bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of MIR17HG and MIR155HG gene variants with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the population of northern China
Authors: Liu Tingting , Cao Yuju , Han Changxu , An Feimeng , Wang Tiantian , Sun Menghu , Ma Chao , Dong Qiumei , Wang Jianzhong
Published: April 2021

IntroductionSteroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH ) is a disease of bone metabolism, and genetic factors are generally considered to play an important role. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MIR17HG and MIR155HG and the risk of steroid-induced ONFH in the population of northern China.MethodsA total of 199 steroid-induced ONFH patients and 506 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Four SNPs of MIR17HG and seven SNPs of MIR155HG were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAY. ORs and 95% CIs were used to evaluate the relationship between these SNPs and steroid-induced ONFH.ResultsIn the codominant model, patients with the MIR17HG SNPs(rs7318578) AA genotype had an increased risk of steroid-induced ONFH (OR = 1.79, p = 0.039), in the recessive model, patients with the MIR17HG SNP(rs7318578) AA genotype had an increased risk of steroid-induced ONFH (OR = 1.78, p = 0.032). Stratified analysis showed that a MIR17HG SNP (rs7318578) and MIR155HG SNPs(rs77218221, rs11911469, rs34904192 and rs4143370) were closely related to different unornamented phenotypes of steroid-induced ONFH. Analysis of the clinical indicators revealed significant differences in high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels between the ONFH group and the control group (p = 0.005). MIR17HG SNP(rs75267932) and MIR155HG SNPs(rs77699734, rs1893650 and rs34904192) were correlated with different lipid indexes.ConclusionOur results confirm that MIR17HG and MIR155HG gene mutations are associated with steroid-induced ONFH susceptibility in the population of northern China, providing new evidence for the early detection and prevention of ONFH.
Bi-directional Coupling of an Unstructured Triangular Meshes-based Integrated Hydrodynamic Model for Heterogeneous Feature-based Urban Flood Simulation
Authors: Peng Guoqiang , Zhang Zhuo , Zhang Tian , Song Zhiyao , Masrur Arif
Published: April 2021

Urban pluvial flash floods have become a matter of widespread concern, as they severely impact people’s lives in urban areas. Hydrological and hydraulic models have been widely used for urban flood management and urban planning. Traditionally, to reduce the complexity of urban flood modelling and simulations, simplification or generalization methods have been used; for example, some models focus on the simulation of overland water flow, and some models focus on the simulation of the water flow in sewer systems. However, the water flow of urban floods includes both overland flow and sewer system flow. The overland flow processes are impacted by many different geographical features in what is an extremely spatially heterogeneous environment. Therefore, this article is based on two widely used models (SWMM and ANUGA) that are coupled to develop a bi-directional method of simulating water flow processes in urban areas. The open source overland flow model uses the unstructured triangular as the spatial discretization scheme. The unstructured triangular-based hydraulic model can be better used to capture the spatial heterogeneity of the urban surfaces. So, the unstructured triangular-based model is an essential condition for heterogeneous feature-based urban flood simulation. The experiments indicate that the proposed coupled model in this article can accurately depict surface waterlogged areas and that the heterogeneous feature-based urban flood model can be used to determine different types of urban flow processes.
On the Relationship between Inhibition and Receptor Occupancy by Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs
Authors: Hoshino Hikaru , Furutani Eiko
Published: April 2021

Background: Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs (NDNBs) are clinically used to produce muscle relaxation during general anesthesia. To better understand clinical properties of NDNBs, comparative in vitro pharmacologic studies have been performed. In these studies, a receptor binding model, which relies on the assumption that the inhibition, i.e., the e ect of an NDNB, is proportional to the receptor occupancy by the drug, has been effectively used to describe obtained experimental data. However, it has not been studied in literature under which conditions the above assumption can be justified nor the assumption still holds in vivo. The purpose of this study is to explore the in vivo relationship between the inhibition and the receptor occupancy by an NDNB and to draw implications on how in vitro experimental results can be used to discuss the in vivo properties of NDNBs. Methods: An ordinary di erential equation model is employed to simulate physiologic processes of the activation of receptors by acetylcholine (ACh) as well as inhibition by an NDNB. With this model, the degree of inhibition is quantified by the fractional amount of receptors that are not activated by ACh due to the presence of an NDNB. The results are visualized by plotting the fractional amounts of the activated receptors as a function of the receptor occupancy. Results: Numerical investigations reflecting in vivo conditions show that the degree of inhibition is not proportional to the receptor occupancy, i.e., there is a nonlinear relationship between the inhibition and the receptor occupancy. However, under a setting of high concentration of ACh reflecting a typical situation of in vitro experiments, the relationship between the inhibition and the receptor occupancy becomes linear, suggesting the validity of the receptor binding model. Also, it is found that the extent of nonlinearity depends on the selectivity of NDNBs for the two binding sites of the receptors. Conclusions: While the receptor binding model may be effective for estimating affinity of an NDNB through in vitro experiments, these models do not directly describe in vivo properties of NDNBs, because the nonlinearity between the inhibition and the receptor occupancy causes the modulation of the resultant concentration-effect relationships of NDNBs.
Urban mosquitoes and filamentous green algae: their biomonitoring role in heavy metal pollution in open wastewater channels in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Kinuthia Geoffrey Kariuki , Ngure Veronica , Kamau Luna
Published: April 2021

