bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Safe and Effective Two-Step Tract Dilation Technique in Totally Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Authors: Dong Shao-Wei , Wu Chia-Chang , Lin Chu-Tung , Chen Kuan-Chou , Ho Chen-Hsun
Published: September 2021

Background To evaluate the safety and the efficacy of a radiation-free 2-step tract dilation technique in totally ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods From Oct 2018 to Mar 2020, we prospectively and consecutively enrolled 18 patients with 19 kidney units with urolithiasis. The nephrostomy tract was established by the following four steps: 1) ultrasound-guided renal puncture, 2) first-stage serial dilation to 16 Fr with Amplatz dilators, 3) check and adjustment of the partially dilated tract with a ureteroscope, 4) second-stage dilation with a 24-Fr balloon dilator. Results The median age was 62.0 [IQR 11.0] years, and 11 (61.1%) were male. The median stone size was 3.3 [3.6] cm2, and stone laterality was almost equal over both sides. Successful tract establishment on the first attempt without fluoroscopy was achieved in 18 (94.7%) operations. The median tract establishment time was 10.4 [4.9] mins, and the median operation time was 67.0 [52.2] mins. The median hemoglobin drop was 1.0 [1.1] g/dL, and none required blood transfusion. Three (15.8%) developed fever. Pleural injury occurred in two (10.5%) operations (both had supracostal puncture), and one required drainage with pigtail. Stone-free status was achieved in 15 (77.8%) operations at 3 months postoperatively. Conclusions Herein we present a radiation-free 2-step tract dilation technique, which is characterized by ureteroscopic check of the partially dilated tract in between the first dilation with serial fascial dilators and the second dilation with balloon. Our data suggest that it is a safe and effective method.
Quantitative Proteomics Identifies Cannabinoid Receptor 2 as Candidate Marker of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Dysregulation of Endogenous Cannabinoids Pathway
Authors: du wenjing , Zhang Ting , Yang Fangyong , Tang Zhao , Li Qiuping , Gul Aman , Zhang Hu , Yi La , Wang Shiqiang , Dong Jingcheng
Published: September 2021

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) a chronic, progressive, and lung fibrosis disease of unknown etiology with less effective treatment. It is important to discover new biomarker and therapeutic target for the diagnosis and cure of IPF. Method: Differential metabolic profiles may be useful for the diagnosis of IPF and provide additional insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying IPF. Plasma samples from IPF, COPD and normal controls were investigated using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS) and these datasets were analyzed using multiple pattern performance methods. Multivariate statistical methods, pathway enrichment analysis and univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. Results: OPLS-DA results showed that it exhibited significant separation between any two groups. ROC curve analyses revealed that 8 metabolites with high AUC above 0.7 between three groups in the plasma samples. Pathway analysis revealed that 3 metabolites are involved in endogenous cannabinoids/cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) signaling. Moreover, we found that the specific elevation of CB2 could be a signature of PF(Pulmonary Fibrosis) lung tissues in rat model. Conclusions: LC-MS-based plasma metabolomics provides a important tool to identify the potential biomarkers for IPF. Taken together, we performed quantitative chemoproteomic profiling and identified endogenous cannabinoids/CB2 as the key target of ICA in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Trial Registration: The study was approved by the the Ethics Committee of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University (KY2021-453)
YBX1 Mediates Alternative Splicing and Maternal mRNA Decay During Pre-Implantation Development
Authors: Deng Mingtian , Chen Baobao , Liu Zifei , Wan Yongjie , Li Dongxu , Yang Yingnan , Wang Feng
Published: September 2021

Background: In mammals, maternal gene products decay and zygotic genome activation (ZGA) during maternal to zygotic transition (MZT) is critical for pre-implantation. Y-box binding protein YBX1 plays vital roles in RNA stabilization and transcriptional regulation, but its roles in pre-implantation development remain to be elucidated. The objective of this study is to investigate the role and the molecular mechanisms of YBX1 during MZT.Methods: RNA-seq datasets in mice, human, bovine, and goat embryos were re-analyzed. YBX1 was knocked down by siRNA microinjection. The 8-cell stage embryos were collected for RNA-seq. The differentially expressed genes and alternative splicing (AS) events were identified using DESeq2 and rMATs, respectively. GO/KEGG/GSEA enrichment analysis was performed using clusterProfiler and enrichplot. Furthermore, 5-EU staining was performed to confirm the effect of YBX1 knockdown on transcriptional activity.Results: The expression of YBX1 was increased during MZT in goat, bovine, human, and mice. By microinjection of siRNA against YBX1, we successfully knocked down YBX1, and the embryo development was impaired in YBX1 knockdown embryos. Using RNA-seq, we identified 1623 up-regulated and 3531 down-regulated genes in the 8-cell stage YBX1 knockdown embryos. Of note, the down-regulated genes were enriched in regulation of RNA/mRNA stability and spliceosome, suggesting that YBX1 might medicate RNA stability and AS. To this end, we identified 3284 differential AS events and 1322 differentially expressed maternal mRNAs at the 8-cell stage YBX1 knockdown embryos. Meanwhile, the splicing factors and mRNA decay related showed aberrant expression. Moreover, the transcriptional activity during ZGA in goat and mice was compromised when YBX1 was knocked down.Conclusion: Our results identify that YBX1 serves an important role in maternal mRNA decay, alternative splicing, and the transcriptional activity required for early embryogenesis, which will broaden the current understanding of YBX1 functions during the stochastic reprogramming events.
Heavy ion escape from Martian wake enhanced by magnetic reconnection
Authors: Wang Lei , Huang Can , Ge Yasong , Du A. M. , Wang Rongsheng , Zhang Tielong , Fan Jinqiao
Published: September 2021

