bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal Structure, Spectral investigations, DFT and Antimicrobial activity of Brucinium Benzilate (BBA)
Authors: Chandran Karnan , Seetharamiah Nagaraja Karachalacherevu , Sambanthan Manivannan , Anandhan Manikandan , Venkatesan Ragavendran
Published: April 2021

The unreported Brucinium Benzilate (BBA) crystal and hirshfeld surface analysis indicated the influence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding network. The protonation of tertiary nitrogen occurs as it is most basic. The protonated N-H+ proton was observed at 7.08 ppm and the benzilate carbon COO- at 178.41 ppm. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) studies indicated the electron-rich and electron-deficient sites in the molecule for understanding BBA interaction with an enzyme. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) studies indicated that it is thermodynamically stable and HOMO-LUMO energy gap was found to be 4.454 eV. The highest interaction as the energy (322.86 kcal/mol) between tertiary ammonium N(LP) and H+. The compound showed the inhibition of Bacillus cereus and Salmonella typhimurium bacteria. ADMET properties indicated that BBA has drug characteristics in binding plasma protein.
Educational Strategy for Motherhood and Fatherhood: an Experience of Implementation in Soraca, Colombia
Authors: Zuluaga Gina Paola Arocha , Prieto Paula Andrea Castro , Echeverría Nancy Haydeé Millán , Cárdenas Ana María , Centeno Zulma Yanira Fonseca , Erazo Yohana Andrea Pantoja
Published: April 2021

Background

Preconception education is one of the challenges in maternal and child health in Latin America, in countries such as Colombia. That is why the objective of the following research was to develop a pilot educational intervention aimed at pregnant and breastfeeding women, and their support network, to strengthen practices, skills and knowledge, for informed decision-making and the strengthening of self-care behaviors of women and childcare, beyond childbirth preparation in the municipality of Soraca, located in Boyacá, Colombia in 2017.
Methods

Quasi-experimental study with an intervention group (municipality of Soraca) and a control group (municipalities of Oicata and Sotaquira) which linked a process and impact evaluation to assess prioritized indicators in terms of maternal and child health and nutrition, before, during and after an educational intervention.
Results

The main results found that women considered the methodologies used in the educational sessions to be appropriate and relevant and recognized the importance of the call and home visit postpartum nurse. The strategy increased the involvement of the support network in training processes. In turn, the proportion of children who were breastfed was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (88% vs. 60% p = 0.037). The proportion of children who received a bottle was higher in the control group compared to the intervention group (57.1% vs. 16% p = 0.006).
Conclusion

Strategies such as the one developed in Soraca allow for improved health outcomes for the mother and child and their support network. The strategy 123 in Soraca was a clear example of how a prenatal educational intervention generates positive outcomes for mothers, infants, and their support networks in the areas of food and nutrition, emotional well-being, and physical health.
Lipidomics Reveals Glycerophospholipid Metabolism Dysregulation in the Corpus Striatum of Mice Treated with Cefepime
Authors: Liu Xiaocong , Wang Xiaojie , Wei Qingfan , Yang Xiaowei , Zhang Jiamei , Xu Rui , Zhang Haoluo , Wang Shaomin , Wan Xuemei , Jiang Linhong , He Yuman , Li Shu , Chen Rong , Wang Yonghai , Chen Yaxing , Qin Feng , Chen Yuanyuan , Dai Yanping , Li Hongchun , Zhao Ying , Zhang Huaqin , Bu Qian , Wang Hongbo , Tian Jingwei , Zhao Yinglan , Cen Xiaobo
Published: April 2021

Cefepime exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and thus is widely used for severe bacterial infection. Adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS) have been reported in the patients treated with cefepime. Current explanation for the neurobehavioral effect of cefepime mainly attributes to its ability to across blood-brain barrier and to competitively bind to GABAergic receptor; however, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, mice were intraperitoneally administered 80 mg/kg cefepime for different time period, including 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days and 10 days, and then LC/MS-MS-based metabolomics was used to investigate the effect of cefepime on the brain lipidomic profiling and metabolic pathway. Repeated cefepime treatment time-dependently caused anxiety-like behavior accompanied with the reduced locomotor activity in the open field test. Cefepime profoundly altered the lipid profile in the corpus striatum, and glycerophospholipid contributed to a large proportion among those significantly modified lipids. Cefepime also significantly modified acyl chain length and unsaturation of fatty acids. In addition, cefepime obviously altered the morphology of neurite, mitochondria and synaptic vesicles of striatal neuron in vitro. Collectively, our results show that cefepime reprograms glycerophospholipid metabolism of corpus striatum, which may underly its neurobehavioral effect.
A qualitative study of physicians’ perceptions and preferences for implementing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) clinical practice guidelines informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF)
Authors: Abboud Juliana , Rahman Abir Abdel , Shaikh Niaz , Dempster Martin , Adair Pauline
Published: April 2021

