bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Albendazole and Mebendazole as Anti-Parasitic and Anti-Cancer Agents: an Update
Authors: Chai Jong-Yil , Jung Bong-Kwang , Hong Sung-Jong
Published: June 2021

The use of albendazole and mebendazole, i.e., benzimidazole broad-spectrum anthelmintics, in treatment of parasitic infections, as well as cancers, is briefly reviewed. These drugs are known to block the microtubule systems of parasites and mammalian cells leading to inhibition of glucose uptake and transport and finally cell death. Eventually they exhibit ovicidal, larvicidal, and vermicidal effects on parasites, and tumoricidal effects on hosts. Albendazole and mebendazole are most frequently prescribed for treatment of intestinal nematode infections (ascariasis, hookworm infections, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, and enterobiasis) and can also be used for intestinal tapeworm infections (taeniases and hymenolepiasis). However, these drugs also exhibit considerable therapeutic effects against tissue nematode/cestode infections (visceral, ocular, neural, and cutaneous larva migrans, anisakiasis, trichinosis, hepatic and intestinal capillariasis, angiostrongyliasis, gnathostomiasis, gongylonemiasis, thelaziasis, dracunculiasis, cerebral and subcutaneous cysticercosis, and echinococcosis). Albendazole is also used for treatment of filarial infections (lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, loiasis, mansonellosis, and dirofilariasis) alone or in combination with other drugs, such as ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine. Albendazole was tried even for treatment of trematode (fascioliasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, and intestinal fluke infections) and protozoan infections (giardiasis, vaginal trichomoniasis, cryptosporidiosis, and microsporidiosis). These drugs are generally safe with few side effects; however, when they are used for prolonged time (>14-28 days) or even only 1 time, liver toxicity and other side reactions may occur. In hookworms, Trichuris trichiura, possibly Ascaris lumbricoides, Wuchereria bancrofti, and Giardia sp., there are emerging issues of drug resistance. It is of particular note that albendazole and mebendazole have been repositioned as promising anti-cancer drugs. These drugs have been shown to be active in vitro and in vivo (animals) against liver, lung, ovary, prostate, colorectal, breast, head and neck cancers, and melanoma. Two clinical reports for albendazole and 2 case reports for mebendazole have revealed promising effects of these drugs in human patients having variable types of cancers. However, because of the toxicity of albendazole, for example, neutropenia due to myelosuppression, if high doses are used for a prolonged time, mebendazole is currently more popularly used than albendazole in anti-cancer clinical trials.
Seasonal Abundance of Culicoides at Yongsan US Army Garrison (USAG) and Camp Humphreys USAG, Republic of Korea, 2010-2013 and 2014-2017
Authors: Kim Myung-Soon , Kim Heung Chul , Bellis Glenn A. , Chong Sung-Tae , Kim Hyo-Sung , Klein Terry A.
Published: June 2021

Biting midges (Culicoides: Ceratopogonidae) were collected using New Jersey light traps at Yongsan US Army Garrison (USAG;urban), Seoul Metropolitan city and Camp Humphreys USAG (rural), Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do (province), Republic of Korea , from May-October 2010-2013 and 2015-2017, to determine species composition and seasonal distribution patterns in urban and rural habitats. A total of 9,958 female (53.85%) and 8,533 male (46.15%) Culicoides comprising 16 species were collected. Overall, the most commonly collected species was Culicoides arakawae (74.3%), followed by C. circumscriptus (16.2%), C. kibunensis (2.5%), C. nasuensis (2.2%), C. clavipalpis (1.4%), and C. pallidulus (1.3%), while the remaining 10 species accounted for <2.1% of all Culicoides spp. collected. The 2 predominant species collected were C. circumscriptus (47.4%) and C. arakawae (33.4%) at Yongsan, and C. arakawae (90.4%) and C. circumscriptus (3.9%) at Camp Humphreys. The seasonal abundance of these 2 species varied between years and between sites but on average peaked in August-September for C. arakawae and June-July for C. circumscriptus. Annual variations in abundance were observed for most species collected during this study. Unusually high proportions of male specimens were observed for most species at both sites which may be due to the use of the New Jersey trap.
Análisis de los significados del concepto de diferencial desde una perspectiva ontosemiótica
Authors: Verón Manuel Alejandro , Giacomone Belén
Published: June 2021

En esta investigación se aborda el estudio de los diversos significados del concepto de diferencial aplicando herramientas teóricas del Enfoque Ontosemiótico, en particular las nociones de significado pragmático de un concepto y configuración de prácticas, objetos y procesos. El objetivo es construir un modelo ontosemiótico de referencia; para ello, en primer lugar, se realiza un estudio histórico-epistemológico sobre el origen y evolución del diferencial, identificando cuatro significados parciales fundamentales correspondientes a las aportaciones de Leibniz, Cauchy, Fréchet y Robinson. En segundo lugar, se presenta la caracterización ontosemiótica de dichos significados a partir del análisis de la solución del problema de trazado de la tangente a una curva. Los resultados reflejan claras implicaciones, tanto para la enseñanza y aprendizaje en diversas carreras universitarias como para la formación de profesores de matemáticas.
ANALYSIS OF IL-1Ra AND IL-4 GENE VNTRS POLYMORPHISMS AMONG DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIANS: A GENOTYPE-PHENOTYPE STUDY
Authors: YÜKSEL Burcu , YILDIRIM Serap
Published: June 2021

