bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Unraveling the Gut Microbiota Composition of the Genus Herichthys (Cichliformes:Pisces)”
Authors: Mejía Omar , Quinto Andrés Sánchez , Acata Elizabeth S Gómez , Miranda Fabian Pérez , Falcón Luisa I
Published: March 2021

Background The coevolution between hosts and their gut microbiota arises as a promissory research program that could explain diversity patterns. The fishes of the cichlid family are an ideal model to evaluate coevolution due to their spectacular radiation. In particular, the neotropical genus Herichthys represents a great study case of study since it includes species with wide and narrow distributions, with several feeding habits as well as species that arose allopatrically and truly sympatrically. We used the hypervariable V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene from the 11 species of the genus Herichthys obtained from museum collections to evaluate the existence of phylosymbiosis between the fishes and their gut microbiota. Results The highest diversity values of gut microbiota diversity were found in the detritivorous species while the herbivorous, molluscivorous, and piscivorous showed the lowest diversity values. Differences in gut microbiota were found between species and trophic guilds, in particular for the sympatric species comparison. The phylosymbiosis test was significant showing that the evolution of the gut microbiota is different in species that arise in allopatric and sympatric conditions. Conclusions The most abundant phyla recovered from the gut microbiota were similar to those previously reported in other studies with cichlids supporting the idea that a gut microbial core is conserved in this group of fishes despite millions of years of evolution. Despite the caveats of working with museum specimens, our results provide evidence that gut microbiota divergence could occur even in sympatric conditions and reveals the potential use of museum collections in gut microbiota studies.
Surgical Outcomes in Adults with Acute Small Bowel Perforation and Risk Factors for Mortality: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.
Authors: Wu Jianzhang , Shu Ping , He Hongyong , Li Haojie , Tang Zhaoqing , Sun Yihong , Liu Fenglin
Published: March 2021

Background Small bowel perforation is a life-threatening surgical emergency even after immediate surgical intervention, while the surgical outcomes are rarely discussed in the literature due to relatively low incidence. This study aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes of small bowel perforation and risk factors for mortality.Methods Consecutive patients with small bowel perforation confirmed by emergency surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from February 2011 to May 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical features, laboratory indicators, surgical findings and pathology were reviewed based on the medical records. Results 199 patients were included in this study, of which 50 patients underwent perforation repair, 117 underwent primary anastomosis, and the other 32 underwent small bowel ostomy. 52.3% (104/199) patients transferred to ICU just after surgery and malignant tumor was the leading cause responsible for perforation in these patients (40.4%, 42/104), although foreign bodies ingestion (27.1%, 54/199) were most common for all cases in this study. The overall postoperative morbidity and mortality rate were 54.3% (108/199) and 10.6% (21/199) respectively, which were higher in the ICU group (74.0% (77/104) and 19.2% (20/104), respectively). Malignant tumor related perforation (OR, 3.567; 95%CI, 1.175-10.823; P=0.025) and high postoperative arterial blood lactate (LAC) level (OR,1.583; 95%CI, 1.127-2.225; P=0.008) were independent risk factors for post-operative mortality for patients transferred to ICU. Conclusion Small bowel perforation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates after emergency surgery, especially for patients transferred to ICU. Malignant tumor related perforation, as well as higher postoperative blood lactate had increased risk of postoperative mortality.
Does an Increase in Serum FGF21 Level Predict 28-day Mortality of Critical Patients with Sepsis and ARDS?
Authors: Li Xing , Shen Hua , Zhou Tinghong , Cao Xiaoyu , Chen Ying , Liang Yan , Lu Ting , He Jiafen , Dou Zhoulin , Liu Chuaikai , Tang Yong , Zhu Zexiang
Published: March 2021

BackgroundSepsis may be accompanied by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). It is essential to identify prognostic biomarkers in patients with sepsis and ARDS.ObjectiveDetermine whether changes in the level of serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) can predict the 28-day mortality of ICU patients with sepsis and ARDS.MethodsConsecutive sepsis patients were divided into two groups (Sepsis+ARDS and Sepsis-only), and the Sepsis+ARDS group was further classified as survivors or non-survivors. Demographic data and comorbidities were recorded. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and serum levels of cytokines and other biomarkers were recorded 3 times after admission. Multiple Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify risk factors associated with 28-day mortality in the Sepsis+ARDS group.ResultsThe Sepsis+ARDS group had a greater baseline SOFA score and serum levels of cytokines and other biomarkers than the Sepsis-only group; the serum level of FGF21 was almost 2-fold greater in the Sepsis+ARDS group (P<0.05). Non-survivors in the Sepsis+ARDS group had an almost 5-fold greater level of FGF21 than survivors in this group (P<0.05). The serum level of FGF21 persistently increased from the baseline to the peak of shock and death in the non-survivors, but persistently decreased in survivors (P<0.05). Changes in the serum FGF21 level between different time points were independent risk factors for mortality.ConclusionA large increase of serum FGF21 level from baseline is associated with 28-day mortality in ICU patients with sepsis and ARDS.
Reinforcement Learning-Based Workload Scheduling for Edge Computing
Authors: zheng tao , Wan Jian , Zhang jilin , Jiang Congfeng
Published: March 2021

