bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Downregulation of CCL22 and Mutation of NOTCH1 in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Decreases Th2 Cell Recruitment and Expression to Predict Poor Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Li Xuejie , Liu Zheqi , Zhou Wenkai , Cao Wei , Liu Xiaofang
Published: February 2021

Background: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) exhibits a high rate of local recurrence and cervical lymph node metastasis. The effect of the tumor microenvironment on TSCC remains unclear.Methods: Transcriptome data and somatic mutation data of TSCC were obtained from the HNSC project of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Immune filtration analysis between early stage (clinical stage I–II) and advanced stage (III–IV) was performed using single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and MCPcounter. Differentially expressed genes were filtered and their related functions were analyzed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and a Cox-regression model were used to evaluate the survival of patients with the CCL22 signature. Maftools was used to show an overview of somatic mutations in TSCC. Results: In patients with TSCC, Th2 cells were significantly increased in patients in the early stage of the disease. The Th2 cell-related chemokine CCL22 was downregulated in patients in the advanced stage. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses revealed CCL22 as a good prognostic factor for TSCC. A nomogram based on the expression of CCL22 was constructed as a prognostic indicator for TSCC. NOTCH1 mutation was increased in patients in the advanced stage, which inhibited activation of the NOTCH1-Th2 differentiation pathway.Conclusions: In TSCC, high expression of CCL22 can promote the recruitment of Th2 cells and predict better survival. Mutation of NOTCH1 inhibits the differentiation of Th2 cells. Combined with decreased Th2 cell recruitment and differentiation, tumor progression may occur.
Sorafenib and 5-Fluorouracil Loaded Dual Drug Nanodelivery Systems for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ruman Umme , Buskaran Kalaivani , Bullo Saifullah , Pastorin Georgia , Masarudin Mas Jaffri , Fakurazi Sharida , HUSSEIN MOHD ZOBIR
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Here, we reported the sysnthesis of two clinically used drugs, 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and Sorafenib (SF)-loaded in chitosan nanoparticles and their priliminary study of therapeutics effect on hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines. We have formulated chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) loaded dual (SF and 5-FU) drugs nanodelivery system for SF/5FU-CS NPs and their coating version with folic acid (FA) for SF/5FU-CS-FA NPS. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29) cell lines were selected for in vitro cytotoxicity studies to evaluate the preliminary anticancer efficacy of both nanoparticles.Characterization: The physiochemical characterization of SF/5FU-CS NPs and SF/5FU-CS-FA NPs were investigated by DLS, FESEM, HRTEM, EDX, XRD, TGA, FTIR, and HPLC methods.Results: DLS study has shown the size of SF/5FU-CS and SF/5FU-CS-FA nanoparticles were about 78±14 nm and 142±25 nm, respectively. HRTEM and FESEM studies confirmed the spherical shape with size of 60-70nm for SF/5FU-CS and 90-150 nm for SF/5FU-CS-FA NPs. The XRD results indicated the drug loading and folate-coating comfirmation. FTIR peaks confirmed the presence of drugs in the nanoparticles, as well as folate-coating on the surface of the nanoparticles. TGA results demonstrated the thermostability of both nanoparticles. The release profiles of SF and 5FU from the two designed NPs were found to be in a sustained manner according to the pseudo-second-order kinetics model indicating a good delivery system for tumor cells. The cytotoxicity studies confirmed the better anti-cancer activity of the nanoparticles compared to the free 5-fluorouracil and sorafenib against liver cancer cells, HepG2 and colon cancer cells, HT29. Conversely, both NPs were found not toxic towards normal human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF) cells.
Predictive Value of Mid-Trimester Cervical Measurement Data Combined With Maternal Characteristics for Twin Preterm Birth at < 32 Weeks: A Retrospective Analysis and External Validation Study
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhan Wenqiang , Lin Yanling , Yang Danlin , Xue Xiaoying , Li Li , Pan Mian , Lin Zhi
Published: February 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to develop a dynamic model to predict the risk of spontaneous preterm birth at < 32 weeks in twin pregnancy.
Methods

Women with twin pregnancies were followed up from January 2017 to December 2019 in two tertiary medical centres—data from one were used to construct the model, and data from the other were used to evaluate the model. Data on maternal demographic characteristics, transvaginal cervical length and funnelling during 20–24 weeks were extracted. The prediction model was constructed with independent variables determined by logistic regression analyses.
Results

After applying specified exclusion criteria, an algorithm with maternal and biophysical factors was developed based on 92 twin pregnancies with a preterm birth < 32 weeks and 672 twin pregnancies with a delivery ≥ 32 weeks. It was then evaluated among 36 pregnancies with a preterm birth < 32 weeks and 261 pregnancies with a delivery ≥ 32 weeks in a second tertiary centre without specific training. The model reached a sensitivity of 78.26%, specificity of 88.84%, false positive rate of 11.16% and negative predictive value of 96.76%; ROC characteristics proved that the model was superior to any single parameter with an AUC of 0.856.
Conclusions

