bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A holistic approach to using biostimulants on the red grapevine variety, Mouhtaro - from grape to wine
Authors: Miliordos Dimitrios-Evangelos , Tsiknia Myrto , Kontoudakis Nikolaos , Zaharias Nikolaos , Kotseridis Yorgos
Published: April 2022

One of the main effects of applying biostimulants to grapevines is an increase in berry phenolic compound content. In the current study, grapes treated at veraison with abscisic acid (ABA), benzothiadiazole (BTH) and chitosan (CHT) were vinified. Treated grapes, compared to untreated grapes (the control), resulted in wines with a significantly higher concentration of anthocyanins and phenolic content. Furthermore, in a descriptive sensory analysis, wines made from treated grapes were found to have significantly more intense fruity notes and aroma and better overall mouthfeel quality.
How to make a mineral wine? Relationship between production type in the Chablis vineyard and the search for a mineral wine style
Authors: Rodrigues Heber , Valentin Dominique , Oteguy Méven , Ballester Jordi
Published: April 2022

Minerality in wine has consistently gained attention from the wine industry in the last three decades. It has been considered for a long time as an ill-defined and controversial sensory attribute. In the last decade, several academic articles have addressed the conceptual, sensory and chemical delimitation of this fuzzy concept. However, the link to viticulture and winemaking processes has not been studied yet. The goal of this work was twofold: first to produce a typology of practices in Chablis Premier Cru, a PDO (known for its mineral wines) and, second, to explore how Chablis producers conceptualise wine minerality and its link to production practices. We hypothesized that Chablis producers aim to maximise the minerality of their wines and adapt their production strategy accordingly. Two interviews were carried out. Thirty-four wine producers from Chablis participated in the typology interview, of which twenty-seven also participated in the minerality interview. A typology analysis of the producers’ viticultural and winemaking practices revealed four types of production strategies (Conventional, Natural, Agroecology and Low Input Winemaking). A short semi-structured interview of the producers’ opinions of and attitudes towards minerality and practices leading to wine minerality highlighted the key aspects of the production of mineral wines, namely soil characteristics, harvest date, type of yeasts, fermentation temperature, type of ageing containers and intensity of lees contact, among others. A link between the respondents’ production practices and their minerality conceptualisation was found: in some cases, the representation of minerality seemed to be a result of the applied production strategy and not only the other way around; i.e., these winemakers conclude that because their wines are mineral their respective production practice is the best one for making mineral wines, without having deliberately chosen it to make mineral wines.
Enriching Artificial Intelligence Explanations with Knowledge Fragments
Authors: Rožanec Jože , Trajkova Elena , Novalija Inna , Zajec Patrik , Kenda Klemen , Fortuna Blaž , Mladenić Dunja
Published: April 2022

Artificial Intelligence models are increasingly used in manufacturing to inform decision-making. Responsible decision-making requires accurate forecasts and an understanding of the models’ behavior. Furthermore, the insights into models’ rationale can be enriched with domain knowledge. This research builds explanations considering feature rankings for a particular forecast, enriching them with media news entries, datasets’ metadata, and entries from the Google Knowledge Graph. We compare two approaches (embeddings-based and semantic-based) on a real-world use case regarding demand forecasting.
Digital Design of Programmable Image Processor for FPGA
Authors: Khan Abdullah
Published: April 2022

Many dedicated designs for real-time operations provide functionality on fixed-sized operators, but where speed, scalability, and flexibility are required, extensive research is demanded. Dedicated designs can provide real-time processing for many applications. This paper presents an FPGA-based design of a general image processor. The proposed design is based on a fixed-point representation of binary numbers. The proposed design provides a mechanism to manage matrices on-chip along with matrix arithmetic. The matrices are represented with simple identifiers and microinstruction that assist in the computation of many operations which are useful for solving complex problems. The design was successfully implemented and tested using VHDL language. The proposed design is an efficient architecture as a standalone processor with all embedding computational resources necessary for an embedded image processing application.
Modelling the Impact of Weather and Context Data on Transport Mode Choices: A Case Study of GPS Trajectories From Beijing
Authors: Otim Timothy , Dörfer Leandro , Ahmed Dina Bousdar , Diaz Estefania Munoz
Published: April 2022

Over the years, researchers have been studying the effect of weather and context data on the transport mode choice. The majority of these works are based on survey data, however the accuracy of their findings relies on how respondents give accurate and honest answers. In this paper, the potential of using GPS trajectories as an alternative to travel surveys in studying the impact of weather and context data on transport mode choices is investigated in Beijing city. In the analysis, we apply both descriptive and statistical models such as the MNL and MNP models. Our findings indicate that temperature has the most prominent effect among weather conditions. For instance, for temperatures greater than 25 °C, the walking share increases by 27% and the bike share reduces by 21%, which is line with the results from several survey studies. In addition, the evidence of government policy on transport regulation is revealed when the air quality becomes hazardous as people are encouraged to use environmentally friendly travel mode choices such as the bike instead of the bus and car, which are known CO2 emitters. Moreover, due to a series of traffic restrictions introduced by the Beijing government during the 2008 summer Olympics, a decrease of 17.5% in the car share and an increase of 13% and 10% in the walking and bus shares, respectively are observed. These findings provide a scientific basis for effective transport regulation and planning purposes.
Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer: An Innovative Techniques
Authors: Izzo Paolo , Izzo Sara , Sibio Simone , Basso Luigi , Polistena Andrea , Raimondo Gabriele , Codacci-Pisanelli Massimo , Gallo Gaetano , Messineo Daniela , Izzo Luciano
Published: April 2022

