bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis on molecular targets and mechanisms of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: yang yanni , aihaiti yirixiati , xu peng , zheng haishi
Published: April 2021

Purpose:To explore the potential target proteins underlying the effect of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix(APR) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a network pharmacology and molecular docking approach .Methods:First, the active components and target proteins of APR and RA related disease targets were obtained from the TCMSP, Gene Card,OMIM,DisGeNET and STRING databases. Then the active ingredient target in the RA network diagram was drawn using Cytoscape 3.7.1 software. Protein-protein interaction analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analyses were carried out using the STRING and David databases. The crystal structures of RA related targets were retrieved from the RCSB PDB database. Finally, the potential active compounds and their related targets were validated using molecular docking technology.Results: Five active components of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix(APR) were screened out, including ammidin, isoimperatorin, beta-sitosterol, O-acetylcolumbianetin and angelicone and 80 key targets including MAPK8,EGFR,PTGS2,CASPASE3,MTOR,SRC,KDR,MAPK1,NOS3 and MAPK14, etc were obtained. GO enrichment analysis showed that 222 biological processes, 34 cell components and 72 molecular functions were identified; KEGG analysis showed that the targets of APR in the treatment of RA were significantly enriched in pathways in cancer, the PI3K−Akt signaling pathway, Proteoglycans in cancer, osteoclast differentiation, neuroactive ligand−receptor interaction, tuberculosis,TNF signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse, Rap1 signaling pathway,cAMP signaling pathway. The results of molecular docking showed that ammidin, isoimperatorin, beta-sitosterol, O-acetylcolumbianetin and angelicone had strong affinity for PTGS2, EGFR and MAPK8.Conclusion: APR treats RA through the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway regulation.
Using Iron Bio-Fortified Beans To Control Iron Deficiency Anaemia Among Children 6-59 Months In Rural Uganda
Authors: Nuwahereza Christinah , Kamukama Saul , Kayemba Christine Nalwadda , Obai Gerald
Published: April 2021

Objectives To establish the association between consumption of iron bio-fortified beans and iron deficiency anaemia among children aged 6-59 months in Isingiro district rural Uganda.Design A cross sectional study was conducted in Isingiro District, Western Uganda in May 2019 among 499 participants (Child- mothers). Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on the child health status, demographics as well as dietary history. In addition, blood samples were collected from a finger prick and tested for heamoglobin levels using hemocue 301 and data was analysed using STATA Setting This was a community based study in rural Uganda.Participants A total of 499 children aged 6-59 months and their mothers/main caretakers in Isingiro district rural Uganda were recruited. Results Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was at 39.3% while prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was 26.3%. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was protective against iron deficiency anaemia (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio = 0.66, 95% CI 0.46, 0.96), dietary diversity (APR= 0.57, 95% CI 0.33, 0.86), mothers’ occupation (APR= 0.62, 95% CI 0.43, 0.90), child age (APR= 0.38, 95% CI 0.18, 0.84).Conclusions This study found that, more than a third of the participants were consuming iron bio-fortified beans and more than a quarter of the participants suffered from iron deficiency anaemia with most cases being mild anaemia. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was associated with mother’s occupation and main source of beans. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was associated with prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among children aged 6-59months and we are not able to conclude that it was protective against anaemia because of the study design. There were other factors that were associated with iron deficiency anaemia such as, dietary diversity, child age, and mother’s occupation. Therefore from this study we conclude that reducing anaemia in this study area requires a multi sectoral approach so as to improve dietary diversity and livelihoods.
How Does Tobacco Dependence Affect Determinants Related to Quitting Intention and Behaviour? Application of Protection Motivation Theory
Authors: LIN Hao-xiang , CHEN Meijun , ZHENG Yunting , YUN Qingping , ZHANG Lanchao , CHANG Chun
Published: April 2021

Objective: This study used the PMT to examine the psychological-level predictors of quitting intention and behaviour with varying levels of nicotine dependence, with the goal of providing valuable evidence to promote theory-guided cessation interventions.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted from July to August 2020. Participants were randomly selected on the street in 26 provinces in mainland China. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Our data analysis was conducted in three steps. First, we employed descriptive statistics to present the overall characteristics of our sample. Second, we analysed the association between PMT constructs and quitting intention stratified by nicotine dependence. Third, we tested how quitting intention predicted quitting behaviour in each subgroup used logistic regression models.Results: For intention, almost all the PMT constructs were significant predictors of quitting intention in the low-dependence group. There is no variable had a positive influence on quitting intention for the high-dependence group. For behaviour, quitting intention (OR=4.90, 95%CI:2.99-8.05) and nicotine dependence (OR=4.58, 95%CI:1.01-20.82) and e-cigarette use (OR=2.95, 95%CI:1.84-4.73) were significantly associated with quitting behaviour in full sample regression. However, in subsample regression, we only found a significant association between quitting intention and behaviour in the low-dependence and moderate-dependence group. In addition, We only found a significant association between e-cigarette use and quitting behaviour in the low-dependence group (Coef.=1.41, P<0.01).Conclusions: Smokers with different nicotine dependence levels have different psychological predictors of quitting intention. Quitting intention was significantly associated with quitting behaviour only for the low and moderate nicotine dependence group. Our findings highlight the importance of providing accessible and affordable intensive smoking cessation interventions or smoking cessation medications for high-dependence smokers, and thus, more convincing research is necessary to determine how e-cigarette use affects quitting behaviour in long term.
Hyperuricemia Is an Independent Risk Factor of the Erectile Dysfunction: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Wenting , Jing Zhaohai , Liu Wei , Zhu Lin , Ren Hongsheng , Hou Xu
Published: April 2021

