bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Multitarget Mu- and Delta-Opioid Receptors Agonist HAGD Has Peripherally Restrictive Potent Analgesia with Less Side Effects in Mice and Minimal Impact on Human Sperm Motility
Authors: FangFang Li , Yue Feng , Zhang Wei , Xu Biao , Han Shi-Qiang , Wang Yi-Qing , Zhang Xue-Hong
Published: November 2021

ObjectivePain is a common clinical symptom. Although a variety of opioid analgesics have been developed, the side effects including negative impact on human sperm motility still hinder their application. Aim of this study is to develop a novel opioid analgesic, a multitarget peptide HAGD (H-Tyr-D-AIa-GIy-Phe-NH2) which has less side effects and minimal impact on sperm motility.MethodsThe peripheral antinociceptive effects of HAGD were appraised in a series of preclinical mice pain models, including the tail-flick test, carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain, acetic acid-induced writhing test and formalin test. In conditioned place preference experiment, open field test, gastrointestinal transit test and rotarod test, the side effects of HAGD in mice were assessed. The impacts of HAGD on sperm motility in vitro were investigated.ResultsHAGD produced equipotent antinociception compared with morphine. HAGD was stronger in terms of analgesia intensity in chemical stimulation pain of formalin test phase I. The antinociception was mediated by mu- and delta-opioid receptors. HAGD didn’t induce conditioned place preference and hyperlocomotion, but morphine did. Both HAGD and morphine had no impacts on motor coordination. HAGD had a limited side effect in gastrointestinal transit, while morphine inhibited gastrointestinal transit to a greater extent. However, HAGD had minimal impact on human sperm motility, whereas morphine declined sperm motility at concentrations of 1 × 10-7 mol/l and 1 × 10-8 mol/l at 3.5 h of incubation.Conclusion HAGD may be a better candidate for future development of novel multitarget opioid analgesics with less side effects and minimal impact on human sperm motility.
Causality Mechanism of Coal Bump Occurred in Longwall Roadways
Authors: Han Jun , He Manchao , Cao Chen , Ma Shuangwen , Xue Dongjie
Published: November 2021

Coal bump occurring in longwall roadways accounts for more than 87% of total coal bump events. However, there is no practical mechanical model that can explain the causality and process of coal bump, resulting in that the prediction and prevention of rockburst heavily depend on engineering experience or lessons. Considering the mechanical characteristics of surrounding rock, the suspended roof behind working face and stress state of the rib coal, a seesaw structure model related to incentive of the coal bump and a mechanical model related to instability of rib coal block are established in this paper based on theoretical analysis and numerical calculation, which is capable to clarify the causality mechanism, process, key factors and critical state of coal bump. The hard suspended roof behind the working face produces periodic abutment pressure on the coal around the working face. The result of numerical calculation shows that, under the condition of high compressive stiffness of hard coal around the working face, the roof in front of the working face rebounds upward. The phenomena of roof rebound suggests that the overlying strata of the working face form a seesaw structure. In the area of roof rebound, the normal stress on the roof-coal interface is reduced. Stress analysis of a rib coal block has been conducted. Result shows that, the tectonic stress perpendicular to the rib can overcome the fractional resistance pushing the rib coal into the roadway once the normal stress on the roof-coal interface de-stresses to a certain level. Accordingly, a critical state equation of coal bump has been established. It can be concluded that, de-stressing of the roof-seam interface caused by roof rebound triggers coal bump. The tectonic stress is its force source, and the tensile strength of coal and the shear strength of the coal seam with roof and floor are bump resistances. This study clarifies the causality mechanism and process of coal bump occurred in longwall roadway that provides a theoretical basis for prediction and prevention technology.
The Influence of Mindfulness Meditation Versus CBT for Anxiety on Emotional Distress and Attitudes Towards Seeking Mental Health Treatment
Authors: Aisenberg-Shafran Daniela , Shturm Liav
Published: November 2021

Older adults often avoid seeking psychological treatment, challenging their ability to adaptively deal with anxiety, stress and depression. The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of a mindfulness intervention vs. cognitive-behavioral-therapy (CBT) on measures of emotional distress and attitudes towards seeking mental-health treatment among older adults. Twenty-four seniors were assigned to: 1) MBIS (Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Seniors); and 2) CBT for anxiety, or to a care-as-usual control group. Attitudes towards seeking psychological treatment, levels of depression, anxiety and worry were measured before and after the interventions. Following the intervention, participants more positively addressed the possibility of utilizing psychological treatment, while no changes were observed in the control group. Interestingly, levels of worry improved only in the MBIS group, and anxiety levels only improved in the CBT group. It seems that attending cognitive group interventions are effective to their focus and positively impact attitudes towards psychological treatment.
Fatigue Life Assessment of Tower Crane Based on Neural Network to Obtain Stress Spectrum
Authors: ZUO YANG , Zhao Feiyu , Yang Kaiyue , Yang Rongping
Published: November 2021

