bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cowden syndrome
Authors:   Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Moscow, Russian Federation, Polunina D.A. , Bagaeva M.E. ,   Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Moscow, Russian Federation, Tin I.F. ,   Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Moscow, Russian Federation, Pavlovskaya E.V. ,   Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Moscow, Russian Federation, Strokova T.V. ,   Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Moscow, Russian Federation,   N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: February 2021

Cowden syndrome is a rare genetic disease with the autosomal dominant inheritance, characterised by a combination of macrocephaly with multiple hamartomas and impaired lipid metabolism. The article presents a clinical case report of this disease in a 8-year-old boy with two genetically confirmed mutations in the genes PTEN and SHDB responsible for the development of Cowden syndrome. At present, there is insufficient evidence about the influence of combined pathogenic mutations in both genes and, consequently, about the possible outcomes and clinical manifestations of the disease. Taking into account the rarity of this pathology, multisystem organ involvement and also the absence of characteristic clinical signs in childhood, a description of this clinical case might be of interest in order to raise the awareness for Cowden syndrome. Key words: Cowden syndrome, hamartomas, PTEN, SDH, succinate dehydrogenase, hypoglycaemia, dyslipidemia
The Effect of Ethanol Addition on Vehicle Fuel Consumption in Economic Terms - A Review
Authors: Muhsin Muhsin
Published: February 2021

The technological development of the automotive sector is increasing, every year there is an increase in the production of motor vehicles in Indonesia. The increase in motorized vehicles will certainly have an impact on the use of fuel oil which is also increasing. Though fuel oil is a non-renewable fossil fuel, so that continuous use can lead to scarcity of fossil fuels someday. In addition to causing scarcity of fossil fuels, the increasing number of vehicles will also cause the surrounding environment to be increasingly polluted by the exhaust emissions from the combustion process of the motorized vehicles. Various alternatives are used as a mixture of fuels to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle exhaust emissions, such as ethanol, hydrogen, butanol, biodiesel, methanol etc. The purpose of this literacy study was to determine the effect of using ethanol on fuel consumption and its economic value. Based on the results of a study of literacy is known that the addition of ethanol does reduce the level of fuel consumption, However, if viewed from an economic perspective, the addition of ethanol has actually caused the purchase price of fuel to increase, this will certainly hinder the growth of the desire to use ethanol as an alternative source of fuel substitute by the people of Indonesia.

 
Time-varying relationship between Ukrainian corn and world crude oil prices
Authors:   Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Hamulczuk Mariusz , Makarchuk Oksana ,   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine - NULES of Ukraine
Published: February 2021

Corn belongs to the most important feed and industrial grains in the world being utilized for bioethanol production. Ukraine does not produce biofuels and does not pursue an active renewable energy policy. However, due to significant share of exports, corn prices in Ukraine can be shaped under the influence of biofuel policies pursued by developed countries, as well as under the influence of world energy markets. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to investigate the mechanisms linking Ukrainian export corn prices with Brent oil prices, as well as to quantitatively assess the nature of this relationship. We were especially interested in possible time-varying relationship between the prices. The price analysis was carried out on the basis of monthly data for the period 2001-2020 with the use of rolling correlation technique and rolling causality tests. The results of this research indicate on time-varying co-movements of Ukrainian corn and Brent crude oil prices. The strongest positive correlations and significant bidirectional causality were observed in 2007-2011. However, in most of sub-periods there were no significant relationships between these prices. Among factors strengthening the price linkages are the low corn-oil price ratios, dynamic increase of corn utilized for ethanol production and depletion of the world corn stocks. The conducted analysis confirmed that changes in biofuel demand in other countries can affect Ukrainian corn market due to horizontal integration of grain markets worldwide. Biofuel policy reforms in the EU aiming at decreasing mandatory blending of conventional biofuels in favor of advanced biofuels can lead to decrease in demand for corn in Ukraine after 2021, leading, in turn, to further weakening of linkage between corn and crude oil prices.
HIV Non-Occupational Post Exposure Prophylaxis in Nigeria: A Review of Research Evidence and Practice.
Authors: Iloanusi Sorochi H. , Mgbere Osaro O. , Abughosh Susan M. , Essien Ekere J.
Published: February 2021

Background: Although non-occupational Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) has been proven to be efficacious in preventing HIV, it remains an underutilized prevention strategy in Nigeria. We aimed to conduct an overview of research studies on nPEP and practice in Nigeria from 2002 to 2018 examining: sociodemographic characteristics of study sample, awareness, knowledge and prior use of nPEP, reasons for HIV nPEP, timeliness in presenting for PEP, antiretrovirals (ARVs) used for nPEP, side effects and adherence, monitoring and follow-up visits, adherence to guidelines and recommendations for nPEP by healthcare institutions and the strength of evidence of reviewed studies.

