bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
¿Quién paga la cuenta? Gravar la riqueza para enfrentar la crisis de la COVID-19 en América Latina y el Caribe
Authors: Ruiz Susana
Published: July 2021

Las previsiones de retroceso económico y social en América Latina y el Caribe son alarmantes. La COVID-19 golpea con fuerza la región marcada que tendrá que afrontar una contracción del 9,4%, una de las más severas en todo el planeta. La desigualdad, la informalidad y la insuficiente dotación sanitaria lastran las posibilidades de hacer frente a la pandemia. Pero son los más vulnerables quienes asumen el costo, hasta 52 millones de personas que podrían caer en la pobreza y 40 millones podrían perder sus empleos, un retroceso de 15 años para la región. Pero la COVID-19 no afecta a todos por igual, una élite se mantiene inmune al contagio de la crisis económica. Desde el principio de los confinamientos, hay 8 nuevos milmillonarios en América Latina y el Caribe, personas con un patrimonio superior a los mil millones de dólares. Las personas más ricas han aumentado su fortuna en US$ 48 200 millones desde marzo 2020, lo que equivale a un tercio del total de los paquetes de estímulo de todos los países de la región. Para hacer frente a esta crisis tan profunda, Oxfam propone una serie de reformas que recaigan sobre quienes más tienen y menos han sufrido la pandemia. Entre otros un impuesto sobre el patrimonio neto de las personas más ricas con el que se podría recaudar al menos US$ 14 260 millones, 50 veces más de lo que ahora se estaría recaudando sobre esta élite de grandes fortunas. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, forecasts for economic and social decline in Latin America and the Caribbean are alarming. The region will face a 9.4% contraction in its economy, among the most severe in the world. Coping with the pandemic is hindered by inequality, weak and insufficient social protection and limited public health capabilities. Up to 52 million people could fall into poverty and 40 million could lose their jobs – a 15-year setback for the region. Yet, an elite remains ‘immune’ to the contagion of the economic crisis. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 8 new billionaires in LAC: 1 every 2 weeks since the lockdowns began. The richest people have increased their fortune by $48.2bn since March 2020, equivalent to a third of the total stimulus packages of all countries in the region. In this paper, Oxfam proposes a series of reforms targeting those who have being less affected by the pandemic. They include a net wealth tax that could potentially generate $14.3bn, 50 times more than billionaires in the region pay now in theory, under current tax systems.
Anaerobic Codigestion of Slaughter Residues with Agricultural Waste of Amaranth Quinoa and Wheat
Authors: Quelal Orlando Washington Meneses , Martí Borja Velázquez , Chávez Juan Gaibor , Ruiz Zulay Niño , Gisbert Andrés Ferrer
Published: July 2021

The objective of this research is to experimentally evaluate the anaerobic co-digestion of slaughterhouse residues in the city of Guaranda with straw residues from agriculture, such as: amaranth, quinoa and wheat. The study was carried out on a laboratory scale using 311 ml biodigesters under mesophilic conditions of 37 °C. Anaerobic co-digestion resulted in methane yields of 407 ml CH4/g VS, with a methane content in the biogas of 77% for the mixture of slaughterhouse waste and quinoa (RM-QU (25:75)). The increase in inoculum in the mixtures composed of slaughterhouse residues and quinoa increased the biodegradability between 17 and 22%. However, in the mixtures of slaughterhouse waste and amaranth (RM-AM (0:100)), a further increase in inoculum decreased biodegradability by 5%. To predict and simulate methane production, 5 kinetic models were used: modified Gompertz, logistic equation, transfer, cone and Richards. The cone model was the one that best adjusted the experimental values ​​with those predicted with an R2 of 0.982 to 0.999 and RMSE of 0.61 to 6.92 ml CH4/g VS. The calculation of the theoretical yield was carried out by stoichiometry and elemental analysis of the samples. Theoretical yields ranged between 480-564 ml CH4/g VS for all mixtures of RM with agricultural residues.
Role of Reactive Thrombocytosis After Primary Cytoreductive Surgery in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Kim Myeong-Seon , Baek Seung Hun , Noh Joseph J. , Shim Jung In , Kang Jun Hyeok , Jeong Soo Young , Choi Chel Hun , Kim Tae-Joong , Lee Jeong-Won , Lee Yoo-Young
Published: July 2021

We investigated the incidence of reactive thrombocytosis after maximal cytoreductive surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and its role on survival. We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer from January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017. We analyzed the correlation serum platelet counts and prognosis at various time points including before surgery, during peri-operative period, and on each cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy.474 patients were eligible for the analysis. 401 patients (84.6%) were FIGO stage III and 405 patients (85.4%) were serous adenocarcinoma. 79 patients (22.6%) had splenectomy and optimal cytoreduction was achieved at 326 patients (68.8%). A week after surgery, thrombocytosis was observed in 229 patients (48.3%) patients in the entire cohort. Especially, higher platelet counts were observed in patients with splenectomy compared with patients without splenectomy. In particular, thrombocytosis on 5th cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy showed most significant impact on overall survival in multivariate analysis. In a logistic regression model, splenectomy significantly attributed to thrombocytosis on 5th cycle.Reactive thrombocytosis after primary cytoreductive surgery is associated with poor survival in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, particularly when thrombocytosis was observed during adjuvant chemotherapy.
Outcome of Intracerebral Cavernoma Treated by Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Based on a Double-blind Assessment of Treatment Indication
Authors: Shen Chiung-Chyi , Sun Ming-Hsi , Yang Men-Yin , You Weir Chiang , Sheu Meei-Ling , Chen Yen–Ju , Chen Ying-Ju , Sheehan Jason , Pan Hung-Chuan
Published: July 2021

