bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult ADHD and Emerging Models of Maladaptive Personality: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Jacobsson Peter , Hopwood Christopher J. , Söderpalm Bo , Nilsson Thomas
Published: February 2021

Background: ADHD is a highly consequential disorder that is estimated to affect 2.5% of the adult population. Emerging models of psychopathology posit that disorders like ADHD can be usefully situated within general models of individual differences in personality, such as those recently implemented in the DSM and ICD for the diagnosis of personality disorder. Previous research and systematic reviews have linked adult ADHD to the personality traits Conscientious Inhibition and Negative Emotionality. However, there have been some inconsistencies in the literature and research embedding ADHD-personality connections in the DSM-5 and ICD-11 personality disorder models has been limited. The goal of this paper was to systematically review associations between adult ADHD and personality traits, organized within a maladaptive five factor framework. Methods: A comprehensive literature search yielded 13 papers whose effects were meta-analyzed. Results: Results supported associations between ADHD and low Conscientious Inhibition and high Negative Emotionality. However, interesting patterns of variability were observed, potentially related to issues such as instrumentation and facet variation. Conclusion: Results support the clinical application of personality assessment for suggesting risk for ADHD symptoms, and point to important directions for further research.
Taxane/gemcitabine-Containing Chemotherapy Plus Locoregional IMRT for Patients With De Novo Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: The Treatment Outcomes and Prognostic Factors Analysis
Authors: Du Chengrun , Ni Mengshan , Jiang Jianyun , Kong Fangfang , Zhai Ruiping , Lv Yingchen , Hu Chaosu , Ying Hongmei
Published: February 2021

Objectives: To evaluate treatment outcomes of de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC) patients receiving taxane/gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy followed by locoregional intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and analyze potential prognostic factors.Materials and Methods: A total of 118 patients between March 2008 and November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated with taxane/gemcitabine-containing systemic chemotherapy followed by definitive locoregional IMRT. Potential prognostic factors including baseline absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and the subdivision of metastasis were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up time for the whole group was 31.5 months (range, 5-138 months). Of the 118 patients, 9 (7.6%) patients experienced local regional failure and 60(50.8%) patients had progression of distant metastasis. At the time of the last follow-up, 61(51.7%) patients were dead. The 5-year actuarial progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS),distant metastasis relapse free survival (DMFS) and local regional recurrence free survival (LRFS) were 34.2%, 44%, 41.1% and 82.6%, respectively. Baseline lymphocyte count ≥ 1600/μl prior to the treatment conferred better locoregional control (5y-LRFS 96% vs. 64.7%, p<0.001) and distant metastasis control (5y-MFS 50.4% vs. 32.4%, p=0.023). The multivariate analysis showed that high lymphocyte count was the most relevant predictor of superior PFS (HR = 0.236, P < 0.001) and OS (HR=0.518, p= 0.04). M subdivision was found as another independent prognostic factor for OS but not for PFSConclusion: Taxane/gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy combined with IMRT represents an effective treatment modality for mNPC. Baseline ALC is an independent significant prognostic factor for PFS and OS.
Using Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Alleviate the Toxicity on Banana Parasitic-Nematode
Authors: elansary Mostafa , Hamouda Ragaa , Elshamy Maha
Published: February 2021

We appraised the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles, (ZnO-NPs) and zinc oxide bulk (ZnO-bulk) or zinc acetate, as a natural nematocide, alone or in combination with oxamyl in vitro and in vivo trials in order to improve systems for root-knot nematode (RKNs) control in banana plants. Especially, ZnO-NPs were biosynthesized from the alga, Ulva fasciata. In general, all applications of ZnO-NPs were more effective to control RKNs than ZnO-bulk as well oxamyl alone (chemical control). In in vitro conditions, ZnO-NPs with oxamyl showed 98.91% second stage juveniles2 (J2s) mortality of Meloidogyne incognita after 72 hrs, while 72.86% mortality was observed at the same NPs treatment without oxamyl at the same exposure time. The same treatment was the most effective in diminution of J2s community (82.77%) in soil and galls number (81.87%) in roots under in vivo conditions. In contrast, the highest weight and height of the shoot was observed in Zn-bulk treatment in combination with oxamyl as well oxamyl only (nematocides check). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reports displayed the distributions and accumulations of ZnO-NPs on the nematode (J2s) body under direct exposure, which might be the reason of NP-mediated toxicity and disruption for M. incognita.
Reducing the Dosing Frequency of Selective Digestive Tract Decontamination to Three Times Daily Provides Effective Decontamination of Potentially Pathogenic Micro-Organisms
Authors: Court Jara Rebekka de la , Sigaloff Kim C.E. , Groot Thomas , Spoel Johan I. van der , Schade Rogier P.
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis study evaluated the effectiveness of selective digestive tract decontamination (SDD) application three times daily (t.i.d.) compared to the standard four times daily (q.i.d.).MethodsRetrospective equivalence study with a before-and-after design on a tertiary ICU in which the SDD frequency was reduced from q.i.d. to t.i.d. All patients with ICU admissions ≥72h, and with ≥2 surveillance cultures collected on different dates were included in this study. We compared successful decontamination of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Furthermore, time to decontamination, ICU-acquired GNB bacteraemia and 28-day mortality were compared between the two groups. ResultsIn total 1958 ICU admissions (1236 q.i.d., 722 t.i.d). Decontamination was achieved during the first week of admission in 77% and 76% of patients receiving SDD q.i.d and t.i.d., respectively. Successful decontamination within 14 days (without consecutive acquisition of Gram-negative bacteria) was achieved in 69.3.% of the admissions with q.i.d. versus 66.8% in t.i.d. SDD (p-value = 0.2519). The proportions of successful decontamination of GNB were equivalent in both groups (-0.025, 98% CI: -0.087; 0.037). There was no significant difference in time to decontamination between the two regimens (log-rank test p-value = 0.55). Incidence (episodes/1000 days) of ICU-acquired GNB bacteraemia was 0.9 in both groups and OR for death at day 28 in the t.i.d. group compared to the q.i.d. group was 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.21). ConclusionsThis study shows that a t.i.d. application regimen provides equally effective SDD compared to the standard q.i.d. regime, for both microbiological and clinical outcome measures.
Statistical Inference From Stem Cell Barcoding Data Using Adaptive Approximate Bayesian Computation
Authors: Chen Siyi , King Katherine Y. , Kimmel Marek
Published: February 2021

