bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban-climate interactions during summer over eastern North America
Authors: Oh Seok-Geun , Sushama Laxmi
Published: June 2021

The urban heat island is a representative urban climate characteristic, which can affect heat-stress conditions and extreme precipitation that are closely connected with human life. Better understanding of urban-climate interactions, therefore, is crucial to ultimately support better planning and adaptation in various application fields. This study assesses urban-climate interactions during summer for eastern North America using regional climate model simulations at 0.22° resolution. Two regional climate model experiments, with and without realistic representation of urban regions, are performed for the 1981–2010 period. Comparison of the two experiments shows higher mean temperatures and reduced mean precipitation in the simulation with realistic urban representation, which can be attributed primarily to reduced albedo and soil moisture for the urban regions in this simulation. Furthermore, the mean temperature and precipitation in the simulation with improved urban representation is also closer to that observed. Analysis of short-duration precipitation extremes for climatologically different sub-regions, however, suggests that, for higher temperatures, the magnitudes of precipitation extremes are generally higher in the simulation with realistic urban representation, particularly for coastal urban regions, and are collocated with higher values of convective available potential energy and cloud fraction. Enhanced sea and lake breezes associated with lower sea level pressure found around these regions, contribute additional water vapor and further enhance dynamic convective development, leading to higher precipitation intensities. Analysis of temperature extremes clearly demonstrates that urban regions experience aggravated heat-stress conditions due to relatively higher temperatures despite reduced relative humidity. Double the number of extreme heat spells lasting six or more days are noted for the coastal urban regions in the study domain. This study, in addition to demonstrating the differences in urban-climate interactions for climatologically different regions, also demonstrates the need for better representation of urban regions in climate models to generate realistic climate information.
A Young Male with a Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Polycythemia Vera
Authors: Ghori Firdous F. , Elyas Ahmed A. , Soliman Dina S. , Amer Alia M. , Arabi Abulrahman , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: June 2021

Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a clonal myeloproliferative disease characterized by an erythroid dominant trilineage proliferation of hematopoietic precursor cells. Acute coronary syndrome is known to occur in patients with PV. However, there are very rare reported cases of myocardial infarction upon the initial presentation of PV. We present such a case of a 37 years old male, with no known cardiovascular risk factors, who had an initial presentation of NSTEMI treated with drug eluting stent (DES). Later investigations revealed a diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera. Treatment strategies for MI in cases of myeloproliferative disease lacking clear guidance, further studies are needed in this matter.
The Effect of Resveratrol on Aortic Function in Patients with Marfan Syndrome – Rationale and Design of the Resvcue Marfan Trial.
Authors: Andel Mitzi M van , Ooij Pim van , Scholte Arthur JHA , Berg Maarten P van den , Dickinson Michael G , Kimmenade Roland RJ van , Evertsz' Floor Bennebroek , Zwinderman Aeilko H , Mulder Barbara JM , Groenink Maarten , de Waard Vivian
Published: June 2021

Background Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by mutations in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene. The most important manifestation is progressive enlargement of the aorta, ultimately leading to aortic dissection or rupture. Present day pharmacological treatment is based on drugs that decrease repetitive stress on the aorta and improve elastic properties and transport function of the aorta. Unfortunately, this is not sufficient for most patients and surgical resection and reconstruction of the enlarged part of the aorta is still necessary. We have shown earlier that the food supplement Resveratrol inhibits aortic growth and promotes aortic repair in a murine MFS model. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol commonly found in the skin of berries and in nuts. Here, we hypothesize that Resveratrol treatment will also be protective against aortic dilatation and functional deterioration in humans with MFS. Methods/Design The RESVcue Marfan study is an investigator-initiated, prospective, pre-post observational, multicenter trial. Four specialized academic centers in the Netherlands will recruit 100 patients with genetically confirmed MFS. Patients will use Resveratrol for one year, on top of their ongoing medicinal regime. The primary endpoints consist of the following two main parameters; 1) aortic aneurysm expansion rate and 2) improvement of aortic functional indices. All indices will be measured before and after treatment by echocardiography and (4D flow) MRI. The 4D flow MRI allows for analysis of blood flow patterns and quantification of stresses on the aortic wall, distensibility and pulse wave velocity. Blood and skin samples will be taken to assess the effect of Resveratrol on potential biomarkers associated with Resveratrol metabolism and changes in the primary endpoints. Three psychological tests (The Well-being questionnaire (SF-12), the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scales (HADS) questionnaire and the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS)) will be taken by the MFS patients to assess the effect of Resveratrol on their well-being. Discussion The RESVcue Marfan trial may provide sufficient data on beneficial effects of Resveratrol on aortic aneurysm expansion rate, aortic functional properties, and biomarkers in patients with MFS to justify a future randomized trial in a larger cohort for a longer study period.Trial registration NL66127.018.18, approved on 24 September 2018. https://www.toetsingonline.nl/ Resveratrol as potential aortic growth inhibitor in patients with Marfan syndrome.
Water Shortage Risk Considering Encounter Situation of Water Supply in Multi-Resource Water City
Authors: Dou Ming , An Chen , Zhang Jianling , Li Guiqiu
Published: June 2021