Background: The benefit and the risk profile of Gamma Knife radiosurgery for intracerebral cavernoma remains incompletely defined in part due to the natural history of low incidence of bleeding and spontaneous regression of this vascular malformation. In this study, we retrieved cases from a prospectively collected database to assess the outcome of intracerebral cavernoma treated with Gamma Knife using a double blinded review process for treatment.Methods: From 2003 to 2018, there were 94 cases of cavernoma treated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery doubly blinded assessed by two experienced neurological and approved for Gamma Knife treatment. All the patients received Gamma Knife radiosurgery with margin dose of 11-12 Gy and afterwards were assessed for neurological outcome, radiologic response, and quality of life.Results: The median age of the patients was 48(15-85) years with median follow up of 77(26-180) months post SRS. The mean treated volume was 1.93±3.45cc. In those who has pre-SRS epilepsy, 7 of 16(43.7%) achieved seizure freedom (Engel I/II) and 9 of 16 (56.3%) achieved decreased seizures (Engel III) after SRS. Rebleeding occurred in 2 cases (2.1%) at 13 and 52 months post SRS. The radiologic assessment demonstrated 20 (21.3%) cases of decreased cavernoma volume, 69(73.4%) were stable, and 5 (7.3%) increased size. Eight-seven of 94 (92.5%) cases at the last follow up achieve improvement in their quality of life, but 7 cases (7.4%) showed a deterioration. In statistical analysis, the effective seizure control class (Engel I/II) was highly correlated with patient harboring a single lesion (p<0.05) and deep seated location of the cavernoma (p<0.01). New neurological deficits were highly correlated with decreased mental (p<0.001) and physical (p<0.05) components of quality of life testing, KPS (p<0.001), deep seated location (p<0.01), and increased nidus volume (p<0.05). Quality of life deterioration either in physical component (p<0.01), mental component (p<0.01), and KPS (p<0.05) was highly correlated with increased cavernoma volume.Conclusion: Low margin dose Gamma Knife radiosurgery for intracerebral cavernoma offers reasonable seizure control and improved quality of life while conferring a low risk of treatment complications including adverse radiation effect.
Curcumin Inhibits Advanced Glycation End Products-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Chondrocyte Via Upregulaed AMPKα/PGC-1a Pathway
Authors: Yang Qingshan , Jin Tao , Shi Yucong , Chen Zhixin , Wu Shujin
Published: July 2021

Aims: Aging is considered a hallmark of cartilage degradation and OA pathogenesis. Formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contributes to prominent features of osteoarthritis, which might be damaged the chondrocyte mitochondrial function demonstrated in our previous study. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) are two critical bioenergy sensors to maintain cartilage homeostasis.The study was undertaken to test whether curcumin, a well-known polyphenolic compound, inhibited AGEs-induced chondrocyte mitochondrial dysfunction and the mechanism involved the AMPKa-PGC-1α pathway. Methods and Results: We knocked down AMPKa and PGC-1α by small interfering RNA. We assessed mitochondrial mitochondrial potential, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and ATP production by JC-1 method, rt-pcr and assay kit, respectively. Our results showed that curcumin could significantly increased the mitochondrial biogenesis capacity in both cartilage explants and primary cultured chondrocyte induced by AGEs, correlated with concomitant induction of phosphorylation of AMPKa and PGC-1a. In parallel, curcumin significantly increased the expression of NRF2 and TFAM decreased by AGEs. In addition, curcumin attenuated AGEs-induced mitochondrial ROS generation, increased SOD2 expression, attenuated chondrocyte catabolic responses to AGEs such as release of NO, MMP-3 and MMP-13. However, curcumin had decreased capacity to increase each of those same effect readouts in AGEs treated AMPKa -siRNA or PGC-1α-siRNA chondrocyte. Conclusions: In conclusion, curcumin might maintain AGEs-decreased mitochondrial function via AMPKa-PGC-1α pathway to limit oxidative stress, thus leading to protecting cartilage matrix from degradation.
Effect of Chenodeoxycholic Acid as Dye Co-Adsorbent and ZnO Blocking Layer in Improving The Performance of Rose Bengal Dye Based Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Biswas Rajat , Chatterjee Suman
Published: July 2021

