bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergence of Multidrug-resistance Bacteria Isolated of Drinking Water, Groundwater and Hospital Wastewater in Southern Benin: Antibiotic Resistance Profile and Resistomes Determination
Authors: Koudokpon Hornel , Dougnon Victorien , Lougbegnon Christelle , Agbankpe Alidehou Jerrold , Avodagbe Gérardine , Saidou Souad , Bankole Honoré , Baba-Moussa Lamine
Published: March 2021

Background: The environment plays an important role in the dissemination of multidrug resistant bacteria, especially through the aquatic ecosystem, which is made up of liquid hospital effluents, rivers, but also spring water and drinking water. This study aims to determinate resistomes in some aquatic matrices in southern Benin.Methods: These samples were filtered through a membrane 0.22 µm thick. After filtration, the membrane was deposited on Muëller Hinton agar. Then the colonies resulting from this subculture were subjected to a microbiological examination by the conventional method. The antibiotic sensitivity test was carried out by the Kirby Bauer method according to the recommendations of the French Society of Microbiology. Resistance genes were looked for by standard PCR and the PCR products were used for agarose gel electrophoresis.Results: Of the 222 water samples collected, 265 bacterial strains were isolated, the majority of which were strains of Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CNS) with 37.74% (n = 100), followed by strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.89%; n = 58), Escherichia coli (10.57%; n = 28). All isolated gram-negative bacilli strains are multidrug resistant with resistance of all strains to amoxicillin, ampicillin and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. Of the 15 resistance genes sought in the genome of Gram-negative bacilli strains, only 8 were detected, namely the TEM, SHV, CTX-M15, VIM, NDM, SUL1, SUL2 and AADA genes. Strong resistance of CNS strains to amoxicillin, oxacillin and cefoxitin was observed. The Mec A gene was detected in all CNS strains. While the Van A and Van B genes were only detected in strains isolated from drinking water in sachets collected from producers and street sellers.Conclusion: These results show the dissemination of resistance genes in the aquatic ecosystem of Benin and once again confirms the urgency of a global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study on Activated Protein C Resistance (Factor V Leiden): an Independent, Gender-dependent Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Takhviji Vahideh , Zibara Kazem , Maleki Asma , Azizi Ebrahim , Hommayoun Sanaz , Tabatabaei Mohammadreza , Ahmadi Seyed Esmaeil , Soleimani Maral , Ghalesardi Omid Kiani , Farokhian Mina , Davari Afshin , Khosravi Abbas
Published: March 2021

Background: Activated protein C resistance (APCR) due to factor V R506Q (Leiden) mutation is a major risk factor in patients with venous thromboembolism. The present study investigated the symptoms patterns and the risk for venous thromboembolism regarding multiple clinical, laboratory, and demographic properties in APCR patients.Material and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a total of 288 APCR patients with age interval ranging between 1 to 80 years. In addition, 288 control samples, reported healthy after confirmatory tests, were also randomly selected. Demographic information, clinical manifestations, family and treatment history were recorded, and specific tests applied.Results: APCR was found to be 2.3 times significantly more likely in men (OR: 2.1, p < 0.05) than women. The risk of DVT and PE in APCR patients was 4.5 and 3.2 times more than the normal group, respectively (p < 0.05). However, APCR could not be an independent risk factor for arterial thrombosis and pregnancy complications. Moreover, patients were evaluated for thrombophilia panel tests and showed significantly lower protein C and S than the control group and patients without DVT (p<0.0001).Conclusion: Factor V Leiden mutation and APCR abnormality are noticeable independent risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Screening strategies for factor V Leiden mutation in patients undergoing surgery, oral contraceptive medication, and pregnancy cannot be recommended, but a phenotypic test for activated protein C resistance should be endorsed in patients with venous thromboembolism.
Low Expression of SCN4B Correlated with DNA Hypermethylation and Poor Prognosis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Yu Meixiang , Wang Zi , Lv Qianzhou , Yang Wanhua
Published: March 2021

