bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intact fibroblast growth factor 23 tested by a fully automated assay: clinical correlates and prognostic value in chronic systolic heart failure
Authors: Vergaro Giuseppe , Franco Annamaria Del , Gentile Francesco , Castiglione Vincenzo , Aimo Alberto , Saponaro Federica , Masotti Silvia , Prontera Concetta , Fusari Niccolò , Emdin Michele , Passino Claudio
Published: February 2022

Background Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) has been associated to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and heart failure (HF) severity. We aimed to investigate clinical correlates and prognostic value of intact FGF23 (iFGF23) in HF patients.Methods Patients with systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction - LVEF<50%) were prospectively enrolled. iFGF23 was tested with a fully automated immuno-chemiluminescent assay. Patients were divided into iFGF23 tertiles and followed-up for all-cause death, cardiac death, and the composite of all-cause death and HF hospitalizations. Results We enrolled 150 patients (82% males; median age 65 years). First, second, and third iFGF23 tertiles were <35.2 pg/mL, 35.2-50.9 pg/mL, and >50.9 pg/mL. Patients in the upper iFGF23 tertile had lower LVEF (p=0.014), higher NT-proBNP (p=0.001), and lower peak VO2 (p<0.001). Phosphate, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and LV mass index were independently associated to iFGF23 (all p<0.05). Patients in the upper tertile were at higher risk of all-cause death (p=0.001), cardiac death (p=0.001), and of the composite of all-cause death and HF hospitalizations (p=0.003). iFGF-23 was an independent predictor of all the end-points after adjustment for age, LVEF, eGFR, and NT-proBNP. Conclusions Circulating iFGF23 is associated with renal dysfunction, disease severity and outcome in systolic HF.
The effect of chronic stress and its preconditioning on spatial memory as well as hippocampal LRP1 and RAGE expression in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Taghadosi Zohreh , Zarifkar Asadollah , Razban Vahid , aligholi Hadi
Published: February 2022

According to available evidence, prolonged or chronic exposure to stress is detrimental to various brain structures, including the hippocampus. The current study examined the expression of two critical blood-brain barrier receptors required for amyloid-beta clearance to understand better the mechanism by which chronic stress impairs learning and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Rats were bilaterally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) (3mg/kg) using the intracerebroventricular (ICV) technique to induce the Alzheimer's model. Additionally, they were subjected to foot shock (1mA, 1Hz) for 10s every 60s (1h/day) for ten consecutive days prior to and following STZ injection. The Morris Water Maze (MWM) test was used to assess spatial learning and memory. Real-time PCR was used to determine Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) mRNA levels in the hippocampus. Moreover, the animals' body weights were determined as physiological parameters in all groups. The results indicated that 10-day chronic electric foot shock stress reduced body weight, impaired spatial learning and memory, decreased hippocampal LRP1 mRNA expression, and increased hippocampal RAGE mRNA expression in a rat AD model. It can be concluded that chronic stress in conjunction with AD alters the expression of LRP1 and RAGE in the hippocampus. The findings pave the way for scientists to develop novel treatment strategies for AD.
Characterization of Hearing-Impairment in Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy (GACI)
Authors: Theng Elizabeth Hartanti , Brewer Carmen C , Oheim Ralf , Zalewski Christopher K , King Kelly A , Delsmann Maximillian M , Rolvien Tim , Gafni Rachel I , Braddock Demetrios T , Kim H Jeffrey , Ferreira Carlos R
Published: February 2022

Background and ImportanceHearing loss (HL) has been sporadically described, but not well characterized, in Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy (GACI), a rare disease in which pathological calcification typically presents in infancy. ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the clinical audiologic and otologic features and potential etiology of hearing impairment in GACI and gain pathophysiological insight from a murine model of GACI.DesignCross-sectional cohort study of individuals with GACI. Murine ossicle micromorphology of the ENPP1asj/asj mutant compared to wild-type.SettingClinical research hospital; basic science laboratoryParticipantsNineteen individuals with GACI who met clinical, biochemical, and genetic criteria for diagnosis.Main Outcomes and MeasuresClinical, biochemical, and radiologic features associated with hearing status. ResultsPure tone thresholds could be established in 15 (n=30 ears) of the 19 patients who underwent audiological assessments. The prevalence of HL was 50% (15/30) of ears, with conductive HL in 80% and sensorineural HL in 20%. Degree of HL was mild to moderate for 87% of the 15 ears with hearing loss. Of those patients with sufficient pure tone and middle ear function data, 80% (8/10) had audiometric configurations suggestive of ossicular chain dysfunction (OCD). Recurrent episodes of otitis media (ROM) requiring pressure-equalizing tube placement were common. In patients who underwent cranial CT, 54.5% (6/11) had auricular calcification. Quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI) of murine ossicles support an OCD component of auditory dysfunction in GACI, suggesting loss of ossicular osteocytes without initiation of bone remodeling. Conclusions and RelevanceHearing loss is common in GACI; it is most often conductive, and mild to moderate in severity. The etiology of HL is likely multifactorial, involving dysfunction of the ossicular chain and/or recurrent otitis media. Clinically, this study highlights the importance of early audiologic and otologic evaluation in persons with GACI. Novel findings of high rates of OCD and ROM may inform management, and in cases of unclear HL etiology, dedicated temporal bone imaging should be considered.
Spatiotemporal differentiation and the obstacle factors influencing the coupling coordination between economic development and water pollution control capability in the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Lv Lelin , Chen Canjun , Wang Zhuofu
Published: February 2022

The Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) is a highly influential economic belt and an innovative demonstration belt for the protection and restoration of ecological and environmental systems. The dynamic coordination between economic development system (EDs) and water pollution control capability system (WPCCs) is a critical issue to be solved for regional sustainable development. However, this topic has not been adequately addressed in previous studies. To bridge this gap, this paper analyzed the spatiotemporal differentiation and obstacle factors influencing the coupling coordination between EDs and WPCCs in the Chinese Five-Year Plan based on coupling coordination degree model and obstacle degree model. The main results suggest that: (1) the comprehensive level of the comprehensive level of water pollution control capability presents an upward trend with the increase of economic development. A J-shaped relationship existed between the EDs and WPCCs. (2) the regions with rapid economic growth are mainly distributed in the Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Chongqing, and Sichuan. Moreover, water pollution control capability system shows this pattern, eastern regions ＞ western regions＞ central regions. (3) the coupling coordination level of each region in the YREB has improved from a moderately unbalanced development level to a superiorly balanced development level from 2006 to 2019. (4) per capita gross domestic product, gross product of tertiary industry, total volume of waste water treated, and per daily volume treated of sewage treatment facilities are the major indexes influencing the coordinated development of the EDs and WPCCs. These finding are conductive to formulating reasonable strategies for water environment protection and sustainable development and providing a direction for urban planning.
Predictors of the Development of Nab-Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients: Post Hoc Analysis of a Prospective, Phase II, Self-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Kanbayashi Yuko , Sakaguchi Koichi , Ishikawa Takeshi , Tabuchi Yusuke , Takagi Ryo , Yokota Isao , Katoh Norito , Takayama Koichi , Taguchi Tetsuya
Published: February 2022

In a previous study, we showed that cryotherapy and compression therapy have comparable efficacy in preventing nab-paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. However, even with cryotherapy or compression therapy, there were patients with National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0 grade ≥ 2 and/or Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ) grade ≥ D peripheral neuropathies. Therefore, this post hoc analysis was performed to identify predictors of nab-paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. The clinical data in this post hoc analysis were the data of 38 breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) at our outpatient chemotherapy center from August 2017 to March 2019. The number of patients was analyzed assuming that there were data for 76 hands. Variables related to the development of nab-PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy were used for regression analysis. Multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for the development of nab-PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy. Significant factors included smoking history [odds ratio (OR) = 4.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.60-13.5; P = 0.0048] with neuropathy evaluated by CTCAE, body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.01-1.26; P = 0.039) with neuropathy evaluated by PNQ (sensory), and smoking history (OR = 3.80, 95% CI = 1.40-10.30; P = 0.0087) and age (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01-1.11; P = 0.012) with neuropathy evaluated by PNQ (motor). In conclusion, smoking history, BMI and age were identified as significant predictors of the development of nab-PTX-induced-peripheral neuropathy.
Selection of Oxygen Reduction Catalysts For Secondary Tri-Electrode Zinc-Air Batteries
Authors: Loh Adeline , Trudgeon David P. , Li Xiaohong , Liu Mao-Cheng , Kong Ling-Bin , Walsh Frank C.
Published: February 2022

The selection of a highly efficient, low-cost, yet durable ORR electrocatalyst is important for secondary Zn-air cell applications. ORR activities of single and mixed metal oxide and carbon electrocatalysts were studied using rotating disc electrode (RDE) measurements, Tafel slope and Koutecky-Levich plots. It was found that MnOx combined with XC-72R demonstrated high ORR activity and good stability – up to 100 mA cm-2. The performance of the selected ORR electrode was thereafter tested in a custom-built secondary Zn-air cell in a tri-electrode configuration. The effects of current density, electrolyte molarity, temperature, and oxygen purity on the performance of the OER and ORR electrode were investigated. Finally the durability of the secondary Zn-air system was assessed, demonstrating energy efficiencies of 58-61% at 20 mA cm-2 over 40 h in 4 M NaOH + 0.3 M ZnO at 333 K.
Pyrolysis of municipal sludge without gas protection and its adsorption performance toward tetracycline: Effect of pyrolysis temperature and KOH activation
Authors: Yu Chunmu , Chen Xiaojuan , Li Ning , Chen Jieming , Yao Liang , Zhou Yu , Lu Kaihong , Lai Yiqi , Lai Xiangyu
Published: February 2022