How ion escape from the near-Mars space is one of the biggest puzzles for understanding the atmospheric evolution of Mars. Ions in the plasma wake region continuously escape from the unmagnetized planet. Although the average ion escape rate in the wake region is relatively low, observations also have revealed the presence of events that contribute bursty and enhanced ion escape fluxes. Boundary instabilities and magnetic reconnection are suggested to be the candidate mechanisms. However, there is a lack of evaluation of ion escape caused by reconnection and comparison of the two mechanisms under a similar plasma environment. Here, we show an exciting reconnection event in the Martian wake. Two types of flux ropes are observed during the event. One was generated by reconnection, while others were produced by dayside boundary instability and convected to tail. The escape rate of oxygen ions in the reconnection region was estimated to be about 53–72% of the total tailward escape. Furthermore, the escape flux in the flux rope produced by reconnection was over twice that caused by dayside instabilities.
Combined QTL and GWAS Analysis to Identify the Growth-Related Gene in Rhopilema Esculentum with the Help of 2b-RAD Sequencing
Authors: Chen Bailing , Li Yulong , Tian Meilin , Su Hao , Sun Wei , Li Yunfeng
Published: September 2021

R. esculentum is a popular seafood in Asian countries and an economic marine fishery resource in China. However, the high-resolution genetic map and growth-related molecular markers still lack, hindering the process of the genetic breeding of R. esculentum. Therefore, we firstly used the 2b-RAD method to sequence 152 R. esculentum specimens, identified 9100 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and constructed a high-resolution genetic map with a marker interval of 0.58 cM, covering 98.68% of the genome. Then, we separately detected four and three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with umbrella diameter and body weight based on the linkage map, which is located on linkage group (LG) 4, 13, 14 and 15. Finally, 27 genes were found both associated with umbrella diameter and body weight of R. esculentum by genome-wide association study (GWAS), in which one gene named RE13670 containing calcium-binding EGF-like domain may play an important role in controlling the growth. This study will be beneficial for underlying the growth mechanism of R. esculentum and also provide background knowledge for guiding its genetic breeding.
Potential Mechanism of Tibetan Medicine Dali in the Treatment of Respiratory Diseases via Network Pharmacology
Authors: Fan Yuxin , Yang Yong , Wang Yunhong , Wang Jirui , Hua Lei , Zhang Xiaomei , Gao Sijia
Published: September 2021

Background: As a source of Tibetan medicine “Dali”, Rhododendron anthopogonoides Maxim (RAM) has good medically helpful effect on respiratory diseases. However, due to its complex components, there is still a lack of pharmacological and pharmacodynamic research on its active components. Methods: The research method of the network pharmacology was used in this study, to obtain the mechanism of RAM in the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The active components of RAM were obtained by searching the relevant database, and the protein targets of each chemical component in RAM were screened by Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and PubChem. Then, the protein targets were normalized to the corresponding gene name through UniProt. Meanwhile, genes related to ALI were searched by Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database, GeneCards database, DrugBank database and DisGeNET database. The “Component-Target-Protein” network was established by Cytoscape software, and the core targets were screened by combining with STRING software. Finally, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were carried out by David database. Results: Combined with all above results, 92 active components of RAM and 176 gene targets of ALI/ARDS were screened, including 46 common targets, which were related to biological processes such as inflammation, immune and inflammatory response, cell growth and differentiation and apoptosis. Conclusions: It can be concluded through the investigation of network pharmacology that RAM regulates a variety of physiological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and death by activating the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, as well as regulating the inflammatory response of cells, the immune response of the body and promoting the inflammatory cytokines NF‐κB dependent expression and other processes to treat ALI/ARDS. This study revealed the mechanism of RAM multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway, and provided scientific basis and research ideas for its clinical application.
The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine on Rate of Hospitalization and Outcome of COVID-19 Infection in a Single Center in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alkhafaji Dania M. , Argan Reem Al , Alwaheed Abrar Jamal , Alqatari Safi Ghazi , Alelq Abdulmohsen , Albaker Waleed , Bukhari Huda , Alwezzah Marwan , Alwarthan Sarah , AlSulaiman Amal Shehab , AlSulaiman Reem Shehab , Almadan Hussain Mohammed , Alhammad Ali Abdulmohsin
Published: September 2021

