bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in ACE, ACE2, AGTR1 genes and severity of COVID-19 disease
Authors: Sabater Molina Maria , Nicolás Rocamora Elisa , Bendicho Asunción Iborra , Vázquez Elisa García , Zorio Esther , Rodriguez Fernando Domínguez , Gil Ortuño Cristina , Rodríguez Ana Isabel , Sánchez-López Antonio J. , Jara Rubio Rubén , Moreno-Docón Antonio , Marcos Pedro J. , García Pavía Pablo , Villa Roberto Barriales , Gimeno Blanes Juan R.
Published: February 2022

Background

Infection by the SARS-Cov-2 virus produces in humans a disease of highly variable and unpredictable severity. The presence of frequent genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the population might lead to a greater susceptibility to infection or an exaggerated inflammatory response. SARS-CoV-2 requires the presence of the ACE2 protein to enter in the cell and ACE2 is a regulator of the renin-angiotensin system. Accordingly, we studied the associations between 8 SNPs from AGTR1, ACE2 and ACE genes and the severity of the disease produced by the SARS-Cov-2 virus.

Methods

318 (aged 59.6±17.3 years, males 62.6%) COVID-19 patients were grouped based on the severity of symptoms: Outpatients (n = 104, 32.7%), hospitalized on the wards (n = 73, 23.0%), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (n = 84, 26.4%) and deceased (n = 57, 17.9%). Comorbidity data (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, lung disease and cancer) were collected for adjustment. Genotype distribution of 8 selected SNPs among the severity groups was analyzed.

Results

Four SNPs in ACE2 were associated with the severity of disease. While rs2074192 andrs1978124showed a protector effectassuming an overdominant model of inheritance (G/A vs. GG-AA, OR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.12–0.82; p = 0.016 and A/G vs. AA-GG, OR = 0.37, 95%CI: 0.14–0.96; p = 0.038, respectively); the SNPs rs2106809 and rs2285666were associated with an increased risk of being hospitalized and a severity course of the disease with recessive models of inheritance (C/C vs. T/C-T/T, OR = 11.41, 95% CI: 1.12–115.91; p = 0.012) and (A/A vs. GG-G/A, OR = 12.61, 95% CI: 1.26–125.87; p = 0.0081). As expected, an older age (OR = 1.47), male gender (OR = 1.98) and comorbidities (OR = 2.52) increased the risk of being admitted to ICU or death vs more benign outpatient course. Multivariable analysis demonstrated the role of the certain genotypes (ACE2) with the severity of COVID-19 (OR: 0.31, OR 0.37 for rs2074192 and rs1978124, and OR = 2.67, OR = 2.70 for rs2106809 and rs2285666, respectively). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in hospitalized group for I/D SNP in ACE was not showed (p<0.05), which might be due to the association with the disease. No association between COVID-19 disease and the different AGTR1 SNPs was evidenced on multivariable, nevertheless the A/A genotype for rs5183 showed an higher hospitalization risk in patients with comorbidities.

Conclusions

Different genetic variants in ACE2 were associated with a severe clinical course and death groups of patients with COVID-19. ACE2 common SNPs in the population might modulate severity of COVID-19 infection independently of other known markers like gender, age and comorbidities.
Malaria treatment-seeking behaviour and its associated factors: A cross-sectional study in rural East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia
Authors: Guntur Robertus Dole , Kingsley Jonathan , Islam Fakir M. Amirul
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The World Health Organization recommends seeking medical treatment within 24 hours after transmission of malaria to reduce the risk of severe complications and its onwards spread. However, in some parts of Indonesia, including East Nusa Tenggara Province (ENTP), this adherence is not achieved for a range of reasons including delays in visiting health centres. This study aims to determine factors related to the poor understanding of appropriate malaria treatment-seeking behaviour (AMTSB) of rural adults in ENTP. AMTSB was defined as seeking treatment at professional health facilities within 24 hours of the onset of malaria symptoms.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the East Sumba, Belu, and East Manggarai district of ENTP between October and December 2019. A multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was applied to enrol 1503 participants aged between 18 and 89 years of age. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess significant factors associated with the poor understanding of AMTSB.

Results

Eighty-six percent of participants were found to be familiar with the term malaria. However, poor understanding level of AMTSB in rural adults of ENTP achieved 60.4% with a 95% confidence interval (CI): 56.9–63.8. Poor understanding of AMTSB was significantly higher for adults with no education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.42, 95% CI: 1.81, 6.48) compared to those with a diploma or above education level; having low SES (AOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.96) compared to those having high SES; residing at least three kilometres (km) away from the nearest health facilities (AOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.5) compared to those living within one km from the nearest health service; and working as farmer (AOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.01–2.63) compared to those working at government or non-government sector. Whilst, other factors such as ethnicity and family size were not associated with the poor understanding of AMTSB.

