bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia-induced Response in Mitochondria DNA Biogenesis in Retinal Organoids Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells from Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Ueda Kaori , Onishi Akishi , Takahashi Masayo , Nakamura Makoto
Published: February 2021

This study evaluated the impact of hypoxia on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) biogenesis in retinal organoids of patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) with an mtDNA G11778A mutation. The induced pluripotent stem cells derived from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of LHON patients and a healthy individual were differentiated into three-dimensional retinal organoids with confirmed morphology and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) markers. The retinal organoids were cultured in alternating hypoxic and normoxic states. The ratio of the mtDNA copy number in an organoid to the mtDNA copy number in the white blood cells was calculated. Under both conditions, the control and LHON organoids had similar morphology and RGC marker patterns. Under the normoxic condition, the LHON organoids had a smaller but similar mtDNA copy number ratio as the controls. Hypoxic exposure significantly reduced the mtDNA copy number ratio in both groups. However, the magnitude of reduction was significantly smaller in LHON organoids than in the controls. One LHON patient had a similar and relative mtDNA copy number in the white blood cells to the controls, but the other patient had a much higher number. Therefore, the hypoxic response of retinal mtDNA biogenesis was reduced in LHON patients.
Integrin-dependent Migratory Switches Regulate the Translocation of Toxoplasma-infected Dendritic Cells Across Brain Endothelial Monolayers
Authors: Ross Emily C , Barragan Antonio
Published: February 2021

Multiple cellular processes, such as immune responses and cancer cell metastasis, crucially depend on the interconversion between distinct migratory states. However, knowledge is scarce on how infectious agents impact the processes of cell migration at restrictive biological barriers. In extracellular matrix, dendritic cells (DCs) infected by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii undergo mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition (MAT) for rapid integrin-independent migration. Here, in a cellular model of the blood-brain barrier, we report that parasitised DCs shift to integrin-dependent motility and adhesion on polarised endothelium, accompanied by elevated transendothelial migration (TEM). Upon contact with endothelium, parasitised DCs dramatically reduced velocities and adhered under both static and shear stress conditions, thereby obliterating the infection-induced amoeboid motility displayed in collagen matrix. The motility of adherentparasitised DCs on endothelial monolayers was restored by blockade of β1 and β2 integrins or ICAM-1, which conversely reduced motility on collagen-coated surfaces. Moreover, parasitised DCs exhibited enhanced translocation across highly polarised primary murine brain endothelial cell monolayers. Blockade of β1, β2 integrins, ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 reduced TEM frequencies. Finally, gene silencing of the pan-integrin-cytoskeleton linker talin ( Tln1 ) or of β1 integrin ( Itgb1 ) in primary DCs resulted in increased motility on endothelium and decreased TEM. Adding to the paradigms of leukocyte diapedesis, the findings provide novel insights in how an intracellular pathogen modulates the migratory properties of leukocytes in response to the cellular environment, to promote infection-related dissemination.
A Novel α‑Fe2O3/TiO2 heterostructured nanocomposite with Enhanced Visible-light Photocatalytic Performance for Degradation of Organic Pollutant
Authors: S Kavitha , R Ranjith , N Jayamani
Published: February 2021

A novel heterostructured catalyst of TiO2/α‑Fe2O3 nanocomposite (NC) was successfully fabricated by the facile hydrothermal method and mutual ultrasonication. To characterize the as-fabricated photocatalysts (PCs) by PXRD, FT-IR, HRSEM, HRTEM, UV-Vis DRS absorption, and PL spectra analysis relatively. The optical absorbance of TiO2/α‑Fe2O3 NC was measured in the wavelength range from ~ 320–800 nm and the optical bandgap (Eg) was declined from 3.21 to 2.72 eV. The photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2/α‑Fe2O3 composite catalyst was assayed in the degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye in the visible-light influence. The results showed that the heterostructured α‑Fe2O3/TiO2 catalyst was much faster and higher removal efficiency of MB dye (~ 92.7 %) than the other photocatalytic degradation of pristine TiO2 (33 %) and α‑Fe2O3 (47.3 %) in 100 min. The enriched photocatalytic efficiency also accredited to enlarged energy harvesting ability, enhanced in the widened absorption in visible-light region, synergistic effects produced a great number of photo-produced electron-hole (e−/h+) separation, stronger oxidation ability by hydroxyl radicals (−OH.) via the interfaces of α‑Fe2O3 dispersed TiO2 heterojunction. All these outcomes specify that the highly stable and recyclable TiO2/α‑Fe2O3 photocatalyst has the possibility of the practical application for wastewater treatment.
Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter Pylori and Influencing Factors in Yangzhou, China: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Yun , Feng Xinyi , Bian Lijun , Zhang Yan , Li Qian , Xu Yemin , She Qiang , Yan Caiwang , Lu Guotao , Wu Jian , Xiao Weiming , Ding Yanbing , Deng Bin
Published: February 2021

