bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethics for the Living World: Alternative Methods and New Strategies for the Protection of Nonhuman Animals
Authors: Penco Susanna , Ciliberti Rosagemma
Published: June 2021

The use of animals in laboratories is a controversial issue involving much dispute between the researchers who support animal experimentation and those who are in favor of its abolishment. The former, whilst criticizing the emotional behavior of those who oppose it, consider experimentation on animals unavoidable, whereas the latter criticize animal experiments and the underlying logic as erroneous considering its methods unscientific and therefore misleading. This paper stems from the idea of researching into possible ways of developing or improving new alternative strategies for animal experimentation by finding adequate solutions beyond dogmatic opposition in the context of the current European Directive 2010/63/EU (the main reference point for the experimentation on animals) for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. More specifically the paper aims at offering the readers a working proposal, while duly respecting the protocol for the post mortem donation of their own corpses for the purposes of study and research. As we believe diseases need to be cured and not only treated, we are advocating post mortem studies on organs which could lead to the discovery of the causes of unknown etiological pathologies. The commitment to the implementation of constantly new and innovative alternatives concerning animal experimentation is right and proper, especially in the light of the ‘enormous debt’ which the Italian National Bioethics Committee stated that mankind has towards nonhuman living beings.
Attività ricettive «amiche della bicicletta». Casi italiani e prospettive
Authors: Di Marcello Raffaele
Published: June 2021

A survey carried by the European Parliament - Directorate General for Internal Policies, entitled «The European cycle route network Eurovelo», highlights how Italy is one of the favorite tourist destinations by bicycle from other EU countries and Switzerland. The different types of tourism cycling coincide with the active tourism, nature tourism, the itinerant tourism, religious tourism, etc., but they share the use of bicycles, which requires infrastructure, services and accommodation appropriate. Regarding the latter feature can not speak of bicycle tourism without investigating the phenomenon of socalled bike hotels, accommodation facilities, not just hotel, particularly attentive to the needs of travelers cyclists, linked together in a network and offer specific the various types of bicycle tourists. The paper analyzes the totality of accommodation facilities, hotels and other, at the national, regional and provincial level, based on data from Istat 2010, identifying for each field structures bike friendly, and investigating the reasons that have led us to develop, in some areas more than in others, this type of tourist accommodation. Complete the cognitive framework an overview of local and national policies aimed at encouraging the development of this type of tourism and hotels and other accommodation facilities.
Alla ricerca di una ricettività “low cost”: tentativi di risposta nell’area bergamasca
Authors: Macchiavelli Andrea , Licandri Stefania
Published: June 2021

This paper analyses the growth of a low cost accommodation in Bergamo and in its province. The work presents four paragraphs and final conclusions. In the first two paragraphs we define the most important changes occurred in tourist behaviours in the last years and we describe the excellent performance reported by Orio al Serio airport thanks to the low cost flight policy. Nowadays the tourist/vacationer, who has a strong decision-making power, asks for new cheap solutions, essential services and short-break trips. In order to meet the needs of this new consumer the tourist market, especially in Bergamo, is in progress. Thanks to the low cost flight policy, during the last years international tourist arrivals at Orio al Serio airport increased, despite the recent world economic crisis. The results of some studies realised by University of Bergamo confirm that the international tourist in Bergamo is more and more a low profile tourist who searches for cheap solutions, but also good quality services. This means that he has little spending power, but he doesn’t give up travelling. For this reason in the other two paragraphs we illustrate the expansion of new hospitality accommodation in the city and in its province. If in the past Bergamo and its province lived thanks to business tourism, today the growth of Orio al Serio airport promotes new ways of tourist consumption. So in the last years this hospitality industry reorganised an offer based on particular strategies aimed at keeping low production costs. The rationalisation of human resources, the reduction of energy consumption, special prices policies, the use of Internet for promotion allow to keep and offer low costs and good quality. Thanks to all these new solutions the hospitality industry in Bergamo is increasing more and more her competitiveness, although a lot of problems persist in particular with regard to hotel chains and a culture of hospitality still closed and little innovative.
Evolution characteristic of axial magnetic field and Nernst effect in magnetized liner inertial fusion
Authors: Zhao Hai-Long , Wang Gang-Hua , Xiao Bo , Wang Qiang , Kan Ming-Xian , Duan Shu-Chao , Xie Long ,   Institute of Fluid Physics, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
Published: June 2021

