bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel neoadjuvant regimen of chemo-immuno-embolization with transcatheter rectal arterial intervention in locally advanced rectal cancer: a study protocol for a phase II trial (CIETAI-R)
Authors: Yang Weina , Qian Chengyuan , Li Mengxia , Chen Chuan , Xu Yu , Zhu Jianwu , Shan Jinlu , Feng Yan , Dai Nan , Luo Hao , Chen Qian , Yang Xiao , Xiao He , Li Chunxue , Wang Dong
Published: November 2023

Background
Recent evidence suggests that patients with mismatch repair-deficient/microsatellite instability-high LARC are exceptionally sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), However, the majority of LARC patients are microsatellite-stable. Therefore, there is an urgent need to enhance the effectiveness of ICIs in this population. Hence, we propose a novel neoadjuvant protocol for LARC patients: chemo-immuno-embolization with transcatheter rectal arterial intervention (CIETAI), followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy.
Methods
This prospective, single-arm, phase II clinical trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CIETAI in the management of LARC. The trial will consecutively recruit at least 37 stage II/III LARC patients from Daping hospital in China whose distal tumor are ≤ 15 cm from the anal verge. Enrolled patients will receive a sequential arterial infusion of oxaliplatin (100 mg) and PD-1 monoclonal antibody tislelizumab (200 mg) and subsequent embolization of the major rectal tumor-feeding artery using gelatin sponge particles and iodixanol. The dose of oxaliplatin was calculated according to body surface area (BSA; 130 mg/m2), of which 100 mg was infused and the remaining dose was administered intravenously. Tislelizumab will be administered intravenously every 3 weeks for an additional two cycles. Additionally, all enrolled patients will receive LCRT (45 Gy in 25 fractions: 1.8 Gy per fraction, 5 days/week), along with two 21-day cycles of capecitabine (1000 mg/m2, bid, po, day1–14). The TME surgery will be scheduled for 4 to 8 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy. Trial accrual opened on January, 2023, and scheduled to end on June, 2026.
Discussion
We will explore if the addition of CIETAI to chemoradiotherapy as part of neoadjuvant therapy in LARC will be safe and improve the pathological complete response rate. This study protocol is pioneering in its approach, as it introduces the administration of an anti-PD-1 antibody through tumor-feeding arteries within the neoadjuvant treatment framework, which may help reverse the immune desertification observed in LARC and their resistance to immunotherapy.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05957016
Forward programming of hiPSCs towards beta-like cells using Ngn3, Pdx1, and MafA
Authors: Jeyagaran Abiramy , Urbanczyk Max , Layland Shannon L. , Weise Frank , Schenke-Layland Katja
Published: November 2023

Transplantation of stem cell-derived β-cells is a promising therapeutic advancement in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. A current limitation of this approach is the long differentiation timeline of up to two months that generates a heterogeneous population of pancreatic endocrine cells. To address this limitation, an inducible lentiviral overexpression system of mature β-cell markers was introduced into human induced-pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Following selection of the successfully transduced hiPSCs, the cells were treated with doxycycline in pancreatic progenitor induction medium to support their transition towards the pancreatic lineage. Cells cultured with doxycycline presented the markers of interest, NGN3, PDX1, and MAFA, after five days of culture, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assays demonstrated that the cells were glucose-responsive in a monolayer culture. When cultured as a spheroid, the markers of interest and insulin secretion in a parallel glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assay were maintained; however, insulin secretion upon consecutive glucose challenges was limited. Comparison to human fetal and adult donor tissues identified that although the hiPSC-derived spheroids present similar markers to adult insulin-producing cells, they are functionally representative of fetal development. Together, these results suggest that with optimization of the temporal expression of these markers, forward programming of hiPSCs towards insulin-producing cells could be a possible alternative for islet transplantation.
Adolescents’ self-perceived health, life satisfaction and subjective vitality during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis based on education level, sex and physical activity status.
Authors: Mata Carlos , Onofre Marcos , Papaioannou Athanasios G. , Martins João
Published: November 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents' routines were affected, leading to increased sedentary behaviors, decreased physical activity (PA) and social contacts, and negative impacts on mental health. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare adolescents' self-perceptions related to health, vitality, and life satisfaction, by sex, PA and education levels during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a timeframe of many restrictions, before the second lockdown that would take place in January 2021. A total of 1369 Portuguese students (621 boys and 748 girls; mean age: 14.4 years old; SD: 1.74) participated in this study. Differences between groups were analyzed using ANCOVA, adjusted for age, standardized BMI, socioeconomic status, 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous PA before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 3.1% of the adolescents met the international guidelines for PA. Overall, the results showed low levels of adolescents' health self-perceptions, especially for girls. This study provides insights about adolescents' self-perceptions on health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the associations between restrictive measures and adolescents' mental health and PA levels. Studies will be required to assess students' self-perceptions upon return to normalcy and seek to understand what negative effects on adolescents' mental health and well-being remained.
Comprehensive assessment of cellular senescence and aging in the tumor microenvironment of sarcoma
Authors: Zan Pengfei , Zhang Yi , Zhang Yiwei , Chen Qingjing , Duan Zhengwei , Guan Yonghao , Liu Kaiyuan , Shang Anquan , Li Zihua
Published: November 2023

