bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Land Use on Soil Infiltration Rate in a Tropical West African Watershed (Ouriyori, Benin)
Authors: Togbévi Quentin Fiacre , van der Ploeg Martine , Tohoun Kéhounbiova Audrey , Agodzo Sampson K. , Preko Kwasi
Published: April 2022

Soil infiltration at a watershed scale is important for understanding and predicting the hydrological process in soil-water-plant systems. This study investigated the effects of land use (LU) conversion on the infiltration rate in the Ouriyori watershed. To that end, in situ infiltration was carried out over the watershed under thirty-six pairs of adjacent cropland-fallow plots using the hood infiltrometer. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), soil properties, and soil classes were further compared. Results showed a high variability of Ks following the LU classes with a coefficient of variation greater than 60%. After data log transformation, the mean values of Ks showed high infiltration and ranged between 2.59 and 2.42 cm d−1, respectively, for fallow land and cropland. Thus, Ks was relatively lower in cropland compared to fallow land. Hence, the low infiltration recorded in croplands indicated the degradative impacts of unceasing tillage operations for crop production without crop residue incorporation into the soil during tillage. There was no significant difference in bulk density and soil texture in both types of land use. Considering soil classes, the highest infiltration rate was found in Ferric Luvisol and the lowest rate in Dystric Gleysol, meaning that the high infiltration observed in Ferric Luvisol was due to the abundance of soil macropores. Change in natural vegetation to croplands induced a low infiltration rate and macropore connectivity. Moreover, fallow lands tend to provide water storage capacity through the improvement of mesopores, while soil compaction through agricultural activities reduces soil porosity and therefore soil infiltration. In addition, the paired Student’s t-test performed on the transformed data was statistically significant, indicating a difference between Ks under cropland and Ks under fallow land. To improve soil and water conservation for crop production as well as for sustainable rural populations’ livelihoods in the watershed, occasional fallowing may be observed to dampen infiltration hindering soil surface conditions.
Prognostics and Predictive Maintenance Optimization Based on Combination BP-RBF-GRNN Neural Network Model and Proportional Hazard Model
Authors: Tong Guoqiang , Qian Xinbo , Liu Yilai
Published: April 2022

Owning to the advantage of keeping the operating environment safe, high reliability, and low production cost, predictive maintenance has been widely used in industry and academia. Predictive maintenance based on degeneration state mainly studies the degeneration prediction. However, on account of the error of the sensor and human, condition monitoring data may not directly reflect the true degeneration. The degeneration model with dynamic explanatory covariates which is named as proportional hazard model is proposed to deal with the semi-observed monitoring condition. And the degeneration prediction mainly adopts a single prediction model, which leads to low prediction accuracy. A combination forecasting model can effectively solve the above problem. Compared to the traditional prediction method, the neural network model can use the “black box” characteristic to indirectly construct the degeneration model without complex mathematical derivation. Therefore, we propose a combination BP-RBF-GRNN neural network model which is applied to improve the degeneration prediction with dynamic covariate. Based on the above two aspects, a predictive maintenance optimization framework based on the proportional hazard model and BP-RBF-GRNN neural network model is proposed to improve maintenance efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. The simulation results of thrust ball bearing show that the proposed method can effectively improve the degeneration prediction accuracy and reduce the maintenance cost rate to a certain extent.
Influencing Factors of Snow Melting and Deicing on Carbon Fiber Embedded in Bridge Decks
Authors: Tan Yan , Zheng Shuang , Xiao Henglin , Xing JiaMing
Published: April 2022

To study the general law of the influence of embedded carbon fiber heating wires on the melting of snow and ice on bridge decks and to solve the problem of icing on large bridges in winter, relevant model tests were carried out. In this experiment, a carbon fiber heating wire was used as the heat source to make a large‐scale asphalt concrete bridge deck model with a built‐in carbon fiber heating wire. The effect of different heating powers, ambient temperatures, snow and ice thicknesses, and wind levels on the melting of snow and ice on bridge decks was studied. The snow‐melting and ice‐melting tests performed at different heating powers show that as the heating power increases within a certain range, the time required for the snow and ice layers to melt and the power consumption decrease. Under certain conditions, to ensure the rapid melting of snow and ice layers on the surface of road bridges, a heating power of 400 W/m2 is selected. At this time, the heating effect is the best, and this method is economical and practical. The snow‐melting and ice‐melting tests performed at different ambient temperatures and with different thicknesses of the snow and ice layers show that as the ambient temperature decreases or the thickness of the ice layer increases within a certain range while keeping the other factors constant, the time required for the snow to melt and the power consumption increase, and the power consumption is relatively large. The snow‐melting test performed at different wind levels shows that with the increase in the wind level within a certain range while keeping the other factors constant, the uniformity of the overall temperature distribution on the surface of the specimen worsens, the snow‐melting time increases, and the temperature rises. The rate of temperature increase decreases. Therefore, in actual engineering applications, when the wind speed is too high, the methods of manually or mechanically removing snow can increase the snow removal rate on bridge decks. Under different conditions, choosing the right heating power can effectively improve the efficiency of melting snow and ice on bridge decks. The research results of this paper provide a theoretical reference for the actual construction of bridge decks in the future.
The Design of Intelligent Tutoring Systems Using College Students’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education under the Background of Online Teaching
Authors: Wei Mengze
Published: April 2022

