bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can agrifood co-products do better? Life cycle platform for solid fermentation
Authors: Javourez Ugo , Delgado Ernesto Alonso Rosero , Hamelin Lorie
Published: March 2022

Solutions towards decoupling food production from arable land are increasingly promoted to alleviate food system’s environmental impacts. It includes solid substrate fermentation (SSF), allowing to nutritionally enhance fibrous co-products. Yet, it remains unclear whether and to which extent SSF valorization pathways really improve environmental performances of agrifood co-products in comparison to current practices. Using a framework which combines process-based consequential life cycle analysis, uncertainty assessment and biomass resource potential estimation, we quantify and qualify implications of SSF nutritional enhancement through six selected case studies. When used to unlock food markets, SSF yields environmental benefits for all impact categories. When used to unlock feed markets (low-value streams), SSF pathways are preferable options compared to energy valorization for most impacts except climate change. We show that the environmental impacts of novel food and feed are principally dependent on avoided crops and land use change accounting methods, these requiring further and systematic harmonization.
Community Engagement in Kidney Research: Guatemalan Experience
Authors: Aguilar-González Angie , Lou-Meda Randall , Chocó André , Moist Louise
Published: March 2022

Background: Community engagement is essential for effective research when addressing issues important to the community and researchers. Despite its effectiveness, there is limited published evidence concerning the evaluation of community engagement in research projects, especially in the area of nephrology. Methods: We developed a community engagement program in Guatemala to address the role of hydration in chronic kidney disease of unknown origin, using five key engagement principles: 1. Local relevance and determinants of health. 2. Acknowledgment of the community. 3. Dissemination of findings and knowledge gained to all partners. 4. Usage of community partners’ input. 5. Involvement of a cyclical and iterative process in the pursuit of goals. The effectiveness of community engagement was measured by a structured questionnaire on a 5-point likert scale. This measure determined how well and how often the research team adhered to the five engagement principles. Results: Sixty-two community leaders completed the questionnaire. Seventy-five percent were female, with a mean age of 37 years. All 5 engagement principles scored highly on the 5-point likert scale. Conclusion: Community leaders and researchers developed a relationship in which commitment and empowerment facilitated the participation in all aspects of the research process. This program is a useful tool for researchers, especially in low-middle income countries, to start research in a community.
Cyclophilin A contributes to shikonin-induced glioma cell necroptosis via promotion of chromatinolysis
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Fan Liwen , Wang Xuanzhong , Ge Pengfei , Liu Linlin
Published: March 2022

Shikonin induces glioma cell death via necroptosis, a caspase-independent programmed cell death pathway that is chiefly regulated by receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase1 (RIP1) and 3 (RIP3). Chromatinolysis is considered as one of the key events leading to cell death during necroptosis. It is usually accompanied with nuclear translocation of AIF and formation of γ-H2AX. Cyclophilin A (CypA) is reported to participate in the nuclear translocation of AIF during apoptosis. However, it remains unclear whether CypA contributes to necroptosis via regulation of chromatinolysis. In this study, our results revealed for the first time that shikonin promoted time-dependent CypA activation, which contributed to nuclear translocation of AIF and γ-H2AX formation. In vitro studies showed that knockdown of CypA by siRNA or inhibition of CypA by its specific inhibitor, cyclosporine A (CsA), not only significantly mitigated shikonin-induced glioma cell death, but also prevented chromatinolysis. Mechanisticlly, activated CypA targeted mitochondria and triggered mitochondrial superoxide overproduction, which then promoted AIF translocation from mitochondria into the nucleus by depolarizing the mitochondria and intensified the formation of γ-H2AX by promoting intracellular accumulation of ROS. Additionally, the CypA in the nucleus can form DNA degradation complexes with AIF and γ-H2AX, which also promote the execution of chromatinolysis. Thus, we demonstrate that CypA contributes to shikonin-induced glioma cell necroptosis via promotion of chromatinolysis.
Heart-targeted Amelioration of Sepsis-induced Myocardial Dysfunction by Microenvironment Responsive Nitric Oxide Nanogenerators in Situ
Authors: Ouyang Minzhi , Ouyang Xiangnan , Peng Zefang , Liu Minghui , Xu Ganqiong , Zou Zhen , Zhang Ming , Shang Quanliang
Published: March 2022