Background: Barcodes that can be supplied to cells by transduction of a library of unique DNA sequences allow identification of heterogeneity in cell populations and lineage tracing applications. Estimation of the number of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) clones is important since it also allows to approximate the number of hematopoietic stem cells from which the circulating blood cells descend. This problem is similar to the species problem, well-known to ecologists. However, an additional ”degree of freedom” exists, since different HSC generally give rise to clones with different growth rates. This adds credibility to sampling models based on different versions of Dirichlet-multinomial distributions. Results: We developed a truncated population approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) algorithm which is derived from sequential Monte Carlo ABC (SMC-ABC) and applied the method to the symmetric Dirichlet-multinomial model proposed by Zhang et al. (2005) and asymmetric Dirichlet-multinomial model we proposed. Methodology was tested using simulated and real-life data. Conclusions: Results suggest that flexibility of the asymmetric Dirichlet-multinomial helps to obtain insight into heterogeneity of proliferating cell systems such as HSC. Estimates based on experimental data approach the correct count of murine HSC.
Detection of Fibrous Liver Under Congestion by a Gravity-assisted Evaluation of Liver Stiffness
Authors: Suda Takeshi , Sugimoto Ai , Abe Atsushi , Kanefuji Tsutomu , Hoshi Takahiro , Abe Satoshi , Morita Shinichi , Yokoo Takeshi , Kamimura Kenya , Tsuchiya Atsunori , Takamura Masaaki , Yagi Kazuyoshi , Takahashi Masashi , Terai Shuji
Published: February 2021

To evaluate architectural deformities of the liver under congestive conditions, shear wave elastography (SWE) was measured in the supine (Sp) and left decubitus (Ld) positions in 298 subjects. The inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter was significantly reduced at Ld in subjects with higher Ld-SWE than Sp-SWE but not in those with lower Ld-SWE. In 81 subjects, Sp-SWE was increased or decreased in Ld beyond the magnitude of robust coefficient of variation. Among these subjects, all 37 with normal Sp-SWE had higher Ld-SWE than Sp-SWE (NH), whereas in 44 residual subjects with abnormal Sp-SWE Ld-SWE was higher in 27 subjects (HH) and lower in 17 subjects (HS) than Sp-SWE. Sp-SWE was significantly correlated with the difference between Sp-SWE and Ld-SWE only in HS. When HH and HS were examined for each lobe, Fibrosis-4 or platelet counts were significantly higher only for HS versus NH. The paradoxical increase/decrease of liver stiffness/IVC diameter in Ld indicates the pressure threshold between the hepatic veins and IVC. Gravity alters the hepatic architecture during body postural changes, causing outflow blockage in hepatic veins. A rigid liver is resistant to structural deformation. Stiff-liver softening in Ld suggests fibrous liver.
Soil Heavy Metals Contamination of a Typical Calcium Carbide Slag Dump Sites: Source Apportionment and Risk Assessment
Authors: Zhiyuan Wu , zhang dan , Tianxiang Xia , Xiaoyang Jia
Published: February 2021

Source identification and risk assessment of heavy metals were the necessary preliminary work for the contaminated sites remediation. In this report, the As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn concentration in a typical calcium carbide slag dump site of thirty-four soil samples were collected to test. The source of heavy metals was analyzed by PMF model, and the apportionment of ecological risk and health risk with different pollution sources were calculated. The results show that Hg was the main polluted heavy metal in the site, with a maximum concentration of 112.19 mg.kg-1, and the soil in the site was accompanied by As, Cu and Pb co-contamination. The average Hg concentration in farmland samples was 0.13 mg.kg-1, which also exceeded the local soil background values, indicating that soil Hg contamination in the site had spread outwards. The sources of eight heavy metals were divided into oil refinery waste water and parent material mixed source (As, Cr, Cu and Pb), vinyl chloride waste source (Hg) and parent material source (Cd, Ni and Zn), respectively. The average potential ecological risk of soil in the site was 22344.39 and vinyl chloride waste source contributed 99.85% to ecological risk. The average CR of oil refinery waste-water and parent material mixed source for children and adults were 9.06×10-6 and 6.36×10-6, accounting for 99.9% and 99.48% of the total average CR for children and adults, respectively. The average HI of vinyl chloride waste source to children and adults were 0.6 and 0.38, accounting for 64.13% and 52.34% of the average total HI of child and adult, respectively. This indicates that children were more vulnerable to heavy metals. Compared with adults, the major pollution sources were more harmful to children.
Effects of Cascade Reservoir Systems on the Longitudinal Distribution of Sediment Characteristics: A Case Study of the Heihe River Basin
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Bao-long , Liu Juan-juan , Feng Qi , Liu Wei , Wang Xu , He Yu-hua
Published: February 2021

