bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of middle cerebral artery occlusion models conducted by Koizumi and Longa methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of rodent data
Authors: Li Yong , Tan Li , Yang Caixia , He Liying , Deng Bowen , Huang Xianzhi , Liu Sijing , Liu Lin , Wang Jian , Guo Jinlin
Published: December 2022

Ischemic stroke in rodents is usually induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) via common carotid artery (CCA) plugging filament invented by Koizumi et al (MCAO-KM), or external carotid artery (CCA) plugging filament created by Longa et al (MCAO-LG). To date, a systematic comparison between the two methods remains missing. Here, we performed a meta-analysis in terms of model establishment, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) between of them. Literature mining suggests that MCAO-KM brings shorter operation time (p = 0.007), higher probability of plugging filament (p < 0.001) and molding establishment (p = 0.006), lower possibility of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (p = 0.02), larger infarct volume (p = 0.003), and severer brain edema (p = 0.002) and neurological deficit (p = 0.03). Nevertheless, MCAO-LG shows more adequate CBF after ischemia-reperfusion (p < 0.001), higher model survival rate (p = 0.02), and greater infarct rate (p = 0.007). In conclusion, the MCAO-KM method is simple to operate with high modeling success rate, and it is suitable for the study of brain edema under long-term hypoperfusion, the MCAO-LG method is highly challenging for novices, and it is suitable for the study of CIRI caused by acute ischemia-reperfusion. These findings are expected to benefit in the selection of intraluminal filament MCAO models prior to undertaking ischemic stroke preclinical effectiveness trials.
Limitations on knowledge of autoimmune encephalitis and barriers to its treatment among neurologists: a survey from western China
Authors: Li Aiqing , Guo Kundian , Liu Xu , Gong Xue , Li Xingjie , Zhou Dong , Hong Zhen
Published: December 2022

Background
Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a group of severe antibody-mediated brain diseases, which has developed rapidly over the past decade. However, the knowledge level of AE and barriers to effective treatment among neurologists remains unstudied.
Methods
We conducted a questionnaire survey among neurologist in western China on knowledge of AE, treatment practices, and perspectives on barriers to treatment.
Results
A total of 1113 neurologists were invited and 690 neurologists from 103 hospitals completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 61.9%. Respondents correctly answered 68.3% of medical questions about AE. Some respondents (12.4%) never assayed for diagnostic antibodies if patients had suspected AE. Half (52.3%) never prescribed immunosuppressants for AE patients, while another 7.6% did not know whether they should do so. Neurologists who never prescribed immunosuppressants were more likely to have less education, a less senior job title, and to practice in a smaller setting. Neurologists who did not know whether to prescribe immunosuppressants were associated with less AE knowledge. The most frequent barrier to treatment, according to respondents, was financial cost. Other barriers to treatment included patient refusal, insufficient AE knowledge, lack of access to AE guidelines, drugs or diagnostic test, etc.
Conclusions
Neurologists in western China lack AE knowledge. Medical education around AE is urgent needed and should be more targeted to individuals with less educated level or working in non-academic hospitals. Policies should be developed to increase the availability of AE related antibody testing or drugs and reduce the economic burden of disease.
Network Accelerator for Parallel Discrete Event Simulations
Authors: Karaca O. Volkan , İmre Kayhan M. , Alkar Ali Ziya
Published: December 2022

The simulation time of parallel and distributed discrete event simulation is the heart rate for as-fast-as execution schemes. Agreeing upon a global simulation time and distributing it to the simulation processes can be improved by exploiting or redesigning the network hardware. In this paper, we present such an approach that offloads simulation time calculations to network switches in order to speed up the steps where time advance requests are made and time advance grants are waited. By reducing the waiting time for time advancement, we aim to improve the overall performance of the parallel simulations. The measurements from the FPGA-based hardware setup and the results from our network simulations show that overall performance can be improved when time management calculations are offloaded to the network switches. Additionally, the transient message problem is also solved within the network by not allowing the time control messages to bypass the time-dependent events. The network acceleration of the region-based event distribution is also studied, and offloading the region matching tasks to the network switches is found to be feasible to reduce the costs of node-based calculations, especially for fast-moving regions. In this study, we consider High-Level Architecture (HLA) for simulation infrastructure and fat tree topology for high-performance networking.
Batroxin I: A novel bradykinin-potentiating peptide with cytotoxic activity isolated from Bothrops atrox snake venom
Authors: Cintra Adélia Cristina Oliveira , Costa Tássia Rafaella , Cezarette Gabriel Neves , Castro Fabíola Attié , Pimenta Daniel Carvalho , Sampaio Suely Vilela
Published: December 2022

