bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Soil Loss Using Remote Sensing And GIS-Based Universal Soil Loss Equation In Northern Catchment of Lake Tana Sub-Basin, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Balabathina Veera Narayana , RP Raju , Mulualem Wuletaw , Tadele Gedefaw
Published: October 2020

Background: Soil erosion, one of the major environmental challenges, is influenced by topography, climate, soil characteristics, and human activities and has a significant impact on potential land productivity and food security in many highland regions of Ethiopia. The present study attempts to estimate soil erosion risk in the Northern catchment of Lake Tana basin, situated in northwest part of Ethiopia, with available data through the application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation model integrated with Geographic Information System and remote sensing technologies to identify priority areas for controlling soil erosion. In addition, it analyzes the effect of land use and land cover, topography, erodibility, and drainage density on soil erosion potential of the catchment, and the possible relationships among them. Results: The results show that the mean annual soil loss of catchment is estimated at 37.89 ± 59.2 t ha−1yr−1 with a total annual soil loss of 1,705,370 tons. The topography (LS-factor), followed by the support practice (P-factor) and the soil erodibility (K-factor) were the most sensitive factors affecting soil erosion in the catchment. To identify high priority areas for management, the study area was subdivided into five major sub-basins and further categorized into five erosion classes based on erosion severity. The mean soil erosion rates of the Derma, Megech, Gumara, Garno, and Gabi Kura River sub-basins are 46.8, 40.98, 30.95, 30.04, and 29.66 t ha−1yr−1, respectively. About 58.9% of the area was found in very low erosion risk which extends from 0-1 t ha−1yr−1 and accounted only 1.1% of total soil loss, while 12.4% of the area was found to be under high and extreme erosion risk with erosion rates of 10 t ha−1yr−1 or more that contributes about 82.1% of total soil loss warrant high priority for reducing the risk of soil erosion. Conclusions: This study permits the understanding of the soil erosion process and the various factors that lead to the spatial variability of the risk in the catchment, and thus enhances the effectiveness of proposed conservation strategies for sustainable land management.
Prognosis Effects of Interventional Therapy on Patients with Coronary Slow Flow: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Guo Qixin , He Ying , Guan Yihong , Tong Guoxin , Shen Yun , Meng Shasha , Huang Jinyu
Published: October 2020

Background: The phenomenon of slow coronary blood flow is common clinically and is related to the patient experiencing repeated chest distress. The mechanism of slow blood flow is still unclear, and the prognosis after combined interventional therapy is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the role of interventional therapy in this part of the population through the results of a 2-year follow-up.Methods: A total of 4663 patients who underwent continuous coronary angiography (CAG) were identified. Those patients with primary slow coronary flow were included in the study (n=369). The population was then divided into the PCI group and the N-PCI group. CTFT is used to assess the severity of slow blood flow. The endpoint events were the occurrence of rehospitalization and out-of-hospital death within 2 years. The log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression were used to evaluate and analyze the final results.Results: A total of 36 patients were readmitted to hospital, and 14 died suddenly outside the hospital during the follow-up period. Among these patients, 6 and 2 patients comprised the PCI group, while 30 and 12 patients comprised the N-PCI group. Comparison of the two groups showed no significant superiority (15.1% vs 13%, P=0.73). In Cox regression analysis, high BMI (body mass index) was an independent predictor of adverse end events (P=0.024).Conclusions: Interventional therapy may not improve outcomes in patients with slow coronary blood flow. BMI plays an important role in the influence of prognosis. Further research is needed to investigate this conclusion.
Myosin 1f-mediated Activation of Microglia Contributes to the Photoreceptor Degeneration in a Mouse Model of Retinal Detachment
Authors: Wang Yimin , Zhao Xiaohuan , Gao Min , Wan Xiaoling , Guo Yinong , Qu Yingying , Chen Yuhong , Li Tong , Liu Haiyun , Jiang Mei , Wang Feng , Sun Xiaodong
Published: October 2020

