bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Diagnostic Performance of Maximum Uptake Value and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Ovarian or Adnexal Masses: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hu Xianwen , Liang Zhigang , Zhang Chuanqin , Wang Guanlian , Cai Jiong , Wang Pan
Published: February 2022

Objective

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to provide evidence for using maximum uptake value (SUVmax) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to quantitatively differentiate benign and malignant ovarian or adnexal masses, and to indirectly compare their diagnostic performance.

Material and Methods

The association between SUVmax, ADC and ovarian or adnexal benign and malignant masses was searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases until October 1, 2021. Two authors independently extracted the data. Studies included in the analysis were required to provide data for the construction of a 2 × 2 contingency table to evaluate the diagnostic performance of SUVmax or ADC in differentiating benign and malignant ovarian or adnexal masses. The quality of the enrolled studies was evaluated by Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) instrument, and the meta-analysis was conducted using Stata software version 14.0. Forest plots were generated according to the sensitivity and specificity of SUVmax and ADC, and meta-regression analysis was further used to assess heterogeneity between studies.

Results

A total of 14 studies were finally included in this meta-analysis by gradually excluding duplicate literatures, conference abstracts, guidelines, reviews, case reports, animal studies and so on. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of SUVmax for quantitative differentiation of benign and malignant ovarian or adnexal masses were 0.88 and 0.89, respectively, and the pooled sensitivity and specificity for ADC were 0.87 and 0.80, respectively.

Conclusion

Quantitative SUVmax and ADC values have good diagnostic performance in differentiating benign and malignant ovarian or adnexal masses, and SUVmax has higher accuracy than ADC. Future prospective studies with large sample sizes are needed for the analysis of the role of SUVmax and ADC in the differentiation of benign and malignant ovarian or adnexal masses.
Sintilimab Plus Bevacizumab Biosimilar Versus Sorafenib as First-Line Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Peng Ye , Zeng Xiaohui , Peng Liubao , Liu Qiao , Yi Lidan , Luo Xia , Li Sini , Wang Liting , Qin Shuxia , Wan Xiaomin , Tan Chongqing
Published: February 2022

Objective: The ORIENT-32 clinical trial revealed that sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar significantly improved the median progression-free survival and median overall survival (OS) compared with sorafenib. This analysis evaluated the cost-effectiveness of sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar as a first-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma from the Chinese perspective of healthcare system.

Materials and methods: A Markov model with three mutual health states was constructed to evaluate the economic outcome of sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar. The model cycle was 21 days, and the simulation time horizon was a lifetime. The output parameters of the model were the total cost, life-year (LY), quality-adjusted LY (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results.

Results: The base-case results found that sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar provided an improvement of 1.27 QALYs and 1.84 LYs compared with sorafenib, and the ICER was $23,352/QALY. The hazard ratio for OS had the greatest influence on the ICER. The probability of sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar was 85% at willingness-to-pay thresholds of $30,552/QALY.

Conclusion: The findings of this analysis suggested that sintilimab plus bevacizumab biosimilar was a cost-effective first-line therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
NSAID-Associated Small Intestinal Injury: An Overview From Animal Model Development to Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention
Authors: Zhang Mingyu , Xia Feng , Xia Suhong , Zhou Wangdong , Zhang Yu , Han Xu , Zhao Kai , Feng Lina , Dong Ruonan , Tian Dean , Yu Yan , Liao Jiazhi
Published: February 2022

With the wide application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), their gastrointestinal side effects are an urgent health burden. There are currently sound preventive measures for upper gastrointestinal injury, however, there is a lack of effective defense against lower gastrointestinal damage. According to a large number of previous animal experiments, a variety of NSAIDs have been demonstrated to induce small intestinal mucosal injury in vivo. This article reviews the descriptive data on the administration dose, administration method, mucosal injury site, and morphological characteristics of inflammatory sites of various NSAIDs. The cells, cytokines, receptors and ligands, pathways, enzyme inhibition, bacteria, enterohepatic circulation, oxidative stress, and other potential pathogenic factors involved in NSAID-associated enteropathy are also reviewed. We point out the limitations of drug modeling at this stage and are also pleased to discover the application prospects of chemically modified NSAIDs, dietary therapy, and many natural products against intestinal mucosal injury.
Whether Patients With Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ Colorectal Cancer Benefit From Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Modeling Analysis of Literature Aggregate Data
Authors: Zha Sijie , Li Ting , Zheng Qingshan , Li Lujin
Published: February 2022

Objective: This study used model analysis to clarify the benefits and risks of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy compared with surgery alone in patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer.

Methods: Clinical trials involving patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer who underwent surgery alone or those who received post-surgical adjuvant chemotherapy were searched in the PubMed and embase databases. By establishing a survival model, the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients who underwent surgery alone or postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were quantitatively analyzed to compare the differences between the two. In addition, the incidence of grade 3/4 adverse reactions in the adjuvant chemotherapy group was analyzed using the random effects model in the single-arm meta-analysis.

