bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between age, sex, and severity of Coronavirus disease-19 based on chest computed tomography severity scoring system
Authors: Farghaly Shimaa , Makboul Marwa
Published: January 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the most recent global health emergency; early diagnosis of COVID-19 is very important for rapid clinical interventions and patient isolation; chest computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in screening, diagnosis, and evaluating the progress of the disease. According to the results of different studies, due to high severity of the disease, clinicians should be aware of the different potential risk factors associated with the fatal outcome, so chest CT severity scoring system was designed for semi-quantitative assessment of the severity of lung disease in COVID-19 patients, ranking the pulmonary involvement on 25 points severity scale according to extent of lung abnormalities; this study aims to evaluate retrospectively the relationship between age and severity of COVID-19 in both sexes based on chest CT severity scoring system.

Results

Age group C (40–49 year) was the commonest age group that was affected by COVID-19 by 21.3%, while the least affected group was group F (≥ 70 years) by only 6.4%. As regards COVID-RADS classification, COVID-RADS-3 was the most commonly presented at both sexes in all different age groups. Total CT severity lung score had a positive strong significant correlation with the age of the patient (r = 0.64, P < 0.001). Also, a positive strong significant correlation was observed between CT severity lung score and age in both males and females (r = 0.59, P < 0.001) and (r = 0.69, P < 0.001) respectively.

Conclusion

We concluded that age can be considered as a significant risk factor for the severity of COVID-19 in both sexes. Also, CT can be used as a significant diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and evaluation of the progression and severity of the disease.
Compounds of Citrus medica and Zingiber officinale for COVID-19 inhibition: in silico evidence for cues from Ayurveda
Authors: Haridas M. , Sasidhar Vijith , Nath Prajeesh , Abhithaj J. , Sabu A. , Rammanohar P.
Published: January 2021

Background

The nasal carriage of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported as the key factor transmitting COVID-19. Interventions that can reduce viral shedding from the nasopharynx could potentially mitigate the severity of the disease and its contagiousness. Herbal formulation of Citrus medica and Zingiber officinale is recommended in an Ayurvedic text as a nasal rinse in the management of contagious fevers. These herbs are also indicated in the management of respiratory illnesses and have been attributed with activity against pathogenic organisms in other texts. Molecular docking studies of the phytocompounds of C. medica and Z. officinale were done to find out whether these compounds could inhibit the receptor binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein) as well as the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), as evidenced from their docking into binding/active sites.

Results

The proteins of SARS-CoV-2, essential for its entry into human cells and highly expressed in the goblet and ciliated cells of nasal epithelium, play a significant role in contagiousness of the virus. Docking studies indicated that the specific compounds present in C. medica and Z. officinale have significant affinity in silico to spike protein of virus and ACE-2 receptor in the host.

Conclusion

In silico studies suggest that the phytochemical compounds in C. medica and Z. officinale may have good potential in reducing viral load and shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in the nasal passages. Further studies are recommended to test its efficacy in humans for mitigating the transmission of COVID-19.
Clinical Calculator Based on Molecular and Clinicopathologic Characteristics Predicts Recurrence Following Resection of Stage I-III Colon Cancer
Authors: Weiser Martin R. , Hsu Meier , Bauer Philip S. , Chapman William C. , González Iván A. , Chatterjee Deyali , Lingam Deepak , Mutch Matthew G. , Keshinro Ajaratu , Shia Jinru , Vakiani Efsevia , Konishi Tsuyoshi , Shimada Yoshifumi , Stadler Zsofia , Segal Neil H. , Cercek Andrea , Saltz Leonard , Yaeger Rona , Varghese Anna , Widmar Maria , Wei Iris H. , Pappou Emmanouil P. , Smith J. Joshua , Nash Garrett , Paty Philip , Garcia-Aguilar Julio , Gonen Mithat
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE

Clinical calculators and nomograms have been endorsed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), as they provide the most individualized and accurate estimate of patient outcome. Using molecular and clinicopathologic variables, a third-generation clinical calculator was built to predict recurrence following resection of stage I-III colon cancer.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data from 1,095 patients who underwent colectomy between 2007 and 2014 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were used to develop a clinical calculator. Discrimination was measured with concordance index, and variability in individual predictions was assessed with calibration curves. The clinical calculator was externally validated with a patient cohort from Washington University's Siteman Cancer Center in St Louis.

RESULTS

The clinical calculator incorporated six variables: microsatellite genomic phenotype; AJCC T category; number of tumor-involved lymph nodes; presence of high-risk pathologic features such as venous, lymphatic, or perineural invasion; presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; and use of adjuvant chemotherapy. The concordance index was 0.792 (95% CI, 0.749 to 0.837) for the clinical calculator, compared with 0.708 (95% CI, 0.671 to 0.745) and 0.757 (0.715 to 0.799) for the staging schemes of the AJCC manual's 5th and 8th editions, respectively. External validation confirmed robust performance, with a concordance index of 0.738 (95% CI, 0.703 to 0.811) and calibration plots of predicted probability and observed events approaching a 45° diagonal.

