bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic transfusion consent and blood delivering pattern improve the management of blood bank in China
Authors: Jiang Luxi , Zhang Guobing , Hao Ke , Xiang Weiling , Zhang Qin , Xie Yiwei , Du Yaoqiang , Wang Zhen , Chen Bingyu
Published: February 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to improve the accuracy of blood transfusion treatment consent, simplify the verification process, prolong the temperature control time before blood transfusion, and save the labor cost of blood transportation.
Methods

We designed the electronic signing process of blood transfusion consent, which can generate personalized text content and automatically check the accuracy of filling. The signal can be transmitted to the blood transfusion management system (TMS) to relieve the blood distribution. For blood delivering, we established the blood transport center, recruited full-time nurses and used temperature-controlled blood transfer boxes to deliver blood in batches on a regular basis.
Results

Quarterly analysis of blood transfusion quality data showed that the accuracy of blood transfusion consent was 100% after electronic consent process implemented. The average savings of confirmation time between electronic content and papery content was 26min for Department of Emergency (Estimated Difference (95% CI) = 26 (20 to 36), p< 0.05). The pattern of blood delivering reduced the time for each unit of leaving temperature control by 7.24min on average (Estimated Difference (95% CI) = 7.24 (6.92 to 7.56), p< 0.05), and saved $3.67 of labor cost for each unit as well.
Conclusion

Electronic transfusion consent process not only ensures the accuracy, but also saves the verification time. Moreover, the blood delivering pattern prolongs the temperature control time of blood, and saves labor costs. These two improvements could enhance transfusion management.
Alleviation of the adverse effects of NaCl stress on tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by Trichoderma viride through the antioxidative defense system
Authors: Metwally Rabab A , Soliman Shereen A
Published: February 2022

Background: Species of Trichoderma are widely recognized for their biocontrol abilities, but little information regarding their mechanisms in promoting plant growth and enhancing its tolerance to salt stress are available. Salt stress is one of the main abiotic stresses restricting crop growth and productivity. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the NaCl effects on Trichoderma viride growth as well as on the seedlings morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Besides, the role of T. viride in promoting tomato seedling stress tolerance was scrutinized. Results: Results showed that 100 mM NaCl decreased the colony diameter of T. viride by 13.4 % compared to the control. Exposure of tomato seedlings to salt stress resulted in an overall decrease in growth, relative water content (RWC), and protein contents. At the same time, increases were found in proline, H2O2 content, malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Even though, with T. viride application, the salt negative effects were mitigated to a greater extent. Moreover, T. viride increased proline and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in tomato seedlings at 100 mM NaCl by an average of 20.66 and 43.82 % compared to their comparable control. T. viride increased the activities of CAT, PPO, and APX enzymes by 74.6, 58.48, and 61.61% at 50 mM NaCl compared to non-saline control seedlings. As well, T. viride decreased MDA and H2O2 contents by an average of 14 and 24.8 % in tomato seedlings at 50 mM NaCl compared to their comparable control. Conclusion: Hence, our study provides new insight into the mechanisms of T. viride that can activate both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems and enhance tomato seedling tolerance to salt stress at morphological and physiological levels.
Bacterial and Archaeal Communities Within the Alkaline Na2CO3-type Langaco Lake in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Mingxiang , Zhang Xin , Shu Zhiwan , Wang Zhibo , Tao Yujie , Lv Chuanbo , Zhu Derui , Shen Guoping
Published: February 2022

Langaco Lake (LGL) is a strong Na2CO3-type lake that sits at an altitude of 4,548 m in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. LGL exhibits unique hydrochemical characteristics among Na2CO3-type lakes, but little is known about the microbial diversity of LGL and their interactions with environmental factors. Here, high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed that LGL bacterial diversity comprised 327 genera in 24 phyla (4,871 operational taxonomic units [OTUs]; Shannon index values of 5.20–6.07) that represented significantly higher diversity than that of Archaea (eight phyla and 29 genera comprising 1,008 OTUs; Shannon index values of 2.98–3.30). The bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria (42.79–53.70% relative abundances), followed by Bacteroidetes (11.13–15.18%), Planctomycetes (4.20–12.82%), Acidobacteria (5.91–9.50%), Actinobacteria (2.60–5.80%), and Verrucomicrobia (2.11–4.08%). Further, archaeal communities were dominated by Crenarchaeota (35.97–58.29%), Euryarchaeota (33.02–39.89%), and Woesearchaeota (6.50–21.57%). The dominant bacterial genus was Thiobacillus (8.92–16.78%), whose abundances were most correlated with total phosphorus (TP), pH, CO32− concentrations, and temperature. The most abundant archaeal genus was Methanoregula (21.40–28.29%), whose abundances were most highly correlated with TOC and TS in addition to the concentrations of K+, and Na+. Taken together, these results provide valuable insights towards a more comprehensive understanding of microbial diversity in these unique carbonate alkaline environments, in addition to a better understanding of microbial resources in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Design and Research of Digital Twin Machine Tool Simulation and Monitoring System
Authors: Guo Mingyi , Fang Xifeng , Hu Zhongtai , Li Qun
Published: February 2022

