bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between vaulting intraoperative and postoperative of EVO implantable Collamer lens: a retrospective study of real-time observations of vaulting using the RESCAN 700 system
Authors: Guan Nian , Zhang Xiao-Nong , Zhang Wan-Jun
Published: December 2020

Background: The prediction of implantable Collamer lens (ICL) vaulting is one of the most important parameters for ICL implantation for safety, aqueous humor circulation, and lens transparency.Methods: This was a retrospective study. A RESCAN 700 was used for intraoperative observation of vaulting. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used for imaging. Results: Finally, 51 patients (102 eyes) were included in the study. Compared with the eyes with normal vaulting, those with high vaulting had higher preoperative diopter values (P=0.039), lower preoperative corrected visual acuity (P=0.006), lower preoperative intraocular pressure (P=0.029), higher preoperative anterior chamber depth (P=0.004), lower preoperative crystalline lens rise (P=0.046), higher ICL spherical equivalent (P=0.030), higher intraoperative vaulting (P<0.001), and lower intraocular pressure at 1 month (P=0.045). The multivariable analysis showed that the only factors independently associated with high vaulting at 1 month after surgery was the intraoperative vaulting value (odds ratio=1.005, 95% confidence interval: 1.002-1.007, P<0.001). The intraoperative and 1-month postoperative vaulting values were correlated (R2=0.562).Conclusions: The RESCAN700 system can be used to perform intraoperative optical coherence tomography to predict the vaulting value at 1 month.
Research on influence of physical activity on medical expenditure in the elderly in China—Based on CHARLS in 2015
Authors: Hong Chenlu , Wu Fei
Published: December 2020

Becoming more and more serious of such problems as acceleration of aging and high medical burden of the elderly in China, research on the influence of physical activity on medical expenditure in the elderly has attracted a lot of attention. In this work, Tobit model is established based on the data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2015 and Behavioral Model of Health Services Use theoretical framework. Compared with the inactive elderly, the medical expenditure of the elderly who participate in the level 4, 3, 2 physical activity decreasing step by step. After involving need factors in the model, the influence of physical activity on medical expenditure varies from significant to insignificant. The medical expenditure of the elderly who meet the physical activity amount is negatively correlated with the physical activity amount, and is lower than that of the elderly who don’t meet physical activity amount. Physical activity will not directly affect medical expenditure, but will affect medical expenditure through chronic diseases and self-rated health status. Our results provide theoretical analysis and empirical test for enriching physical activity guidelines and Behavioral Model of Health Services Use in the elderly in China.
Community Based Case Control Study on Effect of Nutrition Education Intervention on Predictors and Prevalence of Anaemia among Children aged 6 to 59 months in Pastoralist and Agro-Pastoralist community of Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Guled Rashid , Mamat Nik , Bakar Wan Azdie Abu , Belachew Tefera , Assefa Nega
Published: December 2020

Background Anaemia is one of the major public health problems. It affects over 1.6 billion individuals of all age groups globally. Ethiopia is one of the seriously affected countries. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the effect of nutrition education intervention (NEI) on anaemia prevalence and its predictors of preschool children in Pastoralist and Agro-pastoralist community of Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia.Methods A group randomized controlled trial was conducted among 404 paired children 6–59 months to mothers/caregivers in two phases. A face-to-face interview for mothers/caregivers using a semi structured questionnaire and haemoglobin measurement of the children was done. The some procedure were repeated after eight months of NEI. Blood haemoglobin (Hb) level of the children were measured using Hemocue 301. SPSS version 20 was used, a chi-square test for categorical and t-test (independent and repeated paired) for continuous variables were performed.Results the overall anaemia prevalence was decreased from 72% at baseline and 51% at post intervention. The majority of this change had occurred in intervention group (79.3–44.8%). The mean Hb level score difference of the difference (DOD) were significantly improved (-1.163, p < 0.001) after NEI. While, intervention group showed significantly higher increment of Hb level (9.4 g/dl – 10.6 g/dl, p < 0.001).Conclusion The NEI has been observed effective and significantly improved the mean haemoglobin level and the anaemia prevalence in intervention group. Therefore, behaviour change communication, using religious leaders and other potential peoples advocating the use of locally available, accessible and affordable nutritious foods with proper infant and young child feeding and basic health services are highly effective to tackle the children’s anaemia status.
Bandgap Control in Two-Dimensional Semiconductors via Coherent Doping of Plasmonic Hot Electrons
Authors: Chen Yu-Hui , Tamming Ronnie , Chen Kai , Zhang Zhepeng , Liu Fengjiang , Zhang Yanfeng , Hodgkiss Justin , Blaikie Richard , Ding Boyang , Qiu Min
Published: December 2020