CONCLUSION

This third-generation clinical calculator for predicting cancer recurrence following curative colectomy successfully incorporates microsatellite genomic phenotype and the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, resulting in improved discrimination and predictive accuracy. This exemplifies an evolution of a clinical calculator to maintain relevance by incorporating emerging variables as they become validated and accepted in the oncologic community.
Development of Metal Complexes Equipped with Structurally Flexible Carbenes
Authors: Hoshimoto Yoichi , Ogoshi Sensuke
Published: January 2021

We herein summarize our recent results on the design and application of metal complexes that bear N-phosphine-oxide-substituted imidazolylidenes (PoxIms), in which the volume and shape of the reaction space around the carbene atoms can be drastically changed via the rotation of the N-phosphinoyl groups; this phenomenon is discussed in detail based on experimental and theoretical results. We also discuss the application of PoxIms to implement the frustration revival strategy via the synthesis of external stimuli-responsive Lewis acid–base adducts that are comprised of PoxIms and B(C6F5)3, as well as to the phosphinoylation of CO2 and carbonyl compounds. The results presented in this Account have expanded the frontiers of multifunctional N-heterocyclic carbenes, which had previously been employed mainly as multidentate ligands for metal complexes.
Inertial Load Power Cycling Training Increases Muscle Mass and Aerobic Power in Older Adults
Authors: ALLEN JAKOB R. , SATIROGLU REMZI , FICO BRANDON , TANAKA HIROFUMI , VARDARLI EMRE , LUCI JEFFREY J. , COYLE EDWARD F.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Reductions in skeletal muscle mass, beginning after the third decade of life, reduce maximal neuromuscular power (Pmax). Maximal aerobic power generation is also reduced. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of maximal power cycling (PC) training using an inertial load ergometer on skeletal muscle mass and cardiovascular function in untrained 50- to 68-yr-old participants.

Methods

The study used a pre- or postoutcome exercise intervention testing untrained 50- to 68-yr-old adults (n = 39, M = 15, mean ± SE = 58.5 ± 0.8, range = 50–68 yr). Over the course of 8 wk, participants performed 15 min of training 3 times per week. Each session involved repeated (15–30 times) 4-s sprints of PC. Measurements were thigh muscle volume, total body lean mass, Pmax, peak oxygen consumption, cardio-ankle vascular index, performance on functional tests of living (FTLChair and FTLRamp), and intermuscular fat volume.

Results

Training for 8 wk increased thigh muscle volume (3.7% ± 0.9%, P < 0.001) and total body lean mass (1.5% ± 0.4%, P < 0.01) while increasing total body mass (TBM) (1.4% ± 0.3%, P < 0.01). Physical performance measures increased significantly (all P < 0.05) with improvements in Pmax (12.0% ± 1.5%); peak oxygen consumption (9.8% ± 1.8%), and FTL (8.5% ± 1.3% to 17.2% ± 2%). Cardio-ankle vascular index was significantly decreased −2.3% ± 1.1% (P < 0.05), indicating reduced arterial stiffness.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that 8 wk of PC training at true maximal power was effective at increasing muscle mass and maximal power, as well as maximal cardiovascular capacity and functional tasks in untrained 50- to 68-yr-olds.
Episomal reprogramming of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients derived CD3+ T cells towards induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Zehravi Mehwish , Wahid Mohsin , Ashraf Junaid
Published: January 2021

Objective: To derive Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from CD3+T cells of DMD patients using episomal reprogramming and characterization of these DMD-iPSCs using immunofluorescence to confirm their pluripotent state.

Methods: DMD patients were selected based upon their clinical history and examination. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of DMD patients (n=3) by density gradient centrifugation and were used to generate DMD patient specific T cells (DMD-T cells) using rhIL-2, plate bound anti CD3 antibody and T cell specific media along with specific culture conditions that promote T cell expansion. CD3+ T cells were characterized by flow cytometry and reprogrammed using episomal plasmid to generate DMD-iPSCs. These DMD-iPSCs were characterized using immunofluorescence. The study was carried out at Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences during August 2017- July 2018 for a period of approximately 12 months.

Results: The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) derived T cells appeared as suspended cell clumps morphologically were positive for the expression of CD3 and negative for CD31. The DMD patient specific iPSCs appeared as round, compact and flat colonies with well-defined edges morphologically and were positive for the expression of pluripotency markers OCT4, SSEA-4 and TRA-1-81 on immunofluorescence.