For people working in dental prosthesis laboratories (DPL), metal alloys and methylmethacrylate-based monomers and polymers used in the laboratory can pose occupational risks. These risks can cause occupational health problems and toxic effects on human health. This study purposes of researching the effects of occupational exposure because of dental prosthesis manufacturing operations on variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms in IL-1Ra and IL-4 genes. 29 DPL workers, the experimental group, were given a questionnaire, including the symptoms that might arise due to occupational exposure, and their responses were compared with 30 participants as a control group. Genotype distributions and allele frequencies for IL-1Ra intron 2 (rs2234663) and IL-4 intron 3 (rs79071878) VNTR polymorphisms were analyzed using the PCR technique. Both IL-1Ra intron 2 and IL-4 intron 3 polymorphisms identified from the experimental and control groups were not statistically significantly different (p >.05). However, runny nose, burning throat, dyspnea and dryness and rash on the skin were significantly different when DPL workers were compared with the control group according to logistic regression analysis (p <.05). No statistical difference was found in other phenotypic characters. However, due to the limited sample size, our results need to be confirmed in large-scale studies.
The Effect of Race and Other Factors on the Utilization of Annual Physical Examinations and Preventive Healthcare Services in the District of Columbia
Authors: Von Batten Karl
Published: June 2021

This study shows a statistically and clinically significant gap between Whites and Blacks in the use of annual physical examination and preventive care services in the District of Columbia. The results of the study indicate that race (Whites versus Blacks) and work schedule conflicts are not significant factors in the noted gap. The study also found that income and education levels were not significant factors. Moreover, the study demonstrates a knowledge gap between Whites and Blacks pertaining to knowing that critical preventive care services are fully covered by health insurance plans (Section 2713 of the Affordable Care Act mandate). This is important because the study indicates that knowing that critical preventive care services are covered by health insurance companies is a (small) contributing factor in the difference in the utilization of preventive care services between Whites and Blacks in the District of Columbia.
Large-Scale de novo Oligonucleotide Synthesis for Whole-Genome Synthesis and Data Storage: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Song Li-Fu , Deng Zheng-Hua , Gong Zi-Yi , Li Lu-Lu , Li Bing-Zhi
Published: June 2021

Over the past decades, remarkable progress on phosphoramidite chemistry-based large-scale de novo oligonucleotide synthesis has been achieved, enabling numerous novel and exciting applications. Among them, de novo genome synthesis and DNA data storage are striking. However, to make these two applications more practical, the synthesis length, speed, cost, and throughput require vast improvements, which is a challenge to be met by the phosphoramidite chemistry. Harnessing the power of enzymes, the recently emerged enzymatic methods provide a competitive route to overcome this challenge. In this review, we first summarize the status of large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis technologies including the basic methodology and large-scale synthesis approaches, with special focus on the emerging enzymatic methods. Afterward, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis on de novo genome synthesis and DNA data storage respectively.
Intercalated Iron Chalcogenides: Phase Separation Phenomena and Superconducting Properties
Authors: Krzton-Maziopa Anna
Published: June 2021

Organic molecule-intercalated layered iron-based monochalcogenides are presently the subject of intense research studies due to the linkage of their fascinating magnetic and superconducting properties to the chemical nature of guests present in the structure. Iron chalcogenides have the ability to host various organic species (i.e., solvates of alkali metals and the selected Lewis bases or long-chain alkylammonium cations) between the weakly bound inorganic layers, which opens up the possibility for fine tuning the magnetic and electrical properties of the intercalated phases by controlling both the doping level and the type/shape and orientation of the organic molecules. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the field of intercalation chemistry, expanding the gallery of intercalated superconductors with new hybrid inorganic–organic phases characterized by transition temperatures to a superconducting state as high as 46 K. A typical synthetic approach involves the low-temperature intercalation of layered precursors in the presence of liquid amines, and other methods, such as electrochemical intercalation, intercalant or ion exchange, and direct solvothermal growths from anhydrous amine-based media, are also being developed. Large organic guests, while entering a layered structure on intercalation, push off the inorganic slabs and modify the geometry of their internal building blocks (edge-sharing iron chalcogenide tetrahedrons) through chemical pressure. The chemical nature and orientation of organic molecules between the inorganic layers play an important role in structural modification and may serve as a tool for the alteration of the superconducting properties. A variety of donor species well-matched with the selected alkali metals enables the adjustment of electron doping in a host structure offering a broad range of new materials with tunable electric and magnetic properties. In this review, the main aspects of intercalation chemistry are discussed, involving the influence of the chemical and electrochemical nature of intercalating species on the crystal structure and critical issues related to the superconducting properties of the hybrid inorganic–organic phases. Mutual relations between the host and organic guests lead to a specific ordering of molecular species between the host layers, and their effect on the electronic structure of the host will be also argued. A brief description of a critical assessment of the association of the most effective chemical and electrochemical methods, which lead to the preparation of nanosized/microsized powders and single crystals of molecularly intercalated phases, with the ease of preparation of phase pure materials, crystal sizes, and the morphology of final products is given together with a discussion of the stability of the intercalated materials connected with the volatility of organic solvents and a possible degradation of host materials.
Accurate Identification of Closely Related Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Species by High Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Bajaj Amol O. , Saraswat Suraj , Knuuttila Juha E. A. , Freeke Joanna , Stielow J. Benjamin , Barker Adam P.
Published: June 2021