Bandgap control is of central importance for semiconductor Technologies. The traditional means of control is to dope the lattice chemically, electrically or optically with charge carriers. Here, we demonstrate for the first time a widely tunable bandgap (renormalisation up to 650 meV at room-temperature) in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors by coherently doping the lattice with plasmonic hot electrons. In particular, we integrate tungsten-disulfide (WS_2) monolayers into a self-assembled plasmonic crystal, which enables coherent coupling between semiconductor excitons and plasmon resonances. Accompanying this process, the plasmon-induced hot electrons can repeatedly fill the WS2 conduction band, leading to population inversion and a significant reconstruction in band structures and exciton relaxations. Our findings provide an innovative and effective measure to engineer optical responses of 2D semiconductors, allowing a great flexibility in design and optimisation of photonic and optoelectronic devices.
Spatiotemporal evolution of the global species diversity of Rhododendron
Authors: Xia Xiao-Mei , Yang Miao-Qin , Li Cong-Li , Huang Si-Xin , Wang Fei , Li Xiao-Hua , Yoichi Watanabe , Zhang Le-Hua , Zheng Yuanrun , Wang Xiao-Quan
Published: December 2020

How large cosmopolitan plant genera survived great environmental changes and rediversified remains largely unknown. Here we investigated mechanisms underlying the rediversification of Rhododendron, the largest genus of woody plants in the Northern Hemisphere. Using 3437 orthologous nuclear genes, we reconstructed the first completely resolved and dated phylogeny of Rhododendron. We found that most extant species of Rhododendron originated by Neogene rediversification from Paleogene relicts during southern migration. The geographically uneven rediversification of Rhododendron led to a much higher diversity in Asia than in other continents, which was driven by two main environmental variables, i.e., habitat heterogeneity represented by elevation range and annual precipitation related to the Asian monsoons, and can be explained by leaf functional traits that show strong phylogenetic signals and correspond well with leaf-forms and geographical regions. Our study highlights the importance of integrating phylogenomic and ecological analyses in revealing the spatiotemporal evolution of species-rich cosmopolitan plant genera.
Who pollutes and who suffers from air pollution in India
Authors: Rao Narasimha , Kiesewetter Gregor , Min Jihoon , Pachauri Shonali , Wagner Fabian
Published: December 2020

Airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the most important environmental risk factor for premature mortality worldwide, and the likely cause of several hundred thousand premature deaths every year in India. Indian households also contribute to ambient PM2.5 to different extents from a number of sources, including biomass-burning cook stoves, transport and industrial manufacturing triggered by household consumption. In this study, we quantify the PM2.5 contributions by source from, as well as the mortality burden suffered by, individual urban and rural income deciles. We find that the impacts are distributed differently from contributions. Indirect emissions associated with household consumption contribute almost twice as much to ambient PM2.5 concentrations as direct emissions from biomass cook stoves. We show that the mortality risk from these indirect sources fall disproportionately on lower-income households, exacerbating the mortality risks they already face from using biomass-burning cook stoves. As a result, economy-wide end-of-pipe controls can reduce inequity in contributions to ambient air pollution. However, due to the overwhelming role of household indoor air pollution in premature deaths among the low-income population, clean cook stoves reduce overall inequality in terms of mortality risks to a far greater extent.
Clustering of multiple lifestyle behaviors among migrant, left-behind and local adolescents in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: He Li , Li Xiaoyan , Wang Weidong , Wang Youfa , Qu Haiyan , Zhao Yang , Lin Danhua
Published: December 2020

Background: Influence of migration on externalized behavioral problems (e.g., aggressive) among adolescents has been well assessed, yet lifestyle behaviors of migrant, left-behind and local adolescents have been largely overlooked by researchers and policy-makers. Therefore, this study aimed to identify clustering of multiple lifestyle behaviors and their associations with migrant status among Chinese adolescents.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2015 in Beijing City and Wuwei County. Adolescents self-reported age, gender, family economic status, migrant situation, and lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, sleep, smoke, drink, fruit and vegetable consumption) via a battery of validated questionnaires. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify behavioral clusters using Mplus 7.1. ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine associations between migrant situations and behavioral clusters using SPSS 22.Results: Three distinct behavioral clusters were exhibited among 1,364 students (mean age: 13.41±0.84 years): “low risk” (N=847), “moderate risk” (N=412) and “high risk” (N=105). The “high-risk” cluster had the highest prevalence of adolescents not meeting healthy behavioral recommendations. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of high-risk lifestyle among migrant, left-behind, rural local and urban local adolescents. But migrant adolescents had the lowest prevalence of low-risk lifestyle, followed by left-behind, rural and urban local adolescents. Moreover, compared with urban local, migrant (OR=2.72, 95%CI: 1.88,3.94), left-behind (OR=2.28, 95%CI: 1.46, 3.55), and rural local (OR=1.76, 95%CI:1.03,3.01) adolescents had a higher risk of moderate-risk lifestyle. Conclusions: Clustering of different lifestyles was observed. To achieve the target of a 15% relative reduction in insufficient physical activity by 2030 and to promote health eating, more attention should be paid on the migrant and left-behind adolescents in China.
Omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish oil supplementation prevents rosiglitazone-induced osteopenia in insulin resistant c57bl/6 mice and in vitro studies.
Authors: Cugno Chiara , Kizhakayil Dhanya , Calzone Rita , Rahman Shaikh , Halade Ganesh , Rahman Md
Published: December 2020