For multi-source water supply city, water supply varies due to different inflow conditions, which brings more uncertainty to water resources management. Therefore, it is necessary to scientifically evaluate and give countermeasures in advance. Based on the data sequence of Location, Yellow River and South-to-North Water Transfer in Zhengzhou from 1989 to 2018, the joint probability distribution model is constructed by using the optimized marginal distribution function and Copula function. The encounter probability is calculated, and the risk analysis is carried out according to the water shortage of each user under different encounters. The results show:①The probability of asynchronous is 85.96%, it is 71.92% higher than the probability of synchronous, which indicates that the three water sources complement each other well; ②Local water supply has the greatest impact on the risk of water shortage in Zhengzhou. Local water should be used reasonably and efficiently, and the external water source should be used as a supplement; ③The maximum encounter probability is 13.58%, all users except domestic water are in a water shortage state, the most serious water shortage in the industry is (-2.049, -1.089) billion m³. The minimum encounter probability is 1.14%, all users have different degrees of water shortage, the shortage of domestic water is (-3.037, 0.779) billion m³second only to industrial water shortage, the reservoir should be jointly dispatched and the groundwater exploitation should be increased to maintain the security of the urban water supply system and ensure the normal water use of social life.
25-hydroxycholesterol Regulates Migration, Invasion and EMT of Colorectal Cancer through miR-92a-3p/ACAA1/NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Wang Saisai , Fei Rushan , Xu Xijuan , Xu Jie , Yao Yuanyuan , Lu Jiying , Zheng Gang , Lu Sen , chen wenbin
Published: June 2021

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignances worldwide. Several studies suggest a positive association between high plasma cholesterol level and CRC. 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) is enzymatically produced by cholesterol 25-hydorxylase in various organs and is involved in many processes. However, the critical role of 25-HC in the tumor growth and progression of CRC is largely unknown. Methods: CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to determine the effects of 25-HC on CRC cells proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis. Subcutaneous xenograft model and intra-splenic injection mouse model were established to investigate the effects of 25-HC on CRC in vivo. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to determine the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expressions in mice tumors and acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1 (ACAA1) expression in human CRC tissues. The expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin were examined by immunofluorescent staining. MiR-92a-3p mimic, inhibitor and ACAA1 vector were constructed and transfected into LoVo cells. Results: 25-HC promotes CRC cells migration, invasion, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo without affecting cells proliferation and apoptosis, accompanied by the upregulation of the expressions of MMPs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related markers. Mechanistically, miR-92a-3p expression is significantly elevated after 25-HC stimulation, while ACAA1 expression is down-regulated and negatively associated with tumor progression. Luciferase reporter assay confirms that miR-92a-3p could directly target ACAA1. Subsequent investigation indicates that nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling is the downstream pathways of miR-92a-3p-ACAA1 axis in CRC cells. Conclusions: 25-HC promotes CRC cells metastasis by regulating cells migration, invasion and EMT through miR-92a-3p/ACAA1/NF-κB pathway.Trial registration: The current study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University on March22, 2018. The permission number was 2018-706 and 2020-1000.
Molecular Basis of Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy in Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Surjan Rodrigo Cañada Trofo , de Lima Thais Martins , Santos Elizabeth Santana dos , Silveira Sergio do Prado , Machado Marcel Cerqueira Cesar , de Souza Heraldo Possolo , ARDENGH Jose Celso
Published: June 2021

Purpose

hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a potentially fatal condition associated with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanism involved in hyperammonemia in patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma was unclear until a possible physiopathological pathway was recently proposed. An ornithine transcarboxylase dysfunction was suggested as a result of increased ornithine decarboxylase activity induced by c-Myc overexpression. This c-Myc overexpression resulted from Aurora Kinase A overexpression derived from the activity of a chimeric kinase that is the final transcript of a deletion in chromosome 19, common to all fibrolamellar carcinomas.
Methods

we performed the analysis of the expression of all enzymes involved and tested for the mutation in chromosome 19 in fresh frozen samples of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, non-tumor liver and hepatic adenomatosis.
Results

specific DNAJB-PRKACA fusion protein that results from the recurrent mutation on chromosome 19 common to all fibrolamellar carcinoma was detected only in the fibrolamellar carcinoma sample. Fibrolamellar carcinoma and adenomiomatosis samples presented increased expression of Aurora Kinase A, c-MYC and ornithine decarboxylase when compared to normal liver, while ornithine transcarbamylase was decreased.
Conclusion

The proposed physiopathological pathway is correct and that overexpression of c-Myc may also be responsible of hyperammonemia in patients with other types of rapidly growing hepatomas. This gives further evidence to apply new and adequate treatment to this severe complication.
Shared And Specific Patterns Of Structural And Functional Thalamo-Frontal Disturbances In Manic And Euthymic Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Guo Yi-Bing , Gao Wei-Jia , Long Zhi-Liang , Cao Wei-Fang , Cui Dong , Guo Yong-Xin , Jiao Qing , Qiu Jian-Feng , Su Lin-Yan , Lu Guang-Ming
Published: June 2021

