bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Communities, method of usage: unravelling mining guides, manuals and reports
Authors: Pinto Raquel Giffoni , Mansur Maíra Sertã , Losekann Cristiana
Published: February 2024

Over the past twenty years, in different parts of the world, there has been an increase in environmental conflicts related to mining activities. In order to understand how agents in the extractive sector have described these conflicts and the way in which they have acted in response to them, this article analyzes two sets of publications produced during the last decade. Risk and trend reports for the extractive sector prepared through consultancies by Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and KPMG and three community relations manuals issued by the Brazilian Mining Institute, the National Confederation of Industry and the International Mining and Metals Council. We identified that the production and circulation of these materials are part of a set of authoritarian practices by extractive corporations set within at least three dimensions: i) an understanding that organized social actors who act in the defense of territories are risks that need to be managed; ii) the dissemination of “dialogue” and “social participation” techniques used to identify and classify social actors and iii) promoting the idea that the destiny of the territory is ineluctably linked to the corporation.
Aqui sangraram pelos nossos pés: futebol, política e identidade nacional na ditadura militar (1974-1985)
Authors: Almeida Stédile Miguel Enrique
Published: January 2024

A aplicação pela Ditadura civil-militar dos princípios e diretrizes da Doutrina de Segurança Nacional na gestão, organização e prática do futebol nas Copas do Mundo disputadas entre 1974 e 1982 são objeto deste trabalho. Através da análise da cobertura dos diários Folha de São Paulo e Jornal do Brasil e dos semanários Veja e Placar, procura-se demonstrar como a aplicação desses princípios resultou em uma militarização deste esporte em sua gestão institucional, financeira; na composição das comissões técnicas e na negação do status de cidadania ao jogador de futebol. A operacionalização desses princípios tanto poderia ser executada pela sociedade política, o Estado, quanto pela sociedade civil, através dos aparelhos privados de Hegemonia, como a Confederação Brasileira de Desportos. Movidos por um elã autoritário, quanto piores os resultados nas competições, maiores eram os espaços ocupados pelos militares dentro dessa estratégia, alcançando seu ápice na Copa do Mundo de 1978. A identidade nacional encontra-se igualmente em disputa, tanto como mecanismo de dominação, cuja instrumentalização é desejada pela Ditadura civil-militar, quanto como espaço de resistência, diante da incapacidade da Ditadura em realizar sua autorreforma e perpetuação institucionalizada no poder. Sem condições materiais para exercer o poder pela força, a Seleção Brasileira e a identidade nacional são ressignificadas como sinônimo de democracia, um valor que não poderia ser apreendido pela Ditadura. Jogadores e torcedores são agentes dessa transformação que resulta em Abertura Política e desmilitarização do futebol antes do final da própria Ditadura civil-militar.
Beekeepers’ resilience as a key to ecosystem sustainability, empirical evidence from Hungary
Authors: Mucha László , Oravecz Titanilla , Horská Elena , Illés Csaba Bálint
Published: February 2024

The beekeeping sector plays an important role in maintaining biodiversity and the ecosystem, in addition to its production function. The European beekeeping sector is facing a number of constraints that make it difficult to operate, and the Covid-19 pandemic has posed new challenges for beekeepers. The purpose of the study is to examine the resilience of beekeeping businesses to the most important problems affecting beekeepers and the Covid-19 pandemic. The research analyses the role of marketing and profitability and how they influence the resilience. Variables obtained from online questioning of a representative sample of Hungarian beekeepers (N = 297). Cluster analysis was used to validate the results. Using a Two-step clustering model, three clusters of beekeepers were identified: a non-resilient; a resilient, but not proactive and not very profitable and a resilient, proactive and profitable cluster. According to the research, the resilience of beekeepers is shaped by several factors. Well-trained, long-established beekeepers who seek to differentiate their products from their competitors’ overcome the difficulties caused by the pandemic and other beekeeping problems much more easily. Very important factors resulting in remarkable business resilience are the number of used subsidies and the number of cooperations.
Australian board composition and performance: Meta-analysis and implications for governance research
Authors: Alzoubi Abdallah Bader Mahmoud , Nicholson Gavin , Dahmash Firas N. , Shiyyab Fadi Shehab
Published: February 2024

This paper aims to inform the ongoing emphasis on board structure (Yu, 2023) by reconciling the Australian empirical evidence on firm performance-board structure links. While international findings are instructional, differences between governance systems across nations (Alabdullah et al., 2022; Outa & Kutubi, 2021) highlight the importance of understanding the salient nature of the Australian context compared to the UK and US (e.g., fewer listed companies with lower levels of institutional shareholding, higher agency costs and higher compliance to the prescribed governance practices. Meta-analysis was employed to reach an overall Pearson correlation for the association between firm performance and four board composition characteristics (i.e., board independence, CEO duality, board size, and female ratio on boards). The meta-analysis employed includes all empirical studies that used Australian data to investigate firm performance-board structure links. This research also provides guidance on improved theorizing, measurement, and modelling for boards’ research. The results indicate that the correlation between each board’s independence, CEO duality, and financial performance is almost zero. Moreover, board size and female ratio on board have a small positive correlation with financial performance. This paper highlights the importance of considering a specific theory and evidence before employing intermediary variables as controls.
Mast cells are identified in the lung parenchyma of feral mice which can be recapitulated in naturalized laboratory mice
Authors: Yeh Yu-Wen , Chaudhuri Arka Sen , Zhou Ling , Yu Fang , Boysen Preben , Xiang Zou
Published: January 2024