Rosiglitazone is an effective insulin-sensitizer, however associated with bone loss mainly due to increased bone resorption and bone marrow adiposity. We investigated the effect of the co-administration of fish oil on rosiglitazone-induced bone loss in C57BL/6 mice and the mechanisms underlying potential preventive effect. Mice fed iso-caloric diet supplemented with fish oil exhibited significantly higher levels of bone density in different regions compared to the other groups. In the same cohort of mice, reduced activity of COX-2, enhanced activity of alkaline phosphatase, lower levels of cathepsin k, PPAR-γ and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and higher level of anti-inflammatory cytokines were observed.Moreover, fish oil restored rosiglitazone-induced reduction of osteoblast differentiation and up-regulation of adipocyte differentiation in C3H10T1/2 cells and inhibited the up-regulation of osteoclast differentiation of RANKL-treated RAW264.7 cells. We finally tested our hypothesis on human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells differentiated in osteocytes and adipocytes confirming the beneficial effect of docosahexaenoic acid during treatment with rosiglitazone, through the downregulation of adipogenic genes, such as adipsin and FABP4 along the PPARg/FABP4 axis, and reducing the capability of osteocytes to switch toward adipogenesis.Fish oil may prevent rosiglitazone-induced bone loss by inhibiting inflammation, osteoclastogenesis and adipogenesis and by enhancing osteogenesis in the bone microenvironment.
Unbiased integration of single cell multi-omics data
Authors: Dou Jinzhuang , Liang Shaoheng , Mohanty Vakul , Cheng Xuesen , Kim Sangbae , Choi Jongsu , Li Yumei , Rezvani Katy , Chen Rui , Chen Ken
Published: December 2020

Acquiring accurate single-cell multiomics profiles often requires performing unbiased in silico integration of data matrices generated by different single-cell technologies from the same biological sample. However, both the rows and the columns can represent different entities in different data matrices, making such integration a computational challenge that has only been solved approximately by existing approaches. Here, we present bindSC, a single-cell data integration tool that realizes simultaneous alignment of the rows and the columns between data matrices without making approximations. Using datasets produced by multiomics technologies as gold standard, we show that bindSC generates accurate multimodal co-embeddings that are substantially more accurate than those generated by existing approaches. Particularly, bindSC effectively integrated single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single cell chromatin accessibility sequencing (scATAC-seq) data towards discovering key regulatory elements in cancer cell-lines and mouse cells. It achieved accurate integration of both common and rare cell types (<0.25% abundance) in a novel mouse retina cell atlas generated using the 10x Genomics Multiome ATAC+RNA kit. Further, it achieves unbiased integration of scRNA-seq and 10x Visium spatial transcriptomics data derived from mouse brain cortex samples. Lastly, it demonstrated efficacy in delineating immune cell types via integrating single-cell RNA and protein data. Thus, bindSC, available at https://github.com/KChen-lab/bindSC, can be applied in a broad variety of context to accelerate discovery of complex cellular and biological identities and associated molecular underpinnings in diseases and developing organisms.
Downregulation of B3GNT6 Predicts Poor Outcome in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Yang Chen , Huang Changhao , Zeng Pengwei , Huang Heyuan , Chen Zhikang , Lai Chen
Published: December 2020

Background: B3GNT6 encodes the core 3 synthase in O-glycan biosynthesis. It is commonly expressed in the GI tract, while its clinical significance in colorectal cancer remains largely unknown.Methods: We gathered mRNA transcriptomic sequencing data from 3 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE37182, GSE39582, GSE103512) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to compare the B3GNT6 mRNA level between colorectal cancer tissues and normal tissues and to evaluate its value as a prognostic marker. We further validated this in protein level using online database Human Protein Atlas and with immunohistochemical staining of B3GNT6 with our own cohort. Results: B3GNT6 expression was downregulated in colorectal cancer tissue compared with that in normal tissue in both mRNA and in protein level. Downregulation of B3GNT6 was associated with poor overall survival of colorectal cancer in GSE39582 and in TCGA database. Low B3GNT6 mRNA level was significantly associated with chromosome stable (CIN negative) and KRAS mutated group colorectal cancer patient. GSEA revealed that low B3GNT6 level in colorectal cancer is associated with upregulated proteasome activity.Conclusions: Downregulated B3GNT6 was correlated with poor overall survival of colorectal cancer patients. B3GNT6 could be used as a good prognostic marker in colorectal cancer.
An Enhanced Two-Dimensional Hole Gas (2DHG) C-H Diamond with Positive Surface Charge Model for Advanced Normally-Off MOSFET Devices
Authors: Alhasani Reem , Yabe Taichi , Iyama Yutaro , Oi Nobutaka , Imanishi Shoichiro , Nguyen Quang , Kawarada Hiroshi
Published: December 2020

