bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Microbial Cell Concentration Technology in the Production of Live Plague Vaccine in the Form of Orodispersible Tablets
Authors: Sharov D. A. , Leshchenko A. A. , Bagin S. V. , Logvinov S. V. , Mokhov D. A. , Ezhov A. V. , Lazykin A. G. , Krupin V. V. , Kosenkov I. V.
Published: February 2021

The aim of the study was to improve the procedure for the Yersinia pestis EV strain cell concentration using the system for tangential flow microfiltration with the ASF-020 filter support unit.

Materials and methods. The study used the vaccine Y. pestis EV strain derived from NIIEG cell line. Submerged cultivation of the native culture was performed using BIOR-0.25 reactor with automated control system. Microbial suspension concentrate was produced through microfiltration applying (Adaptive filtration system) AFS-009 and AFS-020 installations. The content of live microbial cells was determined by cytorefractometry. Assessment of the resistance of Y. pestis EV strain cells to technological factors was performed by photometric registration of changes in the optical density of bacterial suspension during the lytic response of cells to sodium dodecyl sulfate. Physical-chemical and immunobiological properties of the dry live plague vaccine were determined in accordance with the pharmacopoeial item.3.3.1.0021.15 of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, 14th edition.

Results and discussion. The design features of the equipment introduced made it possible to carry out membrane filtration of microbial suspension, using BIOR-0.25 reactor as an intermediate storage unit, thereby excluding three technological stages. The total concentration of microbes in the suspension obtained by routine and improved methods was more than 150 billion microbial cells per ml. A comparative study of the effect of various hydrodynamic regimes in the working cavities of AFS-009 and AFS-020 filter units did not significantly affect the morphometric properties and resistance of microbial cultures to extreme (technological) factors. Based on the experimental data, the mass balance of the membrane filtration process has been determined. The optimized technology gave 0.13 liter yield of concentrate from 1 liter of native culture, and the process duration was reduced to 5 hours, the yield of the finished product in one production cycle was increased by 3 times. Thus, the process of concentrating Y. pestis EV strain cells during the production of the tablet form of live plague vaccine has been enhanced. A comparative study of the morphometric properties and resistance of plague microbe cultures to technological factors in the process of their concentration using optimized technology did not reveal any significant differences as compared to the routine one. Technological stage of concentrating has been reduced to 5 h term with a three-fold increase in the yield of finished product.
Agua electrolizada como higienizante en producción animal: efectos en sanidad y productividad
Authors: Tabernero de Paz M. J. , Bodas R. , Bartolomé D. , Posado R. , García J. J. , Olmedo S.
Published: February 2021

En este trabajo se realiza una revisión de las posibilidades que ofrece el agua electrolizada como agente de limpieza en los sistemas de producción animal, donde ha sido utilizada con éxito en procesos de desinfección de equipos y como higienizante del agua de bebida, observándose interesantes efectos sobre la fisiología y la sanidad animal así como en el rendimiento y productividad de los animales.
Lenticular-bedding-like bioturbation and the onshore recognition of carbonate drifts (Oligocene, Cyprus)
Authors: Reolid Jesús , Betzler Christian , Bialik Or M. , Waldman Nicolas
Published: February 2021

The fine-grained carbonate deposits of the Oligocene to early Miocene of Cyprus are the most characteristic example of onshore outcropping carbonate drifts. These deposits were analyzed from a sedimentological and ichnological perspective, in order to determine the origin of the lenticular bedding characteristic of such deposits. The facies at the two study sections, Tsada and Petra Tou Romiou, consist of an alternation of thin, poorly cemented, intensely bioturbated marly limestone intervals and thick cemented wackestone intervals with abundant bioturbation and “lenticular bedding.” The ichnoassemblage, comprising Zoophycos, Thalassinoides, and Planolites is attributable to the Zoophycos Ichnofacies. The alternation of intervals with medium to well-preserved traces with completely biogenically homogenized facies reflects changes in substrate consistency related to changes in bottom-current velocity or to sedimentation. The presence of lenticular-bedding-like structures in the study deposits, traditionally considered diagnostic of bottom-current action in carbonate-drift outcrops, is shown to be exclusively the result of bioturbation. In the study sections, the “lenticular bedding” is the result of the coalescence of successive Zoophycos structures, which are readily preserved because they are constructed in the historical layer. It is proposed that the overlap of abundant isolated cone-shaped burrows of Zoophycos is the origin of the putative lenticular bedding recorded in the Oligocene fine-grained carbonate deposits of Cyprus, traditionally identified as drifts. Since this bedding is not related to currents in the study sections, the consideration of these carbonate deposits of Cyprus as drifts should be reevaluated. This has crucial implications for the recognition of carbonate drift outcrops elsewhere. Onshore carbonate drift outcrops wherein lenticular bedding is the main diagnostic criterion should be revisited and evaluated ichnologically.
FOSSILIZATION OF THE EOCENE “MONKEYHAIR” LATICIFER TREE FROM GEISELTAL, GERMANY: A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING USING MICRO-CT AND PYROLYSIS GC/MS
Authors: MCCOY VICTORIA E. , BOOM ARNOUD , WINGS OLIVER , WAPPLER TORSTEN , LABANDEIRA CONRAD C. , GEE CAROLE T.
Published: February 2021

