bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nrp‐1 Mediated Plasmatic Ago2 Binding miR‐21a‐3p Internalization: A Novel Mechanism for miR‐21a‐3p Accumulation in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells during Sepsis
Authors: Zou Zhiqiang , Lin Qin , Yang Huobao , Liu Zhongwei , Zheng Shixiang
Published: August 2020

The mechanism underlying sepsis‐associated acute kidney injury (SAKI), which is an independent risk factor for sepsis‐associated death, is unclear. A previous study indicates that during sepsis miR‐21a‐3p accumulates in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) as the mediator of inflammation and mediates TEC malfunction by manipulating its metabolism. However, the specific mechanism responsible for the accumulation of miR‐21a‐3p in TECs during sepsis is unrevealed. In this study, a cecal ligation and puncture‐ (CLP‐) induced sepsis rat model and rat TEC line were used to elucidate the mechanism. Firstly, miR‐21a‐3p and Ago2 levels were found out to increase in both plasma and TECs during sepsis, and the increase of intracellular Ago2 and miR‐21a‐3p could be mitigated when Ago2 was either inactivated or downregulated in septic plasma. Moreover, membrane Nrp‐1 expression of TECs was increased significantly during sepsis and Nrp‐1 knockdown also mitigated the rise of both the intracellular Ago2 and miR‐21a‐3p levels in TECs incubated with septic plasma. Furthermore, it was revealed that Ago2 can be internalized by TECs mediated with Nrp‐1 and this process had no effect on the intracellular content of miR‐21a‐3p. Both Ago2 and miR‐21a‐3p could bind to TECs derived Nrp‐1 directly. Finally, it was determined that miR‐21a‐3p was internalized by TECs via Nrp‐1 and Ago2 facilitated this process. Taken together, it can be concluded from our results that Ago2 binding miR‐21a‐3p from septic plasma can be actively internalized by TECs via Nrp‐1 mediated cell internalization, and this mechanism is crucial for the rise of intracellular miR‐21a‐3p content of TECs during sepsis. These findings will improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying SAKI and aid in developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Clinical Observation of Silicon Hydrogel Contact Lens Fitted Immediately after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)
Authors: Wang Jifang , Xi Shuxin , Wang Bingjie , Chen Zhi , Zheng Ke , Zhou Xingtao
Published: August 2020

Purpose. To examine the immediate use of bandage contact lenses (BCLs) for improving patient comfort after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery. Methods. This is a prospective randomized controlled study in which one hundred and seventy-eight patients undergoing SMILE were randomly allocated to three groups: group A wore BCLs for 8 hours postsurgery, group B wore BCLs for 24 hours postsurgery, and group C did not wear any BCLs postsurgery. Eight subjective symptoms including photophobia, tearing, pain, foreign body sensation, burning, blurred vision, sting, and dry eyes were prospectively evaluated at 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours, using a questionnaire with a total score of 24. The scores of symptoms and signs were compared between the three groups. Results. There was a statistically significant time effect on scoring, which implicated a decline in symptoms over time after surgery (P<0.001). There was also a significant interaction between time and the treatment group (P<0.01). The total symptom score of groups A and B (5.85 ± 3.97 and 5.99 ± 4.67, respectively) was significantly lower than that of group C at 2 hours postsurgery (7.35 ± 4.86, P<0.05), especially in tearing and pain (P<0.05). The level of corneal oedema at 24 hours postsurgery was also statistically significantly different between the three groups (P<0.001), and the post hoc test showed that groups A and B were lower than group C (P<0.01). Conclusion. Silicon hydrogel BCLs applied immediately after SMILE surgery can relieve postsurgical symptoms of tearing and pain, improving overall patient comfort, and reduce corneal oedema. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-ONRC-13003114. Precis. The application of silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses immediately after SMILE surgery has the potential to improve patient comfort, corneal healing, and patient satisfaction following SMILE.
Global Stability for a Discrete Space-Time Lotka–Volterra System with Feedback Control
Authors: Xu Li , Han Ruiwen
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a discrete space-time Lotka–Volterra model with the periodic boundary conditions and feedback control is proposed. By means of a discrete version of comparison theorem, the boundedness of the nonnegative solution of the system is proved. By the combination of the Volterra-type and quadratic Lyapunov functions, the global asymptomatic stability of the unique positive equilibrium is investigated. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to verify the effectiveness of the main results.
Evaluations of the Chuanqi Ophthalmic Microemulsion In Situ Gel on Dry Age‐Related Macular Degeneration Treatment
Authors: Du Maobo , Shen Shuo , Liang Lina , Xu Kai , He Aiping , Yao Yao , Liu Shuzhi
Published: August 2020

