bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human hepatocyte PNPLA3 148M exacerbates rapid non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development in chimeric mice
Authors: Kabbani Mohammad , Michailidis Eleftherios , Steensels Sandra , Fulmer Clifton , Luna Joseph , Pen Jérémie Le , Tardelli Matteo , Razooky Brandon , Ricardo-Lax Inna , Zou Chenhui , Zeck Briana , Stenzel Ansgar , Quirk Corrine , Foquet Lander , Ashbrook Alison , Schneider William , Belkaya Serkan , Lalazar Gadi , Liang Yupu , Pittman Meredith , Devisscher Lindsey , Suemizu Hiroshi , Theise Neil , Chiriboga Luis , Cohen David , Copenhaver Robert , Grompe Markus , Meuleman Philip , Ersoy Baran , Rice Charles , Jong Ype de
Published: February 2021

Advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rapidly emerging global health problem associated with pre-disposing genetic polymorphisms, most strikingly an isoleucine to methionine substitution in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3-I148M). Here, we study how human hepatocytes with PNPLA3 148I and 148M variants engrafted in the livers of chimeric mice respond to hypercaloric diets. As early as 4 weeks, mice developed dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and steatohepatitis selectively in the human graft, followed by pericellular fibrosis after 8 weeks of hypercaloric feeding. The PNPLA3 148M variant, either from a homozygous 148M human donor or overexpressed in a homozygous 148I donor background, caused microvesicular and more severe steatosis. In these livers hepatocytes displayed frequent ballooning degeneration, resulting in more active steatohepatitis than in 148I livers. We conclude that PNPLA3 148M in human hepatocytes exacerbates NAFLD. These models will facilitate mechanistic studies into human genetics associated with advanced fatty liver diseases.
Effects of Comprehensive Psychological and Behavioral Intervention on Mental Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Social Function of Patients During The First Episode of Schizophrenia
Authors: Zhang Yuebing , Yin Zhoumin , Shang Luning
Published: February 2021

To analyze the effects of comprehensive psychological and behavioral intervention on mental symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and social function (SF) of patients during the first episode of schizophrenia. A total of 97 patients having the first episode of schizophrenia and who were admitted to our hospital were selected, retrospectively analyzed for clinical materials, and divided into 2 groups based on the intervention mode. The control group (CG) was routinely managed according to the psychiatric practices, whereas the observation group (OG), in accordance with the CG, was managed with enhanced comprehensive psychological and behavioral interventions. The scores of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Global Assessment Scale (GAS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and disease recurrence at pre- and post-intervention were compared between the two groups. At post-intervention, scores in general psychopathological, positive, and negative symptoms, total score in PANSS, SDSS, SWLS, GAS, and BPRS were lower in the OG than that in the CG (P<0.05). Further, the recurrence rate was 2.04% in the OG and 25.00% in the CG, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The implementation of comprehensive psychological and behavioral interventions in patients having the first episode of schizophrenia is advantageous to improve the mental symptoms, QOL, and SF and reduce the recurrence rate. Therefore, this method deserves popularization.
Use of Shockwave intravascular lithotripsy for the treatment of symptomatic and strongly calcified superior mesenteric artery stenosis
Authors: Arregui Oscar Balboa , Pose Carmen Seoane , Alonso Maria Balboa , Pampín Teresa Bolaño
Published: February 2021

Background: We present the use of intravascular lithotripsy for the definitive treatment of highly calcified superior mesenteric artery stenosis.Case presentation: A 67-year-old diabetic man had chronic postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss. Computed tomography angiography revealed highly calcified stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery. Selective angiography confirmed severe stenosis. A Shockwave lithotripsy balloon catheter was successfully used via brachial access to modify calcified plaque and increase vascular lumen. After twelve months of follow-up the patient had gained weight and had no abdominal postprandial pain.Conclusion: Intravascular lithotripsy could be considered a new treatment modality to modify calcified lesions in the visceral arteries. More controlled studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of this new technology.Level of Evidence: 4, Case Series
Impact of rainfall variability on soybean yields in Southern Brazil
Authors: Pilau Felipe Gustavo , Marin Fabio Ricardo , Grubert Daniel , Dalmago Genei Antonio
Published: February 2021

As the third soybean-producer state in Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) presents a known year-on-year unevenness for soybean production, mainly due to water availability. This study aimed to assess the weather effects, with special focus on rainfall during 25 soybean growing seasons and 11 producing regions around the State. Sites were divided into three Clusters according to soybean yield and the effect of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) was considered in association with soil water balance. Neutral ENSO phases occurred in 32% of the years, while El Niño and La Ninã occurring in 36% and 32% of the years, respectively. Seasons under El Niño normally present higher accumulated rainfall, whereas those under La Niña present a reduction. Data from neutral-year sites of Clusters B and C seems to be more disturbed. No season had statistical difference of rainfall among Clusters under Neutral conditions. In addition, thermal gradient in RS from October to January benefited sites of Cluster A. Interaction of soils with higher water-storage capacity and cooler temperature reduces the water consumption by soybeans, causing lower values of water deficiency. A boundary function relating soybean yield and rainfall displays the limit of 800 mm for significant yield increments, and such amounts of rainfall were only achieved in El Niño seasons. The combined effect of rainfall and soil type on soybean yield, represented by the actual soybean yields-water deficit relationship, led to water propitiate from -3.7 to -15.2 kg mm-1 ha-1. Decision-making on public policies and investments on the soybean industry can be supported from our results, either to better planning the investments on the soybean farming systems depending on the ENSO phase predictions, either to reduce the production risks in the region inherent to local weather.
Experimental and Theoretical Approach of Evaluating Chitosan Ferulic Acid Amide As An Effective Corrosion Inhibitor
Authors: S.J Hepziba Magie Jessima , Subhashini S. , Berisha Avni , Mehmeti Valbonë , Srikan Subramanian Sathy
Published: February 2021