Bipolar disorder (BD) is clinically defined by alternating depressive and manic episodes with a separated period of euthymia. Thalamo-frontal loop plays vital role in psychotic symptoms, altered motor control and executive difficulties in BD. It remains unclear that structural and functional alteration of thalamo-frontal loop among the different mood states in BD, especially in pediatric BD(PBD).Twenty manic PBD(mPBD), 20 euthymic PBD(ePBD) and 19 healthy controls were included in the study. By analyzing the T1 images and fMRI signals, thalamus volume and frontal grey matter cortical thickness were tested, and functional connectivity(FC) between bilateral thalamus and frontal cortex was calculated. Relationship between clinical indices and thalamo-frontal FC was also evaluated in mPBD and ePBD adolescents.Compared to HCs, the cortical thickness of left MFG, bilateral superior frontal gyrus(SFG) was significantly decreased in both mPBD and ePBD patients, and volume of left thalamus and cortical thickness of right middle frontal gyrus(MFG) significantly decreased in mPBD patients. It was shown that thalamo-frontal hyperconnectivity with MFG in mPBD compared to HCs and ePBD subjects, and thalamo-frontal hypoconnectivity with precentral gyrus/SFG in ePBD subjects compared with that of HCs. In ePBD patients, episode times positively correlated with FC values between thalamus and precentral gyrusThe findings of the present study demonstrate detailed knowledge regarding shared and specific structural and functional disruption in thalamo-frontal loop in mPBD and ePBD subjects. Thalamo-frontal abnormalities reported in adult BD subjects were also observed in adolescent BD patients, and thalamo-frontal dysfunction may be a crucial treatment target in BD.
Analysis of Side Information Impact on the Coverage Region of Wireless Wiretap Channel
Authors: pakravan saeid , Hodtani Ghosheh Abed
Published: June 2021

Analyzing wireless communication performances by using information-theoretic results is of practical importance. In this paper, first, an achievable secrecy rate region and an outer bound on the secrecy capacity region for the discrete alphabet and memoryless wiretap channel with side information non-causally known at the transmitter are obtained. Then, by extending the results to the continuous alphabet wireless wiretap channel and by deriving a closed-form expression on the secrecy coverage region (SCR), as a remarkable wireless performance factor, impact of side information on the SCR is analyzed and it is shown that side information increases the SCR as expected intuitively. Numerical evaluation of theoretical results is done finally.
Community Psychological And Behavioural Responses To Coronavirus Disease 2019 Over One Year Of The Pandemic In 2020 In Hong Kong
Authors: Liao Qiuyan , Xiao Jingyi , Cheung Justin , Ng Tiffany W. Y. , Lam Wendy W. T. , Ni Michael Y. , Cowling Benjamin J
Published: June 2021

Background: Monitoring community psychological and behavioural responses to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is important for informing policy making and risk communication to sustain public compliance with challenging precautionary behaviours and mitigating the psychological impacts. Methods: Monthly telephone surveys in January-April 2020 and then weekly surveys from May through December 2020 were conducted to monitor changes in public risk perception of COVID-19, personal efficacy in self-protection, confidence in the government’s ability to control the pandemic, precautionary behaviours, perceived impact of precautionary behaviours, psychological fatigue and distress in Hong Kong, and examine their inter-relationships. Results: While worry about contracting COVID-19 increased, personal efficacy and confidence in the government declined as the community incidence of COVID-19 increased. The public maintained high compliance with most precautionary behaviours throughout but relaxed behaviours that were more challenging when disease incidence declined. Public confidence in the government was persistently low throughout, of which, a lower level was associated with more psychological fatigue, lower compliance with precautionary behaviours and greater psychological distress. Perceived greater negative impact of precautionary behaviours was also associated with more psychological fatigue which in turn was associated with relaxation of precautionary behaviours. Female, younger and unemployed individuals reported greater psychological distress throughout different stages of the pandemic.Conclusions: Risk communication should focus on promoting confidence in self-protection and pandemic control to avoid helplessness to act when the pandemic resurges. Policy making should prioritize building public trust, enhancing support for sustaining precautionary behaviours, and helping vulnerable groups to adapt to the stress during the pandemic.
Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Characterization in Bickerstaff's Brainstem Encephalitis
Authors: Mao Yipu , Jiang Muliang , Long Liling
Published: June 2021

Purpose Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis(BBE) is considered a scarce variant of Miller-Fisher syndrome(MFS) and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) but accounts for a significant proportion of brainstem encephalitis.Detailed knowledge of their neuroimaging manifestations is of paramount importance for a correct early diagnosis and proper management of the affected patients.In this study,We sought to characterize neuroimaging findings,including the morphology and manifestation of advanced MR imaging and differential diagnosis.Methods Seven BBE patients (5 males,2 females; mean age 42.5 ± 5.7 years,range 17 to 63 years) were retrospectively studied using conventional MRI (T1- and T2- weighted,FLAIR sequences,postcontrast T1-weighted images) and advanced MRI such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the MRS ratio were calculated in lesion regions.Results1. The distribution of these lesions typically include bilateral and symmetrical involvement of the mesencephalon,thalamus,tegmentum,infratentorial periaqueductal region,and the periventricular region surrounding the third and fourth ventricles involving white and gray matter; additional supratentorial white matter is not involved.2. MRI axial T2-weighted images and FLAIR sequences showed nearly symmetrical hyperintense signal changes with slightly spotty,patchy,or confluent homogeneous enhancement on postcontrast T1-weighted images without necrosis or hemorrhage.3. DWI signal was enhanced,and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map signal was slightly increased.ADC values of BBE lesions were in the range of 1.21 to 1.67 × 10−3 mm/s2 (mean 1.38 ± 0.66 × 10−3 mm/s2).4. Proton MR spectrum showed a slight increase in choline and a relative decrease in NAA peak,while Lipid and Lac doublet were not detected.Conclusion Advanced MRI imaging can provide important physiological and metabolic information of BBE and complement the morphological findings of the clinical conventional MRI.
Mangrove Health Assessment and Genetic Diversity of Associated Sesarmid Crab Parasesarma Persicum in Nayband National Park, Iran
Authors: Dehghani Maryam , Shadi Ahmad , Gandomi Yasaman , Ghasemi Ahmad
Published: June 2021

