bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estabilidad del pH de cuatro geles a base de peróxido de hidrógeno en distintos intervalos de tiempo
Authors: Ruiz Gamero Claudia Andrea
Published: June 2021

Objetivo: Comparar el pH de cuatro marcas de geles aclaradores a base de peróxido de hidrógeno de altas concentraciones (30%-35%) Whiteness HP Maxx (HPM), Lase Peroxide (LP), Whiteness HP Automixx (HPA)y Dash (DA), a través del tiempo de aplicación clínica (inicio, 15’, 30’ y 45’). Materiales y métodos: El estudio fue experimental in vitro. Se evaluaron 40 muestras (dientes bovinos) divididos en 4 grupos, uno para cada marca comercial de gel. Se preparó cada gel de acuerdo con las instrucciones del fabricante y se colocó una cantidad necesaria en la superficie vestibular; posteriormente, se registró el pH del gel con un pHmetro digital al inicio, 15, 30 y 45 minutos. Los datos se analizaron con las pruebas Anova, Friedman y Wilcoxon. Resultados: Hubo una tendencia a la disminución del pH desde el tiempo inicial de aplicación hasta el tiempo final, con excepción del grupo de la marca DA, el cual mostró que los valores del pH fueron aumentando a través del tiempo. En la marca HPM, existe una diferencia significativa entre el tiempo inicial de aplicación del gel y el resto de tiempos. En la marca LP, a partir de los 15’ de aplicación, sí hay diferencia significativa entre los tiempos. En cuanto a la marca HPA, existieron diferencias significativas entre el tiempo inicial de aplicación y los demás tiempos. Finalmente, con la marca DA se encontró únicamente una diferencia significativa entre el tiempo inicial de aplicación y el tiempo final. Conclusiones: El pH de los geles aclaradores disminuyó a través del tiempo de aplicación clínica en todas las marcas estudiadas, con excepción de la marca Dash 30%, la cual mostró un aumento.
Imaging studies used as aid in the diagnosis of cleidocranial dysplasia. A review
Authors: Granado-Abasto Laura A. , Llaguno-Rubio Jhoana M. , Fiori-Chíncaro Gustavo A. , Medina-Ocampo Paola E.
Published: June 2021

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), also known as Marie-Sainton syndrome, is a rare disorder of autosomal dominant type that presents specific characteristics at the skeletal and dental level. The diagnosis of CCD is based on clinical and radiographic findings. Panoramic, cephalometric, and anterior poster radiographs have been used for its diagnosis in dentistry. However, these radiological techniques have limitations, and advances in technology with new imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound have emerged, contributing to the diagnosis of CCD. Therefore, the aim of this review was to identify and describe current imaging studies that contribute to both the diagnosis and adequate and efficient treatment planning of CCD and describe the clinical and radiographic characteristics of patients with this syndrome.
Estimation of the economic burden of COVID-19 using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Productivity Losses in Kerala, India
Authors: John Denny , MS Narassima , Menon Jaideep C , Jammy Guru Rajesh , Banerjee Amitava
Published: June 2021

Objectives: From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical practice and research, globally, have centered on the prevention of transmission and treatment of the disease. The pandemic has had a huge impact on the economy and stressed the health care systems worldwide. The present study estimates Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Years of Potential Productive Life Lost (YPPLL), and Cost of Productivity Lost (CPL) due to premature mortality and absenteeism, secondary to COVID-19 in Kerala state, India. Setting: Details on sociodemography, incidence, death, quarantine, recovery time, etc were derived from public sources and CODD-K for Kerala. The working proportion for 5-year age-gender cohorts and corresponding life expectancy were obtained from the Census of India 2011. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The impact of disease on various age-gender cohorts have been analyzed. Sensitivity Analysis has been conducted by adjusting six variables across 21 scenarios. In addition, the estimates have been updated till June 10, 2021. Results: Severity of infection and mortality were higher among the older cohorts, with males being more susceptible than females in most sub-groups. The DALYs for males and females were 15954.5 and 8638.4 till November 15, 2020, and 83853.0 and 56628.3 till June 10, 2021. The corresponding YPPLL were 1323.57 and 612.31 till November 15, 2020, and 6993.04 and 3811.57 till June 10, 2021. CPL (premature mortality) for males and females were 263780579.94 and 41836001.82 till November 15, 2020, and 1419557903.76 and 278275495.29 till June 10, 2021. Conclusions: Most of the COVID-19 disease burden was contributed by YLL. Losses due to YPPLL were reduced as the impact of COVID-19 infection was relatively lesser among productive cohorts. CPL values for 40-49 year-olds were the highest. . These estimates provide the figures and data necessary to policymakers to work on, in order to reduce the economic burden of COVID-19 in Kerala.
CD171 multi‑epitope peptide design based on immunoinformatics approach as a cancer vaccine candidate for glioblastoma
Authors: Moghri Seyed Amir Hossein Mohammadzadeh Hosseini , Chalbatani Ghanbar Mahmoodi , Ranjbar Mojtaba , Abbasian Arefeh
Published: June 2021

