bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interacting Fire, Logging and Climate Change has Sprung a Landscape Trap in Victoria’s Montane Ash Forests
Authors: Lindenmayer David , Bowd Elle , Taylor Chris , Likens Gene E.
Published: September 2021

Ecosystems are influenced by multiple drivers which shape ecosystem state and biodiversity. In some ecosystems, interactions and feedbacks between drivers can produce traps that confine an ecosystem to a particular state or condition and influence processes like succession. A range of traps have been recognized, with one of these – “a landscape trap” first proposed a decade ago for the tall, wet Mountain Ash and Alpine Ash forests of Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Under such a trap, young flammable forest is at high risk of reburning at high-severity, thereby precluding stand maturation, and potentially leading to ecosystem collapse. These young forests are more common because recurrent wildfire and widespread clearcutting have transformed historical patterns of forest cover from widespread old-growth with small patches of regrowth embedded within it, to the reverse. Indeed, approximately 99% of the montane ash ecosystem is now relatively young forest. Based on new empirical insights, we argue that at least three key inter-related pre-conditions underpin the development of a landscape trap in montane ash forests. A landscape trap has been sprung in these forests because the pre-conditions for its development have been met: We show how inter-relationships between these pre-conditions, leading to frequent high-severity fire, interacts with life history attributes (e.g. time to viable seed production) to make montane ash forests (e.g. which have been highly disturbed through logging and frequent fire) vulnerable to ecosystem collapse. We conclude with the ecological and resource management implications of this landscape trap and discuss how the problems created might be rectified.
The Relationship Between Sarcopenia Detected In Newly Diagnosed Colorectal Cancer Patients And FGF21, Irisin And CRP Levels.
Authors: Oflazoglu Utku , Caglar Sevinc , Yılmaz Huriye Erbak , Önal Hülya Tas , Varol Umut , Salman Tarik , Yildiz Yasar , Unal Sinan , Guc Zeynep Gulsum , Kucukzeybek Yuksel , Alacacioglu Ahmet , Tarhan Mustafa Oktay
Published: September 2021

Aim: Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized syndrome that can be linked to many causes such as cancers, and is caused by a quantitative and qualitative disorder (loss of muscle strength and / or physical performance) of skeletal muscle mass. Although sarcopenia has some hypothetical explanation in clinical practice, the mechanisms underlying this condition have not been clearly differentiated in patients with cancer. We aimed to investigate the relationship between irisin and FGF21 in detecting sarcopenia in colorectal cancer patients.Material and Method: Current prospectively study included non-metastatic newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients. Patients were divided into two groups of 25 people, those with and without sarcopenia. Body composition measurements by examined by BIA. To measure the level of iris and FGF21 from patients, blood samples were taken into the biochemistry tube and their levels were measured. Results: The median age of the patients included in the study was 60 years (range: 21-81), 68 % were men. It was found that there was a significant relationship between sarcopenia and gender and BMI measurement. When Spearman correlation analysis was performed between skeletal muscle mass index and FGF21, irisin and CRP, there was a positive correlation between skeletal muscle mass index and irisin and FGF21, while there was a negative correlation between skeletal muscle mass index and CRP. [respectively: (r: 0.282, p: 0.048), (r: 0.564, p: <0.001) and (r: -0.360, p: 0.010). Similar results were found between hand grip strength and FGF21, irisin and CRP. [respectively: (r: 0.342, p: 0.015), (r: 0.290, p: 0.041) and (r: -0.476, p <0.001)]. When sarcopenia was treated as the dependent variable in the logistic regression analysis, and FGF21, irisin, CRP, gender and BMI were treated as the independent variables, irisin and CRP levels were determined as independent predictors. Conclusion: This study was revealed that there is a negative relationship between sarcopenia and irisin and FGF-21 in operated non-metastatic colorectal cancer patients and there may be a relationship between sarcopenia and inflammation. It suggest that these biomarkers may play a role in the pathophysiology of sarcopenia. However, our results need to be validated in different types of cancer and with more patients.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Chemical Looping Combustion Based Power Plants for Gaseous and Solid Fuels
Authors: Seepana Sivaji , Chakraborty Aritra , Kaliyaperumal Kannan , Saminathan Guruchandran Pocha
Published: September 2021

The chemical looping combustion (CLC) process is a promising technology for capturing CO2 at the source due to its inherent separation of flue gas from nitrogen. In this regard, the present study is focused on the development of various Rankine cycle based CLC power plant layouts for gaseous and solid fuels. To evaluate the performance of these CLC based cycles, a detailed thermodynamic analysis has been carried out with natural gas (NG)& synthesis gas as gaseous fuels and lignite as solid fuel. For lignite based power production, in-site gasification CLC (iG-CLC) for syngas generation and CLC based combustion process employed. The Energy analysis showed that NG based power plant has a net efficiency of 40.44% with CO2 capture and compression which is the highest among all cases while the same for syngas based power plant is 38.06%. The difference in net efficiency between NG and syngas power plants is attributed to the variation in CO2 compression cost. For lignite based iG-CLC power plant layout, the net efficiency of 39.64% is observed which is higher than syngas fuelledCLC power plant. This shows the potential of CLC technology for power generation applications with or without CO2 capture.
Appraisal of CO2 Emission in Tunisia's Industrial Sector: A Dynamic Vector Autoregression Method
Authors: Talbi Besma , Ramzan Muhammad , Iqbal Hafiz Arslan , Doğan Buhari
Published: September 2021