Background: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging and quickly disseminating disease that causes deleterious complications. Vaccines have the potential to improve population immunity and avoid serious disease and deaths.Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 331 hospitalized patients with Covid 19 infections between April 2021 and July 2021 at King Fahad University Hospital. Data was collected from the medical records stored in the electronic health system of the hospital.Results: 27.7% of the participants required ICU admission, and 10.5% required mechanical ventilation. The mortality rate was around 7.23% of the infected cases. Two thirds of the study participants (64.05%) did not receive any vaccine, and it can be noted that only 16.8% had received 2 doses. The results suggest that the status of receiving a vaccine has significantly influenced the length of hospital stay, decreasing it by 19.7%. In addition, the date of receiving the vaccine was statistically significant in decreasing the incidence of ICU admission, as those who have received a vaccine for longer than 14 days needed ICU admission 82% less compared with their counterparts. The type of vaccine did not impact on any of the reported outcomes in the form of hospitalization rate, ICU admission and death.Conclusion: The majority of the study participants didn’t receive any vaccines before their admission with COVID 19, which in turn prolonged their hospital stay. This necessitates that the public require more awareness regarding the importance of receiving the vaccine.
Dysfunction of Low-Density Neutrophils in Peripheral Circulation in Patients With Sepsis
Authors: Sun Ran , Huang Jiamin , Yang Yunxi , Liu Lu , Shao Yiming , Li Linbin , Sun Bingwei
Published: September 2021

Background Low-density neutrophils (LDNs) have been described in tumors and various autoimmune diseases, where they exhibit immune dysfunction and alter disease progression. Nevertheless, LDNs have been rarely reported in sepsis. Methods We studied sepsis patients admitted to the intensive care unit. WrightGiemsa stain assay and Transmission electron microscopy were performed to detect the morphology of neutrophils. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the number and function of LDNs. Concentration of cytokines was measured using ELISA. Neutrophil chemotaxis was examined using an under-agarose chemotaxis model. Results We found that LDNs were significantly elevated in patients with sepsis. Phenotypes and morphological characteristics suggest that LDNs may be formed by mixtures of neutrophils at various maturation stages. In vitro experiments showed that LDN formation was closely associated with neutrophil degranulation. We preliminarily discussed changes in immune function in LDNs. Compared with high-density neutrophils, expression levels of CXC chemokine receptor 4 on LDN surfaces were increased, phagocytotic capacity was decreased, and life span was prolonged. The chemotactic ability of LDNs was significantly reduced, possibly related to the increased expression of P2X1. Conclusions These data suggest that LDNs are essential components of neutrophils in sepsis. To clarify the source and dysfunction mechanism of LDN in sepsis may be helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in the future.
A Parametric Study on Dissimilar Metal Welding of Aluminum and Copper using Pulsed Fiber Laser
Authors: Trinh Lanh Ngoc , Chatterjee Suman , Lee Dongkyoung
Published: September 2021

Joining dissimilar metals is critically challenging due to the difference in properties of the metals themselves which leads to the formation of brittle intermetallic compounds (IMCs). Aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) are well-known materials for electrical application as they attribute to various advantageous characteristics. In lithium-ion batteries, to obtain most of the features of the metals, combinations of these metals are highly recommended. However, with such high reflective metals and heat-sensitive characteristics in the battery, the joint of these metals needs to be processed with an advanced method. In this study, a pulsed fiber laser source that suits to process for heat-sensitive components is utilized to weld two overlap configurations of Al/Cu and Cu/Al, separately. Different ranges of laser power are designated for each welding configuration separately. Thus, the quality of the two welds is evaluated in terms of microstructure and mechanical properties. Consequently, it is found that the growth of IMCs with dendritic structure towards the Al side is observed in both cases. Moreover, the weld of Al/Cu shows a better connection strength as well as fewer imperfections than the weld of Cu/Al.
Identification and Vitro Validation of Biomarkers with Diagnostic and Prognostic for Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Xiaopeng , Yu Fan , He Xu , Wang Miao , Zhang Haoran , Zhang Xuefeng , Wang Hongyan
Published: September 2021

Background: This study aimed to find biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic for lung squamous cell carcinoma and to validate key biomarkers in vitroMethods：RNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) between LUSC and normal tissue. Using published dataset, we also validated the result of RNA sequencing. The diagnostic and prognostic value of candidate genes were evaluated by ROC curve analysis and survival analysis, respectively. To uncover the confirm effect of MIR205HG in LUSC, we knocked down MIR205HG expression in NCI-H520 cells. Then, MTT assay and transwell assay was used to detect the effect of MIR205HG on cell proliferation and migration.Rsults: In total, 1946 DEmRNAs and 428 DElncRNAs were identified in LUSC compared to normal tissues. A total of 147 DElncRNAs-nearby target DEmRNAs pairs and 851 DElncRNA-DEmRNA co-expression pairs were obtained. Except for NEAT1, expression of the others in the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) results was consistent with our RNA sequencing, generally. ROC curve analysis displayed that the MCM2, SERPINB5, ITGB8, CASC19 and MIR205HG could predict the occurrence of LUSC. Survival analysis suggested that SERPINB5, NEAT1 and MIR205HG had potential prognostic value for LUSC. Knockdown of MIR205HG inhibits cell proliferation and migration in NCI-H520 cell. In addition, knockdown of MIR205HG significantly reduced the expression of ITGB8.Conclusions: This data may contribute to uncover the pathogenesis of LUSC and provide new and accurate therapeutic targets for LUSC.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Values of a Branched-chain Amino Acid-associated Gene Signature in Lung Cancer
Authors: Jiang Lei , Li Quanjin , Hu Zhi , Liu Mingshan , Yang Zhuofan
Published: September 2021

