Kui Fu¹, Jiansheng Peng^{1, 2, *}, Hanxiao Zhang², Xiaoliang Wang³, Frank Jiang⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.64, No.3, pp. 1977-1997, 2020, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2020.09882

Abstract Single image super resolution (SISR) is an important research content in the field of computer vision and image processing. With the rapid development of deep neural networks, different image super-resolution models have emerged. Compared to some traditional SISR methods, deep learning-based methods can complete the superresolution tasks through a single image. In addition, compared with the SISR methods using traditional convolutional neural networks, SISR based on generative adversarial networks (GAN) has achieved the most advanced visual performance. In this review, we first explore the challenges faced by SISR and introduce some common datasets and evaluation metrics. Then, we review the… More >

Akwasi Yeboah¹, Jiannong Lu¹, Ting Yang¹, Yuzhen Shi¹, Hanna Amoanimaa-Dede¹, Kwadwo Gyapong Agyenim Boateng², Xuegui Yin^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.89, No.3, pp. 453-472, 2020, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2020.09267

Abstract Increased urbanization and industrialization have greatly contributed to the emission of higher amount of heavy metals such as cadmium, nickel, and lead into the environment. These metals are non-biodegradable and toxic, causing much effects on plants and by extension to animals and humans, which have become a major global concern. The inherent ability of plants to resist heavy metal toxicity seems to be the most sustainable and cost-effective strategy. Castor plant is widely studied due to its tolerance to the effects of heavy metal contaminated soils, owing to its large biomass content and high accumulating capacity. Castor plants to some… More >

Rashid Iqbal Khan^1,*, Mazhar Abbas¹, Khurram Goraya², Muhammad Zafar-ul-Hye³, Subhan Danish³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.89, No.3, pp. 438-452, 2020, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2020.010972

Abstract COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is declared global pandemic. The virus owing high resemblance with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV has been placed in family of beta-coronavirus. However, transmission and infectivity rate of COVID-19 is quite higher as compared to other members of family. Effective management strategy with potential drug availability will break the virus transmission chain subsequently reduce the pressure on the healthcare system. Extensive research trials are underway to develop novel efficient therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we have discussed the origin and family of coronavirus, structure, genome and pathogenesis of virus SARS-CoV-2 inside human host cell; comparison among SARS,… More >

Ata Firouzi¹, Zahra Hosseini¹, Zahra Khajali², Sedigheh Saedi², Mohammad Javad AlemzadehAnsari^1,3,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.15, No.1, pp. 21-31, 2020, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.011515

Abstract Coronary artery fistulae (CAFs) are anomalous connections that bypass the myocardial capillary bed between 1 or more coronary arteries and other cardiac chambers or other vessels. These fistulae are usually asymptomatic and are, thus, diagnosed incidentally. However, larger CAFs can cause various symptoms such as angina, exertional dyspnea, syncope, palpitation, and even sudden cardiac death. Treatment options include surgical closure and percutaneous transcatheter closure (TCC) with comparable safety and efficacy. The choice of device in TCC depends on the anatomic characteristics of the CAF, the age and size of the patient, the size of the occluded vessel, the appropriate size… More >

Alejandro E. Contreras^1,*, Alejandro R. Peirone², Eduardo Cuestas³

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.15, No.1, pp. 13-20, 2020, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.011575

Abstract Introduction: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to determine the prevalence of troponin elevation after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure (pASDc) as well as to describe the association between troponin elevation and different anatomical risk factors for erosion. Methods: A qualitative systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken. The selected studies included patients of any age receiving a pASDc; performed under transesophageal echocardiography monitoring; reporting troponin level measurement after the intervention; and indicating prevalence of troponin elevation and/or the association with risk factors for erosion. Results: Six studies were found which included 391 patients in total. The… More >

SALLY NASER^1,2, WESAMELDIN SABER³, MOHAMMAD EL-METWALLY^4,*, MAHMOUD MOUSTAFA^5,6, ATTALLA EL-KOTT^5,7

BIOCELL, Vol.44, No.2, pp. 147-155, 2020, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2020.09522

Abstract Because of its antitumor therapeutic-activity, as well as its application in food industries to improve the quality, L-asparaginase has attracted considerable attention from several investigators. In recent years, fungi have occupied advanced rank among microorganisms in the production process of the enzyme. This review is spotting the light on the advantages of fungal enzyme and its applications in the food industry and medications. The solid-state fermentation was discussed as the wide alternative and most accepted biosynthesis technique. However, some lights were also spotted to the statistical experimental design of the fermentation process, mainly on the methodology of the response surface… More >

Tarek Alsaied¹, Jouke P. Bokma², Mark E. Engel³, Joey M. Kuijpers², Samuel P. Hanke¹, Liesl Zuhlke⁴, Bin Zhang⁵, Gruschen R. Veldtman⁶

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 393-398, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12468

Abstract Background: Reported long-term outcome measures vary greatly between studies in Fontan patients making comprehensive appraisal of mortality hazard challenging. We sought to create a clinical risk score to assist monitoring of Fontan patients in the outpatient setting.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate risk factors for long-term (beyond the first postoperative year) mortality in Fontan patients. Studies were eligible for inclusion if ≥90 patients were included or ≥20 long-term mortalities we reported. Risk factors for long-term mortality were determined. The pooled hazard ratios were used to create components of a clinical score for long-term mortality using meta-analysis techniques.
… More >

Katherine Smith, Bernard Gros

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 251-260, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12465

Abstract A well-established association exists between acute aortic dissection and pregnancy, particularly in women with Marfan syndrome. However, there is debate regarding appropriate management guidelines. In particular, there are differing opinions regarding when prophylactic aortic root repair should be recommended as well as the efficacy of beta blockers in this clinical scenario. The current study evaluated 10 years of published literature (2005-2015) in the PubMed/Medline database. Fifty articles, describing 72 cases of women who presented with aortic dissection in the antepartum or postpartum period were identified. Comparisons on demographic variables and clinical outcomes between cases of women with Marfan syndrome (n… More >

Verónica L. Mucci¹, M. E. Victoria Hormaiztegui², Mirta I. Aranguren^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.6, pp. 579-601, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.09455

Abstract The increasing pressure from consumers and policy makers to reduce the use of synthetic polymers, whose production contributes to the depletion of non-renewable resources and are usually non- biodegradable, has prompted the efforts to find suitable bio-based sources for the production of polymers. Vegetable oils have been a frequently spotted in this search because they are versatile, highly available and a low cost liquid biosource, which can be used in the synthesis of a wide plethora of different polymers and reactive monomers. Following the same idea of reducing the environmental stress, the traditional polyurethanes that are soluble in organic solvents… More >

Jing Wu¹, Li Kuang¹, Lijuan Fu²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 194-202, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12586

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.
Design: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINHAL, and CBMdisc to collect controlled trials on the application of inspiratory muscle training in CHF patients from the establishment of these databases to November 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the quality of literature. Meta-analysis was conducted by software RevMan5.3.
Results: Eight studies involving 302 patients were identified. Meta-analysis indicated that IMT significantly improved PI_max, V_E/VCO₂ slope and dyspnea… More >