bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaves and Roots of Micropropagated Plants Adopt Different Pathways for Withanolide Biosynthesis in Withania Coagulans: A Comparative Transcriptome Study
Authors: Gupta Swati , Bohra Manoj Kumar , sharma Kalpna , Kachhwaha Sumita , Kothari Shanker Lal , Jain Rohit
Published: March 2021

Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal commonly known as paneerbandh due to its milk coagulating properties, is a widely used medicinal herb, and micropropagated plants of the plant to produce some novel withanolides. Trasncscriptome sequencing of leaves and roots of micropropagated plants of W. coagulans assembled total 8.08 and 6.35 GB of raw reads into 292,074 and 16,474 high quality reads, out of which 267,119 and 15,758 unigenes were identified in WcL and WcR, respectively. Further, 40.6% WcL and 55.05% WcR unigenes were annotated using more than one database. Metabolic process and cellular components were identified as dominant categories in gene ontology, while total 20,927 WcL and 2,474 WcR unigenes were mapped to different biological pathways. KEGG classification aided in identification of genes involved in biosynthesis of withanolide precursor, 24-methylenecholesterol. All the genes related to withanolide precursor biosynthesis were present only in WcL, indicating de novo biosynthesis of withanolides, while absence of some rate limiting enzymes in WcR indicated towards biosynthesis of withanolides through salvage pathways. GTs, MTs and CYP450s were identified as putative genes involved in conversion of 24-methylenecholesterol to different withanolides. Differential expression of these genes further revealed details of enzymes involved in biosynthesis of tissue-specific withanolides. Further, withanolide profiling through HPLC analysis ascertained the differential biosynthesis and accumulation of withanolides in both the tissues in relatively very less concentration confirmed their biosynthesis through salvage mechanism in roots. Therefore, the present study can be fruitful for future research and product development of W. coagulans through pathway engineering. Moreover, the SSRs identified in this study can be used in marker assisted breeding and selection of biochemically elite varieties of W. coagulans.
Performance Evaluation of Standard Health System Microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Test for the Focused Screening and Treatment of Malaria in South-eastern Tanzania
Authors: kangming lin , Wang Duoquan , Chaki Prosper , Mihayo Michael , Luo Fei , Lu Shenning , Ma Xuejiao , Jiang Weikang , Yan He , Feng Jun , Abilahi Faraji , Kokouvi Kassegne , Ernes Tambo , DGosling Roly , Huang Yaming , Xiao Ning , Zhou Xiaonong
Published: March 2021

Background: The Focused screening and treatment (FSAT) has been identified as one of the key approaches for reducing the malaria burden in Tanzania. However, the diagnostic performance of the local standard health system microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) for the malaria infections is yet to be established. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the performance of the local standard health system microscopy and RDTs in comparison to that of the gold standard modality through the re-examination of blood slide microscopy findings. Methods: We used the paired RDTs and standard health system microscopy results from the participants screened in the FSAT during 2015–2016. With the gold standard modality as reference, the results of local standard health system microscopy and RDTs were evaluated according to their sensitivity, specificity and reliability.Results: A total of 1,497 paired standard health system microscopy and RDTs results were analysed. Of these, 679 (45.4%) samples and 818 (54.6%) samples were from the high transmission areas (HTA) and low transmission areas (LTA) in the Rufiji District of south eastern Tanzania, respectively. With the gold standard as the reference, the sensitivity of RDTs were higher than those of standard health system microscopy (87.10% vs 76.88%) and (86.99% vs 65.04%) in the HTA and LTA, respectively. Further, the false-negative rates of RDTs were lower than those of standard microscopy in both HTA (12.90% vs 13.01%) and LTA (23.12% vs 34.96%). Conclusions: RDTs have better performance than the standard health system microscopy in terms of sensitivity and specificity for FSAT in study areas in Tanzania.
Aplastic Anemia Secondary to Dual Cancer Immunotherapies A Physician Nightmare: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Younan Romy G. , Raad Roy A. , Sawan Bassem Y. , Said Rabih
Published: March 2021

BackgroundTreatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment over the past several years. Despite their clinical benefits, a wide range of immune-mediated toxicities can be observed including hematological toxicities. Although, the majority can easily be managed, immune-mediated adverse events rarely can be severe and difficult to approach. Herein, we are reporting a case of very severe aplastic anemia secondary to ipilimumab (I) and nivolumab (N) treatment that failed various treatment including intensive immune suppressive therapy.Case presentationWe described a case of a 45-year old white male, heavy smoker presented to the clinic complaining of left flank pain. He was found to have a metastatic renal cell carcinoma for which he was treated with dual immunotherapy and later complicated by severe immune related adverse events. The patient later died after failing intensive immune suppressive therapy.ConclusionImmunotherapy has become an established pillar of cancer treatment improving the prognosis of many patients with variant malignancies. Yet, lethal adverse events can occur in rare cases. It is our duty, as physicians, to remain alert and cautious.
Global stakeholder perspectives of home birth: a systematic scoping review.
Authors: Brunton Ginny , Wahab Samira , Sheikh Hassan , Davis Beth Murray
Published: March 2021

