bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebrovascular Reserve Capacity as a Predictor of Postoperative Delirium: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bydén Moa , Segernäs Anna , Thulesius Hans , Vanky Farkas , Ahlgren Eva , Skoog Johan , Zachrisson Helene
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Postoperative delirium is a common complication after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Compromised regulation of the cerebral circulation may be a predisposing factor for delirium. However, the potential relationship between cerebrovascular reserve capacity and delirium is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate if impaired cerebrovascular reserve capacity was associated with postoperative delirium.

Methods: Forty-two patients scheduled for cardiac surgery with CPB were recruited consecutively. All patients underwent preoperative transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound with calculation of breath-hold index (BHI). BHI < 0.69 indicated impaired cerebrovascular reserve capacity. In addition, patients were examined with preoperative neuropsychological tests such as MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) and AQT (A Quick Test of cognitive speed). Postoperative delirium was assessed using Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) in which a score of ≥2 was considered as delirium.

Results: Six patients (14%) scored high for postoperative delirium and all demonstrated impaired preoperative cerebrovascular reserve capacity. Median (25th−75th percentile) BHI in patients with postoperative delirium was significantly lower compared to the non-delirium group [0.26 (−0.08–0.44) vs. 0.83 (0.57–1.08), p = 0.002]. Preoperative MMSE score was lower in patients who developed postoperative delirium (median, 25th−75th percentile; 26.5, 24–28 vs. 28.5, 27–29, p = 0.024). Similarly, patients with postoperative delirium also displayed a slower performance during the preoperative cognitive speed test AQT color and form (mean ± SD; 85.8 s ± 19.3 vs. 69.6 s ± 15.8, p = 0.043).

Conclusion: The present findings suggest that an extended preoperative ultrasound protocol with TCD evaluation of cerebrovascular reserve capacity and neuropsychological tests may be valuable in identifying patients with increased risk of developing delirium after cardiac surgery.
Efficacy and Benefit of Postoperative Chemotherapy in Micropapillray or Solid Predominant Pattern in Stage IB Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu Congcong , Zhu Kanghao , Chen Dong , Ruan Yuhang , Jin Zixian , Qiu Hongbin , Chen Baofu , Shen Jianfei
Published: December 2021

Background: The benefit of postoperative chemotherapy remains controversial for patients with either a micropapillary or solid pattern in stage IB non-small cell lung cancer. This study is designed to explore the significance of postoperative chemotherapy in patients with either a micropapillary or solid pattern in stage IB lung adenocarcinoma.

Method: To conduct the meta-analysis, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Medline were used to collect literature on long-term follow-up studies published before March, 2021, involving postoperative chemotherapy for patients with both a micropapillary or solid pattern in stage IB lung adenocarcinoma as compared to non-postoperative chemotherapy. Survival data was extracted from the literature, including the overall survival and disease-free survival. Based on overall survival and disease-free survival, hazard ratios and their 95% of confidence intervals were applied to assess the prognostic effect of postoperative chemotherapy. Review Manager software was used to merge the effect size for the meta-analysis.

Result: In total, 6 papers with 956 patients were included. In terms of the prognosis of patients suffering from lung cancer when receiving postoperative chemotherapy, this study comprehensively reviews and evaluates the available evidence of micropapillary or solid patterns. After excluding the heterogeneity between the studies, we found that the pooled results from 6 studies report that postoperative chemotherapy was associated with a better overall survival rate when compared with non-postoperative chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval, 0.44–0.77; P = 0.0002). Postoperative chemotherapy also significantly improved the disease-free survival in patients with either a micropapillary or a solid pattern in stage IB lung adenocarcinoma (postoperative chemotherapy vs. non-postoperative chemotherapy, hazard ratio = 0.51, 95% confidence interval, 0.40–0.64; P < 0.001). However, a subgroup analysis showed that compared with non-postoperative chemotherapy, tumor size was unrelated to the prognosis of patients in stage IB undergoing postoperative chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.98, 95% confidence interval, 0.94–1.02; P = 0.27).

Conclusion: Postoperative chemotherapy results in a better long-term survival rate for patients with either a solid or a micropapillary pattern in stage IB lung adenocarcinoma. Multi-center, prospective, clinical trials are needed to validate our findings.
Chicken Coccidiosis: From the Parasite Lifecycle to Control of the Disease
Authors: Mesa-Pineda Carolina , Navarro-Ruíz Jeffer L. , López-Osorio Sara , Chaparro-Gutiérrez Jenny J. , Gómez-Osorio Luis M.
Published: December 2021

The poultry industry is one of the main providers of protein for the world's population, but it faces great challenges including coccidiosis, one of the diseases with the most impact on productive performance. Coccidiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, which are a group of monoxenous obligate intracellular parasites. Seven species of this genus can affect chickens (Gallus gallus), each with different pathogenic characteristics and targeting a specific intestinal location. Eimeria alters the function of the intestinal tract, generating deficiencies in the absorption of nutrients and lowering productive performance, leading to economic losses. The objective of this manuscript is to review basic concepts of coccidiosis, the different Eimeria species that infect chickens, their life cycle, and the most sustainable and holistic methods available to control the disease.
Pretreatment C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio is Associated With Poor Survival in Patients With 2018 FIGO Stage IB-IIA HPV-Positive Cervical Cancer
Authors: Jiang Yinan , Gu Haifeng , Zheng Xiaojing , Pan Baoyue , Liu Pingping , Zheng Min
Published: December 2021

Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the predictive value of inflammatory indexes stratified according to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status in women with FIGO 2018 stage IB∼IIA cervical cancer. We also explored the influences of HPV infection status on the survival of cervical cancer patients.