Conclusion

The proportion of rural adults having a poor understanding of AMTSB was high leading to ineffective implementation of artemisinin-based combination therapies as the method to treat malaria in ENTP. Improving awareness of AMTSB for rural adults having low level education, low SES, working as a farmer, and living at least three km from the nearest health facilities is critical to support the efficacy of malaria treatment in ENTP. This method will support the Indonesian government’s objective to achieve malaria elimination by 2030.
Sprint performance and force application of tennis players during manual wheelchair propulsion with and without holding a tennis racket
Authors: Alberca Ilona , Chénier Félix , Astier Marjolaine , Watelain Éric , Vallier Jean-Marc , Pradon Didier , Faupin Arnaud
Published: February 2022

The objective of this exploratory research is to study the impact of holding a tennis racket while propelling a wheelchair on kinetic and temporal parameters in a field-based environment. 13 experienced wheelchair tennis players with disabilities (36.1 ± 8.2 years, 76.8 ± 15.3 kg, 174.8 ± 17.1 cm) classified between 30/8 and first series performed two 20 m sprints in a straight line, on a tennis court: one while holding a tennis racket and the second without a tennis racket. They used their own sports wheelchair. Potential participants were excluded if they had injuries or pain that impaired propulsion. Maximal total force, maximal propulsive moment, rate of rise, maximal power output, push and cycle times and maximal velocity were measured. Sprinting while holding a tennis racket increased the cycle time by 0,051 s and push time by 0,011s. Sprinting while holding a tennis racket decreased the maximal propulsive moment, maximal power output, rate of rise and maximal velocity during propulsion by 6.713 N/m, 151.108 W, 672.500 N/s and 0.429 m/s, respectively. Our results suggest that the biomechanical changes observed associated with racket propulsion are generally in a direction that would be beneficial for the risk of injury. But sprinting holding a racket seems to decrease players propulsion performance. Working on forward accelerations with a tennis racket would be a line of work for coaches.
Quantity bias in comparison-shopping of multi-item baskets
Authors: Niswanger Ross , Walden Eric
Published: February 2022

Comparison-shopping applications are widespread and have been the subject of considerable research and development. There has also been widespread recognition that people are predictably irrational when making shopping decisions. In this work, we combine these two facts to propose a new type of predicable irrational behavior that has important implications for comparison-shopping applications that now utilize crowdsourcing to increase the information provided about sellers in these electronic marketplaces. In a series of three studies we demonstrate that, even after controlling for relative and absolute savings, the number of items in a shopping trip is an important consideration in the decision to make a trip to more than one store. This is true of both actual trips in physical shopping in the real world, and virtual trips to other vendors in online shopping. We term this effect quantity bias.
Association of ankle-brachial index with cognitive decline in patients with lacunar infarction
Authors: Nakamori Masahiro , Matsushima Hayato , Tachiyama Keisuke , Hayashi Yuki , Imamura Eiji , Mizoue Tatsuya , Wakabayashi Shinichi
Published: February 2022

Atherosclerosis is an important risk factor for cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with cognitive function in patients with lacunar infarction. We included records of consecutive patients with their first-ever acute stroke and a diagnosis of lacunar infarction through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2018. We excluded patients diagnosed with dementia, including strategic single-infarct dementia, before or after stroke onset. Moreover, we excluded patients with one or more microbleeds, severe white matter lesions, or severe medial temporal atrophy on MRI. For ABI, we used the lower ankle side and divided the results into ABI < 1.0 and ABI ≥ 1.0. For baPWV, we used the higher ankle side and divided the results into two groups based on the median value of the participants. We analyzed 176 patients with stroke (age 72.5 ± 11.4 years, 67 females). The median score on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was 27. The number of patients with ABI < 1.0 was 19 (10.8%). Univariate analysis revealed that the MMSE score was associated with age, body mass index, education, chronic kidney disease, periventricular hyperintensity, and ABI < 1.0 (p < 0.10), but not baPWV. Multivariate analysis revealed that body mass index (p = 0.039) and ABI < 1.0 (p = 0.015) were independently associated with the MMSE score. For patients with lacunar infarction, a lower ABI, but not a higher PWV, was associated with cognitive decline.
Using multiple linear regression and BP neural network to predict critical meteorological conditions of expressway bridge pavement icing
Authors: Han Shuo , Xu Jinliang , Yan Menghua , Liu Zhaoxin
Published: February 2022

