bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Early Esophageal Cancer by Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Fang Yu-Jen , Mukundan Arvind , Tsao Yu-Ming , Huang Chien-Wei , Wang Hsiang-Chen
Published: July 2022

Early detection of esophageal cancer has always been difficult, thereby reducing the overall five-year survival rate of patients. In this study, semantic segmentation was used to predict and label esophageal cancer in its early stages. U-Net was used as the basic artificial neural network along with Resnet to extract feature maps that will classify and predict the location of esophageal cancer. A total of 75 white-light images (WLI) and 90 narrow-band images (NBI) were used. These images were classified into three categories: normal, dysplasia, and squamous cell carcinoma. After labeling, the data were divided into a training set, verification set, and test set. The training set was approved by the encoder–decoder model to train the prediction model. Research results show that the average time of 111 ms is used to predict each image in the test set, and the evaluation method is calculated in pixel units. Sensitivity is measured based on the severity of the cancer. In addition, NBI has higher accuracy of 84.724% when compared with the 82.377% accuracy rate of WLI, thereby making it a suitable method to detect esophageal cancer using the algorithm developed in this study.
Capital Structure and Its Determinants—A Comparison of European Top-Rated CSR and Other Companies
Authors: Krištofík Peter , Medzihorský Juraj , Musa Hussam
Published: July 2022

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics, and sustainability have become an inseparable part of the discourse of modern business. Applying linear regression and comparison of intervals of beta-coefficients, we focused on the mediating role of CSR in the relations between capital structure and its determinants. Examining the sample of European large caps, we observed that CSR companies are significantly more leveraged than non-CSR ones. The influence of the corporate income tax rate and depreciation and amortization on leverage does not differ significantly between CSR and non-CSR companies. Moreover, tax shields seem to be insignificant for both CSR and non-CSR companies. However, we should stress that, for depreciation and amortization, the beta coefficient has a different significance in the model of CSR companies, compared to the model of non-CSR companies. Also, the difference between the models regarding the relations of leverage and asset tangibility is worth noting. Non-CSR companies with a higher proportion of fixed assets have lower leverage. This result was not confirmed for CSR companies. The hypothesis that CSR replaces the role of collateral cannot be confirmed. Available cash influences leverage negatively in both models, supporting the pecking-order theory. This result is much stronger for non-CSR companies compared to CSR ones. This study found fewer statistically significant differences between CSR and non-CSR companies regarding capital structure determinants than were expected.
Overview of Social Assessment Methods for the Economic Analysis of Cultural Heritage Investments
Authors: Tišma Sanja , Uzelac Aleksandra , Jelinčić Daniela Angelina , Franić Sunčana , Mileusnić Škrtić Mira
Published: July 2022

This paper provides an overview of methods for assessing social impacts, their achievements, and possibilities of application in everyday practice for assessing the worth of investments in cultural heritage conservation, as well as its sustainable use. It gives an overview of available methods for social assessment and points to a set of interdisciplinary indicators by which those impacts can be evaluated. Possibilities to use social impact analysis in the assessment of cultural heritage are presented in this paper through two case studies in the Republic of Croatia: the implementation of social evaluation management plan for the old town of Buzet and the evaluation of social effects of investing in the museum Ivana’s House of Fairy Tales. Some qualitative indicators of the collected surveys related to social effects are described, while the analysis of the availability of such indicators and the scientific basis of the collected answers are provided. In conclusion, the contribution of the methodological tools used and social impact assessments in the evaluation of cultural heritage interventions are presented, while suggestions are made for various decision- makers on those broader methods and benefits compared with the use of only financial and economic impact evaluations.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge versus Ecological Wisdom: Are They Dissimilar in Cultural Landscape Research?
Authors: Manningtyas Rosyi Damayanti T. , Furuya Katsunori
Published: July 2022

Research into traditional ecological knowledge has become a reference in environmental management. This is followed by ecological wisdom that has emerged and has become a new discourse in landscape planning and design. However, traditional ecological knowledge and wisdom are similar in research and confounding when determining the research scope. Therefore, this study aims to define the distinction between traditional ecological knowledge and ecological wisdom in research through a systematic review of research articles, book chapters, and reviews published from 2017 to 2021. The selected primary studies were analyzed using bibliometric analysis run by VOS Viewer, followed by comparative analysis towards thematic codes. The coding process for the comparative analysis was conducted using NVivo. This study found that research on traditional ecological knowledge and ecological wisdom converges, especially on the topic of indigenous cultural capital, ecosystem services, and sustainability. The distinction between TEK and EW lies in their definition, agent, source, and scope. We propose a conceptual framework to understand the relationship between TEK and EW in the cultural landscape and clarify the scope of the analysis in this research. This study would help scholars develop research on both topics precisely and avoid bias in the theoretical discussion.
Measurement and Spatial-Temporal Characteristics of Inclusive Green Growth in China
Authors: Zhou Rui
Published: July 2022