Glioblastoma (GB) is a common primary malignancy of the central nervous system, and one of the highly lethal brain tumors. GB cells can promote therapeutic resistance and tumor angiogenesis. The CD171 is an adhesion molecule in neuronal cells that is expressed in glioma cells as a regulator of brain development during the embryonic period. CD171 is one of the immunoglobulin-like CAMs (cell adhesion molecules) families that can be associated with prognosis in a variety of human tumors. The multi-epitope peptide vaccines are based on synthetic peptides with a combination of both B-cell epitopes and T-cell epitopes, which can induce specific humoral or cellular immune responses. Moreover Cholera toxin subunit B (CTB), a novel TLR agonist was utilized in the final construct to polarize CD4+ T cells toward T-helper 1 to induce strong cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses. In the present study, several immune-informatics tools were used for analyzing the CD171 sequence and studying the important characteristics of a designed vaccine. The results included the molecular docking, prediction and validation of the secondary and tertiary structure, physicochemical properties, solubility, conservancy, toxicity as well as antigenicity and allergenicity of the promising candidate for a vaccine against CD171. The immuno-informatic analyze suggested 12 predicted multi-epitope peptides, whose construction consists of 582 residues long. Therewith, cloning adaptation of designed vaccine was performed and eventually sequence was inserted into pET30a (+) vector for the application of the anti-glioblastoma vaccine development.
Bifurcations of Invariant Torus and Knotted Periodic Orbits in Generalized Hopf-Langford Type Equations
Authors: Fu Yanggeng , Li Jibin
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we study the bifurcations of invariant torus and knotted periodic orbits for generalized Hopf-Langford type equations. By using bifurcation theory of dynamical systems, we obtain the exact explicit form of the heteroclinic orbits and knot periodic orbits. Moreover, under small perturbation, we prove that the perturbed planar system has two symmetric stable limit cycles created by Poincare bifurcations. Therefore, the corresponding three-dimensional perturbed system has an attractive invariant rotation torus.
Metabolic modulation of tumors with engineered bacteria for immunotherapy
Authors: Geiger Roger , Canale Fernando , Basso Camilla , Antonini Gaia , Perotti Michela , Li Ning , Sokolovska Anna , Neumann Julia , James Michael , Geiger Stefania , Jin Wenjie , Theurillat Jean , West Kip , Leventhal Daniel , Lorra Jose , Sallusto Federica
Published: June 2021

The availability of L-arginine in tumors is a key determinant of an efficient anti-tumor
T cell response. Consequently, elevation of typically low L-arginine levels within the tumor may greatly potentiate the anti-tumor responses of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-L1 blocking antibodies. However, currently no means are available to locally increase intra-tumoral L-arginine levels. Here, we used a synthetic biology approach to develop an engineered probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 strain that colonizes tumors and continuously converts ammonia, a metabolic waste product that accumulates in tumors4, into L-arginine. Colonization of tumors with these bacteria elevated intra-tumoral L-arginine concentrations, increased the amount of tumor-infiltrating T cells, and had striking synergistic effects with PD-L1 blocking antibodies in the clearance of tumors. The anti-tumor effect of the living therapeutic was mediated by L-arginine and was dependent on T cells. These results show that engineered microbial therapies enable metabolic modulation of the tumor microenvironment leading to enhanced efficacy of immunotherapies.
First Molecular Detection of Anaplasma Marginale, Babesia Bovis and Babesia Bigemina in Different Breeds of Cattle and Rhipicephalus Microplus in the Northern Hainan, China
Authors: Bi Tianlin , Bhowmick Biswajit , An Liping , Liang Dejuan , Wang Kaixuan , Duan Xu , Zeng Sijia , Wang Jinhua , Zhao Jianguo , Han Qian
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAnaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina cause huge economic losses to the world's cattle industry every year. At present, there are limited investigations on A. marginale, B. bovis and B. bigemina in Hainan. The purpose of this study was to investigate the infection of A.marginale, B.bovis and B.bigemina in different breeds of cattle (Leiqiong and Wagyu), buffaloes and Rhipicephalus microplus in the northern part of Hainan.MethodsIn this study, 63 R. microplus and 151 samples of bovine blood were collected from cattle in the northern part of Hainan. A. marginale, B. bovis and B. bigemina were detected by PCR and nPCR. ResultsThe results showed that the infection rates of A. marginale, B. bovis and B. bigemina in 214 samples were 10.75% (23/214), 4.21% (9/214) and 9.35% (20/214), respectively. In Leiqiong cattle, the total infection rate of several pathogens was the highest, which was 73.33% (22/30), and there was cross-infection of several pathogens, the infection rate was 46.67% (14/30). Among them, A. marginale and B. bigemina had the highest cross-infection rate, which was 26.67% (8/30). No mixed infection was detected in R. microplus, buffalo and Wagyu. Among buffalo, the infection rates of A. marginale, B. bovis and B. bigemina were 2.17% (1/46), 6.52% (3/46) and 4.35% (2/46), respectively. A. marginale infection was only found in Wagyu, with an infection rate of 2.67% (2/75). A. marginale and B. bigemina infections were found in R. microplus, but no B. bovis infection was found. ConclusionsThe results of this study provide a reference for the formulation of prevention and control strategies for A. marginale, B. bigemina and B. bovis in Hainan.
Mass generation in the large N Gross-Neveu model: a constructive proof without intermediate field
Authors: Unterberger Jeremie M.
Published: June 2021

