bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influences of pre-segmental artery variation on micro-kidney: A case report
Authors: ÖĞÜT Eren , SONKAYA Mert , BARUT Çağatay
Published: March 2021

We present a case with accessory pre-segmental arteries and micro-kidneys. There are no articles on the effects of the accessory pre-segmental renal artery on the size of the kidney. Therefore this study aimed to investigate whether a relationship exists between the accessory arteries and kidney size. Left pre-segmental artery variations and bilateral microkidneys were detected in a 62-year-old female cadaver during routine retroperitoneal dissection. The right micro kidney was 7.74 cm in length, 3.82 cm in width and 3.87 cm in thickness, and the left micro kidney was 6.82 cm in length, 3.42 cm in width and 3.02 cm in thickness. The superior left pre-segmental artery L1 at the origin site of the left renal artery and just below the superior mesenteric artery was 8.98 cm in length, 0.54 cm in width and 0.42 cm in thickness, and the inferior left pre-segmental artery L1-L2 at the origin site of the left renal artery was 8.92 cm in length, 0.54 cm in width and 0.41 cm in thickness. The presence of the accessory pre-segmental artery might provide clues regarding the presence of an abnormality of the kidney. Therefore, surgeons should know pre-segmental artery variations and associated kidney size abnormalities.
Методичний підхід до розв’язування математичної задачі синтезу раціональної програми розвитку системи озброєння тактичної авіації на основі критерію досягнення максимально можливого рівня бойових спроможностей за умови обмеженого ресурсного забезпечення
Authors: Леонтьєв О.Б. , Науменко М.В.
Published: March 2021

Задачу синтезу розвитку системи озброєння тактичної авіації в умовах можливої зміни у часі оперативного середовища та в межах призначених фінансових ресурсів та часових обмеженнях пропонується розв’язувати як задачу багатовекторної оптимізації, як пошук функції розподілу за часом кількості нових літаків, що постачаються у війська з набуттям максимально можливого рівня спроможностей у виконанні покладених бойових завдань тактичною авіацією у відповідності до можливих сценаріїв застосування Повітряних Сил Збройних Сил України. Розглянуто можливі методичні підходи до розв’язання такого класу задач, а саме скалярізація критеріїв, пошук ефективних рішень, метод головного критерію та інші підходи. Обґрунтовано необхідність введення додаткового критерію придатності для подальших досліджень знайдених ефективних рішень задачі багатокритеріальної оптимізації.
Schlecht dokumentiert: so gut wie verloren? Provenienzrecherche und Aufarbeitung zu einer Altgrabung in Alsheim
Authors: Hämmerling Renée
Published: March 2021

Dieser Artikel befasst sich mit aktuellen Forschungsergebnissen zu den Sammlungsbeständen der Berliner Gesellschaft für Anthropologie, Ethnologie und Urgeschichte (BGAEU) und des Berliner Museums für Vor- und Frühgeschichte (MVF), die von einer Altgrabung in Alsheim (Ldkr. Alzey-Worms, Rheinland-Pfalz) stammen. Die Ergebnisse wurden von den AutorInnen im Rahmen ihrer Bachelorarbeiten an der Freien Universität Berlin erarbeitet. Ziele der Arbeiten waren, die Provenienz und die Befundsituationen von 15 Gräbern zu rekonstruieren sowie die zeitliche und geographische Einordnung und das Wiederauffinden von verschollenen Fundstücken zu versuchen.
Adolf Bastian: Mitbegründer der Berliner Gesellschaft für Anthropologie, Ethnologie und Urgeschichte (BGAEU) und erster Direktor des Museums für Völkerkunde Berlin
Authors: Bolz Peter
Published: March 2021

Adolf Bastian wird heute nur noch als Figur aus der Gründerzeit der Ethnologie wahrgenommen, dessen Theorien über Völker- und Elementargedanken lange überholt sind. Dabei werden die großen Verdienste übersehen, die er als Vorsitzender, Organisator und Gründer von wichtigen Berliner Institutionen wie der Gesellschaft für Erdkunde, der Anthropologischen Gesellschaft oder dem Museum für Völkerkunde erlangt hat.
Neben Bastians umfangreichem publizierten Werk gibt es in den Archiven des Ethnologischen Museums, der BGAEU und anderen Institutionen eine große Anzahl von Dokumenten zu seiner Sammeltätigkeit, zur Gründung des Museums und zu seinem weltweiten Netzwerk, die bisher noch nie systematisch erforscht und veröffentlicht wurden. Außerdem hat Bastian etwa 6.000 Objekte für das Museum gesammelt, die einer umfassenden Bearbeitung harren. Daher plädiert dieser Artikel dafür, in dem geplanten Forschungscampus Dahlem eine Bastian-Forschungsstelle einzurichten, die sein unveröffentlichtes Material für die weitere Forschung zugänglich macht und ihm als Gründer des Museums die gebührende Anerkennung verleiht.
Gambaran Tingkat Pengetahuan Remaja Putra Tentang Pencegahan Penyakit Kulit Di Pondok Pesantren Nabil Husein Samarinda
Authors: Rizal Alfi Ari Fakhrur
Published: March 2021

