bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unpacking Cigar Product Familiarity and Terminology among Black and Hispanic Youth: It’s All about Blunts
Authors: Jackson Dawnyéa D. , Sanders Emily C. , Barry Molly , Wagner Dana E. , Vigorita Megan Wall , Navarro Mario A.
Published: February 2022

The prevalence rate of Cigar, Little Cigar, and Cigarillo (CLCC) use among youth rose above the rate of cigarettes for the first time in 2019, and Black and Hispanic youth remain disproportionately more susceptible and likely to use these products compared to White youth. Addressing this disparity through education requires a clearer understanding of the ways youth refer to, and group, CLCCs. Twenty-eight virtual focus groups with youth ages 13–17 (n = 105) were conducted across the U.S. Groups were split by race/ethnicity, with 14 Black and 14 Hispanic groups, and further divided by CLCC experimenters and susceptible users. Youth participants discussed CLCC use behaviors, harm and risk perceptions, and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about CLCC products. When shown photos of CLCC products during focus groups, youth across groups identified and labeled these products into four subcategories. Large cigars were universally labeled “cigars”. Little cigars were unfamiliar and guessed to be cigarettes. Tipped cigarillos were synonymous with the brand Black and Mild and considered tobacco. Untipped cigarillos were most referred to as “blunts” and used with marijuana. Understanding the nuances of language and use patterns of CLCCs is critical to ensuring the accuracy of measurement and impact of public health communications.
Sustained Compression with a Pneumatic Cuff on Skeletal Muscles Promotes Muscle Blood Flow and Relieves Muscle Stiffness
Authors: Nakajima Masaaki , Tsuro Tomoka , Endo Akemi
Published: February 2022

(1) Purpose: This study aimed to examine whether a pneumatic cuff could promote muscle blood flow and improve muscle stiffness by continuously compressing muscles with air pressure in healthy college students. (2) Method: Twenty-one healthy collegiate students participated in this study. The probe of the near-infrared spectrometer was attached to the upper surface of the left gastrocnemius muscle, and a cuff was wrapped around the left lower leg. The cuff was inflated to 200 mmHg. After 10 min, the cuff was deflated, and the patient rested for 10 min. Muscle stiffness and fatigue were assessed before and after the intervention. (3) Results: During 10 min of continuous compression, StO2 continued to decrease until seven min of compression. After 10 min of continuous compression, StO2 was 30.8 ± 10.4%, which was approximately half of 69.2 ± 6.1% at rest. After the release of the pneumatic cuff compression, the StO2 remained higher than that at rest from 1 to 10 min. Muscle hardness was 19.0 ± 8.0 before intervention was 8.7 ± 4.8 after the intervention. Muscle fatigue was 6.6 ± 1.7 cm before the intervention and 4.0 ± 1.6 cm after the intervention. (4) Conclusions: This study suggests that sustained muscle compression using a pneumatic cuff can promote muscle blood flow and improve muscle stiffness and fatigue.
Functional Role of Mitochondrial DNA in Cancer Progression
Authors: Lin Yang-Hsiang , Lim Siew-Na , Chen Cheng-Yi , Chi Hsiang-Cheng , Yeh Chau-Ting , Lin Wey-Ran
Published: February 2022

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been identified as a significant genetic biomarker in disease, cancer and evolution. Mitochondria function as modulators for regulating cellular metabolism. In the clinic, mtDNA variations (mutations/single nucleotide polymorphisms) and dysregulation of mitochondria-encoded genes are associated with survival outcomes among cancer patients. On the other hand, nuclear-encoded genes have been found to regulate mitochondria-encoded gene expression, in turn regulating mitochondrial homeostasis. These observations suggest that the crosstalk between the nuclear genome and mitochondrial genome is important for cellular function. Therefore, this review summarizes the significant mechanisms and functional roles of mtDNA variations (DNA level) and mtDNA-encoded genes (RNA and protein levels) in cancers and discusses new mechanisms of crosstalk between mtDNA and the nuclear genome.
HNMT Upregulation Induces Cancer Stem Cell Formation and Confers Protection against Oxidative Stress through Interaction with HER2 in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kuo Kuang-Tai , Lin Cheng-Hsin , Wang Chun-Hua , Pikatan Narpati Wesa , Yadav Vijesh Kumar , Fong Iat-Hang , Yeh Chi-Tai , Lee Wei-Hwa , Huang Wen-Chien
Published: February 2022

