bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reverse transcriptase inhibition potentiates target therapy in BRAF-mutant melanomas: effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA-damage, ROS induction and mitochondrial membrane depolarization
Authors: Fattore Luigi , Malpicci Debora , Milite Ciro , Castellano Sabrina , Sbardella Gianluca , Botti Gerardo , Ascierto Paolo A. , Mancini Rita , Ciliberto Gennaro
Published: September 2020

Target therapies based on BRAF and MEK inhibitors (MAPKi) have changed the therapeutic landscape for metastatic melanoma patients bearing mutations in the BRAF kinase. However, the emergence of drug resistance imposes the necessity to conceive novel therapeutic strategies capable to achieve a more durable disease control. In the last years, retrotransposons laying in human genome have been shown to undergo activation during tumorigenesis, where they contribute to genomic instability. Their activation can be efficiently controlled with reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) frequently used in the treatment of AIDS. These drugs have demonstrated anti-proliferative effects in several cancer models, including also metastatic melanoma. However, to our knowledge no previous study investigated the capability of RTIs to mitigate drug resistance to target therapy in BRAF-mutant melanomas. In this short report we show that the non-nucleoside RTI, SPV122 in combination with MAPKi strongly inhibits BRAF-mutant melanoma cell growth, induces apoptosis, and delays the emergence of resistance to target therapy in vitro. Mechanistically, this combination strongly induces DNA double-strand breaks, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and increased ROS levels. Our results shed further light on the molecular activity of RTI in melanoma and pave the way to their use as a novel therapeutic option to improve the efficacy of target therapy.

Graphical abstract
Pathophysiology and treatment strategies for COVID-19
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Al Khodor Souhaila
Published: September 2020

The outbreak of Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has posed a serious health threat. The increasing number of COVID-19 cases around the world is overwhelming hospitals and pushing the global death toll to over 746,000, which has pushed the sprint to find new treatment options. In this article, we reviewed the SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology, transmission, and potential treatment strategies.
Correction to: Direct anterior versus posterolateral approaches for clinical outcomes after total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Wang , Sun Jian-Ning , Zhang Ye , Zhang Yu , Chen Xiang-Yang , Feng Shuo
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Gradient local anesthesia for percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy at the L5/S1 level: a feasibility study
Authors: Feng Wan-Li , Yang Jun-Song , Wei Dongmei , Gong Han-Lin , Xi Yong , Lv Hui-Qiang , Wang Xin-Gang , Xia Bin , Wei Jian-Min
Published: September 2020

Background

During the process of shearing the ligamentum flavum, rotating the working channel, and manipulating the annulus fibrosis, the sinuvertebral nerve and the spinal nerve root can be irritated, inducing intolerable back and leg pain. Thus, general anesthesia is recommended and well accepted by most surgeons when performing percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) via the interlaminar approach. The aim of our study was to explore the efficacy and safety of percutaneous endoscopy interlaminar lumbar discectomy with gradient local anesthesia (LA) in patients with L5/S1 disc herniation.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted between December 2017 and June 2018. The study included 50 consecutive patients who met the study criteria, had single-level L5/S1 disc herniation, and underwent PELD via the interlaminar approach under gradient LA. Different concentrations of local anesthetic compound (LAC) were injected into different tissues inside and outside the ligamentum flavum to complete gradient LA. The evaluation criteria included the intraoperative satisfaction score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), complications, and adverse reactions.

Results

The intraoperative satisfaction score was consistently over 7, with an average score of 9.3 ± 0.7, indicating that LAC can achieve satisfactory pain control throughout the PELD operation without additional anesthesia. The postoperative VAS score and ODI were dramatically improved at each follow-up interval (P < 0.001, respectively). There was no serious complication such as dural rupture caused by puncture, dural laceration caused by manipulation under endoscopy, total spinal anesthesia, iatrogenic nerve root injury, epidural hematoma, infections, or local anesthetic-related adverse reactions. Three patients experienced transient postoperative dysesthesia of the lower limbs that gradually recovered within 24 h.

Conclusions

Gradient local anesthesia can satisfactorily and safely control intraoperative pain during the PELD via the interlaminar approach. It can not only improve intraoperative satisfaction, but also reduce local anesthesia-related adverse reactions and surgery-related complications.
Cancer-specific CTCF binding facilitates oncogenic transcriptional dysregulation
Authors: Fang Celestia , Wang Zhenjia , Han Cuijuan , Safgren Stephanie L. , Helmin Kathryn A. , Adelman Emmalee R. , Serafin Valentina , Basso Giuseppe , Eagen Kyle P. , Gaspar-Maia Alexandre , Figueroa Maria E. , Singer Benjamin D. , Ratan Aakrosh , Ntziachristos Panagiotis , Zang Chongzhi
Published: September 2020

Background

The three-dimensional genome organization is critical for gene regulation and can malfunction in diseases like cancer. As a key regulator of genome organization, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) has been characterized as a DNA-binding protein with important functions in maintaining the topological structure of chromatin and inducing DNA looping. Among the prolific binding sites in the genome, several events with altered CTCF occupancy have been reported as associated with effects in physiology or disease. However, hitherto there is no comprehensive survey of genome-wide CTCF binding patterns across different human cancers.

