bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yunpi-Huoxue-Sanjie Formula Alleviates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Inducing Autophagy
Authors: Zhang Xin , Guan Jia-Qi , You Li-Yan , Mao Zhu-Jun , Qin Lu-Ping
Published: April 2021

Background: Yunpi-Huoxue-Sanjie (YP-SJ) formula is a Chinese herbal formula with unique advantages for the treatment of diabetic cardiovascular complications, such as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of YP-SJ formula in regulating myocardial autophagy. To determine whether YP-SJ formula can be used as an adjuvant therapy for DCM, its therapeutic effects and mechanism in myocardial injury caused by type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rats were determined. Methods: A high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injection was used to induce DCM in rats. Biochemical reagents were used to analyze blood glucose levels, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determined insulin levels, echocardiography assessed cardiac structure and function, histopathology was used to detect myocardial inflammation and fibrosis, myocardial autophagosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins. Results: After treatment with YP-SJ formula, DCM rats’ metabolism was abnormal and myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, and cardiac dysfunction were significantly improved. In addition, compared with DCM, YP-SJ formula significantly increased the number of autophagosomes, the expression of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) and autophagy related 12 (Atg12) ; the expression of phosphorylated FoxO1 and p62 was significantly decreased, and the level of myocardial autophagy was increased. Conclusions: YP-SJ formula can alleviate the myocardial damage caused by T2DM, and thus may serve as an alternative treatment for DCM.
CT-defined Sarcopenia Prevalence in Patients With Metastatic Cancer: A Cross-sectional Multicenter French Study (the SCAN Study)
Authors: Raynard bruno , Pigneur Frédéric , Palma Mario Di , Deluche Elise , Goldwasser François
Published: April 2021

Background: Sarcopenia negatively impacts survival outcomes, treatment tolerability and functionality in cancer patients. However, there is a limited appreciation of its true prevalence, due inconsistent diagnostic methods and limited oncologist training. Methods: 29 French healthcare establishments participated in this cross-sectional study, recruiting patients with those metastatic cancers most frequently encountered in routine practice (colon, breast, kidney, lung, prostate). The primary outcome was low muscle mass prevalence, as diagnosed by estimating the skeletal mass index (SMI) at the third-lumbar vertebrae (L3) level via computed tomography (CT). Other objectives included an evaluation of nutritional management, physical activity, and toxicities related to ongoing treatment.Results: 766 patients (49.9% males) were enrolled with a mean age of 65.0 years. Low muscle mass prevalence was 69.1%. Cachexia prevalence among patients was 44.5%, but only one-third of sarcopenic patients benefited from nutritional support. Physicians highly underdiagnosed those patients identified with low muscle mass, as defined by the primary objective, by 74.3% and 44.9% in obese and non-obese patients, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed a lower risk of low muscle mass for females (OR: 0.22, P<0.01) and those without brain metastasis (OR: 0.34, P<0.01). Low muscle mass patients were more likely to have delayed treatment administration due to toxicity (11.9% versus 6.8%, P=0.04). Conclusions: There is a critical need to raise awareness of low muscle mass diagnosis among oncologists, and for improvements in nutritional management and physical therapies of cancer patients to curb potential sarcopenia. This calls for cross-disciplinary collaborations among oncologists, nutritionists and physiotherapists.
Enhanced Frictional Properties of NiO-based Nanocomposites With the Addition of GDC
Authors: Park Jooho , Ahn Minwoo , Han Seungwoo , Lee Wonyoung , Lee YoungZe
Published: April 2021