Latar Belakang & Tujuan: Penyakit kulit adalah suatu penyakit yang menyerang kulit permukaan tubuh, dan disebabkan oleh berbagai macam penyebab. Menurut Havlickova, Penyakit kulit yang disebabkan oleh jamur merupakan infeksi yang paling sering terjadi pada bagian kulit menunjukan angka prevalensi 20-25% di seluruh dunia. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui Gambaran Tingkat Pengetahuan Remaja Putra Tentang pecegahan penyakit kulit di Pondok Pesantren Nabil Husien Samarinda. Metode: Desain penelitian ini menggunakan metode Deskriptif Kuantitatif. Dan teknik pengambilan sampel adalah menggunakan metode Purposive Sampling dengan sampel 187 dari populasi nya 350 santri putra. Pada Penelitian ini Analisa yang digunakan adalah Univariat, tujuan analisa ini adalah untuk menjelaskan atau mendeskripsikan variable yang terkait yaitu Gambaran Tingkat Pengetahuan Remaja Putra Tentang pencegahan Penyakit Kulit Di Pondok Pesantren Nabil Husien Samarinda Hasil: Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah seabagian besar responden yang merupakan remaja putra mempunyai pengetahuan yang kurang 50 orang (27 % ), sedangkan yang lainnya memiliki cukup 101 (54%), dan 36 orang (19%) yang mempunyai pengetahuan yang baik. Kesimpulan: Dari 187 responden menunjukkan kategori dengan tingkat pengetahuan baik 36 remaja putra, pengetahuan cukup 101 remaja putra, pengetahuan kurang 50 remaja putra.
A State-of-the-Art Survey of Tasks for Tree Design and Evaluation with a Curated Task Dataset
Authors: Pandey Aditeya , Syeda Uzma Haque , Shah Chaitya , Gomez John Alexis Guerra , Borkin Michelle
Published: March 2021

In the field of information visualization, the concept of ``tasks'' is an essential component of theories and methodologies for how a visualization researcher or a practitioner understands what tasks a user needs to perform and how to approach the creation of a new design. In this paper, we focus on the collection of tasks for tree visualizations, a common visual encoding in many domains ranging from biology to computer science to geography. In spite of their commonality, no prior efforts exist to collect and abstractly define tree visualization tasks. We present a literature review of tree visualization papers and generate a curated dataset of over 200 tasks. To enable effective task abstraction for trees, we also contribute a novel extension of the Multi-Level Task Typology to include more specificity to support tree-specific tasks as well as a systematic procedure to conduct task abstractions for tree visualizations. All tasks in the dataset were abstracted with the novel typology extension and analyzed to gain a better understanding of the state of tree visualizations. These abstracted tasks can benefit visualization researchers and practitioners as they design evaluation studies or compare their analytical tasks with ones previously studied in the literature to make informed decisions about their design. We also reflect on our novel methodology and advocate more broadly for the creation of task-based knowledge repositories for different types of visualizations. The Supplemental Material will be maintained on OSF:~\url{https://osf.io/u5ehs/
Efficacy of AYUSH 64 as add-on therapy in early stage COVID 19 - An open-label randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Thakar Anup , Goyal Mandip , Bhinde Sagar , Chhotala Yagnik , Panara Kalpesh , Chaudhari Swapnil
Published: March 2021

Background: Efficacy of AYUSH 64 has been proven in fever and influenza-like illness earlier. Hence it was felt it should be evaluated in COVID 19 which has similar symptom complex. Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of AYUSH 64 as an add-on to standard care in early stage COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: After obtaining IEC permission, a single centre, randomized, open labelled, controlled, pilot study was undertaken. Asymptomatic to mild COVID 19 (RT-PCR positive) patients, who gave written informed consent, were randomly allotted either AYUSH 64 for 14 days as an add-on treatment to standard care or standalone standard care. The outcomes variables were changes in WHO ordinal scale for clinical improvement, incidence of development of COVID symptoms, use of oxygen therapy, use of mechanical ventilator, duration of total symptomatic phase, adverse drug reaction, death and changes in laboratory values. Results: Among total 115 screened, 80 participants were included, out of which 41 received AYUSH 64 in addition to standard care and 39 only standard care. The mean final WHO score was comparable for both the Groups, however, mean scores in the interventional Group showed downward trend from 7th day onwards as compared to the control Group. Difference in laboratory values and need for oxygen were not statistically significant in both the Groups. No incidence of the requirement of a mechanical ventilator, adverse drug reaction, and death were observed in either of the Groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that an integrated approach of AYUSH 64 with standard care did not exert promising difference in core outcomes of COVID-19 when compare to standalone standard care. However, a trend towards lower values was observed in the symptoms in AYUSH 64 add-on group in comparison to standalone standard care.
KEDUDUKAN DAN FUNGSI REKOMENDASI DPRD DALAM PENYELENGGARAAN KEWENANGAN PERIZINAN
Authors: DADANG
Published: March 2021

