bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drosophila DAxud1: A New Element in Transcriptional Pausing Complex Stabilization
Authors: Zuñiga-Hernández JM , Meneses C , Bastías M , Allende ML , Glavic Alvaro
Published: November 2021

BackgroundA rapid transcriptional response under an acute stimulus is common in all cellular systems and is an adaptation that allows tolerance to environmental changes. A gene group that has been studied because of its fast response and cytoprotective effects are the hsp genes (encodingHeat Shock Proteins(HSPs), conserved chaperones).. Under normal conditions, the mRNA and protein levels of the main hsp genes are low but they increase rapidly upon heat shock (HS). This is achieved due to the presence of an RNA Polymerase II pausing complex located +30-50 bp from TSS. This complex maintains a partially synthesized RNA strand of said length, poised to resume synthesis, and undergoes subsequent transcriptional inactivation to restore transcript levels after environmental stabilization.MethodsThe Gal4/UAS system was used to modify dAxud1 expression in a tissue specific manner. A DAxud1-GFP fusion was expressed in salivary glands to perform polytene chromosome immunofluorescence and chromatin immunoprecipitation. DAxud1 genome occupancy data was achieved expressing Dam-DAxud1 in imaginal wing discs using Gal4/UAS (TaDa-seq).ResultsUsing TaDa-seq, we demonstrate that DAxud1 protein is present mainly near the TSS of significant occupied genes, most frequently in the first intron. This results also revealed DAxud1 is present in hsp genes, mainly in promoter zone. Following these results, we found that, under dAxud knockdown, larvae and adults flies have a diminished thermotolerance, despite showing an increase in hsp transcripts in larval tissues. We performed polytene chromosome immunofluorescence for DAxud1-GFP, revealing extensive, but dynamic localization on chromatin in hsp70 loci. This was confirmed with chromatin immunoprecipitation. We also found that DAxud1 overexpression leads to an enrichment of RNA Polymerase II at the 5’ end of the hsp70 gene, with a decrease in its transcripts. Importantly, we show interaction of DAxud1 with NELF-B, a component of the transcriptional pausing complex, and knockdown of both genes individually has similar effects on hsp70 transcription.ConclusionDAxud1 protein is a component of chromatin, that relocates under stress conditions such as heat shock, playing a role in maintaining RNA Polymerase II stalled at the 5’ of hsp70, possibly through a pausing mechanism based on its interaction with NELF-B.
Materials From Hazardous Iron Ore Treatment Waste, Concrete Demolition Debris And Lime Production Waste to Increase Environmental Sustainability of Industrial Regions
Authors: Mymrin Vsevolod , Povaluk Ana , Cechin Luana , Avanci Monica A. , Pedroso Cleber L. , Pedroso Daniela E. , Rolim Paulo H.B. , Carvalho Karina Q.
Published: November 2021

To prevent environment pollution by hazardous industrial dumps of iron ore treatment sludge, concrete production/demolition debris and lime production waste sustainable cement-less construction materials were developed for substitution of traditional natural raw components excavated in careers, irreversibly destroying natural bonds. Their ​​ axial resistance values on the 3rd day of hydration were till 2.34 MPa, on the 28th day - up to 3.94 MPa, on the 180th day 8.40 MPa and on the 365th day 10.22 MPa. The expanding coefficient on the 3rd day were till 2.13%, 2.51% on the 28th day, and on the 365th day 2.22%. Water absorption on the 28th day was 7.17 - 9.32% and decreases to 6.26 - 8.64% on the 90th day. All these characteristics correspond to the Brazilian norms. The physical - chemical processes of materials’ structures formation included alkaline dissociation of solid particles’ surface, with sol appearing and densification till transition to gel. Long-lasting gel compaction and densification to stone-like condition made its structure similar to natural rock materials - silica, opal, obsidian, perlite, pumice, amber, flask, etc. They can be used for production of road bases, concrete blocks and solid unburned bricks, among other sustainable construction materials.
Metabolic-Associated Signature and Hub Genes Associated with Immune Microenvironment and Prognosis in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Guo Yadong , Zheng Zongtai , Mao Shiyu , Yang Fuhan , Wang Ruiliang , Wang Hong , Liu Ji , Li Cheng , Zhang Wentao , Liu Shenghua , Yao Xu-dong
Published: November 2021

