bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value of Biomarkers In Liver Cancer EMT Model Under Different Interventions：A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yan Jing , Zou Shuli , Xie Bei , Tian Ye , Peng Zhiheng , Liu Zhuan , Ma Bin , Li Linjing
Published: October 2021

Background: There are various interventions to establish the Liver cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) models. However, the ideal biomarkers for unique model are not well established. Further studies are necessary to evaluation of effective EMT biomarkers under different interventions in vitro studies. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of different biomarkers in HepG2 cells during EMT under multiple interventions. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), Wan Fang Data, and VIP databases were systematically searched from inception to June 14, 2020 by two independent reviewers. Results: A total of 58 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Our study showed that E-cadherin responds well to the intervention of medication, genetic intervention, gene knockout/knockdown, hypoxia, and other tumor microenvironments, as well as non-coding RNA (ncRNA) overexpression and silencing. N-cadherin can effectively evaluate the intervention effect of medication, genetic intervention, hypoxia and other tumor microenvironments, as well as ncRNA overexpression. Vimentin reflects the effects of medication, pro-EMT genetic intervention and gene knockout/knockdown, anti-EMT ncRNA overexpression and anti-EMT ncRNA silencing and hypoxia. Snail only responds to the intervention of anti-EMT genetic intervention and gene knockout/knockdown, tumor microenvironments other than hypoxia, anti-EMT ncRNA overexpression and ncRNA silencing. Conclusions: Our results shows that some medicine, some gene, microenvironment and some ncRNA can effectively induce/inhibit EMT process. E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail are effective biomarkers during this process. They respond differently to different intervention. Therefore, different biomarkers should be chosen under different intervention based on their performance.
Use of Blood Culture Bottles to Incubate Irrigation Water from the Surgical Site May Improve Detection of Causative Organisms in Pyogenic Vertebral Osteomyelitis
Authors: Okuwaki Shun , Tatsumura Masaki , Gamada Hisanori , Eto Fumihiko , Nagashima Katsuya , Funayama Toru , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: October 2021

【Background】 Identification of pathogenic microorganisms are essential for pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO). This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the blood culture bottle (BCB) system in identifying PVO causative organisms. 【Materials & Methods】 We analyzed retrospectively collected data from patients who underwent full-endoscopic spine surgery for PVO between January 2016 and March 2019. Irrigation water generated in the surgical field was incubated in the BCB system, and compared with blood culture before surgery and tissue culture taken by the conventional method. The microbial identification rate and the time from sample collection to microbial identification of the BCB system were compared with conventional blood culture and tissue cultures using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. 【Results】 We included 17 patients (12 men, five women; mean age, 72.8 ± 11.9 years). Bacteria were cultured from 3 (17.6%), 13 (76.5%), and 12 (70.6%) patients by blood culture, tissue culture, and the BCB system, respectively. Tissue culture and the BCB system had significantly higher detection rates than blood culture (P = .002, P =.003), and there was no significant difference between tissue culture and BCB system (P = .655). In 15 cases (88.2%), the causative organism was identified by at least one method. In two cases, the causative organism (Escherichia coli) was only identified by the BCB system. The BCB system required amount of time for microbial identification (3.9 ± 3.0 days), compared with the time required for blood culture (5.0 ± 1.4 days, P =.180) and tissue culture (11.9 ± 15.1 days, P =.012). 【Conclusions】 Results suggest the possibility of improving the detection rate and time to detection of causative organisms by the BCB system as an adjunct to the conventional method.
Effect of Low-Temperature Stress On Na+/K+-ATPase and Transcriptome Changes in Oreochromis Niloticus Gill Tissues
Authors: Li Zhe , Wen Luting , Wu Xia , Qin Junqi , Chen Zhong , Pan Xianhui , Zhou Kangqi , Huang Yin , Deng Qian , Lin Yong , Du Xuesong
Published: October 2021

Low temperatures limit the development of Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia), and an increase in low-temperature tolerance would increase yields. We studied the responses of tilapia to low temperatures. The fish were labeled CK, AA, BB, and CC based on treatment (25°C, 12°C/1 h, 12°C/24 h, and 12°C/48 h, respectively) with CK being the control group. We examined the transcriptome responses and the Na+/K+-ATPase activity of gill tissue in each group. The Na+/K+-ATPase activity varied with the treatment time. Transcriptome sequencing of 12 individuals yielded 585.51 million clean reads, and at least 83.26% of the genes were mapped to the reference genome. Comparative analysis revealed 12,448 genes with significantly differential expression, including 792, 1,827, 1,924 upregulated genes and 992, 3,056, 3,857 genes downregulated for AA, BB, and CC, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated using RT-PCR for five genes. Functional annotation analysis of the DEGs identified functions associated with response to low-temperature stress. When tilapia was subjected to low-temperature stress, expression changes occurred in genes associated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, metabolic pathways, cell adhesion molecules, material transport, and immunity. The founding will help understand the effects of low temperature on fish and provide a theoretical basis for the tilapia breeding industry.
Utilization of Biotechnology, Neurotransmitter and Cytogenetic Indices in Selecting Pigeon Breeds
Authors: El-Sayed Mohammed , Ibrahim N. S. , Assi Heba A.E.M. , Gwwad Mona E. Abdel , Fouad W. S. , Ibrahim M. A. , Atia Noura , Abdel-Moneim Abdel-Moneim E.
Published: October 2021

