bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compensation method for complex hysteresis characteristics on piezoelectric actuator based on Separated Level-loop Prandtl–Ishlinskii model
Authors: Yang Yixiao , An Dong , Xu Ying , Shao Meng , Li Yupeng
Published: February 2021

Piezoelectric ceramic actuators exhibit nonlinear hysteresis characteristics owing to their material properties. To modify the inverse piezoelectric effect as an ideal linear execution, the classical Prandtl–Ishlinskii (PI) model is usually used for compensation by feedforward control. The PI model compensates well on simple hysteresis characteristics. However, when the output requirements are complex, the PI model demonstrates uneven compensation accuracy on the complex hysteresis characteristics and cannot achieve an accuracy similar to that of simple hysteresis. This paper proposes a simplification of complex hysteresis: Separated Level-loop PI (SLPI) model. First, we use a loop-separation logic algorithm to simplify the complex hysteresis characteristics to obtain hysteresis in the form of single loops with loop levels and vertexes. Second, the hysteresis characteristics of each loop are independently modeled using the PI model. Finally, the inverse model is reconstructed using a rollback method to restore a positive sequence of the feedforward voltage; then, the feedforward voltage is input as a compensation value to achieve higher and more uniform accuracy. Experiments and discussions show that the SLPI model can effectively improve the compensation results of complex hysteresis characteristics; moreover, the average compensation accuracy difference between single hysteresis loops was reduced.
Histological specificity and diagnostic performance of a six-biomarker panel of lung cancer: An evaluation of a geographically-based multicenter study in China
Authors: Li Ming , Zhang Yi , Jiang Li , Li Yan , Li Gang , Zhou Jianping , Yang Chen , Li Xinhui , Qu Wei , Chen Yong , Chen Qing , Wang Wei , Wang Shukui , Xing Jin liang , Huang Huayi
Published: February 2021

Background: Lung cancer is the most common neoplasm among all cancers worldwide. Early diagnosis with minimal invasive procedures is ideal for lowering the patients’ burden and increasing survival rates. The value of serum tumor biomarkers used in lung cancer screening is still controversial in clinical practice.Methods: Serum levels of ProGRP, NSE, SCC-Ag, CEA, CYFRA21-1, and HE4 were measured using the chemiluminescence immunoassay in apparently healthy Chinese individuals, as well as in those with benign non-cancerous diseases, lung cancer patients, and those suffering other types of malignancies. Data was analyzed utilizing the SPSS version 18.0 statistical software. Results: All 6 serum biomarkers in lung cancers were significantly higher than in benign non-cancerous diseases and healthy controls. HE4 levels in benign diseases were significantly higher than in healthy controls. SCC-Ag, CEA, and CYFRA21-1 levels in lung cancers were significantly higher than in other malignancies. ProGRP and NSE levels in SCLC were significantly higher than in other histologic types; SCC-Ag and CYFRA21-1 levels in SCC were significantly higher than in other histologic types; the HE4 level in SCLC was also significantly higher than in SCC and adenocarcinoma, while adenocarcinoma had the highest serum CEA level comparing to SCC and SCLC. Serum ProGRP, NSE, and HE4 in SCLC were significantly higher than in NSCLC, SCC-Ag level in NSCLC was significantly higher than in SCLC. All biomarkers in advanced stages were significantly higher than in lower stages. NSE, HE4, and ProGRP presented relative high performance in SCLC. CYFRA21-1, HE4, and SCC-Ag indicated relative high performance in SCC. All biomarkers had relatively low performance on adenocarcinoma histologic type. The best performance of 2-marker combination was SCC-Ag+CYFRA21-1 for SCC, ProGRP+NSE for SCLC, CEA+CYFRA21-1 for adenocarcinoma. A combination of SCC+CEA+CYFRA21-1 gained highest performance for NSCLC.Conclusions: A 6-biomarker panel had capability on characterizing lung cancer and presented high performance individually and combinatorically on different histologic types of the neoplasm. HE4 showed high sensitivity to all histologic types of the malignancy; however, one should be cautious since its level also increased in benign non-cancerous diseases.
The effect of GSK-3β in arsenic-induced apoptosis of malignant tumor cells: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gao Xin , Deng Bin , Ran Shanshan , Li Shugang
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Arsenic has been reported to induce apoptosis in malignant tumor cells, therefore, it may be regarded as a treatment for some cancers. The mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, mediated by GSK-3β, plays an important role in tumor cell apoptosis. Nonetheless, the regulation of GSK-3β by arsenic remains controversial. Materials and Methods: We included 19 articles, which conducts the role of GSK-3β in the process of arsenic-induced tumor cell apoptosis by the meta-analysis. Results: Compared with the control group, the expression of GSK-3β (SMD=-0.92,95% CI (-1.78,-0.06)), p-Akt (SMD=-5.46,95% CI (-8.67,-2.24)) were reduced in the arsenic intervention group. Meanwhile, the combined treatment of arsenic and Akt agonist can inhibit the expression of p-GSK-3β. Using the dose and time subgroup analysis, it was shown that the low-dose and sub-chronic arsenic exposure could inhibit the expression of p-Akt (P<0.05). In the subgroup analysis of GSK-3β sites, arsenic could inhibit p-Akt and GSK-3β (Ser9) (SMD =-0.95, 95% CI (-1.56,-0.33)). There was a dose-related effect seen between arsenic (≤8 μmol/L) and p-GSK-3β, and the expression of p-GSK-3β was gradually followed by the arsenic dose. When arsenic acted on GSK-3β (ser9), the expression of Mcl-1 and pro-caspase-3 were dropped, while the loss rate of mitochondrial membrane potential and cleaved-caspase-3 were increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that arsenic could inhibit the expression of GSK-3β (Ser9) and then induce tumor cell apoptosis. It might be correlated with arsenic inhibiting p-Akt, down-regulating GSK-3β, and triggering the Mcl-1-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
Efficient lignin decomposing microbial consortium to hasten rice-straw composting with moderate GHGs fluxes
Authors: Dash Pradeep Kumar , Padhy Soumya Ranjan , Bhattacharyya Pratap , Pattanayak Ankita , Routray Soumya , Panneerselvam Periyasamy , Nayak Amaresh Kumar , Pathak Himanshu
Published: February 2021