Internet-based computer online teaching, as a new teaching method, has attracted extensive attention with the rapid development of Internet technology. The purpose is to explore the new education mode of college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship under the background of online teaching and to design and study the intelligent tutoring system (ITS). The prototype of the teaching model is constructed at the beginning. The study employed a probability model for analyzing tutoring system and entrepreneurship education in the context of online teaching. In the later stage, the main body, platform, and links in the teaching process and the connection and aggregation among them are reexamined by integrating teaching practice. The study results revealed that the proposed algorithm helps in identifying the importance and perceptions of ITS and entrepreneurship education.
Quantitative Evaluation of Small Intestinal Hemorrhage Using Energy Spectrum CT Iodine-Water Map
Authors: Wen Lijuan , Zuo Mingfei , Bai Tian , Sun Xuejia , Zhang Na , Sun Jingqi , Wu Cuicui , Wang Li
Published: April 2022

The objective of this research is to analyze the quantitative evaluation of human small intestinal bleeding by observing and analyzing animal experiments of small intestinal hemorrhage in rabbit models for the convenience of understanding the role of energy spectrum CT iodine-water diagram in animal experimental research of quantitative evaluation of small intestinal bleeding in rabbit models. Compared with the energy spectrum of iodine-water graph of a rabbit CT model, the present study studied the quantitative evaluation of small intestinal bleeding by using a rabbit model instead of human. According to the method mentioned above and the analysis of experimental data, the role of energy spectrum CT iodine-water map and the quantitative evaluation of human small intestinal bleeding have been understood. It was found that the energy spectrum CT iodine-water map replaces humans in the rabbit model for quantitative evaluation of small intestinal bleeding in animal experiments, which is important in the present study. Besides, based upon the combination of theoretical and experimental data, the ten flow rates set on the base material iodine (water) maps of the arterial phase and the portal phase can be analyzed to detect the leakage of contrast agent. The yield was 100%. The research results showed that the animal experiment of quantitative assessment of small intestinal bleeding by replacing the human body with the rabbit model in the energy spectrum CT iodine-water diagram is critical to humans in the study of small intestinal hemorrhagic diseases. In addition, it can be used to adjust the treatment plan timely according to the amount of bleeding to prevent shock or heavy bleeding that threatens patients’ lives.
Realize English Teaching Optimization Based on B/S System
Authors: Wan Neng
Published: April 2022

In today’s era of rapid development of science and technology, people want to have more portable devices for learning and work in life and study. For this, an English learning system based on Android is proposed. This article first introduces the relevant technologies of the Android system and gives a detailed introduction according to the characteristics, architecture, development type, life cycle, network communication technology, and database technology of the Android platform and studies the functional requirements and overall architecture design of the English learning system. The detailed design and development of the user management module, online examination module, online word search module, and online video module are carried out in accordance with the functional requirements, and the detailed design and implementation methods of the user management module, online examination module, online word search module, and online video module are designed. It is tested proof that the Android-based English learning system has user learning.
Molecular Pathways and Mechanisms of BRAF in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Poulikakos Poulikos I. , Sullivan Ryan J. , Yaeger Rona
Published: April 2022

With the identification of activating mutations in BRAF across a wide variety of malignancies, substantial effort was placed in designing safe and effective therapeutic strategies to target BRAF. These efforts have led to the development and regulatory approval of three BRAF inhibitors as well as five combinations of a BRAF inhibitor plus an additional agent(s) to manage cancer such as melanoma, non–small cell lung cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer, and colorectal cancer. To date, each regimen is effective only in patients with tumors harboring BRAFV600 mutations and the duration of benefit is often short-lived. Further limitations preventing optimal management of BRAF-mutant malignancies are that treatments of non-V600 BRAF mutations have been less profound and combination therapy is likely necessary to overcome resistance mechanisms, but multi-drug regimens are often too toxic. With the emergence of a deeper understanding of how BRAF mutations signal through the RAS/MAPK pathway, newer RAF inhibitors are being developed that may be more effective and potentially safer and more rational combination therapies are being tested in the clinic. In this review, we identify the mechanics of RAF signaling through the RAS/MAPK pathway, present existing data on single-agent and combination RAF targeting efforts, describe emerging combinations, summarize the toxicity of the various agents in clinical testing, and speculate as to where the field may be headed.
Innovative Fetal Therapy for a Giant Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation with Hydrops
Authors: Klinkner Denise B. , Atwell Thomas , Teles Abrao Trad Ayssa , Callstrom Matthew R. , Qureshi Mohamed Yasir , Bendel Stenzel Ellen , Schenone Mauro , Ruano Rodrigo
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) complicated by hydrops portend significant morbidity and mortality, with fetal survival estimates less than 10%. Case Presentation: We report successful use of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation at 21-week gestation in a hydropic fetus with CPAM, with subsequent resolution of hydrops. Thirty-two-week MRI noted persistent mediastinal shift, and US at 36 weeks and 5 days noted polyhydramnios. Maternal gestational hypertension prompted delivery at 37 weeks, with a cesarean section performed after a failed trial of labor. The infant required CPAP at 100% and weaned to 21%. Tachypnea persisted, and chest CT on day of life 2 demonstrated multiple large cysts in the right lower lobe with anterior pneumothorax. On day of life 3, she successfully underwent a thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy. Adhesions to the chest wall and rib abnormalities were noted. She was extubated to CPAP at the conclusion of the procedure. She was able to wean to 21% on POD2 and transitioned to oral feeds. Her chest tube was removed with resultant ex vacuo pneumothorax noted. She remained asymptomatic and was discharged home on room air POD11. Pathology confirmed a type 1 CPAM. Conclusion: In utero radiofrequency ablation may be an adjunct to the management of large CPAM.
Blood Purification Studies in the ICU: What Endpoints Should We Use?
Authors: Forni Lui G.
Published: April 2022

