bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between multi-walled carbon nanotubes and Titanium dioxide nanoparticles as additives on performance of Turbine meter oil nano lubricant
Authors: Pourpasha Hadi , Heris Saeed Zeinali , Mohammadfam Yaghob
Published: December 2020

This research work purpose to compare the impact of the mass fraction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano additive on the tribological and thermophysical attributes of turbine meter oil. These attributes are including the average friction coefficient, pressure drop, wear, flash point, pour point, relative viscosity, kinematics viscosity, and viscosity index. Also, the pressure drops and the average friction coefficient inside the copper tube were simulated and compared with experimental results. In this study, for the synthesis of nano lubricants from turbine meter oil as a pure fluid and from MWCNTs and TiO2 as nano additives in the mass fraction of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 wt.% and from oleic acid and Triton x100 as surfactants were utilized. The diameter of MWCNTs and TiO2 nano additives were ranging from 5 nm to 16.1 nm and 7.9 nm to 13.9 nm, respectively. The average particle size of TiO2 and MWCNTs nano additives in 0.4 wt.% in the pure lubricant were 221 nm and 320 nm, respectively. The results illustrated that the wear depth of copper pins in the presence of nano lubricant with 0.4 wt.% of MWCNTs and 0.1 wt.% TiO2 was improved by 88.26% and 71.43%, respectively. Nano lubricants with 0.3 wt.% of TiO2 and 0.4 wt.% of MWCNTs nano additives illustrated the maximum improvement in the flash point temperature with enhancement 4 °C and 10 °C. By increasing of 0.3 wt.% of TiO2 and MWCNTs into the pure oil caused to improve in viscosity index with enhancement 6.68% and 2.43% compared to the pure lubricant, respectively. The simulation data and experimental data for the pressure drop were closer together and indicated a minor error that the maximum error is less than 10%.
The Effect of A Demand Side Financing Program on the Continuum of Maternal and Child Health Care in India
Authors: Pallikadavath Saseendran , Stones William , Mazumdar Sumit , Kandala Ngianga , Mahbubur Rahman Mohammad
Published: December 2020

Background The Indian Government launched a demand-side financing program, ‘Janani Suraksha Yojana’ (JSY) in 2005 with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through increased access to institutional delivery care service. This paper analyses the effects of the JSY on the uptake of maternal and child health (MNCH) care services intending to understand the overall impact of the program on the continuum of care. Methods Using the 2013-14 round of the District-level Household Survey (DLHS) surveyed in high performing states, the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) was estimated by using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Results are reported regarding both ATTs and deviations from the theoretical continuum of care line, which represents 100% uptake, i.e., all women availing all the MNCH services. Results Overall, JSY effects on MNCH components ranged between 0.7% and 12%. As expected, the highest impact of the JSY was on institutional delivery (ATT: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.104-0.131) and the lowest for breastfeeding more than six months (ATT: 0.007; 95% CI: -0.014-0.027). Deviation from the complete continuum of care line ranged from 2.3% to 80.9%. The highest deviation was for three or more Tetanus Toxoid (100%-19.1%=80.9%) injections and the lowest for Polio given at any time (100%-97.7%=2.3%). Conclusions The program had high effects on those MNCH care services, the uptakes of which were already high without the program (low deviations from the continuum of care line), and the program had low effects on those MNCH care services, which had low uptakes in the absence of the program (high deviations from the continuum of care line). The program should also incentivize the utilization of those MNCH care services, which have low uptakes in the absence of the program.
TP53 Mutation in Circulating exoDNA Correlates With Outcomes of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Yong , Wu Junjun , Lei Jun , Zhou Fan , Yin Xiangbao , Hu Dandan , Mao Yilei , Wu Linquan , Liao Wenjun
Published: December 2020

Background: Detection of tumor-specific mutations in exosomal DNA (exoDNA), a promising liquid biopsy material, has been used to assess the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study was the first to use a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) platform to detect tumor-specific mutations in circulating exoDNA and to evaluate the prognosis of HCC patients.Methods: Blood samples from 40 HCC patients were obtained between 2018 and 2019, with clinically annotated follow-up until 2020. A ddPCR platform was used to detect an HCC tumor-specific mutation in the TP53 gene. We analyzed the correlation between TP53 mutation detected in circulating exoDNA and patient clinical data. The ratio of mutant droplets/total droplets (MD/TD) was calculated according to ddPCR results.Results: TP53 mutations in circulating exoDNA were detected in 33 of the 40 patients (82.5%). Patients with high MD/TD (>62.5%) were more likely to show microvascular invasion (P=0.028) and high MD/TD predicted a shorter recurrence-free survival time (P<0.001).Conclusions: High MD/TD of TP53 detected in serum was associated with microvascular invasion and might be used to predict the prognosis of HCC patients. The diagnostic performance of detecting exosome-derived tumor DNA will likely improve when more mutations in other tumor-specific genes are combined.
Effects of the cancellous bone structure in the skull on ultrasonic wave propagation
Authors: Michimoto Itsuki , Yano Keita , Kobayashi Yasuyo , Saito Kozue , Matsukawa Mami
Published: December 2020