Though the complementary power field effect transistore (FETs), e.g., metal-oxide-semiconductor-FETs (MOSFETs) based on wide badgap materials, enable low switching losses and on-resistance, p-channel FETs are not feasible in any wide bandgap material other than diamond. In this paper, we propose the first work to investigate the impact of fixed positive surface charge density on achieving normally-off and control threshold voltage operation obtained on p-channel two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) hydrogen-terminated diamond (C-H) FET using deep nitrogen doping in the diamond substrate. In general, a p-channel diamond C-H MOSFET demonstrates normally-on operation, but the normally-off operation is also a critical requierment of the feasible electronic power devices in terms of safety operation. The evaluation results of the characteristic of the C-H MOSFET capacitor with the two demonstrated charge sheet models using the two-dimensional Silvaco Atlas TCAD show that the fixed-Fermi level is a function of capacitance-voltage with an activation energy of 1.7 eV (donor level) at the H-diamond surface close to minimum conduction band. The maximum current density with a positive surface charge model and a nitrogen-doped layer of the Al2O3/H-diamond device is -52 mA/mm at a gate-source voltage of -42 V. Also, the gate threshold voltage is relatively high at Vth= -3 V, i.e., the positive surface charge model can achieve the normally-off operation. Moreover, we demonstrate that the obtained results correspond to the experimental work with the SiO2 layer located below the gate in C-H diamond/Al2O3 surface.
Incorporating Aboriginal Women’s Voices in Improving Care and Reducing Risk for Women With Diabetes in Pregnancy - A Phenomenological Study.
Authors: Wood Anna , Graham Sian , Boyle Jacqueline , Marcusson-Rababi Beverley , Anderson Shonada , Connors Christine , McIntyre Harold , Maple-Brown Louise , Kirkham Renae
Published: December 2020

Background: There is a high burden of gestational diabetes (GDM) and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy for Indigenous women globally. Postpartum diabetes programmes have the potential to prevent recurrent GDM and improve management of type 2 diabetes. However, data on such programmes, particularly in the Indigenous context are limited. We aimed to explore Indigenous Australian women’s and health providers’ preferences for a program to prevent and improve diabetes after pregnancy. Methods: A phenomenological methodology underpinned semi-structured in-depth interviews with 11 Indigenous women and seven health professionals across the Northern Territory. Interviews were analysed using an inductive and descriptive approach to address the barriers and enablers of proposed diabetes prevention programs identified by participants.Results: Identified structural barriers to lifestyle change included: food insecurity, persuasive marketing of unhealthy food options, lack of facilities and cultural inappropriateness of previous programs. Enablers to lifestyle change included: a strong link between a healthy lifestyle and connection with the land, family and community. Suggested strategies to improve lifestyle included: co-designed cooking classes or a community kitchen, team sports and structural change (targeting the social determinants of health). Lifestyle change was preferred over metformin to prevent and manage diabetes after pregnancy by participants and health care providers. Conclusions: We recommend individual level programs be designed alongside policies that address systemic inequalities. A postpartum lifestyle program should be co-designed with community members and grounded in Indigenous conceptions of health to adequality address the health disparities experienced by Indigenous people in remote communities.
Low Annexin A1 level in HTLV-1 Infected Patients might be a Potential Biomarker for the Clinical Progression and Diagnosis of HAM/TSP
Authors: Santana Bárbara , Queiroz Maria Alice , Cerveira Rodrigo , Rodrigues Claudia , Amoras Ednelza , Costa Carlos , Sousa Maisa , Ishak Ricardo , Goulart Luiz Ricardo , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos
Published: December 2020

Background: Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is etiologically associated with the chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is an anti-inflammatory protein with proposed neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory functions. We hypothesized that ANXA1 gene expression may be dysregulated in HTLV-1-infected HAM/TSP patients.Methods: This study involved 37 individuals infected with HTLV-1, including 21 asymptomatic (AS) carriers and 16 with HAM/TSP, and a control group of 30 individuals negative for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. For AS HTLV-1-positive and HAM/TSP patients, ANXA1 and formyl peptide receptor (FPR1, FPR2 and FPR3) expression and HTLV-1 proviral load (PVL) in peripheral blood cells were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and plasma AnxA1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: ANXA1 gene expression was increased in the AS group compared with the HAM/TSP and control groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. FPR1 gene expression was higher in patients with HTLV-1 than in controls (AS, p= 0.0032; HAM/TSP, p< 0.0001). Plasma AnxA1 levels were higher in the AS group than in the HAM/TSP group (p= 0.0045), and PVL was higher in patients with HAM/TSP than in AS individuals (p= 0.0162). The use of a combined ROC curve using Annexin 1 levels and proviral load significantly increased the sensitivity and specificity to predict progression to HAM/TSP (AUC = 0.851 and AUC = 0.937, respectively, to AUC=1,000). Conclusions: Our results suggest that AnxA1 may be dysregulated in HAM/TSP patients. Serological detection of AnxA1 in association with proviral load may provide a prognostic biomarker for HTLV-1-associated neurodegenerative disease.
In-vitro Virucidal Activity of Hypothiocyanite and Hypothiocyanite/lactoferrin Mix Against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Cegolon Luca , Mirandola Mattia , Salaris Claudio , Salvati Maria , Salata Cristiano , Mastrangelo Giuseppe
Published: December 2020

SARS-CoV-2 replicates efficiently in the upper airways during the prodromal stage, with resulting viral shedding into the environment from patients with active COVID-19 as well as from asymptomatic individuals. There is a need to find pharmacological interventions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Hypothiocyanite and lactoferrin are molecules of the innate immune system with a large spectrum cidal activity and easy to administer by aerosol inhalation. The combination of the above two molecules was designated as orphan drug by the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. Here we found a dose-dependent as well as time-dependent virucidal activity of hypothiocyanite at micromolar concentrations, slightly improved by lactoferrin, against SARS-CoV-2. The two substances individually tested were devoid of any cytotoxicity.
Recalling of Multiple Grasping Methods From an Object Image With a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: SANADA Makoto , MATSUO Tadashi , SHIMADA Nobutaka , SHIRAI Yoshiaki
Published: December 2020

