bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graph Theoretical Network Analysis and Pharmacoinformatics-Based Investigation of Bioactive Compounds of Rasam (South Indian Recipe) Against Human Cancer
Authors: Kalimuthu Arjun Kumar , Panneerselvam Theivendran , Parasuraman Pavadai , Pandian Sureshbabu Ram Kumar , Murugesan Sankaranarayanan , Ammunje Damodar Nayak , Kumar Sattanathan , Arunachalam Sankarganesh , Kunjiappan Selvaraj
Published: June 2021

Spice-rich recipes are referred to as "functional foods" because they include a variety of bioactive chemicals that have health-promoting properties in addition to their nutritional value. Using pharmacoinformatics-based analysis, we explored the relevance of bioactive chemicals found in rasam (a south Indian cuisine) against oxidative stress-induced human malignancies. The rasam is composed of twelve main ingredients, each of which contains a variety of bioactive chemicals. Sixty-six bioactive compounds were found from these ingredients, and their structures were downloaded from Pubchem. To find the right target via graph theoretical analysis (mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)) and display their signaling route, a network was built. Among the identified compounds sixty-six bioactive compounds were used for in silico molecular docking study against MAPK, the top four compounds were chosen for further study based on their docking score and binding affinities. In silico predicted ADMET characteristics of the titled compounds were used to assess their drug-likeness. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation modelling methodology were also used to analyze the effectiveness and safety profile of top four selected bioactive chemicals based on the docking score, as well as to assess the stability of the MAPK-ligand complex structure. Surprisingly, the discovered docking scores against MAPK revealed that the titled bioactive chemicals distribution varied between -3.5 and -10.6 kcal/mol. MD simulation validated the stability of four chemicals at the MAPK binding pockets, including Assafoetidinol A (ASA), Naringin (NAR), Rutin (RUT), and Tomatine (TOM). According to the results obtained, fifty of the sixty-six compounds showed higher binding affinity (-6.1 to -10.6 kcal/mol), and four of these compounds may be used as lead compounds to protect cells against oxidative stress-induced human malignancies.
Association of Increased Remnant Cholesterol and The Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Wang Kexin , Ding Yaodong , Gao Wen , Wang Rui , Yang Jiaxin , Liu Xiali , Shen Hua , Ge Hailong
Published: June 2021

Background and AimsLow-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary target in lipid-lowering therapy in coronary artery disease (CAD). But some patients with normal levels of LDL-C still suffer from CAD progression and malignant outcomes (e.g., MACEs), and the mechanism is unclear. Previous prospective studies demonstrated that remnant cholesterol (RC) and non-HDL-C were capable to predict the risk of CAD. This study evaluated the association between RC and non-HDL-C with the risk of CAD.Methods12,563 patients were enrolled in our study. We categorized patients into four concordance/discordance groups according to the median of RC, LDL-C and non-HDL-C. Then we performed a propensity score matching (PSM) strategy. Unadjusted and adjusted multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between lipid concentrations.Results8,658 (68.9%) patients were male with a median age of 61 (54,67) years. The multivariate logistic regression showed the OR of RC was 1.952 (CI=1.276-2.988, p＝0.002). The OR of low RC/high LDL-C group was 0.574 (CI=0.462-0.714, p＜0.001) and the OR of low RC/high non-HDL-C group was 0.574 (CI=0.462-0.714, p＜0.001). The p for interaction between RC and hypertension, diabetes were both <0.001.ConclusionsOur study showed a significant association between RC and CAD. The level of RC was more capable to reflect the risk of CAD than LDL-C and non-HDL-C. There was an interaction relationship between remnant cholesterol and age, gender, hypertension, diabetes in CAD. But we didn’t find whether there was a relationship between non-HDL-C and CAD.
The Acute Single and Mixture Toxicity of Paraquat Dichloride and Deltamethrin to Guppy (Poecillia reticulata)
Authors: Nugroho Rully Adi , Gestel Cornelis van
Published: June 2021

Although herbicide and insecticide contamination of surface waters normally occurs in the form of mixtures, the toxicity interactions displayed by such mixtures have only rarely been characterized. This study evaluated the acute effects of single pesticides (paraquat dichloride and deltamethrin, tested in their commercial formulations Gramoxone 276 SL and Decis 25EC) and their equitoxic mixtures on the survival of adult male guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata). Mixture toxicity was evaluated against the reference models of Concentration Addition (CA) and Independent Action (IA). In the single treatments, the 72h LC10 and LC50 values were 1.5 and 6.0 mg a.s. L-1 and 0.53 and 3.6 µg a.s. L-1 for paraquat dichloride and deltamethrin, respectively. The equitoxic mixtures showed significant paraquat dichloride-deltamethrin antagonism, both based on the CA and the IA model, without significant dose-level dependent deviations.
A feasibility study characterising tumour microenvironment of longitudinally collected biopsies of pancreatic tumours upon endoscopic ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Lawrence Patrick V. , Desai Krisha , Wadsworth Christopher , Mangal Nagina , Habib Nagy , Sadanandam Anguraj , Sodergren Mikael
Published: June 2021

