bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current review on SARS-CoV-2 scientific knowledge
Authors: Gonçalves H.M. R. , Lino A. , Adega F. , Chaves R. , Martins-Lopes P.
Published: January 2024

The current outbreak of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in
millions of deaths and hospitalizations worldwide, as well as an extreme
impact in our social-economic lives. The emergency to implement public
health measures, such as, social distancing, high levels of testing and
vaccination has shown the importance of continuous research in those
areas. Here it will be presented the most relevant knowledge on the
SARS-CoV-2 genomic features and mechanism that lies beneath its ability
to surpass the immunological system. Moreover, it will be discussed the
virus new variants and the potential impact that they can have on
pathogenic factors and on the detection methods effectiveness. In order
to better manage the pandemic, it is essential to maintain continuous
research into the SARS-CoV-2 genome and a strict real-time genomic
surveillance at the global level. This will allow the scientific
community to understand the evolution of the virus and track the
emergence of new mutations, which may affect the performance of COVID-19
tests. In this sense, the technologies developed for SARS-CoV-2
detection and their advantages and limitations will be fully explored.
Encouraging early outcomes with image guided pencil beam proton therapy for cranio-spinal irradiation and unique considerations for paediatric population -- First report from India
Authors: Gaikwad Utpal , MP Noufal , Jacinthlyn Sylvia , Reddy Ashok K , Panda Pankaj Kumar , Chilukuri Srinivas , Sharma Dayananda , Jalali Rakesh
Published: January 2024

Background: To report our experience with image guided pencil beam
proton beam therapy (PBT) for craniospinal irradiation (CSI). Materials
and Methods: Between January 2019 to Dec 2021, we carried out a detailed
audit of the first forty patients treated with PBT. We had recorded
acute toxicities, reporting early outcomes and discuss limitations of
current contouring guidelines during CSI PBT planning. Results: Median
age of the patient cohort was 8 years, and histologies include 20
medulloblastoma, 7 recurrent ependymoma, 3 pineoblastoma, 3 were germ
cell tumors and remaining 7 constituted other diagnoses. Forty percent
patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Median CSI dose was 23.4 GyE
(Gray Equivalent; range 21.6 - 35). Thirty-five patients (87.5%)
completed their CSI without interruption, 5 required hospital admission.
No patient had grade 2/> weight loss during the treatment.
Forty-five percent (18) developed grade 1 haematological toxicities and
20% (8) developed grade 2 or 3 toxicities; none had grade 4 toxicities.
At median follow up of 12 months, 90 % patients are alive of whom 88.9
% are having local control. Special consideration with modification in
standard contouring used at our institute helped in limiting acute
toxicities in paediatric CSI patients. Conclusion: Our preliminary
experience with modern contemporary PBT using pencil beam technology and
daily image guidance in a range of tumours suitable for CSI is
encouraging. Patients tolerated the treatment well with acceptable acute
toxicity and expected short-term survival outcome. In paediatric CSI
patients, modification in standard contouring guidelines required to
achieve better results with PBT.
New Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma Diagnoses During the Coronavirus-2019 Pandemic, a New York Perspective
Authors: Silver Layne , Desai Pooja , Shah Sareen , Krystal Julie , Taylor Matthew , Murphy Kristina
Published: January 2024

Viral infections and seasonality are linked with trends in new pediatric
leukemia and lymphoma cases. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this norm,
and subsequently the international medical community observed a decrease
in new diagnoses of hematologic cancers in children. However, this was
not the trend observed at Cohen Children’s Medical Center where, despite
examining fifteen months during the COVID-19 pandemic, we did not see a
statistically significant decrease in monthly cases. Rather, cases
remained constant as compared to pre-COVID-19 periods. This warrants
further study at a multi-institutional level to investigate the
association between COVID-19 and rates of pediatric leukemia and
lymphoma.
The impact of total automaton on the clinical laboratory workforce: a case study
Authors: Naam Yaser A Al , Elsafi Salah H , Aljahdali Majed A , Shaman Randa S Al , Al-Qurouni Bader H , Zahrani Eidan M Al
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Background: There is significant concern that total automation
can decrease the need for laboratory personnel at all levels. The
objective of this study is to investigate the impact of total laboratory
automation on the clinical laboratory workforce. Methods: A one-year
data including demographical features of laboratory workforce and
technical productivity of laboratory tests was provided by two medical
laboratory departments of similar profile and different equipment setup,
one adopting a total automation system and the other is utilizing
discrete analysis system. The technical productivity of the two
laboratories was compared and statistically tested. Results: A similar
technical productivity per single laboratory worker was noted in the
hematology section in each of the two sites with no significant
difference (average odd radio = 0.9, p = 0.79). However, with total
automation, the number of tests performed per single worker has
increased to an average of 1.4 and 3.68 times at the total automated
site in the clinical chemistry and serology sections respectively (p ≤
0.001). Conclusion: TLA improves the productivity of the laboratory,
leading to a decreased laboratory workforce. The laboratory workload has
increased steadily therefore, the existing laboratory workforce, in the
absence of automation, could not have been able to maintain current
standards of service. Adoption of automation reduces repetitive manual
labor, thereby allowing redefinition of the job roles of the laboratory
workforce. TLA is ideal for laboratories that suffer from workforce
shortages or managing high volume testing with less staff.
Option pricing for uncertain stock model based on optimistic value
Authors: Deng Liubao , Wei Fang , Wang Yilin
Published: January 2024