Background: The treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involves platinum-based chemotherapy. It is typically accompanied by chemoresistance resulting from antioxidant properties conferred by cancer stem cells (CSCs). Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) enhances CSCs and antioxidant properties in cancers, including NSCLC. Methods: Here, we elucidated the role of histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT), a histamine metabolism enzyme significantly upregulated in NSCLC and coexpressed with HER2. HNMT expression in lung cancer tissues was determined using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). A publicly available dataset was used to determine HNMT’s potential as an NSCLC target molecule. Immunohistochemistry and coimmunoprecipitation were used to determine HNMT–HER2 correlations and interactions, respectively. HNMT shRNA and overexpression plasmids were used to explore HNMT functions in vitro and in vivo. We also examined miRNAs that may target HNMT and investigated HNMT/HER2’s role on NSCLC cells’ antioxidant properties. Finally, how HNMT loss affects NSCLC cells’ sensitivity to cisplatin was investigated. Results: HNMT was significantly upregulated in human NSCLC tissues, conferred a worse prognosis, and was coexpressed with HER2. HNMT depletion and overexpression respectively decreased and increased cell proliferation, colony formation, tumorsphere formation, and CSCs marker expression. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis indicated that HNMT directly interacts with HER2. TARGETSCAN analysis revealed that HNMT is a miR-223 and miR-3065-5p target. TBHp treatment increased HER2 expression, whereas shHNMT disrupted the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1)/HER2 axis and increased reactive oxygen species accumulation in NSCLC cells. Finally, shHNMT sensitized H441 cells to cisplatin treatment in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: Therefore, HNMT upregulation in NSCLC cells may upregulate HER2 expression, increasing tumorigenicity and chemoresistance through CSCs maintenance and antioxidant properties. This newly discovered regulatory axis may aid in retarding NSCLC progression and chemoresistance.
Differential Expression of Serum Extracellular Vesicle miRNAs in Multiple Sclerosis: Disease-Stage Specificity and Relevance to Pathophysiology
Authors: Cuomo-Haymour Nagiua , Bergamini Giorgio , Russo Giancarlo , Kulic Luka , Knuesel Irene , Martin Roland , Huss André , Tumani Hayrettin , Otto Markus , Pryce Christopher R.
Published: February 2022

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Its first clinical presentation (clinically isolated syndrome, CIS) is often followed by the development of relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). The periphery-to-CNS transmission of inflammatory molecules is a major pathophysiological pathway in MS. This could include signalling via extracellular vesicle (EV) microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we investigated the serum EV miRNome in CIS and RRMS patients and matched controls, with the aims to identify MS stage-specific differentially expressed miRNAs and investigate their biomarker potential and pathophysiological relevance. miRNA sequencing was conducted on serum EVs from CIS-remission, RRMS-relapse, and viral inflammatory CNS disorder patients, as well as from healthy and hospitalized controls. Differential expression analysis was conducted, followed by predictive power and target-pathway analysis. A moderate number of dysregulated serum EV miRNAs were identified in CIS-remission and RRMS-relapse patients, especially relative to healthy controls. Some of these miRNAs were also differentially expressed between the two MS stages and had biomarker potential for patient-control and CIS–RRMS separations. For the mRNA targets of the RRMS-relapse-specific EV miRNAs, biological processes inherent to MS pathophysiology were identified using in silico analysis. Study findings demonstrate that specific serum EV miRNAs have MS stage-specific biomarker potential and contribute to the identification of potential targets for novel, efficacious therapies.
Silk Sericin Enrichment through Electrodeposition and Carbonous Materials for the Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Ji Yansong , Zhang Xiaoning , Chen Zhenyu , Xiao Yuting , Li Shiwei , Gu Jie , Hu Hongmei , Cheng Guotao
Published: February 2022

The recycling and reuse of biomass waste for the preparation of carbon-based adsorbents is a sustainable development strategy that has a positive environmental impact. It is well known that a large amount of silk sericin (SS) is dissolved in the wastewater from the silk industry. Utilizing the SS instead of discharging it into the environment without further treatment would reduce environmental and ecological problems. However, effective enrichment of the SS from the aqueous solution is a challenge. Here, with the help of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), which can form a gel structure under low voltage, an SS/CMCS hydrogel with SS as the major component was prepared via electrodeposition at a 3 V direct-current (DC) voltage for five minutes. Following a carbonization process, an SS-based adsorbent with good performance for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution was prepared. Our results reveal that the SS/CMCS hydrogel maintains a porous architecture before and after carbonization. Such structure provides abundant adsorption sites facilitating the adsorption of MB molecules, with a maximum adsorptive capacity of 231.79 mg/g. In addition, it suggests that the adsorption is an exothermic process, has a good fit with the Langmuir model, and follows the intra-particle diffusion model. The presented work provides an economical and feasible path for the treatment of wastewater from dyeing and printing.
Induction of the Unfolded Protein Response at High Temperature in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hata Tatsuya , Ishiwata-Kimata Yuki , Kimata Yukio
Published: February 2022

Ire1 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-located endoribonuclease that is activated in response to ER stress. In yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, Ire1 promotes HAC1-mRNA splicing to remove the intron sequence from the HAC1u mRNA (“u” stands for “uninduced”). The resulting mRNA, which is named HAC1i mRNA (“i” stands for “induced”), is then translated into a transcription factor that is involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR). In this study, we designed an oligonucleotide primer that specifically hybridizes to the exon-joint site of the HAC1i cDNA. This primer allowed us to perform real-time reverse transcription-PCR to quantify HAC1i mRNA abundance with high sensitivity. Using this method, we detected a minor induction of HAC1-mRNA splicing in yeast cells cultured at their maximum growth temperature of 39 °C. Based on our analyses of IRE1-gene mutant strains, we propose that when yeast cells are cultured at or near their maximum growth temperature, protein folding in the ER is disturbed, leading to a minor UPR induction that supports cellular growth.
Genome-Wide Analysis of BpYABs and Function Identification Involving in the Leaf and Silique Development in Transgenic Arabidopsis
Authors: Tang Feng , Zhang Dan , Chen Naizhi , Peng Xianjun , Shen Shihua
Published: February 2022