BackgroundMost patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are metastatic at presentation with dismal prognosis warranting improved systemic therapy options. Longitudinal sampling for assessment of treatment response poses a challenge for validating novel therapies. In this feasibility study, we evaluate the role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided serial fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) to study the molecular changes associated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA).MethodsTwo stage III inoperable gemcitabine-treated PDAC patients were recruited in the treatment arm of ARDEO (ethically approved Phase-II prospective randomized clinical study). Post examination, targeted RFA was delivered thrice, and sequential FNABs of tumour were taken before and after treatment and analysed using a custom NanoString panel (144 genes) consisting of cancer and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) subtypes and immune changes. CAF culture was established from one FNAB and characterised by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting.ResultsSerial EUS-RFA treatments were well tolerated with no complications. Both patients had stable disease immediately after EUS-RFA, however, with different survival outcomes. Two-course RFA led to upregulation of CD1E gene (involved in antigen presentation) in both, patient 1 and 2 (4.5 and 3.9-fold) compared to baseline. Patient 1 showed increased T cell genes (CD4 – 8.7-fold, CD8 – 35.7-fold), cytolytic function (6.4-fold) and inflammatory response (8-fold). Greater than 2-fold upregulation of immune checkpoint genes was observed post 2nd RFA in patient 1, patient 2 or both. Further, two-course RFA led to increased PDGFRa (4.5-fold) and CAF subtypes B and C genes in patient 1 and subtypes A, B and D genes in patient 2. Patient2-derived CAFs post 1st RFA showed expression of PDGFRα, POSTN and MYH11 proteins. Finally, RFA led to downregulation of classical PDA subtype in both patients. ConclusionsFor the first time, this feasibility study validates longitudinal sampling by EUS-FNABs as an appropriate research tool to study tumour microenvironmental changes associated with local PDAC immunomodulatory treatments like RFA.
Retrospective Assessment of Donkeys’ Health and Welfare problems in Dale Sadi District Haro Sabbu Veterinary Clinic, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Firaol , Goshu Desita , Lulu Darge , Wankila Ebisa
Published: June 2021

Background: Although donkey contributed vital role in human livelihoods through direct and indirect contributions to financial, human and social capital, emphasis has not been given to study the welfare issue which include health problems and management requirement. A retrospective study and questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the health and the welfare problem of donkeys coming to the Haro Sabbu Veterinary clinic for treatment at the Dale Sadi district, Haro SabbuVeterinary clinic, Oromia, Ethiopia. Data on 448 donkeys from 2018 to 2020 were analyzed from the data record sheet kept by the clinic. Results: The most common case for wound occurrence were back sore 135(30.1%), chest wound 37(8.3%), bite 27(6.0%) and combined wound of both back and bite 14(3.1%). The finding indicated that the occurrence of wound in donkeys having poor 170 (64.4%), medium 41(33.6%) and good 7(11.6%) body condition and this was found to be statistically significantly associated (p=0.000). Among the common health problems and abnormalities encountered in donkeys back sore wound 135(30.1%), lameness 92(20.5%), parasitic infestation 60(13.6%), chest wound 37(8.3) and signs of colic 34 (7.6%) were the major problems encountered in donkeys coming to clinic for treatment with there was no a statistically significant difference among different years. In addition to body condition, the occurrence of wounds was found to be statistically significantly associated with age category and work type. In addition, pack donkeys experienced higher lameness occurrences as compared to cart donkeys and it was statistically significant (P>0.05). In addition to health related problems, the questionnaire survey conducted also revealed welfare problems such as management condition, overloading, working hour, housing problems, and wounds due to harnessing were the major welfare problems of donkeys in the study area.Conclusion: This retrospective study and questionnaire survey revealed the significant health and welfare problems of donkeys that need to be addressed in order to improve welfare status, their health and working efficiency. Therefore, there should be immediate awareness creation for community, government, community, local service providers and policy makers on welfare issue of donkey and health management in the study area in particular and in the country in general.
Stroke volume variation is a good predictor of fluid responsiveness in cardiac surgery patients with implanted intra-arortic balloon pump
Authors: Enev Rostislav , Abedinov Filip , Bakalova Neda
Published: June 2021

There is a vast body of evidence in favor of individualising fluid therapy using dynamic hemodynamic indices like stroke volume variation (SVV). Patients with implanted intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) are excluded from this approach because of pulse contour artifacts caused by the pump. The aim of this work is to test whether SVV can be used for fluid responsiveness prediction in these patients. Materials and methods: Patients after cardiac surgery with implanted IABP were included in this study. SVV was measured after placing the IABP on standy mode for one minute. Cardiac output (CO) measurement was obtained via Swan-Ganz catheter before and after a 6 ml/kg fluid challenge. Fluid responsiveness was defined as increase of CO by at least 10%. Results: SVV above 8.5% showed a good correlation with fuid responsiveness. Sensitivity was 95 (95% CI 85 to 100) and specificity 82 (95% CI 72 to 92). SVV had an area under the ROC curve 0.91 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.0) Conclusion: SVV is a good predictor of fluid responsiveness in patients with IABP. SVV should not be excluded as a fluid therapy guide for these patients. Placing the pump on standby for one minute allows obtaining an accurate measurement of this important variable.
Development of a Mathematical Model to Forecast Solar Radiation and Validating Results Using Machine Learning Technique
Authors: Herath H.M.K.K.M.B. , Ariyathunge S.V.A.S.H. , Karunasena G.M.K.B.
Published: June 2021