Phenolic acid grafted chitosan has widespread drug delivery applications, as bio adsorbent, packing material, etc., due to its excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, for the first time, the anticorrosive efficiency of ferulic acid modified chitosan has been investigated. The prepared chitosan derivative is characterized using spectral methods, thermal analytical methods, surface charge, and particle size analysis. The evaluation of corrosion inhibition potential showed a highest value of 95.96 % at 303 K. Thermodynamic activation and adsorption parameters endorse a mixed adsorption process involving an initial electrostatic interaction followed by chemisorption. Electrochemical studies gave results which agreed well with the gravimetric studies. Surface morphological studies were performed using contact angle measurements, FESEM, EDAX, AFM, optical profilometric and UV spectral techniques. Computational studies involving quantum chemical calculations, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamic simulation studies, and radial distribution function analysis are further done to validate the experimental results.
Development of 30 SNP Markers for the Daphnia Magna based on Restriction Site-associated DNA Sequencing (RAD-seq)
Authors: Zhang Shengman , He Wenhui , Zheng Haisu , Xiong Yiran , Tan Meng , Han Zheng , Chen Siwei , He Peimin
Published: February 2021

Daphnia magna belongs to the Cladocera and plays an important role in the water ecosystem. With the intensification of water pollution, the wild population of D. magna has declined rapidly in recent years, and insufficient molecular markers have limited effective research and conservation of this species. In this research, 30 novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were developed in a cultivar of Daphnia magna and 12 wild Daphnia magna using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq). The minor allele frequency, observed heterozygosity, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.115 to 0.721, 0.073 to 0.800, and 0.077 to 0.520, respectively. The PIC ranged from 0.071 to 0.403. Six loci showed significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05).These newly developed polymorphic SNP markers for D. magna are of great significance in terms of the genetic breeding of D. magna, identification of wild and artificially domesticated species and conservation genetics research.
Biodegradation Mechanism of Anionic Polyacrylamide in Coal Preparation Using Molecular Simulation
Authors: Wang Fanglue , Zhang Dongchen , Wu Xuefeng , Deng Shengsong
Published: February 2021

Biodegradation of anionic polyacrylamide (HPAM) and polyacrylate (PAA) by key enzymes, such as amidase and bacterial laccase, have been reported. However, the interaction mechanism between HPAM or PAA and enzymes is still poorly unclear. Here, docking study was undertook to demonstrate the binding modes and interaction details for degradation of HPAM or PAA. Then, bioactivities between PAA and HPAM were compared with frontier orbital theory. The docking results showed that HPAM completely buried in pocket of Rhodococcus sp. N-771 amidase (Rh Amidase), while most of PAA molecule exposed outside pocket of Bacillus subtilis laccase ( B. subtilis laccase ), further suggesting PAA was much more difficult to degrade than HPAM. Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds were necessary for stabilizing HPAM-Rh Amidase or PAA- B. subtilis laccase complex. The frontier orbital analysis indicated that bioactivity of PAA was higher than that of PAA. These findings provide an insight into enzyme-catalyzed degradation of HPAM. It is helpful in designing highly efficient enzymes against HPAM or PAA to protect environment.
Bioutilization of Chicken Feather Wastes by Newly Isolated Keratinolytic Bacteria Into Protein Hydrolysates With Improved Functionalities
Authors: Prajapati Saugat , Koirala Sushil , Anal Anil Kumar
Published: February 2021

In this study, a novel feather-degrading bacteria B. amyloliquefaciens KB1 was isolated from chicken farm bed (CFB), identified by morphological, physico-biochemical tests followed by 16s rDNA analysis. Among observed isolates, bacterial isolate (KB1) showed the highest degree of feather degradation (74.78 ± 2.94 %) and total soluble protein (205 ± 0.03 mg/ g). Using the same species of bacteria, the optimum fermentation condition was found at 40 oC, pH 9, and 1 % (w/v) feather concentration that produced 260 mg/ g of soluble protein and 86.16 % feather degradation using response surface methodology in a Box-Behnken design space. The obtained hydrolysates exhibited bioactive properties. The amino acid profile showed the increase in concentration of essential amino acid compared with feather meal broth. The selection of safe screening source of this new bacteria in CFB produced hydrolysates with enhanced bioactivity applicable for food, feed, and cosmetic applications along with environmental remediation.
Ursolic Acid Inhibits the Activation of Kupffer Cells by Caspase-11/NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathways
Authors: Nie Yuan , Huang Chen-kai , Liu Cong , Zhu Xuan
Published: February 2021

