bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of serum Aspergillus IgG antibody for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in non-agranulocytic patients
Authors: Yu Qihong , He Jingdong , Xing Bin , Li Xin , Qian Hongyu , Zhang Hong , Xu Meilin , Peng Haiying
Published: December 2019

Background: At present, serum Aspergillus IgG and IgM antibodies are mainly used in the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), but their diagnostic value in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in non-agranulocytic patients is still unclear. IgM can be used as a marker of acute infection to help diagnosing acute infection-related diseases. IgG is a marker of long-term infection and used to assist in the diagnosis of preexisting or chronic infection-related diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the value of serum Aspergillus IgG and IgM antibody detection in diagnosis of IPA and CPA in non-agranulocytic patients. Methods: 58 cases of pulmonary aspergillosis (37 IPA and 21 CPA cases), 15 cases of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and 50 cases of healthy control group were collected. Serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan test (G test) was performed with a chromogenic method, and galactomannan test (GM test), Aspergillus IgG and IgM antibody were detected by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all patients. The sensitivity and specificity, cut off value and the area under curve (AUC) of Aspergillus IgG and IgM antibodies were further obtained by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The positive rate of G test, Aspergillus IgG antibody and GM test also showed notably differences among IPA, CPA, community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and healthy groups (P = 0.006, P < 0.001 and P = 0.217, respectively). Only the positive rate of GM test statistically distinct difference between IPA and CPA groups (P = 0.04). ROC curves indicated that Aspergillus IgG antibody with the highest specificity when IPA group compared with CPA groups (0.952). Aspergillus IgG antibody can preferably distinguish IPA from community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and healthy controls (sensitivity = 0.923, specificity = 0.459, cut off value = 134.46, AUC = 0.727). It can also distinguish CPA from community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and healthy controls (sensitivity = 0.952, specificity = 0.692, cut off value = 75.46, AUC = 0.873). Conclusions: Serum Aspergillus IgG has certain clinical value in the diagnosis of IPA and CPA in non-agranulocytic patients.
Addressing the deprived: Need and access of Sexual reproductive health services to street adolescents in Ethiopia: The case of Nekemte Town: Mixed methods study.
Authors: Ababor Abdo Abazinab , Tesso Desalegn Wirtu , Cheme Melese Chego
Published: December 2019

Objectives Research knowledge gap exists in addressing sexual reproductive health services to street adolescents globally. The intensity of SRH problem is high in the settings like Ethiopia where there is limited access and integration of services in the way it responds to the needs of the street adolescents and this study aimed at exploring risky sexual behaviors; needs and barriers of SRH services utilization among street adolescents in Nekemte town. Community based Cross-sectional study design with mixed approaches was used on sample size of 219 street adolescents. Supplementary qualitative data of 24 in-depth interviews were collected from the street adolescents and SRH service providers. Time-location sampling or venue sampling technique (VDT) was used for quantitative study. Quantitative data was analyzed by SPSS version 24.0.Results About 93% of street adolescents reported difficulty of accessing contraceptives. Behavioral change and sustainable access of SRH services is lacking among street adolescents; but, Knowledge gap is more evident in early adolescents (10-13) period than the other classes. Generally, street adolescents are deprived in terms of access of sexual reproductive health services. Mobile and flexible access of contraceptive should be designed targeting street adolescents.
WITHDRAWN: De novo assembly and comparative transcriptome analysis revealed the genes that were potentially involved in defensive terpenoids emission in the wheat against the wheat aphid Sitobion avenae (Fabricius)
Authors: Zhao Lei , Liu Zhen , Zhan Yidi , Liu Yong
Published: December 2019

Background
Terpenoid volatiles play an important role directly or indirectly in the plant defense mechanisms against herbivores, including the gramineous crops such as transgenic rice and corn. The conventional varieties of wheat are important gramineous cereal crops that lack aphid-resistant genes. Therefore, it is necessary to seek the aphid-resistant genes by screening for potential terpenoid synthase genes in the wheat germplasm resources.
Results
The result showed that aphid-damaged Octoploid Tirtitrigia emitted a higher amount of S-linalool, ent-kaurene, (+)-delta-cadinene, (3S,6E)-nerolidol as compared to the intact plant. In addition, (E)-β-caryophyllene, β‐Myrcene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) were new volatile terpenoids emitted by the damaged plant. Further olfactory responses tests showed that S-linalool significantly repelled Sitobion avenae (Fabricius). After de novo assembly and quantitative assessment, a total of 182348 (74.8%) unigenes were annotated by alignment with the public protein databases. Of these unigenes, 2389 differentially expressed genes were identified between the intact and damaged ears of Octoploid Trititrigia. The expression profile of 10 randomly selected TPSs was confirmed with RT-qPCR. Candidate genes involved in terpenes biosynthesis were identified by showing the significant transcript changes between the intact and damaged plant ears of Octoploid Trititrigia. The transcript abundances of terpenes biosynthetic pathway-related genes were also positively correlated with the production of volatile terpenoids in the ears. The unigenes of S-linalool synthase gene was mapped to the cloned cDNA WT008_M07 (AK333728) and WT013_P07 (AK335856) of the Chinese spring wheat cultivar. The predicted protein complete ORF sequence (TaLIS1/2) when compared with the S-linalool synthase gene of other species, contained an aspartate-rich region DDxxD motif. Its function was characterized as coordinating the divalent metal ions involved in substrate binding. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree results indicated that the TaLIS1 and TuNES1 are highly homologous.
Conclusions
This assembled transcriptome of S. avenae-damaged Octoploid Trititrigia and the intact ears could provide more molecular resources for the future functional characterization analysis of genomics in volatile terpenoids involved in direct or indirect defenses. Our study describes the metabolic regulation mechanism of the volatile terpenoids in the gramineous crops, which provides support for both breeding and genetic modification of the wheat varieties resistant to wheat aphid.
A novel individualized strategy for cryoballoon catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Ding Jun , Xu Jing , Ma Wei , Chen Bingwei , Yang Peigen , Qi Yu , Sun Shan , Cheng Aijuan
Published: December 2019

