bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the dispersion of traffic-derived black carbon emissions into hilly terrain
Authors: Singh Sameer , Gokhale Sharad
Published: August 2022

This study examines hilly terrain’s effect on black carbon (BC) dispersion. The apportionment of distinct sources obtained by a two-component mixing model (Aethalometer: AE-33) using improved radiative transfer equations showed the dominance of traffic-derived black carbon (BCFF) emissions in the study region. The AERMOD was used to model BC emissions from moving traffic as line source and parking lot as area source using observational and WRF-processed meteorology for the winter (Jan to Mar 2020). The model results showed that the BC levels substantially vary with local meteorological conditions, traffic volume, and composition. The hilly terrain obstructs the winds and develops a negative pressure loading to a vacuum on the other side of the hills, which promotes the accumulation of emissions, causing high BC concentrations. The pockets of higher concentration were seen at the locations where steep slopes were associated with low winds (<1 m-s−1) and hill fogs. The AERMOD model, after statistical evaluation against the observational datasets, has been applied to study the reduction in BCFF concentrations due to the implementation of Indian emission norms as mitigation measures, i.e., BS-IV (equivalent to Euro 4) and BS-VI (equivalent to Euro 6). It was found that the BCFF concentrations for BS-IV and BS-VI reduced by 35% and 75%, respectively. The model was also used to study the contribution of the different vehicular categories to BC concentration.
Evaluating the Implementation and Adoption Potential of a Saliva-based Malaria Detection Technique in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Diaz John , Gusto Cody , McCoy Kaci , Silvert Colby , Bala Joseph A. , Atibu Joseph , Tshefu Antoinette , Mwandagalirwa Melchior , Dinglasan Rhoel R.
Published: August 2022

Background: The reliance on blood for thin and thick blood smear microscopy – using a relatively invasive procedure ­– has precluded the use of reliable diagnostic tests in non-clinical settings at the Point-of-Need (PON). To improve the capacity of non-blood-based rapid diagnostic tests to confirm subclinical infections and thereby identify and quantify the human reservoir at the PON, a cross-sectoral collaboration between university researchers and commercial partners produced an innovative, non-invasive saliva-based RDT capable of identifying novel, non-hrp2/3 parasite biomarkers. While this new Saliva-based Malaria Asymptomatic and Asexual Rapid Test (SMAART-1) shows increased detection sensitivity and precision potential by identifying a new P. falciparum protein marker (PSSP17), appraising its utility in the field – particularly with respect to its adoption potential with children and adults in high risk, endemic regions – is necessary to warrant its continued development.Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, usability, and adoption potential of the SMAART-1 at select PON sites in the Kinshasa Province. Teachers, community health workers, nurses, and laboratory technicians participated in data collection at three distinct community sites in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Three data collection methods were utilized in this mixed methods study to provide an overarching performance and usability evaluation of the SMAART-1 at PON field sites: observation checklists of SMAART-1 implementation, focus group discussions, and surveys with local health care practitioners – particularly teachers and community health workers.Results: Findings indicate participants were interested in and supportive of the SMAART-1 protocol, with approximately 99% of the participants surveyed indicating that they either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the statement that they “would use the saliva-based malaria asymptomatic rapid test as part of a community malaria detection and treatment program.” Data also suggest that the protocol was broadly appealing for its testing sensitivity and ease of use.Conclusions: The SMAART-1 protocol’s clinically reliable results demonstrate a promising new level of sensitivity and precision for detecting parasite biomarkers. This study’s evaluation of the protocol’s utility and adoption potential in the field, with a target user audience, advances its development and points to opportunities to expand evaluation efforts.
Small Island Developing States threatened by rising seas even if 2oC warming goal is achieved
Authors: Vousdoukas Michalis , Athanasiou Panagiotis , Giardino Alessio , Mentaschi Lorenzo , Stocchino Alessandro , Kopp Robert , Feyen Luc
Published: August 2022