Background:Voltage-gated sodium channels β subunits 4 (SCN4B), a tumor suppressor, was previously reported to be associated with DNA methylation and poor prognosis in multiple cancers except lung cancer. This study aimed to explore whether the low expression of SCN4B was correlated with DNA methylation and clinical prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) . Methods:The gene expression profiles (GDS3837and GSE50081) were extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis was performed to explore the expression of SCN4B in NSCLC tissue compared with normal tissue, with the cut-oﬀ value p < 0.05 and the absolute value of the log2 fold change ≥ 1.5. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to validated its expression using The Human Protein Atlas database. And MPRESS was used to analysis the relations of SCN4B expression between DNA methylation. Then, the Fisher exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to calculate the associations of SCN4B expression with NSCLC clinicopathological features such as clinical grade and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, while Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and cox regression analysis were performed to estimate the prognostic value of SCN4B expression in NSCLC. Results: Our DEGS analysis results showed a significantly decreased expression of SCN4B (p=6.5e-22) in NSCLC, which were validated by immunohistochemistry staining. Besides, this decreasing trend continued as the clinical grade and T stage advanced (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the SCN4B expression and DNA promoter methylation (p<0.01). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated that NSCLC patients with low expression of SCN4B had a worse prognosis than those with high expression (p < 0.004). Meanwhile, univariate and multivariate analysis indicated SCN4B expression was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for OS in NSCLC (Hazard Ratio= 0.236, p = 0.009; Hazard Ratio=0.219, p = 0.003, respectively).Conclusions: SCN4B expression was significantly downregulated in NSCLC, which might be attributed to DNA promoter hypermethylation. The low expression of SCN4B indicated a potential unfavorable prognostic factor for NSCLC patients.
Unified Strategy to Prostaglandins: Chemoenzymatic Total Synthesis of Cloprostenol, Bimatoprost, PGF2α, Fluprostenol, and Travoprost Guided by Biocatalytic Retrosynthesis
Authors: Zhu Kejie , Jiang Meifen , Ye Baijun , Zhang Guotai , Li Weijian , Tang Pei , Huang Zedu , Chen Fener
Published: March 2021

Development of efficient and stereoselective synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) is of utmost importance, owing to their valuable medicinal applications and unique chemical structures. We report here a unified synthesis of PGs cloprostenol, bimatoprost, PGF2α, fluprostenol, and travoprost from the readily available dichloro-containing bicyclic ketone 6a guided by biocatalytic retrosynthesis, in 11-12 steps with 2.9-6.5% overall yields. A Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO)-catalyzed stereoselective oxidation of 6a (99% ee), and a ketoreductase (KRED)-catalyzed diastereoselective reduction of enones 12 (87 : 13 to 99 : 1 dr) were utilized in combination for the first time to set the critical stereochemical configurations under mild conditions. Another key transformation was the copper (II)-catalyzed regioselective p-phenylbenzoylation of the secondary alcohol of diol 10 (3.8 : 1 rr). This study not only provides an alternative route to the highly stereoselective synthesis of PGs, but also showcases the usefulness and great potential of biocatalysis in construction of complex molecules.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin-based Adjuvant Therapy for Severe COVID-19: a Single-center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hou Xiao , Tian Li , Zhou Lei , Jia Xinhua , Kong Li , Xue Yitao , Hao Hao , Meng Xianqing , Zhang Feihu , Dong Xiaobin
Published: March 2021

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major challenge facing the world. Certain guidelines recommend intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for adjuvant treatment of COVID-19. However, there is a lack of clinical evidence to support the use of IVIG.Methods This single-center retrospective cohort study included all adult patients with laboratory-confirmed severe COVID-19 in the Respiratory and Critical Care Unit of Dabie Mountain Regional Medical Center, China. Patient information, including demographic data, laboratory indicators, the use of glucocorticoids and IVIG, hospital mortality, the application of mechanical ventilation, and the length of hospital stay was collected. The primary outcome was the composite end point, including death and the use of mechanical ventilation. The secondary outcome was the length of hospital stay.Results Of the 285 patients with confirmed COVID-19, 113 severely ill patients were included in this study. Compared with the non-IVIG group, more patients in the IVIG group reached the composite end point [12 (25.5%) vs 5 (7.6%), P=0.008]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the primary outcome between the two groups (P=0.167) after adjusting for confounding factors. Patients in the IVIG group had a longer hospital stay [23.0 (19.0-31.0) vs 16.0 (13.8-22.0), P<0.001]. After adjusting for confounding factors, there was still a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.041).Conclusion Adjuvant therapy with IVIG did not improve the in-hospital mortality rate or the need for mechanical ventilation in patients with severe COVID-19. In contrast, the application of IVIG was related to a longer hospital stay.
Inhibition of respiratory syncytial virus infectivity by Ephedrae Herba and Cinnamomi Cortex through interaction with G glycoprotein
Authors: Fujikane Aya , Sakamoto Atsuhiko , Fujikane Ryosuke , Nishi Akinori , Ishino Yoshizumi , Hiromatsu Kenji , Nabeshima Shigeki
Published: March 2021

Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory tract infection in children, no effective therapies are available. Recently, RSV G, the attachment glycoprotein, has become a major focus in the development of therapeutic strategies against RSV infection. Treatment of RSV-infected cultured cells with maoto, a traditional herbal medicine for acute febrile diseases, significantly reduced the viral RNA and titers. RSV attachment to the cell surface was inhibited both in the presence of maoto and when RSV particles were pre-treated with maoto. We demonstrated that maoto components, Ephedrae Herba (EH) and Cinnamomi Cortex (CC), specifically interacted with the central conserved domain (CCD) of G protein, and also found that this interaction blocked viral attachment to the cellular receptor CX3CR1. Genetic mutation of CX3C motif on the CCD, the epitope for CX3CR1, decreased the binding capacity to EH and CC, suggesting that CX3C motif was the target for EH and CC. Finally, oral administration of maoto for five days to RSV-infected mice significantly reduced the lung viral titers. These experiments clearly showed the anti-RSV activity of EH and CC mixed in maoto. Taken together, this study provides new insights for the rational design of therapies against RSV infection.
Multifunctional Antiferromagnetic Materialswith Giant Piezomagnetism and Noncollinear Spin Current
Authors: Ma Hai-Yang , Hu Mengli , Li Nana , Liu Jianpeng , Yao Wang , Jia Jinfeng , Liu Junwei
Published: March 2021

