bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ability of selected filter materials in removing nutrients, metals, and microplastics from stormwater in biofilter structures
Authors: Kuoppamäki Kirsi , Pflugmacher Lima Stephan , Scopetani Costanza , Setälä Heikki
Published: January 2021

Creative solutions to manage stormwater include ecologically based designs, such as biofilter structures. A laboratory experiment was established to study the ability of biofilters to remove nutrients, metals, total suspended solids (TSS), and total organic C originating from roadside stormwater as melted snow. Special attention was paid to the removal of P. In addition, the fate of microplastics (MPs) in the biofilters was followed. The materials selected for biofilters were (a) crushed light‐expanded clay aggregates without biochar or amended with biochar, (b) Filtralite P clay aggregates, (c) crushed concrete, or (d) filter sand. A layer to support grass growth was placed above these materials. Stormwater was rich in TSS with associated P and metals, which were substantially retained by all biofilters. Filtralite and concrete had almost 100% P removal, but the high pH had adverse effects on plants. Light‐expanded clay aggregates had lower retention of P, and, when mixed with biochar (30% v/v), the leaching of P increased and N retention was improved. None of the materials was ideal for treating both nutrients and metals, but sand was generally best. Vegetation improved N retention and stormwater infiltration. Plant roots formed preferential pathways for water and associated substances, evidenced by the accumulation of MPs along root channels. No MPs were found in discharge. Given the high loading of suspended solids and associated contaminants in snowmelt from traffic areas and their efficient retention in biofiltration, results of this study suggest the implementation of such stormwater management solutions along road verges.
Landmarks and techniques to perform minimally invasive liver surgery: A systematic review with a focus on hepatic outflow
Authors: Monden Kazuteru , Alconchel Felipe , Berardi Giammauro , Ciria Ruben , Akahoshi Keiichi , Miyasaka Yoshihiro , Urade Takeshi , García Vázquez Alain , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Honda Goro , Kaneko Hironori , Hoon Kim Ji , Tanabe Minoru , Yamamoto Masakazu , Wakabayashi Go ,   Study group of Precision Anatomy for Minimally Invasive Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic surgery (PAM‐HBP surgery)
Published: January 2021

Purpose

In this systematic review, we aimed to clarify the useful anatomic structures and assess available surgical techniques and strategies required to safely perform minimally invasive anatomic liver resection (MIALR), with a particular focus on the hepatic veins (HVs).

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed for English articles and Ichushi databases for Japanese articles through September 2020. The quality assessment of the articles was performed in accordance with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).

Results

A total of 3372 studies were obtained, and 59 were selected and reviewed. Due to the limited number of published comparative studies and case series, the degree of evidence from our review was low. Thirty‐two articles examined the anatomic landmarks and crucial structures for approaching HVs. Regarding the direction of HV exposure, 32 articles focused on the techniques and advantages of exposing HVs from either the root or the periphery. Ten articles focused on the techniques to perform a segmentectomy 8 in particularly difficult cases of MIALR. In seven articles, bleeding control from HVs was also discussed.

Conclusions

This review may help experts reach a consensus regarding the best approach to the management of hepatic veins during MIALR.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells and their association with vaccine immunogenicity in South African infants
Authors: Kidzeru Elvis , Gasper Melanie A , Shao Danica , Edlefsen Paul T , Lejarcegui Nicholas , Havyarimana Enock , Urdahl Kevin , Gantt Soren , Horton Helen , Jaspan Heather , Gervassi Ana
Published: January 2021

The role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) in infant immune ontogeny is unknown. Here, we evaluated MDSC frequency and relationship with infant vaccine responses throughout the first year of life in a prospective cohort study. Ninety-one South African infant-mother pairs were enrolled at delivery, and blood samples were collected at 0, 6, 10, and 14 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. MDSC frequencies were quantified, and immune responses to the childhood vaccines Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), hepatitis B (HepB), and combination diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (dTaP) were measured by Ag-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production. Vaccine-specific Ab responses to HepB, dTaP, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) were quantified via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MDSC frequency in mother-infant pairs was strongly correlated; the frequency of MDSC decreased in both mothers and infants during the months after delivery/birth; and by 1 year, infant MDSC frequencies rebounded to birth levels. Higher MDSC frequency at vaccination was associated with a lack of subsequent IFN-γ release in response to vaccine Ags, with the exception of BCG. With the exception of a weak, positive correlation between MDSC frequency at 6 weeks (time of initial vaccination) and peak Hepatitis B surface antigen Ab titer, Polymorphonuclear Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (PMN-MDSC) was not correlated with T cell proliferation or Ab responses in this study. The potential for MDSC-mediated suppression of vaccine Ag-specific IFN-γ responses should be explored further, and considered when evaluating candidate infant vaccines.
Influences of grain and protein characteristics on in vitro protein digestibility of modern and ancient wheat species
Authors: Ma Fengyun , Baik Byung‐Kee
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

The resistance of proteins to gastrointestinal digestion contributes to their ability to act as allergens. Near‐complete digestion of protein in wheat products is important with respect to avoiding the potential immunogenic effects of undigested peptides. Five modern US wheat classes (soft red winter, hard winter, hard red spring, club and durum) including 17 wheat varieties, as well as three ancient wheat classes (spelt, emmer and einkorn) including nine wheat varieties, were analyzed for kernel hardness (KH) and flour protein characteristics, in addition to in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of cooked flour, flour without albumins and globulins (FWOAG), gluten, albumins, and globulins, aiming to identify the factors influencing the protein digestibility of flour.

