bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microspectroscopic visualization of how biochar elevates the soil organic carbon ceiling
Authors: Weng Zhe (Han) , Zwieten Lukas Van , Rose Michael , Singh Bhupinder Pal , Tavakkoli Ehsan , Joseph Stephen , Macdonald Lynne , Kimber Stephen , Morris Stephen , Rose Terry James , Archanjo Bráulio , Tang Caixian , Franks Ashley , Diao Hui , Kopittke Peter , Cowie Annette
Published: September 2021

The soil carbon saturation concept suggests an upper limit to store soil organic carbon (SOC), set by the mechanisms that protect soil organic matter from decomposition. Biochar has the capacity to protect new C including rhizodeposits and microbial necromass. However, the decadal scale mechanisms by which biochar influences the molecular diversity, spatial heterogeneity, and temporal changes of SOC persistence remain unresolved. Here we show that the soil C saturation ceiling of a Ferralsol under subtropical pasture could be elevated by 2 Mg (new) C ha-1 by the application of Eucalyptus saligna biochar 8.2 years after the first application. Using one, two-, and three-dimensional analyses, significant increases were observed in the spatial distribution of root-derived 13C in microaggregates (53-250 µm, 11 %) and new C protected in mineral fractions (<53 µm, 5 %). Microbial C-use efficiency was concomitantly improved by lowering specific enzyme activities, contributing to the decreased mineralization of native SOC by 18 %. We provide evidence that the global SOC ceiling can be elevated using biochar in Ferralsols by 0.01-0.1 Pg new C yr-1.
The characteristics of particulate matter in different subway station environmental control systems in Beijing
Authors: Wang xinru , xia liang , pei fei , wang zu , liu yiqiao , chang li , pan song
Published: September 2021

The characteristics of inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) in urban subway stations can have a major impact on passengers’ health. Existing research largely fails to focus on different environmental control systems and there are few studies focused on different pollution conditions. This study therefore focused on measuring and comparing the characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 at subway stations with three control systems in Beijing different pollution conditions. Stations including three types of control system (open, closed and screen door) and outside were monitored and analyzed using a general linear model. The concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 at different locations, such as on platforms, in carriages and in working areas, was compared and analyzed under different external pollution conditions. The results show that at different environment control systems the characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 are different. The concentrations of particles in closed system are generally higher than screen system at platform. While the pollution in carriage is heavier for open system than that of screen system. The PM2.5/PM10 ratio was 91%, 90% and 83.84% at closed, open and screen system, respectively. While, the PM2.5 and PM10 levels inside the stations were strongly correlated with the outdoor conditions regardless of the environmental control system. This is the first study to show the PM concentration characteristics for different subway environmental control systems. As such, it provides a solid foundation for air clean studies at subway stations with different control systems.
Protective effect of Curcumin against rotenone-induced Substantia nigra pars compacta neuronal dysfunction
Authors: Darbinyan Lilit Vahan , Hambardzumyan Lilia Eduard , Manukyan Larisa Paylak , Simonyan Karen Vazgen , de Vasconcelos Carlos Augusto Carvalho , Sarkisian Vaghinak Haykaz
Published: September 2021

Rotenone is involved in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, and curcumin may prevent or effectively slow the progression of Parkinson disease (PD). Previous research has shown that the naturally occurring phenolic compound curcumin can reduce inflammation and oxidation, making it a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases. The present study involves investigation of rotenone induced histological changes in the brain areas, hippocampus using Nissl staining after 35 day of subcutaneous injection administration of rotenone in adult male rats. In this study, we investigated whether curcumin protects against rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in a rat model by in vivo electrical recording from Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Curcumin treatment significantly improved electrical activity of neurons in the SNc of rotenone-induced PD model rats. The pattern of histological alterations corresponds with electrophysiological manifestations.
Persistent intestinal dysbiosis after SARS-CoV-2 infection in Brazilian patients
Authors: Junior Alexandre Soares Ferreira , Borgonovi Tais Fernanda , de Salis Larissa Vedovato Vilela , Leite Aline Zazeri , Dantas Amanda Soares , de Salis Guilherme Vedovato Vilela , Cruz Giuliano Netto Flores , de Oliveira Luiz Felipe Valter , Gomes Eleni , Penna Ana Lúcia Barretto , de Oliveira Gislane Lelis Vilela
Published: September 2021

