bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparaison de deux populations de Zébu Malgache par les distances génétiques biométriques
Authors: Lauvergne J.J. , Zafindrajaona P. Souvenir
Published: January 2021

Les moyennes des mensurations de hauteur au garrot, longueur scapulo-ischiale, périmètre thoracique, longueur de la corne et de l'oreille, hauteur de la bosse, longueur de son petit axe et de son grand axe faites sur deux populations de Zébu Malgache (du Nord/Nord-ouest et du Sud/Sud-ouest) éloignées de plus de 800 km, ont été comparées individuellement, de même que certains indices : indice de gibbosité b (hauteur de la bosse/hauteur au garrot), indice auriculaire g (longueur de l'oreille/hauteur au garrot), indices corporels r1 et r2. L'analyse caractère par caractère ne révèle pas de différences entre le Nord et le Sud pour la taille (mesurée par la hauteur au garrot) et le développement de la bosse (mesuré par l'indice de gibbosité). En revanche, la corne est significativement plus longue dans le Sud, l'oreille étant au contraire plus courte. Les distances génétiques biométriques mesurées à l'aide du D2 de Mahalanobis sont significativement diffférentes. D'après les différences dans le développement des cornes et des oreilles, la population du Sud serait plus archaïque que celle du Nord, c'est-à-dire qu'elle serait arrivée sur l'île avant elle.
Experience in creating technology for the teaching course “Psychology and Pedagogy”
Authors: Koroleva Anna V. , Prokudin Yuri P.
Published: January 2021

We consider the reasons for technologization of the educational process at the university and a practical example of the creation of pedagogical technology within the framework of the teaching course “Psychology and Pedagogy”. The structure is presented and all stages of implementation of each of its components are described in detail. The interaction and continuity of technology components is shown, both in theoretical planning and when filling them with specific educational material and practical implementation. The implementation of the general concept at each subsequent stage is consistently described, which gives the technology integrity and helps to expediently fill the content and procedural parts. We also describe an example of using analysis of trends in education to update the content and procedural parts of technology. Specific examples of real and virtual space use for the implementation of technology, various software and hardware are given. The features of students transfer to subject-subject relations by providing them with an independent choice of tools for personal self-development, more focused on increasing educational motivation, are disclosed in detail. The role and functions of a teacher based on the principle of humanism declared in the concept are described. General results and conclusions on the practical implementation of this technology are presented.
Identificando derechos fundamentales en la Constitución española
Authors: Ibáñez Macías Antonio
Published: January 2021

En este trabajo se ofrecen algunos criterios o reglas interpretativas simples para contribuir a la identificación de los derechos fundamentales en la Constitución española, cuestión que sigue siendo polémica en la doctrina constitucional. De acuerdo con esas reglas interpretativas, hallamos derechos fundamentales no sólo en el capítulo II del Título I de la Constitución española, sino también en el Capítulo III, en el Capítulo I, e incluso fuera del Título I de la Constitución. A todos los derechos identificados hay que aplicarles las consecuencias lógicas del carácter de norma fundamental de la Constitución. En consecuencia, vinculan a todos los poderes públicos, incluidos el poder legislativo y el poder judicial.
El Instituto de derechos humanos ¨Gregorio Peces-Barba" sigue un año más trabajando en la defensa de los derechos
Authors: Cuenca Gómez Lara Lucía
Published: January 2021

El Instituto de derechos humanos ¨Gregorio Peces-Barba" sigue un año más trabajando en la defensa de los derechos
Impact of local self-government on public development through implementation of infrastructure projects
Authors:   University of Technology, Lepeshkin A.O.
Published: January 2021

Analyzed is the problem of implementing infrastructure projects as one of resources of local governments and authorities in general for high-quality social development. Special attention is paid to studying the impact of infrastructure projects on quality of life of citizens, as well as identifying influence of managerial decisions of authorities on the quality of life in Russian cities. The article concludes, that new sociological studies identifying the pain points of regions and study the public demand for implementation of various types of infrastructure projects can become an additional motivation, and attract attention from public authorities to the issues, raised in the article, and as a result would contribute to creating a comfortable urban environment, as well as improving the standard of living of population.
Genomic insights into the glutathione metabolism of the non-conventional wine yeast Starmerella bacillaris
Authors: Lemos Junior Wilson José Fernandes , Treu Laura , Nadai Chiara , Da Silva Duarte Vinícius , Campanaro Stefano , Fabrega-Prats Marta , Giacomini Alessio , Corcih Viviana
Published: January 2021

Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant molecule of great technological interest due to its wide range of applications in the food and beverage industry. In winemaking, although glutathione is produced during fermentation, its addition is possible for the control of oxidative spoilage of wine. Recently, to improve wine quality, mixed fermentation has been proposed by introducing a selection of non-Saccharomyces yeasts as complementary starters to the oenological species S. cerevisiae. Among them, Starmerella bacillaris, an osmophilic and high glycerol producer yeast, has been extensively studied. In the present study, the genomes of two S. bacillaris strains were compared with S. cerevisiae to identify the GSH metabolic pathway. The results showed that GSH biosynthesis includes the GSH1 and GSH2 genes in both species. The identification of a new transcription factor which binds sites in the promoter region of these genes underlined differences in the transcriptional regulation of both species. Additionally, between S. bacillaris strains, a high number of polymorphisms was found in genes involved in GSH redox balance. Preliminary laboratory scale fermentations revealed marked differences in the cell glutathione content of the two S. bacillaris strains. By comparing genomes, it was possible to gain a better understanding of the genes involved in the GSH metabolism pathway in S. bacillaris.
FORTUNES OF PERSONAL LIBRARIES IN THE ERA OF PAPER BOOKS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Lizunova I. V. , Radishauskaite N. V. , Asheshova A. N. , Troyak I. S. , Moskina V. I.
Published: January 2021

The article is intended to draw attention to problems common to all existing libraries: forming and picking out personal collections from ones that are more common, their history of existence study, identification, assigning in a single collection, preservation, popularization and accessibility to modern readers. The work is devoted to the theme of personal libraries in the era of paper books and digital technologies and includes materials presented in the series of webinars “Bibliosphere: New Formats” held by the State Public Scientific Technological Library of SB RAS in the summer of 2020. By a personal library the authors mean an ordered collection of books and other documents (electronic, handwritten, etc.), belonging to an individual or family, formed by him / them for personal use. The problems presented in the article concern personal libraries formation in the late XIX – early XXI century: composition and design peculiarities of bibliophile collections; practice of using stamps as a sign of ownership on books; variety of marking personal book collections (super ex-librises, ex-librises, owner’s inscriptions, owner’s stamps, owner’s and book signs); approaches and preferences of personal libraries’ owners; fortunes of books and bibliophiles; problems of book collections preservation in the stocks all over the world; demand for personal collections by contemporaries: researchers, librarians, bibliophiles, readers/users.
Safety and Tolerability of Topical Ophthalmic Triamcinolone Acetonide-loaded Liposomes Formulation and Evaluation of Its Biologic Activity in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Navarro-Partida Jose , Altamirano-Vallejo Juan Carlos , Gonzalez-De la Rosa Alejandro , Armendariz-Borunda Juan , Castro-Castaneda Carlos Rodrigo , Santos Arturo
Published: January 2021

Intravitreal injections (IVTs) of corticosteroids as triamcinolone acetonide (TA) are frequently used for the treatment of many vitreous and retinal disorders. However, IVTs are related to severe ocular complications. Lately, a topical ophthalmic TA loaded liposomes formulation (TALF) was designed to transport TA into the posterior segment of the eye when instilled in the ocular surface. To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and biologic activity of TALF, an animal study and a phase I clinical assay was performed. Moreover, four patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) were treated with TALF in order to explore the biologic activity of the formulation. No inflammation, lens opacity, swelling or intraocular pressure rising were recorded after the instillation of TALF in any of the animal or clinical study. Mainly, mild and transient adverse events such as dry eye (30%) and burning (30%) were reported. TALF improves significantly visual acuity and diminishes central foveal thickness in patients with DME. The current data demonstrate the safety, tolerability, and biologic activity of TALF. It seems that TALF can be used topically to treat vitreous and retinal diseases that respond to TA such as DME, avoiding the use of corticosteroids IVTs and its associated hazards.
The Effect of Microstructure of Molybdenum Target
Authors: An Geng , Sun Jun
Published: January 2021

Abstract: Molybdenum (Mo) thin films were sputtered from two kinds of Mo targets with different microstructures under the same sputtering process, and the effect of microstructure of Mo target on morphology, deposition rate and resistance of sputtered film were studied and discussed. The results show that morphological differences between Mo thin films sputtered by Mo targets with different microstructures are very small. The more uniform and finer the grain structures of Mo target, the better the uniformity on thickness and resistance of Mo sputtered film. Moreover, during sputtering process, when Mo target’s grain size is finer and the surface area of grain boundary is higher, the thickness reduction of the target is more homogeneous and the sputtering film has faster deposition velocity. The difference in microstructure of the Mo target has not obvious influence on the grain orientation of sputtering film.
Predictive Value of Olfactory and Taste Symptoms in the Diagnosis of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Do Hyun , Kim Sung Won , Stybayeva Gulnaz , Lim So Yun , Hwang Se Hwan
Published: January 2021