Effective suppression of dye aggregation on the photoanode surface of dye sensitized solar cell plays a key role in improving the solar cell efficiency. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) is a very popular anti dye aggregation material used in Dye sensitized solar cells. However, the selection of an improper concentration of CDCA may lead to decreased solar cell efficiency by lowering the open circuit voltage and short circuit current as a consequence of reduced dye loading. The influence of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) as a dye co-adsorbent on the performance of DSSCs fabricated using Rose Bengal dye was studied in this paper. The concentration of the CDCA solution was varied to identify the optimum value for the best device performance. Aside from this, the effect of a very thin and compact ZnO blocking layer was also investigated to reduce the recombination. With photovoltaic parameters such as short circuit current density (Jsc) = 1.98 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (Voc) = 0.58 V, and fill factor (FF) = 0.43, the traditional cell displayed an overall conversion efficiency of 0.50 %, while the power conversion efficiency was found to be increased to 0.97 % ( Jsc = 2.80 mA/cm2, Voc= 0.64, FF = 0.58 ) when CDCA was added at optimised concentration of 8 mM. Reduced dye aggregation and increased electron injection in the presence of CDCA may be accounted for the DSSC's remarkable improvement in efficiency. Moreover, the combined effect of 8 mM CDCA and the compact ZnO blocking layer dramatically enhanced the efficiency further to 1.23 % (Jsc = 3.09 mA/cm2, Voc= 0.66, FF = 60 ). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analysis revealed that the addition of CDCA as a co-adsorbent in the dye solution and addition of ZnO blocking layer resulted in significantly improved electron lifetime and reduced electron recombination yielding improved Jsc, Voc and η.
2,6-Bis(E)-4-Methylbenzylidine)-Cyclohexan-1-One As A Fluorescent-On Sensor For Ultra-Selective Detection Of Chromium Ion In Aqueous Media
Authors: Sadia Maria , Khan Jehangir , Shah Syed Wadood Ali , Naz Robina , Ali Faiz
Published: July 2021

In current decade, curcumin and its analogues have been broadly used in biological field. However, there are relatively fewer studies regarding their fluorescence based applications for chromium ion sensing in water samples. This article, hereby, reports the synthesis, FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopic analyses and optical description of 2,6-bis(E)-4-methylbenzylidine)-cyclohexan-1-one (sensor C), as a fluorescence-on sensor for trace level sensing of chromium. The sensor C exhibited an ultra-selective response to chromium among the tested heavy metal ions. Different parameters were optimized like pH, effect of concentration of sensor C, metal ion and contact time. The binding stoichiometry of C :Cr3+ was calculated to be 2:1 (Job’s plot) with a significantly low detection limit of 2.3×10− 9 M. Sensor C were practically employed for detection of chromium in spiked water samples.
Study on Ecological Allocation of Mine Water in Mining Area based on Long Term Rainfall Forecast
Authors: guanjun lei , Liu Changshun , wang wenchuan , Yin Jun-xian , Wang Hao
Published: July 2021

Based on the mine water produced by mining, in order to improve the ecological environment, the optimal allocation of mine water resources is studied. In order to reduce the uncertainty of the calculation results of ecological water demand, the wolf colony algorithm neural network model is used for long-term rainfall forecast. Combined with the forecast annual rainfall, the ecological water demand is classified and calculated. The results show that the ecological water demand based on rainfall forecast can reduce the allocation of water resources in wet years to ecological aspects, so that the surplus water resources can be used in industries, irrigation and other aspects that can create economic benefits, and improve the utilization efficiency of water resources. The ecological allocation model of mine water based on long-term rainfall forecast can reduce the uncertainty of regional water resources allocation based on rainfall forecast, which has good guiding significance and practical value for the optimal allocation of water resources in arid and water shortage areas.
An Innovative VMAT Technique for Left-sided Breast Cancer Patients With Postmastectomy Radiotherapy (PMRT) Evaluated by Ratio of Heart Volume in Tangent Line (RHVTL)
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Li Daming , Peng Feng , Tan ZhiBo , Yang PengFei , Peng ZhaoMing , Li Xin , Liu YaJie , Wang YueNan
Published: July 2021

For patients with left-sided breast cancer (LBC), postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) has been shown to improve the overall survival and many advanced planning techniques was adopted in PMRT. We aim to use an innovative VMAT technique to enhance the conformity of PTV and reduce the scattering dose of surrounding OARs, thereby reducing the long-term toxicity of the heart as well as ipsilateral lung (IL). The study further analyzes the more appropriate treatment planning techniques for personalized LBC patients with PMRT. 35 LBC patients were retrospectively selected undergoing PMRT. The PTV included lymph nodes, chest walls, excluding internal mammary nodes, where 95% of PTV receiving the prescription dose of 50Gy (2Gy/fraction) with three different techniques, VMAT, IMRT, Hybrid VMAT. Furthermore, the ratio of Heart Volume in Tangent line and heart volume (RHVTL) was proposed to evaluate the relative antonymy position between patient's heart and PTV, which hypothetically represents the complexity of treatment planning. The data from this study showed that for LBC patients undergoing PMRT, the CI from VMAT was 0.85 (IMRT and H-VMAT were 0.77 and 0.83), the heart D mean was 502.9cGy (IMRT and H-VMAT were 675.6cGy and 687cGy) and the V20 of IL was 21.3 as the lowest of the three techniques, but the dose of the contralateral breast (CB) and contralateral lung increased noticeably. In H-VMAT and IMRT, the mean heart dose was significantly related to RHVTL, with R-values of 0.911 and 0.892 respectively, while the values in VMAT was 0.613, thus the VMAT technique was relatively unaffected by the difficulty of treatment plan. For RHVTL values exceed than 0.06, the mean heart dose under VMAT technique raised by 98.7cGy compared to the RHVTL value of less than 0.06, but H-VMAT and IMRT increased by 233cGy and 261.58cGy individually. This study illustrates that separated fields and adjacent fields in VMAT technique obtained the optimal conformality and lowest doses of heart in three techniques for LBC with PMRT. Thus, based on the results of our preliminary study, the VMAT technique is highly recommended when RHVTL is exceeded 0.06.
Fitness Consequences of Oviposition Choice by an Herbivorous Insect on a Host Plant Colonized by an Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungus
Authors: Zhu Hui , Fu Jun , Wang Han , Bidochka Michael J. , Duan Mingyi , Xu Wenjing , Sui Li , Ren Bingzhong , Li Qiyun , Zhang Zhengkun
Published: July 2021

