bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consolidated bioprocessing of cellulose to itaconic acid by a co-culture of Trichoderma reesei and Ustilago maydis
Authors: Schlembach Ivan , Hosseinpour Tehrani Hamed , Blank Lars M. , Büchs Jochen , Wierckx Nick , Regestein Lars , Rosenbaum Miriam A.
Published: December 2020

Background

Itaconic acid is a bio-derived platform chemical with uses ranging from polymer synthesis to biofuel production. The efficient conversion of cellulosic waste streams into itaconic acid could thus enable the sustainable production of a variety of substitutes for fossil oil based products. However, the realization of such a process is currently hindered by an expensive conversion of cellulose into fermentable sugars. Here, we present the stepwise development of a fully consolidated bioprocess (CBP), which is capable of directly converting recalcitrant cellulose into itaconic acid without the need for separate cellulose hydrolysis including the application of commercial cellulases. The process is based on a synthetic microbial consortium of the cellulase producer Trichoderma reesei and the itaconic acid producing yeast Ustilago maydis. A method for process monitoring was developed to estimate cellulose consumption, itaconic acid formation as well as the actual itaconic acid production yield online during co-cultivation.

Results

The efficiency of the process was compared to a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation setup (SSF). Because of the additional substrate consumption of T. reesei in the CBP, the itaconic acid yield was significantly lower in the CBP than in the SSF. In order to increase yield and productivity of itaconic acid in the CBP, the population dynamics was manipulated by varying the inoculation delay between T. reesei and U. maydis. Surprisingly, neither inoculation delay nor inoculation density significantly affected the population development or the CBP performance. Instead, the substrate availability was the most important parameter. U. maydis was only able to grow and to produce itaconic acid when the cellulose concentration and thus, the sugar supply rate, was high. Finally, the metabolic processes during fed-batch CBP were analyzed in depth by online respiration measurements. Thereby, substrate availability was again identified as key factor also controlling itaconic acid yield. In summary, an itaconic acid titer of 34 g/L with a total productivity of up to 0.07 g/L/h and a yield of 0.16 g/g could be reached during fed-batch cultivation.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility of consortium-based CBP for itaconic acid production and also lays the fundamentals for the development and improvement of similar microbial consortia for cellulose-based organic acid production.
Pretreatments for enhancing sewage sludge reduction and reuse in lipid production
Authors: Chen Jiaxin , Li Ji , Zhang Xiaolei , Wu Zhaoyang
Published: December 2020

Background

Converting wastewater sludge to lipid is considered as one of the best strategies of sludge management. The current problem of lipid production from wastewater sludge is the low yield (0.10–0.16 g lipid/g dry sludge) due to the low availability of easily uptaken materials (such as soluble monosaccharide and oligosaccharide) in sludge to oleaginous microorganism (Rhodotorula glutinis, Trichosporon oleaginosus, Lipomyces starkeyi). Pretreatments are efficient methods to improve sludge bioavailability. This study is aimed to achieve high lipid production from sludge and high sludge reduction.

Results

In this study, it was observed that the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) had significantly increased after different pretreatment. The SCOD in the supernatant was increased from 32.64 to 180.25 mg/L, 924.16 mg/L, 1029.89 mg/L and 3708.31 mg/L after acidic (pH 2 for 2 h), alkaline (pH 12 for 2 h), microwave irradiation (15 min with 5 min interval), and ultrasonication (30 min at 450 W and 20 kHz frequency with 5 s on and 2 s off mode) pretreatment, respectively. Pretreatments have also increased the release of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) from solids. The sludge after different pretreatments were used as a medium for lipid production, and the highest lipid content (36.67% g/g) was obtained in the fermentation with ultrasonication pretreatment sludge, and the sludge reduction was 63.10%. For other pretreatments, the lipid content and sludge reduction were 18.42% and 32.63% in acid pretreatment case, 21.08% and 36.44% in alkaline pretreatment case, and 26.31% and 43.03% in microwave pretreatment case, respectively.

Conclusion

It was found that ultrasonication pretreatment was the most efficient way to increase the sludge biodegradability (SCOD) and to release TN and TP from solid phase to liquid phase. Pretreated sludge for lipid production achieved significant improvement in lipid yield and sludge reduction. Lipids produced from pretreated sludge were transesterified to biodiesel and the analysis showed that biodiesel had a similar composition as commercial biodiesel. The study reveals that pretreatment on sludge is a promising method for enhancing biological sludge management efficiency.
SeqURE – a new copy-capture based method for sequencing of unknown Retroposition events
Authors: Komkov Alexander Y. , Urazbakhtin Shamil Z. , Saliutina Maria V. , Komech Ekaterina A. , Shelygin Yuri A. , Nugmanov Gaiaz A. , Shubin Vitaliy P. , Smirnova Anastasia O. , Bobrov Mikhail Y. , Tsukanov Alexey S. , Snezhkina Anastasia V. , Kudryavtseva Anna V. , Lebedev Yuri B. , Mamedov Ilgar Z.
Published: December 2020

Background

Retroelements (REs) occupy a significant part of all eukaryotic genomes including humans. The majority of retroelements in the human genome are inactive and unable to retrotranspose. Dozens of active copies are repressed in most normal tissues by various cellular mechanisms. These copies can become active in normal germline and brain tissues or in cancer, leading to new retroposition events. The consequences of such events and their role in normal cell functioning and carcinogenesis are not yet fully understood. If new insertions occur in a small portion of cells they can be found only with the use of specific methods based on RE enrichment and high-throughput sequencing. The downside of the high sensitivity of such methods is the presence of various artifacts imitating real insertions, which in many cases cannot be validated due to lack of the initial template DNA. For this reason, adequate assessment of rare (< 1%) subclonal cancer specific RE insertions is complicated.

