bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19’s Natural Course Among Ambulatory Monitored Outpatients
Authors: Weinbergerova Barbora , Mayer Jiri , Hrabovsky Stepan , Novakova Zuzana , Pospisil Zdenek , Martykanova Lucie , Hortova Katerina , Mandelova Lucie , Hejduk Karel , Chloupkova Renata , Pospisil Michal , Doubkova Martina , Marek Vladimir , Novotna Renata , Dolecek Martin , Kubesova Hana Matejovska , Brat Kristian , Parizkova Radana , Husa Petr , Mechl Marek , Kral Zdenek , Lengerova Martina
Published: February 2021

Background: Research objective was to detail COVID-19’s natural trajectory in relation to the Czech population’s viral load.Methods: Our prospective detailed daily questionnaire-based telemonitoring study evaluated COVID-19’s impact among 105 outpatients. In accordance with government quarantine requirements, outpatients were divided into a cohort with two negative tests at the end of the disease (40 patients) and a cohort with a new algorithm (65 patients) following a fourteen-day quarantine.Results: Median follow-up differed significantly between the 2 groups (23 days vs. 16 days). Only 6% of patients were asymptomatic during the entire telemonitoring period. 13% of patients were diagnosed asymptomatic, as suspected contacts, yet later developed symptoms, while the remaining 81% were diagnosed on average 6 days following symptom onset. Telemonitoring enabled precise symptom status chronicling. The most frequently reported complaints were fevers, respiratory issues, and anosmia. Six patients were eventually hospitalized for complications detected early after routine telemonitoring. During the extended follow-up (median 181 days), anosmia persisted in 26% of patients. 79% of patients in the new quarantine algorithm cohort reported no symptoms on day 11 compared to just 56% of patients in the two negative test cohort upon first testing negative (median–19 days). The highest viral load occurred within 0-2 days of initial symptom onset. Both the PCR viral load and two consecutive PCR negative sample realizations indicated high interindividual variability with a surprisingly fluctuating pattern among 43% of patients.Conclusions: No definitive COVID-19 symptoms or set of symptoms excepting anosmia (59%) and/or ageusia (47%) were identified. No preexisting medical conditions specifically foreshadowed disease trajectory in a given patient. Without a PCR negativity requirement for quarantine cessation, patients could exhibit fewer symptoms. Our study therefore highlights the urgent need for routine ambulatory patient telemedicine monitoring, early complication detection, intensive mass education connecting disease demeanor with subsequent swift diagnostics, and, notably, the need to reevaluate and modify quarantine regulations for better control of SARS-CoV-2 proliferation.
Psychometric properties of the Thai Mental Health Literacy Scale in sixth-year medical students
Authors: Sittironnarit Gobhathai , Sri Rungsipohn , Phatharayuttawat Sucheera
Published: February 2021

Background: Mental health literacy reduces stigma and the risk of developing mental disorders along with increasing help-seeking behavior. The aim of this study was to translate and study both the psychometric properties of the Thai Mental Health Literacy Scale (TMHLS) and the mental health literacy in sixth-year Thai medical students of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok. Methods: Two-hundred and fifty participants were enrolled using the convenience sampling method. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic data and mental health experiences. Inferential statistics were applied to compare sources of mental health experiences. The content validity and reliability by internal consistency of the TMHLS was analyzed by Index of item objective congruence (IOC) obtained from the examination of three experts in mental health field and Cronbach’s Alpha, respectively. Results: The TMHLS had good content validity (IOC=.67-1.0) and good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=.85). The participants’ mean (+S.D.) mental health literacy score was 123.09 (+11.55). Individuals who had a mental health professional as an intimate contact and individuals who had a history of seeking help from mental health professional(s) in person showed significantly higher mental health literacy than those who did not.Conclusions: The TMHLS has good psychometric properties. Dynamic knowledge transfer and exchange with a close mental health professional should be applied to promote mental health literacy in medical students.
Do terms of trade improve export sophistication in Africa? New empirical evidence and transmission channel
Authors: KAMGUIA Brice
Published: February 2021

Can gains from international trade allow for a modernization of the export structure in Africa? Answering this question is the main objective of this study. In other words, it is to analyze the impact of terms of trade on export sophistication. The study covers a sample of 46 African countries over the period 2002-2014. Ordinary Least Squares and System GMM estimates show that terms of trade positively affect export sophistication. The result remains robust to the inclusion of additional variables, to the use of economic complexity index as an alternative index of sophistication. Moreover, our results show that the effect differs according to the countries' production structure. Indeed, the export of oil products has no effect on sophistication while the export of goods has a weak effect on the export upgrading. In addition, exports of manufactured goods have a positive and very significant effect on export sophistication. Our analyses allow us to identify two main channels through which terms of trade are likely to influence export sophistication: the channel of productive investment and the channel of exchange rate devaluation.
Ecolabel: Is more information better?
Authors: Ghazzai Hend , Lahmandi-Ayed Rim
Published: February 2021

