bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative Position of the Meiotic Spindle and Polar Body as a Marker of Oocyte Maturation Improves the Utilization and Pregnancy Rates
Authors: Tepla Olga , Topurko Zinovij , Masata Jaromir , Jirsová Simona , Moosova Martina , Fajmonova Eva , Rezabek Karel , Komrskova Katerina , Kratochvilova Irena
Published: March 2021

This research demonstrates how a mutual position of the human oocytes meiotic spindle (MS) and the first polar body (PB) correlates with the probability of obtaining high-quality embryos (utilization rates) and high pregnancy rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The quality of optically birefringent MS and the angle (α) between MS and PB (evaluated using polarizing microscopy), were used to indicate oocyte maturation and appropriate time for fertilization. In this study, 124 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) whose oocytes were evaluated by MS visualization had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate (38% vs 26%) and utilization rate (54% vs 38%) when compared to the control group, using one standard IVF cycle without MS visualization. Significantly, in group of 79 patients > 35 years old, 34% became pregnant when α was evaluated and ICSI time adjusted to achieve the full oocyte maturation, compared to only 18% in the control group. The number of high-quality embryos in the MS visualized group was significantly higher compared to the control group, increasing the probability of pregnancy. Based on this research, we propose to incorporate monitoring the mutual position of MS and PB as a valid marker of embryo quality which can significantly improve pregnancy rate.
Decision Tree Model Predicts Live Birth after Surgery for Moderate-to-Severe Intrauterine Adhesions
Authors: Zhu Ru , Duan Hua , Xu Wenbin , Wang Sha , Gan Lu , Xu Qian , Li Jinjiao
Published: March 2021

Background: After treatment of intrauterine adhesions, the rate of re-adhesion is high and the pregnancy outcome unpredictable and unsatisfactory. This study established and verified a decision tree predictive model of live birth in patients after surgery for moderate-to-severe intrauterine adhesions (IUAs).Methods: A retrospective observational study initially comprised 394 patients with moderate-to-severe IUAs diagnosed via hysteroscopy. The patients underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis from January 2013 to January 2017, in a university-affiliated hospital. Follow-ups to determine the rate of live birth were conducted by telephone for at least the first postoperative year. A classification and regression tree algorithm was applied to establish a decision tree model of live birth after surgery.Results: Within the final population of 374 patients, the total live birth rate after treatment was 29.7%. The accuracy of the model was 83.8%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.870 (95% CI 7.699-0.989). The root node variable was postoperative menstrual pattern. The predictive accuracy of the multivariate logistic regression model was 70.3%, and the AUC was 0.835 (95% CI 0.667-0.962).Conclusions: The decision tree predictive model is useful for predicting live birth after surgery for IUAs; postoperative menstrual pattern is a key factor in the model. This model will help clinicians make appropriate clinical decisions during patient consultations.
Presepsin as a predictor of severe sepsis in urinary tract infection
Authors: Sekine Yoshitaka , Kotani Kazuhiko , Oka Daisuke , Nakayama Hiroshi , Miyazawa Yoshiyuki , Syuto Takahiro , Arai Seiji , Nomura Masashi , Koike Hidekazu , Matsui Hiroshi , Shibata Yasuhiro , Murakami Masami , Suzuki Kazuhiro
Published: March 2021

Background Recently, presepsin is reported to be a biomarker for early diagnosis of sepsis and evaluation of prognosis in septic patients, but there are few reports about urinary-tract infections. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether presepsin is a recent marker for detecting severe sepsis, and whether it can predict the therapeutic course in UTI when compared with procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP), already used markers.Methods From April 2014 to December 2016, a total of 50 patients, who were admitted into Gunma university hospital with urinary-tract infections, were enrolled in this study. Vital signs, presepsin, PCT, CRP, white blood cell (WBC), causative diseases of urinary-tract infections and other data were evaluated at the enrollment, third and fifth days. The patients were divided into two groups; with (n=11) or without (n=39) septic shock at the enrollment day, and with (n=7) or without (n=43) sepsis at the fifth day, respectively. Presepsin was evaluated for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or septic shock. Results Concerning the enrollment day, there was no significant difference of presepsin between SIRS and non-SIRS groups (p=0.276). The median presepsin (pg/mL) was significantly higher in the septic shock group (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed presepsin (≧ 500 pg/ml) was an independent risk factor associated with septic shock (p=0.007). ROC curve for diagnosing septic shock indicated an area under the curve (AUC) at 0.881 for presepsin (vs. 0.690, 0.583 and 0.527 for PCT, CRP and WBC, respectively). Concerning the 5th day after admission, the median presepsin of the enrollment day was significantly higher in SIRS groups than non-SIRS groups (p=0.006). On the other hand, PCT (≥ 2 ng/ml) of the enrollment day was an independent risk factor associated with SIRS. ROC curve for diagnosing sepsis at the fifth day indicated an AUC at 0.837 for PCT (vs. 0.817, 0.811 and 0.802 for presepsin, CRP and WBC, respectively).Conclusions This study shows that presepsin may be a good marker for diagnosis of severe patients who need vasopressor therapy at the data of admission, and PCT may be a good marker for predicting hard-to-treat cases in UTI.
Elevated Expression Levels of Lung Complement Anaphylatoxin, Neutrophil Chemoattractant Chemokine IL-8, and RANTES in MERS-CoV-Infected Patients: Predictive Biomarkers for Disease Severity and Mortality
Authors: Awadalla Maaweya , Naeem Asif , Alkadi Haitham , Alamri Aref A. , AlYami Ahmad S. , AlJuryyan Abdullah , Alturaiki Wael , Enani Mushira , Al-Shouli Samia Towfeek , Assiri Abdullah M. , Alosaimi Bandar
Published: March 2021