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been long recognized as some of the planet’s most vulnerable areas to climate change, notably to rising sea levels and coastal extremes. They have been crucial in raising ambition to keep global warming to well below 2°C and advancing the difficult debate on loss and damage. Still, quantitative estimates of loss and damage for different mitigation targets are lacking. Here, we carry out a comprehensive assessment of future flood risk from slow onset sea level rise and episodic sea level extremes along coastlines of SIDS worldwide.
We show that by the end of this century absolute direct damages from coastal inundation will become more than 50-fold present damages for a high emissions scenario without adaptation, or 20 times as much when compared to the size of the economy. A scenario that keeps warming below 2°C could avoid a quarter to half of unmitigated damage, depending on the region. Achieving this climate target, however, would in most SIDS still inflict economic losses that correspond to considerable shares of their economy and result in forced migration from low-lying coastal zones. These results call for making important promises of the Paris Agreement on climate loss and damage become reality.
Risk factors for cholesterol polyps in the gallbladder: a multicenter retrospective case-control study
Authors: Bao Wenqing , Xu Anan , Yang Jing , Ni Shubin , Hu Guanglong , Tang Tianyu , Liu Qi , Xu Zhiying , Wang Bo , Zhang Kai , Zhang Bosen , Zhao Bin , Hu Hai
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Gallbladder polyps are often found in clinical examination, of which cholesterol polyps (CPs) account for the vast majority. However, there is limited evidence-based guidance on the management of CPs patients. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for CPs formation and provide bases for optimizing treatment and prevention strategies.Methods: In this multicenter retrospective case-control study, patients with pathologically-proven CPs between September 2018 to June 2022 were included in the CPs group. The control group included age- and gender-matched subjects sonographically diagnosed without GPs or other gallbladder lesions, randomly selected from the health checkup center in a 1:1 (CPs: control) ratio. Clinical characteristics, ultrasound findings, and laboratory examination results were reviewed and compared between the two groups to determine the risk factors for CPs.Results: In total, 3110 patients who met the inclusion criteria were equally enrolled in CPs and the control groups. The mean age of CPs patients was 41.66±13.18 years, with the highest proportion in the 30-39 years group. On multivariate analysis, triacylglycerol ≥ 2.3mmol/L, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and fatty liver were significantly associated with CPs (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). There was no strong correlation between CPs and other parameters, such as body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and liver function.Conclusion: The morbidity of CPs displayed a younger trend and was closely associated with two types of dyslipidemia: decreased HDL and increased triacylglycerol. Moreover, fatty liver was found to be an independent risk factor for CPs.
Comparative study of supracervical hysterectomy between da Vinci SP® surgical system and conventional single-site laparoscopy for uterine fibroid: Single center experiences
Authors: Lee Juhun , Hong Dae Gy
Published: August 2022

Aim
This study aimed to review the surgical outcomes of supracervical hysterectomy using the da Vinci SP® surgical system and conventional single-site laparoscopic surgery for uterine fibroids.
Materials and methods
This study included 79 patients who underwent supracervical hysterectomy with the da Vinci SP® surgical system and conventional single-site laparoscopy for uterine fibroid between June 2018 and April 2021. All the surgeries were performed by an experienced surgeon. Surgical outcomes and complications were reviewed in both groups.
Results
No significant difference was found between the two groups with regards to the patients’ preoperative surgical conditions such as weight of the uterus, history of pelvic surgery, and pelvic adhesion. A significantly longer operation time (p < 0.01) and higher levels of C-reactive protein (p < 0.01) were found in the robotic surgery group; in particular, the uterus-out time was significantly longer (p < 0.01). No significant differences were found in other surgical outcomes such as complication rates and hospital stays.
Conclusion
Supracervical hysterectomy using the da Vinci® SP surgical system is comparable to conventional single-site laparoscopy in uncomplicated cases. However, it requires a significantly longer operative time and has a higher inflammatory response.
The Coase Conjecture When the Monopolist and Customers Have Different Discount Rates
Authors: Groseclose Tim
Published: August 2022

One of the most famous and outstanding formalizations of the Coase Conjecture is that by Gul, Sonnenschein, & Wilson (1986). A peculiarity of their model—as well as nearly all other examinations of the Coase Conjecture, including that by Coase himself—is that it assumes that the monopolist and customers have the same discount rate. I reexamine their model, while relaxing this restriction. Gul, Sonnenschein, and Wilson show that, if the (common) discount rate of the monopolist and customers approaches one, then the Coase Conjecture follows. I show that one only needs the discount rate of the customers to approach one for this to be true. I also show a second result: If the customers’ discount rate is fixed at a value less than one while the monopolist’s discount rate approaches one, then the Coase Conjecture is guaranteed not to follow. (JEL: C7, C79, D7, D72)
The snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, displays body-wide exoskeletal resistance to the effects of long-term ocean acidification
Authors: Algayer Tait , Mahmoud Ahmed , Saksena Sanjana , Long W. Christopher , Swiney Katherine M. , Foy Robert J , Steffel Brittan V , Smith Kathryn E , Aronson Richard B , Dickinson Gary
Published: August 2022

Structural and mechanical properties of the decapod exoskeleton affect foraging, defense, and locomotion, making the ability of decapods to maintain their calcified exoskeleton a crucial physiological process. Ocean acidification (OA) poses a threat to marine biomes and their inhabitants, particularly calcifying organisms. Vulnerability of the snow crab, Chionecetes opilio, a commercially important, high-latitude species, to OA has not been explored. Although all oceans are experiencing acidification, abiotic factors in high-latitude areas increase the rate of acidification. We examined the effect of long-term (2-year) exposure to decreased seawater pH (7.8 and 7.5) on exoskeletal properties in post-terminal-molt female C. opilio. Since the effects of OA vary among body regions in decapods, exoskeletal properties (microhardness, thickness, and elemental composition) were measured in five body regions: the carapace, both claws, and both third-walking legs. Overall, the C. opilio exoskeleton was robust to OA in all body regions. Decreased pH had no effect on microhardness or thickness of the exoskeleton, despite a slight (~6%) reduction in calcium content in crabs held at pH 7.5. In contrast, exoskeletal properties varied dramatically among body regions regardless of pH. The exoskeleton of the claws was harder, thicker, and contained more calcium but less magnesium than that of other body regions. Exoskeleton of the legs was thinner than that of other body regions and contained significantly greater levels of magnesium (~2.5 times higher than the claws). Maintenance of exoskeletal properties after long-term OA exposure in C. opilio suggests that wild populations may tolerate future ocean pH conditions.
Gravitational folding of surface tension regions originates bio quantum path duality that quantizes Newtonian rigid inertia into parameter trigonometric inversion topological bio inertia
Authors: Lai Yi Yu
Published: August 2022

