bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CGRP Signals from Endosomes of Schwann Cells to Elicit Migraine Pain
Authors: De Logu Francesco , Nassini Romina , Hegron Alan , Landini Lorenzo , Jensen Dane , Latorre Rocco , Ding Julia , Marini Matilde , de Araujo Daniel Souza Monteiro , Ramírez-Garcia Paulina , Whittaker Michael , Retamal Jeffri , Titiz Mustafa , Innocenti Alessandro , Veldhuis Nicholas , Davis Thomas , Schmidt Brian , Bunnett Nigel , Geppetti Pierangelo
Published: August 2021

Efficacy of monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor/receptor activity modifying protein-1, CLR/RAMP1) implicates peripherally-released CGRP in migraine pain. However, the site and mechanism of CGRP-evoked migraine pain remain unknown. By cell-selective RAMP1 gene deletion, we reveal that CGRP released from mouse cutaneous trigeminal fibers targets CLR/RAMP1 on surrounding Schwann cells to evoke periorbital mechanical allodynia. CLR/RAMP1 activation in human and mouse Schwann cells generates long-lasting signals from endosomes that evoke cAMP-dependent formation of NO. NO, by gating Schwann cell transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), releases ROS, which in a feed-forward manner sustain allodynia via nociceptor TRPA1. When encapsulated into nanoparticles that release cargo in acidified endosomes, a CLR/RAMP1 antagonist provides superior inhibition of CGRP signaling and allodynia in mice. The CGRP-mediated neuronal/Schwann cell pathway is critical to mediate allodynia associated with neurogenic inflammation, thus contributing to the pro-migraine action of CGRP.
Evaluating The Groundwater Potential of Wadi Al-Jizi, Sultanate of Oman By Intergrating Remote Sensing & GIS Techniques
Authors: Akhtar Javed , Sana Ahmed , Tauseef Syed Mohammed , Chellaiah Gajendran , Kaliyaperumal Parmeswari , Sarkar Humayun , Ayyamperumal Ramamoorthy
Published: August 2021

Groundwater resources are highly stressed due to their overuse, especially in the arid region. This study is aimed at discovering potential groundwater resource zones using currently available data and state-of-the-art methods. This will lead to effective management of scarcely available and rapidly depleting groundwater resources in the Wadi Al-Jizi catchment, located in the Al-Batinah region. Data on terrain characteristics, geology, and geomorphology was integrated using remote sensing techniques and Geographical Information System (GIS). The result from this exercise was used for the identification of areas with a high potential for groundwater availability. These areas were classified into five types; namely; excellent, good, medium, low, and very low. The present study shows that the integration of all the weighted parameters shows promising results in the zonation of groundwater. This study shall be useful to the decision-makers in highlighting potential drilling as well as recharge sites in the area.
Mega-Environment Analysis and Identify Stable and High-Yielding of New Promising Black Soybean Lines in Indonesia
Authors: Susanto Gatut Wahyu Anggoro , Putri Pratanti Haksiwi , Maulana Haris , Wijaya Acep Atma , Karuniawan Agung
Published: August 2021

Stable and high-yielding are the major goals of black soybean breeding. Testing new lines in a mega-environment is one of the development processes in black soybean breeding. The aims of the research were (i) to identify the effects of genotype, environment, and GEIs on the grain yield of soybean lines in Java Island; (ii) to select stable and high yielding soybean lines; and (iii) to determine the discriminative environments, and (iv) to determine the concept of stability measurements on black soybean grain yields. Field trials of 10 new F8 promising lines and three check varieties were conducted under eight different environments during four years (2016–2019). The measurement results showed that the grain yield was influenced by genotype (8.35%), environment (59.49%), and GEIs (32.16%). Grain yield stability measurements showed that the four newly lines was identified had high yields and stable in eight environments, they were A-5A-PSJ (S2), DB-96-CTY (S5), UP 161 (S6), and UP 162 (S7). The Ngawi (2017) followed by Bogor (2019) and Banyuwangi (2016) has the strongest interactive capabilities, and was suitable for used as a trial environments. Grain yield (Y) was identified as having a positive and significant correlation (p < 0.05) with S(3), S(6), NP(2), NP(3), NP(4), KR, and YSI stability measurements, which indicated that they were included in the concept of dynamic stability measurement.
Does Technological Innovation Improve the Regional Ecological Efficiency? Empirical Evidence From China
Authors: Huang Huan , Kuang Jiaxin , Wang Fan , Tian Ke , Xiao Yi
Published: August 2021

The rapid development of China's economy and urbanization has led to the rapid deterioration of the ecological environment. This study aims to explore the relationship between provincial eco-efficiency and technological innovation in China. The DEA model is used to measure the ecological efficiency of 30 regions in China by using the data from 2007 to 2017, and different spatial econometric models were used to explore the influencing factors of ecological efficiency. The results show that in terms of ecological efficiency, the western region has the highest ecological efficiency, and the eastern region has the lowest. However, with the acceleration of urbanization, the ecological efficiency of the three regions gradually declined, and the last three regions basically remained at the same level. Based on spatial econometric analysis, the relationship between technological innovation and ecological efficiency is discussed. The results show that technological innovation has a negative impact on ecological efficiency, which confirms the existence of the environmental Kuznets Curve. In addition, environmental regulation and education level can improve ecological efficiency, while urbanization rate can reduce ecological efficiency. At the same time, spatial spillover effect plays an important role in technological innovation, environmental regulation, education level and urbanization rate in the change of regional ecological efficiency. Policy recommendations for further strengthening environmental protection and sustainable development are discussed.
The Global, Regional, and National Burden of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Attributable Risk Factors in 194 Countries and Territories, 2007–2017
Authors: Shen Zhisen , Cao Yujie , Luo Lin , Han Liyuan , Li Jun , Wang Liuqian , Lu Yaqin , Gu Shanshan , Deng Hongxia
Published: August 2021

