bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health-Related Quality of Life in Fabry Disease: A Cross-sectional International Multicenter Study
Authors: Nowak Albina , Hilz Max , Beuschlein Felix , Seifritz Erich , Lenders Malte , Brand Eva , Hennermann Julia B , Winter Yaroslav
Published: July 2021

BackgroundFabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) deficiency. The progressive accumulation of globotriaosylceramide results in life-threatening complications, including renal, cardiac, and cerebrovascular diseases. In order to improve health care of FD-patients, knowledge of its predictors is important. The aim of our study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HrQol) in FD and to identify its independent determinants by exploring a wide range of demographic, social and clinical parameters.ResultsIn this cross-sectional multicenter study, 124 adult patients with FD were recruited at three specialized European centers in Germany and Switzerland. Demographics, social status and clinical parameters as well as data on HrQol (EQ5D, EQVAS) and depression were collected by means of self-reporting questionnaires. HrQol and its predictors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression analyses.Study population consisted of 72 female and 52 male FD patients (median age 48yrs) of whom 87.9% (N=109) were on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) (68.8% [N= 75] were on agalsidase α and 31.2% [N=34] on agalsidase β). Univariate analysis revealed various factors reducing HrQol, such as age>40 years, classic phenotype, organ involvement (kidney and heart disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack, gastrointestinal disturbances), depression, and burning limb pain. However, only the following factors were identified as independent predictors of decreased HrQol: classic phenotype, kidney and heart disease, stroke/TIA, depression, and burning limb pain. ERT was an independent determinant of increased HrQol.Conclusions﻿Modifiable factors, such as burning limb pain and depression identified as independent predictors of HrQol-deterioration should be addressed in programs aiming to improve HrQol in FD. A multidisciplinary approach is essential in FD-patients since diverse organ involvement prominently compromises HrQol in affected patients. Our findings that the classic phenotype is a strong predictor of HrQol worsening.
Machine Learning Reduced Workload for the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register: Development and Evaluation of the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Classifier
Authors: Shemilt Ian , Noel-Storr Anna , Thomas James , Featherstone Robin , Mavergames Chris
Published: July 2021

Background: This study developed, calibrated, and evaluated a machine learning (ML) classifier designed to reduce study identification workload inmaintainingthe Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register (CCSR), a continuously updated register of COVID-19 research studies.Methods: A ML classifier for retrieving COVID-19 research studies (the “Cochrane COVID-19 Study Classifier”) was developedusing a data set of title-abstract records ‘included’ in, or‘excluded’ from,the CCSR up to18th October 2020, manually labelled byinformation and data curation specialists or the Cochrane Crowd. The classifier was then calibrated using a second data set of similar records ‘included’ in, or ‘excluded’ from,theCCSRbetween 19th October and 2ndDecember 2020, aiming for 99% recall. Finally, the calibrated classifier was evaluated using a third data set of similar records ‘included’ in, or ‘excluded’ from, the CCSR between4thand 19thJanuary 2021.Results: The Cochrane COVID-19 Study Classifier was trained using 59,513 records (20,878 of which were ‘included’ in the CCSR). A classification threshold was set using 16,123 calibration records (6,005 of which were ‘included’ in the CCSR) and the classifier hada precision of 0.52in this dataset atthe target threshold recall >0.99. The final, calibrated COVID-19 classifier correctly retrieved 2,285 (98.9%) of 2,310eligible study reports but missed 25 (1%), with aprecision of 0.638 and a netscreening workload reduction of 24.1% (1,113 records correctly excluded). Conclusions: The Cochrane COVID-19 Study Classifierreduces manual screening workload for identifying COVID-19 research studies, with a very low and acceptable risk of missing eligible studies. It is now deployed in the live study identification workflow for the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register.
Molecular Decoding of Identity of Some Commercially Important Vandaceous Orchids (Orchidaceae) Based on the Sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Sequences and Their Phylogeny
Authors: Kamba Joyrison , Deb Chitta Ranjan
Published: July 2021

Indiscriminate, rampant collection and natural habitat destruction of Vandaceous orchids for their ornamental and medicinal value have resulted in threatened category to many of the important species and struggling for their survival. Unconfirmed commercially important Vandaceous orchids still continues as these orchids are similar in shaped, size and difficult to identify and classify, especially when they are not in flowering stage. To solve this problem molecular barcode can be an useful tool for rapid identification even from vegetative tissues for commercial purpose. The present study was carried out to test the discriminatory power of IT1 and IT2 region in barcoding and to ascertain their phylogenetic relationship among these 31 species (67) from 15 genera of vandaceous orchids. The sequences were aligned using ClustalW and genetic distances were computed using MEGA 7.0. Data analyses suggest that Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA is a reliable marker which can be use as an efficient barcode to identify (species resolution at 95.52% by genetic distance, 79.40% by BLAST analysis and 95.52% by phylogenetic tree building method) and analyze their phylogenetic relationship among Vandaceous orchids.
Controlled production of bacterial outer membrane vesicles in intestine by orally administered bacteria as an effective tumor vaccine
Authors: Yue Yale , Xu Jiaqi , Li Yao , Cheng Keman , Feng Qingqing , Ma Xiaotu , Ma Nana , Zhang Tianjiao , Wang Xinwei , Zhao Xiao , Nie Guangjun
Published: July 2021