Axial magnetic field is one of the main parameters of magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF), which is greatly different from other traditional inertial confinement fusion configurations. The introduce of axial magnetic field dramatically increases energy deposit efficiency of alpha particles, when initial Bz increases from 0 to 30 T, the ratio of deposited alpha energy rises from 7% to 53%. In the MagLIF process, the evolvement of magnetic flux in fuel can be roughly divided into three main stages: undisturbed, oscillation, and equilibrium. The distributions and evolution characteristic of axial magnetic field are both determined by the liner conductivity, fuel conductivity, and the fluid dynamics. The pressure imbalance between fuel and liner, caused by laser injection, is the source of fluid oscillation, which is an intrinsic disadvantage of laser preheating method. This fluid oscillation does not lead the magnetic flux to decrease monotonically in the fuel during implosion process, but oscillate repeatedly, even increase in a short time. Nernst effect plays a negative role in MagLIF process. As initial axial magnetic field decreases from 30 to 20 to 10 T, the Nernst effect causes magnetic flux loss to increase from 28% to 44% to 73% correspondingly, and the deposited alpha energy ratio drops from 44% to 27% to 4% respectively. So the initial magnetic field is supposed to be moderately high. The radial distribution of temperature in fuel should be as uniform as possible after preheating, which is helpful in reducing the influence of Nernst effect. Compared with Nernst effect, the end loss effect is much responsible for rapid drawdown of fusion yield. A large number of physical images are acquired and summarized through this work, which are helpful in understanding the process of magnetic flux compression and diffusion in MagLIF process. The simulation can act as a powerful tool and the simulation results can serve as a useful guidance for the future experimental designs.
5'-UTR SNP of FGF13 causes translational defect and intellectual disability
Authors: Pan Xingyu , Zhao Jingrong , Zhou Zhiying , Chen Jijun , Yang Zhenxing , Wu Yuxuan , Bai Meizhu , Jiao Yang , Yang Yun , Hu Xuye , Cheng Tianling , Lu Qianyun , Wang Bin , Li Chang-Lin , Lu Ying-Jin , Diao Lei , Zhong Yan-Qing , Pan Jing , Zhu Jianmin , Xiao Hua-Sheng , Qiu Zi-Long , Li Jinsong , Wang Zefeng , Hui Jingyi , Bao Lan , Zhang Xu
Published: June 2021

The congenital intellectual disability (ID)-causing gene mutations remain largely unclear, although many genetic variations might relate to ID. We screened gene mutations in Chinese Han children suffering from severe ID and found a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13) mRNA (NM_001139500.1:c.-32c>G) shared by three male children. In both HEK293 cells and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, this SNP reduced the translation of FGF13, which stabilizes microtubules in developing neurons. Mice carrying the homologous point mutation in 5′-UTR of Fgf13 showed delayed neuronal migration during cortical development, and weakened learning and memory. Furthermore, this SNP reduced the interaction between FGF13 5′-UTR and polypyrimidine-tract-binding protein 2 (PTBP2), which was required for FGF13 translation in cortical neurons. Thus, this 5′-UTR SNP of FGF13 interferes with the translational process of FGF13 and causes deficits in brain development and cognitive functions.
Castration delays epigenetic aging and feminizes DNA methylation at androgen-regulated loci
Authors: Sugrue Victoria J , Zoller Joseph Alan , Narayan Pritika , Lu Ake T , Ortega-Recalde Oscar J , Grant Matthew J , Bawden C Simon , Rudiger Skye R , Haghani Amin , Bond Donna M , Hore Reuben R , Garratt Michael , Sears Karen E , Wang Nan , Yang Xiangdong William , Snell Russell G , Hore Timothy A , Horvath Steve
Published: June 2021

In mammals, females generally live longer than males. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underpinning sex-dependent longevity are currently unclear. Epigenetic clocks are powerful biological biomarkers capable of precisely estimating chronological age and identifying novel factors influencing the aging rate using only DNA methylation data. In this study, we developed the first epigenetic clock for domesticated sheep (Ovis aries), which can predict chronological age with a median absolute error of 5.1 months. We have discovered that castrated male sheep have a decelerated aging rate compared to intact males, mediated at least in part by the removal of androgens. Furthermore, we identified several androgen-sensitive CpG dinucleotides that become progressively hypomethylated with age in intact males, but remain stable in castrated males and females. Comparable sex-specific methylation differences in MKLN1 also exist in bat skin and a range of mouse tissues that have high androgen receptor expression, indicating that it may drive androgen-dependent hypomethylation in divergent mammalian species. In characterizing these sites, we identify biologically plausible mechanisms explaining how androgens drive male-accelerated aging.
Specialized coding patterns among dorsomedial prefrontal neuronal ensembles predict conditioned reward seeking
Authors: Grant Roger I , Doncheck Elizabeth M , Vollmer Kelsey M , Winston Kion T , Romanova Elizaveta V , Siegler Preston N , Holman Heather , Bowen Christopher W , Otis James M
Published: June 2021

Non-overlapping cell populations within dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), defined by gene expression or projection target, control dissociable aspects of reward seeking through unique activity patterns. However, even within these defined cell populations, considerable cell-to-cell variability is found, suggesting that greater resolution is needed to understand information processing in dmPFC. Here, we use two-photon calcium imaging in awake, behaving mice to monitor the activity of dmPFC excitatory neurons throughout Pavlovian reward conditioning. We characterize five unique neuronal ensembles that each encodes specialized information related to a sucrose reward, reward-predictive cues, and behavioral responses to those cues. The ensembles differentially emerge across daily training sessions – and stabilize after learning – in a manner that improves the predictive validity of dmPFC activity dynamics for deciphering variables related to behavioral conditioning. Our results characterize the complex dmPFC neuronal ensemble dynamics that stably predict reward availability and initiation of conditioned reward seeking following cue-reward learning.
Rapid feedback on hospital onset SARS-CoV-2 infections combining epidemiological and sequencing data
Authors: Stirrup Oliver , Hughes Joseph , Parker Matthew , Partridge David G , Shepherd James G , Blackstone James , Coll Francesc , Keeley Alexander , Lindsey Benjamin B , Marek Aleksandra , Peters Christine , Singer Joshua B ,   The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium, Tamuri Asif , de Silva Thushan I , Thomson Emma C , Breuer Judith
Published: June 2021