We propose a new type of spin-valley locking (SVL), named C-paired SVL, in antiferromagnetic systems, which directly connects the spin/valley space with the real space, and hence enables both static and dynamical controls of spin and valley to realize a multifunctional antiferromagnetic material. The new emergent quantum degree of freedom in the C-paired SVL is comprised of spin-polarized valleys related by a crystal symmetry instead of the time-reversal symmetry. Thus, both spin and valley can be accessed by simply breaking the corresponding crystal symmetry. Typically, one can use a strain field to induce a large net valley polarization/magnetization and use a charge current to generate a large noncollinear spin current. We predict the realization of the C-paired SVL in monolayer V2Se2O, which indeed exhibits giant piezomagnetism and can generate a large transverse spin current. Our findings provide unprecedented opportunities to integrate various controls of spin and valley with nonvolatile information storage in a single material, which is highly desirable for versatile fundamental research and device applications.
Future Directions on Low-Energy Radiation Dosimetry
Authors: Massillon-JL G
Published: March 2021

For more than one century, low-energy (< 100 keV) photons (x-rays and gamma) have been widely used in different areas including biomedical research and medical applications such as mammography, fluoroscopy, general radiography, computed tomography, and brachytherapy treatment, amongst others. It has been demonstrated that most of the electrons produced by low photon energy beams have energies below 10 keV. However, the physical processes by which these low energy electrons interact with matter are not yet well understood. Besides, it is generally assumed that all the energy deposited within a dosimeter sensitive volume is transformed into a response. But such an assumption could be incorrect since part of the energy deposited might be used to create defects or damages at the molecular and atomic level. Consequently, the relationship between absorbed dose and dosimeter response can be mistaken. During the last few years, efforts have been made to identify models that allow to understand these interaction processes from a quantum mechanical point of view. Some approaches are based on electron-beam − solid-state-interaction models to calculate electron scattering cross-sections while others consider the density functional theory method to localize low energy electrons and evaluate the energy loss due to the creations of defects and damages in matter. The results obtained so far could be considered as a starting point. This paper presents some methodologies based on fundamental quantum mechanics which can be considered useful for dealing with low-energy interactions.
Enhancement of the Antifungal Properties of Zataria Multiflora Essential Oil Thorough Combination With Zno Nanomaterial
Authors: Enayati Samira , Davari Mahdi , Habibi-Yangjeh Aziz , Ebadollahi Asgar , Feizpoor Solmaz
Published: March 2021

Fusarium is one of the most important and destructive phytopathogenic fungi on a wide range of host plants. In the present study, to achieve a suitable alternative for high-risk synthetic chemicals, the antifungal effects of ZnO and ZnO-EO (Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil loaded on ZnO) materials were investigated against six isolates of Fusarium. The chemical composition of Z. multiflora essential oil (EO) was explored by GC-MS, in which thymol and carvacrol were the main components. The physio-chemical properties of fabricated materials were studied by SEM, BET, FT-IR, TGA, EDX, XRD, and DLS analyses. The mycelial growth inhibitory (MGI) of ZnO and ZnO-EO materials were tested against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici, F. oxysporum f.sp. lentis, F. graminearum, F. graminearum, F. verticillioides, and F. brasilicum in the laboratory conditions. The results showed that ZnO-EO nanocomposite had a fungistatic effect against all tested fungi except F. oxysporum f.sp. lentis and the fungicidal activity against F. graminearum at a concentration of 1000 ppm. The MGI of ZnO-EO nanocomposite was increased by 42.70% compared to the pure ZnO and by 66.33% compared to Z. multiflora EO. The MGI of pure ZnO compared to Z. multiflora EO was also increased by 23.63%. According to the current findings, the ZnO-EO nanocomposite can be considered as a bio-rational efficient alternative to conventional chemical fungicides.
Efficacy of Mhealth Interventions to Improve Nasal Corticosteroid Adherence in Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Baxter Mats , Schwarze Jurgen , Bush Andrew , Sheikh Aziz
Published: March 2021

