bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traffic Noise Pollution Assessment in Major RoadJunctions of Imphal City, Manipur (India)
Authors: ALAM WAZIR , Nungate Ramtharmawi
Published: June 2021

Noise pollution assessment was carried out in selected traffic junctions of Imphal city of Manipur, India. The noise pollution assessment was carried out using noise parameters and indices such as L10, L50, L90, Leq for selected traffic junctions during the different periods of the day, i.e., morning, noon, and evening hours. The study of equivalent noise level (Leq), noise parameters, and various noise indices have enabled the evaluation of the overall traffic noise environment of the city. The traffic noise indices such as traffic noise index (TNI), noise climate (NC), traffic noise pollution level (LNP), noise exposure index (NEI) along with day time (LD), night time (LN) average, and day-night (Ldn) noise levels were assessed for the selected traffic junctions. Moreover, spatial noise mapping was carried out using the geostatistical interpolation technique to evaluate the changes of traffic noise scenarios during the different time zones of the day. The Leq values in few traffic junctions exceeded the required noise standards. The study shows equivalent noise level ranging between 52.2–69.9 dB(A) during the morning (7–10 am), 52.4–69.3 dB(A) during noon (12 noon-2 pm), and 54.6–71.1 dB(A) during the evening (4–7 pm) hours, respectively.
Airborne Fungi Associated With Dust, their Source Identification and Contribution in the Southwest of Iran
Authors: Tajikei Forough , Asgari Hossien Mohammad , Zamani Isaac , Ghanbari Farshid
Published: June 2021

Dust events impose negative socio-economic, health, and environmental impacts in vulnerable areas and reflect physiochemical and biological characteristics of their sources. The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts and contribution of two dust sources on concentration and diversity of airborne fungi in one of the most frequent dusty area in the world. Air masses arriving at study area were assessed using ground wind rose and HYSPLIT model. To explore the relationship between fungi in dust sources and downwind area, the sampling was carried out from airborne dust in Arvand Free Zone as targets areas and soil of dried part of Hor-alazim and Shadegan wetlands as sources areas. The samples were analyzed in the lab to extract DNA, PCR and sequencing. The Raw DNA data were processed using Qiime virtual box to pick OTUs and taxonomy assignments. The most common fungi at the Genus level were in the order of Penicillium > Aspergillus > Alternaria > Fusarium > Paradendryphiella > Talaromyces. The similarity between air and soil fungal genera was investigated using richness and diversity indices estimation, phyloghenetic tree, PCA analysis. results show the ambient fungi community structures in Hor alazim, and Shadegan dust sources were more similar to those on dusty days than non-dusty days. To quantify the contributions of known dust sources to airborne fungi, Source tracker model was used. Results show that the main known airborne fungi sources were the Hor-alazim in dusty and non-dusty days. This study's results can help managers to identify and prioritize dust sources in terms of fungal species.
Compressive Strength of Geopolymer Concrete Composites: Modeling and Comprehensive Systematic Review
Authors: Ahmed Hemn Unis , Mohammed Azad A. , Mohammed Ahmed S.
Published: June 2021

The growing concern about global climate change and its adverse impacts on societies is putting severe pressure on the construction industry as one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases. Given the environmental issues associated with cement production, geopolymer concrete has emerged as a sustainable construction material. Geopolymer concrete is cementless concrete that uses industrial or agro by-product ashes as the main binder instead of ordinary Portland cement; this leads to being an eco-efficient and environmentally friendly construction material. Compressive strength is one of the most important mechanical property for all types of concrete composites including geopolymer concrete, and it is affected by several parameters like an alkaline solution to binder ratio (l/b), fly ash (FA) content, SiO2/Al2O3 (Si/Al) of the FA, fine aggregate (F) and coarse aggregate (C) content, sodium hydroxide (SH) and sodium silicate (SS) content, ratio of sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide (SS/SH), molarity (M), curing temperature (T), curing duration (CD) inside the oven and specimen ages (A). In this regard, a comprehensive systematic review was carried out to show the effect of these different parameters on the compressive strength of the fly ash-based geopolymer concrete (FA-GPC). In addition, multi-scale models such as Artificial Neural Network (ANN), M5P-tree (M5P), Linear Regression (LR), and Multi-logistic Regression (MLR) models were developed to predict the compressive strength of FA-GPC composites. For the first time, in the modeling process, twelve effective parameters including l/b, FA, Si/Al, F, C, SH, SS, SS/SH, M, T, CD, and A were considered the modeling input parameters. Then, the efficiency of the developed models was assessed by various statistical assessment tools like Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Scatter Index (SI), OBJ value, and the Coefficient of determination (R2). Results show that the curing temperature, sodium silicate content, and ratio of the alkaline solution to the binder content are the most significant independent parameters that influence on the compressive strength of the FA-GPC, and the ANN model has better performance for predicting the compressive strength of FA-GPC in compared to the other developed models.
Nutritional and Structural Role of Silicon in Attenuating Aluminum Toxicity in Sugarcane Plants
Authors: Junior Gilmar da Silveira Sousa , Hurtado Alexander Calero , Junior Jonas Pereira de Souza , Prado Renato de Mello , Santos Durvalina Maria Mathias Dos
Published: June 2021