The DNA polymorphism LDH-A and DRD4 gene, some neurotransmitter and cytogenetic indices of three sexed pigeon breeds; non-racing pigeons (wild rock), racing long and short distances pigeons (e.g: Gan aarden) and (e.g: Gansen) have been performed. The long-distance pigeon demonstrated the highest levels of neurotransmitters in brain tissues. Long distance male pigeons have a unique LDH-A polymorphism, so A changed to G, which means that changes in gene expression resulted in differences in amino acid structure K(lys) was converted to E(glu) in the LDH-A gene only in long distance male pigeons compared to other breeds. In addition to this, the DRD4 polymorphism of long distance male pigeons in which A changed to C and A changed to T indicates the presence of a unique diversity in this breed. This means that changes in gene expression resulted in overall amino acid structure differences only in long distance male pigeons when compared to other breeds, where R(arg) and L(leu) were converted to S(ser) and F(phe). Neurotransmitters are synthesised in the body from these amino acids. It concluded that measurements would be useful indices for the differentiation, genetic characterization, provide a foundation for conservation programs of the breeding and selecting racing pigeon breeders.
Ti3C2Tx MXene Enabled All-Optical Nonlinear Activation Function for On-Chip Photonic Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Hazan Adir , Ratzker Barak , Zhang Danzhen , Katiyi Aviad , Frage Nachum , Sokol Maxim , Gogotsi Yury , Karabchevsky Alina
Published: October 2021

Neural networks are one of the first major milestones in developing artificial intelligence systems. The utilisation of integrated photonics in neural networks offers a promising alternative approach to microelectronic and hybrid optical-electronic implementations due to improvements in computational speed and low energy consumption in machine-learning tasks. However, at present, most of the neural network hardware systems are still electronic-based due to a lack of optical realisation of the nonlinear activation function. Here, we experimentally demonstrate two novel approaches for implementing an all-optical neural nonlinear activation function based on utilising unique light-matter interactions in 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene) in the infrared (IR) range in two configurations: 1) a saturable absorber made of MXene thin film, and 2) a silicon waveguide with MXene flakes overlayer. These configurations may serve as nonlinear units in photonic neural networks, while their nonlinear transfer function can be flexibly designed to optimise the performance of different neuromorphic tasks, depending on the operating wavelength. The proposed configurations are reconfigurable and can therefore be adjusted for various applications without the need to modify the physical structure. We confirm the capability and feasibility of the obtained results in machine-learning applications via an Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (MNIST) handwritten digit classifications task, with near 99% accuracy. Our developed concept for an all-optical neuron is expected to constitute a major step towards the realization of all-optically implemented deep neural networks.
Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Healthcare Workers in Iran: National Survey
Authors: Kamali Koorosh , Hoseinzade Zarrintag , Hajimiri Khadijeh , Hoveidamanesh Soodabeh , Zahraei Seyed Mohsen , Gouya Mohammad Mehdi , Bavandpouri Sousan Mahmoudi , mohamadi Tahereh , Mohamadi Soraya , Bigdeli Zohre , Maleki Azam , Shirzad Mahboubeh , Heidari Zahra , Farsadegi Mahya , Shogli Alireza
Published: October 2021

Background and Aim: Acceptance of a vaccine is the most effective way to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care providers are the most determining group in danger of COVID-19 more than others. They are among the first group to uptake vaccination. This study aimed to assess the level of COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance and their determinants among Health Care Workers in Iran.Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was carried out among 3600 Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in Iran. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire by a trained team from February to March 2021. A multi-stage cluster sampling method was used to select respondents. A Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the key determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among participants. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Out of the 3536 respondents, 2191 (62.1 %) intended to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine, only 660 (18.7 %) reported hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Only about 10% of participants said they did not trust any vaccine (domestic and foreign vaccines). Willing to accept a COVID-19 vaccine is relatively high among males, doctors, and who have a history of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection. In multivariate models, respondents who were 40-50 years (aOR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.47–1.66), had a history of COVID-19 infection (aOR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.83–0.88), and hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection (aOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.97–2.39) were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed moderate acceptance of covid-19 vaccination in the HCWs in the Islamic Republic of Iran with less acceptance in nurses. This needs more attention and implementation of educational programs for awareness and reassurance of healthcare workers.
Stable Variable Selection for High-dimensional Genomic Data with Strong Correlations
Authors: Sarkar Reetika , Manage Sithija , Gao Xiaoli
Published: October 2021