Option pricing plays an important role in modern finance. This paper
investigates the uncertain option pricing problems based on uncertainty
theory for Liu’s uncertain stock model and Peng’s mean-reverting stock
model which are two basic and representative uncertain stock models in
uncertain finance. The pricing formulas of the European and American
options are derived by applying the method to calculate the optimistic
value of uncertain returns of options instead of the usual method of
expected value in the sense of the weighted average. In the end, some
numerical experiments are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the
obtained results.
Patchouli alcohol inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia to enhance neurogenesis in male mice exposed to chronic mild stress
Authors: he hui , xie fan , Zhang jin , Mo Li , Kang xi , Xie Lei , Zhang Yue , Wang Lu , hu nan , peng cheng , You Zili
Published: January 2024

Abstract Background and Purpose: Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation
contributes to major depressive disorder (MDD). Targeting microglia is a
promising strategy for treating MDD. Patchouli alcohol (PA), a active
component of Pogostemon cablin, has anti-inflammatory and
neuroprotective effects. Here, we investigate the microglia-mediated
neurogenesis pathway in which PA ameliorates depressive-like behaviors
in stress-induced animal model of depression. Experimental Approach:
C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) for 4 weeks,
then administered PA intraperitoneally at 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg once per
day for 3 weeks. The antidepressant effects of PA were evaluated in the
sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, and tail suspension test.
Microglial phenotypes and activation of the NLRP3 inflammation were
analyzed using RT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence staining.
Effects of PA on neurogenesis were analyzed in vitro and in vivo using
immunofluorescence staining. Key Results: Behavioral assessments showed
that PA alleviated depressive-like behaviors in CMS-exposed mice. CMS
induced microglial activation and pro-inflammatory profiles, which were
blocked by PA treatment. PA attenuated the activation of NLRP3
inflammasome, leading to decreases in the levels of caspase-1, ASC,
IL-1β, and IL-18 in the hippocampus of CMS-exposed mice. In primary
microglia cultures, PA inhibited LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome
activation. PA rescued inflammation-inhibited neurogenesis in vivo and
in vitro. Conclusion and implications: Our results suggest that PA
inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome and promotes microglia-mediated
neurogenesis, leading to antidepressant effects. Thus, PA may be a novel
treatment for inflammation-driven mental disorders.
Whole Genome Analyses Reveal Novel Genes Associated with Chicken Adaptation to Tropical and Frigid Environments
Authors: Shi Shourong , Shao Dan , Yang Lingyun , Liang Qiqi , Han Wei , Xue Qian , Qu Liang , Leng Li , Li Yishu , Zhao Xiaogang , Dong Ping , Walugembe Muhammed , Kayang Boniface B. , Muhairwa Amandus P. , Zhou Huaijun , Tong Haibing
Published: January 2024

Investigating the genetic footprints of historical temperature selection
can get insights to local adaptation and potential influences of climate
change on long-term population dynamics. Chicken is a significative
species to study genetic adaptation on account of its similar
domestication track related to human activity with the most diversified
varieties. Yet, few studies have demonstrated the genetic signatures of
its adaptation to naturally tropical and frigid environments. Here, we
generated whole genome resequencing of 119 domesticated chickens in
China including the following breeds which are in order of breeding
environmental temperature from more tropical to more frigid: Wenchang
chicken (WCC), green-shell chicken (GSC), Tibetan chicken (TBC), and
Lindian chicken (LDC). Our results showed WCC branched off earlier than
LDC with an evident genetic admixture between WCC and LDC, suggesting
their closer genetic relationship. Further comparative genomic analyses
SLC33A1 and TSHR genes exhibited stronger signatures for positive
selection in the genome of the more tropical WCC. Furthermore, genotype
data from about 3,000 African local ecotypes confirmed that allele
frequencies of SNPs in these two genes appeared strongly associated with
tropical environment adaptation. In addition, the NDUFS4 gene exhibited
a strong signature for positive selection in the LDC genome, and SNPs
with marked allele frequency differences indicated a significant
relationship with frigid environment adaptation. Our findings partially
unravel how selection footprints from environmental temperature stress
can lead to advantageous genomic adaptions to tropical and frigid
environments in poultry and provides a valuable resource for selective
breeding of chickens and other domestic animals.
AC/Ni(OH)2 as a porous electrode material for supercapacitors with high-performance
Authors: Qin Zhao , Liu Jie , Sun Biemin , Zhou Hanjun , Chen Lingyun , Xu Yanqin , Cao Yuan , Chen Changguo
Published: January 2024

A novel porous AC/Ni(OH)2 composite was prepared by a two-step
hydrothermal method, which was used as an electrode for a supercapacitor
for the first time with a specific capacitance of 1653.5 F/g at 1 A/g
and a cycling stability of 90.2% after 3000 cycles. Moreover, there is
a asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) assembled by using AC/Ni(OH)2 and
active carbon. On the condition of having a power density of 801.5 W
kg-1 with the voltage window of 1.6 V, the ASC produces a high energy
density of 38.58 W h kg-1, maintaining an outstanding cycling stability
capacitance retention of 88.5% after 3000 cycles at current density of
8 A g-1. Therefore, AC/Ni(OH)2 electrode material helps to improve the
performance of ASC devices and can be used as a potential electrode
material for the development of energy storage devices in the future.
Analysis of the Intestinal Microbial Diversity of the African Ostrich raised in China
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Peng , Xie Yang , Yang Jie , Zhang Xiaoting , Ye Lixun , Li Baitao , Luo Qingping , Wang Jiaxiang
Published: January 2024