BackgroundLung cancer is the malignancy with the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several studies have indicated that branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can regulate cancer progression and metabolism. In this study, a BCAA-associated prognostic signature was established and assessed to verify whether it can be used in clinical treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).MethodsThe candidate BCAA-associated genes were screened from TCGA cohort by differential expression analysis. Two datasets, the training and test sets, were divided from the lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), and LUSC-only datasets in TCGA cohort and the novel model were constructed based on the training dataset. Moreover, all prognosis-related genes were screened via univariate Cox analysis. The LASSO Cox method was used to avoid collinearity. To further probe the clinical effect, a large number of clinical characteristics were included in the prognostic risk model. The outcomes for the calibration curves and nomogram proved the capability of the prognostic signature.ResultsBased on the 366 samples in the training set, six survival-related genes (CAV1, GRIA1, LDHA, AOX1, GRIN2D, and AKR1C1) were screened using the LASSO Cox regression analysis. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups. The signature demonstrated good diagnostic and prognostic capabilities.Conclusion﻿We developed the first-ever BCAA-related signature with both prognostic predictive power and diagnostic efficacy. The prognostic signature and diagnostic model suggested that the expression of BCAAs could serve as a powerful potential marker in cancer clinical treatment in the future.
Multi-Omic Prediction of Overall Survival in Patients With Glioblastoma: Additive and Synergistic Value of Clinical Measures, Radiomics, and Genomics
Authors: Kazerooni Anahita Fathi , Saxena Sanjay , Toorens Erik , Tu Danni , Bashyam Vishnu , Akbari Hamed , Mamourian Elizabeth , Sako Chiharu , Koumenis Costas , Verginadis Ioannis , Verma Ragini , Shinohara Russell T. , Desai Arati S. , Lustig Robert A. , Brem Steven , Mohan Suyash , Bagley Stephen J. , Ganguly Tapan , O’Rourke Donald M. , Bakas Spyridon , Nasrallah MacLean P. , Davatzikos Christos
Published: September 2021

Background. Multi-omic data, i.e., clinical measures, radiomic, and genetic data, capture multi-faceted tumor characteristics, contributing to a comprehensive patient risk assessment. Here, we investigate the additive value and independent reproducibility of integrated diagnostics in prediction of overall survival (OS) in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve, IDH-wildtype GBM patients, by combining conventional and deep learning methods.Methods. Conventional radiomics and deep learning features were extracted from pre-operative multi-parametric MRI of 516 GBM patients. SVM classifiers were trained on the discovery cohort (n=404) to categorize patient groups of high-risk (OS<6 months) vs all, and low-risk (OS≥18 months) vs all. The trained patient stratification model was independently tested in the replication cohort (n=112) and a patient-wise survival prediction index (SPIradiomics) was produced. Multivariate Cox-PH models were generated for the replication cohort, first based on clinical measures solely, and then by layering on radiomics and molecular information.Results. Evaluation of the high-risk and low-risk classifiers in the discovery/replication cohorts revealed AUCs of 0.78 (95%CI:0.70–0.85)/0.75 (95%CI:0.64–0.79) and 0.75 (95%CI: 0.65–0.84)/0.63 (95%CI: 0.52–0.71), respectively. Cox-PH modeling showed a concordance index of 0.65 (95%CI:0.6–0.7) for clinical data, 0.70 (95%CI:0.65–0.75) for clinical and radiomics, 0.72 (95%CI:0.68–0.77) for clinical, MGMT methylation, and radiomics, and 0.75 (95%CI:0.72–0.79) for the combination of all omics, i.e., clinical, MGMT methylation, radiomics, and genomics.Conclusions. This study signifies the value of integrated diagnostics for improved prediction of OS in GBM. Our multi-omic survival prediction tool is easily scalable and can be used for more effective clinical trial stratification.
Phenylalanine Gold Nanoclusters as Sensing Platform for π-π Interfering Molecules: A Case Study of Lodide
Authors: Amiri-Sadeghan Amir , Zohrabi Tayebeh , Dinari Ali , Khodarahmi Reza , Hosseinkhani Saman , Mohammadi Soheila
Published: September 2021