(1) Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy assumes importance in the search for metastases, especially in patients with malignant breast disease. Our study approaches the new techniques to prevent complications such as possible postoperative seroma formation, pain or hypoesthesia of the axillary cord and medial arm surface, as well as motor deficits in a preventive manner to avoid disabling outcomes and presents initial data from its experience with the sentinel lymph node biopsy technique. (2) Methods: There are mainly two radioactive tracer detection techniques and a new technique using a radiotracer called Sentimag-magtrace. The positive lymph node is located and removed to perform histologic analysis. In our study, we evaluate 100 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery (3) Results: our experience allowed us to calculate the identification rate with the different methods of sentinel lymph nodes by radioactive tracer 88.9 % vs magnetic tracer technology (Sendimag) 89.5%. (4) Conclusions Thus, this technique avoids radiation exposure for both patients and health care providers, as well as reducing costs and time.
Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome, Subtypes and 8-year all-cause Mortality in Aging Phenotypes: The Salus in Apulia Study
Authors: Bortone Ilaria , Zupo Roberta , Castellana Fabio , Aresta Simona , Lampignano Luisa , Sciarra Sabrina , Griseta Chiara , Stallone Tommaso Antonio , Sborgia Giancarlo , Lozupone Madia , Panza Francesco , Lagravinese Gianvito , Battista Petronilla , Sardone Rodolfo
Published: April 2022

Background: This study aims to set out key clinical features of different Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) subtypes based on individual quantitative measures of cognitive impairment and to compare their predictive power on survival over an 8-year observation time. Methods: We analyzed data from a population-based study of 1138 subjects aged 65 years and older in south Italy. These individuals were targeted and allocated to subtypes of the MCR phenotype according to the slowness criterion plus one other different cognitive domain for each characterized phenotype. Clinical evaluation and laboratory assays, along with a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological and physical tests, completed the sample investigation. Results: MCR prevalence was found to be 9.8% (N=112), 3.6% (N=41), 3.4% (N=39), and 1.8% (N=21) for the MCR, MCR-GlobalFunction, MCR-StructuredSCC, and MCR-SCC&GlobalFunction, respectively. Univariate Cox survival analysis showed an association only of the MCR-GlobalFunction subtype with a significant, 1.5-fold increased risk of overall death as compared to the other counterparts (HR 2.53, 95%CI 1.28 to 4.99, P-value<0.01) over an 8-year observation period, even after major adjustment (HR 2.02, 95%CI 1.02 to 4.02). Conclusions: MCR phenotypes assigned to the MMSE cognitive domain are more likely to have an increased risk of overall mortality, 1.5-fold higher than counterparts, over 8-year observation.
Data Preprocessing Method and API for Mining Processes from Cloud-Based Application Event Logs
Authors: El-Gharib Najah Mary , Amyot Daniel
Published: April 2022

Background: Process mining (PM) exploits event logs to obtain meaningful information about the processes that produced them. As the number of applications developed on cloud infrastructures is increasing, it becomes important to study and discover their underlying processes. However, many current PM technologies face challenges in dealing with complex and large event logs from cloud applications, especially when they have little structure (e.g., clickstreams). Methods: Using Design Science Research, this paper introduces a new method, called Cloud Pattern API – Process Mining (CPA-PM), that enables discovering and analyzing cloud-based application processes using PM in a way that addresses many of these challenges. CPA-PM exploits a new application programming interface (API), with an R implementation, for creating repeatable scripts that preprocess event logs collected from such applications. Results: Applying CPA-PM to a case with real and evolving event logs related to the trial process of a Software-as-a-Service cloud application led to useful analyses and insights, with reusable scripts. Conclusion: CPA-PM helps producing executable scripts for filtering event logs from clickstream and cloud-based applications, where the scripts can be used in pipelines while minimizing the need for error-prone and time-consuming manual filtering.
Parental Self-Compassion and Child Adjustment: The Mediating Role of Parental Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Cheung Rebecca Y. M. , Li Zechen , Ho Audrey Pui Lam
Published: April 2022

Building on a framework of risk transmission to children of depressed parents, the present study investigated the associations between parents’ self-compassion, parent’s depressive symptoms, and child adjustment. A total 189 Chinese parents (101 mothers) whose children were 2-8 years old were recruited to complete a questionnaire, including measures of self-compassion, depressive symptoms and children’s prosocial behavior, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems. Findings indicated mediation effects, in that parents’ depressive symptoms mediated the associ-ation between their self-compassion and child adjustment outcomes, namely children’s internal-izing and externalizing problems, after controlling the effects of monthly family income, child gender, and parent gender. Competing hypothesis suggested that parents’ self-compassion did not moderate between parents’ depressive symptoms and child adjustment outcomes. Hence, the association between parental depressive symptoms and child adjustment was not dependent on the level of parents’ self-compassion. As an implication, researchers and practitioners should be made aware of the protective role of parents’ self-compassion in the family context.
Remdesivir influence on course of new coronaviral infection in pregnant
Authors:   Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus, Tumash O.L. , Karamyshau A.M. ,   Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus, Stoma I.O. ,   Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus, Menshakova M.N. ,   Gomel City Clinical Hospital No 3, Gomel, Belarus, Vakulchik I.O. ,   Gomel City Clinical Hospital No 3, Gomel, Belarus
Published: April 2022

