bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interobserver variability in target volume delineation in definitive radiotherapy for thoracic esophageal cancer: A multi-center study from China
Authors: Chang Xiao , Deng Wei , Wang Xin , Zhou Zongmei , Yang Jun , Guo Wenling , Liu Miaoling , Qi Xiaolu , Li Ling , Zhang Kaixian , Zhang Min , Shi Yonggang , Liu Ke , Zhao Yidian , Wang Huitao , Yu Zhilong , Zhang Jihong , Wang Lihua , Qiao Xueying , Han Chun , Zhu Shuchai , Zhang Ruohui , Chen Junqiang , Hu Cairong , Zhang Fuquan , Hou Xiaorong , Pang Qingsong , Zhang Wencheng , Li Gaofeng , Lin Hailei , Sun Xinchen , Ge Xiaolin , Li Caihong , Ge Hong , Li Dingjie , Wang Yadi , Lu Na , Gao Xianshu , Qin Shangbin , Tian Yuan , Xiao Zefen
Published: July 2020

Purpose: To investigate the interobserver variability (IOV) in target volume delineation of definitive radiotherapy for thoracic esophageal cancer (TEC) among cancer centers in China, and ultimately improve contouring consistency as much as possible to lay the foundation for multi-center prospective studies. Methods: Sixteen cancer centers throughout China participated in this study. In Phase 1, three suitable cases with upper, middle, and lower TEC were chosen, and participants were asked to contour a group of gross tumor volume (GTV-T), nodal gross tumor volume (GTV-N) and clinical target volume (CTV) for each case based on their routine experience. In Phase 2, the same clinicians were instructed to follow a contouring protocol to re-contour another group of target volume. The variation of the target volume was analyzed and quantified using dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Results: Sixteen clinicians provided routine volumes, whereas ten provided both routine and protocol volumes for each case. The IOV of routine GTV-N was the most striking in all cases, with the smallest DSC of 0.37 (95% CI: 0.32-0.42), followed by CTV, whereas GTV-T showed high consistency. After following the protocol, the smallest DSC of GTV-N was improved to 0.64 (95% CI: 0.45-0.83, P=0.005) but the DSC of GTV-T and CTV remained constant in most cases. Conclusion: Variability in target volume delineation was observed, but it could be significantly reduced and controlled using mandatory interventions.
Inositol triphosphate-triggered calcium release blocks lipid exchange at endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi contact sites
Authors: Malek Charles , Wawrzyniak Anna Maria , Koch Peter ,   Christian Lüchtenborg, Hessenberger Manuel , Sachsenheimer Timo , Jang Wonyul , Bruegger Britta , Haucke Volker
Published: July 2020

Vesicular traffic and membrane contact sites between organelles enable the exchange of proteins, lipids, and metabolites. Recruitment of membrane tethers to contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the plasma membrane is often triggered by calcium. In contrast, we reveal here a function for calcium in the repression of cholesterol export at membrane contact sites between the ER and the Golgi complex. We show that calcium efflux from ER stores induced by inositol-triphosphate [IP3] accumulation upon loss of the inositol 5-phosphatase INPP5A or sustained receptor signaling triggers the depletion of cholesterol and associated complex glycosphingolipids from the cell surface, resulting in a blockade of clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE) of bacterial toxins. This phenotype is caused by the calcium-induced dissociation of oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) from the Golgi complex and from VAP-containing membrane contact sites. Our findings reveal a crucial function for INPP5A-mediated IP3 hydrolysis in the control of lipid exchange at membrane contact sites.
Changes in peanut canopy structure and photosynthetic behavior resulting from arbuscular mycorrhizal association in a nutrient-poor environment
Authors: Bi Yinli , huili Zhou , Christie Perer
Published: July 2020

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on peanut in a nutrient-poor environment were investigated by inoculating plants with AMF and comparing plant temporal growth responses to those of uninoculated control plants. As time passed AMF increased plant height, crown width and total leaf area, decreased the tiller angle of the middle and upper canopy, increased the tiller angle of the lower canopy, reduced leaf inclination angle, and increased average leaf area and leaf area index. In addition, AMF increased the net photosynthetic rate, promoted plant nutrient uptake and the development of the plant canopy, thereby increasing the accumulation and yield of substances.
Combined Endoscopic Negative Pressure and Surgical Treatment of Anastomotic Insufficiencies following Oncological Gastrectomy – Recent Results
Authors: Wichmann Doerte , Stüker Dietmar , Thiel Karolin , Lange Jessica , Schempf Ulrike , Werner Christoph R. , Königsrainer Alfred , Schweizer Ulrich , Steger Volker , Häberle Helene Anna , Archid Rami
Published: July 2020