Objectives. This study evaluated the diagnostic value of various symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in screening for this disease.Methods. Two authors (working independently) comprehensively reviewed six databases (PubMed, Cochrane Database, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) from their dates of inception until November 2020. The predictive value of patient-reported symptoms, including otolaryngologic and general symptoms, was evaluated in adults who underwent testing for COVID-19. True-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative data were extracted from each study. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies tool (ver. 2).Results. Twenty-eight prospective and retrospective studies were included in the meta-analysis. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of a change in olfaction and/or taste was 10.20 (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.43–12.34). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8. Olfactory and/or taste changes had a low sensitivity (0.57; 95% CI, 0.47–0.66) but moderate negative (0.78; 95% CI, 0.69–0.85] and positive (0.78; 95% CI, 0.66–0.87) predictive values and a high specificity (0.91; 95% CI, 0.83–0.96). Olfactory and/or taste changes had a higher diagnostic value than the other otolaryngologic symptoms, a higher DOR and specificity, and a similar or higher diagnostic value than the other general symptoms.Conclusion. Among otolaryngologic symptoms, olfactory and/or taste dysfunction was the most closely associated with COVID-19 and its general symptoms, and should therefore be considered when screening for the disease.
Simulations of Shoreline Changes along the Delaware Coast
Authors: Ding Yan , Kim Sung-Chan , Permenter Rusty L. , Styles Richard B. , Gebert Jeffery A.
Published: January 2021

This technical report presents two applications of the GenCade model to simulate long-term shoreline evolution along the Delaware Coast driven by waves, inlet sediment transport, and longshore sediment transport. The simulations also include coastal protection practices such as periodic beach fills, post-storm nourishment, and sand bypassing. Two site-specific GenCade models were developed: one is for the coasts adjacent to the Indian River Inlet (IRI) and another is for Fenwick Island. In the first model, the sediment exchanges among the shoals and bars of the inlet were simulated by the Inlet Reservoir Model (IRM) in the GenCade. An inlet sediment transfer factor (γ) was derived from the IRM to quantify the capability of inlet sediment bypassing, measured by a rate of longshore sediments transferred across an inlet from the updrift side to the downdrift side. The second model for the Fenwick Island coast was validated by simulating an 11-y ear-long shoreline evolution driven by longshore sediment transport and periodic beach fills. Validation of the two models was achieved through evaluating statistical errors of simulations. The effects of the sand bypassing operation across the IRI and the beach fills in Fenwick Island were examined by comparing simulation results with and without those protection practices. Results of the study will benefit planning and management of coastal sediments at the sites.
Residual Respiratory Impairment After COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Lombardi Francesco , Calabrese Angelo , Iovene Bruno , Pierandrei Chiara , Lerede Marialessia , Varone Francesco , Richeldi Luca , Sgalla Giacomo
Published: January 2021

Introduction: the Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) can infect the respiratory tract, causing mild to deadly respiratory impairment. It is still unknown whether patients recovering from Covid-19 will develop respiratory sequelae. This study aims to evaluate the respiratory and functional condition of Covid-19 recovered patients, stratified according to their worst p/F during hospitalization for Covid-19. Method: 86 Covid-19 recovered subjects performed, after 39 days on average, physical examination and arterial blood gas (ABG) examination, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) with diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco), and six-minute walk test (6MWT). Subjects also quantified their dyspnoea and cough using a visual analogic scale (VAS) at three-time points: previously than COVID infection, during COVID hospitalization, and currently. The 76 subjects with reliable ABG during the hospitalization were stratified in three groups according to their worst PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p/F): “mild”: p/F>300 (n = 38); “moderate”: 200<p/F<300 (n = 30), “severe” p/F < 200 (n = 20). Results: In this cohort, Covid-19 recovered subjects still reported significant residual dyspnoea at the visit time. The severe subjects group showed a lower Total Lung Capacity (TLC), a lower DLco, and a worse 6MWT performance. Conclusion: After Covid-19, respiratory and functional impairments may persist. These impairments seem to be more severe as much as minor was the patient worst p/F during hospitalization. These patients should receive a strict follow-up.
IgG Food Antibody Guided Elimination-Rotation Diet was more Effective Than FODMAP Diet and Control Diet in the Treatment Of Women with Mixed IBS – Results From an Open Label Study
Authors: Ostrowska Lucyna , Wasiluk Diana , Lieners Camille F. J. , Gałęcka Mirosława , Bartnicka Anna , Tveiten Dag
Published: January 2021

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease with recurrent abdominal pain, disturbed bowel emptying and change in stool consistency. We compared the effectiveness of dietary treatment of three different diet plans (G1-FM-low FODMAP diet, G2-IP IgG based elimination-rotation-diet, and as control group, G3-K control diet recommended by an attending gastroenterologist) in treating patients diagnosed with mixed irritable bowel syndrome. Methods 73 female patients diagnosed with mixed form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M) were enrolled in the study. The diet of each patient in group 1 (G1-FM) and 2 (G2-IP) was determined individually during a meeting with dietitian. Patients from group 3 (G3-K) received nutrition advice from a gastroenterologist. Results Significant differences in reduction of IBS symptoms were found between the groups. IBS symptoms as well as comorbid symptoms significantly improved or disappeared completely in the G2-IP group, while in the G1-FM group, some of the IBS symptoms significantly improved. In group G3-K no significant improvement was seen.Conclusion Based on the results of this open study it was found that the different dietary intervention in the treatment of patients with IBS-M was unlikely effective. The G2-IP IgG based elimination-rotation-diet demonstrating a significant overall superior result compared to the others. Trial registration The clinical trial was retrospective registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, March 12, 2020, ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04307368.
Innovations in Acheulean Biface Production at La Noira (Centre France): Shift or Drift Between 700 and 450 Ka in Western Europe?
Authors: García-Medrano Paula , Despriée Jackie , Moncel Marie-Hélène
Published: January 2021