With the application of digital manufacturing technology and intelligent manufacturing technology in manufacturing industry, the existing simulation and monitoring methods of machine tools can not meet the requirements of enterprises, and gradually tend to use digital twin, OPC and other technologies to remote simulation and monitoring of machine tools. In order to prevent the accidental collision of machine tools, this paper builds the virtual model of machine tools based on the digital twin (DT) technology, detects the tool and machine tool collision model based on the improved GJK collision detection algorithm, and automatically controls the machine tool to stop when the tool and machine tool are about to collide. In order to improve the level of machine tool intelligent management, potential information extraction machine run time, this paper proposes a fast simulation method, machine tool CNC code used to detect the code is correct, and in the process of running through a visual component implementation monitoring the running state of the machine tool manufacturing process by monitoring data visualization and testing of large data, extracting the potential information, Realize the online prediction function of tool wear. Taking a turning process of Marine diesel engine cylinder liner as an example, the experimental test results show that the system can quickly judge the correctness of CNC code, effectively monitor the data of machine tool, predict tool wear degree and reduce the risk of tool collision.
Interactions of Environmental Pollutant Aromatic Amines with photoexcited states of Thiophene Substituted 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivative: Fluorescence quenching studies
Authors: Malimath G.H , M.S Thippeswamya , Naik Lohit , Maridevarmath C.V
Published: February 2022

In the present work, the ଂuorescence quenching of novel thiophene substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative 2-(4-(4-vinylphenyl) phenyl)-5-(5-(4-vinylphenyl)thiophen-2-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (TSO) by five different environmental pollutant aromatic amine derivatives like 2,4-dimethylaniline, 3-chloroaniline, 4-chloroaniline, o-anisidine, and m-toluidine has been studied at room temperature through steady-state, and time-resolved methods. The fluorescence intensity of fluorophore TSO decreased as the concentration of aromatic amines increased. The fluorescence quenching mechanism between TSO and aromatic amines is analysed through Stern-Volmer plots. The steady state Stern-Volmer plots were found to be nonlinear with a positive deviation, whereas time resolved Stern-Volmer plots show linearity with an increase in quencher concentration. Further, the Stern-Volmer constants (k sv ), quenching rate parameters (k q ), static quenching constant (V) and radius of the sphere of action (r) are calculated. The magnitude of these parameters suggests that the sphere of action static quenching model is responsible for the overall quenching mechanism. Further, with the use of ଁnite sink approximation model to check these bimolecular reactions as diffusion-limited and to estimate independently S-V constant, the distance parameter (R'), mutual diffusion coefficient (D), and diffusion controlled parameter (k d ) were calculated. These values indicate that the bimolecular quenching reactions are due to the collective effect of dynamic and static quenching mechanisms and these results are confirmed by the time-resolved measurements. The higher values of Gibb’s free energy determined from the Rehm-Weller relation through cyclic voltammetry studies suggests that, the ଂuorescence quenching is due to electron transfer and the same is confirmed by the DFT theoretical studies. Further, the binding equilibria analysis confirm, 1:1 stoichiometry ratio between fluorophore and quencher and also strong binding between the fluorophore and aromatic amines.
Comparisons of Statistical Downscaling Methods for Air Temperature Over the Qilian Mountains
Authors: Jin Haodong , Li Xiaodong , Frauenfeld Oliver W. , Zhao Yaohua , Chen Cong , Du Ran , Du Jun , Peng Xiaoqing
Published: February 2022

Air temperature is an important indicator of climate change, as well as for understanding changes in hydrology, ecology, and other natural systems. However, meteorological stations that provide reliable temperature observations are usually sparse in areas of complex terrain, thus limiting our ability to quantify high spatial resolution temperature variability in these regions. Here, we apply three statistical downscaling methods to daily air temperature output from the sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), validated with 22 meteorological stations over the Qilian Mountains. Based on different downscaling methods, we find RMSE and MAE are reduced as much as 59–66%, with the ratio of RMSE and MAE to the annual average temperature of stations decreasing from 147.9% to 61.0% and 143.3% to 64.7%, respectively, depending on the method. Compared to the original data, annual temperature based on the best downscaling methods differed by −2.85±3.61°C during the historical 1850–2014 period and, for the 2015–2100 projections, by 2.13±3.30°C for SSP1-2.6, −2.13±3.29°C for SSP2-4.5, −2.11±3.24°C for SSP3-7.0, and −2.12±3.23°C for SSP5-8.5. The downscaled annual air temperatures show a warming trend ranging 0.15­0.22°C/10yr for the historical experiment, 0.08°C­0.14°C/10yr for SSP1-2.6, 0.24­0.35°C/10yr for SSP2-4.5, 0.43­0.63°C/10yr for SSP3-7.0, and 0.52­0.76°C/10yr for SSP5-8.5 in the Qilian Mountain. These results indicate that the accuracy of the downscaled temperatures is improved compared to the original data. However, we also find that, compared with the downscaled data, the original projections have been overestimated.
Physiological and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal the Response of Ammopiptanthus Mongolicus to Extreme Seasonal Temperature in Plateau Cold Desert Ecosystem
Authors: Yang Zimeng , Liu Yiying , Han Hang , Zhao Xinyu , Chen Siyu , Li Guofang , Shi Sha , Feng Jinchao
Published: February 2022