We developed and validated a dynamic nomogram model to predict the individual probability of early preterm birth in order to better represent the complex aetiology of twin pregnancies and hopefully improve the prediction and indication of interventions.
Genetic Diversity Analysis of Korean Peanut Germplasm Using 48 K SNPs ‘Axiom_Arachis’ Array and Its Application for Cultivar Differentiation
Authors: Nabi Rizwana Begum Syed , Cho Kwang-Soo , Tayade Rupesh , Oh Ki Won , Lee Myoung Hee , Kim Jung In , Kim Sungup , Pae Suk-Bok , Oh Eunyoung
Published: February 2021

Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is one of the important legume oilseed crops. Cultivated peanut has a narrow genetic base. Therefore, it is necessary to widen its genetic base and diversity for additional use. The objective of the present study was to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 96 peanut genotypes with 9478 high-resolution SNPs identified from a 48K ‘Axiom_Arachis’ SNP array. Korean set genotypes were also compared with a mini-core of US genotypes. These sets of genotypes were used for genetic diversity analysis. Model-based structure analysis at K = 2 indicated the presence of two subpopulations in both sets of genotypes. Phylogenetic and PCA analysis clustered these genotypes into two major groups. However, clear genotype distribution was not observed for categories of subspecies, botanical variety, or origin. The analysis also revealed that current Korean genetic resources lacked variability. These results suggest that Korean genetic resources need to be expanded by creating new allele combinations and widening the genetic pool to offer new genetic variations for Korean peanut improvement programs. High-quality SNP data generated in this study could be used for identifying varietal contaminant, QTL, and genes associated with desirable traits by performing mapping, genome-wide association studies.
Defect Identification Method of CMC Bonding Structure based on Dynamic Time Warping and Simulation Analysis
Authors: zhang jiyang , ren jiaojiao , zhang dandan , gu jian , li lijuan , Zhou Tongyu
Published: February 2021

In this work, a new defect identification method has been proposed in an attempt to detect the bonding quality of ceramic matrix composites. The method is based entirely on dynamic time warping (DTW) and simulation analysis. Aiming at two different characteristic defects of the glue layer (I) and glue layer (II) of CMC, the transfer matrix method is employed to model and simulate the defects in the bonding structure. On the basis of this, a dynamic time warping algorithm is used to regularize the simulation waveform and the actual waveform in time sequence, and the correlation coefficient is employed for the estimation of waveform similarity after regularization. In comparison with the traditional similarity evaluation standard of the DTW algorithm, the improved DTW algorithm has better waveform classification ability for the glue layer (I) and glue layer (II). The classification accuracy of debonding defects of the glue layer (I) is more than 95%, and that of the glue layer (II) exceeds 90%. Additionally, compared with the conventional terahertz imaging method, correlation imaging is appropriate for different characteristics of defect signals and has an improved defect-recognition effect.
Preparation and Characterization of Nano-galvanic Bimetallic Fe/Sn Nanoparticles Deposited on Talc and its Enhanced Performance in Cr(VI) Removal
Authors: Bayat Mitra , Nasernejad Bahram , Falamaki Cavus
Published: February 2021

In this study, talc-supported nano-galvanic nZVI/Sn bimetallic particles was successfully synthesized and utilized for Cr(VI) remediation. Talc-nZVI/Sn nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD, zeta potential, and BET analysis. The findings verified the uniform dispersion of nZVI/Sn nanoparticles on talc surface. The formation of numerous nano-galvanic cells between nZVI core and Sn shell enhanced the potential of bimetallic particles in Cr(VI) mitigation. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate optimum conditions and total Cr(VI) removal was achieved in 20 minutes using Sn/Fe mass ratio of 6/1, the adsorbent dosage of 2 g/L, initial Cr(VI) concentration of 80 mg/L, at the acidic environment (pH=5) and temperature of 303 K. Besides, co-existing of metallic cations turned out to facilitate the electron transfer from the nano-galvanic couple of NZVI/Sn and suggested the revolution of bimetallic particles to trimetallic composites. The aging study of the nanocomposite confirmed its constant high activity during 60 days. The removal reaction was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Langmuir isotherm models. Overall, due to the synergistic galvanic cell effect of nZVI/Sn nanoparticles and full coverage of active sites by Sn layer, Talc-nZVI/6Sn was utilized as a promising nanocomposite for fast and highly efficient Cr(VI) elimination.
Better Health-related Quality of Life in kidney Transplant Patients Compared to Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Similar Renal Function
Authors: Ryu Jung-Hwa , Koo Tai Yeon , Ro Han , Cho Jang-Hee , Jung Cheol Woong , Huh Kyu Ha , Park Jae Berm , Lee Sik , Han Seungyeup , Kim Jayoun , Oh Kook-Hwan , Ahn Curie , Yang Jaeseok , group KNOW-KT Study
Published: February 2021

