bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benzoylaconine Modulates LPS-Induced Responses through Inhibition of Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated NF-κB and MAPK Signaling in RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Zhou Changkai , Gao Jing , Ji Hongyan , Li Wenjing , Xing Xiaomin , Liu Donghua , Guo Qie , Zhou Lihua , Jing Fanbo
Published: February 2021

Previous studies have shown that benzoylaconine (BAC), a representative monoester alkaloid, has a potential anti-inflammatory effect. This study investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms using the mode of LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Our findings showed that BAC significantly suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, ROS, NO, and PGE2. BAC treatment also effectively downregulated the elevated protein levels of iNOS and COX-2 induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, we found that BAC inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation by reducing the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα by Western blotting and blocking the nuclear translocation of p65 using an immunofluorescence assay. The elevated protein levels of JNK, p38, and ERK phosphorylation after LPS stimulation were restored effectively by BAC treatment. Moreover, LPS-induced phosphorylation of TAK1, which is a crucial upstream regulatory factor of Toll-like receptor-induced MAPK and NF-κB signaling, was inhibited by BAC in activated RAW264.7 macrophages. These findings demonstrated that BAC exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibition of Toll-like receptor-induced MAPK and NF-κB pathways, indicating that it could potentially be used for treating inflammatory diseases.
Teleparallel Stringy Black Holes and Topological Nieh-Yan Charges
Authors: Andrade luiz Garcia de
Published: February 2021

Recently Banerjee [Class Quantum Gravity 2010] has investigated the Nieh-Yan (NY) topological charges in static black holes (BH) of Schwarzschild type. In this paper we extend Banerjee computations to a static BH with a cosmic string inside it and check how this modifies the NY anomaly. In orthonormal coordinates it is shown that NY topological invariant does not produce any contribution to anomaly. Nevertheless since other topological invariants as the Pontryagin density may appear in teleparallel gravity, since there the full Riemann-Cartan (RC) tensor vanishes and the Riemann tensor can be expressed in terms of torsion. Hence, Pontryagin topological charge may be computed in terms of torsion. The horizons of black holes and singularities are examined. The vanishing of torsion flux along Strings inside BH indicates that the string is confined inside the BH. This similarity is between the NY topological invariant $N=d(T^{i}{\wedge}e_{i})\sim{T^{i}{\wedge}T_{i}}$ and the torsion scalar defined here as $T^{2}= T_{ijk}T^{ijk}$ where T represents torsion differential forms and tensors. It is also shown that the Kerr BH can pursue a NY form invariant.the same problem in some metric forms.
Racial Differences in the Effect of APOE-ε4 Genotypes on Trail Making Test Part B in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Xu Chun , Acevedo Priscila , Lu Yongke , Su Brenda Bin , Padilla Victoria , Ozuna Kaysie , Moreno Kimberly , Karithara Annu , Mao Chun Xiang , Navia Osvaldo , Piamjariyakul Ubolrat , Wang Kesheng
Published: February 2021

The trail making test part B (TMT-B) evaluates "executive" functions, memory, and sensorimotor functions. No previous studies were found to examine the longitudinal effect of apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 (APOE-ε4) genotypes on the TMT-B scores in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) participants. This study used data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI): 482 participants with AD, 503 with cognitive normal (CN), 1,293 with MCI at baseline and follow-up of four years. The multivariable linear mixed model was used to determine the longitudinal changes in the TMT-B scores. The individuals with 1 or 2 APOE-ε4 alleles revealed significantly higher TMT-B scores (poor cognitive function) compared with individuals without APOE-ε4 allele at baseline and four follow-up visits (all p values < 0.0001). Compared with Whites, non-Hispanic African American and Hispanic populations had higher TMT-B scores (p = 0.0007 and 0.0044, respectively). Furthermore, stratified by diagnosis, the African American CN group had the highest TMT-B scores (p < 0.0001) and the Hispanic AD group had higher TMT-B scores (p = 0.0123) compared with Whites, while both African American and Hispanic MCI groups had higher TMT-B scores compared with Whites (p = 0.162 and 0.0274, respectively). In addition, stratified by racial groups, the subjects with APOE-ε4-homozgous and APOE-ε4-heterozgous showed higher TMT-B scores compared with subjects who carry zero APOE-ε4 allele just in Whites (p = 0.0023 and 0.0003, respectively); whereas there was no difference among APOE-ε4 genotypes in AA and Hispanics. In conclusion, the APOE-ε4 allele was associated with increased TMT-B scores but such associations varied by racial groups.
First-in-human AAV Gene Therapy for Tay-Sachs Disease
Authors: Sena-Esteves Miguel , Flotte Terence , Cataltepe Oguz , Puri Ajit , Batista Ana Rita , Moser Richard , McKenna-Yasek Diane , Douthwright Catherine , Gernoux Gwladys , Blackwood Meghan , Mueller Christian , Jiang Xuntian , Bateman Scot , Spanakis Spiro , Parzych Julia , Keeler Allison , Abayazeed Aly , Rohatgi Saurabh , Gibson Laura , Finberg Robert , Barton Bruce , Vardar Zeynep , Shazeeb Mohammed , Gounis Matthew , Eichler Florian , Brown Robert , Martin Douglas , Gray-Edwards Heather
Published: February 2021

