bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Label-Free Quantitative Proteomic Study of The Effect of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) On Rat Ovarian GCs
Authors: Chen Tairen , Wu Mongjing , Dong Yuting , Kong Bin , Cai Yufang , Hei Changchun , Wu Kai , Zhao Chengjun , Chang Qing
Published: October 2021

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a main androgen in the human body. Previous reports have shown that DHT can affect the proliferation, apoptosis and estrogen and progesterone secretion of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). An imbalance in DHT secretion leads to GC dysfunction and follicular development disorder.Therefore, exploring the influence of DHT on GCs is necessary. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of DHT on GCs through label-free quantitative proteomics (LFQP). After primary cultured rat GCs were treated with DHT (10-8 mol/L), the effect of DHT on GCs was analyzed by LFQP, and some of the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were verified by western blotting.A total of 6124.0 proteins were identified, of which 4496.0 were quantifiable. Compared with the control group, 28 proteins were upregulated and 10 were downregulated after DHT intervention. The subcellular localization of DEPs indicates that DHT is involved in the proliferation, migration, molding and metabolism of GCs. Gene Ontology (GO) revealed that DHT downregulated the oxygen transport capacity and oxygen-binding protein of GCs. Orthologous Groups of proteins (COG/KOG) showed that DHT had an important effect on the survival, growth and apoptosis of GCs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) revealed that DHT promotes metabolism, amino acid degradation, chemical carcinogenesis, platelet activation and vasoconstriction in GCs. The western blot results were consistent with the proteomics results. Mark3 and Mre11a are DEPs that were upregulated, and Fth1 and Nqo1 were downregulated, which indicated that DHT could promote the proliferation of GCs.This study comprehensively analyzes the impact of DHT on GCs through LFQP and provides clues for further research.
Decade Long Upsurge In Target Site Pyrethroid Resistance In Bed Bug Populations In The United States
Authors: Lewis Cari D. , Levine Brenna. A. , Schal Coby , Vargo Edward L. , Booth Warren
Published: October 2021

Over the past three decades, the bed bug Cimex lectularius has resurged as a prominent indoor pest on a global scale. Knockdown-associated insecticide resistance (kdr) involving the voltage-gated sodium channel, targeted by organochlorine and pyrethroid insecticides, was first reported in C. lectularius within a few years of the widespread use of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and has been implicated as a significant factor contributing to the species recent resurgence. Since then, selection with pyrethroid insecticides has intensified, yet little is known regarding its short-term impacts on the frequency of kdr-associated mutations. Here, we report temporal changes in the frequencies of three kdr-associated mutations in C. lectularius populations collected across the United States from two time periods, sampled approximately a decade apart. Results reveal a significant increase in the frequencies of kdr-associated mutations over this period, and absence of the insecticide-susceptible genotype in recent collections. Furthermore, a significant transition towards infestations possessing multiple kdr-associated mutations was observed. These results suggest that the persistent use of pyrethroid insecticides over the past decade continues to impose strong selection pressure on C. lectularius populations, driving the proliferation of kdr-associated mutations. They demonstrate that, if unabated, strong anthropogenic selection can drive the rapid evolution of adaptive traits.
Metagenomic Analysis of Lichen Associated Bacterial Community Profiling In Roccella Montagnei
Authors: Vijayakumar Vishnu Raja , Saravanan Karthikeyan , Somasundaram Maharaja , Jayaraj Rajkumar , Annamalai Panneerselvam , Nooruddin Thajuddin , Dharumadurai Dhanasekaran
Published: October 2021

A lichen is a composite organism formed of algae or cyanobacteria that live in a mutually advantageous symbiotic relationship with the filaments (hyphae) of fungus. Three lichen samples were obtained from diverse sites at Kuppanasamy temple, Pollachi, a terrestrial habitat located in Coimbatore, Nithiravilai, Nagercoil, and Ramarpatham, Vedaranyam, both coastal habitats located in Kanyakumari and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu, for this study. Amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA V3 - V4 regions were used for metagenomic study. Aside from the NGS data, distinct types of lichen microbiome profiles were clearly shown. The bacterial diversity in the lichen genera of Roccella montagnei growing in coastal and terrestrial environments was further investigated using common and unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and the QIIME pipeline (1.9.1). By using similarity clustering, the heat map analysis depicts the abundance information of chosen OTUs as well as the similarity and difference between OTUs and lichen samples. Using multiple methods, the Alpha and Beta diversity analysis revealed that there were differences in all of the samples. However, UPGMA tree inference of comparable bacterial community in coastal habitat lichen samples compared to terrestrial habitat validates their evolutionary lineage. As a result, the bacterial population associated with corticolous lichen is dependent on geographic locations, growth substrate, and climatic circumstances of similar lichen genera produced in different habitats and tree substrates.
English Speech Feature Recognition Based On Digital Means
Authors: miao Yuji , Huang Yanan , Da Zhenjing
Published: October 2021