Background: Photoreceptor death and neurodegeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss. The inflammatory response of microglia plays an important role in the process of neurodegeneration. In this study, we examined the involvement of myosin 1f as a key regulator of immune cell activation via the AKT and MAPK pathways in microglia. Methods: We chose retinal detachment as the model of photoreceptor degeneration. Immunofluorescence and Western Blot was performed to confirm the expression and location of myosin 1f in detached retina. The RD mouse model was induced in WT and myosin 1f-/- mice and confirmed by HE and TUNEL staining. The expression of inflammatory cytokine and downstream pathways was assessed via qPCR and WB.Results: Myosin 1f was upregulated after retinal detachment, and it was specifically expressed in microglia. Deficiency of myosin 1f protected against cell death by inhibiting microglia activation. The elimination of microglia can abolish the protective effect of myosin 1f deficiency. After stimulation by LPS, microglia with myosin 1f deficiency showed downregulation of the MAPK and AKT pathways.Conclusions: Myosin 1f plays a crucial role in microglia-induced neuro-inflammation after retinal injury and photoreceptor degeneration by regulating 2 classic pathways, MAPK and AKT, and thereby decreasing the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Myosin 1f can be inhibited to prevent a decline in visual acuity after photoreceptor degeneration.
TCP1 Regulates PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signalling Pathway to Promote Ovarian Cancer Cell Proliferation
Authors: Weng Huixi , Feng Xiushan , Lan Yu , Zheng Zhiqun
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveTCP1 is one of the eight subunits of the TCP1 ring complex (TRiC) or the multi-protein mammalian cytosolic chaperone complex. TRiC participates in protein folding and regulates the expression of multiple signalling proteins and cytoskeletal components in cells. Although the clinical importance of its subunits has been clarified in various carcinomas, the function of TCP1 in ovarian cancer (OC) remains unclear. We aimed to identify the association between the expression of TCP1 and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) development and patients’ prognosis, and explore the underlying mechanisms of TCP1 on the tumour progression of ovarian cancer cells.MethodsTCP1 protein expression was tested in the various ovarian tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the correlation between TCP1 expression and clinical physiologic or pathologic parameters of EOC patients was analyzed in this study. The relationship between TCP1 expression and ovarian cancer patients’ prognosis was collected and analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier (KM) Plotter online database. Then, the expression levels of TCP1 was tested in different OC cell lines by Western blot. Furthermore, a model using ovarian cancer cell line A2780 was constructed for studying the functions of TCP1 in human EOC cell growth, migration, and invasion. Finally, possible regulated signalling pathways were discussed.ResultsTCP1 protein expression in ovarian cancer or borderline tissue was significantly higher compared to that in benign ovarian tumours and normal ovarian tissue. The upregulated expression of TCP1 in ovarian cancer was positively associated with and the differentiation grade and FIGO stage, which predicted poor clinical outcomes. Compared with IOSE-80 cells, TCP1 protein was overexpressed in the A2780 cells. TCP1 knockdown using shRNA lentivirus inhibited cell viability in A2780 cells. Western blot showed that the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signalling pathway was activated in the tumour invasion of EOC driven by TCP1. ConclusionThe protein level of TCP1 is overexpressed in aggressive histologic types of epithelial ovarian cancer. Upregulated TCP1 is correlated with poor prognosis of patients and TCP1 may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker. The mechanism of cancer progression promoted by TCP1 upregulation may be linked to the PI3K signalling pathway activation and TCP1 may serve as a novel target for ovarian cancer treatment.
Femtosecond pumping of nuclear isomeric states by the Coulomb collision of ions with quivering electrons
Authors: Fu Changbo , Feng Jie , Wang Wenzhao , Chen Liming , Tan Junhao , Li Yaojun , Wang Jinguang , Li Yifei , Zhang Guoqiang , Ma Yugang , Zhang Jie
Published: October 2020

Efficient production of metastable quantum states of nuclei (isomers) is critical for exotic applica- tions, like nuclear clocks, nuclear batteries, clean nuclear energy, and nuclear gamma-ray lasers[1–6]. However, due to low reaction cross sections and quick decay, it is extremely difficult to acquire sig- nificant amount of isomers with short lifetimes via traditional accelerators or reactors. Here, we present femtosecond pumping of nuclear isomeric states by the Coulomb excitation of ions with the quivering electrons induced by laser fields for the first time. Nuclear isomers populated on the second excited state of 83Kr, are generated with a rate of 3.84 × 10^17 per second from a table-top hundreds-TW laser system. This high efficiency of isomer production can be explained by Coulomb collision[7] of ions with the quivering electrons during the laser-cluster interactions at nearly solid densities.
The effects of canola and olive oils on lipid profile and fatty liver compared to sunflower oil in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yahay Maryam , Heidari Zahra , Allameh Zahra , Amani Reza
Published: October 2020

BackgroundPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies and metabolic disorders in women during their reproductive years and is often associated with dyslipidaemia and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary intervention with canola and olive oils in comparison with sunflower oil on lipid profile and fatty liver severity among women with PCOS.MethodThis study was a 10 weeks intervention including 72 women with PCOS. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups to receive 25 g/day canola, olive, or sunflower oils for 10 weeks. The primary outcome was any changes in the lipid profile and the secondary outcome was a change in fatty liver severity.ResultAt the end of the study, 72 patients with a mean age of 29.31 were analyzed. Canola oil consumption led to a significant reduction in serum levels of triglycerides and TC/HDL (p = 0.021), LDL/HDL (p = 0.047), and TG/HDL (p = 0.001) ratios, but there was no significant reduction in lipid profile following olive oil consumption. Moreover, both the canola (p < 0.001) and olive oils (p = 0.005) could significantly reduce the fatty liver grade.ConclusionOverall, compared to the olive and sunflower oils, significant improvements in lipid profile and liver function were observed following consumption of canola oil in women with PCOS.Trial registrationIR.MUI.RESEARCH.REC.1397.315. Registered 30 JUNE 2019 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/38684
Hydrous SiO2 in subducted oceanic crust and water transport to the core-mantle boundary
Authors: Lin Yanhao , Hu Qingyang , Yang Jing , Meng Yue , Zhuang Yukai , Walter Michael , Mao Ho-Kwang
Published: October 2020

