bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of Ultrasound Therapy and Shortwave Diathermy on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Serum β-endorphins in Dogs Suffering from Hind Quarter Weakness
Authors: Tikoo Akshay , Arora Neeraj , Tiwari Deepak Kumar , Sharma Satbir , Kumar Gaurav , Kumar Sandeep , Jangir Babu Lal
Published: August 2021

Background: Hind quarter weakness (HQW) is the loss of bilateral motor function of the rear limbs due to dysfunction of neural or muscular system. Animals are mostly presented with focal or generalized pain, varying degrees of paresis, paralysis and inability to urinate. Serum β- endorphin is an endogenous hormone released during stressful and painful events and functions almost exclusively in an inhibitory fashion. Moreover, electrical stimulation has been demonstrated to release endorphins at low frequencies. Methods: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible participation of endogenous opioid i.e. Serum β - endorphins and oxidative stress parameters in pain modulation and its variation in dogs suffering from hind quarter weakness subjected to ultrasound therapy and shortwave diathermy. Dogs were treated using therapeutic ultrasound (group I, n=6) and shortwave diathermy (group II, n=6) in combination with supportive drug therapy continued regularly for one week. Blood was collected on day 0, 3rd and 7th for oxidative stress estimation and regularly from the day of presentation till 7th day of treatment for serum β-endorphin estimation. Result: LPO values decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) from day 0 to 3 in group I and from day 0 to 7 in group II. SOD values showed a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease between day 0 and 7 in group II cases. A continuous progressive increasing trend in GSH was noticed which was significant (P less than 0.05) from day 3 to 7 in both groups. CAT values showed a significant (P less than 0.05) increase from day 0 to 7 in group II and non-significant (P less than 0.05) increase in group I. Serum β-endorphin values showed a significant (P less than 0.05) increase from day 4th to 6th in group I and between day 0, 1st, 3rd and 5th in group II. The variation in values throughout the treatment was suggestive of reduction in stress response and indicates improvement in dogs suffering from HQW.
Método para aprender valores lasallistas por medio del b-learning
Authors: Arévalo Rodríguez Carolina
Published: August 2021

Este artículo se deriva de la investigación doctoral en proceso que ha buscado, principalmente, crear un método para aprender valores lasallistas por medio del b-learning en la Universidad de La Salle de Bogotá entre 2016 y 2020. En este estudio de caso se promovió el fortalecimiento de la autonomía individual —vital para el trabajo independiente del estudiante—, así como de la autonomía acompañada.
El aprendizaje de valores es para toda la vida, por ello, en respuesta a la necesidad de aprenderlos en la universidad con b-learning, se diseñó, implementó y evaluó este método. La recolección de información incluyó la observación, el grupo focal como conversatorio, la revisión de material de objetos virtuales de aprendizaje (OVA), y la retroalimentación y evaluación de estos. Las categorías halladas enriquecieron el método mediante el proceso de análisis cualitativo y la teoría fundamentada. Asimismo, este método incluye el conocimiento, la práctica y la evaluación del valor al usar los recursos de b-learning e incorporar la autonomía acompañada. El método, que es sistemático y formativo, promueve la práctica del valor conectado con otros valores, y fomenta la evaluación formativa y continua.
Educación en tiempos de pandemia (covid-19)
Authors: Méndez Escobar Andrea
Published: August 2021

Antes de la pandemia, pensábamos que el uso de las tecnologías en el campo de la educación seguiría siendo un proceso lento y que, quizás en 10 años o más, se consolidaría en los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la mayoría de las instituciones. De hecho, asistir a la universidad de forma virtual era visto como algo “de segunda”, una modalidad de estudio a la que las clases menos favorecidas acudía. Así la cosas, el desarrollo de la educación virtual iba a un ritmo “lento pero seguro”; sin embargo, a partir de la pandemia, el panorama cambió abruptamente, y, sin dar espera, tuvimos que afrontar, de la noche a la mañana, literalmente, la educación a distancia y el aprendizaje virtual, así como el uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC).
Inhibición de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides en cultivos de nañe en el Caribe colombiano usando aceites esenciales de Curcuma longa y Zingiber officinale
Authors: Pérez Cordero Alexander , Chamorro Anaya Leonardo , Gomez Jorge Mercado
Published: August 2021

Los aceites esenciales son compuestos orgánicos importantes en el sector farmacéutico debido a sus propiedades antimicrobianas, volviéndose una alternativa de solución para determinadas fitopatologías. En el presente estudio se evaluó in vitro la actividad inhibitoria de aceites esenciales de Curcuma longa y Zingiber officinale contra Colletotrichum sp. obtenidas a partir de cultivos de Dioscorea rotundata en Toluviejo (Sucre, Colombia). Concentraciones de 3,000; 5,000; 8,000 y 10,000 mg/L de extracciones de aceite (método de hidrodestilación asistida por microondas) fueron aplicados a cultivos in vitro del hongo. Además, se empleó un testigo absoluto y controles positivo y negativo. Los aceites fueron caracterizados por cromatografía de gases acoplado a espectrometría de masa. La actividad inhibitoria se realizó por medio de la prueba de siembra en superficie (porcentaje de índice de inhibición). Los mayores valores de índice antifúngico se observaron a 10,000 mg/L similar al obtenido con el control positivo por benomil. De la caracterización química de los aceites esenciales el metabolito secundario que se presentó con mayor rango fue el monoterpeno 3-Thujeno y el citral. Los aceites esenciales de C. longa y Z. officinale generaron actividad inhibitoria contra el crecimiento de Colletotrichum sp., y por lo tanto pueden ser empleados para reducir la antracnosis.
Propiedad χ en extensiones PBW torcidas graduadas
Authors: Suárez Héctor , Anaya Fabián , Reyes Armando
Published: August 2021

