bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INCÊNDIOS FLORESTAIS EM ÁREAS PROTEGIDAS:
Authors: Lacerda almeida Valeria
Published: March 2021

A ocorrência de incêndios florestais é atualmente um dos fatores responsáveis por possíveis alterações ecológicas dos ecossistemas. O presente artigo teve como objetivo de estudo avaliar a efetividade das ações de prevenção e combate a incêndios florestais no PESAM e APA Araguaia, a partir da infra-estrutura, recursos humanos e financeiros disponíveis, bem como a capacidade de articulação da gestão das UCs no envolvimento de diferentes atores para os anos de 2016 e 2017. A coleta de dados foi realizada através de pesquisa exploratória e descritiva culminando com déficit de pessoal de 550 pontos, sendo TA= 75; BC= 375; MO= 10; CO=10; AO= 80 e com déficit de equipamento de 1450 pontos, sendo 1320 para equipamentos de combate, 30 para transporte, 40 para comunicação, 60 para operações externas e 0 para outros. Nessa perspectiva, a gestão buscou como solução para as lacunas existentes a parceria de vários órgãos e ações como educação ambiental e campanhas de mobilização das comunidades da APA Araguaia.

Palavras chave: Conservação de ecossistemas. Incêndios florestais. Planejamento.
The Diversity and Utilization of Weeds in Sengon (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W.) Grimes) Agroforestry and Monoculture Pattern
Authors: Winara Aji , Suhaendah Endah
Published: March 2021

Sengon (Falcataria moluccana) is a superior commodity of private forests in Java island. However, its management faces a gall rust attack. In addition, another challenge is the presence of weed disturbance which can reduce plant growth productivity. This study aims to measure the diversity and utilization of weed species in the agroforestry and sengon monoculture demonstration plots. The research method used was the method of vegetation analysis of understorey and interviews. Data analysis was performed descriptively using the importance species index, species diversity index and species similarity index.The results showed that both cropping patterns produced the same level of diversity and species richness despite differences in species density and presence. A total of 29 species of weeds were found in the agroforestry pattern and 27 types in the monoculture pattern.. Weed species diversity in agroforestry and monoculture patterns is classified as moderate with Shannon-Wienner species diversity index (H ') values of 2.47 and 2.66 respectively. Likewise, the level of species richness both pattern is classified as moderate with Margalef Richness Index (R’) value of 3.89 in monoculture and 4.23 in agroforestry. The level of species similarity between the two cropping pattern according to the Bray-Curtis Index is 0.66. The density of weeds in the monoculture pattern is higher (66.00 individuals / m2) than the agroforestry pattern (62.25 individuals / m2). Most of the weeds (67.65%) are used by people around the forest as animal feed (18 species), foodstuffs (4 species) and traditional medicine (4 species). The many species of weeds that can be utilized by the community shows that sengon forests can support food security, so that the weed control techniques recommended are manual techniques with simple tools and spatial management with F. moluccana plants.
Diversity of Soil Macrofauna on Teak (Tectona grandis) and Kimpul (Xanthosoma sangittifolium) Agroforestry
Authors: Winara Aji
Published: March 2021

Soil macrofauna has an important role in the ecosystems and soil fertility. Agroforestry patterns have environmental benefits such as providing living space for biodiversity including soil macrofauna. This study aims to measure the influence of teak and kimpul agroforestry on the diversity of soil macrofauna. The study was conducted on teak and kimpul agroforestry demonstration plots in the KPH Yogyakarta in January 2019. The research method used was monolith and hand sorting techniques and the analysis was carried out descriptively using the species diversity index approach. The results showed that teak and kimpul agroforestry patterns did not affect on the diversity of species and density of soil macrofauna. The level of diversity of soil macrofauna in teak and kimpul agroforestry, teak monoculture and kimpul monoculture are low. The value of soil macrofauna diversity in teak and kimpul agroforests is higher than teak monoculture and kimpul monoculture. A total of five types of soil macrofauna were found in 12-year teak agroforestry, six types in 42-year teak agroforestry, five types in 12-year teak monoculture, eight types in 42-year teak monoculture and five types in kimpul monoculture. The dominant soil macrofauna are Microtermes sp. and Anomala sp.
Clinical Characteristics, Activity Levels and Mental Health Problems in Children with Long COVID: A Survey of 510 Children
Authors: Buonsenso Danilo , Espuny Pujol Ferran , Munblit Daniel , Mcfarland Sammie , Simpson Frances
Published: March 2021