Background : The optimal dosage for cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (Cryo-AF) is still unknown. To evaluate the efficacy of an individualized freeze duration, we compared the clinical outcome of patients treated with a time-to-pulmonary vein isolation (TT-PVI) or temperature-guided ablation protocol to the outcome of patients treated with a conventional ablation protocol.
Methods: A total of 164 consecutive patients were included in the study. One method employed was a conventional dosing protocol (at least 2 applications of 180 seconds each)(the Cryo-AF Conventional group n=84), and the second method had a shorter protocol that was based on the TT-PVI or achievement of -40°C within 60 seconds (the Cryo-AF Dosing group n=80).
Results: We treated 656 pulmonary veins (PVs) with 1420 cryotherapy applications. The mean number of applications per patient was 8.7±0.8, with no difference between groups (Cryo-AF Conventional , 8.7±0.8 versus Cryo-AF Dosing ,8.6±0.8; P =0.359). The Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total cryotherapy application time (990.60±137.77versus 1501.58±89.60 seconds; P <0.001) and left atrial dwell time (69.91±6.91 versus 86.48±7.03 minutes; P <0.001) than the Cryo-AF Conventional group. Additionally, the Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total procedure time (95.03±6.50 versus 112.43±7.11 minutes; P <0.001). We observed acute ATP-induced or spontaneous vein electric reconnections in 13 veins (1.98%) after 20 minutes. The reconnection rates between the Cryo-AF Conventional and Cryo-AF Dosing groups were similar in that 2.98% and 0.94% of the initially isolated veins were reconnected, respectively, ( P =0.061). There was no difference in the recurrence rate of free atrial arrhythmia after a 1-year follow-up, which were 78.75% in the Cryo-AF Dosing group versus 78.57% in the Cryo-AF Conventional group ( P =0.978).
Conclusion: A novel Cryo-AF dosing protocol guided by temperature or the TT-PVI can be used to individualize an ablation strategy. This new protocol can lead to a significant reduction in duration of the procedure, the cryoenergy dosage and the left atrial dwell time. The procedure had equal safety and similar acute and 1-year follow-up outcomes compared to the conventional approach.
Maternal age and educational level modify the association between chronic hepatitis B infection and preterm labor
Authors: Peng Songxu , Chen Hongyan , Li Xiu , Du Yukai , Gan Yong
Published: December 2019

Background: Few studies have investigated whether maternal age and education level modify the association of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with preterm labor. We hypothesized that the association of HBV infection with preterm labor is modified by maternal age and education level. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative pregnant women delivered from June 2012 to August 2017 at Wuhan Medical Care Center for Women and Children, Wuhan, China. A multivariate regression model was used in this study. Results: This study included 2050 HBsAg-positive pregnant women and 2050 HBsAg negative women. In the stratified analyses, positive HBsAg status was associated with the increased risk of preterm labor in women aged <30 years, having low educational level, with an odds ratio of 1.65(95% CI 1.07-2.54) and 2.59(95% CI 1.41-4.76), respectively. Breslow-Day test showed that there existed significant differences in the ORs for HBsAg carriage across each stratum of maternal age ( p = 0.023), educational level ( p = 0.002). After adjusting other co-variables, we observed maternal HBV infection (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.03-2.49) was still associated with risk of preterm labor in pregnancy women with age <30. Similarly, the significant association of HBV infection (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.34-4.63) with preterm labor remained in low educated women. Conclusions: Our results indicated that HBV infection was associated with high risk of preterm labor, but maternal age and educational level could modify the association between HBV infection and preterm labor.
Transcriptome and metabolome reveal redirection of flavonoids in a white testa peanut mutant
Authors: Wan Liyun , Lei Yong , Yan Liying , Liu Yue , Pandey Manish Kumar , Wan Xia , Varshney Rajeev Kumar , Fang Jiahai , Liao Boshou
Published: December 2019

