bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
YOUTH PROTEST ACTIVITY: ON THE ISSUE OF METHODOLOGY OF THE PROBLEM RESEARCH
Authors:   Ural Federal University named after B.N. Yeltsin, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation, KERIMOV ALEXANDER
Published: February 2022

The relevance of the work is determined by the importance of studying the protest activity of young people in modern Russian society. This topic is the object of research interest of sociologists, political scientists, jurists and representatives of other branches of science. Every time researchers face the problem of interpreting the concepts of “protest”, “youth protest activity” and experience some difficulties in choosing methods of analyzing this issue. The aim of the work is to define these key concepts, as well as to study various approaches and propose new approaches to the analysis of youth protest activity. The author believes that the analysis will help to identify and substantiate approaches to the analysis of the problem of protest activity of young people and attract the attention of the scientific community to the further development of this issue.
RELEVANCE OF N.A. BERDIAEV PHILOSOPHY IN THE DEMOCRATIC CONDITIONS OF THE XXI CENTURY
Authors:   Ogarev Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russian Federation, LEZINA ELENA , KOZENYASHEV DMITRY
Published: February 2022

The views of the “Silver Age” philosophers are undoubtedly of great interest to the researchers, since they reflect the confrontation between the democratic principles of the Western states ruled by the primacy of law and the first signs of the emerging socialist regime with the domination of one ideology, a single political party and an equalizing distribution. The dilemma of the philosophical approaches is observed in the works of N.A. Berdyaev, who studied both the signs of totalitarianism and the rule of law. The purpose of this research is to consider the major provisions of N.A. Berdyaev’s philosophy through the prism of the modern Russia’s political regime and the existing constitutional system in our country. Conclusions. Philosophical views of N.A. Berdyaev are still relevant nowadays. At the beginning of the last century, long before the emergence of the rule of law in our country, he precisely described the essence of natural (inalienable) human and civil rights and freedoms, coinciding with the modern concept of human rights. However, one should note that the development of communism and the emerging proletarian dictatorship caused the philosopher’s negative attitude to the institution of the state (the kingdom of Caesar), which he viewed as the institution suppressing personal freedom. We believe that his views are partially relevant for the contemporary political regime of our country, where personal freedom is limited, but this is aimed at maintaining order and preventing chaos in society. Berdyaev rightly noted that positive law is applied to maintain the order in the state; it is obvious that this function has been preserved to this day. It can be concluded that despite the predominance of the religious component in the philosophy of N.A. Berdyaev, his political and legal views are relevant today, since they develop the concept of the rule of law and the individual’s inalienable rights and freedoms.
ON THE QUESTION OF ETHNO-CULTURAL AND ETHNO-LEGAL RELATIONS OF THE RUSSIANS AND MORDVINS
Authors:   Ogarev Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russian Federation, SUSHKOVA YULIIA
Published: February 2022

The article highlights some aspects of the Mordovian-Russian ethno-legal and ethno-cultural ties that have a centuries-old history, which led to mutual enrichment, the penetration of cultures, the development of many common norms of life and everyday life. The willingness to borrow and process influences in the organization of the lifestyles of Russians and Mordvins is associated with the compatibility of the mentalities that determined their perception of the world. As a result of the conducted research, the author came to the conclusion that the Russian and Mordvinian peoples, in the conditions of long-term good neighborliness, managed to carry through the centuries the original language and customs of their ancestors, each of them adapted the fundamental traditional norms of behavior of each other, and mainly Russian, in their culture. The general and special ethno-cultural and ethno-legal features of everyday life and life were especially vividly manifested in the communal structure, institutions of marriage and family, religious relations. The experience of the Mordvins in learning the Russian language testified to the progress of adaptation within the framework of a single state-legal space.
İSTANBUL'DAKİ AKTARLARDA ÇOK SATILAN BİTKİ VE BİTKİSEL ÜRÜNLERİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: AKBAŞ Sevinç , ABDULVELİ BOZLAR Magfiret
Published: February 2022

Son yıllarda tüm dünyada ve ülkemizde yaygınlaşan “doğaya dönüş” akımı, bitkisel ürünlerin kullanımlarının büyük bir popülarite kazanmasına yol açmıştır. Tıbbi bitkilerden yararlanarak hastalıkları tedavi etme ve önleme alışkanlığının giderek artması, bitkisel tıbbi ürün ticaretinde giderek yükselen ve değeri sürekli artan bir pazar oluşmasına yol açmıştır. Bu pazarın en önemli ayağını ise aktarlar oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, ülkemizin 15 milyondan fazla nüfusa sahip en büyük metropolü olan İstanbul’un aktarlarında en çok hangi ürünlerin satıldığı, destek takviye olarak halkın hangi ürünleri tercih ettiği ve Covid 19 salgınının bitkisel ürünlere talebi nasıl etkilediği araştırılmıştır. Ocak 2021-Mayıs 2021 tarihleri arasında İstanbul’un farklı ilçelerinde faaliyet gösteren 100 farklı aktara yüz yüze anket uygulaması yapılmış ve sonuçlar aktarların verdikleri yanıtlara göre analiz edilmiştir. Aktarlarda genel olarak en çok satılan bitki ve bitkisel ürünler; zencefil, tarçın, zerdeçal, kekik, ıhlamur ve çörek otu’dur. Yaz mevsiminde zayıflamak ve formda kalmayı sağlamak için; yeşil çay, biberiye, kekik ve funda tercih edilmektedir. Bitkisel yağlar olarak daha çok çörek otu yağı, sarı kantaron yağı, susam yağı, badem yağı ve hindistan cevizi yağı satılırken, saç ve cilt bakımı için; gül suyu ve yağı, zeytinyağlı sabun, defne sabunu ve bıttım sabunu ilgi görmektedir. Bitkisel ürünlere ve aktarlara olan ilgi özellikle Covid 19 salgını döneminde artmıştır.
China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” in Sri Lanka : Debt Diplomacy in Hambantota Port Investment
Authors: Wibisono Adhe Nuansa
Published: February 2022