Although the fibrous plant material called Affenhaar from the middle Eocene lignites of Geiseltal in Germany has been repeatedly studied for over 172 years, modern imaging and chemical analyses have enabled a deeper understanding of its chemical composition and preservation within the parent plant. Known in English as “monkeyhair,” the fibrous material represents a very rare case of fossil laticifers, the latex-bearing ducts of plants. Here we use high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) for the first time to elucidate the anatomy of tissues and their differential degradation within the monkeyhair tree. Even in large, fairly intact stem axes, the center cylinder of secondary xylem inside the trunks or branches is completely absent, presumably due to diagenetic degradation. Nevertheless, there is a moderately well-preserved outer layer of bark and mats of excellently preserved laticifers in the extraxylary zone beneath the bark. Previous chemical analyses revealed that the latex in these laticifers was dominated by natural rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene), but also included various triterpenoids. These fossil laticifers also contained large amounts of organic sulfur, suggesting the rubber may have been naturally vulcanized. Pyrolysis GC/MS is also applied to the fossil laticifers for the first time to identify the organic sulfur constituents of this ancient latex. The chemical analysis yields 12 major sulfur compounds, mostly thiophenes, consistent with vulcanized rubber. The vulcanization of these laticifers most likely occurred during early diagenesis, before the degradation of the wood, at low temperatures, and may have been facilitated with other compounds that served as accelerators, activators, and fillers.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of castleman disease patients in a Chinese hospital: paraneoplastic pemphigus is an independent risk factor
Authors: Hua Yibo , Liang Chao , Yang Jie , Wang Luyang , Xi Lei , Xu Aimin , Wang Shangqian , Wang Zengjun
Published: February 2021

Background: Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder that has had limited clinical research. This study aims to detect the clinical manifestations, pathological features, and prognostic factors of this disease.Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the information of 54 patients with CD hospitalized in a single centre. A Cox regression model was employed to perform univariate analysis and multivariate analysis in order to identify independent prognostic factors for survival.Results: Based on clinical classification, 30 patients (55.6%) had unicentric CD (UCD) and 24 patients (44.4%) had multicentric CD (MCD). Moreover, pathological classification identified 32 cases (59.3%) with hyaline vascular variant (HV), 3 (5.6%) with mixed cellular variant (Mix), and 19 (35.2%) with plasmacytic variant (PC). The MCD patients commonly exhibited clinical signs and symptoms, including fever, splenomegaly, and pleural effusion and/or ascites. Several clinical complications, such as liver injury, anemia, and polyradiculoneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder, skin changes syndrome (POEMS) were more common in MCD patients. Univariate analysis showed that presence of paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) were unfavorable factors relating to CD patient survival. Multivariate analysis identified the presence of PNP as an independent prognostic factor in patients with CD.Conclusions: This study provided a panoramic elaboration of CD cases and showed the presence of PNP was an independent unfavorable factor.
Mismatch repair deficiency is associated with specific morphologic features and frequent loss of ARID1A expression in ovarian clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Ge Huijuan , Xiao Yaoxin , Qin Guangqi , Gu Yanzi , Cai Xu , Jiang Wenhua , Tu Xiaoyu , Yang Wentao , Bi Rui
Published: February 2021