We give a new constructive proof of the infrared behavior of the Euclidean Gross-Neveu model in two dimensions with small coupling and large component number N. Our argument does not rely on the use of an intermediate (auxiliary bosonic) field. Instead bubble series are resummed by hand, and determinant bounds replaced by a control of local factorials relying on combinatorial arguments and Pauli's principle. The discrete symmetry-breaking is ensured by considering the model directly with a mass counterterm chosen in such a way as to cancel tadpole diagrams. Then the fermion two-point function is shown to decay (quasi-)exponentially as in [12]/
TNFA -308G>A and IL10 -1082A>G Polymorphisms as Predictive Biomarkers of Chronic HCV Infection
Authors: Santiago Angélica Menezes , Amoras Ednelza da Silva Graça , Queiroz Maria Alice Freitas , Conde Simone Regina Souza da Silva , Cayres-Vallinoto Izaura Maria Vieira , Ishak Ricardo , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário
Published: June 2021

Genetic changes may induce dysregulated cytokine production and affect the progression of the chronic disease caused by the hepacivirus C (HCV) because the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines determines the outcome of infection. This study evaluated the TNFA − 308G > A and IL10 -1082A > G polymorphisms in the susceptibility and progress of chronic hepatitis C. The study included 101 samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C and 300 samples from healthy donors. Polymorphisms were typed by real-time PCR and were analyzed for associations with histopathological parameters (according to METAVIR classification) and HCV viral load. The polymorphic genotype for the TNFA − 308G > A variant was not present in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis C and was associated with protection against HCV infection (p = 0.0477). Patients with the polymorphic genotype of the IL10 -1082A > G polymorphism had higher HCV viral load than wild-type patients (p = 0.0428). Neither polymorphism was associated with different levels of necroinflammatory activity or fibrosis scores. The polymorphic genotype at TNFA − 308G > A protected against chronic HCV infection, and the polymorphic genotype at the IL10 -1082A > G variant was associated with viral persistence.
Antigenic minimalism of SARS-CoV-2 is linked to surges in COVID-19 community transmission and vaccine breakthrough infections
Authors: Venkatakrishnan AJ , Anand Praveen , Lenehan Patrick , Ghosh Pritha , Suratekar Rohit , Siroha Abhishek , Chowdhury Dibyendu , O'Horo John , Yao Joseph , Pritt Bobbi , Norgan Andrew , Hurt Ryan , Badley Andrew , Halamka John , Soundararajan Venky
Published: June 2021

The raging COVID-19 pandemic in India and reports of “vaccine breakthrough infections” globally have raised alarm mandating the characterization of the immuno-evasive features of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we systematically analyzed over 1.3 million SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 178 countries and performed whole-genome viral sequencing from 53 COVID-19 patients, including 20 vaccine breakthrough infections. We identified 116 Spike protein mutations that increased in prevalence during at least one surge in SARS-CoV-2 test positivity in any country over a three-month window. Deletions in the Spike protein N-terminal domain (NTD) are highly enriched for these ‘surge-associated mutations’ (Odds Ratio = 18.2, 95% CI: 7.53-48.7; p=1.465x10-18). In the recent COVID-19 surge in India, an NTD deletion (ΔF157/R158) increased over 10-fold in prevalence from February 2021 (1.1%) to April 2021 (15%). During the recent surge in Chile, an NTD deletion (Δ246-253) increased rapidly over 30-fold in prevalence from January 2021 (0.86%) to April 2021 (33%). Strikingly, these simultaneously emerging deletions associated with surges in different parts of the world both occur at an antigenic supersite that is targeted by neutralizing antibodies. Finally, we generated clinically annotated SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences and identified deletions within this NTD antigenic supersite in a patient with vaccine breakthrough infection (Δ156-164) and other deletions from unvaccinated severe COVID-19 patients that could represent emerging deletion-prone regions. Overall, the expanding repertoire of Spike protein deletions throughout the pandemic and their association with case surges and vaccine breakthrough infections point to antigenic minimalism as an emerging evolutionary strategy for SARS-CoV-2 to evade immune responses. This study highlights the urgent need to sequence SARS-CoV-2 genomes at a larger scale globally and to mandate a public health policy for transparent reporting of relevant clinical annotations (e.g. vaccination status) in order to aid the development of comprehensive therapeutic strategies.
The Financial Burden of Catastrophic Health Expenditure on Households with Chronic Diseases: Financial Ratio Analysis
Authors: Jung Hyunwoo , Kwon Young Dae , Noh Jin-Won
Published: June 2021

