bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles of the Fungal-Specific Lysine Biosynthetic Pathway in the Nematode-Trapping Fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora Identified through Metabolomics Analyses
Authors: Lu Hengqian , Wang Shuai , Gu Tiantian , Sun Liangyin , Wang Yongzhong
Published: February 2023

In higher fungi, lysine is biosynthesized via the α-aminoadipate (AAA) pathway, which differs from plants, bacteria, and lower fungi. The differences offer a unique opportunity to develop a molecular regulatory strategy for the biological control of plant parasitic nematodes, based on nematode-trapping fungi. In this study, in the nematode-trapping fungus model Arthrobotrys oligospora, we characterized the core gene in the AAA pathway, encoding α-aminoadipate reductase (Aoaar), via sequence analyses and through comparing the growth, and biochemical and global metabolic profiles of the wild-type and Aoaar knockout strains. Aoaar not only has α-aminoadipic acid reductase activity, which serves fungal L-lysine biosynthesis, but it also is a core gene of the non-ribosomal peptides biosynthetic gene cluster. Compared with WT, the growth rate, conidial production, number of predation rings formed, and nematode feeding rate of the ΔAoaar strain were decreased by 40–60%, 36%, 32%, and 52%, respectively. Amino acid metabolism, the biosynthesis of peptides and analogues, phenylpropanoid and polyketide biosynthesis, and lipid metabolism and carbon metabolism were metabolically reprogrammed in the ΔAoaar strains. The disruption of Aoaar perturbed the biosynthesis of intermediates in the lysine metabolism pathway, then reprogrammed amino acid and amino acid-related secondary metabolism, and finally, it impeded the growth and nematocidal ability of A. oligospora. This study provides an important reference for uncovering the role of amino acid-related primary and secondary metabolism in nematode capture by nematode-trapping fungi, and confirms the feasibility of Aoarr as a molecular target to regulate nematode-trapping fungi to biocontrol nematodes.
Biodegradation of Aflatoxin B1 in Maize Grains and Suppression of Its Biosynthesis-Related Genes Using Endophytic Trichoderma harzianum AYM3
Authors: Madbouly Adel K. , Rashad Younes M. , Ibrahim Mohamed I. M. , Elazab Nahla T.
Published: February 2023

Aflatoxin B1 is one of the most deleterious types of mycotoxins. The application of an endophytic fungus for biodegradation or biosuppression of AFB1 production by Aspergillus flavus was investigated. About 10 endophytic fungal species, isolated from healthy maize plants, were screened for their in vitro AFs-degrading activity using coumarin medium. The highest degradation potential was recorded for Trichoderma sp. (76.8%). This endophyte was identified using the rDNA-ITS sequence as Trichoderma harzianum AYM3 and assigned an accession no. of ON203053. It caused a 65% inhibition in the growth of A. flavus AYM2 in vitro. HPLC analysis revealed that T. harzianum AYM3 had a biodegradation potential against AFB1. Co-culturing of T. harazianum AYM3 and A. flavus AYM2 on maize grains led to a significant suppression (67%) in AFB1 production. GC-MS analysis identified two AFB1-suppressing compounds, acetic acid and n-propyl acetate. Investigating effect on the transcriptional expression of five AFB1 biosynthesis-related genes in A. flavus AYM2 revealed the downregulating effects of T. harzianum AYM3 metabolites on expression of aflP and aflS genes. Using HepaRG cell line, the cytotoxicity assay indicated that T. harazianum AYM3 metabolites were safe. Based on these results, it can be concluded that T. harzianum AYM3 may be used to suppress AFB1 production in maize grains.
Diversity of Mycoviruses Present in Strains of Binucleate Rhizoctonia and Multinucleate Rhizoctonia, Causal Agents for Potato Stem Canker or Black Scurf
Authors: Li Yuting , Yang Naibo , Mu Tongyu , Wu Xuehong , Zhao Can
Published: February 2023

In this study, the diversity of putative mycoviruses present in 66 strains of binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR, including anastomosis group (AG)-A, AG-Fa, AG-K, and AG-W) and 192 strains of multinucleate Rhizoctonia (MNR, including AG-1-IA, AG-2-1, AG-3 PT, AG-4HGI, AG-4HGII, AG-4HGIII, and AG-5), which are the causal agents of potato stem canker or black scurf, was studied using metatranscriptome sequencing. The number of contigs related to mycoviruses identified from BNR and MNR was 173 and 485, respectively. On average, each strain of BNR accommodated 2.62 putative mycoviruses, while each strain of MNR accommodated 2.53 putative mycoviruses. Putative mycoviruses detected in both BNR and MNR contained positive single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and negative single-stranded RNA (-ssRNA) genomes, with +ssRNA genome being the prevalent nucleic acid type (82.08% in BNR and 75.46% in MNR). Except for 3 unclassified, 170 putative mycoviruses found in BNR belonged to 13 families; excluding 33 unclassified, 452 putative mycoviruses found in MNR belonged to 19 families. Through genome organization, multiple alignments, and phylogenetic analyses, 4 new parititviruses, 39 novel mitoviruses, and 4 new hypoviruses with nearly whole genome were detected in the 258 strains of BNR and MNR.
Mobile Media as an “Essential” Tool for Collective Action: Explaining Intentions for Disruptive Political Behavior in U.S. Politics
Authors: Hawkins Ian , Campbell Scott W. , Gelderman Andrew
Published: February 2023

