bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endodontic treatment during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Malhão Eduarda Carrera , Gomes Fabio de Almeida , Ferreira Cláudio Maniglia , Lima Danilo Lopes Ferreira , Casarin Maísa , Pappen Fernanda Geraldo
Published: June 2021

Aim: This study evaluated, by the application of questionnaires, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical routine and inspection by the competent authorities, on the flow of patients in the office, as well as on possible changes in Endodontic treatment costs and the amounts charged to patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2nd, 2020 to May 6th, 2020, using an online questionnaire with a convenience sample. The inclusion criterion was professionals who perform endodontic treatments in daily clinical practice and who professional setting is private practice. The questionnaire brought questions about the impact on costs and the amount charged to the patient. Results: A total of 1042 questionnaires were answered from all the different states of Brazil, by professional who usually perform Endodontic treatment, and who is working in private practice. A total of 1010 (96.9%) respondents affirm it was necessary to modify the protective equipment in endodontic treatment due to pandemic and longer intervals between appointments was cited by 922 (88.5%), economically affecting the dental practice. There was no association between routine changes and economic impacts with gender, professional experience, area of residence or education level. Conclusion: In conclusion, most dental professionals recognized changes in the routine of endodontic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have a perception of increase in endodontic costs, and reduction in the volume of patients.
O humor em (dis)curso
Authors: Ruiz Marco Antonio Almeida , Araújo Lígia Mara Boin Menossi de , Manzano Luciana Carmona Garcia
Published: June 2021

Historicamente, nossa sociedade se construiu a partir de um modelo masculino de organização, e ao longo de sua constituição promoveu e ratificou formas de violência contra as mulheres, sempre fundamentadas na concepção de fragilidade e sensibilidade femininas, que traziam implicadas as noções de inferioridade e submissão. Como militantes e em busca por igualdade, as mulheres saíram às ruas e seus corpos tornaram-se discursos que trazem o “avesso” da história de dominância, construindo outras possibilidades de sentido e de memória na luta contra o machismo. Neste artigo, nosso objetivo é observar, em algumas publicações em redes sociais, o lugar atribuído à mulher e ao feminismo no bojo de estereotipias e imaginários cristalizados em nossa sociedade e que ocupam nosso espaço discursivo. Para tal, nosso material é composto por quatro memes publicados no Instagram ressaltando, sobretudo, esse ideal dominante pré-determinado e utópico acerca do papel da mulher, satirizando a luta e a resistência configurada pelos movimentos sociais e, em especial, o feminismo. Nesse sentido, nossa empreitada analítica estará embasada nos pressupostos teóricos da análise do discurso de matriz francesa, especialmente, em considerações acerca das noções de memória e pré-construído.
A new species of Paraboea and a new species record of Middletonia (Gesneriaceae) from a limestone karst in Central Laos
Authors:   Faculty of Environmental Sciences, National University of Laos, Dongdok Campus, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital, Laos, Phonepaseuth Phongphayboun , Souvannakhoummane Keooudone ,   Centre for Development and Environment, Laos country office, Unit 11, #136, Simuang Road, Hom 1, P.O. Box 1438, Ban Phapo, Vientiane, Laos, Tagane Shuichiro ,   The Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan, Souladeth Phetlasy ,   Faculty of Forestry Science, National University of Laos, Dongdok Campus, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital, Laos, Yahara Tetsukazu ,   Center for Asian Conservation Ecology, Kyushu Open University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan
Published: June 2021

A new species of Paraboea (Gesneriaceae), P. khotamiae, from a limestone karst in central Laos, is described and illustrated. The species resembles Paraboea bintangensis, P. prazeri and P. robusta, but differs in leaf shape and floral features, especially corolla shape and size, the interior of the corolla tube, and capsule characters. In addition, we report the occurrence of Middletonia reticulata (Gesneriaceae) for the flora of Laos for the first time.
Plaidoyer for the unique tourism accounts (dilemas, difficulties and questions)
Authors: Stipetić Vladimir
Published: June 2021

Tourism is recognised as an important economic, social and cultural factor in modem societies. However, statisticians still face an enormous challenge when it comes to measuring the economic importance of tourism for given national economy. In his paper author examines the position of tourism in System of National Accounts (SNA-as presented in the version from 1993) and in European System of Accounts (acronym ESA, from 1995). He comes to the conclusion that is impossible to get the full answers on the importance of tourism for the given national economy within those frameworks. The main reason for such conclusion he has found in the fact that tourism is the multifacet activity, with difficult concept to define, let alone measure. He gets the proof for his conclusion comparing the different methodologies for defining who is the tourist, finding six different criterias in application at the moment. The results obtained are, of course, differing considerably, what makes them strictly incompatibles. The comparison of such data is for that reason difficult to make and the comparative results are of limited use. Author advocates a need to make on international level a Unified Tourism Economic Account (UTEA), covering the main activities of tourism sector. He regards the existing work by OECD and WTO as a good basis for further work. Only when majority countries would make UTEA, based on accepted methodology, could be the cross-country comparison made on scientific basis.
Globalisierung und Tourismus
Authors: Oppitz Werner
Published: June 2021

