bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Machine Learning Approach for Detecting Wind Farm Noise Amplitude Modulation
Authors: Nguyen Duc Phuc , Hansen Kristy , Lechat Bastien , Catcheside Peter , Zajamsek Branko
Published: December 2020

Amplitude modulation (AM) is a characteristic feature of wind farm noise and has the potential to contribute to annoyance and sleep disturbance. This study aimed to develop an AM detection method using a random forest approach. The method was developed and validated on 6,000 10-second samples of wind farm noise manually classified by a scorer via a listening experiment. Comparison between the random forest method and other widely-used methods showed that the proposed method consistently demonstrated superior performance. This study also found that a combination of low-frequency content features and other unique characteristics of wind farm noise play an important role in enhancing AM detection performance. Taken together, these findings support that using machine learning-based detection of AM is well suited and effective for in-depth exploration of large wind farm noise data sets for potential legislative and research purposes.
Calibrating Range Measurements of Lidars Using Fixed Landmarks in Unknown Positions
Authors: Alhashimi Anas , Magnusson Martin , Knorn Steffi , Varagnolo Damiano
Published: December 2020

We consider the problem of calibrating distance measurement of Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) sensor without using additional hardware, but rather exploiting assumptions on the environment surrounding the sensor during the calibration procedure. More specifically we consider the assumption of calibrating the sensor by placing it in an environment so that its measurements lie in a 2D plane that is parallel to the ground, and so that its measurements come from fixed objects that develop orthogonally w.r.t. the ground, so that they may be considered as fixed points in an inertial reference frame. We moreover consider the intuition that moving the distance sensor within this environment implies that its measurements should be such that the relative distances and angles among the fixed points above remain the same. We thus exploit this intuition to cast the sensor calibration problem as making its measurements comply with this assumption that “fixed features shall have fixed relative distances and angles”. The resulting calibration procedure does thus not need to use additional (typically expensive) equipment, nor deploying special hardware. As for the proposed estimation strategies, from a mathematical perspective we consider models that lead to analytically solvable equations, so to enable deployment in embedded systems. Besides proposing the estimators we moreover analyse their statistical performance both in simulation and with field tests, reporting thus the dependency of the MSE performance of the calibration procedure as a function of the sensor noise levels, and observing that in field tests the approach can lead to a ten-fold improvement in the accuracy of the raw measurements.
Tissue-Specific Landscape of Metabolic Dysregulation During Ageing
Authors: Zhang Fangrong , Kerbl-Knapp Jakob , Akhmetshina Alena , Korbelius Melanie , Küntzel Katharina , Vujic Nemanja , Hörl Gerd , Paar Margret , Kratky Dagmar , Steyrer Ernst , Madl Tobias
Published: December 2020

The dysregulation of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of ageing. To understand the metabolic changes that occur as a consequence of the ageing process and to find biomarkers for age-related diseases, we conducted a metabolomic analysis of brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung and spleen in young (9-10 weeks) and old (96-104 weeks) wild type (mixed genetic background of 129/J and C57BL/6) mice using NMR spectroscopy. We found differences in metabolic fingerprints of all tissues and identified several metabolites to be altered in most tissues, suggesting that they may be universal biomarkers of ageing. In addition, we found distinct tissue-clustered sets of metabolites throughout the organism. The associated metabolic changes may reveal novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of ageing and age-related diseases. Moreover, the identified metabolite biomarkers could provide a sensitive molecular read-out to age determine the age of biologic tissues and to validate the effectiveness and potential off-target effects of senolytic drug candidates on both a systemic and tissue-specific level.
Microbial, Physiochemical and Sensory Properties of Bael (Aegle marmelos) Incorporated Buffalo Milk Yoghurt Containing Lb. rhamnosus GG
Authors: Yapa Dinusha , Siriwardhana Jithmi , Weerathilake Dammika , Dissanayake Dilan
Published: December 2020

Recently, there is a trend among food manufacturers in producing functional foods containing fruit and milk. On the other hand, there is an increasing demand for buffalo milk as an alternative to cow milk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of adding bael fruit extract on microbial, physiochemical and sensory characteristics of buffalo yoghurt containing the EPS-producing probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) during 21 days of refrigerated storage. Four formulations of buffalo yoghurt: a control yoghurt manufactured with conventional yoghurt culture (CON); a probiotic yoghurt containing Lb. rhamnosus GG plus yoghurt culture (PY); a probiotic yoghurt containing 5% (w/v) bael (PY5); and 10% (w/v) bael (PY10) were evaluated for changes in pH, syneresis, hardness, probiotic viability and sensory attributes during the storage. Control yoghurt experienced significant post acidification and a higher rate of syneresis. Addition of probiotics had a positive effect on post acidification and syneresis rate. Addition of bael did not affect post-acidification, but significantly decreased the level of syneresis. All probiotic formulations maintained LGG counts of >107 cfu/mL and the highest counts were observed in 5% (w/v) bael incorporated yoghurt. Results showed that buffalo yoghurt is an ideal matrix to deliver LGG and 5% bael incorporation would be ideal or symbiotic product development.
Scaling Law for the Velocity of Domino Toppling Motion in Curved Paths
Authors: Song Guang-Kai , Guo Xiao-Lin , Sun Bo-Hua
Published: December 2020

