bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of microbial communities in the tobacco phyllosphere under the stress of validamycin
Authors: Guo Moyan , Hu Jingrong , Jiang Chaoying , Zhang Yi , Wang Hancheng , Zhang Xinghong , Hsiang Tom , Shi Caihua , Wang Qing , Wang Feng
Published: January 2024

Validamycin, is classified as an environmentally friendly fungicide. It has high efficacy with little associated pollution risk, and it has been used in China on tobacco for many years especially during leaf spot season. To understand changes in microbial communities and functional aspects of the tobacco phyllosphere after exposure to validamycin, the chemical was sprayed on tobacco leaves during brown spot epidemic periods caused by Alternaria alternata, and asymptomatic and symptomatic leaves of tobacco were sampled at different times (0 day before, 5, 10, and 15 days after application). The fungal and bacterial population diversity and structure were revealed using Illumina NovaSeq PE250 high-throughput sequencing technology, and Biolog-ECO technology which analyzes the metabolic differences between samples by using different carbon sources as the sole energy source. The results showed that the microbial community structure of both asymptomatic and symptomatic tobacco leaves changed after the application of valproate, with the microbial community structure of the asymptomatic tobacco leaves being more strongly affected than that of the symptomatic leaves, and the diversity of bacteria being greater than that of fungi. Phyllosphere fungal diversity in asymptomatic leaves increased significantly after application, and bacterial abundance and diversity in both asymptomatic and symptomatic leaves first increased and then decreased. Validamycin treatment effectively reduced the relative abundance of Alternaria, Cladosporium, Kosakonia, and Sphingomonas in leaves showing symptoms of tobacco brown spot, while the relative abundance of Thanatephorus, Pseudomonas, and Massilia increased significantly after application. Furthermore, the ability to metabolize a variety of carbon sources was significantly reduced in both types of leaves after validamycin application, and both types had a weaker ability to metabolize α-Ketobutyric Acid after application. This study reveals phyllosphere micro-ecological changes in symptomatic and asymptomatic tobacco leaves during different periods after validamycin application and the effects on the metabolic capacity of phyllosphere microorganisms. It can provide some basis for exploring the effect of validamycin on the control of tobacco brown spot.
Measuring tactile sensitivity and mixed-reality-assisted exercise for carpal tunnel syndrome by ultrasound mid-air haptics
Authors: Akdağ Mehmet Akif , Menekşeoğlu Ahmet Kıvanç , Seğmen Hatice , Gözek Berk , Korkmaz Merve Damla , Güçlü Burak
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve entrapment neuropathy, which causes numbness and pain in the thumb, the index and middle fingers and the radial side of the ring finger. Regular hand exercises may improve the symptoms and prevent carpal tunnel surgery. This study applied a novel ultrasonic stimulation method to test tactile sensitivity in CTS and also a mixed-reality-assisted (MR-assisted) exercise program which measured hand movements and provided haptic feedback for rehabilitation.

Methods

Twenty patients with mild unilateral CTS took part in the experiments. A mid-air haptics device (Ultrahaptics STRATOS Explore) was used to apply amplitude-modulated ultrasound waves (carrier frequency: 40 kHz) onto the skin to create tactile stimulation mechanically. Participants performed a two-alternative forced-choice task for measuring tactile thresholds at 250-Hz modulation frequency. They were tested at the index fingers and the thenar eminences of both hands. Additionally, 15 CTS patients used an MR-assisted program to do hand exercises with haptic feedback. Exercise performance was assessed by calculating errors between target and actual hand configurations. System Usability Scale (SUS) was adopted to verify the practical usability of the program.

Results

Thresholds at the thenar eminences of the affected and healthy hands were not significantly different. While the thresholds at the healthy index fingers could be measured, those of the affected fingers were all higher than the stimulation level produced by the maximum output from the ultrasound device. In the exercise program, a significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.89, p < 0.001) was found between the performance scores and the SUS scores, which were above the criterion value established in the literature.

Discussion

The results show that thenar tactile sensitivity is not affected in mild CTS as expected from the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBm), but index finger threshold is likely to be higher. Overall, this study suggests that mid-air haptics, with certain improvements, may be used as a preliminary test in the clinical setting. Moreover, the device is promising to develop gamified rehabilitation programs and for the treatment follow-up of CTS.
Characterization of exosomal microRNAs in preterm infants fed with breast milk and infant formula
Authors: Kim Eun-Bit , Song Jun Hwan , Le Linh Nguy-Hoang , Kim Ho , Koh Ji Won , Seo Yekyeng , Jeong Hwal Rim , Kim Hyun-Taek , Ryu Seongho
Published: January 2024