Icy bridge deck in winter has tremendous consequences for expressway traffic safety, which is closely related to the bridge pavement temperature. In this paper, the critical meteorological conditions of icy bridge deck were predicted by multiple linear regression and BP neural network respectively. Firstly, the main parameters affecting the bridge pavement temperature were determined by Pearson partial correlation analysis based on the three-year winter meteorological data of the traffic meteorological monitoring station on the bridge in Shandong province. Secondly, the bridge pavement temperature is selected as the dependent variable, while air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, dew point temperature, wet bulb temperature and wind cold temperature were selected as independent variables, and the bridge pavement temperature prediction models of linear regression and 5-layer hidden layer classical BP neural network regression were established respectively based on whether the variables are linear or not. Finally, the prediction accuracy of the above models was compared by using the measured data. The results show that the linear regression model could be established only with air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, owing to collinearity problem. Compared with multiple linear regression model, the predicted value of the BP neural network has a higher degree of fitting with the measured data, and the coefficient of determination reaches 0.7929. Using multiple linear regression and BP neural network, the critical meteorological conditions of bridge deck icing in winter can be effectively predicted even when the sample size is insufficient.
Recombinant Lloviu virus as a tool to study viral replication and host responses
Authors: Hume Adam J. , Heiden Baylee , Olejnik Judith , Suder Ellen L. , Ross Stephen , Scoon Whitney A. , Bullitt Esther , Ericsson Maria , White Mitchell R. , Turcinovic Jacquelyn , Thao Tran T. N. , Hekman Ryan M. , Kaserman Joseph E. , Huang Jessie , Alysandratos Konstantinos-Dionysios , Toth Gabor E. , Jakab Ferenc , Kotton Darrell N. , Wilson Andrew A. , Emili Andrew , Thiel Volker , Connor John H. , Kemenesi Gabor , Cifuentes Daniel , Mühlberger Elke
Published: February 2022

Next generation sequencing has revealed the presence of numerous RNA viruses in animal reservoir hosts, including many closely related to known human pathogens. Despite their zoonotic potential, most of these viruses remain understudied due to not yet being cultured. While reverse genetic systems can facilitate virus rescue, this is often hindered by missing viral genome ends. A prime example is Lloviu virus (LLOV), an uncultured filovirus that is closely related to the highly pathogenic Ebola virus. Using minigenome systems, we complemented the missing LLOV genomic ends and identified cis-acting elements required for LLOV replication that were lacking in the published sequence. We leveraged these data to generate recombinant full-length LLOV clones and rescue infectious virus. Similar to other filoviruses, recombinant LLOV (rLLOV) forms filamentous virions and induces the formation of characteristic inclusions in the cytoplasm of the infected cells, as shown by electron microscopy. Known target cells of Ebola virus, including macrophages and hepatocytes, are permissive to rLLOV infection, suggesting that humans could be potential hosts. However, inflammatory responses in human macrophages, a hallmark of Ebola virus disease, are not induced by rLLOV. Additional tropism testing identified pneumocytes as capable of robust rLLOV and Ebola virus infection. We also used rLLOV to test antivirals targeting multiple facets of the replication cycle. Rescue of uncultured viruses of pathogenic concern represents a valuable tool in our arsenal for pandemic preparedness.
Existence and multiplicity of eigenvalues for some double-phase problems involving an indefinite sign reaction term
Authors: Uța Vasile
Published: February 2022

We study the following class of double-phase nonlinear eigenvalue problems

−
div
⁡

[

ϕ
(
x
,

|

∇
u

|

)
∇
u
+
ψ
(
x
,

|

∇
u

|

)
∇
u

]

=
λ
f
(
x
,
u
)

in
Ω
,
u
=
0
on
∂
Ω
, where Ω
is a bounded domain from

R

N

and the potential functions
ϕ
and
ψ
have
(

p
1

(
x
)
;

p
2

(
x
)
)
variable growth. The primitive of the reaction term of the problem (the right-hand side) has indefinite sign in the variable u and allows us to study functions with slower growth near
+
∞
, that is, it does not satisfy the Ambrosetti–Rabinowitz condition. Under these hypotheses we prove that for every parameter
λ
∈

R

+
∗

, the problem has an unbounded sequence of weak solutions. The proofs rely on variational arguments based on energy estimates and the use of Fountain Theorem.
Discapacidad, feminismo y sexualidad enSangre en el ojode Lina Meruane
Authors: Ávalos Etna
Published: February 2022

Este artículo se aproxima a la novela auto-ficcional Sangre en el ojo (2012) de la autora chilena Lina Meruane desde los estudios feministas de la discapacidad. Ávalos sostiene que lejos de convertirse en la imagen del cuerpo discapacitado femenino asociado con la imagen convencional de la discapacidad, la protagonista y alter ego de Meruane se apropia de su ceguera hasta convertirla en un instrumento para manipular a su pareja. Partiendo de un comentario de Meruana sobre si la ceguera no podrá conferir algunos privilegios mientras priva de otros, el artículo examina de qué modos la protagonista-narradora intenta subvertir la imagen de la discapacitada como cuerpo pasivo, particularmente en el terreno de la sexualidad.
Disabled Housewives: Impairment in Emilia Pardo Bazán’s “Las medias rojas” and “El revólver”
Authors: Amores Lennie
Published: February 2022

In both “Las medias rojas” and “El revólver,” the young female protagonists begin as beautiful vibrant women until disabling older men restrict their movement through violence and intimidation. Whereas the peasant girl in “Las medias,” brutally beaten by her father, becomes permanently disfigured and partially blind, the upper-class woman, in “El revólver”, ultimately heals from post-traumatic anxiety through a form of narrative therapy at the spa. This paper argues that the differential treatment of female poverty and affluence illustrates how classist nineteenth-century society sanctions the punishment of the peasant woman while fostering the wellness of the well-to-do señora. Permanent disability is reserved for the poor.
Priorización de la investigación para potenciar la ciencia y la innovación en salud: propuesta metodológica
Authors: Hernández-Nariño Arialys , Medina-Nogueira Yuly-Esther , Camero-Benavides Laura-Beatriz , Díaz-Almeda Lisanne , Díaz-Luis Geovani , Castro-Hernández Adalberto
Published: February 2022