In order to improve the effect of English speech recognition, based on digital means, this paper combines the actual needs of English speech feature recognition to improve the digital algorithm. Moreover, this paper combines fuzzy recognition algorithm to analyze English speech features, and analyzes the shortcomings of traditional algorithms, and proposes the fuzzy digitized English speech recognition algorithm, and builds an English speech feature recognition model on this basis. In addition, this paper conducts time-frequency analysis on chaotic signals and speech signals, eliminates noise in English speech features, improves the recognition effect of English speech features, and builds an English speech feature recognition system based on digital means. Finally, this paper conducts grouping experiments by inputting students' English pronunciation forms, and counts the results of the experiments to test the performance of the system. The research results show that the method proposed in this paper has a certain effect.
Supplemental Hydroxychloroquine Therapy Regulates Adipokines in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With Stable Disease
Authors: Wakiya Risa , Ueeda Kiyo , Shimada Hiromi , Nakashima Shusaku , Kameda Tomohiro , Mansour Mai Mahmoud Fahmy , Kato Mikiya , Miyagi Taichi , Sugihara Koichi , Mizusaki Mao , Mino Rina , Kadowaki Norimitsu , Dobashi Hiroaki
Published: October 2021

Background: In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a higher frequency of atherosclerotic lesions is associated with poor prognosis. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been reported to improve the lifespan and the prognosis of dyslipidaemia in patients with SLE, but the mechanism is unclear. We investigated the effect of supplemental HCQ treatment on the levels of serum cytokines associated with atherosclerosis in patients with stable SLE.Methods: Patients with SLE who received supplemental HCQ and maintained low disease activity between January 2016 and September 2020 were included in this study. Disease activity was assessed by SLE disease activity index, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematous Disease Area and Severity Index and Lupus Low Disease Activity State, and serum complement titres, anti-dsDNA antibodies, serum insulin and serum cytokines (adiponectin, resistin, and leptin) were analyzed before and after HCQ treatment.Results: Forty-one patients (4 males and 37 females, mean age 41.3 ± 13.2 years) were included. Serum adiponectin levels were significantly increased after 3 months of HCQ treatment compared to baseline, and serum resistin levels were significantly reduced. The change in serum resistin level after HCQ administration was correlated with a significant reduction in serum TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-1RA levels.Conclusions: Supplemental HCQ treatment in patients with dsDNA antibodies improved lipid levels. HCQ may improve prognosis by controlling disease activity in SLE and reducing risk factors for atherosclerosis.
First Analyses of Lysine Succinylation Proteome and Overlap between Succinylation and Acetylation in Solenopsis Invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Ye Jingwen , Li Jun
Published: October 2021

Background: Lysine succinylation (Ksu) exists in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and influences a variety of metabolism processes. However, little attention has been paid to Ksu in insects, especially the notorious invasive pest Solenopsis invicta. Results: In this study, the first analyses of Ksu proteome and overlap between Ksu and lysine acetylation (Kac) in S. invicta were presented. 3,753 succinylated sites in 893 succinylated proteins were tested. The dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, V-type proton ATPase subunit G, and tubulin alpha chain all had evolutionary conservatism among diverse ant or bee species. Immunoblotting validation showed that there were many Ksu protein bands with a wide range of molecular mass. In addition, 1,230 sites in 439 proteins were highly overlapped between Ksu and Kac. 54.05% of Ksu proteins in cytoplasm were acetylated. The results demonstrated that Ksu may play a vital part in the allergization, redox metabolism, sugar, fat, and protein metabolism, energy production, immune response, and biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites.Conclusions: Ksu and Kac were two ubiquitous protein post-translational modifications participated in a variety of biological processes. Our results may supply rich resources and a starting point for the molecular basic research of regulation on metabolic pathways and other biological processes by succinylation and acetylation.
Spatial Evaluation of Earthquake Disaster Based On Correlation Characteristics And BP Neural Network
Authors: Zhou Hanxu , Che Ailan , Shuai Xianghua
Published: October 2021