Edge computing is a new paradigm for providing cloud computing capacities at the edge of network near mobile users. It offers an effective solution to help mobile devices with computation-intensive and delay-sensitive tasks. However, the edge of network presents a dynamic environment with large number of devices, high mobility of the end user, heterogeneous applications and intermittent traffific. In such environment, edge computing always encounters workload scheduling problem of how to effificiently schedule incoming tasks from mobile devices to edge servers or cloud servers, which is a hard and online problem. In this work, we focus on the workload scheduling problem with the goal of balancing the workload, reducing the service time and minimizing the failed task rate. We proposed a reinforcement learning-based approach, which can learn from the previous actions and achieve best scheduling in the absence of a mathematical model of the environment. Simulation results show that our proposed approach achieves the best performance in aspects of service time, virtual machine utilization, and failed tasks rate compared with other approaches. Our reinforcement learning-based approach can provide an effificient solution to the workload scheduling problem in edge computing.
Preparation and photoluminescence study of Alumin o-boro silicate YAG fluorescent glass for White LED
Authors: Yang Chao , Song Guohua , Miao Jianwen , Fan Tingting
Published: March 2021

The YAG: Eu 3+ fluorescent glass for NUV(near ultraviolet) white LEDs was obtained firstly by synthesizing Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG): Eu 3+ precursors through a simple co-precipitation method, and then mixing precursor with B 2 O 3 -Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -Na 2 O-BaO glass powder calcined at 1400°C for 2.5 hours. The as-prepared YAG glass-ceramic phosphor was investigated by DTA, XRD, SEM, and photoluminescence (PL). Influence of YAG: Eu 3+ precursor and Eu 3+ doping on excitation and emission spectra also have been studied. The results show that: the phosphor's emission peak located at 393nm is correspond to the 7 F 0 - 5 L 6 transition of Eu 3+ ions, which matches good with UV LED chips; the phosphor gives intense emission at 593nm originating from the 5 D 0 - 7 F 1 transition of Eu 3+ ions. When the YAG precursor is 0.9g and amount of Eu 3+ doped is 0.08, the fluorescence excitation spectra of glass and emission spectra of the peak intensity reach its maximum value. The YAG: Eu 3+ fluorescence glass could be a promising material for the production of near ultraviolet chip white light-emitting diode.
Bactris Setosa Mart. (Tucum-do-cerrado) Aqueous Extract Increases Growth and Viability in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae BY4741 and YAP1Δ Under Stress Caused by Menadione and Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Silva Renata , Campos Élida Geralda
Published: March 2021

Yeast cells from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can increase endogenous antioxidant response when stressed to prevent cell death. YAP1 is a transcription factor responsible to activate genes that encoding antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase and can be an important key to protect these cells. Tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) is a Brazilian fruit rich in polyphenols and bioactive compounds mainly found in the peel. This study investigated cell growth and viability using S. cerevisiae wild type and yap1∆ strains exposed to tucum-do-cerrado peel aqueous extract and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and menadione induced oxidative stress. Yeast cells from BY4741 and yap1∆ were exposed to different concentrations of tucum extract, menadione and hydrogen peroxide separated and together in mixed groups for 20h and measured for growth curve. For colony survival yeast cells were exposed to these compounds for 72h in ágar plates and colonies were counted. Results showed that aqueous extract of tucum-do-cerrado was capable to recover BY4741 density of cells stressed with both menadione and H2O2 but not for yap1∆ strain. Besides, higher concentrations of the extract demonstrated a delay in cell growth. Colony survival showed that the exposition to tucum extract resulted in colony recover in BY4741 yeast cells but not for mutant yap1∆ strains which maintained low viability even with high extract concentration. In conclusion, despite S. cerevisiae antioxidant response to menadione and H2O2 is different, the protection afforded by tucum extract in H2O2 stressed cells, is probably through an YAP1 pathway.
Balloon Dilatation and Rapid Maxillary Expansion: A Novel, Combined Treatment for Congenital Nasal Pyriform Aperture Stenosis in an Infant
Authors: Santarsiero Sara
Published: March 2021

BackgroundCongenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) is a rare condition isolated or inserted in a multi-formative syndrome, which still encounters management difficulties. There are no specific treatment protocols and the use of traditional surgery represents an anachronism since cognitive assumptions and non-invasive or minimally invasive therapeutic innovations would currently be available. However, the rarity of the disease and the infantile context makes RCTs difficult to process. Case presentationWe expose the case of a one-month-old caucasian male infant suffering from CNPAS. The patient presented to the Emergency Department of the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital with a clinical picture characterized by nasal obstruction, noisy breathing, feeding difficulties and suspected sleep apnea. During hospitalization he underwent overnight pulse oximetry, airway endoscopy and maxillofacial CT with a final diagnosis of CNPAS with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. We treated him successfully through an innovative therapeutic strategy that required the collaboration of a team of ENT surgeons and orthodontists.Conclusions﻿The combination of minimally invasive balloon surgery and the application of a palatal device may represent a successful strategy for patients with CNPAS, probably also applicable to other types of nasal bone stenosis. Future studies may allow the definition of treatment strategies of these pathologies, we hope in the context of novel practical guidelines.
The Construction of Patient Understandings of Antibiotic use for Upper Respiratorytract Infections in Rural China.
Authors: Cheng Jing , Kadetz Paul I. , Chai Jing , Shen Xingrong , Cabral Christie , Wang Debin , Lambert Helen
Published: March 2021