The arranged paths of dominoes have many shapes. The scaling law for the propagation speed of domino toppling has been extensively investigated. However, in all previous investigations, the scaling law for the velocity of domino toppling motion in curved lines was not taken into account. In the present work, the finite-element analysis (FEA) program ABAQUS was used to study the velocity of domino toppling motion in curved lines. It is shown that the domino propagation speed has a rising trend with increasing domino spacing in a straight line. It is also found that domino propagation speed is linearly proportional to the square root of domino separation. This research proved that the scaling law for the speed of domino toppling motion given by Sun (2020) is true [B-H. Sun, 2020. Scaling law for the propagation speed of domino toppling. AIP Advances, 10(9),095124.]. Moreover, the shape of domino arrangement paths has no influence on the scaling law for the propagation speed of dominoes but can affect the coefficient of the scaling law for the velocity. Therefore, the amendatory function for the propagation speed of dominoes in curved lines was formulated by the FEA data. The fitted amendatory function, $\varphi_{revise}$, provides the simple method for a domino player to quickly estimate the propagation speed of dominoes in curved lines.
Effects of Transition Element Additions on the Mechanical and Electronic Structure Properties of Al (111)/6H-SiC (0001) Interface: A First Principles Study
Authors: Wang Changqing , Chen Weiguang , Xie Jingpei
Published: December 2020

In this work, effects of 20 transition element additives on the interfacial adhesion energy and electronic structure of Al (111)/6H-SiC (0001) interfaces have been studied by first principles method. For clean Al (111)/6H–SiC (0001) interfaces, both Si-terminated and C-terminated interfaces have covalent bond characteristics. The C-terminated interface has stronger binding energy, which is mainly due to the stronger covalent bond formed by the larger charge transfer between C and Al. The results show that the introduction of many transition elements, such as 3d transitional group Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and 4d transitional group Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, can improve the interfacial adhesion energy of the Si-terminated Al (111)/6H-SiC (0001) interface. However, for the C-terminated Al (111)/6H-SiC (0001) interface, only the addition of Co element can improve the interfacial adhesion energy. Bader charge analysis shows that the increase of interfacial binding energy is mainly attributed to more charge transfer.
(Not) Doing the Right Things for the Wrong Reasons: An Investigation of Consumer Attitudes, Perceptions, and Willingness to Pay for Bio-Based Plastics
Authors: Zwicker Maria V. , Brick Cameron , Gruter Gert-Jan M. , van Harreveld Frenk
Published: December 2020

Fossil-based plastics are significant contributors to global warming through CO2 emissions. For more sustainable alternatives to be successful, it is important to ensure that consumers become aware of the benefits of innovations such as bio-based plastics, in order to create demand and a willingness to initially pay more. In four studies, we investigated participants’ attitudes towards fossil-based and bio-based plastic, their perceived importance of recycling both types of plastic, their willingness to pay, and their perceptions of bio-based plastic. The pre-registered fourth study experimentally manipulated information about bio-based plastic and measured willingness to pay for different types of plastic. The results suggest participants hold very favourable attitudes and are willing to pay more for bio-based products. However, they also harbour misconceptions, especially overestimating bio-based plastic’s biodegradability, and they find it less important to recycle bio-based than fossil-based plastic. Study 4 provided evidence that educating consumers about the properties of bio-based plastic can dispel misconceptions, retain a favourable attitude and a high willingness to pay. We found mixed evidence for the effect of attitudes on willingness to pay. We discuss how attitudes and misconceptions affect the uptake of new sustainable technologies such as bio-based plastics and consumers’ willingness to purchase them.
Pilot Study of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Cessation Methods
Authors: Sahr Michelle , Kelsh Shelby , Blower Noah , Sohn Minji
Published: December 2020

Currently 7.6% of the U.S. young adults aged 18-24 years old currently use e-cigarettes. This study piloted three methods of ENDS cessation by measuring cessation rates, motivational techniques that contributed to cessation success, and participants’ changes after decreasing vape use. Participants were randomized into three study arms [nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) + behavioral support, vape-taper + behavioral support, self-guided] in a 1:1:1 ratio. All participants were invited to attend 9 in-person or phone appointments over the 6 month study period. At 12 weeks, 3 of 7 (42.9%) participants in the NRT + behavioral support arm, 6 of 8 (75%) vape-taper + behavioral support arm, and 7 of 9 (77.8%) self-guided arm self-reported being vape- and nicotine-free. At 6 months, 3 of 7 (42.9%) participants in the NRT + behavioral support arm, 6 of 8 (75%) vape-taper + behavioral support arm, 4 of 9 (44.4%) self-guided arm self-reported being vape- and nicotine-free. A challenge to quitting and remain quit is social pressures, but participants identified self-control and establishing new habits to be the best methods to overcome the desire to vape. Participants who received behavioral support and a vape-taper plan from pharmacists were more likely to be vape- and nicotine-free at 6 months.
Platform Dedicated to Nature-Based Solutions for Risk Reduction and Environmental Issues in Hilly and Mountainous Lands
Authors: Baills Audrey , Garcin Manuel , Bernardie Severine
Published: December 2020