Background: Reduced levels of bioavailable nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. However, it is clinically proven that the lack of spatial and temporal control of release restrict the application of NO.Destination: The purpose of this study is to design the heart-targeted and infection microenvironment-responsive NO-releasing biomaterials to efficiently ameliorate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiac dysfunction.Methods and Results: The heart-targeted NO delivery and in situ release system was synthesized using hollow mesoporous silica (MSN) as the carrier and L-arginine (LA) as the NO donor. PCM-MSN@LA was characterized by several analytical techniques. The directed myocardial delivery was successfully accomplished by primary cardiomyocyte-specific peptide (PCM) targeting and low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) guidance. Upon the LIFU irradiation, although the concentrations of LA released from PCM-MSN@LA was low, the research exhibited high sensitivity to the increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the infection microenvironment. Rapid targeting of the heart and in situ NO release enabled PCM-MSN@LA in combined with LIFU exerted extraordinary protective effects against LPS-challenged myocardial injury by reducing the recruitment of inflammatory cells, inhibiting oxidative stress and maintaining the mitochondria integrity. In particular, PCM-MSN@LA+LIFU relieved but not aggravated the circulation collapse in the infection environment.Conclusion: PCM-MSN@LA+LIFU exhibited significant cardioprotective effects against severe sepsis found in the hearts of the tested mice and reduced the side effects of NO diffusion. This technique could possibly be served as a new therapeutic method for sepsis-induced myocardial injury.
Integrative nascent RNA methods to reveal cell-type specific transcription programs in peripheral blood and its derivative cells
Authors: Kwak Hojoong , Kimm Aileen , Kim Samantha , Kim Eunyoo
Published: March 2022

Nascent RNA sequencing is a powerful method to measure transcription with high resolution, sensitivity, and directional information. We present an integrated package of nascent RNA-seq methods composed of ultrafast Precision Run On (uPRO) combined with deep learning and hierarchical co-expression network analysis to discover enhancers, promoters, and transcription factor networks that define cell-type specific transcription programs. We generated nascent transcription profiles using one-day uPRO in human blood-derived cell lines and raw whole blood of ~ 1 ml. Transcription sites at enhancers and genes were conserved in positions but varied in expression levels across cell types. Transcription factors such as TCF-3 and OCT1 were pivotally associated with enhancer-gene networks. Intriguingly, transcription factors related to cell stress and inflammation are associated with inter-individual variation of leukocyte transcription in whole blood. Our integration of experimental and computational nascent RNA methods will provide an efficient strategy to identify specific transcriptional programs with minimal sample requirements.
Analysis of risk factors associated with average hospitalization duration and cost in pulmonary abscess patients
Authors: Zhu Tianyi , Yang Wei , Lu Wei
Published: March 2022

Background: This study aimed to explore the differences of average hospitalization duration and cost in various groups of pulmonary abscess patients. Methods: The hospitalization durations and costs of 190 patients with a pulmonary abscess in our department during the past five years were retrospectively analyzed.Results: Regardless of the patient’s sex or age, the average hospitalization duration of the pulmonary abscess patients was longer than that of the overall patient population by 9 days (P < 0.05). Among the hospitalized patients with a pulmonary abscess, the average hospitalization duration of male patients was 5.3 days longer than that of female patients. Also, the average inpatient cost was 15,726.4 RMB higher than that of female patients (P < 0.05). Moreover, the existence of underlying diseases was associated with a significantly longer hospitalization duration among inpatients with a pulmonary abscess (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the patients with concomitant symptoms had a significantly longer hospitalization duration than those without concomitant symptoms (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The hospitalization duration was longer for patients with a pulmonary abscess compared to those without one in the Respiratory Department of our hospital during the same period. In addition, the male sex as well as the coexistence of underlying conditions and concomitant symptoms were risk factors for a prolonged hospitalization stay among patients with a pulmonary abscess. The male sex was also a risk factor for a higher hospitalization cost among pulmonary abscess patients. Our findings suggest the importance of early detection and good control of basic diseases for certain populations of pulmonary abscess patients.
The association between clinical features at the time of non-hysteroscopic myomectomy before pregnancy and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kim Young Ran , Na Eun Duc , Jung Jae Eun , Lee Ji Yeon
Published: March 2022

BackgroundTo investigate the association of clinical characteristics at the time of non-hysteroscopic myomectomy before pregnancy and adverse obstetric outcomes in the next pregnancy.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we identified 248 women who underwent abdominal or laparoscopic myomectomy for intramural (IM) and/or subserosal (SS) uterine myomas in Bundang CHA Medical Center before pregnancy and delivered at the same hospital between 2010 and 2020. The association between clinical characteristics at the time of myomectomy and subsequent obstetric outcomes were analyzed. ResultsThere was one case of uterine rupture. The gestational age at delivery was 37.7±2.4 weeks. There were 2 (0.8%) cases of fetal loss before 23 weeks, but there were no cases of perinatal death. The risk of transfusion during or after delivery was higher in the group in which multiple myomas were removed compared to the group in which only one was removed (aOR=2.41, 95% CI [1.20-4.86], p=0.014). The risk of neonatal composite morbidity was higher in the group in which myomas including the IM type were removed, than in the group in which only SS myomas were removed (aOR=14.29, 95% CI [1.82-99.57], p=0.012). Although not statistically significant, the group in which the sum of the diameters of the three largest myomas was greater than 15 cm showed a higher frequency of preterm birth (19.3% vs. 10.1%, p=0.001) and lower birth weight (2901± 625 g vs. 3063± 576 g, p=0.001) compared to the group with diameters less than 15 cm. Placenta accreta/increta (7.9% vs. 3.8%, p=0.043) and lower placental weight (646± 170 g vs. 750± 232 g, p=0.034) were more common in patients with an interval between myomectomy and pregnancy of less than 12 months compared to more than 12 months.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the association between clinical features at the time of myomectomy before pregnancy and various adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. If the removed myomas are multiple, IM, large, or the interval between myomectomy and pregnancy is short, the risk of obstetric and neonatal complications may increase.
Fluorescence in Situ Hybridisation in Carnoy’s Fixed Tonsil Tissue
Authors: Clark Sita Tarini , Waldvogel-Thurlow Sharon , Mackenzie Brett Wagner , Douglas Richard George , Biswas Kristi
Published: March 2022