RESULTS

IVPDs of flour, FWOAG, gluten and albumins of wheat varieties ranged from 86.5% to 92.3%, 85.8% to 90.3%, 90.6% to 94.6% and 74.8% to 85.1%, respectively. The IVPD of gluten was significantly higher than the IVPDs of flour and FWOAG, indicating that non‐protein components substantially affect protein digestibility. Significant differences were observed in IVPDs of flour and albumins among eight wheat classes, but not in the IVPDs of FWOAG, gluten and globulins. There were apparent differences in undigested protein bands and intensities of wheat classes with low and high flour IVPDs. KH and albumin proportion exhibited negative and positive relationships, respectively, with flour IVPD.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study demonstrate that KH, non‐protein components and albumin proportion have a major influence on protein digestion and need to be considered when developing wheat cultivars with higher protein digestibility.
Determination of the Carboxyl Dissociation Degree and pKa Value of Mono and Polyacid Solutions by FTIR Titration
Authors: Müller Martin , Wirth Luise , Urban Birgit
Published: January 2021

Dissociation degree α and pKa of two model carboxylic acid systems are determined by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) titration concept and compared to the classical potentiometric (POT) titration concept. pH dependence of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is studied in comparison to that of propionic acid (PA) being structurally related to PAA repeating units. Starting with the respective acid forms and increasing the pH value by adding NaOH portions FTIR spectra of PA and PAA show decrease of ν(CO) band due to carboxyl (COOH) groups and increase of νa(COO−) band due to carboxylate (COO−) groups. From the integrated band areas A the dissociation degree can be calculated with F taking different absorption coefficients of ν(CO) and νa(COO−) into account. pH is plotted versus αIR and this curve fitted by functions related to Henderson–Hasselbalch equation. As fit parameters pKa value for PA and PAA and optionally empirical cooperativity factor B are considered. pKa values found for PA and PAA by FTIR titration are in agreement to respective pKa values found by own and referenced POT titration data. The found pKa deviation between PA and PAA and PAA molecular weight trends are discussed based on the known two‐phase‐model including Gibbs–Donnan‐potential concept.
Biomass‐Derived Acetylenic Polymer Monoliths Prepared by High Internal Phase Emulsion Template Method and Used for Adsorbing Cationic Pollutants
Authors: Yang Shenghua , Yong Xueyong , Zhao Biao , Wu Youping , Deng Jianping
Published: January 2021

A new type of biobased porous polymer monolith is prepared starting from biomass, ferulic acid (FA), via high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) template polymerization method. FA is transferred into an acetylenic monomer, which undergoes catalytic HIPE polymerization, eventually forming a porous monolith named as PolyHIPE. The phenolic hydroxyl groups in the monolith are functionalized with sodium hydroxide, forming PolyHIPE‐Na+ and meanwhile transforming the initial hydrophobic monolith into a hydrophilic one. The formation and structure of the monoliths are characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), NMR, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The adsorption capacity of the monoliths is further investigated. PolyHIPE‐Na+ exhibits high adsorption capacity toward methylene blue (MB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) from simulated wastewater. The adsorption behavior of PolyHIPE‐Na+ is found to fit the pseudo second order kinetic model better. The adsorption isotherm can be well described by the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity for MB and CTAB are 1016 and 1390 mg g−1, respectively. The biobased FA derived monolithic adsorbent also shows desirable recycling usability and stability in adsorption−desorption cycles.
Upper semicontinuity of strong attractors for the Kirchhoff wave model with structural nonlinear damping
Authors: Qu Yanxia , Yang Zhijian
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we prove the upper semicontinuity of thestrongglobal attractors on the dissipative indexθin the topology of the stronger space for the Kirchhoff wave model with structural nonlinear damping: , withθ ∈ [1/2, 1). It is continuation of the research in recent literatures1,2where the upper semicontinuity of the strong attractor onθin the topology of natural energy space is obtained. This result improves and deepens those in recent literatures (Li and Yang in J Differ Equat. 2020; 268: 7741‐7743; Li, Yang and Ding in Appl. Math. Lett. 2020; 104:106258).
Quantification of disease progression in spinal muscular atrophy with muscle MRI—a pilot study
Authors: Otto Louise A.M. , Froeling Martijn , van Eijk Ruben P.A. , Asselman Fay‐Lynn , Wadman Renske , Cuppen Inge , Hendrikse Jeroen , van der Pol W‐Ludo
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Quantitative MRI (qMRI) of muscles is a promising tool to measure disease progression or to assess therapeutic effects in neuromuscular diseases. Longitudinal imaging studies are needed to show sensitivity of qMRI in detecting disease progression in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In this pilot study we therefore studied one‐year changes in quantitative MR parameters in relation to clinical scores.

Methods

We repeated quantitative 3 T MR analysis of thigh muscles and clinical testing one year after baseline in 10 treatment‐naïve patients with SMA, 5 with Type 2 (21.6 ± 7.0 years) and 5 with Type 3 (33.4 ± 11.9 years). MR protocol consisted of Dixon, T2 mapping and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The temporal relation of parameters was examined with a mixed model.

