bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Detection of Two Tumor Marker Proteins Using Dual-Colored Signaling Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Prepared via Multi-Step Post-Imprinting Modifications
Authors: Sunayama Hirobumi , Takamiya Kazuhiro , Takano Eri , Horikawa Ryo , Kitayama Yukiya , Takeuchi Toshifumi
Published: February 2021

We report simultaneous detection of tumor marker proteins using a molecularly imprinted polymer-based fluorescence sensing system, in which prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recognition cavity, labeled with Alexa Fluor 594, and α-fetoprotein (AFP) recognition cavity, labeled with Alexa Fluor 647, exist together in the polymer matrix. The individually fluorescent-labeled PSA- and AFP-imprinted polymer was prepared by a dual imprinting method, followed by multi-step post-imprinting modifications (PIM). A polymerizable group, conjugated with PSA or AFP via a disulfide bond, was prepared and immobilized on a phenylboronic acid moiety-introduced substrate by the formation of cyclic diester between phenylboronic acid and glycans on proteins. The polymer matrix was prepared using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. After the reduction of the disulfide bond and hydrolysis of the cyclic diester, PSA- and AFP-imprinted nano-cavities were generated simultaneously. In multi-step PIM, thiol-reactive fluorescent dyes were introduced via a dynamic protection procedure using the target protein, which yielded dual fluorescence-labeled imprinted nano-cavities. Fluorescence signaling abilities were assessed, and each AFP and PSA-imprinted nano-cavity was confirmed to transduce the protein binding events into specific fluorescence signals, with lower values of limit of detection (<2.0 ng/mL). Therefore, the proposed methodology could be a novel platform for the simultaneous detection of multiple proteins.
A Microservice Decomposition Method Through Using Distributed Representation of Source Code
Authors: Al-Debagy Omar , Martinek Peter
Published: February 2021

This research proposed a novel decomposition method for refactoring monolithic applications into microservices applications using a neural network model (code2vec) for creating code embeddings from the monolithic application source code. As a Result, semantically similar code embeddings are clustered through a hierarchical clustering algorithm to produce microservices candidates to resemble the domain model more efficiently. The quality characteristics of the results were measured using two metrics for measuring cohesion. These metrics were Cohesion at Message Level (CHM) and Cohesion at Domain Level (CHD). Also, four applications were used as test cases with different sizes ranging from small to big applications. The proposed method showed promising results in terms of cohesion when compared to other decomposition methods. The proposed method scored better scores in 5 out of 8 tests compared to other methods. Also, averaged CHD and CHM results were 0.52 and 0.76, respectively, for the proposed method, better results when compared to the other methods.
Training Specialists for the Use of the Resources of the "Moscow Electronic School" in Their Professional Activities for Teaching Schoolchildren with special Educational Needs
Authors: Afanasyeva Yulia , Gravitskaya Elena
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to the issues of training specialists in the field of special education using modern digital educational technologies, in particular, using the innovative resources of the Moscow Electronic School.

The prerequisites are the urgent need to train modern special teachers who are able to work with children with disabilities and who are proficient in modern digital educational technologies.

The purpose of the study is to develop a technology for training specialists in higher education, who own the resources of the "Moscow Electronic School".

Research methods: questioning of students, expert assessment of students by pedagogical workers in order to assess the skills and abilities of working in the MES environment.

The results of the study indicate that the proposed technology for training specialists in higher education, who own the resources of the Moscow Electronic School, within the elective, has demonstrated rather high results. The study revealed a greater satisfaction of teachers with the preparation of students, namely, an increase in the creative potential, the emergence of students' involvement in practice was noted. In particular, this was noted in the students' independent approach to adapting their lessons to the special educational needs of mentally retarded schoolchildren, in the correct temporal alternation of the stages of working with the interactive panel. So, teachers, heads of practice noted a high level of ownership of MES resources in 2020 among 57% of students, which is almost twice as high as among students who underwent teaching practice in 2018 (31%). The average level in 2020 was registered in 28%, low - in 15%, which is almost two times less than in 2018 (27%).

The introduction of such an elective is exclusive, since it is focused on students enrolled in the specialty (defectological) education and solves the following problems: firstly, equipping with the skills and abilities of working in a digital environment, namely the environment of the Moscow Electronic School, and secondly, equipping with specific knowledge and skills of developing electronic content for children with disabilities.
Las redes sociales digitales: una valoración socioeducativa. Revisión sistemática.
Authors:   ,, Fuentes Cancell Dieter Reynaldo , Estrada Molina Odiel , Delgado Yanes Nilda
Published: February 2021