The World is confronted with a slew of environmental issues, one of which is how to attenuate the detrimental impacts of CO2 emissions-induced climate change. The ever-increasing use of energy is eroding natural resources to the point that our economic future may be jeopardized. The Tunisian economic growth indicates the excellent performance in the industrial sector as the minimum required input for these developments necessitates additional energy consumption, resulting in increased CO2 emissions and environmental degradation. This study explores the role of energy efficiency, urbanization, economic growth, and natural gas energy usage in the industrial sector on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of Tunisia. The research mainly employs the Vector Autoregressive Model (VAR) to examine the factors driving the evolution of CO2 emissions through the industrial sector from 2000 to 2018. The findings assess that natural gas as an energy source and efficiency are crucial for reducing CO2 emissions. The study has shown the existence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), which demonstrates that economic development in Tunisia has an inverted U-shape connection with CO2 emissions. The results indicate that energy consumption and GDP significantly affect CO2 emissions due to large-scale population movements and industrial structure transformation. In contrast, energy efficiency plays a dominant role in decreasing CO2 emissions. The article will assist economic decision-makers and related authorities in formulating an appropriate energy policy for the industrial sector based on the study's outcomes to protect environmental degradation in the long run by reducing carbon emissions.
Haze pollution and urbanization promotion in China: How to understand their spatial interaction?
Authors: Yang Huachao , Wu He , Liang Wei
Published: September 2021

Can promoting urbanization and controlling haze pollution result in a win-win situation? Based on panel data from 287 prefecture-level cities in China, this paper uses the 3SLS and GS3SLS estimator methods to study the spatial interaction between haze pollution and urbanization. The results show the following: (1) There is a spatial interaction between haze pollution and urbanization. On the whole, haze pollution and urbanization have a typical inverted U-shaped relationship. (2) Haze and urbanization show different relationships in different regions. The haze pollution in the area left of the Hu Line has a linear relationship with urbanization. (3) In addition to haze, urbanization also has a spatial spillover effect. When the haze pollution in the surrounding areas increases, the haze pollution in the area will also increase, but the level of urbanization will increase. When the level of urbanization in the surrounding areas increases, it will promote the level of urbanization in the local area and alleviate the haze pollution in the local area. (4) Tertiary industry, greening, FDI and precipitation can help alleviate haze pollution. FDI and the level of urbanization have a U-shaped relationship. Industry, transportation, population density, economic level and market scale can promote regional urbanization.
Morphology and Ecological Characteristics of Paracyclops Novenarius Reid, 1987: A Cyclopoid Copepod Inhabiting a Highly Contaminated Aquifer in Central-North of Mexico
Authors: Uc-Castillo José Luis , Cervantes-Martínez Adrián , Gutiérrez-Aguirre Martha Angélica
Published: September 2021

This work reports the freshwater copepod Paracyclops novenarius, in a water body with high arsenic concentrations. Morphologic analysis, abundances, body size of the copepod and physical and chemical variables of the water (including arsenic concentrations) were evaluated in two different climatic seasons (rainy and dry). Morphological analysis showed that the high arsenic concentrations do not affect the morphology of P. novenarius, including all its development and adult instars. The highest abundances of this species were found in the dry season for all development stages, with values ​​of 1.51 and 1.50, 4.46, 0.21 ind/L-1, for nauplii, copepodites, females, and males, respectively. However, these values are lower than other aquatic systems of the region and the world, without polluting agents. The highest arsenic concentration was found in the dry season (58 mg/L-1) and the lowest during the rainy (54.5 mg/L-1). The body size of the analyzed organisms was larger in rainy compared to dry, with an average of 637.2 ± 42 µm for females and 650 ± 37 µm for males. A Mann-Whitney U test showed significant differences in lengths by season and by arsenic concentration (U = 1284.5, U = 1284.5; p < 0.05). The results of this study could provide information for environmental impact assessments on aquatic systems.
Designing Magnetic Nanoparticles as Drug Carriers with Simulation of Liver Enzymes for Detoxification to Quit Addiction
Authors: Masoumi Sara , Esmaeili Akbar
Published: September 2021

In this study magnetic nanoparticles serve as a carrier for delivering the drug to the target. Simulations were done using COMSOL multi-physics and visual molecular dynamics software. In this study, with the help of docking, the structure of buprenorphine with CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 complexes was modeled to function as the main enzymes entering the human body. The crystallographic structure of the complexes is available in the protein database. Interaction of BUP with cell membrane has been investigated in terms of Van der Waals energy and center of mass distance. Our results confirm the stability, appropriateness and low uptake of buprenorphine into the cell membrane. Computational results also confirmed the accuracy of laboratory studies. Due to its hydrophobic properties, buprenorphine retains stability and low adsorption by the cell membranes. Consumption and administration of buprenorphine can be much more effective and efficient in the treatment of withdrawal from modern drug delivery methods. The innovative feature of this project is the study of interactions using molecular dynamics simulation methods and the behavior of these complexes in different environments. Physiological simulations of the body for magnetic force and tensile force due to adhesion were examined utilizing visual molecular dynamics and COMSOL software.
Cultural Differences In On-Line Learning Motivation: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among Chinese And South Asian Undergraduate Medical Students
Authors: Vashisth Manoj Kumar , Mi Yu , Wu Xiumei , Zhang Bensi
Published: September 2021