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), often considered as a bioinsecticide, are also able to colonize and establish a symbiotic relationship with plants as an endophyte. Recent studies demonstrated that endophytic EPF can enhance plant growth and are antagonistic to fungal pathogens. These newly emerging, but not yet fully understood, ecological roles suggest the possibility that EPF may further mediate oviposition preferences and offspring performance of an herbivorous insect. However, such EPF-mediated effects and underlying mechanisms are largely unexplored. Here, we examined the hypothesis that the endophytic EPF Beauveria bassiana can modulate oviposition behavior of the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis. We observed that O. furnacalis females preferred to lay eggs on B. bassiana inoculated maize plants. This is likely attributed to the net effects of plant volatile profiles induced by B. bassiana, with an increase in emitted amount of insect-attractive compounds 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and 3-hexen-1-ol and a decrease in insect-repellent compounds β-caryophyllene, naphthalene, and α-pinene. This finding provides an example of EPF-induced plant volatile-mediated interaction between plants and insects. However, fewer O. furnacalis larvae, pupae, and adults survived on the oviposition-preferred maize possibly due to lower plant nitrogen content. These results indicated that oviposition selection by O. furnacalis did not reflect the maximization of offspring fitness following B. bassiana inoculation. We suggest that fitness consequences of oviposition preferences should be considered when incorporating EPF as a biopesticide and as a potential biofertilizer within an integrated pest management programs.
Two new Zn(II)/Cu(II) compounds: photoluminescent and photocatalytic properties, and protective activity on Parkinson disease
Authors: Wang Ning , Huang Fang-Jie , Zhao Mang-Suo , Shi Bing-Xin , Wei Yan , Qiao Li-Yan
Published: July 2021

Two coordination polymers, that is [Zn(pdc)(im)(H2O)]n (1) and [Cu(pdc)(im)2]n·n(H2pdc) (2) (H2pdc = terephthalic acid, im = imidazole), were hydrothermally synthesized via the reactions of H2pdc and im in combination with Zn(II) or Cu(II) ions. Compound 1 shows intense blue luminescence and compound 2 shows good photocatalytic activity for the methyl violet degradation under the irradiation of ultraviolet light. In addition, the assessment of the two compounds’ application values against Parkinson's disease (PD) were carried out and their specific mechanism was tested simultaneously. First of all, the real time RT-PCR was implemented and the relative expression levels of NMDA receptor on neurons were measured. Besides, the Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis assay was utilized for the assessment of the influence of the compounds on the dopaminergic neuron death rate.
Functional Capacity of Patients with Advanced Gastrointestinal and Breast Cancer Pre-treatment - a Cross-Sectional Comparison to Healthy Age-matched Women
Authors: Stücher Katrin , Bolling Claus , Vogt Lutz , Dignass Axel , Banzer Winfried
Published: July 2021

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the functional status of patients with advanced gastrointestinal and breast cancer prior treatment to healthy age-matched volunteers. Methods: In this 3-arm cross-sectional study female patients with advanced cancer (UICC ≥ III) (gastrointestinal: n=17; 68.4±5.6years; BMI: 24±5.1kg/m2; breast: n=17; 64.1±7.8years; BMI: 23.6±3.7kg/m2) before first-line chemotherapy and 17 healthy age-matched women (68.6±5.8years; BMI 24.6±3.2kg/m2) were included. The functional status was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB). A capacitive force platform was used for gait speed recordings during free level walking. Maximal isometric voluntary contraction force (MIVF) of the quadriceps muscle was assessed by a strain gauge force system. Body composition was obtained from bioelectrical-impedance-analysis. Physical activity was assessed via accelerometry. Results: Compared to the healthy controls and to patients with breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer patients have lower values in the SPPB (10.4±1.3vs.8.9±2.0 vs.6.8±2.6; p<.01), phase angle (5.4±0.5°vs.5.2±0.5°vs.4.5±0.8°; p<.01), MIVF (8.8±1.9vs.9.2±3.5vs.6.0±2.1N/kg; p<.01), and gait speed (5.0±0.6vs.4.6±0.5vs. 3.6±1.1km/h; p<.01). The daily steps were significantly lower in gastrointestinal cancer patients compared to healthy women (3407±2408;8774±3975, p<.01).Conclusions: Already prior treatment patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer have a reduced functional status compared to breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Gait speed, phase angle and MIVF are below cut-off values for a low prognosis of survival. This physical deconditioning prior treatment might influence the toxicity of the therapy. Thus, supportive interventions to improve the functional status and to support the treatment in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer seems to be of high concern.Trial Registration: Registered study at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02677129).
Brain Functional Connectivity Changes in Middle-Aged Hong Chuan Tai Chi Players
Authors: Shi Zhenguo , Xu Lei , Xie Hui , Zhang Xiangliang , He Qiang
Published: July 2021