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third largest eye disease. However, the eye has a variety of drug delivery barriers, which prevent the drug from reaching the lesions in the posterior segment of the eye, coupled with the pathogenesis of dry‐AMD; these lead to the lack of effective treatment drugs for dry‐AMD. Therefore, the developments of a suitable therapeutic drug and a novel ophthalmic preparation are of great significance for the treatment of dry‐AMD. The purposes of this study were to construct a novel traditional Chinese medicine (Chuanqi Fang) anti‐AMD microemulsion in situ gel for treating dry‐AMD and investigate its characteristic, efficiency, irritation, and tissue distribution. In this study, the characteristic of the Chuanqi microemulsion in situ gel was measured by dynamic light scattering. The electroretinogram (ERG) indicators and the number of retinal pigment epithelial cells were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the novel ophthalmic nanopreparations. Irritation was evaluated according to Technical Guideline Principles (ZGPT4‐1). The analysis of tissue distribution was carried out with LC‐MS. The research showed that the particle size of microemulsion was 38.56 ± 0.21 nm. The Chuanqi microemulsion in situ gel had certain roles in repairing retina damage of the dry‐AMD animal model and showed no irritation. The tissue distribution study found that the microemulsion in situ gel could effectively deliver the drug to the posterior eye of the AMD model rat through the route of cornea‐vitreous body‐retina. In conclusion, this study provided a meaningful research strategy and research basis for the development of new dry‐AMD therapeutic drugs.
Spatial Complex Morphological Evolution and Influencing Factors for Mountain and Seaside Resort Tourism Destinations
Authors: Ma Huiqiang , Xi Jianchao , Wang Qing , Liu Jiale , Gong Zhigang
Published: August 2020

Spatial restructuring of tourism destinations is important not only for optimizing the spatial structure but also for promoting its sustainable development. This study adopted participatory rural assessment (PRA), GIS spatial analysis, and Google Earth remote sensing images as the main research methodology. The case studies of mountain resort destination, Huangshui Town, and seaside resort destination, Jinshitan, were analyzed. The study contributes to complex morphological evolution from the perspectives of external structure expansion and internal function reconstruction, revealing the spatial characteristics and explaining the influencing factors. The results showed that (1) in the process of tourism development, these two places have experienced large-scale growth of construction land and expansion of spatial scope. The external spatial structure of Huangshui Town is concentrated in the center and is scattered outward, changing from the form of a strip to a radiating pattern and finally to clusters. The spatial layout of Jinshitan has shifted from scattered to concentrated, changing from scattered to a strip along the coastline. (2) In particular, the internal functional structures of the two places have transitioned from a single residential function to a multicomposite function that integrates accommodation, dining, and entertainment. Among them, Huangshui Town is an “axial belt + group type” structure, and Jinshitan is a “wave type” structure. (3) The results also showed that natural factors such as traffic, terrain, rivers, lakes, and coastlines and anthropogenic factors such as government intervention and community participation are the main factors affecting the evolution of the spatial form of tourism destinations. The two tourist destinations in the study represent mountain resort type and coastal resort type, thereby showing that the spatial structure evolution model has certain typicality and representativeness.
Hybrid TODIM Method with Crisp Number and Probability Linguistic Term Set for Urban Epidemic Situation Evaluation
Authors: Wu Wenshuai , Xu Zeshui
Published: August 2020

Emergency medical services during the COVID-19 epidemic have become the focus of worldwide attention, and how to effectively respond to urban epidemic situation during a complex environment has become a global challenge. Emergency decision-making can be considered as a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problem, which involves multiple criteria or attributes about qualitative and quantitative aspects. So, in this paper, based on the TODIM method, a hybrid TODIM method with crisp number and probability linguistic term set is first provided to evaluate the severity of urban COVID-19 epidemic situation during a complex humanitarian crisis environment. In this hybrid method, the quantitative aspects are evaluated on the basis of precise numerical values, and the qualitative aspects are evaluated by means of probability linguistic term set, which can not only express their judgments or linguistic preference with multiple linguistic terms but also reflect different importance degrees or probability degrees of all the possible linguistic information or preference information. In addition, the concept of entropy and probability linguistic entropy is applied to induce hybrid criteria weight information. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis of the parameter about attenuation factor of the losses in the hybrid TODIM method, which considers the psychology factors and cognitive behavior of the DMs, is further conducted on a case study, to verify the effectiveness and stability of the proposed method for urban epidemic situation evaluation according to the results of this study.
Status of Home Delivery and Its Associated Factors among Women Who Gave Birth within the Last 12 Months in East Badawacho District, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Delibo Deneke , Damena Melake , Gobena Tesfaye , Balcha Bahailu
Published: August 2020

Background. Home delivery is responsible to maternal mortality due to obstetric complication like hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and sepsis. The prevalence of home delivery is remained very high both nationally (73%) and regionally (SNNPR) with 74.5%. Efforts were made to increase institutional delivery through skilled birth attendance. But women still prefer home as a place of delivery. This study was done to determine whether home preference has association with home delivery or not and the reason why they prefer home delivery Method. A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted in East Badawacho District from January 26 to February 25/2018. A total of 552 participants were selected by systematic sampling. Data were collected using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with home delivery. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically, and results were triangulated with the data. Associations were determined by using OR at 95% CI and p value at 0.05. Result. Home delivery is found to be 73.6% (95% CI, 69.9%‐77.2%). Lack of written birth plan for birth preparedness and readiness (AOR = 14.965, 95% CI: 4.488‐49.899), incomplete number of ANC visits (1‐3)(AOR = 4.455, 95% CI: 1.942‐10.221), and home preference as a place of delivery (AOR = 4.039, 95% CI: 1.545‐10.558) were independent predictors of home delivery. Conclusion. Home delivery was high in the district. The independent factors significantly associated with home were lack of written birth plan for preparedness and readiness, incomplete number of ANC visits (1‐3), and home preference as place of delivery. Actions targeting maternal education, encouraging number of ANC visits, and avoiding barriers for ID utilization were the crucial areas to tackle the problem.
Minimally Invasive SPML Surgery for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Program Development
Authors: Wild Dana L. , Stegink-Jansen Caroline W. , Baker Christine P. , Carmichael Kelly D. , Yngve David A.
Published: August 2020