Large amount of municipal sludge is difficulty to handle, its resource utilization is an effective measure. In this study, the municipal sludge from sewage treatment plant was pyrolyzed without nitrogen protection at different temperatures and KOH concentrations for activation. The pyrolysis products with higher surface aera and enriched pore structures could be obtained at the pyrolysis temperature of 500 ℃, and KOH activation could further increase the surface aera of the products. The maximum specific surface area was 44.71 m2/g, which was obtained under 2 mol/L KOH activation before pyrolysis at 500 ℃. And in this situation, the obtained pyrolysis products showed the maximum adsorption capacity of 50.75 mg/g toward tetracycline (TC). Moreover, the TC adsorption onto various pyrolysis products followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Adsorption thermodynamics analysis suggested the TC adsorption onto products obtained at pyrolysis temperature of 500 ℃ was mainly the multi-molecule heterogeneous adsorption, while the TC adsorption onto pyrolysis product pretreated through the activation of KOH followed the monomer adsorption mechanism. This different adsorption mechanism was largely related to the pore structure, polarity, and aromaticity etc. of the adsorbent.
Effect of Decontamination and Processing on Insecticide Residues in Grape (Muscat Hamburg)
Authors: Reddy Banka Kanda Kishore , Bhuvaneswari Kaithamalai , Geetha Padmanaban , Thamilarasi Natarajan , Suganthi Angappan , Paramasivam Mariappan
Published: February 2022

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of simple decontamination methods and processing on imidacloprid, dimethoate, and emamectin benzoate residues in grapes and their processed products using Liquid-Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer validated method. Among the decontamination methods evaluated, sodium chloride (2%) solution was found effective and contributed to the reduction of imidacloprid (77.55%), dimethoate (83.27%) and emamectin benzoate (77.28%) residues in mature grapes. Grapes were processed into various products viz., fresh juice, squash and raisin as per standard effective steps for each product. Based on decontamination experiment findings, washing with sodium chloride (2%) solution was included as an additional step in the standard protocol and has resulted in substantial removal of surface residues of selected insecticides. The processing factor calculated was less than one for all the products.
Relationship of dietary energy and protein during peripartum and lactation in Pelibuey ewes infected with gastrointestinal nematodes
Authors: López-Leyva Yoel , Garduño Roberto González , Arece-García Javier , Huerta-Bravo Maximino , Ramírez-Valverde Rodolfo , Torres-Hernández Glafiro , López-Arellano María E.
Published: February 2022

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary energy and protein levels on the parasitological and hematological response during the peripartum and lactation of grazing Pelibuey ewes. Forty-eight Pelibuey ewes aged 3–5 years and body weight 31 ± 5 kg were used. Four groups of 12 ewes, including non-pregnant and productive ewes, were formed. Fecal samples were collected to determine the fecal egg count (FEC) of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), and blood samples were also taken to determine the packed cell volume (PCV) and peripheral eosinophil (EOS) count. A factorial treatment design was formulated, where two levels of energy (high, with 2.7 Mcal/kg, n = 24; and low, with 2.3 Mcal/kg, n =24) and two levels of protein (high, with 15.5%, n = 24; and low, with 8.7%, n = 24) were studied. The high dietary protein allowed lower FEC (837 ± 141 fecal eggs per gram, EPG) and higher PCV (26.5 ± 0.5%) than the low-protein level (1680 ± 248 EPG and 24.6%, respectively). Higher FEC (1085 ± 264 EPG and 2709 ± 359) and lower PCV (26.7 ± 0.7% and 21.9 ± 0.7%) levels were observed in pregnant and lactating ewes, respectively, compared to non-pregnant ones (427 ± 96 EPG and 27.7 ± 0.4%). It is concluded that high levels of dietary protein improve the hematological response and reduce the FEC in Pelibuey ewes under grazing conditions. The non-pregnant ewes maintained some resilience and resistance to GIN infection compared to productive ewes.
Multi-Mode Imaging Characteristics And Prognosis of Large Avascular Retinal Pigment Epithelium Detachment (Aped) In Macular Area
Authors: Mo Bin , Ling Yu , Yu Ya-Jie , Liu Wu
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To investigate multi-mode imaging characteristics for understanding the natural prognosis of large avascular retinal pigment epithelium detachment (aPED) in macular area. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with aPED at Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2010 to June 2021. Patients with aPED maximum diameter greater than 1500 μm underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus color photography, spontaneous fluorescence, infrared photography, FFA, ICGA, and OCT tests. Based on aPED characteristics, patients were divided into serous or drusenoid PED. In addition, the imaging characteristics for different types of large aPED were explored for its natural diagnosis.Results: A total of 64 eyes of 50 cases with large aPED were recruited. 21 males and 29 females with an average age of 64.31±6.38 years. The recruited population included 14 cases with the binocular disease, whereas 13 and 51 eyes had serous and drusenoid PED, respectively. Eight eyes (61.54%) of serous PED patients had drusen. Drusenoid PED patients had drusen in 47 eyes (92.17%). The OCT of serous PED patients showed large PED with uniform low reflection and RPE hyperplasmia (n=2 eyes). In contrast, the OCT of drusenoid PED patients showed some uneven, slightly high, or high reflection and RPE hyperplasmia in all the eyes. In addition, 46 eyes were accompanied by the subretinal fluid (SRF) (90.20%), 28 eyes developed hyperreflective foci between retinal layers (54.90%), and 3 eyes had inner retinal capsules (5.88%). No abnormal blood flow signal was detected in OCTA. The independent t-test showed no significant differences in the general conditions between the two groups, including age, BCVA, PED bottom diameter, and PED height. A total of 19 eyes of 16 cases were followed up, with an average follow-up time of 21.56 ± 18.85 months. Out of these 19 eyes, 12 eyes developed enlarged PED bottom diameter (63.16%), 5 eyes had partial or entire geographic atrophy (26.32%), 1 eye had RPE laceration (5.26%) and 1 eye had no changes (5.26%). However, no case developed into vascular PED (vPED).Conclusions: Multi-mode imaging provided imaging events, contributing to a more accurate diagnosis of aPED. Different types of aPED might be the different stages of same disease, need close observation, however, the natural course of disease shifted to geographic atrophy.Trial registration: Retrospective case series study, not applicable.
The constricting effect of reduced coronary artery compliance on the left ventricle is an important cause of reduced diastolic function in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Lv Liang , Xu Yannan , Zhang Qiong , Kan Shanshan , Chen Xiaoming , Liu Huajin , Wang Hongwei , Wang Changhua , Ma M. D. Jiangwei
Published: February 2022