Breastfeeding not only reduces infection-related morbidity, but also increases growth of preterm infants. Advantages of breast milk (BM) for preterm infants are significant. They continue to be studied. However, because not all preterm infants can receive breastfeeding, bovine-based infant formula (IF) is used as an alternative, which may increase the risk of several preterm complications. Exosomes isolated from biofluids are emerging as biomarkers in research of various diseases. Here, we characterized miRNA contents of exosomes in urine and serum samples of preterm infants who were BM and IF fed and performed transcriptomic analysis of small RNA libraries. We identified significantly up-regulated 6 miRNAs and 10 miRNAs, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that target genes of these miRNAs might participate in neuronal development, immunity modulation, detoxification of reactive oxygen species, and transmembrane exchange. Our data suggest that exosome-based systemic screening for preterm infants with breastfeeding might be a screening tool for identifying target molecules involved in therapy for preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and for future application as nutraceutical formulations or pharmaceuticals.
Analysis of the influencing factors in the long-term survival of esophageal cancer
Authors: Rui Wang , Li Congcong , Da Qin , Yue Yang , Jing Li , Ruirui Guo , Youbin Cui , Lu Tianyu , Li Bo
Published: January 2024

Background

To analyze the prognosis and diagnostic value of relevant hematological indexes on the survival status of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after radical surgery.

Methods

This study included 206 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical R0 resection. The data, including the basic information, preoperative blood routine, albumin, fibrinogen, surgery-related information, postoperative pathology, and overall survival, of the patients were compared.

Results

The survival and death groups showed a significant difference in overall survival (OS), the degree of differentiation, depth of infiltration, pathological stage, vascular infiltration, nerve infiltration, fibrinogen, white blood cell, neutrophils, platelet, and platelet hematocrit (P<0.05). Tumor located in the middle thorax, larger lesion length, deeper invasion, later pathological stage, vascular infiltration, nerve infiltration, lymph node metastasis, cardiovascular disease, and higher smoking grade were risk factors for poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) (P<0.05). Cardiovascular disease, lower differentiation, tumor located in the middle thorax, and nerve infiltration were independent risk factors for the reduction of survival time of patients with ESCC (P<0.05).

Conclusions

History of cardiovascular disease, tumor located in the middle chest, poorly differentiated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, visible nerve cancer invasion, hematocrit (HCT), mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and hemoglobin (HB) are independent risk factors for the long-term survival of patients with ESCC.
Renal venous sampling assisted the diagnosis of juxtaglomerular cell tumor: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yan Di-en , He Hong-bing , Guo Jian-ping , Wang Yu-lan , Peng Dan-ping , Zheng Huan-huan , Zhou Xiao-zi , Fu Jin-xiang , Wang Mei-li , Luo Xian , Shen Yun-feng
Published: January 2024

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JCT) is an endocrine tumor marked by elevated renin levels and high blood pressure. This case report presents the clinical findings of a 47-year-old woman with a history of recurrent hypokalemia, headaches, hypertension, and increased plasma renin activity (PRA). Dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a small nodule on the upper part of the right kidney. Selective renal venous sampling indicated a higher PRA only in the right upper pole renal vein. The patient underwent surgical removal of the right kidney mass, and the pathology results confirmed the diagnosis of JCT. This case underscores the importance of conducting selective renal venous sampling for accurate JCT diagnosis.
Identification of wheat seedling varieties based on MssiapNet
Authors: Feng Yongqiang , Liu Chengzhong , Han Junying , Lu Qinglin , Xing Xue
Published: January 2024

Introduction

In the actual planting of wheat, there are often shortages of seedlings and broken seedlings on long ridges in the field, thus affecting grain yield and indirectly causing economic losses. Variety identification of wheat seedlings using physical methods timeliness and is unsuitable for universal dissemination. Recognition of wheat seedling varieties using deep learning models has high timeliness and accuracy, but fewer researchers exist. Therefore, in this paper, a lightweight wheat seedling variety recognition model, MssiapNet, is proposed.

Methods

The model is based on the MobileVit-XS and increases the model's sensitivity to subtle differences between different varieties by introducing the scSE attention mechanism in the MV2 module, so the recognition accuracy is improved. In addition, this paper proposes the IAP module to fuse the identified feature information. Subsequently, training was performed on a self-constructed real dataset, which included 29,020 photographs of wheat seedlings of 29 varieties.

Results

The recognition accuracy of this model is 96.85%, which is higher than the other nine mainstream classification models. Although it is only 0.06 higher than the Resnet34 model, the number of parameters is only 1/3 of that. The number of parameters required for MssiapNet is 29.70MB, and the single image Execution time and the single image Delay time are 0.16s and 0.05s. The MssiapNet was visualized, and the heat map showed that the model was superior for wheat seedling variety identification compared with MobileVit-XS.