Background: High-dimensional genomic data studies are often found to exhibit strong correlations, which results in instability and inconsistency in the estimates obtained using commonly used regularization approaches including both the Lasso and MCP, and related methods. Result: In this paper, we perform a comparative study of regularization approaches for variable selection under different correlation structures, and propose a two-stage procedure named rPGBS to address the issue of stable variable selection in various strong correlation settings. This approach involves repeatedly running of a two-stage hierarchical approach consisting of a random pseudo-group clustering and bi-level variable selection. Conclusion: Both the simulation studies and high-dimensional genomic data analysis have demonstrated the advantage of the proposed rPGBS method over most commonly used regularization methods. In particular, the rPGBS results in more stable selection of variables across a variety of correlation settings, as compared to recent work addressing variable selection with strong correlations. Moreover, the rPGBS is computationally efficient across various settings.
Association of Triglyceride-Glucose index with risk of microalbuminuria in Chinese children with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gao Long , Wang Xinhui , Shu Jianbo , Zhang Mingying , Zhi Xiufang , Guan Jun , Gu Chunyu , Pu Linjie , Cai Chunquan , Yang Wei , Lv Ling
Published: October 2021

Objective

The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) has been regarded as a useful alternative marker for the early identification of insulin resistance (IR). Accordingly, the objective of the present study is to explore the association of the TyG index with microalbuminuria (MA) in T1DM children.
Methods

The study retrospectively enrolled 129 patients ((boys/girls = 51/78) with T1DM in the Endocrine inpatient wards of Tianjin Children’s Hospital from June 2017 to May 2019. 43 patients with MA were randomly matched 1:2 with 86 patients without MA based on the Propensity Score Matching. TyG index was calculated as follows: ln[fasting triglycerides (mg/dL)×fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2].
Results

TyG index and related lipid parameters were significantly higher in patients with MA compared with those without (all p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the TyG index in patients with MA was 2.166 times compared with those without (OR = 2.166; 95% CI, 1.559–3.009; p < 0.001). FPG (OR = 1.068; 95% CI, 1.026–1.112; p = 0.001), HBA1c (OR = 1.193; 95%CI, 1.066–1.334; p = 0.002), and the occurrence of DKA (OR = 9.863; 95% CI, 2.764–35.192; p < 0.001) were still associated with a higher MA risk. ROC curves analysis shown that the area under the curve (AUC) of the TyG index for predicting MA was the largest (0.78) compared with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HAB1c. The cumulative incidence of MA in the higher TyG index group was significantly higher than that in the lower TyG index group in 15 years (p < 0.001).
Conclusions

The TyG index was significantly correlated with MA levels. An elevated TyG index had a significantly greater risk of MA events independent of DKA, even after adjusting for confounding risk factors. The TyG index was more specific than FPG and HBA1c in predicting MA. Compared to patients with a lower TyG index, those with a higher TyG index had an apparently higher cumulative incidence of MA.
Soil Respiration and N-Mineralization Processes in the Patagonian Steppe Are More Responsive to Nutrient Than to Water Addition
Authors: Carbonell-Silletta Luisina , Cavallaro Agustin , Pereyra Daniel A. , Askenazi Javier O. , Goldstein Guillermo , Scholz Fabian G. , Bucci Sandra J.
Published: October 2021

Aims: Soil respiration and N-mineralization are key processes in C and N cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. Both processes are limited by soil temperature, moisture and nutrient content in arid and cold ecosystems, but how nutrient addition interacts with water addition requires further investigation. This study addresses the effects of water and N+P additions on soil respiration and mineralization rates in the Patagonian steppe.Methods: We measured soil respiration and N-mineralization throughout seasons in control, fertilized, irrigated and irrigated-fertilized plots. We also analyzed root density and soil physico-chemical properties.Results: The soil CO2 effluxes in the Patagonian steppe were controlled by soil temperature, soil water content and root density. Increases in water addition had no effects on soil respiration, except when combined with N+P addition. However, soil nutrient enrichment without water addition enhanced soil respiration during the plant growing season. We found a linear positive relationship between root density and soil respiration, without interaction with treatments. N+P addition had negative impacts on N-mineralization, resulting in a strong N-immobilization. However, soil ammonium and nitrate content increased with N+P addition all over the seasons.Conclusion: Moderate increases in the precipitation through small pulses lead to no long-term response of soil processes in arid and cold Patagonian ecosystems. However, soil CO2 effluxes are likely to increase with nutrient additions, such as anthropogenic N deposition, and microbial biomass could retain more nutrients in the soil. Therefore, high levels of N enrichment in arid ecosystems may strengthen the positive feedback between C cycle and climate change.
Tumor-microbiome links subtype, cellular programs, and immunity in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Blaser Martin , Ghaddar Bassel , Biswas Antara , Harris Chris , Omary M. Bishr , Carpizo Darren , De Subhajyoti
Published: October 2021

Microorganisms are detected in multiple cancer types, including in putatively sterile organs, but it is unclear whether this relates to specific tissue contexts and influences oncogenesis or anti-tumor responses in humans. We developed SAHMI, a framework to analyze host-microbiome interactions using single-cell sequencing data. Interrogating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDA), we identified an altered and diverse tumor microbiome that includes known and novel tumor-associated bacteria and fungi. Specific somatic cell-types were enriched with particular microbes whose abundances correlated with select host gene expression and cancer hallmark activities. Nearly all tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes had infection-reactive transcriptional profiles. Pseudotime analysis provided evidence for tumor-microbial co-evolution and identified three tumor subtypes with distinct microbial, molecular, and clinical characteristics. Finally, using multiple independent datasets, a signature of increased intra-tumoral microbial diversity predicted clinical prognosis. Collectively, tumor-microbiome cross-talk appears to modulate tumorigenesis with implications for clinical management.
Self-management by Hospitalized Older Adults Based on Self-regulation: a Structural Equation Model
Authors: Kim Sunki , Choi Mona , Lee JuHee , Kim Heejung , Song Kijun , Park Hye-Ja
Published: October 2021