Background This study used the Theoretical Domains Framework to explore the beliefs and perceptions of physicians to influence the uptake of Venous Thromboembolism prevention guidelines.Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a stratified purposive sample of internal medicine physicians in an acute hospital. The interview topic guide was developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify the factors perceived to influence practice. Two researchers coded the interview transcripts using thematic content analysis. Emerging relevant themes were mapped to TDF domains.Results A total of sixteen medical physicians were interviewed over a six-month period. Nine theoretical domains derived from thirty-three belief statements were identified as relevant to the target behaviour; knowledge (education about the importance of VTE guidelines); beliefs about capabilities (with practice VTE tool easier to implement); beliefs about consequences ( positive consequences in reducing the development of VTE, length of stay, financial burden and support physician decision) and (negative consequence risk of bleeding); reinforcement (recognition and continuous reminders); goals (patient safety goal); environmental context and resources (workload and availability of medications were barriers, VTE coordinator and electronic medical record were enablers); social influences (senior physicians and patient/family influence the VTE practice); behavioural regulation (monitoring and mandatory hospital policy); and nature of the behaviour.Conclusions Using the Theoretical Domains Framework, factors thought to influence the implementation of VTE clinical practice guidelines in the internal medicine department were identified. These factors present theoretically based targets for future interventions.
Delamination Testing of Additive Manufactured Sandwich Structures with Lattice Truss Core
Authors: Nuño Miguel , Bühring Jannik , Mekala Narasimha Rao , Schröder Kai-Uwe
Published: April 2021

Sandwich structures possess a high bending stiffness compared to monolithic structures with a similar weight. This makes them very suitable for lightweight applications where high stiffness to weight ratios are needed. Most common manufacturing methods of sandwich structures involve adhesive bonding of the core material with the sheets. However, adhesive bonding is prone to delamination, a failure mode which is often difficult to detect.

In this paper, the results of delamination testing of fully additive manufactured (AM) AlSi10Mg sandwich structures with pyramidal lattice truss core are presented. To characterise the bonding strength, climbing drum peel tests and out-of-plane tensile tests are done. The thickness of the faces and the diameter of the struts is 0.5 mm, while the core is 2 mm thick. The inclination of the struts is 45°. To predict the expected failure loads and modes, analytical formulas are derived. The analytics and tests are supported by finite element (FE) calculations. From the analytic approaches, design guidelines to avoid delamination in AM sandwich structures can be followed. The study shows, that critical ratios for face sheet thickness to strut diameter can be determined, to define if the structure tends to delaminate under certain loads. Those ratios are mainly influenced by the strut inclination. The peel tests resulted in face yielding, which can also be followed from the analytics and numerics. The out-of-plane tensile tests didn't damage the structure.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Latent Tobamovirus Infecting Hevea Brasiliensis in China
Authors: Huang Xi , Chen Sixi , Yu Fengjuan , Li Zhaotong , Zhang Yonglei , Wang Hongxing , Zhai Jinling
Published: April 2021

In this work, we describe the complete sequence and genome organization of a novel tobamovirus detected in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) by high-throughput RNA-seq. The infected plants show no identifiable symptoms, therefore this virus is tentatively named rubber tree latent virus 1 (RTLV1). The full genome of RTLV1 is 9,422 nt in length and contains three open reading frames (replicase, movement, and coat proteins) with 157 nt 5' UTR and 316 nt 3' UTR. The replicase encoded by ORF1 shares only 33.29% amino acid sequence identity with that of the closest related Frangipani mosaic virus. Phylogenetic analysis using the ORF1 amino acid sequence clusters RTLV1 with members of genus Tobamovirus (family Virgaviridae) at relative high bootstrap, suggesting that RTLV1 is a novel member of Tobamovirus.
Activation of autophagy ameliorates age-related neurogenesis decline and neurodysfunction in adult mice
Authors: yang na , Liu Xue-qin , Niu Xiao-jie , Wang Xiao-qiang , Jiang Rong , Yuan Na , Wang Jian-rong , Zhang Cheng-wu , Lim Kah-Leong , Lu Li
Published: April 2021

Adult neurogenesis is the ongoing generation of functional new neurons from neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the mammalian brain. However, this process declines with aging, which is implicated in the recession of brain function and neurodegeneration. Understanding the mechanism of adult neurogenesis and stimulating it will benefit the mitigation of neurodegenerative diseases. Autophagy, a highly conserved process of cellular degradation, is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and normal function. Whether and how autophagy affects adult neurogenesis remains poorly understood. In present study, we revealed a close connection between impaired autophagy and adult neurogenetic decline. Expression of autophagy-related genes and autophagic activity were significantly declined in the middle-aged subventricular/subgranular zone (SVZ/SGZ) homogenates and cultured NPCs, and inhibiting autophagy by siRNA interference resulted in impaired pluripotency of NPCs. Conversely, stimulating autophagy by rapamycin not only revitalized the viability and pluripotency of middle-aged NPCs, but also facilitated the neurogenesis in middle-aged SVZ/SGZ. More importantly, autophagic activation by rapamycin also ameliorated the olfactory sensitivity and cognitional capacities in middle-aged mice. Taken together, our results reveal that compromised autophagy is involved in the decline of adult neurogenesis, which could be reversed by autophagy activation. It also shed light on the regulation of adult neurogenesis and paves the way for developing therapeutic strategy for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Telocytes Promote the Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Activating ERK Signaling Pathway and Sponging miR-942-3p to Impact MMP9
Authors: Xu Ying , Tian Hu , Luan Chao Guang , Sun Kai , Bao peng Jin , Zhang Hua Yu , Zhang Nan
Published: April 2021

