bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Factors Affecting the Clinical Course in C5 Palsy: A Korean Cervical Spine Study Group (KCSSG) Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Lee Ho Jin , Oh Jae Keun , Kang Dong Ho , Kim Ki-Jeong , Chung Chun Kee , Hur Jung-Woo , Yi Seong , Shin Jun Jae , Lee Sun Ho , Choi Kyung Chul , Kim Kyung Hyun , Cho Dae-Chul , Jin Yong Jun , Han In Ho , Hong Jae Taek
Published: July 2021

The development of C5 palsy is a serious, well-documented complication after cervical spine surgery. Therefore, a more precise and extensive analysis of C5 palsy is required. The present study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and clinical course of C5 palsy using a Korean Cervical Spine Study Group (KCSSG) database. A retrospective review of clinical and radiological data was performed for 85 patients who had C5 palsy. We investigated multiple clinical factors [main pathology, pre-operative symptoms, surgical method, symptom duration, operation method, side of C5 palsy, C5 palsy grade and onset time, course of recovery from C5 palsy, and Japanese Orthopedic Association score] and radiological factors [C4–5 foramen diameter, occupying ratio, T2HIZ (high intensity zone in T2 weighted magnetic resonance image)] .On multivariate analysis, old age (OR 12.73 [95% CI 1.1-147.37]), posterior approach (OR 39.16 [95% CI 2.24-682.31], radiculopathy (OR 13.5 [95% CI 1.06-171.2]), OPLL(OR 13.7 [95% CI 1.33-140.77]), C2-7 angle (pre-OP; OR 0.83 [95% CI 0.71-0.98, post-OP; OR 1.26 [95% CI 1.03-1.53]) were the predictor for early onset of C5 palsy. Small dimension of C4-5 foramen (OR 0.58 [95% CI 0.37-0.92]) and less degree of cord rotation (pre-OP, OR 0.83 [95% CI 0.72-0.96]), were the predictor for severe status of C5 palsy. The clinical course of C5 palsy (onset and severity) was influenced by age, pre-operative symptom, surgical approach, main pathology, C2-7 angle, T2HIZ grade, pre-operative cord rotation and C4-5 foramen diameter.
The stress granule protein G3BP1 reduces the levels of different polyglutamine proteins and alleviates spinocerebellar ataxia associated deficits
Authors: Koppenol Rebekah , Conceição André , Marcelo Adriana , Tomé Sandra , Côdesso José-Miguel , Mendonça Liliana , de Almeida Luis Pereira , Matos Carlos , Nóbrega Clévio
Published: July 2021

Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of 9 rare neurodegenerative disorders caused by an abnormal expansion of the CAG trinucleotide in the codifying regions of the respective disease-associated gene. The trinucleotide abnormal expansion leads to the translation of a protein containing an overexpanded tract of glutamines. PolyQ mutant proteins undergo a gain of toxic function disrupting normal cellular pathways leading to neuronal death and, consequently, leading to selective neurodegeneration of specific brain regions. Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) 2 and SCA3 (also known as Machado-Joseph disease) are two different polyQ diseases in which the ataxin-2 and ataxin-3 proteins, respectively, bear abnormally long polyQ tracts. Until now, there is no treatment for these fatal diseases or therapies that could delay the normal pathologic progression. Stress granules (SGs) are important structures formed in response to cellular stress, having an important role in mRNA triage. A core component of SGs is the RNA-binding protein (RBP) Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding protein 1 (G3BP1), which is also implicated in the SGs assembly. Furthermore, G3BP1 is known to have endoribonuclease activity and an important role in modulating RNA metabolism. In this study, we showed that G3BP1 is decreased in context of SCA2 and SCA3 disease. For that, we assessed whether restoring the expression levels of G3BP1 might positively impact the SCA2 and SCA3 pathology. We showed that gene delivery of G3BP1 in two distinct lentiviral mouse model of SCA2 and SCA3 was able to i) reduce the number of aggregates and ii) reduce the loss of neuronal marker associated with the mutant toxic proteins. Importantly, in a polyQ transgenic mouse model, lentiviral delivery of G3BP1 in the cerebellum was able to i) preserve the number of Purkinje cells, ii) reduce the number of HA-ataxin-3 and, importantly iii) improve the motor performance, balance and coordination. Additionally, we identify the nuclear transport nuclear transport factor 2-like (NTF2-like) domain and the ser149 phosphorylation site of G3BP1 as a key players in the reduction of mutant ataxin-2 and ataxin-3 levels and aggregation. Altogether these results showed that gene delivery of G3BP1 is able of mitigating the disease-associated phenotype in SCA2 and SCA3 disease, in three different disease mouse models. Therefore, this study suggests G3BP1 as a novel therapeutic target for SCA2 and SCA3 diseases.
Utilisation of Prenatal Diagnostics During Pregnancy in Germany: Cross-sectional Study Using Data From the KUNO Kids Health Study
Authors: Mayer Johanna , Brandstetter Susanne , Tischer Christina , Seelbach-Göbel Birgit , Malfertheiner Sara Fill , Melter Michael , Kabesch Michael , Apfelbacher Christian
Published: July 2021