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) is a powerful molecular technique that enables direct visualisation of specific bacterial species. Few studies have established FISH protocols for tonsil tissue in Carnoy’s fixative, accordingly limiting its application to investigate the pathogenesis of tonsillar hyperplasia. Tonsil tissue from 24 children undergoing tonsillectomy for either recurrent tonsillitis or sleep-disordered breathing were obtained during a previous study. The specificity of each of the five FISH probes (Fusobacterium spp., Bacteroides spp., Streptococcus spp., Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas spp.) were successfully optimised using pure and mixed bacterial isolates, and in Carnoy’s fixed tonsil tissue. Bacteroides spp. were present in 100% of patients with microcolonies. In comparison, the prevalence of Fusobacterium spp. was 93.8%, Streptococcus spp. 85.7%, H. influenzae 82.35% and Pseudomonas spp. 76.5%. Notable differences in the organisation of bacterial taxa within a single microcolony were also observed. This is the first study to establish a robust FISH protocol identifying multiple aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in Carnoy’s fixed tonsil tissue. This protocol provides a strong foundation for combining histological and microbiological analyses of Carnoy’s fixed tonsil samples. It may also have important implications on the analysis of microorganisms in other human tissues prepared using the same techniques.
An analysis of BGP updates dynamics during Slammer worm attack
Authors: Matcharashvili Teimuraz , Elmokashﬁ Ahmed , Zhukova Natalia
Published: March 2022

In present work we investigated the character of dynamical changes in the border gateway protocol (BGP) updates process in Internet during the Slammer worm attack that occurred on 25.01.2003. We analysed BGP updates time series recorded at 8 RIPE RIS collectors located in different parts of world. Time series have been recorded before, during and after Slammer worm attack. Methods of data complex analysis, effective to discern dynamical changes in the considered process, have been used. Lempel and Ziv complexity measure, Local variation, Tsallis entropy, composite multiscale entropy and recurrence quantification analysis have been carried out on BGP updates time series in 24 hour windows shifted by 1 minute step.In spite of intense interest to the question of stability of Internet, dynamical features of BGP updates process under different harmful influences presently remain not fully understood. We showed that, the extent of order in the process of BGP updates variability increased during the Slammer worm attack. Such dynamical change lasted about 20 hours and impacted the BGP updates at all considered 8 locations. It was also shown that changes occurred in the process of BGP updates variation long before and after of worm attack are of different character when compared to period during worm attack. Based on the results of present analysis we conjecture that the observed increase in the regularity of BGP updates is caused by the influence of slammer worm.Our findings will help in further understanding of dynamics of unwanted influences on Internet processes.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Hypothyroidism in A Patient with Cernunnos Deficiency; A Case Report
Authors: Farsi Yeganeh , Hojabri Mahsa , Eslamian Golnaz , Shamsian Bibi Shahin , Ghanaie Roxana Mansour , Keramatipour Mohammad , Chavoshzadeh Zahra , Eskandarzadeh Shabnam
Published: March 2022

Cernunnos deficiency is a rare radiosensitive form of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Herein, we report a patient with recurrent infections, birdlike face, microcephaly, Failure to thrive (FTT), and hypogammaglobinemia accompanied by considerable and rare features of sensorineural hearing loss and hypothyroidism with a mutation in splicing site of the third intron of non-homologous end joining 1 (NHEJ1) gene. The mutation was associated with T-B-NK + in flowcytometry. Distinct clinical manifestation along with a rarely reported genetic site mutation was noticeable in the reported case. The clinicians should be sensitive enough to suspect SCID in any patient with recurrent infections, microcephaly, FTT, and hypogammaglobinemia. Also, it is highlightable that every case of SCID with microcephaly should prompt us to the SCIDs with genetic mutations sensitive to radiation and further investigations are mandatory in highly suspicious patients.
Transcriptome analysis reveals the differentially expressed genes associated with growth in Guangxi Partridge chickens
Authors: Feng Chungang , Shao Minghui , Shi Kai , Zhao Qian , Duan Ying , Shen Yangyang , Tian Jinjie , He Kun , Li Dongfeng , Yu Minli , Lu Yangqing , Tang Yanfei
Published: March 2022