SARC (sarcoma) is a heterogeneous group of stromal tumors originating from mesenchymal tissues with poor prognosis. There is growing evidence that senescent cells in the tumor microenvironments (TME) are associated with the development and metastasis of cancer. The impact of senescence on sarcomas has been initially recognized, but not fully understood. Here, we revealed that senescence level and age were both associated with TME, immune treatment indicators and prognosis in SARC. WGCNA and least-selection absolute regression algorithm (LASSO) were used to track senescence-related genes and create a senescence predictor. Consequently, the three genes (RAD54, PIK3IP1, TRIP13) were selected to construct a multiple linear regression model. Through validation cohorts, IHC and qPCR, the predictors conducted by the three genes were proved to have prognostic and pathological significance. The senescence predictor may provide a novel insight into the study of molecular mechanisms and candidate biomarkers for the prognosis, resulting in effective treatments for SARC.
Fortifying Nigeria's Future: A Security Companion Against Insurgency
Authors: Dah John , Hussin Norhayati , Zaini Muhamad Khairulnizam , Helda Linda Isaac , Ametefe Divine Senanu , Aliu Abdulmalik Adozuka , Ali Zainab Abdi
Published: November 2023

Nigeria, a nation grappling with a major security crisis that has resulted in approximately 3.1 million citizens being internally displaced, is in dire need of innovative solutions. This study explores one such solution - a mobile application designed to enhance security and safety, which we term the Security and Safety Mobile Application (hereafter referred to as SAPP). The SAPP, an android-based application, facilitates emergency notifications to friends and family during situations such as terrorist attacks, robberies, kidnappings, fire outbreaks, and road accidents. The first part of this study followed the Design Science Research methodology (DSR) to conceptualize and create the SAPP. The second part focused on evaluating the SAPP's acceptance level among users through an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), a model specifically modified for this study. A purposive sampling method was adopted, targeting users who have had experience with the SAPP. Out of 400 potential respondents, a total of 388 responses were received. The study found that the SAPP garnered a high acceptance level among users, with an average mean score of 3.936 out of 5 for their "Intention to use" the SAPP. This evaluation also investigated the interrelationships between the modified TAM’s constructs, which include mobile skilfulness, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude towards use, and intention to use. The results of this study not only provide insights into cost-effective solutions to societal challenges, like insurgency, but also demystify the factors influencing users' adoption of new technologies. This knowledge can be instrumental for future research in Design Science Research and studies examining user adoption behaviour in the social sciences.
Invitro Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Selected Ethno-Medicinal Plants from West Shewa Zone
Authors: Abata Bacha , Berhanu Wesenu , Abdisa Kebede
Published: November 2023

An in vitro experimental study was conducted in Ambo University, Mamo Mezemir Campus from November, 2020 to August, 2021 to evaluate antibacterial effect of Leaves of W. somnifera, steam of Cl. ansita, leaves of C. papaya, fruit of S. incanum, roots of R. nepalensis and leaves of N. tabacum against Bacterial species (Escherichia coli/ATCC 25322, Staphylococcus aureus/ATCC 13076, Entrococcus feacalis/ATCC 29212 and Pseudomonas aeruginousa/ATCC 27853). The antimicrobial activities of the extract against test organisms were tested by using agar well diffusion assay and the MIC and MBC values were determined by agar dilution assay. The results revealed that the methanol extracts of Nicotiana tabacum, Carica papaya, Rumex nepalensis, Solinum incanum and Withania somnifera had most antibacterial activity against S. aereus, E. coli, E. faecalis and P. aeruginousa, but Methanol extract of Clausena anisata, had no activity against E. coli, E. faecalis and P. aeruginousa. The methanol extract of Rumex nepalensis had most activity than other extracts against S. aereus, E. coli, E. faecalis and P. aeruginousa, with MIC ranged from 6.25mg/ml to 25mg/ml and MBC ranged from 12.5mg/ml to 50mg/ml. Moderate antibacterial activity result has also been recorded from leaves of W. somnifera and stem of Clausena ansita extract against S. aureus (18.83 ± 0.76mm) and (13 ± 0) respectively. The methanolic extract of Carica papaya exhibited maximum activity against S. aureus (25.67 ± 0.5 8mm) and least towards E. coli (7.67 ± 0.58mm). The main components of plant-derived phytochemicals revealed from present studies are flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, phenolics and Phlobatanins. However, Phytosterols were found only in Solinum incanum extracts. Generally, the current experimental study showed that all extracts have antibacterial activities against all tested standard organism which, play a vital role to substitute resist drugs as evidenced by high zone of inhibition. However, further antibacterial activity tests are needed to be performed using other methods for that plant that did not show any antibacterial activity in this study.
Nonlinear least-squares curve fitting method for detection of overlapped FBG temperature sensor spectra
Authors: Sadik Serif Ali
Published: November 2023