The archaeological sequence of la Noira, in the Middle Loire Basin (Centre region, France) yielded two phases of occupation: ca 700 ka (stratum a) and ca 450 ka (stratum c). No site between these two dates has yet been discovered in the area, and this chronological period has thus been interpreted as a gap in settlement from MIS 16 to MIS 12. Here, we compare these two levels and track technological innovations or/and inventions during this time, based on the technological and morphometric comparison of the Large Cutting Tools (LCTs), applying a new method of analysis. We explore inter and intra-level variability in order to address the hypotheses of (1) the filiation over time of populations settling sporadically in the region or (2) the arrival of new populations from other European or extra-European areas. Stratum a presents mainly short shaping sequences on local millstone, taking advantage of natural slab geometry, and with special attention to tips, but with clear management of tool volume. Stratum c differs in that both local millstone and flints from distant sources show longer shaping sequences, the use of soft hammers for several series of removals, combined with final regularizing retouch on entire edges. The morphometric approach shows a morphological transition from oval to teardrop shapes for the thinnest tools. A technological filiation between strata a and c and between la Noira populations from MIS 16 and MIS 12 in this area has to be considered.
Self-Directed Online Machine Learning for Topology Optimization
Authors: Deng Changyu , Wang Yizhou , Qin Can , Lu Wei
Published: January 2021

Topology optimization by optimally distributing materials in a given domain requires gradient-free optimizers to solve highly complicated problems. However, with hundreds of design variables or more involved, solving such problems would require millions of Finite Element Method (FEM) calculations whose computational cost is huge and impractical. Here we report a Self-directed Online Learning Optimization (SOLO) which integrates Deep Neural Network (DNN) with FEM calculations. A DNN learns and substitutes the objective as a function of design variables. A small number of training data is generated dynamically based on the DNN's prediction of the global optimum. The DNN adapts to the new training data and gives better prediction in the region of interest until convergence. Our algorithm was tested by compliance minimization problems and fluid-structure optimization problems. It reduced the computational time by 2 ~ 5 orders of magnitude compared with directly using heuristic methods, and outperformed all state-of-the-art algorithms tested in our experiments. This approach enables solving large multi-dimensional optimization problems.
Genome-Wide Identification of Tea Plant bHLH Transcription Factor Family and Discovery of Candidate Regulator for Trichome Formation
Authors: Liu Renjian , Wang Yuyuan , Tang Song , Cai Jiarong , Liu Shaoqun , Zheng Peng , Sun Binmei
Published: January 2021

Leaf trichomes play vital roles in plant resistance and tea quality. Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in regulating plant development and growth. However, it is poorly understood whether bHLH TFs are associated with trichome formation in tea plant. In this study, a total of 134 CsbHLH proteins were identified in the Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (CSS) genome. All identified proteins were divided into 19 subgroups according to the Arabidopsis thaliana classification. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that the members of group IIIc-I and group IIIc-II might be associated with trichome formation. Expression analysis showed that the candidate genes associated with trichome formation in tea plant were primarily located in cluster 1, cluster 3 and cluster 5. The expression patterns of CsbHLH116, CsbHLH133, CsbHLH060, CsbHLH028, CsbHLH024, CsbHLH112 and CsbHLH053 from these clusters were similar to the trichome distribution in tea plants. Notably, CsbHLH024 and CsbHLH133 were highly expressed in the young tissues of different cultivars. CsbHLH024 and CsbHLH133 possessed transcriptional activation ability and could interact with CsTTG1, a regulator of tea trichome formation. This study provides useful information for further research on the function of CsbHLHs in the regulation of trichome formation.
Fatigue Life Prediction for Gas Turbine Bearing Under 3D Elastoplastic Mixed Lubrication Condition
Authors: Feng Yan , Shi Xiujiang , Lu Xiqun , Qiu ZhuoYi , Sun Wen , Hua Deliang , Li Renze
Published: January 2021

Gas turbine bearings usually work in harsh lubrication environments, with typical characteristics such as high speed, high temperature, and heavy load. Severe working conditions bring micro-contacts in local areas between the bearing rolling elements and the rings. Stress concentration and plastic deformation may further occur between the contact pairs, which will reduce the fatigue life of the bearing. In order to predict bearing fatigue life accurately, in this study, the effects of the real surface roughness and plastic deformation of the bearing are considered, a three-dimensional(3D) elastoplastic mixed lubrication model for gas turbine bearing is established, the 3D dynamic elastoplastic stress calculations under the surface are conducted, and the relative fatigue life of the bearing is predicted. Based on the 3D elastoplastic mixed lubrication model for the bearing, the influences of speed, load, roughness and material hardening on lubrication performance and fatigue life are also studied, which would provide theoretical guidance for the lubrication design and life prediction of the gas turbine bearings.
Relationship Between the Oral Hygiene and Hand Hygiene Practices of Korean Adolescents: A Study Focused on the 15th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey Conducted in 2019
Authors: Kim Eun-Jeong , LEE HYEJU
Published: January 2021

