bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in central nervous system infection after neurosurgery: A case report
Authors: Tian Ying , Xia Han , Zhang Linlin , Zhou Jian-Xin
Published: October 2022

Background

Central nervous system (CNS) infection is one of the most serious complications after neurosurgery. Traditional clinical methods are difficult to diagnose the pathogen of intracranial infection. Due to recent advances in genomic approaches, especially sequencing technologies, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been applied in many research and clinical settings.

Case presentation

Here, we report a case of CNS infection with Acinetobacter baumannii in a 15-year-old woman, who previously underwent surgery for recurrence of ependymoma in the fourth ventricle. On the eleventh postoperative day, the patient had a high fever and leukocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). mNGS using CSF rapidly and accurately identified the causative pathogen as A. baumannii with carbapenem resistance genes blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-51, which were confirmed by subsequent culture and susceptibility tests within 5 days. During the disease, mNGS, culture, and drug susceptibility testing were continued to monitor changes in pathogenic bacteria and adjust medication. At present, there are no case reports on to the use of mNGS for detecting pathogens in postoperative infection with ependymoma and guide medication.

Conclusion

mNGS has great advantages in pathogen identification and even pathogen resistance prediction. Multiple mNGS examinations during the course of the disease play an important role in the dynamic monitoring of pathogens.
A comparative examination of the health status of earthquake-affected and non-earthquake-affected adolescents in Yushu
Authors: Zhao Fangjie , Tang Bihan , Yang Hongyang , Wu Jing , Chen Qi , Zhang Lulu , Liu Xu
Published: October 2022

Background

Yushu, Qinghai Province, which is located in the remote Tibetan Plateau in western China, was struck by a disastrous earthquake in 2010.

Methods

This study aimed to compare the health status of adolescents who had (Exp-Group) and had not (Non-Group) experienced the Yushu earthquake, 7 years after it occurred; additionally, group-specific predictors of health status were identified. A cross-sectional study was adopted among students from two junior schools in Yushu, whereby two groups were compared. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, and stepwise linear regression were used to analyze data.

Results

Exp-Group scored higher than Non-Group on Physiological Component Summary (PCS) but not on Mental Component Summary (MCS). Among Exp-Group participants, lower PCS scores were predicted for “house damaged,” “injured,” “family member injured,” and “family member or friend dead.” Lower MCS scores were predicted by “family member or friend dead.” Among Non-Group participants, PCS scores were predicted by “residence” and “family member or friend dead.” Lower MCS scores were predicted by “not living with parents.”

Conclusion

Lower PCS and MCS scores of Exp-Group adolescents mainly contributed to earthquake-related injuries, while lower PCS and MCS scores of Non-Group are related to poor living conditions and the fact of the left-behind child.
Argumentation: A calculus for Human-Centric AI
Authors: Dietz Emmanuelle , Kakas Antonis , Michael Loizos
Published: October 2022

This paper aims to expose and analyze the potential foundational role of Argumentation for Human-Centric AI, and to present the main challenges for this foundational role to be realized in a way that will fit well with the wider requirements and challenges of Human-Centric AI. The central idea set forward is that by endowing machines with the ability to argue with forms of machine argumentation that are cognitively compatible with those of human argumentation, we will be able to support a naturally effective, enhancing and ethical human-machine cooperation and “social” integration.
Profiling heliophysics data in the pythonic cloud
Authors: Antunes Alex K. , Winter Eric , Vandegriff Jon Duane , Thomas Brian A. , Bradford Jeffrey W.
Published: October 2022

Analysis of long timespan heliophysics and space physics data or application of machine learning algorithms can require access to petabyte-scale and larger data sets and sufficient computational capacity to process such “big data”. We provide a summary of Python support and performance statistics for the major scientific data formats under consideration for access to heliophysics data in cloud computing environments. The Heliophysics Data Portal lists 21 different formats used in heliophysics and space physics; our study focuses on Python support for the most-used formats of CDF, FITS, and NetCDF4/HDF. In terms of package support, there is no single Python package that supports all of the common heliophysics file types, while NetCDF/HDF5 is the most supported file type. In terms of technical implementation within a cloud environment, we profile file performance in Amazon Web Services (AWS). Effective use of AWS cloud-based storage requires Python libraries designed to read their S3 storage format. In Python, S3-aware libraries exist for CDF, FITS, and NetCDF4/HDF. The existing libraries use different approaches to handling cloud-based data, each with tradeoffs. With these caveats, Python pairs well with AWS’s cloud storage within the current Python ecosystem for existing heliophysics data, and cloud performance in Python is continually improving. We recommend anyone considering cloud use or optimization of data formats for cloud use specifically profile their given data set, as instrument-specific data characteristics have a strong effect on which approach is best for cloud use.
Toward evidence-based decision support systems to optimize pollination and yields in highbush blueberry
Authors: DeVetter Lisa W. , Chabert Stan , Milbrath Meghan O. , Mallinger Rachel E. , Walters Jenna , Isaacs Rufus , Galinato Suzette P. , Kogan Clark , Brouwer Kayla , Melathopoulos Andony , Eeraerts Maxime
Published: October 2022