BackgroundSo far, no research about the burden of the incidence rate, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and death rate associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been reported on the global, regional, and national levels. In this paper, we provide an overview of the most recent global epidemiology of nasopharyngeal cancer with data obtained from the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) repository.MethodsWe utilized the reports of the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors Study in 2017 to estimate the burden of NPC in 194 countries and territories by age, sex, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) from 2007 to 2017. Moreover, we assessed the risk factors of NPC-related DALYs and deaths through the Comparative Risk Assessment Framework.ResultsIn the year 2017, 10.978 million new NPC cases with a 95% uncertainty interval of 10.444 to 11.556 million were recorded globally, whereas the DALYs and deaths were 2.09 million cases with a 95%UI 2 to 2.17 million and 695.5 thousand cases with 95% UI 668.7 to 722.7 thousand, respectively. From 2007 to 2017, the estimated incidence rate of NPC decreased by 2.3% with 95% uncertainty interval -7% to 3.28%, the estimated DALY rate decreased by 4.95% with 95% uncertainty interval from -8.46% to -1.24%, and the estimated death rate decreased by 3.01% with 95% uncertainty interval -6.36% to 0.43%. The age-standardized incidence, DALY, and death rates in 2017 were all the highest among the countries located in the middle-SDI quintiles region. At the GBD regional level, the most severe age-standardized incidence, DALY, and death rates in 2017 occurred in Oceania, followed by Southeast Asia and East Asia. From 2007 to 2017, the Caribbean and South Asia have the most increase in percentage in age-standardized incidence, DALY, and death rates. At the national level, countries like Ukraine, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic reported the largest percentage increases in the age-standardized incidence, DALY, and death rates in a decade. From 2007 to 2017, DALYs and death rate of NPC increased by 18.99% (95%UI:13.34% - 25.73%) and 23.5% (95%UI:17.76% - 29.84%), respectively. While the estimated age-standardized attributable risk DALY rate and the age-standardized attributable risk mortality rate decreased by 5.55% (95% UI: -9.93% - 0.34%) and 4.25% (95% UI: -8.64% - 0.56%). ConclusionThe middle-SDI quintiles had the highest age-standardized incidence, DALY, and death rates in 2017. The largest increases in age-standardized incidence, DALY, and death rates were reported in the Caribbean and South Asia from 2007 to 2017, especially in countries such as Ukraine, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Dominica. In these regions, Alcohol consumption, Smoking, and A diet short of fruits were the primary three risk factors contributing to both DALYs and deaths in 2017.
Combining single and complex indices of pollution with grain size trend analysis of surficial sediments in Edremit Gulf, western Turkey.
Authors: Duman Muhammet , Kucuksezgin Filiz , Eronat Atilla Hüsnü , Talas Ezgi , İlhan Tarık , Aydın Şenol
Published: August 2021

Pollution risk assessment of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As) in sediment samples from 68 locations in the Gulf of Edremit, western Turkey, was performed using single and complex indices of pollution assessment approaches. The pollution indices used in the sediment analyses included pollution load index(PLI), contamination factor(CF), contamination degree(Cdeg) for individual metals, geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factors(EF), toxic risk index(TRI), modified pollution index (MPI), frequency of adverse biological effects (TEL-PEL), percent incidence of biological effects (ERL-ERM), and total risk quotients (QTEL-QPEL). Results indicated a low degree of contamination for the entire surveyed area except moderate contamination factor for arsenic using single indices. Enrichment factors and geoaccumulation indices indicated moderate to significant enrichment and uncontaminated to moderately contaminated both for arsenic(As) and lead(Pb), respectively. According to the results of ecological risk assessment based on TELs and PELs, the adverse biological effects of heavy metals on aquatic organisms; are for As, Cr, Ni frequently, Cu and Pb occasionally and Zn rare. The TRI values displayed low to considerably toxic risk for the entire Gulf and calculated TRI results showed that arsenic accounted for most of the entire sediment toxicity. Transport patterns of sediment grain size trend analyses were correlated with the results of pollution assessment models. Transport trends are compatible with the sources of lithogenic, anthropogenic, mining activities and wastewater treatment/geothermal originated arsenic.
SNHG6/mir-26a-5p/PIM1 Axis Could Regulate Tumorigenic Glioma Cells Behaviors
Authors: jafari-oliayi Amin , Asadi Malek Hossein
Published: August 2021