Venom peptides are interesting molecular models for the development of biotechnological strategies applicable in generating therapeutic agents and/or experimental tools for basic and applied research. The present study aimed to search for peptides from Bothrops atrox snake venom with anticancer potential activity against HepG2 liver tumor cell line, determine their cytotoxic action, and analyze the structure-function relationship. The novel peptide Batroxin I (M.W. 1.38 kDa) was isolated by molecular exclusion and reversed phase chromatography methods. The Batroxin I presented a selective cytotoxicity towards tumor cells, reducing the viability of HepG2 cells by 94.6% with IC50 of 0.72 µg/mL, and showing a low toxicity against peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Analysis of the apoptotic and necrotic peptide effects revealed that it induced apoptosis by intrinsic pathway activation. The amino acid sequence of Batroxin I was determined by de novo sequencing as < EKWPRPDAPIPP (where < E = pyroglutamic acid); hence, it is an unpublished peptide that belongs to the class of bradykinin-enhancing peptides and cell penetration peptide. This is one of the first reports on the cytotoxic antitumor activity of a bradykinin-enhancing peptide. Our results indicate that this peptide could serve not only as a template for the development of new drugs, but also as an adjuvant to less effective marketed drugs to treat cancer and other diseases.
A case report of an indium lung with progressive emphysema and fibrosis that underwent unilateral lung transplantation 20 years after the end of the exposure
Authors: Inoue Chihiro , Ohkouchi Shinya , Chonan Tatsuya , Amata Atsuko , Hirama Takashi , Saito-Koyama Ryoko , Kawabata Yoshinori , Suzuki Takashi , Okada Yoshinori , Tanaka Akiyo , Kurosawa Hajime
Published: December 2022

Background:
Indium lung is characterized by interstitial pneumonia and/or emphysema, which occurs in indium-tin oxide (ITO) workers. Indium lung is now known to progress after stopping exposure to ITO, but the long-term influences of ITO remain unclear.
Case presentation:
A 47-year-old, male never-smoker, who was engaged in an ITO manufacturing process for 8 years. Emphysema was indicated by a medical check-up for ex-ITO workers, and the subject was diagnosed with indium lung. He underwent partial lung resections for pneumothorax twice, and obstructive pulmonary dysfunction progressed over the years. The subject underwent right single lung transplantation 20 years after ITO exposure. Pathologically, his lung showed severe distal acinar emphysema and honeycomb change. Fibrosis and destruction of the lung tissue significantly progressed compared to the previous partial resections. Scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed that the deposited particles contained indium and tin. After transplantation, his respiratory function was improved.
Conclusions: In this case, ITO resided in the lung tissue for 20 years, and lung tissue destruction continued to progress. Careful medical follow-up is recommended for ITO workers even if they are asymptomatic.
Impact of transparency and disclosure on the dividend distribution of Indian banks
Authors: Bhimavarapu Venkata Mrudula , Rawal Aashi , Singh Kuldeep , Pinto Geetanjali , Rastogi Shailesh
Published: December 2022

This paper seeks to evaluate the influence of transparency and disclosure policies (td) on the dividend distribution decision of Indian banks. Further, it also evaluates the role of shareholder activism (sha) as a moderator on the relationship between td and dividends. To conduct this study, secondary data is collected from all nationalised banks in India for the period 2010-2019. Panel data model (PDM) is employed to analyse this data. This paper finds that: 1) There exists a significant linear association among td and dividend payout decision; 2) There also exists a non-linear association among td and equity dividends; 3) A negative moderating impact of sha is present in the association between td and equity dividends. These findings provide further insights into dividend distribution policy for the banks which would help the researchers, investors and companies working in different economies worldwide.
As per our knowledge, no such study has been carried out so far to investigate the non-linear association between the td and dividends and also demonstrate the role of shareholder activism (sha) as a moderator on the relationship among them for banks. Nevertheless, our study has considered only the banking sector and we have only investigated the role of sha as a moderator on the relationship between td and dividends.
JEL Classification Code: G21; G34; G38
Enhancement of NK cell proliferation by activation pre-processing of autologous feeder cell before irradiation
Authors: Koh Eun-Kyoung , Lee Hong-Rae , Son Woo-Chang , Park Ga-Young , Bae JaeHo , Park You-Soo
Published: December 2022