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a globally important fruit crop that depends on insect-mediated pollination to produce quality fruit and commercially viable yields. Pollination success in blueberry is complex and impacted by multiple interacting factors including flower density, bee diversity and abundance, and weather conditions. Other factors, including floral traits, bee traits, and economics also contribute to pollination success at the farm level but are less well understood. As blueberry production continues to expand globally, decision-aid technologies are needed to optimize and enhance the sustainability of pollination strategies. The objective of this review is to highlight our current knowledge about blueberry pollination, where current research efforts are focused, and where future research should be directed to successfully implement a comprehensive blueberry pollination decision-making framework for modern production systems. Important knowledge gaps remain, including how to integrate wild and managed pollinators to optimize pollination, and how to provide predictable and stable crop pollination across variable environmental conditions. In addition, continued advances in pesticide stewardship are required to optimize pollinator health and crop outcomes. Integration of on- and off-farm data, statistical models, and software tools could distill complex scientific information into decision-aid systems that support sustainable, evidence-based pollination decisions at the farm level. Utility of these tools will require multi-disciplinary research and strategic deployment through effective extension and information-sharing networks of growers, beekeepers, and extension/crop advisors.
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the lateral thigh with KRAS/NF1 co-mutation recurred after repetitive surgical resection: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Zhou Zimo , Xu Jing
Published: October 2022

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), a rare soft tissue sarcoma subtype, mainly occurs in the deep parts of the limbs and trunk, observed as rapidly growing painless lumps, rarely located under the skin or protrudes from the skin surface. The risk of recurrence and metastasis is associated with multiple factors. Mutation of tumor gene, tumor occurrence, location and depth of invasion, and tumor size have great influence on prognosis. In this study, we described a case of UPS with KRAS/NF1 co-mutation. This case had undergone UPS extended resection for four times combined with chemotherapy in another hospital. The resection area was more than 3 cm, and tumor relapsed after all operations. This time, the tumor protruded from the left lateral surface with ulceration and infection. Due to multiple surgeries, the anatomy of the lateral femoral vessels has been seriously damaged. We performed expanded tumor resection and adjacent flap transfer repair; meanwhile, vacuum sealing drainage (VSD)-negative pressure closed the drainage, and the patient recovered well after surgery. After surgery, the patient was transferred to the Department of Oncology for chemotherapy. There was no recurrence after 6 months of follow-up. Gene mutation plays an important role in UPS recurrence and metastasis. At the same time, occurrence and location, depth, and size of UPS have great influence on the prognosis. Deeper exploration and expanded resection are important for the prognosis of UPS.
Clinicopathological features and prognosis of colonic and rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Li Chen , Lu Yunwei , Zhang Meng-meng , Wu Hao , Li Han , Ye Ying-Jiang , Jiang Kewei
Published: October 2022

Background

Colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (cGIST) and rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (rGIST) are two rare subtypes of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The view that colonic and rectal carcinoma are different is generally accepted; however, whether there is a difference between cGIST and rGIST is still unknown. Here, we aimed to provide evidence for future clinical management and research by comparing the differences between the two types of GIST in the above-mentioned aspects.

Methods

Patients were enrolled from three medical centers in China and published literature was collected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate differences between cohorts.

Results

Between cGIST and rGIST patients, significant differences were observed in age, tumor size, mitotic index, NIH risk category, growth pattern, and symptoms. Adjuvant therapy is used in a high proportion of cGIST patients, and neoadjuvant therapy is used in a high proportion of rGIST patients. Although local resection is the main surgical method in both cohorts, the proportion is higher in cGIST patients. The overall survival of rGIST patients was better than that of the cGIST patients before propensity score matching (PSM). Interestingly, no significant differences in prognosis were observed after PSM.

Conclusions

Although there were significant differences between cGIST and rGIST patients in baseline characteristics, clinicopathological features, treatment choice, and overall survival rate before PSM, no significant differences in long-term survival were observed between the two groups after PSM. In our study, there may be no differences in the tumor entity between cGIST and rGIST.
Melatonin ameliorates the adrenal and pancreatic alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Clinical, biochemical, and descriptive histopathological studies
Authors: Oyouni Atif Abdulwahab A. , Al-Amer Osama M. , Ali Fatma Abo Zakaib , Altayar Malik A. , Jalal Mohammed M. , Albalawi Rayan Salem M. , Abuderman Abdulwahab Ali , Alsharif Khalaf F. , AlZamzami Waseem , Albrakati Ashraf , Elmahallawy Ehab Kotb
Published: October 2022

Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of melatonin in diabetic rats. However, limited studies have been conducted on the potential effects of melatonin on the descriptive histopathological and morphometric findings in different compartments of the adrenal glands in diabetic animal models. In this study, using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model, we sought to examine histological alterations in the pancreas and adrenal glands and observe the effect of the administration of melatonin on the histopathology and morphology of the pancreas and the adrenal gland cortex and medulla that are altered by STZ-induced hyperglycemia. Rats were randomly assigned to four different groups: Group I, normal control; Group II, melatonin group (MT) (10 mg/kg/day); Group III, (diabetic STZ group), and Group IV, diabetic (STZ) + melatonin group (MT). Throughout the experiment, the animals' fasting blood sugar levels were measured. Blood was obtained to determine the animals' cumulative blood sugar levels after sacrification. For histological and morphometrical evaluations, the pancreatic and adrenal gland tissues were dissected and processed. Our results showed that diabetic rats receiving melatonin significantly (P < 0.05) improved their fasting blood sugar and cumulative blood sugar levels compared to the diabetic group not receiving melatonin. Furthermore, histopathological examinations of the pancreatic and adrenal tissues of the diabetic rats indicated the occurrence of severe histopathological and morphometric changes. Morphometric analysis of the adrenals indicated a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the thickness of the cortex zones [zona glomerulosa (ZG), zona fasciculata (ZF), and zona reticularis (ZR)] for the diabetic STZ group compared with other groups, and a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the diameter of the in adrenal gland medullas in the diabetic STZ rats compared to the other groups. Furthermore, treatment with melatonin restored these changes in both the pancreatic and adrenal gland tissues and produced a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in the cortex and medulla thickness compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Overall, melatonin significantly reduced the hyperglycemic levels of glucose in diabetic rats and reversed the majority of histopathological alterations in the tissues of the pancreas and adrenals, demonstrating its anti-diabetic activity.
Lagrange Optimization of Shock Waves for Two-Dimensional Hypersonic Inlet with Geometric Constraints
Authors: Li Yuling , Yue Lianjie , He Chengming , Wu Wannan , Chen Hao
Published: October 2022

The present paper focuses on the Lagrange optimization of shock waves for a two-dimensional hypersonic inlet by limiting the cowl internal angle and inlet length. The results indicate the significant influences of geometric constraints on the configuration of shock waves and performances of an inlet. Specifically, the cowl internal angle mainly affects the internal compression section; the inlet length affects both the internal and external compression sections where the intensity of internal and external compression shock waves shows a deviation of equal. In addition, the performances of optimized inlets at off-design points are further numerically simulated. A prominent discovery is that a longer inlet favors a higher total pressure recovery at the positive AOA; conversely, a shorter inlet can increase the total pressure recovery at the negative AOA.
Agronomic and Economic Aspects of Biodiesel Production from Oilseeds: A Case Study in Russia, Middle Volga Region
Authors: Zhichkin Kirill A. , Nosov Vladimir V. , Zhichkina Lyudmila N. , Krasil’nikova Elena A. , Kotar Olga K. , Shlenov Yuri D. , Korneva Galina V. , Terekhova Anna A. , Plyushchikov Vadim G. , Avdotin Vladimir P. , Gurina Regina R. , Magdeeva Tatiana V.
Published: October 2022

Emissions from fossil fuels are expected to increase in accordance with the global economy, which causes the development of alternative non-hydrocarbon sources in energy production. Biodiesel is one of the best options, among other sources, due to its low footprint. Russia does not have a smart policy of state support for biofuel production. The work objective was to determine whether it is necessary to develop equipment for biodiesel production, taking into account the structure of cultivated areas and available technologies; to calculate economic indicators of biodiesel production for agricultural needs; to compare the options for spring rape cultivation; as well as calculate the government support optimal level. As research methods, the authors used the apparatus of economic and mathematical modeling, and the method of absolute, relative and average values. Statistical tables are used to present the research results. Based on our study results, it is proven that the homemade biodiesel production by agricultural enterprises is economically justified. The equipment needed for its production was determined, the main economic indicators of the fuel production type and the optimal value of monetary and labor costs were calculated, and the gross and market biofuel values were obtained. The optimum level of government support for biofuel production in the Middle Volga region should be EUR 13.223 million, and the area planted with oil crops should be increased by 47.1 thousand ha.
Comprehensive Assessment of Houttuynia cordata Thunb., an Important Medicinal Plant and Vegetable
Authors: Luo Qing , Meng Ping-Hong , Jiang Da-Wei , Han Zhong-Ming , Wang Zhen-Hui , Tan Guo-Fei , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2022

Houttuynia cordata Thunb., called Yuxingcao in Chinese, is an important medicinal plant and vegetable consumed in the southern regions of China. This review aims to summarize studies on the phyto-physiological chemistry, cytology, molecular biology, and genomics of H. cordata. Studies on the physiology and biochemistry of H. cordata have grown over the past few decades. Phenotypic and agronomic traits, tissue culture, elemental analysis, photosynthetic studies, bioactive compound identification, and antioxidant research have been reported. Molecular biological studies, such as those of molecular markers, microRNAs, DNA variations, protein variations, and transcriptomes have also advanced. Recent studies have focused on the rDNA and chloroplast genome of this plant. This review could serve as a basis to perform the genetic breeding, genomic advance, and cultivation of this valuable diversified plant resource for medicinal applications and vegetable production.
Comparison of Lipid Properties and Cadmium and Lead Content in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Meat from Three Feeding Grounds
Authors: Kasprzyk Anna , Kilar Janusz , Walenia Alina , Kusz Bożena
Published: October 2022