Purpose Today, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered more than before. SNHG6 like many lncRNAs is proved to have different roles in human malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma, brain cancers and … . Glioma with a poor prognosis needs a faster way to prognosticate. Finding key molecular mechanisms of gliomagenesis is essential for producing effective drugs. We indicated a new possible molecular gliomagenesis pathway involving of PIM1 and mir-26a-5p. Methods SNHG6 expression level was assessed in 29 brain tumor samples. Two specific siRNAs were designed and SNHG6 was silenced in A172 & U87-MG cells. Cell cycle progression, apoptosis, EMT, migration ability and survival of target cells were assessed following of SNHG6 knock-down. Results Expression of SNHG6 in glioma tissues and target cell lines was satisfied. Following of using siRNAs, G1 arrest, mesenchymal characteristics reduction and much apoptosis of U87-MG tumorigenic cells was proved. Target cells demonstrated less proliferation and survival ability when SNHG6 was silenced. Following of SNHG6 knockdown, mir-26a-5p and PIM1 mRNA were fluctuated and U87-MG cells showed this phenomenon more prominent. Conclusion In this research we indicated a new possible molecular pathway that could affect gliomagenesis. SNHG6/mir-26a-5p/PIM1 might be an unknown gliomagenesis molecular pathway for new treatments.
Impact of Age On Short-Term Outcomes After Discharge in Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Hosogai Masahiro , Ikawa Fusao , Hidaka Toshikazu , Matsuda Shingo , Ozono Iori , Inamasu Joji , Kobata Hitoshi , Horie Nobutaka , Murayama Yuichi , Sato Akira , Kato Yoko , Sano Hirotoshi , Yamaguchi Shuhei
Published: August 2021

Changes in outcome after discharge of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) have not been examined in detail in recent aging society. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence and factors of changes in outcome in these patients based on a registry database in Japan. Overall, 1,111 radically treated patients with aSAH in the acute stage were selected between January 2010 and December 2012 for inclusion in the modified World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (mWFNS) scale study. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge and 3 months after onset, prevalence of improvement and decline between these two periods, and their factors were evaluated by age groups through multivariate logistic regression analysis. The rates of improvement and decline were 28.4% and 2.4%, respectively. Factors that improved the mRS score were WFNS and mWFNS scale grade Ⅳ versus (vs.) Ⅰ (odds ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.31–0.71), grade Ⅴ vs. Ⅰ (0.49, 0.31–0.76), and cerebral vasospasm category 4 vs. 1 (0.43, 0.25–0.77). Factors that decreased the mRS score were pre-elderly (65–74 years) vs. non-elderly (<65 years) (5.65, 1.09–29.20), elderly (≥75 years) vs. non-elderly (19.20, 2.36–156.50), WFNS scale grade III vs. I, and aneurysmal location. Mild neurological grade on admission and no cerebral infarction due to cerebral vasospasm were the factors improving outcomes, and aging was a factor declining outcomes between discharge and at 3 months after onset. Careful assessment timing of outcome in elderly patients is needed in the future aging society.
Short-term Effect of Ambient Air Pollutants Change on the Risk of Tuberculosis Outpatient Visits: A Time-series Study in Fuyang, China
Authors: Wang Xin-Qiang , Li Ying-Qing , Hu Cheng-Yang , Huang Kai , Ding Kun , Yang Xiao-Jing , Cheng Xin , Zhang Kang-Di , Yu Wen-Jie , Wang Jie , Zhang Yong-Zhong , Ding Zhen-tao , Zhang Xiu-Jun , Kan Xiao-Hong
Published: August 2021

There is growing evidence that air pollution plays a role in TB, but few studies have comprehensively included the six common air pollutants. Our objectives were to investigate the association between short-term exposure to six common air pollutants and the risk of tuberculosis outpatient visits in Fuyang, China, during the period 2015-2020. We combined the two models to explore the effects of exposure to six air pollutants on the risk of tuberculosis outpatient visits, including Poisson generalized linear regression model and distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM). We performed stratified analyses for season, gender and age. We used the lag-specific relative risks and cumulative relative risk obtained by increasing pollutant concentration by per 10 units to evaluate the connection between six air pollutants and TB, PM2.5 (RR=1.0018, 95%CI: 1.0004-1.0032, delay of 12 days) and (RR=1.0169,95%CI: 1.0007-1.0333, lag 0-16 days), SO2 were 0.9549 (95%CI: 0.9389-0.9712, lag 0 days) and 0.8212 (95%CI: 0.7351-0.9173, 0-20 days lag). Stratified analyses showed that seasonal differences had a greater impact on TB, and male more likely to develop TB than female, older people more likely to develop TB than younger people. Exposure to O3, CO, PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 increases the risk of TB outpatient visits, except SO2 reduces the risk. Male and elderly people should be protected. We need to pay more attention to the impact of seasonal effects on TB.
Landslide Hazard Zonation and Evaluation around Debre Werk Town, North West Ethiopia
Authors: Asmare Dawit , Tesfa Chalachew
Published: August 2021