In this study, a method for a robot to recall multiple grasping methods for a given object is proposed. The robot learns grasping methods using a convolutional neural network to observe the grasping activities of human without special instructions. For this setting, only one grasping motion is observed for an object at a time. By automatically clustering the observed grasping postures, the robot learns multiple grasping methods. In the proposed method, the grasping methods are clustered during the process of learning of the grasping position. The method first recalls grasping positions. The network for recalling the grasping position estimates the multi-channel heatmap such that each channel heatmap indicates one grasping position. The method then checks the graspability for each estimated position. Finally, it recalls the hand shapes based on the estimated grasping position and the object’s shape. This study shows the results of recalling multiple grasping methods and demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Verification of electromagnetic essential connection
Authors: Yang Shuai
Published: December 2020

Magnetic field and electric field are two independent states, known by the law of electromagnetic induction, changes in magnetic flux can generate induced electromotive force. electric wires of all materials can generate magnetic fields, we think that the magnetic field is not a characteristic, but the commonality of all elements, In order to explore the inner connection between the two transformations, we made a series of theoretical assumptions and experimental verification, the first time observed the magnetization phenomenon of copper, prove that magnetization is a process of uneven distribution of charges, the magnetic field is a specific frequency range. It has important reference value for the basic research of electromagnetic waves, guide a research of magnetic materials.
Biventricular Versus His Bundle Pacing After Atrioventricular Node Ablation in Heart Failure Patients With Narrow QRS
Authors: Žižek David , Antolič Bor , Mežnar Anja Zupan , Džananović Dinko Zavrl , Jan Matevž , Štublar Jernej , Pernat Andrej
Published: December 2020

Background His bundle pacing (HBP) is a physiological alternative to biventricular (BiV) pacing. Our goal was to compare short-term results of both pacing approaches in ventricular rate refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who underwent atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA).Methods Consecutive symptomatic AF patients with moderately reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF ≥35% and <50%) and narrow QRS (≤120ms) who received HBP in conjunction with AVNA were compared to historical BiV pacing controls. Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical data at baseline and 6 months after the procedure were assessed. Results Among 24 patients (age 68.8 ± 6.5 years, 50% female, EF 39.6 ± 4%, QRS 95 ± 10ms) who underwent AVNA, 12 received BiV pacing and 12 HBP. Both pacing modalities had similar acute procedure-related success and complication rates. HBP was superior to BiV pacing in terms of post-implant QRS duration, implantation fluoroscopy times, reduction of LV volumes (EDV 127 (86 – 150) ml vs. 146 (121 – 190) ml, P = 0.101; ESV 64 (46 – 81) ml vs. 90 (75 – 123) ml, P = 0.008) and increase in LVEF (46 (41 – 55) % vs. 38 (35 – 42) %, P = 0.005). However, improvement of the New York Heart Association class was similar in both groups.Conclusions In ventricular rate refractory AF patients with moderately reduced EF and narrow QRS undergoing AVNA, HBP could be a conceivable alternative to BiV pacing. Further prospective studies are warranted to address the outcomes between both “ablate and pace” strategies.
Vesicular and Extravesicular Protein Signatures From the Airspaces of Ozone-Exposed Mice Reflect Muco-Inflammatory Disturbances.
Authors: Choudhary Ishita , Vo Thao , Paudel Kshitiz , Gupta Richa , Kesimer Mehmet , Patial Sonika , Saini Yogesh
Published: December 2020

Lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) harbors a variety of proteins that influence homeostatic and stress responses in the airspaces. Exosomes, nano-sized extracellular vesicles, contain a large number of proteins that vary in abundance and composition based on the prevailing conditions. Ozone causes inflammatory responses in the airspaces of experimental animals and humans. However, in ozone-exposed lung airspaces, the protein signatures in exosomes contained within the ELF remain poorly characterized. To explore this, we hypothesized that ozone triggers the release of inflammatory proteins from various cells that reflect ozone-induced tissue pathology. Accordingly, we sub-chronically exposed adult male and female mice to 0.8ppm ozone or air and determined exosome-bound proteomic signatures as well as the levels of soluble inflammatory mediators in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Principal component analyses of the exosome-bound proteome revealed a clear distinction between air-exposed and ozone-exposed mice, as well as between ozone-exposed males and ozone-exposed females. In addition to 575 proteins that were enriched in both sexes upon ozone exposure, 243 and 326 proteins were enriched uniquely in ozone-exposed males and females, respectively. Ingenuity pathway analyses on enriched proteins between ozone- and air-exposed mice revealed enrichment of pro-inflammatory pathways. More specifically, macrophage-activation associated proteins were enriched in exosomes from ozone-exposed mice. Cytokine analyses on the BALF revealed elevated levels of G-CSF, MIP-1b, KC, IP-10, IL-6, and IL-5 in ozone-exposed mice. Finally, histopathological assessment revealed significantly enhanced intracellular localization of inflammatory proteins including MUC5B and FIZZ1 in ozone-exposed mice in cell-specific manner indicating the cellular sources of the proteins that are ferried in the exosomes upon ozone-induced lung injury. Collectively, this study identified exosomal, secretory, and cell-specific proteins and biological pathways following sub-chronic exposure of mice to ozone.
Cloning and Expression Analysis of Mevalonate Kinase and Phosphomevalonate Kinase Genes Associated with MVA Pathway in Santalum Album
Authors: Niu Meiyun , Xiong Yuping , Yan Haifeng , Zhang Xinhua , Li Yuan , Silva Jaime A. Teixeira da , Ma Guohua
Published: December 2020