IntroductionMobile health (mHealth) is a potential tool to improve nasal corticosteroid (NCS) adherence in allergic rhinitis (AR), which remains largely poor and inconsistent for many. We plan to undertake a systematic review to synthesise the evidence on the efficacy of mHealth interventions to improve NCS adherence in AR. Methods and analysisA systematic search will be conducted in the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), filtered for publication dates between January 2010 and August 2020. The search is scheduled to commence in August 2020. We will scan reference lists of included studies for additional eligible papers. Relevant unpublished or in-progress trials will be searched for through trial registries. Randomised controlled trials that examine the efficacy of mHealth interventions to improve NCS adherence in AR are to be included. Two reviewers will independently screen and extract relevant data from the included studies and perform a risk-of-bias assessment using the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2.0. We will perform a narrative synthesis with relevant data tables and, if deemed clinically relevant and statistically adequate, meta-analyses using random-effects modelling. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement will be used to help guide the reporting of this review. Ethics and disseminationSince this systematic review will be exclusively based on published and retrievable literature, no ethics approval will be sought. The findings of this systematic review will be disseminated at appropriate conferences/webinars while being published in an open access peer-reviewed journal.Registration: In accordance with the guidelines, our systematic review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 27th August 2020. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020198879.
A Novel Peripheral Whole Blood hsa_circ_0005430 is a Potential Biomarker for Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mu YINYU , Xie Fuyi , Ye Chunxia , Yang Dongdong
Published: March 2021

Background: This study was aimed to determine the circular RNA 5430(hsa_circ_0005430) in peripheral whole blood（PWB）from lung adenocarcinoma (LA) patients is a novel biomarker for screening LA.Methods: The expression levels of hsa_circ_0005430 in PWB from 20 LA patients and 10 healthy controls were performed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR). Serum CEA, CA199 and CA50 were detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Spearman’ correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation of hsa_circ_0005430 and clinical variables. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate its diagnostic value. Results: PWB hsa_circ_0005430 was significantly elevated in LA patients, comparing with healthy controls. There was no significant difference in hsa_circ_0005430 level among different pathological factors of LA. In these LA patients, we found a significant correlation between PWB hsa_circ_0005430 and disease activity, including carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199) and carbohydrate antigen 50 (CA50). ROC analysis showed that PWB hsa_circ_0005430 had an area under the curve(AUC) of 0.75 (95% CI 0.567-0.928, P< 0.001) to discriminate LA patients from controls with sensitivity of 0.900 and specificity of 0.65. The highest Youden index was 0.55 and the corresponding optimal cut-off value was 0.14. Conclusions: This study revealed that PWB hsa_circ_0005430 in LA may serve as a potential biomarker for LA patients diagnosis.
Neurodevelopmental Disorder traits in Taijin-Kyofu-Sho and Social Anxiety Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study Among University Students
Authors: Kajitani Kosuke , Tsuchimoto Rikako , Omodaka Yusaku , Matsushita Tomoko , Fukumori Hideaki , Sato Takeshi , Nagano Jun
Published: March 2021

Background: Taijin-Kyofu-sho, an East Asian culture-bound anxiety disorder, has been likened to social anxiety disorder. However, few studies have examined these two disorders from the perspective of neurodevelopmental disorders. This study aimed to examine the association of Taijin-Kyofu-sho and social anxiety disorder with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.Methods: The Liebowitz Social Anxiety, Taijin-Kyofu-sho, and Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report scales and the 16-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient were administered to 818 university students. Participants were divided into four groups: control (neither Taijin-Kyofu-sho ­­nor social anxiety disorder), pure Taijin-Kyofu-sho (Taijin-Kyofu-sho alone), pure social anxiety disorder (social anxiety disorder alone), and Taijin-Kyofu-sho-social anxiety disorder mixed (both Taijin-Kyofu-sho ­­and social anxiety disorder). We used logistic regression analysis to examine whether attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder were associated with Taijin-Kyofu-sho and social anxiety disorder.Results: Autism spectrum disorder was significantly associated with pure Taijin-Kyofu-sho (p = 0.006, odds ratio: 3.99). Female sex and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were significantly associated with pure social anxiety disorder (sex: p = 0.013, odds ratio: 2.61; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: p = 0.012, odds ratio: 2.46). Female sex, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder were significantly associated with Taijin-Kyofu-sho-social anxiety disorder mixed (sex: p = 0.043, odds ratio: 2.16; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: p = 0.003, odds ratio: 2.75; autism spectrum disorder: p < 0.001, odds ratio: 16.93). Conclusions: Neurodevelopmental disorder traits differed between individuals with Taijin-Kyofu-sho and those with social anxiety disorder. Japanese individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder traits are at a risk of developing Taijin-Kyofu-sho or social anxiety disorder in the future.
Primary Tumor Location is Associated with Prognosis for Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Tang Zhuowei , Ji Yuzhu , Zhang Xiaohong , Xu Weiyun , Zhao Lijuan , Zhang Jing , Long Li , Feng Jing , Wen Yixue
Published: March 2021