Results: A total of 34 studies containing 33,069 patients were included in the analysis. This study found that postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy can effectively improve the OS and DFS of patients with colorectal cancer. The median OS of the adjuvant chemotherapy group and the surgery-only group was 118.8 months (95% CI: 96.6, 146.6) and 74.6 months (95% CI: 57.8, 96.1) respectively; and median DFS was 86.3 months (95% CI: 67.6, 110.6) and 40.8 months (95% CI: 23.7, 69.6) in the adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery-only groups, respectively. Common grade 3/4 adverse reactions in the adjuvant chemotherapy group include diarrhea, stomatitis, leukopenia, and nausea or vomiting, with an incidence of approximately 3%–6%.

Conclusion: Patients with mid-stage colorectal cancer can benefit significantly from postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. This study provides the necessary quantitative information for decision-making regarding the benefits and risks of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy after resection in patients with colorectal cancer.
Dynamic of Grating Thermal Deformation on Beam Quality for Spectral Beam Combining
Authors: Deng Zhi-feng , Zhan Sheng-bao , Wang Ya , Le Wen-ran , Zha Shen-long
Published: February 2022

For spectral beam combining, an experimental system of dynamic beam quality caused by the thermal deformation of a grating has been designed and established. According to the theoretical model established, the distribution of the temperature field, as well as the thermal deformation of the grating, has been analyzed. Further, the combined beam quality and the intensity distribution have been numerically calculated in detail. The results show that the maximum temperature and the grating thermal deformation increase with the extension of irradiation time, resulting in side lobes appearing in the intensity distribution. In the experiment, the measured combined beam quality factor Mx2 was 1.29 without the thermal deformation. When the grating was heated by pump lasers at different times, Mx2 can arrive at 1.34, 1.37, and 1.41, respectively. The results reveal that the combined beam quality increases with the increase in irradiation time and changes rapidly at the beginning of heating, consistent with the theoretical analysis. The discussion and analysis of the dynamic beam quality are potentially valuable for reducing the influence of thermal deformation on the beam quality.
circKLF4 Upregulates Klf4 and Endoglin to Promote Odontoblastic Differentiation of Mouse Dental Papilla Cells via Sponging miRNA-1895 and miRNA-5046
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Hao , Yuan Guohua , Yang Guobin
Published: February 2022

circular RNAs (circRNAs) is a broad and diverse endogenous subfamily of non-coding RNAs, regulating the gene expression by acting as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge. However, the biological functions of circRNAs in odontoblast differentiation remain largely unknown. Our preliminary study identified an unknown mouse circRNA by circRNA sequencing generated from mouse dental papilla and we termed it circKLF4. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR and in situ hybridization were used and demonstrated that circKLF4 was upregulated during odontoblastic differentiation. Gene knockdown and overexpression assays indicated that circKLF4 promoted odontoblastic differentiation of mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs). Mechanistically, we found that circKLF4 increased the linear KLF4 expression in a microRNA-dependent manner. By mutating the binding sites of microRNA and circKLF4, we further confirmed that circKLF4 acted as sponge of miRNA-1895 and miRNA-5046 to promote the expression of KLF4. We then also found that ENDOGLIN was also up-regulated by circKLF4 by transfection of circKLF4 overexpression plasmids with or without microRNA inhibitor. In conclusion, circKLF4 increases the expression of KLF4 and ENDOGLIN to promote odontoblastic differentiation via sponging miRNA-1895 and miRNA-5046.
Culture as a Moderator of Epistemically Suspect Beliefs
Authors: Majima Yoshimasa , Walker Alexander C. , Turpin Martin Harry , Fugelsang Jonathan A.
Published: February 2022

A consistent finding reported in the literature is that epistemically suspect beliefs (e.g., paranormal beliefs) are less frequently endorsed by individuals with a greater tendency to think analytically. However, these results have been observed predominantly in Western participants. In the present work, we explore various individual differences known to predict epistemically suspect beliefs across both Western and Eastern cultures. Across four studies with Japanese (n= 666) and Western (n= 650) individuals, we find that the association between thinking style and beliefs varied as a function of culture. Specifically, while Westerners who scored higher on measures of Type-2 analytic thinking tended to endorse epistemically suspect beliefs less, this association was not observed in Japanese samples, suggesting that the often-observed negative association between analytic thinking and epistemically suspect beliefs may be exclusive to Western individuals. Additionally, we demonstrate that a tendency to think holistically (specifically with regards to causality) is positively associated with the endorsement of epistemically suspect beliefs within both samples. Overall, we discuss how various individual differences predict the endorsement of epistemically suspect beliefs across cultures.
Ranavirus Amplification in Low-Diversity Amphibian Communities
Authors: Bienentreu Joe-Felix , Schock Danna M. , Greer Amy L. , Lesbarrères David
Published: February 2022