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in China is considered as a familiar malignant tumor with poor prognosis, high metastasis and disease relapse. Telocytes(TCs) have been verified to participate in progresses of tumorigenesis, invasions and migrations by secreting functional proteins and transmitting cell-to-cell information. Extracellular signal-regulared protein kinase(ERK) signal pathway is a vital mechanism driving cell proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis, but whether this molecular signaling mechanism contributes to matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP) expression of TCs remains unclear. Methods: Telocytes and MMP9 expression in the liver cancer tissues are measured by immunohistochemistry assay, Westen blot assay and RT-PCR technique, meanwhile primary telocytes from liver para-cancer tissues are cultured in vitro. To demonstrate the function of telocytes for hepatocellular carcinoma, the metastatic cancer animal model is established by three typs of liver cancer cell-lines in vivo. Results: In our study, we elucidate that TCs in the para-cancer tissue can promote the metastasis of HCC cells by MMP-9 expression, in vitro and in vivo. PDGF derived from HCC cells has a capacity to activate Ras/ERK signaling pathway of TC as a result of accelerating MMP-9 expression, but it’s no significant for proliferative potential and apoptotic rate of TCs. While tyrosine kinase inhibitors and miR-942-3p suppress MMP-9 expression to make loss functions of TCs. Various mutations of TCs are also tested and single nucleotide polymorphisms of MMP-9 may be the potentially molecular mechanism of increasing protein expression in the invasive process of HCC. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate two potential mechanisms between HCC cells and TCs, suggesting that TC is a novel marker and target on deciphering reasons of cancer metastasis.
Underweight and overweight/obesity among adults in Afghanistan: Prevalence and correlates from a national survey in 2018
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl
Published: April 2021

Background

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of underweight and overweight/obesity among adults in Afghanistan.
Methods

National cross-sectional survey data of 3,779 persons aged 18–69 years were analysed. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with underweight and overweight/obesity relative to normal weight.
Results

In all, 7.8% of the study sample was underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), 49.5% had normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²), 25.5% overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m²), and 17.2% obesity. In adjusted multinomial logistic regression, factors negatively associated with underweight were male sex (Adjusted Relative Risk Ratio-ARRR: 0.55, Confidence Interval-CI: 0.32–0.95). Factors positively associated with overweight/obesity were aged 30–44 years (ARRR: 1.92, CI: 1.46–2.53) and aged 45–69 years (ARRR: 1.49, CI: 1.05–2.11) (compared to 18–29 years) (ARRR: 1.28, CI: 1.14–2.18), hypertension (ARRR: 2.69, CI: 1.88–3.85), type 2 diabetes (ARRR: 1.81, CI: 1.15–2.86), and raised cholesterol (ARRR: 2.04, CI: 1.41–2.95).
Conclusion

Almost one in ten adult respondents were underweight and more than two in five were overweight/obese, confirming a dual burden of malnutrition in Afghanistan.
Britannin, a Sesquiterpene Lactone Induces ROS-Dependent Apoptosis in NALM-6, REH, and JURKAT Cell Lines And Produces a Synergistic Effect With Vincristine
Authors: Mohammadlou Hassan , Hamzeloo-Moghadam Maryam , Mohammadi Mohammad Hossein , Yami Amir , Gharehbaghian Ahmad
Published: April 2021

Britannin, a Sesquiterpene Lactone isolated from Inula aucheriana, has recently gained attractions in the therapeutic fields due to its vast cytotoxic properties in different types of cancers. This study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of this agent on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) cell lines, either as a monotherapy or in combination with Vincristine (VCR). The results obtained in this study showed that while Britannin reduced the viability of ALL cell lines such as NALM-6, REH, and JURKAT cells, it did not exert cytotoxicity against normal Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) and L929 cells. Among tested cells, pre-B ALL-derived NALM-6 cells had the highest sensitivity to Britannin. Moreover, we found that Britannin induced p21/p27-mediated G1 cell cycle arrest cells and Reactive Oxygen Specious (ROS)-mediated apoptotic cell death in NALM-6 cells. When NALM-6 cells were treated with N-acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), a scavenger of ROS, we found that Britannin could induce neither apoptosis nor reduce the survival of the cells, suggesting that the cytotoxic effect of Britannin is induced through ROS-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of Britannin also was potentiated by autophagy suppression using Chloroquine (CQ). Moreover, we found that a low dose of Britannin enhanced the effect of Vincristine in NALM-6 cells by inducing apoptotic cell death via altering the expression of apoptotic-related genes. Overall, our results proposed a mechanism for the cytotoxic effect of Britannin, either as a single agent or in combination with Vincristine, in NALM-6 cells.
Seeing through brain fog: disentangling the cognitive, physical, and mental health sequalae of COVID-19.
Authors: Wild Conor , Norton Loretta , Menon David , Ripsman David , Swartz Richard , Owen Adrian
Published: April 2021