Background: This paper seeks to identify the lay understandings concerning “anti-inflammatories”, their relation to antibiotics, and their utilization in treating upper respiratory tract infections (RTIs) among patients in rural Anhui Province, China. Methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 30 patients from rural clinics who presented with RTI symptoms between December 2017 and May 2018. These patient-informants were purposively sampled for follow-up interviews from an original sample of 1,030 patients who completed preliminary structured interviews. All informants were over 18 years old and had consulted a doctor at village- or township-level government health facilities for symptoms of RTIs within two weeks preceding follow-up interviews. Data was collected until saturation was achieved. Responses were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic framework via NVivo 12.0 software. Results: A majority of informants reported that antibiotics such as cephalosporin, known colloquially as “anti-inflammation medicine”, are the preferred treatment for upper respiratory tract symptoms. These are commonly prescribed by township and village doctors, who are an important source of antibiotic-related information for patients. Approximately 87% (n=26) of patient informants reported that doctors neither revealed the name nor classification of their diagnosis. Only 13% (n=4) were specifically told they had an upper respiratory tract infection. However, all patients in this sample were treated with antibiotics regardless of diagnosis or pathogenic etiology. Conclusion: The findings of the present study may provide important insights for designing future interventions to promote public health awareness concerning unnecessary and inappropriate use of antibiotics in China.
Upregulation of ARNTL2 Predicts Poor Survival for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and Explores its Associations with PD-L1 and Immune Infiltration
Authors: Wang Song , Ma Xueyou , Ying Yufan , Sun Jiazhu , Yang Zitong , Li Jiangfeng , Jin Ke , Wang Xiao , Xie Bo , Zheng Xiangyi , Liu Ben , Xie Liping
Published: March 2021

Background: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator like 2 (ARNTL2) pertain to the PAS superfamily. Emerging evidences have demonstrated the carcinogenic roles of transcription factor ARNTL2 in human malignancies, while its roles in ccRCC remain elusive. We sought to explore the comprehensive roles of ARNTL2 in ccRCC and place major emphasis on its correlations with tumor immunity.Methods: The available data from GEO, TCGA and GTEx database were combined with our ccRCC patient tissues to verify the upregulation of ARNTL2, Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis, Cox regression analyses (including univariate and multivariate) were utilized to evaluate the prognostic values of ARNTL2, the potential biological mechanisms of ARNTL2 were analyzed by using GSEA method. The ssGSEA and xCell algorithm were employed to assess the correlations of ARNTL2 expression with tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), The spearman analyses were applied to investigate the relationships between ARNTL2 expression and the tumor mutational burden (TMB), PD-L1 expression and microsatellite instability (MSI) in pan-cancer.Results: ARNTL2 was overexpressed in ccRCC and increased ARNTL2 expression strongly linked to advanced clinical stage and unfavorable overall survival. ARNTL2 was recognized as an independent prognostic marker through cox regression analyses. A prognostic nomogram was subsequently constructed to predict 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival via integrating ARNTL2 expression with other clinicopathologic variables. GSEA analysis revealed that the focal adhesion, T cell receptor, cell cycle and JAK-STAT signaling pathway were remarkably enriched in high ARNTL2 samples. xCell analysis suggested that high expression of ARNTL2 exhibited an immune infiltration status similar to CD8+ inflamed ccRCC subtype, which characterized by a high infiltration level of CD8+ T cell and elevated expression level of the immune escape biomarkers such as PD-L1, PD-L2, PD1 and CTLA4. Further pan-cancer analysis indicated that ARNTL2 was tightly linked to TMB, MSI, PD-L1 expression, tumor immunity and poor OS in diverse cancer types.Conclusions: ARNTL2 is an independent adverse predictor of ccRCC patient survival and tightly linked to TMB, MSI, PD-L1 expression and immunity.
Systematic Profiling of Invasion-related Genes Signature Predicts Prognostic Features and Identificates Molecular Subtypes of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yu Ping , Tong Linlin , Song Yujia , Qu Hui , Chen Ying
Published: March 2021

