bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salt Stress-Induced Genetic Variation in Calli and Shoot Cultures of Economically Important Stevia Rebaudiana
Authors: Khan Hayat , Qasim Hina , Zahoor Zarghoona , Ahmad Nisar , Iqbal Arshad , Fazal Hina , Khan Iftikhar Muhammad , Muhammad Jan , Ahmad Naveed
Published: February 2021

Stevia rebaudiana is one of the potent members of family Asteraceae and is famous for the synthesis of Steviol glycosides. Recently it is one of the economically important plants with high market demand. Seed infertility and stem cuttings are the major issues in obtaining homogeneous population, therefore, the best alternative is plant cell, tissue and organ culture. Currently, salt stress is one of the major issues worldwide. The overall objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of salt stress (100 mm NaCl) on genetic variation in calli and shoot cultures of S. rebaudiana. Sterilized leaf explants were inoculated on MS media augmented with 2,4-D (2.0 mg/L) and BAP (2.0 mg/L) for callogenesis. Shoots were obtained by using BAP (2.0 mg/L) and GA3 (0.5 mg/L) after 30 days. Callus and shoots were exposed to salt stress for 30 days. These fresh calli and shoot cultures were analyzed for genetic variation including three genes. 1: Leaf sample UDP glycosyltransferase gene restricted with ScaI 2: Callus sample gene restricted with ScaI 3: Leaf sample UDP glycosyltransferase mRNA restricted with NcoI 4: Callus sample mRNA restricted with NcoI 5: Leaf sample UDP glycosyltransferase mRNA restricted with DraIII 6: Callus sample mRNA restricted with DraIII. Only the callus sample digested with DraIII showed a variation from the mother plant. Others genes did not show any variation. It is concluded that genetic variation occurs in callus which is undifferentiated mass of cells and the variation caused may be due to salt stress. This study further need sequencing to identify the genes responsible for genetic and Somaclonal variation.
18F-Alfatide II for the evaluation of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients: comparison with 18F-FDG
Authors: Wu Jiang , Tian Jihong , Zhang Yiyan , Ji Hengshan , Sun Jingjing , Wang Xingang , Sun Chuanjin , Teng Zhaogang , Zhu Hong , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: February 2021

18F-Alfatide II has been translated into clinical use and been proven to have good performance in identifying breast cancer. In this study, we investigated 18F-Alfatide II for evaluation of axillary lymph nodes (ALN) in breast cancer patients and compared the performances with 18F-FDG. Methods: A total of 44 female patients with clinically suspected breast cancer were enrolled and underwent 18F-Alfatide II and 18F-FDG PET/CT within a week. Tracer uptakes in ALN were evaluated by visual analysis, semiquantitative analysis with maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) and SUVmax ratio of target/non-target (T/NT). Results: Among 44 patients, 37 patients were pathologically diagnosed with breast cancer with metastatic (17 cases) or non-metastatic (20 cases) ALN. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of visual analysis were 70.59%, 90.00%, 81.08%, 85.71% and 78.26% for 18F-Alfatide II, 64.71%, 90.00%, 78.38%, 84.62% and 75.00% for 18F-FDG, respectively. By combining 18F-Alfatide II and 18F-FDG, the sensitivity significantly increased to 82.35%, the specificity was 85.00%, the accuracy increased to 83.78%, the PPV was 82.35% and the NPV significantly increased to 85.00%. Three cases of luminal B subtype were false negative for both 18F-Alfatide II and 18F-FDG. The other 2 false negative cases of 18F-Alfatide II were triple-negative subtype and 3 false negative cases of 18F-FDG were luminal B subtype too. The AUCs of three semi-quantitative parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, T/NT) for 18F-Alfatide II were between 0.8 and 0.9, whereas those for 18F-FDG were more than 0.9. 18F-Alfatide II T/NT had the highest Youden index (76.5%), specificity (100%), accuracy (89.19%) and PPV (100%) among these semi-quantitative parameters. 18F-Alfatide II uptake as well as 18F-FDG uptake in metastatic axillary lymph nodes (MALN) was significantly higher than that in benign axillary lymph nodes (BALN). Both 18F-Alfatide II and 18F-FDG did not show difference in primary tumor uptake irrespective of ALN status. Conclusion: 18F-Alfatide II can be used in breast cancer patients to detect metastatic ALN, however, like 18F-FDG, with high specificity but relatively low sensitivity. The combination of 18F-Alfatide II and 18F-FDG can significantly improve sensitivity and NPV. 18F-Alfatide II T/NT may serve as the most important semi-quantitative parameter to evaluate ALN.
Development of an ISSR based SCAR marker to identify small cardamom Malabar (prostrate panicle) variety (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.)
Authors: Jose Sherin , Mathew Mary K , CS Anisha , Sasidharan Swapna , YS Rao
Published: February 2021