Background: Previous studies have indicated that Kupffer cells (KCs) are the main regulatory cells for the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and caspase-11/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling plays crucial roles in the activation of monocyte-macrophages. Ursolic acid (UA) is a traditional Chinese medicine with antifibrotic effects, but the molecular mechanism underlying these effects is still unclear.Methods: A mouse primary Kupffer cell line in vitro and liver fibrosis mice (including specific gene knockout mice) in vivo were selected as experimental objects. RT-qPCR and Western blotting techniques were utilized to assess the mRNA and protein expression in each group. ELISA and histological analysis were utilized to assess liver injury and collagen deposition.Results: In vitro, caspase-11/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling promoted the activation of Kupffer cells, and UA inhibited the activation of Kupffer cells by caspase-11/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling. In vivo, UA reversed liver damage and fibrosis in fibrotic mice and was related to Kupffer cells; the expression of Caspase-11/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in Kupffer cells of the UA group was inhibited. Even in the CCl4 group, the liver damage and fibrosis of NLRP3 knockout mice were alleviated, and related experiments also proved that the inhibitory effect of UA on Kupffer cells was related to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.Conclusion: Caspase-11/NLRP3 inflammasome signal transduction is closely related to the activation of Kupffer cells and the occurrence of liver fibrosis. Additionally, caspase-11/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling serves as a new target for UA antifibrosis treatment.
LncRNA H19 from T-Regulatory-Cell-Derived Exosomes Sponges miR-154-5p to Promote Osteogenic Differentiation of BMMSCs Through Upregulating POSTN
Authors: Jing Zhang , Li Zhigang , Liu Cuicui , Wu Yaxing , Li Chenchen , Jian Meng
Published: February 2021

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can play an important role in anti-inflammatory function because it can induce Treg cells formation. Recent studies have confirmed that Tregs can release exosomes and induce immune tolerance as important immune cells. Thus, to clarify the function and regulatory mechanism of Treg cells-derived exosomes on osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs is very important.Methods: CD4+ T cells isolated from mouse spleens were induced into CD4+ Foxp3+ Treg cells and co-cultured with BMMSCs. Then we isolated exosomes derived from Treg cells and tracked the exosomes using fluorescent labeling PKH67.Starbase, miRWalk, targetscan, bioinformatics analysis and functional complementation experiments to find relative lncRNA-miRNAs which involed in osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs.Results: We found that exosomes derived from Tregs could enter BMMSCs and the expression of osteoblast-related genes were significantly up-regulated compared to the BMMSCs co-cultured with naïve T cells. LncRNA H19 from Tregs-derived exosomes could affect the osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs in vitro by regulating POSTN expression via sponge miR-154-5p.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that important role of exosomes from Tregs in regulating osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. lncRNA H19 from Tregs-derived exosomes plays a positive regulatory role in osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs through miR-154-5p/POSTN axis. It might has important clinical implications for inflammatory diseases and exosomes released from Tregs could be used as a new type of immunoregulation reagent for the treatment of periodontitis.
Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Spheres-Decorated Graphite Felt as a High-Performance Electrode for Fe Based Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Dinesh Anarghya , Shankaranarayana Anantha Mylarapattana , Srid Santosh Mysore , Muniswamy Narendra Kumar , Venkatesh Krishna , Muraralidhara H B
Published: February 2021

In this paper, the performance of Fe based redox flow batteries (IRFBs) was dramatically improved by coating N-doped carbon spheres (NDCS) on the graphite felt electrodes. NDCS was synthesized by the single-step hydrothermal method using dextrose and ammonia as a precursor and coated over a graphite felt electrode by electrostatic spraying. The weight of NDCS required for the modification of the electrode to achieve the effective performance of the battery was studied using electrochemical techniques. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and potentiodynamic polarization study was used to evaluate the kinetic reversibility and linear polarization resistance offered by the electrode towards electrolyte. The characterizing features of the NDCS, untreated graphite felt (UGF) electrode, and optimized modified graphite felt (MGF) electrode were analyzed using SEM, EDAX, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. The charge-discharge studies were performed for the 132 cm2 IRFB using a 2 mg/cm2 MGF electrode as a positive electrode by varying the current densities from 20 to 60 mA/cm2. The cell resulted in an average coulombic efficiency (CE) of 93%, voltaic efficiency (VE) of 72%, and energy efficiency (EE) of 68% for 15 cycles at the current density of 30 mA/cm2. The improvement in the performance of the IRFB is due to the presence of electrochemically active nitrogen-bearing carbon catalysts. In this paper, the pioneering effort has been made to improve the efficiency of the IRFB with an active area of 132 cm2 using glycine as the ligand.
Integration of Clinical Identifications With Deep Transferrable Imaging Feature Representations Can Help Predict Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness and Outcome
Authors: Bao Jie , Hou ying , Zhi Rui , Wang Ximing , Shi Hai-bin , Hu Chunhong , zhang yudong
Published: February 2021