As COVID-19 cases exceed hundreds of millions globally, it is clear that many survivors face cognitive challenges and prolonged symptoms. However, important questions about the cognitive impacts of COVID-19 remain unresolved. In the present online study, 485 volunteers who reported having had a confirmed COVID-positive test completed a comprehensive cognitive battery and an extensive questionnaire. This group performed significantly worse than pre-pandemic controls on cognitive measures of reasoning, verbal, and overall performance, and processing speed, but not short-term memory – suggesting domain-specific deficits. We identified two distinct factors underlying health measures: one varying with physical symptoms and illness severity, and one with mental health. Crucially, cognitive deficits were correlated with physical symptoms, but not mental health, and were evident even in cases that did not require hospitalisation. These findings suggest that the subjective experience of “long COVID” or “brain fog” relates to a combination of physical symptoms and cognitive deficits.
Free Charge Photogeneration in a Single Component High Photovoltaic Efficiency Organic Semiconductor
Authors: Hodgkiss Justin , Price Michael , Hume Paul , Ilina Aleksandra , Wagner Isabella , Tamming Ronnie , Thorn Karen , Jiao Wanting , Campbell Alison , Conaghan Patrick , Lakhwani Girish , Davis Nathaniel , Wang Yifan , Xue Peiyao , Lu Heng , Chen Kai , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: April 2021

Organic photovoltaic cells promise cheap, flexible and scalable solar energy. Whereas light directly generates free charges in silicon photovoltaic cells, bound electron and hole pairs known as excitons are understood to be the primary excitations in organic semiconductors due to their low dielectric constants. These excitons must then be split apart at molecular heterojunctions in order to extract current. Recent record efficiency organic photovoltaics utilise the small molecule, Y6, as a key component in the photon-absorbing blend layer. This molecule and its analogues – unlike previous organic semiconductors – have both low band-gaps and high dielectric constants. Here we show that, in a neat film of Y6, these factors lead to intrinsic free charge generation without the need for a molecular heterojunction to split the exciton. We use a suite of intensity-dependent optical spectroscopy measurements to show that a significant (20-90%) fraction of free charges exist in equilibrium with bound states at light intensity equivalent to 1 sun. Rapid bimolecular charge recombination constrains single component Y6 organic photovoltaic devices to low efficiencies, but this recombination is reduced by the introduction of small quantities of donor polymer. Quantum-chemical calculations reveal charge generation pathways through strong coupling between exciton and CT states, and an intermolecular polarisation pattern that drives exciton dissociation. Our results challenge the understanding of how current record efficiency organic photovoltaics operate, and point towards new future possibilities – offering a molecular picture of intrinsic charge generation as a platform to improve charge yields, and renewing the possibility of efficient single-component organic photovoltaic devices.
Copy number variation analysis in 189 Romanian patients with global developmental delay/intellectual disability
Authors: Miclea Diana , Osan Sergiu , Bucerzan Simona , Stefan Delia , Popp Radu , Mager Monica , Puiu Maria , Zimbru Cristian , Chirita-Emandi Adela , Alkhzouz Camelia
Published: April 2021

Developmental delay and intellectual disability represent a common pathology in general population, involving about 3% of the pediatric age population and more and more often the genetic etiology is proven. The aim of this study was to determine the clinically relevant copy number variants in patients diagnosed with global developmental delay/intellectual disability in our population, using the technology SNP array. Material and methods. We analyzed 189 patients diagnosed with GDD//ID, presented in Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children Cluj-Napoca. The patients were completely clinically investigated, including dysmorphic evaluation, internal malformation evaluation, psychiatric and neuropsychological examinations, metabolic evaluation, standard karyotyping. Genomic analysis was done using SNP array technique. Results. 50/189 patients (26.45%) presented pathogenic CNVs and uniparental disomy (32/189 patients, 16.93%) or VOUS (variants of unknown significance) (18/189 patients, 9.52%). Two patients presented uniparental disomy of chromosome 15, one with clinical phenotype of Prader-Willi syndrome and the other with clinical phenotype with Angelman syndrome. The recurrent pathogenic CNVs were seen in 18/32 patients (56%) with pathogenic findings (CNVs or uniparental disomy). Conclusions. These data encouraged to continue using a microarray genetic testing as useful test for the diagnostic performance together with other new tools as exome or genome sequencing for a global genome view in diseases which have not a specific phenotype, such as intellectual disability.
Robust Whole Slide Image Analysis for Cervical Cancer Screening Using Deep Learning
Authors: Cheng Shenghua , Liu Sibo , Yu Jingya , Rao Gong , Xiao Yuwei , Han Wei , Zhu Wenjie , Lv Xiaohua , Li Ning , Cai Jing , Wang Zehua , Feng Xi , Yang Fei , Geng Xiebo , Ma Jiabo , Li Xu , Wei Ziquan , Zhang Xueying , Zeng Shaoqun , Chen Li , Hu Junbo , Liu Xiuli
Published: April 2021