Rapid and accurate differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) species from other mycobacterium is essential for appropriate therapeutic management, timely intervention for infection control and initiation of appropriate health care measures. However, routine clinical characterization methods for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) species remain both, time consuming and labor intensive. In the present study, an innovative liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry method for the identification of clinically most relevant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex species is tested using a model set of mycobacterium strains. The methodology is based on protein profiling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates, which are used as markers of differentiation. To test the resolving power, speed, and accuracy of the method, four ATCC type strains and 37 recent clinical isolates of closely related species were analyzed using this new approach. Using different deconvolution algorithms, we detected hundreds of individual protein masses, with a subpopulation of these functioning as species-specific markers. This assay identified 216, 260, 222, and 201 proteoforms for M. tuberculosis ATCC 27294™, M. microti ATCC 19422™, M. africanum ATCC 25420™, and M. bovis ATCC 19210™ respectively. All clinical strains were identified to the correct species with a mean of 95% accuracy. Our study successfully demonstrates applicability of this novel mass spectrometric approach to identify clinically relevant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex species that are very closely related and difficult to differentiate with currently existing methods. Here, we present the first proof-of-principle study employing a fast mass spectrometry-based method to identify the clinically most prevalent species within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis species complex.
Discovery Genome-Wide Association Study of Body Composition in 4,386 Adults From the UK Biobank’s Pilot Imaging Enhancement Study
Authors: Livingstone Katherine M. , Tan Mun Hua , Abbott Gavin , Duckham Rachel L. , Croft Larry , Ward Joey , McEvoy Mark , Keske Michelle A. , Austin Christopher , Bowe Steven J.
Published: June 2021

Body composition (fat, skeletal muscle and bone mass) is an important determinant of overall health and risk of endocrine disorders such as type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. Although diet and physical activity are strongly implicated, body composition is also heritable. We conducted a discovery genome-wide association study on 31 phenotypes from the three-compartment body composition model (fat, lean and bone mass) in a set of 4 386 individuals (n = 2 109 males, n = 2 294 females) from the UK Biobank pilot imaging enhancement program that underwent a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan for assessment of body composition and genetic screening. From 6 137 607 imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) we identified 17 body composition loci (P<5.0 x 10-8). GWAS from the combined dataset identified four statistically significant SNPs (rs7592270, rs145972737, rs13212044, rs77772562). In sex-stratified GWAS, 10 male specific SNPs across all traits were identified and five female specific SNPs. Of the 17 SNPs, six were in or close to a gene where there was a plausible functional connection. Three SNPs (rs7592270, rs77772562 and rs7552312) were correlated with obesity phenotypes, one SNP (rs2236705) with lean phenotypes and two with bone mass phenotypes (rs112098641 and rs113380185). These results highlight candidate genes and biological pathways related to body composition, including glucose metabolism and estrogen regulation, that are of interest to replicate in future studies.
Study on a Frequency Fluctuation Attenuation Method for the Parallel Multi-VSG System
Authors: Sun Zhenao , Zhu Fanglin , Cao Xingchen
Published: June 2021

Virtual synchronous generator (VSG) is one of the inverter control methods which can provide extra virtual moment of inertia and achieve frequency support by mimicking the output characteristics of a rotating synchronous generator (RSG), which makes VSG particularly suitable for multi-access point applications, or called the multi-VSG system. However, frequency fluctuations may often occur in the case of power variation. In terms of this issue, this study presents the small-signal state-space model of VSG and analyzes the cause of frequency fluctuation, first. And then, a novel VSG control method is proposed for frequency fluctuation attenuation. The proposed method is especially fit for the parallel multi-VSG system because it does not take grid angular frequency into computation so that it can get rid of the ill effect introduced through PLL. The damping power item is reconstrued with a new means to judge whether the system is in a steady state or not. At the same time, the parametric design method of the proposed method is also figured out. Finally, the simulation experiments are performed, and the results verify that the proposed method performs better than the conventional one in terms of dynamic response and power-sharing among the multi-VSG system.
Lianas Significantly Reduce Aboveground and Belowground Carbon Storage: A Virtual Removal Experiment
Authors: Meunier Félicien , van der Heijden Geertje M. F. , Schnitzer Stefan A. , De Deurwaerder Hannes P. T. , Verbeeck Hans
Published: June 2021