Spatial variations in grain-size parameters can reflect river sediment transport patterns and depositional dynamics. Therefore, 22 surficial sediment samples taken from the Heihe River and its cascade reservoirs were analyzed to better understand the impact of cascade reservoir construction on sediment transport patterns in inland rivers in China. The results showed that the longitudinal distribution of sediment grain size in the Heihe River was significantly affected by the influence of the cascade reservoirs. The grain size of the reservoir sediments within the cascade reservoir system was much lower than that of sediments in the natural river section, and the sediments in the natural river were well sorted, exhibiting leptokurtosis and positive or very positive skew. The lower reaches of the dammed river experienced strong erosion, and the grains of the bed sediments were coarse and poorly sorted; the grain-size distributions were more positively skewed and exhibited leptokurtosis. The backwater zone of the reservoir was influenced by both backwater and released water, and the sediment grain size was between the grain size of the natural river and that of the lower reaches of the dam; these sediments were moderately well sorted and had a positively skewed, leptokurtic grain-size distribution. Sedimentary environmental analysis revealed that the characteristics of the sediment grain size in an upstream tributary of the Heihe River were more influenced by source material than by hydrodynamic conditions, while the grain-size characteristics of the mainstream sediments were controlled mainly by hydrodynamic conditions.
Downregulation of Fibronectin 1 Attenuates ATRA-induced Inhibition of Cell Migration and Invasion in Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Tan Xiaolin , Gong Wei , Chen Bo , Gong Baocheng , Hua Zhongyan , Zhang Simeng , Chen Yang , Li Qi , Li Zhijie
Published: February 2021

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common malignant extra cranial solid tumors in children. It has been well established that retinoic acid (RA) inhibits proliferation of neuroblastoma (NB) by blocking cells at G1 phase of the cell cycle. Clinically, RA has been successfully used to treat NB patients. However, the precise mechanism underlying the potent action of RA-treated NB is not fully explored. In this work, we carried out a gene expression profiling by RNA sequencing on all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-treated NB cells. Cancer-related pathway enrichment and subsequent protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified Fibronectin 1 (FN1) as one of the central molecules in the network, which was significantly upregulated during ATRA treatment.In addition, we found that although downregulation of FN1 had no significant effects on either cell proliferation or cell cycle distributions in the presence or absence of ATRA, it increased cell migration and invasion in NB cells and partially blocked ATRA-induced inhibition of cell migration and invasion in SY5Y NB cells. Consistent with this finding, FN1 expression levels in NB patients positively correlate with their overall survivals. Taken together, our data suggest that FN1 is a potential target for effective ATRA treatment on NB patients, likely by facilitating ATRA-induced inhibition of cell migration and invasion.
Improving Stripe Rust Resistance and Agronomic Performance in Three Elite Wheat Cultivars by Using a Combination of Marker Detection and Phenotypic Selection
Authors: Yang qiang , Fang taohong , Li xin , Yang Suizhuang , Kang Zhensheng , Zhou Xinli
Published: February 2021

Wheat is an important cereal crop globally and improvement programs reach a plateau from ever-evolving stripe rust pathogen. Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Tritici (PST), is a fungal disease that devastates global wheat production. This disease is most effectively restrained by developing and deploying cultivars with highly durable resistance. The utilization of resistant genes is essential for breeding resistant cultivars. To improve stripe rust resistance and achieve favorable agronomic performance in commercial cultivars, an adult plant resistance gene Yr48 was introgressed from PI610750 into three Chinese elite wheat cultivars Chuanmai 42, Lunxuan 987, and Bainongaikang 58 using a combination of marker detection and phenotypic selection.The three Chinese elite cultivars as the recipient parent were used to cross with the donor parent PI610750. Eighty-seven introgression lines (ILs) were gained from all three crosses in the F5 generation. To validate the introgression lines possessing Yr48, SSR markers previously reported to be linked to the resistance gene loci were used to detect its presence or absence in different genetic backgrounds. Resistance and effect of introgressed Yr48 were studied using F6 and F7 grain grown in the field. The ILs from three crosses were evaluated the agronomic traits and the stripe rust reaction following stringent phenotypic criteria. Both phenotype and genotype data confirmed the presence of Yr48. A combination of phenotypic selection and marker-assisted breeding revealed that 9 selected lines had more application prospects. Those ILs had increased TGW (4.5–31.1%) in infested environments compared to the recipient parents. New lines with improved disease resistance and better agronomic performance should have more advantages than the original cultivars in wheat breeding programs.
Genetics of Orange, Red and Yellow Root Colours in Tropical Carrots (Dacus Carota L.)
Authors: Selvakumar Raman , Manjunathagowda Dalasanuru Chandregowda , Kalia Pritam
Published: February 2021