Background: Based on the common-sense model of self-regulation, this study aimed to examine the process of self-management through the proposed framework of “Self-system (type D personality)”→ “Cognitive illness perception,” “Emotional illness perception (Depression)”→ “Coping strategies (Approach coping)”→ “Illness Appraisal (Self-management),” using a structural equation model.Methods: The study was conducted at two care hospitals with 300 or more beds located in Jeolla Province, South Korea. The participants were 287 hospitalized older adults. The data collection period was February 17–March 10, 2021. The data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 23.0 and AMOS 23.0. To investigate the overall relationships among the factors influencing self-management among participants, a hypothetical model was created based on the common-sense model of self-regulation. The fit of the model and significance of its paths were analyzed. Results: The hypothetical model showed a good fit based on the following results: CMIN/DF(Q)=2.852, CFI=.955, TLI=.947, and RMSEA=.08. Type D personality had a significant direct effect on cognitive illness perception (β=-.491, p<.001) and depression (β=.844, p<.001). Cognitive illness perception (β=.650, p<.001) and depression (β=-.433, p<.001) had a direct effect on approach coping. Approach coping (β=.326, p<.001) had a direct effect on self-management. Notably, approach coping mediated illness perception and self-management. The explanatory power of the variables for self-management was 78.8%.Conclusion: These findings demonstrated the following mechanism: “type D personality” → “cognitive illness perception” and “depression” → “approach coping” → “self-management,” and highlighted the potential threat of type D personalities and depression on self-management. Cognitive illness perception and approach coping both contribute toward older adults’ self-management.
A Cross Sectional Study on Knowledge and Practice Towards Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Among Health Professionals Working at Mekelle University, Mekelle Ethiopia.
Authors: Benwu Kore Menjie , Gebremedhin Hagos Gebregziabher , Etanaa Naod Bulti , Desta Haftom Berhane
Published: October 2021

Background: - Quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a procedure needs to be done to save life of cardiac arrest victim. It is significant for health professionals to successfully perform such lifesaving skills that they rarely perform. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and skill towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation among health professionals working at Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital. Method: - Institution-based cross sectional-study design was applied among different level of health care provider at Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital. SPSS version 20 used for data analysis and Chi-Square test applied to determine the association between different variables. Result: - Two hundred forty-five participants were originally engaged in this study over a month with a response rate of 100%. One hundred sixty-nine (68.98%) were nurses by profession and 169 (68.9%) of the participants had work experience of fewer than five years. When the service year of the participants increases, the practice adherence to the current guideline is very apart from the participant who had less years of experience which is statically significant (chi-square = 20.888, P = 0.0004). Conclusions: - Our result demonstrates that health professionals who works at Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital had inadequate knowledge and practice for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Esophageal Cancer: 10-Year Survival After Surgery
Authors: Kshivets Oleg
Published: October 2021

OBJECTIVE: 10-Year survival (10YS) after radical surgery for esophageal cancer (EC) patients (ECP) (T1-4N0-2M0) was analyzed. METHODS: We analyzed data of 551 consecutive ECP (age=56.5±8.9 years; tumor size=6±3.5 cm) radically operated (R0) and monitored in 1975-2021 (m=411, f=140; esophagogastrectomies (EG) Garlock=284, EG Lewis=267, combined EG with resection of pancreas, liver, diaphragm, aorta, VCS, colon transversum, lung, trachea, pericardium, splenectomy=154; adenocarcinoma=314, squamous=227, mix=10; T1=128, T2=115, T3=181, T4=127; N0=278, N1=70, N2=203; G1=157, G2=141, G3=253; early EC=109, invasive=442; only surgery=423, adjuvant chemoimmunoradiotherapy-AT=128: 5-FU+thymalin/taktivin+radiotherapy 45-50Gy). Multivariate Cox modeling, clustering, SEPATH, Monte Carlo, bootstrap and neural networks computing were used to determine any significant dependence.RESULTS: Overall life span (LS) was 1881.1±2230.6 days and cumulative 5-year survival (5YS) reached 52.1%, 10 years – 45.9%, 20 years – 33.7%. 184 ECP lived more than 5 years (LS=4308.7±2413.3 days), 99 ECP – more than 10 years (LS=5883±2296.6 days). 226 ECP died because of EC (LS=628.3±319.9 days). AT significantly improved 5YS (68.8% vs. 48.5%) (P=0.00025 by log-rank test). Cox modeling displayed that 10YS of ECP significantly depended on: phase transition (PT) N0—N12 in terms of synergetics, cell ratio factors (ratio between cancer cells- CC and blood cells subpopulations), T, G, histology, age, AT, localization, blood cells, prothrombin index, hemorrhage time, residual nitrogen, protein (P=0.000-0.021). Neural networks, genetic algorithm selection and bootstrap simulation revealed relationships between 10YS and PT N0—N12 (rank=1), healthy cells/CC (2), PT early-invasive EC (3), thrombocytes/CC (4), erythrocytes/CC (5), lymphocytes/CC (6), eosinophils/CC (7), stick neutrophils/CC (8), segmented neutrophils/CC (9), monocytes/CC (10). leucocytes/CC (11). Correct prediction of 5YS was 100% by neural networks computing (area under ROC curve=1.0; error=0.0).CONCLUSIONS: 10-Year survival after radical procedures significantly depended on: 1) PT “early-invasive cancer”; 2) PT N0--N12; 3) Cell Ratio Factors; 4) blood cell circuit; 5) biochemical factors; 6) hemostasis system; 7) AT; 8) EC characteristics; 9) tumor localization; 10) anthropometric data; 11) surgery type. Optimal diagnosis and treatment strategies for EC are: 1) screening and early detection of EC; 2) availability of experienced thoracoabdominal surgeons because of complexity of radical procedures; 3) aggressive en block surgery and adequate lymph node dissection for completeness; 4) precise prediction; 5) adjuvant chemoimmunoradiotherapy for ECP with unfavorable prognosis.
Osteodiscitis Post- COVID-19 Infection: A Case Series
Authors: Rezvani Majid , Zohrevand Amirhosein , Namazee Najmeh , Fallahpour Soheil , Saghaei Saeid , Yazdanian Taravat , Azimi Parisa
Published: October 2021