In an era where emerging infectious diseases are a serious threat to biodiversity, epidemiological patterns need to be identified, particularly the complex mechanisms driving the dynamics of multi-host pathogens in natural communities. Many amphibian species have faced unprecedented population declines associated with diseases. Yet, specific processes shaping host-pathogen relationships within and among communities for amphibian pathogens such as ranaviruses (RV) remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive study of RV in low-diversity amphibian communities in north-western Canada to assess the effects of biotic factors (species identity, species richness, abundance) and abiotic factors (conductivity, pH) on the pathogen prevalence and viral loads. Across 2 years and 18 sites, with communities of up to three hosts (wood frog, Rana sylvatica; boreal chorus frog, Pseudacris maculata; Canadian toad, Anaxyrus hemiophrys), we observed that RV prevalence nearly doubled with each additional species in a community, suggesting an amplification effect in aquatic, as well as terrestrial life-history stages. Infection intensity among infected wood frogs and boreal chorus frogs also significantly increased with an increase in species richness. Interestingly, we did not observe any effects of host abundance or abiotic factors, highlighting the importance of including host identity and species richness when investigating multi-host pathogens. Ultimately, only such a comprehensive approach can improve our understanding of complex and often highly context-dependent host-pathogen interactions.
Use of Blood Lactate in Assessment of Manual Capture Techniques of Zoo-Housed Crocodilians
Authors: Molinaro Holly Grace , Anderson Gen S. , Gruny Lauren , Sperou Emily S. , Heard Darryl J.
Published: February 2022

Species-specific welfare indicators are important in promoting positive welfare for zoo animals. Reptiles are a notoriously understudied group in regards to behavior, welfare needs, and husbandry requirements. Using opportunistically obtained samples, we evaluated how blood lactate is affected by variation in manual capture and restraint in crocodilians. Lactate is an indicator of anerobic metabolism in reptiles. It offers a relatively simple and indirect way to assess physiological stress. Determining the best way to reduce struggling during capture and associated stress is of great importance to these species’ overall welfare. Blood samples (N = 53) were collected from 10 different species of crocodilians. It was found that age class was a significant predictor variable of lactate levels after capture, and longer handling time seemed to cause an increase in lactate. Finally, draining enclosure pools for a small number of the captures was associated with higher lactate levels compared to other capture factors that were recorded. This study showed that welfare of captive crocodilians could be improved by shortening the duration of physical restraint events when possible. Developing objective measures of welfare and establishing baseline recommendations for care and handling of crocodilians will ultimately promote and improve their wellbeing, along with that of other understudied reptiles in zoos.
Quality of Life Measurement in Dogs and Cats: A Scoping Review of Generic Tools
Authors: Fulmer Annabelle E. , Laven Linda J. , Hill Kate E.
Published: February 2022

Quality of life (QoL) assessment in companion animals is an essential aspect of veterinary medicine that helps guide treatment decisions and ensures optimal animal welfare. Veterinarians and pet owners can use disease-specific or generic QoL assessment tools to evaluate an individual animal’s QoL. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and assess published generic QoL assessment tools suitable for use in either dogs or cats. A literature search identified 82 relevant publications, nine of which contained appropriate generic QoL assessment tools in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each tool was assessed for evidence of psychometric evaluation including statistical analysis, reliability and validity. Commonly included items were determined to highlight potential important aspects of dog or cat QoL. Five of the nine publications used a statistical method such as factor analysis to determine tool design and structure. Although at least one aspect of reliability and validity was assessed for seven of the tools, none were validated across all measures. Two of the publications contained minimal to no statistical analysis. Common items for both dogs and cats included those regarding activity level, the desire for interaction and appetite. In addition, common items for cats included those regarding mood and grooming. This scoping review identified and evaluated currently available generic QoL assessment tools, providing a reference point for future tool development and validation.
Effects of Leptin, Growth Hormone and Photoperiod on Pituitary SOCS-3 Expression in Sheep
Authors: Zieba Dorota Anna , Szczesna Malgorzata , Kirsz Katarzyna , Biernat Weronika
Published: February 2022

This study examined how leptin affects growth hormone (GH) release and investigated the effects of leptin, GH, and day length on the suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) mRNA levels in the adenohypophyses of sheep. The study consisted of two experiments. The first experiment was conducted during long (LD) and short (SD) days. Within-season and replicate sheep were centrally infused with Ringer-Locke buffer or leptin three times at 60-min intervals at the beginning of experiments. The second experiment involved adenohypophyses collected from sheep that were euthanized in May or November. Pituitary explants were treated with medium alone (Control) or medium with leptin or GH at different concentrations and incubated for various times. The results of the first experiment indicated GH concentrations were seasonally dependent and that leptin had no effect on GH secretion. The results of the second experiment indicated a stronger influence of leptin on the expression of SOCS-3 during the SD season than the LD season. During SDs, significant effects of both GH doses on SOCS-3 expression were observed. These results indicate a strong association between leptin, GH, and SOCS-3, which may explain the disruption of SOCS-3 leptin and GH signaling and the dominant effect of photoperiod on the above relationships.
Cellular Phenotypic Transformation in Heart Failure Caused by Coronary Heart Disease and Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Delineating at Single-Cell Level
Authors: Zhu Luojiang , Wang Wen , Ren Changzhen , Wang Yangkai , Zhang Guanghao , Liu Jianmin , Wang Weizhong
Published: February 2022

