bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Features and Management Options for Duodenal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A retrospective, Multi-Centre Study
Authors: Mandair Dalvinder , Kamieniarz Lukasz , Pizanias Michail , Weickert Martin , Narayan Akshay , O’Mahony Luke Furtado , Caplin Martyn , Ramage John , Prachalias Andreas , Srirajaskant Rajaventhan , Toumpanakis Christos
Published: July 2021

Background Duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms (dNENs) are rare neoplasms but their incidence is on the rise. They are classified into 5 sub-types but there remains much heterogeneity in behaviour in particular of non-functioning dNENs. Aim To retrospectively analyse outcomes for all types of dNENs, and highlight prognostic factors associated with worse outcome Results 102 (57m/45f) patients were identified with mean age at diagnosis 62 (range 32-87) years. The majority were non-functioning tumours 87/102 and median size was 10mm (range 0.9-130mm). 83 patients had Stage I or II disease, of which 17 underwent endoscopic resection with R1 rate of 45% and complication rate 12%. 36 patients were kept under endoscopic surveillance. There were 11 deaths of which 4 were disease related. Age and Ki67 > 20% were associated with worse OS in all dNENs. In non-functioning dNENs Ki67 >3% was a predictor of lymph nodes metastases with OR 18.2 (2.54-13)(p < 0.005) in univariate analyses and liver metastases with OR 6.79 (1.56-29.5)( p < 0.05) in the multivariate analysis. Lesions 11 - 20 mm in size had OR 11.1 (1.16-106) compared to lesions <11mm for the prediction of lymph node metastases in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). ROC analysis of size of non-functioning dNENs to predict LN metastases found <15mm had an AUROC of 0.9 (0.81-0.99) with a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 88%. Conclusion dNENs are increasing in incidence, however low grade and smaller lesions have an indolent course and the role of endoscopic resection and active surveillance needs to be reviewed.
Newly Diagnosed Asthma in China: Initial Severity and Changes Over 1-year Management
Authors: Hu Zhizhen , Xuan Jianwei , Zhao Haijin , Dong Hangming , Yu Changhui , Cai Shaoxi , Gao Yue , Li Liran , Hu Xiaohan
Published: July 2021

Background: The prevalence of adult asthma is increasing in China. However, there are no large sample, epidemiological data describing asthma severity at the time of new diagnosis and changes during follow-up management. Thus, the purpose of this study was to use a large health care database to examine asthma severity at initial diagnosis, and changes in severity over the first year of management.Methods: Data of patients with a first diagnosis of asthma were extracted from the SuValue electronic medical database. Inclusion criteria were: 1) At least 14 years old at the time of first diagnosis; 2) Initial diagnosis from 2001 to March 2019; 3) Followed-up for at least 12 months; 4) Had a follow-up visit every 3 months. Disease severity at diagnosis and at each follow-up visit, medications prescribed, and symptoms were collected and analysed.Results: A total of 7,654 adult patients with newly diagnosed asthma from tertiary hospitals (26.38%) and secondary hospitals (73.62%) who were followed-up for at least 12 months were included. Approximately 54% were females, and the proportion of patients over 60 years old was the highest (38%). Of all patients, 53.91% were not prescribed medications to control asthma, suggesting that these patients were mild asthma. Approximately 16% of patients were prescribed oral corticosteroid and/or inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting β2-agonist combination, suggesting moderate to severe asthma. The proportions of patients with moderate and severe decreased during the first 6 months, and then the proportions remained stable. The proportion of patients with severe asthma remained stable from the 6th month onward. At the end of the year 2.7% of patients had severe asthma. Patients with mild asthma tended to continue to have mild asthma in the following 3 months (> 76.19%). However, of the patients with mild and moderate asthma at 3 months, 92.85% and 75.1%, respectively, had a reduction in severity and had mild asthma at 12 months. On the other hand, 1.26% and 3.15%, respectively, progressed to severe asthma by 12 months.Conclusion: During the first year after an initial diagnosis of asthma patients diagnosed with mild asthma tended to not progress and remained stable with mild asthma over the year. The proportions of patients diagnosed with moderate and severe asthma remained stable over the year. Further study is needed to examine the clinical features of newly diagnosed patients with severe asthma who do not experience a reduction in severity in order to target these patients for more intensive treatment and reduce the disease burden.
MicroRNA-495 Regulates Collateral Formation And Predicts Myocardial Perfusion In Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Disease
Authors: Gao Wei , Wu Runda , Yuan Jie , Zhang Youming , Liu Guobing , Zhang Jianhui , Yang Jian , Li Chenguang , Shi Hongcheng , Liu Haibo , Ge Junbo
Published: July 2021

How miRNAs play a role in collateral formation of chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients and in predicting myocardial perfusion has not been investigated. In this study, we screened circulating miRNAs in CTO and stable coronary artery disease patients using high-throughput sequencing and found 42 differential expressed miRNAs, including miR-329, miR-494 and miR-495, which belong to 14q32 miRNAs gene cluster. The down regulation of miR-329, miR-494 and miR-495 was confirmed in an independently larger cohort. Then in vitro and in vivo study, we demonstrated that miR-495 inhibited angiogenesis and collateral formation through Notch1 pathway. Finally we came back to a clinical view and found that miR-329, miR-494 and miR-495 were able to predict whether myocardial perfusion can be improved in CTO patients after revascularization. These data indicate that miRNAs are involved into the collateral formation of CTO patients and could be potentially biomarkers to help individualise therapeutic decisions.
Impaired Esophageal Mucosal Integrity and the Related Motility Factors in Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Cheng Yu , Yang Dong , Sun Xiaoyu , Wang Lixia , Zhang Zhifeng , Huang Wan , Geng Xiaoling , Su Liping , Zhang Ping , Duan Zhijun
Published: July 2021