Renal functional deterioration is associated with physical and mental burdens for kidney transplant (KT) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, the change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over time in KT patients compared to that of pre-dialysis CKD patients has not been evaluated. We addressed this issue using KT patients registered in the KNOW-KT cohort study and patients at CKD stage 1–3 registered in the KNOW-CKD cohort study. HRQOL scores were assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form at baseline, 2-, and 4-years follow-up in 842 KT patients and at baseline and 5-year follow-up in 1,355 CKD patients. SF-36 scores declined at the 4-year follow-up, whereas CKD-targeted scores showed no change in the KT group. In contrast, CKD-targeted scores as well as SF-36 scores were decreased at the 5-year follow-up in CKD patients. When prognostic factors were analyzed for longitudinal HRQOL data over time, renal functions, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hemoglobin level, marital status, income, employment, and health care were significant prognostic factors. Furthermore, KT was an independent prognostic factor for better HRQOL. These results highlight that KT can offer a better HRQOL than that of CKD patients, even when renal function is similar.
Predictors of Fear of Childbirth and Normal Delivery Among Iranian Postpartum Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mortazavi Forough , Mehrabadi Maryam
Published: February 2021

Background: Fear of childbirth (FOC) may contribute to postpartum depression, impaired maternal-infant relation, and preference for cesarean in future pregnancies. The mode of delivery may have a role in postpartum FOC. We aimed to investigate predictors of FOC and normal vaginal delivery (NVD) among postpartum women who had planned for NVD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on postpartum women during the first 24 hours after the delivery. A sample of 662 women, selected using convenient sampling method, filled out the questionnaire composed of socio-demographic and obstetric questions and the Wijma Delivery-Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ). We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine predictors of FOC and NVD.Results: The percentage of women with mild (scores ≤ 37), moderate (38-65), high (66-84), severe (scores 85-99) and intense (scores ≥ 100) FOC were 7.9%, 19.5%, 40.9%, 21.1%, and 10.6% respectively. Predictors of severe FOC were a low level of satisfaction with husband’s support and a low level of satisfaction with pregnancy. Predictors of intense FOC were age < 30, primiparity, low maternal satisfaction with pregnancy, and a low level of perceived marital satisfaction. Overall, 21.8% of women gave birth by cesarean. Predictors of NVD were birth weight < 4kg, spontaneous labor pain, mother’s age < 30, term pregnancy, having a doula, multiparity, satisfaction with husband's support, and satisfaction with pregnancy. FOC was not a predictor of NVD. Conclusions: The rate of severe and intense FOC among this group of postpartum women is high. Our findings highlight modifiable factors for reducing FOC and increasing NVD. In designing programs to increase the rate of NVD, the following factors should be considered: limiting induced labor, encouraging women to recruit a doula to help them at labor, facilitate husband’s attendance throughout antenatal/intrapartum and postnatal care to support his wife, consultation with couples to increase husband’s support, and other steps to make pregnancy pleasant and memorable. According to our findings, factors that can contribute to the reduction of the rate of FOC were consultation with couples to increase husband support and marital satisfaction and also finding ways to make pregnancy a pleasant experience.
Sexual dimorphism of monocyte transcriptome in individuals with chronic low-grade inflammation
Authors: So Jisun , Tai Albert K , Lichtenstein Alice H , Wu Dayong , Lamon-Fava Stefania
Published: February 2021

Sexual dimorphism in the immune system is evidenced by a higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases in women and higher susceptibility to infectious diseases in men. However, the molecular basis of these sex-based differences is not fully understood. We have characterized the transcriptome profiles of peripheral blood monocytes from males and postmenopausal females with chronic low-grade inflammation. We identified 41 sexually differentially expressed genes [adjusted p value (FDR) < 0.1], including genes involved in immune cell activation (e.g., CEACAM1 , FCGR2B , and SLAMF7 ) and antigen presentation (e.g., AIM2 , CD1E , and UBA1 ), with a higher expression in females than males. Moreover, signaling pathways of immune or inflammatory responses, including interferon (IFN) signaling [z-score=2.45, -log( p )=3.88], were found to be more upregulated in female versus male monocytes, based on a set of genes exhibiting sex-biased expression ( p < 0.03). The contribution of IFN signaling to the sexual transcriptional differences was further confirmed by direct comparisons of the monocyte sex-biased genes with IFN signature genes (ISGs) that were previously curated in mouse macrophages. ISGs showed a greater overlap with female-biased genes than male-biased genes and a higher overall expression in female than male monocytes, particularly for the genes of antiviral and inflammatory responses to IFN. Given the role of IFN in immune defense and autoimmunity, our results suggest that sexual dimorphism in immune functions may be associated with more priming of innate immune pathways in female than male monocytes. These findings highlight the role of sex on the human immune transcriptome.
Barriers and Facilitators to Immediate Insertion of the Copper IUD after Second-Trimester Medical Abortion - Process Evaluation of A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Somefun Oluwaseyi Dolapo , Constant Deborah , Endler Margit
Published: February 2021