We hypothised that lignin decomposition microbial consortium would make rice-straw decomposition faster as straw contain around 15–24% lignin. In this study, we isolated lignin degrading microbes from four natural sources and based on their ability towards lignin degradation four microbial strains and their combination (2 bacteria (LB 8, LB 18) and 2 fungi (LF 3, LF 9) were selected for rice straw decomposition. During straw decomposition greenhouse gases emission, enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, cellulase, laccase), reduction in lignin content, weight loss and carbon nitrogen ratio (C:N) were quantified. The β-glucosidase, cellulase and laccase activities were higher in LB 18 + LF 3 consortium as compared to others. The lignin content was also decreased (8.9–9.5 to 6.6–7.9%) continuously from initial to 28th days of composting under LB 18 + LF 3. We found the microbial consortium LB 18 + LF 3 decomposed the rice straw faster as indicated by reduction of C:N ratio and reduction of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose contents of 60, 19.2, 41.5 and 10.3%, respectively at 28th day from initial compare to other strains/consortium. However, higher, CH4 and CO2 fluxes were observed at 28th days after composting (1.36 and 200.7 mg m− 2 h− 1) with no significant trend in N2O flux. Further, the consortium identified could be tested for in-situ straw decomposition with proper moisture management to evaluate its potential in field condition. Therefore, we conclude that use of lignin decomposing microbial consortium has the potential to hasten the composting of rice straw in large scale, so viable option to reduce the menace of straw burning.
Preparation of Cellulose-based fluorescent materials as coating pigment by use of reversible DMSO/DBU/CO2 system
Authors: Cao Qinghua , Dai Jinyue , Bao Xin , Zhang Zhenyu , Liu Fei , Feng Yuhong , Na Haining , Zhu Jin
Published: February 2021

A series of cellulose-based fluorescent materials are prepared under relative mild condition by use of the particular reversible DMSO/DBU/CO2 system to utilize as coating pigments. Through the observation under 365nm UV light, the cellulose-based fluorescent materials exhibit good fluorescence response and bright color. Furthermore, due to the limitation of the molecular skeleton of cellulose, the intrinsic aggregation caused quenching phenomenon commonly existed in conventional organic fluorescent pigments can be effectively inhibited, which is very helpful to retain good fluorescence response in epoxy-based coating material and its coating films. Moreover, the addition of cellulose-based fluorescent materials also increases the mechanical properties of the coating film. The increase of tensile strength and tensile modulus respectively reaches ~ 39% and ~ 66%. Solvent resistance and thermal property of the coating films generally remain unchanged. The fabrication of cellulose-based fluorescent materials in DMSO/DBU/CO2 system provides a feasible way to develop the functional application of cellulose.
Evaluation of the effects of human dental pulp stem cells on the biological phenotype of hypertrophic keloid fibroblasts
Authors: Fu Ling-ling , Yan Ming , Nada Ola A. , Chen Li-ming , Gosau Martin , Smeets Ralf , feng hongchao , Friedrich Reinhard E.
Published: February 2021

Background Despite numerous existing treatments for keloids, the responses in the clinic have been disappointing due to either low efficacy or side effects. Numerous studies dealing with preclinical and clinical trials have been published about effective therapies for fibrotic diseases using mesenchymal stem cells, However, no research has yet been reported to scientifically investigate the effect of HDPSCs on the treatment of keloids.The objective is to provide an experimental basis to provide a novel proposal for the application of stem cells in the treatment of keloids.Methods HNFs and HKFs were cultured alone and in combination with DPSCs using a trans-well cell-contact-independent cell culture system. The effects of DPSCs on HKFs were tested using CCK-8 assay, Live/dead staining assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot．Results DPSCs don’t inhibited HKFs and HNFs proliferation and induce apoptosis, but inhibited migration. Furthermore, DPSCs significantly decreased expression of profibrotic genes, transforming growth factor-β 1，and transforming growth factor-β 2. DPSCs suppressed the ECM synthesis in HKFs, as indicated by decreased expression of collagen I and fibronectin and low levels of hydroxyproline in cell culture supernatant． Conclusions 1) Co-culture of DPSCs inhibits the migration of HKFs but does not affect the proliferation and apoptosis of HKFs.2) DPSCs co-culture inhibits the expression of pro-fibrotic genes and promotes the expression of anti-fibrotic genes in HKFs.3) DPSCs co-culture inhibits the synthesis of extracellular matrix by HKFs.
Laser Ablation of Titanium Alloy (Ti64): Effects of Process Parameters on Performance of Laser Welded Ti64 – Polyamide 6.6 Joints.
Authors: Al-Sayyad Adham , Salah Farah , Bardon Julien , Hirchenhahn Pierre , Shihata Lamia , Houssiau Laurent , Plapper Peter
Published: February 2021