Backgrounds. Research on esophageal mucosal integrity in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been taken seriously in recent years, especially in refractory GERD. Mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) is proposed as an indicator of impaired mucosal integrity. We aimed to compare the MNBI value and investigate the impact of esophageal motility on MNBI in different subtypes of refractory GERD. Methods. Endoscopy, high-resolution manometry, and 24h impedance-pH monitoring were performed in 412 refractory GERD patients. From these patients, 94 erosive esophagitis (EE), 52 non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and 31 Barrett's esophagus (BE) patients were enrolled in the study. EE group 54 included Los Angeles (LA) Grade-A/B and 40 LA Grade-C/D patients. 52 functional heartburn (FH) patients were used as the control. MNBI was acquired at 3 and 5 cm above lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and was compared between groups. Parameters of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and LES, along with esophageal peristaltic sequences were recorded. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed to determine the impact of these motility factors on MNBI in different subtypes of refractory GERD. Results. MNBI values were signifiantly lower in all subgroups of refractory GERD patients than in FH patients. MNBI in NERD patients was similar with LA-A/B and LA-C/D patients. MNBI in NERD and LA-C/D patients was signifiantly lower than in BE patients. No difference in MNBI was found between LA-A/B and BE patients. Ineffective esophageal motility and absent contractility were the risk factor for decreased MNBI in LA-A/B and LA-C/D patients, respectively. Type III EGJ (hiatus hernias) and decreased LES length were the risk factor for decreased MNBI in NERD and BE patients, respectively. Conclusions. Impaired mucosal integrity of NERD patients was as severe as that of EE patients and hiatus hernias were the risk factor, therefore, mucosal protections and explorations of hiatus hernias should be emphasized in refractory NERD patients. Weakened esophageal body peristalsis and decreased LES length were the risk factor for the impaired mucosal integrity of refractory EE patients and BE patients, respectively, and thus the therapy on peristaltic disorders and LES function was recommended for them. These results provided new ideas for optimizing the treatment of refractory GERD.
KRAS gene mutation quantification in the resection or venous margins of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is not predictive of disease recurrence
Authors: Amintas Samuel , Fernandez Benjamin , Chauvet Alexandre , Chiche Laurence , Laurent Christophe , Belleannée Geneviève , Marty Marion , Buscail Etienne , dabernat sandrine
Published: July 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients eligible for curative surgery undergo unpredictable disease relapse. Even patients with good pathological response after neo-adjuvant treatment (NAT) remain susceptible to recurrent PDAC. Molecular analysis of R0 margins may identify patients with worse prognosis. Retrospective analysis of patients, either eligible for up-font surgery (UFS) or resected patients who underwent NAT with good pathological responses, collected survivals post-surgery and examined the molecular status of mutant KRAS by droplet digital PCR. Expectedly, KRAS mutant allele frequencies (MAF) were higher in UFS than in NAT tumor tissues or remnants, and in the ypT1 than the ypT0 tumors in the NAT group. Mutant KRAS positivity or MAFs in margins did not identify patients with detectable pathological disease in the NAT group, nor was it predictive of shorter recurrence-free or overall survival within or between groups. KRAS-double positivity in both venous and tumor resection margins did not identify patients with worse prognosis, regardless of the groups. The cohorts ‘sizes were small due to limited numbers of patients meeting the inclusion criteria, but KRAS-positivity or MAFs in resection and venous margins did not carry prognostic value. Comparison of margins from good versus bad responders receiving NAT may provide better clinical value.
Pulmonary Occupancy Combined Brain Abscess Caused by Nocardia Farcinica: Death Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Song Jiangqin , Dong Lian , Ding Yan , Zhu Weifang , Zhou Junyang
Published: July 2021

Background Brain abscess due to the Nocardia genus is rarely reported that usually found in immunocompromised patients. Treatment of Nocardia brain abscess is troublesome and requires consideration of the severity of the underlying systemic disease, the difficulties in identifying the bacterium and the frequent delay in initiating adequate therapy. Case Presentation Here, we report a rare case of brain abscess caused by Nocardia farcinica. The patient’s medical history was complicated, bacterial was found in culture of brain abscess puncture fluid, the colony was identified as Nocardia farcinica by mass spectrometry. Targeted antibiotic treatment was implemented, brain abscess tended to alleviate, but the patient eventually developed fungal pneumonia and died of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Conclusion Early diagnosis, reasonable surgical intervention, and targeted antibiotic treatment are critical for Nocardia brain abscess treatment. Any delay in diagnosis and appropriate therapy can have adverseconsequences.
Malaria Positivity Following a Single Oral Dose of Azithromycin Among Children in Burkina Faso: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Brogdon Jessica , Dah Clarisse , Sié Ali , Bountogo Mamadou , Coulibaly Boubacar , Kouanda Idrissa , Ouattara Mamadou , Compaoré Guillaume , Nebie Eric , Seynou Mariam , Lebas Elodie , Nyatigo Fanice , Hu Huiyu , Arnold Benjamin F. , Lietman Thomas M. , Oldenburg Catherine E.
Published: July 2021