Este trabajo presenta una metodología para la determinación de prioridades de investigación y su contextualización en un sistema territorial de salud. Se realizó una búsqueda de información sobre tendencias internacionales y nacionales, un análisis bibliométrico basado en co-ocurrencia de palabras, y se valoraron los pasos y herramientas a considerar en la propuesta a delinear. Las principales variables y sus relaciones se representaron en una red de co-ocurrencia que junto a los clusters y la cuantificación de la ocurrencia denotaron las etapas y los instrumentos más relevantes y, por ende, referentes para el diseño de la metodología. Se percibe que la priorización de la investigación es clave para definir políticas públicas, científicas o de ciencia, tecnología e innovación, para asignar recursos eficientemente y para diseñar planes de intervención. La metodología abarca estos preceptos y constituye un proceso sistemático de apoyo a la gestión de la ciencia y la innovación en salud.
Metodologías ágiles: un análisis de los desafíos organizacionales para su implementación
Authors: Flores-Cerna Fernando , Sanhueza-Salazar Víctor-Manuel , Valdés-González Héctor-Moisés , Reyes-Bozo Lorenzo
Published: February 2022

Este trabajo analiza las principales brechas que influyen en las PyMEs TI (pequeñas y medianas empresas de tecnología de la información) con metodología tradicional, al iniciar la implementación de metodologías ágiles para la gestión de proyectos. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar las principales brechas existentes antes de implementar metodologías ágiles en una PyME TI con metodología tradicional para la gestión de proyectos. Para lograrlo se propone una aproximación cualitativa a las opiniones de tres gerentes, dos ingenieros de proyecto y seis analistas programadores de la empresa, basada en entrevistas semiestructuradas, considerando una muestra por conveniencia, para entender las dificultades existentes en la empresa de estudio, contrastando dicha realidad mediante encuestas dirigidas a 29 profesionales de áreas TI de otras organizaciones. Los resultados del análisis revelan que las principales brechas para la implementación de metodologías ágiles en la PyME son la cultura organizacional en desacuerdo con la agilidad, la falta de compromiso de la gerencia y la resistencia al cambio. Se concluye que la propuesta resulta ser efectiva para conocer las principales brechas a resolver antes de comenzar la implementación de una metodología ágil en una PyME TI, permitiendo alinear a la organización con la agilidad.
Assessment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Severity by Ultrasound and Electrodiagnosis Study
Authors: Awajel Mohammed Kadhom , Hussin Abdullnasir , Ab-Khudhur Mohammed
Published: February 2022