Background: The massive secretion of inflammatory cytokines is associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and poor prognosis, as well as, in long COVID, the pathophysiology seems to be related to immune deregulation. The patient's immune status can influence the response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infection, and this immunity is affected by the intestinal microbiota condition (eubiotic or dysbiotic). This study aimed to evaluate the intestinal microbiota of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 with different clinical manifestations and post-COVID-19 (post-COV) periods, and correlate with the use of antibiotics during the acute disease. Results: According to the beta diversity, we observed significant differences between microbial communities in stool samples from post-COV patients when compared with healthy controls. Additionally, we detected four different clusters when we grouped patients into asymptomatic, mild, moderate, and severe disease. Patients who took antibiotics during the COVID-19 course showed decreased richness of the gut microbiota, even months after the disease resolution. We detected some genera possibly associated with the persistent post-COV dysbiosis, including increased Prevotella, Dialister, Haemophillus, Barnesiella, Desulfovibrio, Bilophila, Alistipes, Parabacteroides and Bacteroides, suggesting the impact of the disease in the gut microbiota. Besides that, we found some genera associated with antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in post-COV patients, including decreased Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium species. Conclusions: Therefore, we hypothesized that persistent dysbiosis and indiscriminate use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with long COVID syndromes, suggesting the involvement of the gut-lung axis. These data suggest that intestinal microbiota modulation may represent a therapeutic approach for long COVID.
Mismatch repair deficiency is not sufficient to elicit tumor immunogenicity
Authors: Jacks Tyler , Westcott Peter , Muyas Francesc , Smith Olivia , Hauck Haley , Sacks Nathan , Ely Zackery , Jaeger Alex , III William Rideout , Bhutkar Arjun , Zhang Daniel , Beytagh Mary , Canner David , Bronson Roderick , Naranjo Santiago , Jin Abbey , Patten J , Cruz Amanda , Cortes-Ciriano Isidro
Published: September 2021

DNA mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) is associated with high tumor mutational burden (TMB), increased T cell infiltration, and remarkable responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy1. Nevertheless, about half of MMRd tumors do not respond to ICB for unclear reasons. While cell line transplant models of MMRd have reinforced the importance of TMB in immune response2,3, critical questions remain regarding the role of immunosurveillance in the evolution of MMRd tumors induced in vivo. Here, we developed autochthonous mouse models of lung and colon cancer with ablation of MMR via in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 targeting. Surprisingly, MMRd in these models did not increase T cell infiltration or response to ICB. Mechanistically, we showed this lack of immunogenicity to be driven by profound intratumoral heterogeneity. Studies in immune deficient animals further demonstrated that immunosurveillance in MMRd tumors has no impact on TMB but shapes the clonal architecture of neoantigens by exacerbating heterogeneity. These results provide important context for understanding immune evasion in cancers with high TMB and have major implications for therapies aimed at increasing TMB.
Proton stopping measurements at low velocity in warm dense carbon
Authors: Malko Sophia , Cayzac Witold , Ospina-Bohorquez Valeria , Bhutwala Krish , Bailly-Grandvaux M , McGuffey Christopher , Fedosejevs Robert , Vaisseau Xavier , Tauschwitz Anna , Aginako Jon Apiñaniz , Blanco Diego de Luis , Gatti Giancarlo , Huault Marine , Hernandez Jose Perez , Hu Suxing , White Alexander , Collins Lee , Neumayer Paul , Faussurier Gerald , Vorberger Jan , Prestopino Giuseppe , Verona Claudio , Santos Joao , Batani Dimitri , Beg F. , Volpe Luca
Published: September 2021

Ion stopping in warm dense matter is a process of fundamental importance for the understanding of the properties of dense plasmas, the realization and the interpretation of experiments involving ion-beam-heated warm dense matter samples, and for inertial confinement fusion research. The theoretical description of the ion stopping power in warm dense matter is difficult notably due to electron coupling and degeneracy, and measurements are still largely missing. In particular, the low-velocity stopping range around the Bragg peak, that features the largest modeling uncertainties, remains virtually unexplored. Here, we report proton energy-loss measurements in warm dense plasma at unprecedented low projectile velocities, approaching significantly the Bragg-peak region. Our energy-loss data, combined with a precise target characterization based on plasma emission measurements using two independent spectroscopy diagnostics, demonstrate a significant deviation of the stopping power from classical models in this regime. In particular, we show that our results are consistent with recent first-principles simulations based on time-dependent density functional theory.
Efficient isolation of keratin from protein rich waste biomass: A practical approach to minimize environmental impact and valorize waste biomass
Authors: Prasad Kamalesh , Maity Tapan Kumar , Singh Nripat , Vaghela Pradip , Ghosh Arup , Singh Sanju , Shinde Pramod B. , Sequeira Rosy Alphons
Published: September 2021