Subduction of oceanic lithosphere transports surface water into the mantle where it can have remarkable effects, but how much can be cycled down into the deep mantle, and potentially to the core, remains ambiguous. Recent studies show that dense SiO2 in the form of stishovite, a major phase in subducted oceanic crust at depths greater than ~300 km, has the potential to host and carry water into the lower mantle. We investigate the hydration of stishovite and its higher-pressure polymorphs, CaCl2-type SiO2 and seifertite, in experiments at pressures of 44–152 GPa and temperatures of ~1380–3300 K. We quantify the water storage capacity of these dense SiO2 phases at high pressure and find that water stabilizes CaCl2-type SiO2 to pressures beyond the base of the mantle. We parametrize the P-T dependence of water capacity and model H2O storage in SiO2 along a lower mantle geotherm. Dehydration of slab mantle in cooler slabs in the transition zone can release fluids that hydrate stishovite in oceanic crust. Hydrous SiO2 phases are stable along a geotherm and progressively dehydrate with depth, potentially causing partial melting or silica enrichment in the lower mantle. Oceanic crust can transport ~0.2 wt% water to the core-mantle boundary region where, upon heating, it can initiate partial melting and react with the core to produce iron hydrides, providing plausible explanations for ultra-low velocity regions at the base of the mantle.
Dynamic Perfusion Digital Radiography for Predicting Pulmonary Function After Lung Cancer Resection
Authors: Jun Hanaoka , Yoden Makoto , Hayashi Kazuki , Shiratori Takuya , Okamoto Keigo , Kaku Ryosuke , Kawaguchi Yo , Ohshio Yasuhiko , Sonoda Akinaga
Published: October 2020

Background: Accurate prediction of postoperative pulmonary function is important for ensuring the safety of patients undergoing radical resection for lung cancer. Dynamic perfusion digital radiography is an excellent and easy imaging method for detecting blood flow in the lung compared with the less convenient conventional lung perfusion scintigraphy. As such, the present study aimed to confirm whether dynamic perfusion digital radiography can be evaluated in comparison with pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy in predicting early postoperative pulmonary function.Methods: Dynamic perfusion digital radiography and spirometry were performed before and 1 and 3 months after radical resection for lung cancer. Correlation coefficients between blood flow ratios calculated using dynamic perfusion digital radiography and pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy were then confirmed in the same cases. In all patients who underwent dynamic perfusion digital radiography, the correlation predicted values calculated from the blood flow ratio and measured values were examined. Furthermore, ppo%FEV1 or ppo%DLco values, which indicated the risk for perioperative complications, were examined.Results: A total of 52 participants who satisfied the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Blood flow ratios measured using pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy and dynamic perfusion digital radiography showed excellent correlation and acceptable predictive accuracy. Correlation coefficients between predicted FEV1 values obtained from dynamic perfusion digital radiography or pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy and actual measured values were similar. All patients who underwent dynamic perfusion digital radiography showed excellent correlation between predicted values and those measured using spirometry. A significant difference in ppo%DLco was observed for respiratory complications but not cardiovascular complications.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that dynamic perfusion digital radiography can be a suitable alternative to pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy given its ability for predicting postoperative values and the risk for postoperative respiratory complications. Furthermore, it seemed to be an excellent modality because of its advantages, such as simplicity, low cost, and ease in obtaining in-depth respiratory functional information.Trial registration: Registered at UMIN, on 25 October 2017, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_his_list.cgi?recptno=R000033957Registration number: UMIN000029716
Development of a novel transcription factors-related prognostic signature for serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Li He , Liu Zhao-Yi , Wu Nayiyuan , Chen Yong-Chang , Cheng Quan , Wang Jing
Published: October 2020

BackgroundOvarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynecological cancer globally. Serous ovarian cancer (SOC) is most common pathological type of ovarian cancer. Growing evidence suggests that transcription factors (TFs) play vital roles in serous ovarian cancer (SOC). In the present study, we aimed to develop a transcription factors-related prognostic signature to better predict the survival in patients with SOC.Materials and methodsThe TFs mRNA expression profiles of 564 SOC subjects in the TCGA database, and 70 SOC subjects in the GEO database were screened. Lasso cox regression and consensus clustering analysis were utilized to construct a novel TFs related signature and cluster model, respectively. Genomic alternative analysis was used to elaborate on the association between the TFs related prognostic signature and genomic aberrations. GSEA analysis was applied to identify the biological functional difference between high risk-score group and low-risk score group.ResultsA 17-TFs related prognostic signature was constructed using lasso cox regression and validated in the TCGA and GEO cohorts. Consensus clustering analysis was applied to establish a cluster model. The 17-TFs related prognostic signature, risk score, and cluster models were effective at accurately distinguishing the prognosis of SOC. The GSEA assay results suggested that there was a significant difference in the inflammatory and immune response pathways between the high-risk and low-risk score groups. Immune infiltration, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy responses were analyzed due to the significant difference in the regulation of lymphocyte migration and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity between the two groups; indicating that patients with low-risk score were more likely to respond anti-PD-1, etoposide, paclitaxel, and veliparib but not to gemcitabine, doxorubicin, docetaxel, and cisplatin. Also, the prognostic nomogram model revealed that the risk score was a good prognostic indicator for SOC patients.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we explored the prognostic values of TFs in SOC and developed a 17-TFs related prognostic signature to predict the survival of SOC patients.
Desulfurization of Vulcanized Rubber Particles Using Biological and Chemical Methods
Authors: Valdés Cristian , Hernández Camila , Morales-Vera Rodrigo , Andler Rodrigo
Published: October 2020