In order to reduce the probability of crane safety accidents, a method based on radial basis neural network is proposed to quickly obtain the stress spectrum and calculate the remaining life of the crane. Firstly, taking an in-service tower crane as an example, an ANSYS finite element model is established based on actual parameters, and the finite element model is statically analyzed to obtain the location of the dangerous point. Secondly, the typical operating conditions of the crane are simulated. The position of the trolley and the lifting load are used as the input layer while the equivalent stress value at any point is used as the output layer to train the radial basis neural network model. Using the trained radial basis neural network model can obtain time-stress curve at any point quickly. Finally the remaining life is assessed based on the fracture mechanics method. The results show that this method that using the radial basis function neural network model to obtain the time-stress curve at any point can greatly save the cumbersome process and a lot of investment in the field measurement of the crane, and also provides a reliable basis for the long-term safe use and later maintenance of the crane.
An Epidemiological Study on Factors Influencing Gaming Disorder- an Online Cross- Sectional Design
Authors: Wani Rabbanie Tariq , Rashid Imrose
Published: November 2021

Background: Gaming disorders have increased over time due to easy availability of online gaming. The aim of this study is to determine the factors influencing the gaming disorders. Methods: An online questionnaire was circulated on gaming platforms for the assessment as per IGD20 & DSM5 criteria. Results: A significant correlation was found between duration of play and gaming disorders (r= 0.131, p<0.05). The scores were concurrent as per IGD20 and DSM5 criteria. Conclusion: Undiagnosed gaming disorder among gamers needs to be addressed. Duration of playing of games also needs to be checked inorder to reduce the prevalence of gaming disorders.
Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Analysis of Pregnancy-Related Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Hu Minjie , Huang Haidong , Dai Xuantong , Lin Fujun , Shi Junfeng , Lu Wei
Published: November 2021

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PR-AKI) and provide a basis for improving maternal and infant outcomes. Methods: Seventy pregnant women admitted to the surgical intensive care unit of Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2010 to December 2020 were included; 31 were screened out according to KDIGO-AKI criteria. We retrospectively analyzed their clinical characteristics and prognosis and analyzed risk factors for different pregnancy outcomes with logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 31 PR-AKI patients were enrolled. The mean age of onset was 30.08±0.63 years, and the mean gestational age was 33.02±7.64 weeks. Six cases (19.45%) were in stage 1, six cases (19.35%) were in stage 2, and 19 cases (61.29%) were in stage 3. The continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) group comprised 13 cases (41.94%): one (7.69%) in stage 1, one (7.69%) in stage 2, and 11 (84.62%) in stage 3. The non-CRRT group comprised 18 cases (58.06%): five (27.78%) in stage 1, five (27.78%) in stage 2, and eight (44.44%) in stage 3. The mean time of commencing renal replacement therapy was 2.08±1.26 days after admission, and the serum creatinine (SCr) level at the beginning of treatment was 352.68±196.58 μmol/L. Renal function recovered completely in 18 cases (58.06%), comprising four (22.22%) in the CRRT group and 14 (77.78%) in the non-CRRT group, and three cases of partial renal function recovery occurred in the CRRT group. Eventually, seven patients (22.58%) died, of whom four (57.14%) were in the non-CRRT group, and all were in stage 3. The causes of death were postpartum hemorrhage, septic shock, and acute fatty liver during pregnancy. Three patients (42.86%) died in the non-CRRT group: two in stage 3 and one case in stage 1. The causes of death were severe preeclampsia and acute fatty liver during pregnancy. Multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed that gestational weeks (OR=0.456, P=0.023), platelet count (OR=0.989, P=0.02), hemoglobin (OR=1.017, P=0.022), and uric acid (OR=1.017, P=0.022) were associated risk factors for maternal adverse pregnancy outcomes of PR-AKI (P<0.05). Conclusions: The incidence of PR-AKI is high, the outcomes of maternal renal function are better, and the proportion of adverse fetal outcomes is higher. CRRT can effectively improve the prognosis of patients with PR-AKI, stabilize the internal environment, and affect hemodynamics slightly. It is currently one of the main ways to treat severe PR-AKI. Maternal and infant outcomes are related to the severity of PR-AKI.
Mobile Power Generation System Based on Biomass Gasification
Authors: Ding Lu , Yang Mingming , Vo Dai-Viet N. , Hungwe Douglas , Ye Jiahan , Yoshikawa Kunio
Published: November 2021

Disaster-hit and/or un-electrified remote areas usually have electricity accessibility issues and an abundance of plant-derived debris and wood from destroyed wooden structures; this can be potentially addressed by employing a decentralized ultra-small biomass-fed gasification power generating system. This paper presents an assessment of the technical viability of an ultra-small gasification system that utilizes densified carbonized wood pellets/briquettes. The setup was run continuously for 100 hours. A variety of biomass was densified and carbonized by harnessing fugitive heat sources before charging into the reactor. Carbonized briquettes and furnished blends exhibited inferior gasification performance compared to the carbonized pellets. In the absence of tar blockage problems, steady-state conditions were achieved when pre-treated feedstock was used. Under steady-state conditions for carbonized pellets gasification operated at an equivalence ratio of 32%, cold gas efficiency, and carbon conversion of 49.2%, and 70.5% was achieved, respectively. Overall efficiency and maximum power output of 20.3% and 21 kW were realised, respectively. The results indicate that the proposed compact ultra-small power generation system is a technically feasible approach to remedy power shortage challenge.
Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy Plays an Important Role in Regulating Retinal Progenitor Cell Homeostasis
Authors: Jin Caixia , Ou Qingjian , Chen Jie , Wang Tao , Zhang Jieping , Wang Zhe , Wang Yuanyuan , Tian Haibin , Xu Jing-Ying , Gao Furong , Wang Juan , Li Jiao , Lu Lixia , Xu Guo-Tong
Published: November 2021