Therapeutic tumor vaccines hold great promise for effective tumor immunotherapy, however orally administered tumor vaccines that can stimulate a robust immune response are still limited. The major challenges in oral vaccines are the complex gastrointestinal environment and intestinal epithelial barriers. Numerous intestinal commensal bacteria interact with the host immune cells through the release of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) which can penetrate the intestinal epithelial barriers. Here, we present an effective tumor vaccine based on the OMVs which are generated by orally administered genetically engineered bacteria in intestine. A tumor antigen was fused with the surface protein ClyA on OMVs, whose expression was controlled by an arabinose-inducible promoter. Through oral administration of the modified bacteria and arabinose, in situ controllable production of OMVs loaded with tumor antigen in the intestine was achieved. The OMV-based tumor vaccine not only overcame the intestinal epithelial barriers to reach the immune cells in the lamina propria, but also stimulated dendritic cell maturation to facilitate a potent antitumor adaptive immunity. The oral bacteria generated OMV-based tumor vaccine significantly inhibited the lung metastatic melanoma and subcutaneous colon cancer in mouse models. Furthermore, a robust immune memory was generated, offering long-term protection against tumor challenge. Our work provides a proof-of-concept for oral bacteria generated OMV-based tumor vaccine that may be further developed and translated into clinical use.
Isolation, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia Coli O157:H7 from Food of Bovine Origin in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Weldeselassie Million , Gugsa Getachew , Tsegaye Yisehak , Awol Nesibu , Kumar Ashwani , Ahmed Meselu , Abebe Nigus , Taddele Habtamu , Bsrat Abrha
Published: July 2021

Background: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging and major zoonotic foodborne pathogen with an increasing concern for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains which may results in sporadic cases to serious outbreaks in the whole world. Cattle have been identified as a major reservoir of the pathogen. This study aimed to isolate and characterize Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 from raw milk, yogurt, and meat of bovine origin and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014-June 2015 and a total of 284 milk and meat were collected from different sources in Mekelle. The collected samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 and determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern following the standard bacteriological and molecular techniques and procedures, and antimicrobial sensitivity test. Results: Out of the total 284 samples, 70(24.64%) were positive bacteriologically to E. coli and 14.29% were found to be Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. All (100%) E. coli isolates carried the pal and 41.67% eae gene (EHEC). Of these EHEC isolates 40% and 60% were positive for stx1 and stx2, respectively. E. coli isolates were showed the highest level of sensitivity for Gentamycin (91.7%) but the highest level of resistance to Amoxicillin (95.8%). Of the tested isolates, 18(75%) of E. coli showed multiple antimicrobial resistance.Conclusions: The current study revealed the occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 in foods of bovine origin in the study area. So, there is a chance of acquiring infection via the consumption of raw or undercooked food of bovine origin. Thus, awareness creation should be made on foodborne disease caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 with due consideration on the safe handling and consumption of food of animal origin.
Enhanced Production of Ectoine From Methane Using Metabolically Engineered Methylomicrobium Alcaliphilum 20Z
Authors: Cho Sukhyeong , Lee Yun Seo , Chai Hanyu , Lim Sang eun , Na Jeong Geol , Lee Jinwon
Published: July 2021

Background: Ectoine (1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid) is an attractive compatible solute because of its wide industrial applications. Previous studies on the microbial production of ectoine have focused on sugar fermentation. Alternatively, methane can be used as an inexpensive and abundant resource for ectoine production by using the halophilic methanotroph, Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z. However, there are some limitations, including the low production of ectoine from methane and the limited tools for the genetic manipulation of methanotrophs to facilitate their use as industrial strains.Results: We constructed a genetically tractable M. alcaliphilum 20Z with a high conjugation efficiency and stability of the episomal plasmid by the removal of its native plasmid. To improve the ectoine production in M. alcaliphilum 20Z from methane, the ectD (encoding ectoine hydroxylase) and ectR (transcription repressor of the ectABC-ask operon) were deleted to reduce the formation of by-products (such as hydroxyectoine) and induce ectoine production. When the double mutant was batch cultured with methane, ectoine production was enhanced 1.6-fold compared to that obtained with M. alcaliphilum 20ZDP (45.58 mg/L vs. 27.26 mg/L) without growth inhibition. Notably, the use of an optimized medium for ectoine production, containing 6% NaCl and 0.05 µM tungsten, gave ectoine yields of up to 142.32 mg/L without hydroxyectoine production. This result demonstrates the highest ectoine production from methane to date.Conclusions: Ectoine production was significantly enhanced by the disruption of the ectD and ectR genes in M. alcaliphilum 20Z under optimized conditions favoring ectoine accumulation. We demonstrated effective genetic engineering in a methanotrophic bacterium, with enhanced production of ectoine from methane as the sole carbon source. This study suggests a potentially transformational path to commercial sugar-based ectoine production.
Quantum Mechanical 4-dimensional Non-polarizing Beamsplitter
Authors: Kryvobok Artem , Kathman Alan
Published: July 2021