Ammopiptanthus mongolicus is an evergreen broad-leaved shrub living in plateau cold desert ecosystem, which with remarkable tolerance to diverse abiotic stresses. We measured the photosynthetic physiological indexes of A. mongolicus. under extreme seasonal climate in the field, and analyzed the transcriptome of its leaves. We found that the photosynthetic physiological indexes and gene expression at transcriptome level have significant characteristics when temperature changes. Under the low temperature condition, A. mongolicus. consumes excess light energy by increasing PSII non-regulatory energy dissipation Y (NO) at the physiological level. At the molecular level, it resists low temperature stress by changing photosynthesis, circadian rhythm and synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, but its photosynthetic machinery is still damaged and photosynthesis is blocked. At the physiological level, A. mongolicus. regulates its own water content and improves the regulation of the PSII regulatory energy dissipation Y(NPQ) to consumes excess light energy and to adapt to high temperature stress. At the molecular level, A. mongolicus. protects itself from high temperature and strong light by using the LHCII of PSII to consume excess energy, continuously assembling and maintaining PSII, and changing the production of antioxidants and so on.
Identiﬁcation of Pyroptosis-related Gene Prognostic Signature in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Ruipeng , Li Pansong , Song Mengmeng , Ji Liyan , Sun Yi , Gao Xuan , Xia Xuefeng
Published: February 2022

Background: Pyroptosis has been recently identified as a hallmark of cancer biology; however, the potential of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) as prognostic markers has not been fully elucidated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods:35 PRGs were obtained from the published literature, and pyroptosis subtypes were identified by bioinformatics methods. The risk score model was established applying the LASSO Cox regression method in the TCGA cohort and validated in the ICGC datasets. Additionally, immune infiltration, enriched pathways and genomic alterations were analyzed between high and low risk-score subgroups. Finally, a nomogram containing the pyroptosis risk score and other prognostic related clinical factors was created for predicting the overall survival of HCC.Results:Based on the expression profile of PRGs, we determined two pyroptosis-related subtypes (cluster A and cluster B) of HCC with different immune characteristics and significantly different prognoses. The risk score model showed that up-regulation of GPX4, CASP8, NOD2, and GSDME was associated with poor prognosis, while NLRP6 was the opposite. Compared with patients with lower risk scores, the high-risk score group had a worse prognosis (P <0.0001) and a higher level of immune cell infiltration. Functional analysis suggested that the highly expressed genes in the high-risk group were mainly concentrated in various signaling pathways, while the low-expressed genes in the high-risk group were mainly enriched in different biochemical metabolic translations. Genomic alterations in high-risk and low-risk populations implied that mutations in the TP53 gene are highly associated with pyroptosis in HCC patients. A nomogram including risk score and TNM stage for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival indicated a good prognostic prediction ability.Conclusions:We developed and verified a prognostic risk model based on PRGs for HCC sufferers, which may provide a robust tool for forecasting prognosis in patients with HCC.
Efficient nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater by screening and constructing a novel Chlorella sp.-Bacillus taeanensis SD148BN12 consortium
Authors: Liu Liping , Zhang Mengyu , Li yun , Pan Luqing , Dou Le , Su Zhaopeng
Published: February 2022

The discharge of wastewater rich in nitrogen and phosphorus were posing a serious threat to ecological balance and human health. In the study, Bacillus taeanensis SD148BN12 with biosafety and capability of aerobic nitrogen removal by assimilation was selected to construct the Chlorella sp.-Bacillus taeanensis SD148BN12 consortium (M-B). Compared with single axenic Chlorella sp. and single Bacillus taeanensis SD148BN12, M-B improved the removal efficiencies of total nitrogen (91.89%) and total phosphorus (94.58%), the biomass yield (0.52 g/L), as well as the contents of carbohydrate and lipid after cultivation in synthetic wastewater. M-B had the high and stable nitrogen removal efficiency at temperature 20-30 ℃, salinity 20-40‰, light intensity 50-200 μmol photons m-2 s-1, pH 6-9, C/N ratio 1-10, N/P ratio 4-20, N concentration 1-50 mg/L. The conspicuous removal efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus from actual marine wastewater could be realized by M-B. Meanwhile, the synergistic interaction between Chlorella sp. and strain SD148BN12 was demonstrated by the characteristics of cell growth, photosynthetic activity and material exchange. The study provided an economical and environmentally friendly strategy for efficient removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater (including the neglected aquaculture wastewater) by establishing a hopeful microalgae-bacteria consortium.
Elucidation of Melanin Pigment Production From A Promising Locally Isolated Halotolerant Black Yeast Hortaea Werneckii AS1
Authors: Elsayis Asmaa , Hassan Sahar W. M. , Ghanem Khaled M. , Khairy Heba
Published: February 2022