Purpose: Autophagy is a key regulator of stem cell quiescence and self-renewal, especially in mesenchymal stem cells but related research on neural retinal stem cells is still limited. We are aimed to explore the function and mechanism of autophagy in the neural retinal stem cell.Methods: The published single cell sequencing data was involved to analysis the expression time course of IFITM3 in the mouse neural retinal progenitor cells (mNRPCs). The RNA interference was used to knock down the expression of IFITM3 in the mNRPCs. And the normal mNRPCs and mNRPCs with knockdown of IFITM3 were analysis with the CCK8 for the cell viability, RNA-seq for the mRNA expression, real-time quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence assay for the location of relative proteins, western blot for the levels of relative proteins and autophagy flux assay.Results: This study showed the mNRPCs in vivo and in vitro high expressed IFITM3 which are expressed in the mNRPCs. The proliferation of mNRPCs was greatly inhibited, and cell viability was greatly reduced after IFITM3 knockdown. Moreover, RNA-seq analysis showed that lysosomes were significant changed after IFITM3 knockdown. When cells were treated with rapamycin (RAMP), lysosome activation and agglomeration were evident in all groups. However, there was no significant difference between IFITM3 knockdown groups. The expression of LAMP1 was significantly increased, accompanied by increased lysosome agglomeration, in RAMP-treated cells and especially in IFITM3-knockdown cells. Further detection showed that SQSTM1/p62, HSC70 and LAMP-2A were upregulated, while there was no significant difference in LC3A/B expression, which demonstrated that the MA pathway was not activated but the CMA pathway was activated when knockdown of IFITM3. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that IFITM3 participates in regulating mNRPC viability and proliferation mainly through the CMA pathway, indicating that IFITM3 plays a significant role in maintaining the homeostasis of progenitor cell self-renewal by sustaining low-level activation of the CMA pathway to eliminate factors that are deleterious to cells and acts as a very important protector of RPCs.
Prehospital Use of Herbal Medicine in the Southwestern Ethiopia: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Safety Concern
Authors: Mengie Alemneh , Hasen Gemmechu , Suleman Sultan
Published: November 2021

Background
In Ethiopia, despite the frequent reports that demonstrate the use of herbal medicine for treatment of many ailments, there is no finding that describes the prevalence and associated factors with prehospital use of herbal medicine. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the prevalence of the prehospital use of herbal medicine and associated factors as well as safety concern in the South western Ethiopia.
Methodology:
A Hospital based cross-sectional study design was employed among patients admitted to Medical wards in Jimma Medical Center (JMC) (n=217) from June to September, 2021. The pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Moreover, literatures were reviewed to identity the potential toxicity and/or drug interactions (if any,) associated with the herbal medicine used before admission by patients. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0 (Chicago, SPSS Inc.) was used for data analysis. The results were summarized using descriptive statistics. The bivariate logistic regression was used to check the association between the outcomes and independent variables. Then, multivariate logistic regression was employed for independent variables possessing p-value of less than 0.05 to identify the strength of association between variables at 5% level of significance.
Results
The current study revealed that about 34% of respondents revealed the prehospital use of herbal medicine. The majority respondents (78.7%) did not discuss with their health care providers about prehospital use of herbal medicine. The factors like age (AOR: 0.281, 95% CI: 0.115, 0.683), educational level (AOR: 2.672, 95% CI: 1.101, 6.485) and insurance coverage (AOR: 2.082, 95% CI: 1.083, 4.004) were significantly associated with prehospital use of herbal medicine. Moreover, ‘Dammakese’ (Ocimum gratissimum L), ‘Tenadam’ (Ruta chalepensis L), ‘Makkanisa’ (Croton macrostachyus), ‘Jinjibli’ (Zingiber officinale), ‘Barzaafi Adii’ (Eucalyptus globulus Labill), ‘Qabarichoo’ (Echinops kebericho, Mesfin) and ‘Papaya’ (Carica papaya L) were the most commonly used herbs before admission to hospital. From published literatures review we revealed that the Zingiber officinale, Carica papaya L, Eucalyptus globulus Labill and Ruta chalepensis L possess the potential interaction with many conventional medicines as well as toxic effects.
Conclusions
The present study revealed that the prehospital use of herbal medicine was relatively high in which majority of patients did not disclose to the health care providers. Its use was significantly associated with age, educational level and insurance coverage. In addition, some of herbs used are associated with safety issues. Therefore, health care providers should thoroughly discuss with their patients regarding the prehospital use of herbal medicine.
Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rate among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu Somalia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Jeele Mohamed Osman Omar , Bashir Ahmed Muhammad , Jimale Liban Hassan , Adani Abdulkamil Abdullahi
Published: November 2021