Background: Previous studies of left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) have focused on the decrease in active and passive diastolic function due to ischemic factors but have not investigated if the decrease in compliance of the coronary arteries that bypass the surface of the heart and travel between the myocardium could cause a constricting effect on the ventricular wall like that caused by myocardial fibrosis.Methods and Results: From October 2016 to October 2019, the Department of Cardiology of Fengxian District Central Hospital treated 581 patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD). They were divided into groups according to the degree of coronary stenosis, the number of stents and the length of stents implanted. It was concluded that there was a statistical difference in Gensini scores between patients in groups B, C and D (P<0.001). And multiple linear regression analysis showed that T was correlated with Gensini score and C-dp/dtmax(R=0.711, P<0.001). Grouping according to the site of stent implantation and the number of stents implanted, it was found out that the changes in T values before and after left anterior descending artery (LAD) stent implantation were greater than left circumflex artery (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA) (P<0.001). And multiple linear regression revealed a correlation between T values and stent length, ventricular stiffness, and C-dp/dtmax(P=0.001). Conclusions: The decrease in compliance of the coronary arteries bypassing the surface of the heart and travelling between the myocardium would cause a constricting effect on the ventricular wall like that caused by myocardial fibrosis.
One-Pot Hydrolytic Hydrogenation of Carbohydrates to Hexitols Catalyzed by Ru Loaded P And Si-Containing Hierarchical Porous Biochars with Excellent Catalytic Efficiency
Authors: Chen Shuainan , Mao Feng , Yi Zheng , Zhang Huanhuan , She Jialuo , Tang Shimin , Yang Bo , Zhang Chao , Liu Yachun , Fu Zaihui
Published: February 2022

The one-pot hydrolytic hydrogenation of carbohydrates to sugar alcohols is one of the important upgrading conversions of biomass, which still needs to develop the newly acidic carriers to lower the cleavage energy of β-1,4-glycosidic bonds and the concomitant serious side-reactions in the key first-step hydrolysis. This paper discloses that a forestry processing waste bamboo powder can be converted into the P and Si-containing porous biochar (PSBC) via inserting silica sol, impregnating concentrated phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and heating carbonization. Due to the improved porosity, strong acidity and affinity to β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, the suggested PSBC exhibits an outstanding catalysis performance for the hydrolysis of cellulose, cellobiose, especially sucrose and inulin, affording ca. 76.2% glucose yield in cellulose hydrolysis at 150oC. PSBC can efficiently and uniformly load Ru nanometer particles (average size of 1.5 nm) to fabricate 1%Ru/PSBC as an excellent bifunctional catalyst for the one-pot conversion of these carbohydrates to hexitols, affording ca. 85.2% hexitols with 51.7 h−1 TOF in cellulose conversion under 150oC and 3 MPa H2 pressure. This work not only provides an effective strategy for the preparation of biomass-derived bifunctional catalysts, but also it opens up new voyages for the development of efficient bio-refining.
CORO1A and DNM2 in Serum Exosomes as Biomarkers of Neural Tube Defects
Authors: Wang Yanfu , Ma Ling , Jia Shanshan , Liu Dan , Gu Hui , Wei Xiaowei , Ma Wei , Luo Wenting , Bai Yuzuo , Wang Weilin , Yuan Zhengwei
Published: February 2022

A highly specific and sensitive biomarker in maternal serology analysis for early diagnosis of neural tube defects (NTDs) is yet to be determined. Proteomics was utilized to identify novel specific proteins for NTDs and it revealed three differentially expressed proteins in fetal development. In a rat model with NTDs, we quantified proteins in maternal serum exosomes using western blotting on gestational days E18, E16, E14, and E12; in serum on E18 and E12; in neural tubes on E18 and E12; and in fetal neural exosomes on E18. Coronin 1A and Dynamin 2 expressions were exosome-specific and associated with spina bifida aperta embryogenesis and were proved to be downregulated in maternal serum exosomes from E12 to E18, in neural tubes and fetal neural exosomes with statistical difference, and in serum with no difference. Differentially expressed proteins were further analyzed in the serum exosomes of pregnant women during gestational weeks 12–40 using ELISA. Coronin 1A and Dynamin 2 were demonstrated to possess good diagnostic efficacy during gestation weeks 12–40, particularly during early gestation (12–18 weeks), and may be used as potential NTD screening and diagnostic biomarkers during early gestation.
Analysis of the correlation between Zeste enhancer homolog 2 (EZH2) mRNA expression and the prognosis of mesothelioma patients and immune infiltration
Authors: Sun Yun-chuan , Fan Kui , Zhang Chuan-long , Zhang Bo-hui , Gao Meng-qi
Published: February 2022