Background

Levels of Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Thallium (Tl), and Nickel (Ni) in samples of wastewater, filamentous green algae (spirogyra) and urban mosquitoes obtained from open wastewater channels in Nairobi industrial area, Kenya, was established. Industrial wastewater may contain hazardous heavy metals upon exposure. Aquatic organisms in wastewater may accumulate the toxic elements with time. Therefore, human population living in informal settlements in Nairobi industrial area risk exposure to such toxic elements. Biomonitoring using aquatic organisms can be key in metal exposure assessment.
Results

Pb, Cr, & Ni levels ranged from 3.08 to 15.31 µg/L while Tl, Hg, & Cd levels ranged from 0.05 to 0.12 µg/L in wastewater. Pb, Cr, Ni, & Cd levels were above WHO, Kenya & US EPA limits for wastewater but Hg was not. Metals in tap water (control) which ranged from 0.01 to 0.2 µg/L was below WHO, US EPA, & Kenya standard limits. Pb, Cr, Tl, & Ni levels in assorted field mosquitoes were 1.3 to 2.4 times higher than in assorted laboratory-reared mosquitoes. Hg & Cd concentrations in laboratory-reared mosquitoes (0.26 mg/L & 1.8 mg/L respectively) was higher than in field mosquitoes (0.048 mg/L & 0.12 mg/L respectively). Pb, Cr, Ni, & Cd levels in green filamentous algae were 110.62, 29.75, 14.45, & 0.44 mg/L respectively and above WHO limits for vegetable plants. Hg level in algae samples (0.057 mg/L) was below WHO standard limits but above Kenya & US EPA limits in vegetables. Correlations for Pb & Hg (r = 0.957; P < 0.05); Cd & Cr (r = 0.985; P < 0.05) in algae samples were noted. The metal concentrations in the samples were in the order, wastewater < mosquitoes < filamentous green algae.
Conclusion

Samples of wastewater, mosquitoes and filamentous green algae from open wastewater channels and immediate vicinity, in Nairobi industrial area (Kenya) contained Hg, Pb, Cr, Cd, Tl, and Ni. Urban mosquitoes and filamentous green algae can play a role of metal biomonitoring in wastewater. The possibility of urban mosquitoes transferring the heavy metals to their hosts when sucking blood should be investigated.
Challenges in treatment of a patient suffering from neuroendocrine tumor G1 of the hilar bile duct: a case report
Authors: Zhang Biao , Sun Zhen , Chen Xu , Qi Bing , Zhang Qingkai , Zhang Guixin , Li Shuang , Shang Dong
Published: April 2021

Background Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) arise from neuroendocrine cells and are extremely rare located in the biliary tract. Currently, there are no guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary NETs. We present a case with NETs G1 of the hilar bile duct and the challenges for her treatment.Case presentation A 24-year-old woman was presented to our department with painless jaundice and pruritus, and the preoperative diagnosis was the perihilar bile duct cholangiocarcinoma. She underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with excision of the extrahepatic biliary tree and radical lymphadenectomy. Unexpectedly, postoperative pathology showed a perihilar bile duct NETs G1 and microscopic invasion of the resected right hepatic duct. Then the patient received 3 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (Gemcitabine and tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil potassium capsule). At present, this patient has been following up for 20 months without recurrence or disease progression.Conclusions NETs of the biliary tract are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. The treatment for NETs G1 with R1 resection is still controversial yet may offer potential positive adjuvant chemotherapy. The diagnosis of NETs should be kept in mind by the surgeon for proper time management and more information about biliary NETs should be registered.
Resolution of Inflammation is Disturbed in Macrophages of Diabetic Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tang Xin , Miao Zhijuan , Liu Lan , Zhang Jiawei , Cai Xiaolong , Zhao Bing-Qiao , Schultzberg Marianne , Zhao Yuwu , Wang Xiuzhe
Published: April 2021

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in diabetes mellitus (DM) and its related complications, including atherosclerosis and acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The mechanisms of excessive inflammation in DM are not fully understood. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are key regulators that promote resolution of inflammation. Unbalance of pro-resolving and pro-inflammatory signals may be the key pathogenesis in DM and DM-related diseases. We examined the resolution function in macrophages of DM patients with AIS.Methods: Macrophages were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of AIS and none-AIS patients with or without DM. The cultured macrophages were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Resolution and inflammatory pathway markers were analyzed in the culture medium and cells. Results: In AIS patients, the ratios of SPMs to leukotriene B4 (LTB4) released by macrophages were decreased in those with DM compared to those without DM. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein treatment further reduced the ratios of SPMs/LTB4 in DM patients with AIS, but such a reduction was not observed in none-DM AIS patients. Analysis of M2/M1 polarization and MAPK/NFkB pathway markers also demonstrated un-resolved inflammation in macrophages of AIS patients with DM. Treatment with one of the SPMs, resolvin D2, rescued the resolution function and ameliorated inflammation in macrophages from these patients.Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that resolution of inflammation is disturbed by DM in macrophages of AIS patients, implicating a novel mechanism of un-resolved inflammation in DM-related vascular disorder. Exogenous SPMs treatment can rescue resolution and downregulate inflammatory signals, and may thus be beneficial in DM-related AIS.
Somatic Mutations in Collagens are Associated with a Distinct Tumor Environment and Overall Survival in Gastric Cancer
Authors: BRODSKY ALEXANDER , Khurana Jay , Guo Kevin S , Wu Elizabeth Y. , Yang Dongfang , Wong Ian Y. , Uzun Ece D. Gamsiz , Resnick Murray B.
Published: April 2021

