bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERTUMBUHAN PENJUALAN, FINANCIAL DISTRESS, PREFERENSI RESIKO: APAKAH MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 BERPERAN?
Authors:   Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana Indonesia, Widayanti Novita Christy , Damayanti Theresia Woro ,   Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana Indonesia
Published: October 2022

Research Purposes. This study aims to examine the impact of sales growth and financial distress on tax aggressiveness and executive risk preference factors as moderating variables and examine the differences in these impacts before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Methods. The design for this study is quantitative research with secondary data. Data were obtained from the quarterly reports of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2019 and 2020. Data analysis technique used are regression analysis and moderated regression analysis (MRA). Then, coefficient difference test is conducted to determine the differences the effect of variables before and after the pandemic. For robustness of moderating variable testing, this study conducts subgroup analysis and compare the result with MRA. Research Result and Findings. The result shows that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, sales growth and financial distress have negative effect on tax aggressiveness. Executive risk preference moderates the effect of sales growth on tax aggressiveness, but executive risk preference does not moderate the effect of financial distress. This study findings have implications to expand the literature related to tax aggressiveness in conditions of the financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
STRATEGI PENGHINDARAN PAJAK PERUSAHAAN SEBELUM DAN SELAMA MASA PANDEMI
Authors:   Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana Indonesia, Angelina Angelina , Margaretha Margaretha ,   Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana Indonesia, Budiman Rivan ,   Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana Indonesia, Kristanto Septian Bayu ,   Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana Indonesia, Hartoni Hartoni ,   Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana Indonesia
Published: October 2022

Research Purposes. This research aims to provide empirical evidence of corporate tax avoidance strategies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tax avoidance strategy predicts from three following factors: thin capitalization, profitability, and company size. Research Method. This study is a quantitative study and data analyzed using panel data regression. To measure tax avoidance, the researcher uses three proxies: ETR, CETR, and BTD. Researchers used 279 samples of manufacturing companies during the 2018-2020 period. Research Result and Findings. The results of the study show differences in the company's avoidance strategies before the pandemic (2018-2019) and during the pandemic (2020). The CETR and BTD proxies show that before the pandemic, company size was used as a tax avoidance strategy. During the pandemic, profitability is used as a tax avoidance strategy. This research has weaknesses in the pandemic period which has only been running for one year, and the scope of the research only has an impact in Indonesia.
POTENSI MINYAK KAYU PUTIH (Melaleuca cajuputi) SEBAGAI SUMBER BAHAN AKTIF DALAM PEMBUATAN HAND SANITIZER LIDAH BUAYA
Authors: Nursanti Yuliani  , Sipahelut Sophia Grace , Vita Novalin Lawalata
Published: October 2022

Hand sanitizer as a medium to maintain hand hygiene is becoming a trend among the community today, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hand sanitizers with active ingredients of essential oils are considered safer than alcohol.  The purpose of this research was to examine the addition of cajuput oil in the manufacture of aloe vera hand sanitizer on the physical quality, antiseptic and organoleptic activity of the hand sanitizer produced. The research design used a completely randomized design (CRD) with one factor, namely the addition of cajuput oil, with five treatment levels, namely 0 mL, 16 mL, 20 mL, 24 mL, and 28 mL with each treatment in three replications. The hand sanitizer produced was then tested for physical characteristics (density, spreadability, pH, and homogeneity), antiseptic activity, and organoleptic characteristics (color, texture, aroma and non-sticky impression). The results showed that the aloe vera hand sanitizer sample with the addition of 28 mL cajuput oil had a stronger antiseptic effectiveness among other samples and had physical characteristics that met the quality requirements of SNI hand sanitizer including pH 7.33, spreadability 6.96 cm, density 1.1546, homogeneous without any coarse grains and organoleptically acceptable and favored by the panelists.
Cemetery Analysis of Whitewater, WI
Authors: Nehlsen David
Published: October 2022

Procedures and customs surrounding funerals, burial, and grave marking vary widely by time period, location, culture, and religion, among many other factors. This project investigated the gravestone customs of cemeteries in Southern Wisconsin, USA. Utilizing a dataset of 500 gravestone samples collected from cemeteries in Whitewater, WI, the aim of this project was to objectively measure how people choose to remember their dead and how these practices have evolved over the years. Because of the decline in American religiosity in recent decades, the expectation of this project was to see the usage of religious symbols decline. Based upon this analysis, this does not appear to be the case. Practices such as the recording of one’s name and year of birth/death have remained constant; however, other customs of remembrance, such as the use of religious symbols and the recording of one’s date of marriage, have shifted dramatically over the years, reflecting the evolution of society and culture. KEYWORDS: Cemetery; Symbols; Funeral; Thanatology; Death; Demography; Monuments; History
Hígado graso: Epidemiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento
Authors: Tagle-Arróspide Martín
Published: October 2022