Results

We detected a significant increase in fat fraction (baseline, 38.2% SE 0.6; follow‐up, 39.5% SE 0.6; +1.3%, p = 0.001) in all muscles. Muscles with moderate to high fat infiltration at baseline show a larger increase over time (+1.6%, p < 0.001). We did not find any changes in DTI parameters except for low fat‐infiltration muscles (m. adductor longus and m. biceps femoris (short head)). The T2 of muscles decreased from 28.2 ms to 28.0 ms (p = 0.07). Muscle strength and motor function scores were not significantly different between follow‐up and baseline.

Conclusion

Longitudinal imaging data show slow disease progression in skeletal muscle of the thigh of (young‐) adult patients with SMA despite stable strength and motor function scores. Quantitative muscle imaging demonstrates potential as a biomarker for disease activity and monitoring of therapy response.
Effects of rs958804 and rs7858836 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of the ASTN2 gene on pain‐related phenotypes in patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy and mandibular sagittal split ramus osteotomy
Authors: Inoue Rie , Nishizawa Daisuke , Hasegawa Junko , Nakayama Kyoko , Fukuda Ken‐ichi , Ichinohe Tatsuya , Mieda Tsutomu , Tsujita Miki , Nakagawa Hideyuki , Kitamura Akira , Sumikura Hiroyuki , Ikeda Kazutaka , Hayashida Masakazu
Published: January 2021

Background

Opioids are widely used as effective analgesics, but opioid sensitivity varies widely among individuals. The underlying genetic and nongenetic factors are not fully understood. Based on the results of our previous genome‐wide association study, we investigated the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the astrotactin 2 (ASTN2) gene on pain‐related phenotypes in surgical patients.

Methods

We investigated the effects of two SNPs, rs958804 T/C and rs7858836 C/T, of the ASTN2 gene on eight and seven pain‐related phenotypes in 350 patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy (LAC) and 358 patients who underwent mandibular sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO), respectively. In both surgical groups, intravenous fentanyl patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) was used for postoperative analgesia, and 24‐hour postoperative PCA fentanyl use was the primary endpoint.

Results

The association analyses among the two SNPs and pain‐related traits showed that 24‐hour fentanyl use was significantly associated with the two SNP genotypes in both surgical groups. The Mann‐Whitney test showed that 24‐hour fentanyl use was lower in patients with the C allele than in patients with the TT genotype of the rs958804 T/C SNP (P = .0019 and .0200 in LAC and SSRO patients, respectively), and it was lower in patients with the T allele than in patients with the CC genotype of the rs7858836 C/T SNP (P = .0017 and .0098 in LAC and SSRO patients, respectively).

Conclusion

The two SNPs of the ASTN2 gene were consistently associated with fentanyl requirements after two different types of surgery. These findings may contribute to personalized pain control.
Synthesis of post‐modified poly(ester‐amino) microspheres via aza‐Michael precipitation polymerization and its use for enzyme immobilization
Authors: Sun Bo , Li Shusheng , Jiang Xubao , Zhu Xiaoli , Kong Xiang Z.
Published: January 2021

Uniform poly(ester‐amino) microspheres (PEAs) were prepared by catalyst‐free aza‐Michael addition precipitation polymerization of trihydroxymethylpropyl triacrylate (TMPTA) and piperazine (PA) in acetonitrile. The effects of monomer feed ratio and concentration, polymerization temperature, and time on the size and morphology of PEAs were investigated. Monodisperse PEAs with size about 4 μm were successfully obtained at 2/3 molar ratio of TMPTA/PA and 4°C. The chemical structure of PEAs was characterized. There were amount of unreacted acrylate groups remained on the surface of PEAs prepared at the imino/acrylate molar ratio of 1/1.1, which provide lots of active sites for further chemical modification, especially for bioactivator immobilization. Laccase was used as an example to determine bio‐immobilization activity of PEAs. Immobilized laccase exhibited higher tolerance to pH and temperature. The immobilized laccase was used as biocatalyst for degradation of Malachite Green. About 53% of its initial catalytic activity was retained after 4 cycles of reuse.
Performance assessment of different machine learning approaches in predicting diabetic ketoacidosis in adults with type 1 diabetes using electronic health records data
Authors: Li Lin , Lee Chuang‐Chung , Zhou Fang Liz , Molony Cliona , Doder Zoran , Zalmover Evgeny , Sharma Kristen , Juhaeri Juhaeri , Wu Chuntao
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To assess the performance of different machine learning (ML) approaches in identifying risk factors for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and predicting DKA.

Methods

This study applied flexible ML (XGBoost, distributed random forest [DRF] and feedforward network) and conventional ML approaches (logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator [LASSO]) to 3400 DKA cases and 11 780 controls nested in adults with type 1 diabetes identified from Optum® de‐identified Electronic Health Record dataset (2007–2018). Area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were computed using fivefold cross validation, and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were established using 1000 bootstrap samples. The importance of predictors was compared across these models.

Results

In the training set, XGBoost and feedforward network yielded higher AUC values (0.89 and 0.86, respectively) than logistic regression (0.83), LASSO (0.83) and DRF (0.81). However, the AUC values were similar (0.82) among these approaches in the test set (95% CI range, 0.80–0.84). While the accuracy values >0.8 and the specificity values >0.9 for all models, the sensitivity values were only 0.4. The differences in these metrics across these models were minimal in the test set. All approaches selected some known risk factors for DKA as the top 10 features. XGBoost and DRF included more laboratory measurements or vital signs compared with conventional ML approaches, while feedforward network included more social demographics.