Background The World Health Organization has recently recognized Long COVID, calling the international medical community to strengthen research and comprehensive care of patients with this condition. However, if Long COVID pertains to children as well is not yet clear. Methods An anonymous, online survey was developed by an organization of parents of children suffering from persisting symptoms since initial infection. Parents were asked to report signs and symptoms, physical activity and mental health issues. Only children with symptoms persisting for more than four weeks were included. Results 510 children were included (56.3% females) infected between January 2020 and January 2021. At their initial COVID-19 infection, 22 (4.3%) children were hospitalized. Overall, children had persisting COVID-19 for a mean of 8.2 months (SD 3.9). Most frequent symptoms were: Tiredness and weakness (444 patients, 87.1% of sample), Fatigue (410, 80.4%), Headache (401, 78.6%), Abdominal pain (387, 75.9%), Muscle and joint pain (309, 60.6%), Post-exertional malaise (274, 53.7%), rash (267, 52.4%). 484 (94.9%) children had had at least four symptoms. 129 (25.3%) children have suffered constant COVID-19 infection symptoms, 252 (49.4%) have had periods of apparent recovery and then symptoms returning, and 97 (19.0%) had a prolonged period of wellness followed by symptoms. Only 51 (10.0%) children have returned to previous levels of physical activity. Parents reported a significant prevalence of Neuropsychiatric symptoms. Conclusions Our study provides further evidence on Long COVID in children. Symptoms like fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, rashes and heart palpitations, and mental health issues like lack of concentration and short memory problems, were particularly frequent and confirm previous observations, suggesting that they may characterize this condition. A better comprehension of Long COVID is urgently needed..
The Violation of Maxims in Indonesian Speech of Mental Retardation Child
Authors: Retnosari Ira Eko , Kisyani Kisyani , Yulianto Bambang
Published: March 2021

This article aims to describe the violations of the maxims in the Indonesian speech of mentally retarded children. This study used a descriptive qualitative method. The data source of this study is one mild mental retardation child. The data of this research are words, phrases, and sentences that contain violations of the maxims in the principle of cooperation. Data collection techniques in this study were observation, stimulating, recording, and field recording. Data collection procedures in this study include entering the field, making observations, recording speeches, transcribing field records, entering data in tables, validating data that has been collected. In analyzing the data, a pragmatic equivalent analysis method is used. Data analysis procedures in this study are reducing data, presenting data, interpreting data, and concluding. In analyzing the data, a pragmatic equivalent analysis method is used. Data analysis procedures in this study are reducing data, presenting data, interpreting data, and concluding. The results of the data analysis of this study are the maxima violation that most children with mental retardation are the maxim of relations. That is because the research subject often changes the topic of speech. The research subject often changes the topic because he is not interested in talking about topics.
Dynamic Material Balance Method for Estimating Gas in Place of Abnormally High-Pressure Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Zhang Lixia , He Yingxu , Guo Chunqiu , Yu Yang
Published: March 2021

Determination of gas in place (GIP) is among the hotspot issues in the field of oil/gas reservoir engineering. The conventional material balance method and other relevant approaches have found widespread application in estimating GIP of a gas reservoir or well-controlled gas reserves, but they are normally not cost-effective. To calculate GIP of abnormally pressured gas reservoirs economically and accurately, this paper deduces an iteration method for GIP estimation from production data, taking into consideration the pore shrinkage of reservoir rock and the volume expansion of irreducible water, and presents a strategy for selecting an initial iteration value of GIP. The approach, termed DMBM-APGR (dynamic material balance method for abnormally pressured gas reservoirs) here, is based on two equations: dynamic material balance equation and static material balance equation for overpressured gas reservoirs. The former delineates the relationship between the quasipressure at bottomhole pressure and the one at average reservoir pressure, and the latter reflects the relationship between average reservoir pressure and cumulative gas production, both of which are rigidly demonstrated in the paper using the basic theory of gas flow through porous media and material balance principle. The method proves effective with several numerical cases under various production schedules and a field case under a variable rate/variable pressure schedule, and the calculation error of GIP does not go beyond 5% provided that the production data are credible. DMBM-APGR goes for gas reservoirs with abnormally high pressure as well as those with normal pressure in virtue of its strict theoretical foundation, which not only considers the compressibilities of rock and bound water, but also reckons with the changes in production rate and variations of gas properties as functions of pressure. The method may serve as a valuable and reliable tool in determining gas reserves.
¿SE PUEDE HABLAR REALMENTE DE ACTOS DE “VIOLENCIA SEXUAL” EN LOS CONTEXTOS DE CHEMSEX? REFLEXIONES DESDE LOS ENTENDIMIENTOS DE LOS HOMBRES QUE PRACTICAN CHEMSEX Y LA CULTURA SEXUAL GAY
Authors: Dávila Percy Fernández
Published: March 2021

Desde que el ChemSex (el uso intencionado de drogas con fines sexuales entre hombres gais y bisexuales) se diera a conocer a nivel mediático, especial atención ha cobrado de parte muchos sectores. Recientemente se ha comenzado a mencionar, desde fuera de este colectivo, la ocurrencia de “violencia sexual” en los contextos donde se lo práctica, pero muchos hombres no entienden como tal los “actos sexuales sin consentimiento (expreso)” que pudieran darse. Este ensayo busca entender, desde una perspectiva cultural, por qué muchos hombres no se reconocen como “víctimas” o “agresores” de “violencia sexual” en contextos de ChemSex. Como el ChemSex ocurre dentro de la cultura sexual gay, la cual tiene sus propios códigos, normas, valores, lenguaje, etc. que son diferentes a los de la cultura dominante (heterosexual), los significados y entendimientos en torno al contacto físico y al sexo son diferentes. Además, partiendo que la intención es tener sexo y por las formas de contacto (p.e. virtual) y encuentro (p.e. locales de sexo), entienden que los consentimientos pueden darse de manera diferente a la verbal o que están dados de manera tácita dentro de las propias dinámicas de relacionamiento socio-sexual, por eso no se reconocen como “víctimas” ni como “agresores”.
Exploring Intelligent Approach of Influence Minimization Considering the Node Surveillance in Online Social Networks
Authors: CHERIYAN JO , P Sajeev G
Published: March 2021