Introduction The availability of modern contraception including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), is a fundamental component of post-abortion care. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) in South Africa compared immediate to interval insertion of the copper intrauterine device (IUD) after second trimester medical abortion (MA). Immediate insertion resulted in higher use at 6 weeks post-abortion, however expulsion rates were higher than interval insertion. This process evaluation sheds light on barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the study intervention.MethodsWe performed a process evaluation alongside the RCT in which we reviewed clinical records for fidelity to the RCT protocol and conducted in-depth interviews with 14 staff providing healthcare to RCT participants and 24 RCT participants. Research questions explored barriers and facilitators to implementation of immediate IUD insertion, contraceptive decision-making, and the potential impact of context and supplementary trial activities on trial findings. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, with translation into English if needed. We performed a triangulated thematic analysis at the level of the transcribed interview text.ResultsIn the RCT, there were 8 crossovers from the immediate to the delayed arm: 5 had a clinical contraindication to the IUD post-MA and 3 changed their mind about the IUD. In deviation of the RCT protocol 10 women in the delayed arm were given the 3 monthly injectable instead of oral contraceptives. Doctors and nurses were generally in favour of immediate insertion and said it could be incorporated into standard care if women wanted this. This contrasted with the need for interventions by the research team to reinforce adherence by staff to the allocated intervention over the trial duration. For women, convenience, protection from pregnancy and privacy issues were paramount and they expressed preference for engagement with staff who knew their abortion history, and with whom they had an established connection. Clinical trials registration: clinicaltrials.gov/ (ID NCT03505047), Pan African Trials Registry (www.pactr.org), ID PACTR201804003324963ConclusionsWomen and staff favour immediate IUD insertion after second trimester medical abortion, but service delivery may require structures that ensure continuity of care, communication that mitigates loss to follow up and training of staff to ensure competence.
Clonality in Invasive Alien Macrophytes in Kashmir Himalaya: A Stage Based Approach
Authors: WANI GOWHER , Khan Asgar , Afshana Afshana , Dar Mudasir , Reshi Zafar Ahmad , Husaini Amjad , Shah Manzoor Ahmad
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThe invasion of non-native species is a major cause of the global biodiversity loss and creates enormous economic costs. What determines alien invasive species dominance over native plant species is still little known, but there is an emerging pattern that many of the world’s worst invasive plants are successful invaders due to the significant connection between their clonal traits and invasiveness. Freshwater ecosystems are relatively more prone to decline and extinction of species caused by biological invasion than terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In view of the lack of information about whether or not aquatic alien species at different stages of invasion exhibit any significant relation with clonality, the specific question addressed in this study was whether there is any relationship between clonality and invasiveness in aquatic macrophytes and how does it vary along different stages of invasion? ResultsWhile the link between clonality and species invasiveness has recently been recognized, whether and how clonality varies with different invasion-stages remains open questions. Hence, we tested the relationship between clonality and species invasiveness of Kashmir Himalayan aquatic macrophytes vis-à-vis its variability along different stages of invasion. The data on clonality, stage of invasion, and growth form was obtained through an extensive survey of literature and database like CLO-PLA (CLOnal PLAnts, version 3) and PLADIAS (Plant Diversity Analysis and Synthesis, 2014–2018) followed by evaluation of the clonal organs thorough intensive field surveys undertaken over a period of 3 years (2014-2017) in different aquatic habitats of the Kashmir valley. Our results showed that 84% of the studied species and almost 90% of the most invasive species (stage V sensu Colautti and MacIsaac 2004) are clonal. A strong positive correlation (r=0.94; p<0.05) between clonality and invasiveness was observed, which further substantiates this association at a broad geographical scale representing the whole region. From the scatter matrix and Pearson’s correlation matrix, clonality seems to have a strong positive correlation with fragments, rhizomes, runners, turions, tubers, and buds, thereby further affirming the strong nexus of clonality with species invasions.ConclusionsOur results showed strong association of clonal architecture with not only the stages of invasion but also the distribution pattern of alien species in aquatic habitats, thereby indicating the pivotal contribution of clonality to invasiveness. Future studies directed at unraveling the reasons behind clonality need to be undertaken from the genomic perspective, in order to evolve better models for proper management of alien aquatic invasive species.
A Comparative Analysis of the Adoption of Decentralized Governance in the Blockchain Through DAOs
Authors: Faqir-Rhazoui Youssef , Gallardo Javier Arroyo , Hassan Samer
Published: February 2021

Blockchain technology has prompted new ways of governance and coordination. Such forms receive the name of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). DAOs typically implement decision-making systems to make possible for the community to reach agreements. As a result of the agreements the DAO automatically operates (e.g., hire people, payments, invest in financial products, etc.) by executing code on the blockchain. In the last few years, several platforms such as Aragon, DAOstack and DAOhaus, have emerged to facilitate the creation of DAOs. As a result, hundreds of this new organizations have appeared and are interacting in the blockchain. However, little is known about them. In this paper, we want to shed light on them. We will review the three main platforms (Aragon, DAOstack, DAOhaus) that make possible to create and manage a DAO. We introduce the main differences between these platforms, and we finally compare them numerically. For the comparison we retrieve data from both the main Ethereum network (mainnet) and a parallel Ethereum network (xDai). We analyze data from 72,320 users from 2,353 DAO communities to study the three ecosystems along four dimensions: growth, activity, voting system and funds. Our results show that there are notable differences among the DAO platforms in terms of growth and activity, but also interms of voting results. Still we consider that our work is only a first step and that further research is needed to better understand these communities and to help them to accomplish their aim of decentralized governance.
Sheng Jing Decoction, as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription, Can Promote Spermatogenesis and Increase Sperm Motility
Authors: Yan Guang , Tian Fang , Liu Peng , Mao Jianmin , Sun Jianming , Han Wenjun , Mo Ran , Guo Shishuai , Yu Quanyao
Published: February 2021

