdrawn if there was no formal contraindication.
Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Applications of Zirconia
Authors: Luo Feng , Hong Guang , Wan Qianbing
Published: August 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly developed based on computer technology, which can perform tasks that customarily require human intelligence by building intelligent software or machines. As a subfield of AI, machine learning (ML) can learn from the intrinsic statistical patterns and structures in data through algorithms to predict invisible data. With the increasing interest in aesthetics in dentistry, zirconia has drawn lots of attention due to its superior biocompatibility, aesthetically pleasing, high corrosion resistance, good mechanical properties, and absence of reported allergic reactions. The evolution of AI and ML led to the development of novel approaches for the biomedical applications of zirconia in dental devices. AI techniques in zirconia-related research and clinical applications have attracted much attention due to their ability to analyze data and reveal correlations between complex phenomena. The AI applications in the field of zirconia science change according to the application direction of zirconia. Therefore, in this article, we focused on AI in biomedical applications of zirconia in dental devices and AI in zirconia-related applications in dentistry.
Influence of a Paleosedimentary Environment on Shale Oil Enrichment: A Case Study on the Shahejie Formation of Raoyang Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China
Authors: Wei Yongbo , Li Xiaoyan , Zhang Ruifeng , Li Xiaodong , Lu Shuangfang , Qiu Yan , Jiang Tao , Gao Yuan , Zhao Tiedong , Song Zhaojing , Zhao Meihong
Published: August 2021

The characteristics of paleosedimentary environments are of great significance for the enrichment of organic matter (OM) and hydrocarbons in lacustrine shale. This study analyzed mineralogy, well logging data, organic geochemical parameters (total organic carbon and pyrolyzed hydrocarbon), inorganic geochemical parameters (major and trace elements), and multiple geochemical proxies based on inorganic geochemical parameters. These were used to reconstruct the paleosedimentary environment of the lower 1st Member of the Shahejie Formation (Es1L) to reveal OM and shale oil enrichment mechanisms and establish a shale oil enrichment model. The (Fe2O3+Al2O3)/(CaO + MgO), Sr/Ba, Rb/Sr, Cu/Al, and Th/U parameters indicate that the Es1L in Raoyang Sag was deposited in a paleoenvironment dominated by arid paleoclimate, reducing conditions, and saltwater. Paleoclimate, clastic influx intensity, preservation conditions, paleoproductivity, and paleosalinity all affect OM abundance. The OM accumulation in the shale of Es1L was mainly controlled by the high primary productivity of surface water due to algal blooms and moderate salinities, which was achieved using stratified water columns with low oxygen conditions in bottom water. As the main valuable sites for shale oil storage, carbonate mineral depositions are of great significance for oil enrichment. As the dominant lithofacies for oil enrichment, carbonate-rich shale and calcareous shale lithofacies were deposited under a drier paleoclimate, low clastic influx intensity, strong reducing conditions, high paleoproductivity, and moderate salinity paleoenvironment. Additionally, the profile of the shale oil sweet spot was determined through the combination of lithofacies, logging, and paleosedimentary environment data.
Integrated Geophysical Evidence for the Middle-Lower Crust Melting of the Songpan-Aba Terrain, NE Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhao Chongjin , Zhang Luolei , Yu Peng , Xu Xi
Published: August 2021

The Songpan−Aba region is located on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Tectonically, the area is surrounded by the West Qinling orogenic belt in the north, the Longmenshan orogenic belt in the southeast, and the East Kunlun and Sanjiang orogenic belts in the west and southwest, forming a triangle that provides an ideal location to study the crust-mantle structure and deep tectonics of the eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the magnetic and electrical structures of the Songpan−Aba area were investigated by inversion using high-precision magnetic anomaly and magnetotelluric data to obtain the subsurface magnetization inversion intensity and resistivity of Songpan–Aba and adjacent areas. The results revealed a continuous magnetic layer up to 20 km below Songpan–Aba and its surrounding areas in the south, possibly originating from a magma root southwest of the Longmenshan massif. In the West Qinling, Songpan–Aba, and Longmenshan areas, pervasive low-resistance, weakly magnetic, or magnetic layers were identified below 20 km that might be formed from the molten mantle material extruded from the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Formal Learning in Informal Settings—Increased Physics Content Knowledge After a Science Centre Visit
Authors: Solis Daniel H. , Hutchinson David , Longnecker Nancy
Published: August 2021

Over the past 50 years, the prevalence of interactives in museums and science centres has increased dramatically, with interactive learning proliferating around the world. With a current estimated visitation of 300 million people each year, free-choice learning through museums and related venues has become a major source of human learning over the course of a lifetime. While many studies of visitor experience have examined positive changes in affective components of learning, fewer have examined whether specific scientific content knowledge is included in what is learnt. This research investigated gains in content knowledge through informal science learning. Three surveys were conducted at the Otago Museum’s science centre (Dunedin, New Zealand) with visitors eight years and older. The main component of the survey included a brief “formal” content knowledge assessment in the form of a pre-post multiple-choice test, with a focus on physics concepts illustrated in the science centre. Self-reported examples of science learned during the visit and selected items from the Modes of Learning Inventory complement the data. In the pre-post test, prior knowledge was age and gender dependent, with younger visitors and females getting significantly lower scores. Notwithstanding, visitors to the science centre had an overall average of 13% more correct answers in the test after visiting, independent of age and gender. A learning flow diagram was created to visualise learning in the presence or absence of interactivity. As expected, interactivity was found to increase learning.
Genetic Susceptibility to Fungal Infections and Links to Human Ancestry
Authors: Naik Bharati , Ahmed Sumayyah M. Q. , Laha Suparna , Das Shankar Prasad
Published: August 2021