Desde su descripción inicial por Ludwig y col. en 1980 (1) donde por primera vez se describió la histología hepática muy semejante a la descrita en pacientes que no habían consumido cantidades significativas de alcohol, mucho se ha avanzado en las últimas 4 décadas en el entendimiento de su fisiopatología, su historia natural y sus manifestaciones clínicas. Sin embargo, si bien es cierto hay en estos momentos investigación muy activa en lo que respecta a la farmacoterapia, aún estamos lejos de obtener la deseada "bala mágica" para esta enfermedad tan prevalente y potencialmente severa. Un cambio de estilo de vida en general parece ser la solución más segura y costo-efectiva para prevenir e incluso revertir de alguna medida el avance de la esteatosis hepática en sus distintas fases. En este artículo revisaremos los aspectos de más relevancia para el médico general y el especialista.
La formaciòn de los profesionales de la salud para la Atenciòn Primaria de la Salud
Authors: Salcedo-Espinoza Carlos
Published: October 2022

Este artículo analiza la importante relación entre el proceso formativo de los estudiantes de profesiones relacionadas a la salud y la atención primaria de la salud. Se toca puntos conceptuales de atención primaria y las características actuales de los procesos formativos universitarios, así como sugerencias de acciones a tomar para mejorar esta relación en el lado académico. Se toca la relevancia de la instauración de los Estudios Generales como asiento principal que permitirá mejorar la profesionalización y por consiguiente una atención sanitaria idónea.
Dra. Carmen Fajardo Ugaz (1942-2022)
Authors: Haro Haro Daniel Enrique
Published: October 2022

En la historia médica y quirúrgica del Perú pocas mujeres como Carmen Fajardo Ugaz representan el verdadero significado de ser médico en un país como el nuestro. Ella incluyó en su actividad todos los aspectos del ejercicio de nuestra noble profesión en su fructífera vida y su ejemplar carrera: asistencial, docente, gremial y académica y se desempeñó en forma tesonera e infatigable con su ejemplar vocación de servicio a los más necesitados.
Introducciòn
Authors: Tagle-Arróspide Martín
Published: October 2022

En el último siglo el manejo y enfoque general de la hemorragia digestiva ha tenido enormes avances: inicialmente los pacientes eran considerados “ulcerosos crónicos” y los médicos recomendaban beber abundante leche para neutralizar el ácido gástrico, lo cual traía complicaciones como el síndrome “leche-álcal” (hipercalcemia, cálculos renales, alcalosis metabólica)(1).
O violão no interior paulista (1940-2000): análise dos programas do acervo de Milton Nunes
Authors: Coffey Bolis Stephen , Scarduelli Fabio
Published: October 2022

O presente artigo tem como objetivo trazer luz sobre a atividade de concertista e de professor do violonista Milton Rodrigues Nunes (1925 – 2006) que se deu entre as décadas de 1940 e 2000. A nossa análise parte dos programas de concerto encontrado em seu acervo pessoal. Analisamos seus programas de concerto e organizamos por meio de uma série de tabelas as obras mais tocadas e as suas respectivas categorias estilísticas; em seguida realizamos uma análise do “Programa do Curso Básico e Técnico em Violão do Conservatório Musical Carlos Gomes” em conjunto com os programas de concerto dos alunos de Nunes. Estas análises, por sua vez, evidenciaram como era seu pensamento em torno da construção do repertório e da pedagogia do instrumento. Por fim, destacamos o impacto de sua atuação na cidade de Campinas-SP e uma efervescência em torno do violão clássico no interior paulista na segunda metade do século XX.
Os videoclipes do BRock de 1986 sob uma perspectiva tecno(contra)cultural
Authors: Zambi de Albuquerque Ananda , Ricciardi Correa Lopes Tiago
Published: October 2022

Durante os anos 1980, o rock brasileiro — ou “BRock” – se tornou um relevante porta-voz em favor do fim da ditadura civil-militar. Para além da esfera musical, o universo cultural do BRock foi também tributário de sua dimensão visual, uma vez que artistas dependiam de encartes, cartazes, fotos, vídeos, roupas e outras materialidades para divulgação de seu trabalho e consolidação de sua identidade. Nesse contexto, o formato videoclipe se tornava um marco da visualidade do BRock desse período. Neste artigo, pretende-se analisar as audiovisualidades do rock brasileiro dos anos 1980 em videoclipes lançados em 1986, ano mais próspero do movimento BRock, sob uma perspectiva tecnocultural, baseada nos conceitos de Fischer (2013) e Shaw (2008), através do método cartográfico benjaminiano. As análises evidenciam as características principais da visualidade dos videoclipes em questão, apresentadas aqui em três coleções: urbanidade, performatividade e factualidade
A review on unit operations, challenges, opportunities, and strategies to improve algal based biodiesel and biorefinery
Authors: Kumar Lakhan , Mohan Lalit , Anand Raksha , Joshi Vandana , Chugh Mohita , Bharadvaja Navneeta
Published: October 2022