The future and already current industrial revolution 4.0 demand the introduction of a digital transformation in the higher education contributing to the formation of competent professionals, for which, they are evidenced in the pedagogies and emergent technologies, an increase of didactic experiences in the use of the digital social networks. In this research a systematic review to identify current trends in the use of online social networks for educational purposes are performed. PRISMA protocol was used and analyzed 79 studies present in the database Scopus. In the systematic review, the following questions are answered: What types of designs predominate in the scientific literature? What is the dependentindependent pairs of variables? And What are the current trends in the use of digital social networks for educational purposes? As a result of this research, Facebook is reaffirmed as the social network most used by educators and the need for the integrated and varied use of these networks. It concludes with the defense of the following trends: university institutional communication policies from the curricular levels; the development of creativity, cultural convergence and media diversification; educational innovation; media culture and academic digital identity
Cuando el aprendizaje basado en la práctica profesional no provoca un interés laboral.
Authors: Calvo Palomares Ricard , Payá Castiblanque Raúl , Sigalat Signes Enric
Published: February 2021

The link between the academic and the professional has become an essential element in promoting the educational quality of today’s University. This article shows an experience of teaching innovation in higher education based on the use of professional technologies brought to the educational field. Specifically, the computer application and methodology used professionally by CEAL-Spanish Association of Socio-Labour Auditors in the development of their work, and which has allowed the professionalization of teaching and bringing it closer to the reality of the professional collective. A questionnaire was used to find out the students’ perception of the methodological proposal and its potential transfer to the professional field. In addition, the vision of the participating companies was incorporated by asking them about their possible transference. Ambivalent results were found. On the one hand, the students valued the methodological proposal as highly positive, useful, applied and practical, but, on the other hand, they did not perceive that the activity as a sociolabour auditor is a possible future professional outlet, when it is one of the 7 professional outlets established in the White Paper for the Degree in Labour Relations and Human Resources. In conclusion, the positive effect in the educational sphere did not have the desired impact in the professional sphere due to external factors related to the business context, since none of the collaborating companies had previously carried out any socio-labour audit, nor were they aware of the tools and methods for carrying it out.
Competencia digital docente y el uso de la realidad aumentada en la enseñanza de ciencias en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria.
Authors: Moreno Guerrero Antonio José , Rodríguez García Antonio Manuel , Rodríguez Jiménez Carmen , Ramos Navas-Parejo Magdalena
Published: February 2021

Today, technology is a major issue in society, so it is essential to have acquired digital competence in order to be successful in it. An example of the growing use of technology in education is the didactic use of Augmented Reality, which offers the area of science a wealth of possibilities to facilitate the teaching-learning process. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of digital competence on the use of augmented reality as a teaching resource in science-related classes. The method used is quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, correlational and predictive. The data collection has been carried out through an ad hoc questionnaire on digital teaching competence and augmented reality with different levels of response. The results show that augmented reality is a resource that has been used by teachers teaching science, presenting them with an average level of digital competence. We conclude by stating that teachers who use augmented reality are more digitally competent than those who do not..
Roma Immigrants in Western Europe – the Example of France and Italy
Authors: Talewicz-Kwiatkowska Joanna
Published: February 2021

The expansion of the European Union and the accession of ten new EU member states in 2004, as well as the accession of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, meant that the new borders of the EU came to encompass most of the Roma minorities living on the Old Continent. The Roma, as well as being the largest ethnic group in modern Europe, are also its most marginalised group. They have been and continue to be ostracised, excluded from society, and discriminated against on all possible social levels. I will focus on the mass exodus of the Roma to Western Europe, which was triggered by the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. Thousands of new Roma emigrants moved to the West in search of a better life, without possessing jobs, health care or social insurance, living en masse in camps on the edge of towns and cities. The beginning of the global economic crisis in 2008 and this massive influx of Roma immigrants living in extreme poverty was an explosive mix which led to a deepening and intensification of Anti‑Roma feeling in Western Europe creating a radicalisation of policy concerning Roma.
Orientalism in Joseph Conrad’s novel Almayer’s Folly (1895): a post-colonial approach
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad
Published: February 2021