The tribological performance and friction-induced vibration of Gd0.2-Ce0.8O1.9 (GDC) reinforced nickel oxide (NiO) metal matrix composites prepared via sintering on the tribological performance, as well as friction induced vibration were investigated. Compared to pure NiO, the composites exhibit improved mechanical properties, such as a relatively high dislocation density, hardness and small grain size. The results show that GDC-reinforced NiO nanocomposites feature improved tribological performance and can suppress the occurrence of friction-induced vibration under variable loading conditions. Furthermore, the generated acceleration can be suppressed by wear particles generated during the friction process, acting as the third body at the contact interface. As a result, the addition of GDC reduces the grain size of the composite, increases hardness, and improves tribological properties through the synergetic effect of the solid lubricating action of NiO and the role of the third body of the wear particle.
Mushroom Polysaccharides-Alginate/κ-Carrageenan Microcapsules Trigger NK Cells-Cytotoxic Activity Against Colon Cancer: Induction of Kappa B- Alpha Inflammatory Pathway
Authors: El-Deeb Nehal , El-Aassar M. R. , Farag Mohamed M. S. , Farrag Ayman A. , Mohamed Mahmoud A.
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe main objective of this study is to explore the effects of the extracted mushroom polysaccharides in the form of polysaccharides-Alginate (Alg.)/kappa carrageenan (El-Aassar MR) microcapsules to activate natural killer cells (NK) against colon cancer. MethodsWater soluble polysaccharides were extracted from nine wild isolates of Egyptian Mushroom, and their safety patterns were checked on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The extracted Agaricus bisporus MH751906 polysaccharide was microcapsulated in Alg/κ-carrageenan microcapsules. The morphology and swelling behavior of Alg/κ-carrageenan microcapsules, Alg/κ-carrageenan*polysaccharide microcapsules was determined. Also, the in vitro release of Polysaccharide from Alg/κ-carrageenan*polysaccharide microcapsules was analyzed. The Effects of Alg/κ-carrageenan*polysaccharide microcapsules on activating NK cells against colon cancer was evaluated at both cellular and molecular levels. ResultsThe results showed that, the extracted polysaccharide from the isolate 8 (submitted to the Gen Bank as Agaricusbisporus MH751906) was the safest sample on PBMCs even at 5mg/ml. The microencapsulated polysaccharides in Alg/κ-carrageenan*polysaccharide formula showed better thermal stability at high temperature with higher hydrogel swelling rates in alkaline pH. Upon NK cells activation with microcapsules (ANK cells), a significant decrease in CD11b and CD16-CD56- and an increase in CD16+CD56+ NK cell populations were recorded. These activated NK cells showed 74.09% cytotoxic effects against CaCO-2cellswith an increase of cancer cell populations in the G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, the ANK cells-CaCo-2treated cells recorded down regulations both Bcl2 and TGF genes and up regulation of IkappaB-α expression.ConclusionA novel polysaccharides-alginate/κ-carrageenan microcapsules preparation to enhance NK cell cytotoxic effects against colon cancer cells and this inhibitory effect is associated with the regulatory effects of inflammatory pathway through the induction of IkappaB- alpha.
Modulation Recognition Based on Denoising Bidirectional Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Du Ruiyan , Liu Fulai , Xu Jialiang , Gao Fan , Hu Zhongyi , Zhang Aiyi
Published: April 2021

Modulation recognition is an important research area in wireless communication. It is commonly used in both military and civilian domains, such as spectrum detection and interference identification. Most existing modulation recognition algorithms have a better recognition performance at high signal noise ratio (SNR). However, when SNR decreases to -10 dB or even lower, such as the battlefield and disaster areas and other harsh environment, the recognition rate may decrease dramatically. In order to solve this problem, a modulation recognition algorithm based on denoising bidirectional recurrent neural network (DBRNN) is proposed. Firstly, the state memory ability of the signal reconstruction layer in the network is utilized to learn the temporal correlation of the modulated signal, the reconstruction of the received signal is completed and the noise in the modulated signal is suppressed. Then, the reconstructed signal is encoded and decoded by the feature reconstruction layer, in which the feature of reconstructed signal is compressed and reconstructed, thereby the influence of noise can be further reduced. Finally, the reconstructed features are identified and classified by the fully connected layer. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed network can effectively suppress the noise in the signal. Compared with other existing algorithms, the proposed method has higher recognition accuracy in the low SNR environment.
Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Actuator Under Parametric and Hard Excitations
Authors: KALITA BHABEN , DWIVEDY SANTOSHA K.
Published: April 2021

In this work, a single degree of freedom system consisting of a mass and a Pneumatic Artificial Muscle (PAM) subjected to time varying pressure inside the muscle is considered. The system is subjected to hard excitation and the governing equation of motion is found to be that of a nonlinear forced and parametrically excited system under super- and sub-harmonic resonance conditions. The solution of the nonlinear governing equation of motion is obtained using the method of multiple scales (MMS). The time and frequency response, phase portraits and basin of attraction have been plotted to study the system response along with the stability and bifurcations. Further, the different muscle parameters have been evaluated by performing experiments which are further used for numerically evaluating the system response using the theoretically obtained closed form equations. The responses obtained from the experiments are found to be in good agreement with those obtained from the method of multiple scales. With the help of examples, the procedure to obtain the safe operating range of different system parameters have been illustrated.
Prediction of COVID-19 Wide Spread in India using Time Series Forecasting Techniques
Authors: Shitharth S. , Mohammad Gouse Baig , Ramana Kadiyala , Bhaskar Vidhyacharan
Published: April 2021

The assets of some of the enormous wealth are strain out due to the massive infectivity of COVID-19. India is a portion of the global wide spread of COVID- 19 engender by dreadful drastic respiratory syndrome corona virus 2. As of 15th July 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has committed a total of 968857 instances, 612768 healings and 24914 demises in the country. Due to the heighten magnitude of number of instances, a professional working in the health departments, some forecasting methods would be required to forecast the number of instances in subsequent days. Due to a towering of uncertainty and lack of crucial information, quality models have shown stubby accuracy for long-term forecast. Among several machine learning models investigated, Time Series Forecasting like Facebook’s Prophet showed promising results. In this paper, we have predicted the number of committed, healed, demise instances of COVID-19 in India 60 days’ forwards, forecasted the Number of Committed instances, healed instances and demise instances of COVID-19 in India 30 days onwards. Relied on the consequences announced here, and due to the mostly composite nature of the COVID-19 eruption and variation in its deportment, this study suggests machine learning as an efficacious contrivance prototype to the eruption.
Identification of Common Oncogenic Genes and Pathways Both in Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s Sarcoma Using Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Liu Wenjun , Ding Liang , Cheng Dongdong , Xiao Haijun
Published: April 2021