Globally, the demand for energy is increasing with an emphasis on green fuels for a sustainable future. As the urge for alternative fuels is accelerating, microalgae have emerged as a promising source that can not only produce high lipid but many other platform chemicals. Moreover, it is a better alternative in comparison to conventional feedstock due to yearlong easy and mass cultivation, carbon fixation, and value-added products extraction. To date, numerous studies have been done to elucidate these organisms for large-scale fuel production. However, enhancing the lipid synthesis rate and reducing the production cost still remain a major bottleneck for its economic viability. Therefore, this study compiles information on algae-based biodiesel production with an emphasis on its unit operations from strain selection to biofuel production. Additionally, strategies to enhance lipid accumulation by incorporating genetic, and metabolic engineering and the use of leftover biomass for harnessing bio-products have been discussed. Besides, implementing a biorefinery for extracting oil followed by utilizing leftover biomass to generate value-added products such as nanoparticles, biofertilizers, biochar, and biopharmaceuticals has also been discussed.
Improved accuracy of etiological diagnosis of spinal infection by metagenomic next-generation sequencing
Authors: Xu Liang , Zhou Zheng , Wang Yao , Song Chao , Tan Hongdong
Published: October 2022

Currently, the use of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), a new approach to identify organisms in infectious diseases, is rarely reported in the diagnosis of spinal infection. This study aimed to evaluate the potential value of mNGS in etiological diagnosis of spinal infection. In this retrospective study, the clinical data of patients with suspected spinal infection were collected by electronic medical records. Specimens obtained from each patient were tested via mNGS assay and other conventional microbiological tests (CMTs). The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS and CMTs were calculated using the final clinical diagnosis as the golden standard. In total, 108 patients were eligible for the study, with the mean length of stay of 42.8 days. Regarding the overall identification of pathogens, mNGS exhibited a better performance than CMTs, and several nontuberculous mycobacteria, fungi, and bacteria were newly discovered. In the diagnosis of spinal infection, the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of mNGS were 90.72%, 81.82%, and 0.89, respectively, which were all higher than 52.17%, 56.25%, and 0.72 of the CMTs. At hospital discharge, the C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and white blood cell count of patients significantly decreased compared with hospitalization (all p < 0.05), and 88.89% showed good outcomes. These findings may suggest that mNGS has a better diagnostic accuracy in pathogenic identification of patients with suspected spinal infection, and patients treated with NGS-guided antimicrobial therapy mostly seem to have good outcomes.
Seed sourcing strategies for ecological restoration under climate change: A review of the current literature
Authors: Vitt Pati , Finch Jessamine , Barak Rebecca S. , Braum Anna , Frischie Stephanie , Redlinski Izabella
Published: October 2022

Climate change continues to alter the seasonal timing and extremes of global temperature and precipitation patterns. These departures from historic conditions along with the predicted variability of future climates present a challenge to seed sourcing, or provenance strategy decisions, within the practice of ecological restoration. The “local is best” for seed sourcing paradigm is predicated upon the assumption that ecotypes are genetically adapted to their local environment. However, local adaptations are potentially being outpaced by climate change, and the ability of plant populations to naturally migrate or shift their distribution accordingly may be limited by habitat fragmentation. Restoration practitioners and natural area managers have a general understanding of the importance of matching the inherent adaptations of source populations with the current and/or future site conditions where those seeds or propagules are planted. However, for many species used in seed-based restoration, there is a lack of empirical evidence to guide seed sourcing decisions, which are critical for the longevity and ecological function of restored natural communities. With the goal of characterizing, synthesizing, and applying experimental research to guide restoration practice, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on provenance testing of taxa undertaken to inform seed sourcing strategies for climate resiliency. We found a strong bias in the choice of study organism: most studies have been conducted on tree species. We also found a strong bias regarding where this research has been conducted, with North America (52%) and Europe (31%) overrepresented. Experiments were designed to assess how propagule origin influences performance across both climatic (26%) and geographic (15%) distance, with some studies focused on determining how climate normal conditions (39%) impacted performance related to survivorship, growth and other parameters. We describe the patterns and gaps our review identified, highlight specific topics which require further research, and provide practical suggestions of immediate and longer-term tools that restoration practitioners can use to guide and build resilient natural communities under future climate scenarios.
Immune myocarditis related to sintilimab treatment in a patient with advanced lung adenocarcinoma: A case report
Authors: Lin Yunling , Yuan Xun , Chen Lianglong
Published: October 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have improved clinical outcomes of patients with advanced lung cancer, but may lead to fatal cardiac injury. We describe a 66-year-old man with advanced lung adenocarcinoma who presented with chest pain and dyspnea 3 weeks after the first dose of sintilimab. The initial electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated ST-elevation in leads V5-V9, and a high-sensitivity troponin level was significantly elevated. However, coronary angiography did not reveal any significant stenosis. The patient was successfully treated with methylprednisolone and immunoglobulin. Cardiac MRI was carried out before discharge and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was found to be in the mid layer of the septal segment and the subepicardial layer of the inferolateral wall. Due to the high fatality, ICI-related myocarditis requires close surveillance, prompt management and long-term follow-up.
Sleep syncope—A systematic review
Authors: Raj Priya L. , Sheldon Robert S. , Lorenzetti Diane , Jardine David L. , Raj Satish R. , Vandenberk Bert
Published: October 2022

Background

Sleep syncope is a subtype of vasovagal syncope in which patients experience syncope after awakening from their sleep. The aim was to investigate the association of clinical characteristics and gastrointestinal symptoms with syncope, as well as the body position in which symptoms began.