This article will discuss the impact of China's debt diplomacy in Sri Lanka through the Belt Road Initiative (BRI) which has an impact on China's control of the Hambantota Port for 99 years. The Belt and Road Initiative with the promotion of infrastructure investment is an example of the use of Chinese soft power diplomacy on a global level. In the Hambantota Port development project, Sri Lanka relied on development funding from China and subsequently defaulted. At first the Sri Lankan Government under the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the investment door for China. From 2010 to 2015, China provided a $ 4.8 billion loan to build various infrastructure projects including the Hambantota Port, new airports, power plants and highways. Sri Lanka was then caught up in debt diplomacy carried out by China. Then, this article also discusses the response and efforts of the Sri Lankan government to renegotiate the ownership of Chinese shares in the Hambantota Port project. The Sri Lankan government is working hard to get out of the debt diplomacy trap. This article also then discusses the strategic economic and political impacts of controlling the Hambantota Port by China. This article uses books, research reports, theses, journals, newspapers, and online news as reference material.
Early detection of Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy rhythms
Authors: De Oliveira Bruno Rodrigues , Aparecido Queiroz Duarte Marco , Vieira Filho Jozue
Published: February 2022

Premature Ventricular Contraction is an arrhythmia that can be associated with several cardiac disorders that affect from 40% to 75% of the general population. Premature Ventricular Contraction occurrence is diagnosed from the Electrocardiogram. If in an Electrocardiogram one (or two) Premature Ventricular Contraction occurs between two Normal heartbeats, then there is a Ventricular Bigeminy (or Trigeminy). The prevalence of Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy rhythms is associated with angina, hypertension, congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction. In this work it is proposed a new approach for these rhythms early diagnosis using Decision Tree models. The proposed approach uses the information before occurrence of Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy, i.e., the number of normal and abnormal heartbeats and the heart rhythm. In order to rhythm prediction, the models obtained from Random Forest algorithm, induced by cross-validation approach, are used. Proposed approach predicted Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy occurrence with accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 98.94%, 96.28% and 99.83, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that the Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy is preceded for Normal, Atrioventricular Junctional and Paced heart rhythms in most of the examples. Besides that, it is presented a simple algorithm for decision about the occurrence of Ventricular Bigeminy/Trigeminy rhythms.
3D Printing for Bone-Cartilage Interface Regeneration
Authors: Xu Jialian , Ji Jindou , Jiao Juyang , Zheng Liangjun , Hong Qimin , Tang Haozheng , Zhang Shutao , Qu Xinhua , Yue Bing
Published: February 2022

Due to the vasculature defects and/or the avascular nature of cartilage, as well as the complex gradients for bone-cartilage interface regeneration and the layered zonal architecture, self-repair of cartilage and subchondral bone is challenging. Currently, the primary osteochondral defect treatment strategies, including artificial joint replacement and autologous and allogeneic bone graft, are limited by their ability to simply repair, rather than induce regeneration of tissues. Meanwhile, over the past two decades, three-dimension (3D) printing technology has achieved admirable advancements in bone and cartilage reconstruction, providing a new strategy for restoring joint function. The advantages of 3D printing hybrid materials include rapid and accurate molding, as well as personalized therapy. However, certain challenges also exist. For instance, 3D printing technology for osteochondral reconstruction must simulate the histological structure of cartilage and subchondral bone, thus, it is necessary to determine the optimal bioink concentrations to maintain mechanical strength and cell viability, while also identifying biomaterials with dual bioactivities capable of simultaneously regenerating cartilage. The study showed that the regeneration of bone-cartilage interface is crucial for the repair of osteochondral defect. In this review, we focus on the significant progress and application of 3D printing technology for bone-cartilage interface regeneration, while also expounding the potential prospects for 3D printing technology and highlighting some of the most significant challenges currently facing this field.
An In Vivo Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Imaging Platform for Targeted Drug Discovery and Cancer Therapy
Authors: Xing Fuqiang , Ai Nana , Huang Shigao , Jiang Cheng , Mughal Muhammad Jameel , Ge Wei , Wang Guanyu , Deng Chu-Xia
Published: February 2022