Discussion

The proposed model has a good recognition effect on wheat seedling varieties and uses a few parameters with fast inference speed, which makes it easy to be subsequently deployed on mobile terminals for practical performance testing.
A Pinus strobus transcription factor PsbHLH1 activates the production of pinosylvin stilbenoids in transgenic Pinus koraiensis calli and tobacco leaves
Authors: Kim Yi Rae , Han Jung Yeon , Choi Yong Eui
Published: January 2024

Transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in regulating the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. In Pinus strobus, the level of methylated derivatives of pinosylvin is significantly increased upon pine wood nematode (PWN) infection, and these compounds are highly toxic to PWNs. In a previous study, we found that the expression of a basic helix-loop-helix TF gene, PsbHLH1, strongly increased in P. strobus plants after infection with PWNs. In this study, we elucidated the regulatory role of the PsbHLH1 gene in the production of methylated derivatives of pinosylvin such as pinosylvin monomethyl ether (PME) and dihydropinoylvin monomethyl ether (DPME). When PsbHLH1 was overexpressed in Pinus koraiensis calli, the production of PME and DPME was significantly increased. Overexpression of the stilbene synthase (PsSTS) and pinosylvin methyl transferase (PsPMT) genes, known as key enzymes for the biosynthesis of methylated pinosylvins, did not change PME or DPME production. Moreover, PME and DPME were not produced in tobacco leaves when the PsSTS and PsPMT genes were transiently coexpressed. However, the transient expression of three genes, PsSTS, PsPMT, and PsbHLH1, resulted in the production of PME and DPME in tobacco leaves. These results prove that PsbHLH1 is an important TF for the pinosylvin stilbene biosynthesis in pine plants and plays a regulatory role in the engineered production of PME and DPME in tobacco plants.
Children benefit from gestures to understand degraded speech but to a lesser extent than adults
Authors: Sekine Kazuki , Özyürek Aslı
Published: January 2024

The present study investigated to what extent children, compared to adults, benefit from gestures to disambiguate degraded speech by manipulating speech signals and manual modality. Dutch-speaking adults (N = 20) and 6- and 7-year-old children (N = 15) were presented with a series of video clips in which an actor produced a Dutch action verb with or without an accompanying iconic gesture. Participants were then asked to repeat what they had heard. The speech signal was either clear or altered into 4- or 8-band noise-vocoded speech. Children had more difficulty than adults in disambiguating degraded speech in the speech-only condition. However, when presented with both speech and gestures, children reached a comparable level of accuracy to that of adults in the degraded-speech-only condition. Furthermore, for adults, the enhancement of gestures was greater in the 4-band condition than in the 8-band condition, whereas children showed the opposite pattern. Gestures help children to disambiguate degraded speech, but children need more phonological information than adults to benefit from use of gestures. Children’s multimodal language integration needs to further develop to adapt flexibly to challenging situations such as degraded speech, as tested in our study, or instances where speech is heard with environmental noise or through a face mask.
Physical literacy in older adults: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Galán-Arroyo Carmen , de los Ríos-Calonge Javier , Rojo-Ramos Jorge , Parraca Jose A. , Fonseca Cesar , Castillo-Paredes Antonio , da Silva Batista Marco Alexandre
Published: January 2024

Population aging is a prominent phenomenon worldwide. The increase in physical inactivity and co-morbid diseases poses a major challenge to current community health policies. Physical activity guidelines recommended for older people have not been met by this population group. For this reason, a new model, physical literacy, is being innovated and has gained global attention and has emerged as an effective and innovative active aging strategy to improve physical activity participation of this vulnerable group. However, the evidence on physical literacy in the older adult so far is brief and diffuse. Therefore, the aim was to conduct a scoping review protocol to identify and map physical literacy in older people. This scoping review protocol was based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Method. The search will be performed on Embase, IBSS ProQuest, Medline OVID, PsycINFO Ebsco, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Social Services Abstracts ProQuest, Sociological Abstracts ProQuest, Web of Science ISI, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane Library, and ERIC Ebsco databases. All types of studies published since 2001 in English, Spanish, and Portuguese examining physical literacy over the lifespan of older adults were included. Two independent reviewers will organize and select studies according to the objectives and questions of the scoping review. The selected publications will be organized and summarized using a checklist proposed by the PRISMA-ScR. Qualitative data analysis (thematic analysis) will be performed to identify meanings and patterns to answer the research question. The final scoping review will present the main evidence available, key concepts/definitions, research conducted, and knowledge gaps related to physical literacy in older adults, leading to strategies to improve the community health of this population, as well as health literacy.
Neighbourhood-level socioeconomic status and prevalence of teacher-reported health disorders among Canadian kindergarten children
Authors: Janus Magdalena , Brownell Marni , Reid-Westoby Caroline , Pottruff Molly , Forer Barry , Guhn Martin , Duku Eric
Published: January 2024

Background

The evidence on the association between neighborhood-level socioeconomic status (SES) and health disorders in young children is scarce. This study examined the prevalence of health disorders in Canadian kindergarten (5–6 years old) children in relation to neighborhood SES in 12/13 Canadian jurisdictions.

Methods

Data on child development at school entry for an eligible 1,372,980 children out of the total population of 1,435,428 children from 2004 to 2020, collected using the Early Development Instrument (EDI), were linked with neighborhood sociodemographic data from the 2006 Canadian Census and the 2005 Taxfiler for 2,058 neighborhoods. We examined the relationship using linear regressions. Children’s HD included special needs, functional impairments limiting a child’s ability to participate in classroom activities, and diagnosed conditions.