In the context of global changes, Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) increasingly draw attention as a possible way to reduce disaster risk associated with extreme hydro-meteorological events while providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits at the same time. The PHUSICOS platform is dedicated to gather and analyse relevant NBSs used to reduce disaster risk associated with extreme hydro-meteorological events in mountainous and hilly lands. To design the platform, an in-depth review of 11 existing platforms has been performed. The platform currently references 152 literature NBS cases and is continuously enriched with demonstrator sites through the contribution of NBS community. The platform also proposes a qualitative assessment of the NBSs collected according to 15 criteria related with five ambits: disaster risk reduction, technical and economical feasibility, environment, society and local economy. This paper presents the structure of the platform and a first analysis of its content.
Discrete-Choice-Analysis of Consumer Preferences for Meathybrids - Findings From Germany and Belgium
Authors: Profeta Adriano , Baune Marie-Christin , Smetana Sergiy , Broucke Keshia , van Royen Gert , Weiss Jochen , Heinz Volker , Terjung Nino
Published: December 2020

High levels of meat consumption are increasingly being criticised for ethical, environmental, and social reasons. Plant-based meat substitutes have been identified as healthy sources of protein that, in comparison to meat, offer a number of social, environmental and health benefits and may play a role in reducing meat consumption. However, there has been a lack of research on the role they can play in the policy agenda and how specific meat substitute attributes can influence consumers to replace partially replace meat in their diets.
Ischiofemoral Impingement Syndrome Secondary to Arteriovenous Malformation of the Quadratus Femoris
Authors: Singaravadivelu Vaidyanathan , Abraham Alvinson William
Published: December 2020

Case:

Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome (IFIS), an unusual presentation of hip pain, is frequently missed in clinical practice. We report a case of a 27-year-old man with complaints of gradual onset nonprogressive right gluteal pain with hip movement restriction for the past 5 years that was not relieved with conservative measures. Right hip magnetic resonance imaging revealed a vascular abnormality of the right quadratus femoris muscle suggestive of IFIS. This abnormal muscle was surgically excised, and its histologic evaluation was remarkable for an arteriovenous malformation.

Conclusion:

The patient's longstanding symptomatic IFIS was ultimately attributed to a rare arteriovenous malformation of the quadratus femoris that resolved with surgical excision.
Cryptococcus magnus Periprosthetic Shoulder Infection
Authors: Baptista Mário , Sevivas Nuno , Ferreira Nuno Vieira , Fardilha Luísa , Varanda Pedro , Mateus Carlos
Published: December 2020

Case:

We present a 68-year-old diabetic man with a periprosthetic shoulder infection (PSI) by Cryptococcus magnus. The fungus was identified 4 weeks after a revision surgery for a chronic bacterial PSI. Treatment was successful with a 2-week course of intravenous liposomal amphotericin B (5 mg/kg) followed by 6 weeks of fluconazole (200 mg/d).

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, only 2 periprosthetic infections due to Cryptococcus neoformans have been previously reported. This is the first report of cryptococcal involvement of a prosthetic shoulder, and the first identified osteoarticular infection ever by C. magnus.
Effectiveness of oral health education on eight- to ten-year-old school children in rural areas of the Magway Region, Myanmar
Authors: Swe Kyu Kyu , Soe Aung Kyaw , Aung Saw Htun , Soe Htin Zaw
Published: December 2020

Background: Oral diseases are common and widespread around the world. The most common oral diseases are preventable, and early onset is reversible. Myanmar faces many challenges in rendering oral health services, because approximately 70 percent of the total population resides in rural areas. These relate to the availability and accessibility of oral health services. Therefore, oral health education is one key element to prevent oral diseases and to promote oral health.Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out at Basic Education Middle Schools in rural areas of Magway Township to study the effectiveness of oral health education on the knowledge and behavior of eight- to ten-year-old school children. A total of 220 school children, 110 from intervention schools and 110 from control schools, participated in this study from 2015 to 2017. Data were collected before and after intervention in the two groups by using a self-administered questionnaire. Tooth brushing method data were collected by direct observation with a checklist. Oral health education was provided at eight weekly intervals for one year. At one and a half years, third-time data collection was done on the intervention group to assess retention. Chi-square test, two samples t-test and one-way repeated measure ANOVA were used for data analysis. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Public Healthin Yangon, Myanmar.Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in four out of five knowledge questions (p<0.05) and all behavior questions (p<0.001) after intervention. A positive effect of oral health education for a period of 45 minutes at eight weekly intervals for one year was found in the intervention group. The intervention had a significant effect on the sustainability of the correct knowledge and behavior of the intervention group although the education session was stopped for six months (p<0.001). Their mean knowledge and behavioral scores at three different points in time were (2.45±1.12 and1.56±0.90) at baseline, (3.79±1.12 and 3.60±1.21) at one year after education and (4.07±0.98 and 3.24±1.31) at six months after cessation of education, respectively. Conclusions: Repeated oral health education was effective in promoting and sustaining oral health knowledge and behavior.
Metapristone (RU486-derivative) inhibits endometrial cancer cell progress through regulating miR-492/Klf5/Nrf1 axis
Authors: Chang Yue , Hao Min , Jia Ru , Zhao Yihui , Cai Yixuan , Liu Yun
Published: December 2020