The potential for treatment of the critically ill using blood purification techniques has been discussed for several decades. However, since the first attempts at applying extracorporeal techniques to patients with sepsis were described, there has been considerable hesitancy towards the widespread adoption of such methods, given the lack of mortality benefit observed and indeed the paucity of randomized controlled studies. However, this is not unique so far as studies on the critically ill are concerned where there is a dearth of studies providing a positive finding to influence clinical practice. Consequently, as well as targeted patient selection, it is perhaps time to consider endpoints other than mortality in studies on the critically ill, particularly in blood purification studies where, to-date, such heterogeneous groups of patients have been studied.
Acute Cerebral Microinfarcts in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Imaging and Clinical Significance
Authors: Tao Wendan , Wang Zhetao , Liu Junfeng , Li Jie , Deng Yilun , Guo Wen , Wei Wei , Wu Bo , Liu Ming
Published: April 2022

Background: Limited data exist on the significance of acute cerebral microinfarcts (A-CMIs) in the context of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to determine the profile and prognostic significance of A-CMIs on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients presenting with AIS. Methods: A prospective single-center series of patients with AIS who had 3T MRIs between March 2013 and December 2019. The presence, number, and location of A-CMIs on diffusion-weighted imaging, and markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), macroinfarcts features, and etiology were classified as cardioembolism (CE) or large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) or none. Results: Among 273 patients, A-CMIs were detected in 130 patients (47.6%), of whom cortical A-CMIs were found in 95 (73.0%) patients. Patients with A-CMIs were significantly older, less likely to have diabetes mellitus, and more likely to have atrial fibrillation and an embolic source (CE or LAA) compared to other patients. Patients with A-CMI had a higher frequency of macroinfarcts (diameter >20 mm), more often multiple and distributed in single or multiple vessel territories than other patients. An embolic source (LAA or CE) was independently associated with cortical A-CMIs (LAA adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.0 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–9.5; CE aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–5.6), whereas lacunes were independently related to subcortical A-CMIs (aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2–5.8). Conclusions: We have shown A-CMIs occur in cortical and subcortical regions in nearly half of AIS patients, where microembolism and CSVD are, respectively, the key presumed etiological mechanism.
Checklist of the birds of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil: diversity and conservation
Authors: Nunes Alessandro Pacheco , Straube Fernando Costa , Posso Sérgio Roberto , Laps Rudi Ricardo , Vasconcelos Marcelo Ferreira de , Hoffmann Diego , Morante-Filho José Carlos , Donatelli Reginaldo José , Ragusa-Netto José , Faxina Claudenice , Godoi Maurício Neves , Urben-Filho Alberto , Castro Sáuria Lúcia Rocha de , Lopes Edson Varga , Anjos Luiz dos , Tomas Walfrido Moraes , Mendonça Luciana Baza , Silva Paulo Antonio , Pivatto Maria Antonietta de Castro , Costacurta Marco de Barros , Melo Alyson Vieira de , Hass Adriani , Braz Vívian da Silva , Módena Érica de Souza , Freitas Gabriel Oliveira de , Souza Rafael Augusto Ducel de , Benites Maristela , Mamede Simone , Menq Willian
Published: April 2022