Small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) a perennial monocot, exhibits an array of variation in nature, mainly due to cross pollination. Based on the nature of the panicle orientation, cardamom is broadly grouped into three main ‘cultivated types’ – Malabar, Mysore and Vazhuka having prostrate, erect and semi-erect panicles respectively. These morphologically discriminative markers manifest itself during panicle emergence as is only possible. Among the three varieties Malabar variety is relatively superior with respect to different qualitative and quantitative characteristics. The objective of the present study was to develop and characterize molecular markers for enabling differentiation of Malabar variety at juvenile stage. One accession specific ISSR marker generated by UBC 866 was selected which consistently amplified an intact, distinct, ̴1500bp band specifically in individuals of Malabar variety, which was therefore cloned, sequenced and characterized. Ten primers were designed from the sequences for converting them to SCAR markers. The developed SCAR markers were tested for variety specificity and one primer pair (SBBT4F/SBBT3R) was validated using small cardamom accessions belonging to Malabar variety from different geographic locations and varieties with erect panicles as well as hybrids. The findings suggest that the SCAR marker is promising in identifying cardamom varieties having prostrate panicle (Malabar) and therefore is expected to make significant contributions in selection of F1 hybrids during breeding programmes.
Analysis of pigment cell composition, pigment content, tyrosinase content and activity of three kinds of loaches, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus from Poyang Lake
Authors: Sheng Junqing , Guan Le , Sheng Bin , Geng Shiyu , Wu Di , Hu Beijuan , Li Zhixiong , Le Shunlong , Hong Yijiang
Published: February 2021

Loaches, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, from Poyang Lake are a small economic fish, falling into three categories with typical blackspot characteristics, namely, big blackspot loaches (BBL), small blackspot loaches (SBL), and non-blackspot loaches (NBL), respectively. Pigment cell composition, pigment content, tyrosinase content and activity of three kinds of loaches were investigated. Our results showed that there were three types of skin pigment cells, namely, melanophores, xanthophores and iridophores. Melanophores in dorsum were more than in abdomen. Melanophore cytosomes in BBL were larger than those in SBL and NBL, and melanosomes were the largest in stage four. The melanophores in dorsal skin of SBL or NBL were small cell bodies, spindle-like, and in chain distribution. There was an extremely significant difference in melanin content in BBL between the dorsum and abdomen (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in melanin abdominal content, lutein and carotenoid contents among three kinds of loaches (P > 0.05). In dorsal skin, tyrosinase content was the highest in BBL, and it was significantly lower in NBL than in BBL and SBL (P < 0.01). This study reveals differences in pigment and tyrosinase content in three kinds of loaches and provides a theoretical basis for further study of the mechanism of black spot formation.
The effects of machining residual stresses on springback in deformation machining bending mode
Authors: Sedeh Mohammad Reza Naghdi , Ghaei Abbas
Published: February 2021

Hybrid machining-forming technology is a combination of two thin-structural machining and incremental forming manufacturing processes. A group of complex geometry parts in which a thick region is connected to a thin wall region can be manufactured through this technology with certain advantages. The parts made by this technology require less raw material compared to the ones created by means of machining. The major problem with this technology is the dimensional and geometric inaccuracy of its products which is mainly due to springback. The main purpose of this research was to study the effects of machining parameters and residual stresses induced by the machining primary stage on the subsequent springback after the forming stage. It was found by experiments that the parameters of cutting speed, axial depth of cut, mode of milling and milling path had a minor effect on springback. However, the workpiece fracture during the forming stage was observed to be sensitive to the prior machining feed rate. Both finite element simulations and experimental results confirmed that the compressive machining residual stresses increased with an increase in the machining feed rate. The compressive residual stresses postponed the onset of fracture at the workpiece lower end during the forming stage. Therefore, we could approach the forming tool closer to the bottom of the wall during forming and, as a result, springback decreased considerably.
Age is not just a number – senescence affects how fish populations respond to different fishing regimes
Authors: Ahti Pauliina Anna , Uusi-Heikkilä Silva , Marjomäki Timo J , Kuparinen Anna
Published: February 2021

The presence of senescence in natural populations remains an unsolved problem in biology. Described as an age-dependent increase in natural mortality (known as actuarial senescence) and an age-dependent decrease in fecundity (known as reproductive senescence), the role of senescence in nature is still poorly understood. Based on empirical estimates of reproductive and actuarial senescence, we explored how senescence affects the population dynamics of Coregonus albula, a small, schooling salmonid fish. Using an empirically-based eco-evolutionary model, we investigated how the presence or absence of senescence affects how the fish population responds to pristine, intensive harvest, and recovery phases. Our results showed that at an individual level, the presence of senescence was accompanied by life-history trade-offs, i.e. lower asymptotic length and smaller size and younger age at maturity, both in the presence and absence of fishing. At the population level, the response to different fisheries selection patterns depended on the presence or absence of senescence. Importantly, the results indicate that through the lifehistory trade-offs between early reproduction and late life survival, the young and small individuals can have an important role in population recovery, especially when senescence is present. Since most life-history and fisheries models ignore senescence, they may be over-estimating reproductive capacity and under-estimating natural mortality. Our results highlight the need for increasing biological realism in these models to ensure the successful management of our natural resources.
Ecological Environment Changes of Mining Areas Around Nansi Lake With Remote Sensing Monitoring
Authors: Liu Hu , Jiang Yan , Misa Rafal , Gao Junhai , Xia Mingyu , Preusse Axel , Sr Anton , Jiang Yue
Published: February 2021