Lianas are structural parasites of trees that cause a reduction in tree growth and an increase in tree mortality. Thereby, lianas negatively impact forest carbon storage as evidenced by liana removal experiments. In this proof-of-concept study, we calibrated the Ecosystem Demography model (ED2) using 3 years of observations of net aboveground biomass (AGB) changes in control and removal plots of a liana removal experiment on Gigante Peninsula, Panama. After calibration, the model could accurately reproduce the observations of net biomass changes, the discrepancies between treatments, as well as the observed components of those changes (mortality, productivity, and growth). Simulations revealed that the long-term total (i.e., above- and belowground) carbon storage was enhanced in liana removal plots (+1.2 kgC m–2 after 3 years, +1.8 kgC m–2 after 10 years, as compared to the control plots). This difference was driven by a sharp increase in biomass of early successional trees and the slow decomposition of liana woody tissues in the removal plots. Moreover, liana removal significantly reduced the simulated heterotrophic respiration (−24%), which resulted in an average increase in net ecosystem productivity (NEP) from 0.009 to 0.075 kgC m–2 yr–1 for 10 years after liana removal. Based on the ED2 model outputs, lianas reduced gross and net primary productivity of trees by 40% and 53%, respectively, mainly through competition for light. Finally, model simulations suggested a profound impact of the liana removal on the soil carbon dynamics: the simulated metabolic litter carbon pool was systematically larger in control plots (+51% on average) as a result of higher mortality rates and faster leaf and root turnover rates. By overcoming the challenge of including lianas and depicting their effect on forest ecosystems, the calibrated version of the liana plant functional type (PFT) as incorporated in ED2 can predict the impact of liana removal at large-scale and its potential effect on long-term ecosystem carbon storage.
Disruptive Selection of Human Immunostimulatory and Immunosuppressive Genes Both Provokes and Prevents Rheumatoid Arthritis, Respectively, as a Self-Domestication Syndrome
Authors: Klimova Natalya V. , Oshchepkova Evgeniya , Chadaeva Irina , Sharypova Ekaterina , Ponomarenko Petr , Drachkova Irina , Rasskazov Dmitry , Oshchepkov Dmitry , Ponomarenko Mikhail , Savinkova Ludmila , Kolchanov Nikolay A. , Kozlov Vladimir
Published: June 2021

Using our previously published Web service SNP_TATA_Comparator, we conducted a genome-wide study of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within core promoters of 68 human rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related genes. Using 603 SNPs within 25 genes clinically associated with RA-comorbid disorders, we predicted 84 and 70 candidate SNP markers for overexpression and underexpression of these genes, respectively, among which 58 and 96 candidate SNP markers, respectively, can relieve and worsen RA as if there is a neutral drift toward susceptibility to RA. Similarly, we predicted natural selection toward susceptibility to RA for 8 immunostimulatory genes (e.g., IL9R) and 10 genes most often associated with RA (e.g., NPY). On the contrary, using 25 immunosuppressive genes, we predicted 70 and 109 candidate SNP markers aggravating and relieving RA, respectively (e.g., IL1R2 and TGFB2), suggesting that natural selection can simultaneously additionally yield resistance to RA. We concluded that disruptive natural selection of human immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive genes is concurrently elevating and reducing the risk of RA, respectively. So, we hypothesize that RA in human could be a self-domestication syndrome referring to evolution patterns in domestic animals. We tested this hypothesis by means of public RNA-Seq data on 1740 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of pets vs. wild animals (e.g., dogs vs. wolves). The number of DEGs in the domestic animals corresponding to worsened RA condition in humans was significantly larger than that in the related wild animals (10 vs. 3). Moreover, much less DEGs in the domestic animals were accordant to relieved RA condition in humans than those in the wild animals (1 vs. 8 genes). This indicates that the anthropogenic environment, in contrast to a natural one, affects gene expression across the whole genome (e.g., immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive genes) in a manner that likely contributes to RA. The difference in gene numbers is statistically significant as confirmed by binomial distribution (p < 0.01), Pearson’s χ2 (p < 0.01), and Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05). This allows us to propose RA as a candidate symptom within a self-domestication syndrome. Such syndrome might be considered as a human’s payment with health for the benefits received during evolution.
Apple Ripening Is Controlled by a NAC Transcription Factor
Authors: Migicovsky Zoë , Yeats Trevor H. , Watts Sophie , Song Jun , Forney Charles F. , Burgher-MacLellan Karen , Somers Daryl J. , Gong Yihui , Zhang Zhaoqi , Vrebalov Julia , van Velzen Robin , Giovannoni James G. , Rose Jocelyn K. C. , Myles Sean
Published: June 2021