Background: Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures available to prevent infectious diseases such as COVID-19, and it is recommended that individuals was their hands periodically before and after meals, after using toilets, before preparing food at home, at schools and in public places. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral hygiene and hand hygiene in Korean adolescents. Method: Data from 57,303 adolescents who participated in the 2019 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were analyzed to determine the relationship between oral hygiene and hand hygiene. Results: According to the results of this study, adolescents who brushed their teeth after lunch were 1.48 times more likely to practice hand washing before lunch than were those who did not brush their teeth after lunch. In addition, the odds ratio adjusted for gender, grade, school type, and residence was found to be 1.87. Conclusions: Oral hygiene practices were found to be related to personal hygiene, as assessed by hand washing, in Korean adolescents. Additional studies are needed to develop ways of improving the hygiene and health of adolescents.
A Novel Combination of Bevacizumab and Pembrolizumab Stimulates Tumour Immunity Through Vascular Normalisation in Humanised Mouse Model
Authors: Qiao Tianyun , Guo Wenwen , Meng Fancheng , Zhou Yongsheng , Xiong Yanlu , Feng Yangbo , Zhang Caiqin , Wu Yingtong , Zhao Jinbo , Jiang Tao , Shi Changhong , Han Yong
Published: January 2021

Background: Immunotherapy has dramatically changed the treatment landscape of cancer. Immunotherapies targeting the programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 pathway have been shown to lead to durable responses in patients with a variety of cancers. However, combination approaches are required to extend this benefit beyond a subset of patients. Studies have suggested that anti-angiogenic therapy can elicit or enhance tumor immunity response.Therefore, we hypothesised that combining immunotherapy with anti-angiogenic treatment may have a synergistic effect and may enhance the efficacy of both treatments.Methods: We evaluated the combination of bevacizumab (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody) and pembrolizumab (anti-programmed death 1 monoclonal antibody) in two mouse models of human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (H1299 and A549). We monitored tumour growth and examined changes in the tumour vasculature, along with the frequency and phenotype of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes.Results: The combination of bevacizumab and pembrolizumab synergistically inhibited tumour growth in vivo without overt toxicity in both cell lines. Combination therapy reprogrammed the immune microenvironment by increasing CD8+ cytotoxic T cell infiltration, thereby turning tumours with different phenotypes into inflamed (‘hot’) tumours. This is potentially mediated by vascular normalisation and endothelial cell activation, as demonstrated by a reduction in the number of microvessels and an increase in adhesion molecules.Conclusions: Taken together, our preclinical studies demonstrate that the combination of bevacizumab and pembrolizumab had a synergistic anti-tumour effect and provides a theoretical basis for translating basic research into clinical applications.
Multicriteria Recommender System: A New Model for Determining risk level of COVID-19 in Indonesia
Authors: Hikmawati Erna , Maulidevi Nur Ulfa , Surendro Kridanto
Published: January 2021

Coronavirus has spread all over the world and brought significant impact to everyday life. This highly infectious virus calls for new strategies and policies that are able to suppress its transmission rate. One of the ways is by lockdown. However, lockdown is not an infallible solution and it brings with it negative impacts on society in terms of socioeconomic and mental health aspects. In addition, several factors should also be taken into account before the implementation such as demographic conditions, health services and COVID-19 case data itself. In general, a lockdown decision can be determined by looking at the level of risk of an area. Naturally, this assessment of levels of risk must be based on parameters affecting the lockdown. In this paper, we propose a multicriteria recommender system model that can calculate the value and level of risk for each region by taking into account several parameters from different databases. This model is also equipped with the process of weighting using the Analytical Network Process (ANP) method to determine interdependence and feedback between parameters. From the experiment conducted on 27 cities and districts in West Java, it was found that 15% of the regions were in the high-risk category, 41% of the regions have medium risk and 44% of the regions have a low risk.
Quantifiable Breathing Pattern Components Can Predict Asthma Control: an Observational Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sakkatos Panagiotis , Bruton Anne , Barney Anna
Published: January 2021