Solar radiation or also referred to as solar power is the general expression for electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun. Direct solar radiation is an important factor in global solar radiation and is very influential in the efficiency evaluation of various applications for solar energy. For countries like Sri Lanka, installing a solar radiation instrument in rural areas is a challenge. Thus, both scientific and economically, measuring solar radiation without installing measuring instruments is an advantage. The aim of this study is to development of a mathematical model to predict solar radiation where solar radiation measurement instruments are not installed. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was used to verify the predictions of the mathematical model. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analysis was used for the development of a mathematical model to predict solar radiation. The model with the highest R2 value (0.5973) was chosen from the 127 equations as the best model that describes the solar radiation that reaches the surface of the earth. The dataset used for this study was meteorological data from the four month HI-SEAS weather station and are composed of ten attributes including date, time, radiation (H), temperature (Tair), pressure (P), humidity (φ), sunrise time, sunset time, wind direction (D), and speed (S). The angle of declination (δ) and sunshine hours (N) were calculated using the dataset. For the training of the neural network, 80 % of the data from the HI-SEAS dataset was used. The remaining data were used for testing both mathematical and ANN models. Results obtained from the multiple linear regression method and the ANN method was compared with the measured values. The experimental results suggested that the mathematical model was predicted the solar radiation with ±100 Wm-2 tolerance for both measured and ANN values.
Influence of COVID-19 Lockdown on Aerosol Optical Depth over Pokhara and Kyanjin Gompa in Nepal
Authors: Silwal Ashok , Gautam Sujan Prasad , Karki Monika , Poudel Prakash , Thapa Arati , Chapagain Narayan Prasad , Adhikari Binod
Published: June 2021

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global economic shutdown provided an opportunity to conduct a real-time experiment assessing the influence of global emission reductions in the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) level, an indicator of air pollution over Nepal. Nepal's government imposed a lockdown on the country for approximately three months (from 24 March onwards) in 2020. The purpose of this study is to examine the temporal fluctuation in Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) caused by the COVID-19 shutdown by comparing its value during the same time period of the past year over two sites: Pokhara and Kyanjin Gompa. We comparatively analyzed the variation of diurnal mean and monthly average AOD of two selected sites, from the month of January to May 2020 and January to May 2018. By examining the time-series graph of daily average AOD prior to and during the lockdown period, our study showed an apparent fluctuation in AOD throughout the studied areas. The major findings of the research revealed that after the lockdown, a significant variation in monthly averaged AOD was observed, ranging from 20–60% deviation over Pokhara and 25–50% deviation in Kyanjin Gompa at different wavelengths. This confirms previous studies on aerosols and other particulate matter during COVID-19 lockdown, as well as theoretical assumptions. In addition, we performed the heatmap correlation analysis among AOD, Total precipitable water (Tpw), Angstrom exponent (α), Turbidity coefficient (β), and Visibility (V) during the studied period with possible explanations. We believe this research work serves as a crucial reference for our government to implement appropriate policies for pollution control over the studied areas in the future.
ANALYSIS OF CANCER-TESTIS ANTIGENS AS POTENTIAL MARKERS FOR DISSEMINATION OF PRIMARY HUMAN SKIN MELANOMA
Authors: Mikhaylova I. N. , Treshalina H. M. , Utyashev I. A. , Kiselevsky M. V. , Lushnikova A. A. , Shubina I. Zh.
Published: June 2021

Purpose of the study: to analyze characteristics of cancer-testis antigens (Ctas) as potential biomarkers for dissemination of primary human skin melanoma (sm).

Material and Methods. Recent publications from Pubmed, scopus and elibrary databases were analyzed for the available appropriate literature review. In total, 176 papers reported the description of Ctas and encoding genes and their potential for prognosis of primary sm dissemination. The authors included 52 of them in the given review.

Results. Two sections of the paper comprise clinically significant characteristics of Ctas and their genes, including overexpression, which is selective for the heterogeneous tumor cell populations and mediated by humoral and/or cellular immune reactions; the association of tumor process and activation of Cta genes by demethylation of promotor sites, which is correlated with tumor progression; and the conditions required for effective immunotherapy involving Ctas and/or their genes.