Background and Aims: Serum uric acid can affect endothelial function, and hyperuricemia-induced endothelial dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. As endothelial dysfunction is also a main pathogenic mechanism of erectile dysfunction (ED), the present study aims to evaluate the relationship between hyperuricemia and ED via systemic review and meta-analysis.Methods: Five cohort studies and five cross-sectional studies on hyperuricemia and ED, including a total of 454256 participants, were recruited. Odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) were adopted to estimate the relationship between hyperuricemia and ED. Overall risk were effects of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) analyzed. In addition, subgroup analyses on study design, populations, age stratification and the object were conducted.Results: In the patients with hyperuricemia, the risk of ED was 1.55-fold higher than (pooled OR=1.55, 95%CI (1.24,1.94)) the non-hyperuricemia counterparts. urate-lowing therapy (ULT) in these hyperuricemia patients reduced the risk of ED by 27% (OR=1.27, 95%CI (1.14,1.41)). After subgroup analysis and meta-regression, the association between hyperuricemia and ED remained significant apart from in the ≥55y subgroup.Conclusions: Hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor of ED, while ULT can reduce the risk of ED in hyperuricemia. This study suggests that hyperuricemia-associated endothelial dysfunction may also underlie the pathogenesis of ED in these patients.
Construction and Validation of a Prognostic Prediction Model for Gastric Cancer Using a Series of Genes Related to Lactate Metabolism
Authors: Wang Siyu , Wang Yuxin , Wang Xin , Yuan Shuqiang
Published: April 2021

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the most common clinical malignant tumors worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. The commonly used TNM staging and some common biomarkers have a certain value in predicting the prognosis of GC patients, but they gradually failed to meet the clinical demands. Therefore, we aim to construct a prognostic prediction model for GC patients.Methods: A total of 350 cases were included as TCGA-STAD entire cohort, including TCGA-STAD training cohort (n=176) and TCGA-STAD testing cohort (n=174). GSE15459 (n=191), GSE62254 (n=300) and some cases in our center (n=12) were for external validation.Results: Through differential expression analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis in TCGA-STAD training cohort, we screened out 5 genes among 600 genes related to lactate metabolism for the construction of our prognostic prediction model. The internal and external validations showed the same result, that is, patients with higher risk score were associated with poor prognosis (all P<0.05), and our model works well without regard of patients' age, gender, tumor grade, clinical stage or TNM stage, which supports the availability, validity and stability of our model. Gene function analysis, tumor-infiltrating immune cells analysis, tumor microenvironment analysis and clinical treatment exploration were performed to improve the practicability of the model, and hope to provide a new basis for more in-depth study of the molecular mechanism for GC and for clinicians to formulate more reasonable and individualized treatment plans.Conclusions: We screened out and used 5 genes related to lactate metabolism to develop a prognostic prediction model for GC patients based on them. The prediction performance of the model is confirmed by a series of bioinformatics and statistical analysis.
Masters of the Manipulator? A Comparative Genomics Study of Niveomyces gen. nov. and Two New Species of Mycoparasites Associated with Ophiocordyceps Camponoti-Floridani
Authors: Lebert Brittany M , Araújo João P.M. , Linehan Sara R , Ohm Robin A , Brachmann Andreas , de Bekker Charissa
Published: April 2021