The African ostrich (Struthio camelus.) is a fast-growing, rough
feed-tolerant herbivorous bird. This species has been extensively
studied. The aim of this study was to understand the prokaryotic
microbial diversity in the intestinal tract of the African ostrich
raised in China, and the differences among intestinal segments. To do
this, microorganisms in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon, and
rectum were identified and analyzed via 16S rRNA-based macrogenomic
sequencing. The microbial abundance and diversity were significantly
higher in the cecum, rectum, and especially the colon, than in the
duodenum and jejunum. Meanwhile, microbial abundance and diversity in
the ileum were between those in the small and large intestines.
Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most abundant phyla in each
segment. Tenericutes and Bacteroidetes were also dominant in the cecum
and colon. At the genus level, Acinetobacter, Escherichia–Shigella,
Pseudomonas, and Bacillus were dominant in the small intestine. In the
large intestine, Acinetobacter, Escherichia–Shigella, Anaeroplasma, and
Bacteroides were dominant. The microflora in each segment differed
significantly. Different numbers of microbial groups were responsible
for these differences in each segment. Only two main bacterial groups
contributed to differences in the duodenum, while 23 different bacterial
groups contributed in the colon. The results demonstrated that the
intestinal microflora of the African ostrich is complex and diverse,
with its composition and abundance differing throughout the system.
These findings provide a theoretical basis for further study of
intestinal microbial compositions and functions in the African ostrich.
Children Kidney Synovial Sarcoma (KSS): A case report and literature reviewed from National Cancer institute-Brazil/RJ
Authors: Carvalho Ricardo , Martins Alana , Macedo Fabiane , Antunes Erica , Portela Licia , Grabois Marilia , Junior Arovel , Gutierrez Francisca , Coelho Simone
Published: January 2024

We report an uncommon presentation of kidney synovial sarcoma (KSS) in
childhood, discovered by abdominal pain and gross hematuria, associated
to radiological and pathological challenges to the diagnosis. After
necessary biopsy, adequate chemotherapy, following European Pediatric
Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma NRSTS 2005
Protocol, completely resection was possible. There are just few cases at
global literature review of SSR in child, a good response to treatment
is performed a completely resection (R0), besides a close follow-up
(strongly recommended). The risk of metastasis is strongly correlated
that is why diagnosis represent a big deal.
Positive impact of high-throughput drug sensitivity assay and salvage autologous CD19 CAR-T therapy on second marrow relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with NT5C2 mutation
Authors: Tang Xue , Qin Lijiao , Wang Lulu , Jiao Cheng , Chen Fen , Liu Yuchen , Zhou Guichi , Liu Sixi , Wang Ying , Liu Shilin , Wen Feiqiu , Chang Lung-Ji , Mai Huirong
Published: January 2024

Background: A 12-year-old girl diagnosed with intermediate risk B-ALL in
2017 received chemotherapy according to CCLG-2008 ALL protocol and
achieved a complete remission (CR) after induction. However, four years
later, she had a first bone marrow relapse and received treatment with
HKPHOSG Relapsed ALL 2007 protocol. During maintenance chemotherapy,
approximately one year after the first relapse, she developed a second
bone marrow relapse with NT5C2 gene mutation detected. Tumor burden was
not well controlled after DEAV chemotherapy, with the blasts in bone
marrow increasing from 49.3% to 96%. The analysis of high-throughput
drug sensitivity of tumor resistant genes was consistent with the poor
response to chemotherapy. Procedure: CAR-T cell immunotherapy bridged to
HSCT was introduced at this stage. Following peripheral lymphocyte
apheresis, the patient received lymphodepleting conditioning with
fludarabine and cyclophosphamide three days before CAR-T cell infusion.
Dexamethasone and carfilzomib were then given according to the outcome
of high-throughput drug sensitivity test. Result: Around 68.6% blasts
were detected by flow cytometry at the day of CAR-T cell infusion. The
patient experienced grade 1 CRS without ICANS. CR of morphology and
molecule biology was achieved on day 28 after CAR-T cell infusion.
Finally the child received haploid-HSCT and remained in remission.
Conclusion: Overall, this report reveals that the combination of drug
sensitivity test with lymphodepleting conditioning could significantly
reduce the tumor burden before infusion of CART cells, and patients may
achieve deeper remission and obtain opportunity for transplantation.
Skeletal Muscle Relaxant Drug-Drug-Drug Interactions and Unintentional Traumatic Injury: Screening to Detect Three-Way Drug Interaction Signals
Authors: Chen Cheng , Hennessy Sean , Brensinger Colleen , Dawwas Ghadeer , Acton Emily , Bilker Warren , Chung Sophie , Dublin Sascha , Horn John , Miano Todd , Nguyen Thanh Phuong Pham , Soprano Samantha , Leonard Charles
Published: January 2024