Laser welding of metals – polymers has gained strong scientific and industrial interest because of its ability to produce miniaturized joints in lightweight products with customized properties. Surface pretreatments before joining process have shown significant impact on enhancing properties of laser welded metal – polymer joints. This work adopts a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach to investigate the influence of titanium alloy (Ti64) laser ablation parameters on the performance of laser welded Ti64 – polyamide (PA6.6) assemblies. In this first study, significant laser ablation parameters were highlighted, process window outlined, and optimal parameters identified. Laser ablation pretreatment parameters demonstrated a strong influence on joint resistance to failure. Effects of laser ablation parameters on titanium surface morphology were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). In a second study, the effects of ablation parameters on Ti64 surface properties and welding quality will be investigated.
COVID-19 fake news diffusion across Latin America
Authors: Ceron Wilson , Sanseverino Gabriela Gruszynski , de-Lima-Santos Mathias-Felipe , Quiles Marcos G.
Published: February 2021

Fact-checking verifies a multitude of claims and remains a promising solution to fight fake news. The spread of rumors, hoaxes, and conspiracy theories online is evident in times of crisis, when fake news ramped up across platforms, increasing fear and confusion amongst the population as seen in the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores fact-checking initiatives in Latin America, using an original Markov-based computational method to cluster topics on tweets and identify their diffusion between different datasets. Drawing on a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods, including time-series analysis, network analysis and in-depth close reading, our article proposes an in-depth tracing of COVID-related false information across the region, comparing if there is a pattern of behavior through the countries. We rely on the open Twitter application programming interface (API) connection to gather data from public accounts of the six major fact-checking agencies in Latin America, namely: Argentina ( Chequeado ), Brazil ( Agência Lupa ), Chile ( Mala Espina Check ), Colombia ( Colombia Check from Consejo de Redacción ), Mexico ( El Sabueso from Animal Político ) and Venezuela ( Efecto Cocuyo ). In total, these profiles account for 102,379 tweets that were collected between January and July 2020. Our study offers insights into the dynamics of online information dissemination beyond the national level and demonstrates how politics intertwine with the health crisis in this period. Our method is capable of clustering topics in a period of overabundance of information, as we fight not only a pandemic but also an infodemic, evidentiating opportunities to understand and slow the spread of false information.
Intensive Care Unit and Hospital Outcomes of Patients Admitted with Blastomycosis: A 14-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Almodallal Yahya , Alkurashi Adham K , Albitar Hasan Ahmad Hasan , Jenad Hussam , Prueksaritanond Suartcha , Tedja Rudy , Pannu Bibek , Jagtap Prashant , iyer vivek
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Blastomycosis is an uncommon; potentially life threatening granulomatous fungal infection. The aim of this study is to report hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes of patients admitted with blastomycosis. Methods: All patients admitted for treatment of blastomycosis at the Mayo Clinic-Rochester, Minnesota between 01/01/2006 and 09/30/2019 were included. Demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, ICU admission, and outcomes were reviewed.Results: A total of 84 Patients were identified with 93 unique hospitalizations primarily for blastomycosis. The median age at diagnosis was 49 (IQR 28.1-65, range: 6-85) years and 56 (66.7%) were male. The most frequent comorbidities incl­uded hypertension (n=28, 33.3%); immunosuppressed state (n=25, 29.8%) and diabetes mellitus (n=21, 25%). The lungs were the only organ involved in 56 (66.7%) cases and the infection was disseminated in 19 (22.6%) cases. A total of 29 patients (34.5%) underwent ICU admission due to complications of blastomycosis. ICU related events included mechanical ventilation (n=21, 25%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n=13, 15.5%), tracheostomy (n=9, 10.7%), renal replacement therapy (n=8, 9.5%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (n=4, 4.8%). A total of 12 patients (14.3%) died in the hospital; all of whom had undergone ICU admission. In-hospital mortality was associated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) (P=0.0255).Conclusions: Blastomycosis is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection that results in significant morbidity and mortality with a 34.5% ICU admission rate. Renal replacement therapy was associated with in-hospital mortality.
Highly-porous Uniformly-sized Amidoxime-functionalized Cellulose Beads Prepared by Microfluidics with N-methylmorpholine N-oxide
Authors: Baek Seung-Yeop , Park Soo-Young
Published: February 2021