Background: Due to the high heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), molecular subtype based on gene expression profiles is of great significance for diagnosis, and prognosis prediction in patients with LUAD.Methods: Invasion-related genes were obtained from the CancerSEA database, and LUAD expression profiles were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The ConsensusClusterPlus was used to obtain molecular subtypes based on invasion-related genes. The limma software package was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A multi-gene risk model was constructed by Lasso-Cox analysis. A nomogram was also constructed based on risk scores and meaningful clinical features.Results: 3 subtypes (C1, C2, C3) based on the expression of invasion-related genes were obtained. C3 had the worst prognosis. A total of 669 DEGs were identified among the subtypes. Pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the cell cycle, DNA replication, the p53 signaling pathway, and other tumor-related pathways. A 5-gene signature (KRT6A, MELTF, IRX5, MS4A1, CRTAC1) was identified by using Lasso-Cox analysis. The training, validation, and external independent cohorts proved that the model was robust and had better prediction ability than other lung cancer models. The gene expression results showed that the expression levels of MS4A1 and KRT6A in tumor tissues were higher than in normal tissues, while CRTAC1 expression in tumor tissues was lower than in normal tissues. At the same time, the 5 genes were significantly expressed in pan-cancer immune subtypes. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that MS4A1, KRT6A, and CRAT1 genes were both enriched in the HALLMARK_IL2_STAT5_SIGNALING pathway, and IRX5 and MELTF gene were both enriched in the HALLMARK_EPITHELIAL_MESENCHYMAL_TRANSITION pathway. Conclusion: The 5-gene signature prognostic stratification system based on invasion-related genes could be used to assess prognostic risk in patients with LUAD.
Study on the Syndrome Characteristics and Classification Model of Non- Small Cell Lung Cancer Based on Tongue and Pulse Data
Authors: Shi Yulin , Liu Jiayi , Hu Xiaojuan , Tu Liping , Cui Ji , Li Jun , Bi Zijuan , Li Jiacai , Xu Ling , Xu Jiatuo
Published: March 2021

Background: Lung cancer is a common malignant tumor that affects people's health seriously. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the effective methods for the treatment of advanced lung cancer, accurate TCM syndrome differentiation is essential to treatment. When the symptoms are not obvious, the traditional symptom-based syndrome differentiation cannot be carried out. There is a close relationship between syndrom and index of western medicine, the combination of micro index and macro symptom can assist syndrome differentiation effectively.Methods: Tongue and pulse data of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with Qi deficiency syndrome (n=163), patients with Yin deficiency syndrome (n=174) and healthy controls (n=185) were collected by using intelligent Tongue and Face Diagnosis Analysis-1 instrument and Pulse Diagnosis Analysis-1 instrument, respectively. The characteristics of tongue and pulse data were analyzed, the correlation analysis was also made on tongue and pulse data. And four machine learning methods, namely Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine and Neural Network, were used to establish the classification models based on symptoms, tongue & pulse data, and symptoms & tongue & pulse data, respectively.Results: Significant difference indexes of tongue diagnosis between Qi deficiency syndrome and Yin deficiency syndrome were TB-a, TB-S, TB-Cr, TC-a, TC-S, TC-Cr, perAll and the tongue coating texture indexes including TC-Con, TC-ASM, TC-MEAN, and TC-ENT. Significant difference indexes of pulse diagnosis were t4 and t5. The classification performance of each model based on different data sets was as follows: model of tongue & pulse data <model of symptom < model of symptom & tongue & pulse data. The Neural Network model had a better classification performance for the symptom & tongue & pulse data, with an area under the ROC curve and accuracy rate were 0.9401 and 0.8806.Conclusions:This study explored the characteristics of tongue and pulse data of NSCLC with Qi deficiency syndrome and Yin deficiency syndrome, and established syndromes classification model. It was feasible to use tongue and pulse data as one of the objective diagnostic indexes in Qi deficiency syndrome and Yin deficiency syndrome of NSCLC.Name of the registry: Chinese Clinical Trial RegistryTrial registration number: ChiCTR1900026008; ChiCTR-IOR-15006502 Date of registration: Jun. 04th, 2015URL of trial registry record: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=11119;http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=38828&htm=4 (This is a retrospective registration)
The Effect of Cognitive Functional Therapy for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Miki Takahiro , Kondo Yu , kurakata Hiroshi , Buzasi Eva , Takebayashi Tsuneo , Takasaki Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

Background: To apply the Bio-Psych-Social (BPS) model into clinical practice, it is important not to focus on psychosocial domains only since biomedical factors can also contribute to chronic pain conditions. The cognitive functional therapy (CFT) is the management system based on the BPS model for chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP). Objectives: To compare CFT with the other interventions for CNSLBP regarding pain, disability/functional status, QoL and psychological factors.Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Method: Literature Search was conducted in electronic search engines. Enrolled participants included 1) CNSLBP and 2) primary, secondary, or tertiary care patients. CFT was the interventions included. Comparisons were any types of treatment.Results: Three studies met the eligibility criteria. The total number of participants was 336. For pain intensity, MD [95% CIs] was -2.78 [-2.78−0.02] and -1.01 [-1.92−-0.10] at intermediate and long term for two studies, respectively. About disability/functional status, SMD [95% CIs] was -0.76 [-1.46−-0.07]　at the intermediate for three studies and MD [95% CIs] was -0.84 [-11.47−-5.49] at long term for two studies. About fear of physical activity, MD [95% CIs] was -3.01 [-5.14−-0.88] and -3.56 [-6.43−-0.68] at intermediate and long term for two studies, respectively. No studies reported scores associated with QOL. All the quality of the evidence was very low.Conclusions: Three studies were included and the quality of all the evidence was very low. Although the study found statistically significant differences in some measures, the effectiveness of the CFT will need to be re-evaluated in the future.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020158182
Identification of hub genes and pathways in psoriasis through bioinformatics and validation by RT-qPCR
Authors: Zou Ling Ai , Jian Qichao
Published: March 2021