In the context of the widely recognized concept of inclusive green growth, it is of great practical significance to study the measurement of inclusive green growth, its temporal characteristics and its spatial heterogeneity. However, it should be noted that most existing studies only consider the situation of China when constructing inclusive green growth indices, and such studies lack international comparators. The index selection dimension is relatively single, and the temporal characteristics and spatial heterogeneity are rarely studied simultaneously. In this study, a spatial correlation analysis method is introduced, and the time series characteristics and spatial heterogeneity of inclusive green growth are deeply analyzed by means of a Moran’ I and LISA agglomeration diagram. The results show that: (1) Economic development, fair opportunity, green production and consumption and ecological environment protection are important factors affecting the level of inclusive green growth, but their development is not balanced; (2) Inclusive green growth has obvious time series characteristics, but there are great differences between provinces and regions; (3) The inclusive green growth has significant spatial heterogeneity. From 2010 to 2019, the inclusive green growth level has a dynamic evolution process. Moran’s I Index Global Spatial Test results show that inclusive green growth has obvious spatial autocorrelation, that is, it has great spatial differences. Local spatial test results also show that the inclusive green growth in China has obvious spatial aggregation characteristics. Therefore, it is important to coordinate the development of inclusive green growth between provinces and regions and improve the overall level of inclusive green growth in the future.
Physical Activity Monitoring and Classification Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Alsareii Saeed Ali , Awais Muhammad , Alamri Abdulrahman Manaa , AlAsmari Mansour Yousef , Irfan Muhammad , Aslam Nauman , Raza Mohsin
Published: July 2022

Physical activity plays an important role in controlling obesity and maintaining healthy living. It becomes increasingly important during a pandemic due to restrictions on outdoor activities. Tracking physical activities using miniature wearable sensors and state-of-the-art machine learning techniques can encourage healthy living and control obesity. This work focuses on introducing novel techniques to identify and log physical activities using machine learning techniques and wearable sensors. Physical activities performed in daily life are often unstructured and unplanned, and one activity or set of activities (sitting, standing) might be more frequent than others (walking, stairs up, stairs down). None of the existing activities classification systems have explored the impact of such class imbalance on the performance of machine learning classifiers. Therefore, the main aim of the study is to investigate the impact of class imbalance on the performance of machine learning classifiers and also to observe which classifier or set of classifiers is more sensitive to class imbalance than others. The study utilizes motion sensors’ data of 30 participants, recorded while performing a variety of daily life activities. Different training splits are used to introduce class imbalance which reveals the performance of the selected state-of-the-art algorithms with various degrees of imbalance. The findings suggest that the class imbalance plays a significant role in the performance of the system, and the underrepresentation of physical activity during the training stage significantly impacts the performance of machine learning classifiers.
Snail Mucus Protective Effect on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Mice
Authors: Petrov Lubomir , Kachaunov Mihail , Alexandrova Albena , Tsvetanova Elina , Georgieva Almira , Dolashki Aleksander , Velkova Lyudmila , Dolashka Pavlina
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, an increased interest in natural compounds with preventive or therapeutic potential for various diseases has been observed. Given the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer (GU) and the wide range of bioactive compounds isolated from snails, this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774) mucus on ethanol-induced GUs. Male albino mice were divided into Control, Ethanol, Mucus + Ethanol and Mucus + Omeprazole treated groups. The GUs were induced by administration of 96% ethanol (10 mL/kg, per os). One hour before ulcer induction, the mice of Mucus + Ethanol group were pretreated with mucus (20 mg/kg, per os), and the mice of Mucus + Omeprazole group were pretreated with omeprazole (20 mg/kg, per os). Ethanol administration caused grave lesions of gastric mucosa and a significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione reductase (GR) activities. In the animals with mucus or omeprazole pre-administration compared to the Ethanol group, the following were observed: only a small number of hemorrhagic fields, significantly reduced GU index with calculated 73% protection by mucus and 78% protection by omeprazole, and significant recovery of mucosal GSH and SOD and GR activities. In addition, the mucus inhibited Helicobacter pylori growth. Thus, the protective effect of C. aspersum mucus on both gastric mucosa and gastric antioxidant potential in ethanol-induced GU model suggests that it may serve as a good tool for prevention of this disease.
Treating Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension with an Anesthetic Modality: The Role of the Epidural Blood Patch
Authors: Masourou Zoi , Papagiannakis Nikolaos , Mantzikopoulos Georgios , Mitsikostas Dimos-Dimitrios , Theodoraki Kassiani
Published: July 2022