Background and Purpose. Skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) are commonly
co-prescribed with potentially interacting medications that may
contribute to increased risk of unintentional traumatic injury
(hereafter, injury). While prior research has investigated clinical
outcomes for some pairwise drug interactions involving SMRs, drug
interactions involving more than two drugs, such as drug triads (3DIs),
largely remain unexamined. We sought to identify SMR 3DI signals
associated with injury via automated high-throughput
pharmacoepidemiologic screening of 2000–2019 healthcare data for
members of commercial and Medicare Advantage health plans. Experimental
Approach. We performed a self-controlled case series study for each drug
triad consisting of an SMR base pair (i.e., concomitant use of an SMR
with another medication), and a co-dispensed medication (i.e., candidate
interacting precipitant) taken during ongoing use of the base pair. We
included patients aged ≥16 years with an injury occurring during base
pair-exposed observation time. We used conditional Poisson regression to
calculate adjusted rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals
(CIs) for injury with each SMR base pair + candidate interacting
precipitant (i.e., triad) versus the SMR-containing base pair alone. Key
Results. Among 58,478 triads, 29 were significantly positively
associated with injury; confounder-adjusted RRs ranged from 1.39 (95%
CI=1.01–1.91) for tizanidine+omeprazole with gabapentin to 2.23 (95%
CI=1.02–4.87) for tizanidine+diclofenac with alprazolam. Most
identified 3DI signals are new and have not been formally investigated.
Conclusions and Implications. We identified 29 SMR 3DI signals
associated with increased rates of injury. Future etiologic studies
should confirm or refute these SMR 3DI signals.
Evaluation of Microalgal Extracts as a Potential Surgical Suture Coating Material
Authors: Tokgöz Merve , Yarkent Çağla , Oncel Suphi
Published: January 2024

Background: Sutures act as excellent surfaces that allow bacteria to
penetrate wounds. In this way, they cause microbial colonization,
biofilm formation, and thus surgical sites infection. Such side effects
have a great impact on the human life quality. Therefore, the concerns
about this issue are increasing rapidly. At this point, microalgae have
been drawn attention with their high-biologically active compounds. In
this study, A. platensis, H. pluvialis, C. minutissima, B. braunii and
N. muscorum extracts were investigated for their usability potential as
surgical suture covering material. Methods: In order to evaluate their
biocompatibility, the antibacterial activities and cytotoxic effects of
the sutures [PGLA and PDO] coated with these extracts were
determined. Major results: The results showed that A. platensis and N.
muscorum extracts have acceptable cytotoxic levels on L929 cell line
according to ISO 10993-5. Moreover, A. platensis extract was found to be
the most promising suture coating material for the human applications.
Conclusions: The surgical sutures have been successfully coated with
extracts derived from microalgae species. As a result, it has been
proven that antibacterial sutures could be obtained, and the biological
properties of surgical sutures could be improved by using microalgal
antibacterial extracts. In summarize, it appears as microalgal extracts
can used in biological materials with potential application in the
pharmaceutical industries due to its ingredients.
Modelling of removal of surfactant micropollutant from liquid solutions in a bubble column
Authors: Figureoa Arturo , Albijanic Boris
Published: January 2024

The developed models for separating micropollutant surfactants in bubble
columns consider mass balance and not the adsorption thermodynamics of
micropollutant surfactants on bubble surfaces. Additionally, the
dramatic increase of the surface tension of diluted surfactant solutions
with time during the removal of surfactant from solutions was ignored.
Thus, the main objective of this work is to examine removal of
surfactant micropollutants in a bubble column using a model that
considers both mass balance and thermodynamics. The results showed that
the removal of surfactant strongly depends on adsorption thermodynamics
of surfactant on bubble surfaces particularly at a lower surfactant
concentration considering that the surface tension of solutions
dramatically increased during the separation process. The best
separation performance was typically achieved when gas flow rates and
liquid fractions were low. This work demonstrates that adsorption
thermodynamics on bubble surfaces should not be ignored when modeling
the removal of surfactant micropollutants from liquid.
Microfluidic fabrication of tunable alginate-based microfibers for the stable immobilization of enzymes
Authors: Yan Yunfeng , Zhang Wen , Ye Wenbo , Wang Ya-Jun
Published: January 2024

Immobilized enzymes have drawn widespread attention due to the enhanced
stability, easy separation from reaction mixture, and the prominent
recyclability. Nevertheless, it is still an ongoing challenge to develop
potent immobilization techniques which are capable of stable enzyme
encapsulation, minimal loss of activity, and modulability for various
enzymes and applications. Here, microfibers with tunable size and
composition were fabricated using a home-made microfluidic device. These
microfibers were able to efficiently encapsulate bovine serum albumin
(BSA), glucose oxidase (GOX) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). But the
physically adsorbed enzymes readily diffused from microfibers into the
catalytic reaction system. The leakage of enzymes could be substantially
inhibited by conjugating to polyacrylic acid (PAA) and incorporating
into the alginate-based microfibers, enabling stable immobilization,
improved recyclability, and enhanced thermostability. In addition, GOX
and HRP-loaded microfibers were fabricated under the optimized
conditions for the visual detection of glucose using the cascade
reaction of these enzymes, showing sensitive color change to glucose
with concentration range of 0-2 mM. Due to the tunability and
versatility, this microfluidic-based microfiber platform may provide a
valuable approach to the enzyme immobilization for the cascade catalysis
and diagnoses with multiple clinical markers.
A new algorithm based on least-squares method for fractional integro-differential equations
Authors: Jia Yuntao , Xu Minqiang , Lin Yingzhen , Jiang Danhua
Published: January 2024