Background: Endometrial cancer is an invasive gynecological cancer prevalent in the world. The pathogenesis of endometrial cancer is related to multiple levels of regulation, referring to oestrogen, tumor-suppressor gene (e.g. PTEN ) or microRNAs (e.g. miR-23a and miR-29b). Metapristone is a hormone-related drug, which is widely used in clinical treatment of endometrial cancer. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism of metapristone on endometrial cancer is still unclear, especially the regulatory effect on microRNAs. The aim of this study is to investigate the specific molecular mechanism of metapristone regulating microRNAs in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Methods: RL95-2 cells and Ishikawa cells were used as the endometrial cancer models. MiR-492 or si-miR-492 was transfected into RL95-2 cells and Ishikawa cells to explore the role of miR-492 in endometrial cancer. The cell cancer model and mice cancer model were used to confirm the function and mechanism of metapristone affected on endometrial cancer in vitro and in vivo . Mechanically, cell proliferation was monitored using the MTT assay, cell colony formation assay and EdU assay. Luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the downstream target gene of miR492. The protein expression and RNA expression were respectively measured by western blot and qRT-PCR for cell signaling pathway research, subsequently, were verified in the mice tumor model via immunohistochemistry. Results: Metapristone as a kind of hormone-related drug significantly inhibited the endometrial cancer cell growth through regulating cell apoptosis-related gene expression. Mechanically, miR-492 and its target genes Klf5 and Nrf1 were highly expressed in the endometrial cancer cell lines, which promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis. Metapristone decreased the expression of miR-492 and its target genes Klf5 and Nrf1 , leading to endometrial cancer cell growth inhibition in vitro and in vivo . Conclusion: Metapristone inhibited the endometrial cancer cell growth through regulating the cell apoptosis-related signaling pathway and decreasing the expression of miR-492 and its downstream target genes ( Klf5 and Nrf1 ), which provided the theoretical basis in clinical treatment of endometrial cancer.
ASPP2/PP1 complexes maintain the integrity of pseudostratified epithelia undergoing remodelling during morphogenesis
Authors: Royer Christophe , Sandham Elizabeth , Slee Elizabeth , Godwin Jonathan , Veits Nisha , Hathrell Holly , zhou Felix , Leonavicius karolis , Garratt Jemma , Narendra Tanaya , Vincent Anna , Jones Celine , Child Tim , Coward Kevin , Graham Chris , Lu Xin , Srini Shankar
Published: December 2020

During development, pseudostratified epithelia undergo large scale morphogenetic events associated with increased mechanical stress. The molecular mechanisms that maintain tissue integrity in this context are poorly understood. Using a variety of genetic and imaging approaches, we uncover that the ASPP2/PP1 complex ensures proper epiblast and proamniotic cavity architecture via a mechanism that specifically prevents the most apical daughter cells from delaminating apically following cell division events. The ASPP2/PP1 complex achieves this by maintaining the integrity and organisation of the F-actin cytoskeleton at the apical surface of dividing cells. ASPP2/PP1 is also essential during gastrulation in the primitive streak, in somites and in the head fold region, suggesting that this complex is required across a wide range of pseudostratified epithelia during morphogenetic events that are accompanied by intense tissue remodelling and high cell proliferation. Finally, our study also suggests that the interaction between ASPP2 and PP1 is essential to the tumour suppressor function of ASPP2 which may be particularly relevant in the context of tissues that are subject to increased mechanical stress.
Elevated cellular PpIX potentiates sonodynamic therapy in a mouse glioma stem cell-bearing glioma model by downregulating the Akt/NFkB/MDR1 pathway
Authors: Mizobuchi Yoshifumi , Shono Kenji , Yamaguchi Izumi , Nakajima Kohei , Fujiwara Yuri , Fujihara Toshitaka , Kitazato Keiko , Matsuzaki Kazuhito , Uto Yoshihiro , Ulsula Oltea , Saya Hideyuki , Takagi Yasushi
Published: December 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) has high mortality rates because of extremely therapeutic resistance. During surgical resection for GBM, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence is conventionally applied to distinguish GBM. However, surgical intervention is insufficient for high invasive GBM. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging and promising approach combined with low-intensity ultrasonication (US) and PpIX as a sonosensitizer for cancer, whereas its efficacy is limited. Based on our previous study that down-regulation of multidrug resistant protein (MDR1) in GBM augmented anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy, we hypothesized that elevation of cellular PpIX levels by down-regulation of MDR1 enhances anti-tumor effects by SDT. In high invasive progeny cells from mouse glioma stem cells (GSCs) and a GSC-bearing mouse glioma model, we assessed the anti-tumor effects of SDT with a COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib. Down-regulation of MDR1 by celecoxib increased cellular PpIX levels, as well as valspodar, a MDR1 inhibitor and augmented anti-tumor effects of SDT. MDR1 down-regulation via Akt/NF-kB pathway by celecoxib was confirmed, using a NF-kB inhibitor, CAPÉ. Thus, elevation of cellar PpIX by down-regulation of MDR1 via Akt/NF-kB pathway may be crucial to potentiate the efficacy of SDT in a site-directed manner and provide a promising new therapeutic strategy for GBM.
Spatiotemporal evolution analysis of agricultural non-point source pollution risks in Chongqing, China, based on the ITO3dE model and GIS
Authors: ZHU Kang-wen , YANG Zhi-min , HUANG Lei , CHEN Yu-cheng , ZHANG Sheng , XIONG Hai-ling , WU Sheng , LEI Bo
Published: December 2020