Dalam buku ini akan membahas kedudukan hukum dan fungsi DPRD dalam penyelenggaraan perizinan oleh Pemerintah Daerah Ditinjau dari Undang Undang Nomor 9 TAHUN 2015 tentang Pemerintahan Daerah dan Undang-Undang Nomor 30 Tahun 2014 Tentang Administrasi Pemerintahan, mengetahui kendala-kendala dalam penyelenggaraan perizinan oleh Pemerintah Daerah tanpa adanya rekomendasi dari DPRD. Rekomendasi DPRD pada Pemda provinsi tidak dikenal di dalam peraturan perundang-undangan yang mengatur tentang penyelenggaraan pemerintahan Negara dan peraturan perundangundangan teknis lainnya. Rekomendasi DPRD dalam penyelenggaraan pemerintahan daerah juga bukan merupakan penjabaran dawi kewenangan pengawasan DPRD terhadap gubernur. Rekomendasi yang dikenal di dalam peraturan perundang-undangan adalah rekomendasi sebagai instrumen hukum administrasi dalam penyelenggaraan pemerintahan oleh gubernur, khusunya dalam penyelenggaraan fungsi penetapan keputusan atau pelaksanaan tindak pemerintahan.
Trends in Cognitive Skill Inequalities by Socio-Economic Status across Canada
Authors: Haeck Catherine , Lefebvre Pierre
Published: March 2021

In this article, we document the trends in cognitive skills gaps across Canada. We use Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test scores over seven cycles, from 2000 to 2018, to provide an exhaustive portrait of the trends in the test score distribution over time and the score gaps by parental socio-economic status (SES). We find that the achievement gap between top-performing students (90th percentile) and students facing challenges (10th percentile) is large and represents more than four years of schooling. We also show that socio-economic differences in PISA scores for reading, mathematics, and science are large but generally stable over time. There are variations in SES score gaps by province, a proxy for the extent of inequality of opportunities, but these variations are not large.
Fracture énucléation dorsale post-traumatique du deuxième cunéiforme :
une lésion rare à propos d’un cas
Authors: Alshaikh A. , Messoudi B. , Trafeh M.A. , Garch A.
Published: March 2021

La fracture énucléation du deuxième cunéiforme est une lésion rare, considérée comme une variété de la luxation de l’articulation tarsométatarsienne de Lisfranc. Nous en décrivons un cas, survenant chez un patient de 25 ans, suite à un accident de la voie publique. Le patient a bénéficié d’un bilan radiologique qui a permis une bonne analyse des lésions traumatiques ainsi qu’une planification adaptée quant au traitement chirurgical. L’acte opératoire a consisté en une réduction de la luxation et l’aménagement des lésions associées par ostéosynthèse. Le patient a présenté une bonne évolution clinique et radiologique ainsi qu’une reprise normale des activités quotidiennes après une période de réhabilitation adaptée.
Potential interference immunity of coherent reception of quadruple phase-manipulated radio signal in the presence of coherent harmonic interference
Authors: Zvonarev Vitalii , Popov Aleksandr
Published: March 2021

Introduction: The known methods for calculating the interference immunity of radio signal reception in the presence of, for example, harmonic interference, often lead to significantly different numerical values. Each calculation technique of this type has its own algorithm for the resulting formula output, and these conclusions are based on a different level of “engineering rigor”. Purpose: To develop, оn the basis of linear transformation of coordinates, a correct method for calculating the error probability in the correlating reception of a four-fold phase-manipulated radio signal in the presence of coherent harmonic interference. Methods: Four-dimensional probability density of a vector of output voltages of the demodulator correlators in a four-fold integral was represented by a product of one-dimensional probability densities in the space of eigenvectors of the covariance matrix, in which two probability densities are Dirac delta functions. The quadruple integral is brought to double, with new integration limits defined from the plane equations bounding the integration region in this space. Results: Formulas were derived for accurate calculation of average probabilities of symbol and bit errors in coherent reception of a four-fold phase-manipulated radio signal in the presence of coherent harmonic interference. The derived exact formulas were used to plot the dependencies of the average probabilities of symbol and bit errors on the signal-to-noise ratio for the given interference-to-noise ratio and the given interference phase shift relative to the signal phase. It has been studied how the energy ratios of the signal and interference, as well as the interference phase shift, affect the probabilities of symbol and bit errors. It was found that the influence of a non-energy parameter equivalently leads to a change in the energy ratios. Practical  relevance: The results of the research can be used in assessing the communication efficiency under interference. The developed technique will allow you to accurately determine the energy characteristics of a radio channel providing the required quality for the reception of transmitted messages in presence of harmonic interference.
Extraction and Characterization of Lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella typhi
Authors: Patel Nilima
Published: March 2021

There is no standard process available for high purity LPS isolation, and it may be appropriate to mix two purification steps. For Salmonella typhi LPS that were subjected to normal microbiological & biochemical screening protocols, updated phenol-water extraction protocol & non-phenolic extraction methods were also used in present research. Pellet of crude LPS obtained with wet weight was 2.0 gm. yield of LPS was more by hot phenol method 1.94 mg/ml as compared to non-phenolic method 0.40 mg/ml. relative purity of LPS obtained by hot phenol method was more as compared to non-phenolic method, as protein content was 23.60 mg/ml in LPS extracted from hot phenol method & 26.62 mg/ ml in LPS extracted from non-phenolic method. However, Nucleic acid contain was comparable in LPS extracted from both methods. Qualitative analysis showed ladder like bands of LPS extracted by hot phenol method as compared to single band obtained for LPS extracted by non-phenolic method. Findings of silver staining clearly revealed ladder pattern of multi-rung bands that are characteristics of smooth form of gram negative bacteria due to difference in length of carbohydrate chain of O-antigen component. In order to clarify diseased conditions & better work on LPS profiling, this research may be crucial to lead to more successful diagnosis and care.
Alterações Genéticas em Câncer de Cabeça e Pescoço
Authors: Colombo Jucimara , Rahal Paula
Published: March 2021