Conclusion. At present, there are no standards or clinical recommendations for the Cta-based prognosis of the early dissemination of primary skin melanoma. Therefore, it is important to study and analyze the Cta and encoding gene characteristics that reveal the connection between primary sm progression and tumor genesis including the role of circulating tumor cells (ctc), similar to stem cells, which have epithelial-mesenchymal transition (emt) phenotype, for clinical diagnostics of early sm dissemination. As a result of the study, the following Ctas could be considered as significant biomarkers of the early sm dissemination: mage-a1, mage-a4 and ny-eso-1, which expression correlates with the clinical pathological description of the disease progression, as well as with the relapse-free period and overall survival of the patients; magea3, which expression correlates with spag5 activation and Cd8+ t-cell abundance; ssx, a marker for stem cell migration including identification of the cells with emt and/or ctcs; and prame, signaling marker for dissemination of the uveal melanoma.
PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HIFU-THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH PANCREATIC CANCER
Authors: Bolotina L. B. , Moskvicheva L. I. , Kornietskaya A. L. , Sidorov D. V. , Grishin N. A. , Lozhkin M. V. , Kaprin A. D.
Published: June 2021

Purpose: to conduct a preliminary analysis of the safety and effectiveness of hifu-therapy with a lowenergy hifu-2001 device (shenzhen Huikang Medical apparatus Co., ltd) performed concurrently with chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer patients who are not suitable for surgery or chemoradiotherapy.

Material and Method. The study included 24 pancreatic cancer patients who were treated at the Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research institute in the period from 2016 to 2019. There were 17 (71 %) women and 7 (29 %) men. The percentage of patients in the elderly group was 79 %. Stage iia pancreatic cancer was diagnosed in 3 (12.5 %) patients, stage ii in 5 (21 %) patients, stage iii in 9 (37.5 %) patients, and stage iv in 7 (29 %) patients. All patients received combination therapy, including systemic chemotherapy and hifu-therapy. 

Results. The most frequent adverse events of treatment were skin burns (n=6), with third-degree burns occurring in 2 (8.3 %) patients. Local sclerosis of subcutaneous adipose tissue was observed in 4 (17 %) patients; development of asymptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts in the area of hifu exposure was observed in 1 (4 %) patient. Pain control was achieved in 17 (85 %) patients, and local tumor control was achieved in 19 (79.2 %) patients. The follow-up time ranged from 5 to 30 months with a median time of 14.5 months. The median total life expectancy of patients was 16 months, and the median time to progression was 9 months. The overall 6-month survival rate was 100 %. The 1- and 1.5-year survival rates were 75.0 % and 41.7 %, respectively. The 2-year survival rate was 17.2 %. The 6-month and 1-year disease-free survival rates were 62.5 % and 12.5 %, respectively.

 Conclusion. The short- and long-term outcomes were consistent with those described in other studies, which indicated that a combination of systemic drug therapy and hifu-therapy is an appropriate approach for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.
MODERN CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE UPPER AERODIGESTIVE TRACT BY THE VISCERAL FLAPS
Authors: Ratushny M. V. , Polyakov A. P. , Kaprin A. D. , Reshetov I. V. , Rebrikova I. V. , Mordovskiy A. V.
Published: June 2021

Introduction. The high incidence of cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract, impairment of breathing, speech, and swallowing functions accompanied by prolonged and often persistent disability put the rehabilitation and the quality of life of patients among the most important social problems.

Material and methods. We have gained experience in reconstructing the pharynx and esophagus with various fragments of the gastrointestinal tract in 121 cancer patients. Based on our own clinical experience, the most important criteria of selecting patients after laryngectomy for reconstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract with visceral flaps were identified. Visceral autografts formed from different parts of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract were full-layer fragments of the abdominal organs, which included the mucous membrane of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. In some patients, the choice of flap was limited by a large omentum.

Results. In 9.9 % of cases, flap necrosis was observed. Oral nutrition was restored in 93.9 % of patients. In 90.5 % of cases, speech function was restored after the installation of avoice prosthesis. The method of autologous transplantation of the ileo-colonic flap made it possible not only to remove the organs affected by the tumor, but also to simultaneously restore the lost nutrition and vocal functions without resorting to artificial prostheses, but using only their own tissues. The 5-year survival rates were 36.4 % and 67.3 % in patients with simultaneous reconstruction and in patients with delayed reconstruction, respectively.

Conclusion. The use of visceral flaps in the reconstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract allows patients to restore both the nutrition and voice functions after laryngectomy.
STAGE IB2–IIIB CERVICAL CANCER: NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY, RADICAL SURGERY AND PATIENT SURVIVAL
Authors: Ovodenko D. L. , Khabas G. N. , Kreinina Yu. M. , Seregin A. A. , Aleshikova O. I. , Ashrafyan L. A.
Published: June 2021

The aim of the study was to evaluate the five-year survival rate in patients with stage ib2–iiib cervical cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical surgery.

Material and Methods. Long-term treatment outcomes were studied in 173 patients with histologically-verified stage ib2–iiib cervical squamous cell carcinoma. The patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy using intravenous infusion of cytostatic drugs (n=106) and intra-arterial infusion of cytostatic drugs in combination with embolization of tumor-feeding arteries (n=67). Patients with resectable tumors underwent radical surgery. Disease-free survival was assessed.