Underground mining activity has existed for more than 100 years in Nansi lake. Coal mining not only plays a supporting role in local social and economic development but also has a significant impact on the ecological environment in the region. Landsat series remote sensing data (1988~2019) are used to research the impact of coal mining on the ecological environment in Nansi lake. Then Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier is applied to extract the water area of the upstream lake from 1988 to 2019, and ecological environment and spatiotemporal variation characteristics are analyzed by Remote Sensing Ecology Index (RSEI). The results illustrate that the water area change is associated with annual precipitation. Compared with 2009, the ecological quality of the lake is worse in 2019, and then the reason for this change is due to large-scale underground mining. Therefore, the coal mines from the natural reserve may be closed or limited to the mining boundary for protecting the lake's ecological environment.
miR-429 Suppresses Proliferation and Migration in Glioblastoma Cells and Induces Cell-cycle Arrest via Modulating Several Target Genes of ERBB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Gheidari Fatemeh , Arefian Ehsan , Kabiri Mahboubeh , Seyedjafari Ehsan , Teimoori-Toolabi Ladan , Soleimani Masoud
Published: February 2021

Glioblastoma is aggressive and lethal brain cancer, which is incurable by cancer standard treatments. miRNAs have great potential to be used for gene therapy due to their ability to modulate several target genes simultaneously. We found miR-429 is downregulated in glioblastoma and has several predicted target genes from the ERBB signaling pathway using bioinformatics tools. ERBB is the most over-activated genetic pathway in glioblastoma patients, which is responsible for augmented cell proliferation and migration in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Here we overexpressed miR-429 using lentiviral vectors in GBM U-251 cells and observed that the expression level of several oncogenes of the ERBB pathway, EGFR, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, KRAS, and MYC significantly decreased; as shown by real-time PCR and western blotting. Using the luciferase assay, we showed that miR-429 directly targets MYC, BCL2, and EGFR. In comparison to scrambled control, miR-429 had a significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and migration as deduced from MTT and scratch wound assays and induced cell-cycle arrest in flow cytometry. Altogether miR-429 seems to be an efficient suppressor of the ERBB genetic signaling pathway and a potential therapeutic for glioblastoma.
H2O2 Enhances the Anticancer Activity of TMPyP4 by ROS-mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction and DNA Damage
Authors: Chen Jianqiang , Jin Xiangxiang , Shen Zhe , Mei Yanan , Zhu Jufang , Zhang Xiaodan , Liang Guang , Zheng Xiaohui
Published: February 2021

Cancer is one of the diseases that threatens human health and is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been observed in cancer tissues compared with normal tissues in vivo, and it is not yet known how this influences chemotherapeutic drug action. Cationic porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetra-(N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin (TMPyP4) is a photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and a telomerase inhibitor used in the treatment of telomerase-positive cancer. Here, we investigated the anticancer activity of TMPyP4 in A549 and PANC cells cultured in H2O2. The results showed that compared to TMPyP4 alone, the combination of TMPyP4 and H2O2 exhibited sensitization effects on cell viability and colony formation inhibition and apoptosis in A549 and PANC cells but had no effect in human normal MIHA cells. Mechanistically, the combination of TMPyP4 and H2O2 activates high ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential in A549 and PANC cells, resulting in intense DNA damage and DNA damage responses. Consequently, compared to TMPyP4 alone, TMPyP4 and H2O2 combined treatment upregulates the expression of BAX, cleaved caspase 3, and p-JNK, and downregulates the expression of Bcl-2 in A549 and PANC cells. Taken together, these data suggested that H2O2 enhanced the anticancer activity of TMPyP4-mediated ROS-dependent DNA damage and related apoptotic protein regulation, revealing that the high ROS tumor microenvironment plays an important role in chemotherapeutic drug action.
Association of Serum Vitamin D Status with gestational diabetes mellitus and other laboratory parameters in early pregnant women
Authors: Luo Caihong , Li Zhiju , Lu Yunya , Wei Fang , Suo Dongmei , Lan Shiyan , Ren Zhengyuan , Jiang Runchang , Huang Fang , Chen Aiyue , Jiang Liejun , Huang Huayi , Guo Xiaoling
Published: February 2021

Background: Pregnant women develop certain metabolic alterations and substantial nutrient insufficiency, which may impact fetus development. Reports on the association of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D, VD) status with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum VD status with GDM and other laboratory parameters in early pregnant women.Methods: A total of 1516 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Maternal serum VD and other laboratory parameters—including hematology, coagulation, chemistry, and bone density—were measured utilizing various analytical methods in clinical laboratory at gestational weeks 11 to 14. Serum VD level was subsequently correlated with blood glucose and other laboratory parameters.Results: The average VD concentration was 59.12 ± 12.5 nmol/L. None of the study subjects had VD <25 nmol/L; 434 (28.6%) women had VD <50 nmol/L, and 200 women (13.2%) had VD ≥75 nmol/L. There were 264 (17.4%) women diagnosed with GDM. There was not, however, a correlation between serum VD and GDM in early pregnancy. Interestingly, women with more parity and high serum alkaline phosphatase levels had higher serum VD levels. There was a positive correlation between serum VD and pre-albumin, activated partial thromboplastin time, and a negative correlation between serum VD, creatinine, and thrombin time.Conclusions: There was no correlation between maternal serum VD and GDM in early pregnant women. There were, however, associations between serum VD and parity, serum alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, pre-albumin, and coagulation factors, which need further study to explain their pathophysiology and clinical significance.
Acupuncture Promoted the Recovery of the Neural Plasticity Functions and the Repair of Neural Plasticity-Related Proteins in the Prefrontal Cortex of CUMS-induced Depressed Rats
Authors: Huang Wenya , Li Peng , Cheng Wen-jing , Huang Yang , Chen Wenjie , Chen Yiping , Wu Xinnan , Huang Yanxun , Yan Yining , Meng Xianjun
Published: February 2021