Background: The Guangxi Partridge chicken is a well-known chicken breed in southern China with excellent production performance, which has been bred as a meat breed to satisfy the increased demand of consumers. Compared with the original population (line D), the growth rate and weight of the selected chicken group (line S) increased significantly after breeding for four generations. Herein, transcriptome analysis was performed to identify pivotal genes and signal pathways of selective breeding that contributed to potential mechanisms of growth and development under artificial selection pressure. Results: The body weight of line S chickens showed a significant increase at 90 d of age, although only the internal organ ratio of lung and kidney to total body weight changed after standardizing by weight. The myofiber area and myofiber density of thigh muscles were affected by selection to a greater extent than that of breast muscle. We identified 51, 210, 31, 388, and 100 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hypothalamus, pituitary, breast muscle, thigh muscle, and liver between the two lines, respectively. Several key genes were identified in the hypothalamus-pituitary-muscle axis, such as FST, THSB, PTPRJ, CD36, PITX1, PITX2, AMPD1, PRKAB1, PRKAB2, and related genes for muscle development, which were attached to the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway, the PPAR signaling pathway, and lipid metabolism. However, signaling molecular pathways and the cell community showed that elevated activity in the liver of line S fowl was mainly involved in focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules, and signal transduction.Conclusions: Collectively, muscle development, lipid metabolism, and several signaling pathways played crucial roles in the improvement of Guangxi partridge chickens under artificial selection for growth rate. These results support further study of the adaptation of birds under selective pressure.
Rapid screening assays of N501Y and E484K SARS-CoV-2 variants and identification of an emerging N501T variant in France
Authors: FRANCOIS Catherine , Descamps Véronique , Combremont André-Guy , Morel Virginie , Brochot Etienne , Demey Baptiste , Castelain Sandrine
Published: March 2022

From September 2020, new variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in Europe. In this context, our hospital center has led us to be particularly vigilant in the search for and detection of these variants. To this end, two SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Discrimination assays for the detection of 501 and 484 mutations on spike protein were developed. It allowed to quickly identify the United Kingdom variant 20I/501Y.V1 and the south-african variant 20H/501Y.V2 that were circulating in our region and surprisingly identify a mutation of interest (N501T), which reported for the first time the A.28 lineage in France.
DAS28-P Index as a Discriminatory Measure of Poor Subjective Response to Disease-Modifying Rheumatic Drug Therapy in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Pisaniello Huai Leng , Whittle Samuel L. , Lester Susan , Menz Fiona , Metcalf Robert , McWilliams Leah , Hill Catherine , Proudman Susanna
Published: March 2022

Background: The DAS28-P index, defined as the proportion of patient-reported components (joint tenderness and visual analogue scale) of the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), has been proposed as a useful discriminatory measure of central pain mechanisms in RA. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the DAS28-P index as a predictor of poor subjective response in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: Patients with early RA enrolled in a supplemental fish oil clinical trial received a combination of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) according to ‘treat-to-target’ protocol. Consecutive measures of the DAS28-P index for each visit over a 1-year period were estimated for each patient. Using joint longitudinal trajectories of the objective (swollen joint count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and subjective (tender joint count and patient global assessment) components, distinct subgroups of patients were identified using bivariate k-means cluster analysis. Baseline predictors for each subgroup were examined, and various longitudinal outcomes of disease activity and disease impact were analyzed using a random intercept, population-averaged generalized estimating equation model.Results: 121 patients were included (74% female; mean age of 57; median of 16 weeks of active disease) and a 3-cluster model was identified – the ‘Responders’ group (n=58; 48%), the ‘Partial Responders’ group (n=32; 26%), and the ‘Non-Responders’ group (n=31; 26%). The ‘Partial Responders’ group had consistently higher proportions of the DAS28-P index throughout the study period, with the lowest joint erosion score of 0.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2, 1.6] at year 3. At 52 weeks, the methotrexate dose was higher for both ‘Partial Responders’ and ‘Non-Responders’ groups (18.5mg [95% CI 15.5, 21.5] and 18.6mg [95% CI 15.3, 21.8] respectively), when compared with the ‘Responders’ group (12.8mg [95% CI 14.7, 20.9]). Conclusions: Persistently high DAS28-P index scores are useful to distinguish poor patient global assessment and excessive treatment escalation in early RA, suggestive of underlying non-inflammatory pain contributing to higher disease activity score. Early identification of this pain phenotype with detailed assessment and subsequent adjuvant non-immunosuppressive interventions are warranted for better disease outcome and symptom remission.
Screening of a FDA-Approved Compound Library Identifies Menadione in Regulating Colon Cancer Programmed Death via MAPK8 Cascades
Authors: Song Weiwei , Cao Liyuan , Ding Lei , Ma Xueqi , Gu Pengfei , Wang Wenbo , Sun Jinli , Mu Wei
Published: March 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a conventional gastrointestinal malignant tumor, ranking third among all type of tumors and the fifth in clinical mortality. Programed cell death including apoptosis, autophagy and necroptosis that can be distinguished by their morphological and physiological differences. Although various researches and strategies were developed for anti-cancer drugs, there still lack of the effective therapies trigger cell programmed death to eliminate malignant colon tumor cells. In this study, we explored novel agents for inducing the programmed cell death through drug repurposing. We generated a high-throughput screening of a FDA Approved Drug Library, and identified Menadione, a synthetic analogue of vitamin K, as a promising candidate in regulating colon tumor programmed death. To further investigate the underlying mechanisms of Menadione in tumor programmed death, the selected gene of PCR array were performed and the data analysis showed significantly up-regulated gene by Menadione were ATG7 and MAPK8. The Go enrichment analysis also certify that MAPK8 may be an important regulation gene for Menadione induced cell apoptosis and necrosis in colorectal cancer. MAPK8 participated in multiple signaling pathways in GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, further demonstrated the key regulatory role of MAPK8. Thus, we identified Menadione may be a potential compound for MAPK8-targeting cascade. Owing to their FDA-approved status, Menadione might be used rapidly in the clinical treatment of tumor therapy. We demonstrated and provided new insights into the anti-cancer drug strategies.
Concrete with Recycled Fine Aggregate (RFA) and Manufactured Sand (MS): Compressive Strength and Cost
Authors: Molla Fentahun Abere
Published: March 2022