Mobile media are fundamental to social life in a growing number of ways. Beyond the mundane, the technology has come to play a meaningful role in protests and emergent demonstrations worldwide, including recent cases of political violence among far-right groups in the U.S. Drawing from the folk theory tradition, this study samples Alt-Right supporters to investigate how perceived essence of mobile media, particularly as a tool for collective action, is associated with willingness to engage in racially motivated and extreme political action in offline and online contexts. Findings reveal that perceptions of the mobile phone as a tool for collective action are associated with greater intentions to participate in online and offline activity explicitly in support of White people. Additionally, we find cases where links between essence and intentions are strengthened among those reporting higher levels of micro-coordination, or use of mobile media for coordinating with others in daily life. The findings indicate how everyday life perceptions and practices function and interact in ways that help explain willingness to join racially motivated calls to action among this group. The discussion offers implications for studying mobile media and collective action more broadly, especially in the context of under-researched political groups.
Systemic Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Wu Po-Yi , Fu Yuan-Kai , Lien Rey-In , Chiang Ming-Chou , Lee Chien-Chung , Chen Hung-Chi , Hsueh Yi-Jen , Chen Kuan-Jen , Wang Nan-Kai , Liu Laura , Chen Yen-Po , Hwang Yih-Shiou , Lai Chi-Chun , Wu Wei-Chi
Published: February 2023

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a vasoproliferative vitreoretinal disorder, is the leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Although angiogenic pathways have been the main focus, cytokine-mediated inflammation is also involved in ROP etiology. Herein, we illustrate the characteristics and actions of all cytokines involved in ROP pathogenesis. The two-phase (vaso-obliteration followed by vasoproliferation) theory outlines the evaluation of cytokines in a time-dependent manner. Levels of cytokines may even differ between the blood and the vitreous. Data from animal models of oxygen-induced retinopathy are also valuable. Although conventional cryotherapy and laser photocoagulation are well established and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents are available, less destructive novel therapeutics that can precisely target the signaling pathways are required. Linking the cytokines involved in ROP to other maternal and neonatal diseases and conditions provides insights into the management of ROP. Suppressing disordered retinal angiogenesis via the modulation of hypoxia-inducible factor, supplementation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1/IGF-binding protein 3 complex, erythropoietin, and its derivatives, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and inhibition of secretogranin III have attracted the attention of researchers. Recently, gut microbiota modulation, non-coding RNAs, and gene therapies have shown promise in regulating ROP. These emerging therapeutics can be used to treat preterm infants with ROP.
Sustaining Growth or Boosting Profit: Accounting Tools under Process-Based Management in a Transition Economy
Authors: Bobryshev Alexey , Chaykovskaya Lyubov , Erokhin Vasilii , Ivolga Anna
Published: February 2023

Over the past three decades, economic transformations in Eastern Europe and Russia have substantially affected the use of management technologies. More and more businesses prioritize sustaining growth and development in the long run instead of maximizing profits in the short term. The shift in the business paradigm requires the implementation of new management tools along with the improvement of management accounting. Through the example of seven Russian boiler manufacturers, this study examines the main reasons for the transition to process-based management. The study identifies patterns of using management accounting tools in process-based management by employing the literature analysis, conducting an expert survey, and studying the accounting documents of selected companies. The authors analyze features of management accounting tools at different stages of implementation of the process-based management system, in enterprises with different life cycles and different sizes. A total of 53 employees were surveyed, which included senior managers, accountants, and middle-level managers. It is found that the main reason for the transition to process-based management is a shift in the focus of managers’ attention from cutting costs to creating value. By adding new features of business process classification, developing new classification groups, and proposing the optimal structure of the core, auxiliary, and controlling business processes, this study contributes to the optimization of management accounting when organizational change requires implementing process-based management.
Modeling the Optimal Combination of Proportional and Stop-Loss Reinsurance with Dependent Claim and Stochastic Insurance Premium
Authors: Sari Suci , Hakim Arief , Magdalena Ikha , Syuhada Khreshna
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates an optimal reinsurance policy using a risk model with dependent claim and insurance premium by assuming that the insurance premium is random. Their dependence structure is modeled using Sarmanov’s bivariate exponential distribution and the Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern (FGM) copula-based bivariate exponential distribution. The reinsurance premium paid by the insurer to the reinsurer is fixed and is charged by the expected value premium principle (EVPP) and standard deviation premium principle (SDPP). The main objective of this paper is to determine the proportion and retention limit of the optimal combination of proportional and stop-loss reinsurance for the insurer. Specifically, with a constrained reinsurance premium, we use the minimization of the Value-at-Risk (VaR) of the insurer’s net cost. When determining the optimal proportion and retention limit, we provide some numerical examples to illustrate the theoretical results. We show that the dependence parameter, the probability of claim occurrence, and the confidence level have effects on the optimal VaR of the insurer’s net cost.
Consumer Segmentation of Green Financial Products Based on Sociodemographic Characteristics
Authors: Gáspár Sándor , Pataki László , Barta Ákos , Thalmeiner Gergő , Zéman Zoltán
Published: February 2023