Mangrove forests as one of the most important coastal ecosystems provide important ecological and economic performance to the world, have been threatened by developmental human activities and subsequent land use changes. The present study aims to assess mangrove ecosystem health in Nayband Marine National Park, Iran using Mangrove Quality Index (MQI), in addition to analyse the effect of mangrove habitat quality on the genetic diversity of Parasesarma persicum the associated mangrove crab by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Four stations were studied for mangrove quality index analysis as well as genetic analysis. The results of MQI survey based on hydrology, water, soil, biota criteria indicated moderate to low habitat quality of mangroves in the study area. Station 4 in the southern Nayband gulf showed highest impact by human activities and MQI of 0.7, indicating serious habitat alteration in this area. Station 2 in the northern part of Nayband gulf showed a moderate mangrove quality (MQI = 0.5). Based on the results of the AFLP genetic assessment, the estimated heterozygosity(He) of crabs was between 0.29 to 0.32 with a mean of 0.30. The highest genetic diversity was found at station 2, however, no complete population differentiation was observed between 4 stations. The analysis revealed a significant correlation between mangrove habitat alteration and heterozygosity reduction (P<0.05). Based on the results of the present study, mangrove habitat destruction due to anthropogenic activities may directly reduce the genetic diversity of associated species of this ecosystem.
DDX31: A Novel Functional Oncogene Promotes Migration and Proliferation of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Liu Yang , Xie Yongjie , Ding Jinsheng , Wu Liangliang
Published: June 2021

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant cancers with rapid disease progression. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for more than 90% in exocrine pancreatic cancer. DDX31 is one of the Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD)-box RNA helicases (DDX) family member, which has never been reported in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Through comprehensive analysis of bioinformatics screening, clinical pathological data and experiment results verification, we found DDX31 may be a promising oncogene.Patients and methods: The potential correlation between DDX3 expression and clinical feature of PDAC was analyzed, which revealed that patients with high DDX31 expression may have a poor prognosis. Elevated expression levels of DDX31 in PDAC compared with adjacent normal tissues were determined by immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses. Western blot analysis of N-cadherin, Snail, transwell, and wound healing assays was carried out to evaluate the pro-metastasis effects of DDX31 in PDAC. In vitro experiments included colony formation assay. Edu labeling assay, CCK-8, western blot analysis of Ki67, PCNA, and an in vivo subcutaneous mouse model were used to analyze the role of DDX31 in PDAC proliferation.Results: In our research, integrated bioinformatics analysis of the TCGA and GEO databases was performed to identify the metastasis and proliferation-related differentially expressed genes (DEG). DDX31 predicts strong metastasis and proliferation capacity of PDAC, was finally screened. Then, the clinical data identified that highexpression-DDX31 was correlated with pancreatic tumor size, pathological grade, and lymph node metastasis. The in vitro and vivo experiments revealed that overexpression-DDX31 promoted the migration, proliferation and cell viability of pancreatic cancer cells, these functions of DDX31 had also been proved in the knockdown results. Moreover, the EMT related markers and proliferation markers were identified to be positively regulated by DDX31 in pancreatic cancer cells.Conclusion: Thus, our work uncovered that DDX31 promotes migration and proliferation in PDAC and might be a promising therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.
Modified Mackenzie Sound Equation and CVOA Algorithm Based UASN Routing in Dissolved Gases with Divergent Wind Environment to Reduce Propagation Delay
Authors: R Amirthavalli , Shanker NR
Published: June 2021

In Underwater Acoustic Sensor Network (UASN), routing and propagation delay is affected through various water column environment effects in each node such as temperature, salinity, depth, gases, divergent and rotational wind. High sound velocity increases the transmission rate of packets and high dissolved gases in the water environment increase sound velocity. High dissolved gases and sound velocity environment in water column provide high transmission rates among UASN nodes. In this paper, the Modified Mackenzie Sound equation calculates sound velocity in each node for energy-efficient routing. Golden Ratio Optimization Method (GROM) and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) predict propagation delay of each node in UASN from dataset which consists of Mackenzie Sound equation calculated sound velocity based on temperature, salinity, depth, dissolved gases. Dissolved gases, rotational and divergent winds, and stress play major problems in UASN, increases propagation delay and energy consumption. Predicted values from GPR and GROM lead to node selection and among selected nodes Corona Virus Optimization Algorithm (CVOA) routing is performed. The proposed GPR-CVOA and GROM-CVOA algorithm solves the problem of propagation delay and consumes less energy in nodes based on appropriate tolerant delays in transmitting packets among nodes during high rotational and divergent winds. From simulation results, CVOA Algorithm performs better than traditional DF and LION algorithms.
Association between Triglyceride Glucose Index and the Risk of Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Liu Yihai , Wu Mingyue , Xu Biao , Kang Lina
Published: June 2021