The Transcranial Doppler method (TCD) enables the measurement of cerebral blood flow velocity and detection of emboli by applying the ultrasound probe to the temporal bone window, orbital, or greater occipital foramen. TCD is widely used for the evaluation of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, early detection of patients with arterial stenosis and the check of brain death. However, measurements often become difficult in elderly women. Among various factors for this problem, we focused on the effect of the skull bone on the ultrasound penetration into the brain. Especially, the effect of the temporal bone structure was investigated. Using a 2D digital bone model, wave propagation through the skull bone was investigated by the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method. We create bone models which have different BV/TV (Bone Volume/Total Volume) in diploe. Around BV/TV about 60% (similar to elderly women), the observed maximum amplitude decrease due to multiple reflection and scattering. The results suggest that effects of osteoposis on the skull make TCD measurement difficult.
Assessment of Gas Hydrate Resources in Ross Sea Area, Antarctica Based on Inversion of Gravity and Magnetic Data
Authors: Wang Wei , Wan Meng , Sun Miaojun , Jiang Weijie , Xu Ping , Chen Mei , Xu Jian
Published: December 2020

Ross Sea is a large bay located in the fan-shaped area on the Pacific side of Antarctica. In this paper, the power spectrum method is used to invert the Curie depth of the Ross Sea area by(through) the magnetic anomaly data; the Parker-Oldenburg method is used to invert the moho depth; according to Curie depth and the moho depth, the heat flow of the Ross Sea area is inverted, obtained high-precision thermal structure information. According to the temperature-pressure equation for formation and storage of gas hydrate, the thickness of the gas hydrate stability zone is quantitatively calculated based on the heat flow data of the study area, and a integral method is used to estimate the resource prospects of gas hydrate in this area. The results show that the estimated volumes of gas hydrate resources in the Ross Sea are 2.77×1011 m3.
Nuclear Localization of PTTG1 Promotes Migration and Invasion of Seminoma Tumor Through Activation of MMP-2.
Authors: Teveroni Emanuela , Nicuolo Fiorella Di , Bianchetti Giada , Epstein Alan L. , Grande Giuseppe , Maulucci Giuseppe , De Spirito Marco , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Milardi Domenico , Mancini Francesca
Published: December 2020

Background: Seminoma is the most common subtype of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) and its molecular patterns have not been fully clarified. The pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) is a securin, inhibitor of premature sister chromatid segregation during mitosis and is overexpressed in many cancers. PTTG1 shows the ability to sustain the invasiveness of several cancer types through its transcriptional activity. In the present study, we investigate the PTTG1 role on the invasive properties of seminoma.Methods: Three seminoma cell lines showing different proliferation rates and marker expression features were used as an in vitro model. Biochemical and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to evaluate PTTG1 levels and subcellular localization. Functional analyses, including wound healing, matrigel invasion assays and zymography were applied to study migratory and invasive capability of the cell lines. RNA interference studies and overexpression experiments were performed to address the PTTG1 role in seminoma cell lines invasiveness. Finally, the Atlas database was interrogated to study PTTG1 subcellular localization in seminoma and non-seminomas testicular tumors in order to analyze the PTTG1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels in these groups.Results: We found that PTTG1 was highly and differentially expressed in the seminoma cell lines. PTTG1 nuclear localization was positively correlated to the aggressive phenotype. Modulation of PTTG1 expression uncovered a direct causal link between PTTG1 and seminoma cell line invasiveness. Importantly, analysis of the human Atlas database revealed that PTTG1 was localized in the nucleus exclusively in seminoma compared with non-seminoma tumors and showed that MMP-2 levels was significant higher in seminomas.Conclusions: The results of the present research elucidate the role of nuclear PTTG1 in promoting invasiveness and metastatic process of seminoma cell lines. Analysis from the Atlas database strongly supported these results, revealing an exclusive PTTG1 nuclear localization and an increase of MMP-2 levels in seminoma versus non-seminoma tumors. Overall, these data lead to the hypothesis that nuclear PTTG1 is an eligible prognostic factor in seminomas.
CircMETTL3, Upregulated in a m6A-dependent Manner, Promotes Breast Cancer Progression through circMETTL3/miR-31-5p/CDK1 axis
Authors: Li Zhi , Yang HaiYan , Dai XinYuan , Zhang Xu , Huang YuZhou , Shi Liang , Wei Jifu , Ding Qiang
Published: December 2020

Background: Growing evidence indicates N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has biological function in oncogenesis. METTL3, the catalytic component, is the most important part of methyltransferase complex and plays a crucial role in cancers. However, the biological function of circRNAs derived from METTL3 and the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the circMETTL3 expression in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Then, functional experiments in vitro and in vivo were performed to investigate the effects of circMETTL3 on tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer. Mechanistically, fluorescent in situ hybridization, dual luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation experiments were performed to confirm the interaction between circMETTL3 and miR-31-5p in breast cancer. Furthermore, we explored regulatory effects of m6A modification on circMETTL3 expression with m6A RNA immunoprecipitation.Results: We found that circMETTL3 was significantly upregulated in breast cancer. The results indicated that circMETTL3 could promote breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion as well as tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistic analysis showed that circMETTL3 might act as a ceRNA (competing endogenous RNA) of miR-31-5p to relieve the repressive effect of miR-31-5p on its target cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK1). Moreover, m6A modification of circMETTL3 might affect its expression.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that circMETTL3 promotes breast cancer progression through circMETTL3/miR-31-5p/CDK1 axis. Moreover, METTL3, the host gene of circMETTL3, may regulates circMETTL3 expression in a m6A-dependent manner, while circMETTL3 has no effect on METTL3 expression, providing a new relationship between the circRNA and the corresponding host gene. Thus, it may serve as a new diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for breast cancer patients.
Proteomic Analysis of Capacitated and Non-Capacitated Spermatozoa of Yanbian Yellow Cattle
Authors: Chen Xuan , Li Zuochen , Lv Yanqiu , Xu Yichao , Cheng Mimi , Qu Xinglin , Zhang Yuyang , Jin Yi
Published: December 2020