Background: It is well documented that laboratory mice bred and
maintained in ultra-hygienic specific pathogen-free (SPF) barriers
display reduced richness and complexity of microbiota compared with wild
mice. The laboratory mice profoundly lack lung parenchymal mast cells.
Hence, we aimed to investigate the lung distribution of mast cells in
free-living feral mice. Methods: Feral house mice were trapped
in South-Eastern Norway and Hemtabad, West Bengal, India. C57BL/6
laboratory mice were bred in a purposefully built, closed environment
with bedding material obtained from the natural environment with wild
rodent infestation in order to normalize the gut microbiota of these
laboratory mice to that of the wild mice, and the offspring were
collected for study at 8 weeks of age. Results: Mast cells were
easily identified at a substantial density in the lung parenchymal
tissues of feral mice from both Norway and India, which stands in clear
contrast to the rare distribution of lung parenchymal mast cells in the
conventional laboratory SPF mice. Consistently, wild mice also expressed
higher pulmonary levels of stem cell factor, a critical growth factor
for mast cell survival. Higher levels of histamine were recorded in the
lung tissues of the wild mice. Interestingly, “naturalized” C57BL/6
laboratory mice which spent their entire life in a semi-natural
environment developed lung parenchymal mast cells at an appreciable
density. Conclusion: Our observations support that
environmental factors, possibly through modulation of microbiota, may
impact the tissue distribution of mast cells in mouse lung tissues.
Peripheral Immunophenotypes associated with the flare in the systemic lupus erythematosus patients with low disease activity state
Authors: Zheng Jian , Zhu Li , Ju Bomiao , Zhang Jing , Luo Jing , Wang Yanhua , Lv Xiaohong , Pu Dan , He lan , Wang Jing
Published: January 2024

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was characterized by
extreme clinical heterogeneity and flare unpredictability. The immune
homeostasis was the basis to maintain SLE stabilization. However, there
were limited data to clarify the association between the SLE flare and
immunophenotypes. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were
obtained from 93 SLE patients with low disease activity state (LDAS) and
66 healthy individuals. Circulating B and T subsets were defined using
flow cytometric analysis as recommended by the Human Immunology Project
Consortium. Based on the date of these subgroups cells, immunophenotypes
of 93 LDAS patients were distinguished by principal components analysis
(PCA) and cluster analysis. Results: Compared with healthy controls, the
LDAS patients had higher proportions of plasma cells, double negative B
cells, naïve B cells, CD8+T cells and regulatory T cells, and lower
proportions of unswitched memory B cells and CD4+T cells. PCA indicated
that the immunophenotypes had the abnormalities of the T and B cell axes
among these LDAS patients. Cluster analysis showed that these patients
could be divided into 3 groups: memory B cells group, naïve B cells
group and T cells group. The patients in memory B cells group had the
lower flare risk, SLEDAI scores, IgG levels and prednisone dose compared
with the non-memory B cells group (including naïve B cells group and T
cells group) patients. Conclusion: The peripheral immunophenotypes were
associated with the SLE flare in the LDAS patients. The memory B cells
dominant group patients had low risk of flare.
Vector copy number analysis using droplet digital PCR method in hematopoietic stem cells and T lymphocytes after lentiviral transduction: optimization and limitations
Authors: PARCELIER Aude , Buisset Julien , Neveu Emilie , Kauffmann Bastien , Fraboulet Sandrine , Sanatine Peggy , Martin Samia , Rousseaux Cédrick , Avenier Nadia , Charrier Sabine
Published: January 2024

In the context of ex vivo gene therapy or CAR-T cell therapy, vector
copy number (VCN) analysis in transduced cells by lentiviral vectors
enables the assessment of risk and therapeutic efficiency in patients.
In this study, we show that a ddPCR-based method can replace easily a
TaqMan qPCR assay for VCN analysis, by measuring the number of pro-viral
DNA copies per host cell genome in blood samples. Firstly, we have
identified key elements of sample preparation and set-up to further
improve the performance characteristics of ddPCR method, resulting in an
accurate analysis of VCN without the need for multiple replicates or an
external calibrator, as required in qPCR methods. Secondly, we found
that genomic DNA (gDNA) quantification by fluorometry allows a better
prediction of the genomic copy number detected in ddPCR than by
spectrophotometry. Then, we applied this new technology to analyze VCN
in blood cells and also in colony-forming cells (CFC) derived from
transduced CD34+ cells, using a NaOH cell lysis-based approach. Finally,
we conclude that the multiplex ddPCR is able to analyze VCN more
precisely than qPCR in all transduced hematopoietic cells, an assay
useful for clinical applications.
Transitional Interventions to Reduce Readmissions for Heart-Failure Patients: An Integrative Review.
Authors: Alzahrani Naif
Published: January 2024