Background: The relationship between metabolism and immune microenvironment remains to be studied in bladder cancer (BCa). We aimed to construct a metabolic-associated signature for prognostic prediction and investigate its relationship with the immune microenvironment in BCa. Methods: The RNA expression of metabolism associated genes was obtained from a combined data set including The Cancer Genome Atlas, GSE48075, and GSE13507 to divide BCa patients into different clusters. A metabolic-associated signature was constructed using the differentially expressed genes between clusters in the combined TCGA and validated in the IMvigor210 trial and our center. The sensitivity of metabolic-associated signature to chemotherapy and immunotherapy for predicting BCa was assessed. The proportion of 28 subtypes of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in each BCa sample was assessed using a single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). TST and S100A16 were identified by hub genes screening. Survival analysis and nomograms were used to evaluate the prognosis and predictive value in BCa based on TST and S100A16. The loss of function study further investigated the effects of TST and S100A16 on the biological function and immune microenvironment of BCa cells. Results: BCa patients in high-risk group were associated with advanced clinicopathological features and poor survival outcomes. The percentage of high-risk patients was significantly lower in patients responding to anti-PD-L1 treatment (complete response/partial response). Compared with low-risk patients, the IC50 values of cisplatin and gemcitabine were significantly lower in high-risk patients. ssGSEA revealed that the composition of TIICs including macrophages and regulatory T cells between risk groups. TST and S100A16 were significantly associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis. Down-regulation of TST promoted BCa cell invasion, migration, and EMT, which are inhibited by down-regulation of S100A16. CD8+T cells, neutrophils, and dendritic cells had higher infiltration in the TST low-group and the S100A16 high-group. Furthermore, loss of function TST and S100A16 significantly affected the expression of PD-L1 and CD47. Conclusion: The metabolic-associated signature can stratify BCa patients into distinct risk groups with different immunotherapeutic susceptibility and survival outcomes, may contribute to effective individualized treatment. Dysexpression of TST or S100A16 contributes to the tumor progression and dysregulation of immune microenvironment in BCa.
Evaluation of cytogenetic alterations of toxic gas exposed population of Bhopal having chronic kidney disease
Authors: Samarth Ravindra M , Tiwari Rajnarayan , Modi Gopesh , Soni Kishore , Banjare ML , Hasan Sharique Ul , Jain Sanjay
Published: November 2021

The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted into widespread morbidity and mortality in the vicinity of the industry and required long term surveillance for chronic health effects in those affected by the leakage of gas. Although few cytogenetic studies were undertaken to assess genetic damage in survivors of the disaster, no studies are available on cytogenetic damage of toxic gas exposed population having chronic kidney disease (CKD).Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate cytogenetic alterations in chronic kidney disease patients who wereexposed to leaked gas and to compare it with those who were not exposed to the leaked gas. The cytogenetic alterations were evaluated through chromosomal aberration analysis and micronuclei assay. The study included 608 study participants divided into four groups on the basis of history of exposure to the leaked gas and presence or absence of CKD. The results of the study showed no statistically significant difference in cytogenetic damagebetween gas exposed and non-exposed patients of CKD. However, significantly higher cytogenetic damage was observed among gas exposed participants having CKD as compared to gas exposed participants free from CKD.Thus, to conclude though the cytogenetic alterations were observed in exposed group it cannot be solely attributed to the gas exposure and the role of other confounders must also be studied.
Comprehensive Treatment for Major Salivary Gland Carcinoma Based on Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy with or without Radical Surgery
Authors: Qiu Zichen , Wu Zheng , Lin Feifei , Wang Lei , Xie Dehuan , Cheng Wanqin , Lyu Shaowen , Liu Xuekui , Wang Mingli , Hu Jiang , Tao Yalan , Su Yong
Published: November 2021

Background

The present study aimed to determine a treatment strategy and Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) target volume for major salivary gland carcinoma (SGC).
Methods

Patients with SGC treated at our cancer center between August 2009 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.
Results

The following primary tumor sites were identified: parotid gland in 61 (69.3%) patients, submandibular gland in 21 (23.9%) patients, and sublingual gland in six (6.8%) patients. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) was the most common tumor subtype that accounted for 23.9% of cases. A total of 80 (90.9%) patients received radical surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy. Eight patients (9.1%) received definitive radiotherapy: six patients with advanced-stage disease received induction chemotherapy (IC) combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), and two patients with early-stage disease received CCRT. Complete response was observed in these eight patients after treatment completion. The median follow-up time of all patients was 42 months (range: 4–129 months). No patient developed local recurrence. The 5-year overall survival, regional failure-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and progression-free survival probabilities were 84.1%, 95.6%, 75.3%, and 75.7%, respectively. Distant metastasis was observed in 18 (20.5%) patients, followed by regional 2 (2.3%) recurrence. Permanent facial nerve injury was confirmed in 31 patients by follow-up. None of the patients experienced facial nerve paralysis in the definitive radiotherapy group.
Conclusions

LECs may be sensitive to chemoradiotherapy, which may achieve a radical effect and avoid unnecessary surgical injury. IC combined with CCRT is expected to become a new treatment strategy for advanced LECs. The IMRT target volume delineation according to the surgical principles may be a more promising method with good clinical efficacy that is worthy of further study.
Nanoplastics and Arsenic Co-Exposures Exacerbate Oncogenic Biomarkers Under an in Vitro Long-Term Exposure Scenario
Authors: Marcos Ricard , Barguilla Irene , Domenech Josefa , Rubio Laura , Hernández Alba
Published: November 2021

Background

The increasing accumulation of plastic waste and the widespread presence of its derivatives, micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs), call for an urgent evaluation of their potential health risks. In the environment, MNPLs coexist with other known hazardous contaminants and, thus, an interesting question arises as to whether MNPLs can act as carriers of such pollutants, modulating their uptake and their harmful effects. In this context, we have examined the interaction and joint effects of two relevant water contaminants: arsenic and polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPLs), this last being a model of nanoplastic.
Methods