Many green financial products currently have a low financial return level; even so, these products are spreading dynamically. In our study, we explored Hungarian green financial investment preferences and separated consumers of green financial products into homogeneous groups, which were characterized on the basis of sociodemographic characteristics. In the case of investments with a similar risk, using the sample we examined we proved that there is a homogenous group (C2) in Hungary which prefers green aspects to higher financial returns in the course of its investment decisions. We separated a group (C3) which can be considered influenceable, and we concluded that, with the application of appropriate marketing activities, this group could be a potential target consumers for national banks and traders of green financial products in the future. Young females are the main target consumers for green financial products in Hungary, and they are the largest majority of the C2 group, for whom financial rationality takes a backseat to green aspects. Based on the results of our study, national banks and traders of financial products can create a more accurate and effective marketing strategy for their products on the Hungarian market.
Optimal Software Versioning Strategy Considering Customization and Consumer Deliberation Behavior
Authors: Shu Wenjun , Xiao Zhongdong , Zhang Ruirui , Cao Quanyao
Published: February 2023

This study investigates the optimal versioning problem when a monopoly software provider bears the deliberation cost to help reduce consumer uncertainty about SaaS customization. We develop stylized models based on different production strategies and deliberation support strategies. We consider customer deliberation behavior as a new perspective on the need for a free trial. Our results indicate that a short free trial leads to free riders while a long enough free trial eliminates free riders. This is because a long free trial means that consumers easily get accustomed to the product. We also find that the seller benefits from offering deliberation support. The optimal product strategy is dependent on the deliberation support cost. When the deliberation support cost is low, the seller should provide dual products; on the contrary, the single SaaS product strategy is better with a high deliberation cost.
Optimizing the Combined Allocation of Land and Water to Agriculture in the Omo-Gibe River Basin Considering the Water-Energy-Food-Nexus and Environmental Constraints
Authors: Gebre Sintayehu Legesse , Van Orshoven Jos , Cattrysse Dirk
Published: February 2023

This study applied the Gebre optimization model to optimize the land and water usage in the Omo-Gibe river basin, Ethiopia, where competition among stakeholders and growing demands pose a challenge. This model was applied through a nexus approach to maximize benefits and minimize conflicting trade-offs. The main objective was to maximize the economic benefit from land and water allocation with the framework of the land-water-food-energy-environment nexus under climate change mitigation and river ecosystem services (LWFEEN). This model takes into account multiple dimensions, including economic, environmental, social, and technical factors, going beyond ordinary optimization models. It also incorporates an innovative crop succession allocation concept not often seen in the literature. This crop succession proposal includes sequences of cropping patterns and fallow land use options that closely resemble real-world farming practices. The results demonstrated that the Gebre optimization model effectively resolves the existing constraint conflicts and maximizes economic benefits by reducing costs, penalties, and environmental impacts, promoting sustainable use of natural resources in the Omo-Gibe river basin and avoiding conflicts among stakeholders. Therefore, this study offered decision-makers a strategic perspective on how to apply the Gebre-model within the context of the land-water-food-energy-environment nexus(LWFEEN) approach in river basins such as the Omo-Gibe, with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable development.
Effects of Biochars Derived from Sewage Sludge and Olive Tree Prunings on Cu Fractionation and Mobility in Vineyard Soils over Time
Authors: Zafeiriou Ioannis , Karadendrou Konstantina , Ioannou Dafni , Karadendrou Maria-Anna , Detsi Anastasia , Kalderis Dimitrios , Massas Ioannis , Gasparatos Dionisios
Published: February 2023