Background Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is the second subtype of ovarian epithelial carcinoma reported to be closely related to Lynch syndrome (LS). ARID1A mutation is an important pathogenetic mechanism in OCCC that leads to loss of ARID1A expression in approximately half of OCCCs. However, the correlation of MMR status and ARID1A deficiency is unclear. The current study aimed to identify the clinical and histopathological characteristics of OCCC associated with dMMR and to further explore the association between dMMR and ARID1A deficiency. Methods A cohort of 176 primary OCCC patients was enrolled and review included histological characteristics (nuclear atypia, necrosis, mitosis, stromal hyalinization, and background precursors) and host inflammatory response (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, peritumoral lymphocytes, intratumoral stromal inflammation and plasma cell infiltration). Immunohistochemical staining of MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6 and ARID1A was performed using tissue microarrays.Results dMMR was detected in 10/176 tumors (6%), followed by MSH2/MSH6 (6/176), MLH1/PMS2 (3/176), and MSH6 (1/176). The average age of patients with dMMR was younger than that of patients with intact MMR (46 y vs 53 y). Tumors with diffuse intratumoral stromal inflammation remained significantly associated after multivariate analysis. ARID1A expression was absent in 8 patients with dMMR (8/10), which is a significantly higher frequency than that observed in patients with intact MMR (80% vs. 43.2%). Conclusion Our study indicates that diffuse intratumoral stromal inflammation of OCCCs is associated with dMMR, with loss of MSH2/MSH6 expression being most frequent. dMMR is strongly associated with the loss of ARID1A expression in OCCC.
Factors Associated With Herbal Medicine Use in Pregnancy Among Postnatal Mothers in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Western Uganda
Authors: Muteebwa Laban , Ssetaala Ali , Muramuzi Dan , Nanvubya Annet , Mayanja Yunia
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThere is widespread use of herbal medicines among populations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, pregnant women should be conscious about medication taken during pregnancy including herbal medicines because their safety profiles are not known and some of them might affect the mother, fetus and pregnancy outcomes. Knowledge about use and safety of herbs in pregnant women is limited. This study aimed to assess the extent of use and the factors associated with use of herbal medicine in pregnancy.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 385 women 6 weeks post-partum and below, receiving post-natal services at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Western Uganda was conducted during May to August 2016. Simple random sampling was used to select participants. A structured pretested questionnaire was administered after written informed consent. Data was analyzed using logistic regression (STATA- 14).ResultsOf 385 respondents, 70.4% reported to have used herbal medicine during their most recent pregnancy. Associated factors were perception that herbal medicines are safe (aOR 9.8, 95% CI (4.2-23.0), perception that herbal medicines are important (aOR 12.4, 95% CI (5.2-29.5), staying more than 10KM from the heath facility (aOR 3.1, 95%CI (1.4-6.9), being a first time mother (aOR 2.6, 95%CI (1.1-6.2) and dissatisfaction with ANC services at health facility (aOR 2.6, 95%CI (1.1-6.3)ConclusionHerbal medicine use in pregnancy is common in the study area. Community Sensitization drives about the dangers of herbal medicine use in pregnancy is recommended. Healthcare workers should routinely screen for herbal medicine use during antenatal care visits and labor.
Multiplex Sequencing of SARS-Cov-2 genome directly from clinical samples using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM)
Authors: Tan Kim-Kee , Tiong VunJia , Jia-Yi Tan , Wong Jo-Ern , Teoh Boon-Teong , Abd-Jamil Juraina , Johari Jefree , Nor'E Siti Sarah , Khor Chee-Sieng , Yaacob Che-Norainon , Zulkifli Mulya-Mustika-Sari , CheMatSeri AsmaAnati , Mahfodz Nur-Hidayana , Azizan Noor Syahida , AbuBakar Sazaly
Published: February 2021

Various methods have been developed for rapid and high throughput full genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we described a protocol for targeted multiplex full genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA directly extracted from human nasopharyngeal swabs using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM). This protocol involves concomitant amplification of 237 gene fragments encompassing the SARS-CoV-2 genome to increase the abundance and yield of viral specific sequencing reads. Five complete and one near-complete genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were generated with a single Ion PGM sequencing run. The sequence coverage analysis revealed two amplicons (positions 13751-13965 and 23941-24106), which consistently gave low sequencing read coverage in all isolates except 4Apr20-64-Hu. We analyzed the potential primer binding sites within these low covered regions and noted that the 4Apr20-64-Hu possess C at positions 13730 and 23929, whereas the other isolates possess T at these positions. The genetic variations observed suggest that the naturally occurring genome variations present in the actively circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains affected the performance of the target enrichment panel of the Ion AmpliSeq™ SARS‑CoV‑2 Research Panel. The possible impact of other genetic sequence variations warrants further investigation, and an improved version of the Ion AmpliSeq™ SARS‑CoV‑2 Research Panel, hence, should be considered.
Effects of Propolis Supplementation on The Severity of Disease In Irritable Bowel Syndrome Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Miryan Mahsa , Alavinejad Pejman , Abbaspour Mohammadreza , Soleimani Davood , Ostadrahimi Alireza
Published: February 2021

The effects of propolis, a well-known functional food, on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, in humans have yet to be investigated. This study evaluated propolis effects in IBS subjects. In this clinical study, 56 patients with IBS diagnosed by Rome IV criteria were assigned for 6 weeks randomly to the study groups. At the baseline and endpoint phase, patients’ gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life (QOL), anxiety state, dietary intakes, and anthropometric indices were assessed. Independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon, Fisher's exact test, repeated measures analysis of variance and logistic regression test were used for analyzing the data. To adjust the effect of confounders, covariance analysis was used. The results of this study showed that after modulating the effect of potential confounders, propolis supplementation increased the chance of improving IBS severity by 6.22 (with a confidence interval of: 1.33 - 1.14 and P = 0.035). A significant abdominal pain improvement, anxiety state, and bowel habits dissatisfaction reduction was observed within- and between-group differences in propolis group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.040, P = 0.035, P = 0.029, retrospectively). The overall score of quality of life and its domains in the propolis group was statistically significant, but in comparison between the two groups, this difference was not significant. Also, regards to the food intakes and anthropometric indices, there were no significant differences between and within the two study groups. This study illustrated that propolis supplementation could be used as adjunctive therapy in IBS disease to reduce abdominal pain and anxiety state.
Classification and Registration of Persistent Somatic Symptoms in Primary Care: A General Practitioner’s Perspective
Authors: Kitselaar Willeke , Vaart Rosalie van der , Boeft Madelon van Tilborg-den , Vos Hedwig , Numans Mattijs , Evers Andrea
Published: February 2021