Background

The percentage of healthcare workers that are vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 in Somalia remains unknown. The main purpose of our study is to determine the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rate among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Methods

The design of the study is cross-sectional which was undertaken to assess the vaccination rate of healthcare workers in Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital from September 1 to September 20, 2021. A total number of 210 healthcare workers have participated in this study. The data were collected using a questionnaire.
Results

Out of 210 healthcare workers that have enrolled in the study 56.2% (n=118) were males. The mean age of the participants was 28.23 with SD ± 2.9. The most abundant age group in our study was 18-27 years with 53.8% (n=113). According to the participant’s profession, the doctors were the commonest participant with 48.6% (n=102). The SARS-CoV-2 vaccination level of the healthcare workers in Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital was found to be 20% (n=42). 26.2% of the males that participated in this study were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 while only 12% of females were vaccinated. The study found that there is a significant correlation between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and gender with p value<.05. The study also revealed that there is a negative correlation between age and being vaccination against Covid-19 disease with p value <.01. 30% (n=31) of the doctors, 5.6% (n=4) of nurses, 14.2% (n=14) of radiology technicians, 30.7% (n=4) of anesthesia technicians, and 10% (n=1) of laboratory stuffs were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The reasons for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy were fear towards the vaccine complications 58% (n=97), followed by believed that vaccine will not be beneficial, lack of opportunity, no reason, and avoiding for religious or social reasons in 23% (n=39), 8.3% (n=14), 9% (n=15), 1.7% (n=3), respectively.
Conclusion

We found that only 20% of the healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Somalia were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is an emergency public health situation as it will put the healthcare workers and the patients at risk for developing Covid 19 disease.
Pan-Cancer Analysis Reveals RIPK2 Predicts Prognosis and Promotes Immune Therapy Resistance Via Triggering Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Dysfunction
Authors: song junquan , Yang Runyu , Wei Rongyuan , Du Yue , He Pengcheng , Liu Xiaowen
Published: November 2021

Background

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2, also known as RIP2) was reported to be associated with bacterial infections as well as inflammatory responses. However, the role of RIPK2 in prognosis and immunotherapy response is yet to be elucidated in human pan-cancer.
Methods

In this study, we investigated the expression, gene alteration landscape and prognostic value of RIPK2 in 33 cancers through various databases including Ualcan, cBioportal and GEPIA. Then, the correlation between RIPK2 and immune infiltration, immune score, stromal score, and ESTIMATE score was investigated in the TGGA and TIMER database. Independent cohorts were utilized to explore the role of RIPK2 in tumor immunotherapy response. Furthermore, GSEA analysis was conducted to explore the mechanisms by which RIPK2 regulates immune therapy resistance. Single-cell RNA-seq datasets were used to analyze the expression level of RIPK2 on different immune cells. Moreover, CellMiner database was used to explore the relationship between RIPK2 expression with drug response.
Result

Compared with normal tissue, tumor tissue had a higher expression level of RIPK2 in various cancers. Survival analysis showed that high expression of RIPK2 associated with poor prognosis in numerous cancers. RIPK2 was found to promote a series of immune cell infiltration and B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils were significantly positively correlated with the expression of RIPK2. Moreover, RIPK2 affected immune score, stromal score and ESTIMATE score for a wide range of cancers. In the vast majority of 33 cancers, gene co-expression analysis showed that RIPK2 was positively correlated with the expression of immune checkpoint markers, such as PDCD1 (PD-1), CD274 (PD-L1), CTLA4 and TIGIT. RIPK2 aggravated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) dysfunction and related to the poor efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). High expression of RIPK2 promoted innate immunotherapy resistance and adaptive immunotherapy resistance through IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling, interferon-gamma response, and interferon-alpha response pathway.
Conclusion

These results confirmed that RIPK2 could serve as a prognostic biomarker and promoted immune therapy resistance via triggering cytotoxic T lymphocytes dysfunction.
Effects of Mannan-Oligosaccharide Supplementation On Gut Health, Immunity, and Production Performance of Broilers
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Hayat Zafar , Rahman Abdur , Qamar Muhammad Fiaz , Ijaz Muawuz , Yar Muhammad Kashif , Badar Iftikhar Hussain , Islam Md. Shafiqul
Published: November 2021

The study was designed to investigate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on intestinal histomorphology, immunity against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and productive parameters of broilers. A total of 1800 day old broiler chicks of Cobb-500 strain were selected and randomly assorted into 6 treatment groups: T1 (basal diet without antibiotics as negative control); T2 (basal diet plus antibiotics as positive control group); T3 (basal diet plus 200g/ton MOS); T4 (basal diet plus 400g/ton MOS); T5 (basal diet plus 600g/ton MOS) and T6 (basal diet plus 800g/ton MOS). Each treatment was having 6 replicates and the feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded on weekly basis. Results showed that, MOS supplemented birds have significantly higher feed intake, weight gain and FCR (P < 0.05). Similarly, supplementation of MOS showed positive effect on villus height and crypt depth both in jejunum and ilium. Goblet cell density was unaffected by MOS addition (P < 0.05). Furthermore, birds fed with diets containing MOS, exhibited better productive performance in comparison to positive and negative control groups. In conclusion, MOS can replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) as non-microbial performance-enhancing feed advocates.
Alteration in Molecular Structure of Alkali Activated Slag with Various Water To Binder Ratios Under Accelerated Carbonation
Authors: Nguyen Thi Nhan , Phung Quoc , Yu Ziyou , Frederickx Lander , Jacques Diederik , Sakellariou Dimitrios , Dauzeres Alexandre , Elsen Jan , Pontikes Yiannis
Published: November 2021