Background
Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in early immune defenses against transformed cells and are used in therapeutic strategies for cancer. However, it is hard to sufficiently obtain high-purity activated NK cells for clinical application. The function of NK cells depends on the balance of activation and inhibitory signals. It is more powerful and diverse stimuli are required to increase the function of NK cells. Radiotherapy modulates the expression of various immunomodulatory molecules that recruit and activate NK cells. NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is one of the most potent cytotoxic effects of NK cells against target cancer cells.
Methods
To generate activated and irradiated autologous PBMCs, cytokine and monoclonal antibody stimulation followed by ionizing radiation. Expanded NK cells were cultured for 21 days using activated/irradiated autologous PBMCs. Two colon cancer cells, SW480 and HT-29 cells were used to analyze the expression of NKG2D ligands and EGFR by radiation. The surface expression ratio was analyzed using flow cytometry. The cytotoxicity of radiation plus NK cell-based targeted therapy against colorectal cancer cell lines was analyzed using flow cytometry.
Results
Activated and irradiated PBMCs significantly increased the expression of various activating ligands that stimulate NK cells. This method finally obtained more than 10,000-fold high-purity activated NK cells, with negligible T-cell contamination. To confirm the antitumor activity of NK cells expanded by this method, we treated expanded NK cells with radiotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and cetuximab using human colon cancer cells. Expanded NK cells were effective at targeting human colon cancer cells, especially when combined with radiotherapy and cetuximab.
Conclusions
We developed a novel method to robustly expand NK cells using activated and irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) without cancer cells or virus-derived feeder cells. In addition, the combined radiotherapy and antibody-based immunotherapy with expanded NK cells may be an effective way to enhance the treatment efficiency of colon cancer.
Predicting future trends of forex data with an intraday trading strategy system using a non-deep learning model
Authors: Chetcharungkit Chinnawat , Wongsiri Noppaluk , Nangam Manussave
Published: December 2022

Trading in the foreign exchange market (forex) has gained favour from beginners to advanced traders. There are two vital elements required for making a profit from opening orders in forex: the right guess of future trends of forex instruments and the positions to open and close orders. Yet, many researchers using machine learning to seize profit from forex focused on only the former element. This is not sufficient in real trading since traders cannot earn a profit unless orders are closed. We therefore propose a way to label forex data capturing both elements. For the part of model selection, despite the high reputation of deep learning in coping with complicated tasks, it is excluded in this research for ease of replication. The other reason is that massive computational power is required for deep learning, resulting in generating an inordinate amount of carbon dioxide emission. This even aggravates the global warming crisis. Being unarmed with powerful tools like deep learning, we show that the simplicity of the research framework consolidated by feature selection, feature engineering, and the intervention of our intraday trading strategy system can establish the applicable models with considerable profit rates.
Serum vascular endothelial growth factor associated with the progression of granulosa cell tumor: A report of two cases
Authors: Takasaki Kazuki , Ichinose Takayuki , Miyagawa Yuko , Fukui Shiho , Hashimoto Kei , Takahashi Yuko , Nishida Haruka , Hirano Mana , Hiraike Haruko , Saito Koji , Sasajima Yuko , Nagasaka Kazunori
Published: December 2022

Background: Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) account for approximately 2% of ovarian malignancies and are considered a rare type of ovarian cancer. GCTs are characterized by irregular genital bleeding after menopause due to female hormone production as well as late recurrence around 5–10 years after initial treatment. In this study, we investigated two cases of GCTs to find a biomarker that can be used to evaluate the treatment and predict recurrence.
Case presentation: Case 1 was a 56-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with abdominal pain and distention. An abdominal tumor was found, and GCTs were diagnosed. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels decreased after surgery. Case 2 involved a 51-year-old woman with refractory GCTs. Carboplatin–paclitaxel combination therapy and bevacizumab were administered after the tumor resection. After chemotherapy, a decline in VEGF levels was observed, but serum VEGF levels increased again with disease progression.
Conclusion: VEGF expression may be of clinical importance in GCTs as a clinical biomarker for disease progression, which may be used to determine the efficacy of bevacizumab against GCTs.
Bifurcations in the Herd Immunity Threshold for Discrete-Time Models of Epidemic Spread
Authors: Ozbay Sinan , Nielsen Bjarke , Nguyen Maximilian
Published: December 2022

We performed a thorough sensitivity analysis of the herd immunity threshold for discrete-time SIR compartmental models with a static network structure. We find unexpectedly that these models violate classical intuition which holds that the herd immunity threshold should monotonically increase with the transmission parameter. We find the existence of bifurcations in the herd immunity threshold in the high transmission probability regime. The extent of these bifurcations is modulated by the graph heterogeneity, the recovery parameter, and the network size. In the limit of large, well-mixed networks, the behavior approaches that of difference equation models, suggesting this behavior is a universal feature of all discrete-time SIR models. These results suggest careful attention is needed in both selecting the assumptions on how to model time and heterogeneity in epidemiological models and the subsequent conclusions that can be drawn.
Exploring the Performance and Portability of the k-means Algorithm on SYCL Across CPU and GPU Architectures
Authors: Faqir-Rhazoui Youssef , Garcia Carlos
Published: December 2022

The aim of SYCL is to reduce the gap between the performance and code portability of the main accelerators used in HPC, such as multi-vendor CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs. To evaluate SYCL's performance portability, this paper uses the k-means algorithm as a case study. The k-means algorithm is simple to code but can be complex to optimize. In this study, we compare our developed SYCL version with the most efficient implementations of CUDA and OpenMP. Our resulting SYCL code can potentially run on multi-vendor CPUs and GPUs. Additionally, we have created a hand-tuned SYCL variation that is optimized for specific device architectures (CPU, NVIDIA GPU, and Intel GPU) to evaluate the performance difference between a standard version and an optimized one. The results show that SYCL outperforms Intel GPUs and CPUs by 8% compared to the original versions, while on NVIDIA GPUs SYCL offers equivalent performance compared to the native CUDA implementation.
Assessing the impacts of land use land cover change on water resources. The case of Nile River Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Gedefaw Mohammed
Published: December 2022

