bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
API Connection Leak Equation Extended with Dependence on Axial Force and Backup Pressure
Authors: Goodman Malcolm A. , Mitchell Robert F. , Kalil Issa A.
Published: December 2020

The existing American Petroleum Institute (API) equation for internal leak predicts the internal pressure to overcome the pin-box contact pressure generated from the makeup interference plus the energizing effect of internal pressure, which enhances the seal. For threaded connections, internal and external pressures close the connection and increase the leak resistance, whereas axial loads open the connection and decrease the leak resistance. These competing effects must be included to accurately assess the connection leak resistance under any combination of loads at any point in any string. Following the same approach used by the API for internal leak, this paper obtains similar results for external leak. For API connections, the effects of combined axial force and backup pressure are then incorporated into the internal/external leak equations using results from a “toy connector” elastic model. Sensitivities of leak ratings to combined loads for API connections are presented for both tubing and casing sizes. An example design case shows the importance of considering combined loads.
Transcriptome analysis and molecular mechanism of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) drought tolerance under repeated drought using single-molecule long-read sequencing
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Lei , Wang Ling , Tan Meilian , Ogutu Collins O. , Yin Ziyan , Zhou Jian , Wang Jiaomei , Wang Lijun , Yan Xingchu
Published: December 2020

Background: Oil flax (linseed, Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the most important oil crops., However, the increases in drought resulting from climate change have dramatically reduces linseed yield and quality, but very little is known about how linseed coordinates the expression of drought resistance gene in response to different level of drought stress (DS) on the genome-wide level.Results: To explore the linseed transcriptional response of DS and repeated drought (RD) stress, we determined the drought tolerance of different linseed varieties. Then we performed full-length transcriptome sequencing of drought-resistant variety (Z141) and drought-sensitive variety (NY-17) under DS and RD stress at the seedling stage using single-molecule real-time sequencing and RNA-sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and reduce and visualize GO (REVIGO) enrichment analysis showed that upregulated genes of Z141 were enriched in more functional pathways related to plant drought tolerance than those of NY-17 were under DS. In addition, 4436 linseed transcription factors were identified, and 1190 were responsive to stress treatments. Moreover, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis showed that the proline biosynthesis pathway interacts with stress response genes through RAD50 (DNA repair protein 50) interacting protein 1 (RIN-1). Finally, proline biosynthesis and DNA repair structural gene expression patterns were verified by RT- PCR.Conclusions: The drought tolerance of Z141 may be related to its upregulation of drought tolerance genes under DS. Proline may play an important role in linseed drought tolerance by maintaining cell osmotic and protecting DNA from ROS damage. In summary, this study provides a new perspective to understand the drought adaptability of linseed.
Operating Room Nurses’ Lived Experiences of Ethical Codes: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Aghamohammadi Fatemeh , Imani Behzad , Koosha Mahnaz Moghaddami
Published: December 2020