Background: The financial status of households is vulnerable to chronic disease related to high medical expenses and income loss; The financial strain could be assessed by the five indicators. household surplus indicator, liquid asset/debt ratio, solvency indicator, and liquidity indicator.Purpose: We investigated the association between catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and financial ratio indicators in households with chronic disease in South Korea. Methodology: To determine the financial strain, thresholds were applied to the financial ratios. We conducted multiple logistic regression to figure out whether CHE is associated with financial strain. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of CHE on absolute finance size, which is basic financial indicators, by multiple linear regression.Results: When CHE occurred, all of the financial ratio indicators deteriorated. However, it was not due to decreases in the absolute size of wealth, income, but rather the relative balance between finances. Especially, the loss of the liquid assets was the major factor of deterioration. Also, all types of labor-related income deteriorated. Only the private transfer income increased.Conclusion: This study revealed that CHE in households with chronic disease negatively impacts the household's finances. It turned out that the financial coping strategies are only resource-consuming.
Study of the Energetic, Exergetic, and Thermal Balances of a Solar System in comparison with a Conventional System during the Distillation of Rosemary Leaves
Authors: Ezzarrouqy Kamal , Hejjaj Abdessamed , Idlimam Ali , Nouh Fatima Ait , Mandi Laila
Published: June 2021

The solar energy produced by Scheffler parabola (10 m2), is not fully exploited by solar distillation system of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants. In this work, the optical losses in the primary and secondary reflectors, and the thermal losses at each part of this system (distillation still, steam line, condenser) were determined. A thermal energetic and exergetic analysis was also performed for a solar system distillation of rosemary leaves. For average intensity radiation of 849.1W/m2 and 6 Kg of rosemary leaves during 4 hours of distillation, exergy and optical efficiencies of the system achieved up to 26.62% and 50.97%, respectively. The thermal efficiency of the still, steam line and condenser is about 94.80%, 93.08%, and 87.76%, respectively. Total efficiency of the solar distillation system, taking into account the heat losses in the still, steam line, and condenser, as well as the optical losses in the two reflectors, is 39.49%. The efficiency can be as high as 42.42% and if the steam line is insulated. Moreover, the comparison between the Solar Steam Distillation and Conventional Steam Distillation shows that solar distillation is much more efficient since it gives better results, and especially it avoids emission of 12.10 kg of CO2 during extraction.
Prognostic and Therapeutic Biomarker Developments in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Wallington-Beddoe Craig Thomas , Mynott Rachel Lauris
Published: June 2021

New approaches to stratify multiple myeloma patients for informing on prognosis and therapy selection are needed since patients are currently managed in a similar manner regardless of individual risk factors. However, despite new and improved biomarkers for determining the prognosis of patients, there is currently insufficient information to utilise biomarkers to intensify, reduce or altogether change treatment, nor to target patient-specific biology. The ever-increasing number and complexity of drug classes to treat multiple myeloma have improved response rates and so clinically useful biomarkers will need to be relevant in the era of such novel therapies. Therefore, the field of multiple myeloma biomarker development is rapidly progressing, spurred on by new technologies and therapeutic approaches, and underpinned by a deeper understanding of tumour biology with individualised patient management the goal. In this review we describe the main biomarker categories in multiple myeloma and relate these to prognostic and therapeutic applications.
Parametric investigation using PSO algorithm while machining TixNiyCoz alloys
Authors: Soni Hargovind , Mashinini Peter Madindwa Peter , M Adam Khan
Published: June 2021

In this paper, the research has been focused on machining functional material using electro spark machining process. The Ti x Ni y Co z alloy in three different combinations of Ni and Co (Tix Niy Coz ) as (i) Ti50 Ni49 Co1 (ii) Ti50 Ni45 Co5 and (iii) Ti50 Ni40 Co10 ) were machined with copper electrode wire under electro spark method. The machined samples were subjected to surface characterization techniques using electron microscope, energy dispersive spectra analysis and confocal surface microscope. Also, the amount of material removed was mathematically calculated to infer the performance of the machining process. From the investigation, an increase in Co (wt. %) was found difficult to machine and the surface roughness is a maximum of 4.35 µm at spark gap and servo voltage (125 µs and 20 V) respectively. The particle swarm optimization technique is used to find the globally best solution. The process parameters for machining TixNiyCoz alloy found in the range of 116 – 122 µs and 22 to 32 V, spark bandgap and servo voltage respectively. Therefore, at a maximum pulse on time (spark gap 122 µs) and average servo voltage (30V) TixNiyCoz alloy can be machined with wire electro spark method for best results.
A tumor-derived type III collagen-rich ECM niche regulates tumor cell dormancy
Authors: Martino Julie Di , Nobre Ana Rita , Mondal Chandrani , Taha Isrha , Farias Eduardo , Fertig Elana , Naba Alexandra , Aguirre-Ghiso Julio , Bravo-Cordero Jose Javier
Published: June 2021

Cancer cells disseminate from primary tumors and seed in distant organs, where they can remain dormant for many years before forming clinically detectable metastases. Little is known about how extracellular matrix (ECM) sensing and remodeling can induce and sustain dormancy of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). Another unanswered question is whether dormant cells themselves are able to assemble ECM niches to sustain their phenotype. From an analysis of the ECM proteome, we found that dormant cancer cells assemble an ECM niche enriched in type III collagen. Tumor-derived, but not stroma-derived type III collagen is required to sustain tumor dormancy as its disruption restores proliferation of dormant cancer cells. Mechanistically, we show that type III collagen interacts with DDR1 to activate STAT1 signaling to induce and maintain dormancy. Second harmonic generation two-photon microscopy further reveals that the dormancy-to-reactivation transition is accompanied by changes in collagen three-dimensional architecture and type III collagen abundance. In vivo, exogenous type III collagen stops tumor growth by inducing dormancy and prevents reawakening of residual dormant cells by prolonging their quiescence. Analysis of clinical samples reveals that type III collagen levels are increased in tumors from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) lymph node negative patients when compared lymph node positive patients. Our data reveal a novel mechanism by which dormant DTCs depend on the assembly of a type III collagen-rich ECM niche to maintain quiescence. Manipulation of these mechanisms could serve as a self-sustained barrier to metastasis through DTCs dormancy induction.
Accuracy and Reproducibility of Assessing Patent Foramen Ovale on Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography: A Comparison with Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: Xiong Li , Zeng Yingting , Gan Tian , Yan Feifei , Bai Jiao , Shi Yanbin , Zhou Xiaoyue , Wu Yu , Zhang Xiaochun
Published: June 2021