Currently, recycling or degradation treatments for tires are an enormous challenge. Despite efforts to dispose of or recycle it, rubber waste is increasing year by year worldwide. To create a rubber-recycling system, several researchers have proposed tire desulfurization. In this study, we compare two methods: one biological, using Acidobacillus ferroxidans in shake 250 mL flask experiments, and one chemical using, for the first time, microwaves and an aqueous solution. The results of these methods were analyzed through sulfate quantification, cross-linking differences, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with energy disperse spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). We observed that the amount of sulfates generated by the chemical system was 56 mg / L, which was 10-times higher than the biological system, which generated 5.3 mg / L. Similarly, after cross-linking studies, a 36% higher decrease after the chemical treatment was observed. When using FTIR analysis, the disappearance of characteristic bands corresponding to functional groups containing sulfur bonds was observed by treating the sample with both desulfurization mechanisms. Morphological changes on the rubber surface structure was also demonstrated by SEM-EDS analysis with the appearance of holes, cracks and changes in the porosity of the material. This work analyzed two different non-aggressive desulfurization mechanisms that might be used as sustainable methods for rubber recycling processes.
A Rechargeable Na/Cl Battery
Authors: Dai Hongjie , Zhu Guanzhou , Tian Xin , Tai Hung-Chun , Li Yuan-Yao , Li Jiachen , Sun Hao , Liang Peng , Angell Michael , Huang Cheng-Liang , Ku Ching-Shun , Hung Wei-Hsuan , Kai Jiang Shi , Meng Yongtao , Hwang Bing Joe
Published: October 2020

Sodium is a promising anode material for batteries due to its low standard electrode potential, high abundance and low cost. In this work, we report a new rechargeable ~ 3.5 V sodium ion battery using Na anode, amorphous carbon-nanosphere cathode and a starting electrolyte comprised of AlCl3 in SOCl2 with fluoride-based additives. The battery, exhibiting ultrahigh ~ 2800 mAh/g first discharge capacity, could cycle with a high reversible capacity up to ~ 1000 mAh/g. Through battery cycling, the electrolyte evolved to contain NaCl, various sulfur and chlorine species that supported anode’s Na/Na+ redox and cathode’s chloride/chlorine redox. Fluoride-rich additives were important in forming a solid-electrolyte interface, affording reversibility of the Na anode for a new class of high capacity secondary Na battery.
Baseline Global Longitudinal Strain Predictive of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Araujo-Gutierrez Raquel , Chitturi Kalyan R. , Xu Jiaqiong , Wang Yuanchen , Kinder Elizabeth , Senapati Alpana , Chebrolu L Bindu , Kassi Mahwash , Trachtenberg Barry H.
Published: October 2020

Background: Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is a major source of morbidity and mortality in long-term cancer survivors. Impaired GLS predicts decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients receiving anthracyclines, but knowledge regarding the clinical utility of baseline GLS in patients at low-risk of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is limited. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether baseline echocardiographic assessment of global longitudinal strain (GLS) before treatment with anthracyclines is predictive of cardiotoxicity in a broad cohort of patients with normal baseline LVEF..Methods: Study participants comprised 188 patients at a single institution who underwent baseline 2-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography before treatment with anthracyclines and at least one follow-up echocardiogram 3 months after chemotherapy initiation. Patients with a baseline LVEF <55% were excluded from the analysis. The primary endpoint, cardiotoxicity, was defined as an absolute decline in LVEF >10% from baseline and an overall reduced LVEF <50%. Potential and known risk factors were evaluated using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: Twenty-three patients (12.23%) developed cardiotoxicity. Among patients with cardiotoxicity, the mean GLS was -17.51% ± 2.77%. The optimal cutoff point for cardiotoxicity was -18.05%. The sensitivity was 0.70 and specificity was 0.70. The area under ROC curve was 0.70. After adjustment for cardiovascular and cancer therapy related risk factors, GLS or impaired baseline GLS ≥-18% was predictive of cardiotoxicity (adjusted hazards ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.00, 1.36; p=0.044 for GLS, or hazards ratio 3.54; 95% confidence interval 1.34, 9.35; p = 0.011 for impaired GLS), along with history of tobacco use, pre-chemotherapy systolic blood pressure, and cumulative anthracycline dose. Conclusions: Baseline GLS or impaired baseline GLS was predictive of cardiotoxicity before anthracycline treatment in a cohort of cancer patients with a normal baseline LVEF. This data supports the implementation of strain-protocol echocardiography in cardio-oncology practice for identifying and monitoring patients who are at elevated risk of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.
A Nanobody-horseradish Peroxidase Fusion Protein-based Competitive ELISA for Rapid Detection of Antibodies Against Porcine Circovirus Type 2
Authors: MU Yang , Jia Cunyu , Zheng Xu , Zhu Haipeng , Zhang Xin , Xu Haoran , Liu Baoyuan , Zhao Qin , Zhou En-Min
Published: October 2020