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic the requirement for On-line learning in the modern world of education has become clear.On-line education provides one such avenue by creating new opportunities for students, faculty, regulators of education, and educational institutions. Cultural diversity has become a defining characteristic of the students bodies.The current study aims to analyse differences in motivation on on-line learning and the impact of their culture.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2021.04.04 to 2021.05.03 among the undergraduate Chinese and South Asian students from 5 classes of Chinese students and 6 classes of South Asian students with major of Clinical Medicine at Dali University, Dali, China. The study used a questionnaire which were identical both in Chinese and English language. Platforms of Wen Juan Xing (WJX) and Ding-talk were used to distribute the questionnaire.Results: Based on the statistical analysis results, the structural validity of the bilingual questionnaire was confirmed, the reliability was found to be satisfactory. A total of 433 students questionnaire data from class of 2018 and 2019 were collected, including 173 males (40.00%), 260 females (60.00%), 216 Chinese (49.88%), 99 Indians (22.86%), 51 Nepalese (11.78%), 48 Pakistani (11.09%), 19 from Laos and Cambodia (4.39%) respectively. The total score of Chinese students was highest with Pakistani students showing the lowest. It was found that there were significant differences in score for the dimensions of reinforcement, Affects & emotion, interest and self-efficacy in between Chinese and South Asian students. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that nationality as the key factor influencing the on-line learning motivation of the undergraduate medical students from China and South Asian countries.Conclusions:The results provides with the evidence on the feasibility, as well as information about the potential barriers and the cultural impact to on-line learning in medical education among Chinese and South Asian undergraduate students.
Linkage Mapping of Biomass Production and Composition Traits in a Miscanthus Sinensis Population
Authors: RAVERDY Raphael , LOURGANT Kristelle , MIGNOT Emilie , ARNOULT Stéphanie , BODINEAU Guillaume , GRIVEAU Yves , TANIGUTI Cristiane H. , BRANCOURT-HULMEL Maryse
Published: September 2021

Breeding miscanthus for biomass production and composition is essential for targeting high-yielding genotypes suited to different end-uses. Our objective was to understand the genetic determinism of these traits in M. sinensis, according to different plant ages and environmental conditions. A diploid population was established in two locations according to a staggered-start design, which made the “year” effect partitioned into “age” and “growing season” effects. An integrated genetic map of 2,602 SNP markers distributed across 19 LGs, was aligned with the M. sinensis reference genome and spanned 2,770 cM. The QTL mapping was based on Best Linear Unbiased Predictions estimated across three climatic conditions and at least three ages in both locations. 260 and 283 QTL were related to biomass production and composition traits, respectively. In each location, 40%-60% were related to biomass production traits and stable across different climatic conditions and ages, and 30% to biomass composition traits. Ten to fifteen% were stable for both trait types across locations. Twelve QTL clusters were established based on either biomass production or composition traits, and validated by high genetic correlations between the traits. Sixty-two putative M. sinensis genes, related to the cell-wall, were evidenced in the QTL clusters of biomass composition traits, and orthologous to those of sorghum and maize. Twelve of them were differentially expressed and belonged to gene families related to the cell-wall biosynthesis identified in other miscanthus studies. These stable QTL constitute new insights into Marker-Assisted Selection breeding while offering a joint improvement of biomass production or composition traits.
Temporal and Spatial Analysis of the Ecosystem Service Values in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area of China Based on Land Use Change
Authors: Zhao Xu , Yi Ping , Xia Jingjing , He Weijun , Gao Xin
Published: September 2021

The Three Gorges Reservoir area (TGRA) has complex geological conditions and a fragile ecological environment. The construction of the Three Gorges Project triggered a series of ecological and environmental issues and social disputes, which have attracted much attention in recent years. However, it is still unclear how the temporal and spatial characteristics of ecosystem service value (ESV) in the TGRA changed in each stage of the Three Gorges Project along with the implementation of some ecological restoration projects. Based on four periods of land use data from 2000 to 2018, the changes in land use were studied and the ecosystem service values (ESVs) were estimated. Then, we analysed the spatial distribution and dynamic changes in ecosystem services. The results showed that from 2000 to 2018, grassland and construction land were the largest land use types showing area reductions and increases and the conversion of cropland to forestland, grassland and construction land represented the most important land type changes. In the past 18 years, due to the increase in forestland and water area, the ESVs increased by 2.7 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 3.46%. From the perspective of contribution rate, the conversion of cropland to forestland had the largest contribution rate to the increase in ESV. The ESV was higher in the northeast and lower in the southwest, and its changes have significant positive autocorrelation in spatial distribution. The hot spots of ESV change were mainly distributed in the main stream of the Yangtze River and the reservoir area. This research provides a reference for land resource allocation and experience for the ecological environment protection and sustainable development of the Yangtze River Basin.
Ultralow-power all-optical switching via a chiral Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Ruan Yaping , Wu Haodong , Ge Shi-Jun , Tang Lei , Li Zhixiang , Zhang Han , Xu Fei , Hu Wei , Xiao Min , Lu Yan-qing , Xia Keyu
Published: September 2021