The complement system represents an innate immune response consisting of a protein network. Over-activation of the complement system plays an important role in inflammation, tissue damage, and infectious disease severity. The prevalence of MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia remains significant and cases are still being reported. The role of complement in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) pathogenesis and complement‐modulating treatment strategies has received limited attention, and studies involving MERS-CoV-infected patients have not been reported. This study offers the first insight into the pulmonary expression profile including Seven complement proteins including complement regulatory factors during MERS-CoV infection. We also measured the expression of lung neutrophil chemoattractant chemokine IL-8 (CXCL8) and RANTES (CCL5). Our results significantly indicate high expression levels of complement anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a), IL-8, and RANTES in the lungs of MERS-CoV-infected patients. The upregulation of lung complement anaphylatoxins, C5a and C3a, was positively correlated with IL-8, RANTES and the fatality rate. Our results also showed upregulation of the positive regulatory complement factor P (properdin), suggesting positive regulation of the complement during MERS-CoV infection. In addition, we also demonstrated that a high viral load in all patients with MERS-CoV correlated with C5a and C3a levels. Pulmonary complement mediators, disease severity, and an increased fatality rate may be linked to the degree of complement activation against MERS-CoV. High levels of lung C5a, C3a, factor P, IL-8 and RANTES may contribute to the immunopathology, disease severity, ARDS development, and a higher fatality rate in MERS-CoV-infected patients. These findings highlight the potential prognostic utility of C5a, C3a, IL-8 and RANTES as biomarkers for MERS-CoV disease severity and mortality. To further explore the functional partners (protiens) prediction of highly expressed proteins (C5a, C3a, factor P, IL-8 and RANTES), the computational protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and six proteins (hub nodes) were identified.
Employees’ Perspective for Employment Opportunities Created Under CPEC: Case Study of Coal Fire and Solar Project in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Saleem Ramsha , Nawaz Shahzada M. Naeem , Hussain Altaf
Published: March 2021

China Pakistan Economic Corridor is an important milestone which provides opportunity to host strategic investment in Pakistan, primarily in infrastructure and power projects. At the same time, it has shown its potential to directly and indirectly influence the employment. In this perspective, it is significant to understand the perception of employees working in CPEC projects. Accordingly, the aim of the current study is to analyze perception of employees of Sahiwal Power Project and Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power projects. The study employed the descriptive analytical narrative methods at first stage. Then, it adopted OLS estimation procedure to estimate the impact of various relevant indicators on perception of workers about employment opportunities. Primary data is based upon structured questionnaire of employees of the projects on sites whereas the sample selection criterion is statistically rigorous. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and response to relevant questions, four indices are constructed for opportunity in CPEC (CO), social change (SC), coal projects (CP) and employment opportunities (EO). The other determinants of EO are education level and area of belonging. The results suggest that policy makers should focus more on developing the skill level of labor force so that more benefits can be accrued from the investments in various projects. It can be made easy through developing close linkage between the universities and industry.
The Cortical Organization of Writing Sequence: Evidence From Observing Chinese Characters in Motion
Authors: Zhang Zhaoqi , Yuan Qiming , Liu Zeping , Zhang Man , Wu Junjie , Lu Chunming , Ding Guosheng , Guo Taomei
Published: March 2021

Writing sequences play an important role in handwriting of Chinese characters. However, little is known regarding the integral brain patterns and network mechanisms of processing Chinese character writing sequences. The present study decoded brain patterns during observing Chinese characters in motion by using multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA), meta-analytic decoding analysis, and extended unified structural equation model (euSEM). We found that perception of Chinese character writing sequence recruited brain regions not only for general motor schema processing, i.e., the right inferior frontal gyrus, shifting and inhibition functions, i.e., the right postcentral gyrus and bilateral pre-SMA/dACC, but also for sensorimotor functions specific for writing sequences. More importantly, these brain regions formed a cooperatively top-down brain network where information was transmitted from brain regions for general motor schema processing to those specific for writing sequences. These findings not only shed light on the neural mechanisms of Chinese character writing sequences, but also extend the hierarchical control model on motor schema processing.
DHI increases the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells through PI3K/AKT pathway and the expression of CXCL12 and GDNF to promote facial nerve function repair
Authors: Gao Dekun , Sun Lianhua , Sun Xiayu , Yang Jun , He Jingchun
Published: March 2021