Background: Sperm capacitation is a process which occurs prior to fertilization, and is essential for producing high-quality living embryos. The main purpose of this study was to explore the difference of proteomics between capacitated and non-capacitated sperm of Yanbian yellow cattle. Bioinformatic analyses of LC-MS/MS data included GO enrichment, KEGG pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Results: The results revealed 23 specific proteins in the capacitated group and 345 in the non-capacitated group. Compared with non-capacitated sperm, capacitated sperm exhibited 89 upregulated proteins and 509 downregulated proteins. Western blotting was used to confirm our proteomics data. The expression level of PSMD1 in the capacitated sperm group was significantly lower than that in the non-capacitated sperm group, and the expression level of HSPA5 was significantly higher than in the non-capacitated sperm group. Conclusions: Our results revealed that many proteins were differentially expressed between capacitated and non-capacitated sperm, particularly those involved in the proteasome signaling and protein transport signaling pathways. This work enhances our understanding of molecular processes involved in sperm viability in Yanbian yellow cattle, and provides a framework for future studies.
Depression and Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle Among Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases
Authors: Al-Zaru Ibtisam M. , Masha'al Dina , Shahrour Ghada , Hayajneh Audai A.
Published: December 2020

Background: It is well-established in the literature that coronary artery disease (CAD) is a risk factor for depression and that depressive symptoms inversely affect the development and progression of CAD. No published studies have examined the relationship between depression and adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors among patients with CAD in Jordan. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of depression on adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors among CAD patients in Jordan. Methods: A convenience sample of 130 patients with CAD was recruited from out-patient cardiac clinics in a university-affiliated hospital and government-operated hospital in Northern Jordan. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires on depression and adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors among CAD patients. Results: Our data showed that 41% of the participants were non-adherent to healthy lifestyle behaviors, especially in the areas of physical activity (6.2%), maintaining a healthy diet (24.6%), and weight loss (26.15%). Gender, smoking status, and number of cardiac catheterization procedures were found to be significant predictors of patient adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Although depressive symptoms were present in 56.9 % of the participants, depression was not found to be a significant predictor of adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors among our sample. Conclusion: Our study provides valuable data regarding the levels and predictors of adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors among CAD patients with CADs. Implications for future research and practice are addressed.
Efficacy of a Comprehensive Binary Classification Model Using a Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Wireless Capsule Endoscopy
Authors: Kim Sang Hoon , Hwang Youngbae , Oh Dong Jun , Nam Ji Hyung , Kim Ki Bae , Park Junseok , Song Hyun Joo , Lim Yun Jeong
Published: December 2020

Manual reading of capsule endoscopy (CE) video is a time-consuming process in diagnosing small bowel diseases. Although many algorithms have been introduced, multi-diagnosis has not been sufficiently validated. They are promising but still premature to be used in clinical practice. Therefore, we developed a practical binary classification model and tested it with unseen cases.400,000 CE images were randomly selected from 84 cases. Among them, 240,000 were used to train an algorithm to categorize images binarily. The remaining images were utilized for validation and internal testing. The algorithm was externally tested with 256,591 unseen images.Diagnostic accuracy was 98.067% when the trained model was applied to the validation set. It was 97.946% when applied to images for internal testing. When the model was applied to a dataset provided by an independent hospital not participated during training, its accuracy was 85.470%. The area under the curve was 0.922.Our binary classification model showed excellent internal test results, and when tested in unseen external cases, misreadings were slightly increased while judging ‘insignificant’ images containing ambiguous substances. When we can get over this problem, CNN-based binary classification will become the most promising candidates for developing clinically ready computer-aided reading methods.
Role of Robotic Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction Surgery in Colorectal Neoplasms
Authors: Yao Hongliang , Li Tiegang , Chen Weidong , Lei Sanlin , Liu Kuijie , Liu Bo , Zhou Jiangjiao
Published: December 2020

