bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-Caspr-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles Emergence as a Novel Approach in the Treatment of EAE Animal Model
Authors: Taghizadeh Shirin , Motallebnezhad Morteza , Aghaie Tayebe , Azimi Maryam , Aghamajidi Azin , Salari Ali-Akbar , Bozorgmehr Mahmood , Assarehzadegan Mohammad-Ali , Jazeyeri Mir-Hadi
Published: August 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of central nervous system which is increasing worldwide. Although immunosuppressive agents are used for the treatment of MS disease, nevertheless the lack of non-toxic and efficient therapeutic method is perceptible. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effect of Contactin-associated protein (Caspr) antibody-, poly ethylene glycol (PEG)- and exosome combined gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in comparison to Glatiramer acetate as a selective treatment of MS disease in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. EAE was induced in female C57BL/6 mice and 25-day treatment with anti-Caspr-, PEG- and exosome combined GNPs was evaluated. Histopathological examination of spinal cord, regulatory T cells as well as inflammatory pathway including IFN-ɣ and IL-17 and mir-326 were investigated. The results showed the severity of MS symptoms was significantly decreased in all treated groups. Histological examination of the spinal cord indicated the reduced demyelination and immune cell infiltration. Besides, regulatory T cells were significantly increased following all treatments. Remarkably, the cytokine levels of IFN-ɣ and IL-17 as well as mir-326 is altered in treated groups. Taken together, the obtained findings demonstrate that the administration of anti-Caspr-, PEG- and exosome combined GNPs can be considered a potential treatment in MS disease.
Characteristic of a GH10 Xylanase From The Anaerobic Rumen Fungus Anaeromyces Robustus and Application in Bread Making
Authors: Liu Zhenyang , Wen Sitao , Wu Guogan , Wu Huawei
Published: August 2021

The rumen of ruminants contains a variety of fungi capable of producing xylanases to break down plant cell walls. In this study, a new GH10 xylanase gene ArXyn10c20 from anaerobic rumen microorganism Anaeromyces robustus was successfully expressed in Pichia Pastoris GS115, with a protein molecular weight of approximately 42 kDa and showed the similarity by 64.08% with the β-Xylanase form Neocallimastix Californiae. The optimal pH and temperature for ArXyn10c20 was 5.5 at 40℃. ArXyn10c20 was stable in the pH range 5.0 – 9.0 for 1h which the residual enzyme activity was all above 75%. The activity of recombinant xylanase was significantly enhanced by 1 mM Cu 2+ . The products of ArXyn10c20 hydrolysis of beechwood xylan were xylobiose, xylotriose and xylotetraose by TLC analysis. In food applications, ArXyn10c20 can significantly improve the quality of dough and bread. With the addition of 7.5 mg ArXyn10c20, the hardness, gumminess and chewiness of the bread decreased by 42.24%, 45.33% and 55.36% respectively and the reducing sugar increased by 18.67%. The new discovered xylanase ArXyn10c20 has great potential in food industry.
High Gain Cavity Backed SIW Array Antenna for Microwave Communications
Authors: kishore ravi
Published: August 2021

A high gain 4-element Cavity Backed Substrate Integrated Waveguide (CBSIW) based antenna is proposed in this paper. The combination of low loss SIW cavities with quarter wave transformer based transmission line power divider can enhance the gain and power efficiency of the CBSIW antenna. A bow-tie shaped slot is located on rectangular shaped SIW cavity with optimum dimensions to form each element. The feed network is constructed with two quarter wave T-junction power dividers connected back-to-back to accomplish the impedance matching and optimum power distribution to the elements. The proposed CBSIW antenna exhibits a high gain of 21.9dBi with 82% of efficiency on low cost FR4 epoxy substrate. The measured results agree with simulated results obtained from commercial HFSS full-wave electromagnetic solver.
Sulfated host glycan recognition by carbohydrate sulfatases of the human gut microbiota
Authors: Luis Ana , Baslé Arnaud , Byrne Dominic , Wright Gareth , London James , Chunsheng Jin , Karlsson Niclas , Hansson Gunnar , Eyers Patrick , Czjzek Mirjam , Barbeyron Tristan , Yates Edwin , Martens Eric , Cartmell Alan
Published: August 2021

The vast microbial community that resides in the human colon, termed the human gut microbiota, performs important roles in maintaining host health. Sulfated host glycans comprise both a major nutrient source and important colonisation factors for this community. Carbohydrate sulfatases remove sulfate groups from glycans and are essential in many bacteria for the utilisation of sulfated host glycans. Additionally, carbohydrate sulfatases are also implicated in numerous host diseases, but remain some of the most understudied carbohydrate active enzymes to date, especially at the structural and molecular level. In this work, we analyse 7 carbohydrate sulfatases, spanning 4 subfamilies, from the human gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a major utiliser of sulfated host glycans, correlating structural and functional data with phylogenetic and environmental analyses. Together, these data begin to fill the knowledge gaps in how carbohydrate sulfatases orchestrate sulfated glycan metabolism within their environment.
Single cell analysis of endometriosis reveals a coordinated transcriptional program driving immunotolerance and angiogenesis across eutopic and ectopic tissues.
Authors: Courtois Elise , Tan Yuliana , Flynn William , Sivajothi Santosh , Luo Diane , Bozal Suleyman , Luciano Anthony , Robson Paul , Luciano Danielle
Published: August 2021