Background: Appropriate health system utilisation during pregnancy is fundamental for maintaining maternal and child’s health. This study provides comprehensive data on supplementary prenatal diagnostics use and its influencing factors in Germany. Methods: We obtained data from a recently established prospective German birth cohort study, the KUNO Kids Health Study, with a study sample of 1886 participating mothers. Analyses are based on Andersen’s Behavioural Model of health system use, which distinguishes between predisposing, enabling and need factors. We examined bi- and multivariate association with the use of supplementary prenatal diagnostics using logistic regression. Results: One fifth of the mothers investigated did not use any supplementary prenatal diagnostics. Notably, the chance of using supplementary prenatal diagnostics more than doubled if the pregnant woman had a private health insurance. Higher maternal age and environmental tobacco smoke exposure increased the use of supplementary prenatal diagnostics. However, regarding need factors only having a risk-pregnancy showed an independent association.Conclusion: Although a shift in the importance of need factors towards enabling factors for preventive health services has been described before, the important role of the type of health insurance and the relatively small influence of need factors was surprising and worrisome. Especially with respect to equity in accessing health care, this needs further attention.
Ultrafast and long-range self-transport of droplets on multi-bioinspired surface with periodic gradient structure
Authors: Xie Dongdong , Wang Guilian , Sun Yunna , Wu Chaofeng , Ding Guifu
Published: July 2021

Droplet self-transport is crucial in various fields ranging from physics to biochemistry. Despite extensive progress, existing systems for droplet self-transport still perform at low transport velocity or limited transport range. Here, a multi-bioinspired surface comprising two-dimensional gradient structures is proposed innovatively, which integrates the heterogeneous wettability with the shape gradient morphology. Droplet transport behaviors are systematically investigated from experiment, theory, and simulation. The fabricated structure achieves the ultrafast (over ~ 450 mm/s) and long-range (over ~ 200 mm) self-transport of droplets. Moreover, the fantastic scalability of this structure enables it to pump numerous multi-scale droplets from one site to the preset region with ultralow loss. Drawing inspirations, two systems have been designed to complete complex tasks on open surface. This work provides a reliable droplet manipulation strategy for various applications, such as water collection, microfluidics, and biomedicine, etc.
Magnetite layer formation in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa
Authors: Yao Zhuo-Sen , Mungall James
Published: July 2021

The great economic significance of layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions like the Bushveld Complex of South Africa results from the existence within them of some layers highly concentrated in valuable elements. Here we address the origins of the Main Magnetite Layer, a globally important resource of Fe-Ti-V-rich magnetite. Previous models of in situ fractional magnetite crystallization require frequent ad hoc adjustments to the boundary conditions. An alternative model of rapid deposition of loose piles of magnetite crystals followed by compositional convection near the top of the pile and infiltration of the pile from beneath by migrating intercumulus melt fits observations without any adjustments. The data admit both explanations, but the latter model, with the fewest unconstrained interventions, is preferable. The choice of models has pivotal ramifications for understanding of the fundamental processes by which crystals accumulate and layers form in layered intrusions.
The Inclusion of Microclimate Modelling for House Heating Energy Simulation in Wellington, New Zealand
Authors: sunarya wendy , Isaacs Nigel , Donn Michael Robert
Published: July 2021

Site is an important factor in determining building design strategies for responding to the local climate and minimizing energy use. Nevertheless, too often Building Energy Simulation (BES) supporting the design process uses a generic weather file from the local weather station rather than a site-specific microclimate. This study tests the inclusion of microclimate model, ENVI-met, for BES (EnergyPlus) to assess the impact of site parameters on house heating energy in Wellington (New Zealand) where micro-climates vary widely due to the local topography. The ENVI-met model validation was conducted with the air temperature difference of less than 0.5oC on average between simulated and measured data in ENVI-met model validation. The validation determines ENVI-met input settings for the integrated simulation with BES for site modelling. The integrated simulation test produced insignificant energy impacts for almost all parameters tested, but it has limitations in modelling slopes. This finding suggests that ENVI-met is not applicable for house heating energy simulation in hilly region.
Changes in Muscle Activity with Assistance Level During Exoskeletal Gait in Acute Stroke
Authors: O'Callaghan Ben P.F. , Flood Matthew W. , Tonellato Michele , Fingleton Caitríona , Lowery Madeleine M , Lennon Olive
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe level of assistance provided to the user is an important decision in rehabilitation training using robotic devices. Both fully assistive and assist-as-needed paradigms have shown benefits in functional outcomes in healthy individuals and users with chronic stroke and spinal cord injury. The effect of assistance level on muscle activity and kinematic gait parameters has not yet been directly examined during overground exoskeletal gait in a stroke population. Furthermore, it is not clear whether an assist-as-needed approach could elicit increased voluntary activity in individuals in the acute stages of stroke. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of assistance level on muscle activity and kinematic parameters during exoskeleton gait in individuals in the acute stage of stroke care.MethodsNine individuals in the acute stage of post-stroke care performed walking tasks in the EKSO GTTM exoskeleton using both maximal assistance and adaptive assistance control paradigms. Temporal gait parameters and muscle activity were recorded using accelerometers and surface EMG on the lower limb muscles.ResultsShorter swing times and longer double support times were observed on the non-paretic side during adaptive assist mode than with maximum assist mode (p<0.0065). No significant effect of exoskeleton mode was observed on the remaining temporal gait parameters. On the paretic side, proximal lower limb muscles (RF and ST) and plantar-flexors (SO) (p<0.00125) exhibited greater activation in adaptive assist mode than in maximum assist mode. On the non-paretic side however, the lower limb distal muscles (TA and SO) displayed greater activity during maximum assist mode than adaptive assist mode (p<0.00125). ConclusionsThe level of assistance provided by an exoskeleton in the acute stages of stroke care is an important clinical decision. The results indicate that an adaptive or assist-as-needed approach elicits higher levels of activation in muscles acting around the knee joint and plantar-flexors on the paretic side than a maximal, fixed assistance paradigm, in the acute stage post-stroke. Increased activity around the ankle joint during maximum assistance mode was also noted. Improved understanding of the effect of assistance level can help inform future control paradigms for exoskeleton gait in acute stroke.
Considerations on Diagnosis and Surveillance Measures of PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome: Clinical and Genetic Study in a Series of Spanish Patients.
Authors: Pena-Couso Laura , Ercibengoa María , Mercadillo Fátima , Gómez-Sánchez David , Inglada-Pérez Lucía , Santos María , Lanillos Javier , Gutiérrez-Abad David , Hernández Almudena , Carbonell Pablo , Letón Rocío , Robledo Mercedes , Rodríguez-Antona Cristina , Perea José , Urioste Miguel
Published: July 2021