Home birth is experienced by people very differently worldwide. These experiences likely differ by the type of stakeholder involved (women, their support persons, birth attendants, policy-makers), the experience itself (low-risk birth, transfer to hospital, previous deliveries), and by the health system within which home birth occurs (e.g. high-resource versus low- and middle-resource countries). Research evidence of stakeholders’ perspectives of home birth could usefully inform personal and policy decisions about choosing and providing home birth, but the current literature is fragmented and its breadth is not fully understood. We conducted a systematic scoping review to understand how the research literature on stakeholders’ perspectives of home birth is characterized in terms of populations, settings and identified issues, and what potential gaps exist in the research evidence. A range of electronic, web-based and key informant sources of evidence were searched. Located references were assessed, data extracted and analysed using robust methods. Our analysis included 387 full reports. Findings from 181 reports of studies in high-resource countries suggested that research with fathers, midwives and vulnerable populations and perspectives of freebirth and transfer to hospital could be synthesized, but gaps in primary research exist with respect to family members, policy makers, and those living in rural and remote locations. A further 206 reports of studies in low- and middle-resource countries suggested evidence for syntheses related to fathers and other family members, policy makers and other health care providers, and examination of issues related to emergency transfer to hospital, rural and remote home birth and those who birth out of hospital, often at home, despite receiving antenatal care intended to increase healthcare-seeking behaviour. Gaps in primary research suggest an examination is needed of perspectives in countries with higher maternal mortality, and among first-time mothers and young mothers. Our scoping review identified a considerable body of research evidence on stakeholder perspectives of home birth. These could inform the complex factors influencing personal decisions and health system planning around home birth in both high- and low- and middle-resource countries. Future primary research is warranted on specific stakeholders worldwide and with vulnerable populations in areas of high maternal mortality.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic in South-east Gabon.
Authors: IMBOUMY-LIMOUKOU Roméo Karl , NGOUBANGOYE Barthélemy , DIBAKOU Serge Ely , OYEGUE-LIBAGUI Lydie Sandrine , MOUNIOKO Franck , KOUNA Lady Charlene , ONTOUA Steede Seinnat , MPEGA Nancy Cheronne MBANI , MATANGOYE Walter Roddy , LEKANA-DOUKI Jean-Bernard
Published: March 2021

BackgroundCOVID-19 is an emerging respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It has spread from China to more than 200 countries and has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This survey aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, perception and practices (KAP) of the Gabonese public towards the COVID-19 disease.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 1016 participants aged 10 years and over in rural and urban area in south-east Gabon, using a questionnaire. All participants filled the questionnaire voluntarily, reporting demographic characteristics and answering questions assessing their level of knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practice toward the COVID-19. ResultsAmong the 1016 participants, there were 535 men (52.7%) and 476 women (46.9%). The mean age of the participants was 33.2±16.7 years old. Almost all participants (98.1%) said that they had heard about COVID-19 but only 2.8% knew the pathogenic agent responsible for COVID-19. Only 20.9% of respondents thought that vaccination can protect them but 51.9% were looking forward to getting the vaccine when available. More than 80% knew that the disease could be transmitted by greeting infected people (87.3%), kissing an infected person (90.0%), touching an infected doorknobs (83.5%), and attending meetings (83.9%). The mean knowledge score was higher among younger than older participants, higher among participants living in urban area than those living in rural areas, and higher among participants with higher levels of education than those with lower levels of education.ConclusionIn general, respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19, and a positive attitude towards using protective measures. These results are encouraging in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Gabon. However, efforts are needed to improve the knowledge level in older participants, those living in rural areas and those with low levels of education. Awareness campaigns in local languages could, for example, be conducted to improve knowledge of the disease in rural areas.
Breaking a Dative Bond with Mechanical Forces
Authors: Chen Pengcheng , Fan Dingxin , Zhang Yunlong , Selloni Annabella , Carter Emily , Arnold Craig , Dankworth David , Rucker Steven , Chelikowsky James , Yao Nan
Published: March 2021

Bond breaking and forming is essential in every chemical reaction. Here, we report a single dative bond breaking process revealing an unprecedented level of detail using noncontact atomic force microscopy. The dative bond between carbon monoxide and ferrous phthalocyanine was ruptured via mechanical forces applied by atomic force microscope tips; the process was quantitatively measured and characterized both experimentally and via first principles quantum mechanics modeling. Our results show that the bond can be ruptured either by applying an attractive force of ~150 pN (pulling) or by a repulsive force of ~220 pN (pushing), accompanied by changes of the spin state of the system. Our combined experimental and computational studies provide a deeper understanding of the chemical bond breaking process.
Effect of Flood Pulse on the Functional Diversity and Traits Composition of Birds With Different Degrees of Wetland Dependence in the Brazilian Pantanal
Authors: Frota Angélica Vilas Boas da , Vitorino Breno Dias , Almeida Sara Miranda , Nunes Josué Ribeiro da Silva , Silva Carolina Joana Da
Published: March 2021