Background: Acupuncture therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine has been widely believed as a complementary treatment for depression with numerous clinic and research reports. However, mechanisms of neural plasticity about the positive effects of acupuncture still rarely reported. The purpose of our paper aim to investigate the efficiency of acupuncture in curing depressive-like behaviors and discuss the mechanism underling neural plasticity and its related proteins BDNF/PSD95/SYN/PKMZ in prefrontal cortex.Methods: 32 rats with the same baseline were divided into 4 groups at random: control group(8rats), model group(8rats), acupuncture group(8rats) and flouxetine group(8rats). Depression rat models were induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with single cage isolation for 6 weeks. Acupuncture group and fluoxetine group then give 3-weeks treatment during the later 3weeks of modeling procedure. The open field test (OFT), elevated-plus-maze (EPM) and sucrose preference test (SPT) were executed to estimate the depressive behaviors. The number of nerve cells, the length of dendrites, and the spines density in prefrontal cortex were observed by Golgi staining. The expression of prefrontal cortex BDNF, PSD95, SYN and PKMZ protein were detected by western blot and their related mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Results: Acupuncture could alleviate depressive-like behaviors and promote the recovery of the neural plasticity functions in prefrontal cortex, which exerted similar antidepressant effect as fluoxetine, increasing cells number, prolonging the dendrites length, enhancing the spine density. Conclusion: Acupuncture therapy could alleviate depressive-like behaviors which may contribute to the recovery of the neural plasticity functions and the repair of neural plasticity-related proteins BDNF/PSD95/SYN/PKMZ in the prefrontal cortex of CUMS-induced depressed rats.
Novel Core-Shell Structured Ironbark-Like TiO2 as Fillers for Excellent Discharged Energy Density of Nanocomposites
Authors: Wu Zhijie , Hou Yafei , Chen Hui , Du Peng , Luo Laihui , Li Weiping
Published: February 2021

The perpendicular orientation of nanowires to electric fields would greatly improve the breakdown strengths (Eb) of polymer-based nanocomposites, however, the relatively small polarization at small filler fraction, and thus the unsatisfactory discharged energy density (Ud), greatly restrict their further application. In this study, x vol.% TO@TO/PVDF nanocomposites with superior energy storage performances have been fabricated, where the ironbark-like TiO2 fillers (TO@TO) with core-shell structures lead to greatly enhanced polarization and Eb simultaneously. The former is due to the coupling effects of the increased interfacial polarization, the latter is due to the enhanced path tortuosity of electric tree growing at small TO@TO fraction. Strikingly, an excellent Ud of 13.1 J/cm3 was achieved in the 1.5 vol % TO@TO/PVDF nanocomposite at 383 MV/m, which is greatly increased by 220% compared with that of pure PVDF (5.98 J/cm3). The primary results might provide a strategy to design and fabricate nanocomposites with satisfactory energy storage performances as well as the flexible and easy-processing ability at small filler fraction.
The Prevalence and Severity of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Among Medical Undergraduate Students of Arsi University and Their Association With Substance Use, Southeast Ethiopia.
Authors: Melaku Leta , Bulcha Guta , Worku Deresa
Published: February 2021

Background: Mental health problems can negatively impact physical and psychological well-being of junior medical students and predisposes them to many unhealthy behaviors.Objective: We aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress among medical undergraduate students of Arsi University and their association with substance use. Materials and Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 265 medical students that were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected by pre-tested self-administrative questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS-21 software. Logistic regression analysis were employed and statistical significance was accepted at p<0.05.Result: In the present study, 5 questionnaires were rejected for incompleteness giving response rate of 98.1%. The current prevalence rate of depression, anxiety, stress, khat chewing, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking was found to be 52.3%, 60.8%, 40.4%, 21.5%, 15.4% and 33.8% respectively. Depression was significantly associated with monthly income, residency and alcohol drinking. Anxiety was associated with gender, marital status, educational year, residency and cigarette smoking. Stress was significantly associated with monthly income, educational year, residency, khat chewing, and drinking alcohol. Conclusion: To sum up, depression, anxiety and stress are common problems among medical students of Arsi University. Monthly income, residency and alcohol drinking were identified as risk factors of both depression and stress. Furthermore, educational year and khat chewing were also risk factors for stress. Finally, identified risk factors of anxiety were gender, marital status, educational year, residency and cigarette smoking. Therefore, counseling and awareness creation are recommended.
Evaluation of Molecular and Morphological Diversity of Capparis Spinosa
Authors: Mahmodi Noshin , Sharifi-Sirchi Gholam-Reza , Cheghamirza Kianoosh
Published: February 2021