Results

The neighborhood prevalence of health disorders across Canada ranged from 1.8 to 46.6%, with a national average of 17.3%. The combined prevalence of health disorders was 16.4%, as 225,711 children were identified as having at least one health disorder. Results of an unadjusted linear regression showed a significant association between neighborhood-level SES and prevalence of health disorders (F(1, 2051) = 433.28, p < 0.001), with an R2 of 0.17. When province was added to the model, the R2 increased to 0.40 (F(12, 2040) = 115.26, p < 0.001). The association was strongest in Newfoundland & Labrador and weakest in Ontario.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the prevalence of health disorders among kindergarten children was higher in lower SES neighborhoods and varied by jurisdiction in Canada, which has implications for practice and resource allocation.
Refusal of treatment among HER2-positive breast cancer patients in China: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Wang Xin , Lian Zhiwei , Wu Qiyou , Wu Fan , Zhang Gong , Liu Jian , Chen Chuanben , Sun Jing
Published: January 2024

Background

There is a need to update the understanding of treatment refusal among cancer patients in China, taking into account recent developments. This study investigated how public insurance coverage of the first breast cancer targeted therapy contributed to the changes in treatment refusal among HER2-positive breast cancer patients in China. And it intensively examined and discussed additional barriers affecting patient utilization of innovative anticancer medicines based on the types and reasons for treatment refusal.

Methods

This retrospective study included female breast cancer patients diagnosed as HER2-positive who received treatment at a provincial oncology center in southern China between 2014 and 2020. Multivariable analysis was conducted using a binary logistic regression model. Subgroup analysis was performed with the same regression model.

Results

Among the 1,322 HER2-positive breast cancer patients who received treatment at the study hospital between 2014 and 2020, 327 (24.55%) had ever refused treatment. Economic reasons were reported as the primary cause by 142 patients (43.43%). Patients diagnosed after September 2017, when the first breast cancer targeted therapy was included in the public health insurance, were less likely to refuse treatment (OR = 0.64, 95% CI:0.45 ~ 0.91, p = 0.01) compared to those diagnosed before September 2017. Patients enrolled in the resident health insurance were more likely to refuse treatment (OR = 2.43, 95% CI:1.77 ~ 3.35, p < 0.001) than those enrolled in the employee health insurance.

Conclusion

This study reveals a high rate of treatment refusal among HER2-positive breast cancer patients, primarily attributed to financial factors. The disparity in public health insurance benefits resulted in a heavier economic burden for patients with less comprehensive benefits. Furthermore, the study identified challenges faced by patients seeking quality-assured cancer care in underdeveloped regions in China. By addressing economic barriers, promoting accurate health information, and improving cancer care capacity across the country can reduce the rate of treatment refusal.
Global disability-adjusted life years and deaths attributable to child and maternal malnutrition from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Liu Rong , Pi Lucheng , Leng Fangqun , Shen Qing
Published: January 2024

Background

Child and maternal malnutrition (CMM) caused heavy disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and deaths globally. It is crucial to understand the global burden associated with CMM in order to prioritize prevention and control efforts. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the global DALY and deaths attributable to CMM from 1990 to 2019 in this study.

Methods

The age-standardized CMM related burden including DALY and death from 1990 to 2019 were accessed from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 (GBD 2019). The changing trend were described by average annual percentage change (AAPC). The relationship between sociodemographic factors and burden attributable to CMM were explored by generalized linear model (GLM).

Results

Globally, in 2019, the age-standardized DALY and death rates of CMM were 4,425.24/100,000 (95% UI: 3,789.81/100,000–5,249.55/100,000) and 44.72/100,000 (95% UI: 37.83/100,000–53.47/100,000), respectively. The age-standardized DALY rate (AAPC = −2.92, 95% CI: −2.97% to −2.87%) and death rates (AAPC = −3.19, 95% CI: −3.27% to −3.12%) presented significantly declining trends during past 30 years. However, CMM still caused heavy burden in age group of <28 days, Sub-Saharan Africa and low SDI regions. And, low birth weight and short gestation has identified as the primary risk factors globally. The GLM indicated that the highly per capita gross domestic product, per capita current health expenditure, physicians per 1,000 people were contributed to reduce the burden attributable to CMM.

Conclusion

Although global burden attributable to CMM has significantly declined, it still caused severe health burden annually. To strengthen interventions and address resources allocation in the vulnerable population and regions is necessary.
Modeling the biomechanics of cells on microcarriers in a stirred-tank bioreactor: an ABM-CFD coupling approach
Authors: Cantarero-Rivera Fernando , Camphuijsen Jaro , Potter Greg , Clark Chris , Chen Jiajia , Kahan Simon , Aguilar Boris
Published: January 2024

