bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dehydration Alters Behavioral Thermoregulation and the Geography of Climatic Vulnerability in Amazonian Lizards
Authors: Camacho Agustín , Brunes Tuliana O. , Rodrigues Miguel Trefaut
Published: April 2021

Since high temperatures and low water availability often strike organisms in parallel, observing how they behaviorally thermohydroregulate may help us to better understand their climatic vulnerability. This understanding is especially important for tropical lizards, purportedly under greater climatic risk. We observed the influence of hydration level on the Voluntary Thermal Maximum (VTM) of two small amazonian lizard species: Loxopholis ferreirai (semiaquatic and scansorial) and Loxopholis percarinatum (leaf litter parthenogenetic dweller), accounting for several sources of variation (turn, body weight, start temperature and heating rate). Then, we used two modelling approaches (simple mapping of thermal margins and NicheMapR), to examine the effects of dehydration, decrease in rainfall, ability to burrow, and tree cover availability, on the geography of climatic vulnerability. Dehydration decreased the VTM in both species, which also reacted to start temperature and heating rates. Our two modelling approaches show that dehydration, changes the intensity, extent and duration of thermal risk across the Amazon basin. Based on our results and previous studies, we identify new evidence needed to better understand thermohydroregulation and model the geography of climatic risk, more realistically.
Ficus deltoidea ameliorates biochemical, hormonal, and histomorphometric changes in letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rats
Authors: Haslan Muhammad Aliff , Samsulrizal Nurdiana , Hashim Nooraain , Zin Noor Syaffinaz Noor Mohamad , Shirazi Farshad Hosseini , Goh Yong Meng
Published: April 2021

Background: Insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances are key features in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). We have shown that Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea Jack (Moraceae) can improve insulin sensitivity and hormonal profile in PCOS female rats. However, biological characteristics underpinning the therapeutic effects of F. deltoidea for treating PCOS remain to be clarified. This study aims to investigate the biochemical, hormonal, and histomorphometric changes in letrozole (LTZ)-induced PCOS female rats following treatment with F. deltoidea.Methods: PCOS was induced in rats except for normal control by administering LTZ at 1 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Methanolic extract of F. deltoidea leaf was then orally administered to the PCOS rats at the dose of 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively for 15 consecutive days. Lipid profile was measured enzymatically in serum. The circulating concentrations of reproductive hormone and antioxidant enzymes were determined by ELISA assays. Ovarian and uterus histomorphometric changes were further observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.Results: The results showed that treatment with F. deltoidea at the dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day reduced insulin resistance, obesity indices, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA), testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to near-normal levels in PCOS rats. The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), estrogen, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) also similar to those observed in normal control rats. Histomorphometric measurements confirmed that F. deltoidea increased the corpus luteum number and the endometrial thickness.Conclusions: F. deltoidea can reverse PCOS symptoms in female rats by improving insulin sensitivity, antioxidant activities, hormonal imbalance, and histological changes. These findings suggest the potential use of F. deltoidea as an adjuvant agent in the treatment program of PCOS.
Environmental food and cognitive enrichment: a study of well-being for large captive felids at the Zoo of Goiânia
Authors: Rangel Marina , Júnior Nelson Da Silva
Published: April 2021

In order to promote research and conservation of species, zoos tend to promote the modernization of this system, such as the insertion of larger and adequate enclosures, environmental enrichments, and above all the conservation of species. The main objectives of this work were: to promote environmental food and cognitive enrichment for big cats, in addition to discussing the validity of this enrichment model. The study animals were 12 animals: four tigers (Panthera tigris), three puma (Puma concolor), three jaguars (Panthera onca) and two lions (Panthera leo). We used a basic ethogram for the analysis of behaviors, in which there was an analysis of specific behavior: rhythm and inactivity. With the focal animal observation method, and using the “surprise box” enrichment method, which consisted of pieces of meat inside cardboard boxes, the statistical results obtained indicated that enrichment increased social, rest and physiological behavior, and slowed down and downtime. Each species reacted in a specific way to enrichments, with better results being noticed with the Panthera onca group, followed by the Panthera leo, Panthera tigris and Puma concolor group, respectively. The theory of the use of environmental enrichment was proven and compared with other works similar to this one.
A novel approach for selecting potent peptide inhibitors of the SARS-CoV2-Mpro protease
Authors: Pisarchik Alexander
Published: April 2021

Here, we describe a new high throughput selection technology for identifying exceedingly specific and effective peptide inhibitors. This technology incorporates the co-expression of a cytotoxic protein and a library of peptide variants inserted directly into a loop of a carrier protein. Selection is based on the cytotoxicity neutralization by a member of a peptide library binding to and inhibiting the cytotoxic protein. Our technology provides the flexibility of screening both cyclic and linear peptides. Herein, we demonstrate the power of this technology by developing selective inhibitors of the main coronavirus protease (Mpro) in a matter of weeks by screening libraries of cyclic and linear peptides. This technology opens up an opportunity to develop inhibitors for a wide range of previously undruggable targets.
A novel double threshold-based spectrum sensing technique at low SNR under noise uncertainty for Cognitive Radio Systems
Authors: Mahendru Garima
Published: April 2021