Purpose: We investigated the interactive role of Si-mediated attenuation to aluminum (Al) toxicity in two sugarcane cultivars (‘CTC9002’ and ‘CTC9003’) grown in hydroponic conditions. Methods: Two pot experiments were distributed in randomized blocks in a factorial design (4 × 2) with four replications. The treatments consisted of 0, 10, 15, and 20 mg L−1 Al (as aluminum sulfate [Al2 (SO4)3·18H2O)], which were combined with the absence and presence of Si [(2.0 mmol L−1 as potassium silicate (K2SiO3)]. Results: Both sugarcane cultivars (‘CTC9002’ and ‘CTC9003’) were affected by Al toxicity (above 10 mg L−1), resulting in nutritional disorders and decreasing plant growth, which were drastically reversed by Si addition in the growth medium. Si supplementation decrease Al concentration and translocation to the shoots of both cultivars when Al and Si were simultaneously supplied in the growth medium. We demonstrated that in shoots of both sugarcane seedlings, Si concentration are positively related to the lignin concentrations (ranging from 12.0% to 41% in cv. ‘CTC9002’ and 12% to 47% in cv. ‘CTC9003’). In addition, Si fertilization enhanced mineral nutrition and use efficiency of macros- and micronutrients, irrespective of the cultivar. Therefore, the use of cultivar ‘CTC9003’ under Si fertilization is more recommended to cope with the adverse effect caused by Al stress. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that Si fertilization in sugarcane seedlings is an economic and viable strategy strongly recommended to cope with the adverse effect caused by Al toxicity at concentrations less than 20 mg L−1, which lead to increase the shoot biomass production.
Anorexia Nervosa in a Postoperative Patient With Ebstein Anomaly
Authors: Kengo Sato , Ryosuke Watanabe , Tsuyoshi Okada , Yasushi Nishiyori , Toshiyuki Kobayashi , Shiro Suda
Published: June 2021

Background: Along with the improved life prognosis of patients with congenital heart disease, their diverse complications have come under scrutiny. Due to the various medical restrictions attendant on their upbringing, patients with congenital heart disease often have coexisting mental disorders. However, reports of patients with congenital heart disease and coexisting eating disorders are very rare. In this paper the authors report the case of a patient who developed anorexia nervosa following surgery for Ebstein’s anomaly.Case Presentation: A 21-year-old female with Ebstein’s anomaly who underwent a Fontan surgery was transferred to our institution with suspected anorexia nervosa after a more than 2-year intermittent stay in a medical hospital for decreased appetite. Initially, she did not express a desire to lose weight or a fear of obesity, and we suspected that she was suffering from appetite loss due to a physical condition associated with the Fontan circulation. But gradually the pathology of the eating disorder became apparent.Conclusions: Patients with congenital heart disease are more likely to have a psychological background as well as physical problems that might contribute to eating disorders. Indeed, it is unclear why there are not more cases of eating disorders in association with congenital heart diseases.
Exosomal Moesin Derives From Ectopic Stromal Cells Constructs A “Migration-Vascularization-Inflammation” Loop In Endometriosis
Authors: Abudula Maidinaimu , Fan Xiaodan , Zhang Jing , Li Jiajie , Zhou Xiaoming , Chen Yichen
Published: June 2021

Background: Endometriosis (EMS) is the most common gynaecological disorder with its etiology and/or pathophysiology remains enigmatic. Recent studies showed that extracellular vesicles (EVs), exosomes namely, play a critical role in the development of various clinical disorders, including inflammatory disease and cancers. Previous studies revealed the role of exosomes as a potential biomarker in EMS. However, the implication of exosomes in the disease progression of EMS has not been well elucidated. Method: The biological function of ectopic exosomes (eEVs) was examined by Transwell assay, scratch tests, tube formation assay, western blot, and qRT-PCR analysis. Mass spectrometry analysis of the exosomes isolated from fresh EMS tissue and vaginal discharge obtained from patients with and without EMS used to identify differentially expressed protein in exosomes from ectopic stromal cells (ESCs) and normal endometrial stromal cells (NESCs). Gene knockdown was used to downregulate the expression of exosomal protein in in-vivo setting. Finally, in-vitro experiment confirmed the results that we observed in endometriosis (EMS) mouse model. Results: We found that eEVs increased the migration ability of NESCs) by up-regulating MMP9 expression. We also observed that eEVs facilitate angiogenesis, and induced the high expression of inflammatory cytokines in ovarian epithelial cells. Protein Mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis showed that Moesin (MSN) is highly expressed in eEVs. An abnormal high estrogen environment may up-regulate MSN expression in ectopic lesion. Downregulation of exosomal Moesin attenuated the migration capability of normal endometrium, inhibited angiogenesis, and reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokine. Moreover, we found that ectopic exosomes significantly increased the number and size of heterotopic foci in vivo. Also, we observed an increase in the size of vascular lumen, and upregulation of inflammatory factors expression in small intestine adjacent to the heterotopic foci. Conclusion: Exosomal MSN from ectopic stromal cells could contribute to the development of EMS by mediating the construction of a “migration-vascularization-inflammation” loop in ectopic environment.
Point Mutations In Candida Glabrata 3-Hydroxy-3-Methyl Glutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase (HMGRCg) An Antifungal Target, Decrease Enzymatic Activity And Substrate/Inhibitor Affinity
Authors: Andrade-Pavón Dulce , Fernández-Muñoz Vanessa , González-Ibarra Wendy , Hernández-Rodríguez César , Ibarra J. Antonio , Villa-Tanaca Lourdes
Published: June 2021