Methods

A systematic search of studies was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE without language restrictions, from inception to 9 January 2022. Studies were included if they reported data on the proportion of patients who experienced symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea) associated with syncope.

Results

Data were included for 116 patients in 13 studies. Patients were 46.9 ± 4.3 years and 61.4% were female. In 52.5% of patients, a supine body position at the time of syncope was reported. A history of phobias was reported by 67.6% of patients, and 96.5% of patients also had typical daytime vasovagal syncope. In the 5 studies reporting the results of head-up tilt testing (n = 77), 90.9% of patients had positive tests. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in the majority of patients with reported rates of 65.6% for upper gastrointestinal symptoms and 86.0% for lower gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusion

Patients with sleep syncope patients are predominantly female with a history of daytime vasovagal syncope. Gastrointestinal symptoms are present in the majority of patients and is therefore an important feature of sleep syncope.
Projected changes in mean annual cycle of temperature and precipitation over the Czech Republic: Comparison of CMIP5 and CMIP6
Authors: Holtanová Eva , Belda Michal , Halenka Tomáš
Published: October 2022

The multi-model ensembles like CMIP5 or CMIP6 provide a tool to analyze structural uncertainty of climate simulations. Currently developed regional and local climate change scenarios for the Czech Republic assess the uncertainty based on state-of-the-art Global Climate Model (GCM) and Regional Climate Model (RCM) ensembles. Present study focuses on multi-model spread of projected changes in long-term monthly means and inter-annual variability of monthly mean minimum, mean and maximum daily air temperature and monthly mean precipitation. We concentrate in more detail on the simulation of CNRM-ESM2-1, the driving GCM for the convection permitting ALADIN-Climate/CZ simulation contributing to the local scenarios in very high resolution. For this GCM, we also analyze a mini-ensemble with perturbed initial conditions to evaluate the range of internal climate variability. The results for the Czech Republic reveal minor differences in model performance in the reference period whereas quite substantial inter-generation shift in projected future change towards higher air temperature and lower summer precipitation in CMIP6 comparing to CMIP5. One of the prominent features across GCM generations is the pattern of summer precipitation decrease over central Europe. Further, projected air temperature increase is higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring, implying increase of thermal continentality of climate. On the other hand, slight increase of winter precipitation and tendency towards decrease of summer precipitation lead to projected decrease of ombric continentality. The end of 21st century projections also imply higher probability of dry summer periods, higher precipitation amounts in the cold half of the year and extremely high temperature in summer. Regarding the CNRM-ESM2-1, it is often quite far from the multi-model median. Therefore, we strictly recommend to accompany any analysis based on the simulation of nested Aladin-CLIMATE/CZ with proper uncertainty estimate. The range of uncertainty connected to internal climate variability based on one GCM is often quite large in comparison to the range of whole CMIP6 ensemble. It implies that when constructing climate change scenarios for the Central Europe region, attention should be paid not only to structural uncertainty represented by inter-model differences and scenario uncertainty, but also to the influence of internal climate variability.
Cultural competence education for undergraduate medical students: An ethnographic study
Authors: Liu Jia , Miles Katherine , Li Shuangyu
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and the escalation of the Black Lives Matter Movement worldwide have foregrounded the long-standing inequality in society and healthcare. The provision of culturally competent care has become more necessary than at any other time. However, cultural competence (CC) education remains inconsistent across medical schools, and little is known about how students develop their CC through campus-based classroom teaching. We took an ethnographic approach to study students’ development of CC in campus-based formal classroom teaching. This study was conducted in a large London medical school in England. We triangulated data collected from 6-month participant observation, 25 individual interviews, and three focus groups to generate reliable accounts of students’ CC developmental experience. Thick descriptions were developed through iterative, inductive, interactive, and reflexive review and interpretation of data using NVivo 11. The results show that students undergo staged cultural learning throughout their undergraduate medical curriculum through bespoke CC lectures, workshops, clinical/research projects, and integrated clinical simulations that incorporate CC and other clinical subjects. The early learning mainly takes place in the pre-clinical year of the curriculum, among which a range of valued-based sessions is observed as conducive to students’ development of CC. As they progress, students develop their CC by attending clinical sessions with embedded cultural content. The curriculum in senior years presents reduced mandatory teaching, but more clinical exposure and opportunities to reach out to other subjects and disciplines. It means students start to have more diverse and dispersed learning experiences based on their individual choices, some of which may contribute to their development of CC. This study provides a rare insight into medical students’ CC development through participation in campus-based classroom teaching. Various learning opportunities contribute to different aspects of CC development and cater to different learning preferences of the diverse student population. To support students’ comprehensive development of CC, educators need to work collaboratively and use overt signposting to related disciplines and subjects. There needs to be recognition of students’ learning not only in the formal curriculum but also in the informal and hidden curricula.
Posttranslational modifications in pathogenesis of PCOS
Authors: Wei Huimei , Huo Peng , Liu Shun , Huang Hua , Zhang Shun
Published: October 2022