Since both agents are persistent pollutants, the potential effects have been evaluated under a chronic exposure scenario and measuring different effect biomarkers involved in the cell transformation process. Thus, cells previously transformed by chronic arsenic exposure were further exposed to PSNPLs, arsenic, and the combination PSNPLs/arsenic for 12 weeks.
Results

Interestingly, a physical interaction between both pollutants was demonstrated by using TEM/EDX methodologies. Results also indicate that the continuous co-exposure enhances the DNA damage and the aggressive features of the initially transformed phenotype. Remarkably, co-exposed cells present a higher proportion of spindle-like cells within the population, an increased capacity to grow independently of anchorage, as well as enhanced migrating and invading potentials when compared to cells exposed to arsenic or PSNPLs alone.
Conclusions

This study highlights the need for further studies exploring the long-term effects of contaminants of emerging concern such as MNPLs, and the importance of considering the behavior of mixtures as part of the hazard and human risk assessment approaches.
Color Appearance Shifts Depending on Surface Roughness, Illuminants, and Physical Colors
Authors: Chae Youngjoo
Published: November 2021

Texture is an important synesthetic design element used in textile products. The three-dimensional surface of texture changes the amount and angle of reflected light causing a color appearance change from its original color. In this work, for a wide range of colors, it was quantitatively analyzed how the color appearances change depending on different textures and illumination, such as CIE standard illuminants A, F11, F2, and D65. It was found that strong-textured fabrics (with a surface roughness Ra of 0.46 mm) had larger hue appearance changes and consequent overall color appearance changes from their true colors due to illuminants than non-textured papers (with a surface roughness Ra of 0.03 mm). Between two types of fabrics with different textures of 0.25 and 0.46 mm, however, there was no significant difference in the magnitude of color appearance changes, indicating that the difference in surface roughness greater than 0.43 mm can produce significant differences in color appearance changes induced by illumination. It was also found that the magnitude and direction of color appearance changes under different CIE illuminants differed significantly according to the physical chroma and hue of the surface.
Evaluation of the Role of Na+/ K+ ATPase Ion Transporters and Na+/K+/ 2Cl and Na+/H+ Exchanger Cotransporters in Nephrons of Periophthalmus Waltoni Using Immunohistochemistry and Histology
Authors: Esfandiari Kave , Babaei Mohammad , Amiri-Farahani Mina , Kalantari-Hesari Ali , Morovvati Hassan
Published: November 2021

Kidneys play an important role in regulating the balance of water and ions in freshwater and seawater fish. However, complex kidney structures impair a comprehensive understanding of kidney function. In this study, in addition to renal histology, Na+/K+/ATPase ion transporter proteins and Na+/K+/2Cl− and NHE3 cotransporters were located in Priophthalmus waltoni kidney tissue to evaluate the ion regulation abilities of epithelial cells in various parts of nephrons. The renal tubules are composed of proximal tubules and distal tubules, followed by collecting tubes and finally collecting ducts. Light microscope immunohistochemistry was utilized to locate Na+/ K+-ATPase along renal tubules and collecting ducts. However, the distribution of the Na+/K+-ATPase immune response varies in different sections. Na+/K+/CL− cotransporter positioning was reported only in collecting tubes and collecting ducts, and proximal tubes and distal tubes did not respond to Na+/K+/Cl− cotransporter immunolocalization. Immunohistochemical response for NHE3 localization was detected only at the apex of epithelial cells of proximal tubules and collecting tubes. The distal tubes showed negative reaction and the collecting ducts showed a weak response to NHE3 safety immunolocalization.
Eriodictyol ameliorated cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice through inhibited ferroptosis via vitamin D receptor mediated Nrf2 activation
Authors: Li Lin , Li Wenjun , Zheng Xiangru , Liu Qinglong , Du Qian , Lai Yujie , Liu Songqing
Published: November 2021

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of neurodegenerative disease in contemporary era, and it is still clinically incurable. Eriodictyol, a natural flavonoid compound mainly exists in citrus fruits and some Chinese herbal medicine, has been reported with its effect of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer and neuroprotective effects. However, there are few studies on the anti-AD effect and molecular mechanism of eriodictyol.
Methods

APP/PS1 mice were treated with eriodictyol and the cognitive function of mice was assessed by behavioral tests. The level of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and hyper-phosphorylation of Tau in the brain of mice were detected by histological analysis and Western blotting. Meanwhile, HT-22 cells which induced by amyloid-β peptide (1-42) (Aβ1−42) oligomer were treated with eriodictyol after which cell viability was determined and the production of p-Tau was tested by Western blotting. Then, the characteristics of ferroptosis, including iron aggregation, lipid peroxidation and the expression of glutathione peroxidase type 4(GPX4), were determined both in vivo and in vitro by Fe straining, Western blotting and qPCR assay. Additionally, the expression level of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway were tested by Western blotting and qPCR assay. After that, the HT-22 cells with VDR knockout were used to explore the potential mechanisms and the relationship between VDR and Nrf2 was further assessed by coimmunoprecipitation assay and bioinformatics analysis.
Results