The effects of a beamsplitter are frequently described mathematically as a matrix acting on a two input ports vector. This might be comprehensive for a scalar field but certainly insufficient in case of photons which are vector fields. In this paper we discuss theoretical grounds to define elements of a 4x4 matrix to more accurately represent the beamsplitter, fully accounting for transverse polarization modes. We also provide experimental evidence confirming this matrix representation. From scientific point of view the paper addresses a non-trivial equivalence between the classical fields Fresnel formalism and the canonical commutation relations of the quantized photonic fields. That the formalism can be readily verified with a simple experiment provides further benefit. The beamsplitter expression derived can be applied in the field of quantum computing.
Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Chronic Cough in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Concomitant Gastroesophageal Reflux Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Su Jiao , Zhao Chunling , Meng Yang , Fang Yifei , Liu Yanjun , Sun Linge , Wang Mengge , Dai Liping , Ouyang Songyun
Published: July 2021

Background:Chronic cough is common in obstructive sleep apnea. The aetiology of chronic cough in obstructive sleep apnea patients could be multifactorial. Several studies have reported high incidence rates of gastroesophageal reflux in obstructive sleep apnea patients, and gastroesophageal reflux may be one of causes of chronic cough in OSA patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure on chronic cough in obstructive sleep apnea concomitant gastroesophageal reflux patients.Methods: Obstructive sleep apnea concomitant gastroesophageal reflux patients who also suffered chronic cough were enrolled. Patients who accepted continuous positive airway pressure as treatment group, and the patients who accepted general treatment (diet control, moderate exercise, sleeping on your side, limiting alcohol consumption and proton pump inhibitor±mosapride) as control group. Effects of different treatment modalities on chronic cough were assessed, and the correlation between chronic cough, obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux were performed by Pearson correlation analyses. Results: All Patients had poor sleep quality, severe daytime sleepiness, moderate-severe sleep apnea, significant weak acid reflux and moderate coughing events at the baseline. Compared with the baseline, PSQI and ESS score were improved in treatment group after 1 week’s treatment, the improvement became stronger with duration of therapy (P＜0.05). GERD-Q score, VAS score, daytime and night cough symptom score were all significantly improved in these two groups after treatment (P＜0.05), while this improvement was more pronounced in the treatment group ( P＜0.05). There were significant correlation between AHI and VAS score (r=0.612, P＜0.05), weak acid reflux and VAS score (r=0.429, P＜0.05), weak acid reflux and AHI (r=0.366, P＜0.05). Conclusion: The improvement in chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux was due to the resolution of obstructive sleep apnea. AHI and weak acid reflux may be critical factors affecting the therapeutic effect of chronic cough in obstructive sleep apnea concomitant gastroesophageal reflux patients.
Therapeutic STING activation boosts microglia phagocytosis and ameliorates depression-like behaviors during chronic restraint stress
Authors: Zhai Qian , Zhang Yanpeng , Tan Shuwen , Sun Jianyu , Ye Mao , Gao Hui , Pu Kairui , Wu Meiyan , Wang Qiang
Published: July 2021

Background
The STING-TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway involves in modulating host innate immunity, however, the potential role of STING signaling pathway in chronic restraint stress model has not been determined. The aim of this study is to explore the underlying role of STING signaling pathway in regulating neuroinflammation, as well as to evaluate the therapeutic potential of STING agonist during chronic restraint stress.
Methods
C57BL/6 mice were subject to 14-day intermittent restraint stress. Sucrose preference, elevated plus maze and tail suspension tests were measured in chronic restraint stress mice. Expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines were tested by QT-PCR and Luminex cytokine assays. The fluorescence-labeled latex beads, flow cytometry and CD68 positive cell counts were utilized to evaluate phagocytic abilities of microglia. Then, the ability of intracerebroventricular injection of STING agonist, 2’3-cGAMP, to reverse the depression-like behaviors and inflammatory cytokines was examined.
Results
We found that the expression levels of STING, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3 were remarkably decreased in chronic restraint stress mice, which was associated with decreased IFN-β secretion. Moreover, the STING agonist, 2’3-cGAMP, significantly alleviated the neuroinflammation and ameliorated depression-like behavior which depends on the functional STING activation. Furthermore, 2’3-cGAMP promoted microglia phagocytosis through cGAMP-STING-dependent IFN-β release, which was essential for recovery from neuroinflammation during chronic restraint stress.
Conclusions
These findings demonstrate that STING signaling pathway is a critical mediator in regulating microglia phagocytosis and may serve as a novel therapeutic target for chronic stress-related psychiatric diseases.
Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Military Personnel with Low Socio-Economic Status in Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Rahim Nik Qistina Nik Abd , Zulkefli Nor Afiah Mohd , Moideen Mohd Arshil
Published: July 2021