Background
Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disease with poorly understood genetic and microenvironmental factors. Mutations in collagen genes are associated with genetic diseases that compromise tissue integrity, but their role in tumor progression has not been extensively reported. In contrast, aberrant collagen expression has been long associated with malignant tumor growth, invasion, chemoresistance, and patient outcomes. We hypothesized that somatic mutations in collagens could functionally alter the tumor microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix.
Methods
We used publicly available datasets including the Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to interrogate somatic mutations in collagens in stomach adenocarcinomas. To demonstrate that collagens were significantly mutated above background mutation rates, we used a moderated Kolmogorov-Smirnov test along with combination analysis with a bootstrap approach to define the background. Association between mutations and clinicopathological features was evaluated by Fisher or chi-squared tests. Association with overall survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier and the Cox-Proportional Hazards Model. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was used to interrogate pathways. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization tested expression of COL7A1 in stomach tumors.
Results
In stomach adenocarcinomas, we identified individual collagen genes and sets of collagen genes harboring somatic mutations at a high frequency compared to background in both microsatellite stable, and microsatellite instable tumors in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Many of the missense mutations resemble the same types of loss of function mutations in collagenopathies that disrupt tissue formation and destabilize cells providing guidance to interpret the somatic mutations. We identified combinations of somatic mutations in collagens associated with overall survival, with a distinctive tumor microenvironment marked by lower matrisome expression and immune cell signatures. Truncation mutations were strongly associated with improved outcomes suggesting that loss of expression of tumor cell secreted collagens have large impacts on tumor progression and treatment response.
Conclusions
These observations highlight that many minor collagens, expressed in non-physiologically relevant conditions in tumors, secreted from tumor cells, harbor impactful somatic mutations in tumors, suggesting new approaches for classification and therapy development in stomach cancer. In sum, these findings demonstrate how classification of tumors by collagen mutations identified strong links between specific genotypes and the tumor environment.
Breast-Conserving Therapy is Associated with Better Survival than Mastectomy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Propensity Score Analysis
Authors: Ji Jiali , Yuan Shushu , He Jiawei , Liu Hong , Yang Lei , He xuexin
Published: April 2021

Background: Recent retrospective studies have reported that breast-conserving therapy (BCT) led to improved overall survival (OS) than mastectomy in some populations. We aimed to compare the efficacy of BCT and mastectomy using the SEER database. Methods: Between 2010 and 2015, 99,790 eligible patients were identified. We included early-stage breast cancer patients with 5cm or smaller tumors and three or fewer positive lymph nodes in our study. We compared the OS results among patients with BCT and mastectomy. Kaplan-Meier plots, Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to evaluate the outcomes. Propensity-score matching was used to assemble a cohort of patients with similar baseline characteristics. Results: In our study, 77,452 (77.6%) patients underwent BCT and 22,338 (22.4%) underwent mastectomy. The 5-year OS rate was 94.7% in the BCT group and 87.6% in the mastectomy group (P <0.001). After matching, multivariate analysis in the matched cohort showed that women underwent mastectomy was associated with worse OS results compared with those with BCT (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.628; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 1.445- 1.834, P<0.001). Patients with different subtypes and age group (>50 years old; ≤50 years old) received BCT all showed significantly better OS than those received mastectomy. The effect of surgery choice on survival was the same in matched and all cohorts. Conclusions: Our study showed that BCT was associated with improved survival compared with mastectomy in early-stage breast cancer patients. It seems advisable to encourage patients to receive BCT rather than mastectomy in early-stage patients when feasible and appropriate.
Giant Pulmonary Bulla Underlying Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in a Very Low-birth-weight Infant: a Case Report
Authors: Shinohara Tamao , Hasebe Yohei , Watanabe Daisuke , Numano Fuminori , Saito Tomohiro , Koizumi Keiichi , Nemoto Atsushi , Tandou Tomoko , Oyama Toshio , Oyachi Noboru , Hoshiai Minako , Naito Atsushi
Published: April 2021