Background: The prognostic impact of tumor location on breast cancer patients is not consistent and still controversial. We aimed to investigate the prognostic role of primary tumor location on the survival of patients with breast cancer. Methods: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we identified 53,905 patients diagnosed with tumors in the lower quadrants (n=11,065), upper quadrants (n=38,974), or central and nipple (n=3,866). Chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables across the groups. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to estimate the factors associated with prognosis.Results: Compared with the other quadrants, patients with central and nipple lesions showed generally more unfavorable clinicopathologic features and worse breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS). Multivariate Cox analysis showed a higher hazard ratio (HR) for tumor location of central and nipple (BCSS: HR, 1.145, p = 0.036, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.009-1.299; OS: HR, 1.118, p = 0.024, 95% CI: 1.015-1.232), while lower HR were observed for upper quadrants (BCSS: HR, 0.888, p = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.818-0.964; OS: HR, 0.930, p = 0.023, 95% CI: 0.873-0.990). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that tumors located in central and nipple were more likely to be inoperable disease (HR, 1.460, 95% CI: 1.300-1.640, p < 0.001), while tumors located in upper quadrants tend to be operable disease (HR, 0.895, p = 0.005, 95% CI, 0.829-0.967).Conclusion: Tumors located in central and nipple had negative contact with BCSS and OS, while tumor located in upper quadrants had favorable contact with survival.
Measuring SHmax with Stress-Induced Anisotropy in Nonlinear Anelastic Behavior
Authors: Delorey Andrew , Bokelmann Götz , Johnson Christopher , Johnson Paul
Published: March 2021

Mechanical stress acting in the Earth`s crust is a fundamental property that has a wide range of geophysical applications, from tectonic movements to energy production. The orientation of maximum horizontal compressive stress, SHmax can be estimated by inverting earthquake source mechanisms and directly from borehole-based measurements, but large regions of the continents have few or no observations. Available observations often represent a variety of length scales and depths, and can be difficult to reconcile. Here we present a new approach to determine SHmax by measuring stress induced anisotropy of nonlinear susceptibility. We observe that nonlinear susceptibility is azimuthally dependent in the Earth and maximum when parallel to SHmax, as predicted by laboratory experiments. Our measurements use empirical Green’s functions that are applicable for different temporal and spatial scales. The method can quantify the orientation of SHmax in regions where no measurements exist today.
Sitosterolemia: Inherited Disorder of Plant Sterols Absorption and Biliary Excretion
Authors: He Xiaoquan , Chen Hui
Published: March 2021

Sitosterolemia is a rare, inherited, autosomal recessive disorder of lipid metabolism, we report on the diagnosis and treatment of a child with sitosterolemia misdiagnosed as a skin disease.
Latent tri-lineage potential of human menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells revealed by specific in vitro culture conditions
Authors: Quintero-Espinosa Diana , Soto-Mercado Viviana , Quintero-Quinchia Catherine , Mendivil-Perez Miguel , Velez-Pardo Carlos , Jimenez-Del-Rio Marlene
Published: March 2021

Human menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MenSCs) have become not only an important source of stromal cells for cell therapy but also a cellular source for neurologic disorders in vitro modeling. By using culture protocols originally developed in our laboratory, we show that MenSCs can be converted into floating neurospheres (NSs) using the Fast-N-Spheres medium for 24-72h, and can be transdifferentiated into functional dopaminergic-like (DALNs, ~26% TH+/DAT+ flow cytometry) and cholinergic-like neurons (ChLNs, ~46% ChAT+/VAChT flow cytometry) which responded to dopamine- and acetylcholine- triggered neuronal Ca 2+ inward stimuli when cultured with the NeuroForsk and the Cholinergic-N-Run medium , respectively in a timely fashion (i.e., 4-7 days). Here, we also report a direct transdifferentiation method to induce MenSCs into functional astrocyte-like cells (ALCs) by incubation of MenSCs in commercial Gibco® Astrocyte Medium in 7-days. The MSCs-derived ALCs (~59% GFAP+/S100b+) were found to respond to glutamate-induced Ca 2+ inward stimuli. Altogether these results show that MenSCs are a reliable source to obtain functional neurogenic cells to further investigate the neurobiology of neurologic disorders.
Effect of particle size on rotary drum composting of garden waste and their ranking using analytical hierarchy process
Authors: Mishra Sandeep , Yadav Kunwar D
Published: March 2021

Garden waste comprises of 15–18% fraction of total municipal solid waste generated. For composting of garden waste, particle size is an important factor for efficient degradation. The present study investigates role of varying particle size on compost quality. The garden waste was grinded using a shredder into varying size of particles, 0.5–1.5, 1.5-3.0, 3.0-4.5 and 4.5–7.5 cm diameter named as R1, R2, R3 and R4 respectively. 100 kg of garden waste mixed with 20 litre cow-dung slurry and 10 kg fresh compost and feed into the rotary drum for 45 days composting period. Thermophilic phase continued for 7, 8, 4 and 3 days in R1, R2, R3 and R4 reactor respectively. Total volatile solids reduction was 29.10, 31.20, 24.23 and 17.12 %, CO2 evolution rate was 4.92, 4.14, 6.18 and 8.16 mg/gVS/d, C/N ratio was 16.91, 15.05, 18.13 and 20.99, germination index was 92.00, 94.12, 85.21 and 81.20 in R1, R2, R3 and R4 reactor respectively after end of composting period. Reduction of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin was highest in R2 drum and lowest in R4. The percentage reduction of acid insoluble lignin was 36, 39, 29 and 27 % and the percentage reduction of acid soluble lignin was 48.85, 52.89, 43.39 and 36.97 % in combinations in R1, R2, R3 and R4 respectively after 45 days. As per analytical hierarchy process, performance of reactors was observed in the following trend, R2 > R1 > R3 > R4. Particle size range 1.5-3.0 cm diameter showed optimum size for efficient composting of garden waste.
A simplified version of TI-RADS exhibits comparable diagnostic performance in malignancy risk stratification of thyroid nodules
Authors: Chen Qingfang , Wu Size
Published: March 2021