Conclusion: CD3+ T cell derived DMD-iPSCs were obtained under feeder free and xeno-free culture conditions using episomal reprogramming.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3388

How to cite this:Zehravi M, Wahid M, Ashraf J. Episomal reprogramming of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients derived CD3+ T cells towards induced pluripotent stem cells. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):432-438. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3388

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Union Citizenship: A Furtive Spirit of Positive Peace Towards Industrial Peace
Authors:   Department of Theology, Humanities and Social Sciences Cluster College of Arts and Sciences, San Beda University, Manila, Philippines, Santander Noel Deseo , Prudente Josephine ,   Department of Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Business Cluster College of Arts and Sciences, San Beda University, Manila, Philippines
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Ascribing the attainment of positive peace to the voluntary active participation of the members in organized labor poses a great deal especially in attempting to attain an industrial peace. This research explores the problem of how union citizenship is considered as a furtive spirit of positive peace that can contribute to the development of industrial peace. It embraces a qualitative content analysis’ conventional methodology and process employed on the shared knowledge and experiences of the members of a trade or workers’ union, purposively chosen as respondents. The results presented the various duties and responsibilities of the respondents as union members. It conveyed the concrete expressions of union citizenship of the respondents, using the common behavioral determinants as categories, and the positive peace domains as major themes. It also provided the different possible contributions of union citizenship to the attainment of human development and industrial peace which was considered as an essential facet of nation-building. The results concluded with the call for promoting the union citizenship in any organized labor that will assist the workers and management to continuously work together and act as a catalyst of change to induce positive peace in the workplace and attain industrial peace. Keywords: Industrial Peace, Organizational Citizenship Behaviors, Positive Peace, Trade union, Union Citizenship
History in Contemporary Lithuanian Literature
Authors: Peluritytė Audinga
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this article is to show the evolution of the historical novel that began in the era of independence, to highlight the peculiarities of male and female historical narratives, and to capture critical reactions and tendencies of assessment of that kind of novel. At the beginning of independence, the poetic prose of a minimal story was established in Lithuanian literature, which was created by the most prominent Lithuanian prose writers, and the historical novel made its debut as a complex experience of poetic narration. Poetry and prose focused on archetypal narratives, national consciousness and ethnic semantics and were characterized by an abundance of associations, but not by a clear storyline. Among common variations of the male historical novel, we can observe historical novels written by women, which have won both literary awards and readers’ approval.
Why Was It the Ming Dynasty that Engendered the Guanxi Motif in Fiction?
Authors: Han Ruihui
Published: January 2021

Compared to other informal social network mechanisms, guanxi is more common in China and is the most typical. Even in daily life, it is indispensable. Hence, in Chinese fiction, the guanxi motif is prevalent and important. Interestingly, before the Ming dynasty, guanxi was not a literary motif in fiction. This article suggests that three factors contributed to the rise of the guanxi motif in fiction in the Ming dynasty. The first was the boom in fiction writing, especially in the genre of realism, that occurred in this era, which expanded the scope of literary representation. The second was the degradation of public morals in the Ming dynasty, a momentous social transition that Ming fiction writers noted and portrayed. Guanxi, as a disruptive social mechanism that dismantled previous models of human connection, became a focus in their works. The third was the fact that the atmosphere of money worship promoted by guanxi, together with official corruption, facilitated widespread social inequality. Guanxi, as the crux of inequity, inspired writers to expose social turpitude. More importantly, the guanxi motif satisfied the need for plot conflict in literary works. Thus, it became a necessary motif in Ming fiction.
José F. A. Oliver zwischen Politik und Literatur: von Häusern, Müttern und Muttersprachen
Authors: Espino Barrera Tomás
Published: January 2021

José F. A. Oliver between Politics and Literature: of Houses, Mothers and Mother Tongues. Born in the Black Forest to Andalusian parents, the poet José F. A. Oliver has developed in recent decades a complex oeuvre in which multiple languages (German, Spanish, Alemannic and Andalusian) and plural kinships play a chief role. The present paper analyses the prose works of José F. A. Oliver as a fragmentary “language memoir” (Kaplan/Kramsch) while at the same time trying to reconstruct his nomadic identity between and across regions and languages. Special attention will be paid to José F. A. Oliver’s use of the metaphors of multiple mothers and the two-storey house when referring to his own multilingual upbringing and literary habitus. In stark contrast to conceptual models of monolingualism which posit the mother tongue as the unique and irreplaceable buttress of national loyalties and literary creativity, José F. A. Oliver’s work pleads for an alternative affective relationship to a multiplicity of mother tongues (in plural). In so doing, the present paper underscores the political dimension of José F. A. Oliver’s metaphors for multilingualism. His alternative vision allowing the peaceful coexistence of multiple affective loci expressed in very different mother tongues questions the rigid exclusivity of German citizenship politics while simultaneously bringing to light the emancipatory and democratic potential of transregional and multilingual (e.g. Black Forest – Andalusia / Alemannic – Andalusian) identities beyond a national monolingual rationale.
Sprach‑ und Weltalternativen: Mehrsprachigkeit als Ideologiekritik in kontrafaktischen Werken von Quentin Tarantino und Christian Kracht
Authors: Navratil Michael
Published: January 2021

