bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regenerative capacity of the corneal transition zone for endothelial cell therapy
Authors: Sie Nicole Ming , Yam Gary Hin-Fai , Soh Yu Qiang , Lovatt Matthew , Dhaliwal Deepinder , Kocaba Viridiana , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: December 2020

The corneal endothelium located on the posterior corneal surface is responsible for regulating stromal hydration. This is contributed by a monolayer of corneal endothelial cells (CECs), which are metabolically active in a continuous fluid-coupled efflux of ions from the corneal stroma into the aqueous humor, preventing stromal over-hydration and preserving the orderly arrangement of stromal collagen fibrils, which is essential for corneal transparency. Mature CECs do not have regenerative capacity and cell loss due to aging and diseases results in irreversible stromal edema and a loss of corneal clarity. The current gold standard of treatment for this worldwide blindness caused by corneal endothelial failure is the corneal transplantation using cadaveric donor corneas. The top indication is Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy/degeneration, which represents 39% of all corneal transplants performed. However, the global shortage of transplantable donor corneas has restricted the treatment outcomes, hence instigating a need to research for alternative therapies. One such avenue is the CEC regeneration from endothelial progenitors, which have been identified in the peripheral endothelium and the adjacent transition zone. This review examines the evidence supporting the existence of endothelial progenitors in the posterior limbus and summarizes the existing knowledge on the microanatomy of the transitional zone. We give an overview of the isolation and ex vivo propagation of human endothelial progenitors in the transition zone, and their growth and differentiation capacity to the corneal endothelium. Transplanting these bioengineered constructs into in vivo models of corneal endothelial degeneration will prove the efficacy and viability, and the long-term maintenance of functional endothelium. This will develop a novel regenerative therapy for the management of corneal endothelial diseases.
Nutrient removal and carbohydrate production potential of indigenous Scenedesmus sp. grown in anaerobically digested brewery wastewater
Authors: Yirgu Zenebe , Leta Seyoum , Hussen Ahmed , Khan Mohammed Mazharuddin
Published: December 2020

Background

The combination of nutrient removal using microalgae from wastewater with carbohydrate production has been considered as a promising approach for sustainable wastewater treatment and production of valuable products such as biofuels. In Ethiopia, urbanization and industrial development are not in tandem with wastewater treatment system The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient removal and carbohydrate production potential of the indigenous microalgae Scenedesmus sp. grown in anaerobically digested brewery wastewater. The indigenous Scenedesmus sp. was grown in an anaerobically digested brewery effluent in different seasons of the year. The biomass was converted into carbohydrate using microwave, autoclave, and oven as pretreatment, followed by optimization for acid concentrations and hydrolysis time.

Result

The overall removal efficiencies for the indigenous Scenedesmus sp. based wastewater treatment system were over 99%, 92%, 63%, 65% and 75% for NH4+-N, TN, PO43− -P, TP and COD, respectively. The concentrations of final effluent quality of these parameters except for phosphorus nutrient were below the permissible discharge limit for brewery effluent standard set by Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority. With regard to carbohydrate production, microwave-assisted acid hydrolysis with HCl produced a higher total sugar than that of autoclave and oven pretreatments. Among acid concentrations, HCl with 3 N produced a higher total sugar, which is significantly different (P < 0.05) to the other acid concentrations. The highest total sugar (233.89 mg g−1) was obtained from microalgal biomass during the 20 min hydrolysis time with 3 N HCl and 5% (w/v) biomass at 1000 watts and 1200C.

Conclusions

This study showed that there is an opportunity for using the indigenous microalgae for sustainable wastewater treatment and for carbohydrate production that uses as bioethanol source in Ethiopia.
Histopathological and microbiological study of porcine lymphadenitis: contributions to diagnosis and control of the disease
Authors: Cardoso-Toset Fernando , Gómez-Laguna Jaime , Gómez-Gascón Lidia , Rodríguez-Gómez Irene M. , Galán-Relaño Angela , Carrasco Librado , Tarradas Carmen , Vela Ana I. , Luque Inmaculada
Published: December 2020

Tuberculosis like lesions (TBL) in free-range pigs are characterised by presenting a marked heterogeneity in pathology and microbiology features, with a notorious role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), Trueperella pyogenes and different Streptococcus species. However, the capacity of these microorganism to spread to different organic cavities leading to a generalised disease is unknown. Therefore, this study evaluated the organic distribution of these agents in free-range pig carcasses whole condemned due to generalised TBL.