Tai Chi has been shown an effective strategy to improve cognitive function in older populations while the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This cross-sectional study was performed to examine the brain functional connectivity changes in middle-aged Hong Chuan Tai Chi practitioners. The changes in cerebral oxygenation were measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. NIRS signals were obtained from left and right prefrontal cortex, motor cortex and occipital cortex in 18 Hong chuan Tai Chi practitioners (age:55.78 ± 2.64y) and 22 demographically matched healthy Tai Chi-naïve controls (age:54.69 ± 3.10y). Global cognition was measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, and spontaneous oscillations in cerebral oxygenation between three cortexes in five frequency intervals (I, 0.6-2Hz; II, 0.145-0.6Hz; III, 0.052-0.145Hz; IV, 0.021-0.052Hz; V, 0.0095-0.021Hz) was analyzed by wavelet phase coherence. Compared with age-matched Tai Chi-naïve controls, Hong Chuan Tai Chi practitioners had better global cognition, showed higher functional connectivity between left and right prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, occipital cortex in intervals I, III, VI and V. These findings showed that middle-aged Hong Chuan Tai Chi practitioners had higher functional connectivity between prefrontal cortex, motor cortex and occipital cortex, as well as the coordination of left and right brain, which maybe the contributing factors to higher global cognition.
Evaluation of Changes In Carotid Artery Elasticity And The Associated Risk Factors In Patients With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease By Measuring Carotid Pulse Wave Velocity Using Ultrafast Ultrasound
Authors: Wang Yue , Ge Lili , Li Yuhong
Published: July 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the early changes in carotid artery elasticity in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by measuring carotid ultrafast pulse wave velocity (UFPWV). Methods: Data of 89 patients with NAFLD (observation group) and 155 healthy people (control group) were collected. The clinical and laboratory indices, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and PWV at the beginning of systole (PWV-BS), and the end of systole (PWV-ES) were compared and statistically analyzed. Results: Body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, IMT, PWV-BS, and PWV-ES in the NAFLD group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, IMT, PWV-BS, and PWV-ES values increased with the increasing severity of NAFLD (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that PWV-BS and PWV-ES were positively correlated with age, BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), SBP, DBP, TC, TG, and LDL-C (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with HDL-C (P < 0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the factors influencing PWV-BS included BMI, FPG, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C (P < 0.05), whereas the factors influencing PWV-ES included BMI, FPG, SBP, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C (P < 0.05). Conclusion: UFPWV measurement can detect the significant increase in PWV-BS and PWV-ES in patients with NAFLD. This can provide a theoretical basis for early intervention in carotid atherosclerosis.
RNA Interference Mediates Livin Gene Silencing to Enhance Chemosensitivity of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in Vitro
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Yuanjun , Yang Nannan , Lu Jian , Huang Wei , Wang Zhongmin
Published: July 2021

Purpose RNA interference (RNAi) was used to silence the expression of Livin gene in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line (PANC1), and to investigate the chemosensitivity of PANC1on gemcitabine after the Livin gene knockdown.Methods Using LipofectamineTM2000 as a carrier, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Livin gene was transfected into PANC1 cells. The mRNA and protein expression of Livin, cleaved PARP (cPARP) and caspase-3 (cCaspase-3) in PANC1 cells were measured by RT-PCR and Western Blot. The protein bands density was analyzed by Image J software, and expressed by the density ratio with the corresponding internal control protein (β-actin). The density ratios of the cPARP and cCaspase-3 protein bands were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test for comparison of multiple or two groups. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Livin mRNA expression of PANC1 cells significantly decreased after transfection with Livin-siRNA # 1. The cPARP and cCaspase-3 induced by 50 nM gemcitabine were stronger than those induced by 25 nM after 48 hours and 72 hours in PANC1 cells.But the cPARP and cCaspase-3 induced by 100 nM gemcitabine did not significantly change compared with 50 nM. After transfection of Livin-siRNA # 1, cPARP and cCaspase-3 induced by both 25 nM and 50 nM gemcitabine were enhanced. This indicated that the apoptosis of PANC1 cells induced by gemcitabine was enhanced after Livin knockdown.Conclusions RNAi-targeted Livin promotes apoptosis of PANCl cells in vitro through PARP and caspase-3 pathways, and enhances its chemosensitivity to gemcitabine.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy in Quzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cheng Zian , Jiang Xianchen , Zhu Weifen , Zhang Xinxin , Ying Xiaofang , Liu Shanshan , He Qian
Published: July 2021

Objectives
To assess the prevalence and risk factors for fundus status among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using fundus screening in four towns of Quzhou city, Zhejiang province of China.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 230 T2DM patients of four towns in Quzhou city, Zhejiang province of China. Participants were examined for the diabetes related fundus abnormalities and possible risk factors.
Results
Almost half of the T2DM patients (53.04%) reported with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Patients with diabetic retinopathy had longer duration of diabetes (P < 0.001) and higher HbA1c (P < 0.01). Risk factors for development of diabetic retinopathy included duration of diabetes and HbA1c. The prevalence of DR increased with the prolongation of the disease duration. The prevalence of DR was 28.79% in the group of disease duration < 5 years, 46.25% in the group of disease duration 5–10 years, 72.92% in the group of disease duration 10–15 years and 88.57% in the group of disease duration ≥ 15 years. What’s more, the prevalence of DR also increased with the increment of HbA1c levels. The prevalence of DR was 44.62% in the group of HbA1c < 7%, 53.13% in the group of HbA1c 7%-8%, 62.92% in the group of HbA1c ≥ 8%.
Conclusion
The prevalence of DR was disturbingly high. Risk factors for DR were similar to other studies and included duration of diabetes and HbA1c. Thus, good glycemic control remains the core foundation of managing DR.
Constraint Programming-Based Transformation Approach for a Multi-Objective & Multi-Mode Resource Investment Project Scheduling Problem Under Mixed Fuzzy-Stochastic Uncertainties
Authors: Subulan Kemal , Çakır Gizem
Published: July 2021