To explore the safety and feasibility of robotic natural orifice specimen extraction surgery(NOSES) for colorectal neoplasms. All patients underwent robotic NOSES from March 2016 to October 2019 in our hospital were enrolled for retrospective analysis. Clinicopathological data were collected and analyzed. A total of 180 patients were enrolled. The average distance from the lower edge of the tumor to the anus was (8.64 ± 3.64) cm and Maximum circumferential diameter (CDmax) of specimen was (3.5 ± 1.6) cm. In terms of safety, the average operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay were (187.5 ± 78.3) min, (47.4 ± 34) mL, and (11.3 ± 7.5) days, respectively. In terms of feasibility, the average number of lymph node harvested was (14.8 ± 5). Notably, a close distance from the lower edge of the tumor to the anus with long operation time and postoperative hospital stay indicates high incidence of anastomotic leakage. In addition, either received nRCT has no effect on perioperative safety. Robotic NOSES shows advantages in terms of safety and feasibility compared with laparoscopic NOSES. This procedure could not only be a safe procedure but also could achieve good oncological outcomes.
Metformin Reduces Histone H3K4me3 at the Promoter Regions of Positive Cell Cycle Regulatory Genes in Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Kim Dongho , Kim Yujin , Lee Bo Bin , Cho Eun Yoon , Han Joungho , Shim Young Mog , Kim Duk-Hwan
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThis study aimed at understanding the effect of metformin on histone H3 modifications at the promoters of cell cycle regulatory genes in lung cancer cells. MethodsHistone H3 modifications were analyzed using ChIP-seq, and changes in DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility were evaluated using the SureSelect Methyl-Seq Target Enrichment System and ATAC-seq, respectively. MLL2 overexpression was analyzed in tumor and matched normal tissues from 42 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. ResultsMetformin showed little effect on DNA methylation or chromatin accessibility at the promoter regions of cell cycle regulatory genes in lung cancer cells but significantly downregulated histone H3K4 methyltransferase MLL2 and reduced H3K4me3 levels at the promoters of positive cell cycle regulatory genes such as CDK1, CDK6, and E2F8. Eighty-eight genes involved in cell cycle showed reduced H3K4me3 levels in response to metformin, and 27% of them showed mRNA downregulation. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of MLL2 significantly reduced the H3K4me3 levels at the promoters of positive cell cycle regulatory genes. MLL2 overexpression was found in 14 (33%) of 42 NSCLC patients, with a higher prevalence in females (P = 0.04). A Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that recurrence-free survival of adenocarcinoma patients with MLL2 overexpression was approximately 1.32 (95% CI = 1.08–4.72; p = 0.02) times poorer than in those without it after adjusting for sex and pathologic stage. ConclusionsThe present study suggests that metformin might reduce H3K4me3 levels at the promoters of positive cell cycle regulatory genes through MLL2 downregulation in lung cancer cells. And, MLL2 may be a potential therapeutic target for reducing the recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma.
The Effect of Kuchala (Arum Korolkowii Regel, 1873) Tuber Tincture to Increase of the Serum Testosterone in the Adult Male Guinea Pigs (Cavia Porcellus Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: ALDAYROV NURBEK SAIDILLAEVICH , JUMABEKOVA JARKINAY , KURMANBEKOVA GULBUBU , OMURZAKOVA NURJAMAL , KIDIRALIEVA BERMET , BORKOEV BAKIT , SALIEVA KALIPA , TULOBAEV ASKARBEK , SALYKOV RUSLAN , SHARSHENALIEVA GULNARA , CHEKIROV KADYRBAY
Published: December 2020

BackgroundKuchala (Arum korolkowii Regel) is one of the medicinal plants often used in folk medicine in the Kyrgyz Republic. As a medicinal raw material, tubers tincture used in small doses to increase human sexual potency. However, there is no scientific evidence proving the medicinal effects of kuchala. For these reasons, we decided to study the effect of kuchala tuber tincture on the sexual potency of adult male guinea pigs.MethodsWe analyzed the effect of kuchala at age ±48-month-old, in 12 male guinea pigs. Prepared 10% tuber tincture of kuchala in 70% ethanol was administered perorally a once-daily dose of 150 µl for 30 days for the male guinea pigs. These study data were obtained by the ethological, hematological and serum biochemistry, gross anatomical, histological and statistical methods.ResultsThe hematological and serum biochemistry parameters were significantly different between control and experimental group. Neutrophils’ percentage in experimental group was significantly lower (dР < 0.001) than in control group. Lymphocyte counts on the contrary were significantly higher in experimental group (dР < 0.001). RBC counts, Hgb, Hct, MCH and MCHC were significantly higher in the experimental group (dР < 0.001; dР < 0.001; cР < 0.01; dР < 0.001; dР < 0.001 respectively) than control group. The color indicator and mean platelet volume contrary was higher (bР < 0.05) and significantly higher (dР < 0.001) in control animals than in the experimental. ALT and AST levels were lower in experimental than control group (both dР < 0,001). The testosterone concentration in serum was much higher (dР < 0,001) in the experimental group. Microscopically was found minor structural damage in the liver tissue that indicates a metabolic disorder. However, the testes showed an improvement in spermatogenesis in the experimental if compared with the control group.Conclusion﻿The 10% kuchala tuber tincture in 70% ethanol has a positive effect to improve the sexual potency of old guinea pigs by increasing the production of testosterone and increasing spermatogenesis.
A Novel Spleen Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Suppresses Invasiveness of Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes and Improves Collagen Induced Arthritis
Authors: Kim Seon Uk , Yoo Hyun Jung , Kim Jung Ho , Hwang Hae Jun , Park Jin Kyun , Lee Eun Young , Song Yeong-Wook
Published: December 2020