Universal interaction reference systems in nature can’t avoid elastic inversion(memory). Newton established the parameter quantity-driving rigid reference system with zero system inversion. Bio-systems fall to another extremity that can only utilize inversion energy with almost zero rigidness. We define inversion energy as parameter-against-gravity-internal-fluctuation, write down modifications of Newtonian three Laws as, first law: 𝑑𝑑𝑥cosx =−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥, 𝑑𝑑𝑥sinx = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥; second law: 𝐹⃗=𝑚∙𝑎⃗ + |𝑚𝑔⃗∫𝑡𝑔𝜃⋅𝑑𝜃 ⟩↿⇂; third law: Wavelength = 2𝑛L, frequency = n𝑓0 . The Schrödinger equation has only quantized energy but still hasn’t quantized time thus inducing quantum collapse. We then conjugate inversion energy with quantizing time which composes of event inversion superposition to establish entropy-control lifespan for bio-systems. Originated from the gravitational folding of surface tension regions, bio quantum path duality fluctuation scales as macrocosmic elastic quantum ranges from a codon to the spinal size drives life evolution. The driving dynamics of biological functions including consciousness revive from the bio quantum path duality that modulates by the three modified laws.
The Influencing Factors of Self-evaluation in Adolescents: A Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Zhang Yanan , Zhai Xiaobing , Jiang Can , Zeng Jing , Yang Mei , Zhou Feng , Cao Jinhong , Xiang Bing
Published: August 2022

Background
Adolescents’ self-evaluation is an expressive form of their self-concept. Parental bonding, personality traits, and psychological status were the three main determining factors of adolescents’ self-evaluation; however, no study has tested the effects of the three variables simultaneously. We aimed to explore these effects by a systematic approach.
Methods
Data came from the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The associations of parental bonding (measured by the Parental Bonding Instrument), personality traits (the Responsibility Scale), and psychological status (the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K6) with self-evaluation measured in three domains (the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Nowicki- Strickland Locus of Control Scale for children and the Self-Discipline Scale) were tested by the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis.
Results
A total of 892 Chinese adolescents were included. Significant positive correlations were found among self-evaluation, parental bonding, personality traits, and psychological status. The overall (direct and indirect) effect of parental bonding on adolescents’ self-evaluation was 0.49. Personality traits and psychological status were directly associated with adolescents’ self-evaluation.
Conclusions
The use of SEM offered a detailed analysis of the correlations between parental bonding, personality traits, and psychological status and a systematic approach to investigate their direct and indirect effects on adolescents’ self-evaluation. The three factors directly associated with adolescents’ self-evaluation and parental bonding indirectly affected adolescents’ self-evaluation that was mediated by both personality traits and psychological status.
Business marketing activities in Ukraine during wartime
Authors: Korneyev Maxim , Berezhniuk Ivan , Dzhyndzhoian Volodymyr , Kubakh Tatiana , Horb Kostiantyn
Published: August 2022

The war in Ukraine dealt a crushing blow to the country’s economy. The relevance of the topic is due to the marketing ability to be an effective tool for restoring and developing business in Ukraine. The paper aims to define the state and prospects for developing business and its marketing component during the war in Ukraine. The research analysis demonstrates that the share of business representatives who completely or partially ceased their activities during the first three months of the war decreased from 75.3% in March to 49.0% in May (compared to February 24, 2022), which is indicative of the gradual resumption of business in Ukraine. At the same time, it was found that in May 2022, the food retail, non-food retail, household appliances, and electronics sectors partially resumed their work. The best renewal rates are observed in the jewelry sector, and the worst – in the entertainment sector. A study of marketing activities in Ukraine shows that the most positive changes regarding gradual renewal are observed in digital marketing. The paper highlights the key consequences of hostilities for Ukrainian business and its marketing activities: supply chain disruption, reduced purchasing power, changes in consumer demand, stockpiling, and a state of uncertainty among business representatives. In addition, the study offers general approaches to adapting marketing and SMM during the war to preserve, restore, and further develop business in Ukraine.
Effective phosphate removal from sewage water using zerovalent iron nanomaterial as an adsorbent
Authors: Som Ipsita , Suman Sourav , Roy Mouni , Gupta Srimanta , Saha Rajnarayan
Published: August 2022

In recent times, nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) particles have attracted significant attention from researchers for their effectiveness in removing phosphates, a hazardous contaminant found in groundwater and surface water. nZVI possesses some excellent characteristics such as high reactivity, high surface area, and effective surface-to-volume ratio. In this study, nZVI was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analyzer, Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The effect of variations in nZVI dosage, pH, ionic strength, and coexisting anions on the removal of phosphate from laboratory-based synthetic water was explored. A maximum phosphate removal efficiency of 96% was achieved at an initial phosphate concentration of 25 mg/L, an nZVI dosage of 560 mg/L, and a shaking rate of 500 rpm, and pH 2 was attained within 120 min. Kinetic and equilibrium studies revealed that the adsorption of phosphate follows a pseudo-2nd-order kinetic model and a Temkin isotherm model, respectively. A thermodynamic study confirmed that phosphate adsorption is a spontaneous and endothermic process. Finally, nZVI was proved to be stable up to five cycles. nZVI was further applied for the removal of phosphate from sewage water, which was collected from Saheb bandh, Purulia district of West Bengal, Eastern India.
Application of machine learning to groundwater spring potential mapping using averaging, bagging, and boosting techniques
Authors: Wei Aihua , Li Duo , Bai Xiaoli , Wang Rui , Fu Xiaogang , Yu Jieqing
Published: August 2022