To determine the risk state distribution, risk level, and risk evolution situation of agricultural non-point source pollution (AGNPS), we built an ‘Input-Translate-Output’ three-dimensional evaluation (ITO3dE) model that involved 12 factors under the support of GIS and analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of AGNPS risks from 2005 to 2015 in Chongqing by using GIS space matrix, kernel density analysis, and Getis-Ord Gi* analysis. Land use changes during the 10 years had a certain influence on the AGNPS risk. The risk values in 2005, 2010, and 2015 were in the ranges of 0.40–2.28, 0.41–2.57, and 0.41–2.28, respectively, with the main distribution regions being the western regions of Chongqing (Dazu, Jiangjin, etc.) and other counties such as Dianjiang, Liangping, Kaizhou, Wanzhou, and Zhongxian. The spatiotemporal transition matrix could well exhibit the risk transition situation, and the risks generally showed no changes over time. The proportions of ‘no-risk no-change’, ‘low-risk no-change’, and ‘medium-risk no-change’ were 10.86%, 33.42%, and 17.25%, respectively, accounting for 61.53% of the coverage area of Chongqing. The proportions of risk increase, risk decline, and risk fluctuation were 13.45%, 17.66%, and 7.36%, respectively. Kernel density analysis was suitable to explore high-risk gathering areas. The peak values of kernel density in the three periods were around 1,110, suggesting that the maximum gathering degree of medium-risk pattern spots basically showed no changes, but the spatial positions of high-risk gathering areas somehow changed. Getis-Ord Gi* analysis was suitable to explore the relationships between hot and cold spots. Counties with high pollution risks were Yongchuan, Shapingba, Dianjiang, Liangping, northwestern Fengdu, and Zhongxian, while counties with low risks were Chengkou, Wuxi, Wushan, Pengshui, and Rongchang. High-value hot spot zones gradually dominated in the northeast of Chongqing, while low-value cold spot zones gradually dominated in the Midwest. Our results provide a scientific base for the development of strategies to prevent and control AGNPS in Chongqing.
Reviving a failed network via microscopic interventions
Authors: Sanhedrai Hillel , Gao Jianxi , Schwartz Moshe , Havlin Shlomo , Barzel Baruch
Published: December 2020

From mass extinction to cell death, complex networked systems often exhibit abrupt dynamic transitions between desirable and undesirable states. Such transitions are often caused by topological perturbations, such as node or link removal, or decreasing link strengths. The problem is that reversing the topological damage, namely retrieving the lost nodes/links or reinforcing the weakened interactions, does not guarantee the spontaneous recovery to the desired functional state. Indeed, many of the relevant systems exhibit a hysteresis phenomenon, remaining in the dysfunctional state, despite reconstructing their damaged topology. To address this challenge, we develop a two-step recovery scheme: first - topological reconstruction to the point where the system can be revived, then dynamic interventions, to reignite the system's lost functionality. Applied to a range of nonlinear network dynamics, we identify a complex system's recoverable phase, a state in which the system can be reignited by a microscopic intervention, i.e. controlling just a single node. Mapping the boundaries of this newly discovered phase, we obtain guidelines for our two-step recovery.
Hyperhomocysteinemia and Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Hospital-Based Observational Study Among Very Young Adults ≤35 Years of Age
Authors: Sun Jiayin , Han Wei , Wu Sijing , Jia Shuo , Yan Zhenxian , Guo Yonghe , Zhao Yingxin , Zhou Yujie , Liu Wei
Published: December 2020

Background: The prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continues to increase among young Chinese adults. Homocysteine (HCY) has been suggested as a crucial promoter of atherosclerosis leading to coronary artery disease (CAD). Yet, it remains uncertain whether HCY is associated with the ACS and the severity of coronary artery stenosis in very young adults.Methods: Very young patients (18-35years of age) diagnosed with ACS who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) at Anzhen Hospital between January 2013 and June 2019 were assigned to the ACS group. An equivalent age-matched population without CAD, as confirmed by CAG during the same period, was assigned to the non-CAD group. A serum HCY level>15µmol/L was defined as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY). The Gensini score assessed the severity of coronary artery stenosis.Results: A total of 1,103 participants, including 828 ACS patients and 275 non-CAD subjects, were included in this study. Very young ACS patients had higher level of serum HCY and greater prevalence of HHCY compared with non-CAD subjects [for HCY, 16.55 (11.93- 29.68) vs 12.50 (9.71- 17.42), P<0.001; for HHCY prevalence, 62.08% vs 26.18%, P<0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with the stepwise method indicated that HHCY was an independent predictor associated with the presence of ACS, after adjusting for traditional confounders (OR, 4.393; 95% CI, 3.171-6.087; P<0.001). Moreover, young ACS patients with HHCY had increased prevalence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (P=0.041), multi-vessel disease (P=0.036), and decreased value of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P=0.01). Also, the HCY level was signiﬁcantly correlated with Gensini Score in ACS patients (r=0.142, P<0.001).Conclusion: HHCY was significantly associated with the presence of ACS and the severity of coronary artery stenosis in very young patients ≤35 years of age.
Treatment of Depression: Are Psychotropic Drugs Overdosed in Women and in the Elderly? Dosages of Psychotropic Drugs by Sex and Age in Clinical Routine
Authors: Greil Waldemar , de Bardeci Mateo , Bernegger Xueqiong , Cattapan Katja , Stassen Hans , Sieberer Marcel , Grohmann Renate , Toto Sermin
Published: December 2020