Cognitive Radio is a novel concept that has invoked a paradigm shift in wireless communication and promises to solve the problem of spectrum underutilization. Spectrum sensing plays a pivotal role in a cognitive radio system by detecting the vacant spectrum for establishing a communication link. For any spectrum sensing method, detection probability and error probability portray a significant part in quantifying the detection performance. At low SNR, it becomes cumbersome to differentiate noise and signal due to which sensing method loses robustness and reliability. In this paper, mathematical modeling and critical measurement of detection probabilities has been done for energy detection-based spectrum sensing at low SNR in uncertain noisy environment. A mathematical model has been proposed to compute double thresholds for reliable sensing when the observed energy is less than the uncertainty in the noise power. A novel parameter “Threshold Wall” has been formulated for optimum threshold selection to overcome sensing failure. Comparative simulation and analytical result measurements have been presented that reveals improved sensing performance.
A Modular Tide Level Prediction Method Based On NARX Neural Network
Authors: Wu Wenhao , LI Lianbo , YIN Jianchuan , LYU Wenyu , ZHANG Wenjun
Published: April 2021

This paper proposed a modular tide level prediction model based on nonlinear autoregressive exogenous model (NARX) neural network in order to improve the accuracy of tide prediction. The model divides tide data into two parts: the astronomical tide data affected by celestial tide generating force, and non-astronomical tide data affected by various environmental factors. NARX neural network and harmonic analysis are used to simulate and predict the non-astronomical and astronomical part of tide respectively, and then the final result is obtained by combining the two parts. In this paper, the tide data from Yorktown, USA, are used to simulate the prediction of tide level, and the results are compared with the traditional harmonic analysis (HA) method and Genetic Algorithm-Back Propagation (GA-BP) neural network. The results show that as a dynamic neural network, NARX neural network modular prediction model is more suitable for the analysis and prediction of time series data and has better stability and accuracy.
Is the suckling period and application pattern relevant for fluazuron efficacy against ticks in cows and their suckling calves?
Authors: Suárez Gonzalo , Robaina Diego , Muela Agustina , Tatiana Saporiti , Puigvert Florencia , Alvariza Silvana , Pareja Lucia
Published: April 2021

Background: Fluazuron is a chitin synthesis inhibitor administered as a pour-on formulation in cattle for tick control. This study analyzes under endemic tick infestation, the incidence of the pour-on application pattern on the plasma levels of fluazuron in cows and calves in the lactation period of the beef cow. Three hundred and thirteen beef cows around parturition were treated with commercial pour-on formulation of fluazuron at a rate of 2.5 mg/kg of body weight. A total of 4 treatments were carried out with a dosing period set in a range of 32 to 45 days. At each administration time, the cows were grouped according to the pour-on administration pattern: long (~60 cm pour-on application surface) and short (~30 cm pour-on application surface). Fluazuron levels in cattle and calves plasma were determined before the third and fourth application for each subgroup (n=10) by HPLC-MS/MS. During the entire study cow–calf pairs were maintained under field conditions and qualitatively examined for tick infestation on the day of each treatment. Both treatment (long and short) schemes were designed to prevent the annual persistence of ticks.Results: None of the groups presented ticks during the first 117 days of the study. There were no differences after 40 days post-treatment of the second application (30±5 ppb vs 28.5±12 ppb, P>0.05) and 45 days after the third application (147±55 ppb vs 140±46 ppb, P >0.05) between groups of cows treated with the long or short pour-on application, respectively. Plasma concentration of fluazuron at second and third application was increased (3.3 and 2.9 times, respectively) in calves under free suckling compared to cows. Nevertheless, both groups of cows (4.9 times) and calves (2.8 times) showed a significant increase in plasma concentration of fluazuron between times (P<0.05). In both groups, tick prevalence was 0% throughout the trial, except for day 77, which reached 1%.Conclusions: The main conclusions of this study were the following: 1) Different administration patterns (long vs short) did not differ in plasma levels of fluazuron.; 2) Given that only the cattle were treated, and lactating calves presented higher plasma levels of fluazuron than cows, passage through milk appears to be relevant and possibly due to a cumulative effect and continuos drug intake.
The Novel Role of Circular RNA ST3GAL6 on Blocking GC Malignant Behaviors Through Autophagy Regulated by the FOXP2/MET/Mtor Axis
Authors: Xu Penghui , Zhang Xing , Cao Jiacheng , Yang Jing , Chen Zetian , Wang Weizhi , Wang Sen , Zhang Lu , Xie Li , Fang Lang , Xia Yiwen , Xuan Zhe , Lv Jialun , Xu Zekuan
Published: April 2021