Methods: We collected data for 583 women with stage IB∼IIA cervical cancer in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 2009 and 2017. The t-test, chi-squared (χ2) test and Fisher’s exact test were applied to compare the differences of inflammatory indexes and clinicopathological features between HPV-positive and HPV-negative groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify clinicopathological factors that were associated with the prognosis of cervical cancer patients.

Results: There were no differences in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between HPV-positive and HPV-negative groups. In HPV-positive group, the maximum tumor size, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the body mass index (BMI) correlated significantly with C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR). The maximum tumor size and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) correlated significantly with the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The maximum tumor size, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and PLR correlated significantly with PNI. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the depth of tumor invasion (HR: 3.651, 95% CI: 1.464–9.103, p = 0.005; HR: 2.478, 95% CI: 1.218–5.043, p = 0.012) and CAR (HR: 5.201, 95% CI: 2.080–13.004, p < 0.0001; HR: 2.769, 95% CI: 1.406–5.455, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of poor OS and PFS. PNI was an independent protective factor of OS (HR: 0.341, 95% CI: 0.156–0.745, p = 0.007). PLR was an independent factor of PFS (HR: 1.991, 95% CI: 1.018–3.894, p = 0.044). In HPV-negative group, BMI correlated significantly with CAR. Only depth of invasion (HR: 9.192, 95% CI: 1.016–83.173, p = 0.048) was the independent predictor of poor OS, and no inflammation indexes were independent predictors of prognosis.

Conclusion: In patients with HPV-positive cervical cancer, depth of invasion, PNI and CAR are independent factors of OS, and depth of invasion, PLR and CAR are independent factors for PFS. For patients with HPV-negative disease, no inflammation indexes had predictive value for prognosis. The predictive value of inflammation indexes on prognosis is more significant in patients with HPV-positive cervical cancer. Stratification of HPV infection status promotes a more precise clinical application of inflammation indexes, thus improving their accuracy and feasibility.
Wyrażenie Certyfikat „Super HoSpa” i jego rola
w kształtowaniu obrazu opieki paliatywnej we współczesnym dyskursie
medycznym
Authors: Chojnacka-Kuraś Marta
Published: December 2021

This paper is an analysis of the expression hospa, which is a part of the name
Certyfi kat „Super HoSpa” (“Super HoSpa” Certifi cate), a distinction awarded to
the best Polish hospices by the Rak’n’Roll Foundation. The neologism hospa
is described in terms of its formal structure (as a contamination compound)
and at the conceptual level (as a cognitive amalgam) using G. Fauconnier and
M. Turner’s conceptual blending theory. Based on dictionary and corpus data
as well as texts concerning hospices with the title “Super HoSpa”, the author
reconstructs the representation of a patient-friendly hospice. What serves as
a background for the description is the issues of palliative medicine and care
and the stereotypical image of hospice established in the society, which the
creators of the certifi cate are trying to “disenchant”, also through language.
Understanding Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization in Walnut Plantations: The Contribution of Cover Crops and Soil Microbial Communities
Authors: Thioye Babacar , Legras Marc , Castel Lisa , Hirissou François , Chaftar Naouel , Trinsoutrot-Gattin Isabelle
Published: December 2021

Soil microorganisms play a central role in biological soil functioning. One of the beneficial microbiota that has a symbiotic association with most of the plants is arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Nevertheless, little is known about the impact of cover crops—widely used in conservation agriculture or organic farming—on native mycorrhizal fungi. This study was conducted in Southern France, in 20-year-old walnut orchards, where faba bean (Vicia faba Roth) was intercropped. To find whether the native AM fungal community associated with walnut trees was influenced by cover crops and soil microbial communities, analyses of soil physicochemical and microbiological indicators were carried out with roots and soil samples collected from four modalities (walnut in conventional farming with and without cover crops, and walnut in organic farming with and without cover crops). Our results showed that the presence of cover crops mainly influenced the soil microbial abundance and activities in conventional plots. In contrast, cover crops stimulated AM fungal colonization of walnut roots in organic plots, reaching 35% and 54% for arbuscule abundance and mycorrhizal intensity, respectively. In conventional plots, ergosterol and mineral nitrogen contents were mainly correlated with mycorrhizal colonization, while only acid phosphatase activity in soil was positively correlated with mycorrhizal colonization in organic plots. The use of the faba bean showed the great role played by cover crops in the enhancement of walnut trees’ mycorrhizal colonization. Identification of the functional traits of AM fungi sensitive to walnut trees is required to inform decisions in specific agricultural practices.
Isolation and Characterization of Plant Growth-Promoting Compost Bacteria That Improved Physiological Characteristics in Tomato and Lettuce Seedlings
Authors: Martínez-Cano Betsie , García-Trejo Juan Fernando , Sánchez-Gutiérrez Arantza Elena , Toledano-Ayala Manuel , Soto-Zarazúa Genaro M.
Published: December 2021