Ethiopia's construction industry is developing at an unprecedented rate. Concrete production necessitates a large number of natural resources in this developing industry. River sand is commonly utilized as a fine aggregate in concrete compositions. However, due to a wide range of variability, cost, and quality issues, sand availability in the burgeoning Ethiopian construction industry would be a concern. Keeping this in mind, numerous structures are being demolished and replaced by new ones as part of the present modernization and expansion of cities. There are two issues with the generated concrete wastes as a result of that demolition process: on the one hand, environmental degradation caused by the materials extraction activity, and on the other hand, damped demolished wastes. As a result, the physical properties of fine aggregates are studied in this study, as well as the strength and cost of concrete produced by partially substituting sand with Reused Fine Aggregate (RFA) and Manufactured Sand (MS). Compressive strength tests were performed, and the findings showed that concrete containing RFA and MS as sand substitute has a higher compressive strength than standard concrete. Concrete that replaces all of the sand with RFA and FMS is a cost-effective mix that can save up to 2.41 percent of the overall cost of the concrete.
Epidemiology, injury pattern and outcome of older Canadian trauma patients: a 15-year study of a provincial trauma registry
Authors: Benhamed Axel , Batomen Brice , Boucher Valérie , Yadav Krishan , Mercier Eric , Isaac Chartelin Jean , Bérubé Mélanie , Bernard Francis , Chauny Jean-Marc , Moore Lynne , Sirois Marie Josee , Tazarourte Karim , Gossiome Amaury , Émond Marcel
Published: March 2022

IntroductionOlder adults have become a significant portion of the trauma population. The primary objective was to evaluate the temporal changes in the incidence, demographic and trauma characteristics, injury pattern, in-hospital admission, complications, and outcome of older trauma patients. MethodsA multicentre retrospective study was conducted using the Quebec Trauma Registry. Patients aged ≥16 years, admitted to one of the three adult level-I trauma centre between 2003 and 2017 were included. Descriptive analyses were performed.ResultsWe included 53,324 patients and 24,822 were aged ≥65 years. The median age increased from 57[IQR 36-77] to 67[IQR 46-82] years and the proportion of older adults rose from 41.8% to 54.1%. Among those, fall remained the main mechanism (84.7%-88.3%) and the proportion of severe thorax (+8.9%), head (+8.7%), and spine (+5%) injuries increased over time. The proportion of severely injured older patients almost doubled (17.6%-32.3%), yet their mortality decreased (-1%). Their average number of annual bed-days consumption also increased (+15,004 and +1,437 in non-intensive care ward and ICU, respectively).ConclusionsSince 2014, older adults represent the majority of admissions in Level-I trauma centres in Québec. Their bed-days consumption has greatly increased, their injury pattern and severity has deeply evolved, while we showed a decrease in mortality.
Catalytic pyrolysis of recycled polypropylene using a regenerated FCC catalyst
Authors: Palmay Paul , Medina Carlos , Donoso Caterine , Barzallo Diego , Bruno Joan Carles
Published: March 2022

The increasing generation of plastic wastes forces us to search for final disposal technologies. Pyrolysis becomes an interesting technique in the last few years because it takes advantage of the wastes obtaining important products. Moreover, catalytic pyrolysis develops a great selectivity in the products so, the recovered of catalysts from other processes gain significant interest. In this study, we report the evaluation of the catalytic pyrolysis carried out in a batch reactor with a regenerated FCC catalyst using thermogravimetry (TGA). The regeneration studies were carried using two solvents (ethanol and toluene) at different contact times, then a thermal regeneration at two heating ramps was developed. The catalysts were characterized by SEM-EDS and BET, then used to compare with a commercial catalyst in the pyrolysis process in a 1:10 ratio (catalyst-plastic). The catalytic pyrolysis of polypropylene (PP) was carried out at 450 °C, and the products were quantified. The results showed a better solvent action of the ethanol in 14 hours of contact and longer gasification. The degradation process using recovered catalyst decreases the degradation temperature compared to the no-catalyst process. As a consequence, the yield of the liquid fraction decreases by 10% with greater orientation to aliphatic components.
Activity level and quality of life among Hungarian patients undergoing knee replacement surgery and using ActivPAL: A longitudinal study
Authors: Alfatafta Huda , Alfatafta Mahmoud , Onchonga David , Khatatbeh Haitham , Amer Faten , Zhang lu , Boncz Imre , Than Péter , Molics Bálint
Published: March 2022