Background: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare syndrome characterized by heterogeneity of presentation and prognosis, which can occasionally result in serious complications, such as the formation of subdural hematomas (SDHs). This case series aims to emphasize that SIH remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge; it can present with a broad clinical spectrum of symptoms, can lead to SDH and, if conservative treatment fails, an epidural blood patch (EBP) is a viable treatment option. Although the exact etiology of SIH is not known, it is believed to be due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak or a low CSF pressure. Case Series: Three patients (two males and one female) with ages ranging between 38 and 53 years old who presented with complaints of not only an orthostatic headache, but also a variety of symptoms of SIH, including the formation of two SDHs in one of them, were included in this series. These patients did not respond to conservative management and, subsequently, given the clinical and radiological evidence of SIH, were referred to the Anesthesiology Department for an EBP. Diagnostic workup was facilitated by imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord, prior to the EBP. All three patients were subjected to an EBP with an 18-gauge epidural needle. A total of between 30 and 43 mL of autologous blood was collected from the patients and was injected into the epidural space under strict aseptic conditions. Two lumbar (L1–L2, L2–L3) EBPs and one thoracic (T11–T12) EBP were performed on the three patients, respectively. All patients reported complete resolution of symptoms following the EBPs, while MRI improved substantially. Conclusions: This report describes three cases of SIH with CSF leak originating from the cervical, the thoracic and the lumbar level. The EBP restored CSF pressure and relieved the patients’ persistent symptoms. MRI helps in revealing indirect signs of a low volume of CSF, though it may not be possible to locate the actual site of the leak. In conclusion, EBP is a well-accepted and beneficial treatment modality for SIH when conventional measures fail.
Ischemic Heart Disease in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Risk Factors, Mechanisms and Prevention
Authors: Jucan Alina Ecaterina , Gavrilescu Otilia , Dranga Mihaela , Popa Iolanda Valentina , Mihai Bogdan Mircea , Prelipcean Cristina Cijevschi , Mihai Cătălina
Published: July 2022

According to new research, a possible association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and an increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been demonstrated, but this concern is still debatable. The purpose of this review is to investigate the link between IHD and IBD, as well as identify further research pathways that could help develop clinical recommendations for the management of IHD risk in IBD patients. There is growing evidence suggesting that disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier in IBD is associated with the translocation of microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and other endotoxins into the bloodstream, which might induce a pro-inflammatory cytokines response that can lead to endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and acute cardiovascular events. Therefore, it is considered that the long-term inflammation process in IBD patients, similar to other chronic inflammatory diseases, may lead to IHD risk. The main cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and obesity, should be checked in all patients with IBD, and followed by strategies to reduce and manage early aggression. IBD activity is an important risk factor for acute cardiovascular events, and optimizing therapy for IBD patients should be followed as recommended in current guidelines, especially during active flares. Large long-term prospective studies, new biomarkers and scores are warranted to an optimal management of IHD risk in IBD patients.
Influence of Counter Surface Roughness and Lay on the Tribological Behaviour of Self-Lubricating Bearing Materials in Dry Sliding Conditions at High Contact Pressures
Authors: Rodiouchkina Maria , Berglund Kim , Forsberg Fredrik , Rodushkin Ilia , Hardell Jens
Published: July 2022

In Kaplan turbines, the most critical components are the self-lubricating polymer composite bearings used to control the guide vanes and the turbine blades. Reducing the sliding wear and friction of these bearings can benefit both the economy and the environment, including longer useful life, lower operational costs, and higher efficiency. In this study, the influence of stainless-steel counter surface roughness and lay on the tribological behaviour of three bearing materials used in hydropower applications were investigated using a linear reciprocating flat-on-flat configuration under high contact pressure and low sliding speed. The surface roughness was measured using white light interferometry. SEM and EDS analysis were used to investigate the worn surfaces. Results from this study show that overly smooth surfaces result in higher friction and wear of the counter surface, while rougher surfaces have a negative effect on the wear of the polymers. Highest surface coverage using protective transfer layers is found on the steel surfaces with the perpendicular lay and is accompanied with a lower coefficient of friction compared to the parallel lay. The dominant wear mechanism of the bearing materials changes from delamination wear to abrasive wear between the lowest and the intermediate roughness for steel surfaces with the parallel lay. It can be concluded that counter surface topography has a significant influence on the tribological behaviour of these bearing materials and that the effect differs between the self-lubricating polymer composites.
Hyers–Ulam Stability of Order k for Euler Equation and Euler–Poisson Equation in the Calculus of Variations
Authors: Marian Daniela , Ciplea Sorina Anamaria , Lungu Nicolaie
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we define and study Hyers–Ulam stability of order 1 for Euler’s equation and Hyers–Ulam stability of order m−1 for the Euler–Poisson equation in the calculus of variations in two special cases, when these equations have the form y″(x)=f(x) and y(m)(x)=f(x), respectively. We prove some estimations for Jyx−Jy0x, where y is an approximate solution and y0 is an exact solution of the corresponding Euler and Euler-Poisson equations, respectively. We also give two examples.
A New Clustering Method Based on the Inversion Formula
Authors: Lukauskas Mantas , Ruzgas Tomas
Published: July 2022