Endometriosis is characterized by growth of endometrial-like tissue outside of the uterus affecting many women in their reproductive age, causing years of pelvic pain and potential infertility. Its pathophysiology remains largely unknown, limiting diagnosis and treatment. We characterized peritoneal and ovarian lesions at single-cell transcriptome resolution and compared to matched eutopic endometrium, control endometrium, and organoids derived from these tissues, generating data on over 100,000 cells across 12 individuals. We spatially localized many of the cell types using imaging mass cytometry. We identify a perivascular mural cell unique to the peritoneal lesions with dual roles in angiogenesis promotion and immune cell trafficking. We define an immunotolerant peritoneal niche, fundamental differences in eutopic endometrium and between lesions microenvironments, and a novel progenitor-like epithelial cell subpopulation. Altogether, this study provides a holistic view of the endometriosis microenvironment representing the first comprehensive cell atlas of the disease, essential information for advancing therapeutics and diagnostics.
Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Photoreceptor-like Cells under the Influence of a Temporary Increase in miRNA-182, -183 Expression
Authors: Mahmoudian-Sani Mohammad-Reza , Fattahi Najmeh , Arab Samaneh , asgharzade samira
Published: August 2021

It is found that the death of retinal photoreceptors is the main cause of retinal degeneration, while there is not an effective treatment protocol. Data of preclinical and clinical trials indicates that the stem cell therapy is a useful way of treating retinal degeneration problems. On the other hand, previous works found that miRNA-182, -183 significantly affected the photoreceptor maturation and maintenance in animal models. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of a temporary increase in miRNA-182, -183 expression on the differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) into photoreceptor-like cells. To this end, miRNA-182, -183 was transfected into hBMSCs; then, qRT-PCR was performed to measure the expression levels of miRNA-182, -183 and some retina-specific genes such as OTX2, NRL, PKCα, and recoverin. CRX and rhodopsin (RHO) levels were also measured through qRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry We indicated that the transfection of hBMSCs with miRNA-182, -183 using the Lipofectamine induce differentiation and progenitor’s genes expression consisted of CRX, OTX2, PKC, Recoverin, NRL and RHO. Moreover, the upregulation expression of transcription factors, CRX and RHO, indicated that miRNA-182, -183 could serve as crucial functions in the differentiation of hBMSCs into photoreceptor-like cells. The findings may provide a new strategy to improve the usage of hBMSCs as a treatment for the retinal dysfunction.
Trigger of Apoptosis in Adenocarcinoma Gastric Cell Line (AGS) by a Complex of Thiosemicarbazone and Copper Nanoparticles
Authors: Badrooh Mahsa , Shokrollahi Faezeh , Javan Shaghayegh , Ghasemipour Taraneh , Mojdehi Samira Rezaei , Noveiri Mahboubeh Jahani Sayyad , Hedayati Mohammad , Salehzadeh Ali
Published: August 2021

Seeking novel anticancer agents with minimal side effects against gastric cancer is vitally important. Copper, as an important trace element, takes roles in different physiologic pathways. Also, there is a higher demand for copper in cancer cells than normal ones. Copper complexes containing a therapeutic ligand could be promising candidates for gastric cancer chemotherapy. In this work, copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized, functionalized with glutamic acid (CuO@Glu) and conjugated with thiosemicarbazone (Cuo@Glu/TSC NPs). The NPs were characterized and their antiproliferative potential against AGS cancer cells was investigated using MTT, flow cytometry, Hoechst staining, and caspase 3 activation assays. The FT-IR results showed the proper binding of TSC to CuO@Glu NPs and crystallinity of the prepared NPs was confirmed by the XRD pattern. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Cu, N, C, O, and S elements and lack of impurities. The Hydrodynamic size and zeta potential of the Cuo@Glu/TSC NPs were 710 nm and 27.5 mv, respectively. The NPs had spherical shape and were in a size range of 20-39 nm in diameter. This work revealed that CuO@Glu/TSC NPs efficiently inhibited the proliferation of AGS cells with significantly lower IC50 value (203 µg/mL) than normal HEK293 cells (IC50=435µg/mL). Flow cytometry and Hoechst staining obviously revealed apoptosis induction among CuO@Glu/TSC treated cells, and caspase-3 activity significantly increased by 1.4 folds. This study introduced CuO@Glu/TSC as an efficient anticancer against gastric cancer cells with lower toxicity toward normal cells which could be employed for cancer treatment after further characterization.
Clinical Characteristics, Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of COVID-19 Positive Pregnant Mothers at a Tertiary Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Ramdin Tanusha Devi , Bandini Rossella Marina , Saggers Robin Terance , Radomsky Michael , Mulaudzi Mphelekedzeni , Bhoora Shastra Aventra , Ballot Daynia Elizabeth
Published: August 2021