BackgroundOperating room nurses, who are important members of health teams and who serve in an environment full of ethical and work challenges, often face situations that require them to make decisions based on ethical principles. Therefore, compiling ethical codes appropriate to the culture and religion of the community is a good way to improve the quality of nursing services expected by stakeholders.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine Operating room nurses’ lived experiences of ethical codes. Research design and methodA hermeneutic phenomenological study was performed. Participants were 10 operating room nurses who were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed based on Van Manen methodology.ResultsData analysis revealed 3 main themes and 12 sub-themes that showed the experience of operating room nurses from ethical codes. The main themes were: Adherence to professional commitments, preserving patient dignity and respect for colleagues.ConclusionThe results of this study showed the ethical experiences of operating room nurses. These findings determine the ethical codes in the operating room. It is suggested that using these codes, a guide, and a model be developed to improve the ethical and professional performance of operating room nurses.
Effects of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on the Proliferation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Chondrogenic Differentiation via Bmp2 /Smad Signaling Pathway
Authors: JIN Xuhong , Wang Hejie , Che Jiaju , Chen Xiafu , Huang Dengao , Zhuo Zeming , Xing Shi
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAlthough Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) regiment has been applied to the treatment of cartilage injury clinically, the effect of LIPUS stress loading on the proliferation and differentiation of hUCMSCs is still controversial. Yet the specific mechanical mechanism of LIPUS stimulates cartilage differentiation of hUCMSCs has not been clarified.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) via BMP2 /smad signaling pathway in vitro.MethodThe hUCMSCs at P4 were randomly divided into control group(no LIPUS), L30 group (30mW/cm2), L50 group (50mW/cm2), L80 group (80mW/cm2), each LIPUS group respectively loaded 5, 10, 20 min/d, the cell proliferation activity was detected by CCK-8 assay after continuous irradiation for 5 days. For chondrogenic differentiation, hUCMSCs were divided 4 groups as follows: control group, Noggin group, LIPUS group, Noggin+LIPUS group, LIPUS irradiation was given 50w/cm2, 5min/d. Cartilage formation after 3 weeks was evaluated by Alician blue staining for GAG and COL II immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis of Sox-9, COL II Aggrecan, BMP2, Smad1, Smad5 and Smad9. Result： (1) The proliferation activity of L50 group(50w/cm2 , 5min/d) was noticeably higher compared with other groups, Alcian blue staining of GAG , COL II fluorescent staining in the LIPUS group were much stronger, quantitative RT-PCR assays showed that the expression of COL II, GAG, Sox-9, smad1, smad5 and smad9 in LIPUS group was significantly increased. Conclusion：The suitable LIPUS irradiation can promote cell proliferation, 50mW/cm2 intensity at 5min/d is most significant. And it can promote chondrogenesis of hUCMSCs via upregulating MP2 /smads signaling pathway.
Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alem Tamrat , Nigatu Dabere , Birara Amsalu , Fetene Tamene , Giza Mastewal
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAlthough breast cancer has a markedly higher incidence in developed countries, 50% of the new diagnosis and 70% of deaths occur in developing countries. There are limited data available on the quality of life among breast cancer patients in Ethiopia, notably in the Amhara region. This study aimed to assess the quality of life and associated factors among patients with breast cancer in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2019.MethodsInstitutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 25 to July 7/2019 among 256 patients with breast cancer in the Amhara region. A systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected by using a standardized interviewer-administered Amharic version of the European Organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30(EORTC QLQ C30) and breast cancer supplementary measure (QLQ-BR23). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 23. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the associated factors. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the strength of association.ResultsSixty-eight point four percent (68.4%) of breast cancer patient's QoL was poor. The mean score of quality of life was 70.6(standard deviation (SD) ±13.9; 95% CI: 69.0-72.4). All functional component scores were less than 75, from the symptom scale; diarrhea (11.6), constipation (17.5), and dyspnea (24.7) were less noticeable. Unmarried patients (AOR=2.59, 95% CI: 1.32-5.07), poor (AOR=2.39, 95%CI: 1.32-5.03), non housewife (AOR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.16-7.22), and complaints to dyspnea (AOR=3.48, 95% CI: 1.79-6.79), and insomnia (AOR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.05-3.91) were significantly associated with quality of life.ConclusionsHealth care professionals should give attention to unmarried, and non-housewife breast cancer patients, besides the treatment to improve the health of breast cancer patients.
ApoE4-carrying Human Astrocytes Oversupply Cholesterol into Neurons and Promote Aβ Generation
Authors: Lee Se-In , Jeong Woojin , Cho Sukhee , Lee Hyein , Jang Yonghee , Lin Yuan-Ta , Tsai Li-Huei , Seo Jinsoo
Published: December 2020

The onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) typically occurs later in life. Importantly, however, recent genetic analysis of patients and unaffected individuals revealed multiple genetic variants associated with late-onset AD. One of the strongest genetic risk factors for AD is 𝜀4 allele of APOE encoding apolipoprotein (ApoE), which is predominantly expressed in glial cells. One of the overarching questions is whether and how this astrocyte-enriched risk factor initiates AD-associated pathology in neurons such as Aβ accumulation and neurodegeneration. Here, we use human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from healthy individuals and isogenic cells in which the ApoE 𝜀3 allele was replaced with an 𝜀4 allele to generate human neurons and astrocytes. We then investigate the effect of astrocytic ApoE4 on the neuronal Aβ production. We find that secretory factors in conditioned media from hiPSC-derived astrocytes carrying APOE4 significantly increased the levels of APP and Aβ secretion in hiPSC-derived neurons. Increasing cholesterol levels in culture media mimicked the effects of ApoE4 ACM by inducing the formation of lipid rafts that potentially provide a physical platform for APP localization on the membrane. We further found that reducing cholesterol levels in ApoE4 ACM with MβCD abolished its effects on neuronal lipid raft expansion and Aβ generation. Our study suggests that ApoE4 astrocytes contribute to amyloidosis by the expansion of lipid rafts and facilitate neuronal Ab production through oversupply of cholesterol.
Application of Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System in The Quality Management of Clinical Bedside Teaching Base
Authors: Jiang Qingyu , Wu Yuanxi , Liu Yingchao
Published: December 2020

Background: Compared with foreign countries, China's education evaluation system mostly adopts the method of simple comparison of students' average scores, and the evaluation results are relatively simple; It is a top-down, one-way and appraisal evaluation system, which not only can not form information feedback network, but also can not fully mobilize the enthusiasm and initiative of the evaluation subject and the evaluation object. As a value-added evaluation model, TVAAS can provide multi-dimensional information and has been widely used in foreign countries. Therefore, we need to learn from the Tennessee value-added evaluation model system, and a series of domestic studies have proved that value-added evaluation should be an important part of school evaluation. Results: The evaluation indexes of grade 2016 students were significantly better than that of grade 2015 students, and there was statistical differences between the two groups’ evaluation indexes (P < 0.05). Conclusion: To a certain extent, "Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System" can objectively evaluate the growth rate of teaching quality of clinical bedside teaching bases, and evaluate the correlation between relevant education reform measures and teaching quality improvement scientifically, which is proposed for further popularization and application.
Broad Auto-Reactive IgM Responses Are Common In Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.
Authors: Maier Cheryl , Wong Andrew , Woodhouse Isaac , Schneider Frank , Kulpa Deanna , Silvestri Guido
Published: December 2020

The pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 remains poorly understood. While several studies suggest that immune dysregulation plays a central role, the key mediators of this process are yet to be defined. Here, we demonstrate that plasma from a high proportion (77%) of critically ill COVID-19 patients, but not healthy controls, contains broadly auto-reactive immunoglobulin M (IgM), and only infrequently auto-reactive IgG or IgA. Importantly, these auto-IgM preferentially recognize primary human lung cells in vitro, including pulmonary endothelial and epithelial cells. By using a combination of flow cytometry, LDH-release assays, and analytical proteome microarray technology, we identified high-affinity, complement-fixing, auto-reactive IgM directed against 263 candidate auto-antigens, including numerous molecules preferentially expressed on cellular membranes in pulmonary, vascular, gastrointestinal, and renal tissues. These findings suggest that broad IgM-mediated autoimmune reactivity may be involved in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19, thereby identifying a potential target for novel therapeutic interventions.
All-inorganic perovskite quantum dot light-emitting memories
Authors: Lee Ya-Ju , Liu Kang-Hsiang , Peng Yi , Yen Meng-Cheng , Leng Junfu , Chang Chun-Chieh , Tamada Kaoru
Published: December 2020

Field-induced ionic motions in all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots (QDs) strongly dictate not only their electro-optical characteristics but also the ultimate device performance of the CsPbBr3 optoelectronics. Novel device concepts with multiple functionalities can as a result be achieved based on CsPbBr3 by carefully controlling the ionic flow under different bias conditions. Here, we show that by manipulating the ion migrations in two nominally identical, series-connected Ag/CsPbBr3/ITO devices, one device can operate as a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) while the other simultaneously as a light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC), or vice versa, simply through the polarity switching of the external bias across the entire structure. We further show that this electrically switchable, series-connected perovskite memories and light emitters can be employed as a novel all-perovskite light-emitting memory (LEM) device for simultaneous electronic and optical reading of the encoded information in communication and computation applications. We present a physical picture that clearly depicts the movements of each ionic species and their reduction or oxidation processes in the perovskite LEM responsible for the observed electronic and optical characteristics. The demonstrated bifunctionality of the simple metal-perovskite-metal structures and the novel device concept derived from their creative synergy opens up a completely new horizon for more advanced all-inorganic perovskite optoelectronics with novel functionalities.
Synthetic Rashba spin-orbit system using a silicon metal-oxide semiconductor
Authors: Lee Sooboem , Koike Hayato , Goto Minori , Miwa Shinji , Suzuki Yoshishige , Yamashita Naoto , Ohshima Ryo , Shigematsu Ei , Ando Yuichiro , Shiraishi Masashi
Published: December 2020

The spin-orbit interaction (SOI), as a manifestation of a relativistic effect in solids, has been attracting great attention in condensed matter physics because of its abundant nature for manipulating and/or converting a spin degree of freedom. Compound materials with bulk inversion symmetry breaking (GaAs, BiTeI, NbSe2…), heterostructures consisting of the aforementioned materials (InGaAs/InAlAs, Bi/Ag…) and single heavy elements (Pt, W, Ta, Bi…) are pivotal material systems for generating strong Dresselhaus- and Rashba-type SOI and for shedding light on a wide variety of modern physics such as two-dimensional materials science, superconductivity, magnetoelectrics, spintronics etc. Consequently, however, light elements and materials with bulk inversion symmetry have been outside the scope of the quest for SOI in solids. In this work, we show that a Si metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) is a new material stage possessing Rashba-type SOI, although Si is a light element and has lattice inversion symmetry resulting in inherently negligible SOI in bulk form. A strong gate electric field is applied to the Si MOS, and unexpectedly, we observe spin precession of propagating spins in the Si through the formation of an emergent effective magnetic field due to the SOI in the Si MOS. Furthermore, the Rashba parameter α in the system increases linearly up to 9.8×10−16 eV∙m for a gate electric field of 0.5 V/nm, i.e., it is gate tuneable, and the spin splitting Δ0 (= 0.6 μeV) is equivalent to that in strained GaAs. This finding is a successful establishment of a synthetic Rashba system using a ubiquitous light element with bulk inversion symmetry and pioneers a new family of SOI systems.
The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test maintains its diagnostic and prognostic performance in alcohol-related liver disease: A cohort study.
Authors: Connoley Declan , Patel Preya , Hogan Brian , Tanwar Sudeep , Rhodes Freya , Parkes Julie , Burt Alastair , Watkins Jennifer , Sievert William , Rosenberg William
Published: December 2020

