bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Decline: A Review of Potential Vulnerability and Protective Factors
Authors: Legault Julie , Thompson Cynthia , Martineau-Dussault Marie-Ève , André Claire , Baril Andrée-Ann , Martinez Villar Guillermo , Carrier Julie , Gosselin Nadia
Published: May 2021

Around 40% of dementia risk is attributable to modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Recently, sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), have also been considered among these factors. However, despite several epidemiological studies investigating the link between OSA and cognitive decline, there is still no consensus on whether OSA increases the risk of dementia or not. Part of the heterogeneity observed in previous studies might be related to some individual characteristics that modulate the association between OSA and cognitive decline. In this narrative review, we present these individual characteristics, namely, age, sex, menopause, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, depression, air pollution, Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele, physical activity, and cognitive reserve. To date, large cohort studies of OSA and cognitive decline tended to statistically control for the effects of these variables, but whether they interact with OSA to predict cognitive decline remains to be elucidated. Being able to better predict who is at risk of cognitive decline when they have OSA would improve clinical management and treatment decisions, particularly when patients present relatively mild OSA.
Virus-Driven Carcinogenesis
Authors: Hatano Yuichiro , Ideta Takayasu , Hirata Akihiro , Hatano Kayoko , Tomita Hiroyuki , Okada Hideshi , Shimizu Masahito , Tanaka Takuji , Hara Akira
Published: May 2021

Cancer arises from the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Even in the era of precision oncology, carcinogens contributing to neoplastic process are still an important focus of research. Comprehensive genomic analyses have revealed various combinations of base substitutions, referred to as the mutational signatures, in cancer. Each mutational signature is believed to arise from specific DNA damage and repair processes, including carcinogens. However, as a type of carcinogen, tumor viruses increase the cancer risk by alternative mechanisms, including insertional mutagenesis, viral oncogenes, and immunosuppression. In this review, we summarize virus-driven carcinogenesis to provide a framework for the control of malignant cell proliferation. We first provide a brief overview of oncogenic viruses and describe their implication in virus-related tumors. Next, we describe tumor viruses (HPV, Human papilloma virus; HBV, Hepatitis B virus; HCV, Hepatitis C virus; EBV, Epstein–Barr virus; Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus; MCV, Merkel cell polyoma virus; HTLV-1, Human T-cell lymphotropic virus, type-1) and tumor virus-related cancers. Lastly, we introduce emerging tumor virus candidates, human cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and adeno-associated virus-2 (AAV-2). We expect this review to be a hub in a complex network of data for virus-associated carcinogenesis.
Circumventing Drug Treatment? Intrinsic Lethal Effects of Polyethyleneimine (PEI)-Functionalized Nanoparticles on Glioblastoma Cells Cultured in Stem Cell Conditions
Authors: Prabhakar Neeraj , Merisaari Joni , Le Joncour Vadim , Peurla Markus , Karaman Didem Şen , Casals Eudald , Laakkonen Pirjo , Westermarck Jukka , Rosenholm Jessica M.
Published: May 2021