Background: The global spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been sudden shock to the world and resulted in many questions that remain unanswered. Limited data has been published in low-middle-income country settings (LMICS) Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of mothers and neonates delivered from COVID-19 positive mothers, and to identify the incidence of COVID-19 positive neonates.Methods: A prospective, descriptive study, from 1 August 2020 to 31 March 2021 conducted at a tertiary hospital, in JohannesburgAll neonates born to mothers that were COVID-19 positive and that required admission to the neonatal unit were included. Informed consent was obtained from mothers prior to enrolment.Results: A total of 111 COVID-19 positive pregnant women delivered neonates at the tertiary hospital. In this study, only 28 of the 111 (25%) neonates born to COVID-19 positive mothers were admitted. The majority of the COVID-19 pregnant mothers were asymptomatic or had mild symptomatic disease (80%). Two (2/111 (2%) mothers required ICU admission and three (3/111 (3%) of them demised. In relation to neonatal outcomes, the majority of the neonates were delivered at a gestational age of 35 weeks with a birth weight of 2400 grams .The most common symptom was respiratory distress (89 %). The one (3%) neonate that tested positive for COVID-19 was born moderately preterm with a low birth weight and respiratory distress syndrome. Two (2/28 (7%) neonates demised, however the cause of death was not related to COVID-19. All the remaining (26/28 (93%) neonates were discharged and were well on follow up. Conclusion: Our study has shown that the risk of neonatal transmission from pregnant COVID-19 mothers is relatively low, and the majority of neonatal disease ranged from asymptomatic to mildly symptomatic disease. Further research efforts are essential to improve neonatal care in LMICS.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: a Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Liu Tao , Wu Lingqin , Xue Renmin , Ding Huiru
Published: August 2021

Background: Tranexamic acid, as a traditional hemostatic agent, is commonly applied in the treatment or prevention of excessive blood loss. However, the role of tranexamic acid in promoting good clinical outcomes, reducing mortality, and the risk of experiencing adverse events during the therapeutic process of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remains unclear.Methods: In strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed were retrieved for randomized-controlled trials (from 1980 to 2021). Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 16.0 and RevMan 5.3. In addition, the fixed-effect model (M-H method) and effect size RR (95% CI) were used as a pooled measure to combine the heterogeneous data. We also performed post hoc sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis to evaluate each outcome with low heterogeneity.Results: Meta-analysis revealed that although tranexamic acid was related to less rebleeding (RR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.59-0.87; P = 0.0008), it might have no effect on good clinical outcome or mortality (RR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.92-1.04; P = 0.51; RR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.88-1.15; P = 0.91). Tranexamic acid was associated with increased hydrocephalus (RR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.02-1.24; P = 0.02), delayed cerebral ischemia (RR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.34-2.16; P < 0.0001) and seizure (RR = 1.46; 95% CI 1.00-2.14; P = 0.05). The incidence of thromboembolic complications was identical in both groups (RR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.63-1.31; P = 0.62), and there were significant drug-related overall adverse events (RR = 1.21; 95% CI 1.11- 1.32; P < 0.0001).Conclusions: These findings indicate that the routine use of TXA is not suggested for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Increased aerosol transmission for B.1.1.7 (alpha variant) over lineage A variant of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Port Julia , Yinda Claude Kwe , Avanzato Victoria , Schulz Jonathan , Holbrook Myndi , Doremalen Neeltje van , Shaia Carl , Fischer Robert , Munster Vincent
Published: August 2021

Airborne transmission, a term combining both large droplet and aerosol transmission, is thought to be the main transmission route of SARS-CoV-2. Here we investigated the relative efficiency of aerosol transmission of two variants of SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.7 (alpha) and lineage A, in the Syrian hamster. A novel transmission caging setup was designed and validated, which allowed the assessment of transmission efficiency at various distances. At 2 meters distance, only particles <5 µm traversed between cages. In this setup, aerosol transmission was confirmed in 8 out of 8 (N = 4 for each variant) sentinels after 24 hours of exposure as demonstrated by respiratory shedding and seroconversion. Successful transmission occurred even when exposure time was limited to one hour, highlighting the efficiency of this transmission route. Interestingly, the B.1.1.7 variant outcompeted the lineage A variant in an airborne transmission chain after mixed infection of donors. Combined, this data indicates that the infectious dose of B.1.1.7 required for successful transmission may be lower than that of lineage A virus. The experimental proof for true aerosol transmission and the increase in the aerosol transmission potential of B.1.1.7 underscore the continuous need for assessment of novel variants and the development or preemptive transmission mitigation strategies.
Quantum communications in a moderate-to-strong turbulent space
Authors: Ghalaii Masoud , Pirandola Stefano
Published: August 2021