Background: Persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) are common in primary care and often accompanied by an increasing disease burden for both the patient and healthcare. In medical practice, PSS is historically considered a diagnosis by exclusion or primarily seen as psychological. As a result, classification and registration of PSS in electronic health records (EHR) is hampered. The present study explores how general practitioners (GPs) currently register PSS, and what their view is regarding necessary improvements in classification, registration, and consultations.Method: Dutch GPs were invited by email to participate in a national cross-sectional online survey. The survey addressed ICPC-codes used by GPs to register PSS, PSS-related terminology added to free text areas, usage of PSS-related syndrome codes, and GPs’ need for improvement of PSS classification, registration and care.Results: GPs (n=259) were most likely to use codes specific to the symptom presented (89.3%). PSS-related terminology in free-text areas was used sparsely. PSS-related syndrome codes were reportedly used by 91.5% of GPs, but this was primarily the case for the code for irritable bowel syndrome. The ambiguous registration of PSS is reported as problematic by 47.9% of GPs. Over 56.7% of GPs reported needing additional schooling, tools or other support for PSS classification and consultation. GPs also reported needing other referral options and better guidelines.Conclusions: Registration of PSS in primary care is currently ambiguous. Approximately half of GPs felt a need for more options for registration of PSS and reported a need for further support. In order to improve classification, registration and care for patients with PSS, there is a need for a more appropriate coding scheme and additional schooling.
Identification By Genetic Algorithm Optimized Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network and Validation of A Four-Gene Signature for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Li Zhenchong , Huang Shanzhou , Ma Zuyi , Xia Dongmei , Cai Yifeng , Wu Jian , Zhuang Hongkai , Zhou Zixuan , Wang Shujie , Liu Chunsheng , Zhou Qi , Zhang Chuanzhao , Hou Baohua
Published: February 2021

Background: Although some improvements in the management of pancreatic cancer (PC) have been made, no major breakthroughs in terms of biomarker discovery or effective treatment have emerged. Here, we applied artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods to develop a model to diagnose PC and predict survival outcome.Methods: Multiple bioinformatics methods, including RankProd, were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PC. A Back Propagation (BP) model was constructed, followed by Genetic Algorithm (GA) filtering and verification of its prognosis capacity in the TCGA cohort. Furthermore, we validated the protein expression of the selected DEGs in 92 clinical PC tissues using immunohistochemistry.Results: Four candidate genes (LCN2, SLC6A14, SPOCK1, and VCAN) were selected to establish a four-gene signature for PC. The gene signature was validated in the TCGA PC cohort, and found to show satisfactory discrimination and prognostic power. Areas under the curve (AUC) values of overall survival were both greater than 0.60 in the TCGA training cohort, test cohort, and the entire cohort. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that high-risk group had a significantly shorter overall survival and disease-free survival than the low-risk group. Further, the elevated expression of SLC6A14 and SPOCK1 in PC tissues was validated in the TCGA+GETx datasets and 92 clinical PC tissues, and was significantly associated with poor survival in PC.Conclusions: Using RankProd and GA-ANN, we developed and validated a diagnostic and prognostic gene signature that yielded excellent predictive capacity for PC patients’ survival.
Carboxylate Ligands-Promoted Superior Electrocatalytic Performance for Oxygen Evolution Reaction and Their Mechanisms
Authors: Li Chengfei , Zhao Jia-Wei , Xie Ling-Jie , Wu Jin-Qi , Ren Qian , Wang Yu , Li Gao-Ren
Published: February 2021

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with carboxylate ligands as co-catalysts are very efficient for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, the role of local adsorbed carboxylate ligands around the in situ transformed metal (oxy)hydroxides during OER is often overlooked. Here we reveal the extraordinary role and mechanism of surface adsorbed carboxylate ligands on bi/trimetallic layered double hydroxides (LDHs)/MOFs for OER catalytic activity enhancement. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations show that the carboxylic groups around metal (oxy)hydroxides can efficiently induce the interfacial electron redistribution, facilitate abundant high-valence state of nickel species with partial distorted octahedral structure, and optimize the d-band center together with the beneficial Gibbs free energy of intermediate. Furthermore, the results of in-situ Raman and FI-IR spectra firstly reveal that the surface adsorbed carboxylate ligands as Lewis base can promote the sluggish OER kinetics by accelerating proton transfer and facilitating adsorption/ activation/dissociation of hydroxyl ions (OH−). Our findings will offer unique insights into the reason for disclosing the origin of excellent electrocatalytic activity for MOF/NiFe-LDHs catalysts.
Quality of Care among Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Service Delivery in South Asia: A Systematic Rapid Review
Authors: Ether Saraban , Saif-Ur-Rahman K M
Published: February 2021