Background

Alcohol is the main cause of chronic liver disease. The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test is a serological biomarker for fibrosis staging in chronic liver disease, however its utility in alcohol-related liver disease warrants further validation. We assessed the diagnostic and prognostic performance of ELF in alcohol-related liver disease.
Methods

Observational cohort study assessing paired ELF and histology from 786 tertiary care patients with alcohol-related liver disease due to alcohol (n = 81) and non-alcohol aetiologies (n = 705). Prognostic data were available for 64 alcohol patients for a median of 6.4 years. Multiple ELF cut-offs were assessed to determine diagnostic utility in moderate fibrosis and cirrhosis. Survival data were assessed to determine the ability of ELF to predict liver related events and all-cause mortality.
Results

ELF identified cirrhosis and moderate fibrosis in alcohol-related liver disease independently of aminotransferase levels with areas under receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.895 (95% CI:0.823–0.968) and 0.923 (95% CI:0.866–0.981) respectively, which were non-inferior to non-alcohol aetiologies. The overall performance of ELF was assessed using the Obuchowski method: in alcohol = 0.934 (95% CI:0.908–0.960); non-alcohol = 0.907 (95% CI:0.895–0.919). Using ELF < 9.8 to exclude and ≧ 10.5 to diagnose cirrhosis, 87.7% of alcohol cases could have avoided biopsy, with sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 85%. A one-unit increase in ELF was associated with a 2.6 (95% CI:1.55–4.31, p < 0.001) fold greater odds of cirrhosis at baseline and 2.0-fold greater risk of a liver related event within 6 years (95% CI:1.39–2.99, p < 0.001).
Conclusions

ELF accurately stages liver fibrosis independently of transaminase elevations as a marker of inflammation and has superior prognostic performance to biopsy in alcohol-related liver disease.
Feasibility Study on Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Total Pulmonary Vein Isolation in A Canine Model
Authors: Chang Ji Hyun , Cha Myung-Jin , Seo Jeong-Wook , Kim Hak Jae , Park So-Yeon , Kim Byoung Hyuck , Lee Euijae , Kim Moo-kang , Yoon Hye-sun , Oh Seil
Published: December 2020

We tested the feasibility of pulmonary vein (PV) and left atrial (LA) posterior wall isolation using non-invasive stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) and investigated pathological changes in irradiated lesions in a canine model. Seven male Mongrel dogs received single-fraction 33-Gy SABR. We designed the en-bloc circular target of total PVs and LA posterior wall to avoid the esophagus. The circular box lesion included the LA roof and ridge, low posterior wall, and posterior interatrial septum. At 6 weeks or 4 months post-SABR, electrical isolation of the SABR lesion was confirmed using LA posterior wall pacing, and histopathological review was performed. Electrical isolation of all PVs and the LA posterior wall was achieved in three of five dogs in the 4-month group. There was one target failure and one sudden death at 15 weeks. Although two dogs in the 6-week group failed to achieve electrical lesion isolation, the irradiated atrial myocardium showed diffuse hemorrhage with inflammatory cell infiltration. In successfully isolated 4-month model dogs, we observed transmural necrotic scarring with extensive fibrosis on irradiated atrial tissue. The findings suggest that this novel circular box-design radiotherapy technique using SABR could be applied to humans after further studies are conducted to confirm safety.
Genotypic Differences among Isolates of L. Braziliensis and Host Factors in The Pathogenesis of Disseminated Leishmaniasis
Authors: Oliveira Walker , Dórea Andreza , Carneiro Pedro , Nascimento Maurício , Carvalho Lucas , Machado Paulo , Schriefer Albert , Bacellar Olívia , Carvalho Edgar
Published: December 2020

Disseminated Leishmaniasis (DL) is an emerging and severe form of Leishmania braziliensis infection defined by the presence of 10 and up to more than 1,000 skin lesions. The mechanisms underlying parasite dissemination remain unknown. Genotypic differences among species of L. braziliensis have been associated with different clinical forms of disease. The present work compared the function of monocytes obtained from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and DL patients in response to infection with isolates of L. braziliensis pertaining to both of these two clinical forms of disease. Mononuclear cells obtained from DL and CL patients were infected with different L. braziliensis isolates. Numbers of infected cells, parasite load, respiratory burst, TLR2 and TLR4 expression and cytokine production were evaluated. DL isolates infected more monocytes, induced greater respiratory burst, higher expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and more cytokine production compared to isolates from CL patients regardless of the origin of monocytes used (DL or CL). However, greater parasite multiplication and higher TLR expression were seen in monocytes from DL patients compared to CL following infection with DL isolates. Our results indicate the participation of both parasite genotype and host factors in the pathogenesis of DL.
In-Situ Control of Defect Dynamics By Ellipsometry During Ion Implantation – Evolution of Disorder and Cavity Structure in Single-Crystalline Ge During Implantation of Sb Ions
Authors: Lohner Tivadar , Németh Attila , Zolnai Zsolt , Kalas Benjamin , Romanenko Alekszej , Khánh Nguyen , Szilágyi Edit , Kótai Endre , Agócs Emil , Tóth Zsolt , Budai Judit , Petrik Peter , Fried Miklos , Bársony Isvtán , Gyulai József
Published: December 2020