Background: Coat color determines both appearance and nutrient quality of peanut. White seed coat in peanut can enhance the processing efficiency and quality of peanut oil.An integrative analysis of transcriptomes, metabolomes and histocytology was performed on wsc mutant and its wild type to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying color pigmentation.
Result：Metabolomes revealed flavonoids were redirected in wsc, while multi-omics analyses of wsc mutant seeds and testae uncovered WSC influenced the flavonoids biosynthesis in testa as well as suberin formation, glycolysis, the TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism. The mutation also enhanced BR, GA, and JA biosynthesis as well as ABA, AUX, BR and JA signaling. Further, co-expression analysis showed that FLS genes co-expressed with MBW complex member genes. Combining tissue expression patterns, genetic analyses, and the annotation of common DEGs for these three stages revealed that three testa specific expressed candidate genes, Araip.M7RY3, Aradu.R8PMF and Araip.MHR6K were likely responsible for the white testa phenotype. WSC might be regulated expression competition between FLS and DRF by controlling hormone synthesis and signaling as well as the MBW complex.
Conclusions: The results of this study therefore provide both candidate genes and novel approaches that can be applied to improve peanut with desirable seed coat color and flavonoid quality.
Withdraw of prophylactic antimicrobials does not change resistome in pigs
Authors: Villa Maria Fernanda Loayza , Torres Alejandro , Zhang Lixin , Trueba Gabriel
Published: December 2019

Background: The use of antimicrobials in the animal industry has increased the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antimicrobial-resistance genes which can be transferred to human microbiota through the food chain or the environment. To reduce the influx of antibiotic-resistance to the human microbiota, restrictions on antimicrobials (in food animals) have been implemented in different countries. We investigated the impact of an antimicrobial restriction on the frequency of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in pigs (PCI 1050) from an Ecuadorian farm. Results: No differences in antimicrobial resistant coliforms or antimicrobial resistance genes (richness and abundance) were found when we compared animals fed with or without antibiotics. Nevertheless, the absence of antimicrobials in pigs didn’t impact the productive performance of animals. Conclusion: Fitness costs of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria within intestinal microbiota of animals seems to be overestimated. Avoiding antimicrobials as prophylactics in pigs fed is not enough to control maintenance and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance of maltose negative Staphylococcus aureus in South African dairy herds
Authors: Karzis Joanne , Petzer Inge-Marié , Donkin Edward F. , Naidoo Vinny , Etter Eric M. C.
Published: December 2019

BackgroundThe discovery of antimicrobials in the 1930s was one of the greatest achievements in medicine. However, bacterial resistance to antimicrobials was already observed in the 1940s and has been reported since then in both human and veterinary medicine, including in dairy cows. Many years of monitoring milk samples in South Africa, has led to the identification of a new strain of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which is maltose negative and appears to be an emerging pathogen. In this study the differences in susceptibility to antimicrobials of this strain were evaluated over time, over different seasons, in different provinces, and according to somatic cell count (SCC) categories.Results A data set of 271 maltose negative S. aureus isolates, cultured from milk samples from 117 herds out of the estimated 2000 commercial dairy herds in South Africa between 2010 and 2017, was studied using the disc diffusion method. This analysis was done using the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints in order to compare using both the previously used system (intermediate category grouped with resistant) and more recent system, (intermediate category grouped with susceptible). The results between the previously used system and the more recent system analysis differed for tylosin, cefalonium, oxy-tetracycline and cloxacillin. Neither the analysis using the previous system nor the more recent system showed an effect of province for the maltose negative S. aureus. This was in contrast to the results for maltose positive S. aureus where differences between provinces were shown in a previous study. For the susceptibility testing of 57 maltose negative S. aureus and 57 maltose positive S. aureus the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results for the maltose negative S. aureus confirmed the results of the disc diffusion method. ConclusionsThe maltose negative strains of S. aureus differed in general, in their antimicrobial resistance patterns over time, in comparison to maltose-positive S. aureus strains. MIC testing also indicated that more multi-resistant isolates were seen with the maltose negative S. aureus than in the maltose positive strains.
Evaluation of close up antimicrobial therapies for treatment and prevention of subclinical mastitis in the herds with high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Amiri Pooyan , Rad Amir Hooshang Fallah , Heidarpour Mohammad , Azizzadeh Mohammad , Khoramian Babak
Published: December 2019

Background: This field trial was conducted to describe and compare the efficacy of two treatment regimens comprising of pre-calving systemic administrations of marbofloxacin and tylosin in combination with dry cow therapy. For more precise detection of Staphylococcus aureus IMI, PCR (nucA gene) and RAPD-PCR genotyping have been applied. A total of 841 quarters from 212 dry cows within two herds were assigned to three groups TYLO, MARB and CONT. At 21±3 days prior to parturition, tylosin was injected for three days (10 mg/kg, SC) to cows from TYLO and at the same time, single injection of marbofloxacin (8 mg/kg, SC) was administered to cows from MARB. Cows assigned to CONT served as an untreated control. All quarters allocated to the groups received intra-mammary infusion of Kanaclox DC® at drying off. Milk samples from all quarters at one week, before last milking of dry off, 3 and 7 DIM were obtained for bacteriological and oxidative analyses. Results: Despite the fact that no significant differences in total cure rate within the groups was demonstrated, the S. aureus cure rate achieved in TYLO and MARB were 74 and 73.5% respectively both of which being significantly higher than in CONT (58.1%). No significant differences in total new IMI were observed in TYLO (40.9%) and MARB (38.5%) groups compared with CONT group (42.5%). Furthermore the rate of new S. aureus IMI was higher in TYLO (24.5%) and MARB (24.1%) than in CONT (13.8%) group. Clinical mastitis rate in cows that received systemic injections (TYLO=3.8%, MARB=5.8%) was significantly lower than those detected in control cows (CONT=11.3%). Paired S. aureus isolates from dry off and post-calving have been clustered into 9 different RAPD types (A-I). 8 paired strains collected at dry off were identical to those at post-calving and 35 strains had more than 60% of dissimilarity. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that dealing with herds in which S. aureus IMIs are prevalent, using close up broad-spectrum systemic antimicrobial agents can be unrewarding for preventing new S. aureus IMIs. However close up administration of systemic antimicrobials have the potential to reduce the incidence of clinical mastitis during lactation.
All-trans retinoic acid reduces cancer stem cell-like cell-mediated resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Yao Wenxiu , Wang Liyang , Huang Huan , Li Xin , Wang Pinjia , Mi Kun , Cheng Jia , Liu Huifen , Gu Cuirong , Huang Lingxiao , Huang Jianming
Published: December 2019