All-optical switching increasingly plays an important role in optical information processing. However, simultaneous achievement of ultralow power consumption, broad bandwidth and high extinction ratio remains challenging. We experimentally demonstrate an ultralow-power all-optical switching by exploiting chiral interaction between light and optically active material in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). We achieve switching extinction ratio of 20.0(3.8) and 14.7(2.8) dB with power cost of 66.1(0.7) and 1.3(0.1) fJ/bit, respectively. The bandwidth of our all-optical switching is about 4.2 GHz. Our theoretical analysis shows that the switching bandwidth can, in principle, exceed 110 GHz. Moreover, the switching has the potential to be operated at few-photon level. Our all-optical switching exploits a chiral MZI made of linear optical components. It excludes the requisite of high-quality optical cavity or large optical nonlinearity, thus greatly simplifying realization. Our scheme paves the way towards ultralow-power and ultrafast all-optical information processing.
Distortional Extrema and Holes in the Geometric Manifold
Authors: koehler dale
Published: September 2021

It is shown in the present work that the distorted-space model of matter as extended to extreme curvature limits results in characteristics mimicking those of galactic-holes. The distorted-geometry structures exhibit non-Newtonian features wherein the hole or core-region fields of the structure are energetically-repulsive (negative pressure), do not behave functionally in an r-4 manner and terminate at zero at the radial origin (no singularity). Of particular interest is that of r-6 energy-density behavior at structural radial distances near the core of the distortion, a region also displaying potential-well behavior.
Clinical features and laboratory findings first case of B. 1.617.2 (delta) variant concern (VOC) in Iraq
Authors: Essa Rawand A. , Ahmed Sirwan K. , Bapir Dunya H. , Rasul Shero A. , Khdir Awat A. , Abubakr Chawan P.
Published: September 2021

Since the initial report of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, in 2019, the virus has constantly mutated, resulting in the appearance of novel variants. In December 2020, the B.1.617.2 (delta) variant concern (VOC) was first reported in India, and rapidly spread around the globe, is now the main brand in the United Kingdom, and it has grown dramatically. Here we present the clinical features and laboratory findings of the first case of B. 1.617.2 (delta) variant concern (VOC) in Iraq. A 6-year-old female child presented with severe abdominal pain, headache, severe vomiting, and diarrhea, runny nose, alerted mental status, loss of appetite, and fever. The patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 delta variant B.1.617.2 by RT-PCR. The patient was treated by administration of glucose saline 4% for 3 days, ceftriaxone vial 1 mg every 12 h for 6 days, and an acetaminophen bottle on a need to prevent fever followed by a Flagyl bottle every 24 h for 3 days. Vaccination and prevention the spread of the virus and against it are important preventive approaches for delta variant. Sore throat, runny nose, headache, and vomiting, diarrhea are the major clinical features of the delta variant. This was followed by an elevation of the leukocyte WBC, and blood platelets. To reduce the impact of new delta variant B.1.617.2 infection; handwashing, wearing a double mask, avoiding crowded and closed settings, social distancing, lockdown, and ensuring good ventilation are major significant options against this variant.
Tin and Antimony As Soil Pollutants Along The Railway Lines
Authors: Stančić Zvjezdana , Fiket Željka , Vuger Andreja
Published: September 2021

Antimony (Sb) and tin (Sn) in soils along railway lines pose a serious environmental risk. The study, conducted at 60 sites along the 160 km railway line connecting the Croatian capital Zagreb with surrounding smaller settlements and towns, showed pronounced soil Sb and Sn enrichment up to 87 and 33 times the median for European soils, respectively. The total mass fractions of Sb ranged from 0.98 to 52.0 mg/kg and of Sn from 3.04 mg/kg to 97.6 mg/kg. The origin of the enrichment is railway traffic, but precise sources are difficult to define, however available literature points to abrasion from brakes, rails, wheels and overhead wires, exhaust fumes from locomotive engines and cargo waste as predominant sources. The comprehensive data analysis suggested that the Sb and Sn distribution in soils near railway lines was not only conditioned by natural factors such as soil texture, humus content and soil pH, but also by the distance to the tracks, which is not necessarily linear, the site functionality, the topography and the age of the railway line. Observed soil contamination with antimony and tin requires further research to increase knowledge of the impact of railways on Sb and Sn soil content, and to establish safety distances that will ensure the least possible impact of rail traffic on nearby crops and prevent their excessive entry into the food chain.
Interfacial ferroelectricity in marginally twisted 2D semiconductors
Authors: Weston Astrid , Castanon Eli , Enaldiev Vladimir , Ferreira Fabio , Bhattacharjee Shubhadeep , Xu Shuigang , Corte-León Héctor , Wu Zefei , Clark Nicholas , Summerfield Alex , Hashimoto Teruo , Gao Yunze , Wang Wendong , Hamer Matthew , Read Harriet , Fumagalli Laura , Kretinin Andrey , Haigh Sarah , Kazakova Olga , Geim Andre , Fal'ko Vladimir , Gorbachev Roman
Published: September 2021