Attractive information such as innovations, awareness campaigns, branding, and advertising help people positively. Whereas, awful information such as rumors, malicious viruses, pornography, and revenge disturb people. The negative information contributes to chaos among people; therefore, it is to be blocked and hinder from further diffusion. This has motivated us towards the study of the problem named influence minimization. As the real world network can be modeled to a multilayer network, we focus our study towards the information diffusion through a multilayer network. Each node assigns a threshold, and its variation affects the rate of influence propagation across the network. In the influence minimization problem, the energy level of each node changes that help to formulate the function that minimizes the influence propagation. By applying two reduction policies, we are able to optimize our objective of minimizing the influence towards repulsive information. In this article, we consider the user response and its surveillance in the network. Repeated experiments on real networks has helped us to validate the proposed methods.
Emodin Prevented Depression in Chronic Unpredicted Mild Stress Exposured Rats by Targeting MiR139-5p/5-Lipoxygenase
Authors: Zhang Teng , Yang Can , Chu Jiang , Ning Linna , Zeng Peng , Wang Xiaoming , Shi Yan , Qin Baojian , Qu Na , Zhang Qi , Tian Qing
Published: March 2021

Background: Using ingredients of medicinal plants is one of the goals of developing potential drugs for treating depression. Compelling evidences suggested anti-inflammation might block the occurrence of depression. Here, the effect of a natural compound, emodin, on the developing of psychosocial stress-induced depression and the underlying mechanism were studied.Methods: 7 weeks’ chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) were performed to replicate psychosocial stress in rats, and sucrose preference test, force swimming test and open field test were used to evaluate their behaviors. The differentially expressed proteins in hippocampus were analyzed by proteomics. Nissl staining and Golgi staining were used to detect the losses of neurons and synapses, immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the activation of microglia, and ELISA was used to detect the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Western blotting, immunofluorescence and quantitative PCR were also included.Results: Hippocampal inflammation with up-regulated 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) was observed in the depressed rats after CUMS exposure. And the up-regulation of 5-LO was proved to be caused by the decrease of miR139-5p. To observe the effect of emodin, we screened out depression susceptible (DeS) rats during CUMS and treated them with emodin (80mg/kg/day). 2 weeks later, emodin obviously prevented the depression behaviors of DeS rats and a series of pathological changes in their hippocampi, such as losses of neurons and spines, microglia activation, increased interleukin-1b and tumor necrosis factor-a, and the activation of 5-LO. Furtherly, we demonstrated that emodin inhibited its excess inflammatory responses possibly by targeting miR139-5p/5-LO and modulating the downstream glycogen synthase kinase 3β and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. Conclusions: These results provided an important evidence that emodin may be a candidate agent for the treatment of depression and established a key role of miR139-5p/5-LO in the inflammation of depression.
Keeping Faith with Homoskedasticity or Going Back to Heteroskedasticity? The Case of Fatang Stocks
Authors: Curto José Dias
Published: March 2021

Did the pattern of US stock markets volatility change due to the COVID-19 or have the US stock markets been less volatile despite the pandemic shock? And as for tech stocks, are they even less volatile than the overall market? In this paper we provide evidence in favour of a ``quietness'' in the stock markets, interrupted by the COVID-19, by analysing dispersion, skewness and kurtosis characteristics of the empirical distribution of nine returns series including individual FATANG stocks (FAANG: Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google; plus Tesla) and US indices (S&P500, DJIA and NASDAQ). A new methodology based on semi-variance and semi-kurtosis is proposed. Structural breaks and conditional heteroskedasticity are also analyzed by considering the traditional symmetrical and asymmetrical GARCH models. We show that in the most recent past, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the FATANG tech stocks are characterized mostly by conditional homoskedasticity while the returns of US stock indices are mainly conditional heteroskedastic.
SOURCE: A Semi-automatic Tool for Spring Monitoring Data Analysis and Aquifer Characterization
Authors: Russo Stefano Lo , Suozzi Enrico , Gizzi Martina , Taddia Glenda
Published: March 2021

It has become increasingly necessary to optimise mountain groundwater resource management and comprehend resource recharging systems from a hydrogeological perspective in order to formulate adequate resource protection strategies. Analysing mountain spring behaviour and aquifer characteristics can be time consuming, so new automated techniques and software tools are needed to estimate hydrogeological parameters and understand exhaustion dynamics of groundwater resources. This paper introduces SOURCE, a new semi-automatic tool that automates the hydrogeological characterisation of water springs and provides proper estimations of the vulnerability index, as well as autocorrelation and cross-correlation statistical coefficients. SOURCE rapidly processed input data from the Mascognaz 1 spring (Aosta Valley) water probes and meteorological station to provide graphical outputs and values for the main hydrodynamic parameters. Having a single software package that contains all the main methods of water spring analysis could potentially reduce analysis times from a few days to a few hours.
Gene expression of Tasmanian devil facial tumors differs among host populations
Authors: Kozakiewicz Christopher P , Fraik Alexandra K , Patton Austin H , Ruiz-Aravena Manuel , Hamilton David G , Hamede Rodrigo , McCallum Hamish , Hohenlohe Paul A , Margres Mark J , Jones Menna E , Storfer Andrew
Published: March 2021