Results. The median follow-up time was 66 months, and the maximum follow-up period was 144 months. 160 (92.5 %) patients underwent radical surgery after chemotherapy. 55 (34.4 %) patients did not receive adjuvant radiation therapy. The five-year disease-free survival rate was 79.6 %.

Conclusion. For the group of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, who achieved respectability following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radical surgery could be performed. Chemotherapy followed by radical surgery can improve disease-free survival rates in patients with stage ib2–iiib cervical cancer.
Psychological contract, organizational commitment, and knowledge innovation: A perspective of open innovation
Authors: Peng Ling , Li Zhongwu
Published: June 2021

This paper explores the influence of employee perception of psychological contracts on knowledge innovation from the perspective of open innovation. The purpose is to explore internal factors affecting knowledge innovation through the construction of the SEM model and provide enterprise managers with scientific and effective management methods. The survey sample includes 312 technical and scientific research employees from 16 high-tech enterprises in China. This study adopts a quantitative research method and conducts a questionnaire survey through the subjective sampling method of improbability sampling. Through empirical analysis, the results show that a psychological contract has a significant positive effect on knowledge innovation. Among them, the relational psychological contract is more influential than the transactional one. The influence of the relational psychological contract on organizational commitment is extremely significant; the influence is more than 50%. It reflects the importance that employees attach to the employment relationship. However, the transactional psychological contract has no significant effect on organizational commitment, and organizational commitment plays a partial mediating role. Therefore, enterprises should focus on building mutual trust and friendly employment relationships and implement targeted management strategies and incentives for employees to enhance their ability of knowledge innovation.
AcknowledgmentThis study is a part of the research project: Youth Foundation of Ministry of Education of China (19YJC630141).
Characterization of Al2O3 reinforced Al 6061 metal matrix composite
Authors: Bhat Avinash , Kakandikar Ganesh , Deshpande Abhijeet , Kulkarni Atul , Thakur Dinesh
Published: June 2021

Composites are a class of materials that give the desired individual tribological and mechanical characteristics. In composite materials, more than two materials are combined to provide a unique combination of properties. This article describes the tribological and mechanical properties of Al6061 reinforced with Al2O3, found experimentally. This article describes the preparation of Al6061 composites with 5 % Al2O3 (size 50 microns) by stir casting process. The hardness of Al6061 with and without amplification was found out with the help of Rockwell hardness tester for 10 seconds at a load of 100 kg. It was found that the hardness of Al2O3 reinforced Al6061 increases compared to unreinforced Al6061. The characteristics related to wear of Al6061 and the new composite material Al6061+Al2O3 were studied. The “pin on disk” method was used with the variation of load varying from 5N-200N and a speed range of 200-1500. An analysis of the sensitivity of key parameters such as load and speed is also described. The results show that the newly developed composite material has a lesser specific rate of wear.
ON THE INTERACTION OF VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS WITH SOCIAL SERVICE INSTITUTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND DISABILITIES
Authors:   Kursk State Medical University, Shulgina Tatiana , Fomina Marina
Published: June 2021

The study examines the technologies of interaction between social service organizations and volunteer (volunteer) organizations in the process of social support for persons with disabilities and disabilities. One of the most pressing issues in the field of social services is the organization of work with volunteers (volunteers) to provide social services to people with disabilities and disabilities. An attempt was made to generalize the experience of interaction between social institutions and volunteer organizations to make this interaction multiplicative.
The application of Nanopore sequencing for variant calling on the human mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Shikov Anton , Tsay Viktoriya , Fedyakov Mikhail , Eismont Yuri , Rudnik Alena , Urasov Stanislav , Sherbak Sergey , Glotov Oleg
Published: June 2021

The emergence of long-read sequencing technologies has made a revolutionary step in genome biology and medicine. However, long reads are characterized by a relatively high error rate, impairing their usage for variant calling as a part of routine practice. Thus, we here examine different popular variant callers on long-read sequences of the human mitochondrial genome, convenient in terms of small size and easily obtained high coverage. The sequencing of mitochondrial DNA from 8 patients was conducted via Illumina (MiSeq) and the Oxford Nanopore platform (MinION), with the former utilized as a gold standard when evaluating variant calling’s accuracy. We used a conventional GATK3-BWA-based pipeline for paired-end reads and Guppy basecaller coupled with minimap2 for MinION data, respectively. We then compared the outputs of Clairvoyante, Nanopolish, GATK3, Longshot, DeepVariant, and Varscan tools applied on long-read alignments by analyzing false-positive and false-negative rates. While for most callers, raw signals represented false positives due to homopolymeric errors, Nanopolish demonstrated both high similarity (Jaccard coefficient of 0.82) and a comparable number of calls with the Illumina data (140 vs. 154) with the best performance according to AUC (area under ROC curve, 0.953) as well. In sum, our results, despite being obtained from a small dataset, provide evidence that sufficient coverage coupled with an optimal pipeline could make long reads of mitochondrial DNA applicable for variant calling.
Plant species diversity in urban areas of Northwest Siberia
Authors: Koptseva Elena , Sumina Olga , Kirillov Pavel , Egorov Alexandr , Pechkin Alexandr
Published: June 2021