Fungal hyperparasites can impact ecosystem composition and disease dynamics by modulating their parasite hosts’ population size and transmission rate. Despite their perceived ecosystem impacts and potential to be applied in disease control efforts, hyperparasites are vastly understudied. In this integrative study we formally describe a new genus and two new mycoparasite species that infect the fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani, which manipulates the behavior of Florida carpenter ants. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that both fungal hyperparasites are distinct species within the families Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae. The unique morphology, ecology and phylogenetic placement of the Cordycipitaceae species supports its placement in a new genus, Niveomyces. Our field data alludes that both new species, Niveomyces ophiocordycipitis and Polycephalomyces oviedoensis, negatively impact O. camponoti-floridani survival and transmission. Moreover, their macromorphology, along with our field data, suggest that these hyperparasites live an exclusively mycoparasitic lifestyle and do not infect, nor decompose O. camponoti-floridani’s ant host. To find genome signatures that would further confirm their mycoparasitism, we sequenced and annotated both species’ genomes. We then compared the N. ophiocordycipitis and P. oviedoensis genomes to those of other mycoparasites, animal parasites, plant parasites, and saprophytes within the order Hypocreales and searched for previously reported mycoparasite genome signatures. However, our analyses indicate that these signatures are not greatly informative when expanding the number of genomes and lifestyles beyond those of previous studies, using the genome data that is currently available. This highlights the need for additional mycoparasite genomes within the order Hypocreales, as well as data on more closely related animal parasites. As such, this work contributes a starting point for more studies into fungal interactions between mycoparasites and entomopathogens, which have the potential to contribute important knowledge towards efforts to battle the global rise of plant and animal mycoses.
[18F] FDG PET/CT and Head and Neck MRI in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Moroccan Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Gihbid Amina , Salhi Ghofrane Cherkaoui , alami Imane El , Belgadir Hasnaa , Ibnohoud Jaafar , Khaali Wafa , Tawfiq Nezha , Benchakroun Nadia , Bendahhou Karima , Benider Abdellatif , Mzibri Mohammed El , Cadi Rachida , Benna Naima El , Guensi Amal , Khyatti Meriem
Published: April 2021

Purpose: While nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) management in Morocco is still based on conventional work-ups: a head and neck computed tomography (HN-CT), thoracic and abdominal CT and bone scan, the combination of HN magnetic resonance imaging (HN-MRI) and 2-Deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F] FDG PET/CT) is now widely used in the diagnostic and follow-up of this malignancy.Methods: In this prospective study, [18F] FDG PET/CT and HN-MRI outcomes of 117 NPC patients diagnosed between January 2017 and December 2018 were investigated in order to assess their usefulness in routine management of Moroccan patients with NPC. The concordance between HN-MRI and [18F] FDG PET/CT in Tumor (T) and Nodal (N) classification was assessed and the association between [18F] FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters (Tumor- maximum standardized uptake value (T-SUV max), Nodal (N-SUV max), node-to-tumor SUV ratio (NTR) and distant metastasis (M-SUV max), TNM staging system, NPC stages and patient’s survival outcomes was evaluated. Results: Our results showed a moderate concordance between T-TEP and T-MRI categories with a Cohen kappa coefficient (k) at 0.45, and a mediocre concordance between N-TEP and N-MRI (k=0.3). Metabolic parameters of the [18F] FDG PET/CT were assessed; N-SUV max values were significantly higher in patients with advanced nodal involvement, with a mean of 7.4, 9.7 and 11.0 for patients with N1, N2 and N3 nodal categories, respectively (p<0.05). overall, N-SUV max, NTR were independent prognostic markers for overall survival and progression free survival in Moroccan NPC patients (p<0.05).Conclusion: Our findings provide additional evidence into the complementary roles of HN-MRI and [18F] FDG PET/CT in TNM and overall staging of NPC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Moroccan study to highlight N-SUV max and NTR derived from [18F] FDG-PET/CT as promising metabolic biomarkers for NPC prognosis.
Construction of Aluminum Alloy Constitutive Model Based on BP Neural Network and the Study of Non-isothermal Hydroforming
Authors: Liu Xiao Jing , Ma Xue Feng , Li Chao , Qin Jin , Chen Peng
Published: April 2021

With the continuous development of high-end technology in aerospace and automotive, in order to meet the needs of high performance, high precision and lightweight of parts, the materials used are lightweight and strong, but very difficult to deform, so it is difficult to obtain high-quality, high-precision parts. In order to improve the forming quality and precision of parts, taking 6061-T6 aluminum alloy cylindrical cup with spherical bottom as the research object, the non-isothermal hydroforming process is studied by combining numerical simulation with experiment. The key of numerical simulation technology lies in the accuracy of simulation, which depends on the establishment of a suitable rheological stress relationship. So, a constitutive model that can truly reflect the thermoforming characteristics of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy materials is established through a uniaxial tensile test and BP neural network. Applying the constitutive model to the study of numerical simulation of non-isothermal hydroforming, the cylindrical cup with spherical bottom with high quality is obtained through the optimization of non-isothermal process parameters. After experimental verification, the results of numerical simulation are highly compatible with the actual forming results of parts, and have high reliability.
Optimal Subsampling Methods in Bike Sharing Data Analysis
Authors: Zhao Xiaofeng
Published: April 2021

