bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Task-Related Hemodynamic Changes Induced by High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Chronic Stroke Patients: An Uncontrolled Pilot fNIRS Study
Authors: Kim Heegoo , Kim Jinuk , Lee Gihyoun , Lee Jungsoo , Kim Yun-Hee
Published: March 2022

High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) has recently been proposed as a tDCS approach that can be used on a specific cortical region without causing undesirable stimulation effects. In this uncontrolled pilot study, the cortical hemodynamic changes caused by HD-tDCS applied over the ipsilesional motor cortical area were investigated in 26 stroke patients. HD-tDCS using one anodal and four cathodal electrodes at 1 mA was administered for 20 min to C3 or C4 in four daily sessions. Cortical activation was measured as changes in oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) concentration, as found using a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system during the finger tapping task (FTT) with the affected hand before and after HD-tDCS. Motor-evoked potential and upper extremity functions were also measured before (T0) and after the intervention (T1). A group statistical parametric mapping analysis showed that the oxyHb concentration increased during the FTT in both the affected and unaffected hemispheres before HD-tDCS. After HD-tDCS, the oxyHb concentration increased only in the affected hemisphere. In a time series analysis, the mean and integral oxyHb concentration during the FTT showed a noticeable decrease in the channel closest to the hand motor hotspot (hMHS) in the affected hemisphere after HD-tDCS compared with before HD-tDCS, in accordance with an improvement in the function of the affected upper extremity. These results suggest that HD-tDCS might be helpful to rebalance interhemispheric cortical activity and to reduce the hemodynamic burden on the affected hemisphere during hand motor tasks. Noticeable changes in the area adjacent to the affected hMHS may imply that personalized HD-tDCS electrode placement is needed to match each patient’s individual hMHS location.
Altered Cytokine and BDNF Levels in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Han Yvonne M. Y. , Yau Suk-Yu , Chan Melody M. Y. , Wong Chun-Kwok , Chan Agnes S.
Published: March 2022

Previous studies have shown that immunological factors are involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The present study examined whether immunological abnormalities are associated with cognitive and behavioral deficits in children with ASD and whether children with ASD show different immunological biomarkers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF levels than typically developing (TD) children. Sixteen children with TD and 18 children with ASD, aged 6–18 years, voluntarily participated in the study. Participants’ executive functions were measured using neuropsychological tests, and behavioral measures were measured using parent ratings. Immunological measures were assessed by measuring the participants’ blood serum levels of chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5). Children with ASD showed greater deficits in cognitive functions as well as altered levels of immunological measures when compared to TD children, and their cognitive functions and behavioral deficits were significantly associated with increased CCL5 levels and decreased BDNF levels. These results provide evidence to support the notion that altered immune functions and neurotrophin deficiency are involved in the pathogenesis of ASD.
Tubulin Carboxypeptidase Activity Promotes Focal Gelatin Degradation in Breast Tumor Cells and Induces Apoptosis in Breast Epithelial Cells That Is Overcome by Oncogenic Signaling
Authors: Mathias Trevor J. , Ju Julia A. , Lee Rachel M. , Thompson Keyata N. , Mull Makenzy L. , Annis David A. , Chang Katarina T. , Ory Eleanor C. , Stemberger Megan B. , Hotta Takashi , Ohi Ryoma , Vitolo Michele I. , Moutin Marie-Jo , Martin Stuart S.
Published: March 2022

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the microtubule network impart differential functions across normal cell types and their cancerous counterparts. The removal of the C-terminal tyrosine of α-tubulin (deTyr-Tub) as performed by the tubulin carboxypeptidase (TCP) is of particular interest in breast epithelial and breast cancer cells. The recent discovery of the genetic identity of the TCP to be a vasohibin (VASH1/2) coupled with a small vasohibin-binding protein (SVBP) allows for the functional effect of this tubulin PTM to be directly tested for the first time. Our studies revealed the immortalized breast epithelial cell line MCF10A undergoes apoptosis following transfection with TCP constructs, but the addition of oncogenic KRas or Bcl-2/Bcl-xL overexpression prevents subsequent apoptotic induction in the MCF10A background. Functionally, an increase in deTyr-Tub via TCP transfection in MDA-MB-231 and Hs578t breast cancer cells leads to enhanced focal gelatin degradation. Given the elevated deTyr-Tub at invasive tumor fronts and the correlation with poor breast cancer survival, these new discoveries help clarify how the TCP synergizes with oncogene activation, increases focal gelatin degradation, and may correspond to increased tumor cell invasion. These connections could inform more specific microtubule-directed therapies to target deTyr-tubulin.
Comparison of Risk Factors for Cholangiocarcinoma and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Prospective Cohort Study in Korean Adults
Authors: Cho In Rae , Yi Sang-Wook , Choi Ja Sung , Yi Jee-Jeon
Published: March 2022