This study investigated the trends of climate change and land use land cover changes of Nile river basin. The trends of climate were analyzed using Mann-Kendall test, Sen’s slope estimator test and innovative trend analysis method. NDVI and Transformation matrix was employed to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of land cover and vegetation patterns during 2001–2013. The findings revealed that the forestland and water resource was decreased by 3429.62 Km2 and 81.45 Km2 respectively. On the other hand, grassland, cultivated land, urban 2779.33 Km2, 535.34 Km2 and 0.65Km2 increased respectively. Reduction of NDVI value by 0.1 was observed in 2013 in the southern part of the basin. A significant increasing trend of precipitation was observed in Gondar (Z = 1.69) and Motta (Z = 0.93) stations. However, the trend was decreasing in Adet (Z= -0.32), Dangla (Z= -0.37) and Bahir Dar stations. The trend of temperature was increasing in all stations. The significant changes in land use land cover might be caused by human induced activities in the basin.
Quantum Transports in Two-Dimensions with Long Range Hopping: Shielding, Localization and the Extended Isolated State
Authors: Wang Si-Si , Li Kangkang , Dai Yi-Ming , Wang Hui-Hui , Zhang Yi-Cai , Zhang Yan-Yang
Published: December 2022

We investigate the effects of disorder and shielding on quantum transports in a two dimensional system with all-to-all long range hopping. In the weak disorder, cooperative shielding manifests itself as perfect conducting channels identical to those in the short range model, as if the long range hopping does not exist. With increasing disorder, the average and fluctuation of conductance are larger than those in the short range model, since the shielding is effectively broken and therefore long range hopping starts to take effect. Nevertheless, size scaling shows no evidence of delocalized states in the band in spite of a better connectivity from long range hopping. The all-to-all coupling expels one isolated but extended state far out of the band, whose transport is extremely robust against disorder due to absence of backscattering. The bond current picture of this isolated state shows a quantum version of short circuit through long hopping.
GPR43 stimulation on TCRαβ+ intraepithelial colonic lymphocytes inhibits the recruitment of encephalitogenic T-cells into the central nervous system and attenuates the development of autoimmunity
Authors: Prado Carolina , Espinoza Alexandra , Martínez-Hernández J. Eduardo , Petrosino Joseph , Riquelme Erick , Martin Alberto J.M. , Pacheco Rodrigo
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Gut microbiota plays a critical role in the regulation of immune homeostasis. Accordingly, several autoimmune disorders have been associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiota. Notably, the dysbiosis associated with central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity involves a substantial reduction of bacteria belonging to Clostridia clusters IV and XIVa, which constitute major producers of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Here we addressed the role of the surface receptor-mediated effects of SCFA on mucosal T-cells in the development of CNS autoimmunity.

Methods

To induce CNS autoimmunity we used the mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by immunization with the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-derived peptide (MOG35 − 55 peptide). To address the effects of GPR43 stimulation on colonic TCRαβ+ T-cells upon CNS autoimmunity, mucosal lymphocytes were isolated and stimulated with a selective GPR43 agonist ex vivo and then transferred into congenic mice undergoing EAE. Several subsets of lymphocytes infiltrating the CNS or those present in the gut epithelium and gut lamina propria were analysed by flow cytometry. In vitro migration assays were conducted with mucosal T-cells using transwells.

Results

Our results show a sharp and selective reduction of intestinal propionate at the peak of EAE development, accompanied by increased IFN-γ and decreased IL-22 in the colonic mucosa. Further analyses indicated that GPR43 was the primary SCFA receptor expressed on T-cells, which was downregulated on colonic TCRαβ+ T-cells upon CNS autoimmunity. The pharmacologic stimulation of GPR43 increased the anti-inflammatory function and reduced the pro-inflammatory features in several TCRαβ+ T-cell subsets in the colonic mucosa upon EAE development. Furthermore, GPR43 stimulation induced the arrest of CNS-autoreactive T-cells in the colonic lamina propria, thus avoiding their infiltration into the CNS and dampening the disease development. Mechanistic analyses revealed that GPR43-stimulation on mucosal TCRαβ+ T-cells inhibits their CXCR3-mediated migration towards CXCL11, which is released from the CNS upon neuroinflammation.