Background:

Rapid identification and investigation of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) is important for suppression of SARS-CoV-2, but the infection source for hospital onset COVID-19 infections (HOCIs) cannot always be readily identified based only on epidemiological data. Viral sequencing data provides additional information regarding potential transmission clusters, but the low mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 can make interpretation using standard phylogenetic methods difficult.

Methods:

We developed a novel statistical method and sequence reporting tool (SRT) that combines epidemiological and sequence data in order to provide a rapid assessment of the probability of HCAI among HOCI cases (defined as first positive test >48 hr following admission) and to identify infections that could plausibly constitute outbreak events. The method is designed for prospective use, but was validated using retrospective datasets from hospitals in Glasgow and Sheffield collected February–May 2020.

Results:

We analysed data from 326 HOCIs. Among HOCIs with time from admission ≥8 days, the SRT algorithm identified close sequence matches from the same ward for 160/244 (65.6%) and in the remainder 68/84 (81.0%) had at least one similar sequence elsewhere in the hospital, resulting in high estimated probabilities of within-ward and within-hospital transmission. For HOCIs with time from admission 3–7 days, the SRT probability of healthcare acquisition was >0.5 in 33/82 (40.2%).

Conclusions:

The methodology developed can provide rapid feedback on HOCIs that could be useful for infection prevention and control teams, and warrants further prospective evaluation. The integration of epidemiological and sequence data is important given the low mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 and its variable incubation period.

Funding:

COG-UK HOCI funded by COG-UK consortium, supported by funding from UK Research and Innovation, National Institute of Health Research and Wellcome Sanger Institute.
Mechanical stretch scales centriole number to apical area via Piezo1 in multiciliated cells
Authors: Kulkarni Saurabh , Marquez Jonathan , Date Priya , Ventrella Rosa , Mitchell Brian J , Khokha Mustafa K
Published: June 2021

How cells count and regulate organelle number is a fundamental question in cell biology. For example, most cells restrict centrioles to two in number and assemble one cilium; however, multiciliated cells (MCCs) synthesize hundreds of centrioles to assemble multiple cilia. Aberration in centriole/cilia number impairs MCC function and can lead to pathological outcomes. Yet how MCCs control centriole number remains unknown. Using Xenopus, we demonstrate that centriole number scales with apical area over a remarkable 40-fold change in size. We find that tensile forces that shape the apical area also trigger centriole amplification based on both cell stretching experiments and disruption of embryonic elongation. Unexpectedly, Piezo1, a mechanosensitive ion channel, localizes near each centriole suggesting a potential role in centriole amplification. Indeed, depletion of Piezo1 affects centriole amplification and disrupts its correlation with the apical area in a tension-dependent manner. Thus, mechanical forces calibrate cilia/centriole number to the MCC apical area via Piezo1. Our results provide new perspectives to study organelle number control essential for optimal cell function.
Integrated mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis of goat fibroblasts response to Brucella Melitensis strain M5-90
Authors: Li Baobao , Chen Si , Wang Chengqiang , Chen Qiaoling , Man Churiga , An Qi , Zhang Zhenxing , Liu Zhiyong , Du Li , Wang Fengyang
Published: June 2021

Brucellosis is a globally zoonotic bacterial disease of humans and various animals including goats, sheep, and cattle. Brucella melitensis M5-90, a live attenuated vaccine strain, has been widely used to prevent brucellosis in goats and sheep. However, the molecular mechanisms governing protective immunity response in non-professional phagocytes infected with B. melitensis M5-90 have not been fully investigated, especially in goats. In our research, goat fibroblasts were used as in vitro models to determine these mechanisms by transcriptome analysis. After incubating with B. melitensis M5-90 3 h, the infected goat fibroblasts were collected at 0 h, 4 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h for RNA-seq. The results indicated that there were totally 11,819 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 777 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs found in experiment groups compared with the control groups (|log2(Foldchange)|≥1, FDR<0.05). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that down-regulated genes were involved in the riboflavin metabolism and positive regulation of IL-8 secretion pathway. The up-regulated genes were mainly involved in adaptive immunity, including TNF signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and JAK/STAT pathway. Additionally, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity and toll-like receptor signaling pathway, which associated with innate immunity pathways, were also induced. Based on the Pearson correlation coefficients and prediction results of TargetScan and miRanda, the miRNA-mRNA networks of NFKB1, IFNAR2 and IL10RB were constructed and verified in goat fibroblasts by qPCR, which demonstrated that goat fibroblasts displayed immunomodulatory properties. Our findings provide a deeper insight into the host miRNA-driven B. melitensis defense mechanism and reveal the transcriptome changes involved in the innate and adaptive immune response of the goats to B. melitensis infection.
Identification of pathogen(s) in infectious diseases using shotgun metagenomic sequencing and conventional culture: a comparative study
Authors: Chen Huan , Li Jun , Yan Shanshan , Sun Hui , Tan Chuyi , Liu Meidong , Liu Ke , Zhang Huali , Zou Mingxiang , Xiao Xianzhong
Published: June 2021

Background

Early and accurate diagnosis of microorganism(s) is important to optimize antimicrobial therapy. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing technology, an unbiased and comprehensive method for pathogen identification, seems to potentially assist or even replace conventional microbiological methodology in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. However, evidence in clinical application of this platform is relatively limited.