Conclusions

In our empirical study, all ML approaches demonstrated similar performance, and identified overlapping, but different, top 10 predictors. The difference in selected top predictors needs further research.
Comparative studies of the noncovalent interactions in the single‐crystal packing of pyrene, pyrene‐4,5‐dione, and pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone
Authors: Zreid Monther , Tabasi Zahra A. , Zhao Yuming
Published: January 2021

Pyrene‐4,5‐dione and pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone are K‐region oxidized derivatives of pyrene, which show interesting structural and electronic properties as well as useful application in organic electronic and optoelectronic devices. The single‐crystal structures of pyrene and pyrene‐4,5‐dione have been published, but the crystallographic data of pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone has not. In this work, the single‐crystal structure of pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone has been clearly elucidated for the first time, and the detailed crystallographic properties were analyzed and discussed in comparison with those of pyrene and pyrene‐4,5‐dione. Various noncovalent interactions taking place within the supramolecular assemblies that exist in the crystal packing of these compounds were studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our joint experimental and computational analyses provide fundamental understanding of the electron density properties, interaction energies, and frontier molecular orbital (FMO) properties for these pyrene systems and establish correlations of these properties with diverse supramolecular assembling motifs.
How does economic growth impact on income inequality across ethnic groups in Malaysia?
Authors: Banna Hasanul , Masud Muhammad Mehedi , Rodrigo Shamsulbahriah K. A.
Published: January 2021

This study aims to examine the impact of economic growth on income inequality in Malaysia with special attention to the distribution of income among different ethnic groups. Twofold methodologies have been used in this analysis. The primary methodology is descriptive in nature where tables, charts, and diagrams have been extracted from the specific sources for analysis. Second, this paper applies the Granger noncausality test to estimate the causality and also applies the ARDL (autoregressive distributed lag) regression model to see the shot‐run and long‐run dynamic relationship between economic growth and income inequality in the context of Malaysia using the data of 1970–2018 from the household income survey, World Development Indicators, and the Standardized World Income Inequality Database. Additionally, it deploys panel Granger noncausality and dynamic pool mean group regression for the robustness of the results. This study reveals that the income gap among ethnic groups has been narrowed; although, intra‐ethnic income inequality is still very high, especially among Indians. The study further advises that income inequality does not Granger‐cause economic growth; rather, economic growth does Granger‐cause income inequality, and economic growth affects income inequality negatively, regardless of ethnicity, suggesting that economic growth significantly contributes to the reduction of income inequality in Malaysia. The paper concludes with a few policies which could significantly contribute to reducing income inequalities and achieving greater economic development goals, such that Malaysia can become a developed country by 2030.
Permafrost thaw‐related slope failures in Alaska’s Arctic National Parks, c. 1980–2019
Authors: Swanson David K.
Published: January 2021

Active‐layer detachments (ALD) and retrogressive thaw slumps (RTS) are landslides that occur as a result of thaw in permafrost regions. I mapped the extent of bare soil exposed in these thaw‐related slope failures in four study areas with continuous permafrost in Alaska’s Arctic National Parks, on mosaics of aerial photographs from 1977–1985 (sampling episode 1), satellite images from 2006–2009 (sampling episode 2), and satellite images from 2018–2019 (sampling episode 3). In all four study areas the count of ALD and RTS, and the area of bare soil they exposed, was greater during the first or second sampling episode than the third sampling episode, in spite of record high mean annual temperatures in 2014–2019. One study area had frozen debris lobes (FDL) in addition to ALD and RTS. In that study area the bare ground exposed by destabilization and rapid movement of FDL was greatest in the third sampling episode, probably as a result of deep thaw and talik formation. The destabilization of FDL in episode 3 was probably a long‐term consequence of warming and permafrost loss, while the observed pulses of ALD and RTS in episodes 1 and 2 were closely tied to short‐term deep thaw events in areas where the underlying permafrost remained stable.
Prescribing and medicines management ‘Down Under’
Authors: Thompson Angus
Published: January 2021

In the first in a series of three articles, Angus Thompson introduces his reflections on some of the differences in prescribing and medicines management between the UK and Australia.
Simulating Nanomaterial Transformation in Cascaded Biological Compartments to Enhance the Physiological Relevance of In Vitro Dosing Regimes: Optional or Required?
Authors: Llewellyn Samantha V. , Kämpfer Angela , Keller Johannes G. , Vilsmeier Klaus , Büttner Veronika , Ag Seleci Didem , Schins Roel P. F. , Doak Shareen H. , Wohlleben Wendel
Published: January 2021

Would an engineered nanomaterial (ENM) still have the same identity once it reaches a secondary target tissue after a journey through several physiological compartments? Probably not. Does it matter? ENM pre‐treatments may enhance the physiological relevance of in vitro testing via controlled transformation of the ENM identity. The implications of material transformation upon reactivity, cytotoxicity, inflammatory, and genotoxic potential of Ag and SiO2 ENM on advanced gastro‐intestinal tract cell cultures and 3D liver spheroids are demonstrated. Pre‐treatments are recommended for certain ENM only.
Model uncertainty in non‐linear numerical analyses of slender reinforced concrete members
Authors: Gino Diego , Castaldo Paolo , Giordano Luca , Mancini Giuseppe
Published: January 2021