Background: Acquired cystic lung disease is a serious respiratory complication of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. Most cases of acquired cystic lung disease underlying bronchopulmonary dysplasia involve pulmonary interstitial emphysema. Although this is a reversible condition, there are a few instances where surgery might be necessary. An accurate diagnosis is important to decide the therapeutic strategy for acquired cystic lung disease. Here, we report a rare case of a giant pulmonary bulla in an infant treated with bullectomy. Case presentation: A male infant born at 23 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 524 g was initially diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome. During mechanical ventilatory support, he presented with recurrent pneumothorax and a gradually expanding pulmonary cyst in the right lung. Chest CT at 5 months of age revealed a large cyst located in the subpleural area adjacent to the multiple cystic air spaces. These findings are consistent with the diagnosis of giant pulmonary bulla with pulmonary interstitial emphysema underlying bronchopulmonary dysplasia . At 9 months of age, the giant pulmonary bulla expanded further due to acute bronchitis for which he developed respiratory failure and obstructive shock. This warranted a bullectomy for the giant pulmonary bulla. After the operation, the unresected pulmonary interstitial emphysema lesion did not expand further. He is currently three years old and has no respiratory problems. Conclusions: This case demonstrated that chest CT is useful for providing valuable anatomical information necessary in deciding the treatment strategy for acquired cystic lung disease in infants.
The Role of Osteocalcin in Placenta Function in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Song Liang , Huang Yiming , Long Junqing , Li Yuanfan , Pan Zongqin , Fang Fang , Long Yu , Huang Cheng , Qi Nana , Guo Yajie , Xia Hongwei , jiang yonghua
Published: April 2021

Background: Evidence for osteocalcin role in glucose and energy metabolism is increasing. However, little is known about osteocalcin function in gestational diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to examine the associations between osteocalcin and gestational diabetes mellitus. Method: 36 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and 40 normal glucose tolerance controls were recruited in the Maternal and Child Health Hospital Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from May to August 2018. Total osteocalcin and biochemical indexes of maternal serum and umbilical vein serum were analyzed. Transcriptome of placenta were sequenced. Human trophoblast JAR cells were used for evaluated the affection of osteocalcin on trophoblast In vitro. There were no significant differences with maternal serum total osteocalcin levels between gestational diabetes mellitus and normal glucose tolerance groups. The gestational diabetes mellitus group has lower umbilical vein serum total osteocalcin (51.46 ng/mL ± 24.29 Vs 67.00 ng/mL ± 25.33, P = 0.008 ), lower adiponectin (1099.72 μg/L ± 102.65 Vs 1235.85 μg/L ± 94.63, P < 0.001), higher leptin (7.41 μg/L ± 0.28 Vs 6.02 μg/L ± 0.31, P ＜ 0.001). A significant relationship existed between umbilical vein serum total osteocalcin levels and leptin (r = -0.456, P = 0.007). Osteocalcin promote JAR trophoblast cells proliferation and HCG synthesis. 36 correlated gene modules of placental transcriptome were identified through weighted gene co-expression network analysis, 2 of them were associated with osteocalcin. Conclusion: lower osteocalcin in umbilical vein serum is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus, osteocalcin may regulate placenta function via adiponectin.
Ethanol susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses
Authors: Nomura Toshihito , Nazmul Tanuza , Yoshimoto Reiko , Higashiura Akifumi , Oda Kosuke , Sakaguchi Takemasa
Published: April 2021

Ethanol is an effective disinfectant against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. However, its effective concentration has not been shown, and we therefore analyzed the effects of different concentrations of ethanol on SARS-CoV-2. When SARS-CoV-2 was treated with varying ethanol concentrations and examined for changes in infectivity, the ethanol concentration at which 99% of the infectious titers were reduced was 24.3%(w/w) [30.0%(v/v)]. For reference, ethanol susceptibility was also examined with other envelope viruses, including influenza virus, vesicular stomatitis virus in the family Rhabdoviridae, and Newcastle disease virus in the family Paramyxoviridae, and the 99% inhibitory concentrations were found to be 28.8%(w/w) [34.8%(v/v)], 24.0%(w/w) [29.2%(v/v)], and 13.4%(w/w) [16.5%(v/v)], respectively. Some differences from SARS-CoV-2 were observed, but the differences were not significant. It was concluded that ethanol at a concentration of 30%(w/w) [36.2%(v/v)] almost completely inactivates SARS-CoV-2.
Different induction effects of antibiotic on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli: a retrospective study from China
Authors: Chen Jing , Xiang Qian , Huang Xiao-bo , Wu Jia-yu , Cai Min-hong , Wang Chen , Wang Hui , Wei Dao-qiong , Lv Yu
Published: April 2021

Background: One of the main factors leading to Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is antibiotics usage. The main objective of this study was to assess the correlation between antibiotic use and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) induction by antibiotics.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted including patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) and Escherichia coli (EC) from January 2017 to December 2020. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were used to estimate the hazard of CRE, while restricted cubic spline regression was used to visualize the hazard of CRE by antibiotics at different doses.Results: 2056 patients with KP and 3243 patients with EC were included. Survival analysis indicated that carbapenem, lactamase inhibitors and quinolones were associated with higher 30-day CRKP hazards than other antibiotics (χ2=33.670, P<0.001). Further restricted cubic spline regression analysis found that the hazard of CRKP induction decreased with the increase dose of lactamase inhibitors, but there was no significant change in that with the increase dose of quinolones. Moreover, there was an obvious characteristic of "parabolic curve" for the hazard of CREC induction due to lactamase inhibitors, and the hazard value gradually increased with the dose, reached the maximum at 24g, and then gradually decreased from 26g.Conclusions: Lactamase inhibitors had different drug resistance inducing effects on CRKP and CREC. Rational use of antibiotics should be implemented according to the characteristics of microorganism.
Effect of postmastectomy radiotherapy on T1-2N1M0 triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Xia Lin-Yu , Xu Wei-Yun , Yan Zhao
Published: April 2021