Carbonation of alkali activated materials is one of the main deteriorations affecting their durability. However, current understanding in structural alteration of these materials exposed to an environment inducing carbonation at nano/micro scale remains limited. This study examined the evolution of phase assemblages of alkali activated slag mortars subjected to accelerated carbonation (1% CO2, 60% relative humidity, up to 28 day carbonation) using XRD, FTIR and 29Si, 27Al, 23Na MAS NMR. Samples with three water to binder (w/b) ratios (0.35, 0.45, and 0.55) were investigated. The results show that the phase assemblages mainly consisted of C-A-S-H, disordered remnant aluminosilicate binder, and a minor hydrotalcite as a secondary product. Upon carbonation, calcium carbonate is mainly formed as the vaterite polymorph, while no sodium carbonate is found after carbonation as commonly reported. The sodium acts primarily as a charge balancing ion without producing sodium carbonate as a final carbonation product in 28-day carbonated materials. The C-A-S-H structure becomes more cross-linked due to the decalcification of this phase evidenced by the appearance of Q4 groups, which replace the Q1 and Q2 ones as observed in the 29Si MAS NMR spectra, and the dominance of Al (IV) in 27Al MAS NMR. Especially, unlike cementitious materials, the influence of w/b ratio on the crystalline phase formation and structure of C-A-S-H in the alkali activated mortars before and after carbonation is limited.
A Case of Restrictive Lung Disease Masquerading as Sars-Cov-2 Pneumonia: The Complexity of Integrating Lung Ultrasound in Clinical Management
Authors: Chen Yale Tung , Villegas Tomas Villen , Villanueva Andrea Gutiérrez , Infante Marta Nogue
Published: November 2021

This report aims to highlight the importance of integrating the lung ultrasound findings in the clinical judgement, and to integrate its findings, exemplified in this patient, thought to have COVID-19 bilateral pneumonia, and turn out to have an infectious spondylodiscitis and secondary, a restrictive lung disease.As ultrasound devices become increasingly portable and affordable, the future potential of lung ultrasound relies on a not lesser degree of clinical skills acquisition.
Evolution of Residual Stress Through The Processing Stages in Manufacturing of Bore-Chilled Sand-Cast Aluminum Engine Blocks With Pressed-In Iron Liners
Authors: Stroh Joshua , Sediako Dimitry , Lombardi Anthony , Byczynski Glenn , Reid Mark , Paradowska Anna
Published: November 2021

The cumulative global emissions produced by the automotive industry over the last decade has put a tremendous strain on the environment. Consequently, automotive engineers and manufacturers have been forced to improve the efficiencies of their automobiles which is frequently accomplished by increasing the operating pressure, and therefore temperature, of the combustion engine. Unfortunately, in addition to the rise in operational pressures and temperatures, large tensile residual stresses often accumulate in the cylinder bridges during the casting process of aluminum engine blocks due to the use of cast-in iron cylinder liners, leading to combined stress magnitudes above the strength of the currently used aluminum alloys. Thus, the present study aims to characterize the evolution of residual stress, with application of neutron diffraction, at several critical stages of the manufacturing process of sand-cast aluminum engine blocks that have eliminated the iron cylinder liners from the casting process and replaced them with cylinder bore chills that are pressed-out after the thermal sand reclamation process. The replacement of the iron liners shifted the stress mode from purely tension to purely compression until the bore chills were removed. Following removal of the bore chills, the maximum tensile stress at the top of the cylinder bridge was ~70% lower than the engine’s predecessor which was produced with iron liners. Moreover, in the production-ready state (i.e., T7 heat treated, machined and press-fit liners inserted), the stress mode maintains the partially compressive nature with low magnitudes of tension, thereby lowering the material’s susceptibility to crack growth and propagation.
Temporal and Spatial Distribution and Fluorescence Spectra of Dissolved Organic Matter in Plateau Lakes -- A Case Study of Qinghai Lake
Authors: Li Zheng , Fu Zhenghui , Zhang Yang , Guo Yunyan , Che Feifei , Guo Huaicheng , Wang Shuhang
Published: November 2021