Heart failure (HF) is known as the final manifestation of cardiovascular diseases. Although cellular heterogeneity of the heart is well understood, the phenotypic transformation of cardiac cells in progress of HF remains obscure. This study aimed to analyze phenotypic transformation of cardiac cells in HF through human single-cell RNA transcriptome profile. Here, phenotypic transformation of cardiomyocytes (CMs), endothelial cells (ECs), and fibroblasts was identified by data analysis and animal experiments. Abnormal myosin subunits including the decrease in Myosin Heavy Chain 6, Myosin Light Chain 7 and the increase in Myosin Heavy Chain 7 were found in CMs. Two disease phenotypes of ECs named inflammatory ECs and muscularized ECs were identified. In addition, myofibroblast was increased in HF and highly associated with abnormal extracellular matrix. Our study proposed an integrated map of phenotypic transformation of cardiac cells and highlighted the intercellular communication in HF. This detailed definition of cellular transformation will facilitate cell-based mapping of novel interventional targets for the treatment of HF.
Examining First Night Effect on Sleep Parameters with hd-EEG in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Mayeli Ahmad , Janssen Sabine A. , Sharma Kamakashi , Ferrarelli Fabio
Published: February 2022

Difficulty sleeping in a novel environment is a common phenomenon that is often described as the first night effect (FNE). Previous works have found FNE on sleep architecture and sleep power spectra parameters, especially during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. However, the impact of FNE on sleep parameters, including local differences in electroencephalographic (EEG) activity across nights, has not been systematically assessed. Here, we performed high-density EEG sleep recordings on 27 healthy individuals on two nights and examined differences in sleep architecture, NREM (stages 2 and 3) EEG power spectra, and NREM power topography across nights. We found higher wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO), reduced sleep efficiency, and less deep NREM sleep (stage 3), along with increased high-frequency NREM EEG power during the first night of sleep, corresponding to small to medium effect sizes (Cohen’s d ≤ 0.5). Furthermore, study individuals showed significantly lower slow-wave activity in right frontal/prefrontal regions as well as higher sigma and beta activities in medial and left frontal/prefrontal areas, yielding medium to large effect sizes (Cohen’s d ≥ 0.5). Altogether, these findings suggest the FNE is characterized by less efficient, more fragmented, shallower sleep that tends to affect especially certain brain regions. The magnitude and specificity of these effects should be considered when designing sleep studies aiming to compare across night effects.
Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Immunotherapy for Leukemia
Authors: Allison Michaela , Mathews Joel , Gilliland Taylor , Mathew Stephen O.
Published: February 2022

Leukemia is a malignancy of the bone marrow and blood resulting from the abnormal differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). There are four main types of leukemia including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). While chemotherapy and radiation have been conventional forms of treatment for leukemia, these therapies increase infection susceptibility, adverse side effects and immune cell inactivation. Immunotherapies are becoming promising treatment options for leukemia, with natural killer (NK) cell-mediated therapy providing a specific direction of interest. The role of NK cells is critical for cancer cell elimination as these immune cells are the first line of defense against cancer proliferation and are involved in both recognition and cytolysis of rapidly dividing and abnormal cell populations. NK cells possess various activating and inhibitory receptors, which regulate NK cell function, signaling either inhibition and continued surveillance, or activation and subsequent cytotoxic activity. In this review, we describe NK cells and NK cell receptors, functional impairment of NK cells in leukemia, NK cell immunotherapies currently under investigation, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), adoptive transfer, chimeric antigen receptor-NKs (CAR-NKs), bi-specific/tri-specific killer engagers (BiKEs/TriKEs) and future potential targets of NK cell-based immunotherapy for leukemia.
Arabinogalactan Proteins in the Digestive Glands of Dionaea muscipula J.Ellis Traps
Authors: Płachno Bartosz J. , Kapusta Małgorzata , Stolarczyk Piotr , Świątek Piotr
Published: February 2022

The arabinogalactan proteins (AGP) play important roles in plant growth and developmental processes. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no information on the spatial distribution of AGP in the plant organs and tissues of carnivorous plants during their carnivorous cycle. The Dionaea muscipula trap forms an “external stomach” and is equipped with an effective digestive-absorbing system. Because its digestive glands are composed of specialized cells, the hypothesis that their cell walls are also very specialized in terms of their composition (AGP) compared to the cell wall of the trap epidermal and parenchyma cells was tested. Another aim of this study was to determine whether there is a spatio-temporal distribution of the AGP in the digestive glands during the secretory cycle of D. muscipula. Antibodies that act against AGPs, including JIM8, JIM13 and JIM14, were used. The localization of the examined compounds was determined using immunohistochemistry techniques and immunogold labeling. In both the un-fed and fed traps, there was an accumulation of AGP in the cell walls of the gland secretory cells. The epitope, which is recognized by JIM14, was a useful marker of the digestive glands. The secretory cells of the D. muscipula digestive glands are transfer cells and an accumulation of specific AGP was at the site where the cell wall labyrinth occurred. Immunogold labeling confirmed an occurrence of AGP in the cell wall ingrowths. There were differences in the AGP occurrence (labeled with JIM8 and JIM13) in the cell walls of the gland secretory cells between the unfed and fed traps.
Maturation of Arousals during Day and Night in Preterm Infants
Authors: Guyon Aurore , Ravet Francoise , Champavert Alex , Thieux Marine , Patural Hugues , Plancoulaine Sabine , Franco Patricia
Published: February 2022