In the present study, an efficient in vivo drug screening platform is established based on FRET technique. We transfected cancer cells with FRET-based caspase-3 (C3) sensor and validated the cell lines by detecting the change in FRET signal caused by the in vitro drug-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the C3 expressing cancer cells were then injected into zebrafish embryos and nude mice to establish the corresponding in vivo xenograft models. We found that cancer cell lines expressing C3 were effective in detecting cell death following drug treatment, including the detection of the tipping point of apoptosis. The drug-induced cell apoptosis was also observed in both zebrafish embryos and nude mice xenograft models. Overall, the FRET-based platform, through in vivo imaging, is potentially useful to improve drug screening efficiency.
Single-Metal Hybrid Micromotor
Authors: Li Dajian , Zheng Yuhong , Zhang Zhanxiang , Zhang Qi , Huang Xiaoying , Dong Renfeng , Cai Yuepeng , Wang Lin
Published: February 2022

Multimode stimuli-regulated propulsions are extremely useful for artificial micro-/nanomotors in performing specialized tasks in different microscopic environments. However, it is still a great challenge to develop a simple and efficient micro/nanosystem which can operate in complicated environments, either with fuel or without fuel. Here, we report a novel hybrid micromotor which only needs one metal with a special structure: micro-spherical shell with a hole. Since we attractively combine the inherently catalytic properties of Pt for chemical propulsion with a designed concave structure for acoustic propulsion, the micromotors can not only move rapidly in H2O2 fueled environment due to the chemical reaction between Pt and H2O2 but also can exhibit excellent acoustic propulsion in a fuel-free environment due to the non-uniform stress caused by ultrasound. In addition, the attractive group motion behavior of the motors, including aggregation, group migration, and dispersion, is easily realized by acoustic field regulation. The brand-new single-metal hybrid micromotors with a dual driving mode, flexible propulsion regulation, and efficient group motion regulation, which are essential for making micro-/nanomotors compatible with different surrounding environments, are expected to advance the field of artificial nanomachines.
Investigation of an FGFR-Signaling-Related Prognostic Model and Immune Landscape in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Qi , Chu Ling , Li Xinyu , Li Hao , Zhang Ying , Cao Qingtai , Zhuang Quan
Published: February 2022

Background: There is accumulating evidence on the clinical importance of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signal, hypoxia, and glycolysis in the immune microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), yet reliable prognostic signatures based on the combination of the fibrosis signal, hypoxia, and glycolysis have not been systematically investigated. Herein, we are committed to establish a fibrosis–hypoxia–glycolysis–related prediction model for the prognosis and related immune infiltration of HNSCC.

Methods: Fibrotic signal status was estimated with microarray data of a discovery cohort from the TCGA database using the UMAP algorithm. Hypoxia, glycolysis, and immune-cell infiltration scores were imputed using the ssGSEA algorithm. Cox regression with the LASSO method was applied to define prognostic genes and develop a fibrosis–hypoxia–glycolysis–related gene signature. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted to identify the expression of specific genes in the prognostic model. Protein expression of several signature genes was evaluated in HPA. An independent cohort from the GEO database was used for external validation. Another scRNA-seq data set was used to clarify the related immune infiltration of HNSCC.

Results: Six genes, including AREG, THBS1, SEMA3C, ANO1, IGHG2, and EPHX3, were identified to construct a prognostic model for risk stratification, which was mostly validated in the independent cohort. Multivariate analysis revealed that risk score calculated by our prognostic model was identified as an independent adverse prognostic factor (p < .001). Activated B cells, immature B cells, activated CD4+ T cells, activated CD8+ T cells, effector memory CD8+ T cells, MDSCs, and mast cells were identified as key immune cells between high- and low-risk groups. IHC results showed that the expression of SEMA3C, IGHG2 were slightly higher in HNSCC tissue than normal head and neck squamous cell tissue. THBS1, ANO1, and EPHX3 were verified by IHC in HPA. By using single-cell analysis, FGFR-related genes and highly expressed DEGs in low-survival patients were more active in monocytes than in other immune cells.

Conclusion: A fibrosis–hypoxia–glycolysis–related prediction model provides risk estimation for better prognoses to patients diagnosed with HNSCC.
Mechanisms Underlying Influence of Bioelectricity in Development
Authors: George Laura Faith , Bates Emily Anne
Published: February 2022

To execute the intricate process of development, cells coordinate across tissues and organs to determine where each cell divides and differentiates. This coordination requires complex communication between cells. Growing evidence suggests that bioelectrical signals controlled via ion channels contribute to cell communication during development. Ion channels collectively regulate the transmembrane potential of cells, and their function plays a conserved role in the development of organisms from flies to humans. Spontaneous calcium oscillations can be found in nearly every cell type and tissue, and disruption of these oscillations leads to defects in development. However, the mechanism by which bioelectricity regulates development is still unclear. Ion channels play essential roles in the processes of cell death, proliferation, migration, and in each of the major canonical developmental signaling pathways. Previous reviews focus on evidence for one potential mechanism by which bioelectricity affects morphogenesis, but there is evidence that supports multiple different mechanisms which are not mutually exclusive. Evidence supports bioelectricity contributing to development through multiple different mechanisms. Here, we review evidence for the importance of bioelectricity in morphogenesis and provide a comprehensive review of the evidence for several potential mechanisms by which ion channels may act in developmental processes.
ISYNA1: An Immunomodulatory-Related Prognostic Biomarker in Colon Adenocarcinoma and Pan-Cancer
Authors: Jia Zeming , Wan Xiaoping
Published: February 2022

Background: Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a common digestive system tumor in the world. However, the role and function of ISYNA1 (inositol-3-phosphate synthase 1) in COAD remain unclear. We aim to explore the role of ISYNA1 in pan-cancer, especially in COAD.