Highly productive and efficient biomass growth in bioreactors is an essential bioprocess outcome in many industrial applications. Large-scale biomass creation in the cultivated meat industry will be critical given the demand size in the conventional meat and seafood sectors. However, many challenges must be overcome before cultivated meat and seafood become commercially viable, including cost reductions of cell culture media, bioprocess design innovation and optimization, and scaling up in the longer term. Computational modeling and simulation can help to address many of these challenges and can be a far cheaper and faster alternative to performing physical experiments. Computer modeling can also help researchers pinpoint system interactions that matter and guide researchers to identify those parameters that should be changed in later designs for eventual optimization. This work developed a computational model that combines agent-based modeling and computational fluid dynamics to study biomass growth as a function of the operative conditions of stirred-tank bioreactors. The focus was to analyze how the mechanical stress induced by rotor speed can influence the growth of cells attached to spherical microcarriers. The computer simulation results reproduced observations from physical experiments that high rotor speeds reduce cell growth rates and induce cell death under the high mechanical stresses induced at these stir speeds. Moreover, the results suggest that modeling cell death and cell quiescence is required to recapitulate these observations from physical experiments. These simulation outcomes are the first step towards more comprehensive models that, combined with experimental observations, will improve our knowledge of biomass production in bioreactors for cultivated meat and other industries.
Multiple disadvantages: class, social capital, and well-being of ethnic minority groups in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Li Yaojun , Ding Lin
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused untold damage to the socio-economic lives of people all over the world. Research has also demonstrated great inequality in the pandemic experience. In the UK as in many other countries, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and in working-class positions have suffered disproportionately more than the majority group and those in salariat positions in terms of income loss, financial difficulty, and vulnerability to infection. Yet little is known about how people coped in the daily lives and tried to maintain their well-being during the most difficult days of the pandemic through social capital.

Methods

In this paper, we draw data from the COVID-19 Survey in Five National Longitudinal Studies to address these questions. The survey covered the period from May 2020 to February 2021, the height of the pandemic in the UK. It contains numerous questions on contact, help and support among family, friends, community members, socio-political trust, and physical and mental health. We conceptualise three types of social capital and one type of overall well-being and we construct latent variables from categorical indicator variables. We analyse the ethnic and socio-economic determinants of the three types of social capital and their impacts on well-being.

Results

Our analysis shows that social capital plays very important roles on well-being, and that ethnic minority groups, particularly those of Pakistani/Bangladeshi and Black heritages, faced multiple disadvantages: their poorer socio-economic positions prevented them from gaining similar levels of social capital to those of the white group. However, for people with the same levels of social capital, the effects on well-being are generally similar.

Discussion

Socio-economic (class) inequality is the root cause for ethnic differences in social capital which in turn affects people’s well-being.
Bone transport combined with sequential nailing technique for the management of large segmental bone defects after trauma
Authors: Wang Qian , Ma Teng , Li Zhong , Zhang Kun , Huang Qiang
Published: January 2024

Background

Bone transport technique is widely used for the management of large segmental bone defects. However, several reasons may prevent its successful completion, such as poor osteogenesis, docking site nonunion, severe chronic pain and psychological problems. We used sequential nailing technique to solve these problems. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical effects of our modified technique for the management of large segmental bone defects after trauma.

Methods

Twenty-three patients using bone transport combined with sequential nailing technique in our institution from June 2011 to June 2020 were included and analyzed retrospectively. There were 15 males and eight females. The age ranged from 19 to 64 years. There were eight cases suffering from basic medical diseases. The initial injury was open in 14 patients. Seven cases encountered femoral defects and 16 for tibia. The main reasons for sequential nailing technique were docking site nonunion (nine cases), poor osteogenesis (five cases), severe chronic pain (five cases) and psychological problems (four cases). The residual bone defects after removing the external fixator, operation plans, complications and follow-up time were recorded. Bone defect healing was evaluated by Paley score.

Results

The mean residual bone defects were (2.9 ± 1.9) cm. The mean time in external fixator was (9.5 ± 3.4) months. The average follow-up time was (23 ± 3) months. With respect to complications, two cases suffered from nonunion again and were treated by bone graft with augmented plate fixation. No infection recurrence was found in these cases. The excellent and good rate of bone defect healing was 91.3%.

Conclusion

Bone transport combined with sequential nailing technique could shorten the external fixation time, overcome the inconvenience of the external frame to patients, eliminate chronic pain and be easy for patients to accept. Patients using this modified technique achieved high satisfaction.
Effect of Oregon grape root extracts on P-glycoprotein mediated transport in in vitro cell lines
Authors: Fan Ying , Zhou Zhu , Zhang Lei
Published: January 2024

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the potential of Oregon grape root extracts to modulate the activity of P-glycoprotein.

Methods: We performed 3H-CsA or 3H-digoxin transport experiments in the absence or presence of two sources of Oregon grape root extracts (E1 and E2), berberine or berbamine in Caco-2 and MDCKII-MDR1 cells. In addition, real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed in Caco-2 and LS-180 cells to investigate the mechanism of modulating P-glycoprotein.