Background: Mesothelioma is one of the most malignant tumors, which makes the identification of mesothelioma biomarkers extremely important. To investigate the prognostic value of enhancer homolog 2 (EZH2) mRNA expression in mesothelioma patients and its immune infiltration analysis. Methods: Gene expression and clinical information, enrichment analysis, and immune infiltration analysis obtained based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were performed, and additional bioinformatics analysis was performed. Clinical information and gene expression were obtained from 86 patients with mesothelioma based on the Cancer Genome Atlas TCGA database. Survival analysis, GSEA enrichment analysis, and immune infiltration analysis of EZH2 expression were performed by using R (version 3.6.3) (statistical analysis and visualization). Using the TIMER database (Fig. https://cistrome.shinyapps.io/timer/ ), the correlation between EZH2 expression and immune cell infiltration in mesothelioma was analyzed. Results: We collated the data obtained from the TCGA database and performed univariate and multivariate analysis of general data including age, gender, stage, pathological type, and whether they had received radiotherapy, and the results showed that high expression of EZH2 was associated with poor prognosis in mesothelioma patients. The prognosis was worse in the High group (HR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.68-4.52, P＜0.010). Moreover, ROC curves showed that EZH2 expression predicted 1-year survival with an AUC of 0.740, 2-year survival with an AUC of 0.756, and 3-year survival with an AUC of 0.692, suggesting that EZH2 expression has a good predictive effect on prognosis. KEGG pathway analysis showed that there were five pathways with the strongest positive correlation with EZH2 expression: Cell cycle, DNA replication, Cell adhesion molecules cams, Primary immuno deficiency, Tsate transduction, and five pathways with the strongest negative correlation with EZH2 expression: Glycolysis gluconeogenesis , Drug metabolism, cytochrome P450, retinol metabolism, fatty acid metabolism ribosom. We analyzed the correlation between EZH2 expression and the level of immune infiltration in mesothelioma tissues. The results indicate that EZH2 expression plays an important role in immune infiltration. At high EZH2 expression, the number of NK cells, Mast cells and Th17 cells was reduced. Mesothelioma patients with high EZH2 expression differ from mesothelioma patients with low EZH2 expression in their tumor immune microenvironment. Conclusion: EZH2, as a new prognostic biomarker for mesothelioma, is helpful to elucidate how changes in the immune environment promote the development of mesothelioma. Further analysis, EZH2 may be used as a biological test to predict the prognosis of mesothelioma.
Sevoflurane causes cognitive impairment by inducing iron deficiency and inhibiting proliferation of neural precursor cells in infant mice
Authors: Xie Jinhong , Zuo Yong , Zhang Xue , Thirupathi Anand , Zhang Di , Zhang Jianhua , Shi Zhenhua
Published: February 2022

Anesthesia can induce cognitive impairment in young rodents. However, the exact mechanism is not clear. Iron deficiency can cause neurodevelopment disorder. Therefore, we investigated the effect of iron deficiency induced by sevoflurane (Sev) on cognitive function in infant mice. C57BL/6 mice of postnatal day 14 and neural stem cells (NSCs) NE4C were treated with 2% Sev for 6h. We used the Morris water maze (MWM) to test the cognitive function of infant mice. Then, we used immunohistochemical stain, immunofluorescence assay, western blot, and flow cytometer to evaluate the myelinogenesis, iron levels, cell proliferation in cortex and hippocampus or in NE4C cells in vivo or in vitro. We found that Sev significantly caused cognitive deficiency. Further, we found that Sev inhibited the oligodendrocytes proliferation and myelinogenesis by decreasing MBP and CC-1 expression and iron levels. Meanwhile, Sev also induced the iron deficiency in neurons, and NSCs by down-regulating FtH and FtL expression and up-regulating the TfR1 expression in the cortex and hippocampus, which dramatically suppressed the proliferation of NSCs and neural progenitor cells(NPCs) by decreasing the expression of Pax6 and Ki67, and caused the decrease of counts of neurons. Interestingly, iron supplementation before anesthesia significantly improved iron deficiency and cognitive deficiency induced by Sev in infant mice. In conclusion, these data suggested that Sev-induced iron deficiency might be a new mechanism of cognitive impairment caused by inhaled anesthetics in infant mice. The iron supplementation before anesthesia is an effective strategy to prevent cognitive impairment caused by Sev in infants.
scSTAR reveals hidden heterogeneity with a real-virtual cell pair structure across single cell samples
Authors: Hao Jie , Chen Ke , Zhang Jiaqiang , Wu Duojiao , Cao Wei , Zou Jiawei , Shang Guoguo , Yang Jean , Wong-Lin KongFatt , Sun Hourong , Chen Wantao , Wang Xiangdong , Zou Xin
Published: February 2022