Results

Here we describe a new copy-capture technique which we implemented in a method called SeqURE for Sequencing Unknown of Retroposition Events that allows for efficient and reliable identification of new genomic RE insertions. The method is based on the capture of copies of target molecules (copy-capture), selective amplification and sequencing of genomic regions adjacent to active RE insertions from both sides. Importantly, the template genomic DNA remains intact and can be used for validation experiments. In addition, we applied a novel system for testing method sensitivity and precisely showed the ability of the developed method to reliably detect insertions present in 1 out of 100 cells and a substantial portion of insertions present in 1 out of 1000 cells. Using advantages of the method we showed the absence of somatic Alu insertions in colorectal cancer samples bearing tumor-specific L1HS insertions.

Conclusions

This study presents the first description and implementation of the copy-capture technique and provides the first methodological basis for the quantitative assessment of RE insertions present in a small portion of cells.
High-resolution analyses of human sperm dynamic methylome reveal thousands of novel age-related epigenetic alterations
Authors: Cao Mingju , Shao Xiaojian , Chan Peter , Cheung Warren , Kwan Tony , Pastinen Tomi , Robaire Bernard
Published: December 2020

Background

Children of aged fathers are at a higher risk of developing mental disorders. Alterations in sperm DNA methylation have been implicated as a potential cause. However, age-dependent modifications of the germ cells’ epigenome remain poorly understood. Our objective was to assess the DNA methylation profile of human spermatozoa during aging.

Results

We used a high throughput, customized methylC-capture sequencing (MCC-seq) approach to characterize the dynamic DNA methylation in spermatozoa from 94 fertile and infertile men, who were categorized as young, 48 men between 18–38 years or old 46 men between 46–71 years. We identified more than 150,000 age-related CpG sites that are significantly differentially methylated among 2.65 million CpG sites covered. We conducted machine learning using our dataset to predict the methylation age of subjects; the age prediction accuracy based on our assay provided a more accurate prediction than that using the 450 K chip approach. In addition, we found that there are more hypermethylated (62%) than hypomethylated (38%) CpG sites in sperm of aged men, corresponding to 798 of total differential methylated regions (DMRs), of which 483 are hypermethylated regions (HyperDMR), and 315 hypomethylated regions (HypoDMR). Moreover, the distribution of age-related hyper- and hypomethylated CpGs in sperm is not random; the CpG sites that were hypermethylated with advanced age were frequently located in the distal region to genes, whereas hypomethylated sites were near to gene transcription start sites (TSS). We identified a high density of age-associated CpG changes in chromosomes 4 and 16, particularly HyperDMRs with localized clusters, the chr4 DMR cluster overlapsPGC1αlocus, a protein involved in metabolic aging and the chr16 DMR cluster overlapsRBFOX1locus, a gene implicated in neurodevelopmental disease. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the most affected genes by age were associated with development, neuron projection, differentiation and recognition, and behaviour, suggesting a potential link to the higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children of aged fathers.

Conclusion

We identified thousands of age-related and sperm-specific epigenetic alterations. These findings provide novel insight in understanding human sperm DNA methylation dynamics during paternal aging, and the subsequently affected genes potentially related to diseases in offspring.
A retrospective study of 323 total laparoscopic hysterectomy cases for various indications and a case report treating caesarean scar pregnancy
Authors: Isono Wataru , Tsuchiya Akira , Honda Michiko , Saito Ako , Tsuchiya Hiroko , Matsuyama Reiko , Fujimoto Akihisa , Kawamoto Masashi , Nishii Osamu
Published: December 2020

Background

The application of laparoscopic surgeries has been increasing, and various uterine diseases in addition to leiomyoma/adenomyoma have become indications for total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). Therefore, data acquisition and analysis of TLH procedures, including TLH for rare uterine diseases, have become important for improving surgical procedures and patient selection. To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for the occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications of TLH, we performed a multivariate analysis of the records in our hospital.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 323 patients who underwent TLH for the treatment of leiomyoma/adenomyoma (278 cases), low-grade (pre)malignant uterine tumours (40 cases) and other rare uterine diseases (5 cases) from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019. Of the rare uterine diseases, one case of caesarean scar pregnancy for which TLH was performed is introduced as a case report. To assess the effects of 11 representative factors, including patient characteristics, uterus and leiomyoma sizes, indications for TLH and others, we performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among the 323 cases, 20 intraoperative complications and 15 postoperative complications were reported. In the multivariate analysis, “ovarian tumour” and “heavy uterus” were positively associated and “nulliparity” was negatively associated with intraoperative complications. There were no significant risk factors for postoperative complications. The only risk factor for operative complications directly related to the resected uterus was “heavy uterus”. Therefore, we could perform TLH relatively safely for patients with other indications besides leiomyoma/adenomyoma.