BackgroundDanhong injection (DHI) is a commonly used drug in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and its neuroprotective research has been fully confirmed. Schwann cells, as myelin forming cells of peripheral nerve, play an important role in the process of injury and repair. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of DHI on Schwann cells and its role in facial nerve injury.MethodsRSC 96 Schwann cells were treated with different concentrations (0 –2%) of DHI for different time intervals (12 and 36 h). Effect of DHI on cell viability and migration were determined by CCK8 and Transwell assays. The levels of PI3K-Akt signaling related proteins were measured by western blotting analysis, and the effects of DHI on GDNF and CXCL12 using Western Blot, RT-qPCR, and ELISA assays at the cellular and animal levels, respectively. Then LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, was used to study the effect of DHI on cell migration and secretion of CXCL12 and GDNF in RSC96 cells by Transwell, Western Blot, RT-qPCR, and ELISA assays. Finally, facial nerve scoring and S-100 immunofluorescence staining were used to study the therapeutic effects of DHI on facial nerve injury.ResultsOur study found that DHI can promote the proliferation and migration of RSC96 cells, and this effect is related to the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway. LY294002 inhibits the proliferation and migration of RSC96 cells. Besides, DHI can also promote the expression of CXCL12 and GDNF at gene and protein levels, and CXCL12 is, while GDNF is not, PI3K/AKT pathway-dependent. Animal experiments confirmed that DHI could promote CXCL12 and GDNF expression, and promote facial nerve function recovery and myelin regeneration. Conclusion Our in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that DHI could promote proliferation and migration of Schwann cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway, and increase the expression of CXCL12 and GDNF to promote facial nerve function repair.
Changes in the Prevalence of Disability among Older Adults in India: Longitudinal Influence of Socio-economic and Health-related Factors
Authors: Paul Ronak , Srivast Shobhit , Thalil Muhammad , Rashmi Rashmi
Published: March 2021

Background: While experiencing a double burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, three-fourth of the Indian population aged 50 and above are suffering from some form of disability. Existing studies on physical limitations highlight the determinants of late-life disabilities, however, limited evidence has shown how the socio-economic and health-related factors influence the elderly recovering or acquiring disability status in the Indian context. Method: The current study uses two waves of the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) and is based on panel data of 10527 older adults. Both bivariate and multiple variable regression analysis were performed using two binary outcome variables in this study – whether older adults acquired disability and recovered from disability between round-I and round-II, respectively.Results: Nearly 31.5% and 4.4% of older adults have acquired and recovered disability across the two rounds respectively. 38.5% and 45.8% of female older adults’ disability status changes to disable and recovered in round 2 respectively. A lesser proportion of older adults have recovered from a disability who have a chronic disease in round 1. Cataract chronic conditions among older adults in round 1 had shown 1.45 times (CI: 1.07-1.97) a significantly higher likelihood of acquiring disability in round 2. Older adults who were unmarried and were not working in round 1 have 1.12 times (CI: 1.01-1.25) and 1.21 times (CI: 1.06-1.39) a higher likelihood of acquiring disability in round 2 respectively. Recovering from disability was mostly seen among older adults who belong to the richest (OR: 2.38, CI: 1.31-4.33) and medium (OR: 2.16, CI: 1.27-3.69) wealth quintile households. Older adults residing in the central region of India have 2.72 times (CI: 2.31-3.19) significantly higher chance of acquiring disability than those who were residing in northern regions.Conclusion: Appropriate measures are required to highlight the importance of chronic physical diseases and several socio-demographic factors that may negatively affect the trajectory of disability in older ages.
A 2-Hydroxy-1-Naphthaldehyde Schiff Base for Turn-on Fluorescence Detection of Zn2+ based on PET Mechanism
Authors: Mu Xinyue , Shi Liping , Yan Liqiang , Tang Ningli
Published: March 2021

Zinc ion is closely related to human health. Its content in human body is small, while the effect is large. However, it is not the more the better, must be in a scientific balance. Therefore, it is significant to the rapid detection of Zn2+ in the environment and organism. Herein, a fluorescent probe based on 2-hydroxy-1-naphthalene formaldehyde and furan-2-carbohydrazide was conveniently synthesized via Schiff base reaction. And this probe has been successfully applied to the accurate and quantitative detection of Zn2+ in real samples, showing turn on fluorescence, good selectivity, very low detection limit, real time response and reusability. In addition, this probe has the potential application to trace Zn2+ in living cells with low cytotoxicity.
Study on the sensory and safety quality characteristics of "High mountain tea" and its formation causes: A comprehensive basic research
Authors: Wang Cong-ming , Du Xiao , Nie Cong-ning , Zhang Xiang , Qin Xiao-tan , Li Qian
Published: March 2021