This study introduces a novel approach to address the challenge of separating partially and fully overlapped spectra in Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. Leveraging the Nonlinear Least-Squares Curve Fitting method with the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LMA), the proposed algorithm successfully detects distinct FBG peaks even in complex spectral superpositions. This investigation utilized two Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, with one subjected to varying temperatures and the other maintained at a constant temperature as a reference. The reflection spectra from the FBG sensors were analyzed across 20 distinct temperature values, and the proposed algorithm accurately identified the peak wavelengths of both sensors with precision. Examination of the relative errors in the detected peak wavelengths revealed a maximum percentage error of 0.0025%. This finding underscores the capability of the proposed algorithm to achieve highly accurate peak detection in densely multiplexed FBG sensors, particularly in applications demanding precise measurements across numerous points within a sensor network.
Effect of supplementary irrigation on the yield of sorghum crop (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in the context of climate change in the dry Savannahs of Togo
Authors: ATIGLO-GBENOU Adjiwanou , SOGBEDJI Jean Mianikpo , AZOUMA Yoavi Ouézou
Published: November 2023

Under the current context of climate change, supplementary irrigation may be needed for crop production resiliency. We determined the effects of supplementary irrigation on sorghum grain yield in the dry Savannah region of Togo. A test was conducted in a controlled environment at AREJ, an agro-ecological center in Cinkassé. The plant material included sorghum variety Sorvato 28. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with three replications and three treatments as follow : T0 control plot (rainfed conditions) ; T1 (supplementary irrigation from flowering to grain filling stage) and T2 (supplementary irrigation from planting to grain filling stage). Two irrigation techniques (furrow and Californian system) were used under each watering treatment. The results showed that irrigation technique significantly affected panicle length with no effect on 1000 grains mass. Panicle length and grain yields varied from 15.59 to 25.71 cm and 0.0 to 2.06 t/ha, respectively, with highest values (25.66 cm and 2.06 t/ha, respectively) under the T2 treatment with the California system-based supplementary irrigation. The comparison of result obtained on treatment T0 and T2, show that supplementary irrigation increased the yields observed by at least 68.62%. Supplementary irrigation during sowing and growing season (T2) improved sorghum yields in the dry savannahs of Togo, with a better performance of the California irrigation system.
Influence of different reynolds numbers and geometries on water jacket cooling performance in a compression ignition engine
Authors: Kantaroğlu Emrah
Published: November 2023

In this study, the effect of cooling water Re number and geometry on the cooling performance of the water jacket of the F-Type F8Q 706 engine has been investigated. For this purpose, a 1D model of the engine has been created and verified with the engine performance test results. The effective power for 2500 rpm in the model has been 8.785% higher than the test in the engine catalogue. In another test, the power value has been calculated to be 8.411% higher on average for all engine speeds. Using the in-cylinder pressures and temperatures have been taken from the 1D model, some boundary conditions of the 3D water jacket CFD model have been calculated from the analytical equations. In the calculations have been made in 3D CFD analysis, the stored heat has been decreased by 62.57% from 22128.97 Re to 6175.79 Re. In addition, the average temperature on the cylinder liner surface has been increased by 21.82% at the same Re numbers. At the end of the geometric structure analysis, the finned jacket geometry has been increased the stored heat by 42.01% and the number of PECs by 20.74%. Thus, in the water jacket heat transfer calculations have been made using a validated 1D engine model in addition to analytical and numerical calculations, it has been observed that the change in geometric properties created a good heat storage ability.
Unraveling Reproductive and Maternal Health Challenges of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Nguyen Lynn T. , Le Giang M. , Nguyen Diep B. , Nguyen Trang T. , Lin Chunqing
Published: November 2023

Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a significant public health concern worldwide. Women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) have the additional and unique need to seek sexual and reproductive health services. WLHA’s maternal health journeys can be shaped by the cultural norms and resources that exist in their society. This study sought to understand if and how WLHA’s family planning, pregnancy, and motherhood experiences could be influenced by the patriarchal culture, gender roles, and HIV stigma in Vietnam, specifically. Methods Between December 2021 and March 2022, 30 WLHA with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and childbirth experiences were interviewed in Hanoi, Vietnam. These semi-structured interviews covered topics including HIV stigma, gender norms, pregnancy experiences, and child-rearing challenges. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using ATLAS.ti. Results Qualitative analyses of participant quotes revealed how limited information on one’s health prospects and reproductive options posed a significant challenge to family planning. Societal and familial expectations as well as economic circumstances also influenced reproductive decision-making. WLHA often encountered substandard healthcare during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Stigma and lack of provider attentiveness resulted in cases where women were denied pain relief and other medical services. Communication breakdowns resulted in failure to administer antiretroviral therapy for newborns. Motherhood for WLHA was shadowed by concerns for not only their own health, but also the wellbeing of their children, as HIV stigma affected their children at school and in society as well. Many WLHA highlighted the constructive or destructive role that family members could play in their childbirth decision-making and care-giving experiences. Conclusions Overall, this study underscores the complex ways that cultural expectations, family support, and stigma in healthcare impact WLHA. Efforts to educate and engage families and healthcare providers are warranted to better understand and address the needs of WLHA, ultimately improving their reproductive and maternal health.
Evidence of filamentary superconductivity in pressurized La3Ni2O7-delta single crystals
Authors: Sun Liling , Zhou Yazhou , Guo Jing , Cai Shu , Wang Pengyu , Zhao Jinyu , Han Jinyu , Chen Xintian , Wu Qi , Ding Yang , Xiang Tao , Mao Ho-Kwang
Published: November 2023