This study was undertaken to determine if coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) can help to assess patent foramen ovale (PFO) with high accuracy and reproducibility when compared to Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE). In total, 75 patients (31 men, 44 women; mean age, 45 ± 9 years) with suspected PFO were evaluated using coronary CCTA and TEE. PFO tunnel length (TL) and the opening diameter of the left atrial entrance (ODLAE) and right atrial entrance (ODRAE), as well as contrast shunt (if present due to PFO), were measured by both modalities. PFO was detected in 67 patients with TEE. The sensitivity for the detection of PFO with CCTA was 85.3%; specificity, 71.4%; positive predictive value, 96.7%; and negative predictive value, 33.3%. Both modalities demonstrated good agreement in measuring TL and ODLAE of PFO. However, the ODRAE of TEE was different from that of CCTA (1.14 ± 0.4 mm and 1.45 ± 0.5 mm, respectively, p = 0.04). The intraobserver and interobserver variability and agreement for TL, ODRAE, and ODLAE of PFO were excellent between the two measurements. CCTA provided a method for detection of PFO with high accuracy and reproducibility compared with TEE. Therefore, CCTA is a practical and efficient alternative to TEE for PFO diagnosis.
Effects of Rock Outcrops On Adjacent Soil Patches And Plants In A Karst Ecosystem In Southwest China
Authors: Shen You-Xin , Wang Qing-he , Zhao Zhi-Meng , Li Qiong-Fen , Bi Sheng-Chun
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Rock outcrops (ROCs) are common structures in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in karst regions. However, their effects on adjacent soil patches and plants are rarely studied. In this study, the effects of ROCs on surrounding soils and plants were investigated.
Methods

Thirty isolated ROCs were randomly selected in a typical semi-humid karst grassland in Southwest China. Rainfall and ROC runoff were collected for chemical analyses. Soil physical and chemical properties and herb above- and belowground biomass were determined at 0 to 30, 31 to 60, 61 to 90, 91 to 190, and 191 to 290 cm from the ROC rock–soil interface.
Results

The pH and total organic carbon and Ca2+ contents were higher in ROC runoff than in rainfall. Some soil physical and chemical properties were significantly higher in samples at 0 to 30 cm, and above- and belowground plant biomass were both significantly higher from 0 to 30 cm and from 31 to 60 cm than at greater distances. The ROC effect zone, as estimated by logistic equation, was approximately 75 cm. When the area covered by an ROC was between 0.7 and 1.3 m2, herb biomass increased sharply from 0 to 30 cm and from 31 to 60 cm.
Conclusions

Karst ROCs affected soils and plants close to their bases, and the effects increased sharply when the area covered by an ROC was of intermediate size.
Disinfection tackling the COVID-19 pandemic causes disinfection by-products (DBPs) accumulation and threatens aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Zhang Xian , Wang Leyun , Chen Shanshan , Ling Haibo , Li Weiwei , Yi Chuan , Wang Xinzi , Xie Yucheng , Yi Liu , Qu Jiuhui , Huang Xia , Zhang Dayi
Published: June 2021