Background: The widespread popularity of porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2) has seriously affected the healthy development of the pig industry and caused huge economic losses worldwide. A rapid and reliable method is required for epidemiological investigation and evaluating the effect of immunization. However, the current methods for PCV2 antibody detection are time-consuming or very expensive and rarely meet the requirements for clinical application. we have constructed the platform for expressing the nanobody(Nb)‑horseradish peroxidase(HRP) fusion protein as an ultrasensitive probe to detect antibodies against the Newcastle disease virus(NDV), previously. In the present work, an Nb-HRP fusion protein-based competitive ELISA(cELISA) for rapid and simple detection antibodies against PCV2 was developed using this platform to detect anti-PCV2 antibodies in clinical porcine serum.Results: Using phage display technology, 19 anti-PCV2-Cap protein nanobodies were screened from a PCV2-Cap protein immunized Bactrian camel. With the platform, the PCV2-Nb15‑HRP fusion protein was then produced and used as a sensitive reagent for developing a cELISA to detect anti‑PCV2 antibodies. The cut‑off value of the cELISA was 20.72%, 360 porcine serum samples were tested by both newly developed cELISA and commercial kits. The sensitivity and specificity were 99.68% and 95.92%, respectively. The coincidence rate of the two methods was 99.17%. When detecting 620 clinical porcine serum samples, a good consistent (kappa value=0.954) was found between the result of the cELISA and that of commercial kits.Conclusions: In brief, the newly developed cELISA based PCV2-Nb15‑HRP fusion protein is a rapid, low-cost, reliable and useful nanobody-based tool for the serological evaluation of current PCV2 vaccines efficacy and indirect diagnosis of PCV2 infection.
The Clonogenic Assay: Robustness of Plating-Efficiency-Based Analysis is Strongly Compromised by Cellular Cooperation
Authors: Brix Nikko , Samaga Daniel , Hennel Roman , Gehr Katharina , Zitzelsberger Horst , Lauber Kirsten
Published: October 2020

Background:The clonogenic assay is a versatile and frequently used tool to quantify reproductive cell survival in vitro. Current state-of-the-art analysis relies on plating efficiency-based calculations which assume a linear correlation between the number of cells seeded and the number of colonies counted. The present study was designed to test the validity of this assumption and to evaluate the robustness of clonogenic survival results obtained.Methods:A panel of 50 established cancer cell lines was used for comprehensive evaluation of the clonogenic assay procedure and data analysis. We assessed the performance of plating efficiency-based calculations and examined the influence of critical experimental parameters, such as cell density seeded, assay volume, incubation time, as well as the cell line-intrinsic factor of cellular cooperation by auto‑/paracrine stimulation. Our findings were integrated into a novel mathematical approach for the analysis of clonogenic survival data.Results:For various cell lines, clonogenic growth behavior failed to be adequately described by a constant plating efficiency, since the density of cells seeded severely influenced the extent and the dynamics of clonogenic growth. This strongly impaired the robustness of survival calculations obtained by the current state-of-the-art method using plating efficiency-based normalization. A novel mathematical approach utilizing power regression and interpolation of matched colony numbers at different irradiation doses applied to the same dataset substantially reduced the impact of cell density on survival results. Cellular cooperation was observed to be responsible for the non-linear clonogenic growth behavior of a relevant number of cell lines and the impairment of survival calculations. With 28/50 cell lines of different tumor entities showing moderate to high degrees of cellular cooperation, this phenomenon was found to be unexpectedly common.Conclusions:Our study reveals that plating efficiency-based analysis of clonogenic survival data is profoundly compromised by cellular cooperation resulting in strongly underestimated assay-intrinsic errors in a relevant proportion of established cancer cell lines. This severely questions the use of plating efficiency-based calculations in studies aiming to achieve more than semiquantitative results. The novel approach presented here accounts for the phenomenon of cellular cooperation and allows the extraction of clonogenic survival results with clearly improved robustness.
Vemurafenib Sensitizes Melanoma Cells to Temozolomide by Downregulating MGMT Expression.
Authors: Ren Bingjie , Li Qiang , Zhao Jing , Guo Xia , Hu Yingxi , Wu Mengyao , Li Dapeng , Li Daoming , Tao Min , Liang Rongrui
Published: October 2020

BackgroundThe alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) is widely used to treat melanoma in clinical practice. However, cells expressing the DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) are highly resistant to this drug. Vemurafenib (vMF), a targeted BRAF kinase inhibitor, is applied to treat BRAF-V600 mutant metastatic melanoma. Studies have suggested that blocking this pathway prevents MGMT from affecting TMZ sensitization. However, reports of the use of the combination of vMF and TMZ in the treatment of melanoma are lacking.MethodsCell viability was detected by MTT assay, cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry, and the mRNA level of the MGMT gene was measured by RT-qPCR. Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining were utilized to determine the expression of the protein. The pcDNA3.1-MGMT vector was transiently transfected to generate MGMT-overexpressing cells for experiments. A nude mouse malignant melanoma xenograft model was established for in vivo drug experiments.ResultsvMF increased TMZ-induced cytotoxicity by increasing DNA damage. vMF inhibited the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway and the mRNA and protein expression of the MGMT gene. vMF did not inhibit MGMT protein expression in A375-MGMT OE cells, and the vMF-induced sensitization effect was attenuated. Moreover, TMZ exposure activated ERK activity in malignant melanoma. The expression of MGMT and p-ERK1/2 was positively correlated in melanoma tissues.ConclusionvMF sensitized melanoma to TMZ by inhibiting the MAPK/ERK-MGMT pathway, and the combination of vMF and TMZ is expected to improve the clinical treatment effect on malignant melanoma.
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Mortality Among Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Huang Mei-Feng , Lee Wei-Ju , Yeh Yi-Chun , Lin Yung-Shuan , Lin Hsiu-Fen , Wang Shuu-Jiun , Yang Yi-Hsin , Chen Cheng-Sheng , Fuh Jong-Ling
Published: October 2020

BackgroundNeuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) could increase mortality risk in people with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, whether NPS affects mortality risk in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and whether any specific syndrome of NPS influences this risk are still unclear.MethodsIn total, 984 participants with dementia due to AD, 338 with MCI, and 365 controls were enrolled. Over a mean of 5-year follow-up, cause of death data were obtained from the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan. NPS were assessed using Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), and psychosis, mood, and frontal domain scores were determined. Survival analyses were conducted to determine the hazard ratio (HR) of death.ResultsIn controlled analyses, HR of death for AD was 2.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29–3.71) compared with the control group, whereas no statistical significance was noted for the MCI group. A high NPI-Q score (above the median score) increased mortality risk for both the MCI and AD groups, with HRs of 2.32 (95% CI = 1.07–5.03) and 2.60 (95% CI = 1.51–4.47), respectively. Among NPI-Q domain scores, only high mood domain, but not psychosis or frontal domain, scores increased death risk for both the MCI (HR = 2.89, 95% CI = 1.00–8.51) and AD (HR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.47–4.55) groups.ConclusionsMortality risk is high for patients with AD. Not only for AD, patients with MCI presenting with NPS, particularly mood symptoms, have high death risk.
An electronic neuromorphic system for real-time detection of High Frequency Oscillations (HFOs) in intracranial EEG
Authors: Sharifhazileh Mohammadali , Burelo Karla , Sarnthein Johannes , Indiveri Giacomo
Published: October 2020

The analysis of biomedical signals for clinical studies and therapeutic applications can benefit from compact and portable devices that can process these signals locally, in real-time, without the need for off-line processing. An example is the recording of intracranial EEG(iEEG) during epilepsy surgery with the detection of High Frequency Oscillations (HFOs, 80-500 Hz), which are a biomarker for the epileptogenic zone. Conventional approaches of HFO detection involve the offline analysis of prerecorded data, often on bulky computers. However, clinical applications during surgery or in long-term intracranial recordings demand a self-sufficient embedded device that is battery-powered to avoid interfering with other electronic equipment in the operation room. Mixed-signal and analog-digital neuromorphic circuits offer the possibility of building compact, embedded, and low-power neural network processing systems that can analyze data on-line and produce results with short latency in real-time. These characteristics are well suited for clinical applications that involve the processing of biomedical signals at (or very close to) the sensor level. In this work, we present a neuromorphic system that combines for the first time a neural recording headstage with a signal-to-spike conversion circuit and a multi-core spiking neural network (SNN) architecture on the same die for recording, processing, and detecting clinically relevant HFOs in iEEG from epilepsy patients. The device was fabricated using a standard 0.18μm CMOS technology node and has a total area of 99 mm2. We demonstrate its application to HFO detection in the iEEG recorded from 9 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who subsequently underwent epilepsy surgery. The total average power consumption of the chip during the detection task was 614.3 μW. We show how the neuromorphic system can reliably detect HFOs: the system predicts postsurgical seizure outcome with state-of-the-art accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity (78%, 100%, and 33% respectively). This is the first feasibility study towards identifying relevant features in intracranial human data in real-time, on-chip, using event-based processors and spiking neural networks. By providing “neuromorphic intelligence” to neural recording circuits the approach proposed will pave the way for the development of systems that can detect HFO areas directly in the operation room and improve the seizure outcome of epilepsy surgery.
Squamous cell carcinoma antigens (SCCAs) are sensitive biomarkers for atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hirayama Junya , Fujisawa Takao , Nagao Mizuho , Kuwabara Yu , Kainuma Keigo , Azuma Yoshinori , Ono Junya , Ohta Shoichiro , Hirayama Masahiro , Izuhara Kenji
Published: October 2020

Background We recently reported that squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 (SCCA2) is a reliable biomarker for atopic dermatitis (AD) in children. To further clarify its utility, we investigated for possible effects of comorbid allergies and AD treatment on serum SCCA levels in children and adolescents.Methods Volunteers aged less than 18 years were recruited through our website. Their allergic status was elucidated using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. We also recruited pediatric patients who needed to be hospitalized because of severe AD. The serum levels of SCCA1 and SCCA2 were measured by ELISAs. In the severe AD patients, the levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), SCCA1 and SCCA2 were measured before and after hospitalization. The severity of AD was assessed using the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index.Results A total of 576 participants (547 volunteers and 29 patients) were enrolled in the study. The levels of SCCA1 and SCCA2 were significantly higher in volunteers with mild AD and patients with severe AD than in healthy volunteers without allergic diseases. In contrast, the levels were not elevated in those who had mild bronchial asthma or mild allergic rhinitis without AD. TARC, SCCA1 and SCCA2 were decreased in patients with severe AD, reflecting clinical improvement in response to treatment. Linear regression analysis for predicting a decrease in the SCORAD index showed R2 values of 0.16, 0.38 and 0.48 for TARC, SCCA1 and SCCA2, respectively..Conclusions SCCAs, especially SCCA2, are sensitive biomarkers for detecting AD in children and adolescents, even in the mild stage, and for assessing the severity and response to treatment of severe AD.
Mitochondria-Related Core Genes and TF-miRNA-hub mrDEGs Network in Breast Cancer
Authors: Yan Li-rong , Wang Ang , Lv Zhi , Yuan Yuan , Xu Qian
Published: October 2020