Background and study aims: Management of esophago-jejunal anastomotic leakages (EJAL) following gastrectomy is challenging. Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) is an emerging effective tool for treatment of gastrointestinal and anastomotic leaks. We have been using ENPT as first line therapy for EJAL after oncological gastric resections since 2018. The aim of the study was to present our results with this strategy in a case series. Methods: Nine consecutive patients were treated with ENPT for EJAL after oncological gastrectomy between 01.2018 and 12.2019. A retrospective analysis of patients’ and treatment-related data was performed. Results: Time to leakage detection was 6.00 ± 2.49 days after surgery. After 14.78 ± 9.66 days of ENPT, 6.25 ± 3.65 endoscopies and 38.11 ± 16.46 days of hospitalization, endoscopic treatment with ENPT combined with surgical debridement and drainage for sepsis control was effective in eight of nine patients. In one patient with a complete anastomotic dehiscence, treatment was changed to a stent-based therapy combined with surgery. Conclusions: ENPT is a new and promising option in the complication management of patients with anastomotic insufficiencies following oncological gastrectomy. It can be recommended in combination with limited surgery to preserve the anastomosis and provide sepsis control. The time interval to diagnosis and the size of the insufficiency are important for the success of ENPT in patients with EJAL.
PET/CT Scan as a Surrogate for Treatment Outcomes in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Authors: Khakoo Nidah Shabbir , Isma Safayeth Jabeen , Mirsaeidi Mehdi
Published: July 2020

Background: One of the challenges in treating sarcoidosis is that there is currently no reliable modality to measure disease activity and prognosis. This study was conducted to determine if PET/CT scans could be used to evaluate clinical response to sarcoidosis treatment. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, subjects with symptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis followed by the University of Miami Sarcoidosis program from 2015 through 2018 were assessed. Inclusion criteria were subjects ≥18 years who had histologically-confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis for ≥2 years. Subjects that had PET/CT scans completed prior to starting treatment and approximately one year later were enrolled. Demographics, circulatory blood biomarkers, subjective symptoms, and medications were recorded at baseline (T0) and a year later (T1). Results: Ten subjects with symptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis were enrolled. All subjects had at least one organ affected by sarcoidosis and a highest of five organs involved (mean 2.75, SD 1.21). Mean serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level was 56.0 U/L (SD 43.08), mean lysozyme was 7.78 µg/mL (SD 3.78), and mean C-reactive protein (CRP) was 0.73 mg/dL (SD 0.85) at T0. Further, mean number of positive lesions was 4.27 (SD 2.65) and mean highest SUV was 5.59 (SD 3.59), with a highest of 14.5 at T0. After one year of therapy, a significant improvement in measured outcomes was noted. Dyspnea was absent in all subjects at T1 and only 1 (10%) reported cough at T1. The mean ACE was 42.17 U/L (SD 20.24), mean lysozyme was 6.24 µg/mL (SD 0.80), and mean CRP was 1.67 mg/dL (SD 1.60) at T1. Furthermore, five (50%) subjects were receiving a reduced dose of their respective medication at T1. In terms of PET/CT findings, the mean number of positive lesions decreased at T1 to 1.73 (SD 2.87) and the mean highest SUV decreased to 2.18 (SD 3.3). Conclusion: PET/CT scans can be used as a surrogate modality to help guide treatments in those subjects affected by sarcoidosis, as shown by significant reductions in the involvement of multiple organs. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to explore the potential PET/CT scans have to influence treatment outcomes in sarcoidosis.
Relativistic Compton Wave
Authors: Haug Espen
Published: July 2020

In 1923, Arthur Holly Compton introduced what today is known as the Compton wave. Even if the Compton scattering derivation by Compton is relativistic in the sense that it takes into account the momentum of photons traveling at the speed of light, the original Compton derivation indirectly assumes that the electron is stationary at the moment it is scattered by electrons, but not after it has been hit by photons. Here, we extend this to derive Compton scattering for the case when the electron is initially moving at a velocity v .
Predicting Prognostic Effects of Acupuncture for Depression Using Electroencephalogram
Authors: Fan Xiaomao , Huang Xingxian , Zhao Yang , Wang Lin , Yu Haibo , Zhao Gansen
Published: July 2020

Background: Depression is considered to be a major public health problem with significant implications for individuals and society. Patients with depression can be with complementary therapies such as acupuncture. Predicting the prognostic effects of acupuncture has a big significance of helping physicians to take early interventions for patients with depression and avoid malignant events.Methods: In this work, a novel framework of predicting prognostic effects of acupuncture for depression based on electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings is presented. Specifically, EEG is utilized for predicting prognostic effects of acupuncture. Max-relevance and min-redundancy (mRMR), with merits of removing redundant information among selected features and remaining high relevance between selected features and response variable, is employed to select important lead-rhythm features extracted from EEG recordings. Then, according to the subjects’ HAMD scores before and after acupuncture for 8 weeks, the reduction rate of HAMD score is calculated as a measure of the prognostic effects of acupuncture. Finally, five widely used machine learning methods are utilized for building the predicting models of prognostic effects of acupuncture for depression.Results: Experimental results show that non-linear machine learning methods have better performance than linear ones on predicting prognostic effects of acupuncture using EEG recordings. Especially, the support vector machine with Gaussian kernel (SVM-RBF) can achieve the best and stable performance using the mRMR with both evaluating criteria of FCD and FCQ for feature selection. Both mRMR-FCD and mRMR-FCQ obtain the same best performance, where the accuracy and F1 score are 84.61 % and 86.67 %, respectively. What’s more, lead-rhythm features selected by mRMR-FCD and mRMR-FCQ are analyzed. Top seven selected lead-rhythm features have much higher mRMR evaluating scores, which guarantee the good predicting performance for machine learning methods to some degree.Conclusion: The presented framework in this work is effective in predicting prognostic effects of acupuncture for depression. It can be integrated into an intelligent medical system and provide the information of prognostic effects of acupuncture for physicians. Informed prognostic effects of acupuncture for depression in advance and taking interventions can greatly reduce the risk of malignant events for patients with mental disorders.
Trend of respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 epidemic: comparison between 2020 and the last 5 years
Authors: Wang Le , Yang Shuo , Yan Xiaotong , Liu Teng , Zhao Menchuan , Feng Zhishan , Li Guixia
Published: July 2020