En este artículo estudiamos la propiedad χ de álgebras que son extensiones PBW torcidas graduadas. Demostramos que si R = ⊕p≥0Rp es un álgebra noetheriana N-graduada y A = σ(R)⟨x1,...,xn⟩ es una extensión PBW torcida cuasi-conmutativa graduada de R, entonces A satisface χ si y solo si R satisface χ. También damos condiciones suficientes para que una extensión PBW torcida graduada de R satisfaga χ.
Glycerol oxidation by fluorinated and platinized Titania
Authors: Bautista E. , Ávila-Martínez E.G. , Natividad R. , Murcia Mesa Julie , Romero R. , Cubillos J. , Hernández J.S. , Cardenas O. , Hidalgo M.C. , Navío J.A , Baeza-Jiménez R.
Published: August 2021

In this work, fluorinated and platinized TiO2 was evaluated in the glycerol oxidation. Fluorination led to increase the specific surface area of titania, and platinization treatment led to obtain the highest absorption in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum; thus, 0.5 wt.% Pt-F-TiO2 was the best catalyst in the obtention of highest yield and selectivity to glyceraldehyde (GAL). It was also found that 2wt.% of Pt content had a detrimental effect in the glycerol conversion. Fluorination and platinum addition led to modify the reaction mechanism and selectivity.
Comparación De La Cinética De Remoción De La Lignina De Bagazos De Caña De Azúcar (Saccharum Officinarum) Y Cactácea (Opuntia Ficus-Indica), Utilizando Enzima Lacasa
Authors: Cardona López Nubia Rosa , Marín James Alberto , Medina Vargas Óscar Julio , Ríos Luis Alberto , Caicedo Pineda Gerardo Andrés
Published: August 2021

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto una lacasa proveniente de Aspergillus sp., para exponer la celulosa en los bagazos de caña de azúcar (Saccharum officinarum) (BCA) y cactácea (Opuntia-ficus) (BOF). Para ello, se llevó a cabo la determinación de los parámetros cinéticos de las enzimas en cada uno de los materiales, en términos de velocidades iniciales, a diversas proporciones bagazo:solución (10 g:L a 50 g:L), con un tiempo total de reacción de 1 h. Bajo las condiciones de reacción evaluadas, se evidenció remoción de extraíbles; sin embargo, esto no fue debido a la acción enzimática, sino por efecto del búfer. Por otra parte, no hubo disolución de celulosa ni hemicelulosa, pero sí de lignina. Por lo tanto, los resultados se analizaron teniendo en cuenta la ecuación de Michaelis-Menten, utilizando como base la tasa de desaparición de la proporción glignina:L. Por medio de una linealización de Lineweaver-Burk, se obtuvo el mejor ajuste de valores, donde Vmax = 14.9566 glignina:L y Km = 40.2011 glignina:L/h para el BCA (R = 0.9933) y Vmax = 26.8300 glignina:L y Km = 43.5575 glignina:L/h para el BOF (R = 0.9972). Con base en lo anterior, aunque la lacasa presentó una afinidad enzimática similar para ambos bagazos, se predice una mejor eficiencia catalítica hacia la remoción de lignina de BOF (0.6160).
Láminas de vidrio recubiertas con TiO2-m y su efecto citotóxico sobre células leucémicas Molt4
Authors: Garcia-Diosa Jaime A. , Camargo-Amado Rubén J.
Published: August 2021

La terapia fotodinámica (PDT) se ha convertido en una alternativa importante para el tratamiento de diferentes tipos de cáncer, debido a sus grandes ventajas frente a métodos convencionales. En este campo, las nanopartículas de TiO2 son uno de los fotosensibilizadores más ampliamente estudiados, por su alta actividad fotocatalítica, alta absorción de radiación UVA y alta biocompatibilidad. Aunque hay varios estudios satisfactorios relacionados con el tratamiento PDT, usando nanopartículas de TiO2, para diferentes tipos de células cancerosas adherentes, existen muy pocos reportes de esta metodología aplicada para células no adherentes, debido a los retos relacionados con el volumen de tratamiento y el alcance de la radiación. Para afrontar este reto, nanopartículas de TiO2 modificadas (TiO2-m) se depositaron sobre substratos de vidrio para estudiar el efecto citotóxico de PDT sobre células Molt4, células no adherentes, usando estos recubrimientos. Se comprobó la formación de recubrimientos uniformes sobre los substratos mediante la desviación estándar de la transmitancia en el rango UVA, en diferentes puntos. Se realizaron diferentes pruebas experimentales de PDT de células Molt4 sobre recubrimientos de TiO2-m y el efecto citotóxico de los tratamientos fue evaluado por medio de concentración LDH. Los resultados demostraron la posibilidad de generar un efecto citotóxico de células cancerosas no adherentes con solo 20 min de contacto y 40 min de radiación UVA. Este resultado es el primer avance para el posible desarrollo de nuevas metodologías en la aplicación de PDT en células no adherentes usando recubrimientos de TiO2-m.
Optimización De La Hidrólisis Para El Tratamiento De Residuos Lignocelulósicos Con Enzimas De Aspergillus Niger
Authors: Olivo Urbina Mylena Alexandra , Díaz Monroy Byron Leoncio , Haro Barroso Camilo , Borras Sandoval Luis Miguel
Published: August 2021