Background: The enrichment of cancer stem cell-like cells (CSCs) has been considered to be responsible for tumor progression after an initial response to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma (NSCLC/ADC). All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been shown to potentiate cancer chemotherapy due to its ability to induce signals for CSC differentiation. We therefore investigated whether ATRA could improve the response of NSCLC/ADC cells to TKI gefitinib. Methods: Treatment of NSCLC/ADC A549 and H1650 cells with gefitinib enriched the gefitinib surviving cells (GSCs). The expression of ALDH1A1 and CD44 and the IC50 values for gefitinib were determined by flow cytometry (FCM) and crystal violet assay in GSCs and ATRA-treated GSCs, respectively. Results: GSCs showed higher expression of ALDH1A1 and CD44 and IC50 values for gefitinib than their respective parental cells, suggesting that gefitinib can lead to propagation of CSC-enriched gefitinib-resistant cells. Treatment with ATRA was found to significantly reduce the increased expression of ALDH1A1 and CD44 and the IC50 values for gefitinib in A549GSC and H1650GSC cells. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that combination treatment with ATRA prevents gefitinib-induced enrichment of ALDH1A1bright/CD44high CSCs and enhances gefitinib-induced growth inhibition of NSCLC/ADC cells. Key words: All-trans retinoic acid, ALDH1A1, CD44, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma
Efficient Synergistic Immunotherapy for Inhibiting Tumor Postoperative Recurrence and Metastasis via Calcium Alginate Hydrogel Nanosystem
Authors: Wang Tiange , Wang Hanjie , Zhang Yingying , He Tiandi , Wu Xiaoli , Chang Jin
Published: December 2019

Immunotherapy is expected to become an promising strategy in inhibiting tumor postoperative recurrence and metastasis. However, the effect is still unsatisfactory because of lacking cooperativity between various therapeutic methods. In this study, we designed an efficient synergistic immunotherapy system as an all-around and multi-dimension method for inhibiting tumor postoperative recurrence and metastasis. The efficient synergy lay in enhancing immune effect and eliminating immune suppression in the meantime by took advantages of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) and antiPDL1 antibody. We introduced nanomaterials based on the calcium alginate hydrogel which has an acknowledged biological safety to implement the above strategy and make the system multifunctional. This nanosysterm have both therapy function and long-term monitoring capability in vivo to evaluate the recurrence and metastasis situation of postoperative residual tumor cells conveniently in real time. In vitro and vivo results proved that that this system could achieve a much better tumor inhibition efficiency and a good monitoring effect. This efficient synergistic immunotherapy nanosystem is expected to become a new promising strategy for postoperative immunotherapy of tumor.
Microsatellite Based Diversity Analysis and the Development of Core-Set Germplasm in Pakistani Barley Lines
Authors: Ali Murad , Yang Ping , Hussain Manzoor , Nisar Mohammad , Ali Niaz , Khan Waqar
Published: December 2019

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Ethanol-activated CaMKII signaling induces neuronal apoptosis through Drp1-mediated excessive mitochondrial fission and JNK1-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Authors: Lim Jae Ryong , Lee Hyun Jik , Jung Young Hyun , Kim Jun Sung , Chae Chang Woo , Kim Seo Yihl , Han Ho Jae
Published: December 2019

Background: Neurodegeneration is a representative phenotype of patients with chronic alcoholism. Ethanol-induced calcium overload causes NLRP3 inflammasome formation and an imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics, closely associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. However, how calcium regulates this process in neuronal cells is poorly understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the detailed mechanism of calcium-regulated mitochondrial dynamics and NLRP3 inflammasome formation in neuronal cells by ethanol. Methods: In this study, we used the SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cell line. To confirm the expression level of the mRNA and protein, real time quantitative PCR and western blot were performed. Co-immunoprecipitation and Immunofluorescence staining were conducted to confirm the complex formation or interaction of the proteins. Flow cytometry was used to analyze intracellular calcium, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis. Results: Ethanol increased cleaved caspase-3 levels and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation associated with neuronal apoptosis. In addition, ethanol increased PKA activation and CREB phosphorylation, which increased NMDA receptor (NMDAR) expression. Ethanol-increased NMDAR induced intracellular calcium overload and CaMKII activation leading to phosphorylation of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and JNK1. Drp1 phosphorylation promoted Drp1 translocation to the mitochondria, resulting in excessive mitochondrial fission, mitochondrial ROS accumulation, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which was recovered by Drp1 inhibitor pretreatment. Ethanol-induced JNK1 phosphorylation activated the NLRP3 inflammasome that induced caspase-1 dependent mitophagy inhibition, thereby exacerbating ROS accumulation and causing cell death. Suppressing caspase-1 induced mitophagy and reversed the ethanol-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that ethanol upregulated NMDAR-dependent CaMKII phosphorylation which is essential for Drp1-mediated excessive mitochondrial fission and the JNK1-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation resulting in neuronal apoptosis.
A Phase II trial of Ofatumumab and Complement Replacement in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Tuscano Joseph M , Poh Christina , Rosenberg Aaron S , Jonas Brian A. , Barisone Gustavo , Lundeberg Kathleen , Schwab Emily , Kaesberg Paul
Published: December 2019