YABs play an important role in the leaf development of the paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) and of the heterophylly. Thus, we investigated the function of BpYABs. Gene cloning, phylogenetic analysis, motif identification, subcellular localization, transactivation activity assay, qRT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and ectopic expression were used in our study. Six BpYABs were isolated, and four of them had transcriptional activity. BpYAB1, BpYAB3, BpYAB4, and BpYAB5 were localized to the nucleus. BpYAB1 was only expressed in the flower, while BpYAB6 was not expressed in any detected tissues; the four remaining BpYABs were expressed in the bud, leaf and flower, and their expression level decreased with leaf development. Further in situ hybridization showed that BpYAB3 and BpYAB5 were expressed in the vascular tissues and lamina, but neither showed the adaxial–abaxial polarity distribution pattern in the mature leaf lamina. Ectopic expression of BpYAB2, BpYAB3, BpYAB4 and BpYAB5 induced increased expression of AtWOX1 and caused the leaf of Arabidopsis to become smaller and curl downwards. Ectopic expression also led to shorter siliques and smaller seeds, but not for BpYAB5. These results suggest that BpYABs have functional divergency and redundancy in regulating leaf and silique development.
Propolin G-Suppressed Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells via Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β-Mediated Snail and HDAC6-Regulated Vimentin Degradation
Authors: Pai Jih-Tung , Chen Xing-Han , Leu Yann-Lii , Weng Meng-Shih
Published: February 2022

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer with a poor prognosis. The incidence and mortality rate of TNBC are frequently found in younger women. Due to the absence of a good therapeutic strategy, effective remedies for inhibiting TNBC have been developed for improving the cure rate. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical mechanism to regulate cancer cell motility and invasion. Furthermore, ectopic expression of EMT molecules correlates with the metastasis and poor prognosis of TNBC. Targeting EMT might be a strategy for the therapy and prevention of TNBC. Propolin G, an active c-prenylflavanone in Taiwanese propolis, has been shown to possess anti-cancer activity in many cancers. However, the anti-metastasis activity of propolin G on TNBC is still unclear. The present study showed that the migration and invasion activities of TNBC cells was suppressed by propolin G. Down-regulated expression of Snail and vimentin and up-regulated expression of E-cadherin were dose- and time-dependently observed in propolin G-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Propolin G inhibited Snail and vimentin expressions via the signaling pathways associated with post-translational modification. The activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) by propolin G resulted in increasing GSK-3β interaction with Snail. Consequently, the nuclear localization and stability of Snail was disrupted resulting in promoting the degradation. Propolin G-inhibited Snail expression and the activities of migration and invasion were reversed by GSK-3β inhibitor pretreatment. Meanwhile, the outcomes also revealed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) activity was dose-dependently suppressed by propolin G. Correspondently, the amounts of acetyl-α-tubulin, a down-stream substrate of HDAC6, were increased. Dissociation of HDAC6/Hsp90 with vimentin leading to increased vimentin acetylation and degradation was perceived in the cells with the addition of propolin G. Moreover, up-regulated expression of acetyl-α-tubulin by propolin G was attenuated by HDAC6 overexpression. On the contrary, down-regulated expression of vimentin, cell migration and invasion by propolin G were overturned by HDAC6 overexpression. Conclusively, restraint cell migration and invasion of TNBC by propolin G were activated by the expression of GSK-3β-suppressed Snail and the interruption of HDAC6-mediated vimentin protein stability. Aiming at EMT, propolin G might be a potential candidate for TNBC therapy.
Effects of Yeast Species and Processing on Intestinal Health and Transcriptomic Profiles of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Fed Soybean Meal-Based Diets in Seawater
Authors: Agboola Jeleel O. , Mensah Dominic D. , Hansen Jon Ø. , Lapeña David , Mydland Liv T. , Arntzen Magnus Ø. , Horn Svein J. , Øyås Ove , Press Charles McL. , Øverland Margareth
Published: February 2022

The objective of the current study was to examine the effects of yeasts on intestinal health and transcriptomic profiles from the distal intestine and spleen tissue of Atlantic salmon fed SBM-based diets in seawater. Cyberlindnera jadinii (CJ) and Wickerhamomyces anomalus (WA) yeasts were heat-inactivated with spray-drying (ICJ and IWA) or autolyzed at 50 °C for 16 h (ACJ and AWA), followed by spray-drying. Six diets were formulated, one based on fishmeal (FM), a challenging diet with 30% soybean meal (SBM) and four other diets containing 30% SBM and 10% of each of the four yeast fractions (i.e., ICJ, ACJ, IWA and AWA). The inclusion of CJ yeasts reduced the loss of enterocyte supranuclear vacuolization and reduced the population of CD8α labeled cells present in the lamina propria of fish fed the SBM diet. The CJ yeasts controlled the inflammatory responses of fish fed SBM through up-regulation of pathways related to wound healing and taurine metabolism. The WA yeasts dampened the inflammatory profile of fish fed SBM through down-regulation of pathways related to toll-like receptor signaling, C-lectin receptor, cytokine receptor and signal transduction. This study suggests that the yeast species, Cyberlindnera jadinii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus are novel high-quality protein sources with health-beneficial effects in terms of reducing inflammation associated with feeding plant-based diets to Atlantic salmon.
EphrinB2–EphB4 Signaling in Neurooncological Disease
Authors: Piffko Andras , Uhl Christian , Vajkoczy Peter , Czabanka Marcus , Broggini Thomas
Published: February 2022