The research was carried out to study the colour inheritance genetics of the root epidermis, core (phloem) and cortex (xylem), from the parental crosses of the varieties Pusa Meghali (Orange), Pusa Rudhira (Red) and Pusa Kulfi (Yellow). Resultant in crosses yielded uniform mixed colours in F1 (first filial generation), thus could enhance the security of human nutrition through the mixture of carotenoids and anthocyanins in the F1. The F1s were advance to produce F2 and backcross (BCP1 and BCP2) generations, and the Chi-square test ratio (χ2) showed that the root colour of the orange epidermis and cortex (xylem) was dominant over the red and yellow colours, and regulated by dominant genes Oe and Ocx from the parent Pusa Meghali. While, the root colour of the orange core (phloem) was found to be recessive to the red (Rc) from Pusa Rudhira and yellow (Yc) colour from Pusa Kulfi, and to be regulated by a single recessive gene (oc) from the parent Pusa Meghali. These finding of genetic inheritance of colours would be useful in the development of bio-fortified F1 hybrids and varieties which are rich in flavonoids.
Synthesis of Li4Ti5O12/V2O5 Nanocomposites for Lithium-ion Batteries by a One-pot co-precipitation Method
Authors: zhenjie liu , Huang Yudai , Wang xingchao , Zhang Yue , Ding juan , Guo yong
Published: February 2021

Li4Ti5O12/V2O5 nanocomposites were synthesized by a one-pot co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared materials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that Li4Ti5O12/V2O5 composites with different nano size were successfully synthesized. The Li4Ti5O12/V2O5 sample (2 wt.% V2O5 addition of Li4Ti5O12) keep at a high discharge capacity of 169.9 mAh g− 1 after 150 cycles at 1 C. The existence of the V2O5 reduces the size of Li4Ti5O12, which improve the electrochemical activity of the sample.
Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Long-term Cold Storage on Indoor-reared Harmonia Axyridis Adults
Authors: Sun Yuan-Xing , Hao Ya-Nan , Li Ming-Ling , Liu Chang-Zhong , Wang Sen-Shan
Published: February 2021

Indoor-reared natural enemy with high quality after long-term cold storage is crucial for sustainable pest management. However, besides survivals, the sublethal effects were not widely been reported. In this study, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), an important biological control agent in Asia, was reared with β-carotene-amended artificial diet (Ha-Car) before storing at 6°C. After 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of storage, a series of biological parameters were measured to evaluate the fitness of H. axyridis. We found that: (1) Survivals significantly decreased with prolonged storage, and more Ha-Car individuals survived at day 120 compared to Ha-CK (control); (2) The contents of glycogen and trehalose dramatically decreased following storage, and the weight losses gradually increased; (3) The average egg production and hatch rates within 15 days were not significantly different among treatments Ha-Car and Ha-CK following long-term storage (90 and 120 days), while the daily hatch rates gradually decreased from relatively high to zero at day 14 and 15; (4) The number of micropyles deposited on eggs also gradually decreased along with oviposition period. After re-mating with a new non-stored partner, the egg viability gradually increased again, while low egg viability was still detected in F1 generation. Moreover, reduced number of micropyles were detected on their eggs. In summary, Ha-Car can be cold stored for about 120 days with relatively high survivals and fecundity, but long-term storage produced remarkable intra- and trans-generational negative effects on fertility. Even though, the cold-stored H. axyridis had great potential being used in biological control program with inevitable promiscuity with field individuals.
Magnetic Properties and Kinetic Roughening Study of Prepared Polyaniline- Lead Ferrite, Cobalt Ferrite and Nickel Ferrite Nanocomposites Electrodeposited Thin Films
Authors: Abbasi Leila , Hedayati Kambiz , Ghanbari Davood
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this study was to prepare polyaniline-lead ferrite, polyaniline-cobalt ferrite and polyaniline / nickel ferrite thin layers. The preparation process consists of two steps: First, ferrites are synthesized using a microwave irradiated hydrothermal method. The ferrites were then added separately to 0.1 M aniline electrolyte solution and 0.2 M sulfuric acid. The accumulation of polyaniline and ferrite composites was carried out in an electrochemical cell by electrodeposition method. The surface morphology of the composite layers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and the percentage of the constituents was studied by X-ray energy scattering (EDX) analysis. Also, surface roughness analysis and kinetic roughening of thin films was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Hysteresis loop of magnetic samples were investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The structure and crystalline size of samples studied by X-ray diffraction analyze.
Comparisons in Temperature and Photoperiodic-dependent Diapause Induction between Domestic and Wild Mulberry Silkworms
Authors: Yokoyama Takeshi , Saito Shigeru , Shimoda Misato , Kobayashi Masakazu , Takasu Yoko , Sezutsu Hideki , Kato Yoshiomi , Tominaga Makoto , Mizoguchi Akira , Shiomi Kunihiro
Published: February 2021