We study in this paper the effect of the type of information provided by an ecolabel. For this purpose, in the framework of a model of vertical differentiation, we compare the effects of a partial information label (Type I) and a complete information label (Type III) on firms' profits, industry profit, consumers' surplus, environmental damage and social welfare. A partial information label indicates that the environmental quality of a good exceeds some given threshold. The authority issuing a partial information label chooses its labeling criteria while maximizing the social welfare. A complete information label indicates the exact environmental quality chosen by firms. We prove that while a partial information label always improves the social welfare and deteriorates the green firm profit compared to a complete information label, the comparison between the two types of ecolabel in terms of the brown firm's profit, the industry's profit, the consumers surplus and the environment depend in a non-obvious way on the marginal cost of quality and on the environmental sensitivity to quality.
Automatic identification of meibomian gland dysfunction with meibography images using deep learning
Authors: Yu Yi , Zhou Yiwen , Yang Yanning , Zhou Yabiao , Tan Yuejiao , Wu Lianlian , Hu Shan
Published: February 2021

Background

Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, bringing increasing numbers of intelligent products into daily life. However, it has little progress in dry eye, which is a common disease and associated with meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD). Non-invasive infrared meibography, known as an effective diagnostic tool of MGD, allows for objective observation of meibomian glands. Thus, we discuss a deep learning method to measure and assess meibomian glands of meibography.
Methods

We used Mask R-CNN deep learning(DL) framework. A total of 1878 meibography images were collected and manually annotated by two licensed eyelid specialists with two classes: conjunctiva and meibomian glands. The annotated pictures were used to establish a DL model. An independent test dataset contained 58 images was used to compare the accuracy and efficiency of the deep learning model with specialists.
Results

The DL model calculated the ratio of meibomian gland loss with precise values by achieving high accuracy in the identification of conjunctiva (validation loss < 0.35, mAP > 0.976) and meibomian glands (validation loss < 1.0, mAP > 0.92). The comparison between specialists’ annotation and the DL model evaluation showed that there is little difference between the gold standard and the model. Each image takes 480ms for the model to evaluate, almost 21 times faster than specialists.
Conclusions

The DL model can improve the accuracy of meibography image evaluation, help specialists to grade the meibomian glands and save their time to some extent.
Synthesis of polyaniline coating on the modified fiber ball and application for Cr(VI) removal
Authors: Li Xiao , Fei Guang Tao , Xu Shao Hui
Published: February 2021

In this study, polyaniline (PANI) is prepared by means of chemical oxidization polymerization and directly loaded on the modified fiber ball (m-FB) to obtain macroscale polyaniline/modified fiber ball (PANI/m-FB) composite, and then its removal ability of Cr(VI) is investigated. The effects of different parameters such as contact time, pH value and initial concentration on Cr(VI) removal efficiency are discussed. The experimental results illustrate that the favourable pH value is 5.0 and the maximum removal capacity is measured to be 293.13 mg·g-1. Besides, PANI/m-FB composites can be regenerated and reused after being treated with strong acid. The kinetic study indicates that the adsorption procedure is mainly controlled by chemical adsorption. More importantly, the macroscale of composites can avoid secondary pollution efficiently. Benefiting from the low cost, easy preparation in large scale, environmentally friendly, excellent recycling performance as well as high removal ability, PANI/m-FB composites exhibit a potential possibility to remove Cr(VI) from industrial waste water.
Urban Heat Island High Local Water-Vapor Feedback Estimates Requiring Albedo Management
Authors: Feinberg Alec
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we analyze warming data on Urban Heat Islands (UHI) in dry versus humid environments to estimate local water-vapor feedback from city growth. We find looking at such data and comparing rural to urban areas, UHI local water-vapor feedback is about 3 W/m2/oK to a maximum of 4 W/m2/oK. Relative to global climate feedback estimates of about 2 W/m2/o K, this is a factor of 1.5 to 2 times higher. This UHI effect is observed during daytime hours. Water-vapor feedback is known to be one of the most important in our climate system and thought that it can double the direct known forcing and is found here to be an even stronger UHI local effect. We suspect with city growth there is a loss of natural convection cooling and an increase in dome heat/humidity from UHI impermeable surfaces since warm air holds more water-vapor creating a local greenhouse gas (GHG). These are key contributors to local water-vapor feedback raising local temperatures in humid cities. An optimum way to mitigate this effect is with UHI albedo management. We suggest that this warming effect can be an important factor in UHI global warming contributions and should be mitigated.
Effects of the Sigma-1 Receptor Agonist Blarcamesine in a Murine Model of Fragile X Syndrome: Neurobehavioral Phenotypes and Receptor Occupancy
Authors: Reyes Samantha T. , Deacon Robert M.J. , Guo Scarlett G. , Castillo Jessa B. , Wildt Berend van der , Morales Aimara P. , Park Jun Hyung , Klamer Daniel , Rosenberg Jarrett , Oberman Lindsay M. , Rebowe Nell , Sprouse Jeffrey , Missling Christopher U. , Cogram Patricia , Kaufmann Walter E. , Chin Frederick T. , McCurdy Christopher R. , Altimiras Francisco J.
Published: February 2021