Bedingt durch den technischen Fortschritt, vor allen im Bereich Verkehr und Telekommunikation, entwickelt sich die Welt zum globalen Dorf. Für den Tourismus bedeutet dies eine enorme Markterweiterung. Es sind touristische Großuntemehmungen entstanden, die länderunabhägig operieren und standartisierte homogene Produkte anbieten. Der Globalisierungsprozeß verunsichert vor allem jene Unternehmen, Organisationen und Länder, die noch nicht oder nieht mehr wettbewerbsfähig sind. Allerdings darf die Bedeutung der Globalisierung für den Tourismus nicht übersehätzt werden. So macht etwa der interregionale Tourismus in Europa 88% des Gesamtaufkommens aus, während auf den interkontinentalan Tourismus nur 12% entfallen. Es ist auch zu berücksichtigen, daß der Tourismus im wesentlichen eine standortgebundene Zeistung änbietet. Der Globalisierungsprozeß verstärkt den Wettbewerb unter den Standorten. Damit gewinnt die Destination als Angebotseinheit an Bedeutung. Zu den tourismusrelevanten Problemen der Globalisierung zählen auch die Auswirkungen des weltweiten Reisens auf die Umwelt und auf die Erhaltung der kulturellen Identität.
Grundlegende Bewertung der gewerblichen Beherbergungskapazität eines Fremdenverkehrsstandortes (veranschaulich am Beispiel des Ostseeheilbades Travemünde)
Authors: Luft Hartmut
Published: June 2021

Dieser Beitrag befaßt sich mit der hohen Fixenkostenbelastung und auch engen Grenzen der Preisgestaltung, wobei es für die Existenzsicherung des Beherbergungsgewerbes außerordentlich entscheidend ist, womit die Kapazitätsauslastung und somit Ertragssituation durch ein günstiges Entwicklungsverhältnis zwischen dem Bettenangebot und den Gästeübemachtungen gesichert bleibt.
Development of employment and unemployment in hotels and restaurants of Slovakia
Authors: Rublikova Eva
Published: June 2021

This paper demonstrates Holt-Winters exponential smoothing method to create predictions for the number of employed and unemployed people in the economy of the Slovak Republic, for the quarters of the year 1997. Attention is devoted to the Hotels and Restaurants as the last main sections of economic activity in which persons are working or from which people have begun unemployed.
Die Informationsquellen über die Nachfrage der Tourismusteilnehmer
Authors: Gučik Marian
Published: June 2021

Für den Tourismus ist ein ganzheitliches System von Informationen über das Angebot und die Nachfrage notwendig. In der Slowakei existiert solch ein System nicht. Unter den Bedingungen des Marktes ist es unerläßlich auf allen Ebenen der Leitung solch ein Informationssystem des Tourismus zu errichten, und das vor allem aus dem Grund des Treffens von Entscheidungen. In diesem Beitrag stellten wir uns das Ziel die Probleme bei der Gestaltung dieses Infomiationsystems über die Nachfrage der Tourismusteilnehmer zu untersuchen und eine Databasis für die Einsammlung der Angaben ber die Nachfrage der Tourismusteilnehmer in der Slowakischen Republik vorzuschlagen.
Quality in the management of catering establishments in Eastern Croatia
Authors: Lamza-Maronić Maja , Segetlija Zdenko
Published: June 2021

Quality has christalized as the crucial factor of the market race. It has become the principal instrument for securing a firm's future success through satisfied consumers. Catering firms independently create the marketing mix to raise themselves above the competition. To secure the quality of services provided by a catering establishment it is necessary to secure the quality of individual work, the quality of the process and the quality of entire firm. The catering establishment must aspire towards such an appearance on the market that will make the guest satisfied with the marketing.
DIE ZUKUNFT DES ÖSTERREICHISCHEN TOURISMUS
Authors: Dörfler Christian
Published: June 2021

Die Tourismuswirtschaft ist für Österreichs Volkswirtschaft von großer Bedeutung. Anders, als in anderen Industrieländern, leben in Österreich große Teile der Bevölkerung vom Tourismus direkt oder sind indirekt von der Entwicklung des Tourismus betroffen. Nach einer Aussendung der Österreichwerbung (ÖW) sind in Österreich 500.000 Menschen in ihrer Erwerbstätigkeit vom Tourismus abhängig. 1996 betrugen die Tourismuseinnahmen It. Österreichischer Nationalbank ÖS 148,3 Mrd. Die kleingewerbliche betriebliche Struktur Österreichs bietet zwar viele Vorteile, ist fü r den Auftritt am globalen Markt jedoch wenig geeignet. Wir können jedoch durch effiziente Kooperationen zwischen Unternehmern oder ganzer Talschaften Abhilfe schaffen. Aufgrund der vielen natürlichen Vorteile der österreichischen Tourismuswirtschaft bestehen auch in Zukunft für innovative Unternehmer sehr gute Chancen am Weltmarkt.
METHODOLOGICAL BACKGROUNDS OF ESTIMATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY TOURISM
Authors: Črnjar Mladen , Šverko Miro
Published: June 2021