Objective: This study aimed to explore common oncogenic genes and pathways both in osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. Methods: Microarray data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were respectively identified using the limma package, followed by intersection of common DEGs. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed and hub genes were identified. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis was analyzed. The expression of common oncogenic genes was validated in 38 osteosarcoma and 17 Ewing’s sarcoma tissues by RT-qPCR and western blot. Results: 201 genes were differentially expressed. There were 121 nodes and 232 edges in the PPI network. 12 genes were considered as hub genes. Functional enrichment analysis results showed that hub genes FN1, COL1A1 and COL1A2 were all involved in extracellular matrix, protease binding and ECM-receptor interaction, which could be involved in the development of osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. Among common oncogenic genes, FN1, COL1A1 and COL1A2 were lowly expressed both in osteosarcoma and Ewing’ s sarcoma tissues at mRNA and protein levels. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that common oncogenic genes such as FN1, COL1A1 and COL1A2 and pathways were both in osteosarcoma and Ewing’ s sarcoma.
Application of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Sequential Surgery in the Treatment of Liver Cancer
Authors: Liu Xin , Liu Feng Yue , Zhu Min , Wang Ya Dong , liu chongzhong
Published: April 2021

Background Preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization (TACE) is conducive to improve the surgery rate and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the reasons and treatment effects of preoperative TACE as well as its influence on the surgery outcome.Method A total of 22 HCC patients (aged 36–68) undergoing TACE sequential surgery were retrospectively reviewed in our centers between January 2018 and August 2020. The parameters reasons, response of tumor to TACE, objective remission rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR), downstaging rate, abdominal adhesion and arterial injury were statistically analyzed.Results The reasons of preoperative TACE included downstaging (45.5%, 10/22), bridging therapy (22.7%, 5/22), individual choice (13.7%, 3/22), definite diagnosis (9.1%, 2/22), control of liver tumor bleeding (4.5%, 1/22) and patients with cerebral infarction (4.5%,1/22). A total of 6 complete response (CR) cases (27.3%) and 2 pathological CR (PCR) cases (9.1%) were noted. The ORR was 63.6% (14 / 22) and the DCR 90.9 % (20/22). The success rate of downstaging was 50.0% (6/12) in the patients not aiming at downstaging and 10% (1 /10) in the patients aiming at downstaging. The incidences of abdominal adhesion and arterial injury were 90.9% (20/22) and 45.5% (5/11). Conclusion TACE can be used in preoperative conversion therapy for patients who are temporarily unsuitable for surgery and is more suitable for bridging therapy in liver transplantation patients compared with downstaging due to the high DCR. Surgery should be carried out following TACE even in patients with CR.
The deaminase ADAL-pivoted catabolism checkpoint suppresses aberrant DNA N6-methyladenine incorporation
Authors: Chen Shaokun , Lai Weiyi , Zhao Zhiyi , Zhang Ning , Liu Yan , Li Xiangjun , Jiang Guibin , Wang Hailin
Published: April 2021

Abundant RNA N6-methyladenine (m6A) is degraded in RNA decay and potentially induces aberrant DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) misincorporation. Biophysically, like truly methylated product DNA 6mA, misincorporated 6mA also destabilizes the DNA double helix and thus ditto affects DNA replication and transcription. By heavy stable isotope tracing, we demonstrate that intracellular degradation of RNA m6A cannot induce any misincorporated DNA 6mA, unveiling the existence of a catabolism checkpoint that blocks DNA 6mA misincorporation. We further show that the deaminase ADAL preferentially catabolizes N6-methyl-2’-deoxyadenosine monophosphate (6mdAMP) in vitro and in vivo, and adenylate kinase 1 restricts the phosphorylation rate of 6mdAMP, together contributing to the identified checkpoint. Noteworthy, low ADAL expression reduces dramatically the patient survival in four cancers. Collectively, our data strongly support a pivotal role of ADAL in the suppression of 6mA misincorporation and implicate that both ADAL and misincorporated 6mA may mark cancer abnormalities.
Using underweight for predicting stunting among children in India: Analysis from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey
Authors: Ramesh Sowmya , Acharya Rajib , Sarna Avina , Ashraf Sana , Agrawal Praween K. , Porwal Akash , Khan Nizamuddin , Deb Sila , Johnston Robert
Published: April 2021