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks third in motality among all cancers worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play essential roles in the malignant progression and metastasis of gastric cancer. As a transcription factor, FOXP2 is involved in the progression of many tumours. However, the regulation and association between circRNAs and FOXP2 remain to be discovered. In our study, CircST3GAL6 was significantly depressed in GC tissues and cells. circST3GAL6 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, circST3GAL6 overexpression induced apoptosis and promote autophagy in GC cells. Furthermore, we found that circST3GAL6 sponged miR-300 and subsequently regulated FOXP2. We further revealed that FOXP2 suppressed the activation of the Met/AKT/mTOR axis, a classic pathway that regulates autophagy-mediated proliferation and migration. In summary, our ﬁndings revealed that circST3GAL6 functions as a tumour suppressor through the miR-300/FOXP2 axis in GC, regulates apoptosis and autophagy through FOXP2-mediated transcriptional inhibition of the MET axis and may be a biomarker for GC treatment.
Non-Stem Bladder Cancer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Cancer Stem Cell Survival in Response to Chemotherapy 
Authors: Chung Wei-Min , Molony Ryan D , Lee Yi-Fen
Published: April 2021

Background: Chemosenstive non-stem cancer cells (NSCCs) constitute the bulk of tumors and are considered as part of the cancer stem cell (CSC) niche in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate the communication between tumors and the TME. In this study, we sought to investigate the impacts of EVs released by NSCCs on the maintenance of CSC properties and chemoresistance. Methods: We employed murine MB49 bladder cancer (BC) sub-lines representing CSCs and NSCCs as a model system. Chemotherapy drugs were used to treat NSCCs in order to collect conditioned EVs. The impacts of NSCC-derived EVs on CSC progression were evaluated through sphere formation, cytotoxicity, migration, and invasion assays, and by analyzing surface marker expression on these BC cells. Differential proteomic analyses were conducted to identify cargo protein candidates involving in the EV-mediated communication between NSCCs and CSCs. Results: NSCC-derived EVs contained cargo proteins enriched in proteostasis-related functions, and significantly altered the development of CSCs such that they were more intrinsically chemoresistant, aggressive, and better able to undergo self-renewal. Conclusions: We thus identified a novel communication mechanism whereby NSCC-EVs can alter the relative fitness of CSCs to promote disease progression and the acquisition of chemoresistance.
Surface Charge Manipulation and Electrostatic Immobilization of Synaptosomes for Super-resolution Imaging: A Study on Tau Compartmentalization
Authors: Bhattacharya Ushashi , Jhou Jia-Fong , Zou Yi-Fong , Abrigo Gerald , Lin Shu-Wei , Chen Yun-Hsuan , Chien Fan-Ching , Tai Hwan-Ching
Published: April 2021

Synaptosomes are subcellular fractions prepared from brain tissues that are enriched in synaptic terminals, widely used for the study of neural transmission and synaptic dysfunction. Immunofluorescence imaging is increasingly applied to synaptosomes to investigate protein localization. However, conventional methods for imaging synaptosomes over glass coverslips suffer from formaldehyde-induced aggregation. Here, we developed a simple and facile strategy to capture and image synaptosomes without aggregation artefacts. First, ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate) (EGS) is chosen as the chemical fixative to replace formaldehyde. EGS/glycine treatment makes the zeta potential of synaptosomes more negative. Second, we modified glass coverslips with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to impart positive charges. EGS-fixed synaptosomes spontaneously attach to modified glasses via electrostatic attraction while maintaining good dispersion. Individual synaptic terminals are imaged by conventional fluorescence microscopy or by super-resolution techniques such as direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). We examined tau protein by two-color and three-color dSTORM to understand its spatial distribution within mouse cortical synapses, observing tau colocalization with synaptic vesicles as well postsynaptic densities.
Accurate detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic mRNAs by ddPCR and meta-transcriptomics analysis
Authors: Oranger Annarita , Manzari Caterina , Chiara Matteo , Notario Elisabetta , Fosso Bruno , Parisi Antonio , Bianco Angelica , Iacobellis Michela , d'Avenia Morena , D'Erchia Anna Maria , Pesole Graziano
Published: April 2021

SARS-CoV-2 replication requires the synthesis of a set of structural proteins expressed through discontinuous transcription of ten subgenomic mRNAs (sgmRNAs). Here, we have fine-tuned a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays to accurately detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 genomic ORF1ab and sgmRNAs for the nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) proteins. We analyzed 166 RNAs from anonymized COVID-19 positive subjects and we found a recurrent and characteristic pattern of sgmRNAs expression in relation to the total viral RNA content. Further, we observed that expression profiles of sgmRNAs analyzed in a subset of 110 samples subjected to meta-transcriptomics sequencing were highly correlated with those obtained by ddPCR.
Our results, providing a comprehensive and dynamic snapshot of SARS-CoV-2 sgmRNAs expression and replication, may contribute to provide a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transcription and expression mechanisms, and support the development of more accurate molecular diagnostic tools and for the stratification of COVID-19 patients.
Use of 18F-FDG PET/CT to differentiate ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting lung tumors from tumor-like pulmonary infections in patients with ectopic Cushing syndrome
Authors: Hou Guozhu , Jiang Yuanyuan , Li Fang , Cheng Xin
Published: April 2021