Methods

To evaluate the capability of shotgun metagenomic sequencing technology in clinical practice, both shotgun metagenomic sequencing and conventional culture were performed in the PCR-positive body fluid specimens of 20 patients with suspected infection. The sequenced data were then analyzed for taxonomic identification of microbes and antibiotic resistance gene prediction using bioinformatics pipeline.

Results

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing results showed a concordance of 17/20 compared with culture results in bacterial detection, and a concordance of 20/20 compared with culture results in fungal detection. Besides, drug-resistant types annotated from antibiotic resistance genes showed much similarity with antibiotic classes identified by susceptibility tests, and more than half of the specimens had consistent drug types between shotgun metagenomic sequencing and culture results.

Conclusions

Pathogen identification and antibiotic resistance gene prediction by shotgun metagenomic sequencing identification had the potential to diagnose microorganisms in infectious diseases, and it was especially helpful for multiple microbial co-infections and for the cases where standard culture approached failed to identify microorganisms.
Enhancement of Processing Capabilities of Hippocampus Lobe: A P300 Based Event Related Potential Study
Authors: Benet Neelesh , Krishna Rajalakshmi , Kumar Vijay
Published: June 2021

Background and Objectives: The influence of music training on different areas of the brain has been extensively researched, but the underlying neurobehavioral mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the effects of training for more than three years in Carnatic music (an Indian form of music) on the discrimination ability of different areas of the brain were tested using P300 analysis at three electrode placement sites.Subjects and Methods: A total of 27 individuals, including 13 singers aged 16-30 years (mean±standard deviation, 23±3.2 years) and 14 non-singers aged 16-30 years (mean age, 24±2.9 years), participated in this study. The singers had 3-5 years of formal training experience in Carnatic music. Cortical activities in areas corresponding to attention, discrimination, and memory were tested using P300 analysis, and the tests were performed using the Intelligent Hearing System.Results: The mean P300 amplitude of the singers at the Fz electrode placement site (5.64±1.81) was significantly higher than that of the non-singers (3.85±1.60; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). The amplitude at the Cz electrode placement site in singers (5.90±2.18) was significantly higher than that in non-singers (3.46±1.40; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). The amplitude at the Pz electrode placement site in singers (4.94±1.89) was significantly higher than that in non-singers (3.57±1.50; t(25)=3.3, p<0.05). Among singers, the mean P300 amplitude was significantly higher in the Cz site than the other placement sites, and among non-singers, the mean P300 amplitude was significantly higher in the Fz site than the other placement sites, i.e., music training facilitated enhancement of the P300 amplitude at the Cz site.Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that more than three years of training in Carnatic singing can enhance neural coding to discriminate subtle differences, leading to enhanced discrimination abilities of the brain, mainly in the generation site corresponding to Cz electrode placement.
Optimal First-Line Therapy for Acute Low-Tone Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Shin Seung-Ho , Byun Sung Wan , Park Sohl , Kim Eun Hye , Kim Min Woo , Lee Ho Yun
Published: June 2021

Background and Objectives: We aimed to analyze treatment outcomes following different initial management approaches and confirm treatment regimens for acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) that would yield the best results.Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 106 patients with ALHL who visited a university hospital’s otology clinic from March 2013 to June 2019. Pure-tone averages at the initial visit and at 2 and 4 weeks after the initial visit were evaluated.Results: Forty-nine patients were enrolled in this study; of them, 41 (83.7%) exhibited complete recovery (CR) at 2 weeks and 43 (87.8%) exhibited CR at 1 month after the initial visit. Regression analysis revealed that CR at 2 weeks after the initial visit was associated with diuretic use [Exp(B): 10.309, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.007-100]. An initial daily low-dose steroid use was marginally significant [Exp(B): 1.042, 95% CI: 0.997-1.092; p=0.066]. Isolated diuretic use [Exp(B): 25.641, 95% CI: 1.121-90.909; p=0.039] was an independent, good prognostic factor at 1 month after the initial visit. However, other treatment regimens did not affect the final results.Conclusions: A combination of initial daily administration of ≤30 mg prednisolone plus diuretics was sufficient as the first-line treatment for ALHL. High-dose steroids and salvage intratympanic steroid injections can be applied as a second choice; however, the predicted outcome would not be good in that case.
Students' Perceptions of Online Learning and Teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: An Empirical Study in Selected University in Sri Lanka
Authors: Howshigan Shamini , Nadesan Thevanes
Published: June 2021