Tay-Sachs Disease (TSD) is an inherited neurological disorder caused by deficiency of hexosaminidase A (HexA). Preclinical work demonstrated safety and efficacy of CNS gene therapy using AAVrh8-HEXA/HEXB. Here we describe an expanded access trial in two patients with infantile TSD (IND 18225).
Case TSD-001 demonstrated neurodevelopmental regression by 8 months of age and severe seizures by 1 year was treated at 30 months. An equimolar mix of AAVrh8-HEXA and AAVrh8-HEXB (now AXO-AAV-GM2) was administered intrathecally (IT), with 75% of the dose (1x1014vg) delivered to the cisterna magna and 25% at the thoraco-lumbar junction. The second patient (TSD-002) was treated at 7 months of age with 4.2x1013 vg by a combination of bilateral thalamic (0.18 mL; 1.5x1012vg per thalamus), and IT infusion (3.9x1013vg). Both patients underwent immunosuppression with sirolimus, corticosteroids, and rituximab.
Injection procedures were well tolerated and have shown no vector-related adverse events to date. CSF HexA activity nearly doubled from baseline and remained stable. In TSD-002 (now 16 months of age), MRI showed stabilization of disease by 3 months post-injection and appeared to temporarily deviate from the natural history of infantile TSD but declined again 6 months post-treatment. TSD-001 (now 4.5 years of age remains seizure-free on the same anti-convulsant
therapy as pre-therapy, but TSD-002 developed seizures between 13 and 17 months posttreatment (by 2 years of age).
Administration of AXO-AAV-GM2 by IT and thalamic injections was safe, HexA activity increased in CSF and ongoing myelination was apparent in the younger patient treated at an early symptomatic stage. This study provides early safety and proof-of-concept in humans for treatment of TSD patients by AAV gene therapy.
Trends of cervical cancer at global, regional, and national level: data from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019
Authors: Zhang Xingxing , Yu Danfeng , Cai Wenwen , Ruan Weiqing
Published: February 2021

Background

Cervical cancer remains an important global health problem. This article aims to analysis the trend of cervical cancer at global, regional, and national level from 1990 to 2019, which would inform the health decision-making.
Methods

Data on cervical cancer was extracted from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. The trends of cervical cancer burden were estimated using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and age-standardized rate (ASR).
Results

Globally, the decreasing trends in incidence, death, and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of cervical cancer were observed worldwide from 1990 to 2019, with the respective EAPCs were − 0.38 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.41 to -0.34), -0.93 (95%CI: -0.98 to -0.88), and − 0.95 (95CI%: -1.00 to -0.90). Meanwhile, decreasing trends were also seen in most sociodemographic index (SDI) areas and geographic regions, particularly the trends of death and DALYs in Central Latin America, in which the respective EAPCs were − 2.61 (95%CI: -2.76 to -2.46) and − 2.48 (95%CI: -2.63 to -2.32). However, pronounced increasing trends occurred in the incidence in East Asia (EAPC = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.12 to 1.55). At the national level, the decreasing trends of cervical cancer were observed in most countries/territories, particularly the DALYs in Maldives (EAPC=-5.06; 95%CI: -5.40 to -4.72). Whereas increasing trend were seen in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Bulgaria.
Conclusions

Slowly decreasing trends of cervical cancer were demonstrated worldwide from 1990 to 2019. Cervical cancer remains a substantial health problem globally, which required the more effective prevention and control strategies.
Epigenetic clock detected a breast cancer mitosis subtype with improved immunotherapy
Authors: Shang Shipeng , Li Xin , Gao Yue , Guo Shuang , Zhou Hanxiao , Sun Dailin , Liu Hongjia , Zhi Hui , Wang Peng , Bai Jing , Ning Shangwei , Li Xia
Published: February 2021

Background

Epigenetic clock based on DNA methylation can estimate the epigenetic age of tissue and cell that can describe the process of aging. However, the exploration of diseases by the epigenetic clock is still an uncharted territory. Our objective was to assess the role of the epigenetic clock in breast cancer.
Methods

In this study, DNA methylation data of breast tissue sample was download from TCGA and GEO database. DNA methylation level of CpG sites and age of samples was calculated by using pearson correlation test. Differentially expressed genes were identified using the limma package and Kruskal-Wallis test was used for the difference between cancer subtypes.
Results

We developed a workflow to construct the Breast Epigenetic Clock (BEpiC) that could accurately predict the chronological age of normal breast tissue. Furthermore, the BEpiC was applied to breast cancer to identify three breast cancer subtypes (including development, homeostasis, and mitosis) by using the deviation between epigenetic age and chronological age. Interestingly, the prognosis of the three breast cancer subtypes is significantly different. In addition, the three breast cancer subtypes had distinct differences in multiple immune cells and the mitosis subtype had the highest tumor mutation burden that was used to estimate response to checkpoint inhibitors.
Conclusion

Our model highlights that epigenetic age of breast cancer samples had an important impact on immunotherapy. We constructed a BEpiC web server (http://bio-bigdata.hrbmu.edu.cn/BEpiC/) where users submit DNA methylation data and age information to predict the epigenetic age of breast tissue and breast cancer subtypes.
Trial registration
Not applicable
Changes in Spectral CT Iodine Densities before and after TIPS in HBV-related liver cirrhosis: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Wang Lei , Wang Rengui , Zhang Chunyan , Yue Zhendong , Zhao Hongwei , Fan Zhenhua , Wu Yifan , Zhang Yu , Liu Fuquan , Dong Jian
Published: February 2021