Determining groundwater potential is vital for groundwater resource management. This study aims to present a comparative analysis of three widely used ensemble techniques (averaging, bagging, and boosting) in groundwater spring potential mapping. Firstly, 12 spring-related factors and a total of 79 groundwater spring locations were collected and used as the dataset. Secondly, three typical ensemble models were adopted to predict groundwater spring potential, namely, Bayesian model averaging (BMA), random forest (RF), and the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and four statistical indexes (accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the root mean square error (RMSE)) were used to estimate the model's accuracy. The results indicate that the three models had a good predictive performance and that the AUC values of the GBDT, RF, and BMA were 0.88, 0.84, and 0.78, respectively. Furthermore, the GBDT had the best performance (accuracy = 0.89, sensitivity = 0.91, specificity = 0.87, and RMSE = 0.33) in terms of the four indexes, followed by RF (accuracy = 0.87, sensitivity = 0.91, specificity = 0.83, and RMSE = 0.36) and BMA (accuracy = 0.76, sensitivity = 0.87, specificity = 0.65, and RMSE = 0.49). This research can provide effective guidance for using ensemble models for mapping groundwater spring potential in the future.
Sampling patterns may influence the evaluation of irrigation uniformity of Center Pivot systems
Authors: Rodrigues Tambo Fidel Luís , Lima Luiz Antonio , Silveira Thebaldi Michael , Corrêa Flávia Vilela
Published: August 2022

The evaluation of irrigation uniformity can be affected by the sampling pattern in the field. Thus, this work aimed to compare the water application uniformities of a Center Pivot using three sampling patterns: along the equipment radius (radial), in the direction of movement of the pivot (circular) and in a two-dimensional way (meshed). For this, samplers were positioned under the spans of a Center Pivot system, being evaluated the effects of the sampling pattern and of the span, in a 3×3 statistical factorial design, with three replications. The results showed that circular and meshed arrangements were statistically equal and had higher values of Christiansen's and Distribution Uniformity Coefficients. The mesh type arrangement represented a more uniform distribution profile of irrigation depths on the surface. For areas of flat or slightly undulating topography and when using pressure regulating valves for the emitters, sampling in a radial pattern is sufficient, but for terrains with irregular topography or when pressure head variations along the lateral line are important for the operation of the emitters, the combination of the radial and circular pattern is interesting. The meshed sampling detects the stoppage effect of the towers and drift, however, in a reduced area.
Identifying the effects of environmental factors on benthic diatom assemblages in typical tributaries of Taizi River, northeast China using the CCA method
Authors: Chen Libin , Li Qing , Ye Hui , Li Jinrui
Published: August 2022

Rivers are one of the important sources of water supply and benthic diatoms are a crucial part of the river ecosystem. It is necessary to investigate the effects of environmental factors on river benthic diatoms. In this study, the benthic diatom assemblages, environment factors including physical–chemical factors, and altitude factors were intensively investigated in gradient tributaries of Taizi River, northeast China. The CCA method was used to explore the relationships between benthic diatom assemblages and environmental factors. The results demonstrated that the altitude, distance to river source, water temperature, TN, SS, average water depth, TP, and CODCr were the environmental factors that accounted for significant (P < 0.05) portions of the total variance in species composition. These suggest that the diatom assemblage is a good indicator of environmental change, and it is not only sensitive to physical–chemical factors but also significantly sensitive to large-scale factors (e.g., altitude, distance to river source).
Evaluation of using a porous medium approach to simulate flat-sheet membrane bioreactors
Authors: Chen Danmei , Lakghomi Babak , Lawryshyn Yuri
Published: August 2022

The porous medium approach has been applied by others to study the global hydrodynamics in hollow-fiber (HF) membrane bioreactors (MBR). This study explores the usability of the porous medium approach for flat-sheet (FS) MBR and introduces a CFD-based numerical calibration of the porous parameters. Two key modeling strategies are suggested to ensure the pressure prediction accuracy: (1) use SST turbulence model incorporated with an intermittency transition model (SSIT); (2) considerate two-phase flow during the calibration. The results showed that SSIT significantly improved the pressure prediction of the flow between two sheets. Also, unlike HF MBR, the gas phase was observed to be non-negligible during the calibration for FS MBR. The numerically calibrated porous parameters were then applied in a three-dimensional simplified model (SPM), where multiple membrane sheets were treated as one porous zone. The SPM was compared with a realistic model (RM), where all membrane sheets were simulated directly. A similar pressure distribution was observed in both models; however, local flow characteristics (i.e., the acceleration of the flow entering the module zone) were not reflected in the SPM. Hence, it is recommended to use the porous medium approach for global hydrodynamics investigation when the local flow characteristics are not of interest.
Utility of Fibrinogen Levels for Predicting Survival and Functional
Outcomes in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu Juan , Sun Yimeng , Gong Dandan , Fan Yu
Published: August 2022

Background and Objective:

Studies on the association between blood fibrinogen level and adverse outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke have produced controversial results. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the association of elevated fibrinogen level with adverse outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods:

Two authors comprehensively searched the articles indexed in PubMed and Embase databases until December 31, 2021. All cohort studies that assessed the value of fibrinogen level in predicting poor functional outcome or all-cause mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients were included.