Methods: An electronic search on PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, Medline, Embase and Google Scholar for published studies on nPEP from January 2002 to December 2018. We conducted our search using different combinations of the keywords:
Non-Occupational HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis: A 10-Year Retrospective Review of Data Following Sexual Exposure From Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon
Authors: Kouanfack Charles , Meli Hermine , Cumber Samuel N. , Bede Fala , Nkfusai Claude N. , Ijang Patience Y. , Wepngong Emerson , Bassong Olga Yvonne M. , Nkoum Benjamin-Alexandre
Published: February 2021

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) consists of administering antiretroviral therapy within 72 hours of viral exposure and continued for four weeks. PEP has been shown to be an important means of preventing and decreasing the number of new HIV infections in the general population. The purpose of this study was to describe the profile of patients who consulted at the HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Center of the Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH) for PEP following non-occupational exposure to HIV. To attain our objective, we carried out a 10-year retrospective review of patient records of all persons who consulted for accidental HIV exposure at the YCH, Cameroon.

Methods: This study was an observational, retrospective analysis of hospital records of persons who consulted for PEP following accidental exposure to HIV in the outpatient HIV clinic at YCH between January 2007 and December 2016. Data extracted from patients
Impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Chronic Hepatitis B Serological Markers among Senegalese HIV Co-infected Children
Authors: Ba Abou , Ndiaye Fatou K , Djeng Yaay J , Cames Cecile , Diack Aminata , Ndiaye Ousmane
Published: February 2021

Background: Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes complex interactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and HBV evolution among HIV coinfected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 252 HIV infected children enrolled in the H
Regresión Logística Geográficamente Ponderada para identificar los factores explicativos de la distribución de usos de suelo en escenarios futuros de crecimiento urbano
Authors: Molinero-Parejo Ramón , Aguilera-Benavente Francisco , Gómez-Delgado Montserrat
Published: February 2021

La expansión urbana es un proceso espacio-temporal que refleja los patrones de localización de la población y sus actividades, pudiendo provocar impactos irreversibles sobre el territorio.  La construcción de narrativas y el posterior cartografiado de escenarios futuros se ha revelado como una estrategia de planificación que puede ayudar en la organización de los usos del suelo y el transporte. El Corredor del Henares (Madrid) se ha escogido como caso de estudio, representando la evolución espacial de cinco usos del suelo urbano en tres escenarios disruptivos para 2050. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar qué factores explicativos influyeron en la distribución espacial de los cinco usos que se proyectaron en un previo taller de cartografía colaborativa. De esta forma, se pretende obtener información más precisa acerca de los factores explicativos del cambio de uso en cada escenario, que posteriormente pudiera ser aplicable a nuevos modelos espaciales de simulación urbana.  Así, dado el carácter ubicuo de los procesos de urbanización, se empleó Regresión Logística Geográficamente Ponderada al permitir un análisis espacial de las relaciones entre los factores explicativos que los modelos globales no permiten estudiar. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron coincidencias entre los factores más significativos del modelo y las narrativas de los escenarios.
High-throughput single-cell joint analysis of histone modifications and gene expression by Paired-Tag
Authors: Zhu Chenxu , Zhang Yanxiao , Li Yang Eric , Lucero Jacinta , Behrens M. Margarita , Ren Bing
Published: February 2021

We describe here Paired-Tag, a high-throughput multi-omics method for joint profiling of histone modifications and gene expressions in single cells. The assay is based on a combinatorial barcoding indexing strategy that does not require special instruments. It can be performed with nuclei extracted from cultured cells or frozen tissues, in standard molecular biology laboratories.
Relationship between occlusal force and endothelial function in community-dwelling elderly
Authors: Kato Kanna , Matsuda Naoko , Takahata Miki , Koseki Chika , Sato Toshiaki
Published: February 2021

Background: Prolonged healthy life expectancy, which is duration without the requirement of any kind of help for activities of daily living (ADL), is essential to ensure a long life with a good quality of living in the community. Further, local residents should understand their health conditions and live consciously to prolong healthy life expectancy. The development of a simple general health indicator is necessary. Both occlusal force and flow-medicated dilation (FMD) which reflects endothelial function are useful tools for understanding the general condition of the elderly. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between occlusal force and endothelial function. In the present study we examined this relationship, occlusal force measurement can be a good indicator of the general condition of the elderly. Methods: In 38 community-dwelling women(aged 76.7 ± 5.7 years), we measured occlusal force,　grip strength, endothelial function evaluated by FMD, advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In this study we investigated the relationship between occlusal force, measurement items, and factors independently related to endothelial function. Results: There were significant correlation between occlusal force and grip strength (r = 0.54, p < 0.01). Degree of FMD significantly associated with occlusal force (r = 0.60, p < 0.01) and grip strength (r = 0.35, p < 0.05) or amount of increased AGEs (r = -0.37, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed occlusal force as factors with significant association with degree of FMD (p < 0.01). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between occlusal force and FMD. Occlusal force can be an important indicator of endothelial function in community-dwelling elderly. This study may help understanding general health of elderly in community.
The motor neuron disease mouse model hSOD1-G93A presents a non-canonical profile of senescence biomarkers in the spinal cord
Authors: Torres Pascual , Anerillas Carlos , Encinas Mario , Povedano Monica , Andrés-Benito Pol , Ferrer Isidro , Ayala Victòria , Pamplona Reinald , Portero-Otin Manuel
Published: February 2021