Objectives To compare changes in spectral CT iodine densities of hepatic parenchyma and vessels before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods Twenty-five patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis who received TIPS for gastroesophageal varices bleeding were recruited. Each patient underwent three phases contrast CT before and after TIPS within 4 weeks, with the raw data reconstructed at 1.25-mm-thick slices. Iodine density (in milligrams per milliliter) was measured on iodine-based material decomposition image. Multiple regions of interest (ROIs) in liver parenchyma, aorta and portal vein were selected from three slices of images. Portal vein trunk was set as the central one, and mean liver parenchymal iodine densities from arterial phase (AP), venous phase (VP) and equilibrium phase (EP) were recorded. Quantitative indices of iodine density (ID), including normalized ID in liver parenchyma for arterial phase (NIDLAP), ID of liver parenchyma for venous phase (IDLVP), ID of portal vein in venous phase (IDPVP) and liver arterial iodine density fraction (AIF), were measured and compared before and after TIPS. Results Based on Child-Pugh stage, 4, 12 and 9 patients were classified as grade A, B, and C, respectively. Liver volume was comparable before and after TIPS (1110.5±287.4 vs. 1092.0±276.3, P = 0.28). After TIPS, ID was decreased in aorta (146.0±34.5 vs. 120.9± 30.7, P<0.01) whereas increased in liver parenchyma at arterial phase, as demonstrated by IDAP (9.3±3.1 vs. 13.4±4.4 mg/mL) and AIF (0.40±0.11 vs. 0.58 ± 0.11, P<0.01). For venous or equilibrium phase, quantitative indices remained stable (23.1±4.5 vs. 23.0±5.3, 19.8±4.1 vs. 19.4±4.6) mg/mL (Ps>0.05). For portal vein, ID and NID were increased after TIPS (23.1±11.7 vs. 36.5±13.0, 16.4±8.5 vs. 31.8±12.8) (P<0.01). No positive correlation between iodine density and preoperative Child-Pugh score was observed. Conclusions Based on iodine density measurement, spectral CT as a noninvasive imaging modality may assess hemodynamic changes before and after TIPS in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.
Analysis of Risk Factors for Early-onset Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit: A Single-center Retrospective Study
Authors: teng guojie , Wang Ning , Nie Xiuhong , Zhang Lin , Liu Hongjun
Published: February 2021

Background:Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a severe infection among patients in the neurosurgery intensive care unit (NICU).Methods:We retrospectively evaluated risk factors for early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia (EOVAP) from January 2019 to December 2019 at a NICU. A total of 89 NICU patients who were intubated within 48 hours of onset and whose mechanical ventilation time was longer than 7 days were enrolled. The enrolled patients had no history of chronic lung disease and no clinical manifestations of infection before intubation. Clinical data of patients were recorded, and the incidence of and risk factors for EOVAP were analyzed. Patients were also grouped by age (≥65 vs. <65 years) and whether they had received hypothermia treatment or not.Results:Among 89 mechanically ventilated patients (49 men and 40 women; median age 60.1±14.3 years), 40 patients (44.9%) developed EOVAP in 7 days and 14 patients (15.7%) had multidrug resistant bacteria. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that older age (≥65years) (odds ratio [OR]: 0.267, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.101-0.709, P=0.008) and therapeutic hypothermia (OR: 0.235, CI: 0.075-0.738, p=0.013) were independent predictors of EOVAP. Levels of peripheral blood leukocytes, neutrophils and platelets were lower in the therapeutic hypothermia group than those that did not receive hypothermia treatment.Conclusions:This study found that older age (≥65years) and therapeutic hypothermia were independently associated with the risk of EOVAP in NICU patients.
A Comprehensive Investigation of Chitosan/tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: akbari mona , Akbari Maryam , Rahimi Zohreh
Published: February 2021

Chitosan/tripolyphosphate (CS/TPP) nanoparticles have been widely investigated in many applications. Many experimental studies evaluated effective parameters on CS/TPP nanoparticles without a comprehensive study to explain the influence of parameters on nanoparticles. The purpose of present work was to build a mathematical model capable of predicting the particle size and zeta potential of CS/TPP nanoparticles using seven significant factors, including CS and TPP concentrations, deacetylation degree of CS (DD), the molecular weight of CS, pH of CS solution and temperature, and their interactions on the size and zeta potential of CS/TPP nanoparticles. A model was built using artificial neural network including properties of nanoparticles as input with particle size and zeta potential as output. Artificial neural networks (ANN) models were used based on 8 experimental works consisting 160 data to estimate the variation tendency of size and zeta potential. The established model successfully predicted particle size and zeta potential of nanoparticles covering a range of 50-1000 nm. All parameters had significant effects on the size, the interaction between parameters changed the relationship pattern between them. In addition, results indicated that the main reason for the unexplained difference in previous works is the interactions between parameters. In addition, there is a relationship between size and zeta potential, which is due to the attractive and repulsive electrostatic charges, ionic interactions, CS chain length and viscosity. The ANN models in this work were valid for other papers.
Survey of ICU Teaching Rounds: Secrets to Improve Learner Satisfaction
Authors: Xu Jingyuan , Chen Hui , Xie Bo , Zhou Zhihao , Peng Zhendan , Yang Yi
Published: February 2021

