bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Regional Development in Azerbaijan with Principal Components Analysis
Authors: HAMAMCI Emine Demet EKİNCİ
Published: January 2023

Çalışmanın temel amacı Azerbaycan’da iktisadi bölge tanımlamasına göre bölgelerin sosyoekonomik gelişmişlik düzeyini tespit etmektir. Bu doğrultuda çalışmada Temel Bileşenler Analizi (TBA) kullanılarak 13 iktisadi bölgenin üç kategoride
sosyoekonomik gelişmişlik endeksleri hesaplanmıştır. Birinci endeks, Beşeri Sermaye Endeksi olarak adlandırılmaktadır. Endeks sağlık, eğitim ve demografik yapıyı yansıtan sekiz değişkeni içermektedir. İkinci endeks, İstihdam ve
Ekonomik Gelişmişlik Endeksi, yedi değişken ile hesaplanmaktadır. Endekste istihdam göstergelerinin yanı sıra kişi başına düşen üretim değeri ve bölgede faaliyet gösteren firma sayısı gibi değişkenler yer almaktadır. Son endeks
sekiz değişkenden oluşan Yaşam ve Erişilebilirlik Endeksi’dir. Bu endekste bölgenin ulaşım ve altyapısını ve refah düzeyini gösteren sosyal ve ekonomik göstergeler yer almaktadır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre her üç endekste en yüksek
değere sahip bölge Bakü’dür. Bakü’yü sosyoekonomik gelişmişlik düzeyi açısından takip eden diğer başlıca bölgeler ise Gence-Daşkesen İktisadi Bölgesi, Abşeron İktisadi Bölgesi ve Nahcivan Özerk Cumhuriyeti’dir. Söz konusu endekslerde
en düşük değere sahip bölgeler ise Lenkeran-Astara İktisadi Bölgesi, Karabağ İktisadi Bölgesi, Dağlık Şirvan İktisadi Bölgesi, Gazak-Tovuz İktisadi Bölgesi ve Guba Haçmaz İktisadi Bölgesi’dir. Araştırma sonuçları, Azerbaycan’da
Bakü ve onun çevresine yakın iktisadi bölgelerin sosyoekonomik açıdan yüksek bir gelişmişlik seviyesine sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Buna karşılık ülkenin iç bölgeleri, özellikle Ermenistan sınırına yakın bölgeler sosyoekonomik
açıdan göreceli olarak daha düşük kalkınma seviyesine sahip bölgelerdir.
Efficacy of Maternal Magnesium Sulfate Administration on the Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Preterm Babies: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Sheeba Lakshmi Mohanan , Namboodiripad Aparna , Varanattu Manoj C
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disability which shows an increased incidence with prematurity and Low Birth Weight (LBW). Many studies suggest that Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4 ) given to mothers expected to deliver preterm improves their neurodevelopmental outcome. Aim: To assess the role of administration of MgSO4 in improving neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm babies. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based, prospective interventional study open label, randomised controlled trial conducted from December 2015 to May 2016 in the Department of Neonatology at Jubilee Mission Medical College in Central Kerala, India. Randomisation was done in deliveries expected to occur at or below 34 weeks. The mothers were then divided into two groups, those who would receive either MgSO4 or a placebo (normal saline). A total of 83 babies were compared for their baseline characteristics, and the association of MgSO4 administration on neonatal mortality, and on Amiel-Tison angle abnormalities and developmental delay at six months was studied. Either Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the percentages. Microsoft excel was used to enter data. IBM Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0 was used for analysis. Statistical significance was considered for p-value <0.05. Results: Both groups were comparable on baseline characteristics. MgSO4 use in mothers was not significantly associated with reduction in neonatal mortality (p-value=0.205). At six months of age, use of MgSO4 was associated with significant reduction in Amiel-Tison angle abnormalities (p-value <0.001), and reduction in developmental delay as assessed by Trivandrum development Screening Chart (p-value <0.001), showing that MgSO4 has a neuroprotective role. Conclusion: Although the percentage of neonatal deaths in the MgSO4 group were less, it was not statistically significant. AmielTison angle abnormalities were significantly less in the group which received MgSO4 . Neurodevelopmental outcome as assessed by TDSC was also significantly less in the group which received MgSO4 . This suggests that antenatal MgSO4 protects preterm babies from cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental disabilities. A larger study with a longer follow-up is suggested to confirm these findings.
Can Rapid Antigen Tests Lessen the Burden on Testing Laboratories? An Evaluation of the Testing Methods during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lone Showkat Ahmad , Ahmed Tufail , Amin Umara , Allaie Aashaq Hussain , Jan Kowsar , Kour Amrit Pal , Ahmad Junaid
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Timely diagnosis and isolation of cases is of paramount importance to contain the spread of a pandemic. The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a major health problem that needs concerted efforts for mitigation and control. Real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), the gold-standard diagnostic modality, has high cost and can be performed in special laboratories. Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) has been developed to serve as an alternative and is recommended to use at point-of-care testing. Aim: To compare the case detection rate of RAT and RT-PCR and the possible role they may play in the pandemic mitigation efforts. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, all the samples collected during a nine-months period were analysed. Depending upon the criteria, either a RAT or RT- PCR was done on the samples. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, mean, standard deviation, and percentages). Results: A total of 8,29,745 samples were tested during the study period among which number of positive samples was 19,414 giving an overall positivity rate of 2.34% (0.20% to 12.58%). RAT positivity was 1.58% while RT-PCR gave a positivity of 4.26. Total number of positive cases identified by RAT and RT-PCR were 9,382 and 10,032, respectively. Conclusions: RAT is a low-cost alternative to the expensive RT-PCR with the added advantage of giving accurate and timely results. This can be a game changer especially in low-resource settings, which have witnessed a increase in the spread of COVID-19 during the latter part of the pandemic.
Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Polymorphic Light Eruptions: A Case-control Study
Authors: Gunanithi K , Birundha S , Roopavathy J Rathi
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Polymorphic Light Eruptions (PMLE) are immune mediated dermal maculopapular eruptions that occurs after sun exposure. Vitamin D deficiency has been gaining attention in many dermatological diseases of varied pathologies. Research studies on vitamin D levels in PMLE are lacking despite it being an immuno modulator. Aim: To estimate the levels of serum 25-OH Vitamin D among patients with PMLE disease and also to compare its level with healthy controls Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted during January 2022 to June 2022 in Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Tamil Nadu, India. Total 80 participants (40 patients with PMLE eruptions and 40 normal healthy volunteers), of both sexes aged between 40-60 years were included. Serum 25-OH Vitamin D levels were estimated for participants and the data obtained were analysed by using Student’s t-test and Chi-square test as tests for significance and Odds ratio by logistic regression as test for outcome association. Results: Amongst the total 80 participants, 40 in each case and control group, mean age in case group was 50.08±5.21 years and in control group was 49.80±5.68 years. The results of the study showed significantly reduced serum 25-OH vitamin D levels (30.13±7.39 ng/mL) among cases compared to controls (34.50±6.05 ng/mL) (p=0.005). It further showed significant positive B (0.160) slope for sunlight exposure and significant negative B (-0.556) slope for serum vitamin D levels with odds of occurrence to PMLE disease state increases by 17.4% for every unit increase in sunlight Ultraviolet (UV) exposure {Odds ratio: 1.174 (C.I: 1.088-1.266)} and decreases by 42.6% for every unit increase in Vitamin D levels {Odds ratio: 0.574 (C.I: 0.446-0.738)}. Conclusion: Most PMLE patients were found to have significantly lower Vitamin D levels with majority in the pre- deficient zones. These findings suggest Vitamin D could be a cost effective alternative prospect in both PMLE diagnostics and therapeutics in future after thorough trial validations.
PROJECT MATURITY ASSESSMENT MODEL DEDICATED TO THE ENGINEERING AND DESIGN OFFICE
Authors: ZIEMIŃSKA Olga
Published: January 2023