Objective: To develope a generalizable machine learning platform, designated PI-Risk, which incorporates clinicians’ prior identifications with deep transferrable imaging feature representations into predictive models for PCa Gleason grade. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study included 1442 biopsy-naïve patients from two tertiary care medical centers between January 2014 and December 2019. We investigated an interpretable risk assessment model (PI-Risk) to predict risk stratification of PCa using . The performance of PI-Risk model was independently tested on 232 internal test datasets, and on 539 external validation datasets. Model performance was typically evaluated against a “ground truth” with imaging-histopathologic annotations using receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Detection rates such as true positive, true negative, false positive and false negative rate were reported using a confusion matrix analysis. The Cox model’s performance was evaluated based on Harrell’s concordance index (C-index), calibration curves and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results: The PI-Risk integrated with 10 risk factors is formed to accurate risk stratification. In multinomial regression analyzing model, predicted IntraT-Rad G0 and PI-RADS score 2 were two independent predictors of G0 stage. Predicted IntraT-Rad G1 (OR, 2.42; 95% CIs, 2.13–2.86, p < 0.001) and PSA 4-10 ng/ml were two independent predictors of G1 stage. PSA 10-20 ng/ml, Predicted PeriT-DLR-SqueezeNet G1 and Predicted IntraT-Rad G3 were three independent predictors of G2 stage. PI-RADS score 5 were the independent predictor of G3 stage. PI-RADS score 5 and PSA > 100 ng/ml were two independent predictors of G4 stage. Combined use of PSA 4-10 ng/ml, PI-RADS 1-2 and stacked IntraT-Rad G0-1 resulted in excellent NPV (94.1%) for CIS diseases; and combined use of PSA >100 ng/ml and PI-RADS 5 resulted in high PPV (79.8%) for high-risk PCa. In follow-up, patients stratified by PI-Risk showed significantly different biochemical recurrence rate after surgery.Conclusions: We concluded that the PI-Risk can offer a noninvasive alternative tool to stratify PCa aggressiveness. This enables a step towards PCa risk stratification.
Cedecea lapagei An Extremely Rare Uropathogen: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Mohamed Abdikarim Hussein , Mohamud Hussein Ali
Published: February 2021

Background: Gram-negative enterobacteria are the most common cause of urinary tract infections. Cedecea is a new separate genus in the family enterobacteriaceae, and it is a very rare pathogen that was primarily found in the respiratory tract. Cedecea lapagei is a very rare pathogen of urinary tract infections. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report in the world reported in English literature. Case presentation: A 55 years old man with chronic renal failure, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, and hypertension presented with acute exacerbations of renal failure and irritative voiding symptoms. After stabilization and empirical antibiotic therapy with Ceftriaxone, the patient’s condition was not improved and deteriorated progressively. After the request of urine culture, the culture was isolated, an extremely rare uropathogen recently recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the Cedecea lapagei. Cedecea lapagei identification had been done using Eosin methylene blue agar (EMB). Gram-negative lipase positive bacteria with bacillus in shape, motile in nature that is non-spore-forming, and non-encapsulated enterobacteria with the final result of >100,000 colony-forming units per ml of Cedecea lapagei were isolated. Mueller-Hinton agar had been used to perform antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance. The pathogen was extensively resistant to the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases antibiotics and extended-spectrum beta-lactam inhibitors while carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole showed a higher sensitivity rate. Conclusion: The treatment of Cedecea lapagei infections represents a challenging issue due to its multi-drug resistant and extensive drug resistance patterns to a variety of antimicrobial classes, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, cephalosporins, and beta-lactam inhibitors. Antimicrobial treatment should be aligned with the culture findings once available.
Syntheses and Anticancer Activities of Novel Glucosylated (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Derivatives Linked via Triazole Rings
Authors: Zi Cheng-Ting , Shi Bo-Ya , Wang Ze-Hao , Zhang Ning , Xie Yin-Rong , Sun Xiu-Li , Yang Hao-Nan , Wu Yi-Long , Wang Xuan-Jun , Sheng Jun
Published: February 2021

Novel glucosylated (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate derivatives 10 – 13 having the EGCG analogues conjugated to the D-glucosyl azide were synthesized by carrying out the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction, and were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against a panel of five human cancer cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480) using MTT assays. Compounds 10 and 11 showed the highest levels of cytotoxicity against the HL-60 cells with IC50 values of 4.57 μM and 3.78 μM, respectively, and showed moderate selectivity towards cancer cell lines. Compound 11 was also shown to induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Most notably, inclusion of the perbutyrylated glucose residue in an EGCG derivative was concluded to lead to increased anticancer activity.
Is Therapeutic Inertia Present in hyperglycaemia, Hypertension and Hypercholesterolaemia Management among Adults with type 2 Diabetes in three Health Clinics in Malaysia? A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chew Boon How , Hussain Husni , Supian Ziti Akthar
Published: February 2021