Several phytogeographic regions (Cerrado, Pantanal, Atlantic Forest, Gran Chaco, and Chiquitano Dry Forests) converge in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and influence regional biodiversity. Despite a list of birds in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul being published by Nunes et al. (2017), it is necessary to update and critically review avifauna records. In this study, we gathered the results of several records obtained from species lists and online data platforms of the 336 sites in this state over the last decades and grouped them into Main (Primary and Secondary) and Tertiary Lists. The avifauna of Mato Grosso do Sul is composed of 678 species, of which 643 (95%) have records proving their occurrence (Primary List), whereas 34 still lack documentation (Secondary List). The number of related species for Mato Grosso do Sul represents 34% of the Brazilian avifauna. Some species stand out for their unique occurrence in Mato Grosso do Sul, such as Melanerpes cactorum, Celeus lugubris, Phaethornis subochraceus, and Cantorchilus guarayanus, reflecting the influence of different phytogeographic regions of the Chaco and Chiquitano Dry Forests. Migrants represent 20% of the bird community occurring in the state, of which 93 species correspond to migrants from various regions of South America (south and west) and 40 to boreal migrants. Thirty-three species perform nomadic movements across the Pantanal Plain and other regions of the state. Thirty-one species are included in some conservation-threatened categories of global and/or national endangered species lists. Other 30 species are included in the near-threatened category at the global level and 23 at the national level. In addition, species typical of dry forests (in Serra da Bodoquena and Maciço do Urucum) and those from the Atlantic Forest in the south of the state deserve attention due to their restricted distribution and the high anthropogenic pressure on their habitat.
Analisando a condição de pobreza: uma aplicação da decomposição em modo empírico
Authors: Lucena Raphael Douglas de Freitas , Costa Rodolfo Ferreira Ribeiro da , Lima Francisco Soares de , Castelar Luis Ivan de Melo
Published: April 2022

O presente artigo mensura os componentes permanente e transitório da pobreza nos estados brasileiros. Para tanto, foi utilizado como suporte teórico o modelo proposto por Jalan & Ravallion (1998) para os componentes da pobreza. A estratégia empírica adotada seguiu o método de Decomposição em Modo Empírico (EMD) proposto por Huang et al. (1998). Os resultados da decomposição mostram que os indivíduos que experimentam a pobreza de maneira transitória são uma pequena parcela do total, sendo a pobreza crônica proporcionalmente maior em todos os estados brasileiros. Tal resultado pode nortear com maior eficácia políticas para a redução da pobreza.
Active Sets for Explicitly Constrained Evolutionary Optimization
Authors: Spettel Patrick , Ba Zehao , Arnold Dirk V.
Published: April 2022

Active-set approaches are commonly used in algorithms for constrained numerical optimization. We propose that active-set techniques can beneficially be employed for evolutionary black-box optimization with explicit constraints and present an active-set evolution strategy. We experimentally evaluate its performance relative to those of several algorithms for constrained optimization and find that the active-set evolution strategy compares favourably for the problem set under consideration.
Putative white-naped mangabey (Cercocebus lunulatus) × olive baboon (Papio anubis) hybrids from Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Matsuda Goodwin Reiko , Galat-Luong Anh , Galat Gérard
Published: April 2022

We report the presence of at least one putative hybrid monkey, white-naped mangabey (Cercocebus lunulatus) × olive baboon (Papio anubis), at Comoé National Park (CNP) in north-eastern Côte d’Ivoire. C. lunulatus and P. anubis belong to two separate clades within the African Papionini (Papionina), which is known to display a complex pattern of evolutionary history involving ancient and recent hybridization. CNP is a bushy savanna-dominated protected area home to 12–13 primate species. Only about 9–11 % of the land cover is forest. C. lunulatus is an Endangered species while P. anubis is a Least Concern species. While conducting a reconnaissance survey on June 23, 2019, the first author observed and photographed a mangabey-baboon hybrid-like juvenile male monkey (2019A). At the same area where 2019A was photographed, a camera trap (CT) captured a video of a hybrid-like juvenile male monkey (2021B) on January 14, 2021, and another nearby CT captured a video of a slightly older hybrid-like juvenile male monkey (2021C) on May 23, 2021. Because there are reported cases of hybrids in captivity that occurred between the members of the two separate clades of the Papionini, the discovery of such intergeneric hybrids in the wild would not be surprising. We examine the idiosyncratic features of the putative hybrids and discuss the implication for conservation and future directions for research, considering the potential interacting factors that may lead to intergeneric hybridization. Specifically, to assess genetic population structure within C. lunulatus and P. anubis and to clarify the degree of gene flow among the two species, collecting biological matter from the putative hybrids, mangabeys, and baboons is necessary. Also, to elucidate the circumstances that might have stimulated hybridization, examining changes that might have occurred in the two species’ ecology and demography is essential.
UN-Backed Hybrid Criminal Tribunals (hcts): Viable Options in International Criminal Justice?
Authors: Pérez-Léon-Acevedo Juan-Pablo
Published: April 2022

Although the UN-Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, UN-international criminal tribunals were not replicated. The UN instead directly participated in creating hcts such as the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Thus, this article seeks to determine whether UN-backed hcts constitute viable options in international criminal justice. These tribunals may be viable options if they are adequately implemented. Particularly when compared to UN-international criminal tribunals, reasons for their viability include their closer proximity to or larger impact on national societies, less costly work, shorter proceedings, and flexible mandates adapted to each context. Nevertheless, their viability depends on whether they can handle challenges concerning coordination between their international and national components, funding limitations, security issues, relationship with international criminal tribunals (especially the International Criminal Court), and relationship with national institutions.
Beyond Duterte: Conceptualizing a Research Agenda of Populism Research in the Philippines
Authors: Pernia Ronald A.
Published: April 2022