In China, the first SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed in Wuhan on December 8. Spreads in other regions have occurred since the end of January, happens to be the start of Lunar New Year holiday. In this study, we analyzed the prevalence of common respiratory pathogens in children with respiratory infections during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared them with the time trends from 2016 to 2019. Overall, results obtained indicate that the time trend of other respiratory infections were significantly different from previous years, especially the pattern of influenza and Mycoplasma pneumonia. Therefore, in the current scenario of COVID-19 pandemic, other common pathogens testing should not be excluded. The natural home isolation period in new year holiday may weaken the transmission of common respiratory viruses.
Restore of miR-541 resensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine-induced apoptosis through suppression of HAX-1
Authors: Liu Hong , Gan Xuemei , Zhang Jun , Zhang Xingdiao , Xiong Jie , Liu Fengling , Yang Zhongqiu , Wang Xiangxiang , Liu Mingzhong
Published: July 2020

Background: MiR-541 acts as a tumor suppressor in some cancers. However, the role of miR-541 in regulating the chemosensitivity to cancer cells is still unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of miR-541 on chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer (PCa) cells to gemcitabine-induced apoptosis.Methods: Gemcitabine-resistant Panc-1 and Capan-2 PCa cell lines (Panc-1/R and Capan-2/R) were established through long term exposure to gemcitabine. Effect of miR-541 on changing the sensitivity of Panc-1/R and Capan-2/R to gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assays. Regulation of miR-541 on HAX-1 was confirmed by bioinformatics, western blot analysis and luciferase reporter assays. Cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by flow cytometry analysis.Results: Comparison with Panc-1 and Capan-2, downregulation of miR-541 was observed in Panc-1/R and Capan-2/R cells. Overexpression of miR-541 was found to increase the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine to Panc-1/R and Capan-2/R cells. However, transfection with HAX-1 plasmid can abolish the effect of miR-541 on gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity against Panc-1/R and Capan-2/R.Conclusion: Downregulation of miR-541 is responsible for development of gemcitabine resistance in PCa. Overexpression of miR-541 may represent a potential strategy to reverse the chemoresistance of PCa.
Stem Cell-Related Prognostic Signature for Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Huang Zhanghao , Shi Muqi , Zhou Hao , Wang Jinjie , Zhou You Lang , Zhang Hai-Jian , Shi Jia-Hai
Published: July 2020

Background: Adenocarcinoma is characterized by high infiltration and negative growth, which is easy to invade the walls of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The function of the stem cell population is to control and maintain cell regeneration. Therefore, it is necessary to study the prognostic value of stem cells in LUAD.Methods: Stem cells signature construction relies on the univariate, least absolute shrinkage operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Risk plot, Kaplan-Meier analysis and the area under ROC (AUC) are verified the accuracy of the signature in GEO (GSE20319 and GSE42127) and TCGA cohort respectively. What's more, to further improve persuasiveness, we conducted nomogram, drug efficacy analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and compared the relationship between mRNA stem cell index (mRNAsi) and signature.Result: The patients were divided into two groups via the cutoff of risk score; it can be seen that the low-risk group has better survival. The robust signature that contains ten stem cells is independent prognostic factors for LUAD (C6orf62, DNER, NELL2, LATS2, LGR5, PTPRO, LRIG1, PABPC1, NT5E and SET). The nomogram showed that 1-year (0.805), 3-year (0.773), and 5-year (0.765) survival rates of the signature we constructed were all greater than 0.7, indicating that our signature was very feasible.Conclusion: The signature can be used as a reliable and convenient tool for lung adenocarcinoma.
Serum Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5 (FABP5) as a Potential Biomarker of Inflammation in Psoriasis.
Authors: Kozłowska Dorota , Myśliwiec Hanna , Harasim-Symbor Ewa , Milewska Anna , Chabowski Adrian , Flisiak Iwona
Published: July 2020

Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease with cardiometabolic comorbidities. Fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) is elevated in human psoriatic keratinocytes and could be potentially involved in systemic metabolic disturbances. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum FABP5 in psoriatic patients, to assess the relationship between FABP5 and the duration, severity of the disease, inflammatory and metabolic markers and influence of treatment with narrowband UVB (NB-UVB). Methods: A total of 74 patients with active plaque-type psoriasis and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Thirty patients were treated with NB-UVB. Patients were divided into subgroups based on their BMI (Body Mass Index) and disease severity measured by PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). The serum concentrations of FABP5 were measured using commercially available Human FABP5 ELISA kit. Total serum fatty acids content and composition was measured by gas–liquid chromatography and flame ionization detector after direct in situ transesterificationResults: Serum FABP5 levels in psoriatic patients (both obese and non-obese) were higher versus control group (p<0.001). FABP5 in patients with PASI >20 was higher compared to the mild group (PASI <10) (p<0.001) and serum FABP5 correlated positively with PASI score (r=0.41, p<0.001). We found positive correlation between FABP5 and basic inflammation indices: C-reactive protein, white blood cell count and the platelet count. Decrease of PASI after NB-UVB treatment (p<0.001) was observed and accompanied by decrease of the serum FABP5 (p=0.007). Conclusion: FABP5 is a potential marker of psoriasis, its severity and clinical outcome after therapy with NB-UVB. FABP5 may reflect metabolic disturbances and might be the potential missing link between psoriasis and metabolic disturbances.
Gene expression dysregulated of Long Chain Non-coding RNA in patients with idiopathic achalasia: New Insight into Pathogenesis
Authors: Lu Chao , Zhang Hongtao , Wei Furong , Yao Xin , Yu Chaohui
Published: July 2020

Background: Idiopathic achalasia is a primary disorder of esophageal motility characterized by the absence of lower esophageal sphincter (LES). However, the pathogenesis of idiopathic achalasia remains unclear. To further understand the pathogenesis of idiopathic achalasia, we conducted lncRNA and mRNA microarray analyses.Methods: LES specimens used for microarray were collected from five idiopathic achalasia and four control patients undergoing total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Potential target genes with significantly changed lncRNA and mRNA were predicted using cis/trans-regulatory algorithms, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis to further understand the biophysical effect.Results: In this study, 3136 significantly upregulated and 3997 significantly downregulated mRNAs were identified, along with 6892 significantly dysregulated lncRNAs (4900 increased and 1992 decreased lncRNAs). Biophysical function analysis of these RNAs revealed that the cell adhesion molecule (CAM) pathway was a common pathway. The predicted lncRNA targets of NRXN1 (Down FC: 9.07), NTNG2 (UP FC: 2.75), CADM1 (Down FC: 2.26), NLGN1 (Down FC: 4.60), NEGR1 (Down FC: 2.335), CD22 (Down FC: 5.62), HLA-DQB1 (Down FC: 5.06), and HLA-DOA (Down FC: 2.31) were inputted in this pathway, which were mainly located in the synapse part of the neural system and immune system. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the lncRNAs and corresponding mRNAs that play critical roles in idiopathic achalasia. Our findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Role Of Viral Coinfections In Asthma Development In Children With Severe Bronchiolitis In Early Childhood
Authors: Ruiz Sara , Calvo Cristina , Pozo Francisco , Casas Inmaculada , García-García María Luz
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND. Severe viral bronchiolitis is associated with a higher risk of developing asthma, but little is known about the medium-term prognosis and the lung function evolution of patients admitted for viral coinfection-associated bronchiolitis. Our main objective was to compare the lung function, the prevalence of asthma and the rate of allergic sensitization at 6-9 years in children hospitalized for bronchiolitis with viral coinfection versus single viral infection.METHODS. Observational, longitudinal study in children previously hospitalized for viral bronchiolitis with current age between 6-9 years. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected. Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide determination, spirometry and skin prick test for common aeroallergens were performed.RESULTS. A total of 244 bronchiolitis-admitted children (52 coinfections and 192 single infections), with current age 6-9 years, accepted to participate by telephone answering the clinical questionnaires. Of them, 181 patients agreed for a medical visit. The overall frequency of asthma was 21%, being this prevalence almost twice as high in the viral coinfection group (p = 0.049). The coinfection cohort had more than twice as many admissions (p = 0.04), was more likely to receive montelukast (p = 0.06) and salmeterol/fluticasone treatment (p = 0.03) than the single-infection one. No differences regarding lung function values or allergic sensitization rate were observed between both groups.The variables independently related to current asthma at 6-9 years were: viral coinfection during bronchiolitis (p = 0.004), allergic rhinitis (p = 0.001), food allergy (p = 0.05) and atopic dermatitis (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS. Severe bronchiolitis associated with double or multiple viral detection in the first 24 months is an independent risk factor for higher frequency and greater severity of asthma at 6-9 years, being this risk almost three times higher compared to single infection. This fact is suggested by the higher frequency of current asthma, symptoms in intercrisis periods, maintenance anti-asthma treatment and number of hospitalizations for recurrent wheezing in children with coinfection compared to single infection. Early viral etiology identification in severe bronchiolitis might facilitate the prompt prediction and treatment of asthma in school age.
Immature Squamous Metaplasia of Esophageal Glands Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Case Report
Authors: Verset Laurine , Huberty Vincent , Bourgeois Vincent , Lemmers Arnaud , Demetter Pieter
Published: July 2020