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the upper limb neuropathic entrapment. Electrodiagnostic study (EDX) is the gold standard for diagnosis. However, EDX is not always abnormal in CTS beside its relatively high cost which requires the search for alternative modalities. Objectives: To investigate ultrasound (US) has a function in the evalution of CTS as well as determination disease severity. Subjects and Methods: A case-control experiment which involve 50 CTS patients (65 wrists) and 30 healthy subjects (30 wrists). Electrodiagnostic study involve nerve coduction test (NCS) were performed for all included wrists, with ultrasound measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve. Results: The result of 65 affected wrists with CTS is classified for 40 (61.15%) wrist mild disease, 19 wrists (29.23%) demonstrated a moderate disease and 6 wrists (9.23%) had severe disease. The mean in mild, moderate, and severe cases, median nerve CSA was determined 11.21±1.22 mm2, 15.09±0.1.14 mm2 and 17.88±0.2.1 mm2, respectively with highly significant differences between the three categories. Furthermore, all three categories had higher CSA than control (8.73±0.45 mm2) with highly significant differences. In patients, CSA demonstrated a significant linked with median distal sensory latency (r = 0.71 8, p <0.001), median motor distal latency (r = 0.818, p < 0.001) and age (r = 0.316, p = 0.0 1) and a negative significant with median nerve conduction velocity (r= -0.837, p < 0.001). US demonstrated excellent diagnostic values. The sensitivity and specificity of US in the context of discriminate patients and controls at cut off value of CSA = 10 mm2 were 92% and 100%, respectively. Furthermore, US can effectively discriminate between mild, moderate and severe cases CTS with sensitivity levels ranging from 83%- 100% and 94%-100% specificity. The optimal cut off values ranges between 13.2-16.2 mm2. Conclusions: The CSA of the median nerve is increased and the degree of enlargement significantly correlates with the parameters of disease severity. However, the CSA of the nerve does not associate with the gender of patients or the side of the affected wrist. Ultrasound of CST of median nerve has an excellent diagnostic value in the disinguish between patients and controls, with 92 percent sensitivity and 99 percent specificity, respectively. The optimum cut off value is 10 mm2. Also, US can effectively distinguish mild, moderate and severe cases CTS with Sensitivity levels ranging from 83%- 100% and 94%-100% Specificity. The optimal values cut off ranges between 13.2-16.2 mm2.
Effect of Tiaojingzhixue Fang on the expression of sex hormone and endometrial tissue mRNA in perimenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding
Authors: Guan Leilei , Xue Lili , Chu Jingping , Xue Jianfang , Zhang Shuhua , Zhu Ling
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Tiaojingzhixue decoction on the expression of sex hormone and endometrial mRNA in perimenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. For this purpose, 84 patients with perimenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding who were treated in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were divided into study group and control group, the control group was treated with mifepristone for six months, the clinical efficacy, time of symptom relief and disappearance, endometrial thickness, menstrual volume, adverse events, expression of sex hormone (ER), Progesterone receptor (PR), Lutropin (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Estradiol (e2) and Vascular endothelial growth factor in endometrial tissue were compared between the two groups. The results showed that the clinical efficacy of the study group (97.61%) was significantly higher than the control group (80.95%) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in endometrial thickness between the two groups before treatment, but after treatment for 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, endometrial thickness was thinner in the study group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in menstrual volume between the two groups before treatment (P <0.05), but it was lower in the study group (P <0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was 11.90% lower than in the control group (26.19%). The expression levels of ER, PR, LH, FSH and E2 were almost the same before treatment and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05), but they were lower in the study group after treatment (P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the level of VEGF between the two groups (P>0.05); after treatment, the level of Vegf in the study group was lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the level of Vegf in both groups was significantly higher than before treatment (P<0.05). In general, Tiaojingzhixue decoction can decrease the level of sex hormone and increase the expression of VEGF in patients with perimenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding.
The effect of locating and sliding of facet combined with percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy on cell inflammatory indicators and the treatment of disc herniation
Authors: Zhang Qingshan , Du Peijin , Zhang Yaning
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of IL-8, CRP and TXB2 in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation by combining with percutaneous endoscopic discectomy. For this purpose, 290 patients with disc herniation were selected as the research objects and randomly divided into two groups. The control group was treated with traditional intervertebral fenestration of nucleus pulposus, and the research group was treated with joint process location slip technique combined with percutaneous endoscopic lumbar disc discectomy. The clinical efficacy, functional scores and serological indexes of the two groups were compared, and the prognostic value of IL-8, CRP and TXB2 in the treatment of disc herniation by the combination of the sliding technique of facet location and percutaneous endoscopic discectomy was explored. The results showed that the total effective rate of 95.55% in the study group was higher than 79.31% in the control group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). The operative time, incision length, length of hospital stay and intraoperative blood loss in the study group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). JOA score was higher and ODI score was lower in the two groups after surgery than before surgery, and JOA score in the study group was higher than that in the control group, while the ODI score was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Il-8, CRP and MDA in 2 groups increased after the operation, while SOD and TXB2 decreased significantly. Il-8, CRP, TXB2 and SOD in the study group were lower than those in the control group, while MDA was higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). ROC curve indicated that the areas under the curves of IL-8, CRP and TXB2 were 0.725, 0.835 and 0.880, and the areas under the curves, sensitivity and specificity of the combined determination were higher than those of any index (P<0.05). In general, compared with traditional interlaminar fenestration of nucleus pulposus, combined with percutaneous endoscopic lumbar disc discectomy has a significant effect on the treatment of disc herniation, and can reduce the levels of IL-8, CRP and TXB2.
The Therapeutic Effect of miRNA-19a/19b on Heart Failure in Mice and the Mechanism of Myocardial Regeneration and Repair
Authors: Jin Lei
Published: February 2022

Heart failure is a common cardiovascular disease. The elderly have a high risk of illness. Many patients die of the disease every year. It has become a killer for all humans. Cardiovascular disease often triggers myocardial ischemia and myocardial cell apoptosis, resulting in myocardial damage and even heart failure in patients with cardiovascular disease. Related studies have shown that miRNA-19a/19b plays an important role in myocardial damage and heart failure character. The purpose of this article is to further explore the therapeutic effect of miRNA-19a/19b on heart failure and the regulation mechanism of myocardial regeneration and repair. In this paper, 40 male mice were used as experimental objects to perform ligation surgery on the coronary arteries of mice. To establish an animal model of myocardial infarction and heart failure, then inject miRNA-19a/19b reagent through the tail vein of the mouse, observe the changes of the myocardial cell and the area of the myocardial infarction by immunofluorescence PCR technology, and detect the myocardial tissue in the mouse. Specific changes in the expression of miRNA-19a/19b. The results of the study showed that miRNA-19a/19b can improve the cardiac function of mice. The cardiac function index of mice increased from the original (263.13±5.26) to (385.48±6.92), the area of myocardial infarction decreased by 27.5%, and the proliferation rate of myocardial cells increased by 18.6%, the rate of myocardial regeneration and repair increased by 20.4%. Therefore, it can be seen that miRNA-19a/19b has a significant effect on the treatment of heart failure in mice, can effectively improve heart function, and can promote the regeneration and repair of damaged myocardium, proving the feasibility of miRNA-19a/19b for cardiovascular disease.
Identifying the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory potential of dietary phytochemicals against diabetes mellitus type 2 via molecular interactions and dynamics simulation
Authors: Kausar Mohd Adnan , Shahid SMA , Anwar Sadaf , Kuddus M , Khan Mohammad Kalim Ahmad , Khalifa Amany Mohammed , Khatoon Fahmida , Alotaibi Abdullah D. , Alkhodairy Salman F. , Snoussi Mejdi , Arif Jamal M.
Published: February 2022