Data clustering is one area of data mining that falls into the data mining class of unsupervised learning. Cluster analysis divides data into different classes by discovering the internal structure of data set objects and their relationship. This paper presented a new density clustering method based on the modified inversion formula density estimation. This new method should allow one to improve the performance and robustness of the k-means, Gaussian mixture model, and other methods. The primary process of the proposed clustering algorithm consists of three main steps. Firstly, we initialized parameters and generated a T matrix. Secondly, we estimated the densities of each point and cluster. Third, we updated mean, sigma, and phi matrices. The new method based on the inversion formula works quite well with different datasets compared with K-means, Gaussian Mixture Model, and Bayesian Gaussian Mixture model. On the other hand, new methods have limitations because this one method in the current state cannot work with higher-dimensional data (d > 15). This will be solved in the future versions of the model, detailed further in future work. Additionally, based on the results, we can see that the MIDEv2 method works the best with generated data with outliers in all datasets (0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4% outliers). The interesting point is that a new method based on the inversion formula can cluster the data even if data do not have outliers; one of the most popular, for example, is the Iris dataset.
Stability and Optimal Control of Tree-Insect Model under Forest Fire Disturbance
Authors: Liu Xiaoxiao , Zhang Chunrui
Published: July 2022

In this article, we propose a mathematical model for insect outbreaks coupled with wildfire disturbances and an optimization model for finding suitable wildfire frequencies. We use a refined Holling II function as a model for the nonlinear response of fire frequency against trees and insects. The results show that for the tree–insect–wildfire model, there is a coexistence equilibrium in the system. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the effect of wildfire on trees in the optimization model. The results show that forest fires have a significant impact on the equilibrium mechanism of tree–insect coexistence. Numerical simulations suggest that in some areas of high fire intensity, there may be positive feedback between disturbances from wildfires and insect outbreaks. The result is consistent with the present theory in this field.
Preface to the Special Issue on “Bayesian Predictive Inference and Related Asymptotics—Festschrift for Eugenio Regazzini’s 75th Birthday”
Authors: Dolera Emanuele
Published: July 2022

It is my pleasure to write this Preface to the Special Issue of Mathematics entitled “Bayesian Predictive Inference and Related Asymptotics—Festschrift for Eugenio Regazzini’s 75th Birthday” [...]
Enhancing the Performance of Software Authorship Attribution Using an Ensemble of Deep Autoencoders
Authors: Czibula Gabriela , Lupea Mihaiela , Briciu Anamaria
Published: July 2022

Software authorship attribution, defined as the problem of software authentication and resolution of source code ownership, is of major relevance in the software engineering field. Authorship analysis of source code is more difficult than the classic task on literature, but it would be of great use in various software development activities such as software maintenance, software quality analysis or project management. This paper addresses the problem of code authorship attribution and introduces, as a proof of concept, a new supervised classification model AutoSoft for identifying the developer of a certain piece of code. The proposed model is composed of an ensemble of autoencoders that are trained to encode and recognize the programming style of software developers. An extension of the AutoSoft classifier, able to recognize an unknown developer (a developer that was not seen during the training), is also discussed and evaluated. Experiments conducted on software programs collected from the Google Code Jam data set highlight the performance of the proposed model in various test settings. A comparison to existing similar solutions for code authorship attribution indicates that AutoSoft outperforms most of them. Moreover, AutoSoft provides the advantage of adaptability, illustrated through a series of extensions such as the definition of class membership probabilities and the re-framing of the AutoSoft system to address one-class classification.
Procalcitonin as a Predictive Tool for Death and ICU Admission among Febrile Neutropenic Patients Visiting the Emergency Department
Authors: Coyne Christopher J. , Castillo Edward M. , Shatsky Rebecca A. , Chan Theodore C.
Published: July 2022

Background and Objectives: Risk stratification tools for febrile neutropenia exist but are infrequently utilized by emergency physicians. Procalcitonin may provide emergency physicians with a more objective tool to identify patients at risk of decompensation. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating the use of procalcitonin in cases of febrile neutropenia among adult patients presenting to the Emergency Department compared to a non-neutropenic, febrile control group. Our primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality with a secondary outcome of ICU admission. Results: Among febrile neutropenic patients, a positive initial procalcitonin value was associated with significantly increased odds of inpatient mortality after adjusting for age, sex, race, and ethnicity (AOR 9.912, p < 0.001), which was similar, though greater than, our non-neutropenic cohort (AOR 2.18, p < 0.001). All febrile neutropenic patients with a positive procalcitonin were admitted to the ICU. Procalcitonin had a higher sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) in regard to mortality and ICU admission for our neutropenic group versus our non-neutropenic control. Conclusions: Procalcitonin appears to be a valuable tool when attempting to risk stratify patients with febrile neutropenia presenting to the emergency department. Procalcitonin performed better in the prediction of death and ICU admission among patients with febrile neutropenia than a similar febrile, non-neutropenic control group.
The Role of Cholesterol in the Interaction of the Lipid Monolayer with the Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol-A
Authors: Katata Victoria M. , Maximino Mateus D. , Silva Carla Y. , Alessio Priscila
Published: July 2022