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a lifelong reproductive, metabolic, and psychiatric disorder that affects 5-18% of women, which is associated with a significantly increased lifetime risk of concomitant diseases, including type 2 diabetes, psychiatric disorders, and gynecological cancers. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) play an important role in changes in protein function and are necessary to maintain cellular viability and biological processes, thus their maladjustment can lead to disease. Growing evidence suggests the association between PCOS and posttranslational modifications. This article mainly reviews the research status of phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination, as well as their roles and molecular mechanisms in the development of PCOS. In addition, we briefly summarize research and clinical trials of PCOS therapy to advance our understanding of agents that can be used to target phosphorylated, methylated, acetylated, and ubiquitinated PTM types. It provides not only ideas for future research on the mechanism of PCOS but also ideas for PCOS treatments with therapeutic potential.
Energy and mass transport through hybrid nanofluid flow passing over an extended cylinder with the magnetic dipole using a computational approach
Authors: Khan M. Riaz , Ahammad N. Ameer , Alhazmi Sharifah E. , Ali Aatif , Abdelmohimen Mostafa A. H. , Allogmany Reem , Tag-Eldin Elsayed , Yassen Mansour F.
Published: October 2022

The objective of this research is to evaluate the heat and mass transfer in a water-based Darcy–Forchheimer hybrid nanofluid (HNF) flow across an expanding cylinder. The fluid flow has been studied under the influence of a magnetic field, viscous dissipation, heat source, thermal radiation, concentration stratification, and chemical reaction. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and iron ferrite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) are added to the water, for the purpose of synthesizing the HNF. The fluid flow has been induced in the presence of gyrotactic microorganisms and the non-Fick’s model. Microorganisms are used to stabilize scattered nanoparticles through the hybrid nanofluid. The phenomena have been modeled in the form of a nonlinear system of partial differential equations (PDEs). The modeled equations are reduced to a dimensionless system of ODEs by using similarity substitution. The numerical solution of the derived sets of nonlinear differential equations is obtained by using the parametric continuation method. The impact of physical constraints on temperature, velocity, concentration, and microorganism profiles is presented through figures and tables. It has been observed that the heat and mass transport rates increase with the rising effect of the curvature parameter, while declining with the effect of the thermal stratification parameter.
Synthesis and characterization of 3D-zeolite–modified TiO2-based photocatalyst with synergistic effect for elimination of organic pollutant in wastewater treatment
Authors: Liu Na , Qi Ruilin , Sun Xiang , Kawazoe Naoki , Chen Guoping , Yang Yingnan
Published: October 2022

In this work, zeolite, a porous material with a 3D network structure, was introduced as the carrier to support P/Ag/Ag2O/Ag3PO4/TiO2 (PAgT) composite for synthesizing the 3D-zeolite–modified photocatalyst (Z-PAgT). In this combination, zeolite with strong adsorbability can pre-adsorb and condense organic compounds onto the catalyst surface, thereby helping to speed up the photocatalytic reaction. In the present study, to determine the optimum mass ratio of zeolite to photocatalyst, various samples containing different zeolite additions (0 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 25 wt%) were prepared using the hydrothermal method, respectively. The physical–chemical properties of the as-prepared samples were systematically characterized by different analytical techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM, BET, EDX, UV-Vis, and PL. The results revealed that the obtained Z-PAgT-5 sample possessed relatively higher crystallinity, smaller crystalline size, larger specific surface area, narrow band gap, and lower generated electron-hole recombination rate. The photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (Rh B) in aqueous suspension has been employed to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared photocatalysts with simulated solar light as an irradiation source. The results showed that Z-PAgT-5 performed the highest photodegradation efficiency, and its degradation rate constant (kapp) (0.188 min−1) is much higher than that of Z-PAgT-0 (0.132 min−1), Z-PAgT-10 (0.050 min−1), Z-PAgT-25 (0.037 min−1), and pure zeolite (0.003 min−1). This super photocatalytic activity of Z-PAgT-5 toward Rh B degradation can be ascribed to the synergistic effect between the 3D-zeolite and PAgT photocatalyst, which made the hybrid zeolite-photocatalyst material possess good adsorption and photodegradation properties. In addition, repetitive experiments demonstrated that the improved Rh B degradation efficiency of Z-PAgT-5 was well maintained even after five recycling runs without any obvious decrease. Hence, the obtained results indicated that Z-PAgT-5 material can be used as a potential photocatalyst for treating organic pollutants during wastewater environmental remediation.
Forest landscape restoration in Ethiopia: Progress and challenges
Authors: Kassa Habtemariam , Abiyu Abrham , Hagazi Niguse , Mokria Mulugeta , Kassawmar Tibebu , Gitz Vincent
Published: October 2022