Bike sharing system are popular around the world. Traditional bike sharing system require the bikes to be returned to fixed stations, while morden system allows users to leave bikes wherever they like, ready for the next user to pick them up. Smartphone use GPS signal to keep track of its bikes and monitor where most bikes are used and where to place them. Smartphone simultaneously collect many other information such as weather condition, temperature and so on, these features have influence on the delivering amount of bikes. Due to the extensive number of smartphone users, big data technique is requried to handle this situation. We apply subsample method to this smartphone collected big data. In this paper, we derive non-uniform sampling distributions and propose optimal subsampling algorithm. We apply the proposed optimal subsampling algorithm to analyze the smartphone collected bike sharing data set, perfrom extensive computer experiments to evaluate the numerical performance of the proposed sampling algorithm. Our results indicated that the proposed optimal algorithm outperformed the uniform method and have faster running time than using the whole data set.
Stronger Educational Performance in Early Life Correlates with Higher Cancer Risk, Lower Dementia Risk and Lower All-cause Mortality in Later Life – but Why?
Authors: Mayburd Anatoly
Published: April 2021

Better functioning nervous system stimulates other organs, promoting longevity. As a trade-off, this stimulation may result in enhanced oncogenesis. This hypothesis was tested by analyzing factors reflecting cognitive score and academic performance, Educational performance emerged as a universal independent negative correlate for most of comorbidities, except cancer, that forms a positive correlate. More educated individuals demonstrate more aggressive neoplasia and cancer patients demonstrate lesser mental and physical decline as compared with controls. Cognitive stability and high cognitive score were the statistically strongest anti-correlates of all-cause mortality, pointing to neurological health as the principal mediator of survival. The patients remaining clinically normal despite decreased cognitive scores demonstrated anomalously low mortality (~2.5% annual in the 90 years old). Such “dementia resister” phenotype was more prevalent in the higher education cohorts, which also demonstrated a delayed aging rate. Remaining life expectancy was linearly proportional to the baseline cognitive score. We proposed that systemic non-trauma mobilization of stem-cell activity by CNS acts as a permanent regenerative endogenous factor with the trade-off of increased cancer risk due to similar interactions with cancer stem cells. Novel markers of mortality risk can follow as practical applications.
Comparison of Hospital- and Community-Acquired Septic Shock in Children: A Single-Center, Cohort, Retrospective Study
Authors: Su Guoyun , Fan Chaonan , Fang Boliang , Xie Zhengde , Qian Suyun
Published: April 2021

Background

To explore differences between hospital- (HASS) and community-acquired septic shock (CASS) in patient characteristics, pathogens, complications, outcomes, and risk factors in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) children.
Methods

This retrospective study enrolled septic shock children from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019. The patients were followed up until 28 days after shock or death and were divided into HASS and CASS groups. After comparison, logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for mortality.
Results

A total of 298 children were enrolled. 65.9% of HASS patients (N = 91) had hematological/tumor diseases and were mainly bloodstream infections of Gram-negative bacteria (47.3%). 67.7% of CASS (N = 207) had no obvious underlying disease and were mostly infected with Gram-positive bacteria (30.9%) of the respiratory or central nervous system. 28-day mortality was 62.6% and 32.7% in HASS and CASS groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The factor associated with 28-day mortality of HASS and CASS was MODS (OR:11.524; 95% CI: 2.140-62.051) and needed invasive mechanical ventilation therapy (OR:6.884; 95% CI: 1.499–31.624), respectively.
Conclusions

The underlying diseases, pathogens, complications, prognosis and mortality varied widely. 28-day mortality is associated with MODS and need for invasive mechanical ventilation therapy in HASS and CASS patients.
Proteomics and liquid biopsy characterization of human EMT-related metastasis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yan Linhai , Ru Hai-Ming , Mo Si-Si , Wei Chun-Yin , Li Dai-Mou , Zhang Di , Yuan Hao , Mo Xian-Wei , Tang Wei-Zhong
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the heterogeneity of EMT possibly affects colorectal cancer metastasis (mCRC) evolution. The aim of this study was to identify novel metastasis-related proteins and EMT-related pathways.Methods: The EMT status of the CTCs derived from CRC patients with liver metastasis was determined on the basis of surface markers. Comparative proteomic analysis was then performed on matched pairs of primary tumors, adjacent para-tumor and liver metastases tissues. An optimized proteomic workflow including data independent acquisition (DIA) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was used to screen for novel EMT-related protein clusters. Results: The proportion of the unstable epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M)-type CTCs correlated significantly with distant metastases. We screened 105 proteins related to EMT from 4,752 proteins identified in all samples, of which 40 proteins were differentially expressed across the different tissues. We identified a novel EMT-related protein cluster (e.g., GNG2, COL6A1, COL6A2, DCN, COL6A3, LAMB2, TNXB, CAVIN1) and found that the expression levels of the core EMT-related proteins KRAS and ERBB2 were altered during metastasis progression. The proteomics data indicated that KRAS, ERBB2, COL6A1 and CAVIN1 are promising EMT-related metastatic biomarkers.Conclusions: The plasticity of EMT phenotypes in the CTCs are key to CRC metastasis, prognosis and treatment outcome. Therapies targeting this aggressive CTC subset and the related proteins may suppress metastatic evolution.
Effect of the outbreak of horse-chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimić) on tree-ring width in common horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.)
Authors: Cedro Anna , Nowak Grzegorz
Published: April 2021