BackgroundSheng Jing Decoction (SJD), as a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, is mainly be used to treat male infertility. It has been applied in many hospitals in China, and the clinical effect of patients' reaction is satisfactory. However, pharmacological function and molecular mechanism of SJD are poorly understood. In this study, mainly investigated the function of SJD on spermatogenesis and sperm motility, and explored the potential mechanisms.MethodsThe oligozoospermia model of ICR mice was induced by injecting intraperitoneally (ip) with 60 mg/kg dose of cyclophosphamide. At the same time of modeling, high, medium and low doses of SJD were given orally for treatment respectively. Sperm vitality and motility were detected and analyzed by CASA, and sperm morphology was tested by Papanicolaou staining. Sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was tested by JC-1 staining. Sperm plasma membrane integrity was determined by SYBR-14/PI double staining. Histopathological changes of testis were analyzed by HE staining and Immunohistochemistry. Genes expression related to spermatogenesis and sperm development were detected by real-time RT-PCR.Results High, medium and low doses of SJD are effective to recover from the impairment of the whole body and testicular tissue by cyclophosphamide inducing, and to rescue the damage of testicular tissue cells including sertoli cells and germ cells by cyclophosphamide inducing. SJD can all partly restore the decrease in sperm concentration, sperm vitality, sperm motility and normal sperm morphology rate by cyclophosphamide inducing. Ki67 staining analyses confirm SJD can promoted testicular tissue cells proliferation. Real-time RT-PCR analyses reveal SJD can up-regulates the expression of proliferation-associated gene Lin28a, and differentiation-associated genes Kit, Sohlh2 and Stra8. SJD can also reduce the impairment of MMP and sperm plasma membrane integrity by cyclophosphamide inducing.ConclusionSJD is effective to support sperm quantity and quality by increasing sperm concentration, sperm vitality, sperm motility and normal sperm morphology rate. SJD can promote spermatogenesis by up-regulating the expression of the proliferation-associated gene Lin28a, and the differentiation-associated genes (Kit, Sohlh2 and Stra8). SJD can sustain MMP and sperm plasma membrane integrity to increase sperm motility.
A tissue atlas of ulcerative colitis to guide TNF inhibitor therapy
Authors: Mayer Aaron , Holman Derek , Tandon Utkarsh , Bhate Salil , Bodapati Sunil , Barlow Graham , Chang Jeff , Black Sarah , Crenshaw Erica , Boland Brigid , Streett Sarah , Sandborn William , Chang John , Gambhir Sanjiv , Nolan Garry , Schürch Christian , Rogalla Stephan
Published: February 2021

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic-relapsing inflammatory disease of the large intestine with a complex, multifactorial pathogenesis. TNF inhibitors are widely used to suppress immune-mediated tissue damage in ulcerative colitis patients; however, therapy failures are common. Predicting TNF inhibitor response requires an understanding of the architectural features that underlie mucosal inflammation and those responsible for resistance. Here, we used highly multiplexed immunofluorescence to uncover the spatially resolved tissue architectures underlying disease progression and treatment response in 42 tissue regions from 34 individuals. We created a tissue atlas and performed spatial analysis to identify cell-cell contacts and cellular neighborhoods. We observed that cellular functional states depend on cellular neighborhood and that a subset of inflammatory cell types and cellular neighborhoods in ulcerative colitis patients persisted even during treatment with TNF inhibitor, indicating resistant niches. A computer vision model, with no a priori assumptions regarding cellular architectural features, was able to predict TNF inhibitor resistance. This spatial model significantly outperformed classification models based on single-cell data alone. Our results demonstrate the value of a spatial tissue atlas as a precision medicine tool to guide treatment of patients suffering from autoimmune diseases.
The Exacerbated Prevalence of Acute Malnutrition and Growth Retardation in Roma Children Living in Camps
Authors: Giampaolo Rosaria , Marotta Rosaria , Biagiarelli Francesco Saverio , Zampa Antonella , Moramarco Stefania , Buonomo Ersilia
Published: February 2021