In fuzzy mathematical programming literature, most of the transformation approaches were mainly focused on integer linear programs (ILPs) with fuzzy parameters/variables. However, these ILP-based solution approaches may be inadequate for solving large-scaled combinatorial fuzzy optimization problems, like project scheduling under fuzzy-stochastic environments. Moreover, many project scheduling applications may contain different types of uncertainties such as fuzziness, stochasticity, dynamism etc. simultaneously in real-life settings. Based on these motivations, this paper presents a novel constraint programming (CP) based transformation approach for solving a multi-objective and multi-mode fuzzy-stochastic resource investment project scheduling problem (FS-MRIPSP) which is a well-known NP-complete problem. In fact, the proposed solution approach mainly depends on a bound & decomposition principle which divides fuzzy components of the problem into crisp middle, lower and upper level problems. Thus, it reduces the problem dimension and does not need to use any standard fuzzy arithmetic and ranking operations directly. Furthermore, stochastic nature of the problem is also taken into account by using a multi-scenario based stochastic programming technique. Finally, a weighted additive fuzzy goal program (WAFGP) is embedded into the proposed CP-based transformation approach in order to produce compromise fuzzy project schedules which trade-off between the expected values of project makespan and total resource usage costs. To show validity and practicality of the proposed approach, a real-life application is also presented for a production-and-operations management (POM) module implementation process of an international Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. The generated fuzzy project schedules under different scenarios by the proposed CP-based approach are also compared to the results of a similar ILP-based transformation approach. Computational results have shown that the proposed CP-based approach outperforms than the ILP-based approach in terms of both solution quality and computational time.
Fluorescence NanoParticle Detection in a liquid sample using the Smartphone for Biomedical application
Authors: G Anand , T Thyagarajan , Ramakrishnan Sabitha
Published: July 2021

In the present work, a Smartphone-based Fluorescence Nanoparticle Detector (SPF-NPD) was developed. This method is intended for use in the identification of biological agents in biomedical applications. Here, an android application-based algorithm was developed to analyze the fluorescent nanoparticle intensity level in a target sample. The setup consists of an LED light source, an Eppendorf tube holder, and a smartphone to acquire the fluorescent intensity level in the sample to enable the detection of pathogens within few seconds. High-resolution cameras available on recent smartphones have made live detection more accurate and convenient for healthcare applications. The concept of fluorescent nanoparticle detection with a smartphone has led to a portable device and having potential application in healthcare. In this proposed method the intensity level is analyzed with 5 pixels algorithm, the center pixel followed by four immediate neighbours’ pixels which can analyze with minimal sample quantity. Also, the robustness of the developed algorithm was verified with various megapixel camera ranges from 8 MP to 20 MP.
Addition of Clinoptilolite In The Diet Reduces Uterine PMN Leukocytes And Open Days In Multiparous Lactating Dairy Cows Managed In A Mountain Tropical Pasture-Based System
Authors: Sinchi Franklin I , Zuin Jenny F. , Garzón Juan Pablo , López Gonzalo E. , Calle Guido , Quito Fernando , Galarza Diego A. , Perea Fernando P.
Published: July 2021

This study was aimed to assess the effect of adding clinoptilolite in the diet on uterine health and reproductive performance in multiparous lactating dairy cows managed in a tropical pasture-based system above 2500 meters of altitude. Seventy-seven multiparous Holstein crossbred cows were allocated randomly into two groups: clinoptilolite supplemented cows (CLG, n = 42) and non-supplemented cows as control (CG, n = 35). Cows from CLG were supplemented with clinoptilolite from 30 days (50 g/cow/day) before to 60 days after calving (200 g/cow/day). Data were analyzed by general linear model, least squares means and chi-square test of SAS. In CLG cows, percentages of uterine PMN leukocytes (P<0.0001) and proportion of subclinical endometritis (P=0.0187) were lower than in CG. The interval calving to first corpus luteum was shorter (P=0.0759) in CLG than CG, and calving to first service interval was similar between treatments. Cows from CLG became pregnant 35 days earlier than CG cows (P=0.0224). In conclusion, daily addition of clinoptilolite in the diet decreased the proportion of cows with subclinical endometritis and shortened the interval from calving to conception in lactating dairy cows.
An Insertion Mutation Located on Putative Enhancer Regions of the MYB26-Like Gene Induce Inhibition of Anther Dehiscence Resulting in Novel Genic Male Sterility in Radish (Raphanus Sativus L.)
Authors: Kim Seongjun , Kim Sunggil
Published: July 2021