Background: While many humanized monoclonal antibodies utilize complement dependent cytotoxicity, the complement depleting effects of these antibodies and the effect of complement replacement are not well-described. This study sought to examine complement levels and the effect of complement repletion after treatment with ofatumumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Methods: Twelve patients with relapsed or refractory CLL were treated with ofatumumab in combination with fresh frozen plasma used as complement replacement. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. Correlative endpoints included complement levels C3 and C4 and complement activity. Results: Adverse events were minimal, and efficacy was encouraging with an overall response rate of 83% and 2 patients (17%) achieving a complete response. While only 2 (17%) of patients had low complement activity at baseline, 8 (67%) developed low levels of complement activity. At a median follow-up time of 37 months the median progression-free survival was 12.5 months. Conclusions: While a minority of patients had low complement activity at baseline, a majority developed low levels of complement with ofatumumab treatment. The magnitude of complement depletion did not correlate with response. Future trials are needed to further explore complement replacement as a less toxic strategy to improve efficacy of monoclonal antibody-based regimens in CLL.
Cellular Retinol Binding Protein I transfection in H460 non-small lung carcinoma cells reduces proliferation and AKT-related gene expression
Authors: Ferlosio Amedeo , Agostinelli Sara , Doldo Elena , Costanza Gaetana , Centofanti Federica , Orlandi Augusto
Published: December 2019

Background: In recent years, new treatments with novel action mechanisms have been explored for advancer lung cancer. Retinoids were shown to promote cancer cell differentiation and death of and their action is mediated from specific cytoplasmic and nuclear receptors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Cellular retinol binding Protein I (CRBPI) transfection in H460 human non-small cell lung cancer cell line normally not expressing that receptor.Methods: H460 cells were transfected by using a vector pTargeT Mammalian expression system carrying the whole sequence of CRBPI gene. For proliferation and apoptosis studies, cells were treated with different concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid ( at RA) and retinol. AKT-related gene expression was analyzed by using western blot and Signosis array. Results were analysed using d by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed from a Bonferroni post hoc test or with t-student test.Results: CRBPI + showed a reduced proliferation and viability in basal condition and after at RA treatment when compared to empty-transfected H460 cells. Reduced proliferation in CRBPI + H460 cells associated to the down-regulation of pAKT/pERK/pEGFR genes. In particular, gene array documented in CRBPI + H460 cells the down-regulation of AKT and Stat-3-related genes, including M-Tor, Akt1, Akt2, Akt3, Foxo1, Foxo3, p21, p27, pTen, Jun.Conclusion: Restoration of CRBPI expression in H460 cells reduced proliferation and viability in both basal condition and after at RA treatment, likely by down-regulating AKT-related gene level. Further studies are needed to better clarify how those CRBPI-related intracellular pathways contribute to counteract non-small cell lung carcinoma progression in order to suggest a potential tool to improve efficacy of retioid anti lung cancer adjuvant therapy.
A key genomic subtype associated with lymphovascular invasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jian , Jiang Huali , Xie Tao , Wang Baiyao , Huang Xiaoting , Lin Jie , Xu Anan , Li Rong , Yuan Yawei
Published: December 2019

Objective: Lymphovascular invasion (LOI), a key pathological feature of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), predicts poor survival. However, the associated clinical characteristics remain uncertain, and the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Methods: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to construct gene co-expression networks and investigate the relationship between modules and LOI clinical trait. Functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed for differentially expressed genesusing DAVID database. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape software, and module analysis was performed using MCODE. Survival analysis and unsupervised hierarchical clustering were used to evaluate the relationships among LOI-associated genomic subtype, clinicopathological features and patient outcomes. And the potential targeted LOI molecular agents were identiﬁed with DrugBank. Results: 10 co-expression modules in two key modules (turquoise and pink) associated with tumor LOI were identiﬁed. Functional enrichment and KEGG analysis identified turquoise and pink modules played signiﬁcant roles in the progression of HNSCC. The 24 genes in two modules were identiﬁed as hub genes. Clustering analysis with seven hub genes set further divided cases into subtypes 1 and 2, which were signiﬁcantly associated with pathology-determined LOI status in both cohorts. The 10-year overall survival of subtype 2 was signiﬁcantly worse than that of subtype 1. Conclusions: Our research revealed the key co-expression modules and identiﬁed seven prognostic biomarkers, including CCNA2, CNFN, DEPDC1, KIF18, KIF23, PRC1, TTK, which provide some new insights into LOI of HNSCC. Additionally, the small molecular agents may be a candidate drug for treating LOI.
Knowledge Of Glaucoma And Associated Factors Among Adults In Gish Abay Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Bizuneh Zewdu Yenegeta , Tsega Ayanaw , Addis Yezinash , Admassu Fisseha
Published: December 2019