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), especially intrahepatic CCA, is known to share several risk factors with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis has been proposed as a common pathogenic factor. We aimed to identify the risk factors of CCA and to examine differences in risk factors between CCA and HCC. We followed 510,217 Korean adults who underwent health checkups during 2002–2003 until 2013 via linkage to national hospital discharge records. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated after adjustment for confounders. During the mean follow-up of 10.5 years, 1388 and 2920 individuals were diagnosed with CCA and HCC, respectively. Choledocholithiasis (HR = 13.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.58–24.88) was the strongest risk factor for CCA, followed by cholelithiasis (HR = 2.94) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (HR = 2.71). Two of the strongest risk factors for HCC—liver cirrhosis (HR = 1.29; 95% CI = 0.48–3.45) and hepatitis C virus infection (HR = 1.89; 95% CI = 0.49–7.63)—were not significantly associated with the risk of CCA. HBV infection and diabetes increased the risk of both HCC and CCA, but the HRs were lower for CCA than for HCC (Pheterogeneity < 0.001 for HBV; Pheterogeneity = 0.001 for diabetes). The magnitudes of the effects of age, sex, obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking on the development of both cancers were different (Pheterogeneity < 0.05 for each variable). In conclusion, choledocholithiasis, cholelithiasis, HBV, older age, male sex, diabetes, smoking, alcohol drinking, and obesity were found to be potential risk factors of CCA. Liver cirrhosis did not increase the risk of CCA. The magnitudes of the potential effects of common risk factors were generally different between CCA and HCC.
Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Carcinogenesis, Global Epidemiology, Current Challenges, Risk Factors, Preventive and Treatment Strategies
Authors: Hossain Md. Sanower , Karuniawati Hidayah , Jairoun Ammar Abdulrahman , Urbi Zannat , Ooi Der Jiun , John Akbar , Lim Ya Chee , Kibria K. M. Kaderi , Mohiuddin A.K. M. , Ming Long Chiau , Goh Khang Wen , Hadi Muhammad Abdul
Published: March 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly cancer. Global incidence and mortality are likely to be increased in the coming decades. Although the deaths associated with CRC are very high in high-income countries, the incidence and fatalities related to CRC are growing in developing countries too. CRC detected early is entirely curable by surgery and subsequent medications. However, the recurrence rate is high, and cancer drug resistance increases the treatment failure rate. Access to early diagnosis and treatment of CRC for survival is somewhat possible in developed countries. However, these facilities are rarely available in developing countries. Highlighting the current status of CRC, its development, risk factors, and management is crucial in creating public awareness. Therefore, in this review, we have comprehensively discussed the current global epidemiology, drug resistance, challenges, risk factors, and preventive and treatment strategies of CRC. Additionally, there is a brief discussion on the CRC development pathways and recommendations for preventing and treating CRC.
Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Di Rocco Alice , Petrucci Luigi , Assanto Giovanni Manfredi , Martelli Maurizio , Pulsoni Alessandro
Published: March 2022

Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma (EMZL lymphoma) is an indolent B-cell lymphoma with a median age at diagnosis of about 60 years. It accounts for 7–8% of all B-cell lymphomas. It can occur in various extranodal sites, including stomach, lung, ocular adnexa, and skin; furthermore, the disseminated disease can be found in 25–50% of cases. Several infectious agents, such as Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) in the case of gastric Mucosa Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma, can drive the pathogenesis of this cancer, through the autoantigenic stimulation of T cells, but there may also be other factors participating such autoimmune diseases. Initial staging should include total body computed tomography, bone marrow aspirate, and endoscopic investigation if indicated. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), should be performed to detect the presence of specific chromosomal translocations involving the MALT1 and BCL10 genes, which leads to the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Depending on the location and dissemination of the disease, different therapeutic choices may include targeted therapy against the etiopathogenetic agent, radiotherapy, immunochemotherapy, and biological drugs. The purpose of this review is to illustrate the complex biology and the diagnosis of this disease and to better define new treatment strategies.
Elevated MACC1 Expression in Colorectal Cancer Is Driven by Chromosomal Instability and Is Associated with Molecular Subtype and Worse Patient Survival
Authors: Vuaroqueaux Vincent , Musch Alexandra , Kobelt Dennis , Risch Thomas , Herrmann Pia , Burock Susen , Peille Anne-Lise , Yaspo Marie-Laure , Fiebig Heinz-Herbert , Stein Ulrike
Published: March 2022

Metastasis-Associated in Colon Cancer 1 (MACC1) is a strong prognostic biomarker inducing proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and metastasis of cancer cells. The context of MACC1 dysregulation in cancers is, however, still poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether chromosomal instability and somatic copy number alterations (SCNA) frequently occurring in CRC contribute to MACC1 dysregulation, with prognostic and predictive impacts. Using the Oncotrack and Charité CRC cohorts of CRC patients, we showed that elevated MACC1 mRNA expression was tightly dependent on increased MACC1 gene SCNA and was associated with metastasis and shorter metastasis free survival. Deep analysis of the COAD-READ TCGA cohort revealed elevated MACC1 expression due to SCNA for advanced tumors exhibiting high chromosomal instability (CIN), and predominantly classified as CMS2 and CMS4 transcriptomic subtypes. For that cohort, we validated that elevated MACC1 mRNA expression correlated with reduced disease-free and overall survival. In conclusion, this study gives insights into the context of MACC1 expression in CRC. Increased MACC1 expression is largely driven by CIN, SCNA gains, and molecular subtypes, potentially determining the molecular risk for metastasis that might serve as a basis for patient-tailored treatment decisions.
The Non-Linear Path from Gene Dysfunction to Genetic Disease: Lessons from the MICPCH Mouse Model
Authors: Mukherjee Konark , LaConte Leslie E. W. , Srivastava Sarika
Published: March 2022