Eriodictyol obviously ameliorated cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice, suppressed Aβ aggregation and the phosphorylated level Tau in the brain of APP/PS1 mice. Meanwhile, eriodictyol could inhibit Tau hyper-phosphorylation and neurotoxicity in HT-22 cells induced by Aβ1−42 oligomer. Furthermore, both in vivo and in vitro, eriodictyol showed the anti-ferroptosis effect and its mechanism may connected with the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Additionally, the further experiment explains that the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway with eriodictyol treatment mediated by VDR.
Conclusions

Eriodictyol alleviated memory impairment and AD-like pathological changes via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway mediated by VDR, which provide a new possibility for the treatment of AD.
Bias Correction, Historical Evaluations and Future Projections of Climate Simulations in the Wei River Basin Using CORDEX-EA
Authors: Wang Yinping , Jiang Rengui , Xie Jiancang , Zhu Jiwei , Zhao Yong , Li Fawen
Published: November 2021

The utilization of Regional Climate Methods (RCMs) to predict future regional climate is an important study under the changing environment. The primary objective of the paper is to correct the temperature and precipitation simulations for the period of 1980-2005 and 2026-2098 in the Wei River Basin (WRB), to evaluate the performance of RCMs for the period of 1980-2005, and further, to analyze the future changes of projected temperature and precipitation during 2026-2098. In this paper, the linear scaling method was used to correct the temperature simulations. Quantile mapping, local intensity scaling method and hybrid method were used to correct the precipitation simulations. The future changes of projected temperature and precipitation for the near-term (2026-2050), mid-term (2051-2075) and far-term (2076-2098), relative to the period of 1980-2005, were investigated under RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5. Results indicate that: (1) The temperature biases were different spatial distributions, and the precipitation wet biases were detected in the WRB. After correction, HadGEM2-ES driven by RegCM4-4 had the best temperature reproducibility, and NCC-NorESM1-M driven by RegCM4-4 had the best precipitation reproducibility. (2) Under RCP 2.6, the projected annual, winter and spring temperature showed decreasing trends. The temperature was higher than that for the period of 1980-2005 except for the spring temperature decreases in the Beiluo River Basin. Under RCP 8.5, the temperature showed significantly increasing trends. The temperature for the near-term was similar to the period of 1980-2005, while the temperature increased significantly for the mid-term and far-term. (3) Under RCP 2.6, the precipitation had decreasing trends. Under RCP 8.5, precipitation trends were also spatially distributed. The relative deviation of winter precipitation was the largest. Relative to the period of 1980-2005, the light and moderate rain days showed little change for the period of 2026-2098, while the extreme rain days showed significantly increasing trends. (4) The results could be beneficial to the future climate projection, which provide references for the water resources management, the future hydrological process changes and attribution analysis in the WRB.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Novel Launaea Procumbens Leaves Extract and Screening Its Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Kumavat Sanjay Ratan , MISHRA SATYENDRA
Published: November 2021

Plants are emerging as a cost-effective and ecofriendly method for green synthesis of nanoparticles. The plant extract Launaea procumbens was used as a reduction agent in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. UV-Visible spectroscopy, HR-TEM, SAED, FE-SEM, EDAX, DLS, and FT-IR were used to study the green synthesized silver nanoparticles. UV-Vis spectroscopy of a prepared silver solution revealed maximum absorption at 435 nm. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape with a size in the range of 24.28 to 31.54 nm. DLS analysis was used to determine the size of the green synthesized silver nanoparticles, which showed outstanding antibacterial action against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis had a maximum zone of inhibition of 20 mm, Staphylococcus aureus had a zone of inhibition of 19 mm, and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had zones of inhibition of 13 mm.
Understanding sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents: Evidence formative study in three districts of lake regions in Tanzania
Authors: mrisho mwifadhi , Mantel Michaela , Kabanywanyi Abdunoor M , Fakih Bakar , Fatuma Manzi , Mtenga Sally , Selestine Edna , Siso David , Mugerwa Michael , Jadavji Sofia , Temmerman Marleen , Kidanto Hussein
Published: November 2021

Background

Teenage marriage and adolescent pregnancy present a significant health challenge in the Tanzania. About 36% of women aged 15-49 are married before the age of 18, and 32% of rural adolescents (10-19 years) gave birth, compared with 19% of urban. In Mwanza region, one third of currently married adolescent and women aged 15-49 experienced unmet need for family planning and had low use of modern contraceptives. Here we present a study that explored the gaps in accessing and utilization of quality adolescent sexual and reproductive health services (ASRH).
Methods

This was a descriptive and exploratory cross-sectional formative study utilizing multiple qualitative research methods. Purposive sampling was used to select an urban district (Nyamagana), rural district (Magu) and an island (Ukerewe). Sixty-seven IDI and 30 focus group discussions (FGDs) stratified by gender (12 out-of-school, 12 in-school), and (3 male, 3 female adults) were purposefully sampled. Vignettes were done with 15-19 years old in-school and out-of-schools boys and girls. An experienced moderator, along with a note-taker, led the discussions while taking notes. The FGDs were recorded using an MP3 voice recorder. Thematic analysis approach was undertaken and data was analysed using NVivo 12, a qualitative software.
Results