Background: Child malnutrition is still a concern in marginalized groups of populations, such as immigrants living in very low socio-economic conditions. Roma children are within the most hard-to-reach populations, susceptible to undernutrition and growth retardation. In the city of Rome (Italy), the Hospital “Bambino Gesù”, in collaboration with the Catholic Association Community of Saint’Egidio, is dedicating, free services for the health and nutritional needs of vulnerable people. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on immigrant children visited at different ages (0-11 years old). Records including nutritional and growth assessment were collected from 2016 up to May 2020. Malnutrition was classified following the WHO 2006 standards. Data for Roma children living in extra-urban camps and non-Roma immigrant children living in urban areas was analyzed, odds ratios and univariate binary regressions were performed to investigate the risk of malnutrition within the two groups.Results: A sample of 414 children (57% under-five; 51.9% Roma), was included in the database. In the under-five children, underweight accounted for 7.6%, stunting for 11.7%, and wasting for 2.9%. The first year of life was the most crucial for nutritional status. Compared to the counterpart, Roma children accounted for nearly the total rate of malnutrition (wasting 4.8% vs. 1%; stunting 21.4% vs. 2%; underweight 14.2% vs. 1%). Univariate logistic regression confirmed under-five Roma children being at the highest risk of stunting at 12 months (OR: 16.1; CI 2-132; p=0.01). When considering the 176 school-aged children, undernutrition affected most Roma children (13% vs 1.9%), followed by stunting (5.8% vs 0.9%). Univariate logistic regression confirmed that Roma school-aged children were more likely to be underweight (OR: 7.8; CI 1.6-37.6; p=0.01). Conclusions: Malnutrition in immigrant children is still of high concern in Italy. Its prevalence in Roma children living in extra-urban camps exceeds that of immigrant children living in urban areas and the rates of underweight, stunting and wasting of Roma children living in the Balkans. This exacerbating condition highlights the need of better assisting this fragile population that is at most risk of poverty, food insecurity and social exclusion in Italy, particularly during this pandemic crisis.
Does Drought Show a Significant Decreasing Trend From 1961 to 2017 in Northern China?
Authors: Yu Lu , Wu Zhitao , Liu Yong , Du ZiQiang , Zhang Hong
Published: February 2021

Understanding the variation of drought is essentially important in climate change and risk assessment. Based on the monthly meteorological data at 321 stations, this study computed the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), which was estimated using the potential evapotranspiration (PET) with the Penman–Monteith equation. The trends, affected-area, duration, and frequency of drought was determined using the piecewise linear regression method (LRM) for 1961–2017 over northern China. The results found that (1) drought displayed a wetting trend in 1961-2017 at a rate of 0.05/10a (p > 0.05), which generally occurred in winter and in most study areas, particularly in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In contrast, an apparent drying trend occurred on the Loess Plateau. (2) The LRM identified that the turning point (TP) for trends occurred in 1990; the annual SPEI had been increasing pre-1990 and decreasing post-1990. This was especially the case in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Tibet, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia, consistent with patterns of seasonal drought at their respective TP apart from autumn. (3) From 1961 to 2017, the drought-affected area decreased at a rate of −1.69%/10a (p < 0.05). This area decreased before the TP and increased after the TP at different drought levels. The seasonal drought also showed decreasing trend, particularly in winter. (4) The highest frequency and duration of drought occurred in the Loess Plateau and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, respectively, although it decreased post-1990. These findings suggest that long-term trends in drought were not significant in northern China during 1961–2017. Although the severity, frequency, and duration of drought decreased post-1990, the recent drying trend and increase in the drought-affected area should not be dismissed.
A New Artificial Neural Network Based Failure Determination System For Electric Motors
Authors: Bicakci Sabri , Coramik Mustafa , Gunes Huseyin , Citak Hakan , Ege Yavuz
Published: February 2021

A new measurement system was developed for determination of failures and defining the level of failure that may occur in bearings and rotor bearings or in foot of motor in single phase capacitor start motor. In system, the vibratory operation of the motor is provided by connecting different screws on the motor’s rotor mounted flywheel or by gradually removing the nut bolts of motor foot. The VB3 vibration sensor outputs were recorded to the computer. The changing characteristics of sensor output for each experiment had more than one frequency component; therefore, FFT was performed for determining such components. It was observed that the frequency and amplitude values of first 5 harmonics could be used for determining the presence, type and level of failure but there was a nonlinear relation between each other. 2 different ANN customized separately were developed for determining the type and rate of the failure of motor. 80%, 10% and 10% of available data were reserved for training, testing and verification respectively and the ANN was trained. Accuracy degree for the ANN in the estimations following the training stage was calculated as R = 0.97-0.98. Furthermore, the results of ANN was compared with the results obtained using Sequential Minimal Optimization (SMO), Naive Bayes (NB) and J48 algorithms; and it was determined that the accuracy degree of ANN was higher.
Effect of Crystallographic Orientation on Structural Response of Silicon to Femtosecond Laser Irradiation
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Liang , Mironov Sergey , Xiao Rongshi , Guo Liang , Huang Ting
Published: February 2021

Femtosecond laser has been widely utilized for modification of crystal structure to achieve desired functions. So far, however, the effect of crystallographic orientation on the induced structure by femtosecond laser processing has yet been comprehensively studied. The present work is undertaken in an attempt to fill this gap in our knowledge. To this end, commercial-purity Si is used as a target material and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy as well as electron backscatter diffraction are applied to examine the irradiation-induced microstructural changes. The structural response of the pulsed material is found to be principally influenced by the crystallographic orientation of the target surface. Specifically, at the surface orientation close to {111}, a pronounced amorphization effect is observed whereas no disordered material is detected at the orientations close to {100}. This phenomenon could be explained by the lowest crystallization speed required by the (111) surface due to its smallest surface energy. Compared with nanosecond laser, non-thermal melting induced by femtosecond laser induces mild thermal gradient and favors recrystallization.
HbE Variants: An Experience from Tertiary Care Centre of Eastern India
Authors: Mukherjee Sriranjan , Das Mou , Basu Keya , Sengupta Moumita , Karmakar Subhrajyoyi , Jha Ashish Kumar , Bandopadhyay Manimoy
Published: February 2021

Background- HbE is the second most common structural haemoglobin disorder after sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS). Haemoglobin E (HbE) is variant haemoglobin with a mutation in the globin gene causing substitution of glutamic acid for lysine at position 26 of the globin chain.