The parallel implementation of many projects in an organization is a big challenge for Project Managers. While simultaneously managing many projects, it is important to define the dimensions necessary for coordination in order to obtain comprehensive management information regarding both specialized projects and all general project trends implemented across the organization. The lack of comprehensive coordination between the above factors often leads to failure to achieve the assumed results. The aim of the paper is to establish assumptions for criteria to assess the design maturity of an organization. Taking into account the need to analyse the above goal, the author developed the assumptions of the model by assessing the design maturity of the organization on the basis of research carried out in the engineering and design offices.
TRENDS OF THE ADVERTISING AND COMMUNICATION MARKET OF UKRAINE AND PROMOTION OF THE ADVERTISING AGENCY BRAND IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA
Authors: CHUKIN Iliya , GERASYMCHUK Nataliia , LISUN Yanina
Published: January 2023

In this article, authors analyzed the main indicators of the Ukrainian advertising media market functioning between 2017–2022. Particular attention was paid to the segment of the media marketing known as Digital Advertising, as well as to other market sectors, including: PR-market and marketing services, trade marketing, loyalty marketing, consumer marketing, event marketing and sponsorship, and non-standard communications. The authors analyzed the activities of five advertising agencies for their efficiency ratings as creative agencies between the years 2019–2021. A comparative analysis of advertising agency websites is presented, characterizing the presence of advertising agencies of Ukraine on social media. Based on the results of the study, the authors propose a holistic communication system of measures to increase the activity of subscribers to the online presence platforms of the participating advertising agency.
UNPACKING THE ENIGMA OF DEMOCRACY, INTERGENERATIONAL INEQUALITY AND POVERTY IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: MADUKU Harris , GUDO Julieth , MLAMBO Victor H.
Published: January 2023

This paper examines the role of democracy on poverty and intergenerational inequality in South Africa. The authors used secondary data and published literature to unpack the nexus of the problem, and to further broaden understanding of democracy, intergenerational inequality, and poverty in South Africa. The authors establish that unemployment, lack of property ownership and a poor educational system are the main contributors to poverty and intergenerational inequality in South Africa. However, we found that the government’s propoor policies have not adequately addressed the problems. As recommendations, this paper submits that it is essential to increase the redistribution of assets, especially land, to allow land ownership by the poor, which will open many other economic opportunities, such as access to capital. Also, government policies need to be revisited for quality job creation, closing the unemployment gap in the market.
SPECIAL CHARACTER OF THE POLISH COUNTERTERRORISM POLICY AS COMPARED TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
Authors: OLEKSIEWICZ Izabela
Published: January 2023