Background:Psychotropic drugs show higher concentration-dose ratios in women and in the elderly. Furthermore, women partially exhibit more adverse drug reactions than men. Lower dosages in most psychotropic drugs may be recommended in women and in the elderly. This study describes prescribed dosages of psychotropic drugs in depressive patients across sexes and age groups in clinical routine. Method:In 32’082 inpatients with depressive disorders (data acquired by the European drug safety program AMSP), the influence of sex and age on prescribed dosages are analysed for the 10 most commonly prescribed drugs in our dataset (descending in the frequency of prescription: mirtazapine, venlafaxine, lorazepam, quetiapine, citalopram, escitalopram, olanzapine, duloxetine, zopiclone and sertraline) and additionally zolpidem. Confounding variables for sex differences, such as severity of depression and age distribution are examined. Dose decline in patients over 65 years is calculated. The observed sex and age differences in prescriptions are compared to differences in pharmacokinetic literature.ResultsAmong patients over 65, a statistically significant decrease in dosages for increasing age (between 0.65% and 2.83% every year of age) was observed, except for zopiclone. On the other hand, only slight or no influence of sex in prescribed dosages was found.ConclusionAge definitely influences physicians’ decisions in most drugs, but to a lower extent than pharmacokinetic data suggests. Although lower dosages of psychotropic drugs are appropriate for females according to pharmacokinetic data, they are usually prescribed the same dosage as males. Thus, various psychotropic drugs may be overdosed in women.
Genome-wide identification and analysis of the heat shock transcription factor family in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)
Authors: Huang Bin , Huang Zhinuo , Ma Ruifang , Chen Jialu , Zhang Zhijun , Yrjälä Kim Yrjälä
Published: December 2020

Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) are central elements in the regulatory network that controls plant heat stress response. They are involved in multiple transcriptional regulatory pathways and play important roles in heat stress signaling and responses to a variety of other stresses. We identified 41 members of the Hsf gene family in moso bamboo, which were distributed non-uniformly across its 19 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the moso bamboo Hsf genes could be divided into three major subfamilies; Hsfs from the same subfamily shared relatively conserved gene structures and sequences and encoded similar amino acids. All Hsf genes contained Hsf signature domains. Subcellular localization prediction indicated that about 80% of the Hsf proteins were located in the nucleus, consistent with the results of GO enrichment analysis. A large number of stress response–associated cis-regulatory elements were identified in the Hsf upstream promoter sequences. Synteny analysis indicated that the Hsfs in the moso bamboo genome had greater collinearity with those of rice and maize than with those of Arabidopsis and pepper. Numerous segmental duplicates were found in the moso bamboo Hsf gene family. Transcriptome data indicated that the expression of a number of PeHsfs differed in response to exogenous gibberellin (GA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). A number of Hsf genes were highly expressed in the panicles and in young shoots, suggesting that they may have functions in reproductive growth and the early development of rapidly-growing shoots. This study provides fundamental information on members of the bamboo Hsf gene family and lays a foundation for further study of their biological functions in the regulation of plant responses to adversity.
The Role of Gender Power Relations on Women’s Health Outcomes: Evidence from a Maternal Health Coverage Survey in Simiyu Region, Tanzania
Authors: Garrison-Desany Henri , Wilson Emily , Munos Melinda , Sawadogo-Lewis Talata , Maïga Abdoulaye , Ako Onome , Mkuwa Serafina , Hobbs Amy , Morgan Rosemary
Published: December 2020