Recent evidence demonstrates a pathological role for senescent cells in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The present study aimed to show senescence mechanisms including senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in the familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) transgenic mouse model hSOD1-G93A. We evaluated, as senescence biomarkers, the expression of p16 and p21 with reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence (IF), and immunohistochemistry (IHC), as well as the senescence-associated b galactosidase (SA-b-gal) activity in the lumbar spinal cords (LSC) of this model. As SASP markers, we quantified the mRNA levels of Il1a, Il6, Ifna, and Ifnb. Furthermore, we explored if an alteration of alternative splicing is associated with senescence phenomena in this model. Thus, we quantified the Adipor2 cryptic exon inclusion levels, a specific splicing variant repressed by TAR-DNA binding of 43 kDa (TDP-43), using RT-qPCR. Our results show an atypical senescence-profile in LSC from transgenic mice, increasing p16 and p21 mRNA and protein levels in glial cells with a mostly cytoplasmic pattern, without the canonical increase in SA-beta-gal activity in these cells. Consistent with enhanced SASP, there is an increase in Il1a and Il6 expression. Also, TDP-43 splicing activity is compromised in this ALS model, in a direct relationship with the increase in p16 expression. However, senolytic drug Navitoclax -with reported benefits in Alzheimer and Parkinson disease mouse models - does not alter the present model’s disease progression. Navitoclax neither eliminates cells expressing senescence and nor represses the expression of SASP related genes. Globally, our findings support the existence of a non-canonical profile of senescence biomarkers in the LSC of the ALS model hSOD1-G93A.
Selenogenome and AMPK signal insight into the protective effect of dietary Se on chronic heat stress-induced hepatic metabolic disorder in growing pigs
Authors: Liu Yan , Tang Jiayong , He Ying , Jia Gang , Liu Guangmang , Tian Gang , Chen Xiaoling , Cai Jingyi , Kang Bo , Hua Zhao
Published: February 2021

Background:Chronic heat stress (CHS) disrupts hepatic metabolic homeostasis and jeopardizes product quality of pigs. Selenium (Se) may regulate the metabolic state through affect selenoprotein. Thus, we investigate the protective effect of dietary hydroxy-4-methylselenobutanoic acid (HMSeBA) on CHS induced hepatic metabolic disorder in growing pigs, and the corresponding response of selenoprotein. Methods:Forty crossbreed growing pigs were randomly assigned to five groups: control group raised in the thermoneutral environment (22 ± 2 oC) with basal diet; four CHS groups raised in hyperthermal condition (33 ± 2 oC) with basal diet and supplied with 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg Se/kg HMSeBA, respectively. The trial lasted 28 days. The serum biochemical, hepatic metabolism related enzyme, protein and gene expression and 25 selenoproteins in liver tissue were determined by real-time PCR, ELISA and western blot.Results:CHS significantly increased the rectal temperature, respiration rate, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of pigs, up-regulated hepatic heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and induced lower liver weight, glycogen content, hepatic glucokinase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The CHS-induced liver metabolic disorder was associated with the aberrant expression of 6 metabolism-related gene and 11 selenoprotein encoding genes, and decreased the protein abundance of GCK, GPX4 and SELENOS. HMSeBA improved anti-oxidative capacity of liver. 0.4 or 0.6 mg Se/kg HMSeBA supplementation recovered the liver weight, glycogen content and rescue of mRNA abundance of genes related to metabolism and protein levels of GCK. HMSeBA supplementation changed expressions of 15 selenoprotein encoding genes, and enhanced protein expression of GPX1, GPX4 and SELENOS in the liver affected by CHS. CHS alone showed no impact while HMSeBA supplementation increased protein levels of p-AMPKα in the liver. Conclusions:In summary, HMSeBA supplementation beyond nutrient requirement mitigates CHS-induced hepatic metabolic disorder, recovered the liver glycogen content and the processes are associated with the activation of AMPK signal and regulation of selenoproteins in the liver of growing pigs.
DenovoProfiling: a webserver for de novo generated molecule library profiling
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Du Jiewen , Liu Bingdong , Cui Zongbin , Fang Jiansong , Xie Liwei
Published: February 2021