Among protein-containing biomass waste, waste animal wool, poultry feather, and human hair are considered as one of the most important renewable sources of keratin. Although waste animal wool (WAW) and human hair (WHH) are used for the production of number of products but the substantial quantity of short fibers not suitable for spinning and being unusable is thrown as waste resulting considerable environmental problem in terms of their accumulation in water bodies resulting water clogging and other related problems. Similarly, poultry waste especially the waste chicken feathers (WCF) is dumped or burnt, or used as low value fertilizer in certain applications. To extract more value-added products such as keratin from such wastes, herein suitability of an aqueous solution of quaternary ammonium hydroxide known as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (25% w/w TMAOH in water) to solubilize these protein wastes and to extract keratin from them was investigated. The solvent could solubilized ca. 39–44% w/w of WAW, 19–25% of WHH, and 55–60% of WCF. Crude keratin with ca 19–20%, 35–37%, and 69–74% were isolated from WAW, WHH, and WCF respectively. The chemical and structural stability of keratin thus isolated was established. The recovered TMAOH, insoluble WAW and WCF were found to be nontoxic to soil microbes. The recovered TMAOH thus generated after isolation of keratin was used for green gram (Vigna radiata) seed treatment and a substantial increase in the height (4–12%) and weight (9–58%) of the plants were observed. Treating biomass waste as a source of high value compounds may minimize environmental impact by reducing the waste load.
Acute cardiac events following ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 corona virus vaccine (recombinant)
Authors: Singh Rohit , Chakrabarti Sankha Shubhra , Gambhir Indrajeet Singh , Tiwari Ashutosh , Chandan Gourav , Chakrabarti Sasanka , Kaur Upinder
Published: September 2021

Acute myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination has been observed majorly following mRNA vaccines. There has recently been only one case report of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination induced myocarditis with an ischemic presentation. Here we report two cases of acute cardiac events following ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination, in an elderly female and a middle-aged man, the former presenting with an ischemic phenotype and the latter with acute heart failure. Both patients were managed successfully with conservative treatment and showed symptomatic improvement within few weeks which was corroborated by improved electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings. The possibilities of molecular mimicry, autoimmunity and direct S-protein induced toxicity to the heart may need to be evaluated in the future to explain cardiac adverse events of COVID-19 vaccines.
Measuring variation in phoneme inventories
Authors: Anderson Cormac , Tresoldi Tiago , Greenhill Simon J. , Forkel Robert , Gray Russell D. , List Johann-Mattis
Published: September 2021

For over a century, the phoneme has played a central role in linguistic research. In recent years, collections of phoneme inventories, originally designed for cross-linguistic purposes, have increasingly been used in comparative studies involving neighbouring disciplines. Despite the extended application of this type of data, there has been no research into its comparability or tests of its reliability. In this study, we carry out a systematic comparison of four popular phoneme inventory collections. We render them comparable by linking them to standardised formats for the handling of cross-linguistic datasets and develop new measures to test both size and similarity. We find considerable differences in inventories supposedly representing the same language variety, both in terms of size and transcriptional choices. While some of these differences appear to be predic, reflecting design decisions in the different collections, much of the observed variation is unsystematic. These results should sound a note of caution for comparative studies based on phoneme inventories, which we suggest need to take the question of comparability more seriously. We make a number of proposals for improving the comparability of phoneme inventories.
Performance Analysis of SIC based hybrid precoding for multi-user case in 3D scenario
Authors: Myadar Rajashekhar , Vanidevi M.
Published: September 2021

Massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output) systems are best suitable for mmWave communications improving throughput and spectral efficiency in 5G. Beamforming is a wireless technique adopted by massive MIMO and used in 4G & 5G to increase the directivity and energy efficiency by focusing the signal in specific direction supporting only single user transmission with one data stream. Precoding is a generalized form of beamforming to support multi-stream transmission in multi-antenna wireless communication, such that combination of analog and digital precoding forms the hybrid precoding which shows good performance with less complexity. Successive Interference Cancelation (SIC) is a technique in which optimization of different antenna arrays will be done one by one such that while optimizing the capacity of specific array contribution of earlier optimized array is removed from the total capacity and precoder of that specific optimizing array will be computed. In this paper we have designed the SIC based hybrid precoding using sub-connected and fully-connected structures for multi-user (MU) case and compared them with the optimal precoding for mmWave massive MIMO systems in a 3D scenario, where both azimuth and elevation angles are taken into account in the channel. The proposed algorithms are simulated in the MATLAB and compared their performance with different parameters and shown that SIC-based scheme is near-optimal for multi-user case.
[18F]DPA-714 PET imaging for the quantitative evaluation of early spatiotemporal changes of neuroinflammation in rat brain following status epilepticus
Authors: Cui Yilong
Published: September 2021