Background The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been used as a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance, an independent predictor of atherosclerotic vascular diseases. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between the TyG index and peripheral artery disease (PAD).Methods A total of 3375 participants with comleted TyG and ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) records were enrolled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004. The TyG index was calculated as ln[triglycerides (mg/dL)×glucose (mg/dL)/2], and the presence of PAD was defined as ABPI ≤ 0.9. Results The participants were 60.1±12.8 year old and 51.3% (1730) were male. The prevelance of PAD was 7.1% (238). Compared with the reference lowest quartile of TyG index, the highest quartile was associated with 1.66-fold (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-2.43; p=0.008) risk of PAD. After adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyles, and cardiometabolic factors, the multivariate-adjusted OR and 95% CI were 1.55 (1.03-2.37; p=0.039) or participants within the highest quartile. TyG index was also independently and linearly associated with higher presence of PAD (OR 1.27 [1.02-1.56]; p=0.027). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between TyG index and the risk of PAD was still consistant across groups except for obesity.Conclusions Higher TyG index was significantly associated with the higher risk of PAD, which could be a marker of PAD.
The Cre/CysC Ratio can Predict Muscle Composition and is Associated with Glucose Disposal Ability and Macrovascular Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yang Qing , Zhang Mei , Sun Peng , Li Yanying , Xu Huichao , Wang Kejun , Shen Hongshan , Ban Bo , Liu Fupeng
Published: June 2021

Background: Since the ratio of creatinine to cystatin C (Cre/CysC) can reflect muscle volume, it has been proven to be a predictor of sarcopenia in patients with or without diabetes. Here, we investigated the predictive value of Cre/CysC in skeletal muscle composition and its correlations with glucose disposal ability and diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods: The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and mean skeletal muscle attenuation (MMA) values of 193 patients with type 2 diabetes were obtained through analyses of CT images at the lumbar 3 level.Results: Serum Cre/CysC was significantly correlated with both the SMI (r =0.375, P < 0.001) and MMA (r = 0.378, P < 0.001). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that Cre/CysC was the only biochemical predictor of the SMI [b = 0.48, (95% Cl, 0.02 to 0.94) and MMA [b= 0.57, (95% Cl, 0.14 to 1.01). In the diabetic complications analysis, Cre/CysC was negatively correlated with cardiovascular disease (r = -0.190, P = 0.008) and lower extremity arterial disease (r = -0.209, P = 0.004). Moreover, in the 100 g steamed bun test, Cre/CysC was significantly correlated with glucose levels at 60 min (r = -0.162, P = 0.045), 120 min (r = -0.287, P < 0.001) and 180 min (r = -0.313, P < 0.001).Conclusions: Cre/CysC is a valuable predictor of skeletal muscle composition in type 2 diabetes. Patients with higher levels of Cre/CysC may have a better ability to dispose of postprandial glucose and lower risk of macrovascular disease.
Association of Contrast-Enhanced CT Findings with Etiology and Outcome in Patients with Portal Venous Gas and Pneumatosis Intestinalis: A Single Center Case Series Study
Authors: Yoshida Naohiro , Sadakari Yoshihiko , Tamehiro Kazuhito , Ohkawara Kazuma , Nakane Hiroyuki , Endo Kayoko , Kaneshiro Kazuhisa , Iwanaga Ayako , Yoshitomi Munehiro , Hirokata Gentaro , Aoyagi Takeshi , Ogata Toshiro , Taniguchi Masahiko
Published: June 2021

Background: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is a reliable diagnostic tool often used to investigate the etiology of portal venous gas (PVG) and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). However, there are few reports that offer an analysis of the relationship between particular CT findings and clinical outcomes. In this paper, we sought to close that gap and present the results of our analyses that reveal which CT findings are correlated with life-threatening cases.Methods: 39 patients were diagnosed with PVG or PI from contrast-enhanced CT scans and underwent treatment at St. Mary’s Hospital from January 2009 to December 2018. We reviewed patients’ medical charts, laboratory data, and CT scan images retrospectively. We defined cases resulting in operation or death as group 1, and patients with conservative treatment who survived as group 2. We then analyzed the relationship between each CT finding and clinical feature.Results: The primary underlying diseases identified for PVG and PI were bowel ischemia (13/39), enteritis (9/39), constipation (5/39), iatrogenic disease (4/39), and hemodialysis (3/39). Poor enhancement of the intestinal wall and extrahepatic venous gas were correlated with bowel ischemia (p=0.0002 and p=0.0003, respectively). Free air was less correlated with bowel ischemia (p=0.02). Wall thickness was correlated with enteritis (p=0.02). Mortality in cases with bowel ischemia and perforation was quite high (60%) even if patients underwent surgery (33.3%). Conversely, patients with enteritis, constipation, hemodialysis and gastric dilatation who did not require surgery resulted in more favorable outcomes with conservative treatment. In the multivariate analysis, extra hepatic venous gas was the only solitary factor correlated with group 1 (p=0.0008).Conclusions: Extra hepatic venous gas was the strongest predictive factor of clinical outcome in contrast-enhanced CT findings correlated with bowel ischemia and required surgical treatment. The other CT findings were useful in diagnosing the underlying disease, but were not correlated with clinical outcomes. The necessity for surgical treatment remains dependent on the root cause.
Schiff Base Functionalized 1,2,4-Triazole and Pyrene Derivatives for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Cu2+ in the Mixed Organic- Aqueous Media
Authors: Choi Nam Gyu , Vanjare Balasaheb D. , Mahajan Prasad G. , Nagarajan Rajendran , Ryoo Hyang Im , Lee Ki Hwan
Published: June 2021