Background: South Asia is facing the challenges of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which are getting doubled due to the low quality of care (QoC) around NCD services. This systematic rapid review aims to unpack available approaches to establish the quality of care around NCD services and the impact of those approaches to reduce NCD burden in South Asian countries. Methods: Three electronic databases (Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) were searched. Studies published from 1st January 1990 to 31st December 2020 were included. Studies written in English in the South Asian context following any research design about four major NCDs (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease), and interventions to achieve QoC were included. Data extraction was done using a pre-specified form. A narrative synthesis was conducted for analyzing the extracted information. This systematic rapid review is registered in PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) - CRD42020157401.Results: Among 829 identified studies 13 were included in the review for in-depth analysis. Most of the studies focused on cancer followed by diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Community and clinic-based screening, NCD care education, NCD specialized corner or hospital, and a follow-up system ensure patient satisfaction, accessibility, early detection, timely referral, and help to reduce disease severity, mortality rate, and incidence of the new disease.Conclusions: The effective interventions for improving QoC around NCD services can be scaled up in different settings in South Asia to reduce the burden of NCDs.
Wide Scan Angle Randomly Overlap Subarray Antenna for 5G in 28GHz
Authors: Shadi Maryam , Atlasbaf Zahra
Published: February 2021

Synthesizing antenna arrays for fifth-generation communication technology is the most significant issue in the electromagnetic industry and academia. This paper focused on a comprehensive algorithm to design an antenna array used as a 5G base station antenna. The proposed algorithm's goal has an array antenna with high gain, continuous wide scan angle without grating lobe, compact size, minimum cost, and simplicity of construction, particularly in the array feeding network's system. For this purpose, several factors, such as subarray topology, complex weighting function, the minimum number of RF elements, and the optimum number of microstrip layers will be intended. The desired topology is specified with the grating lobe's minimum level by comparing the array factor of different subarray combinations. We consider some limitations in our algorithm that improve the specification than before research and reduce the runtime algorithm. Moreover, the number of phase shifters is decreased to more than 53%, substantially improved than previous works. The GAPSO technique is then used to determine the excitation coefficients' optimal value to control SLL and beam scanning. Amplitude accuracy and phase are considered 0.1 and 1 degree, respectively, to avoid tolerance construction. The proposed method is also applied to design a linear array antenna using a 5G base station antenna in 28 GH. This aperiodic linear array's electromagnetic parameter consists of HPBW of 2.8◦, a gain of 20 dB, scanning up to ±50◦ in one direction, and SLL is below -15 dB.
Characterization of Three Chalcone Synthase-like Genes in Dianthus Chinensis 
Authors: Liu Jia , Hao Xi-Long , He Xue-Qin
Published: February 2021

Being an important garden plant, Dianthus chinensis flower has a great variety of colors and color patterns. Chalcone synthase (CHS) is the key enzyme in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Although CHS genes have been isolated and characterized in ornamental plants, the CHS gene is still unknown in D. chinensis. In our study, three CHS genes, DchCHS1 (KX893854), DchCHS2 (MK404175) and DchCHS3 (MK416198) were isolated in D. chinensis. Their deduced amino acid sequences show high homology with the known CHS sequences in Caryophyllaceae. The phylogenetic tree suggests that the DchCHS1 and the DchCHS3 have a close relation with the known CHS sequences in Caryophyllaceae and the DchCHS2 is different from them. The DchCHSs were characterized by the Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system. We obtained white or pale purple flowers in the DchCHS1-silenced flowers and reducing purple flowers in the DchCHS2-silenced and the DchCHS3-silenced flowers. The anthocyanin content and the transcript level of the silenced DchCHS were significantly reduced in accordance with the silencing phenotypes. The DchCHSs showed different expression patterns during floral bud developments, among flower colors and in organs. Their expression levels in the purple flower were greatly higher than those in the white flower. Compared with DchCHS2 and DchCHS3, DchCHS1 was abundantly expressed at each floral bud stage, in each flower color and in the flower organ. In conclusion, the three DchCHSs are all involved in the anthocyanin synthesis and the flower coloration, and DchCHS1 probably plays a major role in D. chinensis flowers.
Dynamic Co-Evolution Analysis of Low-Carbon Technology Innovation Compound System of New Energy Enterprise Based on the Perspective of Sustainable Development
Authors: Yang Xu , Guo Yu , Liu Qiang , Zhang Deming
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThe implementation of low-carbon economy is the key to sustainable economy and society development, and low-carbon technological innovation of new energy enterprise is the core driving force based on the perspective of sustainable development.MethodThis study establishes the low-carbon technology innovation compound systems and evaluation index order systems of new energy enterprise, integrates synergy theory and genetic algorithms, and constructs the dynamic co-evolution model of low-carbon technology innovation compound systems of new energy enterprise, expounds the order and stability of the compound systems.ResultsBased on the statistical data of 12 representative enterprises in "top 30 new energy enterprises" from 2010 to 2019, this paper establishes and analyzes the corresponding coevolution model. It is found that the gap of low-carbon technology innovation level between different new energy enterprises is narrowing. Among them, the level of new energy comprehensive enterprises is slightly higher than that of other types of enterprises, and that of central enterprises is slightly higher than that of private enterprises.ConclusionThe results consistently show that the model can better reflect the dynamic co-evolution relationships of low-carbon technology innovation compound systems of new energy enterprise, and reveal the partial competitive substitution, partial competitive coexistence and completeness among the three subsystems of input, output and support in the compound systems in detail. The three situations of independent coexistence fully demonstrate the competition and cooperation relationships among subsystems and the stability of overall compound systems, which provide new research direction for low-carbon technology innovation research for new energy enterprise.
An MR-Based Radiomics Model for Differentiation Between Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Focal Nodular Hyperplasia in Non-Cirrhotic Liver
Authors: Ding Zongren , Lin Kongying , Fu Jun , Huang Qizhen , Fang Guoxu , Tang Yanyan , You Wuyi , Lin Zhaowang , Lin Zhan , Pan Xingxi , Zeng Yongyi
Published: February 2021