Rapid spatial evaluation of disaster after earthquake occurrence is required in the emergency rescue management, due to its significant support for decreasing casualties and property losses. The earthquake-hit population is taken as an example of earthquake disaster to construct the evaluation model using the data from the 2013 Ms7.0 Lushan earthquake. Ten influencing factors are classified into environmental factors and seismic factors. The correlation analysis reveals characteristics that there is a nonlinear relationship between the earthquake-hit population and various factors, and per capita GDP and PGA factor have a stronger correlation with earthquake-hit population. Moreover, the spatial variability of influencing factors would affect the distribution of earthquake-hit population. The earthquake-hit population is evaluated using BP neural network with optimizing training samples based on the spatial characteristics of per capita GDP and PGA factors. Different number of sample points are generated in areas with different value intervals of influencing factors, instead of the random distribution of sample points. The minimum value of RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) from testing set is 18 people/km2, showing good accuracy in the spatial evaluation of earthquake-hit population. Meanwhile, the optimizing samples considering spatial characteristics could improve the convergence speed and generalization capability comparing to random samples. The trained network was generalized to the 2017 Ms7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake to verify the prediction accuracy. The evaluation results indicate that BP neural network considering the correlation characteristics of factors has the capability to evaluate the seismic disaster information in space, providing more detailed information for emergency service and rescue operation.
Multi-omics Analysis of the Biomarkers and Molecular Mechanism of Rheumatoid Arthritis With Bone Destruction
Authors: Huang Qian , Su Jiang , Zhang Weihua , Chang Shengjia , Li Silin , Zhou Jun , Zhang Jie , Li Xue , Wang Tingting , Jiang Xuejun , Wu Jianhong , Zhu Jing , Zeng Fanxin
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesOur study aimed to elucidate the role of metabolites, bacteria, and fungi in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with bone destruction (BD(+)) and find some biomarkers to predicate bone progression of RA.MethodsWe conducted plasma metabolites of the 127 RA patients and 69 healthy control by using nontargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and the gut bacteria and fungi were assessed by 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS).ResultsCompared with RA patients without bone destruction (BD(-)), some metabolites, bacteria, and fungi altered in BD(+). Sever metabolites were selected as key metabolites for classifying the BD(+) and BD(-) groups with moderate accuracy (AUC=0.71). Metabolites-groups, metabolites-metabolites, and metabolites-clinical factors had a certain correlation, and 7 metabolites were enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism and L-arginine and proline metabolism pathways. The bacteria and fungi of the BD(+) group showed significant differences in composition and function compared with BD(-) group. The changed 4 bacteria and 12 fungi yielded accuracy (AUC=0.74 and AUC=0.87, respectively) for the two groups. Taken 7 metabolites, 4 bacteria and 12 fungi as a panel for AUC analysis, an improved AUC of 0.99 significantly discriminated the two groups. The changed metabolites, gut bacteria, and fungi may affected the pathway related to L-arginine.ConclusionsOur nontargeted LC-MS, 16S rRNA, and ITS highlight a novel link among the metabolites, bacteria, fungi, and pathology of BD(+), which contributed to our understanding of the role of metabolites, bacteria, and fungi in BD(+) aetiology and offers some novel biomarkers to predict the bone progression of RA.
Efficacy of Sigmoidoscopy for Evaluating Disease Activity in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Park Su Bum , Kim Seong-Jung , Lee Jun , Lee Yoo Jin , Baek Dong Hoon , Seo Geom Seog , Kim Eun Soo , Kim Sang-Wook , Kim So Yeong
Published: October 2021

Background: Endoscopic assessment of disease activity is a key parameter in the management of ulcerative colitis. Whether sigmoidoscopy alone is sufficient to evaluate the disease activity in ulcerative colitis lacks studies. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records and endoscopic results of patients with ulcerative colitis followed by colonoscopy in seven tertiary hospitals between January 2012 and December 2018. Endoscopic disease activity was scored using the Mayo Endoscopic Score (MES) and Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) for each segment from the colonoscopy images. Concordance was evaluated by comparing the highest MES and UCEIS in the rectosigmoid and proximal regions to confirm the usefulness of sigmoidoscopy. Results: A total of 500 colonoscopic examinations from 333 patients were enrolled. Only in 7.6% [k(kappa): 0.893, r(Spearman): 0.906, p<0.001] and 8.6% [k(kappa): 0.890, r(Spearman): 0.914; p<0.001] of cases, MES and UCEIS scored more severely in the proximal colon. Comparison of active disease (MES ≥2) in the rectosigmoid area and the entire colon showed a high concordance rate [k(kappa): 0.899, r(Spearman): 0.904, p<0.001]. Endoscopic healing (MES=0) also showed a high concordance rate [k(kappa): 0.882, r(Spearman): 0.887, p<0.001]. In 38 cases (7.6%) of patients with a higher MES in the proximal area, it was significantly higher in patients with previous extensive colitisConclusions: Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy showed a high concordance rate. Therefore, sigmoidoscopy is considered a sufficient substitute for colonoscopy. However, colonoscopy should be considered in patients with previous extensive colitis
Effect of Human Mobility On The Spatial Spread of Airborne Diseases: An Epidemic Model With Indirect Transmission
Authors: David Jummy Funke , Iyaniwura Sarafa A.
Published: October 2021

We extended a class of coupled PDE-ODE models for studying the spatial spread of airborne diseases by incorporating human mobility. Human populations are modeled with patches, and a Lagrangian perspective is used to keep track of individuals’ places of residence. The movement of pathogens in the air is modeled with linear diffusion and coupled to the SIR dynamics of each human population through an integral of the density of pathogen around the population patch. In the limit of fast diffusion pathogens, the method of matched asymptotic analysis is used to reduce the coupled PDE-ODE model to a nonlinear system of ODEs for the average density of pathogens in the air. The reduced system of ODEs is used to derive the basic reproduction number and the final size relation for the model. Numerical simulations of the full PDE-ODE model and the reduced system of ODEs are used to assess the impact of human mobility, together with the diffusion of pathogens on the dynamics of the disease. Results from the two models are consistent and show that human mobility significantly affects disease dynamics. In addition, we show that an increase in the diffusion rate of pathogen leads to a smaller epidemic.
Occurrences of Polar Pesticide Contamination in Niger River Valley and Its Tributary the Mekrou River, Using POCIS Passive Samplers and Survey of Agricultural Practices (Niger Republic)
Authors: ILLATOU Oumar El Farouk MAMAN , GONZALES Catherine , VINCHES Marc
Published: October 2021