Softening is a hallmark of ripening in fleshy fruits, and has both desirable and undesirable implications for texture and postharvest stability. Accordingly, the timing and extent of pre-harvest ripening and associated textural changes following harvest are key targets for improving fruit quality through breeding. Previously, we identified a large effect locus associated with harvest date and firmness in apple (Malus domestica) using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Here, we present additional evidence that polymorphisms in or around a transcription factor gene,NAC18.1, may cause variation in these traits. First, we confirmed our previous findings with new phenotype and genotype data from ∼800 apple accessions. In this population, we compared a genetic marker withinNAC18.1to markers targeting three other firmness-related genes currently used by breeders (ACS1,ACO1, andPG1), and found that theNAC18.1marker was the strongest predictor of both firmness at harvest and firmness after 3 months of cold storage. By sequencingNAC18.1across 18 accessions, we revealed two predominant haplotypes containing the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) previously identified using GWAS, as well as dozens of additional SNPs and indels in both the coding and promoter sequences.NAC18.1encodes a protein that is orthogolous to the NON-RIPENING (NOR) transcription factor, a regulator of ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We introduced bothNAC18.1transgene haplotypes into the tomatonormutant and showed that both haplotypes complement thenorripening deficiency. Taken together, these results indicate that polymorphisms inNAC18.1may underlie substantial variation in apple firmness through modulation of a conserved ripening program.
Exosomes Derived From Heat Stroke Cases Carry miRNAs Associated With Inflammation and Coagulation Cascade
Authors: Li Yue , Wen Qiang , Chen Huaisheng , Wu Xinhui , Liu Bin , Li Hui , Su Lei , Tong Huasheng
Published: June 2021

The pathological mechanism underlying heat stroke (HS) is associated with the dysbalanced inflammation and coagulation cascade. Cell-derived circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs), as a novel pathway mediating intercellular communication, are associated with the immune response and inflammation in critical inflammatory syndromes, such as sepsis. Although these vesicles contain genetic material correlated with their biological function, their molecular cargo during HS remains unknown. In this study, we evaluate the presence of microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) associated with inflammatory responses and coagulation cascade in exosomes of patients with HS. Blood samples were collected from three patients with HS at the time of admission to the intensive care unit; three healthy volunteers were selected as control. Exosomes were isolated using ultracentrifugation, and their miRNA content was profiled using next-generation sequencing; mRNA content was evaluated using qPCR array. Compared with those from healthy volunteers, exosomes from patients with HS showed substantial changes in the expression of 202 exosomal miRNAs (154 upregulated and 48 downregulated miRNAs). The most upregulated miRNAs included miR-511-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-155-3p, miR-1290, and let7-5p, whereas the most downregulated ones included miR-150-3p, 146a-5p, and 151a-3p. Gene ontology enrichment of the miRNAs of patients with HS compared with control subjects were associated mostly with inflammatory response, including T cell activation, B cell receptor signaling, dendritic cell chemotaxis and leukocyte migration, and platelet activation and blood coagulation. The identified miRNAs were primarily enriched to the signal transduction pathways namely, T cell receptor signaling, Ras signaling, chemokine signaling, platelet activation, and leukocyte transendothelial migration, all of which are associated with inflammation and hemostasis. Multiple targeted mRNAs associated with the inflammatory response, blood coagulation, and platelet activation were further verified in serum exosomes. Exosomes from patients with HS convey miRNAs and mRNAs associated with pathogenic pathways, including inflammatory response and coagulation cascade. Exosomes may represent a novel mechanism for intercellular communication during HS.
Data Poor Approach for the Assessment of the Main Target Species of Rapido Trawl Fishery in Adriatic Sea
Authors: Armelloni Enrico Nicola , Scanu Martina , Masnadi Francesco , Coro Gianpaolo , Angelini Silvia , Scarcella Giuseppe
Published: June 2021

Information on stock status is available only for a few of the species forming the catch assemblage of rapido fishery of the North-central Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea). Species that are caught almost exclusively by this gear, either as target (such as Pectinidae) or accessory catches (such as flatfishes apart from the common sole), remain unassessed mainly due to the lack of data and biological information. Based on cluster analysis, the catch assemblage of this fishery was identified and assessed using CMSY model. The results of this data-poor methodology showed that, among the species analyzed, no one is sustainably exploited. The single-species CMSY results were used as input to an extension of the same model, to test the effect of four different harvest control rule (HCR) scenarios on the entire catch assemblage, through 15-years forecasts. The analysis showed that the percentage of the stocks that will reach Bmsy at the end of the projections will depend on the HCR applied. Forecasts showed that a reduction of 20% of fishing effort may permit to most of the target and accessory species of the rapido trawl fishery in the Adriatic Sea to recover to Bmsy levels within 15 years, also providing a slight increase in the expected catches.
A Comparison of Transvaginal Removal and Repair of Uterine Defect for Type II Cesarean Scar Pregnancy and Uterine Artery Embolization Combined With Curettage
Authors: Cao Shanshan , Qiu Guijing , Zhang Peipei , Wang Xinyan , Wu Qing
Published: June 2021

Background: There is no consensus on a standardized therapy for type II cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP II). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety and compare costs associated with transvaginal removal and repair (TRR) of uterine defect for CSP II to those of uterine artery embolization (UAE) and curettage.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study that included 87 patients diagnosed with CSP II and treated by performing UAE in combination with curettage and hysteroscopy (n = 53), or TRR (n = 34). Clinical data and outcomes were analyzed.