Background: Unique challenges of teaching in the ICU come from the complexity of critically ill patients. This study was designed to examine the different teaching patterns and learners’ emotion load to achieve learners satisfaction on rounds. Methods: The survey of learners was performed on their practices and perceptions of rounds using social media. Results: A total of 82 learners with 195 responses were received. Pathophysiology-based analysis on worsened conditions, problem-based teaching and feedback, discussion about past experience were top three teaching behaviors on rounds, in addition, interesting and storytelling presentation, and evidence-based medicine were significantly correlated with learner satisfaction. However, the leaners still have the expectations for further improvement of some teaching behaviors. During rounding, tense, calm, nervous, relaxed and excited were the most top learners’ emotions, only excited was significantly correlated with learners satisfaction. Conclusions: Pathophysiology-based analysis on worsened conditions, problem-based teaching and feedback, discussion about past experience are top three teaching behaviors during the rounding, however, learners might be dissatisfied barely with these teaching pattens. Teachers should focus on key skills on rounds to enhance satisfaction.
Predicting Parkinson’s Disease Medication Regimen Using Sensor Technology
Authors: Watts Jeremy , Khojandi Anahita , Vasudevan Rama , Nahab Fatta B. , Ramdhani Ritesh
Published: February 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) medication treatment planning is generally based on subjective data through in-office, physicianpatient interactions. The Personal KinetiGraphTM (PKG) has shown promise in enabling objective, continuous remote health monitoring for Parkinson’s patients. In this proof-of-concept study, we propose to use objective sensor data from the PKG and apply machine learning to subtype patients based on levodopa regimens and response. We apply k-means clustering to a dataset of with-in-subject Parkinson’s medication changes—clinically assessed by the PKG and Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) staging. A random forest classification model was then used to predict patients’ cluster allocation based on their respective PKG data and demographic information. Clinically relevant clusters were developed based on longitudinal dopaminergic regimens—partitioned by levodopa dose, administration frequency, and total levodopa equivalent daily dose—with the PKG increasing cluster granularity compared to the H&Y staging. A random forest classifier was able to accurately classify subjects of the two most demographically similar clusters with an accuracy of 87:9 ±1:3
Distinct effects of winter monsoon and westerly circulation on dust aerosol transport over East Asia
Authors: Yang Liu , Shi Zhengguo , Sun Hui , Xie Xiaoning , Liu Xiaodong , An Zhisheng
Published: February 2021

The transport of dust aerosol in East Asia is affected by the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) and westerly circulation both for modern and geological periods. There are obvious seasonal changes in the intensity and range of EAWM and westerly jet; however, their impacts and relative contributions to East Asian dust transmission are still unclear. In this study, we use Regional Climate Model 4 (RegCM4) to simulate the changes in the East Asian dust cycle under present conditions, assessing the effects of EAWM and westerly jet on dust transport. The results show that the dust at the upper level is mainly transported by the westerly circulation, while that of the lower layer is mainly transported by the EAWM. In March, the westerly jet is located on the south side of the Tibet Plateau and the high-level dust aerosol is transmitted eastward to the northern Pacific. Low-level dust is transmitted to the southeastern China with the influence of EAWM. With the northward shift of the westerly jet, the control range of the westerly winds increases in May and their correlations are weakened. In contrary, the impact of EAWM on the lower layer dust is enhanced. Due to the strengthened interaction between the westerly winds and the EAWM, they can both affect the middle-level dust transmission. The effect of EAWM is sensitive to the dust particle sizes. Under the action of EAWM, fine-grained dust is transmitted far away, while coarse-grained dust is limited to the vicinity of the source area. Once the dust is carried to the westerly layer, the influence of westerly winds on the transmission of different particle sizes dust is similar.
Metformin acts to suppress β-hydroxybutyric acid-mediated inflammatory responses through activation of AMPK signalling in bovine hepatocytes
Authors: Xu Tianle , Lu Xubin , Arbab Abdelaziz Adam Idriss , Wu Xinyue , Mao Yongjiang , Yang Zhangping
Published: February 2021

The occurrence of bovine ketosis involves the accumulation of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), which contributes to the initiation and acceleration of hepatic metabolic stress and inflammation. Metformin has other beneficial effects apart from its medical intervention for diabetes. This study aims to uncover the role of metformin in modulating BHBA-induced inflammatory responses through the activation of AMPK signalling. Bovine hepatocytes isolated from cows at around 160 days in milk (DIM) were used in this study. Moreover, primary bovine hepatocytes were used for the treatment with BHBA and pretreatment of metformin at different doses. The results demonstrated that BHBA at 1.2 mM triggered the activation of NF-κB signalling and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression. Along with the upregulation of phosphorylated AMPKα and ACCα, metformin at 1.5 and 3 mM inactivated NF-κB signalling components (p65 and IκBα) and the inflammatory genes (TNFA, IL6, IL1B and COX-2) which were activated by BHBA. Additionally, the pretreatment with metformin increased the BHBA-inhibited cells proliferation. The activation of AMPK resulted in the increased gene and protein expression of SIRT1, along with the deacetylation of H3K9 and H3K14. However, the AMPK inhibitor compound C blocked this effect. Compared to BHBA treated cells, the expression of COX-2 and IL-1β were decreased by the pretreatment with metformin, and the inhibitory effect of metformin was released by compound C. The NF-κB displayed higher binding activity onto IL1B promoter, and this was suppressed by pretreatment with metformin. Altogether, metformin attenuates the BHBA-induced inflammation through the inactivation of NF-κB as a target for AMPK/SIRT1 signalling in bovine hepatocytes.
Thermo-mechanical and metallurgical model of leaf spring industrial quenching process
Authors: SLAMA Salma , JABEUR Moez BEN , MANSOURI Khalil , ZAIN-UL-ABDEIN Muhammad , BESSROUR Jamel , BOUHAFS Mahmoud , MOKDADI Hassan
Published: February 2021