Within conditions of increased environmental degradation caused by growth of production, transport, population and tourist activities, balance of the environment has deteriorated. In this essay we analyse typology of environmental damages caused by tourism - air, sea, water and soil pollution, noise and waste, traffic congestion, spatial deviations, deteriorating of cultural-historical values, loss of domicile population, increasing of crime, etc. The following methods of estimation of environmental damages caused by tourism have been specially presented: economic (monetary) estimations, indirect assessment, global evaluations, as well as possibilities of internalization of external environmental costs.
Rhizosphere engineering: leading towards a sustainable viticulture?
Authors: Dries Leonie , Hendgen Maximilian , Schnell Sylvia , Löhnertz Otmar , Vortkamp Anne
Published: June 2021

Microorganisms are a substantial component of the rhizosphere, and the activity and composition of rhizosphere microbial populations markedly affect interactions between plants and the soil environment. In addition, the microbiota of the rhizosphere can positively influence plant development, growth and vitality. In vineyards, management practices influence both grapevine root growth directly and the rhizosphere microbiota, but the exact mode of action is largely unknown. Recently, however, two new research approaches are increasingly coming into focus to enhance grapevine growth and health: plant engineering and rhizosphere engineering. In plant engineering, knowledge about plant-microbiome interactions is used for plant breeding strategies. In rhizosphere engineering, microbial communities are modified by adding specific fertilisers, nutrients or by bio-inoculation with certain bacteria and/or fungi. Taken together, these new methods suggest a potential for reaching a more sustainable development of pesticide-reduced viticulture in the future.
TATAKELOLA LANSKAP RAWAPENING BERDASARKAN TINGKAT RESIKO BENCANA LINGKUNGAN DI SUB DAS RAWAPENING (Landscape governance of Rawapening based on the level of environmental disaster risk in the Rawapening Sub Watershed)
Authors:   Laboratorium Geomorfologi Lingkungan dan Mitigasi Bencana, Departemen Geografi Lingkungan Fakultas Geografi UGM, Mardiatno Djati , Faridah Faridah , Sunarno Sunarno , Wahyu Arifudin Najib Dwi , Widyaningsih Yuli , Setiawan M. Anggri ,   Laboratorium Sensor dan Sistem Telekontrol (SSTK) Departemen Teknik Fisika Fakultas Teknik UGM
Published: June 2021

Lake ecosystem balance is influenced by the interaction and interrelation of upstream and downstream processes of catchment. Environmental degradation upstream affects the trophic status of the lake, triggering the risk of environmental disasters. Integrated lake management is a form of governance to achieve sustainable development goals. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Rawapening Lake management program plan spatially by considering the environmental risk conditions of the Rawapening catchment area. Semi-quantitative analysis is used to assess the level of disaster risk in Rawapening catchment area. The zoning results of environmental disaster risk areas are used as the basis for the implementation of the 2019 Rawapening lake management plan descriptively. The results showed that Rawapening catchment area has a very low, low, medium, high, and very high risk levels. Panjang Sub Watersheds, Galeh Sub Watersheds, Parat Sub Watersheds, Sraten Sub Watersheds have a high to very high risk level. The Rengas Sub Watershed, Torong Sub Watershed falls into the medium risk category. Low to very low risk levels are scattered in the Legi Sub Watershed, the Kedung Ringis Sub Watershed, and the Ringis Sub Watershed. The complexity of the problems in the agricultural, livestock, residential and industrial sectors is the main contributor to sediment and pollutants in the lake system. The integration of upstream and downstream processes is used as a consideration in conducting spatial planning for Rawapening Lake management to achieve management objectives
Combining Business Model Innovation and Model-based Analysis to Tackle the Deep Uncertainty of Societal Transitions – A Case Study on Industrial Electrification and Power Grid Management
Authors: Zapata Riveros Juliana , Speich Matthias , West Mirjam , Ulli-Beer Silvia
Published: June 2021

Creating new business models is crucial for the implementation of clean technologies for industrial decarbonization. With incomplete knowledge of market processes and uncertain conditions, assessing the prospects of a technology-based business model is challenging. This study combines business model innovation, system dynamics and exploratory model analysis to identify new business opportunities in a context of socio-technical transition and assess their prospects through simulation experiments. Furthermore, insights are visualized in a roadmap to coordinate action among the actors involved. This combination of methods is applied to the case of a business model aiming at ensuring stability of the electrical grid by centralizing the management of flexible loads in industrial companies. A system dynamics model was set up to simulate the diffusion of flexible electrification technologies. Through scenario definition and sensitivity analysis, the influence of internal and external factors on diffusion was assessed. Results highlight the central role of energy costs and customer perception. The chosen combination of methods allowed the formulation of concrete recommendation for coordinated action, explicitly accounting for the various sources of uncertainty. We suggest testing this approach in further business model innovation contexts.
Topological data analysis : an overview
Authors: Bednar Amy
Published: June 2021