Background

Transmissible cancers lie at the intersection of oncology and infectious disease, two traditionally divergent fields for which gene expression studies are particularly useful for identifying the molecular basis of phenotypic variation. In oncology, transcriptomics studies, which characterize the expression of thousands of genes, have identified processes leading to heterogeneity in cancer phenotypes and individual prognoses. More generally, transcriptomics studies of infectious diseases characterize interactions between host, pathogen, and environment to better predict population-level outcomes. Tasmanian devils have been impacted dramatically by a transmissible cancer (devil facial tumor disease; DFTD) that has led to widespread population declines. Despite initial predictions of extinction, populations have persisted at low levels, due in part to heterogeneity in host responses, particularly between sexes. However, the processes underlying this variation remain unknown.
Results

We sequenced transcriptomes from healthy and DFTD-infected devils, as well as DFTD tumors, to characterize host responses to DFTD infection, identify differing host-tumor molecular interactions between sexes, and investigate the extent to which tumor gene expression varies among host populations. We found minimal variation in gene expression of devil lip tissues, either with respect to DFTD infection status or sex. However, 4,088 genes were differentially expressed in tumors among our sampling localities. Pathways that were up- or downregulated in DFTD tumors relative to normal tissues exhibited the same patterns of expression with greater intensity in tumors from localities that experienced DFTD for longer. No RNA sequence variants were associated with expression variation.
Conclusions

Expression variation among localities may underly phenotypic variation in the tumor, potentially manifesting in morphological differences that alter ratios of normal-to-tumor cells within biopsies. Phenotypic variation in tumors may arise from environmental variation or differences in host immune response that were undetectable in lip biopsies, potentially reflecting variation in host-tumor coevolutionary relationships among sites that differ in the time since DFTD arrival.
Perspectives From Working Parents of Children With Recurrent Acute Otitis Media During The COVID-19 Era: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Badawi Alia , Santos Christine , Rochkind Keith , Clark James H. , Canares Therese L.
Published: March 2021

BackgroundAcute otitis media (AOM) in children is a common pediatric illness which can cause significant pain and discomfort. For families of children with recurrent AOM there are additional burdens to consider, including but not limited to lost workdays, direct costs for medical care and follow up treatments, and indirect costs like childcare and transportation. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents also have to contend with the added burden of balancing their child’s needs to seek medical care and the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The aim of this study was to characterize working parents’ experiences around their children’s ear infections during the COVID-19 era. MethodsThis was a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with working parents of children with recurrent ear infections. Using grounded theory methods, content analysis was applied to identify themes that described the parental experience of AOM during the COVID-19 pandemic. ResultsEleven parents were interviewed. Notable themes were: parents described a lack of confidence in their children's AOM diagnosis or treatment; frequent doctor's visits for quick middle ear checks were inconvenient and unsatisfactory, and this was exacerbated by both COVID-19 and pressures from work-life demands; and parents described a desire for more diagnostic information at home and remote capability for ear infection telehealth check-ups. DiscussionThis study identified working parents’ challenges and dissatisfaction with taking their child to a doctor and their desire for alternative screening methods for their child's ear infections at home, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians might address working parents’ needs with validation of their difficulties, while collaborating with parents on novel approaches to remote monitoring of ear health.
10 years of Tolvaptan in ADPKD: A single center evaluation
Authors: Schirutschke Holger , Gross Peter , Paliege Alexander , Hugo Christian
Published: March 2021

Background

Tolvaptan is the only approved drug for the treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and causes significant polyuria with secondary polydipsia. Up to now, there is no study that examines tolvaptan adherence and satisfaction with information about tolvaptan in ADPKD patients on tolvaptan long-term therapy.
Methods

This non-interventional study includes 12 ADPKD patients that were formerly enrolled in the Tolvaptan Efficacy and Safety in Management of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease and Its Outcomes trial (TEMPO 3:4), in the subsequent extension trial (TEMPO 4:4) and have continued to use tolvaptan thereafter. Data were collected via questionnaires on patients’ self-reported adherence (MARS-D: Medication Adherence Report Scale - German version) and satisfaction with the information received about tolvaptan (SIMS-D: Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale - German version). In addition, serum creatinine levels and clinical data were collected.
Results