High mountain tea(HT)is an important resource for high quality tea because of its superior ecological environment and rich contents. In this study, we used sensory evaluation, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS), flavor activity value and risk factors to characterize the flavor (aroma and taste) and safety (heavy metals and pesticide residues) characteristics of HT, and then combined with the production process and environmental conditions to explore the reasons for its quality formation. The results showed that, the aroma sensory characteristics of HT were tender and green, accompanied by sweet and slight chestnut. 8 aroma compounds were identified as the important contributing substances to aroma characteristics and the high ratio of " green substances " and "chestnut substances " was the main reason for its unique aroma characteristics. The taste sensory characteristics of HT were high in freshness and sweetness, low in bitterness and astringency. High content of soluble sugar, non ester catechins, sweet free amino acids and low content of caffeine and tea polyphenols are the main reasons for its taste characteristics. Low temperature stress is the most fundamental reason for the formation of flavor characteristics of HT. In addition, the pollution risks of HT of 5 heavy metals and 50 pesticide residues are all less than 1. The complex ecosystem and low level of chemical control are the main reasons for the high safety quality of HT. All in all, these findings enable us to have a more comprehensive understanding of the quality characteristics and formation reasons of HT.
Repurposing Non-invasive prenatal testing data; population study of single nucleotide variants associated with colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome
Authors: Forgacova Natalia , Gazdarica Juraj , Budis Jaroslav , Radvanszky Jan , Szemes Tomas
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE: In our previous work, we described genomic data generated through non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) based on low-coverage massively parallel whole-genome sequencing of total plasma DNA of pregnant women in Slovakia as a valuable source of population specific data. In the present study, we used these data to determine the population allele frequency of common risk variants located in genes associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) and Lynch syndrome (LS). METHODS: Allele frequencies of identified variants were compared with six world populations to detect significant differences between populations. Finally, we interpreted variants and searched for functional consequences and clinical significance of variants using publicly available databases.RESULTS: Although we could not identify any pathogenic variants associated with CRC or LS in the Slovak population using NIPT data, we observed significant differences in the allelic frequency of risk CRC variants previously reported in GWAS and common variants located in genes associated with LS. CONCLUSION: As Slovakia is the third country with the highest incidence of CRC per 100 000 population in the world, we highlight a need for studies dedicated to the cause of such a high incidence of CRC in Slovakia. We also assume that extensive cross-country data aggregation of NIPT results would represent an unprecedented source of information about human genome variation, also in cancer research.
Using Online Bees Algorithm for Real-time Permutation Flow Shop Problem in Car Disassembly Line
Authors: sahin murat , Chao Wang
Published: March 2021

The automobile disassembly line is a typical permutation flow shop problem (PFSP). In the automobile disassembly line, the goal of the research is to minimize the completion time of scheduling with optimizing the disassembly order of vehicles. However, disassembly time was uncertain at the initial stage as the consuming time of cars’ specific sequence only could be roughly estimated, which make the PFSP in automobile disassembly line unlike the traditional ones. In this study, the real-time PFSP problem in automobile disassembly line was defined and well solved with the proposed online Bees Algorithm (O-BA). The algorithm has been prepared in Matlab/Simulink to work in real-time. Time consumed by each component of each vehicle was roughly estimated based on engineer’s experience. First optimisation was carried out to decide the disassembly order of vehicles to be disassembled. When each component was disassembled, the real consuming time value was updated with the detecting system which was realized in Simulink. Then the O-BA was activated and created the new solution for the disassembly order of vehicles which were still not entering the disassembly line. The proposed O-BA algorithm has an online structure and conducted the optimisation with distinguishing whether the vehicles to be disassembled were entering the disassembly line. The result shows the O-BA with the detecting system was succeeded in realizing real-time PFSP in the disassembly line. Moreover, the method proposed in this study was suitable for solving the same kind of real-time PFSP in the assembly line or disassembly line.
Melanocortin 1 Receptor Activation Protects Against Alpha-Synuclein Pathologies in Models of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Cai Waijiao , Feng Danielle , Lin Yue , Vanderburg Charles R , Xu Yuehang , Mclean Pamela , Frosch Matthew P , Fisher David E , Schwarzschild Michael A , Chen Xiqun
Published: March 2021