Background: Stunting and underweight are the most commonly used indicators to assess the nutritional status of children. Prior research has highlighted the problems encountered while measuring the height of child. The current paper aims to assess the relationship between stunting and underweight and derive regression equations to predict stunting from underweight prevalence among children under five years of age.Method: Data was drawn from 38,060 and 219,796 nationally representative sample of children aged 0-4 years, from Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS, 2016-18) and National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS-4, 2015-16), respectively. Anthropometric indicators, stunting and underweight was calculated based on the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards. Univariate and bivariate analysis was done to obtain estimates for stunting and underweight. A series of regression models were run to obtain an estimate of percent stunted as a function of percent underweight at the national and regional level. Predicted stunting prevalence was estimated from regression equation for selected states and compared with observed prevalence from other studies. Data were analysed using STATA V.16.0. Results: Nearly one out of four children under 5 years of age were stunted and underweight in CNNS and NFHS-4. Out of those stunted, 67% and 65% were underweight in CNNS and NFHS-4, respectively. At the national level, there was high correlation between the two indicators (r > 0.7) in both CNNS and NFHS-4, whereas at the regional level in NFHS-4, the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.32 for central region to 0.86 for southern region. At the national level the slope was 0.557 in CNNS and 0.610 in NFHS-4. At the regional level, it varied from 0.334 in the central region to 0.847 in the western region. Similarly, at the national level, the intercept (α) was almost same when we analyzed CNNS data or NFHS-4 data or both together (~15), however, wide variability was observed between different regions (4.61 in western region to 30.14 in central region).Conclusion: Our analysis shows that regression equations with child underweight prevalence may be used to predict stunting where the quality of length/ height measurement is poor or unavailable, in regions where high correlation between the two indicators was found.
Concentric Catheterization to the Fractional non-Newtonian Hybrid Nano Blood Flow through a Stenosed Aneurysmal Artery
Authors: Mehmood Obaid Ullah , Bibi Sehrish , Jamil Dzuliana F. , Uddin Salah , Roslan Rozaini , Ak Mohd Kamalrulzaman Md
Published: April 2021

The main theme of this paper is to analyze the effects of concentric catheterization to the diseased arterial segment having both stenosis and aneurysm along its boundary. Fractional second grade hybrid nanofluid model is under consideration. Governing equations are formulated and further linearized for both cases of mild stenosis and aneurysm. Precise articulations for various important flow characteristics heat transfer, hemodynamic velocity, wall shear stress and resistance impedance are attained. Graphical portrayals for the impact of the significant parameters on the flow attributes have been devised and talked about. The worldwide conduct of blood has been examined using an instantaneous streamlines pattern. The present concept plans to be of use in medical regime for the drug conveyance system and biomedicines.
Evaluation of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in treatment of obese adolescents with lumbar disc herniation：A retrospective study
Authors: Yu Haijiang , Zhu Bin , Liu Xiaoguang
Published: April 2021

Background: Obese patients are at risk of complications such as poor wound healing and increased infection rates after spinal surgery. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) has advantages over conventional open surgery in the treatment of obese adult patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) because it can decrease perioperative complications and enhance satisfaction degrees of patients. However, no clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy of PELD in obese adolescents with LDH. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PELD in the treatment of obese ALDH.Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data from 208 patients with single-segment ALDH who underwent PELD treatment in our hospital between January 2015 and December 2019. According to the body mass index classification standard of obesity for adolescents in our country, the patients were divided into obese and non-obese groups (control group). Based on the preoperative baseline data of the two groups, propensity score matching was performed to select patients from the two groups for the comparative study. Perioperative data included operative time, intraoperative blood loss and length of postoperative hospitalization. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria were recorded as the main indicators of the surgical outcome, and the recurrence rate and incidence of complications were recorded as the minor indicators. Results: The obese and control groups included 45 patients each after 1:1 propensity score matching. Both groups showed improvements in VAS and ODI scores after surgery and at each follow-up time point (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant statistical difference in VAS and ODI scores between the two groups at each follow-up time point (p >0.05). In addition, the differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of postoperative hospitalization, incidence of complications, and recurrence rate were not statistically significant between the two groups (p >0.05). At the final follow-up, there was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate of MacNab classification between the two groups (p >0.05). Conclusion: PELD is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for the treatment of obese patients with ALDH. The efficacy of PELD in obese and non-obese patients with ALDH was comparable.
Recent progress in the experimental and theoretical studies on the barium zirconate proton conductors: A review
Authors: Hossain M. Khalid , Biswas M.C. , Chanda R.K. , Rubel M.H.K. , Khan M.I. , Hashizume K.
Published: April 2021

There have been significant developments of solid-state-ion conducting energy materials and perovskite-based oxides those exhibit excellent proton conduction at intermediate temperatures. In contrast to high-temperature oxygen ion-conducting oxides or low-temperature proton-conducting polymers, perovskite oxides have obtained distinguished attention because of their diversified structural aspects and potential applications. Highly stable and conductive electrolytes with improved electrochemical and thermochemical properties are in great demand in numerous fields such as portable electronics and transport systems, energy storage, fuel cells, etc. This review focuses on recent development in the proton-conducting performance of BaZrO 3 (BZO) energy materials. This study aims to integrate the fundamentals of proton conducting BZO perovskites in the prospect of the recent development in materials science and computational engineering. Therefore, in the first half of this review, the basic overview of the BZO perovskites structure, fundamentals of working principles, fabrication, and processing methods underlying the successful development of these materials with superior performance is discussed. The second part principally concentrates on the significant improvement towards higher conductive BZO perovskite fabrication with the help of theoretical studies via density functional theory (DFT) based first-principles calculation and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation followed by the prominent applications in low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The presented information on in-depth analysis of the physical properties of barium zirconate from experimental and theoretical studies will guide aspirants in further conducting research in this field near future.
Suppression of miR-21-5p by Ginsenoside Rb1 Prevents Atherosclerosis and Attenuates Endothelial Dysfunction by Inducing KRIT1
Authors: Zhou Tiangang , Sun Dehua , Hou Yunfeng , Zhang Zhonghui
Published: April 2021