Background/PurposeRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by bone and cartilage destruction with leukocyte infiltration and activation at synovial tissue. The fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) have a central role in disease pathogenesis and their invasiveness correlates with articular damage in RA patients. Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase known to have a crucial role in immune receptor signaling. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of a novel small-molecule SYK inhibitor, SKI-O-592, on the invasiveness of RA FLS and inflammation of monocytes in vitro and in a mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model in vivo.MethodsFLS were isolated from synovial tissues of RA patients. FLS were treated with SKI-O-592 for 1 hr and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) for 48 hr. After stimulation, cell viability was measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, CXCL10, MMP-3, and TNF-α were measured in culture supernatant of RA FLS and the monocytic cell line THP-1 cells by ELISA. Wound healing assay transwell migration and invasion assay using RA FLS was performed to evaluate cell migration ability. The adhesion ability of FLS was evaluated by co-culture with calcein-AM labeled THP-1 cells, and the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, α-tubulin, β-actin, total and phosphorylated SYK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, ERK, phosphorylated c-Jun, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4), and MKK3/6 was determined by Western blotting. CIA was developed in DBA/1J mice. Clinical arthritis score and histological scores were evaluated after treatment with SKI-O-592.ResultsSKI-O-592 reduced the secretion of chemokine, CXCL10 in RA FLS. Migration of cells to the wound region and through membrane pores and matrigel were decreased by SKI-O-592. Phosphorylation of JNK and p38 was reduced by SKI-O-592 after TNF-α stimulation. SKI-O-592 decreased secretion of TNF-α levels dose-dependently in THP-1 cells with IgG stimulation. The viability and proliferation of FLS and THP-1 were not affected by SKI-O-592. In the CIA model, scores for clinical arthritis and histology were decreased following SKI-O-592 treatment.ConclusionSKI-O-592 inhibited the invasiveness of RA FLS and had an anti-inflammatory effect on monocytes. SKI-O-592 exhibited therapeutic effects in the mouse CIA model by improving clinical and histological scores with amelioration of joint destruction. In conclusion, a novel SYK inhibitor, SKI-O-592, may provide a new therapeutic option for RA patients.
Determinants of Market Participation of Smallholder Sorghum Farmers and Strategies for Improving Their Participation; the Case of Moretna Jiru District, Ethiopia
Authors: Belete Atinkugn Assefa
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify market participation of smallholder’s Sorghum producers in Moretna jiru district, central Ethiopia. Primary data was collected from 355 randomly selected smallholder farm households from three randomly selected kebeles in the district. The survey data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometrics model with probit and Tobit censored model. Results of the probit model analysis showed that output, farm size, extension contact and ownership of transport positive and significant role in households’ decision to participate in sorghum output sales at 1% level of significance; whereas, household income, off-farm income, access to credit and lack of information negatively at 1% and 10% level of significance. Results of Tobit censored analysis showed; extension contact, farm size, output and membership of farmer group have positive and significant role in the value of sorghum at 1% level of significance; while access to credit was found to have negative significant role at 5% level of significance. Farm size, output, extension contact and membership of farmer group was found to affect both households’ decisions to participate and intensity of participation in sorghum sales at 1% level of significance. Based on the findings there is a need to enhance the interaction between extension export and farmers and distribute trained extension exports in all kebeles by giving different trainings. ; and help the farmers improve land productivity, where possible, by intensifying farm practices through provision of sustainable and timely availability of inputs and management practices so as to generate surplus sorghum output and boost sales.
Linezolid-containing Regimen Lowers Mortality of Rifampicin/multidrug-resistant Tuberculous Meningitis in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Fang Mu-tong , Su You-feng , Deng Guo-fang , Zhang Pei-ze , Liu Hou-ming , Mao Zhi , Zeng Jian-feng , Li Guo-bao , Yang Qian-ting , Wang Zhong-yuan
Published: December 2020

Background: The morbidity of rifampicin/multidrug-resistant tuberculous meningitis (RR/MDR-TBM) is increasing in many countries and regions in the world. Its mortality is significantly higher than non rifampicin/multidrug-resistant ones (NRR/MDR-TBM ). This article aims to explore the RR/MDR-TBM related risk factors, and compare the different therapeutic effects to the RR/MDR-TBM patients between linezolid-containing anti-tuberculosis regimen and non linezolid regimen in Shenzhen city. Furthermore, we want to find a better therapy for pathogen negative TBM with RR/MDR-TBM related risk factors. Methods: 137 cases with confirmed TBM (pathogen positive), who were hospitalized in the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen from June 2014 to March 2020, were enrolled in this study, all patients were divided into RR/MDR-TBM group (12 cases) and NRR/MDR-TBM group (125 cases) according to the GeneXpert MTB/RIF and (or) phenotypic drug susceptibility test of CSF (cerebral spinal fluid). The risk factors related to RR/MDR-TBM were investigated through comparing the clinical and examination features between the two groups.The mortality of RR/MDR-TBM patients treated with different regimens was analyzed to compare their respective therapeutic effects to the RR/MDR-TBM . P<0.05 differences is considered statistically significant. Results: Most of the patients(111/137, 81%) were from southern or southwestern China, and a large proportion(72/137, 52.55%) is migrant workers. 12 cases were RR/MDR-TBM (12/137,8.8%) in all TBM patients while 125 cases were NRR/MDR-TBM(125/137,91.2%). The proportion of previously treated cases in RR/MDR-TBM group was significantly higher than that in NRR/MDR-TBM group (6/12vs12/125, 50%vs10.5%,P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in other clinical and examination features between the two groups. The mortality of RR/MDR-TBM treated with the linezolid-containing regimen was significantly lower than that treated with non linezolid regimen (P=0.045). Conclusions: The main related high-risk factor of RR/MDR-TBM is the history of anti-tuberculosis treatment. Linezolid -containing regimen appears to lower the mortality of RR/MDR-TBM significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that linezolid-containing regimen can be used as a better empirical anti-tuberculosis therapy for pathogen negative TBM previously treated in China.
Midterm Prognosis and Surgical Implication of Clival Chordoma after an Extended Transsphenoidal Tumor Removal and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Authors: Ogawa Yoshikazu , Jokura Hidefumi , Tominaga Teiji
Published: December 2020