He represents the false critic toward colonialism which depicted him as the author in the neutral side in the history of colonialism.  In this undergraduate thesis, the writer attempts to reveal the pattern of Joseph Conrad’s Orientalism by find the image and stereotype of the Orient and Occident, the Fantasy of Western colonialism, the hegemony that legitimate the colonial authorities toward the Malay Archipelago and finds the evidence that proves him as the part of author who supports colonialism. The writer uses Edward’s Said Orientalism theory as the major post-colonial theory in this study to investigate the pattern of Orientalism and the evidence of Joseph Conrad as the colonialist author. The writer uses the technique of writing this undergraduate thesis by dividing the extrinsic and intrinsic element of the novel Almayer’s Folly (1895). In the finding and discussion of this undergraduate thesis, the writer reveals the pattern of Orientalism and the evidence of Joseph Conrad as the pro-colonialism author through the binary division in the novel which creates the stereotype of the Orient and compares to the ideal Victorian character depicted in his white characters in the novel. Then, Conrad creates the Western Fantasy toward the Oriental Malay Archipelago as the object for the Westerner in search of adventure, career and positioning the imaginary narrative of European territory as the happy land for the major characters.
The function of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis
Authors: He Chao Peng , Jiang Xin Chen , Chen Cheng , Zhang Hai Bin , Cao Wen Dong , Wu Qi , Ma Chi
Published: February 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common motor system disorders, is a degenerative disease involving progressive joint destruction caused by a variety of factors. At present, OA has become the fourth most common cause of disability in the world. However, the pathogenesis of OA is complex and has not yet been clarified. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to a group of RNAs more than 200 nucleotides in length with limited protein-coding potential, which have a wide range of biological functions including regulating transcriptional patterns and protein activity, as well as binding to form endogenous small interference RNAs (siRNAs) and natural microRNA (miRNA) molecular sponges. In recent years, a large number of lncRNAs have been found to be differentially expressed in a variety of pathological processes of OA, including extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, synovial inflammation, chondrocyte apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Obviously, lncRNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression, maintaining the phenotype of cartilage and synovial cells, and the stability of the intra-articular environment. This article reviews the results of the latest research into the role of lncRNAs in a variety of pathological processes of OA, in order to provide a new direction for the study of OA pathogenesis and a new target for prevention and treatment.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(2):122–133.
Exposure to hypergravity during zebrafish development alters cartilage material properties and strain distribution
Authors: Lawrence Elizabeth Anna , Aggleton Jessye , van Loon Jack , Godivier Josepha , Harniman Robert , Pei Jiaxin , Nowlan Niamh , Hammond Chrissy
Published: February 2021

Aims

Vertebrates have adapted to life on Earth and its constant gravitational field, which exerts load on the body and influences the structure and function of tissues. While the effects of microgravity on muscle and bone homeostasis are well described, with sarcopenia and osteoporosis observed in astronauts returning from space, the effects of shorter exposures to increased gravitational fields are less well characterized. We aimed to test how hypergravity affects early cartilage and skeletal development in a zebrafish model.

Methods

We exposed zebrafish to 3 g and 6 g hypergravity from three to five days post-fertilization, when key events in jaw cartilage morphogenesis occur. Following this exposure, we performed immunostaining along with a range of histological stains and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine cartilage morphology and structure, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoindentation experiments to investigate the cartilage material properties, and finite element modelling to map the pattern of strain and stress in the skeletal rudiments.

Results

We did not observe changes to larval growth, or morphology of cartilage or muscle. However, we observed altered mechanical properties of jaw cartilages, and in these regions we saw changes to chondrocyte morphology and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. These areas also correspond to places where strain and stress distribution are predicted to be most different following hypergravity exposure.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that altered mechanical loading, through hypergravity exposure, affects chondrocyte maturation and ECM components, ultimately leading to changes to cartilage structure and function. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(2):137–148.
Appendiceal hernia: an extremely rare condition
Authors: Molina GA , Rojas CL , Aguayo WG , Moyon MA , Gálvez P , Polanco EC , Novoa LP , Reveló VL
Published: February 2021

Appendix-associated hernias are extremely rare. They have been described sporadically in the literature, mostly as inguinal hernias. Appendix-associated incisional hernias are even more unusual. High clinical awareness is needed as complications can arise if misdiagnosis or delay occurs. We present an 80-year-old man with acute appendicitis in an incisional hernia. After successful surgery, the patient made a full recovery.
Refined extreme ultraviolet mask stack model
Authors: Makhotkin I. A. , Wu M. , Soltwisch V. , Scholze F. , Philipsen V.
Published: February 2021

A refined model of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask stack consisting of the Mo/Si multilayer coated by a Ru protective layer and a TaBN/TaBO absorber layer was developed to facilitate accurate simulations of EUV mask performance for high-NA EUV photo-lithography (EUVL) imaging. The model is derived by combined analysis of the measured EUV and x ray reflectivity of an industry-representative mask blank. These two sets of measurements were analyzed using a combined free-form analysis procedure that delivers high-resolution x ray and EUV optical constant depth profiles based on self-adapted sets of sublayers as thin as 0.25 nm providing a more accurate description of the reflectivity than obtained from only EUV reflectivity. “Free-form analysis” means that the shape of the layer interfaces in the model is determined experimentally and is not given a priori by the structure model. To reduce the numerical effort for EUV imaging simulations, a low-resolution model of the multilayer and absorber stack with sublayer thicknesses larger than 2 nm, that fits to only the EUV reflectance, was derived from the high-resolution model. Rigorous high-NA EUVL simulations were done to compare the performance of the new model to our previous work [Proc. SPIE 8886, 88860B (2013)PSISDG0277-786X10.1117/12.2030663].
Towards an optimum colour preference metric for white light sources: a comprehensive investigation based on empirical data
Authors: Huang Zheng , Chen Wei , Liu Qiang , Wang Yu , Pointer Michael R. , Liu Ying , Liang Jinxing
Published: February 2021