A growing area of mathematics topological data analysis (TDA) uses fundamental concepts of topology to analyze complex, high-dimensional data. A topological network represents the data, and the TDA uses the network to analyze the shape of the data and identify features in the network that correspond to patterns in the data. These patterns extract knowledge from the data. TDA provides a framework to advance machine learning’s ability to understand and analyze large, complex data. This paper provides background information about TDA, TDA applications for large data sets, and details related to the investigation and implementation of existing tools and environments.
Gamma Ray-Induced Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Bacterial Cellulose as a Multi-Functional Agent and its Application
Authors: Mohammad Nasser H. , elsherbiny gamal Mohamed , Hammad Ali A. , Askar Ahmed A. , Nour Salwa A. Abou El
Published: June 2021

Antibacterial coatings based on bacterial cellulose (BC) have been widely used in many fields including food packaging and wound dressing. In this study, we aimed to synthesis of colloidal AgNPs and BC/ AgNP composite by using BC as a reducing and capping agent in one step reaction induced by gamma-ray. Bacterial strain Komagataeibacter rhaeticus N1 MW322708 was used for biosynthesis BC by inoculation on Hestrin and Schramm medium and incubated statically at 35 °C for 10 days. BC sheet was formed, harvested, purified, and dried, then used for the synthesis of AgNPs and BC/AgNP by soaked 0.05 g of dried BC in 10ml of 1mM aqueous AgNO3 solution for 2h and then irradiated by gamma-ray under different doses. Color change from yellow to deep brown indicated the synthesis of AgNPs and BC/AgNP. The optical spectra of synthesized AgNPs revealed that the surface plasmon resonance was localized around 420 nm. DLS analysis showed that the mean diameter of AgNPs was 49.5 nm with a -19.36-mV value of zeta potential. TEM images revealed the spherical shape of synthesized AgNPs. The results of FESEM, FTIR, and XRD confirmed the formation of BC/AgNO3 composite. The highly crystalline nature of the BC membrane and BC/AgNP composite was observed in XRD measurements with a crystal size of 5.416 and 5.409 nm, respectively. The antibacterial activity of BC and BC/AgNP against pathogenic bacterial isolated from Pastirma food samples revealed that BC does not show antibacterial activity, while BC/AgNP composite showed antibacterial potency against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli, with an inhibition zone of (mm) 9±1, 9±0.57, 10±1.15, 8±0.5 and 7±0.28, respectively. We concluded that this novel method presented in this paper offers a promising route for both AgNPs and BC/AgNP composites synthesis using a green, renewable biopolymer as a multifunctional agent and potential to be applied in the future development of food packing, biomedical instruments, and therapeutics.
Performance Studies on Low GWP Refrigerants as Eco-friendly Alternatives for R134a in Household Refrigerator
Authors: Padmavathy Saji Raveendran , Chockalingam Murugan Paradesi , Kamaraj Nithyanandhan , Glivin Godwin , Thangaraj Venkatesh , Moorthy Bharathiraja
Published: June 2021

Climate changes are a significant environmental issue and rises global temperature. The key environmental objectives are to reduce carbon emissions and to mitigate the climate change impacts. The household refrigerator is the most important emitter of greenhouse gases because they use high global warming potential refrigerants. The Kyoto Protocol states that the power consumption and environmental effects of household refrigerators must be reduced. In the development of future household refrigerator, the replacement of existing refrigerants and enhance its energy efficiency will play an important role. Therefore, the performance of a household refrigerator operating with various environmentally friendly refrigerant mixtures was investigated using analytical methods. This simulation was carried out using MATLAB software, and the REFPROP database was used to obtain thermophysical properties of the refrigerants. The findings have shown that the COP of HFO mixtures is drops from 4–20% compared to R134a. The R1234ze/R134a (90/10) is a better mixture, with its estimated COP and energy efficiency 3.7–16.4% and 4–16% respectively above the other mixtures considered in this analysis and its performance is very similar to the R134a. It could be a good substitute for R134a in the refrigerator to satisfy the Montreal and Kyoto Protocol expectations.
Development, Evaluation of the PNA RT-LAMP Assay for Rapid Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Bat-Ochir Chinbayar , Kim Yeon-Sook , Kim Han Gyeul , Lee See Sok , Lee Han Woo , Park Hee Kyung
Published: June 2021

Dual-labeled PNA probe used RT-LAMP molecular rapid assay targeting SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab and N genes was developed, and the analytical, clinical performances for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA extracted from clinical nasopharyngeal swab specimens were evaluated in this study. Data showed that this assay is highly specific for SARS-CoV-2, and the absolute detection limit is 1 genomic copy per microliter of viral RNA which can be considered to be comparable to gold-standard molecular diagnostic method real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Both clinical sensitivity and specificity against a commercial real-time RT-PCR assay were determined as identical. In conclusion, the PNA RT-LAMP assay showed high analytical and clinical accuracy which are identical to real-time RT-PCR which has been routinely used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.
Clinical Outcomes of Sildenafil Application in Patients of Poor Endometrial Development
Authors: Guo Meiling , Lv Jianan , Xin Hua , Yan Yuchen , zhou wei , yu na , Xia Mingdi , li Jing , Zhang Qian , Yan Junhao
Published: June 2021