Background: Melanins are one of the magnificent natural pigments synthesized by a wide range of microorganisms including different species of fungi and bacteria. Marine black yeasts appear to be potential prospects for the synthesis of natural melanin pigment production. As a result, the goal of this research was to isolate a promising marine black yeast melanin-producing strain and improve the culturing conditions in order to maximize the yield of such a valuable pigment.Results: Among six locally isolated black yeast strains, the only one that demonstrated a potent remarkable melanin pigment production was Identified using 18s rRNA as Hortaea werneckii AS1. The extracted pigment’s physiochemical characterization and analytical investigation with Ultraviolet-Visible (UV) spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) confirmed its nature as a melanin pigment. The data obtained from the polynomial model’s maximum point suggested that CaCl2, 1.125 (g/L); trace element, 0.25 (ml/L); and a culture volume 225 (ml/500ml) at their optimal values were the critical three elements impacting melanin production. In comparison with the baseline settings, the response surface methodology (RSM) optimization approach resulted in a 2.0 - fold improvement in melanin output. Conclusions: A Maximum melanin yield of 0.938 g/L proved the halotolerant H. werneckii AS1 potentiality as a source for natural melanin pigment synthesis ‘when compared to some relevant black yeast strains’ and hence, facilitating its incorporation in a variety of pharmaceutical and environmental applications.
Application of Nanomagnetic NH 2 .MIL-101(Fe)/ED as a Retrievable and Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of 2,6-Diamino-4-Aryl-4H-Thiopyran- 3,5- Dicarbonitrile Derivatives
Authors: Moghaddam Firouz Matloubi , Aghamiri Bagher , Motlagh Aida Yazdani , Jarahiyan Atefeh
Published: February 2022

In this publication, we reported an efficient one-pot, four-component procedure for the synthesis of 2,6-diamino-4-Aryl-4H-Thiopyran-3,5-dicarbonitrile derivatives by a reaction between primary amines, carbon disulfide, malononitrile, and benzylidenemalononitrile in the presence of magnetic NH2.MIL-101(Fe)/ED as a basic metal organic framework catalyst. Magnetic NH2.MIL-101(Fe)/ED was synthesized through anchoring FeCl3 on CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles surface and then 2-aminoterphthalic acid was used to form MOF structure. At the final step, metal centers were modified with ethylenediamine (ED). The different techniques such as Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, and Thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the structure of the catalyst. Using X-ray crystallography, the structure of the final product was also determined.
Genome Wide Association Mapping of Yield And Various Desirable Agronomic Traits In Rice
Authors: Ashfaq Muhammad , Rasheed Abdul , Sajjad Muhammad , Ali Muhammad , Rasool Bilal , Javed Muhammad Arshad , Shaheen Shabnum , Anwar Alia , Allah Sami Ul , Ahmad Muhammad Shafiq , Mubashar Urooj
Published: February 2022

Background: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the staple foods worldwide. To feed the growing population, improvement of rice cultivar is important. To make the improvement in rice breeding program, it is imperative to understand the similarity of the existing rice accessions. Previous studies demonstrated the existence of abundant elite genes in rice landraces. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed for yield and yield related traits to find the elite genes. Design: Experimental studyMethods and results: A total of 204 SSRs markers were used among 17 SSRs were found to be located on each chromosome in the rice genome. The diversity was analyzed using different genetic characters i.e., the total number of alleles (TNA), polymorphic information content (PIC) and gene diversity by Pwer markers and the values for each genetic character per marker ranged from 2 to 9, 0.332 to 0.887 and 0.423 to 0.900 respectively across the whole genome. The results of population structure identified four main groups. MTA identified several markers associated with many agronomically important traits. These results will be very useful for the selection of potential parents, recombinants and MTAs that governing the improvements and developments of new high yielding rice varieties. Conclusion: Analysis of diversity in germplasm is important for improvement of cultivars in breeding program. In the present study, the diversity was analyzed with different methods and found that enormous diversity was present in studied rice germplasm. The structure analysis found the presence of 4 genetic groups in the existing germplasm. A total of 129 marker-trait associations (MTAs) have been found in this study.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Medical Research Literature on Commonly Sold Herbal Medicines
Authors: Ng Jeremy Y. , Anant Swati , Parakh Nandana D.
Published: February 2022

Background
Herbal medicines and supplements are frequently utilized for healthcare purposes. Due to their increased use globally, it is essential to understand the characteristics of research conducted on this topic.
Methods
Search strategies were created by identifying the top-selling herbal supplements from the 2020 HerbalGram Market Report. The Natural Medicines database was used to identify and record the most common terms used to refer to the herbal supplements. The search strategy was limited to the “MEDICINE” category. Searches were run on Scopus on August 02, 2021, and all results were exported on the same day to avoid discrepancies due to daily database updates. Various bibliometric data were collected, including information on total number of publications, publications per year, number of authors and journals, open access status, document type, author affiliations, most highly published authors, institutional affiliations, funding sponsors, country of publication, and most highly cited publications. VOSViewer, a software tool, was used to construct and visualize the bibliometric networks.
Results
A total of 42 385 (12 481 open access) articles published by 92 814 unique authors between 1827 and 2021 were obtained. An overall upward trend has been noticed in the number of publications, with the most widely researched herbal medicines being wheatgrass, turmeric, barley, garlic, and green tea. The most productive countries were the United States (n=6957) and China (n=5426). Planta Medica published the largest number of publications related to herbal medicine.
Conclusions
A continuous upward trend has been identified in the number of publications surrounding commonly sold herbal medicines. Due to the projected increase of the use of these medicines, future research should examine and analyse the characteristics of emerging publications in this field.
Dynamically tunable multiband plasmon-induced transparency effect based on graphene nanoribbon waveguide coupled with rectangle cavities system
Authors: Zhu Zihao , Wang Boyun , Yan Xiang , Liu Yang , Zeng Qingdong , Wang Tao , Yu Huaqing
Published: February 2022