Background: Treatment for chordoma by surgery alone is often ineffective, so surgery and irradiation is often performed with a reported 5-year survival rate of 60-75%. The clinical course varies; however, disease rarity has prevented large number clinical investigations. Methods: Nineteen patients suffering from clival chordomas were retrospectively investigated. They were initially treated with maximal tumor removals by extended transsphenoidal approach. When total removal was achieved prophylactic irradiation was not performed. If tumor remnants or recurrence was confirmed, gamma knife (GK) was performed. Follow-up periods ranged from 9 to 224 months (mean 85.4 months). Results: Total removal was achieved in 10 patients; however, 4 patients suffered recurrence and required GK. Overall progression free intervals were 9 to 151 months (mean 59.9 mzonths). GK was applied for 11 patients with a 50 % isodose of 13 to 18 Gy (mean 15.4 Gy). Eight patients remained progression free, but 3 patients suffered repeated local recurrence and died from tumor related complications. Overall survival was 9 to 224 months (mean 90.9 months). Eighteen patients survived more than 5 years with the exception of one male patient, who died of lung cancer 36 months after the initial treatment (5-year survival rate 94.7 %). The results indicated that sex (males), those given more than 15 Gy of a 50% isodose by GK, and prophylactic brain scanning were significant favorable prognostic factors. Conclusions: The favorable outcomes in this investigation may indicate value for early detection and early treatment. The role of surgery may be adequate conditioning for enough dose of GK.
Study of Al-SiO2 aesthetic composite coating on the orthodontic metal arch wire
Authors: Yang Jie , Zheng Bowen , Yan Yuwen , Wu Haopeng , Liu Fan , Xu Dake , Liu Yi
Published: December 2020

Nickel-titanium orthodontic wires (NTWs) play enssential roles in orthodontic treatment. However, the corrosion and unaesthetic characteristics limit their applications. To increase to aesthetic effffects of nickel-titanium orthodontic wires, we prepared aluminum-silicon dioxide (Al-SiO2) as biocompatible layer coated onto nickel-titanium orthodontic wires. Al-SiO2 coating were fifirstly fabricated by using physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering. Physicochemical properties and biocompatibility were investigated. Al-SiO2 layer were well coated onto NTWs. A reduced corrosion current density and friction coeffiffifficient were observed in Al-SiO2 coated NTWs. Additionally, favorable biocompatibility was found in Al-SiO2 coated NTWs, indicating Al-SiO2, prepared as novel aesthetic layer, could enhance NTWs Physicochemical properties without cytotoxicity, and had great potential for NTWs surface modifification.
The spectrum of C4d deposition in renal biopsies of lupus nephritis patients
Authors: DING Ying , YU Xiaojuan , WU Lihua , TAN Ying , QU Zhen , YU Feng
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This study aims to determine the prevalence and localization of complement factor C4d in renal biopsies of lupus nephritis (LN) patients, as well as its association with the clinico-pathological features of the disease. Especially, the correlation between arteriolar C4d deposition and renal microvascular lesions (RVL) was further analyzed.
Methods

A total of 325 biopsy-proven lupus nephritis patients were enrolled and their clinico-pathological data were collected. C4d staining in renal biopsies was performed by immunohistochemistry. The association between C4d deposition and the clinico-pathological features was further analyzed.
Results

C4d deposition was present in most of renal specimens (98.8%) in our cohort. They were localized in the glomeruli (98.2%), tubular basement membrane (TBM) (43.7%), arterioles (31.4%) and peritubular capillary (33.8%), respectively. TBM C4d staining was closely related to the disease activity (SLEDAI) and NIH pathological activity and chronicity indices (P < 0.01). Patients with arteriolar C4d deposition were more likely to develop RVL (91.2%) in comparison to those negative (78.0%; P = 0.004), especially with two or more types of RVL (P < 0.001). During an average follow-up of 55.8 months, the presence of arteriolar C4d was related to worse renal outcomes (HR: 2.074, 95% CI 1.056–4.075, P = 0.034). Co-deposition of arteriolar C4d and C3c was an independent risk factor (HR: 2.539, 95% CI 1.130–5.705, P = 0.024) for predicting renal outcomes by the multivariate stepwise Cox hazard analysis
Conclusions