Results: Our results showed that in Caco-2 cells, Oregon grape root extracts (E1 and E2) (0.1–1 mg/mL) inhibited the efflux of CsA and digoxin in a dose-dependent manner. However, 0.05 mg/mL E1 significantly increased the absorption of digoxin. Ten µM berberine and 30 µM berbamine significantly reduced the efflux of CsA, while no measurable effect of berberine was observed with digoxin. In the MDCKII-MDR1 cells, 10 µM berberine and 30 µM berbamine inhibited the efflux of CsA and digoxin. Lastly, in real time RT-PCR study, Oregon grape root extract (0.1 mg/mL) up-regulated mRNA levels of human MDR1 in Caco-2 and LS-180 cells at 24 h.

Conclusion: Our study showed that Oregon grape root extracts modulated P-glycoprotein, thereby may affect the bioavailability of drugs that are substrates of P-glycoprotein.
Phytoconstituents and Ergosterol Biosynthesis-Targeting Antimicrobial Activity of Nutmeg (Myristica fragans Houtt.) against Phytopathogens
Authors: Cruz Adriana , Sánchez-Hernández Eva , Teixeira Ana , Oliveira Rui , Cunha Ana , Martín-Ramos Pablo
Published: January 2024

In recent years, nutmeg (Myristica fragans Houtt.) has attracted considerable attention in the field of phytochemistry due to its diverse array of bioactive compounds. However, the potential application of nutmeg as a biorational for crop protection has been insufficiently explored. This study investigated the constituents of a nutmeg hydroethanolic extract via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and vibrational spectroscopy. The research explored the extract’s activity against phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes, elucidating its mechanism of action. The phytochemical profile revealed fatty acids (including tetradecanoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid), methoxyeugenol, and elemicin as the main constituents. Previously unreported phytochemicals included veratone, gelsevirine, and montanine. Significant radial growth inhibition of mycelia was observed against Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, Diplodia corticola, Phytophthora cinnamomi, and especially against Fusarium culmorum. Mode of action investigation, involving Saccharomyces cerevisiae labeled positively with propidium iodide, and a mutant strain affected in ERG6, encoding sterol C-24 methyltransferase, suggested that the extract induces a necrotic type of death and targets ergosterol biosynthesis. The evidence presented underscores the potential of nutmeg as a source of new antimicrobial agents, showing particular promise against F. culmorum.
Changes in the Antioxidant Potential of Camellia sinensis Cultures under the Influence of Phenolic Precursors
Authors: Aksenova Maria A. , Nechaeva Tatiana L. , Goncharuk Evgenia A. , Zubova Maria Y. , Kazantseva Varvara V. , Lapshin Petr V. , Frolov Andrej , Zagoskina Natalia V.
Published: January 2024

The viability, productivity and survival of higher plants under the adverse factors influence are largely determined by the functional activity of the antioxidant system. The aim of our work was to investigate changes in formation of high-molecular (superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) and low-molecular (phenolics, including flavanols and proanthocyanidins) antioxidants in callus culture of Camellia sinensis under influence of phenolic precursors (L-phenylalanine—3 mM, trans-cinnamic acid—1 mM, naringenin—0.5 mM). According to the data obtained, the effect of precursors on tea callus cultures did not lead to significant increasing of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity in most cases. However, it led to the increased accumulation of the total phenolics content, as well as flavanols and proanthocyanidins contents. For C. sinensis callus cultures, the most promising regulator of phenolic compounds was L-phenylalanine, in the presence of which its content increased almost twice. Thus, the exogenous effect of various precursors is possible to use for the targeted regulation of certain phenolics classes accumulation in plant cells.
Efficient Decolorization of the Poly-Azo Dye Sirius Grey by Coriolopsis gallica Laccase-Mediator System: Process Optimization and Toxicity Assessment
Authors: Zouari-Mechichi Héla , Benali Jihen , Alessa Abdulrahman H. , Hadrich Bilel , Mechichi Tahar
Published: January 2024

The textile industry produces high volumes of colored effluents that require multiple treatments to remove non-adsorbed dyes, which could be recalcitrant due to their complex chemical structure. Most of the studies have dealt with the biodegradation of mono or diazo dyes but rarely with poly-azo dyes. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to study the biodegradation of a four azo-bond dye (Sirius grey) and to optimize its decolorization conditions. Laccase-containing cell-free supernatant from the culture of a newly isolated fungal strain, Coriolopsis gallica strain BS9 was used in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazol (HBT) to optimize the dye decolorization conditions. A Box–Benken design with four factors, namely pH, enzyme concentration, HBT concentration, and dye concentration, was performed to determine optimal conditions for the decolorization of Sirius grey. The optimal conditions were pH 5, 1 U/mL of laccase, 1 mM of HBT, and 50 mg/L of initial dye concentration, ensuring a decolorization yield and rate of 87.56% and 2.95%/min, respectively. The decolorized dye solution showed a decrease in its phytotoxicity (Germination index GI = 80%) compared to the non-treated solution (GI = 29%). This study suggests that the laccase-mediator system could be a promising alternative for dye removal from textile wastewater.
Dual Enzymolysis Assisted by Acrylate or Phosphate Grafting: Influences on the Structural and Functional Properties of Jujube Residue Dietary Fiber
Authors: Zhao Yitao , Xu Jianguo , Zheng Yajun , Li Qi , Huang Yihao , Zong Meichen , Guo Wangjin
Published: January 2024