The present study aims to characterize the epistemic uncertainty within the use of global non‐linear numerical analyses (i.e., NLNAs) for design and assessment purposes of slender reinforced concrete (RC) members. The epistemic uncertainty associated to NLNAs may be represented by approximations and choices performed during the definition of a structural numerical model. In order to quantify epistemic uncertainty associated to a non‐linear numerical simulation, the resistance model uncertainty random variable has to be characterized by means of the comparison between experimental and numerical results. With this aim, a set of experimental tests on slender RC columns known from the literature is considered. Then, the experimental results in terms of maximum axial load are compared to the outcomes achieved from NLNAs. Nine different modeling hypotheses are herein considered to characterize the resistance model uncertainty random variable. The probabilistic analysis of the results has been performed according to Bayesian approach accounting also for both the previous knowledge from the scientific literature and the influence of the experimental uncertainty on the estimation of the statistics of the resistance model uncertainty random variable. Finally, the resistance model uncertainty partial safety factor is evaluated in line with the global resistance format of fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 with reference to new and existing RC structures.
Anti‐apoptotic and pro‐survival effects of longan flower extracts on rat hearts with fructose‐induced metabolic syndrome
Authors: Cheng Shiu‐Min , Kumar V. Bharath , Wu Liang‐Yi , Chang Hsiao‐Chuan , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Wei Li‐Shan , Lin Yueh‐Min , Padma V. Vijaya , Lee Shin‐Da , Huang Chih‐Yang
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of longan flower (LF) water extract on cardiac apoptotic and survival pathways in rat models of fructose‐induced metabolic syndrome. The study findings revealed that the levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol and TUNEL‐positive apoptotic cells were significantly increased in the HF group compared with the control group; whereas, the levels were decreased in the HFLF group. The expressions of Fas, FADD, and activated caspases 8 and 3, as well as the expressions of Bax, Bak, Bax/Bcl‐2, Bak/Bcl‐xL, cytosolic cytochrome c, and activated caspases 9 and 3 were increased in the HF group were significantly reversed in HFLF administrated group. Furthermore, LF extract increased IGF‐1R, p‐PI3K, p‐Akt, Bcl‐2, and Bcl‐xL expression compared to HF group. Taken together, the present findings help identify LF as a potential cardioprotective agent that can be effectively used in treating fructose‐induced metabolic syndrome.
Hsa_circ_0001073 targets miR‐626/LIFR axis to inhibit lung cancer progression
Authors: Liu Qun , Cao Gang , Wan Yufeng , Xu Chuanqin , He Yuanqiang , Li Gang
Published: January 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are associated with lung cancer progression. However, it is unclear whether and how circRNA hsa_circ_0001073 (circ_0001073) are involved in lung cancer progression. circ_0001073, microRNA (miR)‐626, and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) abundances were determined via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or western blot. Cell viability, invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed by cell counting kit‐8, transwell analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. The target correlation was tested by dual‐luciferase reporter analysis or RNA immunoprecipitation. Results showed that circ_0001073 abundance was down‐regulated in lung cancer cells. circ_0001073 constrained cell viability and invasion and facilitated apoptosis in lung cancer cells. miR‐626 was targeted via circ_0001073, and circ_0001073 inhibited lung cancer progression via reducing miR‐626 expression. LIFR was targeted via miR‐626, and miR‐626 knockdown constrained cell viability and invasion and facilitated apoptosis in lung cancer cells via up‐regulating LIFR. circ_0001073 increased LIFR expression via miR‐626 in lung cancer cells. In conclusion, circ_0001073 represses lung cancer progression via miR‐626/LIFR axis, indicating the potential value of circ_0001073 in lung cancer treatment.
Introgression of “QTL‐hotspot” region enhances drought tolerance and grain yield in three elite chickpea cultivars
Authors: Bharadwaj Chellapilla , Tripathi Shailesh , Soren Khela R. , Thudi Mahendar , Singh Rajesh K. , Sheoran Seema , Roorkiwal Manish , Patil Basavanagouda Siddanagouda , Chitikineni Annapurna , Palakurthi Ramesh , Vemula Anilkumar , Rathore Abhishek , Kumar Yogesh , Chaturvedi Sushil K. , Mondal Biswajit , Shanmugavadivel Pichandampalayam Subramaniam , Srivastava Avinash K. , Dixit Girish P. , Singh Narendra P. , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: January 2021