EphrinB2–EphB4 signaling is critical during embryogenesis for cardiovascular formation and neuronal guidance. Intriguingly, critical expression patterns have been discovered in cancer pathologies over the last two decades. Multiple connections to tumor migration, growth, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and metastasis have been identified in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular signaling pathways are manifold and signaling of the EphB4 receptor or the ephrinB2 ligand is cancer type specific. Here we explore the impact of these signaling pathways in neurooncological disease, including glioma, brain metastasis, and spinal bone metastasis. We identify potential downstream pathways that mediate cancer suppression or progression and seek to understand it´s role in antiangiogenic therapy resistance in glioma. Despite the Janus-faced functions of ephrinB2–EphB4 signaling in cancer Eph signaling remains a promising clinical target.
Nanoparticles in Clinical Translation for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Mundekkad Deepa , Cho William C.
Published: February 2022

The advent of cancer therapeutics brought a paradigm shift from conventional therapy to precision medicine. The new therapeutic modalities accomplished through the properties of nanomaterials have extended their scope in cancer therapy beyond conventional drug delivery. Nanoparticles can be channeled in cancer therapy to encapsulate active pharmaceutical ingredients and deliver them to the tumor site in a more efficient manner. This review enumerates various types of nanoparticles that have entered clinical trials for cancer treatment. The obstacles in the journey of nanodrug from clinic to market are reviewed. Furthermore, the latest developments in using nanoparticles in cancer therapy are also highlighted.
Challenges of CRISPR-Based Gene Editing in Primary T Cells
Authors: Rezalotfi Alaleh , Fritz Lea , Förster Reinhold , Bošnjak Berislav
Published: February 2022

Adaptive T-cell immunotherapy holds great promise for the successful treatment of leukemia, as well as other types of cancers. More recently, it was also shown to be an effective treatment option for chronic virus infections in immunosuppressed patients. Autologous or allogeneic T cells used for immunotherapy are usually genetically modified to express novel T-cell or chimeric antigen receptors. The production of such cells was significantly simplified with the CRISPR/Cas system, allowing for the deletion or insertion of novel genes at specific locations within the genome. In this review, we describe recent methodological breakthroughs that were important for the conduction of these genetic modifications, summarize crucial points to be considered when conducting such experiments, and highlight the potential pitfalls of these approaches.
Predominant Role of mTOR Signaling in Skin Diseases with Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Karagianni Fani , Pavlidis Antreas , Malakou Lina S. , Piperi Christina , Papadavid Evangelia
Published: February 2022

The serine/threonine kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, and motility in response to availability of energy and nutrients as well as mitogens. The mTOR signaling axis regulates important biological processes, including cellular growth, metabolism, and survival in many tissues. In the skin, dysregulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway may lead to severe pathological conditions characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and inflammation, including skin hyperproliferative as well as malignant diseases. Herein, we provide an update on the current knowledge regarding the pathogenic implication of the mTOR pathway in skin diseases with inflammatory features (such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pemphigus, and acne) and malignant characteristics (such as cutaneous T cell lymphoma and melanoma) while we critically discuss current and future perspectives for therapeutic targeting of mTOR axis in clinical practice.
Cassiaside C Inhibits M1 Polarization of Macrophages by Downregulating Glycolysis
Authors: Kim Ye Jin , Lee Sungwoo , Jin Jonghwa , Woo Hyein , Choi Yeon-Kyung , Park Keun-Gyu
Published: February 2022

Classically activated M1 macrophages reprogram their metabolism towards enhanced glycolysis to obtain energy and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines after activation by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Thus, a strategy that constrains M1 polarization of macrophages via downregulation of glycolysis is essential for treating chronic inflammatory diseases. Cassiae semen has pharmacological activity against various inflammatory diseases. However, it is unclear whether specific compounds within Cassia seeds affect M1 polarization of macrophages. Here, we investigated whether Cassiaside C napthopyrone from Cassiae semen inhibits M1 polarization by downregulating glycolysis. We found that Cassiaside C reduced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 and the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B, all of which are upregulated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon (IFN)-γ-treated Raw264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, Cassiaside C-treated macrophages showed marked suppression of LPS/IFN-γ-induced HIF-1α, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1, and lactate dehydrogenase A expression, along with downregulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway. Consequently, Cassiaside C attenuated enhanced glycolysis and lactate production, but rescued diminished oxidative phosphorylation, in M1 polarized macrophages. Thus, Cassiaside C dampens M1 polarization of macrophages by downregulating glycolysis, which could be exploited as a therapeutic strategy for chronic inflammatory conditions.
Inhibition of the Akt/PKB Kinase Increases Nav1.6-Mediated Currents and Neuronal Excitability in CA1 Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons
Authors: Marosi Mate , Nenov Miroslav N. , Di Re Jessica , Dvorak Nolan M. , Alshammari Musaad , Laezza Fernanda
Published: February 2022