The identified the most important pressing needs of the adolescents in relation to SRH. Adolescent girls needed specific services such as counselling on menstrual health, sexual consent, HIV/AIDS, and prevention of pregnancies. Sanitary pads during menstrual period were very important pressing need of the adolescent girls. Adolescents both girls and boys preferred to receiving friendly health care services in a respectful manner. Girls mentioned that they would like to receive SRH support from nurses in health facilities, mothers, sisters, aunties and friends. With regards to boys, they preferred to receive the SRH from health care providers followed with their peer’s friends. Several obstacles were reported to hinder access to SRHS predominantly among the adolescent girls as compared to the boys. Poor infrastructure tended to impair the privacy at the health facilities, and rarely there were specific buildings to provide friendly adolescent sexual and reproductive health services.
Conclusions

The strategies to guide delivery of ASRH should involve the inclusion of duty bearers, promotion of friendly health care services where health workers provide services in friendly-manner, provision of ASRH education for awareness creation to adolescents and supportive parents/ care takers.
Heating Rate Effect during Sintering on the Technological Properties of Brazilian Red Ceramics
Authors: Guimarães Carlos , Delaqua Geovana , de Azevedo Afonso Rangel Garcez , Monteiro Sergio Neves , Amaral Lucas , Souza Claudio Luiz Melo , Silva Angelus da , Holanda José Nilson , Vieira Carlos Maurício Fontes
Published: November 2021

Unbalanced energy consumption in the production of ceramic artifacts is responsible for considerable undesirable impacts, such as increased emissions of polluting gases, excessive consumption of fuel materials, land degradation and unpredictable financial costs. By contrast, the practice of optimizing the ceramic sintering, which in associated with firing of high temperature, can result in increased productivity and reduced production costs preserving an environmentally friendly production system. Moreover, it allows further improvements in the quality of the final product. This work compares the effect of different sintering cycles, with heating rates of 2, 15 and 30°C/min, on the technological properties of a Brazilian industrial clay ceramic body. Initially the clay ceramic specimens was characterized in terms of mineralogical, chemical and physical properties. Specimens were prepared by extrusion and fired at temperatures of 800, 900 and 1000°C. The evaluated properties by standard tests were water absorption, post-firing linear shrinkage and flexural strength. It was found that owing to sintering carried out at higher heating rates, red ceramic products with superior technological properties were obtained. This is an unprecedented conclusion for common clay ceramics produced in Brazil. Based on the promising obtained results it is evidenced, in a clear and detailed way, the benefits of rapid sintering cycle application for conventional brick production.
Spatial Similarity of MRI-Visible Perivascular Spaces in Healthy Young Adult Twins
Authors: Lee Boeun , Shin Na-Young , Park Chang-hyun , Nam Yoonho , Lim Soo Mee , Ahn Kook Jin
Published: November 2021

Purpose
This study aims to determine whether genetic factors affect the location of dilated perivascular spaces (dPVS) by comparing healthy young twins and non-twin (NT) siblings.
Methods
A total of 700 healthy young adult twins and NT siblings (138 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs, 79 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, and 133 NT sibling pairs) were collected from the Human Connectome Project dataset. dPVS was automatically segmented and normalized to standard space. Then, spatial similarity indices (mean squared error [MSE], structural similarity [SSIM], and dice similarity [DS]) were calculated for dPVS in the basal ganglia (BGdPVS) and white matter (WMdPVS) between paired subjects before and after propensity score matching of dPVS volumes between groups. Within-pair correlations for the regional volumes of dVPS were also assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
Results
The spatial similarity of dPVS was significantly higher in MZ twins (higher DS [median, 0.382 and 0.310] and SSIM [0.963 and 0.887] and lower MSE [0.005 and 0.005] for BGdPVS and WMdPVS, respectively) than DZ twins (DS [0.121 and 0.119], SSIM [0.941 and 0.868], and MSE [0.010 and 0.011]) and NT siblings (DS [0.106 and 0.097], SSIM [0.924 and 0.848], and MSE [0.016 and 0.017]). No significant difference was found between DZ twins and NT siblings. Similar results were found even after subjects were matched according to dPVS volume. Regional dPVS volumes were also more correlated within pairs in MZ twins than DZ twins and NT siblings.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that genetic factors affect the location of dPVS.
Fractional spinal anesthesia and systemic hemodynamics in frail elderly hip fracture patients
Authors: Olsen Fredrik , af Segerstad Mathias Hård , Dalla Keti , Ricksten Sven-Erik , Nellgård Bengt
Published: November 2021