The intensity of the threat of terrorism, previously considered only as a potential event, is now increasing. The greatest consequence of the impact of terrorism as an asymmetric threat is its psychological dimension. Its negative impact manifests itself in the reduction of the sense of security in society, rather than in society’s actual deterioration. This often leads to a change in voting preferences in subsequent elections in a given country, and in the long run, can also lead to a reallocation of resources in a given state, changing its development prospects. The article categorizes terrorist phenomenon and their asymmetric threat factors, discussing the special nature of each threat. The authors found that terrorism also factors into the security considerations of a state. In the cases examined, a synergy effect occurs, caused by the many transnational entities responding to the emergence of this threat, numbers which continue to grow.
ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL POSITION AND ROLE OF INFORMATION SERVICES IN ENSURING THE SAFETY OF MASS SPORTS EVENTS
Authors: MASŁOWSKI Patryk
Published: January 2023

This article discusses the legal position of information services, as well as the rights and obligations of their members in the field of security of mass sports events. Designated by the organizers of mass events, information services play an important role in ensuring the safety of participants. Pursuant to the currently binding Act on the Safety of Mass Events of 2009, legislators have granted information services many powers of a preventive nature. This allows them to effectively prevent the possibility of a threat during a mass event. Such actions are also aimed at minimizing possible negative consequences in the event that the danger does occur.
RUSSIA AND GERMANY AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE THREE SEA INITIATIVE STATES FROM 1993 TO 2021 IN A POWERMETRICS PERSPECTIVE
Authors: SUROWIEC Krzysztof
Published: January 2023

This article presents the powers of Russia and Germany against the backdrop of a group of 12 countries that launched a new organization in Europe in September 2015 called the Three Seas Initiative. Member states try to create a counterbalance, and at the same time compete with two great countries: Germany and the Russian Federation (Russia). The members of the Three Seas Initiative are small and medium-sized entities on the European scene. The aim of the article was to indicate the power of the examined entities of the international relations of Russia and Germany against the background of the countries forming the Three Seas Initiative. The article uses the methodology developed by Professor Sułek to study the power of the indicated countries.
Influence of Irrigation Schedules on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Groundnut Varieties
Authors: Chandini Shaik , Lakshmi N. Venkata , Rekha M. Sree , Babu M. Ravi
Published: January 2023

Aim: Evaluation of different irrigation schedules on yield and nutrient uptake of groundnut varieties.

Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with different irrigation schedules in main plot and different groundnut varieties in sub plots and was replicated thrice.

Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2021 and 2022 at the Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla, ANGRAU, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

Methodology: The experiment was performed with twelve treatments in split plot design. The main plot comprised three different irrigation schedules (IW/CPE ratio of 1.0, 0.8 and 0.6) and sub plot with four different groundnut varieties (TAG-24, Dheeraj, Kadiri Lepakshi and Kadiri Chitravati). Observations of the crop and soil during the experimentation were recorded at regular intervals. The significance of the treatment impact was examined by the test.

Results: The experimental results indicated that among different irrigation schedules, IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 recorded highest pod yield (3175 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (4291 kg ha-1) which was significantly superior over IW/CPE ratio of 0.6 (pod yield-2579 kg ha-1 and haulm yield-3681 kg ha-1) but found on a par with IW/CPE ratio of 0.8 (pod yield-2916 kg ha-1 and haulm yield-4034 kg ha-1). Among the varieties, Kadiri Lepakshi recorded highest pod yield (3607 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (4647 kg ha-1) which was significantly superior over Kadiri Chitravati, Dheeraj and TAG-24 and lowest pod (2074 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (3424 kg ha-1) was recorded with TAG-24. Highest N, P and K uptake of plant (104.2, 11.8 and 54.3, respectively) was recorded with irrigation scheduled at IW/CPE ratio of 1.0 along with Kadiri Lepakshi compared to the other treatments.
BHRF1-1 MicroRNA of Epstein Barr Virus in Chronic B-Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients
Authors: El-Gohary Ahmed Mostafa , Orfao José Alberto , Gad Omnia Abd El-Fatah , El-Zamarany Enas Arafa , Zahra Mohammed Kamal
Published: January 2023

Background: Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is one of the human gamma herpes viruses that promotes subclinical and latent infections in healthy B lymphocytes. This research objects to find out the value of expression of BHRF1-1 microRNA of EBV in chronic B- lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients.

Methods: This retrospective research involved 40 subjects diagnosed with B-CLL and positive for Epstein Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen-1 IgG (EBNA-1 IgG) and 40 healthy volunteers serving as the control group. Subjects were allocated equally into two groups: group I: 40 patients with B-CLL  and group II: 40 healthy volunteers matched for age and sex with patients serving as a control group.

Results: There was a significant increase in BHRF1-1 expression in CLL cases than control group (P value <0.001). Overall survival was significantly higher in patients with low BHRF1-1 expression (<3.63) than the patients with overexpression of BHRF1-1 in B-cells that was related to shorter OS BHRF1-1 expression (>3.63) (p value 0.004). Lymphocyte count (≥50 x109/L), CD38 Expression, Rai Staging (III/ IV), FISH (17p deletion vs del 13q14, trisomy 12 and del 11q23) and relative expression of BHRF1-1(high) were the significant indicators.