Background: Gender is a crucial consideration of human rights that impacts many priority maternal health outcomes. However, gender is often only reported in relation to sex-disaggregated data in health coverage surveys. Few coverage surveys to date have integrated a more expansive set of gender-related questions and indicators, especially in low- to middle-income countries that have high levels of reported gender inequality. Objective: Using various gender-sensitive indicators, we investigated the role of gender power relations within households on women’s health outcomes in Simiyu region, Tanzania. Methods: We assessed 34 questions around gender dynamics reported by men and women against 18 women’s health outcomes. We created directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to theorize the relationship between indicators, outcomes, and sociodemographic covariates. We grouped gender variables into four categories using an established gender framework: (1) women’s decision-making, (2) household labor-sharing, (3) women’s resource access, and (4) norms/beliefs. Gender indicators that were most proximate to the health outcomes in the DAG were tested using multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.Results: The overall percent agreement of gender-related indicators within couples was 68.6%. The lowest couple concordance was a woman’s autonomy to decide to see family/friends without permission from her husband/partner (40.1%). A number of relationships between gender-related indicators and health outcomes emerged: questions from the decision-making domain were found to play a large role in women’s health outcomes, and condoms and contraceptive outcomes had the most robust relationship with gender indicators. Women who reported being able to make their own health decisions were 1.57 times (95% CI: 1.12, 2.20) more likely to use condoms. Women who reported that they decide how many children they had also reported high contraception use (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.39). Seeking care at the health facility was also associated with women’s autonomy for making major household purchases (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.62). Conclusions: The association between decision-making and other gender domains with women’s health outcomes highlights the need for heightened attention to gender dimensions of intervention coverage in maternal health. Future studies should integrate and analyze gender-sensitive questions within coverage surveys.
The iAssist Navigation System Demonstrated Superior Radiological Outcomes in Restoring Mechanical Alignment and Component Sagittal Positioning in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Gao Jiaxiang , Hou Yunfei , Li Zhichang , Li Runjun , Ke Yan , Lin Jianhao
Published: December 2020

Background: This study aimed to determine whether the iAssist navigation system (NAV) could improve the accuracy of restoring mechanical axis (MA), component positioning, and clinical outcomes compared to conventional (CON) total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: A total of 301 consecutive patients (NAV: 27, CON: 274) were included. A 1:4 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the two groups according to preoperative demographic and clinical parameters. The postoperative MA, femoral coronal angle (FCA), femoral sagittal angle (FSA), tibial coronal angle (TCA) and tibial sagittal angle (TSA) were compared. Absolute deviations of aforementioned angles were calculated as the absolute value of difference between the exact and ideal value and defined as appropriate if within 3°, otherwise regarded as outliers. Additional clinical parameters, including the Knee Society knee and function scores (KSKS and KSFS) and range of motion (ROM), were assessed at the final follow-up (mean follow-up time was 21.88 and 21.56 months respectively for NAV and CON group). Results: A total of 98 patients/102 knees were analyzed after the PSM (NAV: 21 patients/24 knees, CON: 77 patients/78 knees). In the NAV group, the mean MA, FCA and TSA were significantly improved (p = 0.019, 0.006, <0.001, respectively). Proportions of TKAs within a ±3°deviation were significantly improved in all the postoperative radiological variables except for TCA (p = 0.003, 0.021, 0,017, 0.013, respectively for MA, FCA, FSA, and TSA). The absolute deviations of FSA and TSA were also significantly lower in the NAV group (p = 0.016, 0.048, respectively). In particular, no significant differences were found in either mean value, absolute deviation or outlier ratio of TCA between two groups. For the clinical outcomes, there were no significant differences between two groups, although KSKS, KSFS and ROM (p<0.01, respectively) dramatically improved compared to baseline. Conclusions: We suggested that the iAssist system could improve the accuracy and precision of mechanical alignment and component positioning without significant improvement of clinical outcomes. Further long-term high-quality studies are necessary to validate the results.
Mesorhizobium Ciceri as a Biological Tool for Improving Physiological, Biochemical and Antioxidant State of Cicer Aritienum L. by Lowering the Fungicide Induced Oxidative Stress
Authors: Shahid Mohammad , Khan Mohammad
Published: December 2020

The present study demonstrates the interactions of fungicide-tolerant symbiotic bacteria Mesorhizobium ciceri with Cicer arietinum-kitazin (KITZ) in greenhouse conditions. Under both in vitro and soil systems, KITZ imparted deleterious impacts on plants as a function of dose. The three-time KITZ dose detrimentally and maximally reduced germination efficiency, vigor index, dry matter production, symbiosis, leaf pigments and seed attributes of C. arietinum. KITZ- induced morphological alterations in root tips, oxidative damage and cell death in root cells of C. arietinum were shown by SEM. M. ciceri tolerated up to 2400 µgmL− 1 of KITZ, synthesized considerable amounts of bioactive molecules including indole-3-acetic-acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, siderophores, exopolysaccharides (EPS), HCN and ammonia, and solubilised inorganic phosphate even in fungicide-stressed media. Following application to soil, M. ciceri improved performance of C. arietinum and enhanced dry biomass production, yield, symbiosis and leaf pigments even in a fungicide-polluted environment. At 92 µgKITZkg− 1 soil, M. ciceri maximally and significantly (p ≤ 0.05) augmented whole plant length by 41%, total dry biomass by 18%, carotenoid content by 9%, LHb content by 21%, root N by 9%, shoot P by 11% and pod yield by 15%. Additionally, M. ciceri was associated with decreased levels of stressor molecules (proline and MDA) and antioxidant defence enzymes (APX, GPX, CAT and POD) of C. arietinum plants when inoculated in soil. The symbiotic strain effectively colonized the plant rhizosphere/rhizoplane. In pesticide- contaminated soils, inoculation of M. ciceri may serve as an excellent strategy for augmenting C. arietinum productivity.
Capsaicin Exerts Therapeutic Effects by targeting tNOX-SIRT1 Axis and Augmenting ROS-Dependent Cytotoxic Autophagy in Melanoma Cancer Cells
Authors: Islam Atikul , Hsieh Pei-Fang , Chou Jou-Chun , Liao Jiunn-Wang , Hsieh Ming-Kun , Chueh Pin Ju
Published: December 2020