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease. It affects almost all organs of the human body. Lumbar osteodiscitis is an infection of the vertebral body and disc. The association of COVID-19 with osteodiscitis has not been reported in the literature so far. The purpose of this study was to describe a series of four cases manifested as post-COVID-19 osteodiscitis.Case presentation: We performed a retrospective assessment of the clinical, radiological, and microbiological features of adult post-COVID-19 patients who underwent surgery for unstable lumbar osteodiscitis at our hospital. The mean age of patients was 45.8±7.8 years. All the patients were treated according to their clinical conditions through a combined surgical approach as laminectomy, facetectomy, pedicular screw insertion, and fusion. The clear causes of infection were not recognized by routine methods, and COVID-19 was the only common factor in patients in the last 6 to 8 weeks.Conclusions: This case series suggest that osteodiscitis could be one of the possible side effects after COVID-19 infection.
Expression And Clinical Significance of BIRC5 In Low-Grade Gliomas Based On Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Yang Xitong
Published: October 2021

Background: To screen target genes analyze the expression and mechanism of target genes in Low-grade Gliomas (LGG).Methods: LGG data were downloaded from TCGA database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by differential expression screening, protein–protein interaction (PPI) and enrichment analysis, and then the differentially immune related genes were obtained by analyzing DEGs and immune genes. The abundance of 22 leukocyte subtypes was calculated by CIBERSORT algorithm. The Hub gene constructed by PPI and the gene of prognosis model were analyzed to screen the LGG target gene. The correlation between target gene and LGG prognosis and clinical characteristics of LGG were analyzed. Results: After immunotherapy, the survival of high TMB group was significantly longer than that low TMB group, and the scores of TMB group were correlated with the age and grade of patients. PPI indicates that AURKA, BUB1, AURKB, CDC20, BIRC5, TTK, CCNB2, CDCA8, and CENPE are the hub genes of LGG. The expression level of BIRC5 in LGG tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. The expression level of BIRC5 was correlated with the age and grade of LGG patients. BIRC5 might participate in the occurrence and development of LGG through P53 pathway.Conclusion: BIRC5 can be used as LGG target gene, and its high expression in LGG indicates poor prognosis. BIRC5, as a therapeutic target of LGG, provides a new direction for immunotherapy of LGG.
Multi-model ensemble of statistically downscaled GCMs over southeastern South America: historical evaluation and future projections of daily precipitation with focus on extremes
Authors: Olmo Matias Ezequiel , Balmaceda-Huarte Rocio , Bettolli Maria Laura
Published: October 2021

High-resolution climate information is required over southeastern South America (SESA) for a better understanding of the observed and projected climate changes due to their strong socio-economic and hydrological impacts. Thereby, this work focuses on the construction of an unprecedented multi-model ensemble of statistically downscaled global climate models (GCMs) for daily precipitation, considering different statistical techniques - including analogs, generalized linear models and neural networks - and a variety of CMIP5 and CMIP6 models. The skills and shortcomings of the different downscaled models were identified. Most of the methods added value in the representation of the main features of daily precipitation, especially in the spatial and intra-annual variability of extremes. The statistical methods showed to be sensitive to the driver GCMs, although the ESD family choice also introduced differences in the simulations. The statistically downscaled projections depicted increases in mean precipitation associated with a rising frequency of extreme events - mostly during the warm season - following the registered trends over SESA. Change rates were consistent among downscaled models up to the middle 21st century when model spread started to emerge. Furthermore, these projections were compared to the available CORDEX-CORE RCM simulations, evidencing a consistent agreement between statistical and dynamical downscaling procedures in terms of the sign of the changes, presenting some differences in their intensity. Overall, this study evidences the potential of statistical downscaling in a changing climate and contributes to its undergoing development over SESA.
Comparative Genomics Analysis between frog Virus 3-like Ranavirus from the First Canadian Reptile Mortality Event and Similar Viruses from Amphibians
Authors: Lung Oliver , Bolaji Ayooluwa J. , Nebroski Michelle , Fisher Mat , Buchanan Cody , Kruczkiewicz Peter , Trapp Melissa , Sojonky Ken , Joseph Tomy
Published: October 2021

Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that threaten the biodiversity of wild and captive cold-blooded vertebrates. Reports of ranavirus-induced mortality events are increasing and ranavirus disease is reportable to the World Organization for Animal Health. Previous studies have suggested interclass transmission of ranaviruses and Frog virus 3 (FV3)-like viruses are of particular interest. This study presents the whole-genome assembly of a 106 kb FV3-like genome obtained from the liver tissue of a reptile (wild Chelydra serpentina, common snapping turtle) that died of ranavirus disease in Canada. The FV3-like ON turtle/2018 strain shares the highest genome-wide nucleotide identity (99.71%) with the wild-type FV3 virus detected in the USA from a Northern leopard frog and an FV3-like strain identified from a wood frog in 2017 in Alberta, Canada. The novel genome contains all 26 Iridoviridae core genes, 11 FV3-like genes, and 9 unique truncations, three of which are core Iridoviridae ORFs. Additionally, the two most closely related FV3-like strains from amphibians, were compared to a non-FV3-like amphibian infecting and a fish infecting ranavirus species that showed similar codon usage patterns. G/C-ending codons were the preferred codons for all five strains. Investigation of putative recombination events identified four potential recombination events in the FV3-like ON turtle/2018 genome consistent with this FV3-like reptile infecting strain originating from an amphibian infecting FV3-like ranavirus. Altogether, this study provides insights into the genome structure and the differences in the novel FV3-like genome compared to other ranavirus genomes.
Semantic Fluency Deficits and Associated Brain Activity in Parkinson’s Disease Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Yang Jihyun , McMahon Katie L , Copland David A , Pourzinal Dana , Byrne Gerard J , Angwin Anthony J , O’Sullivan John D , Dissanayaka Nadeeka
Published: October 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with poor verbal fluency have an increased risk of developing dementia. This study examines the neural mechanisms underpinning semantic fluency deficits in PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) compared to patients without MCI (PD-NC) and healthy controls (HC). Thirty-seven (37) PD patients completed a cognitive assessment battery to identify MCI (13 PD-MCI). Gender- and age-matched 20 HC also participated. Participants were scanned (3T Siemens PRISMA) whilst performing semantic fluency, semantic switching, and automatic speech tasks. The number of responses, error rate, and fMRI data for semantic generation and semantic switching were analyzed. Participants also completed a series of verbal fluency tests outside the scanner, including letter fluency. Patients with PD-MCI performed significantly worse than PD-NC and HC during semantic fluency and semantic switching tasks. Patients with PD-MCI showed greater activity in the right angular gyrus compared to PD-NC and HC during semantic switching. Increased right angular activity correlated with worse verbal fluency performance outside the scanner. Our study showed that PD-MCI patients perform more poorly on semantic fluency than either PD-NC or HC groups. Increased right angular gyrus activity in patients with PD-MCI during semantic switching suggests early compensatory mechanisms predicting the risk of future dementia in PD.
Dietary patterns and cognitive function risk in the elderly in a county of Guangxi: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gou Ruoyu , Li You , Pang Weiyi , Mo Chunbao , Cai Jiansheng , Luo Tingyu , Mai Tingyu , Tan Dechan , He Kailian , Xiao Song , Tang Xu , Li Hongnan , Zhang Zhiyong , Qin Jian
Published: October 2021

Objective: To explore the effects of changes in dietary patterns on the cognitive functions of elderly people aged 60 and above in Gongcheng County. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to study the health status of the elderly population in Gongcheng County, Guangxi. A quantitative food frequency table was used in obtaining information about eating habits, and the Chinese version of the Simple Mental State Examination Scale was used in obtaining the cognitive function score. Three main dietary patterns were obtained through factor analysis, and the significance of the main dietary structure and cognitive function was analyzed through logistic regression. Results: This study covered 1246 elderly patients, of which 221 had cognitive impairments, accounting for 17.7%. Three dietary patterns were extracted. The cereal and potato dietary model and oil tea-type dietary model had no protective effects on cognitive function (P > 0.05), whereas the vegetable and fruit-based diet pattern exerted a protective effect on cognition before and after the adjustment of potential confounding factors. This protective effect alleviated decline in cognitive function (before adjustment for confounding factors: odds ratio [OR] = 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34–3.15; P < 0.05; after adjustment, OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.34–3.33, and P < 0.05). Conclusion: Traditional dietary patterns: (grain and potato dietary models and oil-tea-type dietary patterns) cannot alleviate cognitive decline. This study suggests that a specific structure of dietary habits (vegetable and fruit-based dietary patterns) can protect the elderly against cognitive decline.
NEDD4L-Induced Ubiquitination Mediated UBE2T Degradation Inhibits Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma Via PI3K-AKT Signaling
Authors: Chen Yongbing , Hong Haihua , Wang Qingqing , Li Junqiang , Zhang Wenfeng , Chen Tingting , Li Pu
Published: October 2021