Background: The limited knowledge about the PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) makes its diagnosis a challenging task. We aimed to define the clinical and genetic characteristics of this syndrome in the Spanish population and to identify new genes potentially associated with the disease.Results: We reviewed the clinical data collected through a specific questionnaire in a series of 145 Spanish patients with a phenotypic features compatible with PHTS and performed molecular characterization through several approaches including next generation sequencing and whole exome sequencing (WES).Macrocephaly, mucocutaneous lesions, gastrointestinal polyposis and obesity are prevalent phenotypic features in PHTS and help predict the presence of a PTEN germline variant in our population. We also find that PHTS patients are at risk to develop cancer in childhood or adolescence. Furthermore, we observe a high frequency of variants in exon 1 of PTEN, which are associated with renal cancer and overexpression of KLLN and PTEN. Moreover, WES revealed variants in genes like NEDD4 that merit further research.Conclusions: This study expands previously reported findings in other PHTS population studies and makes new contributions regarding clinical and molecular aspects of PHTS, which are useful for translation to the clinic and for new research lines.
Overview and Clinical Significance of Multiple Mutations in Individual Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Imamura Taisuke , Okamura Yukiyasu , Ohshima Keiichi , Uesaka Katsuhiko , Sugiura Teiichi , Ito Takaaki , Yamamoto Yusuke , Ashida Ryo , Ohgi Katsuhisa , Otsuka Shimpei , Ohnami Sumiko , Nagashima Takeshi , Hatakeyama Keiichi , Sugino Takashi , Urakami Kenichi , Akiyama Yasuto , Yamaguchi Ken
Published: July 2021

BackgroundMultiple mutations (MMs) within individual oncogenes have been newly characterized as a mechanism for promotion of carcinogenesis. We investigated the spectra of the MMs and the clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsWhole-exome sequencing and gene expression profiling were performed in 223 surgically resected HCCs. ResultsMMs within individual genes was identified in 178 samples (79.8%, MMs tumors). All the remaining samples carried single mutation (20.2%, SM tumors). Mutations identified as MMs show different mutational patterns with higher functional impact compared with mutations identified as SM. Recurrence-free survival was significantly worse in the group with MMs tumors than the group with SM tumors (P = 0.012). MMs tumor was identified as an independent predictor for worse prognosis (hazard ratio, 1.72; 95%, P = 0.045). MMs were observed particularly in MUC16 (15% of samples with at least one mutation in the gene) and CTNNB1 (14%). Although there was no significant difference in MUC16 mRNA expression between MUC16 wild-type and MUC16 SM tumors, the expression in MUC16 MMs tumors was significantly enhanced compared with MUC16 SM tumors (P < 0.001). MMs in MUC16 were associated with viral hepatitis, higher tumor markers and vascular invasion. Recurrence-free survival was significantly worse in the MUC16 MMs group than the MUC16 SM group (P = 0.022); no significant difference was observed between the MUC16 SM group and MUC16 wild-type group (P = 0.324).ConclusionsMMs are relatively common driver events that selectively occur in specific oncogenes and function in tumor-promoting activity.
Combination of Pseudoephedrine and Emodin Ameliorates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Regulating Macrophage M1/M2 Polarization Through the VIP/cAMP/PKA Pathway
Authors: Yan Shu-Guang , Wang WenBa , Li Jing-Tao , Hui Yi , Shi Jie , Wang Xu-Yan
Published: July 2021