The bivoltine strain of the domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori, has two generations per year. It shows a facultative diapause phenotype determined by environmental conditions, including photoperiod and temperature, and nutrient conditions during embryonic and larval development of the mother. However, it remains unclear how the environmental signals received during development are selectively utilized as cues to determine alternative diapause phenotypes. We performed a comparative analysis between the Kosetsu strain of B. mori and a Japanese population of the wild mulberry silkworm B. mandarina concerning the hierarchical molecular mechanisms in diapause induction. Our results showed that for the Kosetsu, temperature signals during the mother’s embryonic development predominantly affected diapause determination through the thermosensitive transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and diapause hormone (DH) signaling pathways. However, embryonic diapause in B. mandarina was photoperiod-dependent, although the DH signaling pathway and thermal sensitivity of TRPA1 were conserved within both species. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that TRPA1-activated signals are strongly linked to the signaling pathway participating in diapause induction in Kosetsu to selectively utilize the temperature information as the cue because temperature-dependent induction was replaced by photoperiodic induction in the TRPA1 knockout mutant.
Human Viral Encephalitis Associated With Suid Herpesvirus 1
Authors: Zhou Yiyi , Nie Chong , Wen Han , Long Yong , Zhou Meihong , Xie Zunchun , Hong Daojun
Published: February 2021

Background: Suid herpesvirus type 1 (SHV1) is a type of neurotropic virus able to infect various species. However, the clinical cases of human SHV1 encephalitis are still rarely reported, and the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of human SHV1 encephalitis are still unclear.Methods: In this study, we reported 2 cases of human encephalitis associate with SHV1 infection, and reviewed the other 18 cases from the literatures. A total of 20 cases with human SHV1 encephalitis were summarized and re-analyzed.Results: Nineteen of 20 patients had a history of swine-related occupational exposure before illness onset. All patients initially presented with influenza-like symptoms, and then quickly developed seizures, disturbed consciousness, and respiratory failure. The results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicated aseptic or viral infection. MRI findings of SHV1 encephalitis were prone to distribute in temporal-frontal and insular cortex, which was similar to the pattern of herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Some cases with disease progression and poor prognosis might expand to thalamus, basal ganglia and brain stem. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) revealed that all patients had unique SHV1 sequences with variable reads in the CSF.Conclusions: SHV1 is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause a new type of human viral encephalitis, characterized by acute, fulminating and catastrophic central nervous system infection. Currently, there are no available approved treatments for the encephalitis, but it is possible to diagnose encephalitis quickly by mNGS.
Piperazine based Zirconium Oxy-Chloride (PzZrOCl) single crystal: A Third Order Nonlinear Optical material for Opto-electronic Device Applications
Authors: U Mullai R , Kanuru Sreenadha Rao , Jothi R. Arul , Vinoth E. , Gopinath S. , Vetrivel S.
Published: February 2021

Single crystals of Piperazine Zirconium Oxy-Chloride (PzZrOCl) are grown successfully by slow evaporation technique for Opto-electronic device applications. Suitability of the material is estimated and reported as follows. Crystal habits, purity, crystallite size, microstructure and bulk crystals structures are essential parameters for device compatibility hence they were examined with basic characterization techniques and studied to estimate their effects on optoelectronic properties. The outcomes from structural aspects are reasonably good. The functional groups of a molecule, their bond vibration frequencies and mode of alignments have been examined by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The transmittance (98%) in the entire visible range with lowest cut-off wavelength (215 nm) and green emission (545 nm) is another evidence of suitability. The thermal and mechanical strength via hardness, Mayer index, yield strength and elastic stiffness constant is evaluated; it is thermally stable up to 162°C, mechanically strong and belongs to soft category. Laser induced damage is estimated by using Nd:YAG laser of wavelength 1064 nm and the observed values is three times higher than KDP, 1.2 times higher than LAPP. The optical nonlinear nature and its efficiency are examined by using Z-scan technique. The analysis discussed in detailed and the results strongly recommends PzZrOCl single crystals are suitable for optical and electronic device applications.
Identification of the Potential Hits for Hindering Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (M pro ) from the Pool of Antiviral Phytochemicals utilizing Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulations
Authors: Patel Chirag N. , Jaiswal Dharmesh G. , Jani Siddhi P. , Mangukia Naman , Parmar Robin M. , Pandya Himanshu A.
Published: February 2021

The novel SARS-CoV-2 is an etiological factor that triggers Coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) and tends to be an imminent occurrence of a pandemic. Out of all recognized solved complexes linked to SARS-CoV, Main protease (Mpro) is considered a desirable antiviral phytochemical that play a crucial role in virus assembly and possibly non-interactive capacity to adhere to any viral host protein. In this research, SARS-CoV-2 MPro was chosen as a focus for the detection of possible inhibitors using a variety of different analytical methods such as molecular docking, ADMET analysis, dynamic simulations and binding free energy measurements. Virtual screening of known natural compounds recognized Withanoside V, Withanoside VI, Racemoside B, Racemoside A and Shatavarin IX as future inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 MPro with stronger energy binding. Also, simulations of molecular dynamics for a 100 ns time scale showed that much of the main SARS-CoV-2 MPro interactions had been maintained in the simulation routes. Binding free energy calculations using the MM/PBSA method ranked the top five possible natural compounds that can act as effective SARS-CoV-2 MPro inhibitors.
Heteroepitaxial van der Waals semiconductor superlattices
Authors: Jin Gangtae , Lee Chang-Soo , Okello Odongo Francis , Lee Suk-Ho , Park Min Yeong , Cha Soonyoung , Seo Seung-Young , Moon Gunho , Yang Dong-Hwan , Han Cheolhee , Ahn Hyungju , Lee Jekwan , Choi Hyunyong , Kim Jonghwan , Choi Si-Young , Jo Moon-Ho
Published: February 2021