Background: Accumulating studies have indicated that Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T), as an oncogene, promotes progression and metastasis of lung cancer, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but it is completely unknown whether and how UBE2T is ubiquitylated and degraded, and by which E3 ligase. Methods: The relationship NEDD4L with UBE2T in LUAD tissues and cells was found by bioinformatic analyses and immunoblotting. Cell counting kit-8, colony formation assay, half-life analysis and the in vivo ubiquitylation assay, generation of xenograft model were performed to determine how NEDD4L regulates UBE2T and its downstream signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.Results: Bioinformatic analyses found that NEDD4L, as a potential correlation E3 ligase of UBE2T, was negatively correlated with UBE2T in LUAD. Consistently, UBE2T protein half-life was shortened or extended by NEDD4L overexpression or depletion, respectively. NEDD4L against LUAD cell progression in vitro and in vivo via inducing the ubiquitination-mediated UBE2T degradation, which repressed PI3K-AKT signaling. Similarly, NEDD4L predicted a better patient survival, whereas UBE2T predicted a worse survival.Conclusions: Collectively, our study reveals that NEDD4L is a novel E3 ligase of UBE2T for targeted ubiquitination and degradation, and results in repressing PI3K-AKT signaling, which can inhibit LUAD cell progression.
Machine learning for predictions of cervical cancer identification – preliminary investigation based on refractive index
Authors: Kruczkowski Michał , Drabik-Kruczkowska Anna , Marciniak Anna , Tarczewska Martyna , Kosowska Monika , Szczerska Małgorzata
Published: October 2021

Cervical cancer is one of the most commonly appearing cancers, which early diagnosis is of greatest importance. Unfortunately, many diagnoses are based on subjective opinions of doctors – to date, there is no general measurement method with a calibrated standard. The problem can be solved with the measurement system being a fusion of an optoelectronic sensor and machine learning algorithm to provide reliable assistance for doctors in the early diagnosis stage of cervical cancer. We demonstrate the preliminary research on cervical cancer assessment utilizing optical sensor and prediction algorithm. Since each matter is characterized by refractive index, measuring its value and detecting changes give information about the state of the tissue. The optical measurements provided datasets for training and validating the analyzing software. We present data preprocessing, machine learning results utilizing three algorithms (Random Forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Naïve Bayes) and assessment of their performance for classification of tissue as healthy or sick. All of them provided high values (>89%) of the measures describing them. Our solution allows for rapid sample measurement and automatic classification of the results constituting a potential support tool for doctors.
Research On The Fractal and Percolation Characteristics of Coal-Based Porous Media For Filtration and Impregnation
Authors: Wang Qili , Sun Jiarui , Chen Yuehu , Qian Yuyan , Fei Shengcheng , Yan Sheng
Published: October 2021

In order to distinguish the difference in the heterogeneous fractal structure of porous graphite used for filtration and impregnation, the fractal dimensions obtained through the mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) along with the fractal theory were used to calculate the volumetric FD of the graphite samples. The FD expression of the tortuosity along with all parameters from MIP test was optimized to simplify the calculation. In addition, the percolation evolution process of mercury in the porous media was analyzed in combination with the experimental data. As indicated in the analysis, the FDs in the backbone formation regions of sample vary from 2.695 to 2.984, with 2.923 to 2.991 in the percolation regions and 1.224 to 1.544 in the tortuosity. According to the MIP test, the mercury distribution in porous graphite manifested a transitional process from local aggregation, gradual expansion, and infinite cluster connection to global connection.
Geometrical properties of underutilized cereal varieties of Himalayan origin for the development of future processing equipments.
Authors: Gani Adil , Jhan Faiza , Shah Asima
Published: October 2021

This paper presents the database of physical and engineering characteristics of grains and flours of five underutilized cereal varieties viz sorghum, buck wheat, pearl millet, proso millet and barley of Himalayan origin. The results revealed a significant difference in width, length and breadth of these cereals. The sphericity value of cereal grains showed significant difference (p≤0.05) in the range 97.42 to 137.25.84% which was found to be highest for sorghum grain while as aspect ratio was found highest for proso millet grain. The static coefficient of friction samples was found maximum on corrugated board for the flour and grain. The hausner ratio and compressibility index indicated poor flowability of the sorghum flour. The bulk density, tapped density and porosity values of cereal grains varied significantly for cereal grains as well as flours. ATR-FTIR (attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) confirmed the different types of linkages present in the flour samples found within the absorption bands of 3500-993 cm-1.
Anatomy Education Environment among Pre-Clinical Medical Students in Universiti Putra Malaysia Using Anatomy Education Environment Measurement Inventory
Authors: Yen Shyeanne Gunn Shian , Mohd Jalani Siti Aisyah , Rushlan Muhammad Aliff Aiman , Hadie Siti Nurma Hanim , Minhat Halimatus Sakdiah , Abas Razif
Published: October 2021