Since the discoveries of high-temperature superconductivity in cuprate superconductors1,2, the attempts to understand their superconducting mechanism and search for new high-temperature superconducting families have never been paused in over three decades. Recently, the signatures of superconductivity near 80 K have been discovered in the single crystal of La3Ni2O7-d under pressure3, which makes it a new candidate of the high-temperature superconductors dominated by 3d transition elements after the cuprate and iron-pnictide superconductors1,2,4, and has attracted significant attention. However, the superconductivity, characterized by the zero resistance and the Meissner effect, is anomalously irreproducible in La3Ni2O7-d. In this study, we report the experimental results obtained from highly sensitive ac susceptibility measurements, which reveal that the maximum superconducting volume fraction in the La3Ni2O7-d sample is approximately 1% (employing superconducting vanadium as a reference). In tandem with the observation of the zero-resistance state only in some of the samples, we suggest that the superconductivity in this nickelate is filamentary-like. Furthermore, from the high-pressure Hall coefficient (RH) measurements, we find that RH remains positive under pressure up to 28.8 GPa but displays a significant change in RH(P) at the critical pressure of about 10 GPa, where the superconductivity emerges, highlighting the crucial role of hole-carrier enhancement in boosting the superconductivity in La3Ni2O7-d. Our results provide new insights into understanding the puzzling questions of the high-Tc superconductivity emerging from this complex system and a clue for exploring new high-Tc superconducting materials in 3d transition metal compounds.
PSMC6 as a Potential Novel Prognostic and Diagnostic Marker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Immune Infiltration and Drug Sensitivity
Authors: Li Xue Yu , Li Yan Juan , Wei Liu Ting , Huang QiongQing , Tang YanPing , Cao Ji , Rong Min Hua
Published: November 2023

Objective: ATPase proteasome 26S subunit 6(PSMC6), a member of the 19S regulatory subunit of the 26S proteasome. It catalyszes bears the responsibility of catalyzing the unfolding and translocation of substrates into the confines of the 20S proteasome. It has shown its ascending significance in multiple cancers such as Lung adenocarcinoma, Glioma, and Breast invasive carcinoma. However, no systematic analysis has been conducted to explore its function hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). in this study, we explored the relationship between PSMC6 expression in the HCC and clinical prognosis, immune infiltration, and drug sensitivity.
METHODS: We analyzed RNA expression data of patients with HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GEO databases to explore the value of PSMC6 mRNA expression in clinical prognosis. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were employed to validate PSMC6 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. We then investigated cell viability and migratory ability by CCK8 and transwell assay, respectively.
Results: The expression of PSMC6 in HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (p < 0.001). PSMC6 expression was closely correlated with immune cell infiltration. Twelve sensitive drugs were screened in the PSMC6 high-expression group, and further experiments confirmed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of PSMC6 in HCC cells were upregulated. PSMC6 knockdown by Small interfering RNA significantly reduced HCC cancer cell viability and invasion .
CONCLUSION: PSMC6 may be used as a novel prognostic marker, which and can help be used to formulate personalized treatments for HCC patients.
Evaluating Differences in the Proteome Within Extracellular Vesicles Between Pre- Malignant and Malignant Plasma Cell Disorders
Authors: Vanderboom Patrick M. , Chawla Yogesh , Dasari Surendra , Kapoor Isha , Kumar Shaji K. , N K Sreekumaran , Gonsalves Wilson I.
Published: November 2023

Background: Precursor plasma cell disorders such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) always precede the development of active malignancies such as multiple myeloma (MM). There is a need for novel biomarkers to identify those patients with such precursor plasma cell disorders who rapidly progress to MM. Plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may serve as a reservoir of potential biomarkers that can shed light on the pathogenesis and disease biology in MM.
Methods: This study isolated small EVs (SEVs) and large EVs (LEVs) from the platelet-poor peripheral blood plasma of MGUS (n=9) and MM (n=12) patients using the size exclusion chromatography (SEC)-based method and evaluated their proteome using a label-free proteomics workflow.
Results: In total, 2,055 proteins were identified in SEVs, while 2,794 proteins were identified in LEVs. The transferrin receptor (TFRC or CD71) protein was upregulated in both populations of EVs derived from MM patients compared to MGUS patients and was of prognostic significance. Similarly, three isoforms of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein, SAA1, SAA2, and SAA4, were also highly upregulated in SEVs within MM patients relative to MGUS patients. Finally, CD40 expression was also higher within the LEVs derived from MM patients than MGUS patients.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of successfully isolating both SEVs and LEVs from the peripheral blood of patients with plasma cell disorders and quantifying protein biomarkers within these EVs that could be of prognostic and diagnostic interest.
Enhanced Mode-Locked Laser Control with Deep Reinforcement Learning: A Comparative Study with DDQN, TD3 and SAC Algorithms
Authors: Chen Gezhi , Luo Saiyu , Li Li
Published: November 2023

Deep reinforcement learning algorithms, i.e. Double Deep Q Network (DDQN), Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic policy gradient (TD3), and Soft Actor-Critic (SAC), have recently found their applications in laser mode-locking. However, their performances have not yet been compared in detail. We show the implementation of the three AI algorithms on a simulated fiber laser mode-locked by nonlinear polarization rotation. The reward function is specifically designed to maximize the tendency of mode-locking by introducing kurtosis in frequency domain. The training curves indicate that TD3 and SAC outperform DDQN in multi-input context. DDQN has difficulty in handling multiple inputs and tends to have issues with convergence. While TD3 is most stable and efficient, SAC is more advantageous in searching various states. The simulation pulse evolution diagrams of these states are also listed to confirm the feasibility of training a mode-locked laser model through the three AI algorithms.
Evaluation of Width and Thickness of Attached Gingiva and Its Association with Age, Gender and Arch Location in Nepalese Population
Authors: Rijal Arjun Hari , Dhami Bhageshwar , Khapung Anju , Ghimire Pratistha
Published: November 2023