An alternative target for antifungal drugs is 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), a key enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. The aim of this study was to obtain, purify, characterize, and overexpress five point mutations in highly conserved regions of the catalytic domain of Candida glabrata HMGR (HMGRCg) to explore the function of key amino acid residues. Glutamic acid (Glu) was substituted by glutamine in the E680Q mutant (at the dimerization site), Glu by glutamine in E711Q (at the substrate binding site), aspartic acid by alanine in D805A and methionine by arginine in M807R (the latter two at the cofactor binding site). A double mutation, E680Q-M807R, was also made. The in vitro enzymatic activity decreased significantly in all recombinant (versus wild-type) HMGRCg, and the in silico binding energy for simvastatin, alpha-asarone and the substrate HMG-CoA was also lower for the mutants. The lowest enzymatic activity and binding energy was displayed by E711Q, suggesting that Glu711 (in the substrate binding site) is an important residue for enzymatic activity. The double mutant HMGRCg E680Q-M807R exhibited the second lowest enzymatic activity. The current findings provide insights into the role of residues in the catalytic site of HMGRCg.
Impact of Competition on the Growth of Pinus Tabulaeformis in Response to Climate on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: He Rumeng , Wang Xuhu , Liu Tao , Guo Lijun , Wang Baitian , Khan Alamgir
Published: June 2021

With climate change, understanding tree responses to climate is important for predicting trees’ growth, and plant competition as a nonnegligible biotic factor plays a key role in such response. However, few studies have investigated how competition affects the response of Pinus tabulaeformis plantations to climate . In our study, we investigated nine 29-year-old P. tabulaeformis plantation plots (three density gradients). The dendroecological method was used to analyze the impact of competition on trees response to drought and interannual climate variation. Stand density index was used to indicate the intensity of competition. The results showed that competition modified the climate-growth relationship. Competition increased trees’ sensitivity to drought but the relationship between competition and sensitivity to drought was nonlinear. The competition effect slightly increased under intense competition conditions. Additionally, competition reduced trees’ sensitivity to interannual climate variation. After 1999, the effect of competition was obvious. The sensitivity of small-diameter trees, especially those in middle- and high-density stands, declined. Thus, in the future these trees presumably may exhibit a reduced sensitivity to interannual climate variation and a greater sensitivity to drought.
Nifedipine, Niclosamide and Furosemid Release of	A Biocompatible and Protective Hydrogel for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Yilmaz Bahar
Published: June 2021

In this work, biocompatible and protective pure HEMA hydrogel structures and drug loaded HEMA hydrogel have been successfully synthesized. The hydrogel was prepared using HEMA, MBA, APS and TEMED. The structural and morphological characterization of pure hydrogel and drug-loaded hydrogels were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The pH affinity, morphology, structure, drug release, swelling and cytotoxic effect of the resulting materials were studied in detail. Drug releases of drug-loaded hydrogel structures were measured at certain time intervals and recorded as cumulatively (%). In addition, cytotoxicity tests were performed by Alamar blue method on MCF-7, MIA PaCa-2 and HEK 293 cell lines of released drug molecules. This HEMA hydrogel was suggested to be materials of biological attention and of large pharmacological potential as support material in drug release of nifedipine, furosemide, niclosamide and similar drug molecules.
Design And Preparation of New Decellularized Extracellular Matrix/Alginate Composite Membranes For Biomimetic Bioinks Via Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Fluid Treatments
Authors: Huang Ching-Cheng
Published: June 2021