Background: The Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibiotic resistance pattern differs geographically, knowledge of local antimicrobial resistance pattern is key to successful eradication. The current study was performed to investigate the resistance of H. pylori to 5 commonly used antibiotics in Yangzhou.Methods: A total of 461 H. pylori strains were collected from April 2018 to September 2019 in Yangzhou and tested for their susceptibility to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, tetracycline using gene chip technology.Results: The resistance rates of H. pylori to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, amoxicillin and tetracycline were 41.0%, 44.9%, 38.8%, 6.3% and 1.1%. In addition, sixteen multiple resistance patterns were detected, and fortunately there were no strains resistant to all five antibiotics. The vacA s1 allele was detected in each strain, 64.0% of the isolates were s1/m2 genotype, 36.0% s1/m1 genotype. In multivariate analysis, history of chronic superficial gastritis was significantly associated with clarithromycin resistance, strains isolated from subjects with gastrointestinal symptoms had a significantly higher likelihood of metronidazole resistance, and antibiotic resistance of H. pylori was independent of both sex and age.Conclusion: The resistance rate of H. pylori to clarithromycin, levofloxacin and metronidazole were very high in Yangzhou, the results will help in selecting effective eradication regimens.
Achievement of Polarity Reversion From Al(Ga)-Polar to N-Polar For AlGaN Film on AlN Seeding Layer Grown By a Novel Flow-Modulation Technology
Authors: Zhang Jin , Zhang Xiong , Fan Aijie , Chen Shuai , He Jiaqi , Nasir Abbas , Zhuang Zhe , Lyu Jiadong , Hu Guohua , Cui Yiping
Published: February 2021

N-polar AlGaN epi-layer was realized on AlN seeding layer grown with a novel flow-modulation method. The polarity reversion from Al(Ga)-polar to N-polar for AlGaN/AlN films was confirmed by KOH etching and subsequent observation with optical microscope as well as high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) measurement. In particular, the dependence of crystalline quality and defect size in the N-polar AlGaN epi-layers on the Ⅴ/Ⅲ ratio was investigated with HR-XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that as the full width at half maximum (FWHM) value of the X-ray rocking curve (XRC) varied with the Ⅴ/Ⅲ ratio in a "W-shape" for the N–polar AlGaN epi-layers, and a FWHM value as small as 450 arcsec was achieved for the sample grown with a V/III ratio of 988. Moreover, it was revealed by the SEM measurement that the maximum diagonal length of hexagonal cone on the surface of the N-polar AlGaN epi-layers decreased sharply when a Ⅴ/Ⅲ ratio of 1,236 was used although the crystalline quality and the surface morphology of the N-polar AlGaN epi-layers were not improved simultaneously. The peculiar migration of the group-III atoms on the surface of the N-polar AlGaN epi-layer associated with the molar ratio of TMA/(TMA+TMG) was considered to be responsible for this result.
Title: The Cumulative Dose of AMF and GB is More Effective in The Amelioration of Cr(VI) Toxicity in Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.) Than Individually
Authors: Kumar Praveen
Published: February 2021

Industrial and anthropogenic activities are the major source of heavy metal toxicants in agricultural soils. Among, heavy metal toxicants, hexavalent chromium is the most toxic toxicant that negatively affects plant’s metabolic activities and yield. It reduces the plant growth and development by influencing the antioxidant defence system’s activities. In the present experiment, two different soil applied dozes of GB viz. 50 and 100mM, and AMF, both individually and in combination were tested for their capability to ameliorate Cr toxicity in sorghum. The promotive behaviour of these treatments for antioxidant defence system was analysed at vegetative (35 DAS) and grain filling stage (95 DAS) in three varieties of sorghum viz. SSG 59-3, HJ 513 (multi-cut) and HJ 541 (single-cut) under 2 and 4 ppm Cr toxicity. At the same time resultant effects of this behaviour on Cr accumulation, grain yield and indices of oxidative stress was also studied. In this experiment antioxidant defence system includes enzymes viz. SOD, APX, CAT, GR, POD and metabolites viz. glutathione, ascorbate, proline, β-carotene and indices of oxidative stress includes parameters viz. PPO, H2O2 and MDA. The results delineated that Cr accumulation and indices of oxidative stress were increased with increasing concentration of Cr stress in all the varieties at both growth stages. Chromium stress at high concentration (4 ppm), decreased the grain yield (71.69 %) as compared with control. Due to 4 ppm Cr stress, PPO activity, MDA and H2O2 accumulation increased significantly (72.29 %, 73.15 %, 79 % respectively, at 35 DAS and 70.36 %, 74.78 %, 79.83 % respectively, at 95 DAS). GB and AMF individually increased antioxidant activity but in combination, further significantly increased antioxidant defence system’s activity which in turn decreased indices of oxidative stress and reduced the Cr toxicity and increased grain yield of sorghum in all varieties at both the growth stages. However, treatment of 100mM GB with AMF was observed most significant in decreasing oxidative stress and improved antioxidant system’s activities and grain yield as compared with all other treatments at both growth stages in all the varieties. SSG 59-3 cultivar showed lowest chromium content (1.60 and 8.61 ppm), indices of oxidative stress and highest antioxidant system’s activity as compared to HJ 513 followed by HJ 541 variety, at 35 and 95 DAS respectively. Thus, among the varieties SSG 59-3 was found most tolerant as compared to HJ 513 followed by HJ 541 variety. These findings suggest that both GB and AMF, either individually or combined can play a positive role to reduce oxidative stress and increased yield attributes under Cr toxicity in sorghum.
Trehalose and glucose levels regulate feeding behaviour in two color morphs of Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris
Authors: Wang Guang , Zhou Jing-Jiang , Li Yan , Gou Yuping , Quandahor Peter , Liu Changzhong
Published: February 2021