Sandalwood is highly valued for its fragrant heartwood and its extracted oil. The major oil component santalols are terpenoids, which are biosynthesis through the MVA pathway. MK and PMK are the major enzymes on the MVA pathway. Little is known about the genes encoding MK and PMK in Santalum album on its expression regulation mechanism. The analysis of MK and PMK genes and their functions are important for the further study of the biosynthesis of santalol. These results will help to further study the role of MK and PMK genes in S. album santalol biosynthesis. The total RNA of sandalwood leaves was extracted, then the First-strand cDNA synthesis was obtained through the PrimeScript first-strand cDNA synthesis kit. Then sequence comparison and bioinformatics analyses of the genes homology of SaMK and SaPMK with MKs and PMKs, We also investigated subcellular localization of SaMK and SaPMK proteins. Its functional complementation of SaMK and SaPMK in yeast were also investigated. Atlast, MeJA was used to induce tissue-specific analysis and expression profiles of SaMK and SaPMK. The results showed that the full-length cDNA sequences of SaMK and SaPMK were 1409 bp and 1679 bp containing a 1381 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 460 amino acids and a 1527 bp ORF encoding a polypeptide of 508 amino acids, respectively. Sequence comparison and bioinformatics analyses indicated that SaMK and SaPMK showed high homology with MKs and PMKs, respectively from other plant species. Further functional complementation of SaMK in an MK-deficient mutant yeast strain YMR208W and SaPMK in a PMK-deficient mutant yeast strainYMR220W confirmed that cloned SaMK and SaPMK cDNA encode a functional MK and PMK, respectively and mediated MVA biosynthesis in yeast. Tissue expression pattern analysis revealed that SaMK and SaPMK were constitutively expressed in all the tested tissues. SaMK was highly expressed in young leaves but least expressed in sapwood while SaPMK was highly expressed in roots and mature leaves, and least expressed in young leaves.
Statistical Characterization of Airplane Delays
Authors: Mitsokapas Evangelos , Schäfer Benjamin , Harris Rosemary , Beck Christian
Published: December 2020

The aviation industry is of great importance for a globally connected economy. Customer satisfaction with airlines and airport performance is considerably influenced by how much flights are delayed. But how should the delay be quantified with thousands of flights for each airport and airline? Here, we present a statistical analysis of arrival delays at several UK airports between 2018 and 2020. We establish a procedure to compare both mean delay and extreme events among airlines and airports, identifying a power-law decay of large delays. Furthermore, we note drastic changes in plane delay statistics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, we find that delays are described by a superposition of simple distributions, leading to a superstatistics.
Photothermal Therapy via a Gold Nanoparticle-Coated Stent for Treating Stent-Induced Granulation Tissue Formation in the Rat Esophagus
Authors: Cho Young Chul , Kang Jeon Min , Park Wooram , Kim Dong-Hyun , Shin Ji Hoon , Kim Do Hoon , Park Jung-Hoon
Published: December 2020

Minimally invasive therapies using stent technology are currently limited by stent-induced granulation tissue formation adjacent to the stent. The effectiveness of photothermal therapy (PTT) using a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-coated stent for treating stent-induced granulation tissue formation in the rat esophagus was investigated. All experiments were approved by the animal research committee of our institution. An AuNP-coated, self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) was produced to conduct PTT under near-infrared laser irradiation. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats each). The animals in group A (non-coated SEMS) and group B (AuNP-coated SEMS with local heating at 65°C at 4 weeks) were sacrificed 4 weeks after stent placement. The rats in group C (AuNP-coated SEMS with local heating at 65°C at 4 weeks) and group D (AuNP-coated SEMS with local heating at 65°C at 4 and 8 weeks) were sacrificed 8 weeks after stent placement. The effectiveness of local heating was assessed by histopathology. All procedures were successful in all of the animals. Seven rats were excluded because of stent migration (n = 2) and death (n = 5). Granulation tissue formation-related variables were significantly higher in group A than in groups B-D (all p < 0.05). HSP70 and TUNEL expression were significantly lower in group A than in groups B-D (all p < 0.05). Granulation tissue formation-related variables were significantly higher in group C than in groups B and D (all p < 0.05). PTT using AuNP-coated SEMS successfully treated granulation tissue formation after stent placement in the rat esophagus.
Entropy-Based Dynamic Graph Embedding for Climate Change Detection
Authors: Li Gen , Jung Jason
Published: December 2020