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a disorder of synaptic development and function, is the most prevalent genetic form of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. FXS mouse models display clinically-relevant phenotypes, such as increased anxiety and hyperactivity. Despite their availability, so far advances in drug development have not yielded new treatments. Therefore, testing novel drugs that can ameliorate FXS’ cognitive and behavioral impairments is imperative. ANAVEX2-73 (blarcamesine) is a sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonist with a strong safety record and preliminary efficacy evidence in patients with Alzheimer's disease and Rett syndrome, other synaptic neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. S1R’s role in calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial function, cellular functions related to synaptic function, makes blarcamesine a potential drug candidate for FXS. Administration of blarcamesine in 2-month-old FXS and wild type mice for two weeks led to normalization in two key neurobehavioral phenotypes: open field test (hyperactivity) and contextual fear conditioning (associative learning). Furthermore, there was improvement in marble-burying (anxiety, perseverative behavior). It also restored pAkt and BDNF levels, two major signaling markers, in the hippocampus. Positron emission tomography (PET) and ex vivo autoradiographic studies, using the highly selective S1R PET ligand [18F]FTC-146, demonstrated the drug’s dose-dependent receptor occupancy. Subsequent analyses also showed a wide but variable brain regional distribution of S1Rs, which was preserved in FXS mice. Altogether, these neurobehavioral, biochemical, and imaging data demonstrate that the same doses that yield measurable receptor occupancy are effective for improving the synaptic and behavioral phenotype in FXS mice. The present findings support the viability of S1R as a therapeutic target in FXS, and the clinical potential of blarcamesine in FXS and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Sirt6 reprograms myofibers to oxidative type through CREB-dependent Sox6 suppression
Authors: Park Byung-Hyun , Song Mi-Young , Han Chang Yeob , Moon Young Jae , Bae Eun Ju
Published: February 2021

Expanding the exercise capacity of skeletal muscle is an emerging strategy to combat obesity-related metabolic diseases and this can be achieved by shifting skeletal muscle fibers toward slow-twitch oxidative type. Here, we report that Sirt6, an anti-aging histone deacetylase, is critical in regulating myofiber configuration toward oxidative type and that Sirt6 activator can be an exercise mimetic. Genetic inactivation of Sirt6 in skeletal muscle reduced while its transgenic overexpression increased mitochondrial oxidative capacity and exercise performance in mice. Mechanistically, we show that Sirt6 downregulated Sox6, a key repressor of slow fiber specific gene, by increasing the transcription of CREB. Sirt6 expression is elevated in chronically exercised humans and mice treated with an activator of Sirt6 showed an increase in exercise endurance as compared to exercise-trained controls. Thus, the current study identifies Sirt6 as a new molecular target for reprogramming myofiber composition toward the oxidative type and for improving muscle performance.
Prevalence and associated factors for stunting, underweight and wasting among children under 6 years of age in rural Hunan Province, China: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Huixia , Yuan Shan , Fang Hualing , Huang Guangwen , Huang Qun , Wang Hua , Wang Aihua
Published: February 2021

Background
The existing epidemiological data cannot represent the situation of malnutrition among Chinese children, particularly those in rural China. Hence, in this community-based cross-sectional study, the prevalence and associated factors of stunting, underweight and wasting among children (age < 6 years) from rural Hunan Province were analyzed.
Methods
Totally 5529 children aged 0 to 71 months and their caregivers were randomly chosen by multistage stratified cluster sampling from 72 villages from rural Hunan, which covered 24 towns in 12 counties. Data about the children and their mothers, caregivers and family conditions was acquired using unified questionnaire, and the length/height and weight of each child were measured using unified instruments. The prevalence of malnutrition among children were evaluated using the length/height for age, weight for age, weight for length/height, and body mass index for age z scores, which were computed according to the 2006 and 2007 WHO Child Growth Standards.
Results
The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting among the 5529 children are 4.4% (241), 3.9% (217), and 4.0% (221), respectively. The significant associated factors on higher risks of malnutrition in the children are low birth weight, maternal gestational weight gain < 10 kg (stunting); low birth weight, maternal gestational weight gain < 10 kg, ethnicity of caregivers being minority (underweight); low birth weight, ethnicity of caregivers being minority (wasting). High education level of caregivers and high family food expenditure are common protective factors for all three types of malnutrition, except that high family food expenditure is not protective for wasting.
Conclusions
The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting is low among rural children under age of 6 years in Hunan. As for the measures, the gestational care and reasonable diet of mothers should be strengthened, and nutritional deficiency during pregnancy be avoided, which will prevent low birth weight. Education about nutrition must be promoted among minorities.
Influence of light-irradiated Noccaea caerulescens on the characteristics of dissolved organic matter in its rhizospheric soil during phytoremediation
Authors: Niu Yao , Wang Zhansheng , Wang Hanfei , Yang Xiaoying , Cao Min , Luo Jie
Published: February 2021