Alternatives of Languages and Worlds: Multilingualism as Critique of Ideology in Contrafactual Fiction by Quentin Tarantino and Christian Kracht. Multilingualism and the alternate history genre have something in common: both phenomena are based on the construction of alternatives, in the case of multilingualism on the alternatives between different languages and communication systems, and in the case of the alternate history genre on the alternatives between real-world facts and the variation thereof within fictional worlds. This article investigates the interconnections between these two forms of thinking in alternatives by looking specifically at Quentin Tarantino’s counterfactual war film Inglourious Basterds (2009) and Christian Kracht’s alternate history novel Ich werde hier sein im Sonnenschein und im Schatten (2008). I argue that the consideration of language alternatives forms part of the meta-reflection of the alternate history genre in these works while at the same time opening up a political perspective: in Tarantino’s film and Kracht’s novel, multilingualism serves as a means for the critique of ideology by rendering palpable the political threats of a worldview based on clear-cut alternatives. In the article’s final section, I plead for the establishment of stronger links between the research on literary multilingualism and the theory of fiction.
About the Authors
Authors: Authors About
Published: January 2021

About the Authors
Non-Centricity and Apathy: An Introduction to Hong Kong Literature
Authors: Lee Kai Yung Karen
Published: January 2021

Hong Kong literature, with particular historical and social factors, can be regarded as a non-centric literary form. While the majority of Hong Kong people speaks Cantonese as their mother tongue, they are required to write in Mandarin. Additionally, Hong Kong literature struggles to attract attention from an apathetic audience, to produce local writers, and to resonate with foreign readers. As serious literature continues to lose its purchase, more and more writers attempt to break out from this predicament and inject new blood into this fading industry. Efforts include circumventing traditional constraints and incorporating more colloquial Cantonese into various publications, as well as a mushrooming of internet novels. Unfortunately, Chinese education remains rigid and inflexible, hindering students’ ability to use writing as a creative outlet. Literature is also heavily commodified. In light of this, I suggest that reading be encouraged and literature be de-commodified. Hong Kong literature, with its distinctive features and strengths, have the potential to thrive. All it needs is sufficient support from the government, the private sector and the general public.
Evaluation of the combination of a biofilm-disrupting agent and negative pressure wound therapy: a case series
Authors: Serena Thomas E , Jalodi Omar , Serena Laura , Patel Keyur , Mynti Matthew
Published: January 2021

Objective:

Approximately three million people in the US have hard-to-heal pressure ulcers (PUs), including 10% of hospitalised patients. Healing depends on ulcer stage and patient comorbidities. Despite advances in nutrition and wound care, PUs can take months or years to reach complete closure. To date, clinical studies have focused on single modality therapy. However, there is no one therapy that can address all of the deficits in these complex, hard-to-heal wounds. A commonly used treatment for PUs, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), has demonstrated improved healing in Stage 3 and 4 PUs. NPWT entails applying suction to a porous sponge fitted into the wound cavity and sealed with an occlusive dressing. Negative pressure facilitates wound healing by removing wound fluid containing harmful proteases, stimulating the formation of granulation tissue and promoting wound contracture. However, it does not affect biofilm formation. We hypothesised that adding an antibiofilm agent might increase the effectiveness of NPWT in recalcitrant PUs.

Method:

A prospective case series was conducted in outpatient wound care centres and a skilled nursing facility to examine the combination of a biofilm-disrupting antimicrobial agent (Blast-X, Next Science, US) in combination with NPWT (VAC, 3M, US) in healing and reducing bacterial burden in treatment-resistant pressure ulcers. Patients consented to application of the antibiofilm agent and NPWT three times per week for four weeks. The wounds were measured, imaged for bacteria and tested for host and bacterial protease activity weekly.

Results:

Of the 10 patients, four dropped out of the study before the end of the four weeks. Of the remaining six, four patients experienced a reduction in wound surface area and volume, reduced protease activity and lower bacterial levels.

Conclusion:

The results of this study showed that multimodal therapy, including NPWT and biofilm disruption, may restart the healing of stagnant treatment-resistant PUs.
Mathematical Literacy from the Perspective of Solving Contextual Problems
Authors: Kolar Vida Manfreda , Hodnik Tatjana
Published: January 2021

The article deals with mathematical literacy in relation to mathematical knowledge and mathematical problems, and presents the Slovenian project NA-MA POTI, which aims to develop mathematical literacy at the national level, from kindergarten to secondary education. All of the topics treated represent starting points for our research, in which we were interested in how sixth-grade primary school students solve non-contextual and contextual problems involving the same mathematical content (in the contextual problems this content still needs to be recognised, whereas in the non-contextual problems it is obvious). The main guideline in the research was to discover the relationship between mathematical knowledge, which is the starting point for solving problems from mathematical literacy (contextual problems), and mathematical literacy. The empirical study was based on the descriptive, causal and non-experimental methods of pedagogical research. We used both quantitative and qualitative research based on the grounded theory method to process the data gathered from how the participants solved the problems. The results were quantitatively analysed in order to compare the success at solving problems from different perspectives. Analysis of the students’ success in solving the contextual and non-contextual tasks, as well as the strategies used, showed that the relationship between mathematical knowledge and mathematical literacy is complex: in most cases, students solve non-contextual tasks more successfully; in solving contextual tasks, students can use completely different strategies from those used in solving non-contextual tasks; and students who recognise the mathematical content in contextual tasks and apply mathematical knowledge and procedures are more successful in solving such tasks. Our research opens up new issues that need to be considered when developing mathematical literacy competencies: which contexts to choose, how to empower students to identify mathematical content in contextual problems, and how to systematically ensure – including through projects such as NA-MA POTI – that changes to the mathematics curriculum are introduced thoughtfully, with regard to which appropriate teacher training is crucial.
Conventional and unconventional magnon blockades in a qubit-magnon hybrid quantum system
Authors: Xu Ye-jun , Yang Tian-le , Lin Lei , Song Jun
Published: January 2021