Aims & Objectives- 1) To Know demographical parameters of HbE variants and 2) To know the Hematological parameters of HbE variants.

Materials & Methods- The present single-centre, retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on consecutive 2035 Hb-E variants who were screened by CE-HPLC for hemoglobinopathies in the Thalassemia control unit (TCU) in our tertiary care referral centre after obtaining the proper approval from ethical committee of the institution and informed consent from the patients. The evaluation was done in Bio-Rad Variant Haemoglobin Testing System (Hercules, California, USA) using variant b-thalassemia short program pack. All the analyses were done using IBM SPSS statistics software, version 19 and MedCalc software, version 12.3.0.0.

Result- Among 2035 subjects’ majority (80%) were diagnosed as HbE carrier. Age ranged from 1 year to 75 years with mean of 19.1±13.2 years. Study population mostly comprised of antenatal mothers (23.2 %) followed by premarital (20.2%), children (18.1 %), post marital (17.4%), %), family member of affected person (16.6%), suspected patient (3.5 %) family member of carrier (0.2%) and others (0.8%).

Conclusion: HbE disorders are paradox: its behaviour ranges from good, bad to ugly and the value of HbE does not correlate with the severity of the diseases.
Early Occurrence of Two Distinct Histological Types of Renal Cell Carcinoma in End-Stage Renal Disease Patient on Haemodialysis
Authors: Parkhi Mayur , Sekar Aravind , Parmar Kalpesh , Mandal Shubajit
Published: February 2021

Background:  The occurrence of renal cell carcinoma is a well-known complication in end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis. Various histological types of renal cell carcinomas are observed in these patients and varies with the duration of haemodialysis. Though the synchronous association of two renal cell carcinomas in the patients are known, the existence of such dual renal tumours in the patient on dialysis is extremely rare and unheard in the English literature. Moreover, tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma is rarely reported in this setting.

Case report and Discussion: We describe an unusual early synchronous occurrence of two tumours with distinct histology i.e. Papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC, type I) and Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma (TC-RCC) in a patient with end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis for a duration less than a year. Though exact etiological factors peculiar to the occurrence of these tumours are not known, increased oxidative stress occurring in end-stage renal disease patient on haemodialysis might play an important role in carcinogenesis.

Conclusion: Renal cell carcinoma with more than one histological type may occur exceedingly early without any symptoms in these patients. Radiologists and urologists should be aware of it for early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Pathologists should also be more cautious while grossing and pick the sub-centimetric primary or secondary tumours that may have an impact on patient survival.
The Role of Volume, Conductivity, Scatter Changes of Neutrophils and Monocytes in Diagnosis of Megaloblastic Anemia
Authors: Adiga Deepa Sowkur Anandarama , Saha Debarshi , G Karthick R , M Vishnu Priya , Rao Purnima S , Suresh Pooja K
Published: February 2021

Background: Megaloblastic anemias are macrocytic normochromic anemia with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 100 fl-140 fl and caused by deficiency of either cobalamin (vitamin B12) or folate. However, increased MCV is not specific for megaloblastic anemia, nor is Vitamin B12 assay by chemiluminescence. We undertook this study to evaluate the possible role of Volume, Conductivity and Scatter (VCS) of WBCs derived from standard hematology analyzer to indicate megaloblastic anemia.

Methods: We performed a case control study comparing data of 60 patients with low serum vitamin B12 or folate levels with 60 healthy volunteers. Comparison of the volume, conductivity and scatter parameters for neutrophils and monocytes of cases and control were done.

Result: The mean neutrophil volume of cases (158.37±18.13fl) was significantly higher (p= 0.0001) compared to controls (141.26±4.22fl). Similarly, mean monocyte volume of cases (183.34±16.90fl) was significantly (p=0.0001) higher compared to controls (166.55±8.66fl).

The difference in the mean conductivity of both neutrophils and monocytes between cases and controls were insignificant (p=0.43).