Abstract Research demonstrates that heart failure is one of the most
common causes of readmission following hospitalization. Evaluating the
options for transitional care in this population and further identifying
what may be most effective for reducing hospital readmission is
imperative for improving both patient safety and care quality. Aim: The
purpose of this review was to assess the state of the science of
transitional care interventions and their utility for reducing hospital
readmissions in patients with heart failure during an 11-year period,
from 2010 to 2021. Method: A systematic search was conducted within five
databases, including CINAHL, EMBASE, OVID Medline, SCOPUS and Cochrane.
Results: Thirteen studies were included. Four transitional care
intervention were included such as home healthcare services,
multidisciplinary team care, telephone support/follow-up, and
telemonitoring. Conclusion: The evidence was consistent that home
healthcare services were effective in decreasing readmission rates among
heart failure patients, but telemonitoring programs were not effective.
On the other hand, evidence differed regarding the effect of telephone
support interventions and multidisciplinary team care in reducing
readmission rates.
Patient Comfort in Transradial and Transfemoral Percutaneous Coronary Interventiıon
Authors: ÇIRACI BUSE , RIZALAR SELDA
Published: January 2024

Background: Ensuring the comfort of the patient during Percutaneous
Coronary Interventiıon (PCI) is one of the nursing care goals. During
procedure, the patient’s comfort level may vary depending on the
vascular access method. Studies examining comfort from a nursing
perspective in coronary interventions are very limited. Objective: This
study is a descriptive cros-sectional study to identify the general
comfort levels of the patients and to determine whether transradial or
transfemoral access method affects the comfort level in PCI. Methods:
The study was conducted on 200 volunteer patients in a private
university hospital in Istanbul between May 2018 and May 2019. General
Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) was used in this study. In the evaluation of
the data, t-test as well as percentage, mean, standard deviation, row
mean descriptive statistical methods were used. Results: In this study,
46% of the participants were in the 40-59 age group, 47% were over 60
years old, 74% were male, 92% were married. Angiography was performed
in 67% of the patients from the radial artery and 33% from the femoral
artery. The average overall comfort score was found to be 3.03 ± 0.3.
The patients received the highest score from psychospiritual comfort
subscale and the lowest score from physical comfort subscale. The score
averages of physical, psychospiritual, environmental, general comfort of
the patients who underwent transradial PCI were statistically higher
than transfemoral (p<0.05). According to both access methods,
a significant difference was found between the mean scores of the levels
of relief and ease. Conclusions: As a result, the general comfort level
of the patients who underwent PCI was found above medium level. The
patients received the lowest score from physical comfort subscale. The
comfort level of the patients who underwent transradial method was found
to be higher than those transfemoral.
The role of clinical pharmacist in the clinical pathway of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD)
Authors: Gong YanQing , Zhang Yin
Published: January 2024

Background: Clinical pharmacists play a significant role in clinical
practice, but their work in the clinical pathway (CP) of acute
exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) remains
undefined. Objective: To study the role of clinical pharmacists in the
CP of AECOPD. Methods: This prospective study included patients who met
the discharge criteria during hospitalization at the department of
respiratory medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical
University from March to December 2017 (no pharmacists involved) and
from March 2018 to January 2019 (pharmacists involved). The Adverse Drug
Reaction (ADR) reporting rate, antimicrobial use intensity, the per
capita cost of pharmaceutical services, and the benefit-cost ratio (B/C)
were analyzed. Results: Eighty participants were enrolled during the
traditional period and 85 during the clinical pharmacist period. The
average hospital stays (9.2±0.4 vs. 10.7±0.6 days, P=0.032), the total
cost of treatment (14,058±826 vs. 18,765±1434yuan, P=0.004), the total
cost of drugs (5717±449 vs. 8002±755yuan, P=0.004), and cost of
antimicrobial drugs (3639±379 vs. 5636±641yuan, P=0.007) were all lower
in the clinical pharmacist group than in the traditional group. The B/C
was 10.38 and 5.05 in the intervention and traditional groups,
respectively. The clinical pharmacists’ participation was independently
associated with the total hospitalization expenses (β=-0.201, 95%
confidence interval: -0.390-0.055, P=0.010). Conclusion: The
participation of the clinical pharmacist in the implementation of an
AECOPD CP significantly reduces patients’ hospitalization days,
healthcare expenses, and antibiotic use and improves the B/C of AECOPD
management. The clinical pharmacists’ participation was independently
associated with the total hospitalization expenses.
A Common Trap and Countermeasures in Application of Machine Learning in Energy Engineering
Authors: Chen Hao , Zhang Chao , Wang Yu , Jia Ninghong , Liu Xiliang , Duncan Ian , Yang Shenglai
Published: January 2024

Machine learning (ML) algorithms have gained more and more successful
applications in the field of energy prediction. However, current
conventional application process of ML algorithms lacks screening of
dominant factors and model validation, resulting in weakening the
predictive ability of the model. In this work, systematic and robust
predictive models are provided to address this issue. Based on 147 sets
of data, various methods were used to predict. The results show that in
the process of learning curve analysis, the eight models can get
satisfactory results, but there are three models with overfitting or
underfitting. Besides, through analyze the model by the single-factor
control variables method, two additional defective models were found.
Therefore, current conventional ML modeling methods are not reliable.
This paper addresses the main reasons for the poor performance of some
predictive models built by ML and provides guidelines on how to build
robust predictive models.
The mechanism by which miR-499 feedback regulates the α- myosin heavy chain and β- myosin heavy chain gene axis in septic myocardial dysfunction
Authors: Yang Yongli , Li Chang
Published: January 2024