With an aim of enhancing drought tolerance using a marker‐assisted backcrossing (MABC) approach, we introgressed the “QTL‐hotspot” region from ICC 4958 accession that harbors quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for several drought‐tolerance related traits into three elite Indian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars: Pusa 372, Pusa 362, and DCP 92‐3. Of eight simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in the QTL‐hotspot region, two to three polymorphic markers were used for foreground selection with respective cross‐combinations. A total of 47, 53, and 46 SSRs were used for background selection in case of introgression lines (ILs) developed in genetic backgrounds of Pusa 372, Pusa 362, and DCP 92‐3, respectively. In total, 61 ILs (20 BC3F3 in Pusa 372; 20 BC2F3 in Pusa 362, and 21 BC3F3 in DCP 92‐3), with >90% recurrent parent genome recovery were developed. Six improved lines in different genetic backgrounds (e.g. BGM 10216 in Pusa 372; BG 3097 and BG 4005 in Pusa 362; IPC(L4‐14), IPC(L4‐16), and IPC(L19‐1) in DCP 92‐3) showed better performance than their respective recurrent parents. BGM 10216, with 16% yield gain over Pusa 372, has been released as Pusa Chickpea 10216 by the Central Sub‐Committees on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties of Agricultural Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, for commercial cultivation in India. In summary, this study reports introgression of the QTL‐hotspot for enhancing yield under rainfed conditions, development of several introgression lines, and release of Pusa Chickpea 10216 developed through molecular breeding in India.
Estimating antimicrobial usage based on sales to beef and dairy farms from UK veterinary practices
Authors: Humphry Roger William , Henry Madeleine Kate , Reeves Aaron , Correia‐Gomes Carla , Innocent Giles Thomas , Smith R. , Mason Colin Stuart , Gunn George John , Tongue Sue C.
Published: January 2021

Background: Accurate estimation of antimicrobial use (AMU) is important in assessing reduction of agricultural AMU. This cross‐sectional study aimed to evaluate several approaches for estimating AMU at the herd level and to report on AMU for beef and dairy farms in Scotland.

Methods: Pharmaceutical sales data for 75 cattle herds (2011‐2015) were screened for antimicrobial products and aggregated by herd and year. Several denominators for usage estimates were calculated and compared for their suitability at the herd level.

Results: The median total mass of active ingredient sold per kg of bovine livestock was 9.5 mg/kg for beef herds and 14.3 mg/kg for dairy herds. The ‘highest priority critically important’ antimicrobials (HPCIA) were by total mass of active ingredient, 10.6% of all sales; by total defined daily dose veterinary (DDDVet), 29.8% and by DCDvet, 20.0%. These are the first estimates of AMU for beef cattle in the UK, and for cattle of any kind in Scotland. Estimates of herd‐level usage based on population correction unit (PCU) were sensitive to low values for PCU for specific herd‐years due to their demographic composition.

Conclusion: Pharmaceutical sales data can provide useful estimates of AMU, but estimating usage per PCU is not appropriate for comparing groups of cattle with different demographic compositions or for setting herd‐level targets. Total mass of active ingredient per kilogram of livestock is more stable and hence suitable than PCU‐based methods for assessing AMU at the herd level.
Prognostic markers and their discriminant score in predicting the outcome of Babesia gibsoni infection
Authors: Kandasamy Rajamanickam , Venkatasubramanian Leela , Loganathasamy Karuppusamy , Latha Bhaskaran Ravi , Mani Balagangatharathilagar
Published: January 2021

Background: We aimed to identify prognostic markers and their discriminant score in predicting the lethal outcome of canine Babesia gibsoni.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 108 client‐owned dogs with clinical signs commensurate with babesiosis to analyze haematological, biochemical, haemostatic, antioxidant profile and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels. Samples were screened for Babesia infection (microscopic and molecular techniques). Babesiosis‐affected dogs were classified into survivors and non‐survivors, and 30 healthy dogs were used in the control group.

Results: Haemoglobin, thrombocytes, catalase, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, lactate and reticulocytes were highly correlated to survival. Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed urea, ALT and lactate as specific prognostic markers for the disease. The formula for calculation of discriminant scores (Di) for lethal outcome of the disease was generated with cut‐off score 0.141. The scoring system was 79% sensitive and 83% specific in predicting the lethal outcome of the disease.

Conclusions: A scoring system developed from the prognosticating markers may aid in predicting the outcome of Babesia gibsoni infection on the day of presentation itself enabling intensive care for those animals with a cut‐off score more than 0.141.
Surgical management and histopathology of wen overgrowth and neoplasia in four oranda goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Authors: Mones Alissa , Schreeg Megan , Sommer Samantha , Linder Keith , Lewbart Gregory
Published: January 2021

The wen is a cap of gelatinous soft tissue that extends over the head and face of many varieties of fancy goldfish (Carassius auratus). Here, we describe the surgical management and histopathology of four fish with proliferative wen lesions. All fish were anesthetized for debulking or biopsy of the affected wen. One fish was diagnosed with wen hyperplasia, one fish was diagnosed with wen hyperplasia with a concurrent spindle cell neoplasm, and two fish were diagnosed with epithelial neoplasms of the wen, including a carcinoma arising within a papilloma and an epidermal papilloma with spindle cell and hyalinized matrix proliferation. This is the first published report of neoplasia in the wen of fancy goldfish. Regular evaluation of the wen during routine physical examinations may allow for biopsy of wen lesions, leading to early diagnosis and treatment interventions.
Engineered nanomedicines for tumor vasculature blockade therapy
Authors: Zhao Duoyi , Huang Xu , Zhang Zhiyu , Ding Jianxun , Cui Yan , Chen Xuesi
Published: January 2021