Most human disease manifests as a result of tissue pathology, due to an underlying disease process (pathogenesis), rather than the acute loss of specific molecular function(s). Successful therapeutic strategies thus may either target the correction of a specific molecular function or halt the disease process. For the vast majority of brain diseases, clear etiologic and pathogenic mechanisms are still elusive, impeding the discovery or design of effective disease-modifying drugs. The development of valid animal models and their proper characterization is thus critical for uncovering the molecular basis of the underlying pathobiological processes of brain disorders. MICPCH (microcephaly and pontocerebellar hypoplasia) is a monogenic condition that results from variants of an X-linked gene, CASK (calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase). CASK variants are associated with a wide range of clinical presentations, from lethality and epileptic encephalopathies to intellectual disabilities, microcephaly, and autistic traits. We have examined CASK loss-of-function mutations in model organisms to simultaneously understand the pathogenesis of MICPCH and the molecular function/s of CASK. Our studies point to a highly complex relationship between the potential molecular function/s of CASK and the phenotypes observed in model organisms and humans. Here we discuss the implications of our observations from the pathogenesis of MICPCH as a cautionary narrative against oversimplifying molecular interpretations of data obtained from genetically modified animal models of human diseases.
Concomitant Hereditary Spherocytosis and Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency in a Spanish Family with Chronic Hemolytic Anemia: Contribution of Laser Ektacytometry to Clinical Diagnosis
Authors: Vives Corrons Joan-Lluis , Krishnevskaya Elena , Montllor Laura , Leguizamon Valentina , Garcia Bernal Marta
Published: March 2022

Background: Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) are the most common causes of hereditary chronic hemolytic anemia. Here, we describe clinical and genetic characteristics of a Spanish family with concomitant β-spectrin (SPTB) c.647G>A variant and pyruvate kinase (PKLR) c.1706G>A variant. Methods: A family of 11 members was studied. Hematological investigation, hemolysis tests, and specific red cell studies were performed in all family members, according to conventional procedures. An ektacytometric study was performed using the osmoscan module of the Lorca ektacytometer (MaxSis. RR Mechatronics). The presence of the SPTB and PKLR variants was confirmed by t-NGS. Results: The t-NGS genetic characterization of the 11 family members showed the presence of a heterozygous mutation for the β-spectrin (SPTB; c.647G>A) in seven members with HS, three of them co-inherited the PKLR variant c.1706G>A. In the remaining four members, no gene mutation was found. Ektacytometry allowed a clear diagnostic orientation of HS, independently from the PKLR variant. Conclusions: This family study allows concluding that the SPTB mutation, (c.647G>A) previously described as likely pathogenic (LP), should be classified as pathogenic (P), according to the recommendations for pathogenicity of the American College of Medical Genetics and the Association for Molecular Pathology. In addition, after 6 years of clinical follow-up of the patients with HS, it can be inferred that the chronic hemolytic anemia may be attributable to the SPTB mutation only, without influence of the concomitant PKLR. Moreover, only the family members with the SPTB mutation exhibited an ektacytometric profile characteristic of HS.
Making Hardware Removal Unnecessary by Using Resorbable Implants for Osteosynthesis in Children
Authors: Heye Pascal , Matissek Christoph , Seidl Clemens , Varga Marcell , Kassai Tamas , Jozsa Gergö , Krebs Thomas
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Following osteosynthesis, children generally require a second surgery to remove the hardware. This becomes unnecessary, by using resorbable implants. Limiting the number of required surgeries and their associated risks, this technique provides critical aspects of minimally invasive surgery. This review focuses on resorbable implants for osteosynthesis for the treatment of fractures in children and discusses their clinical features. Method: We provide an overview of the two most common technologies used in resorbable osteosynthesis materials: polymer- and magnesium-based alloys. Clinical examples of osteosynthesis are presented using polymer-based ActivaTM products and magnesium-based Magnezix® products. Results: Polymer-based implants demonstrate surgical safety and efficacy. Due to their elasticity, initial placement of polymer-based products may demonstrate technical challenges. However, stability is maintained over the course of healing. While maintaining good biocompatibility, the rate of polymer-resorption may be controlled by varying the composition of polyesters and copolymers. Similarly, magnesium-based implants demonstrate good mechanical stability and resorption rates, while these characteristics may be controlled by varying alloy components. One of the significant shortcomings of magnesium is that metabolism results in the production of hydrogen gas. Both technologies provide equally good results clinically and radiographically, when compared to non-resorbable implants. Conclusion: Resorbable osteosynthesis materials demonstrate similar therapeutic results as conventional materials for osteosynthesis. Resorbable implants may have the potential to improve patient outcomes, by sparing children a second surgery for hardware removal.
Facile Preparation of YVO4: RE Films and the Investigation of Photoluminescence
Authors: Chen Taihui , Zhang He , Luo Zhihong , Liang Jun , Wu Xiaoli
Published: March 2022