Objective. To estimate efficiency and safety of remdesivir in treating new coronavirus infection in pregnant. Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort study including 61 medical patient’s records who underwent COVID-19 and being pregnant more than 20 weeks was conducted. Medical case histories were divided into 2 groups: the main one with the use of remdesivir treatment (n = 35) and control one (n = 26) without it. The groups were representative by age, anthropometric data and comorbidity (p > 0.05). Results. The use of remdesivir in pregnant patients with COVID-19 causes a reduction in fever by 15% and achievement of target saturation values in 94.3% of cases, reduces С-reaction protein (CRP) levels by 3.5 times, D-dimer by 2.6, Lactat Dehydrogenase (LDG) by 1.4 times on 5th day from the moment of hospitalization, reduces its duration by 30.8%, does not affect the course of pregnancy and the frequency of Cesarean section. Conclusion. The use of remdesivir in the treatment of COVID-19 in pregnant patients with a gestation period of more than 20 weeks is effective, as evidenced by the shortening of the fever period, the duration of hospitalization, improving oxygenation, reduction of laboratory markers "cytokine storm" in blood levels and safe due to the lack of impact on pregnancy and delivery strategy. Key words: СOVID-19, cytokine storm, laboratory criteria, pregnancy, remdesivir
Multiphase Flowmeter Health Monitoring Strategy: Maximizing the Value of Real-Time Sensors and Automation for Industrial Revolution 4.0
Authors: Al-Kadem Mohammad , Gomaa Mohammed , Al Yateem Karam , Al Maghlouth Abdulmonam
Published: April 2022

Metering with multiphase flowmeters (MPFMs) is a well-proven intelligent field technology, which utilizes complex flow models to accurately measure multiphase flow (oil, gas, and water) on a real-time basis. The major realized benefits of utilizing MPFM real-time sensor data technology are reduced maintenance costs, optimized maintenance schedules, and improved safety via minimizing visits and predicting well performance.

MPFMs also have the capability to perform comprehensive real-time test validation in a short period of time, making them a valuable tool. Leveraging their capabilities, engineers can perform various production analysis scenarios remotely using continuous data streaming to reduce and ultimately eliminate reliance on operators and vendors in remote fields. Nevertheless, such MPFMs require frequent maintenance, which could be quite difficult to manage when having a large number of meters.

An in-house application was developed to support those objectives and to remotely monitor the health of all MPFMs on a real-time basis. The in-house analytics system comprises four modules: Field Overview, MPFM Overview, Well Test Management, and Alarm Management. The steps used to avail this kind of solution cover infrastructure requirements, visualization requirements, optimization, and prediction. The solution was designed as the major interface for engineers to proactively detect and prevent major MPFM component failures and highlight all types of projected MPFM component failures. It proactively harvests preset alarms, which leads to preventing internal MPFM parts from failing. These alarms are generated based on critical parameters measured by the MPFM such as rates, differential pressure (DP), and radioactive measurements. Annual savings are realized through use of the monitoring solution by minimizing costly offshore visits and optimizing the visits based on problematic MPFMs.

The authors will discuss a newly developed MPFM health monitoring strategy based on real-time solutions, driving migration from a preventative to a predictive maintenance concept to reduce costs and optimize manpower time by eliminating unnecessary visits.
A Two-year Outcome of Various Techniques of Discectomy On Complications: A Multicentric Retrospective Study
Authors: Praveen VNR Goparaju , Rajamani Pritem A , Kulkarni Arvind G , Bhojraj Shekhar Y , Rajasekaran S. , Chhabra HS , Acharya Shankar , Rajamani AA , Nene Abhay , Shetty Ajoy Prasad , Dey P C , Bhanot Arun , Lokhande Pramod V , Patel Priyank
Published: April 2022