Methods: The expression, clinical characteristic, and prognosis of ISYNA1 in pan-cancer were evaluated using the TCGA (the Cancer Genome Atlas), GTEx (the Genotype-Tissue Expression), and CCLE (Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia). Pathway enrichment analysis of ISYNA1 was conducted using the R package “clusterProfiler.” We analyzed the correlation between the immune cell infiltration level and ISYNA1 expression using two sources of immune cell infiltration data, including the TIMER online database and ImmuCellAI database.

Results: ISYNA1 was highly expressed in COAD and other cancer types compared with respective normal tissues. High ISYNA1 expression predicted poorer survival in COAD. We also found that ISYNA1 expression was positively correlated with the infiltration level of tumor-associated macrophages and tumor-associated fibroblasts in COAD.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings revealed ISYNA1 to be a potential prognostic biomarker in COAD. High ISYNA1 expression indicates the immunosuppressive microenvironment.
N and C Isotope Variations Along an Extreme Eutrophication and Salinity Gradient in the Coorong Lagoon, South Australia
Authors: Priestley Stacey C. , Tyler Jonathan , Liebelt Savannah R. , Mosley Luke M. , Wong Wei Wen , Shao Yuexiao , Woolston Zara , Farrell Mark , Welsh David T. , Brookes Justin D. , Collins Alan S. , Keneally Chris , Farkaš Juraj
Published: February 2022

The Coorong Lagoon is a unique hydrological and depositional system at the terminus of the Murray–Darling Basin, the largest river system in Australia. It exhibits large salinity, nutrient, and organic matter gradients, providing a modern analogue to study and validate the use of δ15N and δ13C as tracers of past and contemporary geochemical cycles in estuarine environments. To this end, water and surface sediment samples were analyzed for particulate organic nitrogen (PON) and carbon (POC) concentrations, and the respective δ15N and δ13C signatures of particulate nitrogen and carbon. PON and POC exhibited positive relationships to chlorophyll-a, indicating the dominance of phytoplankton production upon suspended organic matter. There was also a general trend of increasing δ15N of PON (δ15NPON) values and decreasing δ13C of particulate carbon (δ13CPC) values with increasing salinity and eutrophication in the restricted South Lagoon. In a multiple linear regression for δ15NPON, the best two predictors in combination are PON and C:N molar ratio, highlighting the importance of productivity and the type or source of organic matter. For δ13CPC, the best two predictors are total dissolved phosphorus and latitude, suggesting influences from productivity and proximity to the ocean. Sediment δ15N values across the Coorong Lagoon overlap with the δ15NPON in the water column, suggesting that PON derived from algal material represents the main source of nitrogen to lagoon sediments. We hypothesize that limited N loss via denitrification leads to PON being recycled almost exclusively to ammonium, due to low rates of nitrification and dominance of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). We propose that preferential volatilization of 14N in ammonia increases the δ15N of ammonium assimilated by phytoplankton, thereby increasing the δ15N within suspended organic matter and surface sediment in the South Lagoon. By contrast, the gradient exhibited in δ13CPC data was countered by a relatively constant sedimentary organic carbon δ13C. Data from the Coorong, therefore, suggest that δ15N values in sediments can be used to infer palaeoproductivity in this hypereutrophic and hypersaline depositional environment, however, the measured δ13CPC may be influenced by δ13CDIC or preferential loss of 13C during sedimentation that alter the sedimentary δ13C record of organic carbon.
The Role of Gender for Teachers’ Reactions to Social Exclusion Among Students
Authors: Beißert Hanna , Staat Miriam , Bonefeld Meike
Published: February 2022

Social exclusion, i.e., being kept apart from others and not being allowed to join, is a common phenomenon at school and can have severe consequences for students’ healthy development and success at school. This study examined teachers’ reactions to social exclusion among students focusing on the role of gender. Specifically, we were interested in potential effects of gender-specific socialization and social expectations linked to gender for teachers’ reactions to social exclusion among students. We used hypothetical scenarios in which a student is being excluded from a study group by other students. We focused on the gender of the teacher (as an observer of exclusion) on the one hand and on the gender of the excluded student on the other hand. In the hypothetical scenarios, we varied the gender of the excluded student by using either a typical female or male name. The study included 101 teachers from different school tracks in Germany (Mage= 36.93,SD= 9.84; 84 females, 17 males). We assessed teachers’ evaluations of the exclusion scenario and their anticipated reactions, i.e., how likely they were to intervene in such a situation and what they would specifically do. As expected, the participating teachers showed a general tendency to reject exclusion among students. This tendency was even more pronounced among female teachers compared to male teachers. Interestingly, these gender differences on the attitudinal side did not translate into differences in teachers’ behavioral intentions: for the likelihood to intervene, we did not find any differences based on the gender of the teacher. In terms of the gender of the excluded student, things were different: The gender of the excluded student did not affect teachers’ evaluations of the exclusion scenario. Yet, the gender of the excluded was relevant for participants’ behavioral intentions. Namely, teachers were less likely to intervene in the scenario if a boy was excluded. These findings are in line with considerations related to gender-specific socialization and social expectations linked to gender. Overall, the study demonstrates that gender is an important aspect in the context of social exclusion and further research should explicitly focus on how socialization and gender expectations can explain these findings.
Tracking the Lithium and Strontium Isotope Signature of Hydrothermal Plume in the Water Column: A Case Study at the EMSO-Azores Deep-Sea Observatory
Authors: Artigue Lise , Chavagnac Valérie , Destrigneville Christine , Ferron Bruno , Cathalot Cécile
Published: February 2022