Climate change is a severe problem caused by abnormal climate events. The existing methods for detecting climate changes utilize statistical models to analyze the atmospheric temperature, but a climate event commonly comprises multiple meteorological data. To detect climate changes using meteorological data, we propose a novel dynamic graph embedding model based on graph entropy called EDynGE. A climate event is denoted as a graph, in which the nodes indicate meteorological data and edges indicate the correlation between nodes. Graph entropy measures the information of the climate event, and the EDynGE model clusters graphs based on graph entropy. We conducted experiments on real meteorological data. The results showed that the number of days of abnormal climate events has increased by 304.5 days in the past 30 years.
Lock-in Vibration Retrieval Based on High-speed Full-field Coherent Imaging
Authors: PICART Pascal , PEZERAT Charles , METEYER Erwan , FOUCART Felix , MONTRESOR Silvio , MEUR Julien LE , HEGGARTY Kevin
Published: December 2020

The use of high-speed cameras permits to visualize, analyze or study physical phenomena at both their time and spatial scales. Mixing high-speed imaging with coherent imaging allows recording and retrieving the optical path difference and this opens the way for investigating a broad variety of scientific challenges in biology, medicine, material science, physics and mechanics. At high frame rate, simultaneously obtaining suitable performance and level of accuracy is not straightforward. In the field of mechanics, this prevents high-speed imaging to be applied to full-field vibrometry. In this paper, we demonstrate a coherent imaging approach that can yield full-field structural vibration measurements with state-of-the-art performances. The method is based on high-speed on-line digital holography and recording a short time sequence. Validation of the proposed approach is carried out by comparison with a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer and by realistic simulations. Several error criteria demonstrate measurement capability of yielding amplitude and phase of structural deformations.
A quantitative methodology to detect surface antigens on red blood cells using optical cell-detachment technique
Authors: LIN CHIH-LANG , WANG SHYANG-GUANG , TIEN MENG-TSUNG , CHIANG CHUNG-HAN , LEE YI-CHIEH , BALDECK PATRICE L. , SHIN CHOW-SHING
Published: December 2020

The quantitative analysis of surface antigens on cells, especially red blood cells (RBCs), has attracted increasing attention due to the recognition of antigenic changes that can facilitate early diagnoses. This paper presents an alternative methodology developed using the optical cell-detachment technique to evaluate antibody-antigen interactions and quantitatively analyze the RBC surface antigen expression. RBC subtyping was used to verify the proposed detection principle based on a comparison of the bonding strengths between individual RBCs and antibody coatings. The bonding strengths were measured with serial antibody dilutions with gradually decreasing laser powers, for which a single cell was optically detached from the corresponding antibody-coated surface. With the quantitatively analysis, the proposed alternative methodology was verified as a highly sensitive technique for detecting antigen expression on the RBC surface.
Interrupted time Series Design to Evaluate ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM Coding Changes on Trends in Colorado Emergency Department visits Related to Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: De Crescenzo Lauren Alexis , Gabella Barbara Alison , Johnson Jewell
Published: December 2020

Background. The transition in 2015 to the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Disease, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) in the USA led public health professionals to propose a surveillance definition of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that uses ICD-10-CM codes. The proposed definition excludes “unspecified injury of the head,” previously included in the ICD-9-CM TBI definition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this change in surveillance methods on monthly rates of TBI-related emergency department visits in Colorado from 2012 to 2017.Results. The monthly rate of TBI-related emergency department visits in the transition month to ICD-10-CM (October 2015) decreased 41 visits per 100,000 population (p-value <0.0001), compared to September 2015, and remained low through December 2017, due to the exclusion of “unspecified injury of head” (ICD-10-CM code S09.90) in the proposed TBI definition. Conclusion. This study highlights a challenge in creating a standardized set of TBI ICD-10-CM codes for public health surveillance that provides comparable yet clinically relevant estimates over time. The findings inform estimation of TBI magnitude based on ICD coded data and decisions about allocating TBI resources based on an estimated TBI magnitude.
Respiratory Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure During Short-Term Cycling Among Healthy Adults in Three Chinese Cities
Authors: He Lejian , Zhao Laijun , Liu Yonghong , Qiu Zhaowen , Gao H. Oliver
Published: December 2020