The objective of this study was the evaluation of molecular and morphological diversity among 80 caper (Capparis spinosa L.) genotypes from the 12 regions of the central Zagros Mountains located in the west of Iran. The results showed a high level of morphological genetic variation among the caper samples. According to the morphological cluster analysis, 80 genotypes were clustered into five main groups. The 15 factors justiﬁed 78.7 % of the total variation based on factor analysis. ISSR primers produced a total of 108 polymorphic bands (85.04%) from 127 bands and the PIC for primers ranged from 0.01 to 0.52. SCoT primers produced a total of 165 polymorphic bands (86.84%) from 190 bands and the PIC for primers ranged from 0.06 to 0.55. Ordination and cluster analysis by ISSR markers showed that the genetic relationships among all accessions could be separated into three major groups and by SCoT markers separated into six groups. The results did not show a perfect match between the molecular diversity groupings and geographical regions, because many natural factors and human activities shape the amount and pattern of genetic diversity in a plant population. SCoT markers were more informative than ISSR markers for the assessment of genetic diversity of caper germplasm. The combined (ISSR+SCoT) markers haven't shown more information of genetic diversity than single analysis of ISSR and SCoT. The results indicated the existence of dispersion and different levels of morphological variation and molecular genetic diversity in the genotypes collected from west of Iran.
Association between Serum Vitamin A Levels and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Risk
Authors: Song Yang , Chen Peiqiong , Xu Wenxian , Huang Yizhou , Jia Yingxian , Li Chunming , Lan Yibing , Chu Ketan , Ma Linjuan , Zhou Jianhong
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore the association between serum vitamin A levels and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, women with POI (n = 47) and normo-ovulatory controls (n = 67) were enrolled from December 2016 to May 2018 in Zhejiang, China. The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), vitamin A, and total cholesterol (TC) were measured for each participant. The association of vitamin A levels with POI risk was assessed using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Serum vitamin A levels seems slightly higher in the POI group than in the control group (728.00 ± 176.00 vs 503.93 ± 145.64 µg/L, p = 0.133). But after adjust with serum lipid level, serum vitamin A/TC ratio was significantly lower in the POI group than in the control group (143.14 ± 35.86 vs 157.56 ± 35.21 µg/mmol, p = 0.035). Further, serum vitamin A/TC ratio was significantly and negatively associated with POI risk [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.988, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.977–0.999, p = 0.039]. The same trend was found after adjusting for confounding factors (age, BMI, annual household income, and education) (OR = 0.986, 95% CI: 0.972–0.999, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Serum vitamin A/TC ratio was negatively associated with POI risk, indicating that vitamin A deficiency may be a risk factor for POI development. Serum vitamin A/TC ratio may serve as a predictive factor for POI incidence. Thus, vitamin A may serve a protective role in ovarian tissue.
Effects of Irbesartan on Phenotypic Alteration of Monocyte and Inflammatory Status of Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Zhang Jingsi , Yang Lina , Ding Yanchun
Published: February 2021

Background: Circulating monocytes and tissue macrophages play complex roles in pathogenesis of hypertension and its target organ damage. In this study we observed the alterations of monocyte phenotype and inflammatory state of hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the effects of Irbesartan on it. We explored new mechanisms of Irbesartan to reverse LVH and provided new targets for the prevention and treatment of hypertensive target organ damage.Methods: The CD163 and CD206 expressions on monocytes were detected as well as the IL-10 and TNF-α levels in serum of hypertensive patients with or without LVH and healthy volunteers. Furthermore, we treated monocytes of LVH group with different concentrations of Irbesartan, and then CD163, CD206, IL-10 and TNF-α were detected. Results: We found for the first time that the expression of CD163, CD206 and IL-10 of LVH group was lower than that of non-LVH group and healthy control, but the TNF-α level of LVH group was significantly higher. Irbesartan could upregulate the expression of CD163 and CD206 of hypertensive patients with LVH in a concentration-dependent manner. Irbesartan could also increase the expression of IL-10 and inhibit the expression of TNF-α in monocytes culture supernatant in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our data suggests that inflammation was activated in hypertensive patients with LVH, the monocyte phenotype was mainly pro-inflammatory. The expression of pro-inflammatory factors increased while the expression of anti-inflammatory factors decreased. Irbesartan could alter monocyte phenotype and inflammatory status in hypertensive patients with LVH, which may be a new mechanism of Irbesartan to reverse LVH.Trail registration: The study protocols were approved by the Ethical Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. Each patient signed the informed consent.
Isovalent Doping Effect on Structural, Optical Properties and Dispersion Parameters of Layered Perovskite La2-xAxTi2O7 (A = Bi, Ce, and Y, With x = 0.0 and 0.1)
Authors: Tuyikeze V. , Omari L.H. , Fraija F.
Published: February 2021