The aim of the study was to compare the properties of lipids and the content of cadmium and lead in the meat of red deer (Cervus elaphus) kept in a forest feeding ground (FFG) and on organic and conventional farms in Poland. Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Musculus semimembranosus (SM) muscles were collected for the study from 36 red deer carcasses in an equal sex and age ratio (3 and 4 years old). From April to October, the animals consumed only the vegetation growing in the feeding grounds. The floristic and phytoncide composition, as well as the fodder value, of the feeding grounds were assessed. Additionally, the intramuscular fat and cholesterol content, the profile, sum, and ratios of fatty acids (FAs), lipid nutraceutical parameters, and cadmium and lead content were determined in LL and SM. The plant composition comprised 116 species in the organic feeding ground (OFG) and 78 species in the conventional feeding ground (CFG). The LL and SM muscles of the red deer from the organic and forest feeding grounds exhibited significantly lower amounts of fat and cholesterol than those from the conventional system. The differences in the fatty acid composition between the three groups were quite small. Differences in intramuscular fat content contributed to a higher percentage of PUFAs in the FFG and OFG, in comparison to the CFG. In all types of feeding ground, the cadmium (0.002 to 0.008 mg/kg) and lead (0.009 to 0.019 mg/kg) content determined in the meat did not pose a threat to consumers.
Ikhnos: A Novel Software to Register and Analyze Bone Surface Modifications Based on Three-Dimensional Documentation
Authors: Mora Rocío , Aramendi Julia , Courtenay Lloyd A. , González-Aguilera Diego , Yravedra José , Maté-González Miguel Ángel , Prieto-Herráez Diego , Vázquez-Rodríguez José Mª , Barja Isabel
Published: October 2022

The study of bone surface modifications (BSM) is crucial in understanding site formation processes and the identification of the causal agent behind bone assemblages in the fossil record. In that line, many efforts have been made to generate referential models based on feeding experiments and human butchery simulations that can then be used to interpret the patterns observed in archaeological and paleontological sites. Considering these needs, we developed a novel open-access three-dimensional (3D) software called Ikhnos for the study of BSM distribution patterns on limb long bones. This software is comprised of all the necessary tools for the 3D documentation of BSM and bone breakage patterns, as well as the subsequent statistical analysis of this data due to the integration of an exclusive R library, the IkhnosToolBox. Additionally, Ikhnos integrates tools for bone survivorship calculations that could facilitate the estimation of the minimum number of elements (MNE) and minimum number of individuals (MNI). As a demonstration of its precision, here we present a case study analyzing the modifications produced by wild and captive wolf (Canis lupus signatus) populations of the Iberian Peninsula on deer carcasses.
Clustering and Correlations amongst NEFA, Selected Adipokines and Morphological Traits—New Insights into Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Daradics Zsofia , Niculae Mihaela , Crecan Cristian Mihăiță , Lupșan Alexandru Florin , Rus Mirela Alexandra , Andrei Sanda , Ciobanu Dana Mihaela , Cătoi Florinela Adriana , Pop Ioana Delia , Mircean Mircea Valerian , Cătoi Cornel
Published: October 2022