The dramatic transition to online pedagogy in education, as a consequence of COVID19 has shownseveral inequalities and challenges and advantages in education. The epidemic of COVID-19 profoundly changed the global higher education system in 2020, and the crisis has accelerated innovation in the education sector. Anyhow, whatever the situation, high academic standards are required for a university to produce high-quality teaching outputs and graduates, and it should ensure continuously. With this intention, this study conducted to assess the efficacy of online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the perceptions of undergraduate students from the Selected university.A validated online questionnaire is used among the 171 students from the selected university. The primary goal of this paper is to analyse how the education system adapts to online teaching and learning, identify the preferred mode of study by the students in between face to face interaction and online learning, and identify the advantages and challenges faced by the students in online learning. The paper also aims to make recommendations for improving online teaching and learning through the use of online. The study's findings show that, even though the students are satisfied with the existing online teaching and learning in selected university, they prefer face to face learning than online learning. The study strongly recommends that improving the quality of the online education system and striving to solve students' issues in terms of online learning is required to maintain the standard in education. The study's findings shed light on government and non-government educational institutions, academics, and policymakers to enhance online education and maintain the education standard.
Outcome Analysis of Osteosynthesis Versus Hemiarthroplasty for the Treatment of Displaced Femoral Neck Fracture in Young Elderly Patient
Authors: Joyo Muhammad Rafique , Ahmed Nizam , Shah Ghazanfar Ali , Khanzada Aftab Alam , Afzal Tanveer , Keerio Niaz Hussain , Noor Syed Shahid
Published: June 2021

This study was designed to compare the osteosynthesis and hemiarthroplasty treatment among the elderly population and evaluate the postoperative functional performance of these two recommended treatments of a displaced femoral neck fracture.

Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted in Bone Care trauma center Heerabad  Hospital Hyderabad Pakistan from March 2019 to March 2020. A total of 74 patients of age between  60 to 70 years were selected. All the selected patients were diagnosed with femoral neck fractures (Garden’s III and IV). Harris's hip score was used to evaluate the clinical status of patients with pain, whereas we used Palmer and Parker's mobility to access mobility. Implant breakage, screw cut, and nonunion were considered as parameters of osteosynthesis failure. At the same time, hemiarthroplasty failure was defined as two or more recurrent dislocation, aseptic loosening, periprosthetic fracture, and infection.

Results:  In the first three postoperative months, the mean score of the hemiarthroplasty group was reported as 74.44±8.480, which was comparatively high than the osteosynthesis group (66.44±8.520). After six months, this score reached 80.12±7.005 in the hemiarthroplasty group and reached its maximum of 92.14±7.125. After the first three months, the increment ratio was relatively slow with six ratios, but in the last visit, we observed a sudden increase in score in both groups. Regarding Palmer and Parker's mobility score, the hemiarthroplasty group reflected better outcomes than the osteosynthesis group.

Conclusion: Our study concluded that management of displaced femoral neck fracture with osteosynthesis revealed a high probability of nonunion, screw cutout complications and enhanced the risk of reoperation. Patients treated with osteosynthesis showed delay rehabilitation.
Role of Panretinal Photocoagulation in Improvement of Visual Acuity of Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Bhutto Shabeer Ahmed , Gopang Zakaullah , Abbasi Safder Ali , Katpar Naeem Akhtar , Depar Muhammad Yusuf , Nagdev Vijay
Published: June 2021

Objective: To determine the improvement of visual acuity in patients having proliferative diabetic retinopathy undergoing panretinal photocoagulation therapy.

Study design: This is a descriptive case series study.

Setting: Study carried out at Ophthalmology Department, ShaheedMohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana, from 01-10-2019 to 31-03-2020 (06 months).

Materials and methods: We selected patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy from the retina clinic after taking a careful history and clinical examination including visual acuity anterior and posterior segment examination and then patient selected for panretinal coagulation with the  help of frequency-doubled Nd: YAG laser in three or four sittings.

Results: The total of 158 eyes of 110 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy were included in this study out of which improvement of visual acuity was found in 38 (24%) eyes and 120 (76%) eyes have no improvement or same vision.

Conclusion: Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) can successfully be treated with panretinal coagulation with the help of frequency doubled Nd: YAG laser therapy.
Study of the Association between Serum Ferritin Levels and HbA1c in Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Jordanian Population Sample
Authors: AL-Fawaeir Saad , Daradka Haytham M. , Siyam Ali Ahmad Abu
Published: June 2021

Background/ aim: The most common endocrine disorder in the world is type 2 DM, affecting 85-90% of all people with diabetes. Several studies have found an association between serum ferritin levels and HbA1c, so the current study was undertaken to examine the association between serum ferritin levels and HbA1c in Jordanian patient’s sample with type 2 DM.

Method:  120 patients with type 2 DM were enrolled into the current study, and control group consist of 20 healthy individuals, blood samples were collected after 14 h of fasting, 5 ml of fasting sample for FBS and ferritin, 4 ml whole blood taken in EDTA tube for Hb and HbA1c, sample centrifuged and biochemical tests were done in the same day.