In neurons, changes in Akt activity have been detected in response to the stimulation of transmembrane receptors. However, the mechanisms that lead to changes in neuronal function upon Akt inhibition are still poorly understood. In the present study, we interrogate how Akt inhibition could affect the activity of the neuronal Nav channels with while impacting intrinsic excitability. To that end, we employed voltage-clamp electrophysiological recordings in heterologous cells expressing the Nav1.6 channel isoform and in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in the presence of triciribine, an inhibitor of Akt. We showed that in both systems, Akt inhibition resulted in a potentiation of peak transient Na+ current (INa) density. Akt inhibition correspondingly led to an increase in the action potential firing of the CA1 pyramidal neurons that was accompanied by a decrease in the action potential current threshold. Complementary confocal analysis in the CA1 pyramidal neurons showed that the inhibition of Akt is associated with the lengthening of Nav1.6 fluorescent intensity along the axonal initial segment (AIS), providing a mechanism for augmented neuronal excitability. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that Akt-mediated signal transduction might affect neuronal excitability in a Nav1.6-dependent manner.
Disruption of Kidney–Immune System Crosstalk in Sepsis with Acute Kidney Injury: Lessons Learned from Animal Models and Their Application to Human Health
Authors: LaFavers Kaice
Published: February 2022

In addition to being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, sepsis is also the most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). When sepsis leads to the development of AKI, mortality increases dramatically. Since the cardinal feature of sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection, a disruption of kidney–immune crosstalk is likely to be contributing to worsening prognosis in sepsis with acute kidney injury. Since immune-mediated injury to the kidney could disrupt its protein manufacturing capacity, an investigation of molecules mediating this crosstalk not only helps us understand the sepsis immune response, but also suggests that their supplementation could have a therapeutic effect. Erythropoietin, vitamin D and uromodulin are known to mediate kidney–immune crosstalk and their disrupted production could impact morbidity and mortality in sepsis with acute kidney injury.
Changes in Metabolic Profiles of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) as a Result of Repeated Short-Term Soil Drought and Subsequent Re-Watering
Authors: Lahuta Lesław Bernard , Szablińska-Piernik Joanna , Horbowicz Marcin
Published: February 2022

The metabolic re-arrangements of peas (Pisum sativum L.) under soil drought and re-watering are still not fully explained. The search for metabolic markers of the stress response is important in breeding programs, to allow for the selection drought-resistant cultivars. During the present study, changes in the polar metabolite content in pea plant shoots were measured under repeated short-term soil drought and subsequent re-watering. A gas chromatograph, equipped with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS), was used for the metabolite profiling of pea plants during their middle stage of vegetation (14–34 days after sowing, DAS). The major changes occurred in the concentration of amino acids and some soluble carbohydrates. Among them, proline, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), branched-chain amino acids, hydroxyproline, serine, myo-inositol, and raffinose were accumulated under each soil drought and decreased after re-watering. Besides, the obtained results show that the first drought/re-watering cycle increased the ability of pea plants to restore a metabolic profile similar to the control after the second similar stress. The accumulation of proline seems to be an important part of drought memory in pea plants. However, confirmation of this suggestion requires metabolite profiling studies on a broader spectrum of pea cultivars.
Inter- and Intrasexual Variation in Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Trichrysis cyanea (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae)
Authors: Fröhlich David , Zangl Lukas , Raspotnig Günther , Koblmüller Stephan
Published: February 2022

Cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae, Hymenoptera) are known for their parasitoid or cleptoparasitic life histories. Indeed, the biology of only a few species has been studied in detail and often only little more is known than the host species. By mimicking their hosts’ cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, species that parasitize single (or a few closely related) host species manage to deceive their hosts. However, the variability of the CHC profile in generalist cuckoo-wasp species is still unknown. Here, we used gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and DNA barcoding to study intraspecific variation in cuticular hydrocarbons of one less host-specific species of cuckoo wasps, Trichrysis cyanea. Cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) patterns were found to differ between males and females. Additionally, we found chemical polymorphism among females, which formed three distinct chemical subgroups characterized by different alkene patterns. A lack of divergence in the DNA barcoding region suggests that these different chemotypes do not represent cryptic species. Whether this intrasexual CHC-profile variation is an adaptation (mimicry) to different host species, or simply signaling the reproductive status, remains unclear.
Patient–Prosthesis Mismatch in Contemporary Small-Size Mechanical Prostheses Does Not Impact Survival at 10 Years
Authors: Feier Horea , Mocan Mihaela , Grigorescu Andrei , Falnita Lucian , Gaspar Marian , Luca Constantin-Tudor
Published: February 2022