Background: The effect of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) on T1-2N1M0 triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) remains unclear. The population-based study aimed to investigate the survival outcomes of T1-2N1M0 TNBC patients who underwent PMRT or not. Methods: We selected 1743 patients with T1-2N1M0 TNBC who underwent mastectomy between 2010 and 2015 through the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. After propensity score matching (PSM) , the PMRT and no-PMRT groups consisted of 586 matched patients, respectively.The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to calculate breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and cox proportional hazard model were used to determine the prognostic factors of T1-2N1M0 TNBC.Results: The 5-year BCSS for the PMRT group and no-PMRT group was 79.1% and 74.7%, respectively. TNBC patients with stage T1-2N1M0 receiving PMRT did not show better BCSS than those did not (HR =0.800, 95% CI =0.605-1.056, P =0.115). Subgroup analysis showed that in patients with three nodes positive, radiotherapy could significantly improve BCSS(HR=0.396, 95% CI = 0.175-0.900, P = 0.027), but it brought no significant advantage in BCSS in patients with one or two nodes positive(HR =1.061, 95% CI =0.725-1.552, P =0.761; HR =0.657, 95% CI =0.405-1.065, P =0.088).In addition, PMRT improves the BCSS in TNBC patients with T2 tumor concomitant with three positive lymph nodes(HR =0.343, 95% CI =0.132-0.890, P =0.028).Conclusion: TNBC patients with T2 tumor concomitant with three positive lymph node can benefit from PMRT.
Cystic Teratoma of the Parotid Gland Involving Parapharyngeal Space: A Case Report and with Literature Review
Authors: Liu Hongsheng , Duan Jiafeng , Li Gang , Zhang Jia , Sun Pengfeng
Published: April 2021

Background: Teratomas are common neoplasms but are extremely rarely found in the parotid gland region, most benign teratomas are cystic, also known as mature cystic teratomas, and only 9 cases have been reported in the literature.Case presentation: Herein, we reported a single case of a patient with giant cystic teratoma in the left parotid gland deep lobe extended into the parapharyngeal space. The tumor was diagnosed based on complete preoperative imaging CT and MRI data and then postoperatively confirmed by pathology.Conclusion: Preoperative CT and MRI scanning are useful in determining the nature of teratomas and perform differential diagnosis of teratoma in the parotid gland by showing calcification, fatty elements, and a fat-liquid level in the parotid gland cyst. Yet, surgery and pathology can provide a final diagnosis.
First record of Oscheius myriophilus (Poinar, 1986) (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) from Iran; and its efficacy against two economic forest trees pests, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Hyphantria cunea (Drury, 1773) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in laboratory condition
Authors: Ghavamabad Reihaneh Gholami , Talebi Ali Asghar , Mehrabadi Mohammad , Farashiani Mohammad Ebrahim , Pedram Majid
Published: April 2021

The box tree moth (BTM), Cydalima perspectalis and the fall webworm (FWW), Hyphantria cunea are two invasive pests of forest trees that have been recorded from Hyracinan forests in north Iran for the first time in 2016 and 2002, respectively. In a search for tentative native entomopathogenic nematode species (EPNs) with potential biocontrol ability against lepidopteran pests of forest trees in north Iran, Oscheius myriophilus was isolated by soil-baiting method from forests of Amlash in the east of Gilan province. The Iranian isolate of this species is characterized by 870–1,247 μm long hermaphrodites having 17–20 μm long stoma, vulva at 45.5–53.1% of body length, tail 90–126 μm long, common males with 38–49 μm long spicules and 583–791 μm long dauer larvae. Compared to the type and other populations, no remarkable differences were observed for this population. The phylogenetic affinities of this isolate with other rhabditid nematodes were studied using partial sequences of small, and the D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and D2-D3 LSU rDNA). This is the first record of the species from Iran. The pathogenicity of Iranian isolate of O. myriophilus was evaluated on the larvae of two important aforementioned forest trees pests, BTM and FWW under laboratory conditions. The results indicated that the suspension of 500 infective juveniles per ml (IJs/ml) of the nematode was the most effective treatment on fifth instar larvae of BTM and FWW, causing 100 and 95% mortality after 48 h, respectively. The lethal concentration 50 (LC50) values of the nematode were 74.5, 152.7, 99.9, and 197.3 IJs/ml on fifth and fourth instar larvae of BTM, and fifth and fourth instar larvae of FWW, respectively, after 48 h at 25°C and 60% relative humidity. Together, present results corroborated the efficacy of the Iranian isolate of Oscheius myriophilus for biocontrolling of BTM and FWW in laboratory conditions.
Evaluation of a new chemical nematicide, fluazaindolizine (ReklemelTM active), for plant-parasitic nematode management in bermudagrass
Authors: Groover Will L. , Lawrence Kathy S.
Published: April 2021