The objective of this study was to compare the maturation of spontaneous arousals during day and night sleep in preterm and term infants. From the Autonomic Baby Evaluation study, the sleep and arousal characteristics of 12 preterm (35.1 ± 2.1 weeks’ gestational age, GA) and 21 term (39.8 ± 0.8 weeks GA) newborns were compared between diurnal and nocturnal sleep periods at birth (M0) and 6 months (M6) of age. Models were adjusted for time (night/day), maturation (M0/M6), prematurity (yes/no). We found that preterm infants had less active sleep (AS)% than term infants with maturation during both day and night sleep, which may reflect accelerated brain maturation secondary to stress or environmental exposure after birth. Moreover, there was a difference in arousal maturation during day and night sleep in the preterm infants, as shown previously for term infants, which suggests the emergence of a circadian rhythm during the earliest postnatal period. We also showed that compared to term infants, these moderate preterm infants had fewer total arousals and, more specifically, fewer arousals in AS during day and night sleep, exposing them to a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Measuring Happiness in Adolescent Samples: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lukoševičiūtė Justė , Argustaitė-Zailskienė Gita , Šmigelskas Kastytis
Published: February 2022

Background: Happiness is a phenomenon that relates to better mental and physical health and even longevity. There has been an increase in surveys assessing subjective well-being as well as happiness, one of the well-being components that reflect one’s feelings or moods. Happiness is mostly measured in adult samples. There is a lack of an overview of the tools used to evaluate adolescent happiness, so this paper aimed to review them. Methods: A literature search was performed in the PubMed and PsycArticles databases (2010–2019). In total, 133 papers met the eligibility criteria for this systematic review. Results: The results are grouped according to the type of measure, single or multiple items, that was used in a study. Almost half of the studies (64 of 133) evaluated subjective happiness using single-item measures. The most commonly used scales were the 4-item Subjective Happiness Scale and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Among the 133 articles analyzed, 18 reported some validation procedures related to happiness. However, in the majority of cases (14 studies), happiness was not the central phenomenon of validation, which suggests a lack of happiness validation studies. Conclusions: Finally, recommendations for future research and for the choice of happiness assessment tools are presented.
Effect of the Nature of the Particles Released from Bone Level Dental Implants: Physicochemical and Biological Characterization
Authors: Vara Juan Carlos , Delgado Juan , Estrada-Martínez Alejandro , Pérez-Pevida Esteban , Brizuela Aritza , Bosch Begoña , Pérez Román , Gil Javier
Published: February 2022

The placement of bone–level dental implants can lead to the detachment of particles in the surrounding tissues due to friction with the cortical bone. In this study, 60 bone–level dental implants were placed with the same design: 30 made of commercially pure grade 4 titanium and 30 made of Ti6Al4V alloy. These implants were placed in cow ribs following the company’s placement protocols. Particles detached from the dental implants were isolated and their size and specific surface area were characterized. The irregular morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Ion release to the medium was determined at different immersion times in physiological medium. Cytocompatibility studies were performed with fibroblastic and osteoblastic cells. Gene expression and cytokine release were analysed to determine the action of inflammatory cells. Particle sizes of around 15 μM were obtained in both cases. The Ti6Al4V alloy particles showed significant levels of vanadium ion release and the cytocompatibility of these particles is lower than that of commercially pure titanium. Ti6Al4V alloy presents higher levels of inflammation markers (TNFα and Il–1β) compared to that of only titanium. Therefore, there is a trend that with the alloy there is a greater toxicity and a greater pro-inflammatory response.
Technological and Environmental Behaviour of Traditional Ceramic Bodies Obtained by Recycling of Two Types of Residues
Authors: Jordán Manuel Miguel , Rincón López Jesús María , Almendro-Candel María Belén , Navarro-Pedreño José
Published: February 2022