With the advances of deep learning techniques, various architectures for molecular generation have been proposed for de novo drug design. Successful cases from academia and industrial demonstrated that the deep learning-based de novo molecular design could efficiently accelerate the drug discovery process. The flourish of the de novo molecular generation methods and applications created a great demand for the visualization and functional profiling for the de novo generated molecules. The rising of publicly available chemogenomic databases lays good foundations and creates good opportunities for comprehensive profiling of the de novo library. In this paper, we present DenovoProfiling, a webserver dedicated to de novo library visualization and functional profiling. Currently, DenovoProfiling contains six modules: (1) identification & visualization, (2) chemical space, (3) scaffold analysis, (4) molecular alignment, (5) drugs mapping, and (6) target & pathway. DenovoProfiling could provide structural identification, chemical space exploration, drug mapping, and target & pathway information. The comprehensive annotated information could give users a clear picture of their de novo library and could guide the further selection of candidates for synthesis and biological confirmation. DenovoProfiling is freely available at http://denovoprofiling.xielab.net.
Perceptual Factors (Awareness, Attitude) and Positive, Indeterminate and Negative Nurturing Factors Affecting Physical Activity of Pregnant Women Visiting Health-care Centers in Tehran: Examination and Analyses
Authors: Kianfard Leila , SHokravi Farkhonde Amin , Rakhshanderou Sakineh , Niknami Shamsaddin
Published: February 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of perceptual factors (awareness, attitude) and positive, intermediate and negative nurturing factors on the physical activity of pregnant women visiting health centers in Tehran. Methods: The present research was an applied study in which a quasi-experimental research design (pre-test-post-test) with a control group was employed. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) and a questionnaire designed based on the results of needs assessment and dimensions of the PEN-3 model were used for this study. This study is a randomized control trial (RCT). Results: The results indicated that the intervention based on E-learning has a statistically significant effect on perceptual factors (awareness, attitude) in increasing physical activity of pregnant women in the experimental group. Furthermore, the e-learning-based intervention has a significant effect on increasing physical activity of pregnant women in the experimental group compared to the control group.Conclusion: Based on the research results, it can be said that there is a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the scores obtained from perceptual factors (awareness, attitude) in the pre-test and the experimental group. Furthermore, it can be said that there is a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the scores obtained from perceptual factors (awareness, attitude) in the pre-test and the experimental group.
Exploring ligand binding pathways on proteins using hypersound–accelerated molecular dynamics
Authors: Araki Mitsugu , Matsumoto Shigeyuki , Bekker Gert-Jan , Isaka Yuta , Sagae Yukari , Kamiya Narutoshi , Okuno Yasushi
Published: February 2021

Capturing the dynamic processes of biomolecular systems in atomistic detail remains difficult despite recent experimental advances. Although molecular dynamics (MD) techniques enable atomic-level observations, simulations of “slow” biomolecular processes (with timescales longer than submilliseconds) are challenging, due to current computer speed limitations. Therefore, we developed a new method to accelerate MD simulations by high-frequency ultrasound perturbation. The binding events between the protein CDK2 and its small-molecule inhibitors were nearly undetectable in 100-ns conventional MD, but the new method successfully accelerated their slow binding rates by up to 10–20 times. The accelerated MD simulations revealed a variety of microscopic kinetic features of the inhibitors on the protein surface, such as the existence of different binding pathways to the active site. Moreover, the simulations allowed estimating the corresponding kinetic parameters and exploring other druggable pockets. This method can thus provide deeper insight into the microscopic interactions controlling biomolecular processes.
Towards Improving Edge Quality using Combinatorial Optimization and a Novel Skeletonize Algorithm
Authors: Arnold Marvin , Hattab Georges , Speidel Stefanie
Published: February 2021

Background: Object detection and image segmentation of regions of interest provide the foundation for numerous pipelines across disciplines. Robust and accurate computer vision methods are needed to properly solve image-based tasks. Multiple algorithms have been developed to solely detect edges in images. Constrained to the problem of creating a thin, one-pixel wide, edge from a predicted object boundary, we require an algorithm that removes pixels while preserving the topology. Thanks to skeletonize algorithms, an object boundary is transformed into an edge; contrasting uncertainty with exact positions.Methods: To extract edges from boundaries generated from different algorithms, we present a computational pipeline that relies on: a novel skeletonize algorithm, a non-exhaustive discrete parameter search to find the optimal parameter combination of a specific post-processing pipeline, and an extensive evaluation using three data sets from the medical and natural image domains (kidney boundaries, NYU-Depth V2, BSDS 500). While the skeletonize algorithm was compared to classical topological skeletons, the validity of our post-processing algorithm was evaluated by integrating the original post-processing methods from six different works.Results: Using the state of the art metrics, precision and recall based Signed Distance Error (SDE) and the Intersection over Union bounding box (IOU-box), our results indicate that the SDE metric for these edges is improved up to 2.3 times.Conclusions: Our work provides guidance for parameter tuning and algorithm selection in the post-processing of predicted object boundaries.
Angular and Linear Speed Cells in the Parahippocampal Circuits
Authors: Spalla Davide , Treves Alessandro , Boccara Charlotte
Published: February 2021