Evaluation of thyroid focal lesions using thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) has been proceeding for a decade, but there is no consensus on any version of TIRADS. The purpose of this study was to validate a recently launched simplified Chinese version of TIRADS, with a compare to the American College of Radiology version of TIRADS. A total of 1306 patients with 1389 thyroid nodules were reviewed and assessed according the two TIRADSs, and the histopathological results were taken as golden standard. The results showed there were 973 benign nodules and 416 malignant nodules. The highest accuracies(AUCs)of C-TIRADS 4C and ACR-TIRADS 5 were taken as the optimized cut-off values for diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and AUC by C-TIRADS 4C and ACR-TIRADS 5 for thyroid nodule evaluation were 87.39%, 89.92%, 75.00%, 95.38% and 0.89, and 85.58%, 91.88%, 81.84%, 93.71% and 0.89, respectively, (P > 0.05 for all). We concluded that C-TIRADS and ACT-TIRADS have very good diagnostic performance in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules by each optimized cut-off value, and the diagnostic performance of the fewer parameters based C-TIRADS 4C is comparable to the multiple parameters based ACR-TIRADS 5.
Ethno-pharmacological use of Ethiopian indigenous forest honey: the case of Sheka forest 
Authors: Tilahun Minyahel , Alemu Tena , Mengistu Shimelis , Ayalew Wondessen , Hailu Abera
Published: March 2021

Background

Sheka forest is the last indigenous forest in Ethiopia. Plant species are important for the production of different honey types used for both consumption and healing purpose. Healing purposes of plant species used for honey production has not been well documented. Documentation of the community honey based ethno pharmacological knowledge can provide huge significance in the process of subjective interpretation.
Materials and Methods

The study employed ethnographic descriptive and explanatory research design which participate 40 healers from Sheka forest, Ethiopia Quantitative analytical tools such as relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), cultural importance index (CI), relative importance (RI), frequency index (FI) and informants consensus factor (ICF).
Results

Six major plant species have been identified in the study area. Honey made from Scheflera abyssinica (Geteme) had higher relative importance (1.67), relative frequency citations (0.55), citation index and frequency index (100). Honey from Vernonia amygdaline (Girawa) was used basically to treat human ailments such as diarrhea and Tonsillitis. Honey from Ficus vasta (Sholla) was primarily used to treat coughing, itching and allergy. Syzgiu guineense (Dokima) and Guizotia schimperi (Meskel Abeba) honeys were primarily used as cosmetics and to protect skin from excessive cold. Scheflera abyssinica honey was used for treat of almost all of the above listed ailments. Ailments like cosmetics and excessive cold, Tonsillitis and Itching and Allergy had a higher Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) of 0.86, 22 0.82 and 0.80, respectively. Wound and Foot and Mouth diseases were the only two livestock ailments treated by five different honey types.
Conclusion

Six plant species used for medicinal honey production that treated eight ailments have been identified. Scheflera abyssinica (Geteme) honey used for the treatment of eight human ailments. Honey treatment for Tonsillitis and itching and allergy had a higher Informant Consensus Factor.
Multiplex real-time RT-PCR method for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 by targeting viral N2, RdRP and human RP genes
Authors: Tombuloglu Huseyin , Sabit Hussein , Al-Suhaimi Ebtesam , Al-Khallaf Hamoud , Kabanja Juma , Al-Saleh Najat
Published: March 2021