In this research we evaluated the feasibility of incorporating MSW fly ashes and copper slag in the manufacture of traditional ceramic materials, in addition to assessing the immobilization of As and Pb in tiles, linear contraction, bending strength and water absorption (WA), were measured. A decrease in the WA was obtained by increasing the addition of both residues. It is feasible to substitute around 40% of standard clay for these by-products, with an improvement in the technical specifications of the specimens compared to the ceramic bodies manufactured without adding by-products. Furthermore, the immobilization of arsenic and lead was tested in the fired bodies. The immobilization of both elements improves as the firing temperature increases, as evidenced by the leaching tests. Regarding the Pb and As content, all the tested samples comply with established limits for non-hazardous landfill waste (Spanish laws).
Noninvasive Genetics Knowledge from the Brown Bear Populations to Assist Biodiversity Conservation
Authors: Baciu Iulia , Fedorca Ancuta , Ionescu Georgeta
Published: February 2022

Genetic monitoring has proven helpful in estimating species presence and abundance, and detecting trends in genetic diversity, to be incorporated in providing data and recommendations to management authorities for action and policy development. We reviewed 148 genetics research papers conducted on the bear species worldwide retrieved from Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. This review aims to reveal sampling methodology and data collection instructions, and to unveil innovative noninvasively genetic monitoring techniques that may be integrated into the genetic monitoring of a large bear population. In North American studies, hair samples were collected more often than faeces, whereas in Europe, both faeces and hair samples surveys are recommended, usually focusing on faeces. The use of the Isohelix sample collection method, previously tested locally and, if suitable, applied at the national level, could generate numerous advantages by reducing shortcomings. Additionally, dogs trained for faeces sampling could be used in parallel with hunting managers, foresters, and volunteers for sample collection organised during autumn and winter. It was stated that this is the best period in terms of cost-efficiency and high quality of the gathered samples. We conclude that large-scale noninvasive genetic monitoring of a large bear population represents a challenge; nevertheless, it provides valuable insights for biodiversity monitoring and actions to respond to climate change.
Evaluation of Pulp and Papermaking Properties of Melia azedarach
Authors: Megra Megersa Bedo , Bachheti Rakesh Kumar , Tadesse Mesfin Getachew , Worku Limenew Abate
Published: February 2022

As the world’s population rises, there is a greater need for additional pulpwood for paper production worldwide. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the pulp and papermaking characteristics of Melia azedarach. Proximate chemical analysis, fiber morphology, pulping, bleaching, and physical tests were carried out to check the suitability of raw material. The proximate chemical analysis results showed that M. azedarach has a holocellulose content of 72.95% and a lignin content of 22.14%. Fiber morphology assessment revealed that the fibers were 0.571 mm long, 13.45 μm wide, and had a 2.52 μm cell wall thickness. Kraft pulping of M. azedarach was performed at different active alkali contents (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) and temperatures (150 °C, 160 °C, 170 °C, 180 °C, and 190 °C), keeping the sulfidity constant at 25%. The maximum pulp yield was 41.81% at an active alkali content of 15%, a temperature of 170 °C, and a cooking time of 90 min. The effect of pulping on the fiber morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy, which showed that the fiber’s surface before pulping was tight and arranged in an orderly way, with a relatively complex texture. After pulping, lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose were removed, and the fiber became softer and more loosened, containing micropores. The pulp produced was bleached, and sheet preparation and testing were performed. The prepared paper sheets had a tensile index of 23.3 Nm/g, a burst index of 1.4 kPa m2/g, and a tear index of 4.0 mN m2/g. This study concluded that M. azedarach could be a raw material for the pulp and papermaking industries. The results indicated that M. azedarach is also a potential alternative resource for pulp and paper production in Ethiopia.
Diversity Monitoring of Coexisting Birds in Urban Forests by Integrating Spectrograms and Object-Based Image Analysis
Authors: Zhao Yilin , Yan Jingli , Jin Jiali , Sun Zhenkai , Yin Luqin , Bai Zitong , Wang Cheng
Published: February 2022

In the context of rapid urbanization, urban foresters are actively seeking management monitoring programs that address the challenges of urban biodiversity loss. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has attracted attention because it allows for the collection of data passively, objectively, and continuously across large areas and for extended periods. However, it continues to be a difficult subject due to the massive amount of information that audio recordings contain. Most existing automated analysis methods have limitations in their application in urban areas, with unclear ecological relevance and efficacy. To better support urban forest biodiversity monitoring, we present a novel methodology for automatically extracting bird vocalizations from spectrograms of field audio recordings, integrating object-based classification. We applied this approach to acoustic data from an urban forest in Beijing and achieved an accuracy of 93.55% (±4.78%) in vocalization recognition while requiring less than ⅛ of the time needed for traditional inspection. The difference in efficiency would become more significant as the data size increases because object-based classification allows for batch processing of spectrograms. Using the extracted vocalizations, a series of acoustic and morphological features of bird-vocalization syllables (syllable feature metrics, SFMs) could be calculated to better quantify acoustic events and describe the soundscape. A significant correlation between the SFMs and biodiversity indices was found, with 57% of the variance in species richness, 41% in Shannon’s diversity index and 38% in Simpson’s diversity index being explained by SFMs. Therefore, our proposed method provides an effective complementary tool to existing automated methods for long-term urban forest biodiversity monitoring and conservation.
What Makes Agroforestry a Potential Restoration Measure in a Degraded Conservation Forest?
Authors: Murniati  , Suharti Sri , Minarningsih  , Nuroniah Hani Sitti , Rahayu Subekti , Dewi Sonya
Published: February 2022