Conclusions

Considering the factors detected in this analysis, the indications for TLH may be expanded. Owing to the increase in TLH for indications other than leiomyoma/adenomyoma, a more accurate determination of the treatment approach can be achieved.
Correction to: Synergistic interaction of eugenol and antimicrobial drugs in eradication of single and mixed biofilms of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Jafri Huma , Banerjee Gopa , Khan Mohd Sajjad Ahmad , Ahmad Iqbal , Abulreesh Hussein Hasan , Althubiani Abdulla Safar
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues and its association with sex and perceptions of young people in Ethiopia, 2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yalew Melaku , Adane Bezawit , Kefale Bereket , Damtie Yitayish , Arefaynie Mastewal , Wedajo Shambel , Bitew Abebayehu , Wasihun Yitbarek
Published: December 2020

Background

There is no national representative and conclusive data regarding parent-young communication. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues and its association with sex and perceptions of young people about its importance in Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) was used during systematic review and meta-analysis. The study included both published and gray literatures which were searched using appropriate key terms. The articles were searched from different databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Global Health, HINARI and Google scholar. Data were extracted in a Microsoft Excel sheet and STATA/SE 14 was used for meta-analysis. I2 and Egger test statistics were used to test heterogeneity and publication bias respectively.

Results

Twenty-nine articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in Ethiopia was 42.96% [95% CI: (36.91, 49.02)]. Positive perception of young people towards parent-young communication [AOR = 3.72, 95% CI: (2.87, 4.86)] and female sex [AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: (1.12, 2.34)] were significantly associated with parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues.

Conclusions

The prevalence of parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in Ethiopia was low as compared to other literatures conducted outside Ethiopia. Both perceptions of young people towards parent-young communication and sex were significantly associated with parent-young communication on sexual and reproductive health issues. Interventions targeting males and young who had negative perceptions regarding parent-young communication should be the primary focus of the government and their parents.

Review registration

The protocol of this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in the PROSPERO International prospective of systematic reviews with a specific registration number: CRD42020161252.
The associations of eating behavior and dietary intake with metabolic syndrome in Japanese: Saku cohort baseline study
Authors:   for the Saku Cohort Study Group, Morita Akemi , Aiba Naomi , Miyachi Motohiko , Watanabe Shaw
Published: December 2020

Background

The prevention of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health concern in Japan. The effects of the relationship between eating behavior and nutritional intake on MetS remained unclear.

To evaluate nutrition’s role in preventing or exacerbating MetS, we examined the associations among eating behavior, nutritional intake, and MetS for the baseline study in the cohort subjects undergone health checkups.

Methods

Four thousand and four hundred forty-seven Japanese men and women were enrolled at the Saku Central Hospital. They received an anthropometric and clinical examination and were assessed for present illness, lifestyle factors such as physical activity, smoking, drinking, and dietary habits at the enrollment. Eating behavior was analyzed by the Sakata’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Dietary assessment was made using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. Two thousand and six hundred two men and 1844 women aged more than 20 were analyzed.

Results

The mean age in men and women were 59.2 and 58.4 years old and the mean body mass index (BMI) were 23.7 and 22.3 kg/m2, respectively. The percentages of MetS were 20.6 in men and 6.1 in women. In some nutrients, significantly higher energy-adjusted intakes in subjects without MetS than with Mets appeared both in men and women after age adjustment. After adjusting by age, energy-adjusted intake beverages in men and cereals in women were significantly higher in subjects with MetS than those without MetS. The scores of all the categories in eating behavior were significantly worse in subjects with MetS than those without MetS.

Conclusions

The differences in dietary intake between subjects with Mets and without Mets were relatively small. The scores of all the categories in eating behavior were worse in subjects with MetS than without MetS. It was suggested that the problem lay in the quality of diet, not in the quantity, caused by bad eating habits. The potential influence of eating behavior and nutritional intake on MetS was presented in men and women.
Hollow polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foam with a 3D interconnected network for highly sensitive capacitive pressure sensors
Authors: Kim Dong Hwan , Jung Young , Jung Kyungkuk , Kwak Dong Hwa , Park Dong Min , Shin Myung Gyu , Tak Hyeong Jun , Ko Jong Soo
Published: December 2020