Conclusions: EBV-encoded miRNAs are highly found in EBV-associated tumors as BHRF1-1 MicroRNA marker of EBV.
KOBINO, UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA ESTUDIAR LA CIRCULACIÓN DE LIBROS EN LA NUEVA ESPAÑA
Authors: García Idalia , Vargas Ricardo
Published: January 2023

El periodo colonial de los territorios americanos bajo el dominio de la Corona Española fue un tiempo donde hubo un permanente control sobre la producción y circulación de libros durante trescientos años. El espacio de la circulación fue una actividad casi privilegiada del Tribunal del Santo Oficio, que diseño diferentes estrategias para controlar todos los frentes posibles en donde el libro se movía toda vez que había sido producido y que fueron dejando huellas documentales ricas en información de todo ese territorio. Esos testimonios presentan dos cánones bibliográficos característicos de la época que nos permiten documentar con bastante precisión cuáles fueron las obras, los autores y más particularmente las ediciones que circularon en la Nueva España. En investigaciones previas compilamos documentos históricos que informan cuáles y cuántos libros estaban en manos de libreros, personas privadas e instituciones, los cuales conforman un universo de trabajo de alrededor de 30,000 ediciones. Este es el soporte documental que explica el diseño de KOBINO, una herramienta diseñada para estudiar y comprender la circulación de libros en este territorio americano, y apreciar cómo la novohispana fue una cultura que recibía el conocimiento y las ideas que se produjeron en los centros tipográficos europeos y americanos.
FELICIANA MARIA DE MILÃO (1629 - 1705)
Authors: Campos Fernanda
Published: January 2023

Figura enigmática e quase mítica do século XVII português, conhece-se de D. Feliciana Maria de Milão um percurso de vida insólito para as normas sociais da época. Dela restou a memória da sua marcada cultura e, sobretudo, do espírito crítico, presente no espólio escrito que deixou, nos testemunhos da convivialidade que desenvolveu com personalidades da corte e, ainda, na vida religiosa que adotou em 1659, ao entrar para o mosteiro de S. Dinis de Odivelas. Não seria fácil a uma mulher no século XVII, ainda para mais sem parentes conhecidos, distinguir-se pelo espírito e pela erudição. Porém, nas respostas prontas que ficaram registadas para a posteridade e na correspondência que manteve com figuras marcantes da sociedade, é evidente que D. Feliciana de Milão teve um privilegiado acesso a obras que lhe modelaram a cultura na sua expressão oral e escrita. O encontro com livros (poucos) que lhe pertenceram, não chega para um estudo da sua biblioteca. Revelam, no entanto, a presença de literatura em língua italiana, invulgar para a época, ainda mais tratando-se de uma mulher. Revelam, sobretudo, uma marca de posse que é, em si mesma, um lema de vida: “La fortuna o la mejor o ninguna”.
UM DETALHE, UMA HISTÓRIA
Authors: Mazonni Vanilda Salignac de Souza , Azevedo Fabiano Cataldo de , Lose Alicia Duhá
Published: January 2023

A partir de estudo feito na Biblioteca do Monsenhor Manoel Aquino Barbosa, o artigo apresenta uma discussão teórica acerca das marcas de proveniência e contexto das marcas de posse e circulação. Esta visa a expor algumas propostas epistemológicas sobre esses conceitos por vezes tratados de forma difusa. Nesse contexto, expõe as potencialidades de pesquisa que vão além do conteúdo das obras - o que coloca em julgamento a perigosa ideia de obsolescência meramente baseada no texto dos livros. Para tal, pelo método da observação e coleta de amostragem, usa como exemplo as etiquetas de duas livrarias/editoras que existiram e tiveram grande circulação na cidade de Salvador. O resultado aponta para algo que teóricos da área de Bibliografia Material mencionaram há décadas, o livro como objeto é muito mais que texto, o caráter informacional dele é muito superior ao que se supõem. Por essa razão, nas considerações finais não poder-se-ia deixar de questionar o que tem sido perdido em bibliotecas que ainda jazem silentes, ou pior, foram destruídas pelo apagamento criminoso do descarte maciço, sem critério plausível
MARCAS DE PROVENIÊNCIA COMO INSTRUMENTO DE IDENTIDADE DE COLEÇÕES ESPECIAIS
Authors: Vieira Shirly Pimentel , Tavares Karyna da Rocha , Azevedo Rubens Leal de
Published: January 2023

A Biblioteca Central da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BC/UFPE) é a unidade de informação que custodia as coleções especiais, dentre estas, uma que merece destaque é a COLTED, por ser um recorte da bibliografia básica das universidades no período da ditadura militar. Descrever o processo de identificação, coleta, organização e tratamento da Coleção COLTED, através do planejamento da continuidade das atividades de identificação das obras por parte das bibliotecas setoriais e central da Universidade, é o objetivo principal deste artigo. Procedeu-se uma busca minuciosa, livro a livro, no acervo do SIB/UFPE. Livros com carimbos do programa onde se identificou a sigla MEC/COLTED. Após o trabalho de identificação e seleção ter sido procedido, obteve-se o seguinte montante: em 2018 foram identificados e catalogados 239 títulos entre 562 exemplares. Em 2019, foram identificados 98 títulos em 194 exemplares e até 2020, atingimos a marca de 357 títulos no total de 785 exemplares devidamente identificados, descritos e organizados no setor de coleções especiais da Biblioteca Central. Conclui-se que a identificação e organização da coleção COLTED fazem parte das ações para dar maior visibilidade ao acervo da Biblioteca e enfatizar seu perfil patrimonial.
Spatial Analysis of Access to Psychiatrists for US Military Personnel and Their Families
Authors: Bacolod Marigee , Heissel Jennifer , Shen Yu-Chu
Published: January 2023

Importance

Military service members and their families have greater mental health care needs compared with their civilian counterparts. Some communities have inadequate access to psychiatrists for this population.