This article is an attempt to carve out a research agenda for an enriched populism research in the Philippines. Specifically, it analyzes journal articles drawn from academic database collections, examines its domains of publication, and core analytical approaches. Then, it situated these studies within the broader landscape of the Philippine political scholarship. The results suggest a thriving and flourishing populism research in the Philippines. Yet, it also suffers from the same theoretical and empirical obscurities that typifies global research on populism. The article contends that future Philippine populism studies must (a) adhere to a minimalist theoretical anchor, (b) be methodologically pluralistic and innovative, and (c) be thematically grounded on a host of other significant domains of Philippine politics that go beyond Duterte. Ultimately, the article urges prospective scholars to strongly engage with these arguments and suggested line of political inquiries in order to refine the scholarly enterprise of populism in the country.
Wine Geographical Indications and Product Specifications: A Case of Prosecco Quality and Characteristics?
Authors: Spagnolo Lisa , Davison Mark
Published: April 2022

Article 22 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights defines Geographical Indications (GI). However, GI claims are increasingly contentious. Given the significance of trade barriers which can arise from unjustified GI claims, the article argues that legitimacy of GI claims must turn on whether objective evidence exists to the effect that Article 22(1) criteria are met. This article tests certain elements of the EU ‘Prosecco’ GI claim – that its qualities and characteristics are essentially attributable to the relevant location – against Italian production specifications to determine whether they provide evidentiary justification for the GI claim. This reveals evidence of absence of consistent qualities or characteristics in ‘Prosecco’ wine. The article additionally examines evidence explaining why this is so. The consequence of this conclusion is that the EU ‘Prosecco’ GI claim must rest solely upon the concept of ‘reputation’ for its legitimacy. Moreover, the approach taken by this article can be utilized to test the legitimacy of any GI claim so far as it relates to quality and characteristics.
The Geographic Indication Prosecco Battle Between Italy and Australia: Some Lessons from the History and Geography of the Most Famous Italian Wine
Authors: Bonadio Enrico , Contardi Magali
Published: April 2022

This article seeks to contribute to the debate around the legality of the Prosecco geographical indication (GI). The article’s main point is to demonstrate that the term Prosecco does satisfy the conditions laid down in Article 22 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and that its protection as a GI in both the European Union (EU) and other countries does not run counter to TRIPS. Through a review of the relevant literature, the article shows that this term has been used for many centuries in the northeastern part of the Italian peninsula to refer to a high-quality wine, including in the territory around the village of Prosecco in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy. This suggests a strong link between that area and the quality and reputation of the famous Italian sparkling wine and strengthens the EU and Italy’s claims for the protection of the term Prosecco as GI in both the EU and other countries that sign trade agreements with the EU.
The Compatibility of the European Union’s Geographical Indications Regulations for Wines with the World Trade Organization Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
Authors: Henckels Caroline
Published: April 2022

The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) sets a floor but not a ceiling for intellectual property protection. Examining the EU’s geographical indications regime for wines, this article considers the question of when a World Trade Organization member’s measures taken to implement the TRIPS Agreement might contravene the member’s obligations under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). A technical regulation apparently permitted by the TRIPS Agreement may be inconsistent with the TBT Agreement where it does not in good faith pursue a legitimate objective or where it is incongruent with or poorly calibrated to its objective. In particular, the compatibility with the TBT Agreement of EU regulations that prohibit the labelling of wines with the relevant grape variety name where the variety name ‘contains or consists of’, ‘evokes’ or ‘forms an integral part of’ a GI is open to doubt.
Fos-Related Antigen 1 May Cause Wnt-Fzd Signaling Pathway-Related Nephroblastoma in Children
Authors: Nuriding Hailiqiguli , Wang Xuemei , Shen Yiping , Liu Yu , Yan Mei
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to investigate the role of the primary Fos-related antigen 1 (Fosl-1) oncogene in nephroblastoma by studying 60 childhood nephroblastoma and 58 paraneoplastic carcinoma cases. The Fosl-1 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. In vitro
culture of nephroblastoma cells was performed by viral transfection to establish Fosl-1 overexpression and gene knockout models. Flow cytometry and nano-PCR were used to detect apoptosis and mRNA expression in related pathway genes. Immunohistochemical results showed that the positive
expression of Fosl-1 in the nuclei of nephroblastoma tissue was 78%, among which metastasis rate was 61.7%; correspondingly, it was 8%, and 100% in adjacent tissues. The qPCR results indicated that MMP9, Wnt1, and Fzd1 were significantly upregulated after Fosl-1
overexpression compared with the normal embryonic tissue cells, control, and gene knockout groups (P <0.05). Fosl-1 could cause the occurrence, development, and metastasis of childhood nephroblastoma through wingless/int1/Frizzled-related signaling pathways.
Icariin Attenuation of Diabetic Kidney Disease Through Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress via G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptors
Authors: Su Baolin , Cheng Dejin , Chen Gangyi , Zhang Shu , Wang Liangliang , Wu Xingbo , Tang Shuifu
Published: April 2022