Copper-contained products that are widely employed yearly in viticulture for vine disease management, lead to Cu accumulation in topsoil creating an increased risk for land workers and for leaching and/or uptake of Cu by plants, especially in acidic soils where Cu mobility is higher. In this study, the impact of two biochar types on Cu distribution and redistribution in fractions was evaluated in four acidic vineyard soils in relation to incubation time. The two biochars were derived from sewage sludge (SG) and olive tree prunings (OL). Soils (control) and biochar-amended soils with application rate of 20 % (w/w) were spiked with CuCl2 (160 mg kg−1) and incubated in the laboratory at ambient temperature 22 ± 5 °C. After 1, 3, 7, 15, 36, and 90 days of incubation, modified BCR sequential extraction procedure was used to determine Cu distribution in the four soil chemical phases and to examine potential Cu redistribution between these fractions both in soils and in amended soils with biochars. Results show that biochar amendment affects Cu distribution in different soil fractions. In SG treatment, from the 1st and up to 36th incubation day, both exchangeable and reducible Cu fractions decreased, while oxidizable Cu increased, in relation to control soils. At 90th incubation day, a redistribution of Cu was observed, mainly from the oxidizable to the residual fraction. In OL treatment, during the first 36 incubation days exchangeable and oxidizable Cu slightly increased, while reducible Cu decreased. At the 90th incubation day the higher percentage of Cu was extracted from the residual fraction, but exchangeable Cu was present in remarkable quantities in the three of the four studies soils. SG application in the studied soils highly restricted the availability of added Cu promoting Cu-stable forms thus reducing the environmental risk while OL did not substantially reduce Cu available fraction over the experimental incubation period. Fourier transformation infrared analysis (FTIR) provided convincing explanations for the different behavior of the two biochar types.
Governing Resilience Planning: Organizational Structures, Institutional Rules, and Fiscal Incentives in Guangzhou
Authors: Meng Meng , Dąbrowski Marcin , Stead Dominic
Published: February 2023

Researchers and policymakers have long called for a collaborative governance process for climate adaptation and flood resilience. However, this is usually challenging when urban planning is supposed to be integrated with water management. Using the Chinese city of Guangzhou as a case study, this study explores the long-term disadvantaged conditions of urban planning in flood governance and how this situation is shaped. The findings show that, in comparison to the increasingly dominant position of water management in flood affairs, the urban planning system has had weak powers, limited legitimate opportunities, and insufficient fiscal incentives from the 2000s to the late 2010s. Those conditions have been shaped by organizational structures, institutional rules, and financial allocation in urban governance, whose changes did not bring benefits to urban planning. The emergence of the Sponge City Program in China in 2017 and its implementation at the municipal level is deemed to be a new start for urban planning, considering the encouragement of nature-based solutions and regulatory tools in land use for flood resilience. Even so, the future of this program is still full of challenges and more efforts are needed.
Evolution and Influencing Factors of Manufacturing Production Space in the Pearl River Delta—Based on the Perspective of Global City-Region
Authors: Liu Bo , Xue Desheng , Zheng Sijun
Published: February 2023

Evolution and influencing factors of manufacturing production spaces in the global city regions of China are diverse from the West, attracting attention to accurately identify and analyze the real and continuous distribution of manufacturing production spaces on the basis of the actual situation of the region. The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed that the production spaces should be intensive and efficient, but the existing studies focus less attention on the manufacturing entity spaces in city regions. Taking the Pearl River Delta as an instance, combined with the POI data of manufacturing enterprises, this study interprets the spatial information of manufacturing production spaces in 1987, 1997, 2007 and 2017 by means of high-resolution remote sensing images. Using various models to quantitatively explore the distribution pattern and evolution characteristics of manufacturing production spaces in the Pearl River Delta in dissimilar periods, and then providing policy guidance for the accurate planning and regulation of manufacturing production spaces in China’s global city regions, on the basis of comparing the evolution mechanism of manufacturing space in Western countries’ global city regions. The results show that: Under the coupling effect of the stage of time series and the heterogeneity of spatial distribution, the manufacturing production spaces in the Pearl River Delta has evolved from the scattered distribution of the core area to the complex and diversified spatial pattern. The hot spots of manufacturing production space expansion in distinct stages also exhibit stage differences. At the current stage, the factors of globalization, technological innovation and policy are becoming increasingly significant. The evolution characteristics of manufacturing production spaces in global city regions in China and Western countries are dissimilar, but the driving factors are similar, which involves the level of urbanization and industrialization, the local government-level infrastructure investment, etc. Instead of simply promoting or restraining the optimization control of manufacturing production spaces, the local governments conduct precise regulation in line with the actual space distribution and development mechanism of manufacturing production spaces in diverse cities. In this process, we can learn from but not copy the experience of the Western countries.
Urban Intensity in Theory and Practice: Empirical Determining Mechanism of Floor Area Ratio and Its Deviation from the Classic Location Theories in Beijing
Authors: Lu Qing , Ning Jing , You Hong , Xu Liyan
Published: February 2023