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute multifactorial infectious disease induced by trauma, pneumonia, shock, and sepsis. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of pseudoephedrine and emodin combined treatment in experimental ALI , as well as the mechanisms underlying the regulation of inflammation and pulmonary edema via the VIP /cAMP/PKA pathway.Methods: Wistar rats were divided into a control group, lipopolysaccharide(LPS) group, and a pseudoephedrine + emodin treatment group. Rats in the control group were given intraperitoneal saline injections, while rats in the LPS and treatment groups were given intraperitoneal LPS injections to induce ALI. After being treated with pseudoephedrine and emodin for 24 hours, all animals were sacrifce. Anal temperatures were taken on an hourly basis for eight hours after LPS injection. Pathological examination of lung specimen was performed by H&E staining. Cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, Arg-1, CD86, CD80, CD206, F4/80, VIP) in colon were assayed by ELISA and immunofuorescence.The expression of VIP, CAMP, AQP-1, AQP-5, p-PKA/PKA, p-IκBα/IκBα, and p-p65/p65 protein in lung was determined by western blotting.Results: After rats being treated with pseudoephedrine + emodin, the symptoms (febrility) of ALI were alleviated. The contents of infammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) were decreased and anti-inflammatory cytokines(IL-10, Arg-1) were signifcantly increased in serum. Pseudoephedrine + emodin treatment effectively promoted VIP cAMP and p-PKA protein expression in lung tissues, and significantly inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation,Pseudoephedrine + emodin treatment can inhibit M1 polarization and promoted M2 polarization via the VIP/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.Conclusions: The combination of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and emodin was effective in ameliorating LPS-induced ALI in rats by inducing VIP/cAMP/PKA signaling, inhibiting the NF-κB inflammatory pathway, suppressing macrophage M1 polarization, and promoting macrophage M2 polarization.
Transition From Child to Adult Health Care for Patients With Lysosomal Storage Diseases in France. Current Status and Priorities: The TENALYS Study, a Patient Perspective Survey.
Authors: Genevaz Delphine , Arnoux Armelle , Marcel Catherine , Brassier Anaïs , Pichard Samia , Feillet François , Labarthe François , Chabrol Brigitte , Berger Marc , Lapointe Anne-Sophie , Frigout Yvann , Héron Bénédicte , Chatellier Gilles , Belmatoug Nadia
Published: July 2021

Background Transition from childhood to adulthood (TCA) is usually difficult in rare, progressive and multisystemic diseases. New treatments and modalities of care for many lysosomal diseases (LD) can increase life expectancy, and a successful TCA can help patient who reach adulthood to avoid disruption to health care. In France, some TCA initiatives have been taken by referral centers but in view of the problems encountered by Vaincre les Maladies Lysosomales (VML), the LD patient association, they seem to be insufficient. The aim of this study is to determine the current state of the TCA process and to identify actions to improve it through interviews with patient families and physicians in LD referral centers.The study is based upon an observational, non-interventional, cross-sectional, national survey which used two anonymous questionnaires. These questionnaires, developed by a scientific committee including representatives from VML and medical specialists in LD, were sent to patients who were receiving care in pediatric departments at age 15 years or older. Questionnaires were also sent to their referal pediatricians.ResultsFifty-four patients were included. Forty-two questionnaires were completed by patients and their corresponding physicians and 12 were completed by physicians only. The majority of the patients (80%) were informed that transferal to adult healthcare would occur, but 52 % were informed after their eighteenth birthday. Forty-eight percent indicated that they were informed that a TCA coordinator would be appointed; for 39% the time frame for the transfer was communicated, and 31% were informed of the composition of the adult medical team. Among the actions that patients rated as “important/very important”, and considered to be a priority in their comments, the most frequently cited were the provision of explanatory documents on the TCA (94%), the transmission of the medical file from the pediatric sector to the adult sector (94%) and a joint consultation with both pediatrician and adult unit physician (91%). Physicians were in agreement concerning the primary importance of the last two actions.ConclusionThis study provides a basis for the deployment, on the national level, of transition programs which include specific actions that patients view as priorities.
Infectivity and Antigenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Strains in Portugal
Authors: huang weijin , Wang Hai-xin , zhang Li , Liang zi-teng , nie jian-hui , wu jia-jing , li qian-qian , ding ru-xia , zhang yue , chen guo-qing , Wang you-chun , Wang hui-guo
Published: July 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has had a major impact on global human health. During the spread of SARS-CoV-2, weakened host immunity and the use of vaccines with low efficacy may result in the development of more virulent strains or strains with resistance to existing vaccines and antibodies. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 mutant strains differs among regions, and this variation may affect the effectiveness of vaccines. In this study, an epidemiological investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was performed, and the VSV-ΔG-G* pseudovirus system was used to construct 12 S protein epidemic mutants, D614G, A222V+D614G, B.1.1.7, S477N+D614G, P1162R+D614G+A222V, D839Y+D614G, L176F+D614G, B.1.1.7+L216F, B.1.1.7+M740V, B.1.258, B.1.258+L1063F, and B.1.258+N751Y.The mutant pseudoviruses were used to infect four susceptible cell lines (i.e., Huh7, hACE2-293T, Vero, and LLC-MK2) and 14 cell lines overexpressing ACE2 from different species. Mutant strains did not show increased infectivity or cross-species transmission. Neutralization activity was evaluated using the newly constructed pseudoviruses, mouse serum, and 11 monoclonal antibodies. The neutralizing activity in immunized mouse serum was not significantly reduced for the mutant strains. Additionally, mutant strains in Portugal showed escape from 9 of 11 monoclonal antibodies. Neutralization resistance was mainly caused by the S477N, N439K, and N501Y mutations in the Spike receptor binding domain. These findings emphasize the importance of SARS-CoV-2 mutation tracking in different regions for epidemic prevention and control.
Improved Adaptive Beamforming for Smart Antennas
Authors: Dakulagi Veerendra , Dakulagi Rohini , Yeap Kim Ho , Nisar Humaira
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we propose a new antenna array configuration for smart antenna beamforming. In this new method, we displace two antenna elements of a uniform linear array (ULA) and place them at the top and bottom of the array axis. We investigate the efficacy of this method by deploying the variable step size least mean square algorithm (VSSLMS). The proposed method is compared with popular LMS and normalized LMS algorithms. Computer simulations show that the proposed method has enhanced convergence rate and high data transmission compared to the LMS and the NLMS methods. Also, the new method has the same performance for middle angles, near boresight and array endfires which is not possible for the LMS and the NLMS method using a ULA.
Development of a Competitive Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Using a Monoclonal Antibody Recognizing 3B of Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus for Differentiating Infected From Vaccinated Animals
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Guanglei , Yang Sicheng , Li Junhui , Gao Zhan , Ge Sudan , Yang Huihui , Shao Junjun , Chang Huiyun
Published: July 2021