Currently, agricultural systems are inadequate to meet the demand of the population, coupled with the constant degradation of natural resources. Therefore, it is necessary to explore alternatives to increase the productivity and quality of crops with minimal environmental impact. The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria can provide solutions to some agri-environmental problems and replace or minimize conventional agricultural practices. In this study, a Bacillus pumilus strain with plant growth-promoting properties was isolated from mature compost. In vitro, the ability of Bacillus pumilus to solubilize phosphate, inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungi, and its effect on the germination of tomato and lettuce seeds was evaluated. In vivo, its effect on stem thickness, height, and the number of leaves of tomato and lettuce seedlings was studied. The results show that, in vitro, Bacillus pumilus solubilizes phosphate, inhibits the growth of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, and increases the germination percentage of tomato seeds. The results, in vivo, demonstrate that the bacteria increases the stem thickness of tomato seedlings, while, in lettuce, it increases the stem thickness and the number of leaves. The outcome implies that Bacillus pumilus has properties as a plant growth promoter and can be used as a promising inoculant to enhance the growth of tomato and lettuce seedlings.
Sirtuins and Sepsis: Cross Talk between Redox and Epigenetic Pathways
Authors: Gandhirajan Anugraha , Roychowdhury Sanjoy , Vachharajani Vidula
Published: December 2021

Sepsis and septic shock are the leading causes of death among hospitalized patients in the US. The immune response in sepsis transitions from a pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant hyper-inflammation to an anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective hypo-inflammatory phase. While 1/3rd sepsis-related deaths occur during hyper-, a vast majority of sepsis-mortality occurs during the hypo-inflammation. Hyper-inflammation is cytotoxic for the immune cells and cannot be sustained. As a compensatory mechanism, the immune cells transition from cytotoxic hyper-inflammation to a cytoprotective hypo-inflammation with anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive phase. However, the hypo-inflammation is associated with an inability to clear invading pathogens, leaving the host susceptible to secondary infections. Thus, the maladaptive immune response leads to a marked departure from homeostasis during sepsis-phases. The transition from hyper- to hypo-inflammation occurs via epigenetic programming. Sirtuins, a highly conserved family of histone deacetylators and guardians of homeostasis, are integral to the epigenetic programming in sepsis. Through their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, the sirtuins modulate the immune response in sepsis. We review the role of sirtuins in orchestrating the interplay between the oxidative stress and epigenetic programming during sepsis.
Latest Advances in Common Signal Processing of Pulsed Thermography for Enhanced Detectability: A Review
Authors: Chung Yoonjae , Lee Seungju , Kim Wontae
Published: December 2021

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a broad group of testing and analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, structure, or system for characteristic defects and discontinuities without causing damage. Recently, infrared thermography is one of the most promising technologies as it can inspect a large area quickly using a non-contact and non-destructive method. Moreover, thermography testing has proved to be a valuable approach for non-destructive testing and evaluation of structural stability of materials. Pulsed thermography is one of the active thermography technologies that utilizes external energy heating. However, due to the non-uniform heating, lateral heat diffusion, environmental noise, and limited parameters of the thermal imaging system, there are some difficulties in detecting and characterizing defects. In order to improve this limitation, various signal processing techniques have been developed through many previous studies. This review presents the latest advances and exhaustive summary of representative signal processing techniques used in pulsed thermography according to physical principles and thermal excitation sources. First, the basic concept of infrared thermography non-destructive testing is introduced. Next, the principle of conventional pulsed thermography and signal processing technologies for non-destructive testing are reviewed. Then, we review advances and recent advances in each signal processing. Finally, the latest research trends are reviewed.
Analysis of Carbon Emission Energy Inventory from Refrigerant Production and Recycling Carbon Compensation
Authors: Wang Haiying , Wang Yue , Mi Hong , Zang Jianbin , Wang Shuangshuang
Published: December 2021

At present, the massive emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides and other greenhouse gases caused by human activities have caused more and more serious negative effects on global climate change. In order to cope with global warming and achieve sustainable development, achieve “carbon neutrality” as soon as possible. In the refrigeration industry, it is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to refrigerants, including the production, use, and recycling of refrigerants. This paper has carried out the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions during the refrigerant preparation process, and compared and analyzed the emission reductions of refrigerant recycling and reuse; the research based on the energy consumption of the refrigerant production process uses the greenhouse gas emission inventory analysis method to Taking refrigerant R134a as an example, the carbon emission accounting boundary of the production process is set, the emission source is determined, the emission is calculated based on the emission factor method, and the emission inventory is established; the carbon offset effect of the recycling and reuse of the refrigerant is analyzed. The research results show that if the entire refrigerant industry fully recycles waste refrigerants, it can reduce carbon emissions by about 29.7% compared to just producing new refrigerants.
Study on the Road Friction Database for Automated Driving: Fundamental Consideration of the Measuring Device for the Road Friction Database
Authors: Kageyama Ichiro , Kuriyagawa Yukiyo , Haraguchi Tetsunori , Kaneko Tetsuya , Asai Motohiro , Matsumoto Gaku
Published: December 2021