We present scSTAR, single-cell States Transfer Across-sample of RNA-seq data, which estimates individual cell state dynamics by creating real-virtual cell pairs across samples/conditions, therefore each cell can act as its own control when comparing between conditions. Using simulated and published scRNA-seq datasets, we show that new cell subtypes/functions which are more linked to the biological problem under investigation are discovered, especially when current methods give blur patterns.
Fine mapping of a recessive leaf rust resistance locus on chromosome 2BS in wheat accession CH1539
Authors: Sheng Dece , Qiao Linyi , Zhang Xiaojun , Li Xin , Chang Lifang , Guo Huijuan , Zhang Shuwei , Chen Fang , Chang Zhijian
Published: February 2022

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt), is one of the most important fungal diseases of wheat worldwide. The wheat accession CH1539 showed a high level of resistance to leaf rust. A mapping population of 184 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from a cross between the resistant accession CH1539 and the susceptible cultivar SY95-71. The RILs showed segregating infection responses to Puccinia triticina Eriks. (Pt) race THK at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis showed that leaf rust resistance was controlled by a monogenic gene, and the potential locus was temporarily named LrCH1539. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) using a 35K DArTseq array located LrCH1539 on the short arm of chromosome 2B. Subsequently, a genetic linkage map of LrCH1539 was constructed using the developed 2BS chromosome-specific markers, and its flanking markers were sxau-2BS136 and sxau-2BS81. An F2 subpopulation with 3619 lines was constructed by crossing the resistant and susceptible lines selected from the RIL population. The inoculation identification results showed that LrCH1539 was recessively inherited and was fine-mapped to a 779.4-kb region between markers sxau-2BS47 and sxau-2BS255 at the end of 2BS. The linkage marker analysis showed that the positions of LrCH1539 and Lr16 were the same, but the identification results of the resistance spectrum indicated that the causal genes of the two might be different. The resistant materials reported in this study and the cosegregation marker can be used for marker-assisted selection breeding of leaf rust-resistant wheat cultivars.
An Automated Ambulatory Duodopa Pump: A Sliding Mode Control Approach
Authors: Malangandi Pravika , JACOB JEEVAMMA , Kunnel PAUL JOSEPH
Published: February 2022

Around ten million people in the world are affected by Parkinson's disease (PD), accounting for about less than 1% of the global population. The rising prevalence of PD draws attention to the growing individual and social cost, as well as the urgent need for efforts to enhance the quality of life of the patient. The automation of the conventional ambulatory Duodopa pump (ADP) is the most challenging aspect of dopamine therapy for PD due to a range of unanticipated external events. In this regard, the goal of this paper is to develop a robust control strategy specifically, a sliding mode controller (SMC) scheme for a newly designed ADP to ensure optimal drug therapy. The proposed ADP is modeled by cascading the mathematical model of linear electromechanical actuator (EMA), drug infusing syringe pump in tandem with the dose-effect relationship of Levodopa and continuous dopamine sensor (CDS). While traditional SMC is liable to induce numerical chattering, smooth SMC (SSMC) and an integral SMC (ISMC) are designed to minimize chattering by maintaining accuracy in set-point tracking of plasma dopamine concentration. The in-silico results described in this paper persuasively confirm that the SSMC and ISMC supersede the traditional one in numerous key ways: chattering in the control input is nearly non-existent, fast-tracking performance, and good transient response. A robust stability evaluation with ISMC reveals that it can accommodate only a small cohort with less inter-patient variability, but its overall performance in terms of chattering reduction and set-point tracking is superior to that of traditional SMC and SSMC.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Pathway Genes PAL and CHS in Colored Potato Tuber
Authors: Shang Lina , Wan Mengyuan , Fu Yi , Liu Rongrong , Jin Zhonghui , Wang Jichun , Hu Baigeng , Jian Hongju , Lyu Dianqiu
Published: February 2022

Background
Colored potato tubers are rich in anthocyanins, which are of great values for human health. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS) play key roles in anthocyanin synthesis pathway. The PAL and CHS genes have been characterized in several plant species, but a comprehensive analysis of these two gene families in potato has not yet been reported.
Results
In this study, Eight StuPAL and 12 StuCHS genes were identified. Except for StuPAL4, StuPAL8, StuCHS3 and StuCHS7, which did not contain introns, the other members of the PAL and CHS family all contained 1-2 intron. The motif characteristics of StuPAL4 and StuPAL8 were different from those of other members, but both of them contained L-Aspartase-like feature domains. In addition, the number of StuPAL genes in potato genome was twice that of Arabidopsis genome, suggesting that genome duplication may occur during the evolution of potato. In the CHS family, the motif characteristics of StuCHS3 and StuCHS7 were different from other members, and StuCHS5 only contained three motifs. All StuCHS genes members contained Chal_sti_synt_C or Chal_sti_synt_N characteristic structures. Furthermore, 68 and 61 miRNA targets were predicted in StuPAL and StuCHS genes, respectively, indicating that their functions were accurately regulated. A number of cis-acting elements in response to environmental stresses were identified in the promoter sequences of StuPAL and StuCHS genes, indicating that their expression level was precisely regulated. The anthocyanin content in peel and pulp among three colored potato varieties was measured. Different expression patterns in different organs were observed for StuPAL and StuCHS genes. Interestingly, StuPAL and StuCHS genes exhibited differential expression in peel and pulp. StuPAL genes were mainly expressed in the peel of colored potato, but almost not expressed in the pulp. It was speculated that StuPAL genes were mainly involved in the synthesis of anthocyanins in the colored potato tuber peel. However, the expression of StuCHS family genes were quite different in the peel and pulp of colored potato.
Conclusion
In this work, the function of potato anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway genes was initially analyzed, which laid the foundation for further clarifying the molecular mechanism in colored potato.
Jiinshihoto May Improve Immunity by Improving Depression in Patients With Mild Pulmonary Mycobacterium Avium-intracellulare Complex Disease: a Preliminary Study
Authors: Yamaguchi Makiko , Waseda Yuko , Ogawa-Ochiai Keiko , Kimura Satomi , Yamaoka Koji , Kurokawa Kosuke , Chikazawa Ryo , Takeda Toshihiro , Sato Masayuki , Nakashima Koki , Mitsui Miho , Shimada Akikazu , Sonoda Tomoaki , Honjo Chisato , Kadowaki Maiko , Umeda Yukihiro , Anzai Masaki , Ishizuka Tamotsu
Published: February 2022