Trehalose serves multifarious roles in growth and development in insects. We have previously shown that trehalose regulates Acyrthosiphon pisum chitin metabolism. Accordingly, we hypothesize here that trehalose-regulated A. pisum responses in chitin metabolism might also include trehalose-regulated feeding behaviour to involve in chitin metabolism. When RNA interference (RNAi) of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene increased the percentage of E2 (i.e. phloem ingestion) waveform and decreased the percentage of F (i.e. stylet work) and G (i.e. xylem ingestion) waveforms compared with the control A. pisum. RNAi of trehalase gene did not affect the percentage of each waveform compared with the control A. pisum. The high trehalose and glucose diets increased the percentage of E2 waveform of red A. pisum. The multiple nonlinear regression shown that the both low trehalose and glucose levels increased the percentage of np (i.e. non-probing), E1 (i.e. phloem salivation), and E2 waveforms. The high or low trehalose:glucose (T:G) ratio decreased the percentage of np, E1, and E2. Interestingly, the percentage of C (i.e. probing), F and, G waveforms were increased at low, low, and high T:G ratio, respectively. The results provided strong evidence that the trehalose and glucose levels regulate A. pisum feeding behavior.
Transcriptomic analysis of caecal tissue in inbred chicken lines that exhibit heritable differences in resistance to Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Russell Kay M. , Smith Jacqueline , Bremner Abi , Chintoan-Uta Cosmin , Vervelde Lonneke , Psifidi Androniki , Stevens Mark P.
Published: February 2021

Background

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and the handling or consumption of contaminated poultry meat is a key source of infection. Selective breeding of poultry that exhibit elevated resistance to Campylobacter is an attractive control strategy. Here we studied the global transcriptional response of inbred chicken lines that differ in resistance to C. jejuni colonisation at a key site of bacterial persistence.
Results

Three-week-old chickens of line 61 and N were inoculated orally with C. jejuni strain M1 and caecal contents and tonsils were sampled at 1 and 5 days post-infection. Caecal colonisation was significantly lower in line 61 compared to line N at 1 day post-infection, but not 5 days post-infection. RNA-Seq analysis of caecal tonsils of both lines revealed a limited response to C. jejuni infection compared to age-matched uninfected controls. In line N at days 1 and 5 post-infection, just 8 and 3 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected (fold-change > 2 and false-discovery rate of < 0.05) relative to uninfected controls, respectively. In the relatively resistant line 61, a broader response to C. jejuni was observed, with 69 DEGs relating to immune regulation, cell signalling and metabolism at 1 day post-infection. However, by day 5 post-infection, no DEGs were detected. By far, the greatest number of DEGs were between uninfected birds of the two lines implying that differential resistance to C. jejuni is intrinsic. Of these genes, several Major Histocompatibility Complex class I-related genes (MHCIA1, MHCBL2 and MHCIY) and antimicrobial peptides (MUC2, AvBD10 and GZMA) were expressed to a greater extent in line N. Two genes within quantitative trait loci associated with C. jejuni colonisation were also more highly expressed in line N (ASIC4 and BZFP2). Quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR analysis of a subset of transcripts confirmed the RNA-Seq results.
Conclusions

Our data indicate a limited transcriptional response in the caecal tonsils of inbred chickens to intestinal colonisation by Campylobacter but identify a large number of differentially transcribed genes between lines 61 and N that may underlie variation in heritable resistance to C. jejuni.
Effect of Photobiomodulation in Secondary Intention Gingival Wound Healing - a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Ebrahimi Pooya , Hadilou Mahdi , Naserneysari Ferdos , Dolatabadi Amirmohammad , Tarzemany Rana , Vahed Nafiseh , Nikniaz Leila , Fekrazad Reza , Gholami Leila
Published: February 2021

Background: Photobiomodulation is widely being used to improve the wound healing process in dentistry and a vast majority of studies have proven its benefits. But there are plenty of knowledge gaps according to the optimal laser characteristics which should be used to maximize the healing effects of lasers. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) as an adjunctive treatment to periodontal therapies to evaluate secondary intention gingival wound healing and post-operative pain.Methods: Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest, and Web of Sciences) were searched up to November 30, 2020, for clinical trials that reported the result of the application of PBM on secondary gingival healing wounds and post-operative pain and discomfort after periodontal surgeries. Two independent reviewers selected the eligible studies and the outcomes of interest were extracted. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.Results: Ultimately, twelve studies were included in this review. The application of PBM as an adjunct to periodontal surgeries resulted in a significant improvement in wound healing indices. The Landry wound healing index at the 7th post-operative day was significantly improved (SMD = 1.044 [95% CI: 0.62 to 1.46]; p<0.01) in PBM + surgery groups compared to the control groups. There was also a statistically significant increase in the complete wound epithelialization (RR = 3.23 [95% CI: 1.66 to 6.31]; p<0.01) at the 14th post-operative day compared to the control groups. The methods used to assess the post-operative pain were heterogeneous, and therefore the results were limited which made the meta-analysis for post-operative pain assessment not possible.Conclusion: Based on the results of this review, PBM can be effectively used as a method to improve secondary intention wound healing. High-quality randomized clinical trials, however, are needed in the future to identify the optimal PBM irradiation parameters and the effect of PBM on post-operative pain.
Identification of a Two-Component System Important for Cell Division of the Rice Pathogen Burkholderia glumae in Response to Nutrient Conditions
Authors: Marunga Joan , Goo Eunhye , Kang Yongsung , Hwang Ingyu
Published: February 2021