Since the invention of the laser in the 60s, one of the most fundamental communication channels has been the free-space optical channel. For this type of channel, a number of effects generally need to be considered, including diffraction, refraction, atmospheric extinction, pointing errors and, most importantly, turbulence. Because of all these adverse features, the free-space channel is more difficult to study than a stable fiber-based link. For the same reasons, only recently it has been possible to establish the ultimate performances achievable in quantum communications via free-space channels. Differently from previous literature, mainly focused on the regime of weak turbulence, this work considers the free-space optical channel in the more challenging regime of moderate-to-strong turbulence. This regime may occur in long-distance free-space links on the ground, in uplink to high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) and, more interestingly, in downlink from near-horizon satellites. In such a regime we rigorously investigate ultimate limits for quantum communications and show that composable keys can be extracted using continuous variable quantum key distribution. In particular, we apply our results to downlink from satellites at large zenith angles, for which not only turbulence is strong but also refraction causes non-trivial effects in terms of trajectory elongation.
A Theoretical Investigation of Decorated Novel Triazoles as DSSCs in PV Devices
Authors: Coetzee Louis-Charl Cloete , Adeyinka Adedapo , Magwa Nomampondo
Published: August 2021

Some novel metal-free 1,2,4-triazole compounds A1-A8, based on the 3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole derivatives were examined for Photovoltaic properties using density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations for the use of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Through deductive logic, the fluorescence emission (Φf) and charge collection (ηc) efficiencies of these compounds as dyes were obtained and used to determine each dye’s incident conversion efficiency (IPCE). Furthermore, these parameters were also employed to assess the dye’s potential for photovoltaic technology. However, this technique is more suitable to predict the suitability of the dye for photovoltaic applications, and cannot measure the efficiency of DSSCs
Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells in the Blood of Iranian COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Mortaz Esmaeil , Movasaghi Mehrnaz , Bassir Ali , K.Dezfuli Neda , Roofchayee Neda Dalil , Jamaati Hamidreza , Garssen Johan , Adcock Ian M.
Published: August 2021

Background: A cytokine storm and lymphopenia are reported in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) exist in two different forms, granulocyte (G-MDSCs) and monocytic (M-MDSCs) that both suppress T-cell function. Serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels seem to correlate with the number of blood MDSCs.Objective: In the current study we aimed to find MDSCs frequency in severe COVID-19 patients from Iran and their correlations with serum IL-8 levels. Methods: 37 severe (8 on ventilation, 29 without ventilation) and 13 moderate COVID-19 patients together with 8 healthy subjects were enrolled at the Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran-Iran between 10th April 2020- 9th March 2021. Clinical and biochemical features, serum and whole blood were obtained. CD14, CD15, CD11b and HLA-DR expression on MDSCs was measured by flow cytometry. Results: M-MDSCs (P≤0.0001) and G-MDSCs (P≤0.0001) frequency were higher in Iranian COVID-19 patients compared to healthy subjects. M-MDSC frequency was higher in non-ventilated compared to moderate COVID-19 subjects (P=0.004). IL-8 levels were higher in patients serum with COVID-19 than in normal healthy subjects (P=0.03). IL8 level was significant difference in ventilated, non-ventilated and moderate patients (P=0.005). The frequency of G-MDSCs correlated negatively with INR (r=-0.39, P=0.02).Conclusion: Serum IL-8 levels did not correlate with the number of systemic MDSCs in COVID-19 patients. The highest levels of M-MDSCs were seen in the blood of severe non-ventilated patients. MDSC frequency in blood in the current study did not predict the survival and severity of COVID-19 patients.
Extraction, Biological Activity, Formulation, and Evaluation of Bitter Herbs as Anti-Nail-Biting Lacquers
Authors: Limmatvapirat Chutima , Limmatvapirat Sontaya , Chansatidkosol Siraprapa , Krongrawa Wantanwa , Liampipat Napasorn , Leechaiwat Sarocha , Lamaisri Patipat , Siangjong Lawan , Meetam Paranee , Tiankittumrong Kuntontip
Published: August 2021

Background: Nail biting can increase the risk of infection and abnormal-looking nails. The purpose of the present investigation was to formulate and evaluate anti-nail-biting lacquers consisting of bitter herbal extracts. Methods: The hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Andrographis paniculata and Tinospora crispa were determined for phytochemical constituents, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory activities, and cytotoxicities. Anti-nail-biting lacquers were prepared by using herbal extracts (bittering agent), shellac (film forming polymer), ethanol (volatile solvent), and other indispensable additives with continuous stirring. Thus, attempts to enhance the film property and bitterness is accomplished by using polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 as a copolymer and varying concentrations of herbal extracts. Good accepted formulations were established for drying time, pH, viscosity, smoothness of film, film strength, water resistant, and solubility in simulated saliva and then evaluated their bitterness in human volunteers.Results: Phytochemical constituents including tannins, glycosides, reducing sugars, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids were found present in both extracts while saponins was only detected in A. paniculata extract. Although T. crispa extract exhibited a significantly higher (p < 0.05) total phenolic content and antioxidant activity than A. paniculata extract, it showed lower protein denaturation inhibition property than A. paniculata extract. Because of the potentials of both extracts without cytotoxicity, anti-nail-biting lacquers containing either A. paniculata extract or T. crispa extract were developed and evaluated. Drying time of formulations were 6-11 min with visually seen glossiness of formulation. Formulations of the nail lacquer showed good pH, viscosity, smoothness of film, film strength, water resistant, and solubility in simulated saliva. The formulations displaying no significant cytotoxicity effect on CRL-2076 cells were assessed on healthy human volunteers to compare bitterness and film characteristics. Conclusion: The optimized formulation containing A. paniculata extract could successfully achieve good film forming property and bitterness release which is considered promising for stopping nail biting.
Development and Validation of a Predictive Nomogram for Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Elderly Patients Undergoing Liver Resection
Authors: Yu Yao , Zhang Changsheng , Zhang Faqiang , Liu Chang , Li Hao , Lou Jingsheng , Xu Zhipeng , Liu Yanhong , Cao Jiangbei , Mi Weidong
Published: August 2021

BackgroundPostoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Early identification of high-risk patients of developing postoperative AKI can optimize perioperative renal management and facilitate patient survival. The present study aims to develop and validate a nomogram to predict postoperative AKI after liver resection in elderly patients.MethodsPostoperative AKI was assessed in 850 patients undergoing liver resection in a single-center retrospective cohort between 2012 and 2019. We reviewed electronic medical records and collected patient information on perioperative variables. The data were randomly split into training and validation datasets (split ratio 0.7:0.3). Stepwise regression was applied to identify predictive factors associated with postoperative AKI based on Akaike’s information criterion, and multivariate logistic regression was applied to establish the predictive nomogram. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the discrimination and accuracy of the prediction. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess clinical usefulness. A summary risk score was also constructed for identifying postoperative AKI patients (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 04922866).ResultsPostoperative AKI occurred in 156 (18.3%) patients and was highly associated with in-hospital mortality (5.1% vs. 0.7%, P < 0.05). Predictors selected and assembled into the nomogram included age, preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), preoperative direct bilirubin values, intraoperative hepatic inflow occlusion, blood loss, and transfusion. The predictive nomogram performed well in terms of discrimination with area under ROC curve (AUC) in training (0.74, 95% CI: 0.69 - 0.79) and validation (0.72, 95% CI: 0.64 - 0.80) datasets. The nomogram was well-calibrated in the validation dataset with the Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 of 8.12 (P = 0.62). DCA demonstrated a significant clinical benefit. The summary risk score was calculated as the sum of points from the seven variables (one point for each variable) and performed as well as the nomogram in identifying the risk of AKI (AUC 0.73, 95% CI: 0.68 - 0.78).ConclusionsThis nomogram and summary risk score accurately predicted postoperative AKI using seven clinically accessible variables, with potential application in facilitating the optimized perioperative renal management in elderly patients undergoing liver resection.
A Study of Claims and Qualifiers in ESL Students’ Argumentative Writing --An empirical study based on Toulmin model
Authors: yang rui
Published: August 2021

English argumentative writing is a difficult point in second language writing. Although there has been a lot of research on English argumentative writing at home and abroad, empirical research focusing on claims in argumentative writing is very scarce. Based on the Toulmin model, this paper studies the relationship between the types of argumentative sentences and English argumentative writing performance from the perspectives of qualifier and claim. By scoring 117 students’ timed argumentative writings, the students’ compositions are divided into high-mark group, medium-mark group and low-mark group. Through the text analysis of each argumentative writing, 23 kinds of claims are extracted and scored according to the qualifying elements of the argumentative. The research shows that the claims in the high-mark group are mostly presented by the qualifying elements in the form of words and claims(QW + C), and the claims are mainly constructed in detailed information. At the same time, it is found that there is no significant correlation between the diversity of qualifying elements in claims and argumentative writing performance.
Comparison Between 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Diagnosis and Narrow- Band Imaging for Bladder Cancer Detection: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hagimoto Hiroki , Makita Noriyuki , Mine Yuta , Kokubun Hidetoshi , Murata Shiori , Abe Yohei , Kubota Masashi , Tsutsumi Naofumi , Yamasaki Toshinari , Kawakita Mutsushi
Published: August 2021

BackgroundNo comparative studies exist between 5-aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and narrow-band imaging (NBI) for the detection of urothelial carcinoma. Therefore, we compared 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated PDD with NBI for cancer detection during transurethral resection of bladder tumors.MethodsBetween June 2018 and October 2020, 114 patients and 282 lesions were included in the analysis. Patients were orally administered 5-aminolevulinic acid (20 mg/kg) 2 h before transurethral resection of bladder tumors. The bladder was inspected with white light, PDD, and NBI for each patient and all areas that were positive by at least one method were resected or biopsied. The imaging data were then compared to the pathology results.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for detecting urothelial carcinoma were 88.1%, 47.5%, 80.9%, and 61.3% for white light; 89.6%, 22.5%, 74.5%, and 46.2% for PDD; and 76.2%, 46.3%, 78.2%, and 43.5% for NBI, respectively. PPD was significantly more sensitive than NBI for all lesions (p<0.001), including carcinoma in situ lesions (94.6% vs. 54.1%, p<0.001).ConclusionsPDD can increase the detection rate of bladder cancer compared to NBI by greater than 10%. Adding PDD to white light can detect 100% of carcinoma in situ lesions.
Mental Health Crisis in Somalia: a Review and a Way Forward
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed , Rizwan Humayun , Afzal Muhammad , Malik Mamunur
Published: August 2021