Conclusions

These findings provide a novel mechanism involved in the gut-brain axis by which bacterial-derived products secreted in the gut mucosa might control the CNS tropism of autoreactive T-cells. Moreover, this study shows GPR43 expressed on T-cells as a promising therapeutic target for CNS autoimmunity.
Nitrogen Forms and Concentration Influence the Impact of Titanium dioxide Nanoparticles on the Biomass and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities of Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Samuel Sadiya Awala , Chia Mathias Ahii , Yusufu Waetsi Nya , Dauda Suleiman , Japhet Wisdom Sohunago , Habila James Dama
Published: December 2022

The popularity of Nanoparticles (NPs) have led to their wide production, applications and subsequently released into the aquatic environment in some instances. In the aquatic ecosystem, these NPs affect different populations of photosynthesizing organisms, such as cyanobacteria. The effect of Microcystis aeruginosa exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs, 48 mg l− 1), in combination of low and high concentrations of urea (0.04 mM) and nitrate (9 Mm) was assessed. Microcystins (MCs) production and release were monitored in the cyanobacterium. Results showed that high urea (9 mM), combined with TiO2-NPs, inhibited the growth, pigment and malondialdehyde (MDA) content by 82%, 63% and 47% respectively. But 40.7% and 67.7% increase in the concentration of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was observed in M. aeruginosa respectively. Similarly, low nitrate (0.04 mM) combined with TiO2-NPs inhibited growth by 40.3% and GST activity by 36.3%, but stimulated pigment production and ROS concentration in M. aeruginosa. A response suggests that the high urea combined with TiO2 –NPs and high nitrate combined with TiO2 –NPs exposure induced oxidative stress in the cyanobacterium. The peroxidase (POD) activity of M. aeruginosa decreased by 17.7% with increasing urea concentrations. Our findings suggest TiO2-NPs and nutrients (urea and nitrate) concentration may adversely impact cyanobacterial development and antioxidant defense enzymes. Although the effect of nitrate concentration on M. aeruginosa was observed to be subsidiary.
Genome-wide identification, evolutionary, and expression analyses of the PP2C gene family in Castanea mollissima Blume.
Authors: Shang Wenli , Wang Xuan , Li Mingyuan , Wang Dongsheng , Wang Meng , Lu Yi , Zhang Haie , Zhang Jingzheng , Liu Jing
Published: December 2022

Chestnut (Castanea mollissima Bl.) is an economically important tree species that is primarily utilized for nut and timber production. The protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) gene family contributes largely to stress responses and developmental processes in several plants. However, the classification, characteristics, and functions of chestnut PP2C genes are unknown. Here, we provide comprehensive analyses and expression profiles of PP2C genes in the chestnut genome. A total of 68 genes were identified, whose protein length (PL), molecular weights (MW) and isoelectric points (IP) are 186 ~ 1079 amino acids, 20.31 ~ 119.40 kDa, and 4.66 ~ 9.30, respectively. They are randomly distributed on 12 chromosomes. These genes formed 12 phylogenetic clusters. Most CmPP2C (PP2C in chestnut) proteins within a subgroup had similar compositions of amino acid sequences of motifs, conserved domains, and exon/introns, according to phylogenetic analyses. The expression profile analysis revealed both significant CmPP2C expression levels in leaves and seeds, and the clear involvement of CmPP2C22 in seed development and multiple abiotic stresses. These findings indicate that CmPP2C genes play potential vital roles in chestnut response to multiple abiotic stresses and provide new insights into the function of CmPP2C genes.
Effect of zinc on the T cells reconstitution after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a study protocol
Authors: Nikoonezhad Maryam , Hosseini Ahmad Zavaran , Hajifathali Abbas , Parkhideh Sayeh , Shadnoush Mahdi , Shakiba Yadollah , Zahedi Hoda
Published: December 2022

Background:Post-transplant immune reconstitution has a significantly effect on "hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)" outcomes. Delay in immune reconstitution increases the risk of infections and disease relapse after transplantation. Recovery of T cells is mainly thymus-dependent. Thymic atrophy is associated with various clinical conditions that lead to a reduced thymic output. Therefore, thymus rejuvenationcan improve immune reconstitution after transplantation. Zn plays a pivotal role in thymus rejuvenation. Zinc deficiency can lead to thymic atrophy, which increases susceptibility to infections. Zinc supplementation restores the immune system by boosting thymus output and T cell repertoire production. This protocol was designed to investigate the effect of oral zinc supplementation on T cell recovery in patients undergoing HSCT. Methods: Forty eligible candidates for autologous-HSCT will be selected. They will be randomly divided into "zinc" and placebo groups. Subsequently, they will receive three zinc or placebo tablets for the first 30 days post HSCT (+1 to +30), followed by one tablet or placebo for 60 days (+31 to +90). The copy numbers of "recent thymic emigrants (RTEs)" T cells and "T cell Receptor Excision Circles (TREC)" will be assessed before and after the intervention. All patients will be followed up for 365 days post HSCT for relapse and infection.Discussion:This clinical trial is the first to determine the efficiency of "zinc" in T cell recovery post HSCT. If successful, an available and inexpensive drug will improve immune system reconstruction after HSCT, reduce the risk of infection, particularly viral infections, and increase patient survival.Trial registration number:IRCT20191211045701N1
Insilico-based identification of survival-associated lncRNAs, mRNAs and, miRNAs in breast cancer
Authors: Sadeghi Mahboubeh , Cava Claudia , Mousavi Pegah , Sabetian Soudabeh
Published: December 2022