Results: UAE and TRR groups exhibited similar success rates. The TRR group had significantly lower complication rates (30.19 vs. 8.82%, P < 0.05) and lower total costs (13,765.89 ± 2,029.12 vs. 9,063.82 ± 954.67, P < 0.05) than the UAE group. The anterior myometrium of the lower uterine segment was relatively thicker after performing TRR, and no patient suffered from recurrent CSP II. The proportion of patients in the TRR group who had full-term delivery without uterine rupture was 88.24% (30/34), while four patients failed to pregnancy.

Conclusion: TRR is a safe and effective treatment method for patients with CSP II and presents a highly cost-effective outcome, especially for patients with future fertility desire.
Occurrence and Molecular Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales Recovered From Chicken, Chicken Meat, and Human Infections in Sao Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Cardozo Marita Vedovelli , Liakopoulos Apostolos , Brouwer Michael , Kant Arie , Pizauro Lucas José Luduvério , Borzi Mariana Monezi , Mevius Dik , de Ávila Fernando Antonio
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to investigate the phylogenetic diversity and epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from chicken, chicken meat, and human clinical isolates in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and characterize their respective ESBL-encoding plasmids. Three hundred samples from chicken cloaca, chicken meat, and clinical isolates were phenotypically and genotypically assessed for ESBL resistance. Isolates were identified by MALDI TOF-MS and further characterized by MLST analysis and phylogenetic grouping. ESBL genes were characterized and their location was determined by I-Ceu-I-PFGE and Southern blot, conjugation, transformation, and PCR-based replicon typing experiments. Thirty-seven ESBL-producing isolates (28 E. coli and 9 K. pneumoniae) that were positive for the blaCTX–M–1 or blaCTX–M–2 gene groups were obtained. Two isolates were negative in the transformation assay, and the chromosomal location of the genes was deduced by Southern blot. The blaCTX–M genes identified were carried on plasmid replicon-types X1, HI2, N, FII-variants, I1 and R. The E. coli isolates belonged to nine sequence types, while the K. pneumoniae isolates belonged to four sequence types. The E. coli isolates belonged to phylotype classification groups A, B1, D, and F. This study demonstrated that isolates from cloacal swabs, chicken meat, and human feces had genetic diversity, with a high frequency of blaCTX–M–15 among chickens, chicken meat, and human feces. Thus, this reinforces the hypothesis that chickens, as well as their by-products, could be an important source of transmission for ESBL-producing pathogens to humans in South America.
Accuracy of the Short-Form Montreal Cognitive Assessment Chinese Versions
Authors: Tan Ji-ping , Wang Xiaoxiao , Zhang Shimin , Zhao Yiming , Lan Xiaoyang , Li Nan , Wang Lu-ning , Gao Jing
Published: June 2021

Background: There is a strong need for short and effective methods to screen for cognitive impairment. Recent studies have created short forms of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (s-MoCA) in English-speaking populations. It is also important to develop a validated Chinese short version to detect cognitive impairment.

Methods: Item response theory and computerized adaptive testing analytics were used to construct abbreviated MoCAs across a large neurological sample comprising 6,981 community-dwelling Chinese veterans.

Results: Six MoCA items with high discrimination and appropriate difficulty were included in the s-MoCA. The Chinese short versions (sensitivity 0.89/0.90, specificity 0.72/0.77) are similar in performance to the full MoCA in identifying cognitive impairment (sensitivity 0.91, specificity 0.82).

Conclusions: These short variants of the MoCA may serve as quick and effective instruments when the original MoCA cannot be feasibly administered in clinical services with a high patient burden and limited cognitive testing resources.
Case Report: Guillain–Barré Syndrome Associated With COVID-19
Authors: Khedr Eman M. , Shoyb Ahmed , Mohamed Khaled O. , Karim Ahmed A. , Saber Mostafa
Published: June 2021

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a potentially fatal, immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nervous system that is usually triggered by infection. Only a small number of cases of GBS associated with COVID-19 infection have been published. We report here five patients with GBS admitted to the Neurology, Psychiatry, and Neurosurgery Hospital, Assiut University/Egypt from July 1 to November 20, 2020. Three of the five patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2 following polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasopharyngeal swabs on day of admission and another one had a high level of IgM and IgG; all had bilateral ground-glass opacities with consolidation on CT chest scan (GGO) and lymphopenia. All patients presented with two or more of the following: fever, cough, malaise, vomiting, and diarrhea with variable duration. However, there were some peculiarities in the clinical presentation. First, there were only 3 to 14 days between the onset of COVID-19 symptoms and the first symptoms of GBS, which developed into flaccid areflexic quadriplegia with glove and stocking hypoesthesia. The second peculiarity was that three of the cases had cranial nerve involvement, suggesting that there may be a high incidence of cranial involvement in SARS-CoV-2-associated GBS. Other peculiarities occurred. Case 2 presented with a cerebellar hemorrhage before symptoms of COVID-19 and had a cardiac attack with elevated cardiac enzymes following onset of GBS symptoms. Case 5 was also unusual in that the onset began with bilateral facial palsy, which preceded the sensory and motor manifestations of GBS (descending course). Neurophysiological studies showed evidence of sensorimotor demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, suggesting acute inflammatory polyneuropathy (AIDP) in all patients. Three patients received plasmapheresis. All of them had either full recovery or partial recovery. Possible pathophysiological links between GBS and COVID-19 are discussed.
Early Screening of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Electroencephalogram Signal Feature Selection With L1-Norm Regularization
Authors: Peng Shixin , Xu Ruyi , Yi Xin , Hu Xin , Liu Lili , Liu Leyuan
Published: June 2021