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most frequent malignant tumor originating from the central nervous system. Despite breakthroughs in treatment modalities for other cancer types, GB remains largely irremediable due to the high degree of intratumoral heterogeneity, infiltrative growth, and intrinsic resistance towards multiple treatments. A sub-population of GB cells, glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), act as a reservoir of cancer-initiating cells and consequently, constitute a significant challenge for successful therapy. In this study, we discovered that PEI surface-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (PEI-MSNs), without any anti-cancer drug, very potently kill multiple GSC lines cultured in stem cell conditions. Very importantly, PEI-MSNs did not affect the survival of established GB cells, nor other types of cancer cells cultured in serum-containing medium, even at 25 times higher doses. PEI-MSNs did not induce any signs of apoptosis or autophagy. Instead, as a potential explanation for their lethality under stem cell culture conditions, we demonstrate that the internalized PEI-MSNs accumulated inside lysosomes, subsequently causing a rupture of the lysosomal membranes. We also demonstrate blood–brain-barrier (BBB) permeability of the PEI-MSNs in vitro and in vivo. Taking together the recent indications for the vulnerability of GSCs for lysosomal targeting and the lethality of the PEI-MSNs on GSCs cultured under stem cell culture conditions, the results enforce in vivo testing of the therapeutic impact of PEI-functionalized nanoparticles in faithful preclinical GB models.
New DNA Methylation Signals for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Risk Assessment
Authors: Cugliari Giovanni , Allione Alessandra , Russo Alessia , Catalano Chiara , Casalone Elisabetta , Guarrera Simonetta , Grosso Federica , Ferrante Daniela , Sculco Marika , La Vecchia Marta , Pirazzini Chiara , Libener Roberta , Mirabelli Dario , Magnani Corrado , Dianzani Irma , Matullo Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm. Patients are usually diagnosed when current treatments have limited benefits, highlighting the need for noninvasive tests aimed at an MPM risk assessment tool that might improve life expectancy. Three hundred asbestos-exposed subjects (163 MPM cases and 137 cancer-free controls), from the same geographical region in Italy, were recruited. The evaluation of asbestos exposure was conducted considering the frequency, the duration and the intensity of occupational, environmental and domestic exposure. A genome-wide methylation array was performed to identify novel blood DNA methylation (DNAm) markers of MPM. Multiple regression analyses adjusting for potential confounding factors and interaction between asbestos exposure and DNAm on the MPM odds ratio were applied. Epigenome-wide analysis (EWAS) revealed 12 single-CpGs associated with the disease. Two of these showed high statistical power (99%) and effect size (>0.05) after false discovery rate (FDR) multiple comparison corrections: (i) cg03546163 in FKBP5, significantly hypomethylated in cases (Mean Difference in beta values (MD) = −0.09, 95% CI = −0.12|−0.06, p = 1.2 × 10−7), and (ii) cg06633438 in MLLT1, statistically hypermethylated in cases (MD = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.04|0.10, p = 1.0 × 10−6). Based on the interaction analysis, asbestos exposure and epigenetic profile together may improve MPM risk assessment. Above-median asbestos exposure and hypomethylation of cg03546163 in FKBP5 (OR = 20.84, 95% CI = 8.71|53.96, p = 5.5 × 10−11) and hypermethylation of cg06633438 in MLLT1 (OR = 11.71, 95% CI = 4.97|29.64, p = 5.9 × 10−8) genes compared to below-median asbestos exposure and hyper/hypomethylation of single-CpG DNAm, respectively. Receiver Operation Characteristics (ROC) for Case-Control Discrimination showed a significant increase in MPM discrimination when DNAm information was added in the model (baseline model, BM: asbestos exposure, age, gender and white blood cells); area under the curve, AUC = 0.75; BM + cg03546163 at FKBP5. AUC = 0.89, 2.1 × 10−7; BM + cg06633438 at MLLT1. AUC = 0.89, 6.3 × 10−8. Validation and replication procedures, considering independent sample size and a different DNAm analysis technique, confirmed the observed associations. Our results suggest the potential application of DNAm profiles in blood to develop noninvasive tests for MPM risk assessment in asbestos-exposed subjects.
Lensoside Aβ as an Adjuvant to the Anti-Glioma Potential of Sorafenib
Authors: Maciejczyk Aleksandra , Kapral-Piotrowska Justyna , Sumorek-Wiadro Joanna , Zając Adrian , Grela Ewa , Luchowski Rafał , Gruszecki Wiesław I. , Lemieszek Marta Kinga , Wertel Iwona , Pecio Łukasz , Żuchowski Jerzy , Skalicka-Woźniak Krystyna , Pawlikowska-Pawlęga Bożena , Hułas-Stasiak Monika , Rzeski Wojciech , Rola Radosław , Jakubowicz-Gil Joanna
Published: May 2021

Aim: The anti-glioma effect of lensoside Aβ alone and in combination with sorafenib (pro-survival Raf kinase inhibitor) was evaluated for the first time in terms of programmed cell death induction in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme cell lines as an experimental model. Apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis were identified microscopically (fluorescence and scanning microscopes) and confirmed by flow cytometry (mitochondrial membrane potential MMP and cell death). The expression of apoptotic (caspase 3) and autophagic markers (beclin 1) as well as Raf kinase were estimated by immunoblotting. The FTIR method was used to determine the interaction of the studied drugs with lipid and protein groups within cells, while the modes of drug action within the cells were assessed with the FLIM technique. Results: Lensoside Aβ itself does not exhibit anti-glioma activity but significantly enhances the anti-cancer potential of sorafenib, initiating mainly apoptosis of up to 90% of cells. It was correlated with an increased level of active caspase 3, a reduced MMP value, and a lower level of Raf kinase. The interaction with membrane structures led to morphological changes typical of programmed death. Conclusions: Our results indicate that lensoside Aβ plays an important role as an adjuvant in chemotherapy with sorafenib and may be a potential candidate in anti-glioma combination therapy.
CART-Cell Therapy: Recent Advances and New Evidence in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Martino Massimo , Canale Filippo Antonio , Alati Caterina , Vincelli Iolanda Donatella , Moscato Tiziana , Porto Gaetana , Loteta Barbara , Naso Virginia , Mazza Massimiliano , Nicolini Fabio , Ghelli Luserna di Rorà Andrea , Simonetti Giorgia , Ronconi Sonia , Ceccolini Michela , Musuraca Gerardo , Martinelli Giovanni , Cerchione Claudio
Published: May 2021

Despite the improvement in survival outcomes, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) represents a new strategy for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM (R/R). In this paper, we describe several recent advances in the field of anti-BCMA CAR T-cell therapy and MM. Currently, available data on anti-BCMA CART-cell therapy has demonstrated efficacy and manageable toxicity in heavily pretreated R/R MM patients. Despite this, the main issues remain to be addressed. First of all, a significant proportion of patients eventually relapse. The potential strategy to prevent relapse includes sequential or combined infusion with CAR T-cells against targets other than BCMA, CAR T-cells with novel dual-targeting vector design, and BCMA expression upregulation. Another dark side of CART therapy is safety. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) andneurologic toxicity are well-described adverse effects. In the MM trials, most CRS events tended to be grade 1 or 2, with fewer patients experiencing grade 3 or higher. Another critical point is the extended timeline of the manufacturing process. Allo-CARs offers the potential for scalable manufacturing for on-demand treatment with shorter waiting days. Another issue is undoubtedly going to be access to this therapy. Currently, only a few academic centers can perform these procedures. Recognizing these issues, the excellent response with BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapy makes it a treatment strategy of great promise.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Diazinon with a 2D/3D Nanocomposite of Black Phosphorus/Metal Organic Framework
Authors: Hlophe Philani V. , Dlamini Langelihle N.
Published: May 2021