Problem: Does sildenafil have an effect on pregnancy outcomes in patients with poor endometrial development?Methods: This study included 472 infertility patients who underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmatic sperm injection and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-FET) and suffered from poor endometrial development in the hormone replacement cycle (HRC) from April 2017 to July 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: the sildenafil group(n=88) and the control group(n=384). Endometrial thicknesses and types on endometrial transformation day, as well as pregnancy outcomes after FET (biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, early abortion, late abortion, and live birth rates) between two groups were analyzed. Results: No signiﬁcant differences were observed in endometrial thicknesses and types on endometrial transformation day between the sildenafil group and the control group. There were also no statistically significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between the two groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, the application of sildenafil could not improve endometrial thickness and type of the day of endometrial transformation and the growth of endometrial thickness. Moreover, the sildenafil was not closely related to clinical pregnancy outcomes.Conclusions: Sildenafil could not better endometrial development and pregnancy outcomes in patients with poor endometrial development.
Association of Ventilator Type with Hospital Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with SARS-CoV2 Infection: A Retrospective Study.
Authors: FERRE Alexis , Marquion Fabien , Delord Marc , Bédos Jean-Pierre , Bellut Hugo , Gros Antoine , Henao-Brasseur Juliana , Lacave Guillaume , Laurent Virginie , Paul Marine , Raphalen Jean-Herlé , Roche Anne , Salvetti Marie , Sarfati Florence , Simon Christelle , Troché Gilles , Worsmer Alexandre , Charbonnel Clément , Convers-Domart Raphaele , Marque-Juillet Stéphanie , Bruneel Fabrice , Legriel Stéphane
Published: June 2021

Background: To evaluate the association between ventilator type and hospital mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) related to COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2 infection) during the first wave of the disease in France.Methods: We retrospectively included consecutive adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university-affiliated tertiary hospital for ARDS related to proven COVID-19, between March and May 2020. All patients were intubated. We compared two patient groups defined by whether an ICU ventilator or a less sophisticated ventilator such as a transport ventilator was used. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted. Cox multivariate regression was performed to identify associations between patient characteristics and hospital mortality.Results: We included 82 patients (61 [74.4%] men) with a median age of 64 years [55–74], of whom 23 (28.1%) died before hospital discharge. By multivariate analysis, factors associated with in-hospital mortality were older age (HR, 1.06/year; 95%CI, 1.00–1.11; P=0.05) and diabetes mellitus (HR, 3.32; 95%CI, 1.13–9.76; P=0.03) but not ventilator type. Using non-ICU ventilator was associated neither with a longer duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (20 [12-36] vs. 25 [15-31] days; P=0.87) nor with a longer ICU stay (24 [14-40] vs. 27 [15-37] days; P=0.64).Conclusions: In patients with ARDS due to COVID-19, the use of non-ICU ventilators, such as transport ventilators, was not associated with worse outcomes. Although prospective data are needed to confirm our findings, this study suggests that transport ventilators may be valuable during COVID-19 surges that overwhelm ICU resources.
Enzymatic Ligation of Antibody and Cell-Penetrating Peptide for Efficient and Cell-Specific siRNA Delivery
Authors: Ando Yu , Nakazawa Hikaru , Miura Daisuke , Umetsu Mitsuo
Published: June 2021

A fusion protein comprising an antibody and a cell-penetrating peptide is a candidate molecule capable of efficient and cell-specific delivery of siRNA into cells in order to reduce the side effects of nucleic acid drugs. However, their expression in bacterial hosts, required for their development, often fails, impeding research progress. In this study, we separately prepared anti-EGFR nanobodies with the K-tag sequence MRHKGS at the C-terminus and arginine-9 (R9) with the Q-tag sequence LLQGS at the N-terminus, and enzymatically ligated them in vitro by microbial transglutaminase to generate Nanobody-R9, which is not expressed as a fused protein in E. coli. Nanobody-R9 exhibited a maximum reaction efficiency of 85.1%, without changing the properties of the nanobody or R9. Nanobody-R9 successfully delivered siRNA into the cells, and the cellular influx of siRNA increased with increase in the ratio of Nanobody-R9 to siRNA. We further demonstrated that the Nanobody-R9–siRNA complex, at a 30:1 ratio, induced RNAi of target mRNA with approximately 52% efficiency compared to lipofectamine.
Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior of 20MnTiB High-Strength Bolts in Simulation of Humid Climate in Chongqing
Authors: Chen Lin , Wen Juan , Zhang Luyu , Li Zheng , Li Guangwen , Ming Chengwu
Published: June 2021

20MnTiB steel is the most widely used high-strength bolt material for steel structure bridges in China, and its performance is of great significance to the safe operation of bridges. Based on the investigation of the atmospheric environment in Chongqing in recent years, the corrosion solution to simulate the humid climate of Chongqing was designed in this study, and the stress corrosion experiment of high-strength bolts in the simulated humid climate of Chongqing was carried out. The effects of temperature, pH and concentration of simulated corrosion solution on the stress corrosion behavior of 20MnTiB high-strength bolts were studied.
Landscape of Immune Cell Infiltration in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Shi Shasha , Peng Fu , Yu Chenghao
Published: June 2021