Introduction Glaucoma is a global public health problem and it is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the fifth cause of blindness in Ethiopia. Even though public knowledge of glaucoma is a key for early case identification and prevention of blindness, it is unknown in the study area, making provision of interventions difficult. Objective: To assess knowledge of glaucoma and associated factors among adults in Gish Abay town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018 Methods: A Community based cross - sectional study design with systematic random sampling technique was used to select 630 adults. The study was conducted from April 25-May 05, 2018. Data was entered into Epi Info version 7 and was analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Binary logistic regression model and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level was used to identify the significant factors associated with knowledge of glaucoma. P–value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: About 594 adults were participated with a response rate of 94%. Nearly 52% of the participants were females with median age of 28 years. The proportion of good knowledge was demonstrated in 68.9% [95% CI; 61, 75.9]. Educational status: secondary education [AOR; 4.01: 1.15, 13.94], college and above [AOR; 4.49: 1.31, 15.32], history of eye examination [AOR; 2.86: 1.05, 7.79] and younger age (18-22) [6.39: 1.82, 22.41] were positively associated with good knowledge of glaucoma. Conclusion and recommendation: The proportion of good knowledge of glaucoma was high. Better educational status, younger age, eye examination at least once in life and higher income level were associated with better knowledge of glaucoma. Recognizing the severity of glaucoma, enhancing knowledge is paramount at the community.
A localization transition underlies the mode-coupling crossover of glasses
Authors: Coslovich Daniele , Ninarello Andrea , Berthier Ludovic
Published: December 2019

We study the equilibrium statistical properties of the potential
energy landscape of several glass models in a temperature regime so far
inaccessible to computer simulations. We show that unstable modes of the
stationary points undergo a localization transition in real space close
to the mode-coupling crossover temperature determined from the dynamics.
The concentration of localized unstable modes found at low temperature
is a non-universal, finite dimensional feature not captured by
mean-field glass theory. Our analysis reconciles, and considerably
expands, previous conflicting numerical results and provides a
characteristic temperature for glassy dynamics that unambiguously
locates the mode-coupling crossover.
COMPARAÇÃO ENTRE OS MÉTODOS METROPOLIS-HASTINGS E MONTE CARLO HAMILTONIANO NA IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE PROPRIEDADES TERMOFÍSICAS EM PROBLEMAS DE CONDUÇÃO DE CALOR
Authors: Torres Maicon de Paiva , Stutz Leonardo Tavares , Neto Antônio José da Silva
Published: December 2019

Neste trabalho é formulado e resolvido o problema inverso de transferência de calor por condução, para a identificação de propriedades termofísicas, i.e., a capacidade térmica volumétrica e a condutividade térmica de um material polimérico, via inferência Bayesiana. Para a solução do problema inverso formulado com base no teorema de Bayes são considerados dois métodos de Monte Carlo com cadeias de Markov: o método de Metropolis-Hastings (MH) e o método de Monte Carlo Hamiltoniano (HMC). O mesmo modelo matemático é usado na geração dos dados experimentais sintéticos e na solução do problema direto, contudo, diferentes técnicas de solução são consideradas de forma a atenuar o crime inverso. Para tanto, a técnica da transformada integral clássica (CITT) é usada para gerar os dados sintéticos enquanto o método das diferenças finitas (FDM) é empregado na solução do problema direto. Dos resultados analisados é possível concluir que o método HMC, por ter um mecanismo determinístico para a exploração do espaço dos parâmetros, é mais eficiente e consistente que o MH. As cadeias de Markov dos parâmetros obtidos via HMC possuem menor burn-in (região de aquecimento) e as amostras são menos correlacionadas.
ANÁLISE NUMÉRICA DO EFEITO DA GEOMETRIA NA RESISTÊNCIA DE UM SISTEMA DE IMPLANTE DENTÁRIO
Authors: Felippi Christian , Da Silva Rafaela Lopes , De Almeida Julio Cézar
Published: December 2019

Para garantir que, mesmo sob solicitações mecânicas repetitivas, não ocorram falhas em um sistema de implante dentário, é imprescindível compreender a influência dos parâmetros geométricos na resistência mecânica. Neste trabalho foi avaliado a influência da altura de transmucoso e do diâmetro de componentes protéticos retos na resistência mecânica em quatro grupos, considerando os extremos de cada parâmetro, em configuração de acordo com a norma ISO 14801. A avaliação se deu por simulações estáticas não lineares pelo método de elementos finitos, através do software comercial FEMAP. Os resultados mostraram que, de acordo com o que é apresentado em literatura, a porção entre a cervical e os três primeiros filetes da rosca externa do implante foi a que apresentou a maior solicitação mecânica e, portanto, a mais suscetível à falha. O diâmetro foi o parâmetro de maior influência, possuindo influência positiva (diminuição da tensão) com o aumento do mesmo. A altura de transmucoso teve um efeito positivo somente nos componentes de maior diâmetro e pouco impacto nos componentes protéticos de menor diâmetro. Concluiu-se ainda que o grupo com componente protético de menor diâmetro e maior altura foi o que obteve maiores tensões, sendo, portanto, o caso crítico para o ensaio mecânico.
MÉTODOS DINÂMICOS APLICADOS NA AVALIAÇÃO DE COMPÓSITO DE GESSO E MANTA DE SISAL
Authors: Brandão Catharine Pereira , Carvalho Ricardo Fernandes
Published: December 2019