Objectives

To identify geographic variations in the availability of military and civilian psychiatrists within a 30-minute driving time of TRICARE (the US military’s health care program) beneficiaries’ communities and compare the likelihood of living in areas with inadequate access to psychiatrists for historically underserved and other communities.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study of all zip code communities in the continental US, Hawaii, and Alaska with at least one TRICARE beneficiary between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2020, combines data from the Defense Health Agency, the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System, and the US Census to estimate a logistic regression to compare differences between communities with and without a psychiatrist shortage. Data were analyzed from September 2021 to November 2022.

Main Outcomes and Measures

A community’s likelihood of having a shortage of military and civilian psychiatrists within a 30-minute driving time and a community’s likelihood of having no psychiatrists. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate likelihood of the outcomes.

Results

This study includes 39 487 unique communities where 13% of the population is Black and 14% of the population is Hispanic. During the study period, 35% of TRICARE beneficiaries lived in communities with a shortage of both military and civilian psychiatrists, and 6% lived in communities with no access to military or civilian psychiatrists. Low-income communities with high income inequality were 1.64 (95% CI, 1.30-2.07) times more likely to have inadequate access to psychiatrists and 2.59 (95% CI, 1.82-3.69) times more likely to have no access to psychiatrists, compared with reference communities (average income without high income inequality); low-income communities without high income inequality were 1.37 (95% CI, 1.05-1.78) times more likely to have inadequate access to psychiatrists and 1.93 (95% CI, 1.28-2.89) times more likely to have no access to psychiatrists. Rural communities were 6.65 (95% CI, 5.09-8.69) times more likely to have inadequate access to psychiatrists than urban communities.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of US communities, 35% of TRICARE beneficiaries lived in communities with inadequate access to psychiatrists. Psychiatric capacity was structurally inequitable along 2 separate dimensions: the income gradient and rurality. Developing targeted strategies for these shortage areas could alleviate disparities.
RAS nanoclusters are cell surface transducers that convert extracellular stimuli to intracellular signalling
Authors: Zhou Yong , Hancock John F.
Published: January 2023

Mutations of rat sarcoma virus (RAS) oncogenes (HRAS, KRAS and NRAS) can contribute to the development of cancers and genetic disorders (RASopathies). The spatiotemporal organization of RAS is an important property that warrants further investigation. In order to function, wild‐type or oncogenic mutants of RAS must be localized to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM), which is driven by interactions between their C‐terminal membrane‐anchoring domains and PM lipids. The isoform‐specific RAS–lipid interactions promote the formation of nanoclusters on the PM. As main sites for effector recruitment, these nanoclusters are biologically important. Since the spatial distribution of lipids is sensitive to changing environments, such as mechanical and electrical perturbations, RAS nanoclusters act as transducers to convert external stimuli to intracellular mitogenic signalling. As such, effective inhibition of RAS oncogenesis requires consideration of the complex interplay between RAS nanoclusters and various cell surface and extracellular stimuli. In this review, we discuss in detail how, by sorting specific lipids in the PM, RAS nanoclusters act as transducers to convert external stimuli into intracellular signalling.
Changes in Tophus Composition During Urate‐Lowering Therapy: A Dual‐Energy Computed Tomography Study
Authors: Chen Leanne , Gamble Gregory D. , Horne Anne , Drake Jill , Doyle Anthony J. , Uhlig Till , Stamp Lisa K. , Dalbeth Nicola
Published: January 2023

Objective

The gouty tophus is an organized structure composed of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals and chronic inflammatory soft tissue. This dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT) study aimed to determine whether the composition of the tophus changes during urate‐lowering therapy.

Methods

Serial DECT scans from 32 people with gout were obtained over 2 years of allopurinol therapy, dose‐escalated to serum urate of <0.36 mmoles/liter. Up to 5 index tophi were selected for each patient, with 103 separate tophi included in the analysis. Using manual outlining methods of conventional CT and DECT scans, the same index tophi were serially measured for total tophus volume and urate volume. For each tophus, the soft tissue volume was then calculated by subtracting the urate volume from the total tophus volume.

Results

The mean ± SD serum urate reduced from 0.43 ± 0.03 mmoles/liter at baseline to 0.31 ± 0.02 mmoles/liter at year 2. The mean ± SD total tophus volume reduced over the 2‐year period from 5.17 ± 5.55 cm3 to 2.61 ± 2.73 cm3 (P < 0.0001). Greater reductions in tophus urate volumes than tophus soft tissue volumes were observed; the tophus urate volume decreased by 70.6%, and tophus soft tissue volume decreased by 37.8% (P < 0.0001). The mean tophus urate:soft tissue ratio reduced from 0.15 at baseline to 0.05 at year 2 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The composition of the tophus is dynamic and changes during urate‐lowering therapy for gout management. The soft tissue component of the tophus is slower to respond and may persist without measurable MSU crystal deposition.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with sickle cell disease in California
Authors: Adesina Oyebimpe O. , Brunson Ann , Fisch Samantha C. , Yu Bo , Mahajan Anjlee , Willen Shaina M. , Keegan Theresa H. M. , Wun Ted
Published: January 2023