Results

To dissect functions of CTCF binding, we systematically analyze over 700 CTCF ChIP-seq profiles across human tissues and cancers and identify cancer-specific CTCF binding patterns in six cancer types. We show that cancer-specific lost and gained CTCF binding events are associated with altered chromatin interactions, partially with DNA methylation changes, and rarely with sequence mutations. While lost bindings primarily occur near gene promoters, most gained CTCF binding events exhibit enhancer activities and are induced by oncogenic transcription factors. We validate these findings in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines and patient samples and show that oncogenic NOTCH1 induces specific CTCF binding and they cooperatively activate expression of target genes, indicating transcriptional condensation phenomena.

Conclusions

Specific CTCF binding events occur in human cancers. Cancer-specific CTCF binding can be induced by other transcription factors to regulate oncogenic gene expression. Our results substantiate CTCF binding alteration as a functional epigenomic signature of cancer.
Systematic genetic and proteomic screens during gametogenesis identify H2BK34 methylation as an evolutionary conserved meiotic mark
Authors: Crespo Marion , Luense Lacey J. , Arlotto Marie , Hu Jialei , Dorsey Jean , García-Oliver Encar , Shah Parisha P. , Pflieger Delphine , Berger Shelley L. , Govin Jérôme
Published: September 2020

Background

Gametes are highly differentiated cells specialized to carry and protect the parental genetic information. During male germ cell maturation, histone proteins undergo distinct changes that result in a highly compacted chromatin organization. Technical difficulties exclude comprehensive analysis of precise histone mutations during mammalian spermatogenesis. The model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses a differentiation pathway termed sporulation which exhibits striking similarities to mammalian spermatogenesis. This study took advantage of this yeast pathway to first perform systematic mutational and proteomics screens on histones, revealing amino acid residues which are essential for the formation of spores.

Methods

A systematic mutational screen has been performed on the histones H2A and H2B, generating ~ 250 mutants using two genetic backgrounds and assessing their ability to form spores. In addition, histones were purified at key stages of sporulation and post-translational modifications analyzed by mass spectrometry.

Results

The mutation of 75 H2A H2B residues affected sporulation, many of which were localized to the nucleosome lateral surface. The use of different genetic backgrounds confirmed the importance of many of the residues, as 48% of yeast histone mutants exhibited impaired formation of spores in both genetic backgrounds. Extensive proteomic analysis identified 67 unique post-translational modifications during sporulation, 27 of which were previously unreported in yeast. Furthermore, 33 modifications are located on residues that were found to be essential for efficient sporulation in our genetic mutation screens. The quantitative analysis of these modifications revealed a massive deacetylation of all core histones during the pre-meiotic phase and a close interplay between H4 acetylation and methylation during yeast sporulation. Methylation of H2BK37 was also identified as a new histone marker of meiosis and the mouse paralog, H2BK34, was also enriched for methylation during meiosis in the testes, establishing conservation during mammalian spermatogenesis.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that a combination of genetic and proteomic approaches applied to yeast sporulation can reveal new aspects of chromatin signaling pathways during mammalian spermatogenesis.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy in a patient with intestinal malrotation and distal cholangiocarcinoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Arabi Nassir Alhaboob , Abdoun Areej Abdalla , Ali Mohamed Osama , Elhaj Saria Kabashi , Mohd. Sawsan Abuelgassim
Published: September 2020

Background

A combination of intestinal malrotation and distal cholangiocarcinoma is considered a rare condition and poses some difficulties in surgical management. We present a case of a patient with asymptomatic nonrotation of the midgut with a concomitant distal cholangiocarcinoma who underwent successful pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old Sudanese man presented to our hospital with progressive painless jaundice associated with dark urine, pale stool, and itching for the last 2 months. He had no other complaint or significant previous medical history apart from being an ex-smoker. His clinical examination revealed a palpable gallbladder and scratch mark. His other systems were unremarkable. His blood test results showed a normal complete blood count, elevated total bilirubin (mainly direct bilirubin), elevated alkaline phosphatase, and normal cancer antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen. Ultrasound, computed tomography of the abdomen, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed a dilated intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary system down to the distal part, where the lumen was obstructed by a periampullary mass measuring 2.4 by 2.1 cm. The patient’s gallbladder was distended. He had no liver metastases or ascites and few lymph nodes. Inversion of the superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein but no invasion was seen, and malrotation of the bowel was observed with the large bowel on the left side and the small bowel to the right of the abdomen. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a fleshy ampulla that was stented. Laparotomy showed malrotation, with the duodenum straight on the right side of the midline, and Ladd’s band crossed the second portion of the duodenum. The vessels were approached from the lateral side meticulously after kocherization of the duodenum and pancreas, dissection along an extended portion of the superior mesenteric artery to assure preservation of the superior mesenteric artery and branches going to the jejunum, Ladd’s procedure, division of the jejunum 10 cm below the uncinate process of pancreas, and modified pancreaticoduodenectomy were performed, and anastomoses were performed in the standard fashion. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, started oral feeding after 5 days, and discharged to home on day 10 for regular follow-up. Histopathology confirmed distal cholangiocarcinoma, and the patient was referred for further oncological management.