Objective: Various techniques of performing lumbar discectomy are prevalent, each having its rationale and claimed benefits. The authors ventured to assess the total complication rate of lumbar discectomy as well as the complication rates of individual complications, namely CSF leaks, superficial wound infections, deep wound infections, recurrence rates, re-operation rates, and wrong level surgery.Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients operated using open discectomy (OD), microdiscectomy (MD), microendoscopic discectomy (MED), interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy (IELD), transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD), and Destandau techniques (DT) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The inclusion criteria were age>15 years, failed conservative treatment for 4-6 weeks, and the involvement of a single lumbar level.Results: There is no statistically significant association between surgical technique and complications. The total complication rate was 12.89% in 946 operated cases. The most common complication was recurrence (5.81%), followed by re-operation (3.69%), CSF leak (1.90%), wrong level surgery (0.63%), superficial infection (0.52%) and deep infection (0.31%). There were minor differences in the incidence of complications between techniques.Conclusion: This is the first study to compare the complication rates of all the prevalent discectomy techniques across the globe in 946 patients. Although there were minor differences in incidences of complications between individual techniques, there was no statistical significance. The various rates of individual complications provide a reference value for future studies related to complications following discectomy.
Bioinformatic Analysis of SNVS of the SPP1 Gene and the Role of Testicular Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Rivera-Cameras A. , Ruiz-Ramírez A. V. , Gallegos-Arreola M. P , Morán-Moguel C. , Salazar-Paramo M. , Figuera L. E. , Dávalos-Rodríguez I.P
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND: Secreted Phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) is known to play an important role in inflammation and immunity. The differences in the presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus according to sex have been widely discussed such as the more severe and rapid course of the disease in men. We analyze gene expression in tissue-specific and variant-disease association of rs9138 and rs1126616 of SPP1 gene, we got the intersection proteins that are acting in both the protein-protein pathways of testicular disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. A tissue-specific gene expression analysis was performed in the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx v8), ENSEMBL and EBI-EMBL databases; focusing on tissues that could be related to inflammation processes or cells involved in the production of INF. A variant-disease association was made in DisGenet platform. Protein-protein interaction network related to testicular disease and systemic lupus erythematosus was performed in Cytoscape.RESULTS: Tissue-specific gene expression showed a main influence on the expression in testis tissue. In the variant-disease association, rs1126616 was associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and rs9138 with autoimmune disease.17 proteins were found involved in the development of testicular disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. The pathways in which are intervening are positive regulation of cytokine production, regulation of interferon-gamma production, negative regulation of interferon-gamma production, positive regulation of interferon-gamma production, regulation of immune system process. CONCLUSIONS: The positive association between testicular function and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus has been seen previously, particularly when there is testicular hypofunction. The key role of the rs9138 variant in activating high levels of Interferon-α and secreted phosphoprotein 1 has been reported, but the role of the rs1126616 variant has not been proposed before. It suggests that men with systemic lupus erythematosus have a higher risk of comorbidity, this may justify its consideration in the treatment of patients, this information opens avenues for future research focused on different tissues.
The R2R3 MYB transcription factors MaMYBF and MaMYB1 regulate flavonoid biosynthesis in grape hyacinth
Authors: Wang Jiangyu , Zhang Han , Tian Shuting , Hao Wenhui , Chen Kaili , Du Lingjuan
Published: April 2022

R2R3 MYBs play vital roles in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis. However, the regulatory network of R2R3 MYBs in flavonoid biosynthesis is not fully understood in grape hyacinth (Muscari spp.). Here, we identified two R2R3 MYBs, MaMYBF and MaMYB1, as potential regulators of flavonol and anthocyanin biosynthesis, respectively. MaMYBF and MaMYB1 expression was elevated during flower development and was light-induced, and the expression patterns were correlated with those of the flavonoid structural genes MaFLS and MaDFR, respectively. The BiFC assay confirmed that MaMYB1 interacts with MabHLH1, but MaMYBF does not. A dual luciferase assay revealed that MaMYBF alone strongly activated pMaFLS, and its activation was attenuated at reduced doses of MaMYBF in the presence of MabHLH1, MaMybA, and MaMYB1. MaDFR transcription mediated by MaMybA and MabHLH1 was inhibited by MaMYB1. Moreover, overexpression of MaMYBF and MaMYB1 in tobacco reduced flower pigmentation and repressed the expression of flavonoid pathway key structure genes. Therefore, MaMYBF regulates the flavonol pathway independently of cofactors, whereas MaMYB1 regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis by binding to MabHLH1 and disrupting the MaMybA-bHLH complex in grape hyacinth. Our results provide new insights into the intricate regulatory network of flavonoids in grape hyacinth involving the regulation of both flavonol and anthocyanin.
The Impact of Severe Infectious Pulmonary Exacerbation on fat-free mass in Hospitalized Adults with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Silveira Michelle Nunes , Jacobsen Letícia Bauer , Fangueiro Fabiana Salatino , Ziegler Bruna , Dalcin Paulo de Tarso Roth
Published: April 2022

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients experience a continuous acute phase of inflammatory and catabolic state. Longitudinal study to assess the impact of severe infectious pulmonary exacerbation on fat-free mass (FFM) and on the fat-free mass index (FFMI) in adults with CF who required hospital admission. Nutritional assessment using anthropometry and bioimpedance, Visual Appetite Scale (VAS), Kanga Score, functional assessment by spirometry and a 6-minute walk test. Inflammatory biochemical markers cortisol and C-Reactive Protein were also used. Results: The multivariate linear regression analysis identified only sex as an independent variable significantly associated with improvement in the FFMI (B= -1.81, 95% CI= -3.10; -0.51, p=0.008). As for the increase in FFM, two significantly associated independent variables were identified: sex (B= -10.38, confidence interval – 95% CI= -14.70; -6.06, p<0.001); and forced vital capacity (FVC) % of predicted (B=0.13, 95% CI=0.04; 0.23, p=0.006). There was a significant improvement in FFM and FFMI between the start of hospitalization and the 14th day. Gender and FVC % of predicted were responsible for predicting FFM improvement. For the FFMI, the predictive variable of this improvement was gender only, with males having the greatest increase in FFM and FFMI.
Upregulation of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 in colorectal cancer promotes radioresistance and malignance
Authors: Shen Wenqi , Yu Qifeng , Pu Yuwei , Xing Chungen
Published: April 2022