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for the removal and photodegradation of pesticides in water. Characteristics such as large surface area, crystalline structure and catalytic properties give MOFs an advantage over other traditional adsorbents. The application of MOFs in environmental remediation is hindered by their ability to only absorb in the UV region. Therefore, combining them with an excellent charge carrier 2D material such as black phosphorus (BP) provides an attractive composite for visible-light-driven degradation of pesticides. In the study, a nanocomposite of black phosphorus and MIL-125(Ti), defined as BpMIL, was prepared using a two-stage hydrothermal and sonication route. The as-prepared composite was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. These techniques revealed that the circular and sheet-like morphology of the nanocomposites had minimum charge recombination, allowing them to be effective photocatalysts. Furthermore, the photocatalysts exhibited extended productive utilization of the solar spectrum with inhibited recombination rate and could be applied in visible-light-driven water treatment. The photodegradation of diazinon in water was studied using a series of BpMIL (4%, 6% and 12% by mass) nanocomposites as a photocatalyst. The optimal composite was determined to be 4%BpMIL. The degradation parameters were optimized and these included photocatalyst dosage, initial diazinon concentration and pH of the solution. The optimal conditions for the removal and degradation of diazinon were: neutral pH, [diazinon] = 20 mg/L, photocatalyst dosage = 0.5 g/L, achieving 96% removal of the pesticide after 30 min with 4%BpMIL, while MIL-125(Ti) showed 40% removal. The improved photodegradation efficiency of the 4%BpMIL composite was attributed to Ti3+-Ti4+ intervalence electron transfer and the synergistic effect between MIL-125(Ti) and BP. The photodegradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 1.6 × 10−2 min−1.
Impact of Pyrolysis Oil Addition to Ethanol on Combustion in the Internal Combustion Spark Ignition Engine
Authors: Szwaja Magdalena , Chwist Mariusz , Szwaja Stanislaw , Juknelevičius Romualdas
Published: May 2021

Thermal processing (torrefaction, pyrolysis, and gasification), as a technology can provide environmentally friendly use of plastic waste. However, it faces a problem with respect to its by-products. Pyrolysis oil obtained using this technology is seen as a substance that is extremely harmful for living creatures and that needs to be neutralized. Due to its relatively high calorific value, it can be considered as a potential fuel for internal combustion spark-ignition engines. In order make the combustion process effective, pyrolysis oil is blended with ethanol, which is commonly used as a fuel for flexible fuel cars. This article presents results from combustion tests conducted on a single-cylinder research engine at full load working at 600 rpm at a compression ratio of 9.5:1, and an equivalence ratio of 1. The analysis showed improvements in combustion and engine performance. It was found that, due to the higher calorific value of the blend, the engine possessed a higher indicated mean effective pressure. It was also found that optimal spark timing for this ethanol-pyrolysis oil blend was improved at a crank angle of 2–3° at 600 rpm. In summary, ethanol-pyrolysis oil blends at a volumetric ratio of 3:1 (25% pyrolysis oil) can successfully substitute ethanol in spark-ignition engines, particularly for vehicles with flexible fuel type.
Evaluation of the Wear Resistance and Corrosion Behavior of Laser Cladding Al/SiC Metal Matrix Composite Coatings on ZE41 Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Riquelme Ainhoa , Rodrigo Pilar , Escalera-Rodriguez María Dolores , Rams Joaquín
Published: May 2021

Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles (SiCp) were deposited on ZE41 magnesium substrates by laser cladding in order to improve their tribological performance. Silicon and titanium were added to the matrix in order to avoid Al-SiC reactivity. The addition of these elements to avoid Al4C3 formation during the laser cladding fabrication was successfully explored in previous research, but the effect of these elements on the wear behavior and the corrosion resistance of these coatings has not been studied. During the fabrication process, there is dilution with the substrate that forms an Al-Mg matrix, which has an influence on the wear and corrosion behavior. Electrochemical polarization and impedance measurements in a 3.5% NaCl solution and the dry sliding conditions on a pin-on-disc tribometer were used to evaluate the different compositions of Al/SiCp coatings on the ZE41 magnesium alloy and uncoated ZE41. All of the composite coatings had lower wear rates than the substrate. However, the coatings showed worse corrosion behavior than the ZE41 substrate, although the addition of Si or Ti improves the corrosion behavior and the wear resistance.
Application of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 Enhanced the Osteogenic Differentiation and Mineralization of Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells Cultured on Deproteinized Bovine Bone
Authors: Lee Hyun-Jin , Min Sae-Kyung , Park Yoon-Hee , Park Jun-Beom
Published: May 2021