Colour preference is a critical dimension for describing the colour quality of lighting and numerous metrics have been proposed. However, due to the variation amongst psychophysical studies, consensus has not been reached on the best approach to quantify colour preference. In this study, 25 typical colour quality metrics were comprehensively tested based on 39 groups of psychophysical data from 19 published visual studies. The experimental results showed that two combined metrics: the arithmetic mean of the gamut area index (GAI) and colour rendering index (CRI) and the colour quality index (CQI), a combination of the correlated colour temperature (CCT) and memory colour rendering index (MCRI), exhibit the best performance. Qp in the colour quality scale (CQS) and MCRI also performed well in visual experiments of constant CCT but failed when CCT varied, which highlights the dependence of certain metrics on contextual lighting conditions. In addition, it was found that some weighted combinations of an absolute gamut-based metric and a colour fidelity metric exhibited superior performance in colour preference prediction. Consistent with such a result, a novel metric named MCPI (colour preference index based on meta-analysis) was proposed by fitting the large psychophysical dataset, and this achieved a significantly higher weighted average correlation coefficient between metric predictions and subjective preference ratings.
Optical spatial differentiation with suspended subwavelength gratings
Authors: Parthenopoulos Alexios , Darki Ali Akbar , Jeppesen Bjarke R. , Dantan Aurélien
Published: February 2021

We investigate first- and second-order spatial differentiation of an optical beam transverse profile using guided-mode resonances in thin, suspended subwavelength gratings. Highly reflective one-dimensional gratings are patterned on freestanding 200 nm-thick silicon nitride membranes using Electron Beam Lithography and plasma etching. The optical transmission of these gratings, designed for illumination with either TM or TE polarized light, are experimentally measured under normal and oblique incidence and found to be in excellent agreement with the predictions of an analytical coupled-mode model as well as Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis numerical simulations. Intensity profiles consistent with high quality first- and second-order spatial differentiation of a Gaussian beam are observed in transmission at oblique and normal incidence, respectively. Such easy-to-fabricate, ultrathin and loss-free optical components may be attractive for beam shaping and optical information processing and computing.
Extremely high Q-factor terahertz metasurface using reconstructive coherent mode resonance
Authors: Yan Fei , Li Qi , Wang Zewen , Tian Hao , Li Li
Published: February 2021

High Q-factor resonance has a pivotal role in wide applications for manipulating electromagnetic waves. However, high Q-factor resonance, especially in the terahertz (THz) regime, has been a challenge faced by plasmonic metamaterials due to the inherent ohmic and radiation losses. Here, we theoretically present a unique metasurface scheme to produce extremely high Q-factor Fano resonance of the reconstructive coherent mode in the THz regime. The THz metasurface is composed of periodically arranged vertical symmetric split ring resonators (SRRs), which can produce perfect reconstructive coherent coupling effect in the sense that dipole radiation is destructively suppressed. Under the polarized electric field perpendicular to SRR gap, the surface currents are out of phase for an individual SRR, leading to the cancellation of net dipole moment. The reconstructive coherent mode resonance can occur between each SRR and its neighboring SRRs, accompanied by destructive interference of the scattered fields of each SRR. This is due to the coupling between the localized resonance of individual particles and the Rayleigh anomaly of the array. The proposed metasurface can significantly suppress far-field radiation and perform an extremely high Q-factor beyond 104 level with large modulation depth in the THz region, which pushes the advancement of THz high Q-factor resonance. The extremely high Q-factor of reconstructive coherent mode is tunable by adjusting the geometry parameters. The design strategy is useful to develop ultra-sensitive sensors, narrow-band filters and strong interaction of field-matter in the THz regime.
Spectral study on utilizing ambient light with luminescent materials for display applications
Authors: Fujieda Ichiro , Tsutsumi Yasuhiro , Matsuda Shiori
Published: February 2021

A luminous reflective display can be constructed by placing an electro-optic shutter on the stack of a luminescent layer, a color filter, and a reflector in this order. The luminescent materials convert a part of the incident light to photoluminescence photons. The reflector redirects the downward photon flux toward an observer. The color filters prevent the photons with unwanted wavelengths from being reflected. The upward spectral flux from this multi-layer structure is formulated. Experiments with off-the-shelf components revealed more than three-fold increase in spectral flux and up to 55% color gamut extension, compared with a control device without luminescent materials.
Effective Predictor of Colorectal Cancer Survival Based on Exclusive Expression Pattern Among Different Immune Cell Infiltration
Authors: Xu Xiaowen , Ma Jun , Yu Guanyu , Qiu Qun , Zhang Wei , Cao Fuao
Published: February 2021