Obesity is a common feature in horses suffering from metabolic syndrome. While adipokines involvement as biomarkers is better established in human pathology, little data are available on horses. This study aimed to investigate the possible association and relationship between selected metabolic parameters and morphological traits in equine metabolic syndrome. Adiposity was evaluated using body condition score (BCS) and cresty neck score (CNS). Plasma levels of total cholesterol, insulin, NEFA, and adipokines (omentin and chemerin) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Spearman correlation, univariate linear regression analysis and hierarchical clustering were performed. Significant positive correlations were observed between NEFA and bodyweight (r = 0.322; p = 0.006), BCS (r = 0.295; p = 0.013), and CNS (r = 0.267; p = 0.024), total cholesterol and bodyweight (r = 0.262; p = 0.027), and omentin and CNS (r = 0.234; p = 0.049). Cluster analysis supported these results and provided more details on the relationships between studied variables within and between the four resulting groups. These findings highlight NEFA, chemerin, and omentin as valuable biomarkers that could be further analyzed in other horse breeds for a better understanding of equine metabolic pathology.
Effects of Maternal Protein Supplementation at Mid-Gestation of Cows on Intake, Digestibility, and Feeding Behavior of the Offspring
Authors: Nascimento Karolina Batista , Galvão Matheus Castilho , Meneses Javier Andrés Moreno , Moreira Gabriel Miranda , Ramírez-Zamudio German Darío , Souza Stefania Priscilla de , Prezotto Ligia Dias , Chalfun Luthesco Haddad Lima , Duarte Marcio de Souza , Casagrande Daniel Rume , Gionbelli Mateus Pies
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to assess the effects of maternal protein supplementation and offspring sex (OS) on the intake parameters of the offspring. Forty-three Tabapuã cows were randomly allocated in the following treatments: protein supplementation (PS) during days 100–200 of gestation (RES, 5.5% total crude protein (CP), n = 2, or CON, 10% total CP, n = 19) and OS (females, n = 20; males, n = 23). The offspring were evaluated during the cow–calf (0–210 days), backgrounding (255–320 days), growing 1 (321–381 days), and growing 2 (382–445 days) phases. The CON offspring tended to present higher dry matter intake (DMI) at weaning (p = 0.06). The CON males presented lower digestibility of major diet components in the growing 2 phase (p ≤ 0.02). The CON offspring spent 52% more time per day eating supplements at 100 days and 17% less time in idleness at 210 days. The CON males spent 15 min more per day ruminating than RES males in the feedlot phase (p = 0.01). We concluded that protein supplementation over gestation alters the offspring feed intake pattern as a whole, while protein restriction promotes compensatory responses on nutrient digestibility in males.
Preliminary Investigation into Developing the Use of Swabs for Skin Cortisol Analysis for the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)
Authors: Santymire Rachel M. , Young Marissa , Lenihan Erin , Murray Michael J.
Published: October 2022

The ocean sunfish (mola; Mola mola) is the heaviest bony fish in the world. This slow-moving fish often is injured by fishing boats that use drift gillnets attributing to its listing as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey, CA, USA) has a program that brings in smaller molas from the ocean and acclimates them for an exhibit. When they grow too large for the million-gallon Open Seas exhibit, they are returned to Monterey Bay through a “reverse” acclimatization. Our overall goal was to use skin swabs to evaluate mola stress physiology to better understand the effects of this program. Our objectives were to validate this non-invasive method by taking opportunistic swabs throughout acclimatization and during stressful events. We swabbed each individual (n = 12) in three different body locations. Swabs were analyzed using a cortisol enzyme immunoassay. We averaged the three swabs and examined the absolute change of cortisol from the first taken upon handling to during treatments and the different acclimation stages. We considered elevated cortisol concentrations to be ≥1.5-fold higher than the first sample. Overall, mean (±SEM) cortisol varied among individuals (564.2 ± 191.5 pg/mL swab (range, 18.3–7012.0 pg/mL swab). The majority (four of six) of molas swabbed within the first week or month had elevated skin cortisol compared to their first sample. All seven molas that were being treated for an injury or illness had elevated skin cortisol (range, 1.7- to 127.6-fold higher) compared to their post-acclimation sample. This is the first step in validating the use of non-invasive skin swabs for glucocorticoid analysis in the mola. Further biochemical analysis is needed to determine the specific steroids that are being measured.
Phytobiotics from Oregano Extracts Enhance the Intestinal Health and Growth Performance of Pigs
Authors: Duarte Marcos Elias , Kim Sung Woo
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of phytobiotics on the intestinal health and growth performance of pigs. Totals of 40 newly-weaned pigs with 6.4 ± 0.3 kg BW (Exp. 1) and 120 growing pigs with 27.9 ± 2.3 kg BW (Exp. 2) were allotted in RCBD in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The factors were: antibiotics as growth promoter (AGP) and phytobiotics (PHY). Pigs were fed experimental diets during 21 d (Exp. 1) and 42 d (Exp. 2). Growth performance, health parameters, and nutrient digestibility were evaluated. In Exp. 1, AGP diet increased (p < 0.05) ADG and G:F compared with a diet without AGP or PHY and a diet with AGP combined with PHY. PHY decreased (p < 0.05) TNF-α and IgG in the jejunum and protein carbonyl in plasma, whereas it increased (p < 0.05) the villus height. In Exp. 2, AGP or PHY diets increased (p < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F compared with a diet without AGP or PHY and a diet with AGP combined with PHY. PHY decreased (p < 0.05) IgG and PC in plasma. Collectively, AGP and PHY improved growth performance by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing immune status and jejunal morphology. However, the combinational use of phytobiotics with antibiotics suppressed their effect.
Is Caperatic Acid the Only Compound Responsible for Activity of Lichen Platismatia glauca within the Nervous System?
Authors: Studzińska-Sroka Elżbieta , Majchrzak-Celińska Aleksandra , Bańdurska Monika , Rosiak Natalia , Szwajgier Dominik , Baranowska-Wójcik Ewa , Szymański Marcin , Gruszka Wojciech , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta
Published: October 2022