O gesso é um material cerâmico de ruptura frágil, por isso há o interesse de modificar esse comportamento com a introdução de fibras como reforço. A maximização da fração volumétrica de fibras adicionada à matriz favorece a eficiência mecânica do compósito. Com uso da fibra na configuração de manta espera-se aumentar o teor de fibra randomicamente adicionada ao compósito. Ensaios dinâmicos não - destrutivos são utilizados na determinação dos módulos de Young dos materiais. Neste trabalho, buscou-se avaliar o compósito com matriz de gesso associado à manta de sisal por métodos dinâmicos de excitação por impulso e propagação do ultrassom e comparar com o módulo de Young obtido através do ensaio de resistência à flexão 4 pontos. Os módulos elásticos por flexão 4 pontos são inferiores em relação aos módulos determinados por métodos dinâmicos. O módulo elástico pelo método de ultrassom se relaciona com a densidade do compósito podendo ser este o método mais indicado para controle de qualidade do material. O módulo elástico calculado através do método de ressonância se aproxima ao obtido pelo método de flexão. Houve abertura de fissuras, sem separação do compósito em partes. Houve aumento da tenacidade, com comportamento de multifissuração durante a fase plástica.
ANÁLISE DE SENSIBILIDADE EM UM SISTEMA DE LEVITAÇÃO ACÚSTICA DE CAMPO PRÓXIMO SUJEITO A INCERTEZAS
Authors: Arruda Zuffi Geisa , Lobato Fran Sérgio , Lara – Molina Fabian Andres , Cavalini Junior Aldemir Aparecido , Steffen Junior Valder
Published: December 2019

Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o efeito de parâmetros incertos em um sistema mecânico que representa o fenômeno da levitação acústica de campo próximo, cujo comportamento dinâmico é descrito pela equação de Reynolds. As incertezas consideradas são devidas às variações nas condições ambientais e  no sistema de atuação, sendo estas representadas por variáveis aleatórias. As forças de sustentação associadas ao problema avaliado são obtidas a partir da solução do modelo e do método de simulação de Monte Carlo. Os resultados numéricos obtidos permitiram avaliar a resposta incerta do sistema e determinar a sensibilidade de cada parâmetro incerto na variação das forças de sustentação encontradas.
SISTEMA DE SECAGEM VIA ENERGIA SOLAR E ACUMULADOR DE CALOR PARA AMÊNDOAS DE CACAU
Authors: Sales Jorge Henrique , Soglia Luiz , Girotto Pedro Henrique
Published: December 2019

A forma tradicional de secagem das amêndoas do cacau ocorre através das barcaças: estruturas de madeira ou alvenaria onde as amêndoas são dispostas e a secagem acontece por incidência solar direta. Durante o período noturno, ou de baixa incidência solar, utiliza-se o calor proveniente da queima de combustíveis para a secagem. Porém essa queima gera resíduos que contaminam as amêndoas, diminuindo o seu valor comercial e a sua aceitação no mercado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema que capte a energia solar através de uma série de espelhos semicilíndricos e transfira o calor para um tanque acumulador contendo NaCl sólido. A energia térmica acumulada é utilizada para aquecer um fluxo de ar durante o período noturno, que realizará uma secagem uniforme e limpa das amêndoas de cacau. As simulações do sistema foram realizadas no software COMSOL Multiphysics® e demonstraram que, para a incidência solar média de Ilhéus-BA, são necessários seis espelhos semicilíndricos de 0,30 m de diâmetro por 1,00 m de comprimento cada, dispostos sequencialmente, para aquecer e manter a temperatura em torno de 50 °C no período diurno, demonstrando que este sistema pode fornecer adequadamente a energia térmica necessária para a secagem das amêndoas dentro da faixa ideal de temperatura.
ANÁLISE DE LAYOUT COM AUXÍLIO DA SIMULAÇÃO COMPUTACIONAL APLICADO EM UMA CONFECÇÃO
Authors: De Freitas Jéssica Viana , Ferreira Felipe Ungarato , Almeida José Ulian Cardoso , Silva Paulo César Lima , Dos Santos Ramon Araújo
Published: December 2019

A indústria têxtil é uma forte geradora de empregos no Brasil, além de possuir exportações crescentes e grande volume de produção, tendo importância significativa para economia nacional. Além disso, o setor tem um forte papel no desenvolvimento nacional, eleva a capacidade produtiva das pessoas e cria oportunidades de emprego. Diante disto, a produção deve ser bem projetada para proporcionar maior eficiência, reduzir desperdícios e proporcionar maior rentabilidade, gerando maior competitividade. Logo, este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar problemas rotineiros em uma empresa do setor de confecção, propondo soluções na busca pelo aperfeiçoamento do layout, avaliando e sugerindo disposições mais adequadas para o ambiente. Para alcançar os objetivos, foi utilizada a simulação computacional como ferramentas para a tomada de decisões, analisando-se dois cenários através do software Flexsim©. As simulações apontaram que os dois cenários propostos geraram melhorias ao sistema de produção. O primeiro, com adição de um novo processo na linha de produção, teve um aumento de 32,61% na produtividade. Já o segundo cenário, com a adições do mesmo processo do primeiro cenário e de uma máquina de travete, proporcionou um aumento de 103,21% da produção. Logo, estes resultados demonstram a importância da simulação para melhorias fabris, impactando na produtividade e rentabilidade nas organizações.
Epicardial Fat: A New Therapeutic Target in Psoriasis
Authors: Kamath Preetha , Benesh Gabrielle , Romanelli Paolo , Iacobellis Gianluca
Published: December 2019