Cardiac failure due to sepsis is a common cause of death in patients
with sepsis, but the specific mechanism leading to cardiac dysfunction
is not clear. Therefore, we established a rat model of
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis-mediated cardiac dysfunction to
investigate changes in the expression of miR-499 in the plasma and
cardiac tissue and the potential mechanism. The results showed that
after LPS stimulation, the expression of miR-499 in the plasma and
myocardium was downregulated, the expression of α-myosin heavy chain
(MHC) in the myocardium was significantly downregulated, and the
expression of β-MHC in the myocardium was significantly upregulated.
β-MHC/α-MHC dysregulation was reversed after miR-499 was overexpressed
with the intravenous administration of a miR-499 agomir. An increased
left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) , increased cardiac
dysfunction and β-MHC/α-MHC dysregulation were observed after the
injection of a miR-499 antagomir. These results suggest that miR-499 can
improve sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats by regulating the
expression levels of α-MHC and β-MHC, and targeting miR-499 could be an
effective approach for treating sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Selective interaction of MRAP proteins with somatostatin receptors in the Mus musculus
Authors: Wang Meng , Xu Jing , Lei Xiaowei , Zhang Cong , Liu Shangyun , Zhe Kuang , Fu Yanbin , Qu Shen , Li Qingfen , Zhang Chao
Published: January 2024

Somatostatin (SST) receptors are well known to regulate exocrine
secretions, neurotransmission and inhibit cell proliferation. SSTR
subtypes exhibit heterodimerization with unique signaling
characteristics. In the present study, using western blot and
co-immunoprecipitation, FACS analysis, immunofluorescence, we
investigated the differential interaction between MRAP1 and SSTRs and
the role of MRAP1 on mouse SSTR2/SSTR3 and SSTR2/SSTR5
heterodimerization in HEK293 cells. The interaction binding sites of
SSTR2/SSTR3 or SSTR2/SSTR5 with MRAP1 depend on SSTR3 and SSTR5 but not
SSTR2. MRAP1 binding sites on SSTR3 are extensive, while the binding
sites on SSTR5 are concentrated on TM6 and TM7. We also determined that
MRAP1 enhanced agonist-mediated cAMP inhibition by inhibiting
SSTR2/SSTR3 and SSTR2/SSTR5 heterodimerization. Up-regulation of ERK1/2
phosphorylation, p27Kip1 and increased cell growth inhibition when
co-expressing SSTR2/SSTR3 or SSTR2/SSTR5 with MRAP1, suggested an effect
of MRAP1 on anti-proliferative response of two SSTR heterodimers. Taken
together, these results provide new insights for binding protein MRAP1
in the maintenance and regulation of mouse SSTR dimers which might be
helpful to better understand the molecular mechanism involving SSTRs in
tumor biology.
What is the diagnosis of palpitations? A case report of rate-dependent retrograde conduction over an accessory pathway
Authors: Ding Xueyan , shi chengyong , Huang Song-qun , Wang Lihong , huang xinmiao
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The phenomenon of intermittent retrograde conduction over
an accessory pathway (AP) is very rare. Methods: We report a case of
AVRT without ventricular pre-excitation and arrhythmia recorded.
Stepwise decremental pacing was delivered from RV apex. When the pacing
CL was shortened to 400 ms, Retrograde ventriculoatrial (V-A)
Wenckebach-type block appeard with the earliest atrial activation at the
ostium of CS. The S1S2 interval was first set to 450ms and then reduced
by 10ms and atrial-ventricular node ERP (AVNERP) occurred at
500ms/410ms. Results: Retrograde conduction over an AP was present only
during ventricular pacing with a fast pacing rate (S1S1 300ms, S1S2
500ms/290ms) and narrow QRS tachycardia was induced by atrial programmed
stimulation. The AP was ablated successfully in the end. Conclusion: It
is suggested that careful evaluation by EPS should be applied during
baseline study, especially in the case without arrhythmia recorded.
FBPase controls gluconeogenesis: new insights to regulation of fructose 1,6 bisphosphatase during anoxia in red eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans
Authors: Gupta Aakriti , Varma Anchal , Storey Kenneth
Published: January 2024

Abstract The red eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) undergoes
numerous changes to its physiological and metabolic processes to survive
without oxygen. During anoxic conditions, its metabolic rate drops
drastically to minimise energy requirements. The alterations in central
metabolic pathways are often accomplished by the regulation of key
enzymes. The regulation of one such enzyme, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase
(FBPase; EC 3.1.3.11), was characterized in the present study during
anoxia in liver. FBPase is a crucial enzyme of gluconeogenesis. FBPase
was purified from liver tissue in both control and anoxic conditions and
subsequently assayed to determine the kinetic parameters of the enzyme.
Studies revealed the relative degree of posttranslational modifications
in FBPase from control and anoxic turtles. Further, this study
demonstrated a significant decrease in the maximal activity in anoxic
FBPase and decreased sensitivity to its substrate
fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) when compared to the control.
Immunoblotting demonstrated increased threonine phosphorylation
(~1.4 fold) in the anoxic FBPase. Taken together these
results suggest that phosphorylation of liver FBPase is an important
step in suppressing FBPase activity ultimately leading to inhibition of
gluconeogenesis in the liver of the red eared slider during anaerobic
conditions.
Encouraging outcome of children with beta-thalassemia major who underwent fresh cord blood transplantation from an HLA-matched sibling donor
Authors: Wen Jianyun , Wang Xiaodong , Chen libai , He Yuelin , Feng Xiaoqin , Li Chunfu , Ruan Yongsheng , Liu Sixi , Wu Xuedong
Published: January 2024