This study is a numerical analysis of the industrial quenching process for leaf springs developed by the CAVEO company. The leaf chosen for this study is of a parabolic profile made of EN-51CrV4 steel (AISI 6150). The aim of this study is to set up a numerical model to predict thermal, metallurgical, and mechanical behavior of a leaf spring from exit of the heating furnace to exit of the quenching bath going through a cambering operation. This study would therefore allow the company to switch from a development scheme based on experiments using physical prototypes tested on the production line to a new scheme based on virtual prototypes using numerical simulation. The development of the numerical model using the finite element method is carried out using the ABAQUS/Implicit solver coupled with two user subroutines Phase and UMAT. The first one have been developed to compute microstructure evolution and the second one to define the constitutive law taking into account phase transformations. This model helps us to follow the spatio-temporal evolutions of temperature and microstructure in the leaf, as well as the variation of the leaf deflection during the process. The proposed numerical model is supported by an experimental protocol based on infrared thermographic images, Rockwell-C hardness measurements, metallographic observations, and deflection measurements. Indeed, the results of the proposed thermo-mechanical and metallurgical model are closed to experimental results.
Rhubarb alleviates acute lung injury by modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis in mice
Authors: Tang Tingyu , Wang Fei , Liu Juan , Ye Wu , Zhao Tian , Li Zhijun
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Intestinal microbiota disorders can aggravate pulmonary inflammation during acute lung injury (ALI). Rhubarb, a Chinese herb, can regulated the gut microbiota. Therefore, this study was conducted to test the hypothesis that rhubarb alleviates gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation.
Methods
Feces were collected from patients with ALI to detect the gut microbiota using 16S rDNA sequencing. Subsequently, a mouse model of ALI was established using lipopolysaccharide to investigate changes in the gut microbiota, the periperal blood was attained for detecting the Th17/Treg cell ratio and the serum level of HDAC6 and HDAC9, and the effect of rhubarb treatment on the gut microbiota and Th17/Treg ratio were also evaluated.
Results
Both the Firmicutes phyla decreased and the Bacteroidetes increased were identified in patients with ALI, which induced the alternation of histone metabolites. The rat models also showed a similar imbalance in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Rhubarb treatment alleviated the damaged lung tissue, accelerated Alistipes, Clostridiales and Lactobacillus proliferation, increased the level of HDAC6 in both the mice lung tissue and serum, and markedly reduced the Treg cells and increased the Th17 cells in the spleen tissue.
Conclusion
we determined that both patients and mouse models presented gut microbiota dysbiosis and Th17/Treg cell imbalances. Rhubarb promoted Alistipes, Clostridiales and Lactobacillus proliferation, increased the HDAC6 concentration, restored the Th17/Treg cell balance, and protected against ALI.
NatDisP – An Intelligent Natural Disaster Predictor
Authors: Mittapalli Jishnu Saurav , Mutha Jainav Amit , R Maheswari
Published: February 2021

Natural disasters are adverse actions that happen due to the natural processes of the earth. In today’s world with so much pollution, global warming and because of so many reasons, natural disasters are happening far more than they used to happen before and many people in the world face problems, lose their houses, livelihoods and even their houses. It is really painful to get to know the effects of these natural disasters. So, this paper proposes a model which helps us predict natural disasters before they happen using wireless technologies. In this paper modern technologies like IOT, artificial intelligence and machine learning are used. Here for the prediction of each disaster, data/signals given by nature are used , for example for the earthquake module the seismic signals from the earth are used, systems like UNITE are used where the sensors placed in the earth to get the seismic data. For the other disasters also such data is taken from signals given by nature. A detailed explanation on how disasters are predicted based on these simple signals and data from nature is given. In this paper solutions based on wireless technologies to solve some after effects of these natural disasters are also suggested . So, basically our idea is to have all disasters predicted in one place using modern computer science technologies.
Sustainable Alternative Ceiling Boards using Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Balanite Shell (BS)
Authors: I. Ichetaonye S. , K. Ajekwene K. , B Ulaeto S. , M Yibowei , khan Imran , khan anish , Asiri Abdullah M
Published: February 2021