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus and has become the primary cause of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) globally. Icariin (ICA), an effective component extracted from Epimedium, has antiosteoporosis effect, antitumor effects, anti-ischemia
effects, and other effects. In this study, a mouse DKD model was established, and Icariin solid nanoliposomes were administered to determine whether ICA had a protective effect on the renal function of DKD mice by regulating estrogen level and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway. The
results showed that the microalbumin/creatinine in urine, serum urea nitrogen, and CHOL in ICA cultured DKD mice significantly decreased, and mice nephropathy improved significantly. rat renal tubule epithelial cells were further tested, and the rat renal tubule epithelial cells were modeled
by cultured cells with high glucose. The results showed that high glucose could promote the proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells. Simultaneously, ICA can inhibit the proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells and induce cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of ER stress-related
proteins IRE1 and XBP-1S was further detected. Additionally, to ICA intervention, a GPER antagonist (G-15) was added for intervention, the inhibitory effects of IRE1 and XBP-1S were reversed, and the ER stress pathway was activated. Cell experiments showed that ICA could promote GPER expression,
while inhibiting GPER expression promoted the activation of ER stress pathway, and GPER expression was negatively correlated with ER stress protein expression. Therefore, the experiment proved that in DKD tissues, a high concentration of ICA can inhibit the ER stress response by promoting
the expression of GPER, reducing the proliferation of diabetic nephropathy, and increasing the rate of tissue apoptosis.
Protective Effect of Nanoparticles from Platycladi Cacumen Carbonisata on 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid (TNBS)-Induced Colitis in Rats
Authors: Xue-Bai  , Jie-Hu  , Zhang Mei-Ling , Juan-Luo  , Liu Yu-Han , Yue-Zhang  , Hui-Kong  , Qu Hui-Hua , Yan-Zhao
Published: April 2022

Aim: To evaluate the protective effects of Platycladi Cacumen Carbonisata-derived nanoparticles (PCC-NPs) against 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats. Methods: This study developed and characterized novel PCC-NPs synthesized
by a green and simple pyrolysis process using Platycladi Cacumen (PC) as the sole precursor. The UC model prepared with rectal instillation of TNBS was used to evaluate the potential efficacy of PCC-NPs, and the underlying mechanisms were preliminarily explored from the perspective of anti-inflammatory
and antioxidative stress for the first time. Results: PCC-NPs exhibited low cytotoxicity, good dispersibility and copious surface functional groups. Nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 40–60 nm mainly manifested a therapeutic effect by downregulating tumour necrosis factor-α
(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and upregulating interleukin-10 (IL-10). In addition, PCC-NPs relieved colon injury by inhibiting myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, limiting the release of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Conclusion:
Green synthetic PCC-NPs is a potential candidate as a complementary drug for intestinal inflammation of inflammatory bowel disease, and its regulatory mechanisms may be to balance the levels of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines and improve resistance to oxidative stress.
Effectiveness of Nano Bioactive Glass Fiber Loaded with Platelet-Rich Plasma on Thermal Wound Healing Process in Rats
Authors: Zhu Xuanru , Kazemi Aida , Dong Yunqing , Pan Qiao , Jin Panshi , Cheng Biao , Yang Yangog
Published: April 2022

In this study we evaluated the impact of topical application of bioactive glass fibers loaded PRP on a deep seconddegree thermal wound and its healing process sub-streaming molecular pathway of re-epithelialization. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control
group, model group (deep second-degree thermal wound), PRP group, and PRP+nanobioactive glass fiber group. After treatment, the changes of wounds were observed daily. H&E staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes and also, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of
KGF, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, EGF, VEGF, HIF-1α, integrin α3 and integrin β1 in wound tissues. In the current study, we observed that PRP group and the PRP group basically re-epithelized on the 21st day. The wound healing rates of the PRP+nanobioactive
glass fiber group and PRP group at each time point were higher than those in the model group, while there was no significant difference in wound healing rate between the PRP+nanobioactive glass fiber group and PRP group at each time point. H&E staining showed that the pathological scores
of skin wound repairing in the PRP+nanobioactive glass fiber group on the 7th, 14th and 21st day were higher than that of in the model group. The qPCR results suggested the mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 in the PRP+nanobioactive glass fiber group and the PRP group were lower than
those in the untreated group on the 14th day; the expression of VEGF and EGF mRNA were higher on the 3rd day; the mRNA expression of TGF-β, HIF-1α showed a tendency of increasing first and decreasing then; integrin β1 mRNA expression increased significantly,
which was highest; integrin α3 mRNA expression was higher on day 3rd and 21th, respectively. The PRP+nanobioactive glass fibers and PRP can shorten the wound healing time and improve the healing quality mainly by promoting the wound epithelization through increasing the expression
of EGF, VEGF, TGF-β, HIF-1α, Integrin α3, and meanwhile increasing the release of Integrin β1 and other mechanisms.
Liposome Loaded Ion/Temperature Dual Responsive Gellan Gum Hydrogel as Potential Nasal-To-Brain Delivery System
Authors: Zhou Shuwen , Zheng Xinmeng , Chen Jun , Xu Yiyang , Du Xuancheng , Wang Cheng , Cui Pengfei , Qiu Lin , Jiang Pengju , Ni Xinye , Wang Jianhao
Published: April 2022