Ion implantation has been a key technology in microelectronics and generally, for the controlled surface modification of materials for tribology, biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and many more. In this work in-situ spectroscopic ellipsometry was used for accurately tracking and on-line evaluating the accumulation of voids and damage in crystalline Ge during implantation of 200-keV Sb+ ions at a total fluence of 1016 cm− 2 using an ion flux of 2.1 × 1012 cm− 2s− 1. The phases of damage accumulation were identified using unique optical multi-layer models describing the layer structure and composition. The formation of initial partial disorder was followed by complete amorphization and void formation occurring at the fluence of 1 × 1015 cm− 2, reaching a high volume fraction of voids and a layer thickness of ≈ 200 nm by the end of the process. This agrees with numerical simulations and results of complementary measurements including ion beam analysis and electron microscopy. The developed in-situ method for controlling the dynamics of structural damage accumulation is a versatile ion-implantation tool for avoiding adverse void formation and for controlled evolution of subsurface nanocavities or cellular surface texture alike.
Numerical Approach Towards Gyrotactic Microorganisms Hybrid Nanoliquid Flow with the Hall current and Magnetic Field Over A Spinning Disk
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Khan Muhammad , Shuaib Muhammad
Published: December 2020

The article explores the upshot of Hall current, thermal radiation and magnetic field on hybrid nanoliquid flow over the surface of a spinning disk. The motive of the present effort to upgrade the heat transmission rate for engineering and industrial purposes. The hybrid nanoliquids as comparative to the conventional fluids have higher thermal properties. A special class of nanoparticles known as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and iron ferrite Fe3O4 are added to the base fluid. The system of modeled equations is depleted into dimensionless differential equations through similarity transformation. The transform equations are further solved through Parametric Continuation method (PCM). For parametric study the embedding flow factors on velocity, energy, mass transmission and motile microorganism’s concentration profiles have been sketched. The obtained results are compared with the existing literature, which shows best settlement. It concluded that the heat transmission rate reduces for Hall current and rises with radiative factor. The results perceived that the addition on CNTs in carrier fluid is more efficacious than any other types of nanoparticles, due to its C-C bond. CNTs nanoliquid can be more functionalized for the desired achievement, which can be utilize for a variety of applications by functionalization of non-covalent and covalent modification.
Dynamic Changes of Ascorbic Acid Occurring During Fruit Development and Ripening of Actinida Latifolia and Their Associated Molecular Mechanisms Deciphered by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis
Authors: Xia Hui , Deng Honghong , Hu Rongping , Lin Lijin , Wang Jin , Deng Qunxian , Xu Kunfu , Wang Zhihui , Lv Xiulan , Liang Dong
Published: December 2020

Background: Actinidia latifolia is an exceptional source with extremely high ascorbic acid (AsA) content. However, its transcriptome atlas is lacking and how AsA accumulates during fruit development and ripening of this special kiwifruit and its associated molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood.Results: Herein, the dynamic changes of AsA content of six stages of A. latifolia fruit development and ripening determined by HPLC demonstrated a rapid increasing profile during the initial expansion stage with a peak around 60 days after flowering (1194.21±69.25 mg 100g-1 FW), followed by a progressive, albeit not significant decrease tendency and reached the minimum levels (1028.76±31.19 mg 100g-1 FW) at maturity. A high-quality full-length (FL) transcriptome of A. latifolia was successfully constructed by third-generation sequencing for the first time, comprising 326,926 FL non-chimeric reads, 15,505 coding sequences, 2882 transcription factors, 18,797 simple sequence repeats, 3328 long noncoding RNAs, and 231 alternative splicing events. Illumina RNA-seq in combination with weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed a network module highly correlated (r=0.5, p=0.03) with AsA content. Gene co-expression in this network module was explained by its roles in protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum (ko04141), glycolysis/gluconeogenesis (ko00010), and carbon metabolism (ko01200). Moreover, the expression patterns of genes involved in AsA biosynthesis and metabolism validated by qRT-PCR exhibited a similar trend with AsA accumulation.Conclusions: Overall, the dynamic changes of AsA content and associated key genes and enriched metabolic pathways were deciphered, which paves the way for genetic improvement that aims for development of kiwifruit with super-high AsA content.
Investigation of Characteristics as Endodontic Sealer of Novel Experimental Elastin-Like Polypeptide-Based Mineral Trioxide Aggregate
Authors: Kim Hyun-Jung , Jang Ji-Hyun , Kim Sun-Young
Published: December 2020