Early screening is vital and helpful for implementing intensive intervention and rehabilitation therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research has shown that electroencephalogram (EEG) signals can reflect abnormal brain function of children with ASD, and screening with EEG signals has the characteristics of good real-time performance and high sensitivity. However, the existing EEG screening algorithms mostly focus on the data analysis in the resting state, and the extracted EEG features have some disadvantages such as weak representation capacity and information redundancy. In this study, we utilized the event-related potential (ERP) technique to acquire the EEG data of the subjects under positive and negative emotional stimulation and proposed an EEG Feature Selection Algorithm based on L1-norm regularization to perform screening of autism. The proposed EEG Feature Selection Algorithm includes the following steps: (1) extracting 20 EEG features from the raw data, (2) classification with support vector machine, (3) selecting appropriate EEG feature with L1-norm regularization according to the classification performance. The experimental results show that the accuracy for screening of children with ASD can reach 93.8% and 87.5% under positive and negative emotional stimulation and the proposed algorithm can effectively eliminate redundant features and improve screening accuracy.
Heat Generation by Electrical Current in a Quantum Dot Hybridized to Majorana Nanowires
Authors: Wang Zhu-Hua
Published: June 2021

Heat current generated by electronic transport through a quantum dot (QD) coupled to both a phonon bath and a Majorana nanowire hosting Majorana bound states (MBSs) is theoretically studied in the framework of non-equilibrium Green’s function technique. The calculated numerical results show that electrical current can be either enhanced or suppressed by the combined influences of the phonon bath and the MBSs at certain bias voltage regimes. The enhancement and suppression of the current’s magnitude for a fixed bias voltage will be reversed due to the direct hybridization between the MBSs. The simultaneous coupling between both MBSs will amplify the function of the MBSs on the current, with the same unchanged and essential qualitative impacts. Heat generation by the electrical current can be fully adjusted by the dot–MBS coupling, direct hybridization between the MBSs, and positions of the dot level. By properly choosing the above parameters, heat generation can be suppressed even for increased electrical current, which is favorable in removing waste heat generated by electrical current flowing through low-dimensional circuits.
Identification of Key Gene Networks Associated With Cell Wall Components Leading to Flesh Firmness in Watermelon
Authors: Anees Muhammad , Gao Lei , Umer Muhammad Jawad , Yuan Pingli , Zhu Hongju , Lu Xuqiang , He Nan , Gong Chengsheng , Kaseb Mohamed Omar , Zhao Shengjie , Liu Wenge
Published: June 2021

Flesh firmness of watermelon is an important quality trait for commercial fruit values, including fruit storability, transportability, and shelf life. To date, knowledge of the gene networks underlying this trait is still limited. Herein, we used weighted genes co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) based on correlation and the association of phenotypic data (cell wall contents) with significantly differentially expressed genes between two materials, a near isogeneic line “HWF” (with high average flesh firmness) and inbred line “203Z” (with low average flesh firmness), to identify the gene networks responsible for changes in fruit flesh firmness. We identified three gene modules harboring 354 genes; these gene modules demonstrated significant correlation with water-soluble pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and protopectin. Based on intramodular significance, eight genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis and ethylene pathway are identified as hub genes within these modules. Among these genes, two genes,Cla012351(Cellulose synthase) andCla004251(Pectinesterase), were significantly correlated with cellulose (r2= 0.83) and protopectin (r2= 0.81); three genes,Cla004120(ERF1),Cla009966(Cellulose synthase), andCla006648(Galactosyltransferase), had a significant correlation with water-soluble pectin (r2= 0.91), cellulose (r2= 0.9), and protopectin (r2= 0.92); and three genes,Cla007092(ERF2a),Cla004119(probable glycosyltransferase), andCla018816(Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase), were correlated with hemicellulose (r2= 0.85), cellulose (r2= 0.8), and protopectin (r2= 0.8). This study generated important insights of biosynthesis of a cell wall structure and ethylene signaling transduction pathway, the mechanism controlling the flesh firmness changes in watermelon, which provide a significant source to accelerate future functional analysis in watermelon to facilitate crop improvement.
QTL Mapping of Seed Quality Traits Including Cooking Time, Flavor, and Texture in a Yellow Dry Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Population
Authors: Bassett Amber , Katuuramu Dennis N. , Song Qijian , Cichy Karen
Published: June 2021