Background. Azithromycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that has moderate antimalarial activity and has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality when biannually administered to children under five in high mortality settings in sub-Saharan Africa. One potential mechanism for this observed reduction in mortality is via a reduction in malaria transmission.Methods. We evaluated whether a single oral dose of azithromycin reduces malaria positivity by rapid diagnostic test (RDT). We conducted an individually randomized placebo-controlled trial in Burkina Faso during the high malaria transmission season in August 2020. Children aged 8 days to 59 months old were randomized to a single oral dose of azithromycin (20 mg/kg) or matching placebo. At baseline and 14 days following treatment, we administered a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) to detect Plasmodium falciparum and measured tympanic temperature for all children. Caregiver-reported adverse events and clinic visits were recorded at the day 14 visit. Results. We enrolled 449 children with 221 randomized to azithromycin and 228 to placebo. The median age was 32 months and 48% were female. A total of 8% of children had a positive RDT for malaria at baseline and 11% had a fever (tympanic temperature ³37.5°C). In the azithromycin arm, 8% of children had a positive RDT for malaria at 14 days compared to 7% in the placebo arm (P=0.65). Fifteen percent of children in the azithromycin arm had a fever ³37.5°C compared to 21% in the placebo arm (P=0.12). Caregivers of children in the azithromycin group had lower odds of reporting fever as an adverse event compared to children in the placebo group (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18-0.96, P=0.04). Caregiver-reported clinic visits were uncommon, and there were no observed differences between arms (P=0.32).Conclusions. We did not find evidence that a single oral dose of azithromycin reduced malaria positivity during the high transmission season. Caregiver-reported fever occurred less often in children receiving azithromycin compared to placebo, indicating that azithromycin may have some effect on non-malarial infections. Trial Registration: NCT03676751
Co-Infection of Plasmodium Falciparum and Helminths Among School Children in Communities in Southern and Northern Ghana
Authors: Akosah-Brempong Gabriel , Attah Simon Kwaku , Hinne Isaac Amankona , Addo-Osafo Kantanka , Lawson Edith Appiah , Osei Mary-Magdalene , Afrane Yaw Asare
Published: July 2021

BackgroundInfections of Plasmodium species, Schistosoma species and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) inflict a significant burden on children mostly in deprived communities in Ghana. Despite the deployment of malaria vector control and the annual Mass Drug Administration by National Control Programmes, these infections still pose major public health concerns in Ghana. Adequate data is necessary for formulating policies and strengthening interventions to mitigate transmission. This study assessed the co-infection burden of Plasmodium, Schistosoma species and STH infections among school children in communities in Southern and Northern Ghana.MethodSchool children living in communities in Southern (Ada Foah, Pediatorkope, Tuanikope and Northern (Kpalsogu) Ghana were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. A total of 493 (241 males and 252 females) school children aged (2–15 years) were enrolled in the study. Stool samples were collected to screen for Schistosoma mansoni and STH infections using the formol-ether concentration technique and urine samples were also collected to screen for S. haematobium using the routine urine examination method. Plasmodium parasitaemia was determined from thick and thin finger-prick blood samples.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of P. falciparum, S. mansoni, S. haematobium, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm infections were 17.2% (95%CI, 12.8–19.7), 22.6% (95%CI, 25.2–32.7), 1.6% (95%CI, 0.89–5.2), 1.2% (95%CI, 0.78–4.8) and 1.2% (95%CI, 0.78–4.8) respectively. Plasmodium falciparum infection was generally widespread in all the study sites with Anyarpkor recording the highest prevalence (35.3%) and Kpalsogu recording the lowest (5.8%). Schistosoma mansoni was present in only two Southern communities with Tuanikope recording the highest prevalence of 70.3% as against 51.5% recorded in Pediatorkope. A total of 4.5% (95% CI, 2.82–10.8) of the children were co-infected with P. falciparum, Schistosoma species and STHs. This occurred only in the Southern communities; of which combination of P. falciparum and S. mansoni were predominant (1.4%).ConclusionA relatively low burden of parasites co-infection among children only in the Southern communities was detected. However, there were a high prevalence of single infections of P. falciparum and S. mansoni in those communities. Control measures are needed in the island communities with a high burden of S. mansoni infections and Ada Foah where P. falciparum infections are high.
Serum microRNA Expression Profiling in Malaria Patients and Bioinformatic Analysis of Hsa-miR-106b-5p
Authors: Peng Jiacong , Peng Xiaohong , Wang Ying , Jiang Liping , Li Dayu , Teng Pingying
Published: July 2021