Facile preparation of YVO4 films was hydrothermally achieved within 1 h by using layered yttrium hydroxide (Y2(OH)5NO3·nH2O) films as the sacrificial precursor in the presence of excess NaVO3 at pH~8, without subsequent heat treatment. Detailed structures and optical properties of the products were obtained by using a combination of XRD, FT-IR, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, and PLE/PL techniques. The phase and morphological evolution from Y2(OH)5NO3·nH2O to YVO4 was unveiled by varying the reaction time. Photoluminescence spectra showed that the Eu3+ doped YVO4 films exhibited the characteristic emission of Eu3+, with the transition 5D0–7F2 (614 nm, red) being the dominant; while Dy3+ activator doped YVO4 films exhibited the characteristic emission of Dy3+, with the transition 4F9/2–6H13/2 (575 nm, green) being the most dominant.
Influence of Amidation on the Release Profiles of Insulin Drug from Chitosan-Based Matrices
Authors: Dahan Wasmia Mohammed , Mohammad Faruq , Ezzat Abdelrahman O. , Atta Ayman M. , Al-Tilasi Hissah Hamad , Al-Lohedan Hamad A.
Published: March 2022

The present study deals with the comparative analysis of insulin drug release from pure chitosan (CS) and its crosslinked amide derivatives. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of fatty acid derivatives on the release profiles of insulin drug from CS-based matrices. In order to form cross-linked CS-based amide derivatives, the CS biopolymer was reacted with four different fatty acids with varying amount of unsaturation, including stearic acid (SA), oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), and linolenic acid (LLA), and then subjected to cross-linking. Following this, the pure CS and cross-linked CS amide derivatives were loaded with insulin drug and were characterized thoroughly by making use of various instrumental techniques such as FTIR, UV–Vis, TGA, HRTEM, DLS, PDI, and zeta potential studies. In addition, the insulin release profiles were studied and compared between pure CS and CS amides at two different pHs, 7.4 and 1.2. Finally, the insulin drug release data was investigated with five different pharmacokinetic models (zero, first, Higuchi, Kersmeyer–Peppas, and Hixson models). From the analysis, the cross-linked CS amides was found to be superior to pure CS, and within the amide derivatives, the one with a high amount of unsaturation, LLA-derived CS biopolymer, was shown to be better for the release of insulin drug by means of the diffusion and dissolution pathways.
Double Adaptive PI-Structure for Regulating a Microgrid DC Bus Using a Flyback-Based Battery Charger/Discharger Converter
Authors: Ramos-Paja Carlos Andres , Bastidas-Rodriguez Juan David , Saavedra-Montes Andres Julian
Published: March 2022

DC microgrids are composed of loads, renewable sources, and storage devices that require control and protection to operate safely. The flyback converter is an alternative to connect paralleled batteries with nominal voltage DC buses; however, until now, complex controllers have been proposed, making difficult their implementation. On the other hand, when the voltage of a DC microgrid is not properly controlled, the loads may be damaged due to the voltage outside of the safe range. Therefore, proposed in this paper are two adaptive PI-structures to control a battery charger based on a flyback converter to be used in DC microgrids. The first adaptive current controller regulates the magnetizing current for stabilizing the system, and the second adaptive voltage controller regulates the voltage of the DC bus to protect the elements of the microgrid. The methodology to design the adaptive parameters of the PI-structures is developed as follows: first, the power stage of the flyback converter is introduced to derive a control-oriented model. The battery and the DC bus of the microgrid, which are interfaced by the flyback converter, are represented with widely accepted approaches. The second step is focused on modeling the system. The flyback converter, which includes a capacitance to model the DC microgrid, is represented by a dynamic model. The differential equations are averaged, and several transfer functions of the main variables are obtained. In the third step, the transfer functions are used to design the PI adaptive current controller and the PI adaptive voltage controller. In the last step, several recommendations are made to implement the power and control stages in low-cost hardware. An application example with realistic parameters is carried out in PSIM to validate the controller loops design. A battery of 12 V is connected to a DC microgrid of 48 V through a flyback converter with a switching frequency of 50 kHz. The settling time and deviation of the DC microgrid voltage, after a perturbation, are 0.845 ms and 2.04 V respectively, while the maximum values are adjusted to be 1 ms and 2.4 V. The simulation results validate the proposed procedure and the effectiveness of the PI-structures in regulating the magnetizing current and the DC bus voltage.
Conservation Genetics for Management of Threatened Plant and Animal Species
Authors: Ottewell Kym , Byrne Margaret
Published: March 2022