Background: Esophageal immature squamous metaplasia is poorly reported in the literature. This entity can, however, be misinterpreted as high grade dysplasia or invasive squamous cell carcinoma and hence represent a potential pitfall. Case presentation: Histopathological examination of a superficial esoophageal lesion removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection revealed a squamous cell carcinoma associated with immature squamous cell metaplasia arising from esophageal glands. Immunohistochemical stainings allowed to distinguish malignant from metaplastic cells.Conclusions: Immunohistochemistry for Ber-EP4 is helpful in making the distinction between esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and immature squamous metaplasia. This can avoid overstaging and overtreatment, especially in early esophageal cancer.
Detection of Carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from Environmental Sources in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria.
Authors: Aghanya Iloduba Nnaemeka , Akujobi Comfort Nne , Ushie Simon Nkpeh , Ubajaka Chika Florence , Ajuba Ijeoma Maryrose , Ezeama Chibuike Jesse , Maduekwe Nkechi Perpetua , Uzoewulu Ngozichukwu Gertrude , Chigbo Chisom Godswill
Published: July 2020

Objective: The acquisition of carbapenemase-producing organisms in healthcare settings is a major threat and has serious implications for public health. This study aimed at determining the occurrence of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the ward environments of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.Results: A total of 142 bacteria were isolated from 534 formites in the hospital wards, and of the 142 isolates, 15(10.6%) were confirmed to be Klebsiella pneumoniae. The prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae in all the 534 samples was 15/534(2.8%), while the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was 8/534(1.5%). Multi-drug Resistance was detected in 15/15(100%) of the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated. Although no Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase (blaKPC) gene was expressed in any of these isolates, 8/15(53.3%) of these isolates were confirmed positive for cabapenemase production using a phenotypic detection method- Modified Hodge Test. The commonest sites that harboured carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae were the beds 6/15(40%). The organisms showed maximum resistance (100%) to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cefuroxime and tetracycline, while the highest sensitivities were seen in the carbapenems especially imipenem (73.3%). It was concluded that carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were present in the study site, thus, buttressing the need for reinforcements of infection control policies in hospital settings.
Genetic differentiation and restricted gene flow in rice landraces from Yunnan, China: effects of isolation-by-distance and isolation-by-environment
Authors: Cui Di , Tang Cuifeng , Lu Hongfeng , Li Jinmei , Ma Xiaoding , A Xinxiang , Han Bing , Yang Yayun , Dong Chao , Zhang Feifei , Dai Luyuan , Han Longzhi
Published: July 2020

Background

Understanding and identifying the factors responsible for genetic differentiation is of fundamental importance for efficient utilization and conservation of traditional rice landraces. In this study, we examined the spatial genetic differentiation of 594 individuals sampled from 28 locations in Yunnan Province, China, covering a wide geographic distribution and diverse growing conditions. All 594 accessions were studied using ten unlinked target genes and 48 microsatellite loci, and the representative 108 accessions from the whole collection were sampled for resequencing.
Results

The genetic diversity of rice landraces was quite different geographically and exhibited a geographical decline from south to north in Yunnan, China. Population structure revealed that the rice landraces could be clearly differentiated into japonica and indica groups, respectively. In each group, the rice accessions could be further differentiated corresponded to their geographic locations, including three subgroups from northern, southern and middle locations. We found more obvious internal geographic structure in the japonica group than in the indica group. In the japonica group, we found that genetic and phenotypic differentiation were strongly related to geographical distance, suggesting a pattern of isolation by distance (IBD); this relationship remained highly significant when we controlled for environmental effects, where the likelihood of gene flow is inversely proportional to the distance between locations. Moreover, the gene flow also followed patterns of isolation by environment (IBE) whereby gene flow rates are higher in similar environments. We detected 314 and 216 regions had been differentially selected between Jap-N and Jap-S, Ind-N and Ind-S, respectively, and thus referred to as selection signatures for different geographic subgroups. We also observed a number of significant and interesting associations between loci and environmental factors, which implies adaptation to local environment.
Conclusion

Our findings highlight the influence of geographical isolation and environmental heterogeneity on the pattern of the gene flow, and demonstrate that both geographical isolation and environment drives adaptive divergence play dominant roles in the genetic differentiation of the rice landraces in Yunnan, China as a result of limited dispersal.
Determination of heavy metal content in surface sediments and soil from the River Nile Khartoum City (Sudan)
Authors: Shumo Muna I. , Mohammed Mazin M. , Musa Hawa A. , Khider Tarig Osman
Published: July 2020