An essential role of the hippocampal region is to integrate information to compute and update representations. How this transpires is highly debated. Many theories hinge on the integration of self-motion signals and the existence of continuous attractor networks (CAN). CAN models hypothesise that neurons coding for navigational correlates – such as position and direction – receive inputs from cells conjunctively coding for position, direction and self-motion. As yet, such conjunctive coding had not been found in the hippocampal region. Here, we report neurons coding for angular and linear velocity, distributed across the medial entorhinal cortex, the presubiculum and the parasubiculum. These self-motion neurons often conjunctively encoded position and/or direction, yet lacked a structured organisation, calling for the revision of current CAN models. These results offer insights as to how linear/angular speed – derivative in time of position/direction – may allow the updating of spatial representations, possibly uncovering a generalised algorithm to update any representation.
Clinical Features and Development of Sepsis in Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infected Liver Abscess Patients: A Retrospective Analysis of 135 Cases
Authors: Li Shixiao , Yu Sufei , Peng Minfei , Qin Jiajia , Xu Chunyan , Qian Jiao , He Minmin , Zhou Peng
Published: February 2021

Background

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a primary pathogen of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). However, little data are available on combination with sepsis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic differences of PLA patients with sepsis.
Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate 135 patients with confirmed Klebsiella pneumoniae-caused liver abscesses (KPLA) from a tertiary teaching hospital, from 2013 to 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on comorbidity with sepsis. The demographic characteristics, clinical features as well as laboratory and microbiologic findings was analyzed.
Results

The 135 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 60.9 ± 12.7 years, and 59.3% were men. Among them, 37/135 (27.4%) had comorbid sepsis and mortality rate was 1.5%. The most common symptom was fever (91.1%). KPLA patients with sepsis had a significantly higher proportion of frailty, diarrhea, fatty liver, chronic renal insufficiency, and hepatic dysfunction (p < 0.05). Antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage were most frequently used. The incidences of sepsis shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome was higher in the sepsis group compared to the non-sepsis group. As for metastatic infections, the lung was the most common site. Respiratory symptoms were found in 11 patients, and endophthalmitis coexisted in 4 patients, and meningitis occurred in 1 patient.
Conclusion

Our findings emphasize that KPLA patients combined with and without sepsis have different clinical features, but KPLA patients with sepsis have a high rate of complications and metastatic infections. Further surveillance and control of septic spread is essential in KPLA patients.
Real-time automatic identification ear diseases using a deep learning model
Authors: Zeng Xinyu , Jiang Zifan , Luo Wen , Li Honggui , Li Hongye , Li Guo , Shi Jingyong , Wu Kangjie , Liu Tong , Lin Xing , Wang Fusen , Li Zhenzhang
Published: February 2021

Early detection and appropriate medical treatment is of great use for ear disease. However, a new diagnostic strategy is necessary in the absence of experts and relatively low diagnostic accuracy, in which deep learning plays an important role. This paper puts forward a mechanic learning model which uses abundant otoscope image data gained in the clinical cases in order to achieve automatic diagnosis of ear diseases in real time. A total of 20,542 endoscopic images were employed to train nine common deep convolution neural networks. According to the characteristics of eardrum and external auditory canal, eight kinds of ear diseases were classified, involving the majority of ear diseases, such as normal, Cholestestoma of middle ear, Chronic suppurative otitis media, External auditory cana bleeding, Impacted cerumen, Otomycosis external, Secretory otitis media, Tympanic membrane calcification. After we evaluate these optimization schemes, two best performance models are selected to combine the ensemble classifiers with real-time automatic classification. Based on accuracy and training time, we choose a transferring learning model based on DensNet-BC169 and DensNet-BC1615, getting a result that each model has obvious improvement by using these two ensemble classifiers, and has average accuracy of 95.59%. Considering the dependence of classifier performance on data size in transfer learning, we evaluate the high accuracy of the current model that can be attributed to large databases. Current studies are unparalleled regarding disease diversity and diagnostic precision. The real-time classifier trains the data under different acquisition conditions, which is suitable for the real cases. According to this study, in the clinical case, deep learning model is of great use in early detection and remedy of ear diseases.
The ameliorative role of ascorbic acid against blood disorder, immunosuppression and oxidative damage of oxytetracycline in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Moradi Saeed , javanmardi sina , Gholamzadeh Pooria , Tavabe Kamran Rezaei
Published: February 2021