Background: Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting lung tumors represent the most common cause of ectopic Cushing syndrome (ECS). Pulmonary opportunistic infections are associated with ECS and occasionally difficult to differentiate from tumors by using computed tomography (CT) alone. The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/CT (18F-FDG PET/CT) for differentiating ectopic ACTH-secreting lung tumors from tumor-like pulmonary infections in patients with ECS.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the imaging data for 24 patients with ECS who were suspected to have ACTH-secreting lung tumors and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT between 2008 and 2019. Part of the 24 patients underwent 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy and 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT.Results: In total, 18 patients had lung tumors and six had pulmonary infections. The primary source of ECS remained occult in the six patients with pulmonary infections. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for pulmonary infections was significantly higher than that for tumors (P = 0.008). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed, and it was found that a cut-off SUVmax of 4.95 helped in differentiating lung tumors from infections with 75% sensitivity and 94.4% specificity. In a subgroup analysis of 12 typical and five atypical carcinoids, there was no significant between-group difference with respect to SUVmax, the lesion size, the ACTH level, and the prevalence of regional lymph node metastasis. Four out of 6 patients with 5 infectious lesions and 16 out of 18 patients with 16 ACTH-secreting tumors underwent 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy, and 1/6 patients with 1 infectious lesion, and 6 out of 18 patients with 6 ACTH-secreting tumors underwent 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT. There is no significant difference in sensitivity between tumor lesions and infections using 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that pulmonary infections exhibit significantly higher FDG uptake than do well-differentiated ACTH-secreting lung tumors in 18F-FDG PET/CT. Therefore, SUVmax (cut-off 4.95) may be useful for differentiating the two conditions. However, 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy is of no value in distinguishing the focus of well-differentiated ACTH-secreting lung tumors from that of infection. Typical and atypical ACTH-secreting lung carcinoids may show similar clinical behavior and appearance on 18F-FDG PET/CT.
First microsatellite markers for the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and their application in analysis of parentage and genetic diversity
Authors: Gwiazdowska Aleksandra , Karpińska Oliwia , Kamionka-Kanclerska Katarzyna , Rowiński Patryk , Panagiotopoulou Hanna , Pomorski Jan J. , Broughton Richard K. , Silva Luis F. P. da , Rutkowski Robert
Published: April 2021

The European Robin is a small passerine bird associated with woodlands of Eurasia and North Africa. Despite being relatively widespread and common, little is known of the species’ breeding biology and genetic diversity. We used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to develop and characterize microsatellite markers for the European Robin, designing three multiplex panels to amplify 14 microsatellite loci. The level of polymorphism and its value for assessing parentage and genetic structure was estimated based on 119 individuals, including seven full families and 69 unrelated individuals form Poland’s Białowieża Primaeval Forest and an additional location in Portugal. All markers appeared to be highly variable. Analysis at the family level confirmed a Mendelian manner of inheritance in the investigated loci. Genetic data also revealed evidence for extra-pair paternity in one family. The set of markers that we developed are proven to be valuable for analysis of the breeding biology and population genetics of the European Robin.
Assessment of Safety Practice and Associated Factors Among Waste Handlers in Governmental Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Tekle Tesgera , Abegaz Teferi , Wondimagne Abigiya , Abdo Ziyad Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Background: Health facilities generate different types of wastes characterized as hazardous wastes and most of them are infectious, toxic, harmful and carcinogenic. Medical Waste handlers faced massive exposure to hazardous wastes and occupational accidents as a result of manual handling of waste and working under unfavorable conditions. This indicates that waste handlers are often at high risk occupational injuries. In Ethiopia there are limited studies and updated information concerning this issues and it is not well studied in our study settings. The aim of this study was to assess safety practices and associated factors among selected public hospital waste handler in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019.Method: An institutional based cross- sectional study was used to conduct the study. All waste handlers of selected government hospital were included in the study. The data was collected via interview using structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multi variable logistic regressions were employed to identify the predictor variables. Statistical significance was considered at P <0.05 with adjusted odds ratio calculated at 95% CI. Result: The prevalence of current safety practice among public hospital waste handlers was found to be 44.1% (95% CI; 37.3-51.0). Respondents with good knowledge (AOR=4.7; 95% CI: 1.9, 11.5), having good supplies (AOR=6.78; 95% CI: 2.2, 20.7) had higher odds of adherence to safety practices compared to their counterparts.Conclusion: The study shows that the prevalence of safety practice is low. Knowledge of waste handles on safety measures and availability & accessibility of safety materials is the determinant factors for safety practice while handling waste. To sustain good safety practice adequate per-service and in-service training should be in place to increase their knowledge about safety precautions and availing safety materials for adherence to safety practice among hospital waste handlers.
Performance Modelling and Analysis of IoT based Edge computing policies
Authors: Shirke Archana , Chandane M. M.
Published: April 2021

In today’s era, the acceptance of IoT-based edge devices is growing exponentially, which creates challenges of data acquisition, processing, and communication. In the edge computing paradigm, intelligence is shifted from the center to the edge by performing specific processing and prediction locally. A strategy based on reducing communication resources between sensors and edge devices is the prime focus of this investigation. It uses a predictive model-based policy at edge devices for the reconstruction of not delivered context vector. A new hybrid Averaged Exponential Smoothening (AES) policy proposed is based on the current context vectors as well as a smoothing vector to reduce reconstruction error and improve the percentage of communication. It is observed that if we send data only when there is a marginal change in data then we can reduce communication overhead as well as keep reconstruction error low. This policy would be suitable for IoT-based edge computing applications for the smart city such as Smart Home, Healthcare, and Intelligent traffic to delivers the power of AI.
Computationally accelerated discovery of high entropy pyrochlore oxides
Authors: Pitike Krishna Chaitanya , Macias Antonio , Eisenbach Markus , Bridges Craig , Cooper Valentino
Published: April 2021