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest a link between the melanoma-related pigmentation gene melanocortin 1 receptor ( MC1R ) and risk of Parkinson disease (PD). We previously showed that MC1R signaling can facilitate nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron survival. The present study investigates the neuroprotective potential of MC1R against neurotoxicity induced by alpha-synuclein (αSyn), a key player in PD genetics and pathogenesis. Methods: Nigral dopaminergic neuron toxicity induced by local overexpression of aSyn was assessed in mice that had an inactivating mutation of MC1R , overexpressed its wild-type transgene, or were treated with MC1R agonists. The role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in MC1R-mediated protection against αSyn was characterized in vitro . Furthermore, MC1R expression was determined in human postmortem midbrains from patients with PD and unaffected subjects. Results: Targeted expression of αSyn in the nigrostriatal pathway induced exacerbated synuclein pathologies in MC1R mutant mice, which were accompanied by neuroinflammation and altered Nrf2 responses, and reversed by the human MC1R transgene. Two MC1R agonists were neuroprotective against αSyn-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In vitro experiments showed that Nrf2 was a necessary mediator of MC1R effects. Lastly, MC1R was present in dopaminergic neurons in the human substantia nigra and appeared to be reduced in PD patients. Conclusion: Our study supports an interaction between MC1R and αSyn that can be mediated by neuronal MC1R through Nrf2. It provides evidence for MC1R as a therapeutic target and a rationale for development of MC1R-activating strategies for PD.
The electronic origins of the “rare earth” texture effect in magnesium alloys
Authors: Mahjoub Reza , Stanford Nikki
Published: March 2021

Although magnesium alloys are lightweight, recyclable and relatively cheap, they suffer from poor ductility. This can be improved by the addition of rare earth (RE) elements, and this is now a well-established criterion for wrought alloy design. It is notable that this behavior is largely restricted to the lanthanides, but no hypothesis is yet available to explain why other elements do not have the same effect. To answer this question, ab initio simulations of crystallographically complex boundaries have been undertaken to examine the electronic origin of the RE effect. While the electronic structure provided strong bonding between the RE elements and their Mg surroundings, local disruption in atomic arrangement at the grain boundaries was found to diminish this effect. This work shows quantifiable changes in electronic structure of solutes resulting from grain boundary crystallography, and is suggested to be a contributing factor to the RE texture effect.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Stability of Loess Embankment Treated by Chemical Solution under Freezing-Thawing Conditions
Authors: Liu Hua , Niu Zelin , Dong Yuanhong , Liu Naifei , Zhang Shuocheng
Published: March 2021

In order to study the influence of chemical solution on the stability of loess embankment in seasonally frozen regions, the compression index, shear strength index and embankment safety factor of compacted loess fillings that were treated by different concentrations of chemical solution were analyzed through laboratory test and slope stability analysis program. The experimental results showed that the collapsible coefficients of remolded loess treated by different chemical solution will all increase which comparing the distilled water, and then will change again after freezing-thawing cycles (FTCs). The compression index of undisturbed loess will show regularity with the increase of chemical solution concentration. The shear strength of remolded loess also changed under the chemical solution and FTCs. Besides, simulation of the strength parameters by limit equilibrium methods showed that the safety factor of loess embankment with treatment of solution was significantly higher than that of untreated one, and the FTC would cause a further deterioration. The embankment stability improved after treated by chemical solution without considering seepage of rainwater. These results would provide a novel method to the problem of embankment stability related to environmental condition changes.
An Automatic Method for Rice Seed Vigor Classification Via Radicle Emergence Test Using Image Processing, Curve Fitting and Clustering Method
Authors: Onwimol Damrongvudhi , Phimcharoen Wanwisa , Sermwuthisarn Parichat , Tejakhod Sujittra , Chaisan Tanapon
Published: March 2021

Background: Rice seed vigor classification is important for seed storage management by seed producers and by farmers planning their cultivation activities. Field emergence is a direct method of seed vigor testing but is laborious, time-consuming and subjective. The saturated salt accelerated aging (SSAA) test is often used as an indirect method for rice seed vigor classification in the laboratory. However, the results from such a method are often imprecise. This paper presents the SV-RICE package, a simple, cost-efficient and flexible procedure that utilizes computer image analysis for high-throughput, automatic rice seed vigor classification. SV-RICE consists of 4 steps: dynamic imaging, image processing, curve fitting and clustering. Seed vigor has been classified based on radicle emergence indices, such as maximum radicle emergence (MRET), mean radicle emergence time (MaxRE), radicle emergence speed (t50), uniformity of radicle emergence (U7525), and area under the curve of the radicle emergence fitted curve (AUC).Results: Parameters used to classify rice seed vigor, such as MRET, U7525 and t50, were strong negative correlation with the SSAA test. The germination time of 90 hours, at 25°C, was sufficient for effective classification based on SV-RICE, whereas the SSAA test takes approximately 400 hours to complete. The SV-RICE software algorithm was set up to be especially suitable for assessment after 6 months under controlled atmosphere storage (at 15°C and 37%RH in hermetic bag). The study showed that SV-RICE could unambiguously classify 40 Indica rice samples with different varieties, production years, production sites, storage times and storage conditions compared to the SSAA test.Conclusions: This paper confirmed the accuracy, reproducibility and flexibility of the SV-RICE package for automatic seed vigor classification of Oryza sativa seeds; however, it is likely applicable to other species as a viable alternative to current methods that require more time and are less precise.
Near-Infrared Luminescence Investigation of Cr4+ ions Doped Germanate
Authors: Zeng Fanming , Wang Dongmei , Jiang Xiliang , Leng Zhuang , Wang Xinyu , Yang Weiling , Zhang Tianqing , Shi Xueming , Zhang Xu , Li Chun , Su Zhongmin , Lin Hai , Liu Lina , Zhou Yanyan , Zhang Xuejian , Liu Huisheng , Li Yongtao
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the preparation of a series of Li2TiGe1-xCrxO5 phosphors by high-temperature solid-state reaction is reported. The results of X-ray diffraction show that the doping of Cr4+ ions makes the lattice expand to a larger size. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis shows that the chromium ions in the sample are tetravalent, confirmed further by fluorescence spectroscopy. Under the excitation of 980nm laser, the Cr4+ ions 3T2 doped 3A2 radiates transition and emits light at 1300nm. At the same time, the luminescence lifetime decreases with the increase in Cr4+ ions doping concentration. Li2TiGe1-xCrxO5 phosphors have a broad application prospect in near-infrared LEDs.
Explicitly Analyze the Soil Erosion in the Karst and Non-Karst Area of Different Morphological Types in Guizhou of China
Authors: Lan Anjun , Fan Zemeng , Zhao Qingsong , Bai Xuyang
Published: March 2021