We have prepared Schiff base functionalized 1,2,4-Triazole and Pyrene derivatives for selective, sensitive, and naked eye colorimetric detection of Cu2+ in the mixed organic- aqueous media. Amongst the 18 different metal ions studied for absorption and fluorescence titration, only Cu2+ ion encourages the modification in spectral properties of Schiff base functionalized 1,2,4-Triazole and Pyrene Probe. The stoichiometric ratio of the Probe-Cu2+ complex was determined to be 2:1 according to Job’s plot. The lower detection limit estimated for Cu2+ is 0.234 nM which shows excellent sensitivity and selectivity of the present analytical method towards detection of Cu2+ ion in the mixed organic-aqueous media. The present approach has been successfully utilized for the quantitative determination of Cu2+ ion from environmental aqueous solution.
High Rate of Autonomic Neuropathy in Cornelia De Lange Syndrome
Authors: Pablo Maria Jesus , Pamplona Pilar , Haddad Maria , Benavente Isabel , Latorre-Pellicer Ana , Arnedo Maria , Trujillano Laura , Bueno-Lozano Gloria , Kerr Lynne M , Huisman Sylvia A , Kaiser Frank J , Ramos Feliciano J , Kline Antonie D , Pie Juan , Puisac Beatriz
Published: June 2021

BackgroundCornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by typical facial features, growth failure, limb abnormalities, and gastroesophageal dysfunction that may be caused by mutations in several genes that disrupt gene regulation early in development. Symptoms in individuals with CdLS suggest that the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is involved, yet there is little direct evidence.MethodSomatic nervous system was evaluated by conventional motor and sensory nerve conduction studies and autonomic nervous system by heart rate variability, sympathetic skin response and sudomotor testing. CdLS Clinical Score and genetic studies were also obtained.ResultsSympathetic skin response and sudomotor test were pathological in 35% and 34% of the individuals with CdLS, respectively. Nevertheless, normal values in large fiber nerve function studies.ConclusionsAutonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is found in many individuals with Cornelia de Lange syndrome, and could be related to premature aging.
The Impact Of COVID-19 On Out-Of-Hours Adult Hospice Care: An Online Survey
Authors: Hasson Felicity , Slater Paul , Fee Anne , McConnell Tracey , Payne Sheila , Finlay Dori-Anne , McIlfatrick Sonja
Published: June 2021

BackgroundGlobally COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the provision of healthcare, including palliative care. However, there is little evidence about the impact of COVID-19 on delivery of out-of-hours specialist palliative care services in the United Kingdom. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of out-of-hours community-based palliative care services.Methods A national online census survey of managers of adult hospices in the United Kingdom was undertaken. Survey were emailed to managers of adult hospices (n=150) who provided out-of-hours community palliative care services. Fifteen questions related specifically to the impact of COVID-19 and data were analysed thematically.ResultsEighty-one responses to the survey were returned (54% response rate); 59 were complete of which 47 contained COVID-19 data. Findings indicated that COVID-19 impacted on out-of-hours community-based palliative care. To meet increased patient need, hospices reconfigured services; redeployed staff; and introduced new policies and procedures to minimize virus transmission. Lack of integration between charitably and state funded palliative care providers was reported. The interconnected issues of the use and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (n=21) and infection control screening (n=12) resulted in changes in nursing practices due to fear of contagion for patients, carers and staff. Conclusions Survey findings suggest that due to increased demand for community palliative care services, hospices had to rapidly adapt and reconfigure services. Even though this response to the pandemic led to some service improvements, in the main, out-of-hours service reconfiguration resulted in challenges for hospices, including workforce issues, and availability of resources such as Personal Protective Equipment. These challenges were exacerbated by lack of integration with wider healthcare services. More research is required to fully understand the implications of such changes on the quality of care provided.
Evaluation of Low Coverage Whole Genome Sequencing as a New Method for Detecting Malignant Ovarian Mass
Authors: Ming Chen , Pengqiang Zhong , Mengzhi Hong , Jinfeng Tan , Xuegao Yu , Hao Huang , Juan Ouyang , Xiaoping Lin , Chen Peisong
Published: June 2021