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and threatened human lives. Many methods are known to date to detect this virus. Due to their relative accuracy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays are the most frequently applied and considered the gold standard. However, some of these assays have the disadvantages of taking time to show the result and might produce false-negative and false-positive ones. Therefore, designing rapid and accurate PCR-based testing assay is of paramount importance for early detection of this virus and for more efficient control of the spread of this disease. We, here, describe a fast, reliable, easy-to- use, and high-throughput multiplex SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR detection method. The assay was designed to detect two viral genes (N2 and RdRP) and a human gene (RP) simultaneously. The performance and the accuracy of the assay was tested in 28 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples and compared with commercial kits, which showed 100% positive percent agreement with a limit of detection (LOD) value of 1.25 copies/µL or 5 copies/reaction. The current assay is found accurate, reliable, simple, sensitive, and specific. It can be used as an optimized SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic assay in hospitals, medical centers, and diagnostic laboratories as well as for research purposes.
Transcriptomic convergence despite genomic divergence drive field cancerization in synchronous squamous tumors
Authors: Ong Chin-Ann Johnny , Shannon Nicholas B , Lim Weng Khong , Tan Qiu Xuan , Yap Daniel R.Y. , Lek Sze Min , Tan Joey W.S. , Tan Shih Jia J. , Hendrikson Josephine , Ng Wai Har , Liu Ying , Ng Gillian , Koh Kelvin K.N. , Ng Cedric C.Y. , Rajasegaran Vikneswari , Ong Choon Kiat , Lim Tony K.H , Teh Bin Tean , Kon Oi Lian , Chia Claramae S. , Soo Khee Chee , Iyer N. Gopalakrishna
Published: March 2021

Field cancerization is suggested to arise from imbalanced differentiation in individual basal progenitor cells leading to clonal expansion of mutant cells that eventually replace the epithelium, although without evidence. Through deep sequencing analyses, we characterized the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of field change in two patients with synchronous aerodigestive tract tumors. Our data support the emergence of numerous genetic alterations in cancer-associated genes but refutes the hypothesis that founder mutation(s) underpin this phenomenon. Instead, our analyses suggest a common etiologic factor defined by mutational signatures and/or transcriptomic convergence, which could provide a therapeutic opportunity.
The impacts of social capital, migration range and regional economic development level on the internal migrants' utilization of public health services
Authors: Yang Zhen , Jiang Chenghua
Published: March 2021

Background

It has been a risk of the internal migrants' (IMs') health that their utilization of National Essential Public Health Services (NEPHS) was inadequate. Studies have analyzed the impact of migration range (MR) or regional economic development level (REDL) on the IMs' utilization of NEPHS, but no studies have explored the interaction of MR and REDL on it.
Methods

Data from the China Migrant Dynamic Survey of 2017, involving 122656 IMs. Per capita GDP was set as the indicator for REDL, and all provinces were divided into three groups according to REDL: affluent, medium and poor. The MR was divided into inter-province and intra-province, and social capital (SC) was distinguished into cognitive (CSC) and structural social capital (SSC). Awareness of NEPHS (ANEPHS) and establishment of health record (EHR) were selected as indexes of NEPHS utilization. Then we used multiple line charts and hierarchical logistic regression to investigate the interaction of MR, REDL and SC on NEPHS utilization.
Results

(1) The socioeconomic status (SES) and social capital (SC) of the inter-provincial IMs were significantly lower than those of the intra-provincial IMs, and the gap was most prominent in the affluent areas. (2) From low to high, the NEPHS utilization of inter-provincial IMs was ranked as affluent, medium and poor, while the corresponding order of intra-provincial IMs was medium, poor and affluent areas. (3) SC could significantly promote the IMs' utilization of NEPHS, but there was a gap between the inter-provincial and intra-provincial IMs, and the gap was the largest in the affluent areas.
Conclution:

The IMs' SES, SC and NEPHS utilization were influenced by MR and REDL. The gaps of SES, SC and NEPHS utilization between the inter-provincial and the intra-provincial IMs in affluent areas were much larger than that in medium and poor areas. The government should pay more attention to the inter-provincial IMs in affluent areas.
Lipidomic profiling reveals distinct differences in plasma lipid composition in overweight or obese adolescent students
Authors: Yin Ruili , Wang Xiaojing , Li Kun , Yu Ke , Yang Longyan
Published: March 2021

Introduction

: The relationship between dyslipidemia and obesity has been widely reported, but the global lipid profiles associated with the development of obesity still need to be clarified. An investigation into the association between the lipidomic plasma profile and adolescent obesity may provide new insights into the development of obesity.
Methods

Mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography was applied to detect the global lipidome in the fasting plasma from 90 Chinese adolescents, including 34 obese adolescents, 26 overweight adolescents, and 30 adolescents with a normal body mass index (BMI). All participants underwent anthropometric measurements by using InBody. Clinical biochemical indicators were measured by Cobas Elecsys.
Results

Both qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed a gradual change in plasma lipid features among obese students, exhibiting characteristics close to overweight students, but differing significantly from normal students. Compared with normal and overweight students, levels of triglyceride (TG), 18-hydroxycortisol, isohumulinone A, and 11-dihydro-12-norneoquassin were up-regulated in the obese group, while phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysoPC (LPC), lysoPE (LPE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were significantly down-regulated in the obese group. Then, we conducted Venn diagrams and selected 8 significant metabolites from the 3 paired comparisons. Most of the selected features were significantly correlated with the anthropometric measurements.
Conclusions

This study demonstrated evidence for a relationship between the eight significant metabolites with obese adolescents. These lipid features may provide a basis for evaluating risk and monitoring the development of obesity.
Linguistic Representation of the Concept of Sun in the Linguoculture of the Peoples of the North (Based on the Yakut and Yukaghir Languages)
Authors:   Institute of Humanitarian Studies and Problems of Small-Numbered Peoples of the North, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Lukina Margarita P.
Published: March 2021