Anatomy is the foundation of medicine. Having adequate anatomy knowledge would improve medical students’ comprehension of pathology and patient management. The evolving scenario in anatomy education has created a changing educational environment in medical schools. Since educational environment influence the students’ motivation and ability to learn, it is pertinent to measure anatomy education environment as a feedback mechanism tool for further improvement in the curriculum. This study was performed to measure pre-clinical medical students’ perception of the anatomy education environment in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) by using a validated 25-item inventory, known as the Anatomy Education Environment Measurement Inventory (AEEMI). The inventory was distributed online to 171 first- and second-year medical students to measure their perception of anatomy teachers and instructors, anatomy knowledge, their intrinsic interest and efforts in learning anatomy, anatomy learning resources and histology practical facilities. The analysis revealed that most of the items show “positive area” indicated by score of more than four. The first-year medical students showed a significantly higher perception of the anatomy education environment compared to the second-year medical students (p ≤ 0.05). However, both cohorts perceived an “area of improvement” for histology practical facilities (score of 3 to 3.99). In conclusion, the students were pleased with the anatomy education experience in UPM except for histology practical facilities that may require further improvement. The use of virtual microscopy in histology teaching would be a good alternative to overcome the problem in histology teaching in UPM, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Virus-Contaminated Surfaces during Online Teaching Sessions: From Phone to Home
Authors: Mohamad Irfan , Roslan Nurhanis Syazni , Ibrahim Kamaruddin , Johan Khairul Bariah
Published: October 2021

Online medical teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic are feasible yet challenging tasks to accomplish, especially when lecturers have clinical duties at the same time. Even though multiple gadgets can make it easier to reach students, an important challenge is that while doing ward work, clinical teachers may resort to using the same gadgets that they use for teaching purposes, which are their mobile phones. This imposes an extra health threat if the hand hygiene standard operating procedure is overlooked. This threat is made worse when contaminated mobile phone surfaces are brought home.
Working from Home
Authors: Holliss Frances
Published: October 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic triggered an experiment in enforced home-working across the globe. In the UK, the home-based workforce jumped from 14 per cent to almost 50 percent of the overall working population, a trend mirrored in countries across the world. Largely welcomed by both employees
and employers, many organizations predict a hybrid future that combines working at home and in a centralized collective workplace. This has major consequences for the way we inhabit, conceptualize and design the city and the suburbs, as more (and different) space is needed in the home and
employers realize that they can reduce their property footprints. The 24-hour inhabitation of residential areas brings new life to local streets and economies, while Central Business Districts and High Streets lie silent. This paper approaches this as a paradigm shift: for more than a century
mono-functional homes and workplaces have been systematically separated – ways now have to be found to reintegrate them. Covid has shone a spotlight on major social and spatial inequalities, with the poor and the young disproportionately impacted. Priorities for researchers and policy-makers
include the future use of redundant commercial buildings, and analyses of policy and law, including planning, space standards, tenancy agreements, Bedroom Tax and social housing allocations, that obstruct home-based work – and proposals for alternatives.
Women’s Support in Resilience of Online Taxi Drivers’ Families in Jakarta During Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pradnyapasa Dhita Ayu , Nurhasana Renny , Shellasih Ni Made , Fatonah Anita Siti , Ningtyas Fadhilah Rizky
Published: October 2021

The research objective was to assess the women’s support to maintain the resilience of online taxi drivers’ families in Jakarta during COVID-19 pandemic using qualitative methods. Data collection method was completed by conducting interview with four participants, who are the wives of online taxi-bike drivers. Four dimensions were believed to be important for family resilience within the pandemic, namely women’s support to integrity variable, physical endurance, economic resilience, and social-psychological resilience. The research finds various important women’s support in maintaining the family resilience during COVID-19 pandemic. It is found that women as wives are able to retain good communication between family members, provide nutritious food for family members, support economic resilience by minimizing expenditures, manage to teach children at home while taking care of younger babies, and so forth. The research limitation is on the variability of the participants. It is suggested that further research implement quantitative methods to gain more data and expand the number of participants for more exploration.
ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN IN RELATION TO CHRONOLOGICAL AGE AND GENDER
Authors:   Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Radzo Alibegovic Dzenana , Tulumovic Sevala ,   Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the orientation and mobility in children with visual impairment in relation to gender and chronological age. The study included a sample of 35 respondents with visual impairment, aged between 7 and 15. The research was conducted in Sarajevo at the “Centre for Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Youth - Nedžarići” (Bosnian: Centar za slijepu i slabovidnu djecu i omladinu Nedžarići). The results of the research showed that there were statistically significant differences in relation to chronological age obtained on the variables “orientation indoors and in buildings” and “orientation in the yard”, and that there is a relation between orientation and mobility and chronological age on the variables “orientation indoors and in buildings” and “orientation in the yard”. Gender has no significant effect on the orientation and mobility abilities of visually impaired students.