The present research was conducted in the town of Debre Werk, East Gojjam, North West Ethiopia, with the ultimate aim of conducting a Landslide Hazard Zonation and Evaluation. To reach this aim, the Slope Stability Susceptibility Evaluation Parameter (SSEP) rating system was adopted to zone and evaluate the landslide status of the area. This rating system was done by considering the parameters of intrinsic and external triggering factors that cause landslides. Systematic and detailed fieldwork had been undertaken as a justification. Secondary data, on the other hand, was required to define the general conditions of the area and to gain a thorough understanding of the field of study. Ratings for intrinsic parameters in the SSEP system include slope morphometry, relative relief, slope content, geological structures/discontinuities, land use land cover, groundwater, and external parameters include erosion, seismicity, and manmade activities. Individual facet-wise ratings for intrinsic causative factors and external triggering factors ratings are summarized to evaluate the landslide hazard zonation of an environment. The sum of all causative parameter ratings will give evaluated landslide hazards (ELH). Therefore, the research was carried out by dividing the study area into 70 facets. Then 85 landslide incidents in the study area were investigated. From 85 landslides, 39 districts showed past landslides, 23 showed active landslides and the remaining 23 districts showed signs of landslides. The delineated 70 facets were categorized into 3 landslide hazard zones. There are about 73.3km2 (27.2%) of the study area within the low hazard zone, 140.8km2 (52.1%) within the moderate hazard zone, and the remaining 55.9km2 (20.7%) within the high hazard zone. Based on the findings of SSEP, it can be deduced that the present research area is highly susceptible to landslide and requires special attention during rainy seasons. Finally, the validity of the prepared LHZ map was checked by overlaying the inventory map over the produced LHZ map. The overlap map shows that 17 districts showing active landslides, 2 districts showing signs of landslides, and 5 districts showing past landslide activities fall into high hazard zones. Likewise, 5 districts showing active landslides, 3 districts showing signs of landslides, and 28 districts showing past landslides fall into moderate hazard zones. The remaining 1 district showing active landslides, 18 districts showing signs of landslides, and 6 districts showing past landslide activities fall into moderate hazard zones.
Preliminary Outcomes Following Application Of The Real-Time Navigation System Combined With Intraoperative Three-Dimensional C-Arm Computed Tomography For Zygomatico-Orbital Fracture Reconstruction
Authors: Chu Yu-Ying , Yang Jia-Ruei , Liao Han Tsung , Lai Bo-Ru
Published: August 2021

This study analyzed the outcomes of zygomatico-orbital fracture reconstruction using the real-time navigation system with intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) C-arm computed tomography (CT). Fifteen patients with zygomatico-orbital or isolated orbital/zygoma fractures were enrolled in this prospective cohort. For zygoma reduction, the displacement at five key sutures and the differences between preoperative and intraoperative CT images were compared. For orbital reconstruction, the bilateral orbital volume differences in the anterior, middle, and posterior angles over the medial transitional buttress were measured. Two patients required implant adjustment once after the intraoperative 3D C-arm assessment. On comparing the preoperative and postoperative findings for the zygoma, the average sum of displacement was 19.48 (range, 5.1–34.65) vs. ±1.96 (0–3.95) mm (P < 0.001) and the deviation index was 13.56 (10–24.35) vs. 2.44 (0.6–4.85) (P < 0.001). For the orbit, the mean preoperative to postoperative bilateral orbital volume difference was 3.93 (0.35–10.95) vs. 1.05 (0.12–3.61) mm3 (P <0.001). The mean difference in the bilateral angles at the transition buttress was significantly decreased postoperatively at the middle and posterior one-third. The surgical navigation system with the intraoperative 3D C-arm can effectively improve the accuracy of zygomatico-orbital fracture reconstruction and decrease implant adjustment times.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of liraglutide 3 mg [LIRA 3mg] on weight, body composition, hormonal and metabolic parameters in women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Elkind-Hirsch Karen , Chappell Neil , Shaler Donna , Storment John , Bellanger Drake
Published: August 2021

BackgroundThe efficacy of lifestyle modifications for established obesity is limited in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and more aggressive interventions are needed. We assessed the efficacy and safety of the GLP-1 analogue liraglutide 3mg (LIRA 3mg) versus placebo (PL) for reduction of body weight and hyperandrogenism in women with obesity and PCOSMethodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled women from a single-outpatient center diagnosed with PCOS (NIH criteria) with a body-mass index of at least 30 kg/m.2 Participants were randomly allocated (2:1) to treatment with a subcutaneous injection LIRA 3mg or visually matching placebo, once daily for 32 weeks, plus lifestyle intervention. Study visits at baseline, and 32 weeks included weight, blood pressure (BP), waist (WC) measures and body composition evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were done to assess glycemia, mean blood glucose (MBG), and compute insulin sensitivity (SI) and secretion (IS) measures. Sex steroids, free androgen index (FAI), complete metabolic profile and lipid profiles were measured in the fasting sample. Co-primary endpoints were change in body weight (BW) and FAI. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03480022FindingsFrom October 2018 to June 2020, 88 patients were screened, of whom 82 were randomly assigned to LIRA 3mg (n = 55) or PL (n = 27). Change in mean BW from baseline to week 32 was − 5.7% (SE 0·.75) with LIRA 3mg vs. -1.4% (1.09) with PL (P < 0.002). At week 32, more patients on LIRA 3 mg than on placebo achieved weight reductions of at least 5% (25[57%] of 44 vs. 5 [22%] of 23; (p < 0·007). LIRA 3mg resulted in significant reduction of FAI, improvements in SI and IS as well as OGTT MBG, and improved body fat by DXA. Gastrointestinal adverse events, which were mostly mild to moderate, were reported in 32 (58.2%) of 55 patients with LIRA 3mg, and 5 (18.5%) of 27 with PL.InterpretationIn obese women with PCOS, LIRA 3mg once daily achieved a superior and clinically meaningful decrease in BW and androgenicity and improved cardiometabolic parameters compared with placebo.
Pollution Characteristics and Emissions of Typical Organophosphate Esters From a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Chengdu, China
Authors: Yin Hongling , Luo Yi , Song Jiaojiao , Li Shiping , Lin Shuyu , Xiong Yuanming , Fang Shuhong , Tang Juan
Published: August 2021

Effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is an important source of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in the receiving rivers. In this paper, the concentration and distribution of seven OPEs in the water samples were determined, and the discharge was estimated. The results showed that the total removal rate of Σ7OPEs in water phase in WWTP was 57.2%. The average concentrations of Σ7OPEs in influent and effluent of the WWTP during rainy period were 3956.1 ± 1897.3 ng/L and 1461.9 ± 846.3 ng/L, respectively, which were about 4 times larger than those in influent water (978.2 ± 166.5 ng/L) and effluent (418.3 ± 12.0 ng/L) during non-rainy period, indicating that rainfall has a marked impact on the load of OPEs in WWTP and the receiving water. It was estimated that the average daily discharge of Σ7OPEs in the effluent of WWTP was 157.9 g, and the daily per capita contribution of the population in the area to the OPEs in the influent was 0.414 mg. During the shift of labour-intensive manufacturing from the coastal developed areas to inland regions, OPEs were widely used and produced in Southwest China. The total amount of OPEs emissions and its control should be taken into consideration.
Tropical cyclone climatology change greatly exacerbates US joint rainfall-surge hazard
Authors: Gori Avantika , Lin Ning , Xi Dazhi , Emanuel Kerry
Published: August 2021

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are among the largest drivers of extreme rainfall and surge, but current and future TC joint hazard has not been well quantified. We utilize a physics-based approach to simulate TC rainfall and storm tides and quantify their joint hazard under historical conditions and a future (SSP5 8.5) climate projection. We find drastic increases in the frequency of exceeding joint historical 100-yr hazard levels by 2100, with a 10–36 fold increase along the southern US coast and 30–195 fold increase in the northeast. The joint hazard increase is induced by sea-level rise and TC climatology change; the relative contribution of TC climatology change is higher than that of sea-level rise for 96% of the coast due to large increases in rainfall. Increasing storm intensity and decreasing translation speed are the main TC change factors that cause higher rainfall and storm tides and up to 25% increase in their dependence.
A Controlled Pre-Post Analysis Investigating The Effect of Mindfulness On Perceived Stress and Cortisol Levels and Exam Performance in Medical Students
Authors: Hearn Jasmine Heath , Stocker Claire J
Published: August 2021

Background.

Medical students demonstrate higher levels of psychological distress compared with the general population and other student groups. Mindfulness interventions show promise in stress reduction for this group, and in the reduction of cortisol, an established clinical marker of the body’s stress response. This study investigated the relationship of mindfulness to perceived stress, salivary cortisol and assessment performance in undergraduate medical students in response to stressful and non-stressful events.
Methods.

A controlled pre-post analysis design with within-groups comparisons. 67 medical students completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and provided perceived stress ratings and saliva samples, from which cortisol was extracted, during group work (control/baseline) and immediately prior to end of year 2 examinations (experimental). Academic performance data was extracted for comparison with measures.
Results.

Salivary cortisol and perceived stress were significantly increased prior to examinations. The change in cortisol levels from baseline (non-stressful, group work conditions) to experimental (stressful, pre-exam conditions) showed a significant negative correlation with exam performance. FFMQ score showed a significant positive correlation with exam performance and a significant negative correlation with salivary cortisol concentration.
Conclusions.

This study suggests that there exists an important relationship between mindfulness and biomarkers of stress, which may manifest into improved assessment outcomes potentially through healthier, more adaptive coping and stress management strategies. A novel strength of the present study is the identification of individual facets of mindfulness associated with stress and exam performance (acting with awareness and non-judging) suggesting that these may be important targets for improving medical students’ stress management and exam performance.
Complementary hemispheric lateralization of language and social processing in the human brain
Authors: Rajimehr Reza , Firoozi Arsalan , Rafipoor Hossein , Abbasi Nooshin , Duncan John
Published: August 2021

Humans have a unique ability to use language for social communication. The neural architecture for language comprehension and production may have emerged in the brain areas that were originally involved in social cognition. Here we directly tested the fundamental link between language and social processing using functional MRI data from over 1000 human subjects. Cortical activations in language and social tasks showed a striking similarity with a complementary hemispheric lateralization; within core language areas, the activations were left-lateralized in the language task and right-lateralized in the social task. Outside these areas, the activations were left-lateralized in both tasks, perhaps indicating multimodal integration of social and communicative information. Our findings could have important implications in understanding neurocognitive mechanisms of social disorders such as autism.
Double grazing bifurcations of the non-smooth railway wheelset systems
Authors: Miao Pengcheng , Li Denghui , Yin Shan , Xie Jianhua , Grebogi Celso , Yue Yuan
Published: August 2021