We investigate magnon statistics in a qubit-magnon hybrid quantum system in which an effective appreciable qubit-magnon coupling can be realized by exchanging virtual cavity photons. A conventional magnon blockade and two types of unconventional magnon blockades are proposed, respectively, based on three different physical mechanisms. We verify theoretically that a magnon blockade can occur in strong, weak, and moderate qubit-magnon coupling regimes. It is interesting that an asymmetry structure for magnon anti-bunching can be observed in the case of the moderate qubit-magnon coupling strength, especially where the quantum interference can significantly relax the requirement of the larger coupling strength between the qubit and magnon mode. All of the approximate analytical results for strong magnon anti-bunching are in good agreement with those obtained by numerical simulations. Our results provide a promising pathway for coherent manipulation in single magnon level, which has potential applications for quantum information processing and preparation of single magnon sources.
Determination of the Spectral Phase of Femtosecond Pulses based on Frequency-to-Time mapping
Authors: Sukiasyan Minas , Kutuzyan Aghavni
Published: January 2021

A novel self-referencing technique to measure the spectral phase of pulses is developed. We have implemented the technique through sum-frequency generation and have experimentally demonstrated the direct spectral phase measurement.
Comparison of the phase change process in a GST-loaded silicon waveguide and MMI
Authors: Zhang Hanyu , Yang Xing , lu Liangjun , Chen Jianping , Rahman B. M. A. , Zhou Linjie
Published: January 2021

In the past decades, silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) have been considered a promising approach to solve the bandwidth bottleneck in optical communications and interconnections. Despite the rapid advances, large-scale PICs still face a series of technical challenges, such as large footprint, high power consumption, and lack of optical memory, resulting from the active tuning methods used to control the optical waves. These challenges can be partially addressed by combining chalcogenide phase change materials (PCMs) such as Ge2Sb2Te­5 (GST) with silicon photonics, especially applicable in reconfigurable optical circuit applications due to the nonvolatile nature of the GST. We systematically investigate the phase change process induced by optical and electrical pulses in GST-loaded silicon waveguide and multimode interferometer. Using optical pulse excitation to amorphize GST has a clear advantage in terms of operation speed and energy efficiency, while electrical pulse excitation is more suitable for large-scale integration because it does not require complex optical routing. This study helps us better understand the phase change process and push forward the further development of the Si-GST hybrid photonic integration platform, bringing in new potential applications.
Enhanced room-temperature electroluminescence from a germanium waveguide on a silicon-on-insulator diode with a silicon nitride stressor
Authors: Tani Kazuki , Oda Katsuya , Deura Momoko , Ido Tatemi
Published: January 2021

Germanium (Ge) is an attractive material for monolithic light sources on a silicon chip. Introduction of tensile strain using a silicon nitride (SiNx) stressor is a promising means for Ge-based light sources due to the enhancement of direct band gap recombination. We propose a device structure that enables current injection from a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) diode to a Ge waveguide with a SiNx stressor formed by a simple fabrication process. Direct-band-gap electroluminescence and direct-band-gap shrinkage due to the applied SiNx stressor was confirmed. Intensity of electroluminescence from the Ge waveguide with the SiNx stressor was about three times higher than that corresponding to the device without the SiNx stressor.
Low index contrast all-dielectric helical structure for dual circular polarization manipulation
Authors: Liu Chieh-Li , Wang Wei-En , Hung Yu-Chueh
Published: January 2021

All-dielectric photonic structures are normally constructed using materials of high refractive indices (n > 3) for enhanced properties at optical frequencies. In this study, we propose and numerically present the use of metasurface-like helices of lower index (n ∼ 1.5) for achieving enhanced chiral responses with low loss. The spatial organization of phase-shifted 3D helices gives rise to the emergence of effective structure with opposite handedness, where the unique symmetry further enables versatile dual circular polarization manipulation. With the elevated helices along with an elliptical cross-section, chiral properties can still be well-preserved in the presence of a similar low-index substrate. Our work has decent implications for 3D chiral device design as well as broadening the implementation horizon of low index dielectrics at optical frequencies.
Identification of 3′ UTR motifs required for mRNA localization to myelin sheaths in vivo
Authors: Yergert Katie M. , Doll Caleb A. , O’Rouke Rebecca , Hines Jacob H. , Appel Bruce
Published: January 2021