It has been observed that suitable light irradiation can improve the phytoremediation efficiency of various plants by enhancing their growth rate and metal uptake capacity. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of light irradiation on metal mobilization and translocation in soils have rarely been reported. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the variation in dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the rhizosphere of Noccaea caerulescens when irradiated with different combinations of red (0, 25, 50, 90, and 100 % red) and blue light. N. caerulescens was induced to secrete significantly more DOM, relative to the control, into its rhizosphere after being irradiated with pure red light and other red light combinations; this increased the bioavailability of soil Cd. Moreover, the concentrations and proportions of the hydrophilic DOM fractions, particularly hydrophilic acid, which exhibited a high affinity for Cd, increased with increasing ratios of the red light. Furthermore, DOM secreted because of the light irradiation treatments exhibited a significantly higher Cd extraction ability compared with that of the untreated control; this consequently increased the Cd uptake capacity of N. caerulescens. The results demonstrated that the secretion of more DOM, particularly hydrophilic acid, plays a pivotal role in improving the phytoremediation efficiency of N. caerulescens.
Multiple shoot induction in zygotic embryos: A strategy for acceleration of banana breeding
Authors: Suthanthiram Backiyarani , Subbaraya Uma , Swaminathan Saranya , Palani Durai , Selvaraj Eugin Perianayagaraj , Vadivel Selvaraj , Somasundram Saraswathi Marimuthu , Raju Karthic
Published: February 2021

The presence of residual female fertility in most of the parthenocarpic banana accessions, embryo culture technique encourages the banana breeder to develop new hybrids through conventional breeding. Desirable trait can be fixed in banana in the first generation of hybrid progenies, but their evaluation is a long process owing to non-availability of uniform suckers/planting material. The duration of the breeding cycle can be reduced by developing more number of plantlets per hybrid event under in vitro embryo culture. Thus efforts were taken to standardize the multiple shoot formation from single embryo through media manipulation and decortications of embryo culture derived single plants. Success on multiple shoot formation was achieved up to 75% and 95% in seeded accessions of M.acuminata and M.velutina embryos respectively. In general, enhanced regeneration efficiency and rate of multiple shoot formation were recorded in media with BAP concentration of 17.76µm. Single in vitro plantlets derived through embryo culture were decorticated to 3 cubic cm size that resulted in 100% multiple shoot formations. This technique has been implemented from the seeds obtained from controlled pollination (18 cross combinations) and open pollination (nine accessions) of various genomic groups (ABB, AAB, AA) and their genetic fidelity of multiple shoots were also confirmed through microsatellite markers. As this technique, i) enhances the regeneration of hybrid seeds; ii) overcomes the risk of field mortality of the hybrid progenies and iii) allows simultaneous evaluation for multiple traits, will accelerate the breeding program by reducing the time taken for the release of potential banana hybrids.
TGF-β1 and Its Signal Transduction Pathways: Are They Corelated With The Elastic Characteristics of Breast Lesions?
Authors: Zhang Meng Ke , Li Shi Yu , Wang Bo , Liu Gang , Wang Zhi Li
Published: February 2021

Background: Shear wave elastography (SWE) can evaluate the tissue stiffness. Previous studies showed that the elastic characteristics of breast lesions were related to the components of extracellular matrix (ECM) which was directly or indirectly regulated by transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1). However, it is rarely reported whether there is a correlation between TGF-β1 and the elastic characteristics of breast lesions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between TGF-β1 with its signal transduction pathways and the elastic characteristics of breast lesions.Methods: 135 breast lesions in 130 patients were included. Before operation or biopsy, SWE was performed. Elastic characteristics such as the maximum, mean, minimum and standard deviation (SD) of elastic modulus (Emax, Emean, Emin, Esd), the elastic ratio of the lesions to the peripheral tissue (Eratio) and the "stiff rim sign" were recorded. The expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2/3, Erk1/2, p38 MAPK, JNK2, PI3K and AKT were detected by immunohistochemistry. The elastic characteristics and the expression levels of the above-mentioned indexes of benign lesions were were analyzed.Results: Emax, Emean, Esd, Eratio, “stiff rim sign” detection rate and the expression levels of TGF- β 1, et al. of benign were lower than those of malignant lesions (P＜0.0001). The expression levels of TGF- β 1, Smad2/3, Erk1/2, p38 MAPK, JNK2, PI3K and AKT were correlated with Emax, Emean, Esd, Eratio of breast lesions, the expression levels of TGF- β 1, et al. of lesions with “stiff rim sign” were higher than those of lesions without “stiff rim sign” (P＜0.05). And the expression levels of Smad2/3, Erk1/2, p38 MAPK, JNK2, PI3K and AKT were corelated with that of TGF- β 1 (r=0.678, 0.633, 0.645, 0.611, 0.589, 0.663, P＜0.0001).Conclusions: The expression levels of TGF-β1, et al. of breast lesions were corelated with the elastic characteristics, the expression levels of Smad2/3, Erk1/2, p38 MAPK, JNK2, PI3K and AKT were corelated with that of TGF- β 1, which speculated that TGF- β 1 might play an important role in the stiffness regulation of breast lesions through multiple signal transduction pathways.
Generational Sensitivity Alteration in Chironomus Yoshimatsui to Carbamate and Pharmaceutical Chemicals and The Effect on Catalase, CYP450, and Hemoglobin Gene Transcription
Authors: Ishimota Makoto , Tomiyama Naruto
Published: February 2021