High entropy ceramics provide enhanced flexibility for tailoring a wide range of physical properties, emerging from the diverse chemical and configurational degrees of freedom. Expanding upon the endeavors of recently synthesized high entropy ceramics in rock salt, fluorite, spinel and perovskite structures, we explore the relative feasibility of formation of high entropy pyrochlore oxides, A2B2O7, with multi-cation occupancy of the B-site, estimated from first principles based thermodynamic descriptors. Subsequently, we used Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the phase composition, oxygen vacancy concentration and local ionic segregation as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. In parallel, we have investigated the synthesis of several multicomponent oxides with a pyrochlore composition, related to our computational investigations, resulting in several high purity pyrochlore oxides, in some cases with minor impurity phases. Ultimately, our approach allows us to evaluate potential impurity phases, ionic disorder and oxygen vacancy concentration in response to the experimental variables, thereby making realistic predictions that can direct and accelerate experimental synthesis of novel multicomponent ceramics.
3MCor: An Integrative Web Server for Metabolome-Microbiome-Metadata Correlation Analysis
Authors: Sun Tao , Li Mengci , Yu Xiangtian , Liang Dandan , Xie Guoxiang , Sang Chao , Jia Wei , Chen Tianlu
Published: April 2021

Background: Mounting evidences have shown that microbiome and metabolome are closely linked to human health and dual-omics studies expanded our knowledge and understanding of health and life. Here, we designed and developed a full-function and easy-to-use platform, 3MCor (http://3mcor.cn/), for metabolome and microbiome correlation analysis under the instruction of phenotype and with the consideration of confounders.Results: Many traditional and newly reported correlation analysis methods were integrated for intra- and inter-correlation analysis. Three inter-correlation pipelines are provided for global, hierarchical, and pairwise analysis. Especially, the incorporated network analysis function is conducive to a rapid identification of network clusters and key nodes from a complicated correlation network. Complete numerical results (csv files) and rich figures (pdf files) will be generated in minutes. To our knowledge, 3MCor is the first platform developed specifically for the correlation analysis of metabolome and microbiome. Its functions were compared with corresponding modules of existing omics data analysis platforms. Results from 2 real-world data sets, one from a public library with a continuous phenotype and one from our lab with a categorical phenotype, were used to demonstrate its simple and flexible operation, comprehensive outputs, and distinctive contribution to dual-omics studies. Conclusions: 3MCor is powerful with complementary pipelines and comprehensive considerations of phenotypes, confounders, and the interactions among omics features. In addition to the web server, the backend R script is available at https://github.com/chentianlu/3MCorServer.
Efficacy of Titanium Brush, 915 nm Diode Laser, Citric Acid for Eradication of Staphylococcus Aureus from Implant Surfaces
Authors: Karimi Mohammad Reza , Farkhondemehr Behshad , Najafi Motahare Ghaeni , Etemadi Ardavan , Chiniforush Nasim
Published: April 2021

Background: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of titanium brush, 915 nm diode laser, citric acid and the combination of latter two with titanium brush for decontamination of SLA surface mini-implants.Materials and Methods: Seventy-five mini-implants contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=12) of titanium brush (TiB), laser, citric acid (CA), brush-laser, and brush-acid, positive [n=12; chlorhexidine mouthwash (CHX)] and negative [n=2; phosphate buffered saline (PBS)] control groups and one no-treatment group (n=1). After counting the colony forming units (CFUs), data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn post-hoc tests.Results: Regardless of the no-treatment and negative control groups, maximum and minimum CFUs were noted in the titanium brush and positive control groups. After CHX, minimum CFUs were noted in brush-acid group followed by brush-laser, laser, and acid groups. Generally, the Kruskal-Walli test revealed a significant difference between the groups regarding the colony count (P<0.001). Dunn post-hoc test showed that the difference between the titanium brush and acid-brush group was significant (P<0.001) while the differences between the brush and laser groups with the brush-laser group were not significant (P>0.077).Conclusions: Maximum reduction in colony count was noted in the positive control group. Combination of titanium brush and laser was also effective for decreasing the colony count; however, combined use of titanium brush and citric acid yielded superior results compared to other groups.
Genome-Wide Association Study and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal Key Genes Affecting Root Growth Dynamics In Rapeseed
Authors: Li Keqi , Wang Jie , Kuang Lieqiong , Tian Ze , Wang Xinfa , Dun Xiaoling , Tu Jinxing , Wang Hanzhong
Published: April 2021