A total of 37 totally condemned animals were analysed, and samples of lymph nodes and organs were obtained (n = 262) and subjected to histopathological and microbiological examination. In addition, T. pyogenes and streptococci species were further characterised by PFGE analysis. Two different patterns were evidenced with lack or occasional lesions in superficial inguinal (SILN) and popliteal (PLN) lymph nodes and advanced lesions in submandibular (SLN) (35/36) and gastrohepatic (GHLN) (33/35) lymph nodes (stages III and IV). Early stage granulomas (stage I and II) prevailed in lungs (16/20), liver (14/31) and spleen (7/18). The microbiological analysis revealed that MTC, detected by qPCR, was present in 31 out of 37 animals and 90 (90/262) samples. In 26 out of the 31 pigs, MTC was detected from two or more organs. SLN (24/31) and GHLN (19/31) were the MTC+ organs most frequently detected, with 29 out of 31 MTC+ pigs detected as positive in one or both samples, which points out that both lymph nodes must be included in the sampling of surveillance programs. Other pathogens, such as T. pyogenes and Streptococcus spp., were also involved in generalised lymphadenitis, being frequently isolated from SLN and other organs, such as liver (T. pyogenes), tonsils or lung (Streptococcus spp.). A wide genetic diversity among streptococci was observed, showing the ubiquitous character of these pathogens, however, the isolation of a single clone of T. pyogenes from different organic locations from animals with generalised TBL was a common finding of this study, highlighting that the role of this pathogen in porcine lymphadenitis may be underestimated. These results should be considered in future studies on the pathogenesis and control of porcine lymphadenitis.
Development and internal validation of a predictive risk model for anxiety after completion of treatment for early stage breast cancer
Authors: Harris Jenny , Purssell Edward , Cornelius Victoria , Ream Emma , Jones Anne , Armes Jo
Published: December 2020

Objective

To develop a predictive risk model (PRM) for patient-reported anxiety after treatment completion for early stage breast cancer suitable for use in practice and underpinned by advances in data science and risk prediction.

Methods

Secondary analysis of a prospective survey of > 800 women at the end of treatment and again 6 months later using patient reported outcome (PRO) the hospital anxiety and depression scale-anxiety (HADS-A) and > 20 candidate predictors. Multiple imputation using chained equations (for missing data) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to select predictors. Final multivariable linear model performance was assessed (R2) and bootstrapped for internal validation.

Results

Five predictors of anxiety selected by LASSO were HADS-A (Beta 0.73; 95% CI 0.681, 0.785); HAD-depression (Beta 0.095; 95% CI 0.020, 0.182) and having caring responsibilities (Beta 0.488; 95% CI 0.084, 0.866) increased risk, whereas being older (Beta − 0.010; 95% CI -0.028, 0.004) and owning a home (Beta 0.432; 95% CI -0.954, 0.078) reduced the risk. The final model explained 60% of variance and bias was low (− 0.006 to 0.002).

Conclusions

Different modelling approaches are needed to predict rather than explain patient reported outcomes. We developed a parsimonious and pragmatic PRM. External validation is required prior to translation to digital tool and evaluation of clinical implementation. The routine use of PROs and data driven PRM in practice provides a new opportunity to target supportive care and specialist interventions for cancer patients.
Prostate Radiotherapy With Adjuvant Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) Improves Metastasis-Free Survival Compared to Neoadjuvant ADT: An Individual Patient Meta-Analysis
Authors: Spratt Daniel E. , Malone Shawn , Roy Soumyajit , Grimes Scott , Eapen Libni , Morgan Scott C. , Malone Julia , Craig Julia , Dess Robert T. , Jackson William C. , Hartman Holly E. , Kishan Amar U. , Mehra Rohit , Kaffenberger Samuel , Morgan Todd M. , Reichert Zachery R. , Alumkal Joshi J. , Michalski Jeff , Lee W. Robert , Pisansky Thomas M. , Feng Felix Y. , Shipley William , Sandler Howard M. , Schipper Mathew J. , Roach Mack , Sun Yilun , Lawton Colleen A. F.
Published: December 2020

PURPOSE

There remains a lack of clarity regarding the influence of sequencing of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and radiotherapy (RT) on outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa). Herein, we evaluate the optimal sequencing of ADT with prostate-directed RT in localized PCa.

METHODS

MEDLINE (1966-2018), Embase (1982-2018), ClinicalTrials.gov, and conference proceedings (1990-2018) were searched to identify randomized trials evaluating the sequencing, but not duration, of ADT with RT. Two randomized phase III trials were identified, and individual patient data were obtained: Ottawa 0101 and NRG Oncology's Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9413. Ottawa 0101 randomly assigned patients to neoadjuvant or concurrent versus concurrent or adjuvant short-term ADT. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9413, a 2 × 2 factorial trial, included a random assignment of neoadjuvant or concurrent versus adjuvant short-term ADT. The neoadjuvant or concurrent ADT arms of both trials were combined into the neoadjuvant group, and the arms receiving adjuvant ADT were combined into the adjuvant group. The primary end point of this meta-analysis was progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 14.9 years. Overall, 1,065 patients were included (531 neoadjuvant and 534 adjuvant). PFS was significantly improved in the adjuvant group (15-year PFS, 29% v 36%, hazard ratio [HR], 1.25 [95% CI, 1.07 to 1.47], P = .01). Biochemical failure (subdistribution HR [sHR], 1.37 [95% CI, 1.12 to 1.68], P = .002), distant metastasis (sHR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.00 to 1.95], P = .04), and metastasis-free survival (HR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.00 to 1.37], P = .050) were all significantly improved in the adjuvant group. There were no differences in late grade ≥ 3 gastrointestinal (2% v 3%, P = .33) or genitourinary toxicity (5% v 5%, P = .76) between groups.