How to explicitly understanding the soil erosion intensity change in different geomorphological types is one of key issues in the field of soil and water conservation. According to classification criterion of soil erosion intensity of China, the spatial soil erosion data with the resolution of 10 m×10m in Guizhou Province were obtained by combing with the multi-resolution remote sensing data of ALOS, ZY-3, GF-1, Landsat and GDEMV2, and 2762 field sampling data in 2010 and 2015, respectively. a spatial analysis model of soil erosion was improved to analyze the spatiotemporal change of soil erosion intensity in karst and non karst area of Guizhou province, which involved the spatial soil erosion data and different geomorphological type data of Guizhou province. The results show that the soil erosion intensity decreased by 6468.13km 2 in Guizhou Province from 2010 to 2015. The dynamic change intensity in the high-altitude area is larger than in the low-altitude area. The soil change intensity in karst area is higher than in non karst area, especially in the high and middle elevation area in Guizhou province. Moreover, the decreasing ratio of soil erosion intensity in karst area is generally larger than in non karst area, which can be used to explain that the ecological restoration projects and water soil conservation polices carried out in karst area has a good effect, especially in western of Guizhou province from 2010 to 2015, one the other hand, the soil erosion in non karst area should also be focused by local government in the future.
Effectiveness of a 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine for the Prevention of Pneumococcal Pneumonia in the Elderly with Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Case-control Study of a Single Center
Authors: Masuda Toshihiro , Nakatani Eiji , Shirai Toshihiro , Akamatsu Taisuke , Tamura Kanami , takahashi Shingo , Tanaka Yuko , Watanabe Hirofumi , Endo Yoshinari , Suzuki Takahiro , Saigusa Mika , Yamamoto Akito , Morita Satoru , Sato Yoko , Asada Kazuhiro
Published: March 2021

Background: The effectiveness of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) in preventing non-invasive pneumococcal pneumonia (non-IPD) has been controversial.Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of the PPSV23 in elderly outpatients with chronic respiratory diseases, we carried out a case-control study, including 4128 outpatients aged ≥ 65 years, in the respiratory department.Results: There were 320 vaccinated patients, of which 164 were diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia. The adjusted odds ratio was 0.39 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.17 to 0.89). In the subsets consisting of age groups ≥ 70 and ≥ 75 years, the adjusted odds ratio (95 % CI) was respectively 0.16 (0.04 to 0.67) and 0.15 (0.02 to 1.12).Conclusion: This real-world study suggests that PPSV23 is effective in preventing pneumococcal pneumonia in the elderly with chronic respiratory diseases and in the older population (age ≥ 75 years).
Role of 5-HT2 Receptors Family in the Allergy-Induced Increased Aorta Contractile Responses to 5-HT
Authors: Campos-Bedolla Patricia , Torrejón-González Emmanuel Gilberto , Mendoza-Mejía Dinora , Vargas Mario H. , Segura-Medina Patricia , Rodríguez-Márquez Aniller , Silva Ana Valeria Martínez
Published: March 2021