Background
Most antiepileptic drug therapies are symptomatic and adversely suppress normal brain function by nonspecific inhibition of neuronal activity. In recent times, growing evidence has suggested that neuroinflammation triggered by epileptic seizures might be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Although the potential effectiveness of anti-inflammatory treatment for curing epilepsy has been extensively discussed, the limited quantitative data regarding spatiotemporal characteristics of neuroinflammation after epileptic seizures makes it difficult to be realized. We quantitatively analyzed the spatiotemporal changes in neuroinflammation in the early phase after status epilepticus in rats, using translocator protein (TSPO) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, which has been widely used for the quantitative evaluation of neuroinflammation in several animal models of CNS disease.
Methods
The second-generation TSPO PET probe, [18F]DPA-714, was used for brain-wide quantitative analysis of neuroinflammation in the brains of rats, when the status epilepticus was induced by subcutaneous injection of kainic acid (15 mg/kg) into those rats. A series of [18F]DPA-714 PET scans were performed at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days after status epilepticus, and the corresponding histological changes, including activation of microglia and astrocytes, were confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
Results
Apparent accumulation of [18F]DPA-714 was observed in several epileptogenic regions, such as the amygdala, piriform cortex, ventral hippocampus, mediodorsal thalamus, and cortical regions, 3 days after status epilepticus, and the effect was reversibly displaced by unlabeled PK11195 (1 mg/kg). Consecutive [18F]DPA-714 PET scans revealed that accumulation of [18F]DPA-714 was focused in the epileptogenic regions from 3 days after status epilepticus and was further maintained in the amygdala and piriform cortex until 7 days after status epilepticus. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that activated microglia but not reactive astrocytes, were correlated with [18F]DPA-714 accumulation in the epileptogenic regions for at least 1 week after status epilepticus.
Conclusions
These results indicate that the early spatiotemporal characteristics of neuroinflammation quantitatively evaluated by [18F]DPA-714 PET imaging provides valuable evidence for developing new anti-inflammatory therapies for epilepsy. The predominant activation of microglia around epileptogenic regions in the early phase after status epilepticus could be a crucial therapeutic target for curing epilepsy.
Integrated Analysis of Behavioral and Health Data: A Comparative Study of COVID19 Data in Israel and Italy
Authors: Kenett Ron S. , Manzi Giancarlo , Rapaport Carmit , Salini Silvia
Published: September 2021

The response to the COVID19 pandemic has been highly variable, both in terms of between-nations variation and within the same nation, at different waves. In this context, governments applied different mitigation policy responses with varying impact on social and economic measures over time. This article examines the effect of mobility restriction measures in Italy and Israel and compares the association between health and population mobility data. Facing the pandemic, Israel and Italy implemented different policy measures and experienced different public activity patterns. The analysis we conducted is a staged approach using Bayesian Networks and Structural Equations Models to investigate these patterns. The goal is to assess the impact of pandemic management and mitigation policies on pandemic spread and population activity. We propose a methodology that first models data from health registries and Google mobility data and then shows how decision makers can conduct scenario analysis to help support pandemic management policies.
Selected ‘Starter Kit’ energy system modelling data for Colombia (#CCG)
Authors: Cannone Carla , Allington Lucy , Pappis Ioannis , Barron Karla Cervantes , Usher Will , Pye Steve , Howells Mark , Walker Miriam Zachau , Ahsan Aniq , Charbonnier Flora , Halloran Claire , Hirmer Stephanie , Taliotis Constantinos , Sundin Caroline , Sridha Vignesh , Ramos Eunice , Brinkerink Maarten , Deane Paul , Gritsevskyi Andrii , Moura Gustavo , Rouget Arnaud , Rogner Holger , Quirós-Tortós Jairo , Angulo-Paniagua Jam
Published: September 2021

Energy system modelling can be used to assess the implications of different scenarios and support improved policymaking. However, access to data is often a barrier to energy system modelling, causing delays. Therefore, this article provides data that can be used to create a simple zero order energy system model for Colombia, which can act as a starting point for further model development and scenario analysis. The data are collected entirely from publicly available and accessible sources, including the websites and databases of international organizations, journal articles, and existing modelling studies. This means that the dataset can be easily updated based on the latest available information or more detailed and accurate local data. These data were also used to calibrate a simple energy system model using the Open Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) and three stylized scenarios (Fossil Future, Least Cost and Net Zero by 2050) for 2020–2050. The assumptions used and results of these scenarios are presented in the appendix as an illustrative example of what can be done with these data. This simple model can be adapted and further developed by in-country analysts and academics, providing a platform for future work.
Association of remdesivir with poor clinical outcomes in Covid-19
Authors: Ranka Rajat , Arjun  , Panda Prasan Kumar , Bahurupi Yogesh Arvind , Chikara Gaurav , Agarwal Disha
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Need of an antiviral against Covid-19 prompted clinical trials all over the world and based on initial promising trends, remdesivir was widely used all over the world, including India (compassionate use). Subsequent trials have been conflicting in their results and the utility of the drug has been widely debated. Methods: This is a record-based retrospective cohort study carried out in a 1000-bedded government teaching hospital in North India. The medical e-records of the Covid-19 positive patients who were admitted between June and November 2020 were reviewed for eligibility. After making the necessary exclusions, 112 patients were included in the remdesivir cohort and 85 in the standard care cohort. All the baseline characteristics of relevance and details of hospital admission were collected. The following outcomes in relation to remdesivir administration were assessed: all-cause mortality until discharge – stratified as per baseline oxygen support, age, gender and comorbidities; proportion of severe and non-severe patients progressing to mechanical ventilation later on; and time to clinical recovery in survivors. Results: There was a statistically significant association of higher mortality with the administration of remdesivir (odds ratio, OR 2.3, p-value 0.008) with a Cox regression hazard ratio of 1.590 (CI 0.944–2.679). The trend towards poorer outcomes in the remdesivir cohort persisted even after sub-stratification for age, gender, baseline severity (oxygen need) and comorbidities but failed to reach statistical significance in most of the strata. Similarly, remdesivir administration was associated with higher rates of progression to mechanical ventilation amongst those severe and non-severe patients who were not on mechanical ventilation at admission (49 % versus 15 %, p-value < 0.001, OR 5.2). This association was significant overall as well as for severe category patients when assessed separately (56% versus 26 %, p-value 0.04, OR 3.1). There was, however, no difference in the days taken for clinical recovery between the two groups (13.23 days versus 12.8 days, p-value 0.77). Conclusion: Remdesivir administration was associated with overall worse clinical outcomes. This study contradicts the benefits shown with remdesivir in previous clinical trials done in controlled settings and highlights the challenges that newer therapies face in real life hospital settings. There is a need to include diverse ethnic groups in the future clinical trials of the drug if to be used.
Nitrogen, Calcium, and Magnesium Inconsistently Affect Tree Growth, Fruit Yield, and Juice Quality of Huanglongbing-affected Orange Trees
Authors: Esteves Eduardo , Maltais-Landry Gabriel , Zambon Flavia , Ferrarezi Rhuanito Soranz , Kadyampakeni Davie M.
Published: September 2021