Over the ages, fungi have associated with different parts of the human body and established symbiotic associations with their host. They are mostly commensal unless there are certain not so well-defined factors that trigger the conversion to a pathogenic state. Some of the factors that induce such transition can be dependent on the fungal species, environment, immunological status of the individual, and most importantly host genetics. In this review, we discuss the different aspects of how host genetics play a role in fungal infection since mutations in several genes make hosts susceptible to such infections. We evaluate how mutations modulate the key recognition between the pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMP) and the host pattern recognition receptor (PRR) molecules. We discuss the polymorphisms in the genes of the immune system, the way it contributes toward some common fungal infections, and highlight how the immunological status of the host determines fungal recognition and cross-reactivity of some fungal antigens against human proteins that mimic them. We highlight the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with several of the receptor coding genes and discuss how it affects the signaling cascade post-infection, immune evasion, and autoimmune disorders. As part of personalized medicine, we need the application of next-generation techniques as a feasible option to incorporate an individual’s susceptibility toward invasive fungal infections based on predisposing factors. Finally, we discuss the importance of studying genomic ancestry and reveal how genetic differences between the human race are linked to variation in fungal disease susceptibility.
Antioxidant Gene Signature Impacts the Immune Infiltration and Predicts the Prognosis of Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ren Xueting , Ma Li , Wang Nan , Zhou Ruina , Wu Jianhua , Xie Xin , Zhang Hao , Liu Di , Ma Xiaobin , Dang Chengxue , Kang Huafeng , Zhou Zhangjian
Published: August 2021

Background: Oxidative stress is related to oncogenic transformation in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). We intended to identify a prognostic antioxidant gene signature and investigate its relationship with immune infiltration in KIRC.

Methods: With the support of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we researched the gene expression and clinical data of KIRC patients. Antioxidant related genes with significant differences in expression between KIRC and normal samples were then identified. Through univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, a prognostic gene model was established and all patients were divided into high- and low-risk subgroups. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis was adopted to analyze the immune infiltration, HLA expression, and immune checkpoint genes in different risk groups. Finally, the prognostic nomogram model was established and evaluated.

Results: We identified six antioxidant genes significantly correlated with the outcome of KIRC patients as independent predictors, namely DPEP1 (HR = 0.97, P < 0.05), GSTM3 (HR = 0.97, P < 0.05), IYD (HR = 0.33, P < 0.05), KDM3B (HR = 0.96, P < 0.05), PRDX2 (HR = 0.99, P < 0.05), and PRXL2A (HR = 0.96, P < 0.05). The high- and low-risk subgroups of KIRC patients were grouped according to the six-gene signature. Patients with higher risk scores had poorer prognosis, more advanced grade and stage, and more abundance of M0 macrophages, regulatory T cells, and follicular helper T cells. There were statistically significant differences in HLA and checkpoint gene expression between the two risk subgroups. The performance of the nomogram was favorable (concordance index = 0.766) and reliably predicted the 3-year (AUC = 0.792) and 5-year (AUC = 0.766) survival of patients with KIRC.

Conclusion: The novel six antioxidant related gene signature could effectively forecast the prognosis of patients with KIRC, supply insights into the interaction between cellular antioxidant mechanisms and cancer, and is an innovative tool for selecting potential patients and targets for immunotherapy.
PanSVR: Pan-Genome Augmented Short Read Realignment for Sensitive Detection of Structural Variations
Authors: Li Gaoyang , Jiang Tao , Li Junyi , Wang Yadong
Published: August 2021

The comprehensive discovery of structure variations (SVs) is fundamental to many genomics studies and high-throughput sequencing has become a common approach to this task. However, due the limited length, it is still non-trivial to state-of-the-art tools to accurately align short reads and produce high-quality SV callsets. Pan-genome provides a novel and promising framework to short read-based SV calling since it enables to comprehensively integrate known variants to reduce the incompleteness and bias of single reference to breakthrough the bottlenecks of short read alignments and provide new evidences to the detection of SVs. However, it is still an open problem to develop effective computational approaches to fully take the advantage of pan-genomes. Herein, we propose Pan-genome augmented Structure Variation calling tool with read Re-alignment (PanSVR), a novel pan-genome-based SV calling approach. PanSVR uses several tailored methods to implement precise re-alignment for SV-spanning reads against well-organized pan-genome reference with plenty of known SVs. PanSVR enables to greatly improve the quality of short read alignments and produce clear and homogenous SV signatures which facilitate SV calling. Benchmark results on real sequencing data suggest that PanSVR is able to largely improve the sensitivity of SV calling than that of state-of-the-art SV callers, especially for the SVs from repeat-rich regions and/or novel insertions which are difficult to existing tools.