Conclusions

Pancreaticoduodenectomy can be safely performed in patients with intestinal malrotation with some modifications of the standard approach. Meticulous dissection after preoperative identification of vascular anomaly and a lateral approach are of great help to reduce morbidity.
Exercise enhances mitochondrial fission and mitophagy to improve myopathy following critical limb ischemia in elderly mice via the PGC1a/FNDC5/irisin pathway
Authors: He Wuyang , Wang Peng , Chen Qingwei , Li Chunqiu
Published: September 2020

Background

Elderly populations are susceptible to critical limb ischemia (CLI), but conventional treatments cannot significantly decrease amputation and mortality. Although exercise is an effective “non-pharmacological medicine” targeting mitochondria to improve skeletal muscle function, few studies have focused on the application of exercise in CLI.

Methods

Elderly male C57BL/6 mice (14 months old) were used to establish a CLI model to assess the effect of exercise on perfusion, performance recovery, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and mitochondrial turnover in gastrocnemius muscle. The potential underlying mechanism mediated by PGC1a/FNDC5/irisin was confirmed in hypoxic and nutrient-deprived myotubes undergoing electrical pulse stimuli (EPS).

Results

Exercise significantly accelerated the perfusion recovery and exercise performance in ischemic limbs following CLI. Exercise improved the mitochondrial membrane potential and total ATP production and decreased apoptosis in the ischemic limbs. Exercise increased the formation of mitochondrial derived vesicle-like structures and decreased the mitochondrial length in the ischemic limbs, accompanied by upregulated PGC1a/FNDC5/irisin expression. In vitro, PGC1a/FNDC5/irisin downregulation decreased EPS-elevated PINK1, Parkin, DRP1, and LC3B mRNA levels. The irisin levels in the culture medium were correlated with the expression of mitochondrial fission and mitophagy markers in myotubes.

Conclusion

Exercise enhanced mitochondrial fission and selective autophagy to promote the recovery of myopathy after CLI in elderly mice through the PGC1a/FNDC5/irisin pathway, supporting the efficacy of exercise therapy in elderly individuals with CLI and demonstrating the potential of targeting PGC1a/FNDC5/irisin as a new strategy for the treatment of CLI.
Is greater generic competition also linked to lower drug prices in South Korea?
Authors: Son Kyung-Bok
Published: September 2020

Background

Although the association between the price of generic drugs and market competitiveness has been explored in various high-income countries, this association has not been empirically evaluated in South Korea. We aim to determine the association between the prices of generic drugs and market competitiveness in South Korea.

Methods

A list of originator drugs approved by the national authority from 2000 to 2019 and their corresponding generic drugs were grouped along with the baseline information. The market was categorized into four groups based on the number of manufacturers: duopoly (2 manufacturers); low- (3–25 manufacturers); medium- (26–75 manufacturers); and high-competition (more than 76 manufacturers) markets. Price variance, calculated as the difference between the maximum price and minimum price divided by the maximum price, was obtained. A multivariate regression model was applied to regress price variance on the characteristics of market competitiveness, controlling for the characteristics of the originator drugs and their price level in the market.

Results

A total of 986 originator drugs were identified and then divided into duopoly (31%), low- (56%), medium- (9%), and high-competition (4%) markets; the median of the price variance for these markets was 0.013, 0.077, 0.200, and 0.228, respectively. In a multivariate regression model, price variance was associated with the characteristics of the originator drug, including the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification, the route of administration, and the approval year. Controlling for the characteristics of the originator drugs, market competitiveness was positively associated with price variance.

Conclusions

The positive association between price variance and market competitiveness is still consistent in South Korea, where rare price competition among a large number of generic manufacturers has been reported. However, no significant price variance was observed between medium- and high-competition markets. These findings support policies for managing a large number of generic manufacturers in South Korea.
PRV UL13 inhibits cGAS–STING-mediated IFN-β production by phosphorylating IRF3
Authors: Bo Zongyi , Miao Yurun , Xi Rui , Zhong Qiuping , Bao Chenyi , Chen Huan , Sun Liumei , Qian Yingjuan , Jung Yong-Sam , Dai Jianjun
Published: September 2020

Cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) is an intracellular sensor of cytoplasmic viral DNA created during virus infection, which subsequently activates the stimulator of interferon gene (STING)-dependent type I interferon response to eliminate pathogens. In contrast, viruses have developed different strategies to modulate this signalling pathway. Pseudorabies virus (PRV), an alphaherpesvirus, is the causative agent of Aujeszky’s disease (AD), a notable disease that causes substantial economic loss to the swine industry globally. Previous reports have shown that PRV infection induces cGAS-dependent IFN-β production, conversely hydrolysing cGAMP, a second messenger synthesized by cGAS, and attenuates PRV-induced IRF3 activation and IFN-β secretion. However, it is not clear whether PRV open reading frames (ORFs) modulate the cGAS–STING-IRF3 pathway. Here, 50 PRV ORFs were screened, showing that PRV UL13 serine/threonine kinase blocks the cGAS–STING-IRF3-, poly(I:C)- or VSV-mediated transcriptional activation of the IFN-β gene. Importantly, it was discovered that UL13 phosphorylates IRF3, and its kinase activity is indispensable for such an inhibitory effect. Moreover, UL13 does not affect IRF3 dimerization, nuclear translocation or association with CREB-binding protein (CBP) but attenuates the binding of IRF3 to the IRF3-responsive promoter. Consistent with this, it was discovered that UL13 inhibits the expression of multiple interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) induced by cGAS–STING or poly(I:C). Finally, it was determined that PRV infection can activate IRF3 by recruiting it to the nucleus, and PRVΔUL13 mutants enhance the transactivation level of the IFN-β gene. Taken together, the data from the present study demonstrated that PRV UL13 inhibits cGAS–STING-mediated IFN-β production by phosphorylating IRF3.
Dietary Bacillus spp. enhanced growth and disease resistance of weaned pigs by modulating intestinal microbiota and systemic immunity
Authors: He Yijie , Jinno Cynthia , Kim Kwangwook , Wu Zhaohai , Tan Bie , Li Xunde , Whelan Rose , Liu Yanhong
Published: September 2020

Background

Previous research has shown that dietary supplementation of Bacillus spp. probiotics exerts beneficial effects on animals’ growth. However, limited studies have evaluated the efficacy of Bacillus spp. on weaned pigs and their effects on host gut health and microbiome, and systemic immunity using a disease challenge model. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of two Bacillus spp. strains (Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540 and Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539) on growth performance, diarrhea, intestinal health, microbiome, and systemic immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC).

Results

Pigs in PRO1 (Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540) had greater (P < 0.05) body weight on d 7 and 14 PI, greater (P < 0.05) ADG from d 0 to 7 and d 7 to 14 PI, compared with pigs in CON (Control). Pigs in PRO1 had milder (P < 0.05) diarrhea on d 2 and 3 PI compared with pigs in CON. However, no differences were observed in growth performance and diarrhea score between PRO2 (Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539) and CON groups. Supplementation of PRO1 decreased (P < 0.05) lymphocyte counts on d 7 and 14 PI, compared with CON. Supplementation of PRO1 and PRO2 both reduced (P < 0.05) total coliforms in mesenteric lymph nodes on d 21 PI. Pigs in PRO2 had greater (P < 0.05) goblet cell number and sulfomucin percentage in duodenal villi and greater (P < 0.05) sialomucin percentage in jejunal villi than pigs in CON. Supplementation of PRO1 up-regulated (P < 0.05) MUC2 gene expression in jejunal mucosa and reduced (P < 0.05) PTGS-2 and IL1B gene expression in ileal mucosa on d 21 PI, compared with CON. Pigs in PRO1 had reduced (P < 0.05) relative abundance of families Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae and Pasteurellaceae in the ileum.

Conclusions

Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540 improved growth performance, alleviated diarrhea severity, enhanced gut health, and reduced systemic inflammation of weaned pigs infected with ETEC F18. Although Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539 was able to alleviate systemic inflammation, it had limited impacts on growth performance and severity of diarrhea of ETEC F18 challenged weaned pigs.
Learning in the presence of concept recurrence in data stream clustering
Authors: Namitha K. , Santhosh Kumar G.
Published: September 2020

In the case of real-world data streams, the underlying data distribution will not be static; it is subject to variation over time, which is known as the primary reason for concept drift. Concept drift poses severe problems to the accuracy of a model in online learning scenarios. The recurring concept is a particular case of concept drift where the concepts already seen in the past reappear as the stream evolves. This problem is not yet studied in the context of stream clustering. This paper proposes a novel algorithm for identifying the recurring concepts in data stream clustering. During concept recurrence, the most matching model is retrieved from the repository and reused. The algorithm has minimum memory requirements and works online with the stream. Some of the concepts and definitions, already familiar in concept recurrence studies of stream classification have been redefined for clustering. The experiments conducted on real and synthetic data streams reveal that the proposed algorithm has the potential to identify recurring concepts.
Emergency contraceptive knowledge, utilization and associated factors among secondary school students in Wolkite town, southern Ethiopia, cross sectional study
Authors: Mesfin Dereje
Published: September 2020

Background

Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan African countries with high maternal mortality and morbidity, unsafe abortion and adolescent births. Despite different policy measures taken by the government to improve sexual and reproductive health among adolescents their success is not well studied in Ethiopia. The objective of this study is to explore emergency contraceptive related knowledge, practice and its determinants among secondary school students in southern Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected high schools of Wolkite town, Southern Ethiopia from December to November 2019. Single population proportion formula was used to calculate sample size. A total of 327 female students participated in the study with a total response rate of 97%. Data were collected using a self-administered, structured questionnaire and cleaned, entered and analyzed using Statistical package for social science software version 21.