Abstract
To fight against the coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19), chlorine-based disinfectants are extensively or even over used for water, surface and personal care decontamination. The risks of disinfection by-products (DBPs) have been alerted to cause serious secondary pollution; however, there is still lack of evidence. This study collected 110 water samples from nine lakes and two rivers in Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic and comprehensively analyzed the occurrence of eighteen DBPs. Trihalomethanes, halonitromethanes, halogen acetonitriles and nitrosamines had a high detection frequency and were 0.99-14.26, ND-4.62, ND-1.09 and 0.0414-0.0861 μg/L, respectively, all lower than the maximum contamination level (MCL) suggested by China and USA. Haloacetic acids were detected in all lakes and Yangtze River and ranged from 33.8 to 856.1 μg/L, much higher than the MCL. Haloacetic acids and halogen acetonitriles accounted for 74.2-95.1% of the total cytotoxicity (0.38-3.62×105); halonitromethanes (94.0-98.7%) contributed to the majority of genotoxicity (0.52-5.17×104). Dichloroacetic acid exhibited significant ecological risks to green algae in two lakes and Yangtze River (risk quotient >10), and all the other DBPs showed negligible risks (risk quotient <0.01) to fish, daphnid or green algae. Correlation and redundancy analysis identified strong correlations between total organic carbon, conductivity, NH3-N, turbidity and DBPs. DBP composition and the fluorescence indices of dissolved organic matters together categorized all lakes into two types. Type-I lakes contained all DBP categories, driven by total organic carbon and secondarily formed by residual active chlorine with natural organic matters; Type-II lakes and Yangtze River only had high levels of haloacetic acids and small amounts of trihalomethanes, explained by the primary formation of DBPs in sewage. Our findings for the first time uncovered the significant accumulation and risks of DBPs in lakes and rivers of Wuhan during the COVID-19, provided the evidence of secondary pollution from intensive disinfection activities with chlorine-based disinfectants, evaluated the potential the ecological risks of DBPs in Wuhan and along Yangtze River, and raised our re-consideration of disinfection strategy in the pandemics and post-COVID-19 era.
Effect Of The Water Inlet Temperature And Flow Rate On The Energy And Exergy Performance of A Forced Draft Counter Wet Cooling Tower
Authors: Kareem Fadhil Abdulrazzaq , Khalaf Doaa Zaid , Al-Dulaimi Mustafa J. , Lateef Yasser Abdul
Published: June 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The Immune Landscape of Molecular Bacterial Vaginosis and HPV Natural History
Authors: Usyk Mykhaylo , Schlecht Nicolas , Pickering Sarah , Williams LaShanda , Sollecito Christopher , Gradissimo Ana , Safian Mahboobeh , Pinto Ligia A , Herrero Rolando , Porras Carolina , Shiffman Mark , Viswanathan Shankar , Nucci-Sack Anne , Diaz Angela , Burk Robert
Published: June 2021

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a highly prevalent condition that is associated with acquisition of sexually transmitted infections and adverse reproductive outcomes. It has been proposed that BV’s role as a pathogenic condition is mediated via bacteria-induced local inflammation. However, the complex interplay between vaginal microbes and host immune factors has yet to be clearly elucidated. We demonstrate that 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and a novel pipeline can be used to generate a molecular Nugent BV score (molBV) corresponding to the Nugent score 0 - 10. This algorithm is independent of the region of 16S rRNA amplified, the sequencing platform and source population. We further identify two local immune cytokine patterns associated with this molecular Nugent score (q-values<0.001). The main immune response is represented by an elevated IL-1β/IP-10 ratio, whereas a second pattern consists of an increased TNF-α/MIP-1β ratio. To evaluate the biological significance of molBV-BV and the local immune response, we show that clearance of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infections (HZ=1.86, 95% CI: 1.19-2.9) was associated with immune profiles, but not molBV-BV when both were considered in the model. In contrast, the TNF-α/MIP-1β signature was associated with progression of incident infections to CIN2+ (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.62-5.42), but not HR-HPV clearance. Thus, BV is a heterogeneous condition that activates different arms of the local immune response, which in turn are independent risk factors for HR-HPV clearance and progression.
Modelling Sociodemographic Factors That Affect Malaria Prevalence in Sussundenga, Mozambique.
Authors: Ferrao Joao Luis , Earland Dominique , Novela Anisio , Mendes Roberto , Ballat Marcos , Tungadza Alberto , Bibe Albino , Searle Kelly
Published: June 2021

BackgroundMalaria is still one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Mozambique with little progress in malaria control over the past 20 years. Sussundenga is one of most affected areas. Malaria transmission has a strong association with environmental and socio-demographic factors. The knowledge of sociodemographic factors that affects malaria, may be used to improve the strategic planning for its control and, such studies do not exist in Sussundenga. Hence, the objective of this study is to model the relationship between malaria and sociodemographic factors in Sussundenga, Mozambique. MethodsHouses in the study area were digitalized and enumerated using GoogleEarth ProTM. Hundred houses were randomly selected to conduct a community survey of P. falciparum parasite prevalence using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). During the survey, a questionnaire was conducted to assess the socio-demographic factors of the participants. Descriptive statistics were analyzed and backward stepwise logistic regression was performed establishing a relationship between positive cases and the factors. The analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20 package. ResultsThe overall P. falciparum prevalence was 31.6 %. Half of the malaria positive cases occurred in age group 5 to 14 years. Previous malaria treatment, population density and age group were significant predictors for the model. The model explained 13.5 % of the variance in malaria positive cases and sensitivity of the final model was 73.3 %. ConclusionIn this area the highest burden of P. falciparum infection was among those t5-14 years old. Malaria infection was related to socio-demographic factors. Targeting malaria control at community level can contributed better than waiting for cases at health centers. These finding can be used to guide more effective interventions in this region.Trial registrationReview Board (IRB) at the University of Minnesota STUDY00007184 CNBS [IRB00002657]
LINC00152 Acts as a Potential Marker in Gliomas and Promotes Tumor Proliferation and Invasion Through The LINC00152/miR-107/RAB10 Axis
Authors: liu qing , peng gang , Su Jun , wang zeyou , xiao songhua
Published: June 2021