Background: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a devastating animal disease. Differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) is very important for confirming suspected cases, evaluating the prevalence of infection, certifying animals for trade and controlling the disease. Methods: In this study, a competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay (3B-cCLIA) for DIVA was developed for the rapid detection of antibodies against non-structural proteins (NSPs) in different species of livestock animals using monoclonal antibody 9E2 as a competitive antibody that recognizes NSP 3B.Results: The cut-off (50%), diagnostic sensitivity (97.20%, 95.71%, and 96.15%) and diagnostic specificity (99.51%, 99.43%, and 98.36) of the assay were estimated by testing a panel of known background sera from swine, cattle and sheep. The accuracy rate of 3B-cCLIA was further validated followed by its comparison with two commercial diagnostic kits. The early diagnostic performance showed that antibodies to NSPs occurred later (about 1–2 days) than antibodies to structural proteins. Furthermore, NSP antibodies present in animals vaccinated multiple times (false-positive), especially in cattle and sheep, were confirmed, and the false-positive rate increased with the number of vaccinations. Conclusions: These results indicated that 3B-cCLIA is suitable to rapidly detect antibodies against FMDV NSP 3B in a wide range of species for DIVA.
Monitoring the Tissue Perfusion During Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation: Tissue-to-arterial Carbon Dioxide Partial Pressure Gradient in a Pig Model
Authors: Endo Yusuke , Hirokawa Taku , Miyasho Taku , Takegawa Ryosuke , Shinozaki Koichiro , Rolston Daniel M , Becker Lance B. , Hayashida Kei
Published: July 2021

Background: Transcutaneous CO2 (tcPCO2) and arterial CO2 (artPCO2) decoupling occurs during shock states. Our study aimed to test the hypothesis that the gradient between tcPCO2 and artPCO2 (tc-artPCO2) can detect inadequate tissue perfusion during hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Methods: This prospective animal study was performed by a qualified and experienced research team using female pigs (LWD, weighing 29–34 kg) at university-based experimental laboratory. Progressive massive hemorrhagic shock was induced in mechanically-ventilated pigs by stepwise blood withdrawal. Next, all the animals were then resuscitated by transfusing the stored blood in stages. A transcutaneous monitor was attached to the animals’ ear to measure the tcPCO2 and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2). The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and pulse index continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) were used to monitor several hemodynamic parameters. Results: Hemorrhage and blood transfusion precisely impacted hemodynamic and laboratory data, such as cardiac output (CO), stroke volume, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, global end-diastolic volume, hemoglobin, and arterial lactate. The tc-artPCO2 level markedly increased as CO decreased. In the analyses of the 42 paired measurements, there were significant correlations of tc-artPCO2 with systemic oxygen delivery (DO2) and CO (DO2: r = -0.83, CO by PAC: r = -0.79; CO by PiCCO: r = -0.74; all P < 0.0001) levels. The critical level of oxygen delivery (DO2crit) was 11.72 mL/kg/min according to tcPO2 (at a threshold of 30 mmHg). The receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that the area under the curves (AUCs) that predicted DO2crit for tc-artPCO2, shock index (SI), and lactate were 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.00); 0.78 (0.63-0.93); and 0.65 (0.47-0.82), respectively. The AUC for tc-artPCO2 was greater in predicting DO2crit than that for SI.Conclusions: tc-artPCO2 was strongly correlated with DO2 during hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. This less-invasive tc-artPCO2 monitoring can sensitively detect inadequate systemic O2 supply during hemorrhagic shock. Further evaluations are required in different forms of shock in other large animal models and in humans to assess its usefulness, safety, and ability to predict outcomes in critical illnesses.
Microbacterium Sulfonylureivorans Sp. Nov., Isolated From A Sulfonylurea Herbicides Degrading Consortium
Authors: Ma Qingyun , Kong Delong , Zhang Qi , Li Miaomiao , Han Xiaoyan , Che Juan , Zhou Yiqing , Zhang Wei , Jiang Xu , Ruan Zhiyong
Published: July 2021

A novel Gram-stain positive, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain LAM7116T, was isolated from a sulfonylurea herbicides degrading consortium enriched with the birch forest soil from Xinjiang. The optimal temperature and pH for the growth of strain LAM7116T were 35 °C and 7.0, respectively. Strain LAM7116T could grow in the presence of NaCl up to 4% (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain LAM7116T was closely related to the members of the genus Microbacterium, with the highest similarity to Microbacterium flavescens DSM 20643T (98.1%) and Microbacterium kitamiense Kitami C2T (98.1 %). Strain LAM7116T formed a distinct subclade with M. flavescens DSM 20643T within the genus Microbacterium in the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic trees. The genomic DNA G+C content of LAM7116T was 69.9 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) value between strain LAM7116T and M. flavescens DSM 20643T was 27.20 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) value was 83.96 % by comparing the draft genome sequences of strain LAM7116T and M. flavescens DSM 20643T. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C17:0 and iso-C16:0. The respiratory quinones of strain LAM7116T were MK-13 and MK-14. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified lipid and an unidentified glycolipid. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and genotypic analyses, we propose that strain LAM7116T represents a novel species, for which the name Microbacterium sulfonylureivorans sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is LAM7116T (=CGMCC 1.16620T =JCM 32823T). Strain LAM7116T secreted auxin IAA and grew well in Ashby nitrogen-free culture medium. Genomic results showed that strain LAM7116T carried the nitrogenase iron protein (nifU and nifR3) gene, which indicated that strain LAM7116T has the potential to fix nitrogen and promote plant growth. At the same time, the strain LAM7116T can degrade nicosulfuron (a kind of sulfonylurea herbicides) by using glucose as carbon source, microbial degradation of nicosulfuron is the primary process of removing nicosulfuron from environments, and biodegradation is the most effective and environmentally friendly. Microbacterium sulfonylureivorans sp. nov. LAM7116T is a potential candidate for the biofertilizers of organic agriculture areas, having broad prospects for using, and may possess potential to be used in bioremediation of nicosulfuron-contaminated environments.
Enhancement of Multilayer Perceptron Model Training Accuracy through the Optimization of Hyperparameters: A Case Study of the Quality Prediction of Injection Molded Parts
Authors: Ke Kun-Cheng , Huang Ming-Shyan
Published: July 2021