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
transplantation(allo-HSCT) is currently the only curative treatment for
thalassemia major (TM). Cord blood (CB) from a sibling has different
characteristics from marrow and has potential advantages and
disadvantages as a stem cell source. Methods: We retrospectively
analysed 68 children with β-TM who underwent fresh cord blood
transplantation (F-CBT) from an human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched
sibling donor (MSD) between June 2010 and July 2018 in the Department of
Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital and Haematology-Oncology, Shenzhen
Children’s Hospital. Results: The median infused doses of total
nucleated cells (TNCs) and CD34+ cells were 8.51×107/kg and
3.16×105/kg,respectively. The median time to neutrophil and platelet
engraftment were respectively 27 days and 31 days. The cumulative
probability of acute and chronic graft- versus-host disease (GVHD) were
very low after F-CBT (7.8% and 0.0%, respectively). Of the 68
paediatric patients, 67 patients survived during a median follow-up
period of 61 months.The estimated 5-year probability of overall survival
(OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 98.5% and 92.4%,
respectively. Three patients experienced graft rejection (GR) (4.5%) ,
and this study found that GR was higher in the thiotepa (TT)-free
regimen group than that in the TT-based regimen group (0%
vs.10.7%,P=0.038). Multivariable prognostic analysis, a conditioning
regimen including TT, improved the DFS of patients with β-TM receiving
F-CBT (P=0.032). Conclusions: The above results indicate that patients
with β-TM have excellent outcomes after F-CBT from an HLA-MSD.
Graphene spin-coated electrode for polyacrylonitrile acoustic nanogenerators
Authors: Aghayari Sedigheh
Published: January 2024

In recent years piezoelectric nanogenerators, due to their more
durability in high dust or humidity are more attractive than
triboelectric ones. So, increasing their outputs is the subject of much
researches. I focused on electrodes of the acoustic nanofibers
nanogenerators for the first time. Here, I introduced a new electrode
that is cheaper and does not result in lower outputs. Here for the first
time graphene spin-coated ink was used for polyacrylonitrile-based
acoustic nanogenerator. The results of the tests compared with the
in-situ synthesis of nickel nanoparticles on the layer and using
graphene spin-coated screen ink and conductive tapes. Finally, producing
sound by this graphene ink was done too.
Alternative Prognostic Factors for Outcome in Rhabdomyosarcoma Based on Risk Classification
Authors: Ma Sainan , Cai Weisong
Published: January 2024

Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant tumor with varying
outcomes based on the current diagnosis and treatment system. This
current retrospective study aims to predict the prognosis of patients
for further providing a proper treatment by identifying the factors
influencing the prognosis of RMS in children. Methods: We collected the
demographic, clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic information of 64
patients aged under 18 years diagnosed with RMS from January 2014 to
June 2021. Overall survival (OS) curves were measured by the
Kaplan-Meier method. The prognostic values of OS were assessed by using
the Cox proportional hazards regression model with univariate and
multivariate analyses. Results: Of the 64 patients, effects of each
factor as followed: age, gender, Ki-67, family background,
neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and
risk classification on OS, were researched. Univariate analysis
suggested that age >10 years (HR: 9.13, 95% CI,
3.19-26.17), NLR > 1 (HR: 3.43, 95% CI, 1.28¬9.23), PLR
< 110 (HR: 0.17, 95% CI, 0.06-0.46) and risk classification,
including Intermediate- and High-risk group (HR: 28.30, 95% CI,
3.44-232.77 and HR: 113.59, 95% CI, 12.59-1024.48) were associated with
OS. Multivariate analysis showed that only age (HR: 4.957, 95% CI,
1.227-20.026) and risk classification, including Intermediate- and
High-risk group (HR: 44.28, 95% CI, 4.02-486.87 and HR: 372. 70, 95%
CI, 21.05-6598.08) affected the prognosis significantly. Conclusions:
Older children are more inclined to higher risk stratifications and poor
prognosis, consistent with some previous studies. This study showed that
OS for RMS is dependent on age and risk classification which is crucial
for clinical practice.
Mechanically robust and flame-retardant polylactide composites based on the formation of crosslinked network structure
Authors: Chen Yajun , Wu Xingde , Li Mengqi , Qian Lijun , Zhou hongfu
Published: January 2024

The addition of intumescent flame retardant to PLA can greatly improve
the flame retardancy of the material and inhibit the dripping, but the
major drawback is the adverse impact of the mechanical properties of the
material. In this study, a small amount (less than 1.5wt%) of DCP and
TAIC with a specific proportion were added to form a cross-linking
structure in the flame retardant PLA, so as to improve the flame
retardant and mechanical properties of the material simultaneously. The
increase of torque and the decrease of melt flow rate indicated that the
crosslinking structure can be formed in the system by adding 0.9wt% DCP
and 0.3wt% TAIC. The gel content of the material is 30.8% after the
addition of DCP and TAIC. Then, the effects of the cross-linking
structure on the mechanical properties, flame retardancy and thermal
properties of flame retardant PLA were studied.
A systematic review of molecular mechanism and therapeutic effect of Cannabidiol (CBD)
Authors: Huang Wendong , Peng Jiangling , Fan Mingjie , An Chelsea , Ni Feng , Luo Jiankang
Published: January 2024