Background: Good-quality evidence has shown that early glycaemic, blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol control in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) leads to better outcomes. In spite of that, diseases control have been inadequate globally, and therapeutic inertia could be one of the main cause. Evidence on therapeutic inertia has been lacking at primary care setting. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the proportions of therapeutic inertia when treatment targets of HbA1c, blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol were not achieved in adults with T2D at three public health clinics in Malaysia.Methods: The index prescriptions were those that when the annual blood tests were reviewed. Prescriptions of medication were verified, compared to the preceding prescriptions and classified as 1) no change, 2) stepping up and 3) stepping down. The treatment targets were HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol), blood pressure (BP) < 140/90 mmHg and LDL-cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/L. Therapeutic inertia was defined as no change in the medication use in the present of not reaching the treatment targets. Descriptive, univariable, multivariable logistic regression and sensitive analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 552 cohorts were available for the assessment of therapeutic inertia (78.9% completion rate). The mean (SD) age and diabetes duration were 60.0 (9.9) years and 5.0 (6.0) years, respectively. High therapeutic inertia were observed in oral anti-diabetic (61-72%), anti-hypertensive (34-65%) and lipid-lowering therapies (56-77%), and lesser in insulin (34-52%). Insulin therapeutic inertia was more likely among those with shorter diabetes duration (adjusted OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.87, 0.98). Those who did not achieve treatment targets were less likely to experience therapeutic inertia: HbA1c ≥ 7.0%: adjusted OR 0.10 (0.04, 0.24); BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg: 0.28 (0.16, 0.50); LDL-cholesterol ≥ 2.6 mmol/L: 0.37 (0.22, 0.64). Conclusions: Although therapeutic intensifications were more likely in the present of non-achieved treatment targets but the proportions of therapeutic inertia were high. Possible causes of therapeutic inertia were less of the physician behaviours but may be more of patient-related non-adherence or non-availability of the oral medications and these require urgent identification and rectification to improve disease control, avoiding detrimental health implications and costly consequences.
Pheromone Mediated Sexual Reproduction of Pennate Diatom Cylindrotheca Closterium
Authors: Klapper Franziska , Audoor Sien , Vyverman Wim , Pohnert Georg
Published: February 2021

Benthic diatoms dominate primary production in marine subtidal and intertidal environments. Their extraordinary species diversity and ecological success is thought to be linked with their motility and predominantly heterothallic sexual reproduction. Little is known about pheromone involvement during mating of pennate diatoms. Here we describe pheromone guided mating in the coastal raphid diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. We show that the two mating types (mt+ and mt¯) have distinct functions. Similar to other benthic diatoms, mt+ cells are searching for the mt¯ cells to pair. To enhance mating efficiency mt¯ exudes an attraction pheromone, which we proved by establishing a novel capillary assay. Further, two more pheromones produced by mt¯ promote the sexual events. One arrests the cell cycle progression of mt+ while the other induces gametogenesis of mt+. We suggest that C. closterium shares a functionally similar pheromone system with other pennate diatoms like Seminavis robusta and Pseudostaurosira trainorii which synchronize sexual events and mate attraction. Remarkably, we found no evidence of mt+ producing pheromones, which differentiates C. closterium from other pennates and suggests a less complex pheromone system in C. closterium.
Elucidating the Onset of Plasticity in Sliding Contacts Using Differential EBSD Tomography
Authors: Eder Stefan , Grützmacher Philipp G , Ripoll Manel Rodríguez , Belak Jim
Published: February 2021

Depending on the mechanical and thermal energy introduced to a dry sliding interface, the near-surface regions of the mated bodies may undergo plastic deformation. In this work, we use "differential EBSD tomography" to highlight changes to the microstructure near tribological fcc alloy surfaces, allowing us to detect subtle differences in lattice orientation and small distances in grain boundary migration. The analysis approach compares electron backscatter diffraction images generated from large-scale molecular dynamics simulations with their undeformed counterparts via a simple image analysis filter. We use our visualization method to discuss the acting microstructural mechanisms in a load- and time-resolved fashion, focusing on sliding conditions that lead to twinning, partial lattice rotation, and grain boundary dominated processes. Extracting and laterally averaging the color saturation value of the generated tomographs allows us to produce quantitative time- and depth-resolved maps that give a good overview of the progress and severity of near-surface deformation. Corresponding maps of the lateral standard deviation in the color saturation show evidence of homogenization processes occurring in the tribologically loaded microstructure, frequently leading to the formation of a well-defined separation between deformed and undeformed regions. When integrated into a computational materials engineering framework, our approach could help optimize material design for tribological and other deformation problems.
On the Optimal Energy Efficiency and Spectral Efficiency Trade-Off of CF Massive MIMO SWIPT System
Authors: Li Na , Gao Yuan Yuan , Xu Kui
Published: February 2021