This study deals with the possibility of construction of a database on the braking friction coefficient for actual roads from the viewpoint of traffic safety, especially for automated driving, such as level 4 or higher. At these levels of automated driving, the controller needs to control the vehicle. However, the road surface condition, especially the road friction coefficient on wet roads and snowy or icy roads, changes greatly, and in some cases, changes by almost one order. Therefore, it is necessary for the controller to constantly collect environment information, such as the road friction coefficients, and prepare for emergencies, such as obstacle avoidance. However, at present, the measurement of the road friction coefficients is not systemically performed, and a method for accurately measuring has not been established. In order to improve this situation, this study examines a method for continuous measurement of the road friction characteristics, such as the μ-s characteristics. It is shown that the μ-s characteristics are continuously measured using the MF generally used in tire engineering, and the friction characteristics identified from the results are sufficiently satisfactory.
High-Dimensional, Small-Sample Product Quality Prediction Method Based on MIC-Stacking Ensemble Learning
Authors: Yu Jiahao , Pan Rongshun , Zhao Yongman
Published: December 2021

Accurate quality prediction can find and eliminate quality hazards. It is difficult to construct an accurate quality mathematical model for the production of small samples with high dimensionality due to the influence of quality characteristics and the complex mechanism of action. In addition, overfitting scenarios are prone to occur in high-dimensional, small-sample industrial product quality prediction. This paper proposes an ensemble learning and measurement model based on stacking and selects eight algorithms as the base learning model. The maximal information coefficient (MIC) is used to obtain the correlation between the base learning models. Models with low correlation and strong predictive power were chosen to build stacking ensemble models, which effectively avoids overfitting and obtains better predictive performance. To improve the prediction performance as the optimization goal, in the data preprocessing stage, boxplots, ordinary least squares (OLS), and multivariate imputation by chained equations (MICE) are used to detect and replace outliers. The CatBoost algorithm is used to construct combined features. Strong combination features were selected to construct a new feature set. Concrete slump data from the University of California Irvine (UCI) machine learning library were used to conduct comprehensive verification experiments. The experimental results show that, compared with the optimal single model, the minimum correlation stacking ensemble learning model has higher precision and stronger robustness, and a new method is provided to guarantee the accuracy of final product quality prediction.
Vaccination, Immunity and Breakthrough: Quantitative Effects in Individual Immune Responses Illustrated by a Simple Kinetic Model
Authors: Köhler Johann Michael
Published: December 2021

The personal risks of infection, as well as the conditions for achieving herd immunity, are strongly dependent on an individual’s response to the infective agents on the one hand, and the individual’s reactions to vaccination on the other hand. The main goal of this work is to illustrate the importance of quantitative individual effects for disease risk in a simple way. The applied model was able to illustrate the quantitative effects, in the cases of different individual reactions, after exposition to viruses or bacteria and vaccines. The model was based on simple kinetic equations for stimulation of antibody production using different concentrations of the infective agent, vaccine and antibodies. It gave a qualitative explanation for the individual differences in breakthrough risks and different requirements concerning a second, third or further vaccinations, reconsidering different efficiencies of the stimulation of an immune reaction.
Effect of Maltodextrin Replacement by Selected Native Starches and Disaccharides on Physicochemical Properties of Pumpkin Oil Capsules Prepared by Spray-Drying
Authors: Ogrodowska Dorota , Konopka Iwona Zofia , Tańska Małgorzata , Brandt Waldemar , Piłat Beata
Published: December 2021