Background: In Japan, pulmonary Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) disease is highly prevalent. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Jiinshihoto (JST) for treating pulmonary MAC disease. Methods: Twenty-four patients, not receiving standard treatment for pulmonary MAC disease, were enrolled in this study; of these, 21 patients (3 patients dropped out of the study) were eligible and selected to participate. They were administered JST (3.0 g; Tsumura Co., Tokyo, Japan) three times per day for 12 months. Their weight, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) score, NK cell activity, chest computed tomography (CT) results, blood sample results, Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores were measured: (i) before JST administration, (ii) after 3 months, and (iii) at the end of the study. Results: Before JST administration, the exacerbation group (n = 10 patients; 6 patients with worsened conditions at the end of the study and 4 patients who were switched to standard treatment during the study because of exacerbation) had a significantly low body mass index (BMI), mild depression, and high anxiety. The overall patient population showed no significant differences in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment score, body weight, or natural killer cell activity after 3 months of treatment; however, the SDS score improved significantly. At the end of treatment, the nutritional scores had worsened, but the SDS score improved significantly. Specifically, the SDS scores improved significantly only in the non-exacerbation group (n = 11 patients), and natural killer cell activity improved in the non-exacerbation group. Additionally, a comparison of the data of both groups before and after JST administration showed that the exacerbation group had significantly lower BMI and worse CT scores when using a BMI cutoff of 18.4 (sensitivity, 81.8%; specificity, 70%). Conclusion: Patients with a high BMI and low CT score at the time of initial diagnosis may benefit from JST treatment, which may significantly improve depression and immunity and prevent disease progression. Therefore, JST may be an effective treatment in selected pulmonary MAC patients.Trial registration: This study has been registered in the UMIN-Clinical Trials Registry (000033590, August 1, 2018).
The Epidemiology and Trends in the Burden of Burns throughout the World
Authors: Lu Shuling , Yakupu Aobuliaximu , Zhang Jie , Dong Wei , Song Fei , Dong Jiaoyun
Published: February 2022

Background Burns are a type of injuries, caused by unintentional exposure to substances of high temperature, including hot liquid, solid, and objects radiating heat energy, placing a high burden not only on patients’ families but also on national healthcare systems globally. It is difficult for policymakers and clinicians to formulate targeted management strategies for burns because data on current epidemiological patterns worldwide are lacking. Methods Data on burns were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 Study. The incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and deaths of burns in 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2019 were calculated and stratified by sex, age, geographical location, and sociodemographic index (SDI). The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of incidence, DALYs, and deaths was calculated to evaluate the temporal trends. All analyses were performed using R software, version 4.1.1, with 2-sided P-values < .05 indicating a statistically significant difference.Results A total of 8,378,122 new cases (95% UI, 10,363,109–6,531,887 cases) of burns were identified globally in 2019, which is almost evenly split between men and women, and most of the new cases were concentrated in the 10–19-year age group. Besides, burns account for 111292 deaths (95% UI, 132,392–88,188) globally in 2019, most of which were concentrated in those aged 1–4 years. The burden of burns measured in DALYs was 7,460,448.65 (95% UI, 9,478,717.81–5,794,505.89) in 2019, of which 67% and 33% could be attributed to YLLs and YLDs, respectively. The EAPC of incidence, DALYs, and deaths were negative, the age-standardized rate (ASR) of incidence, DALYs, and deaths were considered to be decreasing in most of the regions, and the EAPCs were negatively correlated with SDI levels, universal health coverage (UHC), and gross domestic product (GDP).Conclusion Globally, the burden of burns was decreased gradually from 1990 to 2019 and was considered to be decreasing in most of the regions. And from the relationship of EAPCs with SDI levels, universal health coverage (UHC), and gross domestic product (GDP), it can be found that the ASRs of burns decreased as the economy developed and a country’s healthcare system performance improved. These phenomena suggest that national healthcare systems need to increase funding for burns prevention and intervention strategies.
The Dynamics of Leech Infestation in Livestock and Control Practices in the North Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gemeda Bodena , Maru Moges , Ayele Abraham , Tarekegn Zewdu Seyoum , Dagnaw Gashaw Getaneh , Nigatu Seleshi , Wondie Abibo , Kebede Elias , Kindie Tigist , Alemayehu Abiy Maru , Yismaw Nega , Dagnachew Shimelis
Published: February 2022