A novel male-sterility trait was identified in a radish (Raphanus sativus L.) population. Although the size of male-sterile anthers was comparable to that of normal flowers, no pollen grain was observed during anther dehiscence. However, dissection of male-sterile anthers revealed an abundance of normal pollen grains. Analysis of segregating populations showed that a single recessive locus, designated RsMs1 conferred male sterility. Based on two radish draft genome sequences, molecular markers were developed to delimit the genomic region harboring the RsMs1. The region was narrowed down to approximately 27 kb after analyzing recombinants selected from 7,511 individuals of a segregating population. Sequencing of the delimited region yielded six putative genes including four genes expressed in the floral tissue, and one gene with significant differential expression between male-fertile and male-sterile individuals of a segregating population. This differentially expressed gene was orthologous to the Arabidopsis MYB26 gene, which played a critical role in anther dehiscence. Excluding a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in exon3, no polymorphism involving coding and putative promoter regions was detected between alleles. A 955-bp insertion was identified 7.5 kb upstream of the recessive allele. Highly conserved motifs among four Brassicaceae species were identified around this insertion site, suggesting the presence of putative enhancer sequences. A functional marker was developed for genotyping of the RsMs1 based on the 955-bp insertion. A total of 120 PI accessions were analyzed using this marker, and 11 accessions were shown to carry the recessive RsMs1 allele.
New Water Soluble Polysaccharide From Periploca Laevigata: Functional Characterization and Evaluation of Multi-biological Activities.
Authors: BKHAIRIA INTIDHAR , Krayem Najeh , Dhibi Sabah , Ghorbel Sofiane , Li Suming , Nasri Moncef , Hajji Mohamed
Published: July 2021

The water-soluble polysaccharide was isolated from Periploca laevigata root barks and purified. The structurale, surface, functional properties, and biological activities of P. laevigata polysaccharide (PLP1) were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction crystallography (XRD), were used for structurale characterization of PLP1. SEM analysis suggested that the polysaccharide had irregular particle size with a large number of cavities, mostly seen as aggregates, and fibrous in nature. The samples had peaks at approximately 22°, and 38° 2θ degrees in the XRD pattern, which indicated both crystalline and amorphous structure. Functional properties of PLP1 were investigated based on water and oil holding capacity, solubility, emulsification activity, and foaming ability. Interestingly, PLP1 exhibited, a noticeable ability to emulsify corn and olive oil. Experimental analysis indicated that PLP1 able to decrease surface tension of water of 67.5 mN/m to 43.7 mN/m. On other trend, bioactivities evidenced that PLP1 is a potent protease and lipase inhibitor. The cell viability proved the cytoprotective effect of PLP1 on cell treated with hydrogen peroxide H2O2, suppressing apoptosis and ameliorating oxidative lesions. The experimental data and multi functionality provides enough evidence and open many new possibilities for biomedicine and food applications.
Outcomes of Adjunctive Surgery for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Kim Joong-Yub , Park Samina , Park In Kyu , Kang Chang Hyun , Kim Young Tae , Koh Jaemoon , Yim Jae-Joon , Kwak Nakwon
Published: July 2021

Background

Owing to the unsatisfactory results of antibiotic treatment alone, surgical resection is currently considered as adjunctive therapy in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, reports regarding the outcomes of surgery vary considerably by institution. Here, we investigated the surgical outcomes and risk factors associated with unfavorable outcomes after surgery.
Methods

We analyzed patients with NTM-PD who underwent pulmonary resection at Seoul National University Hospital between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2020, and assessed the types of surgical procedures, complications, and long-term outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors associated with treatment refractoriness or recurrence after surgery.
Results

Among 67 patients who underwent surgery during the study period, the most common indication for surgery was persistent culture positivity despite rigorous medical treatment (80.6%), followed by longstanding cavitary lesions or radiographic aggravation (10.4%) and massive hemoptysis (4.5%). Among 53 patients with positive mycobacterial cultures at the time of surgery, 38 (71.7%) achieved initial negative culture conversion, 9 (17.0%) of whom experienced recurrence. Nine (14.3%) patients experienced postoperative complications, which were managed without lasting morbidity and mortality. Female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–42.4; P = .046), preoperative positive mycobacterial culture (aOR, 5.87; 95%CI, 1.04–33.08; P = .045), and residual lesions (aOR, 6.86; 95%CI, 1.49–31.56; P = .013) were associated with refractoriness or recurrence.
Conclusions

Pulmonary resection is a reasonable treatment modality for patients with refractory NTM-PD or major complications such as massive hemoptysis. The potential risk factors for unfavorable outcomes included female sex, preoperative positive mycobacterial culture, and residual lesions after surgery.
Modeling Eastern Russian High Arctic Geese (Anser fabalis, A. albifrons) during moult and brood rearing with Machine Learning, Open Access GIS and 24 years-long Big Data: Good Evidence for the New Digital Arctic of 2021
Authors: Solovyeva Diana , Bysykatova-Harmey Inga , Vartanyan Sergey L. , Kondratyev Alexander , Huettmann Falk
Published: July 2021