Purpose
The width and thickness of attached gingiva are important clinical parameters. Considerable variations exist in the same as well as in different individuals. This study aimed to assess the width and thickness of the attached gingiva and its relationship with age, gender, and arch location in the Nepalese patients.
Methods
An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 individuals visiting periodontics department who were categorized into three age-groups with equal distribution of gender in each group. The width of attached gingiva (WAG) was determined using University of North Carolina − 15 probe after locating the mucogingival junction. Data were gathered, entered in excel sheet version 19 and SPSS version 20 was used for further analysis. Mean and standard deviation were calculated. Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA was used to find out the significant difference between variables. Correlation between dependent and independent variables was discovered with the help of Pearson correlation test. The significance level was set at 5% with a 95% confidence level.
Results
120 individuals with 1440 teeth were examined to measure the WAG with equal distribution of gender. The maximum WAG was found on maxillary right lateral incisor and minimum width on mandibular left first premolar. The average WAG was greater in the upper arch (3.19 mm) than in the lower (2.71 mm). Maximum thickness (1.728 mm) of attached gingiva was found on the mandibular left first molars and minimum width (0.667 mm) on mandibular left first premolars.
Conclusions
As individuals age, there is a reduction in gingival thickness, accompanied by an increase in the WAG across both dental arches. In terms of gender differences, females exhibit a higher thickness of attached gingiva (TAH) in comparison to male counterpart.
The Small Tumor Antigen of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Accomplishes Cellular Transformation by Uniquely Localizing to the Nucleus Despite the Absence of a Known Nuclear Localization Signal
Authors: Thevenin Kaira R. , Tieche Isabella S. , Benedetto Cody E. , Schrager Matt , Dye Kristine N.
Published: November 2023

Background: Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer that is three times deadlier than melanoma. In 2008, it was found that 80% of MCC cases are caused by the genomic integration of a novel polyomavirus, Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV), and the expression of its small and truncated large tumor antigens (ST and LT-t, respectively). MCPyV belongs to a family of human polyomaviruses; however, it is the only one with a clear association to cancer.
Methods: To investigate the role and mechanisms of various polyomavirus tumor antigens in cellular transformation, Rat-2, 293A, and human foreskin fibroblasts were transduced with pLENTI MCPyV LT-t, MCPyV ST, TSPyV ST, HPyV7 ST, or empty pLENTI and assessed through multiple transformation assays, mass spectrometry, and subcellular fractionations. One-way ANOVA tests were used to assess statistical significance.
Results: Soft agar, proliferation, doubling time, glucose uptake, and serum dependence assays confirmed ST to be the dominant transforming protein of MCPyV. Furthermore, it was found that MCPyV ST is uniquely transforming, as the ST antigens of other non-oncogenic human polyomaviruses such as Trichodysplasia Spinulosa Polyomavirus (TSPyV) and Human Polyomavirus 7 (HPyV7) were not transforming when similarly assessed. Identification of structural dissimilarities between transforming and non-transforming tumor antigens revealed that the uniquely transforming domain(s) of MCPyV ST are likely located within the structurally dissimilar loops of the MCPyV ST unique region. Of all potential MCPyV ST cellular interactors, 62% are exclusively or transiently nuclear, suggesting that MCPyV ST localizes to the nucleus despite the absence of a canonical nuclear localization signal. Indeed, subcellular fractionations confirmed that MCPyV ST could achieve nuclear localization through a currently unknown, regulated mechanism independent of its small size, as HPyV7 and TSPyV ST proteins were incapable of nuclear translocation. Although nuclear localization was found to be important for several transforming properties of MCPyV ST, some properties were also performed by a cytoplasmic sequestered MCPyV ST, suggesting that MCPyV ST may perform different transforming functions in individual subcellular compartments.
Conclusions: Together, these data further elucidate the unique differences between MCPyV ST and other polyomavirus ST proteins necessary to understand MCPyV as the only known human oncogenic polyomavirus.
La familia hoy: una lectura a través de la imagen digital
Authors: Agudelo Grajales Diego , Ramírez López Natalia María
Published: November 2023

El propósito es explicar cómo la crisis de la institución familiar lleva implícita una crisis en el sujeto humano, que desde la auto­nomía y la libertad se proponía como proyecto de vida conformar una familia. El modelo de análisis está centrado en esa configu­ración de las nuevas formas de familia, mediadas por el influjo de las tecnologías, especialmente, las fotografías digitales o las selfies como formas de expresión cotidiana donde ya no está presente la narración ni la historia, aunque sí está la imagen. La metodología de investigación utilizada en este análisis es la hermenéutica feno­menológica a partir de manifestaciones relacionales mediadas por un generador de significado como es la selfie que se pone presente en este espacio conjunto de realidad y virtualidad. La tarea desde la educación es ser propositivos construyendo con los jóvenes nuevos sentidos de esperanza para que esas nuevas formas de familia sean espacios de amor.
Conservatism as a moderating variable on the determinants of earnings management
Authors: Ardiany Yuli , Lukviarman Niki , Hamidi Masyhuri , Luthan Elvira
Published: November 2023