Lichens are a source of various biologically active compounds. However, the knowledge about them is still scarce, and their use in medicine is limited. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of the lichen Platismatia glauca and its major metabolite caperatic acid in regard to their potential application in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumours, such as glioblastoma. First, we performed the phytochemical analysis of the tested P. glauca extracts based on FT-IR derivative spectroscopic and gas chromatographic results. Next the antioxidant properties were determined, and moderate anti-radical activity, strong chelating properties of Cu2+ and Fe2+ ions, and a mild effect on the antioxidant enzymes of the tested extracts and caperatic acid were proved. Subsequently, the influence of the tested extracts and caperatic acid on cholinergic transmission was determined by in vitro and in silico studies confirming that inhibitory effect on butyrylcholinesterase is stronger than against acetylcholinesterase. We also confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of P. glauca extracts and caperatic acid using a COX-2 and hyaluronidase inhibition models. Moreover, our studies show the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity of the P. glauca extracts against T98G and U-138 MG glioblastoma multiforme cell lines. In conclusion, it is possible to assume that P. glauca extracts and especially caperatic acid can be regarded as the source of the valuable substances to finding new therapies of central nervous system diseases.
Antioral Cancer Effects by the Nitrated [6,6,6]Tricycles Compound (SK1) In Vitro
Authors: Chen Yan-Ning , Chan Chieh-Kai , Yen Ching-Yu , Shiau Jun-Ping , Chang Meng-Yang , Wang Cheng-Chung , Jeng Jiiang-Huei , Tang Jen-Yang , Chang Hsueh-Wei
Published: October 2022

A novel nitrated [6,6,6]tricycles-derived compound containing nitro, methoxy, and ispropyloxy groups, namely SK1, was developed in our previous report. However, the anticancer effects of SK1 were not assessed. Moreover, SK1 contains two nitro groups (NO2) and one nitrogen-oxygen (N-O) bond exhibiting the potential for oxidative stress generation, but this was not examined. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferation effects and oxidative stress and its associated responses between oral cancer and normal cells. Based on the MTS assay, SK1 demonstrated more antiproliferation ability in oral cancer cells than normal cells, reversed by N-acetylcysteine. This suggests that SK1 causes antiproliferation effects preferentially in an oxidative stress-dependent manner. The oxidative stress-associated responses were further validated, showing higher ROS/MitoSOX burst, MMP, and GSH depletion in oral cancer cells than in normal cells. Meanwhile, SK1 caused oxidative stress-causing apoptosis, such as caspases 3/8/9, and DNA damages, such as γH2AX and 8-OHdG, to a greater extent in oral cancer cells than in normal cells. Siilar to cell viability, these oxidative stress responses were partially diminished by NAC, indicating that SK1 promoted oxidative stress-dependent responses. In conclusion, SK1 exerts oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage to a greater extent to oral cancer cells than in normal cells.
8D BIM Model in Urban Rehabilitation Projects: Enhanced Occupational Safety for Temporary Construction Works
Authors: Sampaio Alcínia Zita , Constantino Gonçalo B. , Almeida Nuno M.
Published: October 2022

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a relevant booster to the modernization of construction. The adoption of digital technologies positively contributes to more agile and integrated processes in all phases of the building life-cycle, namely with regard to project management activities. The implementation of BIM has been predominant in new building projects, but the current market cycle of the rehabilitation or refurbishing of existing buildings offers new opportunities of application to be explored. This paper explores such opportunities, namely with regard to the temporary construction works involved in urban rehabilitation projects with the preservation of the façades of the original buildings. It specifically addresses the impacts of the modeling efforts of steel frames and structures needed to temporarily support façades, after the demolition of the old buildings, and until the original façade is reintegrated into the structural elements of the new building. In a BIM context, an 8D model is created to explore BIM capabilities in enabling more efficient occupation safety and health coordination and management activities in building rehabilitation projects, namely in improving and validating the demolitions and construction methods and sequencing, the scheduling of construction works, and the mandatory occupational risk prevention documents for the construction site. The development of the research was supported on the use of the available BIM software: Revit, to model the façade and the temporary steel structural system; Microsoft Project, to schedule the construction works; Navisworks, to perform clash detection analyses and enable visual simulations for occupational risk, and its identification and mitigation. The study intends to contribute to the dissemination of BIM capabilities to improve occupation safety and health in construction, namely in rehabilitation projects involving temporary structures while contributing with innovative perspectives toward higher maturity in BIM implementation and use in the construction sector.
Graph Convolutional Networks Guided by Explicitly Estimated Homophily and Heterophily Degree
Authors: Zhang Rui , Li Xin
Published: October 2022

Graph convolutional networks (GCNs) have been successfully applied to learning tasks on graph-structured data. However, most traditional GCNs based on graph convolutions assume homophily in graphs, which leads to a poor performance when dealing with heterophilic graphs. Although many novel methods have recently been proposed to deal with heterophily, the effect of homophily and heterophily on classifying node pairs is not clearly separated in existing approaches and inevitably influences each other. To deal with various types of graphs more accurately, in this work we propose a new GCN-based model that leverages the explicitly estimated homophily and heterophily degree between node pairs and adaptively guides the propagation and aggregation of signed messages. We also design a pre-training process to learn homophily and heterophily degree from both original node attributes that are graph-agnostic and the localized graph structure information by using Deepwalk that reflects graph topology. Extensive experiments on eight real-world benchmarks demonstrate that the new approach achieves state-of-the-art results on three homophilic graph datasets and outperforms baselines on five heterophilic graph datasets.
Quantifying Privacy Risks for Continuous Trait Data
Authors: He Muqing , Zou Deqing , Qiang Weizhong , Xu Shouhuai , Wu Wenbo , Jin Hai
Published: October 2022