The object of the research is the concept of the sun: in the Yakut language - kyn, in the tundra Yukagir language - yerpeye and in the forest Yukaghir language - yeloodye. The article deals with lexical representatives and stable phrases; the motivating, conceptual, figurative features and derivational paradigms of the studied concept are established; applied etymological analysis of words, cognitive approach and conceptual methods of concept research. The concept of the sun is presented in different ways in the linguistic picture of the world of peoples. The description and explanation of the peculiarities of the concept of the sun in the national linguistic picture of the world of the Sakha and Yukaghir people in a comparative-comparative plan seems relevant for conceptual linguistics. As a result of the study, only positive signs of the concept of the sun were noted in both linguocultures. The scope of the linguistic representation of the concept of kyn in the Yakut language is diverse, while the content level is characterized by different options. A large number of derivative words with the lexeme kyn in the Yakut language indicate the cultural significance of this concept. Since ancient times, the Sakha people and the Yukaghirs had a cult of the main heavenly body of the sun, which continues to the present day. The Sakha and Yukaghir people celebrate the Ysyakh and Shahadyibe holidays on the summer solstice, marking the beginning of a new annual cycle. During the holiday, abundance, peace, harmony and love are demonstrated to the main deity, the sun, thereby asking the sun for well-being for the coming year. Thus, the sun is a key concept for these northern peoples. Keywords: linguoculture, concept sun, concept kyn, concept yerpeye/yeloodye, Yakut language, Yukaghir language, concept-forming lexeme
Features of the Western and Chinese Media Reports about Hong Kong Protests in Terms of Tolerance
Authors:   Higher School of Journalism and Mass Communication St. Petersburg State University, Mengdi Niu
Published: March 2021

The article is devoted to a comparative analysis of publications by Western media and Chinese media during the period of the unrest and protests caused by an amendment to the “Fugitive Offenders Ordinance” in Hong Kong in the summer of 2019. The relevance is explained by the fact that in the summer of 2019, Hong Kong immediately became the center of attention of the world community and the press. The innovation lies in comparative analysis of Chinese and Western media texts in the aspect of tolerance. The purpose of the study is to identify the reporting frames on Hong Kong protests in different countries (China, the USA, the UK) and analyze their characteristics. The author’s attention is focused on the problem of tolerance / intolerance in the discussing of events in Hong Kong by Western and Chinese media. Content analysis, frame analysis and the method of comparative studies are used in this article. Content analysis of the news reports from The Washington Post, People’s Daily and the BBC website from July to August 2019 was conducted to clarify their tones and directions, as well as the meaning of the metaphors used by journalists. The frame analysis is to identify differences in event assessments, information sources, theme settings, report objects, main subjects and event definitions in the analyzed media. The language features in texts were also compared.By results of the study, we see clear ideological bias and tendentiousness in reports from the Western media, and also the inability to have a tolerant vision. The Chinese media also strongly show peculiarities of ideology and obvious propagandistic tendency. The dogmatism of propagandistic thoughts interferes with objective perception of the situation. Conclusions: mass medias holding different positions, “choosing” and “constructing” social realities in their news reports, painting different pictures and choosing their own perspectives to reflect attitude of the authority towards participants in the movements. In this way, they take completely irreconcilable positions. Keywords: Hong Kong, protest, assessment, reportage, tolerance/intolerance
On Alternativity as a Notion in Science and Modern Media
Authors:   Higher School of Economics, Dmitriev Oleg A.
Published: March 2021

This article reviews the attempt to study the notion of alternativity in various fields of knowledge. This generalization is necessary for classifying alternativity as a phenomenon. This will give researchers further boost in the studies of alternative media. The research of alternative media has been carried out for more than 5 years by the Academy of Media Industry and the media department of HSE University in Moscow. Alternativity is understood by the author as the necessity of choice between several ways that sometimes contradict one another. The author reviews philosophic concepts and elements of alternativity in modern science. Special attention is paid to the issues of alternativity in history, linguistics and natural science. During the analysis the focus is held on the works by J.Habermas and other researchers that viewed the opportunity to create communicative rationale through the elements of various opposing theories which is important for the media analysis. This aims to trace models and principles that could be useful to analyze modern alternative media in online environment. After the analysis of alternative components from various fields of science the author determines key factors that influence the formation of the personal alternative behavior. Here are some of them: the choice to differentiate between correct and false statements, acquiring its own experience through reasoning, the desire for a constant interaction with the people in various forms on various topics, the use of the successful innovations from various scientific concepts, the use of elements that change personal behavior, the desire to relax and seek freedom in alternative virtual word, the necessity to look for new knowledge, facts, figures in the ever-changing environment. Keywords; alternativity, alternative media, metaphysics, eclecticism, audience, individual, linguistics, communication