To ascertain the tolerance mechanisms of aquatic organisms to artificial chemicals, intergenerational sensitivity changes of Chironomus yoshimatsui to a carbamate pesticide (pirimicarb) and pharmaceutical chemical (diazepam) were investigated. The larvae (< 48-h-old) in each generation were exposed to both chemicals for 48 h and then the surviving chironomids were cultured until the fifth generation (F0–F4) without chemical addition. The 48-h 50% effective concentration (EC50) value of chironomids was determined for each generation. In the pirimicarb treatment group, the EC50 values significantly increased in F3 and F4, and those in the diazepam treatment group slightly increased. Catalase, Cytochrome P450 and hemoglobin (Hb) mRNA levels were monitored to see whether these were related to the trans-generational sensitivity. Although the generalized linear model results showed that the sensitivity to diazepam was slightly increased in the diazepam treatment, we could not find any mRNA levels related to sensitivity alteration. In contrast, the model approach showed that the chironomids exposed to pirimicarb trans-generationally became tolerant with increasing Hb mRNA levels. Therefore, they might decrease their oxidative chemical stress by modifying Hb gene transcription.
Simulation of a Charged Al2O3 Film As An Assisting Passivation Layer For a-Si Passivated Contact p-Type Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Pu Tian , Shen Honglie , Tang Quntao
Published: February 2021

In this paper, a charged Al2O3 tunneling film as an assisting for amorphous Si (a-Si) passivated contact layer is proposed and theoretically simulated for its potential application in improving a-Si passivated contact p-type (a-PC-p) solar cell. The concept is based on an Ag/n+ c-Si/p c-Si/Al2O3/p+ a-Si/Al structure. The key feature is the introduction of a charged Al2O3 layer, which facilitates the tunneling of holes through an Al2O3 insulator layer accompanied by the reduction of interface defect density (Dit). The negative charge in the Al2O3 layer makes the energy band of p-type c-Si bend upward, realizing the accumulation of holes and repelling of electrons at the c-Si/a-Si interface simultaneously. The influence of interface negative charges (Qit) between a-Si and c-Si, Al2O3 thickness, Al2O3 bandgap, interface defect density (Dit) at the a-Si/c-Si interface are systematically investigated on the output parameters of a-PC-p cells. Inserting a charged Al2O3 film between the c-Si/a-Si interface, a +4.2 % relative efficiency gain is predicted theoretically compared with the a-PC-p cells without the Al2O3 layer. Subsequently, the device performance under various temperatures is simulated, and the insertion of a charged Al2O3 layer obviously decreases the Pmax temperature coefficient from -0.336 % /℃ to -0.247 % /℃, which is analogous to that of Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer (HIT) solar cell. The above results demonstrate a better temperature response for a-PC-p cells with a charged Al2O3 layer, paving a road for its potential application in high-efficiency and high thermal stability a-PC-p solar cells.
The effect of copper doping on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of cadmium oxide thin films using the spray pyrolysis technique
Authors: Davari Fatemeh , Fadavieslam Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2021

In this study, the pure and Cu doped CdO thin films with various doping concentrations (0 to 5 at.%) were deposited on soda-lime glass substrates, using the chemical spray pyrolysis technique. The effects of Cu doping on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of thin films were, then, investigated. The films were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive x-ray analyzer (FESEM-EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and electrical resistance; van der Pauw techniques were also used to measure the Hall effect. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the thin films were polycrystalline only with cadmium oxide phase with the cubic face-centered crystal structure and the preferred orientations were along (111), (200), (220), (311), and (311) planes. The FE-SEM and AFM images also showed that with an increase in Cu doping levels, the grain size and surface roughness of the thin films decreased from 472 to 38 nm and from 163 to 54 nm, respectively. The expected element compositions were confirmed by EDX. The optical bandgap of the thin films ranged from 2.42 to 2.56 eV, and as Cu dopant increased, so, too, the optical bandgap. As the Cu doping concentration increased from 0 to 5 (at.%), the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient were found to increase from 3.74⋅10− 4 to 8.77⋅10− 3 Ω.cm and 8.28⋅10− 6 to 2.52⋅10− 5 v/k (at 100 Co temperature difference), respectively; the carrier concentration and carrier mobility were also found to decrease from 3.24⋅1020 to 1.76⋅1020 cm− 3 and from 55.5 to 4.05 cm2/v.s, respectively. The Hall effect and thermoelectric studies revealed that the films exhibited an n-type conductivity.
Potential Microplastic Threat: Environmental Assessment of The Face Mask Pollution
Authors: Akarsu Ceyhun , MADENLİ Özgecan , DEVECİ Ece Ümmü
Published: February 2021

In recent studies, many reports on the environmental effects of microplastic pollution have been presented. Countries across the world have already started carrying out studies on the restrictions of the industrial use of microplastics based on these reports. Many non-governmental organizations try to clean the existing microplastics from the oceans using their resources. However, a new source of microplastics has started to be released into nature as a result of the single-use face masks that protect us against the spread of COVID-19 and are being thrown onto the streets and into seas and nature. Before the pandemic, it was reported that more than 300 million microplastics were discharged from the province of Mersin to the eastern Mediterranean. This number will inevitably increase if not managed correctly. A mass balance needs to be studied for the correct management of waste. This study aims to estimate the amount of face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, thereby expressing our concerns about waste management and plastic pollution, and calling on appropriate solid waste management policies and governments to take the necessary measures to formulate their strategies at all levels.
Predicting Overall Survival After Conventional Chemoembolization of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: The Role of 3D Quantitative Tumor Analysis
Authors: Rexha Irvin , Laage-Gaupp Fabian , Chapiro Julius , Miszczuk Milena Anna , Breugel Johanna Maria Mintje , Lin MingDe , Duran Rafael , Gebauer Bernhard , Georgiades Christos , Hong Kelvin , Nezami Nariman
Published: February 2021