Tumor-infiltrating immune/inflammatory cells, the important components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), remarkably affect the progression of human cancers. To understand the actual conditions within the TME of colorectal cancer (CRC), the interrelationship among tumor-infiltrating neutrophils, M2 macrophages, and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) was systematically analyzed. The infiltration conditions of CD66b+ neutrophils, CD163+ M2 macrophages, and FOXP3+ Tregs in tissue microarrays including 1021 cases of CRC were determined by immunohistochemical analysis. The prediction power of these immune cells for CRC prognosis was evaluated by subgroup analysis of the CRC cohort. Results revealed the existence pattern of infiltrating neutrophils, and Tregs/M2 macrophages fulfilled a “X-low implies Y-high” Boolean relationship, indicative of a mutually exclusive correlation between neutrophils and M2 macrophages, and between neutrophils and Tregs in the TME of CRC. What’s more, the tumor-infiltrating M2 macrophages and Tregs were associated with adverse prognostic factors, whereas neutrophils were corelated with favorable factors. The high infiltration of neutrophils predicted longer survival and better chemotherapeutic response. Nonetheless, high infiltration of M2 macrophages and Tregs predicted poor prognosis. The combination of these tumor-infiltrating immune cells can serve as an effective predictor for the survival of CRC and for the chemotherapeutic outcomes of stage II–III patients.
KinPred: A unified and sustainable approach for harnessing proteome-level human kinase-substrate predictions
Authors: Xue Bingjie , Jordan Benjamin , Rizvi Saqib , Naegle Kristen M.
Published: February 2021

Tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases are essential regulators of cell processes and are important targets for human therapies. Unfortunately, very little is known about specific kinase-substrate relationships, making it difficult to infer meaning from dysregulated phosphoproteomic datasets or for researchers to identify possible kinases that regulate specific or novel phosphorylation sites. The last two decades have seen an explosion in algorithms to extrapolate from what little is known into the larger unknown—predicting kinase relationships with site-specific substrates using a variety of approaches that include the sequence-specificity of kinase catalytic domains and various other factors, such as evolutionary relationships, co-expression, and protein-protein interaction networks. Unfortunately, a number of limitations prevent researchers from easily harnessing these resources, such as loss of resource accessibility, limited information in publishing that results in a poor mapping to a human reference, and not being updated to match the growth of the human phosphoproteome. Here, we propose a methodological framework for publishing predictions in a unified way, which entails ensuring predictions have been run on a current reference proteome, mapping the same substrates and kinases across resources to a common reference, filtering for the human phosphoproteome, and providing methods for updating the resource easily in the future. We applied this framework on three currently available resources, published in the last decade, which provide kinase-specific predictions in the human proteome. Using the unified datasets, we then explore the role of study bias, the emergent network properties of these predictive algorithms, and comparisons within and between predictive algorithms. The combination of the code for unification and analysis, as well as the unified predictions are available under the resource we named KinPred. We believe this resource will be useful for a wide range of applications and establishes best practices for long-term usability and sustainability for new and existing predictive algorithms.
The risk of ergonomic injury across surgical specialties
Authors: Aaron Ksenia A. , Vaughan John , Gupta Raghav , Ali Noor-E-Seher , Beth Alicia H. , Moore Justin M. , Ma Yifei , Ahmad Iram , Jackler Robert K. , Vaisbuch Yona
Published: February 2021

Objective

Lack of ergonomic training and poor ergonomic habits during the operation leads to musculoskeletal pain and affects the surgeon’s life outside of work. The objective of the study was to evaluate the severity of ergonomic hazards in the surgical profession across a wide range of surgical subspecialties. We conducted intraoperative observations using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) score system to identify ergonomic hazards. Additionally, each of the ten surgical subspecialty departments were sent an optional 14 question survey which evaluated ergonomic practice, environmental infrastructure, and prior ergonomic training or education. A total of 91 surgeons received intraoperative observation and were evaluated on the REBA scale with a minimum score of 0 (low ergonomic risk <3) and a maximum score of 10 (high ergonomic risk 8–10). And a total of 389 surgeons received the survey and 167 (43%) surgeons responded. Of the respondents, 69.7% reported suffering from musculoskeletal pain. Furthermore, 54.9% of the surgeons reported suffering from the highest level of pain when standing during surgery, while only 14.4% experienced pain when sitting. Importantly, 47.7% stated the pain impacted their work, while 59.5% reported pain affecting quality of life outside of work. Only 23.8% of surgeons had any prior ergonomic education. Both our subjective and objective data suggest that pain and disability induced by poor ergonomics are widespread among the surgical community and confirm that surgeons rarely receive ergonomic training. Intraoperative observational findings identified that the majority of observed surgeons displayed poor posture, particularly a poor cervical angle and use of ergonomic setups, both of which increase ergonomic risk hazards. This data supports the need for a comprehensive ergonomic interventional program for the surgical team and offers potential targets for future intervention.
Identification of differentially expressed genes involved in amino acid and lipid accumulation of winter turnip rape (Brassica rapa L.) in response to cold stress
Authors: Fang Yan , Coulter Jeffrey A. , Wu Junyan , Liu Lijun , Li Xuecai , Dong Yun , Ma Li , Pu Yuanyuan , Sun Bolin , Niu Zaoxia , Jin Jiaojiao , Zhao Yuhong , Mi Wenbo , Xu Yaozhao , Sun Wancang
Published: February 2021