Manteca yellow dry beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) have many quality traits that appeal to consumers, including fast cooking times, creamy texture, and sweet, buttery flavor. They are native to Chile and consumed in regions of South America and Africa but are largely unfamiliar to United States consumers. While cooking time, flavor, and texture have not been prioritized in United States dry bean breeding programs, genetic variability exists such that these traits could be addressed through breeding. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed from a cross between Ervilha (Manteca) and PI527538 (Njano), yellow dry beans with contrasting cooking time and sensory attributes. The population and parents were grown for 2 years in Michigan and evaluated for cooking time and sensory attribute intensities, including total flavor, beany, vegetative, earthy, starchy, sweet, bitter, seed-coat perception, and cotyledon texture. Cooking time ranged 19–34 min and exhibited high broad-sense heritability (0.68). Sensory attribute intensities also exhibited variation among RILs, although broad-sense heritability was low, with beany and total flavor exhibiting the highest (0.33 and 0.27). A linkage map of 870 single nucleotide polymorphisms markers across 11 chromosomes was developed for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, which revealed QTL for water uptake (3), cooking time (6), sensory attribute intensities (28), color (13), seed-coat postharvest non-darkening (1), seed weight (5), and seed yield (2) identified from data across 2 years. Co-localization was identified for starchy, sweet, and seed-coat perception on Pv01; for total flavor, beany, earthy, starchy, sweet, bitter, seed-coat perception, cotyledon texture, and color on Pv03; water uptake and color on Pv04; total flavor, vegetative, sweet, and cotyledon texture on Pv07; cooking time, starchy, sweet, and color on Pv08; and water uptake, cooking time, total flavor, beany, starchy, bitter, seed-coat perception, cotyledon texture, color, and seed-coat postharvest non-darkening on Pv10. The QTL identified in this work, in particular CT8.2 and CT10.2, can be used to develop molecular markers to improve seed quality traits in future dry bean varieties. Considering yellow dry beans already excel in quality and convenience, they might be an ideal market class to signal a new focus on consumer-valued traits in the United States.
Rhizobial Volatiles: Potential New Players in the Complex Interkingdom Signaling With Legumes
Authors: Soto María J. , López-Lara Isabel M. , Geiger Otto , Romero-Puertas María C. , van Dillewijn Pieter
Published: June 2021

Bacteria release a wide range of volatile compounds that play important roles in intermicrobial and interkingdom communication. Volatile metabolites emitted by rhizobacteria can promote plant growth and increase plant resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Rhizobia establish beneficial nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with legume plants in a process starting with a chemical dialog in the rhizosphere involving various diffusible compounds. Despite being one of the most studied plant-interacting microorganisms, very little is known about volatile compounds produced by rhizobia and their biological/ecological role. Evidence indicates that plants can perceive and respond to volatiles emitted by rhizobia. In this perspective, we present recent data that open the possibility that rhizobial volatile compounds have a role in symbiotic interactions with legumes and discuss future directions that could shed light onto this area of investigation.
When do You Want It? Determinants of Future-Oriented Political Thinking
Authors: Rapeli Lauri , Bäck Maria , Jäske Maija , Koskimaa Vesa
Published: June 2021

Many studies have examined whether citizens prefer direct or stealth democracy, or participatory democratic processes. This study adds to the emerging literature that instead examines the temporal aspect of citizens’ process preferences. We use a survey with a probabilistic sample of the Finnish voting-age population (n = 1,906), which includes a measure of the extent to which citizens think democratic decision-making should maximize welfare today or ensure future well-being. Calling this dimension of democratic process preferences future-oriented political thinking, we demonstrate that people hold different but consistent views regarding the extent to which democratic politics should balance between present and future benefits. We find that future-oriented political thinking is linked to general time orientation, but the linkage varies across respondent groups. Politically sophisticated individuals are less future-oriented, suggesting that intense cognitive engagement with politics is linked with a focus on present-day politics rather than political investment in the future.
Effective Learning Support Towards Sustainable Student Learning and Well-Being Influenced by Global Pandemic of COVID-19: A Comparison Between Mainland China and Taiwanese Students
Authors: Xu Ping , Peng Michael Yao-Ping , Anser Muhammad Khalid
Published: June 2021

The novel coronavirus disease that emerged at the end of 2019 began threatening the health and lives of millions of people after a few weeks. However, social and educational problems derived from COVID-19 have changed the development of individuals and the whole country. This study examined the learning method of Taiwanese versus mainland China college students, and evaluated the relationship between learning support mechanism and subjective well-being from a social cognition theory perspective. In this study, a total of 646 Taiwanese questionnaires and 537 mainland China questionnaires were collected to compare the two sample groups in development of students’ subjective well-being. The results showed that social capital and learning support had significant positive correlations with self-efficacy, student employability and well-being and self-efficacy and student employability had significant positive correlations with well-being in Taiwanese sample. In mainland China sample, except paths among social capital, learning support, student employability and well-being, all paths were significant and positive related. Finally, based on the conclusions this study proposed some suggestions specific to theoretical mode for future study.