Root growth is a dynamic process mediated by interactive genetic factors and environmental cues. Seven root-related traits and two shoot-related traits in 280 Brassica napus accessions at five continuous vegetative stages were measured to establish the genetic basis of root growth in rapeseed. The persistent and stage-specific genetic mechanisms were revealed by root dynamic analysis. Sixteen persistent and 32 stage-specific quantitative trait loci (QTL) clusters were identified through genome-wide association study (GWAS). Root samples with contrasting (slow and fast) growth rates throughout investigated stages and those with obvious stage-specific changes in growth rates were subjected to transcriptome analysis. The former identified 367 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with persistently differential expressions throughout root development that were significantly enriched in GO terms of energy metabolism and response to biotic or abiotic stress, whereas the later identified 485 stage-specific DEGs with different expressions at corresponding stage that were enriched in GO terms of nitrogen metabolism. By integrating GWAS, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and differential expression analysis, four and eight candidate genes less than 100 kb away from peak SNPs of QTL clusters were identified as key persistent and stage-specific genetic factors, respectively. The homologs of 3 genes ( BnaA03g52990D , BnaA06g37280D, and BnaA09g07580D ) out of 12 candidate genes have been reported to regulate root development in previous studies. Our results provide new insights into the temporal genetic mechanisms of root growth by identifying key candidate QTL/genes in rapeseed.
Efficacy and Safety of the use of Pertuzumab in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients in a Real-World Setting: Results from the SUPER-GONO (Gruppo Oncologico del Nord Ovest) Study
Authors: Garrone Ornella , Giarratano Tommaso , Blondeaux Eva , D'Onofrio Loretta , Michelotti Andrea , Beano Alessandra , Aprile Giuseppe , Guarneri Valentina , Paccagnella Matteo , Vanella Paola , Saggia Chiara , Coltelli Luigi , Cazzaniga Marina E , Verde Nicla La , Ruatta Fiorella , Collovà Elena , Montemurro Filippo , Mastro Lucia Del , Landucci Elisabetta , Allegrini Giacomo , Santini Daniele , Blasi Livio , Ardito Raffaele , Denaro Nerina , DeConciliis Enrico , Airoldi Mario , Merlano Marco C
Published: April 2021

Background: Real world data have the potential to demonstrate the applicability of the results of randomized studies in the general population. SUPER trial was conducted in order to assess the activity, the efficacy and the safety of the combination of pertuzumab, trastuzumab and chemotherapy in clinical practice.Material and methods: Patients diagnosed with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) and treated with pertuzumab, trastuzumab and chemotherapy were accrued at 18 italian hospitals. Data were retrospectively collected in the time frame between pertuzumab availability in clinical practice and study approval in 2016, and prospectively collected thereafter. Results: Overall 342 HER2 positive mBC were accrued. 172 patients had relapsed disease and 56.4% of them received neo/adjuvant trastuzumab. 205 patients received docetaxel. Objective response rate was 76.3% (95%CI: 71.4–80.7). Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 24.3 months (95% CI: 20.0–28.9) and 70.2 months (95% CI: 61.4–79.0) respectively. Triple positive patients treated with endocrine therapy in addition to pertuzumab and trastuzumab maintenance had a significant longer PFS and OS than patients who did not. mPFS was 31.2 months and 13 months respectively (HR=0.47; 95% CI: 0.33–0.66; p<0.001) and mOS was 72.3 months and 56.8 months respectively (HR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.36–0.92; p=0.02). Pretreatment with trastuzumab did not hamper the outcome. In addition, maintaining the dual blockade inhibition at disease progression with the same CT partner or alternative endocrine agent leading to further benefit.Conclusions: SUPER suggests that results of first-line treatment with pertuzumab, trastuzumab and chemotherapy in unselected patients are consistent with findings from CLEOPATRA trial.Moreover, as expected from real world evidence, new insights have emerged.
The Effects of Soil Amendments On Leaf Anatomical Characteristics of Marigolds Cultivated In Cadmium-spiked Soils
Authors: Thongchai Alapha , Meeinkuirt Weeradej , Taeprayoon Puntaree , Chelong Isma-ae
Published: April 2021

The marigolds (Tagetes spp.) in this study, were classified as excluders for cadmium (Cd); however, their leaves also accumulated substantial Cd content. Among the experimental growth media (i.e., control, cattle, pig manure, and leonardite served as soil amendments), pig manure was found to result in significantly increased growth performance for all marigold cultivars, as seen by relative growth rates (119-132.3%) and showed positive effects on leaf anatomy modifications e.g., thickness of spongy and palisade mesophyll, size of vein area and diameter of xylem cells. This may be due to substantially higher essential nutrient content, e.g., total N and extractable P, in pig manure that aided all marigold cultivars particularly the French cultivar which exhibited the highest relative growth rate (132.3%). In the Cd only treatment, cell disorganization was observed in vascular bundles as well as in palisade and spongy mesophyll, which may have been causal in returning the lowest plant growth performances recorded in this study, particularly in the American and Honey cultivars (RGR = 73% and 77.3%, respectively).
Descriptive Study of Cases of Schizophrenia in the Malian Population
Authors: Coulibaly Souleymane dit Papa , Ba Baba , Mounkoro Pakuy Pierre , Diakite Brehima , Kassogue Yaya , Maiga Mamoudou , Dara Aperou Eloi , Traoré Joseph , Kamaté Zoua , Traoré Kadiatou , Koné Mahamadou , Maiga Boubacar , Diarra Zoumana , Coulibaly Souleymane , Togora Arouna , Maiga Youssoufa , Koumaré Baba
Published: April 2021