The surface sediment and surface soil samples were taken from the River Nile (Abroof, Shambat, AL-Halfaia, and AL-Hetana), Khartoum, to determine the available levels of Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), and Cadmium (cd) to establish a baseline concentration of each of these available metals, and to investigate their possible correlations with soil and sediment properties. The content of each of the three heavy metals in soil and sediment samples was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy, AAS.The values of Zinc in the soil and sediment samples, were found to be between (0.192 to 0.294 ppm) and (0.101 to 0.181) respectively, showing the highest content in soil and sediment samples in Shambat (S) and Abroof (A), and the lowest values recorded for samples in AL-Halfia (H) and AL-Hetana (E). While Lead content was ranged between (0.105 to 0.136 ppm) for soils samples (AL-Hetana(E) and Shambat(S)), and (0.078 to 0.141) for sediment samples (Abroof(A) and shambat (S)). Whereas, content for Cadmium ranged between (0.010 to 0.015 ppm) for soil samples Shambat, AL-Hetana and Abroof and (0.011 to 0.016) for sediment samples Shambat, AL-Halfia and Abroof.Soil and sediment physicochemical properties (pH, temperature & conductivity) were found to be correlated with the available heavy metals content, suggesting that the enhanced mobility of heavy metals are related to anthropogenic activities, the high percentage of organic carbon in soil (11.6%) and sediment (15.0%).
Thromboprophylaxis, Delta SOFA and Main Outcomes in Ventilated Patients: An Analysis of the MIMIC-III Clinical Database
Authors: Bastola Mrigendra M. , Locatis Craig , Fontelo Paul
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Critical care patients are at higher risk for thromboembolic disorders. There are limited studies regarding the effect of Heparin, Warfarin, Enoxaparin and Aspirin on ventilated patients, who are likely to both benefit from prophylaxis and suffer from adverse effects of blood thinners. Methods: This study analyzed the MIMIC-III clinical database on 4192 ventilated patients using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS, Version 9.4). Relevant data was systematically analyzed on the thromboprophylaxis agents and their effects on major treatment outcomes. Parameters studied were the length of ventilation, length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stays, ICU mortality, inpatient mortality, improvement in SOFA score, and occurrence of major thromboembolic events such as pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Results: Except Aspirin, all thromboprophylactic agents showed statistically significant reduction on ICU mortality. None of the blood thinners showed statistically significant reduction in occurrences of pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis. Heparin, Warfarin and Enoxaparin had adjusted Odds ratios of 0.59(p<0.01, 0.47-0.77), 0.23(p<0.05, 0.1-0.57) and 0.36(P<0.05, 0.16-0.83) for ICU mortality. Heparin, Warfarin and Enoxaparin had adjusted Odds ratios of 0.51(p<0.01, 0.38-0.68), 0.19(p<0.01, 0.06-0.59) and 0.42(P=0.06, 0.17-1.05) for overall ventilated patient hospital mortality, including after transfers to the inpatient ward.. Only Heparin (P<0.05, OR 1.52(1.07-2.15)) was associated with thrombocytopenia episodes, which required platelets transfusion. None of the drugs showed statistically significant relationships with development of thromboembolic events after thromboprophylaxis. Only Heparin had mild effect on improvement in sequential organ failure assessment (delta SOFA) scores at 7 and 10 day after ICU admission (P<0.05, OR 1.17 (1.03-1.32)). Conclusion: Although the results supported the use of thromboprophylaxis in ventilated patients to improve treatment outcomes and decrease thromboembolic events, no benefits were indicated for using newer blood thinners (Enoxaparin) than older ones (Heparin & Warfarin). The results of this analysis might help practitioners select, maintain, and switch blood thinners in ventilated patients.
Clot Waveform of APTT Has Abnormal Patterns in Subjects with COVID-19
Authors: Shimura Takuya , Kurano Makoto , Kanno Yoshiaki , Ikeda Mahoko , Okamoto Koh , Jubishi Daisuke , Harada Sohei , Okugawa Shu , Moriya Kyoji , Yatomi Yutaka
Published: July 2020

In Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) subjects, recent evidence suggests the presence of unique coagulation abnormalities. In this study, we performed clot waveform analyses to investigate whether specific modulations are observed in COVID-19 subjects. We analyzed the second derivative of the absorbance in routine APTT tests performed using an ACL-TOP system. We observed high frequencies of abnormal patterns in APTT second-derivative curves that could be classified into an early shoulder type, a late shoulder type, or a biphasic type, high maximum first-derivative and second-derivative peak levels, and a low minimum second-derivative peak level in COVID-19 subjects. These modulations were not observed in subjects with disseminated intravascular coagulation. These abnormal patterns are also observed in patients with lupus anticoagulant, hemophilia, or factor IX deficiency. The plasma fibrinogen levels might also be involved in the abnormal APTT waveforms, especially the high maximum first-derivative and second-derivative peak levels. The abnormal patterns in the APTT second-derivative curves appear with highest frequency at around 2 weeks after the onset of COVID-19 and were not associated with the severity of COVID-19. These results suggest the possible presence of a specific abnormal coagulopathy in COVID-19.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION TOWARDS GRAMMAR ASSESSMENT IN THE EFL CLASSROOM
Authors: Rahman Fadhlur
Published: July 2020