BackgroundCervical cancer is a life-threatening cancer among women. It is the second most prevalent malignant tumor in women. It ranks high in cancer deaths among women worldwide, including in the United States. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as an important therapeutic approach to treat several cancers, including cervical cancer. Notably, the development and progress of cervical cancer may be related to sustained immune response. This underlines the need to clarify immune cell infiltration (ICI) in cervical cancer tissues. MethodsIn this study, disease-related information of 964 cervical cancer patients was first retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We utilized bioinformatics data to analyze the expression profiles of immune genes in cervical cancer tissues. ResultsPatients were divided into high and low groups according to ICI score. High ICI scores corresponded with activation of immune signaling pathways and high tumor mutation burden (TMB), which was related to better prognosis of G1-2 cervical cancer. In addition, most immune checkpoints and immuno-related genes such as CD274, CD8A, CXCL10, etc. were over-expressed in the high ICI group. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that ICI score can accurately predict the prognosis of cervical cancer. Understanding ICI patterns will deepen our understanding of tumor microenvironment (TME) of cervical cancer, which may create the foundation for the development of efficient immunotherapeutic strategies against the cancer.
Exploring The Molecular Mechanisms of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Through Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Lili Zhu , YuKun Zhu , Tian Zhuangzhuang , Li Yongsheng , Cao Liyu
Published: June 2021

Background

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is the most common HL in the modern society. Although the treatment of cHL has made great progress, its molecular mechanisms have yet to be deciphered.
Objectives

The purpose of this study is to find out the crucial potential genes and pathways associated with cHL.
Methods

We downloaded the cHL microarray dataset (GSE12453) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between cHL samples and normal samples through the limma package in R. Then, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs were carried out. Finally, we constructed the protein-protein interaction network to screen out the hub genes using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database.
Results

We screened out 788 DEGs in the cHL dataset, such as BATF3, IER3, RAB13 and FCRL2. GO functional enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs were related with regulation of lymphocyte activation, secretory granule lumen and chemokine activity. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the genes enriched in Prion disease, Complement and coagulation cascades and Parkinson disease Coronavirus disease-COVID-19 pathway. Protein-protein interaction network construction identified 10 hub genes (IL6, ITGAM, CD86, FN1, MMP9, CXCL10, CCL5, CD19, IFNG, SELL, UBB) in the network.
Conclusions

In the present investigation, we identified several pathways and hub genes related to the occurrence and development of cHL, which may provide an important basis for further research and novel therapeutic targets and prognostic indicators for cHL.
Rice miR1432 Fine-Tunes The Balance of Yield and Blast Disease Resistance Via Different Modules
Authors: Li Yan , Zheng Ya-Ping , Zhou Xin-Hui , Yang Xue-Mei , He Xiao-Rong , Feng Qin , Zhu Yong , Li Guo-Bang , Wang He , Zhao Jing-Hao , Pu Mei , Zhou Shi-Xin , Ji Yun-Peng , Zhao Zhi-Xue , Zhang Ji-Wei , Huang Yan-Yan , Fan Jing , Zhang Ling-Li , Wang Wen-Ming
Published: June 2021

microRNAs act as fine-tuners in the regulation of plant growth and resistance against biotic and abiotic stress. Here we demonstrate that rice miR1432 fine-tunes yield and blast disease resistance via different modules. The expression of miR1432 is differentially regulated in the susceptible and resistance accessions by the infection of the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Overexpression of miR1432 leads to compromised resistance and decreased yield, whereas blocking miR1432 using a target mimic of miR1432 results in enhanced resistance and yield. Moreover, miR1432 suppresses the expression of LOC_Os03g59790, which encodes an EF-hand family protein 1 (OsEFH1). Overexpression of OsEFH1 leads to enhanced rice resistance but decreased grain yield. Consistently, blocking miR1432 or overexpression of OsEFH1 improves pathogen/microbe-associated molecular pattern- triggered immunity. In contrast, overexpression of ACOT, a previously identified target gene of miR1432 involved in the regulation of rice yield traits, has no significant effects on rice blast disease resistance. Altogether, these results indicate that miR1432 balances yield and resistance via different target genes, and blocking miR1432 can simultaneously improve yield and resistance.
Mild Moxibustion for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Zhaoqin , Xu Manwen , Shi Zheng , Bao Chunhui , Liu Huirong , Zhou Cili , Yan Yilu , Wang Chunye , Li Guona , Zhang Wei , Gao Anqi , Wu Huangan
Published: June 2021

Objective
To evaluate the effects of mild moxibustion (MM) for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) through comparisons with those of placebo moxibustion.
Patients and Methods:
This was a single-site, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian in China and enrolled 76 participants who met the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for IBS-D between May 2017 and December 2019. 76 participants were randomized to either mild moxibustion (MM) or placebo moxibustion group (PM) in a 1:1 ratio. 18 sessions of MM or PM were implemented over the course of 6 weeks (3 times per week). The primary outcome was adequate relief after 6 weeks of treatment.
Results
Of 76 patients with IBS-D who were randomized (38 in the MM group and 38 in the PM group) were included in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis set. After treatment at week 6, the response rate was significantly higher in the MM group than the PM group (81.58% vs. 36.84%,) with an estimated difference of 44.74 (95% CI, 23.46 to 66.02, P < 0.001). No participant reported severe adverse effects.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that mild moxibustion may be more effective than placebo moxibustion for the treatment of IBS-D, with effects lasting up to 12 weeks.
Trial Registration:
ChiCTR, ChiCTR2100046852. Registered 29 May 2021 - Retrospectively registered, URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=127000
Differential Expression Profiles and Function Prediction of tRNA-Derived Fragments in Fibrous Dysplasia
Authors: Ling Ziji , Fu Yu , Li Yangjie , Xie Hanyu , Xiao Tao , Jiang Hongbing
Published: June 2021