The duration of tolvaptan treatment amounted to 10.2 ± 0.3 years at a daily dosage of 90.0 ± 28.6 mg. The evaluation of MARS-D demonstrated strong adherence to tolvaptan (range of possible score: 5–25; median: 23.5; range of individual results: 5). The analysis of SIMS-D showed a high level of satisfaction with the information received about the action and usage of tolvaptan (SIMS-D AU subscore; range of possible score: 0–9; median: 9, range of individual results: 1), but also revealed clearly measureable dissatisfaction regarding the information received about potential problems of tolvaptan in 42 % of the patients (SIMS-D PP subscore; range of possible score: 0–8; median: 8, range of individual results: 6). During treatment with tolvaptan, the mean eGFR decreased from 78.8 ± 15.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 to 48.3 ± 19.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions

Although patients reported strong adherence to tolvaptan, even after 10.2 years of treatment, there was still dissatisfaction with the information received about potential problems with tolvaptan. Therefore, our data suggest conduction of at least one standardized patient survey on satisfaction with the information received about potential problems with tolvaptan in order to improve patient education regarding the use of tolvaptan in slowing ADPKD.
Trial registration:

German Clinical Trials Register; drks.de identification number: DRKS00019856
Cancer cells are selectively eliminated through UPR driven apoptosis during treatment with Aquilegia nivalis extracts
Authors: Hilal Nazia , Qadri Ozaira , Nawchoo Irshad A , Akbar Seema , Fazili Khalid Majid
Published: March 2021

BackgroundAquilegia nivalis Flax Jackson, also called Aquilegia vulgaris sub sp. nivalis (Bak.) Brühl or columbine, locally known as “Zoe-neel”, is a wild edible plant traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory medicine by the local nomadic tribes inhabiting the Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir. The plant has been used as herbal medicine since middle ages in treating ailments that include chronic rhinitis and various infectious diseases. The extracts from the plant possess antioxidant properties and have been reported to be hepatoprotective in rats. Our preliminary studies, however, pointed to hitherto unexplored anti-apoptotic potential of the plant which lead us to carry the in-depth study using breast cancer cell lines to validate its anti-cancerous properties and explore the affected pathways.MethodsMTT assay was used to draw the dose response curve and evaluate the effect of increasing concentrations of the extract on cell lines to determine the appropriate dosage to be used for further experimentation. DNA fragmentation analysis was followed through gel electrophoresis and DAPI staining was pursued by phase contrast microscopy to study apoptosis. Quantitative PCR was used to study the expression of UPR signaling and RIDD markers at the level of mRNA. Western blot analysis was used in studying the expression of the various markers of the signaling pathways. The cell cycle analysis was carried out using flow cytometry.ResultsMTT assay revealed that the methanolic extract of the plant (ANME) was selectively cytotoxic to various cancer cell lines as revealed by lower IC50 values relative to normal cell lines. The results of cell cycle analysis were similar as ANME caused Sub G1 arrest of the cell cycle. DNA fragmentation analysis, DAPI staining and western blot analysis for PARP and caspases revealed that the extract selectively induced apoptosis in cancerous cell lines. UPR markers p-Ire1α and Xbp1 splicing were consistently alleviated in a dose dependent manner, the rate of phosphorylation of eIF2a and ATF4 also decreased with increasing concentration of ANME. The RT PCR results of the RIDD marker, Blos1S1 revealed a similar dose dependent association. The methanolic extract was especially chosen for it could be easily internalized by the cells and any resultant potential bioactive compounds could gain access to the cells because of their hydrophobic nature.ConclusionOur results suggest that ANME causes deactivation of UPR signaling pathway facilitating apoptosis selectively in cancerous cells, paving the way forward for a novel approach in cancer therapeutics.
Effect of Vıtamın B12 on Acetic Acıd Induced Colıtıs 
Authors: Ozsoy Seyma , Ozsoy Zeki , Gevrek Fikret , Yeniova Abdullah Ozgur
Published: March 2021

Background/Aims:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing, and remittent inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Nutritional deficiency may be instrumental and contributable in this disease, among which vitamin B12 deficiency has been identified in IBD. Since the relationship between vitamin B12 and IBD remains controversial, in this study, we have examined the effect of vitamin B12 supplementation on acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis in rats.
Methods

Total of 28 rats were randomized into four groups of seven animals per group; Group 1 (Control saline) was the control group, group 2 (AA colitis control) was the disease control group, group 3 (VitB12) was the vitamin B12 alone treatment group, group 4 (VitB12 treatment in AA colitis) was the AA-induced colitis VitB12 treatment group. Weight change was measured. Macroscopic and microscopic scores were measured in each group. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reduced (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in each group.
Results

Macroscopic scores, as well as microscopic scores, were not different between the group. Also, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, MPO, MDA, and SOD did not differ between AA control and VitB12 treated AA colitic group. However, the levels of IL-6 and GSH were significantly different in rats with AA-induced colitis after vitamin B12 injection.
Conclusion

Nutritional deficiencies might contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD, but in this study, the efficacy of vitamin B12 supplementation has controversial effects on the intestinal mucosa.
Dietary phytochemical index associated with cardiovascular risk factor in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Aghdam Saeideh Delshad , Siassi Fereydoun , Esfahani Ensieh Nasli , Qorbani Mostafa , Rajab Asadollah , Sajjadpour Zahra , Bashiri Anahita , Aghayan Maryam , Sotoudeh Gity
Published: March 2021