The government of Ethiopia has made an ambitious plan of building a carbon-neutral and middle-income economy by 2030. In 2016, the country pledged to restore 15 million hectares of degraded landscapes as part of the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR 100). A total of three major forest landscape restoration (FLR) initiatives have been used to achieve this target: participatory forest management (PFM) to engage communities in sustainably managing natural forests; area enclosures/exclosures (AEs) to socially fence hillsides and degraded communal lands and allow these areas regain their productive potential; and sustainable land management program and the Green Legacy Initiative (SLM-GLI) that aim at conserving soil and water resources and planting seedlings to increase forest cover. After describing these FLR initiatives, this study evaluated their impacts on land use land cover change over time and assessed them against the six FLR principles by selecting nationally relevant criteria under each principle. The results showed that the FLR initiatives were rated rather low in terms of focusing on and managing landscapes for multiple benefits, in participation and benefits of stakeholders, in ownership and use rights, in employing approaches tailored to the local context, and in managing adaptively for long-term resilience. Concerning impacts, varying trends were observed for different areas, time periods, and restoration types. Recognizing and mitigating the limitations of these initiatives together with addressing site-specific drivers will improve the conservation and livelihood outcomes of FLR initiatives in Ethiopia. It is hoped that the findings of the study will inform FLR practitioners in other countries on the practical use of FLR principles in assessing the impacts of FLR initiatives.
Integrative pan-cancer landscape of MMS22L and its potential role in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Guo Zhiting , Liu Fahui , Gong Qiming
Published: October 2022

Methyl methanesulfonate-sensitivity protein 22-like (MMS22L) is crucial in protecting genome integrity during DNA replication by preventing DNA damage and maintaining efficient homologous recombination. However, the role of MMS22L in human cancers remains unclear. Here, we reported the landscape of MMS22L using multi-omics data and identified the relationship between the MMS22L status and pan-cancer prognosis. In addition, the correlation of MMS22L mRNA expression levels with tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, homologous recombination deficiency, and loss of heterozygosity in pan-cancer was also described in this study. Furthermore, this study was the first to characterize the relationship between mRNA expression of MMS22L and immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment in human cancer. Concurrently, this study explored the crucial role of MMS22L in different immunotherapy cohorts through current immunotherapy experiments. Eventually, we investigated the role of MMS22L in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The results demonstrated that MMS22L is widely expressed in multiple HCC cell lines, and our results emphasized that MMS22L was involved in HCC progression and affects the prognosis of patients with HCC through multiple independent validation cohorts. Collectively, our findings reveal the essential role of MMS22L as a tumor-regulating gene in human cancers while further emphasizing its feasibility as a novel molecular marker in HCC. These findings provide an essential reference for the study of MMS22L in tumors.
CRISPR for accelerating genetic gains in under-utilized crops of the drylands: Progress and prospects
Authors: Sharma Kiran K. , Palakolanu Sudhakar Reddy , Bhattacharya Joorie , Shankhapal Aishwarya R. , Bhatnagar-Mathur Pooja
Published: October 2022

Technologies and innovations are critical for addressing the future food system needs where genetic resources are an essential component of the change process. Advanced breeding tools like “genome editing” are vital for modernizing crop breeding to provide game-changing solutions to some of the “must needed” traits in agriculture. CRISPR/Cas-based tools have been rapidly repurposed for editing applications based on their improved efficiency, specificity and reduced off-target effects. Additionally, precise gene-editing tools such as base editing, prime editing, and multiplexing provide precision in stacking of multiple traits in an elite variety, and facilitating specific and targeted crop improvement. This has helped in advancing research and delivery of products in a short time span, thereby enhancing the rate of genetic gains. A special focus has been on food security in the drylands through crops including millets, teff, fonio, quinoa, Bambara groundnut, pigeonpea and cassava. While these crops contribute significantly to the agricultural economy and resilience of the dryland, improvement of several traits including increased stress tolerance, nutritional value, and yields are urgently required. Although CRISPR has potential to deliver disruptive innovations, prioritization of traits should consider breeding product profiles and market segments for designing and accelerating delivery of locally adapted and preferred crop varieties for the drylands. In this context, the scope of regulatory environment has been stated, implying the dire impacts of unreasonable scrutiny of genome-edited plants on the evolution and progress of much-needed technological advances.
Analysis of RPGR gene mutations in 41 Chinese families affected by X-linked inherited retinal dystrophy
Authors: Liu Xiaozhen , Jia Ruixuan , Meng Xiang , Wang Likun , Yang Liping
Published: October 2022

Background: This study analyzed the phenotypes and genotypes of 41 Chinese families with inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) and RPGR gene mutations.

Methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated a cohort of 41 patients who were subjected to a specific Hereditary Eye Disease Enrichment Panel (HEDEP) analysis. All (likely) pathogenic variants were determined by Sanger sequencing, and co-segregation analyses were performed on the available family members. All cases were subjected to Sanger sequencing for RPGR open reading frame 15 (ORF15) mutations.

Results: A total of 41 probands from different families with a clinical diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP; 34 cases) and cone-rod dystrophy (CORD; 7 cases) were included in this cohort. According to clinical information, 2, 18, and 21 cases were first assigned as autosomal dominant (AD), sporadic, and X-linked (XL) inheritance, respectively. Several cases of affected females who presented with a male phenotype have been described, posing challenges at diagnosis related to the apparent family history of AD. Mutations were located in RPGR exons or introns 1–14 and in ORF15 of 12 of 41 (29.3%) and 29 of 41 (70.7%) subjects, respectively. Thirty-four (likely) pathogenic mutations were identified. Frameshifts were the most frequently observed variants, followed by nonsense, splice, and missense mutations. Herein, a detailed description of four RP patients carrying RPGR intronic mutations is reported, and in vitro splice assays were performed to confirm the pathogenicity of these intronic mutations.

Conclusion: Our findings provide useful insights for the genetic and clinical counseling of patients with XL IRD, which will be useful for ongoing and future gene therapy trials.
The role of a key transcription factor PU.1 in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Fang Yilong , Chen Weile , Li Zhe , Chen Yu , Wu Xuming , Zhu Xiangling , Wang Huihui , Chen Xiaochun , Liang Qiuni , Huang Jinghua , Han Xintong , Hong Wenming , Wang Xinming , Wei Wei , Yu Zhiying , Tu Jiajie
Published: October 2022

PU.1, a transcription factor member of the E26 transformation-specific family, affects the function of a variety of immune cells in several physiological and pathological conditions. Previous studies studying the role of PU.1 in pathological conditions have mainly focused on immune system-related cancers, and a series of articles have confirmed that PU.1 mutation can induce a variety of immune cell-related malignancies. The underlying mechanism has also been extensively validated. However, the role of PU.1 in other major immune system-related diseases, namely, systemic autoimmune diseases, is still unclear. It was only in recent years that researchers began to gradually realize that PU.1 also played an important role in a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This review article summarizes the findings of recent studies that investigated the role of PU.1 in various autoimmune diseases and the related underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, it presents new ideas and provides insight into the role of PU.1 as a potential treatment target for autoimmune diseases and highlights existing research problems and future research directions in related fields.
Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination uptake and hesitancy among Polish patients with inborn errors of immunity, autoinflammatory syndromes, and rheumatic diseases: A multicenter survey
Authors: Więsik-Szewczyk Ewa , Ziętkiewicz Marcin , Będzichowska Agata , Napiórkowska-Baran Katarzyna , Matyja-Bednarczyk Aleksandra , Felis-Giemza Anna , Jahnz-Różyk Karina
Published: October 2022

Data regarding the willingness of patients affected by inborn errors of immunity to accept vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are limited. Therefore, this study assessed SARS-CoV-2 vaccination coverage and hesitancy in immunodeficient patients by surveying adults with primary immune deficiencies and autoinflammatory and rheumatic diseases on biologic therapy. The study was conducted from September 20, 2021, to January 22, 2022, when the primary coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations were available to all adults in Poland. We included 207 participants consecutively recruited from five referral centers (57% female; median age: 42.6 [range: 18–76, standard deviation ± 14.70] years). Overall, 55% (n = 114), 17% (n = 36), and 28% (n = 57) of the patients had primary immune deficiencies, autoinflammatory diseases, and rheumatic diseases, respectively. Among the entire cohort, 168 patients (81%) were vaccinated, and 82% were willing to receive a booster dose. Patients with autoinflammatory diseases had the highest vaccination rate (94.4%). A strong conviction that it was the correct decision (72%), fear of getting COVID-19 (38%), and expert opinions (34%) influenced the decision to vaccinate. Among the unvaccinated patients, 33.3% had primary or vocational education (p <0.001). Furthermore, only 33% believed they were at risk of a severe course of COVID-19 (p = 0.014), and 10% believed in vaccine efficacy (p <0.001). They also doubted the safety of the vaccine (p <0.001) and feared a post-vaccination flare of their disease (p <0.001). Half of the unvaccinated respondents declared that they would consider changing their decision. Vaccination coverage in immunodeficient patients was higher than in the general Polish population. However, the hesitant patients doubted the vaccine’s safety, feared a post-vaccination disease flare, and had primary or vocational education. Therefore, vaccination promotion activities should stress personal safety and the low risk of disease flares due to vaccination. Furthermore, all evidence must be communicated in patient-friendly terms.
Advances in CAR T-cell therapy in bile duct, pancreatic, and gastric cancers
Authors: Feng Qiang , Sun Baozhen , Xue Tianyi , Li Rong , Lin Chao , Gao Yongjian , Sun Liqun , Zhuo Yue , Wang Dongxu
Published: October 2022