This experiment aimed to determine the possible beneficial effects of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) on hematological indices, immune responses, and antioxidative capacity of Oncorhynchus mykiss treated with antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC). 150 fish were divided evenly among five experimental groups (30 fish of each, in 3 replicates) receiving diets containing OTC (0 and 100 mg per kg fish weight) and AA (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg per kg fish diet) for 28 days. Treatments include group A or control (100 mg AA without OTC), group B (100 mg AA with OTC), group C (200 mg AA with OTC), group D (400 mg AA with OTC), and group E (800 mg AA with OTC). The results obtained showed that the hematological indices (red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin and neutrophils), immunological parameters (plasma lysozyme, plasma complement and skin mucus alkaline phosphatase activities), and antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) were significantly decreased by OTC in O. mykiss fed control diet (P < 0.05). The results also revealed that OTC significantly increased the activity of biochemical enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) in the plasma of O. mykiss fed control diet (P < 0.05). However, in comparison to the control diet, feeding fish with higher amounts of AA (400 and 800 mg/kg diet) significantly restored the hematological, immunological, and antioxidative responses in OTC treated groups (p < 0.05). These findings show that the dietary supplementation of AA at 400 or 800 mg/kg diet is beneficial in relieving O. mykiss from OTC-induced oxidative stress and immunosuppression.
Economic Growth and Carbon Emission Nexus: A Survey
Authors: Li Rongrong , Wang Qiang , Zhan Lina
Published: February 2021

Developing better mitigation strategy requires a comprehensive understanding the relationship between economic growth and carbon emission. Through a literature review, we summarized the following five relationship reported in existing studies: (i) a single causal from economic growth to carbon emission, (ii) a single causal from carbon emissions to economic growth, (iii) a bidirectional causality, (iv) the Environmental Kuznets Curve, (v) no obvious relationship. And then, we further quantify contribution of countries, institutes, authors, investigate research hotspot, and explore future research directions of carbon emissions and economic growth nexus using web of science data from 2001-2019. We find regardless of the total number of publications, institutions and highly cited papers, China research on carbon emissions and economic growth has always been among the best. By analyzing the cooperation relationship between countries and institutions, more than half of the institutions are more inclined to cooperate with institutions in their own countries rather than abroad. Through keyword hotspot analysis and keyword trend analysis, we uncovered the future research directions and hotspots of carbon emissions and economic growth: ①What is the relationship between carbon emissions, economic growth and energy consumption. ②The efforts of China in carbon reduction and economic growth. ③How to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while ensuring stable economic growth. ④The research on carbon emissions and economic growth in the fields of urbanization, financial development, renewable energy, and climate change.
Heavy Metals Contamination of River Water and Sediments in The Mangrove Forest Ecosystems in Bangladesh: A Consequence of Oil Spill Incident
Authors: Choudhury Tasrina Rabia , Acter Thamina , Uddin Nizam , Kamal Masud , Chowdhury A.M. Sarwaruddin , Rahman M. Safiur
Published: February 2021