Asthma poses an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders, suggesting that allergy, which is an underlying asthma process, causes atypical functioning of organs other than the lungs. A previous study in a guinea-pig asthma model, we concluded that allergic sensitization increased aorta contractile responses to 5-HT. To further characterize these responses, here, we explored the role of the 5-HT2 receptors family. We found that TCB-2 (5-HT2A agonist) and WAY161503 (5-HT2C agonist) induced aorta contractions resembling those elicited by 5-HT but less intense (~43% and ~25%, respectively). In these experiments, aortas from sensitized guinea pigs showed increased contractions to TCB-2 but not to WAY161503. In turn, MDL 100907 (5-HT2A antagonist) and RS-102221 (5-HT2C antagonist) caused a notably and mild reduction of the 5-HT-induced contractions, respectively, with no differences seen between sensitized and non-sensitized tissues. BW723C86 (5-HT2B agonist) did not induce contractile responses, and RS-127445 (5-HT2B antagonist) did not modify the contractile responses to 5-HT. In non-sensitized aortas, the pattern of protein expression of receptors was 5HT2B>5-HT2A=5-HT2C, which did not change in sensitized animals. In conclusion, we found that allergic sensitization increased the aorta contractile responses to 5-HT, partly mediated by enhanced responses of 5-HT2A receptors, which was unrelated to changes in these receptors' expression.
Identification of adipocytes as target cells for Leishmania infantum parasites
Authors: Schwing Aurélie , Pisani Didier F. , Pomares Christelle , Majoor Alissa , Lacas-Gervais Sandra , Lemichez Emmanuel , Marty Pierre , Boyer Laurent , Michel Grégory
Published: March 2021

Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis transmitted by the bite of female sand flies. According to the WHO, the estimated annual incidence of leishmaniasis is one million new cases, resulting in 30 000 deaths per year. The recommended drugs for treating leishmaniasis include Amphotericin B. But over the course of the years, several cases of relapses have been documented. These relapses cast doubt on the efficiency of actual treatments and raise the question of potential persistence sites. Indeed, Leishmania has the ability to persist in humans for long periods of time and even after successful treatment. Several potential persistence sites have already been identified and named ‘safe targets’. As adipose tissue has been proposed as a sanctuary of persistence for several pathogens, we investigated whether Leishmania infantum could be found in this tissue. We demonstrated both in cell cultures and in vivo that Leishmania infantum was able to infect adipocytes. Altogether our results suggest adipocytes as a ‘safe target’ for Leishmania infantum parasites.
Assessing the performance of a Northeast Asia Japan-cantered 3-D ionosphere specification technique during the 2015 St. Patrick’s day solar storm
Authors: Ssessanga Nicholas , Yamamoto Mamoru , Saito Susumu
Published: March 2021

This paper demonstrates and assesses the capability of the advanced three- dimensional (3-D) ionosphere tomography technique, during severe conditions. The study area is northeast Asia and quasi-Japan-centred. Reconstructions are based on Total electron content data from a dense ground-based global navigation satellite system receiver network and parameters from operational ionosondes. We used observations from ionosondes, Swarm satellites and radio occultation (RO) to assess the 3-D picture. Specifically, we focus on St. Patrick’s day solar storm (17–19 March 2015), the most intense in solar cycle 24. During this event, the energy ingested into the ionosphere resulted in Dst and Kp and reaching values ~-223 nT and 8, respectively, and the region of interest, the East Asian sector, was characterized by a ~ 60% reduction in electron densities. Results show that the reconstructed densities follow the physical dynamics previously discussed in earlier publications about storm events. Moreover, even when ionosonde data were not available, the technique could still provide a consistent picture of the ionosphere vertical structure. Furthermore, analyses show that there is a profound agreement between the RO profiles/in-situ densities and the reconstructions. Therefore, the technique is a potential candidate for applications that are sensitive to ionospheric corrections.
Impaired Function of PD-1+ Follicular Regulatory T Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Kurata Izumi , Mikami Natsuko , Ohyama Ayako , Osada Atsumu , Kondo Yuya , Tsuboi Hiroto , Sumida Takayuki , Matsumoto Isao
Published: March 2021

Objective:
Aberrant autoantibody production is characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells potentially can suppress this abnormality. Here, we investigate functional changes in TFR cells from SLE patients.
Methods:
Circulating TFR cells were collected from 19 SLE patients and 14 healthy controls to compare molecular expression and in vitro suppressive capacity of follicular helper T (TFH) cell proliferation. We then tested IL-2 in SLE-TFR cells to check restoration of suppressor function.
Results:
Programmed death-1 (PD-1) expression in SLE-TFR cells was positively correlated with anti-DNA antibody levels and disease activity. These cells had impaired suppressive function for TFH cells with decreased expression of suppression mediators forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), and IL-2 receptor alpha (IL2Rα). In vitro IL-2 stimulation restored expression of these molecules.
Conclusion:
SLE-TFR cells have functional TFH suppression defects but low-dose IL-2 therapy could be useful to restore this ability.
Risk Factors for Colonization and Infection With Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Intensive Care Unit: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Eyebe Serge , Nana-Djeunga Hugues , Guewo-Fokeng Magellan , Wafeu Guy Sadeu , Wouking Marius , Massoda Salomon , Evina Danielle , Zoumabo Aurelia Condomat , Zogo Pierre Ongolo , Zahar Jean Ralph
Published: March 2021