Results: The mean of serum ferittin was significantly higher in patients group (213.87±114.23 ng/ml) than control group (98.34±18.45 ng/ml, P < 0.05). There was a positive association between serum ferritin and HbA1c (P < 0.05). Also there was a significant correlation between serum ferritin and FBS P < 0.05. Among the two groups there was no significant difference regarding demographic features (sex, age and BMI).

Conclusion: collected data showed that there is a significantly association between ferittin and type 2 DM, it was higher in comparison with healthy group, so it can give an indication of glycemic  control in diabetic patients.
Antiplatelet Agents Utilization Pattern and Assessment of Patient Specific Drug use Problems among Cardiac Patient
Authors: Hadia Rajesh , Shah Priyanshi , John Johncy Mariam , Patel Rutvi , Gohel Kushal kumar , Mathew Cinosh , Rathod Trupal , Joshi Dhaval , Maheshwari Rajesh
Published: June 2021

Background: Antiplatelet agents reduce the occurrence of the cardiovascular issue in people with established cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To understand the pattern of Antiplatelet drug utilization among cardiovascular disease patients. To evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy and responsible factors like age, gender, co-morbid condition, and patient-related drug use problems.

Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study. Patients with cardiovascular disease above 18 years of age were prescribed antiplatelet agents from the department of cardiology and ICCU were enrolled in the study.

Result: A total of 150 patients were enrolled of which male 79% (N=119) and female 21% (N=31). Most patients belong to 51-60 years of age groups. The patients diagnosed with IWMI (inferior wall myocardial infarction) 43.3% (N=65) have highly prescribed antiplatelet agents. Smoking 54.7% (N=82) followed by Alcohol 26.7% (N=40) found to be the most dominant risk factors.60.7% (N=91) patients had no comorbidity followed by 31.3% (N=47) had a comorbid cardiac condition. Most prescribed antiplatelet agents were monotherapy of Aspirin 28.8% (N=43), Clopidogrel 16.7% (N=25), and combination therapy of both 51.2% (N=82).

Conclusion: The study concluded that increases in the number of co-morbidities can significantly increase the Utilization of drugs which can further lead to drug use problems. The clinical pharmacist can help to alleviate the problems of polypharmacy and its consequence.
World Literature: A Panacea for the Colonial Prejudice of English Literature
Authors: Nemati Amirhossein , Hassanpour Darbandi Ali
Published: June 2021

The present study is an attempt to discuss the importance of “World Literature” for English literary studies in universities and societies around the world. In this regard, this paper shall refer to the stances adopted by various thinkers against the colonial and ideological essence of the English literature in developing countries. In this part, references are made to postcolonial thinkers and the way they have exposed the barbaric nature of colonialism, in that it has, for decades, marginalized the culture and literature of other nations through cultural (neo)colonialism. The next part offers a brief introduction to the history of the emergence of “World Literature” and the ways in which it contributes to bridging the gap between nations across continents and ideological divides. The final section is devoted to a recapitulatory remark vis-à-vis the reorientation of the public’s eyes towards “World Literature” as a panacea for the colonial prejudice of English literature.
A methylation‐driven gene panel predicts survival in patients with colon cancer
Authors: Peng Yaojun , Zhao Jing , Yin Fan , Sharen Gaowa , Wu Qiyan , Chen Qi , Sun Xiaoxuan , Yang Juan , Wang Huan , Zhang Dong
Published: June 2021

The accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic changes in colonic epithelial cells has been identified as one of the fundamental processes that drive the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to explore functional genes regulated by DNA methylation and their potential utilization as biomarkers for the prediction of CRC prognoses. Methylation‐driven genes (MDGs) were explored by applying the integrative analysis tool (methylmix) to The Cancer Genome Atlas CRC project. The prognostic MDG panel was identified by combining the Cox regression model with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regularization. Gene set enrichment analysis was used to determine the pathways associated with the six‐MDG panel. Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) expression and methylation in CRC samples were validated by using additional datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Methylation‐specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing were used to confirm DNA methylation in CRC cell lines. A prognostic MDG panel consisting of six gene members was identified: TMEM88, HOXB2, FGD1, TOGARAM1, ARHGDIB and CD40. The high‐risk phenotype classified by the six‐MDG panel was associated with cancer‐related biological processes, including invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis and the tumor immune microenvironment. The prognostic value of the six‐MDG panel was found to be independent of tumor node metastasis stage and, in combination with tumor node metastasis stage and age, could help improve survival prediction. In addition, the expression of CD40 was confirmed to be regulated by promoter region methylation in CRC samples and cell lines. The proposed six‐MDG panel represents a promising signature for estimating the prognosis of patients with CRC.
Evolution of
TLR5
Authors: Pinheiro Ana
Published: June 2021

TLR5
is an evolutionary conserved protein. Evidence so far shows that it emerged in a vertebrate ancestor and maintained its flagellin recognition function throughout evolution. The single
TLR5
gene that was present in the vertebrates' ancestor was duplicated in the Actinopterygii lineage originating a short ECD only
TLR5
(TLR5S). The single
TLR5
again suffered a duplication in the tetrapoda ancestor originating another short ECD only
TLR5
(TLR5L). This TLR5L was then independently lost in the Reptilia Archosauromorpha lineage, which comprises crocodiles and birds, and in the mammals' lineage, and is nowadays present only in Amphibians and most reptiles.
TLR5
pseudogenisation events are common, with higher incidence in birds and mammals. These gene gains and losses may reflect species adaptation to particular environments and pathogens. It is also apparent that, in birds and mammals,
TLR5
may be functionally redundant and is acquiring new functions beyond flagellin recognition.