Computer-assisted diagnosis is key for popularizing cervical cancer screening. However, current recognition algorithms are insufficient in accuracy and generalization for cervical lesion cells, especially when facing diversity data in clinical applications. Inspired by manual reading slide under microscopes, we develop a progressive lesion cell recognition method combing low and high resolutions WSIs to recommend lesion cells and a recurrent neural network-based WSI classification model to evaluate the lesion degree of WSIs. After validating our system on 3,545 patient-wise WSIs with 79,218 annotations from multiple hospitals and several imaging instruments, on multi-center independent test sets of 1,170 patient-wise WSIs, we achieve 93.5% Specificity and 95.1% Sensitivity for classifying slides, closely equivalent to the average level of three independent cytopathologists, and obtain 88.5% TPR (true positive rate) for recommending top 10 lesion cells on 447 positive slides. After deploying, our system recognizes one giga-pixel WSI in about 1.5 minutes using one Nvidia 1080Ti GPU.
Computed Tomography-based Assessment of Radiographic Progression in Spine and Sacroiliac Joints After Pregnancy in Women With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Lee Kyung-Ann , Lee So Yun , Kim Se Hee , Kim Hyun-Sook , Kim Hae-Rim , Lee Sang-Hoon
Published: April 2021

Background: Mechanical stress are one of the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). During pregnancy, the mechanical overload on the spine and pelvis increases due to gravid uterus. We aimed to investigate whether pregnancy affects radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on computed tomography (CT) evaluations.Methods: This retrospective study included women with AS aged 19-49 years who underwent at least two CT evaluations of the whole spine or sacroiliac joints (SIJs) at intervals of 2-4 years. To compare radiographic progression after delivery, we classified the patients into two groups: delivery group and controls. The delivery group was restricted to women who had the first CT ~2 years before delivery and the second CT ~2 years after delivery. The CT Syndesmophyte Score (CTSS) (0-522) and SIJ scores (0-40) were used to evaluate spinal syndesmophytes and erosion, joint space narrowing, and sclerosis of the SIJs.Results: A total of 21 women in the delivery group and 38 women in the control group were included. The median (Q1-Q3) CTSS at baseline in the delivery group and controls was 19 (16-23) and 20 (13.25-27.75), and the median progression was 1 (0-3) and 0 (0-1) during the median 2.9-year follow-up, respectively. The median (Q1-Q3) SIJ score at baseline in the delivery group and controls was 13 (8-22) and 11 (6-22), and the median progression was 1.5 (0-3) and 1 (0-2), respectively. The CTSS and SIJ scores significantly increased in both groups; however, no difference in absolute score changes per time point was observed. The SIJ score changes were comparable according to the delivery method.Conclusion: Pregnancy and delivery do not affect the radiographic progression of the spine and SIJs in women with AS.
Pulsed Radiofrequency on Dorsal Root Ganglion Improves Neuropathic Pain-induced Depression in SNI Rats by Regulating Hippocampal BDNF and Neuroinflammation via Spinal IRF8 Inactivation
Authors: Xu Xueru , Dai Zhisen , Lin Chun , Lin Fan , Liu Rongguo
Published: April 2021

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that neuroglia, neuroimmune, and neuroinflammatory processes are involved in the development of nerve injury-induced pain and depression. Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), a crucial factor for microglial activation, is essential for the development of neuropathic pain. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the hippocampus contribute to the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain-depression comorbidity. Our previous study found that depressive-like behaviors induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) could be improved by applying pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) (PRF-DRG). However, the anti-depressive mechanisms of PRF-DRG therapy remain largely unknown. Methods: All rats (except for those in the sham group) were subjected to SNI. The nuclease-free water group and the IRF8 siRNA group were intrathecally injected with nuclease-free water and IRF8 siRNA on days 5 and 6 after SNI, respectively. PRF therapy on the L5 DRG was performed in the PRF group on day 7 after SNI, whereas no PRF current was delivered in the Sham-PRF group. The 50% paw withdrawal threshold, forced swimming test, and sucrose preference test were performed. The expression levels of spinal IRF8 and hippocampal BDNF were tested by molecular biochemistry, while IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were tested by ELISA.Results: The depressive-like behaviors induced by SNI were remarkably developed in rats, which was indicated by a significant reduction in the sucrose preference rate and prolonged immobility time on day 42 after SNI. Mechanical allodynia and depression-like behaviors of rats with SNI were remarkably improved after PRF-DRG or intrathecal IRF8 siRNA. Spinal IRF8 overexpression, hippocampal BDNF downregulation, and increased hippocampal IL-1β and TNF-α levels were reversed by PRF-DRG, similar to the intrathecal injection of IRF8 siRNA. Conclusions: PRF-DRG therapy could regulate neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory responses to improve pain-induced depressive-like behaviors. The beneficial effect was correlated with the upregulation of BDNF and inhibition of IL-1β and TNF-α in the hippocampus via spinal IRF8 inactivation.
Confirmation of Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus infections in G-haplotype coconut rhinoceros beetles (Oryctes rhinoceros) from Palauan PCR-positive populations
Authors: Tanaka Shunsuke , Nakai Madoka , Harrison Robert , Arai Hiroshi , Katayama Yukie , Mizutani Tetsuya , Inoue Maki , Miles Joel , Marshall Sean , Kitalong Christopher
Published: April 2021