BackgroundMalaria, caused by Plasmodium, is one of the three major infectious diseases that se­riously endangers public health. Resistance to an­ti-malarial drugs and insecticides has made the prevention and control of malar­ia shown little improvement in the last four years. This study aimed to explore the changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling of malaria patient and predict malaria-related miRNA by bioinformatics methods to provide theoretical basis for further verification of the correlation between specific miRNAs and immune regulation of malaria.MethodsSerum of patients infected by Plasmodium falciparum and healthy people from Myanmar border area was collected. miRNA expression profiling was obtained by RT-qPCR. Then the differentially expressed miRNA was screened and target genes were predicted by four miRNA databases (TargetScan, DIANA-microT, miRDB, and miRTarbase) and an intersection of target genes was obtained by Venn analysis. GO and KEGG analysis were performed for the overlapping target genes via Metascape. The results were further visualized by Cytoscape. Finally, Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of predicted overlapping target genes was built by STRING.ResultsAmong the 341 tested serum miRNAs, 64 were differentially expressed in malaria patients (P<0.05), 27 miRNAs were up-regulated and 37 miRNAs were down-regulated. The miRNA with the most significant difference was hsa-miR-106b-5p (FC=14.871, adjusted.P.value<0.01); GO and KEGG analysis found that its overlapping predicted target gene set was remarkably enriched in biological functions such as GO:0007264~small GTPase mediated signal transduction, GO:0051056~regulation of small GTPase mediated signal transduction, GO:0051020~GTPase binding, GO:0048514~blood vessel morphogenesis(P<0.01) and signal pathway such as hsa04144: Endocytosis, hsa01521:EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, hsa05212:Pancreatic cancer (P<0.01); Besides, a PPI network containing 39 predicted target genes of hsa-miR-106b-5p was constructed, and 5 hub genes VEGFA, STAT3, RACGAP1, OCRL, and RBBP7 have been selected.ConclusionThe bioinformatics analysis results indicated that hsa-miR-106b-5p has a great relationship with malaria, it plays a part in inhibiting the emergence of ARTs resistance in Plasmodium and tumor progression, which may be achieved by regulating vascular morphogenesis, endocytosis, and VEGFA. The underlying mechanism needs to be further elucidated. We believe that this finding will facilitate an in-depth research on the as­sociation between malaria and miRNA.
Nematicidal activities of aureothin and alloaureothin from endophytic bacteria, Streptomyces sp. AE170020, against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Kang Min-Kyoung , Kim Jong-Hoon , Liu Min-Jiao , Jin Chun-Zhi , Park Dong-Jin , Kim Junheon , Son Kwang-Hee , Kim Chang-Jin
Published: July 2021

Endophytic bacteria, a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites, are ideal candidates for environmentally benign agents. In this study, an endophytic strain, Streptomyces sp. AE170020, was isolated and selected for the purification of nematicidal substances based on its high nematicidal activity. Two highly active components, aureothin and alloaureothin, were identified, and their chemical structures were determined using spectroscopic analysis. Both compounds suppressed the growth, reproduction, and behavior of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In in vivo experiments, the extracts of strain Streptomyces sp. AE170020 effectively suppressed the development of pine wilt disease in four-year-old plants of Pinus densiflora. The potency of secondary metabolites isolated from endophytic strains suggests applications in controlling Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and opens an avenue for further research on exploring bioactive substances against the pine wood nematode.
Scientometrics Analysis Method for Society 5.0
Authors: Gürsoy Sergen , Yağmur Ayten
Published: July 2021

It includes the systematic examination and mapping of the literature studies written for Society 5.0 using the CiteSpace application, with the scientometrics analysis method, the identification of the network of relations, and the discovery and intellectual analysis of their bibliographic contents. 151 bibliographic records from the Scopus database were analyzed between January 2017 and May 2021. Qualitative analysis of the obtained quantitative data based on the interpretative paradigm was made. Analysis of countries, intellectual analysis, keywords; burst point and cluster analyzes were performed. The case is gaining increasing importance in the multi-disciplinary field. Since the phenomenon of Society 5.0 is still current and concerns the future period, it is seen that it is a developing field in the literature. In the literature about this case; The fact that scientometrics studies and CiteSpace analysis have never been done has increased the originality of the study. It will be important for super-smart society goals to specialize in the fields studied and to increase the working tendencies in the fields that are lacking (sociology, psychology, gerentology, etc. social sciences).
Association Between Aflatoxin M1 Excretion in Milk and Indicators of Rumen Fermentation in Bovines
Authors: Thukral Hanul , Dhaka Pankaj , Bedi Jasbir Singh , Singh Randhir , Singh Gurpreet
Published: July 2021

Aflatoxins and its metabolites negatively impact the ruminant health and production. The present cross-sectional study was aimed to determine the effect of aflatoxins on rumen fermentation by deducing the correlation between the Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) excretion in milk and indicators of rumen fermentation in bovines. The indicators of rumen fermentation were taken into account and correlated with AFM1 concentration in milk of respective 120 bovines [cattle (n = 82) and buffalo (n = 38)]. The AFM1 in milk samples (n = 120) was quantified by ELISA kit. The correlation analysis revealed that with increase in excretion of AFM1 in milk, the pH (r = 0.38), Methylene Blue Reduction Time (MBRT) (r = 0.43), Sedimentation Activity Time (SAT) (r = 0.31) and ammonia nitrogen content (r = 0.34) of rumen liquor increases; whereas, the Total Volatile Fatty Acids (TVFA’s) content (r=-0.25), Total Bacterial Count (TBC) (r=-0.43) and Total Protozoal Count (TPC) (r=-0.14) of rumen liquor decreases. The results of the present study suggest that the presence of aflatoxins in rumen could have negative effect on the process of rumen fermentation. Therefore, the prevention of primary entry point(s) of AFB1 through the feed of bovines is important for the animal as well as public health.
Improvement in the Prognosis of Esophageal Cancer Patients Treated by Surgery Alone (the Sweet Approach) in a High Volume Center Between 1970 and 2008 - A Retrospective Analysis of 5349 Cases
Authors: wen denggui , he ming , chen yuetong , li shumei , xu xiaoli , Shan Baoen
Published: July 2021