Background: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign bone disease which normal bone matrix is replaced by fibrous tissue and immature bone tissue. Transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived RNA fragments (tRFs) and tRNA halves (tiRNAs) are a type of small non-coding RNA in the transcriptome of eukaryotes that produced by specific shearing of mature tRNA. Here, we conducted a comparative analysis of the expression of tRFs/tiRNAs in BMSCs and FD BMSCs using a high‐throughput sequencing technique. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the differential expressed tRFs/tiRNAs between two samples. Results: The results showed that tRF-34-87R8WP9I1EWJIQ [tDR‐001276] was significantly upregulated in FD BMSCs, and 3 downregulated tDRs (tRNA-derived small RNAs) (tRF-22-8EKSP1852 [tDR‐006826], tRF-18-H9R8B7D2 [tDR‐006049] and tRF-33-86V8WPMN1E8Y0E [tDR‐001271]) were also detected. Prediction of target genes and gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the upregulated tRF was mainly involved in regulation of immune response and osteoclast differentiation, which may be the underlying mechanism of FD pathological features. The downregulated tRFs/tiRNAs were related to calcium ion transport (tDR-006826), apoptotic signaling pathway and cell proliferation (tDR-006049) and endocrine system development (tDR-001271). The upregulated tRFs/tiRNAs was related to immune response (tDR-001276). The protein-protein interaction network analysis for predicted target genes established by the STRING database showed that PPP2R5A, ADAMTS1, PPARA, and POLR2C were the most frequently interacted proteins in target genes of tDR-006826, tDR-006049, tDR-001271 and tDR-001276, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings provided a comprehensive analysis of the expression of tRFs/tiRNAs in FD BMSCs and BMSCs. These differential expression tRFs/tiRNAs may be novel regulatory factors involved in FD BMSCs, and they could serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Ruyong Formula (RYF) Attenuates the Abnormal Phenotypic Changes of Thymic Epithelial Cells in 4T1 Breast Cancer Mice
Authors: He Bing-Qian , Shi Rong-Zhen , Luo Qi-han , Guo Wen-Qin , Xu Xie , He Kai , Gao Jian-Li
Published: June 2021

BackgroundEpithelialization of the breast epithelial cell is the critical step in breast cancer, but the phenotypic changes of thymus epithelial cells (TEC) and the following immune abnormalities during the development of breast cancer are rarely examined. Ruyong Formula (RYF) has been used for thousands of years, our previous researches have shown it could attenuates atrophied thymic epithelial tissue in breast cancer mice, but the mechanism is still unknown.MethodsHPLC was used to analyze the chemical components of RYF. The 4T1 breast cancer mice model was established to study the anticancer effects of RYF. The efficacy of RYF on tumor volume, anti-tumor rate and organ index were observed. The thymus tissue were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) to observe the morphological changes. Cell phenotype marker, such as E-cadherin, α-tubulin and Vimentin were observed by immunofluorescence staining in TGF-β1-induced iTECs after RYF treatment. The mRNA levels of phenotypic markers and phenotype-related transcription factors, including E-cadherin, Vimentin, Zeb-1, Snail 1 and Smad 2 were detected by qPCR. The effect of RYF on the activation of Smad pathway in TGF-β1 induced iTECs was detected by luciferase reporter assay.ResultsRYF could reduce the metastatic rate and the number of pulmonary metastases in breast cancer mice and increased anti-tumor rates. Compared with the thymus in normal group, RYF increased the number of thymocytes in the cortex regions. In vitro study indicated the EMT promotion effect of TGF-β1, shown as the decreasing of E-cadherin and up-regulation of the Vimentin’s expression. The level of Snail 1 and Zeb 1 increased significantly, and the mRNA levels of Smad 2 was up-regulated. Compared with TGF-β1 group, RYF-treated TECs reversed the proteins expression of E-cadherin and Vimentin and the mRNA levels of Snail 1 and Zeb 1. RYF also promoted the proliferation of iTECs, and confronted the TGF-β1 induced phenotypic transition in iTECs.ConclusionThe abnormal thymic function of breast cancer mice was mainly due to the disorder of cortex and medulla regions cells and the atrophy of cortex. Interestingly, RYF could reverse the phenotypic changes of TECs in breast cancer by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad pathway.
Salvianolic Acid B Targets Mortalin and Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via RECK/STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Teng Mengying , Hu Chunyan , Zhou Qian , Yang Bingmo , Xiao Wei , Li Yuan , Li Zhong
Published: June 2021