Key Concepts

TLR5
is a vertebrate Toll‐like receptor that binds bacterial flagellin.

TLR5
is overall an evolutionary conserved protein being present and maintaining its function from lampreys to mammals.

The
TLR5
evolution has been punctuated by several independent gene gains and losses, characteristic events of a multigene family evolution.

In birds and mammals, the finding of positively selected codons suggests that
TLR5
is evolving in response to pathogen pressure.

Growing evidence suggests that
TLR5
function may be redundant, and hence, the gene has been lost or pseudogenised in many birds and mammals.
Tiering in the Sea – Reefs and Burrows (Late Palaeozoic)
Authors: Wood Rachel A
Published: June 2021

Tiering is often considered as a proxy for the ecological complexity of ancient communities. Vertically tiered and cryptic habitats created by the development of reefs provided local sites of hard substrates within the tropics that served as centres for biodiversification. Ancient reefs in the Late Palaeozoic were dominated by microbial communities that formed complex substrate topographies, together with a variety of calcified algae and suspension‐feeding metazoans that populated open and cryptic surfaces. Tiering in epifaunal communities increased significantly in the Ordovician to form complex tiered communities that persisted throughout the Palaeozoic. By contrast, infaunal tiering developed slowly, with occupation of deeper depths being achieved only by the Lower Carboniferous. Post‐Permian mass extinction epibenthic and infaunal biotas were of very low diversity and composed of small‐sized, low‐tiered suspension‐feeding opportunists. Epifaunal communities increased in complexity and tiering after approximately one million years as crinoids and bryozoans returned. Complexity and depth of burrowing communities only returned to precrisis levels by the Middle Triassic.

Key Concepts

Reefs provide diverse hard substrates for colonisation of the benthos and therefore create vertically tiered and cryptic habitats with high biodiversity.

Tropical reefs have served as centres for metazoan biodiversification from the late Ediacaran onwards.

Tiering is considered as a proxy for the ecological complexity of ancient communities.

Late Palaeozoic reefs and mud mounds bore complex substrate topographies produced in part by microbial carbonate production supported diverse and well‐tiered open and cryptic communities that persisted to the end of the Permian.

Infaunal tiering developed slowly from the Ordovician, with occupation of deeper depths being achieved only by the Lower Carboniferous.

Post‐Permian mass extinction epibenthic and infaunal biotas consisted of very low diversity, small‐sized and low‐tiered communities.

Epifaunal communities increased in complexity and tiering as crinoids and bryozoans returned. Infaunal communities saw the return of suspension feeders and finally crustaceans, but the size and depth of burrowing communities only returned to precrisis levels by the Middle Triassic.
Fervidobacteriaceae
Authors: Farrell Anne A. , Nesbø Camilla L. , Zhaxybayeva Olga , L'Haridon Stéphane
Published: June 2021

Fer.vi.do.bac.te.ri.a.ce'ae. N.L. neut. n.
Fervidobacterium
, type genus of the family; L. fem. pl. suff.
‐aceae
, ending to denote a family; N. L. fem. pl. n.
Fervidobacteriaceae
, the family whose nomenclatural type is the genus
Fervidobacterium
.

Thermotogota / Thermotogae / Thermotogales / Fervidobacteriaceae

The family
Fervidobacteriaceae
comprises
sheathed thermophilic
and
hyperthermophilic
, fermentative, and hydrogen‐producing bacteria. Cells are rod shaped, occurring singly, in pairs, and chains are also observed. The majority of the rods produced spheroids during growth.
Strict anaerobe
. Heterotrophic growth. Optimal growth at 65–80°C.
Reduce sulfur to sulfide
. The family currently accommodates two genera,
Fervidobacterium
and
Thermosipho
. Known habitats are hot springs, terrestrial geothermal aquifers, shallow and deep‐sea hydrothermal vents, and deep subsurface oil reservoirs.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 29.5–45.8.