Improvements in surgical and rehabilitation care are critical to lessen the burden of cerebral palsy (CP), the most common cause of severe physical disability in childhood. The selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening (SPML) surgical procedure is a minimally invasive method designed to improve ambulation by lengthening contracted musculoskeletal tissues. Information on surgical procedures, efficacy, and safety of SPML for children with CP is lacking. Phase 1 of our research is a “proof-of-principle” study for multisite SPML to improve functional mobility of children with CP, and Phase 2 assesses safety, reoperation rates, and efficacy over time in subsequent patient series. Phase 1 was a repeated measurement case series study of 17 children (mean age 7.6 years). One physical therapist, blinded to the surgeon’s measurements, measured bilateral knee and ankle motion before and after SPML procedures, using video recordings of a standardized gait path. Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) 5, 50, and 500 outcomes were taken pre- and postoperatively and via telephone follow-up. In Phase 2, multisite SPLM surgeries were implemented in larger successive cohorts from 2006 to 2017. Complications, reoperation rates, and efficacy were retrospectively analyzed. Phase 1 results showed improvement in the children’s knee and ankle motion while ambulating and improved FMS 5, 50, and 500 outcomes postoperatively (mean, 6.3 months). At second follow-up (mean 33.3 months), FMS 500 scores continued improvement, while FMS 5 and FMS 50 scores maintained. During Phase 2, the complication rate was 2.4%, and reoperation rates (including reoperations due to maturation) were between 8% and 13%. Improvements to correct ankle equinus were recorded in 498 cases. In conclusion, in a specialized center, single-event, multilevel SPML surgeries of children with CP safely improved ambulatory knee and ankle angle motion and daily mobility outcomes. Future educational studies of training needs for surgeons new to the approach are needed.
Anonymous and Efficient Certificateless Multirecipient Signcryption Scheme for Ecological Data Sharing
Authors: Su Pengfei , Xie Yong , Liu Ping
Published: August 2020

Air pollution, water pollution, soil erosion, land desertification, and other environmental issues are becoming more and more serious. And ecological security has become a key issue for the sustainable development of the world, so research on ecology has received more and more attention. At present, ecological data is collected and stored separately by various departments or agencies. In order to conduct better research, various institutions or individuals begin to share their own data. However, data sharing between different organizations is affected by many factors, especially data security issues. At the moment, there is no scheme that has been commonly recognized to solve the problem of ecological data sharing. To provide a secure data sharing way for ecological research, a certificateless multireceiver signcryption scheme is proposed. In this paper, the proposed scheme can solve the key escrow problem, and it can improve efficiency on the basis of ensuring security by adopting elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). A rigorous security analysis proves that the scheme can resist various security attacks and ensure privacy protection based on a random oracle model. Performance analysis also shows that this scheme has the advantage of computational overhead compared to the same type of scheme. Therefore, the scheme is very suitable for the safe sharing of ecological data.
The Functional Roles of IL-33/ST2 Axis in Ocular Diseases
Authors: Qian Yujing , Zhang Meifen
Published: August 2020

Interleukin-33 (IL-33), an important member of the IL-1 family, plays a pivotal role in regulating immune responses via combining with its receptor suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2). We have already known IL-33/ST2 axis participates in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including liver diseases, renal diseases, and neurological diseases. Recently, emerging studies are indicating that IL-33/ST2 is also involved in a wide range of ocular diseases, such as allergic eye disease, keratitis and corneal regeneration, dry eye disease, uveitis, vitreoretinal diseases, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. In this review, we will summarize and discuss the current understanding about the functional roles of IL-33/ST2 in eyes, with an attempt to explore the possible study perspectives and therapeutic alternatives in the future.
CT Findings in a Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID‐19) Pneumonia at Initial Presentation
Authors: Xiang Chao , Lu Ji , Zhou Jun , Guan Li , Yang Cheng , Chai Changzhu
Published: August 2020