Injection molding has been broadly used in the mass production of plastic parts and must meet the requirements of efficiency and quality consistency. Machine learning can effectively predict the quality of injection molded part. However, the performance of machine learning models largely depends on the accuracy of the training. Hyperparameters such as activation functions, momentum, and learning rate are crucial to the accuracy and efficiency of model training. This research further analyzed the influence of hyperparameters on testing accuracy, explored the corresponding optimal learning rate, and provided the optimal training model for predicting the quality of injection molded parts. In this study, stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and stochastic gradient descent with momentum were used to optimize the artificial neural network model. Through optimization of these training model hyperparameters, the width testing accuracy of the injection product improved. The experimental results indicated that in the absence of momentum effects, all five activation functions can achieve more than 90% of the training accuracy with a learning rate of 0.1. Moreover, when optimized with the SGD, the learning rate of the Sigmoid activation function was 0.1, and the testing accuracy reached 95.8%. Although momentum had the least influence on accuracy, it affected the convergence speed of the Sigmoid function, which reduced the number of required learning iterations (82.4% reduction rate). Optimizing hyperparameter settings can improve the accuracy of model testing and markedly reduce training time.
Unraveling the role of oxygen vacancy in the electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethyfurfural on Co3O4
Authors: Lu Yuxuan , Liu Tianyang , Yang Chunming , Dong Chung-Li , Huang Yucheng , Li Yafei , Zhou Bo , Zhou Ling , Wu Yujie , Kong Zhijie , Yang Ming , Wu Yandong , Zhao Weixing , Zou Yuqin , Wang Shuangyin
Published: July 2021

The electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) offers a promising green route to attain high-value chemicals from biomass. The HMF electrooxidation reaction (HMFOR) is a complicated process involving the combined adsorption and coupling of organic molecules and OH- on the electrode surface. An in-depth understanding of these cooperative adsorption behaviors and reaction processes is fundamentally essential. Herein, the adsorption behavior of HMF and OH-, and the role of oxygen vacancy on Co3O4 are initially unraveled. Correspondingly, instead of the competitive adsorption of OH- and HMF on the metal sites, it is observed that the OH- could fill into oxygen vacancy (Vo) before couple with organic molecules through the lattice oxygen oxidation reaction process, which could accelerate the rate-determining step of the dehydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA) and enhance the overall conversion of HMF on Vo-Co3O4. This work sheds a depth insight on the catalytic mechanism of oxygen vacancy, which benefits designing a novel strategy to modulate the multi-molecules combined adsorption behaviors.
Sishen Pill Regulates Memory T Cells in Mice with Colitis via JAK/STAT 5 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Mengxue , Zhong Youbao , Kang Zengping , Huang Jiaqi , Wei Siyi , Zhao Haimei , Liu Duanyong , Huang Xiaoying
Published: July 2021

Background: Memory T cell (Tm) has a pivotal role as host protection in autoimmune inflammatory diseases via a JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Sishen Pill (SSP) is a classic prescription used to treat chronic ulcerative colitis (UC). However, it is still unclear whether SSP can regulate immune memory function. In this study, we examined the effect of SSP and whether it can regulate immune memory function through a JAK/STAT5 signaling pathway.Methods: Mice were randomly divided into four groups (10 mice per group): Normal group (Normal), health mice without DSS administration; DSS group (DSS), mice with DSS administration; Sishen pill treated (DSS+SSP) group, colitis mice treated with SSP for 7 days; Mesalazine controlled (DSS+5-ASA) group, colitis mice treated with mesalazine for 7 days. The therapeutic effect of SSP was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic observation; Tm and their subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry; Activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was analyzed using a Western blot.Results: SSP significantly reversed weight loss and colonic injury (colon weight increase and colonic length shortening) caused by 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Flow cytometry showed that the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ expressions on central memory T cells were enhanced after SSP treatment, while the CD4+ Tcm, CD4+ mTfh (memory T follicular helper) cells and their subpopulations were also significantly increased. Moreover, SSP inhibited the expression of STAT5 signaling pathway proteins JAK1, PIAS3, STAT5, p-STAT5, BIM, BAX, Caspase-3, and β-casein and promoted the expression of JAK3, PISA1, Bcl-2, and Caveolin-1. Conclusions: SSP can be used to effectively treat DSS-induced colitis by improving the status of immune memory via the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
Intermetallic Platinum Alloy Nanoparticles and Single Atoms Hybrid Electrocatalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Shao Minhua , Xiao Fei , Wang Qi , Xu Gui-Liang , Qin Xueping , Hwang Inhui , Sun Chengjun , Wei Hua , Wu Hsi-wen , Zhu Shangqian , Li Jin-Cheng , Wang Jiangan , Zhu Yuanming , Wu Duojie , Wei Zidong , Gu Meng , Amine Khalil
Published: July 2021