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an abundant non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid in
Cannabis extracts. Mechanic studies have indicated that CBD has high
affinity on a series of receptors, including type 1 cannabinoid receptor
(CB1), type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2), GPR55, transient receptor
potential vanilloid (TRPV), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
gamma (PPARγ). By modulating the activities of these receptor, CBD
exhibits multiple therapeutic effects, including neuroprotective,
antiepileptic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic
and anti-cancer properties. Recently, according to some initial studies,
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties could be applied for treat or prevent
COVID-19. CBD has gained increased attention in recent years because of
its great potential to treat various human diseases. This review
provides a current overview of CBD’s applications in human diseases,
from mechanism of action to clinical trials.
First Record of Leptopilina victoriae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) associated with Bactrocera kirki (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a potential conservation biological control in Rotuma Fiji
Authors: RAM JAINESH , Gosai Riten , Dayal Shivana , Chand Nilesh
Published: January 2024

The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji is reporting the presence of larval
parasitoids of fruit fly, Bactrocera kirki (Froggatt) (Diptera:
Tephritidae), on Rotuma Island, Fiji, located in the South Pacific
Ocean, 400 miles (640km) north-northwest of Suva. Leptopilina victoriae
(Hymenoptera: Figitidae) were found foraging and emerging from host
rearing experimental test fruits, Ochrosia oppositifolia infested by B.
kirki at and around the coastal areas of Rotuma island. Here we report
the phylogeny of Fijian L. victoriae attacking B. kirki in early larval
stages, based on COI, sequences. Reliable with molecular analysis,
followed by morphological examination confirms that this is the only
species of parasitoids, L. victoriae occurring in the island of Rotuma,
Fiji. The geographical distributions over the Rotuma Island region of L.
victoriae are illustrated. This study confirms the first parasitoid’s
that have been detected in an area-wide, in association with B. kirki.
Pregnancy during respiratory pandemics: a comparison between 2009/10 H1N1 flu and 2020/21 COVID-19 pandemics in Brazil
Authors: Zanon Ana Beatrice , Junior Elias Rosa , Monroy Nàtaly , Godói Luciana , Mattos Bruna , Francisco Rossana , Rodrigues Agatha , Costa Rafaela
Published: January 2024

Background: Pregnant women undergo physiological changes that make them
a challenging group of patients during pandemic respiratory diseases.
Objective: To compare pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing
age, regarding their demographic profile, clinical aspects, and
mortality during the H1N1 and COVID-19 pandemics. Methods:
Cross-sectional analysis of data from the SIVEP-Gripe, a Brazilian
national surveillance database for respiratory viruses. Women of
childbearing age with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome induced by H1N1
(2009/2010) and COVID-19 (2020/2021) were included. For each pandemic,
women were divided into two groups according to their gestational
status: pregnant or non-pregnant women. Groups were compared regarding
epidemiological and clinical characteristics and their outcomes.
Additionally, the effect of being pregnant was compared between both
pandemics. Results: The analysis included 8,854 women for H1N1 flu
pandemic (2,784 pregnant and 6,070 non-pregnant) and 69,607 women for
COVID-19 pandemic (5,383 pregnant and 64,224 non-pregnant). In both
pandemics, pregnant women were younger than non-pregnant women. Overall,
pregnant women had lower frequencies of comorbidities and were less
symptomatic. Nonetheless, notification due to hospitalization was more
frequent in pregnant women in both pandemics. Among hospitalized women,
pregnant women presented lower mortality rates than non-pregnant women
(9.7% vs 12.6%, p=0.002 in H1N1 pandemic and 9.7% vs. 17.4%,
p<0.001 in COVID-19 pandemic). Conclusion: In both pandemics,
pregnant women had a higher rate of notification due to hospitalization
than non-pregnant women. Nonetheless, among hospitalized subjects,
pregnant women presented lower rates of death than non-pregnant women
and this protection effect was more marked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Culture medium Optimization for Producing Biomethane by Coal Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Zhou Yixuan , Su Xianbo , Zhao weizhong , Xia Daping , Fu Haijiao , Wang Gang
Published: January 2024

The culture medium in biogas field have been used in coalbed gas
bioengineering (CBGB). However, there is a huge difference between the
substrate of biogas fermentation and coal. It is necessary to study and
optimize the culture medium in the anaerobic digestion (AD) system with
coal as substrate. In this study, the single factor test and response
surface curve analysis are used to clarify the essential components in
the culture medium and the optimal content of these chemicals. The
influence of a single component on microbial community structure and
major metabolic pathways in AD system are discussed. Under the optimal
conditions, SEM observation show that the coal surface sediment is
significantly reduced after AD process. The results of GC-MS show that
there is no significant difference in the composition and content of
organic compounds in the liquid phase before and after the optimization;
the microbial community structure and gene function did not weaken with
the decrease of culture medium addition, but formed a more targeted and
stable microbial community.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics study of subjects with novel CYP2D6 genotypes using probe drug metoprolol
Authors: Qian Jianchang , Xu Tao , Pan Peipei , Sun Wei , Cai Jian-Ping , Hu Guoxin
Published: January 2024