Background. COVID‐19 first broke out in China and spread rapidly over the world. Objectives. To describe the CT features of COVID‐19 pneumonia and to share our experience at initial diagnoses. Patients and Methods. Data from 53 patients (31 men, 22 women; mean age, 53 years; age range, 16‐83 years) with confirmed COVID‐19 pneumonia were collected. Their complete clinical data was reviewed, and their CT features were recorded and analyzed. Results. The average time between onset of illness and the initial CT scan was six days (range, 1‐42 days). A total of 399 segments were involved and distributed bilaterally (left lung: 186 segments [46.6%], right lung: 213 segments [53.4%]) and peripherally (38 [71.7%] patients). Multiple lobes (45 [84.9%]) and bilateral lower lobes (left lower lobe: 104 [26.1%], right lower lobe: 107 [26.8%], and total: 211 [52.9%]) were the most commonly involved. Ground‐glass opacity with consolidation (24 [45.3%]) and pure ground‐glass opacity (28 [52.8%]) were the main findings. The other findings were crazy‐paving (14 [26.4%]), bronchiectasis (12 [22.6%]), atelectasis (7 [13.2%]), parenchymal bands (6 [11.3%]), air bronchogram (6 [11.3%]), interlobular thickening (5 [9.4%]), reticular pattern (1 [1.9%]), and pleural effusion (1 [1.9%]). Conclusions. Most COVID‐19 pneumonia patients had abnormalities on chest CT images at initial presentation. Imaging features combined with patient’s exposure history and onset symptoms could facilitate the identification of the suspected patient for further examinations.
The Diversity of Midgut Bacteria among Wild‐Caught Phlebotomus argentipes (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), the Vector of Leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka
Authors: Gunathilaka Nayana , Perera Hirunika , Wijerathna Tharaka , Rodrigo Wasana , Wijegunawardana N. D. A. D.
Published: August 2020

Phlebotomus argentipes is the main suspected vector for leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. Investigations on the presence of aerobic bacteria in the gut of sand flies which evidence a potential approach to control leishmaniasis transmission through a paratransgenic strategy are still not available for the local sand fly populations. Field‐caught unfed female sand flies collected from three selected Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas (Polpithigama, Maho, and Galgamuwa) in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka from August to December 2018 were used. Prokaryotic 16S ribosomal RNA partial gene was amplified and sequenced. Morphological identification revealed the presence of only one sand fly species, P. argentipes (n = 1,969). A total of 20 organisms belonging to two phyla (Proteobactericea and Furmicutes) were detected within the gut microbial community of the studied sand fly specimens. This study documents the first‐ever observation of Rhizobium sp. in the midgut of P. argentipes. The presence of Bacillus megaterium, which is considered as a nonpathogenic bacterium with potential use for paratransgenic manipulation of P. argentipes suggest that it may be used as a delivery vehicle to block the vectorial transmission of Leishmania parasites. In addition, Serratia marcescens may be used as a potential candidate to block the parasite development in sand fly vectors since it has evidenced antileishmanial activities in previous investigations. Hence, further studies are required to gain full insight into the potential use of this bacterium in the control of Leishmania parasites through paratransgenesis.
Obtaining and Investigation of the β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex with Vitamin D3 Oil Solution
Authors: Bakirova Ryszhan , Nukhuly Altynbek , Iskineyeva Ainara , Fazylov Serik , Burkeyev Meiram , Mustafayeva Ayaulym , Minayeva Yelena , Sarsenbekova Akmaral
Published: August 2020

Background. The research results of fat-soluble vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) encapsulation with β-cyclodextrin have been presented in this work. The vitamin D3 inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin was obtained under microwave radiation. The surface morphology of obtained clathrate inclusion complexes was described with the help of a scanning electron microscope. The thermographic measurement results on a differential scanning calorimeter have been presented. The activation energy of the β-cyclodextrin : vitamin D3 clathrate complex thermal oxidative destruction reaction was calculated. The clathrate thermal destruction kinetic parameters were determined. The inclusion complex spectral properties were characterized by IR-Fourier and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The existence of β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with vitamin D3 in a 2 : 1 ratio was confirmed by the experimental results. The activation energy of thermal destruction of the inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin with vitamin D3 was calculated using four different methods.
Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure Reduces Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Zembron-Lacny Agnieszka , Tylutka Anna , Wacka Eryk , Wawrzyniak-Gramacka Edyta , Hiczkiewicz Dariusz , Kasperska Anna , Czuba Miłosz
Published: August 2020

Intermittent exposure to hypoxia (IHE) increases the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as well as erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the adaptation to intense physical activity. However, several studies suggest a protective effect of moderate hypoxia in cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The effects of intense physical activity with IHE on oxi‐inflammatory mediators and their interaction with conventional CVD risk factors were investigated. Blood samples were collected from elite athletes (control n = 6, IHE n = 6) during a 6‐day IHE cycle using hypoxicator GO2 altitude. IHE was held once a day, at least 2 hours after training. In serum, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), 3‐nitrotyrosine (3‐Nitro), proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β and TNFα), high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) were determined by the commercial immunoenzyme (ELISA kits) or colorimetric methods. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) level was measured by ELISA kit every day of hypoxia. IHE was found to significantly increase H2O2, NO, and HSP27 but to decrease 3NT concentrations. The changes in 3NT and HSP27 following hypoxia proved to enhance NO bioavailability and endothelial function. In the present study, the oxi‐inflammatory mediators IL‐1β and hsCRP increased in IHE group but they did not exceed the reference values. The serum EPO level increased on the 3rd day of IHE, then decreased on 5th day of IHE, and correlated with NO/H2O2 ratio (rs = 0.640, P < 0.05). There were no changes in haematological markers contrary to lipoproteins such as low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and non‐high‐density lipoprotein (non‐HDL) which showed a decreasing trend in response to hypoxic exposure. The study demonstrated that IHE combined with sports activity reduced a risk of endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis in athletes even though the oxi‐inflammatory processes were enhanced. Therefore, 6‐day IHE seems to be a potential therapeutic and nonpharmacological method to reduce CVD risk, especially in elite athletes participating in strenuous training.
Protective Effects of Phellinus linteus Mycelium on the Development of Osteoarthritis after Monosodium Iodoacetate Injection
Authors: Shin Mi-Rae , Lee Jin A , Kim Min Ju , Park Hae-Jin , Park Byeong Wook , Seo Seung Bo , Roh Seong-Soo
Published: August 2020