Globally, species and ecosystems continue to decline, and the impact on threatened species is increasing [...]
Ethnobotanical Diversity of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Wooding Stephen P. , Payahua Christian Nolorbe
Published: March 2022

Cassava is a key tropical crop that serves as a major source of nutrition throughout equatorial South America, Africa, and Asia. Genetic and paleoethnobotanical findings indicate that it was first domesticated on the southern margin of Amazonia ~10,000 years ago. However, anthropogenic processes underlying its subsequent diversification remain unclear. To shed light on them, we investigated agricultural practices and phenotypic variation in cassava on the upper Amazon River, in Loreto, Perú. We interviewed subsistence growers on five Amazon tributaries and collected data on the husbandry, morphology, and nutritional composition of their crops. We found 45 distinct cultivars. Many of their morphological features, such as stature and leaf dimensions, exhibited expected phenotype–phenotype associations. However, starch content showed no association with any other phenotype (mean p = 0.57), suggesting it has been under selective pressure exerted by growers. In addition, all cultivars’ tubers had cyanide content under 25 ppm, a low level of toxicity by global standards. Evidence of sexual reproduction and cultivar hybridization was common and a probable source of new variation. However, cultivars from different rivers showed little evidence of differentiation, possibly as the result of human transport. Thus, human influences in the region simultaneously enhance and constrain variability in the crop.
Invasive Insect Pests of Forests and Urban Trees in Russia: Origin, Pathways, Damage, and Management
Authors: Musolin Dmitry L. , Kirichenko Natalia I. , Karpun Natalia N. , Aksenenko Evgeniy V. , Golub Viktor B. , Kerchev Ivan A. , Mandelshtam Michail Y. , Vasaitis Rimvys , Volkovitsh Mark G. , Zhuravleva Elena N. , Selikhovkin Andrey V.
Published: March 2022

Invasive alien insects cause serious ecological and economical losses around the world. Here, we review the bionomics, modern ranges (and their dynamics), distribution pathways, monitoring, and control measures of 14 insect species known to be important invasive and emerging tree pests in forest and urban ecosystems of Russia: Leptoglossus occidentalis (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae), Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Corythucha arcuata (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae), Agrilus fleischeri, A. mali, A. planipennis, Lamprodila (Palmar) festiva (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Ips amitinus, Polygraphus proximus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Acrocercops brongniardella, Cameraria ohridella, Phyllonorycter issikii, and P. populifoliella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). We identified three major scenarios of tree pest invasions in the country and beyond: (1) a naturally conditioned range expansion, which results in the arrival of a pest to a new territory and its further naturalization in a recipient region; (2) a human-mediated, long-distance transfer of a pest to a new territory and its further naturalization; and (3) a widening of the pest’s trophic niche and shift to new host plant(s) (commonly human-introduced) within the native pest’s range frequently followed by invasion to new regions.
Integrating Habitat Quality of the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) in Forest Spatial Harvest Scheduling Problems
Authors: Chen Ying , Dong Lingbo , Liu Zhaogang
Published: March 2022

Biodiversity conservation has been broadly recognized in multi-objective forest management over the past decade. Nevertheless, habitat serves as one of the key influencing factors of biodiversity; while timber production and habitat quality are integrated into forest management operations, our knowledge about the trade-offs between the two is still limited. Thus, we formulated a habitat suitability index model for the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) and developed a forest planning model that integrated timber revenue and habitat quality for a forest landscape in northeast China. We created three alternative management strategies, which spanned from timber benefit maximization to various management strategies restricted to differing amounts of suitable habitat. The results show that when the amount of suitable habitat comprised 39% to 65% of the landscape, this generated a 40.7% to 74.4% reduction in the total net present value, in comparison with the timber benefit maximization base scenario. The restriction of suitable habitat amount demands significantly decreased the total timber benefit in spatial planning problems. Our planning model provides an efficient approach to learning more about the trade-offs between timber production and wildlife habitat. Furthermore, the consideration of optimal habitat protection rather than increased habitat amount could be helpful for balancing targeting strategies among ecological and economic factors.
Analysis Method of Design Strengths of P. edulis Bamboo
Authors: Kuang Yachuan , Liu Pengcheng , Zhou Qishi , Fu Feiyang , Li Wei
Published: March 2022