CONCLUSION

The sequencing of ADT with prostate-directed RT has significant association with long-term PFS and MFS in localized PCa. Our findings favor use of an adjuvant over a neoadjuvant approach, without any increase in long-term toxicity.
Effects of Thyroid Status on Regional Brain Volumes: A Diagnostic and Genetic Imaging Study in UK Biobank
Authors: Chambers Tom , Anney Richard , Taylor Peter N , Teumer Alexander , Peeters Robin P , Medici Marco , Caseras Xavier , Rees D Aled
Published: December 2020

Background

Thyroid hormone is essential for optimal human neurodevelopment and may modify the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the brain structures involved are unknown and it is unclear if the adult brain is also susceptible to changes in thyroid status.

Methods

We used International Classification of Disease-10 codes, polygenic thyroid scores at different thresholds of association with thyroid traits (PT-values), and image-derived phenotypes in UK Biobank (n = 18 825) to investigate the effects of a recorded diagnosis of thyroid disease and genetic risk for thyroid status on cerebellar and subcortical gray matter volume. Regional genetic pleiotropy between thyroid status and ADHD was explored using the GWAS-pairwise method.

Results

A recorded diagnosis of hypothyroidism (n = 419) was associated with significant reductions in total cerebellar and pallidum gray matter volumes (β [95% CI] = −0.14[−0.23, −0.06], P = 0.0005 and β [95%CI] = −0.12 [−0.20, −0.04], P = 0.0042, respectively), mediated in part by increases in body mass index. While we found no evidence for total cerebellar volume alterations with increased polygenic scores for any thyroid trait, opposing influences of increased polygenic scores for hypo- and hyperthyroidism were found in the pallidum (PT < 1e−3: β [95% CI] = −0.02 [−0.03, −0.01], P = 0.0003 and PT < 1e−7: β [95% CI] = 0.02 [0.01, 0.03], P = 0.0003, respectively). Neither hypo- nor hyperthyroidism showed evidence of regional genetic pleiotropy with ADHD.

Conclusions

Thyroid status affects gray matter volume in adults, particularly at the level of the cerebellum and pallidum, with potential implications for the regulation of motor, cognitive, and affective function.
Increased lateral tension is sufficient for epithelial folding in Drosophila
Authors: Sui Liyuan , Dahmann Christian
Published: December 2020

The folding of epithelial sheets is important for tissues, organs and embryos to attain their proper shapes. Epithelial folding requires subcellular modulations of mechanical forces in cells. Fold formation has mainly been attributed to mechanical force generation at apical cell sides, but several studies indicate a role of mechanical tension at lateral cell sides in this process. However, whether lateral tension increase is sufficient to drive epithelial folding remains unclear. Here, we have used optogenetics to locally increase mechanical force generation at apical, lateral or basal sides of epithelial Drosophila wing disc cells, an important model for studying morphogenesis. We show that optogenetic recruitment of RhoGEF2 to apical, lateral or basal cell sides leads to local accumulation of F-actin and increase in mechanical tension. Increased lateral tension, but not increased apical or basal tension, results in sizeable fold formation. Our results stress the diversification of folding mechanisms between different tissues and highlight the importance of lateral tension increase for epithelial folding.
Stress granules as a feedback mechanism of MAPK signaling by sequestering PKC/Pck2
Authors: Kanda Yuki , Satoh Ryosuke , Takasaki Teruaki , Tomimoto Naofumi , Tsuchiya Kiko , Tsai Chun An , Tanaka Taemi , Kyomoto Shu , Hamada Kozo , Fujiwara Toshinobu , Sugiura Reiko
Published: December 2020

The PKC signaling is a highly conserved signaling module, which plays a central role in a myriad of physiological processes, ranging from cell proliferation to cell death via various signaling pathways, including MAPK. Stress granules (SGs) are non-membranous cytoplasmic foci that aggregate in cells exposed to environmental stresses. Here we explored the role of SGs in PKC/MAPK signaling activation in fission yeast. High heat-stress (HHS) induced Pmk1 MAPK activation and Pck2/PKC translocation from the cell tips into poly(A)-binding protein (Pabp)-positive SGs. Pck2 dispersal from the cell tips required Pck2 kinase activity and the constitutively active Pck2 promotes its translocation to SGs. Importantly, Pmk1 deletion impaired Pck2 recruitment into SGs, indicating that MAPK activation stimulates Pck2 SG translocation. Consistently, HHS-induced SGs delayed Pck2 relocalization at the cell tips, thereby blocking subsequent Pmk1 reactivation after recovery from HHS. HHS partitioned Pck2 into the Pabp-positive SG-containing fraction, which resulted in the reduced Pck2 abundance and kinase activity in the soluble fraction. Collectively, MAPK-dependent Pck2 SG recruitment serves as a feedback mechanism to intercept PKC/MAPK activation induced by HHS, which might underlie PKC-related diseases.
Ancestral role of TNF-R pathway in cell differentiation in the basal metazoan Hydra
Authors: Steichele Mona , Sauermann Lara S. , König Ann-Christine , Hauck Stefanie , Böttger Angelika
Published: December 2020