Tissue-engineering was important and popular which combine medical applications and engineering materials knowledge, just like decellularization techniques were employed to remove the cellular components from porcine elastic cartilages, leaving a native decellularized extracellular matrix(dECM) composition and architecture integrity of largely insoluble collagen, elastin, and tightly bound glycosaminoglycans. Particularly, an extraction process of supercritical carbon dioxide(ScCO2) was used to remove cellular components from porcine skins. The porcine skins must remove lipids and other impurities by using ScCO2 procedure. In this study, a series of new composite membranes with decellularized scaffolds could be designed and obtained from porcine skin tissue by using supercritical carbon dioxide fluid technology. The retain decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and integrity scaffold-structure could be observed in the new composite membranes. This work provides a simple and time-saving method process for preparation of biomedical composite membranes with dECM scaffolds for biomimetic bioinks, which were further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope(SEM).
Clinical Outcomes of ProChondrix® Osteochondral Allograft in the Knee: A Case Series
Authors: Barnum Michael S. , Boyd Evan D. , Davey Annabelle P. , Slauterbeck Andrew , Slauterbeck James R.
Published: June 2021

PurposeFocal articular cartilage injuries are common and may lead to progression of osteoarthritis. The complications associated with traditional treatment strategies have influenced the development of new biotechnologies, such as the ProChondrix® osteochondral allograft. Clinical evidence on the outcomes associated with ProChondrix® osteochondral allografts are limited. Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes following treatment of an isolated cartilage defect with a ProChondrix® osteochondral allograft implant.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients who underwent a cartilage restoration procedure using ProChondrix® osteochondral allograft has been performed. Patients completed patient-reported outcome surveys which included the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), consisting of the 5 subscales of Pain, Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living, Sports and Recreation, and Quality of Life, the Marx Activity Scale, and the visual analog pain scale.ResultsSix patients underwent a cartilage restoration procedure using ProChondrix® between January 2016 and December 2019. Three males and three females were included with a median age of 33.5 years (range 18–48 years). The median follow-up duration was 15 months (range 9–24 months). There were 4 patellar grafts, 1 medial femoral condyle graft, and 1 lateral femoral condyle graft, with a median defect size of 18.5mm (range 13-20mm). At the most recent clinical follow-up, all six patients were pain free and all patients had returned to pre-op activity level.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to report the clinical outcome, activity level, and patient orientated outcomes in a case series of patients following treatment of an isolated cartilage defect with a ProChondrix® osteochondral allograft implant. Our study demonstrates promising short-term results in patient reported clinical outcome scores.
Method Development and Validation for Simultaneous Quantification of Microcystin Congeners in Water
Authors: Qiao Xiaocui , Ge Simin , Liu Chengyou , Jiao Lixin , Li Xue , Zhao Xingru , Qi Tong , Liu yan
Published: June 2021

Background: Microcystins, as secondary metabolites of cyanobacteria, are hepatotoxic to humans through the ingestion of cyanobacteria-contaminated water. Microcystins with diverse congeners in water can be precisely quantified using online solid phase extraction-ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (online-SPE UPLC-MS/MS). A method was developed and validated to simultaneously quantify eight microcystin congeners in water using online-SPE UPLC-MS/MS.Results: The method achieved the highest efficiency and sensitivity by selecting acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid and water with 0.1% formic acid as the best mobile phase conditions. Linearity, accuracy, and precision were validated on matrix-mixed water with the leucine enkephalin internal standard. The limit of detection calculated using the signal-to-noise ratio of 3 passed the surface water daily inspection for microcystins. Except for the lower recovery of individual substances at individual concentrations, the recoveries of the remaining microcystin congeners ranged from 70 to 130%, and the relative standard deviation was less than 10%.Conclusion: The method was used to analyze microcystins in 12 water samples collected from Chaohu Lake. The sum of all microcystin congeners ranged from 101 to 585 ng L-1 in water (<WHO drinking water safe limit of 1 μg L-1 for microcystin-LR).
Contact Dynamics and Stress Field of Fluid-Conveying GRC Nanotubes
Authors: Jin Qiduo , Ren Yiru
Published: June 2021

Fluid-conveying nanotubes play key roles in micro-nano electromechanical systems. The contact dynamic response and stress field of the fluid-conveying graphene reinforced composite (GRC) nanotube under lateral low-velocity impact are studied. The size-dependent models considering slip flow, nonlocal stress and strain gradient effect are established. The governing equations of flow-inducing post buckling and contact vibration are derived based on a refined beam theory, in which the post-buckling equilibrium provides the initial configuration for the impact vibration analysis. A computation mode of two-step perturbation-Galerkin truncation-Runge-Kutta method is developed to study the contact dynamic responses. Through the convergence analysis, the truncation terms required to ensure the accuracy are obtained. The contact force curves and the midspan displacement time history curves are acquired, and the dynamic snap-through instability behaviors of the nanotube in the flow-inducing post-buckling state are revealed. Also, the stress field in the impact process is obtained to provide theoretical results to guide the strength design. Numerical results reveal the dual influence law of nonlocal stress and strain gradient on the contact dynamic response and stress field and provide the flow velocity range sensitive to the nano effects.
Towards Biowastes Valorization. Peanut Shell as Resource for Quality Chemicals and Activated Biochar Production.
Authors: Fermanelli Carla Soledad , Chiappori Adrián , Pierella Liliana B. , Saux Clara
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this work was to valorize a regional biowaste through a modest thermo-catalytic pyrolysis process. ZSM-11 zeolites modified by Ni incorporation (1–8 wt%) where synthesized and characterized by means of X-Ray Diffraction, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, UV–vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectra and Temperature Programmed Reduction. Results demonstrated that Ni was mainly incorporated as oxide. These porous materials were evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts to improve biooil composition. In this sense, higher hydrocarbon yields and quality chemicals were obtained and oxygenates were diminished. The deactivation of the most active material was studied over six cycles of reaction. In order to achieve the circular bioeconomy postulates, the obtained biochar (usually considered a residue) was further valorized through a physicochemical activation. The obtained activated biochars were extensively characterized.
Predicting The Invasion Risk of Non-Native Reptiles as Pets in The Middle East
Authors: Farashi Azita , Alizadeh-Noughani Mohammad
Published: June 2021