Myelin is a specialized membrane produced by oligodendrocytes that insulates and supports axons. Oligodendrocytes extend numerous cellular processes, as projections of the plasma membrane, and simultaneously wrap multiple layers of myelin membrane around target axons. Notably, myelin sheaths originating from the same oligodendrocyte are variable in size, suggesting local mechanisms regulate myelin sheath growth. Purified myelin contains ribosomes and hundreds of mRNAs, supporting a model that mRNA localization and local protein synthesis regulate sheath growth and maturation. However, the mechanisms by which mRNAs are selectively enriched in myelin sheaths are unclear. To investigate how mRNAs are targeted to myelin sheaths, we tested the hypothesis that transcripts are selected for myelin enrichment through consensus sequences in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR). Using methods to visualize mRNA in living zebrafish larvae, we identified candidate 3′ UTRs that were sufficient to localize mRNA to sheaths and enriched near growth zones of nascent membrane. We bioinformatically identified motifs common in 3′ UTRs from 3 myelin-enriched transcripts and determined that these motifs are required and sufficient in a context-dependent manner for mRNA transport to myelin sheaths. Finally, we show that 1 motif is highly enriched in the myelin transcriptome, suggesting that this sequence is a global regulator of mRNA localization during developmental myelination.
Is skin disinfection before subcutaneous injection necessary? The reasoning of Certified Nurses in Infection Control in Japan
Authors: Yoshida Yuko , Takashima Risa , Yano Rika
Published: January 2021

Nurses continue to disinfect the skin before administering subcutaneous injections as a standard process in clinical settings; despite evidence that disinfection is not necessary. To implement evidence-based practice, it is critical to explore why this gap between “evidence” and “practice” exists. This study aimed to describe the reasons offered by Certified Nurses in Infection Control (CNIC) in Japan for performing skin disinfection before subcutaneous injection. Adopting an inductive qualitative design, interviews were conducted with 10 CNIC in 2013. According to the participants, skin disinfection before subcutaneous injection: (a) was common practice; (b) may have been beneficial if it was omitted; (c) adhered to hospital norms; (d) prevented persistent suspicion of infection; (e) had no detrimental effect; (f) was an ingrained custom; and (g) involved a tacit approval for not disinfecting in home care settings. The themes (c) and (g) were cited as the main reasons affecting decision-making. The CNIC administered injections following skin disinfection in hospitals in accordance with hospital norms. On the contrary, outside the hospital, they administered subcutaneous injections without skin disinfection. All themes except (b) and (g) reflect the barriers and resistance to omitting skin disinfection, while (g) shows that it is already partly implemented in home care settings. It is necessary to create a guideline for skin disinfection before subcutaneous injection that considers the quality of life of patients at home, their physical conditions, and the surrounding environment at the time of injection, in addition to the guidelines applicable in hospitals.
Earliest detection to date of SARS-CoV-2 in Florida: Identification together with influenza virus on the main entry door of a university building, February 2020
Authors: Lednicky John , Salemi Marco , Subramaniam Kuttichantran , Waltzek Thomas B. , Sabo-Attwood Tara , Loeb Julia C. , Hentschel Shannon , Tagliamonte Massimiliano S. , Marini Simone , Alam Md. Mahbubul , Stephenson Caroline J. , Elbadry Maha , Morris J. Glenn
Published: January 2021

In February and March, 2020, environmental surface swab samples were collected from the handle of the main entry door of a major university building in Florida, as part of a pilot surveillance project screening for influenza. Samples were taken at the end of regular classroom hours, between the dates of February 1–5 and February 19-March 4, 2020. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was isolated from the door handle on four of the 19 days sampled. Both SARS-CoV-2 and A(H1N1)pdm09 virus were detected in a sample collected on February 21, 2020. Based on sequence analysis, the Florida SARS-CoV-2 strain (designated UF-11) was identical to strains being identified in Washington state during the same time period, while the earliest similar sequences were sampled in China/Hubei between Dec 30th 2019 and Jan 5th 2020. The first human case of COVID-19 was not officially reported in Florida until March 1st. In an analysis of sequences from COVID-19 patients in this region of Florida, there was only limited evidence of subsequent dissemination of the UF-11 strain. Identical or highly similar strains, possibly related through a common transmission chain, were detected with increasing frequency in Washington state between end of February and beginning of March. Our data provide further documentation of the rapid early spread of SARS-CoV-2 and underscore the likelihood that closely related strains were cryptically circulating in multiple U.S. communities before the first “official” cases were recognized.
Klebsiella virus UPM2146 lyses multiple drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Assafiri Omar , Song Adelene Ai-Lian , Tan Geok Hun , Hanish Irwan , Hashim Amalia Mohd , Yusoff Khatijah
Published: January 2021