Tumour necrosis factor receptors (TNF-Rs) and their ligands, tumour necrosis factors, are highly conserved proteins described in all metazoan phyla. They function as inducers of extrinsic apoptotic signalling and facilitate inflammation, differentiation and cell survival. TNF-Rs use distinct adaptor molecules to activate signalling cascades. Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) family adaptors often mediate apoptosis, and TNF-R-associated factor (TRAF) family adaptors mediate cell differentiation and inflammation. Most of these pathway components are conserved in cnidarians, and, here, we investigated the Hydra TNF-R. We report that it is related to the ectodysplasin receptor, which is involved in epithelial cell differentiation in mammals. In Hydra, it is localised in epithelial cells with incorporated nematocytes in tentacles and body column, indicating a similar function. Further experiments suggest that it interacts with the Hydra homologue of a TRAF adaptor, but not with FADD proteins. Hydra FADD proteins colocalised with Hydra caspases in death effector filaments and recruited caspases, suggesting that they are part of an apoptotic signalling pathway. Regulating epithelial cell differentiation via TRAF adaptors therefore seems to be an ancient function of TNF-Rs, whereas FADD–caspase interactions may be part of a separate apoptotic pathway.
COVID-19: it happens to nurses too—a case study
Authors: McDonald Grace , Clark Louise L
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic will have long-term ramifications for many patients, including those who work in the NHS and have been victims of the disease. This short case study describes the journey of an emergency department (ED) charge nurse who contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU). Post-discharge, he experienced a multitude of physical and mental health complications, which ultimately impacted on each other. Therefore, a bio-psycho-pharmaco-social approach to care is recommended from admission through ICU, discharge and beyond. From this and other narratives, it appears that COVID-19 patients are not adequately followed up after ICU discharge, something that must be considered going forward.
Clinical nurse specialist's role in young-onset dementia care
Authors: Spreadbury John H , Kipps Christopher M
Published: December 2020

Post-diagnostic care in young-onset dementia (YoD) varies, from something that is occasionally structured, to improvised, to frequently non-existent depending on geographic region. In a few regions in England, a nurse designated to helping families may exist. This study aimed to describe this seldom-observed nursing role and its content. It used an investigative qualitative case study design based on the analysis of two YoD clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) describing the work they did in providing post-diagnostic care to YoD service users. The CNSs address various areas affected by mid-life dementia, including patients' mental health, caregiver stress and families' psycho-social problems. They use various approaches in delivering care, including making home visits, acting as a personal contact for service users and liaising with other health and social care services. Desirable attributes of a CNS service include service users having access to the same CNS throughout their care, receiving timely care and experiencing longer-term support and reassurance. In the post-diagnostic period, service user needs are often more psycho-social than medical, and the CNS role can complement and add value to clinical appointments. The role allows service users to be managed in the community, to receive information, guidance and advice and can prevent and de-escalate problems.
Generation of thirst: a critical review of dehydration among older adults living in residential care
Authors: Hart Kirsty , Marsden Rachel , Paxman Jenny
Published: December 2020

Dehydration is common among older adults and exacerbated in residential care. In this article, the authors summarise the reported prevalence of dehydration in this sub-population group and evaluate the associated risks before reviewing interventions designed to improve hydration. Heterogeneity in methods to assess dehydration inhibits interpretation of both prevalence and intervention studies (primarily small randomised control trials and case-control observational studies).

The estimated prevalence of dehydration among older adults in residential care is 20-38%, with further increased prevalence of inadequate fluid intake, leading to increased urological, gastrointestinal, circulatory and neurological disorders or, in extreme cases, death. Multi-component interventions that include changes to drinks, vessels, placement and drinking opportunity, alongside staff training and support, are most effective in tackling dehydration in residential care. The detection and prevention of dehydration is crucial, and a practical, population-specific reference standard for adequate fluid intake is warranted. Future research should prioritise interventions that are individualised to residents' needs, according to dehydration typology. Ongoing investment in the care sector should address staff-to-resident ratios and enhance staff training on the detection and prevention of dehydration.
One for the road: cars, vans and vehicle tax
Authors: Bernstein Adam
Published: December 2020