Tumor vasculature blockade therapy (TVBT), including angiogenesis inhibition, vascular disruption, and vascular infarction, provides a promising treatment modality for solid tumors. However, low selectivity, drug resistance, and possible severe side effects have limited the clinical transformation of TVBT. Engineered nanoparticles offer potential solutions, including prolonged circulation time, targeted transportation, and controlled release of TVBT agents. Moreover, engineered nanomedicines provide a promising combination platform of TVBT with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, ultrasound therapy, and gene therapy. In this article, we offer a comprehensive summary of the current progress of engineered nanomedicines for TVBT and also discuss current deficiencies and future directions for TVBT development.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Analysis Protocols for MRI Mapping of Renal T1
Authors: Garteiser Philippe , Pagé Gwenaël , Doblas Sabrina , Bane Octavia , Hectors Stefanie , Friedli Iris , Van Beers Bernard E. , Waterton John C.
Published: January 2021

The computation of T1 maps from MR datasets represents an important step toward the precise characterization of kidney disease models in small animals. Here the main strategies to analyze renal T1 mapping datasets derived from small rodents are presented. Suggestions are provided with respect to essential software requirements, and advice is provided as to how dataset completeness and quality may be evaluated. The various fitting models applicable to T1 mapping are presented and discussed. Finally, some methods are proposed for validating the obtained results.

This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This analysis protocol chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concept and experimental procedure.
Biochar for Climate Change Adaptation: Effect on Heavy Metal Composition of Telfairia occidentalis Leaves
Authors: Akachukwu Doris , Gbadegesin Michael Adedapo , Ojimelukwe Philippa Chinyere , Atkinson Christopher John
Published: January 2021

Gas flaring is a key contributor of greenhouse gases that causes global warming and climate change. Adaptation measures for tackling impacts of climate change have gained much research interest. This chapter assessed vegetable farmers’ perception of gas flaring and the effect of biochar remediation on the heavy metal composition of cultivatedTelfairia occidentalis.A gas-flared area, Ohaji/Egbema L.G.A of Imo State, and a non-gas-flared area, Umudike, Ikwuano L.G.A, were selected for this research. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 120 respondents. Soils were collected from the study sites and transported to the greenhouse. Five different rates, 0 t ha−1, 7.1 t ha−1, 13.9 t ha−1, 20.9 t ha−1, and 28.0 t ha−1, of palm bunch biochar were applied to the soils in plastic buckets. After 2 weeks of mineralization, two viable seeds ofTelfairia occidentaliswere planted in each bucket and watered every other day for 8 weeks. The result revealed that 63% of vegetable farmers where female, while 37% were male in the gas-flared area. A total of 97% of the farmers had knowledge of gas flaring. A total decrease of 55% percent income, 90% yield, and 67% market quality of vegetable farmers was attributed to gas-flared activities. The plant height of cultivated vegetables increased every 2 weeks with greater increase in the test plant. Heavy metal concentration (Pb, and Cr) decreased with increasing biochar rate and was significantly lower for 28.0 t ha−1. Biochar can enhance soil fertility and help immobilize heavy metals. The effect of biochar application on the heavy metal composition is dependent on the rate of application. Biochar use could be a cheap adaptation measure in the face of a changing climate.
Implications of Changing the Delivery Mode on Reading Tests in Norway—A Gender Perspective
Authors: Engdal Jensen Ragnhild
Published: January 2021

What can be seen as a digital shift in society is also visible in the Norwegian educational system, as the use of digital devices has increased in both teaching and learning activities. Together with some practical and logistical reasons, the former has very much facilitated the change of delivery mode of the Norwegian National Assessment of Reading Literacy. At the same time, a concern arose regarding whether the test will continue to measure the same underlying concept of reading as before. Furthermore, from the equity perspective, it is important that the change of mode is not disfavourable to any particular group of students. As a solution to this, the format of the test is preserved using fixed, as opposed to dynamic, texts, assuming that fixed texts are consumed in the same way regardless of whether they are presented on paper or on screen. Building on this, this chapter reports on a field trial study for the 2016 Norwegian National Assessment in reading. Nine hundred seventy-three eighth graders from nine different schools participated in completing reading tests on either paper or screen. The main aim of the study is to explore to what extent delivery mode seems to influence students’ outcomes. In particular, we investigate whether the change in delivery mode affects boys’ and girls’ results on reading comprehension tests in the same way. For the purpose of analysis, the Rasch model will be used as a measure of student ability and a multiple regression model will be used to investigate gender differences across the modes. Based on the research so far, we assume that the change in mode will not have a significant impact on student performance relative to gender. The results will be discussed in the light of the gender gap in reading achievement present in the Norwegian educational system.
Equity, Equality and Diversity—Putting Educational Justice in the Nordic Model to a Test
Authors: Buchholtz Nils , Stuart Amelie , Frønes Tove Stjern
Published: January 2021

Equity, equality and diversity are often linked to educational policy within the Nordic countries in the form of goals and principles. This can be traced back to the common educational tradition of these countries within the Nordic model of education. Because the terms are often used interchangeably, it seems appropriate to first grasp the theoretical and philosophical understanding of the terms before concrete educational policy measures can be assessed regarding to these goals. The chapter provides an overview of the terms and concretises educational policy measures to achieve equity, equality and diversity in the context of the Nordic countries. Today, societal developments and political changes call into question the common ground of the Nordic countries when it comes to matters of educational equity. Among other things, it will be discussed what contribution large scale international comparative studies can make to understanding equity, equality and diversity.
Teachers’ Role in Enhancing Equity—A Multilevel Structural Equation Modelling with Mediated Moderation
Authors: Nilsen Trude , Scherer Ronny , Gustafsson Jan-Eric , Teig Nani , Kaarstein Hege
Published: January 2021