Backgrounds: Worldwide the largest number of esophageal cancer surgery is performed in China and left thoractomy with limited lymphadenectomy (the Sweet approach) used to be the main surgical procedure before 2010. However the prognosis associated with this procedure had improved or not remains unanswered, duo to frequent lost to follow-up of patients operated since 1990. Methods: Using data of 5349 patients treated by surgery alone (Sweet) in a high volume center in 26 years (for which lost to follow-up <10%), we analyzed 5-year survival rates according to 1970-1979, 1980-1989, 1990-1994, and 2008 in relation to clinicopathological characteristics and technique development.Results: Both the rate of postoperative complication and of 3-month mortality decreased significantly (11.4%, 9.7%, 8.9% , 5.2%, P<0.01; 6.0%, 5.4%, 3.3%, 3.1%, P<0.05), but the death rate of surgical complications remained unchanged (52.9%, 55.2%, 56.9% , 59.4%, P>0.38). The proportion of patients without lymph node metastasis increased significantly ( 30.9%, 31.0%, 35.5% to 52.9%, P<0.001). The 5-year survival rate increased significantly (32%, 35%, 38%, 43%, P<0.000) albeit a limited number of lymph node retrieved (median: 4.0, 4.0, 4.0, 5.0, P >0.18 ). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified pTNM stage (P<0.001), postoperative complications (P<0.001), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), surgery year (P P<0.01), and age (P<0.05) as independent signiﬁcant prognostic factors.Conclusion: The prognosis of esophageal carcinoma patients treated by surgery alone (Sweet approach) had improved from 1970-2008. Our data suggests that this improvement is due mainly to early diagnosis and reduced postoperative complication by experienced hands at high volume centers.
Effect of pH and pH-shifting on Lignin, Lignin-protein Properties, and Lignin-protein Interactions
Authors: Pradyawong Sarocha , Shrestha Ruben , Li Ping , Sun Xiuzhi Susan , Wang Donghai
Published: July 2021

Innovation of high-value added lignin derivatives has become a topic of interest, but lignin modification and utilization remain a challenge due to lignin’s complicated structure. In our previous study, we successfully improved water resistance and adhesion performance of soy protein adhesives using unmodified lignin. This study focuses on lignin modification as well as lignin-protein properties and interactions. Lignin modification was achieved by pH changes and pH-shifting. Cleavage of β-O-4 linkage was observed at pH 8.5 and pH 12, resulting in smaller particle sizes and changes in thermal properties. Partial repolymerization was found after pH-shifting treatments. Lignin increased the strength of protein films under high temperature and significantly enhanced the water resistance of soy protein at pH 12. Cross-linking of protein and lignin took place via carbonyl, amino, and hydroxyl groups. Multiple-point interactions between lignin and protein resulted in a stronger lignin-protein network. Additional lignin-protein complexes with high molecular weight were detected with an elevated lignin concentration at pH 8.5. The binding interaction between lignin and protein, although of non-specific nature, was also observed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Findings of this study contribute to the further development of green lignin-protein products.
A Negative Control Outcome Regression Accounting for Unobserved Confounding and Lagged Causal Effects
Authors: Li Hongkai , Yu Yuanyuan , Hou Lei , Sun Xiaoru , Liu Xinhui , Yang Fan , Yu Yifan , Wang Qing , Xue Fuzhong
Published: July 2021

Background: Epidemiologists are increasingly interested in using negative controls to eliminate unobserved confounding. Particularly, difference-in-differences method, which uses pre-exposure outcomes as negative control outcomes, is widely used. However, it obtains biased estimations when pre-exposure outcome has lagged causal effect on post-exposure outcome.Methods: Taking advantage of pre-exposure outcomes as negative control outcomes, Negative Control Outcome Regression (NCOR) is proposed to eliminate unobserved confounding. The intercept term of NCOR provides an unbiased causal effect estimate of exposure on post-exposure outcome, and the slope minus 1 denotes the lagged causal effect estimation of pre-exposure outcome on post-exposure outcome. We then illustrate the potential of NCOR in a challenging application to estimate the causal association of PM₂.₅ on all-cause mortality rates (AMR) and lagged causal effect of pre AMR on post AMR.Results: Both theoretical justifications and simulation studies validate that the causal effect of exposure on outcome, along with the lagged causal effect of outcomes are identifiable and can be estimated by proposed NCOR model. The application results demonstrate that the previously estimated association between PM₂.₅ and AMR can be attributed to the unobserved confounding. Furthermore, the NCOR model reveal that pre AMR has no causal association with post AMR.Conclusion: The proposed NCOR model can obtain unbiased and robust causal effect estimation of exposure on outcome, and the lagged causal effect of outcomes. The proposed NCOR is implemented as an R package, called NCOR, and is freely available on GitHub.
Aberrant Temporal-Spatial Complexity of Intrinsic Fluctuations in Major Depression
Authors: Zheng Kaizhong , Li Baojuan , Lu Hongbing , Wang Huaning , Yan Baoyu , Friston Karl , Wu Yuxia , Liu Jian , Zhang Xi , Liu Mengwan , Li Liang , Chen Badong , Hu Dewen , Li Lingjiang
Published: July 2021