The flora of two towns and two settlements in the northern taiga and forest-tundra of Northwest Siberia (Russia) are considered. Urban species lists are limited (61–119 vascular plant species) and mainly consist of native species with a predominance of perennial herbs. Various urban functional zones (industrial, residential, recreational, vegetable patches) differ by species composition, and this difference increases in the course of city development. In the industrial zone, vegetation composition is closer to the native flora, because of the low number of adventive species. Maximal diversity is due to decorative plants, cultivars and southern weed distribution, and is typical to residential neighborhoods. Species diversity increases mainly because of woody plants introduction. Alien species are represented generally by a small number of individuals. The severe climate and poor soils limit their abilities to spread in the Far North. Urbanization forces the reduction of aboriginal biodiversity, but in northern areas where native species have the adaptive advantage, this effect is minimal. Changes in flora since 1995 were analyzed in the town of Novy Urengoy (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia). Plant diversity increased by about 20 % in all functional zones, although some alien and natural species were not recorded in 2018.
Antimicrobial Activities of Various Thiazine Based Heterocyclic Compounds:
A Mini-Review
Authors: Asif Mohammad , Imran Mohd. , Abida
Published: June 2021

:

Heterocyclic compounds play a vital role in the development of novel compounds because
of their diverse pharmacological activities. Thiazine is a six-membered heterocyclic moiety.
Various thiazine derivatives were synthesized or isolated from natural sources like plants and animals.
Thiazine derivatives have varieties of pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antibacterial,
antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, anticancer, antihypertensive, and
other useful biological as well as chemical applications. In the therapy of antimicrobial infections,
new antimicrobial agents are needed because current antimicrobials have developed drug resistance.
So, we discussed some thiazine derivatives, which exhibited antimicrobial activity.
Ground Photometric Measurements Inversion Methods for Space Object
Characteristics Based on Non-linear Filtering: A Short Review
Authors: Wang Yang , Du Xiaoping , Xu Can , Ma Zhihao , Yin Zhiyong
Published: June 2021

:

The ground space optical observation system considered as one of the main
measurement methods to observe space object in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Highly Elliptical
Orbit (HEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) faces difficulties in forming high-solution images for
objects located in GEO that only appears several light spots with limited pixels due to the impacts
of observing distance, resolution ratio, and other atmospheric conditions. The light curve is the
time history of an object’s observed brightness obtained from the ground-based optical observation
system through light curves, right ascension, and declination of space objects. The characteristic of
space objects such as position, velocity, size, shape, and material can be inverted. This paper has
analyzed the principles, applications, merits, and demerits of several non-linear filtering methods
in detail. Besides, the scientific description of inversion for characteristics of a non-resolved space
object from ground photometric measurements and the essence of the non-linear filtering inversion
method has also been clarified. A selection principle of the non-linear filtering inversion method
for different space object characteristics is then proposed, and the developing direction of such
inversion methods is also described in the end.
On the issue of improving the methodology for confirming maximum safe (design) speed of freight railcars
Authors: Gadzhimetov G. I. , Lunin A. A. , Petrov G. I.
Published: June 2021

The article provides the analysis of regulatory documents and scientific publications concerning the design speed of rolling stock. The material is provided from the perspective of a methodological approach to establishing the design speed at the level of the maximum value achieved during dynamic and strength tests and track impact tests of the object that meets requirements of technical documentation. Values of strength and dynamic properties of cars obtained during tests performed in track sections with characteristics established in test methods should comply with requirements of regulatory documents. At the same time, during the operation of car running gear, rail geometry and track superstructure, basically have a state that is different from that in which tests were performed. Proceeding from this, in order to ensure traffic safety in operation, permissible speeds are set for tracks of various states and structures. Thus, for freight cars with three-piece bogies, the maximum speed, especially when empty, is limited due to the deterioration of its dynamic properties associated with change in the operation of design parameters and characteristics of bogie elements as well as its rigidity couplings. Due to the deterioration of dynamic properties , the design speed cannot be implemented, including on the track that meets requirements of test methods, on which it was initially confirmed. The maximum permissible speeds of freight cars that are acceptable from the safety point of view are traditionally established based on the results of tests performed since the middle of the last century. When applying innovative freight cars with bogies of a new design, to assess traffic safety, it will be necessary to carry out a large number of tests and to gain operating experience, during which it is necessary to estimate the influence of various factors on traffic safety. In fact, it is necessary to repeat tests to set running speeds, but in a short time, which is very cost-intensive. Based on the foregoing, in order to eliminate the risks associated with safety violation, to confirm the design speed and in order to reduce costs when applying new rolling stock, a full-scale virtual method has been proposed that provides the use of a computer simulation, in which the design speed specified in the technical documentation is set at the stage of rolling stock development, taking into account the operational variability of car running gear and the track state.
Optimization of an EMU train carbody by the value of the natural bending frequency
Authors: Guchinsky R. V.
Published: June 2021