Bacterial two-component regulatory systems control the expression of sets of genes to coordinate physiological functions in response to environmental cues. Here, we report that a genetically linked but functionally unpaired two-component system comprising the sensor kinase GluS (BGLU_1G13350) and the response regulator GluR (BGLU_1G13360) is critical for cell division in the rice pathogen Burkholderia glumae BGR1. The gluR null mutant, unlike the gluS mutant, formed filamentous cells in Luria–Bertani medium and was sensitive to exposure to 42°C. Expression of genes responsible for cell division and cell-wall (dcw) biosynthesis in the gluR mutant was elevated compared to the wild type, resulting in an imbalance between FtsZ and FtsA. GluR-His bound to the putative promoter regions of ftsA and ftsZ, indicating that repression of genes in the dcw cluster by GluR is critical for cell division in B. glumae. The gluR mutant did not form filamentous cells in M9 minimal medium, whereas exogenous addition of glutamine or glutamate to the medium induced filamentous cell formation. These results implicate glutamine and glutamate as external stimuli that modulate GluR-mediated cell division in B. glumae. Therefore, GluR controls cell division of B. glumae in a nutrition-dependent manner.
 Genome-Wide Analysis of R2R3-MYB Transcription Factors Family in The Autopolyploid Saccharum Spontaneum: An Exploration of Dominance Expression and Stress Response 
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Yang Xiping , Feng Mengfang , Ding Hongyan , Tahir Khan Muhammad , Zhang Jisen , Zhang Muqing
Published: February 2021

Background: Sugarcane (Saccharum) is the most important sugar crop in the world. As one of the most enriched transcription factor families in plants, MYB genes display a great potential to contribute to sugarcane improvement by trait modification. We have identified the sugarcane MYB gene family at a whole-genome level through systematic evolution analyses and expression profiling. R2R3-MYB is a large subfamily involved in many plant-specific processes. Results: A total of 202 R2R3-MYB genes (356 alleles) were identified in the polyploid Saccharum spontaneum genome and classified into 15 subgroups by phylogenetic analysis. The sugarcane MYB family had more members by a comparative analysis in sorghum and significant advantages among most plants, especially grasses. Collinearity analysis revealed that 70% of the SsR2R3-MYB genes had experienced duplication events, logically suggesting the contributors to the MYB gene family expansion. Functional characterization was performed to identify 56 SsR2R3-MYB genes involved in various plant bioprocesses with expression profiling analysis on 60 RNA-seq databases. We identified 22 MYB genes specifically expressed in the stem, of which MYB43, MYB53, MYB65, MYB78, and MYB99 were validated by qPCR. Allelic expression dominance in the stem was more significant than that in the leaf, implying the differential expression of alleles may be responsible for the high expression of MYB in the stem. MYB169, MYB181, MYB192 were identified as candidate C4 photosynthetic regulators by C4 expression pattern and robust circadian oscillations. Furthermore, stress expression analysis showed that MYB36, MYB48, MYB54, MYB61 actively responded to drought treatment; 19 and 10 MYB genes were involved in response to the sugarcane pokkah boeng and mosaic disease, respectively. Conclusions: A Genome-wide expression analysis demonstrated that SsMYB genes were involved in stem development and stress response. This study largely contributed to understanding the extent to which MYB transcription factors investigate regulatory mechanisms and functional divergence in sugarcane.
Effects of Constant and Diel Cyclic Temperatures on The Liver and Intestinal Phospholipid Fatty Acid Composition in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss During Seawater Acclimation
Authors: Ge Jian , Zhou Yangen , Huang Ming , Gao Qinfeng , Dong Yunwei , Dong Shuanglin
Published: February 2021

Background: Rainbow trout is an important economic fish in aquaculture and a model species in environmental physiology. Despite of earlier research on the seawater adaptability of rainbow trout at different temperature regimes, the influence on liver and intestine in this species is still unknown. Two trials were conducted to investigate the effects of constant and diel cyclic temperatures on phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition in the liver and intestine of rainbow trout during seawater acclimation.Results: At the end of the growth trial 1, fish at 9 and 12.5°C showed significantly higher ratios of unsaturated to saturated (U/S) and unsaturation index (UI) than those at 16°C in liver and intestine phospholipids. After day 1 of seawater acclimation, the U/S, UI, and average chain length (ACL) of liver and intestine phospholipids in fish at 16°C significantly increased. Two weeks after seawater acclimation, liver and intestinal PLFA composition adapted to salinity change. In trial 2, significantly higher U/S, UI, and ACL were found in intestinal phospholipids at 13±2°C. On the first day after seawater acclimation, UI and ACL in liver phospholipids significantly increased in 13°C, while fish in 13±2°C showed significantly decreased U/S, UI, and ACL in the intestine. At the end of the growth trial 2, liver PLFA compositions were stable, whereas intestinal PLFA in 13 and 13±1°C showed significantly decreased U/S, UI, and ACL. A two-way analysis of variance and principal component analysis revealed significant effects of different constant temperatures, seawater acclimation, and their interaction on the liver and intestinal phospholipids, a significant effect of diel cyclic temperature on intestinal phospholipids, and the effects of seawater acclimation and its interaction with diel cyclic temperature on liver phospholipids.Conclusion: Temperatures of 9 and 12.5°C could elevate membrane fluidity and thickness in the liver and intestine of rainbow trout in freshwater, whereas no significant effects were found with diel temperature variations. After seawater acclimation, constant and diel cyclic temperatures significantly influenced the liver and intestine's membrane fluidity and thickness. Compared with constant temperature, diel temperature variation (13±2°C) can enhance the adaptability of rainbow trout during seawater acclimation.
Fecal Sample Collection Methods and Time of Day Impact Microbiome Composition and Short Chain Fatty Acid Concentrations
Authors: Jones Jacquelyn , Reinke Stacey , Ali Alishum , Palmer Debra , Christophersen Claus T.
Published: February 2021