Objective. The aim of this study was to identify the protective effects of Phellinus linteus mycelium (PLM) and its possible mechanisms in a model of monosodium iodoacetate‐ (MIA‐) induced osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. Intra‐articular injection of MIA was injected to 50 μL with 80 mg/mL using a 0.3 mL insulin syringe into the right knee joint. Changes in hindpaw weight‐bearing distribution between the right (osteoarthritic) and left (contralateral control) legs were used as an index of joint discomfort. PLM (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered once daily for 14 days from day 7 after MIA treatment. And then, various factors associated with inflammatory response and cartilage degeneration in cartilage tissues detected by western blotting. Results. PLM treatment showed a concentration‐dependent elevation in change in hindpaw weight‐bearing distribution (HWBD). PLM200 demonstrated the capacity to significantly increase HWBD, indicating that the change in weight‐bearing distribution means the reduction of spontaneous pain. Our results indicate that PLM suppressed the inflammatory factors via NF‐κB signaling pathway induced by p38 phosporlyation. Moreover, PLM200 exhibited a significant reduction of ROS produced by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. PLM100 and PLM200 inhibited the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1, one of proteinase that degrades extracellular matrix (ECM). Conclusions. Taken together, our results indicated that PLM has a strong chondroprotective effect through the suppression both ROS production and inflammation.
Balanced Low Earth Satellite Orbits
Authors: Mostafa A. , El Dewaik M. H.
Published: August 2020

The present work aims at constructing an atlas of the balanced Earth satellite orbits with respect to the secular and long periodic effects of Earth oblateness with the harmonics of the geopotential retained up to the 4th zonal harmonic. The variations of the elements are averaged over the fast and medium angles, thus retaining only the secular and long periodic terms. The models obtained cover the values of the semi-major axis from 1.1 to 2 Earth’s radii, although this is applicable only for 1.1 to 1.3 Earth’s radii due to the radiation belts. The atlas obtained is useful for different purposes, with those having the semi-major axis in this range particularly for remote sensing and meteorology.
Percutaneous Cava Stenting in a Dog with Symptomatic Azygos Continuation of the Caudal Vena Cava
Authors: Bertolini Giovanna , Caldin Marco
Published: August 2020

This report describes the successful placement of a nitinol stent within the azygos continuation of the caudal vena cava in a 2-year-old, neutered female, English Bulldog with clinical and imaging signs related to venous return chronic obstruction, renal venous thrombi, and chronic renal insufficiency. This noninvasive, interventional radiology procedure was safe and clinically effective for the patient. The clinical signs were rapidly eliminated, and three years later, the patient is still in good clinical condition, with normal renal function. Venous stenting appears to be a useful, new, minimally invasive treatment option for symptomatic cavo-azygos vascular connection.
Classification of f-Biharmonic Curves in Lorentz–Minkowski Space
Authors: Du Li , Zhang Juan
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we firstly derived the equations for the curves of a Lorentz–Minkowski space L3 to be f-biharmonic. Then, using these equations, we classify such unit speed curves in L3.
A Customized Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Panel to Identify Novel Genetic Variants in Dementing Disorders: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lanza Giuseppe , Calì Francesco , Vinci Mirella , Cosentino Filomena Irene Ilaria , Tripodi Mariangela , Spada Rosario Sebastiano , Cantone Mariagiovanna , Bella Rita , Mattina Teresa , Ferri Raffaele
Published: August 2020