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity with zero emission1. The high cost and low durability of Pt-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction hinder its wide applications2,3. The development of non-precious metal electrocatalysts also reaches the bottleneck because of the low activity and durability4,5. Here we rationally design a hybrid electrocatalyst consisting of atomically dispersed Pt and Fe single atoms and intermetallic PtFe alloy nanoparticles. The Pt mass activity of the hybrid catalyst is 3.5 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C in a fuel cell. More importantly, the fuel cell with an ultra-low Pt loading in the cathode (0.015 mgPt cm-2) shows unprecedented durability, with 93.6% activity retention after 100,000 cycles and no noticeable current drop at 0.6 V for at least 206 h. These results highlight the importance of the synergistic effects among active sites in hybrid electrocatalysts and provide an alternative way to design more active and durable low-Pt electrocatalysts for electrochemical devices.
Optimizing the Treatment Mode for de Novo Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma with Bone-Only Metastasis
Authors: Lin Cheng , Lin Sheng , Zhu li Li , Lin jun Shao , Pan ji Jian , Xu Yun
Published: July 2021

Purpose: No standard radiotherapy regimens was established in the treatment of de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC) with bone-only metastasis. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of palliative chemotherapy (PCT) plus locoregional radiotherapy (LLRT) with or without local radiotherapy (RT) to bone metastatic lesions in mNPC, and identify the optimal candidates.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 141 de novo mNPC patients with bone-only metastasis who received at least two cycles of PCT with or without LLRT and RT to bone metastasis. The difference in survival was evaluated by the log-rank test. Univariable and multivariable analysis was made by Cox regression. Results: Patients who received PCT plus LLRT had significantly longer overall survival (OS) (45.0 months vs 13.5 months, HR = 0.30 , p = 0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS) (29.0 months vs 11.0 months, HR = 0.34, p = 0.014), especially in patients who had less than 3 metastatic bone lesions. Multivariate analysis confirmed that LRRT, more chemotherapy cycles (≥ 4) and limited number of bone metastasis (≤ 3) were favorable prognostic factors for OS. Subgroup analysis revealed that RT to metastatic bones had a tendency to prolong the survival time in the unselected population who received PCT plus LLRT (p > 0.05), while further data suggested that RT to metastatic bones dramatically improve OS (72.0 months vs 26.0 months, p = 0.002) and PFS (60.0 months vs 20.0 months, p = 0.006) for mNPC with less than 3 metastatic bone lesions.Conclusions: LLRT and RT to bone metastatic lesions followed by PCT in de novo mNPC with bone-only metastasis significantly prolonged survival in patients with less than 3 metastatic bone lesions.
A Preference Structure in Multi-attribute Decision Making – an Algorithmic Approach Based on Hesitant Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Mohanty Bhaba Krishna , Aggarwal Eshika
Published: July 2021

This paper introduces a new methodology for solving Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) problems under hesitant fuzzy environment. The uncertainty in Hesitant Fuzzy Elements (HFE) are derived by means of entropy. The resulting uncertainty is subsequently used in HFE to derive a single representative value (RV) of alternatives in each attribute. Our work transforms the RVs into their linguistic counterparts and then formulates a methodology for pairwise comparison of the alternatives via their linguistically defines RVs. The Eigen vector corresponding to maximum Eigen value of the pairwise comparison matrix prioritize the alternatives in each attribute. The priority vectors of the alternatives are aggregated to derive the weights of the attributes using Quadratic programming. The weighted aggregation of the attribute values provides the ranking of the alternatives in MADM. An algorithm is written to validate the procedure developed. The proposed methodology is compared with similar existing methods and the advantages of our method are presented. The robustness of our methodology is demonstrated through sensitivity analysis. To highlight the procedure a car purchasing problem is illustrated.
Olfm4 Is Highly Expressed In Liver Cancer Patients And As A Biomarker And Therapeutic Target For Liver Cancer
Authors: Song Qingzhu
Published: July 2021

Liver cancer is one of important cancer types causing a large number death in the world, and the incidence is still increasing. Conventional therapies against liver cancer are not satisfied and pathogenesis of liver cancer remains unclear. Thus, the more effective therapies are needed to treat liver cancers, and the discovery of key genes involving in pathogenesis of liver cancers is important for developing more effective therapies to treat liver cancer. In the present study, we found that OLFM4 blood level is higher in liver cancer patients than in healthy individuals, and mRNA expression level in liver cancer tissue than in liver paracancerous tissues. OLFM4 has high predictive capacity as a biomarker for liver cancer and closely correlated to tumor size. Importantly, it is confirmed that OLFM4 contributes to cancer cell proliferation, and HIF-1α involves in this activity. We believe that OLFM4/HIF-1α axis might be a target signaling pathway for developing novel drugs to treat liver cancer.
From Generalization of Bacon-Shor Codes to High Performance
Quantum LDPC Codes
Authors: Fan Jihao , Li Jun , Wang Ya , Li Yonghui , Hsieh Min-Hsiu , Du Jiangfeng
Published: July 2021