Bile duct, pancreatic, and gastric cancers are deadly digestive system tumors with high malignancy and poor patient prognosis. The efficiencies of conventional surgical treatment, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are limited. In contrast, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy represents a landmark therapeutic approach to antitumor immunity with great efficacy in treating several hematological malignancies. CAR T-cell therapy involves genetically engineering the expression of specific antibodies based on the patient’s T-cell surface and amplifying these antibodies to identify and target tumor-associated antigens. CAR T-cell therapy can effectively inhibit disease progression and improve the survival of patients with bile duct, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. The effectiveness of CAR T cells in tumor therapy can be validated using xenograft models, providing a scientific testing platform. In this study, we have reviewed the progress in CAR T-cell production and its development, focusing on the current status and optimization strategies for engineered CAR T cells in the bile duct, pancreatic, and gastric cancers.
The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway-related gene signature correlates with immune infiltration and predicts prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: Su Zexin , Wang Chenyang , Pan Runsang , Li Hongbo , Chen Junkai , Tan Jianye , Tian Xiaobin , Lin Tiao , Shen Jingnan
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor with poor outcomes affecting the adolescents and elderly. In this study, we comprehensively assessed the metabolic characteristics of osteosarcoma patients and constructed a hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP)-based risk score model to predict the prognosis and tumor immune infiltration in patients with osteosarcoma.

Methods

Gene expression matrices of osteosarcoma were downloaded from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. GSVA and univariate Cox regression analysis were performed to screen the metabolic features associated with prognoses. LASSO regression analysis was conducted to construct the metabolism-related risk model. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and enrichment analysis was performed based on the risk model. CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms were executed to evaluate the characteristics of tumor immune infiltration. Comparative analyses for immune checkpoints were performed and the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithm was used to predict immunotherapeutic response. Finally, hub genes with good prognostic value were comprehensive analyzed including drug sensitivity screening and immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments.

Results

Through GSVA and survival analysis, the HBP pathway was identified as the significant prognostic related metabolism feature. Five genes in the HBP pathway including GPI, PGM3, UAP1, OGT and MGEA5 were used to construct the HBP-related risk model. Subsequent DEGs and enrichment analyses showed a strong correlation with immunity. Further, CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms showed differential immune infiltration characteristics correlated with the HBP-related risk model. TIDE algorithms and immune checkpoint analyses suggested poor immunotherapeutic responses with low expression of immune checkpoints in the high-risk group. Further analysis revealed that the UAP1 gene can predict metastasis. IHC experiments suggested that UAP1 expression correlated significantly with the prognosis and metastasis of osteosarcoma patients. When screening for drug sensitivity, high UAP1 expression was suggestive of great sensitivity to antineoplastic drugs including cobimetinib and selumetinib.

Conclusion

We constructed an HBP-related gene signature containing five key genes (GPI, PGM3, UAP1, OGT, MGEA5) which showed a remarkable prognostic value for predicting prognosis and can guide immunotherapy and targeted therapy for osteosarcoma.
Absolute quantification and characterization of oxylipins in lupus nephritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: He Jingquan , Ma Chiyu , Tang Donge , Zhong Shaoyun , Yuan Xiaofang , Zheng Fengping , Zeng Zhipeng , Chen Yumei , Liu Dongzhou , Hong Xiaoping , Dai Weier , Yin Lianghong , Dai Yong
Published: October 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with multi-organ inflammation and defect, which is linked to many molecule mediators. Oxylipins as a class of lipid mediator have not been broadly investigated in SLE. Here, we applied targeted mass spectrometry analysis to screen the alteration of oxylipins in serum of 98 SLE patients and 106 healthy controls. The correlation of oxylipins to lupus nephritis (LN) and SLE disease activity, and the biomarkers for SLE classification, were analyzed. Among 128 oxylipins analyzed, 92 were absolutely quantified and 26 were significantly changed. They were mainly generated from the metabolism of several polyunsaturated fatty acids, including arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA). Several oxylipins, especially those produced from AA, showed different abundance between patients with and without lupus nephritis (LN). The DGLA metabolic activity and DGLA generated PGE1, were significantly associated with SLE disease activity. Random forest-based machine learning identified a 5-oxylipin combination as potential biomarker for SLE classification with high accuracy. Seven individual oxylipin biomarkers were also identified with good performance in distinguishing SLE patients from healthy controls (individual AUC > 0.7). Interestingly, the biomarkers for differentiating SLE patients from healthy controls are distinct from the oxylipins differentially expressed in LN patients vs. non-LN patients. This study provides possibilities for the understanding of SLE characteristics and the development of new tools for SLE classification.