Finding ways to optimize the body structure is an important point in the design of new electric train cars. Reducing the mass of the body leads to a lightening of the parts of the rolling stock associated with it, a reduction in energy consumption for operation and a decrease in wear in the “wheel — rail”system. Reducing the weight of the body is possible by assigning optimal rigidity to its main load-bearing elements. Increasing the rigidity of the body with a constant mass is also an important task to obtain the standard dynamic properties of the car body.

The article presents method for optimizing the body structure based on calculating the value of its first frequency of natural bending vibrations. The calculation was carried out by the finite element method using a simplified beam-shell parametric model. Within the optimization calculations, 3125 working versions of sections of the main load-bearing structural elements with different rigidity were considered — bracing and cross-beams of the frame, inter-window racks and cross-beams of the roof. The sensitivity of the value of the natural vibration frequency to the change in the rigidity of the main bearing elements without taking into account the change in mass is analyzed. It was found that the rigidity of the frame bracing and cross beams has the greatest influence on the frequency value. It is shown that the ratio of the rigidity of the main bearing elements does not remain constant for optimal design options and depends on the design of the body, the target values of its mass and rigidity. When mass is limited, it is possible to choose designs that are characterized by the greatest overall body rigidity and are the most optimal in terms of manufacturability. By limiting the values of natural vibration frequency, it is possible to choose a body structure with the lowest metal mass. The presented approach allows making decisions on body modification based on the required parameters of mass and (or) the frequency of natural bending vibrations. This approach can be used in pre-design studies of the bodies of new passenger rolling stock.
Best practices about rail defects: a review of the book “Defects of rails. Stresses and Damages”, Vol. 1 by K.-O. Edel, G. Budnitskiy, T. Schnitzer
Authors: Shur E. A.
Published: June 2021

The review analyzes a monograph published by Springer Vieweg publishing house, which presents scientific approaches to the problems of defect formation in railway rails. The advantages of the book under review include the analysis of statistical data on rail failures, description of test methods and damage diagnostics. The book discusses in detail the widely occurring types of contact-fatigue defects formed during operation in the rail head: internal longitudinal shelling, multiple parallel head checks, surface squats und studs in the middle of the rolling surface with a greater or lesser degree deformations
Turismo e Cultura: O Carnaval na Cidade de Maceió (Brasil)
Authors: Gastal Susana A. , Neto Ernani Viana da Silva
Published: June 2021

O Carnaval é celebrado de forma peculiar na cidade de Maceió, no Estado de Alagoas (Brasil), ao apresentar maior envolvimento da sociedade local no final de semana anterior à data oficial consagrada à festa no calendário. A “Prévia”, como é denominada, consolida-se a cada edição, mesmo que, em anos recentes, ações governamentais busquem o desenvolvimento de uma agenda carnavalesca mais ampla, que alcance as datas oficiais para tais festejos. Nesses termos, o objetivo desta investigação foi o de resgatar historicamente as dinâmicas apostas entre a cidade e o Carnaval, nas suas transversalidades com a cultura e o turismo. A estratégia investigativa associada à pesquisa, foco deste artigo, apresenta caráter qualitativo-exploratório, e a coleta de dados apoiou-se na pesquisa bibliográfica e documental e em entrevistas. O estudo, para compreensão das peculiaridades do objeto empírico, percorre os séculos XIX, XX e décadas iniciais do século XXI, em cada momento histórico questionando-se a articulação da festa carnavalesca com a própria cidade, a cultura e o turismo, quando este se faz presente. Os dados obtidos permitem caracterizar quatro ciclos no Carnaval de Maceió, períodos que podem se sobrepor: (a) de 1850 à 1930, momento em que as manifestações espontâneas do entrudo ganham maior organicidade, envolvendo especialmente afrodescendes e, em simultâneo, presença de racismo pelas elites brancas; (b) de 1930 à 1990, marcado pelo afastamento do centro histórico levando à segregação espacial; (c) de 1993 a 2005, soma-se à segregação espacial, a segregação temporal associada às Prévias; (d) após 2005, quando há expansão da festa, mas sem que a mesma venha, necessariamente, acompanhada de inclusão social.
Sobre Caminhar em Confinamento
Authors: Antunes Rui Filipe , Coelho Sílvia Pinto
Published: June 2021

No aparente paradoxo que a ideia de “caminhar em confinamento” encerra — também na sua relação com a cidade — encontrámos, na experiência de confinamento, algumas possibilidades de operar nessa tensão paradoxal. Serão hipóteses de potência coreopolítica, se postas em oposição à sensação de auto-corepoliciamento (a autovigilância do próprio movimento) e à extrema atenção dada ao movimento do “outro” como ameaça, que pode ser transformado numa proposta de jogo social.
A Metrópole Carnavalizada: Os Blocos de Rua Como Performances Surrealistas e Situacionistas na Cidade do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Figueiredo André Videira de
Published: June 2021