Even though equity is an important aim for the Nordic countries, for many of these countries, the effect of a student’s home background on their achievement seems to increase over time. If the aim is to reduce the effect of SES (socioeconomic status) on student outcomes, there is a need to identify the factors that moderate this relation. One such factor could be teachers and their instruction because they have been found to be key to student outcomes. However, few have linked teachers and their instruction to equity, and fewer still have made this link in Nordic countries. The aim of the present study is to identify the aspects of teacher quality and their instruction that may reduce the relationship between SES and student achievement in the Nordic countries. Eighth-grade students from the only two Nordic countries participating in TIMSS 2015 (Norway and Sweden) were selected. Multigroup, multilevel (students and classes) structural equation models with random slopes were employed to investigate which aspects of teacher quality moderate the relation between SES and student science achievement via instructional quality. The findings show that teacher professional development and specialisation reduce the relation between SES and science achievement via instructional quality in Sweden, while there were no significant findings for Norway. This study contributes to the fields of equity and teacher effectiveness, demonstrating that teachers may make a difference in reducing inequity through their competence and instruction.
Wie körpernahe und implantierte Systeme die Medizin und die Gesundheitsversorgung verändern
Authors: Marschollek Michael , Wolf Klaus-Hendrik
Published: January 2021

Sensoren und Aktoren im persönlichen Lebensumfeld ermöglichen neue gesundheitsbezogene Dienste. Die anfallenden Daten lassen sich allein aufgrund ihrer schieren Menge nicht allein von Menschen interpretieren. Das Zusammenwirken der Patientinnen und Patienten, sowie der Ärztinnen und Ärzte mit Systemen, die aufgrund ihrer Analyse und der entsprechenden Rückmeldung die Gesundheit von Menschen beeinflussen, stellt die Medizin und die Gesellschaft vor neue Herausforderungen. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt mehrere aktuelle Beispiele aus den Bereichen Rehabilitation, Pflege und klinische Medizin vor und zeigt jeweils Möglichkeiten und Herausforderungen des Zusammenwirkens solcher Assistenzsysteme im Kontext der sozio-technischen Systeme auf, in die sie eingebettet sind. Zusammenfassend erörtert er die möglichen Konsequenzen des Zusammenwirkens der verschiedenen ungleichen Akteure.
Erweitertes Zusammenwirken in der Landwirtschaft – zur Diskussion
Authors: Wolf Lars
Published: January 2021

In der Landwirtschaft wurde schon immer Technik eingesetzt, auch wenn aus heutiger Sicht viele Verfahren sehr einfach und kaum technisiert erscheinen mögen. Insbesondere in jüngerer Zeit kamen verschiedene Arten von Beobachtungs- und Prognoseverfahren hinzu, welche nun Informationen über den Zustand von Tieren und Pflanzen liefern können. Durch die informationstechnischen Entwicklungen der letzten Jahre ergeben sich somit vielfältige Fragestellungen bezüglich des Zusammenwirkens von Menschen, Tieren und Pflanzen: Welche Möglichkeiten ergeben sich durch die Digitalisierung, beispielsweise durch den Einsatz von Sensorik und die Einführung von Verfahren aus der künstlichen Intelligenz? Wie kann ein Zusammenwirken von natürlicher und künstlicher Intelligenz in der Landwirtschaft aussehen und welche Auswirkungen, welcher Art und auf was bezogen, kann es hierdurch geben?
Freiwilliges und zivilgesellschaftliches Engagement – Stand der Forschung und aktuelle empirische Befunde
Authors: Störkle Mario
Published: January 2021

Die Begriffe Zivilgesellschaft und das damit verbundene freiwillige resp. zivilgesellschaftliche Engagement sind seit vielen Jahren Gegenstand zahlreicher Diskussionen, Projekte und Konzepte. „Sowohl in den öffentlichen Debatten als auch in der sozialwissenschaftlichen Forschung“ (Olk/Hartnuss 2011: 145) haben diese Begriffe seit Mitte der 1980er Jahre an Bedeutung gewonnen.
Empirische Ergebnisse Teil 1: Alltag und Engagement von Expatriates im Kanton Zug – die Perspektive der Expatriates
Authors: Störkle Mario
Published: January 2021

Während ich in den vorangegangenen Kapiteln die Zielsetzung der Arbeit, die theoretischen Grundlagen sowie das methodische Vorgehen ausführlich dargelegt habe, will ich nun in diesem Kapitel detailliert auf die empirischen Ergebnisse eingehen. Wie bereits eingangs erwähnt, hat die Arbeit zwei empirische Teile, die sich zum einen mit der Perspektive der im Kanton Zug lebenden Expatriates befassen, zum anderen aber auch die Perspektive etablierter Akteur*innen zivilgesellschaftlicher Vereinigungen und Organisationen im Kanton Zug mit einbeziehen (vgl. Kapitel 8). Die Ergebnisse beider empirischen Teile werden in Kapitel 9 mit den theoretischen Grundlagen verknüpft und in einer Gesamtschau präsentiert und abschliessend diskutiert.