Twisted heterostructures of two-dimensional crystals offer almost unlimited scope for the design of novel metamaterials. Here we demonstrate a room-temperature ferroelectric semiconductor that is assembled using mono- or few- layer MoS2. These van der Waals heterostructures feature broken inversion symmetry, which, together with the asymmetry of atomic arrangement at the interface of two 2D crystals, enables ferroelectric domains with alternating out-of-plane polarisation arranged into a twist-controlled network. The latter can be moved by applying out-of-plane electrical fields, as visualized in situ using channelling contrast electron microscopy. The interfacial charge transfer for the observed ferroelectric domains is quantified using Kelvin probe force microscopy and agrees well with theoretical calculations. The movement of domain walls and their bending rigidity also agrees well with our modelling results. Furthermore, we demonstrate proof-of-principle field-effect transistors, where the channel resistance exhibits a pronounced hysteresis governed by pinning of ferroelectric domain walls. Our results show a potential venue towards room temperature electronic and optoelectronic semiconductor devices with built-in ferroelectric memory functions.
Long-Term Incidence and Timing of Splenic Pseudoaneurysm Formation After Blunt Splenic Injury: A Retrospective, Observational, Descriptive Study
Authors: Hirano Takaki , Iwasaki Yudai , Ono Yuko , Ishida Tokiya , Shinohara Kazuaki
Published: September 2021

Background

Nonoperative management (NOM) has become a standard strategy for hemodynamically stable patients with blunt splenic injury; however, delayed rupture of splenic pseudoaneurysm (SPA) is a serious complication of NOM. In medical literature, data regarding the long-term incidence of SPA are scarce, and the appropriate timing for performing follow-up contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) has not yet been reported. The present study aimed to elucidate the long-term incidence and timing of SPA formation after blunt splenic injury in patients treated with NOM.
Methods

This retrospective, observational, descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary medical center in Japan. Patients with blunt splenic injury who were treated with NOM in the study setting, between April 2014 and August 2020, were included for the analysis. We performed follow-up contrast-enhanced CT for more than 2 weeks in 65% cases to detect SPA formation. The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of delayed formation of SPA. We also evaluated differences in SPA formation between patients who received transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE; TAE group) and those who did not receive it (non-TAE group) on the admission day.
Results

Among 49 patients with blunt splenic injury who were treated with NOM, 32 underwent follow-up contrast-enhanced CT for over 2 weeks, and 5 of the 32 patients (10.2%) had delayed formation of SPA. All cases of SPA formation occurred within 15 days of injury. The incidence of SPA formation was not significantly different between the TAE and non-TAE groups (5.3% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.67).
Conclusions

SPA developed in approximately 10% of patients within 2 weeks after blunt splenic injury. Therefore, performing follow-up contrast-enhanced CT around this period after injury may be useful to evaluate delayed formation of SPA. Although our findings are novel, they should be confirmed through future studies with a larger sample size.
Changes of Operative Performance of Pulse Pressure Variation As A Predictor of Fluid Responsiveness in a Swine Model of Endotoxin Shock
Authors: Sánchez Jorge Iván Alvarado , Ruiz Juan Daniel Caicedo , Fernández Juan Jose Diaztagle , Tascon Gustavo Adolfo Ospina , Garcia Manuel Ignacio Monge , Ruiz Guillermo Arturo Narvaez , Martínez Luis Eduardo Cruz
Published: September 2021

Background

Several limitations regarding pulse pressure variation (PPV) use have been reported. Our aim was to describe changes in the PPV operative performance as a predictor of fluid responsiveness during the development of a swine endotoxin shock model and to assess hemodynamic variables associated with PPV changes.
Methods

A swine porcine endotoxin shock model was established (E. Coli 055:B5 endotoxin) in 7 pigs, and 3 pigs were included in the control group. The endotoxin was infused until the mean arterial pressure (MAP) dropped below 50 mmHg (TH0); then, the model animal was reanimated with fluids and vasopressors. We performed fluid challenges every hour for 6 hours. ROC curve analysis was conducted. Additionally, a linear mixed model was performed.
Results

The area under the curve (AUC) of PPV decreased from 0.95 (0.81–1.00) to 0.60 (0.17–1.00) at TH0. Its cutoff increased from 10.5–22.00% at TH0. PPV showed an inverse relationship with stroke volume, mean systemic filling pressure (MSFP), MAP, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (p < 0,001, AIC = 111.85).
Conclusions