Uniformly-sized porous cellulose beads functionalized with amidoxime groups were prepared for the first time using a microfluidic method with N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) monohydrate as a cellulose solvent. The molten state cellulose dope in NMMO monohydrate (cell/NMMO dope) as a disperse phase and hot mineral oil as a continuous phase were used in a T-junction microfluidic chip to produce uniformly-sized cell/NMMO droplets. Coagulation of the molten state cell/NMMO droplet at high temperature and amidoxime functionalization could prepare the highly-porous spherical amidoxime-functionalized cellulose beads with a uniform fibrous open internal structure. The prepared amidoxime-functionalized cellulose beads showed excellent metal adsorption properties with a maximum adsorption capacity of ~ 80 mg g− 1 in the case of Cu2+/phthalate ions. The newly developed highly-porous cellulose beads can open many new applications with other proper functionalization at the reactive hydroxyl groups of the cellulose.
Exploration of Prognostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in The Microenvironment of Bladder Cancer Based on CXC Chemokines
Authors: Sun Xiaoqi , Chen Qunxi , Zhang Lihong , Chen Jiewei , Zhang Xinke
Published: February 2021

Background: Bladder cancer (BLCA) has a high rate of morbidity and mortality, and is considered as one of the most malignant tumors of the urinary system. Tumor cells interact with surrounding interstitial cells, playing a key role in carcinogenesis and progression, which is partly mediated by chemokines. CXC chemokines exert anti‑tumor biological roles in the tumor microenvironment and affect patient prognosis. Nevertheless, their expression and prognostic values patients with BLCA remain unclear. Methods: We used online tools, including Oncomine, UALCAN, GEPIA, GEO databases, cBioPortal, GeneMANIA, DAVID 6.8, Metascape, TRUST (version 2.0), LinkedOmics, TCGA, and TIMER2.0 to perform the relevant analysis.Results: The mRNA levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL7, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL13, CXCL16, and CXCL17 were increased significantly increased, and those of CXCL2, CXCL3, and CXCL12 were decreased significantly in BLCA tissues as assessed using the Oncomine, TCGA, and GEO databases. GEO showed that high levels of CXCL1, CXCL6, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCL13 mRNA expression are associated significantly with the poor overall survival (all p < 0.05), and similarly, those of CXCL2 and CXCL12 in the TCGA database (p < 0.05). The predominant signaling pathways involving the differentially expressed CXC chemokines are cell cycle, chemokine, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Moreover, transcription factors such as Sp1 transcription factor (SP1), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1), and RELA proto-oncogene, NF-KB subunit (RELA) were likely play critical roles in regulating CXC chemokine expression. LYN proto-oncogene, src family tyrosine kinase (LYN) and LCK proto-oncogene, src family tyrosine kinase (LCK) were identified as the key targets of these CXC chemokines. MicroRNAs miR200 and miR30 were identified as the main microRNAs that interact with several CXC chemokines through an miRNA-target network. The expression of these chemokines is closely associated with the inﬁltration of six categories of immune cells.Conclusions: We explored the CXC chemokines superfamily-based biomarkers associated with BLCA prognosis using public databases, and provided possible chemokine targets for patients with BLCA.
Diclofenac Sodium Determination in Pharmaceutical Preparations After Complexation With Calcium and Magnesium and Molecular Modelling Study.
Authors: Soomro Waheed Ali , Khuhawar Muhammad Yar , Jahaangir Taj Muhammad , Lanjwani Muhammad Farooque , Brohi Rafi-u-Zaman , Rind Imran Khan
Published: February 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Vacancy-Defect Modulated Pathway of Photoreduction of CO2 on Quaternary Single Atomically Thin AgInP2S6 Sheets toward Boosting Efficient and Selective Production of Value-Added Olefiant Gas
Authors: Zhou Yong , Zou Zhigang , Gao Wa , Wang Xiaoyong , Shen Qing , He Huichao , Yujie Xiong , Wang Jinlan , Shi Li , Yang Yong , Cheng Zhenxiang , Li Xiaoning
Published: February 2021

The quaternary AgInP2S6 atomic layer with the thickness of ~ 0.70 nm were successfully synthesized through facile ultrasonic exfoliation of the corresponding bulk crystal. The ultrathin sheet exhibits efficiently photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into CO as a major product and minority of CH4 and C2H4 in the presence of water vapor. The sulfur defect engineering on this atomic layer through a H2O2 etch process can excitingly enable to change the CO2 photoreduction reaction pathway to steer dominant generation of ethene (C2H4) important chemical with the yield-based selectivity reaching ~73% and the electron-based selectivity as high as ~89%, and the quantum yield of 0.51% at wavelength of 415 nm. Both DFT calculation and in-situ FTIR demonstrate as the introduction of S vacancies in AgInP2S6 causes the charge accumulation on the Ag atoms near the S vacancies, the exposed Ag sites can thus effectively capture the forming *CO molecules, making the catalyst surface enrich with key reaction intermediates to lower the C-C binding coupling barrier, which facilitates the production of C2H4. Surface photovoltage measurement confirms that atomically ultrathin structure of the exfoliated AgInP2S6 can shorten the transfer distance of charge carriers from the interior onto the surface, thus decrease the recombination in body and improve the catalytic efficiency. This work may provide fresh insights into the design of atomically thin photocatalyst framework for CO2 reduction and establish an ideal platform for reaffirming the versatility of defect engineering in tuning catalytic activity and selectivity.
Morphology and Hemispheric and Gender difference of the Anterior Ascending Ramus and the Horizontal Ascending Ramus of the Lateral Sulcus
Authors: Wang Yu , liu shuwei , Xu Fei fei , Hou Lan wei , Zhou Wen Juan , Tang Yu chun
Published: February 2021