Background: It is a major public health concern when 52% of adults worldwide were overweight and obese. Military institutions worldwide were included, which led to negative impacts on the overall combat readiness due to the obesity-associated-diseases. This study determined the prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among the low socioeconomic status (SES) army personnel in Kuala Lumpur. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 772 low SES army personnel in Kuala Lumpur was conducted. Online questionnaires were distributed while anthropometric measurements’ data were obtained from Military Lifetime Health Record (MLHR) system with BMI of > 25kg/m2 as the outcome. Data analysed using SPSS version 23.0 (descriptive and inferential statistics). Results: The median age of the respondents was 30 (IQR=7) years. The prevalence of overweight and obese army personnel was 41.1% (95%CI:37.6-44.6). The predictors found were being married (AOR:2.026,95%CI:1.318-3.113), secondary education (AOR:2.545,95%CI:1.245-5.203), Lance Corporal (AOR:1.994,95%CI:1.061-3.748), Corporal (AOR:2.814,95%CI:1.578-5.020), Sergeant (AOR:4.174,95%CI:2.076-8.390), past injury (AOR:1.879,95%CI: 1.191-2.965), history of obese sibling (AOR:1.737,95%CI:1.013-2.973), history of obese parent (AOR:3.344,95%CI:1.965-5.688), history of obese grandparent (AOR:11.321,95%CI:2.207-58.072), poor knowledge on dietary intake (AOR:1.524,95%CI:1.077-2.157), less than 2 litres daily plain water intake (AOR:1.606,95%CI:1.166-2.210). Conclusions: Knowledge on dietary intake and plain water intake are the two modifiable predictors for overweight and obesity found in this study, while the other nine predictors are non-modifiable. Understanding on issues surrounding the low SES group will help the strategic level in planning for future comprehensive interventions on overweight and obesity, specifically targeting on those predictors.
Aggregation Pheromone of the Guam Strain of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, Oryctes Rhinoceros, and Revision of Stereochemistry
Authors: Hall David R , Harte Steven J , Farman Dudley I , Ero Mark , Pokana Alfred
Published: July 2021

The coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) (CRB), is endemic to tropical Asia where it damages both coconut and oil palm. A new invasion by CRB occurred on Guam in 2007 and eradication attempts failed using commonly applied O. rhinoceros nudivirus (OrNV) isolates. This and subsequent invasive outbreaks were found to have been caused by a previously unrecognized haplotype, CRB-G, which appeared to be tolerant to OrNV. The male-produced aggregation pheromone of the endemic, susceptible strain of O. rhinoceros (CRB-S) was previously identified as ethyl 4-methyloctanoate. There were anecdotal reports that the commercial lures containing this compound were not attractive to CRB-G and the aim of this work was to identify the pheromone of CRB-G. Initial collections of volatiles from virgin male and female CRB-G adults failed to show any male- or female-specific compounds as candidate pheromone components. Only after five months were significant quantities of ethyl 4-methyloctanoate and 4-methyloctanoic acid produced by males but not by females. No other male-specific compounds could be detected, in particular methyl 4-methyloctanoate, 4-methyl-1-octanol or 4-methyl-1-octyl acetate, compounds identified in volatiles from some other species of Oryctes. Ethyl 4-methyloctanoate elicited a strong electroantennogram response from both male and female CRB-G, but these other compounds, including 4-methyloctanoic acid, did not. The enantiomers of ethyl 4-methyloctanoate and 4-methyloctanoic acid were conveniently prepared by enzymatic resolution of the commercially-available acid, and the enantiomers of the acid, but not the ester, could be separated by gas chromatography on an enantiospecific cyclodextrin phase. Using this approach, both the ethyl 4-methyloctanoate and the 4-methyloctanoic acid produced by male CRB-G were shown to be exclusively the (R)-enantiomers whereas previous reports had suggested male CRB-S produced the (S)-enantiomers. However, re-examination of the ester and acid produced by male CRB-S showed that these were also the (R)-enantiomers. In field trapping experiments, both racemic and ethyl (R)-4-methyloctanoate were highly attractive to both male and female CRB-G. The (S)-enantiomer and the corresponding acids were only weakly attractive. Addition of racemic 4-methyloctanoic acid to ethyl 4-methyloctanoate did significantly increase attractiveness, but addition of (R)- or (S)-4-methyloctanoic acid to the corresponding ethyl esters did not. Reasons for the previous misassignment of the configuration of the components of the CRB-S pheromone are discussed along with the practical implications of these results.
Abatement of Forskolin-induced Intestinal Fluid Secretion by Modulation of Intracellular Camp With Penicillin
Authors: Chen Earnest , Own Jason L. , Ollodart Jenna , Toksoy Zeren , Davis Bruce A. , Geibel John P.
Published: July 2021

Millions of people die every year due to diarrheal related diseases, with infants and the elderly making up the majority of these deaths. Deaths are caused by excessive intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion and are especially common in impoverished developing countries. Antibiotics have been classically used as a method to treat diarrhea-related pathologies by modulating the gut microbiome. We recently reported that penicillin may protect against disease-induced excessive fluid and electrolyte secretion via a genetics-independent, microbiome-independent mechanism in individual colonic crypt cells. In this study we investigated whether microbial-independent protective effects of penicillin against fluid secretion can be observed in the rat small intestine at the whole-tissue level. Here we report that penicillin has a significant dose-dependent protective effect against fluid secretion in induced models of diarrhea in the microbiome deficient rat small intestine. Penicillin can rapidly bring fluid secretion down to levels comparable to healthy controls. Our results suggest, for the first time, an alternative function for penicillin G as a cost-effective and fast-acting treatment against diarrheal symptoms without dependence on modulating the behavior of the existing gut microbiome.
Polymorphism Rs34562254 In TNFRSF13B is Associated with HCV Infection Outcomes Among Chinese Han Population
Authors: Fan Haozhi , Fu Zuqiang , Ge Zhijun , Dong Chen , Wang Chunhui , Shen Chao , Li Jun , Yu Rongbin , Zhang Yun , Yue Ming
Published: July 2021