Background

Dietary phytochemical index (DPI) is useful and inexpensive method to identify the role of phytochemicals on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This study aimed to assess the relationship between DPI and CVD risk factors in patients with type1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).
Methods

A total of 261 participants aged 18–35 years with T1DM were enrolled in this cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between DPI and CVD risk factors. Anthropometric measurements, blood lipids, glucose, and antioxidant level were measured. Food intakes were determined using a food frequency questionnaire to calculate DPI. Logistic regression was used.
Results

The mean age of participants was 25 years. After adjustment for potential confounders, participants in the highest tertile of DPI had 88% lower chance of hyperglycemia (P for trend = 0.020), 81% lower chance of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P for trend = 0.030) and 98% lower chance of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL-C ratio (P for tend = 0.040). There were no relationships between DPI and other CVD risk factors.
Conclusions

Although higher intake of phytochemical-rich foods had a beneficial effect on some risk factors of CVD, more studies more studies are warranted to corroborate the present findings.
Probabilistic multi – hazard assessment at an active but under-monitored volcano: Ceboruco, Mexico
Authors: Constantinescu Robert , Zuccoloto Karime González , Ferrés Dolors , Sieron Katrin , Siebe Claus , Connor Charles , Capra Lucia , Tonini Roberto
Published: March 2021

We conduct a probabilistic volcanic hazard assessment for Ceboruco volcano (Mexico) using PyBetVH, an e-tool based on the Bayesian event tree (BET) methodology. We use available information about the volcano, including eruptive history, numerical and theoretical models, to generate probability maps. Our hazard assessment accounts for the variability of eruption types expected at Ceboruco and the hazardous volcanic phenomena these eruptions generate. We create a generic event tree for Ceboruco to account for magmatic and amagmatic activity. For a magmatic eruption, we choose three scenarios: i) small (effusive), ii) medium (vulcanian/subPlinian) and iii) large (Plinian) based on the Holocene history of the volcano; with their related hazardous phenomena: ballistics, tephra fallout, pyroclastic density currents, lahars and lava flows. Despite numerous eruptions in the latest Holocene and efforts by several university and government groups to create and sustain a monitoring network, Ceboruco remains under-monitored, meaning that it is intermittently rather than continuously monitored by dedicated groups. With no consistent monitoring data available, we look at the geology and the eruptive history to inform our prior models. We estimate the probability of a magmatic eruption within the next time window (1 year) of ~ 0.002. We show how the BET creates higher probabilities in the absence of monitoring data. That is, there is a cost in terms of higher probabilities and higher uncertainties for having not yet developed a sustained volcano monitoring network. We present absolute probability maps (unconditional in terms of eruption size and vent location) for a magmatic eruption at Ceboruco volcano. With PyBetVH we estimate and visualize the uncertainties associated with each hazard map. Our intent is that hazard maps and uncertainties will be useful to local authorities who need to understand the hazard maps when considering the development of long-term urban and land-use planning and short-term crisis management strategies, and to the scientific community in their efforts to sustain monitoring of this active volcano.
Task-dependent effects of nicotine treatment on auditory performance in young-adult and elderly human nonsmokers
Authors: Sun Shuping , Kapolowicz Michelle , Richardson Matthew , Metherate Raju , Zeng Fan-Gang
Published: March 2021

Rationale

Electrophysiological studies show that nicotine enhances neural responses to characteristic frequency stimuli. Previous behavioral studies partially corroborate these findings in young adults, showing that nicotine selectively enhances auditory processing in difficult listening conditions. The present work extended previous work to include both young and older adults and assessed the nicotine effect on sound frequency and intensity discrimination.
Objectives

Hypotheses were that nicotine improves auditory performance and that the degree of improvement is inversely proportional to baseline performance.
Methods

Young (19–23 years old) normal-hearing nonsmokers and elderly (61–80) nonsmokers with normal hearing up to at least 2 kHz received nicotine gum (6 mg) or placebo gum in a single-blind, randomized crossover design. Participants performed three experiments (frequency discrimination, frequency modulation identification, and intensity discrimination) before and after treatment. The perceptual differences were analyzed between post-treatment nicotine and placebo conditions as a function of pre-treatment baseline performance.
Results

Nicotine significantly improved performance for intensity discrimination, and improvement was more pronounced in the elderly with lower baseline performance. Nicotine had no overall effect on the two frequency related tasks.
Conclusions

Nicotine effects are task-dependent, enhancing intensity discrimination but not frequency performance.
Near Infra-Red Labelling and Tracking of Transplanted Corneal Endothelial Graft
Authors: Bhogal Maninder , Ang Heng-Pei , Lin Shu-Jun , Chan Lwin , Adnan Khadijah , Peh Gary , Mehta Jodhbir
Published: March 2021