Jujube residue is an abundant and low-cost dietary fiber resource, but its relatively lower hydration and functional properties limit its utilization as an ingredient of functional food. Thus, cellulase and hemicellulase hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis assisted by phosphate grafting (EPG), and enzymatic hydrolysis assisted by acrylate grafting (EAG) were used to improve the functional properties of jujube residue dietary fiber (JRDF) in this study. The results evidenced that these modifications all increased the porosity of the microstructure of JRDF and increased the soluble fiber content, surface area, and hydration properties, but reduced its brightness (p < 0.05). Moreover, JRDF modified by enzymolysis combined with acrylate grafting offered the highest extractable polyphenol content, oil, sodium cholate, and nitrite ion sorption abilities. Meanwhile, JRDF modified via enzymolysis assisted by phosphate grafting showed the highest soluble fiber content (23.53 g∙100 g−1), water-retention ability (12.84 g∙g−1), viscosity (9.37 cP), water-swelling volume (10.80 mL∙g−1), and sorption ability of copper (II) and lead (II) ions. Alternatively, JRDF modified with cellulase hydrolysis alone exhibited the highest glucose adsorption capacity (21.9 g∙100 g−1) at pH 7.0. These results indicate that EPG is an effective way to improve the hypolipidemic effects of JRDF, while EAG is a good choice to enhance its hydration and hypoglycemic properties.
Synthesis and PET Imaging Biodistribution Studies of Radiolabeled Iododiflunisal, a Transthyretin Tetramer Stabilizer, Candidate Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Joshi Sameer M. , Wilson Thomas C. , Li Zibo , Preshlock Sean , Gómez-Vallejo Vanessa , Gouverneur Véronique , Llop Jordi , Arsequell Gemma
Published: January 2024

The small-molecule iododiflunisal (IDIF) is a transthyretin (TTR) tetramer stabilizer and acts as a chaperone of the TTR-Amyloid beta interaction. Oral administration of IDIF improves Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)-like pathology in mice, although the mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics remain unknown. Radiolabeling IDIF with positron or gamma emitters may aid in the in vivo evaluation of IDIF using non-invasive nuclear imaging techniques. In this work, we report an isotopic exchange reaction to obtain IDIF radiolabeled with 18F. [19F/18F]exchange reaction over IDIF in dimethyl sulfoxide at 160 °C resulted in the formation of [18F]IDIF in 7 ± 3% radiochemical yield in a 20 min reaction time, with a final radiochemical purity of >99%. Biodistribution studies after intravenous administration of [18F]IDIF in wild-type mice using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging showed capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier (ca. 1% of injected dose per gram of tissue in the brain at t > 10 min post administration), rapid accumulation in the liver, long circulation time, and progressive elimination via urine. Our results open opportunities for future studies in larger animal species or human subjects.
Internal Secularisation at the Festival of Saint Rosalia
Authors: Salerno Rossana M.
Published: January 2024

The dynamic relationship that exists between a religious rite and its territory is interpreted and analysed by religious anthropology as a form of protection, offered by the sacred to the place in which it resides. According to this interpretation, passage through the territory of what is reputed to be sacred or even its very presence as a sanctuary, drives evil away and is believed to perform a generally stable protective function. Within such a dynamic, the rite that actually creates this sacred passage, i.e., the procession of relics, lays the foundations for an analysis of the two specific variables that are, in actual fact, intwined: on the one side is the rite, and on the other, the territory. Such a relationship appears all the more problematic due to the progressive rationalisation of the religious dimension, extensively dealt with by Max Weber (Weber 1920) and accepted by contemporary sociology on religion, as it is now a supernatural phenomenon that is only considered to have a representational dimension. The internal secularization at the festival of Saint Rosalia happened in 2023, with the landing of the triumphal cart in New York. The rite moves to another new territory and transforms it. The cart of Saint Rosalia, preserved in the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York, represents the identity of Sicilian immigrants but also a new form of ritualization on a new territory through an “ancient” ritual. When the sacred is located within the institutional dimension of a salvation religion presided over by an institution, it appears separate from any purely mechanical (and therefore magical) dimension, while the territory becomes a variable in which a multiplicity of factors are contained. These factors not only give importance to the very aspects of the ritual itself, boosting its civil and secular parts, but also to the religious programme, which undergoes unexpected transformations introduced by the presiding institution. The main object of this analysis is, therefore, to establish an interactive path whereby, on the one hand, the territory, through its various cultural components (both secular and religious), shapes the religious rite and how it places restrictions on those protective functions, while on the other, how the rite places its own constraints on the cultural transformations that take place in the fabric of society.
Régimen Único Simplificado para el cumplimiento tributario de personas naturales en Perú
Authors: Ramírez Broncano Ana Cecilia
Published: January 2024