Common horse-chestnut is frequently infested by the insect pest horse-chestnut leaf miner [HCLM; Cameraria ohridella (Deschka & Dimić, 1986), Gracillariidae, Lepidoptera]. The larvae, feeding on leaf parenchyma, cause browning and dehydration of leaves, which may be shed as early as in summer. The major aims of this study were: (1) to assess the effect of infestation by HCLM on ring-width dynamics in common horse-chestnut; (2) to determine the date of invasion of the pest; and (3) to compare the growth-climate response in the period before and after the invasion of HCLM. In 2017 in north-western Poland, samples from 30 horse-chestnut trees for the dendrochronological analysis were taken with help of a Pressler increment borer. The ring-width chronology was developed using standard dendrochronological methods. Dendroclimatological analyses were made in 2 periods: before the determined date of HCLM invasion (till the year 1999) and after the invasion (in 20002016). In 2000, in spite of favourable weather conditions, a reduced growth rate was observed in 91% of the analysed trees. The period of strong reductions lasted till 2010. Before the invasion, radial growth rate was dependent on temperature and precipitation in May and June of the current year, whereas after the invasion, the growth-climate response was dependent on temperature and precipitation in the preceding year and the correlation was stronger. Surprisingly, in recent years (2011–2016), in spite of infestation by HCLM every year, the health condition of the analysed trees has improved and tree-ring width has increased.
Mitigation of turbulence-induced scintillation and ASE noise using aperture averaging based on hybrid DPPM and OOK modulation of FSO systems
Authors: Elsayed Ebrahim E.
Published: April 2021

The performance evaluation of free-space optical (FSO) communication using a digital pulse position modulation (DPPM) is investigated in this paper. The impact of atmospheric turbulence, scintillation and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise has been taken into account. To reduce the turbulence-induced scintillation and optical power penalty, the use aperture averaging (AA) has been proposed in this paper. To evaluate the bit-error rate (BER) performance in the presence the atmospheric turbulence and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), the use of the moment generation function (MGF) techniques are explained with the modified Chernoff bound (MCB) that is more accurate and an appropriate from Chernoff bound (CB). Such a system, which could provide a power efficient, a low cost, excessive flexibility and reliable or considered a massive solution in the bandwidth provision for future access networks, and together for higher data rate. The BER, are given for an optically preamplified DPPM FSO communication system impaired by pointing error (PE) and atmospheric turbulence combined, in addition to the ASE noise arising from the optical amplification. The gamma–gamma (GG) distribution model is used to characterize the whole range of turbulence conditions. The results reveal the superiority of DPPM with improved receiver sensitivity (at a binary data rate 2.5 Gbps and at typical FSO BER of 10 ^-9) of about 10 dB –11 dB for coding level (M) of 5 and optical link length (for turbulent interaction) of 2000 m more than an equivalent optically preamplified on-off keying non-return-to-zero (OOK-NRZ) approach, depending on the level of turbulence.
Cognıtıve Assessment of Young Adults Before and After Inıtıatıon of Combınatıon Antıretrovıral Therapy
Authors: Gül Özlem , Gündüz Alper , Sevgi Dilek Yıldız , Uzun Nuray , Dökmetaş İlyas
Published: April 2021

Background: This study aimed to evaluate cognitive functions and the factors affecting them in naive HIV-positive patients by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test before and after the initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy. Method: HIV-positive, treatment-naive patients monitored between January-June 2017 were included in the study. MoCA test was performed at the beginning and the 6th month of the treatment.Findings: Forty male patients were included in the study. The mean age was calculated as 29.1±4.0. When the factors affecting the MoCA score were examined, there was a significant relationship between the education level and the MoCA score. Smoking ,alcohol and substance did not have a meaningful impact on baseline MoCA values. A significant correlation was found between CD4 count and HIV RNA level and attention function. There was a significant increase in the total MoCA score and the MoCA subgroup scores at the end of the 6th month of the treatmentConclusion: MoCA test is one of the practical tests that can be applied in a short time period and it was found useful in evaluating the changes in the cognitive functions of HIV positive patients during antiretroviral treatment.
Glycerol promoted the anaerobic production of rhamnolipids by different Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains
Authors: Zhao Feng , Zheng Mengyao , Cui Qingfeng
Published: April 2021