Accumulating evidence suggested that the brain is highly dynamic, thus investigation of brain dynamics especially in brain connectivity would provide crucial information that stationary functional connectivity could miss. This study investigated temporal expressions of spatial modes within the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN) and cognitive control network (CCN) using a reliable data-driven co-activation pattern (CAP) analysis. We found reduced number of CAPs, as well as transitions between different CAPs of the DMN and CCN, in patients with MDD. These results suggested reduced variability and flexibility of these two brain networks in the patients. By contrast, we also found increased number of CAPs of the SN in the patients, indicating enhanced variability of the SN in individuals with MDD. In addition, the patients were characterized by prominent activation of mPFC and insula. More importantly, we showed that our findings were robust and reproducible with another independent data set. Our findings suggest that functional connectivity in the patients may not be simply attenuated or potentiated, but just alternating faster or slower among more complex patterns. The aberrant temporal-spatial complexity of intrinsic fluctuations reflects functional diaschisis of resting-state networks as characteristic of patients with MDD.
Development and Application of Novel InDel Markers in Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Through Whole-Genome Re-Sequencing
Authors: Jiang Hui , Pan Gen , Liu Touming , Chang Li , Huang Siqi , Tang Huijuan , Guo Yuan , Wu Yena , Tao Jie , Chen Anguo
Published: July 2021

Flax is an important oil and fibre crop grown in Northern Europe, Canada, India, and China. The development of molecular markers has accelerated the process of flax molecular breeding and has improved yield and quality. Presently, simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in the whole genome have been developed for flax. However, the development of flax insertion/deletion (InDel) markers has not been reported. A total of 17,110 InDel markers were identified by comparing whole-genome re-sequencing data of two accessions (87 − 3 and 84 − 3) with the flax reference genome. The length of InDels ranged from 1–277 bp, with 1–15 bp accounting for the highest rate (95.55%). The most common InDels were in the form of single nucleotide (8840), dinucleotide (3700), and trinucleotide (1349), and chromosome 2 (1505) showed the highest number of InDels among flax chromosomes, while chromosome 10 (913) presented with the lowest number. From 17,110 InDel markers, 90 primers that were evenly distributed in the flax genome were selected. Thirty-two pairs of polymorphic primers were detected in two flax accessions, and the polymorphism rate was 40.70%. Furthermore, genetic diversity analysis, population structure and principal component analyse (PCA) divided 69 flax accessions into two categories, namely oilseed flax and fibre flax using 32 pairs of polymorphic primers. Additionally, correlation analysis showed that InDel-26 and InDel-81 were associated with oil content traits, and two candidate genes (lus10031535 and lus10025284) tightly linked to InDel-26 or InDel-81, might be involved in flax lipid biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. This study is the first to develop InDel markers based on re-sequencing in flax and clustered the markers into two well-separated groups for oil and fibre. The results demonstrated that InDel markers developed herein could be used for flax germplasm identification, genetic diversity analysis, and molecular marker-assisted breeding.
Lengthening of Warm Periods Increased the Intensity of Warm-season Marine Heatwaves Over the Past Four Decades
Authors: Li Xinru , Donner Simon
Published: July 2021

Marine heatwaves (MHWs), periods of anomalously warm sea surface temperature (SST) which can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems, have increased in frequency and severity over recent decades. Many coastal systems (e.g. coral reefs) are particularly vulnerable to warm-season heat stress when temperature can exceed organisms’ thermal thresholds and lead to mass mortality. While many studies have examined the change of the warm-season heat stress occurrence over time, e.g., for coral reefs, there has been less analysis of the thermal structure of heat stress events. Here we examined the trend in the characteristics of warm-season heat stress (referred to as warm-season MHWs) at the global-scale from 1985 to 2019, using multiple metrics for each of duration, peak intensity, accumulated heat stress, heating rates and level of intensity. The results showed that warm-season MHWs have become more frequent, longer-lasting, featured higher peak intensity and accumulated heat stress across most of the ocean over the past four decades. Furthermore, decomposition of the trends in warm-season MHWs structure showed that the increased accumulated heat stress was predominantly driven by the increased duration rather than the increased intensity, especially in the western and central equatorial Pacific. The results contribute to improving the understanding of warm-season MHWs, which may help inform the prediction of their impacts on marine ecosystems as well as marine conservation and management under climate change.
Physiological Exophoria Did Not Increase The Incidence of Myopia in Rural School Children in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Jui-Hung , Lai Li-Ju , Tung Tao-Hsin , Hsu Wei-Hsiu
Published: July 2021