A dynamically tunable multiband plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) effect in a series of rectangle cavities coupled with a graphene nanoribbon waveguide system is investigated theoretically and numerically by tuning the chemical potential of the graphene rectangle cavity. A single-PIT effect is realized using two different methods: one is the direct destructive interference between bright and dark modes, and the other is the indirect coupling through a graphene nanoribbon waveguide. Moreover, dual-PIT effect is obtained by three rectangle cavities side-coupled with a graphene nanoribbon waveguide. Results show that the magnitude of the dual-PIT window can be controlled between 0.21 and 0.74, and the corresponding group index is controlled between 143.2 and 108.6. Furthermore, the triple-PIT effect is achieved by the combination of bright-dark mode coupling and the cavities side-coupled with waveguide mechanism. Thus, sharp PIT windows can be formed, a high transmission is maintained between 0.51 and 0.74, and the corresponding group index is controlled between 161.4 and 115.8. Compared with previously proposed graphene-based PIT effects, the size of the introduced structure is less than 0.5 µm 2 . Particularly, the slow light effect is crucial in the current research. Therefore, a novel approach is introduced toward the realization of optical sensors, optical filters, and slow light and light storage devices with ultra-compact, multiband, and dynamic tunable.
Regression Equations for Estimating the Weight of Taiwanese Buffaloes from Size Characteristics(1)
Authors: Chen Yi-Ting , Chuang Pi-Hua , Su An-Kuo
Published: February 2022

We investigated the growth rate and appearance traits of a herd of 83 buffaloes in Eastern Taiwan. Parity, body weight and length, withers height, and chest girth (from birth to > 5 years of age) were recorded. The results indicated the mean male buffalo body weights at birth and at 6, 9, 12, and 24 months old were 38.2 ± 5.3, 102.2 ± 16.0, 143.7 ± 24.1, 176.5 ± 28.4, 194.6 ± 34.1, and 323.3 ± 69.0 kg, respectively. The mean female buffalo body weights at birth and at 6, 9, 12 and 24 months old were 37.8 ± 5.8, 90.6 ± 17.2, 137.9 ± 21.9, 155.9 ± 25.3, 171.1 ± 28.2, and 311.4 ± 53.0 kg, respectively. Male buffaloes were significantly heavier than their female counterparts at 3, 9 and 12 months old (P < 0.05). The fitted regression equations for body weight with respect to chest girth from birth to 6 months old and from 6 to 24 months old, respectively, were (1) weight = 2.04 × chest girth − 124.19 and (2) weight = 4.19 × chest girth − 387.80. The respective R2 values were as high as 0.93, and all P values were significant (P < 0.0001), indicating that these regression equations are useful for estimating the weight of Taiwanese buffaloes in the absence of a scale. Additionally, the mean birth weight for buffalo calves from primiparous buffalo cows was significantly lower than that for parous buffalo cows (32.1 vs. 40.3 kg, P < 0.0001).
Intermediate Risk of Choledocholithiasis: Are We on the Right Path?
Authors: Girón Felipe , Rodriguez Lina M , Conde Danny , Rey Carlos , Vanegas Marco , Venegas David , Gutierrez Fernando , Nassar Ricardo M , Jimenez Daniel , Rojas Susana
Published: February 2022

BackgroundRisk of choledocholithiasis should be assessed in every patient who must undergo cholecystectomy to define the next step. The American Gastroenterology Society (ASGE) proposed a stratified predictor scale of choledocholithiasis. MethodsTo describe our experience managing patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis according to the ASGE guidelines and actual presence of bile duct stones in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. A retrospective observational study with a prospective database was conducted. Analysis included socio demographic data, laboratory values ​​and imaging. Bivariate, multivariate and ROC analysis was performed. Results 327 patients had intermediate risk for choledocholithiasis. Half the patients were at least 65 years old. 24.77% were diagnosed with choledocholithiasis. Bile duct dilation was documented in only 3.06% of cases. Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is associated with age OR: 1.87 (p 0.02), alkaline phosphatase OR: 2.44 (p 0.02) and bile duct dilation > 6 mm OR: 14.65 (p 0.00). ConclusionsHigh variability in accuracy of imaging techniques results in a large number of patients classified as intermediate risk without choledocholithiasis in cholangio-resonance. Therefore, enhancing the criteria to define intermediate risk for patients in order to optimize resources is of paramount importance.
ADIRF expression reversely correlates with stage progression and involves keratinocyte differentiation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Guo Meng , Fan Xiaotong , Zhu Shaohua , Zhao Xin , Guo Quan , Wang Lulu , fang Na , Han Ying , Liu Zhiguo
Published: February 2022