In this paper, a new Legendre orthonormal polynomial–based
least–squares method(LSM) is provided for fractional
integro-differential equations(FIDEs). We first divide the domain into
$n$ cells, and in each cell we apply the least–squares algorithm to
obtain an approximating solution. The stability and the optimal
convergence order in $W_2^2$–norm error are proven. Numerical
examples are studied to verify our theoretical discovery. Comparison
with the sextic and eighth $C^{3}-$spline method illustrates that
our algorithm can obtain a more accurate approximating solution.
Expectancy as alternative to treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 in women aged 25 – 30 years: ExCIN2, a prospective clinical multicentre cohort study
Authors: Kylebäck Katarina , Ekeryd-Andalen Anne , Greppe Charlotte , Havel Christina Björrkenfeldt , Zhang Chenyang , Strander Bjorn
Published: January 2024

Objective To evaluate the natural course, over two years, of untreated
cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) in women aged 25-30
years and the association with human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16). Design
Prospective longitudinal multicentre clinical study. Setting Five
colposcopy clinics, managing referrals after abnormal cervical screening
in Region Västra Götaland (VGR), Sweden, February 2017-June 2021.
Population of sample Per protocol: 127 women, aged 25-30 years, with
histologically verified CIN2. Methods Surveillance with colposcopy,
cytology, HPV testing and at least two cervical biopsies every six
months, until progression or regression. Main outcome measures
Respective rates of regression, persistence and progression of CIN2, in
cases with HPV16 and without HPV16 at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Results
Partial or total regression during the two-year period was found in 72%
(Confidence interval 63-79). In patients with HPV16 the regression rate
was 51% (36-66) and the progression rate 47% (32-62). In the HPV-non16
group 83% (73-90) regressed and 16% (9-26) progressed. Most of the
regression and progression in both groups occurred within 15 months.
Conclusions The regression rate of CIN2 is high and HPV16 is a strong
determinant in the natural course. Patients aged 25 – 30 without HPV16
should generally be recommended active surveillance for one year. With
HPV16 treatment should be considered. Funding The Healthcare Board,
Region Västra Götaland, Sweden Keywords CIN2, natural course,
regression, HPV 16
There is no carbon transfer between Scots pine and pine mistletoe but the assimilation capacity of the hemiparasite is constrained by host water use under dry conditions
Authors: Wang Ao , Lehmann Marco , Rigling Andreas , Gessler Arthur , Saurer Matthias , Du Zhong , Li Mai-He
Published: January 2024

Pine mistletoe is a hemiparasitic shrub that can produce its own
photosynthates. There is a lack of knowledge about the interaction of
mistletoe and host under varying environmental condition that might
influence carbon gain and allocation. In a C-pulse
labeling experiment with mature Pinus sylvestris (pine) infected
by mistletoes grown in naturally dry or irrigated conditions, (1)
mistletoe clusters were shielded from CO
added and (2) mistletoes or host
needles were removed to manipulate the local assimilate and water
availability. No C signal was found in shielded
mistletoes, indicating no carbon transfer from the host to the
mistletoe. When the pine needles were removed from girdled branches, no
C signal was found in the host tissues, implying no
carbon transfer from mistletoe to the host. However, mistletoes on
needle-removed pine trees accumulated more labelled assimilates and had
higher non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations only under
naturally dry conditions but not in irrigated plots. Our results suggest
that mistletoes show full carbon autonomy, as they neither receive
carbon from nor provide carbon resource to the host trees. Moreover, the
high assimilation capacity of mistletoes seems to be constrained by the
host water use under dry conditions, suggesting that drought stress is
not only negatively impacting trees but also mistletoes. Therefore, we
conclude that the hemiparasites live on their own in terms of carbon
gain which, however, depends on the water provided by the host tree.
Massive Virtual screening and evaluation of small molecule inhibitors of the Papain-like protease of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Osorio Manuel , Yanez-Osses Osvaldo , Gallardo Mauricio , García-Beltrán Olimpo , González-Nilo Fernando , Pérez-Donoso José M.
Published: January 2024

In the face of the rapid emergence and spread of new variants of the
type 2 coronavirus causing acute respiratory syndrome, it is necessary
to seek new pharmacological treatments for the disease, especially for
patients infected by the new and more aggressive variants of the virus.
In the present work, we selected ~18,000 compounds with
similar structure to GRL0617 (Tanimoto index greater than 80 %) from
the PubChem database with ~109 million compounds.
Molecular docking was used to assess the affinity of the selected
compounds, in which GRL0617 was included as an internal control. Then,
based on the ligand efficacy index obtained as molecular docking, 500
compounds with higher affinity than GRL0617 for papain-like protease
were considered. Finally, based on ADME parameters within the acceptable
range for a drug, the seven best compounds were selected. Next, 200 ns
molecular dynamics simulation studies, ∆G calculations using generalized
Born and surface continuous solvation molecular dynamics, and quantum
mechanical calculations were performed with the selected candidates.
Using this In Silico protocol, seven papain-like protease inhibitors are
proposed: three compounds with binding free energy like GRL0617 (D28,
D04 and D59), three compounds with higher binding free energy than
GRL0617 (D60, D99 and D06) and one compound (D24) that binds to a region
of the enzyme that could block inhibition by the host immune system. The
compounds proposed in this study could be used for invitro testing or
smart drug design, accelerating the development of an effective
treatment for this disease.
Altruism plasticity and byproduct-service exchange in the evolution of reciprocal cooperation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Ye Nan , Hou Beibei , Song Jianxiao , Dunn Derek , Archetti Marco , Wang Rui-Wu
Published: January 2024