Background: Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a conserved transcript with 8,000 nt, is highly associated with malignancy of numerous cancer types. However, the function of MALAT1 plays in regulating the response to radiotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Thus, the object of this study is to investigate the functions of MALAT1 in CRC radioresistance.Methods: First, the expression of MALAT1 in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) was analyzed through the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then, we detected the expression level of MALAT1 in tumor tissues and CRC cell lines and analyzed the relevance of MALAT1 and clinicopathological parameters. In the end, the effect of silencing MALAT1 on the radiosensitivity of CRC cells was investigated, and its potential mechanism was preliminarily illustrated.Results: The analysis of TCGA data showed that MALAT1 was closely related to the type of tumor, and high expression of MALAT1 was remarkably relevant to poor outcome. MALAT1 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines and related to tumor stages. Knockdown of MALAT1 could significantly suppress colony survival, proliferation, and migration and increase apoptosis, G2/M phase arrest, and formation of gamma-H2AX foci in HCT116, whether in combination with X-rays or not. Moreover, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis demonstated that the regulated proteins were principally enriched in the glycosaminoglycan degradation pathway after silencing MALAT1.Conclusion: Our results implied that MALAT1 was highly expressed in CRC and associated with tumor stage and prognosis. Silencing MALAT1 can increase HCT116 cell radiosensitivity, which may be potentially influenced by glycosaminoglycan degradation pathway.
The burden of antibiotic resistance bacterial isolates from chickens, goats, cattle and pigs in Bvumbwe, Malawi
Authors: Kalumbi Martin H , Katuah Zefaniah J , Katiniche Blessings , Chinyama Robert , Thugo Simon , Nyirenda Atusaye E , Moyo Donita , Kamwendo Chikondi , Chagwa Patrick , Mlozen Madalitso , Bonya Elias , Nyanda Adam M , Majamanda Jonathan , Taika Wilfred , Linje Linly
Published: April 2022

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem worldwide affecting human and animal health. Some bacteria are resistant to more than one antibiotic and this multidrug-resistance is one of the top 10 threats to global health. There is a potential that antibiotic resistant strains are passed on from animals to humans leading to more serious bacterial infections and burden. The study was therefore conducted to determine antibiotic resistant bacterial profile in chickens, cattle, goats and pigs.Methods: Laboratory microbiological experiments were conducted on droppings, mouth, nose and hooves samples obtained from chickens, cattle, goats and pigs from Bvumbwe, Malawi. Gram stain was performed to identify the organisms and biochemical reactions were used to confirm bacterial species. The susceptibility of the bacterial isolates to commonly used antibiotics in Malawi was done using disk diffusion method. Results: Bacteria were detected in all the 110 (100%) samples. Citrobacter, S. aureus, Bacillus, E. coli, Clostridium, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, other coliforms and Staphylococcus species were isolated. Among the samples, Bacillus species were the most isolated (35%) and distributed (41.8%) organisms while Streptococcus species were the least isolated (1%) and distributed (3%) organisms. S. aureus, Streprococcus and Citrobactor species demonstrated resistance to at least four antibiotics including Gentamycin, Tetracycline, Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Chloramphenicol and Erythromycin. Highest resistance of 41.7 % was observed in S. aureus followed by Citrobacter species of 33.3%. Conclusion: Healthy farm animals such as chickens, cattle, goats and pigs harbour antibiotic resistance strains. High levels of Ampicillin and Tetracycline resistance in bacterial strains are common in Bvumbwe, Malawi. Efforts are needed to control the use, distribution, storage and sale of antibiotics in veterinaries.
Thoracic endovascular aortic repair of blunt traumatic thoracic aorta injury: A propensity score-matched analysis of the long-term clinical outcome
Authors: Kan Yuanqing , Xie Xinsheng , Yuan Ye , Guo Daqiao , Si Yi , Zhang Wan , Shi Zhenyu , Fu Weiguo , Wang Lixin
Published: April 2022