Genetic variations in tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) 13B have already proved to be associated with immune- related diseases. This study aimed to explore the relationship of tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) 13, TNFRSF13B, and TNFRSF14 missense mutations with the susceptibility of HCV infection. SNPs in TNFSF13 (rs3803800, rs11552708), TNFRSF13B (rs34562254), and TNFRSF14 (rs4870) were genotyped in 469 intravenous drug users, 728 hemodialysis patients and 1636 paid blood donors by TaqMan real-time PCR assay. And the USCS Brower and RNAfold web servers were used to predict the potential biological functions of the positive SNPs. After adjustment for gender, age, ALT level, AST level and route of infection, the results of logistic regression analysis showed that the subjects carried rs34562254 TT mutant homozygous type in TNFRSF13B were more likely to be infected by HCV compared to those with rs34562254 CC wild homozygous type (co-dominant model: OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.17–1.98, P = 0.002; recession model: OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.10–1.81, P = 0.007; additive model: OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07–1.37, P = 0.002). And the effect of the risk allele (rs34562254-T) is more evident in female, elder (≥ 50), paid blood donors, lower ALT level (≤ 40 U/L) and lower ALT level (≤ 40 U/L) subgroup. The result of bioinformatics analysis showed that rs34562254 was located at the highest peak of the H3K4Me1 histone marker with the UCSC genome browser. And the minimum free energy (MFE) of the centroid secondary structure for the mutant T allele (-38.90 kcal/mol) of rs34562254 was higher than that of the wild C allele (-45.60 kcal/mol) with the RNAfold web servers. In addition, the RegulomeDB score of rs34562254 was 3a with the RegulomeDB web servers. All the above results of bioinformatics analysis suggested that rs34562254 may affect the gene expression level by regulating the transcriptional activity of the corresponding gene region. The rs34562254 polymorphisms in TNFRSF13B were significantly associated with HCV infection among Chinese Han population.
State-Selective Electron Capture Cross Sections in Collision Between Be4+ and Ground State Hydrogen Atom – Significant Improvement in the Classical Treatment
Authors: Ziaeian Iman , Tőkési Károly
Published: July 2021

We present state-selective electron capture cross sections in collision between Be4+ and ground state hydrogen atom. The n- and nl-selective electron capture cross sections are calculated by a three-body classical trajectory Monte Carlo method (CTMC) and by a classical simulation schema mimicking quantum features of the collision system. The quantum behavior is taken into account with the correction term in the Hamiltonian as was proposed by Kirschbaum and Wilets (C. L. Kirschbaun, and L. Wilet, Phys. Rev. A 21, 834 (1980)). Calculations are carried out in the projectile energy range of 1-1000 keV/amu. We found that our model for Be4++ H(1s) system remarkably improves the obtained state-selective electron capture cross sections, especially at lower projectile energies. Our results are very close and are in good agreement with the previously obtained quantum-mechanical results. Moreover our model with simplicity can time efficiently carry out simulations where maybe the quantum mechanical ones become complicated, therefore, our model should be an alternative way to calculate accurate cross sections and maybe can replace the quantum-mechanical methods.
Bone Metastasis is Uncommon in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma at Diagnosis-Bone Scan may be Not Necessary for Staging
Authors: Wang Cheng-Ping , Hsu Wan-Lun , Lou Pei-Jen , Ko Jenq-Yuh , Chen Tseng-Cheng
Published: July 2021