BackgroundMitochondria-nuclear cross talk and mitochondrial retrograde regulation are involved in the genesis and development of breast cancer (BC). Therefore, mitochondria can be regarded as a promising target for BC therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we aimed to construct regulating network and seek the potential biomarkers of BC diagnosis, prognosis and also the molecular therapeutic targets from the perspective of mitochondrial dysfunction. MethodsThe microarray data of mitochondria-related encoding genes of BC were downloaded from GEO including GSE128610 and GSE72319. GSE128610 was treated as test set and validation sets consisted of GSE72319 and TCGA, which were used for identifying mitochondria-related differential expressed genes (mrDEGs). We performed enrichment analysis, PPI network, hub mrDEGs, and overall survival analysis and constructed transcription factor (TF)-miRNA-hub mrDEGs network. ResultsA total of 23 up-regulated and 71 down-regulated mrDEGs were identified and validated. Enrichment analyses indicated that mrDEGs were associated with several cancer-related biological processes, Moreover, 9 hub mrDEGs were identified and validated in tissues. Finally, 5 hub coregulated mrDEGs, 21 miRNA and 117 TF were used to construct TF-miRNA-hub mrDEGs network. MAZ, HDGF and SP2 could regulate 3 hub mrDEGs. hsa-mir-21-5p, hsa-mir-1-3p, hsa-mir-218-5p, hsa-mir-26a-5p, and hsa-mir-335-5p regulated 2 hub mrDEGs. Overall survival analysis suggested that the up-regulated FN1 and down-regulated DDR2 conferred to poor BC prognosis. ConclusionTF-miRNA-hub mrDEGs has instruction significance for the etiology exploration of BC. The identified hub mrDEGs, such as FN1 and DDR2, were likely to regulate mitochondrial function and might be novel biomarkers of BC diagnosis and prognosis as well as the therapeutic targets.
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Regulates Synaptic Plasticity in a Chronic Migraine Rat Model Through the PKC/NR2B Signal
Authors: Niu Yingying , Zeng Xiaoxu , Zhao Lilin , Zhou Yang , Qin Guangcheng , Zhang Dunke , Fu Qingqing , Zhou Jiying , Chen Li-Xue
Published: October 2020

Background: The mechanism of chronic migraine(CM) is complex, central sensitization is considered as one of the pathological mechanism. Synaptic plasticity is the basis of the central sensitization. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) plays a vital role in the synaptic plasticity of the central nervous system. However, whether mGluR5 can promote the central sensitization by regulating synaptic plasticity in CM is unknown. Methods: Male Wistar rats were used to establish a CM rat model, and the expression of mGluR5 mRNA and protein were detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The allodynia was assessed by mechanical and thermal thresholds, and central sensitization was assessed by expression of the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) at Serine 133（pCREB-S133）and c-Fos. The synaptic-associated protein postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD), synaptophysin (Syp), and synaptophysin-1(Syt-1) and synaptic ultrastructure were detected to explore synaptic plasticity. Results: We found that the expression of mGluR5 was upregulated in CM rats. Downregulated the mGluR5 with MPEP alleviated the allodynia and central sensitization. Moreover, mGluR5 regulated the synaptic plasticity by PKC/NR2B signal. Conclusions: These results indicate that mGluR5 contributed to central sensitization by regulating synaptic plasticity in CM through the PKC/NR2B signal, which suggests that mGluR5 may be a potential therapeutic candidate for CM.
Ursolic acid loaded-mesoporous hydroxylapatite/ chitosan therapeutic scaffolds promote the bone regeneration
Authors: Yu Xijiao , Wang Yuxuan , Liu Xiao-Liang , Yu Degang , Zhang Shanyong
Published: October 2020

Background: Mesoporous hydroxylapatite (MHAP) could play an important role in bone regeneration, and UA (Ursolic acid) also promote the osteogenic differentiation. Accordingly, we developed the UA loaded MHAP scaffolds to cure bone defects. In vitro, we synthesize biomaterial scaffolds. By SEM, XRD, EDS and FTIR, we test the performance of the hybrid scaffolds. By drug release, ALP staining, Alizarin red staining, and Western blotting, we test the osteo-inductive properties of scaffold materials. In vivo, We verify bone regeneration through a rat skull defect model.Results: The MHAP is a rod-shaped structure with a length of 100~300nm and a diameter of 40~60nm. The critical structure gives the micro scaffold a property of control release due to the pore sizes of 1.6~4.3 nm in hydroxyapatite and the hydrogen bonding between the scaffolds and UA drugs. The released UA drugs could notably promote the expression of osteogenic-related genes (COL1, ALP, OPG) and osteogenic-related proteins (BMP-2, RUNX2 and COL1). Both the images of μCT and the results of double fluorochrome labelling demonstrated that therapeutic scaffolds promoted the bone regeneration. We obtained the similar results through immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: The MHAP-CS-UA scaffolds have good osteo-inductivity and bone regeneration. And they will be the novel and promising candidates to cure the bone disease.
Politische Bildung für Jugendliche in oder mit digitalen Medien?
Authors: Ernst Julian , Schmitt Josephine B.
Published: October 2020