The growth of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) has been applied for tissue regeneration due to its osteoinductive properties. The aim of this research is to analyze the enhancing effects of BMP-7 on the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human bone marrow-derived stem cells cultured on the bovine bone particle. After the stem cells were loaded onto the bone graft material, their morphology was observed on day 7. Viability assays based on the application of fluorescent stains were used for qualitative analyses. Alkaline phosphatase activity assays and Alizarin red staining were used for the assessment of osteogenic differentiation on days 7 and 14. Next-generation mRNA sequencing was applied to evaluate global gene expression. Gene ontology and pathway analysis was used to propose the underlying mechanism. Fibroblast-like morphology was attained with the stem cells. The cells were shown to be firmly attached to the bone particle. Most of the stem cells produced an intense green fluorescence. The relative cellular viability assay values for BMP-7 groups at 0, 10, and 100 ng/mL on day 7 were 0.295 ± 0.003, 0.250 ± 0.002, and 0.240 ± 0.003, respectively (p < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in BMP-7 groups at concentration of 100 ng/mL compared to the control on days 7 and 14 (p < 0.05). The results of the mineralization assay showed significantly higher values for BMP-7 groups at 100 ng/mL concentration when compared with the control (p < 0.05). The expression of RUNX2 was increased with application of BMP-7 and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway was associated with the target genes. Overall, this study shows that in vitro application of BMP-7 increases alkaline phosphorylase activity and mineralization of stem cells culture on deproteinized bovine bone mineral. The study suggests that combining stem cells with osteoinductive growth factors with scaffolds can have synergy effects on osteogenic differentiation.
Electron-Beam Deposition of Aluminum Nitride and Oxide Ceramic Coatings for Microelectronic Devices
Authors: Yushkov Yury G. , Oks Efim M. , Tyunkov Andrey V. , Yushenko Alexey Yu , Zolotukhin Denis B.
Published: May 2021

This work presents the results of the coating deposition by electron-beam evaporation of aluminum nitride and aluminum oxide targets in nitrogen and oxygen atmospheres in the forevacuum range (5–30 Pa). The method we employed is a combination of the electron-beam and plasma methods, since in the mentioned pressure range, the electron beam creates plasma that essentially changes the interaction picture of both the electron beam with the ceramic target and the flux of evaporated material with a substrate. We show a possibility of depositing such coatings on monolithic microwave integrated circuits passivated by Si3N4 dielectric.
Micromagnetic Simulation of Round Ferromagnetic Nanodots with Varying Roughness and Symmetry
Authors: Steinmetz Pia , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: May 2021

Magnetic nanodots are of high interest for basic research due to their broad spectrum of possible magnetic states and magnetization reversal processes. Besides, they are of technological interest since they can be applied in magnetic data storage, especially if vortex states occur in closed dots or open rings. While producing such nanorings and nanodots from diverse magnetic materials by lithographic techniques is quite common nowadays, these production technologies are naturally prone to small deviations of the borders of these nanoparticles. Here we investigate the influence of well-defined angular-dependent roughness of the edges, created by building the nanoparticles from small cubes, on the resulting hysteresis loops and magnetization reversal processes in five different round nanodots with varying open areas, from a thin ring to a closed nanodot. By varying the orientation of the external magnetic field, the impact of the angle-dependent roughness can be estimated. Especially for the thinnest ring, significant dependence of the transverse magnetization component on the field orientation can be found.
Effect of Doping of Cd1−xZnxS/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots in Negative Dielectric Anisotropy Nematic Liquid Crystal p-Methoxybenzylidene p-Decylaniline
Authors: Rastogi Ayushi , Pandey Fanindra , Manohar Rajiv , Singh Shri
Published: May 2021

We report the effect of the doping of Cd1−xZnxS/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (CSQDs) in nematic liquid crystal p-methoxybenzylidene p-decylaniline (MBDA) at 0.05 wt/wt%, 0.1 wt/wt%, 0.15 wt/wt%, 0.2 wt/wt%, 0.25 wt/wt%, and 0.3 wt/wt% concentrations of CSQDs in MBDA. Dielectric parameters with and without bias with respect to frequency have been investigated. The change in electro-optical parameters with temperature has also been demonstrated. The increase in the mean dielectric permittivity was found due to the large dipole moment of CSQDs, which impose stronger interactions with the liquid crystal molecules. The dielectric anisotropy changes sign on doping CSQDs in MBDA liquid crystal. It was concluded that the CSQD doping noticeably increased the dielectric permittivity of nematic MBDA in the presence of an electric field. The doping of CSQDs in nematic MBDA liquid crystal reduced the ion screening effect effectively. This phenomenon is attributed to the competition between the generated ionic impurities during the assembling process and the ion trapping effect of the CSQDs. The rotational viscosity of nematic liquid crystal decreased with increasing concentration of the CSQDs, with a faster response time observed for the 0.05 wt/wt% concentration. The birefringence of the doped system increased with the inclusion of CSQDs in MBDA. These results find application in the field of display devices, phase shifters, LC—gratings, TIR waveguide, industries, and projectors.
π-Extended Boron Difluoride [NՈNBF2] Complex, Crystal Structure, Liquid NMR, Spectral, XRD/HSA Interactions: A DFT and TD-DFT Study
Authors: Alsimaree Abdulrahman A. , Alsenani Nawaf. I. , Alatawi Omar Mutlaq , AlObaid Abeer A. , Knight Julian Gary , Messali Mouslim , Zarrouk Abdelkader , Warad Ismail
Published: May 2021