Although mineral trioxide aggregates (MTA) have been adopted as an endodontic sealer because of excellent sealing effect and bioactive property and been modified with improvement of its characteristics, the developed MTA sealers have not yet satisfied all the ideal requirements of endodontic sealers. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP)-incorporated MTA for use as an endodontic sealer and compare them with those of commercial MTA sealers. Two commercial MTA sealers and three experimental ELP-incorporated MTA sealers with 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 liquid/powder (L/P) ratio for 10 wt% ELP liquid were evaluated. The push-out bond strength, flow rate, sealer penetrability and wash-out resistance were tested and the sealer-dentin interface was observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Our study revealed the ELP-incorporated MTA exhibited the higher push-out bond strength, flow rate, sealer penetration and remarkable wash-out resistance than commercial MTA sealers, especially in 0.4 L/P ratio. The groups of ELP-based experimental sealers also exhibited more intimate contact with dentin compared to the commercial MTA sealers. Our research will suggest the possible adoption of the ELP-incorporated MTA as endodontic sealer for clinical use.
TimeNexus: A Novel Cytoscape App to Analyze Time-Series Data Using Temporal MultiLayer Networks (tMLNs)
Authors: Pierrelée Michaël , Reynders Ana , Lopez Fabrice , Moqrich Aziz , Tichit Laurent , Habermann Bianca
Published: December 2020

Integrating -omics data with biological networks such as protein-protein interaction networks is a popular and useful approach to interpret expression changes of genes in changing conditions, and to identify relevant cellular pathways, active subnetworks or network communities. Yet, most -omics data integration tools are restricted to static networks and therefore cannot easily be used for analyzing time-series data.
Determining regulations or exploring the network structure over time requires time-dependent networks which incorporate time as one component in their structure. Here, we present a method to project time-series data on sequential layers of a multilayer network, thus creating a temporal multilayer network (tMLN). We implemented this method as a Cytoscape app we named TimeNexus. TimeNexus allows to easily create, manage and visualize temporal multilayer networks starting from a combination of node and edge tables carrying the information on the temporal network structure. To allow further analysis of the tMLN, TimeNexus creates and passes on regular Cytoscape networks in form of static versions of the tMLN in three different ways: i) over the entire set of layers, ii) over two consecutive layers at a time, iii) or on one single layer at a time. We combined TimeNexus with the Cytoscape apps PathLinker and AnatApp/ANAT to extract active subnetworks from tMLNs. To test the usability of our app, we applied TimeNexus together with PathLinker or ANAT on temporal expression data of the yeast cell cycle and were able to identify active subnetworks relevant for different cell cycle phases. We furthermore used TimeNexus on our own temporal expression data from a mouse pain assay inducing hindpaw inflammation and detected active subnetworks relevant for an inflammatory response to injury, including immune response, cell stress response and regulation of apoptosis. TimeNexus is freely available from the Cytoscape app store at https://apps.cytoscape.org/apps/TimeNexus.
Hemodynamic Parameters Predict the In-Stent Thrombosis After the Multibranched Endovascular Repair for Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Preliminary Study on Branched Stent-Graft Thrombosis.
Authors: Liu Ming-Yuan , Mu Yunqing , Jiao Yang , Liu Junjun , Zhang Simeng , Deng Xiaoyan , Li Wei , Sun Anqiang
Published: December 2020

Backgrounds: Branched vessel occlusion is frequently reported in the endovascular repair for aortic pathology. This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic indicators associated with the in-stent thrombosis (IST) of the branched stent-graft (BSG) after the endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for complex abdominal aortic aneurysm.Methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed based on the computed tomography (CT) scan and clinical data of three patients who underwent multibranched endovascular repair. The reconstruction of patient-specific 3-dimension models and hemodynamic analysis for IST were performed. The hemodynamic related parameters including time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), oscillatory shear stress index (OSI) and relative residence time (RRT) were compared between the individual data.Results: The velocity, TAWSS, OSI and RRT were radically changed in the area of IST. The IST of the BSG were located at the hemodynamic alteration regions near the bending curve where the decreased flow velocity (<0.6 m/s), TAWSS (<0.8 Pa) and elevated OSI (>0.3), and RRT (>5 s) were constantly observed. Conclusions: The hemodynamic perturbations in the BSG predispose the IST, which could be predicted by a series changes of the flow parameters. Early hemodynamic analysis might be useful for identifying and remediating the IST after the multibranched endovascular repair.Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered and approved by the institutional ethical review board.
Structure and Process of Palliative Care Provision: A Nationwide Study of Public Hospitals in Thailand
Authors: Dokmai Parichat , Meemon Natthani , Paek Seung Chun , Tayjasanant Supakarn
Published: December 2020