This paper presents an experimental study to investigate the sustainable alternativeceiling boards using Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Balanite Shell (BS). The ceiling boards were prepared by mixing (BS/binder, PKS/binder and PKS/BS/binder) at different ratios of (20/80, 40/60, 60/40 and 80/20) and represented as samples (A1, A2, A3 and A4), (B1, B2, B3 and B4) and (C1, C2, C3 and C4) respectively. The samples werecast by flat press process in rectangular sheet shape mould of 187mm x 125 mm x 3mm. The samples were cut into specimen sizes of 30 mm x 40 mm and tested for dry shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, bulk density,flaking, and hardness properties. Morphology of the samples were examined using SEM. Results of the analysis show that irrespective of the filler loadings the properties of PKS / binder particularly at 20/80 ratio (B1) displayed better dry shrinkage of 3.7 %; water absorption of 12.4 %; apparent porosity of 15 %; bulk density of 2.3 g/cm3; flaking of 0.05g and hardness of 57.6 Hv which approximates those of the conventional specimen (Control) with a more better physical properties compared to BS / binder at 20/80 ratio (A1) with dry shrinkage of 6.1 %; water absorption of 33 %; apparent porosity of 35 %; bulk density 1.2 g/cm3; flaking of 0.36g; hardness of 26.2 Hv and PKS / BS / binder at 20/80 ratio (C1)with dry shrinkage of 9.8 %; water absorption of 30 %; apparent porosity of 32 %; bulk density 1.4 g/cm3; flaking of 0.1g; hardness of 36.7 Hv. These results therefore suggest that PKS could be used as a sustainable alternative in the production of ceiling boards.
Study the Incidence of TNF-α-induced Protein 3 Genetic Polymorphisms in Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients
Authors: Zanaty Mohamed Ibrahim , Korayem Osama , Meabed Mohamed Hussien , Demerdash Doaa El- , Abdelghany Wafaa Mohamed
Published: February 2021

BackgroundImmune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a relatively common acquired hematological disorder, affecting 2 to 4/100000 adults. Understanding of the pathogenesis of ITP has been greatly improved with taking into consideration the important role of the genetic variants. This study aimed at investigating the incidence of TNFAIP3 SNPs (rs2230926 and rs5029939) in primary ITP Egyptian patients as well as their response to therapy in addition to the linkage between the two SNPs.Methods and Resultsthe study was conducted in 110 ITP patients diagnosed as primary ITP (PITP) selected among cases referred to the Hematology Outpatient Clinic of Kasr El Aini Hospital and 110 matched healthy controls. The polymorphisms were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Data indicated that there is a significant difference in the allelic distribution between PITP patients and the control group regarding rs2230926 and rs5029939 (p-value <0.05). Regarding LD analysis of the two SNPs, it has been revealed that there was a significant linkage disequilibrium between rs2230926 and rs5029939 among PITP group LD (D' = 0.966, r2 = 0.694, p-value < 0.001). On behalf of improvement by treatment, patients with rs2230926 wild genotype showed a more significant response to treatment than mutant type (p-value <0.05).ConclusionThere was a correlation between TNFAIP3 SNPs (rs2230926 and rs5029939) and the occurrence of primary ITP in the adult Egyptian populations and there was a linkage disequilibrium between them. Moreover, patients with rs2230926 wild genotype showed significant improvement than mutant type.
Emotional exhaustion in front-line healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic -- the effects of time pressure, social sharing and cognitive reappraisal: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhou Xinyao , Jia Xiuli , Song Caiping , Luo Xu , Zhang Hua , Wu Hao , Ye Junying
Published: February 2021

Background: With the increasing spread of COVID-19, healthcare workers, especially front-line medical staff, have become more vulnerable to emotional exhaustion.Objectives: This study aimed to determine the influence of time pressure on the emotional exhaustion of front-line healthcare workers, and explore the effects of social sharing and cognitive reappraisal on this.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2020. A total of 232 questionnaires were completed by front-line healthcare workers in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China. Hierarchical linear regression and conditional process analysis were performed to explore the relationships among time pressure, social sharing, cognitive reappraisal, and emotional exhaustion.Results: Time pressure was positively associated with social sharing and emotional exhaustion. Social sharing presented a dark side in terms of the impact on emotional exhaustion. Cognitive reappraisal negatively moderated the relationship between time pressure and social sharing, and it further indirectly influenced the relationship between time pressure and emotional exhaustion through social sharing.Conclusions: Our findings shed light on how time pressure influences the emotional exhaustion of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 period. Although social sharing is commonly regarded as a positive behavior, we identified a dark side in terms of its impact. We also identified that improving cognitive reappraisal may present a positive strategy toward alleviating emotional exhaustion.
Exploration of Learning and Memorizing Ability of OSAS rat with Neuroinflammation
Authors: Luo Min , Li YuQing , Bao ChunHua , Ai Xin , Zheng YuRong , Liu RenShuai , Lu YaFeng , Wu Yue , Yin Mei
Published: February 2021

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a respiratory disorder during sleep that has become a significant public health problem over time. OSAS patients elicited the frontal cortex neuron injury, leading to cognitive dysfunction, a significant and extraordinary complication of OSAS patients. Learning and memory testing is critical when assessing potential therapeutic strategies and the effectiveness of treatments to manage OSAS. The objective of this article was to explore the relationship between inflammation and cognitive dysfunction in OSAS.
Methods