Winter turnip rape(Brassica rapaL.) is an important overwintering oil crop that is widely planted in northwestern China. It considered to be a good genetic resource for cold-tolerant research because its roots can survive harsh winter conditions. Here, we performed comparative transcriptomics analysis of the roots of two winter turnip rape varieties, Longyou7 (L7, strong cold tolerance) and Tianyou2 (T2, low cold tolerance), under normal condition (CK) and cold stress (CT) condition. A total of 8,366 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between the two L7 root groups (L7CK_VS_L7CT), and 8,106 DEGs were detected for T2CK_VS_T2CT. Among the DEGs, two ω-3 fatty acid desaturase (FAD3), two delta-9 acyl-lipid desaturase 2 (ADS2), one diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), and one 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase 2 (KCS2) were differentially expressed in the two varieties and identified to be related to fatty acid synthesis. Four glutamine synthetase cytosolic isozymes (GLN), serine acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1), and serine acetyltransferase 3 (SAT3) were down-regulated under cold stress, while S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase proenzyme 1 (AMD1) had an up-regulation tendency in response to cold stress in the two samples. Moreover, the delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), δ-ornithine aminotransferase (δ-OAT), alanine-glyoxylate transaminase (AGXT), branched-chain-amino-acid transaminase (ilvE), alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde synthase (AASS), Tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) and arginine decarboxylase related to amino acid metabolism were identified in two cultivars variously expressed under cold stress. The above DEGs related to amino acid metabolism were suspected to the reason for amino acids content change. The RNA-seq data were validated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR of 19 randomly selected genes. The findings of our study provide the gene expression profile between two varieties of winter turnip rape, which lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of the highly complex regulatory mechanisms in plants during cold treatment.
Molecular simulations of lipid membrane partitioning and translocation by bacterial quorum sensing modulators
Authors: Jin Tianyi , Patel Samarthaben J. , Van Lehn Reid C.
Published: February 2021

Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication process mediated by both native and non-native small-molecule quorum sensing modulators (QSMs), many of which have been synthesized to disrupt QS pathways. While structure-activity relationships have been developed to relate QSM structure to the activation or inhibition of QS receptors, less is known about the transport mechanisms that enable QSMs to cross the lipid membrane and access intracellular receptors. In this study, we used atomistic MD simulations and an implicit solvent model, called COSMOmic, to analyze the partitioning and translocation of QSMs across lipid bilayers. We performed umbrella sampling at atomistic resolution to calculate partitioning and translocation free energies for a set of naturally occurring QSMs, then used COSMOmic to screen the water-membrane partition and translocation free energies for 50 native and non-native QSMs that target LasR, one of the LuxR family of quorum-sensing receptors. This screening procedure revealed the influence of systematic changes to head and tail group structures on membrane partitioning and translocation free energies at a significantly reduced computational cost compared to atomistic MD simulations. Comparisons with previously determined QSM activities suggest that QSMs that are least likely to partition into the bilayer are also less active. This work thus demonstrates the ability of the computational protocol to interrogate QSM-bilayer interactions which may help guide the design of new QSMs with engineered membrane interactions.
5th generation vs 4th generation troponin T in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized for non-cardiac indications: A cohort study
Authors: Gupta Vedant , Paranzino Marc , Alnabelsi Talal , Ayoub Karam , Eason Joshua , Mullis Andin , Kotter John R. , Parks Andrew , May Levi , Nerusu Sethabhisha , Dai Chen , Cleland Daniel , Leung Steve Wah , Sorrell Vincent Leigh
Published: February 2021

Objective

The frequency and implications of an elevated cardiac troponin (4th or 5th generation TnT) in patients outside of the emergency department or presenting with non-cardiac conditions is unclear.

Methods

Consecutive patients aged 18 years or older admitted for a primary non-cardiac condition who had the 4th generation TnT drawn had the 5th generation TnT run on the residual blood sample. Primary and secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality (ACM) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) respectively at 1 year.

Results

918 patients were included (mean age 59.8 years, 55% male) in the cohort. 69% had elevated 5th generation TnT while 46% had elevated 4th generation TnT. 5th generation TnT was more sensitive and less specific than 4th generation TnT in predicting both ACM and MACE. The sensitivities for the 5th generation TnT assay were 85% for ACM and 90% for MACE rates, compared to 65% and 70% respectively for the 4th generation assay. 5th generation TnT positive patients that were missed by 4th generation TnT had a higher risk of ACM (27.5%) than patients with both assays negative (27.5% vs 11.1%, p<0.001), but lower than patients who had both assay positive (42.1%). MACE rates were not better stratified using the 5th generation TnT assay.