Background: Classic locational principles predict a picture of urban intensity decaying from the city center to the periphery under ideal assumptions. However, various exogenous factors can influence the real-world urban intensity and often deviate from the theoretical pattern. The specific mechanisms are worthy of exploration and are of potential theoretical and practical significance. Methods: In this paper, we consider two city districts with typical urban locations, namely, Changping and Chaoyang in Beijing, and construct mechanistic models of the status quo urban intensity (floor area ratio, FAR) utilizing multisource spatiotemporal big data. We further compare these models with the “theoretically ideal” FAR patterns as would be predicted by applied locational theories. Results: We find that the status quo FAR distribution generally conforms to the theoretical predictions but still exhibits regional deviations that can be explained by historical inertia and influence from particular policies. Conclusion: We conclude this paper with discussions on the findings’ methodological and practical implications for urban planning institutions, especially in a transition economy context.
Land Use Conflicts Assessment in Xiamen, China under Multiple Scenarios
Authors: Zhang Ming , Liu Xiaojie , Yan Dan
Published: February 2023

The accelerated urbanization process has resulted in increasingly prominent conflicts in land resource utilization and caused numerous ecological and environmental issues. Simulating the evolutionary patterns of land use conflicts (LUCs) is the foundation for promoting sustainable land use. The Markov and GeoSOS-FLUS models were used to predict the land use patterns under three different development scenarios, and to analyze the spatio-temporal characteristics of LUCs in Xiamen, China in 2030. Results showed the following: (1) From 2010 to 2020, land use/cover in Xiamen has changed substantially, with an increase of 6.93% in area of construction land and a decrease of 5.40% in area of cropland. (2) In the natural development scenario, the area of construction land in Xiamen is projected to increase, while the areas of cropland and other land types reduce. In the policy intervention scenario, the area of cropland continues increasing and the growth of construction land is effectively controlled. Under the sustainable development scenario, cropland, grassland, and wetlands of high quality that serve important ecological functions have been effectively protected. (3) LUCs in Xiamen differ greatly under the three scenarios in 2030. The sustainable development scenario (SDS) balances the land use needs of both socio-economic development and regional ecological security with the least LUCs, which could be an optimum solution for the long-term sustainable development in Xiamen. The results of this study provide support for decisions about eco-city construction and geospatial planning.
Crip Linguistics Goes to School
Authors: Henner Jon , Robinson Octavian
Published: February 2023

Teachers of the deaf, signed language interpreters, and associated staff (e.g., secretaries and sanitation workers) are a salient part of a deaf child’s community often because hearing parents and other family members of deaf children do not become proficient signers leading many deaf children and adults to feel alienated in the home environment (e.g., dinner table syndrome). Because the school environment provides another way for deaf children to acquire language, professional signed language fluency is critical. Yet, in other second language acquisition contexts, fluency is not necessary for effective teaching and often highly racialized. If perceived fluency is often dependent on proximity to whiteness, and language fluency is not necessary for effective teaching, then why is it necessary to require professionals to be fluent in signed languages before teaching and working with deaf children?
Human Serum Mediated Bacteriophage Life Cycle Switch in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Is Linked to Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex
Authors: Tang-Siegel Gaoyan Grace
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is rising as a major global public health threat and antibiotic resistance genes are widely spread among species, including human oral pathogens, e.g., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. This Gram-negative, capnophilic, facultative anaerobe is well recognized as a causative agent leading to periodontal diseases, as well as seriously systemic infections including endocarditis. A. actinomycetemcomitans has also evolved mechanisms against complement-mediated phagocytosis and resiliently survives in serum-rich in vivo environments, i.e., inflamed periodontal pockets and blood circulations. This bacterium, however, demonstrated increasing sensitivity to human serum, when being infected by a pseudolysogenic bacteriophage S1249, which switched to the lytic state as a response to human serum. Concomitantly, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc), which is composed of multiple copies of three enzymes (E1, E2, and E3) and oxidatively decarboxylates pyruvate to acetyl-CoA available for tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, was found up-regulated 10-fold in the bacterial lysogen after human serum exposure. The data clearly indicated that certain human serum components induced phage virion replication and egress, resulting in bacterial lysis. Phage manipulation of bacterial ATP production through regulation of PDHc, a gatekeeper linking glycolysis to TCA cycle through aerobic respiration, suggests that a more efficient energy production and delivery system is required for phage progeny replication and release in this in vivo environment. Insights into bacteriophage regulation of bacterial fitness in a mimic in vivo condition will provide alternative strategies to control bacterial infection, in addition to antibiotics.
Pleiotropic Effects of Metformin in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Lambova Sevdalina Nikolova
Published: February 2023