Adverse pregnancy outcomes occur frequently in women with sickle cell disease (SCD) across the globe. In the United States, Black women experience disproportionately worse maternal health outcomes than all other racial groups. To better understand how social determinants of health impact SCD maternal morbidity, we used California's Department of Health Care Access and Information data (1991–2019) to estimate the cumulative incidence of pregnancy outcomes in Black women with and without SCD—adjusted for age, insurance status, and Distressed Community Index (DCI) scores. Black pregnant women with SCD were more likely to deliver at a younger age, use government insurance, and live in at‐risk or distressed neighborhoods, compared to those without SCD. They also experienced higher stillbirths (26.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.5–36.1 vs. 12.4 [CI: 12.1–12.7], per 1000 births) and inpatient maternal mortality (344.5 [CI: 337.6–682.2] vs. 6.1 [CI: 2.3–8.4], per 100 000 live births). Multivariate logistic regression models showed Black pregnant women with SCD had significantly higher odds ratios (OR) for sepsis (OR 14.89, CI: 10.81, 20.52), venous thromboembolism (OR 13.60, CI: 9.16, 20.20), and postpartum hemorrhage (OR 2.25, CI 1.79–2.82), with peak onset in the second trimester, third trimester, and six weeks postpartum, respectively. Despite adjusting for sociodemographic factors, Black women with SCD still experienced significantly worse pregnancy outcomes than those without SCD. We need additional studies to determine if early introduction to reproductive health education, continuation of SCD‐modifying therapies during pregnancy, and increasing access to multidisciplinary perinatal care can reduce morbidity in pregnant women with SCD.
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: Where we stand
Authors: Panse Jens
Published: January 2023

For the last 20 years, therapy of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) relied—up until recently—on antibody based terminal complement inhibitionon. PNH pathophysiology—a mutational defect leading to partial or complete absence of complement‐regulatory proteins on blood cells—leads to intravascular hemolysis and consequences such as thrombosis and other sequelae. A plethora of new drugs interfering with the proximal and terminal complement cascade are under recent development and the first “proof‐of‐pinciple” proximal complement inhibitor targeting C3 has been approved in 2021. “PNH: where we stand” will try to give a brief account on where we came from and where we stand focusing on approved therapeutic options. The associated improvements as well as potential consequences of actual and future treatments as well as their impact on the disease will continue to necessitate academic and scientific focus on improving treatment options as well as on side effects and outcomes relevant to individual patient lives and circumstances in order to develop effective, safe, and available treatment for all hemolytic PNH patients globally.
Intramolecular Cyclization: A Convenient Strategy to Realize Efficient BT.2020 Blue Multi‐Resonance Emitter for Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Cao Chen , Tan Ji‐Hua , Zhu Ze‐Lin , Lin Jiu‐Dong , Tan Hong‐Ji , Chen Huan , Yuan Yi , Tse Man‐Kit , Chen Wen‐Cheng , Lee Chun‐Sing
Published: January 2023

Rationally tuning the emission position and narrowing the full width at half‐maximum (FWHM) of an emitter is of great importance for many applications. By synergistically improving rigidity, strengthening the resonant strength, inhibiting molecular bending and rocking, and destabilizing the HOMO energy level, a deep‐blue emitter (CZ2CO) with a peak wavelength of 440 nm and an ultranarrow spectral FWHM of 16 nm (0.10 eV) was developed via intramolecular cyclization in a carbonyl/N resonant core (QAO). The dominant υ0‐0transition character of CZ2CO gives a Commission Internationale de I’Éclairage coordinates (CIE) of (0.144, 0.042), nicely complying with the BT.2020 standard. Moreover, a hyper‐fluorescent device based on CZ2CO shows a high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 25.6 % and maintains an EQE of 22.4 % at a practical brightness of 1000 cd m−2.
Ligand Hybridization for Electro‐reforming Waste Glycerol into Isolable Oxalate and Hydrogen
Authors: Wu Jianxiang , Liu Xiang , Hao Yaming , Wang Shaoyan , Wang Ran , Du Wei , Cha Shuangshuang , Ma Xian‐Yin , Yang Xuejing , Gong Ming
Published: January 2023

The electro‐reforming of glycerol is an emerging technology of simultaneous hydrogen production and biomass valorization. However, its complex reaction network and limited catalyst tunability restrict the precise steering toward high selectivity. Herein, we incorporated the chelating phenanthrolines into the bulk nickel hydroxide and tuned the electronic properties by installing functional groups, yielding tunable selectivity toward formate (max 92.7 %) and oxalate (max 45.3 %) with almost linear correlation with the Hammett parameters. Further combinatory study of intermediate analysis and various spectroscopic techniques revealed the electronic effect of tailoring the valence band that balances between C−C cleavage and oxidation through the key glycolaldehyde intermediate. A two‐electrode electro‐reforming setup using the 5‐nitro‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐nickel hydroxide catalyst was further established to convert crude glycerol into pure H2 and isolable sodium oxalate with high efficiency.
Stabilization of liquid water‐in‐oil emulsions by modifying the interfacial interaction of glycerol monooleate with aqueous phase ingredients
Authors: Romero‐Peña Maria , Ghosh Supratim
Published: January 2023