We report atomic layer-by-layer epitaxial growth of van der Waals (vdW) semiconductor superlattices (SLs) with programmable stacking periodicities, composed of more than two kinds of dissimilar transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayers (MLs), such as MoS2, WS2 and WSe2. The kinetics-controlled vdW epitaxy in the near equilibrium limit by metalorganic chemical vapour depositions enables to achieve accurate ML-by-ML stacking, free of interlayer atomic mixing, resulting in the tunable two-dimensional (2D) vdW electronic systems. We identified coherent atomic stacking orders at the vdW heterointerfaces, and present scaling valley polarized optical excitations that only pertain to a series of 2D type II band alignments.
Evaluation of Microscopic Extension in High-grade Glioma Using Macropathology: Determination of Optimal Clinical Target Volume Margins for Radiotherapy
Authors: Nie Shulun , Zhu Yufang , Yang Jia , Xin Tao , Xue Song , Zhang Xianbin , Sun Jujie , Mu Dianbin , Gao Yongsheng , Chen Zhaoqiu , Ding Xingchen , Yu Jinming , Hu Man
Published: February 2021

Introduction: One of the most difficult steps of radiotherapy is to determine the clinical target volume (CTV) based on microscopic extension (ME). In this study, we performed a consecutive macropathologic analysis to assess ME in high-grade glioma (HGG) to determine appropriate CTV margins for radiotherapy.Material and methods: The study included 30 HGG patients with tumors located in non-functional areas, and supra total resection was performed. The ME distance from the edge of the tumor to the microscopic tumor cells surrounding brain tissue was measured. Associations between the extent of ME and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated by multivariate linear regression (MVLR) analysis. An ME predictive model was developed based on the MVLR model. Meanwhile, in order to validate the feasibility and safety of this model, we prospectively recruited another 30 HGG patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive guideline-based radiotherapy (RT) or model-based RT. The overall response rate (ORR) was evaluated during a follow-up of 14 months.Results: Between June 2017 and July 2019, 652 pathologic slides were analyzed. The mean ME distance was 1.70cm (range, 0.63 to 2.87cm). The MVLR analysis identified that pathologic grade, subventricular zone (SVZ) contact and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and 1p/19q co-deletion status were independent variables predicting ME (all P < 0.05). A multivariable prediction model was developed as follows: YME = 0.672 + 0.513XGrade + 0.380XSVZ + 0.439XMGMT + 0.320XIDH + 0.333X1p/19q. The R-square value of goodness of fit was 0.780. In our validation cohort, after a mean follow-up of 7.65months, patients in the model RT group had a higher ORR than those in the guideline RT group (66.7% vs. 20%, P = 0.01).Conclusion: ME was heterogeneously distributed across different grades of gliomas according to the tumor location and molecular marker status, which indicated that CTV delineation should be individualized. The model could predict the ME of HGG, which may help clinicians determine the CTV for individual patients.
χ-maps and Hypsometric Analysis for River Basin Management and Prioritization: The Case of Bohol River Basins, Central Philippines
Authors: Torrefranca Imelida Genson , Otadoy Roland Emerito S , Tongco Alejandro F
Published: February 2021

Topographic indices represent and simplify complex surficial processes fundamental to characterizing landform dynamics and to prioritizing river basin conservation and management goals. A method of characterizing landform dynamics integrating the steady-state river channel elevation and the hypsometric analysis is presented. The chi (χ) metric, a proxy for the steady-state river channel elevation, gages the stability of drainage divides while hypsometric analysis quantifies the stages of basin geological development. Using a 30m SRTM DEM and the TopoToolbox tool in MATLAB, χ - values along stream networks are computed. At the channel heads of opposing stream networks of a divide section, equal χ – values indicate a stable divide while across difference in χ - values suggest unstable divide with a potential to migrate from low χ – values towards the high χ – values side of the divide. To classify the degree of potential divide mobility, the quantity called mean chi difference (χmd) is proposed. The features of the aggressive and victim river streams are visually differentiated using their elevation profiles, map-view arrangement and pathways to discharge points. Hypsometric analysis examines the erosional stages of basins indicated by the hypsometric integrals (HI) and hypsometric curves. A basin and its subbasins show different levels of geologic development that the disaggregation of large basin into small hydrologic units enables the identification of areas of different erosional stages. The prioritization of subbasins considers the intersection of highly mobile divides and highly erosional areas. Over the study area, nine subbasins are identified which are all located at the headwaters of major basins in the island. A considerable earthquake-triggered landslide has been found in one of the identified subbasins. The study presents a new approach in the initial characterization of landforms in order to facilitate the identification and prioritization of highly erodible areas for high consideration especially at the local or village level.
The Effect of Lysophosphatidic Acid-supplemented Culture Medium on Human Immature Oocytes Matured in Vitro
Authors: Xie Qigui , Xing Yaxin , Zhou Jianhong , Wang Ling , Wu Jie , Chian Richeng
Published: February 2021