The involvement of the knee joint is the most common localization of the pathological process in osteoarthritis (OA), which is associated with obesity in over 50% of the patients and is mediated by mechanical, inflammatory, and metabolic mechanisms. Obesity and the associated conditions (hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension) have been found to be risk factors for the development of knee OA, which has led to the emerging concept of the existence of a distinct phenotype, i.e., metabolic knee OA. Combined assessment of markers derived from dysfunctional adipose tissue, markers of bone and cartilage metabolism, as well as high-sensitivity inflammatory markers and imaging, might reveal prognostic signs for metabolic knee OA. Interestingly, it has been suggested that drugs used for the treatment of other components of the metabolic syndrome may also affect the clinical course and retard the progression of metabolic-associated knee OA. In this regard, significant amounts of new data are accumulating about the role of metformin—a drug, commonly used in clinical practice with suggested multiple pleiotropic effects. The aim of the current review is to analyze the current views about the potential pleiotropic effects of metformin in OA. Upon the analysis of the different effects of metformin, major mechanisms that might be involved in OA are the influence of inflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy, adipokine levels, and microbiome modulation. There is an increasing amount of evidence from in vitro studies, animal models, and clinical trials that metformin can slow OA progression by modulating inflammatory and metabolic factors that are summarized in the current up-to-date review. Considering the contemporary concept about the existence of metabolic type knee OA, in which the accompanying obesity and systemic low-grade inflammation are suggested to influence disease course, metformin could be considered as a useful and safe component of the personalized therapeutic approach in knee OA patients with accompanying type II diabetes or obesity.
Deep Learning Approach for Predicting the Therapeutic Usages of Unani Formulas towards Finding Essential Compounds
Authors: Wijaya Sony Hartono , Nasution Ahmad Kamal , Batubara Irmanida , Gao Pei , Huang Ming , Ono Naoaki , Kanaya Shigehiko , Altaf-Ul-Amin Md.
Published: February 2023

The use of herbal medicines in recent decades has increased because their side effects are considered lower than conventional medicine. Unani herbal medicines are often used in Southern Asia. These herbal medicines are usually composed of several types of medicinal plants to treat various diseases. Research on herbal medicine usually focuses on insight into the composition of plants used as ingredients. However, in the present study, we extended to the level of metabolites that exist in the medicinal plants. This study aimed to develop a predictive model of the Unani therapeutic usage based on its constituent metabolites using deep learning and data-intensive science approaches. Furthermore, the best prediction model was then utilized to extract important metabolites for each therapeutic usage of Unani. In this study, it was observed that the deep neural network approach provided a much better prediction model than other algorithms including random forest and support vector machine. Moreover, according to the best prediction model using the deep neural network, we identified 118 important metabolites for nine therapeutic usages of Unani.
Monitoring Methodology for an AI Tool for Breast Cancer Screening Deployed in Clinical Centers
Authors: Aguilar Carlos , Pacilè Serena , Weber Nicolas , Fillard Pierre
Published: February 2023

We propose a methodology for monitoring an artificial intelligence (AI) tool for breast cancer screening when deployed in clinical centers. An AI trained to detect suspicious regions of interest in the four views of a mammogram and to characterize their level of suspicion with a score ranging from one (low suspicion) to ten (high suspicion of malignancy) was deployed in four radiological centers across the US. Results were collected between April 2021 and December 2022, resulting in a dataset of 36,581 AI records. To assess the behavior of the AI, its score distribution in each center was compared to a reference distribution obtained in silico using the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) between each center AI score distribution and the reference. The estimated PCCs were 0.998 [min: 0.993, max: 0.999] for center US-1, 0.975 [min: 0.923, max: 0.986] for US-2, 0.995 [min: 0.972, max: 0.998] for US-3 and 0.994 [min: 0.962, max: 0.982] for US-4. These values show that the AI behaved as expected. Low PCC values could be used to trigger an alert, which would facilitate the detection of software malfunctions. This methodology can help create new indicators to improve monitoring of software deployed in hospitals.
The Efficacy of Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) in Common Plastic Surgery Operations Performed on the Upper Limbs: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Seretis Konstantinos , Boptsi Anastasia , Boptsi Eleni , Lykoudis Efstathios G.
Published: February 2023