Webvideoreihen, moderierte Kommentarspalten und Umfragetools – politische Bildung wird längst nicht mehr nur in pädagogischen Settings beansprucht, wie etwa im Schulunterricht, sondern auch in Angeboten digitaler Medien, etwa auf Plattformen wie YouTube. Doch kann politische Bildung in digitalen Medien gelingen? Oder ist eine politische Bildung, die ihren Anspruch ernst nimmt, nicht eher eine politische Bildung mit digitalen Medien, d.h. weiterhin auf pädagogische face-to-face Kommunikationen angewiesen? Entlang zweier zentraler Strukturbedingungen der Plattform YouTube – Nutzerinnen- und Nutzerkommentare und Algorithmen – möchte der vorliegende Beitrag diese Fragen näher diskutieren.
“EosFit-Pinc: A simple GUI for host-inclusion elastic thermobarometry” by Angel et al. (2017)—Discussion
Authors: Zhong Xin , Dabrowski Marcin , Powell Roger , Jamtveit Bjørn
Published: October 2020

In this comment, we show mathematically that the equations of Angel et al. (2017) and Guiraud and Powell (2006) are equivalent. The tiny difference is due to different definitions of strain.
Forecasting the changes in daily stock prices in Shanghai Stock Exchange using Neural Network and Ordinary Least Squares Regression
Authors: Prime Sunantha
Published: October 2020

The research focuses on finding a superior forecasting technique to predict stock movement and behavior in the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The author’s interest is in stock market activities during high volatility, specifically 13 years from 2002 to 2015. This volatile period, fueled by events such as the dot-com bubble, SARS outbreak, political leadership transitions, and the global financial crisis, is of interest. The study aims to analyze changes in stock prices during an unstable period. The author used advanced computer sciences, Machine Learning through information processing and training, and the traditional statistical approach, the Multiple Linear Regression Model, with the least square method. Both techniques are accurate predictors measured by Absolute Percent Error with a range of 1.50% to 1.65%, using a data file containing 3,283 observations generated to record the daily close prices of individual Chinese companies. The t-test paired difference experiment shows the superiority of Neural Network in the finance sector and potentially not in other sectors. The Multiple Linear Regression Model performs equivalent to the Neural Network in other sectors.
Variables predictoras de riesgo frente a los derechos del infante en la era digital. Un estudio de México y España.
Authors: Contreras Cázarez Carlos René , León Duarte Gustavo Adolfo , Zozaya Durazo Luisa Dolores
Published: October 2020

Los dispositivos móviles inteligentes son herramientas útiles para comunicarse y entretenerse. Sin embargo, como cualquier instrumento o actividad, tienen sus peligros, amenazas y debilidades, especialmente para los más indefensos: los niños. Este artículo discute la socialización, la exposición al riesgo y la dependencia de Internet frente a los derechos fundamentales de la infancia intermedia en el uso de dispositivos móviles. Implementa una metodología descriptivo-correlacional para exponer la prueba de validez de constructos teóricos disciplinares y su relación empírica explicativa mediante un análisis de regresiones. Se aplicó un cuestionario a 4 escalas a 275 estudiantes de educación primaria en España y México. Se utilizó el programa estadístico SPSS, versión 23, y el programa EQS versión 6.1, obteniendo datos descriptivos, pruebas de fiablidad, correlaciones y un modelo estructural. Los hallazgos confirman que la dependencia de Internet propicia, entre otros factores de riesgo, la exposición al contenido sexual de los menores y vulnera sus derechos constitucionales y universales del infante.
Identifikasi Chemophobia dan faktor yang mempengaruhi Persepsi pada Mahasiswa
Authors: Herlina Nina , Pratiwi Resi , Mulyanti Sri
Published: October 2020

“Chemophobia” atau kecemasan kimia diyakini menjadi salah satu penyebab sedikitnya minat siswa terhadap jurusan kimia. Siswa juga kurang optimal dalam memahami pelajaran kimia. Siswa memandang kimia sebagai sesuatu yang negatif yang disebabkan oleh persepsi dan informasi yang mengenai kimia. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi eksistensi Chemophobia  di kalangan mahasiswa serta faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi pembentukan persepsi tersebut. Identifikasi dilakukan terhadap 60 mahasiswa jurusan sains dari beberapa universitas di Jawa dan Aceh menggunakan kuisioner googleform. Analisis dilakukan dengan tiga tahapan; penerimaan stimulus, pengelolaan stimulus, dan pembentukan persepsi. Berdasarkan hasil identifikasi didapatkan 55% responden  tidak  mengalami chemophobia sedangkan 45% responden mengalami chemophobia. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa 45% responden memiliki ketakutan terhadap bahan kimia. Analisi pembentukan persepsi menunjukkan sebanyak 87% respoden mengaatakan bahan kimia berdampak positif. Hasil analiss faktor pembentukan persepsi dapat disimpulkan bahwa faktor internal memiliki pengaruh lebih besar dibandingkan dengan faktor eksternal dalam pembentukan persepsi tentang kimia jumlah yang mengalami Chemophobia  sedikit.