El presente estudio tuvo por objeto optimizar el proceso de hidrólisis enzimática para degradar la celulosa del rastrojo de maíz (Zea mays), utilizando enzimas del Aspergillus niger. Durante la primera fase de la experimentación se determinó el contenido de materia seca, materia orgánica, cenizas, proteína cruda, extracto etéreo, contenido de lignina y celulosa del rastrojo, usándose para su cuantificación los métodos de referencia de la U. FLORIDA 1970. Posteriormente se realizó el pre-secado y molienda del mismo, previo a los procesos de pre-tratamiento álcali y ácido – álcali aplicados, siendo secados a 4 diferentes temperaturas (45, 50, 55 y 60 °C). Los residuos pretratados fueron sometidos a una hidrólisis con celulasas del Aspergillus Niger (39,125 UE) a diferentes pH (4,0; 4,8 y 5,6), durante 24, 48 y 72 h. a 45, 50, 55 Y 60 °C de temperatura; cuantificándose las concentraciones de azúcares reductores liberados durante la digestión. Finalmente se determinó que la hidrólisis del rastrojo sin pretratamiento y secado a 60°C, a pH de 4,8 por 72 h.,  tuvo concentraciones elevadas de azúcares reductores, convirtiéndose en una alternativa para su utilización como alimento o biocombustible, posterior a la aplicación de procesos biotecnológicos.
Sulfonated alumina: A suitable catalyst for furfural biomass building-block valorization through multicomponent reactions
Authors: Nope Eliana , Ruiz D. , Sathicq Angel , Romanelli Gustavo
Published: August 2021

Sulfonated alumina was synthetized and tested for the first time in furfural valorization through a multicomponent reaction for the preparation of a nitrogenated heterocyclic compound containing the furan substructure. Ten polysubstituted heterocycles, belonging to the dihydropyrimidinones (thiones) and 1,4-dihydropyridines, were obtained with very good yields (70% – 85%) using the tandem methodology and green reaction conditions.  The catalyst was easily separated from the reaction medium, giving a high yield in the reusability studies. Green metrics were analyzed in order to consider the reaction suitability.
OPTIMALISASI PENGENDALIAN PERSEDIAAN BAHAN BAKU DENGAN METODE JOINT ECONOMIC ORDER QUANTITY (JEOQ) PADA UD PURNAMA JATI JEMBER
Authors: Gusminto Eka Bambang , Musmedi Didik Pudjo , Kriswardhana Ariwinata
Published: August 2021

This study aims to determine the optimal amount of raw materials inventory needs and the reorder point of raw materials in UD Purnama Jati Jember. UD Purnama Jati Jember is a company engaged in the production of Jember Regency speciality food and souvenirs. Due to not having a standard method, there are problems of raw material inventory in the production process, including overproduction and excess or shortage of raw materials. Data were obtained by interviewing the company owner and observing the company's production process. Data analysis were performed using least square forecasting, JEOQ, safety stock, and reorder points method. The results of the study showed that the optimal raw material needs are 4,644.772 kg of tape, 2,491.411 kg of wheat flour, 3,967.927 kg of egg, 1,439.623 kg of butter, and 3,519.371 kg of sugar. The total inventory cost of raw material is Rp. 281,296,067 indicated a more efficient inventory cost than the previous method. Meanwhile, the amount of raw materials inventory for the reordering point is 417.39 kg of tape, 231.29 kg of wheat flour, 358.88 kg of eggs, 131.78 kg of butter, and 318.99 kg of sugar.

Keywords : JEOQ, raw materials control, reorder point, total inventory costs
Egészséges táplálkozás vizsgálata a posztadoleszcensek körében szociológiai tényezőkkel kiegészítve
Authors: Koroknay Zsuzsa , Pfau Christa , Kovács Sándor
Published: August 2021

Rohamosan fejlődő világunkban az egészséges életmód egyre nagyobb figyelmet kap. Soha nem lehet elég korán elkezdeni prevenciót és a fokozatos fejlesztést. Kutatásunkban a posztadoleszcensek egészséges, mérsékletes táplálkozási szokásait elemeztük társadalmi aspektusokkal kiegészítve. Kutatásunk során primer és szekunder adatgyűjtést végeztünk. Módszereink között leíró statisztikák, kereszttáblás elemzés, faktoranalízis és klaszteranalízis található. Szociológiai szempontból a leválási dimenziókat vizsgáltuk meg, mellyel megerősítettük, hogy az egyetemi polgárság a posztadoleszcensek egy csoportját képezik. Az egészséges táplálkozást élelmiszercsoportok és társadalmi vonatkozású faktorok segítségével elemeztünk. A klaszteranalízis során 5 klasztert különítettünk el, amelyeket a faktorokat mentén értékeltünk. A faktor- és klaszteranalízis alapján megállapítottuk, hogy a megkérdezett hallgatók az egészséges táplálkozást fontos társadalmi értéknek tekintik.JEL-kódok: A13, I12
Antioxidant Activity of Opuntia SP. Fruit Extracts on Human Sperm Quality and Cryopreservation Cycle
Authors: Contino Martina , Scalisi Elena Maria , Pecoraro Roberta , Failla Chiara , Ignoto Sara , Buonfrate Lucia , Salvaggio Antonio , Calderaro Pietro , Genovese Claudia , Raccuia Salvatore Antonino , Asero Paola , Caruso Giovanna , Bracchitta Giovanni , Brundo Maria Violetta
Published: August 2021