Only a small portion of the patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) experience bone metastasis. This study is to evaluate the percentage of bone metastasis at diagnosis and after treatment and to discuss whether bone scan is necessary in OSCC patients. The medical records of all patients with newly diagnosed OSCC receiving bone scan or positron emission tomography (PET) at diagnosis between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 1049 patients were enrolled, including 458 (44%) with early stage tumor and 591 (56%) with late stage tumor. In total, 33 (3.1%) patients had bone metastasis at diagnosis (9 patients, 0.86%) and after treatment (24 patients, 2.29%) during the mean follow-up of 12 months. Among those with subsequent bone metastasis, only 5 (21%) patients had bone-only metastasis. All patients with bone metastasis before primary treatment and all but two patients with bone metastasis after treatment had locoregionally advanced OSCC. The mean survival time of the 33 patients after diagnosis of bone metastasis was 121 days. Bone metastasis is uncommon in patients with OSCC. It is not necessary to routinely use bone scan for initial staging, especially early stage OSCC, and for follow-up.
Impact of Admission Hyperglycemia on Short and Long-Term Prognosis in Acute Myocardial Infarction: MINOCA versus MIOCA
Authors: Paolisso Pasquale , Foà Alberto , Bergamaschi Luca , Angeli Francesco , Fabrizio Michele , Donati Francesco , Sebastiano Toniolo , Chiara Chiti , Andrea Rinaldi , Stefanizzi Andrea , Armillotta Matteo , Sansonetti Angelo , Magnani Ilenia , Iannopollo Gianmarco , Rucci Paola , Gianni Casella , Galiè Nazzareno , Pizzi Carmine
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe prognostic role of hyperglycemia in patients with myocardial infarction and obstructive coronary arteries (MIOCA) is acknowledged, while data on non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) are still lacking. Recently, we demonstrated that admission stress-hyperglycemia (aHGL) was associated with a larger infarct size and inflammatory response in MIOCA, while no differences were observed in MINOCA. We aim to investigate the impact of aHGL on short and long-term outcomes in MIOCA and MINOCA patients.MethodsMulticenter, population-based, cohort study of the prospective registry, designed to evaluate the prognostic information of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction to S. Orsola-Malpighi and Maggiore Hospitals of Bologna metropolitan area. Among 2704 patients enrolled from 2016 to 2020, 2431 patients were classified according to the presence of aHGL (defined as admission glucose level ≥ 140mg/dL) and AMI phenotype (MIOCA/MINOCA): no-aHGL (n = 1321), aHGL (n = 877) in MIOCA and no-aHGL (n = 195), aHGL (n = 38) in MINOCA. Short-term outcomes included in-hospital death and arrhythmias. Long-term outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.ResultsaHGL was associated with a higher in-hospital arrhythmic burden in MINOCA and MIOCA, with increased in-hospital mortality only in MIOCA. After adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, Killip class and AMI phenotypes, aHGL predicted higher in-hospital mortality in non-diabetic (HR = 4.2; 95% CI 1.9–9.5, p = 0.001) and diabetic patients (HR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.5–8.2, p = 0.003). During long-term follow-up, aHGL was associated with 2-fold increased mortality in MIOCA and a 4-fold increase in MINOCA (p = 0.032 and p = 0.016). Kaplan Meier 3-year survival of non-hyperglycemic patients was greater than in aHGL patients for both groups. No differences in survival were found between hyperglycemic MIOCA and MINOCA patients. After adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, smoking, LVEF, STEMI/NSTEMI and AMI phenotypes (MIOCA/MINOCA), aHGL predicted higher long-term mortality.ConclusionsaHGL was identified as a strong predictor of adverse short- and long-term outcomes in both MIOCA and MINOCA, regardless of diabetes. aHGL should be considered a high-risk prognostic marker in all AMI patients, independently of the underlying coronary anatomy.Trial Registrationdata were part of the ongoing observational study AMIPE: Acute Myocardial Infarction, Prognostic and Therapeutic Evaluation. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03883711.
Alterations to the gut microbiome after sport-related concussion in a collegiate football players cohort
Authors: Soriano Sirena , Curry Kristen , Sadrameli Saeed , Wang Qi , Nute Michael , Reeves Elizabeth , Kabir Rasadul , Wiese Jonathan , Criswell Amber , Schodrof Sarah , Britz Gavin , Gadhia Rajan , Podell Kenneth , Treangen Todd , Villapol Sonia
Published: July 2021

Concussions, both single and repetitive, during contact sports cause brain and body alterations in athletes. The role of the brain-gut connection and changes in the microbiota have not been well established after a head injury or concussion-related health consequences. We recruited 33 Division I Collegiate football players and collected blood, stool, and saliva samples throughout the athletic season. Analysis of the gut microbiome reveals a decrease in abundance for two bacterial species, Eubacterium rectale and Anaerostipes hadrus, after a diagnosed concussion. No significant differences were found regarding the salivary microbiome. Serum biomarker analysis shows an increase in GFAP blood levels in athletes during athletic activity. Additionally, S100β and SAA blood levels were positively correlated with the abundance of Eubacterium rectale species among athletes exposed to subconcussive impacts. These novel findings provide evidence that detecting changes in the gut microbiome may pave the way for improved concussion diagnosis following head injury.
Numerical Calculation of Grinding Wheel Wear for Spiral Groove Grinding
Authors: Liu Xianli , Wang Shipeng , Yue Caixu , Xu Mengdi , Chen Zhan , Zhou Jiaqi , Liang Steven Y.
Published: July 2021

Due to its good cutting performance in titanium alloy machining, integral end mills are more and more used in machining aero-engine impeller blades. The tool spiral groove plays the role of chip acceptor and chip removal, and the accuracy of its parameters has an important effect on the cutting performance. In the grinding process of the spiral groove, the grinding wheel's external grinding is mainly involved in the grinding task. The grinding wheel's wear degree is related to the grinding time and grinding times of the grinding wheel, and the wear of the grinding wheel will lead to the change of the parameters of the spiral groove. To achieve the accurate solution of the grinding wheel surface wear profile, image processing technology was used to extract the spiral groove end section contour coordinates of the grinding wheel and fit them. The worn sand profile was solved based on the contact line principle, and the grinding wheel wear amount was obtained. The traditional reconstruction method was used to verify the algorithm. The results show that the accuracy of the reverse algorithm for the wear profile of the grinding wheel is relatively high.
Complete Genome Sequence of Two Isolates of Spiraea Yellow Leafspot Virus (Genus: Badnavirus) From Spiraea x Bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’
Authors: Alvarez-Quinto Robert Alexander , Serrano Joana , Olszewski Neil E , Grinstead Samuel , Mollov Dimitre , Lockhart Ben E
Published: July 2021

Isolates of spiraea yellow leafspot virus (SYLSV) were collected from Spiraea (Spiraea x bumalda) ‘Anthony Waterer’ plants showing virus-like symptoms including yellow spotting and leaf deformation in Minnesota and Maryland. The complete genome sequence of SYLSV-MN (Minnesota) and SYLSV-MD (Maryland) was 8,017bp in length. The sequences share 95% of identity at the nucleotide level. Both isolates have the same genome organization containing three open reading frames (ORFs), with ORF3 being the largest encoding the putative polyprotein of 232 kDa with conserved domains including Zinc finger, pepsin-like aspartate protease, reverse transcriptase (RT), and RNase H. Pairwise comparisons between members of the genus badnavirus showed that Gooseberry vein banding associated virus GB1 (HQ852248) and Rubus yellow net virus isolate Baumforth's Seedling A (KM078034) were the closest related virus sequences to SYLSV sharing 73% of identity at the nucleotide level. Bacilliform virions with dimensions of 150 nm x 30 nm were observed in virus preparations from symptomatic but not in asymptomatic plants.
Declining Neighborhood Simulated Annealing Algorithm to Robust Fixture Synthesis in a Point-Set Domain
Authors: Alshameri Taqiaden , Dong Yude , Alqadhi Abdullah
Published: July 2021