Purpose:This study evaluated the incidence rate and risk factors for developing myopia in elementary school students in Chiayi, Taiwan.Methods:This prospective cohort study comprised 1816 students without myopia (grades 1 to 5 in Chiayi County). The students underwent a noncycloplegic ocular alignment examinations using an autorefractometer and completed a questionnaires at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up. A univariate logistic regression was used to assess the effects of the categorical variables on new cases of myopia. A multinomial logistic regression was then conducted. A chi-squared test was used to compare new cases of myopia in terms of ocular alignment. A Cox hazard ratio model was then used to validate factors associated with changes in ocular alignment. A P value of <.05 was considered significant.Results: In 370 participants with new cases of myopia out of 1816 participants, a spherical error of −1.51 ± 0.6 diopters was noted at follow-up. The baseline ocular alignment was not a significant risk factor for developing myopia (exophoria vs orthophoria: OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.97-1.62; other vs. orthophoria: OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.73-1.82). However, new cases of myopia (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14-1.61), and baseline ocular alignment (exophoria vs orthophoria: HR 3.76, 95% CI 3.20-4.42; other vs orthophoria: HR 3.02, 95% CI 2.05-4.45) were associated with exophoria at follow-up.Conclusions: This study provided epidemiological data on the incidence of myopia in elementary school students in Chiayi, Taiwan. It also demonstrated that physiological exophoria does not predispose patients to developing myopia.
The Role of Cu1-O3 Species in Single-Atom Cu Catalyst for Directional Methanol Synthesis from CO2 Hydrogenation
Authors: Zhao Huibo , Yu Ruofan , Ma Sicong , Chen Yang , Xu Kaizhuang , Fang Yuan , Zhu Caixia , Liu Xiaochen , Tang Yu , Wu LiZhi , Wu Yingquan , Jiang Qike , He Peng , Liu Zhipan , Tan Li
Published: July 2021

Cu-based catalysts have attracted much interest in CO2 hydrogenation to methanol because of their high activity. However, the effect of interface, coordination structure, particle size and other underlying factors existed in heterogeneous catalysts render to complex active sites on its surface, therefore it is difficult to study the real active sites for methanol synthesis. Here, we report a novel Cu-based catalyst with isolated Cu active sites (Cu1-O3 units) for highly selective hydrogenating CO2 to methanol at low temperature (100% selectivity for methanol at 180 oC). Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the single-atom Cu-Zr catalyst with Cu1-O3 units is only contributed to synthesize methanol at 180 oC, but the Cu clusters or nanoparticles with Cu-Cu or Cu-O-Cu active sites will promote the process of reverse water gas shift (RWGS) side reaction to form undesirable byproducts CO. Furthermore, the Cu1-O3 units with tetrahedral structure could gradually migrate to the catalyst surface for accelerating CO2 hydrogenation reaction during catalytic process. The high activity isolated Cu-based catalyst with legible structure will be helpful to understand the real active sites of Cu-based catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation, thereby guiding further design the Cu catalyst with high performance to meet the industrial demand, at the same time as extending the horizontal of single atom catalyst for application in the thermal catalytic process of CO2 hydrogenation.
The influence of changes in Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) on Land Surface Temperature in Ramanathapuram coast and Assessment of Urban Heat Island, using remote sensing and GIS
Authors: Balsubramanian Gurugnanam , Pereira Glitson Francis , Swaminathan Bairavi , Goswami Santonu , Choudhury Saroj B
Published: July 2021

Due to marine and terrestrial processes, the land use/land cover features of the Ramanathapuram coastal area noticed dynamic changes. Sometimes the anthropogenic activities and nature also governed such changes. Landuse/Landcover analysis is an essential parameter for the climate change studies in coastal region. Similarly, the analysis of land surface temperature (LST) and the severity of Urban heat island (UHI) also factored for assessing its influence on climate changes. In this study, Remote sensed Landsat satellite data from 2000 to 2020 is very well used to identify the relation between LULC and LST. Advance tools in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) softwares is used to integrate the results. The findings strongly indicate that the built-up area is increasing every year. In the year 2000, the build-ups are noted with 8km2, and it was increased to 44 km2 in 2020. In addition, the LST of the year 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 radiates a maximum temperature of about 30oC, 29oC, 30oC, 30oC, and 27oC, respectively. The highest radiance temperature is observed in barren land; the UHI analysis also points towards increased urban activities. The temperature is comparatively high in an urbanised area, and its UHI values range from very Strong to moderate heat island.
Understanding antimicrobial resistance from the perspective of public policy: a multinational knowledge, attitude, and practice survey to determine global awareness
Authors: Balleste-Delpierre Clara , Naing Soe Yu , Wijk Max van , Vila Jordi
Published: July 2021

Background

Minimizing the effect of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires an adequate policy response that relies on good governance and coordination. We have previously demonstrated a knowledge gap on infectious diseases within the general public, but equivalent data from a policy context are still lacking. The aim of this study is to have a better comprehension of how AMR is understood and perceived among policy makers and stakeholders in tackling AMR on a global level.
Methods

A digital survey was designed to capture the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards AMR. A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed to politicians, policy advisors and relevant stakeholders, and survey responses were collected between November 2020 and March 2021.
Results

A total of 351 individuals participated in this study with 80% from high-income countries (HIC) and 20% from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Fifteen different countries were represented, and the majority of participants were from the Netherlands, Spain and Myanmar. Overall, participants had sufficient knowledge regarding AMR and reported the importance of political willingness in tackling AMR. More than half (65%) of participants from LMIC reported antibiotics misuse, and almost half (48%) claimed to be unaware of this health problem. Politicians and stakeholders from LMIC demonstrated a higher knowledge on AMR but showed poor perception and attitude toward antimicrobial use compared to those from HIC regions. HIC participants emphasized the role of the veterinary sector in particular, as well as the environmental dissemination of antibiotics and drug residues. The lack of funding resources was especially reported by participants from LMIC.
Conclusion