Background: Somalia has been without an effective government since the collapse of the military regime in 1991. Years of conflict, disasters, and insecurity have all contributed to very low scores for most health indicators due to poor governance, protracted conflict, underdevelopment, economic decline, poverty, social and gender inequality, and environmental degradation. The three-decade long protracted conflict has led to widespread psychosocial trauma, social deprivation and substance abuse with devastating consequences on mental health. A WHO study showed Somalia has one of the highest rates of mental illness in the world. The main aim of this study is to assist policy makers in setting priorities for the design and delivery of interventions to promote mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in Somalia. Methods: The study uses a systematic mapping technique (from January 1991 to May 2020) and data collected from public domain, to collect, collate, and present mental health data mainly from WHO’s Global Health Observatory. Since there is no primary database for Somalia’s public health research, the bibliographic databases used for mental health in this study included Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Data were extracted using techniques for web data mining for public health. Results: Systematic mapping of mental health-related issues in Somalia showed that policy-related determinants and mental health services dominated (74.4%), followed by the disaster-related determinants and women’s health consequences (39.3%). The ratio of the number of beds for mental health in general hospitals (per 100,000 population) in Somalia in 2017 is 0.5 compared to the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) at 6.4 and globally at 24. One of the biggest casualties of the civil war was loss of essential human resources in healthcare as most either fled the country or were part of the victims of the war. Conclusions: The vast scale of the mental health problems in Somalia and the priority setting guidelines for interventions to address the issues outlined in this paper, prompt a dire need that the Somali government and its national/international partners should prioritize and emphasize the need to invest in the prevention and the treatment of mental illness across the country.
Comparative Analysis of Differentially Expressed miRNAs in Leaves of Three Sugarcane (Saacharum Officinarum L.) Cultivars During Salinity Stress
Authors: Mazalmazraei Tofigh , nejadsadeghi Leila , Mehdikhanlou Khosro , Ahmadi Daryoosh Nabati
Published: August 2021

Sugarcane is an important industrial plant which cultivated in the most arid and semiarid regions. Due to climate change and anthropogenic activities, the sugarcane field damage due to salt deposition and the cultivation of sugarcane has been posed a major threat in the region. To address this issue, the identification of salinity tolerant cultivars would be a suitable strategy to minimize yield loss in the area. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulating gene expression. The monitoring of the expression of miRNAs and their targeted genes could provide deeper insight into the molecular stress mechanism and screen tolerant cultivars. Our aim was to assess the expression of nine candidate miRNAs and their corresponding targeted genes among the studied sugarcane cultivars under salinity condition, leading to identify the salt-tolerant cultivar. To achieve our goal, a two-factorial experiment with three sugarcane cultivars (CP-48, CP-57, CP-69) and two salinity levels (0 and 8 ds/m) was conducted. One-way ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference between miRNAs and targeted gene expression. The highest reduction of miRNAs expression was occurred in miR160 while the lower one was happening in miR1432. The data also indicated that the higher and the lowest of targeted genes were in miR160 and miR393 respectively. Among studied cultivars, the CP-57 showed poor performance while CP-69 expresses a superior tolerance to salt stress. Taken together, these results suggested that the screening of well adapted cultivars under salt conditions would be appropriate solutions to combat salinity stress in saline lands.
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 Causes Flares in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in Remission or Inactive Disease on Medication
Authors: Hügle Boris , Krumrey-Langkammerer Manuela , Haas Johannes-Peter
Published: August 2021

Background
Flares of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have been described in the context of various infections. So far, the effect of infection with SARS-CoV-2 on the course of JIA is unknown.
Findings:
The database of the German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology was searched for patients with confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent disease flare. Five patients with remission or inactive disease were identified, with flare symptoms up to four weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusions
Flares can occur after infection with SARS-CoV-2 in patients with JIA in remission or inactive disease on medication. Treating physicians need to be aware of this fact, especially when counseling patients with rheumatic diseases about the respective dangers of COVID-19 disease and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
Identification of Hub Genes for Controlling Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics in Colorectal Cancer by Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Li Xiang , Huang Shuoyang , Yang Chao , Zheng Yongbin
Published: August 2021

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are capable of infinite proliferation and self-renewal, play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The study of the expression characteristics of CRC stem cell-related genes and their interaction with the immune microenvironment may contribute to CRC treatment.
Results

In order to explore the hub genes that regulate the stemness characteristics of CRC, we obtained gene expression values of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), stemness indices (mRNAsi), and corresponding survival data from UCSC Xena Browser. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in cancer and normal tissues. Then we screened 2 modules and 210 mRNAsi-related genes from 4,941 DEGs by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. A prognostic model including ten genes (VCAN, SPARC, COL12A1, THBS2, COL1A2, COL5A1, TAGLN, DCN, MYH11, CDH11) was constructed using protein interaction networks and LASSO regression. We also evaluated the relationship between cancer stemness and immune response and found there was a strong correlation between each other.
Conclusions