Oil spillage is one of the common pollution events of global water-soil ecosystems. A comprehensive investigation on heavy metals pollution of surface water and sediments was conducted after oil spill incident in Sela River and its tributaries of the Sundarbans mangrove forest ecosystems, Bangladesh. Water and sediment samples were collected from the preselected sampling points in Sela River, and the elemental (Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Fe, As, Hg, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, Na, and K) analysis was done using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). This study revealed that the descending order for the average concentration of the studied elements were found to be Mg > Co > Na > Ni > K > Ca > Pb > Fe > Mn > Cr > Cd > Zn > Cu respectively, while As and Hg in water samples were found to be below detection limit (BDL). However, some of the toxic elements in the Sela River water samples were exceeded the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) with a descending order of Co > Cd > Pb > Ni respectively. Based on the water quality index (WQI), metal pollution index (MPI), and metal quality index (MI), the Sela River water is not suitable for drinking but may be used for irrigating agricultural and vegetable crops. On the other hand, elemental concentration in the sediment samples were found to be the following descending order of Fe > Mg > Na > K > Ca > Mn > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > As > Cd respectively. Several pollution assessment indices: contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd), modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load (PLI), enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation (Igeo) indices were followed to assess the sediment systems pollution in the study area. Considering sediment quality indices, this study revealed that the river sediment had higher contamination factor (Cf) values for Cd, moderate values for Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mg, and As, and low values for Mn, Fe, Ca, Na, and K. Among the studied heavy metals, Cd content was highest in both water and sediment samples, which confirming that Cd, insoluble or suspended form, was more likely to be strongly deposited and bound in sediments from water. Principal component and correlation analyses suggested that the sources of heavy metals pollution were mainly anthropogenic along with the geogenic sources in the study area.
RIPK1/RIPK3-Mediated Necroptosis is Involved in Sevoflurane-Induced Neonatal Neurotoxicity in The Rat Hippocampus.
Authors: Xu Rui , Zhu Yun , Jia Jie , Li Wenxian , Lu Yi
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Recent studies have shown that exposure to sevoflurane in developing brains causes neuronal apoptosis and cognitive dysfunction. “Necroptosis” is a novel pathway of necrosis. We introduced the caspase-specific inhibitor Z-VAD in addition to the receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) inhibitor Nec-1, to ascertain the existence and importance of necroptosis.Methods: Sprague–Dawley rat pups postnatal day 7 were randomly assigned into one of four groups: control, sevoflurane+Z-VAD, sevoflurane+Z-VAD+Nec-1 and 3% sevoflurane group. Neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining . The MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell viability. Immunofluorescence was employed to measure expression of RIPK1 and RIPK3. Western blots showing expression of RIPK1 and RIPK3 were used to explore the role of necroptosis. Binding of RIPK1/RIPK3 was detected via co-immunoprecipitation. Finally, the Morris water maze test was used to determine cognitive function.Results: Exposure to 3% sevoflurane for 6 hours induced neurotoxicity and inhibited cell viability. Neuron viability was low in the SEV and SEV +Z-VAD groups. The study revealed that RIPK1 and RIPK3 protein expression increased significantly, but there was no significant differences between the SEV and SEV+Z-VAD groups. Co-immunoprecipitation results showed that sevoflurane exposure enhanced binding of RIPK1/RIPK3 protein significantly. Blockade of apoptosis and necroptosis alleviated sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment.Conclusions: Sevoflurane exposure elicited neurotoxicity within neonatal hippocampal neurons and tissues. Blockade of apoptosis alone did not attenuate sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity (SIN). RIPK1/RIPK3-mediated necroptosis was involved in SIN in hippocampal neurons. SIN could be attenuated only by inhibiting apoptosis and necroptosis.
Sustainable tire supply chain network design and operations planning using a multi objective , scenario-based optimization approach
Authors: Zenouz Reza Yousefi , Jamalnia Aboozar , Farrokh Mojtaba Farrokh , Asadi Mastaneh
Published: February 2021

Each year, millions of tires reach their end of life. Worn-out tires are either buried or burned, both of which harm the environment through polluting the air and groundwater. Companies need to consider their social responsibility, such as employment and regional development, and the environmental impact of their activities when making strategic and operational decisions. This study addresses the closed-loop supply chain network design (SCND) and operations planning problem with regard to the three dimensions of sustainability using a mathematical programming approach. The options of retreading, recycling, and energy recovery together with the use of green technologies are considered to minimize the environmental impacts. The proposed decision model can help supply chain managers in tire manufacturing industry make better-informed decisions in order to achieve the three-fold objectives of sustainability. The developed mathematical model turns out to be a multi-objective, multi-echelon, and multi-product mixed integer linear programming. The model is solved using the Lp-metric method and CPLEX solver. The scenario approach is used to address the uncertainty in demand of new products and the rate of return of worn-out tires. The model solutions are the optimal location of the facilities considering population density and unemployment rate in addition to economic dimension, the optimal amount of allocation, the flow of materials, and the best green technology selection. Sensitivity analysis is also conducted to validate the model and test the robustness of the obtained solutions. Finally, managerial implications are provided.
The effect of MQL on tool wear progression in low-frequency vibration-assisted drilling of CFRP/Ti6Al4V stack material
Authors: Hussein Ramy , Sadek Ahmad , Elbestawi Mohamed , Attia Helmi
Published: February 2021

In this paper, the tool wear mechanism in low-frequency vibration-assisted drilling (LF-VAD) of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)/Ti6Al4V stacks has been proposed using variably machining parameters. Based on the kinematics analysis, the effect of vibration amplitude on the chip formation, uncut chip thickness, chip radian, and axial velocity was presented. Subsequently, the effect of LF-VAD on the cutting temperature, tool wear, delamination, and geometrical accuracy was presented for different vibration amplitude. The LF-VAD with the utilization of minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) resulted in a successful drilling process of 50 holes, with a 63 % reduction of the cutting temperature. For the rake face, LF-VAD reduced the adhered height of Ti6Al4V by 80 % at low cutting speed and reduced the crater depth by 33 % at the high cutting speed. On the other hand, LF-VAD reduced the flank wear land by 53 %. Furthermore, LF-VAD showed a significant enhancement on the CFRP delamination, geometrical accuracy, and burr formation.
Transcription Factor C-Jun Modulates GLUT1 in Glycolysis and Breast Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Zhu Ping , Lu Jingjing , Zhou Yue , Gao Yabiao , Chen Shuyi , Yu Jerry , Sun Yangbai , Zhou Ping
Published: February 2021