Cars and vans are a necessity for businesses, and it makes sense for homes to understand the rules regarding them. Simple slips or a lack of forethought can prove very costly in terms of tax—both for drivers and the business. Adam Bernstein explains.
Clinical outcomes in elective total hip arthroplasty in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Fontalis Andreas , Kenanidis Eustathios , Bennett-Brown Katharine , Tsiridis Eleftherios
Published: December 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) poses a significant challenge for the arthroplasty surgeon, owing to excessive muscle tone, higher fracture risk and poor bone quality. Several studies have reported high mortality, early failure and perioperative complications associated with hip fracture surgery in PD; however, no higher-level evidence exists regarding elective hip arthroplasty. The aim of our study was to perform a systematic review to evaluate the evidence basis and clinical outcomes pertaining to patients with underlying Parkinson’s disease undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify studies evaluating the safety and clinical outcomes of THA in patients suffering from Parkinson’s. Our review conforms to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ten studies encompassing 49,730 patients were included in our systematic review. Qualitative synthesis demonstrated comparable results between PD patients and controls with respect to one-year mortality and surgical site infections. PD patients experienced more medical complications, had a longer hospital stay and worse long-term implant survival. Some studies also reported a higher rate of dislocation, periprosthetic fractures and aseptic loosening. Decisions about the optimal articulation, the utilization of cemented components, dual-mobility cups or constrained liners were not uniform among included studies. THA in patients with Parkinson’s disease can offer significant functional gains and pain relief. Surgical considerations pertain to the approach and ways to address instability, whereas emphasis should be placed on appropriate counselling and exploring whether potential improvement of life quality outweighs the risks.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:856-865. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200034
Numerical simulation and analysis of pressure distribution and airflow speed around an airborne cloud microphysics measurements instrument
Authors: MOACA Denisa , CALCAN Andreea , VAJAIAC Sorin Nicolae
Published: December 2020

Clouds have an important impact on Earth’s energetic balance, so measuring accurately the microphysical parameters and using them in research has become one important step in atmospheric studies. Regarding the fact that light scattering probes convert the flow rate to concentration, any wrong assumption or measurement of the flow rate can lead to incorrect results. Applying numerical simulation to an airborne cloud microphysics measurements instrument can provide information that can be measured in any point of the sampling volume, and further used in determination of microphysics parameters, providing more accurate data. Taking this into consideration, in this paper are presented the results of numerical simulation applied to Cloud Aerosol and Precipitation Spectrometer and the comparison with results reported in literature.
Artificial Neural Networks-Extended Great Deluge Model to predict Actuators Displacements for a Morphing Wing Tip System
Authors: BEN MOSBAH Abdallah , BOTEZ Ruxandra Mihaela , MEDINI Soumaya MEDINI , DAO Thien-My
Published: December 2020

Resin-based fiber composite materials have received attention in aerospace composite engineering, particularly in aircraft morphing structures, due to their high mechanical characteristics, such as stiffness, and because of their potential to highly reduce the structural mass of modern aircraft. Aircraft morphing is referred to as the ability of an aircraft’s surface to change its geometry in flight. The modelling of a dynamic morphing wing system is here studied. The morphing wing was controlled using four electric actuators situated inside of the wing model. The main role of these actuators was to modify the wing upper surface shape designed and manufactured with a flexible material, so that the laminar-to-turbulent flow transition point can move closer to the wing trailing edge, thus causing a minimum viscous drag, for various flow conditions. To determine the skin deflections in the four actuators points, both LVDT and dial indicator gages were positioned on the wing. Four Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDTs) were used to indicate the positions of the four actuators, and four Dial Indicators gages were positioned on the wing to measure the real deflections of the flexible composite skin in the four actuation points. The relationship between the Dial Indicators’ values and the LVDTs’ values for a same set-point command signal had a nondeterministic and unpredictable behavior (not a linear one). The values of the displacements given by the LVDTs were different than the values given by the Dial Indicators. In this paper, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was investigated created with the aim to predict the displacements of the wing upper surface skin in real time using four actuators. The proposed model was trained using the Extended Great Deluge (EGD) algorithm.
A Review of Electrochemical Corrosion on Stainless Steel 316
Authors: BARANIDHARAN K. , THIRUMALAI KUMARAN S. , UTHAYAKUMAR M. , PARAMESWARAN P.
Published: December 2020

Electrochemical corrosion behaviour on stainless steel 316 has been studied with various solutions and its corroded samples along with the microstructural studies and prevention. The electrochemical corrosion occurs due to the transformation of electrons at the metal surface to depolarizer. In the existing approaches, the test methods of the electrochemical corrosion are performed to investigate its behaviour on stainless steel 316. The result shows that small and porous pits were observed when using some acidic solutions (eg: HCl, H2SO4, FeCl3). Localized pitting effect on grain boundries of the corroded sample was analyzed by using an optical microscope and SEM. In PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) environment, the potentiodynamic polarization test was performed to evaluate the electrochemical behaviour on stainless steel 316. Some results showed that the corrosion rate of stainless steel 316 can be avoided with the help of powder coating methods. Various powder composition such as acrylic, polyester, epoxy, nylon, and urethane can be used to prevent electrochemical corrosion. In this survey, the electrochemical corrosion behaviour on stainless steel 316 was studied and thus, a conclusion is drawn to prevent this electrochemical corrosion by using various powder coating methods.
A possible way of unification of the gravity (Newton) and electric (Coulomb) forces by using a hydrodynamic analogy
Authors: BERBENTE Corneliu , BERBENTE Sorin
Published: December 2020