Fixture synthesis addresses the problem of fixture-elements placement on the workpiece surfaces. This article presents a novel variant of the Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm called Declining Neighborhood Simulated Annealing (DNSA) specifically developed for the problem of fixture synthesis. The objective is to minimize measurement errors in the machined features induced by the misalignment at workpiece-locator contact points. The algorithm systematically evaluates different fixture layouts to reach a sufficient approximation of the global optimum robust layout. For each iteration, a set of previously accepted candidates are exploited to predict the next move. Throughout the progress of the algorithm, the search space is reduced and the new candidates are designated according to a declining Probability Density Function (PDF). To assure best performance, the DNSA parameters are configured using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPOSIS). Moreover, the parameters are set to auto-adapt the complexity of a given input based on a Shanon entropy index. The optimization process is carried out automatically in the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) environment NX; a computer code was developed for this purpose using the Application Programming Interface (API) NXOpen. Benchmark examples from industrial partner and literature demonstrate satisfactory results.
A simple method to evaluate the seismic/infrasonic energy partitioning during an eruption using data contaminated by air-to-ground signals
Authors: Ichihara Mie , Yamakawa Kazuya , Muramatsu Dan
Published: July 2021

A volcanic eruption transmits both seismic waves and infrasound signals. The seismo-acoustic power ratio is widely used to investigate the eruption behaviors and the source dynamics. It is often the case that seismic data during an eruption are significantly contaminated or even dominated by ground shaking due to infrasound (air-to-ground signals). To evaluate the contribution of infrasound-originated power in the seismic data, we need a response function of the seismic station to infrasound. It is rare to obtain a seismo-acoustic data-set containing only infrasound signals, though it is ideal for calculating the response function. This study proposes a simple way to calculate the response function using seismo-acoustic data containing infrasound and independent seismic waves. The method requires data recorded at a single station and mainly uses the cross-correlation function between the infrasound data and the Hilbert transform of the seismic data. It is tested with data recorded by a station at Kirishima volcano, Japan, of which response function has been constrained. It is shown that the method calculates a proper response function even when the seismic data contain more significant seismic power (or noise) than the air-to-ground signals. The proposed method will be useful in monitoring and understanding eruption behaviors using seismo-acoustic observations.
Real-time Factory Smoke Detection Based on Two-stage Relation-guided Algorithm
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Ji Senrong , Yin Duokun
Published: July 2021

Recently, using image sensing devices to analyze air quality has attracted much attention of researchers. To keep real-time factory smoke under universal social supervision, this paper proposes a mobile-platform-running efficient smoke detection algorithm based on image analysis techniques. Since most smoke images in real scenes have challenging variances, it’s difficult for existing object detection methods. To this end, we introduce the two-stage smoke detection (TSSD) algorithm based on the lightweight framework, in which the prior knowledge and contextual information are modeled into the relation-guided module to reduce the smoke search space, which can therefore significantly improve the shortcomings of the single-stage method. Experimental results show that the TSSD algorithm can robustly improve the detection accuracy of the single-stage method and has good compatibility for different image resolution inputs. Compared with various state-of-the-art detection methods, the accuracy AP mean of the TSSD model reaches 59.24%, even surpassing the current detection model Faster R-CNN. In addition, the detection speed of our proposed model can reach 50 ms (20 FPS), which meets the real-time requirements, and can be deployed in the mobile terminal carrier. This model can be widely used in some scenes with smoke detection requirements, providing great potential for practical environmental applications.
Anaemia Prevalence, Severity and Associated Risk Factors Among Indigenous Temiar Orang Asli Community in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Rahim Mohd Amirul Fitri A. , Munajat Mohd Bakhtiar , Wahid Wathiqah , Dian Nor Diyana , Rakna Mohd Ikhwan Mukmin Seri , Ghazali Nuraffini , Hassan Noor Wanie , Divis Paul C. S. , Lubis Inke Nadia D. , Chuangchaiya Sriwipa , Kasri Mohd Rafiq Mohd , Id Zulkarnain Md
Published: July 2021