Wildlife trade for non-native pets is an important and increasing driver of biodiversity loss and often compromises the standards required for protection. However, the growing interest in non-native pets has posed the issue of invasive non-native species to wildlife managers and conservationists. Instituting effective policies regarding non-native species requires a thorough understanding of the potential range of the species in new environments. In this study, we used an ensemble of ten species distribution models to predict the potential distribution for 23 commonly traded species of reptiles across the Middle East. We used ten modeling techniques implemented in the Biomod2 package and ensemble forecasts. Final models contained fourteen environmental variables, including climatic, topographic, and land cover/land use variables. Our results indicate that all Middle Eastern countries included suitable habitats for at least six species, except Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain for which the models did not predict any suitable habitats. Our study showed that Lebanon, Palestine, Turkey, and Israel face the highest risk of biological invasion by the species on the whole. Also, the results showed that Centrochelys sulcata, Chamaeleo calyptratus, and Trachemys scripta posed the highest risk of spreading in this area. Information on which species pose a greater danger as invaders and the possible impacts of their introduction will be a valuable contribution to the development of conservation plans and policies.
Health Systems Indicators and Quality of Life in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury in South Africa
Authors: Nizeyimana Eugene , Rhoda Anthea , Mothabeng Joyce , Theron Francois , Joseph Conran
Published: June 2021

Background

Knowledge of health system indicators are essential to the living situation of persons with disabilities. Assessing and collating the performance of health systems is important in order to identify areas of improvement. The main aim of this study is to assess the relationship between health system indicators and self-reported quality of life (QoL) among persons with spinal cord injury who accessed either public or private health care services in South Africa.
Methods

A cross-sectional survey was implemented to analyse and compare health system indicators and self-reported QoL for 200 persons over the age of 18 with either a traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury. The survey further compared the impact of public or private health care access on these indices. Health system indicators include: access to disability pension, vocational rehabilitation, health and nursing care, public space, medications, assistive devices and transportation. Self-reported quality of life indicators include: satisfaction with health; ability to perform activities of daily living; yourself; personal relationships; and living conditions. A total score of Quality of life was calculated using these 5 domains.
Results

The highest scores for health indicators were access to a disability pension (76%) and access to required health care (72%). Indicators that negatively affected respondents’ lives were access to public spaces (70%), transport (56%), medications (56%) and nursing care (53%) which were reported to have made participants’ lives significantly harder. Participants who accessed private health care reported a higher QoL score in comparison with those in the public health system who reported more problems. There was a negative correlation between QoL and access to a disability pension and a positive correlation between QoL and access to public spaces, medication, transport and nursing care.
Conclusion

Performance of health system indicators influence living situation, and different healthcare insurances play a significant role in health system performance and self-reported QoL among persons with SCI in South Africa. Additionally, persons with SCI who have the ability to overcome the challenges encountered due to poor performing health systems report better quality of life.
Identification of Type 2-pediatric Asthma Based on Single-cell Transcriptomic Analysis
Authors: Dai Bing , Sun Feifei , Yang Nan , Cai Xuxu , Li Chunlu , Shang Yunxiao
Published: June 2021