Following corneal transplantation, there is an initial decline in corneal endothelial cells (CECs) following graft preparation and surgery. Monitoring post-transplantation is only possible months after surgery by specular microscopy, which has a limited field of view. We have developed a labelling approach using 1,1’-dioctadecyl-3,3,3’,3’-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine iodide (DIR) dye solution, that enabled tracking of labelled CECs in vivo for at least one month. Initial in vitro optimization of dye concentration, cellular toxicity and real-time cell migration was assessed using propagated primary CECs. Subsequent in vivo evaluation of cellular labelling was assessed within a rabbit wound healing model. Finally, real-time visualization of human cadaver donor tissue incubated in DIR transplanted into rabbits was achieved using the Heidelberg Spectralis. Results revealed detectable fluorescence increased with concentration to a plateau of 100µg/ml, with no toxicity of CECs at any concentration evaluated. DIR-labelled CECs were detectable in vivo upto 1 month, and transplanted labelled donor graft could be visualized and were trackable in vivo. Acute endothelial rejection in 1 rabbit was evidenced by detectable DIR positive cells within the anterior chamber. DIR imaging allowed for detailed imaging of the transplanted corneal endothelium, and enabled non-invasive observation of the corneal endothelial morphology following transplantation.
Mode of action of Lippia graveolens essential oil on Salmonellaenterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Ortega Annie Rubio , Guinoiseau Elodie , Quilichini Yann , Serra Dominique de Rocca , Poli Jean-Pierre , Novelles Maria del Carmen Travieso , Castaño Ivette Espinosa , Pérez Oriela Pino , Berti Liliane , Lorenzi Vannina
Published: March 2021

The essential oils are a powerful natural resource with antibacterial activity. This work aims at the mode of action of Lippia graveolens Kunth essential oil of plants growing in Cuba on Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium. The effects of this oil on cell integrity were determined by time-kill, bacteriolysis and loss of 260 and 280-nm-absorbing material assays and total proteins leakage. Also, depolarization of the membrane by essential oil was monitored and intracellular and extracellular ATP was measured. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for observed morphologic change. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of L. graveolens essential oil and minimum bactericide concentration (MBC) were 0.4 and 0.8 mg/mL respectively. This essential oil showed a bactericidal action against over S . Typhimurium in a few minutes. After treatment, the cell lysis was not occurred, but little intracellular material and total proteins leakage were observed. This essential oil depolarizes the cell membrane, disturb metabolic processes and changes the structure of cytoplasmic membrane. These results suggest as primary mode of action of L. graveolens essential oil over S . Typhimurium an increased permeability of the membrane and depolarization of inside membrane, inhibition of ATPase or disturbance in proton motive force that finally provokes death of cells. L. graveolens essential oil is a botanic resource can be used for the control of the salmonellosis, foodborne disease.
Ovarian Tumor Mitochondria Exhibit Abnormal Phenotypes and Blunted Associations with Biobehavioral Factors
Authors: Bindra Snehal , McGill Marlon , Triplett Marina , Tyagi Anisha , Thaker Premal , Dahmoush Laila , Goodheart Michael , Ogden Todd , Owusu-Ansah Edward , Karan Kalpita , Cole Steve , Sood Anil , Lutgendorf Susan , Picard Martin
Published: March 2021

Tumor cells exhibit mitochondrial alterations and are also influenced by biobehavioral processes, but the intersection of biobehavioral factors and tumor mitochondria remains unexplored. Here we examined multiple biochemical and molecular markers of mitochondrial content and function in benign and cancerous ovarian tissue in parallel with exploratory analyses of biobehavioral factors. First, analysis of a publicly-available database (n=1,435) showed that gene expression of specific mitochondrial proteins in ovarian tumors is associated with survival. Quantifying multiple biochemical and molecular markers of mitochondrial content and function in 51 benign and 128 high-grade epithelial ovarian tumors revealed that compared to benign tissue, tumors exhibit 3.3-8.4-fold higher mitochondrial content and respiratory chain enzymatic activities (P<0.001) but similar mitochondrial DNA levels (-3.1%), documenting abnormal mitochondrial phenotypes in tumors. Mitochondrial respiratory chain activity was also associated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in ascites. In benign tissue, negative biobehavioral factors were inversely correlated with mitochondrial content and respiratory chain activities, whereas positive biobehavioral factors tended to be positively correlated with mitochondrial measures, although effect sizes were small to medium (r=-0.43 to 0.47). In contrast, serous tumors showed less pronounced biobehavioral-mitochondrial correlations. These results document abnormal mitochondrial functional phenotypes in ovarian tumors and warrant further research on the link between biobehavioral factors and mitochondria in cancer.
Identification of a Phosphorus-Solubilizing Tsukamurella Tyrosinosolvens Strain and its Effect on the Bacterial Diversity of the Rhizosphere Soil of Peanuts Growth-Promoting
Authors: Han Lizhen , Zhang Hong
Published: March 2021

Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms widely exist in plant rhizosphere soil, but report about the P solubilization and multiple growth-promoting properties of rare actinomycetes are scarce. In this paper, a phosphate solubilizing Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens P9 strain was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tea plants. Phosphorus-dissolving abilities of this strain were different under different carbon and nitrogen sources, the soluble phosphorus content was 442.41 mg/L with glucose and potassium nitrate as nutrient sources. The secretion of various organic acids, such as lactic acid, maleic acid, oxalic acid, etc, was the main mechanism for P solubilization and pH value in culture was very significant negative correlation with soluble P content. In addition, this strain had multiple growth-promoting characteristics with 37.26 μg/mL of IAA and 72.01% of siderophore relative content. Under pot experiments, P9 strain improved obviously the growth of peanut seedlings. The bacterial communities of peanut rhizoshpere soil were assessed after inoculated with P9 strain. It showed that there was no significant difference in alpha-diversity indices between the inoculation and control groups, but the P9 treatment group changed the composition of bacterial communities, which increased the relative abundance of beneficial and functional microbes, which relative abundances of Chitinophagaceae and Beijerinckiaceae at the family level, and of Flavihumibacter , Ramlibacter and Microvirga at the genus level, were all siginificant increased. Specially, Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens were only detected in the rhizosphere of the inoculated group. This study not only founded growth-promoting properties of T . tyrosinosolvens P9 strain and its possible phosphate solublizing mechanism, but also expected to afford an excellent strain resource in biological fertilizers.
Cytokine Signature and COVID-19 Prediction Models in the Two Waves of Pandemics.
Authors: Cabaro Serena , D'Esposito Vittoria , Matola Tiziana Di , Sale Silvia , Cennamo Michele , Terracciano Daniela , Parisi Valentina , Oriente Francesco , Portella Giuseppe , Beguinot Francesco , Atripaldi Luigi , Sansone Mario , Formisano Pietro
Published: March 2021

In Europe, two waves of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) have been observed to date. Here, we have investigated whether common patterns of cytokines could be detected in individuals with mild and severe forms of COVID-19 in the two pandemic waves, and whether machine learning approach could be useful to identify the best predictors. An increasing trend of multiple cytokines was observed in patients with mild or severe/critical symptoms of COVID-19, compared with healthy volunteers. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) clearly recognized the three groups based on cytokine patterns. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) further indicated that IL-6 discriminated controls and COVID-19 patients, whilst IL-8 defined disease severity. During the second wave of pandemics, a less intense cytokine storm was observed. CART analysis revealed that IL-6 was the most robust predictor of infection and discriminated moderate COVID-19 patients from healthy controls, regardless of epidemic peak curve. Thus, serum cytokine patterns provide non-invasive biomarkers useful for COVID-19 diagnosis and prognosis. Further definition of individual cytokines may allow to envision novel therapeutic options and pave the way to set up innovative diagnostic tools.
Perinatal Mood Disorders in Second Trimester Pregnant Women with Cervical Insufficiency, a Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Luo Chunqi , Zou Qiaojian , Liang Huiling , Chen Jingyi , Chen Xuanmin , Yang Weiquan , Chen Jiebing , Yao Shuzhong
Published: March 2021

Background: Perinatal mood disorders can seriously endanger the health of pregnant women and fetus, affect family relationships and cause heavy burden and potential hazards to family and society. This study aims to investigate anxiety and depression in second trimester pregnant women with cervical insufficiency (CI) and identify its risk factors, so as to provide guidance for daily clinic work.Methods: From April 2019 to July 2020, 98 mid-pregnancy women with CI underwent laparoscopic cervical cerclage in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were selected as observation group and 166 normal pregnant women in second trimester were set as control group. Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were applied to evaluate perinatal mood disorders in both groups.Results: Pregnant women in CI group had a SAS score of 46.31±11.29 and SDS score of 54.12±11.72, higher than the SAS score of 41.63±7.70 and SDS score of 47.56±9.31 in control group (both P<0.001). While 32.65% and 67.35% of pregnant women in observation group were considered to have different degrees of anxiety and depression, only 15.06% and 30.72% of normal pregnant women meet the same condition (both P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that educational experience is an independent protective factor for depression disorder in second trimester pregnant women with CI.Conclusion: Pregnant women with CI are prone to develop anxiety and depression in the second trimester than normal pregnant women, therefore doctors and nurses should pay more attention to them in clinic work.
Uncovering the Universality of COVID-19 Fatality Rates
Authors: Leão João Rodrigo Souza , Lima Gustavo Zampier Dos Santos
Published: March 2021

An important and elusive characteristic of the COVID-19 pandemic is the fatality rate which allows us to understand the severity of this disease, health care needs, and the impact on large populations. To address this and other questions we present a probabilistic model to study the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and to correct the case fatality rates. Our model employs probabilities to estimate the time evolution of infections, recoveries, and deaths. This model discriminates asymptomatic, mild/moderate, and severe cases and allows for the estimation of undiagnosed individuals. Furthermore, we compare the model curves to official data for medium-sized cities, world metropolises, and medium-sized countries, spanning a range of populations from a few million to several million individuals. Using the undiagnosed estimates we correct the case fatality rates and find that it ranges from 0.33% ± 0.02% to 1.14% ± 0.07%. Since we applied the method to cities and countries with different characteristics, the corrected case fatality rates indicate a universality that is independent of location and other social/demographic conditions. Our results agree with sample tests and seroprevalence studies, considerably changing our understanding of the COVID-19 fatality rates. Other applications include the estimate for severe cases, ICU needs, and undiagnosed cases.