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), Oryctes rhinoceros, is a pest of palm trees in the Pacific. Recently, a remarkable degree of palm damage reported in Guam, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands has been associated with a particular haplotype (clade I), known as “CRB-G”, which can be distinguished by a molecular marker in the mitochondrial gene. In Palau Archipelago, it was reported that CRB-G and other haplotype (clade IV) belonging to the CRB-S cluster coexisted in the field. In this study, more than 75% of pheromone trap-captured adults of both of haplotypes were OrNV-positive by PCR. There was no significant difference in OrNV prevalence between the haplotypes. In tissues of PCR-positive CRB-G specimens from Palau, viral particles were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Hemocoel injection of CRB larvae with crude virus homogenates from these tissues resulted in viral infection and mortality. However, the OrNV isolates from Palauan beetles exhibited a lower level of viral production and longer larval survival times compared to OrNV isolate X2B, a typical isolate used for biological control of CRB in the Pacific. The full genome sequences of the Palauan and X2B isolates were determined and found to be closely related to each other. These results suggest that CRB adults in Palau are infected with a less virulent virus.
Logical-qubit operations in an error-detecting surface code
Authors: Marques Jorge , Varbanov Boris , Moreira Miguel , Ali Hany , Muthusubramanian Nandini , Zachariadis Christos , Battistel Francesco , Beekman Marc , Haider Nadia , Vlothuizen Wouter , Bruno Alessandro , Terhal Barbara , DiCarlo Leonardo
Published: April 2021

Future fault-tolerant quantum computers will require storing and processing quantum data in logical qubits.
We realize a suite of logical operations on a distance-two logical qubit stabilized using repeated error detection cycles. Logical operations include initialization into arbitrary states, measurement in the cardinal bases of the Bloch sphere, and a universal set of single-qubit gates. For each type of operation, we observe higher performance for fault-tolerant variants over non-fault-tolerant variants, and quantify the difference through detailed characterization. In particular, we demonstrate process tomography of logical gates, using the notion of a logical Pauli transfer matrix. This integration of high-fidelity logical operations with a scalable scheme for repeated stabilization is a milestone on the road to quantum error correction with higher-distance superconducting surface codes.
Pain in Veterans with COPD: Relationship with Physical Activity and Exercise Capacity
Authors: Raphaely Rebecca , Mongiardo Maria , Goldstein Rebekah L. , Robinson Stephanie A. , Wan Emily S. , Moy Marilyn
Published: April 2021

Background: Pain is a common but underappreciated symptom experienced by people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The relationships between pain and physical activity (PA) and exercise capacity are poorly understood. Methods: This retrospective secondary analysis included three cohorts of Veterans with COPD and objective measures of PA (daily step counts) and exercise capacity (6-minute walk test [6MWT] distance) who participated in longitudinal studies evaluating PA. Pain was assessed using the Bodily Pain (BP) domain of the Veterans RAND-36. In two cohorts, participants were randomly assigned to a web-based, pedometer-mediated PA intervention which has previously been demonstrated to improve PA. Results: Three-hundred and seventy-three (373) unique study participants were included in this analysis. Eighty-three percent (n=311) of the population reported at least mild pain and/or at least a little bit of interference due to pain at baseline. Cross-sectionally, greater BP was associated with lower 6MWT distance (β=0.51; 95% CI 0.20, 0.82; p=0.0013). Longitudinally, worsening BP was associated with a decline in 6MWT distance (β=0.30; 95% CI 0.03, 0.58; p=0.0312). There was no association between baseline BP and baseline daily step counts, baseline BP and change in PA, or change in BP and change in PA. Compared to usual care, our PA intervention improved BP scores (β=6.17; 95% CI 1.84, 10.45; p=0.0054). BP scores did not affect the impact of the intervention on daily step counts.Conclusion: Pain is highly prevalent and significantly associated with lower exercise capacity among Veterans with COPD. Worsening pain co-occurred with decline in exercise capacity but not PA. Our intervention reduced pain, although pain did not affect the impact of the intervention on PA.
Gender differences in the risk of depressive disorders following the loss of a young child: a nationwide population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Fang Shao-You , Chen Hsin-Hung , Wang I-AN , Chou Yiing-Jenq , Chen Chuan-Yu
Published: April 2021

Background
Bereavement caused by the death of a child to the parents is one of the most traumatic life events. The aim of the current study is to investigate parental risk of seeking treatment for major depression disorders (MDD) in the year after a child’s death and explores whether such bereavement effects may manifest differentially by parents’ prior medical condition.
Methods
We studied a retrospective cohort of 7,245 parents (2,987 mothers and 4,258 fathers) identified in the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan (NHIRD) who had lost a child with age between 1 and 12 years. For comparison, the parents of 1:4 birth year- and gender-matched non-deceased children were retrieved (16,512 mothers and 17,753 fathers). Gender-specific Cox regression analyses were performed to estimate risk.
Results
Nearly 3.5% and 1.6% of bereaved mothers and fathers sought treatment for major depressive disorders within the year of losing a child, significantly higher than 0.5% and 0.2% in the non-bereaved parents. With covariate adjustment, the hazard ratio (HR) for maternal and paternal bereavement effect was estimated 6.12 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.88–9.64) and 1.99 (95% CI: 1.09–3.63), respectively. The bereavement effects varied by prior disease history; specifically, the increased risk of major depression was especially prominent for those without chronic physical condition (CPC)(e.g., mothers with CPC: aHR = 3.60, 95% CI: 2.04–6.35 vs. no CPC: aHR = 10.58, 95% CI: 5.88–19.07).
Conclusions
Losing a young child can be a devastating life event. The observed negative effects are especially prominent for the women and those without prior medical history. Effective strategies addressing bereavement may require family-based, integrated physical and mental healthcare and even extended counseling service.
Numerical and Experimental Study on the Hot Cross Wedge Rolling of Ti-6Al-4V Vehicle Lower Arm Preform
Authors: Li Peiai , Wang Baoyu , Feng Pengni , Shen Jinxia , Wang Jiapeng
Published: April 2021