Background.
Schizophrenia is a relatively common disease worldwide with a point prevalence of around 5/1000 in the population. The aim of this present work was to assess the demographic, clinical, familial, and environmental factors associated with schizophrenia in Mali.
Methods.
This was a prospective descriptive study on a series of 164 patients aged at least 12 years who came for a follow-up consultation at the psychiatry department of the University Hospital Center (CHU) Point G in Mali between February 2019 and January 2020 for schizophrenia spectrum disorder as defined by DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
Results.
Our results revealed that the male sex was predominant (80.5%). The 25–34 age group was more represented with 44.5%. The place of birth of the majority of our patients was the urban area (52.4%). The urban area also represented mainly the place of the first year of life of our patients (56.1%). The unemployed were more numerous with 56.1%. The number of singles represented 61%. Patients with secondary education were more frequent (58.5%). With the exception of education level, there was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of demographic parameters. Familial schizophrenia cases were observed in 51.7% against 49.3% for non-familial cases. The most common clinical manifestation of schizophrenia was the paranoid form (34.1%), followed by the Undifferentiated form (28.7%), and the Hebephrenia form (17.1%). Most of the schizophrenic patients were born during the cold season with 48.8% of cases. Most schizophrenic patients did not use cannabis (68.7%). The majority of schizophrenic patients came from families in which the father (51.2%) and mother (64.2%) did not attend school.
Conclusions.
The onset of schizophrenia in the Malian population has been associated with socio-demographic, clinical, genetic and environmental characteristics.
A Meta-Analysis of The Effects of Grazing On Plant Diversity, Biomass and Soil Properties of Alpine Grassland On The Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Wenlong , Liu Chenli , Zhou Huakun , Wang Wenying , Xu Jing , Xue Pengfei , Yan Hepiao
Published: April 2021

Aim As one of the main human disturbance factors in the alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau, grazing not only directly affects grassland plant diversity and biomass, but also indirectly changes soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) of grassland. Despite of extensive field grazing experiments, the impacts of grazing on grassland diversity, soil C and N remain uncertain due to different grazing management.Methods We conducted a meta-analysis of 70 peer-reviewed publications to evaluate the general response of 11 variables related to alpine grassland plant-soil ecosystems to grazing.Results The results showed that grazing significantly increased species richness, Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou evenness index by 9.8%, 7.3% and 3.7%, respectively. Aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen, soil C: N ratio and soil moisture decreased by 41.9%, 17.7%, 13.1%, 12.6%, 3.3% and 20.8%, respectively. Soil bulk density and soil pH increased by 17.5% and 2.2%, respectively. Specifically, moderate grazing, long-duration (>5 years) and winter grazing contributed to the increase in the species richness, Shannon-Wiener index, and Pielou evenness index. Aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen and soil C: N ratio showed a decreasing trend with enhanced grazing intensity. Furthermore, grazing duration, grazing season, livestock type and grassland type also affected alpine grassland plant diversity, biomass, soil C and N.Conclusions Grazing is beneficial to the maintenance of plant diversity, but negatively affects the storage of soil C and N in alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau. We suggest that grazing should follow intermediate grazing practice and synthesize other appropriate grazing patterns, such as seasonal and rotation grazing, thus, further research on grazing management is needed in this regard.
Acoustic notch filtering earmuff utilizing Helmholtz resonator arrays
Authors: Mizukoshi Fumiya , Takahashi Hidetoshi
Published: April 2021

In recent years, noisy bustling environments have created situations in which earmuffs must soundproof only specific noise while transmitting significant sounds, such as voices, for work safety and efficiency. Two sound insulation technologies have been utilized: passive noise control (PNC) and active noise control (ANC). However, PNC is incapable of insulating selective frequencies of noise, and ANC is limited to low-frequency sounds. Thus, it has been difficult for traditional earmuffs to cancel out only high-frequency noise that people feel uncomfortable hearing. Here, we propose an acoustic notch filtering earmuff utilizing Helmholtz resonator (HR) arrays that provides a sound attenuation effect around the tuneable resonant frequency. A sheet-like sound insulating plate comprising HR arrays is realized in a honeycomb structure. Since the resonant frequency is determined by the geometry of the HR arrays, a highly audible sound region can be designed as the target frequency. In this research, the acoustic notch filtering performance of the proposed HR array plate was investigated in both simulations and experiments. Furthermore, the fabricated earmuffs using the novel HR array plates achieved a sound insulation performance exceeding 40 dB at the target frequency, which is sufficiently high compared to conventional earmuffs. The experimental results confirm that the proposed device is a useful approach for insulating frequency-selective sound.
Usefulness of the extraction-free RT-PCR methods for the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics: An Italian experience
Authors: Domnich Alexander , De Pace Vanessa , Pennati Beatrice M. , Caligiuri Patrizia , Varesano Serena , Bruzzone Bianca , Orsi Andrea
Published: April 2021