Background: Cycling to work has been promoted as a green commute in many countries because of its reduced congestion relative to that of cars and its reduced environmental impact on air pollution. However, cyclists might be exposed to higher air pollution, causing adverse health effects. Few studies have examined the respiratory effects of traffic-related air pollution exposure during short-term cycling, especially in developing countries with heavy air pollution. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of air pollution exposure on lung function while cycling in traffic. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adults in total cycled on a specified route in each of three Chinese cities during four periods of a day. Lung function measures were collected immediately before and after cycling. Real-time particulate matter (PM) and the particle number count (PNC) for particles with different sizes were measured along each cycling route, while ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO) levels were measured at the nearest stations. Mixed-effect models were used to estimate the impact of short-term air pollution exposure on participants’ lung function measures during cycling. Results: We found that an interquartile increase in particulate matter consisting of fine particles (PM1, aerodynamic diameter £ 1 mm; and PM2.5, aerodynamic diameter £ 2.5 mm) was associated with a significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC) (PM1, –5.61%, p = 0.021; PM2.5, –5.57%, p = 0.022). Interquartile increases in the 99th percentile of PNC for fine particles (aerodynamic diameter 0.3–0.4 mm) also had significant negative associations with FVC (0.3 mm, –5.13%, p = 0.041; 0.35 mm, –4.81%, p = 0.045; 0.4 mm, –4.59%, p = 0.035). We also observed significant inverse relationships between ambient CO levels and FVC (–5.78%, p = 0.015).Conclusions: Our results suggest that short-term exposure to fine particles and CO while cycling in traffic contributes to a reduction in FVC of cyclists.
Evaluation of Dopamine Transporter Density in Healthy Brazilians Using [99mTc] TRODAT-1 SPECT
Authors: Reis Marilia Alves dos , Gadelha Ary , Felício André C. , Hoexter Marcelo Queiroz , Batista Ilza Rosa , Braga-Neto Pedro , Calzavara Mariana , Cavagnolli Daniel Alves , Higuchi Cinthia , Leite Melissa Furlaneto Lellis , Nogueira Solange Amorim , Wagner Jairo , Castiglioni Mario Luiz Vieira , Shih Ming Chi , Bressan Rodrigo Affonseca
Published: December 2020

Purpose: The presynaptic dopamine transporter (DAT) modulates the uptake of dopamine by regulating its concentration in the central nervous system. We aimed to evaluate the DAT binding potential (DAT-BP) in a sample of healthy Brazilians through [99mTc] TRODAT-1 single-photon emission computed tomography imaging. Methods: We selected 126 healthy individuals comprising 72 men and 54 women, aged 18-80 years. We conducted semi-quantitative evaluation in transaxial slices, following which we identified the regions of interest in the striatal region using the occipital lobe as a region of non-specific DAT-BP. We found a decrease in DAT-BP in healthy individuals aged over 30 years, culminating in a 42% mean reduction after 80 years. Results: There was no difference in the decrease by age group between the right (R2 linear=0.466) and left striatum (R2 linear=0.510). Women presented a higher DAT-BP than men (women: R2 linear=0.431; men: R2 linear=0.457); nonetheless, their decrease by age group was equal to that in men. Conclusion: Our study sheds light on important DAT-BP findings in healthy Brazilian subjects. Our results will facilitate understanding of brain illnesses that involve the dopamine system, such as neuropsychiatric disorders.
Corneal Surface Irregularity and Surgically Induced Astigmatism Changes in the Small Incision Versus Microincision After SMILE
Authors: Piao Junjie , Li Ying , Wang Meng
Published: December 2020

Background: To evaluate the corneal surface irregularity and surgically induced astigmatism changes in the small incision versus microincision after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery.Methods: A total of 70 eyes of 35 patients with myopia who underwent SMILE surgery were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the incision size (small incision, 4.0 mm or microincision, <2.5 mm) and subjected to a standard ophthalmologic examination preoperatively. The changes in corneal topographic and surface irregularities were evaluated using a TMS-4N topographer during a 6-month follow-up period.Results: According to Friedman’s ANOVA test, there were statistically significant changed in SRI, SAI, and IOP between two groups during a 6-month follow-up (all p < 0.001). At last follow-up, SRI values less than 0.50 D were shown 27 eyes (75%) in the small incision group and 28 eyes (82%) in the microincision group; SAI values less than 0.50 D were shown 22 eyes (61%) in the small incision group and 18 eyes (53%) in the microincision group (all p<0.001).Conclusions: SMILE procedures, using both small incisions and microincisions, are safe and effective surgical options for patients with low to high myopia and provide stable postoperative biomechanical properties and superior postoperative visual outcomes.
Association of UCP1 and UCP2 Variants With Diabetic Retinopathy Susceptibility in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Xujia , Jiang Zehua , Zhang Guihua , Ng Tsz Kin , Wu Zhenggen
Published: December 2020

Background: Genetic association of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) variants with the susceptibility of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetes mellites (DM) patients has been reported but with controversy. Here we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to confirm the association of different UCPs variants with DR.Methods: Three databases (Medline Ovid, Embase Ovid and CENTRAL) were applied in the literature search. Five genetic models, including allelic, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant and recessive models, were evaluated. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated under the random or fixed-effects models. Subgroup analyses, publication bias and sensitivity analyses were also conducted.Results: Eleven studies on 2 UCPs variants (UCP1 rs1800592 and UCP2 rs659366) were included. Our meta-analysis showed that UCP1 rs1800592 was not associated with DR in type-2 DM patients, and UCP2 rs659366 also showed no association with DR. In the subgroup analyses on the stage of DR, allele A of UCP1 rs1800592 significantly increased the susceptibility of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in type-2 DM patients in the allelic (OR = 1.26, P = 0.03) and homozygous models (OR = 1.60, P = 0.04). Subgroup analysis on ethnicity did not found any significant association of rs1800592 and rs659366 with DR.Conclusion: Our meta-analysis confirmed the association of UCP1 rs1800592 variant with PDR in patients with type-2 DM, suggesting its potential as a genetic marker for PDR prediction in population screening.