Aberrant expression of long noncoding RNAs plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis. Recently, several studies have showed that the LINC00152 gene is upregulated in a variety of tumors and plays an oncogene role; however, its underlying molecular mechanisms in glioblastoma remain unclear. In this study, we found that LINC00152 was upregulated in gliomas and its expression was significantly associated with high tumor aggressiveness and poor outcomes for glioma patients through bioinformatics analysis. Functionally, the knockdown of LINC00152 not only inhibited malignant behaviors of glioma, such as proliferation and invasion of glioma cells and induced apoptosis in vitro but also suppressed tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistically, results of the bioinformatics analysis and experimental studies confirmed that LINC00152 and RAB10 as the targets of miR-107, and LINC00152 might act as a sponge for miR-107 to regulate the expression of RAB10 in glioblastoma. Additionally, silencing miR-107 reversed the effects induced by LINC00152 knockdown on glioblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our data suggested that LINC00152 is a candidate prognostic marker of glioma, and that the LINC00152/MIR-107/RAB10 axis plays a pivotal role in regulation of the glioma malignancy, and therefore, targeting the axis might be an effective therapeutic strategy to treat glioma.
Congenial in Vitro γ-Ray Induced Mutagenesis Underlying the Varied Array of Petal Colours in Chrysanthemum (Dendranthemum Grandiflorum Kitam). ‘Candid’
Authors: Din Ambreena , Qadri Zahoor Ahmed , WANI MUNEEB AHMAD , Rather Z.A. , Iqbal Shameen , Malik Sajid Ali , Rafiq Sadaf , Nazki I.T.
Published: June 2021

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthemum grandiflorum kitam.) is amongst the top ten cut flowers globally. The flower colour of ancestral species is restricted to white, yellow, and pink and is acquired from anthocyanins, carotenoids, and the dearth of both pigments, respectively. An extensive array of flower colours, like orange, dark red, purplish-red, and red, has been bred by enhancing the variety of pigments or the amalgamation of both pigments. In recent times, green-flowered cultivars having chlorophylls in their ray petals have been produced and have grown a reputation. Furthermore, violet /blue flowers have been bred via transgenic interventions. Flower colour is considered as critically acclaimed feature of any flower cultivar especially chrysanthemum. Creating newer chrysanthemum cultivars with novel features, for instance, new flower colours in a time and input optimised approach, is the eventual ambition for breeders. Exploring the molecular mechanisms that control flower pigmentation may present imperative suggestions for the rational manoeuvring of flower colour. To generate a diverse array of flower colour mutants in chrysanthemum cv. “Candid” through mutagenesis, in vitro grown micro shoots were exposed to 10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy gamma irradiation at 100 Gy per minute and were evaluated for different parameters. The rhizogenesis parameters declined with the increase in irradiation dose from 0 Gy to 40 Gy, while as, 10 Gy dose proved to record minimum decline in contrast to the control. Survival, leaf size, and the number of leaves plant− 1 after the 8th -week interval also decreased with the increasing trend of gamma irradiation dose but recorded a minimum decline in plants raised from shoots irradiated with 10 Gy gamma irradiation dose with respect to the control. Apparently, the minimum delay in the number of days to floral bud appearance took under 10 Gy compared to control. The highest number of flower colour mutants were recorded under 10 Gy (light pink, orange-pink, white and yellow). Demountable mutation frequency based on flower colour was desirable in plants irradiated with the slightest dose of 10 Gy
Irradiation Effect on Morphology of Cobaltite Cathode Martial for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Borham Emad , Ahmed Amr , Ibrahim Mervat M. , Mahdy Amir A. , Mattar Taha
Published: June 2021

Nano sized crystallites of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) which is a promising cobaltite cathode material for intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) was synthesized by sol-gel technique and modified sol-gel technique by Gamma irradiation methods. The structure, morphology, elemental analyses and surface area were determined by X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscope and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. Results showed that LSCF cobaltite cathode material has single phase perovskite product with porous structure. The morphology of the sample synthesized by irradiation method was more porous structure and higher surface area as compared to sample prepared by sol gel method. So, irradiation method has a pronounced effective role in improvement of microstructure of LSCF Cobaltite cathode material.
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Global and Regional Myocardial Work Quantitatively by Pressure-strain Loop in Young Strength Athletes With Different Heart Rates
Authors: Li Pengge , Zhang Yonggao , Li Lijin , Sun Mengjiao , Li Zhen , Liu Mengmeng , Hua Shaohua
Published: June 2021

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the difference in left ventricular (LV) global and regional myocardial work (MW) of strength athletes with different heart rates (HR) through non-invasive LV pressure-strain loop (PSL) and further address the effect of athlete’s resting heart rate variability on the LV systolic function.Methods:Fifty young professional wrestlers were collected randomly and divided into two groups in accordance with their different heart rates: the low HR group (45~60 bpm, n1=25) and the high HR group (60~80 bpm, n2=25). Thirty individuals with gender- and age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls (n3=30). Global and regional MW parameters were evaluated using LV-PSL derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and brachial artery pressure. The differences between three groups of data and the linear relationship among conventional echocardiographic parameters and global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) were analyzed.Results:The indicators of global and regional MW did statistically significantly differ between the athlete and control groups. Compared with the control group, Peak strain dispersion (PSD) and global myocardial wasted work (GWW) increased while GWE reduced all in the low HR and high HR groups, and global myocardial work index (GWI), global myocardial constructive work (GCW), global longitudinal strain (GLS) decreased in the low HR group (all P＜0.05). In comparison to the low HR group, GWI, GCW, GWW, PSD increased in the high HR group and GWE reduced (P＜0.05). According to the regional MW analysis, the mean regional myocardial work index (RMWI) was increased gradually from basal to apical levels, which were similar across the three groups, but regional myocardial work efficiency (RMWE) did not. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the HR, posterior wall thickness (PWT), interventricular septal thickness (IVST), GLS, and PSD were well correlated with GWE (b’= -0.247, -0.390, -0.370, 0.340, and -0.554, respectively, P＜0.05).Conclusions:The sub-clinical changes of LV contractile performance were more obvious in young strength athletes with high resting heart rates and PSL could be used to assess LV GMW and RMW quantitatively and accurately in reflecting LV systolic function.
Construct Validity and Reliability of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Tool Among Colorectal Cancer Patients in Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Lidya Genene , Wondimagegnehu Abigiya , Woldemariam Aynalem Abraha , Gelaye Bizu , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna , Addissie Adamu
Published: June 2021