Cross wedge rolling (CWR) has unique advantages in the production of shaft preforms with refined grains and improved mechanical properties. Considering the sensitivity of Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) alloy to heat treatment temperature, the effect of different initial deformation temperatures (IDTs) on the forming quality, mechanical properties and microstructure evolution of the TC4 alloy lower arm preforms in CWR forming were studied in this work. The flow stress curves of TC4 alloy in the two-phase region were obtained by isothermal compression experiments. The Arrhenius constitutive model was established and applied to DEFORM-3D finite element (FE) software to simulate the CWR forming process of TC4 alloy lower arm preforms. The forming quality of TC4 alloy parts was compared and analyzed by 3D FE simulation and experiment. And their mechanical properties at room temperature were tested by tensile test. The results showed that the rolled part has well forming quality (no steps and necking defects) and higher geometric dimension accuracy at the IDT 850°C. Moreover, with the increase of IDT, the radial force and torque in the rolling process decrease. In addition, there were no internal defects in the parts rolled by different IDTs, because the die gap reduces the number of alternating cycles of tensile-compressive stress in the rolled workpieces. Compared with the initial state, the microstructure was refined. When the IDT is 885 °C, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS) and elongation (EI) of the parts were 987 MPa, 924 MPa and 16.8 % respectively, which was able to ensure the mechanical performance requirements of the lower arm preform. The results provide theoretical guidance for the actual production of lower arm preform by CWR.
Effects of different returning method combined with decomposer on decomposition of organic components of straw and soil fertility
Authors: Wang Xiao , Wang Xuexin , Geng Peng , Yang Qian , Chen Kun , Liu Ning , Fan Yueling , Zhan Xiumei , Han Xiaori
Published: April 2021

In view of the problems of low straw decomposition rates and reduced soil fertility in southern Liaoning, China. Using nylon mesh bags method, the decomposition rules of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in straw and straws and the dynamic changes of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents were analyzed after 15, 35, 55, 75, 95, 145 and 365 days of returning. At 365 days after return to the field, rotating tillage + straw decomposing agent(refer to decomposer)(RT+S) was the most favorable for straw decomposition and its components, straw decomposition proportion reached 73.25%, and the decomposition proportion of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose were the highest, being 35.49%, 84.23% and 85.50%, respectively. DOC content in RT+S treatment was higher than in other treatments at each stage, SOC content reached 18.02 g· kg-1 at 145d, which was higher than other treatments. The improvement effect of deep turning + deep rotary tillage + straw decomposing agent (PT+S) treatment on microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was the best, followed by RT+S treatment. Our results suggest that the straw and its organic components decomposition proportion could be increased by adding straw decomposing agent, the straw decomposition proportion and the SOC content of various forms were significantly increased with the RT+S treatment.
Cancer Research Activity in the Arab World: A 15-Year Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: MACHAALANI Marc , MASRI Jad EL , AYOUBI Lemir Majed EL , MATAR Bassam
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The Arab region comprises 22 countries located in the Middle East and North Africa, sharing cultural and linguistic ties. Arab countries have continued to lag in terms of biomedical research compared to other nations for the several past decades. Cancer is a major public health concern, being the second leading cause of death globally. Given that high research activity on cancer reflects positively onto screening programs, awareness, and clinical practice, this article aimed to examine the activity and trend of cancer research in the Arab world between 2005 and 2019.
Methods

Between 2005 and 2019, the number of cancer-related articles published by each Arab country, and regarding 27 different types, was assessed using PubMed database. Numbers were normalized with respect to each country’s average population and average Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Results

Arab countries contributed to 1.52% of total cancer publications. The number of cancer publications has steadily grown since 2005, with the last 7 years alone witnessing 75.69% of the total Arab cancer-related publications. In terms of publications per million persons, Qatar ranked first while in terms of publications per national GDP, Egypt ranked first. Breast, liver, and colorectal cancers had the highest numbers of all Arab cancer-related publications, while testicular, vulvar, and gallbladder cancers had the least.
Conclusion

This paper pools information and insight for scientists, clinicians, funders, and decision-makers on the actualities and developments of cancer research in the Arab world. Addressing the barriers facing cancer research remains a cornerstone in the plan to improve the Arab world’s output and contribution to the field of oncology.
Customized Eye Modeling for Optical Quality Assessment in Myopic Femto-LASIK Surgery
Authors: Lan Gongpu , Zeng Jun , Li Wenjie , Ma Guoqin , Shi Qun , Shi Yue , Wang Yicheng , Xu Jingjiang , Huang Yanping , Qin Jia , Feng Jinping , Tan Haishu , An Lin , Wei Xunbin
Published: April 2021