Associations between the human gut microbiome and health outcomes continues to be of great interest, although fecal sample collection methods which impact microbiome studies are sometimes neglected. Here, we expand on previous work in sample optimization, to promote high quality microbiome data. To compare fecal sample collection methods, amplicons from the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V4) and fungal (ITS2) region, as well as short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were determined in fecal material over three timepoints. We demonstrated that spot sampling of stool results in variable detection of some microbial members, and inconsistent levels of SCFA; therefore, sample homogenization prior to subsequent analysis or subsampling is recommended. We also identify a trend in microbial and metabolite composition that shifts over two consecutive stool collections less than 25h apart. Lastly, we show significant differences in bacterial composition that result from collecting stool samples in OMNIgeneGUT tube (DNA Genotec) or Stool Nucleic Acid Collection and Preservation Tube (NORGEN) compared to immediate freezing. To assist microbiome investigators plan their fecal sample collection and storage procedures for multiple analyses, we recommend participants to collect the first full bowel movement of the day and freeze the sample immediately after collection.
Fluoropolymer/GAP Block Copolyurethane Binders: Sensitivity, Mechanical Properties and Reactive Properties with Aluminum
Authors: Xu Minghui , Lu Xianming , Liu Ning , Zhang Qian , Mo Hongchang , Ge Zhongxue
Published: February 2021

In order to enhance the application properties of GAP in solid propellant, an energetic copolyurethane binder, (poly[3,3-bis(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxymethyl)oxetane] glycol-block-glycidylazide polymer (PBFMO-b-GAP) was developed. The PBFMO-b-GAP was prepared using poly[3,3-bis(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxymethyl)oxetane] glycol (PBFMO) which preparing from cationic polymerization and GAP as the raw materials, TDI as the coupling agent via a prepolymer process. The molecular structure of copolyurethane was confirmed by FT-IR, NMR, GPC. The impact sensitivity, mechanical properties and thermal behavior of PBFMO-b-GAP were studied by drop weight test, XPS, tensile test, SEM, DSC and TG/DTG respectively. The results proved that the introduction of fluoropolymer can evidently reduce the sensitivity of GAP based polyurethanes and enhance their mechanical behavior (the tensile strength up to 5.75MPa with a breaking elongation of 1660 %). Also, PBFMO-b-GAP exhibited an excellent resistance to thermal decomposition up to 200°C and good compatibility with Al and HMX. Cook-off test was used to investigate the reactive of copolyurethanes and Al, the results indicated that the copolyurethanes could react with Al efficiently and release significantly more heat. Therefore, the energetic copolyurethanes may serve as promising energetic binders for future propellant formulations.
Selective growth of Ti3+/TiO2/CNT and Ti3+/TiO2/C nanocomposite photocatalysts for enhanced visible-light utilization to degrade organic pollutants by lowering the bandgap of TiO2
Authors: Akter Jeasmin , Hanif Md. Abu , Islam Md. Akherul , Sapkota Kamal , Hahn Jae
Published: February 2021

A convenient route was developed for the selective preparation of two stable nanocomposites, Ti3+/TiO2/CNT (labeled as TTOC-1 and TTOC-3) and Ti3+/TiO2/carbon layer (labeled as TTOC-2), from the same precursor by varying the amount of single-walled carbon nanotubes used in the synthesis. TiO2 is an effective photocatalyst; however, its wide bandgap limits its usefulness to the UV region. As a solution to this problem, our prepared nanocomposites exhibit a small bandgap and wide visible-light (VL) absorption because of the introduction of carbonaceous species and Ti3+ vacancies. The photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposites was examined via the degradation of methylene blue dye under VL. Excellent photocatalytic activity of 83%, 98%, and 93% was observed for TTOC-1, TTOC-2, and TTOC-3 nanocomposites within 25 min. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of TTOC-2 toward rhodamine B was 71% and for methyl orange (MO) dye was 28% under similar experimental conditions, after 25 min. Higher reusability and structural integrity of the as-synthesized photocatalyst were confirmed within five consecutive runs by photocatalytic test and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The resulting nanocomposites provide new insights into the development of VL-active and stable photocatalysts with high efficiencies.
Health Status Evaluation of Type 2 Diabetics from Two Northern Hospitals of Peru
Authors: León-Jiménez Franco , Barreto-Pérez Daysi , Altamirano-Cardozo Lida , Loayza-Enríquez Blanca , Farfán-García Juanita
Published: February 2021