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common disease in Hungary. Knee replacement surgery is the last-stage intervention for severe cases to reduce pain and improve the quality of life. Nevertheless, there is no information about the activity level of Hungarian before and after the surgery based on objective monitor. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the improvement in activity level and quality of life pre-post surgery among Hungarian patients.Methods: 10 participants (70±4 years,30.7±3.4 kg/m2) were included with knee osteoarthritis undergoing total unilateral knee replacement. The activity level was evaluated with the ActivPAL and Short form-36 before and one year after surgery.Results: Out of 10 patients, eight patients were followed up after one year of the surgery. After one year of the surgery, the activity level based on ActivPAL including the number of steps, the time of standing, the time of sitting, and the time of stepping improved between 12.3%-69.4%. The standing time and number of steps improved the most among the patients by 69.4% (p=0.041) and 12.3% (p=0.051), respectively. Requiring the questionnaire, also the overall score and the pain improved after one year by 58.3% (p=0.050) and 26.6%(p=0.47), respectively. In contrast, the physical function based on the questionnaire insignificantly improved by up to 17.6% (p=0.89).Conclusion: This is the first study in Hungary that used objective and subjective tools. The objective tool showed more improvement in physical activity than the subjective. Nevertheless, the surgery is effective in reducing pain and enhancing the activity level.
Creation and observation of topological magnetic monopoles and their interactions in a ferromagnetic meta-lattice
Authors: Rana Arjun , Liao Chen-Ting , Iacocca Ezio , Zou Ji , Pham Minh , Lu Xingyuan , Subramanian Emma-Elizabeth Cating , Lo Yuan Hung , Ryan Sinéad , Bevis Charles , Karl Robert , Glaid Andrew , Rable Jeffrey , Mahale Pratibha , Hirst Joel , Ostler Thomas , Liu William , O’Leary Colum , Yu Young-Sang , Bustillo Karen , Ohldag Hendrik , Shapiro David , Yazdi Sadegh , Mallouk Thomas , Osher Stanley , Kapteyn Henry , Crespi Vincent , Badding John , Tserkovnyak Yaroslav , Murnane Margaret , Miao Jianwei (John)
Published: March 2022

Topological magnetic monopoles, also known as hedgehogs or Bloch points, are three-dimensional (3D) nonlocal spin textures that are robust to thermal and quantum fluctuations due to their topology1-4. Understanding their properties is of both fundamental interest and practical applications1-9. However, it has been difficult to experimentally produce topological magnetic monopoles in a controlled manner and directly observe their 3D magnetization vector field and interactions at the nanoscale. Here, we report the creation of 138 stable topological magnetic monopoles at the specific sites of a ferromagnetic meta-lattice at room temperature. We further develop 3D soft x-ray vector ptychography to determine the magnetization vector and emergent magnetic field of the topological monopoles with a 3D spatial resolution of 10 nm. This spatial resolution is comparable to the magnetic exchange length of transition metals10, enabling us to probe monopole-monopole interactions. We find that the topological monopole pairs with positive and negative charges are separated by 18.3±1.6 nm, while the positively and negatively charged pairs are stabilized at comparatively longer distances of 36.1±2.4 nm and 43.1±2.0 nm, respectively. We also observe virtual topological monopoles created by magnetic voids in the meta-lattice. This work demonstrates that ferromagnetic meta-lattices could be used as a new platform to create and investigate the interactions and dynamics of topological magnetic monopoles. Furthermore, we expect that soft x-ray vector ptychography can be broadly applied to quantitatively image 3D vector fields in magnetic and anisotropic materials at the nanoscale.
Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier-mediated metabolism is dispensable for the classical activation of macrophages
Authors: Ran Linyu , Zhang Song , Zhao Pei , Sun Jiaxing , Zhou Jiaqi , Gan Haiyun , Jeon Ryounghoon , Li Qiang , Herrmann Joerg , Wang Feilong
Published: March 2022

Glycolysis is essential for the classical activation of macrophages (M1), but how glycolytic pathway metabolites engage in this process remains to be elucidated. Glycolysis culminates in the production of pyruvate, which can be transported into the mitochondria by the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) followed by conversion to citrate and utilization in the TCA cycle. Alternatively, pyruvate can be metabolized to lactate under aerobic conditions, which had been considered to be the dominant route in the setting of classical macrophage activation. However, based on studies that used UK5099 as a MPC inhibitor and showed reduction in key inflammatory cytokines, the mitochondrial route has been considered to be of significance for M1 activation as well. Herein, using a genetic depletion model, we found that MPC is dispensable for metabolic reprogramming and the activation of M1. In addition, MPC depletion in myeloid cells has no impact on inflammatory responses and macrophage polarization toward M1 phenotype in the endotoxemia mice model. While UK5099 reaches maximal MPC inhibitory capacity at approximately 2–5µM, higher concentrations are required to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production in M1 and this is independent of MPC expression. Taken together, this study found MPC-mediated metabolism is dispensable for the classical activation of macrophages, and UK5099 inhibits inflammatory responses in M1 macrophages due to effects other than MPC inhibition.
In Silico Screening of Phytogenic Compounds Against Rhizoctonia Solani Trehalase Enzyme
Authors: Mahanty Arabinda , Lenka Srikanta , Adak Totan , behera Lopamudra , Prabhukarthikeyan SR , Raghu S , Rath Prakash Chandra
Published: March 2022