Agroforestry is a win–win solution in terms of restoring forest function while benefiting the local community. This research aimed to (1) understand the regulations concerning conservation forest management and the restoration strategies adopted based on the history of forest degradation in the area, (2) investigate the factors driving local people to adopt agroforestry systems in the area, and (3) investigate the characteristics of the agroforestry system developed and its impacts based on farmers’ perceptions. This research was performed in Wan Abdul Rachman Grand Forest Park, Lampung Province, Indonesia, and involved 59 respondents who managed 63 agroforestry plots in the area. Several schemes had been implemented to restore the degraded forest without involving the community, and the results were unsatisfactory. Changing the regulations concerning managing conservation forests to involve the community and providing legal permits and support from the management improved forest function due to community willingness to implement the agroforestry system. About 81% of observed plots consisted of 5–12 plant species, and 16% of plots consisted of 13–16 species per plot. Theobroma cacao was the most common species in the agroforestry plots, followed by Durio zibethinus, Parkia speciosa, and Aleurites moluccana. The size of the agroforestry plot affected the number of species in the plot. The community perception demonstrated that agroforestry has positive impacts on livelihood, the environment, and biodiversity at the landscape level.
Use of Agave durangensis Bagasse Fibers in the Production of Wood-Based Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
Authors: Moreno-Anguiano Oswaldo , Cloutier Alain , Rutiaga-Quiñones José Guadalupe , Wehenkel Christian , Rosales-Serna Rigoberto , Rebolledo Pamela , Hernández-Pacheco Claudia E. , Carrillo-Parra Artemio
Published: February 2022

There is an increasing interest in using non-wood lignocellulosic materials for the production of wood-based medium density fiberboard (MDF). Agave durangensis Gentry bagasse is a waste product produced in large quantities in the mezcal industry. This study evaluated the incorporation of A. durangensis bagasse fibers (ADBF) to elaborate MDF wood-based panels. Three types of panels with different ratios (wood fibers: bagasse fibers) were investigated. The ratios evaluated were 100:0, 90:10, and 70:30. The density profiles, water absorption, and thickness swell of the panels were determined, as well as the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and internal bond (IB), according to the ASTM D1037-06a standard. The results were compared to the ANSI A208.2-2016 standard. The effect of the addition of ADBF on the properties of the panels was analyzed. Density profiles were comparable among the three types of panels, while water absorption, thickness swelling, MOE, MOR, and IB were similar between panels with ratios of 100:0 and 90:10. Panels with 10% and 30% of ADBF meet the minimum ANSI requirements for quality grade 115. It is feasible to use up to 30% of ADBF in the manufacture of wood-based MDF panels.
Non-Native Forest Tree Species in Europe: The Question of Seed Origin in Afforestation
Authors: Alizoti Paraskevi , Bastien Jean-Charles , Chakraborty Debojyoti , Klisz Marcin Miroslav , Kroon Johan , Neophytou Charalambos , Schueler Silvio , Loo Marcela van , Westergren Marjana , Konnert Monika , Andonovski Vlatko , Andreassen Kjell , Brang Peter , Brus Robert , Cvjetković Branislav , Đodan Martina , Fernández Manuel , Frýdl Josef , Karlsson Bo , Keserű Zsolt , Kormutak Andrej , Lavnyy Vasyl , Maaten Tiit , Mason Bill , Mihai Georgeta , Monteverdi Cristina , Perić Sanja , Petkova Krasimira , Popov Emil Borissov , Rousi Matti , Stojnić Srđan Milenko , Tsvetkov Ivaylo
Published: February 2022

Non-native forest tree species have been introduced in Europe since the 16th century, but only in the second half of the 20th century the significance of the seed source origin for their economic use was recognized, resulting in the establishment of numerous provenance trials at a national, regional, European and International level, as those led by IUFRO. Breeding programs have also been launched in the continent for the most economically important species. Aim of this work is the formulation of provenance recommendations for planting of five non-native tree species in Europe (Douglas fir, grand fir, Sitka spruce, lodgepole pine and black locust), based on the information obtained from twenty countries, in the frame of the EU FP-1403 NNEXT Cost Action. The survey revealed that official and non-official national recommendations, based on provenance research results, have been elaborated and followed at a different level and extend for the above five species, but only for Douglas fir recommendations exist in almost all the participating to the survey countries. The compilation of provenance recommendations across Europe for each species is presented in the current work. Besides the recommended introduced seed sources, European seed sources are also preferred for planting, due to ease of access and high availability of forest reproductive material. European breeding programs yielding genetic material of high productivity and quality constitute currently the seed source of choice for several species and countries. Consolidation of trial data obtained across countries will allow the joint analysis that is urgently needed to draw solid conclusions, and will facilitate the development of ‘Universal-Response-Functions’ for the species of interest, rendering possible the identification of the genetic material suitable for global change. New provenance trial series that will test seed sources from the entire climatic range of the species, established in sites falling within and outside the environmental envelopes of their natural ranges, are urgently needed to pinpoint and understand the species-specific climate constraints, as well as to correlate functional traits to the seed origin and the environmental conditions of the test sites, so that the selection of suitable forest reproductive material of non-native tree species in the face of climate change can be feasible.
High-Resolution Gridded Air Temperature Data for the Urban Environment: The Milan Data Set
Authors: Frustaci Giuseppe , Pilati Samantha , Lavecchia Cristina , Montoli Enea Marco
Published: February 2022