Result

153 (54.8%) of the study participants had good knowledge about emergency contraceptives and only (40.5%) of sexually active participates used emergency contraceptives after unprotected sex. Type of admission and grade level of participants and discussion of reproductive health related issues with parents were significantly associated with good knowledge of Emergency contraceptive. Having partner and grade level of students were among the significant determinants of emergency contraceptive utilization.

Conclusion

The study showed an acceptable level of emergency contraceptive knowledge but only less than half of sexually active respondents used emergency contraceptives. To prevent unintended pregnancy among secondary school students sexual and reproductive health education should be given to students starting from their enrollment. Furthermore, parents should be encouraged to freely discuss sexual and reproductive health matters with their children.
Indication of lethal interactions between a solitary bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the German Baltic Sea
Authors: Gross Stephanie , Claus Philip , Wohlsein Peter , Kesselring Tina , Lakemeyer Jan , Reckendorf Anja , Roller Marco , Tiedemann Ralph , Siebert Ursula
Published: September 2020

Background

Aggressive interactions between bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) have been reported in different parts of the world since the late 1990s. In the Baltic Sea, harbor porpoises are the only native cetacean species, while bottlenose dolphins may appear there temporarily. In the fall of 2016, a solitary male photo-identified bottlenose dolphin stayed in the German Baltic Sea of Schleswig-Holstein for 3 months. During that time, the necropsies of the stranded harbor porpoises revealed types of trauma of varying degrees in six animals, which is unusual in this area. The purpose of this study was to determine if the appearance of the bottlenose dolphin could be linked to the trauma of the harbor porpoise carcasses.

Results

Pathological findings in these animals included subcutaneous, thoracic and abdominal hemorrhages, multiple, mainly bilateral, rib fractures, and one instance of lung laceration. These findings correspond with the previously reported dolphin-caused injuries in other regions. Moreover, public sighting reports showed a spatial and temporal correlation between the appearance of the dolphin and the stranding of fatally injured harbor porpoises.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that no attack has been witnessed in German waters to date, our findings indicate the first record of lethal interactions between a bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoises in the German Baltic Sea. Furthermore, to our knowledge, this is the first report of porpoise aggression by a socially isolated bottlenose dolphin.
Effects of abamectin on lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica F. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), infestation on some stored grains
Authors: Perišić Vesna , Perišić Vladimir , Vukajlović Filip , Predojević Dragana , Rajičić Vera , Andrić Goran , Kljajić Petar
Published: September 2020

Background

Modern methods of stored wheat grain protection from insect pests strive towards optimizing the use of different techniques and methods within integrated pest management (IPM) programs. One of the methods of integral grain protection is the application of natural originating insecticides.

Main body

The potential of the natural origin synthetic insecticide abamectin (a product of soil bacteria, Streptomyces avermitilis fermentation) on the grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica F. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), in stored wheat, barley, ray, oats, and triticale was evaluated. The evaluation was conducted in 3 rates. The effects of its application on the infestation of R. dominica on certain physical and chemical traits of cereal grains were examined. The efficacy of abamectin after 7 days of exposure, in all applied dosages, was low (< 56.5% in wheat and < 30.5% in other grains). Abamectin efficacy was significantly increased after 14 days of exposure. R. dominica mortality was 99.0 and 100% after 21-day exposure at the abamectin rates of 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg−1, respectively. Ten weeks after grain treatment, the 3 examined rates prevented the emergence of progeny. The amount of the damaged grains and dockage, as a nus-product of feeding of R. dominica larvae and imago, compared to the untreated, infested sample was significantly smaller, which represents a positive aspect of abamectin application. The application did not change significantly the moisture, protein, and ash contents, in comparison to the control.

Conclusion

Positive aspects of the abamectin application on different grain species (wheat, barley, rye, oats, and triticale) caused the highest rates of R. dominica mortality after 21 days of exposure where a total prevention of progeny emergence and absence of changes on technological grain properties occurred.
Effect of glutathione and/or selenium levels on growth, yield, and some biochemical constituents of some wheat cultivars grown under sandy soil conditions
Authors: Dawood Mona G. , Sadak Mervat Sh. , Bakry Bakry A. , Kheder Howida H.
Published: September 2020

Background

Two field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Production and Research Station, National Research Centre (NRC), El-Nubaria Province, Behaira Governorate, Egypt, during two successive winter seasons to study the effect of glutathione (100, 200, and 300 mg/l) and/or selenium (5 and 10 mg/l) on growth, yield, and yield components of three wheat cultivars (Egypt-2; Shandaweel-1; Gemmeiza-11).