We propose a highly sensitive capacitive pressure sensor made of hollow polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foam with a three-dimensional network structure. The stiffness of the foam is adjusted by the viscosity of the PDMS solution. The fabricated PDMS-30 (PDMS 30 wt%) foam shows extremely high porosity (> 86%) approximately 19 times that of bare PDMS (PDMS 100 wt%) foam. Capacitive pressure sensors fabricated using the foam possess high sensitivity, good compressibility (up to 80% strain), and consistent output characteristics in a 2000-cycle test.
Changes in left ventricular electromechanical relations during targeted hypothermia
Authors: Wisløff-Aase Kristin , Kerans Viesturs , Haugaa Kristina , Halvorsen Per Steinar , Skulstad Helge , Espinoza Andreas
Published: December 2020

Background

Targeted hypothermia, as used after cardiac arrest, increases electrical and mechanical systolic duration. Differences in duration of electrical and mechanical systole are correlated to ventricular arrhythmias. The electromechanical window (EMW) becomes negative when the electrical systole outlasts the mechanical systole. Prolonged electrical systole corresponds to prolonged QT interval, and is associated with increased dispersion of repolarization and mechanical dispersion. These three factors predispose for arrhythmias. The electromechanical relations during targeted hypothermia are unknown.

We wanted to explore the electromechanical relations during hypothermia at 33 °C. We hypothesized that targeted hypothermia would increase electrical and mechanical systolic duration without more profound EMW negativity, nor an increase in dispersion of repolarization and mechanical dispersion.

Methods

In a porcine model (n = 14), we registered electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiographic recordings during 38 °C and 33 °C, at spontaneous and atrial paced heart rate 100 beats/min. EMW was calculated by subtracting electrical systole; QT interval, from the corresponding mechanical systole; QRS onset to aortic valve closure. Dispersion of repolarization was measured as time from peak to end of the ECG T wave. Mechanical dispersion was calculated by strain echocardiography as standard deviation of time to peak strain.

Results

Electrical systole increased during hypothermia at spontaneous heart rate (p < 0.001) and heart rate 100 beats/min (p = 0.005). Mechanical systolic duration was prolonged and outlasted electrical systole independently of heart rate (p < 0.001). EMW changed from negative to positive value (− 20 ± 19 to 27 ± 34 ms, p = 0.001). The positivity was even more pronounced at heart rate 100 beats/min (− 25 ± 26 to 41 ± 18 ms, p < 0.001). Dispersion of repolarization decreased (p = 0.027 and p = 0.003), while mechanical dispersion did not differ (p = 0.078 and p = 0.297).

Conclusion

Targeted hypothermia increased electrical and mechanical systolic duration, the electromechanical window became positive, dispersion of repolarization was slightly reduced and mechanical dispersion was unchanged. These alterations may have clinical importance. Further clinical studies are required to clarify whether corresponding electromechanical alterations are accommodating in humans.
Comparison of regional characteristics of land precipitation climatology projected by an MRI-AGCM multi-cumulus scheme and multi-SST ensemble with CMIP5 multi-model ensemble projections
Authors: Ito Rui , Nakaegawa Tosiyuki , Takayabu Izuru
Published: December 2020

Ensembles of climate change projections created by general circulation models (GCMs) with high resolution are increasingly needed to develop adaptation strategies for regional climate change. The Meteorological Research Institute atmospheric GCM version 3.2 (MRI-AGCM3.2), which is listed in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5), has been typically run with resolutions of 60 km and 20 km. Ensembles of MRI-AGCM3.2 consist of members with multiple cumulus convection schemes and different patterns of future sea surface temperature, and are utilized together with their downscaled data; however, the limited size of the high-resolution ensemble may lead to undesirable biases and uncertainty in future climate projections that will limit its appropriateness and effectiveness for studies on climate change and impact assessments. In this study, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the regional precipitation simulated with MRI-AGCM3.2, we investigate how well MRI-AGCM3.2 simulates the present-day regional precipitation around the globe and compare the uncertainty in future precipitation changes and the change projection itself between MRI-AGCM3.2 and the CMIP5 multiple atmosphere–ocean coupled GCM (AOGCM) ensemble. MRI-AGCM3.2 reduces the bias of the regional mean precipitation obtained with the high-performing CMIP5 models, with a reduction of approximately 20% in the bias over the Tibetan Plateau through East Asia and Australia. When 26 global land regions are considered, MRI-AGCM3.2 simulates the spatial pattern and the regional mean realistically in more regions than the individual CMIP5 models. As for the future projections, in 20 of the 26 regions, the sign of annual precipitation change is identical between the 50th percentiles of the MRI-AGCM3.2 ensemble and the CMIP5 multi-model ensemble. In the other six regions around the tropical South Pacific, the differences in modeling with and without atmosphere–ocean coupling may affect the projections. The uncertainty in future changes in annual precipitation from MRI-AGCM3.2 partially overlaps the maximum–minimum uncertainty range from the full ensemble of the CMIP5 models in all regions. Moreover, on average over individual regions, the projections from MRI-AGCM3.2 spread over roughly 0.8 of the uncertainty range from the high-performing CMIP5 models compared to 0.4 of the range of the full ensemble.
Androgen deprivation in prostate cancer: benefits of home-based resistance training
Authors: Lam Teresa , Cheema Birinder , Hayden Amy , Lord Stephen R. , Gurney Howard , Gounden Shivanjini , Reddy Navneeta , Shahidipour Haleh , Read Scott , Stone Glenn , McLean Mark , Birzniece Vita
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has detrimental effects on body composition, metabolic health, physical functioning, bone mineral density (BMD) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in men with prostate cancer. We investigated whether a 12-month home-based progressive resistance training (PRT) programme, instituted at the start of ADT, could prevent these adverse effects.