Background: Breathing pattern disorders are frequently reported in uncontrolled asthma. At present, this is primarily assessed by questionnaires, which are subjective. Objective measures of breathing pattern components can provide additional useful information about asthma control. This study examined whether respiratory timing parameters and thoracoabdominal (TA) motion measures could predict and classify levels of asthma control. Methods: 122 asthma patients at STEP 2- STEP 5 GINA asthma medication were enrolled. Asthma control was determined by the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ7-item) and patients divided into ‘well controlled’ or ‘uncontrolled’ groups. Breathing pattern components (respiratory rate (RR), ratio of inspiration duration to expiration duration (Ti/Te), ratio of ribcage amplitude over abdominal amplitude during expiration phase (RCampe/ABampe), were measured using Structured Light Plethysmography (SLP) in a sitting position for 5-minutes. Breath-by-breath analysis was performed to extract mean values and within-subject variability (measured by the Coefficient of Variance (CoV%). Binary multiple logistic regression was used to test whether breathing pattern components are predictive of asthma control. A post-hoc analysis determined the discriminant accuracy of any statistically significant predictive model. Results: Fifty-nine out of 122 asthma patients had an ACQ7-item < 0.75 (well-controlled asthma) with the rest being uncontrolled (n= 63). The absolute mean values of breathing pattern components did not predict asthma control (R2 = 0.09) with only mean RR being a significant predictor (p < 0.01). The CoV% of the examined breathing components did predict asthma control (R2 = 0.45) with all predictors having significant odds ratios (p < 0.01). The ROC curve showed that cut-off points > 7.40% for the COV% of the RR, > 21.66% for the CoV% of Ti/Te and > 18.78% for the CoV% of RCampe/ABampe indicated uncontrolled asthma. Conclusion: The within-subject variability of timing parameters and TA motion can be used to predict asthma control. Higher breathing pattern variability was associated with uncontrolled asthma suggesting that irregular resting breathing is an indicator of poor asthma control.
The Infectivity and Antigenicity of Epidemic SARS-CoV-2 Variants in the United Kingdom
Authors: Wang Youchun , Wu Jiajing , Zhang Li , Zhang Yue , Wang Haixin , Ding Ruxia , Nie Jianhui , Li Qianqian , Liu Shuo , Yu Yongxin , Yang Xiao-Ming , Qu Xiaowang , Duan Kai , Huang Weijing
Published: January 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 variant VUI/202012/01 has been reported to spread unexpectedly fast in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that its transmissibility may increase by 70%. In this study, the top five variants circulating in the UK including D614G+L18F+A222V, D614G+A222V, D614G+S477N, VUI/202012/01 and D614G+69-70del+439K were analyzed for their infective and neutralizing characteristics. The pseudotyped viruses were constructed for the five variants and 12 single mutants composed those variants. We found that the VUI/202012/01 variant does enhance its infectivity due to the cumulative effect of multiple mutations including 69-70del and 144/145del mutations in NTD, A570D in RBD, and S982A in S2. Meanwhile, mutations N501Y, N439K and S477N in RBD can cause a significant decrease in the neutralization activity for some mAbs. Although VUI/202012/01 did not affect the neutralization effect of convalescent sera, it affected the neutralization activity of animal immunized sera by RBD protein or recombinant spike DNA to some extent.
Double-blinded placebo-controlled trial measuring cartilage improvement in early Rheumatoid Arthritis under Adalimumab therapy using MRI
Authors: Frenken Miriam , Sewerin Philipp , Brinks Ralph , Vordenbäumen Stefan , Schleich Christoph , Müller-Lutz Anja , Antoch Gerald , Richter Jutta , Sander Oliver , Schneider Matthias , Abrar Daniel B. , Ostendorf Benedikt
Published: January 2021

Background: To compare the effect of Adalimumab (ADA) plus Methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy in patients with therapy naïve early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) on cartilage quality measured by glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in cartilage using gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC). Methods: Prospective double-blinded, randomized clinical trial of cartilage integrity in finger joints of eRA patients according to American College of Rheumatology/ European League Against Rheumatism. Patients were examined therapy-naïve, 12 and 24 weeks after initiation of Adalimumab+MTX or placebo+MTX with 3T-MRI, recording dGEMRIC values of metacarpophalangeal joints of index and middle finger. Results: The study was prematurely terminated due to theoretical safety concerns regarding gadolinium deposition in the brain after MR contrast agent application. Instead of 30 planned patients, 10 patients could be included in the Adalimumab group (ADA+MTX: 6 females, 44.9y, range: 19-65), four in the control group (Placebo+MTX: 2 females, 46.7y, range: 24-64). Between treatment groups, cartilage composition did not change significantly (ADA+MTX: dGEMRIC mean change 85.8ms, range -156.2–346.5ms; Placebo+MTX: mean change-30.75ms, range-273.0–131.0ms; W=27, p=0.37). Neverthless a significant increase of the dGEMRIC values over time was observed in the Adalimumab group (median change 75.88 ms p=0.0117), but not in the placebo group (median change 9.50, p=0.878).Conclusions: In patients with eRA, Adalimumab+MTX leads to a significant dGEMRIC improvement, indicating a possible reduction of cartilage damage in the finger joints. The level of significance for the difference of change in cartilage quality between groups, was not met, potentially due to lower than expected number of patients which could be recruited. Trial registration: The cartilage in early Rheumatoid Arthritis (CAR-ERA)-Study was approved by the local ethics committee of the Heinrich-Heine University of Duesseldorf (reference number: MO-LKP-719) and was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under the number NCT02150473 / CAR-ERA 2013-004604-19 (EudraCT Number).
Induced neural stem cell grafts exert neuroprotection through an interaction between Crry and Akt in a mouse model of closed head injury
Authors: Gao Mou , Dong Qin , Wang Wenjia , Yang Zhijun , Guo Lili , Lu Yingzhou , Ding Boyun , Chen Lihua , Zhang Jianning , Xu Ruxiang
Published: January 2021