Hydrological dynamics of the Pantanal wetland drive the availability of resources and niche for aquatic and terrestrial fauna. We consider that changes in the hydrological regime of this floodplain can affect species richness, abundance and functional structure of waterbirds, wetland birds and non-wetland birds. Our study aimed to assess whether the degree of wetland dependence influences the response of bird groups to the flood pulse. We conducted the bird survey in the Paraguay River floodplain system, in five sampling sites, covering the periods of drought, flooding, full flood and ebb of the 2017–2018 hydrological cycle. Species richness and abundance were higher for non-wetland birds than waterbirds and wetland birds. On the other hand, we found that the higher the degree of wetland dependence by birds, the higher the differences in the functional-trait values. Species richness, abundance and all metrics of functional diversity varied significantly when there was an interaction between the degree of wetland dependence and the hydrological period. In all hydrological periods, bird groups occupied distinct niches. Traits such as foraging around or below the water surface were among the dominant functional traits in all hydrological periods. We emphasize the need to consider the functional traits of species in ecological studies of wetlands since measuring only species richness may not reflect the characteristics inherent to this type of ecosystem. In addition, the conservation of wetlands directly implies the maintenance of various niches throughout the hydrological periods, either for dependent or non-dependent bird species in wetlands.
A Novel Hybrid Data Center Architecture Employing Optically-Switched WDM LANs over Electrical Fat Trees
Authors: Sahoo Tapasmini , Mohanty Bibhu Prasad
Published: March 2021

Inter connection network in a data center is the need of the hour as the communication backbone which caters the demands to accommodate a large number of servers with minimum possible end-to-end delay. The traditional Fat tree based topologies play a pivotal role for data center network (DCN) albeit in a low scale, on the other hand the upcoming electrical-cum-optical hybrid architecture demands huge power consumption and exhibit significant end-to-end delay. The present work depicts a proposal of highly scalable novel hybrid architecture employing optically switched WDM LANs (based on ShuffleNet topology) over electrical Fat trees with the use of substantial number of optical devices, the proposed DCN architecture is shown to offer reasonable reduction of end-to-end delay to 12.29µs for mouse traffic and 10.01ms for elephant traffic as compared to Optical Switching Architecture (OSA), which has significant 23ms of delay for any traffic condition.
Malaria Morbidity and Mortality Among Patients Admitted at a Tertiary Hospital in Congo DRC and Their Correlates: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Tshikuka Jose Gaby , Magafu Mgaywa Gilbert Mjungu Damas , Nsikungu Maurice Kalukul , Tapera Roy , Mupupe Charleine Inkembila , Nkola Delphin Mwela , Kalend Jean Kabwe , Kwete Jeanpy
Published: March 2021

Background: In the last two decades, there has been tremendous financial support, political will, and commitment to global malaria elimination focusing on endemic areas. This commitment and support have enabled a few countries to eliminate malaria, while others are making remarkable progress towards elimination. Nevertheless, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the status of Roll Back Malaria (RBM) impact indicators is unclear even though the country is one of the high burden malaria countries in the world. The study aimed to determine malaria morbidity and mortality at Kinshasa Referral General Hospital (KRGH) or the status of RBM impact indicators and factors associated with it.Methods: The study recruited 870 patients admitted at the KRGH in 2017 and 2018. Patient distribution by cause of admission was analysed. Malaria morbidity, mortality, and case-fatality-rates were estimated. A logistic regression model using malaria morbidity/mortality as the dependent variable was developed.Results: The morbidity rate was higher in 2018 than in 2017. Mortality and case-fatality-rates were comparable for the two years. Inpatients with low socioeconomic status (SES) were more than twice at risk of malaria morbidity/mortality than inpatients with high SES. The same results were found among city outskirts dwellers vis-a-vis city residents, with city residents faring better. Conclusion: Malaria morbidity and mortality in DRC were still high at the time of the study, affecting mostly people with low SES. Funding policies in the health sector need to be adjusted for DRC to address the current situation. Access to malaria health care services including drugs for low SES communities should be given priority.
Multiple Breath Wash-out for early assessment of pulmonary complications in patients with Primary Antibody Deficiencies: an observational study in pediatric age
Authors: Secchi Teresa , Baselli Lucia Augusta , Russo Maria Chiara , Borzani Irene , Carta Federica , Lopopolo Amalia , Foà Michaela , Vecchia Adriano La , Agostoni Carlo Virginio , Agosti Massino , Dellepiane Rosa Maria
Published: March 2021