Inter-regional differences in KAP regarding AMR exist among politicians, policy advisors and relevant stakeholders. Overall, participants demonstrated to have a sufficient level of knowledge and awareness of AMR. This study characterizes a multi-national policymaker and stakeholder mapping that can be used to propose further policy implementation on various governance levels.
On the Dependency of GCM-based Regional Surface Climate Change Projections on Model Biases, Resolution and Climate Sensitivity
Authors: Giorgi Filippo , Raffaele Francesca
Published: July 2021

We investigate the dependency of projected regional changes in surface air temperature (SAT) and precipitation on the model biases, resolution and global temperature sensitivity in two global climate model (GCM) ensembles. End of 21st century changes under high end scenarios normalized in units of Per Degree of Global Warming (PDGW) are examined for CMIP5 (RCP8.5) and CMIP6 (SSP585) ensembles of comparable size over 26 sub-continental scale regions, for December-January-February (DJF) and June-July-August (JJA). We find that the average regional change patterns are very similar between the CMIP5 and CMIP6 ensembles, both for SAT and precipitation, with spatial correlations exceeding 0.84. Also similar are the regional bias patterns over most regions analyzed, suggesting that these two generations of models still share some common systematic errors. A statistically significant relationship between projected regional changes and biases is found in ~ 27% of regional cases for both SAT and precipitation; between regional changes and model resolution in 2% of cases for SAT and 12% of cases for precipitation; and between regional changes and global temperature sensitivity in 19% of cases for SAT and 14% of cases for precipitation. Therefore, we assess that the GCM resolution does not appear to be a significant factor in affecting the sub-continental scale projected changes, at least for the resolution range in the CMIP5 and CMIP6 models, while global temperature sensitivity and especially model biases play a more important role. These dependencies are not always consistent between the CMIP5 and CMIP6 ensembles. Overall, in our assessment the CMIP6 ensemble does not appear to provide substantially different, and presumably improved, regional surface climate change information compared to CMIP5 despite the use of more comprehensive models and somewhat higher resolution.
Epidemiological Profile and Detection of Resistance Genes in Bloodstream Infection in Cancer Patients: High Occurrence of Metallo-β-lactamases in Enterobacteriales
Authors: Soares Cynthia , Inácio Cicero Pinheiro , Silva Maria Jesuíta Bezerra , Leal Nilma Cintra , Xavier Danilo Elias , Magalhães Vera , Araújo Paulo Sérgio Ramos
Published: July 2021

Bloodstream infections remain one of the most common major complications in cancer patients. The aim of the study was to describe the etiology, phenotypic and molecular epidemiology of ICS isolates from cancer patients. Method: identification and the resistance profile were carried out using the automated biochemical method Vitek 2®. The presence and genes resistant to carbapenemases blaIMP, blaVIM, blaGIM, blaSIM, blaSPM, blaKPC, blaNDM, genes oxacilinase blaOXA-48, blaOXA-58, and the presence of ESBL genes blaSHV, blaCTX, blaTEM for Gram-negatives, as well as, mecA, vanA and vanB for Gram-positives were investigated in blood culture isolates. Result: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequent pathogens. The serine-β-lactamase gene blaOXA-48 was the most frequent, followed by MβL blaSIM. blaTEM and blaCTX were the most common among ESBL. The mecA and vanA genes were found in Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus faecium, respectively. Candida spp showed high resistance to voriconazole and fluconazole. Conclusion: measures to prevent and control the spread of resistance genes are essential to reduce the risks of morbidity and mortality.
Low N use Efficiency in A Long-Term N-Fertilized Cunninghamia Lanceolata Plantation Ecosystem in Subtropical China: A 14-Year Case Study
Authors: shen fangfang , Liu Wenfei , Duan Honglang , Wu Chunsheng , Liao Yingchun , Wu Jianping , Yuan Yinghong , Fan Houbao
Published: July 2021

Background and aims

Forests host among the most important N pools of all terrestrial ecosystems. Influences of N application on forest N cycle have received increasing concern, which is particularly problematic given the increasing atmospheric N deposition in recent decades. However, accurate assessments of N storage and recovery rates in forest ecosystems remain elusive. We selected Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) plantation ecosystem to explore how long-term N fertilization affected the N storage and recovery rate.
Methods

Plots in the field have been fertilized continuously for 14 years (2004–2017) with urea at rates of 0 (N0, control), 60 (N60, low-N), 120 (N120, medium-N) and 240 (N240, high-N) kg N hm− 2a− 1. Data collected in the field include N content and biomass on various plant organs (i.e., leaves, branches, stems, roots, and bark), understorey layer and litter in the ecosystem as well as soil N content and density at different depths (0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm).
Key results

The total N storage of ecosystem in the N-fertilized treatments was 1.1–1.4 times higher than that in the unfertilized treatment after 14 years of N fertilization. About 12.36% of the total ecosystem N was stored in vegetation (plant, litter, and understorey layer) and 87.64% was stored in soil (0–60 cm). N storage varied among ecosystem components and plant organs; and the plant organs, litter, and soil had higher N storage than that in understorey layer. Significantly higher Chinese fir N uptake was found in the medium-N (1.2 times) and high-N (1.4 times) treatments than that in the control. The N recovery rate of understorey layer in the N-fertilized treatments was negative, and less than that in the control.
Conclusions

Application of long-term N fertilizer to this stand led to a low N recovery rate (averagely 11.39%) while high loss of N (averagely 91.86%) which indicate low N use efficiency in the Chinese fir plantation ecosystem.