Methods

Twenty-five patients scheduled to receive at least 12 months of ADT were randomly assigned to either usual care (UC) (n = 12) or PRT (n = 13) starting immediately after their first ADT injection. Body composition, body cell mass (BCM; a functional component of lean body mass), BMD, physical function, insulin sensitivity and HRQOL were measured at 6 weeks and 6 and 12 months. Data were analysed by a linear mixed model.

Results

ADT had a negative impact on body composition, BMD, physical function, glucose metabolism and HRQOL. At 12 months, the PRT group had greater reductions in BCM by − 1.9 ± 0.8 % (p = 0.02) and higher gains in fat mass by 3.1 ± 1.0 % (p = 0.002), compared to the UC group. HRQOL domains were maintained or improved in the PRT versus UC group at 6 weeks (general health,p = 0.04), 6 months (vitality,p = 0.02; social functioning,p = 0.03) and 12 months (mental health,p = 0.01; vitality,p = 0.02). A significant increase in the Matsuda Index in the PRT versus UC group was noted at 6 weeks (p = 0.009) but this difference was not maintained at subsequent timepoints. Between-group differences favouring the PRT group were also noted for physical activity levels (step count) (p = 0.02). No differences in measures of BMD or physical function were detected at any time point.

Conclusion

A home-based PRT programme instituted at the start of ADT may counteract detrimental changes in body composition, improve physical activity and mental health over 12 months.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12616001311448
In vitro antidiabetic potentials, antioxidant activities and phytochemical profile of african black pepper (Piper guineense)
Authors: Sulaimon L. A. , Anise E. O. , Obuotor E. M. , Samuel T. A. , Moshood A. I. , Olajide M. , Fatoke T.
Published: December 2020

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of glucose metabolism and management of blood glucose level is the hallmark in the treatment of this disease. The present study investigated chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of different fractions of 80% methanolPiper guineenseleaves extract.

Materials and methods

The crude methanolic extract ofP. guineensewas obtained following 80% methanol cold extraction and was successively partitioned with dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (nBuOH) and aqueous solvents to give four fractions. The chemical composition of the fractions fromP. guineensewas determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and their potentials as antioxidant and anti-diabetes were evaluated.

Results

The percentage yields were 3.16, 2.22, 0.68 and 0.66% (w/w) in n-butanol, DCM, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions ofP. guineensemethanolic extract, respectively. The GC-MS analyses identified a total of 71 and 34 phytochemicals in n-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions respectively. Tributyl acetylcitrate (10.95%) and phytol (9.11%) were the major components in the n-butanol fraction while ethyl piperonyl cyanoacetate (27.35%) and phytol (15.17%) were the major constituents in the ethyl acetate fraction. Ethyl acetate fraction had the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power with a value of 53.96 ± 0.40 mgAAE/g while n-butanol fraction possessed highest total antioxidant power (9.98 ± 0.15) followed by aqueous fraction (9.72 ± 0.02). The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions with IC50value of 0.24 ± 0.07 and 0.83 ± 0.15 μg/mL respectively elicited significant inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase while only n-butanol fraction (IC50 = 0.33 ± 0.09 μg/ml) exhibited appreciable inhibition against α-amylase activity. However, none of the four fractions showed significant inhibitory activity towards dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV.

Conclusion

n-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions of 80% methanolP. guineenseleaves extract can be a potential source of bioactive compounds of pharmacological importance in the management of diabetes.
Prevalence and determinants of post--abortion family planning utilization in a tertiary Hospital of Northwest Ethiopia: a cross sectional study
Authors: Abate Enyew , Smith Yolanda R. , Kindie Walelign , Girma Addisu , Girma Yonas
Published: December 2020

Background

Provision of post abortion contraception following an abortion is an excellent opportunity to address unmet family planning needs of women. In Ethiopia, post abortion family planning is minimal and underutilized. The objective of this study is to assess determinant factors for utilization of contraception following any abortion process (induced and/or spontaneous) among reproductive age women (15–49 years) in a tertiary hospital of North West Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 423 clients who presented for either spontaneous or induced abortion care from September 2016 to August 2017 in Felege Hiwot referral hospital, North West Ethiopia. Respondents were identified using a consecutive sampling method. Data was collected in clinic using an interviewer administered pre-tested questionnaire administered after services were completed. Factors associated with use of post-abortion family planning were explored using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

64.8% of clients who presented for abortion care received family planning services before discharge from the hospital. Family planning counseling during service provision [AOR: 25.47, 95% CI: (9.11, 71.58)], having previous information about family planning [AOR: 2.16, 95% CI: (1.09, 4.23)], gestational age of index pregnancy less than 3 months [AOR: 1.78, 95% CI:(1.13, 3.05)], being a housewife [AOR: 0.32, 95% CI: (0.16, 0.65)] and monthly income > 5000 ETB [AOR: 0.38, 95% CI:(0.16,0.98)] are significantly associated with post abortion family planning utilization.