The photo-physical properties of metal nano clusters are sensitive to their surrounding medium. Fluorescence enhancement, quenching, and changes in the emitted photon properties are usual events in the sensing applications using these nano materials. Combining this sensitivity with unique properties of self-assembled structures opens new opportunities for sensing applications. Here, we synthesized gold nanoclusters by utilizing phenylalanine amino acid as both capping and reducing molecule. Phenylalanine is able to self-assemble to rod-shaped nano structure in which the π-π interaction between the aromatic rings is a major stabilizing force. Any substance as iodide anion or molecule that is able to weaken this interaction influence the fluorescence of metal nano-clusters. Since the building blocks of the self-assembled structure are made through the reaction of gold ions and phenylalanine, the oxidized products and their effect of sensing features are explored.
Effects of Modified Subxiphoid Thoracoscopic Surgery and Traditional Surgery On Pain Mediators and Pain Stress Levels in Patients With Anterior Mediastinal Teratoma
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Liu Dan , Luo Dong , Pang Fuli
Published: September 2021

Background

To investigate the effects of modified subxiphoid thoracoscopic surgery and traditional surgery on pain mediators and pain stress levels in patients with anterior mediastinal teratoma.
Method

Eighty patients with anterior mediastinal teratoma who underwent surgery in our hospital from May 2019 to May 2021 were selected as the subjects of this prospective study. According to the random residue grouping method, they were divided into a control group and observation group with 40 cases each. Among them, the control group underwent traditional surgery, and the observation group underwent modified subxiphoid thoracoscopic surgery. Observe and compare the surgical indicators, pain-causing mediators, and pain stress levels of the two groups of patients.
Result

The intraoperative blood loss, postoperative extubation time, and total drainage volume of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group, while the operation time was significantly higher than that of the control group, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the pain-causing mediators of the two groups before surgery (P > 0.05), while the NPY, PGE2 and 5-HT at 1 day after surgery were significantly different, and the observation group was better than the control group. The comparison was statistically significant. Significance (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in pain stress levels between the two groups before surgery (P > 0.05), while NO, IL-6, and IL-β 1 day after surgery were significantly different, and the observation group was better than the control group. Statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Conclusion

The modified subxiphoid thoracoscopic surgery has a significant effect, reduces the level of peripheral blood pain-causing factors, relieves the pain of the patient, and promotes the recovery of the patient. It provides a certain reference for the mediastinal teratoma before the clinical operation.
Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery Calcification Is Not Predictive of Future Cognitive Decline
Authors: Rahmani Farzaneh , Nguyen Marina , Chen Charles D. , McKay Nicole , Dincer Aylin , Joseph-Mathurin Nelly , Chen Gengsheng , Liu Jingxia , Orlowski Hilary L. P. , Morris John C , Benzinger Tammie
Published: September 2021

BackgroundIntracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) calcification is a common incidental finding in non-contrast head CT. We evaluated the predictive value of ICA calcification for future risk of dementia and compared the results with conventional imaging biomarkers of dementia.MethodsIn a retrospective observational cohort, we included 230 participants with a PET-CT scan within 18 months of a baseline clinical assessment and longitudinal imaging assessments. Intracranial ICA calcification was quantified on baseline CT scans using the Agatson calcium score. The ability of baseline ICA calcification to discriminate between a control group (participants who maintained a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR™) score of zero over all follow-up visits) and a converter group (participants who had a baseline CDR of zero but received a persistent CDR>0 at any follow-up visit) was evaluated along with the predictive value of baseline ICA calcification for longitudinal clinical and imaging biomarkers. ResultsBaseline ICA calcium score could not distinguish participants who converted to CDR>0. ICA calcium score was also unable to predict longitudinal changes in cognitive scores, imaging biomarkers of small vessel disease such as white matter hyperintensities (WMH) volume, or AD such as hippocampal volume, AD cortical signature thickness, and amyloid burden. Severity of intracranial ICA calcification increased with age, male sex, and higher WMH volumes at baseline visit. Higher WMH volume and amyloid burden as well as lower hippocampal volume and AD cortical signature thickness at baseline predicted lower Mini-Mental State Exam scores at longitudinal follow-up. Baseline ICA calcification was indirectly associated with longitudinal cognitive decline, fully mediated through WMH volume.ConclusionsIn elderly and preclinical AD populations, atherosclerosis of large intracranial vessels as demonstrated through ICA calcification is not directly associated with a future risk of dementia, cognitive impairment, or progression of imaging biomarkers of AD or small vessel disease.
Identification of a Novel Prognostic Classifier for Platelet-related Genes Characteristics and Prognostic Significance of Aberrant Expression of PAFAH1B3 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Genhao
Published: September 2021