In developing countries such as Ethiopia, leech infestation is a neglected parasitic disease of livestock. Although such studies are important, little attention has been paid to the occurrence, impact and risk factors of leech infestation in livestock in Ethiopia. The objective of the current study was to assess farmers' knowledge of leech infestation and control practices, and to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of leech infestation in domestic animals in northwestern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts of North Gondar Zone from February 2021 to August 2021. Livestock (n=2040) and 300 respondents for questionnaire survey were randomly selected. According to the results of the questionnaire survey, 98.67% of the respondents were aware of leech infestation, the effects of leeches and the locally available control methods. Cattle had the highest prevalence (10.08%), followed by horses (3.67%), goats (2.48%), and sheep (2.02%). Using a chi-square test, a significant association was found between the prevalence of leech infestation and risk factors such as animal species, sex, age, body condition, and season (p < 0.05). Observation of the water bodies revealed that leeches become more active when the water becomes slightly warmer due to sunlight, and they become especially active when the animals want to drink from the water. The current results indicate that leech infestation is the biggest problem for livestock in the study areas, so cost-effective and environmentally friendly control methods must be used.
Impaired primordial follicle assembly in offspring ovaries from zearalenone exposed mothers involves reduced mitochondrial activity and altered epigenetics in oocytes
Authors: Feng Yan-Qin , Wang Jun-Jie , Li Ming-Hao , Tian Yu , Zhao Ai-Hong , Li Lan , De Felici Massimo , Shen Wei
Published: February 2022

Previous works have shown that zearalenone (ZEA), as an estrogenic pollutant, has adverse effects on mammalian folliculogenesis. In the present study, we found that prolonged exposure of female mice to ZEA around the end of pregnancy, caused severe impairment of primordial follicle formation in the ovaries of newborn mice and altered the expression of many genes in oocytes as revealed by scRNA-seq. These changes were associated with morphological and molecular alterations of mitochondria, increased autophagic markers in oocytes, and epigenetic changes in the ovaries of newborn mice from ZEA exposed mothers. The latter increased expression of HDAC2 deacetylases was leading to decreased levels of H3K9ac and H4K12ac. Most of these modifications were relieved when the expression of HDAC2 in newborn ovaries was reduced by RNA interference during in vitro culture in the presence of ZEA. Such changes were also alleviated in offspring ovaries from mothers treated with both ZEA and the ubiquinone coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is known to be able to restore mitochondrial activities. We concluded that impaired mitochondrial activities in oocytes caused by ZEA are at the origin of metabolic alterations that modify the expression of genes controlling autophagy and primordial follicle assembly through changes in epigenetic histones.
A new open-source python script for QSAR studyand its validation of cytotoxicity activity of thiazole analogues on MCF-7 cell line
Authors: Venkatesan Jayaprakash , Thangavelu Prabha , Jubie Selvaraj , Jayapalan Sudeepan , Chaitanya MVNL , Thangavel Sivakumar
Published: February 2022

Our present study aimed to working on trending machine learning approach with anew open-source data analysis python script for the discovery of anticancer lead via building the QSAR model by using 53 compounds of thiazole derivatives.Total of 82 CDK molecular descriptor were downloaded from “chemdes” web server and used for our study. After training the model, we checked the model performance via cross-validation of external test set. The generated QSAR model afforded the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression as R2 = 0.542, F=8.773, and adjusted R2 (Q2) =0.481, std. error = 0.061, reg.coef_ developed were of, -0.00064 (PC1), -0.07753 (PC2), -0.09078 (PC3), -0.08986 (PC4), 0.05044 (PC5), and reg.intercept_ of 4.79279 developed through statsmodels.formula module. The performance of test set prediction was done by multiple linear regression, support vector machine, and partial least square regression classifiers of sklearnmodule, whichgenerated the model score of 0.5424, 0.6422, and 0.6422, respectively. Hence, we conclude that the R2values(i.e. the model score) obtained using this script via three diverse algorithms were correlated well and there is not much difference between themand may be useful in the design of a similar group of thiazolederivatives as anticancer agents.
Beliefs And The Situated Nature of Self-Handicapping: Promoting Growth Intelligence Mindset Beliefs Reduces Behavioral Self-Handicapping
Authors: Török Lilla , Szabó Zsolt Péter , Orosz Gábor
Published: February 2022

The present study examined the interplay between chronic intelligence beliefs, manipulated intelligence beliefs and self-handicapping processes. Prior studies showed that holding fixed intelligence theory makes one vulnerable to resorting to self-protective mechanisms such as self-handicapping, while growth intelligence mindset can serve as a protective factor for self-handicapping. However, no prior studies have examined the potential interaction between pre-experimental intelligence beliefs, the manipulation of intelligence mindsets and behavioral self-handicapping. Although in our student sample (N=101) there was no main effect of the mindset manipulations, participants with an initial fixed mindset benefited a lot from a brief growth mindset manipulation and displayed the lowest levels of behavioral self-handicapping. The mindset manipulation had less effect on self-handicapping of originally growth-mindset individuals. These laboratory results demonstrate the benefits of growth mindset triggers which can be especially beneficial to reduce self-handicapping of young adults with a fixed mindset in educational settings.