Background: The wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique is commonly used in elective hand surgery, whereas its application in plastic surgery is still limited. The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of WALANT in common plastic surgery operations performed on the upper limbs. Methods: Patients who underwent those operations under WALANT were matched and compared with patients who had general or regional anesthesia without infiltration of a local anesthetic solution. All operations were performed by the same surgeon. Data from 98 operations were collected and analyzed for the total operation time, operation theatre time and complication and patient satisfaction rates. Results: All operations under WALANT, mainly skin tumor excision and flap repair or skin grafting and burn escharectomy with or without skin grafting, were completed successfully. No statistical difference in total operation time and complication rates was revealed. Statistical significance favoring WALANT was identified regarding the mean operation theatre time and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: WALANT is an effective method for common plastic surgery operations performed on the upper limbs that is associated with better operation theatre occupancy and high patient satisfaction rates.
Key Factors in Early Diagnosis of Myopia Progression within Ocular Biometric Parameters by Scheimpflug Technology
Authors: López-Muñoz Alfredo , Gargallo-Martínez Beatriz , Sánchez-González María Carmen , Capote-Puente Raúl , De-Hita-Cantalejo Concepción , Romero-Luna Marta , Conejero-Domínguez Juan-José , Sánchez-González José-María
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between myopia and ocular biometric variables using the Pentacam AXL® single rotation Scheimpflug camera. This prospective, cross-sectional, single-center study was performed in fifty Caucasian patients aged between 18 and 30 years (24.84 ± 3.04 years). The measured variables included maximum and minimum keratometry (K1 and K2, respectively), anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal horizontal diameter or white to white (WTW), central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal asphericity (Q), and axial length (AXL). The tomographic and biometric measurements were considered optimal when the quality factor was greater than 95% according to the manufacturer’s software instructions. The AXL presented a significant correlation with the spherical equivalent without cycloplegia (SE without CP), age at onset of myopia (r = −0.365, p = 0.012), mean keratometry (Km) (r = −0.339, p = 0.016), ACD (r = 0.304, p = 0.032), and WTW (r = 0.406, p = 0.005). The eyes with AXL higher than 25 mm had earlier onset; higher SE without CP, AXL, and Q; and a flatter Km. AXL is the biometric variable with the greatest influence on the final refractive state in the adult myopic eye. Ophthalmologists and optometric management must consider these biometric differences in order to identify the most appropriate correction techniques in each case. The use of the Pentacam AXL in ocular biometric measurement is effective, reproducible, and non-invasive.
Application of Potassium Humate and Salicylic Acid to Mitigate Salinity Stress of Common Bean
Authors: El-Beltagi Hossam S. , Al-Otaibi Hala Hazam , Parmar Aditya , Ramadan Khaled M. A. , Lobato Allan Klynger da Silva , El-Mogy Mohamed M.
Published: February 2023

In the current study, we investigated the effect of potassium humate (Kh) and salicylic acid (SA) in mitigating the salinity stress of common bean plants. Common bean seedlings were treated with 0.2 g/L SA as a foliar application and 0.3 g/L Kh as a soil application individually or in combination. After 7 days of germination, plants were treated with 50 mM NaCl and normal water as a control. Our results indicate that salt treatment reduced the plant growth (fresh and dry shoots and roots), leaf pigments (total chlorophyll and carotenoids), ascorbic acid (AA), glutathione (GSH), and potassium (K) contents. On the contrary, proline content; sodium (Na); hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); superoxide anion (O2•−); and antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were increased by saline stress. However, applying either individual Kh and SA or their combination stimulated seedling growth under salinity stress by increasing growth parameters, leaf pigment contents, AA, GSH, proline content, K content, and antioxidant enzymes compared with the control. Additionally, Na content, H2O2, and O2•− were reduced by all applications. The application of the Kh (0.3 g/L) + SA (0.2 g/L) combination was more effective than using the individual compounds. In conclusion, applications of Kh + SA can mitigate salt stress and improve the seedling growth of common bean.
Effect of Abscisic Acid on Growth, Fatty Acid Profile, and Pigment Composition of the Chlorophyte Chlorella (Chromochloris) zofingiensis and Its Co-Culture Microbiome
Authors: Kozlova Tatiana A. , Kartashov Alexander V. , Zadneprovskaya Elena , Krapivina Anastasia , Zaytsev Peter , Chivkunova Olga B. , Solovchenko Alexei E.
Published: February 2023

Microalga Chlorella (Chromochloris) zofingiensis has been gaining increasing attention of investigators as a potential competitor to Haematococcus pluvialis for astaxanthin and other xanthophylls production. Phytohormones, including abscisic acid (ABA), at concentrations relevant to that in hydroponic wastewater, have proven themselves as strong inductors of microalgae biomass productivity and biosynthesis of valuable molecules. The main goal of this research was to evaluate the influence of phytohormone ABA on the physiology of C. zofingiensis in a non-aseptic batch experiment. Exogenous ABA stimulated C. zofingiensis cell division, biomass production, as well as chlorophyll, carotenoid, and lipid biosynthesis. The relationship between exogenous ABA concentration and the magnitude of the observed effects was non-linear, with the exception of cell growth and biomass production. Fatty acid accumulation and composition depended on the concentration of ABA tested. Exogenous ABA induced spectacular changes in the major components of the culture microbiome of C. zofingiensis. Thus, the abundance of the representatives of the genus Rhodococcus increased drastically with an increase in ABA concentration, whereas the abundance of the representatives of Reyranella and Bradyrhizobium genera declined. The possibilities of exogenous ABA applications for the enhancing of the biomass, carotenoid, and fatty acid productivity of the C. zofingiensis cultures are discussed.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Ethyl 5-(4-Bromophenyl)-7-methyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihidro-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate
Authors: Agarkov Artem , Nefedova Anna , Ovsyannikov Alexander , Litvinov Igor , Solovieva Svetlana , Antipin Igor
Published: February 2023