Lanthanum titanate nanoparticles of La2-xAxTi2O7 (the undoped is denoted by LTO and the monodoped with Bi, Ce, and Y is denoted by LBTO, LCTO and LYTO, respectively) were prepared by sol-gel route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that these compounds crystallize as a monoclinic layered perovskite-like structure with a space group P21. UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to characterize the optical properties and hence the dispersion parameters. Optical transmittance and reflectance were investigated to obtain more in-depth insight into the optical properties and optoelectronic behavior of studied nanoparticles. The data collected reveal that the samples have a wide band gap (Eg) that varies between 3.50 and 3.88 eV. By introducing the Ce ion into the host matrix LTO, the optical gap energy was decreased from 3.69 to 3.51 eV despite a low doping content of 5%. However, the Urbach energy (EU) was increased from 0.28 to 0.85 eV. The dispersion of the refractive index has been studied in terms of a single oscillator by the Wemple and Di-Domenico (WDD) model as well as important parameters such as the dispersion energy Ed, the excitation energy Eo and the third-order nonlinear (NL) optical susceptibility χ(3). Ed and E0 parameters have a crucial role in identifying the characteristics of optical materials and allow the calculations of the factors required for the design of spectral dispersion and optical communication devices.
Hierarchical Ni2P@Ni(OH)2 Architectures Supported On Carbon Cloth As Battery-Type Electrodes For Hybrid Supercapacitors With Boosting Specific Capacitance and Cycle Stability
Authors: Lan Yingying , Xing Hongna , Zong Yan , Sun Yong , Zhang Linxue , Wang Yajing , Li Xinghua , Zheng Xinliang
Published: February 2021

In this work, a novel binder-free electrode, in which three-dimensional porous Ni2P@Ni(OH)2 nanosheet arrays were in-situ grown on carbon cloth (CC), is rationally designed for supercapacitor applications. In comparison with Ni2P@CC, the Ni2P@Ni(OH)2@CC electrode represents superior electrochemical characteristics: the gravimetric capacitance and areal capacitance are boosted to be 632 C g-1 and 0.73 C cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2, about 2 and 2.7 times larger than those of Ni2P@CC (321 C g-1 and 0.27 C cm-2), respectively; the rate capability is improved to be 63.3% from 1 to 10 mA cm-2, about 1.5 times larger than Ni2P@CC (42.9%); the cycle stability is enhanced to be 81.4% after 1000 cycles, about 1.6 times larger than Ni2P/CC (51.8%). The assembly Ni2P@Ni(OH)2@CC//AC hybrid supercapacitor device shows high energy density of 23.5 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 1158.0 W kg-1 and good cycling stability of 75.2% maintenance after 5000 cycles. Benefiting from the combined advantages of high electronic conductivity and large specific capacitance of Ni2P, superior anion exchanging/intercalating capacity of Ni(OH)2, excellent flexibility of carbon cloth and special hierarchical architecture with large surface area, the Ni2P@Ni(OH)2@CC electrode is promised to be a good candidate for supercapacitors.
Theoretical Studies on The Mechanism of Pd2+-Catalyzed Regioselective C-H Alkylation of Indole With MesICH2CF3OTf
Authors: Shi Yao , Ma Hongsheng , Shao Jiaxuan , deng chao
Published: February 2021

The reaction mechanism of Pd2+-catalyzed regioselective C–H alkylation of indole with MesICH2CF3OTf has been investigated by the density functional theory calculations. The reaction mechanism mainly contains four steps：C-H activation, oxidative addition, reductive elimination and ligands substitution. From our calculations, we find that the C-H activation step was realized by the acetate anion (-OAc) assisted CMD process and the transition state of C-H activation process is a square planar configuration. Moreover, the calculation results suggest that the regioselectivity of C-H bond alkylation of indole with MesICH2CF3OTf can be ascribed to the different stability of the CMD transition states in C-H activation step and different acidities of C-H bonds.
Land Subsidence Spatial Modeling and Assessment of the Contribution of Geo-Environmental Factors to Land Subsidence: Comparison of Different Novel Ensemble Modeling Approaches
Authors: Arabameri Alireza , Yariyan Peyman , Santosh M
Published: February 2021

Land subsidence is a worldwide threat. In arid and semiarid land, groundwater depletion is the main factor that induce the subsidence and results in environmental damages, with high economic losses. To foresee and prevent the impact of land subsidence is necessary to develop accurated maps of the magnitude and evolution of the subsidences. Land subsidence susceptibility maps (LSSMs) provide one of the effective tools to manage vulnerable areas, and to reduce or prevent land subsidence. In this study, we used a new approach to improve Decision Stump Classification (DSC) performance and combine it with machine learning algorithms (MLAs) of Naive Bayes Tree (NBTree), J48 decision tree, alternating decision tree (ADTree), logistic model tree (LMT) and support vector machine (SVM) in land subsidence susceptibility mapping (LSSSM). We employ data from 94 subsidence locations, among which 70% were used to train learning hybrid models, and the other 30% were used for validation. In addition, the models’ performance was assessed by ROC-AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, odd ratio, root-mean-square error (RMSE), Kappa, frequency ratio and F-score techniques. A comparison of the results obtained from the different models, reveal that the new DSC-ADTree hybrid algorithm has the highest accuracy (AUC = 0.983) in preparing LSSSMs as compared to other learning models such as DSC-J48 (AUC = 0.976), DSC-NBTree (AUC = 0.959), DSC-LMT (AUC = 0.948), DSC-SVM (AUC = 0.939) and DSC (AUC = 0.911). The LSSSMs generated through the novel scientific approach presented in our study provide reliable tools for managing and reducing the risk of land subsidence.
Positive Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Heavy Metals in Groundwater and Possible Health Risks for Human beings in an Industrialized City of South India
Authors: Duraisamy Karunanidhi , Palanisamy Aravinthasamy , Karuppannan Shankar , Thirumalaisamy Subramani , Setia Raj
Published: February 2021