Purpose. In Primary Antibody Deficiencies (PADs), pulmonary complications are the main cause of morbidity, despite immunoglobulin substitutive therapy, antibiotic treatment of exacerbations and respiratory physiotherapy. Current recommendations for surveillance of PADs respiratory complications include the annual assessment of spirometry and the execution of chest High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) every four years.This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Lung Clearance Index (LCI) as early marker of lung damage in patients with PADs. LCI is measured by Multiple Breath Wash-out, a non-invasive and highly specific test widely used in Cystic Fibrosis patients.Methods. Pediatric patients with PADs (n=17, 10, M, 7, F, age range 5-15 years) underwent baseline assessment of lung involvement with chest HRCT, Spirometry and Multiple Breath nitrogen Wash-out. Among them, 13 patients were followed up to repeat HRCT after four years, while performing Pulmonary Function Tests annually. Their baseline and control LCI and FEV1 values were compared, taking HRCT as gold standard, using logistic regression analysis.Results. LCI (OR 2.43 at baseline, OR 14.95 at control) has a stronger discriminating power between altered and normal HRCT rather than FEV1 (OR 0.82 at baseline, OR 1.91 at control).Conclusion. Within the context of a limited sample size, LCI seems to be more predictive of HRCT alterations than FEV1 and more sensitive than HRCT in detecting ventilation inhomogeneity, in absence of bronchiectasis. A study of a larger cohort of pediatric patients followed longitudinally in adulthood is needed to challenge these findings.
Forward and Inverse Relational Models between Machined Surface Roughness and Key Parameters of Machining Process
Authors: Pan Ri , Xingfei Ren , Wang Zhenzhong , Chen Dongju , Fan Jinwei
Published: March 2021

The relational model between machined surface roughness (MSR) and the adopted key machining parameters (KMPs) significantly influences the predictability and controllability of the machining process; therefore, it has attracted considerable attention. However, two critical problems still persist in this field. First, although most existing studies focus on the prediction model for MSR (forward model), wherein the MSR is dependent on input KMPs values, the inverse model that can calculate the KMP based on input MSR value is equally important; however, the inverse model has not been investigated as extensively as the forward model. The second issue is that most of the existing forward models are mainly established based on mechanism analysis; however, due to the complexity of most machining processes, the accuracy and generality of the model are not optimal. Therefore, this paper proposes a universal method for mathematically establishing the inverse model of the relation between the MSR and KMP. Initially, based on the response surface methodology, orthogonal experiments were designed and conducted, and the results were used to establish the forward model between the MSR and KMP. Subsequently, by combining the forward model with a self-developed genetic algorithm-based multi-objective optimization algorithm, an establishing method for inverse model between MSR and KMPs was proposed. Finally, experiments were conducted to validate the developed models. The experimental results show that for the forward model, all the 10 experimental MSR values approach the MSR values predicted by the forward model, and the average deviation was only approximately 7%. Contrarily, for the inverse model, the average deviation was only approximately 7.64%. Both these results verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed models. With this method, as long as the desired processing results and constraints are given, the process parameters can be accurately derived.
Influence of Additive Chemistry on the Tribological Behavior of Steel/Copper Friction Pairs
Authors: Li Weimin , Su Huaigang , Chen Yunlong , Ma Rui , Zhao Gaiqing , Qi Yanxing , Wang Xiaobo
Published: March 2021

The tribological behavior of boundary lubrication is largely dominated by the anti-wear additives. Here five different anti-wear additives were selected and their tribological properties for a steel-copper contact were investigated. It was found that the tribological performance are highly depending on the anti-wear additive chemistry which determines activity, element compositions of the additive. An amine phosphate anti-wear additive AW 316 exhibit best tribological performance with the lowest mean friction coefficient of 0.082 and smallest wear volume which is more than one order of magnitude smaller than base oil. The friction-reducing order of the tested anti-wear additives are AW 316 > ZDDP > 353 > TCP > [P8888][DEHP] while anti-wear showed similar trend. In addition, the tribological mechanism of AW 316 were also discussed based on surface analysis results, and it was found that an even boundary lubrication film of 10–15 nm which was composed of copper oxides, phosphates, amines was formed on the copper disc and is responsible for its outstanding tribological performances. This study provides fundamental insights of the compatibilities among steel-copper friction pairs and suitable anti-wear additives, which can be beneficial for the development of high performance used for steel-copper friction pairs.
The rice SCFOsFBK1 E3 ligase mediates jasmonic acid induced degradation of a RING-H2 protein and the cinnamoyl-CoA reductase, OsCCR14
Authors: Borah Pratikshya , Sharma Aishwarye , Khurana Jitendra
Published: March 2021