This study aims to provide empirical evidence about the determinants that can impact earnings management, through board diligence, ownership concentration, CEO ownership, and CEO tenure, as well as testing conservatism as a moderating variable. Secondary data, specifically information derived from annual financial reports, are utilized in this study. Information for financial reports is acquired from the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) data stream and website from 2013 to 2022, the population of this study comprises all banking institutions listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This study’s findings demonstrate that the presence of board diligence significantly hinders earnings management. Moreover, the findings of this study demonstrate that organizations characterized by a significant concentration of ownership will have the capacity to mitigate the prevalence of earnings management practices. Additionally, this study’s findings demonstrate that a reduction in earnings management activities is associated with greater CEO ownership. The findings of this study offer a practical illustration for stakeholders regarding the responsibilities of shareholders, which may prove beneficial in overseeing an organization’s operations. This study shows that high conservatism in companies actually mitigates the good effects of the ownership concentration and CEO ownership variables on earnings management. In summary, this study establishes that companies characterized by elevated levels of conservatism do not actively engage in earnings management practices that are beneficial to the organization.
AcknowledgmentThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.
From stable to stable: how does stress influence the first line of immune defense in sport horses
Authors: DUCA GHEORGHIȚĂ , SPÎNU MARINA , PALL EMOKE , CHANOVE EMELINE , POPESCU SILVANA , ȘANDRU CARMEN DANA , VASIU AUREL
Published: November 2023

Stressful factors, including physical exercise, can influence the body’s defense mechanisms and can be involved in the etiology and evolution of systemic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various stressors to which sport horses are commonly subjected on the innate immune system. For this, four experimental protocols were designed including different animals, namely: (a) resting horses subjected to everyday medium level exercise (n = 18, average age = 7 years, range: 6 to 11 years), (b) medium course transportation, where the distance of one-way trips represented 270 km (n = 8, average age = 7 years, range: 6 to 9 years), (c) a long course, with a 561 km one-way distance (n = 5, average age = 8.2, range: 7 to 11 years) and (d) pre- and post-competition investigations (n = 9, average age = 7 years, range: 6 to 11). Blood was sampled on heparine (50 UI/ml) before and after the workout or transportation. The phagocytic activity of leukocytes was measured by a carbon particle inclusion test, along with total immunoglobulin/opsonin levels (Ig) (24% Zn sulphate precipitation test) and circulating immune complexes (4.2% polyethylene glycol precipitation test). The results were statistically interpreted by use of Micrososft Excel program (Student’s t test). The various types of stress differently influenced the equine athletes. While a moderate daily exercise did not substantially influence the humoral and cellular effectors of innate immunity, transportation exerted stronger beneficial effects based on the distance to the competition site. As a fast acting antimicrobial mechanism, the phagocytosis underwent the most pronounced changes, positively influenced mainly by the short course transportation. While the transportation stress enhanced phagocytosis, the competition decreased the potential of the cells to react, without significantly influencing their numbers. The experiment suggested that management measures, such as age-tailored exercise and maternal care and diet could help in alleviating stress from stable to stable, during the competition season, thus improving animal welfare and allowing a better health forecast.
Utilization and Effectiveness of Herbal Medicine in Treatment of Malaria in Osun State
Authors: Oloyede Oladeji Michael
Published: November 2023

Concern among health professionals has been raised by the ongoing rise in the prevalence of malaria in recent years. Herbal treatments have been deemed the most popular form of traditional medicine in Africa and a high percentage used it for malaria treatment. Poor health care services with unaffordable malaria have been a major barrier to malaria control. This study investigated the use and effectiveness of traditional medicine in treatment of malaria in Osun State, Nigeria. 15 people with malaria across the three senatorial districts of Osun State were selected, using snow balling sampling techniques. Experimental design was utilised to assess the level of knowledge on malaria. Descriptive survey was used to assess the use of traditional medicine, and true experiments to test efficacy of herbal medicine. This study found that respondents have inadequate knowledge of traditional medicine for treatment of malaria and lack adequate knowledge that anopheles mosquito cause malaria. However, use of traditional medicine is high among respondents, with most of the listed herbs achieving a significant point for mean (2.5). Majority of respondents either have malaria parasites hibernated and experience malaria relapse later or the herbal medicine used were ineffective in the first place. The effectiveness of these combined herbs is also dependent on the intensity of the malaria infection. The study concluded that traditional medicine is effective among just in a few of the respondents, who combined, prepared herbs appropriately and took it as prescribed by experienced herbs experts. Keywords; Malaria, Treatment of malaria, Herbal medicine.
Proteínas de Fase Aguda: Ferramentas Antigas para Melhorar o Diagnóstico da Tuberculose
Authors: Biadola Ana Paula , Borges Paulo Henrique Guilherme , Rodrigues Gislaine da Silva , De Aguiar Amanda Aparecida Silva , Mazaro Paulo José Mascarenhas , Húngaro Christiane Martinez , Rodrigues Marcus Vinícius Pimenta , Peresi-Lordelo Eliana
Published: November 2023