Opuntia sp. contain antioxidant phytochemicals resistant to ROS damage, whose excess negatively affect fertilization. We investigate the activity of fruit extracts of O. dillenii and O. ficus indica (cv red and yellow) on sperm quality and cryopreservation. In the first experiment, we exposed the samples to extracts (50 µl) for 1 hour to then evaluate semen parameters (vitality, motility, acrosome reaction, DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress). The results showed a significant increase in the motility (86%±0.19 for OFI cv yellow, 82%±0.15 for OFI cv red and 90%±0.08 for O. dillenii) compared to the control (80%±0.17). Moreover, we noted a reduction of DNA fragmentation on treated (3%±0.03 in OFI cv yellow, 7%±0.09 in OFI cv red and 5%±0.07 in O. dillenii) than the control (40%±0.14). Furthermore, the oxidative stress was reduced after exposure to solutions (3.15mV in the control and 2.94mV in the treated). In the second experiment, 50 µl of solutions were added to the Freezing medium. After thawing, we observed an improvement in vitality and the number of intact acrosomes. Our results suggest that Opuntia sp. fruit extracts improve sperm quality, both before and after cryopreservation, optimizing the potential of fertilization of sperm cells.
Use of the Acrylonitrile Haemoglobin Adduct N‑(2‑cyanoethyl)valine as a Biomarker Of Compliance in Smokers Switching to Tobacco Heating Products
Authors: Camacho Oscar M. , McEwan Michael , Gale Nathan , Pluym Nikola , Scherer Max , Hardie George , Murphy James
Published: August 2021

Objective: To investigate the use of blood levels of N-(2 cyanoethyl)valine (CEVal), a haemoglobin adduct of acrylonitrile, to assess lack of compliance with smoking cessation. Methods: We report CEVal concentrations and percentiles over time for 2 cessation groups, compliance was established using NNAL concentrations. CEVal half-life was estimated. Optimal thresholds were calculated based on receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results: At 180 days, among 67 participants in the continued smoking group and 159 assigned to smoking cessation or sole THP use. CEVal half-life was estimated to be approximately 30 days and the optimal thresholds were for NNAL at 40 pg/mL and CEVal at 35 pmol/g globin (81% sensitivity and specificity). Conclusions: A new generation of biomarkers of compliance is required, specific to the new generation of nicotine products. Methodological validation and standardisation could allow robust assessment of effects across clinical and observational studies while promoting comparability between studies. CEVal could play an important role as biomarker of compliance for smoking cessation and switching studies.
Non-assembled ORF2 Capsid Protein of Porcine Circovirus 2b Does Not Confer Protective Immunity
Authors: Guarneri Flavia , Tonni Matteo , Sarli Giuseppe , Boniotti Maria Beatrice , Lelli Davide , Barbieri Ilaria , D'Annunzio Giulia , Alborali Giovanni Loris , Bacci Barbara , Amadori Massimo
Published: August 2021

Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2) vaccines are based on either inactivated whole virion, or recombinant ORF2 capsid protein assembled into Virus-like Particles (VLPs). No data are available instead about the immunizing properties of free, non-assembled capsid protein. To investigate this issue, ORF2 of a reference PCV2b strain was expressed in a Baculovirus-based expression system without assembly into VLPs. The free purified protein was formulated into an oil vaccine at three distinct Ag payloads: 10.8 / 3.6 / 1.2 micrograms /dose. Each dose was injected intramuscularly into five, 37-day old piglets, carefully matched for maternally-derived antibody. Five control piglets were injected with sterile PBS in oil adjuvant. Twenty-eight days later, all the pigs were challenged intranasally with 200,000 TCID50 of PCV2b strain DV6503. After challenge infection, all the pigs remained in good clinical conditions. The recombinant vaccine did not induce significant antibody and PCV2-specific IFN-gamma responses. ELISPOT and lymphocyte proliferation data confirmed poor induction of cell-mediated immunity. In terms of PCV2 viremia, there was no significant difference between vaccinated and control animals. The histological data indicated the absence of a detectable viral load and of PCVAD lesions in both vaccinated and control animals, as well as of histiocytes and multi-nucleated giant cells. We conclude that free, non-assembled ORF2 capsid protein does not induce protective immunity.
Closing the Performance Gap between Siamese Networks for Dissimilarity Image Classification and Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Nanni Loris , Minchio Giovanni , Brahnam Sheryl , Sarraggiotto Davide , Lumini Alessandra
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we examine two strategies for boosting the performance of ensembles of Siamese networks (SNNs) for image classification using two loss functions (Triplet and Binary Cross Entropy) and two methods for building the dissimilarity spaces (FULLY and DEEPER). With FULLY, the distance between a pattern and a prototype is calculated by comparing two images using the fully connected layer of the Siamese network. With DEEPER, each pattern is described using a deeper layer combined with dimensionality reduction. The basic design of the SNNs takes advantage of supervised k-means clustering for building the dissimilarity spaces that train a set of support vector machines, which are then combined by sum rule for a final decision. The robustness and versatility of this approach are demonstrated on several cross-domain image data sets, including a portrait data set, two bioimage and two animal vocalization data sets. Results show that the strategies employed in this work to increase the performance of dissimilarity image classification using SNN is closing the gap with standalone CNNs. Moreover, when our best system is combined with an ensemble of CNNs, the resulting performance is superior to an ensemble of CNNs, demonstrating that our new strategy is extracting additional information.
Reverse Remodeling of Tricuspid Valve Morphology and Function in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Patients Following Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy – A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Invasive Hemodynamic Study
Authors: Frederiksen Christian Alcaraz , Waziri Farhad , Ringgaard Steffen , Mellemkjær Søren , Clemmensen Tor Skibsted , Hjortdal Vibeke Elisabeth , Nielsen Sten Lyager , Poulsen Steen Hvitfeldt
Published: August 2021