This study was designed to assess 3D vs. 1D and 2D quantitative tumor analysis for prediction of overall survival (OS) in patients with ICC who underwent conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE). 73 ICC patients who underwent cTACE were included in this retrospective analysis between Oct 2001 and Feb 2015. The overall and enhancing tumor diameters as well as the maximum cross-sectional and enhancing tumor areas were measured on baseline images. 3D quantitative tumor analysis was used to assess total tumor volume (TTV), enhancing tumor volume (ETV), and enhancing tumor burden (ETB) (ratio between ETV and liver volume). Patients were divided into low (LTB) and high tumor burden (HTB) groups. There was a significant separation between survival curves of the LTB and HTB groups using enhancing tumor diameter (p=0.003), enhancing tumor area (p=0.03), TTV (p=0.03), and ETV (p=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed a hazard ratio of 0.46 (95% CI 0.27–0.78, p=0.004) for enhancing tumor diameter, 0.56 (95% CI 0.33–0.96, p=0.04) for enhancing tumor area, 0.58 (95% CI 0.34–0.98, p=0.04) for TTV, and 0.52 (95% CI 0.30–0.91, p=0.02) for ETV. TTV and ETV as well as largest enhancing tumor diameter and maximum enhancing tumor area reliably predict the OS of patients with ICC after cTACE and could identify ICC patients who are most likely to benefit from cTACE.
Establishment of a Highly Predictive Survival Nomogram For Patients With Sepsis: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Hui , Zhang Luming , Xu Fengshuo , Wang Zichen , Han Didi , Zhang Feng , Lyu Jun , Yin Haiyan
Published: February 2021

Background: Sepsis is a critical illness common in intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency rooms worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, exisiting methods to predict mortality from sepsis, such as the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, are insufficient. This paper aimed to construct a nomogram for predicting the 30-, 60-, and 90-days mortality risks of patients with sepsis that is more accurate than the SOFA score alone. Methods: Data on sepsis patients were obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) database and analysed retrospectively. The included patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. The variables included in the training cohort were selected using a backward stepwise selection method with Cox regression, which were then used to construct a prognostic nomogram. In the validation cohort, we compared our prognostic nomogram with the existing SOFA using the area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), calibration plotting and decision-curve analysis (DCA).Results: We included a total of 5240 patients in the study, who were divided into the training (n=3667) and validation (n=1573) cohorts. Patient age and the following clinical parameters obtained on the first day of ICU admission were included in the nomogram: SOFA score, metastatic cancer, SpO2, lactate, body temperature, albumin, and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). The AUCs for the 30-, 60-, and 90-days mortality risks were better for our nomogram than for the SOFA score, with values of 0.766, 0.771, and 0.772, respectively, in the training cohort and 0.759, 0.770, and 0.760, respectively, in the validation cohort. The nomogram also showed good calibration, as indicated by the evidence that the predicted values of the survival risks at 30-, 60-and 90-days were in good agreement with the observed values both in the training and validation sets. In addition, IDI and NRI improved over the entire follow-up period. Finally, DCA was used to verify the clinical value of the model and its impact on actual decision-making. We can see that the net benefit of the nomogram is greater than the SOFA score for any predicted probability, both in the training set and in the validation set, indicating that it has a substantial net benefit in predicting 30-, 60-, and 90-days survival rates. Conclusions: We established a nomogram that performed better than the SOFA score in predicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis. Further studies with a large sample size are needed to verify the generalizability of the nomogram.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a prospective study
Authors: Su Shan , Wang Liting , Tang Xulei , Zhao Nan , Guan Conghui , Li Hongli , Liu Lijuan , Liu JinJin , Che Hongxia , Zhang Di , Wang Qiangmei , Fu Songbo , Zhen Donghu
Published: February 2021

Background

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, play a protective role in the cardiovascular system. Increasing evidence has suggested that the vitamin D deficiency is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] and the risk of ASCVD in Chinese, especially in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).

Methods

Based on the "REACTION" study conducted in 2011, 9014 residents aged 40 to 75 in Lanzhou, Gansu province were followed up from 2014 to 2016. A total of 7061 subjects with complete data from the two surveys in present study were analyzed. Baseline population was classified into four groups based on 25(OH)D quartiles, comparing the different 25(OH)D groups of ASCVD incidence after follow-up, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression modelling was used to estimate associations between 25(OH)D levels and the risk of ASCVD and to further analyze the relationship between ASCVD risk and 25(OH)D levels in different glucose metabolism status.