Objectives: Patients of blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) have different vessel property with those of primary type B aortic dissection (pATBAD). We hypothesize that thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) may have better efficacy for BTAI patients than for pATBAD. This study aimed to compare the outcome of TEVAR for these two populations based on a prospectively built clinical database. Methods: To reduce the baseline characteristic disparity between two groups, propensity score analysis with a match of 1:2 ratio was employed in BTAI and pATBAD patients who underwent TEVAR in a tertiary center from 2009 to 2018. Data including demographic, perioperative and follow up results were retrieved and analysed.Results: A total of 41 BTAI and 82 pATBAD patients were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both groups after match. The pATBAD group had a remarkably higher incidence of hypertension (p < 0.001). The total stent-graft covered length was significantly longer in the pATBAD group than in the BTAI group (p = 0.016). Aortic-related reintervention rate was significantly higher in the pATBAD group than in the BTAI group (p = 0.027). Higher rate of abdominal complete FL thrombosis was achieved in BTAI group than in pATBAD group (69.2% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.001).Overall, the early outcomes and long-term survival were similar in both groups. Conclusions: TEVAR for BTAI patients show the acceptable clinical efficacy and safety when compared with the pATBAD. This study could provide more solid evidence for current clinical practice to support TEVAR for BTAI.
First Line Anti-Retroviral (ARV) Drugs Disrupt Follicular Development in Female Wistar Rats
Authors: Ohihoin Aigbe Gregory , Ohihoin Esther Ngozi , Ujomu Ifeoma , Bakare Airat , Olarenwaju Oladeji , Okafor Arinze , Ojetunde Mercy Mayowa , Ayoola Joy Boluwatife , Aina Oluwagbemiga , Ajibaye Sola , Taylor-Robinson Simon D.
Published: April 2022

INTRODUCTION: There are genuine concerns that long-term use of antiretroviral drugs may be associated with reproductive complications in females. This study aimed to ascertain the effect of highly active antiretroviral drugs on the ovarian reserve and reproductive potential of female Wistar rats and by extension to HIV-positive human females.METHODS: A total of 25 female Wistar rats, weighing between 140g-162g, were randomly allotted into non-intervention and intervention groups, receiving the anti-retroviral drugs, Efavirenz (EFV), Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF), Lamivudine (3TC), and a fixed-dose combination (FDC). The dosage was administered orally at 8 am daily for 4 weeks. Serum concentrations of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and estradiol were measured using standard biochemical techniques (ELISA). Follicular counts were made on fixed ovarian tissue from the sacrificed rats.RESULTS: The mean AMH level for the control group and the EFV, TDF, 3TC, and the FDC groups were 11.20, 6.75, 7.30, 8.27, and 6.60 pmol/L, respectively. The EFV and FDC groups had the lowest AMH, compared to the other groups, but there was no statistically significant difference in AMH across the groups. The mean count of antral follicles was significantly lower in the group that received EFV when compared to the other groups. The corpus luteal count was significantly higher in the control group than in the intervention groups (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated a disruption in the reproductive hormones of female Wistar rats receiving antiretroviral regimens containing EFV. Clinical studies are required to determine if these changes are seen in women receiving EFV-based treatment, as this may compromise reproductive function and predispose them to early menopause.
Assessment of the relationships between Ki67 expression and neoadjuvant treatment response and prognosis in breast cancer using two types of response evaluation systems
Authors: Sullu Yurdanur , Demirag Guzin , Kuru Bekir , Ozen Necati , Karagoz Filiz
Published: April 2022

Background: Although it is not a good prognostic marker for all breast cancers, pathological complete response (pCR) is an endpoint in evaluating neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) efficacy. Ki67, a proliferation marker, has a complex role as a predictive marker in determining the NAC response. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pretreatment and posttreatment Ki67 levels, posttreatment Ki67 change and treatment response using the Miller–Payne (MP) and Residual Cancer Burden (RCB) response assessment systems.Methods: A total of 178 invasive breast carcinoma patients who underwent NAC were included in the study. Ki67 levels were evaluated by immunohistochemical method in trucut biopsy and surgical excision specimens. Treatment response in the surgical excision specimen was classified according to both MP and RCB classifications. We investigated the relationships between pretreatment Ki67 level, posttreatment Ki67 level and posttreatment change in Ki67 with NAC response and survival. Additionally, the cut-off value of the pretreatment Ki67 level for pCR and nonpathological response (pNR) was investigated.Results. The pretreatment Ki67 level was significantly higher in the pCR group than in the partial response (pPR) and pNR groups (p<0.001) in both the MP and RCB systems. The posttreatment Ki67 level was significantly higher in the pNR group than in the pPR group (p<0.001) in both systems. There was a negative correlation between pretreatment Ki67 and disease-free survival (DFS) in the luminal B HER2-negative subtype (r=-0.377, p=0.036) and a significant negative correlation between posttreatment Ki67 and overall survival (OS) in the HER2-positive subtype (r=-0.544, p= 0.0209). A significant correlation was found between the posttreatment Ki67 change and the degree of response in the luminal B HER2-positive and HER2-positive subtypes (p<0.05). The Ki67 cut-off value was 37.5 for pCR in both the MP and RCB classification systems (95% CI 0.673-0.833 and 95% CI 0.66-0.827) (p<0.001). There was a significant moderate agreement between the MP and RCB systems (p<0.001).Conclusions: Pre- and posttreatment Ki67 levels may be used to assess treatment response in various molecular subtypes of breast cancer. In this study, the cut-off value of Ki67 for pCR was 37%. More aggressive treatments may be considered in luminal B HER2-negative tumours with high pretreatment Ki67 levels and tumours that do not show a Ki67 decrease.
Screening Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Landraces of the Aegean-Mediterranean Region of Anatolia: Diversity in organic acid content
Authors: KAYA Seçkin , ERKEN Okan , KIZILKAYA Bayram
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Comparative effect of cooling on the physico-chemical-sensory properties of ghee from cow and buffalo milk, and evaluation of the low-fat spread prepared from cow and buffalo milk ghee
Authors: Deverao Patange Dnyaneshwar , Vinayak Dhanake Virshasen , Chandran Deepak , Radha Radha , Kumar Manoj , Lorenzo Jose Manuel
Published: April 2022