To evaluate whether low coverage whole genome sequencing is suitable for the detection of malignant pelvic mass and compare its diagnostic value with traditional tumor markers. We enrolled 63 patients with a pelvic mass suspicious for ovarian malignancy. Each patient underwent low coverage whole genome sequencing (LCWGS) and traditional tumor markers test. The pelvic masses were finally confirmed via pathological examination. The copy number variants (CNVs) of whole genome were detected and the Stouffers Z-scores for each CNV was extracted. The risk of malignancy (RM) of each suspicious sample was calculated based on the CNV counts and Z-scores, which was subsequently compared with ovarian cancer markers CA125 and HE4, and the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA). Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) were used to access the diagnostic value of variables. As confirmed by pathological diagnosis, 44 (70%) patients with malignancy and 19 patients with benign mass were identified. Our results showed that CA125 and HE4, the CNV, the mean of Z-scores (Zmean), the max of Z-scores (Zmax), the RM and the ROMA were significantly different between patients with malignant and benign masses. The area under curve ( AUC) of CA125, HE4, CNV, Zmax, and Zmean was 0.775, 0.866, 0.786, 0.685 and 0.725 respectively. ROMA and RM showed similar AUC (0.876 and 0.837), but differed in sensitivity and specificity. After all, we develop a LCWGS based method for the identification of pelvic mass of suspicious ovarian cancer. LCWGS shows accurate result and could be complementary with the existing diagnostic methods.
Evaluation of ‘Shisha No Thanks’ – A Codesign Social Marketing Campaign on the Harms of Waterpipe Smoking
Authors: Chan Lilian , El-Haddad Nouhad , Freeman Becky , MacKenzie Ross , Karezi Dalya , Woodland Lisa , O’Hara Blythe , Harris-Roxas Ben
Published: June 2021

Background: Waterpipe (shisha) is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, particularly among young people; and in some countries, it is one of the few forms of tobacco use that is increasing. While there is a growing body of evidence of the harms of waterpipe smoke, there is a scarcity of research of interventions to address this form of tobacco consumption. Methods: The Shisha No Thanks project was a codesign social marketing campaign that aimed to raise awareness of the harms of waterpipe smoking among young people from an Arabic speaking background in Sydney, Australia. The campaign distributed material through social media and community events. We evaluated the project through an SMS community panel using a longitudinal study design. The cohort were sent questions before and after the project asking about their awareness of messages of harms, attitudes, intention to reduce waterpipe smoking, and awareness of support services. Data was analysed as matched pre- post- data. Results: The evaluation recruited 133 people to the panel. There was a significantly greater proportion of people who reported seeing, hearing or reading something about the harms of waterpipe smoking after the campaign (67.5%) compared with before (45.0%) (c2=9.03, p=0.003). Post-campaign, there were higher proportions of people who strongly agreed that waterpipe smoking causes damage, and that it contains cancer-causing substances, but these increases were not statistically significant. There was low awareness of waterpipe cessation services at baseline and post campaign (22.5%). Conclusions: The Shisha No Thanks project increased awareness of messages about the harms of waterpipe smoking. Although this is a small study, the longitudinal evaluation findings have international relevance and make a useful contribution to the understanding of the impact such interventions can have in addressing one of the few forms of tobacco use that is growing in both developed and developing countries.
Cost-benefit Quantification of Leaf Carbon Economics to Disentangle Responses of Plant Assemblages to Deer Herbivory
Authors: Wakatsuki Yuki , Nishizawa Keita , Mori Akira S
Published: June 2021

Although the plant carbon cost-benefit balance is known to be related to individual plant growth, reproduction, and population expansion, the association with plant community differences is not well understood. In this study, we examined how the leaf carbon cost-benefit metrics were associated with the assembly process of forest understory plant communities in areas highly affected by deer browsing. We calculated these metrics from plant physiologically parameters for 14 forest floor plant species growing in deer presence/absence site to detect the relationship between species dominance and leaf carbon cost-benefit metrics. As a result, the patterns of interspecific variation in benefit along the plant dominance rank differed in deer presence/absence sites, contributing to the marked differences in species composition and diversity observed at the two sites. In the absence of deer, where competition was the dominant determinant of plant community composition, carbon benefits among species were positively related to the plant dominance rank, indicating that species able to acquire more carbon were at an advantage. On the other hand, under deer herbivory, differences in carbon benefit between species were not strongly apparent and were not related to the plant dominance rank, indicating few differences in reproductive and expansion ability (plant fitness) between species. This process contributes to the high species diversity of plant communities observed in the presence of deer. Our results emphasize the possibility of connecting different fields of studies, physiological ecology, community ecology, and the plant carbon cost-benefit balance of single leaves to explain plant community composition differences.
The Gelation of CAG Repeat Expansion RNAs Suppresses Global Protein Translation
Authors: Lu Boxun , Pan Yuyin , Lu Junmei , Feng Xinran , Lu Shengyi , Yang Yi , Wang Liang , Li Pilong , Luo Shouqing
Published: June 2021