Conclusions

The proportion of post abortion family planning utilization is good but could be improved. Education before and especially at the time of abortion services strongly influenced the usage of family planning services. The government and regional health bureau at large as well as health care providers at each health system level have an opportunity to provide information and counsel women on family planning methods to increase utilization of post abortion contraception.
Present status of renal replacement therapy in Asian countries as of 2017: Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia
Authors: Hyodo Toru , Fukagawa Masafumi , Hirawa Nobuhito , Isaka Yoshitaka , Nakamoto Hidetomo , Van Bui Pham , Thwin Khin Thida , Hy Chanseila
Published: December 2020

Since 2015, the Committee of International Communication on Academic Research of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy has held its Asian symposium during the society’s Annual Congress to discuss the present status of and demand for dialysis therapy in Asian countries. The aim of the symposium is to identify needs and find ways to contribute in the area of dialysis therapy in these countries. Three manuscripts are presented here by participants at the 2017 Asian symposium from Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

With economic development, hemodialysis (HD) therapy is now available worldwide. However, the cost of HD is very high compared with the average income in these three countries and, as of 2017, Cambodia and Myanmar have not yet established national health insurance systems. In Cambodia, patients must bear 100% of the cost for dialysis. In Myanmar, the government covers the cost of HD (20 USD, 40% of total cost) in public HD centers, but this service is still insufficient to meet current demand, with long waiting lists of up to 6 months at government HD centers. In contrast, in Vietnam, dialysis is almost completely covered by national health insurance. Dialyzers tend to be reused in all three countries. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is available in Vietnam and Myanmar but not in Cambodia. Viable health insurance systems should be established as soon as possible in Cambodia and Myanmar, although this will ultimately depend on the countries’ level of economic development.
Correction to: The nexus between education and fertility in six European countries
Authors: Impicciatore Roberto , Tomatis Francesca
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Knowledge, attitude and practices about rabies management among human and animal health professionals in Mbale District, Uganda
Authors: Monje Fred , Erume Joseph , Mwiine Frank N. , Kazoora Herbert , Okech Samuel George
Published: December 2020

Objective

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of animal and human health professionals towards rabies management and also to establish the level of relationship between KAP.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2012 and March 2013 among 147 randomly selected animal and human health professionals in Mbale District. Of these, only 16 were animal health professionals. Quantitative data was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire while qualitative data was obtained from 4 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 2 Key Informant (KI) interviews. Quantitative data was entered into EpiInfo version 3.5.1 and proportions computed while qualitative data was summarised into themes and sub-themes resulting from content analysis of interview scripts.

Findings

Of all the respondents, only 44% (65/147) had sufficient knowledge about rabies while 25% (37/147) had positive attitude towards rabies management. A half of the respondents (50%, 73/147) had limited good practices. Respondents knowledgeable about rabies were more likely to have positive attitude towards rabies management (OR = 3.65; 95% CI: 1.60–8.3) while respondents with positive attitudes, were more likely to have good practices towards rabies management (OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.01–4.86).

Conclusion

Respondents had low knowledge, negative attitude and limited good practices of rabies management. Regular refresher trainings about rabies to broaden staff knowledge and improve their attitudes and hence practices of rabies management should be conducted by the District leaders. Harnessing multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaborative efforts (“One Health” approach) for rabies control should be instituted to reduce the incidence of the disease in the District.
Correction to: The role of hepatic transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) during the development of experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver: a biochemical and histomorphometric study
Authors: Awaad Ashraf K. , Kamel Maher A. , Mohamed Magdy M. , Helmy Madiha H. , Youssef Magda I. , Zaki Eiman I. , Essawy Marwa M. , Hegazy Marwa G. A.
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Seismic horizon extraction with dynamic programming
Authors: Yan Shangsheng , Wu Xinming
Published: December 2020

Horizon picking is a fundamental and crucial step for seismic interpretation, but it remains a time-consuming task. Although various automatic methods have been developed to extract horizons in seismic images, most of them may fail to pick horizons across discontinuities such as faults and noise. To obtain more accurate horizons, we have developed a dynamic programming algorithm to efficiently refine manually or automatically extracted horizons so that they can more accurately track reflectors across discontinuities, follow consistent phases, and reveal more geologic details. In this method, we first compute an initial horizon using an automatic method, manual picking, or interpolation with several control points. The initial horizon may not be accurate, and it only needs to follow the general trend of the target horizon. Then, we extract a subvolume of amplitudes centered at the initial horizon and meanwhile flatten the subvolume according to the initial horizon. Finally, we use the dynamic programming to efficiently pick the globally optimal path that passes through the global maximum or minimum amplitudes in the subvolume. As a result, we are able to refine the initial horizon to a more accurate horizon that follows consistent amplitude peaks, troughs, or zero crossings. Because our method does not strictly depend on the initial horizon, we prefer to directly interpolate an initial horizon from a limited number of control points, which is computationally more efficient than automatically or manually picking an initial horizon. In addition, our method is convenient to interactively implement to update the horizon while editing or moving the control points. More importantly, these control points are not required to be exactly placed on the target horizon, which makes the human interaction highly convenient and efficient. We develop our method with multiple 2D and 3D field examples that are complicated by noise, faults, and salt bodies.
Multiwindow weighted stacking of surface-wave dispersion
Authors: Pasquet Sylvain , Wang Wei , Chen Po , Flinchum Brady A.
Published: December 2020