Background

Although several studies have attempted to investigate the aetiology and mechanism of psoriasis, the precise molecular mechanism remains unclear. Our study aimed to identify the hub genes and associated pathways that promote its pathogenesis in psoriasis, which would be helpful for the discovery of diagnostic and therapeutic markers.
Methods

GSE30999, GSE34248, GSE41662, and GSE50790 datasets were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The GEO profiles were integrated to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the affy package in R software, with |logFC|> 1.5 and adjusted P < 0.05. The DEGs were utilised for Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses. Hub genes were identified using Cytoscape and enriched for analysis in www.bioinformatics.com.cn. These hub genes were validated in the four aforementioned datasets and M5-induced HaCaT cells using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Results

A total of 359 DEGs were identified, which were mostly associated with responses to bacterium, defence responses to other organism, and antimicrobial humoral response. These DEGs were mostly enriched in the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. PPI network analysis indicated seven genes (CXCL1, ISG15, CXCL10, STAT1, OASL, IFIT1, and IFIT3) as the probable hub genes of psoriasis; CXCL10 had a positive correlation with the other six hub genes. The chord plot results further supported the GO and KEGG analysis results of the 359 DEGs. Seven predicted hub genes were validated to be upregulated in four datasets and M5-induced HaCaT cells using RT-qPCR.
Conclusions

The pathogenesis of psoriasis may be associated with seven hub genes (CXCL1, ISG15, CXCL10, STAT1, OASL, IFIT1, and IFIT3) and pathways, such as the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. These hub genes, especially CXCL10, can be used as potential biomarkers in psoriasis.
Cell-Free Synthetic Biosensors Based on CRISPR/Cas Mediated Cascade Signal Amplification for Precise RNA Detection
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhang Penghui , Ren Hui , Jia Pengpeng , Ji Jingcheng , Cao Lei , Yang Peiwei , Li Yuxin , Liu Jie , Li Zedong , You Minli , Duan Xiaoman , Hu Jie , Xu Feng
Published: March 2021

Synthetic biology has been harnessed to create new diagnostic technologies. However, most synthetic biosensors involve error-prone amplification steps and limitations of accuracy in RNA detection. Here, we report a cell-free synthetic biosensing platform, termed as SHARK (Synthetic Enzyme Shift RNA Signal Amplifier Related Cas13a Knockdown Reaction), to efficiently and accurately amplify RNA signal by leveraging the collateral cleavage of activated Cas13a to regulate cell-free enzyme synthesis. Based on cascade amplification and customized enzyme output, SHARK behaves a broad compatibility in different scenarios. Using a personal glucose meter, we detected 50 copies/μl SARS-CoV-2 on a SHARK-loaded paper. In addition, when combined with machine learning, SHARK can perform bio-computations and thus provide miRNA patterns for cancer diagnosis and staging. SHARK shows characteristics of precise recognition, cascade amplification and customizable signal outputting in one pot comparisons with established assays based on 64 clinical samples, presenting great potential in developing next-generation RNA detection technology.
Proteomic Analysis of Virulence Profiles in Clinical Strains of Shigella flexneri in Manaus – Amazon State
Authors: Batalha Fernanda , Cordeiro Isabelle B. , Taquita Paula , Verçosa João Victor , Cavalcante Alessandra , Santos Ivanildes , Figueiredo Daniel , Souza Ruth Moura , Dantas Paloma , Orlandi Patrícia
Published: March 2021

Background: Shigella is a Gram-negative bacterium and belongs to Enterobacteriaceae family. These bacteria have been described as responsible for many diarrheic infections around the world and affects children as 5 years old. As a striking feature of these bacteria, we can say about the invasive capacity and the severe damage in the intestine of the host. Epidemiological studies conducted during 2007 to 2009 by our research group, Diagnosis and Control of Infectious Diseases of the Amazon - DCDIA, identified Shigella as the 4th most frequent bacterial pathogen in children with diarrhea treated in public hospitals in Manaus - AM. To understand the mechanisms of pathogenesis of these clinical strains, and to describe the mechanisms of cellular invasion, this study proposes the identification of the proteome of two isolates, through the mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography. The clinical strains were submitted to experimental conditions that mimic the epithelial cellular contact in the host, using the inductor Congo Red, in order to investigate which proteins are being produced by this pathogen.
Results: The proteomic profile of Shigella strain 201 reveals 386 intracellular proteins cultivated in LB medium and 189 intracellular proteins cultivated using the Congo Red inductor. For the M90T strain, a total of 470 intracellular proteins were detected in LB medium and 383 intracellular proteins cultivated with Congo Red. The findings reveal that proteins exclusively induced by Congo Red in the clinical strain are related to virulence processes, such as IpaC and IpaD proteins, which have already been extensively investigated in the literature.
Conclusions: However, new target proteins are pointed out, such as Hmp, YkfE, AepA, MobC, MetK, OsmY, LptA and LuxS which are classified as proteins predicted as pathogenic, based on our analyses. Although such proteins are involved in the virulence of enteric pathogens, their functions are still little explored or inexistent for the Shigella genus, mainly in the northern region of Brazil. We expected this work to reveal the mechanisms underlying the isolated clinical strains and elucidate new effectors and how they modulate the pathogenesis of these bacteria.
Gensini Score as a Predictor for in-Stent Restenosis in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Authors: Yan Shi-Qi , Gai Min-Tao , Wang Meng-Meng , Chen Bang-Dang , Ma Yi-Tong
Published: March 2021