The PPV operative performance as a predictor of fluid responsiveness decreased with the progression of endotoxic shock. This result could be due to the inverse association with MAP and SVR.
Development of A Rational Framework For Understanding The Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation In Calf Diarrhea Prevention
Authors: Islam Jahidul , Tanimizu Masae , Shimizu Yu , Goto Yoshiaki , Ohtani Natsuki , Sugiyama Kentaro , Tatezaki Eriko , Sato Masumi , Makino Eiji , Shimada Toru , Ueda Chise , Matsuo Ayumi , Suyama Yoshihisa , Sakai Yoshifumi , Furukawa Mutsumi , Usami Katsuki , Yoneyama Hiroshi , Aso Hisashi , Tanaka Hidekazu , Nochi Tomonori
Published: September 2021

Background: Establishing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to prevent multifactorial diarrhea in calves is challenging because of differences in farm management practices, the lack of optimal donors, and recipient selection. In this study, the underlying factors of successful and unsuccessful FMT trials are elucidated, and the potential markers for predicting successful FMT are identified using fetal metagenomics via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, fecal metabolomics via CE-TOFMS, and machine-learning approaches. Results: 20 FMT trials, in which feces from healthy donors were intrarectally transferred into recipient diarrheal calves, were conducted with a success rate of 70%. Selenomonas was identified as a microorganism genus that showed significant donor–recipient compatibility in successful trials. A strong positive correlation between the microbiome and metabolome data, which is a prerequisite factor for FMT success, was confirmed by Procrustes analysis in successful trials (r = 0.7439, P = 0.0001). Additionally, weighted correlation network analysis confirmed the positively or negatively correlated pairs of bacterial taxa (family Veillonellaceae) and metabolomic features (i.e., amino acids and short chain fatty acids) responsible for FMT success. Further analysis aimed at establishing criteria for donor selection identified the genus Sporobacter as a potential biomarker in successful donor selection. Low levels of metabolites, such as glycerol 3-phosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and isoamylamine, in the donor or recipients prior to FMT are predicted to facilitate FMT. Conclusions: Overall, we provide the first substantial evidence of the factors related to FMT success or failure; these findings could improve the design of future microbial therapeutics for preventing diarrhea in calves.
Dietary Fiber Reduces the Concentrations of Certain Aldehydes in Serum
Authors: Shi Shi , Zhu Qingqing , Liao Shengen , Zhu Xu , Tang Xiaosu , Zhou Yanli
Published: September 2021

Aldehydes have been shown to be potentially carcinogenic, mutagenic, and cardiotoxic to humans. Dietary fiber reduces exposure to certain environmental pollutants and has been widely used to improve various metabolic disorders. However, the effects of dietary fiber on serum concentrations of aldehydes remain unexplored. We collected data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014. Generalized linear regression and restricted cubic spline models were performed to elucidate the association of dietary fiber intake with the serum concentration of aldehydes. After fully adjusting for age, sex, education level, race, smoking status, alcohol use, diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, energy intake, poverty-income ratio and physical activity, dietary fiber intake had a strong negative association with serum levels of isopentanaldehyde and propanaldehyde and a positive association with serum levels of benzaldehyde. The estimated increases in the mean log2-unit (ng/mL) of aldehydes for each fold increase in dietary fiber ranged from − 0.155 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: -0.210 to -0.101) for isopentanaldehyde to -0.053 (95% CI: -0.094 to -0.011) for propanaldehyde and 0.156 (95% CI: 0.091 to 0.222) for benzaldehyde. No significant association was observed between dietary fiber intake and the concentration of any other aldehydes. These results demonstrate that dietary fiber reduces the concentration of certain aldehydes in serum.
Single-particle cryo-EM structure of the outer hair cell motor protein prestin.
Authors: Navaratnam Dhasakumar , Butan Carmen , Song Qiang , Bai Jun-Ping , Tan Winston , Santos-Sacchi Joseph
Published: September 2021

The mammalian outer hair cell (OHC) protein prestin (Slc26a5), a member of the solute carrier 26 (Slc26) family of membrane proteins, differs from other members of the family owing to its unique piezoelectric-like property that drives OHC electromotility. OHCs require prestin for cochlear amplification, a process that enhances mammalian hearing. Despite substantial biophysical characterization, the mechanistic basis for the prestin’s electro-mechanical behavior is not fully understood. To gain insight into such behavior, we have used cryo-electron microscopy at subnanometer resolution (overall resolution of 3.96Å) to investigate the three-dimensional structure of prestin from gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Our studies show that prestin dimerizes with a 3D architecture strikingly similar to the dimeric conformation observed in the Slc26a9 anion transporter in an inside open/intermediate state, which we infer, based on patch-clamp recordings, to reflect the contracted state of prestin. The structure shows two well-separated transmembrane (TM) subunits and two cytoplasmic sulfate transporter and anti-sigma factor antagonist (STAS) domains forming a swapped dimer. The dimerization interface is defined by interactions between the domain-swapped STAS dimer and the transmembrane domains of the opposing half unit, further strengthened by an antiparallel beta-strand at its N terminus. The structure also shows that each one of its two transmembrane subunits consists of 14 transmembrane segments organized in two inverted 7-segment repeats with a topology that was first observed in the structure of bacterial symporter UraA (Lu F, et al., Nature 472, 2011). Finally, the solved anion binding site structural features of prestin are quite similar to that of SLC26a9 and other family members. Despite this similarity, we find that SLC26a9 lacks the characteristic displacement currents (or nonlinear capacitance (NLC)) found with prestin, and we show that mutation of prestin’s Cl- binding site removes salicylate competition with anions in the face of normal NLC, thus refuting the yet accepted extrinsic voltage sensor hypothesis and any associated transport-like requirements for voltage-driven electromotility.
Comprehensive In Vivo and In Silico Approaches to Explore the Hepatoprotective Activity of Poncirin Against the Paracetamol Toxicity
Authors: Ullah Hadayat , Khan Ashrafullah , Alameen Alaa Alnoor , Alaqil Faten Abdullah , Ali Yousif Salah , Ahmad Sajjad , AlSharari Shakir D. , Khan Salman
Published: September 2021