Surface-wave methods are classically used to characterize shear (S-) wave velocities ([Formula: see text]) of the shallow subsurface through the inversion of dispersion curves. When targeting 2D shallow structures with sharp lateral heterogeneity, windowing and stacking techniques can be implemented to provide a better description of [Formula: see text] lateral variations. These techniques, however, suffer from the trade-off between lateral resolution and depth of investigation (DOI), which is well-known when using the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method. We have adopted a novel methodology aimed at enhancing lateral resolution and DOI of MASW results through the use of multiwindow weighted stacking of surface waves (MW-WSSW). MW-WSSW consists of stacking dispersion images obtained from data segments of different sizes, with a wavelength-based weight that depends on the aperture of the data selection window. In that sense, MW-WSSW provides additional weight to short wavelengths in smaller windows so as to better inform shallow parts of the subsurface, and vice versa for deeper velocities. Using multiple windows improves the DOI, whereas applying wavelength-based weights enhances the shallow lateral resolution. MW-WSSW was implemented within the open-source package SWIP and applied to the processing of synthetic and real data sets. In both cases, we compared it with standard windowing and stacking procedures that are already implemented in SWIP. MW-WSSW provided convincing results with optimized lateral extent, improved shallow resolution, and increased DOI.
Variable-order optimal implicit finite-difference schemes for explicit time-marching solutions to wave equations
Authors: Wang Wenhua , Wen Xiaotao , Tang Chao , Li Bo , Li Lei , Wang Wei
Published: December 2020

The time-space-domain finite-difference method (FDM) is widely used in forward modeling of wave equations. Conventional explicit FDMs (EFDMs) (with high order in space and the second order in time) would result in apparent temporal and spatial dispersion for high frequencies and large time steps. Moreover, the saturation effect of Taylor expansion seriously restricts the improvement of bandwidth coverage and efficiency of EFDMs. We have developed a variable-order optimization scheme of the implicit FDM (IFDM) to improve the computational efficiency and numerical accuracy of forward modeling. Then, we applied time-dispersion transforms (TDTs) to filter out the temporal dispersion generated by the second-order temporal approximations. Our method greatly alleviates the saturation effect of the high-order spatial finite-difference (FD) operators. Dispersion analysis indicates that the optimized coefficients of the IFDM based on the Remez algorithm can achieve the widest bandwidth (close to the Nyquist wavenumber), which corresponds to the shortest length of the spatial FD operator under a given error threshold. Our method has great potential to approach the highest spectral accuracy but with minimal increase in computational cost. Numerical experiments indicate that the combination of the variable-order optimization of IFDM and TDTs can significantly reduce numerical dispersion. Compared with traditional methods, our scheme is more advantageous for numerical simulation of large-scale geologic models because it has the least amount of calculation burden under the same accuracy requirements.
Magnetic and gravity investigation of kimberlites in north-central Botswana
Authors: Matende Kitso , Mickus Kevin
Published: December 2020

The Orapa kimberlite field of Botswana is one of the world’s major diamond producing regions. Within this field, there are several small kimberlite pipes that have not been completely explored in terms of their lateral extent, depth, and diamond potential. Two such pipes, BK54 and BK55, were found during a ground gravity and magnetic survey, and subsequent drilling confirmed the presence of kimberlite material. To determine the physical properties of these pipes, their lateral extent, depth, and thickness were estimated using a gravity and magnetic analysis and 2.5D and 3D modeling. Tilt derivatives of the magnetic data indicated that BK54 has a northwest-trending elliptical shape and BK55 has a roughly circular shape. Residual gravity anomaly maps indicate that BK54 does not have a density anomaly whereas BK55 is associated with a gravity maximum. The 3D gravity and magnetic inversion modeling constrained by magnetic susceptibility measurements indicates that BK54 is smaller in volume than BK55 and that neither pipe is thicker than 125 m. The difference in shape and the lack of a gravity anomaly over BK54 implies a different formation mechanism for each kimberlite pipe. Although several mechanisms are suggested, BK54 may have formed by a more explosive eruption producing more tuffistic material in the crater and diatreme facies. The gravity and magnetic analysis also found that the kimberlite pipes, while small, are larger in extent than was determined by drilling and warrant additional drilling to determine their economic potential.
Nanoarchitectonics for Coordination Asymmetry and Related Chemistry
Authors: Ariga Katsuhiko , Shionoya Mitsuhiko
Published: December 2020