As one of the main isoforms of membranous glucose transporters (GLUT), GLUT1 involves tumorigenesis, metastasis and prognosis in a variety of cancers. However, its role in breast cancer metastasis remains to be elucidated. Here we examined its transcriptional and survival data in patients with breast cancer from several independent databases including the Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Gene Expression across Normal and Tumor tissue, UALCAN, cBioPortal, Kaplan-Meier Plotter and PROGgeneV2. We found that its mRNA expression was significantly high in cancer tissues, which was associated with metastasis and poor survival. Transcription factor c-Jun might bind to GLUT1 promoter to downregulate its gene expression or mRNA stability, therefore to suppress glycolysis and metastasis. By qRT-PCR, we verified that GLUT1 was significantly increased in 38 paired human breast cancer samples while JUN was decreased. Furthermore, the protein level of GLUT1 was higher in tumor compared to normal tissues through IHC assay. We also performed GO and KEGG analysis of genes related to GLUT1 and JUN to explore underlying pathways. Our results further support that transcription factor c-Jun regulates GLUT1 to influence glycolysis and breast cancer metastasis.
Software Evaluation for De Novo Detection of Transposons
Authors: Rodríguez Matias , Makalowski Wojciech
Published: February 2021

Transposable elements (TEs) are major genomic components in most eukaryotic genomes and play an important role in genome evolution. However, despite their relevance the identification of TEs is not an easy task and a number of tools were developed to tackle this problem. To better understand how they perform, we tested several widely used tools for de novo!TE detection and compared their performance on both simulated data and well curated genomic sequences. The results will be helpful for identifying common issues associated with TE-annotation and for evaluating how comparable are the results obtained with different tools.
Antimicrobial Activity Study of Chinese Medicine Madeng’ai
Authors: Tang Zhenrong , Zhao Yannan , Zhang Zaiqi , Yue Huan , Wang Dan , Liu Shengchun , Tang Hua
Published: February 2021

Background Due to the overuse of antibiotics, many multidrug-resistant bacteria have emerged, which brings huge challenges to the clinical treatment of bacterial infections. New products for anti-infection are necessary. Methods Madeng’ai powder was added with Milli-Q water or LB culture and autoclaved to prepare medicine suspension at different concentration. Bacteria were cultured in LB with different concentration of Madeng’ai. and swab on LB agar plates to get minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Madeng’ai. Mice back was cut to make wound and MRSA/PAE suspension was injected in the wound area. Then swab with Madeng’ai extracts. Bacteria growth of infected secretions was checked on LB agar, and Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed for Histological analysis of skin tissues infected with bacteria after Madeng’ai and PBS (control) treatment. Results Madeng’ai could widely inhibit E.faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneumoniae) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A.baumannii) at concentration of 4.0 mg/ml. The mice model also showed that Madeng’ai had imposed restrictions on MRSA and PAE growth in vivo. Conclusion Here, we report that a new Chinese medicine Madeng’ai has antimicrobial activity functions in vitro and in vivo. These data briefly showed that Madeng’ai functioned on antimicrobial and provided a new consideration for an antibiosis product.
Long noncoding RNA ANRIL Knockdown Attenuates Neuroinflammation Following Ischemic Stroke via Suppressing the Expression of NF-κB In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Dong Zhi , Deng Ling , Guo Yi , Liu Jingdong , Chen Sha , Wang Xuan , Zhao Hongxia , Zuo Tianrui , Hu Qingwen
Published: February 2021

Increasing evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs can exert neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Levels of the long noncoding RNA ANRIL (ANRIL) are reportedly altered in ischemic stroke (IS) patients, but its role in IS requires further clarification. This study was designed to explore the mechanistic function of ANRIL in IS. In vitro, HT22 cells was treated with an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). In vivo, brain ischemia/reperfusion was induced by 60-minute transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/ reperfusion (MCAO/R) IS model in C57/BL6 mice. Additionally, cells were transfected with si-ANRIL, pcDNA3.1-ANRIL, pcDNA3.1-NF-κB, or appropriate negative controls, and si-ANRIL and pcDNA3.1-NF-κB were administered into the lateral ventricles in MCAO/R model mice. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected via MTT and flow cytometry assays. mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB were detected via qRT-PCR and Western blotting. IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-a, and iNOS levels were detected via ELISA. In addition, infarcted area and neuronal injury were evaluated via TTC, Nissl, and immunofluorescent staining. We found that ANRIL knockdown increased cell viability and reduced apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, we found that ANRIL knockdown decreased p-P65, P65, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-a, and iNOS levels, whereas these effects were reversed by NF-κB overexpression both in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that ANRIL knockdown attenuates neuroinflammation by suppressing the expression of NF-κB both in vitro and vivo model of IS, sugguesting that ANRIL might be a potentially viable therapeutictarget to diminish neuroinflammation in IS patients.