The increase in food needs due to high population growth in Niger has led to the intensification of urban agriculture and increased use of pesticides. The objective of this study is to assess the polar pesticide contamination of the Niger River and its tributary, the Mekrou River, in Niger, using both grab sampling and POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers) and evaluate their ecological risks in the waters. Two water sampling campaigns were carried out during the rainy and dry seasons. The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) and allowed the detection of compounds with concentrations above the WHO guide values and the EU directive: diuron with 3281 ng/L (EU quality guideline: 200 ng/L), atrazine with 1476 ng/L (EU quality guideline: 600 ng/L) and acetochlor with 255 ng/L (EU quality guideline: 100 ng/L). Diuron and Atrazine show a high ecological risk for aquatique environment. The main source of this water contamination is the intensive use of pesticides in urban agriculture near the city of Niamey and in an intensive cotton farming in the Benin. The results of surveys showed the influence of poor pesticide application practices and seventy percent (70%) of the pesticides used are not approved by the Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) and some are prohibited in Niger. These contaminations may raise concerns about the health of farmers along the Niger River and the Mekrou River.
Reconfigurable Single-Material Peltier Effect Using Magnetic-Phase Junctions
Authors: Nakagawa Kurea , Yokouchi Tomoyuki , Shiomi Yuki
Published: October 2021

Peltier effects, which produce a heat flux at the junction of two different materials, have been an important technology for heating and cooling by electrical means. Whereas Peltier devices have advantages such as cleanliness, silence, compactness, flexibility, reliability, and efficiency, relatively complicated modular structures are unavoidable, leading to a higher cost than that of commonly used refrigeration technology. Here, we provide a concept of a Peltier device composed of a single magnetic material exhibiting a first-order magnetic transition. Our concept is based on a controllable junction structure consisting of two magnetic phases with opposite Peltier coefficients instead of a semiconductor junction. Using Mn1.96Cr0.04Sb samples with the first-order magnetic transition between ferrimagnetic (FI) and antiferromagnetic (AF) states, we successfully made a stable junction structure of AF/FI/AF by a pulse heating method and achieved a maximum Peltier coefficient of 0.58 mV. Our device concept was further verified by a numerical simulation based on a finite element method. The single-material Peltier effect reported here avoids a complex device design involving material junctions and is importantly reconfigurable.
Determinants of Maternal Healthcare Utilisation Among Pregnant Women in Southern Ethiopia: A Multi-level Analysis
Authors: Gurara MEKDES , Draulans Veerle , Geertruyden Jean-Pierre Van , Jacquemyn Yves
Published: October 2021

Background: In low- and middle-income countries, considerable proportions of women and newborns are dying from easily preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related causes. The utilisation of maternal health care (MHC) is a proven intervention that significantly reduces maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Despite efforts to make MHC available in rural Ethiopia, utilisation of these services remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess MHC services’ status and determinants in rural Ethiopia.Methods: The study used a community-based, cross-sectional design. A pretested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A multilevel, mixed-effects, logistic regression model was used to identify individual and communal factors level factors associated with utilisation of antenatal care (ANC), skilled birth attendance (SBA) and postnatal care (PNC). Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated at a p-value < 0.05, indicating statistical significance.Results: A total of 727 pregnant women from rural areas took part, with a response rate of 99.3%. About 63.4% of the women visited ANC clinics at least once during their last pregnancy while only 46.5% had given birth with SBA, and 32.8% had received PNC. The study revealed that women’s employment, awareness of danger signs and pregnancy planning were associated with increased MHC service utilisation from individual-level factors. The odds of using SBA (AOR=3.3; 95% CI: 1.8–5.9) and PNC (AOR=2.8; 95% CI: 1.2–6.7) were associated with ANC use. Similarly, PNC utilisation was associated with SBA (AOR=3.3; 95% CI: 1.8–6.1). At the cluster level, being a lowlands resident was found to be associated with ANC (AOR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.1–14). Similarly, a proximity of less than two hours of travel time from the nearest health facility was found to be associated with SBA use (AOR=2.9; 95% CI: 1.4–5.8) and ANC use (AOR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.7).Conclusions: Individual and community-level factors play a key role in determining utilization of MHC services. Women’s empowerment, promotion of contraceptive methods to avoid unintended pregnancy and improved access to health care services, particularly in highlands areas, are recommended.
Evolutionary dynamics driving continental radiations of Fagaceae forests across the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Zhou Biao-Feng , Yuan Shuai , Crowl Andrew , Liang Yi-Ye , Shi Yong , Chen Xue-Yan , An Qing-Qing , Kang Ming , Manos Paul , Wang Baosheng
Published: October 2021

Northern Hemisphere forests changed drastically in the early Eocene with the diversification of the oak family (Fagaceae). Cooling climates over the next 20 million years fostered the spread of temperate biomes that became increasingly dominated by oaks and their chestnut relatives. Here we investigate the timing and pattern of major macroevolutionary events and ancient genome-wide signatures of hybridization across Fagaceae. An unparalleled transformation of forest dynamics began with the rapid diversification of major lineages within 15 million years following the K-Pg extinction. Innovations related to seed and pollen dispersal are implicated in triggering waves of continental radiations, while fungal symbioses fortified a competitive edge underground. We detected introgression at multiple time scales, including ancient events predating the origination of genus-level diversity. As oak lineages moved into newly available temperate habitats in the early Miocene, secondary contact between previously isolated species occurred. This resulted in adaptive introgression, further amplifying global proliferation.
Brain Network Study of Attentional Cognitive Impairment in Children with Bronchial Asthma
Authors: Jiang Kaihua , Zhu Lin , Ge Yawen , Shangguan Qiuling , Chen Yi , He Ye , Wu Jianfeng , Qin Congyin , Xiong Jianxin , Zhao Jing
Published: October 2021