Background: Colorectal cancer and its treatments can have a detrimental effect on patients’ quality of life. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ) was developed to assess quality of life among colorectal cancer patients and is used worldwide. However, the tool has not been translated into a local language or validated in the Ethiopian context. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the EORTC-QLQ in Ethiopia among colorectal cancer patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a major referral hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March to May, 2020. A total of 158 colorectal cancer patients were consecutively included. The construct validity was assessed using Multitrait Scale Analysis, convergent validity, and relationship with functional outcomes. The internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha.Result: Among the participants, 52.2% were men, with a median age of 46 years (IQR = 17.7 years). The time needed to complete the EORTC-QLQ was less than 20 minutes. The item-total correlation alpha values ranged from 0.47–0.91. All item correlations within their scales were greater than 0.4 except for the Blood and Mucus in Stool scale. The value of correlation coefficients between all items and their own domain were higher than other domains, except for the Blood and Mucus in Stool scale. The correlation between the core questionnaire and the colorectal tool ranged from -0.453–0.581. The tool showed a significant difference between stoma and non-stoma patients, and between patients who had good physical function and those who did not.Conclusion: Except for the Blood and Mucus in Stool scale, the construct validity and reliability of all scales were supported. Therefore, the Amharic version of the tool can be used to assess health related quality of life in Ethiopian colorectal cancer patients. However, due to the low correlation between items in the Blood and Mucus in Stool scale, we recommend that these items are treated as a single item.
COVID-19 Vaccination Program in China: a Subnational Descriptive Analysis on Target Population Size and Current Progress
Authors: Zheng Wen , Yan Xuemei , Zhao Zeyao , Yang Juan , Yu Hongjie
Published: June 2021

Introduction: China is facing substantial risks of imported COVID-19 cases and a domestic resurgence in the long run, and COVID-19 vaccination is expected to be the long-lasting solution to end the pandemic. We aim to estimate the size of the target population for COVID-19 vaccination at the provincial level and summarize the current progress of vaccination programs, which could support local governments in the timely determination and adjustment of vaccination policies and promotional measures.Methods: By extracting provincial-stratified data from publicly available sources, we estimated the size of priority target groups for vaccination programs and further characterized the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program at the provincial level, including the total doses administered, the coverage rate, and the vaccination capacity needed to achieve the target coverage of 70%.Results: The size of the target population shows large differences among provinces, ranging from 3.5 million to 115.2 million. As of June 10, the speed of vaccine roll-out differs remarkably as well, with the highest coverage occurring in Beijing and Shanghai, where 69.8% and 62.3% of the population is fully vaccinated, respectively. However, in 19 of 31 provinces, less than 40% of the population was administered at least one dose, in 9 of which the proportion was even less than 30%. Compared to the routine vaccination capacity before the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccination capacity has greatly improved. Nevertheless, the current vaccination capacity is far lower than the target of 70% coverage by the end of 2021 or by mid-2022 in approximately 5%-20% of provinces, particularly the Guizhou, Yunnan, Xinjiang, Fujian and Hebei provinces.Conclusions: Large disparities exist in the target population size and vaccination progress across provinces in China. Vaccine coverage is far from meeting the herd immunity threshold, and the vaccination service capacity needs to be further improved.
Precise detection of the size of monodisperse droplets considering the fluctuations induced by the droplet generation process
Authors: Zeng Wen , Fu Hai
Published: June 2021

For droplet microfluidics, the electrical-detection method which can precisely detect the size of monodisperse droplets is demonstrated in this paper. In a Flow-focusing microdroplet generator, three pairs of the microelectrodes are allocated along the microchannel, and during the passing-by process of each droplet, both the length, the velocity and the production speed of the droplets can be obtained from the experimental measurements of the time-varying capacitance between each pair of the microelectrodes. Particularly, for different geometries of the Flow-focusing microchannel, the method of the electrical-detection is validated experimentally over a wide range of the typical conditions of monodisperse droplet production. In addition, the droplet size measured by the electrical-detection method is compared with that by the method of image processing, and the detection precision of the electrical-detection method is verified experimentally. Most importantly, by calculating the root-mean-square value of the droplet lengths for three pairs of the microelectrodes, the detection precision of the droplet size can be increased drastically.