Objective: To describe illness related knowledge features, mental health, adherence to therapy and quality of life on type 2 diabetics from two northern hospitals from Peru. Material and methods: Cross sectional descriptive study. A cense was made. Descriptive statistics and exploratory analysis were employed. Results: there were 382 diabetic patients: 289 in Lambayeque and 93 in Piura:112 people were interviewed. The mean age was 59.5 +/- 11.6 years, 58% were women, 59% were from Piura, 43.8% only had primary school and 41.5% reffered 2 to 4 outpatient evaluation in the last two years; 28,6% referred to have been infected by COVID-19: 35,5% in Lambayeque and 23,8% in Piura; 17.8% had poor illness related knowledge’s. About mental health, 62.5% had Depression, 93.8% Anxiety (severe in 80.3%) and 57.1%, both; 50.6% had adequate adherence to therapy. The median of quality of life was 161.5 (IQR=127.1-215) and 24.1% had poor quality of life. In descending order, the more affected dimensions of quality of life were: “control of diabetes”, “Energy and mobility”, “Social charge”, “anxiety” and “sexual performance”. In the exploratory multivariate analysis only anxiety was associated with poor quality of life. Conclusion: illness related knowledge features, mental health, adherence to therapy and quality of life were poor on type 2 diabetics from these two northern cities of Peru. Diabetic anxiety patients had poor quality of life. Source: MeSH
Facile One-pot Synthesis of CuCN by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Nitrile Solvents and Mechanistic Studies using Quantum Chemical Calculations
Authors: Begildayeva Talshyn , Ahn Ahreum , Naik Shreyanka Shankar , Lee Seung Jun , Theerthagiri Jayaraman , Kim Tae Ho , Choi Myong Yong
Published: February 2021

Binding energies of different nitrile solvents and their utilization for CuCN formation were investigated through quantum chemical calculations. A pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) method for CuCN synthesis was developed herein. Initially, the interaction between the pulsed laser and the Cu-target generated Cu-ions and electrons at the point of contact. The laser beam also exhibited sufficient energy to dissociate the bonds of the respective solvents. In the case of acetonitrile, the oxidized Cu-ions bonded with CN− to produce CuCN with a cubic-structure. Other nitrile solvents generated spherically-shaped Cu@graphitic carbon (Cu@GC) nanoparticles. Thus, the production of CuCN was favorable only in acetonitrile due to the availability of the cyano-group immediately after the fragmentation of acetonitrile (CH3+ and CN−) under PLAL. Conversely, propionitrile and butyronitrile released large amounts of hydrocarbons, which deposited on Cu NPs surface to form GC layers. Following the encapsulation of Cu NPs with carbon shells, further interaction with the cyano-group was not possible. Subsequently, theoretical study on the binding energies of nitrile solvents was confirmed by highly correlated basic sets of B3LYP and MP2 which results were consistent with the experimental outcomes. The findings obtained herein could be utilized for the development of novel metal–polymer materials.
The Predictive and Diagnostic Potential of Symptoms for Glioblastoma Patient Survival
Authors: Mrowczynski Oliver , Yang Ae Lim , Liao Jason , Langan Sara , Rizk Elias
Published: February 2021

PurposeGlioblastoma is a devastating malignancy with a dismal survival rate and median survival time of 14 months. Currently, the biomarkers for glioblastoma are mostly molecular and include EGFRvIII, ATRX, PTEN, IDH1, MGMT, and others. These prognostic tumor biomarkers are obtained through a surgical biopsy and thus not easily attainable. Clinicians would benefit from a robust, non-invasive, and readily available indicator for early diagnosis and accurate prognostication for glioblastoma patients. MethodsIn this study, we assessed whether specific patient symptoms could provide early diagnosis of glioblastoma. Further, if any patient symptomatology would provide clinicians with the ability to prognosticate patient survival more accurately. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data for 218 patients. We determined whether symptoms including headache, weakness, seizure, memory loss/confusion, visual changes, speech changes, and loss of consciousness led to a patient being diagnosed earlier and if any of these symptoms predicted a diminished patient survival. ResultsOur study determined that weakness and memory loss/confusion were symptoms that predicted diminished survival, and weakness alone was the symptom that predicted earlier diagnosis. Conclusion: This study further elucidates the complexities of glioblastoma and provides clinicians with more data for their patients when discussing prognostication after diagnosis of glioblastoma.
Inflammation Related circRNAs Polymorphism and Ischemic Stroke Prognosis
Authors: liu xu , wang qianwen , zhao jingjing , chang hongtao , Zhu Rui-xia
Published: February 2021

BackgroundCircRNAs belong to a novel class of noncoding RNAs that are generated by exons of genes by alternative mRNA splicing and involved in pathophysiological processes of ischemic stroke by regulating neuroinflammation. MethodsA total of 982 patients were enrolled in our study for stroke recovery analysis. The aim of our study was to first explore the association between the inflammation related circRNA polymorphism and functional outcome 3 months after ischemic stroke by using multivariate logistic regression model. Next, we further investigated the role of circRNA polymorphism in predicting stroke recurrence by using cox proportional hazards regression model. Five circRNA polymorphisms were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction and ligation detection reaction method.ResultsWe identified circ-STAT3(signal transducer and activator of transcription) rs2293152 GG genotype to be associated with poorer recovery 90 days after stroke (OR=1.452; 95%CI:1.165-4.362, p=0.016). After adjusting for confound factors, the association for rs2293152 with 3 months outcome after IS was stronger, suggesting a mechanism that rs2293152 is an independent risk factor for stroke recovery (OR=2.255; 95%CI:1.034-2.038, p=0.031). However, no other circRNA polymorphisms (circ-DLGAP4 rs41274714,circ-TRAF2 rs10870141, circ-ITCH rs10485505,rs4911154 ) was associated with functional outcome 3 months after stroke in any genetic models. Subgroup analysis revealed that the negative effect of rs2293152 GG genotype was greater in female and older patients, subjects with history of hypertension. Additionally, all the circRNA polymorphisms were not correlated with recurrent risk of ischemic stroke. ConclusionsOur results indicated that circ-STAT3 might be a novel biomarker for predicting functional outcome after stroke and an important contributor to the ischemic stroke recovery.
Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined With First Lines Chemotherapy for Small-cell Lung Cancer: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Shuntai , He Jie , He Shulin , Li Conghuang , Geng Liang , Sun Mingxi , Zheng Honggang , Hua Baojin
Published: February 2021