The novel tetrahedral 10-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,8-diethyl-5,5-difluoro-1,3,7,9-tetramethyl-5H-di-pyrrolo[1,2-c:2’,1’-f][1,3,2]diazaborinin-4-ium-5-uide [NՈNBF2] BODIPY complex was prepared in a very good yield and via one-pot synthesis. The desired [NՈNBF2] has been used as a model complex for XRD/HSA interactions and DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) computations. The tetrahedral geometry around the boron center was demonstrated by DFT optimization and XRD-crystallography. The 1H, 11B, and 19F-NMR spectra were used also to support the high symmetrical BODIPY via π-extended phenomena. Moreover, the values of the DFT-calculated structural bond lengths/angles and DFT-IR were matched to the corresponding experimental XRD and IR parameters, respectively. The crystal lattice interactions were correlated to Hirshfeld surface analysis (HSA) calculations. Calculations of the Mulliken Atomic Charge (MAC), Natural Population Analysis (NPA), Global reactivity descriptors (GRD), and Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) quantum parameters were performed to support the XRD/HSA interactions result. Analysis of the predicted Density of States (DOS), molecular orbital, and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations have been combined to explain the experimental UV-vis spectra and electron transfer behavior in [NՈNBF2] complex using MeOH and other four solvents.
Effect of the Inlet Boundary Conditions on the Flow over Complex Terrain Using Large Eddy Simulation
Authors: Wang Yi , Vita Giulio , Fraga Bruño , Wang Jianchun , Hemida Hassan
Published: May 2021

For large eddy simulation, it is critical to choose the suitable turbulent inlet boundary condition as it significantly affects the calculated flow field. In this paper, the effect of different inlet boundary conditions, including random method (RAND), Lund method, and divergence-free synthetic eddies method (DFSEM), on the flow in a channel with a hump are investigated through large-eddy simulation. The simulation results are further compared with experimental data. It has been found that turbulence is nearly fully developed in the case based on the Lund method, not fully developed in the case based on DFSEM, and not developed in the case based on the RAND method. In the flow region before the hump, mean velocity profiles in the case applying the Lund method gradually fit the law of the wall as the main flow moves towards the hump, but the simulation results based on the RAND and DFSEM methods cannot fit the wall function. In the flow region after the hump, cases applying Lund and DFSEM methods could relative precisely predict the size of turbulent bubble and turbulent statistics profiles. Meanwhile, the case based on the RAND method cannot capture the positions of flow separation and re-attachment point and overestimates the turbulent bubble size. From this research, it could be found that different turbulent inflow generation methods have a manifested impact on the flow separation and re-attachment after the hump. If the coherent turbulence is maintained in the approach flow, even though turbulent intensity is not large enough, the simulation can still predict the flow separation and turbulent bubble size relative precisely.
Structural Imaging Characteristic, Clinical Features and Risk Factors of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Analysis from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan
Authors: Bano Safia , Farooq Muhammad , Nazir Sarwat , Aslam Ayesha , Tariq Adnan , Javed Muhammad , Rehman Habib , Numan Ahsan
Published: May 2021

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare cause of stroke that accounts for 0.5–1.0% of all strokes. Clinical presentation, predisposing factors, neuroimaging findings, and outcomes of CVST are extremely diverse, which causes a high index of suspicion in diagnosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of CVST is crucial for prompt treatment to prevent morbidity and mortality. Objective: The purpose of this prospective study is aimed at assessing the clinical characteristics, potential risk factors, and neuro-radiological features along with the topography of venous sinus involved in CVST patients in a tertiary care hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Material and Methods: Consecutive patients enrolled in this study had a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) along with a clinical presentation to confirm the diagnosis of CVST. Categorical data were presented as percentages. Continuous variable and categorical data were compared (parenchymal lesions vs. non-parenchymal lesions) using the Student’s t-test and Chi-square test, respectively. Results: A total of 3261 patients with stroke were presented during the study period. Out of all patients, 53 confirmed patients with CVST (1.6%) were recruited; the predominant population was female (84.91%), having a male to female ratio of 1:4. Mean age of the cohort was 28.39 ± 7.19 years. Most frequent symptoms observed were headache (92.45%) followed by vomiting (75.47%), seizures (62.26%), papilledema (54.72%), visual impairment (41.51%), and altered consciousness disturbance (52.83%). The presumed risk factors associated with CVST were puerperium (52.83%), use of oral contraceptives (13.21%), antiphospholipid syndrome (7.55%), elevated serum levels of protein C and S (5.66%), and CNS infection (3.77%). On cranial CT scans, 50 patients (94.33%) showed abnormalities while 32 patients exhibited various parenchymal lesions. Seizures were more frequent in CVST patients with parenchymal lesions compared with subjects lacking parenchymal lesions. Seventy-two sinuses, either single or in combination, were involved in CVST patients, being more common in patients with parenchymal lesions than those without parenchymal lesions. The most frequent locations of CVST were the superior sagittal and transverse sinus. Conclusion: In short, non-contrast CT brain may be used as a first line investigation in suspected cases of CVST. Our study also demonstrates some regional differences in the clinical features, risk factors, and neuroimaging details of CVST as described by some other studies. Therefore, care must be taken while diagnosing and predicting the outcome of the CVST.
Using Anti-Malondialdehyde Modified Peptide Autoantibodies to Import Machine Learning for Predicting Coronary Artery Stenosis in Taiwanese Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Hsu Yu-Cheng , Tsai I-Jung , Hsu Hung , Hsu Po-Wen , Cheng Ming-Hui , Huang Ying-Li , Chen Jin-Hua , Lei Meng-Huan , Lin Ching-Yu
Published: May 2021