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major pest of turfgrass in the United States, yet there are few options for successful management. Most current management strategies rely on the use of a limited number of chemical nematicides, so finding a new management option for nematode suppression would be extremely valuable for turfgrass managers. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new nematicide, fluazaindolizine (Reklemel™ active), for its ability to reduce plant-parasitic nematode population density and improve turfgrass quality. Separate research trials were conducted on bermudagrass infested with Belonolaimus longicaudatus and Meloidogyne incognita in greenhouse, microplot, and field settings over 2018 and 2019. Both greenhouse evaluations demonstrated multiple rates of fluazaindolizine reduced B. longicaudatus population density, and one of the two M. incognita trials showed multiple rates of fluazaindolizine reduced nematode population density. Fluazaindolizine was also effective at reducing population density of both B. longicaudatus and M. incognita in microplot settings for both 2018 and 2019, and a significant improvement in turf quality was observed for both visual turfgrass ratings and NDVI. Field trials demonstrated a significant reduction for both B. longicaudatus and M. incognita population density by multiple rates of fluazaindolizine, but no significant differences in turf quality ratings were observed. Overall, fluazaindolizine shows promise as a chemical nematicide for plant-parasitic nematode management on turfgrass.
Partial Purification and Characterisation of Pectinase Produced by Aspergillus niger LFP-1 Grown on Pomelo Peels as a Substrate
Authors:   School of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, Mat Jalil Mohd Taufiq ,   Industrial Biotechnology Research Laboratory (IBRL), School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Ibrahim Darah ,   Industrial Biotechnology Research Laboratory (IBRL), School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Published: April 2021

In the present study, pectinase was produced by local fungal isolate, Aspergillus niger LFP-1 grown on pomelo peels as a sole carbon source under solid-state fermentation (SSF). The purification process begins with the concentration of crude enzyme using ammonium sulfate precipitation and followed by purification using anion-exchange column chromatography (DEAE-Sephadex) and subsequently using gel filtration column chromatography (Sephadex G-100). On the other hand, the molecular weight of the purified enzyme was determined through SDS-PAGE. The findings revealed the crude enzyme was purified up to 75.89 folds with a specific activity of 61.54 U/mg and the final yield obtained was 0.01%. The molecular mass of the purified pectinase was 48 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature were 3.5 and 50°C, respectively. This enzyme was stable at a range of pH 3.5 to 4.5 and a relatively high temperature (40°C–50°C) for 100 min. The Km and Vmax were found to be 3.89 mg/mL and 1701 U/mg, respectively. Meanwhile, pectin from citrus fruit and the metal ion (Co2+) were the best substrate and inducer to enhance pectinase yield, respectively.
Bat Assemblage in an Oil Palm Plantation from the Colombian Llanos Foothills
Authors: Alejandra Maria Cely-Gomez  , Dennis Castillo-Figueroa  , Jairo Perez
Published: April 2021

The surge of oil palm production in the Neotropics has become a major concern about the potential impacts on biodiversity. In the Colombian Orinoquia, which has shown a massive landscape transformation due to the growth of oil palm plantations, the effects of oil palm agriculture on bats in this region have not been studied up to date. To understand the impact of habitat conversion on bat diversity, we characterized bat assemblages in secondary forest and palm plantations in the Colombian Piedmont foothills (Meta, Colombia). We captured 393 individuals (forest = 81, plantation = 312) of 18 species and three families. The forest cover presented three exclusive species while the plantation had five. Species diversity (q1) and evenness (J’) were higher in the forest compared to the plantation. These differences derived from the increase in abundances of generalist species (Artibeus sp., Carollia spp.) in the plantation. Despite the habitat simplification caused by oil palm plantations, this monoculture provides a cover that is used by some bats, decreasing their risk of predation and allowing movement between patches of forest habitat as stepping-stones. Maintaining forest cover in agricultural landscapes favors diversity by generating a “spillover effect” of the forest towards plantations, which in the case of some bats contributes to the reduction of species isolation and the maintenance of ecosystem services provided by them. It is important to improve management practices of oil palm plantations to minimize negative impacts on biodiversity, considering the expansion of this productive system and the scarcity of protected areas in this region.
Early Development of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Root and Shoot Using Different Propagation Medium and Cutting Types
Authors: Muhammad Syufihuddin Shamsuddin  , Rozilawati Shahari  , Che Nurul Aini Che Amri  , Nur Shuhada Tajudin  , Mohd. Radzali Mispan  , Mohd Syahmi Salleh
Published: April 2021

This study aimed at determining the effects of propagation medium and cutting types on the early growth performance of fig (Ficus carica L.) root and shoot. The experiment was conducted at the Glasshouse and Nursery Complex (GNC), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The split-plot design was employed with the main plot (propagation medium) and sub-plot (types of cutting). The propagation medium were sand + topsoil (1:3) (M1), topsoil + peat + sawdust (1:1:1) (M2) and peat + perlite (1:1) (M3). Two types of cutting were semi-hardwood (C1) and hardwood (C2). As a result, there were a significant effect of propagation medium on measured parameters. This study revealed that the most effective propagation medium and cutting types for the propagation of fig were a combination of peat and perlite at 1:1 ratio (M3) and hardwood cutting (C2), respectively as evidenced by significantly higher root and shoot growth quality as compared to other treatments.
SPATIO-TEMPORAL CHANGE IN SNOW COVER AREA USING RS & GIS IN THE GORI GANGA WATERSHED, KUMAUN HIGHER HIMALAYA
Authors:   Department of Geography, Kumaun University, S.S.J. Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand (India)., Parihar D.S. , Rawat J.S. ,   Department of Geography, Kumaun University, S.S.J. Campus, Almora, Uttarakhand (India).
Published: April 2021