Intranasal administration, which can bypass the blood–brain barrier (BBB), is widely recognized as a promising strategy for high-efficiency drug delivery to the brain. Herein, for the purpose of effectively delivering drugs to the brain via intranasal administration, glutathione
(GSH)-modified gellan gum (GSH-GG) with ion/temperature dual responsive properties was synthesized and encapsulated on galanthamine hydrobromide (GH)-loaded liposomes (GH-Lipo) for effective GH delivery to the brain (GH-Lipo@GSH-GG). Our results demonstrated that GSH-GG greatly decreased the
gelation temperature of GG from 44.0 °C to 22.1 °C without compromising its ion responsiveness. Moreover, GSH-GG had a good protection ability for GH-loaded liposomes without affecting its drug release. Most importantly, the finally obtained GH-Lipo@GSHGG showed acceptable targeted
delivery of GH to the brain upon in vivo administration. Therefore, this formulation can be employed as a potential delivery system in nasal-to-brain delivery.
Nucleus-Targeted Nanoparticles Induce Autophagy of Vascular Endothelial Cells in Cervical Spondylosis of Vertebral Artery Type Through PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Yunfeng , Wang Tao , Zhao Yanting , Guan Qiang , Wang Zhenfeng , Zhang Lei , Liu Jiangang
Published: April 2022

Nanoparticles are characterized by their large surface area per unit and high dispersion, with excellent affinity and adhesion to the tissue, which help them to contact drugs with tissues. However, the relationship between nuclear-targeted nanoparticles and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, as
well as their roles in cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type (CSA) remain unclear. bEnd.3 cells were in this study exposed to nuclear-targeted nanoparticles, followed by determination of cell biological processes. The role of nuclear-targeted nanoparticles in CSA in relation to PI3K/Akt/mTOR
pathway was then analyzed through detection of autophagy-related proteins pathway-related proteins. Nuclear-targeted nanoparticles led to reduced bEnd.3 cell proliferation with IC50 at indicated time points shown as (12.8±0.67), (8.8±0.43), and (4.6±0.42) μmol/L,
respectively. Nuclear-targeted nanoparticles blocked bEnd.3 cells in G2/M phase, and induced apoptosis. In addition, nuclear-targeted nanoparticles inhibited the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in the bEnd.3 cells, as evidenced by reduced PI3K, Akt and mTOR levels. Nuclear-targeted nanoparticles decreased
the expression of Beclin-1, LC3, p62, Cathepsin D, and ATG5, and increased expression of GSK-3 and Bcl-2. Our present study demonstrated that the nucleartargeted nanoparticles could regulate the growth of bEnd.3 cells in CSA and promote autophagy of cells through blockage of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR
signaling pathway.
Visualized Genotyping from “Sample to Results” Within 25 Minutes by Coupling Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) With Allele-Specific Invasive Reaction Assisted Gold Nanoparticle Probes Assembling
Authors: Zhang Likun , Ma Xueping , Liu Danni , Shan Jingwen , Chu Yanan , Zhang Jieyu , Qi Xiemin , Huang Xiaohui , Zou Bingjie , Zhou Guohua
Published: April 2022

A simple and rapid genotyping method with less-instrumentation is essential for realizing point-of-care detection of personalized medicine-related gene biomarkers. Herein, we developed a rapid and visualized genotyping method by coupling recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with
allele-specific invader reaction assisted gold nanoparticle probes assembling. In the method, the DNA targets were firstly amplified by using RPA, which is a rapid isothermal amplification technology. Then an allele-specific invasion reaction was performed to recognize the single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) site in the amplicons, to produce signal molecules that caused discoloration of gold nanoparticle probes. As a result, genotyping was achieved by observing the color change of the reaction by using naked eye without the requirement for any expensive instrument. In order
to achieve rapid genotyping detection, the genomic DNA from oral swab lysate samples were used for the RPA templates amplification. In this way, a visualized genotyping from “samples to results” within 25 min was realized. Two clopidogrel related SNPs CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3
of 56 clinical samples were correctly genotyped by using this rapid visualized genotyping assay. In addition, the feasibility for this pathogen genotyping method was also verified by detecting plasmid DNA containing three SARS-COV-2 gene mutation sites, indicating that this method has the
potential for clinical sample detection.
Effect of Alginate Gelatin Hydrogel Composited with Nano-Zinc on Cesarean Section Wound Healing
Authors: Meng Xiaohong , Li Guozheng
Published: April 2022