Machine learning (ML) algorithms have been applied to predicting coronary artery disease (CAD). Our purpose was to utilize autoantibody isotypes against four different unmodified and malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified peptides among Taiwanese with CAD and healthy controls (HCs) for CAD prediction. In this study, levels of MDA, MDA-modified protein (MDA-protein) adducts, and autoantibody isotypes against unmodified peptides and MDA-modified peptides were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To improve the performance of ML, we used decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) coupled with five-fold cross validation and parameters optimization. Levels of plasma MDA and MDA-protein adducts were higher in CAD patients than in HCs. IgM anti-IGKC76–99 MDA and IgM anti-A1AT284–298 MDA decreased the most in patients with CAD compared to HCs. In the experimental results of CAD prediction, the decision tree classifier achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81; the random forest classifier achieved an AUC of 0.94; the support vector machine achieved an AUC of 0.65 for differentiating between CAD patients with stenosis rates of 70% and HCs. In this study, we demonstrated that autoantibody isotypes imported into machine learning algorithms can lead to accurate models for clinical use.
Identification and Quantification of Anti-Gp.Mur Antibodies in Human Serum Using an Insect-Cell-Based System
Authors: Lamis Robert John S. , Chiueh Tsong-Shi , Tsai Chih-Hsuan , Lo Huei-Ru , Wei Sung-Chan , Chao Yu-Chan
Published: May 2021

Gp.Mur is a clinically relevant antigen of the MNS blood group system that is highly prevalent in several Asian populations. Its corresponding antibody, anti-Gp.Mur, has been implicated in hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Currently, identifying and confirming anti-Gp.Mur antibody presence in sera via agglutination of a panel of red blood cells (RBCs) is inefficient and difficult to quantify. Using a baculovirus expression system to express Gp.Mur antigen on insect cell surfaces, we have developed a quantitative cell-based system to confirm the presence of anti-Gp.Mur antibody in human serum. We obtained 10 serum samples preidentified as having anti-Gp.Mur antibody and another 4 samples containing noncorresponding antibodies from hospital patients. Insect cells displaying Gp.Mur antigen successfully adsorbed anti-Gp.Mur antibody in the sera and inhibited the RBC agglutination mediated by this antibody. By varying the concentration of Gp.Mur-displaying cells, we could grade levels of RBC agglutination by anti-Gp.Mur antibody. Densitometric analysis further enabled quantitative determinations of hemagglutination inhibition by Gp.Mur-displaying cells. We believe that this cell-based hemagglutination inhibition system greatly improves or supplements existing technology and is a convenient means for accurately identifying and quantifying anti-Gp.Mur antibody.
On the Dominant Factors of Civilian-Use Drones: A Thorough Study and Analysis of Cross-Group Opinions Using a Triple Helix Model (THM) with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)
Authors: Fu Chen-Hua , Tsao Ming-Wen , Chi Li-Pin , Zhuang Zheng-Yun
Published: May 2021

This study explores the experts’ opinions during the consultation stage before law-making for civilian drones. A thorough literature study is first undertaken to have the set of influencing factors that should be suitable for the investigation from the perspective of designing and selecting civilian drones. Several rounds of surveys using the Delphi method, followed by an analytic hierarchy process (AHP), are performed to conform to the organized tree structure of constructs and factors and to obtain the knowledge about the opinions of the expert groups, with the expert sample being intentionally partitioned into three opinion groups at the beginning: academia (A), industry (I), and research institutes (R). Doing so facilitates a “mind-mining” process using the triple helix model (THM), while the opinions across the groups can also be visualized and compared. This exploits a new set of knowledge for the design and selection of civilian drones on a scientific yet empirical basis, and the observed differences and similarities among the groups may benefit their future negotiations to propose the drafts for regulating the design, manufacturing, and uses of civilian drones. As several significant implications and insights are also drawn and gained from the abovementioned results eventually, some possible research directions are worthwhile. The proposed hybrid methodological flow is another novelty.
Application of Technological Processes to Create a Unitary Model for Energy Recovery from Municipal Waste
Authors: Sidełko Robert
Published: May 2021