BackgroundComplex crosstalk between tumor cells and platelets is closely related to the development, relapse, and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, an intensive analysis of the relationship between platelet-related genes and the effectiveness of immunotherapy is necessary for improving the poor prognosis of HCC patients. MethodsGenes associated with platelets in the GeneCards database were collected and were used to identified molecular subtypes using a non-negative matrix decomposition algorithm (NMF) and constructed a platelet-related genes-based prognostic stratification model by the LASSO-Cox regression and stepwise Cox regression analysis. The effect of this feature on the immune microenvironment of HCC and the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors was also explored.ResultsAfter identifying two molecular subtypes, we constructed a platelet-related genes-based prognostic stratification model that can be effectively used for immune checkpoint inhibitor (PD1, PD-L1, PD-L2, and CTLA4) efficacy and prognosis prediction in HCC patients, which was subsequently validated using patient samples from ICGC, GSE14520 and a small sample size clinical cohort. We also found downregulation of PAFAH1B3 remarkably inhibited the proliferation and migration ability of Hep3B cells. ConclusionsIn conclusion, we constructed a prognostic classifier based on platelet-related genes that could effectively classify HCC patients for prognostic prediction provide new light on the selection of optimal individualized antiplatelet therapy for HCC patients in future clinical practice.
Estimating the Impact of Human Capital Underutilization on the Productivity and Economic Growth in India
Authors: M Vijaya Kumar , B Balu
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the effect of human capital underutilization on productivity and economic growth. It has used time-series data accessed from the International Labor Organization (ILO) and World Bank database. This paper estimated the relationship between the underutilization of human capital on productivity and economic growth by applying the econometric tests like Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) Test, Johansen Integration Test, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The results revealed that in the long run human capital underutilization has a negative relationship on GDP and labor productivity and it does not in the short run. The study recommends that specific policy legislations in the Indian labor markets are required for addressing the problem of human capital underutilization and thereby accelerating the economic growth and productivity for the current and future generations.
Polymorphism and Geographical Distribution of vgsc and ace-1 Gene in Anopheles Sinensis Field Populations in Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Cheng Jinzhi , Liang Qiuguo , Yang Xi , Wu Yuanming , Tan Weilong , Wu Jia Hong
Published: September 2021

Background: Vector control has been a key strategy in malaria prevention and elimination for decades. However, insecticide resistance is becoming a serious threat to vector control. Anopheles sinensis is one of the important transmission vectors for malaria in Guizhou Province, China. However, little is known on insecticide resistance status and related mechanism. In this study, the diversity and frequency of the major insecticide resistance associated genes such as voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) and acetylcholinesterase-1 ( ace-1 ) genes that encoded the target proteins of Pyrethroids and OPs were investigated in field populations.Methods: Adult mosquitoes were collected from 12 sampling sites across Guizhou by lamp trapping. Female An. sinensis were identified by morphological and molecular identification. Genomic DNA was extracted to amplify vgsc and ace-1 gene fragments. PCR products were sequenced bi-directly. Mutations of vgsc gene at locus 1014 and that of ace-1 at locus 119 were analyzed using MEGA 7.1 software, and the frequencies of mutations were calculated respectively.Results: 5 kdr mutation alleles at the locus 1014 of vgsc gene as a result of three amino acid replacements ( namely 1014F/C/S) in 548 samples of 12 An. sinensis populations. The total frequency of kdr mutation alleles was 27.4%, of which the TTT/C (F) allele had a highest mutation frequency of 22.5%. The top three mutation genotypes were from XiShui, TongZhi and DeJiang populations collected in north Guizhou. There were three alleles at locus 119 in ace-1 gene with 49.47% of GGC/G, 0.17% of GGT/G and 50.36% of AGC/S. The 100% frequency of mutation genotypes (GS, SS) was found in CeHeng, LuoDian and SanDu populations gathered in southwest Guizhou.Conclusion: A diverse genetic mutations of vgsc and ace-1 genes are found in An. sinensis in Guizhou. There are a significant geographical heterogeneities of allele frequency among different populations in Guizhou. A high frequency of kdr mutation (>44 %) in north Guizhou. The 119S mutation of ace-1 gene is present at a high frequency in most An. sinensis populations in Guizhou, especially in the previously highly endemic malaria regions. These findings suggest continued monitoring of the genotypic diversity of insecticides resistance genes may assist to formulate a region-customized resistance management strategies.
The relationship between Nutrition Literacy and Nutrition Information seeking attitudes and Healthy Eating Patterns in the Palestinian Society
Authors: Tell Mariam Al , Natour Nihal , Badrasawi Manal , Shawish Eman
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Nutrition literacy is important because it creates motivation and knowledge among public to have accountability towards their nutrition behaviors. Three types of nutrition literacy including functional literacy (FNL), Interactive literacy (INL) and critical literacy were not studied before in Palestinian society.Aims: The aims of the study were to 1) describe three forms of nutrition literacy: FNL, INL and CrL in the Palestinian society 2) To study the relationship between different forms of nutrition literacy and food behavior and nutrition seeking information habit.Methods: A sample of 149 Palestinian participants were recruited to participate in the study. Using an online survey which was distributed through educational and social internet platforms was used to collect data on sociodemographic variable. A translated questionnaire was used to collect information on nutrition literacy and Short Format of the Diet Health and Knowledge Survey (SFDHKS) was used to collect information on diet behavior and USDA food security questionnaire was used to collect data on food security. Data was analyzed by SPSS 21.Results: This study consisted of young adults (20.4± 4.9 y) who are mainly females (78%). Most of our study sample had Bachelors degree or currently enrolled in university to obtain this degree. The mean of FNL was 2.8±0.5, INL 3.3± 0.5, CrL 3.6± 0.5. There was significant correlation between CrL and INL (p< 0.05). There was also significant correlation between various forms of nutrition literacy and some aspects of diet behavior and food label use.Conclusion: Palestinian society is willing to learn about and understand nutrition information and this related to diet behavior
How have governments supported citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19 travel restrictions? A comparative analysis of the financial and health support in eleven countries
Authors: McDermid Pippa , Craig Adam , Sheel Meru , Seale Holly
Published: September 2021