Lithium (Li) and strontium (Sr) are two economically relevant chemical elements whose oceanic biogeochemical cycles are not fully constrained. In particular, how they disperse and behave from hydrothermal sources into the water column is understudied while hydrothermal systems on the global mid-ocean ridge network (∼67,000 km) represent one of the main sources of Li. This study aims to provide new insights on the dissolved Li (DLi) and Sr (DSr) behavior in the water column. Here, we present for the first time the DLi and DSr elemental and isotopic (δ7Li, and 87Sr/86Sr) profiles from six casts distributed over the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field (LSHF, Mid-Atlantic Ridge). The DLi and DSr results reflect a hydrothermal contribution to the water column up to ∼300 m above the seafloor that can be quantified by up to 10% based on the DLi dataset. For increasing hydrothermal contribution the δ7Li values of the water column become heavier most likely due to mineral–seawater interactions, i.e., manganese oxide formed during the mixing of hydrothermal fluid and seawater. Contrarily to the DLi, DSr, and δ7Li datasets, the hydrothermal contribution to the water column is not evidenced by the 87Sr/86Sr ratios that fall within the range of oligotrophic oceanic waters. Surprisingly, some geographically distant casts display at the same depth identical DLi and DSr concentrations or similar δ7Li signatures. We attribute these features to the current dynamics above the LSHF, suggesting that the hydrothermal signature of the western casts can overprint those of the eastern and center casts in less than 1 h at the LSHF km-scale. Overall, this study highlights that 1) as for many elements, DLi, DSr, and δ7Li can be used to track the hydrothermal signature to the water column at a km-scale whereas 87Sr/86Sr cannot, 2) local currents play a major role in advecting the hydrothermal contribution away from the hydrothermal sources, and 3) mineral–seawater interaction processes are at play during the mixing between hydrothermal fluid and seawater and impact the δ7Li hydrothermal signature. Our study suggests that chemical tracers of hydrothermal input have to be chosen depending on the spatial scale of the studied area.
Mechanical Soil Database—Part I: Impact of Bulk Density and Organic Matter on Precompression Stress and Consequences for Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity
Authors: Schroeder Richard , Fleige Heiner , Hoffmann Carsten , Vogel Hans Joerg , Horn Rainer
Published: February 2022

The mechanical strength of agricultural soils depends on many soil properties and functions. The database, “soil strength and consequences for sustainable land use and soil management SOILMECHDAT-Kiel”, originates from the “Horn Research Group” includes analyses of undisturbed soil samples taken from more than 460 profiles in and is developed in collaboration with BONARES, a funding initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research that focuses on the sustainable use of soils. For over 40 years, over 42 different authors recorded 59 physical and 29 chemical parameters for complete soil profiles. In order to the aim of the initial analyses of this data is to determine the influence of bulk density (BD) organic matter (OM) and time (year) on precompression stress (Pc) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (ks) as a function of Pc. Three main textural groups sand, loam, and silt for both topsoils and subsoils (SS) were studied. In loamy and silty subsoils BD and OM are not related to Pc (R2= 0.17 andR2= 0.25). OM and bulk density are more related to Pc in sandy soils (R20.55–0.59). The link between ks and Pc showed that sandy soils have a significantly higher Pc (>150 kPa) and conductivities did not change much. In loamy soils, with a Pc > 90 kPa, 50% of the ks fell below the critical value of 10 cm d−1. For silty soils, at a Pc of 60 kPa, 50% of the data fall below the critical value of ks. These findings suggest that the stability of loamy and silty soils not only depends on OM and BD, but requires further data to explain the variation in the measurements. With respect to ks, the results show that fertile silty soils are more sensitive than formerly defined.
Distributed Adaptations: Can a Species Be Adapted While No Single Individual Carries the Adaptation?
Authors: Lamm Ehud , Kolodny Oren
Published: February 2022

Species’ adaptation to their environments occursviaa range of mechanisms of adaptation. These include genetic adaptations as well as non-traditional inheritance mechanisms such as learned behaviors, niche construction, epigenetics, horizontal gene transfer, and alteration of the composition of a host’s associated microbiome. We propose to supplement these with another modality of eco-evolutionary dynamics: cases in which adaptation to the environment occursviawhat may be called a “distributed adaptation,” in which the adaptation is not conferredviasomething carried by an individual of the adapted species (as with genes, behavior, or associated microbes), but by some structural or compositional aspect of the population. Put differently, the adaptively relevant information cannot be reduced to information possessed by a single individual, whether genetic or otherwise. Rather, the adaptively relevant information is distributed, and is found strictly at the population level. While human culture is presumably such a case, as may be cases found in social insects, we want to suggest that there are other cases that belong to this category and to explore its evolutionary implications. In particular, we discuss the factors that affect whether adaptive information is stored in a distributed way, to what degree, and what kinds of adaptive information are most likely to be found in this modality of adaptation.
More Light Please: Daphnia Benefit From Light Pollution by Increased Tolerance Toward Cyanobacterial Chymotrypsin Inhibitors
Authors: Cremer Ricarda , Wacker Alexander , Schwarzenberger Anke
Published: February 2022