Background: Recently, growing evidence has indicated an important role of the complement system, a crucial component of immunity, in mediating neuroinflammation and promoting neuronal apoptosis following closed head injury (CHI). We previously reported that transplanted induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) pre-treated with CHI mouse serum could enhance complement receptor type 1-related protein y (Crry) expression and ameliorate complement-mediated damage in mouse CHI models. However, the mechanism underlying the elevated levels of Crry expression remains elusive. Methods: CHI models were established using a standardized weight-drop device. We collected CHI mouse serum at 12 h post-trauma. RT-QPCR assay, western blot analysis, complement deposition assay, Akt inhibition assay, flow cytometry, cell transplantation and functional assay were utilized to clarify the mechanism of Crry expression in iNSCs receiving CHI mouse serum treatment.Results: We observed dramatic increases in the levels of Crry expression and Akt activation in iNSCs receiving CHI mouse serum treatment. Remarkably, Akt inhibition led to the reduction of Crry expression in iNSCs. Intriguingly, the treatment of iNSC-derived neurons with recombinant complement receptor 2-conjugated Crry (CR2-Crry), which inhibits all complement pathways, substantially enhanced Crry expression and Akt activation in neurons after CHI mouse serum treatment. In subsequent in vitro experiments of pre-treatment of iNSCs with CR2-Crry, we observed significant increases in the levels of Crry expression and Akt activation in iNSCs, iNSC-derived astrocytes and neurons post-treatment with CHI mouse serum. Additionally, an in vivo study showed that intracerebral-transplanted iNSCs pre-treated with CR2-Crry markedly enhanced Crry expression in neurons and protected neurons from complement-dependent damage in the brains of CHI mice. Conclusion: INSCs receiving CR2-Crry pre-treatment increased the levels of Crry expression in iNSCs, iNSC-derived astrocytes and neurons and attenuated complement-mediated injury following CHI.
Effect of a nurse-led lifestyle choice and coaching intervention on systolic blood pressure among Type 2 diabetic patients with a high atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk: study protocol for a cluster randomized trial
Authors: Lumu William , Kibirige Davis , Wesonga Ronald , Bahendeka Silver
Published: January 2021

Background:More than 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes have hypertension in Uganda. Diabetic patients with elevated systolic blood pressure experience higher all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events compared with normotensive diabetic individuals hence escalating resource utilization and cost of care. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of a nurse-led lifestyle choice and coaching intervention on systolic blood pressure among type 2 diabetic patients with a high atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk.Methods:This is a cluster-randomized study comprising of two arms (intervention and non-intervention – control arm) with four clusters per arm with 388 diabetic patients with a high predicted 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. The study will be implemented in 8 health facilities in Uganda. The intervention arm will employ a nurse-led lifestyle choice and coaching intervention. Within the intervention, nurses will be trained to provide structured health education, protocol-based hypertension management and general atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factor management, 24-hour phone calls, and 2-monthly text messaging. The control group will be constituted by the usual care. The primary outcome measure is the mean difference in systolic blood pressure between the intervention and usual care groups after 6 months. The study is designed to have an 80% statistical power to detect an 8.5mmhg mean reduction in systolic blood pressure from baseline to 6 months. The unit of analysis for the primary outcome is the individual participants. To monitor the effect of within-cluster correlation, generalized estimating equations will be used to assess changes over time in systolic blood pressure as a continuous variable.DiscussionThe data generated from this trial will inform change in policy of shifting task of screening of hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease from doctors to nurses
A Cross-sectional, Multicenter, Observational Study to Assess the Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Lebanese and Jordanian Hospitals
Authors: Hajj Imad , -Masri Mahmoud AL , Bashaireh Kaldoun , Hani Mohammed Bani , Hamouri Shadi , Khouzami Joe , Sabra Nisrine , Fadel Chahine
Published: January 2021