A rápida identificação de novos casos de tuberculose e monitorização de pacientes durante tratamento antituberculose são importantes ferramentas para o controle da doença. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar marcadores de fase aguda de pacientes com tuberculose durante o tratamento antituberculose e sua associação com parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais e radiológicos. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo de abordagem quantitativa, no qual foram avaliados os níveis de proteína C reativa (PCR), albumina (ALB) e a razão PCR/ALB de pacientes com tuberculose (n=37) atendidos em uma cidade da região do Oeste-Paulista, em diferentes tempos do tratamento antituberculose: T1 (1 e 2 meses; n=16), T2 (3 e 4 meses; n=11) e T3 (5 e 6 meses; n=10), e de controles (n=21). O risco de complicações do estresse inflamatório foi associado aos níveis da razão PCR/ALB. Dados clínicos, laboratoriais e radiológicos dos pacientes foram obtidos por meio da análise de prontuários. Foram demonstrados níveis de PCR e da razão PCR/ALB elevados em T1 em relação à T2. A razão PCR/ALB demonstrou associação com maior risco de complicações do estresse inflamatório em T1, com diminuição do risco em T2. Houve diminuição da PCR e razão PCR/ALB de T1 para T2 em pacientes com baciloscopia positiva (1+) e com a presença de febre e outros sintomas. Concluímos que a PCR e a razão PCR/ALB podem ser utilizadas como marcadores de diagnóstico e tratamento antituberculose e há associação da razão PCR/ALB com risco de complicações do estresse inflamatório no acompanhamento da eficácia do tratamento.
The effect of the health cluster on local health development
Authors: Laimer Claudionor Guedes , Machado Vitor Paulo Ribeiro , Rossato Laimer Viviane
Published: November 2023

The reorganization of the Brazilian State has transferred, to the federated entities, countless responsibilities due to the decentralization of tasks that were, before, of the federal government. This has challenged states and municipalities to manage, more efficiently and effectively, scarce public resources. Cities seek development that involves the attraction of local and global companies, fostering the economic activity of production and consumption that induces the generation of wealth in these societies. The constitution of clusters has been an auxiliary tool for the growth of local economies. The aim of the study, therefore, is to verify the effects of a cluster on the development of local health, based on the concentration, diversification and specialization of health in the municipalities under study, which have the potential to form a cluster. The study is characterized as a quantitative and descriptive research, which uses data from the Annual Social Information List (RAIS) and the socioeconomic development index (IDESE) from 2012 to 2016 in the municipalities of Porto Alegre, Caxias do Sul, Passo Fundo, Pelotas and Santa Maria. The results measure the concentration in health sector establishments; the specialization according to the established number of them, and the diversification that identifies the different types of these establishments; in addition, they describe the potential for the formation of health clusters in the studied places, and how health activities interact for the development of local health. From the results presented, it can be concluded that companies cluster in characteristics that refer to a health cluster, and that the effects on the development of local health can, in fact, contribute to the economic growth of the regions studied. Thus, with this work, it is expected to contribute to academic studies, in the construction of health clusters, as well as in health management.
Istranca (Yıldız) Dağları, Kırklareli / Dereköy Bölgesinde Ornitolojik Gözlemler
Authors: KAYA Mustafa
Published: November 2023

Bu araştırma, Kırklareli’ne bağlı Dereköy ve Karadere Köyü sınırları içerinde kalan ve Bulgaristan sınırında yer alan Istranca (Yıldız) Dağları’nda yapılan bu çalışmada, Istranca Dağlarının Ornitofaunasının ve Göç hareketliliğinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla bölgede Mart 2020 – Şubat 2021 tarihleri arasında aylık periyotlar halinde nokta gözlem ve hat boyu gözlem yöntemi kullanılarak 60 günlük gözlem yapılmıştır. Gözlemler sonucu 134 kuş türü tespit edilmiştir. Tespit edilen 99 türe üreme kodu verilmiştir. Tespit edilen 134 kuş türünden süzülen göçmen türlerden 22’sinin Mart 2020 – Haziran 2020 tarihleri arasında, 23’ünün ise Ağustos 2020 – Kasım 2020 tarihleri arasında araştırma sahası ve yakın çevresi üzerinden göç ettikleri tespit edilmiştir. Tespit edilen türlerde 62 tür (%46.26) yerli tür (Y), 48 tür (% 35.82) YG yaz göçmeni (YG), 14 tür (% 10.44) kış göçmeni (KG), 10 tür (% 7.46) ise transit geçen tür (T) olarak tespit edilmiştir. Kuşların statüleri IUCN, CITES, BERN, MAK’a göre değerlendirilmiştir. Tespit edilen bu kuş türlerine ait detaylı bilgiler bir tablo halinde verilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, çalışma alanının kuşlar için üreme, barınma, beslenme alanı ve önemli kuş göç yolları üzerinde olduğunu ortaya çıkarmıştır.
6 Şubat 2023 Depremlerinde Gözlenen Betonarme Binalardaki Sorunların Hiyerarşik Bir Üçgen ile Açıklanması
Authors: MERTOL Halit
Published: November 2023