Purpose:This study aimed to develop and validate a radiomics model for differentiating between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in non-cirrhotic livers using Gd-DTPA contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:We retrospectively enrolled 149 HCC patients and 75 FNH patients seen between May 2015 and May 2019 at our center and randomly allocated patients to a training set (n = 156) and a validation set (n = 68). A total of 2,260 radiomics features were extracted from the arterial phase and portal venous phase of Gd-DTPA contrast-enhanced MRI. Using Max-Relevance and Min-Redundancy, random forests, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm for dimensionality reduction, multivariable logistic regression was used to build the radiomics model. A clinical model and combined model were also established. The diagnostic performance of the three models was compared. Results:Eight radiomics features were chosen to build a radiomics model, and four clinical factors (age, sex, HbsAg, and enhancement pattern) were chosen to build the clinical model. When evaluating the performance of three models, the clinical model that included clinical data and visual MRI findings achieved excellent performance in the training set (AUC, 0.937; 95% CI, 0.887–0.970) and the validation set (AUC, 0.903; 95% CI, 0.807–0.962), and there was no significant difference between the radiomics model and the clinical model. The AUC of the combined model was significantly better than that of the clinical model for both the training (0.984 vs. 0.937, p = 0.002) and validation (0.972 vs. 0.903, p = 0.032) sets.Conclusions:The combined model based on clinical and radiomics features can well distinguish HCC from FNH in non-cirrhotic liver. Our model may assist clinicians in the clinical decision-making process.
TiO2/CTS/ATP Adsorbent and its Application in Adsorption-Ultrafiltration Process for Dye Wastewater Purification
Authors: Wang Zhihong , Wu Zekun , Zhi Xujun , Tu Tianfu , Nie Jinxu , Du Xing , Luo Yunlong
Published: February 2021

Industrial dyeing produces highly polluting wastewater and threatens the environment. Effective treatment of dyeing wastewater is a crucial step to prevent toxic chemicals from entering receiving waters. This study aimed to assess a modified attapulgite (ATP)-based adsorbent for dyeing wastewater purification by introducing chitosan (CTS) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) into the adsorbent material named TiO2/CTS/ATP. It was found that, after modification, the adsorbent showed a lower hydrophilicity, as demonstrated by an increase in the water contact angle from 9.1° to 42°, which could reduce the water adsorption tendency and potentially facilitate contaminants adherence. The modification also led to a significantly increased specific surface area of 79.111 m2/g from 3.791 m2/g, and exhibited more uniform and smaller particle size (reduced to 2.52 µm from 3.99 µm). When the TiO2/CTS/ATP adsorbent was applied to the adsorption of Congo red solution, the adsorption efficiency was observed to reach to 97.6% at the dosage of 0.5 g/L. Furthermore, the combination of adsorption and ultrafiltration was able to achieve 99% Congo red removal. Adsorption pretreatment prior to the ultrafiltration also enabled to reduce membrane fouling, increased the reversible membrane fouling and resulted in a considerably lower transmembrane pressure as compared with the direct ultrafiltration filtration system.
Measurement of Pulse Wave Velocity in Fetal Descending Aorta with Dual Doppler Method: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ryo EIJI , Seto Michiharu , Yatsuki Keita , Morita Masayoshi , Kamata Hideo
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) provides information regarding blood pulse pressure. This study examines the feasibility of using commercially marketed dual Doppler technology to measure PWV in the aorta of the human fetus. Methods: Thirty-two singleton pregnant women participated. Eight women (tocolysis group) were given ritodrine hydrochloride and the other 24 women (normal group) were not. The descending aorta of the fetus was depicted in the longitudinal direction. Two distant sample volumes were set and two Doppler waveforms were simultaneously obtained. The distance between the two sample volumes was divided by the time interval between the start of the two waveforms, and a PWV value was obtained. 1) Scatter diagrams for the gestational week and PWV were made, and a linear regression analysis was determined. 2) The PWV for the normal group was compared with the PWV for a group described in a previous report, one measured using ultrasonic phased-tracking. 3) The PWV values in the tocolysis group were compared with those in the normal group. Results: 1) Significant correlations between PWV and gestational weeks were not found. 2) The mean (SE) of the PWV was 2.1 (0.12) m/sec, which was similar to the PWV (2.2 (0.069) m/s) measured with ultrasonic phased-tracking. 3) The mean (SE) of the PWV (2.6 (0.25) m/s) in the tocolysis group was larger than that in the normal group (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The PWV of the descending fetal aorta can be accurately and conveniently measured with a commercially marketed ultrasound machine.
Se Changed the Component of Organic Chemicals and Cr bioavailability in Pak Choi Rhizosphere Soil Contaminated with Cr
Authors: Cai Miaomiao , Zhao Xiaohu , Wang Xu , Shi Guangyu , Hu Chengxiao
Published: February 2021