The aim of the study is to compare selected carbohydrates that differed in the glycaemic index: maltodextrin, three native starches (wheat, rice, maize), and two disaccharides (trehalose and lactose) used to encapsulation of model oil (in this case cold-pressed pumpkin oil). Encapsulation efficiency of pumpkin oil by spray drying, size of obtained capsules, oxidative stability of encapsulated oil, and retention of tocopherols, squalene, and sterols in surface and core material of capsules were determined. It was found that encapsulation efficiency varied from 35% for rice starch to 68–71% for wheat starch, maltodextrin, and lactose. The bulk density of capsules was independent of the used carbohydrate type (189–198 kg/m3), while their size was significantly lower for samples of pumpkin oil encapsulated in native starches (over 2 times compared to capsules with trehalose). Of the best lipid capturing agents (native wheat starch, maltodextrin, and lactose), wheat starch mainly bound tocopherols, squalene, and sterols to the capsule surface, while lactose to the core material of the capsules (35.5–81.2%). Among tested carbohydrates, native wheat starch acted as the best antioxidant agent (oxidative stability was 15.1 h vs. 9.4 h for pure pumpkin oil).
A Hybrid and Self-Adaptive Differential Evolution Algorithm for the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem in Egg Distribution
Authors: Moonsri Karn , Sethanan Kanchana , Worasan Kongkidakhon , Nitisiri Krisanarach
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the Hybrid and Self-Adaptive Differential Evolution algorithms (HSADE) to solve an egg distribution problem in Thailand. We introduce and formalize a model for a multi-product, multi-depot vehicle routing problem with a time window, a heterogeneous fleet and inventory restrictions. The goal of the problem is to minimize the total cost. The multiple products comprise customers’ demands with different egg sizes. This paper presents a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model, an initial solution-based constructive heuristic, a new self-adaptive mutation strategy, and a neighborhood search structure with the probability to improve DE. The two measurements of criteria are the heuristic performance (HP) compared with the solution obtained by MILP and the relative improvement (RI) of the solution compared with Thailand’s current egg distribution practice. The computational results show that the performance of HSADE is better than the current practice, and HSADE can provide on average a 14.13% improvement in total cost. Additionally, our proposed algorithm can be applied to similar agriculture logistics in Thailand and worldwide.
Optimal Design Approach Applied to Headspace GC for the Monitoring of Diacetyl Concentration, Spectrophotometric Assessment of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Potential in Different Fermentation Processes of Barley
Authors: Mansouri Fouad El , Farissi Hammadi El , Cacciola Francesco , Bouhcain Badr , Silva Joaquim C. G. Esteves da , Lovillo Miguel Palma , Brigui Jamal
Published: December 2021

The present study aimed to validate a control method on the gas chromatography system (GC) based on the experimental design strategy, to examine the changes and correlation between the fermentation process and the quality of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer product, especially the formation of diacetyl. On the other hand, spectrophotometric methods were applied to the determination of polyphenols content and the potential antioxidant activity of beer during different fermentation processes. with this aim, three modes of barley fermentation were used, specifically classical fermentation, stopped fermentation and thermal process. The results showed that the different fermentation modes had a major impact on diacetyl production. The highest concentration was obtained using stopped fermentation 0.36 mg/L, the lowest concentration value 0.07 mg/L was detected using the thermal process. Monitoring the increase of oxygen concentration between fermentation, filtration, and filling of the final product (32, 107, 130 ppm, respectively) has a significant impact on the concentration of diacetyl. The obtained results of spectrophotometric analysis showed that the total antioxidant activity changed during beer fermentation process and demonstrate that the extend of the antioxidant activity was very much dependent on the total polyphenolic content with a higher value in Hopped wort (13.41%, 65 mg GAE 100 mL−1, 28 mg CE 100 mL−1) for antioxidant potential, total phenolic content, and total flavonoids content, respectively, whereas the lowest values was detected in Non-alcoholic beer using thermal process (7.24%, 35 mg GAE 100 mL−1, 10 mg CE 100 mL−1) for antioxidant potential, total phenolic contents, and total flavonoids contents, respectively. Based on the results achieved, we reveal the impact of the fermentation process on the nutritional value of the final product.
The Interaction between African Easterly Waves and Different Types of Deep Convection and Its Influence on Atlantic Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Enyew Bantwale D. , Mekonnen Ademe
Published: December 2021

This study revisited the association of African easterly waves (AEWs) to Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) development using weather states (WSs) from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, National Hurricane Center best track hurricane data (HURDAT2), and reanalysis products. The WS data are used as a proxy for two different types of deep convection. This study covers July–October 1984–2009. Statistical analysis based on HURDAT2 and objectively tracked AEWs has shown that a small fraction (~20%) of the AEWs that propagate from Africa serve as TC precursors. About 80% of the AEWs from the continent were non-developing. As in the past work, our study showed an important difference between developing and non-developing AEWs. Composites based on developing AEWs revealed well-organized large scale deep convection (one type, composed of mesoscale systems and thick anvil clouds) is tightly coupled to the AEW trough, while scattered, less well-organized deep convection (second type, isolated cumulonimbus and cumulus congestus clouds) dominated a large area downstream of the developing AEW trough. Developing AEWs propagate westwards while strengthening. In contrast, non-developing AEWs showed that the peak well-organized deep convection is located either behind (to the east of) or far ahead (to the west) of the AEW trough (peaks values are not in close proximity). Moreover, well-organized deep convections associated with non-developing AEWs were weaker than those associated with developing AEWs. The results indicated that convective activity ahead of the non-developing AEWs is weak. Positive relative humidity (RH) anomalies dominate the area around AEWs and downstream over the main TC development region. In contrast, negative RH dominated the main TC development region ahead of non-developing AEWs, suggesting an unfavorable environment downstream of the AEWs. The results also showed that developing AEWs maintained stronger features in the lower and middle troposphere, while non-developing AEWs exhibited weaker structures, in agreement with past work.
Ideals, Nonnegative Summability Matrices and Corresponding Convergence Notions: A Short Survey of Recent Advancements
Authors: Das Pratulananda
Published: December 2021