Refractive surgery is recognized as an effective method for myopia treatment, but it can induce night-vision disturbances such as glare. We present an eye modeling method for the optical quality assessment in response to the structural change of eyes by femto-LASIK surgery. Customized eye models were built from the measurements of 134 right eyes pre- and post-operatively. Optical performance was evaluated using spot diagrams, point spread functions (PSFs), modulation transfer functions (MTFs) and chromatic aberrations at various fields (0–30°), different pupil diameters (2–6 mm) and initial myopias (− 1.25 to − 10.5 D). Pupil size and initial myopia are the two major factors that affect visual performance of post-operative eyes. The results of spot diagrams, PSFs, and MTFs indicated that post-operative visual performance deteriorated as visual field and pupil size increased and it was significantly influenced by initial myopia. Post-operative chromatic aberrations were also affected by initial myopia, but tended to decrease as pupil size increased. The use of eye modeling for refractive surgery assessment could possibly provide a more personalized surgical approach, could improve the prediction accuracy of refractive surgery outcomes and aid the invention and development of better surgical methods.
High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Primes Impaired Fatty Acid β-Oxidation and Consequent Ovarian Dysfunction During Early Pregnancy
Authors: Li Qingying , Guo Sujuan , Yang Chengshun , Liu Xueqing , Chen Xuemei , He Junlin , Tong Chao , Ding Yubin , Peng Chuan , Geng Yanqing , Mu Xinyi , Liu Taihang , Li Fangfang , Wang Yingxiong , Gao Rufei
Published: April 2021

Background: Obesity is associated with many adverse effects on female fertility. Obese women are more likely to have ovulatory dysfunction due to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. However, ovarian function in obese women during early pregnancy still needs further assessment. Methods: Obesity was induced in C57BL6/J mice using high-fat diets (HFD) for 12 weeks; In vitro high-fat model was established with KGN cells treated with Oleate acid and Palmitic acid. Ovarian morphology of obese mice in early pregnancy was assessed by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and its function was assessed using ELISA, Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry. The Oil Red O staining and Transmission electron microscopy were used to detect fatty acid accumulation and specific markers relating to ovarian functional mechanism were assessed by Real time PCR, Western blotting, Lactate detection, ATP detection, Biochemical analyses and ELISA.Results: The results of this study showed that during early pregnancy, the number of corpus luteum, serum estradiol and progesterone levels, and the expression of genes CYP19A1, CYP11A1 and StAR, which are related to steroid biosynthesis, were significantly increased in HFD female mice. HFD-fed mice also showed a significant increase in ovarian lipid accumulation on day 7 of pregnancy. Genes involved in fatty acid synthesis (Acsl4 and Elovl5) and fatty acid uptake and transport (Slc27a4), together with the β-oxidation rate-limiting enzyme (Cpt1a) were significantly upregulated in HFD-fed mice. Specifically, there was abnormal elevation of ATP level and aberrant expression of tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and electron transport chain related genes in the ovary of HFD pregnant mice. Treatment of KGN cells with etomoxir targeting β-oxidation of fatty acid, showed decrease tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain. The elevated ATP level and the increased estradiol and progesterone levels were reversed. Conclusions: This study indicated that during early pregnancy, high-fat diet and induced-obesity increased fatty acid β-oxidation, which in turn increase the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain, and consequently increases ATP production and ovarian dysfunction.
Quantification of Mangrove Extent using a Combination of Optical and Radar Images in Google Earth Engine Platform: The case of Anlo Beach Wetland Complex, Shama District, Western Region, Ghana
Authors: Aja Daniel , Miyittah Michael , Angnuureng Donatus Bapentire
Published: April 2021

Mangrove Forest classification in tropical coastal zones based on only passive remote sensing methods is hampered by Mangrove complexities, topographic considerations and cloud cover effects among other things. This paper reports on a novel approach that combines Optical Satellite images and Synthetic Aperture Radar alongside their derived parameters to overcome the challenges of distinguishing Mangrove stand in cloud prone regions. Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud-based geospatial processing platform was used to extract several scenes of Landsat Surface Reflectance Tier1 and synthetic aperture radar (C-band and L-band). The imageries were enhanced by creating a function that masks out clouds from the optical satellite image and by using speckle filter to remove noise from the radar data. The random forest algorithm proved to be a robust and accurate machine learning approach for mangrove classification and assessment. Our result show that about 16% of the mangrove extent was lost in the last decade. The accuracy was assessed based on three classification scenarios: classification of optical data only, classification of SAR data only, and combination of both optical and SAR data. The overall accuracies were 99.1% (Kappa Coefficient =0.797), 84.6% (Kappa Coefficient = 0.687) and 98.9% (Kappa Coefficient = 0.828) respectively. This case study demonstrates how mangrove mapping can help focus conservation practices locally in climate change setting, coupled with sea level rise and related threats to coastal ecosystems.