There are numerous non-smooth factors in railway vehicle systems, such as flange impact, dry friction, creep force, and so on. Such non-smooth factors heavily affect the dynamical behavior of the railway systems. In this paper, we investigate and mathematically analyze the double grazing bifurcations of the railway wheelset systems with flange contact. Two types of models of flange impact are considered, one is a rigid impact model and the other is a soft impact model. First, we derive Poincaré maps near the grazing trajectory by the Poincaré-section discontinuity mapping (PDM) approach for the two impact models. Then, we analyze and compare the near grazing dynamics of the two models. It is shown that in the rigid impact model the stable periodic motion of the railway wheelset system translates into a chaotic motion after the gazing bifurcation, while in the soft impact model a pitchfork bifurcation occurs and the system tends to the chaotic state through a period doubling bifurcation. Our results also extend the applicability of the PDM of one constraint surface to that of two constraint surfaces for autonomous systems.
Yttria- Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia with Superior Mechanical Properties Prepared Using Gel Casting Technology and a Two-Stage Sintering Process
Authors: Jhan Jing-Siang , Chen Chih-Cheng , Liu Yu-Chi , Hsiang Hsing-I
Published: August 2021

Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (YTZP) ceramics with high densification and superior mechanical properties were obtained using gel casting technology and a two-stage sintering process. Well-dispersed Nano-sized (94 nm) zirconia slurry with high solid content (45vol%) was prepared for gel casting using Dolapix CE64 as the dispersant. As the dispersed slurry was added epoxy monomer (EGDGE) and polymerization initiator (DPTA), Dolapix CE64 promoted gelling, leading to an abrupt increase in the slurry viscosity. As Dolapix CE64 was added into the slurry, its functional carboxyl groups reacted with EGDGE, resulting in a decrease in gelling incubation time and an increase in viscosity, hence, leading to gel casting failure. The addition of hydroquinone (HQ) into the slurry can be used to delay the polymerization and extend the gel casting working time. After gel casting, the temperature was raised to above 60o C to promote the polymerization, leading to an increase in the green strength.A two-stage sintering process was used to control the grain growth. The first stage sintering temperature was chosen at 1300oC, where the relative density reached 83%. In the second sintering stage, the temperature was lowered to 1240°C and soaked for 24 h to inhibit grain growth (mean grain size of 195 nm) and continue densification to a relative density of above 99%. Vickers hardness of 15.2GPa, fracture toughness of 7.8MPa.m1/2, and flexural strength of 771MPa can be obtained for the sample prepared using gel casting technology with a two-stage sintering process.
Hsa-miR-3120/miR-214 Mirror miRNAs Alteration in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Bahonar Sajedeh , Soltani Bahram Mohammad , Jafarzadeh Meisam
Published: August 2021

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, and various studies have shown that many genes, including miRNAs, play important roles in the development of this cancer. Here, we investigated the molecular and cellular effect of miR-3120 and its mirror miRNA, miR-214, in colorectal cancer using bioinformatics and experimental techniques. Microarray data analysis showed that miR-3120/miR-214 expression are deregulated in colorectal cancer tumors and RT-qPCR analysis of these miRNAs showed a negative expression correlation in different colorectal cancer-originated cell lines. Also, RT-qPCR result indicated that miR-3120 and miR-214 affects each other expression. Overexpression of miR-3120 in HCT-116 cell line followed by qRT-PCR showed increased expression of SMAD3, SMAD4 and AKT2 genes, whereas overexpression of miR-214 inversed this effect. In addition, the expression of specific target genes of each microRNA showed a pattern of co-expression with its microRNAs. Also, investigating the effect of miR-3120/miR-214 on the cell cycle, showed their promoting effect on the progression of the cell cycle. Overall, these data suggest that miR-3120/miR-214 may be involved in regulating the molecular pathways of colorectal cancer, and part of this regulation could be related to the interaction of these genes with each other.
Cognitive Improvement Via Left Angular Gyrus-Navigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Inducing the Neuroplasticity of Thalamic System in Alzheimer’s Disease Spectrum Patients
Authors: Yang Zhiyuan , Sheng Xiaoning , Qin Ruomeng , Chen Haifeng , Shao Pengfei , Xu Hengheng , Yao Weina , Zhao Hui , Xu Yun , Bai Feng
Published: August 2021