In this survey article, we look into some recent results concerning summability matrices, both regular as well as those which are not regular (called semi-regular) and generated matrix ideals as the overall view of the inter relationship between the notions of ideal convergence and summability methods by regular summability matrices.
Association between Physical Literacy and Self-Perceived Fitness Level in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Pastor-Cisneros Raquel , Carlos-Vivas Jorge , Muñoz-Bermejo Laura , Adsuar-Sala Jose Carmelo , Merellano-Navarro Eugenio , Mendoza-Muñoz María
Published: December 2021

Background: Physical fitness is considered a predictor of mortality and comorbidities resulting from physical inactivity in children and adolescents. Physical literacy provides a robust and comprehensive assessment of physical fitness. Thus, it is considered a crucial element for understanding children and adolescents’ health status and their physical activity-related behaviours. Moreover, the self-perceived fitness should also be considered. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the relationship between physical literacy and self-perceived physical fitness in children and adolescents aged 8–12 years. Methods: A single-measure cross-sectional study was conducted with 135 children and adolescents. Anthropometric measurements and the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy Development (CAPL-2) were applied. Descriptive statistics and correlations were calculated. The Fitness Perception Scale for Adolescents (FP VAS A) scale was also administered to assess participants’ self-perceived fitness. Results: Moderate significant correlations were found between “physical competence”, “motivation and confidence”, and the total CAPL-2 score with FP VAS A. Conclusions: The influence of motivation on self-perceived fitness has been demonstrated. Moreover, cardiorespiratory fitness could be considered one of the most relevant and influential factors in the total CAPL-2 score. It means that higher levels of self-perceived fitness would be associated with greater levels of physical literacy.
Proteins in Wonderland: The Magical World of Pressure
Authors: Akasaka Kazuyuki , Maeno Akihiro
Published: December 2021

Admitting the “Native”, “Unfolded” and “Fibril” states as the three basic generic states of proteins in nature, each of which is characterized with its partial molar volume, here we predict that the interconversion among these generic states N, U, F may be performed simply by making a temporal excursion into the so called “the high-pressure regime”, created artificially by putting the system under sufficiently high hydrostatic pressure, where we convert N to U and F to U, and then back to “the low-pressure regime” (the “Anfinsen regime”), where we convert U back to N (U→N). Provided that the solution conditions (temperature, pH, etc.) remain largely the same, the idea provides a general method for choosing N, U, or F of a protein, to a great extent at will, assisted by the proper use of the external perturbation pressure. A successful experiment is demonstrated for the case of hen lysozyme, for which the amyloid fibril state F prepared at 1 bar is turned almost fully back into its original native state N at 1 bar by going through the “the high-pressure regime”. The outstanding simplicity and effectiveness of pressure in controlling the conformational state of a protein are expected to have a wide variety of applications both in basic and applied bioscience in the future.
Ecological-Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) in Aquatic Sediments from the ASEAN-5 Emerging Developing Countries: A Review and Synthesis
Authors: Yap Chee Kong , Al-Mutairi Khalid Awadh
Published: December 2021

The ASEAN-5 countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as a group is an ever-increasing major economy developmental hub in Asia besides having wealthy natural resources. However, heavy metal (HM) pollution in the region is of increasing environmental and public concern. This study aimed to review and compile the concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn in the aquatic sediments of the ASEAN-5 countries published in the literature from 1981 to February 2021. The mean values of Cu, Pb, and Zn in aquatic sediments were elevated and localized in high human activity sites and compared to the earth’s upper continental crust and reference values. Based on 176 reports from 113 publications, the ranges of concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) were 0.09–3080 for Cu, 0.37–4950 for Zn, and 0.07–2666 for Pb. The ecological risk (ER) values ranged from 0.02–1077 for Cu, 0.01–95.2 for Zn, and 0.02–784 for Pb. All reports (100%) showed the Zn ER values were categorized as being between ‘low potential ecological risk’ and ‘considerable potential ecological risk’. Almost all Cu ER values (97.7%) also showed similar ranges of the above two risk categories except for a few reports. The highest Cu level (3080 mg/kg dry weight) was reported from a mine-tailing spill in Marinduque Island of the Philippines with ‘very high ecological risk’. In addition, drainage sediments in the western part of Peninsular Malaysia were categorized as Cu ’high potential ecological risk’. Almost all reports (96%) showed Pb ER values categorized as between ‘low potential ecological risk’ and ‘moderate potential ecological risk’ except for a few reports. Six reports showed Pb ER values of ‘considerable potential ecological risk’, while one report from Semarang (Indonesia) showed Pb ER of ‘very high ecological risk’ (Pb level of 2666 mg/kg dry weight). For the ingestion and dermal contact pathways for sediments from the ASEAN-5 countries, all non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) values (HI values 1.0) for Cu, Pb, and Zn reflected no NCR. The ER and human health risk assessment of Cu, Pb, and Zn were compared in an integrative and accurate manner after we reassessed the HM data mentioned in the literature. The synthesis carried out in this review provided the basis for us to consider Cu, Pb, and Zn as being of localized elevated levels. This provided evidence for the ASEAN-5 group of countries to be considered as being a new socio-economic corridor. Beyond any reasonable doubt, an ever-increasing anthropogenic input of HMs is to be expected to a certain degree. We believe that this paper provides the most fundamental useful baseline data for the future management and sustainable development of the aquatic ecosystems in the region. Lastly, we claim that this review is currently the most up-to-date review on this topic in the literature.
Dysregulation of DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Clocks in Prostate Cancer among Puerto Rican Men
Authors: Berglund Anders , Matta Jaime , Encarnación-Medina Jarline , Ortiz-Sanchéz Carmen , Dutil Julie , Linares Raymond , Marcial Joshua , Abreu-Takemura Caren , Moreno Natasha , Putney Ryan , Chakrabarti Ratna , Lin Hui-Yi , Yamoah Kosj , Osterman Carlos Diaz , Wang Liang , Dhillon Jasreman , Kim Youngchul , Kim Seung Joon , Ruiz-Deya Gilberto , Park Jong Y.
Published: December 2021