The research aims to identify the inhibitory potential of natural dietary phytochemicals against non-insulinotropic target protein alpha-glucosidase and its possible implications to diabetes mellitus type 2.A data set of sixteen plant-derived dietary molecules viz., 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone, apigenin, bromelain, caffeic acid, cholecalciferol, dihydrokaempferol 7-o-glucopyranoside, galactomannan, genkwanin, isoimperatorin, luteolin, luteolin 7-o-glucoside, neohesperidin, oleanoic acid, pelargonidin-3-rutinoside, quercetin, and quinic acid were taken to accomplish molecular docking succeeded by their comparison with known inhibitors including acarbose, miglitol, voglibose, emiglitate, and 1-deoxynojirimycin. Among all phyto-compounds, bromelain (ΔG: -9.54 kcal/mol), cholecalciferol (-8.47 kcal/mol), luteolin (-9.02 kcal/mol), and neohesperidin (-8.53 kcal/mol) demonstrated better binding interactions with alpha-glucosidase in comparison to the best-known inhibitor, acarbose (ΔG: -7.93 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulation of 10 ns duration, CYP450 site of metabolism identification, and prediction of activity spectra for substances depicted the bromelain as the most stable inhibitor compared to luteolin and acarbose. Findings of molecular interactions, molecular dynamics study, metabolism, and biological activity prediction proved bromelain as a potential alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. Thus, bromelain might be helpful as an insulin-independent therapeutic molecule towards controlling and managing diabetes mellitus type 2.
Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on expression of CYR61, FSH, and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure
Authors: Jie He , Jinxiang Wang , Ye Li , Jing Zhao , Iangqing Zhu X , Jinxiu Hu , Zian Li , Xinghua Pan
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of CYR61, FSH and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure. For this purpose, thirty SPF female SD mice were selected as the research object, 10 of which were control group, namely group α, and 20 mice with premature ovarian failure model were established by cyclophosphamide. The mice were divided into the model group, namely the β group and the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation group (γ group), with 10 mice in each group. ELSA method was used to determine the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (Estradiol) in serum. The changes of E2, Antimullerian hormone (AMH) and cysteine-rich protein 61 in ovarian tissues were determined by the protein imprinting method. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and caspase-3 protein expression. Results showed that in fertility rate, γ group > α group > β group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), in litter size, α group > γ group > β group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of serum E2 and AMH in α group > γ group > β group, and the levels of serum FSH and LH in β group > γ group > α group were statistically significant (P<0.05). The growth follicles were α group > γ group > β group, and the atresia follicles were β group > γ group > α group, and there was a statistical difference among all groups (P<0.05). There was no difference in luteal number among the three groups (P>0.05). In terms of CYR61 and CTGF protein expression, α group > γ group > β group, and in terms of caspase-3, β group > γ group > α group had statistical significance (P<0.05). It is concluded that intervention with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve the expression levels of CYR61 and AMH, reduce the level of FSH, promote cell survival, improve the reproductive quality of mice, and restore the physiological function of the ovary. It is feasible to treat premature ovarian failure with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.
Contemporary uses of old folks: the immunomodulatory and toxic potential of fenbufen
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Furqan , Nisa Mehr-un- , Saleem Ammara , Hamid Irfan , Alsharif Khalaf F. , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M. , Rahman Md. Habibur , Shah Muddaser , Sohail Kashif , Javaid Zeeshan
Published: February 2022