Present research paper is an attempt to examine the dynamics of snow cover by using Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) in Gori Ganga watershed, Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand (India). For the study of snow cover of Landsat satellite imageries of three different time periods like Landsat TM of 1990, Landsat TM of 1999 and Landsat TM 2016 were used. Geographical distribution of snow cover reveals that in 1990 about 30.97% (678.87 km2), in 1999 about 25.77% (564.92 km2) area of the Gori Ganga watershed was under snow cover while in 2016 the snow cover was found only 15.08% (330.44 km2). These data suggest that due to global warming about 348.43 km2 snow cover of Gori Ganga watershed has been converted into non-snow cover area at an average rate 13.40 km2/year during the last 26 years.
THE IMAGE OF PSYCHIATRY AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS : CLINIC STUDY
Authors:   Department Of Psychiatry ,Ibn Nafis Hospital, Mohammed Vi University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco., Berghalout M. , Fahiri F.El ,   Department Of Psychiatry ,Ibn Nafis Hospital, Mohammed Vi University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco., Guennouni H. ,   Department Of Psychiatry ,Ibn Nafis Hospital, Mohammed Vi University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco., Laarous A. ,   Department Of Psychiatry ,Ibn Nafis Hospital, Mohammed Vi University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco., Adali I. ,   Department Of Psychiatry ,Ibn Nafis Hospital, Mohammed Vi University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco., Manoudi F. ,   Department Of Psychiatry ,Ibn Nafis Hospital, Mohammed Vi University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco.
Published: April 2021

The stigmatization of psychiatric disorders affects the general public but also health professionals, especially doctors and medical students, their attitudes appear more negative towards psychiatric pathologies. At the joint end, it is clear that medical students\' interest in psychiatry as a career choice is low; while improving recruitment in psychiatry is more than ever a public health priority. This work is a \"before/after\" longitudinal study whose target population consists of 5th year medical students starting a psychiatry internship. The data collection was done through an anonymous self-survey with a scale psychometric: ATP-30 this compendium was made on the first and last day of the internship. Out of 90 students contacted we collected 82 actionable questionnaires. The psychiatry internship resulted in an increase in the average ATP-30 score from 111.62 ± 9.99 to 116.30± 9.88, confirming that this internship significantly improves the attitudes of the students in our sample towards psychiatry. Similarly, the frequency of choice of psychiatry is higher at the end of the internship or (41.4%) that at the beginning of the latter (26.8%), an increase in the number of the group wishing to do psychiatry by 14.6% at the end of the internship.
UNILATERAL CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE OTITIS MEDIA: EFFECT OF NASAL SEPTAL DEVIATION
Authors:   ENT Specialist at Medical City Hospital.M.B.Ch.B, I.B.ENT., Abdulridha Atiyah Ali , Saadi Majeed Nada ,   ENT Specialist at Al-Kurkh Hospital.M.B.Ch.B, D.ENT.
Published: April 2021

Background:Otitis media is an inflammation of part or all of the mucoperiosteal lining of the middle ear cleft. It can be acute, subacute and chronic otitis media infection. Septal deviation has got many unwanted changes such as: nasal obstruction, mucosal changes. Methodology:A descriptive clinical study, carried out on adult patients consulting ENT department at medical city. Those patients have a unilateral chronic suppurative otitis media. Results:The unilateral CSOM can affect any age group, with a slightly higher prevalence in the age group (21-30) year forming 29% of the total patients.Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Eighty-nine patients presented with aural discharge. Patients with tubotympanic having only perforation and associated with septal deviation forming 68.1% of the patients. Patients with atticoantral having only perforation and associated with septal deviation 63.2% of patients. Conclusion: Unilateral chronic suppurative otitis media can affect all age group and both sexes. The tubotympanic type is mor prevalent. Nasal septal deviation is commonly found in patients with unilateral chronic suppurative otitis media.
O JARDIM VENENOSO: A QUÍMICA POR TRÁS DAS INTOXICAÇÕES DOMÉSTICAS POR PLANTAS ORNAMENTAIS
Authors: Aguiar Ana , Veiga Júnior Valdir
Published: April 2021

THE POISONOUS GARDEN: THE CHEMISTRY BEHIND THE INTOXICATION BY DOMESTIC ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. In times of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the fact families have spent more time together, the job demands and commitments that adults have now brought into their homes may mean their attention has been taken away from their children. This, combined with the absence of older family members or domestic helpers that assist in looking after the children has left them potentially more exposed to domestic accidents. Data from the National Toxic-Pharmacological Information System indicate that two-thirds of domestic intoxications with plants (usually the ornamental ones) occur in children. These accidents can be caused either by inhalation, contact with the skin, eyes and mucous membranes, as well as by ingestion. The toxicity of ornamental plants is due to the presence of substances such as oxalic acid and its highly irritating salts, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and toxic terpenes, among several other classes of secondary metabolites. In the present study, we carried out a survey of the main ornamental plants used in the country and analyzed the toxic substances that can cause numerous conditions from dermatitis in milder cases to death in more severe cases.
Pengembangan LKPD Materi Arthropoda Berbasis STEM Berteknologi Augmented Reality
Authors: Destiara Meyninda , Himmah Nurul , Indriyani Sari
Published: April 2021