O carcinoma de células escamosas de cabeça e pescoço (HNSCC) constitui o quinto tipo de câncer mais comum mundialmente, com uma incidência anual global de 780.000 novos casos. Os sítios comuns incluem cavidade oral, orofaringe, hipofaringe, nasofaringe, cavidade nasal, seios paranasais, laringe e glândulas salivares. O consumo de tabaco e/ou álcool são os principais fatores de risco envolvidos no desenvolvimento do HNSCC. Apesar dos recentes avanços no tratamento, o índice de sobrevivência dos pacientes com HNSCC tem permanecido em 40%. A recidiva locorregional e a metástase após terapia convencional parecem ser os principais fatores que contribuem para a sobrevivência reduzida dos pacientes. O desenvolvimento do câncer de cabeça e pescoço é um processo multipasso acompanhado por mudanças genéticas e epigenéticas, incluindo perda de heterozigozidade, inativação gênica por metilação e amplificação gênica. Diferentes estudos têm revelado numerosas alterações moleculares em HNSCC, incluindo ativação de oncogenes, tais como: EGFR, ciclina D1 e COX-2; inativação de genes supressores tumorais, tais como: TP53, p16, p27 e WAF1/C1P1; e expressão de fatores angiogênicos e metastáticos; além dos polimorfismos genéticos de enzimas metabólicas. Esta revisão apresenta informações atuais sobre as principais alterações genéticas envolvidas no desenvolvimento do câncer de cabeça e pescoço, as quais apresentam potencial valor prognóstico, e discute alguns fatores que contribuem para a controvérsia a respeito de sua importância prognóstica.
Discrete Networked Dynamic Systems with Eigen-Spectrum Gap: Analysis and Performance
Authors: MAHMOUD Magdisadek , KARAKİ Bilal
Published: March 2021

This paper provides a detailed analysis and performance treatment of a class of discrete-time systems with an eigen-spectrum gap coupled over networks. We deploy tools from time-scale modeling (TSM) theory to develop rigorous reduced-order models to aid in the stability analysis of these multiple time-scale networked systems over fixed and undirected graph topology. We establish that the controller gain matrices can be determined by solving convex optimization problems in terms of finite linear matrix inequalities with prescribed $\mathbb{H}_\infty$ and $\mathbb{H}_2$ performance criteria. As demonstrated by simulation studies, the ensuing results provide designers with a network-centric approach to improve the performance and stability of such coupled systems.
Gene-Trait Matching and Prevalence of Nisin Tolerance Systems in Lactococus lactis
Authors: van Gijtenbeek Lieke A. , Eckhardt Thomas H. , Herrera-Domínguez Lucía , Brockmann Elke , Jensen Kristian , Geppel Asger , Nielsen Kristian Fog , Vindeloev Jannik , Neves Ana Rute , Oregaard Gunnar
Published: March 2021

Lactococcus lactis cheese starter cultures typically contain a mix of many strains and may include variants that produce and/or tolerate the antimicrobial bacteriocin nisin. Nisin is well-established as an effective agent against several undesirable Gram-positive bacteria in cheese and various other foods. In the current study, we have examined the effect of nisin on 710 individual L. lactis strains during milk fermentations. Changes in milk acidification profiles with and without nisin exposure, ranging from unaltered acidification to loss of acidification, could be largely explained by the type(s) and variants of nisin immunity and nisin degradation genes present, but surprisingly, also by genotypic lineage (L. lactis ssp. cremoris vs. ssp. lactis). Importantly, we identify that nisin degradation by NSR is frequent among L. lactis and therefore likely the main mechanism by which dairy-associated L. lactis strains tolerate nisin. Insights from this study on the strain-specific effect of nisin tolerance and degradation during milk acidification is expected to aid in the design of nisin-compatible cheese starter cultures.
Functional Characteristic and Significance of Aldosterone-Producing Cell Clusters in Primary Aldosteronism and Age-Related Hypertension
Authors: Pauzi Fatin Athirah , Azizan Elena Aisha
Published: March 2021

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is one of the most frequent curable forms of secondary hypertension. It can be caused by the overproduction of aldosterone in one or both adrenal glands. The most common subtypes of PA are unilateral aldosterone over-production due to aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) or bilateral aldosterone over-production due to bilateral hyperaldosteronism (BHA). Utilizing the immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) has allowed the identification of aldosterone-producing cell clusters (APCCs) with unique focal localization positive for CYP11B2 expression in the subcapsular portion of the human adult adrenal cortex. The presence of CYP11B2 supports that synthesis of aldosterone can occur in these cell clusters and therefore might contribute to hyperaldosteronism. However, the significance of the steroidogenic properties of APCCs especially in regards to PA remains unclear. Herein, we review the available evidence on the presence of APCCs in normal adrenals and adrenal tissues adjacent to APAs, their aldosterone-stimulating somatic gene mutations, and their accumulation during the ageing process; raising the possibility that APCCs may play a role in the development of PA and age-related hypertension.
Emergent Transportation “Platforms” in Latin America: Online Communities and Their Governance Models
Authors: Lozano-Paredes Luis H.
Published: March 2021