Our study establishes a prognostic model associated with CSCs and reveals the association between mRNAsi and the tumor immune microenvironment, which is useful for the targeted therapy of CRC.
Clinical Study of MAP2K1-Mutated Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in Children
Authors: Yang Ying , Wang Chanjuan , Wang Dong , Cui Lei , Li Na , Lian Hongyun , Ma Honghao , Zhao Yunze , Zhang Liping , Liu Wei , Wang Yizhuo , Wu Wanshui , Zhang Rui , Li Zhigang , Wang Tianyou
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To analyze the genetic and clinical features of children with MAP2K1-mutated Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).
Methods

We compared the clinical features of 37 children with MAP2K1-mutated LCH with those of the BRAFV600E mutation group (n = 133) and no known mutation group (n = 59) in the same period.
Results

We found 13 mutations of the MAP2K1 gene, which were mainly concentrated at p.53–62 and p.98–103. The most common mutation site was c.172_186del (12/37). Compared with the BRAFV600E mutation group, the patients with MAP2K1 mutations were mainly characterized by single system multiple bone involvement (P = 0.022), with later disease onset (P = 0.029) as well as less involvement of risk organs, especially liver (P = 0.024). There was no significant difference in clinical features compared with the no known mutation group. The 2-year progression-free survival rate of first-line treatment (ChiCTR1900025783, 07/09/2019) in MAP2K1-mutated patients was 65.6% ± 9.5%. The prognosis of patients with lung involvement was poor [HR (95% CI) = 6.312 (1.769–22.526), P = 0.005]. More progression or relapses could be found in patients with bony thorax involvement (8/17 vs. 2/20, P = 0.023), yet involvements in other sites of bones, such as craniofacial bone involvement (8/26 vs. 2/11, P = 0.688) and limb bone involvement (5/12 vs. 5/25, P = 0.240), were not correlated to disease progression or relapse.
Conclusion

The children with MAP2K1-mutated LCH have specific clinical features requiring clinical stratification and precise treatment. MAP2K1-mutated patients with lung involvement (especially with bony thorax involvement) had poor prognosis.
Successful Treatment of Severe Electrolyte Imbalance-Induced Cardiac Arrest Caused by Adrenal Tuberculosis With ECMO in The ED
Authors: Yang Ning , Zhou Liping , Mo Xiaoye , Huang Guoqing , Wu Ping
Published: August 2021

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease, common in China. TB bacteria can invade multiple organs throughout the body, but they rarely cause critical illness. We present a complex critically ill case in this report. Case presentation A 40-year-old man suffered sudden cardiac arrest during an emergency room visit. Spontaneous circulation resumed after emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but recurrent ventricular fibrillation and refractory cardiac shock emerged. Thereafter, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was implemented to maintain hemodynamic stability. Blood test results revealed that the patient had severe electrolyte imbalance and adrenal insufficiency. Further imaging examination showed multiple tuberculosis lesions throughout the body, including the lungs, adrenal glands, and lumbar spine. In the end, the patient was successfully moved from the ICU after weaning from ECMO and the ventilator, and then transferred to an infectious disease specialist hospital for standard anti-tuberculosis therapy. Conclusions ECMO has won the opportunity for the diagnosis and treatment of this young patient who suffered from a rare cause of cardiac arrest, and finally achieved a good prognosis.
A Retrospective Study of Percutaneous Endoscopic Interlaminar Discectomy for L5-S1 Calcified Lumbar Disc Herniation
Authors: Cheng Yuanpei , Li Yongbo , Chen Xipeng , Wei Baixing , Jiang Liming , Zhang Jixiang , Tan Zhe , Pi Yangwei , Wu Han
Published: August 2021

Background: Calcified lumbar disc herniation (CLDH) is considered to be a special type of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID), with safety and efficacy, has been proved to be a minimally invasive surgery for LDH. However, there are few studies on PEID in the treatment of CLDH at L5-S1 level. This research aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of PEID for L5-S1 CLDH.Methods: From August 2016 to April 2020, we retrospectively analyzed 28 consecutive patients (17 males; 11 females) with L5-S1 CLDH treated with PEID at our institution. All the patients were followed up for greater than 1 year postoperatively. The demographic characteristics, surgical results and clinical outcomes estimated by the visual analog scale (VAS) for leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria were collected.Results: All patients were successfully performed by PEID. The mean operative time and intraoperative blood loss were 65.36 ± 5.26 minutes and 13.21 ± 4.35 ml, respectively. The VAS for leg pain and ODI scores improved remarkably from 7.54 ± 0.96 to 1.50 ± 0.51 (P < 0.05) and from 69.29 ± 9.91 to 17.43 ± 3.69 (P < 0.05) a year after operation, respectively. According to the modified MacNab criteria of the last follow-up, the excellent and good rates are 92.86%. Two of the patients had complications, one had nerve root injury and the other had postoperative dysesthesia.Conclusions: PEID achieved good clinical outcomes in the treatment of L5-S1 CLDH. And PEID was a safe and effective minimally invasive surgery for L5-S1 CLDH.
Elements of Management and Leadership Strengthening in Health Systems: A Qualitative Study From Iran
Authors: Bahreini Rona , Gholizadeh Masumeh , Yousefi Mahmood , Janati Ali
Published: August 2021