In this investigation, positive impact of COVID-19 lockdown on heavy metals concentration and biological parameters in the groundwater samples of Coimbatore city of South India. The groundwater samples (n = 15) were obtained from shallow-open wells before lockdown (24–25 January 2020) and after lockdown (2–3 June 2020) periods. These samples were analysed for heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr and Pb) and biological parameters (E. coli, Fecal coliforms, Fecal streptococci and Total coliforms). Fe concentration was within the permissible limit but, the concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cr and Pb were above the allowable limits for drinking uses as per the WHO. However, after lockdown the number of samples crossing the cutoff limit had considerably decreased (Mn: 2 to 0; Ni: 13 to 10; Cr: 7 to 5; Pb: 13 to 8). The spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution index (HPI) revealed that 176.75 km2 (67.4%) and 85.35 km2 (32.6 %) areas fell under unsuitable and very poor categories, respectively, during pre-lockdown period, whereas 138.23 km2 (52.6 %), 118.98 km2 (45.3%) and 4.89 km2 (2.1%) areas fell under very poor, poor and good categories, respectively, during post-lockdown period. Similarly, Total coliform, Fecal coliform and E. coli had decreased distinctly due to the pandemic lockdown. Therefore, shutdown of small and large-scale industries during the lockdown period had improved the groundwater quality. Health risk assessment showed that 93%, 87% and 80% of pre-lockdown samples, and 87%, 80% and 73% of post-lockdown samples possessed non-carcinogenic risks (HI > 1) for children, female and male categories, respectively.
Quality of Inpatient Care of Small and Sick Newborns in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study With Key Stakeholders
Authors: Pradhan Nousheen Akber , Ali Ammarah , Roujani Sana , Ali Sumera Aziz , Rizwan Samia , Saleem Sarah , Siddiqi Sameen
Published: February 2021

Background

In LMICs including Pakistan, neonatal health and survival is a critical challenge, and therefore improving the quality of facility-based newborn care services is instrumental in averting newborn mortality. This paper presents the perceptions of the key stakeholders in the public sector to explore factors influencing the care of small and sick newborn and young infants in inpatient care settings across Pakistan.
Methods

This exploratory study was part of a larger study assessing the situation of newborn and young infant in-patient care provided across all four provinces and administrative regions of Pakistan. We conducted 43 interviews. Thirty interviews were conducted with the public sector health care providers involved in newborn and young infant care and 13 interviews were carried out with health planners and managers working at the provincial level. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore participants’ perspectives on enablers and barriers to the quality of care provided to small and sick newborns at the facility level. The interviews were manually analyzed using thematic content analysis.
Findings:

The study respondents identified multiple barriers contributing to the poor quality of small and sick newborn care at inpatient care settings. This includes an absence of neonatal care standards, inadequate infrastructure and equipment for the care of small and sick newborn, deficient workforce for neonatal case management, inadequate thermal care management for newborns, inadequate referral system, absence of multidisciplinary approach in neonatal case management and need to institute strong monitoring system to prevent neonatal deaths and stillbirths. The only potential enabling factor was the improved federal and provincial oversight for reproductive, maternal, and newborn care.
Conclusion

This qualitative study was insightful in identifying the challenges that influence the quality of inpatient care for small and sick newborn and the resources needed to fix these. There is a need to equip Sick Newborn Care Units with needed supplies, equipment and medicines, deployment of specialist staff, strengthening of in-service training and staff supervision, liaison with the neonatal experts in customizing neonatal care guidelines for inpatient care settings and to inculcate the culture for inter-disciplinary team meetings at inpatient care settings across the country.
The Inhibitory Effect of Cyclodextrin on Oxygen Bioavailability Is a Key Factor for the Metabolic Flux Redistribution Towards Steroid Alcohols in Phytosterol Resting Cells Bioconversion
Authors: Wang Xuedong , Chen Kuan , Cao Dandan , Wei Dongzhi
Published: February 2021