Results:

Nine studies reporting on ten articles involving 16,998 patients met the inclusion criteria. For the highest versus lowest fibrinogen group, the pooled adjusted risk ratio (RR) was 1.48 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.17–1.87) for poor functional outcome defined by the modified Rankin Scale ≥ 3. In addition, elevated fibrinogen was not significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR 1.76; 95% CI 1.42–2.20). Subgroup analysis suggested that there was no clear association between elevated fibrinogen level and PFO in younger acute ischemic stroke patients (RR 1.16; 95% CI 0.87–1.53).

Conclusion:

Elevated fibrinogen level at baseline is possibly an independent predictor of short-term poor functional outcome and long-term all-cause mortality, particularly in elderly acute ischemic stroke patients. Blood fibrinogen level may serve as a useful biomarker for risk classification of acute ischemic stroke patients.
Strategies for Targeting CIB1: A Challenging Drug Target
Authors: Shahab Muhammad , Wadood Abdul , Zheng Guojun
Published: August 2022

Breast cancer is a common malignancy in women and is a diverse disease. In women, 287,850 and in
males 2710 cases are reported in 2022 by WHO. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast
cancer that lacks expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal
growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), accounted for 10-20% of all new cases discovered in the United States in
2017. Because calcium integrin-binding protein1 lacks a suitable pocket that could be used to create a chemical
inhibitor, and because the breast cancer-causing protein is nearly identical to its necessary wild-type counterpart,
it was thought to be druggable. The structure and function of the newly discovered calcium integrinbinding
protein1 have been improved, paving the way for the designing of several therapeutic candidates. Currently,
no FDA-approved drugs are available for CIB1-driven cancer. CIB1 has proven to challenge drug target
due to several factors, including the fact that the CIB1 protein is highly resistant to small inhibitors. This study
aimed to present various ways for targeting calcium integrin-binding protein1, which is an important target that
could be useful to scientists.
Machine Learning-based Virtual Screening for STAT3 Anticancer Drug Target
Authors: Wadood Abdul , Ajmal Amar , Junaid Muhammad , Rehman Ashfaq Ur , Uddin Reaz , Azam Syed Sikander , Khan Alam Zeb , Ali Asad
Published: August 2022

Background:

Signal transducers and activators of the transcription (STAT) family is composed of
seven structurally similar and highly conserved members, including STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4,
STAT5a, STAT5b, and STAT6. The STAT3 signaling cascade is activated by upstream kinase signals and undergoes
phosphorylation, homo-dimerization, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding, resulting in the expression
of target genes involved in tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and immune editing. STAT3
hyperactivation has been documented in a number of tumors, including head and neck, breast, lung, liver, kidney,
prostate, pancreas cancer, multiple myeloma, and acute myeloid leukemia. Drug discovery is a timeconsuming
and costly process; it may take ten to fifteen years to bring a single drug to the market. Machine
learning algorithms are very fast and effective and commonly used in the field, such as drug discovery. These
algorithms are ideal for the virtual screening of large compound libraries to classify molecules as active or inactive.

Objective:

The present work aims to perform machine learning-based virtual screening for the STAT3 drug target.

Methods:

Machine learning models, such as k-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, Gaussian naïve Bayes,
and random forest for classifying the active and inactive inhibitors against a STAT3 drug target, were developed.
Ten-fold cross-validation was used for model validation. Then the test dataset prepared from the zinc database
was screened using the random forest model. A total of 20 compounds with 88% accuracy was predicted
as active against STAT3. Furthermore, these twenty compounds were docked into the active site of STAT3.
The two complexes with good docking scores as well as the reference compound were subjected to MD simulation.
A total of 100ns MD simulation was performed.

Results:

Compared to all other models, the random forest model revealed better results. Compared to the standard
reference compound, the top two hits revealed greater stability and compactness.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, our predicted hits have the ability to inhibit STAT3 overexpression to combat
STAT3-associated diseases.
The Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the Toll-like Receptor Pathway in Breast
Cancer
Authors: Toroghian Younes , Khayyami Reza , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Nassiri Mohammadreza , Ferns Gordon A. , Khazaei Majid , Avan Amir
Published: August 2022

The toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway plays a key role in inducing immune responses and were shown to be expressed in immune cells and tumor cells, and is involved in the progression of several malignancies including breast cancer. These findings provide a proof of the concept of targeting this pathway as a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of breast cancer. Moreover, there is a growing body of data showing the activation of TLRs in the tumor microenvironment and its dual function as anti-tumoral (dendritic T and natural killer cells activation) or pro-tumoral activity (cell proliferation, and drug resistance). Several agents have been developed for targeting of this pathway and one of these inhibitors, called Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (an agonist of TLR2 and TLR4), is recently being approved by FDA for immunotherapy of bladder cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the mechanisms of action of TLR pathways in the development/progression of cancer for a better management of this disease.
Cancer Immunotherapy: Diverse Approaches and Obstacles
Authors: Sanatkar Seyed Amir , Heidari Arash , Rezaei Nima
Published: August 2022

Cancer immunotherapy approaches have progressed significantly during the last decade due to the
significant improvement of our understanding of immunologic evasion of malignant cells. Depending on the
type, stage, and grade of cancer, distinct immunotherapy approaches are being designed and recommended;
each is different in efficacy and adverse effects. Malignant cells can adopt multiple strategies to alter the normal
functioning of the immune system in recognizing and eliminating them. These strategies include secreting different
immunosuppressive factors, polarizing tumor microenvironment cells to immunosuppressive ones, and
interfering with the normal function of the antigen processing machinery (APM). In this context, careful evaluation
of immune surveillance has led to a better understanding of the roles of cytokines, including IL-2, IL-12,
IL-15, interferon-α (IFN-α), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in
cancer formation and their potential application in cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, monoclonal antibodies
(mAbs), adoptive cell therapy approaches, immune checkpoint blockade, and cancer vaccines also play significant
roles in cancer immunotherapy. Moreover, the development of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic
repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/CAS9) as an outstanding genome editing tool resolved
many obstacles in cancer immunotherapy. In this regard, this review aimed to investigate the impacts of different
immunotherapy approaches and their potential roles in the current and future roads of cancer treatment.
Whatever the underlying solution for treating highly malignant cancers is, it seems that solving the question is
nowhere near an achievement unless the precise cooperation of basic science knowledge with our translational
experience.
Feeding Pattern, Circadian Rhythm, and Immune Function: What do we know
about?
Authors: Estanislau Thiago Barros , Kruger Karsten , Rosa-Neto José Cesar , Padilha Camila S. , Gonçalves Daniela Caetano , Minuzzi Luciele Guerra , Lira Fábio Santos
Published: August 2022

Feeding pattern is related to health status or chronic diseases, and this depends on the individual’s
eating habits. Feeding organized with the right time to start and end during the day, promotes an internal biological
rhythm, favoring molecular synchronization of the clock genes, which impose an effect on metabolism
and immune cells, creating a physiological response related to a healthy profile. On the other hand, a feeding
pattern disorganized, without the right time to start and end eating during the day, might lead to nonsynchronization
of the clock genes, a disruption condition, which is related to chronic diseases, such as obesity
and diabetes type 2. A strategy that should be adopted to favor molecular synchronization is time-restricted eating
(TRE), which can organize the initial and end of the eating patterns during the day. Our review points out
some cues that suggest TRE as an efficient strategy for healthy profile and can be a good intervention for the
treatment of chronic diseases.
Inhibitory Efficacy of Thiosemicarbazones for Carbonic Anhydrase II (Bovine and
Human) as a Target of Calcification and Tumorigenicity
Authors: Khan Majid , Halim Sobia Ahsan , Shafiq Zahid , Islam Muhammad , Shehzad Muhammad Tariq , Ibrar Aliya , Khan Farhan A. , Marraiki Najat , Uddin Jalal , Khan Ajmal , Al-Harrasi Ahmed
Published: August 2022

Background:

Carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II) is associated with calcification, tumorigenicity, epilepsy,
osteoporosis, and several other physiological or pathological processes. CA-II inhibitors can be used to
reduce the intraocular pressure usually associated with glaucoma.

Objective:

In search for potent CA-II inhibitors, a series of thiosemicarbazone derivatives (3a-u) was synthesized.

Methods:

This series was evaluated against bovine and human carbonic anhydrase II (bCA-II and hCA-II) and
their docking studies were carried out.

Results:

In the preliminary screening, most of the compounds exhibited significant inhibition of bCA-II and
hCA-II. The predictive structure-activity relationship suggested that the thiosemicarbazide moiety plays a key
role in the inhibition of enzyme activity and substitution at R position and has a remarkable contribution to the
overall activity. The kinetic studies of the most active inhibitors of bCA-II (3d, 3e, 3l, 3f, and 3p) and hCA-II
(3g) were performed against bCA-II and hCA-II, respectively to investigate their mode of inhibition and dissociation
constants (Ki).

Conclusion:

Subsequently, (3e, 3f, 3l and 3p) were identified as competitive inhibitors of bCA-II with Ki values
of 5.02-14.70 μM, while (3d) as a noncompetitive inhibitor of bCA-II (Ki = 2.5 ± 0.015 μM), however, (3g)
demonstrated competitive inhibition of hCA-II with a Ki value of 5.95 ± 0.002 μM. The selectivity index
reflects that compound (3g) is more selective for hCA-II. The binding modes of these compounds with bCA-II
and hCA-II were investigated by structure-based molecular docking, and the docking results are in complete
agreement with the experimental findings.
Vernodalin Suppresses Tumor Proliferation and Increases Apoptosis of
Gastric Cancer Cells Through Attenuation of FAK/PI3K/AKT/mTOR and
MAPKs Signaling Pathways
Authors: Lin Nengming , Luo Ying , Zhang Dan , Hou Leping
Published: August 2022

Background:

Gastric cancer (GC) is the most aggressive malignant tumor with limited treatment alternatives post metastasis. Vernodalin (VN) induced apoptosis has been reported in various types of human cancer cells. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-metastasis action of VN on GC cells are yet to be elucidated.