Selected male rats were 3-months-old and with a similar weight (mean, 200 ± 10 g) were assigned to the model group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30). The rats in the OSAS model group were injected with 0.1 ml sodium hyaluronate solution into the upper respiratory tract at the junction between the hard and soft palate. The model and normal rats were compared using tests of Morris Water Maze. The tissue sections were stained by hematoxylin eosin(HE) and immunohistochemically(IHC).
Results

Tests of training test and spatial probe test proved significant differences between 2、4、6 week’s OSAS rats over all swims, p < 0.05. Histopathology showed cortical laminar oedema with vacuolation ,irregular arrangement, disorganization, rods of the nerve cells were identified, astrocyte activation and reactive gliosis ,abundant astrocyte. And IHC staining showed Iba1-positive cells increased as compared to control group.
Conclusion

We suggest assessing spatial and related forms of learning and memory in OSAS rat by the new statistical method. Microglial and astrocyte activation is involved in OSAS-induced changes in inflammatory molecules, neurogenesis, and spatial memory.
Low Alanine Aminotransferase as a Risk Factor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Males: A Retrospective Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Choi Yong Jun , Kwon Do Sun , Kim Taehee , Cho Jae Hwa , Kim Hyung Jung , Byun Min Kwang , Park Hye Jung
Published: February 2021

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels reflect skeletal muscle volume and general performance scales, which are significantly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development and prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the ALT levels as a risk factor for COPD development. This 13-year population-based retrospective cohort observational study included patients registered in the health check-up cohort database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service. A total of 422,452 participants were analysed. We classified groups according to the baseline ALT levels (groups 1–5: ALT (IU/L) < 10; 10–19; 20–29; 30–39; and ≥ 40, respectively). The incidence of COPD was highest in group 1, decreasing as the group number increased among in males. Cox regression analysis in males revealed that lower ALT level was a significant risk factor for COPD development (univariable, HR: 0.992, 95% CI: 0.991–0.994; multivariable, HR: 0.998, 95% CI: 0.996–0.999). In addition, in the low ALT level groups (< 40 IU/L), COPD was more likely to be developed (univariable, HR: 1.341, 95% CI: 1.263–1.424; multivariable, HR: 1.097, 95% CI: 1.030–1.168). Our findings suggest that males with low ALT levels should be carefully monitored for COPD development.
Elevation of Unsaturated Lipid Species is Accompanied by the Upregulation of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Mir Sartaj Ahmad , Wong Soon Boon Justin , Narasimhan Kothandaraman , Esther Chua Wee Ling , Ji Shanshan , Burla Bo , Wenk Markus R. , Tan David S.P. , Bendt Anne K.
Published: February 2021

Background Cancer metabolism is associated with enhanced lipogenesis required for rapid growth and proliferation. However, the magnitude of dysregulation of diverse lipid species mostly remain to be characterized, particularly in understudied cancers such as ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). Further, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimen represent valuable and readily available resources for laboratory investigations but are still underutilized for lipidomics studies. Here we implemented an integrated workflow to investigate lipidomic alterations in OCCC, utilizing FFPE specimen. Methods Lipid extraction of FFPE specimen was carried out by using 1-butanol and methanol in 1:1 (v/v), followed by targeted LC-MS/MS to identify the lipidomic changes in FFPE specimen from OCCC (n=14) as compared to uninvolved contralateral ovarian tissue (n=14). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were implemented to evaluate the expression levels of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids, in OCCC and control tissue specimen. Results We quantified 340 lipid species representing 29 lipid classes. We observed differential regulation of unsaturated lipid species belonging to several glycerophospholipid classes including ether-linked phospholipids, and trihexosylceramide species. We confirmed upregulation of SCD in OCCC by IHC assays. Conclusions By using lipidomic and IHC analysis of archival tissue samples, we were able to provide novel insights into the molecular alterations in OCCC. We show the feasibility of using FFPE specimen to carry out detailed lipidomic analysis of archival cancer samples.
The Monash Autism-ADHD Genetics and Neurodevelopment (MAGNET) Project Design and Methodologies: A dimensional approach to understanding neurobiological and genetic aetiology.
Authors: Knott Rachael , Johnson Beth P , Tiego Jeggan , Mellahn Olivia , Finlay Amy , Kallady Kathryn , Kouspous Maria , Sindhu Vishnu Priya Mohankuma , Hawi Ziarih , Arnatkeviciute Aurina , Chau Tracey , Maron Dalia , Mercieca Emily-Clare , Furley Kirsten , Harris Katrina , Williams Katrina , Ure Alexandra , Fornito Alex , Gray Kylie , Coghill David , Nicholson Ann , Phuong Dinh , Loth Eva , Mason Luke , Murphy Declan , Buitelaar Jan , Bellgrove Mark A.
Published: February 2021