This paper studies a cell-free (CF) massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) simultaneous wireless information and power transmission (SWIPT) system and proposes a user-centric (UC) access point (AP) selection method and a trade-off performance optimization scheme for spectral efficiency and energy efficiency. In this system, users have both energy harvesting and information transmission functions, and according to the difference between energy harvesting and information transmission, a flexible AP selection scheme is designed. This paper analyses the trade-off between energy efficiency and spectral efficiency, proposes an evaluation index that takes into account both energy efficiency and spectral efficiency, and jointly optimizes the AP selection scheme and the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) time switching ratio to maximize the trade-off performance. Then, the non-convex problem is converted to a geometric planning (GP) problem to solve. The simulation results show that by implementing a suitable AP selection scheme and UL and DL time allocation, the information processing scheme on the AP side has a slight loss in spectral efficiency, but the energy efficiency is close to the performance of global processing on the central processing unit (CPU).
Assessment of the Relationship between the Maxillary Sinus and the Canine Root tip using Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Khojastepour Leila , Movahhedian Najmeh , Zolghadrpour Mohadeseh
Published: February 2021

Background: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the frequency and amount of extension of the maxillary sinus to the anterior region and to evaluate the vertical distance between the maxillary sinus floor and canine apices.Methods: Cone beam computed tomographic images of 300 individuals (154 males and 146 females) over 20 years (with mean age of 35.12 ± 8.40 years) were evaluated. The subjects were categorized into three age groups (20-30, 30-40 and 40-50 years). When maxillary sinus extended to the canine area, the vertical distance between them were recorded and their relationship were classified into three types: I (> 2 mm distance), II (2 mm < distance or in-contact) and III (interlock). Results: 413 out of 600 maxillary sinuses (68.8%) were extended into the canine area or beyond. Among them, 15 maxillary sinuses pneumatized into the incisor area (2.5%). The prevalence of the maxillary sinuses extended to the anterior region of the jaw was not significantly different between genders, but it was significantly less frequent in older age group and more frequent in the left side. The mean amount of anterior extension of maxillary sinus (mm) was significantly lower in older age group. Type I was the most frequent vertical relationship between the maxillary sinuses and canine apices with no significant difference in gender, side and age groups.Conclusions: Most of the maxillary sinuses extended to the canine area. Maxillary sinus extended into incisor area with the frequency of 2.5% . The amount of extension of the maxillary sinus to the anterior region and its vertical distance with canine apices decreased in older age group.
Bathymetry Inversion Using Vertical Deflections: a Case Study in South China Sea
Authors: Wan Xiaoyun , Liu Bo , Sui Xiaohong , Annan Richar Fiifi , Min Yijun
Published: February 2021

As an alternative method, an algorithm for bathymetry inversion using vertical deflections is proposed. Firstly, the formulas for the bathymetry inversion from north and east components of vertical deflections are derived and the data processing is introduced. Then a local area in the South China Sea is selected as an example to experiment the method. The bathymetry inversion based on gravity anomaly was also conducted for a comparison. The results show that the bathymetry derived from the north component of the vertical deflections have almost the same accuracy as that derived from gravity anomalies and the results derived from the east component have the poorest accuracy. The experiment’s results also show that accuracy of the derived bathymetry can be improved if the fitting parameters are adjusted according to the water depths. In summary, among the gravity field products used in this study, although the gravity anomaly yielded the best performance in the bathymetry inversion, the vertical defections can still be used as supplements, especially in areas where accurate vertical deflections exist. This is because deriving gravity anomaly from altimetry observations needs additional data and calculation efforts.
An Assessement of the Air Quality in Apple Warehouses : New Record of Aspergillus Europaeus, Aspergillus Pulverulentus, Penicillium Allii and Penicllium Sumatraense as Decay Agents
Authors: SMIRI Marwa , KHEIREDDINE Amina , Hammami Rania , ROUISSI Mustapha , Espeso Eduardo Antonio , SADFI-ZOUAOUI Najla
Published: February 2021

Airborne fungi are one of the major components of aeromycobiota known to produce several fungal diseases in fruits. Their presence in indoor environment of warehouses may limit the storage period of apples. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of airborne fungal spores were conducted using gravity settling techniques to detect fungal airspora present in the atmosphere of two apple warehouses in Tunisia. In this study, 375 fungal isolates were obtained and purified. Phylogenetic analysis of Calmodulin, beta-tubulin and ITS regions coupled with phenotypic characterization helped to identify fifteen fungal species. Penicillium exhibited the highest diversity with ten species detected (Penicillium expansum, Penicillium allii, Penicillium polonicum, Penicillium solitum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium steckii, Penicillium viridicatum, Penicillium sumatraense, Penicillium italicum and Penicillium citrinum), followed by four species of Aspergillus genus (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus pulverulentus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus europaeus) and Alternaria alternata. In vivo experiments confirmed the pathogenicity of thirteen species at room temperature and under cold-storage conditions. Among them, A. europaeus, A. pulverulentus, P. allii and P. Sumatraense were described for the first time as pathogenic on apples. The present study identified the major airborne fungi associated with postharvest rot in apple storage facilities in Tunisia and may help in efficient control of post-harvest and storage fruit diseases.
Review Microstructure of Nickel-Based Single-Crystal CMSX-4 Superalloy after Electrochemical Machining
Authors: Mehrvar Ali , Mirak Alireza , Motamedi Mohsen
Published: February 2021