Objective:

In this study, we investigated the anti-metastatic and apoptotic effects of VN on SGC-7901 and AGS cells, with a purpose of gaining a deeper understanding of the anti-metastatic mechanisms of VN on gastric carcinoma. To attenuate the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways by VN in GC cells.

Methods:

We employed VN and gastric cancer cells in experiments such as, MTT assay, apoptosis, MMP, DAPI, Rh-123, cell adhesion assay, and western blot analysis on GC SGC-7901 and AGS cells.

Result:

Our results revealed that VN inhibits the cell proliferation, adhesion, and metastasis and induces apoptosis of both GC cells. VN potentially reduced the protein expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, and uPA, whereas intensified expressions of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Also, VN attenuates the expression of FAK, p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-JNK, p-p38MAPK, and p-ERK. Thus, it is inferred that VN treatment reduced the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 via the FAK/PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and MAPKs signaling pathways. Our results confirm that VN prevented GC growth, invasion and metastasis and induce apoptosis in GC cells.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that VN is a potential natural therapeutic compound as a new remedy for GC chemotherapy treatment.
BCL11A Facilitates Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Neuroblastoma via
Regulating the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yuan Xiaojun , Jin Qianya , Chen Yanmin , Du Shibei , Xu Dongqing , Yue Juanqing , Cai Lei
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

The study aims to access the value of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A)
in the prognosis of patients with neuroblastoma (NB) and to explore its role and possible mechanism in
NB.

Methods:

Tumor specimens from 53 children with neuroblastoma were evaluated for the relationship
between BCL11A expression level and prognosis of NB patients. Online datasets like SEQC and Asgharzadeh
were analyzed to further check out the suppose.The role of BCL11A in the proliferation and
migration of NB cells was studied by functional experiments such as CCK8, colony formation, flow
cytometry, transwell and wound healing assay after knocking down BCL11A by small interfering RNA
(siRNA) in vitro. The protein makers of the potential pathways were tested by western blot.

Results:

High expression of BCL11A in NB patients was closely correlated with high-risk and poor prognosis. The proliferation and migration abilities of NB cell lines SK-N-BE(2) and IMR-32 were significantly impaired by silencing BCL11A. Downregulation of BCL11A expression level in NB cells inhibited the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and affected the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Conclusion:

As a prognostic indicator of survival in NB patients, BCL11A might serve as a potential
therapeutic target. BCL11A played a regulatory role in cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in
NB, which may be through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and induce EMT.
BNT162b2 Elicited an Efficient Humoral Response Against Different
Strains of SARS-CoV-2 in People Living with HIV
Authors: Gidari Anna , Bastianelli Sabrina , Pierucci Sara , Busti Chiara , Sabbatini Samuele , Schiaroli Elisabetta , Benedetti Sara , Gamboni Giulia , Lanzi Alessandra , Francisci Daniela
Published: August 2022

Background:

Vaccines have had a fundamental impact in containing the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, there are few efficacy data relating to frail patients, including the HIV-positive patient.

Objective:

This study evaluated the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serum neutralization in People Living with HIV (PLWH) compared to a cohort of healthy volunteers both vaccinated with BNT162b2.

Methods:

A serum sample was then withdrawn 14-21 days after the second dose of the vaccine and a serum neutralization assay was performed on Vero-E6 cells. The experiments were performed using two strains of SARS-CoV-2 as 20A.EU1 and B.1.617.2.

Results:

PLWH on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) showed a vaccine response comparable to the healthy subjects. No correlation between CD4 count or CD4/CD8 and neutralizing antibodies (NT-Abs) has been found. No differences in NT-Abs between patients with CD4 nadir above or under 200 cells/µl have been found. In both cohorts, vaccine-elicited serum better neutralized 20A.EU1 than B.1.617.2 strain.

Conclusion:

PLWH in ART and with good immuno-virological recovery showed a vaccine response comparable to that of healthy subjects and regardless of their immunological status at HIV infection diagnosis. However, larger studies are needed to confirm our results and to evaluate the vaccine response even in patients with low CD4 counts.
Antibody-drug Conjugates for Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Sheikh M. Saeed , Huang Ying
Published: August 2022