Background
ASD and ADHD are prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders that frequently co-occur and have strong evidence for a degree of shared genetic aetiology. Behavioural and neurocognitive heterogeneity in ASD and ADHD has hampered attempts to map the underlying genetics and neurobiology, predict intervention response, and improve diagnostic accuracy. Moving away from categorical conceptualisations of psychopathology to a dimensional approach is anticipated to facilitate discovery of data-driven clusters and enhance our understanding of the neurobiological and genetic aetiology of these conditions. The Monash Autism-ADHD Genetics and Neurodevelopment (MAGNET) Project is one of the first large-scale, family-based studies to take a truly transdiagnostic approach to ASD and ADHD. Using a comprehensive phenotyping protocol capturing dimensional traits central to ASD and ADHD, the MAGNET Project aims to identify data-driven clusters across ADHD-ASD spectra using deep phenotyping of symptoms and behaviours; investigate the degree of familiality for different dimensional ASD-ADHD phenotypes and clusters; and map the neurocognitive, brain imaging, and genetic correlates of these data-driven symptom-based clusters.
Methods
The MAGNET Project will recruit 1,200 families with children who are either typically developing, or who display elevated ASD, ADHD, or ASD-ADHD traits, in addition to affected and unaffected biological siblings of probands, and parents. All children will be comprehensively phenotyped for behavioural symptoms, comorbidities, neurocognitive and neuroimaging traits and genetics.
Conclusion
The MAGNET Project will be the first large-scale family study to take a transdiagnostic approach to ASD-ADHD, utilising deep phenotyping across behavioural, neurocognitive, brain imaging and genetic measures.
Permafrost Thaw and Ground Settlement Considering Long-Term Climate Impact in Northern Alaska
Authors: Yang Joey , Lee Kannon C. , Liu Haibo
Published: February 2021

Alaska’s North Slope is predicted to experience twice the warming expected globally. When summers are longer and winters are shortened, ground surface conditions in the Arctic are expected to change considerably. This is significant for Arctic Alaska, a region that supports surface infrastructure such as energy extraction and transport assets (pipelines), buildings, roadways, and bridges. Climatic change at the ground surface has been shown to infiltrate soil layers beneath through the harmonic fluctuation of the active layer. Past studies found that warmer air temperature resulted in increasingly deeper thaw, leading to a deeper active layer. This study attempts to assess climate change based on the climate model data from the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project and its impact on a study site on the North Slope. The predicted air temperature data are analyzed to evaluate how the freezing and thawing indices will change due to climate warming. A thermal model was developed that incorporated a ground surface condition defined by either undisturbed intact tundra or a gravel fill surface and applied climate model predicted air temperatures. Results indicate similar fluctuation in active layer thickness and values that fall within the range of minimum and maximum readings. It is found that the active layer thickens when the ground surface is either gravel fill or undisturbed tundra, but its thickness varies based on climate model predictions. These variations in active layer thickness are then analyzed by considering the near-surface frozen soil ice content. Analysis of results indicates that strain is most significant in the near-surface layers during thaw, indicating that settlement would be concurrent with annual thaw penetration. From this study, the climate model predicted air temperatures for a warming Arctic suggest that the thaw of near-surface frozen ground is largely dependent on ground surface conditions and the thermal properties of soil. Moreover, ice content is a major factor in the settlement predictions on Alaska’s North Slope. This study's results can help enhance the resilience of the existing and future new infrastructure in a changing Arctic environment.
A Spectrum Defragmentation Algorithm Using Jellyfish Optimization Technique in Elastic Optical Network (EON)
Authors: S Selvakumar , Manivannan S S
Published: February 2021

The rapid growth of the technologies, high bandwidth applications and cloud data centers consume heavy internet service. So, the consumer of the internet expects a high capacity medium for communication. The Elastic Optical Network (EON) provides a flexible and reliable transmission service for the consumers. The spectrum fragmentation is a key challenge in EON. In simple terms, unaligned Frequency Slots (FSs) in the network are referred to as fragmented spectrum, while in defragmentation, the available FSs need to be rearranged to create room for the new connection requests. The problem in defragmentation occurs due to the lack of a continuous spectrum and it leads to depreciation in spectrum usage and simultaneously increasing the Blocking Probability (BP) which disrupts the majority of the existing connections in the network. Several techniques and approaches were suggested to reduce the possibility of disruption and reconfiguration in the network while defragmenting the frequency slots. This paper proposes a new algorithm to overcome the drawbacks and improvement in the quality of service of the network. The proposed algorithm holds the approach of proactive and reactive along with the meta-heuristic nature-inspired optimization technique called Jellyfish Search Optimization (JSO). The proposed combination, PR-DF-JFSO outperforms well in terms of spectrum utilization, network efficiency, and quality of service offered when compared to the state-of-the-art spectrum defragmentation algorithms according to the results of experiments done using standard quality metrics.
Comparative Investigation of the Suitability of DNA Preparation Methods for Microbiome Analysis of Complex Clinical Samples
Authors: Mann Brendon Coenraad , Wepener Cara , Bezuidenhout Johannes Jacobus , Vermeulen Urban , Grobler Anne
Published: February 2021

Efficient DNA preparation is essential for accurate and reproducible microbial data acquisition. In this study an in-house method (NWU lysis system), involving a lysis micro tube (LMT) was employed to determine its suitability for safe, rapid and accurate characterisation of the bacterial microbiome associated with clinical samples in comparison to two available commercial DNA extraction kits. During the experimental setup, it was confirmed that the LMT is suitable for downstream bacterial microbiome analyses with the incorporation of short read sequencing; but due to the fragmented nature of the DNA its suitability is highly dependent on the sequencing technology applied downstream. The study also served to demonstrate that shearing of DNA can have a significant impact on downstream microbiome analyses, based on the sequencing technology used; and that care must be taken especially if long read sequencing is to be used employed.