Aim: We aimed to analyze a unique competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network encompassing possible pathogenic interaction among miRNA–target gene and lncRNAs related to breast cancer prognosis.Background: Breast cancer is responsible for 30% of all new female cancers each year. Bioinformatics serve us to find new biomarkers and facilitate future experimental research.Objective: In this article we propose a novel regulatory ceRNA network and a list of 22 genes, lncRNAs and four miRNAs related to breast cancer prognosis.Methods: Differentially expressed lncRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs were collected based on Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. DEGs were validated based on TCGA. Functional analysis and pathway activity were also done.Results: A total of 696 mRNAs, 48 lncRNAs and, 43 miRNAs were identified to have significant differential expression in cancerous breast tissue than normal breast tissue samples. Functional analysis showed significant pathway enrichments in cancer, and we found that 13 individual genes, lncRNAs, and miRNAs, CDC6, ERBB2, EZR, HELLS, MAPK13, MCM2, MMP1, SLC7A5, TINCR, TRIP13, hsa-miR-376a, hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-454 were significantly predictive of poor overall survival and AKAP12, CXCL12, FGF2, IRS2, LINC00342, LINC01140, MEG3, MIR250HG, NAV3, NDRG2, NEAT1, TGFBR3 and, hsa-miR-29c were associated with favorable overall survival.Conclusions: We successfully made a unique ce-network, providing new clues to understand the regulatory functions of non-coding RNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis and prognosis of breast cancer and will facilitate further experimental studies to develop new biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis and, therapy of breast cancer.
Karyotype stasis but species-specific repetitive DNA patterns in Anguis lizards (Anguidae), in the evolutionary framework of Anguiformes
Authors: Altmanová Marie , Doležálková-Kaštánková Marie , Jablonski Daniel , Strachinis Ilias , Vergilov Vladislav , Vacheva Emiliya , Ráb Petr , Moravec Jiří , Gvoždík Vašek
Published: December 2022

Karyotype divergence may strongly affect the rate of hybridization between species in their secondary contact zones. Slow worms (Anguis, Anguidae) are morphologically relatively cryptic legless lizards representing two evolutionary lineages, A. cephallonica from the southernmost Balkans, and the A. fragilis species complex (comprising two sister-species pairs A. fragilis + A. veronensis and A. colchica + A. graeca) distributed in the Western Palearctic. To identify their level of chromosomal variation, we surveyed karyotype of all species except formerly studied A. veronensis and included Pseudopus apodus as an outgroup. We applied conventional and molecular cytogenetic methods and whole-chromosome painting using macrochromosome probes from Varanus komodoensis and interpreted the results within the evolutionary framework of the common clade Anguiformes. Unlike New World anguids with remarkable karyotype variation, all Anguis species and P. apodus have conserved diploid chromosome number 2n = 44 (20 macrochromosomes, 24 microchromosomes) and morphology. The sister species A. colchica and A. graeca (divergence 4.4 Mya) displayed highly similar karyotype features within our sample. In contrast, despite the generally conserved chromosome morphology, the phylogenetically older A. cephallonica (divergence 12.0 Mya), and A. colchica versus A. fragilis (divergence 6.7 Mya) exhibited distinct patterns of constitutive heterochromatin distribution and telomeric repeat accumulation. The chromosome painting revealed that slow worm karyotype mostly evolved by fissions of ancestral macrochromosomes, which likely occurred already in an Anguis + Pseudopus common ancestor. Our findings thus demonstrate karyotype stasis in Anguis and Pseudopus for > 25 My, with fixed species-specific differences which may serve as cytotaxonomic markers useful in hybrid zone studies of slow worms.
Variability in soil quality among smallholder macadamia farms in Malawi
Authors: Zuza Emmanuel Junior
Published: December 2022

Declining soil fertility limits smallholder macadamia productivity in Malawi. In order to reverse this trend, it is essential to apply organic and inorganic fertilisers in an efficient and effective manner. Yet, fertiliser recommendations for smallholder macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) production in Malawi are not site-specific. Nutrient imbalances can occur if fertilisers are applied without a clear understanding of whether they are required or not. This may lead to yield losses, unnecessary costs, and other environmental issues associated with excess fertiliser application. To address this knowledge gap, our study examined the current soil fertility status among smallholder macadamia farms in Malawi. Specifically, the objective was to establish an evidence base for promoting soil fertility restoration interventions for smallholder macadamia production. One hundred and eighty nine soil samples at a depth of 0–15 cm were collected from sixty three smallholder macadamia farms belonging to the Highlands Macadamia Cooperative Union Limited members in central and southern Malawi. We found that the majority of the soils were sandy loams (52%), strongly acidic (mean pH ≤ 5.1), and deficient in essential nutrients required for the healthy growth of macadamia. The soils had an average low cation exchange capacity of 1.67 cmol (+) kg− 1, which is inadequate for macadamia cultivation. Over half of the sampled soils had very low organic matter content (≤ 1%). The low soil organic matter content, coupled with the sandy texture and high acidity, contributed to the observed low concentrations of essential nutrients and cation exchange capacity. Poor agronomic practices and the long-term uptake of nutrients by macadamia trees and annual crops are responsible for this low soil fertility. Altogether, our findings underscore the urgent need to identify and implement more sustainable and effective soil nutrient management practices that help to improve the soil fertility of macadamia farms under smallholder systems.
Tunable Coupling in Magnetic Thin Film Heterostructures with a Magnetic Phase Transition
Authors: Repa Kristen Stojak , Kirby Brian J. , Miller Casey W.
Published: December 2022