Background: Although considered a rare form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma has steadily increased internationally and is a main cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. The treatment options for malignant melanoma are very limited. Accumulating data suggest that the natural compound, capsaicin, exhibits preferential anticancer properties to act as a nutraceutical agent. Here, we explored the underlying molecular events involved in the inhibitory effects of capsaicin on the growth of melanoma cells.Methods: The cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and isothermal dose response fingerprint (ITDRFCETSA) were utilized to validate the binding of capsaicin with the tumor-associated NADH oxidase, tNOX (ENOX2) in melanoma cells. We also assessed the cellular impact of capsaicin-targeting of tNOX on A375 cells by flow cytometry and protein analysis. The essential role of tNOX in tumor- and melanoma-growth limiting abilities of capsaicin was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice.Results: Our data show that capsaicin directly targets cellular tNOX to inhibit its enzymatic activity and enhance protein degradation capacity. The inhibition of tNOX by capsaicin is accompanied by the attenuation of SIRT1, a NAD+-dependent deacetylase that enhances ULK1 acetylation to induce ROS-dependent autophagy in melanoma cells. Capsaicin treatment of mice implanted with melanoma cancer cells suppressed tumor growth by down-regulating tNOX and SIRT1, which was also seen in an in vivo xenograft study with tNOX-depleted melanoma cells. Conclusions: Together, our findings suggest that tNOX expression is important for the growth of melanoma cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, and that inhibition of the tNOX-SIRT1 axis contributes to inducting cytotoxic ROS-dependent autophagy in melanoma cells.
Improvement of Binocular Summation in Intermittent Exotropia Following Successful Postoperative Alignment
Authors: LI YUEPING , Ding Juan , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2020

Purpose: To investigate the improvement of binocular summation (BiS) for the high (100%) contrast and different low contrasts (10%, 5%, 2.5%) and the relationship of BiS with stereopsis and central fusion in patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT) after strabismic surgeries.Design: Prospective studyParticipants: Seventy-six patients with IXT aging 9 to 40 years with poor control at distance before strabismus surgeries. Methods: To analyze preoperative and postoperative BiS records and the proportions of patients with different BiS for the high (100%) contrast and the low contrasts (10%, 5%, 2.5%). The score of visual acuity (log Mar) was recorded when patient recognizing the full line with full refraction correction. BiS was classified into three situations depending on whether binocular visual acuity (BVA) was better, worse or equal to that of the better-seeing eye . The results of distant random dots stereograph(RDS) were grouped into A, unable to recognize; B, moderate, 200”≤RDS≤400” and C, good, RDS<200”.Results: The patients with binocular summation were increased from 9.2% to 40.8% for 100%contrast, from 17.1% to 53.9% for 10% contrast, from 21.1% to 76.1% for 5% contrast, from 21.1% to 72.4% for 2.5% contrast after surgeries, respectively. Tested using 2.5% contrast, (1) more patients presented binocular summation in the groups B and C ; (2) postoperative improvements of BVA in group B(1.5±1.03 lines) and group C (1.57±1.26 lines) differed significantly with that in the group A (0.74±1.00 line); (3)more patients presented binocular summation and the improvement of BVA was 1.43±1.16 lines in the group with central fusion after surgeries.Conclusions: BiS for high contrast and different low contrasts can be improved in IXT after successful surgical treatment. It may be associated with obtaining central fusion, recovering stereopsis at distance and good alignment after the surgeries. BiS for 2.5% contrast was improved significantly and sensitive to the good stereopsis and central fusion. Improvement of BiS, particularly for low contrast, has benefit for the daily activities in the real environment. BiS could be as supplementary assessment of binocular function for the patients with IXT before and after treatment.
Outdoor personal heating and cooling by a Janus textile
Authors: Luo Hao , Zhu Yining , Li Qiang , Xu Ziquan , Hong Yu , Ghosh Pintu , Kaur Sandeep , Wu Mingbang , Yang Chenying , Qiu Min
Published: December 2020

Enhancing the personal thermal comfort in outdoor environment is of substantial significance to ameliorate the health conditions of pedestrian and outdoor laborer. However, the uncontrollable sunlight, substantial radiative loss, and intense temperature change in the outdoor environment present majestic challenges to outdoor personal thermal management. To date, a wearable device with optional passive heating and cooling abilities to abet people combat extreme temperatures in outdoor spaces, is lacking. Here, we report an eco-friendly passive textile which converts the challenges into opportunities and harvests energy from the sun and the outer space for optional localized heating and cooling. Compared to conventional heating/cooling textiles like black/white cotton, its heating/cooling mode enables a skin simulator temperature increase/decrease of 11.3 ℃/14.5 ℃ respectively under sunlight exposure. Meanwhile, the temperature gradient created between the textile and skin simulator allows a continuous electricity generation with thermoelectric modules. Owing to the exceptional outdoor thermoregulation ability, this Janus textile is promising to help maintain a comfortable microclimate for individuals in outdoor environment and provide a platform for pervasive power generation.