Broca’s area is composed of the pars opercularis (PO) and the pars triangularis (PTR) of the inferior frontal gyrus，which was separated by the anterior ascending ramus of lateral sulcus (aals) and the horizontal ascending ramus of the lateral sulcus (hals). The morphometry of these two sulci maybe have potential effects on the various functions of Broca’s area. To explore the morphology variation, hemispheric and gender difference of these two sulci, so as to enable better understanding of their patterns and the functions of the Broca’s area. BrainVISA was used to reconstruct and parameterize these two sulci with 3D MR images of 90 healthy right-handed subjects. The 3D anatomic morphology of these two sulci was presented using 4 sulcal parameters, including average depth (AD), average width (AW), top length (TL) and bottom length (BL). The aals could be identified in 98.89% of the hemispheres, while the hals could be identified in 98.33%. The morphological patterns of these two sulci were categorized into four main types. There were no statistically significant interhemispheric and gender differences in the frequency of the morphological patterns. There was statistically significant interhemispheric difference in BL of the aals and AW of the hals. Significant gender differences were found in the bilateral AD of the aals and the BL and TL of the hals in right hemisphere. Our results will not only provide structural basis for the functional studies that related to Broca’s area, but also be helpful for the precise positioning of special structures in neurosurgery.
An Extended Analysis on Tuning The Parameters of Adaptive Monte Carlo Localization ROS Package in an Automated Guided Vehicle
Authors: Reis Wallace Pereira Neves dos , Silva Guilherme José da , Junior Orides Morandin , Vivaldini Kelen Cristiane Teixeira
Published: February 2021

With a growth tendency, the employment of the Adaptive Monte Carlo Localization (AMCL) Robot Operational System (ROS) package does not reflect a more indepth discussion on its parameters tuning process. The authors usually do not describe it. This work aims to extend the analysis of the package’s parameters distinct influence in an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) indoor localization. The experiments test parameters of the filter, the laser model, and the odometry model. Extending the previous analysis of seven parameters, the present research discusses another ten from the 22 configurable parameters of the package. An external visual vehicle pose tracking is used to compare the pose estimation from the localization package. Although the article does not propose the best parameter tuning, its results discuss how each tested parameter affects the localization. The paper’s contribution is discussing the parameters variation impact on the AGV localization. It may help new researchers in the AMCL ROS package parameter tuning process. The results show minor changes in the default parameters can improve the localization results, even modifying one parameter at a time.
Composition of Urinary Stones in Children: Clinical and Metabolic Determinants in a French Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Rauturier Camille , Machon Christelle , Demède Delphine , Dubourg Laurence , Bacchetta Justine , Bertholet-Thomas Aurélia
Published: February 2021

The aim was to describe the composition of stones of pediatric patients, to illustrate current epidemiological trends in pediatric urolithiasis.Clinical and metabolic data from all pediatric patients with at least one stone that was analyzed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in the Hospices Civils de Lyon s Civils de Lyon between 2013 and 2017 were retrospectively collected. A total of 111 patients (sex ratio 1.4:1) were included; their median [IQR] age was 7.5 [3.1-10.5] years. The main component of stones was calcium oxalate [weddellite for 34 (31%) stones, whewellite 23 (21%)], calcium phosphate [carbapatite 32 (29%), brushite 6 (5%), amorphous calcium phosphate 3 (3%)], struvite 5 (5%), cystine 4 (4%), uric acid 2 (2%), and ammonium acid urate 2 (2%). A total of 20 (18%) stones were pure and 24 (22%) were infectious. Carbapatite stones were the most frequent in patients < 2 years and calcium oxalate stones in patients > 2 years old. Metabolic abnormalities (most frequently hypercalciuria) were found in 50% of tested patients and in 54% of patients with infectious stones. Congenital anomalies of the kidney and/or urinary tract (CAKUT) or neurogenic bladder was present in 9/24 (38%) patients with infectious stones and 12/16 (76%) patients with bladder stones. Conclusion: This study confirms that calcium oxalate stones are the most frequent among pediatric patients, which could reflect the nutritional habits of predisposed patients. In contrast, infectious stones are less frequent and occur mostly in association with anatomic or metabolic favoring factors.
Prevalence And Factors Associated With Psychological Distress Among Pregnant Women Attending The Antenatal Clinic At A National Referral Hospital In Uganda.
Authors: Sembatya Henry , Namuli Justine , Ajeani Judith , Ononge Sam
Published: February 2021