We had previously shown the rice F-box, OsFBK1, plays a role in anther development by mediating the turnover of OsCCR14, a cinnamoyl CoA-reductase regulating lignification. Another substrate identified in the same Y2H library screening was OsATL53, a member of the ATL family of RING-H2 proteins that is primarily localized to the cytoplasm. We found OsATL53 to be a component and substrate of SCFOsFBK1 by immunoprecipitation and cell-free studies. Incidentally, OsATL53 was found to interact with OsCCR14 in the cytoplasm and form a stable complex in cell-free experiments and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. Biochemically, OsATL53 was found to influence the enzymatic activity of OsCCR14 by decreasing its efficiency. Degradation studies have shown OsFBK1 mediates turnover of OsCCR14 in the nucleus, while OsATL53 is degraded in both cytoplasm and nucleus. The degradation of ATLs by F-box proteins has not been reported before. In presence of jasmonic acid (JA), which plays a role in anther dehiscence, OsATL53 has been found to gather around the nucleus, and this property enables the translocation of the OsATL53-OsCCR14 complex from a cytoplasmic localization to accumulate around the nuclear periphery. FLIM analyses revealed OsCCR14-OsATL53 complex undergoing conformational changes in presence of JA and this triggers OsFBK1 to mediate the targeted degradation of OsATL53 in the cytoplasm, thereby dissociating the cytoplasmic OsCCR14-OsATL53 complex and enabling OsCCR14 to enter the nucleus and eventually get degraded by SCFOsFBK1 E3 ligase. We have thus studied the signalling mechanism of a variant JA-induced E3 ligase-mediated substrate turnover in plants at the molecular level.
Spatiotemporal development of coexisting wave domains of Rho activity in the cell cortex
Authors: Hladyshau Siarhei , Kho Mary , Nie Shuyi , Tsygankov Denis
Published: March 2021

The Rho family GTPases are molecular switches that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and cell movement through a complex spatiotemporal organization of their activity. In Patiria miniata (starfish) oocytes, such activity generates multiple co-existing regions of coherent propagation of actin waves. Here we use computational modeling to investigate the development and properties of such wave domains. The model reveals that the formation of wave domains requires a balance of the autocatalytic activation and the negative feedback in the Rho signaling motif. Intriguingly, the development of the wave domains is preceded by a stage of low-activity quasi-static patterns, which may not be readily observed in experiments. Spatiotemporal patterns of this stage and the different paths of their destabilization define the behavior of the system in the later high-activity (observable) stage. Accounting for a strong intrinsic noise allowed us to reproduce wave dynamics in both Patiria miniata and Xenopus laevis (frog). For quantitative comparison of simulated and experimental results, we developed an automated method of wave domain detection, which revealed a sharp reversal of pattern formation in the middle of anaphase in starfish oocytes. Overall, our findings provide an insight into spatiotemporal regulation of complex and diverse but still computationally reproducible cell-level actin dynamics.
Protoplast-Based Transient Expression Combined with Plant Cultivation Systems as a Valuable Tool for Floral Thermogenesis Studies in Aroids
Authors: Maekawa Haruhiko , Otsubo Miyabi , Mizoguchi Koichiro , Koyamatsu Daiki , Inaba Takehito , Ito-Inaba Yasuko
Published: March 2021

Floral thermogenesis in plants plays a significant role in their reproductive function. Thermogenic aroids constitute a large family in highly thermogenic angiosperms, many of which possess intense heat-producing abilities. Several genes have been proposed to be involved in floral thermogenesis of aroids, but the biological tools to identify the functions of those genes at cellular and molecular levels are lacking. Among the many thermogenic aroids, we focused on skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus renifolius) because of its ability to produce intense, durable heat and small aboveground parts compared with other thermogenic aroids. In this study, leaf protoplasts were isolated from potted and shoot tip-cultured skunk cabbage plants and used to develop transient assay systems. The isolation protocol included an additional, sucrose gradient centrifugation step, which yielded high-purity protoplasts from both types of plants. The isolation and transfection efficiency of the protoplasts exceeded 1.0 × 105/g fresh weight and 50%, respectively, in both potted and shoot tip-cultured plants. Using this protoplast-based transient expression (PTE) system, we determined the protein localization of three mitochondrial energy-dissipating proteins, SrAOX, SrUCPA, and SrNDA1, fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). In skunk cabbage leaf protoplasts, these three GFP-fused proteins were localized in MitoTracker-stained mitochondria. However, the green fluorescent particles in protoplasts expressing SrUCPA-GFP were enlarged compared with those in protoplasts expressing SrAOX-GFP and SrNDA1-GFP. Our PTE system is a powerful tool for functional gene analysis not only in thermogenic aroids but also in non-thermogenic aroids.
Customization and improvement of the LbCas12a-crRNA system for efficient gene targeting in plants
Authors: Vu Tien , Doan Duong , Tran Mil , Sung Yeon Woo , Song Young Jong , Kim Jae-Yean
Published: March 2021

Plant gene targeting (GT) can be utilized to precisely replace up to several kilobases of a plant genome. Recent studies using the powerful clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases significantly improved plant GT efficiency. However, GT for loci without associated selection markers is still inefficient. We previously utilized Lachnospiraceae bacterium Cas12a (LbCas12a) in combination with a replicon for tomato GT and obtained high GT efficiency with some selection markers. In this study, we customize and advance our GT system by using a temperature-tolerant LbCas12a (ttLbCas12a) in combination with various crRNA forms and chemical treatments to suppress the canonical non-homologous end-joining pathway in tomato. Our work demonstrates the significance of the selection of gene scissors, the appropriate design of LbCas12a gRNAs, the use of chemical treatments, and the establishment of favorable experimental conditions for further enhancement of plant HDR to enable efficient GT in tomato.
Development of a CNS-permeable reactivator for nerve agent exposure: An iterative, multi-disciplinary approach
Authors: Bennion Brian J. , Malfatti Michael A. , Be Nicholas A. , Enright Heather A. , Hok Saphon , Cadieux C. Linn , Carpenter Timothy S. , Lao Victoria , Kuhn Edward A. , McNerney M. Windy , Lightstone Felice C. , Nguyen Tuan H. , Valdez Carlos A.
Published: March 2021