Rhizosphere organic chemicals response and its role on Cr/Se adsorption is of great importance to understand Cr/Se bioavailability in Cr contaminated soil with the application of Se. In the current work, the processes were carried out using rhizobox experiment (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis Makino). The results showed that in soil contaminated by 200 mg kg-1 Cr(III), Se(Ⅳ) complexed with Cr(Ⅲ) and carboxylic acid (cis-9,10-Epoxystearic acid, hexadecanedioic acid) reduced Cr(Ⅵ) to Cr(Ⅲ), thus increasing of Cr adsorption, furtherly, decreasing Cr bioavailability. While, in soil contaminated by 120 mg kg-1 Cr(Ⅵ), Se(Ⅵ) competed for adsorption sites with Cr(Ⅵ) and salicylic acid activated insoluble Cr(III), thus decreasing Cr adsorption, finally, increasing Cr bioavailability. Moreover, with Cr contamination, Se bioavailability in soil was enhanced by the secretion of carboxylic acid, which can reduce Se to lower valent state, compete the adsorption sites and complex with Se oxyanion. These results yielded a better understanding of rhizosphere dynamics regulating by Se application in Cr contaminated soil. Moreover, the current study supplemented the theoretical basis for beneficial elements application as an environment-friendly resource to facilitate cleaner production in heavy metal contaminated soil.
WITHDRAWN: Identification of Markers for Root Traits Related to Drought Tolerance Using Traditional Rice Germplasm
Authors: Verma Harendra , Sarma R. N.
Published: February 2021

Background: Drought is one of the important constraints affecting rice productivity worldwide. The vigorous shoot and deep root system help to improve drought resistance. In present era, genome-wide association study (GWAS) is the preferred method for mapping of QTLs for complex traits such as root and drought tolerance traits. In the present study, 114 rice genotypes were evaluated for various root and shoot traits under water stress conditions. All the genotypes were genotyped using 65 SSR markers covering all 12 chromosomes for the identification of various QTLs for root and shoot traits using MLM (Q+K) model in GWAS. Results: All genotypes showed a significant amount of variation for various root and shoot traits. Correlation analysis revealed that high dry shoot weight and fresh shoot weight is associated with root length, root volume, fresh root weight and dry root weight. A total of 11 significant marker-trait associations were detected for various root, shoot and drought tolerance traits with the coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 18.99% to 53.41%. Marker RM252 and RM212 showed association with three root traits which suggests their scope for improvement of root system in rice improvement breeding programmes. In the present study a novel QTL was detected for root length associated with RM127, explaining 19.30% of variation. Conclusion: The marker alleles with increasing phenotypic effects for root and drought-tolerant traits can be exploited for improvement of root and drought tolerance traits using marker-assisted selection.
Daily Players’ Satisfaction with Pitching Performance Could Predict Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in High-school Baseball Pitchers: A Prospective Time-to-event Study
Authors: Shitara Hitoshi , Tajika Tsuyoshi , Kuboi Takuro , Ichinose Tsuyoshi , Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Hamano Noritaka , Endo Takafumi , Kamiyama Masataka , Miyamoto Ryosuke , Nakase Kurumi , Yamamoto Atsushi , Kobayashi Tsutomu , Takagishi Kenji , Chikuda Hirotaka
Published: February 2021

The relationship between baseball pitchers’ satisfaction with their own performance and the incidence of shoulder and elbow injuries is unclear. We analyzed the relationship between daily satisfaction scores before injury and incidence of shoulder/elbow injury in high-school baseball pitchers in this prospective, time-to-event study. We collected baseline data on baseball experience, height, weight, elbow and shoulder range of motion, and shoulder muscle strength. The 108 enrolled participants aged 15-17 years were divided into satisfied (88) and unsatisfied (22) groups based on the Receiver operating characteristics analysis results that revealed the cutoff value to be 4 points. The incidence of injury was 10.2% and 50.0% in the satisfied and unsatisfied groups, respectively. We observed that high-school baseball pitchers with a low satisfaction significantly increased the risk of shoulder and elbow injuries: these players had a 7.3-times greater risk of injuries and a 1.9-times earlier occurrence of injuries than pitchers who are satisfied with their performance. High-school baseball pitchers who had low satisfaction with their pitching performance had higher risk of shoulder and elbow injuries and lower time to injury than satisfied pitchers. Daily evaluation of players’ self-satisfaction could predict shoulder and elbow injuries in high-school baseball pitchers.
Microbial Colonization Promotes Model Invertebrate Gut Tissue Growth and Development
Authors: Jahnes Benjamin C , Poudel Keshap , Staats Amelia , Nicholas Sophia , SABREE ZAKEE L
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND. Digestive tissues are essential for diet processing and nutrient accessibility, especially in omnivores, and these functions occur despite and in collaboration with dynamic microbial communities that reside within and upon these tissues. Prolonged host development and reduced digestive tissue sizes have been observed in germ-free animals and normal host phenotypes were recovered following the re-introduction of typical gut microbiomes.RESULTS. High-resolution histological analyses of Periplaneta americana cockroach digestive tissues revealed that total elimination of gut bacteria had severe impacts on the growth and development of gut tissues, especially the posterior midgut and anterior hindgut subcompartments that are expected to be colonized and inhabited by the greatest number of bacteria. Juveniles that were briefly exposed to normal gut microflora exhibited a partial gut morphological recovery, suggesting that a single inoculation was insufficient. These data highlight gut microbiota as integral to normal growth and development of tissues they are in direct contact with and, more broadly, the organism in which they reside.CONCLUSIONS. We draw on these data, integrate host life history traits (i.e. multigenerational cohousing, molting, and filial coprophagy and exuvia feeding), and previous studies to propose a host developmental model in which gut tissues reflect a conflict-collaboration dynamic where 1) nutrient-absorptive anterior midgut tissues are in competition with transient and resident bacteria for easily assimilable dietary nutrients and whose growth is least-affected by the presence of gut bacteria and 2) posterior midgut, anterior hindgut, and to a lesser degree, posterior hindgut tissues are significantly impacted by gut bacterial presence because they 46 are occupied by the greatest number of bacteria and the host is relying upon, and thus collaborating with, them to assist with complex polysaccharide catabolism processing and nutrient provisioning (i.e. short-chain fatty acids).
The Association of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer With Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Shi Jing , Zhang Yongqi , He Xiang , Ye Hong , Cheng Liping , Jiang Chunying , Zhong Haiyang , Yu Litao
Published: February 2021