Background: Despite Drug-eluting stent (DES) have considerably reduced the rates of in-stent restenosis (ISR). ISR is still the most common limitation of percutaneous coronary intervention（PCI). The aim of this study was to investigate potential predictors on ISR in patients with DES implantation for Coronary heart disease (CAD).Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. A total of 916 patients who underwented DESs implantations and angiography follow-up within one year at the First Affiliated hospital of Xinjiang medical University, between September, 2013, and September, 2016, were included. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, ISR (n=315) and non-ISR (n=601), ISR was defined as a diameter stenosis of ≥50% located within a coronary stent or up to 5 mm beyond the stent edges. Clinical data and angiographic characteristics were collected. CAD severity was evaluated by calculating the Gensini score. The logistic regression and ROC analysis were pereformed to screen out efficient predictors.Results: Comparation between the ISR group and the non-ISR group, Gensini Score, diastolic pressure, waist, blood glucose, left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVED), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVES) levels were higher in ISR group, and ApoA1, ejection fraction (EF%), and accidence of myocardial infarction (MI) were lower in the ISR group. Comparation of angiographic characteristics between the groups, the results showed the occurrence of stenosis in vessels of left main coronary artery (LM), left anterior descending artery(LAD), or right coronary artery (RCA) have more vulnerability to ISR. Patients in the ISR group have been implanted more stents. In univariate regression analysis, diastolic pressure, waist, history of MI, ApoA1, number of implanted stents, and Gensini Score were associated with ISR. After multiple logistic regression analysis, Gensini score was screen out to be an independent risk factor of ISR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified that the Gensini score was a reliable predictor for ISR, area under curve (AUC): 0.80 (0.78-0.83), Sensitivity and specificity were 73.33% and 72.33%, respectively.Conclusions: Gensini score was independently associated with ISR, and was a good predictor for ISR in patients with DES implantaion.
The short infectious period of COVID-19 indicates the efficiency of fast switching periodic protocols
Authors: Lippiello Eugenio , de Arcangelis Lucilla , Petrillo Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

The Covid-19 disease pandemic is showing the importance of an accurate quantification of transmissibility in order to design and tune public health responses. Transmissibility is usually quantified in terms of the reproduction number Rt, the average number of secondary cases caused by an infected individual. Here we show the central role also played by w(z), the distribution of generation times z, namely the time between successive infections in a transmission chain. We obtain an accurate estimate of w(z) by means of a novel method which allows us to simultaneously obtain its evaluation together with the measure of Rt, over the course of an epidemic, and the number of exogenous infected cases. We use one year of data from COVID-19 officially reported cases in the 21 Italian regions, since the first confirmed case on February 2020. We find that w(z) is a distribution very peaked around its average value z ≃ 6 days with a standard deviation σ smaller than one day. This estimate of σ is much smaller than previous ones obtained by means of contact tracing from the distribution of serial intervals. We perform extended numerical simulations to demonstrate that, because of the small value of σ, post-lockdown mitigation policies such as fast periodic switching and/or alternating quarantine can be extremely efficient.
Estimates of Genetic Parameters for Economic Traits of Holstein Friesian Dairy Cattle in Tropics: A multi-trait animal model
Authors: Ayalew Wondossen , Worku Destaw
Published: March 2021

Background: In any genetic improvement program, multi-trait estimates of genetic parameters and breeding values of economically important traits are essential to facilitate total merit index selection objectives.Method: Data comprising 4,263 lactation records of 1,223 cows calved in the years between 1992 and 2017 were used to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values of lactation milk yield (LMY) and lactation length (LL) and fertility (age at first calving, AFC; calving interval, CI; and days open DO) traits. Preliminary analysis of fixed effects used in the mixed model analysis was tested for their significance using lm package of R software. C(o)variance components and resulting parameters were estimated by fitting single and multi-trait repeatability animal models using BLUPF90 software packages.Results: The heritability estimates of LMY and LL were 0.21±0.04 and 0.13±0.02, respectively. Heritabilities for AFC, CI, and DO were 0.53, 0.12, and 0.14±0.04, respectively. Repeatability estimates of production and fertility traits were low to moderate. The genetic correlation between LMY and LL was high (0.53) whilst, among fertility traits, the estimates were ranged from 0.09±0.03 (between AFC and CI) to 0.99±0.01 (between CI and DO). Genetic correlations of productive traits with fertility traits were ranged from -0.01 to 0.99. The phenotypic correlations between production and fertility traits ranged from 0.06±0.02 for LL and AFC to 0.43±0.02 for LL and DO. The genetic trends for LMY and LL were positive and genetically improved by 15.80 kg year−1 and 0.92 days year−1, respectively. Regarding fertility traits, favorable trends of -0.56 and -0.65 days year-1 were observed for CI and DO, respectively. However, unfavorable trends of 0.04 month year−1 were obtained for AFC.Conclusion: With this small herd size, the study highlighted that a high response to selection for LMY and AFC would be expected in this population. Furthermore, aggregate selection of both production and fertility traits should take into account their antagonistic genetic correlations in future improvement programs.
Dual Targeting of Integrin αvβ3 and VEGF Receptor Improves PET Imaging of Breast Cancer
Authors: Yao Lanlin , Li Yesen , Chen Haojun , Wen Xuejun , Pang Yizheng , Chen Zijun , Guo Zhide , Zhang Xianzhong , Wu Hua , Guo Wei
Published: March 2021