New models of peer governance are emerging from online communities in the Global South. This is visible in an understudied case of ridesharing “platforms” created on social media communities and materializing in Latin American cities. In this article, I investigate these online communities in different cities of Colombia and how they develop peer governance models. A particular focus is paid to developing organization forms that do not follow the typical structure of firms. In these communities, I study the relationships between members, community managers, and the governance rules they create, while illuminating the hierarchies present, the accountability of their administrators, and its legitimacy. The emerging literature on platform cooperativism, platform urbanism, and peer governance is used to structure a way to understand this new phenomenon with its “southern” particularities. Moreover, in-person and online qualitative research methods are incorporated to engage with the elusive nature of these structures. This will be one of the first studies engaging with the peer governance dilemmas emerging from online communities in the Global South. An analysis on what the platform literature and the institutional ecosystem in developing countries can harness from the particularities of these community-platforms as they evolve in these contexts is also included.
Soluble N-Acetylgalactosamine-Modified Antigens Enhance Hepatocyte-Dependent Antigen Cross-Presentation and Result in Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cell Tolerance Development
Authors: Damo Martina , Wilson D. Scott , Watkins Elyse A. , Hubbell Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2021

Hepatocytes compose up to 80% of the total liver and have been indicated as important players in the induction of immunologic tolerance in this organ. We show that hepatocytes possess the molecular machinery required for the cross-presentation of extracellular antigens. Using a derivative of the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) covalently modified with a polymer containing multiple N-acetylgalactosamine residues (pGal-OVA) that enhance extracellular antigen uptake by mimicking the glycome of apoptotic debris, we show efficient hepatocyte-dependent induction of cross-tolerance of both adoptively transferred OT-I cells and endogenous OVA-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes, for example inducing tolerance to OVA-expressing skin transplants. Our study confirms that hepatocytes are capable of inducing peripheral tolerogenesis and provides proof of concept that they may be a valuable candidate for in vivo targeted tolerogenic treatments.
Survival and Pulmonary Injury After Neonatal Sepsis: PD1/PDL1's Contributions to Mouse and Human Immunopathology
Authors: Fallon Eleanor A. , Chung Chun-Shiang , Heffernan Daithi S. , Chen Yaping , De Paepe Monique E. , Ayala Alfred
Published: March 2021

Morbidity and mortality associated with neonatal sepsis remains a healthcare crisis. PD1−/− neonatal mice endured experimental sepsis, in the form of cecal slurry (CS), and showed improved rates of survival compared to wildtype (WT) counterparts. End-organ injury, particularly of the lung, contributes to the devastation set forth by neonatal sepsis. PDL1−/− neonatal mice, in contrast to PD1−/− neonatal mice did not have a significant improvement in survival after CS. Because of this, we focused subsequent studies on the impact of PD1 gene deficiency on lung injury. Here, we observed that at 24 h post-CS (but not at 4 or 12 h) there was a marked increase in pulmonary edema (PE), neutrophil influx, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and cytokine expression sham (Sh) WT mice. Regarding pulmonary endothelial cell (EC) adhesion molecule expression, we observed that Zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) within the cell shifted from a membranous location to a peri-nuclear location after CS in WT murine cultured ECs at 24hrs, but remained membranous among PD1−/− lungs. To expand the scope of this inquiry, we investigated human neonatal lung tissue. We observed that the lungs of human newborns exposed to intrauterine infection had significantly higher numbers of PD1+ cells compared to specimens who died from non-infectious causes. Together, these data suggest that PD1/PDL1, a pathway typically thought to govern adaptive immune processes in adult animals, can modulate the largely innate neonatal pulmonary immune response to experimental septic insult. The potential future significance of this area of study includes that PD1/PDL1 checkpoint proteins may be viable therapeutic targets in the septic neonate.
Physicochemical and Microbial Diversity Analyses of Indian Hot Springs
Authors: Narsing Rao Manik Prabhu , Dong Zhou-Yan , Luo Zhen-Hao , Li Meng-Meng , Liu Bing-Bing , Guo Shu-Xian , Hozzein Wael N. , Xiao Min , Li Wen-Jun
Published: March 2021

In the present study, physicochemical and microbial diversity analyses of seven Indian hot springs were performed. The temperature at the sample sites ranged from 32 to 67°C, and pH remained neutral to slightly alkaline. pH and temperature influenced microbial diversity. Culture-independent microbial diversity analysis suggested bacteria as the dominant group (99.3%) when compared with the archaeal group (0.7%). Alpha diversity analysis showed that microbial richness decreased with the increase of temperature, and beta diversity analysis showed clustering based on location. A total of 131 strains (divided into 12 genera and four phyla) were isolated from the hot spring samples. Incubation temperatures of 37 and 45°C and T5 medium were more suitable for bacterial isolation. Some of the isolated strains shared low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, suggesting that they may be novel bacterial candidates. Some strains produced thermostable enzymes. Dominant microbial communities were found to be different depending on the culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Such differences could be attributed to the fact that most microbes in the studied samples were not cultivable under laboratory conditions. Culture-dependent and culture-independent microbial diversities suggest that these springs not only harbor novel microbial candidates but also produce thermostable enzymes, and hence, appropriate methods should be developed to isolate the uncultivated microbial taxa.
Probiotic Effector Compounds: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives
Authors: Daliri Eric Banan-Mwine , Ofosu Fred Kwame , Xiuqin Chen , Chelliah Ramachandran , Oh Deog-Hwan
Published: March 2021