Bronchial asthma is a common clinical disease in pediatrics. It affects brain function and causes cognitive impairment due to long-term hypoxia in the brain. Studies have shown attention deficits in asthma children, but lack the basis for brain studies. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based on functional connectivity analysis was used in this study, and 31 asthma children and typically developing children (TDC) were compared in degree centricity (DC), voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) and continuous performance test (CPT). The study found that the correct number of CPT in the asthma group was significantly lower than the TDC group. And the reaction time in the asthma group was significantly longer than the TDC group. Compared with TDC group, asthma children exhibited lower DC value in the right superior frontal gyrus (after FDR correction, P<0.05). Meanwhile, asthma children exhibited lower VMHC value in bilateral superior frontal gyrus and bilateral superior parietal lobule (after FDR correction, P<0.05). The study found that the impaired functions of superior frontal gyrus and superior parietal lobule were related to the attention deficit of asthma children which were the key nodes of the default network and the dorsal attention network. This study will provide objective indicators for the evaluation of attention in asthma children and provide scientific basis for early clinical intervention.
Pathogenicity and Effects on Lymphoid Organs of Recent Moroccan Very Virulent Infectious Bursal Disease Virus in Broilers and SPF Chickens
Authors: TOUZANI Charifa DRISSI , MAAROUFI Imane , FELLAHI Siham , BERBRI Ikhlass EL , SIKHT Fatima-zohra , FIHRI Ouafaa FASSI , TLIGUI Noursaid , HOUADFI Mohammed EL
Published: October 2021

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the pathogenicity of recent infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) (1/chicken/Morocco/IB19/2017) genetically characterized as vvIBDV belonging to genogroup 3.Two chicken lines, broiler and speciﬁc-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens, were inoculated by occulonasal route with 0.2 ml of the 105EID50 /ml of viral solution of IB19 vvIBDV strain at 29 days of age. The experimental monitoring was carried out during 10 days post challenge (dpc). The clinical signs stared on day 2 pc with maximum severity observed between 3 and 6 dpc. The total mortality rate reached 10% in broilers (group G1) and 93% in SPF (G3). The macroscopic lesions in broilers G1 was a marked hypertrophy of the bursa of Fabricius (BF) with slight haemorrhage observed between 2 to 4 dpc, followed by very pronounced atrophy observed on the 5 dpc. The post-mortem examinations of dead SPF birds (G3) revealed on 3 dpc very haemorrhagic BF with black cherry appearance in 80 % of dead birds. The mean Bursa/Body Index (BBI) of challenged broilers (G1) showed a decrease of 46% on day 9 pc compared to broilers control group (G2) indicating bursal atrophy. The microscopic lesions found in the BF on 3 dpc consisted mainly of inflammation with severe lymphoid depletion of the follicles. The evaluation of recent vvIBDV outbreak is very important to understand its epidemiology and will contribute to the efficient prevention and control of IBD.
Research on The Bonding Properties of Vitrified Bonds With Porous Diamonds and The Grinding Performance of Porous Diamond Abrasive Tools
Authors: LI Jianwei , FANG Wenjun , WAN Long , LIU Xiaopan , HU Weida , CAO Dan , HAN Kai , LI Yingying , YAN Yonggao
Published: October 2021

Ordinary diamond presents the disadvantages of poor self-sharpening and concentrated grinding stress when it is used as an abrasive. Moreover, this kind of diamond cannot be well wetted by the vitrified bond, resulting in a lower holding force of the binder to the abrasives (i.e., the diamond is easy to detach from the binder matrix during grinding). These comprehensive factors not only reduce the surface quality of the processed workpiece, but also hinder the processing efficiency. In order to solve these problems, a new type of porous diamond with high self-sharpening properties was prepared using a thermochemical corrosion method in this study. Our results showed a great improvement in pore volume and specific surface area of the porous diamond compared with ordinary diamond abrasive particles, and the holding force and wettability of vitrified bond to the porous diamond abrasive particles were also improved. Compared with ordinary diamond abrasive tools, porous diamond abrasive tools showed a 29.6% increase in grinding efficiency, a 15.5% decreased in grinding ratio, a 27.5% reduction in workpiece surface roughness, and the scratches on the silicon wafer surface were reduced and refined.
Smoke Removal and Image Enhancement of Laparoscopic Images by An Artificial Multi-Exposure Image Fusion Method
Authors: Azam Muhammad Adeel , Khan Khan Bahadar , Rehman Eid , Khan Sana Ullah
Published: October 2021