Nerve agents have experienced a resurgence in recent times with their use against civilian targets during the attacks in Syria (2012), the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in the United Kingdom (2018) and Alexei Navalny in Russia (2020), strongly renewing the importance of antidote development against these lethal substances. The current standard treatment against their effects relies on the use of small molecule-based oximes that can efficiently restore acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Despite their efficacy in reactivating AChE, the action of drugs like 2-pralidoxime (2-PAM) is primarily limited to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and, thus, provides no significant protection to the central nervous system (CNS). This lack of action in the CNS stems from their ionic nature that, on one end makes them very powerful reactivators and on the other renders them ineffective at crossing the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) to reach the CNS. In this report, we describe the use of an iterative approach composed of parallel chemical and in silico syntheses, computational modeling, and a battery of detailed in vitro and in vivo assays that resulted in the identification of a promising, novel CNS-permeable oxime reactivator. Additional experiments to determine acute and chronic toxicity are ongoing.
Post-cesarean section surgical site infection and associated factors in East Gojjam zone primary hospitals, Amhara region, North West Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Abebe Haimanot Geletie , bizuayew Hulubante fetene , Mullu Getachew Kassa , Bewuket Likinaw Zeleke , Tsega Daniel Tefera , Alemye Tsegaw Achenef
Published: March 2021

Background

Women after cesarean section have a five to twenty-times greater chance of getting an infection compared with women who give birth vaginally. Even though many efforts tried by the government and non-government organization in Ethiopia, a non-significant decline achieved and post cesarean section surgical site infection is still a problem. Scientific evidence on this is a step ahead for preventing and reducing post cesarean section surgical site infection. Therefore this study aimed to assess magnitude and risk factors of post cesarean section surgical site infection at primary hospitals of East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods

Institution based cross sectional study
with retrospective chart review was conducted from September 10–30
/2020 at primary hospitals of east Gojjam zone.

The data was entered in Epi data version3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science Software version 26. Presence and degree of association of factors with outcome variable were computed through logistic regression analysis. Factors with P value ≤ 0.2 in bi variable logistic regression analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis and those variables with P-value of < 0.05 in multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant.
Result

From 622 medical records of women who underwent cesarean section, 77 (12.4%) of them were developed surgical site infection. Rural residence [(AOR = 2.30, 95%CI :( 1.295, 4.098)], duration of labor greater than 24hrs [(AOR = 3.48, 95%CI :( 1.495, 8.086)], rupture of
Characterisation of Solid Mine Wastes Produced during Iron Ore Mining and Processing and their Potential Environmental Impacts
Authors: Xavier Francis
Published: March 2021

Solid waste deposited on the surface acts as a potential source of environmental pollution. High concentration of toxic elements in solid mine wastes can pose serious environmental risks. This study aims at characterising solid mine wastes produced due to iron ore mining and processing for their geochemistry and mineralogy. Samples were collected using a stratified sampling strategy. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Petrographic analysis techniques were used. XRD analysis revealed a high abundance of Hematite (29%), with low amounts of Quartz stockpile samples. Berlinite (33%) amounts were high in waste dump samples, where Quartz was in high concentrations (34%) in the overburden samples. XRF analysis revealed a high amount of iron in the stockpile and waste dump, while Silica was highest in the overburden. Petrography analysis revealed major minerals in the solid mine waste: magnetite, Hematite, and Quartz with traces of mica, olivine, feldspar, and biotite. The minerals were characterised by a lamellar structure with mutual grain boundaries. Sulfide minerals that may cause acid drainage and various heavy metals were in considerable amounts. These elements have the potential of causing adverse environmental impacts hence the need for such characterisation to devise mitigation strategies and rehabilitation.
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM): Gaming Disorder Mediating Untreated Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to Disruptive Mood Dysregulation
Authors: Tzang Ruu-Fen , Chang Chuan-Hsin , Chang Yue-Cune
Published: March 2021