Background: Aging and frailty make the elderly patients susceptible to hypotension following spinal anesthesia. The systemic hemodynamic effects of spinal anesthesia are not well known. In this study, we examine the systemic hemodynamic effects of fractional spinal anesthesia following intermittent microdosing of a local anesthetic and an opioid.Methods: We included 15 patients aged over 65 with considerable comorbidities, planned for emergency hip fracture repair. Patients received a spinal catheter and cardiac output monitoring using the LiDCOplus system. Invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index, heart rate and stroke volume index were registered. Two doses of bupivacaine 2.25 mg and fentanyl 15µg were administered with 25 minutes in between. Hypotension was defined as a fall in MAP by >30% or a MAP <65 mmHgResults: The incidence of hypotension was 30%. Hypotensive patients (n=5) were treated with low doses of norepinephrine (0.003-0.12 µg/kg/min). MAP showed a maximum reduction of 17% at 10 minutes after the first dose. Cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index and stroke volume index decreased by 10%, 6%, and 7%, respectively, while heart rate was unchanged over time. After the first dose, none of the systemic haemodynamic variables were affected.Conclusion: Fractional spinal anesthesia causes a low incidence of hypotension, induced mainly by a systemic venodilation, causing a decrease in venous return and fall in cardiac output. Our results show that fractional spinal anesthesia is a safe technique from a hemodynamic point of view and is probably underutilized in high-risk, elderly hip fracture patients
Human Urinary Kallidinogenase (HUK) Alleviates Myocardial Injury in Rats with Coronary Microembolism Through PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 Signaling Pathway.
Authors: Xie Jian , Lin Yunhua , Liu Guoqing , Nong Qingqing , Wu Bingling , Xie Yuqian , Li Tao , Li Lang
Published: November 2021

PurposeCoronary artery microembolization (CME) is a severe clinical complication that can cause myocardial infarction, induce myocardial inflammation and apoptosis, ultimately lead to cardiac dysfunction. Human Urinary Kallidinogenase (HUK), a glycoprotein found in human urine, its role and underlying mechanism in CME are still unclear. Therefore, our goal is to explore the effect of HUK on the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 axis of CME in rats, determine whether it can restrain myocardial inflammation and apoptosis, and alleviate CME-induced myocardial injury.MethodsWe split 40 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats into CME, CME + HUK, CME + HUK + LY294002 (CME + HUK + LY), and sham operation groups randomly (10 animals in each group). The dosage of HUK was 0.016 PNA/kg/day. Also, 42μm inert plastic microspheres were injected into the left ventricle of rats to establish the CME model. Notably, rats in the CME+HUK+LY group were injected 10 mg/kg of LY294002 (a particular inhibitor of PI3K) intraperitoneally 30 minutes before modeling. We measured cardiac function 12 hours after the operation. Besides, the serum of myocardial injury biomarkers and myocardial inflammation, as well as apoptosis-related genes were measured, the myocardial histopathological examination was also performed.ResultsOur results indicated that CME induced myocardial inflammation and apoptosis, also caused myocardial infarction. HUK mainly activated PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signal transduction, effectively reducing myocardial inflammation, apoptosis, and myocardial infarction area and improving CME-induced myocardial injury. In addition, these cardioprotective effects can be reduced by PI3K specific inhibitor LY294002, suggesting that the above protective effects may be related to the process of activation of the PI3K/ Akt /FoxO1 axis.ConclusionOur findings revealed that HUK might restrain myocardial inflammation and apoptosis by activating the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 axis, thus ameliorating CME-induced myocardial injury.
Transcriptome Analysis of Genes Involved in Aluminum Stress Responses in Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.)
Authors: Bao Gegen , Li Shengyu , Zhou Qi , Ashraf Umair , Qiao Jingxuan , Wan Xiaorong , Zheng Yixiong
Published: November 2021

Background

Aluminum (Al) contamination inhibits plant growth and development, however, mechanisms involved in Al stress tolerance in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were rarely studied. The present study was comprised of four Al levels i.e., 0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mmol l−1 AlCl3.18H2O regarded as Al0, Al1, Al2, and Al3. The respective concentrations were added in Hoagland nutrient solution and replaced every three days.
Result

Results revealed that seeding length low Al concentration (Al1) treatment had no noticeable effect on seeding lenght, while higher Al concentration (Al2 and Al3) treatment significantly inhibited seeding lenght. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of plant hormone metabolism pathway were significantly enriched whereas the contents of salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were up-regulated, and jasmonic acid (JA) were down-regulated to different levels. Moreover, transcription factors (TFs) and ALMT9 and FRDL1 genes were up-regulated at higher Al concentration and down-regulated at the lowest Al concentration (Al1).
Conclusions

Overall, Higher Al concentrations up-regulated the expression of transcription factors (TFs), and ALMT9 and FRDL1 genes to resist the stress of high Al concentrations whereas transcriptome analysis revealed that Al stress tolerance is closely related to endogenous hormone contents i.e., salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), and jasmonic acid (JA). This study preliminarily analyzed the molecular mechanism of Al tolerance in peanut and provided a theoretical rationale for developing new Al-tolerant peanut cultivars.
Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Emergency Surgery for Colorectal Perforation: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kudou Kensuke , Kusumoto Tetsuya , Nambara Sho , Tsuda Yasuo , Kusumoto Eiji , Yoshida Rintaro , Sakaguchi Yoshihisa , Ikejiri Koji
Published: November 2021

Background

This study aimed to clarify the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal perforation by comparing the clinical outcomes between laparoscopic and open emergency surgery for colorectal perforation.
Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 100 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal perforation. The patients were categorized into two groups: the open group included patients who underwent laparotomy, and the laparoscopic group included those who underwent laparoscopic surgery. Clinical and operative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.
Results