In order to determine the design strengths of P. edulis bamboo material, this research carried out a series of material tests on the full-culm P. edulis bamboo specimens, including compression tests parallel to the grain, bending tests, tension tests parallel to the grain, shear tests parallel to the grain and compression tests perpendicular to the grain. The standard values of different strengths for bamboo material were obtained by the Bootstrap method. The influence of the load combination and load effect ratio on the relationship between reliability index β and resistance factor γR was analyzed. A method for calculating the target reliability index of bending strength was proposed. The design strengths of the P. edulis bamboo material were determined and the adjustment method considering different design situations was also put forward. The research results show that the target reliability of the bending strength of bamboo material is suggested to be 3.57. With the same β value, γR is the maximum under the combination of constant load + snow load, and γR is the minimum under the combination of constant load + live load on the office building floor. Under the same load combination and load ratio, the shear strength along the grain has the maximum γR and the compression strength along the grain has the minimum γR. The design strengths of the P. edulis bamboo material were determined by the larger γR of two cases (one is that the load ratio of constant load over live load on the residential building floor is 1.0 and another is that the constant load over live load on the office building floor is 1.0). The design strengths can provide reference for the design and application of bamboo structure.
Production of Citric Acid by Aspergillus niger Cultivated in Olive Mill Wastewater Using a Two-Stage Packed Column Bioreactor
Authors: Massadeh Muhannad I. , Fandi Khalid , Al-Abeid Hanan , Alsharafat Othman , Abu-Elteen Khaled
Published: March 2022

For building a sustainable fermentation process, it is essential to reduce dependence on natural resources and lower the amount of pollution that is created. The reuse of agro-industrial wastewater after possible treatment leads to the achievement of these goals concurrently. This study investigates the production of citric acid and the cellulase enzyme by A. niger cultivated in olive mill wastewater (OMW) using a loofa sponge-packed column bioreactor. The process was conducted under batch conditions using a single-stage packed bioreactor and under continuous operation using two-stage packed-column bioreactors. Citric acid and cellulase enzyme production were enhanced when the culture was supplied with cellulose. Employing loofa sponge slices for cell entrapment/immobilization improved the efficiency of the process. The maximum citric acid concentration achieved was 16 g/L with a yield (YCit.A/BOD) of 38.5% and a productivity of 2.5 g/L/day. When the process parameters were translated into continuous operation employing two loofa sponge-packed column bioreactors, citric acid production was improved significantly to 25 g/L in a steady-state period of 5 days at a production rate of 3.6 g/L/day and an allover yield (YCit.A/BOD) of 57.5%. Cellulases and reducing sugars were continuously supplied to the second-stage bioreactor by the first-stage bioreactor, which in turn enhanced fungal growth and citric acid production.
Adaptative Perturbation Patterns: Realistic Adversarial Learning for Robust Intrusion Detection
Authors: Vitorino João , Oliveira Nuno , Praça Isabel
Published: March 2022

Adversarial attacks pose a major threat to machine learning and to the systems that rely on it. In the cybersecurity domain, adversarial cyber-attack examples capable of evading detection are especially concerning. Nonetheless, an example generated for a domain with tabular data must be realistic within that domain. This work establishes the fundamental constraint levels required to achieve realism and introduces the adaptative perturbation pattern method (A2PM) to fulfill these constraints in a gray-box setting. A2PM relies on pattern sequences that are independently adapted to the characteristics of each class to create valid and coherent data perturbations. The proposed method was evaluated in a cybersecurity case study with two scenarios: Enterprise and Internet of Things (IoT) networks. Multilayer perceptron (MLP) and random forest (RF) classifiers were created with regular and adversarial training, using the CIC-IDS2017 and IoT-23 datasets. In each scenario, targeted and untargeted attacks were performed against the classifiers, and the generated examples were compared with the original network traffic flows to assess their realism. The obtained results demonstrate that A2PM provides a scalable generation of realistic adversarial examples, which can be advantageous for both adversarial training and attacks.
Decorrelation-Based Deep Learning for Bias Mitigation
Authors: Patil Pranita , Purcell Kevin
Published: March 2022

Although deep learning has proven to be tremendously successful, the main issue is the dependency of its performance on the quality and quantity of training datasets. Since the quality of data can be affected by biases, a novel deep learning method based on decorrelation is presented in this study. The decorrelation specifically learns bias invariant features by reducing the non-linear statistical dependency between features and bias itself. This makes the deep learning models less prone to biased decisions by addressing data bias issues. We introduce Decorrelated Deep Neural Networks (DcDNN) or Decorrelated Convolutional Neural Networks (DcCNN) and Decorrelated Artificial Neural Networks (DcANN) by applying decorrelation-based optimization to Deep Neural Networks (DNN) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), respectively. Previous bias mitigation methods result in a drastic loss in accuracy at the cost of bias reduction. Our study aims to resolve this by controlling how strongly the decorrelation function for bias reduction and loss function for accuracy affect the network objective function. The detailed analysis of the hyperparameter shows that for the optimal value of hyperparameter, our model is capable of maintaining accuracy while being bias invariant. The proposed method is evaluated on several benchmark datasets with different types of biases such as age, gender, and color. Additionally, we test our approach along with traditional approaches to analyze the bias mitigation in deep learning. Using simulated datasets, the results of t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) of the proposed model validated the effective removal of bias. An analysis of fairness metrics and accuracy comparisons shows that using our proposed models reduces the biases without compromising accuracy significantly. Furthermore, the comparison of our method with existing methods shows the superior performance of our model in terms of bias mitigation, as well as simplicity of training.
Effects of Social Hierarchy Establishment on Stress Response and Cell Phagocytosis in Gilt-Head Sea Bream (Sparus aurata)
Authors: Dara Mariano , Dioguardi Maria , Vazzana Mirella , Vazzana Irene , Accardi Davide , Carbonara Pierluigi , Alfonso Sébastien , Cammarata Matteo
Published: March 2022