The bacterial disease Huanglongbing (HLB) has drastically reduced citrus production in Florida. Nutrients play an important role in plant defense mechanisms and new approaches to manage the disease with balanced nutrition are emerging. Nutrients like nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) could extend the productive life of affected trees, although interactions among these nutrients in HLB-affected citrus trees are still unclear. A 2-year study was established in Florida to determine the response of HLB-affected trees to applications of N, Ca, and Mg. The study was conducted with ‘Valencia’ trees (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) on Swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi Macf. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) rootstock on a Candler sand. Applications of N at 168, 224 (recommended rate), and 280 kg⋅ha−1 N were used as the main plots. Split-plots consisted of a grower standard treatment receiving only basal Ca (51 kg⋅ha−1) and Mg (56 kg⋅ha−1); supplemental Ca (total Ca inputs: 96 kg⋅ha−1) only; supplemental Mg (total Mg inputs: 101 kg⋅ha−1) only; and supplemental Ca (total Ca inputs: 73.5 kg⋅ha−1) and Mg (total Mg inputs: 78.5 kg⋅ha−1). The following variables were measured: tree size, fruit yield, and juice quality. Although some differences in tree growth among treatments were statistically significant (e.g., greater canopy volume with Mg fertilization at 168 kg⋅ha−1 N), there was no clear and consistent effect of plant nutrition on these variables. Fruit yield was higher with Ca and Mg relative to the grower standard at the lowest N rate in 2020, and there were no other statistically significant differences among treatments. Juice acidity was significantly higher with Mg fertilization relative to other treatments in 2019. As N rates had no significant effect in this study, unlike secondary macronutrients, N rates could potentially be reduced to 168 kg N⋅ha−1 in HLB-affected citrus without affecting vegetative growth, fruit yield, and juice quality. However, this will require optimizing the supply of secondary macronutrients and all other nutrients to develop a balanced nutritional program. Ultimately, the effects of N, Ca, and Mg obtained in this 2-year study should be confirmed with longer-term studies conducted at multiple sites.
The Use of Molecular Genetic Diagnostic Tests to Improve MDR TB Treatment Outcomes in Arkhangelsk Region
Authors: Eliseev P. I. , Detjen А. , Dacombe R. , Phillips P. , Squire S. B. , Мaryandyshev А. O.
Published: September 2021

The use of molecular genetic tests as a part of tuberculosis patients examination made it possible to reduce the time for TB diagnosis and determination of drug resistance (DR) of M. tuberculosis (MTB) in Arkhangelsk Region. Early detection of multiple drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) made it possible to prescribe the adequate chemotherapy regimen promptly and thus to improve treatment outcomes.The objective of the study: to evaluate the results of treatment of MDR TB patients in whom MDR TB was diagnosed by molecular genetic tests. It was assumed that the introduction of molecular genetic tests would result in improved treatment outcomes in MDR TB patients [(the research project of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis Control Program of Arkhangelsk Region of the PROVE-IT LPA (Policy Relevant Outcomes from Validating Evidence on Impact of Line Probe Assays)].Subjects: 295 MDR TB patients detected in Arkhangelsk Region were enrolled in the study. MDR TB was detected by molecular genetic tests in the main group (132 patients) and by culture in the control group (163 patients). Patients from both groups received the standard chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherapy outcomes were compared in both groups.Results. Treatment outcomes were better in the group (MGT group) where molecular genetic tests were used for drug susceptibility testing (p = 0.003) versus the comparison group where the culture was used. Effective treatment was documented more frequently (65.2%) in the MGT group versus the comparison group (44.8%). All-cause mortality was lower in the MGT group (7.6%) than in the comparison group (15.9%). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the time when sputum conversion (by smear and culture) was achieved.
Students Work in Groups to Create and Peer-Evaluate Newsletters Pertaining to Current Health-Related Topics
Authors: Carnegie Jacqueline , Savory Joanne
Published: September 2021