Although the gravity is the most important force acting on the Universe scale, on small scales the electrical interaction prevails. Indeed, the Coulomb force between two charged particles is very high as compared to the gravity force between the masses carrying electric charges. Therefore, a solution would be to connect the two forces by extending the hydrodynamic analogy successfully introduced in the author’s previous works. These papers provide a model for gravity, an important conclusion being the dependence of the gravity coefficient in Newton formula on the age of the Universe. Unlike mass-energy, the total electric charge in the Universe is null. Therefore, we must consider limited regions of the Universe (example: atoms, nuclei) to express Coulomb's strong forces. In the following we take into consideration that any electric charge (electrons, protons, quarks etc.) is carried by a mass. Unlike the gravity force which is modeled by hydrodynamic sources on a global scale, Coulomb’s force is modeled by an equivalent vortex mass on a local scale.
Effects of Lemongrass Oil as Fuel in Diesel Engine
Authors: GANGOLU Nageswara Rao , GOPIDESI Radha Krishna , ANUDEEP Immadi Mehar
Published: December 2020

The rapid increase of diesel engines and diminishing of diesel fuel creates a challenge for researchers to find alternative fuel. The present experiment is performed on a 3.5 kW diesel engine. Here, diesel is replaced with pure lemongrass oil (LGO) of10%, 20%, and 30% by volume with diesel. The obtained data from the experimental work may exhibit the Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) of LG20 equivalent to pure diesel. The specific fuel consumption (SFC) of LGO blends shows an increase compared to diesel, due to the lower heating value for LGO blends. On the other hand, LGO blends show lower emissions of NOX, due to the lower peak flame temperature. When compared to the other samples, the LG30 gives a maximum reduction in NOX emissions; of 10.33%. When compared to biodiesel blends, diesel fuel shows a significant increase in the Net Heat Release rate (NHR).
Widely-tunable synchronisation-free picosecond laser source for multimodal CARS, SHG, and two-photon microscopy
Authors: Xu Duanyang , Liang Sijing , Xu Lin , Bourdakos Konstantinos N. , Johnson Peter , Read James , Price Jonathan H. V. , Mahajan Sumeet , Richardson David J.
Published: December 2020

We demonstrate a continuous wave (CW) seeded synchronization-free optical parametric amplifier (OPA) pumped by a picosecond, 1 µm laser and show its performance when used as a simple yet powerful source for label-free coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), concurrent second harmonic generation (SHG), and two-photon fluorescence microscopy in an epi-detection geometry. The average power level of above 175 mW, spectral resolution of 8 cm−1, and 2 ps pulse duration are well optimized for CARS microscopy in bio-science and bio-medical imaging systems. Our OPA is a much simpler setup than either the “gold-standard” laser and optical parametric oscillator (OPO) combination traditionally used for CARS imaging, or the more recently developed OPA systems pumped with femtosecond pulses [1]. Rapid and accurate tuning between resonances was achieved by changing the poled channels and temperature of the periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN) OPA crystal together with the OPA seed wavelength. The Pump-Stokes frequency detuning range fully covered the C-H stretching band used for the imaging of lipids. By enabling three multiphoton techniques using a compact, synchronization free laser source, our work paves the way for the translation of label-free multi-photon microscopy imaging from biomedical research to an imaging based diagnostic tool for use in the healthcare arena.
Generalized hybrid anapole modes in all-dielectric ellipsoid particles
[Invited]
Authors: Ospanova Anar K. , Basharin Alexey , Miroshnichenko Andrey E. , Luk’yanchuk Boris
Published: December 2020

Numerous exciting optical effects in all-dielectric high-refractive-index structures are associated with so-called toroidal electrodynamics. Among these effects are anapoles, nonradiated states caused by interference phenomena, e.g. between electric dipole and toroidal dipole modes. For a spherical particle it is possible to reach simultaneous destructive interference for electric, magnetic, and corresponding toroidal dipole modes (so-called hybrid anapole mode), by varying the refractive index and/or particle size. However, there are no sufficient degrees of freedom within spherical geometry to extend the hybrid anapole mode effect to higher multipoles. Due to the optical theorem, it is also impossible to create the ideal anapole with destructive interference for all multipoles under plane wave illumination. In principle, it is possible to suppress radiation losses for the finite number of multipoles only by constructing the nanoantenna with complex geometry. Our approach of the hybrid anapole state excitation, we demonstrate in ellipsoidal all-dielectric particle providing cancellation of both electric and magnetic scattering up to quadrupole modes. This effect is achieved due to the optimised geometry of the ellipsoidal particle. Moreover, we provide classification of novel anapoles arising due to interference between moments and their mean- square radii (MSR) of electric, magnetic and toroidal family and introduce generalized anapoles for high order interaction between moments. Our concept is useful for the design of light controlling devices, reflectionless metasurfaces, high Q-factor opened resonators and nonscattering particle development.
Halogenated tryptophan derivatives disrupt essential transamination mechanisms in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Cockram Peter E. , Dickie Emily A. , Barrett Michael P. , Smith Terry K.
Published: December 2020