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has a great influence on the main pollution indexes of lakes (such as COD). Therefore, DOM research is the basis for understanding the water environmental quality and the law of pollutant migration and transformation in the basin. In this study, the water quality monitoring data of Qinghai Lake water body and 8 rivers around the lake from 2010 to 2020 were collected, and the dissolved organic matter (DOM) was synchronously sampled in May, September and October 2020. The optical characteristics of DOM, the temporal and spatial distribution of CDOM and the fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence component characteristics of FDOM were analyzed and studied. The results show that: (1) From 2010 to 2020, the annual mean value of CODCr of Qinghai Lake water body fluctuates in the range of Class III to Class V according to the environmental quality standard of the surface water, and shows a downward trend first and then an upward one. In general, the mean value of CODCr concentration in Qinghai Lake water body is at a high level and varies slightly among different months. (2) The mean value of CODCr concentration of the eight main rivers entering Qinghai Lake from 2010 to 2020 can be sorted from lowest to highest as follows: Ganzi River, Buha River, Jilmeng River, Hargai River, Shaliu River, Quanji River, HeMa River, and DaoTang River. (3) The concentration of CDOM in Qinghai Lake shows not only obvious seasonal variation (October, September and May, in the descending order) but also spatial variation. (4) The three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum matrix data of DOM in Qinghai Lake were analyzed by PARAFAC model, and four DOM fluorescence components with single maximum emission wavelength were analyzed.
Effect of Chloride Concentration on the Cytotoxicity, Bioavailability, and Bio-Reactivity of Copper and Silver in the Rainbow Trout Gut Cell Line (RTgutGC)
Authors: Ibrahim Md , Minghetti Matteo
Published: November 2021

Chloride (Cl-) influences the bioavailability and toxicity of metals in fish, but the mechanisms by which it influences these processes is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effect of chloride on the cytotoxicity, bioavailability (i.e., accumulation) and bio-reactivity (i.e., induction of mRNA levels of metal responsive genes) of copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) in the rainbow trout gut cell line (RTgutGC). Cells were exposed to metals in media with varying Cl- concentrations (0, 1, 5 and 146 mM). Metal speciation in exposure medium was analyzed using Visual MINTEQ software. Cytotoxicity of AgNO3 and CuSO4 was measured based on two endpoints: metabolic activity and membrane integrity. Cells were exposed to 500 nM of AgNO3 and CuSO4 for 24 hours in respective media to determine metal bioavailability and bioreactivity. Ag speciation changes from free ionic (Ag+) to neutral (AgCl), to negatively charged chloride complexes (AgCl2-, AgCl3-) with increasing Cl- concentration in exposure media whereas Cu speciation remains in two forms (Cu2+ and CuHPO4) across all media. Chloride does not affect Ag bioavailability but decreases metal toxicity and bio-reactivity. Cells exposed to Ag expressed significantly higher metallothionein mRNA levels in low Cl- media (0, 1, and 5 mM) than in high Cl- medium (146 mM). This suggests that chloride complexation reduces silver bio-reactivity and toxicity. Conversely, Cu bioavailability and toxicity were higher in the high chloride medium (146 mM) than in the low Cl- (0, 1, and 5 mM) media, supporting the hypothesis that Cu uptake may occur via a chloride dependent mechanism.
Screening and Identification of Strains With High Lignocellulose-degrading Enzyme Production From Endophytic Fungi of Taxillus Chinensis
Authors: Song Lisha Song , Pan Limei Pan , Jiang Ni Jiang , FU Jine FU , Wan Lingyun Wan , Wei Shugen Wei
Published: November 2021

Taxillus chinensis is an extensively used medicinal herb in the traditional as well as modern systems of medicines. It is a perennial hemiparasitic plant, which is difficult to propagate artificially because of its low parasitic rate. Successful parasitism of parasitic plants is to fuse their tissues and connect their vasculature to the host vasculature building a physiological bridge, which can efficiently withdraw water, sugars and nutrients from their host plants. It is reported that endophytic fungi play an important role in cell wall degradation and fusion, which is the key forming process of the physiological bridge. Therefore, in this study, the endophytic fungi from T. chinensis of different hosts were isolated, and then the organisms that could degrade the main components of the cell walls were screened out using a medium consisting of guaihuol and cellulose degradation capacity. The results showed that five strains with high enzyme activities for lignocellulosic degradation were screened out from 72 endophytic fungi of T. chinensis. The laccase and cellulase activities of five strains reached their peaks at day 7, and the highest enzyme activities of these two enzymes were found in strain P6, which was 117.66 and 1.66 U/mL, respectively. Manganese peroxidase of strain 4 and lignin peroxidase of strain N6 also reached their peaks at day 7 and were the highest among the 5 strains, with enzyme activities of 11.61 and 6.64 U/mL, respectively. Strains 4, 15, 31, N6 and P6 were identified as Colletotrichum acutatum, Nigerrospora sphaerica, Exserohilum rofolium, Diaporthe phaseolorum and Pestalotiopsis arceuthobii, respectively, according to their morphological and molecular biology properties.
Effects of Thymoquinone on Adipocyte Differentiation in Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Shahbodi Monireh , Emami Seyed Ahmad , Javadi Behjat , Tayarani-Najaran Zahra
Published: November 2021