Background

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a risk factor contributing to atherosclerosis (AS)-related complications. MiR-21-5p is a potential therapeutic target for treating ED and can be modulated by ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1). In the current study, the anti-ED effects of Rb1 were explored by focusing on miR-21-5p/KRIT1 axis.
Methods

ED was induced in rats using high-fatty diet (HFD) method and treated with Rb1. The changes in hemodynamics parameters, blood lipid level, systemic inflammation, and miR-21-5p/KRIT1 axis were detected in vivo. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were subjected to oxLDL to induce in vitro ED model and then handled with Rb1. The role of miR-21-5p in the function of Rb1 was further assessed by inducing its level in HUVECs.
Results

It was shown that the administrations of Rb1 improved hemodynamics parameters, decreased blood lipid levels, and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production in HFD rats, which was associated with the down-regulation of miR-21-5p and the up-regulation of KRIT1. In HUVECs, Rb1 suppressed apoptosis, inhibited inflammation, down-regulated miR-21-5p level, and induced KRIT1 level. The overexpression of miR-21-5p counteracted the protective effects of Rb1 on HUVECs by increasing cell apoptosis and inflammation.
Conclusions

The findings confirmed the protective effects of Rb1 against ED depended on the inhibition of miR-21-5p.
Relating CYP2B6 Genotype and EFV Resistance Among Women Living With HIV With High Viremia in Uganda: A Nested Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: BUZIBYE ALLAN , Wools-Kaloustian Kara , Olagunju Adeniyi , Twinomuhwezi Ellon , Yiannoutsos Constantin , Owen Andrew , Neary Megan , Matovu Joshua , Banturaki Grace , Castelnuovo Barbara , Lamorde Mohammed , Khoo Saye , Waitt Catriona , Kiragga Agnes
Published: April 2021

BackgroundWe investigated the association between CYP2B6 polymorphisms and efavirenz drug resistance among women living with HIV started on anti-retroviral therapy during pregnancy and with high viremia during post-partum.MethodsThis was a cross sectional study. Women between 6-12 weeks post-partum with viral load >1000 copies/ml were eligible. Sanger sequencing to detect resistant mutations and host genotyping were performed. We categorized efavirenz metabolizer genotype according to the AIDS clinical trials group algorithm as slow, intermediate and extensive; and compared efavirenz resistance among the metabolizer genotypes.Results Over a one-year period (July 2017-July 2018), three hundred and thirty two women were screened of whom 112 (34.8%) had viral load ≥1000 copies/ml of whom 62 had whole blood available for genotyping. Fifty-nine of these women had both viral resistance and human host genotypic results. We observed a higher frequency of efavirenz resistance among slow metabolizers (47% versus 34% in extensive and 28% in intermediate, metabolizers) but due to low numbers, this was not statistically significant. ConclusionsOur findings raise the possibility that CYP2B6 polymorphism may contribute to efavirenz drug resistance in women started on antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and with high viremia in the post-partum period. If confirmed in a larger study, this would have important implications for all patients in sub-Saharan Africa receiving efavirenz and add further support to the changes in World Health Organization policy to switch away from efavirenz as first line antiretroviral therapy in countries with a high prevalence of CYP2B6 polymorphisms.
Microstructural Evolution and Hardness of Rapidly Solidified Hypereutectic Al-Si Surface Layers Produced by Laser Remelting
Authors: Abboud Jaafar , Kayitmazbatir Metin , Misra Amit , Mazumder Jyoti
Published: April 2021

A laser rapid solidification technique was employed to remelt and refine the microstructure of Al-25wt.%Si and Al-30wt.%Si alloyed layers produced by laser melting. The microstructure of the as-fabricated Al-Si layers consisted of irregular polygonal primary Si crystals of size 5 to 7 µm, fine α-Al dendrites, and Al-Si eutectic. Laser rapid remelting results showed a significant refinement of all the solidified phases with increasing scan speed and decreasing laser power. At the lowest laser power (800W), the sizes of the primary Si crystals were reduced to a sub-micron level and an interwoven network of nano-sized eutectic colonies was obtained. The higher cooling rates, resulted in a reduction in the amount of the α-Al phase especially those surrounding the primary Si, thereby stimulating the eutectic Si fibers to grow from the pre-existing primary Si crystals and increased the proportion of the fibrous eutectic. Transmission electron microscopy revealed fibrous eutectic, which was internally nano-twinned, with a diameter approaching as low as 10-15 nm for the highest cooling rate. The hardness measured by nanoindentation of the eutectic in the remelted Al-25wt.%Si layer increased with decreasing the eutectic spacing (ʎ) reaching a maximum value of 3.15GPa.
Intratumor Bacterial Presence and Serum Amyloid A in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Waal Greta M , Villiers Willem JS , Rigby Jonathan , Roberts Timothy , Pretorius Etheresia
Published: April 2021