BackgroundThere is a growing body of evidence showing substantial underuse of appropriate venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients at risk. In the present study, our goal was to assess the current practices in the use rate of VTE prophylaxis among hospitalized patients in Jordan and Lebanon.MethodsA cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study was conducted on 40 centers across Lebanon and Jordan. We included patients who were admitted to the participating hospitals for the treatment of a serious medical or surgical illness. The patients’ records were screened for the fulfillment of inclusion/exclusion criteria during a single assessment visit. The proportion of medical and surgical patients who were at risk of VTE and the thrombo-prophylactic measures employed by physicians for these patients were assessed according to the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP 2016) guidelines. ResultsThe present study included 704 patients (400 from Jordan and 304 from Lebanon) with a mean age of 54.9 ±17.5 years. Almost 59% of the patients received prophylaxis treatment in form of pharmacological anticoagulant prophylaxis and/or mechanical prophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparin was the most commonly used anticoagulant for VTE prophylaxis in 366 out of the total 704 (51.9%) patients in the analysis cohort. Two hundred and sixteen patients (52 %, 95% confidence interval [47.1% - 56.9%]) received appropriate prophylactic agents out of 415 patients who were eligible for prophylaxis according to the ACCP 2016 guidelines. On the other hand, 199 (72.1%, 95% confidence interval [66.4% – 77.3%) patients received prophylaxis out of 276 ineligible patients. The rate of compliance to guidelines showed wide variations according to the type of hospital, specialty, and the patients’ age. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only age was a significant predictor of appropriate VTE prophylaxis (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, P <0.001).ConclusionThe rates of the appropriate use of VTE prophylaxis are low in Lebanon and Jordan. There is a lack of compliance to guidelines for VTE prophylaxis use for hospitalized patients in both countries.
The circular RNA circZFR phosphorylates Rb promoting cervical cancer progression by regulating the SSBP1/CDK2/cyclin E1 complex
Authors: Zhou Mingyi , Yang Zhuo , Wang Danbo , Chen Peng , Zhang Yong
Published: January 2021

Background: As a novel type of non-coding RNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a critical role in the initiation and development of various diseases, including cancer. However, the exact function of circRNAs in human cervical cancer remains largely unknown. Methods: We identified the circRNA signature of upregulated circRNAs between cervical cancer and paired adjacent normal tissues. Using two different cohorts and GEO database, a total of six upregulated circRNAs were identified with a fold change >2, and P <0.05. Among these six circRNAs, hsa_circ_0072088 (circZFR) was the only exonic circRNA significantly overexpressed in cervical cancer. Functional experiments were performed to investigate the biological function of circZFR. CircRNA pull-down, circRNA immunoprecipitation (circRIP) and Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays were executed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the function of circZFR.Results: Functionally, circZFR knockdown represses the proliferation, invasion, and tumor growth. Furthermore, circRNA pull-down experiments combined with mass spectrometry unveil the interactions of circZFR with Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein 1 (SSBP1). Mechanistically, circZFR bound with SSBP1, thereby promoting the assembly of CDK2/cyclin E1 complexes. The activation of CDK2/cyclin E1 complexes induced p-Rb phosphorylation, thus releasing activated E2F1 leading to cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. Conclusion: Our findings provide the first evidence that circZFR is a novel onco-circRNA and might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for cervical cancer patients.
Identification of Key Genes in Hepatitis B Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on WGCNA
Authors: Liu Chang , Dai Qinghai , Ding Qian , Wei Min , Kong Xiaohong
Published: January 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection is one risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lots of efforts have been made to illuminate the process of HBV-associated HCC, but its molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis remain vague. Here, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to explore the co-expressed modules and hub/key genes correlated to HBV-associated HCC. We found that genes of the most significant module related to HBV-associated HCC were enriched in DNA replication, p53 signaling pathway, cell cycle, and HTLV-1 infection associated pathway; these cellular pathways played critical roles in the initiation and development of HCC or viral infections. Furthermore, seven hub/key genes were identified based on the topological network analysis, and their roles in HCC were verified by expression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Protein-protein interaction and KEGG pathway analysis suggested that these key genes may stimulate cellular proliferation to promote the HCC progression. This study provides new perspectives to the knowledge of the key pathways and genes in the carcinogenesis process of HBV-associated HCC, and our findings provided potential therapeutic targets and clues of the carcinogenesis of HBV-associated HCC.
Improved performances of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics by seeds induced crystallization
Authors: Zhao Ting , Lian Mei-Mei , Qin Yi , Zhu Jian-Feng , Kong Xin-Gang , Yang Jian-Feng
Published: January 2021

Self-reinforced lithium disilicate (Li 2 Si 2 O 5 ) glass-ceramics were hot pressing sintered by introducing 5 wt% Li 2 Si 2 O 5 crystal seeds into two different glass systems. The results show that the seeds play an important role in the crystallization inducement, microstructural and properties improvement of the glass, especially for the glass powder without the nucleating agent of P 2 O 5 . The microstructure features a wider bimodal grain size distribution with large rod-like crystals epitaxially grown along the seeds and small crystals nucleated from the glass powder itself, contributes to the improvement of the performance especially the fracture toughness. The 4C5S specimen exhibited the best comprehensive properties with a good flexural strength (396 ± 7 MPa), improved fracture toughness (3.31 ± 0.19 MPa·m 1/2 ) and comparable translucency as IPS e.max. This research will provide a new idea and method for the perfect matching of the fracture toughness and the aesthetic appearance of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics, and lay the foundation for its clinical applications.