In the context of life sciences, the rapid biotechnical development leads to the creation of huge amounts of biological data. The use of such data naturally brings concerns on human genetic privacy breaches, which also discourage biological data sharing. Prior studies have investigated the possibility of the privacy issues associated with individuals’ trait data. However, there are few studies on quantitatively analyzing the probability of the privacy risk. In this paper, we fill this void by proposing a scheme for systematically breaching genomic privacy, which is centered on quantifying the probability of the privacy risk of continuous trait data. With well-designed synthetic datasets, our theoretical analysis and experiments lead to several important findings, such as: (i) The size of genetic signatures and the sensitivity (true positive rate) significantly affect the accuracy of re-identification attack. (ii) Both the size of genetic signatures and the minor allele frequency have a significant impact on distinguishing true positive and false positive matching between traits and genetic profiles. (iii) The size of the matching quantitative trait locus dataset has a large impact on the confidence of the privacy risk assessment. Validation with a real dataset shows that our findings can effectively estimate the privacy risks of the continuous trait dataset.
A Survey on Depth Ambiguity of 3D Human Pose Estimation
Authors: Zhang Siqi , Wang Chaofang , Dong Wenlong , Fan Bin
Published: October 2022

Depth ambiguity is one of the main challenges of three-dimensional (3D) human pose estimation (HPE). The recent strategies of disambiguating have brought significant progress and remarkable breakthroughs in the field of 3D human pose estimation (3D HPE). This survey extensively reviews the causes and solutions of the depth ambiguity. The solutions are systematically classified into four categories: camera parameter constraints, temporal consistency constraints, kinematic constraints, and image cues constraints. This paper summarizes the performance comparison, challenges, main frameworks, and evaluation metrics, and discusses some promising future research directions.
Design and Experiment of Black Soldier Fly Frass Mixture Separation through a Cylinder Sieve with Different Rotation Speeds
Authors: Peng Caiwang , Zhou Ting , Song Shisheng , Sun Songlin , Yin Yulong , Xu Daojun
Published: October 2022

A differential separation trommel screener was developed to solve the problems of the impurity content in insects and the high rate of insect impurities in the separation of black soldier fly (BSF) sand mixture. Moreover, the mechanical and physical properties of the BSF sand and its bonding contact model were examined. With the rotational speed of the trommel and the spikes and the inclination of the trommel as the experimental factors, their motion characteristics were analyzed and their value ranges were determined. In addition, the impurity content in the insects and the rate of insect impurities were selected as the test indicators. The Box–Behnken test was performed, the response surface regression model was built, and the parameters were optimized. The results indicated that the respective test factors, the impurity content and the insect rate, followed the following order of significance: the trommel rotation speed, spike teeth rotation speed, and trommel screener inclination. At the trommel rotation speed of 47.37 r/min, the speed of the spike teeth reached 24.16 r/min, the inclination angle of the trommel was 5°, the impurity content was 6.0%, and the insect rate reached 1.2%. The results of the bench test indicated that the average impurity content was 5.87% and the average insect rate was 1.20%. The results of this study provide a reference for the improvement and optimization of the separation structure of the BSF sand mixture.
Multi-Frame Blind Super-Resolution Based on Joint Motion Estimation and Blur Kernel Estimation
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Huang Qingbin , Wang Minghui
Published: October 2022

Multi-frame super-resolution makes up for the deficiency of sensor hardware and significantly improves image resolution by using the information of inter-frame and intra-frame images. Inaccurate blur kernel estimation will enlarge the distortion of the estimated high-resolution image. Therefore, multi-frame blind super resolution with unknown blur kernel is more challenging. For the purpose of reducing the impact of inaccurate motion estimation and blur kernel estimation on the super-resolved image, we propose a novel method combining motion estimation, blur kernel estimation and super resolution. The confidence weight of low-resolution images and the parameter value of the motion model obtained in image reconstruction are added to the modified motion estimation and blur kernel estimation. At the same time, Jacobian matrix, which can better describe the motion change, is introduced to further correct the error of motion estimation. Based on the results acquired from the experiments on synthetic data and real data, the superiority of the proposed method over others is obvious. The reconstructed high-resolution image retains the details of the image effectively, and the artifacts are greatly reduced.
An Ensemble Framework to Improve the Accuracy of Prediction Using Clustered Random-Forest and Shrinkage Methods
Authors: Farhadi Zari , Bevrani Hossein , Feizi-Derakhshi Mohammad-Reza , Kim Wonjoon , Ijaz Muhammad Fazal
Published: October 2022