Results

The results indicate that the Gemmeiza-11 cultivar was the most adapted cultivar to grow in the Nubaria region. Individually, glutathione at 300 mg/l or selenium at 10 mg/l caused the highest significant increases in shoot dry weight/plant of three wheat cultivars relative to other levels. Likewise, glutathione treatment at 300 mg/l was the optimum treatment in increasing photosynthetic pigments in three wheat cultivars. Selenium treatment at 10 mg/l was better than selenium treatment at 5 mg/l. Interaction between glutathione at 300 mg/l and selenium at 10 mg/l caused the highest significance increases in total photosynthetic pigments. It is obvious that glutathione at 300 mg/l or selenium at 10 mg/l as individual treatment showed the highest significant increase in grain yield (ton/fed).

Conclusion

Glutathione treatments at 200 or 300 mg/l interacted with selenium treatment at 10 mg/l showed the highest significant increases in grain yield and its components as compared with other treatments in three wheat cultivars. Moreover, It is noted that the highest increases in IAA and phenolic content in the leaves as well as the content of carbohydrate, flavonoid, and phenolic in the yielded grains appeared by the interaction between glutathione at 300 mg/l and selenium at 10 mg/l in the three wheat cultivars under investigation.
Partial root-zone drying (PRD), its effects and agricultural significance: a review
Authors: Iqbal Rashid , Raza Muhammad Aown Sammar , Toleikiene Monika , Ayaz Muhammad , Hashemi Fatemeh , Habib-ur-Rahman Muhammad , Zaheer Muhammad Saqlain , Ahmad Salman , Riaz Umair , Ali Muhammad , Aslam Muhammad Usman , Haider Imran
Published: September 2020

Background

Water resources are very important to agricultural crop production due to increasing demand for food, feed, and fiber. There is a growing requirement for more use of our natural resources of land, soil, and water. There is ever-increasing pressure on water resources for our extensive use in agricultural production. There needs to be innovative solutions for more efficient irrigation techniques for better development of agricultural irrigation management.

Main body of the abstract

This review paper shows the consequences of partial root-zone drying happening on various plant species, its advantages and disadvantages, and also the hormone production under partial root-zone drying. In this technique of irrigation, a wet-dry cycle irrigates the crop, i.e., irrigation is scheduled at a regular interval with half way root drying.

Short conclusion

This is a water-saving irrigation strategy used in arid and semi-arid environments for increasing irrigation water use efficiency and water productivity as compared to fully irrigated crop plants in area with limited water resources. Scientists have worked a lot with different morphological, physiological, and yield related parameters of horticultural crops with partial root-zone drying but little work with agronomic crops.
Intracranial giant cell tumour—a case report
Authors: Hashim Hilwati , Bakar Nor Salmah
Published: September 2020

Background

Giant cell tumours (GCT) are rare benign bone tumours that typically occur in the appendicular skeleton. In typical locations, these tumours are relatively simple to diagnose by radiography. However, at atypical locations, these tumours can be confused with other disease pathologies. Here, we describe a patient with an intracranial GCT that was initially thought to be a cystic teratoma.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old man with no previous medical illness was investigated for left-sided hearing impairment and tinnitus associated with a left-sided headache of 2 years’ duration. He did not complain of fever, vertigo, nasal or constitutional symptoms. Examination confirmed a sensory neural hearing loss with no other neurological deficit. Imaging by CT and subsequent MRI revealed an extra axial, multiloculated, and septated mass at the left temporal area with a significant mass effect. A provisional diagnosis of cystic teratoma was made. However, histopathological examination of the resected mass indicated that the lesion was a GCT. The patient required a second excision of the tumour, which he refused. His latest follow-up MRI showed no further progression of the residual tumour. His headaches have resolved and there was no progression of other symptoms.

Conclusion

This case highlights that GCTs can occur at sites outside the appendicular skeleton and that these tumours may be confused with other diseases that have a similar appearance on imaging.
The 15-Epilipoxin-A4 Pathway with Prophylactic Aspirin in Preventing Preeclampsia: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Shanmugalingam Renuka , Wang XiaoSuo , Motum Penelope , Fulcher Ian , Lee Gaksoo , Kumar Roshika , Hennessy Annemarie , Makris Angela
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The benefit of aspirin in preventing preeclampsia is increasingly recognized; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Nonobstetric studies have described an anti-inflammatory effect of aspirin through the 15-epilipoxin-A4 pathway (aspirin-triggered lipoxin [ATL]). However, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia remains unknown.

Objective/Hypothesis

To examine (1) the difference in longitudinal endogenous lipoxin-A4 (En-Lipoxin-A4) concentration in low-risk (LR) and high-risk (HR) pregnancies, and (2) the effect of aspirin on endogenous ATL concentration and the associated effect on cytokine profile of HR women.

Methods

Plasma from 220 HR women was collected at 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, and 36 weeks of gestation. Adherence to aspirin was biochemically verified. Plasma En-Lipoxin-A4 and ATL concentrations were analyzed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, and cytokines, interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, IL-8, and IL-1β, with the high-sensitivity multibead Luminex® assay.