Cryptochromes are evolutionary ancient blue-light photoreceptors that are part of the circadian clock in the nervous system of many organisms. Cryptochromes transfer information of the predominant light regime to the clock which results in the fast adjustment to photoperiod. Therefore, the clock is sensitive to light changes and can be affected by anthropogenic Artificial Light At Night (ALAN). This in turn has consequences for clock associated behavioral processes, e.g., diel vertical migration (DVM) of zooplankton. In freshwater ecosystems, the zooplankton genus Daphnia performs DVM in order to escape optically hunting predators and to avoid UV light. Concomitantly, Daphnia experience circadian changes in food-supply during DVM. Daphnia play the keystone role in the carbon-transfer to the next trophic level. Therefore, the whole ecosystem is affected during the occurrence of cyanobacteria blooms as cyanobacteria reduce food quality due to their production of digestive inhibitors (e.g., protease inhibitors). In other organisms, digestion is linked to the circadian clock. If this is also the case for Daphnia, the expression of protease genes should show a rhythmic expression following circadian expression of clock genes (e.g., cryptochrome 2). We tested this hypothesis and demonstrated that gene expression of the clock and of proteases was affected by ALAN. Contrary to our expectations, the activity of one type of proteases (chymotrypsins) was increased by ALAN. This indicates that higher protease activity might improve the diet utilization. Therefore, we treated D. magna with a chymotrypsin-inhibitor producing cyanobacterium and found that ALAN actually led to an increase in Daphnia’s growth rate in comparison to growth on the same cyanobacterium in control light conditions. We conclude that this increased tolerance to protease inhibitors putatively enables Daphnia populations to better control cyanobacterial blooms that produce chymotrypsin inhibitors in the Anthropocene, which is defined by light pollution and by an increase of cyanobacterial blooms due to eutrophication.
Population Genetic Analysis of Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes From Sudan Revealed Recent Independent Colonization Events by the Two Subspecies
Authors: Elnour Mohammed-Ahmed B. , Gloria-Soria Andrea , Azrag Rasha S. , Alkhaibari Abeer M. , Powell Jeffrey R. , Salim Bashir
Published: February 2022

Increases in arbovirus outbreaks in Sudan are vectored by Aedes aegypti, raising the medical importance of this mosquito. We genotyped 12 microsatellite loci in four populations of Ae. aegypti from Sudan, two from the East and two from the West, and analyzed them together with a previously published database of 31 worldwide populations to infer population structure and investigate the demographic history of this species in Sudan. Our results revealed the presence of two genetically distinct subspecies of Ae. aegypti in Sudan. These are Ae. aegypti aegypti in Eastern Sudan and Ae. aegypti formosus in Western Sudan. Clustering analysis showed that mosquitoes from East Sudan are genetically homogeneous, while we found population substructure in West Sudan. In the global context our results indicate that Eastern Sudan populations are genetically closer to Asian and American populations, while Western Sudan populations are related to East and West African populations. Approximate Bayesian Computation Analysis supports a scenario in which Ae. aegypti entered Sudan in at least two independent occasions nearly 70–80 years ago. This study provides a baseline database that can be used to determine the likely origin of new introductions for this invasive species into Sudan. The presence of the two subspecies in the country should be consider when designing interventions, since they display different behaviors regarding epidemiologically relevant parameters, such as blood feeding preferences and ability to transmit disease.
Case Report: Genetic Analysis of PEG-Asparaginase Induced Severe Hypertriglyceridemia in an Adult With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Authors: Iannuzzi Arcangelo , Annunziata Mario , Fortunato Giuliana , Giacobbe Carola , Palma Daniela , Bresciani Alessandro , Aliberti Emilio , Iannuzzo Gabriella
Published: February 2022

PEG-Asparaginase (also known as Pegaspargase), along with glucocorticoids (predominantly prednisolone or dexamethasone) and other chemotherapeutic agents (such as cyclophosphamide, idarubicin, vincristine, cytarabine, methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine) is the current standard treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in both children and adults. High doses of PEG-asparaginase are associated with side effects such as hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, venous thrombosis, hypersensitivity reactions against the drug and severe hypertriglyceridemia. We report a case of a 28-year-old male who was normolipidemic at baseline and developed severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides of 1793 mg/dl) following treatment with PEG-asparaginase for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Thorough genetic analysis was conducted to assess whether genetic variants could suggest a predisposition to this drug-induced metabolic condition. This genetic analysis showed the presence of a rare heterozygous missense variant c.11G > A-p.(Arg4Gln) in the APOC3 gene, classified as a variant of uncertain significance, as well as its association with four common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; c.*40C > G in APOC3 and c.*158T > C; c.162-43G > A; c.-3A > G in APOA5) related to increased plasma triglyceride levels. To our knowledge this is the first case that a rare genetic variant associated to SNPs has been related to the onset of severe drug-induced hypertriglyceridemia.
Combination of Anti-PD-1 Antibody, Anlotinib and Pegaspargase “Sandwich” With Radiotherapy in Localized Natural Killer/T Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Sun Peng , Wang Yu , Yang Hang , Chen Cui , Nie Man , Sun Xiao-Qing , He Xiao-Hua , Huang Kang-Ming , Huang Jia-Jia , Li Zhi-Ming
Published: February 2022