The subject matter of this paper is the functioning of a highly effective waste management system. Assumptions of the Energy Recovery Waste Processing (ERWP) model, being a universal solution for towns and regions irrespective of their population, are presented here. The result of simulations illustrating the energetic potential of municipal waste stored and processed in biological and physicochemical processes are also presented. Calculations were performed for the municipality of Koszalin (Poland), with a population of 106,000. Mixed household and commercial waste, organic waste, waste from selective collection and sewage sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant were considered in the waste mass balance. Empirical equations and unit coefficients describing the energetic efficiency of particular processes originating from the author’s own research work as well as from the results available from the scientific literature were used in the calculations. The developed ERWP model is based on the functioning of four objects constituting a comprehensive technical infrastructure, i.e., biological stabilisation in air condition (BSAC), mechanical treatment plant (MTP), cogeneration system plant (CSP) and gas production plant (GPP) where two independent modules operate, namely, dry/wet methane fermentation (DMF and WMF). Each day, this system generates highly energetic refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for combustion in amounts of 82.2 t for CSP and 127.3 t for GPP, generating 5519 m3 of gas/d. The value of the energy contained in such generated gas and in waste making up an alternative fuel is 1027.4 GJ, which is equivalent to 285.4 MWh. It should be noted that the creation of a waste management system based on the ERWP model assumptions fulfills the criteria of energetic recycling and allows for recovery of energy in the form of gas and heat equivalent to 79,917.6 MWh/a, i.e., 754 kWh/inhabitant/a.
Shifts in Lichen Species and Functional Diversity in a Primeval Forest Ecosystem as a Response to Environmental Changes
Authors: Łubek Anna , Kukwa Martin , Jaroszewicz Bogdan , Czortek Patryk
Published: May 2021

Research highlights: shifts in the composition and functional diversity of lichen biota reflect changes in the environment caused by climate warming and eutrophication. Background and objectives: studies on lichen functional diversity and refinement in the functional traits of lichen biota under the pressure of changing environmental factors are currently of great scientific interest. The obtained results are interpreted in relation to specific habitat properties and their modifications due to the potential effects of climate change and atmospheric pollution. The aim of the work was to investigate changes in lichen species composition and functional diversity, as well as to identify factors responsible for them at different forest ecosystem scales. Materials and Methods: we identified factors responsible for changes in lichen biota in a unique Białowieża Forest ecosystem by analyzing shifts in species optima and functional diversity at the forest community, tree phorophyte, and substrate levels. We examined individual lichen species’ responses and temporal shifts in the species composition for each historical and resampled dataset using a community-weighted means of functional lichen traits and Wirth ecological indicator values. Results: the most evident change took place at the level of individual species, which shifted their realized optima: 25 species demonstrated a shift to co-occur with lichens of higher nitrogen demands, 15 demonstrated higher light demands, 14 demonstrated higher temperature preferences, and six demonstrated lower moisture preferences. At the level of forest communities, biota shifted towards the higher proportion of nitrogen-demanding and the lower proportion of moisture-demanding species. At the level of phorophyte species, biota changed towards an increased proportion of lichens of higher temperature preferences. For the substrate level, no directional shifts in lichen species composition were found. Conclusions: climate change has influenced lichen biota in Białowieża Forest, but the main driver of lichen species composition was found to be eutrophication. We suppose that other overlapping factors may contribute to biota shifts, e.g., the extinction and expansion of phorophyte tree species.
Pinus Pollen Emission Patterns in Different Bioclimatic Areas of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Fernández-González María , Lara Beatriz , González-Fernández Estefanía , Rojo Jesús , Pérez-Badia Rosa , Rodríguez-Rajo Fco. Javier
Published: May 2021

Background: In the Northern Hemisphere, pine forests predominate due to their natural distribution and silvicultural importance. Pinus tree species are large pollen producers. Nowadays, the context of climate change influences their distribution, abundance, growth and productivity. The objectives of the study were to assess the patterns of the Pinus flowering behavior regarding their pollen presence in the atmosphere and intensity in different bioclimatic areas of the Iberian Peninsula during recent years. Methods: The survey was carried out in three different biogeographic zones of Spain: Vigo (Eurosiberian region) and Ourense (transition area between the Eurosiberian and Mediterranean areas) located in northwest Spain and Toledo (Mediterranean area) placed in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. Airborne pollen was collected with volumetric traps in each study area from 1995 to 2019. Results: Pinus pollen showed a marked single pollination period during late March in the Eurosiberian region and April in the transition zone between the Eurosiberian and the Mediterranean area. Two different peaks with lower pollen intensity were detected during the pollen season in Toledo (Mediterranean area), the first during late March and the second from the end of May to the beginning of June. The trends detected revealed changes in the timing of the phenological cycle, such us longer pollen seasons and later end dates of the Main Pollen Season (MPS) in some cases. The mean Annual Pollen Integral (API) in the Eurosiberian area (Vigo) and transition zone (Ourense) was similar, with about 4400 pollen grains. In the Mediterranean area (Toledo), a lower API amount of 1618 pollen grains was recorded. A trend towards an increase of 126 and 80 pollen grains per year in the airborne pine load was detected in the transition and Mediterranean areas studied, respectively. Conclusions: The rates of the annual integral Pinus pollen percentage with respect to the total pollen of forest species in the atmosphere of the areas studied showed a decreasing percentage trend during the last years.
Study on the Law of Pseudo-Cavitation on Superhydrophobic Surface in Turbulent Flow Field of Backward-Facing Step
Authors: Lv Xuecheng , Wu Wei-Tao , Lv Jizu , Mao Ke , Gao Linsong , Li Yubai
Published: May 2021