Among pollutants of emerging concern, endocrine disruptors (ED) have been shown to cause side effects in humans and animals. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an ED by-product of the plastic industry and one of the chemicals with the highest volume produced yearly. Here, we studied the role of cholesterol in the BPA exposure effects over membrane models. We used Langmuir films of both neat lipid DPPC (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and cholesterol (Chol) and a binary mixture containing DPPC/Chol, exposing it to BPA. We evaluate changes in the π-A isotherms and the PM–IRRAS (polarization modulation–infrared reflection adsorption spectroscopy) spectra. BPA exposure induced changes in the DPPC and Chol neat monolayers, causing mean molecular area expansion and altering profiles. However, at high surface pressure, the BPA was expelled from the air–water interface. For the DPPC/Chol mixture, BPA caused expansion throughout the whole compression, indicating that BPA is present at the monolayer interface. The PM–IRRAS analysis showed that BPA interacted with the phosphate group of DPPC through hydrogen bonding, which caused the area’s expansion. Such evidence might be biologically relevant to better understand the mechanism of action of BPA in cell membranes once phosphatidylcholines and Chol are found in mammalian membranes.
Dynamic Ferrite Formation and Evolution above the Ae3 Temperature during Plate Rolling Simulation of an API X80 Steel
Authors: Machado Francisco Romário de S. , Ferreira João C. , Rodrigues Maria Veronica G. , Lima Marcos Natan da S. , Loureiro Rodrigo de C. Paes , Siciliano Fulvio , Silva Eden S. , Reis Gedeon S. , Sousa Regina C. de , Aranas Clodualdo , Abreu Hamilton F. Gomes de , Rodrigues Samuel Filgueiras
Published: July 2022

Thermo-mechanically controlled rolling is a technique used to produce steel strips and plates. One of the steels widely used in the production of heavy plates for application in oil and gas pipelines is API X80. The hot rolling process of this family of steels consists of applying deformation passes at high temperatures, mainly above Ae3, inside the austenite phase field. It has been shown that during deformation, the phenomenon of dynamic transformation (DT) of austenite into ferrite leads to lower hot deformation resistance within the stable austenite region. In this investigation, hot torsion simulations of an industrial rolling process under continuous cooling conditions were used to monitor the formation of ferrite by DT. Stress–strain flow curves and equivalent mean flow stresses followed by sample characterization via optical and electron microscopy showed the inevitable formation of ferrite above the Ae3. The employed 10-pass deformation schedule was divided into 5 roughing and 5 finishing passes, thereby promoting an increased volume fraction of ferrite and decreased critical strain for the onset of DT and dynamic recrystallization (DRX). A microstructural analysis confirmed the formation of ferrite from the first roughing strain until the last finishing pass. The volume fraction of DT ferrite increased due to strain accumulation, an increased number of deformation passes and as the temperature approached the Ae3, leading to a characteristic torsion texture at the end of the simulation.
Study of the Effect of Fluxing Ability of Flux Ores on Minimizing of Copper Losses with Slags during Copper Concentrate Smelting
Authors: Dyussebekova Maral , Kenzhaliyev Bagdaulet , Kvyatkovskiy Sergey , Kozhakhmetov Sultanbek , Semenova Anastasiya , Sukurov Bulat
Published: July 2022

The article describes the effect of the fluxing ability (FA) of ores used as a flux on slag formation and copper losses. In Kazakhstan, at the Balkhash copper smelting plant (BCSP), currently used fluxes have a very low SiO2 content—about 62%—whereas the Al2O3 content is 12%. Its fluxing ability (FA) was estimated, and it was shown that currently used silica fluxes have an exceedingly low FA. Only half of the fluxes participate in the slag formation. To obtain slags with a low magnetite concentration, a considerable surplus of flux must be added, which will result in a sharp reduction in its melt temperature, increased slag output, and therefore copper losses. The slag structure was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). To determine one of the primary causes of flux ores’ low FA, it is necessary to use the microstructural pattern of experimental samples.
Berberine Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis and Inhibits the Secretion of Gut Lysozyme via Promoting Autophagy
Authors: Xu Xiaofan , Li Wei , Yu Zhendong , Zhang Le , Duo Ting , Zhao Ya , Qin Wenxia , Yang Wenbo , Ma Libao
Published: July 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the primary types of inflammatory bowel disease, the occurrence of which has been increasing worldwide. Research in recent years has found that the level of lysozyme in the feces and blood of UC patients is abnormally elevated, and the bacterial product after the action of lysozyme can be used as an agonist to recognize different cell pattern receptors, thus regulating the process of intestinal inflammation. Berberine (BBR), as a clinical anti-diarrhea and anti-inflammatory drug, has been used in China for hundreds of years. In this study, results showed that BBR can significantly inhibit the expression and secretion of lysozyme in mice. Therefore, we try to investigate the mechanism behind it and elucidate the new anti-inflammatory mechanism of BBR. In vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish an inflammatory cell model, and transcriptomic was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the LPS group and the LPS + BBR treatment group. In vivo, dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) was used to establish a UC mice model, and histologic section and immunofluorescence trails were used to estimate the effect of BBR on UC mice and the expression of lysozyme in Paneth cells. Research results showed that BBR can inhibit the expression and secretion of lysozyme by promoting autophagy via the AMPK/MTOR/ULK1 pathway, and BBR promotes the maturation and expression of lysosomes. Accordingly, we conclude that inhibiting the expression and secretion of intestinal lysozyme is a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of BBR.
Tracking Antimicrobial Resistant E. coli from Pigs on Farm to Pork at Slaughter
Authors: Bassitta Rupert , Kronfeld Hanna , Bauer Johann , Schwaiger Karin , Hölzel Christina
Published: July 2022