Type 2-pediatric asthma characterized by T2 cytokine-driven airway inflammation is the most common type of asthma. Recently, T2 cytokine inhibitors have reduced the exacerbation rates of asthma, but their ability to improve lung function is limited. Screening novel therapeutic strategies for Type 2-pediatric asthma patients is imperative. We obtained single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) describing the chronic stimulation GSE145013 dataset with IL-13. Consensus clustering was performed to classify pediatric asthmatic patients from validation datasets GSE65204 and GSE40888, based on the cell marker genes. We found three cellular subtypes including ciliated cells, secretory cell 1, and secretory cell 2. The expression of CCL26, PRB1, and SLC9B2 was higher in secretory cell 1, while SCGB3A1 and BPIFA1 were higher in secretory cell 2. Consensus clustering based on the five cell marker genes produced two patient subtypes (C1 and C2). The expression of SCGB3A1 and BPIFA1 was higher in C2 subtypes, while CCL26, PRB1, and SLC9B2 was higher in C1 subtypes. Patients in C2 subtypes may more secretory cell 2, while the patients in C1 may have higher secretory cell 1 in the infiltrate. More Type 2 T helper cells were in the infiltrate in the C2 subtype, while type 1 T helper cells were higher in the C1 subtype. T2 cytokines (IL-13, IL-33, IL-3, IL-4, and TSLP) were expressed more in the C2 subtype, corresponding to Type 2-pediatric asthma. This study identified five cell marker genes to screen Type 2-pediatric asthma that could potentially be therapeutic targets for Type 2-pediatric asthma.
Motivation To Test, Treat, and Report Malaria Cases: A Quantitative Assessment Among Private Sector Providers in The Greater Mekong Subregion
Authors: Brown Morgan , Bouanchaud Paul , Tesfazghi Kemi , Phanalasy Saysana , Thet May Me , Nguyen Hoa , Wheeler Jennifer
Published: June 2021

Accurately testing, treating, and tracking all malaria cases is critical to achieving elimination. Ensuring health providers are able and motivated to test, treat, and report cases is a necessary component of elimination programs, and particularly challenging in low endemic settings where providers may not encounter a large volume of cases. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this study aimed to identify and validate distinctive subtypes of motivation among private sector providers enrolled in the Greater Mekong Subregion Elimination of Malaria through Surveillance (GEMS) program, implemented by Population Services International. Quantitative questionnaires were administered electronically in person by trained enumerators to various provider groups in Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Vietnam. A three-stage confirmatory factor analysis was then conducted in STATA. Following this analysis, a two-factor solution that describes motivation in this population of providers was identified, and providers were scored on the two dimensions of motivation. Provider motivations were analyzed by provider characteristics, and associations with intentions and outcomes related to malaria service provision were explored. These providers, who are often assumed to only be financially motivated, engaged in malaria elimination activities because of both internal and external motivational factors that are independent of remuneration or financial gain. Motivation varied by provider characteristics and was associated with outcomes of importance to malaria elimination. Understanding components of provider motivation to test, treat, and report malaria cases in elimination settings will ensure that malaria programs can establish mechanisms to encourage lasting engagement by providers in pursuit of elimination goals.
IGF-1 Gene Therapy Modifies Inflammatory Environment and Gene Expression in the Caudate-Putamen of Aged Female Rat Brain
Authors: Falomir-Lockhart Eugenia , Dolcetti Franco Juan Cruz , Herrera Macarena Lorena , Pennini Jerónimo , Villar María Florencia Zappa , Salinas Gabriela , Portiansky Enrique , Spittau Björn , Lacunza Ezequiel , Hereñú Claudia Beatriz , Bellini Maria Jose
Published: June 2021

Brain aging is characterized by chronic neuroinflammation caused by activation of glial cells, mainly microglia, leading to alterations in homeostasis of the central nervous system. Microglial cells are constantly surveying their environment to detect and respond to diverse signals. During aging, microglia undergo a process of senescence, characterized by loss of ramifications, spheroid formation, and fragmented processes, among other abnormalities. Therefore, the study of microglia senescence is of great relevance to understand age‐related declines in cognitive and motor function.We have targeted the deleterious effects of aging by implementing gene therapy with IGF-1, employing recombinant adenoviral vectors (RAds) as a delivery system. In this study, we performed intracerebroventricular (ICV) IGF-1 gene therapy on aged female rats and evaluated its effect on Caudate-Putamen unit (CPu) gene expression and inflammatory state. IGF-1 gene therapy modified senescent microglia of the CPu towards an anti-inflammatory state increasing the proportion of Iba1+Arg1+ cells. Moreover, IGF-1 gene therapy was able to regulate the pro-inflammatory environment of CPu in female aged rats by down-regulating the expression of genes typically over-expressed during aging. Our results demonstrate that, ICV IGF-1 gene therapy, is capable to modulate microglia cells and CPu gene expression, leading to an improvement in motor function.
Hemostasis Effect of Absorbable Regenerative Oxidized Cellulose Materials in Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Lao Jingmao , Deng Wei
Published: June 2021