Results

HR women have up to 70% lower plasma concentration of En-Lipoxin-A4 (P < 0.001) than LR women. HR women with adequate aspirin adherence (HR-AA) (n = 82) had higher plasma concentration of ATL (P < .001), lower concentration of IL-8 from 16 to 36 weeks of gestation (P < .001), and increased IL-10 concentration from 16 to 28 weeks of gestation (P = .03) compared with high-risk women who were not on aspirin (HR-NA). HR-AA who did not develop preeclampsia had higher plasma En-lipoxin-A4 (P < .001), ATL (P = .02), and IL-10 concentrations (P < .001) with lower IL-8 concentration (P = .004) than HR women who developed preeclampsia.

Discussion

Plasma concentration of En-Lipoxin-A4 is lower in HR women than in LR controls. Adequate adherence with aspirin results in an increase in ATL and IL-10 with reduced IL-8 plasma concentration. This study suggests a potential anti-inflammatory role of aspirin through the ATL pathway with prophylactic aspirin in HR pregnant women.
Approach to the Treatment of a Patient with an Aggressive Pituitary Tumor
Authors: Lin Andrew L , Donoghue Mark T A , Wardlaw Sharon L , Yang T Jonathan , Bodei Lisa , Tabar Viviane , Geer Eliza B
Published: September 2020

A small subset of pituitary adenomas grows despite maximal treatment with standard therapies; namely, surgery and radiotherapy. These aggressive tumors demonstrate 2 patterns of growth: they may be locally aggressive or metastasize distantly, either hematogenously or through the spinal fluid. Further surgery and radiotherapy may be helpful for palliation of symptoms, but they are rarely definitive in the management of these malignant tumors. The only chemotherapy with established activity in the treatment of pituitary tumors is the alkylating agent temozolomide. At most, 50% of patients exhibit an objective response to temozolomide and the median time to progression is short; thus, there remains a significant unmet need for effective treatments within this patient population. Several targeted agents have reported activity in this tumor type—including small molecule inhibitors, checkpoint inhibitors, and other biologics—but remain investigational at this time.
Neonatal and infant immunity for tuberculosis vaccine development: importance of age-matched animal models
Authors: Ramos Laylaa , Lunney Joan K. , Gonzalez-Juarrero Mercedes
Published: September 2020

Neonatal and infant immunity differs from that of adults in both the innate and adaptive arms, which are critical contributors to immune-mediated clearance of infection and memory responses elicited during vaccination. The tuberculosis (TB) research community has openly admitted to a vacuum of knowledge about neonatal and infant immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, especially in the functional and phenotypic attributes of memory T cell responses elicited by the only available vaccine for TB, the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Although BCG vaccination has variable efficacy in preventing pulmonary TB during adolescence and adulthood, 80% of endemic TB countries still administer BCG at birth because it has a good safety profile and protects children from severe forms of TB. As such, new vaccines must work in conjunction with BCG at birth and, thus, it is essential to understand how BCG shapes the immune system during the first months of life. However, many aspects of the neonatal and infant immune response elicited by vaccination with BCG remain unknown, as only a handful of studies have followed BCG responses in infants. Furthermore, most animal models currently used to study TB vaccine candidates rely on adult-aged animals. This presents unique challenges when transitioning to human trials in neonates or infants. In this Review, we focus on vaccine development in the field of TB and compare the relative utility of animal models used thus far to study neonatal and infant immunity. We encourage the development of neonatal animal models for TB, especially the use of pigs.
Developing an approach to integrating procedures for external independ-ent assessment of the quality of higher education: risk analysis and elimina-tion
Authors: Korneva Evgeniya , Izmaylova Marina
Published: September 2020

The article presents the results of the author's research, revealing the weak-nesses and risks of the problem of integration of Russian and European ap-proaches to the independent assessment of the quality of higher education.
Designing Complex Systems: Key Research Methods and Questions
Authors: Zvyagin Leonid
Published: September 2020

There are various methods for studying complex systems, which consist of a combination of analysis and synthesis procedures. However, it should be noted that in practice, many methods and procedures for system analysis of complex systems are not used. This is due to the fact that when studying complex systems using simple tools and simplified schemes, disorientation is often formed in a dynamic and contradictory reality, and this in turn leads to a decrease in the rate of further development of the system. The study of a complex system must be carried out according to a pre-developed methodology, which uses methods that take into account the features and conditions of functioning of a complex system. If the system is so complex that none of the methods is suitable for a full-fledged study of problems, it is necessary to divide it into several parts, which will be available for a full study and system analysis of both the whole complex system and its main components.
Innovative Forms of Management and Cybersecurity of Cashless Payments in the Context of Digitalization of the Banking Ecosystem
Authors: Bezdelov A. , Loginova E.
Published: September 2020