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria might be transferred via the foodchain. However, that risk is rarely tracked along different production steps, e.g., from pigs at farm to meat. To close that gap, we performed a prospective study in four conventional and two organic farms from the moment pigs entered the farm until meat sampling at slaughter. Antimicrobial use was recorded (0 to 11 agents). Antimicrobial susceptibility (AMS) against 26 antibiotics, including critically important substances, was tested by microdilution, and tetA-tetB-sulI-sulII-strA-strB-bla-CTXM-qacEΔ1 were included in PCR-genotyping. From 244 meat samples of 122 pigs, 54 samples (22.1%) from 45 animals were positive for E. coli (n = 198). MICs above the breakpoint/ECOFF occurred for all antibiotics except meropenem. One isolate from organic farming was markedly resistant against beta-lactams including fourth-generation cefalosporines. AMS patterns differed remarkably between isolates from one piece of meat, varying from monoresistance to 16-fold multiresistance. Amplicon-typing revealed high similarity between isolates at slaughter and on farm. Prior pig lots andeven the farmer might serve as reservoirs for E. coli isolated from meat at slaughter. However, AMS phenotyping and genotyping indicate that antimicrobial resistance in E. coli is highly dynamic, impairing reliable prediction of health risks from findings along the production chain.
Are the Effects of Malnutrition on the Gut Microbiota–Brain Axis the Core Pathologies of Anorexia Nervosa?
Authors: Frostad Stein
Published: July 2022

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disabling, costly, and potentially deadly illness. Treatment failure and relapse after treatment are common. Several studies have indicated the involvement of the gut microbiota–brain (GMB) axis. This narrative review hypothesizes that AN is driven by malnutrition-induced alterations in the GMB axis in susceptible individuals. According to this hypothesis, initial weight loss can voluntarily occur through dieting or be caused by somatic or psychiatric diseases. Malnutrition-induced alterations in gut microbiota may increase the sensitivity to anxiety-inducing gastrointestinal hormones released during meals, one of which is cholecystokinin (CCK). The experimental injection of a high dose of its CCK-4 fragment in healthy individuals induces panic attacks, probably via the stimulation of CCK receptors in the brain. Such meal-related anxiety attacks may take part in developing the clinical picture of AN. Malnutrition may also cause increased effects from appetite-reducing hormones that also seem to have roles in AN development and maintenance. The scientific background, including clinical, microbiological, and biochemical factors, of AN is discussed. A novel model for AN development and maintenance in accordance with this hypothesis is presented. Suggestions for future research are also provided.
The Prevalence, Coexistence, and Correlations between Seven Pathogens Detected by a PCR Method from South-Western Poland Dairy Cattle Suffering from Bovine Respiratory Disease
Authors: Lachowicz-Wolak Agnieszka , Klimowicz-Bodys Małgorzata D. , Płoneczka-Janeczko Katarzyna , Bykowy Marek , Siedlecka Magdalena , Cinciała Jagoda , Rypuła Krzysztof
Published: July 2022

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a very important disease that contributes to economic losses in dairy and beef cattle breeding worldwide. The molecular testing of material from 296 calves showing BRD symptoms from 74 dairy herds located in south-western Poland was performed in 2019–2021. Molecular tests were performed using a commercial kit “VetMAXTM Ruminant Respiratory Screening Kit” (Thermo Fisher Scientific) for the simultaneous detection of genetic material of seven pathogens responsible for BRD. At least one pathogen was detected in 95.95% of herds. The overall prevalence was: Pasteurella multocida 87.84%, Mannheimia haemolytica 44.59%, bovine coronavirus (BcoV) 32.43%, Mycoplasma bovis 29.73%, Histophilus somni 28.38%, bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV-3) 13.51%, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) 10.81%. Twenty-nine configurations of pathogen occurrences were found. Bacterial infections were the most frequently recorded as 56.7% of all results. Coinfections mainly consisted of two pathogens. Not a single purely viral coinfection was detected. The most frequent result was a single P. multocida infection accounting for 18.31% of all results. The statistically significant correlation (p = 0.001) with the highest strength of effect (ϕ 0.38) was between M. bovis and H. somni.
Minor Elements and Color Causing Role in Spinel: Multi-Analytical Approaches
Authors: Pluthametwisute Teerarat , Wanthanachaisaeng Bhuwadol , Saiyasombat Chatree , Sutthirat Chakkaphan
Published: July 2022