Results

Among 7,061 subjects aged 40 to 75 years, the median serum 25(OH)D level was 15.91ng/ml, and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 75.1%, merely 2.0% of those with vitamin D sufficiency. During the follow-up period of 3.3 years, 216 cases of ASCVD events were recorded. The cumulative incidence of ASCVD from lowest of 25(OH)D levels to the highest were 4.1%, 3.0%, 3.1% and 2.0%, respectively. Cox regression analysis indicated that the individuals in quartile 1 but not quartile 2 or 3 of 25(OH)D level had significantly higher rate of ASCVD than that in highest quartile, additionally, 10 ng/ml per increase in serum 25(OH)D at baseline, the ASCVD risk was reduced by 24%[hazard ratio(HR):0.761, 95% confident interval(CI):0.590- 0.980, P <0.05]. When the effects of 25(OH)D on ASCVD risk was assessed in different glucose metabolism status, the results showed that the low 25(OH)D plus T2DM was associated with high risk of ASCVD after adjustment of confounding risk factors (HR: 2.284, 95% CI: 1.242-4.202, P <0.05).The risk of ASCVD decreased by 35% as serum 25(OH)D increased by 10 ng/ml, which remained significant after stepwise adjustments ( P <0.05).

Conclusions

Serum 25(OH)D is independently and inversely associated with the risk of ASCVD in Chinese.Increasing vitamin D levels can effectively reduce the risk of ASCVD incidence, especially in T2DM populations.
Identification of Novel Inhibitors of GLUT1 by Virtual Screening and Cell-Based Assays
Authors: chen xiaotong , zhao yunshuo , lyu sifan , gao guanfei , gao yanfeng , qi yuanming , du jiangfeng
Published: February 2021

In order to fuel the uncontrolled cell proliferation and division, tumor cells reprogram the energy metabolism to Warburg effect, where glucose is favorite converted by glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen. However, the high energetic demand of tumor cells require upregulating the expression of glucose transporters, notably GLUT1, which substantially increases glucose uptake into cytoplasm. GLUT1 is overexpressed in a variety of tumor cells and is likely to be a potential drug target for the pan-cancer treatment. Although many small molecules were reported to inhibit theglucose uptake function by various measurements, several shortcomings such as weak binding affinity, low specificity of the known inhibitors demand the identification of alternative inhibitors with novel scaffolds. In this study, we performed a virtual screening campaign by docking each compound from Chemdiv database to the glucosebinding pocket based on the crystal structure of GLUT1 (PDB ID 4PYP) and four small molecules with novel scaffolds were identified to inhibit the glucose uptake of cancer cells at the sub-micromole levels. The identified compounds may serve as starting points for the development of anti-cancer drugs by manipulating the energy metabolism.
Integration of Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Indicates Changes in MRSA Exposed to Terpinen-4-ol
Authors: Cheng Feng , Mo Yanan , Chen Keyuan , Shang Xiaofei , Yang Zhen , Hao Baocheng , Shang Ruofeng , Liang Jianping , Liu Yu
Published: February 2021

Background: This study investigated the effects of terpinen-4-ol on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its biofilm, and the possible mechanisms governing this effect.Results: We observed that terpinen-4-ol has good antibacterial activity and inhibits the formation of MRSA biofilm. The MIC and MBC values for terpinen-4-ol against S. aureus were 0.08%~0.32%. And terpinen-4-ol at 0.32% could kill all bacteria and clear all biofilms. Untargeted metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses showed that terpinen-4-ol strongly inhibited DNA and RNA biosynthesis in MRSA at 2 h after treatment by affecting genes and metabolites related to purine and pyrimidine metabolic pathways. Some differential genes which play important roles in DNA synthesis and the production of eDNA from biofilm exposed to terpinen-4-ol was also significantly decreased compared with that of the control. Conclusions: Terpinen-4-ol has good antibacterial activity and significantly inhibits the formation of MRSA biofilm by inhibiting purine and pyrimidine metabolism.
Extending the Luminescence Properties of Zinc Gallogermanate via Co-doping with Cost Effective Metals Ions (Cr3+/Mg2+, Cr3+/Ca2+ and Cr3+/Sr2+)
Authors: Sanad Moustafa M.S.
Published: February 2021

The huge applications of red-light emitting materials paying the research attention to reduce the cost of production and raw materials. Therefore, abundant cations of alkaline earth metals e.g. Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ were successfully incorporated with Cr3+: Zn3Ga2Ge2O10 (Cr-ZGGO) as co-activators via simple solid-state method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of all samples confirmed the formation of zinc gallogermanate superstructure with two cubic phases ZnGa2O4 and Zn2GeO4. The particle imaging of Cr-ZGGO and Ca@Cr-ZGGO via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) reveals a significant change in morphology and particle size by Ca2+ co-doping. Meanwhile, the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis (EDS) and mapping techniques elucidate the exact chemical composition of the calculated stoichiometric substitution and illustrate the equal distribution of all elements over the whole sample. Optical band gap energy of Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ co-doped phosphors are lower than Cr-ZGGO. The Sr@Cr-ZGGO displays the most intense photoluminescence (PL) peak and the broadest emission in the near infra-red region (NIR) as a result of increasing light traps and generation of new paths between the energy levels of trapping centers.
Plasma applications for the treatment of bean sprouts: safety, quality and nutritional assessments under aqueous and gaseous set-ups
Authors: Darmanin Martina , Fröhling Antje , Bußler Sara , Durek Julia , Neugart Susanne , Schreiner Monika , Blundell Renald , Gatt Ruben , Schlüter Oliver , Valdramidis Vasilis P.
Published: February 2021