Purpose: In the present study, the Poncirin was evaluated against the Paracetamol-induced liver injury using in vivo and computational approaches. Methods: The Paracetamol was administered intraperitoneally to establish the liver injury in mice and subsequently, to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of the Poncirin on the liver injury. The effect of the Poncirin was evaluated against the liver injury markers and inflammatory cytokines. Similarly, in the present study the antioxidants and oxidative stress parameters were also assessed following paracetamol-induced liver injury. The histological studies following liver injury was also assessed using H and E staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, and periodic acid Schiff staining. Results: The Poncirin markedly improved the antioxidant enzymes, while attenuated the oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines. The Poncirin also markedly improved hematological parameters and electrolytes profile. Furthermore, the Poncirin treatment significantly improved the histological parameters using H and E staining, Masson’s trichrome and PAS staining compared to the control. The Poncirin treatment also improved the liver function tests and liver synthetic activity compared to Paracetamol treated group. The immunohistochemistry analysis revealed significant decrease in the inflammatory signaling protein such as NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells), JNK (Jun N-terminal Kinase) and COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) expression level compared to the Paracetamol treated group. The in silico approach was also used to analyze the potential activity and explore the underlying molecular mechanism of Poncirin. Conclusion: The Poncirin improved the sign and symptoms associated with the liver injury using both in vivo and computational approaches.
Emergence of Two Distinct Variants of SARS-CoV-2 and Explosive Second Wave of COVID-19: An Experience From A Tertiary Care Hospital, Pune, India
Authors: Shrivastava Shubham , Mhaske Suhas T , Modak Meera S , Virkar Rashmi G , Pisal Shamburaje S , Mishra Akhilesh Chandra , Arankalle Vidya A
Published: September 2021

The emergence of novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 in several countries has been associated with the increased transmission/ reduced neutralization potential of antibodies against the Wuhan virus (wild type). Currently, India is recovering from an explosive second wave of COVID-19. This prospective study was conducted quarterly for one year (May 2020 to June 2021) at a tertiary care hospital, Pune city, western India. Receptor binding domain (RBD, n = 319) and full genome (n = 20) sequences from viral RNA positive nasopharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients representing first and second waves were used for analysis. We did not detect Brazil, South Africa and California variants. Till December, only wild type strain was prevalent. Concurrent with the upsurge of second wave in March-2021, 73% (33/45) of RBD sequences harboured L452R/E484Q mutations characteristic of Kappa variant. In April, co-circulation of Kappa (37%) and Delta (L452R/T478K, 59%) variants was recorded. During May and June, delta variant became the predominant circulating variant and coincided with a significant decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. Of the 20 full genome sequences, six isolates each exhibited signature mutations of Kappa and Delta variants respectively. With several states witnessing reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases, continuous monitoring of newer mutations and assessment of these mutations in influencing virus transmissibility and impact on vaccinated / previously exposed individuals would be necessary.
Effect of Femoral Nerve Block with Different Concentrations of Chloroprocaine on the Recovery of Joint Function in Rehabilitation Training after Knee Replacement: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study
Authors: Li Jiajia , Xia Ruiqiang , Zhu Chunchun , Wu Hong , Liu Haoran , Wang Zhanghong , Wang Haixing , Li Jun , Ma Jianfeng
Published: September 2021

Background: Patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) experience severe pain after surgery. Especially active pain in early postoperative rehabilitation training of the knee joint is particularly severe, and it should receive people’s attention.Methods: A total of 90 patients who only received unilateral TKA in our hospital were randomly and equally divided into three groups (group C1: 1% chloroprocaine, group C2: 2% chloroprocaine, and group NS: 0.9% sodium chloride solution 0.2 ml/kg; the dosage was fixed at 0.2 ml/kg for all three groups). All patients received femoral nerve catheterization before TKA and started rehabilitation training 48 h after TKA. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of active exercises before and after administration were observed and recorded. VAS scores, maximum knee flexion and extension angles, the incidence of knee flexion angle ≥100° in each group, the American knee society(AKS) scores, together with postoperative rehabilitation training satisfaction and adverse effects were recorded at 7 days and 3 months after surgery.Results: Compared with the NS group, VAS scores after administration of patients in the group C1 and C2 were decreased significantly at each time point (P < 0.05), and the maximum knee flexion angles were increased significantly (P < 0.05), as well as the proportion of maximum knee angle ≥100° (P < 0.05). The postoperative rehabilitation training satisfaction of patients in group C1 and C2 were more than that of patients in the NS group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The administration of 1% chloroprocaine for femoral nerve block before rehabilitation training after TKA could improve the knee flexion angle at the early postoperative stage, increase the proportion of patients who could squat, and cause fewer side effects.
An Insight Into The MicroRNA Profiles of An Ectoparasite Mite Varroa Destructor (Acari: Varroidae), The Primary Vector of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) of The Honey Bee
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Alburaki Mohamed , Tahir Faizan , Goblirsch Michael , Adamczyk John , Karim Shahid
Published: September 2021