Background: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) maybe a mediating roles leading youth with Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) becoming disruptive mood dysregulation. So far, how IGD mediating the pathways leading ADHD to emotional dys-function are not entirely clear. This study aims to use structural equation modeling (SEM) analyze the direct or indirect influence of IGD on ADHD youth. Method: The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, Version IV questionnaire (SNAP-IV) was used to measure symptoms of ADHD and Oppositional Defiant disorder (ODD). The Chen Gaming disorder Scale (CIAS) was used to test for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and ADHD, ODD, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) was diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Result: Total 102 ADHD youth included in the SEM analysis. 53 (52%) of them suffering from IGD were significantly more likely to have bad interpersonal relationships (p < 0.01) and comorbid with DMDD and IGD (p < 0.01 and < 0.001, respectively) than non-addicted ADHD youth. Under the mediating role of Gaming disorder indirectly, ADHD youth had increasing risk of DMDD. Conclusions: this SEM analysis indicated the indirect relationship between IGD and DMDD among ADHD youth. This finding suggests the immediate and intense clinical treatments were warranted to recent ADHD youth with Internet Gaming Disorder. However, further large, scaled research is required to study this correlation.
Prognostic Factors in the Decision-Making Process for Sigmoid Volvulus. Results of a Single-Centre Retrospective Cohort Study.
Authors: Slack Zoe , Shams Mohamed , Ahmad Raheel , Ali Roshneen , Antunes Diandra , Dey Abhishek , Patel Mahul , Shabana Amanda , Bond-Smith Giles , Tebala Giovanni Domenico
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND: Sigmoid volvulus is a common cause of emergency surgical admission. It often affects older males who are institutionalized and are less suitable surgical candidates. Definitive treatment is surgical, but first line treatment is via endoscopic devolution with or without placement of a rectal tube. After non-operative management recurrence is likely and carries a high mortality, therefore an early surgical approach may be considered in patients who are fit for surgery. We have retrospectively analyzed a cohort of patients with sigmoid volvulus in order to clarify if and when a more aggressive management is indicated.METHODS: We have reviewed data on admitted patients diagnosed with sigmoid volvulus over a 2-year period. Demographic, clinical data, morbidity and mortality were recorded in a database. The primary endpoint was patient survival. Secondary endpoint was the estimation of the factors that condition surgical choice.RESULTS: We analysed 332 admission of 78 patients. 39.7% of patients underwent surgical resection. The average survival was 54.9±8.8 months from the first hospitalization, irrespective of the treatment. Long-term survival was positively influenced by being female, having a low "social score", a younger age and surgery. Multivariate analysis showed that only being female and surgery were independently associated with better survival.CONCLUSION: Early surgery may be the best approach in patients with recurrent sigmoid volvulus, as it ensures longer survival with a better quality of life, regardless of the patient's social and functional condition.
The Healing Response of LAMax LAACTM Left Atrial Appendage Occluder in a Canine Model: The Potential Influence of the Implantation Technique on the Healing Response
Authors: Wu Xiaoxia , Ma Dongxing , Wan Tao , Meng Yuezhi , Chen Yilong , Shen Yejia , Huang Wei
Published: March 2021

Background: Device-associated thrombus are potential causes for thromboembolic events post left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), and correlated with the complete endothelialization of the device surface. Our aim was to evaluate the endothelialization of LAMax LAACTM occluder surface and analyze the potential influence of the implantation technique on the healing response.Methods: A total of 29 healthy dogs (28.0±3.7 kg) were implanted with the devices successfully after ensuring COVER signs was met (Concavity of the disc, Oversizing by 20-50%, Verifying position, Ensuring stability, Residual flow <5 mm by transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) examination), and sacrificed at <24 hours, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 6-months. Gross examinations were conducted to evaluate healing response.Results: The mean diameters of LAA orifice measured by angiography and TEE were 19.0±2.9 mm and 16.1±2.0 mm (P<0.05), respectively. TEE found that the discs in 18 dogs (62.1%) were completely pulled into the LAA with concavity and in 11 dogs incompletely pulled into the LAA with suboptimally concavity, while 5 of them had residual flow. Gross examinations showed that the complete endothelialization on the device surface with concaved disc was found at 1-month after LAAC. Microscopic examinations confirmed complete healing on the device with optimal closure effect. Conclusions: The good healing response and the optimal closure effect were observed using the LAMax device in a canine model by following the COVER implantation technique.
Do the Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients Enjoy Long-term Survival Benefit From the Radiation-based Neoadjuvant Treatments in the Total Mesorectal Excision Era: a Population-based Analysis
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhong Xiaohong , Lin Huaqin , Zhang Xueqing , Shao Lingdong , Wu Junxin
Published: March 2021

Background: Radiation-based neoadjuvant therapy followed by radical surgery is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), but things might have changed with the advent of total mesorectal excision (TME). This study re-evaluated the clinical efficacy of preoperative radiotherapy for LARC patients in the TME era by population-based analysis to identify any long-term survival benefits. Methods: LARC patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy or not followed by surgery between 2011 and 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves, and potential candidates for preoperative radiotherapy were identified by nomogram. Results: There were 7582 eligible patients; 6066 received preoperative radiotherapy, and 1516 received non-preoperative radiotherapy. The initial result showed that the pooled hazard ratio (HR) for OS was in favor of preoperative radiotherapy compared with non-preoperative radiotherapy group (HR = 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.75-0.98, P <0.05). The cases were randomly divided into training and validation datasets, and multivariate Cox regression analysis of the training set determined that age, sex, carcinoembryonic antigen level, tumor stage, node stage, tumor differentiation, perineural invasion, and the number of dissected lymph nodes were independent risk factors for OS in the training set (all P <0.05). A nomogram was established based on the risk factors to predict the OS (concordance index, training set: 0.70, validation set: 0.67). Further analysis showed that the long-term survival of high-risk patients was better with preoperative radiotherapy (HR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.56-0.91, P <0.05). Conclusions: Preoperative radiotherapy has long-term survival benefits for LARC patients, especially those with high risk.
Recombinant Water Stress Protein 1 (Re-WSP1) Suppresses Colon Cancer Cell Growth Through Mir-539/Β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Guo Songjia , Shan Shuhua , Wu Haili , hao huiqiang , Li Zhuoyu
Published: March 2021