In laparoscopic surgery, image quality is often degraded by surgical smoke or by side effects of the illumination system, such as reflections, specularities, and non-uniform illumination. The degraded images complicate the work of the surgeons and may lead to errors in image-guided surgery. Existing enhancement algorithms mainly focus on enhancing global image contrast, overlooking local contrast. Here, we propose a new Patch Adaptive Structure Decomposition utilizing the Multi-Exposure Fusion (PASD-MEF) technique to enhance the local contrast of laparoscopic images for better visualization. The set of under-exposure level images are obtained from a single input blurred image by using gamma correction. Spatial linear saturation is applied to enhance image contrast and to adjust the image saturation. The Multi-Exposure Fusion (MEF) is used on a series of multi-exposure images to obtain a single clear and smoke-free fused image. MEF is applied by using adaptive structure decomposition on all image patches. Image entropy based on the texture energy is used to calculate image energy strength. The texture entropy energy determined the patch size that is useful in the decomposition of image structure. The proposed method effectively eliminate smoke and enhance the degraded laparoscopic images. The qualitative results showed that the visual quality of the resultant images is improved and smoke-free. Furthermore, the quantitative scores computed of the metrics: FADE, Blur, JNBM, and Edge Intensity are significantly improved as compared to other existing methods.
The Effect of SPIO Nanoparticles Size on Transduction of PEGylated Lentiviral Vector
Authors: Omid Hamed , Paryab Amirhosein , Nakhli Yasamin , Moradzadeh Kobra , Sajadi Nasim , Hosseini Hamid Reza Madaah , Ahmadbeigi Naser
Published: October 2021

Gene editing has revealed many promising opportunities for the treatment of severe diseases including cancers and autoimmunes. There are two main routes for gene delivery: viral and non-viral. Recent research shows viral methods are very close to clinical trials. Nevertheless, there are a couple of obstacles to remove such as difficulty in virus concentration, low efficiency of transduction, and being time-consuming. In this work, by employing magnetic nanoparticles (NP) we tried to solve these problems. Conjugating these nanoparticles to viruses by polyethylene glycol (PEG) can increase sedimentation of viruses due to magnetic and gravity forces even without ultracentrifuge. Moreover, this magnetic force can guide viruses toward cells and tremendously facilitate the transduction process. Nanoparticle size has significant effects and should be considered for this application. As shown, average size nanoparticles revealed the best performance especially in combination with salting-out precipitation and increased transduction efficiency more than 20-fold.
A Novel Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signature For Clinically Predicting Recurrence After Hepatectomy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.
Authors: Wang Huaxiang , Xu Fengfeng , Ke Ruisheng , Hu Huanzhang , Fang Jian , Jiang Yi
Published: October 2021

Background: The high HCC recurrence rate was the main reason for the poor prognosis after hepatectomy. In this present study, we identified a novel ferroptosis-related gene signature for clinically predicting HCC recurrence after hepatectomy.Methods: Ferroptosis-related genes were obtained from the FerrDb database. We identified the ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (FDEGs) between HCC tissues and normal tissues from the GSE14520 dataset. These FDEGs were used to perform a univariate and multivariate regression analysis to construct HCC recurrence models. An independent HCC cohort from TCGA database was used to validate the reliability of the multi-gene HCC recurrence model. The predictive nomogram and DCA was built to estimate the recurrence predicting capacity of the multi-gene signature. GO, KEGG and GSEA were used to further investigate the potential mechanism of these FDEGs.Results: A total of 39 FDEGs were identified. A seven-gene signature (MAPK9, SLC1A4, PCK2, ACSL3, STMN1, CDO1, and CXCL2) was constructed for HCC recurrence prediction. Patients in high-risk groups exhibited a significantly poor prognosis compared with low-risk patients in both the training set (GSE14520 cohort) and the validation set (TCGA cohort). Multivariate cox regression analysis demonstrated that the 7-gene signature were independent risk factors for RFS in HCC patients. The nomograms incorporating 7-gene signature and clinical prognostic risk factors were able to effectively predict RFS. KEGG analysis showed that FDEGs were mainly enriched in Ferroptosis, Hepatocellular carcinoma pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and so on. GSEA analysis revealed that the high-risk group was enriched with multiple oncology characteristics and invasive-related pathways.Conclusion: Our study constructed a seven ferroptosis-related gene signature and established a prognostic nomogram for clinically predicting recurrence after hepatectomy and offered novel research directions for personalized treatment in HCC patients.
Strategies of Preserving Genetic Diversity While Maximizing Genetic Response From Implementing Genomic Selection in Pulse Breeding Programs
Authors: Li Yongjun , Kaur Sukhjiwan , Pembleton Luke W. , Valipour-Kahrood Hossein , Rosewarne Garry M. , Daetwyler Hans D.
Published: October 2021

Using a stochastic computer simulation, we investigated the benefit of optimization strategies in the context of genomic selection (GS) for pulse breeding programs. We simulated GS for moderately complex to highly complex traits such as disease resistance, grain weight and grain yield in multiple environments with a high level of genotype-by-environment interaction for grain yield. GS led to higher genetic gain per unit of time and higher genetic diversity loss than phenotypic selection by shortening the breeding cycle time. The genetic gain obtained from selecting the segregating parents early in the breeding cycle (at F1 or F2 stages) was substantially higher than selecting at later stages even though prediction accuracy was moderate. Increasing the number of F1 intercross (F1i) families and keeping the total number of progeny of F1i families constant, we observed a decrease in genetic gain and increase in genetic diversity. Whereas increasing the number of progeny per F1i family while keeping a constant number of F1i families increased rate of genetic gain and had higher genetic diversity loss per unit of time. Adding 50 F2 family phenotypes to the training population increased the accuracy of GEBVs and genetic gain per year and decreased the rate of genetic diversity loss. Genetic diversity could be preserved by applying a strategy that restricted both the percentage of alleles fixed and the average relationship of the group of selected parents to preserve long-term genetic improvement in the pulse breeding program.
Site-specific Equivalent Linear Response Analysis and Liquefaction Hazard Evaluation of Hawassa Town, Main Ethiopian Rift
Authors: Ayele Alemayehu , Woldearegay Kifle , Meten Matebie
Published: October 2021