Background: Aberrant differentiation in esophageal mucosa was crucial for the carcinogenesis and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, few evidences elucidated the regulatory molecule during ESCC differentiation. We aimed to interpret the correlation between ADIRF expression and the tumor progression and reveal its molecular function in ESCC.Methods: The ADIRF expression in ESCC was assessed in RNA-seq (RNA sequencing) data from a TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) cohort and immunohistochemically examined in a tissue chip. The correlations with clinical data were assessed in 30 surgical specimens from our center. The regulating effects on cellular function were assessed in the established ADIRF overexpressed and suppressed ESCC cells. The molecular functions of ADIRF were inferenced according to the investigation of the correlated genes. Results: Both in the mRNA level and in the protein level, expression of ADIRF was decreased in cancerous mucosa than normal tissues, and significantly downregulated in the advanced ESCCs than those in the early stage. ADIRF expression in ESCCs was reversely correlated with the progressing of AJCC stage (r=-0.41) and tumor stage (r=-0.56). The high expression of ADIRF was efficient to distinguish patients with superficial invasion from those with deeper invasion (AUC=0.805, P<0.001). In vitro, ADIRF showed a suppression role and obviously inhibited the proliferation, migration and division of ESCC cells. According to functional analysis of the coexpressed genes, the ADIRF was putatively associated with the keratinocyte differentiation. Among the keratinocyte differentiation associated genes, SPRR1A, SPRR1B, PKP3, SPRR2D, and FLG were detected to independently correlate with the ESCC prognosis. Thereinto, SPRR1A was with the minimum hazard ratio (HR=0.11, 95%CI: 0.02-0.62) and significantly downregulated in the advanced ESCCs. Conclusions: This study uncovers that ADIRF was reversely correlated with ESCC progression and suppressed malignancy of tumor cells. Moreover, ADIRF was speculated to regulate esophageal keratinocyte differentiation. Hence, ADIRF might be a suppressive factor and with keratinocyte differentiation regulating effect in ESCC.
Environmentally Sensitive Vinylpyrrolidone/methacrylic Acid Inter-complex Amphoteric Hydrogel: Preparation, Characterization, and Use in the Binding of Copper Ions
Authors: Sepehrianazar Amir
Published: February 2022

Environmentally sensitive hydrogels (ESH) with inter-complex and amphoteric properties were prepared by thermal free radical polymerization of vinylpyrrolidone (VP), methacrylic acid (MA), and N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide. Spectroscopic and thermal characterizations of ESHs were performed using FTIR and TGA. To determine the effects of ESHs on swelling properties, swelling and diffusion studies were performed at different pHs, temperatures, and salt solutions. While the inter-complex formation between VP and MA was monitored with UV, the amphoteric property and environmental sensitivity of VP/MA-H were determined by swelling studies. In the binding of Cu(II) ion binding onto VP/MA-H experiments, a Langmuir type (L) adsorption was observed concerning the Giles classification system. Binding parameters such as equilibrium constant (KL), monolayer coverage (Qm), and maximum fractional occupancy (FO%) were calculated as 0.16 L gESH−1, 30 MgCu(II) gESH−1, and 81%, respectively. In the light of these findings, it can be said that strong electrostatic interactions between the anionic groups in the VP/MA-H and Cu (II) cations are more effective in the interaction of the heavy metal ions with the hydrogel. The outputs of this study are important in the preparation of effective vinylpyrrolidone/methacrylic acid for hydrogel applications in electrostatic interactions, adsorption, and removal of organic toxic wastes.
Heterocylcic Based Cucumin: Desin, Synthesis and Anticancer Efficay Against Hela Cells
Authors: Al-Kerm Rana , Al-kerm Rola , Hamed Othman , Sawafta Ashraf , Qneibi Mohammad , Berisha Avni , Dagdage Omar , Adwan Ghaleb
Published: February 2022

Developing a new effective anticancer agent becomes an urgent need to overcome of current drug-resistance. In this study we demonstrated that curcumin with heterocyclic moiety can function as an anticancer agent in a human. A new series of curcumin-based benzodiazepines, diazepines and diazoles were prepared using a simple one pot process. The process involved a condensation reaction of curcumin with various 1,2 diamino compounds and hydrazine. The structures of the prepared heterocycles were identified by the spectroscopic methods FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. The in vitro anticancer activities of the synthesized curcumin-based heterocycles against HeLa cancer cells were evaluated by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The viability of HeLa cells was reduced in the range of 4.48- 14.57% within the studied concentrations. Curcumin-based diazepine 6 showed the highest cytotoxic effect on the HeLa cells at all concentrations. it reduced the viability of the tested HeLa cells in range of 4.48 % for the 400 μg /ml concentration to 4.95% for the 12.5 μg /ml concentration. Moreover, heterocyclic 6 showed the highest cytotoxic and cytostatic effect among the tested heterocyclics against Hela cells. It exhibited IC50 and a cytostatic effect of of 0.4572 and 0.08515 µg/ml, respectively at a nontoxic level, as the control L6 cells showed cytotoxic and cytostatic effect with IC50 values of 22.47 and 1.977 µg/ml, respectively. This study revealed that, the prepared curcumin-based compounds exhibit a promising anticancer activity against HeLa cancer cells at a nontoxic concentration.
Burden and Factors Associated with Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections Among School-Age Children in Huambo, Uige and Zaire provinces, Angola
Authors: Bartlett Adam W. , Sousa-Figueiredo Jose C. , Goor Roelofje C. van , Monaghan Paul , Lancaster Warren , Mugizi Rukaaka , Mendes Elsa P. , Nery Susana Vaz , Lopes Sergio
Published: February 2022