BackgrondWe aimed to describe 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] and carcinoembryonic antigen association levels in patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer (LARC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).MethodsBetween July 2012 and September 2018, the records of 92 stage II/III colorectal cancer patients with treated with nCRT followed by radical surgery were reviewed retrospectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to analyze the patient’s carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and 25(OH) D concentrations in serum.ResultsThe serum levels of 25(OH) D in patients were significantly lower than healthy individuals, just like CEA levels were significantly higher than healthy individuals. The serum CEA in pre-nCRT was significantly lower than in post-nCRT patients, while the serum 25(OH) D from pre-nCRT patients was significantly higher than post-nCRT patients. Our results showed that the pre-nCRT CEA and 25(OH) D level is a risk factor of LARC. ConclusionsNeoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy induces a fall in circulating25(OH) D and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Plasma 25 (OH) D levels is a prognostic biomarker with low 25(OH) D associated with poorer survival. Thus, serum 25(OH) D and CEA levels might be of value in evaluating the pathogenesis and risk of LARC in the future. Moreover, serum CEA or 25(OH) D levels were associated with patient's clinical and pathological features providing data for risk and prognostic prediction.
Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Mortality Among Severe COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Elmorshedy Reham Mohamed , El-kholy Maha Mohamed , AbdelMoniem Alaa Eldin , Hassan Shimaa Abbas , Sadek Samiaa Hamdy
Published: February 2021

Background:The novel corona virus is attacking several millions of people worldwide, resulting in death of almost a million and a half-humans. The rational of the current study was to detect clinical characteristics of severe COVID- 19 patients, and assessment of risk factors for death.Methodology:This retrospective cohort study included all laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients with severe disease admitted to critical care unit in June and July 2020. All recorded data were collected,which included clinincal, radiological, and laboratory data, in addition to the outcome and duration of ICU stay.Statistical analysis was performed for obtaining descriptive information, comparison between living and dead patients,in addition to regression analysis to identify risk factors for mortality.Results:One hundred and three patients were included in the current study;cough and fever were the most common clinical presentations, and bilateral ground glass opacity was the most common radiological presentation. Patients had elevated values of neutrophils, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), serum ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer, also had longer ICU stay ,with reduced values of lymphocytes, and PaO2/FIO2 ratio. Most of these variables were more exaggerated in dead patients compared to living ones. Older age, lower values of PaO2/FIO2 ratio, and higher values of neutrophils, NLR, and D-dimer were predictors for death.Conclusion: Cough, fever and bilateral ground glass opacity were the most common clinical and radiological presentation of severe COVID 19. Older age, lower value of PaO2/FIO2 ratio, and higher values of D- dimer, neutrophil and NLR were risk factors associated with increased risk of mortality.
Optimal Linear Weighted Cooperative Spectrum Sensing for Clustered-based Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Ye Haiyan , Jiang Jiabao
Published: February 2021

The lack of spectrum resources restricts the development of the wireless communication-oriented applications. In order to solve the problems of low spectrum utilization and channel congestion caused by the static division of spectrum resource, cognitive radio is regarded as an effective technology. Cooperative spectrum sensing with multi cognitive users can improve the low detection performance caused by channel fading or shadow effect. However, it also may lead to poor detection accuracy due to poor channel conditions of individual users. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes an optimal linear weighted cooperative spectrum sensing for clustered-based cognitive radio networks. In this scheme, different weight values will be assigned for cooperative nodes according to the SNR of cognitive users and the historical sensing accuracy. In addition, the cognitive users can be clustered, and the users with the better channel characteristics will be selected as cluster heads for gathering the local sensing information. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can obtain better sensing performance, improve the detection probability and reduce the error probability.