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the metabolic phenotypes of
newly discovered CYP2D6 genotypes. Methods: Totally, 22 volunteers were
recruited in the study. The peripheral blood and urine were collected at
the indicated time after orally administration of 100 mg metoprolol.
After sample preparation, a validated HPLC method was employed to
determine metoprolol and α-hydroxymetoprolol. Meanwhile, the blood
pressure and electrocardiogram of the subjects were monitored. Results:
It is demonstrated that the main pharmacokinetic parameters of analytes
in CYP2D6*1/*34 were comparable to CYP2D6*1/*1. The AUC and t1/2 of
CYP2D6*10/*87, CYP2D6*10/*95 and CYP2D6*97/*97 increased by 2-3 times
comparing to wild-type. The urine metabolic rate of metoprolol in these
genotypes were in consistence to the tendencies obtained from plasma
samples. Therefore, CYP2D6*1/*34 can be assigned as normal metabolizer,
while CYP2D6*10/*87, CYP2D6*10/*95 and CYP2D6*97/*97 were intermediate
metabolizers. Although the blood concentration of metoprolol is
correlated with genotype of CYP2D6, its blood pressure lowering effect
is saturated at the maximum efficacy at 25 mmHg. In addition, the P-Q
interval prolongation and heart rate lowing were not positively
correlated with metoprolol blood exposure. Conclusion: Based on the
PK-PD model, this study clarified the pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic characteristics of metoprolol with novel CYP2D6
genotypes, and provided a solid basic data for translational medicine of
substrate drug.
Pediatric Deep Venous Thrombosis Associated with Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis
Authors: Liu Linlin , Guo Lingyun , Wang Zhuangzhuang , Wang Qiang , Zeng Jinjin , Chen Tianming , Liu Gang
Published: January 2024

Objective, To evaluate clinical features of children with Deep venous
thrombosis (DVT) associated with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO)
caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Method, We reviewed a 4-year medical
records of patients with DVT of AHO conclusive caused by Staphylococcus
aureus (S. aureus) retrospectively and we compared clinical and
laboratory characteristics of AHO with or without DVT, and patients
whose DVT dissolved within or more than 3 weeks. Results, 87 AHO
patients were admitted during four years period. Nineteen of 87 (22%)
patients had DVT. For DVT patients, median age was 9 years (range, 6
mouths-15 years). 74% (14/19) patients were boys.
Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) accounted for 58%
(11/19). All DVT occurred adjacent to the infection site. Femoral vein
and common femoral vein were both the two most affected vein (9 cases,
respectively). Eighteen (95%) patients received anticoagulation therapy
with low molecular weight heparin. Seven of the 13 (54%) with available
data had complete resolution of DVT within three weeks of
anticoagulation therapy. None of patients required rehospitalization for
bleeding or recurrent of DVT. Comparative analysis found patients with
DVT were older. C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, D-dimer, fibrinogen,
positive blood culture and incidence of intensive care unit admission,
multifocal, the length of hospital stay were higher in patients with
DVT. Conclusion, More than twenty percent of patients with S. aureus AHO
developed DVT in present study. MSSA accounted more than half. More than
half cases had complete resolution of DVT within three weeks of
anticoagulation therapy without complications afterwards.
Influenza Vaccination Uptake in Pediatric Patients with Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Yarnall James , Mertens Ann , Yee Marianne , Orenstein Evan , Wasilewski-Masker Karen
Published: January 2024

Background: Influenza causes greater morbidity in pediatric patients
with cancer or sickle cell disease (SCD). Limited data exists on
influenza vaccination uptake for these populations in a low-vaccination
state. Outpatient interventions improve vaccine uptake but isolated
inpatient interventions remain unstudied. Procedure: We reviewed
influenza vaccination of pediatric patients with cancer or SCD treated
at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) during three influenza
seasons. An opt-out inpatient admission order set was implemented prior
to the 2019-2020 influenza season. Vaccination status of patients that
were admitted during an influenza season was compared pre- and
post-intervention via Chi-squared analysis and multivariate logistic
regression. Results: 1548 and 2549 patients with cancer and SCD
(respectively) were eligible. The oncology (60%-62%) and SCD cohorts
(61%-65%) had similar-to-higher vaccination uptake to the US (58-64%,
p=0.01-0.79) and higher uptake compared to Georgia (51%-56%,
p<0.01). There was no significant improvement in uptake after
implementation of the inpatient intervention for admitted patients with
cancer (40% vs 56%, p=0.05-0.88) or SCD (44% vs 56%, p=0.01).
Multivariate logistic regression also found no significant increase in
vaccine uptake (Hematologic Malignancy: 0.8 [0.73-0.98], Solid
Tumor: 0.9 [0.80-1.90], CNS Tumor: 0.9 [0.71-1.14], SCD: 0.9
[0.85-0.99]). Conclusion: Pediatric patients with cancer and SCD
have similar-to-greater influenza vaccination uptake compared to Georgia
and the United States. An intervention focused on vaccinating
hospitalized patients did not significantly improve the proportion of
cancer or SCD patients who received influenza vaccine in each season.
Future studies are needed to identify alternative approaches to
improving vaccine uptake in these cohorts.
EVALUATION OF RECEPTOR ACTIVATOR OF NUCLEAR FACTOR KAPPA B LİGAND (RANKL) AND OSTEOPROTEGERIN (OPG) LEVELS IN PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH BRONCHIECTASIS AND OSTEOPOROSIS
Authors: Güleç Kemal , Pekcan Sevgi , Eklioglu Beray Selver , Yilmaz Asli , Unal Gokcen , Kurban Sevil
Published: January 2024