Many polar species and habitats are now affected by man-made global climate change and underlying infrastructure; it makes for a New Arctic. Arctic grazers, like Eastern Russian migratory populations of Tundra Bean Goose Anser fabalis and Greater White-fronted Goose A. albifrons, are affected along the entire flyway in East Asia, namely China, Japan and Korea. Here we present the best-available long-term 24 years digitized GIS data for the breeding study area (East Yakutia and Chukotka) and its habitats with ISO-compliant metadata. Further, we used seven publically available GIS predictor layers to predict the distribution for these two species within the tundra habitats. We are able to improve on the ecological niche prediction inference for both species by focusing for the first time specifically on biological relevant aspects: post-breeding moulting non-breeders, as well as post-breeding parent birds with broods. We then assessed it with 4 lines of evidence including alternative best-available open access field data from GBIF.org as well as compiled literature and found a good model accuracy in support of our evidence for a robust inference of these new findings. Our predictions indicate a relative index of occurrence (RIO) based on the quantified ecological niche showing more realistic gradual occurrence patterns and that are not fully in agreement with the current strictly applied parsimonious flyway and species delineations. While our predictions are to be improved further, e.g. when synergetic data are made freely available, here we offer the first open access model platform for fine-tuning and future predictions for this otherwise poorly represented region in times of a highly changing industrialized ‘new’ arctic with global repercussions.
Radiomic Analysis of the Heterogeneous Tumor and Surrounding Parenchyma Based on DCE-MRI Decomposition to Predict HER2 Expression in Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Peng , Yan Juan , Liu Zhongqi , Li Xiangsheng , Zhou Qianxiang
Published: July 2021

Background Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) correlates with cancer heterogeneity, and the identification of HER2 expression is invasive immunohistochemistry in the clinic. To determine whether noninvasive predictors of HER2 expression are implied in the dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).Methods 189/47 breast cancer patients collected from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) were used as a cross-validation/test group. A convex analysis of mixtures (CAM) was conducted to decompose heterogeneous tissues inside and outside the tumor. Their DCE-MRI images were decomposed into relatively homogeneous subregions with different contrast enhancement patterns. The predictor of HER2 expression was composed of radiomic features acquired from intratumoural or peritumoural subregions. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was used to assess the predictive power.Results The predictor formed in the undecomposed tumor was used as a baseline for comparison (AUC=0.691±0.072/0.625±0.056 in cross-validation/test group). The intratumoural subregion with a contrast enhancement pattern corresponding to the plateau of signal intensity formed a more robust predictor (AUC=0.816±0.059/0.785±0.067, P=0.0128/0.0389). Peritumoral parenchyma of <20 mm from the tumor margin was also researched (AUC=0.589±0.083/0.524±0.064). The peritumoural subregion with a contrast enhancement pattern corresponding to steady enhancement also formed a helpful predictor compared to the undecomposed parenchyma (AUC=0.702±0.068/0.681±0.042, P=0.0128/0.0389). The best predictor was formed when two predictors from subregions were fused together (AUC=0.851±0.057/0.812±0.045, P=0.0011/0.0397).Conclusions A subregion rather than a heterogeneous tumor itself provided a more accurate predictor of HER2 expression. Radiomic predictors from intratumoural and peritumoural subregions were complementary to each other.
Combined Therapy with Dendritic Cell Loaded-Exosomes Supplemented with PD-1 Inhibition Have Superior Antitumor Effect in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shi Shengbin , Wang Cuijuan , Zhang Chuangnian , Zhang Wenyu , Qin Yibo , Niu Zuoxing
Published: July 2021

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related deaths and has low sensitivity to conventional therapies. Dendritic cell (DC) loaded tumor-exosomes (TEX) have shown antitumor effects in a murine HCC model. However, the combined antitumor efftcts of DC-TEX and programmed death protein 1 antibody (PD-1 Ab) at different time application has not been investigated. Methods In this study, ectopic, orthotopic, and diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced HCC models were established and treated with DC-TEX alone or in combination with PD-1 Ab at different time points. Meanwhile, we established an orthotopic HCC model in BALB/C nude mice and restore t cells. Results The results showed that along with the increased number of CD8+ T cells, the PD-1+CD8+ T-cell population was also significantly increased after DC-TEX injection. The number of CD8+ T cells peaked 72 h after DC-TEX injection, and the PD-1+CD8+ T cells also showed a similar result. Subsequently, the PD-1 Ab was applied in combination with DC-TEX at a series of time points (0, 24,72, 96, 120 or 168 h). Surprisingly, the combined treatment showed strong antitumor effects and this effect was most prominent when PD-1 Ab was administerd at 72 h. In vitro, PD-1 Ab also significantly reversed the proliferative ability of PD-1+CD8+ T cells at 72 h. The combined antitumor effects of PD-1 Ab and DC-TEX were mainly through their stimulation on CD8+T cells proliferation as well as repression for T cell exhaustion. Conclusion In conclusion, the combination of DC-TEX and PD-1 Ab significantly suppresses tumor growth in a murine HCC model and that the antitumor effect is affected by the timing of PD-1 Ab treatment.
Structural Feature and Evolution Mechanism of Arch Structure for Thick Unconsolidated Layer
Authors: Yang Yingming , Zhu Hengzhong , Li Quansheng , Zhang Kai , Zhao Yongqiang
Published: July 2021

Traditionally, the study on the bearing structure of overlying strata mainly focuses on bedrock with the effect of the overlying unconsolidated layer. It simply considered as uniformly loading on the top interface of the bedrock, and ignores the bearing structure for unconsolidated layer. Combined with the geological conditions of shallow burial thick unconsolidated layer in Shendong mining area,the mechanical model of the arch structure for the unconsolidated layers was established. The relationship between the arch height and span was analyzed with theoretical formula and the dynamic evolution mechanism of arch structure was studied with numerical simulation. Besides, formula of arch structure ultimate height was derived. The influence mechanism of arch structure on ground fissures was revealed and criterion was obtained, which was verified by field monitoring data. Furthermore, a classification method of arch structure in thick unconsolidated layers was proposed.