Background: Psychological distress (PD) among pregnant women has a bearing both on the mother and the outcome of the pregnancy and is thus a public health problem. It is a precursor for other severe mental health conditions that include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and so if screened and diagnosed early it can prevent progress to severe mental illness. PD has however not been screened among pregnant women and thus no available data in Uganda. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with PD among pregnant women at Kawempe hospital Uganda.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 530 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Kawempe hospital Uganda. The SRQ-20 tool was used to screen for PD and data on socio-demographic and clinical factors was collected using a. socio-demographic questionnaire and medical records respectively. Descriptive statistics were applied to determine the prevalence of PD and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess for factors associated with PD among pregnant women.Results: The prevalence of PD was 19.1% , while having a fair/bad relationship with the spouse (P-value =0.007), a low monthly income (p-value = 0.013), and having less than two meals a day (P-value =0.022). were independently associated with PDConclusion: Approximately one in five pregnant women receiving ANC at Kawempe hospital has PD. This study therefore supports the need for integration of mental health assessment into the antenatal care package of women at Kawempe hospital and Uganda at large
Use of Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Different Potato Varieties to Elucidate the Molecular Mechanism Underlying Differences in Cold Resistance
Authors: Yang Huiju , Chen Mingwei , Kou Can , Guo Huachun
Published: February 2021

Background

Among the various abiotic stresses, cold is an essential factor that limits crop productivity worldwide. Low temperature affects the growth, development and distribution of agronomic species around the world. To improve the understanding of the physiological and genetic properties and functions affecting potato cold tolerance, in this study, transcriptomic analysis was performed on two potato strains (HZ88 and LS6) with different cold tolerances that were treated at low temperature for 0, 1, 3, and 6 hours.
Results

Transcriptomic analysis showed that there were large differences between HZ88 and LS6 regarding the expression levels of low-temperature response genes. Notably, HZ88 responds to low-temperature stress, its low-temperature response genes are primarily enriched in plant hormone signal transduction; cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis; and photosynthesis-antenna proteins. Conversely, the most significant low-temperature response genes of the LS6 strain were determined to be enriched in plant-pathogen interactions, zeatin biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction. The cuticle, composed of a horny waxy layer, is an important protective barrier formed by plants to resist biotic/abiotic stress during the long-term ecological adaptation process, and the HZ88 strain may strengthen its cold resistance by enhancing this physical defence measure. In the LS6 strain, potatoes tend to cope with cold stress by strengthening their immune system and regulating hormone signal transduction. In addition, hormone pathway-related genes (such as ABA), ICE-CBF signalling pathway-related genes, and genes encoding TFs all exhibited different expression patterns between HZ88 and LS6.
Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the difference in cold resistance between the strongly cold-tolerant variety LS6 and the weakly cold-tolerant variety HZ88, thereby establishing a foundation for further analysis and genetic breeding.
Association of APOAI rs670 and APOB rs693 Gene Polymorphisms and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases in Young Brazilians and Africans.
Authors: Sousa Ederson Laurindo Holanda de , Cavalcante Jânio Emanuel Andrade , Sousa Daniel Freire de , Meneses Richard Rarison Cavalcante , Sousa Duaran Lopes , Silva Mateus Edson da , Silva Allyson Jordan Xavier , Cavalcante Ana Beatriz Lima , Sampaio Tiago Lima , Queiroz Maria Goretti Rodrigues
Published: February 2021

Background and objectives: Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) are promising atherosclerosis indicators. The APOAI gene polymorphism variant rs670 shows that G (Guanine) allele is the most frequent and the A (Adenine) allele is the rarest, with both being associated with HDL-c variations in different ethnicities. In the APOB variant rs693, the C (Cytosine) allele is the most frequent, while the T (Timine) allele is the rarest and associated with dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk. This study aims to evaluate biochemical and genetic risk factors for CVD development in young Brazilians and Africans.Methods: Anthropometric parameters were used for measurement. Blood Samples were collected to evaluate Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Apolipoproteins A-I and B, ApoB/ApoA-I ratio, and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) quantification. The antioxidant capacity of HDL was evaluated by the LagTime assay and the serum enzyme Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. Genetic Analysis was made through DNA extraction from whole blood leukocytes and genotyping of the rs670 and rs693 polymorphisms using the real-time PCR (q-PCR) technique. Results: G allele and homozygous GG genotype of rs670 were the most frequent in both ethnicities. Among Brazilians, the A allele and GA genotype were associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Regarding the rs693 polymorphism, the C allele was the most frequent in both ethnicities, and the T allele was more frequent between Africans. Also, the CC genotype was the most frequent among Brazilians, and the CT genotype the most frequent among Africans, which presented higher TT frequency. T allele and TT genotype were associated with higher cardiovascular risk factors in both populations. Conclusion: Brazilians are doubly affected by these variables, while Africans are more susceptible to risks due to changes in the rs693 polymorphism.
Feasibility of Standardized Procedures of White Light Gastroscopy for Clinical Practice: A Multiple Center Study in China
Authors: Wang Qiang , Zhang Shengyu , Wu Xi , Yao Fang , Zhou Weixun , Chai Ningli , Zhang Shutian , Hao Jianyu , Wu Jing , Zhang Jichang , Xu Baohong , Hu Lixia , Yang Ai-ming
Published: February 2021