A challenge with large undergraduate classes is the provision of opportunities for students to construct educational documents and to obtain individualized feedback pertaining to their work. Being able to work as part of a group, to clearly express information both orally and in writing, and to self-reflect while providing constructive feedback are soft skills that are valued by employers in the healthcare professions. We describe a two-part assignment in which students first worked in small groups to construct an informative newsletter pertaining to either the gut microbiome or one of four assigned fad diets and then evaluated a newsletter created by a group of their peers. Survey data revealed that most students found the assignments valuable learning exercises and that the opportunity to evaluate a newsletter created by their peers was welcomed. These assignments provide a way for students studying anatomy and physiology to reflect on what they have learned in class and, through self-directed research, apply their new knowledge in a way that will serve them well once out in the workplace.
The Application of Prodrug-based Drug Delivery Strategy in Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Liu Nanxin , Chen Qinhua , Zhang Qingqing , Wang Jin , Si Ru , Zhang Jie , Pan Xiaoyan
Published: September 2021

Cancer is the second leading cause of human death after cardiovascular disease, and the
most used drugs in clinics are cytotoxic agents. However, these drugs have some inherent disadvantages,
such as the risk of toxicity, low selectivity, poor solubility, and so on. To overcome these
shortcomings, a variety of drug delivery strategies based on prodrugs have been developed. The application
of drug delivery systems can optimize ADME properties of cytotoxic agents and improve
their selectivity at the target, thereby greatly enhancing the anticancer effect in clinics. At present, it
has become mainstream in drug design. This review systematically summarized the studies of prodrug-
based drug delivery systems over the past five to ten years, according to four aspects, solubility,
controlled release, in situ concentration, and targeting.
Review of the Phytochemistry and Biological Activity of Cissus incisa Leaves
Authors: Nocedo-Mena Deyani , Galván-Rodrigo Adrián Alejandro , Wright Colin W. , Caboni Pierluigi
Published: September 2021

Background:

Cissus incisa is a Vitaceae with a pantropical distribution. In northern
Mexico, its leaves have traditionally been used to treat skin infections, abscesses and tumors. Despite
its medicinal uses, few studies have been reported.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to summarize the phytochemical and biological studies carried
out so far on the leaves of C. incisa, since this part of the plant is the one frequently used, and
awaken scientific interest towards the plant.

Methods:

Since C. incisa was an undocumented species, most of the information comes from reports
of our research group. Databases, books, and websites were also consulted. The information
collected was organized and presented in a synthesized way. Plant name was checked with the
database “The Plant List”.

Results:

171, 260, and 114 metabolites were identified by UHPLC-QFTOF-MS in the hexane, chloroform/
methanol, and aqueous extracts, respectively. Fatty acyls, sphingolipids, sterols,
glycerolipids, prenol lipids, and terpenes are common metabolites found in these extracts. 2-(2´-hydroxydecanoyl
amino)-1,3,4-hexadecanotriol-8-ene, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl tetracosanoate, β-sitosterol,
β-sitosterol-D-glucopyranoside, α-amyrin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were also isolated and
characterized. Extracts, phytocompounds and semi-synthetic derivatives showed antimicrobial activity
against multi-drug resistant bacteria and various cancer cell lines. Results from Perturbation-
Theory-Machine Learning-Information-Fusion model (PTMLIF), molecular docking, and
vesicular contents assay identified potential targets on the cell membrane, suggesting an antibacterial
mechanism of action for ceramides from C. incisa leaves.

Conclusion:

This review reports the efforts of the scientific community in authenticating species
used in traditional medicine. Moreover, it gives a compendium of phytochemistry and the biological
activities of the components from C. incisa leaves.
Identifying c-fos Expression as a Strategy to Investigate the Actions of
General Anesthetics on the Central Nervous System
Authors: Zhang Donghang , Liu Jin , Zhu Tao , Zhou Cheng
Published: September 2021

:

Although general anesthetics have been used in the clinic for more than 170 years, the ways in which they induce amnesia, unconsciousness, analgesia, and immobility remain elusive. Modulations of various neural nuclei and circuits are involved in the actions of general anesthetics. The expression of the immediate early gene c-fos and its nuclear product, c-fos protein can be induced by neuronal depolarization; therefore, c-fos staining is commonly used to identify the activated neurons during sleep and/or wakefulness, as well as in various physiological conditions in the central nervous system. Identifying c-fos expression is also a direct and convenient method to explore the effects of general anesthetics on the activity of neural nuclei and circuits. Using c-fos staining, general anesthetics have been found to interact with sleep- and wakefulness-promoting systems throughout the brain, which may explain their ability to induce unconsciousness and emergence from general anesthesia. This review summarizes the actions of general anesthetics on neural nuclei and circuits based on c-fos expression.
Peptide-based Fusion Inhibitors for Preventing the Six-helix Bundle Formation of Class I Fusion Proteins: HIV and Beyond
Authors: Monteiro Ajit , Yu Karl O. A. , Hicar Mark D.
Published: September 2021