We utilize a concatenation scheme to construct new families of quantum error correction codes
that include the Bacon-Shor codes. We show that our scheme can lead to asymptotically good
quantum codes while Bacon-Shor codes cannot. Further, the concatenation scheme allows us to
derive quantum LDPC codes of distance Ω(N2/3/loglogN) which can improve Hastings’s recent
result [arXiv:2102.10030] by a polylogarithmic factor. Moreover, assisted by the Evra-Kaufman-
Zémor distance balancing construction, our concatenation scheme can yield quantum LDPC codes
with non-vanishing code rates and better minimum distance upper bound than the hypergraph
product quantum LDPC codes. Finally, we derive a family of fast encodable and decodable quan-
tum concatenated codes with parameters Q = [[N,Ω(√N),Ω(√N)]] and they also belong to the
Bacon-Shor codes. We show that Q can be encoded very efficiently by circuits of size O(N) and
depth O(√N), and can correct any adversarial error of weight up to half the minimum distance
bound in O(√N) time. To the best of our knowledge, they are the most powerful quantum codes
for correcting so many adversarial errors in sublinear time by far.
Serine–Arginine Protein Kinase-like Protein, SrpkF, Stimulates Both Cellobiose-responsive and D-Xylose-Responsive Signaling Pathways in Aspergillus Aculeatus
Authors: Katayama Ryohei , Kobayashi Natsumi , Kawaguchi Takashi , Tani Shuji
Published: July 2021

To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of various cellulolytic enzyme genes in Aspergillus aculeatus , we identified one mutant that reduced the expression of FIII-avicelase ( chbI ) in response to cellulose from 12,000 A . aculeatus T-DNA-inserted mutants. The T-DNA inserted into a putative protein kinase gene similar to AN10082 in A . nidulans , the serine–arginine protein kinase F, SrpkF. The fold increase in srpkF gene expression in response to various carbon sources was 2.3 (D-xylose), 44 (Avicel®), 59 (Bacto™ Tryptone), and 98 (no carbon) compared with D-glucose. The deletion of srpkF in A . aculeatus resulted in a significant reduction in the cellulose-responsive expression of chbI , hydrocellulase ( cel7b ), and FIb-xylanase ( xynIb ) genes at an early induction phase. However, the srpkF deletion did not affect the expression of xynIb in response to D-xylose. Furthermore, the srpkF -overexpressing strain that expresses the srpkF gene at levels from four- to nine-fold higher than the control strain stimulated the expression of cbhI and cel7b in response to cellobiose and the FI-carboxymethyl cellulase gene ( cmc1 ) and xynIb in response to xylose. The expression of cbhI and cel7b is regulated by a transcriptional activator, ManR, and the expression of cmc1 and xynIb is regulated by XlnR. Our data demonstrate that SrpkF can stimulate both the ManR- and XlnR-dependent signaling pathways in response to cellobiose and D-xylose in A . aculeatus .
Hydroxychloroquine Synergizes With The PI3K Inhibitor BKM120 to Exhibit Antitumor Efficacy Independent of Autophagy
Authors: Peng Xin , Zhang Shaolu , Jiao Wenhui , Zhong Zhenxing , Yang Yuqi , Claret Francois X. , Elkabets Moshe , Wang Feng , Wang Ran , Zhong Yuxu , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Kong Dexin
Published: July 2021

Background: The critical role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation in tumor cell biology has prompted massive efforts to develop PI3K inhibitors (PI3Kis) for cancer therapy. However, recent results from clinical trials have shown only a modest therapeutic efficacy of single-agent PI3Kis in solid tumors. Targeting autophagy has controversial context-dependent effects in cancer treatment. As a FDA-approved lysosomotropic agent, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been well tested as an autophagy inhibitor in preclinical models. Here, we elucidated the novel mechanism of HCQ alone or in combination with PI3Ki BKM120 in the treatment of cancer.Methods: The antitumor effects of HCQ and BKM120 on three different types of tumor cells were assessed by in vitro PrestoBlue assay, colony formation assay and in vivo zebrafish and nude mouse xenograft models. The involved molecular mechanisms were investigated by MDC staining, LC3 puncta formation assay, immunofluorescent assay, flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis and ROS, qRT-PCR, Western blot, comet assay, homologous recombination (HR) assay and immunohistochemical staining. Results: HCQ significantly sensitized cancer cells to BKM120 in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the sensitization mediated by HCQ could not be phenocopied by treatment with other autophagy inhibitors (Spautin-1, 3-MA and bafilomycin A1) or knockdown of the essential autophagy genes Atg5/Atg7, suggesting that the sensitizing effect might be mediated independent of autophagy status. Mechanistically, HCQ induced ROS production and activated the transcription factor NRF2. In contrast, BKM120 prevented the elimination of ROS by inactivation of NRF2, leading to accumulation of DNA damage. In addition, HCQ activated ATM to enhance HR repair, a high-fidelity repair for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in cells, while BKM120 inhibited HR repair by blocking the phosphorylation of ATM and the expression of BRCA1/2 and Rad51. Conclusions: Our study revealed that HCQ and BKM120 synergistically increased DSBs in tumor cells and therefore augmented apoptosis, resulting in enhanced antitumor efficacy. Our findings provide a new insight into how HCQ exhibits antitumor efficacy and synergizes with PI3Ki BKM120, and warn that one should consider the “off target” effects of HCQ when used as autophagy inhibitor in the clinical treatment of cancer.