Nowadays, in the topics related to prediction, in addition to increasing the accuracy of existing algorithms, the reduction of computational time is a challenging issue that has attracted much attention. Since the existing methods may not have enough efficiency and accuracy, we use a combination of machine-learning algorithms and statistical methods to solve this problem. Furthermore, we reduce the computational time in the testing model by automatically reducing the number of trees using penalized methods and ensembling the remaining trees. We call this efficient combinatorial method “ensemble of clustered and penalized random forest (ECAPRAF)”. This method consists of four fundamental parts. In the first part, k-means clustering is used to identify homogeneous subsets of data and assign them to similar groups. In the second part, a tree-based algorithm is used within each cluster as a predictor model; in this work, random forest is selected. In the next part, penalized methods are used to reduce the number of random-forest trees and remove high-variance trees from the proposed model. This increases model accuracy and decreases the computational time in the test phase. In the last part, the remaining trees within each cluster are combined. The results of the simulation and two real datasets based on the WRMSE criterion show that our proposed method has better performance than the traditional random forest by reducing approximately 12.75%, 11.82%, 12.93%, and 11.68% and selecting 99, 106, 113, and 118 trees for the ECAPRAF–EN algorithm.
Development and Validation of 96-Microwell-Based Spectrophotometric and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection Methods with High Throughput for Quantitation of Duvelisib and Seliciclib in Their Bulk Forms and Capsules
Authors: Aljohar Haya I. , Alghamdi Abdulmajeed A. , Khalil Nasr Y. , Darwish Hany W. , Al-Salahi Rashad , Darwish Ibrahim A.
Published: October 2022

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved duvelisib (DUV) for managing follicular lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, and relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Seliciclib (SEL) is a candidate drug for these cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, renal diseases, several viral infections, and chronic inflammation disorders. This work describes the development and validation of a 96-microwell-based spectrophotometric method (MW-SPM) and a high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection method (HPLC-FD) for the quantitation of DUV and SEL in their bulk forms and capsules. The MW-SPM is based on the formation of colored charge transfer complexes (CTCs) as products for the reactions of DUV and SEL, as n-electron donors, with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), as a π-electron acceptor. The absorption intensity of the CTCs was measured by using an absorbance plate reader at 450 nm. The stoichiometric ratios of DUV:DDQ and SEL:DDQ were 1:1 and 1:2, respectively, and accordingly the reaction mechanisms were postulated. The HPLC-FD involved the chromatographic separation of DUV and SEL on a Hypersil™ Phenyl HPLC column (250 mm length × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm particle diameter) with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile:acetate buffer, pH 4.5 (35:65, v/v) at a flow rate of 2.2 mL/min. DUV and SEL were detected at 370 nm after excitation at 280 nm. SEL was used as an internal standard (IS) for quantitation of DUV, and DUV was used as an IS for quantitation of SEL. Both MW-SPM and HPLC-FD were validated according to the guidelines of the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) for validation of analytical procedures. The linear ranges for both DUV and SEL were 14.52–200 µg/well (100 µL) and 0.12–3.2 µg/mL for MW-SPM and HPLC-FD, respectively. LOD values in MW-SPM for DUV and SEL were 4.4 and 3.17 µg/well, respectively; however, those for HPLC-FD were 0.03 and 0.05 µg/mL, respectively. The accuracy and precision of both methods were confirmed as the recovery values were ≥98.5% and the values of relative standard deviations (RSD) were ≤2.41%. Both methods were satisfactorily applied to the quantitation of DUV and SEL in their capsules; the mean recovery values were ≥99.2%. Both methods have simple procedures and high analytical throughput. Moreover, they consume a small volume of organic solvent; thus, they are economic and eco-friendly. Accordingly, the methods are valuable for routine use in quality control (QC) laboratories for quantitation of DUV and SEL in their bulk forms and capsules.
Representation of Corpus Patiens in Russian Art of the 1920s
Authors: Zlydneva Nataliya
Published: October 2022

Similar to the Russian historical avant-garde of the 1910s, which predicted the war and the social revolution of 1917, the late avant-garde of the 1920s anticipated the advent of the totalitarian terror and the Stalinist repressions of the 1930s. In figurative painting, this manifested itself in a specific visual “lexicon” and modality (bodily violence and the fragmented body, frustration, motifs of loss, death and general catastrophe), as well as in the expressive style (that inherited but not duplicated the models of European expressionism). In addition to proposing an analytical classification of semantics and poetics of the painting of the 1920s, the present article discusses the issue of the representation of political power in visual art and the presence of archaic roots in the corpus patiens (lat.) motifs. It examines artefacts made by eminent as well as little-known painters of the late avant-garde, including Kazimir Malevich, Alexander Tyshler, Kliment Redko, Georgy Rublev, Aleksandr Drevin, Boris Golopolosov and others.