Background: Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and integrin αvβ3 receptors are both overexpressed in breast cancer. Methods: We developed and synthesized a heterodimeric tracer consisting of Arg−Gly−Asp (RGD) and Ala-Thr-Trp-Leu-Pro-Pro-Arg (ATWLPPR) peptides that simultaneously targets integrin αvβ3 and NRP-1. We then investigated the diagnostic efficacy of RGD-ATWLPPR heterodimeric peptides in MCF-7 xenograft models in mice. DOTA-conjugated RGD-ATWLPPR peptides were then radiolabeled with 68Ga, and the receptor-binding characteristics and tumor-targeting efficacy of 68Ga-DOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR were investigated in vitro and in vivo. We also detected integrin αvβ3 and NRP-1 expression in MCF-7 cells and tumor tissues. Results: The peptide showed high stability in vitro. Static PET/CT imaging studies showed that MCF-7 tumors were clearly visible 30 min and 60 min after 68Ga-DOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR injection. Further, the heterodimer showed higher tumor uptake than 68Ga-DOTA-RGD or 68Ga-DOTA-ATWLPPR alone. High specificity was shown in blocking studies using RGD and ATWLPPR peptides. MicroPET/CT and biodistribution studies using 68Ga-DOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR showed that the tracer specifically targets NRP-1 and integrin ανβ3 receptors. Conclusions: Compared with 68Ga-DOTA-RGD and 68Ga-DOTA-ATWLPPR, 68Ga-DOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR has higher binding affinity, better targeting efficiency, and longer tumor retention time. It therefore has potential as an imaging probe for breast cancer detection.
Absence of Stress Hyperglycemia Indicates the Most Severe Form of Blunt Liver Trauma (AAST V) – A Register Analysis
Authors: Kreutziger Janett , Fodor Margot , Morell-Hofert Dagmar , Primavesi Florian , Stättner Stefan , Gassner Eva-Maria , Schmid Stefan , Rugg Christopher
Published: March 2021

Background: Stress hyperglycemia is common in trauma patients. Increasing injury severity and hemorrhage is known to trigger hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis and also peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance. Consequently, we expect glucose levels to rise with injury severity in liver, kidney and spleen injuries. In contrast, we hypothesized that in the most severe form of blunt liver injury, stress hyperglycemia may be absent despite critical injury and hemorrhage.Methods: All patients with documented liver, kidney or spleen injuries, treated at a single, university hospital in Austria between 2000 and 2020 were charted in a register. Besides demographic, laboratory, radiological, surgical and other data were analyzed.Results: A total of 772 patients were included. In liver (n=456), spleen (n=375) and kidney (n=152) trauma, an increasing injury severity past moderate to severe (AAST III-IV) was associated with a concomitant rise in blood glucose levels independent of the affected organ. While this stress induced hyperglycemia was even more pronounced in the most severe forms (AAST V) of spleen (median 10.7 mmol/L, p<0.0001) and kidney injuries (median 10.6 mmol/L, p=0.004), it was absent in AAST V liver injuries, where median blood glucose level even fell (5.6 mmol/L, p<0.0001). Conclusions: Absence of stress hyperglycemia is a sign of most severe liver injury (AAST V) and should prompt fundamental diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Blood glucose should be considered as an additional diagnostic criterion in liver injury.
The Same Combined Adjuvant NE+Rg1 Shows Different Immune Effects on Different Pathogen Antigens 
Authors: Shan Pu , Wang Zhibiao , Li Jilai , Wei Duoqian , Zhang Zhuan , Hao Shaojie , Hou Yibo , Wang Yunyang , Li Shuxiang , Xu Jing
Published: March 2021