Background: In response to the continuing threat of COVID-19, many countries have implemented some form of border restriction. A repercussion of these restrictions has been that some travellers have been stranded abroad unable to return to their country of residence, and in need for government support. Our analysis explores the COVID-19-related information and support options provided by 11 countries to their citizens stranded overseas due to travel restrictions. We also examined the quality (i.e., readability, accessibility, and useability) of the information that was available from selected governments’ web-based resources.Methods: Between June 18 to June 30, 2021, COVID-19-related webpages from 11 countries (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), France, Spain, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand) were reviewed and content relating to information and support for citizens stuck overseas analysed. Government assistance-related data from each webpage was extracted and coded for the following themes: travel arrangements, health and wellbeing, finance and accommodation, information needs, and sources. Readability was examined using the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and the Flesch Kincaid readability tests; content ‘accessibility’ was measured using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1; and content ‘usability’ assessed using the usability heuristics for website design tool.Results: Ninety-eight webpages from 34 websites were evaluated. No country assessed covered all themes analysed. Most provided information and some level of support regarding repatriation options; border control and re-entry measures; medical assistance; and traveller registration. Only three countries provided information or support for emergency housing while abroad, and six provided some form of mental health support for their citizens. Our analysis of the quality of COVID-19-related information available on a subset of four countries’ websites found poor readability and multiple accessibility and usability issues.Conclusion: With large variance in the information and services available across the countries analysed, our results highlight gaps, inconsistencies, and potential inequities in support available, and raise issues pertinent to the quality, accessibility, and usability of information. This study will assist policymakers plan and communicate comprehensive support packages for citizens stuck abroad due to the COVID-19 situation and design future efforts to prepare for global public health emergencies.
Comparison of subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus deep brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review of literature
Authors: Azari Hushyar
Published: September 2021

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is regarded as a viable therapeutic choice for Parkinson's disease (PD). The two most common sites for DBS are the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus (GPi). In this study, the clinical effectiveness of these two targets was compared.Methods: A systematic literature search in electronic databases were restricted to English language publications 2010 to 2021. Specified MeSH terms were searched in all databases. Studies that evaluated the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III were selected by meeting the following criteria: (1) had at least three months follow-up period; (2) compared both GPi and STN DBS; (3)at least five participants in each group; (4)conducted after 2010. Study quality assessment was performed using the Modified Jadad Scale.Results: 3577 potentially relevant articles were identified,3569 were excluded based on title and abstract, duplicate and unsuitable article removal. Eight articles satisfied the inclusion criteria and were scrutinized (458 PD patients). Majority of studies reported no statistically significant between-group difference for improvements in UPDRS ш scores.Conclusions: Although there were some results in terms of action tremor, rigidity, and urinary symptoms, which indicated that STN DBS might be a better choice or regarding the adverse effects, GPi seemed better; but it cannot be concluded that one target is superior. Other larger randomized clinical trials with longer follow-up periods and control groups are needed to decide which target is more efficient for stimulation and imposes fewer adverse effects on the patients.
Eco-friendly Chrome Tanning of Leather using Ultrasound Technique
Authors: Mia Md. Abu Sayid , Yeasmin Shamima , Nurnabi Mohammad , Alam Md. Zahangir
Published: September 2021

This article describes the development of an environment friendly chrome tanning of leather using ultrasound. Most of the leathers are tanned by the conventional method using basic chromium sulphate. It is one of the most polluting and time-consuming steps in leather processing. In this study, investigations were carried out on ultrasound assisted eco-friendly tanning process so that the chrome tanning agent could provide better quality leather without creating any environmental problem. Effects of using ultrasound in chrome tanning process were studied at different pH, tanning time, tanning agent dosage, and then compared with that of conventional method. Tanned leathers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photomicrographic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), etc. SEM analyses of the surface and cross-section of the tanned leather showed that fibre structures were not affected by ultrasound. It was also found that the shrinkage temperature of leather tanned with ultrasound was increased by about 5–29°C. Chrome uptake and content were found to increase by 30–50% and 1–7%, respectively. Tanning time was shortened from 6 hours to 2 hours and the quantity of leachable chromium in the leather was also decreased significantly. The noteworthy enhancing effects have been attributed largely because of the increased penetration of tanning agents into pickled leather. Photomicrographic analysis of the cross-section of the tanned leather also showed a higher penetration of tanning agents in presence of ultrasound.
Observation, speculation, spectacle: visual culture(s) at the observation deck, 1968-2020
Authors:   , Röding Philipp
Published: September 2021