Understanding the mechanism behind probiotic action will enable a rational selection of probiotics, increase the chances of success in clinical studies and make it easy to substantiate health claims. However, most probiotic studies over the years have rather focused on the effects of probiotics in health and disease, whereas little is known about the specific molecules that trigger effects in hosts. This makes it difficult to describe the detailed mechanism by which a given probiotic functions. Probiotics communicate with their hosts through molecular signaling. Meanwhile, since the molecules produced by probiotics under in vitro conditions may differ from those produced in vivo, in vitro mechanistic studies would have to be conducted under conditions that mimic gastrointestinal conditions as much as possible. The ideal situation would, however, be to carry out well-designed clinical trials in humans (or the target animal) using adequate quantities of the suspected probiotic molecule(s) or adequate quantities of isogenic knock-out or knock-in probiotic mutants. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge about probiotic bacteria and yeast molecules that are involved in molecular signaling with the host. We also discuss the challenges and future perspectives in the search for probiotic effector molecules.
Disentangling the Drivers of Obesity: An Analytical Framework Based on Socioeconomic and Intrapersonal Factors
Authors: Dogbe Wisdom , Salazar-Ordóñez Melania , Gil Jose M.
Published: March 2021

Obesity is increasing at exponential rates in developed economies despite the numerous policy interventions being implemented. The causes of obesity are multifactorial demanding a holistic review for targeted intervention. This study, therefore, provides a holistic overview of multiple factors affecting body weights i.e., socioeconomic and intrapersonal factors. We used data from a household and experimental survey carried out in Spain (Barcelona) in 2014. A non-linear path analysis was used considering the non-linear relationships that might exist between these factors and body weight. Results confirm non-linear relationships between some socioeconomic, intrapersonal factors and body weight. Among the intrapersonal factors, obesity is directly influenced by volitional control of obesity, attitude toward obese persons, holding a correct body image and body image dissatisfaction. Socioeconomic factors that have significant influence on obesity were age, education and gender. Risk attitudes do not correlate with obesity.
Genetic Architectures and Cell-of-Origin in Glioblastoma
Authors: Kim Hyun Jung , Park Jung Won , Lee Jeong Ho
Published: March 2021

An aggressive primary brain cancer, glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common cancer of the central nervous system in adults. However, an inability to identify its cell-of-origin has been a fundamental issue hindering further understanding of the nature and pathogenesis of GBM, as well as the development of novel therapeutic targets. Researchers have hypothesized that GBM arises from an accumulation of somatic mutations in neural stem cells (NSCs) and glial precursor cells that confer selective growth advantages, resulting in uncontrolled proliferation. In this review, we outline genomic perspectives on IDH-wildtype and IDH-mutant GBMs pathogenesis and the cell-of-origin harboring GBM driver mutations proposed by various GBM animal models. Additionally, we discuss the distinct neurodevelopmental programs observed in either IDH-wildtype or IDH-mutant GBMs. Further research into the cellular origin and lineage hierarchy of GBM will help with understanding the evolution of GBMs and with developing effective targets for treating GBM cancer cells.
Small Cell Size Circulating Aneuploid Cells as a Biomarker of Prognosis in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hong Yang , Si Jiahui , Zhang Jie , Xiong Ying , Zhang Jianzhi , Lin Peter Ping , Fang Jian , Yang Yue , Lv Chao , Ma Yuanyuan
Published: March 2021

Objective

The size distribution of circulating aneuploid cells (CACs) and its clinical significance were investigated in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods

A total of 50 patients with resectable NSCLC were enrolled in this study. Blood samples (50 pre-surgery and 35 post-surgery) were collected and used for the detection of CAC chromosome 8 heteroploidy through the subtraction enrichment and immunostaining fluorescence in situ hybridization (SE-iFISH) method.

Results

Less than 20% small cell size and more than 80% large cell size CACs were detected. Karyotypes, including triploid, tetraploid, and multiploid, had varying distributions. The triploid subtype accounted for the majority of small cell size CACs, whereas the multiploid subtype accounted for the majority of large cell size CACs. We found that total small cell size and triploid small cell size CACs, but not large cell size CACs, derived from pre-surgery samples, were associated with shorter disease-free survival. Moreover, total small cell size and triploid small cell size CACs were associated with higher TNM stage and recurrence. Nevertheless, the variation between pre- and post-surgery CACs was not related to survival among patients with resectable NSCLC.

Conclusions

Pre-surgery small cell size CACs, especially the triploid subtype, could be regarded as a potential prognostic biomarker for patients with resectable NSCLC.
Potential Value of Radiomics in the Identification of Stage T3 and T4a Esophagogastric Junction Adenocarcinoma Based on Contrast-Enhanced CT Images
Authors: Chang Xu , Guo Xing , Li Xiaole , Han Xiaowei , Li Xiaoxiao , Liu Xiaoyan , Ren Jialiang
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate the predictive performance of contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic features for the personalized, differential diagnosis of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma at stages T3 and T4a.