Conclusion: Our study suggests analysis of VCS parameters for neutrophils and monocytes was a simple and objective method that substantiates the existence of subclinical deficiency of vitamin B 12 and folate with fair degree of certainty.
TRADITIONS OF NATIVITY DRAMA WITHIN THE OPERA ARTS OF UKRAINE
Authors: Lukava Daryna
Published: February 2021

The article explores the ways of development of Ukrainian nativity drama - a genre of musical art that provides an opportunity to recreate the elusive breath of time, to learn not only about the world around but also the prospects for its preservation in Ukrainian culture. For the formation and development of the national musical culture of Ukraine, the traditions of Ukrainian nativity drama, the precondition of which was the folk music of national-historical orientation, became especially important. Besides, the folklore basis contributed to the formation of some professional genres, including opera and instrumental plays.
The object of the research is the nativity drama within the opera art of Ukraine.
The purpose of the article is to identify the features of the nativity scene as a musical and dramatic art form, which is an original monument of Ukrainian culture.
It should be noted, that the nativity scene, especially the images of the second act, the type of its drama, had an impact on the development of Ukrainian musical and dramatic theater even in the XIX century. The mentioned influence was manifested, in particular, in the musical drama "Chornomorets", "Natalka Poltavka" by Lysenko, where folk song and dance are an integral part of the action and are a means of characterizing individual characters and dramatic situations. Some features of the character of Zaporozhets from the nativity scene were developed in the image of Karas from S. Gulak-Artemovsky's opera "Zaporozhets za Dynayem". Ukrainian music and drama art with its sources are associated with the ancient East Slavic agricultural and family holidays, games, dances, in which the element of dramatization played an important role since ancient times. Christmas games with costumes, Maslenitsa farewells, spring round dances, harvest festivals, autumn-winter round dances, and weddings became a rich source for the development of musical and theatrical art of the Ukrainian people in the XV–XVI centuries. To sum up, we can conclude that for the formation and development of the national musical culture of Ukraine in the XIX century, the Ukrainian opera became especially important, the precondition of the one was the folk music of national-historical orientation. Also, the folklore foundations, in particular the nativity scene, served to form professional genres including opera and instrumental plays.
The study can be applied to prepare students and graduates in the field of Historical Sciences, Musicology, and Culturology.
The significance and influence of nativity drama on the opera art of Ukraine have been studied, where the traditions of Ukrainian nativity scene, the precondition of which was the folk music of national-historical orientation, have been singled out.
The study can be the basis for further study of the Ukrainian nativity drama of the XX–XXI centuries.
METHODICAL APPROACHES TO MANAGING THE EFFICIENCY OF ENTERPRISE RESOURCES
Authors: Mykytyuk Petro , Trush Iryna
Published: February 2021

building organizations on the basis of economic-mathematical models are offered. The phenomena, related to supply and storage of materials, their production use and impact of material supply on the financial structure of capital, occurred in the enterprise, are determined by means of the analysis of the production functions of dependence of return of fixed assets on material resources, and it was also investigated how such phenomena affect the return on fixed assets. On this basis, the recommendations how to improve the management of materials supply in order to provide the fullest use of fixed assets are developed. Based on the study of the value of the coefficients of linear models of dependence of the financial indicators of the enterprise activity on the value of material stock, the price of a unit of stock, the types of stock, on which the profitability of the enterprise significantly depends are determined, and it is also defined what economic, financial, organizational and technological regularities are covered by these dependencies. An economic interpretation of such dependencies is given and the recommendations for improving stock management and the material supply structure are developed. The qualitative analysis of dependence of the financial indicators of the enterprise activity on the value of the stock and its cost is carried out. The recommendations for improving the management of the size and the price structure of the most important material stock are developed
ASSESSMENT OF THE FREQUENCY AND RATIONALITY OF PRESCRIBED MEDICINES IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS
Authors: Fediak Iryna , Maksymenko Oleksandra
Published: February 2021

The aim. Assessment of the dynamics of prescribing drugs to patients with liver cirrhosis (LC, K 74), in terms of real clinical practice by methods of clinical and economic analysis.
Materials and methods. 355 medical cards of inpatients with cirrhosis of the liver, which were divided into 4 groups depending on the period of stay of patients in the hospital. Methods: compatible retrospective ABC-frequency analysis, which ranked drugs consumed by patients in real clinical practice, according to the frequency of appointment using ABC-segmentation according to the Pareto principle (A – 80 % of drugs appointments: B – 15 %: C – 5 %); VEN-analysis, which divides the consumed drugs on a formal basis depending on the presence / absence of a particular drug in the regulations: vital (Vital or V), necessary (Essential or E) and secondary (Non-essential or N).
Results. Cirrhosis of the liver in recent years has been on the 10th - 11th place among the causes of death in the world. The analysis of prescribed drugs to patients with LC in real clinical practice in Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine revealed that over the years doctors prescribed fewer drugs on average per patient (11.4 drugs → 8.8 drugs), which can be considered a positive fact. Among the prescribed drugs, drugs of group A – “Drugs that affect the digestive system and metabolism” prevailed, the share of which increased and was the highest in 2019 – 2020 (2007–2009 – 44.6 %; 2012–2013 – 46.6 %; 2015–2016 – 48.1 %; 2019–2020 – 48.55 %); the share of dietary supplements also increased from 1.65 % to 6.52 %.
Conclusions. Combined ABC-frequency and VEN-analyzes showed that the leaders in the years of hospital stay were the following drugs: Sodium chloride, Ademetionine, Pantoprazole, Spironolactone, Thioctic acid, Ornithine, Asparaginate K-Mg, Torasemide, Furosemide. However, the vital class V included only 9–11 % of drugs from the whole set of prescribed drugs, which requires systemic correction in accordance with European recommendations.