Background: The demand for palliative care in hospitals has rapidly increased in Thailand in recent years. Subsequently, the way in which palliative care systems should be arranged to facilitate the care process and patient preparation for their end stage of life (i.e., good death) is still an ongoing debate among policy makers and researchers. Although palliative care is provided in most facilities, there is no clear protocol for palliative care due to a lack of empirical evidence. Thus, this study attempts to analyse the situation and quality of palliative care provision in Thai public hospitals.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. A questionnaire with measures reflecting hospital characteristics, structure of palliative care provision, and processes related to achieving a good death was developed. The questionnaire was sent to all 862 public hospitals across 76 provinces, and the response rate was 62.88%. A structural equation model was specified to operationalize Donabedian’s framework. To our knowledge, this is the first nationwide study to investigate facility-level palliative care provision in Thailand.Results: The study results confirmed the relationships between the structure and process of palliative care provision in hospitals. The sufficiency and competency of doctors and nurses and the variety of relaxation equipment were either directly or indirectly associated with all process components associated with response to the patient’s needs, effective communication, and respect to the patient’s dignity. In addition, the conduction of palliative care research in hospitals was associated with the response to the patient’s needs and effective communication, while the allocation of physical area was associated with effective communication.Conclusion: This model can be used to evaluate the overall situation of palliative care provision at the national level. It could also contribute to the development of standard measurements for evidence-based palliative care quality improvement in hospitals.
Management of Osteoporosis in The Community: How Well Can Family Physicians Do? A Retrospective Case Series in a Local Public Clinic in Hong Kong.
Authors: Chan Pui Kwan , Shun Vincent Li Wing , Li Yim Chu , Rui Catherine Chen Xiao
Published: December 2020

BackgroundWith the ageing population, osteoporosis is increasingly becoming a global health concern. Previous research showed that management of osteoporosis in Hong Kong had been suboptimal. In view of the need to provide quality care to osteoporotic patients, a Multidisciplinary Osteoporosis Clinic (MOC) organized by primary care physicians was set up in a public primary care clinic. This study aimed to explore the clinical effectiveness of MOC.MethodsWe performed a retrospective case series study. All osteoporotic patients who had attended MOC during the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2018 were included. Changes in Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) T-score of recruited patients after two years of management at MOC were analysed. Subgroup analyses of the 2-year interval DEXA T-score changes among patient with or without history of fragility fracture, and among patients with or without pharmacological treatment , were performed. Serial interval DEXA T-score changes of recruited patients who had completed 5 years of bisphosphonate treatment were also analysed. Paired Student’s t test was used to analyze the interval DEXA T-score changes.ResultsTotally 186 osteoporotic patients were recruited. After two years of management at MOC, the T-score at lumbar spine and femoral neck were improved, from -2.71±0.76 to -2.35±0.83 and -2.40±0.75 to -2.10±0.76 respectively, P<0.001. For subgroup analysis on patients with or without history of fragility fracture and patients with or without bisphosphonate treatment, improvement in T-scores of both lumbar and femoral neck were all significant at two years, P<0.05. Among those who had completed 5 years of bisphosphonate treatment, progressive improvement in T-scores of both lumbar and femoral neck were observed, with P <0.001.ConclusionMOC run by family physicians in public primary care setting could effectively treat osteoporotic patients with significant improvement in DEXA T-scores.
Differentially Private Density Estimation with Skew-Normal Mixtures Model
Authors: Wu Weisan
Published: December 2020

The protection of private data is a hot research issue in the era of big data. Differential privacy is a strong privacy guarantees in data analysis. In this paper, we propose DP-MSNM, a parametric density estimation algorithm using Multivariate Skew-Normal Mixtures (MSNM) model to differential privacy. MSNM can solve the asymmetric problem of datasets, and it is could approximate any distribution through Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm. In this model,we add two extra steps on the estimated parameters in the M step of each iteration. The first step is adding calibrated noise to the estimated parameters based on Laplacian mechanism. The second step is post-processes those noisy parameters to ensure their intrinsic characteristics based on the theory of vector normalize and positive semi definition matrix. Extensive experiments using both real datasets evaluate the performance of DP-MSNM, and demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms DP-GMM.
Using Web Conferencing to Engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People in Research: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Anderson Kate , Gall Alana , Butler Tamara , Arley Brian , Howard Kirsten , Cass Alan , Garvey Gail
Published: December 2020

Background: While web conferencing technologies are being widely used in communication and collaboration, their uptake in conducting research field work has been relatively slow. The benefits that these technologies offer researchers for engaging with hard-to-reach populations are beginning to be recognised, however, the acceptability and feasibility of using web conferencing technology to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in research is unknown.Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether the use of web conferencing to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in research is an acceptable and feasible alternative to conventional face-to-face methods. Methods: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged between 18-24 years were recruited via emails, flyers and snowballing to participate in an Online Yarning Circle (OYC) about wellbeing conducted via web conferencing. Five young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were trained as peer facilitators and each conducted one or more OYCs with support from an experienced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researcher. The OYCs were recorded and the researchers conducted post-OYC interviews with the facilitators. OYC recordings, facilitator interviews and researchers’ reflections about the method were analysed to assess acceptability and feasibility for use with this population. Results: 11 OYCs were conducted with 21 participants. The evaluation focused on (a) acceptability of the method for participants and facilitators and (b) feasibility of data collection method and procedures for use in research. Our evaluation revealed good acceptability and feasibility of the method, with only minor challenges experienced, which were predominantly logistical in nature and related to scheduling, obtaining documentation of consent, and technical issues. These challenges were offset by the greater control over the level of engagement that was comfortable for individual participants and the greater ease with which they felt they could withdraw from participating. This shift in the traditional researcher-participant power dynamic was recognised by both participants and peer facilitators and was regarded as a support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people’s participation in research.Conclusions: The use of web conferencing to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in research offers an acceptable and feasible alternative to face-to-face research methods. The benefits conferred by these technologies associated with yielding greater control and power to the research participant has broad relevance to research with marginalised populations.
Clinical and Radiographic Variables Around Implant With Simultaneous Graft Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients Treated With Different Hypoglycemic Medications: A Retrospective Study.
Authors: Shi Shaojie , Ding Feng , Liu Xiangdong , Wang Lei , Wang Xingxing , Zhang Sijia , Zhao Guoqiang , Song Yingliang
Published: December 2020