The magnetic properties of permalloy-based trilayers of the form Py0.8Cu0.2/Py0.4Cu0.6/Py/IrMn were studied as the spacer layer undergoes a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition. We find the coupling between the free Py0.8Cu0.2 layer and the exchange bias pinned Py to be strongly temperature-dependent: there is negligible coupling above the Curie temperature of the Py0.4Cu0.6 spacer layer, strong ferromagnetic coupling below that temperature, with a tunable coupling between these extremes. Polarized neutron reflectometry was used to measure the depth profile of the magnetic order in the system, allowing us to correlate the order parameter with the coupling strength. The thickness dependence shows that these are interface effects with an inverse relationship to thickness, and that there is a magnetic proximity effect that enhances the Curie temperature of the spacer layer with characteristic length scale of about 5 nm. As a demonstration of potential functionality of such a system, the structure is shown to spontaneously flip from the antiparallel to parallel magnetic configuration once the spacer layer has developed long-range magnetic order.
Value Triggers in the Media Image of Radical Religious Organizations
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State University, Nigmatullina Kamilla R. , Polyakov Alexander K. ,   Saint Petersburg State University
Published: December 2022

The authors examine the process of a value-oriented context implementation by Western media in the coverage of the radical group’s activities. A specifi c form of content analysis as a method was used, expressed in a sentiment analysis of specifi cally selected material based on news publications. The scientifi c novelty of the study is the application of a text tone analyzing method in the little-studied subject of the radical organizations’ media image. In addition, in the context of the Taliban terrorist group formation as a political system in Afghanistan in 2021, it is relevant to research the banned organization media image from the point of political communication view. As a theoretical basis, an actor-oriented approach was used through the prism of the society mediatization theory as well as the theory of value identities. During the study, value-oriented triggers were analyzed in the publications of CNN, Daily News, The New York Times. The choice of these media is due to a reassessment of the foreign policy priorities of the United States of America, being the main antagonist of the banned Taliban organization. Thus, the study is devoted to the main topical issues: is the topic of the Taliban relevant in the US mass media today and what is the media image of the Taliban in the US mass media after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. As a result of the analysis, the authors conclude that despite the change in the US foreign policy strategy and the transformation of its priorities, the topic of the Taliban is not only still relevant in the US mass media but also has a structured system for constructing a negative media image of the Taliban movement, where the Western media highlights the destructive actions and the economic and social consequences incurred as a result of the policies pursued by the Taliban. In further research, the banned radical Taliban group as a media phenomenon should be studied more carefully, as well as the social consequences of the formation of one or another media obsession in the mass media within the framework of this issue. In the future, additional studies of foreign and domestic media are needed to determine the trends in the development of media images of banned radical organizations
A Study of the Value of Network Media in Covering the COVID-19 Epidemic
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State University, Li Yingying Li Yingying
Published: December 2022

The relevance of the article lies in the study of the value aspect of the functioning of online media, which played an important role in overcoming the COVID-19 epidemic. The object of the study is the network media Weibo, TikTok and the network platform “Gosuslugi. Let’s decide together.” Scientifi c novelty is manifested in the analysis of the little-studied problem of the value of network media as sources of information in overcoming the real diffi culty of communication in an epidemic. The value of online media is expressed in educating the audience and jointly overcoming the consequences of the pandemic. The following methods were used: mass media monitoring, comparative analysis method, study of documents. A comparative analysis of the functioning of traditional and online media led to the conclusion that during the study period (from December 31, 2019 to July 15, 2020), traditional media did not pay due attention to organizing feedback from the audience, studying its opinion, as well as its emotional state. Traditional media have focused exclusively on factual messages, unlike online media, which are interested in: 1) engaging the audience in the exchange of information; 2) articulating its information needs and 3) expressing its emotions about the pandemic. A critical analysis of the literature has shown that the value of online media increases signifi cantly in emergency situations, such as an epidemic, since these information platforms are able to overcome time and space barriers in real time, distributing high-quality news and realizing the vital interests of the audience. The study of documents and reports of international health organizations confi rmed this thesis: the activities of the media lead to changes in public opinion and behavior and can affect the general psychological state of society. In the article, the value of network media is considered in three aspects: 1) social value is expressed in bringing the voices of ordinary people to everyone’s attention, satisfying their need to express emotions; 2) the value of communication ‒ in removing restrictions in intersocial and internatio nal dialogue and information exchange; 3) the value of propaganda lies in uniting peoples and promoting social cooperation in overcoming global dangers. In the future, it seems necessary to study the value of network media in the scientifi c discourse in the dissemination of information and organization of communication in emergency situations.
The 50th Anniversary of Dmitry Trubitsyn, a Doctor of Philosophy: Review of Scientific Views and Fateful Events
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Novikov Aleksandr N.
Published: December 2022