Background: Stimulating superficial brain regions highly associated with the hippocampus by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may improve memory of Alzheimer disease (AD) spectrum patients. Methods: We recruited 26 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD patients. All the patients were stimulated to the left angular gyrus, which was confirmed a strong link to the hippocampus through neuroimaging studies, by the neuro-navigated rTMS for four weeks. Automated fiber quantification (AFQ) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and graph theory analysis on functional network were employed to detect the neuroplasticity of brain networks. Results: After neuro-navigated rTMS intervention, the episodic memory and language function of patients were significantly improved. Increased white matter integrity of right anterior thalamic radiation among MCI patients, while decreased functional network properties of thalamus subregions were observed. It is worth noting that the improvement of cognition was associated with the neuroplasticity of thalamic systemConclusions: We speculated that the rTMS intervention targeting left angular gyrus may be served as a strategy to improve cognitive impairment in AD spectrum patients, supporting by the neuroplasticity of thalamic system, especially in the early disease process at the stage of MCI.
Adjuvant Trastuzumab with or without Chemotherapy in Stage 1 pT1N0 HER2+ Breast Cancer: A National Cancer Database Analysis
Authors: Cao Lifen , Shenk Robert , Stabellini Nickolas , Miller Megan E. , Towe Christopher W. , Montero Alberto J.
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Approximately 20% of all breast cancers (BC) are HER2 amplified. In the APT trial, weekly paclitaxel/ trastuzumab in node negative HER2+ BC with tumors <3 cm was associated with a 7-year invasive disease-free survival of 93%. However, this was in the context of a non-randomized trial, and for pT1N0 HER2+ BC it remains unclear whether HER2 monotherapy would provide similar clinical outcomes to chemo-HER2 therapy. We hypothesized that adjuvant chemo-HER2 therapy would be associated with a modestly improved overall survival compared to HER2 monotherapy in patients with tumors <2cm. Methods: In the National Cancer Database (2004-2017), patients with a primary diagnosis of pT1N0M0 HER2+ BC, were separated into two groups: (i) HER2 monotherapy, i.e. trastuzumab, and (ii) chemo-HER2 therapy. A 3:1 propensity match was performed to balance patient selection bias between the two different cohorts. Long-term overall survival (OS) was compared between both groups. Results: A total of 23, 281 patients met the criteria. 22,268 (96.7%) received chemo-HER2 therapy and 1,013 (4.4%) received HER2 monotherapy. Propensity match identified 1,995 patients who received chemo-HER2 therapy, and 666 who received HER2 monotherapy. After match, adjuvant chemo-HER2 therapy was associated with a modest survival advantage over HER2 monotherapy (5-year OS 94.1% vs. 90.6%, P=0.041). Conclusions: Even though there is a modest OS advantage favoring adjuvant chemo-HER2 therapy in pT1N0 HER2+ BC, HER2 monotherapy was associated with 5-year OS >90%. Therefore, in select patients who have contraindications for cytotoxic chemotherapy, or decline adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant trastuzumab monotherapy appears to be a reasonable alternative.
A case study of Web Content Accessibility of 15 top-ranked Universities of India
Authors: Kumar Akhilesh
Published: August 2021

Accessibility of websites are very important for making it web-based information for persons with disabilities which further reinforced by COVID-19 pandemic. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) has been developed by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and accordingly Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) has also been developed. In this case study we studied the home page of websites of 15 top ranked Higher Education Institutions of India ranked by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), started in 2016 for availability of basic accessibility features. The ranking used is of latest one i.e. of 2020. Qualitative observation has been made of the home page of each 15 universities and the NIRF website. Eleven fundamental accessibility features were taken in to account. Results revealed that most of these top15 ranked universities lack even basic accessibility feature making their websites inaccessible for persons with disabilities. Options like font size, screen reader, high contrast text also were not found on may website of top-15 universities. The website of NIRF had no basic features out of 11 considered in the study indicating a very poor condition of digital accessibility features of website of top ranked universities which needs urgent attention to achieve equity and inclusion as promised in NEP 2020.
A Primary Cardiac Osteosarcoma: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zou Xue-Xue , Chang Wen-Li , Gao Heng-Xing
Published: August 2021

Background: Primary cardiac osteosarcoma is an uncommon condition, which is challenging to diagnose, and rarely reported.Case presentation: Here, we present a previously healthy 27-year-old patient referred to our hospital with a long-term fever. Echocardiography and thoracic computed tomography (CT) presented two masses in the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV), and surgical excision of the masses revealed cardiac high-grade osteosarcoma. Unfortunately, the left ventricular tumor recurred three months later, and the patient was administered periodic chemotherapy. Then, chest CT showed that the left ventricle was almost occupied by the tumor and also involved the left ventricular outflow tract, the left atrial appendage mass increased significantly, and multiple metastatic small nodules appeared in both lungs.The patient is still in follow-up.Conclusions: The prevalence of primary cardiac osteosarcoma is very low and did not involve LA and LV simultaneously. This patient was hospitalized in our hospital complaining of a long-term fever of unknown origin, which has never been reported in the previous literatures. Our case report findings suggest that primary cardiac osteosarcoma should not be ignored in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin.
Isolation and Characterization of Potential Bacteriocin Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria From Fermented Food Products
Authors: Keerthini S. , Kapilan R. , Vasantharuba S.
Published: August 2021