C4d deposition was common in renal tissues of lupus nephritis patients. TBM C4d deposition was related to the disease activity and arteriolar C4d deposition was associated with RVL and worse renal outcomes.
Extracellular vesicle microRNA cargoes from intermittent hypoxia-exposed cardiomyocytes and their effect on endothelium
Authors: Li Yu , Zhang Huina , Du Yunhui , Peng Lu , Qin Yanwen , Liu Huirong , Ma Xinliang , Wei Yongxiang
Published: December 2020

Background

Intermittent hypoxia (IH), as the crucial pathophysiological feature of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), is an independent risk factor initiating the progression of cardiovascular complications. However, how IH cause cardiovascular injury and initiate inter-organ communication remains unclear. Extracellular vesicle (EV) are reported to be involved in cell-to-cell and organ-to-organ communications through selectively carrying RNA and protein cargos from donor cells and delivering them to recipient cells. By utilizing an unbiased miRNA microarray approach, current study attempted to determine whether IH may alter miRNA profiles in cardiomyocyte-derived extracellular vesicles and whether EVs from IH-treated cardiomyocytes could affect endothelial function.
Methods

EVs were isolated from culture medium of normoxia- or intermittent hypoxia-treated C57BL/6 mouse primary cardiomyocytes. miRNA array assay was used to identify myocardial EV miRNA. The expression of target miRNAs was validated by qPCR and the enriched function of the target miRNAs were predicted by bioinformatics and western blotting analysis. Moreover, vascular functional study validated whether EVs from IH-exposed cardiomyocytes could influence endothelial function.
Results

63 differentially expressed miRNAs, including 32 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated miRNAs were identified in EVs from IH-exposed cardiomyocytes. Among them, 16 miRNAs with homologous sequence in mouse and human were selected and verified by qPCR assay and 11 miRNAs were proved with the same tendency as miRNA array identified. KEGG pathway and western blotting analysis showed the main enriched pathway of differentially expressed miRNA was associated with PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Of note, EVs from IH-exposed cardiomyocytes dramatically impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation and inhibited Akt/eNOS pathway in endothelial cells.
Conclusions

This study provides the first evidence that IH causes significant alteration in myocardial EV miRNA composition, which may contribute to IH or OSAS-triggered cardiovascular injury and organ-to-organ communication.
Integrated transcriptional analysis reveals macrophage heterogeneity and tumor-macrophage interactions in the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Kaidi , Zhao Xiang , Gao Jian
Published: December 2020

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating metastatic disease for which better therapies are urgently needed. It highlights the need for an improved understanding of the biological features underlying the progression of PDACs. Macrophages significantly enhance tumorigenesis and development of pancreatic cancer. However, cellular reprogramming and phenotypic changes of macrophages during PDAC progression remain poorly understood, as well as the molecular mechanism underlying tumor-macrophage interactions.
Methods

Herein, we performed the computational analysis by combining scRNA-seq and TCGA RNA-seq datasets, through which we identified myeloid lineage and tumor cells as crucial mediators of intercellular communication networks and crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment.
Results

scRNA-seq analyses highlight the heterogeneity of macrophage with diverse phenotype and functionality. The SCENIC analysis indicated different cell states across the sub-clusters of macrophages through a reconstruction of regulatory networks, and cell trajectory analysis identified the tissue-resident macrophage and inflammatory monocyte as potential sources of tumor-associated macrophages. Furthermore, we uncovered several ligand-receptor pairs lining the tumor cells and macrophages. Among them, we found expression level of HBEGF-CD44, HBEGF-EGFR, LGALS9-CD44, LGALS9-MET, and GRN-EGFR correlated with poor outcome of patients.
Conclusion

Together, our findings deciphered the macrophage heterogeneity and detected a tumor environmental-specific gene expression program in macrophages of PDAC, which uncover a potential mechanism laying the tumor-promoting role of TAM. The ligand-receptor interactions identified would be potential biomarkers for anti-cancer targeted therapy.
Stellate Ganglion Block Brain Protection During Ischemic Stroke in Diabetes Rats: TLR4/NF-κB Pathway and Inflammation
Authors: Li Ting-ting , Wan Qiang , Zhang Xin , Xiao Yuan , Liu Xiang-nan , Yang Wan-chao
Published: December 2020