Thiazolopyrimidines are attractive to medical chemists as new antitumor agents due to their high inhibitory activity against the replication process of tumor cells and the easy modification of their structure by changing the number and nature of substituents. The presence of asymmetric C5 carbon atoms requires the development of racemic mixture separation procedures for these heterocycles. One of the most effective methods is the crystallization of a racemic compound in the form of a conglomerate. The prerequisite for such separation is the construction of chiral, supramolecular ensembles in the crystalline state. Halogen-π interactions were chosen as supramolecular synthons. In this context, ethyl 7-methyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihidro-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate containing a 4-bromophenyl fragment at C5 was synthesized. The crystal structure of the resulting compound was established using SCXRD. The role of the halogen-π interaction on the formation of one-dimensional homochiral chains is revealed.
New Preparation of Ferrocene Carboxylic Acid Benzotriazol-1-yl Ester
Authors: Zhang Lin-Yuan , Xu Li-Jun , Wang Ya-Wen , Peng Yu
Published: February 2023

Ferrocene and its derivatives are very useful in the fields of chemistry, biomedicine and materials. Herein, a ferrocene derivative was synthesized in one step from benzotriazol-1-yl-oxytripyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate and ferrocenecarboxylic acid. Its accurate structure was determined by 1H and 13C NMR and further confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis of the corresponding single crystal.
Effect of the Texture of the Ultrafine-Grained Ti-6Al-4V Titanium Alloy on Impact Toughness
Authors: Modina Iuliia M. , Dyakonov Grigory S. , Stotskiy Andrey G. , Yakovleva Tatyana V. , Semenova Irina P.
Published: February 2023

In this work, the strength properties and impact toughness of the ultrafine-grained (UFG) Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy produced by severe plastic deformation (SPD) in combination with upsetting were studied, depending on the direction of crack propagation. In the billets processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), the presence of anisotropy of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and ductility was observed, conditioned by the formation of a metallographic and crystallographic texture. At the same time, the ECAP-processed UFG alloy exhibited satisfactory values of impact toughness, ~0.42 MJ/m2. An additional upsetting of the ECAP-processed billet simulated the processes of shape forming/die forging and was accompanied by the development of recovery and recrystallization. This provided the “blurring” of texture and a reduction in the anisotropy of UTS and ductility, but a difference in impact toughness in several directions of fracture was still observed. It is shown that texture evolution during upsetting provided a significant increase in the crack propagation energy. The relationship between microstructure, texture and mechanical properties in different sections of the material under study is discussed.
Green Synthesized sAuNPs as a Potential Delivery Platform for Cytotoxic Alkaloids
Authors: Mubaiwa Byron , Lerata Mookho S. , Sibuyi Nicole R. S. , Meyer Mervin , Samaai Toufiek , Bolton John J. , Antunes Edith M. , Beukes Denzil R.
Published: February 2023

The use of natural products as chemotherapeutic agents is well established. However, many are associated with undesirable side effects, including high toxicity and instability. Previous reports on the cytotoxic activity of pyrroloiminoquinones isolated from Latrunculid sponges against cancer cell lines revealed extraordinary activity at IC50 of 77nM for discorhabdins. Their general lack of selectivity against the cancer and normal cell lines, however, precludes further development. In this study, extraction of a South African Latrunculid sponge produced three known pyrroloiminoquinone metabolites (14-bromodiscorhabdin C (5), Tsitsikammamine A (6) and B (7)). The assignment of the structures was established using standard 1D and 2D NMR experiments. To mitigate the lack of selectivity, the compounds were loaded onto gold nanoparticles synthesized using the aqueous extract of a brown seaweed, Sargassum incisifolium (sAuNPs). The cytotoxicity of the metabolites alone, and their sAuNP conjugates, were evaluated together with the known anticancer agent doxorubicin and its AuNP conjugate. The compound-AuNP conjugates retained their strong cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 cell line, with >90% of the pyrroloiminoquinone-loaded AuNPs penetrating the cell membrane. Loading cytotoxic natural products onto AuNPs provides an avenue in overcoming some issues hampering the development of new anticancer drugs.
Changes in the Structure of Amorphous Alloys under Deformation by High-Pressure Torsion and Multiple Rolling
Authors: Abrosimova Galina , Gunderov Dmitry , Postnova Evgenia , Aronin Alexandr
Published: February 2023

X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to study changes in the structure of amorphous alloys under deformation by high-pressure torsion and multiple rolling. The change in mean nearest neighbor distance (the radius of the first coordination sphere) under deformation was determined. During deformation, shear bands are formed in amorphous alloys, which are regions of lower density compared to the surrounding undeformed amorphous matrix. Shear bands are zones of increased free volume, in which crystallization processes are facilitated. The change in the proportion of free volume under deformation of various types was estimated. The formation of shear bands leads to the appearance of steps on the surface of the samples. The number of shear bands and the surface morphology of deformed amorphous alloys were determined by the type of deformation and the physical properties of the material. The results obtained are discussed within the concept of free volume in the amorphous phase.