The most important ectoparasite of the honeybee is the remarkably adaptive mite Varroa destructor. The Varroa mite is a competent vector of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), the Varroa-virus complex is one of the main factors associated with elevated annual honey bee colony mortality. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs of ~22-24 nucleotides, produced by all plants, animals, and viruses that influence biological processes through post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Knowledge of miRNAs and their functional role in mite biology remains limited. This study developed small RNA libraries from male and female V. destructor by utilizing Illumina's small RNA-Seq platform. A total of 101,913,208 and 91,904,732 small RNA reads (>18 nucleotides) from male and female mites were analyzed using the mirDeep2 algorithm. A conservative approach predicted a total of 306 miRNAs, of which 18 were upregulated and 13 were downregulated in female V. destructor compared to males. A qPCR assay validated the expression of selected differentially expressed female Varroa miRNAs. This dataset provides a list of potential miRNA targets involved in regulating vital Varroa biological processes and for deciphering new targets against Varroa and honey bee viruses they carry.
Differentiation of Multipotent Stem Cells to Insulin-Producing Cells for Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: Bone Marrow- and Adipose Tissue-Derived Cells Comparison
Authors: Eydian Zahra , Ghasemi Alaleh Mohammad , Ansari Samira , Kamali Ali Naghi , Khosravi Maryam , Momtaz Sima , Riki Sanaz , Rafighdoost Laleh , Heravi Reza Entezari
Published: September 2021

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human adipose tissue and bone marrow have a great potential for use in cell therapy due to their ease of isolation, expansion, and differentiation. Our intention was to isolate and promote in vitro expansion and differentiation of MSCs from human adipose and bone marrow tissue into cells with a pancreatic endocrine phenotype and to compare the potency of these cells together.Methods and Results: MSCs were pre-induced with nicotinamide, mercaptoethanol, B-27 and b-FGF in L-DMEM for 2 days and re-induced again in supplemented H-DMEM for another 3 days. Expression of five genes in differentiated beta cells was evaluated by Real-time PCR and western blotting and the potency of insulin release in response to glucose stimulation was evaluated by insulin and C-peptide ELISA kit.Quantitative RT-PCR results showed up-regulation of four genes in differentiated beta-islet cells (Insulin, Ngn-3, Pax-4 and Pdx-1) compared with the control. Western blot analysis showed that MSCs cells mainly produced proinsulin and insulin after differentiation but nestin was more expressed in pre-differentiated stem cells. Glucose and insulin secretion assay showed that insulin levels and C-peptide secretion were significantly increased in response to 10 mM glucose.Conclusions: Our study showed that both adipose and bone marrow stem cells could differentiate into functional beta-islet cells but it seems that adipose stem cells could be a better choice for treatment of diabetes mellitus according to their more safety and potency.
Development of a multifunctional nanocomposite film with record-high ultralow temperature toughness and unprecedented fatigue-resistance
Authors: Jiang Shuaicheng , Wei Yanqiang , Li Jiongjiong , Li Xiaona , Wang Kaili , Li Kuang , Shi Sheldon , Li Jianzhang , Fang Zhen
Published: September 2021

In the quest of materials that can tolerate extreme environments (i.e., aerospace, polar regions of earth), facile design of self-healing, high fatigue-resistant and multifunctional nanocomposite materials with excellent ultralow temperature toughness, especially by utilizing inexpensive and sustainable bioresources is still currently challengeable. In current study, we present a material that displays remarkable ultralow temperature toughness, shows excellent toughness (107.3 MJ·m-3) at − 196°C and maintains high mechanical strength in highly humid environments. This material is a spider silk-inspired, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based, autonomous room temperature self-healable nanocomposite by complexation of boron nitride (BN), quantum dots (QDs) and soybean protein isolate grafted lignin (SPI-lignin). The fabricated material, namely PVA-BN-QDs-SPI-lignin, simultaneously exhibits outstanding tensile strength (53.3 MPa), toughness (182.8 MJ·m-3), fatigue-resistance as well as antiultraviolet and fluorescent properties and sets an impressive new record of folding-failure (900 000 times) and toughness, which are 10.6 to 45.7 times higher than other graphene-based nanocomposites. It can be impressively self-healed within only 2 minutes. Of particular interest is its facile, green, mild and inexpensive preparation method that can be easily scale up. It is believed that this work, beginning with abundant biodegradable resources, opens the door to develop biobased multifunctional materials in practical applications, such as flexible wearable materials.