Purpose. The advancements in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have allowed for rapid, efficient, and cost-time-effective genetic variant detection. However, in both clinical practice and research setting, sequencing is still often limited to the use of gene panels clinically targeted on the genes underlying the disease of interest. Methods. We performed a neurogenetic study through an ad hoc NGS-based custom sequencing gene panel in order to screen 16 genes in 8 patients with different types of degenerative cognitive disorders (Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease). The study protocol was based on previous evidence showing a high sensitivity and specificity of the technique even when the panel is limited to some hotspot exons. Results. We found variants of the TREM2 and APP genes in three patients; these have been previously identified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic and, therefore, considered “disease causing.” In the remaining subjects, the pathogenicity was evaluated according to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG). In one patient, the p.R205W variant in the CHMP2B gene was found to be likely pathogenic of the disease. A variant in the CSF1R and SERPINI1 genes found in two patients was classified as benign, whereas the other two (in the GRN and APP genes) were classified as likely pathogenic according to the ACMG. Conclusions. Notwithstanding the preliminary value of this study, some rare genetic variants with a probable disease association were detected. Although future application of NGS-based sensors and further replication of these experimental data are needed, this approach seems to offer promising translational perspectives in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders.
Effects of Cigarette Smoke Condensate on Growth and Biofilm Formation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Cholo Moloko C. , Rasehlo Sipho S. M. , Venter Eudri , Venter Chantelle , Anderson Ronald
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives. Cigarette smoke (CS) is a major risk factor contributing to the burden of tuberculosis. Little is known, however, about the effects of CS exposure on growth and persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) organisms. This issue has been addressed in the current study, which is focused on the effects of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on the growth and viability of Mtb planktonic and biofilm‐forming cultures. Materials and Methods. The planktonic and biofilm‐forming cultures were prepared in Middlebrook 7H9 and Sauton broth media, respectively, using Mtb strain, H37Rv. The effects of CSC at concentrations of 0.05‐3.12 mg/L on growth, biofilm formation and structure were evaluated using microplate Alamar Blue assay, spectrophotometric procedure and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Involvement of reactive oxygen species in CSC‐mediated biofilm formation was investigated by including catalase in biofilm‐forming cultures. Results. CSC did not affect the growth of planktonic bacteria, but rather led to a statistically significant increase in biofilm formation at concentrations of 0.4‐3.12 mg/L, as well as in the viability of biofilm‐forming bacteria at CSC concentrations of 0.2‐1.56 mg/L. SEM confirmed an agglomerated biofilm matrix and irregular bacterial morphology in CSC‐treated biofilms. Inclusion of catalase caused significant attenuation of CSC‐mediated augmentation of biofilm formation by Mtb, implying involvement of oxidative stress. These findings demonstrate that exposure of Mtb to CSC resulted in increased biofilm formation that appeared to be mediated, at least in part, by oxidative stress, while no effect on planktonic cultures was observed. Conclusion. Smoking‐related augmentation of biofilm formation by Mtb may contribute to persistence of the pathogen, predisposing to disease reactivation and counteracting the efficacy of antimicrobial chemotherapy.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2/SnO2 Binary Nanocomposites
Authors: Dontsova Tetiana A. , Kutuzova Anastasiya S. , Bila Kateryna O. , Kyrii Svitlana O. , Kosogina Iryna V. , Nechyporuk Daria O.
Published: August 2020

The paper presents the results of characterization and study of adsorption-photocatalytic properties of commercial and synthesized-by-hydrothermal method TiO2 and TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites. Hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2-based nanocomposites was performed in two ways: single-stage and two-stage methods. Characterization was carried out by XRD, X-ray fluorescence method, XPS, EPR, PL, and low-temperature adsorption-desorption of nitrogen, which showed that TiO2-SnO2 nanostructured composites were obtained with tin(IV) oxide content of 10 wt.% and had acidic surface and different porous structures. Besides, modification of a commercial sample with tin(IV) oxide led to a slight decrease in the specific surface area, while modification of a synthesized-by-hydrothermal method TiO2 sample led to an increase. It was found that sorption properties of the obtained nanocomposites and pure TiO2 are better towards anionic dyes. Photocatalytic activity, on the contrary, is higher towards cationic dyes, which is consistent with additional studies on the destruction of these dyes. It was established that in terms of photocatalytic activity, TiO2-SnO2 nanocomposites are more promising than solid solutions, and modification of TiO2 with tin(IV) oxide, in general, leads to improvement of its photocatalytic activity.
AHNAK2 Is Associated with Poor Prognosis and Cell Migration in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Shusen , Lu Yuanyuan , Qi Lei , Wang Hongyan , Wang Zhihua , Cai Zhigang
Published: August 2020

Background. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), as the main subtype of lung cancer, is one of the common causes of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. The AHNAK family is correlated with cell structure and migration, cardiac calcium channel signaling, and tumor metastasis. Previous studies showed AHNAK2 could promote tumor progression and cell migration in melanoma and renal clear cell carcinoma. However, the role of AHNAK2 in LUAD remains unknown. Methods. We examined the levels of AHNAK2 in pathological specimens and the database of Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium‐Lung adenocarcinoma (CPTAC‐LUAD), The Cancer Genome Atlas‐Lung Adenocarcinoma (TCGA‐LUAD), Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE72094, GSE26939), and The Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) of lung tissue samples. Univariate Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis were performed to reveal the relationship between AHNAK2 and prognosis. A nomogram was constructed to predict 2‐ or 3‐year overall survival and validated via calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were used to explore the functional role of AHNAK2 in lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, by transfecting siRNA, we examined the regulatory effect of AHNAK2 on cell migration. Results. The expression of AHNAK2 was upregulated in tumor samples and correlated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients. Nomogram with AHNAK2 and clinical parameters showed a good prediction in overall survival (OS), especially the 2‐year OS. In addition, functional analyses and wound healing assay suggested that AHNAK2 might be involved in the regulation of migration in LUAD. Conclusion. In summary, our study showed that AHNAK2 might be a novel biomarker in LUAD and revealed the potential mechanism of AHNAK2 in LUAD progression which could provide new insights for target therapy.
Development of an MS Workflow Based on Combining Database Search Engines for Accurate Protein Identification and Its Validation to Identify the Serum Proteomic Profile in Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
Authors: El Jadid Sara , Bensellak Taoufik , Touahni Raja , Moussa Ahmed
Published: August 2020