Methods

Two hundred patients with T3 (n = 44) and T4a (n = 156) EGJ adenocarcinoma lesions were enrolled in this study. Traditional computed tomography (CT) features were obtained from contrast-enhanced CT images, and the traditional model was constructed using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A radiomic model was established based on radiomic features from venous CT images, and the radiomic score (Radscore) of each patient was calculated. A combined nomogram diagnostic model was constructed based on Radscores and traditional features. The diagnostic performances of these three models (traditional model, radiomic model, and nomogram) were assessed with receiver operating characteristics curves. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and areas under the curve (AUC) of models were calculated, and the performances of the models were evaluated and compared. Finally, the clinical effectiveness of the three models was evaluated by conducting a decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

An eleven-feature combined radiomic signature and two traditional CT features were constructed as the radiomic and traditional feature models, respectively. The Radscore was significantly different between patients with stage T3 and T4a EGJ adenocarcinoma. The combined nomogram performed the best and has potential clinical usefulness.

Conclusions

The developed combined nomogram might be useful in differentiating T3 and T4a stages of EGJ adenocarcinoma and may facilitate the decision-making process for the treatment of T3 and T4a EGJ adenocarcinoma.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Targeting Integrin αvβ6 Expressed on Cholangiocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Phanthaphol Nattaporn , Somboonpatarakun Chalermchai , Suwanchiwasiri Kwanpirom , Chieochansin Thaweesak , Sujjitjoon Jatuporn , Wongkham Sopit , Maher John , Junking Mutita , Yenchitsomanus Pa-thai
Published: March 2021

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a lethal bile duct cancer that responds poorly to current standard treatments. A new therapeutic approach is, therefore, urgently needed. Adoptive T cell transfer using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is a new therapeutic modality with demonstrated efficacy in hematologic malignancies. However, its efficacy against solid tumors is modest, and further intensive investigation continues. An important factor that influences the success of CAR T cell therapy is the selection of a target antigen that is highly expressed on cancer cells, but markedly less so in normal cells. Integrin αvβ6 is upregulated in several solid tumors, but is minimally expressed in normal epithelial cells, which suggests integrin αvβ6 as an attractive target antigen for CAR T cell immunotherapy in CCA. We investigated integrin αvβ6 expression in pathological tissue samples from patients with liver fluke-associated CCA. We then created CAR T cells targeting integrin αvβ6 and evaluated their anti-tumor activities against CCA cells. We found overexpression of the integrin αvβ6 protein in 23 of 30 (73.3%) CCA patient tissue samples. Significant association between high integrin αvβ6 expression and short survival time (p = 0.043) was also observed. Lentiviral constructs were engineered to encode CARs containing an integrin αvβ6-binding peptide (A20) derived from foot-and-mouth disease virus fused with a second-generation CD28/CD3ζ signaling domain (A20-2G CAR) or with a fourth-generation CD28/4-1BB/CD27/CD3ζ signaling domain (A20-4G CAR). The A20-2G and A20-4G CARs were highly expressed in primary human T cells transduced with the engineered lentiviruses, and they exhibited high levels of cytotoxicity against integrin αvβ6-positive CCA cells (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the A20-2G and A20-4G CAR T cells displayed anti-tumor function against integrin αvβ6-positive CCA tumor spheroids (p < 0.05). Upon specific antigen recognition, A20-4G CAR T cells produced a slightly lower level of IFN-γ, but exhibited higher proliferation than A20-2G CAR T cells. Thus, the A20-4G CAR T cells with lower level of cytokine production, but with higher proliferation represents a promising potential adoptive T cell therapy for integrin αvβ6-positive CCA.
Hypoxanthine Induces Muscular ATP Depletion and Fatigue via UCP2
Authors: Yin Cong , Ma Zewei , Li Fan , Duan Chen , Yuan Yexian , Zhu Canjun , Wang Lina , Zhu Xiaotong , Wang Songbo , Gao Ping , Shu Gang , Zhang Huihua , Jiang Qingyan
Published: March 2021

Hypoxanthine (Hx), an intermediate metabolite of the purine metabolism pathway which is dramatically increased in blood and skeletal muscle during muscle contraction and metabolism, is characterized as a marker of exercise exhaustion. However, the physiological effects of Hx on skeletal muscle remain unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that chronic treatment with Hx through dietary supplementation resulted in skeletal muscle fatigue and impaired the exercise performance of mice without affecting their growth and skeletal muscle development. Hx increased the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) expression in the skeletal muscle, which led to decreased energy substrate storage and enhanced glycolysis. These effects could also be verified in acute treatment with Hx through intraperitoneal injection. In addition, muscular specifically knockout of UCP2 through intra-muscle tissue injection of adenovirus-associated virus reversed the effects of Hx. In conclusion, we identified a novel role of Hx in the skeletal muscular fatigue mediated by UCP2-dependent mitochondrial uncoupling. This finding may shed light on the pathological mechanism of clinical muscle dysfunctions due to abnormal metabolism, such as muscle fatigue and weakness.
Non-target Site Herbicide Resistance Is Conferred by Two Distinct Mechanisms in Black-Grass (Alopecurus myosuroides)
Authors: Franco-Ortega Sara , Goldberg-Cavalleri Alina , Walker Andrew , Brazier-Hicks Melissa , Onkokesung Nawaporn , Edwards Robert
Published: March 2021