LKPD merupakan bahan ajar yang terstruktur, dengan bantuan LKPD tersebut maka dapat membuat pembelajaran lebih aktif dan berfikir kreatif. Ditambah lagi LKPD yang dibuat berbasis STEM dan bantuan teknolog Augmented Reality yang inovatif, sehingga pembelajran daring  menjadi interaktif. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan LKPD Arthropoda berbasis STEM berteknologi Augmented Reality yang valid. Metode yang digunakan yaitu pengembangan dengan model ADDIE yang telah dimodifikasi sampai tahap development. Berdasrkan hasil validasi didapatkan LKPD dengan hasil valid dan layak untuk digunakan
Analisis Efektifitas Penyelenggaraan Pembelajaran Daring di Sekolah Dasar Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Astuti Melia
Published: April 2021

Abstrak Bahasa IndonesiaPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dampak pelaksanaan pembelajaran daring terhadap pengajar dan kualitas pembelajaran. Metode penelitian ini adalah survei dengan instrument angket likert. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa tingkat keefektifan pembelajaran daring dimasa pandemi Covid-19 adalah 39,6%, artinya berada pada ketegori rendah. Beberapa kendala yang ditemukan dalam pelaksanaan pembelajaran daring di masa pendemi Covid-19 adalah: pengajar kesulitan membangun komunikasi dua arah dengan siswa, terjadi miss komunikasi baik antara siswa dengan pengajar, maupun wali siswa dengan pengajar, perangkat pendukung pembelajaran daring kurang memadai, koneksi internet kurang baik, dan motivasi belajar siswa dalam mengikuti pembelajaran menurun.Abstract in englishThis study aims to determine the impact of the implementation of online learning on teachers and the quality of learning. This research method is a survey with a Likert questionnaire instrument. The results of this study indicate that the level of effectiveness of online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic was 39.6%, which is in the low category. Some of the obstacles found in the implementation of online learning during the Covid-19 epidemic were: teachers had difficulty building two-way communication with students, there was a miss of communication between students and teachers, as well as student guardians and teachers, inadequate online learning support devices, insufficient internet connection good, and students' motivation to participate in learning decreased.
Kekerasan dalam Pacaran: Anatomi Konflik dan Penyelesaiannya
Authors: Nugroho Wahyu Budi , Sushanti Sukma
Published: April 2021

This article aims to study one of the social relationship forms called “love relationship”. Love relationships may define as a relation between two individuals, opposite sex generally, in addition, to adapt to each other before marriage. As one of the social relationship forms, it can not avoid conflict, even violence. Those concerns are becoming the focus study in this research. Furthermore, this research using the individual's conflict theory by George Simmel, conflict theory of Lewis A. Coser, and also existential sociology of Jean-Paul Sartre about love. The method of this research is qualitative which explanative-descriptive research variant. Based on the research, it is found that most of the informants lie love relationship in “functional” form. Despite this, most of them are not realized of love relationship violence which held. Finally, the resolution of all matters took moderate to radical form, it is reconciliation or broke up, and even not engaged anymore.
Redefining the Role of Religion in Contemporary Society: Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad al-Tayyeb
Authors: Setyawan Heri
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses the position of religion in contemporary society by examining the religious thoughts of two prominent religious leaders: Pope Francis from the Catholic Church and Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad al-Tayyeb from Al-Azhar University, Egypt. The meeting between Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad al-Tayyeb in Abu Dhabi (February 2019) is a starting point for understanding the process by which the two religious leaders redefined the role of religion in society. Moreover, their responses to contemporary social issues such as terrorism, ecological crisis, war, and social injustices also show how they redefined the role of religion. While each religious leader formulates theological account into its religious tradition, it is obvious that the role of religion for social transformation and humanity is shown to be the central concern of the two religious’ leaders. The two religious traditions go further to put religion as a fundamental agent for society transformation.
Structural optimization of H-type VAWT blade under fluid-structure interaction conditions
Authors: Zhang Xu , Wang Zituo , Li Wei
Published: April 2021

To reduce the errors caused by the rigid body hypothesis in the aerodynamics-structure coupling calculation and improve the structural performance, an optimum structure design with the consideration of the fluid-structure interaction are performed for the H-type vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) blade. Based on the ANSYS Workbench platform, the geometric model, computational domain and grids of the wind wheel are constructed, the turbulence model, boundary conditions and composite material layers are set up, and the fluid and solid domains are solved in a coupled way. The single-objective structural optimization model in which the thicknesses of glass clothes, foam and gel coat, and the positions of two webs are taken as design variables is solved using the response surface optimization method to minimize the wind wheel mass. The frequencies and vibration modes of original and optimized blades with and without pre-stress and the transient characteristics of wind wheels in different wind speeds are investigated. The results indicate that after the blade optimization, the first-order frequency and critical speed become larger and other frequencies reduce for the static, single pre-stress and multiple pre-stresses states, and the maximum displacement, stress and strain of the wind wheel decrease under rated and extreme wind speeds, confirming significant performance improvements. The research provides useful guidance for the integrated design of structure and aerodynamics of wind turbine blades.