The present study aimed to explore how grammar assessment in the EFL classroom has been implemented at the English Department of the State Islamic University of Ar-Raniry (UIN Ar-Raniry). The researcher investigated the learners’ perspectives regarding the congruence of the grammar assessment with the planned learning, assessment authenticity, transparency, and their capability in the classroom. A total of 69 fourth-year students of the English Department responded to the questionnaire with 24-five-point Likert scale items. The quantitative data of Students’ Perceptions of Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) items were descriptively analysed by using the SPSS16 program. The result presented significant insights into the ways students perceive grammar classroom assessments. The study showed that students felt a slight congruence between grammar assessment and planned learning, as well as inadequate transparency regarding the purpose, authenticity, and the forms of the assessment process. Equally important, the result shows that students perceive their capability are somewhat unsatisfied.
Mecanismos utilizados para medir capacidades de innovación tecnológica en las organizaciones: resultados desde un análisis bibliométrico
Authors: Gómez Cano Claudia Marcela , Valencia Arias Jhoany Alejandro
Published: July 2020

Las Capacidades de Innovación Tecnológica son un factor crítico dentro de las organizaciones para responder a los avances tecnológicos y la intensificación del conocimiento; por lo que la utilización de mecanismos para medirlas se convierte en una valiosa herramienta para el diagnóstico y la formulación de políticas que favorecen la gestión tecnológica. Dada esta necesidad, el objetivo de este artículo es identificar los mecanismos utilizados para la medición de Capacidades de Innovación Tecnológica, a partir de análisis bibliométrico. Entre los resultados se indica que estas capacidades pueden ser mediadas a través de variables cualitativas y cuantitativas usando el Análisis Envolvente de Datos (DEA), Lógica Difusa, Procesos de Análisis Jerárquicos, entre otros; sin embargo, cada empresa puede adoptar una herramienta propia que permita medir sus capacidades teniendo en cuenta las características y variables propias de cada sector al que pertenece. Finalmente se concluye que el tema es relevante para las organizaciones, pues las Capacidades de Innovación Tecnológica, potencializan la innovación, el desarrollo tecnológico, la generación de conocimiento, la investigación y, por ende, generan ventajas competitivas y un mejor desempeño empresarial.
Role of leaders in building organizational readiness to change – case study at public health centers in Indonesia
Authors: Dwi Wulandari Ratna , Supriyanto Stefanus , Bagus Qomaruddin Mochammad , Anita Damayanti Nyoman , Dwi Laksono Agung
Published: July 2020

Leaders play a strategic role in the process of organizational change. Various studies were conducted to show the role of leaders in succeeding change. One famous concept of leaders’ role was the Mintzberg managerial role, which divides the role of the leader into three main roles: interpersonal, informational, and decisional. This research was conducted to explore the leaders’ role in creating organizational readiness to change. The study was conducted at 40 government-owned public health centers in Indonesia, involving 190 midwives as respondents. The study results show that all three leader’s roles were well implemented by the head of the public health center with the best score in the informational role. However, organizational readiness to change at public health centers is not on the same level. The linear regression test indicates that the decisional role has the largest contribution in building the organizational readiness to change. The successfully implemented role of entrepreneurs, disturbance handlers, resource allocators, and negotiators was the key to the successful implementation of changes. Therefore, the advice given was the need for leaders to improve their decision abilities so that the organizational readiness to change becomes better.
Acknowledgment The researcher thanked the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Republic of Indonesia, for funding this research.
Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: from clinical research to practical application
Authors: Lashch N. Yu.
Published: July 2020

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease with a multifactorial etiology of development. MS in most cases has a wave-like course (periods of exacerbations and remissions), over time, the disease becomes progressive, which worsens the quality of life of patients. The drugs disease-modifying therapies (DMT) has been actively used in clinical practice for more than 30 years to prevent exacerbations and progression of MS. In patients with MS, in which the disease occurs with frequent exacerbations and signs of radiological activity of the demyelinating process, according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord, it is recommended to use monoclonal antibody preparations. The only drug registered for the treatment of primary progressive MS is ocrelizumab. In addition, ocrelizumab is indicated for patients with remitting and secondary progressive MS. Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes a population of CD20+ B cells. The article presents data from clinical studies of OPERA I and OPERA II and describes a clinical case from the practice of a neurologist. Depletion of the B cell population is achieved by several mechanisms, including antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis, antibody-dependent T cell-mediated cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and apoptosis induction. The issues of efficacy and safety of ocrelizumab therapy in patients with MS are considered.
Identification of Cancer Biomarkers in Human Body Fluids by Using Enhanced Physicochemical-incorporated Evolutionary Conservation Scheme
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Yu , Li Yanlin , Guo Song , Yang Guifu
Published: July 2020

Objective:

Cancer is one of the most serious diseases affecting human health. Among all current
cancer treatments, early diagnosis and control significantly help increase the chances of cure. Detecting
cancer biomarkers in body fluids now is attracting more attention within oncologists. In-silico
predictions of body fluid-related proteins, which can be served as cancer biomarkers, open a door for
labor-intensive and time-consuming biochemical experiments.

Methods:

In this work, we propose a novel method for high-throughput identification of cancer biomarkers
in human body fluids. We incorporate physicochemical properties into the weighted observed
percentages (WOP) and position-specific scoring matrices (PSSM) profiles to enhance their attributes
that reflect the evolutionary conservation of the body fluid-related proteins. The least absolute selection
and shrinkage operator (LASSO) feature selection strategy is introduced to generate the optimal feature
subset.