El estudio analizado aborda la influencia de diversos factores en el cumplimiento tributario de las Personas Naturales del Centro Comercial Señor de los Milagros en Ventanilla. El objetivo principal es identificar cómo variables como el conocimiento del Régimen Único Simplificado (RUS), la cultura y conciencia tributaria, entre otros, afectan el comportamiento tributario. Utilizando el coeficiente de Pearson como método, se encontró una correlación significativa entre el conocimiento del RUS, cultura tributaria, conciencia tributaria y obligaciones con el cumplimiento tributario. Específicamente, se destaca que el conocimiento del RUS influye en un 79.5%, la cultura tributaria en un 36.5%, la conciencia tributaria en un 61.1%, y las obligaciones en un 57.7%. En conclusión, el estudio evidencia la importancia del conocimiento y la conciencia tributaria como factores determinantes en el cumplimiento tributario de las personas naturales en el mencionado centro comercial.
Gestión financiera del gobierno autónomo departamental de Potosí, Bolivia desde 2004 hasta 2022
Authors: Amonzabel Gonzales Miguel Ángel , Arancibia Vargas Claudia Naida
Published: January 2024

El estudio examinó el rendimiento de la gestión financiera de la Gobernación del departamento de Potosí mediante un enfoque cuantitativo descriptivo entre 2010 y 2022, analizando informes y estados financieros de 2004 a 2022. Se emplearon técnicas de análisis financiero, como métodos de reducción a porcentajes integrales y tendencias. Los resultados indican que la ejecución presupuestaria promedio fue del 70% entre 2004 y 2022, revelando una eficiencia moderada. Esta eficiencia se atribuye a una gestión financiera inadecuada, evidenciada por una inversión limitada en gastos de capital, a pesar de ingresos significativos. Además, se identificó una deuda pública interna aparentemente innecesaria, resultando en gastos financieros considerables por intereses. El estudio destaca la necesidad de mejorar la gestión financiera y la inversión en gastos de capital en la Gobernación de Potosí.
Development of a prototype of information and analytical system “Ecological barometer” based on artificial intelligence technologies.
Authors: Glinskiy V. V. , Serga L. K. , Zaykov K. A. , Ismayilova Yu. N.
Published: January 2024

The article presents and discusses the statement of the problem, goals and objectives, methodology, tools, software and research results obtained during the development of the prototype information and analytical system “Ecological Barometer”. A review of research in the area of knowledge under discussion has been completed. A system of characteristics for measuring the level of environmental safety is outlined. Sources of primary data are described in detail. The system involves the implementation of monitoring and analysis of key characteristics of the state of the environment based on data obtained using artificial intelligence technologies.
Forecasting the dynamics of the exchange rate using econometric methods and artificial neural networks.
Authors: Bakumenko L. P. , Lipatova I. A.
Published: January 2024

The article presents the possibilities of applying the methods of applied statistics used in modern analysis to analyze the dynamics of the exchange rate. The exchange rate in the modern world is quite a significant tool of the economic system of the state. Determining the trend in the development of the exchange rate is important in almost any business direction that involves capital investment. In modern economic conditions, it has a rather differential character, which is accompanied by risk, to one degree or another. And although assets in US dollars have declined in recent years, the Central Bank did not plan to completely abandon the dollar in its reserves, since this currency is necessary to maintain financial stability, given the high role of the US currency in foreign trade settlements and its fundamental role in financial flows. To predict the dynamics of the exchange rate, the official US dollar exchange rate was taken. Methods of constructing predictive models using ARIMA models and prediction models based on neural networks are proposed for making forecasts. The models were evaluated and the most accurate variant was proposed – a model based on the construction of neural networks (MLP model 12-8-1 (No. 4)) with a prediction error of 6 %.
Digital economy and fiscal management: current issues and prospects.
Authors: Nadezhdina S. D. , Chistyakova O. A.
Published: January 2024

The article analyzes the topical issues of the implementation of digitalization in fiscal management, revealing the development of digital resources applied by Federal Tax Service that advances accountability in the sphere of taxation. The article reasonably states that it is still difficult to foresee all the risks of digital transformation but observing the priority of the digital principles it is possible to avoid these risks in the nearest future. This study substantiates the prospects of further development of digitalization in fiscal management.
Problematic issues of electric grid development in Russia and possible solutions through the implementation of lean production.
Authors: Shibiko A. V.
Published: January 2024

The relevance of paper is due that to the fact the power grid complex of the Russian Federation has a significant impact not only on the economy of the country, but also on the comfort level of citizens. The aim of the study: to analyse the problematic issues of power grid development in the Russian Federation and to propose possible solutions using the principles of «lean production». The basis of the study was formed by the works of authors: K.K. Sevostyanova, T.S. Ilyinskaya, Y.L. Alexandrov, E.V. Skubrii, Y.D. Alexandrov and others. As a result, it was concluded that part of the problems typical for the electric grid complex of the Russian Federation can be solved by creating a Unified Electronic Platform for suppliers and territorial grid organizations.