Low-fat spread (LFS) is the product harmonizing with the idea of healthy nutrition. At the same time, it has a good taste and flavour, as well as very good spreadability at refrigerator temperature. The present investigation studied the effect of method of cooling on the properties of cow and buffalo milk ghee, and comparative evaluation of LFS prepared from them. Slowly pre-cooled cow ghee had intense yellow colour than rapidly pre-cooled cow ghee, whereas slowly pre-cooled buffalo ghee has creamish white colour and rapidly pre-cooled buffalo ghee had white colour. Rapidly pre-cooled cow ghee had a very smooth and pasty texture than rapidly pre-cooled buffalo ghee. The LFS of cow ghee had shown maximum sensory scores for colour and appearance, body and texture, spreadability, and overall acceptability, as compared to buffalo ghee LFS. Chemically it was observed that both the LFS differs in FFA content, while they had similar fat, protein, carbohydrate, ash and total solids content, as well as pH. Oiling off and wheying off was found higher in cow ghee LFS over buffalo ghee LFS. Colour, appearance and flavour score were found improved by the addition of butter annatto colour and diacetyl flavour respectively. Color and appearance, body and texture, spreadability, as well as overall acceptability scores were higher for cow ghee LFS when subjected to 35°C for 10, 20, and 30 minutes. It was found that after 10 minutes of exposure to 35°C, the physical qualities of both LFS were unchanged, but the sensory properties diminished as time passed.
Response to immune checkpoint inhibitor combined therapies in metastatic BRAF mutant lung cancers
Authors: Yan Ningning , Zhang Ziheng , Guo Sanxing , Huang Siyuan , Shen Shujing , Xu Liang , Zhang Huixian , Li Xing
Published: April 2022

The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combination regimens in BRAF mutant non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) remains poorly explored. Immunotypes, including programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) levels and tumor mutation burden (TMB), were evaluated. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of patients treated with ICI combination therapies were analyzed. A total of 150 patients conducted PD-L1 tests, wherein PD-L1 expression of 22 patients was greater than or equal to 50% (14.7%). Among the 38 TMB-evaluated patients, 28 had fewer than 10 mutations per megabase (73.7%). For patients treated with ICI combined regimens, median PFS was 6 months and median OS was 21.9 months. When stratified by treatment line, OS presented a significant difference (p=0.01), while PFS did not (p=0.40). The ORR for the treated patients was 36.7%. When stratified by BRAF mutation type, no differences were observed in PFS (p=0.74) and OS (p=0.94). Furthermore, no difference was found in PD-L1 expression (p = 0.06) or TMB (p=0.22) between the responders and non-responders. BRAF-mutant NSCLCs is associated with low levels of PD-L1 expression and low/intermediate TMB. ICIs combined therapies present promising activity and could provide an option for BRAF-mutated NSCLCs.
Lifelong cognitive reserve, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment among older adults with limited education: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Li Yuanjing , Ren Yifei , Cong Lin , Hou Tingting , Song Lin , Wang Mingqi , Wang Xiang , Han Xiaojuan , Tang Shi , Zhang Qinghua , Dekhtyar Serhiy , Wang Yongxiang , Du Yifeng , Qiu Chengxuan
Published: April 2022

Background
Early-life educational attainment represents a major proxy for cognitive reserve (CR) that could benefit late-life cognitive function. We sought to investigate the associations of lifelong CR capacity with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among people with limited education, while paying special attention to subtypes of dementia and MCI.
Methods
This population-based cohort study included 2127 participants (age ≥ 60 years; 59.4% women; 81.5% illiteracy or elementary school) who were free of dementia at baseline (August-December 2014) and undertook follow-up examinations in March-September 2018. Lifelong CR at baseline was estimated by integrating early-life education, adulthood occupation and marital status, and late-life physical activity, social activity, and social support using the structural equation models. Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) were diagnosed following the international criteria. MCI and amnestic and non-amnestic MCI were defined following the Petersen’s criteria. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional-hazards models.
Results
During the total of 8330.63 person-years of follow-up, 101 were diagnosed with dementia, including 74 with AD and 26 with VaD. Medium and high (vs. low) tertiles of lifelong CR score were associated with multi-adjusted hazards ratio (95% confidence interval, CI) of 0.63 (0.40–1.00) and 0.27 (0.14–0.54) for dementia and 0.60 (0.35–1.02) and 0.18 (0.07–0.49) for AD. The association between higher CR and reduced AD risk was significant in young-old (60–74 years) but not in old-old people (≥ 75 years) (Pinteraction=0.011). Similarly, medium and high (vs. low) CR levels were associated with multi-adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) of 0.81 (0.62–1.05) and 0.54 (0.40–0.73) for MCI and 0.73 (0.54–0.98) and 0.50 (0.36–0.70) for amnestic MCI. Lifelong CR was not significantly related to VaD or non-amnestic MCI. There was no statistical interaction of lifelong CR with sex and APOE genotype on incident dementia or MCI.
Conclusions
High lifelong CR is associated with reduced risks of dementia and MCI, especially AD and amnestic MCI. The association of high CR with reduced AD risk existed only in young-old people. This study highlights the importance of lifelong CR in in maintaining late-life cognitive health even among people with limited education.
Contrasting continental patterns of adaptive population divergence in a holarctic fungus
Authors: Tremble Keaton , Hoffman Joseph , Dentinger Bryn
Published: April 2022