A special position has been created for using the nickel-based single-crystal CMSX-4 superalloy at high temperatures due to the improved mechanical properties of this material and the absence of grain boundary in the crystal lattice. Also, electrochemical machining can be an effective method for machining this superalloy due to its unique performance in metal machining, like creating stress-free surfaces, high-level surface smoothness, and machining of complex geometries. This single crystal superalloy's microstructure consists of three phases: Gamma, Gamma prime, and a bit of carbide. Gamma prime is distributed cubically and homogeneously in the Gamma field without any boundaries and as a single crystal. It is essential not to change the microstructure after the production process or machining. In the present research, electrochemical machining was performed on CMSX-4 single crystal superalloy. The workpiece's microstructure was then investigated before and after electrochemical machining using scanning electron microscopy and EDS analysis from two sides. No changes were seen in CMSX-4 infrastructure after electrochemical machining EDS analysis and Images.
Factors Facilitating Destructive Behaviors in Nurses Towards Other Healthcare Workers in Iranian Healthcare Organizations: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Afzali Mahboobeh , Mokhtari Jamileh , Ebadi Abbas , Rezaiye Milad
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Destructive behavior is considered a chronic, deep-rooted problem in the profession of nursing. Academic articles addressing the issue have existed in literature for the past three decades. Destructive behavior costs healthcare institutions in terms of funds, and it has unpleasant impacts such as escalating absenteeism, reduced productivity, and reduced quality of care for the patients. Finding ways to eliminate such behavior requires a perception and full recognition of the factors that cause and promote it. Since destructive behavior is a complex, multi-dimensional concept that is dependent on context and the culture of the particular organization or society, this research concentrates on the factors shaping such behavior and promoting it in Iranian healthcare institutions.Material and Methods: The present study makes use of the conventional content analysis method to explore the views and experiences of nurses and other healthcare workers by interviewing 30 individuals and one focus group and recording 120 hours of observation in 6 hospitals around the capital city of Tehran comprising 2 private facilities and 4 state hospitals. The interviews were all recorded, transcribed and analyzed.Results: Through data analysis 26 subcategories and 5 main categories of underlying causes, namely, inappropriate organizational mindset, ineffectual management, complex conditions of work in the nursing occupation, unprofessional standards of education and training for nurses, and personal contributions were identified.Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that the main factors promoting destructive behavior in Iranian healthcare organizations are the organizations themselves. To solve the problem of destructive behaviors organizational problems such as ineffectual management, shortage of facilities and infrastructures, a chronic human resource shortage, institutionalized injustice stemming from a state of physicians’ oligarchy, favoritism as a cultural trait, and systematic bullying must first be tackled.
One-year Clinically Important Deterioration and Long-Term Clinical Course in Japanese patients with COPD: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Abe Yuki , Suzuki Masaru , Makita Hironi , Kimura Hirokazu , Shimizu Kaoruko , Konno Satoshi , Nishimura Masaharu
Published: February 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease with a complex progression of many clinical presentations, and clinically important deterioration (CID) has been proposed in the Western studies as a composite endpoint of disease progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between 1-year CID and the following long-term clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with COPD who have been reported to have different characteristics compared to the Westerners.Methods: Among Japanese patients with COPD enrolled in the Hokkaido COPD cohort study, 259 patients who did not drop out within the first year were analyzed in this study. Two definitions of CID were used. Definition 1 comprised ≥100 mL decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), ≥4-unit increase in St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score from baseline, or moderate or severe exacerbation. For Definition 2, the thresholds for the FEV1 and SGRQ score components were doubled. The presence of CID was evaluated within the first year from enrollment, and analyzed the association of the presence of CID with following 4-year risk of exacerbations and 9-year mortality.Results: Patients with CID using Definition 1, but not any single CID component, during the first year had a significantly worse mortality compared with those without CID. Patients with CID using Definition 2 showed a similar trend on mortality, and had a shorter exacerbation-free survival compared with those without CID.Conclusions: Adoption of CID is a beneficial and useful way for the assessment of long-term disease progression and clinical outcomes even in Japanese population with COPD. The definition of CID might be optimized according to the characteristics of COPD population and the observation period for CID.
Efficacy and Safety of Specific Immunotherapy with Aeroallergens in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Prakoeswa Cita Rosita Sigit , Anggraeni Sylvia , Damayanti Damayanti , Umborowati Menul Ayu , Riswanto Cintya Dipta , Rhatomy Sholahuddin , Notobroto Hari Basuki , Endaryanto Anang , Effendy Isaak
Published: February 2021