BackgroundTo investigate changes in tricuspid annulus (TA) and tricuspid valve (TV) morphology among chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients before and 12 months after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA) and compare these findings to normal control subjects. Methods20 CTEPH patients and 20 controls were enrolled in the study. The patients were examined with echocardiography, right heart catherization and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging prior to PEA and 12 months after.ResultsRight atrium (RA) volume was significantly reduced from baseline to 12 months after PEA (30 ±9 versus 23 ±5ml/m2, p<0.005). TA base area in systole remained unchanged (p=0.11) and was comparable to controls. The leaflet area, tenting volume and tenting height in systole were significantly increased at baseline but decreased significantly with comparable values to controls after 12 months (p<0.005). There was correlation between the changes of right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling and changes of TV tenting height (r = -0.54, p=0.02), TV tenting volume (r = -0.73, p<0.001) and TV leaflet area (-0.57, p = 0.01) from baseline to 12 months after PEA. Tricuspid regurgitation jet area/RA area was significantly (p<0.01) reduced from baseline (30 ±13%) to 12 months after PEA (9 ±10%).ConclusionsIn CTEPH patients selected for PEA, TV tenting height, volume and valve area are significantly increased whereas annulus size and shape are less affected. The alterations in TV morphology are fully reversed after PEA and correlates to improvements of right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling.
Time to Appropriate Antibiotic Therapy is an Independent Indicator of Poor Outcome in Children with Nosocomial Klebsiella Pneumoniae Bloodstream Infection
Authors: Cheng Jie , Li Qinyuan , Zhang Guangli , Xu Huiting , Li Yuanyuan , Tian Xiaoyin , Chen Dapeng , Luo Zhengxiu
Published: August 2021

We aim to evaluate the effects of time to appropriate therapy (TTAT) on outcomes in children with nosocomial K. pneumoniae bloodstream infection, and to find an optimal time window for empiric antibiotics administration. Children with nosocomial K. pneumoniae bloodstream infection hospitalized in Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from April 2014 to December 2019 were enrolled retrospectively. TTAT cutoff point and risk factors were determined and analyzed by Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis and Logistic Regression analysis. Overall, sixty-seven patients were enrolled. The incidence of septic shock and mortality was 17.91% (12/67) and 13.43% (9/67), respectively. The CART-derived TTAT cutoff point was 10.7 hours. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated delayed therapy (TTAT ≥ 10.7 h), PRISM III scores ≥ 10, early TTP (TTP ≤ 13 h), and need for invasive mechanical ventilation were independent risk factors of septic shock (OR 9.87, 95% CI 1.46-66.59, P = 0.019; OR 9.69, 95% CI 1.15-81.39, P = 0.036; OR 8.28, 95% CI 1.37-50.10, P = 0.021; OR 6.52, 95% CI 1.08-39.51, P = 0.042; respectively) and in-hospital mortality (OR 22.19, 95% CI 1.25-393.94, P = 0.035; OR 40.06, 95% CI 2.32-691.35, P = 0.011; OR 22.60, 95% CI 1.78-287.27, P = 0.016; OR 12.21, 95% CI 1.06-140.67, P = 0.045; respectively). Conclusions: TTAT is an independent predictor of poor outcome in children with nosocomial K. pneumoniae bloodstream infection. Initial appropriate antibiotic therapy should begin within 10.7 hours from the onset of bloodstream infection.
Clinical quality in cancer research - Strategy to assess data integrity of germline variants inferred from tumor-only testing sequencing data
Authors: Ménard Timothé , Rolo Donato , Koneswarakantha Björn
Published: August 2021

In the majority of cancers, pathogenic variants are only found at the level of the tumor; however, an unusual number of cancers and/or diagnoses at an early age in a single family may suggest a genetic predisposition. Predisposition plays a major role in about 5 to 10% of adult cancers and in certain childhood tumors. As access to genomic testing for cancer patients continues to expand, the identification of Potential Germline Pathogenic Variants (PGPV) through tumor-DNA sequencing is also increasing. Statistical methods have been developed to infer the presence of a PGPV without the need of a matched normal sample. These methods are mainly used for exploratory research, for example in real-world Clinico-Genomic Databases/platforms (CGDB). These databases are being developed to support many applications such as targeted drug development, clinical trial optimization and post marketing studies. To ensure the integrity of data used for research, a quality management system should be established, and quality oversight activities should be conducted to assess and mitigate clinical quality risks (for patient safety and data integrity). As opposed to well-defined "good practice" quality guidelines (GxP) areas such as good clinical practice, there are no comprehensive instructions on how to assess the clinical quality of statistically derived variables from sequencing data such as PGPV. In this report, we aim to share our strategy and propose a possible set of tactics to assess the PGPV quality and to ensure data integrity in exploratory research.
Baseline Predictors of Attrition in a Randomised Controlled Trial of a New Group Psychological Intervention for People with Recurrent Binge Eating Episodes Associated to Overweight or Obesity
Authors: Mannan Haider , Palavras Marly Amorim , Hay Phillipa , Claudino Angelica
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Understanding the high rate of treatment attrition in trials of people with eating disorders is important as it can compromise the quality of the trials. In clinical practice, it may also contribute to illness chronicity, relapse, and costs. Thus, we investigated factors associated with treatment attrition to a new manualised psychotherapy HAPIFED compared to CBT-E, for individuals with Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder comorbid with overweight or obesity.Methods: In total, 98 participants were recruited with 50 randomised to HAPIFED and 48 to the control intervention CBT-E, all administered in groups of up to 10 participants. An investigator external to the site conducted the random allocation, which was concealed from the statistician involved in the analysis, and known only to the therapists until the finalization of the 12-month follow-up after the end of active treatment. Three scenarios in the timeline treatment of a total of 30 sessions were assessed: 33% or 60% or 75% of presence. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find the correlates of attrition.Results: None of the six variables - frequency of binge eating episodes, purging, eating disorder symptom severity, weight, illness duration and mental health-related quality of life - significantly predicted attrition at 33%, but longer illness duration predicted lower treatment attrition at both 60% and 75% presence of the interventions. Also for 75% presence, lower body weight predicted lower treatment attrition. Conclusions: Lower attrition due to late treatment completion was associated with longer binge eating illness length and a lower body weight. More research is needed to recognize factors that may interfere with engagement in treatments aiming to avoid early dropout.Trial registration: US National Institutes of Health clinical trial registration number NCT02464345, date of registration 1 June 2015.
MicroRNA-2392 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor Gene and Inhibits Malignant Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Directly Targeting JAG2
Authors: Liu Chunying , Sun Bin , Ji Weidan , Lin Xuejing , Chen Lei , Qian Haihua , Su Changqing
Published: August 2021