Social stress can affect the ability of fish to respond to various stressors, such as pathogens or environmental variations. In this paper, the effects of social stress on gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) were investigated. To study the effects of physiological stress, we evaluated biochemical and cellular parameters, such as cortisol, glucose, lactate, osmolarity, and phagocytosis, 24 h after the establishment of social hierarchy in a group of three fish. Social hierarchy was determined and characterized by behavioral observation (aggressive acts and feeding order) of the specimens (dominant: “α”; subordinate: “β” and “γ”). After the establishment of social hierarchy, we observed that, overall, levels of plasma cortisol and other biochemical plasmatic stress markers (glucose and lactate) were higher in subordinate individuals than in dominant individuals. In addition, the modulation of phagocytic activity of the peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) demonstrated that social stress appeared to affect immune response. Finally, principal component analysis clearly separated the subordinate fish groups from the dominant groups, based on stress markers and the phagocytic activity of peritoneal exudate cells. This study contributes to current knowledge on gilt-head sea bream, helping to understand the link between social stress, behavior, and physiology of this species, relevant in the aquaculture sector, where fish are subjected to several kinds of stress.
Storying Indigenous (Life)Worlds: An Introduction
Authors: Ranco Darren , Haverkamp Jamie
Published: March 2022

Without stories, we have no way of connecting what it means to be human with the pathway of our existence [...]
Polymorphisms in Human IL4, IL10, and TNF Genes Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing NSAID-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease
Authors: Reigada-Rivera María Luisa , Lozano Catalina Sanz , Rodilla Esther Moreno , García-Sánchez Asunción , García-Solaesa Virginia , Toledano Félix Lorente , González Ignacio Dávila , Isidoro-García María
Published: March 2022

Background: The role of genetics in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) is unclear, with different candidates involved, such as HLA genes, genes related to leukotriene synthesis, and cytokine genes. This study aimed to determine possible associations between 22 polymorphisms in 13 cytokine genes. Methods: We included 195 patients (85 with NERD and 110 with respiratory disease who tolerate NSAIDs) and 156 controls (non-atopic individuals without a history of asthma, nasal polyposis (NP), or NSAID hypersensitivity). Genotyping was performed by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP). Amplicons were analyzed by horizontal gel electrophoresis in 2% agarose. Results: Significant differences in allele and genotype frequency distributions were found in TNF (rs1800629), IL4 (rs2243248 and rs2243250), and IL10 (rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872) genes in patients with NSAID hypersensitivity. In all cases, the minor allele and the heterozygous genotype were more prevalent in NERD. An association of TNF rs1800629 SNP with respiratory disease in NSAID-tolerant patients was also found. Conclusions: Retrospectively recorded, we found strong associations of NERD with polymorphisms in IL4, IL10, and TNF genes, suggesting that these genes could be involved in the inflammatory mechanisms underlying NERD.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Basic Leucine Zipper (bZIP) Transcription Factor Gene Family in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Hussain Sarfaraz , Tai Bowen , Hussain Athar , Jahan Israt , Yang Bolei , Xing Fuguo
Published: March 2022

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) is a widely found transcription factor family that plays regulatory roles in a variety of cellular processes including cell growth and development and various stress responses. However, the bZIP gene family has not been well studied at a genome-wide scale in Fusarium graminearum (Fg), a potent pathogen of cereal grains. In the present study, we conducted a genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression profiling of 22 F. graminearum bZIP (FgbZIP) genes at different developmental stages and under various abiotic stresses. All identified FgbZIPs were categorized into nine groups based on their sequence similarity and phylogenetic tree analysis. Furthermore, the gene structure analysis, conserved motif analysis, chromosomal localization, protein network studies, and synteny analysis were performed. The symmetry of the exon and intron varied with the phylogenetic groups. The post-translational modifications (PTMs) analysis also predicted several phosphorylation sites in FgbZIPs, indicating their functional diversity in cellular processes. The evolutionary study identified many orthogroups among eight species and also predicted several gene duplication events in F. graminearum. The protein modeling indicated the presence of a higher number of α-helices and random coils in their structures. The expression patterns of FgbZIP genes showed that 5 FgbZIP genes, including FgbZIP_1.1, FgbZIP_1.3, FgbZIP_2.6 FgbZIP_3.1 and FgbZIP_4.3, had high expression at different growth and conidiogenesis stages. Similarly, eight genes including FgbZIP_1.1, FgbZIP_1.6, FgbZIP_2.3, FgbZIP_2.4, FgbZIP_4.1, FgbZIP_4.2, FgbZIP_4.3 and FgbZIP_4.6 demonstrated their putative role in response to various abiotic stresses. In summary, these results provided basic information regarding FgbZIPs which are helpful for further functional analysis.
The Role of SLC22A1 and Genomic Ancestry on Toxicity during Treatment in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia of the Amazon Region
Authors: Fernandes Sweny de S. M. , Leitão Luciana P. C. , Cohen-Paes Amanda de N. , Gellen Laura P. A. , Pastana Lucas F. , de Carvalho Darlen C. , Modesto Antônio A. C. , da Costa Ana C. A. , Wanderley Alayde V. , Lima Carlos H. V. de , Pereira Esdras E. B. , Fernandes Marianne R. , Burbano Rommel M. R. , de Assumpção Paulo P. , Santos Sidney E. B. dos , Santos Ney P. C. dos
Published: March 2022