Background: The clinical and radiographic variables around dental implants in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with different hypoglycemic agents still remained unclear.Methods: This retrospective cohort study collected the dental records and digital periapical radiographs of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and implants. These patients were grouped according to their medication: insulin, metformin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs. The radiographic marginal bone loss around implants and clinical parameters, including peri-implant bleeding on probing and probing depth, were compared among groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test.Results: A total of 150 patients with 308 implants (101 in insulin group, 121 in metformin group and 86 in glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs group) were assessed. The peri-implants marginal bone loss in insulin group (P<0.05) and metformin group (P<0.01) were significantly higher than glucagon-like peptide-1 drug group. The radiographic bone loss in metformin was higher than insulin group (P<0.05). While there was no statistical difference of clinical peri-implant parameters among groups(P>0.05).Conclusions: The radiographic variables were not exactly the same among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with different hypoglycemic agents. glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs might be more beneficial to bone tissue around implants. More studies are needed to verify the direct effect of these drugs on peri-implant bone.Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR2000034211 (retrospectively registered)
The Significance of Routine Biochemical Markers in Patients With Sepsis
Authors: Meng Yan , Wang Yue , Qiao Wenbin , LIU Yumei , Wang Liang , Fan Jiahui , Tian Fengming , Wang Xuanzheng , Zhang Tao , Ma Xiumin
Published: December 2020

Background: Sepsis is a highly complex and fatal syndrome. It is the main cause of death in the intensive care unit. Early diagnosis is beneficial to reduce the mortality of sepsis and improve the prognosis of patients. Therefore, we look forward to finding cheap and fast diagnostic criteria to quickly assess the patient's condition.Methods: This is a retrospective study. The study enrolled 499 patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 1, 2018 to June 22, 2020, and 96 healthy cases in the same period. Using the diagnostic criteria of bacterial infection, SIRS criteria and Sepsis-2 consensus criteria, 499 patients and 96 healthy cases were divided into 4 groups: sepsis group (n=300), SIRS group (n=151), infection group (n= 48), the control group (n=96). We collected the results of routine laboratory tests, inflammation indicators and blood culture results of these patients. Results: The sepsis group compared with the control group, MCV, NE, WBC, PLT, HB, D-Dimer, PT, CRP, PCT, IL-6, ALB, TBIL, Cr, LAC, CysC and BNP were statistically significant. D-dimer, CRP and PCT have higher diagnostic efficiency. Compared with the difference between the infection group and the SIRS group, PLT and IL-6 are statistically significant, and have a certain diagnostic value. Sepsis group VS infection group, WBC, IL-6, NE and TBIL showed statistical differences in the comparison. The AUC of NE was 67.6, which was the largest among the three. The specificity (95.8%) was the highest, but the sensitivity (49%) was low.Conclusions: This retrospective study shows that NE, WBC, and D-dimer can help in the early diagnosis of sepsis. D-dimer performs best. WBC and NE may have a differential diagnosis significance between the sepsis group and the infection group. This result can provide a timely and convenient assessment tool for early diagnosis of sepsis.
Optimized fuzzy logic by Genetic algorithm for identifying the situation of social network users
Authors: khodayar Elham , safi seyyed mohammad , Alikhani Mahboobeh , Taheri Amin , Movaghar Ali , Aghajari Ebrahim
Published: December 2020

Today, mobile social networks and smartphones are highly developed and widely used. Owing to the transfer of vast amounts of data, information, and communication between users, such networks have addressed privacy as a fundamental issue. Recently, there has been a growing interest in identifying the privacy requirements of each user to act independently and dynamically according to the situations and conditions. This paper seeks to meet the privacy requirements of users by identifying their situation. For this purpose, we define a number of significant parameters in compliance with the conditions of users. Also, after inferring the current exact situation of the user, the fuzzy logic is automatically utilized to specify the privacy settings based on the conditions. To increase the accuracy in the identification of user situation, this method employs the genetic algorithm for selecting the coefficients of optimal input parameters in the fuzzy system. In this way, the fuzzy system is able to make a more accurate identification of the user situation. Compared to a similar method, the proposed method shows a better accuracy in identifying the user situation and, as a result, better performance in correctly setting the privacy.