Background

Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression in various cancers and their vital roles in malignant progression of cancers are well investigated. Our previous studies have analyzed miRNAs that promote malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), this study aim to systematically elucidate metastasis suppressor miRNAs in HCC.
Methods

High-throughput RNA sequencing analysis was used to identify anti-metastatic miRNAs of HCC. The relative expression levels of miRNAs were confirmed by qRT-PCR. The biological functions of miRNAs were studied by CCK8, wound-healing, transwell, colony formation in HCC cells. Circulating tumor cells were enriched from blood samples of HCC patients and cultured by three-dimensional (3D) system. The potential target mRNAs of miRNAs were analyzed by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Liver metastasis model via tail vein injection was further examined in nude mice. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used to analyze the value of potential target mRNAs on overall survival.
Results

miR-2392 was significantly down-regulated in HCC. Overexpression of miR-2392 suppressed proliferation, mobility, spheroid formation and maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSC)-like characteristics in HCC cell lines, whereas down-regulation of miR-2392 led to the opposite results. CTCs from HCC patients with lower serum miR-2392 level had stronger cell spheroid formation ability. A negative correlation between the content of miR-2392 in serum and the number of CTC spheroids had been found. We identified Jagged2 (JAG2) as a direct target of miR-2392, miR-2392 inhibited the expression and nuclear accumulation of JAG2 by targeting 3’-UTR of JAG2. HCC cells were treated with LV-miR-2392 inhibitor and JAG2-siRNA to explore the mechanism of miR-2392 and JAG2 on HCC. Down-regulation of JAG2 inhibited the overexpression effects of miR-2392 in vitro and in vivo. JAG2 is highly expressed in HCC and is closely related to poor prognosis and survival of patients.
Conclusions

Our findings indicated a significant role of the miR-2392/JAG2 axis in suppressing HCC cell growth and aggressiveness, miR-2392 may play a role as a tumor suppressor gene to guide the individualized precise treatment of HCC.
Influence of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities on Groundwater Level in the Northern Huangqihai Basin, China
Authors: Jin Jing , Wang Zihe , Zhao Yiping , Ding Huijun , Chen Yufei
Published: August 2021

The variation in the groundwater level, which is an indicative factor that can reflect changes in both groundwater level and groundwater quantity, was selected as the factor to be analyzed. Rainfall and groundwater exploitation were chosen as the representative factors of climate change and anthropogenic activities, respectively. By applying the elastic coefficient method and other mathematical statistical methods, the influence of climate change and anthropogenic activities on groundwater was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The northern Huangqihai basin was chosen as the study area. The rainfall in the study area showed an increasing trend from 1996–2020, while most variations in groundwater level were negative. This result indicated that the positive influence of rainfall on the variation in the groundwater level in the study area was not enough to offset the negative influence of groundwater exploitation. The correlation between anthropogenic activities and variations in the groundwater level was lower in wet years than in normal years but the highest in dry years. Based on the comparative method of the slope changing ratio of cumulative quantity and the elastic coefficient method, it was determined that the contribution rate of climate change to the variation in groundwater level was 22.08% and that of human activities was 77.92%. Thus, the sustainable development of the groundwater environment can be realized by positively guiding anthropogenic activities and minimizing negative influences.
Preparation and Characterization of Bio-Nitrogen-Doped Activated Carbon
Authors: ZHANG xingping , Li Haichao , Wang Guangle , Ji Qingsong , Liang Tian
Published: August 2021

Blood (livestock blood) is a cheap and readily available biomass material with a relatively high protein content.In this study, bio-nitrogen doped activated carbon (BN-AC) was prepared by chemical activation method with nitrogen-rich pig blood as raw material and magnesium chloride as activator.The specific surface area of BN-AC is 283.719 m2/g, and the pore volume is 0.128 cm3/g.The optimum conditions for the preparation of BN-AC were as follows: the mass impregnation ratio of activator to blood powder was 2:1, the impregnation time was 12 h, and the activation temperature was 600 ℃.The forms of biological nitrogen in activated carbon were studied by elemental analysis, Boehm titration, FTIR and XPS.The results showed that the total basicity of 0.720 mmol/g, and acidity of 0.313 mmol/g of the BN-AC.The surface of the precursor has only one Pyrrolic N, and the surface of BN-AC contains Pyridinic N, Pyrrolic N and Graphitic N, the N content of the precursor was successfully preserved.BN-AC has higher methylene blue and iodine adsorption values than ordinary activated carbon.
Effects of early-life exposure to topsoil on the muscle fiber characteristics and gene expression of weaned piglets
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Tsai Tsung Cheng , Morse Palika , Zhang Shilei , Maxwell Charles , Zhao Jiangchao , Huang Yan
Published: August 2021