A number of different viral families have developed convergent methods to infect cells.
Class I fusion proteins are commonly used by members of Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Filovirdae,
Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, and Retroviridae. Class I viral fusion proteins are
trimers that are involved in recognizing the cellular receptor, with a region that is responsible for
fusing the viral and target cell membranes. During the fusion process, the fusion region folds into a
six-helix bundle (6 HB) which approximates the two membranes leading to fusion. For Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV), the gp41 subunit is responsible for the formation of this 6 HB. The
fusion inhibitor drug enfuvirtide, or T20, is the only US Food and Drug Administration and European
Medicines Agency approved drug which targets this crucial step and has been widely used in
combination regimens for the treatment of HIV since March 2003. In this review, we describe the
current state of peptide-based fusion inhibitors in the treatment of HIV, and review how the field of
HIV research is driving advances in the development of similar therapeutics in other viral systems,
including the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronaviruses.
Biomarkers in Acute Heart Failure Syndromes: An Update
Authors: Al-Sadawi Mohammed , Saad Muhammad , Ayyadurai Puvanalingam , Shah Niel N. , Bhandari Manoj , Vittorio Timothy J.
Published: September 2021

:

Heart failure is one of the leading healthcare problems in the world. Clinical data lacks
sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of heart failure. Laboratory biomarkers are a non-invasive
method of assessing suspected decompensated heart failure. Biomarkers such as natriuretic
peptides have shown promising results in the management of heart failure. The literature does not
provide comprehensive guidance in the utilization of biomarkers in the setting of acute heart failure
syndrome. Many conditions that manifest with similar pathophysiology as acute heart failure syndrome
may demonstrate positive biomarkers. The following is a review of biomarkers in heart failure,
enlightening their role in diagnosis, prognosis and management of heart failure.
Progress and Challenges in Physiological Artifacts’ Detection in Electroencephalographic
Readings
Authors: Singh Preeti , Bisht Amandeep , Kaur Chamandeep , Agarwal Sunil , Ajmani Manisha
Published: September 2021

Background:

Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings are used to trace neural activity
within the cortex to study brain functioning over time.

Introduction:

During data acquisition, the unequivocal way to reduce artifact is to avoid artifact stimulating
events. Though there are certain artifacts that make this task challenging due to their association
with the internal human mechanism, in the human-computer interface, these physiological
artifacts are of great assistance and act as a command signal for controlling a device or an application
(communication). That is why pre-processing of electroencephalographic readings has been a
progressive area of exploration, as none of the published work can be viewed as a benchmark for
constructive artifact handling.

Method:

This review offers a comprehensive insight into state of the art physiological artifact removal
techniques listed so far. The study commences from the single-stage traditional techniques
to the multistage techniques, examining the pros and cons of each discussed technique. Also, this
review paper gives a general idea of various datasets available and briefs the topical trend in EEG
signal processing.

Result:

Comparing the state of the art techniques with hybrid ones on the basis of performance
and computational complexity, it has been observed that the single-channel techniques save computational
time but lack in effective artifact removal especially physiological artifacts. On the other
hand, hybrid techniques merge the essential characteristics resulting in increased performance, but
time consumption and complexity remain an issue.

Conclusion:

Considering the high probability of the presence of multiple artifacts in EEG channels,
a trade-off between performance, time and computational complexity is the only key for effective
processing of artifacts in the time ahead. This paper is anticipated to facilitate upcoming researchers
in enriching the contemporary artifact handling techniques to mitigate the expert’s burden.
Exploration of Chemopreventive Potential of Linalool in Targeting Lung Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Singh Jyoti , Meena Abha
Published: September 2021

Background:

Phytochemicals are used to treat lung cancer in contemporary and traditional medicine. The limitations of known chemotherapeutic drugs such as non-specificity, resistance, and toxicity restrict their use for lung cancer treatment. Therefore, the search for target-specific novel entities is required continuously.

Objective:

Linalool, a monoterpene alcohol that possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, is present in sweet basil, laurel, jasmine, rosewood, and lavender. Previous reports revealed its anticancer potential against colon, breast, and liver cancer. In this study, linalool's efficacy in targeting biomarkers associated with different lung cancer stages has been investigated

Methods:

The in silico molecular docking analysis was used to explore drug-receptor interaction, and further, linalools cytotoxicity potential was evaluated on lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549). The toxicity profiling of linalool was done by ADMET analysis.

Results:

In the results, Linalool revealed an excellent binding affinity with the selected targets. It showed the highest interaction with BRAF with the binding energy of -5.6 kcal/mol. Furthermore, it successfully interacts within the binding pocket of BRAF, similar to its inhibitor (Sorafenib). In MTT analysis, linalool significantly reduces the percent viability IC30 474.94 ± 43.12, 379.33 ± 49.5, and 183.77 ± 66.7 μM in A549 cell lines for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively.