Objective: Bronchiectasis is a condition characterized by irreversible
abnormal dilation and anatomic breakdown of the bronchial tree. In our
study we aimed to understand the causes of osteoporosis at molecular
levels and to investigatethe usefulness of RANKL and OPG levels as
markers in early diagnosis and follow-up of osteoporosis, RANKL
inhibitors in the treatment of osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: 30
noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients were diagnosed as
osteoporosis with DEXA and applied to the Pediatrics Chest Diseases
Department of Meram Medical Faculty of Necmettin Erbakan University
between June 2015 and June 2016 were included in our study. BMD values
were determined by DEXA and QUS in the patient group and only QUS in the
control group. Results: In the patient group 56.6% (n: 17) were male,
43.4% (n: 13) were. There was no statistically significant difference
between RANKL, OPG, RANKL / OPG ratios, BALP, OST, NTX values between
the patient and control group (p> 0.05). The median serum
Ca level was 9.51 (IQC: 0.74) in the patient group and 9.75 (IQC: 0.47)
in the control group, there was a statistically significant difference
between them (p = 0.003). There was a strong positive correlation
between QUS z scores and DEXA z scores in the patient group (p = 0.008).
Conclusion: In conclusion, we could not pinpoint the role of RANK /
RANKL / OPG in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in patients with
noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. However, we think it is appropriate
to conduct studies on a wider series in this topic.
Synergy Prediction of Different Metal Loading and Solvent Swelling on Coal Pyrolysis by Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Ma Duo , Yao Qiuxiang , Wang Jing , Hao Qingqing , Chen Huiyong , Ma Li , Sun Ming , Ma XiaoXun
Published: January 2024

The co-effect of solvent swelling and metal loading on coal pyrolysis
was investigated through statistical analysis and machine learning. The
distributions and properties of pyrolysis products, and the pyrolysis
parameters were all considered. 22 targets were screened out by analysis
of variance (ANOVA). Both liner and non-linear regression models were
constructed in which the swelling ratio and atomic descriptors collected
from handbooks were taken as inputs while the target values were as
outputs. The symbolic transformation (ST) algorithm was involved to
assemble a new feature and the model built on the advanced feature set
displays higher prediction accuracy for all targets. The result of
leave-one-out cross validation shown acceptable
performance(R>0.8) for most responses(19
of 22), and good performance(R>0.9) for
half of them(12 of 22). The importance of ST feature was verified, and
the contribution of each single feature was clearly reflected in the
formula of ST.
Targeted busulfan-based conditioning unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation for Diamond-Blackfan anemia
Authors: Eguchi Katsuhide , Ishimura Masataka , Tamura Akihiro , Ito Nobuhiro , Hirano Naoki , Adachi Shunichi , Kinoshita Keishiro , Kobushi Hirokazu , Yada Yutaro , Sonoda Motoshi , Shiraishi Akira , Kosaka Yoshiyuki , Terui Kiminori , Ito Etsuro , Ohga Shouichi
Published: January 2024

Hematopoietic cell transplantation corrects a hematological phenotype of
Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA). Reduced conditioning has been recommended
for patients with the cancer predisposition, but appropriate intensity
is required to prevent graft failure. We conducted unrelated-donor bone
marrow transplantations in six consecutive transfusion-dependent
patients (median age, 5.4 years; range, 1.8–23) after targeted-busulfan
(60–75 mg/L×h of cumulative AUC) and fludarabine regimen without
irradiation. All obtained chronic graft-versus-host-disease-free
complete donor chimerism, including one unrelated cord blood
transplantation rescue. The rescued 7-year-old girl had the longest
transfusion-dependency (>40 months) and highest ferritin
level (>2,000 ng/mL) pretransplant. Intermediate-intensity
targeted busulfan-based conditioning may cure DBA.
‘Chardonnay’ paired with leaf economics traits and a side of soil compaction
Authors: Martin Adam , Mariani Rachel , Cathline Kimberley , Duncan Michael , Paroshy Nicholas , Robertson Gavin
Published: January 2024

Functional trait variation in plants of the same species or genotype are
a critical determinant of ecosystem processes, especially in
agroecosystems where single crop species or genotypes exist in very high
abundances. Yet to date only a small number of studies have evaluated
if, how, or why traits forming the Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES) vary
within crops, despite such studies informing our understanding of: 1)
the environmental factors that drive crop LES trait variation; and 2)
how domestication has altered LES traits in crops vs. wild plants. We
assess intragenotype variation in LES traits in wine grape variety
‘Chardonnay’ (Vitis vinifera)—among the world’s most commercially
important crops, across a soil compaction gradient: one of the most
prominent characteristics of agricultural soils that may drive crop
trait variation. ‘Chardonnay’ traits covary along an intragenotype LES
in patterns that were qualitatively similar to, though statistically
distinguishable from, those observed among wild plants: resource
acquiring vines expressed a combination of high mass-based
photosynthesis (Amass), mass-based dark respiration (Rmass), leaf
nitrogen concentrations (N), coupled with low leaf mass per area (LMA);
the opposite set of trait values defined the resource conserving end of
the ‘Chardonnay’ LES. Traits related to resource acquisition (Amass,
Rmass, and leaf N) declined with greater bulk density, while traits
related to investment in leaf construction costs (LMA) increased with
greater bulk density. Compared to wild plants, ‘Chardonnay’ expressed
lower Rmass for a given rate of Amass, and an unexpected positive
covariation between leaf carbon (C) concentrations and Rmass, Amass, and
leaf N. Our findings uncover a deeper understanding of both the
domestication syndromes in grapevines, and expand our understanding of
trait-based crop responses to environmental change and gradients.