In 2021, approximately 248,530 new prostate cancer (PCa) cases are estimated in the United States. Hispanic/Latinos (H/L) are the second largest racial/ethnic group in the US. The objective of this study was to assess DNA methylation patterns between aggressive and indolent PCa along with ancestry proportions in 49 H/L men from Puerto Rico (PR). Prostate tumors were classified as aggressive (n = 17) and indolent (n = 32) based on the Gleason score. Genomic DNA samples were extracted by macro-dissection. DNA methylation patterns were assessed using the Illumina EPIC DNA methylation platform. We used ADMIXTURE to estimate global ancestry proportions. We identified 892 differentially methylated genes in prostate tumor tissues as compared with normal tissues. Based on an epigenetic clock model, we observed that the total number of stem cell divisions (TNSC) and stem cell division rate (SCDR) were significantly higher in tumor than adjacent normal tissues. Regarding PCa aggressiveness, 141 differentially methylated genes were identified. Ancestry proportions of PR men were estimated as African, European, and Indigenous American; these were 24.1%, 64.2%, and 11.7%, respectively. The identification of DNA methylation profiles associated with risk and aggressiveness of PCa in PR H/L men will shed light on potential mechanisms contributing to PCa disparities in PR population.
Correction: Freischem et al. Interaction Mode of the Novel Monobactam AIC499 Targeting Penicillin Binding Protein 3 of Gram-Negative Bacteria. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 1057
Authors: Freischem Stefan , Grimm Immanuel , López-Pérez Arancha , Willbold Dieter , Klenke Burkhard , Vuong Cuong , Dingley Andrew J. , Weiergräber Oliver H.
Published: December 2021

In the original article [...]
Deep Phenotypic Characterisation of CTCs by Combination of Microfluidic Isolation (IsoFlux) and Imaging Flow Cytometry (ImageStream)
Authors: Ruiz-Rodríguez Antonio J. , Molina-Vallejo Maria P. , Aznar-Peralta Inés , González Puga Cristina , Cañas García Inés , González Encarna , Lorente Jose A. , Serrano M. Jose , Garrido-Navas M. Carmen
Published: December 2021

The isolation of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) mostly relies on the expression of epithelial markers such as EpCAM, and phenotypic characterisation is usually performed under fluorescence microscopy with only one or two additional markers. This limits the ability to detect different CTC subpopulations based on multiple markers. The aim of this work was to develop a novel protocol combining two platforms (IsoFluxTM and ImageStream®X) to improve CTC evaluation. Cancer cell lines and peripheral blood from healthy donors were used to evaluate the efficiency of each platform independently and in combination. Peripheral blood was extracted from 16 early CRC patients (before loco-regional surgery) to demonstrate the suitability of the protocol for CTC assessment. Additionally, peripheral blood was extracted from nine patients one month after surgery to validate the utility of our protocol for identifying CTC subpopulation changes over time. Results: Our protocol had a mean recovery efficiency of 69.5% and a limit of detection of at least four cells per millilitre. We developed an analysis method to reduce noise from magnetic beads used for CTC isolation. CTCs were isolated from CRC patients with a median of 37 CTCs (IQ 13.0–85.5) at baseline. CTCs from CRC patients were significantly (p < 0.0001) larger than cytokeratin (CK)-negative cells, and patients were stratified into two groups based on BRAFV600E and PD-L1 expression on CK-positive cells. The changes observed over time included not only the number of CTCs but also their distribution into four different subpopulations defined according to BRAFV600E and PD-L1 positivity. We developed a novel protocol for semi-automatic CTC isolation and phenotypic characterisation by combining two platforms. Assessment of CTCs from early CRC patients using our protocol allowed the identification of two clusters of patients with changing phenotypes over time.
Bile Acid Dysregulation Is Intrinsically Related to Cachexia in Tumor-Bearing Mice
Authors: Thibaut Morgane M. , Gillard Justine , Dolly Adeline , Roumain Martin , Leclercq Isabelle A. , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Muccioli Giulio G. , Bindels Laure B.
Published: December 2021