Ülkemiz 6 Şubat 2023 tarihinde, saat 04:17’de merkez üssü Kahramanmaraş’ın Pazarcık ilçesi olan Mw=7.7 büyüklüğünde bir depremle sarsılmıştır. Yaklaşık dokuz saat sonra, saat 13:24’te, bu sefer merkez üssü Kahramanmaraş’ın Elbistan ilçesi olan Mw=7.6 büyüklüğünde ikinci bir deprem oluşmuştur. Depremlerin çevresinde bulunan 11 şehir afet bölgesi kapsamına alınmıştır. Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı’nın verilerine göre bölgede 582000 bağımsız bölüm ve 202000 binanın acil yıkılacak, ağır hasarlı veya yıkık olduğu saptanmıştır. Bu makalede, deprem bölgesine yapılan, depremin olduğu gün başlayan ve 5 gün süren incelemeler neticesinde, betonarme binalarda yıkılmaya neden olan sorunlar hiyerarşik bir üçgen şeklinde, önem sırasına göre anlatılmıştır. Yetersiz kenetlenme boyu, etriye uçlarının 135° derece bükülmemesi, malzeme ile ilgili sorunlar, kolon ve kiriş uç bölgelerinde sarılma bölgelerinin bulunmaması, güçlü kiriş-zayıf kolon, vb. sorunların yıkımların önemli bir kısmını oluşturduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Yıkılan yapıların, yapıldıkları dönemde yürürlükte olan deprem yönetmeliklerinin şartlarını yerine getirmediği görülmüştür.
Fabrication of Highly Efficient Fe3O4/SSIP/GO Composite Films for Removal of Methylene Blue Dye
Authors: NAS Mehmet Salih , ÇALIMLI Mehmet Harbi , DEMİRBAŞ Özkan
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we report the preparation of a new Fe3O4/SSIP/GO composite film for the purification of methylene blue dye from solution media. The preparation process of composite film was carried out to improve the interaction between the inner part of the sunflower stalk (SSIP) and surface matrix using magnetite/Graphene Oxide (Fe3O4/GO) minerals at weight ratios (0.2/4/0.2:w/w/w). The characterizations of as-developed Fe3O4/SSIP/GO composite film was successfully carried out by some advanced techniques such as FT-IR, SEM, and TGA analyses. Adsorption kinetic studies were evaluated in three different aspects as a pseudo-first-order model, pseudo-second-order model, and intraparticle diffusion-type model. Based on the R2 results, it was seen that the Pseudo-second order kinetic model (0.999) acted more harmoniously than the pseudo-first-order (0.960) and intra-particle diffusion technique models (0.974). In the light of these findings, it can be said that the prepared Fe3O4/SSIP/GO composite film used for removal of methylene blue dye can be considered as a promising material
Anamur, Bozyazı ve Aydıncık (Mersin-Türkiye)’daki Bazı Doğal Sit Alanlarının Flora ve Genel Vejetasyon Yapısının İncelenmesi
Authors: TEL Ahmet Zafer , ORTAÇ İshak , ÖZUSLU Ergün , İLÇİM Ahmet
Published: November 2023

Bu araştırma Mersin (Türkiye) ili Anamur, Bozyazı ve Aydıncık ilçelerinde bulunan Anamur - Melleç Kaledranı, Dragon Çayı - Pullu Orman Kampı arası ve Mamure Kalesi, Arsinoe Antik Kenti, Bozyazı Melenia ve Tekeli Bozyazı doğal sit alanlarının floristik ve genel vejetasyon yapısını belirlemek amacıyla 2014-2016 yıllarında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada toplam 53 familya ve 117 cinse ait 135 takson tespit edilmiş olup toplam 221 lokalitede temsil edildiği görülmüştür. Tespit edilen bitkilerin alanlara göre dağılımı; Anamur - Melleç Kaledran 50, Dragon Çayı - Pullu Orman Kampı arası ve Mamure Kalesi 88, Arsinoe Antik Kenti 41, Bozyazı Melenia 15, Tekeli Bozyazı’da 27 takson tespit edilmiştir. Bu araştırmada 3 adet endemik bitki taksonu tespit edilmiştir. IUCN kriterlerine göre, "nesli tehlike altında" şeklinde değerlendirilen endemik taksonlar: Aristolochia brevilabris Bornm, Muscari babachii Eker & Koyuncu (Kritik- CR), Onopordum boissierianum Raab–Straube & Greuter’dir. Alanda bulunan nadir bitki türleri; Dianthus polycladus Boiss. ve Pancratium maritimum L. türleridir. Endemizm oranı 2.22’dir. Bitkilerin fitocoğrafik bölgelere göre dağılımı: 1 takson Avrupa-Sibirya (%0.70), 4 takson İran-Turan (%2.96), 26 takson Geniş Yayılışlı (%19.25), 54 takson fitocoğrafik bölgesi bilinmeyen (%40.00) ve 50 takson Akdeniz (Doğu Akdeniz dahil) (%37.03) elementi olduğu belirlenmiştir. İlgili alanların sintaksonomik karakter türleri belirtilmiştir. Çalışma alanlarının tamamında Quercetea İlicis, Cisto-Micromerietea ve Quercetea Pubescentis sınıflarının karakter türlerine rastlanılmış olup, sadece Dragon Çayı - Pullu Orman Kampı arası ve Mamure Kalesinde diğerlerinden farklı olarak Querco-Fagetea vejetasyon sınıfına ait karakter türlerin olduğu belirlenmiştir.