Background: Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) contribute high disease burdens amongst the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and are public health problems in Angola. This study reports the prevalence, intensity and risk factors for schistosomiasis and STH infection in Huambo, Uige and Zaire provinces, Angola, to inform a school-based preventive chemotherapy program.Methods: A two-stage cluster design was used to select schools and schoolchildren to participate in parasitological and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) surveys across Huambo, Uige, and Zaire provinces. Point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen and urinalysis rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) were used to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium, respectively. Kato-Katz was used to identify and quantify STH species and quantify and compare with RDTs for S. mansoni. Urine filtration was used to quantify and compare with RDTs for S. haematobium. Descriptive statistics were used for prevalence and infection intensity of schistosomiasis and STH infection. Performance of RDTs was assessed through specificity and Cohen’s Kappa agreement with microscopy. A multivariate regression analysis was used to determine demographic and WASH factors associated with schistosomiasis and STH infection. Results: A total 575 schools and 17,093 schoolchildren participated in the schistosomiasis survey, of which 121 schools and 3,649 schoolchildren participated in the STH survey. Overall prevalence of S. mansoni was 21.2% (municipality range 0.9-74.8%) and S. haematobium 13.6% (range 0-31.2%), with an overall prevalence of schistosomiasis of 31.4% (range 5.9-77.3%). Overall prevalence of A. lumbricoides was 25.1% (range 0-89.7%), hookworm 5.2% (range 0-42.6%), and T. trichiura 3.6% (range 0-24.2%), with an overall prevalence of STH infection of 29.5% (0.8-89.7%). Ecological zone and ethnicity were factors associated with schistosomiasis and STH infection, with older age and female sex additional risk factors for S. haematobium.Conclusions: Most municipalities met WHO-defined prevalence thresholds for a schistosomiasis preventive chemotherapy program. A STH preventive chemotherapy program is indicated for nearly all municipalities in Uige and select municipalities in Huambo and Zaire. The association between ecological zone and ethnicity with schistosomiasis and STH infection necessitates further evaluation of home and school environmental, sociodemographic and behavioural factors to inform targeted control strategies to complement preventive chemotherapy programs.
Joint High-Dimensional Soft Bit Estimation and Quantization using Deep Learning
Authors: Arvinte Marius , Vishwanath Sriram , Tewfik Ahmed H. , Tamir Jonathan I.
Published: February 2022

Forward error correction using soft probability estimates is a central component in modern digital communication receivers and impacts end-to-end system performance. In this work, we introduce EQ-Net: a deep learning approach for joint soft bit estimation and quantization in high-dimensional multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. We propose a two-stage algorithm that uses soft bit quantization as pre-training for estimation, and is motivated by a theoretical analysis of soft bit compression bounds in MIMO channels. Our experiments demonstrate that a single deep learning model achieves competitive results on both tasks when compared to previous methods, with gains in quantization efficiency as high as 20% and reduced estimation latency by at least 21% compared to other deep learning approaches that achieve the same end-to-end performance. We investigate the robustness of the proposed approach, and demonstrate that the model is robust to distributional shifts when used for quantization, and is competitive with state-of-the-art deep learning approaches when faced with channel estimation errors in the task of soft bit estimation.
Manipulating the Performance and Oxidative Responses of Dairy Cattle Under Long-term Environmental Heat Stress Upon Zinc-Methionine Complex Dietary Inclusion
Authors: Mesgaran Mohsen Danesh , Kargar Hassan , Janssen Rieke , Mesgaran Sadjad Danesh , Ghesmati Aghil , Vatankhah Amirmansour
Published: February 2022

Dairy cows are susceptible to heat stress due to levels of milk production and feed intake. Dietary supplemental amino acids, particularly rate-limiting amino acids e.g., methionine (Met), may alleviate the potential negative consequences. Zinc (Zn) is beneficial to the immune system and mammary gland development during heat stress. We investigated the impact of a source of rumen-protected Zn-Met complex (Loprotin, Kaesler Nutrition GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany) in high producing Holstein cows during a long-term environmental heat stress period. Sixty-two multiparous Holstein lactating cows were allocated in a completely randomized design to 1 of 2 dietary treatments as basal diet without (control) or with supplemental Zn-Met complex (RPZM) at 0.131% of diet DM. Cows in the RPZM group had higher energy-corrected milk as well as milk fat and protein concentration. Zn-Met complex supplemented cows had lower haptoglobin and IL-1B concentration compared with the control. RPZM supplementation resulted in better oxidative status, indicated by higher total antioxidant status and lower malondialdehyde concentrations. Enhanced performance of animals upon Zn-Met complex supplementation could be partly the result of improved oxidative and immune status. Data generated herein could develop novel feeding concepts, i.e., particular feed additives, which can be practically implemented to maintain animal’s productivity and longevity during periods of heat stress.
Evaluation of Subcutaneous Injection of Erythropoietin on Visual Functions in Patients with Late Onset Optic Neuropathy: A Pilot Clinical Study
Authors: Mohammed Mai A. , Doheim Mohamed Fahmy , Elmassry Ahmed
Published: February 2022