Results:

The ten-fold cross-validation results on training datasets demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed
model. We also test our proposed method on independent testing datasets and apply it to the identification
of potential cancer biomarkers in human body fluids.

Conclusion:

The testing results promise a good generalization capability of our approach.
Nanomaterial LaNiTiO3-Fe3O4-based Peroxidase Biomimetic Sensor with High Sensitivity
Authors: Xu Yanhong , Sun Ying , Feng Qiao
Published: July 2020

Background:

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is widely used in various fields and it plays a
quintessential role in a variety of biomolecular processes. H2O2 concentration level is an essential biological
parameter in monitoring and maintaining the physiological balance of a living cell, and its
variation causes some related diseases. Therefore, it is extremely significant to fabricate biosensor
with low cost, which can quickly, accurately and sensitively detect H2O2 in a wide range. The aims
of this paper are to explore a novel electrochemical sensor with high intrinsic peroxidase-like activity,
high sensitivity and stability to effectively detect H2O2 concentration in real samples.

Methods:

The chemically modified electrode LaNiTiO3-Fe3O4/GCE was fabricated based on the nanomaterial
LaNiTiO3-Fe3O4 by a simple process, and its electrochemical properties were investigated
in the supporting electrolyte of 0.1 M NaOH by the techniques of cyclic voltammetry and currenttime
curves on an electrochemical workstation with a conventional three-electrode system.

Results:

LaNiTiO3-Fe3O4 nanoparticles show good peroxidase-like activity for H2O2 at a low applied
potential of +0.50 V. Under the optimum conditions, the peroxidase biomimetic sensor LaNiTiO3-Fe3O4/GCE exhibited a wide linear response for H2O2 oxidation in the range of 0.05 μM - 3.0 mM (R
= 0.9994) with a high sensitivity of 3946.2 μA·mM-1·cm-2 and fast response time of 2 s; besides, the
detection limit of H2O2 was found to be ca. 5.15 nM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the biosensor exhibited
good repeatability, stability and anti-interference. Satisfactory results were obtained when the sensor
LaNiTiO3-Fe3O4/GCE was applied to determine H2O2 in real samples. All of these results provide
support to practical application.

Conclusion:

A highly sensitive peroxidase biomimetic sensor based on LaNiTiO3-Fe3O4 with nanoscaled
material has been successfully explored, and shows good activity for H2O2. The proposed biosensor
with simple and low cost exhibited excellent advantages of quick response, wide linear range,
low detection limit, high sensitivity, long-term stability and good anti-interference ability, which offer
promising applications.
Melia azedarach Activated Carbon and its novel TiO2 Nanocomposite for Chemisorption and Photodecoloration of Reactive Orange 16: Isotherm and Kinetic Modeling
Authors: Shah Jehanzeb A. , Ashfaq Tayyab , Khan Muhammad S. , Riaz Nadia , Shah Khizar H. , Arshad Muhammad , Shah Sajid H. , Amin Bilal A.Z. , Arfan Muhammad , Zhang Yongqing , Bilal Muhammad
Published: July 2020

Background:

Bulk generated textile wastewater loaded with dyes is posing a stern threat
to aquatic health, especially when dumped without prior treatment. Lignocellulosic waste based activated
carbon (AC) and Titania (TiO2) suspension can constitute the emerging technological solution.

Objectives:

Best lignocellulosic precursor biomass, Melia azedarach (Darek sawdust - DSD), was
selected for ortho-phosphoric acid impregnated AC production and novel AC-DSD-TiO2 nanocomposite
was developed. AC-DSD and AC-DSD-TiO2 nanocomposites were employed for reactive orange
16 (RO16) dye adsorption in batch and decoloration in photocatalytic reactors, respectively.

Methods:

Materials were characterized by Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion
X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). For AC-DSD production,
the raw powdered biomass of DSD impregnated (value = 2) with H3PO4 at room temperature
and after shaking, was placed in a muffle furnace at 100°C for 12 h in glass tubes and subsequently
carbonized at a high temperature of 400°C for 30 min. Batch reactor parameters for the ACDSD-
RO16 system were optimized as a function of contact time, adsorbent dose, temperature, initial
dye concentration and pH. For AC-DSD-TiO2 nanocomposite synthesis, AC-DSD and TiO2 paste
was dried in the furnace at 90°C and calcined at 300°C and stored in a desiccator.

Results:

AC-DSD exhibited RO16 adsorption capacity of 92.84 mg/g. The experimental data were
best described by Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms with high R2 of 0.9995 and 0.9895
and closeness of predicted adsorption capacities of 94.15 and 88.58 mg/g respectively. This determines
the chemisorption nature for RO16 adsorption onto AC-DSD. The experimental data was well
explained by the pseudo-second order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters also suggest the
endothermic, chemisorption and spontaneous adsorption reaction. Photocatalytic studies of novel
AC-DSD-TiO2 revealed the higher Kc = 0.1833 value over Kad= 0.0572.

Conclusions:

Melia azedarach AC-DSD and its novel AC-DSD-TiO2 nanocomposite prove that these
materials could provide an optimal solution for treating textile dye solutions effectively as the good
adsorbent and photocatalyst.