Background: The effect of PPM in mechanical prostheses on long-term survival is not well-established. Methods: Patients who received a 21 mm or smaller aortic valve between 2000 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed (n = 416). Propensity matching was used in order to account for baseline differences in patient subgroups (PPM vs. no PPM; severe PPM vs. no severe PPM). Results: Five- and ten-year survival was 78 ± 3.52% and 64.51 ± 4.51% in patients with PPM, versus 83.3 ± 3.12% and 69.37 ± 4.36% in patients without (p = 0.28) when analyzed at 10.39 ± 5.25 years after the primary procedure. Independent risk factors for impaired survival, after matching, were age, serum creatinine, and severe pulmonary hypertension. Five- and ten-year survival in patients with severe PPM was 73.34 ± 6.01% and 61.76 ± 8.17%, respectively, versus 74.72 ± 5.68% and 67.50 ± 7.09% in those without (p = 0.49), at 8.82 ± 5.17 years after SAVR. Age was the only independent variable that influenced long-term survival when severe PPM was added to the model. Conclusions: PPM or severe PPM does not impact long-term survival up to 10 years in mechanical valve recipients when matching for preoperative variables.
Mechanical Behaviour Evaluation of Porous Scaffold for Tissue-Engineering Applications Using Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Kakarla Akesh Babu , Kong Ing , Nukala Satya Guha , Kong Win
Published: February 2022

In recent years, finite element analysis (FEA) models of different porous scaffold shapes consisting of various materials have been developed to predict the mechanical behaviour of the scaffolds and to address the initial goals of 3D printing. Although mechanical properties of polymeric porous scaffolds are determined through FEA, studies on the polymer nanocomposite porous scaffolds are limited. In this paper, FEA with the integration of material designer and representative volume elements (RVE) was carried out on a 3D scaffold model to determine the mechanical properties of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs)-reinforced gelatin (G) and alginate (A) hydrogel. The maximum stress regions were predicted by FEA stress distribution. Furthermore, the analysed material model and the boundary conditions showed minor deviation (4%) compared to experimental results. It was noted that the stress regions are detected at the zone close to the pore areas. These results indicated that the model used in this work could be beneficial in FEA studies on 3D-printed porous structures for tissue engineering applications.
Bearing Characteristics of Tripod Bucket Jacket Foundation for Offshore Wind Turbines in Sand under Monotonic Loads
Authors: Wang Guilan , Gan Yi , Le Conghuan , Yan Ruiyang , Hu Xueyang
Published: February 2022

Tripod bucket jacket foundation is an alternative foundation solution for deep-sea wind farms. This paper analyzes and compares the bearing characteristics of two tripod bucket jacket foundations with different height-diameter ratios, the tripod suction pile jacket foundation (TSPJF) and tripod bucket jacket foundation (TBJF), under different monotonic loads. The bearing modes of the two foundations under the vertical loads are different. The ultimate vertical load is mainly borne by the inside frictional resistance for the TSPJF, while it is mainly borne by the lid resistance for the TBJF. The foundations will take place translation and rotation under horizontal load. Under the positive x-axis loading, the vertical resistance of the TSPJF and TBJF is mainly composed of the soil resistance on the 1# bucket lid, the inside and outside frictional resistance. Under the negative x-axis loading condition, the vertical resistance is mainly composed of the inside and outside frictional resistance of buckets. The ultimate moment capacities of the TSPJF and TBJF in loading of the single bucket in compression is significantly larger than that in loading of the single bucket in tension. The failure mode of the TSPJF and TBJF in loading of the single bucket in tension is the pull-out failure of the bucket in tension.
The Dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum Induces Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Release by Human Neutrophils
Authors: Reis Ana Paula Carvalho , Celestrino Giovanna Azevedo , Igoa Mariana Villas Bôas , Jesus Thais Martins , França Tábata Takahashi , Moreira Daniel Valério Silva , Rigato Paula Ordonhez , Sato Paula Keiko , Condino-Neto Antonio , Noronha Irene L. , Dias-Melicio Luciane Alarcão , Lalwani Pritesh Jaychand , Benard Gil , Sousa Maria Gloria Teixeira
Published: February 2022

Neutrophils are the first leukocytes recruited to the site of infection and are thought to be responsible for fungal elimination from the skin such as dermatophytes. Neutrophils are able to secrete reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that can kill different fungi, including Aspergillus, spp., Candida albicans, and Phialophora verrucosa. However, NET production in response to Trichophyton rubrum, the main etiologic agent of dermatophytosis, has yet to be studied. We demonstrated that human neutrophils produce NETs against different morphotypes of T. rubrum in a dose-dependent manner and NET formation is dependent on ROS production. In addition, ROS production by human neutrophils in response to T. rubrum is dependent on NADPH oxidase, but not on fungal viability. NETs mediated killing of T. rubrum. Collectively, these results demonstrate that T. rubrum was able to trigger the production of NETs, suggesting that these extracellular structures may represent an important innate immune effector mechanism controlling physiological response to T. rubrum infection.
Customers’ Risk Tolerance and Suppliers’ Investment Inefficiency
Authors: Hrazdil Karel , Kim Jeong-Bon , Li Xin
Published: February 2022