Background: Achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and improved health services needs management and leadership capacity building. Hence, the aim of this study is to identify the elements of management and leadership capacity.Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 20 health managers. Sampling method was purposive. Data were collected using a researcher-made interview guide. The transcribed text was analyzed using framework analysis.Results: Five main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) competencies required for managers; (2) selection and appointment of managers; (3) establishment of managers' database; (4) deployment of functional support system; and (5) environmental sensitivity. Each of these themes contains sub-themes.Conclusions: Extracting elements of management and leadership capacity helps managers to assess management capacity and leadership comprehensively and effectively. Also, effective and useful operations can be done to strengthen the management and leadership capacity.
An Improved the Fast Iterative Shrinkage Thresholding Algorithm With an Error for Image Deblurring Problem
Authors: Tianchai Pattanapong
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we introduce a new iterative forward-backward splitting method with an error for solving the variational inclusion problem of the sum of two monotone operators in real Hilbert spaces. We suggest and analyze this method under some mild appropriate conditions imposed on the parameters such that another strong convergence theorem for these problem is obtained. We also apply our main result to improved the fast iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithm (IFISTA) with an error for solving the image deblurring problem. Finally, we provide numerical experiments to illustrate the convergence behavior and show the effectiveness of the sequence constructed by the inertial technique to the fast processing with high performance and the fast convergence with good performance of IFISTA.
Bacterial and Viral Coinfection in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients: the Prevalence and Possible Role in Disease Progression
Authors: Moghoofei Mohsen , Mostafaei Shayan , Kondori Nasim , Armstrong Michelle E. , Babaei Farhad
Published: August 2021

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial pneumonia of unknown etiology with a mean survival rate of less than 3 years. Gap StatementNo previous studies have been performed on the role of co-infection (viral and bacterial infection) in the pathogensis and progression of IPF.AimIn this study, we investigated the role of viral/bacterial infection and coinfection and their possible association with pathogensis and progression of IPF.MethodsWe investigated the prevalence and impact of bacterial and viral coinfection in IPF patients (n = 67) in the context of pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1 and DLCO), disease status and mortality risk. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we also investigated the relationship between and distribution of bacterial and viral co-infection in the IPF cohort.ResultsOf the 67 samples, 17.9% samples were positive for viral infection, 10.4% samples were positive for bacterial infection and 59.7% samples were positive coinfection. We demonstrated that IPF patients who were co-infected had a significantly increased risk of mortality compared (p = 0.031) with IPF patients who were non-infected [Hazard ratio: 8.12; 95% C.I.: 1.3–26.9]. Furthermore, coinfection has also been implicated in disease progression during acute exacerbations in IPF (AE-IPF).ConclusionIn this study, we report for the first time that IPF patients who were coinfected with bacteria and viral infection have significantly decreased FVC and DLCO (% predicted), increased incidence of AE-IPF, increased incidence of death and risk of mortality compared with non-infected IPF patients.
Synthesis of BODIPY-Amino Acids and the Potential Applications as Specific Dyes for the Cytoplasm of Langerhans β-Cells
Authors: Aguilera Jorge , García-González Víctor , Alatorre-Meda Manuel , Rodríguez-Velázquez Eustolia , Rivero Ignacio
Published: August 2021

In this work, we explored the synthesis of 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diazas-indacene (BODIPYs) bound to five different amino acids (BODIPY-FAA) (glycine, alanine, leucine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine) (amino group is kept protected with fluorophore Fmoc) and evaluated these conjugates in terms of (i) their photophysical properties and (ii) their potential application as cell staining agents of suspension and adherent cells at healthy and stress conditions. In general, all synthesized BODIPY-FAA (3a-3e) were found to emit fluorescence in the blue and green regions of the spectrum (depending on the solvent conditions). However, BODIPY-FTyr(trt) (3e) showed the best molar extinction coefficient (ε = 28,198 M-1 cm-1) and quantum yield (Φ = 0.17). Biologically speaking, all synthesized conjugates demonstrated a selective affinity for the cytoplasm of Langerhans β-cells employed as a model, being the BODIPY-FLeu conjugate the one displaying the highest observed intensity. As such, our results reveal the BODIPY-FAA as a novel attractive tool for the specific staining of the cell cytoplasm, demonstrating not only a dual fluorescence emission but also a sensing capability to recognize different cell states.
Расчет динамики границы аморфная фаза-кристалл при твердофазной взрывной кристаллизации
Authors: Чеврычкина А.А. , Бессонов Н.М. , Корженевский А.Л.
Published: August 2021

The nonlinear differential equation described a dynamics of solid-phase explosive crystallization front in a much larger parameters domain in comparison with the theoretical results available in literature was obtained. The features of the self-oscillating mode transition of the front motion to the mode of its self-propagation with a constant velocity was numerically studied in detail.