Background: Rhamnolipids is the most widely studied and applied biosurfactants. The anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids has important research and practical significance, such as meeting the in situ production of biosurfactant in anoxic environments and the foamless fermentation of biosurfactants. A few studies have reported the anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids from rare Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. What did promote the anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids, the specificity of the rare strains or the effect of specific substrates? Here, anaerobic production of rhamnolipids by different P. aeruginosa strains was investigated using diverse substrates. The anaerobic biosynthesis mechanism of rhamnolipids were also discussed from the substrate point of view.Results: All P. aeruginosa strains anaerobically grew well using the tested substrates. But all P. aeruginosa strains anaerobically produced rhamnolipids only using substrates containing glycerol and nitrate. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis confirmed the anaerobic production of rhamnolipids from all P. aeruginosa strains. All the anaerobically produced rhamnolipids decreased air-water surface tension from 72.6 mN/m to below 29.0 mN/m and emulsified crude oil with EI24 above 65%. Using crude glycerol as low-cost substrate, all P. aeruginosa strains can anaerobically grow and produce rhamnolipids to reduce the culture surface tension below 35 mN/m. The glycerol metabolic intermediate, 1, 2-propylene glycol, can also achieve the anaerobic production of rhamnolipids by all P. aeruginosa strains.Conclusions: Not the specificity of the rare P. aeruginosa strains but the effect of specific substrates promote the anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids by P. aeruginosa. Glycerol and nitrate are the excellent substrates for anaerobic production of rhamnolipids from all P. aeruginosa strains. Results indicated that glycerol metabolism involveed the anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids in P. aeruginosa. Results also showed the feasibility of using crude glycerol as low cost substrate to anaerobically biosynthesize rhamnolipids by P. aeruginosa.
The 1958-62 Chinese Famine and Its Impact on Ethnic Minorities
Authors: Bianco Lucien
Published: April 2021

China underwent its most murderous famine between 1958 and 1962. Although a demographic transition from the countryside to the cities was in its early stage and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was among the lowest in the world, objective conditions were far less decisive than Chinese Communist Party (CCP) policies in bringing about the famine. A development strategy copied on the Soviet model favoured quick industrialization at the expense of rural dwellers. Such novelties as people’s communes, communal canteens, and backyard furnaces further aggravated the famine. Though ethnic minorities represented only 6 percent of China’s population, compared to forty-seven percent in the Soviet Union, Soviet nationality policies heavily influenced those of China. Initially mild, especially for Tibetans, Chinese nationality policies became more authoritarian with the advent of the Great Leap Forward in 1958. Qinghai Tibetans resisted the closure of many monasteries; then the same policies, and famine itself, caused a more important rebellion in 1959 in Xizang (Tibet). Repression and the flight of the Dalai Lama to northern India coincided with the end of Tibet’s special status in China.

Internal colonialism did not, however, aggravate the impact of famine on national minorities in China. Their rate of population growth between the first two censuses (1953 and 1982) exceeded that of Han Chinese. Among the provinces most severely affected by famine, only Qinghai was largely inhabited by ethnic minorities. Within Qinghai the same pattern prevailed as in Han populated provinces: the highest toll in famine deaths was concentrated in easily accessible grain surplus areas. The overwhelming majority of victims of the Chinese famine were Han peasants. At most, 5 percent were members of ethnic minorities, compared to eighty percent of victims in the Soviet Union in the period between 1930 and 1933.
Review of Serhii Plokhy. Chernobyl: The History of a Nuclear Catastrophe.
Authors: Newnham Randall E.
Published: April 2021

Book review of Serhii Plokhy. Chernobyl: The History of a Nuclear Catastrophe. Basic Books, 2018. xvi, 406 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Notes. Index. $32.00, cloth.
Review of Guy Russell Torr, translator. Gente Rutheni, Natione Poloni: The Ruthenians of Polish Nationality in Habsburg Galicia. By Adam Świątek.
Authors: Zayarnyuk Andriy
Published: April 2021

Book review of Guy Russell Torr, translator. Gente Rutheni, Natione Poloni: The Ruthenians of Polish Nationality in Habsburg Galicia. By Adam Świątek, with a preface by Frank E. Sysyn, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies P / Księgarnia Akademicka, 2019. The Peter Jacyk Centre for Ukrainian Historical Research Monograph Series 9. 634 pp. Illustrations. Bibliography. List of Illustrations. Indexes. $39.95, paper.
INFLUENCE OF THE COUNTRY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE DEPENDENCE OF THE USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION SECURITY AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF CYBERCRIME
Authors: Yarovenko H.
Published: April 2021