We examine the effect of the risk tolerance of downstream firms (i.e., customers) on the investment inefficiency of upstream firms (i.e., suppliers). Using the pilot licensing status of the CEOs as a proxy for their inherent risk tolerance, we find that customer firms led by pilot CEOs are associated with suppliers’ investment inefficiency, where investment inefficiency is more pronounced when the suppliers have less bargaining power over their customers. Our dynamic analysis confirms the causative relation between customer risk tolerance and supplier investment inefficiency and suggests that customers’ risk tolerance plays a significant role in shaping suppliers’ relationship-specific investment strategies.
The Dynamic Relationship between Investor Attention and Stock Market Volatility: International Evidence
Authors: Ben El Hadj Said Imene , Slim Skander
Published: February 2022

This paper investigates the role of investor attention in forecasting realized volatility for fourteen international stock markets, by means of Google Trends data, over the sample period January 2004 through November 2021. We devise an augmented Empirical Similarity model that combines three volatility components, defined over different time horizons, using the similarity measure between lagged Google search queries and volatility. Results show that investor attention positively affects future volatility in the short-run. The effect of investor attention is likely to reverse in the long-run, consistently with the price pressure hypothesis. The proposed model demonstrates important gains in terms of volatility forecast accuracy and outperforms highly competitive models.
Tropem politycznym i ideologicznym podroży petersburskiej Adama Chmary ostatniego wojewody mińskiego (1793)
Authors: Rolnik Dariusz
Published: February 2022

Adnotacja. Artykuł przedstawia działalność polityczną i poglądy ideologiczne ostatniego
wojewody mińskiego Adama Chmary (1720–1805) w okresie drugiego rozbioru Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów. Autor pokazuje, że Chmara jest typowym przykładem człowieka, w którym mieszczą się oświeceniowe idee i marzenia o życiu w państwie sprawiedliwym i wolnym z polityczną pragmatyką wymuszaną przez całe jego życie okolicznościami politycznymi. Było to w pewnym sensie dziedzictwo upadającego państwa polsko-litewskiego, a zachowanie i myśli A. Chmary są niejako testamentem politycznym Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów w płaszczyźnie przyjmowanych przez obywateli Litwy na przełomie XVIII i XIX wieku norm i postaw politycznych.

Słowa kluczowe: Adam Chmara (1720–1805), elity Rzeczypospolitej Obojga
Narodów, upadek Rzeczypospolitej, Polacy i Litwini w Sankt Petersburgu.
Pranciškaus Ksavero Mykolo Bohušo SJ bažnytinės karjeros bruožai
Authors: Prašmantaitė Aldona
Published: February 2022

STROKES FROM THE CAREER OF FRANCISZEK KSAWERY MICHAŁ BOHUSZ Franciszek Ksawery Michał Bohusz (1746–1820) was a multifaceted, Jesuitshaped, wide-thinking personality. While growing-up and maturing in the Saxon period, Bohusz developed his public and intellectual life, as well as spiritual ministry, in the era of the Enlightenment. On the basis of historiography and primary sources the article analyses the development of the ecclesiastical career of Bohusz. It distinguishes and amply discusses the key stages of the ecclesiastical career of Bohusz: the novitiate, ministry of a parish priest, and membership in the chapter of Vilnius diocese. The article questions historiographic assertion that Bohusz was a prelate of the chapter of Vilnius diocese. The top level of the ecclesiastical career for Bohusz was becoming a coadjutor of cantor of prelate of the chapter of Vilnius diocese. This circumstance did not prevent either his contemporaries or Bohusz himself from actually using this title. Bohusz was not interested in a full-fledged office of prelate of the chapter of Vilnius diocese. The assumption here is that this was determined by Bohusz’s decision to favour secular ministry. Keywords: Franciszek Ksawery Michał Bohusz, ecclesiastical career, chapter of Vilnius diocese.
Didžiųjų istorijos įvykių atspindžiai Mažesniųjų brolių konventualų memoriale: XVIII–XIX a. pradžia
Authors: Baronas Darius
Published: February 2022

GREAT EVENTS AS REFLECTED IN THE MEMORIAL BOOK OF FRIARS MINOR CONVENTUAL: EIGHTEENTH TO EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY

The aim of this article is to establish which events of greater historical impact and in
what manner affected the community of the Lithuanian Friars Minor Conventual.
The article attempts to uncover what historical events were noticed, how they were
reflected and thus inscribed in the collective memory of the Conventual Franciscans
based primarily, but not exclusively, in Vilnius. The principal object of this investigation
is the Memoriale of the Friars Minor Conventual that began to be compiled in 1702 by
fr. Antoni Gumowski and received its final shape at the hands fr. Antoni Niewiarowski
in 1842. This manuscript is kept at the Lithuanian State Historical Archive (f. 1135,
ap. 20, b. 669). It includes miscellaneous materials relating to the culture of memoria
as was practiced at the convent of Vilnius. For the sake of comparison, the information
contained in the necrologies of the Valkininkai convent has also been used. The idea
is, that memorial books containing detailed biographies of famous friars broke out of
the limits of being a strictly necrological commemoration and approached to chronicling
contemporary events. The local collective identity of the Vilnius Friars Minor
Conventual rested on the memory of the Franciscan martyrs of Vilnius (fourteenth
century) and the first two bishops of Vilnius, who were Franciscan friars themselves:
Andrzej Jastrzębiec (1388–1398) and Jakub Plichta (1398–1407). The description of
events and the enumeration of the names of friars of the fifteenth–sixteenth centuries
indicate that all this data was transmitted through the mediation of written records
and notes. The 1610 fire of Vilnius may be viewed as the oldest event inscribed in the
living memory of the early eighteenth-century Franciscan community. Other events
that became seared into their collective memory are the mid-seventeenth century
Muscovite invasion, the Swedish occupation of Vilnius in 1702, the great pestilence of
1710, and the First Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. All these events
of greater historical significance provided stimulus to produce a number of detailed
descriptions of local events as lived through by the local Franciscan communities and
individual friars. Their experiences range from a collective dislocation of communal
life to the individual martyrdoms. The Vilnius Memoriale also describes events related
to the Russian imperial policy in a matter-of-fact fashion, allowing a reader to draw
conclusions as to the policy of interference, control and the eventual suppression of
monastic communities and their convents.