A critical stage of shotgun proteomics is database search, a process which attempts to match the experimental spectra to the theoretical one. Given the considerable time and effort spent in analysis, it is self‐evident for a researcher to aspire for rigorous computational analysis and a more confident and accurate peptide/protein identification. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been applied across several clinical disciplines. The pathophysiology of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), caused by a damaged pelvic floor, has become a boundless disease altering the quality of life worldwide. Although some studies pointed markers that can be bioindicators for SUI, these findings raise the issue of sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, it is critical to have a sensitive and specific analytical approach to identify markers that have been associated with protective and deleterious associations in disease. Here, we describe our designed and developed workflow for protein identification from tandem mass spectrometry that uses multiple search engines. We apply our workflow to an existing study addressing the pathophysiology of SUI. We demonstrate how using the combined approach together with high‐performance computing techniques can surmount the challenges of complex analyses and extended computing time. We also compare the relative performance of each combination. Our results suggest that a combination of MS‐GF+ and COMET represents the best sensitivity‐specificity trade‐off, outperforming all other tested combinations. The approach was also sensitive and accurately identified a set of protein that was shown to be markers for categories of diseases associated with the pathophysiology of SUI. This workflow was developed to encourage proteomic researchers to adopt MS‐based techniques for accurate analysis and to promote MS as a routine tool to the clinical cohorts.
Antileukemic Effect of Palladium Nanoparticles Mediated by White Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract In Vitro and in WEHI‐3B‐Induced Leukemia In Vivo
Authors: Othman Hemn , Rahman Heshu , Mohan Syam , Aziz Sadat , Marif Hardi , Ford Dianne , Abdulsamad Nozlena , Amin Kawa , Abdullah Rasedee
Published: August 2020

This study investigated the in vivo antileukemic activity of palladium nanoparticles (Pd@W.tea‐NPs) mediated by white tea extract in a murine model. The cell viability effect of Pd@W.tea‐NPs, “blank” Pd nanoparticles, and white tea extract alone was determined in murine leukemia WEHI‐3B cells and normal mouse fibroblasts (3T3 cells). Apoptotic and cell cycle arrest effects of Pd@W.tea‐NPs in WEHI‐3B cells were evaluated. The effects of Pd@W.tea‐NPs administered orally to leukemic mice at 50 and 100 mg/kg daily over 28 days were evaluated. Pd@W.tea‐NPs reduced the viability of WHEI‐3B cells with IC50 7.55 μg/ml at 72 h. Blank Pd nanoparticles and white tea extract alone had smaller effects on WHEI‐3B viability and on normal fibroblasts. Pd@W.tea‐NPs increased the proportion of Annexin V‐positive WHEI‐3B cells and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest. Leukemic cells in the spleen were reduced by Pd@W.tea‐NPs with an increase in Bax/Bcl‐2 and cytochrome‐C protein and mRNA levels indicating the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. These effects replicated the effects of ATRA and were not observed using blank Pd nanoparticles. Pd@W.tea‐NPs afford therapeutic efficacy against leukemia likely to pivot on activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptotic signaling and hence appear attractive potential candidates for development as a novel anticancer agent.
Dynamic Analysis of Functionally Graded Porous Plates Resting on Elastic Foundation Taking into Mass subjected to Moving Loads Using an Edge-Based Smoothed Finite Element Method
Authors: Tran Trung Thanh , Pham Quoc-Hoa , Nguyen-Thoi Trung
Published: August 2020

The paper presents the extension of an edge-based smoothed finite element method using three-node triangular elements for dynamic analysis of the functionally graded porous (FGP) plates subjected to moving loads resting on the elastic foundation taking into mass (EFTIM). In this study, the edge-based smoothed technique is integrated with the mixed interpolation of the tensorial component technique for the three-node triangular element (MITC3) to give so-called ES-MITC3, which helps improve significantly the accuracy for the standard MITC3 element. The EFTIM model is formed by adding a mass parameter of foundation into the Winkler–Pasternak foundation model. Two parameters of the FGP materials, the power-law index (k) and the maximum porosity distributions (Ω), take forms of cosine functions. Some numerical results of the proposed method are compared with those of published works to verify the accuracy and reliability. Furthermore, the effects of geometric parameters and materials on forced vibration of the FGP plates resting on the EFTIM are also studied in detail.
Regulation of CXCR6 Expression on Adipocytes and Osteoblasts Differentiated from Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Lee Seung-Cheol , Lee Yoo-Jung , Shin Min Kyoung , Sung Jung-Suk
Published: August 2020

Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (hADMSCs) are a desirable candidate in regenerative medicine. hADMSCs secrete growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines and also express various receptors that are important in cell activation, differentiation, and migration to injured tissue. We showed that the expression level of chemokine receptor CXCR6 was significantly increased by ~2.5-fold in adipogenic-differentiated cells (Ad), but not in osteogenic-differentiated cells (Os) when compared with hADMSCs. However, regulation of CXCR6 expression on hADMSCs by using lentiviral particles did not affect the differentiation potential of hADMSCs. Increased expression of CXCR6 on Ad was mediated by both receptor recycling, which was in turn regulated by secretion of CXCL16, and de novo synthesis. The level of soluble CXCL16 was highly increased in both Ad and Os in particular, which inversely correlates with the expression on a transmembrane-bound form of CXCL16 that is cleaved by disintegrin and metalloproteinase. We concluded that the expression of CXCR6 is regulated by receptor degradation or recycling when it is internalized by interaction with CXCL16 and by de novo synthesis of CXCR6. Overall, our study may provide an insight into the molecular mechanisms of the CXCR6 reciprocally expressed on differentiated cells from hADMSCs.
Performance Analysis of AOA-Based Localization Using the LS Approach: Explicit Expression of Mean-Squared Error
Authors: Son Byung-Kwon , An Do-Jin , Lee Joon-Ho
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a passive localization of the emitter using noisy angle-of-arrival (AOA) measurements, called Brown DWLS (Distance Weighted Least Squares) algorithm, is considered. The accuracy of AOA-based localization is quantified by the mean-squared error. Various estimates of the AOA-localization algorithm have been derived (Doğançay and Hmam, 2008). Explicit expression of the location estimate of the previous study is used to get an analytic expression of the mean-squared error (MSE) of one of the various estimates. To validate the derived expression, we compare the MSE from the Monte Carlo simulation with the analytically derived MSE.
An Unusual Case of Acute Appendicitis due to Metastatic Prostatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Numbere Numbereye , Dunn Andrew , Huber Aaron R.
Published: August 2020

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency in older adults. In the elderly, like in younger cohorts, acute appendicitis most commonly arises without neoplastic underpinnings. However, the occurrence of acute appendicitis in a patient with a concurrent abdominopelvic malignancy should trigger suspicion for the possibility of a metastatic appendiceal neoplasm. We present the case of a 66-year-old man with a background of a biochemically recurrent prostatic adenocarcinoma who presented to the emergency department with acute appendicitis. Histopathologic examination of the resected appendix revealed an unexpected metastatic spread from his prostatic adenocarcinoma.
MicroRNA-874-3p Aggravates Doxorubicin-Induced Renal Podocyte Injury via Targeting Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase B3
Authors: Dai Yan , Gao Meng , Li Linxia , Mao Zhang , Xu Lina , Yin Lianhong , Qi Yan , Peng Jinyong
Published: August 2020

Clinical application of doxorubicin (Dox) is limited due to its serious side effects including nephrotoxicity, and kidney podocytes play important roles in renal diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators associated with human diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore a novel target in adjusting Dox-induced renal podocyte injury. Through a double luciferase reporter gene experiment, it was found that miR-874-3p directly targeted methionine sulfoxide reductase B3 (MsrB3). During the tests of miR-874-3p inhibitor and MsrB3 siRNA in human podocytes or miR-874-3p antagomir in mice, we found that the expression levels of downstream oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins were regulated by miR-874-3p/MsrB3 signal to alleviate or aggravate renal podocyte injury. The data in the present work showed that miR-874-3p aggravated Dox-caused renal podocyte injury by promoting apoptosis and oxidative damage via inhibiting MsrB3. Therefore, miR-874-3p/MsrB3 should be considered as a new therapeutic target in controlling renal podocyte injury induced by Dox.
ERK1/2 Signaling Induces Upregulation of ANGPT2 and CXCR4 to Mediate Liver Metastasis in Colon Cancer
Authors: Urosevic Jelena , Blasco María Teresa , Llorente Alicia , Bellmunt Anna , Berenguer-Llergo Antoni , Guiu Marc , Cañellas Adrià , Fernandez Esther , Burkov Ivan , Clapés Maria , Cartanà Mireia , Figueras-Puig Cristina , Batlle Eduard , Nebreda Angel R. , Gomis Roger R.
Published: August 2020

Carcinoma development in colorectal cancer is driven by genetic alterations in numerous signaling pathways. Alterations in the RAS-ERK1/2 pathway are associated with the shortest overall survival for patients after diagnosis of colorectal cancer metastatic disease, yet how RAS–ERK signaling regulates colorectal cancer metastasis remains unknown. In this study, we used an unbiased screening approach based on selection of highly liver metastatic colorectal cancer cells in vivo to determine genes associated with metastasis. From this, an ERK1/2-controlled metastatic gene set (EMGS) was defined. EMGS was associated with increased recurrence and reduced survival in patients with colorectal cancer tumors. Higher levels of EMGS expression were detected in the colorectal cancer subsets consensus molecular subtype (CMS)1 and CMS4. ANGPT2 and CXCR4, two genes within the EMGS, were subjected to gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies in several colorectal cancer cell lines and then tested in clinical samples. The RAS–ERK1/2 axis controlled expression of the cytokine ANGPT2 and the cytokine receptor CXCR4 in colorectal cancer cells, which facilitated development of liver but not lung metastases, suggesting that ANGPT2 and CXCR4 are important for metastatic outgrowth in the liver. CXCR4 controlled the expression of cytokines IL10 and CXCL1, providing evidence for a causal role of IL10 in supporting liver colonization. In summary, these studies demonstrate that amplification of ERK1/2 signaling in KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer cells affects the cytokine milieu of the tumors, possibly affecting tumor–stroma interactions and favoring liver metastasis formation.

Significance:

These findings identify amplified ERK1/2 signaling in KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer cells as a driver of tumor–stroma interactions that favor formation of metastases in the liver.