Amino acid metabolism within Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, is critical for parasite survival and virulence. Of these metabolic processes, the transamination of aromatic amino acids is one of the most important. In this study, a series of halogenated tryptophan analogues were investigated for their anti-parasitic potency. Several of these analogues showed significant trypanocidal activity. Metabolomics analysis of compound-treated parasites revealed key differences occurring within aromatic amino acid metabolism, particularly within the widely reported and essential transamination processes of this parasite.
Socio-economic urban scaling properties: Influence of regional geographic heterogeneities in Brazil
Authors: de Castro Caio Porto , dos Santos Gervásio Ferreira , de Freitas Anderson Dias , dos Santos Maria Isabel , Andrade Roberto Fernandes Silva , Barreto Maurício Lima
Published: December 2020

The recent efforts dedicated to understanding important features and consequences of city growth have profited from the scaling approach to urban indicators. This kind of analysis can be conveniently used to investigate the impact of geo-economic transformations, like fast urbanization and industrial development, which occurred in continental size countries (e.g., India, China, and Brazil) during the past half-century. Profiting from high quality data, this work explores how scaling relationships among urban indicators are influenced by strong regional heterogeneities in Brazil. It is based on economic, infrastructure and violence related data sets for the time interval 2002-2016. Results indicate that regional specificities related to infrastructure, economic development, and geography have a larger influence on the absolute value of the urban indexes. Regional scaling similarities and differences among Brazilian regions were also uncovered. Interesting enough, the results indicate that the richest and poorest Brazilian regions share similar scaling behavior, despite all huge different local influences. By contrast, the results for the two richest regions, with similar average values of urban indexes and the same kind of local influences have rather different scaling properties. Thus, scaling analysis suggests that distinct political solutions might be necessary to improve life’s quality, even for two regions with similar average values of urban indicators.
High levels of glucose alter Physcomitrella patens metabolism and trigger a differential proteomic response
Authors: Chamorro-Flores Alejandra , Tiessen-Favier Axel , Gregorio-Jorge Josefat , Villalobos-López Miguel Angel , Guevara-García Ángel Arturo , López-Meyer Melina , Arroyo-Becerra Analilia
Published: December 2020

Sugars act not only as substrates for plant metabolism, but also have a pivotal role in signaling pathways. Glucose signaling has been widely studied in the vascular plantArabidopsis thaliana, but it has remained unexplored in non-vascular species such asPhyscomitrella patens. To investigateP.patensresponse to high glucose treatment, we explored the dynamic changes in metabolism and protein population by applying a metabolomic fingerprint analysis (DIESI-MS), carbohydrate and chlorophyll quantification, Fv/Fm determination and label-free untargeted proteomics. Glucose feeding causes specific changes inP.patensmetabolomic fingerprint, carbohydrate contents and protein accumulation, which is clearly different from those of osmotically induced responses. The maximal rate of PSII was not affected although chlorophyll decreased in both treatments. The biological process, cellular component, and molecular function gene ontology (GO) classifications of the differentially expressed proteins indicate the translation process is the most represented category in response to glucose, followed by photosynthesis, cellular response to oxidative stress and protein refolding. Importantly, although several proteins have high fold changes, these proteins have no predicted identity. The most significant discovery of our study at the proteome level is that high glucose increase abundance of proteins related to the translation process, which was not previously evidenced in non-vascular plants, indicating that regulation by glucose at the translational level is a partially conserved response in both plant lineages. To our knowledge, this is the first time that metabolome fingerprint and proteomic analyses are performed after a high sugar treatment in non-vascular plants. These findings unravel evolutionarily shared and differential responses between vascular and non-vascular plants.
Metabolic flux configuration determination using information entropy
Authors: Rivas-Astroza Marcelo , Conejeros Raúl
Published: December 2020

Constraint-based models use steady-state mass balances to define a solution space of flux configurations, which can be narrowed down by measuring as many fluxes as possible. Due to loops and redundant pathways, this process typically yields multiple alternative solutions. To address this ambiguity, flux sampling can estimate the probability distribution of each flux, or a flux configuration can be singled out by further minimizing the sum of fluxes according to the assumption that cellular metabolism favors states where enzyme-related costs are economized. However, flux sampling is susceptible to artifacts introduced by thermodynamically infeasible cycles and is it not clear if the economy of fluxes assumption (EFA) is universally valid. Here, we formulated a constraint-based approach, MaxEnt, based on the principle of maximum entropy, which in this context states that if more than one flux configuration is consistent with a set of experimentally measured fluxes, then the one with the minimum amount of unwarranted assumptions corresponds to the best estimation of the non-observed fluxes. We compared MaxEnt predictions to Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae publicly available flux data. We found that the mean square error (MSE) between experimental and predicted fluxes by MaxEnt and EFA-based methods are three orders of magnitude lower than the median of 1,350,000 MSE values obtained using flux sampling. However, only MaxEnt and flux sampling correctly predicted flux through E. coli’s glyoxylate cycle, whereas EFA-based methods, in general, predict no flux cycles. We also tested MaxEnt predictions at increasing levels of overflow metabolism. We found that MaxEnt accuracy is not affected by overflow metabolism levels, whereas the EFA-based methods show a decreasing performance. These results suggest that MaxEnt is less sensitive than flux sampling to artifacts introduced by thermodynamically infeasible cycles and that its predictions are less susceptible to overfitting than EFA-based methods.
A novel class of polymeric fluorescent dyes assembled using a DNA synthesizer
Authors: Matray Tracy , Singh Sharat , Sherif Hesham , Farber Kenneth , Kwang Erin , VanBrunt Michael , Matsui Eriko , Yada Hiroaki
Published: December 2020