The trehalase enzyme of Rhizoctonia solani is the target site for validamycin, a common fungicide used for controlling the sheath blight disease of rice. However, rampant use of validamycin has resulted in emergence of fungicide resistance necessitating the search for newer fungicide molecules. Thus, molecular docking analysis was carried out to screen phytogenic compounds with high trehalase inhibitory effect. The 3-dimensional structure of the protein was generated by the Swissmodel using the sequence information available in UniProt database (entry no. L8WUM1). Eighteen compounds from plants previously reported to have antagonistic effect against R. solani were selected for the study. Molecular docking carried out by Autodock 4.2 showed that the compounds, Cycloartenol (-8.64), β-Sitosterol (-8.58), Nimbiol (-8.29), Nimbandiol (-7.32), Menthone (-7.31), Nimbin (-7.22) had high binding energies whereas validamycin had a binding energy of -4.08. Among these, Nimbiol, Nimbandiol, Menthone, Nimbin were obeying all the Tice rule criteria and appeared to be good fungicide candidates against R. solani.
Correlation Between Trace Elements In Maternal Blood During Early Pregnancy And Congenital Heart Defects In Offspring
Authors: Gu Jianli , Wu Guiqing , Dang Shaonong , Yao Feng , Jin Zhen , Zheng Zihan , Ren Lingxuan , Yang Jianjun , Chen Danli , Zhang Li , Lin Rong
Published: March 2022

Background: Trace elements status plays an important role in the health of pregnant women and in the healthy development of their offspring. Recent evidence showed that associate between trace element levels in mid-and late-pregnancy and congenital heart defects (CHDs) in offspring. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the associations between concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mg), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in maternal blood during early pregnancy and CHDs in offspring. Methods: This hospital-based, case–control study included 181 cases and 218 controls from Shaanxi, China. Eligible pregnant women underwent routine prenatal examinations in the hospital. Maternal elbow venous blood draws were performed during gestational weeks 11-14 and were used to detect the levels of Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, Fe, Pb, and Cd by the atomic absorption method. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations of each of the seven elements with risk for overall CHDs and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)/atrial septal defect (ASD)/ventricular septal defect (VSD) subtypes, adjusted for maternal age, parity, pregnancy complications, gestational age at birth weeks. We also conducted non-linear associations using restricted cubic spline models.Results: The median maternal blood levels of Zn, Fe, Pb and Cd of during early pregnancy in foetuses with the PDA/ASD/VSD subtypes were significantly different from those in the control group (all p < 0.001). The levels of Fe [OR, 3.684 (1.437); OR, 4.917 (1.786)] and Pb [OR, 1.026 (0.009); OR, 1.027 (0.008)] and Cd [OR, 1.643 (0.468); OR, 1.855 (0.503)], were associated with an increased risk for PDA/ASD/VSD subtypes, and that of Zn [OR, 0.944 (0.017); OR, 0.947(0.015)] was associated with a decreased risk. We observed non-linear dose–response associations between the levels of Fe, Pb, and Zn and the risk of PDA/ASD/VSD subtypes. ﻿Conclusions: This exploratory study determined that the levels of Pb during early pregnancy are associated with overall CHDs as well as ASD/VSD/PDA subtypes, however high Pb and Cd was associate with high risk of ASD/VSD/PDA subtypes, further confirming that there was is a nonlinear correlation.
Leucine supplementation affects metabolic parameters and redox balance in a Cushing’s syndrome model in rats
Authors: Borges Francisco Sávio Martins , de Sá Letícia Sousa , Santos Railson de Sousa , Miranda Brenda Caroline Rodrigues , Lima João Orlando Piauilino Ferreira , Prado Johan Jardel Mesquita , Braz Amanda Ferraz , Barbosa Amanda Marreiro , Mello-Neto Renato Sampaio , Vasconcelos Luiz Henrique César , Brito Aline de Freitas , Torres-Leal Francisco Leonardo
Published: March 2022

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a disease that promotes several metabolic disorders and redox imbalance. Thus, in this paper, we standardized an experimental model of CS in rats and evaluated the effects of supplementation with leucine (LEU). Rats were injected intraperitoneally with dexamethasone (0.4; 0.6; 0.8; and 1.0 mg/kg) 4x/wk. for four weeks. The effects of LEU supplementation (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% v/v in water to drink) were also evaluated. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of metabolic and redox parameters by biochemical and molecular assays defined the severity of the disease. Dexamethasone 1.0 mg/kg promoted the most severe symptoms of CS: such as weight loss, adiposity increase, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance, as well as an increase in oxidative status in the liver. Moreover, LEU promoted a pattern of mixed dyslipidemia, adiposity increase, and raised serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Likewise, it increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and decreased the CAT mRNA in the liver, while it reduced NADPH oxidase (NOX) mRNA. Supplementation with LEU worsens metabolic status and liver damage in rats with CS without an evident antioxidant potential, suggesting that the administration of LEU represents a risky strategy to patients suffering from CS.
Colostrum Feeding And Complications Faced Post Caesarean Delivery: A Propensity Score Matching Approach
Authors: Aditi Aditi , Jaiswal Ajit Kumar , Singh S.K.
Published: March 2022