Klebsiella pneumoniae are opportunistic bacteria found in the gut. In recent years they have been associated with nosocomial infections. The increased incidence of multiple drug-resistant K. pneumoniae makes it necessary to find new alternatives to treat the disease. In this study, phage UPM2146 was isolated from a polluted lake which can lyse its host K. pneumoniae ATCC BAA-2146. Observation from TEM shows that UPM2146 belongs to Caudoviriales (Order) based on morphological appearance. Whole genome analysis of UPM2146 showed that its genome comprises 160,795 bp encoding for 214 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the phage belongs to Ackermannviridae (Family) under the Caudoviriales. UPM2146 produces clear plaques with high titers of 1010 PFU/ml. The phage has an adsorption period of 4 min, latent period of 20 min, rise period of 5 min, and releases approximately 20 PFU/ bacteria at Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) of 0.001. UPM2146 has a narrow host-range and can lyse 5 out of 22 K. pneumoniae isolates (22.72%) based on spot test and efficiency of plating (EOP). The zebrafish larvae model was used to test the efficacy of UPM2146 in lysing its host. Based on colony forming unit counts, UPM2146 was able to completely lyse its host at 10 hours onwards. Moreover, we show that the phage is safe to be used in the treatment against K. pneumoniae infections in the zebrafish model.
Changes in hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters in response to progressive inclusion of nitrate in the diet of Holstein calves
Authors: Ortiz-Chura Abimael , Marcoppido Gisela , Gere José , Depetris Gustavo , Stefañuk Francisco , Trangoni Marcos D. , Cravero Silvio L. , Faverín Claudia , Cataldi Angel , Cerón-Cucchi María E.
Published: January 2021

Background and Aim: Nitrate (NO3–) reduces enteric methane emissions and could be a source of non-protein nitrogen in ruminant feeds. Nonetheless, it has a potential toxic effect that could compromise animal health and production. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of progressive inclusion of NO3– in the diet on the hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters, in turn, the effects on feed intake and live weight gain (LWG) in Holstein calves.

Materials and Methods: Eighteen Holstein heifers and steers (nine animals/treatment) were maintained in individual pens for 45 days. Animals were randomly allocated to either a control or nitrate diet (ND) (containing 15 g of NO3–/kg of dry matter [DM]). The biochemical parameters and blood gases were analyzed only in the NO3– group on days: -1, 1, 7, 13, 19, and 25 corresponding to 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of the total inclusion of NO3– in the diet, respectively. In addition, DM intake (DMI) and LWG were evaluated among dietary treatments.

Results: Feeding the ND did not influence DMI or LWG (p>0.05). Methemoglobin (MetHb) and deoxyhemoglobin increased according to the NO3– concentrations in the diet (p<0.05), while an opposite effect was observed for oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin (p<0.05). Hematocrit levels decreased (p<0.05), while albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase concentrations were not modified (p>0.05). However, glucose, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and retinol concentrations increased (p<0.05) according to the NO3– concentrations in the diet.

Conclusion: This study confirmed that the progressive inclusion of 123 g of NO3–/animal/day in the diet could be safe without affecting DMI and LWG of Holstein calves. In turn, a dose-response effect of the MetHb, glucose, urea, AST, and retinol was observed, but these values did not exceed reference values. These results highlighted the importance of using a scheme of progressive inclusion of NO3– in the diet of calves to reduce the risks of NO3– toxicity.
Upgrade social distancing into "Airflow Inaccessible Distancing" code validated by E. coli DH5a spray viable colony counting simulation and the technical validation of COVID-19 Airborne Infection UV Quarantine Devices
Authors: Xing Jingli , Wen Zongxin , Liu Yong , Li Chao , Chen Xuhui , Yang Chao , Liu Weiyi , Guo Qingzhong , Chen Dongwei , Lai Yi Yu
Published: January 2021

While global attentions focus on COVID-19 immunological solutions, we believe a future possible vaccine will unexceptionally compromise to immunosenescence which will leave those older than 55 years of age inactive to any immobilization. We then validate the UV quarantine system that shielding the UV hurt instead of segregating the contagious agents in an environment validated by 10
6 cell/ml E.coli DH5a spray viable colony simulation. Various experimental designs reveal that the social distancing rule should be upgraded to the "Airflow Inaccessible Distancing"code due to the undetectable small-sized infectious aerosols, saturation secondary infection from various filtering devices & quarantine spaces, and the mixing efficiency of conventional chemical sanitizers. The new code and its integrated COVID-19 Airborne Infection UV quarantine Devices are globally the highest-efficiency systems for stopping COVID-19 from spreading under general social conditions. Portable UVC 253.7nm meters can release the safety concerns for public self-made or commercially available devices. Meanwhile, an acrylic system and relevant methods are developed to validate the performance of UV quarantine devices and conventional masks under real applications. Also, a 33 %
placebo infection rate is suggested as the minimum requirement for Phase 3 clinical trials of all medical devices, vaccines, or drugs intended for COVID-19 due to the existence of human respiratory rhyme.
On the Relativity of the Speed of Light
Authors: Dongfang XD
Published: January 2021