Conclusions

In patients admitted for a non-cardiac condition, 5th generation TnT is more sensitive although less specific in predicting MACE and ACM. 5th generation TnT identifies an intermediate risk group for ACM previously missed with the 4th generation assay.
Exceptionally high but still growing predatory reef fish biomass after 23 years of protection in a Marine Protected Area
Authors: Rojo Irene , Anadón José Daniel , García-Charton José Antonio
Published: February 2021

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help replenish fish assemblages, though different trophic levels may show diverse recovery patterns. Long-term protection is required to achieve total recovery but poaching events may prevent the achievement of full carrying capacity. Here, we have analysed the effect of long-term protection on the entire reef fish community and the different trophic levels in the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas MPA (SE Spain; SW Mediterranean Sea) in order to assess their recovery patterns after 23 years of protection. We compared the values for carrying capacity obtained with the maximum values achieved at regional scale, and we assessed the effect of a reduction in the surveillance over a few years, during which poaching events increased, on the recovery patterns. We found that, overall, biomass of fishes increased with time while density diminished. In particular, piscivorous and macro-invertivore fish increased while the other trophic groups remained constant or declined, suggesting top-down processes. For the entire study period, those trophic groups were approaching carrying capacity; however, when accounting only for the period in which enforcement was high and constant, they grew exponentially, indicating that full carrying capacity may have not been achieved yet. When compared to other Mediterranean MPAs, the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas MPA showed values for biomass that were disproportionately higher, suggesting that local factors, such as habitat structure and associated oceanographic processes, may be responsible for the dynamics found. Our results help to understand the potential trajectories of fish assemblages over a consolidated MPA and highlight empirically how the reduction of surveillance in a period may change the recovery patterns.
Interventions to minimize blood loss in very preterm infants—A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Persad Emma , Sibrecht Greta , Ringsten Martin , Karlelid Simon , Romantsik Olga , Ulinder Tommy , Borges do Nascimento Israel Júnior , Björklund Maria , Arno Anneliese , Bruschettini Matteo
Published: February 2021

Blood loss in the first days of life has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in very preterm infants. In this systematic review we included randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of interventions to preserve blood volume in the infant from birth, reduce the need for sampling, or limit the blood sampled. Mortality and major neurodevelopmental disabilities were the primary outcomes. Included studies underwent risk of bias-assessment and data extraction by two review authors independently. We used risk ratio or mean difference to evaluate the treatment effect and meta-analysis for pooled results. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. We included 31 trials enrolling 3,759 infants. Twenty-five trials were pooled in the comparison delayed cord clamping or cord milking vs. immediate cord clamping or no milking. Increasing placental transfusion resulted in lower mortality during the neonatal period (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.00; participants = 595; trials = 5; I2 = 0%, moderate certainty of evidence) and during first hospitalization (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51, 0.96; 10 RCTs, participants = 2,476, low certainty of evidence). The certainty of evidence was very low for the other primary outcomes of this review. The six remaining trials compared devices to monitor glucose levels (three trials), blood sampling from the umbilical cord or from the placenta vs. blood sampling from the infant (2 trials), and devices to reintroduce the blood after analysis vs. conventional blood sampling (1 trial); the certainty of evidence was rated as very low for all outcomes in these comparisons. Increasing placental transfusion at birth may reduce mortality in very preterm infants; However, extremely limited evidence is available to assess the effects of other interventions to reduce blood loss after birth. In future trials, infants could be randomized following placental transfusion to different blood saving approaches.

Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42020159882.
Within-farm transmission characteristics of bluetongue virus serotype 8 in cattle and sheep in the Netherlands, 2007-2008
Authors: Hagenaars Thomas J. , Backx Anoek , van Rooij Eugene M. A. , Vrouenraets Roger M. M. I. , Bontje Daniel M. , Bouma Annemarie , Elbers Armin R. W.
Published: February 2021

In 2006 and 2007, sheep and cattle farms in the Netherlands were affected by an epidemic of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8). In order to obtain insight into the within-farm spread of the virus, five affected cattle and five affected sheep farms were longitudinally monitored between early 2007 and mid or late 2008. The farms were visited between four and seven times to collect blood samples. During each visit, all animals present in the flock or herd were sampled. The samples were analysed for the presence of BTV-8 antibodies (ELISA) and BTV-8 antigen (rRT-PCR). The observed patterns of RT-PCR positives indicate a rapid within-farm virus spread during the vector season. During vector-free periods we observed a complete rRT-PCR positivity decline within a few months. During the vector season a lower bound estimate of the basic reproduction number (R0) ranges from 2.9–6.9 in the cattle herds (one herd not analysed), and from 1.3–3.2 in the sheep flocks in this study.
Sleep architecture, obstructive sleep apnea and functional outcomes in adults with a history of Tick-borne encephalitis
Authors: Veje Malin , Studahl Marie , Thunström Erik , Stentoft Erika , Nolskog Peter , Celik Yeliz , Peker Yüksel
Published: February 2021