Keywords: Lithuanian Friars Minor Conventual, necrology, cultural memory, local
history, political history, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
The impact of technological heredity on the accuracy of obtaining dimensions during the parts machining
Authors:   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Brylev A.V. Brylev A.V. , Lizunov I.V. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Nikolus A.A. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Isaev , Yu.Yu. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow
Published: February 2022

The article considered the issues of the impact of technological heredity on the accuracy of obtaining dimensions during the machining of machine parts. The authors analyzed the influence of technological heredity on accuracy and quality of parts. The issues of ensuring the accuracy of processing and the dependence of the accuracy of obtaining dimensions in various locating charts are considered. Based on the theoretical analysis, the calculation was carried out, analyzing the technical processes of critical parts of various types, in which the impact of technological heredity is clearly traced; the ways to solve this problem are presented. The paper concludes that in order to obtain a product with the specified properties and requirements, it is necessary to establish the number and nature of transitions, and based on the information provided, to determine the values of intermediate and clean-up allowances, which is the initial information for calculating the total allowance.
Modeling and creation of a frequency modulator for solving various technical problems
Authors:   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Gordienko N.A. , Monakhov P.A. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Sitnikov S.S. ,   Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow
Published: February 2022

The article describes an algorithm for designing a frequency modulator, which is used in industrial enterprises to solve various problems. The practical significance of the work is the study of the algorithm for creating a device from the electrical circuit in the Micro-Cap program to the board design and routing in the Altium Designer program. This work can be used for teaching students and conducting laboratory work on software knowledge, for industrial creation and design of real products, as well as as auxiliary material when working with Micro-Cap, SolidWorks, and Altium Designer programs. As an example, a frequency modulator circuit with a variable-capacitance varicap and output amplifier stages on bipolar transistors was used. The work describes the algorithm for modeling 3D components in SolidWorks and the process of exporting models to Altium Designer, creating a library of three-dimensional component models, library with conventional graphical designations, as well as building functional diagrams of the electrics of the device, creating connections between components and routing a printed circuit board in Altium Designer in two-dimensional and three-dimensional form. The main emphasis was put on studying and adjusting the parameters of the conductive tracks, namely, changing the width, layer and distance of the gap between the conductors; also, the creation of a polygon when routing a printed circuit board is demonstrated. This frequency modulator is implemented and used as a laboratory work at the university. Familiarization and study of this software are conducted at the Department of Radioelectronic Systems and Complexes of one of the leading engineering universities.
O SNUC, a produção do conhecimento e ação relativas ao uso público e Educação Ambiental no Brasil (2014-2020)?
Authors: Deuner Julio Konrath
Published: February 2022

Este trabalho vem apresentar uma pesquisa multidisciplinar sobre a produção do conhecimento e ações de Educação Ambiental-EA vinculados ao uso público em unidades de conservação-UCs no Brasil, no período de 2014-2020, e discutir a relevância dessas práticas como estratégia de educação socioambiental 20 anos depois da instituição do Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação. Para tal foi feita uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória para coleta e pré-seleção do material. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que, com notáveis exceções de protagonismo local, as ações relatadas revelaram a fragilidade da regulamentação do uso público das UCs, a carência programas de visitação e linhas de atuação estruturadas em EA, não configurando uma política pública de democratização do uso público de áreas protegidas.
Критичні технології для створення наземних робототехнічних комплексів важкого та середнього класів
Authors: Гусляков Олег Михайлович , Довгополий Анатолій Степанович , Чепков Ігор Борисович
Published: February 2022

На підґрунті аналізу світового досвіду створення бойових наземних робототехнічних комплексів важкого та середнього класу в статті запропоновано основні підходи щодо створення таких вітчизняних комплексів. Проведено аналіз технічних характеристик та функціональних завдань закордонних і вітчизняних зразків, що дозволило розробити перелік критичних технологій, необхідних для створення вітчизняних наземних робототехнічних комплексів на рівні закордонних аналогів. Запропоновано організаційні заходи та системні кроки щодо створення наземних робототехнічних комплексів важкого і середнього класів в особливих умовах економічного та технологічного розвитку.