The open and laparoscopic groups included 58 and 42 patients, respectively. More than half of the patients in both groups developed perforation in the sigmoid colon (open, 55.2%; laparoscopic, 59.5%). The most common cause of perforation was diverticulum, followed by colorectal cancer. The mean intraoperative blood loss tended to be lower in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (78.8 mL versus 160.1 mL; P=0.0756). Hospital stay tended to be shorter in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (42.5 versus 55.7 days; P=0.0965). There were no significant differences in either the short- or long-term outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the choice of surgical approach (open versus laparoscopic) did not affect overall survival in patients with colorectal perforation.
Conclusions

The laparoscopic approach for colorectal perforation in an emergency setting is a safe procedure compared with the open approach. The laparoscopic approach was associated with a decrease in intraoperative blood loss and a shorter length of hospital stay.
Evaluation of level of expression of microRNA-21 and let-7g in serum and stool of patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Rahmanpour Dara , Dolatkhah Roya , Navidizadeh Soheil , Virani Peyman , Hasanzadeh Nastran , Hashemzadeh Shahryar
Published: November 2021

Background

MicroRNAs (miRs) are involved in the pathogenesis of various malignancies such as colorectal cancer through regulating multiple cellular processes, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and migrationMiR-21 and let-7 are two important genes that have confirmed in this pathway. The role of the let-7 gene as a gene tumor process in various cancers and the role of miR-21 in the development and progression of cancer has been conclusively identified also this gene has an oncogenic role in various cancers. In this study, the expression patterns of miR-21 and let-7 in serum and stool samples of colorectal cancer patients were evaluated.
Materials and Methods

During the present study, 120 samples including 40 serum samples of CRC and 40 stool samples from the same patients and 40 healthy samples were collected. After total RNA extraction, real-time PCR was used to measure changes in genes expression. Statistical analysis of data was performed with GraphPad Prism statistical software (Version 6.0) with a significance level of 5%.
Results

The relative expression level of miR-21 in the serum samples of CRC increased compared to the healthy group, which was statistically significant. On the other hand, the relative expression level of let-7g in the serum samples of CRC showed a significant decrease compared to the healthy sample. In stool samples, the expression changes of either of the two genes were not significant.
Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the relative expression of miR-21 and let-7g genes can be used as a diagnostic or predictive biomarker in colorectal cancer serum samples. While, this is not the case in stool samples. Moreover, further investigations at the protein level should be performed.
Factors Associated with Non-Use of modern Contraceptives among sexually active women in Ethiopia: A multi-level mixed effect analysis
Authors: Mulugeta Solomon Sisay , Fenta Setegn Muche , Fentaw Kenaw Derebe , Biresaw Hailegebrael Birhan
Published: November 2021

Background: Appropriate contraceptive use prevents unintended pregnancy, protects the health of mother and child, and promotes women's well-being. Use of modern Family planning in Ethiopia was still very low. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that are associated with non-use of modern family planning services among women of reproductive age. Method: A nationally representative 2016 EDHS women data were used for analysis. Descriptive and multilevel multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to summarize descriptive data and measure statistical association between the dependent and the individual and community level variable, respectively. Adjusted odds ratio and confidence interval were respectively used to measure association and its statistical significance. Result: Among women in the reproductive age group 79.49% did not use a modern contraceptive method. Of this, 65.9 %, were from rural areas. Women age between 25-34 years (AOR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.5-0.61) and age between 34-49 year (AOR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.55-0.71), Women with a primary level of education (AOR=0.8, 95% CI: 0.68-0.87), husband’s education level was secondary and above were 0.83(AOR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.72-0.96), middle income women (AOR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.58-0.76) , rich women (AOR=0.74,95%CI:0.65-0.85), women delivered at the health facility were lower by 0.84 (AOR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.73-0.0.98), watched family planning related information from TV (AOR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.65-0.85) had 1-2 and 3 or more children in the previous five years (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.19-0.23) and (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.28-0.56), respectively, are individual-level factors that are less likely to not use contraception were identified. Furthermore, Muslim women (AOR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.23-1.62), women living in rural area (AOR=3.43; 95% CI: 2.72-4.32), and ANC visit 1.3(1.07-1.5) were more likely to not use contraception. Further, Women in Afar, Somali, Gambela, Harari, and Dire Dawa were less likely to use modern contraception methods than women in Tigray, but Amhara region had a lower rate of non-use. Conclusion: Family planning interventions should target younger women, women living in rural areas, the poor, and Muslim women. Moreover, initiatives to empower women associated to family planning programs would be beneficial in increasing contraceptive uptake among sexually active women in Ethiopia.
Design and Development of a Micro-LDH Apparatus to Determine Formability of Sheet Metal Under Hot Stamping Conditions Using Gleeble
Authors: Singh Amarjeet Kumar , Narasimhan Krishnaiyengar
Published: November 2021