In the present work, we tried to identify the mechanism why by which the steroid alcohols accumulated when hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was present to enhance the sterol conversion rate. Compared with the bioconversion system without HP-β-CD, the reaction rate was greatly improved in presence of HP-β-CD, but the steroid alcohols largely accumulated concurrently. The concentration of steroid alcohols increased with the enhanced reaction rate and the higher intracellular NADH/NAD+ level was detected. Mycobacterium neoaurum mutants with higher KshA activity (3-ketosteroid 9α-hydrolase, a monooxygenase hydroxylating the nucleus at C-9 at the expense of NAD(P)H consumption) reduced the steroid alcohols production and in the meantime, the NADH/NAD+ level was decreased consequently. Further research found that oxygen availability was seriously inhibited by the cyclodextrin in a reaction system. These results indicated that NADH formed in the bioconversion was not properly regenerated via the respiratory chain because of the poor oxygen bioavailability. The inhibitory effect of cyclodextrin on oxygen bioavailability is a key factor for the metabolic flux redistribution towards steroid alcohols in phytosterol resting cells bioconversion.
Preservation the Pulp Activity of the Involved Teeth in Jaw Cyst: an Observational Study
Authors: Niu Gang , Li Qing-ling , Tang Yong-gang , Lv Jing-jing , Lin Li-song , Lu You-guang
Published: February 2021

Background: Jaw cyst is the most common disease of the oral and maxillofacial region. In addition to the pathogenic tooth, the roots of some teeth are often located in the cavity of the cystic capsule. Whether these involved teeth require root canal therapy and apicoectomy is still inconclusive. In the present study, we aimed to preserve the pulp activity of involved teeth in jaw cyst by improved operation.Methods: In our improved surgical method, the root canal therapy was not performed on the involved teeth, and no apical excision was performed during the operation. 63 involved teeth in 20 cases of jaw cyst treated by our department were selected between September 2015 and October 2017. The involved teeth were diagnosed by X-ray, CBCT, and a pulp vitality test before surgery. We observed the pulps' activity in the involved teeth and the efficacy of surgery for 12-36 months.Results: Electrical activity test of 63 involved teeth pulp in 20 patients with jaw cyst was normal or insensitively before operation. The involved teeth were preserved by improved surgical method. After 12-36 months’ follow-up, the pulp activity of 53 involved teeth (84.1%) were preserved, whereas 10 teeth (15.9%) showed adverse symptoms such as redness and swelling in the apical area, fistula, and pain. These symptoms resolved after postoperative root canal therapy. Chewing function was restored well. There was no recurrence and the bone cavity gradually reduced and finally disappeared, and bone density returned to normal after long term follow-up.Conclusion: Our results showed that to preserve the activity of the involved teeth for the treatment of jaw cyst by performing an improved operation method was effective.
DFT and TD-DFT study on quadratic NLO response and optoelectronic activity in novel Y-Shaped imidazole-based push-pull chromophores
Authors: Zaitri Lamia Kara , Mekelleche Sidi Mohamed
Published: February 2021

A theoretical analysis of a series of imidazole-based Y-shaped chromophores, D1-D8, is performed in order to investigate their non(linear) optical, fluorescence, and charge-transport properties. The calculations have been carried out employing DFT and TD-DFT methods at CAM-B3LYP and M06-2X levels of theory. FMO analysis reveals that in ground state, highest occupied molecular orbital is localized on the 4,5-dimethylanilino donor moiety and imidazole core while lowest unoccupied molecular orbital spreads on π-linker and nitro acceptor moieties. Vertical absorption and fluorescence transitions are characterized as intramolecular charge transfer and maximum absorption and fluorescence wavelengths show that by changing the π-bridge to the imidazole C2, we can tune fluorescence color from cyan to orange. Calculated (hyper)polarizabilities show that elongation of π-linker by polarizable subunits, such as double bonds or heteroaromatic rings, increases significantly the nonlinear response and shifts the charge-transfer band bathochromically. Calculated reorganization energies indicate that the studied compounds are hole-transporting materials rather than electron-transporters. Interestingly, D7 and D8, with higher hyperpolarizabilities, are predicted to be potent candidates for NLO-devices while D5 and D8 molecules are expected to be promising candidates for luminescent materials and good hole-transport materials for organic light emitting diodes.
Unmet Need for Postpartum Family Planning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Findings from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Al-Mohaisen Samaher , Bawazir Amen
Published: February 2021

Background: The use of contraceptives in the postpartum period is usually neglected by women, which results in an unmet need for postpartum family planning, and unintended or closely spaced pregnancies. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the magnitude as well as related factors of unmet need for postpartum family planning among Saudi women in Riyadh.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Riyadh between August 1st and October 1st, 2018. All women who were less than 12 months postpartum period at the time of the study and residents of Riyadh were included in the study. The study used the systematic random sampling technique to collect data from 400 participants. The research tool consisted of a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the factors of unmet need.Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.6 years and the mean age at the time of marriage was 22.1 years. The proportion of unmet need for postpartum family planning among women was found to be 20.5%. Around half (55.8 %) of the participants reported that they had used family planning methods in the past. About 62% of the participants reported using modern contraceptive methods. Our findings reveal that women with a university-level education were 2 times more likely to become pregnant than those with basic education (OR: 2.321, CI: 1.06-5.07, P=0.035). Women who have 3 or more kids 2.51 times likely to experience unwanted pregnancies when compared to women who have a fewer number of kids (OR: 2.55, CI: 1.17-5.56, p = 0.018).Conclusion: The unmet need for postpartum family planning is almost double the global level of unmet need, and higher than many Arab countries. There is a need to educate women about the dangers of unintended pregnancies and increase access to contraceptives in the kingdom.