Liquefaction is one of the geotechnical earthquake issues when a soil subjected to high strain due to dynamic loading and causes damage of the infrastructure. The main objective of this study is to predict the ground motion parameter and evaluate the potential of soil to liquefaction in Hawassa town. The site was characterized and classified based on the SPT-N values and average shear wave velocity (Vs30). The SPT-N value in Hawassa town ranges from 5-50. Whilst the Vs30 varies from 245-365m/s. The site class was C and D based on the NEHRP (2015) whereas B and C based on the EC8 (2003). The effects of the liquefaction are predicted using equivalent linear response analysis and liquefaction hazard evaluation methods at the five typical sites. Equivalent linear response analysis was used to determine local site effect in terms of PGA (g), SA (g) and maximum strain (%).Whereas the liquefaction hazard evaluations were done by liquefaction susceptibility criteria, factor of safety (FS), liquefaction potential index (LPI), probability of liquefaction (PL) and probability of liquefaction induced ground failure (PG). The predicted ground motion parameter shown: (i) PGA (g) values at surface ranges from 0.16g to 0.27g, (ii) the maximum strain (%) is less than 0.01 and (iii) the SA (g) vary from 0.7g to 1.2g with in the period interval of 0.1se and 1sec. The FS was less than unity for the typical one site and greater than unity for the other typical 4 sites. As a result, the liquefaction will be occurred only at the typical one site than other typical four sites for the given input motion. It is also evident that the typical one site has very high LPI, very likely to the PL and extremely high to PG than the other typical four sites. The findings from the present study will be helpful in retrofitting, analysis, design of structures and solving practical challenges in earthquake engineering.
Evaluation of Different OCT Systems in Quantitative Imaging of Human Schlemm's Canal
Authors: Wu Xuan , Tan Bingyao , Gan Jinyuan , Lam Adeline , Chen Yibing , Liu Xinyu , Chua Jacqueline , Wong Damon , Ang Marcus , Schmetterer Leopold , Yao Xinwen
Published: October 2021

We examined the performance of human Schlemm’s canal (SC) imaging using different OCT devices: CIRRUS 5000 (840nm, spectral-domain (SD)-OCT), PLEX Elite 9000 (1060nm, swept-source (SS)-OCT) and CASIA SS-1000 (1310nm, SS-OCT), and analyzed potential impact factors on visualization and the quantitative assessment of SC morphology. Ten healthy subjects were imaged using three OCT devices by a single experienced operator on the same day. Each eye underwent two cubic scans by each device, one on nasal and the other on temporal quadrant. The B-scan showing the largest SC was manually selected for processing. Four quantitative metrics, including one morphological metric as cross-sectional area (CSA), and three performance metrics as contrast, continuity, and coverage, were derived from the datasets. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to investigate the difference between these parameters from the three devices (P < 0.05). We found the CSA measured from CIRRUS was significantly larger than PLEX, followed by CASIA. The contrast was highest in CIRRUS, followed by PLEX and CASIA. The coverage was also higher in CIRRUS as compared to PLEX and CASIA. No significant difference was seen in the continuity from the three devices. In summary, we showed the measurements from the three devices were not interchangeable.
Maling Bamboo (Yushania Maling) Overdominance Alters Forest Structure and Composition in Khangchendzonga Landscape, Eastern Himalaya
Authors: Gaira Kailash , Pandey Aseesh , Sinha Sheila , Badola Hemant , Lepcha Jhony , Dhyani Pitamber P. , Chettri Nakul
Published: October 2021

The Khangchendzonga Landscape (KL), a part of ‘Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot’, is known for its unique biodiversity. In recent years the KL experiencing threats to biodiversity due to biological overdominance of native species such as Maling bamboo (Yushania maling). In the present study, we investigated the impacts of the overdominance of Y. maling on the forest composition of Singalila National Park (SNP), Eastern Himalaya, India. Elevational habitats 2400 to 3400 m asl were surveyed by laying 69 (10m x 10m) forest plots including 51 bamboo plots and 18 non-bamboo plots. Bamboo plots showed significantly (p<0.05) low species richness and density in both shrub and herb layers which further manifested the low seedling density. Generalized Additive Model (GAM) estimated a significant (p<0.0001) decline in species richness and density with increasing bamboo density in SNP. Our study projects the overdominance of Y. maling has a significant negative impact on forest structure and composition. Therefore, management of invasiveness of Y. maling is essential through its optimized removal and utilization in handicrafts to create ecological and economic benefits. Further long-term studies assessing the impacts of Y. maling overdominance on forest ecosystems and soil dynamics are recommended.
Elevated Expression of Urokinase Plasminogen Activator in Rodent Models and Patients With Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Authors: Vervuurt Marc , Zhu Xiaoyue , Schrader Joseph , de Kort Anna , Marques Tainá , Kersten Iris , Ton Annemieke Peters van , Abdo Wilson , Schreuder Floris , Rasing Ingeborg , Terwindt Gisela , Wermer Marieke , Greenberg Steven , Klijn Catharina , Kuiperij Bea , Nostrand William Van , Verbeek Marcel
Published: October 2021