Superhydrophobic surface is regarded as important topic in the field of thermal fluids today due to its unique features on flow drag reduction and heat transfer enhancement. In this study, the pseudo-cavitation phenomenon on the superhydrophobic surface in the backward-facing step turbulent flow field is observed through experiments. The underlying reason for this phenomenon is studied with experimental observation and analysis, and the time variant mechanisms of this phenomenon with various Reynolds number is summarized. The research results indicate that the superhydrophobic surface and the backward-facing step provide the material basis and dynamic condition for the generation of pseudo-cavitation. The pseudo-cavitation induces a large bubble on the superhydrophobic surface below the backward-facing step. The size, position, shape, oscillation amplitude, detachment, and splitting of the large bubble show regularity with the changes of Reynolds number. Meanwhile, the bubble growth, oscillation, detachment, split, and regeneration over time also show regularity. The study of bubble generation and development laws can be used to better control the perturbation of the flow field. Importantly, the present study has meaning in better understanding the flow mechanisms and gas coverage of superhydrophobic surface under condition of backward-facing step, paving the way for studying the flow drag reduction effect of superhydrophobic surface.
Cultivating Positive Health, Learning, and Community: The Return of Mesoamerica’s Quetzalcoatl and the Venus Star
Authors: Garcia Santiago Andrés , Márquez Claudia Itzel
Published: May 2021

For more than 3500 years, since Olmec times (1500–400 BC), the peoples of Mesoamerica have shared with one another a profound way of living involving a deep understanding of the human body and of land and cosmology. As it stands, healing ways of knowing that depend on medicinal plants, the Earth’s elements, and knowledge of the stars are still intact. The Indigenous Xicana/o/xs who belong to many of the mobile tribes of Mesoamerica share a long genealogical history of cultivating and sustaining their Native American rituals, which was weakened in Mexico and the United States during various periods of colonization. This special edition essay sheds light on the story of Quetzalcoatl and the Venus Star as a familial place of Xicana/o/x belonging and practice. To do so, we rely on the archaeological interpretation of these two entities as one may get to know them through artifacts, monuments, and ethnographic accounts, of which some date to Mesoamerica’s Formative period (1500–400 BC). Throughout this paper, ancestral medicine ways are shown to help cultivate positive health, learning, and community. Such cosmic knowledge is poorly understood, yet it may further culturally relevant education and the treatment of the rampant health disparities in communities of Mesoamerican ancestry living in the United States. The values of and insights into Indigenous Xicana/o/x knowledge and identity conclude this essay.
A Genetic Study of Cerebral Atherosclerosis Reveals Novel Associations with NTNG1 and CNOT3
Authors: Vattathil Selina M. , Liu Yue , Harerimana Nadia V. , Lori Adriana , Gerasimov Ekaterina S. , Beach Thomas G. , Reiman Eric M. , De Jager Philip L. , Schneider Julie A. , Bennett David A. , Seyfried Nicholas T. , Levey Allan I. , Wingo Aliza P. , Wingo Thomas S.
Published: May 2021

Cerebral atherosclerosis is a leading cause of stroke and an important contributor to dementia. Yet little is known about its genetic basis. To examine the association of common single nucleotide polymorphisms with cerebral atherosclerosis severity, we conducted a genomewide association study (GWAS) using data collected as part of two community-based cohort studies in the United States, the Religious Orders Study (ROS) and Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP). Both studies enroll older individuals and exclude participants with signs of dementia at baseline. From our analysis of 1325 participants of European ancestry who had genotype and neuropathologically assessed cerebral atherosclerosis measures available, we found a novel locus for cerebral atherosclerosis in NTNG1. The locus comprises eight SNPs, including two independent significant SNPs: rs6664221 (β = −0.27, 95% CI = (−0.35, −0.19), p = 1.29 × 10−10) and rs10881463 (β = −0.20, 95% CI = (−0.27, −0.13), p = 3.40 × 10−8). We further found that the SNPs may influence cerebral atherosclerosis by regulating brain protein expression of CNOT3. CNOT3 is a subunit of CCR4−NOT, which has been shown to be a master regulator of mRNA stability and translation and an important complex for cholesterol homeostasis. In summary, we identify a novel genetic locus for cerebral atherosclerosis and a potential mechanism linking this variation to cerebral atherosclerosis progression. These findings offer insights into the genetic effects on cerebral atherosclerosis.
Robust Response to Plum pox virus Infection via Plant Biotechnology
Authors: Ravelonandro Michel , Briard Pascal , Scorza Ralph , Callahan Ann , Zagrai Ioan , Kundu Jiban K. , Dardick Chris
Published: May 2021

Our goal was to target silencing of the Plum pox virus coat protein (PPV CP) gene independently expressed in plants. Clone C-2 is a transgenic plum expressing CP. We introduced and verified, in planta, the effects of the inverse repeat of CP sequence split by a hairpin (IRSH) that was characterized in the HoneySweet plum. The IRSH construct was driven by two CaMV35S promoter sequences flanking the CP sequence and had been introduced into C1738 plum. To determine if this structure was enough to induce silencing, cross-hybridization was made with the C1738 clone and the CP expressing but PPV-susceptible C2 clone. In total, 4 out of 63 clones were silenced. While introduction of the IRSH is reduced due to the heterozygous character in C1738 plum, the silencing induced by the IRSH PPV CP is robust. Extensive studies, in greenhouse containment, demonstrated that the genetic resource of C1738 clone can silence the CP production. In addition, these were verified through the virus transgene pyramiding in the BO70146 BlueByrd cv. plum that successfully produced resistant BlueByrd BO70146 × C1738 (HybC1738) hybrid plums.