Sprouts are particularly prone to microbial contamination due to their high nutrient content and the warm temperatures and humid conditions needed for their production. Therefore, disinfection is a crucial step in food processing as a means of preventing the transmission of bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens. In this study, a dielectric coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) system was used for the application of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), plasma activated water (PAW) and their combination on mung bean seeds. Overall, it was found that the combined seed treatment with direct air CAP (350 W) and air PAW had no negative impact on mung bean seed germination and growth, nor the concentration of secondary metabolites within the sprouts. These treatments also reduced the total microbial population in sprouts by 2.5 log CFU/g. This research reports for first time that aside from the stimulatory effect of plasma discharge on seed surface disinfection, sustained plasma treatment through irrigation of treated seeds with PAW can significantly enhance seedling growth. The positive outcome and further applications of different forms, of plasma i.e., gaseous and aqueous, in the agro-food industry is further supported by this research.
Whether, when, how, and how much? General public’s and cancer patients’ views about the disclosure of genomic secondary findings
Authors: Cléophat Jude Emmanuel , Dorval Michel , Haffaf Zaki El , Chiquette Jocelyne , Collins Stephanie , Malo Benjamin , Fradet Vincent , Joly Yann , Nabi Hermann
Published: February 2021

Background:Data on the modalities of disclosing genomic secondary findings (SFs) remain scarce. We explore cancer patients’ and the general public’s perspectives about disclosing genomic SFs and the modalities of such disclosure. Methods:Sixty-one cancer patients (n=29) and members of the public (n=32) participated in eight focus groups in Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. They were asked to provide their perspectives of five fictitious vignettes related to medically actionable and non-actionable SFs. A thematic analysis of the transcripts was conducted. Results:Cancer patients and members of the public were open to receive genomic SFs, considering their potential clinical and personal utility. They believed that the right to know or not and share or not such findings should remain the patient’s decision. They thought that the disclosure of SFs should be made mainly in person by the prescribing clinician. Maintaining confidentiality when so requested and preventing genetic discrimination were considered essential. Conclusion:Participants in this study welcomed the prospect of disclosing genomic SFs, as long as the right to choose to know or not to know is preserved. Policies and practice guidelines aiming to protect genetic information confidentiality, and patients’ and families’ autonomy, physical and psychosocial wellbeing are expected.
Cross-racial Consistency of Sexual Dimorphism in Facial Forms: Comparisons Between Turkish and Japanese Populations
Authors: Tanikawa Chihiro , Akcam M Okan , Gokalp Hatice , Zere Edlira , Takada Kenji
Published: February 2021

Facial features may reflect an individual’s probability of survival because of natural selection—for example, through reproduction and feeding abilities. However, questions remain about which facial characteristics contribute to facial masculinity and/or femininity across races. Given that sexual dimorphism stems from the common natural selection process, it is hypothesized that there is cross-racial consistency in sexual dimorphism of facial forms. Examining the extent to which sex differences in facial soft tissue configurations are similar across diverse populations could suggest the source of the indirect evolutionary benefits of facial sexual dimorphism traits. To explore this idea, we selected two geographically distinct races. Three-dimensional model faces were derived from 272 Turkish and Japanese men and women; their facial morphologies were evaluated using landmark and surface-based analyses. We found four common facial features related to sexual dimorphism. Both Turkish and Japanese females had a shorter lower face height, a flatter forehead, greater sagittal cheek protrusion in the infraorbital region but less prominence of the cheek in the parotid-masseteric region, and an antero-posteriorly smaller nose when compared with their male counterparts. We also discussed the possible phylogenetic contribution of masticatory organ function and morphogenesis on sexual dimorphism of the human face.
Enhanced Anti-cancer Effects of Conditioned Medium From Hypoxic Cultured Human Adult Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Han Kyu-Hyun , Kim Ae-Kyeong , Kim Dong-ik
Published: February 2021

This study investigates the anti-cancer effects of cervical cancer (HeLa) cells in a conditioned medium (CM) obtained from normoxic and hypoxic cultured human adult dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The HeLa cells showed decreased cell viability, arrested cell cycles, and increased apoptosis in CM from hypoxic cultured HDFs (H-CM) compared with normoxic cultured HDFs (N-CM). In up-regulated (> 2-fold) proteins of H-CM compared with N-CM, the top enriched term of biological process of gene ontology (GO) was GO:0006955~immune response. In intracellular down-regulated (> 2-fold) proteins of HeLa cells treated with H-CM compared with N-CM, the top enriched term of biological process of GO was GO:0016579~protein deubiquitination, and the terms of the KEGG pathway were determined to be hsa05166:HTLV-I infection, hsa03410:base-excision repair, and hsa05340:primary immunodeficiency. Among down-regulated hub proteins with ≥ 5 edges (ESR1 MCL1, TBP, CD19, LCK, PCNA, CHEK1, and POLA1) of HeLa cells treated with H-CM, the top enriched term of biological process of GO and the KEGG pathway were GO:0006272~leading strand elongation and hsa05166:HTLV-I infection. H-CM displayed not only enhanced anti-cancer effects on HeLa cells compared with N-CM, but also induced intracellular signaling patterns with 9 hub proteins.