Background & Aims:The initiation, development, and progression of many cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), are associated with environmental factors. A significant link exists between specific bacterial infections and cancer incidence, with a strong association between chronic infection, chronic inflammation and colorectal carcinogenesis. Recently, we reported significantly increased levels of lipopolysaccharide in CRC patient blood, compared to that of healthy individuals. By analysing CRC tumors, this study aims to contribute to the identification of (novel) markers/factors associated with CRC tumorigenesis.Methods: Colorectal tumor samples from newly diagnosed (histologically confirmed) CRC patients (n = 24) and morphologically normal colon biopsies (n = 10) were collected and analysed in a cross-sectional study. Immunohistochemistry protocols and statistical signal analysis were used to detect specific bacteria and proteins of interest in human colorectal tissue. Furthermore, the presence of structural protein changes in CRC tumor tissues, compared to control tissues, was investigated using the fluorescent amyloidselective Amytracker™ 630 marker and confocal microscopy.Results: We show an intratumor bacterial presence in CRC patients, with high levels of Escherichia coli strongly associated with CRC. High levels of intratumor serum amyloid A are also strongly associated with CRC. Furthermore, Helicobacter pylori is elevated, but to a smaller degree, and only when we account for data imbalance. We also report a significantly enhanced amyloid-specific fluorescence signal in CRC tumors, compared to control tissues.Conclusions: The role that infections play in a variety of cancers, including CRC, is increasingly recognized, and we provide evidence of a bacterial presence in CRC tumors. The analysis of CRC tumors, in addition to CRC blood, offers unique opportunities to investigate factors that may fuel colorectal carcinogenesis, and to ultimately identify novel markers that are associated with CRC.
Y-27632, a ROCK Inhibitor, Improved Laser-induced Shock Wave (LISW)-induced Cochlear Synaptopathy in Mice
Authors: Koizumi Yutaka , Mizutari Kunio , Kawauchi Satoko , Sato Shunichi , Shiotani Akihiro , Kakehata Seiji
Published: April 2021

Recently, a pathological condition called cochlear synaptopathy has been clarified, and as a disorder of the auditory nerve synapses that occurs prior to failure of hair cells it has been recognized as a major cause of sensorineural hearing loss. However, cochlear synaptopathy is untreatable. Inhibition of rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK), a serine-threonine protein kinase, has been reported to have neuroprotective and regenerative effects on synaptic pathways in the nervous system, including those in the inner ear. We previously demonstrated the regenerative effect of the ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632, on an excitotoxic cochlear nerve damage model in vitro. In this study, we aimed to validate the effect of ROCK inhibition on mice with cochlear synaptopathy induced by laser-induced shock wave (LISW) in vivo. After the elevation of ROCK1/2 expression in the damaged cochlea was confirmed, we administered Y-27632 locally via the middle ear. The amplitude of wave I in the auditory brainstem response and the number of synapses in the Y-27632-treated cochlea increased significantly. These results clearly demonstrate that ROCK inhibition has a promising clinical application in the treatment of cochlear synaptopathy, which is the major pathology of sensorineural hearing loss.
Genome-wide association analysis for rice salt tolerance at seedling and reproductive stages
Authors: Chen Gang , Hu Keming , Zhao Jianhua , Guo Feifei , Shan Wenfeng , Jiang Qiuqing , Zhang Jingqiao , Guo Zilong , Feng Zhiming , Chen Zongxiang , Wu Xiaoxia , Zuo Shimin
Published: April 2021

Background

Salinity is one of the main adverse environmental factors severely inhibiting rice growth and decreasing grain productivity. Developing rice varieties with salt tolerance (ST) is one of the most economical approaches to cope with salinity stress. However, the valuable resources for rice breeding towards ST remain to be identified. In this study, the salt tolerance of 220 rice accessions from RDP1, representing five subpopulations, were evaluated at both seedling and reproductive stages.
Results

An apparent inconsistency was found for ST between the two stages. Through a gene-based / tightly linked genome-wide association study, a total of 214 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to 251 genes, significantly associated with 16 ST-related indices, were detected at both stages. Eighty-two SNPs with low frequency favorable (LFF) alleles in the population were proposed to hold high breeding potential in improving rice ST. Fifty-four rice accessions collectively containing all these LFF alleles were identified as donors of these alleles. Through the integration of meta-QTL for ST and the response patterns of differential expression genes to salt stress, thirty-one candidate genes were suggested to be involved in the regulation of rice ST.
Conclusions

In total, the present study provides valuable information for further characterizing ST-related genes and for breeding ST varieties across whole developmental stages through marker-assisted selection (MAS).
Transverse and Axial Resolution of Femtosecond Laser Surgery
Authors: Wang Yao L. , Grooms Noa W. F. , Chung Samuel H.
Published: April 2021