Bile acids exert diverse actions on host metabolism and immunity through bile acid-activated receptors, including Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5). We have recently evidenced an alteration in bile acids in cancer cachexia, an inflammatory and metabolic syndrome contributing to cancer death. This current study aims to further explore the links emerging between bile acids and cancer cachexia. First, we showed that bile flow is reduced in cachectic mice. Next, comparing mice inoculated with cachexia-inducing and with non-cachexia-inducing C26 colon carcinoma cells, we demonstrated that alterations in the bile acid pathways and profile are directly associated with cachexia. Finally, we performed an interventional study using ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a compound commonly used in hepatobiliary disorders, to induce bile acid secretion and decrease inflammation. We found that UDCA does not improve hepatic inflammation and worsens muscle atrophy in cachectic mice. This exacerbation of the cachectic phenotype upon UDCA was accompanied by a decreased TGR5 activity, suggesting that TGR5 agonists, known to reduce inflammation in several pathological conditions, could potentially counteract cachectic features. This work brings to light major evidence sustaining the emerging links between bile acids and cancer cachexia and reinforces the interest in studying bile acid-activated receptors in this context.
GPR87 Promotes Metastasis through the AKT-eNOS-NO Axis in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ahn Hye-Mi , Choi Eun-Young , Kim Youn-Jae
Published: December 2021

Lung adenocarcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Despite the availability of advanced anticancer drugs for lung cancer treatment, the prognosis of patients still remains poor. There is a need to explore novel oncogenic mechanisms to overcome these therapeutic limitations. The functional experiments in vitro and in vivo were performed to evaluate the role of GPR87 expression on lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. The public lung adenocarcinoma dataset was used to determine the clinical relevance of GPR87 expression in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. GPR87 is upregulated in various cancer; however, the biological function of GPR87 has not yet been established in lung adenocarcinoma. In this study, we found that GPR87 expression is upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Additionally, we showed that GPR87 overexpression promotes invasiveness and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that AKT-eNOS-NO signaling is a novel downstream pathway of GPR87 in lung adenocarcinoma. Conversely, we confirmed that silencing of GPR87 expression suppressed these phenotypes. Our results reveal the oncogenic function of GPR87 in cancer progression and metastasis through the activation of eNOS as a key mediator. Therefore, we propose that targeting eNOS could be a novel therapeutic strategy to improve the clinical treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.
Autophagy and ncRNAs: Dangerous Liaisons in the Crosstalk between the Tumor and Its Microenvironment
Authors: Eng Gracie Wee Ling , Zheng Yilong , Yap Dominic Wei Ting , Teo Andrea York Tiang , Cheong Jit Kong
Published: December 2021

Autophagy is a fundamental cellular homeostasis mechanism known to play multifaceted roles in the natural history of cancers over time. It has recently been shown that autophagy also mediates the crosstalk between the tumor and its microenvironment by promoting the export of molecular payloads such as non-coding RNA (ncRNAs) via LC3-dependent Extracellular Vesicle loading and secretion (LDELS). In turn, the dynamic exchange of exosomal ncRNAs regulate autophagic responses in the recipient cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME), for both tumor and stromal cells. Autophagy-dependent phenotypic changes in the recipient cells further enhance tumor growth and metastasis, through diverse biological processes, including nutrient supplementation, immune evasion, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. In this review, we discuss how the feedforward autophagy-ncRNA axis orchestrates vital communications between various cell types within the TME ecosystem to promote cancer progression.
Director Fluctuations in Two-Dimensional Liquid Crystal Disclinations
Authors: Stenull Olaf , Lubensky Tom C.
Published: December 2021

We present analytical calculations of the energies and eigenfunctions of all normal modes of excitation of charge +1 two-dimensional splay (bend) disclinations confined to an annular region with inner radius R1 and outer radius R2 and with perpendicular (tangential) boundary conditions on the region’s inner and outer perimeters. Defects such as these appear in islands in smectic-C films and can in principle be created in bolaamphiphilic nematic films. Under perpendicular boundary conditions on the two surfaces and when the ratio β=Ks/Kb of the splay to bend 2D Frank constants is less than one, the splay configuration is stable for all values μ=R2/R1. When β>1, the splay configuration is stable only for μ less than a critical value μc(β), becoming unstable to a “spiral” mixed splay-bend configuration for μ>μc. The same behavior occurs in trapped bend defects with tangential boundary conditions but with Ks and Kb interchanged. By calculating free energies, we verify that the transition from a splay or bend configuration to a mixed one is continuous. We discuss the differences between our calculations that yield expressions for experimentally observable excitation energies and other calculations that produce the same critical points and spiral configurations as ours but not the same excitation energies. We also calculate measurable correlation functions and associated decay times of angular fluctuations.