Fenbfen is used for pain, pyrexia and in the management of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders. The present research was planned to examine the immunomodulatory activity of fenbufen in different models of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and humoral immunity (HI). The CMI was evaluated by delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia assays while HI was appraised by hemagglutination (HA) assay by administering fenbufen at 2, 6 and 10 mg.kg-1 and azathioprine 40 mg.kg-1 (as standard therapy) to albino mice by intraperitoneal route. The ex vivo immunomodulatory action was determined by red blood cell (RBC) membrane stabilization and protein denaturation assays. The results showed that fenbufen treatment had significantly (p<0.05-p<0.001) reduced white blood cells, hemoglobin content, and red blood cells in the healthy and neutropenic mice. A significant (p<0.001) reduction in activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and glutathione contents, and enhancement of malondialdehyde level were observed in neutropenic mice that were restored by fenbufen treatment. It suppressed DTH reaction after 24, 48 and 72 h post topical application of 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Fenbufen or azathioprine treated groups also showed a significant reduction in the antibody titer against human RBCs induced immune activation in mice as compared to the disease control mice. Fenbufen showed IC50 of 14.0, 50.5 and 66.2 μg.ml-1 whereas, diclofenac sodium showed IC50 of 61.0, 126 and 50.5 μg/ml in RBCs membrane stabilization, egg albumin and bovine serum albumin denaturation assays respectively. The current study shows that fenbufen might have potential immunomodulatory activity against CMI and HI. It can be utilized to treat immune system disorders.
The affection of plasma exosomes on airway obstruction and endothelial function in OSA patients
Authors: Li Lin , Wang Qing , Xin Wenshu , Wen Kaixue , Hang Yuhao Z
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects on airway obstruction and endothelial function by extracting and analyzing plasma exosomes with OSA patients. For this purpose, the clinical data and imaging data of 60 patients with OSA were retrospectively analyzed, who were admitted to the Central Hospital from Apr．2018 to Jul．2021．By using an electron microscope for the observation of exosomes, the degree of airway obstruction was compared by pulmonary function instrument, and HE staining was performed to analyze them. The results showed that the diameter of exosome particles was concentrated at 80.5 ~ 158.6 nm, the diameter of OSA exosomes was concentrated at about 121.9 nm, and the diameter of exosomes in the control group was concentrated at about 145.0 nm. Compared with the patients in the control group, the level of miRNA-33b-3p in the control group was significantly different (P < 0.05). The content of exosomal miRNA-33b-3p in OSA patients decreased significantly, and the corresponding airway obstruction increased. The results of HE staining showed that there were obvious atherosclerotic plaques in the arterial endothelium of the OSA group, and the atherosclerotic plaques were significantly reduced after miRNA-33b-3p injection (P < 0.05). In general, OSA patients can regulate airway obstruction and endothelial cell function by controlling the expression of Plasma exosomes and miRNA-33b-3p, resulting in increased airway obstruction and endothelial cell atherosclerosis.
Effects of mFOLFOX6 regimen combined with carrelizumab on immune function and prognosis in patients with microsatellite instability colorectal cancer
Authors: Sun Jie , Yao Ninghua , Lu Pengpeng , Wang Yan
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the mFOLFOX6 regimen combined with SHR-1210 on immune function and prognosis in patients with microsatellite instability CRC. For this purpose, 60 patients with microsatellite instability CRC in our hospital from January 2019 to October 2020 were randomly divided into control and observation groups. The control group was treated with the mFOLFOX6 regimen, and the observation group was treated with s SHR-1210. After continuous treatment for 3 months, the clinical effects of the two groups were compared; CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+; IgA, IgG, IgM; Incidence of adverse reactions and PFS. The results showed that compared with the control group (30.00%), the total clinical effective rate in the observation group (53.33%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05). After treatment, CD4+, CD4+/ CD8+ decreased significantly and CD8+ increased significantly, and the change range of the observation group was significantly less than the control group (P < 0.05. The levels of IgA, IgG and IgM in the two groups decreased significantly after treatment, and the decrease in the observation group was significantly less than the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of abnormal liver function, bleeding, proteinuria, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal reaction, leucopenia and hypertension between the two groups (P > 0.05). PFS in the observation group was significantly prolonged after treatment (P < 0.05). In general, the mFOLFOX6 regimen combined with SHR-1210 is effective in the treatment of microsatellite instability CRC. It can not only improve the immune function, but also not increase adverse reactions, prolong the survival time, and has a high clinical reference value.
Diclofenac biotransformation and toxicity assessment of laccase from Pleurotus floridanus
Authors: Chenthamara Dhrisya , Ramakrishnan Sankar Ganesh , Khusro Ameer , Subramaniam Sadhasivam , Alghamdi Saad , Almehmadi Mazen , Kabrah Ahmed , Sahibzada Muhammad Umar Khayam , Eftekhari Aziz
Published: February 2022

Laccase producing fungus Pleurotus floridanus was isolated from Siruvani forest, Tamil Nadu, India. The potential of P. floridanus to produce laccase by using various lignocellulosic substrates was screened under submerged fermentation. Laccase production in the presence of lignocellulosic substrates such as rice, wheat and maize bran as a sole source of carbon as well as an additional supplement was examined. Laccase activity of P. floridanus using varied substrates was observed in the order of rice bran > wheat bran > maize bran. The isolate showed maximum laccase activity of 13.29±0.01 U/mL using rice bran as a carbon source within 11 days. This was 18 fold higher than the control media that lacks lignocellulosic substrates. The diclofenac tolerance was assessed in solid media at various concentrations and the results showed that the mycelia growth is not significantly affected by the drug. Finally, the laccase mediated degradation of diclofenac at a concentration of 10 mg/L showed 98% degradation in 2 h. The phytotoxicity of the crude laccase treated diclofenac was lower than the untreated diclofenac. In conclusion, findings suggested direct application of crude laccase produced from P. floridanus using agro-residues as ideal substrate for environmental applications.
Expression of Serum PSA, Nesfatin-1, and AMH in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Wang Yan , Ma Xiaorong , Luo Jiashou , Wang Xiaoyan , Han Lu
Published: February 2022

Insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism are the leading causes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, it has great significance to study the expression levels of PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH. To provide some reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the expression levels of PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH in serum of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were investigated. The experimental group consisted of 200 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome treated in Shanghai Huashan Hospital from July 2018 to July 2019. The control group consisted of 150 healthy women without pregnancy. The PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH levels in serum were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were 16.53 ± 0.67pg/ml and 10.75 ± 4.02pg/ml in the experimental group (PCOS patients), which were significantly higher than those in the control group (3.27 ± 0.43pg/ml and 5.18 ± 1.84pg/ml, respectively), while the inhibitive factors in the experimental group (1.89 ± 0.99mg/ml) were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.10 ± 0.97mg/ml). There was no significant difference in nesfatin-1. The levels of PSA and nesfatin-1, nesfatin-1, and AMH and the levels of PSA and AMH in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were positively correlated, and the differences were statistically significant. The levels of PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome of different ages were different, and the differences were significant and negatively correlated with the age increasing. PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were significantly different from those in control nonpregnant women. There was a certain correlation between the levels of PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH, and age. The results have specific clinical reference significance for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
RaptorQ codes aided secure data delivery strategy for vehicular networks
Authors: Bulut Cebecioglu Berna
Published: February 2022

This paper deals with security issues in the presence of an eavesdropper for a vehicular scenario. The proposed secure data delivery scheme implements Fountain Codes, namely RaptorQ (RQ) codes, at the application layer (AL) to increase communication security against eavesdroppers’ attacks. For RQ coded transmission scheme, the receiver has to collect a sufficient number of coded packets to reconstruct the original source data. Secure delivery can be achieved if the legitimate user obtains enough RQ coded packets before the eavesdropper does. To satisfy this condition, it is proposed to use a road side unit (RSU) cooperation method when the eavesdropper has better channel conditions than the legitimate user to scatter the coded packets from multiple RSUs. The aim is to reduce the probability that the eavesdropper receives the sufficient number of coded packets and recover the source data before the legitimate user. An optimisation framework which jointly selects the RQ code rate at the AL and Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) at the physical (PHY) layer to ensure the secure data transmission by allowing the user to decode the file with a certain probability of decoding success while minimising the intercept probability at the eavesdropper is presented. To evaluate the proposed system, a realistic end-to-end system level simulator is developed. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can provide secure and efficient data transmission over vehicular networks by significantly reducing the intercept probability at the eavesdropper.
Kooperative ereignisbasierte Steuerung von mobilen Objekten über ein unzuverlässiges Kommunikationsnetzwerk
Authors: Schwung Michael , Lunze Jan
Published: February 2022

Dieser Beitrag stellt eine ereignisbasierte Methode zur kooperativen Steuerung von zwei mobilen Objekten (Agenten) vor. Das Ziel ist es, für diese Agenten kollisionsfreie Trajektorien zur Laufzeit lokal zu planen und diesen unter dem Einfluss externer Störungen zu folgen. Auf Änderungen der Trajektorie des benachbarten Agenten kann die Methode reagieren. Hierbei werden ausschließlich lokal gemessene Größen sowie die über ein unsicheres Kommunikationsnetzwerk gesendeten Informationen, die verzögert oder verloren gegangen sein können, verwendet. Die Agenten werden in einen kurshaltepflichtigen und einen ausweichpflichtigen Agenten eingeteilt. Der kurshaltepflichtige Agent folgt seiner Trajektorie, die er zur Kollisionsvermeidung mit Hindernissen ändern kann. Der ausweichpflichtige Agent muss die Kollision mit dem ersten Agenten verhindern. Hierzu wird eine Steuereinheit eingesetzt, die vier Aufgaben ausführt: Schätzung der aktuellen Netzwerkeigenschaften, Prädiktion der Bewegung des kurshaltepflichtigen Agenten, Anfordern von Informationen, Planung kollisionsfreier Trajektorien. Eine Simulationsstudie mit zwei Quadrokoptern illustriert die Vorgehensweise.
Towards automatic generation of functionality semantics to improve PLC software modularization
Authors: Wilch Jan , Fischer Juliane , Langer Nikolai , Felger Markus , Bengel Matthias , Vogel-Heuser Birgit
Published: February 2022

Functions of automated Production Systems (aPS) can be realized by control software (SW), whose high quality and short development time are, therefore, vital. To achieve both, SW should be modular and, thereby, reusable. Static code analysis can help improve the modularization of existing software, e. g., by automatically analyzing control and information flow. However, manual code reviews are still typically required because planning a SW’s modularization requires a semantic understanding of its functionality. This paper presents an approach to, instead, identify SW functionality automatically and evaluates it with SW from three aPS manufacturers.
Microstructural characterization of alloys of the quasibinary Cu–NiBe system
Authors: Spaić Savo , Markoli Boštjan
Published: February 2022

Alloys of the quasibinary section Cu –NiBe were experimentally investigated with differential thermal analysis, optical microscopy, electron microanalysis, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The construction of the quasibinary Cu–NiBe phase diagram was made based on the experimental results. The constitution of alloys of the whole section was studied along with the investigation of the microstructure and crystallographic relationship of the NiBe phase in aged alloys from the Cu-rich corner of the Cu–NiBe system.