Background: Lysophosphatidic acid-supplemented culture medium significantly increases the oocyte maturation rate in vitro. However, potential targets and pathways involved remain unknown.Methods: A total of 43 women, who underwent cesarean section and aged between 18-35 years with good health, were included in this study. Immature oocytes were obtained and cultured with 10 mM lysophosphatidic acid. After culture, oocyte maturation was assessed and oocytes and cumulus cells were collected for RNA sequencing. HISAT2 was used to align clean reads to the human genome. The featureCounts and edgeR package were used to calculate gene expression and analyze differences between groups respectively. ClusterProfiler program was used to perform Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis.Results: Oocyte maturation rate increased significantly after 48 h treatment with lysophosphatidic acid. In cumulus cells, 259 genes were upregulated and 237 were downregulated in the treatment group; Gene Ontology analysis revealed that 653 biological process, 61 cellular component, and 86 molecular function items were enriched by upregulated genes; 379 biological process, 46 cellular component, and 97 molecular function items were enriched by downregulated genes; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that upregulated genes in the treatment group were enriched in TNF signaling and insulin secretion pathways and downregulated genes were enriched in TNF signaling and cell adhesion molecules. In oocytes, 128 genes were upregulated and downregulated in the treatment group; Gene Ontology analysis revealed that 300 biological process items, 44 cellular component items, and 93 molecular function items were enriched by upregulated genes; 268 biological process items, 22 cellular component items, and 72 molecular function items were enriched by downregulated genes; Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that upregulated genes in the treatment group were enriched in MAPK signaling, gap junction, and cell cycle pathways and downregulated genes were enriched in MAPK signaling, estrogen signaling, RAP1 signaling, and gap junction pathways.Conclusions: Our study indicates that lysophosphatidic acid in culture medium enhances human oocyte maturation in vitro and identifies some potential targets and pathways associated with oocyte maturation for the first time and are important in clinical settings.
Validation of a commercially available indirect assay for SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies using a pseudotyped virus assay
Authors: Murray Matthew J , McIntosh Megan , Atkinson Claire , Mahungu Tabitha , Wright Edward , Chatterton Wendy , Gandy Michael , Reeves Matthew B
Published: February 2021

Objectives To assess whether a commercially available CE-IVD, ELISA-based surrogate neutralisation assay (cPass, Genscript) provides a genuine measure of SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation by human sera, and further to establish whether measuring responses against the RBD of S was a diagnostically useful proxy for responses against the whole S protein.Methods Serum samples from 30 patients were assayed for anti-NP responses, for ‘neutralisation’ by the surrogate neutralisation assay and for neutralisation by SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped virus assays utilising two target cell lines. Correlation between assays was measured using linear regression.Results The responses observed within the surrogate neutralisation assay demonstrated an extremely strong, highly significant positive correlation with those observed in both pseudotyped virus assays.Conclusions The tested ELISA-based surrogate assay provides an immunologically useful measure of functional immune responses in a much quicker and highly automatable fashion. It also reinforces that detection of anti-RBD neutralising antibodies alone is a powerful measure of the capacity to neutralise viral infection.
Real-time PCR Biochip for On-Site Detection of Coxiella Burnetii in Ticks
Authors: Truong A-Tai , Yun Bo-Ram , Lim Jiyeon , Min Subin , Yoo Mi-Sun , Yoon Soon-seek , Yun Young-Min , Kim Jong-Taek , Cho Yun Sang
Published: February 2021

Background: Q fever, a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, has adverse effects on public health. Ticks are the natural reservoirs of C. burnetii and they contribute to the transmission of the pathogen. A tool for rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection of C. burnetii from ticks is important for the prevention of Q fever. Methods: Ultra-rapid real-time PCR (UR-qPCR) as a chip-based real-time PCR system was developed for the detection of C. burnetii from ticks. The UR-qPCR system was established and evaluated for the rapidity, sensitivity, and specificity of C. burnetii detection. Results: C. burnetii was detected using UR-qPCR from 5,644 larval, nymphal, and adult ticks from 408 pools collected from livestock and epidemiologically linked environments in two provinces, Gangwon and Jeju, in Korea. Ticks from three species were identified; Haemaphysalis longicornis accounted for the highest number, present in 333 of 408 pools (81.62%), followed by Haemaphysalis flava in 62 pools (15.19%) and Ixodes nipponensis in 13 pools (3.19%). The rapidity and sensitivity of PCR detection was demonstrated with the sufficient amplification and detection of approximately 56 copies of C. burnetii DNA with only 20 min of PCR amplification. The kappa value for the diagnostic agreement between UR-qPCR and stationary qPCR was in perfect agreement (p = 1). PCR detection and sequencing indicated that C. burnetii was present in 5 of the 408 pools (1.23%), in which four pools contained H. longicornis and one pool contained H. flava. The infection rates of C. burnetii in the tick pools collected from Gangwon and Jeju Provinces were 1.70% and 0.58%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship between the detected C. burnetii and those originated from goats, humans, and ticks in different countries, such as USA, France, Germany, and Serbia. Conclusions: The results of this study could be important for the prevention and control of Q fever in the two provinces. The UR-qPCR with its features of mobility, sensitivity, and rapidity is helpful for constructing early alert systems in the field for C. burnetii in ticks and for alleviating the transmission and economic damage due to Q fever.
Susceptibility of Filamentous Fungi to Voriconazole in Malaysia Tested by Sensititre YeastOne and CLSI Microdilution Methods
Authors: Tan Xue Ting , Ginsapu Stephanie Jane , Amran Fairuz binti , Sukur Salina binti Mohamed , Shukor Surianti binti
Published: February 2021