Background: Infection with resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (RPA) in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is known to be either endogenous or exogenous or both, but the roles of each of these contamination routes is yet to be clarified. Data regarding prevalence, risk factors and environmental factors associated with RPA in ICU are very scanty and even when they exist, they seem to be contradictory. So, there is a strong interest in understanding both individual and environmental factors associated with RPA infection. This systematic review aims to investigate individual and environmental factors associated with the colonization and infection with RPA in ICU.Methodology: MEDLINE (Pubmed), EMBASE (OVID), the Cochrane Library (Wiley), Web of Science, CINAHL (EBSCOHost) and LILACS (BIREME) will be searched from inception onwards. Grey literature will be identified through Google Scholar and open Grey. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, abstracts and full-text articles. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. Methodological quality including bias will be appraised using appropriate approaches. A narrative synthesis will describe quality and content of the epidemiological evidence. Prevalence, Odds ratio, Relative Risk, Hazard radio with their respective 95% confidence intervals will be calculated. A meta-analysis of data extracted from eligible studies with similar population and RPA testing will be performed. The analysis will evaluate factors influencing the estimates. A random effect model will be used to summarize effect sizes.Discussion: Two contrasting hypotheses on risk factors of acquisition, colonisation, and infection of RPA are being debated, especially in a context where available data are scanty or exhibit high discrepancy. Indeed, most of the reviews have been focalized on hospitalised patients, and not in ICU, and few of them really address the environmental factors issue. To fill that gap, this review will combine both analysis of individual and environmental risk factors using prevalence study in ICU and evaluation of different methodologies. These two hypotheses will be tested and challenged, and could serve as a basis for a more in-depth studies to fill the methodological gaps that will be identified as part of this current review.Systematic review registration: This protocol has been submitted registered with Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 07 march 2021 under number CRD42021233832
Characteristics of CT Hounsfield Unit Values in Lumbar Vertebrae and Lumbar Pedicle – A comparative Study Based on CT Scans and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)
Authors: Nguyen Viet Anh , Sun Chi , Xu Haocheng , Wang Hongli , Ma Xiaosheng , Lu Feizhou , Jiang Jianyuan
Published: March 2021

PurposesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate CT HU value in specific regions of the Lumbar Spine and investigate the correlation between their CT HU values and the corresponding bone quality index provided by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). MethodsA total of 32 Chinese adults with lumbar degenerative disc disease requiring diagnostic lumbar CT and DEXA at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed in this study. The HU value of medial cortical area (mHU), lateral cortical area (lHU) and trabecular area (tpHU) of the pedicle and superior part, middle part, inferior part of the vertebral body (sHU, mbHU, iHU, respectively) were measured on CT images. T score and BMD score of each vertebra were also measured by DEXA. The HU value was compared between sex groups, vertebra and the correlations of HU value with DEXA T-score, DEXA BMD-score were analyzed. ResultsIn vertebral body, the value of mHU is the lowest (p<0.001) while mbHU and iHU are not significantly different. The tpHU had the lowest HU value compared to mHU and lHu. mHU had significantly higher value than lHU at all levels (p<0.001). The value of mHU and lHU is found correlated with T-scores(p<0.01) at all lumbar levels. The value of tpHU is not correlated with either T-scores or BMD(p>0.05). The HU values of all vertebral body regions at all lumbar levels (sHU,mbHU,iHU) correlate strongly with T-scores and BMD(r>0.6, p<0.01). ConclusionsCT HU value could be a reliable indicator for regional bone quality, especially in people with lumbar degenerative changes. The superior portion of the lumbar vertebra had the lowest bone density in comparison with other regions of the vertebra at L1-L4. In lumbar pedical, the medial lateral cortical bone area had higher bone density than the lateral cortical bone and trabecula bone area.
Ticagrelor versus Clopidogrel in Stent-assisted Coil Embolization of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Chien Shuo-Chi , Chen Ching-Chang , Chen Chun-Ting , Wang Alvin Yi-Chou , Hsieh Po-Chuan , Yeap Mun-Chun , Liu Zhuo-Hao , Wang Yu-Chi , Liu Yu-Tse
Published: March 2021

Background: In order to prevent thromboembolic events, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is widely used in stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Compared to clopidogrel associated with aspirin, knowledge of the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor are lacking in large studies to this date.Methods: A retrospective cohort study from January 2016 to December 2018 with at least one year follow in a single institution and systemic review.Results: Altogether 153 patients with UIA receiving SACE were separated into two groups: 113 patients receiving clopidogrel plus aspirin and 40 patients receiving ticagrelor plus aspirin. Acute in-stent thrombosis events were noted in 2 patients in the clopidogrel group (1.77%) and none in the ticagrelor group (0%). Another 1 patient (0.88%) in the clopidogrel group had an early ischemic stroke (<3 months). Delayed ischemic stroke was noted in 6 patients (5.31%) in the clopidogrel group and 3 patients (7.50%) in the ticagrelor group. There was no major hemorrhagic event in either group. The two groups had no significant differences with regard to ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke.Conclusion: Compared to the clopidogrel based regimen, ticagrelor can reduce thromboembolic events without increasing bleeding tendency for stent-assisted coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Ticagrelor plus aspirin is a safe and effective alternative option for SACE.