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a widespread viral infection of the central nervous system with increasing incidence in Europe and northern Asia. Post-infectious sequelae are frequent, and patients with TBE commonly experience long-term fatigue and subjective sleep disturbances. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be a contributing factor, and objective sleep studies with polysomnography (PSG) are lacking. Forty-two adults, 22 TBE patients (cases), diagnosed in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, between 2012 and 2015, and 20 controls without a known TBE history, underwent an overnight PSG, respectively. All participants responded to questionnaires. The cases and controls were similar regarding age, sex, obesity, concomitant diseases, smoking, and alcohol habits. Despite similar PSG characteristics such as total sleep time and OSA severity indices, the TBE cases reported statistically more sleep-related functional impairment on the Functional Outcome of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) compared with the controls (median scores 18.1 vs. 19.9; p<0.05). In a multivariate analysis, TBE correlated significantly with the lower FOSQ scores (unstandardized β −1.80 [%95 confidence interval −3.02 - −0.58]; p = 0.005) independent of age, sex, total sleep time and apnea-hypopnea-index. TBE cases with OSA reported the lowest scores on the FOSQ compared with the other subgroups with TBE or OSA alone, and the ones with neither TBE nor OSA. TBE is associated with impaired functional outcomes, in which concomitant OSA may worsen the subjective symptoms. Further studies are warranted to determine the effect of treatment of concomitant OSA on functional outcomes with regard to optimal rehabilitation of TBE.
Preoperative MRI and LDH in women undergoing intra-abdominal surgery for fibroids: Effect on surgical route
Authors: Kim Annie , Boyd Leslie , Ringel Nancy , Meyer Jessica , Bennett Genevieve , Lerner Veronica
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Our institution implemented a preoperative protocol to identify high-risk cases for which power morcellation should be avoided.

Material and methods

In this retrospective cohort study, an institutional protocol requiring preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging and serum Lactate Dehydrogenase levels was implemented. Chart review was performed including all women who underwent intra-abdominal surgery for symptomatic fibroids from 4/23/2013 to 4/23/2015.

Results

A total of 1,085 women were included, 479 before and 606 after implementation of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Lactate Dehydrogenase protocol. The pre-protocol group had more post-menopausal women (4% vs. 2%, p = 0.022) and women using tamoxifen (2% vs. 0%, p = 0.022) than those in the post-protocol group, but baseline patient characteristics were otherwise similar between groups. Incidence of malignant pathological diagnoses did not change significantly over the time period in relation to protocol implementation. The rate of open surgery for both hysterectomy and myomectomy remained the same in the year preceding and the year following initiation of the protocol (open hysterectomy rate was 19% vs. 16% in pre- and post-protocol groups, respectively, P = 0.463, and open myomectomy rate was 10% vs. 9% rates in pre- and post-protocol groups, respectively, P = 0.776). There was a significant decrease in the use of power morcellation (66% in pre- and 50% in post-protocol cohorts, p<0.001) and an increased use of containment bags (1% in pre- and 19% in post-protocol cohort). When analyzing the subset of women who had abnormal Magnetic Resonance Imaging / and Lactate Dehydrogenase results, abnormal Magnetic Resonance Imaging results alone resulted in higher rates of open approach (65% for abnormal vs. 35% for normal). Similarly, a combination of abnormal Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Lactate Dehydrogenase tests resulted in higher rates of open approach (70% for abnormal and 17% for normal). Abnormal Lactate Dehydrogenase results alone did not influence route.

Conclusions

Rates of MIS procedures were decreased for women with abnormal preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging results. False positive results appear to be one of the main drivers for the use of an open surgical route.
Internal defect scanning of sweetpotatoes using interactance spectroscopy
Authors: Kudenov Michael W. , Scarboro Clifton G. , Altaqui Ali , Boyette Mike , Yencho G. Craig , Williams Cranos M.
Published: February 2021

While standard visible-light imaging offers a fast and inexpensive means of quality analysis of horticultural products, it is generally limited to measuring superficial (surface) defects. Using light at longer (near-infrared) or shorter (X-ray) wavelengths enables the detection of superficial tissue bruising and density defects, respectively; however, it does not enable the optical absorption and scattering properties of sub-dermal tissue to be quantified. This paper applies visible and near-infrared interactance spectroscopy to detect internal necrosis in sweetpotatoes and develops a Zemax scattering simulation that models the measured optical signatures for both healthy and necrotic tissue. This study demonstrates that interactance spectroscopy can detect the unique near-infrared optical signatures of necrotic tissues in sweetpotatoes down to a depth of approximately 5±0.5 mm. We anticipate that light scattering measurement methods will represent a significant improvement over the current destructive analysis methods used to assay for internal defects in sweetpotatoes.