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to assess the efficacy of subcutaneous erythropoietin injection on visual functions in patients having late stage optic neuropathy (LSON).Methods: The study included 20 patients diagnosed with LSON. All patients underwent a detailed history including the onset of the attack, diagnosis of the cause of optic neuropathy, assessment of visual acuity, pupil reaction, and flash visual evoked potential. Systemic erythropoietin injections (Eprex 20000 IU) were administrated subcutaneously once daily for three consecutive days. Cases were followed up for 4 weeks and 12 weeks by recording visual acuity, recording flash visual evoked potential and evaluating the need of second dose of Erythropoietin injection.Results:The mean age of the studied patients at presentation was 43.2± 17.3 years. The mean duration of the disease was 5.4± 3 months. There were statistically significant improvements of visual acuity, color vision and VEP parameters after one month (p<0.001) with 16 patients showing improvement. The results continued to be statistically significant after three months (p=0.002); without having any side effects.Conclusion: The subcutaneous erythropoietin may effectively and safely treat the LSON provided that the flash visual evoked potentials recorded at the baseline are within acceptable limits. More well-designed studies are needed to assert upon these results.
In-silico bioprospecting of taraxerol as a main protease inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 to develop therapy against COVID-19
Authors: mujwar somdutt , Harwansh Ranjit K.
Published: February 2022

The coronavirus disease outbreak towards the end of 2019 was caused by a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 disease outbreak has been avowed as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization by the end of March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for the crash of the global economy, resulting in the starvation of a large population belonging to economically backward countries. Thus, the global pandemic situation demands the development of a novel antiviral therapy against COVID-19. In the current study, screening of the ligands from the herbal source was performed to explore potential leads through targeting the viral main protease enzyme of SARS-CoV-2. Taraxerol was found to be a potential antagonist of the viral main protease enzyme. Thus, the present article was aimed at investigating taraxerol as a potent herbal lead by toxicity and ADME prediction for the management of COVID-19.
Multi-modal deep learning detection of deep-seated gravitational slope deformation by Typhoon Talas in 2011
Authors: Kikuchi Teruyuki , Sakita Koki , Nishiyama Satoshi , Takahashi Kenichi
Published: February 2022

There has been an increasing demand in recent years for detailed and accurate landslide maps and inventories in disaster-prone areas of subtropical and temperate zones, particularly in Asia. Most standard mapping methods require detailed fieldwork to be conducted by knowledgeable, skilled professionals. When predicting landslides, it is important to understand past landslide cases and prepare for situations in which the same phenomena occur. Developing automatic analysis methods using deep learning can contribute to the sophistication and cost of screening. This case study analyzed the potential of using deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for landslide detection with digital elevation models (DEMs) before the slide for deep-seated landslides (DLs) that occurred during Typhoon Talas. Here, we created 36,985 pieces of learning data from topographic information, which were then applied to a CNN using a multi-modal learning model. Eight types of numerical analysis images were created using the DEM as the learning data. The learning outcome achieved an accuracy of >0.856 for a 50 × 50 pixel window size CNN. This indicates that the decrease in the number of numerical analysis image types influenced the outcome. This study uses data from a limited range of DL sites in a topography specific to the accretionary zone. Although this CNN model is still in the initial stages of development, it accumulated many collapse cases and could contribute to disaster location screening, risk assessment, and hazard mapping during disasters.
Maternal Transfer and Long-Term Population Effects of PCBs in Baltic Grey Seals Using a New Toxicokinetic-Toxicodynamic Population Model
Authors: Mauritsson Karl , Desforges Jean-Pierre , Harding Karin
Published: February 2022

Empirical evidence has shown that historical exposure of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to Baltic grey seals not only severely affected individual fitness, but also population growth rates and most likely caused the retarded recovery rate of the depleted population for decades. We construct a new model which we term a toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) population model to quantify these effects. The toxicokinetic sub model describes in detail the bioaccumulation, elimination, and vertical transfer from mother to offspring of PCBs, and was linked to a toxicodynamic model for estimation of PCB-related damage, hazard, and stress impacts on fertility and survival rates. Both sub-models were then linked to a Leslie matrix population model to calculate changes in population growth rate and age structure given different rates of PCB exposure. Toxicodynamic model parameters related to reproductive organ lesions were calibrated using published historical data on observed pregnancy rates in Baltic grey seal females. Our model showed that increased PCB exposure caused reduced fertility, decreased vertical transfer, and increased biomagnification. Compared to empirical data, the TKTD population model described well the age-specific bioaccumulation pattern of PCBs in Baltic grey seals, and thus, the toxicokinetic parameters, deduced from literature, are believed to be reliable. The model also captured well the general effects of PCBs on historical population growth rates. The developed model can be used to perform population viability analyses of Baltic grey seals with multiple stressors, also including by-catches and different hunting regimes. The model can also be extended to other marine mammals and other contaminants than PCB by adjustments of model parameter values and thus provides a test bed in silico for new substances.