Natural spinel (MgAl2O4) usually contains some minor and trace elements (e.g., Cr, Co, Fe, V) that may cause various hues. The ratios of these chromophores directly affect the color composition. The red color in spinel is attributed to the combination of significant Cr and V. Magenta and purple to blue and green colors in spinels are affected by the significant Fe concentration, whereas orange color in spinel shows the contribution of significant V content compared to Cr and Fe. After the heating experiment, advanced gemological investigation reveals some noteworthy characteristic features. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) indicates a greater change in oxidation state, as well as disordering of Fe and V. Broadening of the dominant peak at around 406 cm−1 with occurrences of additional small peaks at around 715–719 cm−1 in Raman spectra, as well as broadening of the 685 nm (R-line) and poorly defined structure of additional peaks (N-lines) in photoluminescence spectra should be significant indicators of spinel undergone heat treatment.
Effect of Substituents on the Homopolymerization Activity of Methyl Alkyl Diallyl Ammonium Chloride
Authors: Jia Xu , Zhang Xiujuan , Peng Wenhui , Yang Kui , Xu Xiao , Zhang Yuejun , Wang Guixiang , Tao Xianping
Published: July 2022

Among nitrogen-containing cationic electrolytes, diallyl quaternary ammonium salt is a typical monomer with the highest positive charge density, which has attracted the most attention, especially in the research on homopolymers and copolymers of dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAC), which occupy a very unique and important position. In order to improve the lipophilicity of substituted diallyl ammonium chloride monomers under the premise of high cationic charge density, the simplest, most direct, and most efficient structure design strategy was selected in this paper. Only one of the substituents on DMDAAC quaternary ammonium nitrogen was modified by alkyl; the substituents were propyl and amyl groups, and their corresponding monomers were methyl propyl diallyl ammonium chloride (MPDAAC) and methyl amyl diallyl ammonium chloride (MADAAC), respectively. The effect of substituent structure on the homopolymerization activity of methyl alkyl diallyl ammonium chloride was illustrated by quantum chemical calculation and homopolymerization rate determination experiments via ammonium persulfate (APS) as the initiator system. The results of quantum chemistry simulation showed that, with the finite increase in substituted alkyl chain length, the numerical values of the bond length and the charge distribution of methyl alkyl diallyl ammonium chloride monomer changed little, with the activation energy of the reactions in the following order: DMDAAC < MPDAAC < MADAAC. The polymerization activities measured by the dilatometer method were in the order DMDAAC > MPDAAC > MADAAC. The activation energies Ea of homopolymerization were 96.70 kJ/mol, 97.25 kJ/mol, and 100.23 kJ/mol, and the rate equation of homopolymerization of each monomer was obtained. After analyzing and comparing these results, it could be easily found that the electronic effect of substituent was not obvious, whereas the effect of the steric hindrance was dominant. The above studies have laid a good foundation for an understanding of the polymerization activity of methyl alkyl diallyl ammonium chloride monomers and the possibility of preparation and application of these polymers with high molecular weight.
Phytochemical Profile and Herbicidal (Phytotoxic), Antioxidants Potential of Essential Oils from Calycolpus goetheanus (Myrtaceae) Specimens, and in Silico Study
Authors: Franco Celeste de Jesus Pereira , Ferreira Oberdan Oliveira , Cruz Jorddy Neves , Varela Everton Luiz Pompeu , de Moraes Ângelo Antônio Barbosa , Nascimento Lidiane Diniz do , Cascaes Márcia Moraes , Souza Filho Antônio Pedro da Silva , Lima Rafael Rodrigues , Percário Sandro , Oliveira Mozaniel Santana de , Andrade Eloisa Helena de Aguiar
Published: July 2022

The essential oil (EO) of Calycolpus goetheanus (Myrtaceae) specimens (A, B, and C) were obtained through hydrodistillation. The analysis of the chemical composition of the EOs was by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry CG-MS, and gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector CG-FID. The phytotoxic activity of those EOs was evaluated against two weed species from common pasture areas in the Amazon region: Mimosa pudica L. and Senna obtusifolia (L.) The antioxidant capacity of the EOs was determined by (DPPH•) and (ABTS•+). Using molecular docking, we evaluated the interaction mode of the major EO compounds with the molecular binding protein 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). The EO of specimen A was characterized by β-eudesmol (22.83%), (E)-caryophyllene (14.61%), and γ-eudesmol (13.87%), while compounds 1,8-cineole (8.64%), (E)-caryophyllene (5.86%), δ-cadinene (5.78%), and palustrol (4.97%) characterize the chemical profile of specimen B’s EOs, and specimen C had α-cadinol (9.03%), δ-cadinene (8.01%), and (E)-caryophyllene (6.74%) as the majority. The phytotoxic potential of the EOs was observed in the receptor species M. pudica with percentages of inhibition of 30%, and 33.33% for specimens B and C, respectively. The EOs’ antioxidant in DPPH• was 0.79 ± 0.08 and 0.83 ± 0.02 mM for specimens A and B, respectively. In the TEAC, was 0.07 ± 0.02 mM for specimen A and 0.12 ± 0.06 mM for specimen B. In the results of the in silico study, we observed that the van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions of the alkyl and pi-alkyl types were the main interactions responsible for the formation of the receptor–ligand complex.
A Review on the Extraction, Bioactivity, and Application of Tea Polysaccharides
Authors: Yao Jianmei , Liu Huifang , Ma Chiyu , Pu Lulu , Yang Wen , Lei Zhiwei
Published: July 2022