Nostoc commune Vauch is a nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae, contains a large number of active molecules with medicinal functions. Our previous study found that a water stress protein (WSP1) from Nostoc commune Vauch and its the recombinant protein (Re-WSP1) exhibited significant anti-colon cancer (CRC) activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, the CCK8 and clonogenic assays showed that Re-WSP1 restrained the colon cancer growth in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, Re-WSP1 inhibited the expression of β-catenin, which was partly reversed by LiCl treatment, demonstrating a key role in Re-WSP1-induced inhibition of cell growth. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that the expression of microRNA-539 (miR-539) was significantly up-regulated upon Re-WSP1 treatment. Moreover, miR-539 negatively regulateed the expression of β-catenin through directly binds to the 3’UTR of β-catenin mRNA. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Re-WSP1 suppresses the CRC growth via miR-539/β-catenin axis, which provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying Re-WSP1 against CRC.
Exosomes Derived from miR-183-Overexpressing Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Alleviate Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) Injury through miR-183/ALOX5 axisExosomes Derived from miR-183-Overexpressing Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Alleviate Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) Injury through miR-183/ALOX5 Axis
Authors: Gong Yi , Dai Haisu , Liu Wei , Liao Rui , Chen Hailei , Zhang Leida , Wang Xiaojun , Chen Zhiyu
Published: March 2021

BackgroundIschemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury a crucial factor causing liver injury in clinic. Recent research confirmed that human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can differentiate into functional hepatocytes. However, the mechanism of ADSCs in the treatment of liver injury remains unclear.MethodsCharacteristics of ADSCs were first identified, and exosomes from miR-183-overexpressed ADSCs were isolated and identified. And the function and mechanism of microRNA-183 (miR-183) and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) were monitored through biological experiments in HL-7702 cells with I/R injury or I/R rats. ResultsWe proved that inhibition of exosomes from the identified ADSCs prevented proliferation, induced apoptosis and downregulated miR-183 in HL-7702 cells with I/R injury, while exosomes derived from ADSCs played an opposite role on the proliferation and apoptosis of HL-7702 cells with I/R injury in comparison with exosome inhibitors by upregulating miR-183. Meanwhile, the effect of miR-183 alone was similar to that of exosomes derived from ADSCs. Besides, ALOX5, as a target gene of miR-183, was involved in the related functions of miR-183. Moreover, in vivo experiments further confirmed miR-183 or exosomes from ADSCs also could improve liver injury of rats and downregulate MAPK and NF-κB pathways.ConclusionAll these findings testified that exosomes derived from miR-183-overexpressing ADSCs have a significant protective effect on hepatic I/R injury by regulating miR-183/ALOX5 axis, which might provide therapeutic strategy for liver injury.
D-Dopachrome Tautomerase Activates COX2/PGE2 Pathway of Astrocytes to Mediate Inflammation Following Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Ji Huiyuan , Zhang Yuxin , Chen Chen , Li Hui , He Bingqiang , Yang Ting , Sun Chunshuai , Hao Huifei , Zhang Xingyuan , Wang Yingjie , Zhou Yue , Zhu Zhenjie , Hu Yuming , Li Aihong , Guo Aisong , Wang Yongjun
Published: March 2021

BackgroundAstrocytes are immune-competent cells able to secrete various cytokines and chemokines mediating neuropathology of central nervous system (CNS) in response to danger signals. D-dopachrome tautomerase (D-DT), a newly described cytokine and a close homolog of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) protein, has been revealed to share an overlapping function with MIF in some ways. However, its cellular distribution pattern and mediated astrocyte neuropathological function in the CNS remain unclear. MethodsContusion model of rat spinal cord was established. The protein levels of D-DT and PGE2 synthesis-related proteinase were assayed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Primary astrocytes were stimulated by different concentration of D-DT in the presence or absence of various inhibitors to examine relevant signal pathways. The post-injury locomotor functions were assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor scale. ResultsD-DT was inducibly expressed within astrocytes and neurons, rather than in microglia following spinal cord contusion. D-DT was able to activate the COX2/PGE2 signal pathway of astrocytes through CD74 receptor, and the intracellular activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was involved in the regulation of D-DT action. The selective inhibitor of D-DT was efficient in attenuating D-DT-induced astrocyte production of PGE2 following spinal cord injury, which contributed to the improvement of locomotor functions.ConclusionCollectively, these data reveal a novel inflammatory activator of astrocytes following SCI, which might be beneficial for the development of anti-inflammation drug in neuropathological CNS.