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) tends to respond well to the standard treatment of chemotherapy, but disease progression, chemotherapy resistance, and adverse reactions still remain major problems that have long limited its effectiveness. Although Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is wildly applied for patients with SCLC in China, using TCM in the treatment for SCLC is still in the absence of sufficient evidence.Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCM combined with the first lines chemotherapy for SCLC.Method: In this perspective, two-center cohort studies, overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) were compared between patients who received chemotherapy with or without TCM, with adverse events (AEs) also on the list of comparison.Results: When the follow-up ended, 168 patients were included in this study. Compared with patients treated with chemotherapy alone (non-TCM group), those with TCM and chemotherapy (TCM group) had better PFS (adjusted HR 0.552, 95% CI 0.389–0.783, P=0.01), median PFS (11.83 months vs. 8.60 months, P = 0.004), rates of ORR (85.88% vs 75.90% after second cycle treatment, 61.2% vs. 43.4% after fourth cycle treatment), rates of DCR(100% vs 98.80% after second cycle treatment, 95.3% vs. 89.2% after fourth cycle treatment). The number of cases with leukopenia, anorexia, constipation, fatigue, nausea in patients receiving TCM treatment is lower than those in patients not receiving TCM (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups in median OS (23.4 months vs. 20.1 months, P = 0.301). Subgroup analysis showed there was no difference between the two groups in median OS with 34.5 months vs. 22.6 months for LS-SCLC (P=0. 586) and 18.5 months vs. 17.37 months for ES-SCLC (P=0.162). Patients in the TCM group have better median PFS than patients in the non-TCM group for both LS-SCLC and ES-SCLC with 14.73 months vs. 9.2 months (P=0.040) and 9.53 months vs. 7.47 months (P=0.007) respectively.Conclusion: This study indicated that TCM combined with chemotherapy for SCLC may prolong PFS, improve therapeutic effect, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, but may not be effective in the prolongation of OS. More large-scale and higher quality clinical studies are warranted to support our findings.Clinical registration number: ChiCTR2000040151. (http://www.chictr.org.cn)
Cognitive Training Modulates Brain Hypersynchrony in a Population at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Suárez-Méndez Isabel , Bruña Ricardo , López-Sanz David , Carrasco Pedro Montejo , Montenegro-Peña Mercedes , Delgado-Losada María Luisa , Dolado Alberto Marcos , López-Higes Ramón , Maestú Fernando
Published: February 2021

BackgroundRecent neuroimaging studies in humans and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) demonstrated brain hyper-synchrony under amyloid burden, which is being identified as a proxy for conversion to dementia. The potential of non-pharmacological interventions to reverse this neurophysiological phenomenon in the early stages of the disease is still an open question. MethodBrain synchrony modulation by cognitive training (CogTr) was examined in a cohort of healthy controls (HC, n = 41, 22 trained) and individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD, n = 49, 24 trained). Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) activity and comprehensive neuropsychological scores were acquired before and after completion of a ten-week CogTr program aimed at improving cognitive function and daily living performance. Functional connectivity (FC) analyses were carried out using the phase-locking value. A mixed-effects ANOVA with factors stage (pre-intervention or post-intervention), CogTr (trained or non-trained), and cognitive status (HC or SCD) was used to estimate significant FC changes across MEG recordings.ResultsAlpha-band FC increases were observed for the whole sample (both trained and non-trained), but the effect was different in each group. For the trained group (both HC and SCD), we report a reduction in the FC increase within temporo-parietal and temporo-occipital connections. This effect was particularly manifest in trained participants with SCD, for whom the reduction in the FC increase also correlated with enhanced cognitive performance in different neuropsychological domains (memory, language, and executive function).Conclusions﻿CogTr programs could mitigate the increase in FC observed in preclinical AD, promoting brain synchrony normalization in groups at increased risk for developing the disease.
Ecosystem health assessment of three inland water bodies in South-west, Nigeria based on fish diversity, pollution status, ecological and health risk indices
Authors: Ndimele Prince Emeka , Owodeinde Fatai Gbolahan , Giwa-Ajeniya Abdullatif O , Moronkola Bridget A. , Adaramoye Oyindamola R. , Ewenla Lois O. , Kushoro Hijrah Y.
Published: February 2021

This study was conducted to determine the health status of three water bodies (Badagry Creek, Ologe Lagoon and River Owo) because of the large amount of effluent they receive from industries around Lagos as well as the services they provide to sustain the large human population in an emerging mega city like Lagos. Water, sediment and fish samples were collected monthly from the three water bodies between January and December, 2018. Standard methods were used for the analysis of physico-chemical parameters, heavy metals, length-weight relationship, condition factor, fish diversity indices, sediment pollution indices, ecotoxicology of heavy metals in sediment and potential ecological risks as well as health risk assessment of heavy metals. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of heavy metals in sediments of the sampling sites ranged from − 12.14 to -0.38. The mean quotients using the probable effect level (m-PEL-Q) are 3.91 x10-4, 4.77 x10-4 and 7.87 x10-4 for Ologe Lagoon, Badagry Creek and River Owo respectively. The trend was the same with mean quotients using effect range-median (m-ERM-Q). The estimated daily intake (EDI) ranged from 0.00 mgkg-1day-1 in Pb from River Owo to 1.15 x10-3 mgkg-1day-1 in Fe still from River Owo. The range of values of the target hazard quotient (THQ) of the metals in Badagry Creek, River Owo and Ologe Lagoon are 1.23x10-4–1.65x10-2, 0.00–1.64x10-2 and 5.76x10-5–1.65x10-2 respectively. The study showed that the three aquatic ecosystems are healthy but require regular monitoring to promptly detect sudden changes in their health status.
Potential of mosques to serve as evacuation shelters for foreign Muslims during disasters: A case study in Gunma, Japan
Authors: Kotani Hitomu , Tamura Mari , Li Jiayue , Yamaji Eiji
Published: February 2021