Background: Voriconazole is a trizaole antifungal to treat fungal infection. In this study, the susceptibility pattern of voriconazole against filamentous fungi was studied using Sensititre® YeastOne and Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38 broth microdilution method. Methods: The suspected cultures of Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. sydowii, A. calidoutus, A. creber, A. ochraceopetaliformis, A. tamarii, Fusarium solani, F. longipes, F. falciferus, F. keratoplasticum, Rhizopus oryzae, R. delemar, R. arrhizus, Mucor sp., Poitrasia circinans, Syncephalastrum racemosum and Sporothrix schenckii were received from hospitals. Their identification had been confirmed in our lab and susceptibility tests were performed using Sensititre® YeastOne and CLSI M38 broth microdilution method. The significant differences between two methods were calculated using Wilcoxon Sign Rank test.Results: Mean of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium were within 0.25 μg/mL-2.00 μg/mL by two methods except A. calidoutus, F. solani and F. keratoplasticum. Moreover, mean of MIC for S. schenkii were around 3.00 μg/mL by two methods. In contrast, mean of MIC for Rhizopus spp., Mucor sp., P. circinans and S. racemosum were ≥6.00 μg/mL by two methods. Generally, the MIC obtained by Sensititre YeastOne was one two-fold increase or decrease compared with the results obtained by CLSI method. The overall agreement between Sensititre YeastOne and CLSI methods to test susceptibility testing of voricaonazole was more than 70% except A. sydowii. The significant differences between two methods were significant when tested on A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. sydowii, F. solani and S. schenkii. Conclusions: In conclusion, Sensititre YeastOne method appears to be an alternative procedure for antifungal susceptibility testing for some Malaysian moulds.
Urinary Reabsorption in the Rat Kidney by Anticholinergics
Authors: Oe Hideki , Yoshiki Hatsumi , Zha Xinmin , Kobayashi Hisato , Aoki Yoshitaka , Ito Hideaki , Yokoyama Osamu
Published: February 2021

Anticholinergics, therapeutic agents for overactive bladder, are clinically suggested to reduce urine output. We investigated whether this effect is due to bladder or kidney urine reabsorption. Various solutions were injected into the bladder of urethane-anesthetized SD rats. The absorption rate for 2 hr was examined following the intravenous administration of the anticholinergics imidafenacin (IM), atropine(AT), and tolterodine(TO). The bilateral ureter was then canulated and saline was administered to obtain a diuretic state. Anticholinergics or 1-deamino-[8-D-arginine]-vasopressin (dDAVP) were intravenously administered. After the IM and dDAVP administrations, the rat kidneys were immunostained with AQP2 antibody, and intracellular cAMP was measured. The absorption rate was ~10% of the saline injected into the bladder and constant even when anticholinergics were administered. The renal urine among peaked 2 hr after the saline administration. Each of the anticholinergics significantly suppressed the urine production in a dose-dependent manner, as did dDAVP. IM and dDAVP increased the intracellular cAMP levels and caused the AQP2 molecule to localize to the collecting duct cells' luminal side. The urinary reabsorption mechanism through the bladder epithelium was not activated by anticholinergic administration. Thus, anticholinergics suppress urine production via an increase in urine reabsorption in the kidneys' collecting duct cells via AQP2.
Evaluation of Anterior Chamber Depth in 28,709 Adult Cataract Patients in China using Swept-Source Optical Biometry
Authors: Lei Qiong , Tu Haixia , Feng Xi , Wang Yong
Published: February 2021

Background: To create an anterior chamber depth (ACD) regression model for adult cataract surgery candidates from China, and to evaluate the distribution of their ocular biometric parameters.Methods: The ocular biometric records of 28,709 right eyes of cataract surgery candidates who were treated at Aier Eye Hospitals in nine cities from 2018 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All measurements were taken with IOLMaster 700. We included patients who were at least 40 years old and were diagnosed with cataract.Results: The mean age of the patients was 68.6 ± 11.0 years. The mean values recorded were as follows: axial length (AL), 24.17 ± 2.47 mm; mean keratometry (Km) value, 44.09 ± 3.25 D; corneal astigmatism (CA), 1.06 ± 0.98 D; ACD, 3.02 ± 0.45 mm; lens thickness (LT), 4.52 ± 0.45 mm; central corneal thickness (CCT), 0.534 ± 0.04 mm; and white to white (WTW) corneal diameter, 11.64 ± 0.46 mm. The proportion of patients with long axial length (AL >25 mm) decreased with age. ACD, LT, AL, Km, WTW, and age were correlated. In the multivariate regression analysis of ACD, which included LT, AL, WTW, sex, Km, CCT, and age, there was a reasonable prediction with adjusted R2 = 0.629.Conclusions: The results show that high myopes are inclined to schedule cataract surgery at a younger age. LT and AL were found to be important factors that affect ACD. This study provides reference data for cataract patients from China.