In the pursuit of a novel class of fluorescent dyes we have developed a programmable polymer system that enables the rational design and control of macromolecular constructs through simple control of polymer primary sequence. These polymers are assembled using standard phosphoramidite chemistry on a DNA synthesizer which allows for extremely rapid prototyping and enables many permutations due to the large selection of phosphoramidite monomers presently available on the market. This programmability to some extent allows us to control the interactions/spacing of payload molecules distributed along the designed polymeric backbone. Control of molecular architecture using this technology has allowed us to address the long-standing technical issue of contact quenching between fluorescent dyes offering new possibilities in the life sciences arena. Much like peptidic sequences coding for enzymes, cofactors, and receptors (all needing control of tertiary structure for proper function via primary sequence) our programmable system approaches a similar endpoint using a phosphate based polymeric backbone assembled in a completely automated fashion. Using this novel technology, we have efficiently synthesized several types of fluorescent dyes and demonstrated the programmability in molecule design, including the increases in brightness of the fluorescence emission.
Sexual assault cases at a tertiary referral hospital in urban Ethiopia: One-year retrospective review
Authors: Tolu Lemi Belay , Gudu Wondimu
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Sexual assault is an important health and social problem affecting young girls. The aim of the study is therefore to do a one-year retrospective review of documents of alleged sexual assaults managed at Saint Paulo’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) to determine survivors’ characteristics, circumstances of the assault, and treatment offered.

Methods

This is a hospital-based one-year retrospective review of alleged sexual assault cases. The case records of survivors were retrieved, reviewed and information extracted analyzed using SPSS version 17. Characteristics of victims of the sexual assault, clinical presentation, and management provided were described by frequency and percentage distribution.

Result

A total of 170 cases of alleged sexual assault who received care during the study period were identified. Around 96% of the survivors were female while there were 6 male cases. The mean age of the victims was 13 yrs. with a range from 2 to 25 yrs. About 23.6% of the victims were less than 10 years. Half of the victims were assaulted by neighbors (45%) followed by strangers (36.5%). The interval between the incident and presentation to the hospital ranged from 2 hours to 93 days (2224 hours) with an average of 98 hours. Most (93.0%) had one or more physical examination findings at presentation. Serology tests for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis were done in 97.3%, 88.7%, and 84.5% cases respectively. Urine pregnancy tests were done in 62.5% of the cases. Prophylaxis against HIV and STI prophylaxis was provided to 42% and 45% respectively. Social support/counseling was provided to 61% of the victims and legal evidence (certificate) was provided to 45.5% of the cases.

Conclusion and recommendations

Although it is largely not reported by the victims, sexual assault is a grievous offense still happening constantly. Children and young girls remain the most vulnerable. There is inadequate forensic evidence collection, legal and medical care. There is also a delay in presentation to hospital by victims. Therefore, there is a need to have standardized protocols for comprehensive evaluation and care of the survivors. It is also imperative that a multidisciplinary approach like a one-stop clinic should be utilized to provide effective and efficient medical, social, psychological, and legal services. Finally, it is very necessary to increase public awareness and preventive interventions are required particularly to protect the vulnerable age group to enhance their safety.
Adipolin/C1q/Tnf-related protein 12 prevents adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction
Authors: Takikawa Tomonobu , Ohashi Koji , Ogawa Hayato , Otaka Naoya , Kawanishi Hiroshi , Fang Lixin , Ozaki Yuta , Eguchi Shunsuke , Tatsumi Minako , Takefuji Mikito , Murohara Toyoaki , Ouchi Noriyuki
Published: December 2020

Background

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death worldwide. We previously identified adipolin, also known as C1q/Tnf-related protein 12, as an anti-inflammatory adipokine with protective features against metabolic and vascular disorders. Here, we investigated the effect of adipolin on myocardial remodeling in a mouse model of MI.

Methods

Male adipolin-knockout (APL-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to the permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery to create MI.

Results

APL-KO mice exhibited increased ratios of heart weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight after MI compared with WT mice. APL-KO mice showed increased left ventricular diastolic diameter and decreased fractional shortening after MI compared with WT mice. APL-KO mice exhibited increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and enhanced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the post-MI hearts compared with WT mice. Systemic administration of adenoviral vectors expressing adipolin to WT mice after MI surgery improved left ventricular contractile dysfunction and reduced cardiac expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Treatment of cultured cardiomyocytes with adipolin protein reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Treatment with adipolin protein increased Akt phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of PI3 kinase/Akt signaling reversed the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of adipolin in cardiomyocytes.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that adipolin ameliorates pathological remodeling of myocardium after MI, at least in part, by its ability to reduce myocardial inflammatory response and apoptosis.