Foreigners tend to be vulnerable to disasters due to religious and cultural differences. In Japan, Muslim foreign residents, who are minorities, likely face difficulties in terms of food and religious practices in evacuation shelters. In this study, we propose the use of mosques as voluntary shelters for Muslim foreigners in Japan and evaluate their potential to function as shelters. Mosques are expected to have a large space, including a prayer space, and to store food familiar to daily users. We conducted field surveys targeting two mosques in Isesaki, Gunma, Japan, to investigate their equipment and building environment in relation to how they could function as shelters; the number of evacuees they could accommodate; the amount of food they could supply to evacuees; and the willingness of the administrators to use the mosques as shelters. Both mosques were found to be equipped with toilets and shower rooms and had enough space for approximately 60–80 evacuees. They also had sufficient kitchen space and tableware to prepare meals for about 100 people. Although they did not always stock a large amount of food, they could quickly receive food from nearby stores. Moreover, the administrators were willing to use the mosques as shelters. Therefore, it was suggested that the mosques could serve as shelters accommodating and feeding many evacuees. Finally, measures to improve the function of mosques as shelters are discussed. This study lays the groundwork for the future use of mosques as shelters.
Comparison of Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes of Single Frozen Blastocyst Transfer Between Letrozole-induction and HRT Cycles in Patients With Abnormal Ovulation
Authors: Zhang Junwei , Li Zhen , Sun Lijun , Guan Yichun , Du Mingze
Published: February 2021

Background: The use of frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles has dramatically risen. The optimal endometrial preparation method for women undergoing FET is of utmost importance to provide the optimal chances of pregnancy. For patients with abnormal ovulation in particular, there have been few studies on FET protocols; notably, most of these studies focus only on the clinical pregnancy rate or live birth rate (LBR) and pay little attention to the regimen’s safety for offspring.Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study. First FET cycle with a single blastocyst from whole embryo frozen IVF/ICSI at the Reproductive Center of Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2016 and January 2020. The LBR was the primary outcome of interest. The secondary outcome measures were miscarriage rate and offspring safety, including preterm birth, low birthweight (LBW), small-for-gestational age (SGA), macrosomia and large-for-gestational age (LGA).Results: In total, 2782 FET cycles met the eligibility criteria for analysis. Additionally, there were 1178 singleton births from FET cycles. The clinical pregnancy rate was 58.4% in the L-FET group and 54.5% in the HRT group, with no statistical significance (P=.116). The miscarriage rate was higher in the HRT group than in the L-FET group (21.7% vs. 14.3%, P=.005). The LBR was significantly higher in the L-FET group than in the HRT group (49.6% vs. 41.7%, P=.001). Neonatal outcomes were similar between the two groups. After adjustments for confounding factors, the LBR was higher in the L-FET group (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06-1.58). The rate of miscarriage was lower in the L-FET group (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.44-0.90). Conclusion: For patients with abnormal ovulation, the L-FET regimen has a higher LBR and lower miscarriage rate than HRT. The neonatal outcomes were similar between the two groups.
Effect of volatile organic compounds mediated fungal growth inhibition by Trichoderma asperellum HbGT6-07
Authors: Kamaruzzaman Md , Islam Md. Samiul , Polash Shakil Ahmed , Sultana Razia
Published: February 2021

The species of Trichoderma are one of the most frequently used natural biocontrol agents to mitigate plant diseases and improve crop yields. In this study, sixteen Trichoderma spp. were isolated from soil of different regions of China. However, we identified Trichoderma. asperellum HbGT6-07 by initial fungal growth inhibition assay and molecular approach and also evaluated the antimicrobial effects. Tested 10% concentrated culture filtrate of T. asperellum HbGT6-07 inhibited 93 % of colony radial growth in Botrytis cinerea (B05.10) as well as 91 % of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (A367). VOCs emitted from HbGT6-07 have antimicrobial properties against Botrytis cinerea (B05.10) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (A367). In in-vitro DwD method, The T. asperellum HbGT6-07 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) effectively reduced colonial diameter, mycelial growth rate and sclerotia production by two virulent fungal pathogens. The GC-MS analysis identified thirty-two VOCs derived from HbGT6-07 isolates. Moreover, the hyphal fragments of the T. asperellum HbGT6-07 demonstrated successful mycelia growth suppression of two virulent fungal agents by competing toward the invasion on oilseed rape leaves. The above findings indicated that T. asperellum HbGT6-07 could attain competitive progress via volatile antifungal compound production and comprehensive mycelial growth. This study provided an outlook of using T. asperellum HbGT6-07 to control virulent pathogens of B. cinerea and S. sclerotiorum.