The project investigates how economic paradigm shifts that occur at the beginning of the 1970s (primarily the abandonment of the gold standard and the endlessly increasing pool of capital awaiting investment that succeeded it) led to the emergence of a unique building type: the high-altitude observation deck. Part investment vehicle, part iteration of an ongoing fascination with the view from above, the project presents the observation deck as the point where three distinct paradigms intersect: observation, speculation and spectacle. Tracing the emergence of the observation deck through a series of case studies (Top of the World atop the World Trade Center (NYC), One World Observatory (NYC), The Tulip (London) the project enriches its interdisciplinary approach with archival research and fieldwork. Re-telling the complicated collaboration between architect Warren Platner and graphic designer Milton Glaser at the end of the 1960s, the project lays out how the observation deck is conceived at a time when the perceived “crisis” of New York results in a rapidly accelerating neoliberalization of urban space. An avatar of this emerging ideology the observation deck is heavily invested in making the city visually comprehensible. Incorporating a sort of neoliberalist geometry, the deck transforms the city into a product to be consumed instead of a reality to live in and thus paves the way for other ventures of what has been called the “experience economy.” Thus, it signals the ongoing shift away from an architecture that possesses any use value, towards one that, as Barthes put it with regards to Eiffel Tower, is centered only on viewing and being viewed. A speculative machine, the observation deck renders the city into a product.
Reformulation of Bohmian mechanics
Authors:   , Borilla Licea Moise
Published: September 2021

Bohmian mechanics as formulated originally in 1952, has been useful in the implementation of numerical methods applied to quantum mechanics. The scientific community though has had ever since a critical thought about it. Therefore, there are still points to be clarified and rectified. The two main problems are basically: Bohmian mechanics gives a privilege role to the position representation. Secondly, the current interpretation of Bohmian trajectories has been recently proven wrong. In this context, in Chapter 2, new complex Bohmian quantities are defined; so that they allow the capacity to formulate Bohmian mechanics in any arbitrary continuous representation, for instance, the momentum representation. This Chapter is fully based on two articles, regarding the proposed complex Bohmian formulation and its extension into momentum space. Chapter 3 deals with a redefinition and reinterpretation of the Bohmian trajectories from the handling of the continuity equation, this is done without any need of additional postulates or interpretations. Also, it is proved that Bohmian mechanics is actually more than a projective aspect of the Wigner function. As a third point, Chapter 4 presents a sytematic treatment of the hydrodynamic scheme of Bohmian mechanics. Then, a brief summary of the transport equations in Bohmian mechanics is done. Next, a unified hydrodynamic treatment is found for the Bohmian mechanics. This treatment is useful to sketch, a Bohmian treatment to efficiently find the steady value of the transmission integral. In Chapter 5 conclusions of this thesis are drawn.
ANALYSIS OF CORROSION DEPTH PERCENTAGE ON THE INNER BOTTOM PLATES OF AGING BULK CARRIERS WITH AN AIM TO OPTIMIZE CORROSION MARGIN
Authors:   University of Montenegro, Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor, Ivošević Špiro , Kovač Nataša ,   University of Donja Gorica, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Momčilović Nikola ,   Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vukelić Goran ,   University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies
Published: September 2021

To ensure the better structural integrity and maximum safety of bulk carriers in the ship design phase, an appropriate corrosion margin is introduced by the classification societies, which should enable the exploitation of ships during the projected 25-year life cycle. The new Common Structural Rules introduce even higher corrosion margin value to ensure the structural integrity of the ship. This directly affects the increase in hull weight and thus the need for more total installed power and higher fuel consumption. Higher fuel consumption results in increased emissions which directly affects environmental pollution. For these reasons, efforts are being made to introduce alternative energy sources, cleaner fuel, ship weight reduction, and the overall economic efficiency of ships. Therefore, using experimental data collected on aging bulk carriers, the paper explores the corrosion margin reduction potential considering its impact on hull weight. Assuming that the corrosive processes occur after four years of operation, a linear model that describes the percentage of plate wear as a function of the as build-in the thickness of inner bottom plates (IBP) of fuel oil tanks (FOT) located on the double bottom of aging bulk carriers, is analyzed. Over the course of 25 years, the IBP segment was monitored on 36 different ships surveys. In this way, 520 input data describing the depth of corrosion were formed. At the same time, records were kept on the mean thickness of the original metal plate, which enabled systematization of the empirical database and grouping of measured values by intervals of original plate thicknesses, and simple conversion of corrosion depth into adequate percentage values. Depth corrosion percentages were represented by standard linear models known in the literature. Based on this analysis, representative numerical and graphical results were obtained. Conclusions from the paper can assist to optimize corrosion margin and the energy efficiency of future vessels.