Femtosecond lasers are capable of precise ablation inside transparent media, including glass and in vivo samples. The transverse and axial resolution of damage inside the bulk are important parameters of ablation. The transverse resolution is straightforward to measure, but the axial resolution is much more difficult to measure and rarely performed. Using a 1040-nm, 400-fs pulsed laser, we performed ablation inside glass with a transverse and axial resolution of 0.75 µm. By fitting damage spot measurements to theoretical predictions, we find an ablation threshold of 6.4 x 1012 W/cm2. We also ablated neuron cell bodies and fibers in C. elegans and demonstrate submicrometer resolution in both the transverse and axial directions, consistent with our results in glass. Using simple yet rigorous methods, we define the resolution of laser ablation in transparent media along all directions.
Flavobacterium Difficile sp. nov., Isolated from a Freshwater Waterfall
Authors: Chen Wen-Ming , You Ya-Xiu , Young Chiu-Chung , Lin Shih-Yao , Sheu Shih-Yi
Published: April 2021

A bacterial strain designated KDG-16T is isolated from a freshwater waterfall in Taiwan and characterized to determine its taxonomic affiliation. Cells of strain KDG-16T are Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and form light yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurs at 20-25 oC, pH 6-7, and with 0% NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and an up-to-date bacterial core gene set reveal that strain KDG-16T is affiliated with species in the genus Flavobacterium. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences shows that strain KDG-16T shares the highest similarity with Flavobacterium terrigena DSM 17934T (97.7%). The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain KDG-16T and the closely related Flavobacterium species are below the cut-off values of 95-96, 90 and 70%, respectively, used for species demarcation. Strain KDG-16T contains iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C17:0 3-OH as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consists of phosphatidylethanolamine, one uncharacterized aminophospholipid, one uncharacterized phospholipid, two uncharacterized aminolipids and two uncharacterized lipids. The major polyamine is homospermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone is MK-6. Genomic DNA G+C content of strain KDG-16T is 31.6%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data obtained, strain KDG-16T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium difficile sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KDG-16T (=BCRC 81194T =LMG 31332T).
Novel Imaging and Clinical Manifestations of Ndmsba Disorder Caused by a Homozygous Missense Variant of Plaa
Authors: Dehghani Ali , Razmara Ehsan , Rasoulinezhad Maryam , Bitarafan Fatemeh , Tavasoli Ali Reza , Garshasbi Masoud
Published: April 2021

BackgroundPhospholipase A-2-activating protein (PLAP) has essential roles in biological pathways. Neurodevelopmental disorder with progressive microcephaly, spasticity, and brain anomalies (NDMSBA) is a complex neurodevelopmental disease caused by defects in the PLAA gene (MIM: 603873). Herein, we aimed to detect the potential genetic factors contributing to the NDMSBA phenotype in a 2.5-year-old affected male in an Iranian consanguineous family.ResultsAfter meticulously performing neuroimaging and clinical examinations, due to heterogeneity of neurodevelopmental diseases, the proband was subjected to paired-end whole-exome sequencing (WES). The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed lissencephaly, polymicrogyria, severe subcortical, deep and deep white matter signal abnormalities, thinning of the corpus callosum, and severe vermis atrophy. Interestingly, we detected a novel homozygous missense variant, NM_001031689.3:c.2264A>G;p.(Asp755Gly) in the PLAA gene. To the best of our knowledge, this variant is the second one identified within the PUL domain (PLAP, Ufd3p, and Lub1p) of PLAP and also the sixth reported variant throughout the PLAA gene. In silico analyses underscored the pathogenicity of the variant. ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated severe cerebral and cerebellar white matter signal abnormalities, hypertelorism, strabismus, and drooling in the proband as the novel manifestation of NDMSBA that in turn caused by a novel likely pathogenic missense variant. Further studies are required to confirm how this variant contributes to NDMSBA.
Efficacy And Safety of Empagliflozin Continuation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Hospitalised For Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Pérez-Belmonte Luis M , Ricci Michele , Sanz-Cánovas Jaime , Millán-Gómez Mercedes , Osuna-Sánchez Julio , Ruiz-Moreno Maria I. , Bernal-López M. Rosa , López-Carmona Maria D. , Lara José P. , Gómez-Huelgas Ricardo
Published: April 2021