Nanoarchitectonics is a concept envisioned to produce functional materials from nanoscale units through fusion of nanotechnology with other scientific disciplines. For component selection, coordination complexes with metallic elements have a wider variety of element selection because metallic elements cover ca. 80% of the periodic table of the elements. Application of nanoarchitectonics approaches to coordination chemistry leads to huge expansion of this concept to a much wider range of elements. Especially, coordination asymmetry strategy architects asymmetrical and/or chiral structures and/or electronic states through formation of metal coordination complexes, leading to functional material systems in certain anisotropy and selectivity. This review article presents expansion of the nanoarchitectonics concept to coordination asymmetry through collecting recent examples in the field of coordination asymmetry. Introduced examples are classified into several categories from various viewpoints: (i) basic molecular and material designs; (ii) specific features depending on interfacial media, space and contact with bio-functions; (iii) functions; (iv) supporting techniques such as analyses and theory.
Prenatal Exercise and Cardiovascular Health (PEACH) Study: Impact on Muscle Sympathetic Nerve (Re)Activity
Authors: SKOW RACHEL J. , FRASER GRAHAM M. , STEINBACK CRAIG D. , DAVENPORT MARGIE H.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Women who develop gestational hypertension have evidence of elevated muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in early pregnancy, which continues to rise after diagnosis. Exercise has been shown to play a preventative role in the development of gestational hypertension and has been shown to reduce resting and reflex MSNA in nonpregnant populations. We sought to investigate whether aerobic exercise affected the sympathetic regulation of blood pressure between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial of structured aerobic exercise (n = 31) compared with no intervention (control, n = 28) beginning at 16–20 wk and continuing until 34–36 wk of gestation (NCT02948439). Women in the exercise group were prescribed aerobic activity at 50%–70% of their heart rate reserve, on 3–4 d·wk−1 for 25–40 min with a 5-min warm-up and 5-min cool-down (i.e., up to 160 min total activity per week). At preintervention and postintervention assessments, data from ~10 min of quiet rest and a 3-min cold pressor test were analyzed to determine sympathetic nervous system activity and reactivity.

Results

MSNA was obtained in 51% of assessments. Resting MSNA burst frequency and burst incidence increased across gestation (main effect of gestational age, P = 0.002). Neurovascular transduction was blunted in the control group (P = 0.024) but not in exercisers (P = 0.873) at the postintervention time point. Lastly, MSNA reactivity during the cold pressor test was not affected by gestational age or exercise (P = 0.790, interaction).

Conclusions

These data show that exercise attenuates both the rise in MSNA and the blunting of neurovascular transduction. This may partially explain the lower risk of developing gestational hypertension in women who are active during their pregnancies.
Blood Glucose Responses during Cardiopulmonary Incremental Exercise Testing in Type 1 Diabetes: A Pooled Analysis
Authors: MCCARTHY OLIVIA , PITT JASON , WELLMAN BEN , ECKSTEIN MAX L. , MOSER OTHMAR , BAIN STEPHEN C. , BRACKEN RICHARD M.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the glycemic responses to cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to explore the influence of starting blood glucose (BG) concentrations on subsequent CPET outcomes.

Methods

This study was a retrospective, secondary analysis of pooled data from three randomized crossover trials using identical CPET protocols. During cycling, cardiopulmonary variables were measured continuously, with BG and lactate values obtained minutely via capillary earlobe sampling. Anaerobic threshold was determined using ventilatory parameters. Participants were split into (i) euglycemic ([Eu] >3.9 to ≤10.0 mmol·L−1, n = 26) and (ii) hyperglycemic ([Hyper] >10.0 mmol·L−1, n = 10) groups based on preexercise BG concentrations. Data were assessed via general linear modeling techniques and regression analyses. P values of ≤0.05 were accepted as significant.

Results

Data from 36 individuals with T1D (HbA1c, 7.3% ± 1.1% [56.0 ± 11.5 mmol·mol−1]) were included. BG remained equivalent to preexercise concentrations throughout CPET, with an overall change in BG of −0.32 ± 1.43 mmol·L−1. Hyper had higher HR at peak (+10 ± 2 bpm, P = 0.04) and during recovery (+9 ± 2 bpm, P = 0.038) as well as lower O2 pulse during the cool down period (−1.6 ± 0.04 mL per beat, P = 0.021). BG responses were comparable between glycemic groups. Higher preexercise BG led to greater lactate formation during exercise. HbA1c was inversely related to time to exhaustion (r = −0.388, P = 0.04) as well as peak power output (r = −0.355, P = 0.006) and O2 pulse (r = −0.308, P = 0.015).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated 1) stable BG responses to CPET in patients with T1D; 2) although preexercise hyperglycemia did not influence subsequent glycemic dynamics, it did potentiate alterations in various cardiac and metabolic responses to CPET; and 3) HbA1c was a significant factor in the determination of peak performance outcomes during CPET.