1) Background: Tumor migration and invasion is a complex and diverse process, including epi-thelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells, and degradation of extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). Mortalin is an important oncogene. It has been reported that it plays an important role in tumor migration and invasion through various signaling pathways; however, the underlying mechanism still needs to be further explored. 2) Methods: At present, we studied the role of mortalin in the migration of HCC cell lines HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells. 3) Results: Our results showed that overexpression of Mortalin in HepG2 cells, decreases the protein level of reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK), activates the phos-phorylation and acetylation of STAT3, thereby upregulates matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and promotes the cell migration and invasion. On the contrary, in HCCLM3 cells, mortalin knockdown increases the expression of RECK, inhibits the STAT3 pathway and the activity of MMP9, and promotes the cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, we found that Salvianolic acid B, a caffeic acid phenethyl ester analogue, specific binds to mortalin, and increases the degradation of mortalin proteasome through ubiquitination, thereby up-regulating RECK, inhibiting STAT3 and finally inhibiting the migration and invasion of HCC. 4) Conclusion: Our work suggests that mortalin is a potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Increased trends in global extreme fire weather driven predominantly by atmospheric humidity and temperature
Authors: Jain Piyush , Castellanos-Acuna Dante , Coogan Sean , Abatzoglou John , Flannigan Mike
Published: June 2021

Climate and weather greatly influence wildfire, and recent increases in wildfire activity have been linked to climate change. However, the atmospheric drivers of observed changes have not been articulated globally. We present a global analysis of trends in extreme fire weather from 1979–2020. Significant increases in extreme (95th percentile) annual values of the Fire Weather Index (FWI95), Initial Spread Index (ISI95), and Vapour Pressure Deficit (VPD95) occurred over 26.0%, 26.1%, and 46.1% of the global burnable landmass, respectively. Significant trends corresponded to a 35.8%, 36.0%, and 21.4% increase in mean global FWI95, ISI95, and VPD95, respectively. Relative humidity and temperature were identified as the drivers of significant trends in FWI95 and ISI95 in most regions, largely where temperature trends outpaced dew point trends. We identified relatively few regions in which wind speed or precipitation were drivers. These findings have wide-ranging implications for understanding fire risk in a changing climate.
Comparison of Clinical and Imaging Outcomes of Different Doses of Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Cell Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Tsubosaka Masanori , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Sobajima Satoshi , Matsushita Takehiko , Iwaguro Hideki , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: June 2021

Background: Favorable clinical outcomes of the intra-articular injection of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells for knee osteoarthritis (OA) have been reported. This study aimed to compare the short-term clinical and imaging outcomes of different doses of SVF cells for knee OA treatment.Methods: This study included 60 patients with knee OA who underwent intra-articular injection of SVF cells. The follow-up period was at least 12 months. The envelope method was used to prospectively quasi-randomized the patients to undergo treatment with different doses of SVF cells. Thirty patients received an intra-articular injection of 2.5×107 SVF cells (low-dose group), and the remaining 30 patients received an intra-articular injection of 5.0×107 SVF cells (high-dose group). Clinical evaluations were performed for range of motion, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Imaging evaluations, which included the hip-knee-ankle angle and magnetic resonance imaging Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) features (bone marrow lesions, cartilage defects, osteophytes, Hoffa’s synovitis, and effusion synovitis), were also performed. All clinical and imaging evaluations were performed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively and compared between the groups.Results: No significant differences in demographic data were found between the two groups. The knee extension angle at 12 months postoperatively was significantly higher than the preoperative angle in both groups. The total WOMAC and VAS scores at 12 months postoperatively were significantly more favorable than preoperative scores in both groups. The bone marrow lesions and Hoffa’s synovitis and effusion synovitis improved approximately 30-40% from baseline to 12 months postoperatively in both groups. However, there were no significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative results of any clinical or imaging evaluation between the two groups.Conclusions: The short-term clinical and imaging outcomes of intra-articular injection of SVF cells for knee OA were excellent, regardless of whether a low- or high-dose was administered. Intra-articular injection of SVF cells for knee OA is an innovative approach.
Cryo-EM structure of native human thyroglobulin
Authors: Adaixo Ricardo , Steiner Eva , Righetto Ricardo , Schmidt Alexander , Stahlberg Henning , Taylor Nicholas
Published: June 2021

The thyroglobulin (Tg) protein is essential to thyroid hormone synthesis, playing a vital role in the regulation of metabolism, development and growth. Its structure is conserved among vertebrates. Tg is delivered through the secretory pathway of the thyroid follicular unit to the central colloid depository, where it is iodinated at specific tyrosine sites to form mono- or diiodotyrosine, which combine to produce triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), respectively. Synthesis of these hormones depends on the precise 3D structure of Tg, which has remained unknown despite decades of research. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of human thyroglobulin (hTg) to a global resolution of 3.2 Å. The structure provides detailed information on the location of the hTg hormonogenic sites and reveals the position as well as the role of many of its glycosylation sites. Our results offer structural insight into thyroid hormonogenesis and provide a fundamental understanding of clinically relevant hTg mutations, which can improve treatment of thyroid diseases.