RNA molecules with the expanded CAG repeat (eCAGr) may undergo liquid-to-gel phase transitions rapidly, but the nuclear eCAGr RNA foci display liquid-like properties, different from their gel-like behaviour in vitro (ref.1). The functional impact of this RNA gelation is also completely unknown (ref.2). Here we demonstrate that eCAGr RNA may form gel-like condensates (foci) in the cytoplasm that were rapidly degraded by lysosomes in a LAMP2-dependent manner. These RNA foci may lead to a drastic reduction of the global protein synthesis rate in cells and in vitro, possibly by sequestering the key protein translation elongation factor eEF2, which formed puncta colocalizing or surrounding the cytoplasmic eCAGr RNA condensates. Disrupting the eCAGr RNA gelation partially restored the global protein translation rate whereas the induction of enhanced gelation by an optogenetic system exacerbated this phenotype. Finally, eEF2 puncta were significantly enhanced in brain slices from a mouse model and patients of Huntington’s disease, which is a CAG expansion disorder expressing eCAGr RNAs. Our study demonstrates the RNA gelation inside the cells and reveals its functional impact, providing new angles for understanding pathological mechanisms of repeat expansion diseases and global protein translation regulation.
People Living with HIV Easily lose their Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2: Result From A Cohort of COVID-19 Cases in Wuhan, China
Authors: Liu Yanbin , Xiao Yanling , Wu Songjie , Marly Gifty , Ming Fangzhao , Wang Xiaoya , Wu Mengmeng , Feng Ling , Tang Weiming , Liang Ke
Published: June 2021

Background

To date, whether the immune response for SARS-CoV-2 infection among people living with HIV(PLWH) is different from HIV-naïve individuals is still not clear.
Methods

In this cohort study, COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital in Wuhan between January 15 and April 1, 2020, were enrolled. Patients were categorized into PLWH and HIV-naïve group. All patients were followed up regularly (every fifteen days) until November 30, 2020, and the immune response towards SARS-CoV-2 was observed.
Results

Totally, 18 PLWH and 185 HIV-naïve individuals with COVID-19 were enrolled. The positive conversion rates of IgG were 56% in PLWH and 88% in HIV-naïve patients respectively, and the peak was on the 45th day after COVID-19 onset. However, the positive rate of IgG dropped to 12% in PLWH and 33% among HIV-naïve individuals by the end of the study. The positive conversion rate of IgG among asymptomatic carriers is significantly lower than that among moderate patients (AOR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.05–0.65) and PLWH had a lower IgG seroconversion rate compared to the HIV-naive group (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05–0.90). Patients with lower lymphocyte counts at onset had a higher positive conversion rate (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.90) and longer duration for IgG (AHR = 4.01, 95% CI: 1.78–9.02).
Conclusions

The positive conversion rate of IgG for SARS-CoV-2 was relatively lower and quickly lost in PLWH, which meant PLWH was in a disadvantaged situation when affected with COVID-19.
Spatiotemporal Beam Self-cleaning for High-resolution Nonlinear Fluorescence Imaging With Multimode Fiber
Authors: OULD-MOUSSA Nawell , Mansuryan Tigran , Hage Charles-Henri , Fabert Marc , Krupa Katarzyna , Tonello Alessandro , Ferraro Mario , Leggio Luca , Zitelli Mario , Mangini Fabio , Niang Alioune , Millot Guy , Papi Massimiliano , Wabnitz Stefan , Couderc Vincent
Published: June 2021

Beam self-cleaning (BSC) in graded-index (GRIN) multimode fibers (MMFs) has been recently reported by different research groups. Driven by the interplay between Kerr effect and beam self-imaging, BSC counteracts random mode coupling, and forces laser beams to recover a quasi-single mode profile at the output of GRIN fibers. Here we show that the associated self-induced spatiotemporal reshaping allows for improving the performances of nonlinear fluorescence (NF) microscopy and endoscopy using multimode optical fibers. We experimentally demonstrate that the beam brightness increase, induced by self-cleaning, enables two and three-photon imaging of biological samples with high spatial resolution. Temporal pulse shortening accompanying spatial beam clean-up enhances the output peak power, hence the efficiency of nonlinear imaging. We also show that spatiotemporal supercontinuum (SC) generation is well-suited for large-band NF imaging in visible and infrared domains. We substantiated our findings by multiphoton fluorescence imaging in both microscopy and endoscopy configurations.
Assessing Long-run Dynamics of Financial Hedging, A New Determinants of Green Financing in E7 and G7 Countries
Authors: Xueying Wu , Sadiq Muhammad , Chien Fengsheng , Ngo Thanh Quang , Nguyen Anh-Tuan , Trinh The-Truyen
Published: June 2021

The study estimates the long-run dynamics of a cleaner environment in promoting the gross domestic product of E7 and G7 countries. The recent study intends to estimate the climate change mitigation factor for a cleaner environment with the GDP of E7 countries and G7 countries from 2010 to 2018. For long-run estimation, second-generation panel data techniques including Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF), Phillip-Peron technique and fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) techniques are applied to draw the long-run inference. The results of study are robust with VECM technique. The outcomes of study revealed that climate change mitigation indicators affect more to the GDP of G7 countries than E7 countries. The GDP of both E7 and G7 countries is found depleting due to less clean environment. However, green financing techniques may clean the environment and reinforce the confidence of policymakers on the elevation of green economic growth in G7 and E7 countries. Furthermore, results show that a 1% rise in green financing index improves the environmental quality by 0.375% in G-7 countries, while it purifies 0.3920% environment in E7 countries. There is a need to reduce environmental pollution, shift energy generation sources towards alternative, innovative and green sources.