We present an essay on Dmitry Viktorovich Trubitsyn, Professor of the Department of Theory and History of Culture, Design, and Arts of the Faculty of Culture and Arts of the Transbaikal State University, who celebrated his 50th anniversary on September 8, 2022. After graduating from the Faculty of History of Chernyshevsky Transbaikal State Pedagogical University in 2003 he entered a graduate school. In 2006 he defended his Candidate dissertation on the topic “Modernization of the countries of the East and Russia: socio-philosophical anaysis”, and in 2016 – he proved a Doctoral dissertation on the topic “Regularities of modernization in the aspect of interaction between nature and society”. The main direction of Dmitry V. Trubitsyn’s scientific research took shape during the years of study at the Faculty of History. It was the problem of studying large-scale social transformations, in particular, modernization as the formation of a modern industrial society. Both dissertations, most scientific publications and monographs are dedicated to this subject. He is also actively involved in the problems of philosophy of culture and methodology of social cognition. Science has completely integrated into Dmitry Trubitsyn’s life. His family belongs to science too. His spouse, Irina Sergeevna Dorogavtseva is a Candidate of Cultural Studies, Associate Professor of the Department of European Languages and Linguodidactics. She is a like-minded person, the author of her own and co-author of a number of works by her husband.
Problem of Personal Data Security and the Phenomenon of Post-Privacy in the Digital Society
Authors:   Dostoyevsky Omsk State University, Chesnokova Lesya V.
Published: December 2022

The purpose of the article is to conceptualize the changes that are taking place in the perception of information privacy in today’s digital society. The relevance of the work is due to the development of modern information and communication technologies, the global spread of which changes the attitude towards the security of personal data. To analyze the problems associated with the rethinking of the phenomenon of privacy in the modern digital age, a systematic approach is used, as well as methods of historical analysis, hermeneutic and logical methods. The phenomenon of the privacy paradox is described, which lies in the fact that, despite the fact that many users express concern about the safety of their personal information, they are not ready to give up the benefi ts that the use of new technologies gives them. Doubts are increasingly being expressed about the fundamental possibility of controlling the dissemination of personal information, since the life of an individual becomes transparent to both government agencies and commercial structures. As a result of the development of digital technologies and the associated possibilities for collecting, storing and processing information, an argument is put forward that privacy, in the form in which it existed before, is an outdated concept. The fi ndings suggest that since it is impossible to control access to personal data, claims to privacy should be abandoned altogether. The changes taking place in modern society are refl ected in the term “post-privacy”, which describes a situation in which information privacy is no longer perceived as a value that requires protection. In a rapidly developing digital environment, further research into the problem of post-privacy is of particular importance.
Subjects of the “Knowledge Model of the Quality of Life” in the Concepts of Post-Industrialism
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Liga Marina B. , Zhou Chuanming Zhou Chuanming ,   Transbaikal State University, Jiang Dan Jiang Dan ,   Transbaikal State University
Published: December 2022

Modern era is the era of human resources, intellectual capital as the main driving forces for the development of society, the goal of which was to achieve a decent quality of life, which in modern conditions is becoming a priority goal, the ideal of society development. The emergence of a new stage in the development of society (the era of post-industrialism, the Third Wave, the information society) became a prerequisite for the emergence of a new model of quality of life – “knowledge”, which determines the purpose of the study – to identify the subjects of the “knowledge model of quality of life” in the concepts of representatives of post-industrialism, who put forward the idea that a specifi c model of the quality of life, its formation and evolution are determined by the existing era. The article analyzes the concepts of the creators of post-industrialism. We revealed that each stage of the development of society has its own specifi c model of the quality of life. The bearer of the knowledge model of the quality of life is a social cluster that carries out its activities in professional and everyday life on the basis of knowledge, intellectual resources, inventions, new forms of organization, relationships with each other and the environment. The concepts of the quality of life by the representatives of post-industrialism J. Galbraith, D. Bell, E. Toffl er and M. Castells are the theoretical and methodological basis of the study. The authors used a comparative analysis of subjects, functionality, the need for the concepts of quality of life by the representatives of post-industrialism, which made it possible to identify different approaches to determining the subjects of the “knowledge model of quality of life”. The research materials can be used in assessing the trends in the development of a knowledge model of the quality of life, studying the prospects for the development of society and making forecasts for the future development of mankind.