Understanding the population processes and genetic mechanisms that give rise to new species remains one of the most elusive goals of modern evolutionary biology. In the hyperdiverse and ecologically important Fungi, the process of speciation is virtually unknown, including for the more than 20,000 species of obligate ectomycorrhizal mutualists that play essential roles in ecosystem function. We investigated patterns of genome-wide differentiation in the ectomycorrhizal porcini mushroom Boletus edulis, a globally distributed species complex with broad ecological amplitude. By whole genome sequencing 160 individuals from across the Northern Hemisphere, we identified 792,923 SNPs and used these to elucidate the demographic and adaptive processes shaping global population differentiation. We show that B. edulis exhibits deeply contrasting patterns of genomic divergence between continents, with multiple lineages being present across North America, while a single lineage dominates Europe over a vast geographic scale. These geographical lineages are inferred to have diverged between 2.66 and 1.62 million years ago, corresponding to a period of climatic upheaval and the onset of glaciation during the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary. High levels of genomic differentiation were observed among lineages despite evidence of substantial and ongoing introgression. Furthermore, genome scans, demographic inference and ecological niche models all suggest that genomic differentiation is maintained by environmental adaptation and not physical isolation. Our study uncovers striking differences on a truly global scale and emphasizes the importance of local adaptation and ecologically mediated divergence, rather than prezygotic barriers such as allopatry or genomic incompatibility in population differentiation in Fungi.
Travel Agent Students' English Reading Materials: Students' Perspective
Authors: Octaviana Sinta , Eryansyah Eryansyah , Inderawati Rita
Published: April 2022

The study aims to study travel agent students' perception and needs toward English reading materials used in English learning at Vocational High School. Two sets of questionnaires were used to collect the data of the study. The first set of the questionnaire was used to find out students' perceptions, and the other one was used to analyze the needs of the students. The needs analysis was done based on four aspects of needs assessment: TSA, PSA, Deficiency Analysis, and Strategy Analysis. Afterwards, the obtained data were analyzed quantitatively. The results indicated that the students viewed English as an essential subject to learn.  Furthermore, the students also perceived that integrating technology and Palembang culture into the English reading materials (textbook) was important in this 21st-century era. Besides, the students also believed that the current materials learned at school were not yet suitable for their needs, and they currently had difficulties learning English. In addition, the students hoped the reading materials contained the 21st-century skills and their local cultures related to their major. Based on the needs analysis results, further steps were necessary to provide the English reading materials integrated to Palembang local culture, which could facilitate students to improve their English proficiency in line with their department and the demands of the 21st century.
Nordic hydrological frontier in the 21st century
Authors: Marttila H. , Laudon H. , Tallaksen L. M. , Jaramillo F. , Alfredsen K. , Ronkanen A.-K. , Kronvang B. , Lotsari E. , Kämäri M. , Ala-Aho P. , Nousu J. , Silander J. , Koivusalo H. , Kløve B.
Published: April 2022

The 21st century has brought new challenges and opportunities and has also increased demands on the Nordic hydrological community. Our hydrological science focus and approaches need rethinking and adaptation to the changing requirements of society in response to climate change and human interventions, in search of more comprehensive and cross-disciplinary solutions. This commentary highlights new possibilities and suggests vital steps forward for the scientific discipline within Nordic hydrological research. By providing a common direction, we hope to increase awareness, accelerate progress in the hydrological community, and emphasize the importance of hydrological knowledge for serving other fields of science and society at large. We hope that our vision and the opportunities we identify will raise awareness of the scientific discipline and assist in the long-term development of the Nordic hydrological frontier in the 21st century.
DEVELOPMENT OF CORPORATE STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RETAIL ORGANIZATIONS BASED ON THE MODEL OF EVOLUTION OF THE PRODUCTION (OPERATIONAL) STRUCTURE
Authors: Bobkov A. L.
Published: April 2022

The article considers the methodology of corporate strategy development proposed by the author on the basis of the results of earlier studies of patterns of development of the production (operational) structure of commercial organizations of the Czech Republic and the developed theoretical model of the evolution of the production (operational) structure. The key difference of the proposed methodology of corporate strategy development is the use of the model of evolution of production (operational) structure developed by the author. This model assumes a statistical grouping of commercial organizations according to the levels of their organizational development. Each group is characterized by the key structural features of organizations and values of indicators of their financial and economic activities. Based on these features, it is possible to more accurately describe the future desired state of the organization and determine how to conduct the transformation of the organization to achieve this state. To illustrate the proposed methodology, the article considers a case study of corporate strategy development for retail trade organizations of the Czech Republic.