Background: Sodium−glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce hospitalisations for acute decompensated heart failure in patients with and without type 2 diabetes. However, there is little evidence on their use in hospitalised patients. This work aims to analyse the glycaemic and clinical efficacy and safety of empagliflozin continuation in patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalised for acute decompensated heart failure.Methods: This real-world study included non-critically ill patients with diabetes hospitalised for acute decompensated heart failure and treated with empagliflozin for at least three months prior to the hospitalisation between 2017 and 2020. According to our in-hospital antihyperglycaemic protocol, patients could be treated with two possible regimens: a basal-bolus insulin regimen and an empagliflozin-basal insulin regimen. Our primary endpoints were difference in glycaemic control, as measured via mean daily blood glucose level, and differences in the visual analogue scale dyspnoea score, NT-proBNP levels, diuretic response, and cumulative urine output. Safety endpoints were also analysed. A propensity matching analysis was used to match a patient on one regimen with a patient on the other regimen. The probability of starting the regimes was estimated with a logistic regression model including variables that could have affected treatment assignment or outcomes as independent variablesResults: After a propensity matching analysis, 91 patients were included in each group. There were no differences in mean blood glucose levels (152.1 ± 17.8 vs 155.2 ± 19.7 mg/dl, p=0.289). At discharge, NT-proBNP levels were lower and cumulative urine output greater in the empagliflozin group versus the basal-bolus insulin group (1,652 ± 501 vs 2,101 ± 522 pg/mL, p=0.032 and 16,100 ± 1,510 vs 13,900 ± 1,220 ml, p=0.037, respectively). Patients who continued empagliflozin had a lower total number of hypoglycaemic episodes (36 vs 64, p<0.001). No differences were observed in adverse events, length of hospital stay, or in-hospital deaths.Conclusions: For patients with acute heart failure, an in-hospital antihyperglycaemic regimen that includes continuation of empagliflozin achieved effective glycaemic control, lower NT-proBNP, and greater urine output. It was also safer, as it reduced hypoglycaemic episodes without increasing other safety endpoints.
Downstream of GA4, PbCYP78A6 Regulates Parthenogenesis by Mediating Cell Cycle-Related Genes in Pear (Pyrus Bretshneider Rehd.)
Authors: Zhang Haiqi , Han Wei , Wang Huibin , Cong Liu , Zhai Rui , Yang Chengquan , Wang Zhigang , Xu Lingfei
Published: April 2021

Background: Parthenocarpy results in traits attractive to both consumers and breeders, and it overcomes the obstacle of self-incompatibility in the fruit set of horticultural crops, including pear (Pyrus bretshneider). However, there is limited knowledge regarding the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate parthenogenesis. Results: Here, in a transcriptional comparison between pollination-dependent and GA4-induced parthenocarpy, PbCYP78A6 was identified and proposed as a candidate gene involved in parthenocarpy. PbCYP78A6 is similar to Arabidopsis thaliana CYP78A6 and is highly expressed in pear hypanthia. The increased PbCYP78A6 expression, as assessed by RT-qPCR, was induced by pollination and GA4 exposure. The ectopic overexpression of PbCYP78A6 contributed to parthenocarpic fruit production in tomato. The PbCYP78A6 expression coincided with fertilized and parthenocarpic fruitlet development and the expression of fruit development-related genes as assessed by cytological observations and RT-qPCR, respectively. PbCYP78A6 RNA interference and overexpression revealed that the gene is an upstream regulator of fruit development-related genes in pear. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that PbCYP78A6 plays a critical role in cell proliferation and provide insights into controlling parthenocarpy.
Long Noncoding RNA SNHG10 Inhibits Renal Fibrosis By Negatively Regulating MiR-378b Expression
Authors: Hao Jian , Zhou Yun , Yu Weimin , Li Hui , He Dandan
Published: April 2021

Background: LncRNA have been increasingly shown that plays pivotal roles in the development of various diseases, including renal fibrosis. Nevertheless, the pathological function of Long non-coding RNA SNHG10 (SNHG10) in the renal fibrosis remains obscure.Methods: We detected the expression levels of SNHG10 in the tissue samples and cell lines via RT-qPCR analysis. The functions of SNHG10 on the progression of renal fibrosis were examined by CCK-8, EdU, dual luciferase reporter and immunofluorescence analyses.Results: In the present study, SNHG10, production of extracellular matrix (ECM), including α-SMA and Fibronectin levels were significantly increased in HK-2 cells after TGF-β stimulation. Ectopic of SNHG10 inhibited cell proliferation and inhibits theα-SMA and Fibronectin expression of TGF-β1-induced HK-2 cells. In addition, bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-378b was a target gene of SNHG10. Mechanistically, miR-378b overexpression abolished the repressive effects of SNHG10 on TGF-β1-induced HK-2 cells.Conclusion: SNHG10 plays an anti-fibrotic effect through suppression of miR-378b expression in renal fibrosis, which provides a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.
An Ultraviolet Fluorescent Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) for the Study of Impinging Liquid Film in Centrifuge Accelerator Disk
Authors: Fan Dongdong , Zhu Guorui , Tan Wei
Published: April 2021

In the design of industrial fluid machinery, obstacles structures in fluid channels are frequently encountered, such as the accelerator (or called liquid distributor) in the centrifuge. Traditional Standard Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) uses a sheet laser to slice a field to form the image plane, requiring strong light transmittance for the measuring objects, which failed in the aspect of poor light conditions. The authors developed a novel PIV which was applicable for the impinging liquid film surrounded by mist and successfully applied it to a semi-enclosed flow field. This PIV system includes newly synthesized fluorescent tracer particles and a set of ultraviolet lights, and the emission intensity satisfied the exposure time of 150μs. Then the PIV was implemented in a full-scale rotating platform to study the flow characteristics of the impinging liquid film in centrifuge accelerator disk. Results show that the velocity of accelerated fluids could be divided into impinging and pushing velocity, and the dominant role of the two velocity components will exchange as the conditions vary. At the flow rate of 12 m3/h, only when the rotating speed was larger than 1650 r/min, the speed-up effect is striking, and at the rotating speed of 2310 r/min, the acceleration effect φ reached 0.52. At the rotating speed of 1650 r/min, the acceleration effect φ reached 0.51 when the flow rate equaled 9 m3/h.