:

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting over 8 million Americans. Importantly, patients
with psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and myocardial
infarctions. Several studies have suggested that psoriasis may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular
disease given their shared inflammatory properties and pathogenic similarities. Epicardial fat is also linked to
cardiovascular disease and may be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. It has been proposed that measuring
epicardial fat tissue may serve as a useful subclinical measure of cardiovascular disease in psoriasis patients.
Echocardiography has been increasingly adopted as an accurate, minimally invasive, and cost-effective
measure of determining the volume and thickness of epicardial fat. Using echocardiographic measures of epicardial
fat thickness as a marker of cardiovascular disease and therapeutic target in psoriasis patients may provide
clinicians with a means to better manage and hopefully prevent deleterious downstream effects.
Discovery of Substituted N-(6-Chloro-3-cyano-4-phenyl-4H-chromen-2-yl)- 2-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-acetamide for Biphasic Anticancer and Anticonvulsant Activities
Authors: Chauhan Divya , Hashim Syad Riaz , Rani Prinka , Kumar Sushil , Shrimal Navratan , Shastri Divya , Raj Vinit
Published: December 2019

Background :

Privileged 4H-chromenes possess potent anticancer and anticonvulsant activities. By the inspiring potency of 4H-chromenes and demands of the present era of scaffolds, an effective molecule was discovered for the treatment of cancer and related diseases.

Objective :

This study designed and synthesized a novel series of 4H-chromene derivatives from one-port synthesis for the treatment of cancer and other such diseases.

Methods:

A side amide chain was substituted in multiple steps on the amine group of chromene. Later, the anticancer activity of synthesized compounds was investigated against the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Moreover, anticonvulsant activity was also detected using maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model and subcutaneous Metrazol Seizure Threshold Test (scMET) in albino Wistar rats. Neurotoxicity was evaluated by using the rotarod test. Before the synthesis, docking studies were performed using various molecular targets. Subsequently, the computational study of the titled compounds was performed to predict the pharmacokinetic profile.

Results:

Among the fifteen tested compounds, A4 and A9 were found to be active against HT-29 cells (growth inhibitory dose 50% (GI50) <11μM). Moreover, compounds A4 showed the protection at 300mg/kg in scMET (h) for albino Wistar rats and compounds A9, A11, and A15 exhibited the anticonvulsant effect at the doses 100, 300 and 300 mg/kg, respectively in MES screen (h).

Conclusion :

Due to these encouraging results, we concluded that both A4 and A9 may be effective for treatement against colon cancer, while compound A9 may be used as a considerable effective molecule for the treatment of epilepsy.
Reducing the PDEs to ODEs through lie vectors using the integrated factors
Authors: Fogel Tony Brian , Lucky Steven Segan , Mandy James Arnold , Wellbirth Berth Bryan
Published: December 2019

We reduce the PDEs to ODEs through Lie vectors as previously done through two reduction stages. Some of these ODEs have no solution. Some researchers in this step, use the SMM, power series method or Riccati equation method to solve non-solvable equations. We use the integrating factors as a tool to reduce the order and the nonlinearity in an ODE. This explores new solutions as it appears for the (2+1)-dimensional (CBS) and (3+1)-dimensional generalized BKP solutions compared results.
A comparative study of Mawasangka and Wakatobi language in South East Sulawesi
Authors: Ana Haerun
Published: December 2019

This research aims at investigating the relationship between Mawasangka language (ML) and Wakatobi language (WL) in Southeast Sulawesi. This research was conducted based on qualitative and quantitative methods (mixed methods). The qualitative analysis shows that both languages have similar vowel and consonants sounds, and phonetic long vocoid sounds.  Besides, both languages have unique bilabial implosive consonant /ɓ/, alveolar implosive /ɗ/, velar fricative /ĝ/; and clusters of /ns/, /nt/, /nd/, /mb/, /ŋk/, /ŋg/, and /mp/; and all syllables are opened or categorized as vocalist languages. Both languages also have perfected phoneme correspondences. In addition, the result of the quantitative approach using the lexicostastics technique shows that the relationship of ML-WL is 43,43%. Based on the percentage, ML and WL show closed relationship which is categorized as different languages from the same language family.
Destructive testing method for specimen and crystal structure on maximum solubility
Authors: Manuel Sorrow George , Cross Jack Santo , Silvester David Mick , Blour Romano Proud , Stagger Janet Napolion
Published: December 2019

From non-destructive testing, we have found various flaws in both specimens so no method in the universe is perfect but we can rectify the defects but cannot be removed completely. From destructive testing we have found that First specimen MS (MS) sustain stress without failure due its similar crystal structure (BCC) on the other hand second specimen have failed within the lower stress range due to lack of cohesion, adhesion between the dissimilar metals MS and SS, and also both have different crystal structures BCC and FCC respectively. Thus, to gain maximum strength of weld bead, welding should be done using similar metals with maximum solubility.