Conclusion:

These results concluded that linalool possesses chemopreventive potential against lung cancer by interacting or modulating selected biomarkers associated with a lung cancer diagnosis, progression, and proliferation.
Phytotoxicity of Nanomaterials in Agriculture
Authors: Madanayake Nadun H. , Adassooriya Nadeesh M.
Published: September 2021

Science and technology have advanced rapidly in every aspect; thus, nanotechnology is one of the highly promising interdisciplinary approaches which has swiftly emerged in the world. The inherent properties of nanomaterials (NMs) made them widely accepted to use in many fields, including agriculture. Because of this, NMs have attracted novel agrochemical formulations to enhance crop productivity. However, deliberate and accidental release of nanoparticulate based agrochemical formulations and engineered NMs have raised concerns on the possible effects on agricultural crops. Therefore, the interaction of NMs leading to phytotoxicity is the biggest concern that is required to be assessed prior to their applications. Hence, this review discusses whether NMs can be used as a feasible stand-in candidate for agriculture.
Present and Future Prospect of Algae: A Potential Candidate for Sustainable Pollution Mitigation
Authors: Tripathy Ashutosh , More Ram Dev , Gupta Sandeep , Samuel Jastin , Singh Joginder , Prasad Ram
Published: September 2021

Pollution control and mitigation are critical to protect the ecosystem and make everyone's life safer and healthier. Different pollution mitigation strategies and measures are implemented to remove pollutants, which broadly involve physical, chemical, and biological methods. Biological methods are found to be more sustainable, effective, and eco-friendlier than the other two methods. These methods mainly use microbes like bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants, and their products like enzymes and metabolic products to remove pollutants. Due to their unique photosynthetic ability and simple growth requirements, Algae can be grown using simpler components like CO2, sunlight, and media, making them a potential candidate to be used as a pollution mitigator. Algae can indicate and remove pollutants like CO2, SO2, NO2, and particulate matter from the air; these pollutants and particulate matter are either used for their growth or these are accumulated inside them.. Algal species have shown the efficient removal of heavy metals, organic pollutants, explosives, petroleum contaminants, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and plastics from different water sources. There is a lot of scope in using algae to remove organic and inorganic pollutants in wastewater treatment plants. Algae hold great potential to remove radioactive pollutants from natural resources and involve removal mechanisms like biosorption and bioaccumulation. Algae can be used with different adsorbent materials to develop adsorption systems for the adsorption of radionuclides and heavy metals. This review elucidates different algal species, their cultural conditions, the removal efficiency of different types of pollutants from the air, water, soil, and their role in genetic engineering and the algae's potential for waste mitigation.
Effect of Static Compressive Force on Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity in Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts
Authors: Schemann-Miguel Fabio , Aloise Antonio Carlos , Gaiba Silvana , Ferreira Lydia Masako
Published: September 2021

Background:

The application of static compressive forces to periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) in vivo or in vitro has been linked to the expression of biochemical agents and local tissue modifications that could be involved in maintaining homeostasis during orthodontic movement. An approach used for identifying mesenchymal cells, or a subpopulation of progenitor cells in both tumoral and normal tissues, involves determining the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). However, the role of subpopulations of PDLF-derived undifferentiated cells in maintaining homeostasis during tooth movement remains unclear.

Objective:

This study aimed at analyzing the effect of applying a static compressive force to PDLFs on the activity of ALDH in these cells.

Methods:

PDLFs were distributed into two groups: control group (CG), where fibroblasts were not submitted to compression, and experimental group (EG), where fibroblasts were submitted to a static compressive force of 4 g/mm2 for 6 hours. The compressive force was applied directly to the cells using a custom-built device. ALDH activity in the PDLFs was evaluated by a flow cytometry assay.

Results:

ALDH activity was observed in both groups, but was significantly lower in EG than in CG after the application of a static compressive force in the former.

Conclusion:

Application of a static compressive force to PDLFs decreased ALDH activity.
Pedagogika społeczna jako rzeczywiste i niesklasyfikowane zadanie samorządu na przykładzie utworzenia posterunku „Śródmieście” Straży Miejskiej we Włocławku w obszarze rewitalizacji (pomoc i bezpieczeństwo)
Authors:   Państwowa Uczelnia Zawodowa we Włocławku, Moraczewska Barbara , Siębida Piotr Paweł ,   Straż Miejska we Włocławku
Published: September 2021

The statutory public tasks performed by the self-government for the local community include specific and unclassified tasks important from the social point of view. They relate to social pedagogy, whose basic assumptions indicate a wide spectrum of assis-tance activities. This paper postulates considering the realization of a specific and un-classified task of the local self-government in the form of social pedagogy, which is pre-sented on the example of the implementation and characteristics of the activities of the City Guard iń the process of revitalizatioń of a desigńated area of Włocławek.