Background: Obesity is one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Stem cells are primary cells capable of differentiating into different types of cells, and can be used to treat various diseases. Thymoquinone (TQ) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties. Herein, we aim to investigate the effect of TQ on the process of lipid differentiation in human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Methods and Results: Quantification of cell surface markers was used by Flow-Cytometry and then, the effect of TQ on cell viability was assessed using alamarBlue test. ADSCs were then subjected to induction of differentiation in the presence of non-cytotoxic concentrations of TQ (6.25, 12.5 and 25 μg/mL). ADSCs differentiation was assessed using Oil-Red staining technique. Moreover, expression of PPARγ (Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ) and FAS (Fatty Acid Synthetase) proteins was evaluated using Western blotting analysis. Flow-cytometric analysis demonstrated the expression of CD44 and CD90 markers as mesenchymal stem cells markers on the surface of ADSCs. At concentrations≤100 μg/mL of TQ, no significant difference in cell viability of ADSCs was observed compared to the control. Adipocyte differentiation process significantly decreased at 25 μg/mL (P<0.001) and 12.5 μg/mL (P<0.01) of TQ. The results of the qualitative examination of Lipid Droplets also confirmed these results. Western-blot analysis showed that TQ at 12.5 (p<0.05) and 25 μg/mL (p<0.01) reduced FAS/β-actin ratio compared to the positive group.Conclusions: This study showed that TQ can reduce the process of differentiation of fat stem cells into fat cells and might be considered as an anti-obesity compound.
FKN/CX3CR1 Axis Facilitated Migraine-like Behaviors via Activating Thalamic-cortical Network Microglia in SE Rat Models
Authors: Zhou Yanjie , Zhang Lily , Hao Yuyan , Yang Liu , Xiao Zheman
Published: November 2021

Background: The incidence of migraines is higher among people with epilepsy than healthy people, and these two common diseases are proposed to have some shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Excitation/inhibition imbalance plays an essential role in the comorbidity of epilepsy and migraine. Microglia activation is crucial for abnormal neuronal signal transmission. However, whether and how microglia are activated, and their role in comorbidities after activation remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the characteristics and mechanism of microglia activation after seizures and its effect on migraine.Methods: Status epilepticus (SE) rat models induced by lithium chloride (LiCl)-pilocarpine intraperitoneal injection and migraine rat models induced by repeated inflammatory soup (IS) dural injections were generated and assessed for molecular and histopathologic evidence of microglial activation target of fractalkine (FKN) signaling. HT22-BV2 transwell coculture was used to explore the interaction between neurons and microglia. LPS (a microglia agonist) and FKN stimulation of BV2 microglia cells were used to evaluate changes in BDNF content after microglia activation.Results: Microglia were specifically hyperplasia and activation in the cortical-thalamus-sp5c neural circuit, which were pain-related brain regions, accompanied by the upregulation of FKN and CX3CR1 four days after seizures. Meanwhile, SE-induced increased nociceptive behavior and the FKN/CX3CR1 axis in migraine rat models. AZD8797 (a CX3CR1 inhibitor) prevented the worsening of hyperalgesia and microglia activation in migraine rat models after seizures, while FKN infusion in migraine rat models exacerbated hyperalgesia and microglia activation associated with BDNF-Trkb signaling. Furthermore, in neuron-BV2 coculture, microglial activation and FKN/CX3CR1/BDNF/iba1 expression were increased. Activating microglia with LPS and FKN stimulation increased BDNF synthesis in BV2 microglia.Conclusions: Our results indicated that epilepsy facilitated migraine through the cortical-thalamus-sp5c microglia activated and interactions with neurons by the FKN/CX3CR1 axis, resulting in BDNF release. Blocking the FKN/CX3CR1 axis and microglia activation are potential therapeutic targets for preventing and treating migraine in patients with epilepsy.
Attenuation of Expression of Splenocytes Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Lung Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin By Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Conditioned Medium in Asthmatic Mice
Authors: Dalouchi Fereshteh , Aghdam Zeynab Sharifi , Falak Raza , Bakhshesh Morteza , Hajidazeh Maryam , Azizi Yaser , Aboutaleb Nahid
Published: November 2021

Background Asthma is a chronic respiratory illness characterized by lung tissue remodeling, T helper cell imbalance, and the generation of inflammatory factors. The Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (hAM-MSC-CM) contains various immunomodulatory components and has been utilized in certain studies as a source for anti-inflammatory factors. We investigated the impacts of CM on splenocytes pro-inflammatory cytokines and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in Balb/c mice with Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma.Methods and results Forty mice were separated into four groups of ten: control (challenged and sensitized with normal saline solution), asthma (sensitized on days 1, 8, and 14 and challenged daily with OVA from days 21 to 28), OVA+CM (asthmatic mice treated with CM on days 29 and 30), and OVA+DMEM (DMEM-treated asthmatic mice on days 29 and 30). The spleen and lung tissues were removed 48 hours after the final challenge, and the expression of the inflammatory factors in the splenocyte culture supernatant was determined by ELISA, while the α-SMA expression in the lung was determined using western blotting. α-SMA protein expression was significantly greater in lung tissue. Also, inflammatory agents were significantly higher in the splenocytes supernatant in the DMEM and asthma groups compared to the control group. CM therapy has been shown to inhibit the production of the α-SMA protein and inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions Results showed that CM Treatment was able to decrease the α-SMA expression in lung and splenocytes pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The Accuracy and Influencing Factors of Doppler Echocardiography in Estimating Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure: Comparison With Right Heart Catheterization : A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Lv Guangjie , Li Aili , Tao Xincao , Zhai Yanan , Zhang Yu , Lei Jieping , Gao Qian , Xie Wanmu , Zhai Zhenguo
Published: November 2021