Explaining how cooperative individuals positively assort into a cohesive
community is one of the greatest challenges for evolutionary biology.
Here, we show that in antibiotic culture, many and even all of
Escherichia coli bacteria cells will plastically mutate to be antibiotic
resistant with the increase of antibiotic concentration and then
altruistically protect antibiotic-sensitive individuals from the attack
of antibiotics. A further experiment showed that antibiotic-sensitive E.
coli strain could in turn help reduce the indole produced by the
resistant strain;whistthis metabolic product is harmful to the growth of
the antibiotic-resistant strain but benefits the antibiotic-sensitive
strain by helping turn on the multi-drug exporter to discharge the
antibiotic. A reciprocal cooperation can therefore evolve via a
non-positive exchange between the metabolism byproduct indole of
antibiotic-resistant cells and the indole-aborting service of antibiotic
sensitive cells as unconscious help in nullifying indole side effect of
antibiotic resistant strain.
Inherited thrombophilia and risk of thrombosis in children with cancer: a single-center experience
Authors: Dordevic Ana , Sava Gianni , Grahovac Blazenka , Zulle Lidija Bilic , Roganovic Jelena
Published: January 2024

Background: Thrombosis is an increasingly recognized complication of
childhood malignancy and its treatment. The etiology of pediatric
cancer-related thrombosis is multifactorial and not well understood at
present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of common
prothrombotic genetic conditions in children with cancer, the frequency
of thrombosis, and the role of inherited thrombophilia in the
development of thrombosis in a pediatric oncology population. Methods:
Forty-seven children (36 treated for hematological malignancies and 11
for solid tumors) with the median age of 8.8. years (range 0.4 – 19.3
years) were included in the study. Genetic polymorphisms of Factor V
Leiden, prothrombin G20210A mutation, and methylenetetrahydrofolate
reductase (MTHFR) C677T were determined by real-time polymerase chain
reaction-based DNA analysis. Results: Four (8.5%) patients were
heterozygous for Factor V Leiden, 3 (6.4%) were heterozygous for
prothrombin G20210A mutation, and 3 (6.4%) were homozygous for MTHFR
C677T mutation. All patients had inserted central venous lines. Four
(8.5%) children had documented thrombosis, 3 of which were located in
the upper venous system. Two of four patients with thrombosis had Factor
V Leiden heterozygosity. Conclusions: Thrombosis is an important
complication of childhood cancer. Our results suggest that congenital
prothrombotic abnormalities could be implicated in increasing the risk
of thrombosis and support a recommendation that children with cancer be
evaluated for inherited thrombophilia.
CO2 Emission from Epigeal Mounds of Non-Fungus Growing Termites in a Seasonal Tropical Forest, Thailand
Authors: Boonriam Warin , Suwanwaree Pongthep , Hasin Sasitorn , Yamada Akinori
Published: January 2024

Termites, as main decomposers, are major contributors driving carbon
cycle by litter decomposition. Termites were emphasized as one of high
CO2 emission sources of spatial variation in soil respiration. The aim
of this study was to compare CO2 emissions from the epigeal mounds of
non-fungus growing termites in dry evergreen forest of Thailand. CO2
emission was directly measured on mounds and surrounding soils of five
termite species (n = 5) with a portable infrared gas analyzer connected
to PVC pipes during the wet season (October 2015) and the dry season
(January 2016). The CO2 emissions were significantly different between
termite species. Globitermes sulphureus had the highest nest CO2
emission (37.7 ± 14.7 µmol m-2 s-1 Mean ± SD), followed by
Microcerotermes crassus, Termes comis, Termes propinquus and
Dicuspiditermes makhamensis, respectively. CO2 emissions in termite
mounds and their surrounding soil were significantly higher in wet
season than dry season. Globitermes sulphureus and M. crassus mounds
produced significantly more CO2 than surrounding soils but T. propinquus
and D. makhamensis produced significantly less CO2 than surrounding
soils. Therefore, G. sulphureus and M. crassus are major CO2 producers
among non-fungus growing termites in a tropical forest.
Patentes en las universidades
Authors: González Reina Angélica Elizabeth
Published: January 2024