The extraction-based real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is currently the “gold standard” for the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. However, some extraction-free RT-PCR techniques have been recently developed. In this study we compared the performance of heated and unheated extraction-free methods with the traditional extraction-based SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. The unheated extraction-free showed a perfect agreement with the standard extraction-based RT-PCR. By contrast, the heat-treated technique was associated with an 8.2% false negativity rate. The unheated extraction-free RT-PCR for the SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostics is a valuable alternative to the traditional extraction-based methods and may accelerate turnaround times by about two hours.
Exogenous Phytohormones Modulates Cypermethrin Stress in Anabaena sp. and Nostoc Muscorum: Toxicity Alleviation by Up-regulation of Ascorbate-glutathione Cycle
Authors: Tiwari Santwana , Prasad Sheo Mohan
Published: April 2021

Present study demonstrated the effect of phytohormones KN and IAA under cypermethrin (Cyp1; 2 µg ml− 1 and Cyp2; 4 µg ml− 1) toxicity in two nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria Nostoc muscorum ATCC 27893 and Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 by investigating growth, exopolysaccharides (EPS) contents, protein content, oxidative stress visualization inside the cell and ascorbate- glutathione cycle. Decline in growth were noticed under both the doses of cypermethrin but the decline was more (30%) at higher dose in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 as compare to N. muscorum. This decrease was due to increased production of oxidative biomarkers (i.e. SOR and H2O2) subsequently membrane got damaged which was noticed by measuring MDA equivalents content (in vivo visualization). Kinetin and IAA alleviated the SOR and H2O2 content resulting in recovery of cellular membrane and the growth was optimized up to control level. Detoxification of H2O2 is guided by enzymes/metabolites of AsA-GSH cycle like ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) and dehydroascorabte reductase (DHAR) activity were found to be stimulated at lower dose of cypermethrin as compare to higher dose. while the amount of metabolites: total ascorbate (AsA), total glutathione (GSH) and ratios of reduced/oxidized AsA (AsA/DHA) and GSH (GSH/GSSG) showed significant reduction at both the doses but the reduction was more at higher dose of cypermethrin. Kinetin and IAA positively regulate the AsA-GSH cycle by enhancing the activity of APX, GR, MDHAR and DHAR activity and raising the metabolites content and their reduced/oxidized ratio. This study suggests the increased enzymatic activity and AsA/DHA ratio leads to reduced production of H2O2 in the presence of both the phytohormones which further leads to enhanced growth in both the organism but the effect of KN and IAA was more pronounced in N. muscorum suggesting its resistivity against stress.
Comparative analysis and synthesis of silver nano-particles from selected parts of Mimosa pudica to treat urinary tract infection
Authors: L Gowrishankar.L , L Shadeesh , Yogapiya R , Balakrishnaraja R , Gowthamraj G
Published: April 2021

Mimosa pudica L. (Mimosaceae) is the one of the herbs that shows the activity of sensation while touch and it grow as a weed in all the country. In major it has an antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, analgesic and anti-depressant activities. In the present study, antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of Mimosa pudica compared with the extract infused with the synthesis of silver nano particles against various pathogenic bacteria causes UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Enterobacter, Proteus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus aureus at different concentrations analyzed with the crude ethanol extract. At the end Silver nano particles showed a maximum zone of inhibition than normal ethanol extract against UTI pathogens. The surface topography and composition of the sample is detected by using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), Infrared spectrum of absorption, emission and the stability of colloidal dispersion is analyzed by Zeta potential and to for the presence of interfering substance Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic method is also used.
Studies on the Surface and Optical Properties of Ta-Doped ZnO Thin Films Deposited By Thermionic Vacuum Arc
Authors: Pat Suat , Mohammadigharehbagh Reza , Akkurt Nihan , Korkmaz Şadan
Published: April 2021

In this research, Ta doped ZnO thin films have been deposited onto glass and Si substrate by Thermionic vacuum arc (TVA) thin film deposition system. TVA is anodic plasma thin film deposition system and it is used to relatively high-quality thin films deposition. ZnO thin films have direct optical band gap of 3.37 eV. Tantalum is an efficient higher-valance element. Ta atom gives the more electrons compared to Zinc atom and their ionic radius are very close to each other, so substituted element does not bring into additional stress in crystal network. The deposited thin films were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and interferometer. To change the band gap properties of the ZnO thin film, Ta doping was used and band gap of Ta doped ZnO thin film was obtained 3.1 eV by Tauc’s method. The wt % ratios for Zn/Ta were calculated as 0.45 and 0.42 for the films deposited onto glass and Si substrate, respectively. Crystallite sizes of Ta doped ZnO thin film was decreased by changing substrate material. To the best of our knowledge, substituted Ta elements connected to the oxygen atom in crystal network and orthorhombic β′-Ta2O5 were detected in the all films structure. Their band gaps of the β′-Ta2O5 were measured as 2.70 eV and 2.60 eV for Ta-doped ZnO thin films deposited onto glass and Si substrate, respectively. Up to day, the band gap of the β′-Ta2O5 was calculated by density function theory. According to results, β′-Ta2O5 structure was found as embedded from in the ZnO crystal network.