Type genus:
Fervidobacterium
Patel et al. 1985, VL19, emend. Bhandari and Gupta 2014.
Making the Means to Draw Out Ideas
Authors: Chard Nat
Published: June 2021

One of the most radical MArch units at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London is Unit X25, fronted by Nat Chard, Professor of Experimental Architecture, and Emma‐Kate Matthews. Chard has longstanding preoccupations with modelling, strange points of view and optical machines. This often results in his pupils producing work that questions the status quo in architecture and the spatial assumptions on which it is based, resulting in spectacular propositions.
Post‐Operative ‘Post‐isms’: Details of the 21st‐Century Educations of Architecturalists
Authors: Garcia Mark
Published: June 2021

The teaching of History and Theory can be as speculative as a design studio, giving the subject a projective emphasis. Mark Garcia, Senior Lecturer at the University of Greenwich, London, renamed the related course at the university as Histories/Theories/Futures and redesigned its content. The programme operates in a much more propositional way than it previously did and often constitutes the intellectual armature of the Masters student's design projects. He describes his modus operandi and shows some of his students’ work.
Drawing on Situational Sites
Authors: Eeckhout Riet
Published: June 2021

Sometimes certain architectural education studios shine out, beacon‐like. Riet Eeckhout’s studio at the Faculty of Architecture at KU Leuven, Belgium is one such. The students relish the freedom to variously explore the potential of relational architectural space and its representation. This freedom results in them devising their own working methods, and raises questions over many of the standard modes of architectural operation.
Building the Future with Architecture
Authors: Hannequin Nicolas
Published: June 2021

The Confluence Institute for Innovation and Creative Strategies in Architecture was founded by architect Odile Decq in Paris in 2014 as a small private school exempt from the usual politics and traditionalism of the French architectural academies and university institutions. As the name suggests, it is pedagogically constructed to encourage students to intensively and creatively interact with other disciplines – not just those typically associated with architecture, but also fields related to the body and the visual arts. Associate Professor Nicolas Hannequin examines its ethos and some of the work.
Microstructure and Properties of SnO2‐rGO Reinforced Copper Matrix Composites Fabricated by Molecular‐Level Mixing Method and Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Liu Jituo , Wang Xianhui , Liu Jia , Li Hangyu , Zhang Hongbo
Published: June 2021

Herein, the SnO2‐rGO compound powders are synthesized by reducing the graphene oxide with the SnCl2+HCl solution, and the SnO2‐rGO reinforced Cu matrix composites with uniform microstructure are successfully fabricated via molecular‐level mixing method along with spark plasma sintering. The hardness of the Cu matrix composite increases progressively with more incorporation of SnO2‐rGO content. At 0.1 wt% SnO2‐rGO, the yield strength and tensile strength of the Cu matrix composite are 305  and 350 MPa, which are, respectively, increased by 56% and 43% as compared to pure Cu. When the SnO2‐rGO content is beyond 0.2 wt%, the fractograph of the SnO2‐rGO/Cu bulk composite presents obvious tear ridges, and the fracture mode changes from ductile fracture to brittle fracture. With the introduction of SnO2 nanoparticles, the (Cu, Sn) solid solution formed at the interface between rGO and Cu matrix promotes the interface bonding. The strengthening mechanism of the SnO2‐rGO/Cu bulk composite can be ascribed to the dominant load transfer, supplemented by grain refinement and thermal mismatch effect.
Effect of Silk Fibroin Concentration on the Properties of Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylates for Digital Light Processing Printing
Authors: Egawa Satoshi , Kurita Hiroki , Kanno Teruyoshi , Narita Fumio
Published: June 2021

Attempts are made to use silk fibroin (SF), which is a protein produced by the silkworm, as a scaffold material in the field of regenerative medicine due to its high biocompatibility. Herein, the concentration of SF is varied and mixed with the light‐curing resin polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) to create a bioink, and the hydrogel is printed by digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. Then, to investigate the properties of the printed hydrogel, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, swelling behavior measurement, and compression testing are conducted. The properties of hydrogels depend on the concentration of SF, and this result indicates that it is possible to create a scaffold with properties suitable for some tissue by controlling the amount of SF.
Nanoimprint Lithography Facilitated Plasmonic‐Photonic Coupling for Enhanced Photoconductivity and Photocatalysis
Authors: Gupta Vaibhav , Sarkar Swagato , Aftenieva Olha , Tsuda Takuya , Kumar Labeesh , Schletz Daniel , Schultz Johannes , Kiriy Anton , Fery Andreas , Vogel Nicolas , König Tobias A. F.
Published: June 2021

Imprint lithography has emerged as a reliable, reproducible, and rapid method for patterning colloidal nanostructures. As a promising alternative to top‐down lithographic approaches, the fabrication of nanodevices has thus become effective and straightforward. In this study, a fusion of interference lithography (IL) and nanosphere imprint lithography on various target substrates ranging from carbon film on transmission electron microscope grid to inorganic and dopable polymer semiconductor is reported. 1D plasmonic photonic crystals are printed with 75% yield on the centimeter scale using colloidal ink and an IL‐produced polydimethylsiloxane stamp. Atomically smooth facet, single‐crystalline, and monodisperse colloidal building blocks of gold (Au) nanoparticles are used to print 1D plasmonic grating on top of a titanium dioxide (TiO2) slab waveguide, producing waveguide‐plasmon polariton modes with superior 10 nm spectral line‐width. Plasmon‐induced hot electrons are confirmed via two‐terminal current measurements with increased photoresponsivity under guiding conditions. The fabricated hybrid structure with Au/TiO2 heterojunction enhances photocatalytic processes like degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye molecules using the generated hot electrons. This simple colloidal printing technique demonstrated on silicon, glass, Au film, and naphthalenediimide polymer thus marks an important milestone for large‐scale implementation in optoelectronic devices.