La patente es un título de propiedad otorgado por el estado a un inventor como reconocimiento de la inversión y esfuerzos realizados por él para lograr una solución técnica que le aporte beneficios a la humanidad. Privilegio que da a su titular el derecho de explotar e impedir temporalmente a otros la fabricación, venta o utilización comercial de la invención protegida durante un tiempo determinado, con el fin de contar con medidas legales para proteger los derechos de propiedad intelectual. Las Universidades e Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES) en Colombia lideran el ranking de solicitudes de patentes ante la Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), según las estadísticas de Propiedad Industrial en el país, las universidades se han llevado los primeros puestos tanto en la solicitud, como la aprobación de las patentes (SIC, 2023). Este hecho denota claramente el nivel inventivo y de investigación que se ha venido incrementando en los últimos años en las IES, por lo cual son centros de investigación importantes para la industria del país por su aporte al desarrollo de nuevos productos, procedimientos, métodos de fabricación máquinas, entre otros; de igual forma, las IES obtienen beneficios como vender a terceros los derechos obtenidos. No obstante, para ser aprobado una patente debe reunir tres condiciones: que sea novedoso, su nivel inventivo y la aplicación industrial, por consiguiente, para muchos investigadores en Colombia es un gran reto poder patentar los productos de sus investigaciones. El desafío de las universidades es aunar esfuerzos con los grupos de investigación para no solo generar productos de invención con propiedad intelectual, sino poner al servicio de la sociedad los avances científicos con propiedad industrial en conjunto con las empresas nacionales y multinacionales que le apuestan cada año a la innovación y desarrollo de nuevos productos y dan solución a las necesidades de la humanidad, además que puedan diversificar el mercado, aprovechando de forma responsable el desarrollo tecnológico y la biodiversidad de nuestro país. Adicionalmente, las patentes contribuyen con el cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, específicamente el noveno, que promueve la industria, innovación e infraestructura en los países, en la cual una de sus metas es aumentar la investigación científica y mejorar la capacidad tecnológica de los sectores industriales de todos los países, entre otras cosas, fomentando la innovación y aumentando considerablemente, de aquí a 2030, el número de personas que trabajan en investigación y desarrollo por millón de habitantes.
Deporte, inclusión social y experiencias comunitarias en América Latina
Authors: Guzmán Ariza Claudia Maritza , Zebadúa Carbonell Juan Pablo , Rivera Luis Alberto , Cabrera Baz Ángel , Cárdenas-González John Alexander , Casallas Torres Hernando Alexis , Herrera Buenanueva Facundo Martín , Villanueva Marcelo Emir , González Ulloa Elkin , Levoratti Alejo , Zambaglione Daniel , Maiori Marco , Arenas Gómez Álvaro Alejandro , Gómez Chacón Celso Enrique
Published: January 2024

Trece autores latinoamericanos se reunieron para crear Deporte, inclusión social y experiencias comunitarias en América Latina, una obra que compila el trabajo de docentes e investigadores que desde sus territorios han descubierto cómo a través del deporte se puede aportar al cambio de una sociedad. Cada capítulo abarca distintas experiencias donde los actores más destacados son el Estado, como figura garante de los derechos; el docente de Educación Física, como ejecutor de las políticas y responsable de prácticas que contribuyan al desarrollo de una comunidad; y la actividad física, como instrumento para generar diversas iniciativas de inclusión. El libro ofrece un panorama sobre las distintas realidades de países como Colombia, México, Argentina y Cuba, discutidas en la tercera Jornada Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Deporte Social y Recreación para la Inclusión, con el objetivo de mantener una reflexión permanente y una apertura al diálogo académico sobre el deporte.
El paso de la protesta a la revolución: movimientos sociales en la construcción económica y social de Colombia
Authors: Rey Anacona Omar
Published: January 2024

El Paso de la protesta a la revolución presenta una aproximación desde la economía sobre los movimientos sociales para mostrar las similitudes y diferencias con respecto a los enfoques y contenidos de otras ciencias sociales. El tema pretende otorgarle un sentido humano y colectivo a la economía que se relaciona con el uso del conocimiento en y para la sociedad. Es por esto que el autor aplica su propio método para narrar un escenario, que a pesar de sus matices, se presenta coyuntural en medio de los nuevos y continuos panoramas nacionales.
Can we diagnose sarcopenia using anterior femoral muscle thickness in patients with cardiovascular disease?
Authors: Fukuda Taira , Yokomachi Jun , Yamaguchi Suomi , Yagi Hiroshi , Shibasaki Ikuko , Ugata Yuusuke , Sakuma Masashi , Yasuda Tomohiro , Abe Shichiro , Fukuda Hirotsugu , Fujita Hideo , Toyoda Shigeru , Nakajima Toshiaki
Published: January 2024

Objective: Making the diagnosis of sarcopenia is not always easy and this is especially true for those with cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether it is possible to diagnose sarcopenia by using ultrasound-guided measurements of anterior femoral muscle thickness.
Methods: We investigated the utility of ultrasound-guided measurements of anterior femoral muscle thickness in 1075 hospitalized patients with cardiovascular disease (675 men). As a comparison, sarcopenia was assessed by skeletal muscle mass index using bioelectrical impedance analysis and the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria.
Results: When the receiver operating characteristic curve using muscle thickness was examined, we found this could be used to make the diagnosis of sarcopenia (men: cutoff value 2.425 cm, area under the curve 0.796; women: cutoff value 1.995 cm, area under the curve 0.746). The prevalence of sarcopenia according to the criteria with skeletal muscle mass index was 34.2% in men and 51.8% in women, while its prevalence according to the cutoff value of muscle thickness was 29.2% in men and 36.7% in women.
Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided measurement of the anterior femoral muscle thickness is a simple and useful method to help make the diagnosis of sarcopenia in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Prioritizing Care for High-Risk COVID-19 Patients in the EU: 10 Civic Recommendations to the Institutions
Authors: Votta Mariano
Published: January 2024