Tea is a non-alcoholic drink containing various active ingredients, including tea polysaccharides (TPSs). TPSs have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, and anti-cancer activities. However, TPSs have a complex composition, which significantly limits the extraction and isolation methods, thus limiting their application. This paper provides insight into the composition, methodological techniques for isolation and extraction of the components, biological activities, and functions of TPSs, as well as their application prospects.
A Cheminformatics Study Regarding the Human Health Risks Assessment of the Stereoisomers of Difenoconazole
Authors: Voiculescu Denisa Ioana , Roman Diana Larisa , Ostafe Vasile , Isvoran Adriana
Published: July 2022

Difenoconazole is a chemical entity containing two chiral centers and having four stereoisomers: (2R,4R)-, (2R,4S)-, (2S,4R)- and (2S,4S)-difenoconazole, the marketed product containing a mixture of these isomers. Residues of difenoconazole have been identified in many agricultural products and drinking water. A computational approach has been used to evaluate the toxicological effects of the difenoconazole stereoisomers on humans. It integrates predictions of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) profiles, prediction of metabolism sites, and assessment of the interactions of the difenoconazole stereoisomers with human cytochromes, nuclear receptors and plasma proteins by molecular docking. Several toxicological effects have been identified for all the difenoconazole stereoisomers: high plasma protein binding, inhibition of cytochromes, possible hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, mutagenicity, skin sensitization potential, moderate potential to produce endocrine disrupting effects. There were small differences in the predicted probabilities of producing various biological effects between the distinct stereoisomers of difenoconazole. Furthermore, there were significant differences between the interacting energies of the difenoconazole stereoisomers with plasma proteins and human cytochromes, the spectra of the hydrogen bonds and aromatic donor–acceptor interactions being quite distinct. Some distinguishing results have been obtained for the (2S,4S)-difenoconazole: it registered the highest value for clearance, exposed reasonable probabilities to produce cardiotoxicity and carcinogenicity and negatively affected numerous nuclear receptors.
Structure-Based Bioisosterism Design, Synthesis, Biological Activity and Toxicity of 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Substituted Benzamides Analogues Containing Pyrazole Rings
Authors: Tu Min-Ting , Shao Ying-Ying , Yang Sen , Sun Bin-Long , Wang Ying-Ying , Tan Cheng-Xia , Wang Xue-Dong
Published: July 2022

In order to discover pesticidal lead compounds with high activity and low toxicity, a series of novel benzamides substituted with pyrazole-linked 1,2,4-oxadiazole were designed via bioisosterism. The chemical structures of the target compounds were confirmed via 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS analysis. The preliminary bioassay showed that most compounds exhibited good lethal activities against Mythimna separate, Helicoverpa armigera, Ostrinia nubilalis and Spodoptera frugiperda at 500 mg/L. Particularly in the case of Mythimna separate, compound 14q (70%) exhibited obvious insecticidal activity. In addition, compound 14h demonstrated good fungicidal activity against Pyricularia oryae with an inhibition rate of 77.8%, and compounds 14e, 14k, 14n and 14r also showed certain antifungal activities (55.6–66.7%). The zebrafish toxicity test showed that the LC50 of compound 14h was 14.01 mg/L, which indicated that it may be used as a potential leading compound for further structural optimization.
Influence of Nanocellulose Structure on Paper Reinforcement
Authors: Perdoch Waldemar , Cao Zhuoran , Florczak Patryk , Markiewicz Roksana , Jarek Marcin , Olejnik Konrad , Mazela Bartłomiej
Published: July 2022

This article describes how crystalline or fibrous nanocellulose influences the mechanical properties of paper substrate. In this context, we used commercially available cellulose nanocrystals, mechanically prepared cellulose nanofibers dispersed in water or ethanol, and carboxy cellulose nanofibers. Selective reinforcement of the paper treated with the nanocellulose samples mentioned above was observed. The change in the fibre structure was assessed using scanning electron microscopy, roentgenography, and spectroscopy techniques. In addition, the effect of nanocellulose coating on physical properties was evaluated, specifically tensile index, elongation coefficient, Elmendorf tear resistance, Bendtsen surface roughness, Bendtsen air permeability, and bending strength. It can be concluded that the observed decrease in the strength properties of the paper after applying some NC compositions is due to the loss of potential disturbances in hydrogen bonds between the nanocellulose dispersed in ethanol and the paper substrate. On the other hand, significantly increased strength was observed in the case of paper reinforced with nanocellulose functionalized with carboxyl groups.