Asparaginase/pegaspargase containing regimens combined with radiotherapy are highly effective and considered the cornerstone of localized Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) treatment. However, these chemotherapy regimens inevitably cause relatively high incidence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Herein we retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combined regimen of anti-PD-1 antibody, anlotinib and pegaspargase “sandwich” with radiotherapy in localized NKTL. Anti-PD-1 antibody and pegaspargase at 2500 U/m2 were administered on day 1, while anlotinib (12 mg once a day) was orally administered on days 1-14. The treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. All the eight patients included received 3 cycles of the regimen followed by radiotherapy and an additional 3 cycles. The overall response rate was 100%, and the complete response rate was 87.5%. With a median follow-up time of 35.5 months (range, 34.03-40.90 months), median PFS and OS times were not reached. The 3-year PFS and OS rates were 100% and 100%, respectively. All patients were alive at the last follow-up. No treatment-related death and no grade 4 TRAE was reported. No grade 3/4 hematological toxicity was detected, and half of the patients didn’t report any hematological toxicity. This study indicates that anti-PD-1 antibody combined with anlotinib and pegaspargase is a promising chemoradiotherapy regimen for localized NTKL, with mild toxicity and good tolerance.
Circulating Type I Interferon Levels in the Early Phase of COVID-19 Are Associated With the Development of Respiratory Failure
Authors: Nagaoka Kentaro , Kawasuji Hitoshi , Murai Yushi , Kaneda Makito , Ueno Akitoshi , Miyajima Yuki , Fukui Yasutaka , Morinaga Yoshitomo , Yamamoto Yoshihiro
Published: February 2022

Background

The role of type I interferons (IFNs) in the early phase of COVID-19 remains unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate the relationship between IFN-I levels in patients with COVID-19 and clinical presentation, SARS-CoV-2 viral load, and other major pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Methods

This prospective observational study recruited patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The levels of interferon-alpha (IFN-α), interferon-beta (IFN-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL10) within 5 days after symptom onset were measured using an ELISA, in serum from blood collected within 5 days after the onset of symptoms. The SARS-CoV-2 viral load was determined via qPCR using nasal-swab specimens and serum.

Results

The study enrolled 50 patients with COVID-19. IFN-α levels were significantly higher in patients who presented with pneumonia or developed hypoxemic respiratory failure (p < 0.001). Furthermore, IFN-α levels were associated with viral load in nasal-swab specimens and RNAemia (p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant association between IFN-β levels and the presence of pneumonia or RNAemia, despite showing a stronger association with nasal-swab viral load (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that the serum levels of IFN-α significantly correlated with those of IFN-β, IL-6, and CXCL10, while the levels of IFN-β did not correlate with those of IL-6 or CXCL10.

Conclusions

Serum IFN-I levels in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection were higher in patients who developed hypoxemic respiratory failure. The association between IFN-α, IL-6, and CXCL10 may reflect the systemic immune response against SARS-CoV-2 invasion into pulmonary circulation, which might be an early predictor of respiratory failure due to COVID-19.
Radular Morphology and Relationship Between Shell Size and Radula Size of Few Dominating Intertidal Gastropod Mollusks of Veraval Coast, Gujarat
Authors: Gajera Niyati , Vakani Bhavik , Kundu Rahul
Published: February 2022

The radula is the main feeding organ and also very significant to the majority of the mollusks (especially gastropod) taxonomy. With shell morphology, radular morphology is the key characteristic for the identification of gastropod species. The shape and structure of the radular teeth are unique from family to species level. In this study, five basic types of radula (i.e., docoglossan, rhipidoglossan, taenioglossan, stenoglossan, and toxoglossan), which were observed from a total of 23 different species belonging to 12 families, were examined. Collection of the voucher intertidal gastropod specimen for the study had initiated during May–October 2019 in the rocky intertidal area near Veraval of the south Saurashtra coastline. Direct handpicking methods were used for the collection of the specimen for experiments.
Large Increase in Dissolved Inorganic Carbon in the East Sea (Japan Sea) From 1999 to 2019
Authors: Na Taehee , Hwang Jeomshik , Kim So-Yun , Jeong Seonghee , Rho TaeKeun , Lee Tongsup
Published: February 2022