Background New recombinant protein vaccines with high purity, clear ingredients and good safety are gradually replacing attenuated and inactivated vaccines in clinical practice. However, one of the main issues with use of these new vaccines is the need for adjuvants to enhance their immune effect. Aluminium salts (hydroxide and phosphate) were the first approved adjuvants used in human vaccines, but these salts have some limitations, such as their induction of primarily humoural immunity with weaker induction of cell-mediated immunity and the failure to clear intracellular viral infections. Therefore, there is a growing need for novel adjuvants. Combined adjuvants or adjuvant systems are increasingly being used to meet the need for adjuvant development for vaccines. Different pathogen antigens also need specific adjuvants to enhance the immune response and protection. Methods The present study evaluated the synergistic immunological effect of a combined nano emulsion (NE) with Ginsenoside Rg1, i.e. NE+Rg1, for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or H1N1 haemagglutinin (HA) of an inactivated influenza vaccine (split virion) in mice and the vaccine stability and safety. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney test) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses. Tests were considered significant when P < 0.05.ResultsThe combined adjuvant NE+Rg1 showed high stability, a mean diameter of 168.1 nm, and a zeta potential of -22.8 mV. When combined with HBsAg, it produced a similar or higher anti-HB and IgG1/IgG2a titre and elevated IL-2 and IFN-γ expression in spot forming cells (SFCs) compared with NE alone and higher IFN-γ and IL-2 expression in CD8+ T cells than aluminium hydroxide. However, when combined with HA, HA+NE+Rg1 resulted in a comparable haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titre as HA+NE compared to that in mice immunized with HA alone or HA+Rg1 and an even lower protection rate than HA+NE after PR/8/34 virus strain challenge in mice. Conclusions This research demonstrated that the same combined adjuvant NE+Rg1 had different immune effects on different antigens and suggests that the research and development of adjuvants must consider specific pathogens and should be studied on a case-by-case basis.
Analysis of the Economy of Beekeeping and Honey Supply in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Ababulgu Nasir , Abajobir Nugusa , Tizazu Habtamu
Published: March 2021

The study focused analyzing the determinants of honey supply, to analyze the economy of beekeeping, honey marketing and income generating activities undertaken in Horo Guduru wollega zone of Oromia Region, Ethipia. About 121 honey producers (110 male & 11 female) were selected randomly from a list of 536 honey producers found in 5 purposively selected ‘kebeles’. The data were generated by individual interview and group discussions using pre-tested semi structured questionnaires and checklists. Secondary data were collected from different published and unpublished sources. The data collected were analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics and econometric model (multiple linear regression model). The results obtained from econometric analysis indicates that colony size, type of beehives used, beekeeping equipment, market information, current honey price, frequency of extension contact per year and trainings were positively and significantly affected honey supply. Of course, some opportunities have also been indicated like availability of bee colony, favorable environment, and annual flora and farmers’ experiences. To boost the economy of beekeeping and honey marketing which in turn increase producers income from honey supply, all concerned bodies need to focus on building farmers capacity via training on improving honey production and supply, increasing access to improved beehives and its accessories, availing extension facilities, improving road facility, organizing honey producers to increase the volume, access to marketing and price setting, and establishing honey market center are recommended for policy intervention.
The Role of Market Linkage for Growth of Micro and Small Scale Enterprises: the Case of Ambo Town, Ethiopia
Authors: Tulu Daniel Tadesse , Gudeta Obsa Ensermu
Published: March 2021

The research aims to investigate the roles of market linkage for the growth of MSE in Ambo town. The Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. A stratified sampling technique is used to select among the seven business sectors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study elicited five major that affects the growth of MSE which include financial capacity, government support, entrepreneurial competency, marketing information, and types of business sectors. The findings from correlation and regression further indicate that there exists a positive and significant relationship between MSEs Growth and, financial capacity, government support, entrepreneurial competency, marketing information, and types of business sectors. The concerned bodies should facilitate market linkage enhancement between MSE and the market. MSEs on their part are expected to improve financial capacity and competence. Furthermore, adequate market information has to be collected continuously to improve the linkage. JEL classification: M1, M3
Low Temperature Curable Polyaniline/Bio-based polybenzoxazine Coated Cotton Fabric with Superior UV shielding and Oil-water Separation behaviours
Authors: P Prabunathan , Alagar M.
Published: March 2021

The present work detailsabout the low temperature curingbehaviour of bio-benzoxazine (C-ddm) prepared using cardanol and diaminodiphenylmethane (ddm)in the presence of polyaniline (PANI). Interestingly, it was found that the curing temperature (Tp) of the benzoxazine monomer (C-ddm) has significantly reduced to 227 ºC from 271 ºC with the incorporation of 2wt% of PANI. The plausible curing mechanism of benzoxazine ring catalysed by PANI was also discussed. Further, the resulted PANI/poly(C-ddm) matrices possessa marginally improvedvalues of glass transisition temperature and char yield. Further, PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabric was studied for its UV shielding and surface properties. Furthermore, the UV shielding and surface behaviours of PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabrics were explored. The PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabric delivered UPF rating as high as 50 + and water contact angle value of162°. In addition, the PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabric wasverified for its oil-water separation behavior. It was observed that the PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabric offered97.5 % separation efficiency with enhanced flux value of about 6450 L/m2h flux.Thus, the obtained results suggest that the PANI/poly(C-ddm) can be used some of the industrial and environmental surface protection applications.
A method of value measurement based on probability theory in economics
Authors: Xi Gang , Yang Xiaoyi , Xi Ming
Published: March 2021

Value is one of the most fundamental concepts in economics. The existing main definitions of value have certain limitations and are difficult to be unified and quantified. Thus, this article presents a method of quantifying value based on the conditional probability theory; we set value as a random variable, a price is the value of the good in terms of money, according to the price’s historical records, quantitative statistics and human experiences, and thus uses conditional probability distribution to measure value. Furthermore, the mean and variance of random variables are used to describe the weighted average of the possible values and the dispersion of values distribution. This method provides a new perspective for the measurement of value.