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the volume of cybercrime in various spheres of life at the level of the state, economic agents, and individuals. Therefore, the issues of studying the processes of forming information security and identifying the impact on its effectiveness are becoming topical. The aim of this study is to prove the hypothesis that the behaviour of the population associated with the use of personal security measures and the formation of the corresponding consequences of incidents occurs under the influence of the level of economic development of the country. This was done using k-means cluster analysis via the Deductor Academic analytical platform and based on data from a survey conducted among respondents from EU countries. Analysis of the responses showed that there is a growing trend in the use of online banking and e-commerce services; there is an increase in the number of respondents who have become victims of cybercrimes, especially social engineering; the trend towards the use of reliable personal security equipment is declining. The results of the cluster analysis, for which data on the number of respondents who are victims of cybercrimes and the number of respondents using various personal security tools were used, made it possible to form 7 clusters of countries. Analysis of GDP per capita for the obtained clusters and visualization of the map of countries allowed us to confirm the hypothesis, but it was also determined that the dependence of the use of personal security measures and the consequences of cybercrimes is also influenced by the mental characteristics of countries formed due to the close territorial location of neighboring countries. The results obtained will be of practical importance for the development of the concept of information security and economic development of the state. They can be used to determine which sets of protection are appropriate for the income level of the population. Priority areas for further research are to determine the influence of other factors on the formation of the country's information security and the formation of a barycentric model of their measurements to ensure sustainable economic development of the state.
EARLY AND REMOTE RESPONSE OF HIF-1Α PROTEIN IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS FIELDS TO ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION IN RATS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Nika O.M. , Zaliavska O.V. , Kaushanska O.V.
Published: April 2021

The role of the transcription factor Hif-1α in pathogenesis of hypoxic lesions and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been confirmed, though molecular mechanisms underlying dysfunctions of the factor in the association of DM with ischemic-reperfusion lesion of the brain remain unknown.
Objective: the investigation of Hif-1α protein content in the neurons of the hippocampus fields of rats with experimental DM in the dynamics of ischemic-reperfusion lesion of the brain.
The study was conducted on 60 6-month rats with DM simulated at the age of 2 months by means of a single administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg of the body weight) (Sigma, USA). Disorders of the cerebral circulation were simulated by means of occlusion of both carotid arteries for 20 minutes. The content of Hif1-α protein was determined by means of fluoroimmunoassay after 20-minute ischemia with one hour reperfusion, and on the 12th day of the post-ischemic period in the hippocampus fields: СА1, СА2, СА3, СА4.
In rats without DM 20-minute ischemia with one hour reperfusion increases the content of Hif-1α protein in all the hippocampus fields. On the 12th day of ischemic-reperfusion period in СА2-СА4 hippocampus fields the values of certain examined activity indices of the transcription factor Hif-1α continue to increase, and in СА1 field they are normalized or come closer to the values of animals from the control group. In rats with DM at the early post-ischemic period changes of Hif-1α protein content are lacking in СА1 field, the signs of its reduced activity are found in СА2 field, in СА3 field they are limited by the response of one index, and in СА4 field they are similar to those of the control rats under the experimental conditions. On the 12th day of ischemic-reperfusion period all the activity indices of the transcription factor Hif-1α increase in СА1 filed. They are higher than the corresponding indices in animals from the control group by absolute values under similar experimental conditions; changes of the examined parameters are limited in СА2 and СА3 fields in comparison with those from the control group; the parameters, which increased in the control group of animals, decreased in СА4 field.
DM restricts Hif-1α protein response to ischemia-reperfusion in the neurons of СА1-СА3 field at the early ischemic-reperfusion period and in the neurons of СА2-СА4 fields — on the 12th day of the observation.
Relationship between physical development indicators and blood pressure level in school-age children
Authors: Nechytailo D.Yu. , Nechytailo Yu.N. , Miheeva T.N. , Nechytailo О.Yu.
Published: April 2021

In the study, 848 school age children were examined. They were divided into 3 groups: the first group consisted of 182 children with arterial hypertension, the second group – 78 children with prehypertension and the control group – 588 children with normal blood pressure level. The physical development of children was assessed according to the generally accepted unified method. The blood pressure level was measured with an automatic tonometer three times, with the calculation of the average value. The results were assessed using percentile tables. Statistical processing of the data obtained was carried using Microsoft Office Excel and Statistica 10.0 programs.
When analyzing anthropometric indicators, it was found that the Z-index of the body mass index in children of the first group was significantly higher than that in children with normal blood pressure. There was a difference in the circumference of the waist and hips as compared with children from the second and control groups. Based on the study results an epidemiological analysis of statistical processing was carried out and it was found that overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for the development of arterial hypertension (OR = 3.36; RR = 2.50; specificity = 0.81; sensitivity = 0.43).
The results of the correlative and cluster analyses suggest the relationship between physical development indicators and the level of blood pressure in schoolchildren.
Assessing watershed hydrological response to climate change based on signature indices
Authors: Fatehifar Atiyeh , Goodarzi Mohammad Reza , Montazeri Hedesh Seyedeh Sima , Siahvashi Dastjerdi Parnian
Published: April 2021