Changing behavioral skills of consumer financial services and the growing competitive pressure of startups are destroying traditional business models and prompting the creation of new strategies. For this reason, banks and other regulated financial intermediaries strive to quickly master developments in the field of financial technologies and change the formats of customer service, taking into account the capabilities of their budgets. The existing methods of making cross-border transfers and non-cash payments using their traditional forms, as well as new-generation digital financial instruments, are not supported by a high-quality regulatory framework. In this regard, it is important to study the stages of transformation of forms of interaction between participants of non-cash payments under the influence of the scientific and technical process, a comparative analysis of modern methods of international payments, and justification of mechanisms for integrating digital financial instruments based on distributed Ledger technology into cross-border settlement and payment operations. We also analyzed internal Bank programs for organizing internal control and managing Bank risks, using the example of Sberbank. The results of the study of these problems are reflected in this article.
Comprehensive Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Organization’s Development Strategy Based on the Project Management Approach
Authors: Ermashkevich Natalia , Shishkova Tatiana
Published: September 2020

The article is devoted to the actual, in the current economic conditions for the functioning of enterprises, the problem of improving the effectiveness of the organization’s activity strategy based on the project management approach. The feasibility of applying the project management approach and the necessity for a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of its implementation are substantiated. The possibilities of the practical application of a balanced scorecard for a comprehensive, consistent assessment of the effectiveness of project implementation have been studied. The authors proposed the comprehensive method for assessing the effectiveness of project management at the enterprise.
Discursos de instituições de saúde brasileiras sobre atividade física no início da pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Knuth Alan Goularte , Carvalho Fabio Fortunato Brasil de , Freitas Débora Duarte
Published: September 2020

Objetivo: analisar os discursos produzidos por instituições de saúde sobre atividade física no início da pandemia de COVID-19 (março e começo de abril) no Brasil. Métodos: estudo documental a partir de sites de instituições de saúde. O aporte teórico-metodológico foi inspirado nos estudos foucaultianos a partir do entrelaçamento da noção de discurso e seu impacto no governo das condutas. Resultados: Foram compiladas 17 comunicações sendo três de instituições governamentais, nove de sociedades médicas e cinco da educação física. Predominou a perspectiva biológica e primeiro se comunicou sobre higiene pessoal e de equipamentos, ainda referentes a locais fechados e em seguida sobre restrição de atividade física em tais lugares, indicando o domicílio para as práticas. Conclusão: Houve predomínio da atividade física em sua vertente biológica especialmente na função imunológica. Problematizamos os discursos a partir da noção do governo das condutas onde indivíduos e famílias foram acionados a praticar atividade física em casa, sem garantia de instrumentalização e acesso ao conhecimento e profissionais desta área.
A 9-year retrospective evaluation of 102 pressure ulcer reconstructions
Authors: Kenneweg K. A. , Welch M. C. , Welch P. J.
Published: September 2020

• Objective:

Several pressure ulcer (PU) risk factors including paralysis and age greater than 70 have been identified, while others such as nutrition are debated. The object of this study is to identify perioperative risk factors that may predict improved outcomes and reduced complications in primary and recurrent PU reconstructions.

• Method:

A retrospective chart review of patients treated surgically for PUs from 2004 to 2013 at the University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, Ohio, US, was completed. Data collected included ulcer and medical history, as well as risk factors, complications and postoperative outcome. Data were statistically analysed for perioperative variances between primary and recurrent ulcers and closure status.

• Results:

A total of 49 patients with 102 reconstructions were reviewed. Spinal cord injured patients accounted for 90% receiving flap coverage of ulcers. Numerous differences between primary and recurrent ulcers were identified, including ulcer location, patient nutritional status, wound infection, postoperative course and recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed a flap reconstruction prediction model using creatinine, haematocrit, haemoglobin, and prealbumin that is able to successfully predict closure outcome in 83.6% of cases.

• Conclusion:

Many factors play a role in the development, course and treatment of PUs. It is vital to understand the role of patient risk factors in the development of PUs, to direct subsequent management and reconstruction, and to prevent future recurrences.
Feature extraction algorithm of precession target based on image length and Doppler broadening
Authors: Li Bingchen , Mo Di , Song Ziqi , Wang Ning , Wang Ran , Lin Miao , Li Shiqiang
Published: September 2020

In space defense, utilizing the micromotion features to distinguish real targets from interfering targets and decoys is effective. Due to the imaging of the high-speed precession target by microwave radar consisting of isolated scattering centers, there are many difficulties in using inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images for feature extraction. On the other hand, the inverse synthetic aperture ladar (ISAL) image is relatively continuous because of the short wavelength of laser, and the image sequence contains information about the variation in image length and Doppler width caused by target precession, which can be used for inverse motion parameters. By establishing an observation model of the precession target and performing image processing on the obtained ISAL image at different times, the image length sequence and Doppler width sequence can be obtained. Using the ellipse fitting method to process the obtained sequence, the precession parameters of the target can be obtained. The algorithm does not require prior information such as the radius and speed of the target motion, effectively improving the practicability of the algorithm. Finally, the effectiveness of the algorithm is verified by experimental results, and the error is controlled within 2%.