Objective: To study the association of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) with development and progression of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in a rat model for CAA type-I (rTg-DI) and in patients with sporadic (sCAA) and Dutch-type hereditary CAA (D-CAA). Additionally, to investigate the potential of uPA to serve as a diagnostic biomarker of CAA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with sCAA and D-CAA.Methods: We studied the expression of uPA mRNA by qPCR and co-localization of uPA with amyloid-β (Aβ) using immunohistochemistry in the cerebral vasculature of rTg-DI rats compared to wild type (WT) rats and in an sCAA patient and control subject using immunohistochemistry. CSF levels of uPA were measured in rTg-DI and WT rats and in two separate cohorts of sCAA and D-CAA patients and controls, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).Results: The presence of uPA was clearly detected in the cerebral vasculature of rTg-DI rats and an sCAA patient, but not in WT rats or a non-CAA human control. uPA expression was highly co-localized with microvascular Aβ deposits. In rTg-DI rats, uPA mRNA expression was highly elevated at 3 months of age (coinciding with the emergence of microvascular CAA deposition) and sustained up to 12 months of age (with severe microvascular CAA deposition) compared to WT rats. CSF uPA levels were elevated in rTg-DI rats compared to WT rats (p=0.03), and in two separate, independent groups of sCAA patients compared to controls (after adjustment for age of subjects, p=0.05 and p=0.03). No differences in CSF uPA levels were found between asymptomatic and symptomatic D-CAA patients and their respective controls (after age-adjustment, p=0.09 and p=0.44).Conclusion: uPA expression appears linked to the onset of CAA in rTg-DI rats. Increased cerebrovascular expression of uPA in CAA correlates with increased quantities of CSF uPA in rTg-DI rats and human CAA patients, suggesting that uPA could serve as a biomarker for CAA. No differential expression levels of uPA in CSF of (a)symptomatic D-CAA patients were discovered. These studies also further support the use of rTg-DI rat models as a useful preclinical model for the study of human CAA type-I.
Study on Influencing Factors to HIV Health Services Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) from 2013 to 2021
Authors: Lin Bing , Liu Jiaxiu , Pan Hong , Ma Yingjie , Zhong Xiaoni
Published: October 2021

Background We assessed the utilization of HIV health services and its influencing factors on consistent condom use, HIV testing and HIV counseling among men who have sex with men (MSM) based on Andersen Behavioral Model, so as to provide a theoretical basis for future infectious disease prevention and control strategies and health services policy formulation.method This is a cross-sectional study from 2013 to 2021. A sample survey was conducted in southwest China including Chongqing, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Guangxi, and an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among MSM who met the requirements and were recruited. Based on Anderson Behavioral Model, the questionnaire divided the influencing factors into predisposing factor, enabling factor and need factor. There were 2908 valid questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the utilization of health services.Results In the survey of HIV health services, 36.49% of respondents consistently used condoms, 82.81% had HIV testing, and 65.61% had HIV counseling. It can be obtained that among the predisposing factor, older age is a factor that promotes HIV testing but is a hindrance to consistent condom use. Condom use was higher among MSM who were Ethnic Han and had an education level of "junior high or below". Among the enabling factor, not finding a sexual partner through the Internet, not having commercial sex were associated with consistent condom use. Urban and high income were enablers of HIV testing and HIV counseling. Among the need factor, improved HIV knowledge could promote HIV testing and HIV counseling among MSM.Conclusions For these groups, MSM with high-risk characteristics should be identified as a priority in the future public health services. HIV knowledge should be promoted in health education, and mental health diagnosis and treatment also should be strengthened.
Stabilization of 1D Solitons By Fractional Derivatives In Systems With Quintic Nonlinearity
Authors: Stephanovich V. A. , Olchawa W.
Published: October 2021

We study theoretically the properties of a soliton solution of the fractional Schrödinger equation with quintic nonlinearity. Under ”fractional” we understand the Schrödinger equation, where ordinary Laplacian (second spatial derivative in 1D) is substituted by its fractional counterpart with Lévy index α. We speculate that the latter substitution corresponds to phenomenological account for disorder in a system. Using analytical (variational and perturbative) and numerical arguments, we have shown that while in the case of Schrödinger equation with the ordinary Lapla-cian (corresponding to Lévy index α = 2), the soliton is unstable, even infinitesimal difference α from 2 immediately stabilizes the soliton texture. Our analytical and numerical investigations of ω(N) dependence (ω is soliton frequency and N its mass) show (within the famous Vakhitov-Kolokolov criterion) the stability of our soliton texture in the fractional α < 2 case. Direct numerical analysis of the linear stability problem of soliton texture also confirms this point. We show analytically and numerically that fractional Schrödinger equation with quintic nonlinearity admits the existence of (stable) soliton textures at 2/3 < α < 2, which is in accord with existing literature data. These results may be relevant to both Bose-Einstein condensates in cold atomic gases and optical solitons in the disordered media.