Background: Specific immunotherapy with standardized aeroallergens can reduce symptoms and increase the quality of life for related allergy patients. This therapy is still controversial for atopic dermatitis (AD). Hence, a meta-analysis to assess efficacy and safety of specific immunotherapy with aeroallergens on patients with AD could provide a clear oversight on advantages and limitations of such treatment.Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, DOAJ, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for relevant studies published Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to October 2020. Studies involving all ages and gender with AD who treated with specific immunotherapy employing aeroallergens compared with placebo/control.Results: Seven studies RCTs were identified with 832 participants. Significantly decreased of SCORAD values favoring immunotherapy were observed (MD: -5.42; 95% CI - 10.31, -0.52; p=0.03). VAS score was significantly decrease (MD: -1.21; 95% CI -2.10, -0.31; p=0.008). However, immunotherapy showed no significant local and systemic adverse events ((RR 1.77; 95% CI 0.98, 3.19, p=0.06); (RR 0.69; 95% CI 0.16, 3.01, p=0.62)) and IgG4 Dermatophagoides farinae (MD: 92.36, 95% CI -89.14,273.87; p=0.32). Conclusion: Our five years meta-analysis included small number studies, indicated moderate-level evidence for immunotherapy with standardized extract of aeroallergens is effective and safe for AD patients.
Identification the role of mono-ADP-ribosylation in colorectal cancer by integrated Transcriptome analysis
Authors: Zhang Shuxian , Duan Jiale , Yang Yanping , Gong Hanjuan , Tang Yi , Xiao Ming , Li Ming , Li Qingshu , Wang Ya-Lan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Our previous study has clarified the carcinogenic properties of arginine-specific mono-ADP ribosyltransferase 1(ART1), which is considered to be a critical post-translational modification that changes the structure and function of proteins and is widely involved in important processes. This study provides, for the first time, a comprehensive insight of transcriptomic analysis for colorectal cancer cells interfered with ART1 silencing by Illumina RNA-Seq and related verification experiments.
Methods

Lentiviral infection was used to construct a CT-26 cell line that stably knocks down the ART1 gene, a whole transcriptome sequencing technique was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO and KEGG classification/enrichment analysis and verification experiments were performed to determine the role of ART1 in the progression of colorectal cancer.
Results

a total of 5552 DEGs, GO function and KEGG pathway with highest enrichment, forms of SNP and diverse splicing patterns were able to be identified. Importantly, knockdown of ART1 affected the occurrence of the splicing of certain key genes related to tumor cell growth, also down-regulated expression of the key gene PTBP1 for alternative splicing. The overall attenuation of the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway caused by ART1 inhibition would unbalance UPR signaling, leading to the occurrence of apoptosis to impede tumorigenesis.
Conclusion

ART1, which clustered in organelles, may promote the development of colorectal cancer by participating in a variety of new mechanisms including endoplasmic reticulum stress regulation, metabolic process or alternative splicing, which may provide a good clinical drug candidate closer to targeted therapy of CRC.
Preoperative Prediction of The Operability of Pancreatic Carcinoma
Authors: Abdalla Wael , Abdellatif Tarek Ezzet , Safwat Khaled , Elmenshawy Hazem Hakim , Naguib Sameh
Published: February 2021

This work discussed the best diagnostic modility for early detection of pancreatic cancer compared to final diagnosis reached by histopathological examination. The present study was constructed by doing imaging modalities computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) on 24 patients admitted to surgery department in the faculty of medicine with suspected pancreatic malignancy. As regard masses diameters detected by each modality, EUS was found to be superior to CT in detection of masses less than 20mm in diameter. According to the mass nature, those found in the head region tended to be malignant more frequently than the body and tail, Moreover, solid heterogeneous masses also were more likely to be malignant than the cystic ones as detected by the imaging modalities, with higher accuracy of EUS than with CT. EUS showed more accurate information as regards lymph node involvement and vascular invasion than CT. All of which affected the assessment of resectability of pancreatic masses. On head-to-head comparison, EUS appeared to perform better than CT scan in respect to nodal staging. Based on these results, we conclude that EUS staging should be the standard of care along with state of the art CT scan for the preoperative evaluation of patients with pancreatic cancer. However, large, prospective, multicenter studies directly comparing the accuracy of linear EUS vs. new generation CT scanners are still needed.
Experimental and Theoretical Study of Electrical Conductivity of Intermetallic and Nanocomposites: Subzero Temperature Superconductor
Authors: Kumar Harish , Bhateria Aarti , Singh Bhupender , Kaur Pawanvir
Published: February 2021

A comparative study of the electrical conductivity of intermetallic and corresponding nanocomposites at room and the subzero temperature was carried out by experimental and theoretical techniques. Four series of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and nanocomposites (NCs) of Al2O3, ZnO, TiO2, and CuO were synthesized by high-temperature reactive synthesis and sol-gel technique, respectively. Heat treatment of NCs was carried out at 100, 200, 300, and 400°C. Characterization of NCs was carried out by UV-visible, FTIR, FE-SEM, and XRD techniques. Computational study (DMol3, CASTEP, Forcite, Reflex, and VAMP) was carried out to study the electronic and optical properties of metal nanoparticles. The influence of heat treatment, the addition of coinage metal and ferromagnetic material, effect of a decrease in temperature on the electrical conductivity of IMCs and NCs were thoroughly investigated. The electrical conductivity of NCs was found to increase with an increase in heat treatment temperature (up to 400°C) and with the decrease in temperature (-70°C). The addition of Hematite, α-Fe2O3, and coinage metal do not significantly increase the electrical conductivity of NCs at room temperature. The electrical conductivity of NCs was found to be higher than IMCs and coinage metals. Hence, synthesized NCs can have a large number of potential applications in nanowires, quantum dots, and nano cables with very low resistivity (10-6 ΩWm-1).