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the influence of early exposure to topsoil on the muscle fiber characteristics and transcription related myogenesis, intramuscular fat metabolism, muscle fiber types, and mTOR signaling pathway of weaned pigs. A Total of 180 piglets were separately assigned to No soil, Antibacterial soil, and Normal soil group (each group, n=60), and were fed ad libitum with common antibiotic-free corn-soybean meal diets until day-31. Ten pigs from each group with similar body weight were selected to be slaughtered, and the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle samples were collected for histological analysis and measurements of genes and proteins expression levels. In the present study, the muscle fiber diameter and the area of Normal soil and Antibacterial soil group were significantly higher than No soil group (P < 0.05). The Normal soil significantly upregulated the gene expression of MyoG compared to No soil and Antibacterial soil groups (P < 0.05). The gene expression of CD36 and CPT-1 of Normal soil group was significantly lower than No soil group (P < 0.05), while HSL expression of Normal soil group was significantly higher than Antibacterial and No soil groups (P < 0.05). The MyHC I of Normal soil group was significantly higher than No soil group (P < 0.05), but the expression MyHC IIa was lower than No soil group (P < 0.05). The protein expression expressed the similar result with gene expression. In addition, the Normal soil significantly increased the AMPK and mTOR phosphorylation compared to No soil and Antibacterial soil groups (P < 0.05). These data suggest that early exposure to topsoil regulates the muscle fiber growth, modulates the expression pattern related to myogenesis, muscle fiber type, intramuscular fat metabolism, and increases the phosphorylation of mTOR and AMPK pathways.
No Difference in the Incidence or Location of Deep Venous Thrombosis According to use of Pharmacological Prophylaxis Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Itou Junya , Kuwashima Umito , Itoh Masafumi , Okazaki Ken
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThe incidence and characteristics of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without pharmacologic prophylaxis have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to determine whether there are any differences in the incidence, location, and characteristics of DVT following TKA with pharmacologic prophylaxis and without pharmacologic prophylaxis.MethodsIn total, 216 consecutive knees that underwent primary TKA were retrospectively evaluated. Enoxaparin was used postoperatively for pharmacologic prophylaxis. We excluded 60 knees because of use of antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants before surgery, history of venous thromboembolism, or bleeding risk. The remaining 156 knees were included in the analysis and divided into two groups: with pharmacologic prophylaxis (n = 79) and without pharmacologic prophylaxis (n = 77).ResultsThe overall incidence of DVT was 34% (54/156 knees). DVT was detected in 31.6% of knees in the group with pharmacologic prophylaxis and in 37.6% of knees in the group without pharmacologic prophylaxis; the difference was not statistically significant. Soleal vein thrombus was observed in 74.6% of the knees with DVT and non-floating thrombus was observed in 98.7%.ConclusionsNo differences were found in the incidence, location, or characteristics of DVT following TKA with or without pharmacological prophylaxis.
Investigation of Some Antibiotic Resistance Genes of Indigenous Lactobacilli Isolated From Traditional Yogurt In Zanjan Province of Iran
Authors: Moghimi Bahare , Dana Maryam Ghobadi , Shapouri Reza
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Given the increasing use of antibiotics on humans and livestock for treatment or as a growth stimulant, antibiotic resistance has become a general concern. The food chain and specially fermented foods could be a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and Lactobacilli are considered safe to use as starter culture or probiotic strains. Recently, however, antibiotic-resistant genes isolated from LABs showed the necessity of setting international regulations to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance genes transmission via the food chain. The current study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance of Lactobacilli isolated from traditional yogurt samples from Zanjan province in Iran.Methods: Lactobacilli characterization and identification were carried out through biochemical and molecular methods. The disk diffusion method was applied to determine phenotype resistance using 13 antibiotic disks resistance genes presence were investigated in the isolates to determine transferability risk, respectively.Results: Based on biochemical and molecular methods, 24 isolates have been identified as Lactobacilli with multiple antibiotic-resistant phenotypes. Vancomycin resistance was a typical phenotype and genotype among isolates. On investigated Lactobacilli chromosome, Tetracycline resistance genes Chloramphenicol (cat), beta-lactam, aminoglycosides (aph (3’)-III), and aadA resistance genes have been detected. While the examined resistance genes have not been detected on the plasmids, they were all on the bacterial chromosome.Conclusion: The results showed that the investigated isolates did not carry the resistance genes on their plasmids. It, therefore, would be a good point since they probably do not transfer resistance genes to other bacteria, and they would be proper candidates to do more investigation for introducing new safe starter culture or probiotic strain to food industries.
Determination of Salt Tolerance of Oil Palm SUP-PSU 1 Using Cell Suspension Culture
Authors: Sukdee Thirasak , Te-chato Sompong , YENCHON SUREERAT
Published: August 2021