Non-target site resistance (NTSR) to herbicides in black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides) results in enhanced tolerance to multiple chemistries and is widespread in Northern Europe. To help define the underpinning mechanisms of resistance, global transcriptome and biochemical analysis have been used to phenotype three NTSR black-grass populations. These comprised NTSR1 black-grass from the classic Peldon field population, which shows broad-ranging resistance to post-emergence herbicides; NTSR2 derived from herbicide-sensitive (HS) plants repeatedly selected for tolerance to pendimethalin; and NTSR3 selected from HS plants for resistance to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl. NTSR in weeds is commonly associated with enhanced herbicide metabolism catalyzed by glutathione transferases (GSTs) and cytochromes P450 (CYPs). As such, the NTSR populations were assessed for their ability to detoxify chlorotoluron, which is detoxified by CYPs and fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, which is acted on by GSTs. As compared with HS plants, enhanced metabolism toward both herbicides was determined in the NTSR1 and NTSR2 populations. In contrast, the NTSR3 plants showed no increased detoxification capacity, demonstrating that resistance in this population was not due to enhanced metabolism. All resistant populations showed increased levels of AmGSTF1, a protein functionally linked to NTSR and enhanced herbicide metabolism. Enhanced AmGSTF1 was associated with increased levels of the associated transcripts in the NTSR1 and NTSR2 plants, but not in NTSR3, suggestive of both pre- and post-transcriptional regulation. The related HS, NTSR2, and NTSR3 plants were subject to global transcriptome sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify modules of genes with coupled regulatory functions. In the NTSR2 plants, modules linked to detoxification were identified, with many similarities to the transcriptome of NTSR1 black-grass. Critical detoxification genes included members of the CYP81A family and tau and phi class GSTs. The NTSR2 transcriptome also showed network similarities to other (a)biotic stresses of plants and multidrug resistance in humans. In contrast, completely different gene networks were activated in the NTSR3 plants, showing similarity to the responses to cold, osmotic shock and fungal infection determined in cereals. Our results demonstrate that NTSR in black-grass can arise from at least two distinct mechanisms, each involving complex changes in gene regulatory networks.
Learning to Use Narrative Function Words for the Organization and Communication of Experience
Authors: Pointeau Gregoire , Mirliaz Solène , Mealier Anne-Laure , Dominey Peter Ford
Published: March 2021

How do people learn to talk about the causal and temporal relations between events, and the motivation behind why people do what they do? The narrative practice hypothesis of Hutto and Gallagher holds that children are exposed to narratives that provide training for understanding and expressing reasons for why people behave as they do. In this context, we have recently developed a model of narrative processing where a structured model of the developing situation (the situation model) is built up from experienced events, and enriched by sentences in a narrative that describe event meanings. The main interest is to develop a proof of concept for how narrative can be used to structure, organize and describe experience. Narrative sentences describe events, and they also define temporal and causal relations between events. These relations are specified by a class of narrative function words, including “because, before, after, first, finally.” The current research develops a proof of concept that by observing how people describe social events, a developmental robotic system can begin to acquire early knowledge of how to explain the reasons for events. We collect data from naïve subjects who use narrative function words to describe simple scenes of human-robot interaction, and then employ algorithms for extracting the statistical structure of how narrative function words link events in the situation model. By using these statistical regularities, the robot can thus learn from human experience about how to properly employ in question-answering dialogues with the human, and in generating canonical narratives for new experiences. The behavior of the system is demonstrated over several behavioral interactions, and associated narrative interaction sessions, while a more formal extended evaluation and user study will be the subject of future research. Clearly this is far removed from the power of the full blown narrative practice capability, but it provides a first step in the development of an experimental infrastructure for the study of socially situated narrative practice in human-robot interaction.
Association Between Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Levels and the Clinical Symptoms of Chronic Schizophrenia: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Okamoto Naomichi , Yoshino Koji , Kitagawa Shogo , Fujii Rintaro , Hamada Shinsuke , Ikenouchi Atsuko , Konishi Yuki , Ueda Nobuhisa , Eto Yoshinori , Tsutsumi Yasunari , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a trophic mediator that is regulated by growth hormone and associated with the proliferation, development, and growth of neural cells. IGF-1 may be associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, but this association remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum IGF-1 levels and psychiatric symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Patients and Methods: A total of 65 patients were recruited from the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Komine Eto Hospital, Moji Matsugae Hospital, Shin-Moji Hospital, and Tsutsumi Hospital in Kitakyushu between September 2019 and June 2020. Further, 20 healthy age- and sex-matched control participants were recruited from the Komine Eto Hospital and the University of Occupational and Environmental Health. Patients with schizophrenia were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale. Serum levels of free plus albumin-bound IGF-1 (IGF-1) were measured by immunoradiometric assay. The measurements were performed using antibody beads for bound/free separation. Associations between serum IGF-1 levels and the PANSS scores were determined. We also examined the associations between serum IGF-1 levels and diabetes, antipsychotic drug use, and disease duration.

Results: No significant difference was found in the serum IGF-1 level between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Serum IGF-1 levels were significantly negatively correlated with the PANSS total score (R2 = 0.06, p = 0.015) and PANSS general score (R2 = 0.088, p = 0.008), but not with the PANSS positive scores and PANSS negative scores. Serum IGF-1 levels were not related to the prevalence of diabetes (p = 0.64). However, a significant correlation was observed between serum IGF-1 levels and age (B = −1.88, p < 0.0001). Serum IGF-1 levels could not distinguish patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.

Conclusion: The association between serum IGF-1 levels and psychiatric symptoms may be complicated in patients with chronic schizophrenia.