In the last few years, demand for hot stamped components has increased in the automotive industry. Determination of formability under hot stamping is challenging due to elevated temperature, fast cooling and high punch velocity. Although there was various strive for formability determination but had limitations with experiments like non-uniform heating of specimen, non-uniform strain and temperature distribution. Therefore, in this work, an experimental apparatus was developed to determine formability at room temperature, high temperature, hot stamping conditions, and any complex process cycle involving heating and cooling. New specimen was designed to produce different strain paths, uniform and homogenous temperature distribution with the help of FEM software using thermomechanical and thermoelectrical simulation. A micro hemispherical dome based experimental apparatus was designed using Solidworks. The designed apparatus was used in conjunction with the thermo-mechanical simulator (Gleeble-3800). Thermomechanical analysis was done in PAM STAMP software to optimize specimen size and shape to get uniform strain distribution and different strain paths. A thermoelectric FEM model was developed using Abaqus 6.14 to optimize the temperature distribution in the specimen. The developed model enables choosing the appropriate polarity of the electrical cable connection to achieve uniform temperature distribution in the specimen. Strain path and temperature profiles for experiment and simulation were compared. Further, a forming limit curve was developed using the designed apparatus to verify the feasibility of the apparatus. For feasibility test of apparatus, hot stamping process was selected. This new design apparatus can be used for a range of temperatures up to 1000 °C, hot stamping conditions, and for different materials (aluminium, magnesium alloys, different grade of steel, etc.). It concludes that the connection of different polarities of electrical cable was critical for homogenous and uniform temperature distribution in specimens.
Potential of two indigenous strains of entomopathogenic nematodes, (Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) against the tomato leafminer (TLM), Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), under laboratory and greenhouse environmental bioassay
Authors: Kasi Indra Kumar , Singh Mohinder , Waiba Kanchhi Maya , Sharma P L Lal
Published: November 2021

The tomato leafminer (Tuta Absoluta) is an important pest of tomato crops which have features like; high reproductive potential, Invasive species are major threats to agronomic and natural ecosystems. Based on the pathogenicity of strains, only two isolates effectively show larvicidal activity. The native isolate was obtained from soil samples, collected from Rajgarh, Hamachi Pradesh, India. Petri dish bioassay use nematodes S. feltiae HR1 and H. bacteriophora HR2 species dose (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160/ IJs/cm2). The (%) 1st instar larval mortality was ranged from 24.15 to 85.38 %. 2nd instar from 29.87 to 90.00 %. 3rd instar from 24.15 to 90.00 %. 4th instar from 31.53 to 90.00 % and pupae stage mortality was ranged from 31.53 to 85.38 %. Larvicidal activity after 48- and 72-hours exposure, the S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora (1.0, 1.30, 1.60, 1.90, 2.20/IJs/cm2) showed potent larvicidal activity with LC50, LC75 and LC90 of all instars and pupa show high mortality. The strain inhibits the larval and pupal development 48 to 72 hr exposer time with LC50 range from 05.42 to 23.67, LC75 20.29 to 83.12, LC90 16.52 to 98.89. Green house test is using the seam isolate of EPNs (HR1, HR2) on foliar application it caused by significant mortality results. These studies demonstrate the challenge for invasive species. The local indigenous strains of EPNs (S. feltiae HR1, H. bacteriophora HR2) as a good biocontrol agent against invasive pest of T. absoluta.
Distributed Multi-Agent Learning is More Effectively than Single-Agent
Authors: Ke Shuya , Liu Wenqi
Published: November 2021

Interpretable distributed group intelligence techniques have emerged as an essential topic in artificial intelligence. The mathematical interpretability of prediction outcomes is critical for improving the reliability of machine learning, especially in random scenes. Although some experimental results published so far show that the prediction of group intelligence is better than individual intelligence, establishing a mathematical foundation for the superiority of distributed group intelligence is still a challenging problem for enhancing the interpretability of learning systems. Through the Radermacher complexity principle, we proved mathematically that the learning quality of group machine intelligence is better than its subset machine intelligence with a high probability, significantly better than any individual among them if the number of individuals in the group is large enough. We proposed a multi-agent distributed learning method for time series forecasting by incorporating multi-agent cooperation in cognitive processes into machine learning. In addition, since the way of cooperative interaction between multi-agent affects the training effect of the model, we provide a generalized interaction approach and prove its convergence. We conduct sufficient experiments on predicting time series for classically chaotic systems, and the results indicate that distributed group intelligence significantly improves the prediction accuracy of individual intelligence. The experiments result shows that the prediction error reduces substantially as the number of agents increases, confirming the theoretical accuracy and the model's validity. This work provides new ideas for theoretically exploring how group intelligence emerges.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Measurements in Eyes with Vitreoretinal Surgery
Authors: Demir Mehmet
Published: November 2021

PurposeTo study the retinal detachment (RD) results with the aid of OCTAMethodsIn the present corss-sectionally designed study 11 patients were enrolled. Eyes with retinal detachment surgical procedures served as study group and the fellow eyes without any retinal detachment surgical procedures served as control group. ResultsThe mean age of 11 patients was 59.72±9.94 years. The mean BCVA of the study was 0.43±0.31 and mean BCVA of the control group was 0.86±0.23 in decimal (P=0.01). The mean IOP of the study group 15.72±1.55 mmHg and the mean IOP of the control group was 16.09±2.17 mmHg (P=0.656). ConclusionOptical coherence tomography angiography is an important imaging tool to evaluate retinal superficial and deep layer density and area measurements