Oil palm is an oil crop that produces the highest oil yield throughout the year. Repeated application of fertilizer in oil palm orchard results in severe salinity of planting areas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine growth, physiochemistry and re-growth of calli as effected by sodium chloride (NaCl). The calli were cultured in liquid oil palm culture medium (OPCM) supplemented with different concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300 and 400 mM), 0.1 mg/l dicamba and 200 mg/l ascorbic acid for 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The results showed that increase in concentrations of NaCl and exposure times decreased growth rate of cells in suspension culture. The concentration of NaCl which inhibited growth rate at 50 % (IC50) was 166.73 mM after culture for 12 weeks. Increase in concentrations of NaCl and exposure times increased electrolyte leakage (EL), changing of electrical conductivity (EC) medium and proline content. NaCl at concentration of 400 mM gave the highest EL, changing of EC medium and proline content at 82.22 %, 3.77 mS/cm and 64.93 µg/gFW, respectively. Over 200 mM NaCl oil palm cells cannot survive. After transfer treated callus clumps to OPCM without NaCl for 8 weeks, the clumps treated in 50 mM NaCl gave the highest fresh weight at 416.5 mg while 100 mM gave the highest average number of nodules per tube at 84 nodules. This result suggests that cells of oil palm in vitro could not stand to NaCl at concentration higher than 200 mM.
Preclinical Evaluation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing MicroRNA-126 to Treat Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Nammian Pegah , Asadi-Yousefabad Seyedeh-Leili , Daneshi Sajad , Fallahi Jafar , Tabei Seyed Mohammad Bagher , Razban Vahid
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) considered as the most severe form of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Current therapy for CLI are surgical reconstruction and endovascular therapy or limb amputation (for patients with no treatment options). Neovasculogenesis induced by stem cells including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is a promising approach to treat CLI. But this method of treatment faces challenges such as: MSCs survival and paracrine secretion. MicroRNAs are post transcriptional regulatory molecules that regulate many biological processes including VEGF pathway. MicroRNAs could be used to increase viability and angiogenic potential of MSCs. This study was conducted to reinforce and increase the angiogenic potential of BM-MSCs by using microRNA-126 and evaluate the effect of this stem cell gene therapy on treatment of ischemic tissues in CLI mouse models. Methods: BM-MSCs were isolated from male C57 BL/6 inbred mice and characterized by morphology, flow cytometry, differentiation to osteocyte and adipocyte. Transformed BM-MSCs containing miR-126 were produced by using lentiviral vector. Then femoral artery ligation and total excision of the femoral artery was performed on C57BL/6 mice to create CLI model. Animals were allocated to control, BM-MSCs, virus and BM-MSCs miR-126 groups and defined number of the cells and virus were injected 24 h after surgery. In order to determine in vitro and in vivo effects, the following tests were performed: wound healing assay, behavioral tests including: Tarlov, Ischemia, Modified ischemia, Function and the grade of limb necrosis scores, donor cell survival assay, real-time PCR and histological analysis. Results: Results indicated that during 28 days after transplantation, BM-MSCs and virus groups had an enhancing effect on angiogenesis. BM-MSCs miR-126 group had remarkable effect on endothelial cell migration, muscle restructure, functional improvements and neovascularization in ischemic tissues and led to more effective treatment. In vivo evaluation showed that miR-126 could increase BM-MSCs survival and paracrine secretion of angiogenic factors such as VEGF, and led to remarkable functional improvements and neovascularization in ischemic tissues. Conclusions: According to the obtained results, it could concluded that combination of BM-MSCs and miR-126 leads to more effective recovery from critical limb ischemia compared to using them alone. In fact, miR-126 can be used as a strong modifier to reinforce the angiogenic potential of BM-MSCs, leading to more effective treatment for CLI.
In Search for the Optimal Preprocessing Technique for Deep Learning Based Diabetic Retinopathy Stage Classification from Fundus Images
Authors: Mukherjee Nilarun , Sengupta Souvik
Published: August 2021

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes mellitus, which if left untreated may lead to complete vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to prevent further complications of DR. Computer-aided diagnosis is a very effective method to support ophthalmologists, as manual inspection of pathological changes in retina images are time consuming and expensive. In recent times, Machine Learning and Deep Learning techniques have subsided conventional rule based approaches for detection, segmentation and classification of DR stages and lesions in fundus images. Method: In this paper, we present a comparative study of the different state-of-the-art preprocessing methods that have been used in deep learning based DR classification tasks in recent times and also propose a new unsupervised learning based retinal region extraction technique and new combinations of preprocessing pipelines designed on top of it. Efficacy of different existing and new combinations of the preprocessing methods are analyzed using two publicly available retinal datasets (EyePACS and APTOS) for different DR stage classification tasks, such as referable DR, DR screening, and five-class DR grading, using a benchmark deep learning model (ResNet-50). Results: It has been observed that the proposed preprocessing strategy composed of region of interest extraction through K-means clustering followed by contrast and edge enhancement using Graham’s method and z-score intensity normalization achieved the highest accuracy of 98.5%, 96.51% and 90.59% in DR-screening, referable-DR, and DR gradation tasks respectively and also achieved the best quadratic weighted kappa score of 0.945 in DR grading task. It achieved best AUC-ROC of 0.98 and 0.9981 in DR grading and DR screening tasks respectively. Conclusion: It is evident from the results that the proposed preprocessing pipeline composed of the proposed ROI extraction through K-means clustering, followed by edge and contrast enhancement using Graham’s method and then z-score intensity normalization outperforms all other existing preprocessing pipelines and has proven to be the most effective preprocessing strategy in helping the baseline CNN model to extract meaningful deep features.