Background: There is no standardized operation procedure for white light gastroscopy (WLG）in China. We aimed to established a standardized procedure of white light gastroscopy for clinic patients screening, to verify its effect and its feasibility in clinical practice. Methods: We applied the standardized procedure for WLG to out-patients at 9 tertiary hospitals in Beijing. All of the clinical information and operation procedure were recorded.Results: We set a standardized operation procedure for WLG. 1051 patients were enrolled in the base-line survey stage between March 2014 and December 2015. 2156 patients were enrolled in the WLG standardized operation stage from January 2016 to June 2017. The median durations of standardized procedure group were significantly longer than that of the base-line group (prolonged 60.3 seconds averagely, P=0.003). The taken picture numbers in the standardized procedure group were significantly higher than that in the base-line group (17 pictures more averagely, P<0.001). The overall detection rate of gastric mucosal lesions in the standardized procedure group was significantly higher than that in the base-line group (52.5% vs. 38.4%, P<0.01). Both the patient and endoscopist satisfaction scores in the standardized procedure group were all significantly improved than those in the base-line group.Conclusions: The standardized procedure for WLG can improve the detection rate of gastric lesions significantly, and also improve the satisfaction of patients and endoscopists despite prolonged duration. The standardized procedure for white light gastroscopy is effective and feasible in clinical practice with the present endoscopy equipment in China.
The Associations Between Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels and Mortality of SFTS in Patients
Authors: Zhang Yin , Zhang Yu , Xu Yuanhong , Huang Ying
Published: February 2021

Objective To identify the correlation between the level of at-admission fasting plasma glucose (FPG) with poor outcomes in hospitalized patients suffering from severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). Methods Between April 1 and December 1, 2020, the list of hospitalized patients affected with SFTS infection was provided by the Infectious Disease Department at First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, followed by the collection of information I.e., gender, age, diabetic history and the level of FPG on admission. Results In this study, a total of 77 patients were included and were categorized into three groups (<5.6, 5.6–6.9, and ≥7.0 mmol/l) on the basis of their glucose level in the blood. The obtained results revealed that among three groups considerable variations were observed in leukocytes, FPG, D-Dimer, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), fibrin degradation products (FDP), and interleukin (IL)-10 level. Correlation analysis indicated a linear negative correlation between PLT and FPG (r = −0.28, P = 0.01), however, a linear positive correlation was observed between AST, IL10, D-Dimer, and FDP levels and FPG (P-value < 0.05). Conclusions Elevated level of FPG has been correlated with hypercoagulability, inflammation, and lower PLT in SFTS patients. The measurement of FPG level can help in evaluating the inflammatory process, hypercoagulability, and prognosis of patients suffering from SFTS.
Not all Boomers: Temporal Orientation Explains Inter- and Intra-Cultural Variability in the Link between Age and Climate Engagement
Authors: Geiger Nathaniel , McLaughlin Bryan , Velez John A
Published: February 2021

Some previous work suggests that older adults, relative to younger adults and teenagers, are less engaged with climate change; yet, this pattern is not consistently found across all countries or populations. Here, we consider whether temporal orientation might act as a boundary condition for age effects on climate change engagement. We assess whether cultural (Study 1) and inter-individual (Study 2) differences in temporal orientation moderate the tendency for older adults to be less engaged with climate change than younger adults. Study 1 (N = 44,387) reveals that amongst European countries, countries with a greater long-term orientation tend to show a weaker (i.e. less negative) relationship between age and the salience of climate change (i.e., cognitive engagement with the topic). Study 2 (N = 798) demonstrates that in the US, the negative relationship between age and climate action intentions becomes smaller in magnitude (i.e. less negative) among those higher in consideration of future consequences, but increases in those higher in consideration of immediate consequences. These findings support the notion that it is a confluence of age and present orientation (and low future orientation) that that drives age-related declines in climate engagement.
Cervical Chordomas: Multicenter Case Series and Meta-analysis
Authors: Akinduro Oluwaseun , Garcia Diogo P. , Domingo Ricardo A , Vivas-Buitrago Tito , Sousa-Pinto Bernardo , Bydon Mohamad , Clarke Michelle J. , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Kalani Maziyar A , Abode-Iyamah Kingsley , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo
Published: February 2021

Background
En bloc spondylectomy is the gold standard for surgical resection of sacral chordomas (CHO), but the effect of extent of resection on recurrence and survival in patients with CHO of the cervical spine remains elusive.
Methods
MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane were systematically reviewed. Patients with cervical CHO treated at three tertiary-care academic institutions were reviewed for inclusion. We performed an individual participant data meta-analysis to assess the overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) after en bloc-gross total resection (GTR) and intralesional-GTR compared to subtotal resection (STR). We then performed an intention-to-treat analysis including all patients with attempted en bloc resection in the en bloc group, regardless of the surgical margins.
Results
There was a total of 13 series including 161 patients with cervical CHO, including our current series of 22 patients. GTR (en bloc-GTR + intralesional-GTR) was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of local progression (pooled hazard ratio (PHR) = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.08–0.59; p = 0.003) and risk of death (PHR = 0.31; 95%; CI:0.12–0.83; p = 0.020). A meta-regression analyses determined that intralesional-GTR improved PFS (PHR = 0.35; 95%CI = 0.16–0.76; p = 0.009) as well as OS (PHR = 0.25; 95%CI = 0.08–0.79; p = 0.019) when compared to STR. En bloc-GTR was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of local progression (PHR = 0.06; 95%CI = 0.01–0.77; p = 0.030), but not a decreased OS (PHR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.19–1.27; p = 0.145). Our intention-to-treat analyses revealed a near significant improvement in OS for the en bloc group (PHR: 0.15; 95%CI:0.02–1.22; p = 0.054), and nearly identical improvement in PFS. Radiation data was not available for the studies included in the meta-analysis.
Conclusion
This is the first and only meta-analysis of patients with cervical CHO. We found that both en bloc-GTR and intralesional-GTR resulted in improved local tumor control when compared to STR.
Valorization of the use of Waste Agricultural Materials for the Anodic Oxidation of Amaranth Red (E123) using SS/PbO2 Anodes Elaborated by Pulsed Mode Current
Authors: Othmani Amina
Published: February 2021