Background: Diabetes is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke, and systemic inflammation may be the principal contradiction that aggravates stroke. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect and mechanism of stellate ganglion block on diabetic stroke.Methods: Analyze circadian rhythms and blood glucose changes, detect inflammation related signal pathways, and explore long-term neurological outcomes in rats.Results: Stellate ganglion block is a clinical anesthesia technique that can improve the neurological outcome and prognosis of diabetic rats. Stellate ganglion block improves systemic inflammatory response and inhibits phosphorylation of NF-κB p65. TLR4 agonist abolished the neuroprotective effect of stellate ganglion block, and the neuroprotective effect of TLR4 inhibition was consistent with that of a stellate ganglion block. The effect of stellate ganglion block at night is greatly reduced.Conclusions: These data optimize the perioperative application of stellate ganglion block in stroke patients, including time and mechanism. It also provides protective perioperative support for diabetic stroke patients to reduce their neurological risks in non-dangerous hyperglycemia and improve long-term neurological outcomes.
Influenza Global Scholarly Publications in the Mirror of the Co-word Analysis Technique
Authors: danesh Farshid , Ghavidel Somayeh , Emami Maryam
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim: Influenza is a global epidemic disease that always causes irreparable damage to individuals and countries' health, and the amount of research in this area is increasing. The primary purpose is to discover the hidden patterns and emerging events of global Influenza publications.Methods: This article is an applied type that has been done with an analytical approach and using the Co-word analysis method. This research's statistical population includes all the keywords of documents indexed with influenza's subject in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) in the last two decades (2000-2019). The number of keywords studied in this article is 26767. MeSH was used to determine the search strategy for document retrieval. SPSS and UCINET software were used for data analysis, and VOSviewer was utilized for drawing the map.Results: The keywords "Avian Influenza" and "Influenza Vaccine" with a frequency of 1302 and 1264 were the most frequent keywords in the subject area of influenza. Findings related to the analysis of clusters by the hierarchical clustering method led to the creation of 21 clusters in the field of influenza. Seventeen clusters with the most keywords were the largest cluster. The strategic diagram indicated that most influenza subject area clusters are located in the third quadrant of the strategic diagram and are considered emerging or declining subjects.Discussion and Conclusion: Discovering the intellectual structure, presenting hidden patterns and emerging events of global publications in the field of influenza can potentially help governments, communities, and research centers in understanding research advances, optimizing and managing future research topics, and effectively monitoring and policy-making activities—new research and allocation of facilities and budget.
Convenient Screening of Antifouling Agents for Direct Recovery of Bioproducts Employing a Fast Microplate Assay
Authors: Yelemane Vikas , Kangwa Martin , Dsouza Roy N , Fernández-Lahore Hector Marcelo
Published: December 2020

Major limitations in direct recovery of bioproducts from unclarified feedstock are predominantly associated with the presence of suspended whole and lysed biomass in processing systems. Most commonly, biomass interaction with adsorbent beads, synthetic membranes, and other processes surfaces causes fouling. This phenomenon is usually detrimental to bioprocess performance. This study focused on the development of a simple, easy to implement, economical and robust technique to evaluate biomass deposition and screening for chemical agents able to prevent such phenomenon. The results were confirmed by linking biomass deposition with surface energetics according to the extended Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (xDLVO) theory. Assay development involved the modification of the inside surface of microwell polystyrene plates with diethyl-aminoethyl (DEAE) functional groups. The resulting microplate surface mimics commercial chromatographic anion-exchangers matrices that are prone to biomass fouling. Two biomass types, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Chinese hamster ovary (S. cerevisiae and CHO, respectively) cells and twenty-five polyelectrolytes or amphiphilic compounds were employed. Results showed that DEAE-modified surface had the highest cell deposition while agent-coated wells showed varying degrees. Direct experimental observations and calculations performed based on xDLVO approach indicated that polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and poly(vinyl sulfate) could prevent CHO cells and yeast deposition. On the other hand, polysulphonic acid and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) were only effective to prevent yeast deposition. Microscopic visualization of polymer-coated beads in the presence of biomass confirmed the mentioned results.
High-resolution Spectral Information Enables Phenotyping of Leaf Epicuticular Wax in Wheat
Authors: Camarillo-Castillo Fatima , Huggins Trevis D. , Mondal Suchismita , Reynolds Matthew P. , Tilley Michael , Hays Dirk B.
Published: December 2020

Background: Epicuticular wax (EW) is the first line of defense in plants for protection against biotic and abiotic factors in the environment. In wheat, EW is associated with resilience to heat and drought stress, however, the current limitations on phenotyping EW restrict the integration of this secondary trait into wheat breeding pipelines. In this study we evaluated the use of light reflectance as a proxy for EW load and developed an efficient indirect method for the selection of genotypes with high EW density. Results: Cuticular waxes affect the light that is reflected, absorbed and transmitted by plants. The narrow spectral regions statistically associated with EW overlap with bands linked to photosynthetic radiation (500 nm), carotenoid absorbance (400 nm) and water content (~900 nm) in plants. The narrow spectral indices developed predicted 65% (EWI-13) and 44% (EWI-1) of the variation in this trait utilizing single-leaf reflectance. However, the normalized difference indices EWI-4 and EWI-9 improved the phenotyping efficiency with canopy reflectance across all field experimental trials. Indirect selection for EW with EWI-4 and EWI-9 led to a selection efficiency of 70% compared to phenotyping with the chemical method. The regression model EWM-7 integrated eight narrow wavelengths and accurately predicted 71% of the variation in the EW load (mg·dm-2) with leaf reflectance, but under field conditions, a single-wavelength model consistently estimated EW with an average RMSE of 1.24 mg·dm-2 utilizing ground and aerial canopy reflectance.Conclusions: Overall, the indices EWI-1, EWI-13 and the model EWM-7 are reliable tools for indirect selection for EW based on leaf reflectance, and the indices EWI-4, EWI-9 and the model EWM-1 are reliable for selection based on canopy reflectance. However, further research is needed to define how the background effects and geometry of the canopy impact the accuracy of these phenotyping methods.