Einstein's assumption that the speed of light is constant is a fundamental principle of modern physics with great influence. However, the nature of the principle of constant speed of light is rarely described in detail in the relevant literatures, which leads to a deep misunderstanding among some readers of special relativity. Here we introduce the unitary principle, which has a wide application prospect in the logic self consistency test of mathematics, natural science and social science. Based on this, we propose the complete space-time transformation including the Lorentz transformation, clarify the definition of relative velocity of light and the conclusion that the relative velocity of light is variable, and further prove that the relative variable light speed is compatible with Einstein's constant speed of light. The specific conclusion is that the propagation speed of light in vacuum relative to the observer's inertial reference frame is always constant $c$, but the propagation speed of light relative to any other inertial reference frame which has relative motion with the observer is not equal to the constant $c$; observing in all inertial frame of reference, the relative velocity of light propagating in the same direction in vacuum is $0$, while that of light propagating in the opposite direction is $2c$. The essence of Einstein's constant speed of light is that the speed of light in an isolated reference frame is constant, but the relative speed of light in vacuum is variable. The assumption of constant speed of light in an isolated frame of reference and the inference of relative variable light speed can be derived from each other.
Evaluation Of The Hura Crepitans Seed Oil On Lipidomics Of Some Tissues In Albino Rats
Authors: Inegbenose Oluwakemi , Ugbaja Regina , Ademuyiwa Oladipo , Eromosele Catherine
Published: January 2021

Nuts and seeds are good sources of oil. Most of these oil are edible and are of industrial use. In term of edibility, some seed oils are hyperlipidemic, while some are hypolipidemic. The
Hura crepitans (sandbox tree) is one of the plants that bear seeds however, the seeds has not been fully utilized. This study investigated the effects of
Hura crepitans seed oil on lipidomics of some tissues (blood, liver, heart, kidney and brain) in albino rats. The
Hura crepitans seed oil (HCSO) was extracted with Soxhlet extractor using petroleum ether as solvent. Twenty-four male albino rats allocated to four groups of 6 rats each were used. Groups 1-3 were fed diet containing 5 %, 10 % and 15 % HCSO respectively while group 4 was fed diet containing 15% groundnut oil (GO) (control) for 8 weeks. Whole blood was collected and the tissues (liver, heart, brain and kidney) were harvested. Cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipid levels were determined in plasma, RBC and tissues of the rats spectrophotometrically. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity was indirectly determined using spectrophotometric method. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukeys test were used to analyse the results. The lipids
analyses showed that HDL and VLDL cholesterol levels decreased significant (p < 0.05) in the 5 % and 15 % HCSO groups and in plasma, liver and kidney of 10% HCSO group. Also a significantly ( p< 0.05) increase was observed in RBC cholesterol level in 5 % and 15 % HCSO groups while cardiac cholesterol level increased significantly in 10 % HCSO group. Triacylglycerol level increased significantly in plasma, VLDL and liver (5 % and 10% HCSO group), kidney and brain (5 % HCSO group), RBC and heart (15 % HCSO group) while a decrease ensued in HDL across the groups. The phospholipids level decreased significantly in all the organs except kidney of 15 % HCSO group whereas an increase was observed in plasma, HDL, VLDL and RBC of all the groups.
Hura crepitans seed oil is considerably hypolipidemic and could be edible and be beneficial to health especially at 10 % composition.
Hypothesis of Potential Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 through Hybridization of SARS-CoV-1 with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Mycobacterium avium naturally inside an immunocompromised Pangolin
Authors: Abdelgawad Shimaa
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background

Discovery of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 become an urgent international need due to the current health and economic implications. Recently, pangolins were reported to have a diminished immunity and vulnerable to several infections. By the end of 2019; recent studies reported the pangolins infection with SARS like virus that showed a 99% genetic homology with SARS-CoV-2. In 2020; a genetic mutation was reported in pangolins that increases their vulnerability to infection with flagellated bacteria such as Mycobacterium species. Moreover, the introduced food formula containing yeast at several zoos, considered as a source of opportunistic
Saccharomyces infection in such immunocompromised pangolins.

Methods

The coexistence of multiple infections in an immunocompromised pangolin is the concept of SARS-CoV-2 evolution hypothesis. The structures of the three proposed microorganisms; SARS-CoV-1,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and
Mycobacterium avium as well as their glycobiology and host cell interactions were studied. The
α-mannoses and phosphates present in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is supposed to be introduced through fermentation of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-1 by
Saccharomyces cerevisiae while the PRRAR furin putative sequence as well as the LDPLSE
motif are supposed to be introduced
through microbial interaction with
Mycobacterium avium strain 104
. Moreover,
the interaction with pangolins cells resulted in the presence of the reserved O-glycosylation sites in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Results and discussion

SARS-CoV-2 was naturally developed in an immunocompromised pangolin through microbial interaction that resulted in a hybrid microorganism containing viral RNA encapsulated within a glycan shield (Spike glycoprotein) manipulated by both
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and
Mycobacterium avium.

The proposed origin of the novel virus; SARS-CoV-2, explained the abnormal clinical findings such as disseminated infection, blood clotting, hyperpigmentation in some cases and Kawasaki like syndrome in kids. Lactose intolerance is also suggested as a new genetic risk factor that increases the vulnerability to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the likelihood biofilm formation by SARS-CoV-2 is discussed. Furthermore, this hypothesis discussed the potential evolution of MERS through microbial interaction between
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-1 virus.

Conclusions

Trials using triple therapy treatment strategy consisting of Remdesivir, Aithromycin and fluorocytosine as well as a yeast-based vaccine are suggested.