The present paper aims to valorize the use of cheap agricultural waste materials for polluted water decontamination. An evaluation of the efficiency of coupling anodic oxidation (AO) using SS/PbO 2 electrodes with biosorption by Luffa cylindrica (L.C) for the removal of Amaranth Red (E123) from aqueous solution was investigated. The effects of pH, contact time, and initial concentration were studied. The regeneration of L.C was estimated based on biosorption /desorption tests. The performance of the coupling process was evaluated based on the color, chemical organic carbon (COD), Total organic carbon (TOC) removals, the energy consumed, and the time required for the degradation of Amaranth. A comparison between the efficiency of the AO and the coupling process for the increase of the lifetimes of the anodes used was done. 54.1, 97.8, and 99.9% of 50 mg.L -1 of Amaranth were removed respectively after 85, 65, and 50 min by biosorption, AO, and coupling AO with biosorption. An increase in the percentages of COD, TOC, germination indexes (GI), and Amaranth removals were observed when adopting the coupling process. Furthermore, a decrease in the release of Pb 2+ ions was observed confirming the good stability of the elaborated anodes during the coupling process. Atomic absorption analysis showed that the Pb 2+ ions reached about 0.020 mg.L -1 , after the total removal of Amaranth dye (60 min) and 0.051 after (80 min) respectively, for coupling AO with biosorption and the AO process. These values are inferior to those allowed by the Standards. Phytotoxicity tests confirmed the possibility of the reuse of the treated solutions.
Simultaneous determination of 5 diuretic drugs using a HPLC method by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker
Authors: Chen Fuchao , Fang Baoxia , Li peng , Wang Sicen
Published: February 2021

Background: Loop diuretics is commonly used in clinical practices to manage the high fluid load and to control fluid balance. In this paper, a quantitative analysis of multiple components with a single marker (QAMS) method was firstly developed for simultaneous determination of 5 diuretic drugs including furosemide, torasemide, azosemide, etacrynic acid, and bumetanide by HPLC. The qualitative analysis was performed using relative capacity factor and ultraviolet (UV) spectral similarity as the double indicator. The QAMS method was conducted with etacrynic acid as an internal reference substance. The other four diuretics were calculated by using the relative correction factors for etacrynic acid. The contents of the 5 diuretic drugs were also determined by the external standard method (ESM). The chromatographic separation was achieved on an Shimadzu HC-C18 column (150mm× 4.6mm, 5µm) using 50 mM of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH adjusted to 4.0 with phosphoric acid) with acetonitrile (64:36, v/v) as mobile phase at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and a column temperature of 30℃.
Results: Under these conditions, the 5 diuretic drugs are well separated, showing linear relationships within certain ranges. The quantitative results showed that there was no significant difference between the QAMS and ESM method.
Conclusions: Overall, the HPLC-QAMS analytical scheme established in this study should be a simple, efficient, economical, and accurate method for quantitative evaluation of 5 diuretic drugs.
Immobilization of beneficial microbe Methylobacteriumaminovorans in electrospun nanofibre as potential seed coatings for improving germination and growth of groundnut Arachis hypogaea
Authors: Mukiri Chinna , Raja Kalimuthu , Senthilkumar M , Subramanian KS , Govindaraju K , Pradeep D , Ranjan Syndhiya
Published: February 2021

Seed inoculation with microbial cells is one of the potential invigouration techniques for enhancing the emergence and growth of plants. Herein, we approached a new localized delivery of beneficial microbial cells (Methylobacterium) by invigorating seeds with electrospun Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibre contains microbial cells. Methylobacterium is a growth promoting bacteria recently draws attention in agriculture particularly for drought management. PVA was used in this research because of its electrospinnability and biodegradability. Encapsulation study shows effective immobilization of bacteria cells (Methylorubrum aminovorans) in PVA nanofibre, and SEM and TEM characterization further confirmed the entrapment of microbial cells. The microbial plating enumeration reveals 6.6 x 105 CFU g− 1 of nanofibre to the initial loading population of 1 × 108 CFU. Viability of nanofibre encapsulated bacterial cells under ambient environment found 1.85 × 105 CFU g− 1, 2.2 × 104 CFU g− 1 and 1.2 × 104 CFU g− 1 on 10, 20 and 30 days after storage. In vitro bio-efficacy study exhibits that the seeds coated by PVA nanofibres containing M. aminovorans recorded higher germination, root & shoot length, seedling vigour, drymatter production, plant biomass, plant root volume, nodule numbers and fresh weight of nodules. The data of this study concludes that microbial cells could be immobilized in electrospun nanofibre for extended shelf-life of microbial cells and as effective seed coating for localized delivery.