BackgroundProbiotic, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are consumed by human through the traditional food products for several decades due to their beneficial health effects. LAB is Gram positive, non motile bacteria that produce antimicrobial peptides for their defense mechanism. Among the antimicrobial peptides, Bacteriocins are widely investigated because of their possible utilization in food sector especially food security actions, where bacteriocin kills or inhibits the growth of other bacteria. Usage of metabolic products of LAB and LAB are generally recognized as safe. Therefore, this study was aimed to isolate LAB species that produce bacteriocin showing wide spectrum antibacterial activity.Results Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from yoghurt, curd, dosa batter, idli batter and soaked and ground rice batter using (De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe agar) MRS agar and incubated at room temperature (30±2ºC) for 24-72 h aerobically and anaerobically. When agar well diffusion method was employed to detect the antibacterial activity of the twenty five isolates against food spoilage organisms (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella sp., Proteus sp., Micrococcus sp., and Bacillus sp.,). Three bacterial species showing broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, were identified and characterized by biochemical and molecular methods. The wide spectrum antibacterial bacterial species were identified as Lactobacillus reuteri AF182723 isolated from curd, Lactobacillus rhamnosus AY299488 isolated from rice batter and Lactobacillus acidophilus AF182726 isolated from yoghurt. Among all the isolates, Lactobacillus reuteri AF182723 showed significant wide spectrum antibacterial activity against diverse Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial species. Conclusion The production of bacteriocin from Lactobacillus reuteri AF182723 and incorporating it in the food would inhibit the food spoilage organisms. Usage of this bacteriocin at appropriate concentration in food needs to be studied further.
Dipolar excitonic insulator in a moiré lattice
Authors: Gu Jie , Ma Liguo , Liu Song , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Hone James , Shan Jie , Mak Kin Fai
Published: August 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) moiré materials provide a highly-controllable solid-state platform for studies of correlated quantum phenomena. To date, experimental studies have focused on the correlated electronic states; the correlated bosonic states in moiré materials have remained practically unexplored. Here, we report a correlated dipolar excitonic insulator--a charge insulating state driven by exciton formation--in a Coulomb-coupled WSe2 monolayer and WSe2/WS2 moiré bilayer at total hole doping density equal to the moiré density. The system is a Mott insulator when all the holes reside in the moiré layer. Under an out-of-plane electric field, the holes can be continuously transferred to the WSe2 monolayer, but remain strongly bound to the empty moiré sites. This is effectively an interlayer exciton fluid in the moiré lattice under a particle-hole transformation. We identify the phase space and determine the charge gap energy of the excitonic insulating state by optical spectroscopy and capacitance measurements, respectively. We further observe the emergence of local magnetic moments in the WSe2 monolayer induced by the strong interlayer Coulomb correlation. Our result paves the path for realizing correlated bosonic quantum phenomena described by the Bose-Hubbard model in a solid-state system.
Work Stress and Loss of Years Lived Without Chronic Disease: an 18-year Follow-up of 1.5 Million Employees in Denmark
Authors: Sørensen Jeppe Karl , Framke Elisabeth , Pedersen Jacob , Alexanderson Kristina , Bonde Jens P. , Farrants Kristin , Flachs Esben M. , Hanson Linda L. Magnusson , Nyberg Solja T. , Kivimäki Mika , Madsen Ida E. H. , Rugulies Reiner
Published: August 2021

We aimed to examine the association between exposure to work stress and chronic disease incidence and loss of chronic disease-free life years in the Danish workforce. The study population included 1,592,491 employees, aged 30 to 59 in 2000 and without prevalent chronic diseases. We assessed work stress as the combination of job strain and effort-reward imbalance using job exposure matrices. We used Cox regressions to estimate risk of incident hospital-diagnoses or death of chronic diseases (i.e., type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and dementia) during 18 years of follow-up and calculated corresponding chronic disease-free life expectancy from age 30 to age 75. Individuals working in occupations with high prevalence of work stress had a higher risk of incident chronic disease compared to those in occupations with low prevalence of work stress (women: HR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.05), men: HR 1.12 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.14)). The corresponding loss in chronic disease-free life expectancy was 0.25 (95% CI -0.10 to 0.60) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.11) years in women and men, respectively. Additional adjustment for health behaviours attenuated these associations among men. We conclude that men working in high-stress occupations have a small loss of years lived without chronic disease compared to men working in low-stress occupations. This finding appeared to be partially attributable to harmful health behaviours. In women, high work stress indicated a very small and statistically non-significant loss of years lived without chronic disease.
Optimal Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels In Adults Without Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Population-Based Study Including More Than 4 Million Individuals From South Korea
Authors: Huh Ji Hye , Park Sang Wook , Go Tae-Hwa , Kang Dae Ryong , Lee Sang-Hak , Kim Jang Young
Published: August 2021

Background: Although the strong association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well-known, the threshold LDL-C level at which the risk of CVD begins to increase in individuals without diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association between incident CVD and serum LDL-C levels with or without statin use in individuals without DM. Methods: We identified 4,182,117 individuals without previous CVD who underwent a health screening examination in 2009 and 2011 from the Korean National Health Insurance Cohort database. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular deaths, myocardial infarction (MI) cases, and ischemic stroke cases. Results: During the median follow-up of 6 years, there were 51,961 CVD events that included 17,392 MI cases, 33,779 ischemic stroke cases, and 2,039 cardiovascular deaths. The LDL-C levels that were associated with an increased risk of CVD were ≥100 mg/dL in non-statin users and ≥130 mg/dL in statin users. However, even in individuals with lower LDL-C levels, all those with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels ≥110 mg/dL had a significantly higher risk of CVD.Conclusions: We demonstrated that LDL-C levels ≥100 mg/dL were correlated with an increased risk of CVD in individuals without DM and a history of CVD. We found that a glucose, cholesterol interaction increased CVD risk, and modestly elevated FPG levels (110–125 mg/dL) were associated with a higher CVD risk even in individuals with well-controlled LDL-C levels.