Glycerol monooleate (GMO)‐stabilized liquid water‐in‐vegetable oil emulsions are difficult to stabilize due to the desorption of GMO from the water‐vegetable oil interface toward the oil phase. This work improved the stability of GMO‐stabilized liquid 20 wt% water‐in‐canola oil (W/CO) emulsion by modifying the dispersed aqueous phase composition with hydrogen bond‐forming agents. As a control, 20 wt% water‐in‐mineral oil (W/MO) emulsion was also utilized. Different concentrations of hydrogen bond‐forming agents (citric acid (CA), ascorbic acid (AA), low methoxyl pectin (LMP)) with and without salts (sodium chloride (S) or calcium chloride (Ca)) were added to the aqueous phase before emulsification, which enhanced emulsifier binding to the water–oil interface. W/CO emulsion without any aqueous phase additive destabilized instantly, whereas W/MO emulsion stayed stable during the week‐long observation. The addition of hydrogen bond‐forming agents and salts significantly improved emulsion stability. LMP, with many hydrogen bond‐forming groups, was able to provide the highest emulsion stability after 7 days in both oils compared to AA, CA and their mixtures with S. Emulsions with both oils formed weak gels due to the formation of an extensive network of water droplet aggregates. Overall, the hydrogen bond‐forming agents interacted with GMO at the interface, thereby favoring their presence at the water droplet surface and significantly improving the stability of liquid W/CO emulsions. The knowledge developed in this research can be useful in utilizing GMO to stabilize liquid water‐in‐oil emulsions without using any fat crystal network.
Effectiveness of pain neuroscience education on somatosensory functioning after surgery for breast cancer: A double‐blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dams Lore , Van der Gucht Elien , Haenen Vincent , Devoogdt Nele , Smeets Ann , Bernar Koen , Morlion Bart , Moloney Niamh , Fieuws Steffen , De Groef An , Meeus Mira
Published: January 2023

Pain is one of the most prevalent and long‐term adverse effects described by people who have undergone breast cancer surgery. Non‐helpful perceptions and thoughts about pain may contribute to the transition of acute to persistent pain. Adding educational interventions to the current physical therapy program in this population may help to improve or prevent persistent pain. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) is a type of educational intervention that addresses the experience of pain in a broader sense by explaining pain not only from a biomedical perspective, but also from a psychological and social perspective. A double‐blinded randomized controlled trial (EduCan trial) investigated whether PNE, in addition to a standard physiotherapy program immediately after surgery for breast cancer, was more effective on somatosensory functioning in the short (4 months postoperatively) and long term (18 months postoperatively), than providing a biomedical explanation for pain. Somatosensory functioning was evaluated using a self‐reported questionnaire as well as a comprehensive quantitative sensory testing evaluation. The findings of this study revealed that adding six sessions of PNE to a standard physical therapy program (n = 184) did not result in a significantly different course of somatosensory functioning up to 18 months postoperatively as compared to biomedical pain education. These findings provide an interesting basis for future research into who should receive PNE after surgery for breast cancer (e.g., patient profiling or phenotyping) and how we can tailor it to the individual to increase its effectiveness.
Resilient H∞$$ {H}_{\infty } $$ filtering for discrete‐time system with multipath data packet dropout and quantization
Authors: Wang Jian , Chang Xiao‐Heng , Xiong Jun , Li Zhi‐Min
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes a two‐step method to design a resilient filter and two dynamic quantizers for a class of discrete‐time systems. In the first step, a filter is designed to make the discrete‐time system stochastically stable, and make the
norm between the filtering error and the external disturbance less than a given level. In the second step, two dynamic quantizers, which quantify the measurement output signal and the performance output signal, respectively, are designed under the condition that the filter gain matrices are obtained. In addition, the filter adopted in this paper takes the randomly occurring uncertainty into consideration, and the quantizers are designed by an inequality scaling technique which can reduce the complexity of linear matrix inequalities. Furthermore, this paper also considers the data packet dropout that may occur during network transmission. Finally, considering the data packet dropout and quantization of measurement output signal and performance output signal, the effectiveness of the proposed filter design method is demonstrated by two simulation examples.
Cytotoxic Activity of Herbal Medicines as Assessed in Vitro: A Review
Authors: Gavanji Shahin , Bakhtari Azizollah , Famurewa Ademola C. , Othman Eman M.
Published: January 2023

Since time immemorial, human beings have sought natural medications for treatment of various diseases. Weighty evidence demonstrates the use of chemical methodologies for sensitive evaluation of cytotoxic potentials of herbal agents. However, due to the ubiquitous use of cytotoxicity methods, there is a need for providing updated guidance for the design and development of in vitro assessment. The aim of this review is to provide practical guidance on common cell‐based assays for suitable assessment of cytotoxicity potential of herbal medicines and discussing their advantages and disadvantages Relevant articles in authentic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar and SID, from 1950 to 2022 were collected according to selection criteria of in vitro cytotoxicity assays and protocols. In addition, the link between cytotoxicity assay selection and different factors such as the drug solvent, concentration and exposure duration were discussed.
Identification of Biologically Diverse Tetrahydronaphthalen‐2‐ols through the Synthesis and Phenotypic Profiling of Chemically Diverse, Estradiol‐Inspired Compounds
Authors: Whitmarsh‐Everiss Thomas , Wang Zhou , Hauberg Hansen Cecilie , Depta Laura , Sassetti Elisa , Rafn Dan Oliver , Pahl Axel , Sievers Sonja , Laraia Luca
Published: January 2023