In Brazil, Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) is the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and adolescents. Treatment toxicity is one of the reasons for stopping chemotherapy. Amerindian genomic ancestry is an important factor for this event due to fluctuations in frequencies of genetic variants, as in the NUDT15 and SLC22A1 genes, which make up the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic pathways of chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate possible associations between NUDT15 (rs1272632214) and SLC22A1 (rs202220802) gene polymorphism and genomic ancestry as a risk of treatment toxicities in patients with childhood ALL in the Amazon region of Brazil. The studied population consisted of 51 patients with a recent diagnosis of ALL when experiencing induction therapy relative to the BFM 2009 protocol. Our results evidenced a significant association of risk of severe infectious toxicity for the variant of the SLC22A1 gene (OR: 3.18, p = 0.031). Genetic ancestry analyses demonstrated that patients who had a high contribution of African ancestry had a significant protective effect for the development of toxicity (OR: 0.174; p = 0.010), possibly due to risk effects of the Amerindian contribution. Our results indicate that mixed populations with a high degree of African ancestry have a lower risk of developing general toxicity during induction therapy for ALL. In addition, individuals with the SLC22A1 variant have a higher risk of developing severe infectious toxicity while undergoing the same therapy.
WT1, NR0B1, NR5A1, LHX9, ZFP92, ZNF275, INSL3, and NRIP1 Genetic Variants in Patients with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in a Mexican Cohort
Authors: Ramos Luis
Published: March 2022

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is one of the main causes of female premature infertility. POI is a genetically heterogeneous disorder with a complex molecular etiology; as such, the genetic causes remain unknown in the majority of patients. Therefore, this study aimed to identify mutations and characterize the associated molecular contribution of gonadogenesis-determinant genes to POI. Genomic assays, including PCR-SSCP and Sanger sequencing, followed by in silico analyses were used to investigate the underpinnings of ovarian deficiency in 11 women affected by POI. Large deletions and nucleotide insertions and duplications were excluded by PCR. Thirteen genetic variants were identified in the WT1 (c.213G>T, c.609T>C, c.873A>G, c.1122G>A), NR0B1 (c.353C>T, c.425G>A), NR5A1 (c.437G>C, IVS4-20C>T), LHX9 (IVS2-12G>C, IVS3+13C>T, c.741T>C), ZNF275 (c.969C>T), and NRIP1 (c.3403C>T) genes. Seven novel genetic variants and five unpublished substitutions were identified. No genetic aberrations were detected in the ZFP92 and INSL3 genes. Each variant was genotyped using PCR-SSCP in 100 POI-free subjects, and their allelic frequencies were similar to the patients. These analyses indicated that allelic variation in the WT1, NR0B1, NR5A1, LHX9, ZFP92, ZNF275, INSL3, and NRIP1 genes may be a non-disease-causing change or may not contribute significantly to the genetics underlying POI disorders. Findings support the polygenic nature of this clinical disorder, with the SNVs identified representing only a probable contribution to the variability of the human genome.
Factors Influencing Family Health History Collection among Young Adults: A Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Li Ming , Zhao Shixi , Hsiao Yu-Yu , Kwok Oi-Man , Tseng Tung-Sung , Chen Lei-Shih
Published: March 2022

Family health history (FHH) can serve as an entry point for preventive medicine by providing risk estimations for many common health conditions. College is a critical time for young adults to begin to understand the value of FHH collection, and to establish healthy behaviors to prevent FHH-related diseases. This study seeks to develop an integrated theoretical framework to examine FHH collection behavior and associated factors among college students. A sample of 2670 college students with an average age of 21.1 years completed a web-based survey. Less than half (49.8%) reported actively seeking FHH information from their family members. Respondents’ knowledge about FHH were generally low. Structural equation modeling findings suggested an adequate model fit between our survey data and the proposed integrated theoretical framework. Respondents who were members of racial/ethnic minority groups exhibited higher levels of anxiety and intention to obtain FHH information but had lower confidence in their ability to gather FHH information than non-Hispanic White respondents. Therefore, educational programs designed to enhance the level of young adults’ FHH knowledge, efficacy, and behavior in FHH collection, and change subjective norms are critically needed in the future, especially for these who are members of racial/ethnic minority groups.