Temperature is the most used meteorological variable for a large number of applications in urban resilience planning, but direct measurements using traditional sensors are not affordable at the usually required spatial density. On the other hand, spaceborne remote sensing provides surface temperatures at medium to high spatial resolutions, almost compatible with the needed requirements. However, in this case, limitations are represented by cloud conditions and passing times together with the fact that surface temperature is not directly comparable to air temperature. Various methodologies are possible to take benefits from both measurements and analysis methods, such as direct assimilation in numerical models, multivariate analysis, or statistical interpolation. High-resolution thermal fields in the urban environment are also obtained by numerical modelling. Several codes have been developed to resolve at some level or to parameterize the complex urban boundary layer and are used for research and applications. Downscaling techniques from global or regional models offer another possibility. In the Milan metropolitan area, given the availability of both a high-quality urban meteorological network and spaceborne land surface temperatures, and also modelling and downscaling products, these methods can be directly compared. In this paper, the comparison is performed using: the ClimaMi Project high-quality data set with the accurately selected measurements in the Milan urban canopy layer, interpolated by a cokriging technique with remote-sensed land surface temperatures to enhance spatial resolution; the UrbClim downscaled data from the reanalysis data set ERA5; a set of near-surface temperatures produced by some WRF outputs with the building environment parameterization urban scheme. The comparison with UrbClim and WRF of the cokriging interpolated data set, mainly based on the urban canopy layer measurements and covering several years, is presented and discussed in this article. This comparison emphasizes the primary relevance of surface urban measurements and highlights discrepancies with the urban modelling data sets.
Hydrological and Chemical Budgets of Okama Crater Lake in Active Zao Volcano, Japan
Authors: Chikita Kazuhisa A. , Goto Akio , Okada Jun , Yamaguchi Takashi , Miura Satoshi , Yamamoto Mare
Published: February 2022

The Okama Crater Lake is located in the highly active Zao Volcano on the boundary of Miyagi and Yamagata Prefectures, Japan. At present, the lake stays relatively calm with neither bubbling, steaming nor gas smell at a pH of 3.2–3.4, though the lake did change color with steaming from the water surface in 1939 as the result of one of Zao’s volcanic activities. In order to clarify the geothermal effect on Okama and the groundwater flow system below or around Okama, field observations were performed in 2019 and 2020. Groundwater inflow and outflow in Okama were separately evaluated by estimating the hydrological and chemical budgets of the lake, based on the hydrometeorology, water temperature and river inflow measured in the field. The average groundwater inflow and outflow were estimated at 0.012 m3/s and 0.039 m3/s during the non-rainfall periods of 2020, respectively. A surplus of groundwater outflow makes the lake level consistently decrease during non-rainfall periods or the completely ice-covered season. In the completely ice-covered periods, the water temperature consistently increased at 0–15 m above the lake bottom, which is probably due to thermal leakage from a hydrothermal reservoir below the lake bottom. The heat fluxes averaged over December 2019–April 2020 and December 2020–March 2021 were calculated at 2.5 and 2.9 W/m2, respectively. A coupling between the estimated groundwater inflow and the calculated geothermal heat flux was used to evaluate the temperature of inflowing groundwater.
Minireview: Parabens Exposure and Breast Cancer
Authors: Hager Emily , Chen Jiangang , Zhao Ling
Published: February 2022

There is increasing recognition that environmental exposure to chemicals, such as endocrine-disruptive chemicals (EDCs), contributes to the development of breast cancer. Parabens are a group of EDCs commonly found in personal care products, foods, and pharmaceuticals. Systemic exposure to parabens has been confirmed by the ubiquitous detection of parabens in human blood and urine samples. Although evidence from in vivo and epidemiological studies linking parabens exposure to breast cancer is limited, the current evidence suggests that parabens may negatively interfere with some endocrine and intracrine targets relevant to breast carcinogenesis. So far, most studies have focused on a single paraben’s effects and the direct modulating effects on estrogen receptors or the androgen receptor in vitro. Recent studies have revealed that parabens can modulate local estrogen-converting enzymes, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 and increase local estrogen levels. Also, parabens can crosstalk with the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) pathway and work with ER signaling to increase pro-oncogenic c-Myc expression in ER+/HER2+ breast cancer cells. Future studies investigating paraben mixtures and their crosstalk with other EDCs or signaling pathways both in vitro and in vivo in the context of breast cancer development are warranted.