Thanks to the initiative organized on 14th November 2023 in the European Parliament by Active Citizenship Network, 26 patient advocacy groups (PAGs) from 13 countries sent a clear message to the EU institutions: even if COVID-19 moves from pandemic to endemic, we must ensure that we remain vigilant and prioritize efforts to minimize its impact. In particular, as the winter season approaches, it is imperative to guarantee high attention to COVID-19. In fact, experts remind us that COVID-19 remains a threat to national health systems as a whole; it is particularly dangerous for patients who are at higher risk, as they may suffer from serious conditions such as chronic, respiratory, cardiovascular, oncological or any other form of disease; respiratory diseases contribute to serious illness and high levels of hospitalization in vulnerable populations each year, particularly in the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions. To date, there are several preventive measures (such as vaccines produced with different technologies) and therapeutic strategies (such as monoclonal antibodies and antivirals) available to reduce the impact of COVID-19, which need to be adequately communicated to the public by defining the precise indications for use, particularly for vulnerable patients and their family members/caregivers. With the Recommendations presented at the EU level, civic & patient organizations concretely encourage policymakers and healthcare institutions to increase public awareness and communication about the symptoms and risks of COVID-19 and to strengthen the synergy between General Practitioners, patients and other specialists who treat them. With the European elections only a few months away, we expect that the health of European citizens will remain a top priority on the agenda of European institutions.
A Cadaveric Case Report of the Four-Headed Bicep Brachii Muscle and its Clinical Importance: A Case Study
Authors: LS Madhukar
Published: January 2024

Objective: The motive of this cadaveric case report is to demonstrate a variation of the Bicep Brachii Muscle identified in Asian origin adult male cadaveric specimen and its eventual clinical consequences. Method: Left Upper extremity of Asian origin male cadaver has been dissected to show four headed Bicep Brachii Muscle. Adjacent neurovascular structures as well as muscles were isolated, and their courses were observed for possible areas of compression also for anatomical variation. Result: Four headed Bicep Brachii Muscle was founded on the left upper extremity of formalin fixed Asian origin an 84-yearold male cadaver. The median nerve and brachial artery maintained their common neurovascular path. The musculocutaneous nerve passed deep to the third head of the anatomical variant before distributing its cutaneous branches as the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves were observed. Conclusion: The presence of a four headed Bicep Brachii Muscle in anterior compartment of upper extremity may cause neurovascular compression of the median nerve, musculocutaneous nerve, or brachial artery, resulting in peripheral nerve difficulties, so the practitioners should pay more careful to existence of this type of variation in clinical practice. Hence, these findings are very important not only for anatomical education but can also to serve as useful data for clinical diagnosis, treatment and research purpose.
início da pandemia da Covid-19
Authors: Prata-Linhares Martha , Fontoura Helena Amaral da , Costa Roberta
Published: January 2024

Neste estudo, investigamos como as secretarias estaduais de educação brasileiras buscaram a internet para enfrentar o distanciamento social provocado pela pandemia da Covid-19. Com base em uma pesquisa exploratória e descritiva que analisou a presença das secretarias na internet nos primeiros três meses da pandemia no Brasil, destacamos o papel das redes sociais digitais como uma das alternativas de comunicação encontradas pelas secretarias de educação para manter a relação com os alunos. Os dados mostraram uma crise em curso com falta de interações e de espaço colaborativo. Nos resultados, as dificuldades de acesso às tecnologias foram ressaltadas como importantes obstáculos na implementação do ensino pela internet, e as redes sociais se mostraram mais como locais de desabafos e reclamações do que como espaços colaborativos e de aprendizagem.
Meritocracia
Authors: Abrantes Cristina Gonçalves de , Gonçalves Maria da Graça Marchina
Published: January 2024

Este artigo visa mostrar como a meritocracia é uma ideologia que se imbrica no sistema capitalista neoliberal e promove a manutenção do status quo. Busca-se desnaturalizar a lógica meritocrática que se apresenta como inerente ao funcionamento social. Ela é mascarada pela aparência de ser a única proposta adequada para categorizar os sujeitos em seus devidos lugares, em uma sociedade de classes. A complexidade desse fenômeno, que se apresenta em um discurso lacunar, permite que sejam analisadas as brechas em que o próprio discurso meritocrático falha. Neste artigo, nos debruçaremos sobre tais lacunas, e verificaremos como essa ideologia, fundamentada pela lógica liberal, promove a legitimação das disparidades sociais. Para fazer essa análise, é necessário se esquivar da lógica individual, e verificar como, coletivamente, são produzidas e se mantidas superestruturas sociais que configuram as dimensões subjetivas da realidade. Não se propõe, portanto, um olhar ingênuo às estruturas sociais como “algo dado”, e sim construído pelos agentes sociais que estão atravessados pela ideologia vigente.
Maternidade distante do país de origem
Authors: Rocha Marina Vasconcellos , Magalhães Andrea Seixas , Matos Mariana Gouvêa de
Published: January 2024

O presente estudo é um recorte de uma pesquisa mais ampla sobre a experiência da maternidade de mulheres brasileiras migrantes. Ele tem como objetivo investigar o apoio recebido por elas no processo de tornar-se mãe. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa na qual foram realizadas, em 2022, sete entrevistas com mulheres brasileiras que vivenciaram gestação, parto e primeiro ano de vida do filho (a) em Portugal, Reino Unido, Itália, Espanha e França. Os resultados apontam para a relevância da presença de pessoas que compartilham da mesma cultura de origem na construção da maternidade e na rede de apoio durante a perinatalidade. Conclui-se que o distanciamento da rede familiar, de amigos e de referenciais da cultura de origem da mulher migrante gerou o aumento das sobrecargas psíquica e física inerentes à maternidade. Ao mesmo tempo, de acordo com as participantes, o distanciamento da família e da cultura de origem proporcionou maior liberdade e abertura para a construção da maternidade, provendo novas representações culturais que contribuíram para a construção de sua forma de ser mãe.