Background: Noninvasive assessment of pulmonary artery systolic pressure by Doppler echocardiography (sPAPECHO) has been widely adopted to screen for pulmonary hypertension (PH). But high proportion of overestimation or underestimation of sPAPECHO still remained. So we aimed to explore the accuracy and influencing factors of sPAPECHO with right heart catheterization (RHC) as reference. Methods: A total of 218 highly suspected pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients who underwent RHC and echocardiography within 7 days were included. The correlation and consistency between tricuspid regurgitation (TR) derived parameters and RHC results were tested by Pearson and Bland-Altaman methods. With mPAP ≥25mmHg measured by RHC as the standard diagnostic criteria of PH, ROC curve was used to compared the diagnostic efficacy of sPAPECHO with other TR related methods. The ratio of (sPAPECHO-sPAPRHC)/sPAPRHC was calculated and divided into three groups, namely, the underestimation group, accurate group and overestimation group by ±10% as the boundary. The influencing factors of sPAPECHO were analyzed by ordinal regression analysis.Results: sPAPECHO had the greatest correlation coefficient (r=0.781, P<0.001), best diagnostic efficiency (AUC=0.98) and lowest bias (mean bias= 0.07mmHg, 95% limits of agreement: -32.08 to +32.22mmHg) compared with other TR related methods. Ordinal regression analysis showed that TR signal quality, PAWP and sPAPRHC level affected the accuracy of sPAPECHO (P < 0.05). The OR value of PAWP was 0.94 (95%CI: 0.89, 0.99). Compared with high sPAPRHC level, the OR value of low and medium sPAPRHC level were 21.56 (95%CI: 9.57, 48.55) and 5.13 (95%CI: 2.55, 10.32) , respectively. Relative to the signal quality of type A, the OR value of type B and C signal quality were 0.26 (95%CI: 0.14, 0.48) and 0.23 (95%CI: 0.07, 0.73), respectively. While TR severity and right ventricular systolic function had no significant effect on the accuracy of sPAPECHO. Conclusions: sPAPECHO was superior to other TR-related methods in PH screening, and was often overestimated in patients with pre-capillary PH at low sPAPRHC level, even with good TR signal quality.Trial registration: This is a retrospectively registered study.
Perceptions on Preventative Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Survey Using Clinical Scenarios
Authors: Boldt Christopher , Boldt Clare , Chow Emilie , Mukamel Dana , Pang Jonathan
Published: November 2021

One significant side effect of the Covid-19 pandemic is the decline in preventative healthcare services. The reduction in inpatient and outpatient visits has been attributed to fears of contracting the virus. Our study utilized a cross sectional survey of adults to determine patient risk assessment for receiving preventative care during the pandemic, specifically mammography, colonoscopy, and immunizations, through clinical scenarios (ranked high, medium, or low risk). Based on the scenario, the respondent indicated whether they would schedule their appointment for the relevant procedure within the next month. We hypothesized that more people would choose to seek care as their symptomatic severity and risk factors increased including increased age, outweighing their Covid-19 fears against the urgency of their clinical presentation. Consistent with the hypothesis, there were statistically significant differences to increasing scenario intensity for all procedures (mammography, immunization, colonoscopy). Regarding age, low risk immunization respondents 65 years and older were more likely to get their flu shot than those in the 18-49 or 50-64 age brackets, whereas no significant differences were found for colonoscopy and mammography among eligible age groups. These empirical results epidemiologically support proposed projection models stating there will likely be an increased incidence in late-stage cancers and immunization preventable disease due to missed/unscheduled appointments attributed to the pandemic. Thus, physicians should strongly encourage their patients to receive missed preventative care.
Genetic diversity among queen bee, worker bees and larvae in terms of retrotransposon movements
Authors: Mercan Levent , Bulbul Cihat Erdem , Marakli Sevgi
Published: November 2021

Objective
Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) is a model organism, contributing significant effect on global ecology by pollination and examining due to its social behaviour.
Methods
In this study, barley-specific Sukkula and Nikita retrotransposons were analysed using IRAP (Inter-Retrotransposon Amplification Polymorphism) marker technique, and the relationships between retrotransposon movements and development were also investigated in three different colonies of the Caucasian bee (Apis mellifera caucasica). Furthermore, transposon sequences belonging to Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, Triticum turgidum and Hordeum vulgare were also examined to figure out evolutionary relationships.
Results
For this purpose, a queen bee, five worker bees, and five larvae from each colony were studied. Both retrotransposons were found in all samples in three colonies with different polymorphism ratios (0-100% for Nikita and 0-67% for Sukkula). We also determined polymorphisms in queen-worker (0-83% for Nikita, 0-63% for Sukkula), queen-larvae (0-83% for Nikita, 0-43% for Sukkula) and worker-larvae comparisons (0-100% for Nikita, 0-63% for Sukkula) in colonies. Moreover, close relationships among transposons found in plant and insect genomes as a result of in silico evaluations to verify experimental results.
Conclusion
This work could be one of the first studies to analyse plant-specific retrotransposons’ movements in honeybee genome. Results are expected to understand evolutionary relationships in terms of horizontal transfer of transposons among kingdoms.