Due to the fact that one of the important ways of describing the performance of basins is to use the hydrological signatures, the present study investigates the effects of climate change using the hydrological signatures in Azarshahr Chay basin, Iran. To this end, the Canadian Earth system model (CanESM2) is first used to predict future climate change (2030–2059) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5). Six signature indices were extracted from flow duration curve (FDC) as follows: runoff ratio (RR), high-segment volume (FHV), low-segment volume (FLV), mid-segment slope (FMS), mid-range flow (FMM), and maximum peak discharge (DiffMaxPeak). These signature indices act as sorts of fingerprints representing differences in the hydrological behavior of the basin. The results indicate that the most significant changes in the future hydrological response are related to the FHV and FLV and FMS indices. The BiasFHV index indicates an increase in high discharge rates under the RCP8.5 scenario, compared to the baseline period, and also the RCP2.6 scenario. The mean annual discharge rate, however, is lower than the discharge rate under this scenario. Generally, for the RCP8.5 scenario, the changes in the signature indices in both high discharges and low discharges are significant.
"Para que estén a punto con sus armas para lo que se ofreciere” Indios en la defensa del suroriente cubano, siglos XVI-XVIII
Authors: Padrón Reyes Lilyam
Published: April 2021

Sobre la base de las perspectivas conceptuales y metodológicas aportadas por la historia social, en este libro presentamos una visión renovada del indígena cubano más allá del siglo XVI. Con el establecimiento y consolidación de los pueblos de indios entre los primeros siglos coloniales (siglos XVI y XVIII), como localidades anexas a las principales villas del oriente cubano de Santiago de Cuba y San Salvador de Bayamo, sus vecinos serán alistados en la conformación de milicias que participarán activamente en la defensa, junto a las autoridades locales para combatir a los enemigos de la Corona. Las consideraciones formales y prácticas tomadas en cuenta para sus composiciones atenderán a diferentes criterios políticos y sociales, y en especial al interés oficial por reforzar el vínculo de poder en estas poblaciones. Por tanto, integrar las milicias representará para los indios una obligación en servir al rey y, en la misma medida, una posibilidad de reconocimiento dentro del complejo entramado social de los primeros siglos en la isla. Las razones subyacentes en sus desempeños les permitirán reforzar los derechos y prerrogativas que tendrán cabida en la estrecha relación indios-interés oficial-gobierno colonial.
A quem pertence a imagem?
Authors: De Souza Costa Waldson
Published: April 2021

O artigo faz uma abordagem sobre algumas dimensões possíveis na discussão do pertencimento da imagem. Diante da reflexão que envolve implicações sociais, éticas e jurídicas, o debate, que faz uso do arquivo fotográfico construído de forma coletiva durante as atividades do projeto Autorretrato Nordeste, percorre questionamentos que estão presentes na rede de relação entre autor, personagem-interlocutor, mediador-pesquisador e público, que é configurada ao longo de produções e compartilhamentos de trabalhos sociais e científicos que fazem uso de métodos e conceitos da Antropologia Visual Compartilhada.
Withdrawal Notice: Obesity: A template to trigger metabolic syndromes and carcinoma. Metformin: A drug target
Authors: Chandra Nimai Chand
Published: April 2021

The article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors and editor of the journal “Current Drug Targets” due to incoherent content.

Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused.

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Effect of corn substitution with Enzymated apple pomace on broiler production performance and percentage internal organ of broiler chickens
Authors: Djunaidi Irfan H , Muharlien Muharlien , Nuningtyas Yuli Frita
Published: April 2021

Corn is a feedstuff that use as a major component of energy sources and hard to be replaced other feedstuff in poultry ration, even its use is always above 45% in the composition of poultry feed. However, domestic maize availability is limited and the price is changes depend on season harvest time, and most of the availability for animal feed is still imported. Besides that, there is a ban on the use of Antibiotic Growth Promoter (AGP) in poultry feed and drinking water effectively since January 2018, so an effort is needed to replace AGP with natural feed additives or Natural growth promoters (NGP). Based on the above conditions, it is necessary to make efforts to replace corn with local feed ingredients, one of which is apple extraction pomace (apple pomaces). The pomace of apple extraction, if left unchecked, will quickly rot so that it will potentially as an environmental pollutant. The potential of apple pomace extract can be used as a feed ingredient with high sugar and energy content (2300 kcal/kg BK). This research was conducted in the Field Laboratory of Sumber Sekar, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Agricultural Technology Laboratory, Brawijaya University. The experiment used 192 DOC broilers and placed them in 8 postal cages per replication. Research on Enzymanted apple pomaces (EAP) as a substitute for corn used a completely randomized design (CRD) P0: basal feed, P1: substitution of EAP 5%, P2: substitution of EAP 10%, P3: substitution of EAP 15%. The variables observed were the production performances include (feed consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ration) and the % internal organs. Based on the research, the results were not significantly different on the production performances and the % of organs in broilers. The use of apple pomaces can be used as a substitute for broiler feed up to a level of 15%.