Combining natural product fragments to design new scaffolds with unprecedented bioactivity is a powerful strategy for the discovery of tool compounds and potential therapeutics. However, the choice of fragments to couple and the biological screens to employ remain open questions in the field. By choosing a primary fragment containing the A/B ring system of estradiol and fusing it to nine different secondary fragments, we were able to identify compounds that modulated four different phenotypes: inhibition of autophagy and osteoblast differentiation, as well as potassium channel and tubulin modulation. The latter two were uncovered by using unbiased morphological profiling with a cell‐painting assay. The number of hits and variety in bioactivity discovered validates the use of recombining natural product fragments coupled to phenotypic screening for the rapid identification of biologically diverse compounds.
Site‐Specific Labeling of RNAs with Modified and 19F‐Labeled Nucleotides by Chemo‐Enzymatic Synthesis
Authors: Sudakov Alexey , Knezic Bozana , Hengesbach Martin , Fürtig Boris , Stirnal Elke , Schwalbe Harald
Published: January 2023

More than 170 post‐transcriptional modifications of RNAs have currently been identified. Detailed biophysical investigations of these modifications have been limited since large RNAs containing these post‐transcriptional modifications are difficult to produce. Further, adequate readout of spectroscopic fingerprints are important, necessitating additional labeling procedures beyond the naturally occurring RNA modifications. Here, we report the chemo‐enzymatic synthesis of RNA modifications and several structurally similar fluorine‐modified analogs further optimizing a recently developed methodology.[1] This chemo‐enzymatic method allows synthesis of also large RNAs. We were able to incorporate 16 modified nucleotides and 6 19F‐labeled nucleotides. To showcase the applicability of such modified large RNAs, we incorporated a 19F‐labeled cytidine into the aptamer domain of the 2’dG sensing riboswitch (2’dG‐sw) from Mesoplasma florum, enabling characterizing RNA fold, ligand binding and kinetics. Thanks to the large chemical shift dispersion of 19F, we can detect conformational heterogeneity in the apo state of the riboswitch.
Constructing Artificial Nucleobase Compilation to Enable Precise Molecular Medicine†
Authors: Chen Jingqi , Liu Bo , Wang Xuan , Liu Xueliang , Yang Dandan , Yang Yu
Published: January 2023

Comprehensive Summary

Nucleic acids are the hereditary information storage medium of life. Due to its high programmability and good biocompatibility, the applications of nucleic acids are not limited to their natural function. However, the efficiency of nucleic acids is often hampered by inherent limitations in numerous practical applications, including limited access to complex functional patterns due to only four building blocks, facile degradation by nucleases, rapid renal clearance, poor pharmacokinetic properties, and so on. To end this, the researchers developed unnatural base pairs (UBPs) and numerous artificial analogues of nucleosides and oligonucleotides in recent decades. The developed UBPs and nucleoside base analogues together constitute artificial nucleobase compilation, which promotes the development of biomedical sciences. Here, we describe the development of artificial nucleobase compilation and summarized its applications in precise molecular medicine, including PCR‐based diagnostics, aptamer‐based diagnostics, nucleobase analogue drugs construction, ASO modification, aptamer‐based therapeutics and biomaterials construction. This review provides an overview of current opportunities and challenges of artificial nucleobase‐related precise molecular medicine.
An optimized deep network based soil texture prediction and vegetation analysis using satellite image database
Authors: Anand Mallekedi , Jain Anuj , Kumar Shukla Manoj
Published: January 2023

The usage of satellite images has grown rapidly in digital applications. Predicting features in the satellite images using conventional techniques is not an easy task as the images captured from satellites are more complex with highly noisy features. Hence, traditional imaging algorithms cannot analyze the image features and specify the soil textures. In this work, the Tarakeswar satellite images were taken to estimate the soil textures and crops yielding. Hence, to find the soil's chemical properties and suitable crops, the novel bat‐based U‐Net feature prediction system (BUFPS) was developed with the required features. The imported satellite images were initially filtered and entered into the classification phase to forecast the present chemical features and suitable crops in specific soils. After detecting the chemical features, soil textures like sandy, silt, and clay were categorized; the crops like jute, rice, lentil, and potato were considered. Finally, the planned model is executed in the MATLAB environment and has gained outstanding results by achieving the lowest error rate of 8% and a high prediction score of 92%. The proposed model has achieved exact soil texture analysis for complex satellite images. The gained texture analysis outcome is quite better than other existing models.
Humanization of the Shark VNAR Single Domain Antibody Using CDR Grafting
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Fan , Sun Yaping , Hong Jessica , Ho Mitchell
Published: January 2023

The variable domain of the new antigen receptor (VNAR) of shark single domain antibodies is evolutionarily distant from the variable regions (VH) of mammalian immunoglobulins, yet it still has complementarity‐determining regions (CDRs) that are involved in antigen recognition, therefore making it possible to humanize by grafting these CDRs to the framework of human VH homologs. Here, we show the VNAR CDR based on an analysis of currently available VNAR‐antigen structure complexes in the global Protein Data Bank archive of 3D structure data, and describe the detailed protocol to humanize VNAR by CDR grafting, using B6 (an anti‐Pseudomonas exotoxin VNAR), the most common type (Type II) of shark VNARs, as an example. Ongoing efforts will further optimize the protocol for moving shark VNARs to the clinic for treating cancer and other human diseases. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Basic Protocol: Humanize shark VNAR sequence by CDR grafting

Support Protocol 1: VNAR structure prediction and comparison

Support Protocol 2: Measure binding kinetics of humanized VNAR using bio‐layer interferometry (BLI)