O carnaval de rua do Rio de Janeiro, manifestação cultural em franco crescimento nas últimas três décadas, foi alvo de recentes investimentos ordenadores pelo poder público e pelos interesses mercantis. Uma das consequências desta intervenção foi a distinção dos blocos de rua entre oficiais e não-oficiais. É acerca deste segundo tipo de blocos, caracterizados pela espontaneidade e pela horizontalidade, que este artigo tratará, tomando como caso exemplar o Cordão do Boi Tolo. Tais manifestações consubstanciam vivências da cidade que se impõem, do ponto de vista estético e cultural, como experiências criativas de performatização dos corpos. Numa perspectiva política, estas manifestações constituem formas libertárias de ocupação do espaço público e de ressignificação dos usos da cidade. Unindo análise literária, reflexão sociológica e observação etnográfica, o artigo pretende discutir este carnaval de rua como um prolongamento inesperado das propostas surrealista e situacionista de reencantamento do mundo e de manifestação do maravilhoso. Conclui-se que a magia que a literatura opera no surrealismo continua sendo atualizada nas ruas e encruzilhadas do Rio de Janeiro pelos blocos carnavalescos, em sua oposição aos poderes institucionais e ao controle do mercado. É no gozo da cidade pelos foliões que a flânerie se converte em escrita criativa da realidade. É nas ruas da metrópole carnavalizada que a deriva se encontra enraizada nas mais antigas tradições da praça como espaço livre e gratuito de criação popular.
Varicella-Zoster Gastritis in a Liver Transplant Patient: A Call to Attention
Authors:   Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Hospital San Pedro, C/Piqueras 98, Logroño 26006, La Rioja, Spain, Escrich Víctor , Martinez Ángela ,   Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Hospital San Pedro, C/Piqueras 98, Logroño 26006, La Rioja, Spain, Lapeña Berta ,   Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Hospital San Pedro, C/Piqueras 98, Logroño 26006, La Rioja, Spain, Mayorga Marta ,   Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Marqué sdeValdecilla, Avenida Valdecilla s/n, Santander 39008, Cantabria, Spain, Cuadrado Antonio ,   Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Avenida Valdecilla s/n, Santander 39008, Cantabria, Spain, Crespo Javier ,   Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Avenida Valdecilla s/n, Santander 39008, Cantabria, Spain, Fábrega Emilio ,   Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Avenida Valdecilla s/n, Santander 39008, Cantabria, Spain
Published: June 2021

The reactivation of the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a rare cause of acute gastritis in adults. About 30 cases have been reported in the literature, mostly with immunocompromised patients and mainly after bone marrow transplantation or during the development of malignant hematological diseases. Clinically, it is usually accompanied by cutaneous manifestations. Here, we studied a case of VZV gastritis in a liver transplant (LT) patient. We described the main symptoms, endoscopic findings, histologic changes, and treatment of VZV gastritis. Till now, no case of acute gastritis due to the reactivation of VZV after solid organ transplantation had been reported [2–5]. This was the first reported case of acute gastritis by the reactivation of VZV after LT without cutaneous vesicular eruption. Gastrointestinal symptoms usually develop a week before the onset of fever and cutaneous manifestations. However, in some cases, like this one, vesicular rashes may be absent, making the diagnosis quite challenging. In conclusion, through this case, we suggest including VZV gastritis in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal symptoms after transplantation and informing about the response of VZV gastritis to treatment with oral acyclovir.
Cytomegalovirus in Lung Transplant
Authors:   The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 W. 10th Ave. , Columbus, Ohio 43210 , USA, Rosenheck Justin P. , otros Mena M B ,   The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 W. 10th Ave. , Columbus, Ohio 43210 , USA, Nunley David R ,   The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 W. 10th Ave. , Columbus, Ohio 43210 , USA
Published: June 2021

Lung transplantation is a therapeutic option for patients with advanced lung diseases. Lung transplant outcomes have improved over time with improvements in the management of these complex patients. Cytomegalovirus is a common opportunistic organism affecting all solid organ transplant recipients. Characteristics unique to lung transplantation can make this virus difficult to manage, with myriad complications including graft failure and death. Ongoing research into and understanding of cytomegalovirus has opened exciting new avenues of management. We discuss the various manifestations of CMV related pathologies in the lung transplant recipient. We discuss current mainstays of risk stratification, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as present new and evolving concepts. Current medications are highly effective at preventing and treating CMV manifestations, but may be poorly tolerated. A new generation of therapies carry the promise of efficacy, with a greater safety profile and improved tolerance of adverse effects. We discuss host-virus immune interactions, specifically how these can be utilized in clinical practice to individualize the cytomegalovirus related care of lung transplant recipients. Finally, we turn our attention to the near horizon as we continue to evolve the care of this unique population.