Absorbable oxidized cellulose hemostatic materials are widely used in hemostasis of veins, capillaries or smaller arteries because of their wide sources, low cost, and high biocompatibility. However, in view of the different application sites, the hemostatic effect of absorbable oxidized cellulose in different surgeries may be different, and its hemostatic effect in patients with colorectal cancer still needs more research to confirm. Therefore, this article explores the in vitro degradation of the absorbable regenerated oxidized cellulose material and its hemostatic effect in colorectal cancer surgery. Explore the in vitro degradation products that can absorb oxidized cellulose. The 44 patients undergoing colon cancer surgery were selected and randomly divided into control group (22 cases, absorbable oxidized cellulose material to stop bleeding) and observation group (22 cases, ordinary Sterile gauze to stop bleeding). The intraoperative blood loss, 3 days postoperative drainage volume, total drainage volume, and operation time of the two groups were recorded. The recovery of intestinal function after operation in the two groups was observed. The in vitro complete degradation time of the absorbable oxidized cellulose material is about 12 days. The degradation products are glucose and cellobiose, which are safe and harmless to the human body. The intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, total drainage volume, and operation time of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P <0.05), and the postoperative intestinal function recovery of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P <0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the observation group and the control group (P > 0.05). Absorbable oxidized cellulose material has a good hemostatic effect in colorectal cancer surgery, and does not increase the risk of adverse reactions in patients after surgery. It is worthy of popularization and application.
Eat, Breathe, Sleep With Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: LoMauro Antonella , Landoni Vittorio , Fraschini Paolo , Molteni Franco , Aliverti Andrea , Bertoli Simona , De Amicis Ramona
Published: June 2021

Background: Although Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) affects the connective tissue causing extremely brittle bones with consequent skeletal deformities, it is important to go beyond bones. Indeed, the quality of life in OI does not only depends on bones status, as OI might affect also other important functions. We have therefore implemented a multidisciplinary study to assess lung function, breathing pattern, sleep quality and nutritional status in 27 adult OI type III and IV patients (median age: 34.6 years; 19 women; 14 type III).Results: According to nocturnal oxygen desaturation, two groups were identified: 13 patients with (OI_OSA, incidence: 48.2%) and 14 without (no_OSA) obstructive sleep apnea. The former was characterized by higher spinal and ribcage deformity, by more restrictive lung function, by paradoxical thoracic breathing in supine position, by rapid and shallow breathing, by higher body mass index, by longer neck and waist circumferences; by higher abdominal volume and by greater percentage of body fat mass, particularly localized in the trunk. The best predictor of OI_OSA was the negative value of the supine ribcage contribution to tidal volume, followed by the ratio between the neck and the waist circumferences with body height and the supine thoraco-abdominal volumes phase shift angle. Conclusions: The pathophysiology of OI ensued a dangerous vicious circle, in which breathing, sleep and nutritional status are tightly linked, and they might all end up in negatively affecting the quality of life. The vicious circle is fed by some intrinsic characteristics of the disease (thoracic, cranial and mandibular deformities) and some bad daily habits of the patients (i.e. physical inactivity and low dietary quality). The former impacts on restricting the respiratory function, the latter makes Olers more prone to experience overweight or obesity. The main consequence is a high incidence of obstructive sleep apnea, which remains an underdiagnosed disorder in individuals with severe OI who are obese, with a neck to height ratio over than 31.6%, and characterized by paradoxical breathing in supine position. A multidisciplinary approach, including evaluations of breathing, sleep and nutrition, is required to better manage the disease and fulfil the maximizing well-being of OI patients.
Macro and Micro-Geometric Robust Design of Cylindrical Roller Bearings Using Fatigue and Wear Considerations
Authors: Gaurav Kumar , Verma Shashikant Kumar , TIWARI RAJIV
Published: June 2021

Cylindrical roller bearings have been chosen for the optimization using a robust design because tolerances are always provided during manufacturing. For rolling element bearings, a measure of satisfactory performance is a long life, lubrication and thermal characteristics. Hence, the first two objectives have been optimized simultaneously using the robust design. For bearing design, variables chosen include four basic internal dimensions and five design constraint factors. Genetic algorithm is implemented for solving the problem by considering both the objective functions, simultaneously. The lives of the bearing are found to be improved at least two times that of the standard bearings. It has been found that during manufacturing, designer should have more attention on the roller diameter compared to others dimensions.
Fatty Liver Does Not Increase the Risk of Postoperative Liver Damage Following Hepatectomy
Authors: Nomura Yoriko , Hisaka Toru , Sakai Hisamune , Akiba Jun , Yano Hirohisa , Akagi Yoshito , Okuda Koji
Published: June 2021

Background

The number of patients with fatty liver due to alcohol consumption, the metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is increasing. Because there is no consensus on the risk of hepatectomy in patients with fatty liver, this study examined the clinical outcomes of hepatectomy in fatty liver patients by evaluation their transaminase levels.
Methods

Patients (n = 164) who underwent hepatectomy for primary liver tumors from January 2014 to March 2019 were included in the study. They were divided into the steatohepatitis (n = 19), steatosis (n = 20), and viral hepatitis (n = 30) groups. Serum values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total bilirubin (TB), white blood cells, and platelets level and the prothrombin time (PT) were compared before and immediately after surgery, and on postoperative days 1–5, 7, and 10.
Results

Overall, the AST and ALT elevation rates were higher in the control group than in the steatosis and steatohepatitis groups during postoperative days 2–7. There was no difference in postoperative hepatic dysfunction between the steatosis and steatohepatitis groups. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in liver stiffness, operative time, mobilization, and the Pringle time. Multivariate analysis indicated low liver stiffness and a longer Pringle time as independent risk factors. Postoperative changes in the TB and albumin levels and the PT did not differ between the groups. There was no difference in the postoperative complications and hospital stay length between the groups.
Conclusions