Anaemia continues to be a major public health challenge in developing countries. An important and often unreported group at risk for anaemia is indigenous communities. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anaemia and to identify its determinants in the indigenous Temiar Orang Asli community in Peninsular Malaysia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019. Six hundred and forty participants aged one and older were enrolled and personal characteristic data were collected. Anaemia status was determined using haemoglobin level (Hb) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Hb cut-off. The overall anaemia prevalence was 44.7% (286/640) and the prevalence rates of mild, moderate and severe anaemia were 42.7%, 50.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Anaemia-specific prevalence varied significantly by age groups (P<0.001) and was highest in the 6–17 group for mild anaemia (39.3%, 95% CI: 30.6–48.6), followed by ≤5 group for both moderate anaemia (43.4%; 95%CI: 35.2–51.9) and severe anaemia (42.1%; 95%CI: 20.3–66.5). In the multivariate logistic regression, anaemia was associated in age groups of ≤5 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.6 [95%CI: 3.3–9.4], P<0.001) and 6–17 (aOR 2.1 [95%CI: 1.4–3.2], P<0.001) as well in those living in Lambok (aOR 2.7 [95%CI: 1.3–5.5], P = 0.006). This study has highlighted the high prevalence of anaemia among indigenous Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia and revealed that younger children were positively associated with childhood anaemia. Effective interventions and special attention for this indigenous population need to be implemented to reduce the risk of anaemia.
Protective Effect of Dachengqi Decoction on Pancreatic Microcirculatory in Severe Acute Pancreatitis via Down-regulating HMGB-TLR-4-IL-23-IL-17A Mediated Neutrophil Activation Though Targeting SIRT1
Authors: Wang Jia , Peng Lei , Chang Dan , Hong Da-qing , Zhang Jiong
Published: July 2021

BackgroundDachengqi decoction (DCQD), one of classic prescription of Chinese herbal medicine has been widely used in clinic to treat severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The damage of pancreatic microcirculation plays key pathogenesis of SAP. However, little is known about the molecular pharmacological activity of DCQD on pancreatic microcirculation in SAP. Therefore, the purpose of the study attempted to confirm the improvement of DCQD on pancreatic microcirculation is associated with suppressing neutrophil mediated immune-inflammatory response through promoting the inactivation of HMGB1-TLR-4-IL-23-IL-17A axis via targeting the SIRT1 signal pathway in SAP.Material and MethodsSodium taurodeoxycholate and cerulein were used to establish model of SAP in vitro and vivo, respectively. The pancreatic pathological morphology, wet weight ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, cell viability and microcirculatory function of the pancreas, as well as serum lipase and amylase expressions were evaluated. The expression levels of SIRT1, acety-HMGB1, TLR-4, HMGB1, IL-23, IL-17A, neutrophil chemokines (KC, LIX, and MIP-2), and inflammation-related factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), the translocation of HMGB1 and the interaction of SIRT-HMGB1 in the pancreas and serum were determined by ELISA real-time PCR, western blotting and immunoprecipitation.ResultsIn-vivo studies showed DCQD or neutralizing antibody (anti-23p19 or anti-IL-17A) could significantly decrease the activity of lipase, amylase, down-regulate the expression of CD68, MPO, wet/weight, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α,neutrophil chemokines (KC, LIX, MIP-2 ), alleviate pathological injury, and improve the microcirculatory function of the pancreas in rats with SAP. Moreover, DCQD remarkably augmented SIRT1 expression, promoted SIRT1 and HMGB1 combination, reduced HMGB1 translocation from nuclear to cytoplasm, and alleviated the expression of acetyl-HMGB1, HMGB1, IL-17A, TLR-4 and IL-23 in vitro and vivo with SAP. However, the intervention with EX527 (SIRT1 inhibitor) or r-HMGB1 (recombinant HMGB1) could obliviously reverse the above-mentioned influence of DCQD in SAP. In vitro, we confirmed that DCQD could decrease the acetylation, migration and release of HMGB1, and improve the decline of cell viability, SIRT1, SIRI-HMGB1 combination induced by cerulein with promoting macrophage to release IL-23 through HMGB1/TLR-4. ConclusionDCQD treatment improves SAP-induced pancreatic microcirculatory dysfunction by inhibiting neutrophil-mediated inflammation through the inactivation of HMGB1-TLR-4-IL-23-IL-17A signaling via Targeting SIRT1.Trial registration: No. 365, 2020.
WITHDRAWN: LC-MS-Based Urine Metabolomics for the Identification of Biomarkers Related to The Occurrence and Severity of Flight Fatigue
Authors: Gao Rong , Fan Jiao , Fu Zhaojun , Ma Yazhong , Wang Jianchang , Yuan Hailong
Published: July 2021

Background: Aircrew fatigue is a major contributor of operational errors in civil and military aviation, which translates a comprehensive performance associated with both neuromuscular and cognitive states. Here we have used untargeted and non-invasive urinary metabolomics to explore flight fatigue-related aberrations. In this sense, we aimed to identify biomarkers that could better monitor pilot fatigue and also assess its severity to prevent ‘nonfunctional over-reached’ state, thus promoting flight safety. Methods: In this study, 22 active-duty male pilots, who conducted different flight hour duties, were recruited to mimic different levels of fatigue. For this, respective urine samples were collected, before and after flight, and analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Results: Except for the fatty acids and some amino acids, significant changes on metabolite levels were observed during the progression of flight fatigue. Most of these metabolites corresponded to acyl carnitines, carbohydrates, purines and indoles. The majority of amino acids were downregulated after the flight mission. A total of 61 metabolites were found to be significantly changed along with the extent of flight fatigue. To efficiently discriminate the occurrence of flight fatigue, three candidate biomarkers (beta-guanidinopropionic acid, 3-dehydro-L-gulonate and 2-propylpent-3-enoic acid) were further characterized. Lastly, Bayes discriminant function models were established to stratify pilots with severity of fatigue and, therefore, to aid in flight risk management.Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study inaugurally provides a metabolic profiling in response to flight fatigue, thus offering a novel and effective way to monitor and manage this physiological condition.