The Surgical procedure of cesarean section (CS) causes a large wound that any delay in its healing could increase the rate of stress, inconvenience, and dissatisfaction among the women who underwent CS procedure about six weeks after childbirth. The present study is trying to evaluate
the effect of alginate and gelatin hydrogel composited with nanozinc effective extensibility and compressibility as a wound dressing nursing care after CS. The number of participants was 700 individuals enrolled all who underwent C-sections at Medical College in the Second Affiliated Hospital
of Xi’an Jiaotong University (from September 2017 until September 2020). Patients were divided into two groups of case and control consist of 350 cases. The case group was treated with alginate gelatin hydrogel-nZnO+antibacterial wound dress and the control group was treated with wound
healing ordinary creams+antibacterial. Three and four weeks following CS, the healing process of the wound was evaluated using REEDA wound scale. In the current study, there was not any significant difference between the studied case and control group in respect to individual’s demographical
characteristics such as economic status, educational level, BMI, and age. (P > 0.05). Also, we observed that patients treated with alginate gelatin hydrogel-nZnO would experience a significantly lower score for redness, ecchymosis, edema, and approximation of CS wound in comparison
to the control group (P < 0.05). Also, slope analysis showed that the healing process was significantly quicker in patients treated with alginate gelatin hydrogel-nZnO in comparison to the control group. Finally, it was observed that more than 80% of patients did not represent any
major sign of CS after three weeks, however, in the control case this issue was estimated at 50.6%. No allergic reaction has been observed. Our results showed that using alginate gelatin hydrogel-nZnO wound dress could be a novel treatment in a nursing care setting to decrease the CS wound
complication and increase the healing process without any allergic reaction.
Evaluating Membrane Electrical Properties of SMMC7721 Cells with TiO2 NPs Applications to Cytotoxicity by Dielectric Spectroscopy
Authors: Xu Jia , Cen Lichao , Ma Qing
Published: April 2022

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) represent one of the most frequently applied nanomaterials in numerous areas of daily life. Recent studies show that TiO2 exposure increases the occupational risk of liver injury and inflammation, and even liver cancer
to the workers of factories handling these NPs. However, the potential risks and biophysical effects of TiO2 on hepatic cells need extensive evaluation. To this end, we explored the electrophysiological changes in the human liver cancer cell line SMMC7721 following exposure to TiO2
NPs. TiO2 NPs decreased the first (Δε1) and second dielectric relaxation intensity (Δε2) of the SMMC7721 cells by 6.62% and 0.86% respectively, and significantly increased the first characteristic frequency (fc1,
4.82%) and the first Cole–Cole parameter (β1, 1.24%). The double spherical-shell model showed that TiO2 NPs significantly lowered the permittivity of unit-membrane and capacitance, as well as the conductivity of extracellular fluid, cytoplasm, and nuclear
contents compared to the untreated control. Conclusively, this study revealed that TiO2 NPs induce cytotoxic effects by disrupting the permeability and electrical conductivity of unit membranes. Further, we report that dielectric spectrum combined with model parameter analysis can
evaluate the bioelectrical effects of TiO2 NPs on human liver cancer cells.
Analysis of the Relationship Between Periampullary Diverticulum and Recurrent Bile Duct Stones After Endoscopy on Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Yingkai , Jie Jiepeng , Qian Bo , Qiao Yongping , Yu Pengming , Zhang Jijun
Published: April 2022

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) based on super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on the recurrence diagnosis of periampullary diverticulum (PAD) and bile duct stone (BDS), so as to provide a scientific research basis for the recidivation factors of bile duct stones in clinic. Patients with PAD diagnosed in hospital from July 2019 to March 2021 (who had undergone endoscopic gallstone surgery) were selected for study in this work. They were rolled into two groups, the parapapillary group (123 cases) and the cholangiopancreatic duct directly opening in the diverticulum group (97 cases), according to the clinical classification. Then, 100 patients without PAD who had undergone bile duct node therapy were selected as the control group. The recidivation of BDS, serological index, and biliary pressure index before and after treatment were compared. The relationship between PAD and recidivation of bile duct stones was analyzed. The results showed that the average particle size, hydration kinetic particle size, effective time, and duration of polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polyethyleneimine (PEI)/poly aspartic acid-super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(PASP-SPIONs) were better than PEG/PEI-SPIONs and SPIONs. The recidivation rate of BDS in Groups R and X was remarkably higher than the rate in control group (P< 0.05). Before treatment, common bile duct pressure in the control group was lower obviously than that in Groups R and X (P< 0.05). After treatment, the indexes including total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase in control group were lower than those in Groups R and X (P< 0.05). The incidence of complications in Groups R and X was much higher than in contrast to the control group (P< 0.05). Therefore, PEG/PEI/PASP-SPIONs had good contrast effect and could be used as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent. Complications such as common bile duct pressure and infection were increased by PAD, which may be the main factor for the recidivation of BDS.