Fatty liver does not increase the risk of postoperative liver damage following hepatectomy.
Temporal Fluctuations of Gut Microbiota and Bile Acid Metabolism in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Kean Iain Robert Louis , Wagner Josef , Wijeyesekera Anisha , de Goffau Marcus , Thurston Sarah , Clark John A , White Deborah K. , Ridout Jenna , Agrawal Shruti , Kayani Riaz , O’Donnell Roddy , Ramnarayan Padmanabhan , Peters Mark J , Klein Nigel , Holmes Elaine , Parkhill Julian , Baker Stephen , Pathan Nazima
Published: June 2021

Background: Critical illness frequently requires the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials to treat life-threatening infection. The resulting impact on microbiome diversity is profound, influencing gastrointestinal fermentation endpoints, host immune response and metabolic activity including the conversion of primary bile acids to secondary bile acids. We previously observed reduced fermentation capacity in the gut microbiota of critically ill children upon hospital admission, but the functional recovery trajectory of the paediatric gut microbiome during critical illness has not been well defined. Here, we longitudinally studied the intestinal microbiome and faecal bile acid profile of critically ill children during hospitalisation in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The composition of the microbiome was determined by sequencing of the 16s rRNA gene, and bile acids were measured from faecal water by liquid chromatography hyphenated to mass spectrometry. Results: In comparison to admission faecal samples, members of Clostridium cluster XIVa and Lachnospiraceae recovered during the late-acute phase (days 8-10) of hospitalisation. Patients with infections had a lower proportion of Lachnospiraceae in their gut microbiota than control microbiota and patients with admitting diagnoses. The proportion of Recovery Associated Bacteria (RAB) was observed to decline with the length of PICU admission. Additionally, the proportions of RAB were reduced in those with systemic infection, respiratory failure, and undergoing surgery. Notably, Clostridioides were positively associated with the secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid, which we hypothesised to driven by secondary bile acid induced sporulation; the ratio of primary to secondary bile acids demonstrated recovery during critical illness. Conclusion: The recovery of secondary bile acids occurs quickly after intervention for critical illness. Bile acid recovery may be induced by the Lachnospiraceae , the composition of which shifts during critical illness. Our data suggest that gut health and early gut microbiota recovery can be assessed by readily quantifiable faecal bile acid profiles.
The Combined Fuzzy C-means, Data Encryption and Reversible Data Hiding Method to Enhance the Integrity and Authenticity of the Electronics Health Records (EHR) for Tele Radiology
Authors: Mon Fepslin Athish , K Suthendran , T Jarin
Published: June 2021

The transferring of medical image to the medical practitioner through cloud network with field expects around the globe to get better diagnostics and expect suggestions ever-increasing significantly. Enormous possibility of security treats arises while transferring the medical image through cloud services. In this paper, the trustworthiness, information integrity and authenticity of the patient EMR during storage and transmission over network can be improved without compromising medical quality and diagnosis accuracy. This can be achieved with the help of combined segmentation, cryptography and reversible data hiding on medical images. In this work, we store the patient basic details in the medical image using reversible data hiding with data capacity and security enhancements. The proposed method uses medical images of EMR as cover image, the patient’s details can be encoded in the cover image as data and finally encrypt the image using asymmetric key encryption. The proposed method provides more improvement in integrity, security, authenticity, data capacity and error rate. This method also maintains PSNR value above 51dB.
Prognostic Factors of Esophageal Perforation and Rupture Leading to Mortality: A Retrospective Study
Authors: duk Kim Jong
Published: June 2021

BackgroundEsophageal perforation and rupture (EPR) is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. However, no treatment methods have been established, and data concerning factors affecting mortality are limited. This report presents the prognostic factors of mortality in EPR based on experience in the management of such patients.MethodsFor this retrospective analysis, 79 patients diagnosed as having EPR between 2006 and 2016 and managed at Gyeongsang National University Hospital were examined. The management method was determined in accordance with the location and size of the EPR, laboratory findings, and radiological findings. Thirty-nine patients were treated with surgery; and 40, with nonsurgical management.ResultsThe most common cause of EPR was foreign body (fish bone or meat bone), followed by vomiting, iatrogenic causes, and trauma. Thirty-nine patients underwent primary repair of EPR, of whom 4 patients died. Forty patients underwent nonsurgical management, of whom 3 patients died. The remaining patients were discharged. Mortality correlated with the size of the EPR (>25 mm) and the segmented neutrophil count percentage (>86.5%) in the white blood cell test and differential.ConclusionsThe mortality risk was increased when the EPR size and the segmented neutrophil count percentage in the white blood cell test and differential was high. Delayed diagnosis, which was considered an important predictive factor in previous investigations, was not statistically significant in this study.Trial registration﻿Not Applicable