Background: In previous decade, the rate of caesarean section has increased disproportionately in India. Breastfeeding in an hour post birth i.e. Colostrum feeding has benefits associated to both mother as well as child. Cesarean delivery is one of the most remarkable risk factor for postpartum infection. The infection can be there in the uterus or vagina and can be accompanied by fever, sepsis etc. Both these aspects in the periphery of C-section need to be thrown a light because these are proximately affecting maternal health. This paper aims to examine the colostrum feeding practices of mothers giving birth via C-section and the difference that exists between C-section and normal delivery on post-natal complications or intrication faced by women. Method: The study used data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) acquired in India, i.e., the fourth round of National Family and Health Survey (2015-16). Bivariate and multivariate has been carried out to know the difference in prevalence of colostrum feeding among mothers who have delivered by C-section and those who delivered normally. Propensity score matching (PSM) has been used in the study; it helped us to find an effective strategy for controlling the confounding influence of post-natal complications faced among caesarean and normal delivery mothers. Results: It is found, among the unmatched treatment group i.e., mothers delivered under caesarean section, the prevalence of post-natal complications is around 24%, and the same for control group i.e. those who delivered normally is 18%. After matching, the value of ATT is around 24% in treatment group and 17.4 in control group. Conclusion: Study concluded that women who delivered via C-section actually had lower prevalence of feeding colostrum to the new born in comparison to those who delivered normally. Results of PSM analysis also showed that post-natal complications faced by women who delivered normally were higher than those who delivered via C-section.
Toll-like Receptor 4 Antagonist Restores Vulnerability of Drug-Tolerant Tumor Cells and Prevents Breast Cancer Metastasis and Post-Surgical Relapse
Authors: Wang Mou , Wang Yuejing , Liu Renhe , Yu Ruilian , Gong Tao , Zhang Zhi-Rong , Fu Yao
Published: March 2022

Background: Non-mutational mechanisms were recently discovered leading to reversible drug tolerance. Despite the rapid elimination of majority tumor cells, a small sub-population of ‘‘drug-tolerant’’ cells remain viable with lethal drug exposure, which may further lead to resistance or tumor relapse. Several signaling pathways are involved in the local or systemic inflammatory responses contributing to drug-induced phenotypic switch.Results: In this study, we report Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)-interacting lipid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) restores the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin (DOX) in the lipopolysaccharide-treated breast tumor cell line 4T1, preventing the phenotypic switch to drug-tolerant cells, which significantly reduces primary tumor growth and lung metastasis in both 4T1 orthotopic and experimental metastasis models. Importantly, DHA in combination with DOX delays and inhibits tumor recurrence following surgical removal of the primary tumor. Furthermore, coencapsulation of DHA and DOX in a nanoemulsion significantly prolongs the survival of mice in the postsurgical 4T1 tumor relapse model with significantly reduced systemic toxicity. Conclusions: The synergistic antitumor, anti-metastasis and anti-recurrence effects of DHA plus DOX combination is likely mediated by attenuating TLR4 activation thus sensitizing tumor cells to standard chemotherapy.
Effects of the Ratio of Autologous Bone Graft Area in TLIF on the Fusion Rate
Authors: sun yunxin , shao liwei , liu xiaoyu , ren shihao , ren shihao , sun yifu
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveThe overarching goal of our research was to investigate different autologous bone graft area ratios in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and to evaluate the effects on the interbody fusion rate to determine the optimal range of autologous bone graft area and the volume needed.MethodsThe radiological and clinical score data of 57 patients were analysed. According to the ratio (Sa/Se) of the average autologous bone graft area (Sa) to the average endplate area (Se), patients were classified into three groups: group A (Sa/Se)<19%, n=20), group B (19%≤H/Hm≤25%, n=19), and group C (Sa/Se >25%, n=18).ResultsOur data demonstrated that the intervertebral space height increased after the operation in the three groups (all P <0.05). The final intervertebral space was different between two groups (Band C) and group A. The fusion rate at six months showed significant changes between groups B and C and group A. The fusion rate at one-year showed no significant changes between three groups.The VAS and JOA scores improved markedly in all groups postoperatively. ConclusionIn our study, an autologous bone area ratio of more than 19% achieved a better fusion prognosis, but the increase in the fusion rate did not significantly improve when the average bone area ratio of the intervertebral space exceeded 25%. After further conversion of bone volume in the study, it was concluded that the required bone graft volume ranged from 2.9 ml to 4.3 ml.