The East Sea (also known as the Japan Sea; hereafter, EJS) has its own deep overturning circulation, that operates over a centurial timescale compared with a millennial timescale in the ocean. This allows the EJS to be used as a natural laboratory for investigating potential future changes in the oceanic system. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity (TA), and pH were measured in 2019 in a wide area of the EJS to investigate the characteristics and changes of the carbonate system since the last extensive survey in 1999. In the layer below ∼1,000 m, DIC and apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) was uniform implying rapid horizontal mixing within a few years. Since 1999, DIC concentration increased by ∼11 μmol kg–1 in the layer deeper than 500 m. This increase accompanied a commensurate increase in AOU with the canonical ratio of 1.3, indicating that the accumulation of DIC was supplied from organic matter decomposition. This observation is consistent with a previous study suggesting that the slowed deep water ventilation was the cause of the increase in AOU and fast acidification. In the EJS, increase in DIC from the surface water to deep waters is much higher than that in TA, which is caused by high primary productivity and export production together with low rates of CaCO3 export. Thus, the DIC/TA ratio of deep waters, an indicator of vulnerability to acidification, is high. A recently reported change in deep water ventilation, namely, re-initiation of deep water formation reaching deeper depths to the Deep Water and the Bottom Water, implies that unexpected changes in the carbonate system may be detected in the future, which needs to be further monitored.
In-vivo Lens Biometry Using the Novel Ultrasound Biomicroscopy
Authors: Ruan Xiaoting , Liang Chen , Xia Zhaoxia , Tan Xuhua , Jin Guangming , Jin Ling , Liu Zhenzhen , Luo Lixia
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim

To assess the reproducibility of the novel ultrasound biomicroscopy, Insight 100 and its agreement with a swept-source optical coherence tomography, CASIA2.

Methods

A total of 96 volunteers (96 eyes) were enrolled. The radius of anterior lens curvature (RAL), the radius of posterior lens curvature (RPL), lens thickness (LT), and lens diameter (LD) were measured with Insight 100 and CASIA2. A semiautomated software was used to adjust the measurement of LT (LTS) and LD (LDS) by Insight 100. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of Insight 100 measurements, and the agreement of results from Insight 100 and CASIA2 were assessed with 95% limit of agreement (LoA), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson correlation, and linear regression.

Results

For Insight 100 measurements, the intraobserver ICCs of RAL, RPL, LTS, and LDS measurement were 0.996, 0.973, 0.936, and 0.889, and the interobserver ICCs were 0.987, 0.890, 0.974, and 0.816, respectively. There was an excellent correlation in LT measurements (R = 0.961, P < 0.001) but poor agreements in other parameters between the two devices. The LD measurements tended to be larger (95% CI: 0.768–0.928) in CASIA2 when compared with Insight 100.

Conclusion

Insight 100 could obtain highly repeatable lens biometry in vivo. With better signal penetration, it shows promising potential in future clinical applications.
Effects of Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops With or Without Preservatives on Ocular Surface Bacterial Microbiota
Authors: Zhong Yanlin , Fang Xie , Wang Xuemei , Lin Yu-An , Wu Huping , Li Cheng
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the composition and diversity of bacterial communities on the ocular surface before and after the intervention with sodium hyaluronate eye drops (with or without preservatives) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

Methods

Sixteen healthy adults were randomly divided into two groups and treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops with or without preservatives for 2 weeks. The individuals used the same artificial tears in both eyes. The microbial samples from the conjunctival sac of each participant were collected at baseline and 2 weeks after intervention. The diversity and taxonomic differences among different groups before and after intervention were compared by sequencing the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene.

Results

The similarity in the binocular microbial community was high in 1 of the 16 volunteers (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity score < 0.3). At the genus level, 11 bacteria were detected in all samples with an average relative abundance of more than 1%. The bacterial community changed significantly after the use of sodium hyaluronate eye drops (with or without preservatives), whether within individuals or between individuals in different groups (P < 0.05, PERMANOVA). Different dosage forms of sodium hyaluronate eye drops significantly decreased the relative abundance of Flavobacterium caeni and Deinococcus antarcticus, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Healthy people had a rich diversity of the bacterial microbiota on the ocular surface, but the bacterial communities between the eyes were not completely similar. Irrespective of containing benzalkonium chloride (BAC), sodium hyaluronate eye drops can change the bacterial community on the ocular surface.
Persistent Endothelial Dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease-2019 Survivors Late After Recovery
Authors: Gao Yi-Ping , Zhou Wei , Huang Pei-Na , Liu Hong-Yun , Bi Xiao-Jun , Zhu Ying , Sun Jie , Tang Qiao-Ying , Li Li , Zhang Jun , Zhu Wei-Hong , Cheng Xue-Qing , Liu Ya-Ni , Deng You-Bin
Published: February 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in an endothelial dysfunction in acute phase. However, information on the late vascular consequences of COVID-19 is limited.

Methods

Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) examination were performed, and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed in 86 survivors of COVID-19 for 327 days (IQR 318–337 days) after recovery. Comparisons were made with 28 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls and 30 risk factor-matched patients.

Results

Brachial artery FMD was significantly lower in the survivors of COVID-19 than in the healthy controls and risk factor-matched controls [median (IQR) 7.7 (5.1–10.7)% for healthy controls, 6.9 (5.5–9.4)% for risk factor-matched controls, and 3.5(2.2–4.6)% for COVID-19, respectively, p < 0.001]. The FMD was lower in 25 patients with elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α [2.7(1.2–3.9)] than in 61 patients without elevated TNF-α [3.8(2.6–5.3), p = 0.012]. Furthermore, FMD was inversely correlated with serum concentration of TNF-α (r = −0.237, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Survivors of COVID-19 have a reduced brachial artery FMD, which is inversely correlated with increased serum concentration of TNF-α. Prospective studies on the association of endothelial dysfunction with long-term cardiovascular outcomes, especially the early onset of atherosclerosis, are warranted in survivors of COVID-19.