The use of antibody-drug conjugates is expected to transform the management of human malignancy. Antibody-drug conjugates for cancer treatment are designed to deliver anticancer drugs to tumor cells. The main components of such conjugates are a monoclonal antibody that binds to a tumor antigen, an anticancer drug to inhibit tumor cell growth and a linker that serves to conjugate the anti-body and drug. The antibody-drug conjugates developed and approved for breast cancer treatment are ado-trastuzumab emtansine, (fam)-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki and sacituzumab govitecan. The mechanisms of action, clinical uses and toxic effects of these antibody-drug conjugates are discussed.
Effects of Acylhydrazone Derivatives on Experimental Pulmonary
Inflammation by Chemical Sensitization
Authors: de Lima Porto Ramos Katharina Rodrigues , da Silva Sandra Cabral , Marchand Pascal , Barreto Mota Fernanda Virgínia , de Assis Correia Julyanne Cunha , Gomes Silva Jéssica de Andrade , de Lima George Torres , Santana Marllon Alex , da Silva Moura Willian Charles , dos Santos Vanda Lúcia , Moura Ricardo Olímpio , da Silva Teresinha Gonçalves
Published: August 2022

Background:

Chronic lung diseases are characterized by airway inflammation and
remodelling of the lung parenchyma that triggers considerable impairment of respiratory function.
Objective: In this study, two compounds belonging to the N-acylhydrazone class were evaluated,
aiming to identify new therapeutic agents for pulmonary inflammatory diseases.

Materials and Methods:

The acute toxicity of 2-cyano-N'-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-
acetohydrazide (JR-12) and N'-benzylidene-2-cyano-3-phenylacrylohydrazide (JR09-Bz) was
evaluated. Afterwards, they were tested in models of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma
and pleurisy, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, in addition to mucolytic activity.

Results and Discussion:

The compounds did not show toxicity at the dose of 2,000 mg/kg, and no
animal died. On OVA-induced pleurisy, animals treated with JR-12 or JR09-Bz at a dose of 10
mg/kg (orally) showed significant inhibition of the leukocyte infiltrate in the bronchoalveolar lavage
by 62.5% and 61.5%, respectively, compared to the control group. The compounds JR-12 and
JR09-Bz were also active in blocking the allergic asthmatic response triggered by OVA, reducing
the leukocyte infiltrate by 73.1% and 69.8%, respectively. Histopathological changes and mast cell
migration in treated animals with JR-12 or JR09-Bz were similar to treatment with the reference
drugs dexamethasone and montelukast. JR-12 and JR09-Bz also reversed airway remodeling in
animals on the bleomycin-induced fibrosis model compared to the control group. Furthermore, it
was observed that N-arylhydrazone derivatives showed expectorant and mucolytic activities, increasing
mucus secretion by 45.6% and 63.8% for JR-12 and JR09-Bz, respectively.

Conclusion:

Together, the results show that JR-12 and JR09-Bz showed promising activity against
airway inflammation, as well as low toxicity.
Developing a wood lathe machine with speed control and workers' anthropometry to increase the productivity of broom industry
Authors: Santosa I Gede
Published: August 2022

To overcome the economic crisis in the current situation, the community in the village of Dawan Klungkung-Bali was encouraging small and medium-sized businesses, including the home industry sector, specifically the production of broom handles that made from leftover wood. The production process is quite simple where the worker utilized wooden chisels and hand grinders to create the broom handle. Even though the methods and tools are simple, it takes a long time to complete one broom handle. In addition, the process continued with the sanding process to smoothen the product, which caused the workers to quickly become fatigued due to the long duration of the bending down and pressing gestures. To address this issue, a wood lathe with speed control and height adjustment based on worker anthropometry was developed.  This study was volunteered by ten workers that compared the workload of both traditional and proposed method. Workload is determined by measuring the worker's pulse with a pulse meter, skeletal muscle complaints that observed using the Nordic Body Map questionnaire, and worker productivity that calculated by dividing the number of broom handles produced per hour by the workload.
SOSYAL SORUMLULUK KAMPANYALARININ TOPLUMA ULAŞMASINDA SPORUN GÜCÜ: HEFORSHE TOPLUMSAL CİNSİYET EŞİTLİĞİ KAMPANYASI “FENERBAHÇE ÖRNEĞİ”
Authors: ÜNSAL YILMAZ Bahar , ŞAHİN Mehmet
Published: August 2022

Bu çalışma, Birleşmiş Milletler’in (BM) başlatmış olduğu bir sosyal sorumluluk projesi olan HeForShe toplumsal cinsiyet eşitliği kampanyasının, topluma ulaşmasında sporun etkisini incelenmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada HeForShe projesinin 2014’de tanıtımının yapıldığı tarihten, 2019 yılı başına kadar ulusal ve uluslararası arenada projeye olan ilgi araştırılmış, ilgiyi arttıran etkiler incelenmiştir. Yöntemde arama motoru üzerinden alınan ikincil veriler kullanılmış, verilerin analizinde öne çıkan durumların neden sonuç ilişkileri incelenmiştir. İnceleme sonucunda, ulusal çerçevede projeye desteğini açıklayan Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü’nün önemli ölçüde etkiyi artırdığı görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak; spor, sosyal sorumluluk projelerinde etkin olarak öne çıkarılmalıdır. Dünyada sınıf farklılığı, cinsiyet ayrımcılığı, köken farklılığı gözetmeden toplumu bir araya getirme gücü olan sporun; toplumla güçlü duygusal bağ kurmada ve toplumun her kitlesine ulaşmada geniş ve evrensel etki alanı bulunmaktadır. Bu özellikleri ile spor, toplumun faydasına olan her çalışmada etkin bir paydaş olacaktır.